Breathe, Just Breathe

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena Zhefarovich had never quite had a first date like the one she had just had with Drakon. He had promised her an unforgettable night and he had delivered and then some. The hours had flown by. In truth, Athena had no idea how many hours they'd been out already. She only knew that she was reluctant for the evening to come to an end. It was very late though, the moon more than halfway through its descent. As they apparated back to her place, Athena pulled Drakon more tightly against her, her lips locked with his. They'd been like that for the past few minutes, in the darkest corner of a room, until Athena had come up for air long enough to suggest that they head to her place. Athena lived alone, on a fairly quiet street so she figured they could get there quickly and continue enjoying their night. So far, Drakon had only seen the outside of it, but she thought he had more than earned the opportunity to enter her home.

The crack echoed down the quiet wizarding street and Athena laughed as she stumbled slightly, her usual apparating style even more affected by the alcohol she'd consumed and the closeness of apparating with another person. Small lights led the way to the woman's front door but she wasn't even paying attention. Her mind and body were too busy with other things. She stumbled backwards again, still not ready to break away from the man's embrace. She liked his strong hands around her. Finally, she pulled away slowly, a laugh on her lips. "I have to find my wand so I can open the door." She walked backwards, leading the way to her house as she rummaged in her bag. "There you are" she murmured as she found her wand. Still moving backwards, Athena knew that they were getting close to her door. She could see the faint glow caused by the light by her door. "Where were we?" she stated as she bit her lip and tugged Drakon's hand so that they could re-connect.

 

[Drakon Katsaros]

Being dressed in his best leather jacket and jeans he could find, Drakon knew that he did not look that bad. And, he had this gorgeous date on his arm. Drakon was enjoying himself, and locking lips with Athena Zhefarovich was perhaps the best part of the night. The dinner was good, but Athena was just better. The date went by and by, and Drakon did not keep up with the time, because he didn't have anyone else to go home to. And when Athena invited him back to her place, he definitely took up that opportunity to finally see the inside of Athena's home. Apparating with Athena near her place, he just could not keep his hands off of her. His arms remained around her, and he wanted nothing more but to continue snogging her as much as he could. The alcohol he drank didn't even give him a buzz, so he was in the right state of mind. At least the crack didn't seem like it was loud enough to make the neighbors come out and see the couple for all that they are worth.

He broke from her body only once when she said that she needed to find her wand to open the door. "Sure thing, Athena." He watched her move backward, which he followed alone her movements his own, without walking backward that is. She opened the door after finally taking her wand out of her bag. She tugged his hand and with a smirk, he wrapped his other hand around her waist as his lips claimed hers once more as the door opened to invite them inside. He closed the door behind him with his boot, and continued to kiss her. He pulled away for a moment, mainly for some air. He looked around her house, and it was a little dark. Well, to him. He had a lot of light within his own house. "You've got a real nice place, Athena. Looks really good. You look better though." He slipped his hand around her waist once more, and figured that she would either just continue what they were doing, or show him the grand tour.​

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena didn't even bother with the lights until after they'd broken away from each other again. She took a deep breath, running a hand through her hair before she reached to take her coat off, her midriff peeking out as she sent the coat to its space with magic. As soon as the door had shut, all the security measures had gone back into effect so she wasn't worried about that at all. Leaning into his side, his hand around her waist, Athena smirked at Drakon. "I know" she replied confidently. The woman had a healthy self-esteem. Besides, there was no way for the man to deny how into her he was. Not after he'd been snogging her for the past hour. Athena dropped her bag on a small table and moved forward, knowing that Drakon would keep pace. She pointed quickly to the right where it was very dark. "Living room and Kitchen are that way" she stated quickly, stopping in front of her stairs, "and my bedroom is up there." Athena took a step to the right and glanced back at Drakon to see if he was disappointed that they weren't going up to her room. She continued into the darkness of her living room, glad that she didn't trip again as she had outside.

Kicking off her heels, Athena continued to walk. Her feet were silently sending her their thanks. "You know if you'd shown even half of this personality before, we would've gotten to this point much, much sooner" she called as she pulled Drakon down onto her black leather couch. He had been a jerk to her during their first meeting. It hadn't been until he'd brought her home on his broom that they'd had a conversation where she didn't feel the urge to strangle him. "Come here" Athena ordered, giving his arm a small tug. Just as their lips were about to meet once more, Athena heard a small thump. She froze, listening carefully to try and pinpoint the noise, but she didn't hear it again so she brought their lips together once more, her arm wrapping around his neck and pulling him close.

 

[Axel Zhefarovich]

There was nothing that could have prepared Axel Zhefarovich for this sort of moment. Standing in the corner, he waited in the dark, watching as his daughter, his older pureblood daughter no less, lips locked with the boy that he wanted to strangle. Why was Athena wasting her time with this waste of space? Pureblood or not, Axel did not care, and had a lot of information on him because of Hades. Turns out, this was very much the same family that Hades almost married into until he found Etoile. Axel saw them collapse onto the couch, after they refused to go to the bedroom (which was good otherwise he would have fired the killing curse then and there, to hell with keeping Athena safe in case he missed). He kicked the ground slightly, and caused a small thud which thankfully got their attention. Axel was not pleased right now, and he hated it. He looked at the two, and if looks could kill, Drakon would be in the ninth circle of hell right now. Axel cleared his throat as he stepped forward, with his arms crossed over his chest, his leather making a small, rough sound as he moved.

"Drakon Milo Katsaros," started Axel, as he started to name off a few things, "Raised by his uncle and aunt after his older sister went insane and killed her family, and was going to kill Drakon herself until she could not find him. Rebelled throughout Durmstrang, with no high marks or achievements. Spends times courting young pureblood women, and not to mention, your other little hobby." Axel smirked as he moved toward the man, ignoring his daughter in the meantime. Axel smirked, which was truly a terrifying motion, "Sounds good for your eulogy, doesn't it?" Axel was ready to kill this man for trying to deflower his precious daughter. He was ready for blood, and as a trained assassin, he had a million wants to kill him, in this room alone.​

 

[Drakon Katsaros]

Drakon did not want to leave Athena's grasp. Everything about her exciting him to the core. He did not really listen to where the kitchen and living room were at, because his eyes were on her lips, only wanting to make them swell with more kisses and affection. He did spare a look up to her bedroom area, but only turned to face her once more. He sighed, "Damn, should have not been an ass so soon!" He chuckled, knowing that it would have to work out later if he did end up with someone else. But right now, he was smitten with just Athena. He was not disappointed at all. He just wanted to spend some time with her, and didn't know about the whole figure that was lurking in the corner. Of course, he ignored the thump as she pulled him close, and he claimed her lips with his, and tangled his hand into her hair, deepening it a little bit before he heard something. He turned his head and all the blood drained from his face. Drakon looked as white as a ghost. It was her freaking dad!

Then her dad read out all of his personal information, things he had never told Athena, and for a good reason. Drakon felt like someone just hit him in the chest with a bludger. Who the hell was this guy that could do this? Tears lined his eyes before he suddenly lunged, "You son of a b*tch! You can't just tell everyone their f**king past!" Drakon launched a punch toward Axel's face, only to be caught and pushed backward, landing on his rear before finally registering what the last thing that Axel said. His eulogy?! Was he about to kill him just for kissing his daughter? At least he wasn't screwing her on the couch! Drakon did not even make any motion to to go her bedroom or urge her to do that! Drakon scrambled to his feet, and stood his ground. This man could easily rip off his head, but Drakon was not about to run, which proved that Drakon did not really know much at all about the Zhefarovich family.​

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena felt like she was about to pass out as she caught sight of her father in the corner of her living room. "Dad!" she yelled as she scurried back, pushing Drakon away from her lap. Her father was moving towards them, talking and as Athena tuned in, she realized that her father was telling her the man's history. Athena had been slowly trying to chip away at the man's wall, knowing that he was hiding...something. She didn't know what, but she knew that there was something heavy...and dark there. Now, she knew exactly what it was. Athena reached forward too late, her hand losing its grip on the end of Drakon's shirt as he lunged at her father, cursing the man for revealing his history. "Drakon, noooooooo" she howled. She wasn't very afraid that he would hurt her father. She was more afraid for him. And, it was with reason as Drakon landed beside her, flat on his bottom on her floor.

As he stood up, Athena did as well, scrambling up from the sofa and straightening her skirt. She took a step forward so that she was just in front of Drakon. "Father, stop! You can't do this anymore. I'm an adult now" she yelled. She definitely didn't want Drakon to die anyway and her father had mentioned something about a eulogy. Athena was furious that her dad had just barged into her home. She couldn't remember ever being this mad at him before. She usually idolized her father. But, as she stood there, her eyes darkening from their usual silver, she waited to hear her father say more. She didn't think he could have any good reason to be here except to spy on her, which angered her. Lucien had been off and married before he'd left his teenaged years, and here she was barely moved out on her own. "Drakon. Sit down. Please" she urged, not wanting her father to think he was being anymore disrespectful by standing his ground. It was bad enough that he'd cursed at her father. That was a big no-no.

 

[Axel Zhefarovich]

Axel watched in amusement as the boy tried to punch him, which was caught by Axel’s hand easily, and using his power, just shoved the kid back until he landed on his rear. He had guts, that much he knew. Axel was almost impressed. And with the way the kid attacked him, anyone that threatened his daughter would be in good hands. However, Axel did not like the Katsaros family. They were lingering on the side of insanity. Drakon’s sister was proof of that. Plus, Axel harbored a unique hatred for the group that Drakon was in. It was just all child’s play. Axel turned his attention to his daughter, who was getting a little fresh with him. He pointed his finger at her before he hissed, “You forget what sort of position I hold in this family. I am Head. I should have placed you in an arranged marriage when I had the chance, so you would not have been bothered by this filth.” His eyes went to Drakon. Sure, he was pure-blood, but sometimes, some things were even bigger than blood status. Axel noticed that his daughter seemed to perhaps harbor some feelings for this boy, and started to wonder. The way that Drakon looked at Athena, it was the same way that Chavdar looked at Emerald, and the way that Leviathan looked at Ariah.

Was he being perhaps too harsh on her? Axel folded his arms across his chest, before he started to wonder. Athena was an adult, and he was trying to make sure that she would be in a respectable family and also, being taken care of. Axel did not like Drakon, and that much was true. But as Athena stood up to him, it brought on memories of how Kamaria did. He finally let Kamaria go. He gave Athena a little more than he did Kamaria, since she moved straight with Rurik and never had a place of her own despite having a suitable job. No, he would remain firm. He cracked his neck before something stopped him. The front door opened, and there stood a figure that made Axel pause, and pale. He looked as though he had seen a ghost. Perhaps he had, because that man should have been dead.​

 

[Azazel Zhefarovich]

Azazel Zhefarovich did his best to remain hidden and whatnot from the family, with his death still on the tree. Something he did behind his son’s back, something that he wanted to make sure stayed that way for all time. That is, until now. Azazel did not erase the death on the tree yet, but he was standing outside the house of someone that he knew. His grandson and his daughter’s house. Well, it might have been the latter’s house. He had too many grandchildren to really put names to faces, but he did at least know this one’s. Athena. Axel was the new Head, which was a position that he held so long ago. Skeletal fingers gripped his cane as he ascended upon the door. His black robes flowed around him, and by narrowing his eyes, the door opened. He stood at the entry way, and as soon as Axel looked at him, as to be expected, he appeared to be in shock, and terror. Not much could scare Axel, but the tales of Azazel Zhefarovich could easily do it. After all, Asparuh got it from someone. Azazel’s lips twisted, as he spoke, his voice smoother than one would have expected from an older man, “Surely, you are not abusing your position, Axel.” He looked to the side with his onyx eyes to see Athena, and her little boyfriend. “Outside, Axel. Now.” Azazel spoke once more to Athena, “Pleasure meeting you, Athena. And Drakon.” He only knew of Drakon because of his association with the Scitorari. Azazel waited for Axel to leave before shutting the door behind them.
​

 

[Drakon Katsaros]

Drakon was a little on the surprised side that the man was so strong. Axel Zhefarovich eventually revealed that he was the Head of the family. However, that was not the top most position. That was Patriarch. But still, now he knew exactly what he was getting himself into. He heard her words for him to sit down, but Drakon did not want to. He wanted to stand his ground and he wanted to show that he was not about to deflower Axel’s daughter any time soon. Any man would love to get their hands on her, and Drakon did not blame them. But he was protective over her, and he would remain that way. He looked at Athena, and a small smile showed on his lips. She seemed really concerned about him, and that was touching. No one really showed that to him. His aunt and uncle made it seem like he was more of a burden than anything. Perhaps he was because he was rebelling all the time. He could almost be jealous of the family that Athena was in, except it was freaking terrifying. Drakon was about to sit down before the door opened.

In the doorway revealed none other than Azazel. Drakon did not know his name, but he recognized him from the Scitorari meetings, talking about how to crack into people by using family members. His eyes went back and forth from Axel to Azazel, making the connection that they were related, but that man looked like he made Axel scared. Should Drakon be worried? Surely a push down the steps would mean that the man breaks his hips, right? Although, he just looked powerful. Maybe he shouldn’t even think that. As the two left, he turned to face Athena before he said, “I know that man. He is one of those people that plays with the dead.” Drakon reached around and scratched his head. He sank down onto the couch, before he sighed. “Um, sorry for not telling you about my past. My sister went mad, and my parents were really my aunt and uncle that raised me.” Drakon folded his hands together, and stared ahead with his brown eyes.​

 

[Athena Zhefarovich]

Athena flinched as her father pointed a finger at her and berated her in front of Drakon. She'd always wondered if her father had thought about putting her in an arranged marriage, but to hear that he actually had was something else. The color drained from the woman's face, and she opened her mouth but nothing came out. It didn't matter because she would have fallen silent anyway as a man drifted into her home. Athena stumbled backward, nearly tripping over Drakon's feet. She had only seen the man in pictures. He was supposed to be dead, but there he was addressing her and her father. As her father headed out, Athena wanted to stop him, fearing the look in her father's eyes and that man. She'd heard the stories, seen the horrible pictures. Azazel Zhefarovich was evil incarnate. "Daddy..."she trailed off as the door shut behind the two men.

Athena's hands went to the side of her head. Too much had happened in just these few moments, and she was feeling completely overwhelmed. "I...I don't even know what means" she said in far away voice as if her mind was drifting off somewhere else. It hadn't happened to her in a long time, and she closed her eyes, forcing herself to focus on something. That something was Drakon's voice. He was opening up to her, now of all times. The girl's silver eyes drifted to him slowly. She knew better than to go outside. Her father would give her a sign she hoped when it was safe to leave again. When he was safe. "It's ok, Drakon" she responded softly. Wrapping her arms around herself, Athena took a seat. "My mother went mad as well. It's why my father is so overprotective of us, of me especially..." she began, getting ready to open up to Drakon as well.

The End​