My brain felt fuzzy as I woke up and snuggled right into Barry's chest. It had to be early in the morning, we went to bed super early after all. Today I had to go meet Cerberus with Diana. I wasn't sure what to expect other than the three headed dog that has been in mythology, kingdom hearts and movies. For all I knew, it was gonna attempt to eat us. Right now though, I was cuddling my best friend and fighting the urge to wake him up in a more adult appealing way. I poked my head up to see he was out like a light and grinned. This guy could sleep through anything, I swear. Well, better get up, drink some coffee and get myself ready. I definitely had to put on the war paint today.
It was probably mid-morning when I heard the knock on the door, Barry had just come out of the bedroom yawning and stretching.
"Morning starshine, the earth says hello!" I called out as I opened it to reveal a smiling Diana looking as gorgeous as always in a lush cream colored long sleeve shirt with a nice pair of charcoal colored dress slacks. "Good gravy Diana, you look beautiful today," I said with a smile. This time her grin reached her eyes as she looked me up and down in return.
"You look beautiful as well, Vivian. How can you take the time do your makeup like that?" She asked as she walked in just in time to see Barry looking flabbergasted at the two of us. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yep! Woke up early today, had to put the war paint on," I gave a wink and ran to give Barry a peck on the cheek, leaving him blushing as we took off. Doing makeup took forever what with using foundation, concealer, doing brows, eyeliner and mascara, blush and a highlighter and that was taking it easy. It could be much worse, and way more time consuming. I went with a more neutral look, wearing an olive green pair of skinny jeans with combat boots and an ivory top that went off of one shoulder, the sleeves went to my elbows and a leather jacket was my cover for warmth. I had to say I looked pretty damn good.
We had decided to take a taxi to the apparent gate to the underworld, stopping in front of a very posh looking building that glittered bright in the sunlight. I let out a low whistle as we walked in and Diana spoke to someone at the front counter. Several people were staring our way and it was making me feel uncomfortable. Honestly, if I weren't attempting to be somewhat professional I would have made a funny face or stuck my tongue out at them. Prince came back just in time before my foul mood could take over and dragged me off to a set of elevators. Everything screamed fancy here. There were luscious green plants beside each elevator and the floors were a brilliant marble with gold flecks. Inside the small box of doom it was a rich redwood with bright gold on the panels and trim. It was lovely, although I really hated elevators, I blame the tower of terror. She used a pass key and pressed a button that must have needed that in order to have access, with it we went down.
I don't know how many levels we went before the door dinged and opened up, revealing a more dark and relaxing atmosphere. The floors were a cement that shined and yet again there were beautiful plants all over. There was a desk that was large and black to the far right, but it looked like no one was manning it. Ahead of us was a rather large double door set in mahogany and a young man with short dark sandy blonde hair that was swept back perfectly was leaning against the wall beside it. His head perked up at the sound of our approaching feet and beautiful green eyes landed on my face, widening slightly. He was tan, dressed in a suit with nice oxford boots and honestly looked really attractive.
"What can I do for you two lovely ladies?" He asked with an arched brow.
"Cerberus, I presume," Diana replied in curt. He grinned and held out his hand.
"The one and only my dear." He pressed his lips to her knuckles and turned to do the same to me.
"I am Diana Prince and this is Vivian Clearwater. We had an attack the other day and have a feeling it may have to deal with the underworld. Vivian is the daughter of Hades." I could feel my face heating up at her blunt statement. Wow, get right down to the point. Cerberus smirked as his eyes flicked my way for a moment.
"I thought she looked familiar.. I knew Hades had kids, just never expected one to actually be graced with his aura. You must be one tough chick. He would be proud to know he has such a stunning heir."
"Uh, thanks? Can I just say you were nothing like I expected." I stated rather bluntly, not even phased by his compliments. If the guys grin got any bigger his face was going to break. "Also, this is just weird, does anyone else think this is weird? 'Cos we're all acting really normal."
"Ha! I like you girl. Most people think I'm going to look like a three headed dog, which is what I'm assuming you thought as well. That's my aura, that nifty magical thing that you produce as well." Cerberus ran a hand through his hair and gave me a wink. Oh boy, this guy was flirty.
"Cool! So do I get some cool visual with my aura? Oh, wait, let's get back on track. Cerberus, has anything weird been going on in the underworld?" I could curse my squirrelly attention span, but hey, it would never end. The blonde chuckled and shook his head, face turning serious quite suddenly.
"As a matter of fact, we've had a breech. I had someone looking into it, happened a couple days ago. Couldn't get ahold of the big man which is kinda odd, but it looks like no one got out. I'll make sure to check again though. What happened upstairs?" Cerberus could go from puppy to guard dog in an instant it seemed. I looked over to Diana who gave me a nod and an encouraging smile.
"Well, this freaky thing just attacked out of nowhere and hurt slash killed many innocent civilians. It had on an emerald cloak in velvet and looked like the freakin crypt creeper. Sunken in eye sockets, long twisted hands. Reeked of death and had fangs. It also had these weird tentacle-like things that shot out from the sleeves and lord knows where else." I rattled off while sticking my hands in the back of my pant pockets. Cerberus' brows furrowed as he gave me a nod.
"Okay, I'll look around. That sounds familiar, I just hope it's not what I think it is. So, I'm gonna need a number to contact you once I figure it out and you should probably have mine in case it appears again. I really hope it isn't what I think it is though, cause if it is, we're in deep trouble." He fished out a cellphone from his coat pocket and looked between the two of us, Diana nudged me in return. Okay, guess I'm giving him my number and he's giving me his. I pulled my phone out and unlocked it, going to contacts and handing him my cell. Apparently he had done the same and we exchanged information. "You ladies have a great day, you'll be hearing from me soon Vivian. Maybe we could go out to eat and talk it over, yeah?" I gave him a short nod while pocketing my phone. That would probably be a good idea. He could help me with learning who I am and what I can do, plus food is always good.
"Sounds good, see you soon." I replied back with a half smile before taking Diana away with me and climbing into the elevator.
"He fancies you," Diana teased. I ran a hand over my face and sighed.
"Thank god I wasn't the only one who noticed the guy was flirting! Oh my gosh that was beyond weird. I've always been invisible up until this stuff happened. Now some keeper of the gates is hitting on me and he isn't a three headed dog that sniffs his butt like I thought he would be. I guess I've upgraded in life." I felt sick. None of this seemed real. Barry likes me and now some dude is hitting on me that knows my dad. "I just hope Cerberus can inform me a little about a side of my life I didn't know existed…"
XXXX
I flopped onto the couch back at Bruce's guest house in the mansion, groaning as it sank in beside me.
"How'd it go?" Barry asked as he ran a hand up and down my back. I huffed into the cushions before rolling around and holding my arms out to him, an open invitation to snuggle. He grinned and scooted behind me, forcing me to maneuver around until my face was nuzzled into the crook of his neck.
"Well, Cerberus is not a three headed dog, but a really tall blonde in a suit. He's gonna look into the description and get back to me, said we should go out to eat and talk about that. I figured I could get answers from him about my dad and my powers. Also, the guy was flirting with me hardcore, which was weird." I babbled out, feeling the need to whine to my best friend. Barry stiffened and looked down at me.
"To be fair, you are beautiful. Does that mean you're going on a date with him?" His voice sounded strained. I shook my head.
"There's only one guy I want to take me on a date… Cerberus is someone who can help me though, so I do want to go out and talk with him. Just not anything else." I shrugged and buried my face deeper against him. Barry's hand rubbed lazy circles around my back, causing my tense body to relax.
"So not a date then, because I really wanted to be the one that did that with you… I mean, if you wanted that that is…" He sounded so shy that it was adorable and I couldn't help looking up at him. His brown eyes were twinkling against the dim lighting of the room and I could melt into a puddle from the look he was giving me.
"You're the only guy I want to take me on a date, Bear." I heard myself whisper before giving him a light peck on the lips. It was like an out of body experience. The simple kiss became much more as one of his hands went to tangle in my hair before his mouth descended onto mine, warm and soft and full of passion. We quietly kissed for awhile, so long that I nearly forgot what time was until we both pulled back panting. "For now, how does Thai takeout and gaming sound?"
"Like the perfect night in," Barry replied with a grin.
So that's what we did. I enjoyed curry, Barry had a seafood stew. We played Left 4 Dead with lots of cursing and shoving each other around, which lead to play wrestling and more making out. I was having no regrets in life as his hands cupped my butt, my fingers tangled in his hair. My phone vibrated multiple times and I let out a groan. If someone was trying to contact me that much it must be important.
"Sorry, I should check that," I murmured against his lips, giving him another soft kiss before rolling off of him and grabbing the dreaded device that ruined my moment. I had three texts and a missed call from Cerberus and sighed before dialing his number and pressing the phone to my ear, pacing back and forth.
"Thanks for calling back so fast, didn't interrupt anything did I?" Cerberus asked playfully. Nah, just the possibility of sleeping with the guy I wanna be with. You're good Cerb. I thought to myself sarcastically.
"Nothing that you personally have to worry about, what's up?" I attempted to keep myself from getting snippy as Barry came up behind me and looped his arms around my waist, kissing my neck gently. Oh my gosh, can this call end?
"I found out who it was and you aren't going to like it. Can you meet me at a coffee shop in about thirty minutes?" He sounded serious and I bit back a groan as I moved away from Allen.
"Yeah, just tell me where and I will see you in thirty. Alright, sounds perfect. See you soon." I hung up the phone and looked at Barry. "I'm so sorry, I would rather spend the night in with you, but that was Cerberus, he wants to meet up and tell me what the hell that thingy was that attacked Diana and I." I pinched the bridge of my nose as I went to go throw my boots back on, thankful that none of my clothes had come off.
"Do you need me to come with you?" Barry asked with a hint of worry and jealousy in his voice. Oh my gosh, he's jealous?! I can't believe I am making him jealous.
"Nah, it's not far from here. I'll see you soon." I gave Barry a quick peck on the cheek and took off, ready to figure this whole mess out and hopefully get some answers.
Barry let out a soft sigh as he sat on the couch, rubbing his hands over his face, unsure how to feel about Vivian going out with someone who was interested in her in other ways than just business. Maybe he would just stay close by and keep an eye out for her. Yeah, that would be a great idea, in case something happened should she need him…
