Enjoy! : )
2008
We couldn't get to Paris fast enough. Sam's number didn't go back into my phone, and I left it on the nightstand anyway. It beeped just before we left. I would never find out that it was an apology, and extending of the olive branch. But even if I did, I probably would have crushed that branch underfoot.
Hershey brought me to a small cottage on the outskirts of the city, set far away back from the road that someone driving by would never even know it existed. I loved it, and that made the god grin to himself when he thought I wasn't looking. Not that I was staring at him out of the corner of my eye or anything. Of course not. That would just be silly.
It was the second day at the cabin, a Thursday, I noted in satisfaction, that I was up with the sun. The urge to move itched at my muscles, causing me to tap my foot or take a few laps around the kitchen while I waited for the coffee machine to give me my coffee. Surprisingly, caffeine didn't help the feeling. Eventually, I went upstairs to grabs some exercise clothes so I could go on a run. The last run I could remember was back when Hershey was terrorizing the campus, making alligators chomp on researchers and the like. Life was so simple back then.
I reappeared in the kitchen to see Hershey reading one of those insane magazines, Weekly World News or something. He was muttering to himself about Godzilla's long lost brother when I looked over his shoulder and ruffled his hair. The latter earned a rather impressive glare.
"Going for a run," I told him. Hershey looked at me in surprise, his previous annoyance gone.
"Why?" he asked, like it was the strangest thing I could do.
"Well with all the lethal situations I can't help but find myself in all the time, being able to run away seems like a pretty good skill." I managed to keep a straight face for less than a minute before smiling. "I like it. It's fun."
"You have a lame ass idea of fun."
"And you have a perverted idea of fun, so we're even." I ruffled Hershey's hair one more time. "See ya."
"What no kiss goodbye?" he called as I walked out the door. "Cola! I'm hurt!"
"I'm sure," I called back before closing the door behind me and starting down the driveway. I stopped and looked back at the cottage just before it disappeared around the bend. Hershey had moved onto the front porch. I waved at him and he blew me a kiss in return. My face was red and I couldn't wipe away a small smile for the next quarter mile.
Present
"I did end up, quote on quote, forgetting Mystery Spot rather quickly, including how Sam tried to kill me. Eventually, I'll get to the point with the brothers where they don't actively try to kill me or kidnap me or harm me in some way. Sure, every time I see one, my life goes to hell. But I don't hold a grudge. Well, not really. Dean once told me that his family's cursed. And yeah, sometimes it seems that way. But I think cursed is a little strong a word. After all, they survived what? More than twenty years of hunting the worst creatures I can imagine, and they aren't some kind of psychopath. Well, Sam isn't. I can't really speak for Dean." Dean shook his head and smiled slightly. "Damn, I went off on a tangent again, didn't I? Oh well. I like tangents. They're fun and friendly and some other word that begins with an f." I scanned the crowd quickly, and my heart dropped when I saw the creepy barista leaning up against the back wall. I felt an ice cold hand ghost up and down my arm, tracing every scar like a lover's caress. The second I looked away it stopped. I shuddered slightly. Becky looked at me concerned before glancing over her shoulder. Dean did the same, but neither of them noticed anything or anyone odd. I swallowed thickly and continued with a shaky smile.
2008
I came back to a rather unexpected guest. Venus and Hershey were talking and eating blueberry pie in the kitchen, and they looked at me when I walked almost as if on cue. The air felt odd, like a question had just been asked that would never be answered because of an interruption. Hershey looked almost relieved to see me, as if I had saved him from some horrible fate, while Venus just looked slightly disappointed. Her disappointment was gone in a flash, though, when she rushed to hug me.
"Nicky! I'm surprised to see you still hanging around with this ass," she told me. I grinned and laughed.
"You and me both. It's good to see you again."
"Definitely!" she agreed, guiding me over to an open chair and gesturing for me to sit. "Tell me, how do you like Pairs so far? I think this is in my top favorite cites."
"We only got here yesterday," Hershey broke in. "We were – "
"So you haven't seen anything?" Venus interrupted, directing the question towards me. I shook my head. "Well then I declare today a girls only day. We can sightsee and catch up!"
"But – "
"Sounds like fun," I said, cutting Hershey off. His jaw shut with an audible click. "Just give me a few minutes to change." Venus beamed at me, her golden eyes sparkling. They actually looked very similar to Hershey's after the fallout at Mystery Spot. It wasn't until I was in my room that I remembered her eyes were silver in New York.
Venus later explained the reason why as we were eating lunch in a café. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," she told me over her glass of iced tea. "People have different perceptions of beauty. So, how people see me is how they define beauty or what they think is attractive or whatever. Obviously, when we first met you liked people with silver eyes. Now you like people with gold eyes. Or, you know, someone with gold eyes." I shook my head slightly. She grinned. "What? You think I don't know what color Loki's eyes are?"
"I'm sure you do," I told her, but didn't say anything more. The goddess looked at me flatly.
"You're infuriating. You're both so damn infuriating. You should be much further along than ruffling hair and flirting and dodging the subject rather poorly."
"Excuse me?"
"I see in the world in love and lust and attraction. It glows on people, simmers on them like coals. Trust me, Nicky. You and Loki are simmering. Will you kiss the freaking god?"
"No!" I shouted out quickly, earning glanced from the few surrounding tables. I waited until everyone had turned back around before lowering me voice. "Me and Hershey? Really?"
"Well he already kissed you once! He's saved your life! What more do you need?" she asked. "A declaration of love?"
"Of course not!"
"Then what's the problem?" I looked away and she sighed. "Look, Nicky. You and me both know this traveling the world thing isn't going to last forever, and you won't prolong it by just staying friends. So have fun. Carpe diem and whatever."
"Have you told Hershey this?" I asked.
"Yup."
"How'd he take it?" I asked with a small smile. Venus outright grinned.
"You actually walked in before he could answer, but I think his response would have been something along the lines of a threat. Which means he's embarrassed. Sometimes." I laughed a little. "So are you going to do it?" she asked eagerly. I smiled angelically.
"Nope." The goddess threw her hands up in the air and huffed as I got out some gaudy tourist guide Hershey had handed me as we went out the door. "Now. Where should we go next?" Venus muttered something under her breath before getting up to look over my shoulder. Hershey wasn't mentioned for the next few hours that became a blur of museum and people.
Night fell slowly as Venus magiced us back outside the cottage, bathing the world in a cool, almost enchanted dusk. We could see Hershey in the warm glow of a window, bustling around the kitchen with a pan in his hand, and a smudge of flour across his forehead. Venus smiled slightly.
"He's sweet around you," she observed. "I didn't know he had it in him." I smiled as well and agreed. The warm aroma for chicken and pie flooded us the moment we stepped inside. Hershey must have heard us because he poked his head around a door.
"Wait!" he commanded. "Not done yet. Give me two minutes Go… go do knitting or whatever!" Venus and I looked at each other when he disappeared again.
"We should knit him a sweater just because," I said. Venus laughed and flopped down gracelessly on the couch. "Or maybe a blanket. Or knee socks."
"Knee socks?" Venus repeated. I shrugged.
"Why not?"
"Because they're knee socks."
"So?"
"Venus is just upset because she can't pull them off like I can," Hershey said, appearing besides me like a magician and putting an arm around my shoulders.
"Oh I'm sure," the goddess said sarcastically. He shrugged. He still had flour on his forehead. It bugged me so I wiped it off with my sleeve and flashed him a smile.
"Thanks Cola," Hershey told me. "Now hurry before the food gets cold! I slaved away all day for you two. And I already know Venus won't appreciate it."
"I will," I assured him with a past on the shoulder. "As long as it's yummy." He pulled a face but ushered me into the kitchen. Venus followed, and elected to get drinks for everyone. My soda was almost oddly sweet, but it made warmth run through me that seemed to pool in my heart. The lights started to look brighter, the food tastier. Hershey absolutely glowed with an inner light. After Venus left, Hershey took me out and onto the roof to see the stars. With one arm wrapped around my waist, he traced every constellation I could see, and even some that I couldn't. Every star was named and given its own little personality and life story. Hershey's tale put even the best soap operas to shame. I snuggled in closer as the night grew colder, and fell asleep with my head on his shoulder and the names of stars dancing in my dreams. I awoke slightly when he gently placed me in my bed. My hand closed around his wrist and tried to pull him into the bed with me. I might as well have tried to pull down the moon or the stars themselves.
"Cola," he murmured.
"Sleep with me," I told him, tugging at his wrist again. He didn't move. "Sleep with me," I insisted, tugging harder. It took three more tugs for him to lie down next to me. I smiled triumphantly and kissed him. Hershey's body went ridged for all of two seconds before relaxing and pulling me closer. The warmth pooled in my heart positively sung.
Gabriel would like to give everyone who donated chocolate a massive hug. He loves you all. (As do I. He finally stopped poking me with a spoon.) I'd also love to give everyone, my reviewers and non-reviewer readers alike, a massive hug. You're all amazing and I can never thank you enough.
Just for a heads up, you probably won't hear from me again until mid-June. I'm looking at my real life schedule (curse you) and that's probably the soonest I'll be able to get another chapter done.
Review? : )