The smell of damp soil wafted through the house, while outside a fine rain fell over the fields. The droplets on the petals of the roses, camellias and hibiscus of the garden shone in the light of a stray sunray like tiny gems and the green branches of the pomegranate trees moved in a slow and steady dance against the breeze. A few dark clouds hanged over the olive grove, surely carrying more rain. Hercules looked from one of the kitchen windows, lost in happy thoughts, while some loaves of dark bread baked in the clay oven, giving the kitchen a comforting smell. A wooden table was set in the corner, with a weaved basket of green apples, red grapes and lush pomegranates, next to it was a beautifully decorated hydria full with fresh water and finally two clay plates with roasted lamb seasoned with rosemary and sea salt.
Suddenly Meg's voice rose from upstairs, carrying sweet notes to where Hercules was standing. "Agapi mu ela, agapi mu ela", her loving tune waking him from his reverie and inviting him to go to her. He left the kitchen in direction to their bedroom where he was sure to find her.
Meg was sitting at her side of the bed combing her long auburn strands while humming her song, her hair flowing down to her slim waist. Hercules entered quietly and lay at his side of the bed, with his body facing towards her. Meg stopped in mid brush and acknowledged his presence with a smirk.
"How's lunch going Wonderboy?" she asked with amusement. Hercules extended both hands and enveloped her hips softly, pulling her, beckoning her to lay beside him. She left her silver brush in her nightstand and complied with a content sigh, resting her head and left palm on his chest. "It's only missing you, my sweet" he answered with a kiss to her forehead.
"Aww… demigod, hero, housewife, cook, I'm a lucky gal am I?" Hercules laughed through his nose and clutched her more close. "I'd say" he responded. Meg raised her head from his chest and stared into his blue eyes, placing her palm to his face and rubbing his cheek with her thumb. "I think I love you" she whispered with infinite tenderness. He gave a small chuckle and replied "I think I love you too" kissing her softly on the lips. Meg raised her hand to clutch at his ginger curls and bring his face closer to hers, while Hercules encircled her waist with both arms, now Meg resting her body atop of his. They stayed like this for a few minutes until Hercules rolled over to have her under him and began to kiss a path down her neck to her collarbone. Meg moaned softly under his ministrations while caressing his scalp and back. Suddenly Meg stopped her moans and sniffed the air "Is something burning Herc?"
Hercules rolled over with a gasp and fell to the floor with a loud thud "MY BREAD!" he shouted while he scampered down the stairs to the kitchen. Meg was left in the bed in a laughing fit, then a minute after, Hercules shouted from below: "I SAVED IT HON!".
Meg smiled widely at his antics and rose from the bed in direction to the kitchen, adding on her way "Nice work, Wonderboy".
After the meal they went for a walk around their home. The rain had stopped and the sky was clearing into a vibrant blue with only a few clouds left. They walked hand in hand down a stone path that lead to the stables to check on Pegasus. The winged horse received them with a cheerful whinny.
Meg got close Pegasus to rub his nose with affection, they had become the best of friends after the whole ordeal. Pegasus knew how deeply Meg cared about Hercules, just as much as him. He let himself being pet by Meg while Hercules filled his plate with oatmeal and some red apples.
"How's that buddy? Think this will be enough?" Hercules asked his feathered companion, while patting his back. Pegasus answered with joyous chirping and licking his muzzle.
After leaving Pegasus all set they continued their walk. The stone path was side to side with the cedar grove, and led to the wheat fields. Under the afternoon sun the wheat shone like gold. Near the path was a stone bench under an arch made of jasmines, abutilon and orchids.
Hercules stopped and pulled Meg to the bench so they could admire all this. The sat in a comfortable silence. Meg leaned in Hercules shoulder while closing her eyes and Hercules leaned his head over hers while still holding her delicate hand in his.
It had been two months since their "let's take it slow" talk, and both felt like it was the best decision. They slept in the same room, but both had been respectful about each other, and had yet come together as one. Hercules needed her to sleep beside him, because he needed to listen to her breathing, to see the rise and fall of her chest, to feel her warm pulse because he was terrified of losing her to death again. Their first night in the house Meg had found him standing in her doorway peeking through the curtain to check if she was alive. She understood completely, so they agreed to sleep together.
"It has been a perfect day hasn't it Wonderboy?" Meg asked, breaking the silence. Hercules looked down to her and smiled warmly. "Yes, it has" he answered, then he lifted her face to kiss her. The kiss was sweet and tender, Hercules had gained a lot of experience from Meg, and now could easily melt her to a puddle. Not that Meg couldn't do the same tenfold. Meg pressed her tongue to the seam of his lips and he opened them to play back. They kissed for a good while until Hercules broke the kiss. He still had to take large gulps of air after this amorous activity. It endeared Meg.
They resumed their walk shortly after a few kisses more. It was getting darker by the moment, Apollo and his chariot were off to bed no doubt, and the night brought with itself the hoots of the owls and the sound of the crickets. It was time to go back home.
At home, Hercules revived the embers and added more wood to the fire. He sat in silence looking at the dancing flames. Meg came behind him and hugged his neck. "C'mon, time for bed Herc".
Their room was spacious and warm. It had a large bed, with beautiful linen sheets and a quilt made of the softest wool. It smelled of lavender and jasmine, because Meg liked to have flowers in an amphora. At the end of the bed there was a wooden chest where they kept their garments and other precious objects. They quickly washed and got ready to sleep. Meg slid under the covers first, then Hercules, after closing the windows carefully and blowing off all the house torches.
Hercules brought Meg closer to him to spoon her, enveloping her soft waist with one arm, while the other served her to rest her head. He smelled her sweet scent and kissed the back of her neck making her to moan softly. Meg turned around to face him and caress his face. Hercules kissed her forehead and she kissed him back on the lips, but sleep was claiming her and slowly she closed her eyelids and sighed softly. Hercules smiled down at her, rubbing her lower back until he too fell under the spell of Morpheus.