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Dionysus stroked a lock of hair out of Ariadne’s face. They laid in the cool grass, their faces close togehter, their bodies touching, his arm around her shoulders.
Ariadne stroked his cheek with her fingers. ‘You’re so pretty.’ She usually said it as a half-joke - knowing it was true, as well as mocking all his followers who felt the need to declare it all the time - yet right now, she only meant it. He was the prettiest thing she’d ever seen.
He closed his eyes when she touched him. ‘You’re a marvel,’ he whispered. ‘For meaning that when you say it.’
‘Everyone means it.’
‘Not the way you do.’ She was beautiful, too, and in the moonlight she was so much more that he couldn’t begin to describe it. ‘Can I kiss you?’
‘Why do you ask when you know the answer?’ she whispered back.
He cupped her face in his hands. ‘Because you’re precious.’ He brought his lips to hers.
She slid her hands around his back, under the cloak he was wearing.
She snickered. ‘I can hold you.’
‘Yeah?’
‘I like holding you.’
He kissed her again, pulling her even closer, slowly moving on top of her. She pushed away his cloak, moving upwards to do so. He took the chance to wrap his arms around her back, so that they were as close as they could possibly get. ‘I love you.’ He meant it.
‘I love you too.’ She said it slowly, as if she was a little intoxicated. She might have been a little intoxicated from his kisses.
‘Let me prove it, then…’
‘Dionysus!’ Startled, the god awoke from his thoughts and knocked over his cup. His brother, Hermes, was hovering over him. They were... somewhere, but it was inside, and they were the only ones there.
‘What are you doing here?’ Dionysus yelled. He tried to get up from his chair, but tripped over his feet and fell to the floor. He groaned.
‘I am doing my job here,’ Hermes explained, while he landed beside his brother. ‘My job of delivering messages between the gods. I don’t know what you’re doing, but you sure look terrible.’
‘You’re thanked,’ Dionysus said through gritted teeth while getting up.
‘Not needed! It’s just that your clothes are stained, your hair is a mess and I desperately hope that’s wine on your skin.’
‘You're lucky this time.’
‘Woo-hoo!’ Hermes clapped in his hands. ‘Besides that, dad wants you to come to Olympus tomorrow for a meeting. Now you know.’
‘I wish I didn’t.’
‘You’re welcome.’ Hermes put his finger under his brothers’ chin and lifted Dionysus’ face until they were looking each other in the eye. ‘What is weighing down on you, little brother?’
‘You-’
‘Me? How?’
‘You know damn well, asshole,’ Dionysus spat.
When Hermes spoke again his voice had gotten soft, and he put his hand on his brothers’ cheek. ‘It’s her then, isn’t it?’
‘Of course it is.’
‘I’m sorry, Dionysus,’ Hermes said again. ‘I shouldn’t be teasing you like that. I haven’t loved the way you did during my life, you see? I can’t imagine what it’s like.’
‘As if I truly lost my mortal half now. Part of mé.’
Hermes didn’t reply, recognising that that wouldn’t be of use. He held his brother in his arms as he sobbed. ‘Cry, kid.’
‘It was like she was here again. Like I was living in a moment where she was, too.’
‘A special moment? Not to pry too much.’
‘You always pry. Your specialty is prying.’ Dionysus sniffed. ‘It’s…’ he sighed and bit his lip.
‘I promise I won’t laugh too hard.’
‘Your promises ain’t worth much.’
‘They’re worth enough.’ Hermes chuckled.
Dionysus sighed. ‘I think it was the moment I first knew that I really loved her. More than anyone before her. Or something like that, I don’t… fucking know.’
‘You do.’ Hermes stroked his hair. ‘I won’t spread it, dear. Yet you should figure out what to do about it. You can’t waste away like this.’
‘I can die.’
‘No, you can’t.’
‘I can fetch her from the underworld.’
‘Eh, you can try.’ Hermes hung his arm around Dionysus’ shoulders. ‘For now, brother, I am taking you with me. If only to stop the daydreams for a moment.’
‘I like them,’ Dionysus said meekly.
‘I know, they’re the most beautiful thing in your life right now! And they are not healthy. Come.’
‘I don’t have a choice, do I?’
‘No.’ Hermes caressed Dionysus’ hair. ‘I love you, brother.’
A couple more tears ran down Dionysus’ cheeks. ‘Thank you.’