Strange Love

CHAPTER 20: New steps forward

Jos let out a weary sigh as she stared down at the watch bracelet. It had a comfortable band and a sleek plain face that only lit up when a button on the side was pressed. "It doesn't look too different from one of those sports watches that are popular nowadays." Jos commented as she tilted her wrist from side to side taking it in.

Arei pushed up from his seat and pulled her into his arms. "I'm just glad that is all over. It went surprisingly better than I'd expected."

Jos nodded against his c.h.e.s.t as she pushed away enough to meet his eyes. "It went too easy... I still have a heavy dread in the pit of my stomach that something bad is going to go wrong with it all." Her anxious eyes moved back to the bracelet.

Arei tightened his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. He let out a heavy sigh as he finally released her and moved his attention to the stack of papers left behind. "Do you want to start going through this tonight or wait until tomorrow?"

Jos's eyes moved over the stack of papers. "I guess the only thing we have to set up tonight is the bracelet."

Arei gave her a teasing smile. "Maybe we should test out that vitals monitor?" When her cheeks heated and she turned bashfully away from him, he laughed. "Well, I was thinking of another flight but..." He tugged her over to him and brushed his knuckles across her brightly tinted cheeks. "Whatever you have in mind may be more exciting."

She could feel her blush heat more as she turned her focus back to the papers. "I wasn't... it wasn't..." Her words continued to break, and she was unable to finish the sentence.

His smile widened mischievously. "Wasn't what, kitten?" He asked running one teasing finger along the back of her arm.

Jos closed her eyes as an excited chill ran down her arm, radiating out from where he touched. She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. You'll only tease and torture as you used to do."

Arei lowered his lips beside her ear. "You may be right about that... I don't think you're ready for our relationship to be more than what it is right now... but..." A smile curved his lips as he let his hot breath tickle her ear. "There is less need for me to 'tease and torture' you as before. You're not an innocent v.i.r.g.i.n any longer, kitten..."

Jos s.u.c.k.e.d in a surprised breath as her eyes shot nervously around to him. Her arms had already begun to wrap tightly around herself instinctively... defensively.

Arei let out a forced laugh as he stood. "I'm only teasing." He focused his attention on the stack of papers involving the watch. "You're right it is like a fitness watch." He tapped the papers. "We should both be able to download the app and track your vitals along with everything else. This could come in handy for the training after all." He pulled his cellphone out from his back pocket. "If you'd like to get yours, we can go ahead and set them up and save the rest of this nonsense for tomorrow or the next day." He watched from the corner of his eyes as she finally seemed to relax. His gaze didn't leave her until she had retrieved her phone and was now back to standing beside him. Her body seemed more at ease, and she'd even went back to brushing against him as they went through the downloads and setup. Intimacy was definitely going to be a touchy subject with her after all she'd been through. She seemed perfectly fine, even somewhat pushy towards it in the cabin... but now... almost frightened. Arei frowned as he watched her work through the settings. {Maybe it was important to leave every move up to her again... Hell, it isn't like there's a rush...}

"There, all done." Jos said setting her phone back in her bag and holding out her wrist to show the watch face lit up.

Arei smiled at her, flipping his phone around to face her. "Same." He set his phone back on the desk and took her outstretched hand. "Jos, you know I was just teasing... right? I'd never push you into anything you were not ready for."

Jos nodded, looking away nervously. "Yes, I know... I'm sorry... It's just..." She could feel the burn of tears at the backs of her eyes as the thoughts of some of the things Russ had done and said during their short time together bombarded her mind.

Arei let out a heavy sigh as he stepped closer to her and wrapped her in his arms. "I would never hurt you like that..." He placed a kiss on the top of her head. Forcing a laugh, he added. "There may not have been many bonuses to my upbringing, training, and all the battles I've fought; but there is one thing all that has provided. My breaking point is way, way up there." He held his hand high over her head. "There is nothing you could ever say or do to see me reach that point. There has yet to be anything in battle that has pushed me over that point." He shook his head as he hooked his finger under her chin and brought her troubled eyes up to meet his. "The only thing that has ever caused me to come close to that point was a few weeks ago when I thought I was going to lose you for good." He pulled her against him in a tight hug, pleased when he felt her arms wrap around him as well. He kissed her head again and whispered. "What do you say we go find Shelly and grab something to eat then go for a swim or watch a movie?"

Jos nodded against his c.h.e.s.t but didn't let go. There was so much warmth and comfort within his large arms and tight embrace, she didn't want to let go of it... not yet at least. She buried her face deeper into his shirt and wrapped her arms tighter around him.

Arei laughed as he kissed her head again. "We can stay like this as long as you need, kitten. There's nothing better I'd love to do." He squeezed her tighter against him as he leaned back against the desk and rested his chin on the top of her head.

***

Poseidon searched around the upstairs portion of the library where he'd left Russ and Ry last, but they were nowhere to be found. Just as he was about to give up searching the library, giggling caught his attention. He made his way down one of the many staircases leading to the main floor. Looking around, he still couldn't find anyone until more giggling led him toward the media room. "Have you seen your brother and the kid?" He asked as he pushed open the door. He paused, arching a brow as several sets of eyes met his. The giggling had definitely been Chary, but he hadn't expected to find Russ, Ry, Shelly, and Scylla also in the room. His eyes moved to the large screen the projector was pointing at. "Are you guys watching cartoons?"

Chary pushed herself up from the edge of the pool situated at the bottom of the theater-like room. "Yes, but it's about Greek mythology so... ya know education!"

Poseidon's gaze moved over to his son. "This is your idea of educating the boy?"

Ry shrugged not taking his focus off the screen and bowl of popcorn on his l.a.p. "Got bored upstairs, besides, the kid stopped absorbing a single thing I said about fifteen minutes after you left."

Poseidon arched a brow. "But a cartoon?" He winked at the wolf that was now smiling widely at him before turning his focus to the screen. "Is that supposed to be Hercules? They're not even pronouncing his name right..." He couldn't help a burst of laughter at the comedic way they depicted Zeus as the massive statue became animated. He shook his head, still chuckling. "Well, change the clumsy to batshit crazy and throw in a little familicide and it would sum things up better..." He flopped down beside Shelly and held his hand out toward Ry. "Hand over the bowl." When the mighty hero began fighting the battles that made up his 'labors', he shook his head. "Now see, that shit had nothing to do with Hades. He's nothing like that." He threw his hand up toward the screen as he leaned closer to the wolf. "That shit was more of Hera pissed off because Zeus had knocked up another woman, and you'd have thought after all her other failed attempts in that area she would have just given up..." Amused giggles sounded from the pool down front. "What? Show me where I'm wrong."

"Oh no, father, that's not why we're laughing." Chary nodded to Scylla. "We were just thinking how lucky you must feel that your wife wasn't nearly as vengeful!"

Poseidon narrowed his eyes at his daughter. "Hahaha... You get paid to tell such jokes?" He asked sarcastically. When she stuck her tongue out at him and turned back toward the screen, he tossed a piece of popcorn at the back of her bright red head. "That's what I thought." He handed the bowl back to Ry right before Chary turned in irritation. "What? I'm not the one with it. It was him. Go ahead beat the crap out of him. I'll wait." When she only narrowed her eyes at her father before turning back around, he shrugged. "Oh well, can't say I didn't try." He said patting Shelly's head. Turning his attention back to Ry and Russ, he asked. "Are the two of you ready aside from finishing your cartoons?" Ry nodded, but Russ continued staring at the screen in perplexity. "Kid, you don't stop trying to think over there, your heads going to explode. What has you so confused anyways?"

Russ pointed to the screen. "That's your son, Peg, right? Or at least supposed to be?"

Poseidon rolled his eyes. "That's your big question?" He shook his head letting out a long breath. "It was a poor depiction to be sure, and I'm sure he'd be pissed to see it... or amused... he did go through several interesting phases, but airhead wasn't one of them. He did work with some better-known individuals though. The story they are trying to mix with this one is that of Bellerophon." He shrugged, "As I said there's very little of this that's actually accurate."

Ry stood and patted Russ teasingly on the head. "Trust me, this is the least stupid thing he's asked today." Setting the bowl down beside Shelly, he gave her an affectionate pat as he moved past her. Nodding toward bags by the door, he said to Russ. "Say your goodbyes and grab your bags, it's time we get going."

Poseidon nodded toward Chary and Scylla. "She'll be alright here with you guys until Arei and Jos can make it down?"

Chary nodded, sending a warm smile toward Shelly. "Completely, dad. Don't worry about us, though I can't promise we'll keep it on cartoons once you boys leave." She gave Shelly a playful wink.

Poseidon shook his head as he chuckled. "Alright. Well, if you need me or something comes up call my cellphone. I'm going by Don while I'm with these two, for the record."

"Alright, but I'm sure everything will be fine." Chary said as she waved him away and grabbed the remote and began scrolling through different movie options. Finding the movie section she was looking for, she turned her attention back up to the men in the room. "Now, unless you guys want to watch some romcoms with a good portion of p&v, I suggest making your exits."

Ry and Poseidon shook their heads at the same time. "I would say not to corrupt Shelly too much but considering she was raised by that crazy a.s.s fairy, I'd say there isn't much room for it..." Ry through in as he lifted his bags over one shoulder. "Ready?" He asked as Russ straightened with his bags in hand.

Russ shrugged. "I guess... I assume there's no way I can say goodbye to Jos-"

"Nope, not even a chance." Ry replied before her name was even all the way past his lips.

"Well in that case..." Russ stepped onto the other side of Poseidon in anticipation of the teleportation powers of the god. In less time than it takes to blink, the luxurious home theater was gone replaced by the dank, dark cavernous entrance to his own kingdom. Russ blew out an exasperated breath. "Ah, home sweet home..." He said sarcastically. Turning his focus away from the narrow stairway leading up the side of the steep cliffs, he huffed out. "You could have at least popped us in at the top of the stairs."

Poseidon laughed as he walked past Russ, patting his shoulder as he went. "Boy, walking some stairs will be the least strenuous thing we do while on this island... Hell, probably the least of the night."

A devious smile spread over Ry's lips as he headed eagerly toward the stairs. "Yeah, I'd say Ol' Ferny boy isn't going to be too pleased with our unannounced drop-in, or the fact that our party has increased in number."

Poseidon smiled devilishly back at his son. "Here's to hoping. It's been quite some time since I've had a good shuffle with someone who didn't recognize who I was straight away."

Ry studied his father thoughtfully. "Speaking of which, what look are you going to take on? What's Don's back story?"

Poseidon stroked his chin thoughtfully as he took the stairs with ease. "I figured to keep from having to work as hard on keeping up a constant disguise, I'd stick somewhat close to what I normally look like. We've agreed to keep my claim here secret for the time being, so I figured saying I was a possible investor or something of those grounds will work. I want Fern to sell me whatever it is that's bringing revenue to this island. It will also give me personal access to his books and other facets of the palace and surrounding properties, in case he tries limiting the kid's access."

Ry gave an impressed nod. "You've really thought things through." Sending Russ an irritated look, he added. "It's a nice change to this kid's lack of a single thought..." He slapped Russ upside the head. "Come on kid, you haven't said shit all evening. It's out of character and quite frankly kind of scary. You plotting world domination or something over there?"

Russ glared at the massive man coming up the narrow staircase behind him. "I'm not thinking about anything. I just don't have anything to say to your dumb a.s.s. Talk about my lack of thoughts, who nearly got our asses ate on f.u.c.k.i.n.g Jos's mom's island? That was a half-assed, retarded idea if I've ever seen one!"

Poseidon chuckled. "Kid's got a point." He shrugged. "I guess now that the trials and sentencing are over, you can give up that notion anyway."

Ry shook his head. "I'm not giving up on trying to break Jos's curse... I'm just postponing it for the time being..."

Poseidon frowned. "I don't understand why you're so dead set on this all of a sudden. It's most likely useless anyways. She's not going to do something for nothing, and you have nothing she'd want."

Ry kept his expression as blank as possible. "It's the least I can do for her after all the pain I've inadvertently caused her... and there is one thing I have that Calypso would want..."