Ares

Chapter 35 || I'm on a Hellevator.

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"I'm trying to look for an exit, take myself out from being trapped in the darkness. I'm fighting harder, run away from this place."

– Helleavtor, Stray Kids .

The next afternoon, Zeus looked up and slapped shut the folder on his desk, surprise stealing his expression. "Ares," he said, rebounding with his experienced smile. He leaned back in the leather chair and interlocked his fingers behind his head. "Well, this is a surprise."

"I catch you at a bad time?"

"No, no, come in," he replied, nodding to the two chairs in front of his desk. "Is everything okay?"

"It is," Ares answered, taking a seat and discreetly wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans. "I just never got the chance to thank you for the house."

Zeus' forehead wrinkled. "Shame you haven't been able to enjoy it."

"Just the same, I appreciate the gesture; you shouldn't have done that. That's one hell of a wedding gift," he grinned, folding his hands in his lap and concentrating on not fidgeting.

Zeus studied him for a few seconds and then lifted his brow. "Hopefully, Aphrodite will be able to get some good use out of it for many years to come." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk and folding his hands. "I know she's leery about being there alone at night...but maybe when you see that baby's face for the first time that will change."

Ares lifted a leg up onto his knee and tried not to waggle his foot like a nervous dog. "You mean if that baby is mine?"

"Of course,"  smiled and straightened the nameplate on his desk. "There will always be a place for you in that house, at the head of that table."

Ares bit back a smirk. They examined each other over a moment of awkward silence. A phone rang down the hall, coming from the front desk. Ares's eyes fell to the nameplate:  ZEUS etched into the gold plated metal, Council President in smaller letters below.

Zeus grabbed a pen and lightly tapped it against the folder, his face sobering. "How is Grace?"

Ares pressed his lips together. "Busy with the shop I suppose."

"Good, good."  glanced out into the hall, where the phone continued to ring.

"Taking a step back and trying to get her stuff in order."

Zeus' eyes swung back to Ares and he nodded heartily, like he completely understood. "Sometimes that's the best medicine."

"It's been a lot to handle."

He inhaled a lungful of air, his chest and pride swelling at the same time. The chair creaked as he leaned back and folded his hands over a silver belt buckle. "Look, Ares, I know our road hasn't been without its bumps, but - regardless of what the future holds - I want you to know I appreciate the spot you're in."

Ares blinked without interrupting, eager to hear where this was going.

"I mean, Grace is a very pretty girl and just as sweet as can be. I wouldn't have wanted to walk a mile in your shoes for all the beer in the world."

The phone finally stopped ringing but Ares's heart kept pounding.

Zeus pinched his eyes together. "I admire the decisions you have made. I really do. A lot of men would have thrown everyone under the bus and ran for the hills, but not you."