Zane looked back to Nichole when she spoke of his friend leaving. “Ah, thanks.” he said gently with a small chuckle. Then he looked down to the paper she handed him, taking it into his hands. “Uh, thanks Nichole.” he spoke as he looked at the number written upon it. A smile formed as he nodded and his eyes looked back to her. “I’ll do that. You’ll get the chance to meet my friend, he’s a good guy.” After a moment, he patted Nichole on the shoulder and said his goodbye before he quickly turned and ran after his friend. “Asteros..” he called as he now walked beside him. He noticed the god was a bit upset, or angry. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” he whispered through his clenched jaw. Astros walked quickly, wanting nothing more but to return home, hoping that Ava wouldn’t bug him this time. The god frowned more, the feeling growing more and more as he thought back to Nichole. Astros finally looked back to his friend curiously, his multicolored eyes searching him curiously. “Who was that?”
Zane’s hands were in his pockets, one hand fiddling with the piece of paper with Nichole’s number on it. “Oh, that was Nichole.” he responded with a small shrug. “She’s an old friend from when Ava and I were married.” The assassin then grew curious as he read Asteros’ body language. “Are you sure nothing is wrong? You seem tense.”
Asteros frowned as he listened to his friend speak. “I’m fine, Zane!” He frowned walking faster towards his apartment, ” Just leave it alone.” Asteros focused his stare on the floor as he continued to walk in silence, the feeling never leaving him for the image of Nichole never seemed to leave him alone. The god released a frustrated sigh as he finally reached his home.
Zane stopped in his steps when Asteros rose his voice to him. He frowned before he followed after his friend. “Damn man, what got up your ass?” he spoke with a sigh. He then followed his friend inside, walking to his room to keep himself from getting into another fight with the god. He laid upon his bed, looking up to the ceiling. Seeing Nichole today, it made him think of his past. He wondered if he should change his ways. Nah, he thought, my ways are just fine.
Ava heard the two return home. Still perched next to Eos on the couch, she didn’t budge from her position. She sat there. Just as lifeless as she was. Endless thoughts rushing through her head. Like, what if she did leave? Would Zane ever miss her if she were to be gone out of his life forever? Did Zane ever truly love her the way she loved him? Could he ever? All Ava wanted was to have the relationship she once had with the man she loved back. But things were so terribly different now. She was dead. And so was his love for her. Sitting there silently, Ava pondered what she could possibly do now.
Asteros frowned, feeling bad that he had raised his voice at his companion. He then glanced to Ava whom sat on the couch besides Eos. He frowned once more before he walked over to the spirit. Asteros sat down besides her, his eyes shining a light silver. “What’s wrong, Ava?” He questioned her curiously, running his hand through Eos’ fur, enjoying the feel of her soft coat.
Tears immediately made their way down her transparent cheeks at such words. Wiping the tears away, Ava turned her head in the other direction. Pondering what to say to the god. “I’m sorry,” she finally apologized. Her voice fragile and broken. “I’m sorry for everything. I know I’m just a bother and I shouldn’t treat you like I do. I’m just…” Ava sighed and shook her head at herself. “I’ll leave if you wish.”
After thinking for a few moments, Zane felt a pain in his stomach, the assassin was hungry. He released a sigh as he got up and walked from his room, walking through the living room to go to the kitchen, his eyes caught sight of a sad Ava. Even though he always said he hated her, zane still cared for the woman, he didn’t truly hate her. The assassin stopped half way through the living room, his odd colored eyes on his ex~wife. ‘Ava’ his heart spoke. To a certain degree, Zane still loved her, and deep down he wished she were alive. He stared at her a moment before looking away and heading towards the kitchen once more.
He shook his head at her comment. It was true that Ava would annoy them with her sudden presence, though really, Asteros wouldn’t know what to do with out her. Ava has become such a normal part of his life. He sighed as he finally spoke, “No, Ava its okay…” He then glanced to Zane before he looked to the spirit once more, whispering to her. ” I don’t think Zane wants you to leave either.”
Ava wiped her eyes once more. She was relieved that Asteros didn’t hate her. But she had a hard time believing that Zane wanted anything to do with her. “That’s not what he said earlier,” she frowned, averting her blurred gaze to the floor. With a sigh, she added, “He hates me and wants me gone out of his life forever. So, maybe I should leave, then.”
Zane stood beside the door of the kitchen, leaning against the wall as he listened to the two converse. He only caught bits and pieces of what was said, but he was smart enough to know that Ava was upset and questioned whether or not she should leave their presence. If asked, Zane would tell her to leave on the spot, though would secretly regret that decision. The assassin leaned his head against the wall and looked up to the ceiling. “Dont leave Ava..” he whispered to himself, his eyes now closing. He knew the only reason she stayed, was cause she loved him so much. And all he did to repay that love, was being an ass to her.
Asteros shook his head, his smooth blond hair sway with his movements. “No,” he stated with a small smile curling the edges of his lips. “I think he might be annoyed with the fact that he can’t forget you, Ava.” A heavy sigh escaped his perfect lips as he ran a hand through his blond locks. “That’s how I feel about Eos…” He frowned then, his heart growing heavy, then his countenance changed to a rather confused facial expression. Asteros was confused on the fact that the image of his beautiful Eos which had popped into his mind was quickly distorted to reveal the image of Nichole.
The gods words had more than shocked the beautiful spirit that sat upon the couch. Her gaze quickly turned to Asteros. Pondering his words carefully. “Do you… think he still loves me?” she questioned the god hesitantly. Though there really wasn’t a point to asking such a question. She was dead and whether Zane was in love with her or not didn’t matter. They could never be together again. But, perhaps the resting of her soul depended on the answer of that one simple question.
With a shrug he gave the spirit a playful smile. If he could, he would give her a hug, but the fact that she was a spirit wouldn’t allow him to. Asteros then gave Ava a playful wink before he stood from the couch. The god then looked over to his companion, Zane, his smile turning into a slight smirk. Asteros then walked down the hall to his room, sitting himself down on his bed once there. He frowned as the girl he had seen from the grocery store appeared in his mind once more.
