Just like what Hephaestus promised, it took him only three days to craft a gift for Zeus. For the last three days, he was busy in blacksmith, forging another godly project. He was so busy, his focus was unwavering, though it didn't stop Asche from sneaking in a few glances at him.

After completing his new project, Hephaestus finally presented the weapon to Artemis. The Goddess of the Hunt was undeniably impressed by his exceptional craftsmanship. It was far wiser to win Hephaestus as an ally than to put him at odds with the gods of Olympus.

Look at the immortal who was scorned for his looks, he is someone that they need to acquire for the betterment of Mount Olympus.

"Mother..." Hephaestus mumbled with respect, facing Thetis, the nurturing figure who had cared for him when his biological mother, Hera, had cast him aside.

The Goddess slowly ascend from the waters as she revealed her appearance to the Olympian whom she adopted and raised like a son.

"Child, I’ve heard the news. I assumed you'd always harbor resentment towards Olympus," Thetis, the ocean Goddess approached him with a knowing gaze. "I am glad that you will finally return to the place where you truly belong, and I hope that this time, there would be no tricks anymore."

Hephaestus smiled at his mother and nodded his head. Thetis had always wished him the best. If it wasn't for her, he'd never know a mother's love.

"I will not, mother," He mumbled with a smile.

"I also heard that you abducted Hera's favored Nymph, I understand that you long for revenge, but never do such thing again. Child, you are not raised like the other Deitys," Thetis took a deep sigh.

Hephaestus looked away in shame. Of course, Thetis would say that, she raised him with a different mindset.

If he had not abducted Asche, he could've met her in a different circumstance, perhaps a more wonderful one. Even though it seems like it was okay for the Nymph, it wasn't right to take her away from her home, or from the deities who cares for her.

Thetis stared at the son whom she raised. She never saw him made such expression.

"I've heard that she became your wife and she gave birth a daughter," Thetis mumbled. "It seems like you have fallen for the nymph."

"Mother... It wasn't true that she became my wife, nor she gave birth to my daughter, it was just a rumor that an outrageous Deity spread--"

"But you do like the Nymph don't you? You wouldn't come to the Underworld to get her back if you don't."

Hephaestus became quiet, it seems like his mother was teasing him. He never knew that she'd be this updated with the news about him.

Thetis smiled once again, she decided to change their topic.

"I'd like to meet her one day," Thetis mumbled. "But for now, I will support you for your return to Olympus. They need to learn about your greatness, child. Change their scorns to respect. Prove them wrong."

"Mother..."

"I shall give you my blessings, child, tell me the name of the weapon that you'll offer to Zeus," Thetis asked.

Hephaestus sighed and smiled at the Goddess, his mother truly wanted him the best.

"Mother, it wasn't a weapon, it was a shield called Aegis."

••••••••••

After talking with his mother, Hephaestus went back to his current home to look for Asche, once he saw her readying for their return, he approached her.

"Are you ready to go back?" Hephaestus asked Asche.

Asche glanced at him.

"Of course!" She said with a smile.

Hephaestus was staring at her eyes, as if he was trying to memorize the structure of her iris.

"It took me a long time to return you home, can you forgive for that?"

Asche only smiled at him, it's not like she didn't enjoy staying with this handsome man.

"Pshh, forgive you? I'm returning now, and you are coming with me, it was worth it..." Asche replied happily. "Let's go back to Olympus and free Queen Hera. Hera will probably be mad at you, but I promise, I will talk to her. I'll protect you."

"Protect... Me?"

"Yes, she's my friend, I'll talk to her about this, and she might not listen to me, but I'll do my best." Asche mumbled with a smile."But if she's really angry about this and she attacks you, I'll protect you, I'll help you run, or hide again. Or maybe just live in our forest, you know, live with me?"

Here she goes again, she's flirting with him again, isn't she?

Hephaestus chuckled softly as he suddenly held her hand. These days, he has developed a habit of holding Asche's hand, and every time he does it, the poor nymph would melt like butter.

"You don't have to..." Hephaestus mumbled. "You don't have to worry about Hera's fury. I wouldn't run away or hide, for I must face her once again. You don't have to strain your relationship with the Queen for doing such things, because I'll promise to settle this with her, peacefully this time."

Asche stared at him with a soft gaze.

"Have you forgiven her?" She asked him cautiously. "If it's for your return to Olympus, you don't have to."

"No, I haven't forgiven her, but I had my revenge," He answered. "And I rather not focus my resentment against her anymore because my goal now is different."

Hephaestus stared at Asche with a gentle smile.

"Once you return to your forest, and once I became part of Olympus, I'll always come to look for you, and in return, you can visit me in Olympus all you want. I will craft the silly things that you want, be it jewelries, fornitures, or silly toys. You'd always come first."

You'd always come first.

Asche turned red as she subconsciously placed her other hand at her chest. Why would he do this to her poor heart?! It was beating so fast that she can almost hear it!

It feels like she can dance her way to the moon!

"Geez... Are you killing me?" Asche asked.

"It was the last thing that I'd want happen," Hephaestus replied. "I might do crazy things if it ever happens again."

Her, dying again leaves a bitter taste on his tongue, but if it did happen again, Hephaestus will probably migrate to the Underworld and just work under Hades' rule. He wouldn't bother walking back to the world of the living if it means staying with his nymph...

Hephaestus sighed.

Seeing that reaction, Asche bit her lips and took her words back.

She forgot that she died and luckily came back to life. She should probably watch her words now, she doesn't want to die again after all...

"I was kidding, but seriously, you're making my heart flutter," Asche replied. "Saying those words in such a romantic way... are you implying that I can date you---"

Hephaestus gently flicked her forehead, he chuckled.

"Still bizarre as ever, what did you even see in me other than my tiddies and allegedly handsome face?" Hephaestus asked. "Why would you want to be with me?"

Asche blinked her eyes when he asked that question.

"Because I like you, haven't I made that clear?" Asche replied with honesty. "You've asked me that question twice, and I'll answer you with the same answer. I like you, I really do like you, and I am sure that it wouldn't just stop from simply liking you, Hephaestus."

How warm...

Perhaps Hephaestus will never get used to the Little Nymph's straight approach of expressing her feelings, but listening to her right now brought a great relief in his chest.

He never liked himself, the only thing that he liked about himself is his ability to create perfection, his crafts. His adoptive mother was the only person who never looked at him with scorn, even he himself would never look at the mirror because he hates his own reflection.

"I want to be with you, I wasn't kidding when I told you that you can live with me in my forest, but I want you to be recognized by those gods and goddesses because you are someone great," Asche continued to speak. "I like you, and I'm sure that every day that I spend with you or even without you, my feelings are growing deeper."

Hephaestus hates himself, yet a silly Nymph kept saying that she likes him, it was strange at first, but hearing her say those words makes him want to embrace her in his arms.

His mother, Goddess Thetis was correct...

He had fallen for her...

The day he thought she was gone brought him dread and worry. He was so scared to lose her, he had so much to learn about her. His time with her wasn't yet enough, and it will never be enough if he wanted to be with her for a lifetime.

The day Underworld took her soul away, was the day he realized that he had fallen for her. He realized that he could do crazy things just to get her back to the world of living... with him, with Aphrodite.

And it will never be a mistake to do anything for a woman who sees him as a wonderful thing.

"Hey, why did you become so quiet? Did I come too strong again?" Asche asked, tapping Hephaestus' cheeks. "Did I pressure you? Gosh, are you rejecting me? Let's be just friends then---"

Hephaestus chuckled as he shook his head. He raised his hand to cup her cheeks.

He'd never felt so confident in his life to say this...

"I will create a special ring, and it will take a time to finish it," Hephaestus then tucked Asche's hair on her ear. "Let's know more about each other until I present it to you as my gift."

Asche eyes lit up while staring at him, it seems like the Goddess of luck was smiling at her. She suddenly smiled widely at him.

Who would've thought that Hephaestus, the God of Craftsmanship will say such things in a metaphorical way. But it wasn't so hard for Asche to decipher what he just told her.

"Of course, you can take your time Hephaestus, and next time don't speak in such a metaphorical way," Asche laughed happily.

It seems like the God of Craftsmanship wanted to marry her.

"And your reply?" Hephaestus asked with a smile.

"Of course, I'd marry you."

••••••••••••••••

I just realized you guys never met Hephaestus' adoptive mother yet, Thetis.