To Kill A God

“Come here. Lie down,” Aphrodite said in a firm yet caring tone, to which Ares obliged. He sighed deeply as he laid his head on the cushion on her lap. His skin, as if seeped in blood and iron, flooded her nostrils even after the long bath he took. Begrudgingly, she decided it would be of little concern at that moment. His blood thirst and affinity for chaos was incomprehensible yet wildly enchanting to her. She stroked his brow unconsciously, wondering if she could understand the ways of this god. All the while, he inquisitively stared at her.

“Leave us.”

Her voice resounded as the servants bowed and left the room, the echo of heavy doors being shut filling the room.

“So tell me, god of war. What was it like, on the battlefield? For the life of me, I can’t understand why you engaged in their senseless affairs,” she said disapprovingly, still proud of his victory nonetheless.

He raised a skeptical brow wondering why she was at all interested, but he still gave the account. “Those men fought bravely….fiercely, for mortals. I have never been more intoxicated with such rage. What a lovely use of my time. Their relentless spirit to bathe in the blood of their enemies… extraordinary.” He smiled widely, for it was something she would not have wished to hear. Her poise remained unsettled. Or at least, it was what she made it seem.

“I believe Athena was of great help as well.”

“Yes… she was,” Ares mumbled looking aside, quite disinterested in furthering the subject.

“It’s always a thrill watching her in action, in her seamless, strategic battle planning. I wish I was present at your meetings.”

Sighing, the goddess voiced a thought. “She tries her hardest to be more of what she thinks her father would prefer.”

“Zeus preferred her to be dead, did he not?” Ares added.

“Yes, for a brief time. For a cowardly reason. For a god to share such paranoia with lesser kings… he lacks shame. Only now, he seems to have grown accustomed to her indispensability. They are joined at the hip.” Aphrodite smiled when he heard him chuckle.

“It would seem so.”

“She’s quite… built, for a goddess, don’t you think? It’s become a lot less unusual with time.”

“I think it is a rather good look for her.”

“Only because it suits you, you brute,” she mocked, raising a brow.

“Yes.” He smirked, thoughtfully. “She’s quite the worthy opponent.”

“I’ve had few conversations with her. It’s become apparent to me that she has no use for my company, seemingly the same with the other goddesses. Apart from the goddess of hunt.” She sighed, concerned.

Ares rose from her lap and proceeded to kneel before her. “Do not take her lack of fondness to heart. She’s rather rigid towards most things. Artemis on the other hand, intrigues her with her wild, untamable spirit. Honestly, it’s not a wonder that gods find her charming.” Aphrodite slowly bent forward, being eye level with the war god. “Pray tell, would one of those gods be you?”

Ares swallowed hard, to Aphrodite’s amusement. She traced his firm jaw with her fingers, her eyes following the movement. Ares leaned into her faint touch seeking more of it, finally taking her palm, nuzzling his cheek onto her warm palm.

“It's not that you are any less magnificent. No one compares to you. No one ever could. The moment you rose from the sea, the world sang. The moment I saw you I succumbed,” Ares stated, holding the back of her hand to his forehead now lowered, unable to look up. Aphrodite’s heart flattered at his words, since he was rarely one to communicate such sentiments.

“Naturally”.

Ares raised his head rather quickly and pouted. “I expected more of a… passionate response.”

Aphrodite smiled at his expression, a little shy at her light tease. Nonetheless, she said, “I see you, Ares. You come to me as a mortal would come to my temple. But with the purest devotion. There’s no one else I could ever love or adore as a much as I do you. Now for that, you can’t help but push your luck at times, can you?”

“True.” Ares huffed, and with a final kiss to her hand, he sat down holding his arms out to her. Aphrodite happily settled in them as he breathed in deep, taking in the scent of her hair which always smelt of freshly bloomed roses.

“There’s so more than to you what meets the eye,” she said, raising her eyes to meet his. “Even with all your chaos, there’s love. And a little shelter for me. Your heart beats strong and true. For me as well.”

Ares’ breathe hitched at those words that rung deep. “Only you. Only for you.”

He tightened his hold. With her, he believed he could love and be loved. She then took his calloused hand and placed it on her chest. "My heart beats as yours does. In the same rhythm. Can you feel it?” She was right. It was quite unusual with that realization. Their hearts beat as one.

“I.. I do.”

She raised her head again and smiled at him sweetly, which he reciprocated, as he softly kissed her forehead. Just then, an irrational thought crept in and brought a pit in his stomach. If her heart ever stopped, so would his.

And thus they remained, her head on his chest, his hand protectively interlocked with hers, on her heart. Gradually, his attention got locked into the fire burning in the large hearth at the center of the room. The sound of cracking of wood at the heat almost musical. It helped clear his thoughts, his focus being on relishing in the only peace he’s ever known. Having her in his arms.

With the calm flow of her breathe and the steady rising and falling of her chest, Ares deemed the goddess asleep. Indeed she was, since her lovely eyes were also shut. He then subtly rose with her in his arms. He couldn’t help but smile at her small form. His sword was a lot heavier. He made his steps slow and silent to her bed, his movements gentle as he placed her within the silk sheets. He then knelt by her bedside, watching her, his thumb caressing her soft cherry-tinted cheek. He breathed to himself, “By Zeus, I will truly die if I’m ever without, won’t I?”