The Alcohol-Free Hangover

[Hades Black]

Hades woke up to his alarm and groaned from the realization of having a 150-pound dog on him and his bladder. He was mildly confused on why he slept on the couch but remembered the night before with Tayla. Goodness, he had a headache from crying and felt a bit like shit. It was mild but he still regretted not drinking any water before crashing on the couch. Eh, it'll be an easy fix with a mug of tea and a cup of water. 

He pushed Cerberus off of him and got up to use the bathroom that was in his room. It was the only one in his apartment and he was fine with that. He knew his place was small, but it was perfect because he didn't need Cerberus to guide him around like he would at his brother's or in a bigger apartment. He made sure he was quiet when he entered his bathroom and was quick to use it. When he walked out after washing his hands, he wondered if he should wake up Tayla now or later. He decided later, at least once he started the tea kettle. Irish breakfast sounds like the perfect tea today. At least to him.

He almost walked out of the bedroom, but paused when he heard a noise. By the sounds of it, it seemed like Cerberus joined Tayla in bed and probably went back to sleep. Eh, that's fine by him. He continued on his journey to the kitchen and started to prep the tea and the french toast. By the time he came back to his room, there was a stack of french toast and plate of bacon, eggs and hashbrowns tucked into the oven to be kept warm. He walked towards his bed and reached down to touch Tayla's shoulder. He gently shook her, ready for a flying fist or knee should she wake up swinging like Erebus does.

"Tayla. C'mon, it's time to wake up. I got breakfast ready" He spoke clearly with his other hand resting on Cerberus' head, who seemed to have it resting on Tayla's stomach.

Tayla Smith

[Tayla Smith]

Tayla dreamt.

The dreams were disjointed. Difficult to focus on. One moment she was having a peaceful time with thousands of puppies, petting and feeling them all. The next, she was back, and he was about to begin another experiment. Another moment, and she was in a black void, falling, no point of reference, nothing to see, nothing to hear, nothing to feel, nothing but the sound of her blood rushing in her ears.

Then, there was something. A hand on her shoulder, the shoulder of her suit. She was being shook.

Her eyes shot open and she was operating on pure instinct. One fist flew toward the shaker, then another, then she rolled off of the bed she was on and tried to sweep out the legs of her presumed attacker. She'd have to make sure Felicity was okay. Cerberus was here, though, so he should help and--

Cerberus was here?

"Where the hell am I?" she asked, breathing ragged, pupils dilated, eyes scanning and searching the area for familiarity.

Hades Black

[Hades Black]

Cerberus yelped and moved away at the sudden movement from Tayla while Hades blocked the two fists and barely hopped over the leg sweep. Goodness, he hadn't had to dodge a leg sweet from a sleeping person in years! As is, he grabbed his wall to keep himself steady and to not crack his head open on his bedside table. Why did he try to do it on that side? At least he didn't have his mug of tea with him, otherwise, that would've hurt a lot more than the mild sting he got from blocking her attacks.

"You're okay, Tayla. You're in my apartment and in my room. You fell asleep on me yesterday and since I didn't know where you live, I brought you home and put you in my bed. Don't worry, I slept on the couch." He explained, hands up to show her that he's harmless. "Breathe...you're safe. It's okay" He spoke calmly, even as Cerberus demanded Tayla for attention as he was quite spooked from the sudden movement.

"Are you with me, Tayla?" Hades asked, worried.

[Tayla Smith]

Tayla breathed heavily, calming herself down. This was Hades. This was Cerberus. She was okay.

Her face flushed, realizing what had happened. "S-sorry. The time with the resistance, you had to be ready in case... yeah I guess--yesterday? Fuck. I guess yesterday shook up some old memories."

She stood up and brushed her hair back, and then started checking herself over. She spread her arms out wide, exposing the baggy t-shirt she was wearing. "What... was I really that out of it? Shit."

She started scanning around for her clothes. "Sorry, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to fall asleep and make this all happen, I'll just get my stuff and I'll get out of here and out of your hair."

Hades Black

[Hades Black]

"You're fine, Tayla. Erebus does the same when he has a rough night or got out of a session with his therapist. 'M used of it. You almost got me with the leg, though. Didn't expect that and just reacted outta sheer memory." He waved her off as he let go of the wall. "Haven't had ta do that in a few years. You're keeping me on my toes, aren't ya, bicho?" He teased.

"And you were asleep not long after Gatorade was mentioned, so yeah. The session took a lot outta ya so I'm not surprised you conked out. Was surprised at how fast you conked out though... But it's fine. I carried you home and just put you in a pair of shorts and a shirt of mine so you won't feel like you're choking on your hoodie. Your clothes are on the dresser, but I'd rather you stay and have breakfast before you leave, bicho. Or at least something to drink and you to wash your face so it won't feel icky. Didn't do that last night because I didn't wanna wake ya."

He scratched his cheek and wince a bit at the stubble he felt, but ignored it. "I really don't mind ya staying. Cerberus will probably make it difficult for you to leave for a bit though. He always demands attention when spooked and will not leave the spooker or his chosen person alone for a good 5 minutes." He shrugged, knowing that Cerberus is still trying to gain her attention for pettings. "And don' worry about him working. He doesn't at home. When he has his vest on, that's when he knows he's working"

[Tayla Smith]

"...oh. Okay."

She hadn't expected that. Really, she hadn't expected any of this. Going into the therapy session she expected... well she wasn't sure exactly what but mainly thinly veiled attempts to get her to expose parts of herself that could be manipulated, not... someone that actually cared.

She gave Cerberus a skritch on her way over to her clothes so she could grab her phone and text Felicity to let her know she was okay.

She turned back to Hades once she had. "Um, do you have venmo or something? I'm not sure what the going rate for a bed and breakfast is but I can get you something. Whatever you think is fair, really."

Hades Black

[Hades Black]

Cerberus followed her and looked up at her with big soft eyes while his head rested on her hip. He adored her and wanted more attention from this amazing person.

Hades snorted a bit and shook his head. "No, you don't have to pay me for bnb. It's just a friend letting you crash kinda gesture. Honestly, it's fine. Promise. Besides, I'd do it again for ya should you need a safe place to crash again." He shrugged, sitting on the edge of his bed. "Are you hungry? I got food in the kitchen. Um...are you vegetarian? Because there are eggs and turkey bacon and french toast, but uh...I might have something vegan-friendly if you can't do that."

"Oh, you might wanna change...do you wanna change? There's the bathroom on the left from the dresser. The towel's under the sink if you wanna take a shower. I don' mind if you take one. In the top drawer of the little dresser next to the sink are washcloths if you just wanna wash your face or need it to take a shower. Um...I'm gonna just shut up now." He blushed, a bit awkward at babbling so much and not knowing what to do with a guest.

[Tayla Smith]

"Oh. Uh. I'll eat just about anything, really."

Tayla just started petting Cerberus. That dog did wonders for calming her down. She felt awkward, she'd never had anyone really that would just... let her crash like this. She'd been very insular most of her life, especially after the accident, and even before that could be seen as abrasive.

She thought about a shower, then decided against it. An unfamiliar bathroom wasn't really a place she felt comfortable retracting all of her suit in, and she didn't want to risk breaking something. Again. She didn't want to piss off Donny with too many repeat visits, and honestly he was the only way she was able to continue to get the shit beat out of her without being laid up for weeks. "I, uh, I'm okay, I think. Taking a shower can be... complicated."

She looked down at Cerberus, who she hadn't stopped petting with one hand, then back to Hades. "A-Are you sure? That I can't pay you back at all? I don't... I don't want to impose and..." She looked around at the bedroom. It was pretty clearly not a guest room. "I'm pretty sure I kicked you out of your bed."

Hades Black

[Hades Black]

Hades yawns and runs a hand through his hair, wincing when fingers get caught in tangles and curls. "You did but the couch has a pull-out...bed" Hades smacked himself in the face and groaned. "I forgot that it had a pull-out bed last night"

He sighed and lean forward, elbows on his knees. "You are not imposing. If I really was upset with you being here, you'd be waking up in a hotel room. You're fine. It's fine. As for you showering? Understandable. You can just wash your face in the bathroom with the sink."

"Besides, if you really wanna pay me back, just cover me next time for food. Like I pay for a meal, you pay for a meal and stuff. I know my brothers do it with their friends. So we can do it too if you're really bothered by not being able to pay me back, bicho." He smiled and propped his cheek on his fist. "Or you can buy treats for Cerberus as an apology for spooking him. He'd appreciate the gesture. He likes bone marrow treats. Or bully sticks. Rawhides are good too. The good shit, not the cheap ones. Cheapies tend to not be as good." He shrugged. "He likes them, though. That and cheese. Loves that stuff"

[Tayla Smith]

Tayla listened carefully, taking detailed mental notes for what to get Cerberus and how she could pay back Hades. She hated to impose and be a problem to anyone that didn't deserve it, and Hades and Cerberus definitely didn't deserve it.

Her face fell though when she caught him calling her that name, 'bicho.' She hadn't heard it before but she was pretty convinced it was just some variation of "bitch."

"Hey. Uh. I get it. I was a bitch to you and Cerberus and I'll leave as quickly as I can. I can catch on. I dunno if 'bicho' is a regional thing or what but... Yeah I get the picture.

She stopped petting Cerberus and started to pick up her things and put them back on, feeling like she'd fucked up another relationship.

Hades Black