Tiana

A girl from 1920s New Orleans, magically dumped into Ancient Greece.

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules​:

Hercules could only give her a slightly bewildered look in return. He recognized the tone; he got it a lot, but it was at odds with the kindness of what she was saying. Nobody said things like that to him and meant them. They said it like he was the butt of the joke, but he’d yet to hear Tiana say something she didn’t mean. To say he didn’t know what to make of it–or her–would have been an understatement. She dropped the subject though, and he didn’t pursue it. Either way, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

He raised his hands in surrender, grinning to concede the point. She was the better cook, no two ways about it, and he could make himself useful in other ways. It was hard for him to accept her praise, unused to it and, he felt, undeserving. She obviously didn’t understand the whole hero thing, but even Hercules could admit to himself that it could have gone much worse for her–or much better, if she’d found herself a proper hero, one who was good at it and could actually get her home. Now that he knew her better, it was also personal, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to express that either. “Wish it could be more. I haven’t got ya home yet,” he said gruffly, instead. He’d see her safely back to her time and place now if he could, but that thought had its own sadness.

She smiled easily when he simply surrendered to her point, lifting her chin slightly in pride and acknowledgement. One way or another, she was determined to get him to understand how she saw him and the place he filled in her world, however unexpected. It wasn’t anything she was used to, or even remotely familiar with the idea of, but she had learned a long time ago to follow her instincts.  A sad smile settled then and she shook her head at him as it cleared. “I might not be able to go home. But you’re at least trying, and that’s the most I could ever ask for.” If there was anything Tiana could blatantly claim to be, it was a realist. If home wasn’t a place she would see again, she knew she would survive, one way or another, her parents would refuse for her to do otherwise. 

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

Hercules might have a bent toward optimism–an unfortunate one, some might say–but he could be counted on to be honest. If he tried to lie, he’d have a thousand awkward tics that gave him away immediately, so he didn’t usually bother. Tiana had already shown herself to be refreshingly honest, and it was easy to return that.

“Sometimes hidin’ is the smartest choice. But no one ever accused me of bein’ smart,” he chuckled. “We should have some time for practice when we camp.” Once it was too dark to travel and they’d set up camp, they would have an hour or two before bed, at least on the days she wasn’t worn out from walking. It would be nice to fill it with something productive. He liked to keep busy and gathered that she did too.

Tiana couldn’t help but shake her head. All of her life, she’d been forced into hiding, into doing things that went against her nature. Hiding was, hilariously, one of those things. Faced with alligators in a swamp as a frog? Jump on their heads, it’ll be fine. “I think you’re smarter than you get, or give yourself, credit for,” she said, part of pointedly before she let it go with an easy smile. 

“Good. Practice and then I’ll make dinner,” she agreed with a voice full of certainty and finality that brooked no argument. She allowed some of the bravado to drop and softened slightly, looking at him with a soft, small, but wholly genuine smile. “I appreciate everything you have done, and are doing for me, Hercules. I don’t know how to say thank you enough,” she admitted, ducking her head. She knew that she was lucky, coming across someone like him. He was a rarity in a world like hers. 

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

He nodded. It hadn’t escaped his notice how calm she was about all of this, all things considered. She could have been having hysterics, and instead she was rolling with the hits. He wasn’t sure he’d have been quite so cool about it if their situations were reversed, and he certainly wouldn’t have wanted to run into him if they had. His fumbling attempts to help her were sure to end in disaster at some point, but at the same time, who else was there? Who would even believe them, let alone promise to protect her?

“It’ll be difficult enough on its own. No need to make it worse,” he agreed, chuckling. She had to be tired of running around in a cloak and a pair of rigged up shoes. He didn’t expect those to hold up much longer, especially if they were heading back into the woods. “Sure. Knife’s good. But I’ll teach ya anything you want to know.” He nodded, somehow not surprised that she’d want to learn. If he imagined the opposite of every woman he’d ever met, that seemed to be Tia. But probably no one had ever even asked them what they wanted.

She chuckled quietly, glad to hear him say it so honestly. She could handle a lot if there was no sugarcoating anything. No reason for high hopes or silly wishes that would get her nowhere. She’d never been one for any of that anyway, her experience so far just served to reinforce that quite a lot. 

Taking a deep breath, Tiana steeled herself at the idea of learning how to fight. It wasn’t something she had ever thought she would have to do. “I want you to teach me what you’ll think will most useful. I don’t think I could hide behind a rock too many more times and continue to live with myself,” she admitted. It wasn’t in her nature to hang back and let other people fight her battles for her. 

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

“You’re doin’ plenty.” He nodded toward the food. She’d been helpful in every way she could so far on their trip, and he had no doubt she’d continue to pull her own weight as much as possible. In any case, Hercules wasn’t keeping score. She was pleasant company when she didn’t have any reason to be, given how she’d been tossed into a totally different time and place without warning or explanation, and it had been some time since he’d found someone he actually wanted to spend his time with.

He didn’t consider himself a pessimist, but life had taught him caution. No monster had ever hurt him the way people had, and he’d never seen one kill as many people as people killed in a single battle either. It was enough to make him want to stay on the edges. Besides, being a hero wasn’t about popularity. It was about doing the right thing, and he knew that helping her was right. They’d been put in each other’s paths for a reason, even if he didn’t yet know what that was. “Sure it does. Shoes and proper clothes first. You good with any weapons?” Women weren’t typically taught to fight in his world, but there was always a chance.

“I’m just doing what I know.” Food was easy, comfortable, and familiar, all of which she desperately needed some of. Allowing other people to take care of her had never come easy, far from it. This was a whole new world for her in more than one way, but she could make it work. Change was an inevitable part of life, just not usually so drastic. It could be worse. She could have not found Hercules. Or rather, been found by Hercules. 

She looked down at herself, still wrapped in his cloak and chuckled dryly. “Yes, shoes and proper clothes. Probably a good idea or this will be far more difficult and I’m pretty sure neither of us wants that,” she nodded. She had to stop and think, “I’m good with a knife, but that’s about it. You... might have to teach me a few things... if you’re willing.”

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

“Then I’m stayin’. I’m fine, I promise.” He smiled to reassure her, moving to hold up the opposite wall when she sat down. Leaning wasn’t exactly something to do, but it felt better to just decide on a place and stay there. In theory, it was better for him to conserve his energy anyway. Either way they decided, they were undertaking a long and probably arduous journey. In practice, it probably wasn’t necessary, but he’d go with whatever logic was helpful.

He smiled slightly, somehow not surprised by her reasoning. It wasn’t so far off from his own, and he knew that, like him, Tiana knew what it felt like to be an outsider, possibly even more so. “Always been my choice too. Monsters are easy. We’ll stick to the woods then. There are some hills, but it ain’t too bad a walk.” He crossed his arms, rubbing his jaw absently while he started to work out a plan. “We can stock up on supplies tomorrow. Leave the next day, if we’re lucky.”

Despite herself, she sent him a small, grateful smile. “I’ll try and make it up to you,” she said quietly, leaning over to work more on dinner without getting up. She’d managed to keep herself together almost remarkably well, but now that they were somewhere relatively safe and comfortable, it was all kind of crashing on her and she had to take a few deep breaths. 

Tia was glad when he didn’t just brush off her reasoning, and she figured it had to make sense to him too. It was a little bleak of an outlook, but she hadn’t been given too many reasons to be trusting of people as a general rule. “I don’t mind hills and stuff. I promise, I’m not entirely soft,” she tried her hand at a reassuring look. “Alright, that sounds good. Gives time to make a plan and whatnot, right?” 

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

Herc cared too much. His heart had always been one of his biggest weaknesses, and there was little place for it in his world. Her answer didn’t exactly clear things up, and he didn’t do well with subtleties. “I’ll be more okay if I’m not leavin’ ya alone. But if you need some time to yourself, I can go.” They’d just spent days living outdoors; he could survive one night in a small room.

He considered the question seriously, weighing all the pros and cons. If he were alone, he’d undoubtedly stick to the wilderness. He got along just fine on his own, give or take a monster or two. But there were monsters to contend with, and they were less likely to meet those where there were other people. Add in the fact that Tia didn’t have near his strength or speed, and it would be a lot rougher for her without the road. He decided it pretty much came down to one question, and he knew which side he fell on. “You more afraid of monsters or people?”

A soft huff of laughter escaped her and she simply sat down, shaking her head. “I don’t think being alone is anywhere near what I want right now, honestly.” It made her feel terrible, the fact that he was all but tethered to her just because of his sense of honor and want to help her. “But still, I’ll feel bad, Hercules.” 

She watched the play over his face while he worked out his answer. She was grateful that he was taking it seriously and not just brushing it off. His question made her pause and look at him with heavy eyes. “People are unpredictable, Hercules, and can be.... cruel. Monsters... I imagine they’re instinctual creatures. Somehow, that makes them preferable.”

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

“Nothin’ wrong with being mad about things that matter.” It wasn’t a terrible way to feel, especially on behalf of someone he was beginning to care about. He was trying not to let that get away from him. She was there because she needed help and he was willing to help her, and he told himself that was all there was to it. They might even be friends at this point, but when all was said and done, she’d be going back to her world, and he’d be staying in his.

“You want me to?” He hesitated, torn between doing as she asked in case she wanted some privacy and the protective urge to stay. They’d attracted some unwanted attention in this town; he wouldn’t have that come down on her while he was off for no good reason. But if she wanted him to, he would. “Hiking’ll be longer and harder on you. But nobody will bother us. Both got their upsides.” He smiled slightly. There wasn’t a perfect solution, and he would go with whatever she preferred.

“Maybe not, but it’s exhausting to do all the time,” she sighed softly. It was incredibly sweet of him to be mad for her, and she wondered what it would be like if she were actually someone important in his life. There was a depth of care there that surprised her and intrigued her, not used to it from anyone but her mama and Lottie. 

She thought about the honest answer and took a moment before speaking. “I want you to be okay,” she answered easily. She didn’t want to be alone, not really, but she hated seeing him clearly feeling cooped up. “I promise, I can handle myself for a little while in a locked room,” she reassured him firmly. She tipped her head, trying to consider all the options. “Which one do you honestly recommend us doing? Knowing what could happen either way?” She had no idea, so she had to defer to him on this. 

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

He chuckled because he couldn’t do anything else when she was laughing, though he didn’t find it very funny. Deep down, he was guessing she didn’t either, but sometimes there was nothing to do but laugh about it. “Can’t just accept it.” He shook his head. He could walk away from a fight, but when it came to protecting other people, he had the most trouble. “But I’ll try not to let it get in the way.” It was her business; the least he could do was try to do as she asked, even if it felt wrong.

“Awfully bossy tonight, ain’t ya,” he muttered, the corner of his mouth crooking in a smile. This room was too small. He hadn’t considered the reality of being in such close proximity with her, how ill-prepared he was to be practically within arm’s reach of another person every moment. “Sure,” he agreed, not sure where she was going with that train of thought. He couldn’t imagine why she’d want to take what was basically the longer and harder way. “There are carts for the road. You wouldn’t have to hike the whole way. But we can keep off ‘em, if you want.”

There was very little about her life that was actually funny, and she got the feeling that he would be able to actually understand that on at least some level. She wasn’t quite sure how that made her feel, but it was something tot think about at the very least. “It’s alright. It’s better that you don’t accept it. But there’s no point being mad about it. The world would have to change a lot,” she pointed out, not even pointing out how little seemed to have changed in the time between his time and hers.

“I’m always bossy,” she said, almost prim but there was the hint of a buried smile threatening to bloom that defied that. “You can go, do whatever, you know. You don’t have to stay in here with me forever. I do know how to lock a door,” she said gently, even if her throat closed up a little at the idea of being left alone in a place and time she was wholly unfamiliar with. “It doesn’t matter,” she mused softly, figuring her life was going to be unpredictable for a while either way. “If people start making me too mad, don’t be surprised if I ask to take a hike.” After all, how bad could it be after being a frog in a bayou being chased to get eaten? Probably similar... actually... considering her experience so far.

[outoftimetiana]

Sthemightyhercules·:

He went still under her touch, still unused to someone coming that close to him so casually. Most people were afraid when they realized what he could do. Hell, Herc was afraid. He didn’t always trust his strength. Her hands were so tiny compared to his. He’d have been willing to do just about anything she asked, but he wasn’t sure that was possible. “Can’t just stop feelin’ it ‘cause you told me to.” He smiled though, the words lightly teasing. It might be a simple statement of fact, but he didn’t have to like it.

He thought he might be making her nervous, the way she didn’t totally take her eyes off him, so he forced himself to be still. If Hercules could ever be said to be still. There was always a thrum of energy around him. “What’s easy?” he chuckled softly at her attitude. His life wasn’t; it didn’t sound like hers was either. Maybe there was no easy. “Nah. I don’t like to see too much of people.” People don’t like to see too much of me. He gestured vaguely to the room and the inn as a whole. “We’ll be runnin’ into this kinda small mindedness the whole way. Easier for ridin’ and having a roof over your head though.”

She let out a slow breath as she looked at him, her eyes narrowing into the sternest look she was capable of. “Sure you could, just takes a lot more work,” she teased, entirely deadpan for a moment before she burst into soft laughter. “Hercules, really... don’t be angry on my behalf. It gets exhausting,” she shook her head at him. 

Tiana’s eyes narrowed at him when he stopped and stayed in one place. “Nope, no, don’t you dare stay still. That’s worse.” She flapped her hands at him, silently telling him to get moving again. She didn’t like the idea of him having to deal with this particular sort of attitude because of her and her mind instantly began to race. “If I have actual shoes, I can stay off the road easier, right? I don’t need a roof over my head, not really. As long as there’s a fire at night to cook on and keep us warm.” 

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

A sudden, hot flare of anger spiked through him. Hercules wasn’t an angry guy, despite what people might think to look at him, but the idea of people putting Tiana down and making her feel like she was less than they were made him want to bash some heads together. The fact that she didn’t think she was worth saving hit hard and close, and far from discouraging him, it only made him more determined to help her. He cracked his knuckles to let off some of his tension and tried not to scowl. “Not to me,” he muttered, managing a small smile at the word ‘sweet.’ He didn’t feel very sweet just now, but there was nowhere for that indignation to go, so he did his best to let it go.

He left Tiana’s capable hands to the food and paced the small room, though there was barely any room to pace. They’d been walking most of the day, but he still had energy to burn. He didn’t think he’d feel comfortable enough leaving her alone to go running in the woods. “The Pythia.” He nodded. “She’s a priestess of Apollo, god of prophecy. Talks in riddles, but she’s the closest we get to talkin’ to a god. Usually,” he added after a slight pause. The gods did sometimes speak to mortals, but you almost never wanted them to. “Temple’s in Delphi. It’s days from here, but there’s a road.” He preferred the wilderness over other people, but they’d be able to travel by cart instead of on foot. Well, she could. He wouldn’t be able to sit still that long.

The sound of Hercules’s knuckles being cracked made her head shoot up and she strode over to him with a shake of her head and a click of her teeth. “Nope, none of that. No agitation on my account,” she covered his hands lightly, her words quiet as she looked at the difference in their hands. “It’s a simple statement of the way of my life, cher. That’s all.” She shrugged and dropped her hands before letting out a soft sigh and returning to her work. 

Part of her attention lingered on him, thinking the room was entirely too small to contain such a person. At his words, she sighed softly and nodded, “Of course it’s riddles. Heaven forbid anything about any of this be easy,” she snorted lightly. She thought about it and couldn’t find any reason to protest going. “Do you normally take the road? Is it easy?” Something told her that he didn’t tend to take the easy way, and she tried not to bristle at that. 

[grimmusings]

into the fire

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

“So a person’s only worth savin’ if they’re a king?” He shook his head, a small frown between his brows. He had fewer people than that who cared whether he was around, so he knew where she was coming from. It wasn’t an easy thing to deal with. He wasn’t exactly a champion of self-worth either, but he hated to hear it from Tiana. He’d only known her a short time, but she was one of the best people he’d ever known. “Trust me, I met some. They got nothin’ on you.”

It wasn’t a very inspiring spread, but Hercules was no great cook. From what he’d seen so far, Tiana could make a meal out of much less. She had a gift for it. He smiled slightly at the mention of a temple. “Couldn’t hurt, but it ain’t a direct line. Might get nothin’ back.” He rubbed a hand over his jaw, thoughtful. The gods probably already knew what was happening, but that didn’t mean they were going to tell him anything. “When people got questions, they ask the Oracle.”

She shrugged her shoulders, “Men with money that definitely don’t have skin like me, at the very least... at least that’s how it feels at home sometimes.” She faded off into mumbles, not liking how she sounded. It was the tough reality of her life, but that was her problem, not his. She knew what she was capable of if allowed, but that right there was the core of the problem. She wasn’t allowed. She gave him a soft smile, “You’re too sweet.Ya might change your mind if you’re stuck with me too long, though.” 

She studied their options and pulled out things she knew that she could work with, starting to do what she could and hoping it was enough. Good food could go a long way to improving everything if people let it. “I wouldn’t expect it,” she shrugged her shoulders lightly. After all, she couldn’t understand the idea of hearing God speak to a person anyway, let alone any ancient Gods like they had here. “The Oracle?” 

[grimmusings]

into the fire

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

He almost pulled his hand back, thinking it wasn’t welcome, but then she put her hand over his. He wasn’t sure he was ever going to get used to the casual contact. “One person’s cause enough.” He gave her a small smile. Sometimes whole stories turned around just one person. Her faith in him worried him a bit though. All he’d ever done was let people down, but he’d try to be worthy of it.

“Hungry?” There was little to the room besides a bed and a table. He preferred the outdoors, where at least they could build a fire, but it would do for the night. They had enough food to get by, and he shrugged off the pack and started to unload it. It wouldn’t hurt to restock some of their supplies tomorrow while they were getting her clothes and shoes.

What they really needed was a plan for where to go from there. They made it to the city, but that was as far as it went. “Been rackin’ my brain trying to think of someone who can help ya get home.” Outside of the gods themselves, he didn’t know of anyone who had that kind of power, and it wasn’t like he could ask them. Well, he could, but he didn’t expect an answer.

She laughed softly and shook her head at him. “Hercules, where I’m from, I’m not worth much to anyone but my mama and my friend.” It was a simple statement of fact for her, a harsh truth that she had to face down daily. She could work harder than a man and get absolutely nothing, not to even look at the color of her skin. The fact that neither seemed to bother him was something of a miracle for her. 

“Yeah, I am, actually,” when it came to food, Tiana would always be honest. It was something that brought her genuine joy and a way to spread that joy to other people. She watched him unload things from his pack, and pondered what she could make for him here. 

His words made her sigh softly and she shrugged, “You would know so much better than I would, really. You keep talking about the gods bringing me here, do we need to go to a church...” She trailed off and thought of the stories, “I mean, a temple?”

[grimmusings]

into the fire

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

“Not a bad way to be.” As someone who’d been burned by liars in the past, he appreciated that Tiana didn’t have a taste for it. He wasn’t the best judge of character, but she seemed much too straightforward to make a habit out of lying. It was a relief. Most people weren’t like that.

He wasn’t sure what exactly had killed the laughter, but her change in mood was obvious even to him. He frowned, concerned, and dared himself to rest a hand on her arm. “Hey, you been helpin’ plenty. I was wanderin’ around looking for a cause to fight for. What’s a better one than gettin’ you home?”

This was what heroes did, but he didn’t know how to explain that any better than he already had. He couldn’t help feeling this was part of something bigger than either of them, although he couldn’t have said how. He didn’t have a direct line to the gods, but they usually had their fingers in anything this strange. Hercules did his best not to go against the gods. It never went well, and besides, she was the closest thing he’d had to a friend in a long while.

She gave him an easy smile, “No, it’s not. I like being able to trust the people around me.” Tia knew she could trust Hercules, even for as little time as they had been together. Much like her, there really wasn’t any hint of prevarication to him and it was as comforting as anything could be for her. 

The hand on her arm had her gaze shooting up to his face. She raised her hand and laid it on his softly, giving him a small, grateful smile. “I can think of better causes for you than me, but maybe we can find you one on the way, together.” He seemed like he was meant for so much, and she was just a girl with big dreams and too much ambition for where she came from. 

It made her heart clench a little, that all he wanted in the world was to help people and be a hero. His dream was bigger and much less selfish than hers, and she chastised herself inwardly for distracting him from it. She heard what he was saying, but she had a hard time believing that any god had a hand in her life.

[grimmusings]

into the fire

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

Maybe it was a combination of the relative safety they were in now and the sound of Tia’s laughter, but he relaxed slightly, something he would have previously thought impossible with a girl in his arms. It was a relief to hear her laughing, to be laughing with her, and to know that the past few minutes’ playacting had been just that. The real thing was, surprisingly, much better.

“Never been much good at lyin’,” he agreed, loosening his grip so she could step away. Her next words caught him off guard though, and he stared back without knowing what to say. People didn’t usually say that to him with kindness, but it seemed like she was. Heat climbed up the back of his neck, and he broke their gaze.

It was easier to focus on the practical. “We’ve got enough food left for dinner. We can stock up tomorrow when the shops open, get ya some proper shoes.” Clothes as well, but he wasn’t going to draw attention to that right now–as if he wasn’t always going to be totally aware of her, no matter what she was wearing.

Tia found that she couldn’t help but relax with him, smiling easily in a way that she hadn’t in a very long time. Even with Lottie, she had to push the smile through, make it so her care-free friend could remain so without having the dark cloud that was Tiana’s life hanging at the edge of it all. “I’m not either. I’m not really a fan of lying, or people who do it,” she admitted with a small shrug, causing the fabric of his cloak to sway with the movement of her shoulder.

At his words, she looked down at her feet at let out a soft sigh, knowing it would cause more problems if she didn’t have them. She frowned as she remembered that she didn’t have anything worth money here, anything at all, actually. It served to make her immediately sad, which make her slightly angry and she had to take a slow, deep breath.

“Is there anything that I can do?” The question was almost disgustingly small as it came out of her lips and she wanted to hate herself for it. She drew the cloak tighter around her, fingers curling into the edges of the fabric as though she were holding herself together with the small motion. “I don’t like that I’ve caused ya so many problems,” she admitted quietly, but there was a tone running through it that showed her anger and frustration.

[grimmusings]

into the fire

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

Hercules didn’t enjoy the soft and sweet Tiana any more than he enjoyed the arrogant mask he’d put on himself. It wasn’t really her, at least not as he’d come to know her over the past couple days. She was stronger and better than that, and he didn’t like to see her having to hide parts of herself. He knew that it was false, and he tried to use that knowledge to keep the unease off his face. When she tipped her head up, his expression softened slightly, and he pressed a brief kiss to her forehead.

It must have worked because soon they had a key to a room. He didn’t allow himself to feel relieved until they were out of sight, a closed door between them and everyone else, and he let out a low sigh as he locked it behind them. It wasn’t sturdy enough to keep out anyone who was determined to get in, but he wasn’t worried about that. He stiffened in shock when she threw herself into his arms, but only for a second. It was easier than it should have been to wrap his arms around her, an answering laugh spilling out of him. “Might be work for us in acting.”

Dropping her head to his shoulder, she couldn’t stop laughing at the very idea of it. “You made it easy,” she reassured him, thinking there was no way she would have been able to do that before. “I don’t make a habit of acting, it’s nerve-wracking.” She shuddered lightly before loosening her arms and stepping back just enough to be able to look up at his face, giving him a small smile.

“You really are something,” her voice was warm and tinged with something she couldn’t quite give a name to... maybe awe... maybe affection. Either way, Tia wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it. “So, what do we do now?”

[grimmusings]

into the fire

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

Hercules wanted to be a hero. Protecting people was in the job description. It had never felt like a job to him, but it especially didn’t with Tia. It was too personal for that, how invested he was in her safety. He meant it when he said he wouldn’t let anything happen to her. He would see her home, or to somewhere safe, whatever that meant.

He wasn’t good at reading people, and he was too preoccupied with his own nerves to pick up on her surprise. If he had, he would have let go of her immediately. He didn’t want to overstep anything with this little show they were about to put on. When she confirmed she was ready, he drew a slow breath and blanked the emotion from his face. It would be better if he didn’t look as nervous as he was.

If someone was going to screw this up, he was sure it was going to be him. His heart stuttered briefly when she leaned into him. Once they were inside, he did his best impression of every arrogant and aggressive opponent he’d ever faced when he asked for a room for him and his wife, with a hard stare that dared anyone to say something about it. Truly, the hardest part was not looking surprised when it worked.

Tia made sure that she stayed placid and appeared soft and sweet, and somehow Hercules made that all too easy. She felt safe and protected, even cared for, and for some reason she didn’t feel the need to bristle at it. Something told her that the man who’d taken her into his protection didn’t have it in him to be manipulative or condescending, and wasn’t that a thought.

When it managed to work, she gave him a genuine, delighted smile, her head tipping back so she could look up at him properly. She wasn’t sure what to make of the demeanor he’d taken on, but she’d been around long enough to know it wasn’t really his normal. It helped her stay trusting of him, believe that it was an act to help both of them.

When they were given the key to their room, she threaded her fingers between his and gave them a gentle squeeze in solidarity that could easily be seen as minor affection. She waited until they were behind the door of their room to let out a relieved breath before throwing herself at him with a joyous laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck in a warm hug. “Thank you, Hercules,” she murmured softly.

[grimmusings]

into the fire

[outoftimetiana]

themightyhercules·:

He didn’t know what she meant by that and decided it wasn’t the moment to ask. When people were calling someone dumb around here, it was usually him, and he could understand it if she didn’t like this idea. He wasn’t wild about it either, but it was the best out of a series of not-great ideas. They were nearing the door when it occurred to him that maybe they should have practiced or something first. He didn’t even know how to pretend to be with someone.

Her words filled him with a combination of warmth and anxiety. Nobody trusted him with anything, unless it was to mess things up, but he wanted to be worthy of that trust. “I won’t let anythin’ happen to you,” he promised, and he knew he could keep that one. It wasn’t a large village. If things went real sideways, he could always fight everyone. He didn’t want to, but still, he’d bet on him.

His mind flickered briefly over how his parents interacted and just as quickly dismissed it. Instead, he tried to imagine how he would act with someone he loved. He didn’t have a lot of experience with that, but it wasn’t hard to picture Tiana as lovable. She was beautiful and brave, stronger and more capable than most anyone he’d ever met. He tried to let that admiration fill his expression, and he gave her a warm smile, pulling her a little closer. “You ready?” He knew he was playing a dangerous game, that relying on real feelings to pull off this fake relationship was only going to hurt him later, but he just wasn’t that good of a liar.

It was easy to believe him, since he’d done a perfect job so far of keeping her safe and it hadn’t exactly been smooth sailing since she’d abruptly fallen into his life. She let a small smile settle on her face as she looked up at him, nodding in acceptance. Tia said a rare, quick prayer in her head for anyone who might have been listening that he wouldn’t have to do anything to protect her that put him in danger. She didn’t think she could stomach too much more of that just yet. 

When he pulled her closer, she had to school her face to keep the surprise off of it, but she was sure it was still in her eyes at the very least. She wasn’t all that good at keeping her emotions out of them sometimes. She thought of her parents, how she remembered them together and it was easy to soften at the idea. “I’m ready,” the reassurance came quick and easy with a warm smile, thinking that there were far worse people she could have wound up with. 

As the door came close, she rested her head against his arm for a moment before they stepped through, giving herself the brief moment to make sure she wouldn’t screw anything up for them. She knew it was probably smarter for her to stay quiet, so she just made sure she had a soft, content smile. Thoughts of how he’d protected her brought it easily to the surface, and his behavior only served to deepen it, just a bit.