Henlo, Fluff here! :)

Firstly, I apologise for the late update. I got too hooked up in editing Lost Fragments that it set me off track with this story. I hope that you'd all enjoy this chapter.

Thank you Thiamara for clearing that one up. :) I just realised as well that I mixed up Thetis and Metis haha. But I particularly need Prometheus to be the prophet rather than Gaia for reasons I can't divulge yet. And I used Metis because she is Zeus' first wife and it somehow makes things more tragic welp. Perhaps it'll make sense once the story unveils itself. You'll have to forgive me for keeping that blooper.

Stay safe y'all,
FluffyClutchie :)

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III

"Hera, I need your help. I've managed to make Metis angry."

"Are you cheating on her?"

"Heavens, no! Why would you think that?"

"Well, deities usually come to me because of that sort of issue."

"Fair point, but no. I forgot about our anniversary and now she's mad at me."

"You deserved that. How could you forget your own anniversary?"

"I know and I didn't mean to. It just slipped past me. Oh, you should have seen how hurt she was. Agh! It was so stupid of me!"

"You must really love her, huh?"

"Indeed. What can I do to make it up to her?"

"Fine, I'll help you. Here's a nice tip for you. Women like Metis are not really touched by grand gestures. You have better chances of being forgiven if you make your surprise to her as meaningful as possible. Where did you both first meet? Favorite flowers? Or perhaps give her something that you made yourself while having her in mind."

"Wow, that sounds a lot like Metis."

"Birds of the same feather, I guess."

"Wait here."

"Look, here's your sacred fruit. You like pomegranates, don't you?"

"Where did you even get these?"

"I passed by them on my way here."

"This is good application. Now go on your way and appease your queen."

"But first, let's enjoy these pomegranates. They look delicious."

"Fine."

"You're the best, Hera!"

"I know, now be a dear and peel some for us both."

Hera's heart ached as she remembered how Zeus loved Metis. He held Metis in high regard and was always afraid to do anything that would upset her. It's humorous though how despite of his unmatched charm, Zeus wasn't the brightest bulb when it came to actually understanding women. She knows this well because he always came to her for relationship advice. Even the prudent Metis has her limitations.

The bond between them eventually deepened and before Hera knew it, she had fallen in love with Zeus. The irony in it was that Zeus was the exact opposite of what Hera had imagined her ideal man would be. She imagined her future partner as the embodiment of perfection. That man would be able to understand her like it's the most natural thing in the world. He would know everything about her, even the little details like her favourite fruit by simply watching or making the effort to know by engaging her in a light intimate conversation.

Zeus often misses the cues that Metis gives him which is why his dilemmas are painfully amusing to listen to. He remembers the little things, but he forgets about them when it's most needed. Anniversaries would be a prime example of that. Yet despite all of his flaws, he never failed to acknowledge his misgivings and always tried his best to learn from them. He was far from perfect but his love was true. Seeing how Zeus cherished Metis made her wish that someone loved her like he did. How she wished that he loved her like that.

Until now, it is still a mystery to Hera why Zeus killed Metis. It is common knowledge that Zeus did so because a male offspring from their union will usurp him in the future, but until now Hera could never find it in her heart to believe his reason. After all, Zeus married Metis while knowing about the prophecy and he vowed that he would never follow Chronos' footsteps. There had to be underlying reason aside from the prophecy that urged Zeus to turn against his oath and wife.

Amongst all the uncertainties, however, one thing is constant. Metis will always be his true wife. The string of marriages followed, even including her own marriage with him, was shallow compared to what Zeus and Metis had. Hera had long resigned to that fact. The only reason that she was able to overcome it was because for the longest time, even if it was only in the beginning, Zeus loved her. Or at least she believed that he truly loved her. It was baffling how love can blind even a deity so much. Perhaps it was finally time for her to face the truth and accept things for what they truly are. Zeus married her because she will never be a threat to his power. She was merely convenient. Hera felt her chest tighten at the thought as tears escaped her eyes. She had always thought that humans were foolish for heavily clinging to a person whose love clearly isn't theirs. It turns out, she was the blindest fool alive.

There is still, however, a way to make things right. She can still save herself from all the pain and humiliation that she suffered throughout her married years. Perhaps, it's also best for Zeus if he remained with Metis. She will go back and see to it Metis lives so that she would never have to married Zeus.