the goddess of love

chapter 4 breakfast intrusion

Danny awoke to the unexpected and enticing aroma of food wafting through his room, pulling him from the depths of a dreamless sleep. The scent was rich and savory, filling the small, cozy space of his bedroom with a warmth that felt both comforting and disorienting. His brain, still foggy with sleep, took a moment to catch up with the situation. Bacon? Eggs? But there was no way…

He blinked groggily, trying to shake off the remnants of slumber as he sat up in bed, the soft sheets sliding down his bare chest. His eyes darted around the room, half-expecting to see someone there, though he knew that was impossible. He lived alone—had for almost a year now. Slowly, the realization set in, sending a jolt of alarm through him. *Who the hell is cooking in my house?*

Danny's heart began to race, the steady thud in his chest growing more frantic as he threw off the covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He quickly yanked on a t-shirt and jeans, the fabric sticking slightly to his still-sleep-warmed skin. His mind raced with a mix of confusion, fear, and a simmering anger that someone had invaded his sanctuary. The house had always been quiet and empty—just the way he liked it—and the thought of an intruder, even one bearing breakfast, set 12à light. His bare feet padded silently on the wooden floor as he approached the kitchen door, the rich scent of food growing stronger with every step. He felt a strange sense of anticipation, a dread that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

As Danny crossed the threshold into the kitchen, he froze, his eyes widening at the sight that greeted him. He had expected to see some nefarious figure, perhaps a thief helping themselves to his meager pantry. But instead, the scene before him was so surreal, so completely out of place, that his brain struggled to process it.

There, standing at the stove, was Aquanna, the Goddess of Love, as if she had every right to be there. She was humming cheerfully to herself, her voice light and melodic, as she expertly flipped a pancake in the air with a deft flick of her wrist. Her pink hair was tied back in a loose, playful ponytail that swayed with her movements, and she wore a frilly apron over her school uniform, the fabric adorned with tiny hearts and flowers. She looked like she had stepped out of a picture-perfect advertisement for some retro, idealized version of domestic bliss.

“Good morning, Danny!” Aquanna chirped, her voice as bright as the morning sun that streamed through the kitchen window. She turned to flash him that signature dazzling smile, the one that could light up even the darkest room. “I thought I’d make you breakfast. You’ve got a big day ahead!”

For a long moment, Danny just stood there, rooted to the spot, his mind struggling to catch up with the reality in front of him. His initial panic had given way to sheer disbelief, and he found himself questioning whether he was still dreaming. When the absurdity of the situation finally sank in, irritation bubbled up, pushing past the confusion.

“How did you get in here?” Danny asked, his voice coming out more gruffly than he intended. The edge in his tone barely concealed the mix of emotions roiling inside him—anger, frustration, and a hint of something else he couldn’t quite place.

Aquanna turned away from the stove to face him fully, her expression the picture of innocence. “Oh, the door was locked, so I just, you know, let myself in! I’m a goddess, remember?” She said it so casually, as if her explanation was all the justification needed, as if it made perfect sense for her to just waltz into someone’s home uninvited.

Danny’s eye twitched involuntarily, the irritation growing stronger. “Aquanna, you can’t just *come into my house* like this! There are rules—boundaries! You have to respect them!” His voice rose slightly, the frustration spilling over as he gestured to the door as if to emphasize his point.

Aquanna only giggled in response, her laughter as light and carefree as a summer breeze. She was clearly unfazed by his rising temper, her demeanor as cheerful as ever. “Boundaries are silly! Besides, I’m here to help you, and that includes making sure you start your day with a good meal.” She turned back to the stove, completely disregarding his objections, as if the conversation had already ended in her favor.