New life.

It was seven months before Athena sent for him; she was ready a few weeks after the decree by Zeus but struggled to accept what had happened and in truth hated herself for it and even now summoned him because she feared for his safety. Hades had sent soldiers in to kill Zeus’ armies and Persephone sent assassins to kill Hera’s children apart for Ares who in turn launched campaigns with the war gods against Poseidon’s forces defeating and killing his uncle and aunt before swearing loyalty to his friend Hades. Ares went a step further by kidnapping his beloved Aphrodite and sealing off anyone else from entering Atlantis and Thánatos he was blanked by everyone leaving him to be the enemy of all three Kings. It resulted in a uneasy treaty but despite the tension and fear of an full out war; James was the calmest in the room, something Athena found interesting... he knew what was going on but couldn’t react to it and his emotionless state brought Athena a sense of reassurance and helped distract her from what was happening on the outside. They spent their time together with James having no interests in anything or care for anything; the only reason he stayed with Athena was he didn’t know what else to do and apparently she had feelings for him. They would work on translations, discussing theories and exchange knowledge however with this carefree life came a problem... with him not experiencing no feelings he felt no pain including physical pain; so when a knife fell of the side of the table onto his bare foot it took Athena to notice he was bleeding and it was later confirmed of his condition. The only problem now was Athena wanted “her mate” to show some interest in her like he once did; even if she had to spell it out to him.

With the freedom Athena now had from Zeus due to him believing that James wouldn’t be a problem for her virginity she expressed her interests more openly towards him, she didn’t mask her affections; she took his arm or hand in town; kissed him whenever she felt like it or wanted to; however this was met by emptiness. James didn’t return it or know how to and despite picking up on her signals didn’t know how to respond to them. He would often make mistakes or respond wrongly and Athena now understood his frustrations that he suffered beforehand the difference is where she didn’t try he did... he was just bad at it. Athena soaked in the bath humming her familiar tune rubbing the soap down along her soft skin before brushing it over her chest rubbing it in between the valley of her breasts before bringing it back over her nipples purred lustfully over the tender corrupting touch; she wasn’t meant to feel this, she was meant to be “Zeus’ good girl” but since James has first caught her in her bath her desire had developed until now where she wanted this however things had changed and she knew this she invited James in but when he walked in he immediately and rigidly stopped to cover his eyes, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were bathing Athena!” he spoke empty of any feeling, “No James! I want you to see me like this. I’m a woman and you are an man; I like you and you adored me once. We shouldn’t cover ourselves because people tell us to!” she got up from her bath before walking up to him the water draining from her watched as he turned around, “It’s improper for a person of your standing!” he repeated causing her to cuss, “James, come...” he turned around before feeling her soapy hand pull him closer spoke, “Bath with me!” “If you request that then yes” “No, I don’t but you need this!” she pulled his armour off and fiddling with his belt watch his clothes fall away to reveal his soft cock with what seemed like no life to it, “You need to feel my warmth hands massaged your chest and back, to feel my breasts rub against you back and my dripping pussy brush against your strong leg as the water brushes teasingly over our bodies before my hand slides causally over your crotch!” she stopped to look down at the placid cock causing him to look down and ask, “What’s wrong?” “Nothing... it’s just nothing? You didn’t feel anything? Do you no longer find me attractive?” “I’m attracted to you but I don’t know what... I feel a barrier has blocked it but in response to your comment... I don’t feel anything down there! How I urinate is also questionable even then I have times when I can’t control it!” “That’s because it’s not linked to emotions but that is concerning!” she watched him climb into the bath as she whispered, “What have we done for you to butcher yourself as such? I didn’t know you were this bad! I must talk with Asclepius about this!” she joined him purposely close so when she did lay back she would be in his arms looking into the emotionless eyes sighed knowing that at least they were both safe.

“Athena how are things?” Asclepius queried washing his hands in the bowl of hot water in front of the goddess who now sat on a crate of ingredients, “I need your help... James doesn’t get aroused at all” “Yes that’s because arousal requires him to feel Lust and desire; he doesn’t feel that but you can still have sex you will just require a lot of Sildenafil, a lot of it. I don’t often suggest this but double the usual dosage; that should do the trick! anything else?” “It’s like he is against it. Almost like he forgot how to even be romantic, I understand he doesn’t feel it but not understanding anything about it; can’t be right? His kisses fell soo empty!” “Most people rely on their feelings and instincts for this sort of thing; perhaps it has affected this as well!” “I’m also concerned about the drugs effects in more serious matters!” “Such as? “They didn’t tell you?” he shook his head as she spoke, “He doesn’t feel pain, he burnt his hand one day and didn’t feel it; he didn’t even notice until I pointed it out and sometimes he can’t control is bladder; he just says he can’t feel the urge like he used to!” “Now that is something serious... I didn’t think that it would effect matters like that and we don’t even know of an cure or reversal procedure; come and tell me more!”

James carried the books As he usually did at this time like clockwork if they was anything he was good for it was working. He hoped to finish Athena’s work within a few hours so she could relax, she spent too much of her time working almost like it distracted her from something that he couldn’t explain what however he stopped to hear weeping from within her study, he listened in before slowly walking in watched as she quickly wiped her tears away to look over and take the books from his hands, “Thank you James!” she stopped before hesitantly looked back to see the cold eyes stare at her, “What?” “You were weeping! Why?” “It’s nothing!” “Have I done something wrong or said something?” “No!” “You are my carer so if I have tell me and I can stop it!” “No it’s fine!” “Do I need to work harder?” “Of course not, James; you work harder than me and the others and your concentration is better than the others. It’s just...” she encouraged him forward before sitting him down spoke, “What you said is wrong, I’m not your carer; I know Zeus said that but you are my mate or partner; that means we are... you know meant to hug, cuddle, kiss each other; sleep in the same room, have relations and eventually a family years ago I would have said you were perfect, you were passionate, teasing and ready but now...” she sighed before trying to put it nicely confessed, “But now it’s like I am putting everything and trying everything I can into this and have nothing to show for it; it’s not your fault but I feel like there’s nothing in return; you can’t feel it so you won’t understand what I mean; the others mock me for it but get frustrated because you won’t react to their comments!” “I’m the problem!” “No, you can never be, what happened and what caused this is our fault!” James looked down before placing the books onto the table asked, “Should I leave?” “No, never I want you here... I just want you to try and understand what is the problem!” he looked down before slumping away commented, “I’m going for a walk!”

It had been hours and Athena despite her attempts to let him go off by himself felt concerned for what people considered an incompetent man. She had finished her work and decided it was time she looked for him. “Grandmother!” “James!” Persephone cried rushing from her throne to hug him who didn’t return the hug just stiffened up to her annoyance, “May I ask you something?” she nodded watching him look directly at her before asking, “What was I like before this?” “What do you mean?” “Athena said I used to be passionate before drinking the elixir. Is that true?” she nodded before reminiscing spoke, “You were soo hot, you still are but back then you would tease the women and flirt with us all and in bed was a great sexual lover; never failed to satisfy them and wasn’t afraid to try new things sexually. Multiple women were willing to give you anything and everything to be with you; Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, Leto, Demeter, Hera, even I wanted to be with you; I actually offered my hand to you in marriage!” “What’s wrong with me now? Athena tells me these things but didn’t offer any help!” Persephone looked over as the door swung open to see the Goddess watch their conversation causing Persephone to focus on her grandson and confess, “There isn’t a way to fix it, you are stuck like this but it doesn’t mean you can’t try to be like this... there are drugs to make your body react to the extended blood flow but emotions... it won’t ever come natural to you but that doesn’t mean Athena doesn’t love you, or we don’t love you... we made the mistake of abandoning you for forty years but never again” he looked back seeing Athena who nodding to Persephone who backed away to give them distance watched as Athena threw her arms around him and kissed his head and lips repeatedly, “Don’t you do that to me ever again, I was worried!” “I was fine!” he replied in that sound that brought grimace to the gods who were forced to remember what happened, “That doesn’t mean I don’t worry about you!” “I thought if I knew what I was like before then I could imitate it for you!” “But it wouldn’t solve our problem. You don’t feel anything for me and I can’t ask you to force yourself!” he nodded as she spoke, “Maybe... maybe we should go our separate ways until I have found a solution!” “But that could take decades!” Persephone snapped but stopping when James replied with, “If you think that it would help then I agree!” “It isn’t. I don’t want it to happen but I feel like we must!” he nodded turning around somewhat lost on what he should do next which caused Persephone arms to wrap around him as she spoke, “I’ll sort it out, you won’t be alone!”