Who: Hebe and Hercules, with appearances by Samson! What: Lovers reunite When: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 Where: LaGuardia Airport and then who knows Warnings: None
Hebe was nervous. She knew changing the date and time of her flight was the right thing to do. It meant seeing her loved ones sooner. But that didn't mean she wasn't nervous. Nervous about how things would go, whether she would be able to see everyone she intended to see in the amount of time she would be in New York. She had hardly slept the night before and now as she sat as comfortably as possible on a cramped airplane she still couldn't sleep.
Mother, father, Aphrodite, Athena, and her beloved Hercules. And even more from the looks of it. It wasn't the remainder of the pantheon that worried her, but how she would be received with her mother and Hercules. She couldn't get it out of her mind that her mother had failed to mention her husband was there and looking for her. However, it didn't surprise her. She couldn't help wondering if her mother was trying to play mommy and make Hebe her little girl again. As much as she loved the idea of being the pampered baby girl she once was she couldn't allow it. Things were different. Times had changed. Hebe would make her own choices.
She just hoped she didn't cross her parents in the process...
The traveling itself wasn't bad. It was the amount of thinking and how little talking she did. Where she was usually chipper and talkative, Hebe had been quiet and kept staring off into space. When they finally landed in New York her nerves got the best of her. By telling Hercules exactly when she would be arriving and where and having not told her mother, not to mention that Hercules would be waiting for her, she felt like she was being disloyal to her mother. It's like a text adventure, except with midgets. The flight was anywhere between five and six hours, most of which Samson spent reading or dozing off. Hebe was the one who seemed nervous. He'd let her lay on his shoulder while he read, stroking the top of her head to give her some peace of mind.
Since meeting her five years ago there wasn't much the friends didn't do together. He reminded her of someone dear, and Samson just enjoyed the company of another. Especially, one that listened to his theology stories.
He didn't know what to expect when he stepped off that plane, but he knew her beloved would be there, something that was going to prove rather awkward. Sure enough when they went to pick up their baggage he felt another presence that wasn't like any normal mortal. He couldn't see where the man was, but that pause in Hebe's step told him all he needed to know.
"You alright?" he asked her softly, laying a hand against her shoulder, albeit protectively.
She knew she had been horrible company during the flight, and she would have to make up for it later somehow. But for now her mind was on only one thing: Finding her husband.
"Yes," she said, nodding slowly though she seemed to be off in a daydream. She too could feel him. It was such a strong, familiar presence that when she stopped to look for where it came from it hardly took her anytime at all. Hercules was difficult to miss.
Without so much as a word she had dropped her bag and practically sprinted toward him. In a matter of seconds she had closed the gap between herself and her Hercules, forcing herself into his arms. And without a thought her lips were on his.
She didn't care who was watching, or the fact that she had caused a bit of a scene. She had found her Hercules again and they could all get over their public display.
Samson felt that strong power as he approached after Hebe went running forward. She near tripped over herself to get to the man she'd often spoken to the Nizirite about ofen. Both were powerful men, could crush men and the bones of any living creature with their bare hands. In many ways Samson was the Hercules of his own Pantheon, it's no surprise he found Hebe and felt some sort of connection to the small girl.
He smiled softly.
Hercules had just turned when he felt that rush of wind and a tingle to his stomach. Before he could take another breath Hebe's arms were around him, his own engulfing her small body. Hebe was barely visible with him around, to some she looked like a young girl in comparison as he lifted her off the floor, her feet dangling in mid air. His hand brushed her hair, cupping the back of her head as gently as ever with a smile just before her lips briskly took his.
With his eyes closed he could feel that thump in his chest where his heart leapt forward. Hand to cheek, their lips parted and he rested his forehead against hers.
"Hebe," he spoke softly.
In that moment there was only Hercules and Hebe. Things were back to the way they should be and she wondered how they could have ever parted ways. Even if it was no Olympus, this was how things should be.
Even in the time they had spent apart Hebe never forgot what it had been like to be next to him. In fact, she had always felt so protected and watched over when they were together. Even if she was so much smaller than him she was used to his size. She was simply petite, that's all it was. Hercules was perfect in her eyes.
As she dangled there for a moment, forgetting where they were and the fact that she had a friend awkwardly waiting for introductions her legs had crossed and rose just a little. Her own hands, so much smaller than his, had come to rest against the back of his head. She sighed softly, smiling with the giddiness of a teenage girl. "Hercules," she replied. "My darling. My love." It was amazing how much she had grown by simply being his wife.
Suddenly she remembered there was someone else there with them and she glanced over to Samson, a little embarrassed to have forgotten him. "And this is my friend I was telling you about. This is Samson. Samson, this is my husband, I believe you know his name," she said smiling.
What had grown between them was so special. It had taken him a while to be comfortable with her, but when he had, there was something so tender between them. He loved his other wives, no one could replace either, but no one could replace Hebe either. She was the timid one, but the one that quite possibly understood him the most.
Hercules kissed her softly again, a quick little peck of a kiss followed by that smile. She was still as radiant as ever.
"I missed you," he whispered quietly.
Finally setting her back down on the floor, he dwarfed her as he stood up straight to greet this person that had tagged along. Samson didn't look quite as large but when he reached out to shake his hand there was a balance of powers there. Both men had an equal strength that seemed almost uncanny. Hercules nodded at the man who now removed his glasses to form some sort of shape with his eyes as he spoke.
"Heard a lot about you, Hercules," Samson said in return letting go of the Greek's hand. "Little Hebe talks about you all the time."
Her smile only widened as he spoke. Just hearing his voice had comforted her, and now to see him again made her feel whole again. Now if only they could find those handsome sons of theirs...
As her feet met the floor again, she looked hesitantly from husband to friend and back again. Whether this would go well or horribly was entirely up to Hercules. At least she'd warned him ahead of time. The last thing he needed was a surprise male friend of his wife's tailing her and him thinking he was going to attack.
As such, she stood a little to the side but somehow between them in case something happened. She knew and trusted her husband to never harm her, so her sudden physical presence would surely stop him.
And then she gave Samson a look, "Little Hebe? You make me sound like a child. Just 'Hebe' will do," she said with a matter-of-fact nod.
Hercules wasn't comfortable, there was obvious tension but he'd be pleasant as long as Hebe was there. She trusted this man, and he would give him the benefit of the doubt. Until there was reason to think otherwise. There was a grunt of a 'hello' from the strong Greek to a man that equaled him in strength. That wasn't something one came across often in this lifetime or the last.
"Strong grip," he noted simply.
Samson smiled. "Ah yes, think we're two in the same," he started suddenly feeling that glare from Hebe. "I can see that Hebe," he smirked.
Admittedly, Hebe was not liking this tension and she could almost feel it sliding off her Hercules. She stepped slowly closer to him and delicately slid her arm around his. Before her stood the two strongest men she had ever known and somehow she seemed to feel their own energies colliding. Certainly, it was nothing strange feeling the powers of other immortals so this wasn't odd to her, but it was strange that while they were very different in some ways their separate energies were very similar.
She smiled apologetically to Samson. She hadn't meant to be harsh and felt bad in doing so. Just being called Little Hebe in front of her husband and by another man no doubt could possibly anger the Greek hero or make her feel embarrassed she'd allowed someone to call her that in front of him. To lighten the tension she piped up. "So! Should we all go have a bite or did you want to go get some rest?" The first part was directly toward both men, the second part to just Samson. In all honesty, as much as she enjoyed her friends company she really wanted to steal Hercules away for the night and not be bothered by anyone, but she was too polite to say it.
The endearment Samson showed was most assuredly not something Hercules was comfortable with, as if there was something between the two of them that he knew wouldn't be possible. Hebe draped around his arm, and he protectively took a step forward as if to silently ward off this new person.
Samson had enough keen senses to know when he was getting the brush off, he could hear that much in Hebe's voice. She wouldn't have tacked on that last question if she hadn't wanted some time alone. With the heat that was radiating off the other big guy, it would be best to step back than insist on intruding.
Samson smiled, waving his hand around and feigning a yawn. "Just a little jet-lagged, rest isn't such a bad idea. I can find something on the way to the hotel. Go, have fun, I'll see you later. I can check in your bags if you want." Hebe had her own strong man to take care of her for a little while. There were things Samson wasn't good for and it's why their relationship remained as friends.
Hebe knew that even if she explained her relationship to Samson was purely friendship that Hercules would probably be jealous, and most certainly protective. Her moving her arm to link with his had been both a sign that she was his as well as a way of attempting to keep him calm.
She looked apologetically at Samson. She hadn't meant it like that. But after being without Hercules for so long she really couldn't help wanting some time alone with him. She could have used some rest herself, but the sudden burst of energy she had just by seeing her husband again made her forget all about that.
She nodded, "That would be wonderful. I'll call you later." Which would probably be in the morning, but she'd keep her promise. She smiled gently and mouthed the words Thank you.
"Alright," Samson said softly with a bright smile, waving as he picked up her bags along with his and made his way towards the glass door of the baggage claim exit.
Hercules stood still, watching carefully as if to affirm that the man was leaving the building. He took a deep breath, tilting his head ever so slightly and looked down at the most cherished of his wives.
Unlinking his arm from hers he took hold of her hand. "Where to?" he asked simply.
"See you later!" She called, watching him walk away.
And just like that she was semi-alone with her husband. That wasn't good enough, though. There was only one place she could think of that she wanted to be and it most certainly wasn't standing in an airport.
That flirty, adventurous twinkle was in her eyes again. "Welllll... it's been a really long time," she said with much hinting. The last time they had been intimate together was the last time she'd been intimate at all. Needless to say sexual frustration was not foreign to her.
She all but glowed in that moment, so suddenly any fixation he'd had on getting rid of the goon she'd come with his attention was back to her.
There it was, a little smile for her before scooping her up into his arms again, nuzzling his nose against hers. "My place?" he whispered, eyes bright, hungry for her attention.
Had he called Samson that aloud Hebe would have defended him. But even so, that was beside the point and she really wanted to get out of that cramped airport.
"Yes," she said, eager to get there now She was also curious to see where he stayed. No doubt it was all the signs of a man living on his own and not a single girlish thing in sight. Hebe would fix that...
He'd walked to the airport, as he'd often walked most places unless taking the subways and trains. Him in a fast vehicle to his own devices could probably prove dangerous. He'd already broken a subway car door when it closed in with just a fraction of space and he'd pulled it apart enough to squeeze through. Needless to say that day there had been more than just a few wide eyes of shock.
He took her hand then leading her out of the tiny airport and down the street. It was a beautiful day outside, though brisk from the winter weather settling in. There were the occasional glances over his shoulder as she followed, his hand never letting go.
Just as she'd imagined when they finally reached his apartment, not a single thing in sight that read 'female' It was ruggedly empty with the few pieces of exercise equipment (not unpredicted) and that particular musty smell. There was no need for lights as the afternoon sky shone through the living room and kitchen windows.
When he shut the door after she'd walked in, he locked it turning back to face her. It was sometimes hard to read Hercules' expressions as he had so very few, but he was more than excited to see her when for so long he'd never expected her to be in this world with him again.
Hebe practically skipped as she walked next to him. The last time she had been to New York it was still young and growing. Now it was a shiny gargantuan city. The whole thing was very much a shock and awe sort of feeling.
Although it was cold she barely shivered. Her heart was beating quickly and the way they were walking kept her plenty warm. It was a huge change from the less populated Olymups. But Hebe had at least been able to get used to city life.
There were no words. None were necessary. Even though she gave the place a quick glance she didn't stop to look at anything. She was breathing heavily but it was hardly important. In fact it added to the moment. She was already breathless and just looking at him again, to be alone with him was enough for her breath to catch in her throat. Even breathless Hebe was still full of energy.
Her smile had been replaced with a more gentle expression. She was no longer the shy wife that once stood before him. And without uttering a single word she closed that gap, making the first move. Lips met once more, bodies were pressed together. Just as they should be.
His large hands gripped against her clothes, needy, hot and ready to touch. He braced her small waist, lifting her up, letting her legs fall around him as he fell into that kiss, his own hunger for her growing. She was alive and energetic, a face he wasn't sure he'd ever see.
With her off the ground he lead them to the bedroom where he gently let her set on the mattress while he unbuttoned his shirt, it sliding off those taunt muscles. He leaned to grasp her mouth with his own.
It had been a long time, though she seemed eager in a way he didn't recognize.