Five More Minutes | 18+ [HIATUS]

truths

"Athena."

"Athena."

"Athena—"

Before my words can be heard any longer, the door to my room slams shut, right in front of my face.

I take a breathe in, then creak the door open slowly. She's already pissed enough as it is. I don't need to add to the preexisting chaos.

"Just let me explain." I sit on the bed next to her body, which is now facing the other way. She doesn't bother to turn around, but she crosses her arms.

"Last night, I told them about how I found you. The conversation led to other things, and we ended up deciding to kill Jaxon. Apparently they know him," I say halfheartedly. We did talk about all those things. Just not in the way I say we did.

A sigh escapes her lips, and she turns her whole body towards me. Her eyes are freshly swollen and red, tears flow down her creamy, puffed cheeks, and I can barely distinguish the silent sniffles of her nose. Her eyes meet mine, and she stares intensely, as if trying to figure me out.

"You're lying."

There are many things I knew Athena could do. Many things I let Athena do. But one thing I didn't let her do is read through my lies. Well, at least not intentionally— until now.

"Huh?" I question, trying to throw her off.

She smiles a rueful smile, keeping my gaze. "I can see it in your eyes, Hades. I can hear in the way you talk. It's not the same."

"Not the same?"

She nods. "Not like on that hill."

Shit.

Before I can start, she continues on.

"Just tell me the truth, Hades. Even if it hurts. Even if it's the complete opposite of what I want to hear. Because I'd much rather hear the truth than succumb to your stupid, easy-to-read lies. And right now, trusting you enough to at least tell me the truth is what I can give you," she says.

I open my mouth to speak, but apparently, she isn't finished yet.

"After all, we were meant to be enemies, correct?"

No. No, don't say that. Don't say that because you've misunderstood, Athena. Don't say that because you don't know how I feel. Don't say that because you don't know how much I care for you— even though I shouldn't, even though we just met, even though everything else is telling me not to. Don't say that because I've compromised my shit for your sake— and it was definitely not to be called your enemy.

But, "I told them Jaxon was a rapist and that I want to kill him. So that's what we're going to do," is all that leaves my mouth.

For a short few seconds, she stares at me with furrowed brows. Confusion wraps itself around her features, and she tilts her head to the side. "What else did you say?"

"That he encouraged your father to steal from our base. Just to get them more riled up," I confess.

There's a long pause, but eventually she shakes her head. "Hades," she says. "I actually thought you told them."

There's an apologetic gleam in her eyes. "I would never tell them, Athena. You know my secrets, too."

"Is that the only reason why you're not telling them?"

Why does she always have to ask the worst questions?

Why am I honest? Why do I even care about her trust?