WHO: Deirdre and Perseus WHAT: Punching rude people WHEN: July 4th, afternoon WHERE: The Park of Centralness WARNINGS: Uh...language and punching
It was Independence Day, something Perseus never really got into. He took the day off, despite the fact that it was a big day for FDNY, and he intended to spend it with Deirdre.
Wanting a walk outside, Perseus suggested they head through the park. He forgot that it was likely to be crowded. He didn't mind much though, as he enjoyed watching the people enjoying themselves and celebrating, even if he considered the reason for the celebration to be ridiculous. "Everything is red, white and blue," he said to Deirdre. "I feel like an idiot for wearing green!"
The idea behind this day she understood. But then didn't. This country had been free before, and then someone else had laid claim to it. She didn't considered herself truly patriotic, not to her new home or the one before, but she had an idea she knew what it was to be free, and not at the same time.
But she liked the fireworks, and with the weather and Perseus taking her out she was having a blast. That and she was pretending Conchobar didn't exist, which always helped.
"I think you look nice. Makes you stand out." Smiling she took his hand. She'd figured a white sundress would suit, and now only realized everyone else had a similar idea. "I forgot about this." Big crowds were never her favorite, but she'd manage.
Perseus liked the compliments, but he didn't think he held a candle to her. "You look beautiful," he informed her. "I forgot about the crowds too. But hey, they're selling red, white and blue popcorn balls over there!"
Perseus didn't notice yet, but someone from the crowd had caught sight of Deirdre and was watching her intently.
She smiled, not noticing a thing herself either. "I think you've mentioned that. But here let's get some find a spot and wait for the fireworks?" If anything that would be fun to watch.
Crowds drew looks, but she shrugged it off. She didn't go looking for them, but it came with the package. She was happy to focus on the day and him.
Perseus enjoyed fireworks so he nodded kindly. He pulled her close to plant a kiss on her head and that was when he noticed the guy leering at her from behind.
He pulled back and frowned. "Someone's staring," he said quietly.
Her first reaction was to tense because she'd always assume it was Conchobar. But she'd have felt him. The advantages of being immortal, of having her tale told, were that he'd never sneak up on her.
By the time she'd turned to look she'd already calmed that fear. Just a mortal who saw and noticed. The side effects of her tale, then. She smiled and leaned into Perseus. "Hm, it's alright. Let's see about that popcorn." Conflict wasn't a thing she liked. More often she'd turn away from it, and ignore such things.
Perseus kept staring at the guy though he nodded absently at Deirdre as she talked about popcorn. He decided to focus on her when the guy reached out to try to grab Deirdre's ass.
Before he got the chance, even before he really had the chance to think about it, Perseus whirled around and punched the guy in the face hard enough to knock him backwards.
One moment she'd been focusing on making sure the day stayed pleasant and the next thing she knew there was a man on the grass, clutching at a bloody nose and swearing up a storm.
It wasn't hard to determine what happened and Perseus looked like he'd have done worse. Strangely she wasn't too worried about that, she was worried about the why. Living with a curse meant that a good portion of her life was never coincidence.
Her first reaction was to leave the scene but that'd do as much good as it did bad. And she knew she ought to say something but she felt frozen.
Perseus stared at the man on the ground, and it took a few minutes for him too realise he had been the cause of it. He reached out for Deirdre to make sure she was okay as he took a step backwards. "You tried to grab her!" Perseus called to the swearing man, though half of it was explaining what had happened to himself.
She startled out of herself when she felt Perseus' touch. It was only then she could think and act. Leaving seemed a priority bit she talked herself into knowing that whatever trouble came, it wouldn't end in death.
She focused on breathing and leaned into Perseus because she could, and there was safety. "Why?" Silly question maybe but it seemed the best one. If he'd done of for any other reason then to keep her safe it would be the curse acting up and she couldn't blame him.
"He was trying to grab you-" Perseus repeated for her benefit. The man on the ground continued to swear, but it had grown quiet and moany. "And I just...it made me angry. He had no right. Deirdre, we should go."
She was finally coming back to herself, which made her angry at herself. Despite her trying whenever true violence came around she froze, much like a deer. She nodded at Perseus " yes. Lets go." She spared the downed man a glance before starting to walk away. "I'm not angry." It seemed like she ought to say that, although she wasn't sure why. "Just, I freeze. Not very useful." She shook her head to clear it. "Thank you."
"No, it's fine," he said quickly, steering her away from the grabby, sweary man. They made their way apart from the crowd, heading back to Perseus' car. "I- I don't know why I did that. It was like...something just came over me."
"It's alright," now she could actually think and be more like the woman she tried so hard to be it was easier to offer comfort and explain. It could be the curse acting up, and she'd need to explain that a bit better too.
It was he entire reason most of her relationships never lasted long. She just didn't want that to happen this time. When they got to the car she turned to him and took his hands. "It's alright love."
She smiled at him, "there are two explanations for this. You either wanted to protect me or it's the curse. I never want people to fight over me, but it happens. Curses are powerful things. I feel as you are Greek you'd get it." She shrugged and kissed his hands, "so, not upset. There's a reason I was a hermit for a long time and crowds aren't my favorite. I may not bring about ruin anymore, but conflict will occur." She sighed, "and while I pretend, I live with this. It's all I can do." She gave him another smile, "not your fault. Not even truly mine. Not fully. I expected something to happen, some conflict to occur, with Conchobar being around. I hope you're not upset."
Perseus breathed out slowly and then he nodded. "I understand curses," he said slowly. And honestly it could have been the curse or his absolute need to protect a damsel in distress.
"Not upset," he finally said. "Just still a little surprised."
"I know," she was babbling, still not as settled as she liked to be. She hated that part of herself, but it was wired into herself. Her tale had just made her a certain way.
And at least he wasn't telling her he didn't want to see her again. "As am I. But you protected me, that is the important thing. Let's not let this spoil the day. If you'd like to go back to your place this is fine. Your choice."
At that, Perseus leaned forward to take her into his arms. "I'm only going back to my place if you're coming with me," he said before planting a kiss on her head. He would just have to be careful in the future, that was all.
It was easy to lean into him and close her eyes to the kiss. She would do all she could to keep him and keep this thing between him. "Of course I'll come back with you," smiling she looked at him. "we'll salvage this day."