The Goddess At My University

"Father, come down here—I wish to speak with you," Diana called, her voice sharp and unwavering as it echoed through the secluded alley. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides, the cool night air doing little to soothe her nerves.

A bolt of lightning slashed through the sky, striking the ground in front of her with a deafening crack. When the blinding light subsided, a tall, impeccably dressed man stood before her. His suit was crisp and pristine, the kind of attire that seemed untouched by the chaos of the world. Electric blue eyes sparkled with a devil-may-care glint, and his short black hair, slick and sharp, framed his face like a portrait of charm and power.

"Daughter," Zeus greeted, his voice smooth yet charged with authority. "Do you finally wish to return to Olympus?" His smile was sly, as though he already knew the answer.

"No." Diana's silver eyes narrowed, the glint in them resembling steel under moonlight. "I have something important to tell you."

Zeus tilted his head, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Very well. Speak."

Diana took a deep breath. The words felt heavy, as though they resisted leaving her mouth. But this was no time for hesitation. "I wish to break my vow."

Zeus blinked, his sharp features contorting briefly into something uncharacteristically blank. "Which one?"

"You know which one," Diana said, her tone firm yet tinged with an underlying edge of embarrassment.

Zeus stared at her for a moment longer, and then, with a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, he leaned forward slightly. "The moon?"

"No," Diana snapped, heat rising to her cheeks. "I wish to no longer be a maiden goddess."

For the first time in the conversation, Zeus froze. His devilish smirk faltered, replaced by an expression of genuine surprise. "I see. That is... significant."

He tried to appear composed, even stern, but inside, Zeus was elated. At long last, his difficult, headstrong daughter had finally decided to abandon the vow that had been the source of endless trouble for him over millennia. Of course, he couldn't make it seem too easy.

"Hm," he mused, stroking his chin as though weighing a monumental decision. "Didn't you once say you would never marry or lay with a man? Why the change of heart?"

"That doesn't concern you," Diana retorted, her voice steady, though her cheeks burned brighter.

"It does," Zeus countered, his voice taking on a fatherly gravity. "If I am to grant this request, I must understand your reasoning."

Diana's gaze dropped for a moment, her embarrassment threatening to overwhelm her. But she gathered her courage, speaking with a determination that made her seem unshakable. "I have met a mortal with a personality better than even a god's. He is humble, kind, and unlike anyone I have encountered. He is the only one I will allow to marry me."

Zeus feigned a thoughtful nod, though internally, he could hardly contain his delight. "I see. Very well, I shall grant your wish. But there are two conditions."

Diana's silver eyes narrowed. She had expected conditions—perhaps an absurd trial or an outright refusal. "What are they?"

"First," Zeus said, his tone still serious, "I will meet this mortal myself. Not now, but when the time comes."

Diana hesitated, but nodded. "And the second?"

"He must become immortal. Only then can you marry him."

Diana blinked, startled by the ease of his terms. She had steeled herself for much worse. "That's all?"

Zeus nodded, his lips curling into a satisfied smile. Inside, he was practically glowing with joy. His troublesome daughter was finally someone else's responsibility.

"Very well," Diana said, her tone guarded as she eyed her father. She turned to leave but paused, still unsure if he truly meant what he said.

As she disappeared into the night, Zeus stood there, hands in his pockets, watching her go. The grin on his face widened as he whispered to himself, "Finally."

Zeus flashed back to Olympus in high spirits, lightning flickering faintly in his wake. His grin was unusually wide as he strolled through the golden halls, humming a tune that hadn't graced his lips in centuries. He reveled in the thought that his most stubborn child might finally settle down.

Meanwhile, Diana walked through the cold night air, her heart alight with joy. She practically skipped down the street, her silver eyes gleaming with a rare sense of exhilaration.

Her pace quickened until she was nearly sprinting back to the apartment, but the closer she got, the more the reality of her situation began to weigh on her. Her skipping faltered, her steps growing smaller, slower, until she stopped altogether on the sidewalk.

She realized she now faced a task far more daunting than standing up to her father.

How am I supposed to get Chase to become my mate?

The question clawed at her, making her stomach churn in a way she'd never experienced before. Fear—real, visceral fear—began to creep into her chest. It was a sensation she wasn't familiar with, and she hated it. Rejection wasn't something she'd ever considered until now.

Her mind raced with alternatives. She could simply declare him hers—she was a goddess, after all. But the thought of forcing him filled her with an unexpected dread. He would hate her, she realized, and that thought struck harder than she anticipated. She slowed her steps further as a dark cloud of doubt loomed over her excitement.

By the time she reached the apartment building and stepped into the elevator, her legs felt as though they were weighed down with lead. Every floor the elevator climbed gave her more time to overthink, her mind bombarded with questions.

How do I make a mortal like me?

What if he rejects me?

The elevator dinged, snapping her out of her spiraling thoughts. She stepped into the hallway, her key in hand. Diana stared at the door, her hand frozen before the lock. Her heart pounded louder than any battle she'd ever fought, and her fingers trembled ever so slightly.

This wasn't like her. She was Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, the moon, and chastity. She'd faced beasts and gods without flinching. Yet here she stood, utterly paralyzed by the idea of walking into a room and facing one mortal.

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She couldn't let him see her like this. Gathering her thoughts, she exhaled sharply, straightened her posture, and unlocked the door.

The soft click of the lock gave way to the warmth of the apartment, and she stepped inside, her expression carefully neutral. But as the door shut behind her, Diana knew this was only the beginning of the hunt—one unlike any she had ever faced before.

Chase flinched when he saw Diana walk in, momentarily forgetting she even had the keys. For a split second, he thought someone was breaking in.

Diana, however, froze when she saw his reaction. Dread sank deeper into her chest. She hesitated before asking, her voice quieter than usual, "Chase... are you scared of me?"

Chase blinked, caught off guard. Why was she asking that? She'd been full of odd, nerve-wracking questions all day, and this one felt just as loaded. "Well... you could kill me in an instant," he managed to say, half-joking but entirely true.

Diana's face darkened, her silver eyes flickering with an emotion she wasn't used to—hurt. He is scared of me, she thought, her heart sinking further. How could he ever like her if she terrified him?

Without another word, she walked to the couch and sat down next to him, deliberately looking away so he couldn't see her expression. She pulled out her tablet, pretending to focus on it, but Chase noticed immediately that something was off.

She wasn't playing her game like usual. Instead, she kept opening and closing random apps, her fingers trembling slightly. Her distracted behavior and the way her shoulders drooped told him everything: she didn't like his answer.

Chase sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Do you want me to not be scared of you?" he asked cautiously.

Diana paused, her fingers hovering over the screen. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "It doesn't matter. You're a mortal. Of course, you would be scared of a god," she said, her tone carefully controlled.

But Chase could hear it—hidden beneath the calm facade, there was disappointment. She wasn't as unaffected as she wanted to seem.

She spoke again, her voice quieter this time. "So... is it safe to assume you dislike my presence since I'm so... fearful?"

Chase felt a pang of guilt. He didn't mean to make her feel that way. "No," he said quickly, shaking his head. "I don't dislike your presence. You're actually... fun to have around."

Her fingers stopped moving.

"Just because I'm scared of you doesn't mean I don't like you. I mean, imagine if you found out something could kill you with a flick of its wrist. Wouldn't you be scared too?" he explained.

Diana didn't respond, but he could tell she was listening.

He hesitated, then decided to push through. "But if I ignore the fact that you're a powerful being, you're just..." He paused, realizing too late how this might sound. "You're just a super cool and adorable girl."

The moment the words left his mouth, he froze, mentally kicking himself. Great. I just called a goddess who hates men 'adorable.' I'm so dead.

Diana turned her head slightly, her silver eyes wide with surprise. For a moment, she said nothing, and Chase braced himself for her wrath.

But instead of yelling, she turned back to her tablet, her lips twitching into the faintest of smiles.

"Adorable, huh?" she muttered under her breath, her fingers finally steadying as she opened her game.

Chase wasn't sure if he was safe yet, but one thing was clear—he'd just stumbled into dangerous territory.

Diana was ecstatic—so much so that she could barely contain herself. Any lingering doubts were gone; she was sure now that Chase thought she was adorable. And even better, he wasn't afraid of her specifically, just the concept of her being a god. Her confidence soared as she decided to push further.

"So... you do like me?" she asked, her face lighting up with a smile that could rival the moon.

Chase froze. This was definitely a trap. But then again, saying "no" felt like it would result in instant death, and agreeing seemed like the safer option—even if it meant stepping into uncharted territory. With a cautious sigh, he muttered, "Yeah…"

Diana's reaction was immediate. Her grin widened into a full-toothed smile, her silver eyes sparkling like stars. She felt a surge of energy course through her—a euphoria that made her fingertips tingle. It was better than any praise or offering she'd ever received as a goddess.

Her mood reflected in her gameplay. When she picked up where she'd left off, her entire team had been wiped, and she'd been forced to revive them. The boss had been giving her a hard time, but with her newfound vigor, her fingers swiped fluidly across the screen. The once-challenging opponent was now falling to her strategy and speed with ease.

Chase watched her, a little confused but relieved to see her in such high spirits. "Uh… congratulations?" he offered hesitantly as the victory screen flashed.

Diana didn't respond, too absorbed in her game. She continued playing, her mind floating on cloud nine, a triumphant grin still plastered on her face. For her, this moment wasn't just about the game—it was about winning something much bigger.

Chase let out a long sigh. It seemed he was off the hook—for now. However, Diana wasn't nearly done. Her pride was through the roof, the feeling of praise intoxicating, but only when it came from him.

"Do you really find me adorable?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with curiosity, her eyes flashing faint traces of power as she continued her game. If anyone else had dared to call her adorable, she might have killed them on the spot. From Chase, though, it felt... endearing.

Chase stiffened. He didn't know how to answer that. Saying no would mean admitting he lied earlier, and knowing Diana, that wouldn't go over well. But admitting the truth out loud felt equally dangerous. "Well… I…" he stammered, completely at a loss and more embarrassed by the second.

Diana glanced up at him, immediately recognizing the source of his hesitation. Of course, he was hesitant—she was Artemis, the goddess infamous for her disdain for men. To him, she probably still seemed like a man-hating deity who might obliterate him for even thinking such things. She wanted his honest answer, though—needed it.

"I want the full truth of what you think," Diana said firmly, her silver eyes locking onto his. "I swear on the Styx I won't harm you, no matter what you say."

Chase hesitated, still skeptical, but the weight of her promise carried some reassurance. He exhaled slowly, resigning himself. "Well… you're very beautiful. Probably the most beautiful woman I've ever seen in my life," he admitted, his words tumbling out before he could overthink them.

Diana's fingers froze for a brief second before moving again. She was ecstatic, her heart swelling with pride and something warmer she didn't fully understand. She fired back, her voice casual but her intentions anything but. "So… you would marry me if you could?"

Chase blinked, caught completely off guard. "What?" he asked, baffled.

Diana coughed into her hand, her face slightly flushed, though she kept her eyes glued to the screen. "I'm just asking for research purposes," she clarified hastily. "You're the only male I'd ask, so… just answer."

He scratched the back of his head, utterly bewildered. "Well… I guess you're fun to be around," he began cautiously. "You help out with stuff like cooking, and you actually enjoy my food, which is nice. You like a lot of the same things I like, and… well, I guess you wouldn't be a bad wife."

By the time the words left his mouth, he realized what he'd just said and winced, bracing for impact. He figured he was already dead anyway—might as well let her have it all.

Diana, meanwhile, was on cloud nine, her grin so wide it nearly reached her ears. It wasn't just his words that thrilled her; it was the sincerity in them. 

Diana continued playing her game, fully satisfied with Chase's answers. She didn't say a word, her smile subtle yet unwavering as her fingers deftly swiped across the screen. Chase, on the other hand, was utterly confused. Why was she so quiet all of a sudden? What just happened? And more importantly—why? He let out a silent sigh of relief, thankful she didn't seem like she wanted to kill him. That alone felt like a victory.

As the moments dragged on, Chase began to notice his exhaustion creeping up on him. He'd been interrupted during his sleep earlier and then had to deal with Lila and Diana back-to-back. The emotional and mental battery drain from both of them was finally catching up to him. On top of that, staring at a screen for hours was making his eyes sore from the strain. He rubbed them, trying to shake off the drowsiness, but the fatigue only grew stronger.

Diana, however, noticed his weariness and glanced at him. "Hmm, are you tired?" she asked casually, not taking her eyes off her game.

"No," Chase replied instinctively, shaking his head. "I still have to make dinner soon."

Diana frowned, setting her tablet down. Without another word, she grabbed his hand and tugged him up with surprising ease, startling him. "H-Hey, what are you doing?" he asked, stumbling slightly as she led him across the room.

She didn't answer until they reached the bedroom, where she turned and gestured toward the bed. "Lay down," she said simply.

Chase blinked. "What?"

Diana raised an eyebrow, her expression leaving no room for argument. Still confused, Chase reluctantly complied, climbing into bed. But before he could say another word, she slid in next to him and pulled the covers over both of them. His eyes widened as he tried to process what was happening. "What are you doing?" he asked again, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Well, we're going to sleep," Diana replied matter-of-factly, lying down comfortably.

"But dinner—" Chase began to protest, only for Diana to cut him off.

"Just make more breakfast tomorrow," she said dismissively, pulling the blanket snugly around him.

"But—" Chase tried again, only to be silenced by her stern gaze.

"Just sleep if you're tired," she said, her tone final. Then, as if it were the most normal thing in the world, she picked up the remote and turned on the TV, navigating to an anime with an absurdly long episode count. Chase recognized it immediately—she'd started watching it earlier.

He wanted to argue more, but his body was too heavy with exhaustion to keep up. Instead, he let his head sink into the pillow, watching the screen with half-lidded eyes. It wasn't long before his vision began to blur, his consciousness slipping away.

Just before sleep overtook him completely, he felt something warm and soft pressing against him. He vaguely registered Diana snuggling into his side, her movements gentle but deliberate. A faint smile touched her lips as she closed her eyes, trying to recreate the feeling she'd had earlier when she'd woken up beside him.

The room fell silent except for the muffled sounds of the anime playing on the TV. Within minutes, both of them drifted into peaceful sleep.