As always, thank you for the continued support of this story. It means the world to me. I can't believe we're nearly at 3000 reviews. It's mind-boggling!
The last couple of chapters have been heavy in dealing with Thalia's arrival. We're now returning to the Den for some more shenanigans.
I hope you all enjoy this new chapter.
Please Enjoy!
Naruto/Percy Jackson Crossover
Dining With Divinity
Part XIII
"You look ready to keel over."
Blinking as he lowered her latte to the table, Naruto turned and faced the gazing grey eyes of Athena, ignoring the crumbs splotched across the side of her lips.
The Goddess of Wisdom arrived at the Fox's Den forty minutes ago, this time on her own. Though she invited Artemis, her younger sister was in the middle of a hunt somewhere out in California, and whatever she was hunting was giving her girls the runaround. The excitement in her sister's voice was enough for her to wish her hunt good luck before settling on leaving Olympus alone. She narrowly avoided a run-in with Aphrodite, hiding her presence from the Goddess of Love as she skipped her way over to Dionysus's temple. Though part of her wondered why Olympus's resident airhead was heading over to the temple of the family drunk, she chose to leave that question unanswered. She doubted it was anything of significance.
Once she arrived, she took up residence in the corner of the room away from prying eyes and made herself comfortable. Her schedule of late was meetings with her servants, her father, and other members of her family. The moment a free afternoon opened up, Athena had only one place in mind to spend her free time.
"I'm sorry?"
"I said you look ready to keel over. You look like you haven't slept a wink in days." Athena replied, taking the drink and pushing her empty plate to the side of the table. "Is everything alright?"
Straightening his back, he brought up his free hand and rubbed his eyes. Dark purple circles were beginning to form under his eyes like someone had snuck into Aphrodites enormous collection of cosmetics and smeared purple mascara all around the skin.
"I'm okay," He replied, rubbing the bridge of his nose, "I'm tired is all. Haven't been sleeping great, that's all."
Athena hummed. Trying to ignore the delicious aroma of her drink as it tickled her nose, the goddess didn't believe him.
"Tired? That's putting it mildly. You look exhausted." She leaned back in her chair and appeared amused when he attempted to cover his mouth when a yawn tried to escape. "When was the last time you took a break?"
A low hum escaped Naruto, "I haven't had the chance yet today. Maybe in an hour, I can have a sit-down. The schools will break up for the day soon, and that should give me the time to relax a bit." He wouldn't mind being off his feet for a little bit. Maybe he could have a clone take over in the front, while he put his feet up for twenty minutes in the backroom. It was risky since his clones always ran the risk of accidentally dispelling if someone or something knocked into them hard enough.
"I don't mean when was the last time you had a sit-down, Naruto." Beneath the table, the goddess tapped her foot against the hardwood flooring, "I should clarify. When was the last time you took a day off?"
A chuckle escaped his lips, "I don't have days off. Running the Den takes up most of my time."
"Then perhaps you should look into making some changes. Working the way you do can't be healthy. It doesn't help that you work alone. I don't think I have seen another soul working here since my first visit." As much as she loved coming to the Fox's Den, questions started hovering in the back of her mind, which so far, had gone unanswered. Like her sister, Athena had a good thing going at the Den, and like Artemis, was developing a soft spot for the blonde owner. He was vastly different from the other mortal men that she met, and so far hadn't made a pass at her like most already would have. He appeared more interested in getting to know her in a friendly manner, making small talk between her orders and listening with rapt attention when she spoke.
"I have my Sundays off."
A tsk sound came from the goddess, "No, you have half of Sunday off. The other half you're here working." She took another sip of her drink, trying to remain composed as the taste of cinnamon covered her tastebuds, "I know you value your work, but I think you should put some thought into closing the Den for one day a week. Sunday would work best since you're only open half a day anyway. Not to mention, you wouldn't be the only one who closes on a Sunday."
Sunday was known to be a day of rest, and not only because the faux god's religion told people it was so. Sunday had always been a day where mortals would lay down their worries and take a day to relax and put their feet up. For most people, Sunday was their favourite day of the week, while Monday was typically the worst since it began the working week anew.
The blonde sighed with one hand coming up to rub his neck. "It would be nice to have a day where I didn't have to think about coffee or pastries other them my own." In the four months since he opened up, he was focusing his time on the Fox's Den twenty-four-seven and left little time for himself. For someone of his unique circumstance, that was hard to do. Working at the Den gave him a purpose. Boredom and doing nothing was the enemy and staying occupied by any means, or manner was in his mind the solution.
Add a demigod like Thalia coming into a mix, and entering his life.
"You don't think the customers would mind?"
A snort escaped Athena and shook her head, "I think they would be more annoyed if you keeled over during service. Everyone needs rest. Even the best of us."
"That's true." He briefly glanced at the window, "I guess I could make up a sign and stick it in the window today. There is still enough time in the day to give people the heads up."
The goddess nodded when a thought crossed her mind, "You know, this would all be a lot easier on you if you hired someone to help you."
A frown appeared on his face, and she watched as Naruto casually waved the idea away, "Maybe. We'll see."
The idea of hiring someone to come in a couple of days a week and help him during some of the busier days had crossed his mind on more than one occasion. The big glaring issue that Naruto had with bringing someone from the outside into the Fox's Den was having to explain why there were multiple versions of himself working endlessly in the kitchen. His abilities played a role in the upkeep of the Den and bringing someone in would complicate matters.
"I never said you weren't, but having someone to help carry the load of running a business would help. I'm no businesswoman but having someone else around, even playing the role of waiter or waitress would help make things easier on you." Athena wasn't trying to discredit him. Far from it. Thus far, the mortal had done a superb job on running a business all on his own. She didn't want to see her favourite mortal wear himself down. "It would help a great deal. I'm just saying." She shrugged nonchalantly.
"Yeah, I get what you mean, and I appreciate the advice," Naruto replied, "I'll think about it. One step at a time."
Athena smiled, "One step at a time."
His eyes drifted away from Athena and down to the book in her hands. The book looked old if the leather-bound cover was anything to go by, but appeared in pristine condition. On the side, he noticed gold stitching and letting, and tilted his head to read the title, "The Old Man and the Sea."
Athena hummed, confirming his statement and taking another sip of her drink.
"That's an old one. How far are you?"
"About halfway, but then again, the story is only 127 pages." Athena's free hand came up and traced along the spine of the book, "I haven't read it in a couple of years, so I thought I would spend an afternoon reexperiencing it.
Though she had another copy within her ever-expanding library within her temple, the one she held in her hands was a gift from Ernest Hemmingway himself, who had been one of her demigod brainchildren born at the tail end of the 19th century. Intelligent beyond his year, he'd thrown himself into writing during his time in Paris in the 1920s, and the Goddess of Wisdom had watched with rapt attention as her son became influenced by the modernist writers and artists of the Lost Generation. Despite the many stories he produced, the Old Man and the Sea was a favourite of hers.
Naruto hummed, taking a scan of the room to check his customers were all satisfied before he quoted, "He always thought of the sea as 'la mar' which is what people call her in Spanish when they love her. Sometimes those who love her say bad things about her but they are always said as though she were a woman. Some of the younger fishermen, those who used buoys as floats for their lines and had motorboats, bought when the shark livers had brought much money, spoke of her as 'el mar' which is masculine."
The smile on Athena's face widened, "They spoke of her as a contestant or a place or even an enemy. But the old man always thought of her as feminine and as something that gave or withheld great favours, and if she did wild or wicked things it was because she could not help them. The moon affects her as it does a woman." When she finished speaking, the goddess couldn't help leaning forward, one arm resting against the top of the table, "You've read the Old Man and the Sea."
It came out as a statement rather than a question. Regardless, the blonde nodded.
"Some years ago. As you said, it's a good book." He laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"It's just," He started, and couldn't help the grin morphing on his face, "When I was a kid, I would be throwing a tantrum at the idea of reading a book." Looking back on his youth, Naruto often forgot how much of a knucklehead he was. It was no wonder he got on the nerves of so many of his fellow shinobi, including those he called friends and family. "I was a bit of a hot head when I was younger, and the idea of reading a book would have sent me running for the hills."
"Really?" Athena tried to picture Naruto as a kid, and couldn't help inwardly smiling. She imagined a spiky blonde running for the hills while being chased by his teachers.
"Oh yeah, but I found the value you in it as I grew up." A fond smile and a faraway look washed over his face, "My godfather was an author, and it was his first book that ignited my enjoyment of books," He chuckled, "He...didn't have the best of luck with more traditional stories, but did find success in the more...risque section."
Athena raised an eyebrow.
"Risque section?"
Naruto wiggled his eyebrows and gave Athena a look. It took seconds for Athena to understand what he meant. The blonde felt a chill run up his spine, and a frosty look appeared. Her grey eyes turned steely.
"I see." Athena's thoughts about Naruto started to darken before he put up his free hand. She didn't want to summon her spear.
"Don't worry. I could barely make it through the first couple of pages. Those kinds of books aren't my taste." Despite Jiraiya's attempts, he never fell to the dark side.
"So you never got sucked into that vortex of debauchery?" Athena muttered and watched him nod his head, "Good. That type of...literature has no place in the world. It's little more than smut and pornography." Though it wasn't to her tastes, that kind of reading was up Aphrodite's alley. The occasions when she found the Love Goddess with her nose buried between the pages of a book, it was often one of those silly little love stories, and occasionally, straight-up pornography. The air-headed goddess that oversaw the carnal pleasures in life had been the one responsible for showing Apollo the joys of literature, despite her attempts at steering her godly brother away.
"You don't have to tell me twice," Naruto replied, "I keep a set of his books for sentimental value. They've never even left their protective wrapping."
Athena nodded, pleased by his words, "Good. See that you don't. I would be greatly disappointed if I ever catch you reading such content. I doubt I would be able to call you a friend if I had such information in my mind. My sister would be less than thrilled too." She could already imagine her sister if she ever discovered such a trait in their favourite mortal. "She would string you up in the trees and poke you full of holes."
"Oddly enough, I could see your sister doing that." Naruto tapped his chin, "She seems a little scary when crossed."
His words brought out a laugh from Athena, "Oh, you have no idea."
Whatever words the blonde was about to say died in his mouth when he heard one of his other customers call out his name. He must have lost track of time. He'd been standing there talking to the grey-eyed woman for a while.
"It appears you're needed elsewhere."
"Looks that way," Naruto replied. The blonde turned to go and serve the other customers before a thought crossed his mind. He turned his head back to Athena, asking, "Quick question. You called us friends. Would you consider us friends?"
Athena tilted her head. Her expression read she wasn't expecting the question, though it did make her begin to wonder that herself. As mortals go Naruto was one of the best she had met in a long time, and the Goddess of Wisdom had to admit, being in his presence was calming. Not to mention, his culinary talents worked wonders on her tastebuds.
"Are we friends?" She said aloud, thinking it over for a brief moment before nodding, "Yes. I think so. I've visited numerous times now, and we've gotten along since day one. Coming here is often the highlight of my day. Do you consider me a friend?"
"I do."
"Then, I suppose we're friends."
A bright smile lit up the blondes face, "In that case, can I ask you for a small favour?"
'Oh?
Now she was curious.
"A favour? Well, if it's within my power, then I can try, though it would depend on what it is."
"It's nothing strenuous if that's what you're thinking," He said back, "You see, I've got some new additions I'd like to put on the menu, but I'd like someone to taste them for me. If you're available, then-"
"I'd love to!"
She blurted out her response, before quickly throwing her hands to her mouth. She hadn't meant to reply with such excitement, but her mouth moved on its own before her mind could catch up. A rarity when it concerned a Goddess of her status. However, she wasn't going to miss the opportunity for what Naruto was offering.
How could she say no! She could only imagine what kind of delicacies he had in mind.
Gently coughing into her hand, she straightened her back and regained her dignified look, "What I meant to say is that I would be happy to help. Tell me a time, and I will see to it that I'm available." Deep down, Athena wanted the opportunity to laud it over the likes of Artemis, and Aphrodite. None of the other goddesses received an opportunity like this, and she wasn't about to turn it down. Though she was one of the more patient Olympians living on Olympus, she was looking forward to rubbing that in their faces.
"Great. If you're available, how about tonight? I'll close up around eight as normal. Head over around then."
"Perfect. I'll see you then." She tried not to sound so eager, but she couldn't deny how excited she was feeling.
Evening rolled around quickly, and the Goddess of Wisdom soon found herself back at the Fox's Den. The rest of her afternoon had been uneventful, though a brief run-in with Aphrodite led her to believe the Goddess of Love had discovered her evening plans. The sneaky Love Goddess had spies and snitches in every corner of the world like she was some type of lovey-dovey mob boss. Nymphs of every kind flocked to her side with a snap of her fingers, all trying to find favour with the beautiful Olympian. Nymphs enjoyed gossip and spreading rumours almost as much as the deities of Olympus did. Luckily, Dite's attention was elsewhere today, and Athena managed to slip away before the interrogation could begin.
The jingle from the bell rang as she entered the Fox's Den for the second time that day, and Naruto's voice reached out to her from the back room. He must have been in the kitchen preparing for her visit.
"Athena? Is that you?"
"Yes, it's me." She replied, looking around the room. It was strange to see it void of other people. Ever since her first visit with Artemis, the place was always filled with mortals as Naruto's reputation became well-known in the West Village area and beyond. The scent of coffee and chocolate still lingered in the air, and a couple of used coffee mugs and plates still dotted around the tables. The last customer must have left mere moments before she appeared.
"Great, right on time. Take a seat anywhere you like, and I'll be out in a moment." She heard him reply, "Can I get you a drink?"
Athena thought about it for a moment, "I won't say no to a regular coffee."
She could picture him nodding in the back, "You got it. I'll be out shortly."
"Take your time. Also, could you make it a decaf?"
"You got it!"
The Goddess only waited a couple of minutes before the blonde revealed himself. He appeared the same as he did earlier in the day, though she noticed a fresh new apron wrapped around his waist. Bits of jam and flour-covered his wrists, though a towel was held in one hand. He got started on her drink, and it wasn't long before she had the mug sitting between her palms.
"Thanks again for doing this. I hope I'm not causing any inconvenience."
Athena shook her head, causing a few strands of hair to fall over her face. Naruto never noticed how her hair curled at the end since the woman tended to have her hair done up in a bun or a ponytail of some kind. Tonight, her hair was down and swept down one side. He wouldn't voice his thoughts, but he thought the look suited her. He wondered why she didn't do it more often, "It's not a problem. My evening was free, and I wasn't about to turn down the chance to try some of your new additions to the menu."
Naruto let out a chuckle, "Well, I can't argue with that." He pointed behind him, "So, I've got a couple of new desserts I'm thinking about adding to the menu. What I need is you to tell me if it's good or not. I want an unbiased opinion, and since day one, you've struck me as someone who will tell it straight."
Athena let out a chuckle of her own, "You would be correct. I never saw the need to beat around the bush, as it were."
"Well, that's perfect. That's what I'm looking for." Her grey eyes watched him closely as he fidgeted around on the spot, "Just one small thing I want to add." If she looked closely enough, she could have sworn dust of red washed over his cheeks, "I know you can be a little, how we say, vocal when eating food here, and you get embarrassed by it. I want you to know that it's okay if you want too.." He made hand motions in the air reminiscent of jazz hands, "I promise, this is a safe space."
Athena sputtered a quick response, but the surprise of his words momentarily made her mind stall. Taking a moment to compose herself, she gave him a subtle nod, "I will keep that in mind."
He gave a thumbs-up, "Okay. I'll go and get the first one."
Athena waited until he was out of sight before throwing up her hands and letting out a silent scream. She writhed around on the chair, silently stamping her feet on the floor, 'I'm never going to be rid of that damn incident, am I!' One slip up, and it was going to haunt her forever. It was the incident with the flute all over again. At least, this time it was only Artemis who saw her, and she wasn't the type to spread such information around without just cause. She didn't have to be worried about other members of her family finding out, and she doubted Naruto would spread it around. She couldn't have been the only person who'd done such a thing.
She composed herself as the blonde return from the kitchen, a plate on the tips of his fingers. Unknowingly, Athena licked her lips. At first glance, the sweet treat in front of her looks like a cupcake given the size, but the texture looked more reminiscent of a biscuit. On the top of the pastry, a swirl of cream covered the top with a layer of something dusted over like a gold blanket. Three sat in front of her.
"This is a cupcake size honey cheesecake," Naruto explained, sounding pleased at her reaction, "You're probably wondering what the cream on the top is."
Athena nodded.
"It's cream mixed with cream cheese and honey. The base is made of biscuits, as is the sprinkles of crumbs dusted over the top. It's a bit different. I'm not even sure how I came up with it. The idea of it just struck me like a bolt of lightning."
Athena could do nothing but stare and nod, before finally asking, "How in the world do you come up with these recipes? It's beautiful to look at."
He gave a small bow and chuckled, "Well, thanks, but ideally, I'd like my customers to eat it, rather than stare at it."
The Goddess of Wisdom let out a low chuckle, "Fair point. Then I should fulfil my part of the deal." Gently, Athena picked up the small pastry between her fingers. In hand, she could feel how delicate the base was. It felt like it would crumble with the tiniest degree of extra pressure.
The last thing she wanted to watch it crumble away before her very eyes. Bringing it to her mouth, she took a small bite out of the side, getting enough of the cream to get a real sense of the flavour. She breathed through her nose audibly, and her eyes grew heavy all of a sudden as a burst of flavour took over her sense of taste. As expected, the second she bit down on the pastry, it crumbled away, coating her tongue with the base. Leaning forward, she rested her hand in her free palm, her toes wriggling against the inside of her shoes as she took delight in the dish.
"Well?" Naruto asked, waiting patiently.
Athena idly glanced at him, too caught up in the cupcake-size honey cheesecake, "Do you even need to ask?" Was her expression not enough? Thankfully, she managed to rein in any audible moans from slipping out, "It's amazing."
"The honey flavour isn't too overpowering?"
"Not at all. I'll admit, I don't have honey often, but this was just the right amount. It wasn't too sweet."
"And the cream?"
"Light and fluffy." She replied, "and the biscuit base crumbled as soon as my teeth put the tiniest bit of pressure on it. It was a delightful sensation."
"Good. That's good." He looked relieved, and scratched the back of his head, "I was a little worried about this one."
"There was no reason to be. You did a wonderful job as always." Quickly finishing it off, Athena wiped away the crumbs and splash of cream from her lips, "You get a gold star for plate number one."
He smiled, "Thanks. That's a relief to hear. I've been cooking and baking for a long time, but I still get the jitters when I'm trying something new."
Lacing her fingers together, Athena smiled. She did that a lot when she was visiting the Fox's Den. Something about the company of the man that ran it brought it out of her.
"I'll go get the next one." He replied, and disappeared back in the kitchen. He was only gone a few short moments, but while the Goddess was alone, she dropped her usual facade and punched the air in delight. Her feet repeatedly tapped the ground as she revelled in the aftertaste of the honey cheesecake. It was so good she couldn't contain herself and had to let it out, though when Naruto returned, she quickly regained her composure.
Like before, he gently lowered the plate to the table, pushing the first one off to the side. Athena nearly told him to leave it where it was, but her words fell silent as her eyes settled on the second dish. A drinking glass filled with her next sweet treat rested on the top.
"Unless my eyes are deceiving me, which they rarely do, can I assume I'm looking at a panna cotta?"
The blonde almost grinned at her guess, "You have a good eye." He watched Athena pick it up, looking over it with an analytical look on her face and resting her nose against the rim of the glass. She took one long whiff and felt a shiver of delight run across her skin, "A strawberry panna cotta, as you've figured out." A panna cotta was an Italian dessert made of sweetened cream thickened by gelatin. The name literally meant "cooked cream." It was a dish Naruto hadn't created much off in the past but decided to give it a shot by adding it to his menu.
"What are these on the sides?"
"Those are homemade salted almond snaps. You can have the panna cotta on its own, but I thought the almond snaps would compliment the strawberry flavour." He made a motion towards the spoon, "Maybe you could tell me?"
"Maybe I can," Athena fired back, and picked up the spoon.
Breaking off a piece of the almond snap, the goddess scooped up some of the panna cotta, and gently placed the snap-on top. Panna Cotta was not a dish she was overly familiar with, though the ones she had in the past were adequate. Perhaps this one would make the dessert a new favourite of hers. It wasn't a dish her aunt, or stepmother, had ever presented them on Olympus.
She learned in and chomped down on her spoon. This time, the reaction was a little more...vocal, and there was nothing she could do to contain it.
"Oh, gods," she whispered, one hand coming up to slide down her cheek. Her ankles crossed over the other beneath the table, and her tongue lapped up every little bit of dessert from the spoon. When it finally left her mouth, there didn't appear to be anything left. Not even a smear of cream. Naruto tried to speak but found his mouth clamped shut as Athena grabbed another spoonful and went for a second bite. She hated that she was making noises that sounded so lewd, but she couldn't help it. Naruto told her that he wouldn't tell anyone, so she put her trust in that.
And then a third.
By the fourth bite, she deliberately took her time.
"Well, I guess I don't need to ask, huh?"
Athena shook her head.
A minute passed, and Naruto found himself lifting the empty glass of panna cotta. The Goddess devoured the dish like there was no tomorrow. So much so, that the inside of the glass looked half clean already from how feverishly she'd eaten it. She made sure to scoop up every last piece she could get her hands on. There wasn't even a sliver of cream left at the bottom of the glass. He was beginning to wonder which was the gluttonous daughter of Zeus.
"If you don't put that on your menu, then it will be a crime of the highest order," She told him, dabbing her lips with a napkin. She would readily order that again, "The cream was perfect. I haven't had a panna cotta in a long time, but I can say this trumps any I've had in the past."
"From how quickly you polished that off, I'd be foolish to disagree," He laughed, "Thanks for saying so. That's another one going on the menu."
"At this rate, your menu will feel like it has no end."
"When inspiration hits, you have to go with it. You don't know when it might come back."
Athena nodded, "I agree."
Without a moments notice, her embarrassment swiftly returned as loud gurgle ran through her stomach. There was little she could do to stop it and felt it travel up her body so quickly there was no time to cover her mouth. Once the sensation ran along the back of her throat she knew there was nothing she could do to stop it. A loud and guttural burp escaped her mouth, resonating inside the silent room. It sounded disgusting, like something Ares or Apollo would do. It wasn't something anyone from her family would think she was capable of.
Even Naruto's looked surprised, his mouth a tiny o shape.
"I-I am so sorry you had to hear that."
She threw her hands up to cover her face, hoping it would help her disappear. Gods, why did it always happen to her? Was Tyche playing some kind of prank on her? Her luck surely wasn't that bad, was it?
She half expected him to turn away in disgust, but instead, he let out a loud bellyful laugh that nearly made her jump out of her seat. She sat there for half a minute, watching in silence as he tried to compose himself. Initially, when he tried to speak, he broke out into a fit of chuckles and resumed laughing, until finally, he managed to get himself under control. He wiped his eyes, a sheen of wetness coating the bottom from his hysterics.
"I-I'm sorry," He said, waving his hands in the air. His expression still showed he was trying not to crack up, "It was just so sudden, and out of nowhere. You caught me by surprise. Both of us, if your expression was anything to go by." Athena shook her head and tried to bury her face into her palms again. Instead, she found a gentle hand on her wrist and gently pried it away.
Her initial reaction was to blast the man who dared to place his hand on her. The Goddess of Wisdom wasn't as bad as her sister, but as Virgin Goddess, she was very particular about who touched her. She had a reputation to uphold after all. The only male she allowed to touch her was Zeus, as she had grown up with her father spoiling her and wrapping her up in those giant arms of his into a hug. Her Olympian brothers tried in the past to get handsy with her, though they all came to regret it. They only needed to be told once, or twice in Apollo's case, and they never tried anything again. The sight of her spear in hand would make all of them turn tail.
Her spear could appear in a matter of moments in a brilliant light. It was as easy as blinking when it came to summoning her signature weapon to her. She could skewer the one daring to touch her in a nanosecond. Luckily, she refrained. The soft smile and eyes belonging to her mortal friend were enough to push such thoughts away.
"Don't get upset," He said kindly, gently patting her wrist, "I'm sorry my laughing upset you. It wasn't my intention. It just came out. You surprised me, that's all."
Athena took a couple of deep breaths, "I-It's fine. It's silly, I know, but," Athena paused and ran her free hand through her hair, "I don't take embarrassment well." Ever since the incident with the flute all those millennia ago, the Goddess has kept a close eye on every little thing she did and said. After every speech and every action, she ensured she didn't hand over any ammunition to her immortal family. She couldn't handle the japes, and being the butt of the joke. To this day, the laughter of her aunts, uncles and siblings still rang through her head from time to time. The curse of being the Goddess of Wisdom was that she never forgot such things. It was all stored in her memory, like a file cabinet that went on forever, "I'm sorry."
Embarrassment for her brethren, like Apollo, or Hermes, was second nature to them. They used it to their gain and appeared to shrug it off and keep moving forward regardless. It was one of the few things she could say she was envious for lacking. She wished she could just walk away from such things.
The chair next to her made a sound, and she found Naruto taking up the seat, "Don't apologise. You don't have anything to be sorry for."
"I know, but-"
"Stop right there," He interrupted, cutting Athena off mid-sentence, "Getting embarrassed is nothing to beat yourself up over. It happens to everyone. Just the other day, I accidentally knocked into a customer, and part of their drink fell on their lap. Hot coffee right on their white shirt, stained across the front. The customer was annoyed, and I could feel the stares coming from everyone in the room."
She nodded, "I hate that feeling. Like people are judging you."
"Yeah, I can't deny it doesn't suck, but it doesn't last. You think you have to apologise over and over again to make it better when in reality, you should have stopped after the first time. It's in the past. It's history. You have to stay in the present, rather than looking back and thinking about that moment. It was one little incident. After that, the rest of the day went great. You have to stop clinging onto those moments."
"I wish it were that easy," Athena replied, sounding a little glum, with Naruto sighing at her reply. This goddess sure could be a Debbie downer at the smallest of things.
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, "You don't always have to be perfect, you know. You're allowed to make mistakes."
Athena's eyes widened from his declaration. She stared at him in surprise. She hadn't expected that response. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but it hadn't been that.
"What do you mean?" It came out little more than a whisper, but Naruto heard her and explained.
"We haven't known each other for a long time, but I've met people like you before. You're the type of person who's sets unbelievably high standards for themself. Anything less than achieving that you deem a failure, and embarrassment. Did you know embarrassment belongs to the disorder known as perfectionism? Think about it. You are embarrassed because you didn't live up to your standards, and when an event happens that put us on the spot and doesn't go our way, we panic and become flushed. There is a small (or wide) gap between your expectations of yourself and your performance."
Athena did know that, but she didn't voice it. She was too interested in what he had to say. He wasn't wrong about his statement on being perfect. After all, she was Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and favourite daughter of Zeus. When everyone else had a problem, they came to her for help.
Naruto could see she was listening, and continued, "Embarrassment is also another term for fear. We don't want to be perceived less than the image we desire. You need to have that wiggle room up here, and not let yourself be bogged down by that." He tapped his head, "You don't have to take it personally."
She knew that, but she couldn't help it. Her pride wouldn't let her.
"What if I can't help it."
He gave her a look, "You can help it, and you can start by not looking at yourself always standing on a pedestal. Things happen outside of our control. That doesn't make us any less then what we are."
"You make it sound easy."
"It can be if we let it." He replied, and outstretched his hand and patted Athena on the shoulder. Again, the goddess felt the urge to swat his hand away but restrained herself. It felt oddly comforting, "The next time you feel embarrassed, hold your head up high and laugh it away. Don't let it weigh you down. It's a single moment. People will forget and move on to the next thing that catches their attention."
Athena didn't say anything, but his words rang through her mind. She had the same talk from her Aunt Hestia on multiple occasions in the past. Even Artemis pulled her aside a few times. She took note of their kind words of encouragement over the millennia but hearing them coming from a mortal held a different weight to them. Here was this person, a being of lesser worth in comparison to an immortal goddess, telling her to stop taking herself so seriously. It was a sobering experience.
Yet she couldn't deny his words didn't hold weight to them. He was correct, as much as she loathes to admit it. It was hard not to put herself on the pedestal he spoke off. Everyone on Olympus came to her when they had a problem. When something outside her control put the image people had of her at risk, she panicked and fled, whether it was a tiny incident or a big one.
Feeling Naruto's kind eyes and smile lingering, Athena took a calming breath, trying to control the flush on her face and the thoughts running through her head. She knew he was only trying to help, for which she was grateful. He really was a unique mortal. "I-I will try, though I don't know how successful I'll be." She admitted, her hands wrapping around her half-empty coffee mug and feeling comfort from its warmth. She watched him raise his hand and noticed it sway in the air as if he was debating with himself before she felt his hand come down on her shoulder.
"If you ever feel that way again, just come back to the Den. My door is always open to you." His smile widened, and Athena tried not to look surprised when he sent a wink her way and quickly removed his hand, "Think of this place as a home away from home. Somewhere you can decompress. We can even talk about our favourite books if you like. Help take your mind off things." He shrugged but chuckled when he saw her grey eyes light up.
"I-I", She started but found herself at a loss for words as she tried to reason with him that he didn't need to go that far. Instead, she settled on just two, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He replied, "Ready to keep going? I've got some tasty dishes in the back with your name on them."
Athena nodded, "I'm ready. Please bring out the next one."
Olympus
As the evening came to an end, Athena reappeared within her temple of Olympus, a small and content smile gracing her face. Sitting comfortably in her hands was a white box with a blue ribbon tied around it, containing a gift from the mortal she spent the last hour helping. Choosing to spend the rest of her night in her library and tucking into a good book, Athena kicked off her shoes and replaced them with her favourite pair of grey slippers. Her civilian clothing changed as well, replaced by an oversized light blue hooded jumper and lounge pants. Despite her earlier feelings of annoyance with herself, there was a noticeable skip to her step. He'd thanked her for her help, and insisted she take something home with her.
Gods, she was turning soft. The goofy blonde should count himself lucky she had a soft spot for him. There was something about him that made Athena comfortable to be around. It was like a warmth she didn't know existed until now. It was similar to the way they all felt around the Goddess of the Hearth. It was peaceful. She didn't know how else to explain it.
Unknowingly, a shiver ran down her back and momentarily she stopped and looked at the spots on her body where his hands touched. She noted how warm his hands were, before shaking her head and continuing. She couldn't help but let out a small giggle.
"What has got you so amused, daughter?"
Turning the corner that led into her reading corner, she was surprised to find her father already occupying one of the armchairs and dressed in his usual business suit attire. In his hands, he held a copy of the Great Gatsby, with a pair of reading glasses sitting on the bridge of his nose. He stared up at her and wore a smile he reserved only for his beloved daughters.
"Father," She greeted, nodding her head and taking the armchair next to him while placing the box on the coffee table in front of them, "Is there something I can help you with tonight? I wasn't aware we had a meeting scheduled."
"Does a father need a reason to visit his daughter?" He replied, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes as Athena made herself comfortable, and tucked her feet onto the chair, "If truth be told, I'm hiding from your aunt."
"Which one? I have a couple of them."
"Hestia."
Athena rose a delicate eyebrow. A glimmer of light shone on the coffee table. A teapot appeared in the centre with two mugs, a small saucer of milk and pot of sugar along with it. Reaching over to the bookshelf behind her, the goddess lifted over a small jar hidden between Frankenstein and Gone With the Wind. Inside was her personal stash of teabags from England, kept hidden from the likes of Aphrodite or Demeter, so she could enjoy a cup of earl grey while reading her novels.
"Why would you be hiding from Hestia?" She asked as she prepared tea for the two of them.
Zeus released a sigh. He placed a marker in his book, and put it off to the side, "I don't know what has got into her. She came home three days ago, and since then, has been cooking none stop in her temple and delivering food to the other gods. She's been churning out new and delicious dinners and breakfasts quicker then anyone can blink. You know how we all get when Hestia starts cooking. She even made her famous steak and kidney pie just for me yesterday. She's been making everyone their favourites."
Athena did know. Her aunt's food was sought after by everyone, "So why are you hiding?"
"Because she's making too much!" Zeus patted his stomach and released a tired breath. He felt like his stomach was about to burst through his suit, "I haven't felt this stuffed in centuries. What makes it worse is Demeter and Hera eventually got involved, and now the three of them are cooking up a storm in Hestia's temple. They tried to make me their guinea pig, but I hightailed it out of there and led them to Apollo. Hopefully, he can keep the three of them busy for a little while."
"They always were a formidable trio when they teamed up," She replied and looked amused when she heard her father grumble. With a wave of her hand, the water in the teapot heated up, and she soon found herself gently filling each of the mugs. Handing one to Zeus, who took it with a quiet thank you, she added a splash of milk to her tea and watched as her father added a teaspoon of sugar to his.
With another wave of her hand, a plate and fork appeared. Leaning over, she took the box with the blue ribbon and gently peeled it open. Inside, a luscious-looking lemon baked cheesecake sat untouched. The lemon smell tickled her nose as soon as the lid was opened, making Athena's eyes twinkle.
"Is that a lemon baked cheesecake?" She heard and found her father leaning over next to her and looking down in the box.
"It is." If the look on her father's face was any indication, she wouldn't get to enjoy her cheesecake on her own as she hoped, "Why? Would you like a slice?"
The God of the Sky and King of Olympus licked his lips, "Maybe just a sliver?"
Sighing, she conjured up another plate and fork along with a knife. She had been hoping to enjoy the cheesecake by herself, but it seemed luck was not on her side again. Making the initial cut down the middle, she moved the tip a few inches to the left and pushed down. That seemed a sufficient amount for her father.
"A little bigger."
She stopped the knife and looked at her father from the corner of her eye. He was still leaning forward but was giving her an expectant look. A small hum of annoyance escaped her lips but quickly set it aside. She did as asked, and moved the knife along another inch. It was more then she was hoping to give him, but she would not be selfish after the delicious treats she enjoyed earlier. Like before, she pressed the knife down.
"A little bigger."
She stopped again, and this time a frown wove its way onto her face. Her father's expression hadn't changed, nor had he moved. He just sat there and watched like an eager dog waiting for his treat. Her eyes visibly darkened, and her hand with the knife visibly twitched but relented. Again, she moved the knife another inch and started to cut down.
"A little-"
He didn't get to finish as Athena's fist came crashing down on the coffee table, splitting it in two. Zeus almost jumped back in surprise. He didn't speak a word, watching as Athena held the plate up and made one long incision down the middle of the cheesecake. Zeus's plate flew into her hand, and she unceremoniously slapped the delight down on top.
"Here!" She shoved the plate in his hands, a cold and irritated look on her face before turning her back and walking away with her tea in one hand and her half of the cheesecake in the other, "Tidy up after your done!" She told him, before grumbling something under her breath and disappearing past the bookshelves.
Zeus just sat there in silence for a moment, wondering what had gotten into his beloved War Flower. He didn't appear to realise how much Athena had been looking forward to enjoying her cheesecake alone, and not sharing it with anyone. Naruto had given her the choice of what she could take home with her! It was hers!
'Was it something I said?' He wondered, unconsciously picking up his fork and bringing a bite of the cheesecake to his mouth. The first thing he tasted was the zest of the lemon flavour and the crumble of the pastry base as it fell apart in his mouth, and couldn't stop the guttural hum of delight from escaping his mouth. 'Hmm, that's pretty damn good!'
Authors Note
I ended up going back and forth a lot with this chapter. Since we had a whole chapter with Artemis back in Part V, I thought it was time to have one with Athena. She's one of my favourite Olympian, and she's so much fun to write. In the canon books, we always see Athena as this calm, stern goddess, so it's fun to show her more vulnerable side. Out of all the Olympians, I always thought she was the one who didn't take embarrassment well, and I wanted to show that in this chapter. As someone who doesn't take handling embarrassment well too, I found myself connecting to the way I wrote Athena during that scene. I hope I did it justice.
I haven't decided on any pairing yet. I'm constantly flipping between choices, but I can tell you this won't be a harem story.
I can reveal to you all what the next chapters will hold. No heavy spoilers but the layout I have in mind will be Part XlV will have more shenanigans at the Fox's Den, and then Part XV will be the meeting between Naruto and Zeus over little Thalia. I'm going to try and get Part XIV done for December, and that will be the final chapter for this year.
Thanks for reading and please review. As always, your support for this story is incredible! Thank you all so much!