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He was almost sleeping, his body going soft in her arms as she slowly rocked the infant and hummed a hushed tune. Her movements were wistful, sorrowful even; as she knew what had to be done. As she placed him in his crib, the distress coming from her form was blatant,
"I can't do this. I just can't. I won't."
He came forward then, placing his arms around her and staring down at the sleeping child. His own anguish tightly coiled but still detectable in his voice, "I know." Careful not to disturb the child but unwilling to leave his side she continued is a harsh whisper,
"I hate him for this. I hate him for doing this to us. He's taking everything from me, and I hate him. "
Tightening his grip he asked softly, "Would you rather watch our son die?"
"No. Never," she said turning to look at him at last.
"It's the only way. It's our only hope to ensure he survives, to circumvent the curse. You where there when she told us this. It's the only way."
"But don't you see? This will kill me, to turn my back on my own children and watch you do the same," the anguish so visible in her voice it nearly brought him to his knees.
"What would you have me do? Continue as we are and watch him die when we there is a chance to save him; to save both of them?" he asked bring his palm to rest on her slight bump.
"So I'm supposed to just stand by and bear it all? Stand by as you shower affection to children that should be mine and treat him and this child I carry like lepers. I can't. This will break me. It will turn me bitter, it already has."
Leaning forward to rest his forehead against hers, "She gave us hope, we need to cling to that and remember that what we plan to do is for the sake of our children."
"What she's done is guarantee that history will repeat itself. He'll never understand, never forgive this."
"He will. He'll know that we did it to protect him. He'll know that because he's our son."
Her voice weary, "He's going to be so alone."
"No he won't; there is hope yet. Besides Ares will come out stronger for this, we may not be able to shower him with affection, but we will prepare him. He will have all the knowledge necessary to protect himself and Olympus when the time comes."