I don't own Percy Jackson & the Olympians. Rick Riordan does. So don't sue me !
Now you all know I'm not Rick Riordan ( which you really ought to know by now anyway), on with the story! Enjoy!
Oh one warning; the first part contains romantic nonsense, Pothena fluff, if you don't like that, skipp that part! I have warned thy.
Poseidon was humming softly, walking with his hands in his pockets, and looked around him with a bright smile that betrayed his happiness. And why wouldn't he be happy? It was a wonderful day after all.
The sun was shining, birds were singing in the most beautiful way possible, everyone was smiling and it was one of those rare days where nothing is short of perfect.
Although the wonderful weather, smiling people and general good atmosphere were no doubt improving his mood, it wasn't the reason Poseidon was in a good mood.
No, the reason had something to do with a certain grey-eyed goddess that was no doubt angry with him. Angry for forcing her to do a certain thing, making her swear on the styx she would do it. She didn't like being forced. Or having to do this particular thing.
Poseidon was on his way to Athena's house and he felt better than he had in weeks now he would get to spend not only his entire day with her, but also be able to discover another side of her. A side she normally hid from everyone, including him.
He had known her since she was born and he had spend quite a lot of time arguing or sometimes just talking with her, but he had never seen even the slightest hint that she could be so different. Not in public at least.
When they were alone or when she was convinced no one was paying attention, she would sometimes give him a rare, brilliant smile or a meaningful wink.
He had even seen a misschievious glint in her eyes a few times, something that he found undeniably attractive and fascinating. Especially because it almost never occured that she had that misschievous glint, but also because it made her entire face lit up and made her even more beautiful.
Stern, composed, aloof and cold was how she behaved towards most people, but to him, she could behave very different. More open, more like a real person instead of a statue or robot. He was immensely grateful she behaved different around him. It made him feel special, important even.
He loved it when she allowed her mask to drop for a second and not act like most people expected her to. Like she did to protect herself and her feelings from the harm others could do when they would know the real her.
The kind, passionate and loving woman who had the most brilliant smile any creature could possess. The woman that smiled at him with such affection that it could make any day a good one, even if he had felt horrible before he had seen her. The woman that was so different from the one she showed everyone. The one everyone either feared or respected, often a mix of both.
True, Athena could be all she showed; cold, composed, aloof and sometimes indifferent and uncaring. That was how she appeared to most people, if not everyone, but it wasn't all she was. She only could be like that.
But she could also be the opposite. She could be carefree, relaxed and kind. She just had to be at ease before she even thought about showing you her other side. She was always cautious, all too aware of how dangerous it was to show people who you really were. They could use the knowledge to cause you more pain then you could ever imaginable.
Friends are more dangerous than enemies, she always said with that impenetrable look in her grey eyes that showed she was deep in thought and trying to hide her true feelings at the same held that look a lot more often than Poseidon would have liked.
Poseidon hated the fact that she sometimes shut him out, that she didn't trust him enough to tell him everything and show the real her more often. He hated the fact that she was so careful around him, like he was a bomb ready to explode.
What he hated most, however, was that she had this power over him. He was centuries old, immortal, one of the best warriors,had an gargantuan domain to rule over and power beyond the wildest dreams imaginable,but nothing could help him whenever he was near her.
All his talents and powers seemed to disappear, seemed so useless, when he was around her. She would make him forget those things even existed, make him forget everything except how much he liked being around her. She had that much power over him, more than anything or anyone else on the world. And he had no idea how she had gotten this power over him, which was even more frustrating.
They had been rivals for a long time, always arguing and trying to beat the other at something. It had been like that for a very long time and it had only gotten worse after Athena had won the battle for Athens. Their rivalry had increased due to that.
There had even been times when they had been enemies and had truly fought with each other, opposed each other and tried to hurt each other. Where they maybe even tried to destroy the other temporarily, but it had never happened. Somehow, neither had ever left those battles with wounds that were life threatening.
Maybe they couldn't truly die, they would always come back, but that didn't mean they couldn't temporarily. And Athena and poseidon had come close to really hurting each other in the past, before their rivalry had slowly started to change into friendship and mutual respect.
And now, after a long time of rivalry, a long time of hating - or trying to- each other, Poseidon feared he was in love with her. With Athena, the daughter of someone he often saw as his enemy. With someone he should see as an enemy. But he couldn't.
He couldn't feel anything but admiration, friendship and love for her whenever he looked into those grey eyes and saw the person she was trying so hard to hide. The person she really was. The wonderful person that would hold his heart longer than forever.
He was perfectly aware of the fact he was acting like a fool, like some lovestruck idiot that would start to sing about his undying love, but he couldn't help it. He couldn't help the way he felt about her, couldn't stop it.
Somehow rivalry had changed into friendship and friendship had changed into a love so strong he was afraid for the first time in centuries. Afraid of what it might to do him or them.
Not just because a romance between them was prohibited and dangerous and would cost them both very much, but because he was painfully aware of the fact that Athena had sworn off men and probably didn't even want him. She didn't want any men, so why would she make an exception for him?
He knew she liked him, more than she wanted herself to like him, but he also knew she had never really showed anything more than friendship. Than a platonic and fragile friendship.
Granted, there had been times when she had cuddled with him or when she had given him a kiss on the cheek ( and blushed), but those were rare and could be explained as signs of friendship rather than love or the undenaible attraction he felt towards her.
She had never shown anything but cold, unforgiving resentment and later, slowly, gruding admiration that had given away to friendship while he had felt slight resentment but also envy, then admiration and wonder and eventually love and shocking attraction. He had been both excited, scared and anxious when he had discovered his true feeling for the stunning, shocking woman with the name Athena.
He had been denying it for some time, not thick-headed enough to be unaware of how difficult his 'crush' would make his life, before he had reluctantly admitted it to himself. He couldn't keep denying it, not forever. It was even more impossible than being with her was.
It had taken him a long time, but he had accepted he was in love with someone he definitely shouldn't be in love with. Someone that would probably never love him back.
Still, even if she would never love him, he was glad with every minute he could spend with her, every rare smile that brightened his day and lightened his heart and every melodious laugh that would make the greatest challenge a piece of cake. Just being with her made him feel better than anything else ever could and it was starting to worry him.
She was much like a drug; tempting, sedating, dangerous and addictive at the same time. She held the ability to hurt him , even if it was unintentional, but he kept facing the danger she posed by visiting her. She had the ability to calm him , but also make him reckless- desperate to impress her- and he kept coming back for both the soothing and the excitement.
She tempted him without holding any intention to do so, she was the most addictive thing he had ever encountered and he couldn't stop himself from visiting her and savoring every short moment he got to share with her. And now he would have a whole day.
A whole day to laugh with her and get to know her , they would only have short moments together since they both were very busy people, but today was an exception. They would share their entire day with each other and neither would be interrupted, they had made sure of that.
Or Poseidon had made sure, since he was convinced Athena wouldn't mind being interrupted that much. She didn't want him to show all the books she secretly read after all.
Hah. But she will have to, even Athena can't get out of this. Not when she has sworn on the styx she would show them to me. Even the expert on escape planns won't escape this situation.
Poseidon had finally arrived at Athena's house and knocked softly on her door, grinning when he thought of the amazing day he would have. Not only did he get to spend an entire day with the goddess of his dreams ( even if she would throw him in Tartarus if she ever discovered he dreamt about her and thought so many inappropriate things about her), but he also got to see her different, slightly naughty side. Not that reading those books was so horrible, but it was certainly not something you would expect her to do.
He fidgeted a little while waiting, just wanting her to open so he would finally know. He had been thinking about this day since she had promised to show him, a week ago, after all. Had been waiting and waiting until he thought all the waiting would slowly drive him crazy.
She opened the door and Poseidon tried to ignore how beautiful she looked, with a slight flush she tried to hide, or the fact he wanted to say something incredibly embarressing like ; you are the most beautiful creature I ever had the fortune of seeing. Where did that even came from?
Had he accidently read some stupid romance novel or something? Or had Aphrodite planted that thought in his mind? Not that she had made him fall in love, she couldn't influence him that much, but she could easily plant thoughts like that in his mind and make him embarress he definitely didn't want that. He would embarress himself enough already.
Athena smiled and Poseidon had to resist the urge to either kiss her or just stare at her forever. It should be a crime to look that enchanting when smiling, especially when he was trying very hard to ignore his feelings. It was difficult enough without seeing her beautiful smile.
" Poseidon. No doubt you have arrived here to enjoy my humiliation. Please do come in".
He grinned at her, quickly hiding his feelings. " Oh, I most certainly will. I finally have you cornered, something I thought would never happen".
Athena arched one of her eyebrows, giving him one of her indifferent looks while she stepped aside and let him pass before closing the door and following him. " Oh really? And what motive could you possibly possess for wanting that?".
He glanced briefly at her, smiling over his shoulder at the interest in her eyes. She had an unsatiable thirst for knowledge. " Oh, just the fact you always seem to leave me speechless when you use some stupid, complicated work and give me a headache".
She smiled and he felt glad that he could make her. Her smiles were so rare and he treasured them. " It is just the slightest bit disconcerting I leave you speechless with so little effort. I actually had hope you were finally starting to gain some sense and knowledge after spending so much time with me. Judging from the fact you still gain headaches from my usage of simple lexicon, I would think you haven't gained it".
Poseidon smiled. " We haven't spend that much time together, you know".
" We have spend more time together than I would have believed attainable without destroying a great deal of things".
" Hmm. You make it sound like we fight all the time".
" We used to. When did that change anyway?".
Poseidon shrugged. " You, our wisest goddess, decided it wasn't smart to continue arguing with me. You realized it would be better for a lot of people if we were allies. And it only took you - what?- five centuries or so?".
He laughed when Athena gave him one of her death glares. She obviously felt offended, which had been his intention. He actually liked teasing her and arguing with her. It offered some sort of entertainment whenever he was bored. And she was even more beautiful when she was angry.
" You are well aware of the fact that I calmly took my time to ponder the best approach. I decided being friendly could prove beneficial. Now,are you happy?".
He chuckled. " Very much. Thanks for having mercy on a poor, unfortunate soul like me oh wise goddess" he teased.
She rolled her eyes slighly. " Oh attempt to actually act mature for once Poseidon" she retorted, but he saw she was having a hard time not smiling, her twidging mouth giving her away.
He decided to try to really make her laugh, because he loved her laugh most of all. He would never grow tired of that beautiful, perfect laugh.
He lay his hand on his heart and managed to look hurt. " Ouch! Oh thy cruel lady, must thy shatter my heart and hopes like this?" he said while bending over and groaning like he was really hurt. Maybe that would make her laugh. It normally did.
She stopped walking and sighed, no doubt looking down at him and getting annoyed like often. " Poseidon! Stop those foolish attempts at making me laugh immediately and try to behave your age for once".
Poseidon got up, pouting even when he felt more like laughing. " But if I did that, I would have top act like ash. Do you know how boring that would be?".
" Oh spare me already, you do comprehend the fact that only mortals end as ash, don't you? Unless you are burned, but that won't happen. Especially since it is extremely difficult to burn a god".
" Still, I don't like acting my age. It makes me feel old".
" Have you ever considered the possibility that that could be, because you are old?".
Poseidon widened his eyes, gasping. " How can you, cruel woman! Calling me old! Do you know how bad that is to my self-esteem?".
" Yes. Maybe it is just what you require to shrink that gargantuan ego of yours".
" It doesn't need to shrink. Don't you know big things are usually good?".
" Yes, like that big bulge you have. How long have you been pregnant Poseidon?".
Poseidon pouted. " That is not a nice thing to say. I am not fat, Athena". Poseidon smirked when an idea suddenly occured to him, which made Athena frown. She didn't like the weird look in his eyes. Whenever he looked like that, it usually meant he had a preposterous idea.
He took a step towards her and she tensed, anticipating trouble. He just smiled though, not really doing anything except smiling creepily. " So do I need to show you?".
Athena blinked in surprise, not following his train of thought. " Why would you require to show me anything?".
" Obviously, the only way to show I am not fat, is to take my shirt off and show you my stomach".
He grabbed his T-shirt, attempting to pull it up, but Athena quickly grabbed his hands and yanked them away from his T-shirt.
" Don't even think about it!" she snapped.
Poseidon arched one of his eyebrows. " But have can I prove I don't have a bulge, interesting choice of words by the way, when you won't allow me to take my T-shirt off?".
Athena inhaled deeply, looking like she wasn't sure whether to laugh or punch him. " You don't need to validate it, I believe you. You aren't obese. Now, are you happy?".
"No. I don't believe you believe me. You are just saying that, because you are afraid I will get rid of my T-shirt".
" Finally, you comprehend. I don't require to see that and get nightmares".
Poseidon rolled his eyes. " Oh please, you are just afraid you will like it!".
"Like what? Seeing Santa Claus' substitute's bare chest"?
" Okay that's it! I don't look like Santa Claus. And I will prove it to you!".
In one fluid motion, Poseidon took off his T-shirt and tossed it away. He actually flexed his muscles, making sure Athena could see his sixpack. He clearly didn't look like Santa Claus.
Athena turned , facing the wall instead of him, but he had seen the faint blush raising to her cheeks and the way her eyes had widened slightly. She obviously had been surprised to see him without his T-shirt, maybe even liked it. He was pretty sure she had, by the way she had unconsciously licked her lips before turning scarlet and turning around.
He smirked, glad he was still able to surprise her after all the time they had known each other, and walked towards her until he stood behind her. She was still staring at the wall like it could save her life.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and she tensed, ready to attack him but not yet doing so. Sensing he shouldn't push his luck, since she could easily hurt him a lot, he removed his hands but bend towards her and whispered very close to her ear.
" So do you like what you see?" he said and he smiled when he noticed she was holding her breath. He could hear her swallow too and was almost sure she licked her lips.
He was also fairly sure he would hear a very fast heartbeat if he would be able to hear it. She obviously needed some time to compose herself, if she would be able to.
"I didn't have the misfortune of seeing too much Santa. Now, put your T-shirt back on or accept the gruesome consequences"she said in a perfectly calm voice that didn't betray any of the nervousness, and other things, her body had showed him.
Poseidon should have known she would regain her control quickly. Even if someone managed to catch her off guard, she would still quickly recover.
He smiled and, feeling brave ( Athena would say he wasn't being courageous, but just stupid), brushed away some of her hair before kissing her bare skin was warm, smooth and she smelled great, although he wasn't sure what she smelled like. Chocolates or something else that was very sweet.
He had never felt happier than at that moment, when she inhaled sharply. He wasn't the only one feeling things he shouldn't, her reaction told him that much.
It was the only indication she was actually reacting to his touch, but he could have sworn she was trembling a little from the effort of not showing all her reactions. Although she could also be trembling because she was outraged and wanted nothing more than to hurt him while she knew it wouldn't be the wisest thing to prefered thinking she actually liked the sweet kiss, like he did , though.
He slowly turned her, only daring this because she hadn't attacked him when he had kissed her bare shoulder, and gasped softly when he noticed again how radiant she looked.
She was wearing a blouse that left her shoulder bare, together with a pair of jeans and black boots with heels. Her hair was down, although she normally wore it up in a ponytail or bun, and was like a black sea, silky and shining like sunrays had been mixed with it. A pair of owl earrings finished the perfect picture.
She always looked beautiful, but he found her even more beautiful when she let her guard down and smiled at him. When she stoped being so damn composed and showed some emotion.
She did show emotion now, but he didn't know which one. Her eyes had darkened a bit with that emotion, but he just wasn't sure which one it was. Still, the fact that she hadn't hit him must be a good sign, right?
Feeling quite convinced she wasn't going to attack, he threw caution to the wind and kissed her on her lips, which were even softer than he could ever imagined. He didn't miss how she melted into him or the shocked gasp that escaped her lips.
For the shortest moment, she allowed him to kiss her and even opened her mouth slightly to gain him entrance. He felt his breath stop before accelerating, just like his heart did. Every sensible thought vanished with her in his arms and her soft lips against his.
Feeling more alive than he had ever felt, he pulled her tightly against him and opened his mouth greedily, trying to tempt her to kiss him instead of him kissing her.
He groaned when she suddenly bit really hard on his lips, pushed him away and kneed him. She grabbed his hair and turned him , pressing a sword to his throat. Her voice was steely, cold even.
" Don't ever touch me like that again Poseidon or I will make you feel very, very sorry. Do you comprehend that?".
Poseidon, looking down at the sword, was smart enough to not try to nod. " Yes. Can you let me go now?".
He felt disappointed at her sudden change of mood, but didn't show it. It wouldn't change anything, he knew. He could better not show anything, not before he knew what to do with her.
Athena hesitated for a moment before withdrawing her sword and pushing him forward, making him stumble. She put her sword away and gave him a cold look before nodding in the direction of his T-shirt.
" Put it on. I most certainly do not wish to see your bare chest ever again".
Poseidon put his T-shirt on without any comments while she turned and looked at the wall, apparently deep in thought. She didn't even show she was aware of his presence. But he knew she did. He even had the feeling she wanted to watch him while his chest was bare, but didn't want to give herself away.
No matter what she stated, he knew she wasn't revolted. If she really had been mad and disgusted, she would have done a lot more than threatening him and kneeling him. And even when she had kneeled him, it hadn't been that painful.
Well, it had been very painful, but not as painful as she could make it, he was sure of that. Besides, he had seen the spark of interest in her eyes and had felt the way she had melted for just a moment.
No matter what she tried to make him believe, she had liked it a lot more than she should. She wouldn't have melted before pushing him away if she hadn't. She would have reacted sooner and behaved different.
He had seen her cold and composed exterior melt and be replaced with a passionate and wild one. He had seen her relaxed and more laid back before, but not like this. It made him very proud that he could make her feel this, that he could make her want to break her own rules. But he didn't comment on it. It was too early, too new to already talk about. She would only get mad.
Besides, he wouldn't even know where to start. He could better act like nothing had happened and think before he tried something else. She could still have a short temper at times and he was not willing to be the casualty of that temper.
He gave her his trademark grin and a wink when he had put his T-shirt on and walked towards her. " Well owlhead, ready to show me your dirty, little secrets?".
"Are you ready. And yes, I am, although I hardly would call that you desire to see my dirty little secrets. They are more like cleverly hidden subjects I don't want others to know about".
"Mm. Just show me already".
Athena gave him an annoyed look, obviously not pleased he was giving her orders, but led the way nonetheless. She seemed happy to 'forget' about what just had happened. Her expression was serious and slightly tense while she walked.
He followed her without any further comments, sensing she wasn't in the mood for his jokes or teasing. She obviously still had mixed feelings about what had just happened and he felt like he should stay silent, so he wouldn't provoke her and make her angry again.
They arrived at her main library. It was gargantuan and had several floors that all had paintings on the wall, showing various Greek myths. They were breathtaking and looked frightening real.
The first one showed Athena's mother, Zeus swallowing her and Athena being born. Among some other things that mainly had to do with when Athena had just been born.
The second one showed some early stages of Athena's life, like her friend Pallas, the creation of Aegis and the battle for Athens. He was surprised to see Medusa between the paintings too, both when she had been the beautiful maiden he had found attractive and the horrid monster Athena had turned her into.
The third floor's walls showed paintings of him and Athena creating the chariot. The remaining floors were all like that, with walls decorated with various stages in Athena's life, almost like a photo album. Except these looked even more real, like they actually lived.
Apart from the beautiful paintings - so beautiful and he started to suspect Athena had made them herself since she would be practically the only one able to- there were various pieces of art that decorated the room. Statues, paintings and even some weird inventions were placed at stratically places and made the room feel more like a home.
Against every wall was a transparent bookcase- so you could see the paintings clearly- that held a astonishing amount of books. Books that looked centuries old, books that looked new, papyrus, scrolls and so on. Every thing that had ever been used to write useful information on, seemed to be there. It went on forever.
Poseidon expected Athena to walk towards one of the bookcases and take out some books that were cleverly disguised, but she didn't.
Instead, she walked to the elevator hidden behind one of the bookcases and motioned him to follow her. She pressed the wall and he could see a red light that made a soft sound after it had scanned her finger.
He suspected only her fingerprint would work and that the thing that scanned her finger would only react if it also managed to find warmth. She had talked once about this, although he had been too busy admiring her eyes that had suddenly looked so alive to pay attention to what she was saying.
The elevator went then to one of the highest floors and she walked towards one of the bookcases there. It was a big bookcase that looked exactly the same as the rest, so he didn't understand how she would even know this was the right one.
Poseidon had been convinced she would show him the books now, but she didn't. She pulled on some of the books and the bookcase moved to show a secret chamber behind it. You would never have suspected it to be there if you didn't know it.
When they passed it - the bookcase automatically regained its original positioning- he saw it was a sitting room. There was a fireplace with two comfortable, big couches and a massage chair in front of it. There was a small table between the couches, that had various books on it.
Apart from the fireplace, chairs, couches, table and red carpet, there was also a small kitchen and some bookcases. It was a very cozy room, with an atmosphere you normally only find at homes.
He whistled. " So this is where you go to whenever you disappear. Very cozy. And you are less likely to be interrupted while you commit your horrible crime of reading romance novels and such. Speaking of that little sin, where are those books?".
Athena gave him an enigmatic smile. " Not here" was all she said before she walked towards on of the couches and reached underneath it. It took some time, but eventually she found what she was searching for and pressed it.
He heard a weird sound and the couch moved back, revealing a weird pattern on the floor. It seemed to be the solar stelsel, not that he knew much about it. He just thought it was that.
Athena smiled at him while she reached down and moved her fingers above the pattern, making all the stars and planets move along with her fingers.
" You have to move all the planets and stars to their right position or you won't get in. It is like the password. Also, you need to use a certain order" she explained.
Poseidon watched with interest and admiration while Athena easily positioned the tons of different stars and planets in no time. He was sure she was the only person who would be able to. He certainly couldn't do it. And especially not that fast.
When she was done, the pattern lit up and the floor opened to reveal stairs. They seemed to go down forever, but he couldn't see very well. It was very dark.
Athena got up and motioned to him he should follow her, after pushing another button which made some light go on down those stairs.
They walked down those stairs, then through a labyrinth that reminded him of where the Minotaurus had once been kept and finally arrived at a locked door that Athena opened with a key that had been hidden in a brick of the wall next to the door.
Poseidon sighed. " Jeez, you really are paranoid. Why would you guard romance novels this heavily and- wow".
Poseidon stared when they went through the door and they arrived at another library, one very similiar to her main one. This one just didn't have several floors and the paintings were different.
Instead of showing stages of Athena's life, they showed different scenes from human history, along with one of the most famous love stories and tragedies ever.
Poseidon recognized Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, Paris and Helena,Orpheus and Eurydice and many more.
They were again eerily lifelike and while some showed happy couples looking at each other with love and admiration - and sometimes even kissing people or barely clothed ones-, most showed the horrible endings. Which was how love often ended, especially the very famous stories.
Juliet discovering Romeo is dead and commiting suicide. Paris getting mortally wounded by Philoktetes. Orpheus looking back, right before he would have saved Eurydice. And so on.
Poseidon was slightly shocked when he saw himself and Medusa and Medusa transformation, something he hadn't expected to see here. He didn't say anything somehow knew Athena didn't want to talk about it and he wouldn't force her to.
Athena, looking the slighest bit uncomfortable, turned towards him and gestured around her. " Well, we have arrived. Do you still want to see them all?".
Poseidon stared at her, unable to believe it. " Do you really have this much romance novels and such?".
Athena shrugged. " Yes. But you have to keep in mind that there are other books than romance novels that are about love. I also have Juliet and Romeo here, for example".
" Hmm" Poseidon mumbled, not really caring she possesed a version of Romeo and Juliet. He was much more interested in the novels like fifty shades of grey. He could tease her about them.
He turned towards her, grinning. " So what naughty books do you own, apart from fifty shades of grey of course, ?".
Athena was trying very hard to look relaxed and indifferent, but she blushed and Poseidon noticed she avoided his eyes. "Quite a lot actually, but it depends on what exactly you mean with naughty books. You are aware that there are different ways to interpret that, aren't you?".
Poseidon rolled his eyes. " You are just trying to avoid having this conversation. Just tell me already".
"That would take too much time"Athena admitted, now definitely blushing. Poseidon admired the blush that now adourned her features.
He would never tell her it, knowing she would hate him again if he did, but she looked cute when she blushed. It made her look like the little girl she never got to be.
He chuckled softly, winking at her. " Really? Who would have thought that our little Athena had such a naughty side? Does your daddy know about this?" he teased.
She rolled her eyes and punched him lightly. " Oh shut up already. It is nothing compared to the things you do".
" But we are different people, so we also are expected to behave different. My behavior is perfectly normal, for me at least. But yours is unexpected. And bad".
"You actually said something that makes sense there. Although there is plenty of room for a debate. Like-".
" Athena, stop trying to distract me or anything. Just show me"Poseidon, eager to discover more about her and avoid long, boring debates, said. He almost felt sorry when he saw the disappointed look in Athena's eyes. Almost.
Athena sighed and looked like she was about to pout, another thing Poseidon found cute- adorable even. And another thing he would never mention to her.
She walked towards the first bookcase, pointing at every book and making small comments while Poseidon chuckled or just stared, unable to really believe she read books like this and owned so many. She didn't just have romance novels either.
There were romance novels, famous love stories ( like Romeo and Juliet), poems, psychology books about primal instincts ( fear, sex etc), sex manuals ( he raised his eyebrows when he saw that and chuckled when she tried to explain that even if she wouldn't use the knowledge, it wouldn't hurt to have it. He had never seen her that red before) and practically every other text that was about romance. Not something you would expect from a maiden goddess.
He smiled at her. " Really Athena, I had expected you to read some romance novels or anything, but not this. You even have sex manuals! Why would you want those?".
Athena, her cheeks burning at this point, sighed. She looked both uncomfortable and embarressed. " I already clearified my reasoning. Wasn't my respond satisfying enough?".
" Satisfying? Interesting use of language Owlhead. Does reading sex manuals satisfy you?".
Athena glared at him, but he didn't miss the fact she wouldn't meet his eyes. She obviously didn't feel comfortable. That, or she was hiding something.
" I just feel like I should read everything. It isn't about satisfaction".
" Funny, I always thought it was about that with sex"he stated drily, picking up another book with a half-naked man and woman on the cover, saying dangerous temptation and giving it a disgusted look before putting it back.
Athena sighed. " Firstly, it isn't. Sex is mainly about reproduction or that its original use. Secondly; not all sex is satisfying for both parties. It all depends on whom you are sleeping with".
"Since when are you the sex expert? You haven't even had sex!".
" You don't have to do something that have knowledge about it".
" Sure Athena. But you shouldn't believe everything you read in romance novels. And do you have this weird thing going on for vampires or something?".
Athena looked slightly confused when Poseidon changed the subject abruptly. " No, I don't believe I have. Why?".
Poseidon looked at her and pointed at the bookcase in front of him. " A lot of these romance novels are about vampires. I believe there is an entire bookcase with romance novels about vampires. And they are ridiculous!".
He picked up a book before Athena could say something and started to read slowly, putting emphasis on certain words. " His manhood pressed against her heated center while she moaned and pleaded for more. He felt aroused like never before with this enchanting woman in his arms and he had never felt complete like when he planted his fangs firmly in her neck at the heights of their euphoria and they both screamed, becoming one. That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read! It is all so persverse and unreal. How can you read this?".
"Well, some of us actually are able to read, which is a start".
"Oh come on Athena, don't be offended. I just can't believe someone like you would read this nonsense and- what is this?". Poseidon only now noticed the piece of paper that had been used bookmark and took it from the book he was holding, studying it with a curious expression.
Athena's eyes widened when she realized what book he held in his hands, but she was too late. Poseidon had the piece of paper in his hand and had already unfolded it, now staring at it. If Athena hadn't felt nauseous with anxiety and shame, she would have been amused by the sight of a speechless and stunned Poseidon.
He looked up at her and pointed at the painting that he held in his hand. " Why have you painted us kissing with little hearts around it?" he asked, seemingly calm. So unlike Athena was feeling.
Athena bit her lip, not sure what to say. She didn't want to admit she had been thinking of him and her in situations that occured in romance novels. She didn't want him to know she liked him and not just as a friend. She didn't want him to know that she, high and mighty Athena, had fallen in love. It was embarressing. She just couldn't think of the right thing to say.
He smiled when he noticed she didn't know what to say and took a step towards her. She felt her throat go dry again and her heart was beating so fast it couldn't be healthy. She hated that he was having that effect on her, but couldn't fight it.
He smiled, obviously noticing her panicked and slightly hopeful expression and bent forward, until his lips were very close to hers. So close she could feel his warm, humid breath on her lips and she licked them now they were suddenly dry again. She immediately saw his eyes focus on her lips with a startling intensity. He looked hungry.
He dropped the painting and before Athena had time to react or think about it, pulled her against him and kissed her again. This time, she didn't stop him. She kissed him back with all the passion she could muster and only pulled back when Poseidon did.
Slight light-headed and confused, she stared at him with wide, dark grey eyes. She had never felt like this. Frightened, confused and hopeful at the same time.
He smiled and gave her a soft kiss on the tip of her nose. He had never looked at her with such tenderness and admiration before.
" You know.. this is going to sound awfully cliché, but I love you".
Athena smiled, not caring she was behaving weird or that it wasn't the big speech she had secretly wanted. Those three words were the ones she wanted to hear and she knew he meant it.
"I love you too, even if it is crazy and irrational and-"
Poseidon stopped her little speech by kissing her again, pulling back after a few seconds. " You know, I think we have better things to do with our lips than using them to talk. I will give you a big speech later, but right now, I'm occupied".
He kissed her again and for once, Athena didn't mind being interrupted. She didn't even mind him controling her or the fact that she did something that was prohibited and irrational, stupid even.
All she cared about right now, was having his perfect lips on her and the way she reacted to that sweet, yet passionate kiss.
No matter how cliché it sounded, she felt like she was on clouds. Her knees actually went weak, her bones seemed to melt - along with her brain- and she barely remembered who she was, let alone what sense was. It felt even better than she had imagined. Why again hadn't she tried this before?