Author's Note: reminder this is rated M. Reader's discretion and all that

43.

They walked back to the card and slid in.

"You good to drive?" Helga asked.

"Yeah - that last bit sobered me up pretty quick, so -" Arnold waws trying to make a joke, but Helga seemed to take it another way. He started the car and they drove the 5 minutes back to the Sunset Arms in relative silence.

"Careful getting out on that side. Grandpa has a lot of junk piled up in here." They clambered out of the garage and upstairs. They didn't run into anyone, but Gertie did yell a cryptic greeting that Arnold responded to. He didn't mention Helga though.

As they came to the drop down staircase up to his room, Arnold pulled the string then gestured, "After you, my lady." He gave a little bow.

That had done it, made her smile just a bit. She pushed against his head playfully and headed up the stairs. She opened the door and found her pack of cigarettes not where she left them on the floor, but on his desk, near his lamp and picture of abner. He had picked them up - known she left them.

"You knew I left them." She said

"Yeah - I figured you'd be back so…" He said as casually as he could manage. It was true. Arnold had noticed. He thought about bringing them to her… but then thought maybe it would be a good reason…

"Can we go on the roof?" She asked as she dug through his top drawer for a lighter.

"Yeah, course." She walked ahead of him, kicked off her shoes and climbed onto his bed to access the ladder.

He followed up after her, not caring about his shoes. She stumbled a little, foot slipped a little - he put a steady hand on her back. They kept climbing.

The night air was cooler up here and Helga immediately wrapped her arms around herself. Arnold took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.

"Thanks, Arnold." She said softly. He was taken aback, having expected her to shrug it off or push him away. But she didn't. Instead, she slipped her arms through the sleeves and laughed when they were a little too short for her. She pushed the sleeves up to her elbows and took out a cigarette.

"Here ," Arnold said as unfolded two pool loungers - the kind shaped like a chez or something. "I use these for stargazing."

"Of course you do," she smirked as she lit her smoke. "Do you want one?"

"No - I'm good."

"You don't have to wait out here with me. I know you don't like the smell."

"I actually don't mind it," he said, while gazing at her. "Besides, I'm not just gonna leave you up here. What kind of host would I be?"

"Whatever you say, Arnoldo." Helga was chuckling as she took one of the chairs, kicking up her bare feet. Arnold took his seat on her left. They both sat in silence for a while, watching the few visible stars twinkle and watching the cigarette smoke curl and scatter.

Helga broke the silence first.

"So you do remember FTi. You made it sound like - "

"Of course I do. There are pieces of it I can't remember, but - the kiss - the kiss I remember very well."

"I'm sorry about that."

"Why?"

"I mean, I jumped you - I was manic. It was insane."

"It was intense - yeah. But I wouldn't have changed it. For a while, sure, I pretended like it didn't happen 'cause I was a kid. Then I got older and realized - who doesn't want to remember a passionate confession of love." He laughed. Helga was not laughing. He reached over and touched her arm. "Hey, seriously, we were kids. I like the memory. No hard feelings." But Helga stayed quiet. "I'm sorry I brought all that down on you tonight. Really."

Helga could tell he was trying to make her feel better but - pride kept her quiet.

"It's not like it was a bad kiss." He said as he sat back.

Helga laughed, "I'm sure it was bad. We were nine."

"No, I meant tonight." Arnold was holding his breath. Then Helga was too.

"What?"

"I said that it wasn't a bad kiss." He looked over at her. She was wreathed in cigarette smoke and was a little sparkly from the glitter Phoebe had painted her with. She wasn't breathing though; He could tell because her chest quivered with the effort of holding it. He needed to know - did she like it too? Was all this - this - whatever this was - all in his head or was all of it, all week - was it real? He sat up slowly on his lawn chair, swung his legs towards her and…

What is he doing? Honestly that's what both of them were thinking right then. They were seated close together but the distance also seemed insurmountable. Her eyes were bright and wide. He got closer. Just go for it - just he thought - urging himself forward.

"Can I give it another try?" He whispered.

Helga's lips parted and she gave the smallest nod.

Ok - ok. Yeah, I can do this. Arnold gulped, steeled himself, the reached up and touched her cheek like he had so many times now, a small stroke with his thumb. She also swallowed nervously, looking at his lips coming closer. He had butterflies like he hadn't had in years - his nerves were on fire, but watching her eyes flutter closed just as their noses touched was more than he could stand.

Then. It happened. On purpose this time.

Arnold kissed Helga softly at first, gently pulling her toward him in the small pressure against her cheek. Helga inhaled and reached her quaking hand into his hair and pulled him in even tighter. Together their lips moved as if through syrup - slow and sticky. As their weight dropped back onto Helga's chair and Arnold's chest pressed to hers, he brought his other hand up to her side, fitting it to her the curve of her hip. Arnold could feel Helga's heartbeat against his chest, it was racing, and he couldn't pull away. Or rather, he didn't want to. It was like a hunger had erupted and Helga was the only answer.

Helga was losing her mind! Not that she could really think of anything else - she was just lost in sensation. Her toes were curling, her fingers clutched at thick tufts of hair, and she let her tongue slip between her teeth to touch his lips. Helga was slipping away in pleasure when he pulled away. Just a little to look at her.

They breathed a thick breath together.

"Not a bad kiss at all," Helga said, eyelids heavy.

Arnold didn't say anything though. He just looked at her, slowly pulling farther away. Oh god - he's just realized this has all been a horrible mistake. He regrets everything! He's about to run away screaming! Helga couldn't help the panic.

He said, "You're beautiful." He slipped a fallen hair behind her ear and lightly touched her earlobe.

Helga inhaled sharply, reality was setting back in and this had to be some kind of joke.

"Shut up, Arnoldo, no I'm not." She sat up in the chair, forcing Arnold back a bit to sit up properly on the shared lawn chair.

"Yes, you are, Helga. Of course you are." The blush rising in her face made him think he said the right thing. Her roughly getting out of the chair and rushing several feet away from him, made him think he had not. "Hey, wait. I'm sorry. I just- "

"No - no. It's fine. I should just go home anyway."

"Please don't. I don't understand what just happened." Arnold was standing now too. He watched her inch slowly toward the window back into his room. "Helga, please just tell me -"

"Tell you what?" She spat.

"What you're feeling!" Arnold said, trying not to sound too desperate.

"I - I'm - I!" She was getting frustrated and her head was going fuzzy. Arnold took a few tentative steps forward while her eyes were closed. She opened them and jumped. "I don't know! I don't know what's going on!"

"Well - we kissed." Arnold said, uncertain of anything but the facts.

"Yeah- yeah. I kissed -" Helga started. But he corrected her.

"No - I kissed you, Helga." He wasn't sure why, but he knew the distinction was important. She stopped talking and was just looking at him. "I kissed you because I wanted to." He said so slowly.

Helga just bit her lip, breathing heavy.

"I've actually wanted to for the last several days…"

"Really?" Helga's heart was beating a mile a minute. Everything was buzzing and the world was threatening to spin violently. She must have swayed some because Arnold reached out and grabbed her arm and her hand to steady her.

Arnold waited in the silence in agony. He finally couldn't help himself.

"Did you want - did you ever want to kiss me, too?" Helga had just enough awareness to see that his breathing was rapid and ragged too. This is it, she thought. It's now or never. My love - MY LOVE!

CRRRRACKKKK!

A huge clap of thunder and lightning erupted across the sky. Due to the kiss they were now discussing, they hadn't notice the thick clouds rolling in overhead. So the downpour that followed the thunder was a real surprise.

44.

Rain came down in solid sheets! Helga and Arnold were soaked by the time they made it to the bottom of the ladder, back into Arnold's room.

"Oh my god! Wet sequins are very very uncomfortable." Helga held her arms up, away from her sides and started taking off Arnold's blazer.

"I'm sure!" Arnold laughed. "Hold on, I'll get you a change of clothes." He opened his closet, peeled off his shirt and wet pants and threw them in the hamper. He pulled down two flannels and grabbed some sweatpants for himself and an old pair of pajama pants for her. He pulled on the sweatpants and turned around. When he came back out he saw her.

Over near his desk Helga had thrown the jacket to the floor and managed to unzip her dress. It was now in a sparkly puddle around her feet. Arnold just stood there for a moment, looking at her. His breath caught in his throat.

She turned and looked at him, which shook him awake. "Sorry, I'll - " he stuttered.

"Arnold, it's ok." She turned around toward him and didn't attempt to cover up. She stood there in a thin bandeau bra and simple underwear. She looked soft, she looked cold, and she was blushing furiously. "I mean, if you don't want to - "

He had to do something before she chickened out - before she made an excuse. Before she shut him out. Arnold dropped the clothes and took three quick steps, but didn't touch her. "I want whatever you want." Her breathing was a little ragged. She nodded and reached for his right hand. He twisted to hold hers, but she slipped her grip to his wrist. He looked down to watch her move his hand to her bare waist. She was cold.

Arnold gripped her waist, pulling her close to him, skin to skin, and so slowly slid his left hand up her thigh, over her hip, just along the curve of her breast, then up to the nape of her neck. After one more breath together, he couldn't wait anymore - Arnold brought Helga's lips to his with confidence, and she melted into his arms.

She let him drive the kiss, wanting to feel the way he moved. He was supple and fluid, and strong. As he let his tongue move into her mouth, Helga let a moan - a terribly girlish and desperate moan - slip out and into him. The sound alone made him gasp.

"Oh my god," he whispered against her lips, stepping Helga back two steps. He slid his hand down her leg and hoisted her onto the desk knocking several bits and bobs all over. Helga was finally gaining her strength back and dug her nails into his back.

As Arnold's lips pulled back and parted in a good pain, she could not help the impulse. Helga leaned in and bit his lip, hard. This forced another gasp from him and she feared for a moment that he would pull away. Instead, the hand in Helga's hair gripped tighter and pulled, exposing her neck. He shifted his focus and quickly bit down, sucking at the sensitive skin. Helga sank into him, nuzzling her cheek against him. She wanted him closer, closer, please. She wriggled her hips into position and wrapped both legs around Arnold's waist.

The force of her legs felt good, having her so close. He let go of her neck, leaving several small red blooms behind. For a moment they were still, breathing heavily, each leaning their foreheads into the crook of the other's neck. Each breath brought movement, arms still wrapped around each other, fingers stroking skin gently. When suddenly -

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Hey short man!" Arnold's grandpa. "How was the dance?"

Phil began to turn the handle but Arnold was faster. He jumped to the door, pressing it closed with his whole body, and quickly flipped the lock on the doorknob.

"H-hey Grandpa. Yeah. It was great - sorry! I'm changing."

"Do you have a friend in there with you or am I having a senior moment?" They could hear the smile in Phil's voice, which only caused their blush to burn hotter.

"Senior moment, definitely - "

"Cuz Pookie said she saw an Eleanor come in with you earlier." He chuckled.

"I don't know an Eleanor, Grandpa! Seriously. I'm just changing." Arnold had walked back, and casually laid his hand on Helga's bare thigh, his eyes shut tight.

Helga was biting her lip, preoccupied with Arnold's half-naked form in the half light.

"Heh-heh-heh, alright short man." For a moment they really thought he might be done. "Do you want some coco? A little chocolate night-cap?"

"No Grandpa. I'm good!"

"You sure?"

"Goodnight, Grandpa!" Phil could be heard giggling all the way down the stairs.

He waited till the laughter subsided before speaking, or looking directly at her. "Sorry - I-" Arnold whispered, but Helga stopped him with another kiss. It was small at first, tender, quiet kiss. Then it was more. Soon the interruption was forgotten, all together.

Helga pressed forward now, sliding her tongue between Arnold's lips. As heat was rising, he wrapped his arms around her again, pulling her legs back into place, and picked her up. Helga gasped and clutched at his neck.

"Hey!" She laughed as he lifted her.

"Don't worry, I got you." For just a moment, he stood there easily, looking up into her eyes and she studied him. His lips were pink with effort, his hair was mussed, and his eyes were in a soft half lidded gaze. "I got you." He said again quietly. She kissed him and he walked over to the bed. As he laid her down, she released to the mattress, and he whispered, "Is this ok?" into her ear.

"Oh god, yes." Helga burst and pulled him down on top of her. Arnold laughed into her hair. She smelled of cigarette smoke, night air, rain, and lavender. It was intoxicating, so much so that he didn't realize Helga had guided his hand to her bare breast - as she had slipped the bandeau lower to expose them. He didn't notice, that is, until he moved and felt her nipple. A small hum of pleasure escaped her and he opened his eyes.

Helga's eyes were still closed while Arnold looked at her. He moved his fingers the smallest fraction, but enough to drag a fingernail over the top of the same nipple. Helga took a sharp involuntary breath. He smiled to himself and finally pinched, but not too hard. Helga opened her mouth for a proper little moan. He couldn't help but laugh, just a little.

Her eyes shot open. "What?" She said, a little roughly.

"You're sexy." He said simply. It wasn't quite a discovery, but he certainly had never said this to her before.

"Stop it - "

"No. I won't. You're beautiful," he kissed her cheek, "You're badass," he kissed the other cheek. "And you're sexy." He pinched again, causing another gasp, and he kissed right on top of it. When he pulled away again, he watched her eyes slowly bat open. She licked and bit her bottom lip, which only gave him another flutter of sensation in his stomach.

"God damn it," Helga said softly.

"What?" Arnold brought his nose to hers.

"Just - Just - stop talking!" Helga brought him in tight for another kiss and a hum of pleasure as she bucked her hips upwards into him. He responded in kind, returning pressure.

The two rolled and writhed together, gasping, laughing, and sinking their fingers into flesh, unsure of what was next, if anything. Helga was blissful just as she was - as they were. It felt like a dream. Her ears were burning and her breathing was heavy and ragged. She thought she might cry when Arnold rolled her over on top of him. And one happy tear fell from her eye and onto his cheek when he reached down, unprompted, and grasped her ass.

Arnold was good at being in these kinds of moments. His mind didn't wander and he didn't often second guess himself. In this moment, he felt a kind of gratitude that Helga let him so close to her - that she hadn't run from him - that he had earned her trust - for now anyway. Now all he wanted was to revel in the feel of skin on skin for as long as he could. When he would open his eyes to watch her squirm and sigh under his touch, he wanted to go on touching her forever. They had rolled again and Helga was almost in his lap, as they both were stretched out together.

"Helga - Can I - " Arnold began, as he trailed one hand lower and lower.

"Please!" was all she could manage, hitching up one knee and careening her chin back up to meet his in another kiss. His hand slid into place between her legs, beneath the fabric. The fire in Helga's body hit a new high.

It was all too much to hold in mind at one time. Helga was lost fully in how he moved, slow and soft, and every sensation he triggered.

Arnold, over her, was focused on the climbing rhythm of her breath. Helga's lips parted in effort, her brow furrowed. Arnold was just far enough away to watch her face, leaning down only to lick or bite at her bottom lip every now and then.

When Helga opened her eyes, he stared back into them. They held that contact as they moved together for another moment - because that's all it took. In one more gasp, Arnold knew she was just - almost - he moved deftly, lifting up with her once more -

Helga cried out, just a little louder, as her chest lifted up into Arnold's! They held at that height for one-more-breath as her toes curled involuntarily. Finally, she collapsed back down, giving him all her weight. She found herself perfectly entangled with Arnold, his hand gone quiet between her legs. He leaned in and kissed her, no longer urgent but luxurious and sweet.

It wasn't long before Helga started to wriggle in Arnold's grasp as they lounged. He sat up to let her move.

"What are you doing?" He laughed softly. In response, Helga rose to her knees, lifted her hands to Arnold's chest, and pressed him flat to the bed. He let out a heavy "oof!"

They laughed together and he grabbed hold of her waist, trying to pull her back with him. But she pulled back and said, "Now, I got you." She was nose to nose with him then kissed him sweetly. And as she crawled backward, she was sinking lower and lower.

"Oh - you don't have to do that. I - I'm fine." Arnold lifted himself up on his elbows and looked down at Helga, who had nestled herself between his knees.

"If I want to, do you want me to?" She said, letting her fingers drag lightly along the top edge of his underwear. Arnold's breath was picking back up and his mind went blank. All he could manage was a small nod.

Helga maneuvered the cloth to her liking and lowered her gaze and then her mouth. With her first move, Arnold collapsed back onto his pillow. It was his turn to let out vulnerable sounds. Helga relished all of them.

She didn't rush him - they just took their time. And when he finally let out a sharp gasp and gently gripped and grasped at her hair, Helga smiled to herself.

In the stillness that followed, Arnold gestured for Helga to crawl back up to him. He said "Come here," with a weak smile. She did so and they wrapped tired arms around each other. Tangled in each other, they dozed in and out while stroking shoulders and stomachs, and sharing little kisses.

"Hey Arnold," Helga said after a long time.

"Yeah?" He opened his eyes, nodded his head toward her a little to nuzzle her nose. It made Helga laugh that soft pillow kind of laugh - a sound that would never travel further than Arnold's ears.

"Am I awake?" Helga said, a strange look starting to cross her face. Arnold brought his hand up to the nape of her neck and stroked her cheek with his thumb.

"Yeah, you're awake." He said in a husky voice, understanding just enough. "And I'm right here with you."

"Ok, good," she said. With that her eyelids fluttered with sleep. She took a deep breath and let it all out in a long sigh. She sunk heavy into his arms, so he tugged her in closer.

Arnold took a deep breath too, smelled the scent of Helga's hair, and kissed her forehead. Just as they were slipping off into dreams, Arnold thought maybe he heard a small voice whisper "My love."