A/N: So, this story turned out to be LONG (in my opinion), so I'm breaking it up into a two-shot. Writing it presented some challenges that I hadn't thought about within the myth, which is why this was a bigger effort than I originally thought. But I got bitten by the Greek-myth bug again and managed something for it, and this myth is a pretty popular request anyway. I really do hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1:

The King of the gods had set apart one mortal for a deeply merciful action, and though such an occurrence was rare in the extreme, Hera was not perturbed. Other Olympians were not so indifferent, and if Hera had shared their unease, she might have remarked to Zeus that Athena was chief among those who were dissenting. Hera hadn't paid it much mind at the time when Zeus had offered purification, but from Athena's few terse words to the Queen, this Ixion was rather undeserving of the purification he had been granted.

Regarding this issue, Hera only found herself both curious at this philanthropy and wondered whether perhaps she should encourage the gesture, rather than pessimistically dismiss it with the general opinion. Besides… what was one man to them?

"I've invited him to our table," Zeus announced as he entered their chambers and Hera's attendants paused in their attentions to bow low to him. "Our newly-purified mortal king."

"He will dine on Olympus? This night?" Hera said, surprised. Cleansing the man was one thing, but Zeus must have been feeling acutely magnanimous to bestow such an honor to a murderer. "That's …generous of you, my lord." Zeus only grinned as he stalked around her nymphs to lean over her shoulder and press warm kiss to her neck, taking in a breath. He was in a good mood, Hera noted. Suddenly more interested than ever, she waved away soft hands and bid her servants to leave and give them privacy.

Zeus watched as they emptied the room while Hera turned and reached for perfume. Zeus tilted his head with a grin as she applied it to her neck, and rounded on him.

"Will he also be sleeping among the clouds?"

"Does that displease you?"

"Not at all," she responded, carelessly. "Just…"

For once, Zeus fully read the puzzlement hidden behind her polite, regal face and obliged. "It may be the affairs of man, my love, but it is still one of kings. Therefore, it is a subject of concern to me, is it not? What could a mortal man do when given a renewed life?" He paced a step away, reading the darkening sky above them. "If I am to offer this wretched king a chance to reach for absolution and to regain all respect and love, what could be done with such gifts? What heights may he reach?"

Hera's prism-like eyes examined his face with a slight quirk of her lips. "That is rather introspective." She stood from her seat and patted his cheek affectionately before turning back to her dressing table. "After all, you also know what it is to make an error of judgment, my love." She threw the comment behind her and he growled and caught her waist before she moved out of reach, pressing her back to his front with a breath of laughter, whispered against her now-scented neck.

"And you don't, darling…?"

They could have quite easily descended into an argument at this juncture, had they chosen to give a biting interpretation to the other's words, but thankfully both were currently in a more peaceable mood. As forceful as he was in a moment, he melted. He fluttered a finger over the curl of hair behind her ear and she turned slightly in his arms to press a kiss to his cheek.

"Come then, my lord. Let us meet your disgraced King…"

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Lord Ixion was dark and handsome. His manners were practiced, even over the clear awe he displayed at his surroundings. The Queen wasn't sure what she had expected …boorish behavior? A babbling lunatic? He appeared to be none of those things.

He admired her husband, but that would be natural, given what the King of the gods had done for him. Hera wondered if there was something Zeus saw in the man that reminded him of himself. There was a physical resemblance, in a strict sense—but of course, no mortal would look so majestic on Olympus. But when the Queen set eyes on the man and he bent his head over her hand to kiss it, she thought she understood what may have drawn her husband to forgive him. There was a certain likeness.

But there was something else as well, and Hera was startled by her own suspicions once they were aroused.

Quite famously, and nearer the beginning of time, Hera had spent quite a long tenure as The Virgin goddess admired by many, including the King of the gods himself. Determinedly untouched, she had been a sought-after bride, thwarted both by her own diffidence and Zeus' extreme desire for her. Such obstacles didn't make her blind to the admiration of so many eyes, and she had learned to intuit their intention. Even after her marriage, her beauty and form hadn't wasted away or ceased to be, so the possibility that she was desired in a primal way had never become foreign to her.

However… the blatant, lustful stares had dwindled to a minimum due to the ever-present truth of who her husband was…

Only the most foolhardy were willing to tangle with Zeus, and Hera had never seen someone bold enough to be obvious, unless the creature in question was a Giant (who was quite sure of their power, and enjoyed a deep hatred of the King of the gods). There was nothing harmful about secret admirers, it would have been unnatural to expect otherwise. But this man…

The King of the Lapiths gave no secret, that she could tell. His weren't the eyes of a man that wanted what he couldn't have, and was ashamed at the thought, nor the eyes of one who wished to admire from afar.

In fact, it reminded Hera fiercely of how she felt when Zeus' eyes were on her centuries ago, when she refused him so long that she had started to drive him to madness, or so she was told. Were Ixion a god, she might have felt that same burst-into-flames, heated longing that Zeus had affixed to her then: a terrible, suffocating wanting that was difficult even for others to ignore…

But this man was not Zeus. How could he be so bold? He, who was only a mortal and a newly-purified one at that? This instinct she felt compounded with Aphrodite's smooth hands pulling her aside to a private corner, all perfume and paint, and looking unsettlingly sober among the revels.

"Yes?" Hera prompted her.

"Can you make him…stop somehow?"

"I don't know what you mean," Hera said. Not really that she didn't, more that she was unsure what Aphrodite would have her do about it.

The goddess only barely restrained herself from stomping her foot petulantly. But her knee went up in the reflex before she tamped down on it, her curls bouncing. "Yes, you know what I mean! If it's causing me discomfort, then you must know!"

"Of course I know what you mean," Hera responded impatiently, straightening against the wall so she could cast a glance at the long table, where all the others were arranging themselves and Zeus was laughing without restraint. "But what do you want from me? This is within your range of expertise… can't you?"

"I can't cool passion, Your Majesty…" Aphrodite answered, gently removing her hand from the Queen and rubbing it nervously on her other arm as she too glanced back at the assembly. "All I can do is heighten it, and little more, he might actually attempt to take you on the table!"

Hera felt a reluctant, but hysterical laugh bubble up at the image of it. But she put a hand over her mouth to suppress her mirth and gave herself the chance to survey the apprehension in Aphrodite's expression with some shrewdness. "Why does this stress you so? He can't actually take any liberties from me."

"Well… no, but…" The goddess of Love leaned in closer, like she was imparting a secret. "It's his character. It's a terrible feeling, and it's not fit… that he should be here, if you understand my meaning."

It sounded like riddles, but Hera did gather what her fellow Olympian meant by it. Strange that Aphrodite should agree with Athena on anything, but if nothing else, that highlighted the necessity of removing him. This mortal man sitting among the gods, when he was of such low esteem, was an affront of the highest measure! And given the man's dark intention, something ugly could erupt. It was simply not a worthwhile endeavor.

"I agree, and I'll deal with it, dear child." Hera patted her dismissively on her slight shoulder. "He will not sleep among the clouds this night… though we may have to endure dinner…"

"Hopefully, his behavior goes unnoticed until then," Aphrodite muttered. If the King didn't erupt, then Ares certainly would. Thankfully, neither could be credited for their observational skills once wine was present and distributed.

Zeus glanced questioningly at Hera when she emerged from her corner with the goddess of Love. But she offered him no explanation, and merely called for her goblet to be refilled, and joined into conversation with all but their mortal guest.

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Lord Ixion expressed his effusive thanks to the King and Queen when their meal came to an end. It was a customary parting, but when they took their leave, Zeus noticed that Hera gave a minute hesitation before offering the King of Lapiths her hand to kiss.

And there the man took too long in kissing that hand! What could such a thing mean? Was Ixion's lingering somehow the reason she didn't immediately offer him the courtesy? Zeus was also one pitch below drunk, so he was pleasingly warm and happy at all he had, and at all he could show that he had to the humblest of creatures.

A servant was to show Lord Ixion his guest chambers, and when he was gone, Hera turned immediately to the King, and pressed her palm to his chest. "Send for Hermes… you and I must speak."

Hermes? That chilled his ardour. He dropped the hand that had moved to the small of her back and furrowed his brow. He had had quite a bit to drink at dinner, but he still managed to register slight urgency in her tone. "If we're sending for Hermes, then you've already made up your mind about something and require an errand," he deduced easily, knowing her well. "And what could that be?"

Hera's expression remained serious, and it took him aback. They had last spoken privately right before the feast, and she hadn't raised any issue to his ear.

He was in little condition for seriousness, which would be all the worse if she brought up some subject that would give him a headache. His wandering eye, for instance... He rubbed above his eyes and when he had removed his fingers, her delicate brow was still crinkled with trouble. Well, there was the most obvious, yet unlikely possibility. "Is this about our mortal visitor?" he guessed.

He must have struck upon it, because slim fingers threaded through his and tugged, signaling once again that she wanted to go to somewhere private to have this discussion. She wasn't pulling forcefully enough to move him, but he obliged her lead, while curiosity began to snake its way through his mind. Though he knew it would irritate her, when he had questions, he never had the patience to wait for answers and peppered her with them throughout their brisk walk.

"Was something brought to light at dinner?" He recalled who she had spoken to, anyone who had been out of the ordinary. He frowned. "What did Aphrodite say to you when she took you aside?"

"Hush, just please wait until we're away from prying eyes," she said. "I will tell you all."

He sent for Hermes through the next passing attendant. This wasn't some petty issue, he could sense her reticence and conflict brimming reluctantly in her, but he couldn't see why. If this was about Lord Ixion, she had had no interactions with him unaccompanied, so he couldn't have offended her with words unheard. He had only…

He had stared, though… Zeus thought to himself with some distaste and jealousy, now that he thought on it...

His wife was terribly beautiful, even by immortal standards. Her appearance had been the envy of many… so he was used to catching covert glances sent her way. He struck them down with his eyes as deftly as he could with a thunderbolt in his hand, promising suffering to anyone who was desirous of putting hands on what he had claimed for himself alone, what he would never share with another being, mortal or immortal.

Covert glances and envy was all such a thing would ever amount to, because the very idea that someone would chance what would happen by Zeus' own design if someone made overtures or unwanted advances on his Queen… on his wife! was enough to drive away anyone that dared beyond that.

His mood began to darken. This man, now that he thought on it, this Lord Ixion…his gaze was not so covert or careful.

His gaze had been persistent

He had kissed her hand too long

He—

A thin rumble came either from his chest or the sky above as they entered their chambers and he saw the top of Hera's veiled head snap towards him and he found himself unable to be patient any longer.

"This better not be," he said ominously, "what I think you are going to tell me…"

"Nothing has happened," she said quickly. "But yes, I think you must know what you are housing for the night…"

He was already feeling the beginnings of a rage boiling inside of him, and the heady pleasantness of drink burning away under its heat. When his eyes fell on his wife, she was opening her mouth to speak again, but at something in his expression, she stopped and flushed. He wasn't sure what had caused the reaction, but he was impatient to know what she was going to relay.

But then Hermes was announced, having a gift of always coming sooner than expected.

"Your Majesties," he greeted blithely, with a bow towards them both. "There was an urgent call? How might I assist?"

"We need you to escort someone out of the halls of Olympus," the Queen said without preamble, leaving her husband to glower at her in annoyance. Hermes looked between them, realizing the tension in the room and the irritation rolling off both of them.

"…was I early?"

"No," Zeus said furiously. "First, I'm to know what this is about! You said you would 'tell me all'!"

"Well, you're already overreacting and I've barely told you a thing!" Hera retorted.

Hermes chuckled nervously near the door, but didn't interject. Zeus, on the other hand, stalked towards Hera, a white-hot fury already half-built and hungry for more. She glared up at him, but that didn't stop him from standing over her, rippling with energy. In turn, she refused to be cowed by him and his overwhelming presence.

"Tell me," his voice was deathly soft, "what he did."

Hera closed her eyes in brief frustration. "This is the entire problem, Zeus. He hasn't done anything… It's just—"

"Just what?"

"He is not a man worthy of purification, or anything else bestowed on him by you, my lord."

The more the last few hours returned to his memory (as he called it up obsessively), the more detail he noticed in those stolen moments. Those hungry looks, at his wife, like this lowly mortal would have liked to tear her clothes off right then and there, while she sat beside Zeus! His hands shook with a murderous urge that couldn't be quelled.

Would someone dare be so blatant against HIM?

"I felt his intentions," Hera said, her eyes glaring at the floor in self-reproach that Zeus didn't truly understand. "Foolishly, I was ready to dismiss it when Aphrodite approached me to warn me of him. She wanted him removed right there."

"And if there is one capability 'Dite possesses, that would be it," Hermes added quite unnecessarily.

"She was not the only one who had objections to his worthiness either. So as it is, I think it far better that he be removed, and no further blessings given, 'lest mortals think that we approve of behavior and lowliness such as his, were he to brag that he sat at your table and—"

"He wouldn't dare," Zeus repeated, purely for his own ears.

"Did it ever occur to you, my lord, that he might be mad? That his actions had already bespoke of such a thing?" Hera asked, in that patronizing tone she had when he wouldn't make simple connections, for lack of listening. But Zeus swatted her disdainful questions away like gnats, hardly listening over the shock that had covered him.

He'd have to be mad, Zeus sputtered internally. To actually… to insult me in such a way…to have such base intentions toward my wife, to disrespect my QUEEN!

A sharp, long jag of lightning split the sky and an enormous crack followed shortly after, loud enough that sensitive, immortal ears caused both the Queen and the Messenger god to cringe at the volume. Hera warily glanced up at the sky, and when nothing else was forthcoming, she stepped forward, placing a hand on the thick flesh of Zeus' arm, taut and not giving at all under her touch. But she tried anyway, her voice almost soothing.

"Banish him from us. Retract your purification of his misdeeds and let him remain a leper to all," she coaxed.

This had Zeus' head swiveling down to her, growling "what?" with such menace that Hermes swallowed hard, though he wasn't the King's focus.

"Well, we can't house him now…" the Queen said practically, as if her husband wasn't plummeting the pressure of the room all around them. "He's violated oaths without recompense, his character has been more than revealed—"

"We will reveal it more," Zeus interrupted her, underscored by a fine, threatening rumble that went on continuously, but not loudly enough to distract from the conversation. "We will house him. And when he gives me the proof of his misbegotten lust, I will have him REND APART FOR ALL ETERNITY!"

As Zeus began to raise his voice, Hera's other hand came up so she was framing his almighty arms and hurriedly jostled him, so that he would snap out of it and look at her. He wasn't moved at all by the attempt. "Enough! You can't send someone to Tartarus for making eyes, Zeus! You've purified him of murder already!"

It was plain in her tone: he was being ridiculous, he couldn't damn someone to the pits of all Hell for some sin committed only in thought! Ixion had not done more than compliment her, stare at her, perhaps kiss her hand a little too indecently to be polite. Given the chance, he may be capable of worse, but Hera could smite him ten times over if he tried. Why not just send him off in shame and avoid a true slight?

It was as if the King didn't hear her at all. Instead, he ignored Hera's reasonable (in Hermes' opinion) argument and locked eyes with his son. "You. With me!"

Hermes sent a pitiful glance Hera's way, but the goddess Queen had not overcome her own shock to make another bid for sensibility and Zeus was already tearing out the door. So he hastened to catch up with his father, unable to understand how this thing had gone so quickly out-of-control.