Apostolos I Summon You to Human Form

Chapter 04

The rest of Accalia's work week wentso slow yet uneventful. She'd found herself struggling to focus onher work ever since meeting Acheron in person, and the necklace he'dgiven her never left her neck. Heather had even noticed thedifference enough to comment and ask, to which Accalia just shruggedit off. How could she possibly explain her sudden acquaintanceship toa fictional character that wasn't actually fictional? As real as thesituation was for Accalia, it still sounded ridiculous described outloud. Plus, Acheron's past and true identity wasn't her business toshare, and thus she kept him secret.

It wasn't until the weekend that shesaw him again.

Saturday morning started like normal.Accalia awoke to her alarm, even on her day off, and picked out herclothes for the day. She showered quickly, changed, and decided whather plan was going to be. First thing on her mind was groceryshopping. After a quick breakfast, she slipped her shoes on, grabbedher keys and purse, and headed out. It didn't take her long to find ataxi, and in a car, the grocery store was just a short drive. Accaliawalked through the aisles and picked out her usual staples, includinga case of beer in the event Acheron continued to visit her. Shefinished up her shopping without wasting time, checked out, and madeher way back outside to her taxi.

She rode home and paid her driver, andhad just reached the stairs, arms full of grocery bags. when sheheard a voice behind her.

"Let me help you with those."

Accalia turned and felt her heartflutter when she saw Acheron lightly jogging towards her. She let himtake the case of beer and a large portion of the grocery bags, andled him up the stairs to her apartment. She unlocked and opened thedoor, and stepped through, heading to the kitchen. Acheron walkedthrough the door and closed it with his heel. She heard the heavylock click into place, and shortly after, Acheron stepped into thekitchen, his arms still full. He placed the groceries he was holdingon the counter next to where Accalia had placed the others.

Accalia began going through each bagand placing her groceries where they belonged. She felt Acheronwatching her. She glanced to him and offered a box.

"Could you please put this in thecabinet above the fridge?"

"Of course." He accepted the boxand easily placed it in its home, thanks to his height.

This continued, with Accalia placingthe lower-cabinet items away while she requested assistance fromAcheron for the higher-up items. The whole time she had a smile onher face. It felt so normal, just putting away groceries with anomnipotent god. He seemed to be enjoying himself, too. She knew thathe'd always wanted to experience a normal life, something in themiddle of the two drastically different lives he'd experienced sofar. His expression looked light and she could see hints of a smileon his lips. His eyes swirled-

His eyes! He wasn't wearing sunglassesaround her. Was there any greater compliment than this trust in her?Gods how she loved how they move, how they reflected the colorsaround them, like the bright red of the streak in his black hair.

"I picked up a case of beer foryou," she said with a smile. His eyebrows rose.

"For me?"

"Of course. I felt bad that I ranout the other night. I'm well-stocked now."

"I can pay you back for them."

"Acheron, no. When you're here,you're my guest. I bought them specifically with you in mind, and Idon't want any kind of payment for them." She couldn't tell whathis reaction was since his face remained stoic, but she knew healways struggled with gifts from others. Most had always come withthe expectation he return the favor with either sex or blood;expectations Accalia would never hold against him.