Hades' Second Chance

Chapter 7

My eyes snapped open just after Heracles extended his hand to Theseus. I sat up and sighed. It wasn't quite as heavy or foreboding as the last couple of them, but after nearly a week I hadn't had any dreams pertaining to mythology.

I climbed out of bed and checked my phone. I had three messages, so I opened them. The first was from my youngest brother's wife, my stepsister, Hera, about the family reunion. I ignored that one. The second was from Hestia, wondering if I was alright because she "hadn't heard from me for a while." I responded, asking if she wanted to meet me for coffee. Her response was "sure, and make sure you bring your cute boyfriend!" complete with emojis. The third was from said "cute boyfriend." I decided to call him.

He picked up after a few rings. "Hello?"

"Hey, my sister wants to meet us for coffee at the cafe where we had our first date. How does 10 work?"

"Ya, sounds great! Sorry If I seem out of it."

"It's fine. I'll see you then," I told him, hanging up.

I hopped into the shower and was out the door after just a few minutes. I got into my car and headed to the cafe. It was pouring down rain, but I made it without trouble, and pulled up to the curb in front of the cafe, before stepping out into the rain, and making a wild dash for the door, before pulling it open and stepping into the warm cafe, the warm brown walls, and busy chatter making the room feel cozy and comfortable. I saw a familiar head of blond hair and another of ginger sitting at a booth. I slid in next to my sister, and across from Apollo, taking his hand in mine, interlocking our fingers.

He smiled at me, his eyes glowing with happiness. "Your sister is wonderful."

Hestia blushed. "Thank you, Apollo. I'm glad Hades has finally found a suitable match, especially after the Persephone mess."

Apollo grinned at me, his sapphire eyes glinting in the warm light. "I'm glad to be that match."

I rearranged our hands so I could squeeze his tight. I heard Hestia giggle next to me. "You guys are the cutest!"

I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway. Apollo laughed out loud. The waitress came by to take our orders. I got a vanilla latte, Hestia got a caramel frappucino, and Apollo got a white chocolate mocha. We continued to chat as we waited for our coffee, laughing and chatting. About five minutes later we had our coffee.

It was around then we got into the subject of our names, being Greek deities.

"It's such a funny coincidence!" Hestia laughed.

Apollo and I exchanged glances. I turned to my sister, and asked, "Have you ever had any... dreams about mythology? Especially recently?"

She blinked at me. "I have, now that you mention it. About my namesake, the goddess of the hearth. Why?"

I took a shuddering breath. "Apollo and I..." I looked at my lover, "have had these dreams too, but about our namesakes."

Apollo nodded in agreement. "My brother, Hermes, has also been had these dreams. He has a theory that... that we are our namesakes, that we are the Olympians. And that we've been reborn into the time we're needed most, when people are forgetting what makes up Western Civilization."

Hestia tugged at one of her ginger curls, her brown eyes glazed with thought. "Your brother seems smart. And maybe he's right. But it does us no good to talk about it. It just is."

I nodded and Apollo muttered his agreement. We finished our coffee, and said our goodbyes. Hestia hailed a cab and left Apollo and I to our own devices.

"Wanna explore the city today?" Apollo asked, holding my hand.

I nodded, and the two of us started off, heading towards Main Street.

We spent the rest of the day winding our way around town, laughing and enjoying ourselves, ignoring the looks we got. At about five we found ourselves at the Cheesecake Factory, where we ate dinner outside, facing the ocean and the sunset. We flirted throughout dinner, laughing and enjoying each other's company and I felt like my heart was going to burst from all the love I was feeling. Whenever Apollo laughed, I felt inclined to laugh with him.

After dinner (and dessert, which was cheesecake, of course) we headed back to my car. Luckily, the parking meter hadn't run out. I shoved another quarter in, just in case, and turned to Apollo, who looked as happy as I felt.

"Do you want a ride home, or...?" I asked, raising and eyebrow, barely darling to hope.

He shrugged, trying to look casual, but the light of excitement glowed in those blue eyes. "Whatever works for you."

I took a deep breath. "Would you like to spend the night at my place?"

He smiled at me, looking suddenly shy. "I'd love that."

I grinned, and opened the passenger side door for him. He slid in and out on his seat belt.

I slid into the driver's side, and started the engine, then turned into the road that headed home.