//------------------------------// // Bukhemian Rhapsody - Adagio: Holding Out For a Hero // Story: Realizations: Cycle 1 // by Jaycren //------------------------------// Adagio stepped out of the Canterlot Day Spay, sore and tired, but satisfied. A muscular man stepped into the night next to her, locking the doors. Adagio watched this pale skinned, blonde, and red eyed man. After the Battle of the Bands Aria and Sonata had both found activities that allowed them to earn a place at CHS, Adagio had not. The despair she had felt when she knew that they had been defeated, as well as it being driven into her by a Megaton Friendship Laser had broken her confidence. Except, for some reason when she was around him. "You want me to walk you home, Adagio?" The Gentle Giant offered. "I will Be fine, Bulk." Bulk shrugged, "Alright, good night." Alone now, the shadows moved outside the light. At one point she and her sisters had been in those shadows. Adagio thought back to the aftermath. Sonata had cried, Aria had ranted and Adagio could do nothing. Where did it all go wrong? Why where we forsaken by the Gods? She thought about the next day, the sudden realization that food was a thing, they could no longer depend on their magic. Sonata, had found her niche first, working at Sugar Cube Corner. She had always been the cook, even though they had fed on negative energy, the three had long had a variety of favored food, Sonata's taco addiction not withstanding. Aria found her's next . She was a martial artist so it wasn't odd when she started working as a personal trainer. Adagio had a stream of failed interviews. Why can't I have a Hercules to Protect me from all harm? All I want is a White Knight to hold back these fears inside Late at night I walk these streets and want to run and Hide Finally everything changed. She had taken shelter in a Coffee Shop and had spent her last cash on a danish. Slumped in her chair looking out onto the street, the whispers of the patrons around her, all still hated her. Funny, they had forgiven Shimmer, but not her. A shadow loomed over the table. "Here" A coffee cup was placed in front of her and a young man sat down. "I know the look," He said. "Don't listen, just move forward" Those kind words done, he joined her in looking out the window. Nothing more had been said. "Same time, tomorrow?" He asked "What?” She hadn't followed. "Meeting here?" "I Don't...." She began, but he put a single long finger across her lips. The whole shop was quiet. She swore they where all looking at them. She no longer wanted their attention, make it stop, please. "Just allow me to buy you a coffee tomorrow.” All continued again, this guy asked her to coffee? Not the propositions she had been getting daily? He just wanted to talk, he was interested, he cared. The whispers were quiet, the noise that of a coffee shop. She blushed, then nodded, smiling. He got up from his chair and taking her garbage, began to move away. "Wait, What’s your name?" "Bulk Biceps" I want a Hero I'm Reaching out for a Hero One that will make all of this right I need him t be strong And he must hold me fast And he needs to be gentle and Kind Gods send me a Hero Please where is my hero to help me back to the light please send him soon Pleas guide him to me Because I'm cold deep inside So cold inside Deep in thought, again she moved into another memory. How many times had she and he met there. Each time they had shared that table. He was her moment of silence, the one she could complain to. "Ugh another day of fruitless searches," She exclaimed. "Sometimes I think my only skills left are for in the bedroom." A long fingered hand attached to a long arm somehow reached across the table and flicked her between the eyes. "Pity Party done?" "Sorry, was just..." Adagio stopped, Bulk was sitting odd. He was leaning to his left and he had a look of discomfort. "Bulk, are you okay? "Yeah, I'm fine. Adagio smirked. "I swear and you say I'm proud," She rose from her chair and got behind his, "Alright, let Adagio take a look, and see if she can fix." "Adagio I...." Bulk began but Adagio thwacked him in the back of his head. "Bulk, stop being a baby and lean forward." Bulk leaned forward in his chair as Adagio's hand swept down. Dear Hecate, what have you been doing? Fine my perfect ass, you have to be in serious pain!" Bulk went to speak again, but shut his mouth when he saw her look. "Now just give a moment to...." Bulk's eyes widened as Adagio pressed a nerve cluster and then, relief. He slumped back in his chair and closed his eyes only to hear, "Bulk can you please wake up, my hands are trapped and people are starting to stare." He instantly shot out of his chair a flush on his face. He looked at her smiled, and grabbed her hand. "Bulk, What are you...." "Shut up and come with me, I may know of a job for you." Again the song comes unbidden, unheard, from her lips, Driven by her memories. It's going after Midnight I lost all of my Dreams I look out beyond Myself I just want someone looking back at me The fear coming on like thunder It rises inside of me Please send a Hercules to get this out of me That day he had dragged her 2 blocks before she worked her hand free. He stopped and she slapped him across the face. "Bulk stop and tell me what is going on." He held up his hands in surrender "Alright I deserved that Adagio." He paused to focus "I believe I can get you a job where I work" Adagio's glared at him, "Alright, what would this job be?" "Adagio, please just trust me?" She looked at the man who had become her stability and sighed "Alright, But remember, I can and will stab you." Bulk smiled. "Duly noted' He said before he took off again. Adagio rushed after him, not for the first time amazed at how well and fast he moved. Canterlot Day Spa emblazoned in large gold letters arced across the front of the building. It offered a wide variety of services. Adagio was glad to see that "Happy Endings" was not one of them. "Bulk, Why..." "This is where I am a Masseuse" Pride, then a darker look "C'mon, just trust me a little more," Adagio looked at Bulk. "Okay, lead the way." "Really?" He looked back in surprise. "Bulk, in my past I have gotten what I want with magic and certain..... assets," She held up her hand. "Bulk I was a slut, but you have never treated me that way, you are either the nicest guy I have ever met or you are my first gay best friend, I trust you" Bulk flushed for a moment, "Okay, uh, for the record though, I am straight" "I should hope so, otherwise I have a manbutt" Bulk blushed and made his way inside. "Lotus!!!" He yelled. A slender woman in a spa uniform came running, "Bulk, What is..." Bulk held up his hand. "This is your new "Light touch" Masseuse. You are firing Heavy Hands TODAY or I am quitting, no more EXCUSES. I'm DONE dealing with him,. He leaves TODAY or I do." Lotus flushed before another voice spoke, "Lotus, you know Bulk is right" A differently colored copy of Lotus stepped forward. "We have complaints, We have a replacement, and we can't lose Bulk," The Woman looked at Adagio, "Bulk, how good is this Girl?" "She fixed my back in a coffee shop, while I was seated, with only a slight pressure to one nerve cluster" "She's hired, that is if she wants the job?" The woman glanced at Adagio. "Absolutely!!!!!" Adagio stammered. "So I'm fired now?" A sneering young man said from behind the two. "And what this little whore gonna..." He was cut short when Adagio somehow moved past all three, and had a switchblade pressed against his groin. "Little Boys shouldn't interrupt when the adults are talking," She purred, "Be a good little boy, clean up your mess, apologize, and leave." "Sorry for the trouble," "Lotus, Dear, We are keeping her," "Indeed Aloe, I like her, such fire," "We are Aloe and Lotus Blossom, owners, welcome to the family." They said in unison. Such had been two months ago. She had been happy, but still the thought that all this was temporaty, lingered. So still she sang, unhearing. Is he my hero Does he reach for me Will he hold me through the night He is incredibly strong and has always been kind and he has always been on my side Is he my Hero Does he want to hold me with all of his Might He makes me smile and he is so gentle and he can hold me incredibly tight Hold me so tight Her destination in sight she glanced at those shadow people, and she was glad that Bulk had saved her from that. She would have ended up some pimp's whore. A girl to be used and disposed of, some would have called it justice, hadn't she done that to many. Bulk had changed that destination. Again the unheard song fought the the shadows. He is stronger then all that I was Upon his strength I can lean I should have known he’s all that I need He keeps away the cold and the dark He burns through my blood He drives the fear from my heart How long has she loved him? From the moment he put his finger to her lips and was kind. That was when she was his. From then on that was it. The warmth in her heart made her want to run back to him. She knew where he lived. She took her breath. There was no rush. She didn't need to be up till later in the day, perks of working nights on a Friday. Again she sang Bulks my Hero Bulk’s the one that will make everything right Bulk’s the man that I want Bulk’. all that I need Bulk will hold me all of the night Bulk’s my Hero Bulk’s the one I need to hold me for all of my life Bulk’s incredibly Kind Bulk’s incredibly Strong Bulk reignites all of my fire and brings my heart back to life My Heart is once more alive. A shadow clamps a hand over her mouth, something sharp in her ribs. "You and me, whore are gonna go into that alley and have a little fun, and then I'm gonna send the video to Bulk so he can watch, slut" Then the hand is gone, Adagio turns and Bulk has the individual against the wall. She knows this one. "Hey Bulk I was...." Bulk hits the wall next to Heavy Hand’s head, brick and mortar crumble. "SHUT UP!!!!!” Heavy Hands closes his mouth. "SHE’S MINE, I’M HER’S!!!!! DON"T TOUCH HER, DON"T TALK TO HER, DO NOT COME NEAR HER, DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!!!!!" Heavy Hands nods furiously. "SAY IT!!!!!" "Absolutely." "LEAVE!!!!!" Heavy Hands runs "Bulk?" "Adagio, are you okay?" Her kind, sweet, gentle, Bulk. She staggers to him. She is HIS, but just as much, He is HERS. At last she her tears fall. Not just for tonight but all nights. His arms around her, her head under his chin. He holds her. Her sobbing over she pulls out of his arms. "How are you here?" "Thought I saw someone follow you." She pauses at the door. "Bulk?" "Yeah?" "Please can you come up and hold me?" "Of course, Adagio" "I can't be alone tonight, and Bulk?" "Yeah Adagio?" "Call me Dagi.”