The sound of retching echoed off the bathroom tiles, a violent symphony that demanded attention. Medusa, head bowed over the toilet, clung to the porcelain as if it were a lifeline, her body wracked with spasms.
The door opened, and Athena entered, her brow furrowed in concern. She approached Medusa, placing a hand on her back. "Medusa, are you alright?" she asked, her voice gentle but firm.
Medusa, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, tried to shrug off Athena's concern. "I'm fine," she muttered, her voice thick with embarrassment.
Athena's gaze was steady. "Is there something you need to tell me?" she asked, her voice softening.
Medusa's eyes flicked up to meet Athena's. She hesitated, then shook her head. "No," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Athena's expression didn't change. "I overheard a conversation between you and Hermes," she said, her voice carefully neutral. "Something about Aphrodite and a... pregnancy?"
Medusa's eyes widened in horror. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again, her body trembling with the effort of holding back her tears.
Athena's voice was soft. "It's okay," she said, her hand still resting on Medusa's back. "You can tell me."
Medusa broke down, her sobs echoing off the tiles as she leaned into Athena's embrace. "I'm sorry," she sobbed. "I didn't mean for it to happen. I didn't know Aphrodite would do it."
Athena's expression was unreadable, but her voice was gentle. "It's alright," she said, her hand rubbing soothing circles on Medusa's back. "Take your time."
Medusa's tears fell faster, her body shaking with the force of her sobs. "I'm sorry," she repeated, her voice muffled against Athena's shoulder. "I understand if you don't want anything to do with me or the baby. You never wanted kids."
Athena's expression softened. "Medusa," she said, her voice gentle. "I'm the goddess of war and wisdom. I don't make rash decisions."
Medusa looked up at Athena, her eyes red and swollen. "I know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry."
Athena's gaze was steady. "I need you to answer one question for me," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "Are you sure it's mine?"
Medusa nodded, her tears falling faster. "Yes," she said, her voice shaking. "I'm sure."
Athena was silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. "I see," she said finally. "And you're afraid you've... trapped me?"
Medusa nodded again, her shoulders shaking with sobs. "Yes," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I understand if you don't want anything to do with me or the baby. You never wanted kids."
Athena's expression softened. "Medusa," she said, her voice gentle. "I'm the goddess of war and wisdom. I don't make rash decisions."
Medusa looked up at Athena, her eyes red and swollen. "I know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry."
Athena's hand moved from Medusa's back to her cheek, her thumb brushing away a tear. "We'll figure this out together," she said, her voice firm. "I'm not going anywhere."
Medusa's eyes widened in surprise, her tears slowing as she looked up at Athena. "Really?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Athena nodded, her expression resolute. "Really," she said. "We'll face this together, as partners."
Medusa's tears fell again, but this time they were tears of relief. "Thank you," she sobbed, her body shaking with gratitude.
Athena pulled Medusa into a tight embrace, her hand still cradling Medusa's cheek. "You're not alone," she whispered. "You'll never be alone."
Medusa leaned into Athena's embrace, her body relaxing as she let out a deep sigh. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, she felt like everything was going to be okay.
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