Athena's Pov

“Surprise!” We all yell together.

The trio stayed behind and let grandpa take the lead who hasn't dropped his huge smile since he stepped inside. I can assume he already guessed there would be a surprise but like always he’s so happy to have received one.

I went forward and hugged him with all my might. “Happy Birthday, my old man.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.” He pulled back and kissed my forehead. “This is so sweet.”

“Today's your special day. You deserve this.”

Tristan took his turn next and hugged him. “Happy Birthday, grandpa.” He rarely calls him that because I get jealous but today I'm letting it slide.

“Thank you, Tristan. I'm sure you helped Athena in all of this.”

“Oliver and Julia did too. They cooked the food.” I let him know.

Grandpa turned to the couple. “Thank you both. You guys are always there for us.”

“C'mon, don't thank us.” Julia waved him off.

“Right. We're family.” Oliver added.

Hades cleared his throat and brought our attention to himself. “Mind introducing us, dad?”

I took the initiative. “They are Tristan's parents. Oliver and Julia. They're really nice, they love me more than their son because I'm obviously better and they wanted a daughter.” I laughed then added a detail I could’ve left out. “They promised to adopt me if grandpa suddenly dies.”

It was a fact but more of a joke now. I was eight when grandpa got a horrible fever and my dumb self thought I was gonna lose him. That day Tristan had the brilliant idea to ask his parents if they could adopt me as his friend in case something happens to my only guardian. And the parents being the kindest agreed to it.

“That won't be necessary. You have me now.” Zephyr said quite seriously.

I had again managed to single handedly ruin the atmosphere of such a nice day. I wish I had better control of my mouth and knew when to say what.

I saw the brothers looking at Tristan's parents and sharing a look among themselves. None of them looked thrilled with the party but I hope they didn't come with the intention to ruin the fun.

“What do you do Oliver?” Ares asks out of the blue.

“I'm a PE teacher. At Athena and Tristan's school actually.” He replies politely.

“And what about you Julia?” Why does it seem like an interrogation?

“I'm a social worker.” She answers.

“Dad talks about you both a lot.” I never heard him talk about them. Maybe he mentions them in private. “We're grateful for the love and support you showed to dad and our Athena.”

Our Athena? It bothers me how Ares always talks about me like I'm shareable. At least Zephyr has the clarity that he wants to be my only father but Ares doesn't even want to accept my sole responsibility for a moment. I'm too much of a burden for him to take on without any help.

But I'm glad at least he appreciated Tristan's parents. I would've hated to put them in a situation where they get disrespected because these triplets lack manners.

“Nothing to be grateful for. Morpheus and Athena have helped us just as much.” Julia said with a smile on her face. “When Tristan was due we didn't have a single penny. Even though Morpheus had only known us for less than six months, he covered all the bills and even helped us for another couple of months until we got stable.”

“Forget it already guys.” Grandpa looked like he was reminiscing about those days. “I can't believe it's been sixteen years since we had baby versions of Athena and Tristan.”

“Long time.” Oliver sighs like time has passed too quickly.

“She must've been really cute.” Zephyr says randomly.

I wondered if he asked that because he regrets his choices and wanted to know about my childhood.

“She was. You should’ve seen her.” He should’ve. “She was so tiny and Julia and I had no experience with babies —because Tristan was yet to be born, so we were so scared to even hold her.”

“And Morpheus was always holding her in just one arm like a champ and flexing his skills on us.” Julia chuckled.

“He was the guy we always rushed to when Tristan licked the bins or pooped a different color or-”

Tristan cuts his father off. “Dad, I don't think the details are necessary.”

“It’s already lunchtime. If you guys are done reminiscing, how about we go eat first?” Tristan suggests.

“Sure.” We all move to the six person dining table we have.

“I have a ton of pictures and cassettes if you want to see her childhood.” I heard Julia say to Zephyr in a low voice.

“That would be great.” He replied.

Tristan and I helped Oliver heat the dishes while the brothers set the table. They had offered to help but I told them everything was covered and I wasn't thrilled that they still managed to find something to take credit for.

Tristan and I sat at the breakfast bar in front of the table. Once we all sat down grandpa made a silly toast thanking us all for the surprise and wishing each one of us will be there for his next one too.

I was uneasy by the implication that he sees his sons beside him in the coming years. I hadn't made up my mind to live with them and it was annoying how grandpa had accepted them right away.

“So Tristan,” Ares called him while cutting into his steak. “What are your future plans? Have you decided which field you're taking?”

“I wanna be a doctor.” He answered.

“Of…?”

“I haven't decided that yet. I'll probably figure that out during my college.”

“What do you do in your free time?” Apparently Hades was interested in my best friend's life too.

“He's been obsessed with gym lately. He thinks that'll get him the girl.” Oliver laughed at his own joke.

“Aww.” I exclaimed and squished his cheek. “You need brains too for that, my baby T-Rex.”

Tristan slapped my hand away. “I have more brains than you.”

I rolled my eyes. “Rotten ones aren't a flex.”

“So you're building up to impress girls or someone in particular?” Ares asks, looking at Tristan suspiciously.

Tristan looked at me momentarily before shrugging. “I'm doing it for myself.”

———

The door to my room opens and closes as I hear footsteps approaching my bed before the person takes a seat on it. I didn't bother turning around because I knew who it was. Among all the people here, he was the only one who didn't knock.

We never developed such formalities.

“Everyone seems to get along just fine.”

“I can bet something’s gonna go wrong.” I grumbled.

Tristan lightly smacked my arm. “Don’t let those negative thoughts ruin such a good day. It's all gonna be fine.”

“Fine? Zephyr is adamant on keeping me at his mansion. He won't let me go and my life can never be normal with him.”

“Maybe it can be if you give him a chance.”

I open my eyes and look at him. “Seriously?”

“I know he doesn't deserve it but… if you are really gonna be spending a significant amount of time in that mansion then maybe it's not a bad idea. Adjusting with them might get you a better future ahead.” Just to clarify he added, “I’m not talking monetarily.”

“If I give him a chance he’d think I've forgiven him.”

“Don't forgive him but see how your relationship can be together.” I looked at him with narrowed eyes so he further explained his point. “No, I'm not taking his side, nor do I think he deserves you. But maybe now that he realizes his mistake… it might be a good idea to accept him. Not immediately but slowly transitioning in a life with him might be the right thing.”

“I don't want to be so selfish for a better life that I'll crush my self respect.”

“I'm not telling you to forget the past or forgive him for everything he's done. But if accepting him gives you a loving father —someone you've always wanted— then how is that wrong?”

When I stayed silent Tristan gently caressed my head. “You don't have to decide anything right now. But remember to not value your past more than your future.”

“You think Zephyr can give me a better future?”

“I don't know. But his presence might set you at peace after some time.”

I turned to the other side as an annoyance surges through me. “I don't want to think about that today. It's my grandpa’s birthday, let me be happy.”

Tristan chuckled and didn't continue the conversation. Instead he laid down next to me and encircled a hand on my waist. He pulled me towards himself until my back pressed against his chest.

I would've found this so peaceful if I didn't have conflicting emotions battling in my mind. If I didn't know what Tristan feels about me and if we had never had the conversation we did.

I took a breath and removed his hand from me before sitting up. He was confused but sat up nonetheless. His head tilted to one side in question as he waited for me to say something.

“Tristan,” I held his hand as my anxiety spikes.

What I'm about to ask has the potential to make us both uncomfortable with each other from now onwards. It could possibly offend Tristan that I had assumed something so hideous about him.

But it was necessary. What we've been doing and talking about for the last couple of days has disturbed me a lot. I wanted a clearer answer.

We've always been so close and these touches or suggestive conversation have been normal for us. But maybe now we're crossing a line where friendship ends.

He might not have realized that we're at a dangerous zone but if this has the potential to ruin our relationship, I have to shut it down immediately.

“I wanted to ask you something.” I rubbed my thumb over his hand as I looked into his eyes. “I've been a little confused lately…”

“Okay…” He urges me to say more.

“Don't be mad that I'm bringing up that day again but since you… got hard.” He bit his lip in embarrassment and I sucked in a breath to speak again. “I've been feeling…”

I didn't know how to explain this. I wasn't just out of words, I was out of my mind. One part of me believed we should talk about it and end the misunderstandings but the other dominant part was enjoying each interaction.

“You've been feeling…” Tristan whispers to me.

“I've been feeling like things have changed between us.” I licked my lips and caught his eyes following the movement. “Then you mentioned us… I know you didn't mean it that way but you said…”

When did it get so hard to talk to the only guy in the world I knew would listen to any crap I wanted to get out of me. He never judges me but why do I fear that today?

“There were some things that made me think that… maybe you were theoretically speaking of a relationship between us.”

“And? Is that a bad thing?”

Confusion takes over my senses as I didn't expect such a calm reaction. He's taking this so casually. Does he not see the problem in the suggestion like I do?

I shook my head trying to gather my reasons. “That's not a bad thing, we can talk about anything… I just wanted to confirm that… you meant that as an example… only theoretically…”

“No. I didn't just mean it theoretically, I meant that as a possibility.” He said looking directly in my eyes.

I sat frozen. I couldn't process what he just said. His words weren't just an answer to my question, it was a confession. A bold truth that I wasn't ready to face. But Tristan seems to be so calm with it.

“I don't think you realize what you mean…” I mumbled.

I tried freeing my hand from his hold but he tightened his grip. Shivers ran down my body when I realized the situation we were in. There was no running away from this conversation, I'll have to face it.

“You don't realize what I mean, Athena. Or rather,” His free hand gently caressed my cheek. “You want to stay oblivious.”

“We can't…” It was meant more for myself than him.

“Why?” He asks shamelessly.

My breath caught up in my throat when I saw him slowly scooting closer to me. His legs sprawled on either side of mine as I sat with my legs tucked under myself.

He neared me to the extent I couldn't move unless he let me. Other than my hand in his own, he showed no intention to touch me. Although I don't know if I’d reject his initiation.

“We're friends.” I said the only words of reason.

“So? We're perfect for each other, amorcito. If we're together we'll be so happy.”

My heart was so close to bursting out of my chest because the truth was so indigestible. I could never imagine in my wildest dreams that my own best friend would fall for me.

“Are you even hearing yourself, Tristan.” I whispered. “Why would you even say that?”

“You've felt me hard, Athena. I don't think there's anything worse after that.” Tristan chuckled.

I gulped, fearing the truth but asked anyway. “Why do you want to be with me?”

“Because I love you. I love you more than anything in this world. You know this. I've never been close to anyone, you're my only friend, the only person I trust, the only person I want to give myself to, the only person who makes me happy.” He looked at me with gentle eyes and placed a hand on my cheek. “You’re the only person I need in life.”

My heart squeezed painfully as I realized the depth of his words. I knew him too well to know he meant everything he said.

The same was true for me, we shared the exact feelings. I wasn't this close to anyone either. The trust, the happiness, the comfort I had with Tristan couldn't be replicated with anyone else. He was in fact the only person I needed in life too.

But the only difference between our feelings was that I never termed it anything more than platonic love.

“How long have you felt this way?”

“Since I developed a conscience, I knew I wanted you.” He confessed.

“But you never- I always flirted with you but you kept saying you don't like that shit.”

He let out a breathy laugh. “Because you only did that as fun and I thought if I'd confess then you'd distance yourself. But now I know that I should…. I should at least try…. I wasn't planning to confess anytime soon but since you already found out about… my body’s reaction to you… I thought there's nothing worse that could happen…”

I licked my lips and tried to not let my mind become a mess of questions. “Why did you let me be with other men…”

Nothing made sense to me anymore. It's like I wasn't living in reality, rather a fictional world I had created in my mind where I couldn't see the very person who longed for me.

Tristan breaks a small sad smile. “Because that's what you wanted.” He inhaled a breath. “I can only advise you against it, I can't restrict you from anything because it's your life.”

Each of his words made my heart ache. It's only been a few weeks since I started feeling different about my best friend and I'm already physically bothered by his presence as a part of me wants to do more than just sit with him like we're not attracted to each other. I can't imagine the things that went in his head when I was right there in front of him dating disgusting pedos.

“I'm not the best for you Tristan-”

“There's nothing you can tell me which will stop me from wanting you, Athena.” He was suddenly too close.

My legs were between his thighs as he leaned his upper body towards me. Our faces were inches apart and my heart raced wildly when I looked at the pure dedication in his eyes. His breath fans on my face and his constant stare burns the confidence I once had.

My mind flooded with thoughts of what would happen if I just leaned in. Now I knew he wouldn't stop me. He'd let me take him however I want and that was scary to realize.

“You have everything I want in a relationship but I… I’m scared I'll mess this up, I've never had a healthy relationship before.” I said and looked away to suppress the inappropriate thoughts in my fucked up brain. “I don't know how to love. I can only offer you my body and I- I know you want more.

“What you do for me is love, Athena. You don't have to do anything more. You care about me and that's enough for me. That's all I want.”

“But I…”

I gulp not knowing what I want anymore. His constant stare at my face and the demand for reasons to protest his ideas, was making me lose my mind. I wanted to give in just to be freed from the pressure that was building on me. I lacked answers and I feared it's because he was right all along.

“Athena!” I hear grandpa shout from downstairs. “We're leaving in five!”

I hastily get up from the bed and turn around still in haze of what just happened. I don't want to leave but staying is even more painful.

I'll end up hurting him. I haven't yet figured out what I want from life. I haven't figured out what love is. If I get with him with such a mindset, I'll surely ruin his life.

“I think I should go.” I said, not daring to look at him.

“We still have five minutes to talk-”

“We’ll talk some other day. Bye, Tristan.” I said and ran out the door like my life depended on it.