Flora and Helia-Art Project
Alternate Ending
Modern/Real World AU
Helia walked through the college campus one winter morning heading to the art building after his research meeting. Art was a welcome escape from the stresses of his program. Neuroscience had seemed to consume all of his time, that spending time with his hobby and passion was a welcomed reprieve. He had developed a relationship during his undergraduate years with the art department that allowed for him to TA a few of the classes as he was working towards his degree.
Entering the small art building, Helia wiped his boots of the snow from the outside. He walked to the office that he shared with the supervising professor and took off his coat and scarf.
"Good morning, Helia." the older man greeted from his desk.
"Good morning, Dr. Casey." Helia smiled as he re-tied his hair up into a low ponytail.
"I hope that your meeting went well." Dr. Casey said as he stood up to grab a mug and fill it with coffee.
"It was alright, just glad that it is over."
"You need to stop torturing yourself and give in to your passions." Dr. Casey teased as he stirred in some creamer into his mug of coffee.
Helia rolled his eyes as he grabbed his Neuroscience department mug and opened a bag of cinnamon tea. He walked over to Dr. Casey and filled his mug up with hot water.
"You know that I can't do that." Helia chuckled, "I am too far in. My second year into my PhD program, I am pretty committed."
"You work way too hard. On top of being a TA." Dr. Casey returned to his desk and pulled out a stack of papers.
"Do you need me to grade those?" Helia asked.
"Didn't I just tell you that you work too hard?" Dr. Casey chuckled.
Helia sat down at his small desk in the corner of the office and sipped his tea.
"Oh, Krystal is sick today so I was wondering if you could take over her photography class and I can lead a lecture in your class."
"Why don't you just take over the class?" Helia asked.
"Because I don't like photography." Dr. Casey chuckled. "You know that I am a graphic design man."
"What makes you think that I like sketching or know enough to teach?"
"Who is the professor here?" Dr. Casey raised an eyebrow.
Helia let out a light laugh before rolling his eyes and returning his attention back to his tea.
"Don't worry, Helia. Krystal told me that her students were assigned to work on their final projects. Most of the students won't be in the classroom and you will just be there as a body in the class. Class starts in ten minutes by the way."
Helia sighed before he picked up his mug and bag. He stood up from the chair and walked out of the office. Heading through the building he watched as students walked past him heading to their classes.
Outside of the class he saw two young women standing outside of the door. He recognized one of the students as Musa. A fine arts major and his younger cousin. However, he didn't know the other woman. All he could see was the back of her head, her long brown hair pulled up into a ponytail.
"What are you doing here, Helia?" Musa asked as he walked up to the door, "Did my dad want you to pass a message along to me?"
"No," Helia gave his spunky cousin a grin, "I am actually filling in for this class today. Are you taking this class? I thought that it was mainly for lower classmen?"
"It is," Musa sighed, "but I need the credit. I thought that another class I was taking in the music department would fill the requirement but it didn't."
"Well don't worry," Helia leaned in, "I don't have the power to fail you so you are safe."
Musa punched him in the arm that didn't hold his hot tea.
"Ow." Helia chuckled.
"Musa," the other woman turned around, "we should head in. Class is about to start."
Helia nearly dropped his mug when he saw her bright green eyes, tan skin, and pouty pink lips. Whoever she was, she was beautiful.
Musa and the mystery woman walked inside of the classroom with Helia following behind them.
He walked up to the desk and set down his bag and mug of tea. He looked out at the class and saw that Musa and the other woman were seated near the back of the class engaged in conversation. The bright green eyes of the tan woman were filled with worry as she looked up to where Helia was standing. Helia looked around and saw that everything looked normal.
Musa walked through the classroom and up to Helia's desk.
"Can I help you?" Helia asked.
"Could you please tell Flora that you aren't some sort of pervert?"
Helia's eyes widened, "What?"
"Well, I told her that Krystal was my teacher and we had arranged for there only to be women in here for today." Musa said, "I guess that message did not get relayed to the department."
Helia looked around the room and noticed that he was the only apparent male in the classroom. He stepped around the desk and walked up to the young woman who he now knew was named Flora.
Reaching her desk, Helia cleared his throat.
"Uh, hi." Helia gave the young woman a small wave and a smile, "Musa told me to come and tell you that I am not a pervert. I don't know why I need to disclose that about myself but I can sense that you are uneasy and she was insistent."
Flora looked up at him and gave him a nervous smile, "I was told that there weren't going to be any men in here today."
"I'm sorry," Helia shook his head, "could you please elaborate on that a bit? I am afraid that I don't understand."
Helia felt a heavy arm around his shoulders and he looked over to his side and found Musa hanging onto him.
"Flora," Musa said, "you will be fine. The art department has seen it all before and so has Helia. Plus as his cousin, I'll beat his ass if he does anything weird."
"What is going on?" Helia asked.
Musa explained, "I asked for Flora to be the subject of my project and we were going to be taking the photos today. She's just a bit nervous."
"Well I don't know what you are doing but you can be sure that the art department strives to make all of the students comfortable with their art." Helia looked down at the nervous woman.
Musa slid off of Helia and walked over to Flora and pulled her to her feet. Grabbing the large black backpack on the floor, Musa led Flora to a small covered section in the back of the classroom.
"Just get ready while I set up," Musa instructed. "Let me know when you are ready for me to put everything on you."
Musa walked back over to her desk and pulled her camera bag out of her backpack.
"Helia, can you set up the lights in the corner of the room?" Musa asked as she took out her camera and began setting up the lens.
Helia nodded his head and walked over to the desk and grabbed the key to the equipment closet. Walking to the door at the side of the classroom, Helia unlocked and opened the door before he began pulling out the tall light stands. He walked them over to the back corner of the room where Musa was setting up a table.
"I'll finish hooking this up but you put them where you want." Helia said.
He walked back to the equipment closet and pulled out the cords to attach to the lights.
"Mirta!" Musa shouted, "Do you mind if we dim the lights?"
A girl with short red hair turned to Musa and smiled, "No, I am just editing my film so go ahead and do what you see fit."
"Thanks!" Musa smiled before walking over to the lights and dimming them.
Helia finished connecting the lights and plugged them in, the corner of the room brightening and becoming warmer.
"Here you are." Helia said before he stood to his feet and rubbed his hands on his pants.
"Thank, cuz." Musa smiled.
"I am ready." a small voice came from behind the small partition.
"Okay, I am on my way."
Musa set down her camera and walked to the partition. Helia walked back to the desk at the front and sat down. He pulled out his laptop to hopefully get some work done for his research while the rest of the class was working on their projects. He took a sip of his now lukewarm tea and began typing out the notes from the meeting.
"Uh, Helia."
Helia looked up and saw Musa standing by the lights, her palms up and out.
"What?" Helia gave an exasperated sigh.
"I need to run to the bathroom to wash my hands. Can you please adjust the lights for me?"
"Musa, you know that I can't do that. You have to do it yourself." Helia groaned.
"Please?" Musa pleaded, "I can't even reach the knob to adjust the height."
"Go wash your hands and if you want my help you will have to instruct me." Helia conceded.
"Thank you!" Musa smiled before running out of the classroom and to the bathroom down the hallway.
Helia threw back the rest of his tea down his throat before he walked to the back corner of the classroom, bringing his research and laptop with him. He sat at one of the desks in the back and opened his laptop again before typing.
He heard the door open and Musa walked back in the room, wiping her damp hands on her blue jeans.
"Flora!" Musa shouted, "Let's get going!"
Flora walked out behind the partition wearing a dark green robe. Her hair was slicked back and coated with mud. She had on a diamond headpiece and mud was artfully placed across her face.
"Come stand over here." Musa instructed. "Helia, we will need your help for the set up."
Helia closed his laptop and stood up by the lights. He waited as he watched Musa help Flora onto the table and began talking about the vision for the project. She still looked nervous as she listened.
"You'll be fine, Flora." Musa gave her a small smile. "You're one of my best friends and I won't let anything happen. We can stop any time you want."
Flora took in a deep breath before she nodded her head.
"Okay," Musa smiled before stepping back behind the lights, "when you're ready."
Helia did his best not to gawk as Flora slowly dropped the green robe. She was nude underneath save for the mud that streaked her body and the jewels that were hanging on her body. His eyes trailed up her body, tracing every smooth curve until his eyes landed on her green ones.
"You okay, Flora?" Musa asked.
"It's just a bit cold."
"Yeah, they keep it cold in here so that you won't boil under the lights." Musa replied as she fiddled with her camera to get everything set up.
"I want to do some test shots so can you get up on the table, Flora? You don't need to pose, just sit there."
Flora gave a small nod and climbed on top of the table. Her body glowed under the lights and Helia never wanted to be a table more in his life.
Musa was right, this was not the first time that had seen a naked woman. He sketched nude models in class before and even took a class on body art. But she was different.
"Helia," Musa said as she looked into the camera's screen to review the photos she took, "can you lower the left light."
Helia walked over to the left light and lowered the black bar that held up the light. He turned to Musa, "Is that alright?"
Musa raised her camera and took a few more shots before looking at her photos, "Perfect. Thank you, Helia."
"Yeah, no problem." Helia huffed as he returned to the desk near the set.
"Okay, Flora." Musa held up her camera, "Time to get started. I will try to be quick but remember your light and what the project is about. Greed and the dirty side of wealth."
Flora took in a deep breath and nodded before she began to pose.
Helia heard the camera shutter go off and the lights flashed as Musa took shots. He did his best to focus on his work before he heard Musa speak.
"Hmm, I am thinking about something more primitive and carnal. You just trudged through the mud for those jewels and you would do anything for riches. Seduce the viewer."
"Seduce?" Flora questioned.
"I don't know." Musa looked over to her cousin, "Help me explain this, Helia."
Helia looked up at Musa, "This is your project."
"Krystal would have helped me."
"I am not Krystal."
Helia heard a small giggle escape from Flora's lips. Never had such a sweet sound landed on his ears.
"Just think of something or someone you desire. Dig deep into your primal urges." Helia explained.
"Thank you, Helia." Musa gestured, "Now was that so hard?"
Helia shook his head before returning back to his work.
"Just think of Karel." Musa teased.
"You know that we are just friends!" Flora exclaimed. "And he doesn't particularly like women all that much."
"Well think about a man or woman that you want to fuck."
"Musa!" Flora blushed.
"I'll just turn on some music." Musa rolled her eyes and pulled out her phone before blasting some music.
"Don't turn on your sex playlist." Flora narrowed her eyes.
"Just get up there and pose. I'm not paying you in tea for nothing." Musa winked at Flora.
Flora readjusted herself on the table and began to pose again. Helia heard the shutter go off a few more times and saw the lights flash in the corner of his eye.
"Ugh, Helia."
"I'm not helping." Helia held up a hand as he continued to work on his research assignment.
"Flora is not getting it."
"Maybe you should find another model." Helia shrugged as he typed.
"Can you stop being so rude and just get over here?"
"I can't as your TA."
"As my cousin?" Musa asked.
"I'm less likely to help you then."
"I am going to make winter break Hell for you if you don't help. I'll tell my dad that you really want to go hunting with him and we all know how much you hate it."
Helia slammed his laptop shut and shot up to his feet. He marched over to the lit corner of the room and glared at his younger cousin, "What do you want me to do?"
"Go help, Flora." Musa commanded.
"That's not a lot of direction." Helia rolled his eyes.
"Just go help her." Musa shooed him away.
Helia walked towards the table and did his best not to stare at the naked woman laying across the table.
"I'm not very good at this." Flora held her head down.
"Don't worry about it." Helia gave her a small smile.
"But I don't want Musa to fail because of me." Flora sighed.
"She won't fail. Plus you are just the subject. Mirta took photos of plants and she won't fail because the flower wasn't perfect. It's Musa's assignment to make the photos look good, not your assignment."
Flora looked up at Helia and gave him a smile.
"Are you just uncomfortable?" Helia asked, "I assure you that you don't need to be but I won't judge you if you are. I have to be in the classroom but just know that we all know that what you are doing is art, not an invitation."
"Thank you." Flora whispered.
Helia smiled down at Flora as she blushed.
"Wait!" Musa exclaimed.
"What?" Helia turned to face his young cousin.
"Stay right there, Helia." Musa instructed as she ran to the black backpack and pulled out the small jar of mud. "Take off your shirt, Helia."
"Excuse me?"
"Please please please?!" Musa begged, "I need you in this shoot. The artistic genius came to me. I'll buy you an extra gift for Hanukkah. You'll get an extra night."
Helia looked at Musa and narrowed his eyes, "Fine."
Helia walked over to his desk and quickly took off his dark grey thermal shirt before leaving him in a pair of black jeans. Walking back over to the corner, he stood there with his arms crossed, waiting for more instruction.
Musa walked over to Flora and held out the jar of mud, "Put this on him, I don't want to get my hands messy again."
Flora's breath hitched when Musa walked away.
"Don't worry," Helia said, "I can do it myself."
"No! Flora will do it." Musa exclaimed from the other side of the set as she looked down.
"Why?" Helia asked.
"I want to capture the moment."
"What exactly is this project?" Helia chuckled.
"I'll get you the new Rob Cross brushes if you stop asking questions." Musa looked up Helia.
Helia groaned as he turned to Flora, "Sorry about her."
"It's okay, she is my friend."
"And she's my family."
The same sweet giggle came out of her mouth that made Helia's mind spin.
Flora took the jar of mud in her hand and unscrewed the top before digging her hand inside and scooping out some of the deep brown mud.
"It comes from my garden." Flora remarked as she looked down at her hand.
"You garden?" Helia asked, trying to make Flora feel more comfortable.
"Yes, I even have a work study at the greenhouse."
"That must be exciting." Helia smiled. "Is that in your department?"
"Sort of, I major in cell biology and I have been working in the greenhouse since my sophomore year. Now I work with the grad students which is a little annoying since I am the only senior undergrad in the group and they treat me like a baby."
"And how does a baby in cell biology find themselves in a place like this?" Helia chuckled.
"Aren't you a PhD candidate in neuroscience? I have seen your picture outside of the department office in the science building."
"I am and don't tell my parents this," Helia leaned into Flora, "but art is my true love."
Flora blushed at the close proximity of his lips to her ear. She had to admit that he was attractive and it didn't hurt that he was doing his best to make her feel comfortable.
"I don't have all day." Musa called out as she tapped her foot, growing impatient.
"I...I guess I should start." Flora took in a deep breath.
"Hey, just think of me as an easel and the mud is your paint."
"Easels aren't chiseled like a God." Flora mumbled under her breath.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Flora took a deep breath and slowly dragged the mud across Helia's chest. He shuddered.
"Cold." Helia chuckled. While it was the truth, he wouldn't admit the part where he was shuddering because of her touch.
"Sorry." Flora blushed.
"I'll warm up."
Sensing that she was still nervous due to her shaking hands, Helia drew a smiley face in the mud that was on his chest.
"Art." Helia smiled. Flora laughed at a result.
Flora quickly rubbed more mud on his torso, her hands trailing the muscles on his abdomen. She took a finger and drew a flower and smiled.
Helia noticed the shutters go off and remembered that Musa was standing only a few feet in front of him and Flora. He also noticed the music continuing to play music that would be better played in a club or a bedroom. Helia took a quick glance around and noticed that the room was empty except for him, Musa, and Flora.
"Spread the mud to other areas." Musa instructed.
Flora took her mud covered hand and rubbed it down Helia's arms. Her smile faded and she was now looking into his deep blue eyes. Helia felt something pull him closer to Flora but he resisted. Flora raised her hand and lightly moved her muddy hand across his face. Her breath hit his nose and it smelled of peaches.
She moved closer to him, her lips mere inches away from him.
"Helia," Helia's attention was brought back to Musa, "get on the table with Flora."
Helia cleared his throat before he slowly sat on the table next to Flora.
"Okay, Helia lie down." Musa pointed.
Helia did as he was told and laid down on his back, "Now, Flora. Hover above him."
"What?" Flora asked.
"You're an animal going in for the kill. Kind of crouch down and hover above him. Spread the mud around. Be sexy!"
"Calm down, Musa." Helia rolled his eyes.
"Just do it."
Flora crawled on top of Helia and perched above him. She tried to look anywhere that wasn't his eyes, lips, or body. She honestly didn't think that she could look anywhere on him without turning red.
"Hey," Helia whispered, "you're doing fine."
Flora looked down on him and smiled. She closed her eyes and began to smear the mud on his body. Her hands trembled as they made their way across his torso.
"Good, Flora. Look into the camera." Musa instructed. Flora was thankful that she now had somewhere to look that wasn't Helia.
Helia looked up at Flora as her attention was off of him. He examined how her hands sat on his chest, her fingers pressing in slightly. He looked at her legs that were bent crouching above him. His eyes trailed up her body and he gulped when he reached her bare mound between her legs then up to her full and perky breasts. Her stomach was smooth and her arms were limber. Fuck she looked amazing.
His body took over and his fingers lightly dragged up Flora's leg. She gasped but still kept her focus on Musa.
"Oh, Flora! I love that face you just made." Musa smiled.
"Sorry." Helia whispered.
"Do it again." Flora commanded quietly.
"Um..."
"It worked, touch me again."
Helia raised his hand again and ran his fingers on the back of her leg. He felt her shiver underneath his touch.
"Cold?" Helia asked.
"No." Flora sighed.
Helia's hand traveled up further and Flora's fingers dug deeper into Helia's chest.
"Love the tension." Musa said as she snapped more photos. "Turn your body a little more, Flora." Flora turned her body. "Can you straddle Helia? Kind of like you pinned down your prey."
Helia looked up at a nervous Flora, "Musa better be glad that I really want that tea blend."
Helia chuckled, "I can't believe that you are doing this for tea."
"It was one that she got during her study abroad last year." Flora shrugged. "And I can't believe that you are doing this for some art brushes."
"I'm all for doing anything to get an extra Hanukkah gift." Helia shrugged.
Flora giggled before she swung a leg over Helia's body so that she was now straddling him. She placed her hands on both sides of his head and looked down into his eyes. The lights went off as Musa took photos.
"I would love to paint you sometime." Helia said.
"What?" Flora blushed.
"Your eyes are striking." Helia commented.
"T...th...thank you." Flora stammered.
"Quit blushing, Flora." Musa placed a hand on her hip and stared at Flora. "Helia, quit talking to her."
"I'm just trying to make her feel comfortable." Helia snapped back.
"Well I need her to be fierce." Musa said, "Flora, just block out Helia. You don't care what he says and all you want to do is fuck him."
Flora tensed up, "Musa..."
"Musa, don't say things like that. She is already uncomfortable." Helia scolded his younger cousin.
"I'm sorry, Flora." Musa groaned, "I just..."
"I think that I made a mistake doing this." Flora sighed as she swung her legs off of Helia and hopped off the table.
Helia watched as she picked up her robe and walked behind the partition in the opposite corner. He turned and glared in exasperation at Musa.
"Musa-"
"Don't." Musa hung her head down as she began to disassemble her camera and turned off the lights.
Helia rose from the table and walked over to his shirt before pulling it over his body, dry mud flaking off of his skin. He glanced over to the clock and was glad that there was only a few minutes left of class. When he was dressed he helped Musa put away the lighting equipment.
"I just thought that she just needed to loosen up." Musa sighed.
"You shouldn't have pushed her. She was obviously uncomfortable and I don't think that I helped being here. Maybe you should talk to Krystal about an extension." Helia shrugged.
"I'll ask." Musa walked over to her camera bag and put her camera inside before zipping it up and putting it in her backpack.
Musa swung the bag over her shoulder as she walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Helia asked.
"I don't think that Flora wants to talk to me right now." Musa looked back at Helia before turning and walking out of the room.
Helia shook his head in disappointment before walking to the desk that had his work on it and brought his laptop and papers back with him to the desk. He sat down and continued to work while he waited for Flora to get dressed so that they could both leave the room.
Hearing footsteps, Helia looked up to find Flora reappear from behind the partition with the black backpack slung over her shoulder. She was back in her pink sweater and blue jeans.
"Where did Musa go?" Flora asked.
"She left."
"Oh," Flora held her head down, "she must be angry with me for ruining her project. Without this class she won't graduate and it's all my fault."
"Don't feel bad," Helia closed his laptop and began packing up his things, "Musa was being ridiculous. It was obvious that you were uncomfortable and as a TA, I should have stepped in and done more to stop her. I am sorry, Flora."
Flora's head rose and she gave a faint smile towards Helia.
Helia smiled at her, "Do you want to go grab lunch?"
"Me?"
"Who else would I be talking to?" Helia chuckled, "Yes you."
"Really?" Flora's eyes lit up.
"Yeah, why not?" Helia chuckled.
"Sure!"
The first semester ended and winter break was here. Helia had finished the preliminary part of his research and was currently packing up his car. He and Musa would drive to their grandparent's house where they would spend the winter break.
Closing the trunk and looking at his watch, Helia sighed when he saw that they were behind schedule. Pulling out his phone, Helia dialed Musa's number and waited for her to pick up.
"What?" Musa asked on the other end of the phone.
"Where are you?"
"I'm coming! Goodness gracious can you wait?" Musa asked.
"We are running behind." Helia scolded, "I told you to be at the car at 10 and it is now 10:13."
"I'm almost there. Calm down."
Helia heard Musa end the call and groaned. He put his phone in his pocket and got inside of the warm, running car. He angled the heat towards him and turned up the heat. The snow was getting thick and Helia was going to leave if Musa didn't hurry up.
Hearing a knock on his window, Helia looked up to see Musa standing outside with her large red duffle bag in her hand.
"Finally." Helia groaned as he opened the door and stepped out of the car to open the trunk and help Musa with her bag.
"Sorry I am late." Musa smiled, "We have a guest."
Helia turned and saw Flora standing by the trunk with a pink duffle bag. His breath hitched as he looked at the tan beauty in a dark green coat and white pants. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold and her lips were slightly chapped from the dry air. She still looked as lovely as ever.
Since the project, Helia and Flora remained cordial with each other. They would smile at each other in the hallways and when their friends would hang out together, he and Flora were comfortable around each other. On occasion, they would even grab a quick lunch together when their schedules allowed. But nothing more ever happened. They both were too scared to say anything.
"Hi." Flora greeted lightly.
"Hello," Helia smiled. He turned to Musa, "I was unaware that there would be another person."
"Her flight back home was cancelled and I called grandpa and oma to see if they were okay with another person."
Helia glanced over to Flora as he opened the trunk. She was quiet as she watched his arm lift up the cover of the trunk.
"We need to get going or we are going to incur Oma's wrath if we are late." Helia said as he watched Musa and Flora put their bags in the trunk.
"Yeah, yeah, she'll live." Musa rolled her eyes as she shut the trunk.
"She will but I don't know if we will." Helia smirked.
Musa climbed into the front passenger side and Flora slid into the back. Helia took his place in the driver's seat and they were off to their grandparent's house for the holidays.
Reaching the large brick house, Flora was woken up when she felt a light tapping on her knee. Her eyes opened to see Musa announcing that they were at their destination.
Flora got out of the car and grabbed her bag out of the trunk. She followed Helia and Musa into the large house where she would spend the next two weeks. She was sad that she was going to miss Christmas at her parent's house but she was glad that her friend was so kind to invite her to spend the holidays with her family.
Walking into the warm house, Flora felt the smell of spices hit her nose and the sound of people came from all throughout the house.
"Grandpa! Oma!" Musa shouted, "We are here!"
Soon a small old woman wearing a purple blouse and a black ankle length skirt came hobbling out of the kitchen. Her hair was wrapped in a floral scarf and her skin was wrinkled.
"Musa, my scheifele. You are here!" the old woman exclaimed before turning to Helia, "Bubeleh! You get more handsome everytime I see you. But please, for me, cut your hair."
Helia rolled his eyes as he gave the old woman a hug, "Oma..."
Pulling away from Helia, Oma looked over to Flora, "Who is this?"
"Oma," Musa smiled as she gestured to Flora, "this is my friend, Flora. The friend that I told you about."
"Ah yes," the old woman smiled at Flora, "welcome to my home."
"Your home?" Musa giggled, "What about grandpa?"
"I cook, clean, and have raised three children in this house while your grandfather schlepped around. This is my house."
"Whatever you say, Oma." Musa rolled her eyes. "Come on, Flora, we can take our stuff to our room."
"No no no," the old woman interjected, "Helia, go take Musa's and Flora's things to their room."
Helia sighed as he held out his arm for Flora and Musa to put their bags on. Musa was quick to put her bag on his arm.
"I don't mind." Flora replied timidly.
"Flora, schatzeleh, Helia will take your bag." the old woman instructed. "You two will help me peel potatoes."
"I really don't mind." Helia looked down at Flora and smiled.
Flora reluctantly gave Helia her bag before he bounded up the stairs to take up their things. Flora and Musa followed the old woman into the kitchen where there were women standing around an island countertop preparing food and men sitting at the table drinking and chatting. Children were sitting in the living room playing.
"Oma puts all the women to work in the kitchen." Musa leaned over to Flora. "But don't worry because if the men mess up the shehecheyanu, Oma is going to be pissed. Plus, they have to clean up."
Flora gave a slight nod of understanding.
Musa led Flora to the countertop where the other women were standing preparing food.
"Musa," one of the women beamed, "you are here."
"Hi, Aunt Jen." Musa smiled.
"And who is this?" Jen asked.
"This is Flora, a friend of mine from school."
"Ah, welcome, Flora." Jen turned to Flora and smiled. The rest of the women gave Flora a warm greeting.
"I am excited to be here. Musa said that your family gatherings are always so lively."
"That's just Musa's nice way of telling you that we are loud." one of the women chuckled.
Musa grabbed a bowl of washed potatoes and a knife. She handed Flora a cloth, "When they hand you a bowl of potato slices, squeeze the water out in this."
Flora smiled at Musa as she waited for the chopped potatoes so that she could do her job. She looked around the room at all the smiling faces, save for two of the men at the table who were engaged in a heated argument about sports. Flora chuckled to herself as she looked at the argument. Her attention turned to the entrance of the kitchen when she noticed Helia walking in, no longer wearing his coat. He wore a light blue button up shirt and tan pants. His hair was pulled up into a bun and she felt herself becoming hot as he walked up to the women at the counter.
"Helia," one of the women greeted as she cut raspberries, "my have you grown."
"I don't think that I have, Aunt Ruth. I am twenty-five, I think that I have stopped growing."
"You look different." Ruth shrugged.
"It's because of that hair." Oma pointed to Helia with a knife in her hand. "Don't you think that he would look more handsome if he cut his hair?"
"I like his hair." a small woman responded.
"Thank you, mom." Helia smiled.
Flora turned to look at the woman more carefully after hearing Helia refer to her as his mother. She shared Helia's pale skin and blue eyes but that was where the similarities ended. Her hair was thick, curly, and brown. Her eyes were wide and her face was more rounded than Helia's. Helia also towered over her. He must get most of his looks from his father.
Helia walked and stood next to Flora and reached across her to start peeling potatoes. He threw a towel over his shoulder and began peeling.
"Have you been introduced to everyone yet?" Helia asked Flora.
Flora looked up at Helia, "No, but I know that is your mom, she is your Aunt Jen, the taller woman is Ruth, and that is Oma."
"Great memory." Helia gave Flora a smile.
"You can thank cell biology for that." Flora giggled.
"Well, sitting at the head of the table is grandpa. He will probably fall asleep shortly after the candle lighting or storm off to bed when he loses all his gelt. The two men arguing are my uncles Josh, who is married to Aunt Jen, and my uncle Peter who is married to Aunt Ruth. The other man is Ho-Boe, Musa's dad. Then there are my cousins Colin and Ezra, they are our age."
"Who is the other man?" Flora asked, pointing to the older Asian man at the other end of the table.
"Oh, that's my dad. He is usually quiet at these functions."
"Does he not get along with the others?"
"No, he does." Helia chuckled, "Oma likes him the best because he doesn't talk back. He, Uncle Peter, and Aunt Jen are married in and tend to not want to overstep. My mom Sarah, Uncle Josh, and Aunt Ruth are my Oma and Grandpa's children."
"What about Ho-Boe?" Flora asked, growing confused.
"Musa's mom and my dad are siblings. Aunt Matlin died a few years back. My dad and Aunt Matlin would spend holidays with us since Nonna and Pop live in Italy. Musa and Uncle Ho-Boe are like honorary Kauffmans." Helia explained.
"I see." Flora smiled as she did her best to wrap her head around the family connections, "So who do Ezra and Colin belong to?" Flora asked as she looked at the two young men at the table.
"Ezra and Colin are brothers and my Uncle Josh's kids. Aunt Ruth and Uncle Peter have two older children as well. Rebecca and her husband Liam live with their kids out of state and couldn't make it because of the weather. Gabriel is around here somewhere, and that is his wife Hannah." Helia indicated to the other woman at the edge of the counter, "Their children are around here somewhere. I hear them."
"How many children are there?" Flora asked.
"They have four. Gina, Esther, Adam, and Penny."
One of the children came running into the kitchen.
"Penny, please stop running." Hannah scolded the young girl who looked to be no older than six years old.
"Mommy, Gina told me to come ask you when we are opening presents." Penny said, out of breath after running.
"You both know that we don't open presents until the sun goes down."
"Well how long is that going to take?"
"We are about to have dinner and then it should be dark. We then have to light the candles and then we can open our first presents." Hannah smiled down at her young daughter.
"That's too many things to do." Penny threw her head back and complained.
"Penelope Rose..." Hannah warned her daughter.
Penny huffed and stormed off to tell her siblings the bad news.
"I didn't bring gifts for everyone." Flora whispered.
"You are a guest. You didn't need to." Helia shrugged.
"I don't even know much about this holiday." Flora's voice was filled with worry.
Helia smiled as he continued to peel potatoes, "That's alright. Not many people do. It's really not that big of a holiday but when we have to compete with Christmas, we gotta make it look like a big deal." Helia turned his head to look at Flora, "But if you are invited for Passover, you better make sure that you come in prepared."
Flora giggled and looked down when she was handed a bowl of potato slices.
"What do I do now?" Flora leaned over to Musa and asked.
"Take the potatoes and wrap them in the towel and squeeze out as much water as you can. I don't want soggy latkes."
Flora opened the cloth and dumped the potatoes on top of it. She wrapped the cloth around the potatoes and began squeezing the liquid back into the bowl.
As she squeezed she noticed how close she and Helia were standing to each other. Her elbows almost touching his caused the small hairs on her arm to stand straight up. She felt her body become warmer as she felt Helia's body heat hitting her. Her heart felt heavy as she watched his hand drag the knife artfully over the potato.
"Hey there." Flora's attention was pulled away from Helia when he saw a man who appeared to be around her age walk up to the counter.
"Hi," Flora smiled, "you must be Colin or Ezra."
"I'm Ezra," Ezra extended his hand, " you can tell that it is me because I'm the cuter one."
Flora gave a light chuckle as she looked at the young man with olive skin and silky brown hair. His eyes were hazel and his jaw was strong.
"When Musa said she was bringing a friend, I wasn't expecting her to be so pretty." Ezra leaned against the countertop as he brought a glass of iced tea to his lips.
Flora blushed and looked down, "I am thankful to be here."
"I'm sorry to hear that you weren't able to spend time with your family."
"It's alright," Flora smiled, "I'll see them over spring break for my birthday."
"You know that as a guest you don't have to do what Oma tells you." Ezra leaned over to say into Flora's ear.
Helia tried his best to hide the glare towards his younger cousin who had been too close to Flora for his liking.
"I don't mind." Flora replied as she continued to squeeze.
"Give it here." Ezra held out his hand and shook his head.
Flora handed Ezra the towel filled with potatoes and gave it a tight squeeze, a deluge of water escaping from the cloth.
"So how do you and Helia know each other?" Ezra asked.
Flora felt a blush come to her cheek as she thought about their first encounter in the art room. She was naked, covered with mud and jewelry.
"Are you two together?" Ezra questioned before taking a sip of his tea.
"No." Helia replied as he continued to cut potatoes. Flora tried her best to not show her disappointment.
"You two seem close, did you two fuck or something?" Ezra asked bluntly, earning a swift slap on the back of his head from his mother.
"Ezra Kauffman!" Jen shouted.
"Ow, Ma!" Ezra grabbed the back of his head.
"We met when I was helping Musa with an art project." Flora timidly replied.
"Ah, too bad. But maybe that is good news for me." Ezra took another sip of his tea. "I was telling Muse over the phone about going out tonight, you wanna come?"
"I think that I am going to pass," Flora politely declined, "the car ride was long and I would much rather stay in."
"Alright," Ezra smiled, "if you change your mind, you are more than welcome to join. We are going to leave after I clear grandpa of his gelt in a high stakes dreidel game. You want in?"
"I don't know how to play."
"Do you know how to spin a top?" Ezra asked.
"Yes."
"Then you will be fine. I'll help you out."
Ezra turned when he heard his name being called by the little kids in the living room.
"Duty calls." Ezra chuckled, "It was nice meeting you, Flora."
"Likewise." Flora gave Ezra a small smile before taking the cloth of potatoes back.
The rest of the night was spent talking, eating, and celebrating. Flora watched as the large family teased each other and their near fights during the dreidel game. She enjoyed participating in the lighting of the candles. However, her eyes couldn't help but not to look at Helia. Everyone loved him, especially his grandmother. He got well with the younger kids and he was able to hold his own with the older adults. He was quiet like his dad and during the dreidel game, he was mediator between his uncles, cousins, and grandpa.
Helia walked over to Flora and sat down next to her.
"Sorry you had to see that." Helia leaned over and whispered into her ear, referring to the fight between Colin and his Uncle Peter during the dreidel game.
"I don't mind." Flora smiled, "It makes it feel more like home."
"I hope you aren't too sad about not being home for the holidays."
"Not at all." Flora placed a hand on Helia's hand, "Your family is lovely and they love you a lot."
"I think that they are starting to love you too." Helia looked down into Flora's green eyes, once again becoming frozen by her gaze.
Flora pulled her hand away and gave Helia a polite smile before standing up from her spot on the floor and walked over to the small table in the living room where there were treats. Flora grabbed what looked to be a small doughnut and walked back to where she was previously sitting but Helia had moved back to his original spot next to his cousins.
It was time to open presents and the family gathered around as they ate the chocolate that they won during their dreidel game and ate sufganiyot. Music played as the room was filled with anticipation for their gifts.
"For you." Flora looked up as Musa handed her a card.
"Me?" Flora asked as she slowly took the card after she wiped her hands of the powdered sugar and raspberry jam on her napkin.
"Yes, now open it." Musa giggled.
"I have a gift for you but it's upstairs." Flora said.
"Eh, just give it to me whenever."
Flora smiled as she opened the card. She read the heartfelt words on the front but when she opened the card, her face became flushed and she quickly shut the card. Tucked in the card was a picture of her from Musa's project. She was nude and on top of Helia. In the photo she was smiling down at him and she never realized how close she had been to him in the moment. The photo looked sweet but erotic at the same time. Flora was thankful that the photo was in black and white which made it seem a little more tasteful.
"Musa..." Flora looked up at her friend, her face hot and flushed.
"I thought that it would make you feel better to know that I got an A on my project."
Flora rolled her eyes and looked over at Helia who was also beet red as he held a card.
"You didn't." Flora looked back at Musa.
"Oh but I did." Musa smirked, "Happy Hanukkah. We have seven more nights."
Flora watched as Musa walked over to Colin and Ezra as they opened their gifts. Flora tucked away her card and looked over to Helia who had hid the card under the rest of his small stack of gifts.
"We are about to head out, are you sure that you don't want to join?" Flora looked up from her seat to see Ezra standing in front of her with Musa and Colin.
"No, I think that I am going to head to bed."
"If you change your mind, we will be at Al's Bar." Ezra smiled. "Here," Ezra handed Flora a chocolate coin, "buy yourself something nice."
Flora laughed before he waved and walked out of the room with Musa and Colin. She opened the chocolate coin and began to eat away at the chocolate.
Flora took a deep breath before she stood up from her seat. She said goodnight to the rest of the room before she headed upstairs to get ready for bed.
She changed into her short pink lace nightgown before she walked down the hall with her toothbrush and toothpaste in her hand. As she made her way there, she ran into Helia.
"Oh, sorry." Flora blushed.
"It's alright." Helia replied nervously.
What was Musa thinking putting that picture in their cards? Now Flora was an awkward mess around Helia. Well, more so than she had been before. Helia didn't seem to be faring any better.
"I want to apologize for Musa's actions." Helia said, "What she did wasn't right and I'll be sure to yell at her in the morning."
"You don't need to."
"No, I do." Helia gave her a small smile, "And I enjoy doing it from time to time."
"She definitely can be impulsive at times."
"She just gets excited." Helia chuckled. "But she doesn't know when to quit sometimes."
Helia looked down at Flora's hands carrying her toothbrush and toothpaste, "I hope that you sleep well tonight, Flora."
"Thank you, you too." Flora smiled.
His eyes lingered on her lips, his heart beating a million beats a minute. He wanted to reach out and touch her but he wouldn't. He has wanted to touch her since he saw her. How was he going to survive the rest of the winter break with her sleeping only two rooms down from him.
Blinking slowly, Helia walked down the hall and escaped into the room that he was staying in.
Flora brushed her teeth before she returned to her room and closed the door. She pulled out her hairbrush from her bag and began to brush through her long brown hair. There was a knock on the door and Flora walked towards the door to open it.
When Flora opened the door, she saw Helia standing in front of her changed into a white t-shirt and gray sweatpants.
"Helia, wha-"
Flora was cut off when Helia barged into the room, his hands on her face and his lips crashing down on hers. He kicked the door closed as he walked further into the room, taking Flora with him.
Helia ended the kiss as he pulled away from Flora, his hands still cupping her jaw.
"What?" Flora looked up at Helia, her words coming out in an exhale.
"I have wanted to do that for weeks."
"Oh."
"I am sorry if you don't feel the same way." Helia let go of Flora's face and put his head down.
"I do." Flora blushed. Helia's head shot back up. "I'm nearly twenty-two years old and I've never had a boyfriend or..." Flora trailed off. "I would see your photo on the outside of the neuroscience office and when I met you in the art room, I never thought that you would be interested in me beyond being your little cousin's friend."
"I don't think that you know what you do to me." Helia wrapped an arm around Flora's waist, pulling her closer to him. "The minute I saw you, I knew that you had to be mine. Your eyes drew me in and then when you came out from the partition...when you touched me with your mud...Flora, you have captured me in every way." Helia ran a hand through Flora's hair.
Flora wrapped her arms around Helia's neck and leaned forward. He bent his head down and completed the kiss, their lips connecting softly. Helia brought his other arm around Flora's waist and held her flushed against his body. She moved her hand and wrapped her arms around Helia's neck. She stood on her toes to deepen the kiss, her chest pressing against his. Helia's mind went wild as he took in her scent and felt her round breasts against his chest.
She tasted of sweet raspberries and chocolate from the celebration downstairs. He did his best to control his thoughts and hands. She had kissed him but he didn't know if she was interested anymore than a kiss.
Flora's arms moved from Helia's neck and her hands traveled down his chest sending shivers down Helia's spine. Her hands moved lower and grabbed the bottom of his shirt before pulling up at the material. Breaking the kiss momentarily Helia quickly took off his shirt and threw it to the corner of the room. He returned to the kiss, his hands once again cupping her slender jaw as she pulled her deeper into the kiss.
His lips were soft which had been contrary to the experiences that Flora had in the past. Her tongue began licking at the soft skin of his lips, acting with a mind of its own. Helia was more than happy to oblige to Flora's request. A moan escaped her lips as she took in Helia's taste. Salt from the latkes mixed with the apples that he ate with it.
"Helia," Flora gasped as she breathed in and her tongue licking at his lips, "I want you. Now."
At her words, Helia had kissed her deeper and harder than he had ever kissed anyone in his life. Her hands moved from his bare chest to the bottom of her nightgown before she broke from the kiss and pulled it over her head. She was nude underneath the nightgown.
Helia looked down at her and even though he had seen her naked before, this time it was all for him. His blue eyes became stormy as he scanned over Flora's body. He placed his hands on her bare waist and brought his lips down to her neck. Bending his knees, he picked Flora up, her legs wrapping around Helia's waist.
Her back met smooth and cool sheets as Helia placed her onto his bed. Through the light coming from the crack at the bottom of the doorway, Helia could see Flora laying on the bed, her naked body across the bed looking like a work of art. He leaned over the bed and hovered over Flora, pushing her up onto the bed. Crawling between her legs, Helia placed a hand on her breast and another above her head, his lips meeting the soft skin below her ear.
Flora moaned as she felt Helia's lips on her skin and his hand on her breast. She wanted him to touch her in the art room and she was over the moon that he was touching her now.
"Helia..." Flora mewled as she inhaled. Her hands tugging lightly on Helia's hair and her body arching into Helia's.
"Flora," Helia breathed into her ear between kisses, "Flora, Flora, Flora." He repeated her name like a prayer. He had prayed mere hours before at the menorah as he lit the candles with his family but his Oma would throw a fit if he were to admit that his adoration for Flora tasted sweeter on his tongue.
Moans filled the room as Helia sucked and nipped at the tender skin on her neck, sure to leave marks on her tan skin. Flora's leg began to rise as she felt herself becoming wetter and wetter. Her hips began to grind slowly against Helia's growing erection.
"Fuck, Flora." Helia growled, "You are going to have to stop doing that or I don't think that I am going to last much longer."
Flora's hands moved down to the waistband of Helia's sweatpants and pulled down. Helia sighed as he felt the cool air hit his cock. A gasp escaped his lips when he felt Flora's soft hand around it. She slowly began stroking, eliciting a groan from Helia. Her legs wrapped around Helia's waist, lining her wet pussy against Helia's hard cock.
"I didn't bring any condoms." Helia looked down at Flora. "And I don't think that Oma and Grandpa have any."
Flora rolled to her side and reached over the bed and onto the floor. She quickly dug into her bag and pulled out a small foil square. Helia looked at her, an eyebrow cocked.
"When I heard that I was going to be spending winter break with you I got...hopeful."
"Hopeful?"
"A girl can dream. And I dreamt a lot." Flora giggled before handing Helia the wrapped condom. "I have been dreaming about you since that day I was naked above you in the art room. I wanted you to just take me then and there but I knew that you wouldn't. I tried to control myself but you are so fucking sexy and smart and kind and..."
Helia placed his lips on Flora's in a gentle kiss. He tore open the condom wrapper before taking out the round piece of latex. He pulled away from Flora before rolling down the condom onto his hard member.
Flora's legs raised and Helia positioned himself in between. He placed his hands on Flora's hips, lining himself up at her slick entrance. Flora hissed at the feeling of his cock rubbing against her clitoris.
"Helia..." Flora whined, "please..."
Helia pushed forward, breaking through Flora's entrance and stretching her walls. She gasped as she felt Helia enter her. His lips met hers in a kiss.
"Shh, we have to be quiet." Helia whispered.
"I'll do my best."
Helia pulled out slightly, a moan escaping Flora's lips. He looked down at her and watched as her face scrunched up, getting used to the discomfort. His left hand moved from his hand to her cheek, holding her face and lightly rubbing her cheeks to relax her.
Moving his hips slowly, Helia felt Flora tighten around him, the muscles of her vagina clenching.
"You feel amazing, Flora." Helia ran his fingers through her hair. She opened her eyes and looked up at Helia.
Helia looked down into her bright green eyes and just like outside of the art room, he became transfixed. He tried his best not to laugh when he remembered that he still had to paint her eyes.
"You are the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen in my life." Helia sighed as he continued to gently rock in and out of her.
"Helia..." Flora moaned as she gripped Helia's arms. His muscles are tight and hard.
Helia placed another kiss on her lips as his movements became faster and faster. Flora's nails dug into the pale skin on his arms. Helia hissed as her sharp nails scratched his arms. Her moans grew louder than a whisper and Helia instinctively placed a hand over her mouth to muffle her moans.
"Do you want everyone to hear you?" Helia asked with a laugh.
"Mmmmmm..." Flora's eyes snapped shut as she mewled into Helia's hand. She lightly bit Helia's hand and he pulled it away.
"I want to be on top." Flora panted as her eyes pierced into his filled with hunger.
Helia had no objections and quickly pulled out of Flora and rolled over to the other side of the bed. He propped his torso up on a pile of pillows and held out his arms. Flora crawled on top of him and lined herself up. A moan escaped both his lips and hers as she slowly slid down to the base of his wet cock.
Flora slowly began to roll her hips as Helia's hands reached around and grabbed her round and firm ass. Her breast were flush against his chest and her arms were around his neck. Her moans turned into breathy pants as she stared into his eyes. Helia dared not to break eye contact with her in fear that if he looked away that she would disappear. She had him under her spell and Helia didn't want it any other way.
"You're mine," Helia growled into her ear as Flora slid up and down on him, "don't leave me."
Helia closed his eyes as he felt a tightening in his abdomen that was begging to be released. He didn't want it to. He never wanted this to end. He never wanted Flora to leave his arms.
Flora placed a kiss on Helia's lips as she continued to rock her hips faster and faster. Helia's hands moved from her ass to her back, wrapping his arms around her as he felt himself about explode. He felt as though he could feel the blood coursing through his body and his brain had never been so blank. He knew a lot about the brain being a neuroscience PhD candidate but what Flora did to him defied everything that he had ever learned. She was pure magic and art.
"Helia, I am going to..." Flora pressed her fingers into Helia's skin.
"Let it go, Flora. Come for me." Helia grunted into her ear.
As he felt Flora's sex clench down on him one last time, Helia quickly buried his head in the crook of Flora's neck and bit down on her shoulder. Flora let out a loud moan but Helia did nothing to stop it as he was trying to focus on remembering how to think and breathe as he came.
Flora huffed as she fell into Helia, out of breath and wanting to be close to him. Helia fell back onto the pillows and pulled her close to him. His cock was becoming limp as he had regained his composure. Sliding out of Flora, Helia picked her up and placed her on the other side of the bed before getting off the bed and discarding the filled condom.
Picking up his sweatpants, Helia put them back on before walking back over to the bed. Flora looked at him tentatively, not sure what he was thinking. Had he enjoyed it as much as she had? Did he realize that he just made a huge mistake? Did he not think anything of it?
"I should go back to my room." Helia said as he reached down and picked up his shirt.
Flora sat up on the bed and pulled the blanket over her body, feeling as self-conscious as she had in the art room the first time they met.
"Did...did you not...enjoy it?" Flora asked, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
Helia's heart ached as he looked down at the naked woman in his bed. He quickly sat down on the bed and wrapped his arms around Flora.
"No no no no, I have never felt anything like that before in my life. Flora, I really do like you...a lot actually. Flora, I want you, every part of you. You are mine," Helia ran a hand through her thick and messy hair, "and I am yours. But I just don't want anyone to walk in on us together before we are ready to tell anyone."
Flora knew that he was talking about Musa since they were sharing a room during the holidays.
"So you want to be with me? Even after we..."
"Of course or else I wouldn't have-wait. Do you not want to be with me?" Helia's eyebrows furrowed.
"I do!" Flora exclaimed, "I do want to be with you."
Helia smiled before kissing Flora's lips.
"I'll see you in the morning." Helia smiled.
"Goodnight, Helia. Happy Hanukkah." Flora placed a kiss on his cheek before he stood up from the bed.
"Goodnight, Flora."
After Helia snuck out of the room, Flora walked over to the middle of the room and picked up her nightgown and redressed herself. She returned to the bed and crawled under the blankets before falling asleep.
The next morning, after a hot shower, Flora bounded down the stairs to the kitchen where she smelled pancakes.
Entering the kitchen she saw Helia's grandmother and grandfather and his parents.
"Good morning." Flora smiled.
"Ah good morning, Schatzeleh." Oma greeted Flora as she was stirring batter while Helia's mother was pouring the batter into the pan. Flora looked over to Helia's dad who was sitting at the table drinking a mug of coffee and reading the paper. Helia's grandfather was regaling last night's intense dreidel game (nobody was listening).
"Is there anything that I can do?" Flora asked.
"No, dear." Sarah answered as she flipped over a pancake.
"Are you sure?" Flora asked.
"Yes, you just relax." Sarah smiled as she turned to face Flora.
Flora heard noises upstairs before she heard someone come down the stairs. Flora looked behind her and her heart flipped when she saw Helia standing in the doorway. She gave him a small smile and as he walked by, he placed a hand on her lower back under the guise that he was trying to scoot by her. But his hand lingered after he had passed leaving Flora's heart to skip a beat.
"Good morning, bubeleh." Oma greeted as Helia reached in the cabinet for a mug and a packet of tea.
"Good morning, Oma." Helia smiled as he grabbed the electric kettle and filled it up with water.
"Did you sleep well?" Oma asked.
"I did." Helia replied as he placed the kettle on the base and flipped on the switch, "Sorry I turned in early."
"You didn't stay for the wine and cheese."
"I'm sorry, Oma. I had some things to take care of last night." Helia stole a quick glance towards Flora who was sitting at the table with his father and grandfather.
"Helia!" Oma slapped his arm, "Offer Flora some tea!"
"Yes, ma'am." Helia laughed, "Flora, do you want some tea?"
"I would love some." Flora replied with a smile. "What kinds are there?"
Helia looked up and read off the tea blends, Flora decided on a morning blend, hoping it would wake her up more for the rest of the day and night with Helia's family.
"Did you ever go out with Musa and the boys?" Sarah asked as she pulled off pancakes from the pan.
"No, I was too tired." Flora replied, "I just went straight to bed."
"Really?" Helia's dad replied, "I thought that I heard movement happening upstairs."
He looked over the top of the newspaper as he looked at Flora.
A small blush creeped over her face, "I was unpacking some things."
"I thought I heard a yell," Helia's dad looked at Flora with concern, "is everything alright?"
"Yes, I realized that I had forgotten something at school." Flora quickly thought.
"I see." Helia's dad replied before returning his attention back to his paper.
Flora looked back over to Helia who was staring at her conversation with his father. Hoping that he did not suspect anything. Both of them knew that the "yell" that Helia's father heard was Flora's orgasmic release. Hopefully nobody else heard it and knew what was going on in the bedroom upstairs.
The kettle shut off and Helia pulled it off of the base and prepared his and Flora's tea. Walking over to Flora, Helia took a seat next to her and placed her mug on the table. Flora smiled when she saw the mug was an extremely tacky mug with hearts on it that said, "Happy Valentine's Day, Oma! Love, Helia." in scratchy writing.
"Nice mug." Flora giggled.
"I made it when I was seven at the local pottery decoration place." Helia rolled his eyes.
"And it's my favorite mug." Oma remarked.
Flora smiled and gave a small wink to Helia before she took a sip of her hot tea.
"Roger," Sarah looked over to her husband, "can you go wake Ho-Boe and the kids please?"
Helia's dad placed his newspaper on the table and walked out of the kitchen. Flora and Helia laughed as they heard yelling and commotion upstairs. Groans and protests could be heard from the sleepers and Helia's dad was yelling for the rest of the family to get up.
"Are the rest of your family not here?" Flora asked.
"No, they live around here." Helia replied before taking a sip of tea. "The house is big but not that big."
Flora nodded and took another sip of tea. Helia looked around and when he saw that nobody was paying attention, he placed a quick kiss on Flora's lips.
"I hope you slept well." Helia returned to his upright position.
"I did." Flora smiled as she ran her hand up Helia's leg.
Flora and Helia looked up from each other and looked over as she saw Musa, Colin, and Ezra walk through the kitchen.
"Oi! You three have the nerve to sneak back in my house after you were told to come back at a certain time! My own family! Are you trying to send me to an early grave?" Oma yelled at the three obviously hungover young adults.
"Oma, could you please stop yelling?" Colin asked as he pinched the bridge of his nose. His curly red hair was in tangles. "We are all adults."
"I don't care, I will yell in my own house if I want to!"
"I think I need to throw up again." Ezra said as he clenched his stomach. He walked out of the kitchen and headed back upstairs to the bathroom.
Colin walked over to Sarah and pulled a pancake off the plate, earning a slap on the back of the head.
"Ouch, auntie!" Colin exclaimed before taking a bite of the pancake. He walked over to the cabinet and grabbed the aspirin.
Musa sighed as she walked over to the table and sat down next to Flora. She folded her arms and rested her head on top of them.
"Would you like my tea, Musa?" Flora asked as she looked down at her friend.
"What I want is for someone to stop the throbbing pain in my head." Musa groaned.
"I take it that you had fun last night?" Helia smirked.
Musa lifted her head and smiled a smug smile. She reached into the pockets of her blue jeans and pulled out a torn square foil before putting it on the table.
"Not as much fun as you two had."
So that was the alternate version. Which one did you like more? Let me know!