Who: Hercules and Hebe What: After this conversation. When: Monday night, January 10, 2011 Where: Hebe's apartment. Warnings: TBD, fluff
Since their little break, Hercules had seen less of Hebe then he'd really wanted. It hadn't settled well either that she had moved in with another man when she was his wife. There was still discord between he and Samson as even if the man posed no threat, he was still encroaching on Hebe's space. All things aside tonight Hercules came to her door, rasping with that heavy hand. She was distressed and the only way to calm her down was to effectively be there instead of flopping comments back and forth on the internet.
He didn't want her wandering around at night either if it meant her sister would so forcefully attack her. He was her protector. Goddess or not, no one was going to hurt his darling Hebe.
The weather had pinched his cheeks from the cold bite, ears just as pink even with the coat collar wrapped up around his neck. He would stand out there until she let him in, frostbite and all.
Hebe had been through more than enough drama to last a lifetime. The last thing she needed was her psycho sister to go on a rampage and spread lies about her and her husband. The final straw had been when Enyo had dared to even think of hopping into bed with Hercules. They might have gone through a rough patch and she might still be getting over it, but he was still hers and she wasn't about to let anyone take that away.
It was best she didn't go out, between be incredibly frazzled and the good chance that Enyo might be waiting for her. You just never knew with that nutcase. Whatever Enyo had in store, Hebe had her own retaliation.
She was still just as upset when she heard the knock, which took her a moment to hear from her room. Just to be certain, she checked the peephole. There was a certain amount of relief and she opened the door, though looking no less irritable. There was still that silent cloud of annoyance on his part because she had decided to move here with Samson. It was better for everyone, at least until things were completely patched up.
Samson was in his own room sleeping to his headphones plugged in with sermons to get his mind off the fact he kept wondering about Delilah. The girl wasn't even in the same country at the moment, but just as it did for anyone tightly woven into stories, his mind drifted often. It was rather late, and the big guy had no reason to think of anyone showing up at this hour. When he did wake up to hear voices, he shook his head and went back to listening to his tapes. It would be best for all of them to steer clear right now until Hercules was comfortable with Hebe's choice of roommate.
"Hey," Hercules voice quietly when she finally did let him in. There was an awkwardness but not nearly as huge as it had been when Hera had laid out his transgressions out of spite.
She still looked shaken, unnerved, like she couldn't get her mind straight. As little as she was she had as much of a bite as he could with his own temper when the time called for it. The fact that she'd gotten that frazzled over a comment about him left room for things to heal even quicker.
Hercules took off his coat, dressed in only jeans and a plaid shirt as he'd worn the first time she'd seen him. Without another word he just let her come to him after his hand reached out to stroke her cheek. She'd be alright, he'd make her alright.
Hebe still wasn't entirely certain if Hercules would ever be comfortable with the idea of her living with a man who wasn't him. She couldn't blame him, really. But for now she just needed to ease herself back into being that wife.
A threat from Enyo usually didn't end well. For once Hebe had stood up for herself as opposed to someone else doing it for her. She had always been the quiet cup bearer, the one in the background while everyone else discussed 'important matters' though even now Hebe failed to see why meddling with mortal lives had ever been a good thing.
She could have raged and thrown a tantrum that her big sister was threatening her and hitting on her man. In fact, she was already so close to doing just that. As goddess of youth, it should have been expected. She did act very childish at times.
The place was average and had it not been for Hebe it probably wouldn't have had a single feminine touch at all. The only reason Enyo's words had bothered her so much had been because of what had gone down between her and Hercules weeks before. She could have lived in happy ignorance, perfectly content. That was why she had been so sensitive to her sisters words. Even now she looked like a child as she went to embrace him. Some might think it was a strange combination but they were immortal, stranger things had happened. "My sister is picking on me," she said with purposeful woe in her voice.
Hercules knew that things were still on the mending ground. He knew Hebe didn't like to think about him being with anyone else, but the truth had been that he had been alone for a long time. He had met a few immortals over time, but not enough to have made him think he they were all wondering around somewhere. He hadn't put that much thought into it. She had to understand that, because unlike many Hebe could understand the simplest of words, phrases or actions from Hercules.
She was still so small in more ways than just her size in comparison to his. For a moment he stood still when she clung to him. It was like they were starting all over again, to be comfortable with each other like when they were thrown together in Greek times. With a heavy sigh, Hercules then embraced her, his large hand covering the side of her head softly.
"She won't hurt you," he promised her. Not if he had anything to do with it. Zeus for certain would back him on that. Never again would Hercules hurt or have others come between what he loved and cared for.
It was something she did understand, even if she herself hadn't done anything like that. Just as her mother, she was faithful. However, she trusted her husband where her mother simply couldn't trust her father. She couldn't blame her, really. And now, even after everything she had found out and the tears she shed Hebe was past it. Just as a teenager, her moods could fluctuate and at times she was very childish. Right now the only thing that really bothered her was the fact that her sister was being a complete ass. She would have liked to use another word but she was above that.
She sighed heavily, dramatically. Though she was actually very scared of what her sister might try and do she decided that she had no control over it. And there was a change in moods. Still scared and angry at her sister, she lead Hercules to the couch and sat down. "I know. I know you won't let her do anything to me." She could have called up daddy and told on Enyo, but Hercules seemed to be a much better companion right now. She smiled at him, even if she was scared. "Will you stay tonight?"
He followed her, hand in hand and seated himself on the couch beside her. He sat rather stiffly, still holding her hand within his own. He knew her moods, in a way perhaps it was why their father had chosen this match. There was a companionship between them that he'd not been able to have in life the first time, not for long. Not before it was taken away.
She asked her question, and though his head did not move, his ears perked, looking at her out of the corner of his eyes. That was a surprise.
"You want me to stay?" he asked finally facing her.
This was her lame attempt at trying to be big and tough. Hebe was better at words than actually being tough. She wasn't the type to harm anyone, at least not on purpose. What her sister had said just got to her and it was the final straw. Now she knew she was on the hit list.
She waited, wondering what he'd say to that. Really, it was just her not wanting to be alone. Even if Samson was there, but that was different.
She nodded, "If Enyo shows up I'd rather you were here."
"Enyo the only reason?" he asked perking a brow in question. He hoped despite the differences that had passed between them she understood where he stood. That he wasn't a disloyal husband. Her mother had twisted it into something that had just been bad timing.
Leaning down he moved so that she would look at him. He wanted to hear her say it.
Hebe was beginning to wonder if she could ever stay angry with him. The answer was obvious. His question threw her off a little. That was ultimately the reason she wanted him to stay. She hated the distance and even she wondered why she hadn't just moved in with him, but she had made a promise and Hebe didn't break her promises.
"If she shows up I'm not going to be jumping into Samson's arm for help." Her tone was confusing, whether she was offended or just surprised was uncertain. "I've missed you, too. I want you here if she shows, but I also want you with me even if she doesn't," she said finally. As straight forward as she was about it a light blush rose on her cheeks.