Epilogue -One in a billion

X/A Conversation

About two hours of intense fucking/love making/ definitely fucking later, she was stretching on the soft sheepskin rug in front of the fireplace, like a lazy house cat, obviously trying to relax those sore muscles and ease a bit that annoying pain I could just tell she was feeling after our out of this world, savage coupling.

My hand shifted from her lower back to those problematic areas almost instantly, the few golden sparks leaving the tips of my fingers shining on the surface of her creamy skin for a few seconds before they vanished along with all the tension present in her body.

Just as she turned her head to look at me and to probably thank me for my thoughtful gesture and keen observation, she must have seen something in my eyes that got her attention to the point that she forgot what her initial intention had been.

''What's wrong ?'' she asked, eying me a bit curiously.

''Nothing….Why do you ask ?''I instantly replied- to quickly maybe, looking back at it now -unsure whether that was a conversation I actually wanted to start.

Completely ignoring my answer, she took a few seconds, shifted in my embrace so that she was now facing me, placed a warm palm on my chest and continued…..

By the way, have I ever mentioned how opinionated this woman actually is ?! Trust me, you have NO idea !''

''What's bothering you ?"

And that low voice, those half parted lips, that surreal shade of blue in her bright moons as she kept scanning my face for clues…It's a fatal combination, I'm telling ya'. There's no way in Tartarus I could ever win an argument with her- a bitter conclusion the details of which I would never admit to her, not if my own life depended on it….

''I'm not really sure I want to get into it right now …..''

''Come on, Ares. Weren't you the one who always said that we should always tell each other everything?''

''Yeah, but you were 17 …..Knowing in full detail what was going on in that pretty head of yours was a must back then….I mean….teenagers… You can never trust them. They're crazy…''

She just shook her head and laughed at my very blunt and accurate description of her own persona during that rocky stage of her life.

''Well...you sure seem to have kept your habit since you're still constantly checking on me and I'm definitely not 17 anymore …''

''Yeah well, you know what they say about habits- you work so hard to make them that it's a pity to break them ….''

''No one says that Ares! You've just made it up !''

It's my turn to laugh.

''Can't get anything past you, huh?''

''What can I say ? You're a good teacher.''

''It sure seems that way …''I answered, leaning in for a kiss, subtly trying to put a halt to that delicate conversation.

She adamantly refused to cut me some slack though. She knows me so damn well, my Princess! Consequently, she gently pushed me back, her gaze never leaving mine…

''Talk to me ….''

''Are you sure you even want to hear this ? The last thing I want is to ruin this night for you…''

''Yes I'm sure. I wouldn't have asked otherwise, right ?!''

''Fair enough….'' I replied, licking my lips pensively while my mind was in fact racing….How in the name of Hades was I supposed to phrase this the right way,without throwing everything out the window …'' Do you ever miss this ? I mean… our life together? Do you ever think about it? ''

''Our life together ? Ares, I was with my troops most of my warlord days…..''

''Yeah but you were with me every night….''

''Most nights …..''

''Four exceptions to be more precise…And those only because you insisted…''

''I was mad at you! And I had every reason in the world to be- do I need to refresh your memory?!"

''No need to , Honey. I did admit my mistakes as I well recall …..'' I emphasized, flashing a charming smile and gazing at her apologetically while secretly hoping the humble attitude would do the trick. And I was right! It did work!"

There was a brief moment of silence although I could tell she was not shocked by my question- not even surprised may I add.

''I do….More than I would like to….What about you? Do you miss it ?''

''Well let's see ….I see your face everywhere, I watch your every move 24/7, Zeus himself told me to go see a therapist and Athena said I was whipped ….What do you think?''

''That Zeus is right. You do need help…"she stated on her grave, Warrior Princess tone, but that glimmer in her eyes gave her away.

In no time, we both burst out laughing, and the second she started to playfully ruffle my hair I just knew it- I didn't want to live without her. Not any more…There was just no point in doing it. Plus, I had nothing to lose so….

''I hate my life without you in it….It's pretty boring …and useless…..''

''You hardly lack entertainment, Ares!'' she bit defensively, probably scared by the implications of my statement.

''I'm not looking for entertainment, Xe….''I rushed to contradict before she got the wrong idea about this….

''What are you looking for then? '' she inquired, almost harshly and my heart sank.

''A way to get you back ….'' I murmured, finally breaking eye contact, way too anxious to still hold her gaze.

'' You know I'd never go back to commanding your …''

''I don't want you to…..'' I cut in, refusing to let her finish that sentence. ''I had enough time to make amends with the heart-wrenching tragedy of that situation'' I theatrically confessed, over exaggerating that truth just for the sake of seeing her roll her eyes at me…

''Well that's new. And hard to believe…'' she concluded, shaking her head disapprovingly, certain that I was up to no good, and getting up, ready to leave.

''Princess…I'm on the level here. I can't get you out of my head, or my heart…!'' I almost yelled at her, my hand clenched around her wrist as if afraid that otherwise she might somehow vanish from the room.''I do have a reputation as something of a trickster, I know that, but I have never lied to you. Oh, deceived, manipulated…maybe …but a God need never lie.''

''So what do you want from me ? A quick fuck every night ?!''she snapped, sounding pretty offended by it.

Wrong approach….

''I wouldn't precisely call it quick. '' I stupidly corrected .''…..but that's not the point.I just want you…..I don't care if it's for a quick fuck or a night long orgy, I just want you in my arms again …''

Stunned would be the perfect word to describe the emotion now displayed on her face.

'' And you actually expect me to give up my life…Gabrielle….just to come running back to you ?!" she incredulously inquired, amazed that I actually had the guts to voice such a far fetched scenario.

Still...seeing that the lame concept of giving up is not really an active part of my vocabulary- let alone my mindset- I kept going...

''I would never dare ask anything even remotely close to that ….I don't want you to give anything up for me, to make any radical changes ….I'm just asking you to allow me to be part of your life, just as it is….No strings, no promises…..I guess what I want is the chance to a new beginning with you ….You don't need to answer right away….Just ….think about it…..''

There I was ….My heart on a silver platter and all, literally holding my breath when she kissed me….-kissed me in a way in which I hadn't been kissed in a long time- that kind of kiss that brings out the best in you, that melts away all the doubts, all the sorrow and that washes away all the past mistakes….

''Is this a yes…..?'' I whispered nervously against her lips as she finally pulled away a bit, praying to all deities for a positive answer.

''Definitely a yes for dinner tonight and maybe a walk in the agora if you behave yourself. You can pick me up after sunset and …we'll just take it from there, ok ? One day at a time …..But don't get your hopes up, War God…!''she made sure to add the instant she noticed the immeasurable joy on my face.

''I love you, Princess …''

''I love you too…''