Who: Deirdre of the Sorrows and Perseus What: Stupid Ex husbands spoil ALL the fun (Originally posted by Deirdre) When: After this Where: Perseus' workplace Warnings: Some Fluff, language, TBD
After her tirade at Conchobar ended, him deaf to her words, she'd simply turned and walked into Perseus' workplace. She hated doing this, hated having to hide behind someone and throw up distractions for Conchobar, but he wouldn't listen to her words. Actions alone would do it. She knew she was being a giant bother, and really needed to find a way to make up for all that.
She'd meant not to bother anyone, but one of the mortals had recognized her and asked if she was looking for 'Peter'. She felt a bother, again. She told the man if he wasn't busy, she'd love to see him but that she was honestly just waiting for her ex to disappear. The mortal had noticed Conchobar and told her to wait while he fetched Perseus and she sighed. She really hated this.
She had no choice but to wait though. She was unwilling to face Conchobar again. She only had so much strength in her to fight him. Her very instinct was to always either be docile around him, or run away. The fight was a recent thing. She toyed with the strands of her hair as she subtly watched the outside while waiting, glad to see that Conchobar eventually went away. Honestly, she'd seen him talk to other women. Why on earth he was trying os hard to get the one woman who didn't want him was beyond her.
Perseus had been called out to three jobs that morning and then he had spent the afternoon training. He was bone-weary, but he felt like he had accomplished good things that day. It was a good kind of tired.
He had just finally finished having a well-deserved shower, and the moment he stepped out someone told him his girlfriend was there.
Perseus nodded and toweled off his hair and pulled some clothes on before running downstairs to find Deirdre standing there, looking troubled. "Deirdre?" he asked, worried, as he pulled her into his arms. "What happened?"
It was nice to be held like this. Smiling she closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. Comfort, peace, and protection was right here and it was easy to relax into him. "I'm sorry." With a smile she looked up and set her fingers on his chin. "I didn't want to disturb you."
She made a face and glanced outside, "Conchobar happened. I swear he stalks me. No I don't swear, I know." Because he couldn't just let it all go. A whole world out there and he was stuck on her. "I don't know when he saw me, but I had planned to drop of dinner for you and go shopping. Next I know he's besides me talking about how he just happened to see me and wanted to say hello."
She shook her head, "I told him to leave me alone, but the man has no mind. Still goes on on how he's my husband. And then he gave me this look like he'd rather throw me against a wall and have his way with me. And I do not like it when he does that. I didn't need the reminder of his touch." Before she'd had no choice but to tolerate it. Now she had a say in the matter.
She gave him a smile, "I'm sorry. Remind me how illegal it is to have someone killed, even if he'll return? He has other women, far more willing then I'll ever be, and yet he's stuck on me."
With every word Deirdre spoke, Perseus' jaw tightened further and further. He gritted his teeth when he imagined some asshole shoving her against a wall and having his way with her against her will. Even without that the man was causing her strife and it filled Perseus with fiery rage. Deirdre was his damsel in distress and she needed saving.
It was difficult for Perseus to keep a cool head and not simply leaving her there to sprint outside and try to track the asshole down. His grip on her may have tightened, but it kept him grounded and in front of her.
"You might have to remind me it's illegal to have someone killed," Perseus finally growled, though he remained quiet so his coworkers didn't overhear. "I'm glad you came. And so sorry he won't leave you alone. I could break his neck for you?"
Smiling she looked up at him and set her hand on his cheek. She could guess he knew how much it meant to her how he kept helping her. Her problem wasn't as easy as slaying monsters, but having him did help her.
He was everything she needed or wanted and at times it was hard not to follow impulse. It was hard for him not to fight, and hard for her not to ask him to run away with her.
"You're very sweet. But he'll come back. And he gets worse when people fight against him. He doesn't have the pull of a King anymore, but he still has sway. Now he's just stalking me, an irritation I can deal with" She brushed her thumb along his cheek and sighed, "and if he gets worse so do I. And I don't want to repeat how I got rid of him last time." She dropped her hand and shook her head. "I hate curses. I hate him."
She set her arms around him and her cheek on his chest. "I don't like hate either." She looked up at him, "and you look tired. Busy day?" She wanted to shift away from Conchobar. He made her life miserable enough as it was. She didn't want to linger on him.
Perseus dropped his head and he kissed her hair, still distracted by murderous thoughts. He wanted so very much to give chase, to fight and slay and kill, and ignoring those impulses felt slightly like he was betraying himself. Really though, he was behaving like he was expected to in these modern times. "No," he said, relaxing if only slightly. "Hate doesn't help most things."
He took a deep breath, the scent of her hair relaxing him further. "Got called out on three jobs and trained some newbies. But no one stalked me. You shouldn't have to deal with it. Do you want to go somewhere?" Of course he did mean perhaps to one of their places, but he didn't bother to clarify.
She smiled to the kiss on her hair, "you're too tall," she had to joke otherwise she knew that in about ten minutes she'd utterly collapse and have a long stretch of time where she did nothing but cry. And she wasn't good company to anyone then. Joking and ignoring all of it was just easier.
Then she nodded, "yes, if you're done. I can make myself useful around here otherwise. And your place sounds lovely because I don't want him finding Briseis and if he goes to you you can punch him." She shrugged, "and no I shouldn't have but my options aren't much. It's running away or restraining orders and he didn't stop when I went to Scotland so I doubt those will stop him." Smiling she rose until she could kiss him.
Conchobar earned so much of her hate though she frowned as she drew back. "Tell you what, next time I see him? I'll stall him and call you. Maybe he'll listen to you."
Perseus' shift was over and he was more than ready to get out of the station house for the day. He turned to signal that he was leaving to one of his co-workers and then he gently nudged Deirdre towards the door. "My place it is. Is it wrong that I almost hope he does show up at my house so I can punch him?" Perseus sighed, annoyed at his own useless feelings of rage. Perhaps he could use a good session with a punching bag tomorrow.
"My car is in the lot," he said holding the door to the lot open for her. "And I like this plan. Calling me is a good plan. As long as stalling doesn't get you into any trouble."
She took the hint and started walking, already thinking of ways to make all this up to him. Part of her wanted him to go after Conchobar, but her fear over what may happen pulled her back. "Oh no, justifiable really. I've wished for worse on him."
With a nod she left the lot and walked to his car. "No. He," she paused because saying he wouldn't hurt her would be a lie. But he only hurt her once he had her. "He wouldn't hit me. He'll isolate me, hurt or kill the ones I love but never put a mark on my face." She rolled her eyes at the sheer absurdity of it all. "He breaks with words, not fists. I don't fear him for my own sake. He's done all he can to me. But I do fear he'll take all my happiness away again. And logically I know he can't. But fear and logic aren't friends."
When they reached his car, Perseus took her arm and he leaned her against it, facing him. His expression was earnest and clear, even in the dim lights of the car park. "I can't imagine ever wanting to hurt you. I'll always try my best to make you happy." Then he leaned in to kiss her.
She looked up to him as she leaned against the car and smiled to his words. Returning the kiss was the easiest thing to do, because when he said things like that how could she not be utterly gone for him.
Resisting the urge to deepen the kiss, since they were standing in a car park, Perseus pulled away and ran his fingers across her cheek. "Your ride, my lady!" he said, pulling the door open for her and grinning ridiculously.
She laughed and shook her head. This was a hundred times better then wallowing over the past so she dipped her head. "So gallant my warrior." Smiling she took her seat, taking the moment to arrange her thoughts and shake herself out of what his kiss and words did to her.
Perseus rounded the car and he slid in behind the wheel. He liked that she had called him 'gallant'. He liked being 'gallant'.
He started the car and pulled out of the car park, mostly in silence. The drive to his place wasn't terribly long and as they pulled into the parking garage under his building, Perseus was already planning how to distract her from her asshole ex-husband.
"Am I right in guessing that you haven't had dinner since you were planning to bring me some?" he asked as he helped her out of the car.
She gave a sheepish grin as she got out of the car before following him. She was all too happy that he was sticking around after all this. Many wouldn't. "You would be right, actually. I just lost track of it all." Not surprising. Her other demise was that she'd simply let herself waste away.
"No matter, I'll make us something. You had a busy day of saving people and then all that before. It's the least I can do."
Perseus nearly told her she didn't have to go to the trouble, but he bit his tongue because he knew she liked doing hat kind of thing for him. And really, he liked having things done for him. "If you feel up to it," he said, just to let her know he wouldn't be upset in the least if she didn't slave away in the kitchen for him. "You are a great cook."
Her smile only grew. She liked compliments and making him something to eat seemed like a good step towards making up with all the hassle that came with her. "Why thank you, and I wouldn't offer if I wasn't up to it."
Patiently she waited for him to let her into the apartment before removing her shoes. "Go. Relax. I'll see what I can find." To put action to her words she moved to the kitchen to see what she could scrounge.
Perseus closed the door behind him and then he toed off his shoes. He slid fingers through his mostly-dry hair and watched as she headed towards his kitchen.
She was so undeniably beautiful and he was starting to suspect that his drive to protect and adore her was beginning to grow deeper. He was starting to believe that he may very well be in love with the startlingly gorgeous Celt, and not just because she was so beautiful. He loved the way she smiled and laughed and when she ducked her head and blushed. He even adored how every once in a while she seemed slightly awkward; he found it incredibly endearing. This was more than just someone to pass the time with, or at least it was heading that way.
Instead of staying in his living room and stretching out on the couch, he followed her into the kitchen. "I actually feel more relaxed when I'm in the same room with you," he said with a smile.
That made her pause and she gave a softer smile. "Far be it from me to deny you relaxation then." There wasn't much else she could say about that. He was too sweet sometimes and with things like this could knock her off her feet way too easily. Not that she really minded.
She still waved at him to sit down at least. She admired his job and dedication to it but she still figured he could use a bit of a break.
It wasn't hard to find something and start cooking. Even with a few ingredients she'd always managed to make something tasty. A hum was stuck under her breath as she worked.
"It is Spring," she interrupted herself. "If you want and you have free time we could take that hunting trip. I've managed to get myself a new bow and it feels like ages since I've done anything like that. Big game anyway. Small is a bit too easy."
Perseus was seated at his high counter, perched on top of a stool. He was leaning forward and he smiled when she suggested hunting. He loved getting outdoors and hunting was a joy. "Small game is too easy," he agreed. "If you wanted to take a bigger trip and get out of the state, my sister has a ranch in Montana we could stay at. It borders the woods and there is always game near Artemis' ranch."
"I'd like that." getting out of the state would be a good thing. Running away wasn't the most responsible thing she could do, but spending a few days out of reach of Conchobar would make facing him again easier. "still a bit strange to know you can call Gods siblings. What kind of game do they have in Montana?" She'd heard something about large predators and wondered if that was allowed to be hunted.
"Artemis lets me call her that. Not all of them do," Perseus said honestly and without regret. Those who didn't were ones he didn't want to claim anyway. "There is deer and elk and bear...anything you could want, really. It's a moutainous area. Absolutely beautiful."
She wasn't too sure how a big family like that worked. It sounded odd enough. "I read some about her. She sounds very interesting." Her smile brightened then, "I do love mountains, and I've never hunted bear before. Do they let you keep the fur?" With a smile she set the plate in front of him. "here you are, and I'll ask Briseis to look after Gandalf. I've been trying to train him but it's hard to train a dog for hunting when you live in the city."
"I suppose you could keep the fur if you wanted. As long as we don't hunt a grizzly. They are endangered." Perseus looked down at the plate she set in front of him and he grinned. "Thank you. Didn't have much time to eat today. You're wonderful."
"Oh I know." A bit of vanity wasn't horrible really, and she was mostly teasing. She set everything to soak before taking her own plate and sitting down. "A shame, really. But the fur will be nice. Plenty of things to make of that."
When she sat down beside him to eat, Perseus felt compelled to say something about how he was starting to feel.
Perseus may have had his share of women and even men, but he could count the amount of times he had actually been in love on one hand. There was his Andromeda, of course. She was his queen and his other half. With her they had ruled a kingdom and created the Perseid dynasty. He hadn't seen her since those days and he still missed her so much sometimes it was hard to breathe. It had taken centuries after her to feel anything for another woman.
There had been two marriages to mortal women, the last one a mere thirty years ago. She had been someone he had rescued in the year 1971. Her name was Sandra and she had been camping with a friend and a blizzard had surprised them and trapped them in the mountains. Her friend had died from the conditions by the time Perseus made his way to them.
He had carried her freezing body five miles to where they could airlift her to hospital. And while he would have parted ways with her there, she had gripped on to him so tightly that he sat with her until she was safely in the ICU. She asked him not to leave and he didn't. He sat for days in a waiting room while she battled for her life in critical condition, and then for months beside her in a hospital room while she healed.
He had fallen head over heels and he lived with her as a mortal. They married in '73 and lived happily together for a decade. He had been convinced he should tell her who he was when they discovered the brain tumour that took her life in just three months. Perseus had closed himself off after that.
Until now.
He put down his fork and turned to her. "Deirdre. I-" He chewed on his lip, wondering how to even bring this up to her. Should he just blurt it out? "I have to be honest with you. I haven't felt this way about any one in a long time."
When he spoke, at first she assumed something was wrong. She pushed it aside though and watched him. His words made her go still and then she blushed. She wasn't too sure how to respond, mainly because her heart was going wild.
She fussed with her hair for a moment before allowing her guard to lower. She could trust him with all this. "I can only repeat that. Bit cliche but it's true. You're wonderful." She gave a shy laugh and shook her head. Sometimes she wished she was better with words.
Instead she set her hand on his, "and if you're being honest so shall I. I haven't felt this happy in quite some time. There aren't enough words to really say how much that means to me."
Perseus turned his hand over and he let it close around Deirdre's. The fact that he was making her happy caused him quite a lot of joy. Joy was somewhat lacking in his life, or it had been before running into Deirdre on the street.
"It's enough to know I do," Perseus assured her. "I closed myself off to things like this; to feeling anything beyond attraction, for a very long time. And then you came along."
She felt a bit lost, though not in a bad way. She figured he was just telling her he cared, perhaps falling for her. A small part of her whispered a hope that perhaps that wasn't all of it. For her it was easy to fall for him. He kept saving her and being generally everything she'd ever wanted.
Smiling she raised his hand and kissed it. She could understand closing off. She'd lived as a hermit for ages, unwilling to risk her curse. But the loneliness had forced her out of that shell. Despite the fact that being happy came with Conchobar dogging her every step was something she could ignore now.
Dropping his hand she, "I don't think I can say anything to that. You have a way with words."
Perseus chuckled at that, wondering if he really had a way with words, or if she was just kind and accommodating.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. I just...needed you to know. I think about you all the time. I love being with you. I love- ...you."
"Oh," she was shocked really and it was the first time she'd heard that in what felt like far too long already. Last time she'd heard it she'd been in a cabin and she'd been happy to be home.
It had gotten ruined when the spy had found them and Naoise had looked so determined. He'd told her he loved her and it was the first time he'd done so. Then he'd died and she'd never heard it again.
But this was different. She couldn't help but smile and then give a laugh. The day had started so horrid and now it had all changed. But she knew she hadn't said anything either.
"Oh Perseus," smiling she curled her fingers around his. "I fell for you a long time ago. You have my heart and I love you. Whatever else, there was this." Smiling she leaned closer and kissed him.
Hearing those words from her lips set his entire body on fire. He grinned and jumped off of his stool before scooping her into his arms and kissing her deeply. Then he spun her around and laughed, feeling over-joyed and a little ridiculous.
She could only laugh with him and set her arms around his neck. She didn't mind. This was good and happy and there was nothing in the shadows to take it away. "Silly, but lovable." Smiling she closed her eyes and just breathed.
She felt happy, all traces of her usual sadness gone. She would cling to it for a long time, and to him too.