Chapter 2
The day went by in a blink of an eye. At the end of his shift, Victor didn't know where the time had gone. It was funny because shifts always seemed to be so slow, it felt he would never get out of here. Perhaps it had to do with him being late, or the fact that he had something else on his mind the entire day. He wondered if Ruby thought about it, too. If she wasn't, he didn't feel too bad about thinking about it. She said it was a mistake-and it was-but since he knew it was never happening again, there was no harm in engraving it into his memory. He had felt pleasure with Mary Margaret, but that was just Whale. It had been so long since he felt that kind of pleasure as Victor Frankenstein. Even back in his land, he rarely indulged; he was too concerned with his science, but once every while, he would find someone to fulfill the need. After that, he did his experiments until the need came by again-it actually wasn't that often.
"Good night, Nurse Collins," Victor called out to her as he made his way out of the hospital. "I'll try to be on time tomorrow." He could vaguely hear her angrily calling back to him, but what she was actually saying, he couldn't tell. He shivered and wrapped his scarf around his neck.
His car was still at Granny's. He figured as long as he was there, he could get a bite to eat. He took slow steps, and glanced around as he walked. He saw Emma coming from the opposite direction with a bag around her wrist and two cups in her hands. She was probably bringing Henry back some hot chocolate and burgers as a way to cheer him up over his ankle. She smiled briefly in Victor's direction as their paths crossed.
When Victor entered Granny's, he let out a sigh at the warmth. He removed his scarf and approached the counter. Granny gave him an amiable smile, meaning she hadn't found out that he was defiling her granddaughter the night before.
"Here to pick up your car, Whale?" she asked.
"Eventually."
"Your usual?"
"Nah. How about a burger and a Pepsi?"
"You got it."
As Granny went to get his order filled, he sighed and took in the diner. It was pretty empty today, but he spotted Ruby in the corner booth. She was wearing a red blouse and black leather pants that he was sure accentuated her curves. He smiled. That smile lasted for about a second and a half because a tall guy with black hair approached her, and Ruby smiled hugely at him as he sat down across from her.
Victor swallowed. He wasn't sure why his stomach was churning again, but seeing those two made him feel…
"Granny Lucas?" he asked, turning away from the couple before Ruby could catch him.
"Yeah?"
"How about you nix the Pepsi and give me my usual?"
"You sure? I don't want a repeat of last night."
That won't be happening. "I'll limit myself to just the one."
He thanked her when she put the glass in front of him. He picked it up and sipped at it, relishing in the taste as it slipped past his lips and down his throat. He could hear Ruby and that man-who was he?-laughing. Victor parted his lips, allowing the scotch to flow in more freely. He wasn't a lightweight, but it was already starting to get to his head. He had to slow down, or else he'd have to leave his car here a second night. Too bad his hand didn't lower and his lips didn't shut. By the time Granny brought by his food, the scotch was gone, and the glass was on the table.
"You have a problem," she commented.
"Maybe." He saw she was kind enough to bring him the Pepsi was well, and the effects of the soda did help clear his head a bit.
When he finished the burger, he left the money on the counter and headed for the door. He chanced a look in Ruby's direction, and their eyes met. She gave him a smile, one that wasn't awkward, one that in no way acknowledged what they did together last night. He returned the exact same smile.
Victor stood in front of Granny's, his hands stuck deep in his pockets. It was cold, but his head was still swimming. There was no way he'd be able to drive.
"Dr. Whale?"
"Mary Margaret," he said when the pixie-haired woman walked up to him. "What brings you here?"
"I'm meeting David for dinner."
"That's nice."
"What's wrong?"
"What? Nothing."
Mary Margaret pursed her lips. "I know you."
He scoffed. "You don't know me. You know the cursed me, but not in a very dignified way."
She didn't answer, but she had to know he was right. Everyone else in this town was from the Enchanted Forest. She was the ruler of that land for some time before Regina enacted the Dark Curse, and she knew everyone. He was the outsider from a dull, colorless world where he was a monster. Ruby was quite the same, but he never had the love of someone like Mary Margaret to keep him grounded.
"You're right," she finally said. "But, I know how to read people. And something's bugging you. Also, your breath smells like scotch."
Victor glanced at her, unsure of what to say. Did he tell her about what happened with Ruby, and that-for some reason unbeknownst to him-he was suddenly very upset at that guy in there with her?
"Hey!" David's voice broke through, and before Victor could even think of a response, he was at their side. "What's going on?" He sounded suspicious.
"Nothing, David." Mary Margaret sounded frustrated. "We were just talking."
"And I was just leaving," Victor announced. He took a few steps away before stopping and realizing that his car was still in the parking lot, and though he wasn't drunk, he wasn't in a state to drive. "Can one of you give me a ride home?" He produced his keys.
David and Mary Margaret exchanged glances. "I'll do it," David said, obviously afraid that if Mary Margaret did it, it would end with Victor luring her into his bed.
"Much obliged."
Victor bid farewell to Mary Margaret, and as he walked towards his car, he could hear David asking, "So, what were you talking about?"
"Something's up with him," she answered. "But, he won't say what."
Victor hovered by his car, waiting for David to join him. When he did, the Prince studied him over the car before getting in the driver's side. Victor entered the passenger's side and let out a soft groan when his back hit the leather seat.
"You know," he started. "I have no interest in your wife."
"That seems like a strange thing to say."
So, David wanted to pretend he was innocent in all this? That he didn't constantly view Victor as scum that slept with his wife and would gladly do so again? "Does it? Stop the car."
David stopped the car. They weren't even out of the parking lot yet. "What is it?"
"Well, I think it might be better if Mary Margaret were to give me a ride home." He said this with a smirk that made David glare at him, as he suspected he would. "Yeah, it was a strange thing for me to say. You can go ahead and drive, by the way." David kept his glare on Victor for a moment before starting to drive. "She's a lovely woman, David, and Dr. Whale seemed to like her, but Victor Frankenstein regrets it."
"Yeah, he better."
"He does, so I would appreciate it if you would stop treating me so suspiciously." He sighed. "To be quite honest, I have little interest in that sort of thing." David took his eyes off the road for a moment to raise his eyebrows at Victor. "Now that we're uncursed, my feelings are as they were back in my land. I get urges, sure, but my priority is my work."
"The hospital."
"Partly. I've set up a lab in my garage. It's nothing big, but it does take up a lot of my time."
"Oh. Doesn't that get lonely?"
Terribly so. "I'm used to it."
David stopped the car and killed the engine. Victor didn't even realize they were already in his driveway. He gazed at the closed garage, behind which held vials and beakers and tubes that would help him during his experiments.
"Mary Margaret said something was bothering you."
Victor huffed. "I'm tipsy. That might be it."
"You think that was a good idea? You got pretty hammered last night." He paused. "I actually don't remember seeing you leave Granny's. And you are wearing the same clothes as yesterday."
Victor wasn't expecting the sudden third degree. He knew he should've at least changed his shirt. He had a few in his office closet, but he didn't think about it. He faced David, trying his best to keep a straight face.
"I left late and fell asleep in my clothes," he answered. "I slept in, and I was already late, so I just put on my shoes and left."
David regarded his answer, but he made no further comment. He merely nodded. "Take it easy, Whale," he said with a pat on the shoulder as he handed him the keys and got out of the car.
"Thanks for the lift," he said, watching David walk towards the direction of Granny's. When the Prince was out of sight, Victor pressed a hand to his forehead, wiping the sweat that had formed there.
