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Wes wasn't sitting alone for long before Trinity passed Sloane off to Liam and decided to sit beside him. "Isn’t this nice? Demigods training to fight and defend themselves with powers."
He let out a soft sigh, with an eye roll, even though he still had a smile on his face. "You know, you're not subtle."
Trinity didn't seem to be letting the conversation end there. She turned around and took ahold of his hand, gripping it tightly. "Lie to me at least and tell me you’ll use your abilities on threats."
He knew she was just worried about his well being in the face of imminent danger. The last time they were in a battle for their lives he lost an arm, and he could tell she was worried he'd lose more... like his life. "I used them during capture the flag on that hellhound didn't I?" It wasn't the answer she was looking for, but it was something. He recalled using his abilities during the last battle as well. Although not much. Trin wanted him to be a warrior... but he just wasn't.
"Since we’re here how about you teach me something. Anything," she said with a smile.
Wes sighed, running his fingers through his hair. Being put on the spot and told to teach someone something is like being asked to tell someone about yourself. Where the hell do you start? It usually just leaves the person blank with no idea what to say. And that's where he was. "Hell, I have no idea. I could teach you how to introduce yourself in French. But it's nothing spectacular or helpful."
"You could probably teach Sloane a thing or two. Liam reckons she needs confidence and I feel like you'd be good at drawing that out of her." Jesus she was determined that day. It wasn't a new conversation. Hell, Trin has been trying to convince Wes to use his powers for over a year now. He admired her determination, but he didn't like messing with people's free will. He wasn't gifted with the ability to manipulate water or fire... but people. And that didn't sit right with him.
"Liam doesn't know the first thing about reading people." Wes laughed weakly. "I don't think her confidence is the problem... She's scared. I can feel it when I'm around her." He shrugged his shoulders slightly.
For a long moment, Trinity's gaze shifted to the training. Wes on the other hand was trying not the pay attention to it, but as he heard the harsh words Liam said toward Sloane, he winced. There was nothing more frustrating then people trying to force you to fight back. He knew that struggle all to well. The blonde beside him often trying to insight that in him. But Liam was making it personal. He supposedly cared for this girl, from what Wes could tell, yet the way he spoke to her. The idiot might have gone three steps forward defending Sloane from her brother, but talking to a women you care about like that would send him four steps back. It wasn't a pretty sight.
Trinity took their joined hands and brought them into her lap. But it was when she cleared her throat that he looked over at her. "You know your other friend suggested I help her with her own emotions? Umm, Iliana. I think you should start offering your service as a counsellor or trainer so people know you're the productive one."
"I don't know if I'm the one people should look to for guidance when it comes to controlling their emotions. Sure, I can tell people how to talk to a girl... or not too, in Liam's case. But, I don't have control over my emotions. Maybe hide them better than some on occasion. But... I don't know if it's possible to control emotions. Powers aside. We feel what we feel. Good or bad."
But the topic didn't keep their attention for long. They were both looking back to the training in front of them. It was uncomfortable. "What do you think of this? Who are you taking if things go south?"
Wes sighed. "I think your brother doesn't have a clue how to talk to women." Wes laughed slightly, but it was a serious conversation. If this went south quickly, they'd both have to be ready to act. "Liam, probably. He's stronger than me, but if I could get a hand on him I could calm him down."
Wes wasn't sitting alone for long before Trinity passed Sloane off to Liam and decided to sit beside him. "Isn’t this nice? Demigods training to fight and defend themselves with powers."
He let out a soft sigh, with an eye roll, even though he still had a smile on his face. "You know, you're not subtle."
Trinity didn't seem to be letting the conversation end there. She turned around and took ahold of his hand, gripping it tightly. "Lie to me at least and tell me you’ll use your abilities on threats."
He knew she was just worried about his well being in the face of imminent danger. The last time they were in a battle for their lives he lost an arm, and he could tell she was worried he'd lose more... like his life. "I used them during capture the flag on that hellhound didn't I?" It wasn't the answer she was looking for, but it was something. He recalled using his abilities during the last battle as well. Although not much. Trin wanted him to be a warrior... but he just wasn't.
"Since we’re here how about you teach me something. Anything," she said with a smile.
Wes sighed, running his fingers through his hair. Being put on the spot and told to teach someone something is like being asked to tell someone about yourself. Where the hell do you start? It usually just leaves the person blank with no idea what to say. And that's where he was. "Hell, I have no idea. I could teach you how to introduce yourself in French. But it's nothing spectacular or helpful."
"You could probably teach Sloane a thing or two. Liam reckons she needs confidence and I feel like you'd be good at drawing that out of her." Jesus she was determined that day. It wasn't a new conversation. Hell, Trin has been trying to convince Wes to use his powers for over a year now. He admired her determination, but he didn't like messing with people's free will. He wasn't gifted with the ability to manipulate water or fire... but people. And that didn't sit right with him.
"Liam doesn't know the first thing about reading people." Wes laughed weakly. "I don't think her confidence is the problem... She's scared. I can feel it when I'm around her." He shrugged his shoulders slightly.
For a long moment, Trinity's gaze shifted to the training. Wes on the other hand was trying not the pay attention to it, but as he heard the harsh words Liam said toward Sloane, he winced. There was nothing more frustrating then people trying to force you to fight back. He knew that struggle all to well. The blonde beside him often trying to insight that in him. But Liam was making it personal. He supposedly cared for this girl, from what Wes could tell, yet the way he spoke to her. The idiot might have gone three steps forward defending Sloane from her brother, but talking to a women you care about like that would send him four steps back. It wasn't a pretty sight.
Trinity took their joined hands and brought them into her lap. But it was when she cleared her throat that he looked over at her. "You know your other friend suggested I help her with her own emotions? Umm, Iliana. I think you should start offering your service as a counsellor or trainer so people know you're the productive one."
"I don't know if I'm the one people should look to for guidance when it comes to controlling their emotions. Sure, I can tell people how to talk to a girl... or not too, in Liam's case. But, I don't have control over my emotions. Maybe hide them better than some on occasion. But... I don't know if it's possible to control emotions. Powers aside. We feel what we feel. Good or bad."
But the topic didn't keep their attention for long. They were both looking back to the training in front of them. It was uncomfortable. "What do you think of this? Who are you taking if things go south?"
Wes sighed. "I think your brother doesn't have a clue how to talk to women." Wes laughed slightly, but it was a serious conversation. If this went south quickly, they'd both have to be ready to act. "Liam, probably. He's stronger than me, but if I could get a hand on him I could calm him down."
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Sylas watched as Evelyn struggled between him and the counter. Not to break free, but it was like she was trying with everything in her power not to look at him. "I'm uninhibited around you. It's thrilling and I feel insatiable and vigorous." He liked the sound of that. It nearly made him smirk, before he caught himself. There was a 'but' coming. There always was. "You’re forbidden desires wrapped in one package. I should stay away....I should."
Her words said she should. Yet, her hand found its way to the back of his neck, playing with his hair. Evelyn shifted up to her tiptoes, bringing her closer while she pulled him down toward her slightly. But then she froze. "You should," he said quietly in agreement as his hands fell from her sides.
Evelyn's hands still rested on his chest, but not in an affectionate way, instead requiring space. Sylas didn't argue and took a step back. "Let me summarise this. You so charmingly implied you may want me to stay, but you admit you are dangerous, and I should do the exact opposite. You can see how that's rather cruel of you."
"Yes. It is," he agreed as he looked down at her. She was not wrong and in this brief moment of truth, he would not argue it.
"You are wickedly tempting. But you already know that don’t you?" And then she smirked, raising a brow.
Sylas couldn't help but chuckle softly. "I've heard rumor."
"Now, unless you plan on keeping us cooped up all day, I’m going to go fulfill other basic needs. And you should put on some clothes before there’s a chance of burning more daylight."
He would have been happy spending the entire day in bed, but he wouldn't argue. Sylas stepped aside and let her pass, although he smirked, just slightly, at her hand that lingered upon his stomach. He watched her head toward the door, but didn't follow.
Evelyn stopped just before she exited and looked back to him. "Thank you again for...everything."
Sylas nodded his head as he lightly crossed his arms over his chest. "Any time." And he meant it.
Once she opened the door, Evelyn said her fair wells and closed the door behind her, leaving Sylas standing half naked, staring at the exit. He waited there for a moment or two longer, in case she changed her mind and came back in. But when he realized she wasn't returning, he sighed and finally decided to move. He made his way back to his bedroom where he let his gaze linger on the disheveled bed for a moment, before he stripped out of his clothing and wondered into the shower.
Sylas watched as Evelyn struggled between him and the counter. Not to break free, but it was like she was trying with everything in her power not to look at him. "I'm uninhibited around you. It's thrilling and I feel insatiable and vigorous." He liked the sound of that. It nearly made him smirk, before he caught himself. There was a 'but' coming. There always was. "You’re forbidden desires wrapped in one package. I should stay away....I should."
Her words said she should. Yet, her hand found its way to the back of his neck, playing with his hair. Evelyn shifted up to her tiptoes, bringing her closer while she pulled him down toward her slightly. But then she froze. "You should," he said quietly in agreement as his hands fell from her sides.
Evelyn's hands still rested on his chest, but not in an affectionate way, instead requiring space. Sylas didn't argue and took a step back. "Let me summarise this. You so charmingly implied you may want me to stay, but you admit you are dangerous, and I should do the exact opposite. You can see how that's rather cruel of you."
"Yes. It is," he agreed as he looked down at her. She was not wrong and in this brief moment of truth, he would not argue it.
"You are wickedly tempting. But you already know that don’t you?" And then she smirked, raising a brow.
Sylas couldn't help but chuckle softly. "I've heard rumor."
"Now, unless you plan on keeping us cooped up all day, I’m going to go fulfill other basic needs. And you should put on some clothes before there’s a chance of burning more daylight."
He would have been happy spending the entire day in bed, but he wouldn't argue. Sylas stepped aside and let her pass, although he smirked, just slightly, at her hand that lingered upon his stomach. He watched her head toward the door, but didn't follow.
Evelyn stopped just before she exited and looked back to him. "Thank you again for...everything."
Sylas nodded his head as he lightly crossed his arms over his chest. "Any time." And he meant it.
Once she opened the door, Evelyn said her fair wells and closed the door behind her, leaving Sylas standing half naked, staring at the exit. He waited there for a moment or two longer, in case she changed her mind and came back in. But when he realized she wasn't returning, he sighed and finally decided to move. He made his way back to his bedroom where he let his gaze linger on the disheveled bed for a moment, before he stripped out of his clothing and wondered into the shower.
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Sloane stood there, like a spectacle, waiting as Liam slowly made his way over to her. She didn't like being the center of attention. And with him standing before her like an oppressive giant, she found herself feeling smaller than she has before. He didn't say anything. So, she neither did she.
Then it seemed like everything got quieter. Liam began to breathe heavily as the air around him grew heavy. It was like all the hairs on the back of her neck raised and a cold chill ran down her back. But Sloane's gaze couldn't leave Liam. She just stood there in silence and watched him change before her. He was panting, his chest raising and falling with labored breaths. The veins protruded from his arms and neck.
It was a strong wave that slammed into her like a tsunami. It made her want to retreat. And she thought about it until Liam spoke. "Don't run," he said almost robotically.
Sloane could feel his tendrils trying to worm their way into her mind. Maybe if her constitution was weaker. If she couldn't control emotions or manipulate others with her powers it might have effected her more. Perhaps even caused memories and visions of the past to flood into her mind. It was like something inside her was scratching at the walls, trying to get out. It was fighting to make her scared or angry, perhaps both. It was a strong sensation. Her breathing grew heavier as she tried to keep it at bay and remain calm.
"Look at yourself," he demanded of her. Liam's voice was cold and harsh. The words were sharp enough to make her double take and snap out of whatever magical hold he had on her. "Look at all the ways you've made yourself a victim. You. Not your brother, not me. You make yourself weak. No one else can do that for you. Who are you, Sloane? Is this the real you? Is this how you're going to live the rest of your life?"
It wasn't the air the spun around them that churned her stomach. It was his words. Sloane's nostrils flared as she clenched her jaw. Her gaze drifted over to a spot on the floor as she tried to remain calm. Why did it always seem that someone like Liam could do the right thing one moment, and negate it all with thoughtless words that flood out of his mouth like poison the next. It was like one moment, he wanted her there and to help. Then the next he saw her as a sheepish burden. Some damsel that needed saving and no idea what she had gotten herself into.
She had enough.
"You have no idea what you're talking about!" Her voice wasn't quiet and timid, but forceful and demanded to be heard. Sloane shoved her hands into Liam's chest, and while that normally wouldn't have made him budge, the powers in her demanded he stumble back when she pushed him. "I didn't make myself the victim. You did!" She shoved him again. Her abilities only getting more powerful, forcing him to stumble back again.
"I had everything under control before you came around and made it your problem!" She pushed him again. To those who watched it must have been strange seeing someone so small knock Liam back with every push. "I knew how he was! And rather than letting him take his sickness out on others, I let him take out his anger on me! Letting him hurt me, kept everyone else safe. But you didn't see that. You didn't ask about my side of the story."
Sloane took a step toward him and jabbed his chest with her index finger. "I wasn't scared until you came crashing into my life!" The poke wasn't intended to make him stumble back, but her powers were already coursing through her and it wasn't going to calm down anytime soon. "Because now, I don't have it under control. It isn't about me anymore. You brought yourself into this mess... Along with your sister, Wes, even Andy. Every single person you've opened your big mouth too is now in danger because you put your nose somewhere it didn't belong."
She looked like she was on the edge of tears. Not sadness, but angry tears. "I bore his anger so no one else would have to!" This time when she pushed him, all that pent up anger and the powers that tingled at her fingertips transferred over to Liam, telling him to stumble backwards until he falls upon the ground. Sloane moved to stand over him. "I am not a victim. And I'm am not weak."
After a second or two of looking down at him, Sloane stepped over Liam and walked for the edge of the woods. "Don't follow me," she said back toward him before she disappeared into the trees. She had no destination in sight, just the desire to get away. She felt like she was suffocating when she was around him, and with every step away she took it was like she could finally breathe.
This was one of those moments Sloane wished she had her own cabin. Not Sylas's and not Liam's. Somewhere she could go that was hers, where she could be alone. Instead, she continued to walk through the woods, going wherever her feet lead her. After a couple minutes of walking, the dirt beneath her shoes turned to sand and she stepped out onto the beach. When that ocean breeze hit her, she was overwhelmed with all the stirring emotions and just stumbled to her hands and knees.
She remained like that until she managed to catch her breath. Once she did, Sloane let herself shift back until she was kneeling, her weight resting back on her shins and feet. As she ran her hands back through her hair, she noticed far on the other end of the beach were two others. She was too far away to tell who they were and hopefully, that was far enough for them to leave her alone. Sloane slowly moved her feet out from under her and laid back in the warm sand.
Sloane stood there, like a spectacle, waiting as Liam slowly made his way over to her. She didn't like being the center of attention. And with him standing before her like an oppressive giant, she found herself feeling smaller than she has before. He didn't say anything. So, she neither did she.
Then it seemed like everything got quieter. Liam began to breathe heavily as the air around him grew heavy. It was like all the hairs on the back of her neck raised and a cold chill ran down her back. But Sloane's gaze couldn't leave Liam. She just stood there in silence and watched him change before her. He was panting, his chest raising and falling with labored breaths. The veins protruded from his arms and neck.
It was a strong wave that slammed into her like a tsunami. It made her want to retreat. And she thought about it until Liam spoke. "Don't run," he said almost robotically.
Sloane could feel his tendrils trying to worm their way into her mind. Maybe if her constitution was weaker. If she couldn't control emotions or manipulate others with her powers it might have effected her more. Perhaps even caused memories and visions of the past to flood into her mind. It was like something inside her was scratching at the walls, trying to get out. It was fighting to make her scared or angry, perhaps both. It was a strong sensation. Her breathing grew heavier as she tried to keep it at bay and remain calm.
"Look at yourself," he demanded of her. Liam's voice was cold and harsh. The words were sharp enough to make her double take and snap out of whatever magical hold he had on her. "Look at all the ways you've made yourself a victim. You. Not your brother, not me. You make yourself weak. No one else can do that for you. Who are you, Sloane? Is this the real you? Is this how you're going to live the rest of your life?"
It wasn't the air the spun around them that churned her stomach. It was his words. Sloane's nostrils flared as she clenched her jaw. Her gaze drifted over to a spot on the floor as she tried to remain calm. Why did it always seem that someone like Liam could do the right thing one moment, and negate it all with thoughtless words that flood out of his mouth like poison the next. It was like one moment, he wanted her there and to help. Then the next he saw her as a sheepish burden. Some damsel that needed saving and no idea what she had gotten herself into.
She had enough.
"You have no idea what you're talking about!" Her voice wasn't quiet and timid, but forceful and demanded to be heard. Sloane shoved her hands into Liam's chest, and while that normally wouldn't have made him budge, the powers in her demanded he stumble back when she pushed him. "I didn't make myself the victim. You did!" She shoved him again. Her abilities only getting more powerful, forcing him to stumble back again.
"I had everything under control before you came around and made it your problem!" She pushed him again. To those who watched it must have been strange seeing someone so small knock Liam back with every push. "I knew how he was! And rather than letting him take his sickness out on others, I let him take out his anger on me! Letting him hurt me, kept everyone else safe. But you didn't see that. You didn't ask about my side of the story."
Sloane took a step toward him and jabbed his chest with her index finger. "I wasn't scared until you came crashing into my life!" The poke wasn't intended to make him stumble back, but her powers were already coursing through her and it wasn't going to calm down anytime soon. "Because now, I don't have it under control. It isn't about me anymore. You brought yourself into this mess... Along with your sister, Wes, even Andy. Every single person you've opened your big mouth too is now in danger because you put your nose somewhere it didn't belong."
She looked like she was on the edge of tears. Not sadness, but angry tears. "I bore his anger so no one else would have to!" This time when she pushed him, all that pent up anger and the powers that tingled at her fingertips transferred over to Liam, telling him to stumble backwards until he falls upon the ground. Sloane moved to stand over him. "I am not a victim. And I'm am not weak."
After a second or two of looking down at him, Sloane stepped over Liam and walked for the edge of the woods. "Don't follow me," she said back toward him before she disappeared into the trees. She had no destination in sight, just the desire to get away. She felt like she was suffocating when she was around him, and with every step away she took it was like she could finally breathe.
This was one of those moments Sloane wished she had her own cabin. Not Sylas's and not Liam's. Somewhere she could go that was hers, where she could be alone. Instead, she continued to walk through the woods, going wherever her feet lead her. After a couple minutes of walking, the dirt beneath her shoes turned to sand and she stepped out onto the beach. When that ocean breeze hit her, she was overwhelmed with all the stirring emotions and just stumbled to her hands and knees.
She remained like that until she managed to catch her breath. Once she did, Sloane let herself shift back until she was kneeling, her weight resting back on her shins and feet. As she ran her hands back through her hair, she noticed far on the other end of the beach were two others. She was too far away to tell who they were and hopefully, that was far enough for them to leave her alone. Sloane slowly moved her feet out from under her and laid back in the warm sand.
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"Sure." As Mason approached, Andy tried her best to move her hair out of the way. She stood as still as she could manage as he untied the strings of the gown. At one point his breath brushed her shoulder sending a chill down her spine. It made her nervous how close he stood. Not in a bad way, but it was different than all the other times they stood close before.
"Did...I...." Mason begin to say. She slowly looked back over her shoulder at him, being sure to hold the gown against her chest. Andy waited, patiently, to hear what he was going to ask. But he said nothing. She sighed softly as she turned back around, leaving her back to Mason. She set down the gown on an empty chair, then carefully slipped into a zip up hoodie. It was the easiest thing she could manage to put on.
"I've never seen you fight like that before," he said instead.
Andy sighed softly before she sat back down on the hospital bed, even managing to cross her legs under her Indian style. "She blames me for breaking her brother's heart. Like our relationship failed because of me, and Ajax had no part in it." She gave a small shrug. The best she could manage. "And I was tired of her blaming you... for everything, while no one ever holds her accountable for her actions." She slowly looked up to meet his gaze. "So... I did."
She rubbed her side and laughed weakly. "I'm not scared of Alex. I might not be able to control lightning, but I'm just as powerful as her, in ways that she couldn't imagine." Andy looked down at the blankets beneath her. Her fingers idly picking at the threads. "But I fight fair... And she doesn't. She shook her head with a defeated smile. "I should have broken her arm when I had the chance." Not that she would have. It might have felt good. But she was more proud of herself for being the bigger person and walking away. Even if it ended badly.
"We never really got to talk much after that whole bullsh-...the trial. After Alex's trial. What I said to you was crap. I'm sorry I said what I said and how I spoke to you. I meant the whole Jennova and looking into your memories thing but... With Hades gone, that leaves....a big role to fill. I'm not going now - especially not now but someday..."
Mason seemed to be at a loss for words, something Andy wasn't used to seeing. But she remained silent and waited for him to continue. "I know Hecate lives there too and she can manage things for a while but she doesn't deserve the duty to be thrown on her eternity. She didn't do anything wrong. I was thinking we could try make a device. Something that lets me travel freely between the Underworld and here because...I don't want to be there forever. Every second of every day and Gods are Gods. For all I know Zeus could seal me in there or Hades as some last trap sprung on me."
Her heart sank as he continued. She didn't like the thought of him leaving... again. Andy relied so heavily on Mason, probably too much. He was a rock in her life that she needed and the thought of him being out of reach saddened her. But she understood why he had to do it. Luckily, Hades wouldn't be there.
"Sorry. I know you have your own stuff to deal with. Just...wanted to come clean and wonder if that's something you'd be comfortable with doing when you've regained your strength."
"Don't apologize. I'm glad you told me. And you know I'd be happy to help you however I can." Andy's brows furrowed as she pondered the request. Instantly, a couple ideas came to mind. "We could always make some kind of beacon... A stationary object that you can travel to. Or, perhaps, items kind of like walkie talkies. They could allow travel between the two. So, the carriers could travel between the two with ease. Someone could travel to the Underworld to see you, or you could leave to go to them."
Andy didn't try to assume that Mason would want her to carry the other one. Perhaps he'd give it to Eve, or leave it somewhere hidden. But it was an option. And part of her liked the possibility of being able to travel to the Underworld to see him rather that waiting an indefinite amount of time for him to come see her.
"And for the record, I forgive you... for what you said before the trial. I..." Andy's voice trailed off as she tried to find the words. As she sat there her gaze fell to her hands. "I had no right to be jealous of Eve and lash out at you for it. It was selfish and rude."
She exhaled softly as she brushed loose hairs behind her ear. "I grew used to you being just mine. And... I don't like Eve, I don't. But, I had no right to get mad about it. Especially when you've watched me with Ajax for so long. I think... I think it made me realize how unhappy I was and I took it out on you when it isn't your fault. I haven't been fair to you." Andy inhaled sharply but couldn't look up. "If she makes you happy, then I won't make you choose between her and me."
It wasn't easy for her to say. Even as the word's left her lips, Andy's stomach churned at the thought. But she didn't have any right to be jealous over whomever Mason wanted. He wasn't hers. While the thought of it sat uneasily, in the end, she just wanted to see him happy. She couldn't recall the last time he seemed genuinely content. "I just want you to find happiness."
"Sure." As Mason approached, Andy tried her best to move her hair out of the way. She stood as still as she could manage as he untied the strings of the gown. At one point his breath brushed her shoulder sending a chill down her spine. It made her nervous how close he stood. Not in a bad way, but it was different than all the other times they stood close before.
"Did...I...." Mason begin to say. She slowly looked back over her shoulder at him, being sure to hold the gown against her chest. Andy waited, patiently, to hear what he was going to ask. But he said nothing. She sighed softly as she turned back around, leaving her back to Mason. She set down the gown on an empty chair, then carefully slipped into a zip up hoodie. It was the easiest thing she could manage to put on.
"I've never seen you fight like that before," he said instead.
Andy sighed softly before she sat back down on the hospital bed, even managing to cross her legs under her Indian style. "She blames me for breaking her brother's heart. Like our relationship failed because of me, and Ajax had no part in it." She gave a small shrug. The best she could manage. "And I was tired of her blaming you... for everything, while no one ever holds her accountable for her actions." She slowly looked up to meet his gaze. "So... I did."
She rubbed her side and laughed weakly. "I'm not scared of Alex. I might not be able to control lightning, but I'm just as powerful as her, in ways that she couldn't imagine." Andy looked down at the blankets beneath her. Her fingers idly picking at the threads. "But I fight fair... And she doesn't. She shook her head with a defeated smile. "I should have broken her arm when I had the chance." Not that she would have. It might have felt good. But she was more proud of herself for being the bigger person and walking away. Even if it ended badly.
"We never really got to talk much after that whole bullsh-...the trial. After Alex's trial. What I said to you was crap. I'm sorry I said what I said and how I spoke to you. I meant the whole Jennova and looking into your memories thing but... With Hades gone, that leaves....a big role to fill. I'm not going now - especially not now but someday..."
Mason seemed to be at a loss for words, something Andy wasn't used to seeing. But she remained silent and waited for him to continue. "I know Hecate lives there too and she can manage things for a while but she doesn't deserve the duty to be thrown on her eternity. She didn't do anything wrong. I was thinking we could try make a device. Something that lets me travel freely between the Underworld and here because...I don't want to be there forever. Every second of every day and Gods are Gods. For all I know Zeus could seal me in there or Hades as some last trap sprung on me."
Her heart sank as he continued. She didn't like the thought of him leaving... again. Andy relied so heavily on Mason, probably too much. He was a rock in her life that she needed and the thought of him being out of reach saddened her. But she understood why he had to do it. Luckily, Hades wouldn't be there.
"Sorry. I know you have your own stuff to deal with. Just...wanted to come clean and wonder if that's something you'd be comfortable with doing when you've regained your strength."
"Don't apologize. I'm glad you told me. And you know I'd be happy to help you however I can." Andy's brows furrowed as she pondered the request. Instantly, a couple ideas came to mind. "We could always make some kind of beacon... A stationary object that you can travel to. Or, perhaps, items kind of like walkie talkies. They could allow travel between the two. So, the carriers could travel between the two with ease. Someone could travel to the Underworld to see you, or you could leave to go to them."
Andy didn't try to assume that Mason would want her to carry the other one. Perhaps he'd give it to Eve, or leave it somewhere hidden. But it was an option. And part of her liked the possibility of being able to travel to the Underworld to see him rather that waiting an indefinite amount of time for him to come see her.
"And for the record, I forgive you... for what you said before the trial. I..." Andy's voice trailed off as she tried to find the words. As she sat there her gaze fell to her hands. "I had no right to be jealous of Eve and lash out at you for it. It was selfish and rude."
She exhaled softly as she brushed loose hairs behind her ear. "I grew used to you being just mine. And... I don't like Eve, I don't. But, I had no right to get mad about it. Especially when you've watched me with Ajax for so long. I think... I think it made me realize how unhappy I was and I took it out on you when it isn't your fault. I haven't been fair to you." Andy inhaled sharply but couldn't look up. "If she makes you happy, then I won't make you choose between her and me."
It wasn't easy for her to say. Even as the word's left her lips, Andy's stomach churned at the thought. But she didn't have any right to be jealous over whomever Mason wanted. He wasn't hers. While the thought of it sat uneasily, in the end, she just wanted to see him happy. She couldn't recall the last time he seemed genuinely content. "I just want you to find happiness."