Show Me Love

February was always Kol’s favorite month; April had Easter and their birthday. Which meant the box that was labeled Kol from England and the instructions to not open until their birthday was not a good thing. The box could be a few things. But the fact that it was labeled Stowell family did not give any hints. If it was from the three good siblings then opening it would be fine. If it was from the others,  then Kol wasn’t going to be happy after opening it. 

The question stood simple. Who would give them an early present.

They snapped out of their dilemma and put a smile on their face opening the door to their sibling. “I am. What are we doing today? Especially if you’ve decided against the dress code of the day.” Kol didn’t participate in Wednesday’s dress but they didn’t feel a need to be mad about anything. It was something a designer created and that’s all that mattered. 

Ches grins, “Seri and Ellie will make due without me, plus, I’m sure Ellie will understand why I turned this Wednesday down when we get back.” She tells them, “We’re going shopping, I’m paying for everything, and you get to pick where we go.” She tells him, “Just, don’t be mad if I request to drop in PINK? They have this new cropped pullover I’m kind of in love with and if you spend $40 right now, you get a $20 gift card. So if I buy one, I get $20 for next time I go “ohmygosh I’m in love” which is bound to happen.” 

She had a habit of doing that, plus it wasn’t like she wouldn’t wear it. If it was normal Victoria’s Secret, she would probably try to avoid it - considering she didn’t want to hurt Ellie’s feelings by shopping for lingerie there, although Ellie’s designs suited her preference more  She’d have to talk to the daughter of Zeus about a commission at some point.

Not yet, but if things between her and Ivan actually went there? Definitely.

“And before you pull an Effie and ask, no, you don’t even get to pay for lunch - this is a birthday treat. So, are you coming?”

Ches honestly was excited, normally today was Lingerie Wednesday, and she’d awkwardly survive the day hoping there was no one new, and that everyone kept their judgement to themselves - but today she was wearing a jeans and her favorite tank top. 

Because she was taking Kol shopping today, and she was paying for everything. No matter what they said - they were going on a spree. She reaches their door, knocking on it. “Kol! You in here? I have the best plans for today!”

It was close enough to Kol’s birthday to get away with it, and she was excited about the plan - it wouldn’t be a surprise if she sat on it too long - so it was better to act now instead of wait.

Plus, might as well bring them a little joy.

There was a couple drawings - scribbled by a little girl who absolutely adored her brother. His childhood teddy bear that sat on his shelf, she couldn’t help but pick that up and hug it close when she saw it in the box. And at the bottom of the box, where the teddy was sitting, was a sealed letter. She picks it up, the tears starting to fall when she notices the handwriting on the front - it was addressed to her.

Why did Logan write her a letter?

She rubs the tears away stubbornly, taking the letter and leaving her  and Ari’s shared bedroom. She supposed that wasn’t the smartest move, but she genuinely wanted to sit near the fire, in her favorite comfy chair. Plus, nobody would question a letter from home, right?

That was, until she started to read the letter. It was an in case his addiction killed him letter, reminding him that he absolutely adored her, and was forever thankful to have her as a sister. That he was sorry he failed her, and that he’d be okay.

She puts the letter away, trying to prevent the letters from running like the tears down her cheeks. Perhaps no one would notice? She could get that lucky.

Ivan nodded. That was all he could ask. Anymore, well, he’d been on the hypocritical lecture long enough. He was a son of Hermes. That came with his fair share of kleptomania. He wouldn’t deny that he had sticky fingers. But he always stole for a purpose.

On time, he remembered stealing art supplies for Balo. Lance refused to do it, saying it was a punishment of some kind. Bullshit was what it was. So Ivan procured the supplies she’d needed for her. Most of the things he’d stolen had been for Balo. Christmas presents, birthday presents, things she needed, things she wanted. Ivan always tried to take care of his little sister.

“Doll, if I told you all my thoughts, you’d give it away before I’ve worked it out myself,” Ivan said, curling his fingers into the soft strands of red hair. “You don’t have the best poker face love. I’d rather figure it out in my own time. I don’t want you giving it away when you aren’t intending to.”

Ches gives Ivan a small smile when he nods and drops the lecture. It was sweet he cared - she knew that full well. Someone who didn’t care didn’t take the time to lecture about stealing being a dangerous game - or in her case, borrowing without permission.

She wasn’t joking about doing everything in her power to return Ivan’s clothes to him if she managed to successfully take them. They were his - and if her plan worked? They would be returned by a very happy Ches.

“My poker face isn’t that bad.” She tries to defend - okay - he had a point. She had a pretty bad poker face - but it honestly could be worse. “But,  I can see your point. While I’m curious about your ideas on the matter - I don’t want to give it away unintentionally. Will you tell me once you’re positive you have it figured out?” He didn’t have to - but it was definitely preferred. 

Of course - she wasn’t sure what to expect from Ivan once he did figure it out. So - it would help to know when he did.

He wasn’t sure if this event was going to be fun or if it was going to suck. At least he’d been partnered with Ches. Could have been worse. He could have been paired with James and put on Alan’s list. And Ivan seriously doubted that idiot would be capable of devising clever enough riddles to make Ivan think. He was very good with riddles and the sort.

That’s why when he heard the first riddle he was down to three items, and really, only one made sense to him. But, this was a team challenge. Which meant, he couldn’t solve everything alone. He’d need to get Ches’s input before they decided on anything in particular. Ivan would let her lead the way on the riddle solving. It’d be more fun that way.

Besides, getting some insight into the way the redhead thought was always a good idea. She was still a bit of a wildcard. As much as he found that wildly attractive, he’d need to categorise her logic sooner rather than later.

So he went in search of her, riddle written down in one of his many notebooks. “Hey doll,” he said, strolling up behind her, jotting a few notes next to the riddle. His thoughts, and then he’d write down Ches’s. He’d compare them later. See how she thought verses how he thought. “Thought any about this riddle?”

Ches probably had the best partner she could have gotten - other than her own, and even then, she wasn’t sure if Ari or Ivan was the better choice. But Ari was on Alan’s items, and Ches couldn’t say she didn’t pity her partner - chasing after alcohol probably wasn’t any fun. Ivan and her with riddles - well - this was going to be fine.

Ivan was smart, and she had a pretty good gut instinct about this riddle - that was a good sign.

And there was Ivan now. “Hey handsome.” She smiles putting her cellphone in her pocket, and looking at him. “It didn’t require too much thought.” She admits, “As soon as Zelda said that it has a butt that doesn’t poop, it clicked. The fact it’s in Alan’s pocket just confirmed.” She looks around, making sure none of the other people on Zelda’s list are in the area before continuing.

“It’s a cigarette, handsome.” She smiles. “Between the fact you can smell smoke the second Alan steps into the room and the fact that James was a smoker when we dated? I have no doubt about it.” She wasn’t fond of James - it was clear from her voice. How could she be? He broke her heart with four words and showed up years later to try to win her back.

James was pretty much her least favorite person.

“Of course, if you have a different idea - please let me know. I do want to hear your thoughts on the matter, handsome. We’re a team and your opinion is just as important as mine.” Perhaps her gut instinct was wrong, if it was - she honestly hoped Ivan would tell her.

Ivan laughed softly. That was true. He’d mentioned the local party boy first. But still. That didn’t mean they had to continue the line of discussion any longer. “Well, now I’m ending that line of conversation doll,” Ivan said, giving her a slight smirk. 

Ivan gave Ches a look. “Borrowing until something happens to prevent you from being able to return it,” he said, tilting Ches’s chin up. “Then your borrow becomes stealing. We wouldn’t want that now would we?” Ivan leaned in, brushing his lips against hers quickly. It barely counted as a kiss. It was just a small taste. 

“Oh. I have my theories,” Ivan murmured, pushing some of the red hair behind her ear. “Several in fact. Yet to determine which is correct. But believe me. I will find out. It’s just a matter of eliminating all the other possibilities until I’m left with just one. The correct reason.” He’d figure it out. Given enough time, Ivan Marsden would always figure it out.

Ches nods, “I’m not complaining handsome.” She tells him, and she wasn’t. Alan wasn’t someone she liked lingering on too long, he got under her skin - constantly. So Ivan changing the subject was probably a good thing in that regard - although, maybe the lecture on her attempts to borrow his clothing wasn’t much of a improvement.

She listens to Ivan’s words quietly, wanting to wait until he was done before speaking. His lips brush against hers, a small taste of a kiss, and Ches smiles at him as he pulls away. “No we wouldn’t, but I promise if I ever successfully borrow them, I will do everything in my power to return them at some point.” Not right away, couldn’t just return them immediately. It wouldn’t be much of a success if she didn’t get to see what she was borrowing the clothes for - but - she wasn’t going to let them never return to him.

She wasn’t doing this with ill intentions.

“Oh? Do you care to share any?” She asks, curious as to what Ivan’s theories were. If he didn’t share them, it was fine - of course - but she was always curious about what he thought of the matter. “I have no doubt that you’ll figure it out at some point.” She admits, he truly was the smartest man she knew, it would be more surprising if he didn’t figure it out than if he did.

Ivan nodded, flashing Ches a dimpled smile. “You know, worrying about that numpty, the least interesting thing we could be discussing,” he said, tapping Ches’s nose again. “We could be talking about how you’re thieving is a dangerous game.” He raised an eyebrow. Sure, was it hypocritical for him to lecture Ches about stealing? Hell yeah. Still, he was going to do it.

“You know, stealing is the beginning of many other dangerous crimes doll,” Ivan said with a smile. “Once you start, you might never stop. Some of us are physically designed to be able to resist the addiction. You really should think before you try to steal again. Besides, you’ll succeed in stealing anything from a child of Hermes.” Ivan’s security system was flawless. He updated it frequently, keeping it all as perfect as possible. 

No one was stealing from him anytime soon. Not even Ches Elswood.

“But as for a jumper, I suppose you could have one,” Ivan said, stepping away from Ches to pull a well-worn hoodie from his drawer to hand it to her. “There you go love, one jumper. Now you don’t need to steal my clothes. You have a jumper and a shirt. What more could you possibly need?’

Ches smiles, “you mentioned him first, i just continued the line of conversation.” She points out, but when he mentions her thieving was a dangerous game her smile fades. She wasn’t exactly expecting a lecture after that kiss, but here it was, and she wasn’t exactly sure how to explain that it wasn’t the stealing itself she was in his room.

“I do feel like I should point out that it’s not exactly stealing, it’s borrowing without permission - I have full intentions on giving you your clothes back, handsome.” She points out. “So, I doubt it will lead into a bunch of crimes and all that. I do appreciate the concern, though, handsome.” And she did, it was sweet of Ivan, to actually care enough to take the time to lecture her about her habit of attempting to take his clothing.

She smiles when he offers her the hoodie though, it’s smaller then her beaming one earlier, but, she takes it, putting it with the shirt he had given her. “Handsome, you really haven’t figured out my motives yet.” It’s not a question, she had no doubt about it that little fact. "Although, I am curious why you think I do this. Surely the most clever person I know has some idea.”

Ivan nodded. He knew that wasn’t reason she was here. He was smart enough to know exactly why she was in here. She had this habit of trying to steal his clothes. She would never succeed. Nobody stole from a child of Hermes. “See Chessie? Being honest with me isn’t so hard,” he said, his accent more prominent than usual. He knew Ches liked it and well, he did like to play it up from time to time. 

Ivan nodded. Short legs, that’s exactly how Alan described Ches. “His thing for legs is rather disturbing,” he said with a shrug. “He’s missing the best parts though isn’t he doll?” Ivan grinned. It was no real secret that Ivan though Ches was beautiful. It definitely didn’t hurt that she wasn’t as tall as him. With all the giant guys around here, at 5'9", Ivan was shorter than some of the girls as well. 

But what he lacked in physical size he made up for in his speed and cunning. No one out sped a child of Hermes. 

“You’ll have to keep that in mind next time you think you need a new shirt,” Ivan said with a smile. “I could be convinced that you can take both a shirt and a jumper at a time. But you might have to ask nicely.” Ivan grinned, leaning in close. ↵ “So doll, what’s it going to be? Shall I get you a jumper in case you get chilly.”

Ches smiles, there Ivan was, playing up the accent she loved so much. “I see.” She agrees, oh how easy it was to smile around Ivan. She wasn’t expected just to be the pretty daughter of Aphrodite around him, and honestly, between Ivan himself and the fact she didn’t have to always play dumb with him. Well, it was refreshing to say the least.

“It can be.” She agrees, “there’s much better things to admire.” She admits, looking Ivan over for a moment, “much better things.” She smiles as Ivan tells her he was missing the best parts, “He is. But, you see, there’s this very handsome British man with the most gorgeous eyes I’ve ever seen who’s attention I’d much rather have so, I’m completely fine with Alan not noticing my best parts.” She winks at him, and it’s very clear she’s talking about Ivan. His eyes were gorgeous, and Ches would much rather have his attention any day of the week than spend any time with Alan.

She nods, “I will definitely keep it in mind, handsome.” She agrees, smiling. “Can I please have a jumper?” She asks, leaning in and kissing him gently. “Please?” She whispers as she pulls away, fluttering her eyelashes at him yet again.

Ivan just gave Ches a look. “Somehow, I get the feeling you weren’t looking for me,” he said, tapping her nose gently. “If you had been wouldn’t you have left the moment you knew I was not here love?” Ivan had his suspicions as to why Ches was really here. She had a bad habit of attempting to steal his clothes. He wasn’t entirely sure the full motivation behind it, but he was almost confident that was her motive this time.

Ivan laughed. “It would have,” he agreed, brushing his fingers against the material of her shirt. “You know who would have been responsible for the audience too. Everyone’s favourite pretty boy.” Ivan rolled his eyes, running the hem of Ches’s shirt between his fingers absently. He’d been told the pretty boy was an ‘acquired taste’, well, Ivan had never ‘acquired’ that taste. Alan Cooke really succeeded only in getting on his nerves.

Ivan grinned at Ches. “You’d look beautiful in one of my button-downs,” he said, leaving out the part where she’d be in his button-down and nothing else. She could read between those lines if she wanted to. “You are lucky it wasn’t Rita that walked in on you, you know.”

Ivan paused for a moment. “I had half a mind to wait, let her be the one to walk in and find you hanging almost half-naked from our ceiling.”

Ches smiles, “Alright, you caught me. I wasn’t looking for you exactly, but, that being said, it’s always worth getting caught if you’re the one catching me.” She admits, of course - Ivan naked would probably be a better reward - but - she wasn’t about to admit to that little fact.

Not yet at least,

“Probably commenting on how short my legs are again.” She shakes her head, “He’s my least favorite person here - Seri insists he’s gorgeous, and I don’t see it. If he was pretty, he ruins it the second he opens his mouth.” It was no secret she was no fan of Alan Cooke - they tolerated each other - but that was about it. Now Ivan? Pretty much everyone knew she was a fan.

She blamed Kol for that fact, to be honest.

She smiles, moving a little closer to Ivan. “Oh?” She could read between those lines and she honestly liked the idea. She wouldn’t act on it - probably - but - it was something to keep in mind. “Well, I may have to borrow one of those someday.” She knew it would be a bit, he had just kissed her - but - the potential is there.

Ivan would just have to continue playing his cards right.

When he mentions the possibility of Rita walking in, her smile fades a little. “Well, that would be awkward, what if she asked why I try to steal your clothes? I’d have to explain.” She frowns at the thought. “And I don’t trust her not to tell you - and that’s something I’d rather you hear from my mouth, not anyone else’s.”

Ivan raised an eyebrow. “It is my room doll,” he said, smiling as he tapped her nose again. “No wonder I’m here. Besides, you really think I wouldn’t know how long you’ve been hanging?” Ivan leaned back, taking in Ches’s frame. She was strung upside down from the ceiling, her red hair and rebellious shirt cascading down with gravity. They were eye-level, well, almost.

“Your shirt is being rebellious there love,” he said, smirking at the fact that if Ches moved her arms too much, she’d likely lose the shirt all together. This was the most exposed she’d been after getting caught in one of his traps. “You’re lucky you closed the door behind you. You’d have been all over everyone’s Instagram, not to mention the crowd of people clustered outside my door staring at the beautiful redhead hanging from my ceiling.”

Ivan ducked under Ches, opened his drawer to fish out a well-worn t-shirt. “Here doll,” he said, handing the soft cotton garment to the girl. He tilted his head slightly, looking at Ches for a long moment. He ran through the scenarios quickly, all the possibilities flashing through his mind quickly.

Without another moment of hesitation, Ivan leaned in, pressing his lips to Ches’s in a slow, delicate kiss. “Next time, just ask,” he murmured before stepping back to release Ches from the trap. “You won’t get strung up if you just ask doll.”

Ches smiles, “True, best place to find you, though.” She hadn’t been intending on finding Ivan - she had just wanted his clothes to hide - but - seeing Ivan was always worth getting caught up into his traps. “Of course you knew, you always do.” She admits. Ivan had a way of finding out about everything - she wouldn't be surprised if he knew about her conversation with Zelda -although she wasn’t sure what she thought about it if he did.

Somethings were better left finding out from the person’s own mouth - and that was one of those things.

“It is - you’d think my shirt would want to stay on my body.” She was trying not to move too much, not wanting to lose it completely. Then again, it was just Ivan - it was safe to lose it with him. She doubted he’d take a picture to share on Instagram. Okay - maybe this shirt wasn’t completely off the list then. “I’m thankful I closed the door behind me this time, that would have been bad.”

She takes the shirt from him when he offers it, smiling. “Thank you handsome.” She tells him, it was soft - well worn. And the fact Ivan had just handed it to her? Well, she was very happy to know that if she asked for a shirt - he’d give her one.

She’d have to keep that in mind.

She watches Ivan, now was the time he’d let her down, right? But he leans in instead, and before she can ask him what’s on his mind, his lips press against hers. She kisses him back, keeping the gentleness of the kiss intact.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” She promises - and she would. She probably wouldn’t stop trying to steal Ivan’s clothes - not yet - at least - but = the shirt thing? She would probably use that at some point again.

He releases her from the trap, and Ches fixes her shirt once she’s back on the ground, smiling at him. “Thank you.”

Ivan glanced at his phone, a notification warning him of someone entering his room without permission. He was still working on getting his partner, Rita, cued into his room security. He was expecting to see the daughter of Ares walking to her side of the room, carefully avoiding Ivan’s traps. But no. It wasn’t the daughter of Ares that he saw dangling from the trap near his dresser. It was Ches. The beautiful redhead had a bad habit of attempting to steal his clothes.

Would she ever learn?

No. He didn’t figure she ever would. He would do as he usually did. Let her dangle for ten to twenty minutes, and then retrieve her from the ceiling. He grabbed his sketchbook, flipping it open to the outline of a drawing he’d started a few days ago. He began to add to it. It was a drawing of Ches. Eventually, he’d finish it and hang it on his wall. Some day, she’d see it and ask about it. And when she did, well, he’d what he did best.

About fifteen minutes later, he closed the book, tucked his pencil behind his ear and made his way back to his room. He opened the room and leaned against the doorframe. “Hey doll,” he said with a grin. He moved into the room, setting the sketchbook onto his desk and the pencil there with it. “You know doll, this wouldn’t happen if you weren’t a cheeky little thing.”

Ivan grinned, tapping Ches’s nose. “You’re lucky that Rita didn’t find you hanging here,” he said, leaning closer. “Have to explain why you’re hanging here. Trying to knick my clothes. Again. You know, if you want a shirt, you only have to ask.”

Ches turns her head to the door when she hears footsteps - letting out a sigh of relief when she notices that it’s Ivan that had entered the room - not Rita. “Hey, handsome, fancy seeing you here!” She greets him, a grin replacing the pout on her face.

No use pouting now, Ivan was here, and she didn’t really want to be left here to dangle some more.

She watches as he walks over, setting his sketchbook on his desk, he was beautiful - well deserving of his nickname. “I’m sure everyone knows about me trying to borrow your clothing, Ivan. I was more worried about my rebellious wardrobe.” She admits, gesturing to the shirt that had managed to roll itself down a little. This shirt without a doubt was off the list of things that she could wear while attempting to see Ivan’s clothes - in case it rebelled more.

But a shirt... maybe she should take him up on the offer to ask.

“Handsome, can I have a shirt?” She questions - fluttering her eyelashes at him. It couldn’t hurt to ask - right? The worse he could do was say no and leave her dangling longer - right? Okay, maybe he was capable of worse - but - still. Point being - it was harmless to ask.

Plus, a shirt of Ivan’s would be nice to have.

Ches had honestly been planning this attempt for a week - going through her memories and figuring out what worked and what didn’t when it came to stealing Ivan’s clothes. She was careful not to jot any notes - knowing Ivan had cameras everywhere - and it was safest not to even bother writing it because he would see it.

But no matter all her planning, all her scheming, she still wound up dangling from the ceiling, pouting to herself.

It didn’t help matters that her shirt had managed to roll itself down, her stomach and the corner of her bra showing. She was thankful she had closed the door upon coming in (she had no lookout there was no reason for the door to be open) and that there was nobody else in the room currently. Sure she wouldn’t mind if Ivan walked into her like this - but Rita?

Well, that would be awkward to say the least.

She wasn’t sure how long she had been dangling - it felt like awhile though - long enough for it to almost be time for Ivan to let her down, right? Or at the very least - come check on her to remind her that she wasn’t to steal his clothes.

She just hoped he would come sooner than later.

“Jonah sounds cool. Maybe I could meet him sometime.” They winced at the mention of the dog incident, running a hand through their hair, "That was supposed to be funny…” Ari mumbled. 

Their own phone had too many pictures of their pets. With Bucky and Stella, their sister’s sheepdog, there were a lot, added to all the ones they took of Cerberus last time they went down to the Underworld. Their father never played with the Hellhound, and yeah maybe playing with him took away from what Cerberus was supposed to be doing but he was always happy afterwards. 

“You’re Birthday’s on a normal day,” Ari grumbled, “Do you know how horribly ironic it is being a Hades kid born on Halloween?”

“Jonah is cool - I’ll have to introduce you both some day. He’d probably think you’re awesome.” Ches tells them, watching them wince and shaking her head. “No, it was funny, some people just can’t take a joke.” She assures her partner, “the cat picture from Sam hurt, way too many Cheshire Cat jokes for one life time. And the whole Ivan-thing was scary, but the positive reactions were probably some of the best messages I ever read.”

It was no secret Ches really liked Ivan - like seriously liked Ivan - so that had been dig yourself a hole worthy, but, it could have been worse - so she supposed she couldn’t complain.

“It’s beautiful irony.” She tells Ari, smiling, “and you share a birthday with my sister - Effie - so I think it’s very cool. Two of my favorite people share a birthday.” She then sighs, “but I suppose the whole Hades, Halloween thing can get annoying at times.”

“Maybe Lonely Ghost Club or a cat skull. Although I’m not sure Bucky would appreciate that.” Ari snorted, “I can actually see ghosts so the first one would make more sense.” 

They laughed, “That sounds like a bad joke. What would you call it if the two of us were on the run from the police? A small and a Medium at large.” 

“Jonah? Which one is that, you have so many siblings I can never keep track.” they shook their head, “Thats why I’m glad I only have one name to forget. Two if you count Collen.” 

“Those both would work - although we should probably just lie and tell Bucky it’s a fox skull or something. Whichever non-feline animal’s skull looks the closest.” Ches suggests, “I don’t think the gesture would go over well if Bucky knew.” 

She giggles, okay, while she hated height jokes with a passion, that one was good. Plus it was Ari - they would never purposely try to hurt her feelings - especially under the guise of a joke. “Nice, I like that.” She admits, smiling.

“Jonah is the one who’s older than me by a year - big goofball, heart of gold, dating one of my best friends.” She tells Ari, “I think you’d like him, when you took my phone and sent all the boys pictures of dogs - he replied it was the best compliment he had ever received.”

That hadn’t been the best day for her - while some of the responses had been great, others - like Sam and his damn cat photo - weren’t. Plus she kind of wanted to bury herself alive the second she found out Ivan received one too.

If it had only been sent to the people who weren’t hurt by things like that? Well - she would have been fine.