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"Only if you’re not afraid of scandal, Professor," she quipped lightly, stepping past him into the quiet warmth of his house.

Julian closed the door behind them with a quiet click, shaking his head with a dry little laugh. "Anna, I've experienced far worse back in Oxford," he said, his voice edged with that familiar, self-deprecating humor. "Scandal was practically a second currency there. If I lost sleep over rumors, I’d never have made it past my first lecture."

He moved past her, heading toward the small bar tucked in the corner of the room. "Besides," he added, glancing over his shoulder with that wry glint in his eyes, "this is hardly the worst thing I've been accused of."

Anna just smiled — yeah, that is typical Julian.

"Make yourself at home," Julian said, moving to the little bar tucked in the corner. "More Whiskey? Or have I turned you into too much of a wine person these days?"

"A bit of wine sounds about right," Anna said with a small smile, easing herself onto the worn leather sofa. "Feels like it belongs in a place like this."

Julian poured two glasses and joined her, sitting just a little too close — but neither of them seemed to mind.

There was a pause — not uncomfortable, but charged in that old, familiar way of theirs. Years of words between them... and yet somehow, this quiet felt like the loudest moment of the night.

Anna turned slightly, her eyes catching his in the soft lamp light.

"You know," she said, a little softer now, "you’ve changed a lot, Julian. But in some strange way... you’re exactly the same."

Julian's gaze held hers for a beat longer than it should’ve.

"Dangerous observation, Ms. Raynotte," he murmured, voice low. "Careful — you'll start sounding like someone who knows me too well."

Anna gave the faintest smirk.

"Maybe I do."

And for the first time in a very long time... neither of them looked away.