The old wooden door creaked softly as Athena pushed it open, a gust of cold air sweeping in before she and the mysterious man stepped inside.
"Welcome home," Athena murmured, more to herself than to him.
He lingered at the threshold, uncertain, dressed in an oversized gray flannel shirt and dark trousers from Lucy's late father. Not exactly stylish, but a definite improvement over the pink robe and bunny pajamas he'd worn before.
Athena placed the bag of clothes on the small table tucked into the corner of the room. She was about to call out to him when she noticed he was already standing by the window, gazing out.
His face was distant. His eyes followed the gray sky, the slow drift of snow, and the silhouettes of bare trees in the distance. As if the world outside was either completely foreign… or heartbreakingly familiar.
Athena walked over quietly. "Hey," she said gently. "Are you okay? Is something on your mind?"
He turned slowly. "No," he said softly. "I'm just... watching."
Athena studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod. "Come sit," she offered, pulling one of the old chairs near the fireplace.
He followed, settling into the chair slowly. Athena sat across from him, hands folded over her knees.
"I know this is all overwhelming," she said seriously. "But I need to ask again… maybe something came back. Do you remember anything at all? Your name? Family? Friends? City..."
He shook his head. "Nothing. It's just… blank."
Athena looked down, exhaling deeply.
"Okay," she said at last. "Then… I guess you'll have to stay here for now."
He looked at her, almost as if asking for confirmation that he'd heard right.
"But I have to be honest with you," Athena added, her voice a little shaky. "I'm not rich. I live alone in this tiny house. I'm an orphan. My paycheck barely gets me through the month, and some days, I'm not even sure I can afford decent meals."
She gave a tired smile. "We won't be living in luxury here. But… I'll try my best."
He lowered his head slightly. "I won't be a burden to you," he said quietly.
Athena gave a small smile. There was something so genuinely innocent in his tone,it warmed her heart in a way she didn't expect.
She leaned back, chuckling softly. "But you know… we can't keep calling you 'that guy' forever. You need a name."
He blinked. "A name?"
"Yes." Athena met his gaze. "You don't have one, so… I'll give you one."
He just looked at her, waiting.
Athena nodded slowly, thinking. Then her eyes lit up. "Asher," she declared.
"Asher?" he echoed, sounding out the word carefully.
"Yeah. It means 'blessed,' or 'hope'... depending on who you ask," she smiled. "But I think it suits you."
He sat quietly, letting the name settle in his mind. "Asher…" he whispered, like tasting something new.
"From now on, you're Asher," Athena said, extending her hand.
And for the first time, he gave a small smile and shook her hand.
"Thank you…" he started, but didn't finish.
"Athena Kingsleigh," she said, introducing herself with a grin.
"Athena... Athena King... Kingsleigh," he repeated with a smile, then frowned slightly. "But... why do I only have one name?"
"Oh…" Athena chuckled. "You want a last name too?"
Asher nodded. "A good one. Like yours."
"What?"
"I want your last name."
Athena froze for a moment, staring at him.
"You… want my last name?" she asked, unsure if she heard him right.
Asher nodded innocently. "Yes. You said your name is Athena Kingsleigh. I want… the same. So I feel like I belong here."
Athena's cheeks turned red. She looked down, fighting a smile, and laughed nervously.
"Uhm… usually, people only take someone's last name when they're married," she explained, glancing at him, half amused, half flustered.
Asher seemed to consider that. Then, with complete sincerity, he looked at her and said, "Then let's get married."
Athena nearly choked on her own breath. "What?!" she gasped, eyes wide.
Asher stared at her with hope. No teasing, no shame just pure, childlike honesty.
"Let's get married," he repeated sweetly.
Athena covered her face, laughing harder. "Oh my god… Asher… you don't even know what marriage is, do you?"
He shook his head. "No. But… if it means I can have your name… I want to."
Athena shook her head slowly, still smiling. She'd never felt this kind of affectionate exasperation before.
"You are… something else," she muttered, still giggling. Then, gently, she touched his arm so smooth and warm. "You can have my last name, Asher. No need for a marriage."
His eyes lit up. "Really?"
Athena smiled more softly this time. "Of course. You're now… Asher Kingsleigh."
He repeated it under his breath. "Asher Kingsleigh…"
Then he smiled. A full, radiant smile that lit up his whole face and made his blue eyes gleam. His teeth were perfectly straight, perfectly white.
"Thank you, Athena Kingsleigh," he said sweetly. "You're kind… and sweet."
Athena paused, her heart skipping. She knew he wasn't trying to flirt. That's what made it worse. Or maybe… better.
She looked at him quietly. Asher Kingsleigh.
And in that moment, she realized… ever since she found him in the freezing night, her life would never be the same again.
Drettt… drettt…
Her phone vibrated on the nightstand, still plugged into its charger. She rushed to grab it, eyes widening when she saw the caller ID.
"Madam Janet," she gasped. "Oh no, she's going to kill me!"
Asher simply watched Athena panic, silent and curious.
"Hello?"
"Oh, so you don't need this job anymore?" Janet's voice dripped with sarcasm.
"I'm sorry, madam… Something happened, and I left my phone at home…"
"I don't want excuses, you idiot. Just get over here now, we've got orders stacking up!"
Athena let out a long sigh. Janet's rage left her weak, and with no other option, she caved.
"I'll be right there," she muttered, and ended the call.
She lowered the phone from her ear, face pale. Staring at the screen for a moment, she set it back down on the nightstand.
Her shoulders slumped.
"Asher, I'm sorry… I have to go," she said as she stood up. "I work at a bakery. Madam Janet… she's scarier than any monster if I show up late."
Asher looked up at her with concern. "I'll go with you."
Athena blinked. "What?"
"I want to go. I can help."
Athena laughed softly, clearly exhausted. "Asher, you don't even know what a bakery is."
"I can learn," he said earnestly. "You helped me. Now... I want to help you."
Athena stepped closer, heart touched. This man who had barely existed in her world for a few hours was already trying to give back.
"Asher," she said gently. "You need to rest. Your body still needs time. This is your home now. You're safe here. I promise I'll be back soon."
"But…"
She touched his shoulder and smiled. "If you come with me now, you'll pass out face-first into the cake batter. And Madam Janet will think I kidnapped a boyfriend to force him into slave labor."
Asher blinked, confused. "Boyfriend?"
Athena giggled, patting his shoulder. "Never mind. Just rest, okay?"
She turned to grab her coat, but Asher called out softly. "Athena?"
She turned around.
He stood still, fingers nervously twisting. "If I fall asleep… and I forget you again when I wake up… will you come find me?"
Athena froze. For a second, the world stopped spinning. All she could hear was her heartbeat echoing in her ears.
She stepped close again, eyes locked on his. Then she nodded.
"I'll find you, Asher," she whispered. "Even if you forget everything… I won't forget you."
Asher nodded slowly, lowering his head. But that small smile returned. That sweet, innocent smile that made Athena want to wrap him in a blanket and never let go.
"Don't open the door for anyone but me," she said on her way out. "And… there's bread on the table if you get hungry."
Asher nodded obediently. "Athena?"
"Hm?"
"You… smell nice," he said innocently.
Athena stopped, frozen for two seconds, then face-palmed. "Asher, please don't start flirting. I'll think you've been faking all that innocence."
"But really," Asher stepped a little closer, sniffing her shoulder. "It smells like… peonies. It feels… familiar."
Athena furrowed her brows, watching him closely. She wasn't enchanted, she though he was remembering. Maybe just a flicker, but still… something.