3:57 am | Hercahontas
Hercules had a long day. Or rather, Hercules was having a long year, and it was only February. He used to like February quite a bit. Sure, it there was biting cold and too much snow, but those things didn’t particularly bother him. He knew most people found Valentine’s day to be corny (him included sometimes) but when it wasn’t overdone, who didn’t like the idea of someone appreciating someone else? Call him a hopeless romantic, but that didn’t sound too bad to him. Then again that could have just been his aunt Venus putting thoughts in his head. Not that any of this mattered anymore, because this year was proving that February royally sucked. A lot.
Maybe he had just gotten too comfortable in his weird routine that had come together over the years. The training all the time and the constant monster fighting, sure, those were still things he did everyday. What had really changed was everything else. After Simba… – well, Simba. And then Mufasa. And now, Scar had Disney in his grasp. Hercules originally knew very little of the man, but Zeus seemed more than displeased when he learned who would be taking Mufasa’s place. Hercules hadn’t grown an opinion of his own, at least not an outspoken one, until Scar had forced his engagement apart. He couldn’t even see Pocahontas at all. All he had was his mother’s reassurance that she was alright (she wasn’t taking the break up that well, she was very excited with all the wedding planning).
It was so odd, the idea that he was no longer engaged to Pocahontas. It was almost as weird as the first time he found out he was to be married to her. But after time passed, it just became a part of his life. It wasn’t strange after a while. Pocahontas had always been his friend ever since he had moved to Disney, and though other people might have found it odd their engagement actually strengthened their friendship, too. During that time, it was always like she was in the next room, like he could walk into any place and she would just pop up when necessary. He never needed a purpose to go and see her, he liked that. He missed that. Now they had very little method of communication. Further more, it was frustrating that not a single one of his family or friends had an answer as to why they couldn’t see each other or… well, get married.
Hercules let out an irritated sigh, trying to shake those thought for now. He had a late night training with Phil. Their sessions had gotten longer recently, Herc suspected it was because Phil had noticed he’d lost contact with a lot of people recently (due to many circumstances; death, forced into separation, take your pick). The long practices didn’t phase him. They were all the same by now, it was just the trek home that had gotten slightly annoying because of all the ice and snow. Hercules was forced to take the long path because his shortcut had been blocked up because of the weather. He was nearing the bungalow soon, but it was becoming a hassle to get in and out there all the time. He probably needed to move. As soon as that thought crossed his mind, he spotted a figure in the distance standing in front of his home. He squinted and frowned slightly. Eris again? Strike what he said earlier, he really needed to move.
But it wasn’t Eris, it wasn’t any of his relatives (thank the gods, he loved them but they were all a certain kind of handful). Upon further speculation, he realized the stranger wasn’t a stranger at all but – “Pocahontas.” He said, just to himself, very stupidly. What a brilliant observation by a true hero, Hercules son of Zeus and Hera. But he couldn’t help it. He didn’t know why he was surprised, she was always sneaking out, but he was. It had been too long since he’d seen her last. He grinned, a very wide, probably embarrassing grin. Pocahontas was at his house – in the snow, looking very cold and he should probably go and do something about that.
He walked faster, though he didn’t know if it made a difference in the snow. He didn’t want to sneak up and spook her, but he couldn’t resist calling out as he approached. “It’s a little late of shenanigans, even for you.” The stupid smile still hung around his face. Despite all the bad things, her presence had become something that soothed him too well. He reached her side quickly and, without any hesitation, wrapped his arms around her shoulders and picked her up with ease. “You could have just gone inside, you know that. It’s cold out here.” He marched inside casually, kicking open the door to his small residency and closing it with his heel. It was quiet inside, and cold, but not as bad as it was outside without the wind. He carefully set Pocahontas on her feet but didn’t make any motion to move from the doorway. Instead he stayed there with his arms around her, very close. His mouth ghosted over her forehead. Quietly, he said, “Wingapo.”
There were a hundred reasons for her not to go inside. He might not even be in there––he could be off fighting. It’s late, he needs to sleep. It’s not like there’s anything for her to say, she just...wanted to be around him. And that was stupid, because they no longer had any obligation to spend time together, no appearances at festivals or diplomatic missions. And even though she hadn’t been given a new betrothed yet, surely one of the most eligible bachelors in Disney had already moved on. There could be another wedding any day now for all she knew.
She heard her name and she turned around, tense, ready to run back into the trees. No matter how long she was away from the forest, this was what she was always good at, disappearing into the scenery completely. She would be gone before they could even be sure it was her, and leave only footprints behind. She could––
But it was Herc, and oh, he wasn’t inside. For a split second she was surprised, but then the memories came back easily: all the nights they would sneak out from whatever event they were supposed to be attending, meeting up with the others at the beach or in the woods or an abandoned part of whatever old castle they were in. Talking and laughing around bonfires, listening to whatever stories Merida could tell, or songs Ariel would sing, or all the things Simba was going to do when he became King.
And then she remembered after Simba died, when they would both just have to be outside, walking in silence. In the middle of the night Poca could sometimes let her mind drift, and until the sun came up she could pretend she was dreaming. That they were walking towards a destination and once they got there, all their friends, Simba included, would be waiting for them, laughing and asking what took them so long. Since she and Herc had been separated, she’d taken many walks like that by herself. She wondered if he did too.
“Shenanigans? I was just––,” Poca gave a startled laugh when Herc picked her up, leaning easily into him. She was cold; she had no idea how long she’d been standing there but now her fingers where numb, and her nose stung. “I was just in the neighborhood. I live here again now, remember?” she hesitated, because truthfully she hadn’t realized that she could just come inside anymore. But seeing Herc’s big smile, the way he carried her as if it was the easiest thing in the world made her realize that maybe nothing had changed after all.
She kept one hand firmly pressed on his back when he set her down, and with the other she rubbed absently up and down his arm. He smelled like sweat, and she wondered where he’d been, probably doing more than just going for a walk.
He greeted her in her language, and she sighed, resting her head against his chest. She felt peaceful, all at once, and a little drowsy. She could fall asleep like this, she thought, whispering back “ μου έλειψες (gr: I missed you).”
