Work Text:
"Phee!" Ares squealed as he did a little dance on the beach. The sun slowly slid over the horizon, causing the orange-tinged sky cast a glorious glow onto Ares’ brown skin. His bare feet padded the light sand as the young god ran in and out of the water. “Watch me do a big splash!”
For the past two Mortal hours, Hephaestus watched his older brother have the time of his life. “I’m looking!” Hephaestus called back as he sketched detailed blueprints in his notebook. He sat far enough away from the crashing waves to keep himself and his notes dry. Ares didn’t mind that Hephaestus didn’t want to play, as his minimal attention was enough.
Hephaestus heard the air blow, making him look up. Ares had jumped nearly a hundred feet into the air only to drop down into the ocean with an explosive plunge. Hephaestus raised a force field around himself to prevent stray water from reaching him. Ares emerged out of the water covered in seaweed. He laughed, shaking himself off like a wild dog before he ran up to his brother. He plopped down in front of Hephaestus and asked, “Did you see it, Phee? I made a wild splash!”
“I did,” Hephaestus replied, letting his shield down. “That was pretty good, but I think you can make an even bigger one.”
Ares’ smile grew tenfold. He let out a barking laugh, exposing his canines. “Yeah! I can get better at it! How do I do that, Phee?”
The question surprised Hephaestus, forming a strange warmth inside of his chest. Ever since they came to the Eastern beach, Ares’s mind hazed with frantic excitement. When his thoughts cleared, Hephaestus heard Ares's intrigue escape. “You want me to help?” He asked, nervousness clutching his voice.
“Yeah, that’s why I asked,” Ares answered with an eye roll. “I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t want help. Now tell me!” He plopped down in front of Hephaestus, his messy curls making him look youthful for once.
“Okay, okay,” Hephaestus’s laugh squeezed out at his brother’s impatience. “Plant your feet in the sand harder, and use your knees. There’s a certain stance…” Hephaestus’s voice crawled into a mumble as he drew out a diagram on a separate page. He turned his pad around and showed it to Ares. His focused look almost made Hephaestus snort. “Like this! See, the higher you go, the harder you fall, and that impact will make a bigger wave.”
“Oh!” Ares snapped his fingers as he nodded. “I knew it was a bunch of smart stuff. Thanks, Phee!”
“Hey,” Hephaestus reached out to pat Ares on his broad shoulder. “You’re smart, too. Don’t forget that, okay?”
Ares blinked but didn’t reply. Instead, he gave Hephaestus an empty smile that sent a nasty chill down his back. Before he could stand up, a woman spoke. “Don’t get back into the water, Ares,” Their mother ordered. The Queen sat beside Hephaestus, twirling and picking at her bed of frazzled golden curls. Hephaestus kept an eye on her guarded mind, hoping it would reveal why they resided at the beach. “Your hair is a mess. Come here so I can fix it.”
“No, Mama!” Ares protested. “I don’t like it when you brush my hair! I can fix it myself.”
“Get over here,” Her tone steeled, making Ares wince and relent. He got back onto his hands and knees and crawled in front of his mother. She grabbed a small fistful and tugged, pulling a weak roar from Ares’s throat. Hephaestus clenched the pencil in his hand as he watched. “This is a mess! Ares, this is why I told you to cut it.”
“Mama,” Ares had long enough arms to reach back and rebel against his mother's efforts. Hera only swatted his hands away. He’d stay still for a Mortal second before Hera snatched at a tangled curl, and the cycle continued. “Mama, it hurts… I don’t like it!”
“Hush,” She silenced him as she got onto her knees to get a better reach. Hephaestus swallowed down a rush of bile. “It doesn’t hurt that much. Now you’ll know better than to grow out your hair. Hephaestus’s hair isn’t a constant tangled mess.”
Hephaestus knew Ares's focus faded long ago, retreating into his mind to ignore the discomfort. He tried to make sense of the messy images Ares’ mind presented, but nothing connected. The jumbled throng only saddened Hephaestus, making him reach out and rub Ares’ exposed thigh. “It’s alright, Ares,” Hephaestus tried to soothe his whining older brother. “You’ll feel better once Mother gets finished.”
“Make her let go, Phee!” Ares growled like a young beast. He clawed at his mother’s hands, digging into her skin. “She’s pulling too hard!” Hephaestus sucked in her cheeks, contemplating giving in to his brother. He hated to use his psychic mind to control others, but seeing Ares in pain drove him into bitter spite. He almost reached inside his mother’s consciousness, but her appearance stopped his attempt.
Her hair fell into a mess of golden curls, several strands brushing over her forehead. Heavy bags under her eyes made her face droop. Hephaestus couldn’t look into them, knowing the empty voids would bring tears to his eyes. Hephaestus swallowed and told his brother, “No, Ares, I can't. You know that's not right.”
Hera finally let her son go, and the momentum made Ares fall into the sand. Hephaestus had to admit that Ares’s hair appeared tamed, albeit shorter. Ares pounced away before he shook himself off and huddled near Hephaestus. The smaller Olympian only sighed and pat Ares on the back. His mind surged with frustration, making Hephaestus shudder. “Your hair looks better now,” Their mother tried to reassure them.
A hearty growl reverberated from Ares through Hephaestus. He gasped when Ares’s heated rage bubbled to the surface. Hephaestus tensed in Ares’s hold, signaling him to let go. Ares hesitated but released his brother. Hephaestus hoped he’d fire back, retaliate, or rebel. But Ares only rested his head in Hephaestus’s lap, locking his gaze towards the ocean.
Disgust made Hephaestus clench his fist. If Father hurt you like that, you would have stabbed him. Why do you let her do this to you? He thought, resting his hand on Ares’s thick shoulder. He traced his finger over the Soul Scars on his brother’s skin. Ares’s mind tensed with confusion, and Hephaestus barely managed to understand his thoughts. Not a word left his mouth, and his silence surprised Hephaestus. He leaned down and whispered, “Are you okay?” Ares only nodded once.
Hephaestus didn’t have an opportunity to coax Ares to talk as the sea before began to bubble. Ares shot up and pulled Hephaestus into his strong arms, shielding away from the potential threat. His blotted mind mesmerized Hephaestus, even after hearing the animalistic thoughts before. Their mother stood, walking to the rumbling waves. “Mama!” Ares called desperation weaving into his voice. “Come back!”
Hera let the waves crash against her feet and refused to move, even as the waters grew angrier. The foams shot up, spraying to reveal two figures, a man and a woman. Hephaestus’s ichor ran cold.
He could tell the man stood taller than anyone Hephaestus had ever seen. The man’s eyes mimicked Ares’s daunting purple with a thick, dark beard. A silver trident rested menacingly in his hand. The woman beside him looked much more peaceful, with Hephaestus taking solace in her gentle gaze. Her fiery crimson hair blew with the beach wind, completely dry.
“Uncle Po!” Ares squealed, feeling safe enough to let go of his brother. Hephaestus held in a scream as their uncle’s mind opened, revealing wicked tendrils of fury. Oblivious to the oncoming storm, Ares ran to their uncle with open arms. “Hi, Uncle Po!”
“Ares, wait!” Hephaestus pleaded far too late. Their uncle raised his trident when Ares got close enough, slamming it toward his nephew's throat. His wife and Hera both screamed as Ares crashed into the sand. Poseidon stepped forward, pushing his weight onto a pinned Ares with his trident.
“I should end your life here and now,” Poseidon roared down at his nephew, who whined and struggled underneath him. Ares attempted to lift the trident, but Posideon refused to relent in his strength. Hephaestus saw ichor drip from Ares’s neck. “You’ll pay for your transgressions against me, boy.”
“Posideon! Release him, please!” Amphitrite begged, tugging on her husband’s arm. “He’s a child!”
Hephaestus didn’t expect his uncle to hesitate. He growled and yanked his trident back, leaning against his wife. “He’s a murderer,” He mumbled. “A murderer of my kin.”
Ares tumbled over, coughing up bright spots of ichor onto the sand. His mutilated throat paralyzed Hephaestus with fear. “Posideon, you promised you wouldn’t hurt him,” Their mother seethed with an odd venom Hephaestus didn’t recognize. She moved like lightning to hug and lift Ares without struggle, despite him being twice her size. “Lay a hand on him again, and I’ll cut your throat.”
Twisted pride rushed through Hephaestus. He stifled a laugh when Ares barked out a cheer. As he bled and his mind swelled with confused pain, he still longed for his mother's affection. Hephaestus didn’t want to admit that he felt a similar yearning.
“Oh, will you, sister?” Poseidon challenged, shifting his glare from Ares to Hera. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Unlike you, brother,” Hera’s tone escalated with fury. Ares watched on in utter amazement. “I have a sense of self-restraint. I have a promise to uphold, which requires me to give you respect until you pay me back. Do you understand?”
Poseidon only snorted but relented for his wife to interject. “I’m sorry about him, Hera,” She apologized, her voice flowing like a gentle stream. “No harm will come to your boys under my care. They’ll be safe in Atlantis.”
“Atlantis?!” Hephaestus and Ares exclaimed at the same time. The younger Olympian gleamed at his older brother, who laughed in return. Atlantis had a foreign charm to Hephaestus, as he and Ares rarely ventured below the sea. He longed to study and observe the strange and alien architecture that left an impression on his current designs in technology.
This was planned. The realization shot through Hephaestus like an arrow. He clung to Ares, pressing into his older brother’s shoulder. “Mother,” He started, his tone wavering with growing worry. “How long will we stay?”
Hephaestus braced himself for any answer. “Not long,” Their mother replied, her voice thinning. The lack of a concrete time made Hephaestus’ stomach churn. “This will be a fun trip for the two of you… The time will go by just like that.”
“Two of us?” Hephaestus gasped when Ares dropped him. Poseidon barely managed to catch him in time. “Mama, you’re coming, right?”
Hephaestus felt his heart in the pit of his stomach. Ares’ mind scrambled into desperation as he stalked closer to his mother. A burst of senses flooded into Hephaestus’ mind from his brother.
Old, burning flames flooded the sky, and Hephaestus envisioned a younger, sobbing Ares amid the Titan War. The young smith gasped. He hasn’t been separated from Mother since…
“Mama, you can’t go!” Ares pleaded, tears strangling his deep voice. “You can’t… Phee and I need you! You can come with us! Phee and I can share rooms, right, Phee?” He didn’t allow his brother to answer because he continued, “Don’t leave me, Mama!”
“I can’t stay,” Hera told her eldest, not giving him eye contact. She took a timid step away from the group as stray curls fell into her face. “You’ll be fine with Hephaestus and the others. Please don’t make a fuss, Ares… This is for the best.”
Ares’s clouded mind didn’t give Hephaestus an idea of how his older brother would respond. Poseidon seemed to sense an incoming meltdown, passing Hephaestus off to his wife. Ares took a step forward again, his dam finally breaking as he tried to dash back to his mother. “Mama!” He screamed, almost getting away if Posideon didn’t grab him in time. Hera flinched away, looking as if she had witnessed a murder. “Mama…!”
His brother’s cries made Hephaestus’s heart twist in agony. Golden drops mixed in with the waves below from Posideon’s freshly clawed arms and Ares's scarred neck. Every time he attempted to yank Ares back, the young Olympian used just as much force to get to his mother.
He tried to search any of his family’s minds, attempting to find a solution, but Ampithrite only relayed waves of pity for Hera. Posideon didn’t help either, as his mind exploded with angry, vengeful curses toward Ares. His mother gave Hephaestus a chilly silence with her sealed thoughts, even through her fear and turmoil.
Even now, she’s closed. Hephaestus let himself smile, morbidly impressed. Ares’ pleas faded into the background as the smith focused on his mother’s mind. Hephaestus couldn’t think of a time when he heard his mother, and he failed to understand why she would hide from him. Numerous ideas came to him, but Hephaestus knew none of them sufficed. A twisted part of him wanted to break through to find the truth to keep Ares at bay. Hephaestus had no doubts Ares would calm down from their mother's sweet words.
He swallowed and reached out his mind. His mother’s barriers reminded him of ice, but he pressed against them anyway, even if they made him wince. Distantly, Hephaestus heard his aunt ask him something, but he didn’t answer. With no results, Hephaestus panted, but he refused to give up. He gritted his teeth and mimicked the technique he had seen Athena use before. Use your drive to bring your ambitions to life.
His breath hitched when he made a crack. A wild rush of hope turned his concentrated smile into a genuine one. The anticipation multiplied Hephaestus’s already numerous expectations. Hephaestus accepted that he wished to hear her say his name with the warmth he always dreamed of. Maybe, inside, she always loved him and Ares, and Hephaestus could answer his endless questions with the absolute truth.
Hephaestus only heard one sentence: Finally, they’ll be gone soon.
As soon as he made the crack in her mind, Hera regained control and sealed herself away again. Hephaestus opened his eyes, revealing the blurry world he left behind just Mortal seconds ago. His throat felt tight, and his breathing came out in quick, untamable spurts. He stared at his mother, who couldn’t give him eye contact. She knew.
A cold rage stormed over Hephaestus. He longed to reach back into his mother’s mind to tear it apart and leave nothing behind. How could she?! He asked himself as his longing shifted into distraught. He refused to cry and rebel against his breaking heart.
Hephaestus had to steel himself, remembering his mother’s expectations. So she wanted him to leave, to get rid of her children. There had to be a reason. Mother always had a reason. Hephaestus forced himself to accept that as a freakish, thin smile appeared on his face.
The royal family held themselves to a higher standard for the entire Divine Realm to admire from afar. Hephaestus reasoned that their mother disguised going to Atlantis for a vacation as a punishment. Ares and Hephaestus needed to repent. For what, Hephaestus had no idea. Despite his realization, Hephaestus couldn’t shake his bubbling anger.
“Mama!” Ares roared again, pulling Hephaestus back to reality. His head tilted to his brother as their uncle attempted to wrestle him down. With Ares almost matching his size, the challenge grew more difficult with each passing Mortal second. “Let me go! Mama has to come!”
A distant smile pulled at his lips, even with the hollow pit that grew in Hephaestus’s stomach. He admired Ares’s determination despite the clear signs of punishment. “Ares,” He called to his brother, raising his voice over the waves and his brother's cries.
Hephaestus didn’t expect Ares to listen, let alone stop resisting immediately. Poseidon still held him, but Ares turned to look at his brother. “Make her come, Phee,” He demanded as his thoughts barely cleared for him to speak. “You can bring her, and we can be together…”
“You’re afraid, aren’t you?” Hephaestus calmly reasoned.
Ares paused, letting Hephaestus know his truth. None of the adults dared to intervene. “She’s not gonna come back!” He cried, tears streaming down his face. “They never come back, Phee! I… I don’t want to be alone again, so you have to make Mama come.”
“But you’re not alone,” Hephaestus told him, holding his arms out for his brother. “You have me, Ares. And I won’t abandon you.” The word abandon came out tighter than Hephaestus wanted, but his eyes never left his mother as he spoke. His urge to send a message grew as the bitterness seeped into his words. “I know it’s hard to see her go, but that doesn’t matter. You’ll always have me, and it will be enough, okay? Let’s go together and see those big fish.”
Hephaestus waited for Ares to think about his words and raised his eyebrows when his older brother stopped resisting Poseidon altogether. Hesitant, Poseidon let Ares go, and Ares didn’t move. His mind bloated with confused panic, but Hephaestus heard Ares attempting to suppress some of it to let himself speak. “You’re mad at Mama,” He said. Hephaestus knew Ares didn’t ask a question.
“Yes,” Hephaestus told him honestly with a sad smile. “And I always will be. But I’ll be okay because I have you. You mean more to me than Mother and Father combined, Ares, and my love won’t fade or hide. I promise.”
Despite Ares being hypercharged with thoughtless hurt, his response to his younger brother’s words came like clockwork. “I love you, too, Phee,” Ares said, surprising Hephaestus with his finality. “And… that won’t go away! No matter what!”
Ares often stated that he loved both Hephaestus and their mother at random intervals. Hephaestus struggled to understand why this particular instance made tears fall from his eyes. In a quick attempt to save his pride, he tried to wipe his eyes, but he felt hoisted up into strong arms. Applewood hit Hephaestus’ nose, and he instinctively nuzzled into his big brother’s shoulder. As gently as he could manage, Ares patted him on the back as he hoisted Hephaestus to shift into a more comfortable position.
“How sweet!” Amphitrite sighed with warmth. Her sudden jovial mind kicked off a light pounding in Hephaestus’ head. “Now, are you two boys ready to go? We can still get there before the sun sets and see those fish you want.”
Hephaestus wanted to reply in case Ares had another outburst. But he couldn’t lift his head or open his mouth. He only had the energy to rest on Ares, who naturally cradled Hephaestus in his strong arms. “Yeah,” Ares said calmly, surprising Hephaestus. “I’m ready, and I think Phee is, too. He looks so sleepy, Auntie.”
“I see…” Hephaestus tried to argue that he was fine, but only a low sigh left him. He had to admit to his weariness, as much as it only strengthened the bitter taste in his mouth. Mother doesn’t want us because we’re weak. I have to prove her wrong. “Alright Poseidon, let’s return home.”
Unfortunately, Hephaestus didn’t know how to begin, and his headache only worsened as he attempted to think of a solution. Instead, he leaned into his brother, taking solace in his presence. Ares never doubted him, and Hephaestus couldn’t remember the last time when Ares looked at him the same way their mother did. Hephaestus never saw pity or fear in his brother’s eyes. From the day he woke by the sea, Ares kept him at his side against all odds. Hephaestus idly pondered on their bond, noting how concrete it felt compared to everyone else’s. Does love have to be earned? Is Mother wrong?
Is there still hope? The new question made Hephaestus shiver. He shoved it down as Poseidon slammed his trident into the water, circling it around them. A bubble formed around the group, and Ares longingly turned to watch their mother for the last time. “Bye, Mama…” He mumbled, squeezing Hephaestus into his chest. “Phee? Mama will come back, right? She won’t be gone forever?”
The bubble moved forward, making the view of their mother smaller and dimmer. Rushes of relief swelled in Hephaestus’s chest as he watched her with his brother. “I don’t know,” He answered as they descended into the ocean. “But, think about it this way. You’ll be able to grow your hair out now the way you want, and I can even help you braid it.”
Ares’s toothy grin returned at the idea of his hair getting decorated. Hephaestus heard Ares’s mind clear up as his excitement displayed in dizzying images. “Yeah!” He told him as the bubble dipped under the ocean. Colorful schools of tuna swam around them, and Hephaestus’s heart swelled when Ares’s eyes lit up. “There’s so many of them! If you braid my hair, I’ll catch you a fish!”
Hephaestus couldn’t help his warm smile. “I’d like that, Ares.”
Ares continued to ramble and giggle about jumbled stories regarding the fish he observed. Hephaestus quietly listened and enjoyed Amphitrite chiming in every so often. Their stories didn’t make much sense, but Hephaestus appreciated his aunt keeping Ares distracted from being separated from their mother. Poseidon stayed silent, and Hephaestus didn’t push him to add anything. He watched his uncle over Ares’s shoulder and shuddered from the heavy rage that stormed in his mind.
The sea around them darkened before Hephaestus saw a wide spread of faint lights below. As they floated closer, the glorious city of Atlantis came into full view. The domed buildings spread out in a massive circle, protected by a field of water that added an ethereal shimmer to the grand underwater kingdom. Atlanteans swam by them and waved, giving them unfamiliar hand signals. Some had legs, and others had various kinds of tails. Since Ares took him in his arms, Hephaestus sat up to observe his surroundings.
Ares’s brusque giggles tickled Hephaestus as the bubble landed within the liquid dome. Inside, Hephaestus saw a clearer view of the buildings. Many stood tall with columns, and walkways flowed in and out of each home like pearly waves. Shells and arrays of fish teeth decorated the exteriors of homes and windows had no glass. Hephaestus watched a forager with awe as he welded a staff with a small lava chamber from the ground of his front yard.
“This is phenomenal,” Hephaestus breathed as his family landed near the dome's center. The castle stood taller than the other buildings and shone like a pristine gem with underwater jewels encrusted across the multiple roofs. As they landed, their bubble popped, and Ares stumbled, squeezing a giggle out of Hephaestus and Amphitrite. Posideon stepped forward, distantly reminding Hephaestus of his father. His uncle greeted soldiers at the palace gates, and they parted for the family. Hephaestus watched him make the same customary gesture and smiled when Ares attempted to mimic it.
“Are you impressed, nephew?” Poseidon looked behind him with a playfully raised eyebrow. Hephaestus nodded, letting the scenery and atmosphere whisk his worries away. “My fortress and cities are full of surprises and advancements to your liking. You will be beyond comfortable here, as promised. This way, to your rooms.”
Hephaestus heard sprinkles of Ares’s nervousness, keeping him in place as he looked around. “Ares?” Amphitrite called as she floated towards her husband’s side. “Come on, sweetheart. It’s okay. You’ll love your room!”
Hephaestus knew Ares would look to him for reassurance, and Hephaestus nodded at his brother. “Let’s give it a shot, yeah, Ares?” He asked his brother, attempting to mimic their mother. Hephaestus hoped he didn’t sound cold. “I know it’s new and scary, but remember. We’re together. Always.”
Ares’s mental wariness didn’t clear, but his smile gave Hephaestus mild relief. Without replying, he walked forward past the guards. Hephaestus heard their minds fill with questions about Ares as they passed. Ares knew they watched, and while their gazes and mumbles made Ares shake, Hephaestus’s quick squeeze kept Ares eased enough for them to pass into the castle.
Hephaestus noted the halls curved in multiple directions, unlike Mount Olympus. The open layout revealed the glorious schools of fish swimming above the dome. Amphitrite picked up on the tension and created conversation as the boys followed her. “Triton is excited to play with you two,” She told them, resting a hand against her husband’s strong arm. “He’s got a lot of games planned! Doesn’t that sound fun?”
Hephaestus nearly forgot about Triton, the only one of Posideon’s children Ares would consider a “real” cousin. Hephaestus only remembered one instance of meeting Trition, and while he thought his cousin had a spoiled nature, Triton could entertain like his father. “Triton?” Ares asked with a head tilt. Hephaestus noticed Posideon look back with a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Our cousin?”
“Yeah! I know you don’t know him well, but I’m sure he’d love to be your friend. You can play with him all day tomorrow after you both get settled… Ah! Here we are.”
They stopped in front of a set of double doors made of coral. Hephaestus marveled at the detailed patterns each piece of coral made with each other, almost crafting a picture. Poseidon opened the doors and stepped aside to let the boys inside. Before Hephaestus could intervene, Ares and Posideon locked eyes, their uncle’s viscous anger on full display. Ares only blinked, but Hephaestus heard Ares’s mind fade into his defensive instincts.
“Look, Ares!” Hephaestus pointed into their room, grabbing Ares’s attention immediately. After a glance at his uncle, Ares stepped forward as his mind relaxed into its neutral mess. Amphitrite let out a sigh of relief, and Hephaestus continued, “This is ours. Isn’t it cool?”
Hephaestus waited for Ares to reply, enjoying how beautiful the room looked. Two large beds sat against the wall with a tall dresser between them. To the left, a glass wall let in light and more welcomed scenery to the kingdom below. “Woah, Phee!” Ares gasped, his barking laugh returning after what felt like ages for Hephaestus. “You get two beds!”
“Ah, Ares,” Amphitrite stepped in after a confused pause. Hephaestus squirmed from hearing her pity returning to her mind. “You get one, too. Which one would you like?”
Ares looked between the two, his mouth twisting in thought as he adjusted Hephaestus in his arms. He almost told Ares to put him down to rest, but his brother looked down at him, taking Hephaestus’s breath away. Widened eyes twisted Hephaestus’s heart, making him realize why Ares couldn’t choose.
He needs me, Hephaestus realized. Now more than ever. “Aunt Amphitrite,” He spoke up, unable to bring himself to look away from his brother. “I think we want to have the beds pushed together. Is that okay?”
“Of course!” Amphitrite smiled softly, reaching up to press a soft hand on Ares’s shoulder. “Posideon can get those moved for you. Right, love?”
Hephaestus didn’t speak as Ares clutched him tighter into his broad chest. Poseidon brushed passed them without a sound, using his size to adjust the furniture. In no time, the two beds connected and made a much larger sleeping space. Ares placed Hephaestus on the bed after a hiccup of hesitation. He pressed into it before he twisted like an animal and laid down facing the window. “Thank you,” Hephaestus said for his brother, snaking an idle hand into Ares’s hair. “For everything… we-”
“We understand,” Amphitrite smiled, her recycled mental pity making Hephaestus bite the inside of his cheek. “Take all the time you need to rest, and we’re right down the hall if you need anything. We love you so much, and your mother does, too. We’ll leave you two be now, alright?”
“Okay. Divine Farewell.”
“Divine Farewell, Hephaestus, and you too, Ares,” Amphitrite knew Ares wouldn’t say anything, so she and Poseidon left together. Hephaestus swallowed when his uncle’s gaze lingered for a Mortal second too long before the bedroom doors closed.
Alone again, Hephaestus sighed, laying back on his pillow. He smiled at the ceiling’s jeweled and coral decorations, coupled nicely with the pearled chandelier. Using telekinesis, he floated his glasses onto their nightstand on the other side of the bed. “Are you comfortable?” He asked his brother and paused at the sound of his mind.
Ares said nothing, pushing himself to cradle Hephaestus in his strong arms without a word. Hephaestus froze, Ares’s hurt plaguing every thought that passed through his hazy confusion. At random intervals, Hephaestus heard Mama repeat like stray arrows shot in unpredictable directions.
“Ares…” Hephaestus said his name, causing Ares to squeeze him tighter. He felt dampness on his head, almost bringing tears to Hephaestus’s eyes. “We’ll be fine… remember, we have each other. It’s like Aunt Amphitrite said, Mother still loves us… We probably did something wrong, and she’s leaving us here.”
Hearing himself didn’t make Hephaestus feel relieved like he thought it would. If anything, his stomach only twisted further and made him dizzy. Ares’s voice broke through the silence of their room, hoarse like a wounded animal. “What did we do wrong?”
The question made Hephaestus’s breath hitch. His lip quivered as several answers came to his mind, and none came to Ares. Hephaestus knew he and his brother deserved to be shunned and hated. They offered nothing but mistrust and fear to their Realm, and Hephaestus understood it affected their mother the most. Their father had other brilliant children that shone above the Divine, while their mother had nothing but mistakes. Hephaestus tried to break from the misconceptions, and despite Ares’s mind and demeanor, Hephaestus knew Ares tried his best, too.
Is it not enough? He wondered as tears streamed down his round cheeks. Would their mother ever accept them? Could she? His questions continued to swarm, and Hephaestus closed his eyes and let his answer come from his heart.
“I don’t know, Ares,” Hephaestus whispered, watching the grand city of Atlantis shimmer from his tears. “I don’t know.”