Author's Pov

“Ares.” Morpheus warned.

“I just want to talk.” He replied.

Morpheus knew his sons wouldn't let Tristan meet Athena until they'd interrogated him themselves so he didn't stop the guard when he left.

Everyone patiently waited as Tristan made his way inside the mansion, all the while being absolutely shocked by how majestic everything was.

It was nothing less than a castle fit for royals.

Tristan walked in the dining room but halted when he saw the people present there. He had expected to go directly to his best friend’s room and this was totally unexpected.

He didn't know the trio would take any interest in meeting him and he really planned on avoiding the three guys. He feared he might say something he shouldn't —because it's not his place— and his hatred for them would take over his sane and calm mind.

Hades was openly glaring at him while Zyphre had purposely grabbed a knife and was holding it casually by his side as his gaze fixed on Tristan. Ares was visibly the calmest of the three brothers and simply leaned against the wall smoking a cigarette.

Tristan gulped feeling uneasy by the undivided attention. He hadn't done anything wrong so he didn't have anything to be scared for but the brothers were intimidating personalities.

Zephyr with his bulky physique and beard looked like a man who could snap a neck with a flick of his finger. A regular fit for the guy looked like jeans and a t-shirt which was occasionally paired with a leather jacket.

Ares on the other hand was wearing clothes fit for a fancy brunch —a sky blue button up with white slacks that made him look nothing less than a charming man. He was the most approachable among the brothers but he carried the same dark persona as them. His long hair and clean shaved face was as much alluring as it was mysterious.

Hades was the impersonation of a gentleman and a smart businessman with neatly cut short hair and a three piece suit which didn't house a single crease. He screamed power and money. The two things he could stoop low for any given day.

Tristan decided to ignore all of them and turned to Morpheus. “Morning Morpheus, where's Athena?”

“In her room.” Ares answered before Morpheus could. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I'm here to meet her?” Tristan replied with an edge to his voice.

“Kid, don't act oversmart.” Zephyr's voice dripped with a serious warning.

Tristan didn't want to create a scene especially when he knew Athena needed him. “I'm her best friend, Mr…”

“Konstantinos.”

“Um… so Mr Konstantinos A, B and C…?” Tristan pointed to each one of the trio with confusion.

He knew their names but just like Athena, he didn't know who's who. And the brothers were already pissed off to help him with their names.

Morpheus chuckled at his words. “The one with the cigarette is Ares —picked up a bad habit and seems like hasn't dropped it yet.” He said with disappointment. “The one who's threatening you is Zephyr and the one glaring at you is Hades.”

The brothers weren't pleased with their introduction but it wasn't the biggest concern of them at the moment.

“Um okay… nice to meet you I guess.” Tristan didn't mean the words. “Can I go see Athena now?”

“What’s with the rush?” Hades asked, stepping towards him. “How about we get to know each other?”

“Actually she called me and asked me to come here fast so we could maybe do this sometime else, I gotta go check up on her.”

“We’ll check up on her if needed. You don't need to worry about what's not your concern, boy.”

“As I said I'm her best friend, Sir so Athena is my concern.”

“Just best friend? You sure aren't her boyfriend, right?” Ares joined the conversation.

“I wish.” was what Tristan wanted to say but he opted for a safe lie. “Yes. We’re just friends.”

“So you don't like her?”

He knew what Ares meant but he didn't answer the question with a simple reply. “Why would I be friends with her if I didn't like her?”

“Let me dumb it down for you, do you like her more than a friend?”

Tristan shook his head in negative.

The answer was “yes” but this wasn't the time for truths. Tristan felt weird lying about it in front of Morpheus because a year back he vaguely asked if Tristan has feelings for Athena. He didn't deny it but didn't confirm anything either and in the end Morpheus hinted that he wouldn't mind if he ever decides to date her.

“Can I go now?” Tristan asked.

“How old are you?”

The brothers could see he was closer to Athena's age, they were so relieved that Tristan didn't turn out to be a middle age guy. But it still wouldn't hurt to get confirmation of his years on the planet.

“Sixteen.”

Morpheus was about to tell him the directions to Athena's room when Zephyr spoke again. “Why did you stop her from hitting the bully? If you're her friend then you should’ve helped her.”

“I think not letting my friend go to juvy was a help in itself.”

“And there must be some explanation to justify your cowardice in letting her fight her own battles.” Hades asked nonchalantly.

Trio knew they were both kids so it was okay if he didn't help her out and got scared. But for someone claiming to be her best friend, they expected better.

This question wasn't just a dig at a teenager but rather a question to see what type of guy Tristan is.

“She wanted to deal with him herself.” Tristan shrugged.

He didn't mention that every time Athena got bullied he stood up for her. The bullying was always verbal and so he responded the same way. He said some nasty things back and Athena did too but she would always feel sad afterwards because their words —or rather a single word bastard— always struck her.

Tristan would always try to tell her that this label doesn't mean anything, she doesn't have to think about other people's opinion. But his words did nothing to console her.

When Athena decided to throw her bully off the stairs, she naturally sought out her best friend's help. He tried to talk her out of it but when he saw she wouldn't back out, he volunteered to do it for her.

She straight up refused because she didn't want him to get in trouble but she did ask him to keep watch. Tristan was keeping an eye out for teachers or students while Athena got the job done but they were out of luck because a janitor was cleaning the terrace and saw them.

She wanted to deny everything when her teacher asked what happened but she was worried that Tristan might get dragged into the mess she created if she didn't admit it.

It was her choice to do it in the first place and so she took the whole blame.

Tristan felt bad but Athena convinced him to just let this go and since that day he still feels guilty for letting her do as she pleases. From throwing the bully off the stairs to sneaking out and hanging around with the wrong company.

He blamed himself for letting her be controlled by her emotions and get tricked by people who made her believe this is who she is.

They made her believe this is what she wants.

“One last thing, kid. And take this as a warning.” Zephyr said, looking straight at him playing with the knife in his hand. “You won't dare fool around with Athena.”

Tristan wanted to throw back, “Our relationship doesn't concern you.” But he simply nodded.

He knew that she was gonna live with them for a whole month and he wanted to be a good guy so he wouldn't be told to stay away from her. Because that's the only thing he can't do.

“Morpheus,” He subtly asked him to get him out of this mess. “Athena’s room?”

Trio mentally scoffed at how Tristan pleaded with their father with his eyes to come for his rescue. Hearing all the wrong decisions Athena has made, they were skeptical if Tristan is a good choice for a friend.

They couldn't trust him or anyone that's around her.

“Right. I'll take you there.” He replied.

The brothers didn't make a move to stop him. They knew they had no right to interfere but they still didn't want him to be with her alone in a room.

Tristan didn't have to be told twice as he was out before Morpheus —even though he's the one leading the way. He was getting impatient now. It's been forty minutes since she called and from her voice he knew it must be something serious.

“Did something happen?” Tristan asked Morpheus the moment they were alone in the hallway.

“Well…” Morpheus was hesitant because Tristan was like a son to him so he sought out his approval just as much as Athena’s and he knew he’s gonna hate his decision. “I took money from my sons and even met them a few times… and they told her that.”

“What?” His voice came out more shocked than he had intended. “You know how much she hates them, why didn't you tell her earlier?”

His brain swirled with every thought that would be going inside Athena's head. He knew how hurt she must've felt. It was a betrayal and she'd already had a shitty enough life to have another one.

“I didn't think it would be brought up. I should've told her before bringing her here.” He sighed.

“It's okay, it's not like you planned the attack.” Tristan said sympathetically.

Morpheus was about to disagree but his lips thinned. He had mistakenly said something that he shouldn't have. If it was his sons —the rulers of the Greek Mafia— they would’ve caught it right away.

When they reached Athena's room Morpheus knocked on the door. “Go away!” Athena's muffled voice reached them as she pressed her face deeper into the pillow.

“Thena, it's me.” Tristan said.

They heard shuffling noises on the other side before a click of the lock. But it clicked back instantly as Athena remembered to ask an important question.

“Is there anyone with you?”

Tristan looked at Morpheus silently asking him to leave. He understood his granddaughter doesn't want to talk to anyone but her best friend so he gave him a nod and left.

“He’s gone. Now open the door.”

The moment she opened the door, she flew into his arms. She was so stressed with everything that has happened and she's always preferred physical affection as a form of healing and consolation.

She encircled his shoulders with her arms and buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her eyes watered worse than they were before and she felt the sudden urge to just let it all out.

Like always Tristan knew she wanted comfort and that’s what he would give her.

Athena's feet were already off the ground due to their height difference and so when he tugged at her waist and she lifted her legs, he easily hoisted her up.

He held her right thigh so she wouldn't fall off and with the free hand he started to rub her back in a soothing manner. She hugged him even tighter now and started mumbling incoherent words.

“Shh, it's okay. I'm here now.” Tristan whispered as her damp cheeks pressed harder on his neck now.

“Tristan grandpa lied. He betrayed me. I think he likes them more than me.” She sniffled.

“Don't be silly. He’d go against the world for you. A mistake or two doesn't count. He still loves you more than anyone and you will always be his favorite.”

“You don't even know what happened.” She moved away to look at him.

“Morpheus told me.”

She scrunched her nose and stopped crying. “You have to hear my version and you will believe what I tell you.”

Tristan chuckled. “That's what I always do, don't I?”

She shrugged and laid her head on his shoulder to get comfortable in his arms again. He was warm and she loved the unconditional care he gave her.

“Let's get inside before anyone sees us in such a compromised position and thinks something’s going on.” Tristan said.

“Will they be wrong?” She teased.

Tristan chuckled. “Your housemates already hate me.”

“They hate me too.”

Tristan took her inside the room, locking the door behind them as they both laughed at the sad reality, all the while being unaware of the CCTV cameras in the hallway.