Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story.

They all belong to their rightful owner: Craig Bartlett.

Title: "Leave the lights on"

In the last chapter: After the kisses between Helga and Arnold, he wasn't quite sure how to act around her. After they had gone cake tasting with their parents, they were invited to a party at Rhonda's place. At the party, Lila wanted to talk to Arnold alone and she told him, she wanted to be with him. To her sadness, he was already over her and told her he didn't have any interest in her anymore. Before he could leave, she managed to kiss him several times by holding him back in the room.

When Arnold and Helga got home, he told her what had happened and she declared she was going to clean him. In comparison to their first couple of kisses, this was far more heated and passionate. Arnold still wasn't sure how Helga felt about him, but now he couldn't deny how he felt about her anymore; he was in love.

Author's 1st note: Sorry this took so long! I have no excuse, well except school: BOO! Dx

[Please notify me if you notice any grammar mistakes. This isn't my first language, so there's bound to be mistakes.]

Chapter 8: "What she wanted was his kiss"

It had been a while since Arnold had such a good night's sleep… and a dreamless one too. He wondered if it was due to Helga's very original way of comforting him last night that his dream-self hadn't felt the need to kiss Helga in his sleep.

Arnold put his arms behind his back and stretched. He was thankful it was Sunday; it meant he and Helga could hang out. With a grin, he skipped down the stairs and into the dining room where he found his dad and Miriam in the middle of making the table ready.

"Good morning, son." Miles greeted and gave Arnold a sideways hug before continuing with his task.

"Good morning." He said and looked towards Helga's chair, but it was empty. "Where's Helga?" he asked and looked around as if he was expecting her to jump him just for a laugh.

"She's still asleep." Miriam told him. The disappointment on his face must have been evident, because she chuckled kindly. "How about you go and wake her up? Breakfast is ready soon anyway."

Arnold perked up at the suggestion and walked up the stairs. It was silly really; he had seen her only last night and yet he was looking forward to seeing her again. He lived with her! He was starting to wonder if he was getting slightly obsessed in this new development between them when his hand touched Helga's door handle.

"Wait…" Arnold told himself when he sensed deja-vu going through him.

"If you catch me sleeping again, wake me up the same way you did before and I won't question it or tell a soul about it." Helga's voice told him in his head.

He gulped nervously. I am… technically about to wake her up… aren't I? He thought and knocked gently, the modest part of him hoping she was already awake. No reply.

With another gulp, Arnold walked inside and closed the door behind him. He felt like a burglar in his own house as he looked towards Helga who was sleeping under her covers. He titled his head curiously at her position; she had one leg out of the covers and cover between her legs in some sort of fetal position. The cover was covering most of her face and all he could really see was her hair and closed eyes.

Arnold approached her quietly and sat down on his knees near her. I wonder if… I wonder if she remembers what she said? Or if she had been joking? Or how she would react if I just woke her up like a normal stepbrother would? He wondered all these things, but felt himself move closer to her. He quickly realized he couldn't reach her mouth under the covers so he shut his eyes tight and kissed her forehead.

He leaned back, waiting for a reaction, but he had perhaps been too gentle because she didn't stir one bit. He leaned towards her again and gave her temple a couple of slow kisses. He leaned back to look at her again and she had shifted a bit, but still no sigh of her waking up.

Oh, this is a really bad idea… Arnold thought and yet he started kissing Helga on the places he could reach on her face; forehead, temple, cheek, nose, neck and eventually shoulder because her cover fell down.

"That tickles."

Arnold whipped back, staring into her new open eyes. He blinked a couple of times, showing he wasn't amused. "When… When did you wake up?" he asked sheepishly, his fingers curling on her covers.

"When you kissed my temple… the second time." Helga answered a little tiredly, but smirked nevertheless. "Speaking of which… why were you kissing me all over?" she asked before pulling the cover down a bit, revealing the big t-shirt she was sleeping in.

"I… couldn't reach your mouth." The blonde boy admitted. Helga cooed sympathetically and moved her hands to his cheeks. She pulled him close to her and kissed him affectionately, sighing through her nose as she did so. He sighed as well; there was something oddly soothing about her kisses. It was like she could take all his pain and worries away with this simple gesture.

Helga stopped the kiss and looked at Arnold whose eyes were half-lidded at this point. She bit on her lower lip mischievously and then grabbed him by the arms. In no time at all, she had him pulled on top of her and then she swung him to the side so he was captured between her and the wall behind him. While he gasped, surprised at both the action and her strength during it, she simply caressed his arm and moved for another kiss. He closed the space between them and sighed once more.

Helga moaned as she stopped the kiss and nuzzled her nose against his. "Good morning." She said and he snickered.

"Good morning…" he answered shyly, wondering if he should move or not.

"We'll just pretend that's morning wood." She teased as she kissed his nose and then moved to lie on her back. Arnold blushed heavily and couldn't help but move his legs up towards his stomach. He hadn't even noticed it himself. "What time is it?" she asked tiredly, closing her eyes as if she was considering going back to sleep.

"About 8am…" Arnold muttered.

"Oh, sheesh." Helga said, yawned and sat up. Her hand stayed over his arm for a bit as she rubbed her eyes and then got out of the bed. She stretched, her t-shirt lifting in the process and Arnold blushed. He hid his face in the pillow, hoping it didn't seem suspicious. He heard her laugh and moved his head just enough so he could see her with one eye. "Are you sniffing my pillow?"

"N-No!" Arnold insisted and sat up on his knees.

She snickered. "I'm just teasing you." She said, bend forward until she was at his eye level and put her hand on his head. Her hand went from his brow to the back of his head before she kissed him. He sighed again; it felt so heavenly just to have her lips on his. "I'll go change." She said before arching her back and heading in the direction of her closet.

Arnold stood up from the bed. "I'll give you some privacy." He told her as he walked towards the door.

"What a gentleman." She teased and he shot her a glare. "Especially since I didn't even ask you to leave."

"I thought it was implied?" Arnold questioned as he opened the door. All Helga did was shrug though before grabbing some clothes from her closet.

He stared at her for a bit before walking out mechanically and closing the door behind him. That was a joke, right? She wouldn't actually… would she? He wondered, but decided it was not the time to think about this… So he decided, while he waited for Helga, to think about anything else his mind could come up with. Somehow it felt just as awkward waiting for her as the thought of just leaving had.

It took less than ten seconds before Helga joined him in the hallway. "Waiting for me; aren't you sweet?" the blonde joked and closed her door.

"It's not like you took long." He defended as he followed her down the stairs.

"Oh, I wasn't complaining." She retorted, bumping her shoulder against his.

He smiled adoringly at her; he simply couldn't help himself. He was surprised at how much he liked her already. She was nothing like his former crushes. She was temperamental, but also caring. She was stubborn, yet spontaneous. She loved pink, but was without a doubt a tomboy. She was just full of these contradictions and they intrigued him. She was a puzzle with missing pieces, but he was planning to search for the shards anyhow. He looked forward to searching for them every single day.

And that's when Arnold remembered why he even had the privilege and opportunity to see Helga every day; they were stepsiblings. They were living together as a family, their parents were getting married; soon it would even be official. It didn't matter how much you twisted and turned it, it didn't matter how many excuses you made; he was falling in love with his stepsister… and that was not a good thing.

Arnold was gloomy by the time they were eating and his family noticed right away. "Son, is something wrong?" Miles asked, but the boy didn't hear him. Miles looked at his stepdaughter for help and she nodded. She quickly licked her fork clean in one swift motion and then poked Arnold's arm with it.

"Ow!" he exclaimed and started rubbing his arm. "What did you do that for?" he asked as he glowered at Helga. Rather than answering, the girl simply pointed at Miles with her fork. He looked at him questioningly.

"Is something the matter?" the blonde man asked.

"Huh? Oh, no. I was just… daydreaming."

"The hell you were." Helga retorted and Arnold glared at her. "When you daydream, you have this goofy grin on your face." She said and mimicked an obviously ridiculous face. "You're wearing the kicked puppy look right now."

Miles and Miriam nodded in agreement and Arnold look between them all. Is it… that bad? He wondered and gulped. Kicked puppy… the same face I made when Lila hurt me… Oh, no. This can't be happening. He thought in slight panic, but felt himself force a smile.

"I'm fine. I just didn't get enough sleep." He insisted. He was unsure whether his family believed him or not, but they didn't probe after that.

"Oh," Miriam said as if she just remembered something. "I don't believe I have ever told either of you about how Helga used to be a ballerina."

Formerly mentioned girl, who had been in the middle of drinking, choked and spit some of the juice on her plate. She glared at her mom, ignoring the mess she had just made. "And there's no need to tell them now either." She hissed.

"But, honey, we're still in the process of getting to know each other. This is just another way to tell Miles and Arnold about ourselves; good and bad."

"This information tells them abso-fucking-lutely nothing about me since it wasn't me who wanted to attend ballet lessons in the first place."

"You were so good at it though."

"That's only because Bob would ground me whenever my teacher told him I wasn't behaving!"

"That's horrible!" Arnold bellowed in shock and Helga nodded at him in agreement.

Miriam sighed. "Oh, very well. I suppose you're right."

"So, Bob let you stop?" Arnold asked.

"No, I was kicked off the team actually."

"Kicked off?" Arnold and Miles repeated in shock. "What happened?"

Helga smirked at Miriam who was pouting. "Why don't you tell them?"

"I'd rather we didn't tell them at all."

"You gotta stop blaming yourself, especially since I don't." Helga insisted. "Besides, you're the one who thought we needed to get to know each other; good and bad."

"Oh…" Miriam said in slight anger. "Fine! Her chest grew too big and it's all my fault!" she half-shouted and crossed her arms childishly. Miles and Arnold looked at each other, as if trying to confirm what they thought they just heard, and then looked at Helga who was smirking.

"What… does that mean?" Arnold asked.

"Basically, if your boobs are too big, they'll throw you off balance. Also, a ballerina is supposed to be skinny as a twig and with a chest flatter than a pancake." Helga explained with a shrug. "I was kicked out when I hit puberty."

"I see…" Arnold muttered, forcing his eyes to stay at hers even though they kept insisting going south.

"I grew fast." Helga said and winked at Arnold who blushed intensely. "And Miriam is blaming herself because who else did I inherit my breast size from?" she continued and looked at Miriam who was crossing her arms over her chest, subconsciously hiding them.

"You had such potential… damn my genetics." Miriam muttered under her breath. Helga rolled her eyes while Miles moved towards her mom. He started whispering something in her ear that caused her to giggle and slap him on the shoulder. Helga and Arnold showed clear expressions of disgust.

"I do not want to know what you said to make my mom smile like that." The blonde girl said before standing up and moving out of the dining room. "I'm done. Arnold, you joining me upstairs?"

"Uh, s-sure. If you two don't want us to help cleaning?" Arnold asked as he stood up.

Miriam shook her head as she caressed Miles' cheek. "Oh, that's all right, dear. Oh, but do tell Helga that we will be out to talk with the officiant today so we won't be home until tonight." She answered and waved Arnold off. He barely got to turn around before Miriam and Miles kissed, something he had seen a couple of times before, but wasn't quite used to yet. He shivered before heading upstairs.

Arnold walked into his room and smiled when he saw Helga there. "Miriam told me to tell you that she and dad are going to be out all day." He told her, noticing she had her guitar in her arms as she sat crisscross on his bed.

"So we've got the house to ourselves for the whole day?"

Arnold halted at the question, realizing the truth behind it. "Uh, yeah." He said in a way he hoped sounded casual even though he could feel his heart all the way up in his throat. He picked up his mouth harmonica and went to join her on his bed. She was playing a soft melody he recognized instantly. "Is that the song you've been working on?"

Helga smiled, never taking her eyes off her fingers playing with the strings. "Yeah… I think I'm starting to get somewhere. I still don't have a clue what it should be about though. I've got no idea for the lyrics whatsoever."

"Maybe you don't need lyrics?"

"Maybe not… but if I get struck by inspiration then I will." The blonde girl responded and put a hand over the strings to stop the melody. "Any special request for our jam session?"

Arnold grinned. "Not particularly, but I'm kinda in the mood for something happy." He admitted. Anything to get my mind off the situation I'm in…

"Something happy, huh…?" the blonde muttered and began playing a familiar tune. "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!"

"Not that happy!"

"Because I'm happy! Clap along if you feel - - "

"Helga!"

"Well then, what do you mean by happy?" Helga asked with a crooked smile.

Arnold thought for a bit and then moved his mouth harmonica towards his lips. "You know this one?" he asked and started playing.

Helga listened for a bit while bobbing her head. "Oh, yeah!" she remembered and started singing. "I don't need it anymore. Forget about your worries, forget it all." she sang and put her fingers on her guitar and started playing. "Throw your troubles out the door. Cause maybe you don't need them anymore."

"I can't believe you know it." Arnold said in surprise and listened to his stepsister sing and play a song he had loved for a while.

"I know it, but it's not usually my style."

"I like it… Hey, girl. Do you mind if I call you up and come over? We could have a good time, drinking red wind, sitting on the sofa. Hey, girl. I've told you before; you're my little soldier. Hey, girl. Let's worry about it when we're older."

"It's definitely a feel-good song." Helga said as she finished the melody. "It'd make me feel all fuzzy inside if my heart wasn't made of stone."

"It is not!"

"Fine, maybe it's not. But I'm really not into fuzzy, mushy, lovey-dovey things."

"What do you mean?"

"I've never been in love and I'm not planning to go and change that either."

Ow… Arnold thought as he felt his heart sting. "Well… w-why?"

"It fucks everything up. I mean, look at my mom; she was such an amazing person, full of potential and where did she end up? Married to a bastard who broke her emotionally until she couldn't do anything, but sit at home… all because of love." She explained and cringed at the word love.

"Ok, so your mom is a bad example, but… well, what about my parents? They had a happy marriage."

"Sure, but with a bad ending." She retorted and put her guitar down on the bed.

"Well - - "

"Arnold, no offense, but… was your dad or was he not heartbroken when your mom died? That sucks even worse than a rotten marriage or being left." Helga said and pointed at herself. "I'm not risking that. Love isn't worth it."

"Love is worth it, Helga! You've had some bad examples, I'll admit, but you're only sixteen! Don't give up on love just yet."

"You're only sixteen too. What do you know about love?" Helga asked bolshily and crossed her arms, clearly waiting for an answer.

"I know…" he started, but then went quiet. He tried opening his mouth again, but nothing came out. Sheer panic spread inside him; there was no way he could tell her the answer he had in mind, not after what she had just told him. "I…"

Helga looked at Arnold suspiciously before the doorbell rang. "Mind getting that?" she asked and looked away, leaning her back against the wall. He looked at his stepsister for a while before walking out of the door.

His feet felt heavy on the floor as he slugged down the stairs. It hurts… a lot. He observed as his heart clenched and unclenched uncomfortably as if he couldn't breathe. I knew nothing could truly happen between Helga and I, we're stepsiblings after all, but… to hear she has no faith in love whatsoever… That's just cruel… and sad.

Arnold's body opened the door, but his eyes weren't looking at the person who had knocked. "This is where my daughter lives right?" a deep, male voice asked.

"Huh?" the blonde boy muttered and looked in front of him. He saw a broad chest and looked further up and noticed the torso belonged to a very angry-looking man. He was probably around Miles' and Miriam's age, but his hair was gray already. "Oh, uh, excuse me… Who are you?"

"My name is Bob Pataki, squirt. Now, where is my daughter?" he asked, his big arms crossed.

"Your daughter… You're Helga's dad?" Arnold asked, feeling the wheels in his head turning. Oh, no. Helga's not going to like this. He thought, but didn't get to say anything before Bob walked into the foyer. "Excuse me." Arnold said, but the man didn't listen.

"Helga! Miriam!" Bob called before he turned to look at Arnold. "Are they upstairs?"

"Well, Helga is, but Miriam's - - Wait. You can't just go up there." Arnold said as Bob walked up the stairs. Arnold quickly closed the door behind him before he followed him. "Helga!" he called, trying to warn her, but Bob was inside Arnold's room within few seconds. Arnold quickly walked past him to approach Helga who had just turned her head to look at her dad.

Her eyes were wide in shock. "Bob, what are you - - "

"Enough with this stupid game of yours, Helga. You're coming home with me." Bob interrupted and crossed his arms again, impatiently waiting for him to follow her.

Helga frowned and put her guitar away, stood up and copied her father's positon. "What game and what are you talking about?"

"It'll be over my dead body before my own flesh and blood chooses a cheating slut over me."

Arnold flinched at Bob's vulgar and harsh words, but Helga didn't even bat an eye. Is this how he always talks?! He wondered, but didn't say anything.

"You weren't complaining back when you two got divorced. Why the change of heart?" Helga asked matter-of-factly, already having a clear knowledge of the answer.

"Things were different back then."

"Yeah, you and Miriam were equally likely to wind up alone and miserable. Now that Miriam is engaged and has a family, you want to try and make her miserable again by taking me away from her. Well, I got news for you; I'm not going to your place even if you pull me by my hair!" Helga said, her voice going louder with each sentence until it was a shout.

"You will come home, Helga!"

"I am home! I'm not going with you, Bob, and you can't make me. You and Miriam have agreed to have equal custody over me, so you've got no power."

"Oh, and what if I decide to press charges and get full custody over you?" Bob asked with a smirk.

For the first time since he had arrived, Helga seemed to pale. "You… wouldn't." she said with little conviction in her voice.

"Oh, I will. All I have to do is to tell the judges about Miriam's drinking and you will be mine." Bob said cockily. Helga cringed and looked at Arnold who was frowning in confusion. His expression was clearly wondering what that meant.

Helga sighed. "Miriam hasn't had a drink since Miles proposed." She told both Bob and Arnold, but then looked at her dad again. "It won't work. Miles will stand up for her, so will I and Arnold. You've got no one to stand up for you. They won't let you have me."

Bob snarled and walked towards Helga who stepped to the side and walked backwards until she was standing next to Arnold near the door. "So you choose your cheating mom, her Crocodile Dundee wannabe fiancé and his orphan child over me?!" Bob asked angrily.

Orphan. That word didn't sting any less even after Miles had come home; Arnold had been called orphan by more than one person his whole life and it hurt so much even if it wasn't true anymore.

Helga growled before stepping towards Bob and getting right in his face. "Don't you dare… talk that way about my family." She warned. Her eyes were glowering with total fury and even Bob seemed nervous for a mere second.

He simply sneered though. "They are not your family, little lady. I am!"

"Arnold and Miles have been more of a family to me than you and Olga ever have!" Helga screamed and stepped around him to push at his back. "Get out! Out of my house!" she shouted. Arnold quickly stepped to the side so Helga could push Bob out of the door.

She got him down to the first step at the stairs before he grabbed the railing and swung around to look at her. "Don't make the same mistake your mom did, Helga. Don't you dare get on my bad side." He warned and Arnold noticed that his hand was holding so strongly onto the railing that the wood was shaking.

Helga smirked, completely unaware that she was facing a lion just waiting to be pushed over the edge. "The mistake of leaving you is the best thing Miriam has ever done for herself…" she said. "And me."

Bob's face was red in anger at this point. When he let go of the railing, it sent the sound of a crack echoing in the hallway. Arnold watched as Bob lifted his arm and Helga seemed paralyzed at the sight as well. Just as Bob was about to swing his hand at Helga, Arnold grabbed his wrist. Only one of his hands wasn't big enough to go all the way around the thick arms, so he put his other hand up there to hold it in place. Helga inhaled sharply, seemingly sudden aware of what had been about to happen as she stared at Arnold half-wrestling with Bob who was glaring at the boy.

"I think it's time you leave before I call the police." Arnold said warningly. Bob snarled once more before whipping his arm out of Arnold's grab.

He turned to look at Helga who wasn't looking back. "This isn't the end, Helga." He said and she finally looked at him, her eyes glazed over as if they belonged to a porcelain doll. "I'll be back." he finished before he walked down the stairs. Arnold and Helga watched as he opened the door and slammed it so hard it almost made the house shake.

Arnold looked at Helga, unsure what kind of face he was expecting her to be wearing. It seemed natural though, or perhaps monotonous was more accurate.

She was just staring at the door as she spoke in a small voice. "He's done some nasty things, but… he's never tried to hit me before…"

Arnold sighed, closing his eyes for a moment as he thought of what to say. "Helga…" he said quietly and opened his eyes, noticing she was gone. He looked to his left and saw she was heading towards her room. With three swift steps, he caught up with her and grabbed her wrist. "Helga, wait… Please don't walk away. I… I can't say I relate, not even a little bit… but I am here for you if you need anything, even if it's nothing, even if you think it's nothing. Just don't go and deal with this on your own - - "

Arnold never got to finish his sentence before Helga turned around and embraced him around his neck. He was frozen in place, his arms awkwardly standing out to the sides as if he was afraid of touching her. She was motionless at first, but then he felt her tighten and then untighten her grip around him. She started to shake a bit as if she was holding back her tears with all her might, but her body was fighting against her.

Arnold moved his hands up to touch Helga's back gently, but then he hugged her with all his might as if he was afraid she wouldn't be able to feel him if he didn't use all his strength. She didn't say a word, not even a sound; she was silent as the grave, but her body was far from motionless. He could feel her chest move against his as she silently sobbed and stilled every five seconds. He wanted to soothe her, to do something else than just standing there and hugging her. It didn't feel like enough at all, but he didn't know what to do.

Then Helga moved back a back until they could see each other's faces even though she wasn't looking at Arnold at all. She was looking at his throat, her shoulders twitching as she opened her mouth and breathed. The boy pecked her lips softly, hoping it reminded her that he cared. He didn't need words, he hoped that was the truth at least since he wasn't very eloquent. She seemed too dazed to notice so he pecked her lips again, this time for a little while longer than before.

The choked up blonde closed her eyes and pecked his lips as well. She pecked his lips once more before he heard her sob and she put her hands into his hair, kissing him with a sudden fervor he had no idea where was coming from. What she needed was his hug, but what she wanted was his kiss. Before he knew it, she had him pushed against the wall and was kissing him as if her life depended on it. His hands clawed at her back, unconsciously pulling on her t-shirt without actually taking it off.

A vibration caught Arnold's attention and he stopped the kiss to both gasp and groan in the same sound. Helga laughed breathlessly. "Sorry." She said as she grabbed her phone, which was vibrating inside her pocket. "Hello?" she asked, forcing the pant in her voice away, but her eyes stayed on his. "Oh, Miriam. W-What's up?"

The way she was looking at him, the way she was biting her lip as if that helped her hold back was too much for the inexperienced Arnold. He started kissing her jaw again and traveled down until her reached her throat. She had her hand on his head, tightening and untightening her hold on his hair. Her grip got particularly hard when he licked her collarbone and she almost drew blood from biting her lower lip.

"Uh, sorry. Didn't catch that, Miriam." Helga said and pulled at Arnold's head until he was looking up at her. "One more time." She said with a smirk and the double meaning didn't take a genius to understand. He licked her collarbone again, moving from her throat and to her shoulder. Her body movements were ragged at this point and he couldn't believe he was the one doing this to her; that he was the one who was making her feel like this.

"Arnold's not answering his phone?" Helga repeated and Arnold looked up at her.

He searched his pockets from his phone, but it wasn't there. I guess it's in my room.

"I'm sure Arnold's just downstairs and didn't bring his phone with him. He's dense after all." She continued with a smirk. Arnold grimaced childishly before biting down on her shoulder. She jolted, but that was all she did besides shooting him a playful glance.

"Honey, your voice sounds a bit strange. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine, Miriam. You just called as I was in the middle of a work-out." Helga answered and winked at Arnold who had stopped kissing her at this point. He blushed at her comment and shook his head good-heartedly. "But if you really want me to, I can get back in the house and tell Arnold to answer his freaking phone."

"Yes please, honey. Miles just wanted his opinion on something and I want yours on something else. It's about the wedding, naturally."

"Ok, hold on, Miriam." Helga said and put her phone to her chest. She looked at Arnold exasperatedly. "Get your phone." She whispered as she pointed at his room. He sulked, but she simply kissed his mouth once more and pushed at him.

He walked towards his room, disappointed that they were interrupted, but perhaps also relieved. Who knew how far they had gotten if they hadn't been disturbed?

"Oh, Arnold." Helga said and he turned to look at her again. She smiled at him; a genuine, grateful smile. "Thank you."

Author's 2nd note: Ok, here are the songs I made references to in this chapter in chronological order:

"If you're happy and you know it" (I have no idea who should be credited as the artist for this xD)

Pharrell Williams – "Because I'm happy"

The Runaway State – "Live my life"