Helios

Helios had spent a lot of time observing his wife, one of the perks of her being blind was that he would watch her, generally without her notice. He liked watching her, it helped to put his mind at ease and it helped his to know her better. Know her he did, it had not taken him long to pick up on a shift in her demeanor. Whenever Virgil was around he had noticed a change in her, a sort of longing would come across her face. Natalya had been one of the first to notice Virgil?s pregnancy and it seemed that ever since she was searching. Helios knew what she felt, and a part of him felt it too. To have kids again, to be part of the miracle that brought new life into the world, it was truly life changing, magical. But another part of him wasn?t sure it was the right time? He worried for his current children, growing up so much faster than he had wanted them too, he wanted to be there to help guide them still. Hermes he knew could handle himself, and certainly Apollo could too, but he worried about his albino son. He wanted to find his wife, russet eyes scanning the horizon for her ebony form. They had much to talk about, but he also just wanted to be with her. It felt very much like since Virgil?s rise his wife had been off doing her duty which left little enough time for them to spend time together.

She was a poor excuse for a wife. Natalya had only recently obtained her position as Centurion, and she had let her duties consume her in that time. Virgil needed the aid in her heavily pregnant state and Natalya was glad, even privileged, to give it, but she had neglected her life. Her sons had received little of her attention, and her husband even less. He was present, almost always at her side, but they did not interact as they used to.



That would change, starting now. As though they were one, separated by nothing more than air, she sought him out just as he searched for her. Deep down, she had a small fear in seeing her husband. He knew her better than anyone and she was sure that he knew of her newest desire despite her avoidance of mentioning it. She worried that he would confront her about it, that he would say they had their time, that they were too old and had enough to worry about. They already had two children after all, and one certainly needed more support than the other (something Natalya was reluctant to admit).



She sniffed him out quickly as she always did and was not hesitant in reaching him, despite her concerns. She buried her face in the fur at the side of his neck and sighed in relief, the instant comfort of his nearness overwhelming her. They were the night and the day, opposite one another yet only complete when they were together. Nothing would ever come between them, no matter how difficult.

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Helios

They were very much as one, the yin to his yang. For everything he was she was the opposite, soft, more passive than he and dark as the night. Neither in truth better than the other, but greater together. Still a part of him felt he didn?t deserve her, even after all these years and even after bringing new life into the world he couldn?t live without her and he was scared that was not the case for her. His biggest fear was the one day she would wake up and realize how much better she could do, and that would be that. He certainly wouldn?t blame her if that eventually came to pass. She would find him, and vice versa and they would be a whole again. They would stand intertwined, silent for a moment. Nat would not say anything and Helios knew he would be the one to make the first step. Pulling back only slightly but not breaking their connection he would nose at her cheeks before gently speaking his mind. ?There is much to talk about.? The ball was back in her court, he would let her speak before letting it known what his stance was.

So often Natalya was praised as the strong one in their pair. Helios was frequently silent at her side, but he was underestimated. He was her strength - the one that kept her going through even the hardest times simply by being. He had adapted to her difficult living, had aided her when needed, and had been her protector since the moment they met. And now, here, he was the one to start their difficult conversation when she had not the strength to do it on her own.



She sighed as she pulled away so their noses were left touching. "There is no point in delaying. You know well what I desire, but I understand that now may not be the time. I just..." A faint smile would cover her lips as she paused. "I love motherhood more than I could begin to explain. Our family means everything to me, and it would make me nothing but happy to add to it." She knew he would understand that by family, she referred to him and their boys. While she was devoted wholly to Olympus, it was their small fraction that controlled her life and her happiness.



"I am sorry that I have neglected you of late, in any case. I should have been more attentive to you and balanced my duties better."

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Helios

He felt her pull back ever so slightly but never once losing the contact they both shared. He waited patiently as she spoke, her words even. It was much as he expected and yet a part of him was excited to hear her say it. The idea that she wanted kids again, kids with him, made him feel almost young again. Still a part of him was nagging at him. He was not young, not as he had once been. Still? he was not that old? No his biggest fear was what it would do to Apollo, whom he still struggled to understand. ?Nat,? he began licking affectionately at her ear, ?I would want nothing better than to have children with you again?? He faltered, thinking. How could he say these next words as delicately as possible. ?I am not certain, however, that now is the best time. Virgil will need all the help she can get once the pups are here and I?m not certain you being preoccupied with children of our own will be much help. I?m not saying no? I just don?t think it?ll be as soon as you want?? He grew silent as she spoke again and he shook his head, gently cooing as he nosed at her cheek. ?shhh,? he shushed gently, ?You are doing an amazing job, for our family. The gods are proud and so am I.?

His response didn't surprise her much. In fact, it was nearly exactly what she anticipated - all except for his welcoming of the idea in the future. She nodded every so often to his words, agreeing with him wholeheartedly despite how it pained her to do so. Not even all the logic in the world could stifle the desire for children once it had planted itself within her. The feeling would torment her until the day she was finally granted her wish, but she would lessen the pain with logic and busywork for the time being.



A smile would form slowly on here maw despite herself when Helios praised her. Even when letting her down, he somehow always managed to pick her up at the same time. She feared that he would harbor some resentment for her frequent absence, but it was not the case. To think so had been foolish even. "I am glad that I have not hurt you and that you are proud, but I will still continue to do better. After so long apart, we should not be separated so often now that we are together. We must take advantage of this time." She would find a way to balance her life again. She had to, for her own sake.

image by Luisiana