"Athena!" Jane called out, knocking on her bedroom door before opening it.
Athena looked up at her and put on a small smile.
She waved at her aunt happily. "Hi, Auntie Jane!"
Both of them were doing a bit fine since they were reassured that their loved ones are doing well. Not fine or completely out of the woods but at least their okay (And alive).
Jane chuckled softly at her cuteness. "You have a guest, baby."
Athena tilted her curiously. "A guest?"
Jane then look at someone behind her and opened the door a bit more to show the stranger.
Athena's eyes widened, her heart immediately dropped when she saw who it was.
"Theodore..."
Theodore, who've grown into a handsome kid, stood before her with a worried look plastered on his face. He was tense and when he's like that then that means that there would be a bit of an argument between them. He's always careful when he's around her. The only time that he got into a fight with her was when Athena was being too stubborn to admit that she was hurt.
And now they're doing it again.
"Eli..." Theodore whispered, hesitantly stepping forward.
Jane smiled at them and slowly closed the door, leaving both of them inside.
"Why're you here?" Athena asked casually, leaving any possible weakness that could show in her expression. She jumped out of bed and walked towards him.
Theodore looks more confident than before. He's getting taller too. Athena resisted the urge to pout at that. He's been on a business trip with his family so she haven't seen him for a year, she only saw him at her birthday but that was it.
So seeing him in front of her, looking upset and slightly annoyed, was a surprise to her.
"Why am I here?" He exclaimed, crossing his arms. "Eleanore. What kind of question is that?"
Athena ignored how he slightly raised his voice. He never does that to her. He's always so soft spoken when he's with her. Always so nice and calm.
This Theodore was bold.
Athena didn't let him get to her though. She'll just be witty and act like everything was under control.
She shrugged. "A reasonable question, Theo?"
He wasn't amused. He just stared at her, waiting for something to pop out of her mouth. Maybe even waiting for her to cry and pour all of her emotions out.
She won't and he can't do anything about it.
"Eli... " He stressed, shaking his head.
"That's me." She kissed his cheek and smiled at him. "Good to see you again, Theo."
His expression softened and his arms fell on his sides.
Instead of scolding her for making his heart pound with ache for missing her for a year, he just smiled softly.
"How're you? I heard what happened."
Athena slightly frowned. "I'm fine, Theo."
Theodore gave her unamused look and grab her shoulders, not letting her escape from their conversation.
"I've known you since we're kids." He said as if that solves everything. She was about to open her mouth when he continued again. "And I know when you're fine and not. I don't want to fight with you, Eli... "
"And I know that, Theo." She said coolly. "In fact, we can stop fighting right now."
"Eleanore Hale..." He said softly, making her grumble in frustration.
It was an adorable grumble, by the way.
"You were supposed to be on a business trip with your dad!" Athena narrowed her eyes before looking away from his intense stare.
"And I don't care about that trip!" He shouted, grabbing her chin to make her look at him again. Athena huffed and glared at him but he could clearly see that she was tired from keeping up with the brave facade.
"I care about you." He whispers, hugging her. "I care about your family, your brothers. Eli, I'll come back to you even if I'm halfway around the earth and you know that."
Athena then slowly wrap her arms around his waist and sighed. A long and tiring sigh.
"I know... " She whispered, hugging him tighter. "We promised that."
"You also promised me that you won't lie to me... "
Theodore knows that if she promised something then she'll keep that promise no matter what. She won't promise something she won't keep.
She sighed defeatedly and pulled away. Athena glared at him and pouted. "That's cheating."
He couldn't help but smirk. "You were getting difficult to handle."
She broke her glare and giggled. "I thought that you've known me ever since we were kids. I'm always difficult to handle."
He rolled his eyes. "Athena."
She raised her hands in surrender. "Fine. You win." She then crossed her arms. "I'm not fine. Of course I'm not Theo. That's my family we're talking about. Why ask me an obvious question? W-We both have brilliant minds that some people think its scary that we talk like creepy adults and if it's scary then I think it's scary and-and frightening too and I think that having a great mind is-is a burden."
"You're rambling." Theodore noted.
Oh, that's just bad.
"Of course I am, dummy!" Athena huffed, tears were starting to pool her eyes as she glared at him. Theodore panicked and thought that it was his fault for making her cry.
Who was he kidding?
It was definitely his fault for making her cry! He forced her to tell him something that she probably wasn't even comfortable with telling it. But if he didn't force her then she'll keep it inside and probably blame herself. He doesn't want her torturing herself for the things that it wasn't even her fault to begin with.
Snapping out of his thoughts, he immediately went straight towards her and slowly and hesitantly gave her a hug. He doesn't know if it was the right thing to do or if it just made everything worse.
"I'm sorry... " He shushed, patting her head as he cradled her. "I just don't... I don't want you to feel sad. If you're sad, I'll be sad and if you cry then I'll start to cry and that always don't end up good, right?"
Athena chuckled weakly. "You've been a meanie... "
"I'm sorry... " He whispered. "I know you miss them, Eli. I know. But they'll come back. They will be fine. They're super heroes, right?"
"What if... " She unconsciously hugged him tighter. "What if they aren't super heroes anymore?"
"They'll always be your heroes, Eli... " He said, kissing the top of her head.
"I'm scared... "
And that was it.
That was the only thing he wanted to hear. He wanted her to admit it. And maybe forcing her wasn't his brightest idea but Eli's right. Sometimes, having to understand a lot of things at such a young age was a burden. It doesn't always make them see the good side of a situation. There will be questions and answers. Eli would torture herself if she won't admit that there's something stuck in her chest.
"I know... " He replied.
"I'm sorry... " She whispered.
Theodore shake his head. "No. It was my fault... "
"Thank you, Theo... " She sighed, nuzzling closer. "I've missed you so so much."
She've missed him so much that she just couldn't help but hugging him tighter.
He swears that he wasn't tearing up.
He wasn't.
There was just dust in his eyes.
He placed his head on her shoulder and sighed victoriously.
"Me too..."
_______________
Hey guys! How was that?
Have you missed Theodore?
Was he a big jerk?
Tell me what you guys think!
Oh and Happy New Year guys!!! I hope that you guys are having a fantastic day!