Chapter Text
There were some things that were simply not to be trifled with. That’s precisely what Ares had said the moment this conversation began, and it was all he continued to insist upon as the others gathered around him continued to entertain this titanic folly. The God of War had done his damnedest to instill his voice with tactful authority rather than outright command. He wasn’t looking to scold his friends– foreign as the term may feel on his tongue, no matter how many centuries pass– for their wine-aided exuberance. Nor did he want to dim the flame of youthful boldness he saw in Eros. Just as his own mother had been careful with him.
But that was precisely the issue, wasn’t it? Youthful boldness.
“I take pride in my work for good reason! You would do well to remember that.” Ares’ son had retorted-- to whom, the war god couldn’t even recall any longer. “Just because you can’t understand the reasons I work the way I do doesn’t mean I’m without reason!”
Ares had seen the corner of Aphrodite’s lips twitch slightly as Eros spoke. She found herself amused not only by the young god’s temper, so reminiscent of his much beloved father, but by the fact it was only she who knew just as well as her son did that their work was infinitely less calculated than he insisted it was. Of course Eros’ mother understood that he would come to make peace with it in time, but this rebellion against their ineffable nature was entertaining.
If the son of Aphrodite continued struggling to control his nature rather than accept love’s delicate ways as they were, though… that boy was going to get himself in trouble someday.
Ares should have known it would be foolish to believe the issue with his son would be permitted to end there. …Tonight had already been so blissfully calm, the true sort of calm that the war god typically found only in solitude or the company of his family– the calm he craved for at any other moment. So rare to find at even a quiet gathering among the gods such as this one. And yet, that calm was broken the same way it had been no less than thousands of times before.
“They really would do much better not to underestimate you, Eros.” Hermes giggled to himself, finding a place just next to Aphrodite in the small group that had been chatting together. He greets the gods of love and war with a grin, gently bowing his head to them— along with raising his chalice to his dear friend Aphrodite.
The Goddess of Love’s response to her friend was twofold- a welcoming smile and a warning glance. As much as she enjoyed Hermes’ antics— and she did so enjoy them— tonight’s festivities weren’t near the point of boring her quite yet.
“You have sway over each and every guest here tonight, you know.~ That’s more than almost any other god can say. They owe you their deepest respect.” The messenger god cooed, delicate white wings framing his face fluttering lightly from another stifled, good natured laugh.
“Exactly!!” Heedless young Eros cried, gesturing with chalice in hand to Hermes Dolios with a grin as wide and bold as his father’s after a hard won victory.
“I guarantee you this much,” the son of Ares and Aphrodite began before either parent could so much as open their mouth to object, Eros’ delicate and graceful voice taking on a rarely heard bolder tone, “Under my spell, any two gods within this palace would be as eagerly adrift upon the seas of romance as newlyweds.~ ”
“… Any two gods, my friend?~” The at last entertained messenger questioned, already chirping with suppressed glee.
“Hermes. ” The God of War interjected firmly, his tone carrying with it both a gentle warning and the weighty promise of consequences . Hermes’ least favorite thing, if you were to ask him. Ruins all the fun! “...Don’t forget yourself.” Ares chided his half-brother after a slow sip of his wine, thick eyebrow pointedly raised.
“Oh, come now! ” Hermes teases, glancing from Ares to his consort. “Call off the guard dog , Aphrodite, let the boy have some fun! It’s a party, we’re just playing.~” ..A beat of silence passes between the group as Hermes watches the Goddess of Love with expectant eyes.
“Well…” Aphrodite sighs. ..Then smirks , giving a small shrug. “I don’t see why not.~ It’s only talk. …And even if talk may be dangerous… it’s not as though I’ve never considered it.~”
“…Very well.” The God of War concedes, exchanging only the briefest glance with his lover before sighing and sipping his wine. This was her domain. And even if it were not… Ares is sure he would find himself just as eager to follow wherever she led. “So… who would you pick?” Ares questions with a smirk– if this was the game his boy and his love had chosen to play, he may as well play along.
“What? ” Eros questioned softly, blinking up at his father.
“You said any two gods under this roof, did you not? So go on, now. Look around.” Ares chuckled, tipping his chalice towards the crowd of other Olympians- mostly gathered into small groups just as they were. “ Which two gods would you pick? ” The god demands, doing his best to imbue his teasing with a bit of warmth.
“..Well— you see, if I were to try and choose...” Young Eros stammered awkwardly, thick curls bouncing and graceful dove’s wings fluttering nervously as his eyes danced around the room to search for an ideal answer. He found none.
“Mind your wings, lovey.” Eros’ ever attentive mother came to his aid, a delicate hand gingerly placed on his shoulder to lead his eyes up to meet hers, if only for a moment. The anxious fluttering of young Eros’ wings ceased in an instant, his tense shoulders relaxing just as fast. Aphrodite’s gentle smile banishes any further weight on him quicker than it ever arrived.
“You’re asking him the wrong question, my love.” Aphrodite chided, her hand now coming to rest on the arm of her beloved consort. “Or rather- no question at all.~ None that could be answered, anyways.” The radiant goddess giggled, the sound floating and flitting through the air as delicately as the gentle perfume of spring.
“Oh! Then pray tell, what question should we be asking of the boy, Lady Aphrodite?~” Hermes questions eagerly, doing his best not to flutter off the ground from anticipation. Aphrodite was ever the entertaining player in his games.
“Well,” Aphrodite began— voice almost suspiciously saccharine as she paused to sip from her chalice of wine, “First, you have to understand why you’d like to influence them. Are we asking Eros to select the best match? Perhaps simply an unexpected coupling?~ Or if you’re looking to challenge him, are you trying to present him with the most difficult pair to—“
“YES! ” Hermes cried out unashamedly, instantaneously hovering more than a few inches higher off the ground than he was mere moments ago.
The messenger god points directly to Aphrodite as his eyes snap back to young Eros. “ Your mother has precisely the right idea!~” Hermes giggled mirthfully, hovering ever so slightly closer to the younger god- unable to restrain his glee for this new game that had been presented to him.
“Say, who do you think would be the toughest to match up?~ Iris never wants to loosen up and visit Dionysus with me— and Demeter gets so picky— oh, can you imagine how hard it would be to get Apollo to go for someone who didn’t meet his standards? I mean really, darling…”
…Five straight minutes of Hermes’ rambling would be enough to have anybody on edge. And for all the polite nods, witty retorts, and admittedly genuine laughs at Hermes’ humorous remarks from Aphrodite and Eros… Ares could not tolerate this any longer. No matter how entertaining it may be. Ares swore, sometimes Hermes loved the sound of his own voice more than Apollo . And yet, just as Ares was about to turn to his love in search of her aid, Aphrodite gave his arm a gentle squeeze and spoke up herself.
“Hermes.” The goddess warned, ceasing his endless parade of thoughts.
“What- ME?! Oh, no, darling— anyone would be eager to have me.~ I will not be having any part in a single one of these options, believe me! If you even considered me, I’m certain you’ll find—”
“Hermes.”
“…Yes?”
“Perhaps…” Aphrodite let out a sigh, a soft chuckle slipping past her lips as she fondly shook her head. “Perhaps you may not be the… ideal candidate to figure out this particular riddle, hm?” Ares relished the beat of silence that passed for the next few moments, internally sighing in relief… then instantly steeled himself for whatever may come next when he saw the smile on Hermes’ lips.
“..It’s a riddle now, my friend? ” Hermes lilts, intentions already written plainly on his face. “If that seems to be the case, you know who it would be a crime to disinvite?~”
The messenger god offers the question with an eager flutter of his winged sandals and a grin that always seemed slightly too large for his mouth. Before he can offer another question though, the faint twinkle in his eye finally seemed to catch alight as he spotted just the Goddess he was searching for passing by.
“Athena, darling! Wait just a moment, will you?~”
Eros watches with wide eyes as the Goddess of Wisdom, tall and sturdy in a way that always reminded him of his father, craned her head to face Hermes. For a split second Eros thought he could see his aunt calculating her decision— then, she simply rolled her eyes and began walking over to the group. Unlike many others at the party, Athena hadn’t been nursing on ambrosia and wine all night— keeping her mind sharp , she had said. Submitting herself to boredom , Ares had jested. She managed to laugh at that. Eros liked when his aunt was able to laugh at his father’s jokes. Eros liked lots of things about his aunt. Athena was kind to him, if a bit tough— sometimes tougher than Ares. She always looked his mother in the eyes. That was Eros’ favorite thing about her.
Athena subtly smiled at Eros when she joined the group. Eros smiled back twice as wide. “He’s not giving you any trouble, is he?” She demands of the young god, as she spares a glance at Hermes, uncharacteristically playful even in how subtly it expressed itself.
Eros could have sworn he saw his father smile, too.
“Excuse you!” Hermes squawked indignantly, hand placed to his chest in mock offense. “ I happen to be the only one here keeping anyone entertained! I haven’t seen either of our gracious hosts in nearly an hour . Dionysus is already prepared to ditch and start an after party— and Apollo seems about halfway to taking on a new lover out of boredom !”
“..Isn’t that his usual approach?” The Goddess of Love teased, exchanging a playful glance with her son just as Athena shares a look with her brother. The silent question that passed between them went unanswered from either side as the sound of Hermes’ giggling filled the air. “While that may be true, that’s also just what we need you for, Athena.” The messenger god cooed, tilting his head to one side to peek over the wings that frame his face, gazing at the much taller goddess.
“We’ve been presented with such a queer little riddle, you see— and I was wondering what you’d make of it.~ ”
…As much as Athena would dread to admit it, that had caught her attention.
The goddess’ gaze snapped over to Hermes, and fox-eyed Athena seemed to evaluate the situation in an instant. …Sincere or not, she did enjoy a challenge. A smirk tugged on Athena’s lips. “...And what’s troubling you all so much?”
“Young Eros claims he could have any two gods within this palace under his spell with ease.~ ” Hermes Dolios lilted to the Goddess of Wisdom. As he spoke Hermes gestured to Eros, who couldn’t help but shrink back at the gentle admonishment he saw in Athena’s gaze.
“…I very well could.” The youth insisted less boldly than before, though he kept his head held high. Athena’s gaze grew slightly less gentle.
“Well!” The messenger god began once more, his presence forcing Athena’s gaze back to him. “We’ve been having a little debate amongst ourselves since then, one we simply cannot settle on our own.~”
“Get to the point, Hermes.”
“If you insist.~” The small god cooed, swirling his wine in his chalice as he gingerly leaned back on a nearby column. “Tell us, Athena… who would you pick as the most challenging pair of marks for our dear little sharpshooter?~”
...Athena beamed . A question she wasn’t prepared to answer.
The next minutes passed only as a flurry of questions and answers shared between the five gods, broken only occasionally by Hermes’ mirthful giggling or even Ares’ own boisterous laughter on one occasion. “You’re trying to avoid giving an answer! You don’t know! ” Ares accused his sister, breaking into another small fit of laughter at the instantly identifiable indignance written across her face.
“I had to be made aware of the rules— otherwise any one of us could select me and be inarguably correct. I don’t have time to spend on these matters.”
“But you’ve all the time in the world to spend debating them?” Ares scoffed, grinning down at Athena. “You’re only upset you didn’t propose my answer first.~”
“Your answer was terrible, and if he heard you say that—”
“He would agree with Ares, I’m sure.” Aphrodite hummed, gently shaking her head as she interjected. “And I’m afraid I have to as well– Ares makes quite a fair point, after all. I’d think it a compliment to say Hades would be the most difficult to stray from his marriage. I doubt he’d be eager to dispute that.”
“…I still think it’d be particularly challenging to compel Apollo to give into romance with one he found beneath him. Hermes made a fair point.” Eros offered just as his mother finished speaking.
“Oh, but I may have another suggestion to add.~ …Have we yet considered pairing Dionysus?~ ” Hermes cooed, already fluttering with amusement at the puzzled faces of his fellow gods. “He would be difficult! How could you ever prove he hadn’t planned to do it already?~” Hermes burst into fits of soft giggles, accompanied too by stifled laughter from Eros and Aphrodite– even Ares managed a small smirk. Hermes’ energy was infectious in that way.
Athena only scoffed, eyebrows knitted together and arms crossed. …In truth she was feigning some of her annoyance, but they didn’t need to be aware of that. “If none of you are looking for a real answer, then I don’t see why I must be here.”
“You haven’t even given us a real answer yet, Athena.~” Hermes was quick to point out, setting his now empty chalice of wine on the tray of a passing servant.
“It seems everyone has an answer except you.~ Has one of us finally outwitted you?~ ”
The Goddess of Wisdom bristled at that, struggling to hold back her somewhat neutral expression from becoming a scowl. …Playful as it was, teasing from Hermes wasn’t something Athena was inclined to take nearly as easily as she did from Ares.
“Of course I have an answer. ” Athena snapped, her steely-eyed gaze now solely trained on the smug god standing at her side.
“Well? If you have one,” Hermes prompted without missing a beat. “Go on.~ Who would be the most difficult for our dear Eros to cast his spell over?”
“ Zeus and Hera.”
Athena spits the words out as though they’d burned her tongue. And yet, she speaks with such clarity and certainty that even the goddess herself seems to startle at her own voice. Athena hadn’t even been thinking of them. But she knew.
Athena’s brother had lost his smile. It dropped off his face the instant she spoke. What was left under Ares’ forced neutral expression was something Athena wished she could easily identify as anger— but that wasn’t quite it. She studied Ares’ face a moment longer. Pain. It was hidden just as quickly as she spotted it, but Athena knew her brother. …So did Aphrodite, it seemed, by the way she had gingerly intertwined their arms as an unspoken act of comfort.
“… Well, that’s a pity, then.” Hermes broke the momentary silence, a gentle sarcasm laced the messenger god’s voice as he did his best not to let the mood continue to plummet so terribly. “Those two are the ones who could use it the most. ”
Eros glanced between each of the the elder gods that surrounded him, wings lightly fluttering in anxiety. Wide violet and rose tinted eyes studying each one of them in turn— Hermes’ wide grin and expectant eyes as he eagerly offers something to speak about. Athena’s stiff upper lip and squared shoulders, calculated gaze focused solely on her brother.
Eros’ father. Ares kept his expression decidedly neutral as he gruffed a response to Hermes— what it was, Eros wasn’t sure. Nor did he care. His father was avoiding everyone’s eyes. Even his. Ares’ shoulders were perfectly squared now, like Athena’s— not relaxed as they had been nearly the entire evening until now. His head was held high rather than always tilting slightly towards Aphrodite so they could whisper to each other at any given moment. When Eros’ mother cradled his father’s hand in hers and toyed with the rings he wore, gifts from her, his tense muscles hesitated before relaxing into her touch. Aphrodite studied him in just the same way Eros was, eyes calculating and yet painfully tender and kind.
Something in Eros’ chest ached.
“I can still do it.”