"Am I right in thinking that the butterflies sense your presence?"
Yes.
The god suddenly materializes into a beast next to me, and I nearly jump back. "You startled me!"
The beast grins at me, and the look is so terrifying it's almost cuter than cute, and I can't help but laugh and throw my arms around its neck.
You appear remarkably affectionate right now, moraki mou.
"Only because you're in this form," I say with a grin. "It's just like cuddling a pet."
I wonder if you will still think the same when I make love to you in this form.
My arms loosen in an instant, and the beast releases a rumbling sound that's almost like a laugh.
I take a wary step back and eye its massive form with trepidation. "You're joking, right?"
Am I?
"That isn't funny—-" My voice breaks off, and I find myself scowling as a thought crosses my mind.
What is it, moraki mou?
"I still don't know your name," I remind him archly, "and I need something to call you with."
You can call me anything you want.
"Shit."
The beast growls, and I laughingly remind him, "You said anything's fine."
Anything that would not make me want to bite you.
I purse my lips and pretend to seriously consider my options. "How about Beast?"
More snarling, and I bite back a smile even as I do start wondering. What is the best way to call him? I hear girls my age use words like 'babe', 'baby', and 'bae' all the time, but it just doesn't feel right to use any of those for someone like my god. Maybe, since he already often addresses me in Greek, I can do the same thing?
I'm sorry about this, moraki mou.
The apology startles me out of my thoughts, and I find myself staring straight into eyes of gold and blue that are grim and brooding. "I'm not complaining—-"
Even if you do, you have every right to do so.
The beast nudges my shoulder until I realize he's asking me to sit down, and he settles next to me soon after on the cold, hard ground.
I can only ask for your patience, little bird.
I have existed far longer than most of the gods you have read of.
My age is such that it is almost pointless to count, and in the passage of time,
I have become immune to the sight of crumbling empires and entire cities buried under molten stone.
Although his words portray a frightening picture of power on the surface, all I can think about at that moment is how hard it must've been for him, to bear such sights for countless millennia, and his next words prove it.
Time and time again, man revealed himself to be fickle and weak, selfish and cruel.
Such words might have made another girl hesitate, but all it does is make me curl up against his massive flanks so the god can feel the warmth of my skin and hear how my heart is beating for him.
"It's all water under the bridge now. Stop letting it get to you—-"
I knew of the prophecy even before you were born.
But because I was an arrogant fool, I simply dismissed their words as drivel...
And you ended up paying the price for it.
Pulling back, I muster the courage to take hold of the beast's head and turn its gaze towards me. "Look at me. Do I look like I'm still blaming you for anything?"
A haunted look further darkens the beast's gaze, and my heart aches for it.
Can you not see what I'm getting at?
Even now, even knowing that the prophecy has come true—-
My breath catches. Is the god saying...he's fallen for me?
It still doesn't make a difference. I am still unable to reveal myself to you because—-
I press my fingers against the beast's lips, and its soundless words come to an abrupt halt. "I get it. I really get it."
Do you really?
"You're telling me you're halfway to falling in love with me—-"
That is not the point—-
"Even as you're still unable to trust me."
A ragged sound fills my mind, and I quickly shake my head to let the god know I'm far from hurt. "Silly, silly beast."
The sound quickly turns into a growl, and I can't help giggling. "It's true!"
Take care, moraki mou. Countless beings have died for far less graver offenses.
"Whoever those countless beings are, I'm sure they deserved it, and more importantly—-" I smile into the beast's eyes. "You won't ever be able to hurt me. You love me, remember?"
Surprise flickers in its gaze, and I struggle to keep myself from laughing. Silly, silly beast indeed.
You are taking this far better than I imagined, moraki mou.
I make a face. "Just goes to show you should spend less time trying to get in my pants and more time getting to know me."
The beast's body rock with silent mirth, and I wrinkle my nose at it. "I'm serious, you know. If only you took the time to get to know me just a little bit better, then you would've realized from the start all you had to do was be honest with me. That's it."