A slow smile tugged at his mouth, his eyes dark but softened at the same time. He let out a low chuckle and said in a teasing voice, "We should probably stop right now… or else, I might end up losing control."
Athena's eyes widened, and in an instant, her cheeks turned bright red. Embarrassed, she quickly hid her face against his chest.
Oliver's heart squeezed so hard it almost hurt. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, a deep, warm laugh rumbling in his throat. For the first time in a long while, it felt like his heart was about to burst, not from pain, but from pure joy. Finally.
Athena stayed like that for a moment, breathing in his scent, before she slowly pulled out of his embrace. She bent down and picked up the framed photo of her father and herself. Her small hands clutched it tightly against her chest.
After a moment, she stretched her hand towards Oliver with a shy little smile.
Oliver froze for a second, his chest tightening all over again. Then he grinned like a fool and took her hand in his, while her traveling bag sat in his other hand.
Without another word, they walked out of the house together. The door shut softly behind them, and with it, a chapter of pain and memories that Athena wasn't sure she was ready to leave.
But Oliver was beside her, carrying her burdens as if they were his own.
They drove away, the car rolling down the street under the quiet morning light, not knowing what the future held for both them, but for the first time, Athena didn't feel alone.
And for Oliver, he knew one thing for certain, he would fight the whole world if it meant keeping her safe.
The ride to Oliver's place wasn't loud. Athena kept her gaze on the window, still hugging the frame tightly against her chest, while Oliver drove in silence, sneaking glances at her every now and then. He didn't speak much, because sometimes silence was better than words, and right now she needed it.
When they finally reached his home, Oliver parked the car and came around to open the door for her. Athena stepped out slowly, her eyes traveling across the tall building in front of her. His place was modern, but it carried a warmth she couldn't really put into words. The kind of place that felt lived in, not just built to impress.
Her lips curved into a small smile as she whispered, almost to herself, "It's… big."
Oliver chuckled lightly, taking her traveling bag from the booth like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Well, get used to it. From now on, this is your home too."
Her lips pressed together as her chest tightened at the word, 'Home'. The word almost made her break, but she swallowed it down, following him inside.
The moment they stepped in, the scent of wood and faint cologne hit her. Everything looked neat and arranged, not overly fancy, just simple and warm. It's giving Oliver's vibe. The living room opened up with soft leather couches, a low table, and books stacked neatly in a corner.
Athena looked around quietly, her fingers brushing the wall as if she needed to feel it to believe it.
Oliver walked beside her, watching her reaction with a small smile tugging his lips. "So… what do you think?"
She turned her head slightly and said softly, "It's… nice."
"Just nice?" he teased, pretending to look offended.
Athena's mouth curved the faintest bit, but she didn't answer.
He led her upstairs, pointing out a few doors along the way, his study, a guest bathroom, even a small balcony where the sunlight poured in. Athena listened, her face calm but her eyes lingering on every detail like she was storing it all in her heart.
Finally, he stopped in front of a door and placed his hand on the handle. He glanced back at her and said in a quieter tone, "This is your room."
Her heart skipped. She didn't know why, it wasn't anything special, but the way he said it, like it was already hers, made her chest ache with something she couldn't name.
He pushed the door open, revealing a neat, airy room. The curtains were drawn halfway, letting in soft light. A clean bed was set against the wall, fresh sheets tucked in, and a small desk sat by the window. It wasn't overly decorated, but it looked like a place made ready just for her.
Athena stepped inside slowly, her hand brushing against the desk, then the edge of the bed. Her throat tightened.
Oliver leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, just watching her. "Do you like it?"
She turned around, clutching her frame tighter to her chest, and nodded. "Yeah… I like it."
Oliver smiled, relief washing over him. "Good. Then it's yours."
Athena set her frame down carefully on the desk and turned back toward him. Her fingers played with the edge of the blanket on the bed, hesitating, before her voice came out low and shy.
"Why… why does it feel like you already prepared this room long ago?"
Her words hung in the air, and Oliver froze on the spot. For the first time since they walked in, he didn't know how to answer. His throat tightened, and he rubbed the back of his neck, looking away as his ears turned red.
"Well…" he cleared his throat, still flustered, "I… yeah, I prepared it. Long ago. I thought… if you ever came here, this would be yours."
Athena's lips parted, her chest rising a little quicker. A hot flush crept up her face, and she bit her lower lip, trying to hide it, but it only made the color spread more across her cheeks. She turned her gaze down, embarrassed by how much his words made her heart pound.
Oliver couldn't help but grin a little at her reaction. He pushed himself away from the doorframe and walked slowly toward her, every step making the air feel heavier.
When he reached her, his hand slid around her waist, and before she could even react, he pulled her gently but firmly into his arms. Athena sucked in a sharp breath, her body stiffening at first, before she felt the steady beat of his heart against her chest.
Her hands pressed lightly against him, her face tipped up just enough to meet his eyes. The closeness made her stomach twist, heat spreading low in her belly.
"Athena…" his voice was low, almost rough, his breath fanning her skin as he stared down at her.
His gaze flickered from her eyes to her lips, and he lingered there, the distance between them shrinking with every second. Athena's breath hitched, her lashes trembling as if she couldn't decide whether to pull away or stay still.
Oliver leaned down slowly, his nose brushing hers, and then his lips brushed against hers, just a light touch, barely there, but enough to make her knees feel weak and her whole body shiver at the contact.
Oliver pulled back slowly, his lips lingering near hers for a moment longer before he finally straightened. His hand was still at her waist, his thumb unconsciously brushing against her side as he looked into her flushed face.
"We'll go to the school tomorrow," he said gently, his tone almost teasing.
But Athena frowned the tiniest bit, her voice soft but firm. "Can't we… go today? That way I can start tomorrow."
Her eyes were shining when she said it, her expression serious, and Oliver felt his chest tighten. How could he ever deny her when she looked at him like that? His lips curved into a small smile as he nodded.
"Sure," he said without hesitation, his voice warm, "anything for you."
Athena's cheeks burned instantly, and she turned her head a little, biting her lip as if that would hide the red blooming across her face. Oliver chuckled low in his throat, unable to stop himself from staring at how shy and adorable she looked.
"Shall we?" he asked softly.
Athena nodded quickly, then whispered, "Yeah."
Oliver's heart swelled, and before he realized it, his fingers slipped down into her hand. He laced his fingers with hers naturally and gave her a light squeeze, then gently pulled her along.
"Come on," he said, leading her toward the bed so she could pick up her things. As much as he wanted to keep her here, to steal more of those shy glances and sweet blushes, he knew better.
Her studies, her happiness, her future, those had to come before everything else, even before his own selfish desires.
He looked at her from the side, his chest warming as he thought, Whatever she wants, I'll make it happen. Always.
The drive didn't take long, but when the car finally slowed down and stopped, Athena found herself staring out of the window in awe.
The black iron gates stretched tall and wide, polished until they shone. Golden letters carved into the arch glimmered under the sunlight, bold and commanding.
Gravecrest Academy.
The name itself felt heavy, powerful and somewhat scary. It wasn't just a school, it carried presence, like history and pride lived in those letters.
Athena pressed her hands against the glass, her eyes wide as she slowly took it all in. Beyond the gates, she could see the winding driveway lined with tall trees, their branches casting elegant shadows. The buildings stood proudly in the distance, massive structures of white stone and glass, their designs modern yet carrying a regal touch.
Students in neat uniforms walked in pairs and groups, their laughter echoing faintly. The whole place looked alive, yet organized, like every brick and every corner carried discipline.
Her lips parted slightly. "It's… so beautiful," she whispered, almost forgetting Oliver was beside her.
Oliver had been watching her reaction the whole time, his arm resting casually on the steering wheel. He saw the way her eyes lit up, the way her small frame leaned forward in excitement. A rare softness touched his expression.
"You like it?" he asked, his voice low but carrying warmth.
Athena turned her head toward him, blinking fast when she realized he was watching her so closely. Her cheeks warmed, but she nodded quickly, a small smile forming on her lips.
"It's beautiful," she said, her voice firmer this time. "I never imagined it would look like this…"
Oliver smirked faintly, his gaze lingering on her longer than it should. Then he pushed open the door and stepped out, walking around to open hers.
"Then let's go in," he said, holding out his hand.
She hesitated for a second, staring at his outstretched hand before slipping hers into his. The warmth of his palm wrapped around hers firmly. Together, they walked through the gates, passing under the bold golden letters of Gravecrest Academy.
As they entered the campus grounds, Athena couldn't stop looking around. The main building towered above them, with high pillars, windows, and every other thing, was made for it to stick to your memory. Flowerbeds lined the walkways, blooming with colors that made the place feel like a painting. Even the air felt different, fresh, refined.
Her heart tightened in both awe and nerves.
She wasn't the type of girl that is unfamiliar with wealth or beautiful places, she had grown up surrounded by them. But the school still caught her off guard. The sheer scale of it, the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern design, gave it an aura that even she hadn't expected. It wasn't just expensive. It was majestic.
Oliver simply guided her forward, up the grand steps and through the tall glass doors.
The inside was no less striking. Marble floors stretched wide beneath their feet, polished until they shone like water. Crystal chandeliers hung high above, and the tall ceilings gave the lobby, a feeling she cannot put into words. Large framed paintings and photographs lined the walls, telling the story of the academy's history and its many successful graduates.
Athena's gaze swept over everything, her steps steady but her chest tightening slightly. It was more than she imagined, even for a girl who had seen her perfect, share of luxury. She didn't show too much on her face, but deep inside, a quiet admiration settled in her.
Oliver walked beside her, his presence calm and grounding. "Come on," he said gently. "Let's get you enrolled."
She nodded and followed him down the hall. Students passed by in neat uniforms, their shoes clicking lightly against the marble. Some glanced at her curiously, but she kept her chin lifted, her posture composed.
Still, she couldn't shake the small knot of nerves in her stomach.