Tie your hair and gently fall from grace...
Characters: Helenus & Melinoe
Date/Time: The Saturday after this (March 19; around 12:30 a.m.)
Location: The bar, the cab ride, and Meli's apartment
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Drunkenness, realizations and awkwardness. And magic couches.
Summary: Sometimes there is such a thing as drinking too much.
The bartender had called the cab for them, though Helenus wasn't sure if it was because he wanted to be rid of the two giggling and trying to sing along and growing louder and louder the more they drank, or if he was just being a good and responsible human being. They hadn't danced on tables and Helenus still planned to keep his promise to keep Melinoe from doing that a few days ago.
When the cab came Helenus held the door open for Melione, partly because it came him something to lean against until he could slide into the cab with her. It wasn't so much as a slide as an inelegant flump, and he fell into the cab, doing his best not to fall on Melinoe.
The seat was way more comfortable then the hard chair he'd been sitting on in the bar and he melted down into the seat, leaning slightly into her as he did so. Everything felt fuzzy and distant and he was more then fine with that. Without even realizing it, he started humming the song they'd been singing in the bar before they left.
~
Melinoe was somewhere in the middle of a chuckle when the warm body of Helenus leaned against her in the back of the cab. What else was there to do but lean back? Of course! It was so simple. And so comfortable. And so sing-songy... ”Do you beLIEVE in life after love?!” Much to the dismay of their poor cab driver, who finally had to ask, “Where to, kids?”
“To my apartment!” said a very determined-to-not-act-completely-drunk Melinoe. Mentally, she counted on her fingers and determined that she’d had less to drink than Helenus. Those shots that the guy at the end of the bar was buying didn’t count. They were tiny!
The driver, who was named Sergio according to his information on the dash board, sighed. “Well, where’s that at?”
“It’s where I live!” was Meli’s reply, and she dissolved into her purse to find her license. The address was really hard to remember right then... “Wait.” She turned to her partner in crime, eyeing him with that suspicious eye. “You know where I live, right?”
~
"I really don't think you're strong enough!" The muses were not with them tonight, but their...gusto made up for it.
Helenus bit his lip to try and look serious when Meli looked at him. He was serious and innocent and he faded into sniggers. "I know where you live. We live in the same place. Kinda." He leaned forward so he could inform the driver who was looking less and less amused. “Even though...I don’t think I’ve seen the inside of your apartment.” His nose scrunched up as he tried to remember but gave up when the driver cleared his throat loudly.
“Address?” Sergio asked again.
He managed to remember about half the address before he had to look to Meli for help. Helenus could very confidently describe what it looked like but even right now he realized that wouldn't be helpful.
~
“I got it!” Meli exclaimed, holding her license high in the air-- or at least as high as the vehicle’s ceiling would go. She rambled off the address, including the zip code, before Sergio put the car into Drive and headed that way. It wasn’t horrifically far, and much as he wanted to, he did not start the meter while sitting in the parking lot. He couldn’t take advantage of them. For kids out having a good time, they were pretty damn cute for being drunk.
Melinoe shoved her ID back into her purse, all the way to the bottom so it wouldn’t escape, before she looked at Helenus and rested her chin on his shoulder. “You know what? You are so fun. You are one of the best. friends. Ever! You didn’t let me dance on the bar...And you can totally see the inside of my apartment if you want to. It’s not essiting, though...” Ah, slurred speech. So much for being incognito. She finally rested her head on Helenus’ shoulder. “My couch is nice.”
~
He wrapped his arm over her shoulder. She was warm and nice and didn’t make him feel vaguely like pond scum (whatever pond scum felt like) and these were all Good Things. “You’re even better because well...you are.” He rested his cheek on top of her head. The thought that they might be getting too close didn’t even occur to him.
“Not exciting is good. Because Khaos is exciting and she’s bad.” Usually. Did he ever apologize for being a jerk about the muffin? It didn’t seem to matter. “Annnnd most of my life was pretty exciting I guess. But mostly bad.” His normally precise and princely way of talking was gone and just forming complete sentences was a minor miracle. This whole train of thought sucked though so he jumped on anything else to say. “I wanna see your couch.”
~
“My couch is fantastic. It’s remarkably comfortable in ways you just cannot ever imagine! It’s like magic!” The last bit came out in a conspiratorial whisper as though Sergio would somehow sneak into her apartment and take all the couch wonderfulness for himself.
Meli’s soused brain realized that she really did enjoy cuddling up next to her friend. And she came to the revelation that all people in the world should have a cuddly friend of the opposite sex because the size difference made all the difference. She had sometimes cuddled with Orphne, especially on not-so-great nights for one or the other. But this! Helenus suited Melinoe just fine! You just didn’t get this living in the Underworld and walking the streets at night with a line of ghosts trailing behind you. As much as she adored Cerberus, it just wasn’t the same.
She found a small case of the giggles and reached up to poke him in the nose, missing by a mile and finding his hair instead. “You are welcome to my couch of magical proportions. And Cher. And possibly my wine. Maybe we should invite Muses over!” Ah, Melinoe. You do not know what it is you are asking for when Muses are involved, pretty drunken goddess with your handsome drunken princely friend.
~
He reached up and as carefully as he could and took her hand from his hair before anything got pulled. The only girl he ever usually got close to was his sister (or at least the only one he'd been close to since Troy) and hair pulling was exactly what Cass would do. He didn't let go of Meli's hand though, didn't really see any need to, and let their hands flop to his lap. They fit well together. If he’d been sober it would have made him nervous, instead he found it very comfortable.
"Who needs Muses when we've got Cher?" He giggled. "Unless they have more alcohol." He whispered back. Because you never know, Sergio might be after the couch and their alcohol. "Everyone's welcome with more alcohol." He stated very matter of factly.
“And...and there might not be enough room on your couch if they were all there too.” Helenus pouted at the thought he might get squeezed off of the magical couch by a hoard of sister-goddesses.
~
Any other time, the fact that she was holding his hand would likely have confused her and she would have scolded herself mentally and politely taken her hand back. This time, however, her fingers laced easily with his and, well, it was just sweet. Comfortable. It came so easily.
She pouted. “But, they’re fun. I have chairs and a floor to sit on. The couch, though. It shall be ours! And they will bring us drink! And that will also be ours!”
Shortly thereafter, Sergio pulled up to the front of the complex and Meli started fishing about for the $10.49 that lit up on the meter. “Here’s, um... Fifteen. Keep it, ‘kay? Sorry if we were too loud for you. Thank you for taking us home!” She smiled sweetly, however drunkenly it was, and Sergio smiled back. At least they were polite. Drunk, but polite.
~
The image of the muses waiting on them - on him - make him blush. “That wouldn’t be right. I’m only mortal. They’re goddesses.” He told Meli, as if she might not know. “Maybe they’d wait on you.” Hopefully Sergio is willing to discount most of their conversation as drunken nonsense. “You’re a goddess and you’re beautiful.”
He tries to make a mental note to not let her pay next time, but he forgets it once he’s focused on opening the door. At least he manages to throw Sergio a quick, slightly slurred thank you.
Helenus is a tangle of legs as he gets out of the cab, still holding Meli’s hand, trying to help her get out as well. “I have...” Triumphantly, he held up his keys. And then almost dropped them while trying to find the right one.
~
“Oh! Stop it.” His words did, indeed, make her blush. Melinoe wasn’t entirely sure she’d ever been called beautiful by anyone, and did not notice that her hand gripped his just a smidge tighter. “We’re all mortal, now.”
She slid easily across the seat as Helenus was being ever the gentleman. Unfortunately, her dress did not stay where it was meant to and decided to be far less ladylike, sliding right up her thighs. The wind was chilly and she squeaked in surprise at the sudden snap of cold across her milky skin where cold was not meant to go. Melinoe managed to hold down most of it with her other hand along with her purse as one heeled foot stepped onto the concrete, followed surprisingly smoothly by the other. “Oh, darling. Don’t lose your keys. Or are those my keys?”
The car door was bumped closed with her hip and she held her death grip on her companion’s arm as they figured out how best to get back into the building. And up to her magic couch. “This is the best night ever! Do you beLIEVE in life after LOVE?!” She waved happily at the passersby who either skirted around her or gave a chuckle at the sheer silliness of the drunken public.
~
Helenus' eyes widened when her skirt slid up and he uncomfortably looked at his feet. He knew very certainly that since they were friends he should not be looking. Telling himself not to think about it had the opposite effect and he was very grateful when she was standing. That meant he would look down and see eyes.
"They are my keys." He gave them a jingle which for him was enough to prove his point. "Why would I have your keys?"
Her happiness was infectious. She hadn't said anything about dancing in the street even though dancing in general was probably a bad idea with such poor balance. That didn't stop him from wrapping an arm around her waist and swaying them as he joined her in singing along to Cher.
~
And dance she did, along with her friend, and oh! It was a glorious time! She twirled under his arm and she swayed and sung along until someone politely mentioned that they might not want to stand outside for much longer as they were because the police could possibly come and cite them for public intoxication. Well, that just wouldn’t do. “Come, darling,” Melione tittered, taking Helenus’ hand and tugging him towards the front doors. “There is a couch and wine awaiting us! The night, dear Helenus--it only begins!”
So, up she took him to the 9th floor, and to that magical couch that she didn’t just share with anybody. Well, maybe Orphne because the nymph had really been the only one to visit her on any basis aside from Persephone, but that visit was not entirely good. Tonight, the magic would be enjoyed by the two of them, music and some wine.
Or, at least once she found the right door key, anyway. Melinoe frowned in a pout-like fashion and held her keys up to Helenus while her blue eyes went cross trying to focus. “Which one looks like yours?”
~
He was ready to inform their interrupter and whatever police showed up that he was a prince and could do whatever he wanted thank you very much, especially dance on the street. The reminder of a couch and wine distracted him enough. Helenus would deny any giggling on his part in the morning, but there might have been some when she dragged him off.
In the elevator up he continued humming and swaying slightly. The feeling of the elevator moving underneath him threw off his balance too much to even try dancing.
He stared at her keys, not quite processing what he was looking at. Finally he ended up just holding up his own keys to compare. There weren't that many but it took him a second to find the one to his room and held it up right next to hers. "There. That's my room key." He poked one of her keys with his that looked kind of like his room key, but he really probably should not be trusted with judgements like this right now. "I think thatsit."
~
The keys were eyed suspiciously before the connection was made and a couple of misses were made at the lock. Meli finally got them inside the place, snapping a light on in the process. “Here we are! There’s the couch...” She pointed over to a rather large, overstuffed suede-type piece of furniture, decorated in shades of brown and blue. The rest of her apartment had taken on a similar theme of earthen tones--greens, blues and browns. “Make yourself at home,” she said, closing the door behind Helenus. “I’ll go find us some wine. I’m sure I’ve some...” A stumble over her own foot sent Melinoe trotting into the kitchen rather clumsily. “Put on some music, if you like..!”
She managed to find a sweet white Moscato hidden behind a sack of potatoes that she kept in her very small pantry. Humming prettily as she uncorked the bottle, Meli began considering a few things in her inhebriated mind. She truly did adore her time with Helenus, and for the first time really wondered what might be if A) he wasn’t dating Neoptolemus and 2) if he were interested in her like that. They had fun together. They could tell each other anything without worrying about the judgment and disapproval that would have likely been presented by their families, depending on what had to be said.
“What was I thinking,” was mumbled to herself, contemplating the events over the course of the past week. Her mistake of popping that kiss on Phonos had simply lead to a nowhere discussion and made her realize that no, she did not know him as well as she’d thought and no, he was not interested, even though she thought interest had been shown on his end... as much as Phonos was able to manage, anyway. In hindsight, he had more in common with her sister, so perhaps that’s what would be. “Such is life.” It was time to move on. Maybe she should give her former employer a shot, even though that whole futuristic Khaos shenanigan had shaken her up.
All smiles, she came back into the living room bearing two nearly-full wine glasses. “Here we are...”
~
Helenus poked around in Meli's music but didn't recognize much of it. There was nothing labeled Cher which was really the only thing going through his head. He finally grabbed something random off the shelf and put it on but it felt wrong so he put on something else. He had no idea what it was but it wasn't bad.
He flopped inelegantly onto the couch. Unconsciously a low groan escaped him. "You're right!" He yelled in the general direction of the kitchen. "The couch is magic!" It was easily something he could sleep on. If he didn't move soon chances were he would be sleeping on it. Sitting there while he waited, he realized he should probably at least let Neoptolemus know where he was. But he liked having this one thing, his relationship with Meli, being completely his.
When she came out with the wine, he made himself sit up so there was room for her. "Thank you." He took a long sip of the wine. It was different then the wine back home, not as thick but it was good. "This was...is a really good night."
~
The shoes came off as she sat down, one flung reasonably elegantly towards the door, the other landed somewhere in that direction. Meli smiled, albeit a bit boozily before sipping on the wine herself. She wasn’t sure what had gotten her to start keeping some around, but she had some vague inkling that Orphne was behind it. “It really is, Helenus. It’s sort of like...” A pause, looking for the word she wanted to use. “... Like our own exclusive club. Members only. Initiation by invitation.” Another smile. She wasn’t entirely sure she’d ever had a reason to smile so much, but it seemed to be just one of many things that Helenus seemed to bring out of her.
“For the record, you are always welcome to my couch, darling. If I had a spare bed that was just as insanely comfortable-- or a spare bed at all-- that would also be yours.” A small raise of her wine glass. “If you need me or my humble abode, the offer is there.” Did that sound right? A thoughtful, but reasonably amused narrowing of her eyes followed another sip of wine.
~
He clinked his glass against hers. He was smiling just as much. "Best club. Ever." His arm settled comfortably across the back of the couch, it wouldn't take much for it to slip to her shoulders. Some tiny little voice, the one that was supposed to warn him about stupid ideas but had never been good at its job, yelled at him to back off. But he couldn't remember the last time he'd been able to be this relaxed with someone.
"Don't say always." It was supposed to sound threatening but his grin probably took away from the overall effect. "Otherwise I might move in before you know it." He took a sip of his wine, losing himself for a second thinking about the offer and Meli and how easy this was. It wasn't this easy with Neoptolemus and he couldn't help but wonder...maybe. "But thank you. I'd offer you my couch but well...it's not magical." He pouted, slightly jealous of Meli's couch.
~
“Nope. I say always, and it will be. Unless you steal my things.” Without another thought, Melinoe found herself comfortably tucked under that arm of Helenus’ and fitting up next to him like a puzzle piece. It didn’t feel weird or awkward; there was no embarrassment and wanting to make a run for it. The problem was that she wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol making her brave or if it really was just the way they were, but tonight was more appropriate for a bit of cuddling. “Well, magical or not, I am not sure Neoptolemus would be keen to my sprawling out on your couch at random times.”
The wine made her feel a little warmer, or perhaps it was the body next to her. Either way, Melinoe had no reason to complain about this moment on her sofa of magic. She had found it at a local furniture store not long after she’d been dropped off in the complex--it was the most perfect purchase she’d made. After a beat and another sip, her head was resting in that place between one’s shoulder and chest, and suddenly, it was time for Drunken Honesty Time. “You may be one of the best gifts I’ve ever received, Helenus. I’ve never really known what having someone in your life that you could tell your troubles to without being told that you weren’t logical was like. Because you had feelings. Cerberus usually takes that role for me, but it’s not the same. Not like you. I always heard stories about other mortals’ lives as they’ve told them to me. How they lived, how they cried and had joy and sorrow all at once. How could something so precious as love be so ridiculous to them? These things that are so rare?” Them, meaning most of her familial unit. Persephone had always kept an even balance, so it wasn’t completely an unknown to her. But her mother wasn’t Helenus.
Meli’s voice was a bit softer than it had been all night, a little bit more husky due to the loud singing, the cold air and the drinking. It was all a very surreal moment, but sometimes things just needed to be out in the open, didn’t they?
~
Her saying Neoptolemus' name out loud made it all much more real that he was here with her. For a second that little voice yelling at him grew a little louder but Helenus didn't want to deal with it. This wasn't the time to feel guilty. "It doesn't matter if Neoptolemus cares. We share the apartment. You can sprawl on the couch if you ever want to." He pushed aside the lingering guilt with a long swallow of the wine, barely tasting it. Pretty soon he would have to get more but that would involve getting up. With her so fitted against him, moving was the last thing he wanted to do.
His jaw dropped as she started talking. He couldn't remember anyone ever considering him a gift before. Usually it was the exact opposite with some pointed reminders of why. Love and feelings were way beyond him, most of the time he couldn't figure out his own.
"Melinoe..." he mumbled when she finished, but cut himself off. For once he felt truly speechless. "You understand love better then most of us mortals I think. It's made you better then the rest of your family." Maybe it was the alcohol destroying his inhibitions or maybe the moment and the emotions (gratitude and happiness and a little bit of love), he'd come up with an excuse later. He wasn't really thinking when he leaned in and kissed her gently, barely more then a brief touch of lips before he pulled back. The flush from the alcohol hid his blush.
~
She had looked up at him as he said her name, smiled faintly as he professed his thoughts of her, and held her breath as he leaned in and released a small gasp as his lips touched hers in such a light brush, Melinoe could barely tell that it had happened (add into the fact that her face was slightly numb from the night’s consumption of alcohol). The only telltale sign that it had was the expression on his face. She couldn’t tell if Helenus was feeling guilty, pleased, embarrassed or all of the above and even if she were stone cold sober, she likely wouldn’t have been able to decipher it..
Melinoe had not expected such a thing to occur, and if her cheeks could have felt any hotter from the blush and wine that crept up into them, she would have surely caught on fire. And still, she did not run away, she did not boot him from her magic couch. She had not minded this: The kiss made her pulse race a little faster, made her pull her bottom lip between her teeth quite shyly, but now it was her turn to feel guilty. Helenus was in a relationship, and for all intensive purposes, she had assumed that her friend preferred the company of men. Now, at least. History dictated that he had wives and children at some point, but other details and truths could always find ways to be hidden away.
She was vaguely aware of the music that filled the silence, Starsailor she remembered, having been reasonably clueless as to what Helenus had put on earlier, given the giggly nature of their moments. ”Let’s watch the clock until the morning sun does rise...”
“Helenus.” Her throat felt a bit tight as his name came out in a whisper. Helenus what? She didn’t want him to go home, but she didn’t want him to stay uncomfortable if that’s what he was, being so close to her, his arm around her... Her free hand now gripping the front of his shirt where her fingers had simply laid in relaxation. If she were honest with herself, Melinoe wouldn’t have minded another kiss from him--Helenus was so sweet with her. But it would be wrong, too, given the current relationship status of her friend.
Meli didn’t know what to say, so she searched his eyes and features for an answer. It was her turn to be speechless.
~
Helenus was suddenly very aware of how close they were. His hand was still on her shoulder and she felt solid and real. It would be so easy to lean in and kiss her again. Truly kiss her. Gender didn't mean much to him, in Troy he'd slept with various people who caught his eye. He'd left the big, epic romances to his brothers. Most of his partners had a hard time relating and were put off by his visions or the crazy twin. But...this, here with Melinoe, was different.
"I...I really shouldn't have done that." He admitted feeling slightly shellshocked that he had had the nerve to kiss her in the first place. Just because things weren't going great with Neoptolemus didn't give him the right to kiss Melinoe. Not to mention, it wouldn't be fair. To her, or Neoptolemus.
There was something captivating in the way she looked at him. He wasn't sure what she was thinking but there was nothing that seemed upset or angry. "Really. Shouldn't have." He repeated, trying to convince himself. "I'm sorry." He leaned in again, but this time pressed a kiss to her cheek. Lingering longer this time before he made himself pull back. She deserved better than him.
He didn't want to leave though. If he’d ruined their friendship he would never be able to forgive himself.
~
“Don’t...” she said softly, narrowing her eyes slightly. “Don’t apologize. I don’t believe that I would have stopped you had I known.” The more chaste kiss pressed at her cheek had made her sigh softly. “It would be wrong of me to lie and tell you that I wished for that to some extent. It’s also wrong of me to wish for such a thing, especially since you belong to someone, so to speak.” Melinoe bit her lip and pulled away briefly to sit her wine glass on the coffee table.
She leaned back after a moment, painfully aware of the man sitting next to her as her stomach knotted a bit, unsure of the next step. “It was sweet of you, Helenus. We’ll just think of it as ‘our moment in time’. And I want you to remember that I meant every word I said.” Meli had something of a crooked smile as she reached up to brush at his hair. “You are so much more than you believe you are. As long as I am able, and as long as you’ll have me, I will be your friend. No matter what happens. With Neoptolemus, with your family. Anything.”
There were those little tiny niggling feelings that were deeper than their wholehearted friendship that had been lurking about when she wasn’t paying attention, when she wasn’t looking, and they snuck up at a really, very inopportune time. And Melinoe, the goddess turned woman who thought that feelings were important, that emotions were what made someone someone, pressed them down into a little box inside with his name on it, and tucked it away. It was meant for another time and place.
“Hey. Are you hungry?”
~
He was thankful for the brief moment of reprieve when she leaned away. It gave him a moment to collect himself, to try and sort out everything he was feeling. Kissing her didn't seem like a very sweet thing to do, it seemed kind of cruel since now it was out and something they would have to deal with. It could become one of those things that eats away at friendships. He pushed away that thought quickly. There was no way he would let that happen. Without this escape from family, he'd probably be as crazy as Cass.
"Thank you. But it was still...I still have to apologize. I like having you as a friend. I kind of need it. Especially,” he had to pause, he’d never really said anything out loud but she was a friend, “right now, nothing seems to be going right, except this. Being your friend. It was stupid to risk ruining that. You can feel free to throw a muffin at me at any time." His lips curved into a tiny smile, trying to tease. Hopefully it wouldn't fall entirely flat. He risked reaching for her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. Making sure this was real.
The sudden topic change made him pause for a long moment before answering. He hadn't really thought of food until she mentioned something but now that he was thinking about it he started to feel hungry. "Um yes. I think so. Are you?"
~
There was a gentle elbowing at his mention of throwing the muffin, and Melinoe found something of a chuckle. “There are so many missile options.”
She wavered a little and leaned on the couch arm for support as she stood up, aiming to change into pajamas and find the phone. “I am. There’s a fantastic Chinese place not far from here that delivers until something like, three in the morning.” Meli turned, determined to make the best of their ‘Best Night Ever’, even though a strange little wrench had appeared that neither of them seemed to be aware of. “We could have food and watch a movie on the magic couch if you want to stay.” She hoped he would. “Even though I don’t have any pajamas for you or slippers or anything. I offer you the magic couch!” Her arms spread as though she were presenting him with a brand new car on The Price Is Right. Bless her, Melinoe was trying.
~
Sorry Melinoe, but you can’t live down throwing a muffin at someone.
Helenus stood as well, feeling all the wine hit him as he stood and he almost gave up and flopped back onto the couch. “I want to stay.” Partly because the risk of facing Neoptolemus right then was not worth it. And spending time with her, even awkward time, was much more fun. “So I will go find that bottle of wine you opened, while you order that Chinese?”
~
“That... sounds wonderful. And I hope you don’t mind, but I think I have also had enough of this dress tonight. So... I will find a menu, and you can pick out what you like while I go put on some nightclothes. And I will get some blankets... It gets rather chilly in here during the night. The cold wind seems to hit here the most.”
Meli rambled as she went into the kitchen, pulled open a drawer where she kept this and that, mainly her various menus from around the area, and flipped through to find the appropriate one. She smiled as she handed it over to Helenus, then made way for her bedroom, finding the most comfortable and least revealing pajamas she could possibly manage: A pair of dark gray sweatpants and a green t-shirt with a unicorn printed on it that had showed up in her belongings when she first came here.
Blankets were produced, phone was found. “Okay!” she said, being as cheerful as she could as drunk as they both were and the moment in time they were both trying to ignore still lingered in the room. “What sounds good?”
Date/Time: The Saturday after this (March 19; around 12:30 a.m.)
Location: The bar, the cab ride, and Meli's apartment
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Drunkenness, realizations and awkwardness. And magic couches.
Summary: Sometimes there is such a thing as drinking too much.
The bartender had called the cab for them, though Helenus wasn't sure if it was because he wanted to be rid of the two giggling and trying to sing along and growing louder and louder the more they drank, or if he was just being a good and responsible human being. They hadn't danced on tables and Helenus still planned to keep his promise to keep Melinoe from doing that a few days ago.
When the cab came Helenus held the door open for Melione, partly because it came him something to lean against until he could slide into the cab with her. It wasn't so much as a slide as an inelegant flump, and he fell into the cab, doing his best not to fall on Melinoe.
The seat was way more comfortable then the hard chair he'd been sitting on in the bar and he melted down into the seat, leaning slightly into her as he did so. Everything felt fuzzy and distant and he was more then fine with that. Without even realizing it, he started humming the song they'd been singing in the bar before they left.
~
Melinoe was somewhere in the middle of a chuckle when the warm body of Helenus leaned against her in the back of the cab. What else was there to do but lean back? Of course! It was so simple. And so comfortable. And so sing-songy... ”Do you beLIEVE in life after love?!” Much to the dismay of their poor cab driver, who finally had to ask, “Where to, kids?”
“To my apartment!” said a very determined-to-not-act-completely-drunk Melinoe. Mentally, she counted on her fingers and determined that she’d had less to drink than Helenus. Those shots that the guy at the end of the bar was buying didn’t count. They were tiny!
The driver, who was named Sergio according to his information on the dash board, sighed. “Well, where’s that at?”
“It’s where I live!” was Meli’s reply, and she dissolved into her purse to find her license. The address was really hard to remember right then... “Wait.” She turned to her partner in crime, eyeing him with that suspicious eye. “You know where I live, right?”
~
"I really don't think you're strong enough!" The muses were not with them tonight, but their...gusto made up for it.
Helenus bit his lip to try and look serious when Meli looked at him. He was serious and innocent and he faded into sniggers. "I know where you live. We live in the same place. Kinda." He leaned forward so he could inform the driver who was looking less and less amused. “Even though...I don’t think I’ve seen the inside of your apartment.” His nose scrunched up as he tried to remember but gave up when the driver cleared his throat loudly.
“Address?” Sergio asked again.
He managed to remember about half the address before he had to look to Meli for help. Helenus could very confidently describe what it looked like but even right now he realized that wouldn't be helpful.
~
“I got it!” Meli exclaimed, holding her license high in the air-- or at least as high as the vehicle’s ceiling would go. She rambled off the address, including the zip code, before Sergio put the car into Drive and headed that way. It wasn’t horrifically far, and much as he wanted to, he did not start the meter while sitting in the parking lot. He couldn’t take advantage of them. For kids out having a good time, they were pretty damn cute for being drunk.
Melinoe shoved her ID back into her purse, all the way to the bottom so it wouldn’t escape, before she looked at Helenus and rested her chin on his shoulder. “You know what? You are so fun. You are one of the best. friends. Ever! You didn’t let me dance on the bar...And you can totally see the inside of my apartment if you want to. It’s not essiting, though...” Ah, slurred speech. So much for being incognito. She finally rested her head on Helenus’ shoulder. “My couch is nice.”
~
He wrapped his arm over her shoulder. She was warm and nice and didn’t make him feel vaguely like pond scum (whatever pond scum felt like) and these were all Good Things. “You’re even better because well...you are.” He rested his cheek on top of her head. The thought that they might be getting too close didn’t even occur to him.
“Not exciting is good. Because Khaos is exciting and she’s bad.” Usually. Did he ever apologize for being a jerk about the muffin? It didn’t seem to matter. “Annnnd most of my life was pretty exciting I guess. But mostly bad.” His normally precise and princely way of talking was gone and just forming complete sentences was a minor miracle. This whole train of thought sucked though so he jumped on anything else to say. “I wanna see your couch.”
~
“My couch is fantastic. It’s remarkably comfortable in ways you just cannot ever imagine! It’s like magic!” The last bit came out in a conspiratorial whisper as though Sergio would somehow sneak into her apartment and take all the couch wonderfulness for himself.
Meli’s soused brain realized that she really did enjoy cuddling up next to her friend. And she came to the revelation that all people in the world should have a cuddly friend of the opposite sex because the size difference made all the difference. She had sometimes cuddled with Orphne, especially on not-so-great nights for one or the other. But this! Helenus suited Melinoe just fine! You just didn’t get this living in the Underworld and walking the streets at night with a line of ghosts trailing behind you. As much as she adored Cerberus, it just wasn’t the same.
She found a small case of the giggles and reached up to poke him in the nose, missing by a mile and finding his hair instead. “You are welcome to my couch of magical proportions. And Cher. And possibly my wine. Maybe we should invite Muses over!” Ah, Melinoe. You do not know what it is you are asking for when Muses are involved, pretty drunken goddess with your handsome drunken princely friend.
~
He reached up and as carefully as he could and took her hand from his hair before anything got pulled. The only girl he ever usually got close to was his sister (or at least the only one he'd been close to since Troy) and hair pulling was exactly what Cass would do. He didn't let go of Meli's hand though, didn't really see any need to, and let their hands flop to his lap. They fit well together. If he’d been sober it would have made him nervous, instead he found it very comfortable.
"Who needs Muses when we've got Cher?" He giggled. "Unless they have more alcohol." He whispered back. Because you never know, Sergio might be after the couch and their alcohol. "Everyone's welcome with more alcohol." He stated very matter of factly.
“And...and there might not be enough room on your couch if they were all there too.” Helenus pouted at the thought he might get squeezed off of the magical couch by a hoard of sister-goddesses.
~
Any other time, the fact that she was holding his hand would likely have confused her and she would have scolded herself mentally and politely taken her hand back. This time, however, her fingers laced easily with his and, well, it was just sweet. Comfortable. It came so easily.
She pouted. “But, they’re fun. I have chairs and a floor to sit on. The couch, though. It shall be ours! And they will bring us drink! And that will also be ours!”
Shortly thereafter, Sergio pulled up to the front of the complex and Meli started fishing about for the $10.49 that lit up on the meter. “Here’s, um... Fifteen. Keep it, ‘kay? Sorry if we were too loud for you. Thank you for taking us home!” She smiled sweetly, however drunkenly it was, and Sergio smiled back. At least they were polite. Drunk, but polite.
~
The image of the muses waiting on them - on him - make him blush. “That wouldn’t be right. I’m only mortal. They’re goddesses.” He told Meli, as if she might not know. “Maybe they’d wait on you.” Hopefully Sergio is willing to discount most of their conversation as drunken nonsense. “You’re a goddess and you’re beautiful.”
He tries to make a mental note to not let her pay next time, but he forgets it once he’s focused on opening the door. At least he manages to throw Sergio a quick, slightly slurred thank you.
Helenus is a tangle of legs as he gets out of the cab, still holding Meli’s hand, trying to help her get out as well. “I have...” Triumphantly, he held up his keys. And then almost dropped them while trying to find the right one.
~
“Oh! Stop it.” His words did, indeed, make her blush. Melinoe wasn’t entirely sure she’d ever been called beautiful by anyone, and did not notice that her hand gripped his just a smidge tighter. “We’re all mortal, now.”
She slid easily across the seat as Helenus was being ever the gentleman. Unfortunately, her dress did not stay where it was meant to and decided to be far less ladylike, sliding right up her thighs. The wind was chilly and she squeaked in surprise at the sudden snap of cold across her milky skin where cold was not meant to go. Melinoe managed to hold down most of it with her other hand along with her purse as one heeled foot stepped onto the concrete, followed surprisingly smoothly by the other. “Oh, darling. Don’t lose your keys. Or are those my keys?”
The car door was bumped closed with her hip and she held her death grip on her companion’s arm as they figured out how best to get back into the building. And up to her magic couch. “This is the best night ever! Do you beLIEVE in life after LOVE?!” She waved happily at the passersby who either skirted around her or gave a chuckle at the sheer silliness of the drunken public.
~
Helenus' eyes widened when her skirt slid up and he uncomfortably looked at his feet. He knew very certainly that since they were friends he should not be looking. Telling himself not to think about it had the opposite effect and he was very grateful when she was standing. That meant he would look down and see eyes.
"They are my keys." He gave them a jingle which for him was enough to prove his point. "Why would I have your keys?"
Her happiness was infectious. She hadn't said anything about dancing in the street even though dancing in general was probably a bad idea with such poor balance. That didn't stop him from wrapping an arm around her waist and swaying them as he joined her in singing along to Cher.
~
And dance she did, along with her friend, and oh! It was a glorious time! She twirled under his arm and she swayed and sung along until someone politely mentioned that they might not want to stand outside for much longer as they were because the police could possibly come and cite them for public intoxication. Well, that just wouldn’t do. “Come, darling,” Melione tittered, taking Helenus’ hand and tugging him towards the front doors. “There is a couch and wine awaiting us! The night, dear Helenus--it only begins!”
So, up she took him to the 9th floor, and to that magical couch that she didn’t just share with anybody. Well, maybe Orphne because the nymph had really been the only one to visit her on any basis aside from Persephone, but that visit was not entirely good. Tonight, the magic would be enjoyed by the two of them, music and some wine.
Or, at least once she found the right door key, anyway. Melinoe frowned in a pout-like fashion and held her keys up to Helenus while her blue eyes went cross trying to focus. “Which one looks like yours?”
~
He was ready to inform their interrupter and whatever police showed up that he was a prince and could do whatever he wanted thank you very much, especially dance on the street. The reminder of a couch and wine distracted him enough. Helenus would deny any giggling on his part in the morning, but there might have been some when she dragged him off.
In the elevator up he continued humming and swaying slightly. The feeling of the elevator moving underneath him threw off his balance too much to even try dancing.
He stared at her keys, not quite processing what he was looking at. Finally he ended up just holding up his own keys to compare. There weren't that many but it took him a second to find the one to his room and held it up right next to hers. "There. That's my room key." He poked one of her keys with his that looked kind of like his room key, but he really probably should not be trusted with judgements like this right now. "I think thatsit."
~
The keys were eyed suspiciously before the connection was made and a couple of misses were made at the lock. Meli finally got them inside the place, snapping a light on in the process. “Here we are! There’s the couch...” She pointed over to a rather large, overstuffed suede-type piece of furniture, decorated in shades of brown and blue. The rest of her apartment had taken on a similar theme of earthen tones--greens, blues and browns. “Make yourself at home,” she said, closing the door behind Helenus. “I’ll go find us some wine. I’m sure I’ve some...” A stumble over her own foot sent Melinoe trotting into the kitchen rather clumsily. “Put on some music, if you like..!”
She managed to find a sweet white Moscato hidden behind a sack of potatoes that she kept in her very small pantry. Humming prettily as she uncorked the bottle, Meli began considering a few things in her inhebriated mind. She truly did adore her time with Helenus, and for the first time really wondered what might be if A) he wasn’t dating Neoptolemus and 2) if he were interested in her like that. They had fun together. They could tell each other anything without worrying about the judgment and disapproval that would have likely been presented by their families, depending on what had to be said.
“What was I thinking,” was mumbled to herself, contemplating the events over the course of the past week. Her mistake of popping that kiss on Phonos had simply lead to a nowhere discussion and made her realize that no, she did not know him as well as she’d thought and no, he was not interested, even though she thought interest had been shown on his end... as much as Phonos was able to manage, anyway. In hindsight, he had more in common with her sister, so perhaps that’s what would be. “Such is life.” It was time to move on. Maybe she should give her former employer a shot, even though that whole futuristic Khaos shenanigan had shaken her up.
All smiles, she came back into the living room bearing two nearly-full wine glasses. “Here we are...”
~
Helenus poked around in Meli's music but didn't recognize much of it. There was nothing labeled Cher which was really the only thing going through his head. He finally grabbed something random off the shelf and put it on but it felt wrong so he put on something else. He had no idea what it was but it wasn't bad.
He flopped inelegantly onto the couch. Unconsciously a low groan escaped him. "You're right!" He yelled in the general direction of the kitchen. "The couch is magic!" It was easily something he could sleep on. If he didn't move soon chances were he would be sleeping on it. Sitting there while he waited, he realized he should probably at least let Neoptolemus know where he was. But he liked having this one thing, his relationship with Meli, being completely his.
When she came out with the wine, he made himself sit up so there was room for her. "Thank you." He took a long sip of the wine. It was different then the wine back home, not as thick but it was good. "This was...is a really good night."
~
The shoes came off as she sat down, one flung reasonably elegantly towards the door, the other landed somewhere in that direction. Meli smiled, albeit a bit boozily before sipping on the wine herself. She wasn’t sure what had gotten her to start keeping some around, but she had some vague inkling that Orphne was behind it. “It really is, Helenus. It’s sort of like...” A pause, looking for the word she wanted to use. “... Like our own exclusive club. Members only. Initiation by invitation.” Another smile. She wasn’t entirely sure she’d ever had a reason to smile so much, but it seemed to be just one of many things that Helenus seemed to bring out of her.
“For the record, you are always welcome to my couch, darling. If I had a spare bed that was just as insanely comfortable-- or a spare bed at all-- that would also be yours.” A small raise of her wine glass. “If you need me or my humble abode, the offer is there.” Did that sound right? A thoughtful, but reasonably amused narrowing of her eyes followed another sip of wine.
~
He clinked his glass against hers. He was smiling just as much. "Best club. Ever." His arm settled comfortably across the back of the couch, it wouldn't take much for it to slip to her shoulders. Some tiny little voice, the one that was supposed to warn him about stupid ideas but had never been good at its job, yelled at him to back off. But he couldn't remember the last time he'd been able to be this relaxed with someone.
"Don't say always." It was supposed to sound threatening but his grin probably took away from the overall effect. "Otherwise I might move in before you know it." He took a sip of his wine, losing himself for a second thinking about the offer and Meli and how easy this was. It wasn't this easy with Neoptolemus and he couldn't help but wonder...maybe. "But thank you. I'd offer you my couch but well...it's not magical." He pouted, slightly jealous of Meli's couch.
~
“Nope. I say always, and it will be. Unless you steal my things.” Without another thought, Melinoe found herself comfortably tucked under that arm of Helenus’ and fitting up next to him like a puzzle piece. It didn’t feel weird or awkward; there was no embarrassment and wanting to make a run for it. The problem was that she wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol making her brave or if it really was just the way they were, but tonight was more appropriate for a bit of cuddling. “Well, magical or not, I am not sure Neoptolemus would be keen to my sprawling out on your couch at random times.”
The wine made her feel a little warmer, or perhaps it was the body next to her. Either way, Melinoe had no reason to complain about this moment on her sofa of magic. She had found it at a local furniture store not long after she’d been dropped off in the complex--it was the most perfect purchase she’d made. After a beat and another sip, her head was resting in that place between one’s shoulder and chest, and suddenly, it was time for Drunken Honesty Time. “You may be one of the best gifts I’ve ever received, Helenus. I’ve never really known what having someone in your life that you could tell your troubles to without being told that you weren’t logical was like. Because you had feelings. Cerberus usually takes that role for me, but it’s not the same. Not like you. I always heard stories about other mortals’ lives as they’ve told them to me. How they lived, how they cried and had joy and sorrow all at once. How could something so precious as love be so ridiculous to them? These things that are so rare?” Them, meaning most of her familial unit. Persephone had always kept an even balance, so it wasn’t completely an unknown to her. But her mother wasn’t Helenus.
Meli’s voice was a bit softer than it had been all night, a little bit more husky due to the loud singing, the cold air and the drinking. It was all a very surreal moment, but sometimes things just needed to be out in the open, didn’t they?
~
Her saying Neoptolemus' name out loud made it all much more real that he was here with her. For a second that little voice yelling at him grew a little louder but Helenus didn't want to deal with it. This wasn't the time to feel guilty. "It doesn't matter if Neoptolemus cares. We share the apartment. You can sprawl on the couch if you ever want to." He pushed aside the lingering guilt with a long swallow of the wine, barely tasting it. Pretty soon he would have to get more but that would involve getting up. With her so fitted against him, moving was the last thing he wanted to do.
His jaw dropped as she started talking. He couldn't remember anyone ever considering him a gift before. Usually it was the exact opposite with some pointed reminders of why. Love and feelings were way beyond him, most of the time he couldn't figure out his own.
"Melinoe..." he mumbled when she finished, but cut himself off. For once he felt truly speechless. "You understand love better then most of us mortals I think. It's made you better then the rest of your family." Maybe it was the alcohol destroying his inhibitions or maybe the moment and the emotions (gratitude and happiness and a little bit of love), he'd come up with an excuse later. He wasn't really thinking when he leaned in and kissed her gently, barely more then a brief touch of lips before he pulled back. The flush from the alcohol hid his blush.
~
She had looked up at him as he said her name, smiled faintly as he professed his thoughts of her, and held her breath as he leaned in and released a small gasp as his lips touched hers in such a light brush, Melinoe could barely tell that it had happened (add into the fact that her face was slightly numb from the night’s consumption of alcohol). The only telltale sign that it had was the expression on his face. She couldn’t tell if Helenus was feeling guilty, pleased, embarrassed or all of the above and even if she were stone cold sober, she likely wouldn’t have been able to decipher it..
Melinoe had not expected such a thing to occur, and if her cheeks could have felt any hotter from the blush and wine that crept up into them, she would have surely caught on fire. And still, she did not run away, she did not boot him from her magic couch. She had not minded this: The kiss made her pulse race a little faster, made her pull her bottom lip between her teeth quite shyly, but now it was her turn to feel guilty. Helenus was in a relationship, and for all intensive purposes, she had assumed that her friend preferred the company of men. Now, at least. History dictated that he had wives and children at some point, but other details and truths could always find ways to be hidden away.
She was vaguely aware of the music that filled the silence, Starsailor she remembered, having been reasonably clueless as to what Helenus had put on earlier, given the giggly nature of their moments. ”Let’s watch the clock until the morning sun does rise...”
“Helenus.” Her throat felt a bit tight as his name came out in a whisper. Helenus what? She didn’t want him to go home, but she didn’t want him to stay uncomfortable if that’s what he was, being so close to her, his arm around her... Her free hand now gripping the front of his shirt where her fingers had simply laid in relaxation. If she were honest with herself, Melinoe wouldn’t have minded another kiss from him--Helenus was so sweet with her. But it would be wrong, too, given the current relationship status of her friend.
Meli didn’t know what to say, so she searched his eyes and features for an answer. It was her turn to be speechless.
~
Helenus was suddenly very aware of how close they were. His hand was still on her shoulder and she felt solid and real. It would be so easy to lean in and kiss her again. Truly kiss her. Gender didn't mean much to him, in Troy he'd slept with various people who caught his eye. He'd left the big, epic romances to his brothers. Most of his partners had a hard time relating and were put off by his visions or the crazy twin. But...this, here with Melinoe, was different.
"I...I really shouldn't have done that." He admitted feeling slightly shellshocked that he had had the nerve to kiss her in the first place. Just because things weren't going great with Neoptolemus didn't give him the right to kiss Melinoe. Not to mention, it wouldn't be fair. To her, or Neoptolemus.
There was something captivating in the way she looked at him. He wasn't sure what she was thinking but there was nothing that seemed upset or angry. "Really. Shouldn't have." He repeated, trying to convince himself. "I'm sorry." He leaned in again, but this time pressed a kiss to her cheek. Lingering longer this time before he made himself pull back. She deserved better than him.
He didn't want to leave though. If he’d ruined their friendship he would never be able to forgive himself.
~
“Don’t...” she said softly, narrowing her eyes slightly. “Don’t apologize. I don’t believe that I would have stopped you had I known.” The more chaste kiss pressed at her cheek had made her sigh softly. “It would be wrong of me to lie and tell you that I wished for that to some extent. It’s also wrong of me to wish for such a thing, especially since you belong to someone, so to speak.” Melinoe bit her lip and pulled away briefly to sit her wine glass on the coffee table.
She leaned back after a moment, painfully aware of the man sitting next to her as her stomach knotted a bit, unsure of the next step. “It was sweet of you, Helenus. We’ll just think of it as ‘our moment in time’. And I want you to remember that I meant every word I said.” Meli had something of a crooked smile as she reached up to brush at his hair. “You are so much more than you believe you are. As long as I am able, and as long as you’ll have me, I will be your friend. No matter what happens. With Neoptolemus, with your family. Anything.”
There were those little tiny niggling feelings that were deeper than their wholehearted friendship that had been lurking about when she wasn’t paying attention, when she wasn’t looking, and they snuck up at a really, very inopportune time. And Melinoe, the goddess turned woman who thought that feelings were important, that emotions were what made someone someone, pressed them down into a little box inside with his name on it, and tucked it away. It was meant for another time and place.
“Hey. Are you hungry?”
~
He was thankful for the brief moment of reprieve when she leaned away. It gave him a moment to collect himself, to try and sort out everything he was feeling. Kissing her didn't seem like a very sweet thing to do, it seemed kind of cruel since now it was out and something they would have to deal with. It could become one of those things that eats away at friendships. He pushed away that thought quickly. There was no way he would let that happen. Without this escape from family, he'd probably be as crazy as Cass.
"Thank you. But it was still...I still have to apologize. I like having you as a friend. I kind of need it. Especially,” he had to pause, he’d never really said anything out loud but she was a friend, “right now, nothing seems to be going right, except this. Being your friend. It was stupid to risk ruining that. You can feel free to throw a muffin at me at any time." His lips curved into a tiny smile, trying to tease. Hopefully it wouldn't fall entirely flat. He risked reaching for her hand, giving it a quick squeeze. Making sure this was real.
The sudden topic change made him pause for a long moment before answering. He hadn't really thought of food until she mentioned something but now that he was thinking about it he started to feel hungry. "Um yes. I think so. Are you?"
~
There was a gentle elbowing at his mention of throwing the muffin, and Melinoe found something of a chuckle. “There are so many missile options.”
She wavered a little and leaned on the couch arm for support as she stood up, aiming to change into pajamas and find the phone. “I am. There’s a fantastic Chinese place not far from here that delivers until something like, three in the morning.” Meli turned, determined to make the best of their ‘Best Night Ever’, even though a strange little wrench had appeared that neither of them seemed to be aware of. “We could have food and watch a movie on the magic couch if you want to stay.” She hoped he would. “Even though I don’t have any pajamas for you or slippers or anything. I offer you the magic couch!” Her arms spread as though she were presenting him with a brand new car on The Price Is Right. Bless her, Melinoe was trying.
~
Sorry Melinoe, but you can’t live down throwing a muffin at someone.
Helenus stood as well, feeling all the wine hit him as he stood and he almost gave up and flopped back onto the couch. “I want to stay.” Partly because the risk of facing Neoptolemus right then was not worth it. And spending time with her, even awkward time, was much more fun. “So I will go find that bottle of wine you opened, while you order that Chinese?”
~
“That... sounds wonderful. And I hope you don’t mind, but I think I have also had enough of this dress tonight. So... I will find a menu, and you can pick out what you like while I go put on some nightclothes. And I will get some blankets... It gets rather chilly in here during the night. The cold wind seems to hit here the most.”
Meli rambled as she went into the kitchen, pulled open a drawer where she kept this and that, mainly her various menus from around the area, and flipped through to find the appropriate one. She smiled as she handed it over to Helenus, then made way for her bedroom, finding the most comfortable and least revealing pajamas she could possibly manage: A pair of dark gray sweatpants and a green t-shirt with a unicorn printed on it that had showed up in her belongings when she first came here.
Blankets were produced, phone was found. “Okay!” she said, being as cheerful as she could as drunk as they both were and the moment in time they were both trying to ignore still lingered in the room. “What sounds good?”