athena

Athena stood in the kitchen, humming along to the Christmas music playing softly in the background, when the sound of a car pulling up the driveway made her freeze.

They were here.

Axel's parents.

She hadn't really thought about how this moment would feel—seeing them again after all this time. It had been over two years since high school, since she and Axel had last been a couple, and yet the moment the doorbell rang, her heart clenched with a strange mixture of nerves and nostalgia.

From the living room, Axel groaned. "They couldn't even wait five minutes? Jesus."

She shot him a look. "They flew all the way here for Christmas, and you're acting like they showed up unannounced."

He rolled his eyes but went to open the door. The moment it swung open, an excited gasp filled the air.

"Athena! Tesoro mio!"

Before she could even react, Alessia Grayson swept her into a tight, warm hug, enveloping her in the familiar scent of expensive perfume and something distinctly homey—like fresh basil and vanilla.

Athena barely had time to register it before she was pulled back and held at arm's length, Alessia's dark eyes scanning her face in pure delight. "Oh mio Dio, look at you! You've grown even more beautiful, cara!"

"Uh—hi, Mrs. Grayson," Athena managed, still a bit stunned.

"None of that Mrs. Grayson nonsense! You call me Alessia, you know this!"

Before Athena could respond, a deep chuckle came from behind them. "Let the girl breathe, Alessia. You're going to scare her away."

Axel's father, Lawrence Grayson, stepped forward, a tall and broad-shouldered man with graying black hair and sharp, knowing eyes. Despite his age, he still carried himself like an athlete—like the hockey legend he was.

Athena smiled. "Hi, Mr. Grayson."

"Lawrence," he corrected, shaking her hand firmly before turning to Axel. "And you, kid, don't think I didn't notice how you didn't tell us Athena was here."

Axel smirked. "I didn't think it was important."

"Not important?" Alessia gasped. "She was practically family for years! And now—" She clapped her hands together. "Well, obviously you two are together again!"

Athena's stomach flipped. "Oh, actually—"

"Yeah," Axel cut in smoothly. "Something like that."

Her head snapped toward him. What the hell? But before she could argue, Alessia beamed and hugged her again.

"Oh, I knew it! I always knew you two were meant to be!"

Athena stared at Axel, her eyes demanding an explanation, but he just winked at her over his mother's shoulder.

Oh, he was going to pay for that later.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of conversation, laughter, and an endless stream of questions from Alessia about Athena's life since high school. She wanted to know everything—her classes, her friends, even if she was eating properly. It was overwhelming, but in a strangely comforting way.

At some point, Alessia roped her into helping with Christmas Eve dinner, and Athena found herself standing beside her at the kitchen counter, rolling out fresh pasta dough.

"Axel never told me you were staying here," Alessia mused, expertly cutting the pasta into strips.

Athena sighed. "That's because Axel doesn't tell anyone anything."

Alessia laughed. "So true. But I'm glad you're here. I always thought you were good for him."

Athena paused, feeling her face heat up. "We're not—I mean, Axel and I aren't—"

Alessia just gave her a knowing smile. "Mm-hmm. We'll see."

Meanwhile, in the living room, Axel and his father were locked in a deep hockey discussion. Lawrence leaned forward, hands gesturing as he spoke. "You've been solid, but I noticed you're still hesitating on your left side plays. You have to trust your instincts more."

Axel groaned. "I knew you were gonna bring that up."

"Of course I am. You want to go pro, don't you? You can't afford those moments of doubt."

Athena could hear them all the way from the kitchen, the conversation intense but not unfriendly. She could see the way Axel sat straighter, fully engaged in every piece of advice his father gave. He wanted this—badly.

When dinner was finally ready, the whole group gathered around the large dining table, laughter filling the room as they ate. For the first time in a long time, Athena felt something she hadn't expected to feel in this house.

She felt at home.

But as her eyes flickered to Axel, who was smirking at her like he knew exactly what she was thinking, she realized that might just be the most dangerous feeling of all.

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axel

Axel stretched out on the couch, his long legs taking up more than half the space as Home Alone 2 played on the TV. The warm glow of the Christmas tree lights flickered across the room, casting soft golden hues over Athena, who was curled up at the other end of the couch, a blanket draped over her body.

It was nearly midnight, and the house was eerily quiet now that his parents had gone to bed. The soft hum of the movie and the occasional pop of the fireplace were the only sounds filling the space.

He glanced at Athena out of the corner of his eye. She was fully absorbed in the movie, eyes bright, a faint smile on her lips. He had forgotten how much she loved Christmas movies—how she used to make him sit through hours of them back when they were together. He used to pretend to hate it, but really? He never minded as long as she was next to him.

The clock struck midnight, and the soft chime echoed through the house.

Axel turned to her at the same time she turned to him. Their gazes locked, and for a brief moment, everything else faded away.

"Merry Christmas," she whispered, her voice soft and warm.

He swallowed, his chest tightening in a way he refused to analyse. "Merry Christmas, Athena."

A small, sleepy smile tugged at her lips, and before he knew it, she was shifting, curling into the couch, her head resting against the armrest. Within minutes, her breathing evened out, the exhaustion of the day finally catching up to her.

Axel exhaled heavily, running a hand through his already-messy black hair. He should wake her up, tell her to go to bed properly, but instead, he just watched her for a moment longer. She looked so peaceful, so unlike the fiery, sharp-tongued girl he was used to sparring with.

With a sigh, he stood up and moved toward her. Carefully, he slid one arm under her legs and the other around her back, lifting her with ease. She stirred slightly, her face pressing against his chest as she let out a tiny sigh, but she didn't wake.

His lips twitched. "You forgot to fight me on this one, Bea."

He carried her up the grand staircase, taking extra care to move quietly past his parents' room. Once he reached her bedroom, he pushed the door open with his foot and walked inside. The room smelled like her—soft vanilla and something floral, something that had lingered in his memories long after they'd broken up.

Gently, he laid her down on the bed, tucking the blankets around her. She shifted, her face turning toward the pillow, a soft mumble escaping her lips.

He froze.

It was his name.

He swallowed hard, staring down at her peaceful face. His chest ached in a way he wasn't ready to confront.

Shaking his head, he reached down, brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face before turning on his heel and walking out, closing the door quietly behind him.

As he made his way back to his own room, he exhaled deeply, running a hand over his jaw.

This was getting dangerous.

And he wasn't sure he could stop it.

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HOW WAS THAT?? I PERSONALLY LOVED IT😊

OMGG ALEX IS FALLINGGGGG🤭🤭

COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT PLS😁😁😁😁

ILY ALL AND STAY SAFE XX💖💖 

LOVE FLO XOXO😘💕

(p.s. i rlly wish it was christmas rn) 😣😣