In which Tessa gets a little too tipsy.

Pairing(s): Tessa Brennan x Kaden Gray

Warning(s): Mention of alcohol

Word Count: 1508

Kaden didn't know whether or not he should facepalm or laugh his head off. He figured he'd choose when he arrived at the club Tessa and the girls had gone to.

It had been a 'girl's night' that Kaden, Reese, and the other members of their friend group couldn't attend. As soon as Kaden saw Tessa leave their apartment in her tight black dress and glitzy heels, he knew for sure. He trusted his girlfriend, but there had been a few instances where she...couldn't exactly figure out how much was too much when it came to drinking.

So when Kaden got the call from Dale, he was already in motion. Now, he leant against his car, arms folded across his chest as he inhaled the crisp night air. A full moon was shining—probably an indicator of why Tessa had decided to drink too much—and stars illuminated the indigo sky above New York City.

The sound of heels clacking against the pavement brought his attention to the bright club entrance before him. Surely enough, there was Tessa, making her way towards him with Dale at her side. Kaden's lips quirked into a smile at the sight of his love, but seeing the goofy smile on the daughter of Poseidon's face was enough to make his heart flutter even faster than it always did where Tessa was concerned.

"Thanks for coming," Dale sighed in greeting, her arm around Tessa as she glanced at her best friend. "Can you stand?"

Tessa shot Dale a funny look. "I'm standing now, aren't I?" She waved around her bag as indication, leaning away from Dale's half-embrace.

"What a feat to accomplish," Dale deadpanned, turning back to Kaden. "Take it from here."

"Thanks for watching over her!" Kaden thanked the daughter of Demeter as she stalked back into the club, where the other girls were waiting. He averted his vision to Tessa, who was eyeing him carefully.

"Can I get your number?" Tessa's words were slightly slurred as she stepped towards Kaden, and the son of Venus fought a laugh.

Kaden nodded, opening the passenger seat for her. "I'm your boyfriend, Tess, but sure. Come on, let's go home."

Tessa's smirk stretched. "I like where this is going."

Kaden rolled his eyes, laughing under his breath as he shut the door behind Tessa and jogged over to the driver's side. He slipped inside and began the journey back to their apartment.

"So if you're my boyfriend, why didn't you come with me tonight?" Tessa stretched like a cat in her seat, lined eyes flicking back to him demurely.

Kaden glanced up at the ceiling of the car for a moment, as if to ask the gods for strength. When Tessa was tipsy, she tended to become extra flirty with Kaden—sometimes, like now, she'd forget that they were dating.

"How do you feel?" Kaden ignored the question, looking at her as he pulled up to a red light. Her curled dark hair was rumpled from her position in the seat, her smoky eye makeup still intact. The sequins on her black dress shimmered underneath the light of the stoplights, making her look like a piece of the night sky.

"Fine," Tessa shrugged, picking at the hem of her dress. Her eyes drew back to Kaden, and the smirk on her face made a reappearance. "I feel like I'll be better once I get home though, right?"

Kaden shook his head, laughing. He continued the drive, a smile on his face. "Let's get home first, then we'll see, Brennan."

Tessa shifted in her seat, sighing in content. "Works for me."

This'll be fun, Kaden thought sarcastically as he continued to drive.

--

While it was her own apartment, Tessa made herself at home pretty quickly. As soon as the door swung open, she kicked off her heels, padding across the hardwood floor. She tossed her clutch bag onto the end table, then flopped down onto their sofa.

"Comfortable?" Kaden called, a soft smile lacing his lips. He shut the door behind him, following Tessa into the living room and leaning against the wall.

Tessa pursed her lips. "Not really," She decided at last, pushing herself back off the couch.

Kaden sighed in amusement, walking away from his position on the wall. "How about you get ready for bed, and I'll join you in a minute?"

Tessa's smirk came back. "Sounds perfect."

And with that, she sashayed into their bedroom, the door shutting behind her.

Kaden watched her go, then walked into their kitchen, laughing silently. This wasn't his first rodeo, so he knew exactly what to do: call Tessa in sick to work for the next day, set out the Advil for the hangover she'd be feeling in the morning, and get her something to scarf down before she went to bed.

He walked into their bedroom, a tall glass of water in his hand. Sure enough, Tessa had made herself comfortable and ready for bed. She buried herself beneath the covers, donning one of Kaden's old t-shirts as her nightwear.

Kaden smiled, sitting down beside her and handing her the glass of water. "Drink this, it'll make you feel better."

"But I feel fine," Tessa huffed. As if fate would have it, her eyes widened in realization, and she made a face. "Scratch that."

She snatched the water out of Kaden's hand, and drank until the glass was empty. Once she was finished, she set the glass down on her bedside table and turned back to Kaden with big baby seal eyes.

"Can you cuddle with me please?" Tessa's voice was so small and timid, that even if Kaden didn't want to cuddle with her to begin with, her voice alone would have changed that.

Kaden grinned. "Of course, babe."

He settled himself beneath the covers, and pulled Tessa to him. Like clockwork, she rested her head on his chest, and hugged him tightly as his arms wrapped around her figure. Kaden could feel her heartbeat, the steady stream of her breathing as she drifted off. He helped her fall asleep by playing with her hair, and singing softly under his breath.

Once she was out, Kaden took a moment to gaze upon his girlfriend. He always thought Tessa was most beautiful when in her element—by the sea and under the stars—but seeing her in pure bliss and serenity was a close second. Her dark chocolate hair fanned out around her, her supple lips parted ever so slightly, the peace that she radiated as she dreamt about who knew what. There was no sign of the hardships they had been through, of the wars that had been waged—save the scars that lined her hands and body, the ones that Kaden had kissed time and time again.

Kaden smiled softly, and allowed himself to drift off as well, feeling nothing but love in his heart for the powerful daughter of Poseidon asleep beside him, who in reality, was the biggest softie and goof he'd ever known.

--

Kaden had woken up early the next day, making sure to get out of bed without so much as a rumple in the sheets, as to keep Tessa asleep. He padded his way into the kitchen, making himself a mug of coffee before making a quick stop at the grocery store for the foods Tessa would instantly demand as soon as her hangover hit.

When he came back, Tessa was still asleep, but judging from the level of the sun in the sky, he knew that she'd awake soon. He got to work quickly, setting things out and putting others away. After, he set up blankets along their living room, lining up Disney movies on the glass coffee table.

"Kaden?" Tessa's groggy voice called from their bedroom.

"Living room!" Kaden called back, stepping over to where he'd set out another glass of water and the Advil from the past night.

Tessa emerged from the bedroom, her face twisted into a grimace. She spotted Kaden's impish look, and pointed a finger at him as she approached.

"Not a word," She said in a grave voice. "Not one word."

Kaden put his hands up in surrender, but turned and handed her the glass of water and a tablet of medicine. Tessa downed both instantly, then sighed dramatically. She fell into Kaden's arms, and Kaden smiled as he rubbed her back, kissing the top of her head.

"How bad was I?" Came Tessa's muffled voice.

Kaden made a considerate face. "A seven."

Tessa whacked him.

Kaden laughed, pulling away long enough to peck her lips and then her forehead. "I like taking care of you, it's okay. I'm training to be a doctor, remember?"

Tessa sighed shortly, looking up at him with bleary turquoise eyes. "Thank you."

Kaden smiled, kissing her forehead again. "My pleasure. Now..." He said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. He snatched up the stack of Disney movies from the coffee table, wielding them before him.

"Which one will it be?"