ᎻᎬᏚᎢᏆᎪ

CHAPTER SEVEN

the two goddesses stayed like they were for around an hour, just chatting aimlessly about whatever came to mind. hestia did get up to get herself around for the day before returning to her niece, though.

the younger was curious about all that her aunt had done in her time away from olympus, though, so hestia filled her in on her little adventures with a smile on her face.

their little serenity was interrupted, though, by a fervent knocking on the apartment door. both women exchanged confused looks before the elder got up and went to open the door. her eyes widened in surprise upon seeing the familiar curly haired man on the opposite side, an almost worried expression on his face, before it settled into relief.

"hestia. good to see you're alright and weren't attacked by whoever paid you a visit on this fine morning. was it carol, having come to ask you your thoughts about the ball last night?" he questions, trying to sound casual, but the goddess saw right through him. she smiles, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, his tension lifting at the gesture.

"no, actually. why don't you come in, nik? i have someone i'd like you to meet."

the hybrid was confused, but he eagerly walked into the unfamiliar apartment. his eyes searched over everything inside, taking it all in in an attempt to dissect the goddess he'd become friends with. it wasn't long until his eyes landed on the unfamiliar woman seated at the sofa, though, who was watching him with narrowed eyes.

his own eyes narrowed in return at her, about to demand to know who she was, but hestia placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled as she came up next to him.

"nik, this is my niece, artemis. artemis, this is my new friend, niklaus. just call him klaus, though, it's what he prefers," she introduces brightly, smiling at the two.

artemis notices how his blue eyes widen at her aunt's introduction, looking at her with a bit of awe. realizing the look in his eyes, she narrows her own even further, knowing that her aunt had told this friend of hers who she was.

the hybrid, picking up on artemis's apprehension, quickly dismisses his feelings of awe and turns back to the goddess he'd befriended in her time in mystic falls. "well, it seems like you weren't attacked or anything. you could have sent me a message or called to tell me everything was alright, instead of leaving me to worry."

hestia smiles sheepishly at the man, apologizing softly, but her head tilts to the side in confusion.

"that's not the only reason you dropped by. what is it, nik?"

the younger goddess watches how the man becomes bashful under the concern her aunt was showing him, rubbing under his nose shyly before looking up to lock eyes with hestia and give her an almost nervous smile. the expressions and emotions he was exhibiting weren't unfamiliar to her in the slightest, having seen and experienced them many times when either she herself or others wanted to ask the kind goddess something.

"i, uh, would just like to properly introduce you to my siblings. i know you already met a few of them last night, but i just..."

"you want to show them you can still make real friends," hestia finishes, earning another shy nod from him. his eyes glance over to the younger goddess that was watching the interaction closely, clearing his throat and standing taller so as to appear less bashful and hopeful than he knew he already was.

hestia's smile was almost blinding as she took his hand and squeezed it. "of course, nik. i'd be happy to meet your family under less formal conditions." she then turns to her niece, an apologetic smile forming on her lips that has artemis pouting slightly.

"little one, i have to go for a bit. you're welcome to stay here and wait for me, or you can nap. or, you could even go and explore the town. i'll be back later, though, so i'll see you then."