I know it's been like OVER TWO YEARS since the last update. I'm truly sorry to those who waited and hoped for some more but in the meantime life happened. Job happened, little baby happened, everything happened. I just couldn't nail down the time or energy to continue. I finally sat down today and thought I should try to come up with at least a very short chapter, so here it is. I've no idea when the next update will be but hopefully way sooner than 2 years from now. Thank you to everyone still following this story, i hope you enjoy it and sooooo sorryyy for the long wait.

The room was quiet as the last traces of light disappeared from the windows and signaled the end of the day. For most people it meant dinner time, putting their toddlers to bed and enjoying a few quiet, relaxing moments. For Kevin it meant dealing with feelings that were threatening to burn his very soul away. He thought for a moment how people never know what could be coming next. How normal his day had started and how cruel it was ending. His jaw was clenched tight enough for his teeth to hurt and his mind was raging under a chaos of thoughts. He wanted to scream his frustration towards the sky, rip everything appart and build a normal life with what was left. His hands trembled, wanting to grab Chloe and shake her untill she was dizzy. Tell her she should've let him die, that he wasn't worth it. Ask her how could she agree to such a thing and later come appart under his gaze. He had watched her slowly turn away from him, naked and vulnerable, curling into a ball and sobbing softly. She looked smaller than ever, her pale skin filled with an intricate pattern of scars that he hadn't seen yet. Kevin always thought she must have plenty of those and that when the time came and he could hold her small, naked frame into his arms, he would ask her about every single one.

He couldn't ask her now. What should've been a sweet and intimate memory turned into one of the worst days of his life. The person he loved with all his heart sold herself for his sake and worst of all

'She thinks I hate her'

Kevin fought hard to bring his turmoil to a decent level of control and then reached for a blanket to cover Chloe's body. He sat behind her and slowly wrapped her in his arms, trying to warm up her now cold frame. She sobbed and shivered and hid her face from him as much as she could, scared that she'd see hate and disgust in the eyes that less than half an hour ago held only love.

"Chloe.." Kevin said softly and tugged her shoulder a bit to make her face him. The more he tried, the harder she cried and insisted on keeping her back to him. A knot started forming in his own throat seeing her in so much pain and knowing what she must be thinking.

"Chloe, please look at me."

There was no answer from her exept the continued sobbing and Kevin decided to stop asking. He kissed the top of her head and let go of her waist just long enough to remove his shirt and pants and get under the blanket with her. There was nothing arousing left in the air now as their naked bodies touched and warmed up. Kevin entwined their legs together and kissed her head and the back of her neck. His hand was tenderly moving down her arm, followed the lines of her ribs, circled patterns on her belly and cupped her hip. He would hug her tight and kiss her again, pouring his heart into comforting her.

Slowly, the warmth of his body and gestures reached Chloe's heart and her sobs grew fainter. She held her eyes closed rewinding the day's events and trying to convince herself it wasn't real. She desperately wanted for them to be back at the bunker in her room. Letting him hold her, giving herself to him and letting him make love to her. Spending the rest of the night in his embrace with his hand slowly gliding along her body just like he was doing now. It should've been her reality, instead her mind sadistically insisted on replaying what Hermes asked of her.

"There's only one thing I require" he had whispered to her

"I haven't had a child in millenia and you would be perfect for bearing me one. You are strong and brave and a maiden that still believes in the gods, granting me power through your faith. This is what I in return for helping you save him."

He hadn't insisted or threatened her. Only stated his terms and patiently watched her. What Hermes must have seen would have been Chloe's broken heart further crumbling to dust and her eyes alight with pain and despair but she nodded and he smiled.

"Call me when you are ready" and after blinking once she found herself sent back in time.

She was now in Kevin's arms unable to give him what she felt was by all accounts his. She had seen the shock and anger in his eyes and knew no words could make things better. Her heart would be his forever but he would no longer wish to touch her body after a god had had his way with her first. Would he hold her this gently again? Would he still kiss her and smile when he sees her?

"I love you Chloe"

Chloe's eyes snapped open and she felt herself stiffen all over. It was a bit more over a whisper, muffled by her hair and she was scared she might've missunderstood. Gathering what was left of her courage, she slowly turned around in his arms untill she was facing him. Her eyes were on his chin and steadily moved to his mouth and found the corners of it facing down. His lips pressed tight for a moment and he swallowed hard.

'Whatever he thinks of me I have to face it' she thought to herself and steeling her nerves even more, raised her eyes to his. She expected a lot of things that she didn't find. There was no trace of hate or disgust, just an endless amount of sadness and under all of it a tiny hint of..

'Love'

Her eyes clouded and for a moment she couldn't see him anymore. She blinked away her tears and when her image focused she saw him smiling softly at her and she could feel her shattered heart make a first attempt at healing itself.

"Kevin I'm so sorry, I.."

Kevin kissed her quiet untill he felt her relax in his arms and when he pulled away it was only an inch from her mouth. Chloe had the weird feeling he was waiting for something. She knew that if she kept apologizing or talking about how awful their lives keep becoming, he'd kiss her again to quiet her. He was already well aware of how bad things tended to become, he was fed up and tired to his very soul but he was here. Still holding her and still finding it in him to smile at her to push her pain away. As if reading her thoughts, he whispered above her mouth

"I'm not going anywhere"

'Good' she thought kissing him briefly before pulling away.

"Kevin I can't...I mean we can't..not all the way but.."

"But?"

Chloe felt her cheeks burn as she wrapped her arms around him and pulled her naked frame against his chest. She had no idea how to express everything she felt and thought. Her mind and heart were overwhelmed and the only thing she could think of doing was look into his eyes and hope he understands.

He did and brought her mouth to his until their lips touched.

"More?" he asked quietlly and didn't wait for her answer.