[POV: Luki]
— Hestia… I… — I try to find the right words, but nothing seems to come out. Maybe it's the nervousness. Maybe it's the language barrier. Or maybe I just don't have the courage to say what's stuck in my throat.
'How did it get to this point? She was ignoring me just seconds ago, and now we're in this… romantic confession vibe…'
My thoughts spin as I watch Hestia's expression change. Gradually, her anxiety grows, and the sparkle in her eyes starts to fade. She seems… disappointed. Like she expected something I can't give.
'Damn… I feel like trash now for leaving her like this.'
Call me a simp, an idiot, or whatever. But seeing Hestia sad like this is something I just can't bear, especially knowing it's my fault. It's like a knife is being driven into my chest, and the pain keeps increasing.
I close my eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. Courage, Luki. Just do something. My heart pounds in my chest, but I gather all my strength to break the silence that's consuming us.
— Hestia-sama… — I call her, my voice coming out steadier this time.
She lifts her eyes immediately, surprised. Gently, I hold her shoulders and turn her completely to face me. Now we're face to face, sitting on the bed. The small distance between us makes the moment feel even more intense.
My gaze falls on her: her big, hopeful eyes, the black hair softly falling over her shoulders, and that blush on her cheeks. I could admire her forever, but there's something more important to do now.
— Sorry... — The word slips out before I can stop it.
For a moment, I see her eyes widen, and then her expression drops even further. The sadness on her face hits me like a punch to the stomach. Damn, she misunderstood again! bad choice of words.
I quickly continue, before things spiral further out of control.
— I… do not… mean to… talk! — I try to organize my thoughts amidst the nervousness and language barrier. — I… do not know… how to… speak… feelings. Difficult.
Hestia blinks a few times, seeming to absorb what I said. Her face, still flushed, reflects confusion mixed with something softer, like she's processing my words.
— Feelings? — she repeats, hesitantly.
I nod affirmatively, trying to express what I feel without relying too much on words.
— I… dumb. — I sigh, running my hand through my hair. — I want… to say things… right. But… don't know… how.
Her eyes shine a little more, as if she's starting to understand. Hestia tilts her head slightly, and the tension in her body seems to ease.
— You can speak in your native language if you prefer.
— But… — I hesitate, confused.
— You know, Luki, I think there's one thing I haven't explained properly about us, gods. — Her voice sounds calmer now, almost as if trying to ease my insecurity.
I stay silent, attentive to her words. It's as if the pressure of the moment eases little by little.
— We, gods, have a unique ability. We can sense when someone is lying. Not by the words themselves, but by the feelings accompanying what's said, every word carries a feeling, your true feelings. If someone lies, their intentions and emotions betray their words, and we can feel that.
Hestia pauses, observing my reaction before continuing.
— But in your case… it's complicated. Since you don't speak the same language as us, it's hard to match what you say with what you feel. Your words and intentions are… disconnected to me.
I nod slightly, beginning to understand what she means.
— But that doesn't mean I can't understand you. — She smiles softly, her eyes meeting mine. — When you're very happy, or when you speak from the heart… no matter the language, i will know what you are saying.
Hestia looks away for a moment, her insecurity returning briefly.
— What I'm trying to say is… just speak. Open your heart and let it all out. Even if I don't understand all the words, I'll understand… even if… the answer is not…
She doesn't finish the sentence. Her voice falters, and her eyes shift away again. It's obvious she's nervous, but at the same time, determined.
It takes me a few seconds to process everything. At first, it's hard to fully grasp, especially because it feels so… surreal. But then the pieces fit together. She wants me to speak. Without fear, without restraint. She wants me to trust her, even if the words aren't perfect.
'Then… here goes.'
I take a deep breath, feeling my heart race. My hands tremble slightly, but I clench my fists to contain the anxiety. If I'm going to say everything, there's no reason to hesitate.
— (Hestia…)
She closes her eyes tightly, clutching her dress, as if preparing to hear something that will change everything.
— (I think i love you.) — I say, my voice carrying every ounce of sincerity I can muster.
Hestia's eyes open suddenly. She lifts her head quickly, looking at me, surprised, astonished, and above all, with a growing joy lighting up her entire face.
— Luki! I also-
— (But!) — I interrupt her before she can finish. I have more to say, something that must come out before it's too late.
She closes her mouth but can't hide the sparkle in her eyes. It's like she's holding back a scream of happiness, and in that moment, I see the Hestia I knew from the anime — outgoing, affectionate, sometimes a little clingy, but always genuine.
— (I like you, realy. You're probably the woman I've liked most in my entire… existence. Yes, existence.)
She continues staring at me intensely, as if she can see my soul, absorbing every word, every feeling.
— (You're amazing. Everything about you captivates me, like... you are sexy as hell. I can't deny I like the idea of spending my life by your side.)
She blushs a little because of my comment and i feel like making a joke to lighten the mood, maybe about how small and irresistible she is, but I hold back. This isn't the time.
— (But still, I don't think this is right.) — I pause, noticing the confusion on her face. — (Not for silly reasons, like "you're a goddess and I'm a mortal." and i will die first while you live a immortal life.)
Hestia tilts her head, clearly intrigued by what I'm about to say.
— (It's just… we've known each other so little... fuck, we literaly know each other for like... half a moth?! I barely know anything about you. For example, what's your favorite food? Your favorite place? Books you like to read? )
She blinks, surprised by the unexpected turn in the conversation.
— (Those things, Hestia, though they may seem cliché or unnecessary to some, are what sustain a relationship. Two people can't stay together forever without that kind of connection, without knowing who each really is to the other.)
My mind wanders briefly, recalling the world I came from.
— (Where I lived before… relationships were confusing. Especially in my generation, they were fleeting. I saw friends starting and ending relationships as easily as changing clothes. I remember a childhood friend, Pedro, who dated six different girls between ages 15 and 17.)
I give a small, almost melancholic smile as I continue.
— (In… college, it was the same. Relationships began and ended in weeks. Scandals, fights, reconciliation, everything felt so… disposable. People seemed to forget what it really meant to love someone.)
I look back at Hestia, my tone becoming firmer.
— (I don't want that for us. I don't want us to be another fleeting case, where everything is intense at first and then collapses because we didn't build something solid.)
I let out a heavy sigh, trying to organize my thoughts before continuing.
— (Damn… until now, I've been hiding several secrets from you that could completely change your view of me. And if you knew, you might consider me complete trash… But where I come from, these things were normal.)
Hestia remains silent. Her eyes, shining with a mix of emotions, seem to study every expression of mine. I don't know what she's thinking, but I feel she's trying to understand me.
— (So, if we're going to be something… I want to do it the right way. I want to know every detail about you, build something real. Because, Hestia… you deserve that.)
When I finish, a heavy silence falls between us. Not knowing what else to do, I close my eyes, feeling the pressure and anxiety weigh on my chest.
'Now I'm regretting saying all that.'
A thousand thoughts flood my mind. What if Hestia loses excitement? What if she thinks it's better to leave this for later? I probably just wasted my only chance with the most incredible, and hottest, woman I've ever met.
'If I had just said "yes" when she asked if I was serious… would we already be kissing by now? Hopefully not. At least then I'd regret being responsible less.'
[POV: Third Person]
While Luki reflected on his choices, Hestia remained silent. Her eyes fixed on him shone with a mixture of conflicting feelings, doubt and clarity, as if she were trying to solve a puzzle.
As for his words, Hestia didn't understand any of what he said. Luki's language was still a mystery to her. But as a goddess, she could sense something far more important than words: the emotions and intentions behind them.
And what she felt was a whirlwind.
There was greed and lust, probably from thoughts of a relationship with her, craving his company and closeness. That made her feel happy and proud, after all, what woman wouldn't want to be desired?
There was also embarrassment, visible even without her divine powers, as if he were deeply uncomfortable opening up in such a way. This amused Hestia. It was rare to see Luki, usually so serious and composed, act so vulnerable, almost childlike.
Hestia also sensed fear and doubt, clear signs he was unsure how she would react, which sparked a twinge of sympathy in her heart.
But above all, she sensed desire and affection. Not just physical desire, but something deeper, a genuine connection Luki seemed to want to build with her.
With all these feelings swirling, and with the intentions she could catch from his tone, Hestia formed a vague, very vague idea of what he was trying to say.
Hestia took a deep breath, softening her expression, and leaned forward slightly. Her eyes shone with a mixture of expectation and determination as she stared at Luki.
— Luki… do you like me?
— Huh? — He blinked, surprised by the direct question.
— Just answer yes or no.
Luki swallowed, feeling the pressure of that simple, yet loaded question.
— (Ah… yes… I do.)
Hestia's smile widened, but she didn't stop there.
— You'll stay with me?
— (Stay? Yeah, i want to stay with you?)
Her eyes shone even brighter, as if every word he said fueled her joy.
— Are you saying you promise to stay by my side? Now and forever? — She asked, with a radiant smile full of emotion and a hint of mischief.
Luki hesitated for a second but couldn't deny what he felt.
— (… yes...) — he answered, a little embarrassed, looking away.
Hestia couldn't contain her joy and laughed sweetly, full of excitement.
— Fufu~ then come here! — she exclaimed before throwing herself on him.
— (Hestia!) — Luki shouted, surprised as he was pushed back onto the bed.
The impact was gentle, but the position they ended up in made his heart race even more. Hestia lay on top of him, her legs framing his waist while her arms wrapped around his neck. Reflexively, Luki placed his hands on her waist, trying to balance them both.
— My little Luki-kun is so cute~! We'll always be together~! — Hestia declared with a huge, goofy smile that seemed to light up the entire room.
She began rubbing against him affectionately, holding him in a tight hug while giggling softly. Her voice was full of affection, but her behavior was far more clingy than usual.
Luki, for his part, felt his ears burn as embarrassment washed over him. Things ar3e taking a very dangerous path, mainly in his pants.
— (Hestia! Stop that!) — He tried to protest, but his voice came out weak, unable to hide the smile threatening to break across his face.
— I won't stop~! — Hestia replied, squeezing him even tighter, as if she never wanted to let go. — Now you're mine, my cute little Luki-kun!
Luki sighed, defeated, but couldn't help smiling. No matter how intense it was, Hestia had a unique way of making even the most awkward moments feel comforting and special.
And that marked the end and begining of a significant moment in their lives, a turning point filled with meaning. From that moment on, neither of them would act the same as before.