In the dead of night
Nike's pov:
"Nike run! Get yourself out of here!" Athena yelled at me from underneath the rubble.
"No! I won't leave you!" I responded between sobs.
My vision was blurry with tears and my mind was foggy. All I knew was that I had to help her. I started moving rocks, but it was becoming clear it wouldn't do a single damn thing.
"Nike stop." Athena pleaded.
"No." I refused, determined to free her.
With her hands she grabbed mine.
"Nike! Stop!" My wife ordered.
The moment I saw the tears in her eyes I broke down completely. The sobs became louder and my tears continuously streamed over my cheeks.
"It's okay angel. I surrender." Athena said, barely above a whisper.
I heard her voice quiver. She was just as afraid as I am.
"Y-... You can't." I managed to say.
"I lost love. It's time we accepted that."
She forced a smile.
"No, I'm still-.. right here! There has... to be another-.. way!" I sobbed.
Athena shook her head.
"No angel. You're here for me." She whispered.
Her thumb was slowly tracing circles on my wrist. Her touch, even in this awful situation, was soothing.
"Don't worry my love. I'm not afraid."
Athena kissed my hands. For a moment the world stopped. But it came to life again the moment she pushed me backwards.
As I fell the world slowed down. I saw the rubble that would've fell right on top of me if she hadn't pushed me away. The piece that now landed on top of her.
The world faded to black around me as I fell, trying to process what just happened. I couldn't cry, I couldn't scream, I couldn't-
'-save her...'
I shot straight up. My breathing was heavy, I was sweating, but around me everything was still black.
No... It couldn't have been real...
Slowly one by one my senses started coming back. I could feel I was sitting up in my bed. My eyes adjusted to the darkness again. It's wasn't black, just night.
'Athena!' I realized.
I looked to my side and saw the vague figure of my wife. It rose and fell slowly notifying me she was still sleeping.
'I need her! Now!'
My heart was screaming to wake up Athena. She'd know what to do. She could calm me. Her touch was soothing and her arms were strong. She could protect me when I needed her to.
My hand hovered over her shoulder. Just as I wanted to touch her and wake her up, my mind stopped me.
'No! Don't bother her! She deserves this rest. Can't you take care of your own problems? Who will you be if you keep running to your wife every moment something goes wrong?' It hisses.
I retrieved my hand. My brain was right. I could fix this too. I didn't need her to jump to my rescue every single time. Even though my whole body seemed to resist going away from Athena, I still got up and wrapped myself in a simple night gown. I just needed some fresh air. That was all.
Athena's pov:
Half awake, I turned around to snuggle up closer to Nike. Something woke me, but I didn't know what.
I wanted to wrap my arm around her, but I never felt her. Instead the bed next to me was empty and even cold.
Where did she go? And how long ago? I could've sworn we fell asleep together. I sat up and let my eyes adjust to the darkness. I spotted an open window and a soft light coming from the balcony.
I pushed the sheets of my body. The night air felt cool against my skin so I wrapped myself up in a night gown. I walked towards the open window that lead to our balcony.
When I stuck my head out the window I saw a little flame flickering in Nike's hands. She was playing with it a little bit. She's no Hestia, but to a certain extent all gods can summon fire.
"Angel?" I asked.
My wife's head perked up at my voice.
"You're awake." She breathed.
"Well yes, but why are you?"
I must've sound worried because her eyes went from me back to the view of the city in front of us. The little flame in her hand disappeared.
Nike remained silent. I could feel something was wrong, so I stepped closer to her and put my hands on her waist. The moment I touched her she twisted around and buried herself in my chest.
I had to take a step back to make sure we didn't fall. She started sobbing. Like she'd been trying to hold back her tears for hours. So I did the only thing that would help right now.
I wrapped my arms around her and softly sang a song.
Nike's pov:
"If you're rough and ready for love, honey I'm tougher than the rest."
Athena's voice sounded sweet in my ears. I loved how she didn't question what made me upset, although I knew she'd ask for it later, she just held me and comforted me because I needed it. I didn't need to justify what I was feeling.
I could just feel it and she'd be ready to grill me with questions the moment I told her it was okay. And if I didn't, she wouldn't and that'd be okay for her too. Although she would be undenailbly curious and eventually drop a few hints that she wants me to talk about it.
She's only a goddess after all.
After her song was sang I let her guide me back inside. We took off our gowns and went back to bed. Again I snuggled up in Athena's chest.
We just layed there in the darkness. Awake, but silent. We just took in each other and let the moment speak for itself.
"Angel? Can we talk about this?" My wife asked, concern lacing her voice.
I was a little hesitant, but on the other hand, I doubted I could keep this for myself. The images flashed in front of me and again and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to forget them.
"Yeah, we can." I responded, after regaining control over the things I saw.
"Why were you on the balcony this early in the morning, all by yourself?" Athena asked.
"I had a... Bad... Dream." I said, feeling a little silly for phrasing it like that.
"A bad dream? Must've been one hell of bad dream to get the victory goddess up and running at 3 in the morning." My wife joked.
"Funny aren't you?" I grumbled, slightly annoyed.
Although I did appreciate it that she kept the mood a little lighter. Especially with what I was about to tell her.
"I dreamt about you." I whispered after a bit of contemplation.
I could feel the mood drop like gravity.
"What did you dream?"
Athena was dead serious now. Gods didn't usually dream about each other unless they were actively involved in the dream. If she wasn't aware I dreamt of her that means she didn't have a say in it.
"I dreamt you were trapped. You couldn't get out and pushed me away from you."
I intentionally left out the details, but I figured she was smart enough the figure those out herself. She knew how she would react if it ever occurred.
My wife was silent once more. Probably trying to process what I dreamt.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" She asked.
I could hear a slight shake in her voice. I knew she felt terrible for not being able to help me sooner.
"I couldn't. I'm so sorry." I whispered.
"No angel, I'm sorry." Athena said, pulling me closer.