#athena thread

Athena practically ran from the subway to the little coffee shop by the park Vulcan had agreed to meet her at. She cursed herself silently for wearing heels. It wasn’t like V didn’t know she was small-- but it was a habit of hers to wear shoes that gave her at least a three inch boost on dates. Even at work she always had something with a heel, just so no one thought she was some high school student who fled their tour group and was causing trouble in the museum. Finally she turned a corner and found Vulcan sitting at a table on the street. “Sorry!” She apologized, out of breath and holding onto the back of the open chair. “Sorry I’m late.” Really she was about five minutes early but the idea that Vulcan had been waiting at all made her flustered. She liked being early, liked having a few moments to pull herself together, and now she no doubt looked a bit a mess with her hair breaking out of her ponytail. She finally sat down, still catching her breath as a stand of hair fell right between her eyes.

Athena had forced herself out of the house for this, wanting to be there for her nibbling and not wanting to just hide away after giving out candy to the trick or treaters. Plus, it brought her joy to see the kids excited, still unaware of all that was lurking around. "Are you going to get something on your face too? You've got to. I'm thinking of asking them to make me look like Frankenstein ohh or maybe Freddy Krueger or is that asking too much?"

"Okay so I did get your shift time right for today, I was halfway here when I started worrying that I might have mis-remembered." Athena caught her breath as she approached the counter, having walked pretty quickly through the brisk day. Not that cold had ever been intimidating to her considering where she grew up. But she had rushed out of the house without her gloves or ear muffs and knew better than to linger outside when the wind was being a bit relentless. "Glad to see I missed most of the rush of the day. Means I can bother you without feeling guilty," she teased, leaning against the counter a bit. "You got any special pastries today? My sweet tooth is screaming out right now for a little treat."

Think of this as an early Father's Day present," Athena told him with a grin as the jeweler brought out the watch she had requested. "And before you say it's too much, it's not nearly enough, especially compared to what I plan to get the twins for their 14th birthday." Athena was definitely a gift giving as my love language kind of person and it was always important for her to make sure she had her own time with Cassidy aside from the time she spent spoiling his kids and volunteering herself and Bennie to be sitters for them. "Every man needs a good watch," she told him and tapped the side of the box. "Go ahead, try it on, it's yours."

"I'm just saying, in another life I do think I could have been a prized fighter," Athena joked as she unwrapped her hands and started to pack her gloves up. She hadn't always been the most athletic person but she had found a lot of solace in fitness activities. When she had found the boxing gym after the move, it felt aligned with how she was feeling. She liked the idea of being able to protect herself beyond just magic and Matilda had been a great teacher. "Especially if that Sharon over there is on the other end," she said in a lower voice as the annoying woman in question passed by. "Sorry, I know I shouldn't talk crap about your other students," she teased, nudging her friend before zipping up her bag. "Okay, please tell me you're ready for lunch. I am starving and I am ready to go back to putting my friend hat on," she added and slung her bag over her shoulder. "My treat."

"You could always come work at the store. Help us sort things, build some muscle lifting deliveries," Athena joked as she reached across the table and took a piece of pancake from Roman's plate. "I think you should do something fun either way. You only have your summer anyway, you gotta find space to enjoy it. Did you think about planning a vacation?" Athena was excited for him, appreciative of their friendship. She always had great appreciation for teachers, especially ones that worked with the youngest students, it took a certain kind of patience. The fact that Roman reminded her of her youngest brother who she had practically raised also may have been a part of it but she wasn't ready to admit that to anyone, let alone herself.

"Summers are meant to be enjoyed. Speaking of, keep some of your weekends clear because we are definitely doing barbecues. I am actually quite good on the grill."

"Bennie should be home in another hour or so. She got caught up with a late shipment and I agreed to come home and get dinner ready. Luckily for you this weather is finally good enough to grill," she told her friend, clear excitement in her voice as she pointed at the grill that she had turned on a bit before Lori got there. "How was the cafe today? I meant to stop by for lunch but it was so busy I figured I'd try again tomorrow," she admitted. The crowd had been too overwhelming and Athena was finding more and more there were things that triggered her fear. Something that hadn't happened before the incident. She went back inside for a moment, serving Lori a beer in her coldest glass before pouring a glass of wine for herself. "For you," she told her Lori as she handed her the glass before joining her on the outdoor patio that she was fairly proud of but still wanted to tweak. "Do you have plans this weekend? I'm thinking of throwing a barbecue, the weather is supposed to be nice."