Aetherion didn't move.
For a moment, he simply watched her go.
Silent.
Stunned.
Trying to process what had just happened.
Then—
A presence appeared beside him.
Close.
Very close.
Immediately, Aetherion hand were caught and gently pulled, turning him toward the culprit.
His eyes met hers—
Deep, ruby-red eyes he knew well.
"…Metis?"
His voice carried confusion, still clouded by the nectar—and the lingering warmth of the kiss he had just received.
Metis looked at him.
Her expression… was not pleased.
Without a word, she stepped closer, taking his hand and placing it firmly against her waist. Her own arms slid up, resting around his neck as the music began to rise once more.
"It seems," she said, her voice smooth but edged, "you're enjoying yourself quite a bit tonight."
And just like that, she led him.
Aetherion followed, though his mind lagged behind.
The world felt slightly hazy, his thoughts slower, softer. His focus drifted—
Back to that kiss.
The warmth.
The softness.
'…Whoa…'
That was all he could think.
"…Ow.!"
A sudden sharp pain snapped him back.
Metis had stepped on his foot.
"Are you going to answer me?" she asked, her tone calm—but her eyes anything but.
Aetherion winced slightly, looking down before lifting his gaze back to her. Whether he was truly hurt or just caught off guard, even he wasn't sure.
"My mind just wandered for a moment," he said, exhaling softly before offering her a small, disarming smile. "But… I'm glad you came to dance with me."
Metis narrowed her eyes slightly, studying him.
"Really?" she said. "You looked quite… taken with that kiss earlier."
There it was.
Direct and blunt.
Aetherion chuckled lightly, trying to ease the tension.
"It caught me off guard," he admitted. "I didn't even have time to think about it… so I can't really say much, can I?"
Metis held his gaze for a moment longer.
Then—
"…Hm."
She let it go.
For now.
The tension eased, just enough for the music to take over again.
Aetherion exhaled quietly.
Then, after a beat—
"You're an incredible dancer, Metis."
His tone was softer now, more genuine.
She moved with effortless grace, guiding him across the floor as if she had complete control over every step, every rhythm. Her body flowed with the music, elegant and precise, drawing the attention of those around them without even trying.
Aetherion simply followed her lead.
Metis's lips curved slightly.
"Of course," she said, a hint of pride slipping into her voice. "It is me. Dancing is a simple matter.."
Aetherion shook his head lightly, a faint smile forming.
"Yeah… you've always been amazing."
There was no teasing in his voice this time.
Just honesty.
Metis paused—just for a moment.
Then her expression softened.
A genuine smile bloomed on her lips, brighter than before.
And just like that—
The atmosphere changed.
The music carried them.
They moved together, closer now, more in sync. Aetherion's hand rested steadily at her waist, while her fingers brushed lightly behind his neck. Their bodies moved as one, guided by rhythm and something quieter beneath it.
Her dark blue hair flowed gently with each step, catching the soft light.
Her ruby eyes met his again—
No longer sharp.
But warm.
Playful.
Almost… inviting.
Aetherion found himself drawn in, his gaze lingering as if he had forgotten everything else around him.
For a moment—
There was only the two of them.
He tried to mirror what he had learned before, adjusting his steps, refining his movements—but beside Metis, his efforts felt almost clumsy in comparison.
She was effortless.
Elegant.
Untouchable.
And yet—
She stayed close.
Smiling at him.
Dancing with him.
As if, for this moment—
That was enough.
As Aetherion danced with Metis, his mind began to drift.
The warmth of the nectar still lingered in his body, loosening the control he always kept so firmly in place.
He could feel it—his thoughts slower, his restraint weaker, his emotions closer to the surface than they should have been.
'So this is what it feels like…'
He exhaled slowly.
Being part of the Greek myth meant something very real—something he had always been aware of.
Desire, instinct, emotion… they ran stronger here, deeper. His brothers were the same.
The difference was—
He had always controlled it.
Disciplined it.
Turned it into drive.
But tonight…
That control wasn't as absolute.
His gaze rested on Metis.
On her eyes.
On the way she moved.
And his thoughts… weren't as clean as they usually were.
Selene's earlier kiss lingered in his mind.
The warmth of it.
The softness.
And now Metis—
So close.
Too close.
He felt it clearly now.
Desire.
Not overwhelming.
But present.
Growing even.
'…This isn't good.'
Aetherion tightened his hold slightly at her waist—not enough to be improper, but enough to ground himself.
'Sigh, not now.'
War was still ongoing.
Responsibilities hadn't vanished.
He wasn't some careless god who would lose himself to impulse.
Even here—especially here—
He had to stay in control.
And yet…
It wasn't easy.
Metis noticed.
She tilted her head slightly, her ruby eyes narrowing just a bit as she studied him.
"…What is it?" she asked softly. "You're looking at me rather intensely."
Aetherion didn't look away.
For a moment, he simply held her gaze.
Then he answered—honestly.
"I am," he said, his voice quieter now. "Being this close to you… even just this…"
He paused briefly, choosing his words.
"…it takes more effort than I expected to stay composed."
Metis froze for half a second.
Then—
Her cheeks flushed.
A soft golden tint spread across her face, her breath catching ever so slightly.
She understood.
Of course she did.
And the fact that he said it so directly—
Without hiding.
Without playing around—
Only made it worse.
Aetherion noticed.
A small, amused smile tugged at his lips.
"What?" he murmured, leaning just slightly closer. "You're the one getting shy now, Metis?"
There was a teasing warmth in his voice, though his own cheeks still carried a faint flush.
Metis looked away for a moment, clearly affected—
Before the music began to slow.
The dance came to an end.
Aetherion began to pull back slightly, intending to step away—
But—
Her hand tightened around his.
Before he could react—
She pulled him back.
Close.
Too close.
And then—
Her lips met his.
Aetherion's eyes widened.
For a brief moment, everything stilled.
The world.
The music.
The voices around them.
All of it faded.
There was only that single point of contact.
Full of warm.
A gentle softness.
And completely unexpected.
Then—
She pulled away.
Quickly.
Almost too quickly.
Around them, reactions rippled through the crowd—some shocked, some envious. A few watched with poorly hidden irritation, but Aetherion barely noticed.
His focus remained on her.
Metis stood there, her face deeply flushed now, her composure clearly shaken.
"I…" she started, her voice softer than usual. "It's… the same for me."
And before he could respond—
She turned.
And hurried away.
Leaving him standing there.
Still.
Silent.
Aetherion blinked once, then let out a quiet breath.
His hand lifted slightly, as if he might follow—
Then stopped.
'…That just happened.'
A faint, thoughtful smile appeared on his lips.
But he didn't move.
Not yet.