As Aetherion walked toward Themis, the Titaness slowly turned away from him, returning her gaze to the peaceful lake and the countless stars scattered across the heavens.
She simply seemed to be enjoying the view.
Aetherion eventually reached her and quietly took a seat beside her upon the large stone.
Silence settled between them.
Neither spoke.
Yet neither seemed uncomfortable with it.
There was no awkwardness in the air—only a familiar sense of comfort.
It was rare for silence between two people to feel so natural, but Aetherion and Themis had known each other for far too long for it to feel strange.
They had shared many moments like this before.
During the years Aetherion had spent training with her, there had been countless occasions when the two of them simply sat beside one another, enjoying each other's company without exchanging a single word.
'This brings back memories.'
Aetherion smiled faintly at the thought.
He had spent a great deal of time with Themis.
Training with her.
Talking with her.
Learning from her.
And simply sitting beside her like this.
Those quiet moments had always brought him a strange sense of peace.
Even now, with his mind slightly hazy and his body still warm from the divine nectar flowing through his system, Aetherion couldn't help but feel comfortable beside her.
So he allowed himself to sink into the silence.
Themis seemed to feel the same.
A quiet smile rested upon her lips as she gazed toward the beautiful night sky.
Aetherion followed her gaze.
Minutes passed.
Neither spoke.
Eventually, Aetherion decided to break the silence.
Still staring at the stars above, he asked,
"Why are you sitting here alone, away from the party?"
His voice carried genuine curiosity.
Beside him, Themis's body twitched ever so slightly.
Her gaze slowly lowered from the heavens.
For a moment, she didn't look at Aetherion either.
She seemed hesitant.
Almost as though she were debating whether she should answer him at all.
Aetherion didn't notice.
His attention remained fixed upon the stars.
Finally, Themis spoke.
"I got annoyed."
Aetherion's eyebrow rose slightly.
He turned toward her.
"And why is that?"
Themis remained silent for another moment.
Then, in an almost unnervingly blunt tone, she answered,
"Because of your kiss with Metis."
Aetherion froze.
His eyes widened slightly before he quickly looked away, an embarrassed expression crossing his face.
Of all the answers he had expected…
That certainly hadn't been one of them.
Eventually, he gathered himself and looked back at her.
"And why would you be annoyed by something like that?"
This time, it was Themis whose eyebrow twitched.
She turned away from him and returned her gaze to the lake.
One of her hands quietly tightened around the fabric of her dress.
"That kiss…"
Her voice became noticeably quieter.
"It was supposed to be mine."
Aetherion's eyes widened.
Themis continued staring stubbornly ahead.
"I was the one who met you first."
Her fingers tightened slightly around her dress.
"So…"
A warm golden blush gradually spread across her cheeks.
"It should have been mine."
Despite the embarrassment coloring her face, her expression remained remarkably composed.
Almost remarkably.
Because Aetherion could see it.
The faint tension in her shoulders.
The way she refused to look at him.
The golden warmth spreading further across her cheeks.
For perhaps the first time since he had known her, the usually composed Titaness of Divine Law and Justice looked genuinely embarrassed.
Aetherion stared at her.
He and Themis had shared countless quiet moments over the years. She had trained him, guided him, challenged him, and provided him with a sense of comfort that very few others could.
And if he were being truthful with himself…
He liked her.
A great deal.
But hearing those words directly from her mouth created a feeling he couldn't quite describe.
Happiness.
Excitement.
And beneath both…
Desire.
Perhaps it was the nectar lowering his inhibitions.
Perhaps it was everything that had happened tonight.
Or perhaps these feelings had simply existed for far longer than he had been willing to acknowledge.
Whatever the reason…
Aetherion decided to act.
'Just for tonight, I suppose…'
Slowly, he raised his hand.
His fingers gently touched Themis's cheek.
The Titaness stiffened.
Her beautiful azure eyes widened as Aetherion carefully turned her face toward his.
"Aetherion…?"
He leaned closer.
Themis's eyes widened further.
And before another word could escape her lips—
Aetherion kissed her.
For a brief moment, Themis remained completely still, seemingly unable to process what had just happened.
Aetherion, however, didn't pull away.
This wasn't an accidental kiss.
Nor was it one someone else had initiated.
This time…
He had chosen it.
He had wanted it.
And there was no hesitation behind it.
The surprise in Themis's body gradually disappeared. Her eyes slowly closed as she accepted the kiss, allowing herself to sink into the embrace.
Aetherion's arm gently wrapped around her waist, drawing her closer, while his other hand rested against the back of her head.
There was no need for words.
Everything they had left unsaid over the years seemed to exist within that single moment—their affection, their trust, their care for one another, and the feelings neither had openly acknowledged until tonight.
For once, Themis allowed herself to forget about everything else.
The war.
Her responsibilities.
Her duties.
Even the future.
There was only him.
And Aetherion allowed himself the same luxury.
Eventually, their lips parted.
Aetherion remained close enough that he could feel her breath against him.
For the briefest instant, he caught what looked suspiciously like disappointment in her eyes.
A mischievous smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Are you satisfied now?"
Themis blinked.
Aetherion's smile widened.
"I gave you my first intentional kiss."
The effect was immediate.
Themis's carefully maintained composure shattered.
Her azure eyes widened, and the golden blush already covering her cheeks deepened considerably.
Aetherion had never seen that expression on her before.
Before he could tease her further, Themis immediately leaned forward and buried her face against his shoulder, seemingly refusing to let him see just how embarrassed she had become.
Aetherion stared at her for a moment.
Then—
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"Oh?"
He gently wrapped an arm around her, holding her comfortably against his side.
"It seems someone is shy now, huh?"
Themis said nothing.
She merely remained against his shoulder.
And somehow…
Her silence told him everything he needed to know.
——
Author's note:
Yo, author here! Finally, the party of rebellion is over. It was harder to write a Greek party without an orgy xd, but overall, I think it's turning out alright.
Do give me your thoughts in the comments anyway. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter!