Roommates
Helga and Arnold are college roommates.
While Arnold continues to date Lila, Helga has been dating up a storm.
Can these two be more, or will they just stay roommates?
**I hate summaries**
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Hey Arnold, hence why this story is here on FFNET.
Arnold watched as his roommate growled in frustration for what seemed like the nth time that day, darting from room to room in their tiny apartment. She started from her room, to the open kitchen, then the bathroom, the living room, their hallway closet, the dining area, then the living room again, finally coming full circle when she re-entered her room with a frustrated snarl.
She did all this while muttering what sounded like long and colorful profanities under her breath he couldn't quite catch.
Arnold secretly wished she would speak a little louder.
It had been major surprise for him the day he found out that he had come to appreciate and even like his roommate's own special brand of humor, her wit enabling her to come up with some of the best and most descriptive curse words he's ever heard, even if they were about him.
Needless to say though, his girlfriend and best friend were not pleased, his best friend even accusing him of having Stockholm Syndrome - which he thought was a bit much.
He could chalk up his tolerance to years and years of experience though.
A few minutes passed before Helga stalked back to the common area, still pissed, and headed straight to the hallway closet for the second time. He didn't bother hiding the small smile that played out on his lips when he saw her reach out for the light pink pea coat he had given her for Christmas a few years back, patting it gently before she put it on. She likes it, he thought a little smugly, even if she doesn't say it.
The smile turned into a wince when Helga grabbed the purse Lila had given her violently and wrenched it open without a second thought.
He finally cleared his throat, "What are you looking for?"
"I can't find my damn keys!" she huffed without looking at him, getting distracted by a ping on her phone. "Ugh, and this douchenozzle just earned his stupid nickname, I mean, criminy, is it so hard to understand that I lost my fucking keys?"
Arnold raised an eyebrow, "Hot date?"
"Yep, or it will be if I could just get out of this apartment," she replied forcefully as she threw down a second purse before picking up another. Just how many purses could one girl have anyway?
He wondered for a bit how she could already have a date when they were only a few weeks into the new term, but the reminder came quickly when he got a good look at her. Oh yeah, it was because Helga G Pataki got hot - Gerald's words, not his.
Even with the blood curdling expression currently on her face, he had to admit that he agreed with the assessment. Helga had become, to put it mildly, extremely attractive.
He watched as she tossed her hair nonchalantly to the side, the blond locks tumbling down in shiny waves. She was wearing a short, velvet, fitted black dress that had thin straps and stopped just halfway down her thighs, paired with a matching black velvet choker that had a small heart pendant dangling from it on her neck, black opaque tights on her legs, and black, heeled, ankle boots on her feet – a Helga-date outfit.
"Do you need help?" he finally offered, but she shook her head no.
"Don't bother, I'll find them eventually," she gestured towards his messy desk, "You just go back to your Freudian Theories and those fascinating tidbits about subconscious sexual urges," He felt his cheeks heat up at her suggestive tone, though he had just been going through that – but it just seemed like she was suggesting something else entirely. He rolled his eyes, willing his stupid blush to disappear, but she must have noticed because she chuckled. "Well gosh football head, we're all adults here, there's no need for the blushing virgin act,"
Huffing at her, he got up from his spot on the floor for a drink. "Ugh, Helga," he muttered and got a snort in reply. He stuck his tongue out at her childishness.
Opening the fridge for a Yahoo Soda, he all but forgot his embarrassment when he saw what was in there –her keys right next to the milk and the Nutella jar. He bit his lip to stop from laughing. Leave it to Helga to leave her keys in the weirdest places.
"Hey, Helga, did you try the fridge?" He closed the fridge, Yahoo soda in hand, and walked back to his spot on the coffee table. She fixed him a look.
"And why would it be in the fridge, football head? "
"Just go look, Helga,"
Scowling, she stumbled into the kitchen to do just that, pointedly letting him know all the while that she would never be so stupid to leave her keys in the stupid fridge, "Oh,"
Arnold took one look at her face and finally let loose the very hearty laugh that had been threatening to escape. It got even worse when he looked into her face again and registered her glare. She scoffed at him but remained standing there, fridge door still open, keys now dangling in her hand. Her face was all red.
"Don't you have a date to catch?" he managed out between giggles, making her eyes widen.
"Oh god, I'm late!" And with that she sprinted to her room one last time to spritz on her usual perfume before sprinting back out, "Don't wait up for me, geek bait,"
Like a dose of cold water, he stopped laughing, taking a deep breath to regain his composure. His voice was serious as he replied, "You know I will, so don't be too late because I have a test tomorrow at 9 A.M.,"
Now, he didn't mean to give her a curfew or anything, but he worried. He's always looked out for Helga, ever since they were kids, so the thought that she would be with out some guy she just met would keep him parked where he was till she got home anyway. "Also, I know you tell your dates to just meet you there, so please take the Packard,"
She rolled her eyes, "Not necessary,"
He clicked his tongue in irritation, "Come on Helga, just accept it. I'd feel better knowing you didn't have to wait long for a taxi or something,"
"Whatever you say, Arnold" she spun around and gave him a dismissive wave, but to his relief went to get his car keys on the shelf. Before she could fully step through the threshold though, she stopped, and, with one hand propping the door open, looked back at him with a frown, "But seriously Arnold, don't wait up, I don't want to be the reason you get a headache tomorrow,"
He shook his head stubbornly, "I'll be right here, Helga,"
"Fine, but it's your funeral when you catch us all hot and heavy later," He choked on his drink. Evil. She was evil.
"I'll manage," he bit out in response.
"You do that. Bye football head,"
"Bye," he sighed, watching the door finally close behind her.
With a last sigh, he got up to walk back to the fridge, this time pulling out a bottle of Heineken, suddenly craving something a little stronger than a Yahoo. He took a large gulp of the beer as he plopped back down onto his spot on the floor and finally picked up his notes again. If he drank a little more than was necessary from their beer stash that night, he didn't notice.
XXXXXX
Helga quietly stepped into the apartment, clutching her keys in a fist so they didn't jingle.
If she knew Arnold, which she did, then he'd be right where he said he would be.
It was all for nothing though, because contrary to what she told him earlier, the truth was that there was no way she'd ever allow him to catch her hot and heavy with some guy, least of all, Ron, her date that night. Not when she was only agreeing to these dates to distract herself from him.
She sighed a little sadly, cursing herself for agreeing to room with him in the first place, nevermind that Arnold could cook, did his share of the chores, and even lent her his car on occasion. Living with him just ensured that she'd never have a love life, cursed to secretly pine for him forever.
Funnily enough, nine-year old Helga would have loved this setup, she thought, chuckling drily at her hopeless situation. Unfortunately for twenty-year old Helga, being this close to Arnold almost twenty-four seven when they weren't even dating meant that she has to physically restrain herself sometimes before she did something so stupid as to jump him.
She had still yet to find another man who could get under her skin like Arnold could, not for a lack of trying.
She scowled as she thought of the horrible date she just ran away from. And he had seemed so decent, she thought, oh how wrong she was. The horribleness started about two minutes into the date, when Ron had berated her for being late, condescension in his voice. It only went downhill from there when he proceeded to lay his filthy hands all over her throughout their dinner, even after she had told to cut it out multiple times.
Finally, after a third brush with her chest and a slap on her butt, she had slapped his face so hard she could've sworn his head went backwards. The night ended with her marching back to Arnold's Packard in a huff and driving home. Thank god she always insisted on bringing her own ride, and that Arnold was continuously offering his.
She smiled as she reached the main living area and saw Arnold just as he said - on the floor with his back to the couch. Exactly where she left him. Only now he was leaning forward, his head nestled in his arms, on top of the mess of papers. He was snoring lightly, muttering what she thought were Psychology notes in his sleep.
Honey, I'm home, she thought bitterly, watching him. How was it fair that her blond haired angel could be this close to her and yet completely off-limits at the same time?
For a moment she considered leaving him there for the night just for spite, but then stopped when she realised that he'd feel better about his test the next day if he were to wake up in his own bed. Sighing, she decided to do what any good roommate would do, or at least what she thought they would do. She walked to him and crouched down, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Hey football head,"
He groaned but remained asleep even as she nudged him a little harder in the arm. Losing patience, she stepped over and behind him and started to lift him up from the armpits. That finally jostled him a little and he opened his eyes, "H-Helga?" she heard him whisper hoarsely, voice heavy from sleep. The warm, husky tone sent shivers down her spine.
She nodded and walked to his side, snatching his phone from the table as she passed, and gestured for him to put his arm around her shoulder, "Come on football head, let me take you to bed,"
XXXXXX
Arnold let out a blissful sigh once his head hit the pillow. He felt more than saw Helga tuck him in, pulling up his blanket to his chin. He smiled as her hair tickled his nostrils.
It was an intimate moment, one he was already used to.
He felt her pat his shoulder goodnight and immediately reached for her arm. She turned back to him.
"So, no hot date then?" he whispered as nonchalantly as possible.
She smiled and shook her head no, "I guess not,"
Without first thinking of his words, he heard himself whisper, "That's good," and cringed a little at how that sounded - like anything other than a roommate, to be honest. He blushed when he felt her gently ruffle his hair, but continued, "Did you have fun though?"
She sighed, removing her hand from his head, "He was a jerk but don't worry, I handled it," Arnold chuckled. Of course she did. She's always been a strong person. He watched intently as she picked up his phone, gave it a quick glance, and then placed it back on his nightstand.
Yes, Helga, I've already activated my alarm, he thought with amusement, but still found it quite touching that she even bothered. It wasn't her responsibility after all. After she was done, she wiggled out of his hold and smiled, "Well, goodnight football head"
He smiled, his eyes drooping as sleep crept back, but not before he whispered, "Goodnight Helga,"
It was a good night.
A/N: Hi everyone! Oh gosh can you believe that I just watched the Jungle Movie now? I used to be so obsessed with this pairing when I was younger, and whaddaya know? That obsession just came back with full force.
A few things though, in this story, The Jungle Movie just never happened. Arnold still has no parents, and nope, he has never figured out his feelings for Helga. The Hey Arnold Movie happened though, so there's that. Also, this isn't going to be a long story - maybe four chapters tops.
Hope you all like this. Review if you will!
- ASHA