#julian berkeley 001

[cloudwalkcr]

Catherine chuckled at his words, feeling both amused and proud of the person next to her. "It may not be all that bad to be tested every once in a while, I suppose." Of course, at the end of the day she'd have certainly put her foot down, within reason. While her father may have been the man he was, someone like Julian seemed almost too silly to pass up. In her eyes he'd been all one could have asked for.

"You certainly came through. I'll give you that." A smile, soft as can be before she allowed her eyes the scan the crowd once more. Somewhere in the crowd her brother was having the time of his life, and she was all the happier for it.

Kate turned back to her husband. "I think that's what makes him so charming. There is beauty in stars. I think Rahi knows when he sees a star." Personal bias certainly played a part in the way the blonde saw her brother and his now-husband; a fondness that could not be denied.

"You have. Plenty." The compliments never ceased to amaze her, no matter the years. "But I won't stop you if you'd like to continue." ❧ @berkeleys

Julian laughs, "He tested me, and for that I'm grateful."

Something about proving one's worth, and how it's almost built into the genetics of becoming a politician. Earning trust, earning votes, earning love — never would he take the easy way out.

The same was true for Kate. He'd pursued her proudly, and spent his time on his future wife without restraints — honoring everything he knew she deserved.

"I'm sure he will," Julian tells her. "I have only spoken to the astronaut a few times, but I can tell his heart is in the right place. His head, however, is in the stars — but I wouldn't expect any less."

Beat. "Have I mentioned how much I love this dress?" He has — a few times, before they left the house.

[detbell]

Starter for: @berkeleys​

Location: Dark Elite

From the moment he saw his face, William just knew he didn’t like Julian Berkeley. Something just rubbed him entirely the wrong way, and he certainly didn’t care much for the man’s politics. But still, as with many people Will didn’t like, he simply had to play nice. It was the reason he found himself shaking Julian’s hand, observing the Governor’s costume. “Between you and me, I don’t think many people in this room are going to get the reference,” he said, gesturing to the outfit. “The younger generations don’t have an appreciation for the classics.”

[admiralbell]

@presidentberkeley

The view out the window of the meeting room is enticing - or at least, it would be if it weren’t the dead of winter. It’s easy enough to imagine, though, the Rose Garden in full bloom on the other side of the glass. It’s not the first time he’s been in the West Wing.

And of course, an ever-growing part of him dares to think it might not necessarily be the last, either.

For now, though, it is. It has to be - in all actuality, he ought to have resigned some time ago, but the necessity of the action was finally setting in. He couldn’t quite stay in limbo, participating in an administration that he was actively working to unseat. So the letter had been submitted several weeks ago. The meeting, he presumed, was just a formality.

He sat stock straight in his chair, checking his watch just before the door opens. When it does, he stands, adjusting the starched fabric of his admiral’s uniform. The formalities, even now, even here, even with Julian fucking Berkeley, are bred into William Bell, and so he salutes - expression betraying nothing of his personal feelings toward the man in front of him.

“Sir.” He waits a beat, then extends a hand. “Thank you for seeing me. I know you have plenty on your plate. But you know, I guess even these little things have to be done - crossing t’s and dotting i’s.” Again, he waits, this time for Julian to take his seat. “After you, Mr. President.”

[kellscarborough]

Kell had never prioritised one customer over another, no matter how much money they had and no matter who they were, because he liked to make them wait and squirm in anticipation. There was no fun in giving somebody what they wanted on the spot. But when summoned to the home of the President, Kell would break this cardinal rule in a heartbeat.

“Of course, sir,” he smiled, trying not to get distracted too much by the room’s grand decor. “I’d be happy to dispense all formalities if that’s alright with you.”

Kell was amused by being labelled a saint. He was certainly far from it and had been since he was about fourteen, but for the President of the United States he could be anything: saint or sinner.

“Although not typical of my profession, I can make house calls for you any time. You’re a much valued customer and an equally valued friend. It’s an honour to be here.”

He then happily did as instructed, sitting down on the plush chair and reclining comfortably, his smile brightening at the mention of bourbon. “I’ve not had a good bottle of that stuff for a long time, but I can imagine I needn’t worry about the quality served here. I’d love a glass, thank you. And in the meantime, how can I be of service to you?”

@kellscarborough

"Mr. Scarborough," the man is greeted with a smile, and a more-than-friendly shake of the hand. "Kellen. May I call you Kellen?" After so long, he hopes so. "You are a saint. I know house calls aren't easy for a jeweler. Yet in contrast, 'Julian Berkeley spends hours at a diamond shop' headlines aren't easy for a President, either."

He motions around the place. "Please, make yourself at home. I've asked for a bottle of bourbon — but if your poison is different than mine, all you have to do is let me know."

[adamstarke]

berkeleys​:

—

“I have several lawyer friends, and I often hear nothing feels quite as accomplishing as justice does.” A moment for consideration. Then, he shoots Adam a knowing look, “…And that there is no such thing as luck.” 

An official decision had been made perhaps twenty minutes prior, but rumors had been brewing for long. Democrats hoped for him in the Oval Office — Republicans knew that he wouldn’t settle for less. 

“You have?” Been hearing, that is. Julian laughs, “Now I understand the new last name.” Whatever there was to be known, an awful man named Starke seemed to always find out first; perhaps soulmates find each other, or perhaps they become each other. “…Alas, I want to have more children, and we’re running out of rooms.” For living, the White House has only about sixteen. “I want this country to be the best that it can be. And some strings can only be pulled out of certain locations.” A slippery man, a great politician makes. He assures, “You and yours are already invited for dinner.” 

---

“That’s very true,” Adam agrees. He doesn’t speak on luck, though some part of him disagrees. It’s not that he doesn’t work hard, but just that sometimes, things do seem to happen better than planned. However, he’s never going to turn down a compliment when offered by someone like Julian Berkeley.

“Well - y’know how people talk,” he demurs. “When it comes to stuff like that. I remember the feeling.” Living in Washington, it was unavoidable, being surrounded by political gossip, never mind the hopes which had been aimed in his direction. How different things might have been if he’d acted on them.

He doesn’t expect the suggestion to be affirmed quite so readily, but he smiles at Julian’s quip. “Well, I wish you luck with both endeavors. Kids and - the new house. And - if you need a DC local, you can always give me a call.” Gracious, Adam nods. “I appreciate that. By that time comes, we’ll have at least one more taggin’ along.” Saying that still pulls a grin out of him. 

[cloudwalkcr]

Perhaps it was her inner need to believe in the best of the people closest to her, and ever-present ability to wish them well, but Catherine had never doubted that one day she'd get to see her brother happy on a day like this. After all the people that hadn't been the one, the one had been found.

"Well," the blonde chuckled when she felt her husband's arms around her, the commentary all the funnier for it. "My father knows what he wants." A statement that held truth, with all the more being pushed down in favor of ignoring the sadder parts. They didn't matter on a day like this.

"After what he put you through, I didn't have any doubts left about you. Not that I had all that many doubts before you were interrogated." No, truthfully she'd been rather stubborn about the whole thing. Her decision had been made long before that discussion. "I do hope he'll be happy. He deserves the best." ~ @berkeleys

@cloudwalkcr setting: madden-kumar wedding

Her brother's wedding. In a way, Julian never thought he'd see the day — out of the countless girlfriends of the past, all of which parted without a ring.

But then, everything shifted. Because while a girlfriend might not get proposed to, a boyfriend would. Months later, here they are — dressed to the nines, hearts beating to speeches that wouldn't be replicated for ages to come.

Conversation flows, as does champagne.

"Brings me back to when I married into your family," Julian starts, approaching his wife from behind, wrapping his hands around her waist. "The questionnaire your father put me through..." He laughs. " I've been through many debates in my lifetime, but that was the hardest one of all."