SELENE
Helios had told her of finding Rhode. Granted, his brother's wife didn't remember him, but Selene knew it was just a matter of time. All the lost gods were waking up. And she was happy for him - for them. She really was. But it made her miss Endymion even more. And staying around the house while Helios texted Rhode and looked happy as a clam was hurting her, just a little. She knew he didn't mean to, and she'd never let him know, but when the opportunity to run into the city for a client meeting came, she'd jumped at it. The meeting had been fine, and she could have gone straight home, but instead, she found herself walking. Just... walking. The strangers around her were bundled up and all headed places, but she... she drifted. And while she no longer radiated as she once had, Selene knew she still shone, just a little. Especially as the sun began to set. As she wove between people, she felt a sudden tug in her stomach. One of the old gods was near. She looked around, but didn't see anyone looking back at her. Except. In the crowd. Was that? Her heart stopped. No. Of course it wasn't. Still, she pushed further into the throng of people, just trying to catch one more glimpse of... of whoever it was that was absolutely not her lost lover.
ENDYMION
He'd been running, and hiding, since he'd jumped out of the metal chariot he had been in. It was cold in this place, too. At night he usually stayed in the underground tunnels where people traveled in metal snakes. He didn't like this new world. He hated it. He wished he'd never woken up. But, there he was. He'd met an older man that spoke the language of the people that had taken him to the witch. So, he'd made, not a friend, but the man had shared a ratty coat with the boy. Not the nicer ratty one he'd been wearing. But, still one to help him stay a little warmer. He was moving quickly through the masses. While he wasn't a divine being, he did have a bit of an aura. He just couldn't tell when one of the divine was near. Which was why he hadn't felt the same pull she had. He was looking around as he walked, keeping an eye out for anyone that looked suspect. He turned a corner, leaving the masses. He leaned against the building and closed his eyes for a moment. Everything was so overwhelming to him. He pushed off, and into a man that gave him a shove and a disgusted look. He said something and Endymion just held his hands up, offering apologies - of course in the only language he knew. The man made another face, 'Go back to your home. Take up space there.' Not that he understood, but, he did move away from the man and moved to sit on the stoop of the nearest building. just putting his head in his hands. He just wanted to go back to sleep.
SELENE
Every part of her had gone on high alert when she'd thought she'd seen him. Selene knew it was pointless to think it was him, but... She was so hopeful. And she knew that pushing through the people was just going to end in a broken heart and she'd have to explain her sadness to Helios when she got home. She was good at being happy for him, at keeping her slight meloncholy hidden when it came to Rhode, but she knew that this would be written all over her face. As she got closer, she heard glimpses of a language she hadn't heard - or spoken - in ages. Now she was being down right rude, she knew, practically shoving through the people. She broke through just in time to see - no. No, it was not. But it was someone in distress. She saw the man push the younger one and that riled her. He looked so much like Endymion and he looked so scared and sad. Stepping in front of the pusher, she gave him a nasty look and said a few choice words in several languages. Then she turned to face the boy and the world froze. This close to him, she... she almost fainted. It was him. Moving slowly, afraid this was some kind of nasty vision, she came close, trying to make some noise so she didn't scare him when she finally did sit next to him. "Hello." She spoke ancient Greek, the tongue coming as natural to her as it ever had.
ENDYMION
He scooted away from the person that sat down. It was highly unlikely they were going to be kind. Not many were. Just that one man that gave him the coat. But then he heard his language. And a soft, feminine voice. A voice he knew. One he'd heard in his dreams. Well, not in a very, very long time. But, he remembered it. He sniffed a little and lifted his head. There was no way it was her. Because this world was cruel and he didn't like it. "Hello....." He rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hands, looking over at her. Of course, when he did, his mouth dropped open. No. It wasn't. It was just a girl that looked like her. And sounded like her. And spoke his language. That really couldn't be, "....Selene?"
SELENE
He looked so... lost. And her heart was breaking. She decided it didn't matter who this boy was, she was going to help him as best as she could. But when he looked at her, tears welled in her eyes. It took every ounce of her self control to avoid throwing herself at him, but she couldn't help but take a sharp inhale. Especially when he said her name. It cut through her and she made tight fists to keep herself still. The last thing she wanted to do was frighten him and send him running. "Yes." Or, well, she tried to answer. Her voice was lost and she could feel that she was crying in full now. It didn't matter. Selene nodded in response and very, very cautiously she held her hand out to him, reaching up to let her fingers trace his cheek. Did she want this to be him so badly she was making things up? But she didn't think so. She felt his presence near her so sharply that it had to be true. "I am Selene."
ENDYMION
He wasn't sure if he wanted to crawl onto her or move further away. Was this a trick of the witch and Kronos? Was this really her? Maybe he was sleeping again? No, maybe not. He wasn't asleep. He knew what that felt like. He looked down at her hand the back to her. His eyes closed when she touched his cheek and confirmed that it was, in fact, her. He took her hand after a moment then practically melted into her side, dropping her hand and just wrapping his arms around her.
SELENE
Was she even breathing? She didn't think so. And not only had her world stopped, but so had her heart. As he took her hand, she closed her eyes and felt herself shaking just a little. When he took hold of her, though, she cried out and moved closer to him, taking hold of him in return. "Oh! Oh, my love." Pressing her face into him, she was crying more than she'd intended to. How was he here? She leaned back just inches and looked at him, He was so cold and dirty! How long had he been on the street? She wanted to ask him so many things, but instead, she held on again, kissing his temple. "I'm here. You're not alone anymore." Always speaking in the language she knew he'd understand.
ENDYMION
He couldn't even say anything. He was just holding onto her so tightly, scared that she'd be taken away from him again. And he just couldn't handle that. He'd die if that happened, he was sure. But she was there now. And that was all that mattered, right? Yes. That was all that mattered. When she kissed his temple, his arms just tightened around her. "This world is cruel. There are so few kind people. Are you real? Is this real? Am I dreaming still?" Maybe he was? Maybe Kronos had him and this was some cruel dream? To make him think he had her? That would be the worse thing ever. He lifted his head, leaning back a little and touched her cheek. "Are you really here? Are you really my Selene?"
SELENE
She really couldn't stop crying and she knew she should. He clearly needed her to be strong right now, but every part of her felt weak and a little broken. If Kronos had planned this as a way to punish her for her neutrality, then it was working. If Zeus had taken him as a punishment, it had worked. She just didn't know. Maybe there was nothing nefarious about their separation and it'd just been a by-product of the war? And though Selene could not prevent the tears from falling, she was able to clear her throat and at least speak with him. "This world is very cruel now. But not all people are bad. And the Fates brought us back together. Yes. I'm real. You aren't dreaming. You are my Endymion and I am truly Selene." Part of her wanted to stand up and rush him back to her house, but her legs felt like they wouldn't support her. So she just held him, kissing his cheek. "You're so cold."
ENDYMION
He sniffed again and clung onto her again. "I met an elder. He gave me this coat." He pulled back again, both hands pressed against her cheeks, just looking at her. "You have not changed." He probably hadn't, either. He didn't know. He didn't really look at himself. He was sure he was dirty and ragged looking. "A witch brought me here. In a metal bird. She said she was taking me to Kronos. They put me in one of those." He nodded to an SUV that drove past. "I watched and learned and when I could, I jumped out and ran." He didn't know how long it'd been, either. He leaned back into her, snuggling oh so close. "It is cold. I sleep in the tunnels, where the metal snakes are."
SELENE
Oh. That was it. Listening to him, she still didn't know if she was to hold Zeus or Kronos or no one to blame for their plight, but she wasn't going to sit on the street with him for even one more minute. Selene wasn't at the height of her power, as she once had been, but she wasn't a nothing anymore, either. Plenty of people still worshipped the moon. It gave her a bolster here and there. "Hold tight to me, my love. I'm going to take you home." She moved closer to him and kept her arms around him. Fortunatelly, she had taken public transportation to the city, so she had no car to worry about somewhere else. Exhaling slowly, she felt the world begin to close in around them and then relax as she felt her bed replace the stoop below them. Teleportation was one of the things that hadn't been lost to her.
ENDYMION
When she told him to hold tight, he did just that. Not that he knew for sure what was going to happen, but he had an idea. He knew how the gods worked. That the could appear and disappear whenever they wanted. He closed his eyes tight until he felt soft under him instead of the cold of the stone steps. He opened his eyes and looked around the room they were now in. The first thing he noticed was that it was so much warmer than outside. Not that was hard to do. He stood, walking around the room before turning back to face her. "This is your home?" It was so nice!
SELENE
She would have to find a way to tell Helios what had happened, but she could tell that he wasn't home yet. And she wasn't about to bust out her phone right now. She had more important things to think about. Taking a few slow breaths to calm herself, she smiled to him and nodded. "Yes. this is my home. I live here with Helios. This can be your home now, too. You don't have to sleep outside anymore. I'll make sure you're warm all the time." The subway wasn't like a god-blessed cave in Greece. And gods, she felt anger behind everything she did. Who had done what to her beloved and why? Standing up when she was certain she wouldn't fall over, she walked over to him, itching to wrap him back up and never let go. "Do... are you hungry?"
ENDYMION
He brightened at the mention of her brother. "He is here to? That is good, yes?" He didn't know what all had happened, as he'd been asleep during the war. "I would like that. But is there enough room for us all?" He looked around the small room, naturally thinking that this one room was the house. He would learn fast. His hand lowered down to his stomach. He nodded a little, looking almost embarrassed. He hadn't eaten in so long. "Is there.. I need.. I am very dirty."
SELENE
"Yes, that is good. And yes, there is more than enough room for us all." Even Rhode, if she ever wanted to join them. It was on the tip of her tongue to suggest they go to the kitchen, but then, oh her heart broke all over again. Selene had been so excited to have him back with her, she hadn't even realized how dirty he was. "Oh! A bath. Yes. Of course." And it would help him get warm. "Come with me." She slid her hand into his and lead him through a door in her room to the en suite bathroom. It was large and there was a bath tub that was easily big enough for three. The shower was off to the side and was big enough for two. It was all very beautiful and white and modern. "Or... would you prefer a shower?" A shower would clean him faster. Maybe he'd want both? One to clean and one to soak? "You can have both. You can have anything you want." Was she crying again? She reached up and brushed her hand over her cheeks. Yes. She was.
ENDYMION
He followed her into the bathroom, looking around the room. Oh wow. There weren't bathrooms like this back in their time. At least not in the mortal world. Maybe in the gods's palaces. Which, would make sense for Selene to have such a bathroom. He looked around between the two. "Which is better?" He was used to baths, but that other thing looked interesting. He did make his way over towards the shower, looking into it before looking back over to her, looking a little confused.
SELENE
"Well. Neither is better. A shower is like standing under a hot waterfall or a very warm lane. And a bath is a bath. Here." She leaned in and turned on the shower, letting it warm up. They had good water pressure, but it wasn't overwhelming. "Feel. You can let the dirt run off of you and you don't have to soak in it. But if you are sore from being outside, a bath will obviously feel a little better... but you can have both. Or one now and one later. Whatever you want. There's no limits here." She didn't have a palace, but it might look that way to him. She and Helios lived... well.
ENDYMION
His eyes widened a bit at the water coming from ceiling. It was like it was raining. He reached out, smiling at the warm water and he nodded. "I like this here." He nodded to the shower. He coat the old man had given him was pulled off and folded neatly. It had been a gift from the only kind person he'd met! It meant a lot, even if it was old, dirty, and probably smelled. He wasn't embarrassed about undressing in front of her. She was his Selene. If anyone could see him nude, it was her. Though, the nearly month of being out of the god-blessed cavern had taken a little toll on his body. He wasn't emaciated, but he was thinner. He opened the door of the shower again, and stepped in, standing under the water and let is just run over him for now.
SELENE
It was like getting kicked in the stomach, seeing how thin he'd become. Yes, he was immortal and yes, he had his eternal youth, but he wasn't divine. Not like she was. Anger flowed through her one more time. Waiting for a moment, she cautiously opened the door to the slower and showed him the shampoo and the soap. That wasn't a smacking new idea. Maybe one for each, but cleansers weren't weird. He'd been a prince, after all. He'd had access to the best of things. Once she was certain he was okay for a few moments, she practically ran down the hall to Helios's side of the house and, fuck all their usual privacy rules, she went into his closet and got a few clean things that she thought would fit Endymion, and came back. She didn't want to leave him alone for long. Not that she didn't trust him. She just didn't want him out of her sight.
ENDYMION
He scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed some more. He wasn't for sure how long he'd been in the shower. That was what she'd called it. It was a very fitting name! The water showered down on him like he was in the rain. She'd told him one bottle was for his hair and one for his body, which was silly in his mind. But, he used the two, separately, like she said. He'd watched how she'd turned the water on, and did the opposite, figuring that was how it was turned off, looking up as the water stopped. He smiled again, then opened the door, stepping out onto the soft mat, looking over at her, his smile softening. "That would have been nice to have back in the palace." His parents' home, of course.
SELENE
"You can use it whenever you want." Selene still couldn't believe that she was standing in front of, talking to, able to touch him. Holding out a large, nearly blanket sized towel to him, she smiled. "Do you want a bath now? I brought some clothes. They're Helios's, but they should fit you fine. We'll get you some of your own soon." She just had to force herself to keep breathing so she didn't faint. Or throw herself at him. And now he was so close and so warm and he smelled so good. Hesitantly, she stepped up and wrapped the towel around him. Selene didn't think for one second he'd forgotten how his arms worked and didn't know how to do it, but she wanted to touch him. Just... to convince herself he was real. "Please just tell me what you need."
ENDYMION
He shook his head when she asked about a bath. "No, not right now. Maybe later?" With her? Did she want that? Did she still want only him? Had she moved on? He didn't want to ask because he didn't know to know if there was another person waiting for her. His eyes closed when she wrapped the towel around him. She didn't need to wait to touch him, because he was stepping into her and wrapping his arms around her and holding her oh so close. "This. This is all I need, Selene. This is all I have ever needed."
SELENE
Closing her eyes, she leaned into him and held on as tightly as she dared. He was so solid. And so there. She whimpered a little bit and forced herself to sniffle and not fall to pieces. "Come with me. Let's lay down. You need some sleep and then we'll get something to eat." Breaking away only far enough to take his hand, she lead him back to her room and drew back the blankets, thanking all the gods that she'd had clean sheets put on the bed that morning. Kicking off her shoes, she shimmied out of everything but her slip and crawled into bed, holding her arms out to him. "Please... lay with me?"
ENDYMION
He'd forgotten how amazing it was to have her in his arms. He whimpered when she pulled away, thinking she was going to leave him. But she'd taken his hands and was pulling him into the bedroom attached to her bathroom. "Ok." He was hungry, but she was right. He hadn't had a good night sleep in over a month. He had the clothes she'd brought him in his other arm, not even really thinking about putting them on yet. The clothes, and towel around him were dropped to the floor and he eagerly crawled into bed with her, curling up at her side.