#nevermind me

Ares looked upon her with wonder in his eye. A dozen queries littered his tongue, foul-tasting as curiosity often is. He refrained, swallowing harshly and without resolve. In allowing his damned eye to wander, however, he found it always returned to her.

"It is a terribly futile thing." Her voice pierced the air, startling him. To flinch, would be to show weakness. To expose his soft belly to the wolf. Again, Ares swallowed, "That is, love."

Realising a moment too late that she required reply, Ares' reply was harsh, "You would know."

To his surprise- And, frankly, delight- Aphrodite's face of marble split with a delirious grin. Perhaps, he reasoned briefly, that she had indulged too entirely in Dionysus' drink. Such a notion was dispelled, of course, as her laughter seized him. Not delicate and practiced as he had imagined. No, Aphrodite's laughter was rough and cynical and real.

"Alas, Ares-" And wasn't his name on her tongue all he had dreamed of? "All who have loved know. And I am not among them."

"Maybe we could learn together." Too impulsive. Too swift to speak. Ares cleared his throat, realisation drowning his senses. Stumbling in an effort to fall to knees before her, he pleaded, "My lady, I did not mean to offend. In fact, I intended only to... To.." What could he say? What excuse could be put forth that could be worthy of her attention?

"My lady?" Aphrodite repeated his words in a low, jovial tone, "What century did you fall asleep in last?" Stunned, he offered no reply. Aphrodite placed a soft, feather-light hand upon his chin, carefully tilting his head as so he was forced to meet her eye, "It's a sweet offer, child... I- I would enjoy that very much so. But you realise not my curse."

"Make me."

"So willing... So naïve. A young god, still."

"I've lived enough."

"Enough... For me?"

His mistake realised, Ares was quick to attempt retreat- Although, such was a foreign concept to his mind. He stammered and yet, still, Aphrodite greeted him with laughter.

"Give it some thought, young god." She commanded, "You are not the first, nor will you be the last. Do this thing for me and perhaps- Perhaps- we shall speak further."

Oh, if the mere implication wasn't enough for Ares to achieve a high he thought only achievable through the fiercest of battles.

𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐞𝐞𝐩.