Chapter 7: Kiku's POV

The airport in Athens was thankfully not very crowded. On the other hand, that was probably because the building was just so huge. Everything there made me feel tiny—the billboards showing flight times, the glass ceiling arching over my head, even the people were almost twice my height. I figured it was because I was from Japan, and small for my age, but I still didn't like feeling so small and insignificant.

Heracles seemed to notice how uncomfortable I was with the situation and wrapped an arm gently around my shoulders. For a moment, I entertained the idea that he had other reasons for pulling me closer to his side, but quickly banished them. It would be a bad idea to entertain such delusions. Besides, even if I did ever have… that kind of relationship with Heracles—or anyone else, for that matter—it would end in nothing but pain for me and the other person as soon as he found out.

No. I shook my head slightly to clear my mind. I wouldn't let myself think of things like that, not when I was finally in Greece. I was in Athens, for God's sake. There was no way I'd let him keep me from having fun when we weren't even in the same country. I was determined to let myself have fun and relax.

Somehow, Heracles seemed calmer, too. Maybe it was just because he was back in his home country, but he seemed to be happier, more relaxed. His steps seemed lighter. He felt more centered, and more awake than I had ever seen him.

We grabbed our luggage from the baggage claim, then went to the front of the building where his mother had said that she'd be waiting. Heracles looked around for a moment, then a wide grin spread across his face and he began to gently steer me to the doors. To the left of them stood a woman with such an uncanny resemblance to Heracles that she had to be his mother. As we got a bit closer, though, I could see a few differences. Her hair was slightly darker than his, and her eyes were just a little less blindingly green. She had a darker tan, since she was still living in Greece, but other than a few minor things like those she could have been Heracles' sister. She was young, too; probably not more than thirty. I couldn't help but wonder who Heracles' father was, but I didn't dare ask. After all, I knew how bad 'daddy problems' could be.

She smiled when she saw us, and I knew instantly where Heracles got his blindingly beautiful grin. Heracles walked into her open arms and hugged her as hard as she was embracing him, while I stood awkwardly to the side. I didn't want to stare, but I had never had anyone but Yao to really count as family, since my mother had died giving birth to me and my father was, well… not exactly the loving type. It felt like I was intruding on a private moment. Still, it was kind of funny, because Heracles was a few inches taller than his mother, and had to bend down to let her pet his hair.

"You've grown again, damn it. I miss when you were a tiny little baby and I could pick you up with one arm." Her tone was teasing and gentle, and jokes like that were obviously normal, since Heracles laughed. He definitely seemed more at ease with his family, like there was something back in the States that was stressing him out.

"Don't worry, I'll be able do that to you soon enough," He smiled and then turned to me, my breath catching in my throat. His eyes were practically sparkling with joy and excitement, and he looked… alive.

"Kiku, this is my mother. Mom, this is Kiku, the friend I've been telling you about." I bowed my head respectfully to her.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. Karpusi. My name is Kiku Honda."

She laughed and I felt her ruffle my hair. I looked up, surprised, and found her grinning widely. "You don't need to be so polite. My name is Akantha, but you can call me whatever you want, since I know it's a bit of a mouthful."

Her voice was heavily accented, full of laughter and kindness, somehow calming me down quite a bit. "Ah, yes. Thank you for having me."

She hugged me gently before turning and grabbing one of Heracles' suitcases. "Let's go, then. I waited to set up the Christmas tree so that you two can help decorate."

Heracles picked up his other suitcase, grabbing mine and easily slinging it over his shoulder. "W-wait, Heracles, I can get that,"

He chuckled softly. "Don't worry about it. It's light, anyway, so you just grab your carry-on bag and let's join Mom before she starts getting on us about being slow."

He started walking, flashing his perfect smile at me as we walked behind his mother. Akantha seemed nice, and he definitely seemed to be more comfortable in that environment. I decided that I was going to enjoy Greece, if only because I got to see the side of Heracles that wasn't all cats and sleep.

It was about a ten minute drive from the Athens airport to where Heracles and Akantha lived, a suburb of Athens called Tavros. Their house was small, but it felt like a home, not like my house did. It was bigger on the inside than it looked from the outside, but it still felt comfortable, cozy. It was the kind of place that you knew instantly was constantly filled with happiness and love. It was the kind of environment I had always craved but never gotten to have.

Since the second floor was being rented, there were only two bedrooms, which meant that I would be sharing one with Heracles. I tried to hide my blush when I heard that, but I couldn't refuse. Besides, it meant that I'd get the chance to wake up in the same room as someone I wasn't terrified of.

We set up the Christmas tree that night before dinner. Sure, it was just a plastic one, some assembly needed, but I enjoyed it. It was the first time I had ever felt like I would enjoy a holiday, and it was cute to see the little art projects that Heracles had made in elementary school that his mother had kept and hung up on the tree every year.

I swore to myself right then and there, as I was laughing at a story that Akantha was telling me that was making Heracles blush in embarrassment, that someday, I'd be able to have that sort of thing for myself.