Who: Derek & Megara, with a beefcake debut (aka Adonis the Sharknado Extra) What: Bff date at a local film festival gets a little righteously violent When: Let's say this past weekend Where: Festival grounds, close to the shore Rating/Warnings: Language, Megs punches someone in the face, Oedipus Clowns Status: Complete!
It was a quaint little arts festival, featuring independent short films and improv shows, theatre acts and a couple of street magicians - and the music, of course, was provided by a rotation of local bands. Nothing glamorous like what Hades had her accustomed too with the lack of red carpet rolled out and flashing bulbs from cameras, but it was a popular showcase for artists trying to get somewhere in their career. Who knew what director was hiding in the crowd, what scouting agent was searching for the next it person, but work potential aside? Megara really was just here for the appreciation of the arts.
“Oh, a modern version of Oedipus,” she darkly mused, fashioning a comfortably casual maxi-wrap dress- bell sleeves, a slit on the side to show those long, sun-kissed legs, and the sandals made the constant walking bearable. A brochure of what there was to see was in her hands and she was skimming through it for things she and Derek might be interested in viewing. “I remember taking the good ol’ Herc to see it in Grecian theatres - but this one has clowns, so it’ll be infinitely better.”
Hey, however people felt the need to express their creativity, go for it.
Derek’s friendship with Megara was certainly good for him. If it wasn’t for her, he would stick to his perfectly regimented schedule of classes, work, studying, and of course running. The almost werewolf needed his exercise. But she got him out experiencing new things. Not on a regular basis, but enough to keep him from turning into a complete loner.
“Am I Hercules in this scenario?” Derek joked, he was dressed in his nicest jeans and a button up shirt. Which was about as dressed up as Derek got considering his usual attire was jeans, t-shirts, and hoodies. “I’m not sure how I should feel about that.”
Megara’s response was a deep, throaty chuckle. “Pects aren’t big enough,” she told him, then squeezed the back of his arm for a little inspection. “Neither are the biceps. You’d need about two years worth of steroids, a horse with wings, and a pea for a brain to really compare to Wonder Boy.”
Maybe Hades wasn’t a fan, but there was always a part of her that’d care for the almost-god of another life - she had died for him there. It wasn’t the easiest thing to write off, and even if he and those impressive muscles graced the OC with their presence she’d still be stupidly smitten with the God of Death.
“It’ll be an interesting shitshow, though, so that’s definitely on our to-do list - but first we can hit the beer booths, get a little ale in our system?”
“Well there goes my ego,” Derek joked. Not that he even had one to begin with. But Meg was one of the few people he was actually light-hearted with. Different than the always serious, guarded, Derek. Although he had joked about his ego, he was certainly glad for the comparison. Derek was content with his intelligence and would never want a pea brain. He could do without the pects, biceps, and flying horse too. Looks weren’t all that important to him. Especially when it was over the top.
“Yeah,” Derek agreed with a bit of a nod holding out his arm for Megara to link hers through. “I think I am going to need some alcohol for this.”
Maybe they’d need something stronger than beer to stomach through a circus adaptation of Oedipus (Meg was both laughing and dying about it on the inside), but oh well - she’d also happily link arms to carry on their bestie-date with Derek, leading him through the throng of people and into the line. The crowd was a mix of hipsters and the flamboyantly dressed, and she could really just sip on a drink and people watch for great amusement.
“My treat - I can get us the rounds,” she winked. “I’m trying to enjoy the time between movies; Hades is letting that Golden Globe go to his head so of course the flamer’s going to start gearing up for the next one.” Jabs aside she was proud of him; he worked hard despite the dream hurls thrown his way, and she didn’t mind it when they were back in ‘filming season’ and working non-stop insane hours. It made life feel normal again.
Megara looked ahead, hazel eyes scanning the selection of drinks when she noticed a mop of bleach, bleach blonde on someone who was tall, masculine from behind (he wasn’t lacking in the physique department, that’s for sure) and a spray tan that could only be rivaled by Donald J. Trump himself.
Her stare narrowed. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. I think that’s my ex.”
Derek barely drank beer. So he was fine with just that and nothing stronger. If Meg wanted stronger for herself that was completely fine with him. “How much time do you have until his next movie starts up?” he asked. Derek needed to know these things after all. Take advantage of Meg’s free time while he had a chance.
His brows furrowed at her next statement, staring in the direction she was. “The asshole who cheated on you?” Derek asked already pissed off. He wasn’t sure what she had even saw in this guy. He looked like a complete douche to him.
Yes, that’d be the one. Captain Skinnydick. The Spray Tanned Beefcake. He Who Could Be Related to Drumpf. Adonis had that rockstar surfer look to him, with that shoulder-length wavy hair - his features were handsomely chiseled, and he oozed charm for someone who regularly brushed his teeth with blow.
Megara wasn’t angry, per se, but was clearly exasperated - and she hoped to stay off his radar. There was little to no interest when it came to wanting to interact with the dipstick; she moved on from both of him in both worlds, so why bother?
“If luck’s on our side he won’t notice us,” she said, rolling her eyes. Her arms crossed and from her viewpoint, he seemed distracted. Talking to some people she didn’t recognize, ordering his cocktail of choice ahead of them. “Confrontations with exes after some time being separated, that’s some kind of cliche I’d like to ideally avoid.”
Oh, but why have that luxury? Adonis turned, ready to walk past them, until they were spotted. Or at least the one familiar to him, and while Meg didn’t want to make that eye contact she also wasn’t the feeble type to bashfully look away, either.
She did, however, groan.
Derek was right there with Meg. He didn’t particularly want to talk to her asshole of an ex. He didn’t want to talk to people in general. But if there as a list, this guy would be at the top. Or maybe tied with Dr. Davidoff from his dreams. But then Derek was never one to consider himself lucky. In fact he had a history of having bad luck, or just plain being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Which this scenario fit both.
As the guy stared dead on and Megara and made their way towards the duo, Derek tensed, tightening his arm around Meg’s protectively. Deep down he knew Meg could handle herself, but protectiveness was just in his nature. As was avoidance. “Maybe we should go.” So Meg wouldn’t be that cliche. And so Derek wouldn’t do something he’d later regret.
It wasn’t like she bench pressed busses on a daily basis or had honed the fine art of punching someone in the face but, regardless, Megara had the capability of manifesting her sass into some kind of hostile motion if pushed to it. Her hand patted Derek’s arm in good faith. “Take it easy, kid, he’s really a just a porcelain doll, trust me.”
Insecurity beneath that well-groomed facade, sensitivity about his needle-dick, she knew all of it - she had loved him young, then climbed up onto the back of his motorcycle and left the traveling circus of a family (a literal traveling circus, let’s not talk about that though) for a chance at something adventurous and romantic. Which, of course, resulted in years of ups and downs and general unhappiness, arguments and infidelity that let her hit rock bottom.
And to make things almost poetic, she really wouldn’t be where she was now without him. Civility could be managed. Meg didn’t have it in her to care all that much about him now.
“Well, if it isn’t -” Adonis briefly paused to assess Derek’s presence, and gave a smile that could melt the panties off some dumb set of tits walking along who didn’t know better. “It’s good to see you, babe. You’re looking good,” he complimented, his voice smooth as butter, and he winked. “Who’s your friend? Definitely not the hot-shot boyfriend I saw you on the red carpet with.”
Megara did her best not to gag. “Drop the ‘babe’ part, and yes, this is my friend,” she answered, a tad bit impatiently. “I take it you were looking forward to seeing my hot-shot boyfriend?”
Ah, there was bullshit she was smelling already. Did wittle Adonis want something more than to be an extra on Sharknado?
Derek stared stone-faced at Meg’s ex. From what she told him it made perfect sense he would want to meet Hades in order to further is own career. Selfish bastard. Which of course just pissed Derek off more. He had to keep himself in check though. Despite everything he knew and hated about the guy the last thing Derek wanted was to get into a physical altercation. He didn’t always have the best control over his strength, or his anger for that matter. As much as this guy pissed him off, he didn’t want to seriously injure him.
“We were just about to go enjoy a play. Why don’t you just run along and find someone else’s ass to kiss?” Derek did his best to keep his voice calm, but his words came out as more of a growl. His wolf like nature taking over.
Sassy, sassy Derek. While the banter was tickled her with some morbid amusement, she was also well aware of his temper - and the lycanthropic element, too, it seemed to amplify that swelling rage. Meg’s squeeze to his arm was a reminder that it’d be okay, Adonis wasn’t worth it.
Meanwhile the beef cake raised a waxed brow. He manscaped, a lot. “And here I thought we could handle this like adults,” Adonis responded condescendingly, lip curled back some. “Don’t know what’s up with your friend, Meg, or what you said about me, but I thought at least you and I could handle things like adults.”
Nah. Megara thought she could too, but the snark was strong with this one, and she reached up to her nose for a mocking swipe. “Careful, babe, you forgot a little something-something the last time you went to the ladies room.” It’s not like fists were flying, she really wasn’t that mad -
“Adonis!” came a shrill voice not far from them. A woman whose sun burnt her skin rather than tanned and a face that was an example of botched plastic surgery. Stiff balloon tits, too, can’t forget that tidbit - Megara could recognize those from a while away, considering it was the same bimbo she had caught him plowing doggy-style on the bed they used to share back when their status on Facebook was ‘in a relationship.’
His head swiveled at the direction of his name calling but it wasn’t voluntary, not in the slightest, not with how there was a set of feminine knuckles that pummeled into his cheek without warning. His drinks were dropped, her first in pain, but considering Adonis had bitched out of their relationship scotch-free of consequences and much of her expensive belongings?
It was a long time coming.
Derek watched the scene unfold in front of him wide-eyed. Meg seemed to have things handled, had even calmed Derek down a bit. And then bam, punch to the ex. Honestly he was relieved that she had done it. She deserved to get her anger out at the guy, and well it was better her than him. Which, Derek had been pretty close, wanting to punch the asshole ever since Meg told him about Adonis.
“Nice one,” Derek commented to his best friend. Just because he didn’t necessarily want to partake in the violence given his history, didn’t mean he didn’t condone it. Especially when it was well deserved. “I was close to doing that myself.”
Then his attention was back on Adonis. Green eyes, narrowed, a fierce glow to them almost wolflike. “Now if you know what’s good for you. You’ll get up and leave Meg alone. Forever.” Again his words came out in a growl. And if this guy gave him or Meg any issues he might just have to resort to violence himself. And hope he could control it. That was how protective Derek got of the people he cared about.
“My fucking face,” Adonis spat as he clutched his cheek, taking several steps back from the two of them. By now the line had dispersed and there was gasps and stares, and the thundercunt of a homewrecker came to his side to see the damage but Meg wouldn’t waste a physical blow on her. It was the personification of steroids that ruined it all, and she was just the means.
But there wasn’t anger to spend - simply, just something that needed to be done.
It was pretty satisfying. Megara made a note to punch things more often.
“Pretty sure Hades is going to make his career impossible, or flat-out non-existent,” she chuckled, tenderly rubbing her knuckles. “C’mon, before security gets over here - if this is going to ruin my front-row show for the circus Oedipus show then I’m coming back here to use my other fist on him.”
Aw, she’d have to get Derek some extra beer for holding back. She was so delighted to know she beat him to the first punch.
Derek let Meg lead him away. Hopefully her ex left them the hell alone for the rest of the night. And left Megara alone forever. “Remind me to never get on your bad side,” he joked as they made their way to the Oedipus circus. At least the night could only go up from here.