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 Helga moved out to live with Big Bob instead that was all Arnold could think about. She wouldn't answer his texts or calls and so, sleeping became a struggle. Friday night though, Gerald called Arnold to tell him that Helga was at the very same club he and Phoebe were at this very moment.

Arnold hurried to Helga and took her home. After she explained to him that she had moved in with Bob solidly to keep Miriam's drinking a secret from Miles, they spent some much needed time together under the sheets. Then, to a sleeping Helga, Arnold swore to get her home.

Author's 1st note: I don't know what to say and you don't care so go read dammit! xD

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

Chapter 21: "A feeling born"

It was the first time in what felt like forever that Arnold had a peaceful night's sleep. After leaving Helga at Bob's house, he had crashed on his own bed and didn't wake until it was 12am. He wobbled down the stairs, blushing at the thought of why his body was a little wobbly and went into the living room to find Miles sitting alone with some papers in front of him.

"Good morning, dad."

"Morning? This is hardly morning, son." Miles said curtly, but then smiled at him. "Did you finally get some sleep?"

Arnold nodded. "Yeah, um… I'm not sure what changed, but… uh, hey, where's Miriam?" he asked, hoping to safely change the subject without Miles getting suspicious.

"Where she has been the last days." Miles sighed and stood up. "Would you mind waking her up? We all need something to eat, especially her."

Arnold nodded and left Miles who was headed to the kitchen while he himself jogged up the stairs. I need to tell Miriam what Helga told me last night. He thought and knocked on the door. But… is that really the right thing to do? He wondered. Helga seems pretty sure that dad would leave Miriam if he knew… Frankly, I don't know what I think he will do so why am I so certain that I want Miriam to tell him? Am I secretly hoping that… he will leave her?

Arnold shivered at the selfish thought. It wasn't like him to put himself before others, but if Miriam and Miles really were to split up, it would mean he and Helga wouldn't have to hide. They could be out in the open, claiming they hadn't fallen in love before their parents split up and they could finally have a normal relationship… but that wasn't why he wanted Miriam to tell Miles the truth, was it? No, no. He just thought it would be better if she was honest with him and if it brought Helga home that would just be a huge bonus, right? Right.

Arnold knocked on the door again, this time louder. "Miriam? Miriam, I have to talk to you!" he semi-shouted, not interested in Miles hearing him. "Miriam, I talked to Helga."

Arnold heard rustling from inside the room and soon, a disheveled looking Miriam had opened the door, gasping for air. "What? H-Helga? You talked to Helga?" she asked breathlessly.

Arnold nodded. "Yes, can I come in?" he asked, gesturing to the room. Miriam nodded and moved aside so he could walk in. She closed the door behind him and retightened the light purple robe around her body. Arnold sat down on the bed, taking a couple of deep breaths before he looked up at Miriam. "I know how we can get Helga home."

Miriam had hope in her eyes for a moment, but then it disappeared in a flash and she looked away. "She said she didn't want to be here…" she muttered. Arnold shook his head and tried to speak, but she continued. "I don't blame her. I've been a… deadbeat mom since she was born. Why would that change now?"

"It has changed, Miriam and Helga knows that."

"How do you know?"

"Because I talked to her, Miriam, remember? Look… we've all been tricked by Bob of all people."

Miriam's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Wait… What-What are you talking about?" she asked and sat down in the chair next to the bed.

Arnold moved himself so he was looking directly at Miriam. "Helga didn't return any of my calls, but yesterday Gerald saw her at this new nightclub and I went to talk to her. She told me Bob was threatening to tell my dad about your drinking if she didn't move in with him."

Miriam's eyes widened. "H-How do you know about - - "

"Um… I-I kind of found out the first time Bob was here…"

"The first… Wait, back up! W-What have you two been hiding from me?" Miriam asked and went to sit on the bed, her eyes glowering with confusion and anger. "Has Bob been here before?"

Arnold nodded meekly. "Bob came here to get Helga to go home with him. When she refused, he… he almost hit her."

"He hit her?"

"Almost. I-I stopped him, but Helga was really shaken." Arnold explained and then shook his head at the memory. "He swore to come back, but it was such a long time ago that I think we both forgot about him…"

"How could you forget something like that?!" Miriam asked harshly and stood up. "And why did neither of you tell me or Miles this?"

"Helga didn't want you to worry! You were already so stressed about the wedding that she was afraid you'd - - "

"Have a relapse?"

"Well… yeah." Arnold admitted timidly.

Miriam sighed and sat back down. "My daughter still doesn't trust me."

Can you blame her? Arnold wanted to ask, but held his tongue. "Do you trust my dad?"

"Huh?" Miriam looked at Arnold. "What-What do you mean I trust him?"

"Exactly that; do you trust him?"

"Of course I do!"

"Then why haven't you told him?"

"Told him what?"

"About your smoothies, Miriam!" Arnold said impatiently.

"Because they are in the past and the past should stay in the past."

"If it's really in the past then why are you allowing Bob to use it against you now?"

"Because I'm scared!" Miriam confessed and hid her face in her hands. "I would understand it if he left me. Who would want a washed-up drunk? I can't compete with your mom, Arnold, I can't. She was so amazing and I am just… not."

Arnold was gazing at the sobbing woman in front of him. The image he had in mind of her was crumbling and changed into this vulnerable creature. This whole thing was more of a touchy subject than he had thought. It was a deeper issue than he'd imagined, but that didn't change his mind; he wanted, needed, Helga back in this house. He didn't want anyone to get hurt, but he couldn't just sit and be idle while Helga was suffering.

"This is your chance to prove something to Helga. Prove to her that you want her in your life, that she means more to you than anyone else does."

"She does, of course she does! Doesn't she know that?"

"She said she figured you could do without her rather than my dad."

"What? How can she think that?"

"Maybe because you haven't done what you have to do to get her back." Arnold pointed out snappily. He could see his words stung, but he continued. "All you have done since she moved is sleep and mope around. You thought she left because she wanted to, fair enough, but now you know how to get her back and that she wants to be here."

"But… do you think Miles will still want me for his wife?"

"That doesn't really matter. You need to prove to your daughter that you care or you could lose her forever." Arnold pleaded. Please understand. This isn't just for you, it's for Helga. Bring her home. Miriam wasn't moving though, she was obviously afraid, but Arnold was getting irritated. "If you don't tell him, I will."

Miriam looked at him. "Arnold?" she questioned in shock. Arnold was just as surprised if not more. It wasn't like him to demand anything selfish or to threaten people, but he was past caring at this point. That was what he told himself at least.

"This all comes down to one simple question, Miriam." Arnold said solemnly. "Who would you rather risk losing? Your fiancé or your daughter?"

Miles was starting to get worried when he finally heard footsteps. "Sure took you two long enough." He said humorously and moved to look out of the door opening. "For a moment, I thought…" he went quiet when he saw the look on his fiancé's and son's faces. "What's going on?"

Arnold nudged his elbow against Miriam's arm and she looked at him before she looked down at Miles. "I… Miles, I have, um… A-Arnold talked to Helga." She finally decided to say for her first sentence.

Miles looked at Arnold in surprise. "Well, what did she say, boy?"

"That she doesn't actually want to live with Bob."

"What?"

"He's blackmailing her… or more like, he's blackmailing Miriam." Arnold explained and looked up at Miriam who refused to look at either one of them.

"Blackmailing?" Miles repeated and put his hand on the railing. "With what?"

Arnold waited for Miriam to talk, but she seemed hesitant. "Uh… maybe I should go?" he offered and was about to turn around, but Miriam grabbed his sleeve and made him stay. "Or… maybe I should be here for this…" he decided. "But you need to start talking, Miriam."

Miriam took a deep breath and walked down the stairs. Miles watched as she walked into the living room and he followed her with Arnold hot on his tails. Miriam sat down on the couch and gestured for Miles to join her. He looked worriedly at Arnold, who decided to stay in the door opening, before he joined her on the couch.

Miriam took a deep breath once more and put her hand on Miles' thigh. "Miles, I… When I was married to Bob I was really unhappy and I… I didn't deal with it the way I should have…" she started and gulped.

"I know about that, Miriam." Miles insisted. "You told me you were negligent in raising Helga. I know that already."

Miriam shook her head. "I… left out a detail I shouldn't have. I wasn't just negligent because I was depressed, I… I didn't even realize that I wasn't taking care of Helga because… because I…" she continued and looked up at Arnold for guidance. He gestured for her to continue, smiling at her encouragingly. She took a deep breath for the third time. "Miles, I was… drinking… a lot."

Miles blinked a couple of times, trying to process the information. "What?" was the only word that came out of his mouth and it was without any feeling at all.

Miriam sighed. "After Bob and I got married and I had Olga… Bob left me home alone with her a lot and I felt really lonely so I wanted to… I wanted to get a hobby of some sort, but I didn't have it in me to start something big so I just experimented with smoothies at first. Then one day my recipe changed when I saw the bourbon bottle Bob had gotten from one of his partners for some big deal they had made… He got furious with me and bought another one that I also drank. He figured out that I was less trouble when I was intoxicated because I just got so tired and stopped complaining about how he was never home so he kept buying me these bottles… I was an alcoholic through all of Helga's childhood and most of Olga's youth." She finished and exhaled slowly.

Miles had been quiet through the whole thing, but now looked questioningly at Arnold. "How long have you known this?" he asked.

Arnold frowned, why did Miles care about that? "Bob came to our house some months ago to get Helga to go with him and he mentioned Miriam's drinking then." He explained.

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I figured it wasn't my secret to tell." Arnold hissed.

Miles shook his head. "You're right, I'm sorry…" he said and frowned at Miriam. "But you should have told me this, Miriam. Out of your own free will and not because Arnold was forcing you to or because Bob took your daughter away!"

"I-I'm sorry, but I was just scared! I was afraid of what you'd think of me!"

"You were right to be scared!"

"Dad!" Arnold interrupted and walked into the room. "Miriam doesn't drink anymore."

Miles looked at Miriam questioningly who nodded eagerly. "After you proposed, Miles, I stopped. I haven't touched alcohol since then. I decided I wanted to be a good mother and a good wife. I-I haven't had a drink since then, I swear!" she said, practically pleading with him to believe her.

Miles' features softened considerably. "That changes things a little bit, but… Miriam, I need you to trust me. I can't marry a person who keeps secrets from me." He said sadly.

"I didn't mean to…" Miriam sobbed. "I promise that's all, I have no other secrets. You know everything now!"

"Dad, she doesn't drink anymore; isn't that what counts?" Arnold interfered.

Miles sighed. "Arnold, you're too young to understand this." He insisted and his son scowled at that.

I do understand. Arnold thought. I've felt the same way about Helga. But people are allowed to have their secrets… It's not like I can tell him that though.

"Miriam…" Miles said and took her hand in his. "I… still want to marry you, but… you have to swear to me that there are no other secrets. Without trust there is no love so please… is there anymore whatsoever that you have been hiding from me? Because then this is your last chance to tell me. The next time I catch you in a lie, I can't accept it again."

Miriam's face lit up. "So… you forgive me? You-You still want to marry me?"

"Do you have any other secrets?" Miles asked to which Miriam shook her head violently.

"None!" she swore.

"Then yes, I still want to marry you." Miles said with a smile and Miriam gasped in relief as she hugged him tightly. He laughed good-heartedly and looked at Arnold who was sighing in a mix of relief and disappointment, but mostly relief. It meant Helga could come back and that was his top priority.

"I love you." Miles told Miriam and kissed her sweetly which caused Arnold to look away, mostly out of politeness, but he definitely also felt very awkward watching the tender moment between his dad and stepmom.

Arnold coughed when Miriam started to kiss him back perhaps a little too eagerly. "Aren't we forgetting something?"

Miriam gasped in realization. "Yes! Helga!" she exclaimed and stood up, dragging Miles up with her by her hands. "We need to get Helga back! Now that you know about my past drinking, Helga has no reason to stay with Bob!"

"So… she was doing this to hide your secret from me?" Miles asked, obviously realizing this fact for the first time. "Oh, honey, I am so sorry… I've been talking so badly about Helga since all this happened - - "

Miriam shushed him and patted his cheek. "It's ok, darling. I don't blame you at all, but if you don't mind then I would really like to have my daughter back?"

Arnold was smiling broadly as Miles started to do so as well. "Let's go get her back then."

Arnold practically jumped out of the car once he, Miriam and Miles were in front of Bob's house. Miles and Miriam followed him once the car was parked and he was knocking on the door furiously. "Bob! Come out here!" he yelled. "I know you're back from your business trip!"

"Hold your horses, I'm coming!" Bob yelled from inside the house. "But I'm warning you; if you're trying to sell me something I am going to kick your ass!" he continued before he opened the door and looked at his ex-wife in surprise. "What are you all doing here?"

"We're not here to sell you anything, that's for sure." Miles said as he crossed his arms.

"On the contrary; we've come to take something back that belongs to us." Arnold continued and tried walking past Bob, but he blocked him.

"What are you yapping about? Helga chose to live with me, Miriam. Get it through your thick skull."

"You blackmailed her into going with you!" Arnold yelled. "But too bad, Bob! My dad knows now!"

Bob's eyes widened and he looked questioningly at Miles who was smiling at him. "Miriam told me about her drinking days. Frankly, it sounds like that was your fault more than hers. Congratulations, Bob. You tried to break a good woman and you failed. Let it be a lesson to you. Arnold," he said and his son looked at him. "go and get Helga."

Arnold nodded before he crouched under Bob's arm and crawled until he was inside the house. "What are you doing, you twerp?!" Bob asked in surprise, but Arnold ignored him.

"Helga!" he called and pushed Bob's hand away when he tried to grab him. He walked a couple of steps up the stairs in order to get away from the angered man and saw Helga come out of her room, obviously bewildered.

"What the hell is going on?"

"Honey, we came to pick you up!" Miriam said happily while Arnold ran up to the blonde girl.

"What?" the blonde girl questioned, but accepted Arnold's hug even while her face was contorted into bewilderment.

"Miriam told him." Arnold explained with a big grin. "Miles knows everything."

Helga frowned in confusion, but then looked down at her mom who was nodding eagerly. "So… I've spent days in this hell for nothing?" she questioned seethingly.

"Helga!" Arnold scolded, but the girl started laughing. First slowly, but then loudly and almost manically.

"Well, looks like you lost again, Bob!" Helga bellowed happily. "Only thing you've ever won in is in being a douche."

"Young lady, I have half a mind - - "

"Half a mind is right; finally he realizes." Helga interrupted and nudged her elbow against Arnold's arm who couldn't help but chuckle. He had missed her crude sarcasm which was ironic since his humor was far-fetched from being cruel.

"Helga, go get your things." Miles said with a smile. Helga curtsied sarcastically and went into her room.

"I'll help you." Arnold declared and followed her into her room, leaving the adults to their arguing downstairs. As soon as he had closed the door behind him, Helga pulled him into a kiss that got deep within seconds. They were moaning in harmony and sighed in relief once they pulled back to get some air.

"I was afraid I had dreamt last night." Helga admitted and went to grab her suitcase.

"Of course not." Arnold said and jogged to her closet, opening the drawers one by one to put her clothes into the suitcase. "I promised I'd get you back home and I always keep my promises."

Helga smiled adoringly at Arnold as she watched him put her clothes in the suitcase. She put her fingers under his chin and made him look at her. "I'll show my appreciation when we get home." She whispered before she gave him a lingering kiss.

"That-That's not why I did this…" Arnold insisted, but leaned into the kiss.

"I know." Helga replied, kissed him once more and started throwing her clothes into her suitcase, not caring if they would get wrinkled or not. "That's it. All I brought were my clothes."

"Cell?"

"Oh, yeah." Helga said and went to grab it by her nightstand. "I forgot my charger back home though."

"What? Is that why you haven't answer any of my calls?"

"You called me?"

Arnold sighed. "Oh, never mind." He decided and smiled broadly. "You're coming home with me now anyway."

"Home…" Helga repeated with a smirk and was about to grab her suitcase, but Arnold took it himself. "Fine, I'll let you do that just this once."

Arnold rolled his eyes as they walked out of her old room and listened to their parents fighting for a short moment. Bob was obviously trying to pull new skeletons out of the closet, but Miles knew everything now and so he was failing miserably.

"Oh, give it up. Bob. You're pathetic." Helga said as she jogged down the stairs. "There's nothing you can say or do that will make me stay."

"Young lady, I am warning you. Don't you dare walk out that door."

"What would make me stay here; your charm? Seriously, do you have any last tricks up your sleeve?" Helga inquired. Bob was obviously trying to think of something, anything, but he didn't speak at all. "Thought so. Goodbye, Bob. See you at your funeral."

Miriam and Miles were smiling broadly as they turned their backs to their children and started walking towards the car. Arnold put his arm around Helga's waist and she placed her arm over his shoulders. "You ok?" he asked.

"Yeah… No, wait." Helga replied and turned around. "Hey, Bob!" she said and saw her father turn to look at her. Her fist connected with his jaw and he stumbled backwards in surprise, holding his chin as he groaned. "That was for the years of misery for both me and Miriam. Oh, and for hurting Arnold." she said, turned back around and put her arm over the shoulders of a very surprised Arnold. "Now I'm ok."

"Oh, I'm just so happy that you're home, sweetheart." Miriam said happily and hugged her daughter as they were sitting in the couch.

Miles was smiling as he tried to get the women's attention. "Girls, I understand that you're happy, but I have to talk to you about something." He said. He had purposely waited for them to get home before opening this particular can of worms. He wanted Miriam and Helga to have their happy moment, but he needed to say this.

Miriam looked at Miles in worry while Helga mostly looked confused. "Well, of course, honey…" Miriam said and readjusted herself in the couch. "What did you want to talk about?"

Miles sighed. "I… understand that this was a big secret, Miriam, and I understand that you were afraid of my reaction, but I'm really disappointed that you had so little faith in me. That really hurts." He admitted.

"I'm sorry…" Miriam whispered.

"And Helga, while I admire that you were willing to go that far to help Miriam hide her secret then that doesn't change that you were in fact hiding this from me too." Miles said and looked at Arnold. "And you too. I'm almost mostly surprised with you, Arnold, I thought you were such an honest boy."

"It wasn't my secret and Helga begged me not to tell!"

"Thanks for throwing me to the sharks, Football Head!"

"Hey! I kept telling you that I didn't want to hide this and you should have trusted my dad and that's what he's telling you now, isn't it?"

Helga opened her mouth to argue against him, but she knew it was the truth. She and Miriam should probably have trusted Miles a little more and maybe even Arnold. "Ok, we're sorry. We've learned from this mistake. No more secrets."

"It just worries me." Miles said. "If Bob hadn't decided to come and take Helga away, would you ever have told me, Miriam? And would Arnold have ever known if Bob hadn't showed up that day?"

"Probably not." Helga admitted bluntly.

"Exactly." Miles agreed.

"I'm sorry, Miles… Helga and I are used to things like this. We are secretive people, even within our own family. We've spent… so many years hiding things from the world and from each other, but that's over now. I swear. All the skeletons are out, there are no more secrets. Right, Helga?" Miriam asked and looked at her daughter.

"S-Sure." Helga replied briefly and looked at Arnold awkwardly for a short moment. He looked away, knowing full well why she had looked at him to begin with. Their own little secret was the least of his worries right then though. Miles had raised an interesting point; had Helga even trusted Arnold for a moment? Would she have told him these things herself eventually? And if she wouldn't, didn't that mean she didn't trust him at all? It hurt.

Miles sighed. "That's all I wanted to say… I'm ready to start on a fresh if you are?" he asked and Miriam nodded eagerly. "Good," Miles said. "now, I don't want to ruin the family reunion and I hate myself for doing this, but, Helga, Miriam hasn't exactly been participating in any of the wedding planning these last few days so we are behind schedule and I need her with me out in the town for the rest of the day if that's ok?"

"Oh, but, Miles - - "

"It's ok, mom." Helga interrupted with a smile. "I'll be here when you come back, I promise."

Miriam sighed, but smiled in surrender. She and Miles were quickly out of the door and left their children alone in the living room.

Helga was gazing at Arnold. "Why do I have a feeling that you were agreeing a little too much with your dad?"

"Because I am, I just realized." Arnold said a little sourly and sighed before he walked towards the couch and sat down next to her. "It's just… Helga, do you really trust me?"

"Of course I do!"

"Then why didn't you tell me the truth to begin with? Me if no one else? You had me believe for days that you actually were sick of living here and that included being in our relationship! I was so scared… of losing you, of realizing that you never actually cared or… anything like that. I'm a positive guy, I always look on the bright side, but in situations like this, my mind comes up with the worst case scenarios! It was horrible not seeing you or hearing your voice and not knowing what was going on - - "

"Ok, I get it!" Helga interrupted and sighed deeply. "I… I didn't consider how you'd feel about this. I only thought of Miriam and that was wrong so… I'm sorry." She said with an obviously pained voice. She had expected Arnold to smile at her and forgive her instantly, but he simply sighed. "Did you hear me?"

"I heard you."

"I said I was sorry."

"I said I heard you…"

"Then what's with the face?" Helga asked, but Arnold couldn't explain it. He still felt a knot of uncertainty in his stomach and while it had untightened along with her apology, it hadn't gone away completely. "I don't think you understand what just went on here." Helga continued and Arnold looked at her in surprise. "I apologized. I never apologize. If any of my old classmates were here to see this they would joke about how the mighty had fallen."

Arnold snickered at the image and felt the knot fade away in his stomach. "Helga…"

"So, please, accept the apology in the spirit it was intended, you dramatic wimp." The blonde girl continued with her signature smirk.

Arnold considered telling her he had already forgiven her, take her upstairs and let her show her appreciation like she had promised, but he got another idea. An idea he would never have pursued earlier in their relationship, but he had a feeling it would be accepted with pleasure. At least if he played it correctly.

"No." Arnold answered casually.

Helga was obviously shocked. "No?" she repeated facetiously.

"Yes, no… I think a punishment is in place before I forgive you." Arnold continued with a hidden smirk in his eyes.

Helga observed him for a moment, but then smirked as well and crossed both her arms and legs. "Oh, really?" she asked, catching onto what he was getting at. She was hoping she was, at least. This oughta be good if he plays his cards right. "And what did you have in mind?"

Arnold smiled as he stood up and offered his hand to Helga. She took it suspiciously and she had been right in her suspicion; after grabbing her hand, he lifted her off the couch and pulled her up over his shoulder and started carrying her as he walked out of the living room.

"Arnold!" Helga shrieked in amusement and started laughing uncontrollably at the surreal situation; she knew he was stronger than he looked, but this was ridiculous. "What are you doing?!"

"Stop squirming or I might drop you." Arnold warned with humor in his voice and continued talking up the stairs, holding Helga securely around her waist with one of his arms and a hand on her back thigh to keep her legs in check. He squeezed it playfully and with a giggle, she ceased her movement.

Once they were inside Arnold's room, he closed the door behind him and put Helga down. He took her wrists in his palms and lifted them above her head, watching her through her half-lidded eyes. She was obviously waiting, anticipating, this moment in her whole body, from her lips down to the very tips of her toes. He leaned closer to her and he could feel her breath on his lips. He was itching to kiss her, but he settled with nuzzling his nose against hers just to see the displeasure in her eyes. For now, she was behaving, but he knew from experience that she wasn't a very enduring person and that didn't change in the bedroom.

"See? I can be patient." Helga insisted, knowing full well what Arnold was silently trying to prove.

"Then why can't you make your hips stay still?"

"Because my hips don't lie."

Arnold snickered at Helga's joke, especially since she had said it with so much seriousness. He almost took pity on her… almost. He leaned closer and rested his lips at the crook of her neck. He just left them there while letting his tongue slither out and essentially tickling her throat. She trembled.

"Do I really deserve this?"

"Yes, you do." Arnold maintained and Helga groaned at his response. He decided to take a little pity on her though – she had, after all, done the same for him last night – and pulled her gently towards the bed. She lied down obediently and let him open her white dress shirt to reveal the pink strapless bra underneath. He kissed her once, firmly. "Stay here."

"Where would I rather be?" Helga questioned breathlessly and kissed him once more before she let him go.

"Close your eyes."

"Oh, brother." Helga said almost nervously, but closed them anyhow. She could hear Arnold walk away, presumably towards his closet, and when he came back she wasn't surprised when she felt silk slide over her wrists which she had already placed above her head. "Is this revenge for Christmas eve?"

"I'd call it payback."

"Are you going to blindfold me too?"

"No, I want to be able to look into your beautiful eyes."

Helga felt a small blush spread across her cheeks and she stubbornly kept her eyes closed. "I have half a mind to - - "

"Half a mind is right."

"Don't use my own words against me! That's it; I'm keeping my eyes closed. Sucks to be you."

"Fine. I'll just leave you high and dry then."

Helga's eyes shot open within a second in panic with the mere thought. "Why you - - "

Arnold laughed. "Gotcha." He teased and nuzzled his nose against hers.

"Stupid Football Head…"

The blonde boy merely chuckled before he kissed her. She kissed him back and lifted her hips eagerly when his hands roamed down her naked sides. She was still wearing the shirt, albeit opened, and realized he couldn't take it off with her hands tied to the bedpost. It was a small realization and she couldn't figure out why she had even noticed it. He could easily take off her skirt though and that was what mattered to her.

Arnold's hands moved under Helga's back and he played with the clasp for a moment before it became undone. He threw it away, connected her breasts with his hands and let his tongue travel along the place her breasts met. Not to his surprise, Helga shrieked in pleasure; he knew the middle part of her chest was almost as erogenous as her nipples were. He used his thumbs to tease the pink buds and soon she was puddle in his hands.

"A-Arnold," Helga moaned. "I am duly chastised!"

"Don't think so." Arnold disagreed curtly and replaced one thumb with his mouth and sucked harshly. Helga cursed under her breath and wrapped her legs around his waist to get some of the friction she so desperately needed. She could feel him gasp on her breast and she realized the disfavor she had done to herself. Well, semi-disfavor.

"D-Does your waist still hurt?" Helga asked and loosened the grip of her legs, but he lifted them back up.

"Not since yesterday." He answered with a smirk. "Maybe you cured me?"

"Shouldn't I get a reward for that?"

"No." Arnold drawled and leaned down to kiss her again.

"Stubborn." She whispered against his lips.

"Pot, kettle, Helga." Arnold countered and felt her laugh sarcastically under him. His mouth found hers in a toe-curling kiss that sent shivers down their bodies. He could feel his body betraying his mind; he was starting to feel the impatience bubble inside him and the anticipation was rising. He could feel her hips rolling against his and he couldn't do anything else but reciprocate.

When Helga made an impatient mewl, Arnold gave in. He folded, he threw the towel in the ring, he surrendered because the sound had pushed a weird button inside of him. He grabbed her panties and pulled them down. They ended somewhere, he didn't notice the exact location, and he put her legs over his shoulders. His hands gripped tightly on her legs as his tongue started licking between her thighs.

Helga gasped Arnold's name in surprise and shut her eyes tight. She could feel the acid in her legs as she desperately held back the urge to hug his head with her legs. It was a good thing that he was holding her thighs and helped her resist the temptation.

Enough, Helga wanted to gasp and Arnold seemed to agree because his mouth left her southern lips and went to the northern ones instead. He adjusted his pelvis against hers and her soles caressed his calves as he entered her and they both groaned in satisfaction. They blinked the blur in their eyes away and sighed happily.

"Will you… release me now?" Helga asked hopefully, giving him her best smile. Arnold considered it; he did love the feeling of her hands roaming freely on his skin, but he had made a plan and wanted to follow through with it… at least for a little while longer.

Arnold grabbed Helga's wrists as if he was about to free her, but instead he pulled himself closer to her in one swift motion and she gasped when she felt him that deep inside of her. "Maybe later." He answered with a smirk and started sending series of pleasured shots through her.

Helga's nails started digging into the red silk, subconsciously trying to rid herself of the restraints, but with little to no success. She wanted to complain, to voice her unhappiness, but all that came out of her parted lips was a moan louder than the one before that. The nails on her toes dug into his legs and a part of her hoped it hurt because damn she was on the brink between loving and hating the owner of the legs right now.

Arnold had reached his limit as well and his hands started untying her from the bedpost. It was only when she felt her hands fall down to the mattress she realized that she had been freed. She wrapped her arms around his back and he pulled her up until she was sitting on his lap. He held her close to him by her waist and helped her rock against him as she looked deeply into his eyes.

Then Arnold felt something starting to prickle around his heart, something he knew what was without having experienced it before. It was a feeling born from how Helga looked at him, how she held him and from the sound of her voice. He had felt what it was like to be without all these things that made her wonderful and it made him realize that this feeling had been there for a while. But now it was so strong that he knew it wouldn't fade away even if he wanted it to.

He wouldn't say it. He couldn't tell her about this bubbly feeling. Not now, not yet. He would wait until the feeling was so powerful that he would burst unless he said it. Wait until the moment was perfect. He didn't know what moment or when it would be; only that he'd know when it came.

Author's 2nd note: Yay! Stupid Bob is gone xD Well, he isn't dead, but he's not gonna give our blondes anymore trouble :P That's not part of the plan at least… xD but hey, I improvise sometimes and come up with new things along the way so who knows? OwO