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5

ELEONOR

After Zeus's revelations, a heavy silence lingered between us, thick with the weight of unspoken thoughts and shared uncertainties. I was still grappling with the reality that the place where my brother fought, and where Zeus had become a familiar presence, was steeped in illegality.

""It's a lot to take in,"" I finally said, breaking the silence. ""Knowing that you and Michael... that you're both risking so much.""

Zeus's gaze met mine, steady and unflinching. ""Life's a series of calculated risks, Eleonor. We choose our battles, and we fight them the best we can.""

""But at what cost?"" The question slipped out, a whisper of my deepest fears given voice.

He didn't answer immediately, and when he did, his voice was even, measured. ""Sometimes the cost is high. But sometimes, the fight is worth it. For Michael, it's not just about the money. It's about proving something—to himself, to everyone.""

I understood that. Michael had always been driven, always reaching for something just out of grasp, something that wasn't just about prestige or money. It was about self-worth, about carving out a piece of the world where he could stand tall.

""And what about you, Zeus? What are you fighting for?"" I asked, my curiosity piqued by the layers I was beginning to see in him.

His chuckle was soft, almost self-deprecating. ""Maybe I'm still figuring that out. But for now, it's about making sure people I care about don't get knocked down without someone in their corner.""

The warmth in his words wrapped around me like a blanket, and I found myself leaning into the comfort it provided. ""Thank you,"" I murmured, ""for being in Michael's corner. And mine.""

He gave a short nod, an acknowledgment of my thanks, and then stood up. ""Let's not dwell on the 'what ifs' and 'maybes.' For now, let's just make sure you don't catch that cold. I'll start a fire.""

I watched him as he moved to the fireplace, his movements sure and practiced. The flames took to the wood quickly, casting a warm glow across the room. The fire crackled, a soothing soundtrack to the stillness that had settled between us once more.

""Zeus?"" I said softly, and he turned to look at me. ""Whatever happens, I want you to know... I'm glad you're here. Not just for Michael, but for me too.""

The corners of his mouth lifted in a genuine smile, one that reached his eyes and made them shine in the firelight. ""I'm here, Eleonor. As long as you need me to be.""

In that moment, with the fire's warmth chasing away the chill and Zeus's presence grounding me, I felt a sense of peace. The world outside was chaotic and uncertain, but here, in this small sanctuary, I found a semblance of serenity." "The intensity of his gaze was almost too much to bear, but I held it, my own defiance rising to meet his challenge. ""So, I'm supposed to just sit back and wait for some thug to decide he's ready to pay off the cops? Is that it?"" I asked, my voice laced with a bitterness I didn't know I had. ""And this so-called investigation is just a front for extortion?""

Ever shrugged, a casual gesture that belied the seriousness of the situation. ""Overthinking it will only drive you mad, Eleonor. It's a rigged game. Michael knows it, and there's nothing we can do but play along. They've told your parents they can't do anything until the investigation is over, which means when the money's right, they'll suddenly find Michael's innocent.""

I slumped back, feeling the weight of helplessness settle over me. ""But what if I can't bring myself to do all those normal things? What if I can't eat, sleep, or study?"" I looked up at him, searching his eyes for some kind of answer.

He held my gaze, his voice firm. ""Then I'll be the one to give you strength,"" he said.

I was taken aback by his words, by the sincerity I found in his eyes. ""Why did you kiss me yesterday, Zeus?"" I blurted out the question that had been haunting me.

He winced slightly at the name. ""Don't call me Zeus,"" he said as he stood and began to pace the room.

Confusion furrowed my brow. ""But everyone calls you that. Why?""

He stopped and faced me, a half-smile playing on his lips. ""Because I'm a god in the ring,"" he said, his voice tinged with a pride that didn't quite reach his eyes.

I couldn't help but admire him; he was the epitome of strength and beauty, a stark contrast to the vulnerability I felt within me. ""Then what's your real name?""

He hesitated, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that felt like a physical touch. ""Ever,"" he finally said.

The name took me by surprise, and I let out a small gasp. ""Did you know your name means 'strength'? But you seem more like someone who needs comforting,"" I said, my voice softer than I intended.

He scoffed, a quick, disbelieving sound. ""How would you know that? I didn't even know it myself.""

I couldn't help but smile at his incredulity. ""I read a lot. One of my favorite characters was named Ever, and he was incredible.""

Ever shook his head, dismissive. ""Don't believe everything you read. Authors sell illusions, nothing more.""

I felt a spark of defiance. ""You're wrong, Ever. Just now, you gave me strength. You calmed me down, made me feel safe. But the way you talk about books, like they're just lies... it makes me think maybe you're the one who needs comfort.""

I saw him swallow, his adam's apple bobbing. ""From a girl?"" he challenged, clearly trying to deflect.

""Yes, from a girl you kissed. You claim you don't mess with girls, yet here I am,"" I shot back, my words sharp. ""What's your game, Ever? You're not just any guy, and you're certainly not a babysitter.""

He moved closer, his body just inches from mine. His hands found their place beside me, his face so close I could feel his breath. My heart raced, my body reacting to his nearness in a way that was both terrifying and exhilarating.

""Why did I do it?"" he murmured, his voice a low caress. ""Because sometimes, even gods falter.""" "Caught in the whirlwind of Ever's presence, I felt the lines blurring between defiance and desire. The way he spoke, the confidence that seemed to ooze from every pore, it was intoxicating. He was right; I wasn't just a challenge to him, and he wasn't just a caretaker to me. We were dancing around something deeper, a connection that neither of us had anticipated.

""I'm not a game to be won, Ever,"" I said, even as my heart raced with the thrill of his words. ""And I'm certainly not a trophy.""

""But you are,"" he insisted, his smile disarming. ""Not in the way you think, not as a conquest. But as something... someone to be valued, to be cared for. That's what I meant.""

His distinction made a warm glow spread through my chest. ""And what if I don't want to be won? What if I want to be the one who decides?""

""That's the spirit,"" he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. ""It's all about the fight, isn't it? The challenge.""

I couldn't help but laugh, despite the seriousness of our conversation just moments before. ""So, you're saying you want a fight?""

He leaned in, his breath a whisper against my skin. ""I'm saying I want you. All of you. The fight, the peace, the chaos, and the calm.""

His words enveloped me, and I found myself leaning into him, drawn by an unseen force that was stronger than both of us. His kiss was a question and an answer, a gentle demand that coaxed my lips apart.

When we broke apart, I was breathless, my mind racing. ""You can't just claim my lips, Ever.""

""They became mine the moment I first kissed you,"" he said, his hand moving from my neck to cradle my cheek gently. ""And you kissed me back.""

I was torn between the urge to argue and the desire to pull him back to me. ""I don't know what's happening,"" I admitted, my voice shaky. ""This isn't like me.""

""Maybe it's not about being like you,"" he said, his thumb tracing my lower lip. ""Maybe it's about being who you are when you're with me.""

The thought was terrifying and thrilling all at once. Was I changing because of him? Or was he simply revealing a part of me I'd never known? Ever was a force of nature, a man who seemed to stand apart from the world, and yet here he was, wanting me.

""Ever,"" I whispered, ""what are we doing?""

He smiled, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that felt like a promise. ""We're living, Eleonor. We're taking the fight out of the ring and into life. And I don't know about you, but I plan to win at life with you by my side.""

The boxer, the god, the man named Ever, he was a riddle wrapped in a mystery. And as much as I wanted to solve him, I also wanted to remain lost in the complexity of what we were becoming. Because, for the first time in a long while, I felt alive.

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