Author's Note: I can't believe we've made it this far! Chapter 11 is here. Prepare to swoon from the fluff! Like always, Hey, Arnold! and ALL characters mentioned belong to Craig Bartlett and Nickelodeon.

Disclaimer: This chapter contains semi-explicit descriptions of sex and lovemaking between two consensual adults. Long live smut!

Enough chit-chat! ONWARDS!

Chapter 11: Arnold Shortman, You Are Mine

"Arnold! Hey man! I just got a call from Phoebe! She's at the hospital. I think Helga is sick or something!" Gerald exclaimed.

"What! What happened? Is she okay? Is she safe?" Arnold yelled out. His parents were now next to him, joining him at the foyer and listening in with a concerned look on their faces.

"I don't know man. I'm just heading over there myself. I'm skipping school."

"I'll be there right now!" Arnold hung up and hurriedly grabbed his sweater. Miles and Stella trailed behind.

"Son." Miles grabbed Arnold by the shoulder, forcing him to turn around to look at him. "Calm down. Give me the keys. I'll drive and you calm down."

The three of them made their way into Drymon Medical Clinic and as soon as they reached the waiting room, with Arnold running ahead, they were greeted by Gerald, Phoebe, and Brainy.

"How is she? What happened to her? Can I see her?" Arnold asked frantically as his weary eyes focused in on his friend's faces, searching for any clue about her wellbeing.

"Don't worry man, calm down. The doctor just told us she collapsed from exhaustion last night after work. She was walking home when it happened." Gerald explained.

"To be precise, it was a combination of dehydration and elevated stress levels that caused Helga to experience hypotension and ultimately syncope." Phoebe added.

"If it wasn't for Brainy finding her there, God knows what could've happened." Gerald signaled towards the young man sitting down in the chair.

Arnold approached the lanky man sitting, "I don't know what to say. Thank you for being there, Brainy."

Brainy did not say anything and simply nodded.

After a few minutes of waiting in silence for any news, a nurse came out and allowed three of them to visit the room Helga was staying at. Arnold, along with Stella and Miles, made their way in first.

She was sleeping soundly with her hair down and sprawled around her pillow. She wore a white hospital gown and the thin needle of the IV drip connected to the back of her hand stood out. Arnold stood and felt his heart near breaking point. How did it come down to this? He couldn't bear looking at her alabaster skin and the darkened bags under her eyes. Even in this state, her beauty shined and made him forget all of his futile attempts at reconciliation. The only thing that mattered was that she was okay.

A few minutes passed as they stood around in silence before she awoke, blinking a few times.

"Helga!" Arnold tenderly reached for her hand. His weary, sunken eyes met her drowsy blue ones. "Helga, I'm so sorry! I should have known. How could I have not known that you were so tired?! I'm so so sorry!" Arnold leaned down and placed his forehead over her arm.

"Always finding something new to apologize for." She offered weakly, her voice sounding broken and small. "It's not your fault. I left early on purpose so you wouldn't find me. I'm the one who is sorry." She added with a small smile.

The two stared at each other, eyes glossy and fingers intertwining automatically.

Miles cleared his throat as him and Stella approached her bed. The young couple, seemingly lost and forgetful of time and space around them, blushed a few shades of red as they turned to face the older couple making their way to them.

"Oh, right. Mom and Dad are here as well." Arnold stated.

"Helga. We are so glad you are safe and well!" Stella sat at the edge of the bed and smoothed Helga's hair.

"You gave us a scare there, young lady." Miles smiled down at her, "But we are so happy to know you are okay." He added as he rounded the bed and stood next to Arnold.

Helga looked at each of their faces, their eyes reflected concern and relief. She thanked them for being here, for worrying about her. She apologized for the trouble caused. The older couple gathered her in for a hug, assuring her that she was family.

"Anything you need, we are here for you, Helga." Stella tearfully stated as she held Helga's face between her hands.

"Thank you so much." Helga tried and failed to conceal the tears building in her eyes. She scolded herself mentally but finally gave in to the wave of emotions building up. Her tears streamed down one by one. The love they'd shown for her, the concern that was aimed her way was pure and it was unlike anything she'd ever felt before.

Arnold held her hand as he observed his girlfriend unravel herself in front of him and his parents. He knew this side of her. She was tender inside and her rough edges were coming off. His parents, both magicians at giving unconditional love to him and everyone around them filled him with pride. He felt grateful for having them as parents. He never asked them to treat Helga kindly. Since their first encounter in San Lorenzo, his parents had shown great affection towards the blonde girl. Without the need for words, it was as though they also knew who she really was.

The tender moment ended when Bob, Miriam, and Olga burst into the room.
"Little sister!" Olga cried out and reached towards Helga.

Arnold looked wearily at Helga and she gave him a silent nod. Arnold, along with his parents, greeted the other family and made their way out, giving them a moment alone with their daughter.

"Helga, we are so sorry! We had no idea that you were tired from working so much!" Bob cried out while reaching for her hand.

Miriam looked distraught as she ran to hug Helga, "I couldn't believe when they told me my little girl was in the hospital this morning. We made it out as soon as we heard of it! I am so sorry, Helga!" Miriam squeezed Helga.

Olga, a puddle at the edge of the bed, finally looked up in between sobs and spoke, "Helga, little sister. It will all be different. You don't need to work anymore. I got a job." *sniffle* "I wanted to surprise you. I got a job as a professor of anthropology at Hillwood University." She broke down again and Helga observed her family wide-eyed.

'Geez, what a mess they are.' She thought. Even so, she couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness. This was her family. No matter how careless or useless they were, they did love her in their own way. Even though they didn't know how to show it most of the time. She looked at her aging parents and smiled, "I'm okay now, guys. Thanks for coming to see me."

"Of course we came to see you. You are still my little girl!" Miriam cried out again, holding onto her tighter.

"We wont let this happen again. I'm taking Vermicelli to court! I'm getting all our money back!" Bob exclaimed indignantly while gathering his family in for a hug.

While Arnold waited for Helga to be released, he sat in silence in the waiting room along with his parents and friends. After a short while of weary sighs and the occasional small talk, Brainy stood up and announced his departure.

"Brainy, aren't you gonna wait to see Helga?" Gerard enquired as he observed the timid man stand up and gather his belongings.

"Helga is fine now." Brainy smiled before adjusting his glasses.

Arnold observed his old classmate for a few moments and couldn't help but wonder about the circumstances surrounding him and Helga.

'How did he come across Helga last night? Gerard mentioned he found her after she passed out.'

Unable to shake away the uneasy feeling entering his mind, Arnold stood up and walked along with Brainy.

"Hey, Brainy. Do you mind if I talk to you for a moment?" Arnold asked as he followed him to the clinic exit.

When they passed the sliding doors of the main exit, Brainy turned to acknowledge Arnold and waited for him to speak.

Arnold felt hesitant but decided it was for the best to ask, "I want to thank you for helping Helga. If you hadn't been there, I don't even want to think about what might've happened." Arnold explained.

Brainy did not give any clue into his thoughts and instead offered a half-smile in response.

Arnold hesitated to keep going but decided it was for the best and gathered the courage to ask him, "To be honest, Brainy, I'm confused about what you were doing past midnight in that street. I mean, I am grateful, but it doesn't make sense. Did Helga call you?"

"Helga didn't call me." Brainy answered calmly.

"Well, then, was it a coincidence?" Arnold wrinkled his brow, confused at the young man's explanation of events or lack thereof.

"No. I come to Helga. Whenever she needs me." Brainy answered calmly again.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I" He paused. "…will always protect Helga." Brainy finally responded before walking off, leaving a turmoil inside Arnold.

Arnold was sitting on his bed practicing with his acoustic guitar that night. He felt relieved at the knowledge that Helga had been released from the hospital and had made peace with her family. After her release and their brief goodbye, Helga had gone home with her family. After dinner, they'd talked on the phone and she'd shared the news of Olga's new job, as well as the special dinner her family had organized in honor of her release from the hospital.

He'd strummed his guitar in a lazy beat, immersed in his thoughts. It felt like it had been years since he'd held her, even though Saturday's party hadn't been more than 2 days ago. Their distance and all that had happened since the party weighed heavily in his heart. He never thought he could feel so strongly for someone. He missed her voice, her laughter, and her crude jokes. He missed the depth of her blue eyes, the silk of her hair, and the curves of her body. All at once he felt separate emotions. The knowledge that she was safe warmed him. The desire to have her again hit him. He remembered her body under his, her soft curves, her voice whimpering his name, and her face when she lost herself in their lovemaking. He strummed the guitar in frustration when suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by soft tapping at his bedroom window that faced the fire escape.

He stood and walked over to the window, opening it before looking down to find Helga standing at the fire escape.

"I could've come through the front, but what's the fun in that?" She grinned at him.

He stood in awe as the manifestation of his every thought and desire stood in front of him, his Helga.

"Well?" She lifted an eyebrow at him.

It took a few seconds to register her presence as real. He opened the window wider and stretched out his arms towards her, "Helga? What are you doing here?" He exclaimed while she took his outreached arms and climbed through the open semi-circle shaped window in his bedroom.

"What does it look like I'm here for? I came to see you." She replied while standing in front of him now, shaking off the dust from her pants.

He stared down at her face, feeling shaken by her direct admission. She seemed to notice his reaction and her face started to take a red hue.

"Don't go getting any weird ideas! I meant that I wanted to…reassure you that I am feeling better now." She crossed her arms and turned away in an effort to conceal her embarrassment.

Arnold felt his heart hammering in his chest. She was so full of surprises. One minutes strong willed and spewing love confessions, the next minute trying to hide her embarrassed face and disguising her feelings under crude jokes and mean statements.

He couldn't resist what he was feeling and took her by surprise when he swiftly hugged her and lifted her off the floor, spinning her around.

"I'm so glad you are safe! I was so worried. Helga, I'm so happy!" He said as he placed her back down, gently.

Helga felt completely overwhelmed by his actions. She stood frozen as he reached over to adjust her beanie that had tilted slightly to one side. The expression on his face was that of pure joy and relief. She felt her mask melting away as she observed his smile and the glimmer in his eyes. He was the only one who could melt away her anxiety.

'Oh, my love! Your smile is enough to keep away the darkest days. Your evergreen eyes reflect back the love I so hold dear!'

"I'm sorry for not answering your calls." She looked down at her shoes, adding, "I know it was so immature."

"I'm sorry too. I was unfair that night. I'm so sorry for implying you were to blame for anything." He replied while smoothing her bangs.

She nodded, "And me too, I'm sorry for bringing up your past."

"Do you want to know about my past?" He straightened himself, his tone reflecting his changed mood. "I'm an open book for you."

She looked into his eyes, feeling weary and envious of any girl who might've had him before she did. He'd told her about his past in a few words and had expressed his guilt about using girls to try to ease the burden in his heart, but he never indulged her with details. The only evidence of his past was demonstrated by his expert fingers, his mouth and all the knowledgeable ways he expressed his love physically.

"I want to know." She paused. "One day. One day, you will give me details and I wont wither in self-pity and jealousy." She stated before smirking slightly and placing her hands on his chest. She looked into his eyes and started pushing him slowly.

Arnold smiled reluctantly but followed her prompting and started to walk backwards while she kept her hands on his chest, egging him to keep walking backwards. When he reached the edge of his bed, he observed her changed mood. Her mischievous blue eyes locked with his, her plump lips curved into a wicked smile.

"For now, I want to make one thing clear." She grinned while she stood in front of him. "Arnold Shortman. You are mine." With that statement, she gave him one final push and he fell backwards onto his bed.

He looked up at her startled and froze as she reached for the hem of her shirt and lifted it over her head. She threw the shirt and her beanie aside and followed the same process with the rest of her clothing. When she stood bared before him, he was staring, agape and speechless.

Helga reached over and grabbed his hand, prompting him to sit up on his bed. She brought his hand up to her chest. No matter how experienced he might be, she still held the power to render him completely speechless.

After a moment of letting his hand roam and massage her round breasts, she stepped back. "Your turn." She ordered, smirking.

Mesmerized and frozen in place, he grew conscious that his pants were already growing uncomfortably tight around him.

The goddess in front of him stared down the length of her nose, her eyebrow lifted in expectation. "Did I stutter, Loverboy?" She snickered as she observed his hesitancy.

Arnold blushed red and began to undress as well. At a slow pace, he took off his cap, shirt, and pants. He paused at his briefs but resumed to be rid of them as well.

Equally bared now, Helga kneeled on the floor in front of him and positioned herself between his legs.

"I want to memorize you." She whispered as she leaned over his exposed member, her face leveled with it.

"Helga! What are you doing?" He exclaimed, blushing bright red.

"What do you think? I want what's mine." She stated as she took him in her hands, stroking him up and down slowly. Instinct was all she had and she planned to use it to the best of her advantage. She wanted to leave him gasping, to see him coming apart. She wanted nothing else than to bring him to ecstasy, over and over again.

Just as Arnold was sure he'd died and went to heaven, she took him in her mouth, proving him again that it was just the beginning. She was not going to stop her sweet ministrations until she had him coming apart. He gasped and groaned as her mouth sustained him, taking him over and over and throwing him over the edge.

"Helga." He warned. "Helga, if you don't stop, I'm going to-!"

But she never heard him, or if she did, she did the very opposite of that. She increased speed until he spent himself inside. She took all of him, swallowing every drop.

She wiped at her mouth and stood up, pushing him back down to lay flat on the bed. His eyes were now closed, and he was breathing heavily.

"Tired already?" She asked teasingly.

Arnold opened one eye and smiled weakly, reaching for her waist and prompting her to straddle his lap. "Give me all you got." He murmured.

Now on top of him, she took his erect member and guided herself down on it, taking him into her core. At the intensity of their union, she moaned out loud and he threw his head back while his hands eagerly guided her up and down. She found a steady rhythm, grinding her hips up and down. Between gasps and moans, he observed the beauty bouncing eagerly and felt his last restraint coming lose. He cursed under his breath as she relished and found her own pleasure with him, using him to climb her peak. All at once, they felt themselves at their peak, cursing and calling each other's names.

Laying in each other's arms in the aftermath of their lovemaking, Arnold caressed the wet strands of her hair and whispered into her hair. "We survived our first couple argument."

Helga blinked a few times and giggled, "Barely."

Their restful sleep was interrupted by a soft thud at his door a few hours later.

Helga awoke and gasped. She hid under the covers, "Um, Arnold!" She whispered, poking his arm to wake him. "Arnold I think someone is at your door!" She tried again.

Arnold blinked and looked down at the startled girl hiding her nude body under his blanket. He smiled down at her and patted her head. "Don't worry, Helga. That must be Abner coming to sleep." He stood up and pulled open his door. The chubby pig staggered inside and glared her way.

She gasped and sat upright on his bed, letting the covers fall. "That pig is still alive?" She mocked.

"He's a senior now. He comes to sleep in my room. He usually knocks like that and I answer the door. Every night is the same." He grinned while he observed his faithful companion make his way to his preferred sleeping spot and settle down on it.

"My monitor lizard would looovveee to make friends with him. Did you know? My lizard is quite fond of bacon." She snickered and gasped when the pig glared her way. "Did you see that? He just glared at me!"

Arnold sighed and came back to join her, slipping back down under the covers and pulling her down with him. "That's simply because you just insulted him. Abner is very smart." He pinched her nose and she scowled at him. "And he likes bacon too." He added grinning while Helga looked over at the sleeping pig with a confused expression.

"Bacon?"

Author's Note: What did you think? Please don't forget to leave a review (anonymous and guest reviews are welcome.) I'd love to hear your feedback!~

Thank You ALL for your continued support

"Engraved in You" playlist on Spotify is now available. It follows the story progression and will be updated after every chapter. Any music featured on the story will be on the playlist. Any songs that inspired the chapters and flowed with the story progression will be uploaded there as well. Have a listen while you wait for next week's chapter! Look for shortakitaki on instagram for link

Extra announcement: "Ultimate Shortaki Playlist" has now been made public! This was a group collaboration from a bunch of HA! Fans. It is not a stagnant playlist and we are always taking suggestions. We've yet to add a lot of music fitted for Shortaki. Look for shortakitaki on instagram for link