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It was a cloudless night in the Divine Realm. Countless stars hung overhead atop the dusky sky, coupling with the crescent moon perfectly. High into the walls of Mount Olympus, windows let in the night lights and illuminated the rooms and halls.
Against the master bedroom terrace, one woman basked in the cosmic glow, leaning against the marble railing. Her peachy skin was faded underneath her translucent navy lingerie. A thin arm was propped up against the railing, holding a lit cigarette. The God Queen took a drag, and blew out into the night. Looking back, she gazed at her empty bed with tearful eyes.
He’s not here… why isn’t he here?
Hera wasn’t an idiot. She knew the answer. It was more common for her husband to be out and about than to lay with her. Her teeth gnashed together after another drag. When a tear fell onto the marble, she shot to her feet and marched away from the balcony, back into her master bedroom.
It was lavish and detailed, with an ornate chandelier her son designed hanging from the center of the ceiling. From the moonlight, it spread many dazzling lights across the floor. Hera couldn’t stop and be mesmerized; her world was much too blurry. Instead, she shoved her cig into the ashtray on her vanity, and watched herself in the mirror.
Her eyeliner was smudged. Golden strands of hair fell out of her bun. The strap to her top fell down her arm.
Look at you. A mess. No wonder he’s out fucking someone else.
Hera stiffened, standing to her feet. I need to stay busy. But with what? It was so late, and Hera was already weary from the duties from the day. Still, she was willing to try. The faster she left her cursed bedroom, the faster she’d be able to breathe.
She escaped her chambers, floating down the elaborate hall. The moonlight lit her way as her mother’s daunting voice flooded her mind. A real wife would wait for her husband, not seeking out nonsense. Hera stiffened, but continued.
By chance, she passed by the medical room. The door was open, and a little boy was fast asleep in a small bed. Apollo, The God King’s Golden Boy. Hera had ordered the bastard to put his services to use, taking care of his elder brother-
The giant medical bed was empty, stained with ichor and dirty bandages. Wait…
Where’s Ares?
Her head pounded as she flew past each room, doubling her speed. Where is he?!
A shame. You don’t even know where that giant freak is, little girl.
Hera bit the inside of her cheek and kept flying. Ares wasn’t in the kitchen. Not in the bathrooms. Not in the library. The God Queen even ventured down into those dank caverns Hephaestus opted to stay in.
She nearly passed by her son who was working in his room. Hera stopped, floating in the cave’s mouth. Hephaestus, her youngest son, was hunched over his desk, screwing in something. His bronzed skin had a dusky glow from the flames in the corner in his room. “He…” Hera didn’t even have to finish; her voice made him flinch.
“Mother?!” He asked, shoving his tools away from. “What… I- I know it’s late… I was just heading to bed-”
“N-no Hephaestus…” She held an arm out, but pulled it back. By instinct, Hera grabbed her wrists, rubbing them. “I was looking for Ares. He’s not in his room…”
“He’s not?” Hephaestus bit the inside of his round cheek. “Do you know… ah, nevermind.”
“Tell me, Hephaestus.” Her demand came out harsher than Hera intended. It made her quiver in the air. “Please…”
“Do you know where Dad is? You know Ares likes to…” Hephaestus looked further down. “Execute… those Dad stays with.”
Hera almost threw up from the multitude of memories rushing back to her. Ares was simple: Hera quickly memorized his vengeful ways. He’d listen to the lithe giggles from naked nymphs who’d prance from the God King's office and hide in the shadows until the perfect opportunity presented itself. The Rebel Prince learned well from the Queen. You gave birth to a monster. “I know. Zeus is… in his office. Ares wasn’t around… Where could he be?”
“He didn’t leave, Mother.” Hephaestus told her as he wheeled to his bed. His glasses floated off his face, revealing his left lazy eye. He grunted as he used a combination of his arms and telekinesis to get into his bed. Hera had to look away from his struggle. “Just go back to sleep. Maybe he’s taking a break outside. He likes being in the open.”
“He does?” See? You don’t know anything about them. A failure of a mother. A failure of a wife.
Hephaestus nodded. Hera didn’t miss that his own eyes were cast down. “Is that all?” He asked, the flames in his forge starting to dim. His voice was weary, and Hera wasn’t sure if he always sounded that way. It was rare for her to hear him speak at all.
“Yes…” The God Queen stammered. “Goodnight, Hephaestus… Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Mother. Goodnight.”
She floated out of the forge, hugging her arms. He’s only 13… he sounds so old.
You aged him. He can’t bear living under such a witch.
Hera reached up into her hair, grabbing her puffy curls. It was difficult for the Queen to see when she returned to the surface, since her whole world was blurry again.
He hates you. And for good reason. You are nothing more than a wicked woman. How baneful…
“Please, Mama…” Hera whispered, floating onto her knees. Her hands covered her blotted eyes as her bun gave way. Golden curls pooled around her as she cried. “Please leave me be tonight…”
Why would I? You know I only speak the truth. All your life, you’ve given nothing but inadequacy. Stupid little girl, Zeus deserves better.
“I know, Mama… I’m trying…”
Not enough, as always! How dare you sob at your own failings. It’s you who gave birth to mishaps like Ares and Hephaestus. And that Daimona! How hideous!
“Mama…?” A new voice called the Queen. Hera didn’t answer, lost in the hurricane of her mother’s teachings.
They are cursed, just like you! A true showing of your inner poison. Zeus bore excellent fruit with other women. He is not the problem. He is never the problem. You know this.
“Mama?”
This is why he leaves you. This is why I left you. Why would anyone of Zeus’ standard affiliate with you? There is no benefit for him. You can’t survive without him. You won’t survive without him. Never!!
Hera felt herself being pulled into strong arms. They wrapped around her torso and pulled her into a thick chest. Frantic, Hera screamed and elbowed the unrecognizable figure, throwing him back with a heavy thump.
“Ow, Mama!” Ares hissed. The world around her came into view again, showing Ares crumpled up on the floor. Hera gasped, rushing over to her son. He groaned as he moved, wounds all over his body gushing with ichor. “Ow…”
Hera pressed her hands against his numerous round gashes, not caring if gold stained her hands. “Ares?!” She cried. “Why are you up? Where are your bandages?”
“I’m okay, Mama,” Ares told his mother, slowly sitting up. He dwarfed her instantly, his massive, bare chest rising and falling with each breath. Up close, it was impossible to look past the endless snaking black marks on his body. The opening wounds made his body look even more disfigured. Hera forced herself to not look away. “I had a nightmare so I went to pee outside to relax. I feel a little better now. Were you looking for me, Mama?”
He smiled, but winced once Hera put pressure on his abdomen. “Ares, you know better than to take off your bandages without checking them first. You’re hurting.” The God Queen scolded, putting her magic to use. With soft fingers, she pressed air against his marks to maintain a constant pressure. He whined, but she shushed him.
“Mama, it hurts…”
“I know, and I’m sorry,” She pulled her hands back and he scratched before Hera swatted his hand away. “Leave it be. It’ll help you heal.”
“Thank you,” He grinned, helping her to her feet as he stood, too. Hera tried not to shiver beneath him. “Hey Mama? Did you have a nightmare, too? I get those a lot.”
She looked up at him and nearly gasped at his wicked smile. A monster… My monster. “No…” She answered honestly. “I just couldn’t sleep. You should go back to bed-”
The giant god flinched so hard, Hera took a step back. “No, Mama!” He stuffed his hands into thick, dark curls. His breathing quickened, and Hera swore her son’s hair was getting longer, ever so slightly. It was difficult to tell with the lack of light, and his hair already reached down his back. “Please Mama, I don’t wanna go back… I’ll… He’ll come back and the laughing won’t stop!”
No, he needs to stay calm… “That’s okay, Ares,” She quickly floated up to grab his cheeks. At her touch, the war child immediately relaxed in her hold. “That’s okay… You can just stay with me.”
“Really, Mama?” He asked, his words grating against his deepening voice. “I can take you to a place to help you calm down. Can I show you?”
Anything to keep him occupied. “Go ahead, Ares.”
Hera didn’t think his smile could grow any bigger, but the God Queen was promptly proven wrong. She yelped when he hoisted her over his shoulder, but her surprise only seemed to amuse him. His steps were quick and heavy against the floor, and Hera hoped his feet weren’t hurting.
The air suddenly grew cold, and the Queen looked up to see the vast night above them. “Here, Mama,” Ares said as he put her to the ground again, and even moved some of her hair out the way. Hera looked around, then back at her son. We’re at the top of the mountain. Ares walked forward a few paces before he sat on the rocks. He turned back and patted his right side. “Come on, sit with me!”
Hera followed her son, and did as he was told. Underneath the moonlight, his Soul Scars seemed to glow, traliling up his right cheek. A few more and they could easily surround his eye. So vicious… I only create viciousness. Out of morbid curiosity, the God Queen asked her son, “Do you come up here often, Ares?”
He hummed. “Yes. Sometimes, it's hard to sleep so I come here. I like the night sky, Mama.”
Hera didn’t respond, his calm gaze taking her breath away. His dark scars pulled from his smile as he looked up at the sky. The Queen couldn’t remember the last time he was so calm. It gave her a haunting, but blooming realization that brought tears to her eyes. She reached out and grabbed his hand, squeezing it.
He is capable… He is capable.
“I’m sorry,” Hera whispered out, covering her face with her free hand. “I’m sorry, Ares…”
Silence penetrated the night before she heard her son say, “Don’t cry, Mama… Did I do something wrong again? I didn’t hurt anyone tonight…”
Why is that the first thing he thinks of? Hera shook her head. “No, no, Ares…” She reassured him, reaching up to hold his face. Despite the black marks that crawled up his cheek, Hera saw his incredibly strong features. And yet… she saw her own eyes in his. Faded and miserable. Hera tasted bile. “Don't mind me, okay? I’m.. I’m a mess.”
Ares blinked. “That’s okay, I’m a mess, too. That’s something we have in common!” He laughed and pulled her into another tight hug, letting his mother’s tears fall. What he said next sent a shock to her unlike any bolt. “I don’t wanna be like him, Mama. I wanna be like you.”
No, no! She mentally screamed, pushing her son away yet again. Ares let her, keeping his distance as she collapsed into sobs. He’s ruined! He’ll only get worse if he follows me! “Please, Ares…” She tried to say, shaking as she sat up again. “Your father is an excellent man… someone you should strive to be. I… I…” The God Queen couldn’t finish, covering her mouth again.
Ares leaned down a little, his hair tumbling over his shoulders. “He hurts you.” It wasn’t a question. Ares let the statement drop to the ground like a heavy weight. “I never want to be like him… and he isn’t my Papa.”
“Ares-”
“Fathers like their sons, right?” He looked up, and Hera gasped at the tears that flooded his eyes. Instantly, memories flooded to her once again, of Ares, no more than a toddler, calling for his Papa amidst the chaos of the Titan war. “He likes all of his other sons, and not me… but, it’s okay. I… I don’t need a Papa…”
He couldn’t finish his words, either. Hera expected her son to bawl, just as he always did when he couldn’t express himself. Instead, to her surprise, Ares’ tears were silent. They streamed past his Scars, blotting his cheeks. The God Queen could only watch, mesmerized by her son’s vulnerability.
He’s… sad. She had hardly seen him express anything outside of anger or intensity… “Ares…” Hera whispered, her hands further muffling her voice.
“No one likes me. It’s fine, Mama… I got used to it. I'm too rotten… but if you're rotten too then we can be together!"
Hera didn't respond. He thinks I'm rotten. He thinks he's rotten… What have I done? Does Hephaestus feel the same way? I've failed them…
Ares's smile dropped with her silence. Despite his size, his slumped posture and trembling hands made him look like a defeated child. That's what he is… a child. A broken child.
"I wish we made each other happy, Mama." His words were like daggers to Hera's chest. She had always assumed Ares was miserable, but to hear him say it, it broke the mighty God Queen to tears. Why is he right!?
Regardless of the God King's warnings, Hera wanted to try with her sons. She knew Ares was an unstable mess, and Hephaestus had potential no one else understood. And yet, that attraction to them was something she could never completely turn away. In different ways, both of her sons frightened her, and how could happiness bloom in fear?
Hera felt herself pulled into another strong hug. This time, she didn't squirm or push her eldest away. All she felt like doing was crying, losing herself in her shattered heart. She was mildly surprised at how nice he smelled, like lavender. Her favorite…
The Queen sniffed, her smile pressing against her lips. He's trying. She realized, wrapping her arms around him. Hephaestus too, in his own way. My strong boys… So strange, and hurting. But strong. I need… I need to try too.
For the first time that night, Hera's tears completely dried as she sat up. Again, Ares let her go, watching his mother's every movement. Even without trying, his gaze was equal to that of a predator. My predator.
Hera reached up to cup his cheeks, rubbing over his black marks. Hera had no idea how many he had, but she knew that no matter what happened, he’d only get more, and that they’d never go away. They were a part of him, and both of them needed to embrace it. Because, beneath those awful marks, and that terrible glint in his eyes, Hera longed for her son. Her smile grew as much as it could - which was still hardly visible. Ares, noticing it immediately, grinned back, giggling a little. It was an unnatural sound, leaving the depths of his throat, but Hera cherished every second of his eased temper. So much so that her voice squeezed out, “I love you, Ares.”
Hera studied his reaction, and was more than ready for his lip to quiver. “Mama!” He cried like a baby, like her baby. He pressed himself into her as best as he could, despite being three times his mother’s size. Hera let him attempt to nuzzle as he sobbed into her shoulder, completely losing his composure.
"Let's go back to bed, hm?" Hera asked over his dying whimpers. He sat back up to nod, his face completely blotted with tears. There wasn't a single protest as Ares stood, helping his mother up. He didn't carry her this time, and instead was led by her back down the hall.
They made it back to Hera's room without noise. Inside, the room was just as empty as before. Ares was giggling again as he climbed into the bed. He was almost too big for it, making Hera laugh as she watched him attempt to get comfortable.
She only stopped when she realized Ares wasn't giggling with her. His eyes were trained on her, with a small head tilt. Panic swarmed her, making her shiver. "Can you laugh more, Mama?" Ares asked. "I like it. It's a pretty sound."
When was the last time I laughed? Had Ares never heard it before…? Hera shook those thoughts away, climbing into bed beside Ares. Don't look back, anymore. The present is all that matters. "I'll try, Ares. I'll try."
She made him smile, warming Hera's chest as she laid down in her bed. Ares snuggled her with his giant, scarred body. Despite his weight, Hera didn't move. The Queen played with her son's hair, rolling his thick curls around. Tears pooled in her eyes when Ares mumbled, "I… I love you, Mama…" before he drifted into light snores.
Hera fell asleep with him with a slow heart, and a warm smile. I love you, too. Ares.