"Ya left me high and dry back there!" Phil was shouting when Megara re-emerged from the bedroom. "There were so many people who asked where ya went, and I didn't even know!"
"I was with Meg; nobody needed to know what we were up to. Besides, I bet they were too distracted to care that much. The wine was flowing pretty freely."
Phil folded his arms irritably and eyed Hercules with utter skepticism. "I don't wanna hear you makin' those kinds of excuses every time you've got work to do! I'm not lettin' your girlfriend get in the way of our dreams."
"What about the fact that Meg's my dream come true already, and everything else isn't that urgent?" Hercules wrapped an arm around Megara's waist and drew her closer while she was still turning the situation over in her mind.
Megara gasped at his declaration. Yes, she knew he loved her, but this was still new enough to her that she was astonished by hearing it out loud.
They shared a quick glance while he transferred the knowledge to her that he'd meant every word. He reached back, offering her his hand.
Watching the duo clasp hands, Phil folded his arms and raised a skeptical brow. "Kid, ever since ya got with this dame, you've been putting off yer responsibilities. Last night was a prime networking opportunity! Ya shoulda been there to strike while the iron was hot!"
"Do you remember what happened immediately before we left?" Megara demanded of the satyr. "I had to help him break away from a horde of teenage stalkers. We're not always dealing with rational people, and I'd rather not network with anyone who isn't civilized enough to talk instead of scream. We're above that, and you know it, Phil."
"It's just a little drama stirring. It always happens with new heroes," Phil said. "Ya get used to the girls, Herc. Ya just have to–"
"Let me be as clear as possible, Phil," Hercules said. "I'm uncomfortable getting my space invaded like that, especially because I can't use any of my strength against them. They make me helpless and claustrophobic, but I can't do anything about it the way I usually could."
"That's why I took him away," Megara said. "I get it if you're not prepared to care about his boundaries or emotions, but I am. So it's going to be my job now."
Phil's face reddened. "You don't get to walk into this operation and–"
The temperature in the room suddenly went frigid. Hercules leaned over Phil, his own arms folded to mirror his teacher's. The evident imbalance between the satyr and his pupil was so powerful that even Phil seemed startled. Hercules spoke in a tranquil, deliberate voice, "The decision is made."
Long overdue deference registered on Phil's face, and his large, pointed ears stood a little higher on his head. "Oh… okay, sure, no problem."
Hercules straightened and put an arm around Megara's shoulders. "We haven't had a chance to eat anything yet. We'll talk again after." Without another pause to await Phil's reaction, Hercules led Megara to the kitchen.
The door had yet to swing shut behind them before Megara spoke up. "That was a surprise."
"It shouldn't have been," Hercules muttered. "Phil needs to know where the lines are." He dug through the previous night's leftovers, which the night's air had kept chilled.
"We're getting there," Megara reassured him, patting his arm. "Especially when you've got authority like that. Seriously, that was some excellent assertiveness."
"You've taught me well," Hercules replied, giving his usual boyish smile. "It's time we had our celebratory feast! Grab anything you like from last night's leftovers!"
Megara watched him with admiration as she picked through grapes, bread, and cheese. There was also some herbal dipping oil, and she snatched that up just as Phil called from outside.
"Hey! We got our first mission!"
The duo shared a glance, reluctant to let go of their quiet morning together.
"What kind of mission?" Hercules asked.
"Well, it's less of a mission and more of a public appearance," Phil said, joining them in the kitchen with a fresh scroll in hand and a gleam in his eyes.
"Ugh," Megara rolled her eyes, plucked some pita corners out of one leftover bowl, and dipped it in hummus.
"What do I need to appear in public for?" Hercules asked. "I was literally in a parade yesterday and we let all kinds of people in our house afterward. Plenty of people have already seen my face." He glanced at Megara as if he'd just remembered that she'd been the one to arrange the parade and was quick to say, "That was great, by the way, lots of people cheered, it felt great. But they've had my face, and now Meg gets my attention."
It was a simple statement, but all the more powerful for its simplicity. Megara wound her arms around one of his and stood at his side. "If you need him out there, we will both go," she said. "We're a united pair and shouldn't be seen apart too often."
Phil looked irritated, but he put his hands up rather than fight her on that point. "Okay, fine. We'll have brand deal meetings for the rest of the day, so you better not get bored, little lady."
Once again, Megara found herself rolling her eyes. "Firstly, I'm three times your height. Secondly, I'm extremely necessary for branding and will attend every meeting. I'm going to marry him, and my support starts now."
She caught a hint of skepticism from Phil but not an argument. It seemed the satyr was starting to recognize his place in the hierarchy when it came to Hercules, and she was pleased to see it.
"We're eating before we go," Hercules said firmly. "Especially if your day is so packed, I want to make sure we have time together and that we're both taken care of."
One flicker of Megara's eyes conveyed how proud she was of the boundaries he set—or at least she hoped they did. She sat snugly beside him while they shared every moment they could steal for themselves. It seemed too soon that they gave in and let Phil lead them away, but Megara had faith that they'd spend the rest of their lives in the security of their united front.