Athena's Pov

“If I could I'd stop them from it but… it's just how they are.” Grandpa sighed.

Last night's sleep didn't bring me an ounce of peace but I still managed to sleep till two pm. After freshening up, I ran straight to grandpa's room to interrogate him about his betrayal and this is what he had to say.

“So you’ve accepted this side of them?”

“I can't abandon them for their actions. They're my kids and…” He looked away like the justification he’s providing didn't sit well with him either. “They don't hurt innocent people.”

“That doesn't make them good.” I freed my hand from grandpa and stood up. “How can you support all this?”

“I don't. But it's true that I have stopped advising them against it.”

“I don't understand this, grandpa…”

I closed my eyes and pressed my hands hard on them, trying to get rid of the headache that's restricting me from processing. Grandpa walked towards me and gently placed a hand on my arm, rubbing it slowly to comfort me.

“Take your time, sweetheart. No one's rushing you to make decisions right now. Figure it out at your own pace.”

I opened my eyes and looked at him. “I never wanted to live with them but now after knowing this…”

“I don't like their work either, Thena but I've learned to separate that part of their life and love them for who they are to me.”

“I don't know how it's so easy for you. I can't accept criminals so easily.”

“You can try to…”

I narrowed my eyes on him. “You’re awfully accepting of them even after knowing what happened last night. Do you think it was okay for me to see that? Do you think I should just move on from it? Please tell me you've not forgiven them for the years of suffering I went through because of them?”

He gulped and I waited a few heartbeats before he spoke again. “I haven't forgiven them for it but… I always wanted to see you all as a family. They might be the worst people in the world but I… I always wanted them to come and repent. I wanted them to realize their mistake and want you back.”

His confession made me feel uneasy and I looked away from him. I always knew grandpa’s intentions. I knew he still loved his sons and saw our future together. But I was absolutely sure that won't ever happen so I never thought about it.

“Don't you think your expectations from me are unfair?” I asked him with tears brimming my eyes. “You want me to forgive them and play a happy family just because one day they had an awakening and regretted abandoning a baby.”

He shook his head and tried nearing me but I stepped away so he gave me some space. “I just want you to consider the prospect of a life with them. You don't have to forgive them right now but at least allow them to put in efforts for your forgiveness.”

“You know what,” I looked him directly in the eyes. “You're the best grandpa I could ever ask for. I'm literally alive because of you,” I took a breath before uttering the cruelest words I could for him. “But sometimes the father in you values his sons more than me. You see their mistakes as naivety of their teenage, I know you do the same with me and I'm a hypocrite to point it out in their context but I… I haven't ruined a child’s life. They did.” Tears were streaming down my face as I fisted my hands to calm myself. “But you still want the best for them. Which isn't wrong because they're your kids but… it's unfair to me.”

Grandpa looked shattered by my words and called me in the most heartbreaking voice. “Athena-” I cut him off.

“How could you forget all the times I cried for what my parents did to me? It all happened in front of your eyes but you still expect me to move on?” I wiped away the tears that fell on my face. “I’m not a toy they could come back to when they realized I was worth it. What if I don't need them now? What if I don't long for a father anymore? But nobody's asking me what I want. What about my own opinion? Do I get none?” I sniffled.

“You’re just seeing the hardships your son has been going through from what- three, four days? Ever since I refused to accept Zephyr as my father. But what about me, grandpa? Does he really deserve me? Should I really be happy and open my arms for them when they finally offer me the least bit of love?”

I did do the very thing I’m protesting against. I did seeked comfort in two of the Konstantinos brothers. But it wasn't out of love, it was out of necessity.

I wanted to hold onto my protector. Not a father. I didn't see them as my family but as men who would get me out of the hell I had walked into.

After the things I had experienced from Eric’s death to the horrors of the basement, I needed someone. That someone could’ve been anyone. At the moment I chose from the available options.

“Stop seeing their troubles, grandpa. Just because I've stopped voicing my pain, doesn't mean it's gone.” I sobbed and rushed out of his room, running back to mine.

————

3 days later

“...and to that he said he can wait.” I explained.

Tristan licked his lips and took a moment to process all the information I had dumped on him. “So to conclude… Zephyr wants you, Hades could give his life for you and Ares doesn’t care even if you die.”

“Yes.”

“That's a messy situation.”

“It is.” I placed my head on his shoulder.

“What do you want now?” He asks, holding my hand and gently rubbing his thumb over the back of it.

“I don't know…” I mumbled. “But I'm sure I don't want to live with them.”

“And you don't have a way out.” He concluded.

“Zephyr might've been nice to me that day but he's made it clear time and again that he does not intend to let me go even if I’m suffering.”

“I don't know how he's terming that fatherly love.” He scoffed.

“Just go with the flow for now. Hopefully he'll soon have his head in the right place.” Tristan advised.

Even if I don't want to play family with them, I'm not dumb enough to openly go against their wish. They might not harm me but I would have more restrictions for myself.

I don't want them to take away the remaining bits of my freedom.

I know how important it is to be calculative of my actions. I won't let the little peace die from my life by challenging the authority they think they have on me.

“That's the plan.”

“By any chance…” His thumb stopped on my hand. “You've not forgiven them, right?”

I pulled back to look at him and shook my head. “Don't mistake my hugs for acceptance. It's not a big deal for me to be in the arms of an almost stranger, it doesn't have to mean anything. I was in shock and needed comfort and they were giving me that. I didn't realize what I was doing. Everybody does stupid shit after a traumatic incident.” I explained what made sense to me. “And they were so on board with giving me all the answers I needed so I just went with it.”

“I don't blame you. Physical touch has always been your comfort but… they might have mistaken it.” My face fell but Tristan quickly added. “But it's not a bad thing. Let them think whatever they want, we shouldn't care. And if they believe you've accepted them then they won't keep an eye on you and bother you every now and then. It'll buy you time to convince Morpheus to talk to them so you both can leave.”

“Right…” I didn't know how to feel about the plan because none of it seemed to be in my reach.

“How can I forget, you're mad at grandpa too.” He sighed.

“For a valid reason.” I pointed out. “He kept in contact with them, he fed me with their money and he did not tell me about their shady business but I was still ready to forget about it. But he went a step ahead and asked me to forgive them. How can he even say that?”

“You're right, he’s done some awful things but… I don't want you to lose the people that genuinely care about you, amorcito. He’s not perfect —nobody is— but I can assure you he loves you more than his life. Everything he’s done was so you would have the best life possible.”

“I know. Which is why I feel so guilty each time I fight with him because he's lost so much for me. His job, his old neighborhood, old friends and most importantly his sons. But sometimes it's just… too difficult to remember all that and not be mad at him. Especially when those men come between us.”

“If I was in your place —witnessing murders every other day— I wouldn't be in my right mind either.”

“Even if I put aside their murders and all of their disgusting business, I can't bring myself to just forgive and forget. I don't have that big of a heart.”

“You do. But they don't deserve it.”

A smile appeared on my face. I like that someone was truly on my side and understood me. I leaned forwards and kissed his cheek, completely forgetting that the deadly brothers were sitting just a few feet away from us.

We were in a private jet right now, flying to the USA for the famous Gala. I was so fortunate that they agreed to let me bring Tristan along. Neither of us had been there before and I really wanted to experience it with him.

He was hesitant. Not because he wanted to distance from me after finding out how dangerous my housemates are, but because he didn't want them to pay for him. But I managed to convince him and his parents obviously didn't deny cause they trusted grandpa.

“Shit they're looking right here.” Tristan mumbled and my eyes widened in fear. I wasn't just putting our years of friendship in danger, but also Tristan's life. I don't trust those three men to not flip at my best friend. He might be my age and a very nice guy but their mood is unpredictable.

“You can go rest in the room at the back, Thena.” Hades said- ordered me with an impressed look on his face. “Clearly you're tired judging by the way you're leaning on him.”

My cheeks turned red from embarrassment and I really wanted to talk back but resisted the urge and straightened up in my seat.

“That might be a good idea. I'm actually kinda tired. I'll just go…” I got up and turned to Tristan. “You're coming?”

His eyes slid to the three scary brothers before coming back to me and he finally answered. “I guess so…”

“I meant just you.” Hades clarified.

“But Tristan’s tired too, he didn't sleep all night cause he was packing. So we'll both just go lay down...” I explained. “C’mon it's not a big deal. He's my best friend and he's also kinda gay.”

“No I'm not!” Tristan protested getting up.

I turned to him and gave him a scary look but he still didn't change his statement. I sighed and looked back at the brothers who were still giving us a questioning look. I wish grandpa hadn't gone to the restroom.

“We've been sleeping together since we were kids, don't make it weird now. There's nothing between us and there never will be.” I hope they'll understand.

I didn't expect a lot from them. But if Zephyr wanted to be my dad then he had to accept this part of my life. This is how I was. This is how I grew up.

I can leave any guy in the world if they force me to but Tristan is an exception. He's more than just a friend. He's family.

“She trusts you too much, boy. You better stay within your limits.” Zephyr addressed him.

“I always have.” He replied.

“Good for you because the moment you hurt her…” Ares said in a threatening voice.

“I can never.” My man didn't get scared because he hasn't done anything to deserve such cold looks.

When none of them said a word further, I took it as a sign to leave and grabbed Tristan's hand. As we neared the door that'll lead us further inside the plane to the bedroom, Zephyr said one last thing.

“Leave the door unlocked.”

I can understand why he didn't trust me, I was impulsive and stupid. But he should trust Tristan, he is a good boy. Sure he does get a boner seeing me half naked in bed but he doesn't have wrong intentions for me. It was just a moment of disorientation.

When we got to the room, I closed the door behind me but didn't twist the lock. When I looked back Tristan was taking off his jacket but I was unsure how much should I undress.

After a few seconds I decided to take off my baggy t-shirt as I had a tank top underneath but kept the shorts as is, even if I wanted to get rid of them as well.

I got on bed and Tristan followed but for a moment we both just sat on it, having no clue how we should lay down. Usually we cuddle to sleep but the situation is different now. I knew he'd get turned on.

“Is it okay if I…” I asked hesitantly.

I never imagined I'd be out of words in front of Tristan. But words weren't necessary with him because he always understood me.

“I'm not gonna try anything, Thena.” He said almost sadly.

I shifted forward and held his forearm. “I know you won't. I just don't want to make you uncomfortable.”

He shook his head. “You won't. And I… I won't… I'm fine right now. I won't get… hard. Again.” He was embarrassed and I felt bad for putting him in that situation.

“I know. That day was just odd, we should forget about it.” I said immediately. “Let's just sleep.”

I tugged him down and nestled to his side. This time however, I was more careful than him regarding certain positions. I had my limbs on him but still managed to maintain a distance between our centers.

Tristan had his arms wrapped around me and I felt so comfortable having him after so many lonely days that felt nothing less than torture.