Unknowing Attraction

14. Just Relax.

"I'll run you a bath." Caius says as we walk into his house, carrying my gigantic bag to the bathroom in his bedroom. I let out a heavy sigh, the feeling of anxiety from earlier finally starting to subside. I grab a glass from the cupboard, filling it with water and taking a drink as I stare at the ocean view outside, still thinking of everything that happened earlier. G. Dante. Maxim. I can't let myself forget their names, or their faces.

A chill runs down my back, the hairs on my neck standing up as I remember the details of what happened. I hear Caius coming back into the living area, feeling his arms slowly wrap around my waist from behind. "You're still thinking about it, aren't you?" He whispers quietly into my ear, his breath warm against my skin. I shudder.

"It was pretty traumatic, so, yeah. I am." I say in a hushed tone. "Well, your bath is ready, Goddess. Take your time and please, just try to relax." he says, kissing the side of my head softly before going to lay on the couch. I nod, a faint smile coming to my lips as I ponder how I could be so lucky as to have someone so generous, so compassionate, in my life.

I walk back to the bathroom, undressing and getting into the tub. A sound of relief passes through my lips as I lean back in the water, resting my head on the bath pillow Caius had set out for me. I close my eyes as the smell of rosemary and mint fills my nose- the crisp sound of bubbles popping in the background.

Everything that happened today, told me everything I need to know.

I get out, draining the water and caring for my body as I normally do, before putting on my bathrobe and exiting the bathroom.

I walk over to the couch, laying my head on Caius' chest as we attempt to relax, the sounds of the ocean calming me. "You tensed up when I said the name Maxim. Why?" I ask quietly, my hand drawing circles on his bare chest. "I don't know what you mean." He says, and I look up at him. "Did you know him?" I ask and he shakes his head. I could tell he was hiding something, but I decided not to push any further.

"So- this dream you had about your mom." He says as he plays with my hair, goosebumps raising on my skin as he gently massages my scalp.

"She was standing with Hestia this time. She walked through the flames and was completely untouched by them, and she wore a crown of pearls and shells. They told me to rise, and I woke up." I explain, his hand now resting on my shoulder. "Pearls and shells?" he asks, my response being a light nod. "It was beautiful- she was beautiful." I say as tears fill my eyes.

The candle light filled the room, leaving a soft glow on the walls. Sandalwood incense burned as soothing music played on Caius' television. He figured it would be best if I just relax, to the best of my abilities. I felt thankful for him. His calming touch, as well as his determination to make sure that I am comfortable. He is definitely the type to give his all to make sure you are satisfied, and safe.

"Interesting.. One moment, please." He says, standing and heading back toward his bedroom. I wince as he stands- the fabric from his grey sweatpants brushed against the burn on my hand. I stand as well, adjusting my robe as I walk over to look out at the ocean. The moonlight dancing on top of the water, the reflection putting me in a trance as I focus on the beautiful view.

I hear Caius' footsteps reverberating through the house, and I turn to see him turning the pages in a thick, tattered book. He sits back down on the couch, still flipping through the book as I sit next to him, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Here." He says and points to a picture. An ancient Greek Goddess with a crown of pearls and shells could be seen sitting on an underwater throne. She looked a lot like my mom, but I couldn't really tell, as the art was starting to fade. "Does that look like the crown your mother had been wearing?" He asks. I nod my head, my eyes widening as I begin to realize. "Is that-" I begin, a hasty "Yes." coming from his lips.

He looks up at me with a soft smile. "Aphrodite." he says, looking back down at the page. I slowly reach for the book, taking it into my lap and reading aloud the words on the page.

"Aphrodite, The Goddess of love, was one of the few to survive the wrath of Cronus. Cronus searched high and low for the Gods and Goddesses, Hestia and Aphrodite hiding far away from Mount Olympus. Hestia formed a plan in which Cronus would be defeated, sharing it with only her brother Poseidon and her good friend, Aphrodite. Hestia and her siblings would go to defeat Cronus, and if they failed, she would need the Goddess of love's assistance. Aphrodite agreed to help Hestia, stashing Hestia's crown between the realms, going into hiding afterward. Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, Hera, and Hades had been swallowed whole. Aphrodite, nowhere to be seen. It is said that she found safety in the waters of the earth for a millenia, disguising herself as a mortal when the time was right. She enchanted her daughter to carry a piece of Hestia's soul, making Cronus a prisoner of Earth, so that one day, they could defeat Cronus and restore the balance between the mortals and the Gods." I finish, adding "Holy shit- I'm in the book."

"Did you notice that it's all written in Greek, too?" Caius asks. I look up to see him, completely awestruck. A look of shock flashes across my face. "How-" I start, cutting myself off.

"Hestia." He says simply, taking the book and setting it on the coffee table. "It's been prophesied that you would be the one to defeat Cronus." he adds, taking my hands in his. "But how?" I ask him, suddenly feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.

"For now, just relax. We'll talk more about it tomorrow." He says and I nod, feeling absolutely exhausted from the previous events of the day. He moves to sit behind me, massaging my shoulders and neck as he hummed along to the music that played in the background. I close my eyes, feeling my body relax under his grasp. A satisfied, faint moan escaped my lips, my mind finally slowing down and my heartbeat with it.

"Are you feeling tired yet?" He asks, his voice soft. I think he was getting tired, and honestly, I was too. I nod my head. "Yeah, I actually am." I reply.

He gets up from the couch, now standing in front of me, reaching for my hand. I take his hand and follow him into the bedroom, the smell of sandalwood still strong in the air. "Can I wear one of your shirts to bed?" I question, feeling heat rush to my cheeks as the words dissipated into the air. He smiles and nods, going to his dresser and pulling a shirt out. He hands it to me, turning around with his eyes covered to give me privacy. I take my robe off, quicky pulling the shirt over my head. "You're good." I say, indicating that it's safe to turn around.

He comes over to me, embracing me in his strong arms. His heartbeat slow and steady as he inhales deeply. "You smell really nice." He says, and as I look up at him, and he looks down at me, I notice the faint red color that painted his cheeks. "You're blushing!" I exclaim, a giggle following after. He scrunches his face, his smile still present.

I hear my phone ring from the inside of my purse, and see Jade's name across the screen.

"Hello?" I say, my voice cheerful. Caius leaves the room to go turn off the lights in the living room and blow out the candles he'd lit.

"You made it to Caius' safely?" she asks, and I nod as I reply "Yes. I love you."

"I love you too- I just wanted to make sure. Goodnight, seester." she says and I giggle. "Goodnight."

I lay down, relaxing to the sound of the waves outside. Being here felt like a dream. His house was always so calm and relaxed, and it made me envious for a moment. I thought my solitude was serene, but being able to peek into his, I know realize that I didn't even know the half of it.

Caius enters the room and lays beside me, turning to his side to flick the lamp off. The soft glow from the candle he'd lit in his room now being the only sense of light. He wraps his arm around my waist, my arm around his torso and my head on his chest.

"Goodnight, love." He says, followed by a kiss to my forehead. A gentle smile appears on my lips as I quietly whisper a faint "Goodnight, Cai." His fingers traced my arm softly, sending butterflies into my stomach as I melt under his touch.

I close my eyes, the smell of his cologne intoxicating as it flows into my nose. I begin drawing shapes onto his chest lightly with my finger and after a few minutes, his hand becomes heavy on my arm. I can hear Caius' low, soft snores filling the room. I smile to myself at the sound, as I find it to be absolutely adorable.

Soon enough, I begin dreaming with him.