On the street where you live

[inspiredvoice.insanejournal.com]

Characters: Apollo, Melpomene
Date/Time: Tuesday, December 20th. 5pm
Location: Apollo's home
Rating: Probably nothing too obscene, PG-13 at the worst.
Warnings: Mel on a down swing, so some melancholy
Summary: Melpomene shows up on Apollo's door step after deciding to take him up on his offer.


Seattle was cold. She didn't like it one little bit. It kept bringing her spirit low. And even when her mood turned upwards, she didn't get very high. Not even the patchy sunlight could brighten up the world enough from it's dull grey of winter. It was just enough to keep going, one foot in front of the other.

She checked the house numbers vaguely. She thought about the fish from that movie that had to keep repeating an address so she wouldn't forget it.. That's what her brain felt like at the moment. P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way... no wait...

She sat down on someone's front porch. Maybe if she just sat for a minute and hid her face from the cold, she could talk herself into asking directions. Her duffel bag shifting off her shoulder, she brought her knees up to her chest and folded her arms across them, making a nice dark hole for her face. It was still cold. She didn't want to move. Ever.

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[aegletes.insanejournal.com]

Apollo was coming home after he'd been playing for the crowds on street corners. They seemed to like his presence more than the bellringers with the kettles.

He was still whistling Christmas carols to himself, when he noticed the redhaired girl huddled on the porch of one of his neighbors. A girl he knew in an instant.

"Melpomene!" he said, running up to her, and immediately taking her into his arms, "Darling, what are you doing out here? I'm thrilled to see you, but why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

[inspiredvoice.insanejournal.com]

She was limp as a ragdoll in his arms. She couldn't really comprehend that it was Apollo with his arms around her. She just sort of weakly held onto the coat she was pressed up against and mumbled into his shoulder. "I did. I called and..." Oh wait... no. She must have had a conversation in her head while she was manic. It happened to her all the time.

"Am I in Seattle?"

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"Yes, my dearest," he said, starting to walk her up to his house. "Bloody hell, you're freezing. How did you get here? And why on earth don't you have a proper coat?"

He shook his head.
"No, never mind all that. Let's get you inside and warm you up. Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

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She walked because he walked her. She would have rather just stayed sitting on that porch, even if it was cold.

"I don't know. I'm tired." It was a gloss answer, because it pretty much covered it all at the moment. "There's a hole in my shoe." She knew this because her socks were wet and had been for a long while.

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"Don't worry, beloved. I'll take care of you." Apollo scooped her up into his arms, carrying her into his house and onto his couch. He turned on the gas fireplace nearby.

Gently, lovingly, he took off her shoes and wet socks, and rubbed her cold feet, massaging warmth back into them, singing softly to her all the while

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It helped. All of it. After a few moments she seemed more focused, if not any happier. "It's damn cold in this state, Sunshine. Next time you move in with me." She shivered as her body started to acclimate to the warmth.

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"I've never really liked the cold that well myself," he admitted, "Why do you think I always stayed south in the winter back in the day. But you... coming up here in December with only a jacket... Bloody hell, love, if you'd just told me you were coming, I could have given you a hand, a ride... something."

He shook his head.
"Well, we're together now. And I'll always keep you warm." He held her close to him, kissing her hair.

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"Could have sworn I'd called. Might have just been in my head. And this is my coat. I don't buy clothes I can't use." She rubbed at her eyes. The stung from lack of sleep, but she could feel that she was all ready starting to swing back up. She'd never be able to fall asleep.

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"We'll have to change that. At least, get you something suitable so long as you're here with me, darling," he said, "I can't tell you how pleased I am that you're here, and in time for the holidays, even! You're the best present I could ask for." His blue eyes sparkled like the sun on the sea.

[inspiredvoice.insanejournal.com]

She managed a slight turn of the corner of her mouth, that didn't quite make it to any kind of smile. "Well good, because I didn't remember to stop and get you one." Maybe she could later. She had some money left over. At least she thought she did. Oh crap that probably sounded really snappish. "Sorry, I'm just tired. And I've said that already." She scrubbed at her face with her hands and longed for a drink. Maybe something more mellowing, but now was not really the time to ask if Seattle had the same light views on marijuana use as California did.

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"It's all right," he soothed, "Can I get you something to eat? Drink? Or shall I just take you to bed?"

[inspiredvoice.insanejournal.com]

"No, I won't be able to sleep. Tell me you have alcohol, please."

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"White wine, or red?" Apollo offered. "Otherwise... I've got some gin... A bottle of double-malt bourbon whiskey..."

[inspiredvoice.insanejournal.com]

"Ugh, none of that Dionysian swill. Whiskey please and thank you." The burn would do her good, and it would seem to warm her insides faster.

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"You're lucky I'm British," he teased as he went to fetch the bottle. "It means only the good stuff."

He poured her a shotglass, and brought it to her on the couch.
"So... can't sleep, hmm? Not even with me to give you a lullaby?"

[inspiredvoice.insanejournal.com]

She took the shot in one quick bolt. She didn't even make a whiskey face at the burn. She was used to much worse tastes and higher proofs. Though she knew good stuff when she had it, and this was it.

"I'm ramping back up. Though I haven't had you around to sing to me. I don't know how well it will work." It wasn't disparaging, just the straight truth.

[aegletes.insanejournal.com]

"Everyone feels better when I sing to them. I know it can take away bruises and sniffles... I'm not sure what else. Depends on how long I do it." He shrugged.

"Or, perhaps I'll simply have to hold you and kiss you until you fall asleep in my arms." He smirked at her roguishly.

[inspiredvoice.insanejournal.com]

That brought out a small laugh from her. "The last thing I want to do when you kiss me is sleep."

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"Does that mean I should refrain?" he teased, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear.

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"That all depends on your goal at the moment." Again all she had the energy for was straight forward honesty. No innuendo snuck in anywhere.

[aegletes.insanejournal.com]

"My goal, darling, is to see you safe, warm and comfortable. I love you, and your happiness is my greatest wish. Not that I'd complain if there were more to it. I enjoy your company," he said.

[inspiredvoice.insanejournal.com]

Suddenly she looked misty eyed, and offered him a watery smile. "You're one of the few, Sunshine." She reached for him, fighting the overwhelming surge of emotions, and failing miserably. "I'm so glad to have you around again."

[aegletes.insanejournal.com]

"I'll never leave you. Not if I can help it," he promised, and kissed her tenderly.

[inspiredvoice.insanejournal.com]

"Thanks." She didn't say what she was thinking at the moment. Which was to the tune of that he probably wouldn't really have a say if they ever did get separated.

Instead, she all but climbed into his lap like a child, snuggling up against him and laying her head on his shoulder. "I think I'd like it if you sang for me."

[aegletes.insanejournal.com]

"Of course, my love."

He cradled her in his arms, and began to sing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCri6lFSJAQ) in a mellifluous tenor.