OKAY! So first of all! THANK YOU TO ALL WHO REVIEW OR PM! Anon or otherwise! You keep me going on this crazy journey!
Cabin Part 1
If the lab had seemed like a mess after the explosion, it had only gotten worse in it repairing. Hours had turned to days and days to another week as his lab was remodeled much to his annoyance. It was making it near impossible to get anything done as henchmen and repair men were in an out with various items and doing all manners of construction. Several of the structure pieces had hit into electrical lines along the walls, which turned out needed to upgraded entirely.
In an attempt to maintain some sanity from the frequent noise and interruptions. Drakken had shifted his focus to a simpler task. Which was interrupted by Shego's voice, this time.
"What are you doing?"
He looked up from where he sat on the balcony ground to look at the now-open patio door. Shego stood with a perplexed expression as she looked at him surrounded by metal panels, wires, and insulation, He held up a ratchet and gestured to the patio where metal lined the inner walls.
"Making temporary thermal boxes," he stated, "I'll make better quality ones next year so they blend in, but for now... solution."
He turned around to finish connecting the last panel.
"That's a relief," said Shego, "For a moment I was worried you were attempting an outdoor lab."
"I was going to but there's too many elemental variables," grumbled Drakken. He glared over at some flowers, "And I've already lost several tools over the edge because of the assistance around me."
Drakken watched Shego follow his momentary gaze. A smug smile on her face as she looked on at the plants.
"Honestly, I should just let them freeze," Drakken glared at them as what looked like a wrench flew over the balcony, "Stop that!"
"You have to know how to talk to them," shrugged Shego. Drakken looked at her and she sighed before looking at the plants, "Put back every new toy you just got or I hit the order button on that industrial weed-Wacker I told you about!"
Drakken raised a brow about to question her methods when several various tools landed near him from more than one area of plants.
"That better be all of them," she said sternly. A second passed and a bag of missing screws resurfaced from right over the edge in front of Drakken, "You're welcome."
Drakken looked at her smug expression.
"So that's why they listen to you... fear?" smirked Drakken.
Shego frowned before rolling her eyes and leaning against the balcony next to him as he resumed working.
"Your mother called," said Shego as she leaned over him, "Something about cleaning out a house?"
Drakken raised a brow and then sighed.
"I was hoping she'd let up on that," grumbled Drakken, "She wants me to clean out the old family cabin since no one's using it anymore... My Aunt and her want to rent it out."
"Oh, so you going to send the henchmen on a secluded vacation then," smirked Shego, "They'll be thrilled about a musty romantic getaway."
"I'm not going to send the henchmen," replied Drakken as he started to install the heating component, "It was primarily my grandmother's and I don't want anyone snooping through her things."
Drakken smirked before looking up at Shego.
"Perhaps I might find inspiration if I can find her old journals," said Drakken as he reached for wires.
"Ah, business and pleasure," scoffed Shego, "Where is this place."
"In the mountains... very remote," said Drakken as Shego handed him a screwdriver.
"Sounds like a horror movie setting," stated Shego.
"Oh no," smirked Drakken, "It might need a little dusting but it's breathtaking... intricately built, surrounded by wilderness and mountains, and..."
Drakken trailed off and looked up at Shego.
"Shego," he asked as he hastily got to his feet, "We should go."
"I assumed that's what this conversation was," Shego raised a brow, "When are we leaving?"
She handed him wire clamps.
"We could leave this weekend," said Drakken, "We haven't exactly had time to ourselves-"
"Someone blew up the lab and paid henchmen to interrupt us," stated Shego. Drakken pursed his lips, "When is that stopping by the way."
"As soon as they get over trying to extort me for more money," grumbled Drakken, "So a week in the mountains?"
"Sure," she snorted.
Drakken grinned and began fiddling with the wires again.
"I appreciate the illusion of you asking me to the cabin," smirked Shego, "As if I wasn't already going with you to move stuff around anyway."
Drakken put down the wire clamps and turned to Shego once more. He raised a brow and then smirked.
"Well actually," he tried to think of his words carefully, "I'm not asking you for working purposes. Simply to... ohm... join me."
Shego blinked at him and her brows knitted in confusion.
"Wait? Seriously?" she had a lazy smirk spread across her face, "So this is you simply asking me to a secluded cozy cabin getaway?"
He nodded.
"Romantically? Not just asking me to implicate it and then whine five seconds after getting there to make me cave and help you?" asked Shego.
Drakken frowned.
"Yes, romantically... well if I do need help with something it would be nice... but no," he watched her eyes roll, "Consider yourself on vacation."
Drakken watched the lazy smirk form a small smile as she shifted next to him and pushed off the balcony wall.
"So this cabin... is it like one of those rustic mountain deals," Shego moved closer to him.
"It is... but don't worry it has all the modern amenities," hastened Drakken.
"Fireplace?" her smile was becoming a smirk again.
Drakken nodded.
"For that, we would need to get wood, but yes," he attempted to remember finer details, but Shego pulled him from his thoughts.
"Should I pack something specific?" asked Shego as she smoothed out the shoulder of his lab coat.
Drakken noted this but continued answering.
"Well, it is a remote winter set cabin. Warm clothing is best... but no cotton socks. They are useless wet-" Shego laughed, "Why are you cackling? There is nothing funny about hypothermia... I almost lost a toe because-"
He was silenced as Shego's hand pulled his face into a kiss. There was a split second of annoyance at being cut off before Shego pulled away with a mildly devious expression... suddenly her actual question replaced his assumed one. He felt his face grow warm as her hand fell away for her arms to slide over his shoulders.
"Ohm... well," he cleared his throat and felt his own smirk forming, "I am rather fond of that blue nightgown."
It appeared to be the correct answer as with a small chuckle her lips found his. He still felt the warmth in his face but he felt it lowly diminish by her reaction. She pulled away and looked at him with a raised brow.
"No henchmen?" she asked with narrowed eyes.
"It would be helpful moving anything large-" She glared, "I'm kidding... but it would. No, I've had quite enough of their company."
Drakken frowned at the still invasive amount of their company he was dealing with.
"They're a bunch of gossips-"
"They are," cut in Drakken in annoyance, "And some of them have strange personal lives and habits... Davis collects porcelain ducks."
Shego pushed away from him and began walking inside.
"I'm going to go pack... I think leaving sooner is a better plan," stated Shego. She paused in the door and glared over at the plants, "Put it back!"
Drakken jumped as his toolbox fell back at his feet. He glared a the plants and grumbled under his breath as Shego vanished through the doorway.
"You know I'm building this for you," he snapped as he went back to attaching the heater, "I could just let you suffer in the cold."
He watched a wrench slowly sliding away. Drakken glared.
"I'll tell Shego," he stated firmly. The wrench was dropped, "I'm both impressed and aggravated that worked."
Her closet was a mess as she dug through it, attempting to locate winter clothes and accessories she hadn't needed in months. Still, there was an exciting spinning in her stomach as she tossed item after item aside to reach the storage in the back. While she knew that there was a high chance of Drakken caving and asking her to help him organize this cabin... the fact he had asked her on essentially a romantic getaway... was winning over the possible future annoyance. Romantic or not it would be the first time the two had left the lair together planning something not related to an invention or someone else's benefit.
She paused as she pulled out a sweater and thought about it.
First vacation since the Retreat...
It felt like a lifetime ago after all that had happened to both of them since. She wanted to count Junior's party and his convention but they had been for others and had been a disaster... and even going to the Villain's Inn had been more a day trip and test waters of where they stood with their former fellows... but this would be an actual vacation... even if Drakken had to do things while there.
He'd be distracted regardless.
She grabbed her winter tote and pulled it out into her sunlit room and began digging around in it. A shuffling sound drew her eyes to the window where the flowers had made their way in, playing with her suitcase.
"Excuse you," she snapped. They all retreated but Perri, who was playing with a zipper, "Hello!"
The flower paused and turned her direction before suddenly pulling the other plants to start shoveling her mess of clothing back near her closet. Shego rolled her eyes and snorted as she pulled out a few nicer items she hadn't worn in a while.
"Don't you flowers hibernate or something," she asked as she moved to unzip the suitcase and start adding clothes.
The flowers paused for a second and then resumed attempting to 'help' her clean.
"You're getting dirt in here again," sighed Shego. A few of the root heavy vines vanished from the window, "Whatever, Hector can clean it while we're gone."
Perri and the flowers seemed to perk up and a ripple ran through the vines so loud she could actually hear it. Shego glared.
"There will be no attacking staff while we are gone," she said sharply. There was another flower ripple, "Yes, we will know!"
A few flowers slumped and faded from view and Shego opened and closed her mouth before taking a moment to think about what had happened.
Did I... understand them?
"Uhk, I really need a vacation," groaned Shego as she went to her dresser and began pulling out additional clothes.
She felt heat rush to her face as she pulled out the dark blue nightgown Drakken had mentioned. Trying to fight the grin spreading across her face at his suggestive inclination, she placed it and a few other garments in the suitcase. Her mind began to wander as she walked around her room and bathroom, gathering items she may need... not even caring about the undesignated time-span she was supposed to pack for.
Did he really say that?
She couldn't even remember if he had been blushing when the words had escaped his lips, only kissing them. The hinted suggestion she'd made had been an attempt to be coy and cause him to sputter... not throw her off with an equally heated response. With a roll of her eyes, she went over the very awkward and uncomfortable conversation the two had had the early morning after the argument and misunderstanding about histories and insecurities... at the time she'd just thought it would cause more awkwardness and tension, but it hadn't. Over the last few days, both had seemed more relaxed and a few times Drakken had initiated affectionate kisses whenever they'd gotten a moment alone... which had been seldom.
Drakken's henchmen payoff had backfired, the repairmen had been in and out, and Drakken's attempts to steal moments away to work on his data and invention had given them fleeting moments... which was dedicated to work, directing others, or recalling Drakken's chaotic thoughts for said work. If she was being honest, a few more days of it and she might have started snapping at people from all the intrusions little or otherwise. All the noises and chatter had started to get under her skin, and she had debated on setting up a small sleeping room in the money-pit that was the mansion above the lair. A project she wanted to get back too, but had become more uneasy about what else she might uncover in its walls.
I can't wait to get out of here...
The smile came back as she let out a sigh and headed to place bathroom items in her bag.
What the...
Looking down at her suitcase made her brow raise. She could have sworn she'd packed more than the nightgown and a few undergarments. Distracted or otherwise lost in thought aside... She heard her dresser drawer close and swung around. Perri and his other flower accomplices quickly darted from where they'd been hastily returning her already packed clothes to their prior location. Shego was torn between shock and annoyance at what they had chosen to leave remaining... but her brows narrowed.
"That's it! Out! Out, all of you," she gently pushed them out the window, "I don't know how you see, but out."
Perri blocked the closing window and she swatted him out.
"I don't need help packing from a bunch of pervy flowers- Shoo," she closed the window and glared.
Starting to repack her things, she felt a slow heat rising back in her cheeks as she glanced towards the window. Remembering that the flowers listened or acted on Drakken's subconscious made her stomach swirl even more. Shaking her head, she focused on not placing assumptions on anything, but packing for it just in case.
Flipping through her magazine, Shego listened to Drakken talk about his family cabin as the hovercar flew. The magazine had been an impulse buy when they'd stopped to get supplies and Shego wasn't really interested in it... thought some of the outfits in it might tempt a shopping trip in the near future.
"For years we spent a good part of the summer up here," grinned Drakken, "It's actually where my uncle got completely inebriated and let it slip about the family history... Oh Grandmother laid into him about that."
"Which grandmother?" asked Shego, "Moody Broody or Prudence?"
"Prudence," said Drakken. She saw him snicker at her other comment but he continued, "It was built for her before my father and uncle were ever born. The tradition became less and less over the years."
"Why's that?" asked Shego as she placed her magazine aside completely.
"To be fair... neither Eddie or I really had much free time to encourage family gatherings here," grumbled Drakken, "Clearly, other needs were being met."
"That matters, why?" snorted Shego, "I've been to family gatherings and while you two bring a certain energy... I don't think you two are the complete life of the party."
Drakken frowned at her.
"There's a taxidermy pig that starts fires, eccentric disturbed cousins, ancient laser canons, and your mother," stated Shego, "Two mad scientists just seemed like an overkill."
"When you put it that way... perhaps we were supposed to be the control factor," grimaced Drakken, "Regardless... while it is the family cabin... technically it falls on Eddie and I to maintain... legally."
"So... it's your cabin?" asked Shego, "And in all the times we had to frequent lair shares or hotels... never thought about it?"
"It is equally Eddie and I's cabin... and the family cabin... and it's not exactly... lair material... kind of," she watched Drakken look thoughtful for a moment, and then a puzzled expression slip across his features.
"Forgot about it, didn't you?" smirked Shego. Drakken rolled his eyes, "How much work is this place going to be since it's been ill-maintained by its questionable co-owners?"
"Eddie's come up here a few times and cleaned it up and they only stopped using it completely about five years ago... give or take," shrugged Drakken.
"What makes you think Motor Ed didn't already riffle through your grandmother's stuff? Or let it fall into disarray?" asked Shego. She watched Drakken smirk deviously.
"He can't," snickered Drakken, "I'm the only one who knows where the key is to the storage."
"Uh, he could break down a door," Shego rolled her eyes and watched Drakken frown.
"He would never," sputtered Drakken, "Defacing the cabin- Never."
"Calm down," said Shego, "It's just a cabin-"
"It isn't... just a cabin Shego... I told you, its the family cabin and my grandmother willed it to us to take care of," Drakken huffed.
Shego stared at him.
"Eddie's afraid of my grandmother's storage," muttered Drakken. Shego raised a brow, "Have I mentioned how annoying Eddie was growing up?"
"Did you tell him terrifying stories and torment him with lies?" asked Shego casually. Drakken nodded, "It's like you find new ways every day to make me more attracted to you."
Shego smirked and leaned against his shoulder, amused by the tint to his cheeks at her words. She welcomed the warmth as she became aware of the drop in temperature even in the closed-off hovercar as they began flying over mountains. Snowcaps and trees began to little the blue skyline as they flew deeper into the wilderness. Idly wondering how they've even traveled up here before there was access to a hovercar, as she saw no roads anywhere below as they began to descend towards what looked like a frozen lake tucked into a basin.
"We here?" asked Shego.
"Yes, we are," grinned Drakken, "Glad I have a hovercar... did you see those roads? No one's been near hear all fall and winter."
"What roads?" asked Shego as she looked at snow and trees and they headed over the basin.
"It's covered in snow, that's why," said Drakken smugly.
"Why would you ask if I saw... never mind," sighed Shego as they swooped under some trees.
As soon as they got over the basin and a few trees, Shego saw their destination. Tucked along trees and what was invisible from the aerial view was a large and old wooden cabin. The trees had prevented a great deal of snow from burring the place, which allowed them to land on a tolerable amount of snow with ease.
"We can get the bags later," said Drakken as he opened the hatch, "We should worry about the fire being started while the generator kicks in."
"We?" asked Shego as she hopped out of the hovercar.
Drakken paused half-step towards her side and shrugged.
"I will worry about those things," he corrected, "I was going to help you down."
Shego raised a brow at him and smirked.
"Trying to be all chivalrous are we?" asked Shego. Drakken smirked back.
"Well, this is supposed to be a romantic getaway as you stated," he said confidently.
"Tell you what... when we get the bags... I'll pretend to slip and you can catch me," she snorted as she walked past him. Patting his cheek as she did so.
"Fine..." sighed Drakken as they headed to the cabin.
He had not been joking about the beauty and rustic nature of the hidden cabin. It looked straight out of an old painting with it dark log outing, the large wrap-around porch that made the one level look massive. She could see the old chimney and the area on the wall that showed the old stone as they walked up the stairs. The creaks of which only added to the peaceful surroundings. The frozen lake they'd flown over along with the snow mountains only added to its picturesque atmosphere. Leaning against one of the banisters while Drakken fiddled with the lock, she took in old chairs covered in protective plastic on the porch.
What Drakken had mentioned about childhood trips here wove with images of the photos from his mother's wall. Imagining children playing near the lake as the adults watched on chatting from the porch wasn't a hard leap. The sound of Drakken grumbling pulled her from the atmosphere and she sighed and moved to push him aside and assess the lock.
"How sentimental is the lock?" asked Shego.
"It's a lock," Drakken rolled his eyes, "But the security-"
Shego blasted the lock cutting him off. She was yanked backward quickly by Drakken and was about to yell at him with she watched a trap door fall open where she had stood. Glancing down was a very dark and strange-looking hole that shimmers of the sunlight showed something jagged below. As soon as it had opened, it slammed close.
"What was that?" snapped Shego. Drakken looked unphased.
"I told you my grandfather built this place for my grandmother... he was always worried about her safety," he shrugged and walked past her, "We got rid of the blades ages ago but never really bothered with that little pit."
"You said this was a family cabin?" asked Shego as she stepped over the now-closed trap door, "and not lair material?"
Drakken stared at her with a puzzled look.
"Yes," he said in confusion before heading through a hallway, leaving Shego in what she assumed was the living room.
"Anything else going to attack me?!" yelled Shego.
"No!" Drakken called back, "You want to start the fire?"
Shego looked around the space as she closed the heavy wooden door behind her, cutting out the bitter cold to the stagnant chill in the unheated cabin. There was enough light coming through the windows that allowed her to see its layout. A stone fireplace sat in the corner where she'd seen the wall on the outside, which she navigated around a large couch and chairs to reach. She lit her hand to look around it and saw wood stacked in a small metal frame and a metal switch on the fireplace. Glancing back at the door she flipped it and backed away. The sound of metal sliding open to clear the floo let some snow and debris fall in the fireplace. With a heated wave of her hand she dried the space before tossing in the wood to start the fire in question.
It mirrored the sound of a generator kicking in, the lights on the chandelier above finished illuminating the room. It looked every bit the cut out of a rustic cabin in modern magazines. Complete with a plaid throw hanging over the back of the wooden framed couch she'd navigated around. The coffee table itself looked like it was a tree-stump someone had hallowed out to complete the wood-laden look. She shifted her steps to touch the back of an armchair and immediately began coughing from the amount of dust that plumed as what turned out to be a rocker, moved.
Drakken returned to the room during the end of her coughing fit while she stumbled to open the door again.
"The power and water are on..." Drakken trailed off and raised his brow, "If you're coming down with a cold... I'm still counting this trip."
Shego rolled her eyes as she breathed fresh cold air.
"Thanks for the concern," snapped Shego, "I'll make sure it's noted that you took me on a romantic trip where I inhaled asbestos or something."
She glared at him when he rolled his eyes.
"It's just dust, Shego. Why don't you grab the bags and I'll clean it up," said Drakken. Shego crossed her arms and gave him a questioning look, "Fine. Go linger outside while I clean this up, and then I'll get the bags."
Shego smirked and took it as he cue to explore the outside better.
There were more benefits being discovered every day with Flower's existence. Cleaning was a breeze as all Drakken had to do was think about what needed to be cleaned and Flower acted on it. A trivial and long task like cleaning the living room and kitchen were finished in minutes rather than hours... and getting an angry raccoon from where it lived in the shower... proved much easier when one could stand on the sink and a plant escorted it out a window for you.
"Are you calm now?" asked Shego. She leaned against the doorway where Drakken now sat on the sink.
"I'm fine," Drakken cleared his throat as he slid off the counter.
"Really?" smirked Shego, "Because the screaming and crying for help that scared off all local wildlife... said otherwise."
"I wasn't crying," grumbled Drakken as he walked past her, "I was merely startled, Shego."
"Into tears," hummed Shego as she went to wipe his eyes. Drakken pulled away, "Seems a little damp to me."
"Stop that," Drakken swatted her hands away as she tried to do it again.
"You have something on your face," said Shego. Drakken paused.
"I do?" asked Drakken as Shego moved towards him again.
"Yeah," she got close to him, "Pouting."
"I am not pouting," pouted Drakken. He sobered his expression, "I'm going to go get the bags."
"I already did," snickered Shego as she followed after him down the hall, "Flower did a good job cleaning."
Drakken muttered under his breath.
"I control the stupid Flower."
"So, are you going to show me around?" asked Shego as they reached the living room, "A tour of the grand Lipsky cabin?"
Drakken could tell she was trying to change the subject as to not put him in a worse mood. A part of him wanted to revel in annoying her by ignoring her... the other part that was filled with excitement at giving her a tour and talking about the cabin... won. He brooded for a few more seconds for good measure.
"Please?" asked Shego as she leaned on his shoulder. A soft smirk on her lips.
He hadn't needed her to say that or for her arms to snake through his... but he was glad he'd added a few more seconds of brooding to get that reaction.
"If you insist," he sighed. Shego pinched him, "Ow!"
"Enough dramatics," she snickered, "You're just fishing for attention now."
"The pinch was unnecessary," he retorted as her arm laced through his again.
"So was the sigh," she countered. He shrugged in agreement, "Alright... dazzle me with the cabin features."
Drakken proceeded in giving Shego the tour, hastily pointing out various dusty rooms in the large cabin and ignoring her teasing of the raccoon through the family bathroom as they weaved the layout. It would have taken less time if he hadn't gotten distracted by telling small facts he knew she didn't really care to hear... but she'd nodded along and he'd hastened through. When they finally reached the end of the rooms halls with two doors.
"This is the master bedroom and- Shego?" Drakken pouted as Shego opened the door and missed him gesturing to the other door.
He sighed and followed her into the room instead.
It was dark from the drawn curtains where a single stream of light showed the swirl of dust from opening the door. Shego fixed that by opening the curtains to show the old wood-framed bed and wardrobe that tied in with the cabin rustic feel. Two chairs sat by a small fireplace to the left of the doorway and Shego had found her way to the open door of the bathroom.
"I'm assuming this is our room?" asked Shego from in the bathroom before closing the door to it, "Just in case you have any more friends lurking about."
Drakken scratched the back of his head and looked at the room.
Our room?
Something about Shego's casual statement reminded Drakken of his own flirtatious words about her nightgown. The entire way here he hadn't even thought about them sharing a room, which he realized was now obvious. Despite this being a vacation for them... he had assumed they would have their own rooms, which seemed silly now that he thought about it. He felt his face growing warm even though he reminded himself up until a few weeks ago, Shego spent most nights in his room... with the premise of watching a movie. There was no premise or motive other than simply sharing a room this time. Previous hotel shares had been due to logical spacial reasons... even the conference.
"Hello?"
Shego's voice broke into his thoughts. Her hand waved in front of his face.
"Hmm?" he asked.
"I said... what's the other room?" asked Shego. Indicating to the door adjacent to the master's entrance.
Drakken looked at it.
"Oh!" he darted past Shego into the master bedroom and looked up at the tall wardrobe, "I need the key."
"So that's the storage room then," said Shego from where she pulled at the door, "This boobytrapped too?"
"Probably," muttered Drakken. He frowned as his hand kept digging through the dust that he couldn't see, "The key is up here somewhere."
"You could ask Flower," smirked Shego. Drakken glared.
Despite him wanting to argue that he didn't need the floral appendage, he was met with a tingle up his spine. He grumbled and retreated his hand as Flower darted above the wardrobe and retrieved the key... or rather... keys. Drakken raised a brow as three keys fell into his hand, all different from one another. He looked around the room and shrugged, he was smacked in the head before he could even wonder what the other two were for.
"Hey!" Drakken snapped as Flower attempted to shake off the dust violently. Shego let out a snort of laughter, "Why must your laugh at my pain."
"I laugh at you for other things too," stated Shego in a matter-of-fact way.
"How charming," Drakken sighed as he went to unlock the door, "The romance is thriving thus far."
"Do you want me to write you a poem about it?" teased Shego. Drakken rolled his eyes as he unlocked the door and opened it, "I can call it Ode to my Laughter."
"Pasadena," said Drakken as he turned on the lights to the room.
Drakken froze as he looked at the mess before him. Boxes and totes littered the small room, some tipped over... others spilled or haphazardly stacked. It was clear by small holes he could see in some boxes that at some point raccoons hadn't been the only problem. If that wasn't irritating enough, the boxes were not labeled as he looked over some of them. Meaning his easy task of organizing and finding what he might want or need... would not be a simple few days work. Flower or not.
"Well, this looks like a disaster," grimaced Shego as she picked up a few smaller boxes, "You're sure Motor Ed wasn't in here?"
"No... Eddie would have labeled them then," sighed Drakken, "I should have brought a few henchmen."
"I've seen more than enough of our henchmen, thanks," sighed Shego, "You know... I can help-"
"No," hasted Drakken, "This is supposed to be your vacation... our vacation- You know what I mean."
Shego rolled her eyes as she straightened a box tower that looked ready to fall.
"Are you starting tonight then?" asked Shego. He saw the furrow in her brow.
In truth, he was tempted, but he was far more drawn to simply getting settled for the week.
"In the morning," he sighed and flipped off the light.
"Excuse me!" yelled Shego as her hand illuminated, "I am in here."
Drakken closed the door and snickered as he walked swiftly down the hall.
"I'm going to start dinner!" he called back as he darted into the kitchen.
The crackling of the fire and still soft scent of dinner lingered through the cabin, giving off a warm feeling. Drakken could feel it all the way to his toes as he sipped his hot cocoa, completing the ambiance he was enjoying. He wasn't just relaxed, he was content as he and Shego sat on the large living room couch, occupying a very small area of it... the cabin now mostly clean, and the darkness outside adding to the coziness of a fond memory-laden place.
"Why did your grandmother want a cabin?" asked Shego as she shifted on the couch to face him, "Why not a mansion or something."
"Probably the seclusion," shrugged Drakken, "She didn't like people seeing her look weak... and I imagine it was worse in her youth."
Drakken looked down at his hot cocoa and smiled.
"You know, she made the best cocoa moo," he stated, "Cooking or baking took far too much out of her... but cocoa moo... she always found a way to make it."
Drakken looked at Shego, who was staring into her own mug. He saw her brows knitted and wondered if she wasn't really interested in hearing more than a simple answer. Before he could shift the topic, Shego spoke.
"I don't think I had any grandparent traditions," said Shego. Her shoulders fell, "When your mother asked me about my family... While taken by surprise... I felt like I should have more memories than I have."
He shifted closer to her and her legs stretched over his as he put his mug down.
"You never really talked about the memories you gained," stated Drakken. Shego nodded.
"I wanted to... but at the time, it was hard," said Shego, "Like I was mourning something that I didn't know why I was mourning it."
Drakken watched her put her own mug down.
"You have these family stories and tales... and we're in this place where I can almost feel this familial energy... and I don't know how to feel," huffed Shego.
It took Drakken a few heartbeats to realize that Shego was actually talking about her own emotions... and if he didn't have the small amount of restraint he was mustering... he might have voiced this and caused her to clam up again. Instead, he stayed silent and let Shego rant... all about things he'd often wanted to know but had never dared ask... and he hadn't even needed to.
"It's like I told your mother... I don't even think I met my mother's family or even heard about them," ranted Shego, "I know I had an Aunt on my father's side... maybe even an uncle. But the thing is... I don't have memories outside of my immediate family."
Drakken could see the frustration in her eyes.
"It's such a strange disconnect," she frowned, "I know my family was close. I can remember movie nights with my mother after my brothers went to sleep... being sick and my parents doting on me... but all of those span out... until the funeral."
Drakken froze at Shego's change of expression. He could see a tint of color spreading across Shego's nose and cheeks. Then it happened, he watched the color fade and her brow un-furrow. Physically see the wall coming up behind her eyes as he saw them tint red. He fiddled with his hands where they rested on her legs. Taking a moment to look there instead of at her, not wanting to make her feel even more vulnerable and put even more walls up again.
"Shego... you know you can talk to me," he glanced at her.
"Doy," scoffed Shego as she looked at the fire, "I better be able to at this point."
Drakken smirked slightly at her words. There was a pause of silence and Shego glared at him.
"Do I have to ask for a hug, here?" she snapped.
Drakken moved swiftly to wrap his arms around her. He wanted to laugh at her needy outburst, but let it fall away as her arms pulled him closer. Not knowing how long they embraced, Drakken began to talk about things from his childhood, if only to calm Shego. Which turned into moments that she would share something small and equal. By no means was it unraveling a history of surprises, but Shego's tone became lighter and even gained a few laughs as they watched the fire and relaxed into the night.
"Are you getting tired?" asked Shego as he hand played with his hair.
He looked up at her and realized at some point during their lazy fire conversation he had wrapped himself around her with his head fixed against her neck. Apparently drifting off slightly as he surveyed their laying position on the dated couch. He found himself far too comfortable to move and he knew it wasn't simply sleep. It had been weeks since the two had shared a bed, let alone cuddled in any way... something Drakken was noting how very much he'd missed. He began to analyze at what point this had started to become a longing subconsciously, which was interrupted by Shego shifting in his arms.
"Are we going to bed or staying here?" she yawned, "No offense but this couch isn't that comfortable."
"Oh, right," said Drakken sheepishly. He hadn't answered her, "I suppose we should get some sleep."
There was a pause of silence.
"You kind of have to move there, Dr. D," sighed Shego.
Drakken reluctantly sat up and released her. He watched as she got up and went to put out the fire before forcing himself up from what had been a very comfortable position. Getting actual sleep was probably a good idea considering all the work he had to do in sorting what had become a storage room covered in cobwebs and possible vermin... and he noted how much wood they'd already used and would have to use... meaning he would have to gather some in the morning.
We could just fly and get some...
He made a small note of this as he got up and followed Shego.
"Now, there's not something living in the wardrobe or infested sheets, right?" asked Shego. Pausing as they reached the hall.
"I changed the bedding and checked everything-"
"Under the bed?"
"Yes."
"The bathroom-
"Shego, it was one raccoon... let it go. There is nothing living in the other rooms," glared Drakken as he opened the master bedroom door, "There's nothing in the bathroom or living in the drain... I made Flower look."
"Flower doesn't have eyes," sighed Shego as they entered the room. Shego paused and he walked past her, "Is there some weird way they can see?"
"Hmm... thermal signatures?" shrugged Drakken, "Hormone and chemical sensitivity... why?"
Drakken opened his luggage to grab pajamas as he heard Shego do the same.
"But how would they see colors?" replied Shego, "Items?"
Drakken shrugged and looked over his shoulder.
"Shego, their mutant plants. I don't have all the answers, I just made them," said Drakken.
"Deeply concerning lack of knowledge there for a mad scientist," scoffed Shego as she closed their door.
"If every mad scientist had the answers... what would be the fun in creating more madness," smirked Drakken. He paused at he looked at the closed door, "We did barricade the door, correct?"
"I shoved a cabinet in front of it," yawned Shego as she headed to the bathroom.
Making a mental note to repair the lock or replace it with one of the rooms, for the time being, became added to his ever growing daily list. He took She'd absence to get changed himself, perhaps quicker than he normally would have. There was a wave of nerves suddenly springing to life as he heard he looked at the small bed and towards the bathroom door. Perhaps it was mostly due to not wanting Shego to bust in while he was getting undressed... or even more a subconscious questioning of what would happen if she did?
That week really got to me...
He shook his head as his mind sent a recap of the inappropriate thoughts he'd been swatting away as of late as he crawled into bed. They faded at the chill of the sheets hitting him, before jumping out to light the fireplace in the room. There was only a handful of small logs and he knew it would probably only last a few hours but it would be enough to get the chill out of the room. He flipped off the light as she hastily huddled under the blankets and watched the fire grow to light the room in a soft orange glow. He would wait until Shego was out of the bathroom before finishing getting ready for bed, but for now, he was enjoying the softness of the blankets around him.
He heard the bathroom door open and the light went off, but Shego didn't emerge right away. He saw her slightly in the doorway and looking at the fire. Drakken was about to ask if everything was alright, when he realized the setting he'd just created for Shego to walk into. He was glad for the dim light and orange glow as he felt his face grow hot as he gave a nervous apologetic grin in Shego's direction. The apology never came out of his lips and his grin faded away as Shego finally left the bathroom doorway. Making an unintentional romantic and suggestive setting was one thing, but there was nothing accidental in the nightgown Shego had chosen to wear as she slipped into bed with him.
"Bathrooms all yours," she stated. He heard the waver in her voice as she slid close to him, "Firelight?"
"It was a little cold..." he trailed off, "Good thing I... I made the choice... seeing as your pajamas aren't that... wintery."
"I mean... body-heat," he heard Shego mutter.
The focus on the conversation began to dwindle as Shego snuggled closer to him as she spoke. Finding his eyes drifting from her lips to other areas of her form that the flickering light highlighted. He tried to push those thoughts down as Shego talked about- he wasn't actually sure.
Focus!
Drakken chastised himself for the drifting thoughts, lecturing himself to ignore how much he wanted to close the distance between he and Shego... who seemed to have inched even closer, given he could smell the faint minty smell of her toothpaste clearly. Mid lecture about appropriate behavior... his mind stopped racing.
Wait. Why am I stopping myself?
Drakken mused on this for less than a second before he lurched forward and pulled Shego mid-sentence into a kiss. There was no moment of annoyance at being interrupted, but instead, her arms slid around his neck as she pulled him against her. He became aware she was pulling him downwards only when he'd caught himself with his hand.
All sleep fell away from his thoughts as he leaned over Shego. Her fingers laced through his hair as their lips found each other repeatedly. Her hand gripped at the collar of his pajamas as if she was attempting to pull him closer than he already was. Becoming more daring in their entangled make-out, her found his hand sliding up her thigh to hover the hem of the navy blue nightgown he'd requested. He was waiting for something to stop him, a fear of failure or even saying or doing something wrong as his hand began to trail further. The conversations they had gone over since the argument seemed to have squashed any of those as he found himself becoming lost in the moment.
A loud crash turned out to be the interruption that ruined his focus.
"What was that?" asked Drakken as he swiftly sat up and looked towards the door.
"How do I know," snapped Shego, "I'm right here, too."
He ignored the snappish tone to her voice because he too was feeling a wave of frustration as they both got out of bed. Another loud sound and the sound of the front door caused them both to dart out of the room. Drakken's mind raced with the many concerns that it might be given its hasty barricade in loo of a lock. Images of wildlife like a bear smelling the food they'd made earlier... vagabonds that had wandered to a remote cabin. All things they could manage but was more than a little inconvenient. Unfortunately, as they came into the living room to see what was at the now open door... neither could have fathomed the sight.
The figure turned around in the darkness towards them, a wave of snow swirling around from the outside in perfect timing. The mixture of fear and horror tangos inside Drakken's stomach settled into pure agitation as he looked at the one intrusive interruption that had successfully ruined the cabin's atmosphere.
"Eddie," growled Drakken.
His cousin looked over at him as he shook the snow from his hair.
"Oh... Hey cuz!" he beamed, "I didn't expect to see you here!"
Before Drakken could answer. Eddie grinned.
"Whoa. Nice. I see the nightgown has returned, seriously nice look Green," Eddie nodded at Shego.
Drakken didn't need more than then light from outside to see Shego's face turn a different shade before she was gone in an instant, clearly headed back towards the bedroom. Drakken glared at his cousin.
"I feel like I interrupted something, seriously... my bad cuz," grimaced Eddie before shrugging and turning on the lights, "Whoa, look at all this dust, seriously Drew, you couldn't sweep."
Drakken balled his fists and glared as his cousin rambled on and settled in for what he knew was about to be a very long and intrusive stay.
Of course it has to be Eddie!
Pfft, Like they were going to have it easy, lol!
