in every life

"YOU MUST BE LADY HUNT!"

Athena's gaze sharpened at the sight of the older man being flanked by a boy a few years older than her with dark hair and bright blue eyes. She smiled, bowing softly before the men. "You are Mr. Salvatore?"

The gray-haired man nodded, chuckling approvingly. "You may call me Giuseppe, Lady Hunt. It's an honor to have you here,"

"The pleasure is all mine, Giuseppe, but I must insist you call me Athena," Athena smiled, eyes darting to the tall boy watching her closely. "And you are?"

"This is my eldest son, Damon Salvatore. He'll be the one showing you around our estate. I would do it myself, but I am the host and I would hate to appear rude to my guests."

She waved the man off understandingly before turning to look at his son with a soft smile. "I understand. I'd be honored to have your son as my guide, no matter what."

Damon smiled, nodding dutifully as he offered her his arm, which she happily tucked her hand into. The two walked down the hallway towards the backyard, and Athena tried not to notice Damon's inquisitive stare on her profile as they went.

"Do I have dirt on my face, Mr. Salvatore?"

His cheeks flushed and he shook his head. "I apologize for my manners, Lady Hunt, you just seem so familiar,"

She huffs a laugh, waving him off. "Call me Athena, please. I get that a lot, surprisingly. Perhaps I just have one of those faces."

"Yes, I suppose so," He echoed her laugh, leading her into the bright greenery of the backyard. "My little brother, Stefan, is out here. He'd be delighted to meet you if he's not too busy with Katherine."

This time, it was Athena's cheeks that flushed and she ducked her gaze away from Damon's knowing one. "I'm sure it will be my pleasure to meet the both of them,"

He hummed, pulling her in the direction of a group of people, two of whom Damon brought her directly to. "Katherine, Stefan," His bright eyes shifted to the blond man standing there amongst the group of blushing women. "This is Lady Hunt. Father has invited her to stay while she passes through to New York."

Green eyes fixate on her brown ones and she inhales sharply at the bold color. Her pulse races in her neck and she ignores Damon's chuckle as he not-so-subtly redirects Katherine away from them, oblivious to the way the woman watches Athena with a hardened gaze.

"Athena," She mutters, watching every little flicker of Stefan's face. "My name is Athena."

He grins, and it takes her breath away. "Athena,' He echoes, grasping her hand to press a kiss to the back of it. "A name fit for a goddess."

Athena's eyes widen and she laughs lightly, the sound making Stefan's grin widen. Clearing her throat, she looked past his shoulder, still feeling the burn of Katherine's glare on her from somewhere nearby.

"What's got you passing through Mystic Falls of all places if you're headed to someplace like New York?" Stefan questions. "If it's not rude of me to ask. I just can't imagine why a woman like yourself would bother with a small town."

"I was born here, many years ago," She says, earning a look of surprise from him. "But my father and I moved away when I was still a child, so I don't remember it much. He said we still have property here, and that I was free to stay as long as I'd like during my travels. As for why I'm going to New York, my father has instilled a sense of adventure in me from a young age."

Stefan hums, hanging onto her every word. "I've always wanted to see more of the world than Mystic Falls,"

"I've been to many places, but small towns such as this will always hold a special place in my heart," Athena tilts her head slightly to look up at him. "It's so much easier to meet people here."

"Yes, it is," Stefan's gaze seems to soften and Athena huffs, fanning her face slightly. "How long will you be here?"

"Only a short while, I'm afraid. My dear friend Caroline is expecting me in New York before her birthday next week."

Stefan ducks his head for a moment, looking shockingly bashful. "I'd love to write to you while you're away. Perhaps you could," He cleared his throat, looking nervous for the first time since she'd met him. "Come back through town one day."

The two stopped, and Athena turned to smile up at Stefan, her grin blinding. "I'd love that, Stefan."

Before he could say anything else, Damon came up to them, a wild look in his eyes. "Stefan, may I borrow the lady for a moment?"

Athena and Stefan shared a brief look, but she reassured him with a nod and allowed Damon to pull her back into the Salvatore house as quickly as he could without garnering suspicion.

Spinning around to face her, he let out a shaky sigh, looking troubled. "What are you doing here?"

"What do you mean? I've already told you and your father–"

"No, Athena, you're not supposed to be here. You're not supposed to be in 1864."

Athena stiffened, a sharp pain shooting through her head at his words. "W–What?"

"You don't belong here,"

"No, I– I'm from–"

Damon shook his head furiously. "I am not supposed to meet you yet, and neither is Stefan. You need to get back home!"

"I am home!" Her voice earned a few judging stares, but she ignored them as panic arose in her. "If this is your idea of a joke, then I'm afraid you've missed your mark, Mr. Salvatore."

She stormed past him, anger marring her pretty features.

"Your father is going to kill them. Wake up, Athena. Wake up!"

──────

"Athena! Oh, Athena, wait up! Why must you walk so fast?"

"Why must you walk so slow, Caroline?" Athena drawled, shooting a look at her friend as they walked down into the dark alley to the back door of the bar. She rapped her knuckles against the thick door three times, watching the small slot at the top of it open. "Rotgut."

The man behind the door grunted and slid it open, stepping aside to let the two women into the bustling bar. It was a busy night, and Athena could see Gloria on stage performing, looking like she was already breaking a sweat. Athena lifted a gloved hand in a wave to the woman and she grinned widely, still belting out beautiful notes as she waved back.

Athena led her and Caroline to the bar, signaling the bartender down. "Two martinis, please. Extra dry, with olives."

"Do you want to start a tab?"

"Under Athena, yes," Athena confirmed before turning away, allowing the bartender to go off and make their drinks. Leaning against the bar beside Caroline, the two girls looked around at the crowd gathered in the bar tonight. "I needed this. All of the women at the school have been so hateful lately."

Caroline huffed, waving a hand as she lifted her chin. "I don't know why you still put up with them. You're smarter than any one of them, and you know it."

"Yes, I do know that, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating. There's only ten of us in the entire university, Caroline, you'd think that would bring us closer together than anything."

"You'd think," The blonde mutters, turning to grab the drinks from the bartender with a small smile of thanks. "You know, Bonnie and I were expecting you last night at the country club."

"It completely slipped my mind. I was distracted with..." Athena shook her head, offering the blonde an apologetic look as she took a sip of her drink. "I was– well, I was busy with something, but I can't remember what it was now. I've been so tired lately, it feels like the only thing I've done is sleep and go to school."

"Well, I understand that," Caroline chuckled. "I've been so busy with the twins, and Matt has been working so much lately he's stressed like I've never seen. It's rather insufferable if I'm being honest."

Athena patted her friend's hand sympathetically. "Oh, Care, I can't imagine it's easy being in that big old house, taking care of the twins all by yourself. I wish you'd hire one of those nannies I showed you."

"Ah, I'm used to it. You, on the other hand," Caroline gestured to Athena pointedly. "When are you gonna find yourself a gentleman and settle down? You're a catch, Athena, any guy here would be lucky to have you."

Athena rolled her eyes. "You think I'll meet the man of my dreams in Gloria's bar, really?"

"You've always been a wildcard, Athena," Caroline shrugged, feigning innocence. "Let's go dance and see if it attracts any options!"

Athena rolls her eyes again, but finishes her drink with a large gulp and allows Caroline to drag her to the group of people swinging back and forth in time with the band's lively performance. She and Caroline fall into it easily, laughter spilling from their lips as they dramatically spin one another around.

On one particularly hard spin, Athena stumbles slightly, and she finds herself laughing even harder as hands land on her waist, squeezing tightly to steady her.

"Oh, god!" Athena steadied herself on her heels, holding a hand to her chest as she tried to stop her laughter. "I am so sorry, my friend and I tend to lose control."

Athena trailed her gaze up the length of the suited man holding her, her breath hitching in her throat as she met green eyes that instantly made her pulse race. "Oh,"

The man smiled down at her, looking every bit the cat that ate the canary. "It's quite alright, Miss, I should've been paying more attention. It's not very gentlemanly of me to nearly run you over."

Athena chuckled softly, one of her hands still resting against the man's chest. "Well, either way, I apologize. I should– I should find my friend,"

"Of course," The man nodded in agreement, but his hands remained around her waist, and Athena made no effort to move from his hold in the middle of the dance floor.

"I, um," Athena swallowed, tilting her head back to look at him fully from beneath the brim of her hat. "I haven't seen you here before. How do you know Gloria?"

"I don't usually come in on Thursdays," He says, eyes drifting to the woman on the stage. "Gloria is an old friend. She helps me out when I need it, and vice versa."

"Isn't that all of Gloria's friends?" Athena jokes, earning a chuckle from the man. "Are you here with anyone?"

"Friends," He says, making a vague gesture to the upper level of seating. "You and your friend are welcome to join us for a drink."

Athena swallowed, unable to look away from his entrancing gaze. "I wouldn't want to impose,"

"No such thing," The man says quickly. "I'd never think of you as an imposition."

Athena felt her cheeks flood with warmth and she dropped her hand from his chest, clenching her satin-covered fingers at her side. "Perhaps another night. If you're here next Thursday, that is."

"I have a feeling I will be,"

Athena nodded, taking a step away from him, not missing the way his eyes tracked her movement. "I'll see you around, then, Mister,"

"Salvatore. Stefan Salvatore."

"Right," Athena tilts her head. "I'll see you around, Mr. Salvatore."

She turns on her heel and walks away, a grin growing on her face as she continues her trek through town.

"Hey, Miss!"

Stefan's voice echoes through the air and Athena turns her head, giving him a sly grin over her shoulder. "Yes, Mr. Salvatore?"

"I didn't get your name!"

She laughs airily, lifting her hand in a wave. "I didn't give it to you! Good day, Mr. Salvatore!"

She doesn't look back again, feeling his gaze burning holes in her as she walks back to the door, stepping out into the brisk night air. She hadn't been in there for long, but she felt as if hours had passed. Like she had been underwater, and she was just coming up for air.

"Athena!" Caroline's voice came from the sidewalk, and Athena grinned, letting out a breath. "Am I wrong or did I see you having a very private conversation with a man in there a moment ago?"

"Oh, Caroline, you should've seen him! He was a dream!"

Caroline giggled drunkenly, leaning forward to rest her hand on Athena's shoulders. "Well, why didn't you hop on him? A man like that is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, Athena, you've gotta take the chance while you've got it."

Athena sighed, shaking her head as insecurity crept into her voice. "Care, I don't think I'm worth all of that fuss. Most men don't look twice when they learn I'm in school, and live on my own."

Caroline rolled her eyes at her friend's words. "Athena, you're a damn star, alright? Any man would be lucky to have your attention."

The brunette smiled, adjusting the diamond-encrusted headband in her hair. "Thanks, Care. You always know what to say,"

"That's part of my charm, honey," Caroline laughed, waving off Athena's thanks. Her blue eyes lingered on Athena's sharp features, brows suddenly furrowing in confusion. "Say, how'd you get that scar again, anyways? I don't remember if you've told me or not."

"Oh, it was a freak accident when I was younger," Athena started, her mind traveling through the years. "I was– I was,"

Athena stopped, her brows furrowing. "I– I don't– I don't remember. Why don't I remember?"

"Athena,"

The brunette straightened her spine, frowning as she looked around at the old vehicles lining the streets, the empty spaces along the way where buildings had yet to be built. "Caroline, what year is it?"

"How much did you have to drink, Athena?"

"Just answer the question,"

"It's 1922, Athena. What's going on?"

"1922," Athena echoes under her breath, standing near the edge of the sidewalk. "I'm not supposed to be here. I'm– Why am I here?"

Caroline stood, frowning at her friend's panic. "Athena, what the hell are you talking about? This is Chicago, we've lived here for years."

"No, I need to get home. I need to get back to Stefan. I have to go back now!"

Caroline lunged for Athena right as the brunette stumbled into the busy street. "Athena, come back!"

"I can't, Caroline! I have to go home!'

Athena turns, her eyes wide when bright headlights shine into her eyes, blinding her momentarily. She flinches, her fists clutching in her dress as the car hits her. The last thing she hears is Caroline's call of her name, and everything goes black.

──────

Athena huffed as she leaned against the railing of the roller rink, watching Caroline skate through the heaps of people, drawing eyes her way. Her brown eyes drifted to where Elena was gliding between Matt and Tyler, a flirtatious smile on her face as the two boys fawned over her.

Rolling her eyes, Athena turned around, only to run right into a solid wall of chest. "Oh, god! What the hell, man?"

"Shit, sorry, sweetheart, I didn't see you there!" The man's voice filled her ears and she dragged her eyes up his frame, meeting a pair of stunning green eyes that were alight with amusement as she glared.

"Don't call me sweetheart," She huffs, fixing her black headband sitting in her hair. "And watch where you're going next time."

"No problem, sweet–" The man stopped at the sight of her warning glare, a laugh leaving his lips. "Sorry. Hey, are you local?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I'm looking for somebody– my brother. I know he's been living around here for a while, but it turns out New York is bigger than I realized, and I can't find him."

Athena narrowed her eyes, still suspicious, but figuring there wasn't anything harmful about small talk. "If he's got an address here, you'll probably be able to find him in the Yellow Pages. If not, though, I think you'd be surprised at how small of a world it really is. You'll probably find someone who knows him around here,"

The man looks at her curiously, tilting his head. "Are you from here?"

"No, but I've been here for a while," She says, watching as he takes a sip of his slushy.

He nods, eyeing the crowded rink. "You don't skate?"

"No, I don't like the idea of sticking my foot in a pair of shoes that a hundred other people's feet have been in," Athena furrows her brows, looking the man up and down before her eyes zero in on his cup. "What are you drinking?"

"A cherry slushy, why– hey!"

Athena smirked as she took it from him, wrapping her lips around the straw and sucking down on the sweet drink. "Thanks, man,"

"It's Stefan. Stefan Salvatore."

"I wasn't asking," She shrugged, stepping past him towards the arcade. "See you around!"

Stefan smirked, his eyes full of amusement. "I didn't get your name, sweetheart!"

She rolled her eyes, taking another drink off his slushy. "I didn't give it to you, sweetheart!"

Stefan laughed at her pointed words, and he lifted his hand in a lazy wave that she mocked with a two-finger salute above her arched eyebrow.

When Athena finally turned her back to the man, she didn't stop the grin from breaking across her face, nor did she bother to deny the way her cheeks heated.

"Oh, my god, Athena," Caroline's hyper voice filled her ears and she shot her gaze up as the blonde stopped abruptly on her skates before her, grabbing her wrists tightly. "Who was that hunk you were talking to?"

Athena feigns ignorance, biting on the red straw of the cup. "Who?"

"Come on, spill! He was a total fox! I think Elena was jealous– she went over to talk to him!"

Athena's eyes widened and she looked over her shoulder, eyes narrowing in on Stefan being cornered by the irritating brunette. Biting out a sigh, she turned back to Caroline. "Whatever, he's probably a total skag."

"You're gonna let Elena win this one? Really, Athena? When was the last time you let Elena win anything?"

"Caroline,"

"Athena," The blonde tightened her grip on Athena's wrists, looking into her brown eyes. "You are easily the hottest chick any of these people have ever seen, including Elena Gilbert. It's 1975, independent women rule the world! Now go get your man!"

Athena clenched her jaw, her grip tightening around the cup in her hand. She nodded sternly and Caroline cheered, letting her go as she turned around and stormed through the crowds that seemed to part for her as she made her way to where Stefan and Elena were standing.

"Hey, Stefan," Athena smiled, overtly sweet as she stepped in between them, uncaring of Elena's offended scoff. "How about you buy me another slushy?"

Stefan smirks, looking down into her eyes with a shade of gratitude for her apparent rescue. "Oh, yeah? What's in it for me? You gonna tell me your name?"

"Really?"

Athena turned her head, looking over her shoulder at Elena's incredulous stance. "You can go now,"

"Are you serious?"

Rolling her eyes, she grabbed Stefan's hand and turned back to face him with a devious glint in her eyes. "If you play your cards right, Stefan, you can learn a lot more than just my name,"

Stefan's green eyes lit up and he huffed a laugh, already pulling her towards the snack counter. "Well come on, sweetheart, we've got a long night ahead of us,"

"You wanna get some fresh air?"

He frowns slightly but they make their way outside, the cool spring air clearing her of whatever haze she'd been feeling inside the crowded roller rink. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Athena smiled slightly, meeting Stefan's gaze through the darkness broken up by the neon lights shining off the building. "Just a little overwhelmed by the crowd."

"I get it," He smiled lackadaisically, leaning against the brick wall outside of the building. "Hey, if you don't mind me asking, how'd you get that scar?"

Athena's hand shook as she trailed her fingers across the scar up her cheek, frowning slightly. "I, uh, I was in an accident, I think."

"You think?"

"I don't– I don't remember," She brushed her fingers against her cheek, looking up at Stefan confusedly. "Why don't I remember?"

Stefan shook his head. "Probably because you're not supposed to be here,"

"W–what? What did you say?"

"You have to get home, Athena. You have to get home."

"I– I am! I am home!"

Stefan lunged for her, his hands wrapping around her arms to shake her. "You have to help them! They're going to get caught! Just go home, Athena!"

Athena shook her head, tears blurring her vision. "I have to– I have to get home! I have to help my brother! My father, he's going to hurt them, Zeus–"

"Zeus!"

Athena gasped as her vision brightened once more and she stumbled forward, catching herself on steady feet. Her chest heaved as she straightened herself out again, setting her glare onto her father.

The man fixes his enraged look onto the Fate standing behind her. "What did you do? Why didn't it work?"

"I told you," Athena disregarded his words, standing straight as she walked towards him. "I told you what I wanted and you ignored me. Let me go, Zeus. Let us go back to Earth safely."

"Athena, this is your home now. You will learn to love it just as you loved Earth," His voice echoed angrily and he pointed an accusing finger at her. "You don't need anyone on Earth!"

"Yes, I do! I need all of them, I– I need Caroline and Bonnie, and I need Lexi," Her eyes flicker to Apollo, who has the decency to look ashamed at the mention of the woman. "I need Klaus and Elijah, and– and Damon, I need Damon,"

She clenches her fists at her sides, staring into her father's eyes harshly despite the tears burning in her gaze. "I need Stefan. I need him because he's mine, and I'm his. And everything I just saw proved that. It proves that we would've found each other, no matter how hard you tried to keep us apart. But I won't let you do it again, Zeus, I won't. No one is taking this away from me, not even you."

Zeus shook his head, taking a few steps away from her as her anger grew. "Athena, listen to me–"

"I'm going home, and you're all going to let me, or I'm going to show you all what it truly means to reap what you sow. You will wish I never stepped foot in this godforsaken city, I swear on everything that I am worth," She stepped forward, shoving her father backward with a grunt. "I am taking my future back from you, Zeus. My fate is mine to control, and no one else's."

Silence settles in the throne room, and Athena clenches her jaw as her father seems to contemplate her ultimatum.

Slowly, he lifts his hand, making a small circular gesture.

She turned in the direction his hand had pointed, her heart suddenly pounding in her chest as she looked at the portal that seemed to come out in an unrecognizable alleyway. "What is that?"

"It's Chicago. That's where he is."

Athena looks at Zeus, but her gaze quickly passes as she walks toward the three still wrapped in chains. Wrapping her hands around their bindings, she yanks them off with low grunts, helping each of them stand on their feet again. "Let's go," She pushes them to the portal Zeus had opened, shoving Future first. "You first."

Just as Future steps through the portal, Athena stiffens, twisting around and slamming her fist into the Fate's nose as she tries to approach them.

Her glare sets on her father as the girl falls to the ground unconscious, blood trickling from her nose.

"You will have a safe passage, Athena. But know this," He gestures to the portal behind them, a glare on his face. "If you leave now, you won't be welcomed back without a fight."

Athena looked over her shoulder, eyeing the alleyway briefly before her gaze fell back to her father. "I won't be coming back. But if I ever do, I'll be prepared to win the fight."

Her eyes drift past Zeus to the goddesses and gods that had sat around mindlessly and done nothing but follow Zeus's orders. A sneer curls at her split lip and she shakes her head. "Don't bother coming back to Earth anytime soon. You're not welcome there anymore."

Artemis leans forward on her throne, peering into Athena's eyes. "And who will stop us if we do?"

Athena clenches her fist, knuckles turning white. "I will. Without hesitation."

She turns and pushes the three forward, letting them pass through the portal safely before she lifts her foot and crosses the barrier. Shaking her head to rid herself of nerves, she lets out a shaky breath and steps through the portal.

Momentarily, her vision spots and she stumbles, but Hermes catches her before she faceplants. The sound of cars and busybodies fills her ears and she turns around, facing the bustling streets with a tremble of disbelief in her step.

"Athena, look,"

"Oh, god," She whispers, propping herself up on the brick building at the end of the alley. "We did it. We're home. I'm home."

──────

author's note; YOOOOO DID SOMEBODY SAY REUNION?

originally published; 5.14.21.

edited: 12.5.23.

- liz