Time Warp: Jealous (Pen)

[Calliope Gallo]

June, 2018

Callie would always be grateful that she found the means to give Lucah a decent chance. She had no idea of the life it would end up leading to. They stayed together through her remaining years at high school and his years at college. Through the stress and frustration of their eventual move to New York. Her brothers and father grew to love him; her mother grew to adore him as another member of the family. The Gallo-Jones clan cared for him almost as much as she did. Even more so when he sat down with the men of the family and asked them equally for permission to marry their girl.

She'd always been so lucky he bothered to spend his time with her.

Lucky was an understatement.

But there was still one thing she needed to take care of. Suddenly being engaged felt completely weighted, and she knew why. Keeping things from Lucah was the worst decision she'd ever made, and her particular choice in person was what made it so unbearable. But a ring on her finger - approved by her brothers, no less - changed everything.

On that particular day, Lucah had a stack of piano classes to teach so he was busy. Callie didn't have rehearsals for the latest show she'd been working on, so what better time to put an end to everything. The sooner the better, she figured. Callie ended up calling Penelope and telling her to come over to the apartment she shared with her new fiancé. She didn't say why. She probably should have.

In hindsight, a public setting might have been smarter.

Callie held her hands together as she waited for the impending knock at the door. When it finally came, she all but jumped off the couch in surprise. She quickly made her way over, swinging the thing open and taking in the sight of the person standing before her. Penelope was beautiful. She always was and always would be.

She smiled involuntarily - it was almost impossible to resist falling into not-so-old habits; "Hey."

[Penelope Lopez]

Five years had passed since things had started to change for Penelope. Not only had she made some of her best friends back then, but she had also met whom she counted as being the love of her life. The only issue was that the person she loved was not only the most beautiful person alive, both on the outside and on the inside, but she was also taken. And had been taken for as long as Penelope had known her. That hadn't exactly stopped her before, but it was hard loving someone she couldn't have. Have for her own anyways.

Even five years after meeting Callie, Penelope's feelings hadn't diminished. They were still there, apparent as ever and ever growing. If she had been less stubborn, maybe she wouldn't have been in this situation, but getting one taste had only lead her to wanting more. And more. A little was only enough to satisfy her for a short amount of time, and as things had progressed, well... Here she was, still chasing the same girl she had during high school.

After getting a call from the blonde, Penelope had to admit she was curious as to what the blonde wanted. She hadn't said anything on the phone, nor mentioned anything earlier. Penelope hoped with all she had that this was finally, after all the longing and craving, the day Callie would give her both pieces of her heart. But then again... Why would she? After all these years, the blonde had still picked the boy, whateverhisnamewas over her. Over and over again. Maybe the questions was, why was she still here?

Either way, Penelope knew it wasn't as easy as simply giving up. She had tried that already without luck. Nope, the brunette was hopelessly and madly in love, and all common sense had vanished from her mind years ago.

Standing outside the door to Callie's apartment, Penelope nervously bit her lip as she lifted her arm to knock on the door, bracing herself for whatever was to come. And when the door finally did open, Penelope's breath was taken away.

''Hey there.'', she responded and returned the smile, glancing at the blonde in awe. She looked as beautiful as ever, it was almost painful. Well, it was painful, but in a good kind of way. ''What's up?''

[Calliope Gallo]

Callie felt a significant pain in her chest when Penelope smiled at her. She leaned against the doorway momentarily, already feeling weak. This was made more difficult when she let her gaze travel across her body before settling on her face again. She couldn't help but absolutely adore that look in her eyes; the awe that reminded her how appreciated she was. Even at times were Callie would try to convince her that she herself was the worst person in existence, she still looked at her like that.

People always used to joke that Calliope had the capacity in her heart to love two people equally. They didn't know how right they were.

"Nothing." She lied. Years later, she was still a bad liar. Finally she moved out of the way of the doorway so she could walk past. The half-Greek opted to close the door behind her. "How've you been?" Callie asked, instantly wanting to take back the question. What a stupid thing to ask.

[Penelope Lopez]

Narrowing her eyes ever so slightly at the blonde, Penelope accepted her offer and walked inside. Scanning the room before turning to face Callie, Penelope replaced her narrowed eyes with a softer gaze and shrugged. ''I've been okay. About the same as usual.'' She steadied her elbow with her arm, resting the other on the opposite shoulder and pursed her lips. ''How about yourself?''

It seemed as if the more time passed, the harder it got to keep her hands away. All she wanted was to be close to her. Hold her. Kiss her. Be with her. She couldn't really give Callie the blame for it either. After all, she had willingly chosen to be a part of this... Whatever it was.

Penelope reached out her hand, brushing Callie's blonde locks between her fingers, her eyes and smile distant. ''You look beautiful - like always.''

[Calliope Gallo]

"The same." Callie replied shortly. Another lie. She knew she had to be honest, but when was a deciding factor. Small talk felt so unnatural. Part of her wasn't ready to let every fragile thing between them fall apart.

She shouldn't have said yes to him. Not like this.

Callie folded her arms in front of her chest, her hands hidden from view. Stopped from being able to move, lest her impulses direct her to reach out towards her gorgeous counterpart at any moment.

She felt her breath catch in her throat when Penelope reached out towards her. Even without direct contact, she felt her mind reeling. This woman was too intoxicating for her, but she couldn't step back. "I missed you." She admitted lightly. She couldn't help that.

[Penelope Lopez]

Penelope's gaze flickered over the blonde's beautiful features, feeling herself getting pulled in like she always did. It was so hard to be like this.. All Penelope wanted to do was steal the blonde away and never give her back. Ever.

A saddening smile appeared on her lips and she nodded slowly. ''I missed you too.'', she whispered, unable to pull her hand away. Instead, it continued to play with the blonde's hair before finally, dropping to her shoulder, slowly sliding down what was visible of her arm, barely touching the skin with her fingertips.

''Callie...I-'' She didn't want to pull away. She couldn't pull away. She was completely lost in the moment, surrendering before the blonde like a lamb inside the lion's den. Actually, it felt more like she was the lion. After getting the first taste of lamb, it wasn't enough. She wanted more. She wanted everything. She was hooked.

''And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.'', she whispered, barely hearable.

[Calliope Gallo]

Callie knew how dangerous her admission was. But it was truthful nonetheless. In the times where she didn't see her, a flood of memories always arrived with her return. Each time Calliope thought she could leave her be, she pulled her back in. It was cruel, she knew. But it was also an inevitability.

Her eyes fluttered closed when familiar fingertips trailed across her shoulder, down the line of her arm. She took in a slow, dissatisfying breath - anything to try and calm herself down. It was unbearable.

She felt herself lean in a touch, an involuntary act that came from such a magnetic personality being so close to her. She didn't open her eyes. As much as she wanted to look at her again, she knew how difficult it was to endure a look from those familiar dark eyes.

"I can't." Calliope whispered back, though she lacked conviction.

[Penelope Lopez]

Penelope's hand stopped, her eyes lifting to Callie's face with a solemn expression. She knew the fun would only last for so long and that someday it had to end. That was probably the worst part. It was one thing to not have her completely, but not at all? The thought was unbearable.

''You can't, or you won't?'', she asked and lifted her hand to the girl's cheek. ''Look at me, Callie.'' Maybe it wasn't fair and maybe Penelope was a horrible person, but... This cat and mouse game would only end if Callie put her foot down, and gave Penelope proof that this wasn't something she wanted. Simply telling her she couldn't wasn't good enough.

It would never be good enough.

Penelope's free hand rose to Callie's neck, brushing away her hair before she leaned in further. ''Look me in the eyes and tell me you don't want this and I'll go.''

[Calliope Gallo]

Though she listened, Calliope didn't offer an answer. She couldn't think properly. When she was asked to open her eyes, she didn't. All the blonde offered was a small, almost insignificant shake of her head.

It wasn't until she asked again that Callie had any strength to try.

Finally, she opened her eyes, unwillingly connecting her gaze with Penelope's. She was so close. Close enough that her breath was tickling the half-Greek's skin. She tried to exhale slowly to keep herself together, but it caught in her throat before she had the chance;

"I can't." Callie repeated. She couldn't lie to her. Not like this.

[Penelope Lopez]

Penelope nodded and pulled back again, a flush of insecurity rushed over her face as she looked away. She knew she should have felt content with the blonde being unable to tell her off, but... She didn't. It felt wrong. In every aspect of the word.

''Callie.'', she began and sighed.

She didn't want to know the answer to the question and the second she had asked, she regret it. But it was inevitable. Penelope was tired, tired of always coming second. Tired of being the dirty little secret. Years ago she didn't mind it, but now? It felt sort of degrading. The realization hit her like a kick to the face, and she felt more like running away rather than standing here, possibly getting her dreams and wishes shattered in front of her without the ability to do something about it.

Penelope could feel her telekinetic energy going against her choice to step back. She could feel it reach out for the blonde, as if it was searching for a long lost friend or a long lost comfort. It tugged at the blonde's shirt in a desperate move to pull her close again.

''Why am I here?''

[Calliope Gallo]

Callie finally exhaled the breath she was carrying when Penelope backed away. Instantly, she leaned forward. Almost insignificantly so, but the draw was in high demand. She didn't want her to stop.

She felt the undeniable pull of her counterpart's ability take hold of her, and she didn't question it. The half-Greek took the step forward as prompted, her hands practically twitching to make contact again. She craved it like a drug. She always did.

"Because," Calliope replied, as though the single word was enough. It wasn't. It never was. "I can't tell you to go. I can't tell you I don't want you."

Reaching out, the blonde curled her fingers into the fabric of her counterpart's shirt, holding on tightly; "Because I'm in love with you."

[Penelope Lopez]

The first line of words had been enough to make her want to stay. But when she reached out and told her that she was in love with her, Penelope could have sworn her heart skipped a beat. She melted, swooned and all other forms of cliche ways to express just how much she loved to hear those words.

She couldn't hold it back any longer, and the brunette finally gave in to the will of her ability, quickly moving forward, placing both of her hands on Callie's cheek, cupping it. She leaned in, feeling the addictive sensation of Callie's presence pull her in and keep her there. Penelope's lips met the blonde's once again, just like it had before, but this time it felt slightly different. This time she didn't pretend it was just for fun. This time she knew it wasn't. It was real. As real as it could be. It wasn't a dream.

''I love you.'', she whispered, feeling herself being lost more and more. The blonde was consuming her entire being and Penelope loved it. She felt complete. She felt safe. But most importantly; She felt a overwhelming happiness.

[Calliope Gallo]

Callie stared back at her, her breath hitching in her throat when Penelope pressed her hands against her cheeks. For the briefest of times, she was convinced that she was going to leave her. Even if she'd brought her here so she could leave her. The thought of it was suddenly too much to handle.

So she kissed her. Or she let herself be kissed. Calliope indulged in the act for everything it was and everything it represented. She pulled her in closer, wrapping her arms tightly around her waist. She felt desperate for every ounce of contact she could get.

When Penelope pulled away, Callie followed her. She felt the words against her lips before she made the motion to kiss her again. At that point, she completely forgot she had a ring on her finger. That she'd been all but claimed by the Romanian man who owned half her heart. Her fingers worked to side underneath the hem line of her counterpart's shirt, her hands trailing along her back. Any point of contact felt necessary and new.

"I love you." She repeated quietly. It was as necessary as every ounce of contact she received.

[Penelope Lopez]

At times, Penelope did want to leave. Not because she didn't love the girl, because lord knew she did. But because of the emotional stress it put on her. The constant fear of being left. Of being alone. And the constant fear of getting her heart broken. But in the end, as easily as the blonde pulled her back, she knew she would never be able to. She would never give up.

Penelope's hands went to the girl's shoulders, trailing her fingertips down her sides to her hips, resting there for a moment before finding their way up again, pulling her shirt to the side, only to replace the clothing with her lips. Her lips trailed Callie's collar bone; Slowly taking in the smell, the warm sensation of Callie's skin against her lips.

She couldn't help but to smile at her words. It felt nice to hear it, even if she knew it already. It was greatly appreciated. Maybe more than what Callie realized.

[Calliope Gallo]

Calliope Gallo was well and truly lost in the moment. A romantic at heart, she felt herself swept into the moment with such ease, it was unfair.

She couldn't think properly, much less recall why she asked her here in the first place. All Calliope could think about now was how distracting it was to feel her lips against her collar bone. She dropped her jaw slightly, exhaling on a significant moan. It was too good.

It wasn't until the significant ring on her finger snagged with the clothes on her back that she remembered.

Instantly, she withdrew her hands. She took a step back, pressing her palms together and entwining her fingers. Her eyes directed to the floor. She didn't know what to say, but distance was necessary. She pressed her fingers against her lips idly. "I'm sorry, I-" She choked out. She couldn't really do this, could she?