Dust hovered thick as fog as rolls of heavy burlap tumbled from the curtain rods upon the Queen's command. Hephaestus briefly recoiled, but was quick to recover when sunlight chased off shadows and revealed an empty, massive hall before them. His mismatch-colored eyes roamed up the very high ceiling layered with coffers and rusted chandeliers, at the friezes etched with figures made obscure by coats of webs and solidified dirt. The Doric pillars stood broad as centenarian oaks, running with faint cracks. The floor was pure steel and stone, stretching end to end like a castle on its own. It smelt of iron, moisture, and decades-old abandonment. It would take weeks for one so colossal to furnish, and months to furnish it to his liking. Never had he thought such a hall sitting on an unfinished foundation of archaic rocks existed on Mt. Olympus' edge.
"What do you think?"
Hephaestus remembered he was not alone, and not anymore. At the back of his mind, he knew he should start getting used to the more frequent visitations sooner.
The Queen was looking at him with hands folded above her chest. He felt it too—the cold, dank air. Dense pine forests crowded the mountainside, inviting too much moisture and near-chilling winds. Not that he complained. It was only opposite to the nest of flames and molten rocks he used sit his ass on back in Mt. Etna.
He took another gaze though unable to contain the gigantic dimensions in a single look. Limping towards a nearby pillar, he traced a crack with his dry, callused fingers. There was a very small amount of marble in the structure, only corundum and powders of diamond. Sturdy. Unyielding. Near indestructible even without divine protection.
"It should do," Hephaestus turned to Athena. Dust was settling on her wild, dark hair. She looked strangely beautiful these days. Vibrant. Radiant. Soulful. "Why haven't I seen this place before?"
The Queen sighed between taking small steps and looking around. The embroidered hem of her gown was sweeping off a thin layer of dust on the floor.
"It wasn't really a secret," said Athena, "Artemis and Apo— we came by in the middle of a hunt. Zeus said this was once a hall of their forefathers."
Hephaestus' face lightened, nodding, "Titans huh. Explains the size." He tapped at the splinter of polished corundum. The sunlight coming in illuminated colors of the stones from hues of purple, red, but mostly grey. "The old-fashioned-ness too."
Athena gave a small laughter. "I'm glad you like it. Give it a week or two for cleaning, and a couple more for the restructuring of your choice."
"Week?" Hephaestus scoffed, "Who are you talking to? Give me two full days, dear," he winked, "I might just contest your grand palace before you know it."
The Queen was smiling as Hephaestus' vigor gradually increased. She walked behind him as the loud clanks of his crutch vibrated and fragments of his gruff voice lingered in the air.
"…the furnace should be good over there… could build it twice as large, you'll see."
Servants began rolling burlaps and carrying them out. More poured in to start clearing debris. Hephaestus pointed his free hand to a corner here and there and Athena was glad to see him welcome a new life nearer to the palace… and even to bitter memories.
"You think a library would fit over here?"
Athena twisted the edge of her lips as if on contemplation to the view of a space between two pillars and a protruding wall. It may be quite small, but well-lit.
"Sure." She nodded with a shrug and light jest, "Not as if you keep too much scrolls to call it a library."
"You mock me," Hephaestus snorted, "Of course I do. I sometimes—alright, seldom—read too. Ah, the pantry here. Might as well add a cellar, you think? This cold ought to make wine last longer than a millennium, hah! And here, ah here is a good one for those damn potions," he stretched out a hand to feel the ray of sunlight, "Not too warm, nor too cold. Not too bright nor dark either. Could stack them—"
His voice died down, immediately looking back at Athena who was as equally stunned as he was. "I—"
"You never did… potions, Heph." Athena squeaked, closing her eyes at the realization. If there was someone out there as enthusiastic with potions, only one with golden locks and turquoise eyes would emerge. As if everything had slowed down between them, Athena felt the waves of guilt overcome her. She remembered knocking into Hephaestus' forge in the wee morning hours. She recalled asking him of his pain only so she could swallow down hers.
Oh Heph.
"I'm sorry. I just…" Hephaestus lowered his gaze, the usual sadness in his tone overpowering what was once lively. "I was so used to seeing those… those shelves of delicate crystals. The oils and spices… they really smelt good…"
Athena felt the momentary nostalgia in his shaking voice. He inhaled long, and she could not do anything but listen.
"When she left she said she would come pick the vials one day, crystals, oils, everything. But years passed and there they were, piled in golden shelves like a memento. And everyday I tell myself I—will—throw them out… toss them in the fire or… anything to rid of them but… but everyday I wake up and see them still… untouched. And I knew I couldn't do it… hoping one day she would just… show up. Well, show up for those dainty little magic spells, of course, not for me… that would be impossible. But to just see her in my doorstep… at least for the last damn time…"
His sentence ended with a sarcastic chuckle. Athena heard him sigh what could have been years of pent-up agony. But here she had no right anymore to decide who was the fool, did she? Aphrodite held a sickening reputation in terms of loyalty and here Hephaestus still pined for her. This, Athena now knew, was as much as possible the way she had fallen for a heathen of a husband. Love was this poisonous.
"And you?"
Suddenly, the Queen found herself being stared at with his mismatched orbs.
"I heard of the good news. Congratulations, dear."
A flush of heat expanded around her chest and quickly gathered in her cheeks the more she hid it. Athena played with the pendant of her necklace, timidly nodding. "Yes, and I am indebted to you."
"Pfft. Me? I've done nothing but spite that husband of yours and take pity on your marriage. You've nothing to thank for but your own strength. Which reminds me…"
Athena waited for the rest of Hephaestus' words but she noticed how his expression turned sour and his gaze went past her. From where she stood, she felt the magnetic pull of an eerie radiance, coupled by the manner the servants fret with sudden alert.
She turned around, her jaw involuntarily dropping. Her legs moved toward the King making an unannounced appearance through the gigantic doors and looking clueless. His armor was polished. The layers of his cape as scarlet as his eyes were newly worn. Athena groaned within, narrowing down assumption that her husband had skipped his assignment for the hour.
"Ares," she stood before him, her tone softened but formal, "Didn't you say you'd be inquiring oracles in Delphi today?"
Ares stared at her, bewildered at best. He narrowed his eyes with a slight backwards step, "I—did?"
"Mm-hm."
"Right," he scratched the stubble in a cheek, "Must have forgotten. These time tables, they—it's a lot to put into memory. I was sure this was my task today and yours would be those insane wrinkled women in Delphi?"
"This is the new forge, Ares."
"Yes. I definitely know that."
…
"The forge."
"I heard, woman. The forge."
"It's Hephaestus to deal with if we talk about the forge."
"I know."
The Queen sighed, barely holding herself back from rolling her eyes.
"You see, Ares, you and Heph never liked each other. Everyone knows that. Everyone. Why would you think we would decide that 'the forge' should be tasked to you?"
Ares bit on the wall of his mouth, his eyes sweeping around the room—"Well, we uh… right. The forge is… your task."
Athena nodded, trying to catch his gaze which he willfully avoided. They remained planted on the dusty tiles like abandoned marble statues. Finally the Queen cleared her throat.
"And you're still here in 'the forge' and not off to Delphi, why?"
Ares opened his mouth. She could see the sheen perspiration forming in his jaws.
"I'm sorry, what?" He grinned but took it all back in an instant, face suddenly mimicking confusion, "What were you saying?"
Athena sighed long—"Ares, you've been following me for a week."
He chuckled nervously, attempting to firm his gait in a manner of a King he was.
"I wasn't. That's ridiculous."
"YES you were," She pinched the bridge of her nose and decided this was a conversation she would most likely have to put more premium on. "Couple of days back? In Athens? I could not locate Hermes only to be told later you sent him for the watch of crops in the neighboring towns of Eleusis… because, I discovered, you were lingering around my temple. And speaking of temples, that of Hestia's in Ithaca? That one you failed to bless on time before its feasts? Because, a sentry told me in my visit to the sea gods in Crete on that same hour, you—were—just—around—the—boats… Need I also remind you how the Horai ran off screaming when you crashed into the doors towards the pools?"
"…but you were taking too long."
"Too long?" Athena's face fell in disbelief. "Ares we barely settled down before you came in swinging your sword!"
"Then you better not lock the doors!"
"Really? In a bathing chamber?"
He opened his mouth, only to shut it as fast before lowering his head with a frustrated exhale. This time Athena placed a hand on his cheek to finally save him from the imminent shame, the thickening bush ever rough against her palm. She brushed her thumb over the skin and with a faint smile that made his legs weak.
"Ares, know this—I am not offended. It warms the heart you are being protective. But my King, I can take care of myself… I've practically trained my senses for the familiar dangers. I keep myself aware of everything."
There was silence as Athena watched the sudden shift of scrutiny from his dark eyes to that of… vexation. She searched for an answer in the worried look he was poorly holding back.
"Ares…? Is there something wrong…?"
Everything. Aware of everything.
The words felt like blades forcing itself down his chest, throttling his breaths and searing him whole. All he could hear in his head were the haunting echoes of Demeter's voice and the unpleasant promise that goes with it. Athena had to know. There is one other danger lurking in an indefinite moment, and he could feel it rummaging through his scalding blood —eyes watching from the depth of shadows, claws open in embrace, the stench of immortal death—they are here.
But looking at Athena now… the way she blossomed from the abyss he had as much created… it was precious— the ruddiness in her cheeks, the life in her eyes, the way she laughed more often despite having to deal with checking up on Artemis every quarter of a day, on knowing the night goes by without having found Persephone still.
Ares shuddered at the thought. No, he could not bear presenting himself a disappointment. Not again, certainly not this time his child is growing within her.
He only realized his jaws were tight as his fists when Athena called out his name, again.
"Ares?"
Her moist fingertips glided from his dried lips down his chin.
"Are you alright?"
The King held her hand from his face before releasing the pent-up exhale. He gave her one last glance clouded with emotions she could not decode, and nodded as he began to step back , rained down with an opposite realization. What if staying away would be better? Safer? What if he was the eye of danger and by staying close to Athena, he was pulling the doom within her zone?
Ares silently moved off but was immediately caught by the Queen's hand on his arm. He was met by her guilt-riddled eyes.
"I'm sorry," Athena muttered, pulling her husband close, "I— It was rude of me to send you away… I only meant we have to make time for our obligations. But that doesn't mean I do not appreciate your concern. I'm sorry."
"No, you're right, I—I should go…"
"Stay."
Ares swallowed thick. The Queen bit down her lip with the worsening regret, her ignorance and self-reproach adding fuel to Ares' penitence.
"You can stay," Athena repeated, gently smiling in the effort to make up, "I mean… it wouldn't hurt to help redecorate the place, would it? We could go by Delphi before sundown. Good?"
The King stared long, admitting to himself how he could not deny such request. His was a wife who could perhaps take Olympus under control even without him, and this was one of the rarest times she asks that he stay by her. Who would not damn say yes, though he sincerely wanted to say no… and his body had already betrayed him by discontinuing his departure.
"But I—"
A heavy thud stole Ares' words and the Queen was instantly drawn to it. In the center of the room where a stone table was fixed from the floor, Hephaestus and a few young men with Cedalion were waving dust from their faces as an old leather map, wide as a wall, was spread like a sheet of haystack.
Athena's eyes roamed around the prints with awe. She could not remember how quick she had suddenly appeared between the Blacksmith and his apprentices, face alight with wonder at the carefully stitched margins between the lands and seas, the highlights of roads and mountains and the letters embossed with precision. The map shows their beloved Greece centered by Egypt in the south, Persia in the east, the Balkan mountains of the north and the wastelands beyond it, and Rome in the west. None could miss the pride swelling in her eyes, of the beauty that is their land.
"This is beautiful, Heph," the Queen was half-smiling. Hephaestus snorted seeing the childishness in her reign for about a second. Athena raised the edge of the map, "Where do you plan to put this? On a wall out front?"
"Nah, here."
"What? But this is far from a table runner, Heph, it should—" Immediately she released and the heavy leather fell back on the flat table with a blush, "Apologies, I shouldn't interfere. This is your space after all."
"Interfere? No, this is the perfect time you are here, see, I have just this good proposition—" Hephaestus cleared his throat, gently placing both palms above the surface with a glint of confidence in his eyes. But quickly he halted by the time Ares was standing behind Athena.
Sensing the newfound discomfort, she pursed her lips and made the King's presence officially known.
"Uh, yes… He… I mean the King only wanted to see the progress here. I hope you don't mind."
"Of course he won't. Why would this handsome brother of mine ever… ever think ill of my presence?"
Athena closed her eyes on the taunting, intimidating voice that was Ares'. Gods how she hoped to have reminded him of letting her do the talking.
For millennia, all had known that Ares and Hephaestus sharing the same air never ended the day in peace. And right now, with the way the War god's arms were folded over his chest in a mocking gait, and the Blacksmith's hands were balling into fists, Athena was caught in a brewing storm.
"So," Ares shrugged, grinning, "Please, do continue. I've always loved your ideas— but of course it's the only lovable thing about you."
Athena sighed long enough to catch Hephaestus' gaze apologetically, her eyes pleading to let this pass for the moment and that she would deal with Ares later. She was more than grateful as Hephaestus shrugged off the budding ire, albeit begrudgingly, and began pretending Ares wasn't only a couple of feet from him. It was of course, torture.
Hephaestus singlehandedly fumbled through the folds of his leathered armor, pulling out hardened coal stone. "I'd been thinking about this since that hideous gathering. Of what you said about such imminent danger, and that Olympus is at the brink of destruction…"
Athena and Ares' eyes followed Hephaestus' hand as it made a black mark above the mountains of Olympus with the coal.
"What about we make a secret trail towards our asylum?" Hephaestus looked up at the monarchs.
Ares' eyes narrowed, "By asylum you mean…?"
"Rome…"
Hephaestus grinned at the Queen's quick response. Athena's expression glowed, eyes growing with suppressed enthusiasm. She placed both her hands above the map as Hephaestus was doing, unable to peel her gaze at the intricate figures.
They were interrupted with a snort. Ares was shaking his head with a skeptic grin, "Asylum really? And why would you even think we need that? Aren't you one who raised Olympus from the dust?" He raised an eyebrow, ever taunting, "Or is it that you doubt your ability, recognizing your fine creation wouldn't stand Cronos' attack?"
"Ares…" Athena's jaws clenched without turning to her husband, but Hephaestus sensed her agony and was thankful his high regard of her was like buckets of ice over his head.
"I'm merely opening an option for safety, my King," the last words were rather spat than respected, "What would an alliance with Rome be without seeing it a refuge from unexpected events? Not everyone gets a chance to be resurrected after getting killed by your recklessness, do they?"
How Hephaestus sneered to himself at the pleasure of seeing Ares' gaze darken and his throat pulse with a thick swallow. Yet immediately he regretted having to use the memory of Apollo when Athena's lips tightened as she looked away from both of them. Hephaestus cleared his throat after the awful silence.
"As I was saying," the Blacksmith went on, his voice raspier than the usual, "Would you consider it? Might take a couple of months, considering the distance. But Cedalion could gather enough helpers— Centaurs. Demi mortal worshippers. Dionysus has an army of fawns and Maenads. Those raging women better take part in this than mutilating people and hosting sex orgies. Manpower won't be an issue. It wouldn't take long."
Athena blinked back the moisture in her eyes to compose herself, allowing a few seconds to process the discourse.
"It is impressive, Heph, but too much divinity in an area. Would that not attract attention of our enemies? They would know of the plan and soon I'm afraid there could be an assault."
"I… uh…" Hephaestus chewed on the wall of his mouth, straightening himself finding an answer.
"We may try to build ships instead to brave the waters, but the sea is too open. Remember it does not belong to any Olympian now but to the older gods who swore not to take part in this. They know a finger held against their brother Cronos would not end well. He has not yet materialized and they fear him as early," Athena sighed, "If we could think of a way to keep the construction discreet, nearly invisible—"
"Underground."
Athena faced the King whose one eye glowed as sunlight fell across half his face.
"What?
"Underground." Ares muttered dead serious without taking his sight off the map, "A trail beneath the earth."
Hephaestus and Athena stared at the distance between Greece and Rome, at the arch that gaped wide with the sea.
"Ares it's too far," Athena's face crumpled despite a hidden admiration, "That's too far and long without proper air. We're made for high elevation. We are used to mountain winds. The soil itself is bearable, but to go beneath it for long, it's… it's suffocating…"
"It doesn't have to be."
A scratch of wood on leather reached their ears as Hephaestus drew a fine short line on the map from Mt. Olympus to the nearest mountain ranges. "This… this mountain belt would do, yes. Could build the tunnels through the rocks. Sturdier than soil, though it has its own risks…"
"But more tolerable," the Queen spoke weak, lost in her own thought. Hephaestus glanced before nodding, "Yes. The forests that surround could add concealment. Less heat. More moist. More contours—we ought punch through a mountain end to end like sewing."
"And with each end, a temporary stop along the supposed travel," Ares added, pointing to small spots on the map where a mountain reconnects to another within a belt, "We stash supplies here, here—might be here as well— food, ambrosia, herbs, horses even. Have the dryads guard them." Beside him, Athena was all eyes at the sudden interest the King was showing, none of the cynical jerk he had been about a few moments before. She was hearing more from him in an exchange of words with Hephaestus, watching his acrid expressions, at the way his eyes spark burgundy in certain angles, his acrid tone in contemplation, his sound yet firm nods…
"Athena?"
She snapped into the reality that the brothers were staring at her off-guard. She could not register whose voice had just called her name.
"Yes?"
"I was asking if Hermes could accompany me to inspect these areas, in a day or two." Hephaestus repeated, his hand spread above the mountain belt.
Athena's mouth was slightly hung open as she looked from the Blacksmith to the King. Just how far had their conversation taken them?
"Well, uh…" Athena's eyes lingered at her husband before a shrug and a titter, "Why not, I mean—sure, I will tell him."
"What is it?"
The Queen raised her brows at Ares—"What is? What do you mean?"
"You're stifling a smile," he briefly pointed at her mouth, "Was something amiss?"
It was then Athena released a huff, her fingers curling over a naïve grin before flicking a hand to wave herself off, "No, please, don't mind me. I just… didn't think this turned out planned by the two of you in the end."
A still, gauche pause hung between them for what seemed an eternity. Sweat began to shimmer. Voices were stuck midway the throats. Manly faces were turning crimson.
"Right." Ares threw the coal stone she had not even remembered how it was passed from Hephaestus, "Why do I even care, you're the bloody goddess of wisdom for heaven's sake." In an instant, the King was sauntering away from the table. His heavy, embarrassed steps widening Athena's smile even further. She looked at the Blacksmith who scoffed before an easy smile — "Pussy."
Ares stopped before one of the ginormous pillars which could offer to hide twice the size of his hunchback of a brother. He glanced over his shoulder, at the good meters he parted from the table he came by. Athena and Hephaestus were in deep conversation. He saw his brother begin holding out a great double-bladed axe, his crooked, callused fingers pointing from the flat surface down to its thick handle. He caught words that pertain to drilling rocks and metal, and before Hephaestus could catch him spying, Ares looked away to the pillar before him.
The corundum was shedding splinters, and Ares took a small piece to study. They say this was as hard as diamond and easier to mine. He'd heard stories of this place but only now was he able to step into it and gods did he feel so small.
Out of nowhere his intuition spiked from a swiftly moving razor cutting the air towards him—
A servant's scream pierced through as one of the axe's massive blades was jabbed deep into the pillar Ares was standing affront. Everything had frozen with the thunderous crash that sent a faint vibration beneath their feet. Dust showered from the rafters, a few small particles made crumbling taps on the floor.
"SEE?"
Hephaestus' voice boomed across the hall as if it was barely a nudge— "That is gods' iron! Could drill through mountain rocks in a jiff, would get the trail done as quick as possible."
Ares sure could not feel his legs as his chest began to pound back to life. He found himself half seated, one of his knees buckled to the floor and his now clammy hand clutched tight among the crevices of the pillar. For a moment he thought it was his head rolling across his feet, only to realize later it was but a chipped clay jar one of the servants dropped out of the shock.
Gritting his teeth, he hurled Hephaestus a blood-curdling glare. Yet the Blacksmith was surprisingly amused at the reaction he was given. The Queen was as pale-faced, her jaw open and steel grey eyes wide with jolt.
"Oh. Sorry," Hephaestus shrugged, "Was showing the Queen how capable gods iron could bore through the hardest surfaces. We need good metal for this tunnel, remember. Also, thought you were a rat. You know, sneaky evil thieves they are."
"YOU THROW GODS'-IRON AXES AT RATS!?" Ares screamed, wheezing between shocked breaths as he rose to his feet. Pieces of corundum fell from his cape.
"Well," Hephaestus narrowed his eyes— "Snakes too, sometimes."
Until the Queen cleared her throat only did the two tear away from their murderous glares. Hephaestus turned back to the map as Athena gave a chastising look at her husband who groaned and raised his hands in defeat and frustration, knowing full well this was going to be a lengthy discussion behind the doors soon enough. Ares faced away from them while he still could control his fist from landing on his brother's jaw, and instead came to terms with the axe still buried deep through the pillar.
He stared at the weapon for a time, at the razor-sharp edge which seemed to cut through him just by plain sight. His fingers wound around the cold but compact handle, the remnants of warmth from his brother's grip still idling on the surface. It was thicker than his sword's hilt— pure lead and gods iron. He felt his palms moisten when, as he tugged the axe from the handle did he realize there needed no ordinary strength to simply budge it out. He pulled once, twice, occasionally looking back at the two still immersed in their conversation, making sure they wouldn't witness his struggle and be caught an imbecile dealing with Hephaestus' craft. He was the god of war and master of arms, for heavens' sake. And this was just another thing made by a cripple…
But—!
Why is it—!
So—!
Damn—!
hard—!
To—
Pull—!
Ares swallowed the grunt and heavy breaths that nearly escaped his throat. It took him both hands and a knee against the pillar to finally tear away the axe… but gods it was damn heavy… it felt as if the pillar itself was in his hands, and yet, he peeked at Hephaestus over his shoulder, yet this cripple— a sad chunk of meatball whom he shared mutual detest, was able to wield it singlehandedly like a piece of bone. All those millennia of tossing about and hammering iron did its work on every bit of muscle. He was smart and calculating, but there was an edge to this cripple that Zeus never chanced to notice. Such precision with such a blade so sharp that it sent shrill vibrations beneath his skin, Ares hated to admit— Hephaestus' is an exceptional kind of strength. And one a king would be foolish to not recognize.
Athena glanced at her husband's back which faced them, sure he was alright. A little shaken, perhaps, but it wasn't like Ares to not handle surprise axes spinning off from nowhere. Though she knew she needed a time off to speak to Hephaestus about restraining bursts of vengeance upon his younger brother. If they couldn't mend, at least a truce of keeping heads cool for a time may be considered.
"A question, though," Hephaestus pulled Athena back to the business they haven't finished yet, "How would you say this to Rome? There are definitely small hills of their land we need to adjoin with the trail."
Athena nodded, "We will have to send a parchment to Jupiter… or Mars. I doubt the Roman King would go easy on this, but his son might help convince. Might also take the chance to ask Nike's welfare."
When the Blacksmith straightened his back, a few soft crunches juddered from his joints. It was almost painful to hear, but relieving. Athena knew the discussion was waning.
"Well then I guess that's—"
The table quivered with an axe thrown flat on its surface and before Hephaestus, drawing all on alert as there might be another brawl coming and none would have wanted to be caught in the middle of it… except the Queen who immediately shot Ares a restraining look.
"Pretty little thing you got there," Ares was smug, leveling his eyes with the Blacksmith's. Hephaestus alerted himself with tightening fists, of which the King snickered about, "Relax already, will you."
"Ares, please," Athena swallowed, raising her hand and tensing at the close distance between the two, "Heph, stay put… can we please not make this worse. The servants are getting afraid…"
Pausing at her words, Ares sighed, "Of course, I was merely trying to ask my brother if it would interest him to join the army."
The King turned back to Hephaestus' face looking stupid to his credit. He crossed his arms and tipped his head at the axe that was lying perniciously before them. "What do you say, hm? Make your own chariot this time? Ride off to a sea of monsters imagining my face sprawled across each of them?"
"I…" Hephaestus' mouth was left agape. He blinked a few times, but nonetheless a strange punch of adrenaline was beginning to rush over his body. Since his existence, none would have thought of him capable into the battlefield… not even himself. His mind floated into nights alone in his forge, when all had gone asleep and he would secretly slip into an armor of his making. His disproportions were blatant beneath the layers, though, but tolerable. He would brandish a sword in place of his crutches, shaking as he balances against gravity and not until the blade would drop and clangor would he be reminded that it was never his fate to be at an actual war.
Now that Ares has mentioned it, Hephaestus could not stop picturing himself in his own chariot clamoring for blood, a hand on the reigns and hilt on the other. He trembled holding the axe once more, suspicious that this could be one of Ares' tricks which used to never end well. But seeing no retaliation from the brother he so hated made him believe this was quite real. And how he hoped this was real.
"It's a one-time offer," the King cracked his neck, acting uninterested, "Don't think I'd beg for your company. But should you decide to wiggle out of your gown, I'm mostly by the training fields before sunset."
Still dumbfounded, Hephaestus looked at Athena who was herself tad surprised. She pursed her lips and nodded slowly to encourage. When he spoke, there was a tinge of bashfulness to his voice.
"W— why me?"
Ares smirked, for the first time a reassuring one. He looked at Hephaestus square in the eye quickly before the tension turns clumsy, and walked away whistling—
"Why not?"
A/N: Hi everyone! Happy Easter and I hope to be forgiven for the wait. As usual, times are getting tougher but thank you for your endless support.
I would also like to apologize and make a correction on the previous chapter, which, if not for lenkanyan03, would have taken be forever to not notice! Apollo and Artemis' mom is Leto, and not Maia. So sorry, and thank you for pointing that out.
For fellow Heph fans out there, hope you liked this chapter! Coming soon would be Artemis and an awful lot others I'm beginning to lose grasp. Ahh!
My individual responses to the review section. Once again, take care. :)