Ares doesn’t have a soft spot for anyone. Not even his own kids get special treatment from him. He’s a lone wolf, he doesn’t need anyone else.

He’s not a sentimental guy, it’s just convenient that the diner you’ve worked at since before he met you was just up the road from where he found the kids. He can feel you watching them but he resists the urge to meet your gaze. Once he sends the younger pair away, he thinks you’ll come over. But you don’t. You’ve always understood that you don’t fit in his life.

Once he’s packed the whole group into the back of a truck and watched them drive away, his mind is back on you. Your shift must be almost over if it isn’t already. He could use some time with you to blow off some steam. Before he could even think of looking for you, he heard you behind him.

“Hey” You said nonchalantly. You clutched your purse almost self-consciously and your eyes darted around nervously. Some part of him bristled, you were never nervous around him, that’s what drew him to you the first time you met. He couldn’t scare you off.

“I know you’re busy but could you give me a ride home? Those guys are freaking me out” You explained quickly. He followed your gaze over to the group of truckers watching you like hungry animals.

“Get on the bike” Ares said lowly, never taking his eyes off the men. He couldn’t do anything to them, not that he didn’t want to. He couldn’t risk drawing too much attention to himself right now.

The ride to your apartment was a journey Ares was starting to get used to. You were quiet which he was thankful for. You knew he hated small talk. Once he pulled up, you quickly removed your arms from his torso and hovered on the sidewalk.

“You wanna come upstairs? Got to thank you for being my big scary friend” You offered.

“How were you thinking of thanking me?” Ares asked cockily.

“Well, you always like that thing I do with my tongue” You shrugged, a sly grin on your lips.

He didn’t need much more persuasion than that.

Ares should have left hours ago. He should have had his fun with you and left. But now the golden beams of sunrise were streaming through your bedroom window. You were blissfully unaware, still fast asleep against the soft pillows. He watched you silently for a second, admiring how you beautiful looked in the golden glow.

You deserve a good man, he thinks to himself. Someone who would give you the world and treat you like a queen. He’d never admit it out loud but it will kill him when you do find someone. You understand him in a way that most humans wouldn’t. Part of him wishes he could just stay with you, live in the fantasy of spending your life together. Who else would put up with him for that long?

You stirred slightly, huffing slightly at the light on your face. His hand covered your eyes slightly to help you fall back asleep.

“Shh darling, it’s just me” He whispered and you hummed in response.

He got up and pulled the curtain across, shielding you from the impending day. Once he was dressed, he stopped for a moment. He took in your sleeping form then convinced himself to go. He shut the door quietly as he left. And you were completely unaware.