Work Text:
Ariadne looked up at the strange, not-entirely-human man who just arrived on the island. ‘Please just leave me alone.’
He shook his head. ‘I can’t. Then you’ll die.’
‘Perhaps that is…’ her voice faltered. No. Death wasn’t for the best. Not yet.
‘It isn’t. It really isn’t.’
‘I know.’ She sighed. ‘You aren’t human. Care to explain what made a god, or a daemon at least, so interested in coming here? You must have noticed that I don’t feel all that happy.’ She felt her lip quiver. No, no, stop it. ‘Do you even know why I am here?’
To her surprise, the god hesitated. He took a deep breath. ‘I would call myself the reason why you are here.’
‘...What do you mean?’
‘You were left here by the Athenian hero because I told him to.’
Ariadne jumped up. ‘You whát?’
He didn’t look her in the eye. ‘Exactly what I am saying. I told Theseus to leave you behind when he left this island.’
Ariadne held her hands over her eyes as the tears streamed down her face. What does it even matter if she cries or not? ‘Who in heaven gave you the right?’
‘It’ll be for the best in the end.’
‘That doesn’t answer my question!’
‘It’s the only answer I got. Your grandfather, Helios, told me it would have been better if you were separated from your hero, and I found enough reason to believe him.’
‘That is the vaguest shit I ever heard!’
‘And you are well within your right to think that.’ The god shrugged. ‘I didn’t… I didn’t expect you to like me after this.’
‘Is that supposed to make everything better?’
‘Ariadne...’ He took a step closer, which made Ariadne put up her finger. ‘Don’t.’
‘But...’
‘Stay away. It’s that easy. I’d be happy if I never have to see you again.’
‘I…’ She could see her words hurt him. ‘That was also expected.’
‘If you expected me to be hurt, then why did you do it?’
‘I already told you. It is for the best in the end.’
Ariadne shook with anger. ‘And what now? You want me to come with you? Because I swear I’d rather…’ She stopped, knowing that she would still do whatever it took to survive. She fought for too long to give up now.
‘You’re free to go where-ever,’ The god said. ‘With one exception, of course.’
‘Of course. Yet, I can’t really do that on my own, now can I? So I’d still be stuck with you. And don’t try to lie. You’d love for me to stay forever.’
The god couldn’t entirely dispute that. Yet: ‘I thought... Perhaps you want to stay with my sister Artemis, for some time. You can’t join the hunters, but she could get you anywhere in the world. Then you wouldn’t have to see me…’ He didn’t have the guts to say ‘ever again’ out loud.
‘Anywhere in the world, but still with one exception.’ Ariadne violently kicked the sand. ‘Get me there, then. As quick as you possibly can.’
‘I’ll have to touch you.’
She jerked his arm towards her. ‘You heard me.’
Carefully, he laid his arms around her shoulders. ‘I’ll teleport you straight to her.’
‘Hm.’
Dionysus, she realised, as soon as she puts her head on his shoulder. Only he would be able to calm her down like this. Perhaps that was also the reason that despite herself, she was the last one to let go when they arrived in the forest.
‘So that’s her?’
Ariadne turned around. Artemis looked more normal than Ariadne had expected her to, although that could be said of Dionysus as well.
Speaking of which, the god nodded. ‘Yes.’
The goddess slowly shook her head. ‘Young woman, what did you get yourself into…’
‘More like what did he get me into.’ Ariadne stalked over to Artemis.
The goddess was stunned for a few seconds. ‘... well, yes, that too. Come with me, now.’ She looked at her brother. ‘I’ll see you soon enough.’
‘Yes.’
Artemis gave him a small smile, before she and Ariadne dissappeared into the woods.