Costumes, Fails, and Flames


Shego ate her breakfast slowly as she took in the large ornate bouquet of flowers she'd had to fight the Mandevilla's for. She slapped the glass behind her as she saw the shadow of a few of them. It was clear they viewed other flowers as a threat or maybe jealousy... she wasn't sure. She did feel slightly bad for the delivery person who had been chased off by them while she'd been yelling at the wild vines. Most of the bouquet had made it unscathed into the house despite the chaos of the morning.

"Morning Shego," came Drakken as he came up from the lab, "Do you know why the flowers are attacking something outside?"

"Some of the roses didn't make it," shrugged Shego. She gestured to the flowers, "This?"

He paused in the doorway of the kitchen and looked at the flowers for a few seconds.

"It showed up now?" asked Drakken in annoyance, "I ordered that over two weeks ago... I thought I might have accidentally canceled it."

Drakken shrugged and went to the sink.

"There was no card so I wasn't sure if they were from Lucre for you or-"

"Lucre did that once because he thought it was funny because of the UN flowers," glared Drakken, "Can we never talk about that ever again? Yes their for you."

"Well then in that case, thank you," smirked Shego as she adjusted the flowers, "Two weeks ago?"

"I was worried you were mad about me not reading your mind- so I sent them... took them long enough," grumbled Drakken as he sat down next to her.

Shego rolled her eyes and smiled at the flowers.

"Shego... by chance if I was able to read your-"

Shego cut Drakken off.

"If you make something to read my mind again, I will do with it the same thing as last time," Shego continued to smile as she sniffed the flowers.

"... You could have at least let me test it before you set it ablaze," grumbled Drakken. "This weekend is that party-"

"I am aware," Shego hummed, "I can't wait to see what hideous costumes people wear."

"Speaking of costumes," Drakken interrupted her, "Have you chosen yours?"

"What are you going as?" asked Shego.

Drakken narrowed his eyes and she gave him a devious smirk.

"For over two weeks you've been deflecting and its getting annoying," Drakken huffed, "I'm not saying we have to have a couples costume... but some coordination would be lovely, thanks."

"Femme fatale," She rolled her eyes as she stood up, "Dress accordingly."

Drakken nodded and then gave her a suspicious look as she messed his hair in passing to the kitchen. She had gotten as far as placing her plate down when she felt the familiar vines wrapping around her waist. She was mid-turn before they slowly pulled he back to the dining area. She shook her head as she followed them. It was clear that over the last month Drakken had stopped deterring using Flower to gain her attention.

At least I can walk this time.

The first few times, Shego had been 'summoned' by the use of Flower and company, she'd been escorted rather quickly to Drakken in the lab. Who had rightfully been horrified even before she yelled at him. Apparently his trying something he thought might be useful had been a little overzealous in his approach. What was more concerning wasn't Drakken's lack of new antics, but the fact Shego didn't mind it.

"Yes?" asked Shego as she was pulled through the doorway.

"What does this femme fatale look like," he asked with a raised brow, "Is it you in your normal work attire?"

"The kitchen is right there. I can both hear and see you," snorted Shego as she gestured to her waist, "Is that the only reason for this lasso?"

"...No?" said Drakken with uncertainty as the vines vanished.

"Hmm," Shego hummed in mild disappointment as she leaned against the table close to him, "I thought I'd wear a nice green dress and look deadly."

She expected an eye roll from Drakken or even a whine about how it wasn't really a costume. She was delightfully taken aback by the devious smirk spreading across his face. She noted the twitching of his hands and waited for one to grab her hand but instead his smirk faded into a confident grin.

"Hmm, since you've chosen that costume... I think I've chosen my costume as well," said Drakken.

The conceded expression that shifted across his face as he turned to grab one of the fruit that sat stationary in the bowl... made Shego's eyes narrow.

"And what is that?" asked Shego. Drakken's face didn't shift as he bit into the apple and looked up at her.

"You'll have to wait and see," was his casual answer.

Shego pushed off the table to instead moved behind him and lean over his shoulder.

"Tell me." Shego watched his expression still not shift, "If my costume of choice inspired it... I want to know."

"And on Saturday... it will be knownst," he grinned.

"Knownst?" asked Shego. She watched Drakken's expression falter for a moment.

"Yes," said Drakken.

Shego smirked as he looked away, the mild frustration in his eyes. She slid her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. She didn't miss the grip on the apple increase, but there was no stiffness in his shoulders. She pushed the boundaries a hair more as she moved her arm to rest one elbow on his shoulder so she could mess with his hair.

"I don't think I should have to wait," she said calmly, "I mean, I'm even asking nicely."

"I—I think I'll wait," she heard the waver in his voice but his expression didn't convey it.

"Oh come on," she scoffed as she pushed away from him, "Whatever, its probably lame anyway."

"The same level lame as yours I'm sure," he bit back.

"Uhg, fine. I'll wait," she rolled her eyes and headed outside, "Do you need help in the lab this morning?"

"Not at the moment. I have the henchmen sorting bins I asked you to sort months ago," shrugged Drakken, "And until my delivery comes this afternoon. I'm at a stand still on the current project- I could work on that one instead- Hmm, but there is that call next week about the acid rain situation- Shego! Did I tell you about that design... Shego?"

Shego was leaning against the open patio door just watched Drakken ramble. She was more than a little shocked it was much shorter than his normal ones. She blinked a few times and moved backwards onto the patio, a new idea circulating through of her own.

"I was simply going to say if you don't need me, I was going to lounge in the hot tub," she shrugged, "But if you're free?"

"I had come up to ask if you wanted to go out for breakfast, but that seems mute now," Drakken gestured towards the kitchen.

"So... hot tub?" she asked again. Slightly annoyed at herself for not bothering him before she ate.

She watched his expression shift in a way she was unclear if he's even heard her or was actually thinking about it. He slid out of his chair and walked passed her onto the patio. She gestured to him and then back inside since he'd yet to change or say something. She was about to make a joke about skinny dipping before her own musings on the mental image made her feel suddenly warm.

"I think I'm going for a drive," said Drakken, pulling her from her thoughts, "Care to join me?"

"You didn't answer... fine," she sighed as she shut the patio door and followed him, "I'm letting this not answering me slide because of the flowers I hope you know... but tomorrow... this ends."

"That seems fair," shrugged Drakken as the both reached the hovercar.

Shego opened her mouth to continue but stopped the snarky retort she could feel on her tongue.

I will let it go, only for the flowers.


The discomfort Shego felt as she and Drakken walked up the stairs of the Villain's Inn was her own doing. Drakken had insisted several times they get a nicer room on the other side of the city, but she'd brushed it off. Staying at the Inn would mean there was no rush or worry about leaving the party bellow if they had too. Even though it looked like the Villain's Inn had been given some new paint and and update as of recently... it was still structurally the same.

Her mind kept replaying the emotions she'd had the last time she had been there... the ghosts of her past mingled with fresh dangers... she felt the nerves in her body twitching, her mouth felt drier with each step. Her eyes scanned the top of the stairs and down the hall of doors, a need to leave came over her. Not a warning but of the memory. Her eyes caught Drakken's, who had clearly been studying her the entire time.

"I can still book-"

"No," scoffed Shego. Putting on her best front as she walked passed him to their room, "It doesn't make sense like I said. Why bother with walking or finding a cab to take us to the other side of the city."

"But-"

"Yeah, its overpriced... but you can afford it," she gave him a smug smirk and patted his cheek.

She knew it wasn't what he was going to say, but he seemed to let it go as she opened the door. The room was a familiar if not pathetic reminder of where they were staying. While it had been updated, the old walls were still the same color dark brown and it felt cramped despite being a typical room. She forced her concerns and internal feelings about her location away as she tossed her bag down on the worn tweed chair.

"This is their best room?" asked Drakken as he closed and locked the door behind them.

"Do you see burn marks or possible concerning stains?" smirked Shego.

"Not yet," she heard Drakken mutter.

Shego opened the small bathroom door and hummed a note of approval as she looked at the decent shower and sink.

"Wow. This is an upgraded one. The sinks actually in the same room as the bathroom," stated Shego, "One room has it built into a dresser."

"Excuse me?" asked Drakken as he looked up from his own bag.

"You heard me," said Shego before checking out the large single bed, "Wow. Clean bedding, that's a relief."

"Okay I have serious concerns from these past stays you've had here... are you just teasing me with this?" asked Drakken. Shego shrugged, "Shego."

"The beds are always clean... but the dresser and sink combo is very real," responded Shego as she slid onto the bed, "I think I'm going to take a catnap... it was a long flight."

"You slept most of the way here," Drakken rolled his eyes at her, "I was explaining my solution for acidic rain increase and then I look over and-"

Shego let out a loud snore to cut him off. Drakken said nothing but she felt a pillow hit near her where she pretended to sleep. She opened one eye and snorted as she watched Drakken pout over his bag. She picked up the small decorative pillow off the chair that he'd thrown and beamed him in the head with it.

"Hey! I didn't hit you," he whined.

Shego ignored this and patted the open space next to her.

"Care to join me?" she asked.

"I was about to call Killigan..." Drakken trailed off as he looked from his phone to Shego, "It can wait."

Shego kicked off her boots as Drakken tossed his coat, gloves, and boots aside. They had opted to wear their usual dated attire into the Inn instead of their costumes or anything casual. She closed her eyes in an effort to relax, but after a few seconds of Drakken not saying anything of movement on the bed indicating he'd sat down... she opened one. Drakken was looking at her and then quickly to the spot he was supposed to have sat in.

"What are you doing?" asked Shego.

"... admiring your beauty," he grinned. She felt her face grow warm.

"... you were thinking about hitting me with a pillow weren't you?" she narrowed her eyes.

Shego saw his eyes dart back to the pillow and the sheepish expression ghost across his face."

"No," he said unconvincingly.

"You really want to start a pillow fight," she raised a a brow.

"No, I think there has been enough fires here from what I've heard," sighed Drakken as he finally joined her, "But I can do both you know."

"Both, what?" muttered Shego.

"Admire your beauty and plan on hitting you with a pillow," confirmed Drakken. Shego looked at him.

"Was that supposed to be sweet?" snorted Shego.

"Yes," said Drakken confidently.

Shego thought about it for a second as she stared at him. She smirked and hit him with his own pillow.

"Hey!" yelled Drakken.

"I was admiring your handsome face and couldn't help myself," snickered Shego.

"Oh very cute," grumbled Drakken, "Okay, I get it."

Drakken fell silent as Shego found what had become her personal shoulder placement. She was waiting for the day for him to complain about his arm going to sleep, but it had yet to reach that. She was between drifting off and thinking about a time they should probably get dressed... when Drakken spoke and pulled her out of her thoughts.

"Wouldn't you be more comfortable without the top part of your uniform?" was a small rumble from under her head.

Shego couldn't argue his point, but she sat up with slight amusement.

"Trying to get me out of my clothes there, Drakken?" teased Shego.

She glanced at him from half opened lids and watched as his facial features shifted all over the place at her words. The tint of his face darkened and she watched his eyes shift around as he stared wide eyed at the ceiling. She could see him fighting any flustered reaction he might have normally had. He wasn't aware of her watching him because she watched his mouth open and close before he found his voice.

"Perhaps," was a slow chosen response.

It hadn't been what Shego had expected and it was her turn to be flustered. She bit back the warmth in her face and forced a devious smirk on her face as she sat up. She waited for him to break and back pedal and she swore she saw a flicker of it across his eyes. She read every movement he made for any indication of regret at his words, but she saw none. She snorted and rolled her eyes as a means of shaking off the growing heat in her face as she undid the clasp and zipper of the upper part of her uniform.

"Well, if you insist," she said casually as she tossed the jacket piece somewhere near the chair.

She watched his eyes widen and him take a hard swallow before he pulled his expression back to indifferent. The final flustered feeling from his suggestion faded as she watched his falter. She simply returned to her position and snuggled up a little closer to him and waited for him to find words.

"You're right, much better," she fought the snicker as his hand tried to find a place on her back to rest his hand.

"Having some trouble?" mused Shego.

"Ohm... no," his hand found her back, "So, I've never really asked... but do you usually not wear a shirt under that?"

"It was a long and warm flight," said Shego, "At one point before the fan kicked back in. I debated on just going the rest of the flight in the sports bra."

"Hmm," was all Drakken said. His other hand finding her bare shoulder.

Shego tried to focus on finding sleep again but her own antics were slowly sinking in. Her mind found her costume, which for all purposes was Drakken's green dress he bought her and some rather expensive heels she'd once stolen. It had been simple and enticing and her thoughts fell back to the fact they were alone and snuggled in a room at the Villains Inn. Mentally she shook away the thought and steadied her breathing as a means to insight sleep, but her senses picked up on Drakken's fingers gently kneading the flesh of her back. His hand had slid off her shoulder to find her hand, she shifted closer and moved her fingers to lace with his.

"Shego?" Drakken mused allowed.

"Hmm?" responded Shego.

"Umm, eh... nevermind," he muttered under his breath, "...So the canopy?"

"New and ugly," snorted Shego as she looked up.

"I feel like its a poor attempt at a blanket fort," said Drakken.

Shego hummed in agreement and looked around at them a little closer and watched Drakken's hand pull away from hers to touch the hanging curtain, causing the hideous plaid to swing to half close on the side of the bed.

"I think I made a better one," muttered Drakken. Shego hummed again.

Her mind replayed the last blanket fort he'd made and smirked at how in fact, his hodgepodge creation looked far better than the fabric chosen for the bed curtains. Shego's brow raised and she felt the need to tease Drakken as well as test limits swirl in her mind as she chose her words carefully.

"Hey Drakken," she whispered.

"What?" asked Drakken.

"Do... Do you want to make out?" she smirked up at him.

She waited for him to connect the conversation to the past blanket fort, and perhaps he had and decided to let it go. Instead he took the imitative to shift his position to his side, deciding to take the offer rather than play along. There was no complaints about his choice as far as she could find. As their lips met with mild hunger, she kept waiting for Drakken to comment or interrupt as he typically found a way to do so, especially as his hand trailed down her spine... but it was her voice that was cutting through the moment.

"Imagine if you'd done that the first time I'd asked that," she muttered into his lips.

"Yes, well, you were teasing then..." he trailed off as he attempted to deepen the kiss.

"I was teasing now," she interrupted him. Drakken pulled away, his brow knitting, "I mean I was, but I'm content with the response... The same response would have been fine last time too."

Drakken looked puzzled.

"So this was not the intention?" he gestured to the very little space between them.

"Forget I said anything," Shego pulled his face against hers to resume the kissing.

The kissing ended shortly after, this time with Drakken interrupting.

"You know I don't mind your specific brand of teasing," he rolled his eyes, "But if you want me to not overthink... then how will I know if your just teasing about this or not?"

"Assume kissing is always an option," Shego whispered as she pulled him back to her.

Drakken pulled away again.

"But-"

"Drakken," Shego huffed, "It was a playful tease, so zip it and kiss me."

Drakken stared at her for a long second.

"You don't have to be sassy about it," grumbled Drakken as he did just that.

Somewhere around the deepening of the kissing and Shego managing to get Drakken's shirt off after a great deal of effort, Drakken mind must have started wandering. It was clear he was getting distracted as his hand had migrated back to the middle of her back and he'd stopped the trailing kisses on her neck to a less fiery softer kissing of her lips. She attempted to pull his attention back to her as she remembered one of the magazine articles she'd read, ignoring her internal groan at herself for siting it at all. She ran her nails down his spine and he all but froze on spot. She felt all his muscles tense under her hand and she couldn't read if it was a good or bad sign.

"We should start getting dressed," he sputtered out as he pulled away from her, "Not that we aren't dressed- but the party is probably starting- don't want to get carried away-"

He cut himself off as he slid away from her, only to fall off the bed with a loud thump.

"We have plenty of time... Drakken?" asked Shego as she sat up and looked at him on the ground, "What's your damage?"

She jumped as he sprung up to rest his arms on the bed in an attempt to look casual.

"I have no damage," he glared, "I have a lot on my mind and being punctual is the main one at the moment."

"Wow... just what a women wants to hear," Shego sighed, "Was it the nail thing... don't think that article was for my type of nails."

"What article?" asked Drakken.

Shego felt her face burn as she looked at Drakken's confused expression. There was a few seconds she debated on just telling him about the magazine and be blunt about possible evening events... but she backpedaled so hard she could physically feel herself mentally hit a wall.

"Is that the time!?" she said in mock shock at the digital clock on the wall, "Uhg, so much for any nap plans we had. Go get dressed."

She pushed him and gestured towards the bathroom Drakken's confused and curious expression stayed on his face as he got off the ground and moved to grab his bag.

"Shego-"

"Go!" she gestured wildly towards the bathroom.

She watched him grab his bag and follow her instructions. Only after the door closed did she sigh and get up herself.

Oh yeah, how pathetic would that-

"Shego, what articles-?" Drakken came back into the room.

"Nothing!" Shego yelled before he finished.

Drakken gave her a suspicious look but closed the bathroom door again. Shego waited a few breaths before pulling her items out of her bag and tossing them on the small wobbly table. She shoved her dress back into the bag as Drakken opened the door again.

"Listen, if you want to see me change then stay in the room," snapped Shego.

She ignored the heat in her face at his raised brow. She made a mental note to burn her magazines when she returned to the lair, including the few she'd packed in her bag for the hovercar flight.

Maybe I should spend some time on the internet... less incrimination.

"I—I just forgot my boots and gloves," was all Drakken said as he grabbed them and looked at Shego, "Are you mad at me?"

"No," scoffed Shego.

"Okay, that's..." he trailed off as she fiddled with her bag.

She looked at the green fabric waiting for him to say something or ask, but no words came as she saw his shadow move closer. The embarrassment was fading and she wondered if he was looking at the dress she wasn't attempting to hide.

You overreacted-

"50 Ways to be Sexy and Flirty?" Drakken's voice made her skin crawl with his words, "What are you reading?"

Shego looked at the magazine that held that as the main feature story. She used every ounce of sass she had to hide to internal feeling to flee.

"Pfft," she scoffed and shoved the magazine back in the bag, "I read the magazines for the gossip and fashion, you know that."

"Like articles on nails?" asked Drakken.

She looked at him, trying to read his expression or any sense of mocking in his tone. Unfortunately his expression was unreadable and his voice strangely calm. The conversation seemed to sway in her favor as he nodded and slowly walked back to the bathroom. She yanked the magazine out and without hesitation set it ablaze. The sense of unease slowly diminished as it disintegrated into ash. She wasn't sure how long she was burning it, or rather watched it burn in the trash, but perhaps too long.

"Shego," Shego jumped as Drakken's voice came over her shoulder, "I'm glad you only read those magazine for questionable fashion choices... I've read a few before in trying to find gift ideas for you over the years... any advice they gave always made a person come off as annoying."

"Well thank you for your insight there Doc," Shego scoffed as she swung around to glare at him, "But..."

Shego trailed off and felt the smirk spread across her face as she looked at him. His unreadable expression became suddenly smug if not devious as her expression shifted. It was clear that he'd chosen a similar lazy route to his costume choice this evening. He'd gone the extra mile on making dark eye makeup look deranged and his spiky hair was fighting goggles he had on his head. His normal labcoat replaced by the black one she favored, which since he knew she would be wearing green... it was a clealy intentional.

"Mad scientist?" asked Shego.

"I thought it went nice with femme fatale," he shrugged, "Not that I'd mind accompanying you in leather pants and sports bra... I do hope I simply beat you getting ready."

Shego rolled her eyes and let the dress fall in the bag. She shrugged.

"I was thinking no pants," she teased.

She waited for the eye roll or grumble of annoyance at her teasing, but it didn't come. Drakken shifted a little uncomfortably.

"I'm kidding," she sighed.

"Good... I wasn't sure how neutral it would come off if Flower had to beat every person to look at you with a chair," grumbled Drakken.

The flutter in Shego's chest at his dramatization let any thoughts of the magazine finally fade.

"Well since you're done with the bathroom, guess I'll occupy it," smiled Shego as she walked passed him.

"Ohm, Shego... before you go," Drakken said quickly.

Shego turned to smile at him, but instead of the possible flirtation or kiss she'd hoped for... he darted passed her to the sink.

"What- Oh the fire!" yelled Shego as she suddenly saw the flames picking up.

"Yes, a little help would be nice," said Drakken as he tossed her an empty cup.

Shego wanted to retort something snarky, but the burning smell focused her thought process to the sink.


OKAY ... NOW to the party!