Athena's Pov

“Hi, I was just going to call you.” I said picking up the call.

“Why? Missing me?” He says smugly.

Tristan and I have always flirted for fun but it doesn't seem like a joke anymore. Somewhere in me the feeling that he might've suggested the very thing I’m scared to consider, is growing day by day.

I can't get our conversation out of my head. I can't stop thinking how it would be if we actually did get together. I can imagine the scene playing out and I’m bothered because it doesn't seem bad.

It should feel wrong. I should completely discard the idea. But it’s true that a single decision can change our lives for the better. The very person I want for the rest of my life, I'll have him all for myself.

But that's selfish.

I’m not sure if Tristan even wants to do something so stupid. He might only be educating me of my worth and I misunderstood his care for a confession.

We've known each other since almost birth, the comfort we have is unmatched but that doesn't mean we should be a couple. What if we don't work out and our friendship falls apart?

I won't ever risk the most beautiful part of my life.

“Um, actually I wanted to plan grandpa’s birthday.” I replied, ignoring the blush coating my cheeks.

“I already have a plan, baby.” He replied, causing a few butterflies to flutter in my stomach. “I was thinking we could decorate your old house then one of the brothers could bring grandpa there. It'll be a good surprise but you’ll have to get permission to leave the mansion…”

“Don't worry about that. Zephyr's been lenient for a few days. I don't think he'll deny me if I ask nicely.”

“That's good. If he wants to be your father then he should be understanding of things that are important to you.”

“I don't know what type of father he wants to be.” I muttered.

“School’s starting again from next Thursday. Do you think you can come?”

I've already wasted a whole month of school at home because of the possibility of an attack on me after grandpa. But thankfully the month was followed by a three week holiday due to heavy snowfall.

“I talked to Zephyr last night, he said I can go. It's safe now.”

“You completed the work I sent you right?”

“Stop roleplaying my teacher, I did my homework, Sir.” I huffed.

“Sir sounds good from you. If you want I can roleplay your teacher.”

My eyes widened when I realized I had messed up again. I planned to be more careful until I'm a hundred percent sure everything is the same as before between us.

I don't know how the roles have reversed because clearly Tristan was supposed to be shy. Even when he did flirt back I always had a heavier comeback that made him change the subject to stop blushing.

“Haha, funny.” That's probably the cringiest reply I've ever given in my life. “So when will you come?”

My mind went blank as I started considering a thousand things that we could be meeting for. Just the thought of being alone with him was making me nervous. I might've stopped that night from doing something I'd regret but I don't know if I have so much self-control to practice each time.

“For what?” I asked in the quietest whisper.

“For the party. You have to come before Morpheus. I'll buy the stuff for decor beforehand but you’ll have to come help me set it up. Also, mom and dad said they can cook the food and if the brothers want to contribute, give them the middle finger.”

I chuckled at the unnecessary comment and shook my head. “I don't know if they even want to be a part of such a small party, considering they attend Galas.”

“They might for their dad.”

“Maybe for me too…” I don't know why a part of me never fully lets go of that hope.

“Invite them. When you'll take their permission they'll be interested anyways.”

“I guess…” I trailed off then my sight fell on the clock. “Tristan, it's getting late, I think I should first call your parents for a sort of formal invite and thank them for their contribution. We'll talk tomorrow, okay?”

“Sure. Rest well, amorcito.”

Little love. But surely that was only a platonic nickname. He loved me as a friend.

————

“There's some bushes I've been meaning to get removed, the gardener must be here now so I'm going to go get that done. You wanna come along?” Grandpa asked, getting up from his seat.

“Um I'll just finish this…” I gestured to my plate which only had a small potato wedge left.

“Okay.” He patted my head and left the room.

When I saw Zephyr arranging his cutlery to leave as well, I stopped him. “I wanted to ask you something…”

Hearing that Ares and Hades got interested too and decided to stay for the whole scene. I would've preferred just one person but I know if one disagrees there's a lot more chance of another person agreeing in my favor. All three of them have been becoming a little humane now.

“You know it's grandpa's birthday on the weekend?” I started the conversation.

“Yes, I forgot to ask dad about it but I was thinking we should arrange a grand party at home or if he prefers some other venue we can look into that. We’d invite all our business colleges and you can invite your and dad's friends.” Ares must've seen the disappointment on my face and added, “If you want, you can help me pick out the menu. Or decor or anything special you had in mind.”

His plan is totally different from mine. That's not how I want my grandpa’s birthday to be. I wasn't concerned about the decor or food, it was more about the location.

“Actually Tristan and I had some other plans…” I don't know why I added an awkward laugh. “It would be better if we threw a surprise party in our old home, Grandpa would love it there. We don't have to call so many people, just us and Tristan’s family are enough for him.

The brothers shared a look then Hades took over. “It's been ages since we've been together for his birthday, for a change we should have a proper grand celebration.”

“But he doesn't like parties, he only celebrates for me and I want to give him a surprise birthday at our home.” I protested.

“This is your home, Athena.” Zephyr added when he could’ve let it slide this one time.

The frustrations I've been carrying on for days get the better of me and I stomp my foot on the floor like a kid.

“Do whatever you want! You never listen to me. I don't know why I thought I should come bargain for my own grandpa’s birthday.”

I was about to leave when Hades held my arm and gently pulled me back to my seat. I avoided looking at his face and folded my arms over my chest waiting for someone to apologize.

“None of us have finalized anything. We're just discussing, Athena.”

“But I've already decided what I want.”

“Isn't it dad’s birthday so we should do what he’d like?” Ares asked, raising an eyebrow at my stubbornness.

“He likes to see me happy and I will be very happy if I get to throw him a surprise birthday back at our old home.”

“Fine.” Zephyr says finally. “We'll do what you want.”

A smile of victory graced my face. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Okay!” I exclaimed, grabbing my phone off of the table.

Zephyr called after me as I was ready to run off. “Don’t I get a hug for that?”

I tilted my head to the side in confusion. “For doing what a loving father would anyway?”

He didn't answer my question and rubbed his stubble, regarding me with neutral eyes. “Next time we're throwing a grand birthday for him.”

“Sure. If you stick around till the next one.” I said and ran off as my work here was done for now. I had to go tell Tristan that the plan was on.

————

My eyes found their way back to him. To the hem of his t-shirt if I'm being specific.

Each time he reached up to hang the lights on the ceiling, his t-shirt would lift up his jeans to reveal just a small outline of his boxers. Just over it on his lower abdomen was an ever so light patch of hair that I turned each time to stare at.

I'm behaving like I've never seen this man in life. But in all honesty, it all seems different now. I haven't felt this or looked at him this way before.

It's like he was right in front of my eyes but I kept ignoring him.

“Athena?”

My eyes move up to his face and a horrible blush coats my cheeks when I realize he's caught me staring. I don't even want to think of what he's drawn as a conclusion.

“You okay?” He asks, concerned.

“Um ya- Ya. Why do you ask?” I tucked a strand behind my ear avoiding his gaze.

“You’re taking too long putting up the balloons, I thought you zoned out.”

“I have to tie them together before putting them up. You do it if you think it's that easy.” I snapped at him.

He chuckled at my reaction. “Chill! I was just saying. Go on, take as long as you want.”

I didn't reply to him and we both went back to our work. I tried to stay focused but it proved to be difficult when such a distraction was right next to me.

Each of his qualities kept replaying in my head and giving me the butterflies I shouldn't be getting. The way he always laughs at my anger, the way he hugs me like I'm fragile, the way he looks at me like I'm the most precious thing to him and the way he's helping me with my grandpa’s birthday surprise. It is all so cute.

Tristan steps down from the ladder and my eyes accidentally fall to his ass. Out of respect, I move my gaze back to the balloons I'm arranging but something urges me to do a double take.

He's so hot. Not just his body but how he orders me around like only he knows best, the way he holds me down without hurting me when we fight, the way his arms wrap around me, the way he flirts with me, the way he winks at me when he's thinking something mischievous and the way he kiss my head like he'll always protect me from every hardship.

I sit down on the couch, deciding to focus on tying the balloons faster and get this over with. I really wanna go take a shower and drain these horrible thoughts out of my mind.

“Do you think I should work out more?”

When I turn around, Tristan's giving me the exact view I was peeking at. He has his shirt pulled up to his chest baring his abs to me. It's torturous how beautiful he looks.

I used to ask Tristan for opinions on my body and I wonder if he was just as bothered as I am right now. Is he taking revenge for all the times I unintentionally turned him on?

“It looks fine to me.” I mumbled, trying to keep my gaze subjective.

“Just fine?” A smirk etches his features and my sanity stands on the edge.

I took a breath as the air suddenly felt too hot on my bare thighs. I looked up at his eyes and licked my lips with my finger fiddling the hem of my sweatshirt in a desperate attempt to calm down.

“I can tell better if you let me touch it.”

I only said that because I knew Tristan would back off. He never lets me get too close. I've given him all the permission to touch my body but he's not a hoe to allow me the same.

My attempt at ending the conversation fails badly when he stalks towards me. He drops his t-shirt back over his body before reaching a hand to his back and taking it clean off of himself.

I don't look away. I'm too captivated to give a damn about where we're taking our friendship. I've seen him half naked so many times but it feels like the first time he's had that look in his eyes.

His t-shirt is already dropped on the floor before he’s in front of me. He reaches for my hand and my breath gets caught in my throat.

“Tell me if you like them.” His whisper felt like a burn on my skin.

I don't pull away when he takes my hand and my finger grazes his skin. An electric sensation runs through my body and I feel like fainting at the limits I've just crossed.

But I still don't stop. He drops his hand to let me explore on my own and I push my hand further to him until my whole palm rests on his abs.

His body feels so hot to my touch and my head tilts up to his face on its own. We both don't say a word and keep looking at each other's eyes like time stopped when we got this close. He sucks in a breath when my thumb slowly moves to caress him.

“What changed Tristan?” I whisper.

“It's always been the same.”

Tristan’s acceptance of a potential relationship between us, his hard-on seeing me and now his willingness to let me touch him has developed a completely new atmosphere among us.

I'm scared to address it directly because it might only be in my head. The brothers have made clear I can't date older men and I fear I might end up using Tristan to suffice my wants.

But he has a pure intention for me. Whether he wants to stay friends or become more, he’ll always do it with the right mind and in the best way. But I can't guarantee that for myself.

I've never given anything but my body to any relationship but I know Tristan wants more than that. More than what I know how to provide. More than that what I could ever be.

I can't do him wrong. I love him too much to take advantage of him.

My heart races at the speed of light and I keep thinking of my next move when suddenly we hear a throat clearing.

Tristan nearly jumps back and I stand up turning to see who it is. My face turns red hot from embarrassment as I spot his parents standing there with their eyes roaming around pretending they didn't see anything unusual.

As a matter of fact, this isn't unusual. They've caught us in states many parents would suspect their kids but Oliver, Julia and grandpa always knew we're just friends. But today I feel guilty of the same act I would’ve joked about with them a few weeks ago.

“Mum, dad…” Tristan hurries to grab his t-shirt. “We were just uh…” He manages to put on the t-shirt within a few seconds. “How does the house look?” He blurts out giving them a huge smile as if everything is normal here.

“It's…” Oliver looks around with a forced smile. “It's good.”

“You guys have done a great job.” Julia compliments.

“All credit goes to Athena. It was her idea.”

“Tristan's just being humble. He helped me a lot.” I said with an awkward laugh.

“We brought food.” Oliver gestured to the bags in his hand. “We could come later if… the decor isn't done yet.”

“Uh no no. It's almost done.” I immediately reply back.

“Yes dad. We're done.” Tristan muttered. “You're here at a perfect time.”

My phone pings with a notification and I pick it up. “Hades texted. They'll be leaving soon.” I announced then turned to Tristan. “Rest now, everything looks perfect. I'll go grab a quick shower.” A cold one.