ᎻᎬᏚᎢᏆᎪ

CHAPTER SIX

hestia had been on the phone with hades long into the morning, not going to sleep until around four in the morning. she'd only gone to sleep because her brother and his wife had insisted she get some rest, despite gods not really needing it.

that was the thing about being in the mortal world, for a god— you began to have to abide by a sleep schedule for the most part, and you could get tired. hestia had been in the mortal world for almost a year, so she'd gotten used to it. well, she'd technically already been used to mortal sleeping schedules since she had been around humans for eons, but she hadn't really lived like them in so long.

the family goddess woke up around some time close to noon, feeling slightly groggy before she got up from her fluffy bed. she needed to thank her nephew again for setting this up for her.

she moved into the kitchenette, looking for some nectar she'd had stored, downing some of it. she hadn't had her own godly food or drink in a few days, and it was making her feel more human than usual. it wasn't exactly a nice feeling, to be honest.

look, hestia may like the humans and spend quite a lot of time around them, but that didn't mean she liked feeling as if she was one. she's a goddess, not human.

she was snapped out of her thoughts by her phone going off, startling slightly. she moves out of the kitchenette, reaching over her bed to grab the phone and remove the charging cable. seeing the caller id, a small smile forms on her face, and she answers after it rings once more.

"hello, nik. what's with the sudden call? you just saw me earlier this morning," she greets, a bit of confusion in her tone as she questions the hybrid.

"there was someone at my home this morning asking about you. i didn't necessarily say anything about you, but just be careful. i don't know who they were or what they wanted with you," he responds, worry evident in the way his voice was hushed and made his concern for her clear.

a small chuckle leaves her. "you have nothing to worry about, nik. if someone is in fact looking for me, they won't be much of a danger. i can handle myself when necessary."

"i know that, but-"

his words were cut off by a knock on her door, and the conversation comes to an abrupt halt. hestia quickly murmurs that she'll call him back before hanging up, slowly moving towards the door. unfortunately, she didn't have a peephole, so she couldn't see whoever was on the other side. she'd probably have to get one installed or something, if she had to stay here for much longer.

so, she hesitantly opened the door, eyes immediately widening upon seeing the person standing in front of her.

"auntie! i knew it was you that i saw last night! i told apollo that it was you! i can't believe i found you!" the woman exclaims, throwing herself into hestia's arms and wrapping her own around the older divine being.

"artemis...?" the older goddess murmurs in shock. she definitely hadn't expected to be found so soon, especially not by one of the twins. and she had been so careful not to get caught by either during the day or night.

artemis grins at her, squeezing her aunt tightly before allowing herself to get pulled into the apartment. she looked around slowly, nodding in approval of the simplicity she knew her aunt preferred, then turned back to the woman. she couldn't help showing how happy she was at finally seeing her aunt again after what had felt like forever.

"how did you find me?" hestia questions softly, moving the two of them to the sofa so they could sit down.

"well, as i was pulling the moon across the sky like i do every night, i saw that elegant party happening at the mansion. and, since it had been quite a boring and long night, i decided to look in and see if the party was actually eventful or anything. i looked in right as the dance started, and i thought i saw someone familiar, but it was too hard to tell. so, i left the moon in place for a few minutes, got a closer look, and saw you! gods, auntie, you looked so stunning in that dress! it looked as if aphrodite had dressed you up, herself!"