AT THE SAME TIME
VESTA
The noise didn't fade all at once, it unraveled. Gods kept arguing, voices overlapping, children running through the restored halls, hands brushing pillars like they expected them to vanish again. Charlie was still on the floor, whispering prayers into stone that no longer needed them. But around us, it quieted, not silence, but home.
"You're staring." Zenith said softly.
"I am not." I said immediately.
"You are." He tilted his head slightly. "It's a very intense stare."
"I'm evaluating my poor life choices." I crossed my arms.
"You kissed those choices twice." He pointed out.
"Three times." Loki shouted helpfully from somewhere behind a pillar.
"SHUT UP, LOKI." I snapped.
Zenith laughed under his breath, not loud, not divine, but human. It hit me again, harder this time.
"You stayed like this." I said, quieter now.
His expression softened.
"Like what?"He asked.
"This." I gestured vaguely at him. "Human, breakable, and annoying."
"Charming." He corrected.
"Debatable." I shot back.
But my voice didn't have any bite left in it. I stepped closer again, slower this time. Not grabbing, not clinging, choosing as my fingers brushed his sleeve. Then his wrist, then his hand, still warm and real.
"You could have come back as a god." I said.
"I could have." He nodded.
"You didn't."I said.
"No."He nodded.
"Why?"I asked.
He didn't answer right away, that alone told me everything.
"I liked it." He admitted finally.
"What?"I blinked.
"Being human." He said. "It's loud, painful. Temporary."
"That sounds terrible." I frowned.
"It is." He smiled faintly. "But it's honest."
His thumb brushed against my hand, absent, grounding.
"When people choose warmth." He continued. "When they share food, protect each other, build something fragile knowing it won't last-" His eyes met mine. "-it means more."
The hearth inside me flickered, not blazing or overwhelming. Just steady.
"You are saying I got outdone by mortals." I said.
"I am saying you taught them." He replied.
"Oh."I nodded.
I didn't have a comeback for that which was rude. Behind us, something crashed.
"WHO TOUCHED THE HOLY PAN?!" Charlie's voice cracked.
"IT GLOWS, I HAD TO!" Someone yelled back.
"PUT IT DOWN, YOU UNCULTURED-"Charlie screamed.
I sighed as Zenith glanced over my shoulder.
"Your followers are spirited."He said.
"They're idiots." I said fondly.
"Your idiots."He said.
"Don't make that sound meaningful."I frowned.
"It is meaningful."He added.
I groaned, but I didn't let go of his hand. Didn't even realize I was still holding it until he gently tightened his grip. Not pulling, not claiming, just there.
"You said something earlier." I murmured.
"Hm?"I asked.
"You wanted to earn me." I looked up at him. "Again."
"I did." He said simply.
"That's stupid." I said.
"Probably."He said.
"You already had me."I sighed.
"I lost you."He explained.
My chest tightened.
"You didn't lose me." I said, sharper than I meant.
"I did." He said quietly. "I chose to disappear."
"You chose to protect something." I shot back. "You were part of that something and I built a life without you." I admitted.
"I know."He said.
"I was fine."I added.
"I know."He said.
"I wasn't waiting."I added again.
"I know."He nodded.
"Then stop acting like you need permission to be here."I clenched my jaw.
That landed and he stilled, really stilled.
"I don't need permission." He said carefully.
"No, you don't."I sighed.
"But I want it."He added.
I looked at him, really looked, not Zenith, not the god who broke himself, not the boy who nearly drowned.
Both, all of him standing here in front of me.
"Idiot." I said again, softer this time.
"Consistent." He smiled.
I stepped closer again because apparently that was all I did now. My hand slid from his to his chest, over his heartbeat, still human and still fragile.
"You don't earn me." I said quietly. "You stay."His breath hitched just slightly.
Zenith exhaled like something heavy finally left his shoulders.
"I can do that." He said.
"Good." I nodded. "And you?"
"What about me?"I frowned.
"Do you stay?" He asked.
I scoffed.
"I built a restaurant in the most chaotic city in existence." I said. "I think that answers your question."
He smiled soft and certain.
"Also you're helping me fix the roof." I added.
"The temple is restored."He blinked.
"The restaurant is not." I said flatly.
"That feels intentional."He said.
"It is."I added.
"THE COFFEE POT IS FLOATING."Someone screamed.
"IT'S BLESSED, DON'T TOUCH IT-"Someone added.
"IT JUST THREW SPOONS AT ME-"Someone else screamed.
Zenith looked past me, then back at me, then sighed.
"I may have overcorrected the enchantments."Zenith grinned lightly.
"You think?" I deadpanned.
I grabbed his sleeve and started dragging him.
"Come on."I said.
"Where are we going?"He asked.
"To fix your mess."I added.
"Our mess." He corrected.
I paused, looked back at him.
"Our mess." I admitted.
And just like that the goddess who left the heavens, and the god who broke himself to find her walked back toward a leaking roof, a wheezing stove, and a line of mortals waiting for food that could change their lives. The hearth burned behind us, but for once it didn't feel like something I had to carry alone.