[NAME], a simple little angel who has a problem with giving away too much and not wanting anything in return serves the goddess of the hunt Artemis but when humanity is threatened with eradication, she steps out of the shadows as a healer. But for s...
The gardens of Olympus were quiet, bathed in golden light. Somewhere in the distance, the faint murmurs of gods conversing could be heard, but here, in this secluded corner, there was only the soft plucking of strings.
[Name] sat on the grass, her fingers dancing over the guzheng's strings, weaving a melody both delicate and melancholic. Beside her, a small dish of tiramisu rested on a stone tray, untouched.
She played for herself, for the silence, for the brief moment of peace.
Which was why she almost flinched when a voice lazily cut through the air.
"Didn't think I'd find an angel making music and dessert at the same time," Buddha mused, stepping into view. His usual relaxed grin was in place, a lollipop lazily resting between his teeth.
She didn't stop playing, but her fingers slowed just slightly. Her gaze flickered up—only to find another presence beside him.
Apollo.
Golden, radiant, standing with effortless elegance, his arms crossed as he watched her in silence. His gaze wasn't casual.
[Name] swallowed and lowered her hands from the guzheng. "I didn't realize anyone was here."
Buddha strolled closer, dropping into a squat beside her with a grin. "You were too into it. Not a bad thing, though. It was nice." He gestured toward the dessert. "And you bake, too? Got a lot of talents, huh?"
Before she could answer, Apollo moved—graceful, deliberate—lowering himself just enough to reach for the tiramisu.
Her breath caught.
His fingers barely brushed the plate as he lifted it, tilting it slightly to inspect. "You made this?"
She nodded, watching him carefully.
Apollo turned the plate in his hands, examining the layers as if they were fine art. Then, without looking away from her, he took a bite.
She wasn't sure why that made her tense.
Buddha, ever the observer, chuckled. "How is it?"
Apollo exhaled slowly, setting the plate back down with an unreadable expression.
"Perfect," he said simply.
The way he said it made her unsure if he meant the dessert... or something else entirely.
Before she could dwell on it, Buddha clapped his hands together. "Well, that settles it."
She blinked. "Settles what?"
He gave her a broad grin. "You're making more, right?"
Her lips parted slightly, caught off guard. "You want more?"
"Obviously," Buddha said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "I mean, you wouldn't just tease a guy with one slice, would you?"
[Name] hesitated, then sighed in resignation. "I suppose I could make some more..."
"Great!" Buddha beamed, completely satisfied. "I'll come by later, then."
She shot him a wary glance. "You're assuming I'll give it to you."
"Yep," he said without hesitation.
Apollo huffed a quiet laugh under his breath. "Shameless," he muttered.
Buddha shrugged, unbothered. "Good food is worth the trouble." Then, his eyes flickered back to [Name], sharp beneath his lazy demeanor. "And good chefs deserve appreciation."
Something about the way he said it made her pause.
For a brief second, it felt like he saw something more than just her cooking skills.
She exhaled and looked away. "I'll think about it."
Buddha grinned, satisfied. Apollo, still watching her, simply gave a knowing smile before turning away.
As the two gods walked off, [Name] sighed and ran a hand through her hair.
