Page 86 of Hercules

It was all possible. This was the guy who’d swept her to his place from the Hollywood Hills within seconds, then helped her emerge in Tokyo just a few hours later. She was only left with wondering why he and Apollo hadn’t activated their sorcery sooner. She’d been through literal hell since Nat reengaged the string. It stung deep knowing Herc could’ve prevented her from that torture all along and—

“Oh, Matia Mou,” the big lug cut in, already giving away how many of her thoughts he’d read better than the terminal’s schedule boards. “Just get your gorgeous ass over here, and I’ll explain everything.”

CHAPTER 23

Gods on high. She was beyond adorable when she was confused. So much so, Herc hadn’t thought she could steal one more cell of air from his body—

Until she’d proclaimed that she loved him.

From the moment the words had hit the tumultuous air, they’d erupted a matching volcano in his whole chest. His entire heart.

An explosion filled with the same words.

Fuck, yes.

He was in love with Yamaneko Lance. Had fallen exactly that suddenly and twice as hard. And thank all the gods for the realization, exactly in that moment, because he poured that intensity into every brutal syllable of the order he had to bark at her. The follow-through he was willing to put behind it, marching out into the fray of Natasha Korra’s rising rage just to rescue her.

He’d face a million storms just like it. For the rest of the days she was willing to give him. Beyond that.

But sometimes, being the surly brute in the pantheon paid off.

Like in the moment she sprinted straight for him, burnished lights in her eyes and a joyous smile on her face.

Then the moment she was here, slammed against his chest, filling his arms…igniting his soul.

And he didn’t let go.

He didn’t want to.

The admission set off a thousand alarms. For ten years, he’d actively hidden from this moment. Dreaded it. Loving another woman this much…how would Megaera ever forgive it, after what he’d done to her? She deserved more. His memories. His misery. His longing. His Labors.

No.

You’re done now.

The voice, from the bottom of his spirit’s deepest well, shimmered with reflections he recognized. Echoes he’d cherished from one end of the realms to the next. His Meg. His very first love…

But not your last.

His breath clutched. His arms, obeying her command, tightened around Lois.

Love her, Hercules. Make her happy and be happy in return.

In that joy, you’ll find even more of me. I promise.

Good thing his face was still tucked against Lois’s neck, so the man at their side wouldn’t construe it as disrespect. But speaking of that…

“Sumimasen.” He snapped up his sights, hating that his first official bow to the guy had to be an awkward half-effort due to Lois’s sheet moss act along his body. “I’m sorry, sir. No disrespect intended. I mean, she does have a nice a—” Insane heat suffused his face. “Fuck.” Hercules of Thebes, meet your deeper hole. “And I should be smashing the back key through the floor now, except…”

Life actually helped him out with that explanation, as Apollo covered his own final steps through the portal with the lyre string firmly in hand. But Herc swore his brother was focused harder on his other hand, its knuckles white and tight around Wen Steed’s digits.

The headhunter’s face went pale as the realm hole closed with a deafening fwummm. For several seconds, the din made it impossible for anyone to say anything. Herc was grateful for the pause, despite filling it with his desperation. And, yes, a few prayers. He hoped the proud but stiff man would accept his apologetic gaze and then move on to his thankful nod.

The gratitude that he vowed to express in more ways than that.

Because if this specific man hadn’t been in his specific place at the most perfectly specific time…

“Daijoubu,” said their hero who’d unknowingly aligned with every lucky fate in Haneda Airport, waving both palms. “It is all fine. After all, love and a cough cannot be hidden.”