FINALLY! I know I've been dead a while, and I can't say I'm sorry enough. Life has been busy, but I kept thinking about this story the entire time. I wanted to find a good way for Julian phase into crazy possessive. For the life of me I couldn't think of anything until recently. I also didn't want to end things too fast and seem like I'm rushing. On the other hand I didn't want to take too long. WELL, we shall see how it goes. The seventh chapter of Formal. Read and review please!

Jack couldn't stop his brow from furrowing. The next week after Julian and he had made love in the lab, their relationship seemed to have calmed down. Julian had taken him to many romantic destinations, the latest of which was a weekend in Iceland. Jack had always wanted to stay in the bubble hotels that had become a popular choice for couples. Despite the fact that winter had brought several feet of snow, the bubble room they had booked was warm. The bed was comfy, and while the bed, extra blankets, and lantern were the only items in the room Jack couldn't find it in himself to miss his robots or computers. He certainly didn't miss his parents or their business.

Still, he had to wonder if Julian was trying a bit too hard.

Was he worried that if let up on the attention and spoiling that Chase would swoop in and win? It was ridiculous. Even so, Jack didn't want to say anything. If Julian was still jealous, then he was actually handling it well. If the worst he had to deal with was extravagant trips where the two of them could be alone, then he wouldn't complain.

Shaking his head lightly, the genius turned back to his work. He had been trying to create a device that would stop Chase's sudden appearances. Not that he had shown up lately. Jack knew he couldn't relax. Chase never gave up. This means he could be busy, plotting something, or both. Chase was still active in the Xiaolin/Heylin conflict.

He could only hope that the device was completed in time. Jack had poured over texts to find any symbols or words that could be paired with his technology. Building a shield wasn't the hard part, but Chase could get through that without an issue. Being a magical creature due to the Lao Mang Lone soup, Chase should (desperately repeat should) be susceptible to barrier spells. Jack, on the other hand, was not good with magic and it had proved to be difficult to find anything that could hold up against the warlord.

After what felt like an eternity, Jack had found a few pagan symbols that could work. He was now entering the symbols into the device. The shield would create these symbols within its own structure, keeping the mansion and its surrounding land under an invisible dome. With a relieved sigh, he placed the last screw into its spot. Now, all he could do is turn it on and hoped it worked. Mixing magic and science had been difficult, but if this worked, then Jack knew he could cause serious damage. Maybe he could work this into the business? Or even have a side business with the Heylin circle. Pandabubba alone would pay him a fortune for something that would put him on even ground with the monks.

Ugh, he couldn't let it go, could he? Ever since Chase had shown up Jack had been thinking about more practical ways to be involved in the showdowns. He couldn't. At least not until Chase gave up, which wasn't going to be anytime soon. Grinding his teeth, the genius went back to his work. He had to finish this.

….

The steam of the shower filled the room. Jack had opted for a hot shower after he had completed the device. It was on, but he wouldn't know if it worked unless Chase found him somewhere else and wondered how he had made it. Until then, he would just have to wait. He would have preferred a bath (yeah you heard that), but Julian was coming over. While he did enjoy shower sex, he wanted have some "me" time that didn't include working on something in the lab.

He got out some twenty minutes later, a towel around his waist. His pale skin was flushed a bright pink from the heat. He wiped off the mirror, noting how long his hair had gotten. He actually liked it this way. Looking back on his gelled-up style that was the color of a firetruck, he could see why some people hadn't liked him. He had tried too hard to be noticed. This long white hair fit his real personality better. He was arrogant at times, he wouldn't deny it. Though, he just was that good at science. Claiming to be able to take over the world, especially acting like a brat, was so moronic even he had to look back on himself with mockery.

Pulling most of it back into ponytail, he left some of his shorter hair to frame his face. He was never actually confident about his looks, but damn he liked this. Brimming with confidence he dressed himself in a loose purple sweater (his favorite) and black jeans. There, comfortable, but still able knock Julian on his ass.

A bell chiming some song or other his mother liked echoed through the mansion. Ugh pretentious doorbell if you asked him. What was wrong with a regular doorbell? Was it Julian? Looking at his watch he saw it was still early. Huh. Not Julian, unless he got off work early. He'd let the butler handle it.

Going down to the kitchen, he put on a pot of tea. He found he actually liked certain types. It made it a little easier to eat better. Especially since he didn't stay in his lab day in and day out working on robots for the showdowns. He couldn't count the amount of pudding packets and energy drinks he had consumed. His resting heart rate must have been the intro to Velonica.

"Excuse me, sir. You have a package." The butler placed a beautifully wrapped gift on the kitchen table. Jack was confused for a moment. Had Julian sent him something? No, he normally gave gifts to Jack in person.

"Who is it from?"

"It doesn't say, sir."

Jack sighed. "Ok, leave it there." He poured his tea before looking at the gift. The blue and silver wrapping paper practically sparkled. It had been wrapped so well that the edges were crisp. He almost didn't want to ruin it. But as it is the core of his personality, curiosity took over. He almost wished he hadn't. Under the wrapping was the Master and Dynamic headphone set. So expensive it came in a case for the entire set. He'd wanted this for years, and while his parents where rich, he spent most of his money on metal for his lab. Not a four-hundred-dollar headphone set! Who in the world sent this to him?

If that weren't enough in the case, besides the ridiculously expensive set, was a rose.

Oh. Now he knew…