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"It's not funny," she muttered. "I don't even know how I'll ever be able to look at myself in the mirror—-"
"We didn't do anything wrong, baby," he cut her off gently.
"But Isleptwith you."
"Slept being the operative word."
"And you werenude!"
"Which isn't a crime," he countered.
"Even so!"
He rubbed his jaw, saying, "I guess that means you're not amenable to sharing the shower—-" She was out of the room in a flash, and just as the door closed, he caught a glimpse of her accidentally bumping into a groggy-looking Rue.
A moment later, he heard Pippi moan, followed by the unmistakable sound of Rue's voice saying very loudly,OH MY GOD, PIPPI JUST CAME OUT OF ACHERON'S ROOM!
This had him heading to the shower with a grin, and when Acheron came down to join the Jones family for breakfast, he was further amused to see the others weren't done ribbing their big sister. Even Astrid had joined in the fun, with the older woman asking Pippi so very innocently, "Would you like some sausages, dear - or have you already had your fill?"
"Oh my God, MOM!"
It had everyone in tears, but what truly had the whole family nearly falling off their seats was when Acheron joined the conversation. His handsome face grave, he turned to Astrid, saying, "You have my word that your daughter shall never go hungry for, err, sausages—-"
"Acheron, my God!"
The look on Pippi's face was priceless, and as there was nothing like a common enemy - or, in this case, a common person to torment - to create strong bonds, by the time Acheron and Pippi had to leave for work, it was as if he was already one of them.
Rue made him promise to help her with schoolwork, Astrid insisted on giving him a packed lunch similar to Pippi's, and even her impudent trio of aunts had their moment, with Acheron given a list of what they wanted for tonight's dinner.
It was, all in all, a good way to start the day, Acheron reflected as he followed Pippi out of the house. Even her neighbors were a rather nice bunch, with the widow living across the street understandably giving him the evil eye the moment she saw him place his hand on the small of Pippi's back.
"Your neighbor looks like she's just one scowl away from calling 911 and reporting an abduction," he murmured.
"Well, youdidchoose a rather disreputable-looking disguise." A smile tugged at her lips as she looked at him. Fake, greasy, shoulder-length grey hair and a Jesus Christ beard, a metal choker and ripped jeans - he definitely didn't look anything like his usual self. "What exactly are you supposed to be anyway?" she couldn't help asking. "Mel Gibson turns aging rockstar?"
"Good description," he acknowledged, "but as it's also better to keep things simple, just think of me as Mr. William Harney, a struggling writer hoping to find inspiration in Isla de Flores."
"That'syour idea of a writer?" The sound of Pippi's laughter trailed after her as she stepped inside Wickham's car rental for the day, a ten-year-old Toyota with peeling faux leather seats and a Care Bears sticker on its rear windshield.
As Wickham turned the car around, Acheron saw one of Pippi's aunts coming out and waving at the suspicious-looking neighbor, effectively distracting the latter.
Smart of her, but more importantly, it also spoke volumes of how natural it was for Pippi's family to protect each other...unlike his own flesh and blood.
Pippi was startled when Acheron suddenly drew her close and felt his lips touch the top of her head. When she looked up at him in askance, he said rather gruffly, "I like your family a lot,mikrí mou."
Acheron felt a mixture of emotions at seeing Pippi's whole face light up at his words. The sight unintentionally reminded him of the many times his former lovers had looked him the same way, but they had only done so because he had gifted them with something extravagant.
But Pippi was different.
She had always been different, but whether that was a good thing or not...
Allá ti ei moi taùta perí drun e perí pétren,Acheron thought. It was a Greek saying similar to the English proverb that spoke of people making mountains out of molehills, and right now that was exactly what he intended to stop doing.
For now, it was best to take things one fucking day at a time.
