real love for axis, and trust me for hephaestus <3
real love for axis — what is love like to your muse? does your muse believe in the idea of real love or are they someone that has a harder time trying to define that?
Axis doesn't (always) know that — but he believes in devoting himself to a single person for a lifetime. Which could be considered love, I suppose. Even if it is one-sided, he will care for you. He values loyalty above all else, and he will place his cherished one on a pedestal, but he won't tolerate being fooled or ridiculed for his feelings.
trust me for hephaestus — how guarded is your muse when it comes to someone they're interested in? do they gradually lower their walls over time or does it all come down during one pivotal moment? what does it take for your muse to trust someone? does your muse believe they're trustworthy?
Hephaestus is very trustworthy. But his trust towards people takes a while to build. He will be wary around you, both in fear of rejection and resented by his years-long isolation. Sometimes he thinks that (almost) the whole world is out against him. It takes time and patience to actually reach him, and perhaps small acts of care, though he will be partially embarrassed.