7/6/2022 UPDATE
POSTS WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER!
This chapter been a LONG time coming. Mild maturity increase...
Cabin 8
It wasn't even close to sunrise when Drakken found himself awake. His mind was racing from his grandmother's story book... he desperately wanted to be in his lab and working on some of the new ideas racing through him. Wanted access to strong internet to cross-reference said ideas... go through his own storage room for similar inventions he'd tossed aside over the decades. He became aware that his leg was shaking the bed when he heard Shego give an annoyed groan from where her head pinned him to the mattress. It had taken all self restraint not to simply jump up and hope gravity didn't wake her... which he knew it would... and he had no interest in starting the morning on the wrong foot.
She did fall asleep when I was reading.
He answered himself immediately.
Do not do it.
"What are you doing?" came her muffled voice in his chest, "Knock it off."
Drakken stopped his leg and let out a deep sigh.
"What?" was an annoyed grumble from her.
"I have some ideas," he began, "Possible inventions."
Shego let out an annoyed groan as she rolled off of him and presumably was about to resume sleeping.
"Shego..." he said softly, "Do you remember if we have an old lair nearby?"
There was a pause in her breathing before she sat up and looked at him as if he was insane.
"To break into or something?" she huffed, "Most of the lairs were liquidized or destroyed... weren't they?"
Drakken thought about it, there was something about her question that seemed suspicious. He mentally went over the many lairs he'd owned, as if checking off a sudden list and a few drew a blank. In truth, most had been liquidized over the years due to criminal offenses, lack of funds, or blown up by Possible and Stoppable... upon the ceremony at the UN, Drakken had let go of what he thought was the remaining ones... except the tropical island, the flower overflowing alps, and their volcanic mountain lair... which he remembered they hadn't actually sold it like planned.
"We should have kept more residences," said Drakken. Shego snorted.
She made no comment however, even though Drakken remembered a very cloudy memory of her suggesting that very thing. Since she chose not to mention it, he chose not to bring it up either. He opened his mouth to voice the inconvenience of not having a lab when he needed one, but changed the topic as he watched Shego slide out of bed and head towards where their luggage was tucked in the corner behind the standing mirror. For a split second, he wondered if Shego was assuming they were leaving, and he humored the idea for a second... but it fell away quickly.
"Shego, we aren't leaving-" he began but he was cut off by a horrified look from Shego.
"We better not be," she shook her head and yanked something out of her bag, "Pretty sure it's still snowing and I have no interest in standing outside in the dark while you whine and complain as you reassemble the hovercar just on a whim."
She tossed something on his lap.
"You can do all that at a better time... like when I'm sleeping and don't have to listen to it," she finished as she climbed into the bed, "It's a notebook genius."
"Why?" asked Drakken as he held the notebook in question.
"Whatever mad genius ideas you are having... go to town in that thing," yawned Shego as she snuggled back in the blankets.
Drakken looked at the notebook closely and then smirked as he turned it around in his hands.
"You packed this specifically for me, didn't you?" he asked softly.
Shego's response was only to pull the blankets tighter around her. His head leaned against the back of the bed frame as he attempted to look at her around the blankets, the smirk on his lips falling into a soft smile. Opening the notebook he pulled the pen she'd tied to the binding and began tapping the paper. After a second he closed it and placed it on the end table, his focus on creating now moving to something more president.
"Shego?" he asked softly as he leaned towards her.
"Hmm," was her response and then a slight sigh, "I tied a pen to it..."
She trailed off and his hand lingered over her shoulder to attempt to gain her attention. He froze a few millimeters from the blankets as his mind drew a blank. His eyes glanced over his shoulder at the notebook again. Wanting to begin his speech again by finally responding to her from in the woods... but the words didn't connect. A slight worry that at this hour and her clearly being tired was only half the resistance in waking her fully. His hand retreated and he sunk under the covers, the silence in his mind almost painful before the worry set in. Despite knowing how she felt... or at least had said... his concern he'd sound like a fool if he didn't say the right thing overtook him. He let out a deep sigh as he turned out the light on the side table and tried to force sleep.
He would find the words in the morning.
It has to be flawless.
He flipped flipped over the grilled cheese as his thoughts pooled.
Perhaps if I go over it...
He frowned.
It can't hurt but how to get rid of interruptions?
His eyes glanced through the open door and to the window that overlooked the lake. He gave a malicious snicker.
Trap them both on a frozen ice piece in the middle of the lake.
He mulled over how to make a flamethrower out of one of the small fire extinguishers... until he focused back on the original issue.
I could just say it?
He frowned.
No, it has to be deeper than that.
His thoughts kept intersecting the speech he was trying to weave, so he began to speak it out-loud.
The house is empty anyway.
"Shego, we have known each other- No."
He growled as he flipped one of the sandwiches on a plate and began making more.
"Shego, over the years I'd be lying if I didn't... Ow," he hissed as he burned his finger.
He glared at the hot cheese but continued cooking. His train of thought on where his speech was going vanished and he started over.
"Shego, you know... you rock," he rolled his eyes, "What was that? Ahem. Shego, every time I look at you- too cheesy. Shego-"
"Seriously, how many times are you going to say her name?" came Ed's voice from the doorway.
Drakken's jumped and knocked two of the sandwiches to the ground.
"Eddie!" snarled Drakken, "What are you doing here!?"
"At the moment?" smirked Ed, "Getting serious second-hand embarrassment. I mean, seriously Cuz? What was all that?"
"Well I didn't think anyone was- Just go away," he snapped. Angrily trying to push away the heat rushing through his face.
Shoving another bread into the hot pan, Drakken hoped his cousin had taken the hint.
"So, what was all that, seriously?"
Ed had not.
"None of your business," grumbled Drakken. Refusing to look over at his cousin.
"So... you don't need help?" asked Ed.
Drakken glared at him.
"No, I most certainly do not need help from you," replied Drakken.
"You sure about that? I mean that was seriously some sad lines, Drew," stated Ed. His hand then gestured to Drakken's food, "Also that one has no cheese."
"I don't need your commentary nor your help," said Drakken, "I can tell Shego I love her all by myself, thank you."
Immediate regret flooded through him as the last word left hit lips.
"That's what that was," laughed Ed. Drakken felt a tingle up his spine, "I thought you were gonna pop the question... Seriously, those lines were even worse."
Drakken took a deep breath if only to prevent Flower from making a scene that would cause more problems.
"I didn't pack the ring," grumbled Drakken.
The snickering stopped from his cousin. It gained Drakken's attention, only looking towards Ed slightly to gauge the man's expression. Ed was staring at him with wide eyes and a slightly look of concern.
"What?" Drakken finally asked.
"There's a ring," said Ed slowly, "you haven't even told Green you love her... and those sentences are seriously the best you got? Cuz, you're a genius, but you are not that smart."
Drakken glared.
"That doesn't even make sense- you know what, I'd like to see you do better," grumbled Drakken.
"You act like it's complicated," snorted Ed as he grabbed a sandwich, "Seriously, all a babe wants to hear is you need 'em or you love 'em. I just told Chloe when I felt like I wanted too... you over-complicate things... these are dry."
"Well Shego and I have more history- wait... you just said it?" asked Drakken. Ed nodded as he took another bite, "You? To Cleopatra... did you say 'seriously' a dozen times in it?"
Ed rolled his eyes.
"Uh, year... seriously," Ed snorted, "Just say it when you feel it... Like, babe slashed a dudes tires at a derby... one of those collect the cars and seriously know squat kinda dudes... Seriously, you have no idea! He insulted my truck... my truck. I mean I was just gonna squash his ride but babe didn't even give me a chance... felt like the right time."
"Seriously?" asked Drakken.
"Seriously," smiled Ed. He tilted his head as if assessing Drakken, "I just can't believe you didn't just burst out and tell Green the first change you got. I'll give you one thing... Green is seriously unpredictable. Flashback to when I was trying to sway her... didn't like flirting... and she really didn't like being an accessory. "
Drakken rolled his eyes.
"I think that may speak for more than just Shego," Drakken replied. Then felt the need to continue, "She has already said it-"
"You can't be serious!?" Ed choked on his sandwich", "Green said it and you didn't?"
"Well it wasn't like I wasn't going too-"
"Alright, Cuz... Seriously, is she on mind control?" Ed whispered.
Drakken felt a shiver of rage race through him.
"No! She is not!" he snapped loudly.
"Hey, whoa, seriously Cuz... calm down," Ed took a defensive stance and glanced at Drakken's back, "I was only asking... I mean robots and mind control is your thing."
"Well, she isn't," Drakken shook his head to stop Flower from emerging, "I don't need mind control- Shego doesn't need to be under exterior influences to be with me."
"Relax, Drew... I was seriously just pulling your leg," sighed Ed, "I don't get it, but Green would seriously have needed to feel some type of way to stick around as long as she did before you two were a thing."
"What?" asked Drakken. Attempting to decipher his cousin's words.
"Seriously Cuz, you are mad annoying," stated Ed. Drakken opened his mouth to argue but Ed continued, "Chill out... I am too. I mean it's seriously our family trait. Genius' annoying scientists... But you are well... you."
"Are you implying that you are somehow... better than me?" glared Drakken.
Ed raised a brow.
"I wasn't implying... I was stating it," smirked Ed. Drakken through a sandwich at him.
Ed dodged it and it flew over his shoulder and smacked Shego right in the face from where she'd just come in the house. Drakken was about to blame Ed but he was cut off.
"Seriously, Drew! Why would you throw that at her?" stated Ed. Putting on a grand show of shock, "What is wrong with- Ow!"
Ed yelled as a green blast hit him as Shego shoved passed him.
"I didn't even throw it!" glared Ed.
"Yeah, but I'm sure you caused it," scoffed Shego as she reached towards a napkin.
Drakken grabbed it first and aided in wiping the cheese off her forehead.
"I was aiming for Eddie," Drakken made sure to add.
"Your aim sucks," scoffed Shego.
Drakken rolled his eyes but chose not to reply as he dusted some crumbs from her bangs.
'Just say it...'
He looked over at Ed still lingering in the doorway. Drakken narrowed his eyes at him and with an annoyed sigh, his cousin actually left the room completely. He looked back at Shego who had reached around him for a sandwich as his finger's lingered through her hair more than they needed too. It would have been the simplest time to say it, but a twist in his stomach made him rethink how pathetic it might seem... it needed to be more.
The cold wind had left and light snow flurried in soft heaps. The temperature hadn't dropped yet for the evening, but the whistling from the mountain made it clear it would soon. Shego remained nestled on the porch under more blankets then needed to make sure any chill didn't find her. The blankets shifted and she held out her hands to take the hot cocoa she knew was being delivered. Letting Drakken nestle next to her she handed back his cup and took a sip of hers.
"Managed to escape the avalanche?" smirked Shego.
"He knocked over the remaining stack and I left he and Cleopatra to sort it out," sighed Drakken.
Shego thought about the boxes that somehow fell down despite being stacked safely.
"Interesting how they all just fell," stated Shego with a devious smirk as she locked eyes with Drakken.
"Some might have been a simple aftershock," hummed Drakken. Shego's smirk deepened, "My arm being the aftershock."
"Thought so," snickered Shego. She held a gaze at Drakken as he sipped his cocoa, "You know, you seem pretty relaxed with leaving those two rummaging around in there."
"I will find a way to take anything I want and we don't find a place for... but in truth... it is both of ours," grumbled Drakken.
Shego raised a brow at him.
"Look at you being all mature," she snorted and took another sip, "But to be clear we are going to take anything they've stashed in the truck, right?"
"Absolutely," smirked Drakken. Shego watched him sip his own cocoa moo and grin at it, "Probably tomorrow night for sure."
"So are we packing tonight or..." Shego trailed off.
"We don't have to be back to Greece till Tuesday," he hummed, "I have that conference call about my invention with Iceland."
In truth Shego had forgotten but she nodded in affirmation. Fighting the agitated sigh she wanted to give at what felt like a wasted trip. Between clearing out the room, distractions, interruptions, and cabin problems... she both was eager to get home but also disappointed in the trip she'd been promised. Glancing at Drakken she let out a softer sigh then originally intended.
"What was even the point of this trip again?" asked Shego. She tried not to sound bitter.
"Clear out storage so there's more room..." Drakken paused and then groaned, "I feel my mother may have tricked us into turning this back into a family destination."
Shego smirked slightly and was about to bring up this so called getaway when Drakken put down his mug and cuddled up to her under the blankets. There was not complaint about the closeness, but she was more than a little shocked how much his arms wove around her and his head nestled in her shoulder.
"Someone's awfully affectionate," she teased.
"I'm cold," he grumbled. Shego rolled her eyes.
"What am I? Your personal heater?" asked Shego.
She saw his smirk.
"You are the most beautiful furnace I have ever-"
She cut him off.
"Really?" she pulled away slightly.
He pouted.
"I was trying to sound cute and charming," he gave a hopeful smile.
Shego frowned and his face fell.
"It was a failure," she snorted.
"I'm gathering that... but-" he began.
"Yeah, yeah," she scoffed but pulled the blankets tighter and ignited her hands under the blankets to heat, "Better?"
"Mmhmm," hummed Drakken. She saw his eyes close slightly in contentment.
His expression made her body relax more into his arms. Her focused energy began to drift off and she felt a sleepy sort of contentment herself.
"Shego," said Drakken softly.
"Hmm?" she hummed lazily.
"I... I've been trying to find the words..." he trailed off and she couldn't help herself.
"There's several dictionaries in that storage unit," she said in amusement, "I'm sure ones bound to help with that."
There was silence for a second and then head a dry 'Ha-Ha' from Drakken.
"Shego I am trying to be serious," said Drakken. Shego turned her head to looked at him.
"Seriously?" she smirked. Then she noted the serious expression on Drakken's face and sat up to look at him better, "What?"
His eyes were searching her face as if anticipating anymore jests she might have stored away to use on him.
Endless, really.
She kept her own expression serious and waited. The wait seemed to be going on forever.
"Today or..." nudged Shego, "I'm listening."
The only sound that came in the following seconds was a creaking sound and the wind. She watched Drakken take a deep breath just as the creaking intensified.
"Shego, you are-"
Whatever he was about to say was ended with a louder creek and in a split second the old bench had collapsed. The blankets broke their fall, but the hot coca that had remained, spilled on both of them.
"Safe to say this picturesque moment is over," scoffed Shego as she used a blanket to wipe some of the cocoa off her hands.
"Clearly," grumbled Drakken as he used the railing to pull himself out of the tangle of blankets.
"Careful, don't want that to go next," said Shego as she watched it wobble. Her eyes looked at the frame of the bench to where the wood was corroded and holes seemed to be in it, "Might have a termite problem there, Drew."
Drakken had extended his hand to help her up and she saw his fingers twitch at her statement.
"I wasn't mocking you," sighed Shego as she took his hand, "This time."
His brow was knitted and she couldn't figure out why, but it faded away as the door to the cabin opened.
"What are you two doing- what happened to the bench," asked Ed as he hobbled through the doorway.
"Apparently we have termites," stated Drakken as he indicated to the bench.
Ed looked between them both and smirked.
"Termites... sure," he snickered.
Shego flare her hand.
"Is that a default setting with you, seriously Green..." said Ed, "That send some guys the wrong signals."
Shego gave Drakken a confused look as the door closed.
"The signal is 'threat.' It's pretty clear," said Shego. Drakken gave an annoyed stare at where Ed had been.
"I did tell you he was dropped as a child, correct," grumbled Drakken as he picked up the heap of blankets.
"I thought you threw him?" asked Shego as she grabbed a few herself.
"Not nearly far enough," muttered Drakken as they headed inside.
"So, what were you saying before gravity and vermin interrupted you?" asked Shego as they walked through the door.
She saw Drakken stiffen despite the shrug he gave as a dismissal.
"Can't remember... must have not been important," said Drakken.
Shego closed the door behind them as Drakken continued towards the hallway with the blankets. While his voice sounded genuine, his stiff posture dictated otherwise. The temptation to badger him about it was strong, but the sticky feeling of cocoa that had seeped into her shoe made a shower more tempting.
I'll badger him later.
Drakken tossed another log into the fire and fell back into the bedroom's chair and grabbed his book. He was just about to open it when he heard feet running outside the door and then in a flash... Shego was through the doorway with a handful of books and mischievous grin. She used her foot to shut the door before depositing the books and a few small items on the bed and locking the door. Drakken raised a brow but felt the smirk spread across his face.
"Late night collecting?" he asked.
"It's starting to snow again," she shrugged a few flakes out of her hair, "Those two were acting weirder than normal at dinner... in case they're planning on running off... I cleared out the truck."
"What?" snickered Drakken as Shego slid the items under the bed.
"They won't even notice," she said smugly, "I switched them out with a few random books and items."
"You said you were getting a snack?" said Drakken as he put the book down on the chair and walked towards Shego's pile.
"I did," Shego shrugged as Drakken picked up one of her trinkets, "You wanted that, right?"
It was a wind-up electrical bug that he and Ed had made dozens of as children. It was the only one left that had actually worked.
"What happened to you complaining about me hoarding junk?" asked Drakken as he nodded and sat on the bed with the item.
"Oh, I'm going to complain," she said firmly, "This is me appeasing you whim right now... but if I trip on even one of these books in the lab... I will retaliate."
Drakken smirked and mentally wondered how far he could push her with that threat.
"The books, hmm," he mused as she grabbed the item and shoved it into what looked like an empty hat box and slid away again.
She looked up at him with a questioning expression.
"You know what I meant," said said firmly.
Drakken rubbed his chin.
"Do I?" asked Drakken. Shego crossed her arms as she stood up to hover over him.
"I can go put them back," she narrowed her eyes.
Her expression made it hard to read if she was joking or if this was an actual choice she was considering. Drakken debated on calling her bluff and mirroring her, but he chose to push his luck and play into it.
"I don't think you will," his smirk was still firm.
"Oh, really?" she asked with wide eyes.
"No, because you know I want them and you adore me," he hummed. Drakken saw the tint of color to her cheeks, but her brow narrowed.
"I adore you, do I?" she snorted, "I think you mean tolerate and humor you."
Drakken pouted intentionally.
"That's not what you said yesterday," he said without thinking.
His pout wavered and he felt his stomach twist as Shego's brow rose in confusion. He watched her head tilt and her shoulders relax. A soft smirk fell on her lips and her arms uncrossed as she grew closer to him. The swirling nerves in his stomach slowed as her hands found his shoulders and her face lowered to hit. Drakken's mind raced and he wondered if now was the time to blurt out his own feelings without his speech. Except, he didn't get a chance. In a split second, he was pinned to the bed and she held a devious expression.
"I swear, if you intentionally leave anything out to annoy me... I will not take it lightly," she said firmly.
It was meant as a threat, but the playfulness in her eyes betrayed her after the first initial shock of her swift movements.
"Understood," he gave a wavering chuckle.
After a few silent breaths, he found his hands about to reach for her waist when she rolled off him. Drakken's hands froze slightly in the air as he hadn't registered her exit completely as she stood on the other side of the bed. He sat up and looked over at Shego, who looked amused as she slid under the covers of her side of the bed.
"You put more wood in the fire, right?" asked Shego casually.
"Ohm... yes," Drakken shook his head and followed suit to get under the blankets, "Shego..."
"Hmm?" asked Shego as she turned out her lamp and looked at him.
He didn't know what he had said her name for... confusion at how abruptly she'd decided to call it a night... the fact he'd missed a perfect leeway to tell her how he felt and it was over... instead of dwelling on what emotion or words he wanted to find he simply gave a dismissing shrug as if he'd forgotten and turned out his own light. There was silence as Drakken felt Shego snuggle up to him.
"Drakken," came her voice in the darkness.
"Yeah," Drakken practically whispered.
There was silence again and then a deep sigh.
"You need to finish reading me those stories tomorrow," she said.
Something about her voice shift made it seem like that had not been her original words... but he didn't press it. It was clear she was done with the evening and despite his confusion at the shift... he was reading it as an indicator not to push the conversation further.
"Night, Shego," he said softly.
"Umhmm," was the even softer reply.
The sound of the wind outside kept pulling Shego in and out of consciousness as the night went on. Snuggling further into Drakken's side as if to dull the intrusion wasn't working. In truth, she wasn't tired and the few hours she'd been trying to force herself to rest... were not going well. She was frustrated and anxious despite the comfort and contentment she should be feeling. Drakken's earlier teasing had made her uncomfortable, but not negatively. His claims of how she adored him and how she'd stated wanting to spend time with him to win his argument... was lighter than she'd expected from him. When she'd been looking down at him despite her threats, he'd smiled... and she'd had to stop herself from saying something that might have wiped that smile from his face and made it extremely awkward... just like she'd almost done in the woods with her ranting.
Should have said it and just played it off as a joke if he freaked out.
Her eyes remained closed as she felt her fingers playing with the corner of his pajamas shirt as she attempted to clear her head and get back to sleep. It appeared it was not meant to be, because just as she was about to drift off, a large cracking noise outside the bedroom window, interrupted the silence of the evening.
"What was that?" asked Drakken as they both shot up.
Shego had already lept from the bed before he finished speaking, to look through the curtains. Her eyes darted in the darkness, there was enough light from their dying fire to make out a large tree branch had given to the weight of the snow and she felt her nerves fade away. She let the curtain close and headed to toss another piece of wood in the fire.
"Tree branch gave," she said calmly as she poked at the fire and stretched, "But it looks like the snow has stopped for the most part."
"Oh," she watched Drakken relax in the dim light, "Well at least nothing blew up or a mountain collapsed."
"Give it time," joked Shego as she slid back under the covers.
She pulled the pillow under her arm and looked to where Drakken had done the same next to her. The flicker of the flame light in the darkness gave a soft glow over the. She shifted to get more comfortable, despite not feeling tired, but Drakken didn't make a motion to sleep either. He was barely a few breaths away from her, and his expression made it seem he was thinking about something. The thought of teasing him about his expression was stopped by the intense look in his eyes that had looked away from her.
They both remained silent and she found her mind unable to focus on anything but the sound of her heart picking up speed as Drakken's hand slid into hers. She half expected him to close his eyes and murmur a goodnight, but instead his hand, pulled hers closer as he moved towards her to erase any distance between them. She didn't think as her arm slid around his neck and pulled him over her as his lips found hers with firm passion. Her hands retreated from his neck as her fingers began swiftly undoing the buttons on his night shirt. Shego kept expecting to be stopped or interrupted like in the past... but it didn't come.
"Shego," his voice was almost a whisper, "I- I love you."
The words stopped her thoughts completely as she looked at him in the window light. He had no hesitation on his features, no fear or uncertainty in his eyes from his deceleration... Her heart was already pounding but she felt a wave of shivers run through her as his eyes didn't leave hers. He didn't wait for her response as his lips returned to hers before starting to pull away from her. She followed, her arms tightening around his neck. He pulled her hand away from the button on his shirt and pulled slightly away from her. She didn't have a chance to react or argue that he was going to stop their activity as she watched him tug his shirt off the rest of the way and defeat her attempts to simply unbutton it.
A sudden wave of euphoria shot through her as she realized... he wasn't backpedaling. She didn't let his hands even begin to undo her first button as they had been clearly heading there. She slipped her own top off and tossed it somewhere on the floor of the bedroom. Drakken made not indication of being annoyed at this, in fact his movements caught her off guard as his mouth attacked her neck and collar bone. His hands found a new placement where the garment had previously obstructed. Shego let the feeling of electric kisses take over.
He said he loved me...
Her eyes shot open and she pulled back to look at him.
"I love you too," it was like a weight had fallen off her chest as she said it. There was a half-smile on his face.
"I know... you told me," he sighed. Shego raised a brow, "Earlier... you didn't mean to... but you said it when you were ranting in the woods..."
Shego narrowed her eyes at the sudden realization and then scoffed.
"And it took you this long to respond?" she pulled further back from him, "Wow."
Drakken looked horrified and pulled back from her even further.
"Clearly, now is not the-"
Shego covered his mouth with hers swiftly, trying to regain the moment that was in concern of slipping away. It barely took a second to pass before Drakken resumed his intentions. The cold from the chilled air around them wasn't even noticed as their bodies made enough heat in their own motions. The sound of the wind howling against the cabin window was the only sound the two heard apart from their heavy breaths and voices that night.
Finally...