Apollo has a hard-on for taking away things from his sister, like her friends. This bit is spawned from Itisha trying to play keep away with herself while Apollo is trying to play hardball into getting her to sleep with him. He has issues with being denied. Ash's place makes a great place to hide.

"I really don't want to leave, but I can't leave my kids without me. Which I imagine he is counting on." A sigh as she rubs her neck. Itisha had made sure he couldn't get within several feet of her house or in it. Someone was watching her children at the moment, but she still wanted to get back there.

There was a quiet and then a long considering look to her, "I could make it to where your house is somewhere Apollo cannot get to and you can come and go here as much as you need. A sort of pocket realm. Since he can't come here anyway."

"Really? Are you sure, Ash? I mean I am going to be a worry wart for a while. Thankfully summer vacation is coming up. Do you think they could switch to a cyber school and access it from here? I mean, I would need to ask them what they think about that long term." Yep, she was rambling now.

"Really. Plus we'll find a way to keep them safe if they still want to attend school. I am sure Simi would love to be able to play with all of them more regularly without me worrying about what trouble she is going to get into. I just find it admirable that you try to talk to all of them about making a decision like that."

It made her feel warm to know he found her admirable of all things, "I like making sure they have a choice when I am able to give them one." Her smile grew then as she watched him focus and then he looked all too tired, "All done, huh?"

"Yep." He said breathlessly, wondering how he was standing doing a trick like that from afar. It was entirely worth it though to see the joy and relief in her eyes. He made a startled sound when she jumped up and wrapped her arms around him and gave him a solid kiss. His hands automatically moved to sit on her hips before she drew back from him. Her face was absolutely red as she stared up at him.

"Sorry! I ah… I think saying 'Thank You' would have been a better way to convey that. Gods help me…" Her face went into her hands as she tried to hide her burning hot face. The heck was wrong with her?

Ash couldn't help but blink at her and then laugh softly before dipping his head down and peppering little kisses on the knuckles of her hands as they covered her face. When she peeked out from them, he kissed the tip of her nose, "You're welcome, Itisha."

He swore that she squeaked as she gave a little nod, that red had already crawled down her neck and he found that highly tempting to see how far down it did go. Somehow she was utterly charming. Artemis always had tried to manhandle him into doing what she wanted. The woman before him though, she had those moments that made you entirely forget that she could tear a person apart with nothing more than a sharp pointy stick.

"Itisha?"

There was a blink and she looked up at him, hands falling down a little more as she looked at those mercury-swirled eyes. He wasn't upset with her. Usually she had figured she would ask if he wanted a kiss. Sometimes. Sometimes she was very bad at asking.

It seemed this time, he would mimic her habits, "Would it be alright if I kissed you?" His words were soft. And hands settled on her hips as he watched her expression change to realize he did pick up on that habit she was trying to instill in herself. The effort was appreciated. No one ever tried asking if they could get close to him like this.

It took her a moment to find her voice, "Y-yes." She nodded just in case her words failed her. His hand trailed up lightly along her side to gently cup her jaw with the pads of his fingers to tilt her jaw up as he kissed her softly. It was perhaps the opposite of what he wanted to do. Maybe. This was far more enthralling. Somehow Itisha had made that soft and gentle touch an addictive act.

"EEK, AKRI! SIMI DOESN'T WANT TO SEE KISSY FACES."

That made him jerk back and blink. A mild exasperation showing before looking over in the little demon's direction, "Why don't you go play with Itisha's kids? I move her house to an attachment on the realm. You can visit them whenever you want. Just don't eat things you aren't supposed to."

Itisha swore her ears died from the piercing squeal as she bolted and tried to drag her sister along with. That made her laugh hard as she watched the two vanish to go find the house. It was enough of a distraction for Ash to snake his arms around her waist and pull her back onto his chair and snug her against him on his lap. Which caused her to squeak again and stare at him.

Fingers ran along the blue skin of his cheek as she let out a breathless laugh, "I feel sorry for whatever adult is there right now. The kids like to dare her to eat things. They think it's hilarious."

"I'm sure Danger and Alexion can handle it." He mused softly as he rested his forehead against hers. She was warm and it made her cuddly like a lap cat. About as vicious as a cat too. One arm stayed curled around her lower back and the other played along the length of her leg in the jeans, "So, what were we doing again?"

She just melted against his torso as he held her there, forehead holding his up as her lips curled into a smile, "Mm, I was thanking you and you were very politely asking to kiss me. I had accepted."

"Ah, yes." He chuckled softly and closed his eyes. A moment stolen to take in her scent and keep her close to him. "So you know, I promise you don't have to ask every time to kiss me anymore. I appreciate the attempt to ask though." He muses to her softly.

Bah, her cheeks were going red again as she shifted from leaning her head against his to just resting her head on his shoulder and snuggling against him, "I might still keep trying to ask. It should be a good habit. Besides… I like it when you say yes." A willing person was a lot more pleasant after all.

"Given your empathy, I learned when you want to ask before you actually do." He muses and there is a soft nuzzle into her hair. Quiet comfortable affection. Of course part of him wanted to peel her clothes off so he could simply have skin contact with her.

Ah, yes, she did have that ability. Which meant she could also pick up on when he did want to assent to such affections, "And I know when you are willing, but I still would rather ask. Besides, I am sure there is some other less hair-brained insane person out there who isn't a dragon that would be someone you would be willing to forgo the asking with."

She seemed rather insistent on that fact. That there would be someone else other than her one day. A frown as he studies her hands as the nails trace on her own jeans and he finally weaves his fingers into hers, "I highly doubt it. Are you really so worried I will find someone else?"

"Not worried so much as…" She frowned, debating on how to word it without revealing too much, "I am resigned to it. Doesn't mean I won't enjoy the time I do have. I am just… trying really hard to not become attached. I hadn't ever intended to in the first place. Why did you have to be charming?"

That made him draw his head back and he looked at her. Mind you, he had tried to keep from getting attached as well. Trust was a hard won thing. Yet she managed it by simply being her. Though he couldn't help but snort, "I didn't know I was ever being charming."

"I have a weakness for compassion and sassy snark all in the same package. Plus you have long hair I can play with." She admits softly. Which she took a strand of it and played with it. Her fingers slowly wrapping it around her finger and then unwrapping it and twirling it the other direction.

Well, at least she was honest about it, "What are you going to do if I do find this impossible person?" He watched her as she avoided looking at him. Shoulders sagged and he could feel that pang of pain and sadness as though it had already happened.

"Step back and wish you two well. Going to be hard as hells when it happens, but I will try. Doesn't mean I won't hang out and visit or anything. But I doubt they will appreciate me doing this with you." A small shrug as she drops her hand from his hair and traces along his fingers, "A lot of people don't like to share. I am certainly not going to stick you in a position of having to choose. The benefit will be your heart attacks will be far less when I am not at the forefront of your mind."

Eyes finally drew up to meet his and he felt his chest twist, "You stand out in anyone's mind like a sore thumb, I think it will be hard to avoid heart attacks." He pulled her a bit more tightly against him as if she suddenly wouldn't be there. He had become accustomed to their closeness. Those little stolen moments where they kept running into each other. Where they stared just a little too long. Her habit of expressing affection with anyone with her lips simply because she could.

Ash was comfortable with her and with himself. Losing that was daunting and he didn't want to, "Well, until then, I don't mind making sure we make the most of it. Since I have no idea when this is going to happen." Plus she wouldn't tell him, "I like spending time with you like this, Itisha."

That made her look up and she smiles softly. Fingers brushing against his cheek as she watched his eyes close, "It means the world to me to hear you say that. Honestly, I will treasure it and any other moment I have with you like this. I don't like taking things for granted." She hesitated.

Her next words would be damning to them both, "I also hate hiding things from you. There is a lot I wish I could tell you. There are probably a lot of things I shouldn't have. Though this one… falls under the former and will probably fall under the latter." Her voice soft as she makes sure he is looking at her when she doesn't speak up again. Curiosity in his eyes, though she had a feeling he already knew what she was about to confirm with words, "I love you, Acheron."

It was one thing to feel it from her. Another demon entirely to hear it spoken. He agreed with the sentiment of wishing she didn't say it. Except, he felt happy that she did. That she did really feel what way, "And I love you, Itisha. You are a calm in the storm I never expected."

"Funny how I do that." She whispered softly. Her thumb gently brushing against his chin. Her nail catching his lip, "May I please kiss you, Acheron?"

Never before did he suddenly so very badly want her to not ask that. To just let her do what she wanted because he thoroughly enjoyed his time with her, "Yeah." He finally answered, closing his eyes with a shiver as her hand moved into his hair and her lips met his.

Part of him really didn't want to meet this mysterious person. Not soon at least. Mostly because he didn't want to leave this feeling of being able to relax truly. If it had taken him so long to meet that one person that made him feel at ease like this, he doubted there could possibly be another one like her anytime soon.

So why did it feel like something was nagging at his conscience?