Sorry this took longer than I wanted. Work is kicking my butt these past weeks. Busy season and all that. x.x
I did the flashbacks a little different this time to preserve emphasis within the scene etc.
So Flashback will be like this:
Some lead in text...
Next few words italics to start. Scene begins.
...This is the end of the Flashback. But here are more words.
Hopefully that's not confusing. Just tell me if it is! :)
Enjoy and Review please. :)
"Talking"
Thoughts
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN THE CHARACTERS OF HEY ARNOLD THEY BELONG TO CRAIG BARTLETT. HOWEVER THE LYRICS WRITTEN ARE MY ORIGINAL CREATION ALONG WITH THE PLOT IDEAS. DON'T STEAL. THANKS.
SIX YEARS LATER…
Helga sighed, "He's working late again."
"Oh my. That's pretty often, isn't it?" Phoebe gave her friend a sympathetic look.
"It fricken sucks." Helga growled mashing buttons on a game controller.
The two girls sat on Helga's couch. Her and Arnold lived in the same small sized two bedroom apartment since they'd graduated college. It had a cozy kitchen and a wide living room. Perfect for having guests— if only they had time.
Out of college they had a massive stroke of luck.
Well paying jobs.
She was a work from home writer for a high powered magazine. And he had managed to put his love of neighborhood restoration to good use. He worked down at a Hillwood Community Outreach as a Councilor and Project grunt (more or less).
But his job was decidedly more high powered than hers. He often times had to work overtime or weekend blitzes to meet crazy deadlines. Sometimes he even had to travel to meet other coordinators with his boss. In most cases he was a glorified assistant than an actual part of the team.
Her job was easy going and she often times had the luxury to work whenever the moment struck her. Sure it could be tiring some days when a new deadline crunch was looming, but she never wore herself out like he did.
Although he was often tired, she could tell that he relished all the good his position was making in the world. The rush of having so many children looking to him for guidance mixed with the neighborhood depending on them to get projects done. In another life, he'd probably be fulfilled.
He'd been working like this for three years now with that promise that he'd be promoted soon. His boss always seemed to hang it over his head. But Arnold was confident he'd get it soon enough.
Phoebe sighed, "Lucky for me, even though Gerald and I work different shifts, I still see him on weekends."
"Yeah, I wish we at least had one set day together." she said sadly, while putting the controller down.
"Being an adult is never easy."
"It's still not fair." She sighed.
"Well, surely you two have time for something when he comes home?"
Helga almost fell off the couch laughing. She wiped a tear from her eye as she sat back up.
Phoebe rolled her eyes, "It can't be that bad-"
"Most of the time he comes home late. Half the time he's got fast food under his arm. The other half he stumbles through the door like he's drunk." Helga flopped back on the couch, "Hell, the last time we tried to have sex he fell asleep mid-"
Phoebe covered her mouth, "My, that is serious. Have you tried to talking to his boss?"
Helga sighed, "Arnold doesn't want to rock the boat. He says he can taste the promotion."
The girls were quiet a moment. They sat next to each other shoulders bumped together on the couch. Helga seemed to shrink into her friend's side. The small amount of comfort she gleaned from her friend still wasn't enough- but what could change?
Phoebe patted Helga's leg, "At least you guys had a solid time in college."
Helga let a goofy smile overtake her, Ah college…back when I actually saw my husband…
The night was young at the on campus bar. It was a frequent hotspot for the college populous. It held a full service bar and even a center stage. Sometimes even local bands performed there. And other nights they had game competitions or even karaoke.
Arnold wasn't much for the idea of hanging out at a bar scene. Or making a habit of partying too hard. They were going to college to learn not get crazy. Sure he'd been drinking with the guys and had his own share of experimental drug experiences but this was on a whole new level to him.
Helga dragged him through the bar. They weaved around the tables before settling on one towards the front.
None of their other friends were available that night, but Helga insisted. She found it hilarious when people tried to sing. And those that couldn't often tried karaoke much to the distaste of anyone else with ears.
Arnold glanced at her, "We can't stay out past ten. I've got a test in the morning."
"Yeah, yeah whatever. Just enjoy the show." She leaned back in the seat feet propped up on stage.
After some very bad renditions of popular songs, ten o' clock was closing in. And even though Arnold wasn't going to drink, they both had managed to get pretty drunk.
Arnold stumbled to his feet, "S'alright. Time to go Helga."
She looked at him swaying and snorted laughter.
"S'not funn-y."
"We can't go home like that." Her gaze glinted.
"Can too." He started to lean on the seat.
"You have to sing first."
His gaze went owlish for a moment, "U-up th-here?"
Helga smirked and started pushing him towards the stage. His feet dug in and his head felt like a slurry.
How did I get so out of control? he stood poised on the stage steps.
He didn't have much time to react to her shoving him on stage. His feet tumbling one after the other and hands outstretched.
Helga cackled as she stumbled back to her seat. The other college students all seemed equally far gone. They let out weak sounds of amusement.
Arnold glared down at Helga.
How dare she.
But then an idea struck his alcohol addled brain.
He shifted to the machine. His fingers slinging the songs around.
And then he saw it.
An embarrassing duet.
He clicked on the song. Spinning around with the microphone in his hand, his look nonchalant as he faced her.
The song Endless Love by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross started to play.
He started to sing the words off key. His head thrown back. Eyes dramatically closed. The other hand making a fist.
She was laughing hysterically already.
He pointed towards her with a smoldering look. The barest grin on his lips.
"Hel~ga~~! I'll be a fool for you I'm sure. You know I don't mind. Oh, you know I don't mind!"
She started to blush and cover her face.
In a flash of his hand, he yanked her on stage. She stumbled into his chest as he botched the next line.
She was captivated by his still bright green eyes. Oblivious to the drunken singing surrounding them.
Her fingers tangled into his shirt, "Forever-"
Both of them belting out, "OHH~HHH!"
She was laughing so much, she could barely get the words out.
"I'll hold you close in my arms. I can't resist your charms."
Suddenly he dipped her low, his lips a breadth from hers, "My endless loveeee!"
The next few minutes were a blur as they kissed off stage. The two of them stumbling towards the back door only to find it lead into a long hallway. He was kissing her so hard and fast she knew they'd never make it to the dorm apartment.
She yanked him by the collar into a side room. It was filled with props. A cymbal fell off the table. He pushed her against the wall.
He panted heavily in her ears as they were spent.
She stared at him with a sense of awe.
He licked the side of her face.
She gave him a half push, "Gross. Geez."
A dark chuckle left him.
Another stray lick across her cheek.
She gasped and flicked his forehead, "I mean it."
He licked his lips. A canine poking through, "Make me stop. I've got you locked down baby."
His hips grinded against her. His fingers possessively dug into her skin.
"Psh. I've got at least ten minutes to escape before that beast comes out again."
He laughed while slowly lowering her. They took a moment to straighten out. Their breathing still labored.
He glanced at her.
She stared back.
A small laugh fell into the thick air. The tense heat of their tryst exploding.
She asked softly, "Still wanna go home?"
He took her hand tenderly, firmly-tugging her into his waiting, broad chest, "No. I rather see the stars with you."
A small smile pursed her lips.
...As she took a moment to think about how long she'd known Arnold. How long they'd dated. They were always together once they got over their rocky middle school years.
They had become so ingrained in being with each other, that being apart felt weird to her. Now she lamented that she never appreciated their college years more.
Late night talks, running around campus getting into all kinds of mischief-
And the sex was pretty amazing too.
They definitely had plenty of time for long rendezvous within their campus apartment bedroom.
She was sore to admit that she was missing him as much as she was. She figured he'd tease her or tell her she was worrying about nothing. He did love her after all.
She ran her hands through her hair, "I know, I sound so selfish. But I don't know what to do."
"Well Helga, I have some suggestions-"
"Spit it out. I'm down for any ideas." Helga leaned towards her friend.
Phoebe pressed her hands together, "Well-"
"A quickie." Gerald said.
Arnold almost spit out his drink. He covered the phone and hunched over it, "I'm at work Gerald."
"Shit, how am I supposed to know?"
Arnold was sitting at the reception desk and none of his coworkers were around- but he could never be too cautious. It was a pretty open area. Anyone could walk in at any moment.
Arnold put a hand to his brow, "And how is that going to help me exactly?"
"You said you miss her right? Get in, get out, mission accomplished."
Arnold rolled his eyes, "Gerald, that isn't going to work."
"Psh, works for me." He almost sounded feral.
Arnold groaned, "Alright well, I guess I'll figure something out."
"Yeah man, you always do. Remember, none of that long winded shit."
The phone disconnected. Arnold twisted in his chair. A low sigh on his lips.
I miss you. I hope they promote me soon... he faced the desk, I never appreciated our college years...heh…
Digging into his shirt pocket, he pulled out a locket that had Helga's picture in it. The picture was from their honeymoon. He could still see the snow and pine trees in the background.
Or our Honeymoon. Damn…I'll never complain about snow ever again…
The thick bear fur was soft against her back. His hands tender and loving as he stroked her body. His lips melded with hers. Her fingers thick in his hair she kissed him harder.
The fireplace was raging next to them. A soft glow in the dark cabin. Snow falling in long rows. They'd spent the day on the slopes.
But their tired cold bodies wouldn't rest.
Not until they had every inch of each other.
Soft sounds of submission left her as he kissed down her face.
She breathed, "You're freezing."
"Warm me up." He smirked. His boyish mop of hair flyaway.
A cluster of sounds erupted as they hit their peak.
A mutual high they rarely had.
A desperate breathing filled the space.
A lust only temporary quelled.
A love that would burn no matter the weather.
A soft buffeting of snow could be heard against the roof. The windows long past coated in frost.
He said quietly, "We might be stuck here tomorrow."
"So much for the hot tub." She said with mirth.
He snorted and covered his laugh. Slowly he nestled down beside her. His face in the crook of her arm. Lips placing lazy kisses against the curve of her neck.
Another silent moment passed.
She said, "I love you."
"I love you always." His voice a dimmed timbre.
"You always gotta be better than me Football Head?"
He rested his chin on her chest, "I'm never gonna be better than you."
…He sighed deeply. Besides missing her, his mind politely reminded him why else he needed the promotion.
Helga is ready for kids...
He knew he wanted kids. He'd always pictured himself as a very involved Dad.
His thoughts were now further complicated. He'd never thought about how having kids would make their time together even more short.
One of his coworkers wandered into the main hall.
I'll worry about it later... Arnold forced a smile, "Hey, do you have those reports?"
Their current issue was complicated enough without adding another issue to the mix.
As usual let me know what you thing! :)