Chapter 11 New Beginnings

Two years have passed since Ares stood on their cabin porch; the first light of morning softened by trees, casting long shadows across their yard. The air was crisp, yet the lingering scent of pine and earth from their cultivated garden lingered. In the distance, he could hear the soft clucking of chickens and the low bleating of their mini goats as they stirred from their sleep. It was a peaceful sound that had grown as familiar to him as his heartbeat.

He smiled as their two-year-old Great Pyrenees, Hecate, Katie for short, came bounding across the yard, her fluffy white coat aglow in the sun. Though Apollo was gentle about the title, Ares had given her—a ball of energy, always raring to chase the ducks or herd the goats. Ares couldn't help but laugh every time he'd holler "Katie" and see the playful glare Apollo shot. A minor act of defiance, a reminder of their unique bond.

Living in a small cabin in the woods, surrounded by animals and working with his hands, was beyond his imagination. His hands had calloused. The closest he had to a pet was a Northern goshawk he trained at falconry schools. But watching Katie nipped at the heels of a duck, he realized just how much he had grown as a person and a lover.

He leaped off the porch and into the garden, knowing he'd find Apollo tending to the bees. They had opened an online business selling organic honey, which did well that year. It had given them another stream of money that sustained them well. In addition, Apollo had his successful wood sculpting business as another income stream.

The artistry had taken off the previous year when he started selling handcrafted journal papers through local festivals that transformed into a small but fulfilling business. More than a fleeting moment, pride remained. It affirmed his talent and hard work, confirming that Ares was on the right path. Each sale was more than a transaction; it validated his artistic vision and impact on lives.

But there was no more incredible pride than witnessing the awe-struck gazes and whispered admiration as people marveled at the intricate details and lifelike beauty of Apollo's masterful sculptures. Apollo was a craft master, his hands capable of coaxing beauty from raw, untamed wood.

Apollo's manner of dealing with people seeking information about his craft was admirable. Ares' heart swelled with delight as he marveled at Apollo's subtle complexity, discovering the immense beauty and talent that lay within his gentle demeanor.

Excitement bubbled up within him as he neared the beehive. A wide grin formed on his face at the sight of Apollo's strong, broad shoulders, his passion for beekeeping radiating from every pore.

When Apollo returned to finish his nursing certification, he discovered another side to his talented mountain man. Apollo's presence seemed to heal aura. The atmosphere seemed to change, the very air lightening to become serene. Ares could see his patients relax, their anxiety melting away as they realized Apollo cared.

Everything—from watching Apollo tend to their animals or the garden or nurse their bees with gentle precision it deepened Ares's love for him. Apollo was his steady anchor, unwavering, dependable, and grounded. Ares always relied on his unwavering reliability.

Getting closer, Apollo gazed up, a smile playing on his lips. "You're up early," he said, his voice low and rumbling, never failing to make Ares's heart skip a beat.

"I couldn't sleep," Ares responded, his voice full of excitement, as he ducked behind Apollo, wrapping him in a tight hug. "Too much on my mind, I guess."

"Anything you want to talk about?" He offered, eyebrow raised, lips ready for a kiss.

Ares shook his head, his eyes following the light dance of the bees as they flitted from one radiant flower to another. He leaned against the weathered fence, feeling the texture against his back for support, letting Apollo go.

The gentle hum of the bees and the soothing rustle of leaves in the breeze filled his ears. Then Apollo's sweet kiss met his lips, adding warmth and tenderness to the scene. "Just reflecting on our journey. This life is everything I never realized I needed."

"We've built something special here, haven't we?"

"Yeah, we have," he agreed with a satisfied smile. "And it's all thanks to you," he continued with a grateful smile.

Apollo looked at him and added, "It isn't just me. To survive this world without you would subject me to the most inhumane punishment. I would go to any extent to reclaim your soul, even if it meant battling the gods."

"I am aware," he stated, Ares was certain that that man loved him and would forever remain loyal to him. This made him feel special.

Ares took Apollo's hands in his, marveling at their strength and precision. He outlined the rough edges of his fingers, able to draw beauty from raw wood and turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he looked up through his lashes at Apollo, admiration in his eyes.

"Your hands," Ares sighed…are magic. I fall for you again whenever I see them move, creating something unique only you can see."

Apollo's gaze softened, warmth spreading across his features as he laced his fingers with Ares's. "They only find their purpose when they're holding yours," he admitted, bringing their intertwined hands to his lips for a gentle kiss.

His heart swelled with the quiet joy of the moment. "You always know what to say," he mocked, leaning in to kiss the corner of Apollo's mouth.

"And you," Apollo responded, his voice low and rumbling, "make everything worth saying."

In the hushed silence, surrounded by the familiar scents of the farm, the earthy aroma of dampness from the recent rain, mixed with the crispness of pine needles and the faint tang of moss.

Ares broke the comfortable silence with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You see, I'm still not convinced Katie's such a bad name," he suggested, steering the conversation back to one of Apollo's least favorite subjects.

Apollo groaned, rolling his eyes. "It's Hecate, Ares. Hecate."

"Sure, sure," he rebuffed sarcastically, grinning. "But she responds better to Katie."

He exhaled, his gaze shifting to Apollo, who couched to greet Katie as she barreled into him, knocking him over. Apollo's laughter rang out, clear and joyful, filling the air with a warmth that mirrored the sun's rays. A surge of love swelled in his chest, so strong it almost took his breath away. They found each other, two souls with their own sacred space in the world.

Ares remembered his past life, the toxic relationships, and the shadows of Brently and Rafael. However, those memories seemed distant, like echoes from a powerless history. Brently vanished, leaving no trace, and they moved Rafael to some far-off place, forever removing him from their lives. Ares had no knowledge of where they had gone, and, he didn't care. He was no longer haunted by those ghosts.

As another year had passed. They had weathered literal and figurative storms and emerged stronger for it. One by one, the toxic ties of Ares's past fell away, leaving nothing but the peace he had always longed for. And in that peace, he found a steady, unwavering, and true love.

Apollo shook his head, but the annoyance he tried to muster didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Only because you keep calling her that," he shot back, his voice laced with the kind of affectionate exasperation that had become a familiar part of their relationship.

Ares's laughter rang out, light and free, filling the yard with a warmth that wrapped around them both. With a flick of a switch, the world aligned, pieces falling into place. Worries and fears that plagued him faded away. This was his true home, with Apollo.

With a playful glint in his eye, Ares moved toward the water jug sitting on the picnic table, his steps deliberate. He scooped up a handful of the chilly water and, with a grin, tossed it in Apollo's direction. The droplets caught the sunlight as they sailed through the air, twinkling before splashing across Apollo's chest.

Apollo stood frozen for a moment, with a mock look of betrayal. "Oh, you're going to regret that," he warned, his voice low and full of playful menace.

He didn't wait for a response. With a laugh, he turned and crossed the grass, heart racing in excitement. He heard Apollo's footsteps pounding behind him; the sound growing closer with each passing second. The anticipation sent a shiver of excitement down his spine.

Just as Ares reached the shade of the giant oak tree at the yard's edge, muscular arms wrapped around his waist, dragging him back against his solid chest. Apollo's voice resonated like a gentle caress, its warmth spreading through his body.

"Caught you."

Ares laughed, breathless from the run and the closeness of Apollo's body pressed against his. "Maybe I wanted to be caught," he taunted, tilting his head back to meet Apollo's gaze.

Apollo's eyes darkened with passion, the playful glint shifting into something deeper, more intense. "Is that so?" He drawled, his lips brushing against Ares's ear.

Before Ares could respond, Apollo turned him around, backing him against the tree trunk. The shade cast cool shadows over them, but the heat between them was undeniable. Apollo leaned in, his hands sliding up to cup Ares's face, his thumb tracing along his jawline. Time stopped when their eyes met.

Then, Apollo closed the distance, capturing Ares's lips in a sweet kiss smoldering with heat. It was deliberate; every movement of Apollo's mouth against Ares teased and ignited a fire that raged beneath the surface of his skin.

His hands gripped Apollo's shirt, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss with a need that bordered on desperation. Apollo's tongue slid against Ares, deepening the kiss further, turning heated, more intense. Apollo locked lips, claiming Ares anew, marking him beyond words. He responded with equal fervor, his fingers tangling in Apollo's dark hair, holding him close, not wanting the kiss to end.

When they broke apart, both were breathless, their foreheads resting together as they tried to steady themselves. Ares's heart raced in his chest, his body humming with the lingering heat of the kiss. "You're impossible," he stammered, a smile tugging at his lip.

Apollo grinned, his thumb brushing over Ares's swollen bottom lip. "And you love it."

Laughing, his eyes shined with affection as he looked at Apollo. "Yeah, I do," he admitted, his voice full of warmth. "But don't think I'm done teasing you."

Apollo's grin widened. "This is the only way I want it."

They stood, embraced in the tree's shade, the world fading around them. The sound of the bees humming nearby, the mild rustle of leaves in the breeze, and the distant chirping of birds created a symphony of peace that filled the space between them.

Surrounded by their life, Ares understood that this was home. It wasn't just a place; it was the person you shared it with, the love that anchored you, and the moments that made all the struggles worth it. Apollo's eyes revealed to Ares their eternal bond, making any place their home.

As the last rays of sunlight slipped behind the mountains, the sky painted in hues of orange and violet, Ares felt a profound sense of belonging. This was home—not just the land, the cabin, or the farm, but the love that had taken root here, deep and strong, unshakable. It was a love that was woven into every leaf, every blade of grass, every stone beneath their feet. And as the evening shadows grew longer, Ares understood that no matter where life led them, they would always find their way back to this—this peace, this love, this place that was entirely theirs.