Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Cerberus, come back please!” Louis called towards the three-headed dog that bounded off into the sprawling field of lillies and poppies.

While Cerberus stood at just over fifteen feet tall, and his teeth were three times that of a sabre-tooth tiger, his heads possessed a bit of otherworldly beauty and intrigue. The dog had the shiniest, onyx coat that was surprisingly soft to the touch and all six eyes held a playful, childlike, curiosity as he tilted his heads at Louis’s command, although he did not move from his spot several yards away.

Louis sighed, fighting the urge to stomp his foot. He had promised Zayn that he was working on toning down his theatrics.

“Please, Cerb for me?” he batted his eyes at the gargantuan creature. “I promise I will make you three flower crowns later, but we’re going to be late for dinner.”

Cerberus let out a pitiful whine, before dropping his heads and meandering back to where Louis stood at the edge of the clearing.
Nudging Louis with his middle head, Louis couldn’t help but give the dog scratches under all three chins.

“Who’s the best pup in all of the land?” he cooed at the dog, cupping each face, one at a time. “You are, my pretty pet. Come now, I’ve heard that Zayn has made your favourite for dinner tonight.” 

Cerberus visibly perked at the mention of dinner and Louis bopped him on the head. 

“Not that kind of dinner you sneaky minx. There will be plenty of Lost Souls for you to feast on tomorrow. Charon has closed the gate for today. He claimed he had a terrible migraine but I think he just wanted to sneak off to spy on his lover down on Earth.”

 Louis giggled at the thought of the decrepit, old man pulling such childish hijinks as Cerberus dutifully followed him back to the entrance to the Underworld.

“Hold on,” Louis commanded gently before closing his eyes and taking a hold of Cerberus’s collar.

 “Lovely for you to make it on time,” a deep voice boomed out and Louis opened his eyes to the expansive dining room, body still feeling like it was slowly spinning. 

“Give it a rest Z. Cerberus deserved a walk after all his hard work today,” Louis said, taking a seat at the opulent, onyx and ivory marble table. 

“Cerberus is the most ferocious beast in all of the Underworld and can do what he pleases, whenever he pleases,” Zayn said languidly from the head of the table, several feet away from him. “You just coddle him too much.” 

“Says the one who ordered his favourite mortal beef chilli for supper tonight even though Cerb is the only one who enjoys it,” Louis countered, watching affectionately as Cerberus slurped the concoction ferociously from a bowl roughly the size of a small hot spring. 

“Enough, I do not wish to speak of this anymore,” Zayn waved his hand delicately to silence the matter, a mannerism Louis found that he only utilised when he was losing an argument. 

“Fine,” Louis acquiesced as he dug into his own meal. While gods didn't necessarily need regular food, they found that the taste was delicious and would often eat mortal food, just for the pleasure of it.

“How was your day then? Terrorize lots of guilty souls? Did the big, bad Hades cast judgement on those who deserve it and those who don’t?” 

Zayn snorted wryly as he speared a fingerling potato and plopped it in his mouth. “Something like that, yeah. I had our annual pre-Spring Solstice meeting today.” 

“Is that so?” Louis attempted to feign disinterest as he shovelled food into his mouth, hoping this would signal a subtle end to the conversation. Zayn wasn’t the only one with tricks up his sleeve. 

Unfortunately, his best friend was just as stubborn as he was and he prattled on.

“A certain brother of mine was asking about you,” Zayn pressed, eyes intently stuck on Louis.

Louis hum was noncommittal although he was sure Zayn and Cerberus could both sense his discomfort at the admission. He tried to think of ways that he might be able to dodge the question.

“Liam? That’s so kind. Tell Zeus that I miss him too, and that he will have to come down here more often for dinner,” again Louis looked for a way out of the doomed destination this conversation was heading towards. 

Zayn was not impressed at the feeble intent, his eyes darkening and the temperature in the room becoming uncomfortably warm. His gaze wandered back to the God of Beauty who sat so defiantly on the other side of the table.

“You are being purposefully daft, Louis. You know you’ll have to see him sooner or later. The Spring Solstice is in just a week’s time.”

Louis sighed petulantly, sipping a glass of nectar as the God of the Underworld levelled him with a stare.

“When did you learn to incorporate this level of overbearingness in your tone?” he inquired faux-cheerfully. “I think you have been spending too much time with Liam, and I don’t think I like it much.” 

Zayn heaved out his own suffering sigh at the other’s dramatics as he too downed the last of his beverage. With another wave of his hand, the room turned back to a bearable temperature. 

“Okay, well I have tried my hardest. You can be the one to tell Zeus you do not intend on speaking to our other brother dearest.” the God of the Underworld said, putting his hands up in mock surrender but his eyes softened as he gazed at Louis. 

“You know I think Poseidon can be an insufferable prat most of the time, so don’t speak to him if you don’t want to. You know I’ll support you, no matter what you choose to do.”

Shooting the God of the Underworld a grateful smile for his pardon, Louis couldn’t help but inwardly let out a breath of relief that the topic had been dropped. 

This is precisely why he was glad that after Aphrodite had turned him immortal, she had chosen to send him to Zayn all those centuries ago instead of Liam. As much as he cherished the God of Lightning and Ruler of Mt. Olympus, he knows they would have clashed too much and Liam would have pushed him to talk about matters, such as their other brother, far too sooner than he would’ve liked. 

Zayn preferred to let Louis handle things in his own way, even if he didn’t agree with the methods. Louis liked to think this is why they both got along with each other so splendidly, each of them knowing when to push and when to back off. 

Besides, he’d never voice this out loud for a few reasons, the first being that he’d have to suffer Zayn’s wrath, and the second being that no mere mortal or immortal would believe him, but he knew Zayn was the least intimidating out of The Big Three. He isn’t sure he would’ve handled living with Poseidon or Zeus and their constant harem of admirers. 

While most might assume that Hades operated in the same way, only a few in his tight-knit circle knew that Zayn liked to spend his off-days tending to the lost souls and visiting the children in Elysium to make sure they were content. Most thought of Zayn, or Hades, as a devil-like caricature but Louis knew that could not be farther from the truth.

He supposed that was the main reason he liked Zayn so much. They both were terribly misunderstood.

“I mean it, Lou,” Zayn insisted, and gods almighty, it seemed Louis had spoken too soon in his eagerness for the topic to be dropped. He felt like no matter who he interacted with these days, everyone just wanted him to talk about the God of the Sea. He was getting quite tired of the same subject. 

“Okay, heard, thank you,” he tried to smile at Zayn, not wanting the irritation to bleed into his tone. 

“I think I’m going to turn in early tonight.” Louis stretched his arms and stood up from the table, making sure to have his plate vanish. He was nothing if not a good house guest. 

“I have a busy fortnight assisting Aphrodite with her matches and Persephone with the arrangements for the Solstice party. It's best for me to save my energy for those tasks,” he elaborated, knowing it was highly unlikely Zayn would fall for his litany of excuses. The fact that gods didn’t need to rest probably was enough.

But Zayn simply nodded, deliberately choosing not to call him out on his falsehood. Louis pressed a quick cheek to Zayn’s face and three extra kisses to each of Cerberus’s heads before hurrying out of the grand dining room.

Once he was in his chambers, Louis exhaled a breath of relief at the lack of barrage of questioning. He felt almost numb as his maidens entered the room, preparing him for the nighttime. He moved through each motion, slipping into his silk nightgown and spraying cool rose water all over his face but everything felt as if it were moving in a sticky pool of molasses. 

It was only when his handmaidens had blown out the candles and he was tucked into a bed far too large for him that his brain fog began to dissipate. Shivering slightly at the cold air, Louis closed his eyes and desperately tried not to fall asleep to the phantom smell of the salty sea that seemed to linger in the air around him. 

✦✧✦✧

“I do not think they belong together at all,” Louis wrinkled his nose as he looked questionably at the pair of mortals and then back at Aphrodite’s dreamy eyes as she watched from up above. 

The two gods were perched silently on a sturdy olive tree branch, watching the pair of mortals dance around their feelings as they strolled down a pathway accompanying the flowing river. A gentle breeze fluttered the tree’s leaves just so, and a dove cooed quietly in the background. All around them were signs of a bursting, bountiful nature. Louis caught a butterfly on his hand, momentarily stroking its wings before the tiny creature was flitting away. He gazed in disdain and jealousy as the taller mortal reached out tentatively towards the smaller and Aphrodite’s eyes filled with glee as the other acquiesced. 

“Why do you say that?” She pried gently, always one to value her protege’s opinions and ideas, never making Louis feel inferior for his opinions, even if they were incorrect. 

“Well, I have not seen any evidence that they complement each other. Or that they are twin flames. If anything, they seem absolutely different, and they’re both so broken in their own way,” Louis surmised as he gazed at the two shy figures now sitting on the bench, fingers hopelessly intertwined.

“That’s just the thing that makes this relationship so valuable,” Aphrodite answered seriously. “They are both broken inside. They have both suffered terrible, traumatic events that will forever scar them. But they are strong and they can help each other draw on their own strength. They can bring each other hope.” 

“I thought you said trauma bonding was unhealthy and does not benefit any successful and pure relationship,” Louis said almost accusingly. 

Aphrodite laughed as she wrapped Louis up in a hug. “You have grown very wise, haven’t you?” She praised him. “Using my own words against me.” 

“I only had the greatest teacher in all of the land,” Louis joined in on the laughter as he let himself be embraced by one of his most favourite beings in the universe on that gorgeous, spring day. The fresh weather had done wonders for his mood. Sometimes being cooped up in Zayn’s lavish and large, yet dark chambers took a toll on him. Now even he couldn’t help but gaze wondrously as the new couple picked flowers from a nearby patch together. 

Unfortunately his flattery was not enough to wager a stance of obliviousness from his mentor. Aphrodite looked determined as she hugged him.

“Now my dear Louis, tell me your true motives behind your scepticism of this relationship. You’ve tried to advocate for the end of nearly every relationship we’ve worked on today and it’s terribly unlike you to be so pessimistic.” 

Sighing art the fact that he had been caught, Louis dropped his head on Aphrodite’s shoulder, willing himself not to get emotional. 

“I have not been that transparent today, have I?”

“I see with more than just my two eyes, and you have always known that. I also know you better than most beings on Mt. Olympus. Except for maybe a certain Sea god who I have an inkling might also be the answer to my previous inquiry.” 

Louis groaned, wishing for just a moment that he could disrespect Aphrodite and tell her that it simply wasn’t any of her business. Or anyone’s for that matter. But he loved the goddess too much to let a momentary whim ruin their loving relationship. 

“Why does everybody feel the need to hound me about this matter? Don’t the other gods have anything better to do besides gossip about some petty little relationship.”

Aphrodite stroked his hair tenderly, she knew just the way that he liked to be comforted, ever since he had first emerged. Louis’s deliberate use of the world relationship was not lost on her. It was a start, and she knew there was still hope for the two lovesick gods. 

Meanwhile, Louis exhaled peacefully into the touch. He wrapped his arms around Aphrodite’s form, basking in the affection. But still, he was not quite content. While he treasured Aphrodite and her maternal support greatly, he couldn’t help but wish the arms that wrapped around him were much more buff and belonged to someone who smelled like the sea, rather than the sugared rose and vanilla aroma that the Goddess of Love possessed. 

Pulling back, Aphrodite searched his face looking for answers. Louis was ever grateful that mind-reading and clairvoyance were not in her wheelhouse. As long as the Three Fates didn’t get ahold of him, hopefully no one would suck the sordid secrets out of him. 

But would it really be so horrible for everyone to know that Louis was simply gone for the God of the Sea? That he would do anything for Harry’s happiness? He would take the weight off Atlas’s shoulders and bear it on his own, or be chained to a rock and left for nature’s punishment if Harry asked him to. And that was terrifying. 

“I can see your mind and it’s travelling faster than your soul would like,” Aphrodite pulled him gently out of his dreary thoughts. 

Louis smiled wryly back at her. “I’m afraid my mind possesses me these days, and not the other way around. I feel as though I have not been in control for awhile. And I don’t know if I ever will be as long as Harr- Poseidon continues to possess me.” 

“If Poseidon is really being this troublesome, then perhaps I should set you up with someone who can take your mind off things,” she said thoughtfully. “I just hate to see you so upset and all for some silly god. Let me send you a beautiful new outfit for the Spring Solstice and find someone for you.”

“He’s not just a silly god!”

Louis wanted to yell. He wanted to scream it into the open air, let the words be dissolved as they traced the ends of the earth with his truth. He longed to be free from his quiet affections. 

But he stayed silent, not wanting to disappoint Aphrodite. He knew she meant well, all she ever wanted was for him to be content. He did not want to scorn one of the only people, the first person who knew his true character and continually advocated for his well being. 

✦✧✦✧

While most gods and goddesses had a less than aesthetic creation, Louis was always sure that he took the cake. Sure Athena may receive the most ridicule for emerging from Zeus’s skull, but Louis had always found that to be more palatable than his own story. Sometimes he wished he had sprouted out of someone’s skull.

Instead, he was the product of incest. His birth giver Myrhha had intercourse with her own father, The King Theias and thus Adonis was born. He was eternally grateful that Aphrodite had taken a liking to him, although somedays he questioned his gift of immortality. Now Myrrha was nothing but a myrrh tree, placed at the foot of Mount Olympus. Louis often sought the tree out to sit thoughtfully under and imagine what life would've been like if he had never been turned into a god at all.  

 When he had first learned of his origin, it had been a horrible ordeal. His arrive to Mt. Olympus and his sudden immortality paired with his dashing beauty had not sat well with everyone. Those who were insecure enough decided to dig deep into Louis's creation and it was through the petty words of jealous nymphs had he learned his family history. He felt as if he was the laughing stock of Mt. Olympus. Zeus and Hades had not yet befriended him and he felt as if he only had Aphrodite and Hermes to confide in, but it was not enough. He had ran away immediately and locked himself away in his first house he could find down on earth. The cottage was secluded and crafted by Aphrodite herself, nestled in the Greek countryside and he had more than a month of seclusion to repair his broken heart before the goddess came to seek him out. 

“You are more than your origin Louis,” she had whispered to him tenderly. He had sobbed into her arms for days after that, ashamed at what he was and how he would bare to the face the rest of the Olympus court. 

“I do not want to be Adonis,” he whimpered pitifully. “I will be mocked by all of Mount Olympus and I will have to retreat back to the dark and dusty Underworld for eternity.” 

He winced, hoping Hades hadn’t heard him. Zayn took great pride in the interior decoration of the Underworld and his own home, but Louis could only stand the windowless darkness for so long.

“Then you don’t have to be. Adonis was your given name but if it brings you pain you do not have to go by it. It is written in the stars and intertwined by the Fates that you will be a courageous warrior for both love, beauty, and rebirth. I think the name Louis suits you. It means great warrior and that is what you already are, young one.”

Louis had looked up at the ethereal goddess, eyes shining in equal parts hope and apprehension. “Why are you wasting your time soothing such a lowly god?” he couldn't help but question. “I will only bring shame to your beautiful reputation.”

“I do not parlour with just anyone, my sweet. You are special, Louis. You are gifted with your looks and you have the power of desire and beauty on your side. I will tell you a secret now that you are old enough.” 

Louis had listened with rapt attention as Aphrodite confessed that she had sent Louis to be taken care of in the Underworld. She expressed her worry that Louis would not be properly taken care of down on Earth with the mortals. 

“So Cerberus only likes me because I grew up with him, not because he sees me as a formidable opponent?” he speculated grumpily, but deep down he was relieved that his mind allowed him to be distracted by such a trivial matter. Perhaps he would be able to return to Mount Olympus sooner than he thought. 

Aphrodite laughed lightly and it sounded like the playing of the most elegant quartet. Louis was sure there was a harp hidden inside her somewhere. She, too, had picked up on Louis’s mood change.

Pressing a kiss to his head, she gazed at him affectionately. 

“It seems you are feeling better, my sweet. Remember this: all things must pass.” the goddess of love urged him.

Louis had known she was right. It was a mantra he found himself repeating throughout the years whenever his stature was challenged or he was feeling particularly vulnerable. 

✦✧✦✧

Now, staring at himself in the gold-rimmed mirror, Louis frowned at the figure before him. He wasn’t sure if the shimmery eggshell-colored chiton that Aphrodite had sent, truly suited him for the Spring Solstice. He turned around, so that his tanned back was on display, teeth pulling at his bottom lip as he ruminated on his appearance. 

“You always do this, you know,” Perrie, one of his favourite maidens, rolled her eyes as he stared at himself with a calculating gaze. “Stop pretending that you don’t look absolutely breathtaking, Louis.” 

Louis tore his gaze away from his reflection as he faced his maiden, and friend. 

“I do not always do this,” he disagreed vehemently, making air quotes before his hands came to rest on his hips. “There is just a lot of pressure for me to look like I am untouchable. I wish those on Mt. Olympus would see that I am more than just a darling ornament to the court.” 

Perrie’s eyes softened as she stared at him sympathetically. “I suppose that comes with the territory of being the God of Beauty.”

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Louis plopped down on the stool in front of his vanity before tiredly running a hand through his unkempt hair.

“But I’m more than that, P and you know it. I mean, it feels as if they all purposefully neglect the fact that I am also the God of Fertility and Permanent Renewal. If everyone paid enough attention to the actual work I do, like assisting Aphrodite in spinning the most fragile relationships into something meaningful or helping nature renew its eternal bounty, perhaps they’d see that my beauty is really the most boring thing about me.” Louis shut his eyes tightly, overwhelmed at the rant that had absconded from his lips. 

Wrapping Louis in a hug, Perrie placed her head on his shoulder. 

“We who know your heart are the only ones that matter, Louis. You know those who reside on Mt. Olympus are shallow, little, fiends who do not warrant a single second of your attention.” 

“You are too sweet,” Louis said, eternally grateful that he had such wonderful beings around him, most of the time. 

“I am sorry for my theatrics tonight. It’s just the nerves, and you know I will lay eyes on him for the first time in quite awhile.” 

Nodding thoughtfully, Perrie began to brush Louis’s hair with the shell comb that Aphrodite had included in her thoughtful gift. 

“Are you going to talk to him?” she inquired cautiously, not wanting to upset Louis further.

Twisting around from where he sat on the stool, Louis gazed up at her in angst with baby blue eyes that rivalled even the most tropical of seas. 

“I really don't know,” he whispered. His heart was torn. 

“I mean, it’s not like there was some huge break up. No scandal, lies, or unbecoming behaviour that those dunce-headed nymphs keep trying to spin. There wasn’t even an argument. He just let me walk out of Mount Olympus’s garden, like I was some commonplace mortal.” 

Louis tried his hardest not to sound bitter at the truth that he had finally admitted, but it was too difficult. He gripped Perrie’s arm as all the thoughts that he had systematically stowed away in neat little compartments decided to go haywire. 

“It’s not like I expected him to get down on one knee in response,” he scoffed, feeling a bit unhinged at the turmoil that had suddenly appeared. 

“But, if he is able to keep multiple affections at any given time, why did he not at least ask why I was leaving? Did I mean so little to him that he didn’t want to keep me around?” 

“You know how those bigger Gods act,” Perrie said, glaring distastefully, on his behalf. 

“I know you are quite close with them but it’s true,” she continued on. “They act like everything and everyone is expendable, without a care in the world as to who ends up the collateral damage.” 

“Oh they’re not so bad.” Even in his turmoil, Louis still felt a half-hearted urge to stick up for The Big Three and the other Gods. He knew they could be selfish, even Aphrodite made her fair share of mistakes, but he always believed that there was good in every being on earth.

“They have a lot more responsibility than we do,” he defended weakly. 

Perrie determinedly pulled Louis’s face so that it was close to hers.  

“Listen to me, that does not give them an excuse to treat you less than your worth.” she blazed. 

“I mean it Louis. You are strong, brave, smart, and yes, beautiful. Please don’t let anyone, especially a god try to tell you anything different.” 

“Thanks Per,” Louis sniffled, hating that he was already weepy at the kind-hearted words. 

“I think I just want to get this night over with as soon as possible.” He faced back towards the mirror and resumed his primping. When he was finally satisfied, he stood up taking one last look at Perrie’s sympathetic gaze, and disappeared. 

✦✧✦✧

The party was lavish, as all Mt. Olympus gatherings seemed to be. Thanks to Louis, Persephone, and Demeter’s hard work the previous week, there was not an inch that was not covered by beautiful flower arrangements. 

Delicate paper lanterns were hung up high all around the palace and throughout the garden. Vivid roses and tulips were intertwined together as dashing decor around the marble pillars, and the smell of the sweet pollen and tasty nectar filled the air. 

There was also lively music coming out of every single corner, pretty maidens stroking their instruments with intricate hands. 

All the gods seemed to be in good spirits. Louis found himself caught up in a conversation with Zayn and Liam, laughing as Liam regaled him with a tale of reviving a young child with his electrifying lightning rod. 

“My intention was to wow him with my lightning rod. But I have never seen a child look so uneager to be alive again,” Liam exclaimed boisterously, glass of ambrosia swaying dangerously in his goblet as he waved his arms around. 

Even Zayn’s lips curved upwards at the story. 

“I suppose I would be deathly afraid if I had to see your rod for the first time,” the God of the Underworld smirked as Liam gave him a small shove. 

“Oh believe me, so was I,” a dry voice rang out from behind them.

Louis whirled to find Aphrodite looking absolutely stunning in a bright pink dress that showed off her ebony skin tone. Her hair was done up extravagantly with sparkly clips that appeared to have live butterflies sitting on them. She was positively glowing. 

“Aphrodite, you look truly amazing,” he gushed while the Goddess of Love made her rounds, first kissing Zayn on the cheek and then wrinkling her nose as she gazed at her ex-lover.

Compromising, Liam stuck out a hand that Aphrodite daintily shook before the two let go, both Zayn and Louis watching in amusement.

“Why do we all have to date each other?” Zayn complained, Liam nodding furiously in agreement. 

“Beats me,” Aphrodite’s current lover, Hephaestus chimed in as he tottered over with his cane. Wrapping a possessive arm around Aphrodite, he stared Liam and Zayn down.

“I would say it would be a distraction from the very harmful effects of mating with mortals but even that’s not enough for some Gods to keep it in their pants. You are really going to regret siring these demigods.” he warned, referring to the Big Three's tendency to utilise mortals for their sexual gain .

Rolling his eyes, Zayn took a swig of nectar. “We’ve already told you, this is a matter for our public forums Heph,” he said boredly. 

“I think we’ve overstayed our welcome in this corner anyway,” Liam said as he glared distastefully at the happy couple before him.

The two pressed chaste kisses to the top of Louis’s head before they were gone in a poof of fresh air. Craning his neck, Louis spotted them all the way at the far end of the banquet hall cornering some nymphs. He smiled fondly into the palm of his hand at the hijinks of such powerful entities before focusing on the topic at hand. 

“Louis, my dear god,” Hephaestus roughly clapped him on the back.  “It has been awhile since you’ve attended dinner with Aphrodite and I. I have missed your honey nectar smoothies. Perhaps, you might attend next week for a small dinner soiree with a special guest. A suitor.” 

Louis smiled warmly back at Aphrodite's lover. Hephaestus had always treated him like a son, welcoming him into their household when he was at his lowest points and he would forever be grateful to the kind god, but he had a sinking feeling he knew where this conversation was leading to. 

“Eileithiya would be a perfectly fine suitor for you. She is the Goddess of Childbirth after all, I think you two would work wonderfully together.” Hephaestus pushed the matter at Aphrodite’s insistent glare, as he rested against his wooden cane.

“I know you mean well, Hephaestus, and I’m unsure if Aphrodite put you up to this, but I am not seeking a companion at the moment. Eileithyia is truly wonderful and I admire all that she does for the mortal world, however my heart is occupied by someone else, and it simply wouldn’t be fair to her.” Louis let down the God of Fire as gently as he could.

While Hephaestus was known to be a gentle giant, he was still a god nonetheless and had a temper that could match Zeus on any day, if he was provoked. Aphrodite sighed, whispering something in Hephaestus’s ear that Louis was unable to catch.

Curtly, Hephaestus nodded before turning back to Louis, resignation clear in his eyes. “Just, be careful with him,” he offered gruffly before turning away as swiftly as one could with a cane, Aphrodite gliding alongside him. With him left the comforting glow of heat that seemed to outline the god, no matter what climate he resided in.

Louis watched Hephaestus’s form grow smaller and smaller in the crowd and tried desperately to ignore how much smaller he felt too. 

Before he could argue with himself, he was grabbing the nearest goblet full of ambrosia and knocking it back. He almost choked when he felt a pair of curious eyes on him, all the way from across the room. 

Hurrying, he wandered into another room before bumping into a figure.

“Oh Apollo! And Hyacinthus too! What a lovely surprise to see you again,” he exclaimed, overjoyed that he had found a distraction without meaning to. 

“Hello Louis, you look simply beautiful tonight,” Apollo returned, taking Louis’s hand in his and kissing it lightly. Hyacinthus only smiled at him before they shared a quick embrace. The god was new to Mt. Olympus and tended to be shy and very much intimidated by the prowess of the other major gods that filled the room.

Louis looked down at the small child who looked up curiously at him, holding tightly onto Apollo’s leg. 

“Oh, and who is this?” he questioned, smiling brightly at the child.

“This is Milo,” Apollo introduced the cherub-cheeked toddler to Louis.

“Oh how precious,” Louis couldn’t help but squeal as he stroked Milo’s golden curls and pinched his delicious cheeks, smiling as the baby laughed with glee. 

“You and Hyacinth have done very well together,” he looked at the happy couple as they held each other in their arms. He couldn’t help but inwardly sigh in despair at the picturesque pair.

When would it be his turn? 

“Thank you Louis, and you are looking dashing as ever,” Hyacinthus, ever sweet, returned the praise.

Louis tried not to grimace at the almost obligatory compliment before feeling a tugging at the bottom of his chiton, grateful to have a distraction to focus on.

“What is the trouble, my sweet?” he asked Milo who tottered over to him and raised his arms up, simply gazing at him with a sullen pout.

Laughing, Louis scooped the little boy into his arms. “You are too charming. The cutest in all of the land, I’m sure.” He gently shook Milo in his arms, giggling as the boy bounced up and down.

Milo squealed and clapped his hands, not quite understanding the full extent that Louis was singing his praises but knowing that the words held a kind conveyance. 

“Apple!” he exclaimed, tugging harshly on a strand of Louis’s hair. 

“What’s that?” Louis questioned the child's babble as he gently dislodged the chubby hand from his hair. “Are you old enough to have the apple flavoured nectar?” He looked to Milo’s parents for confirmation only to find them smiling fondly at the pair.

“No, he speaks of something entirely different. For the longest time  he’s been smitten with the apples in Olympus Garden,” Apollo said, amusement colouring his tone. “We’ve had to visit the palace nearly every day just so he can pick them and take them home to eat.” 

Milo whined, making grabby hands for his father. 

“Be polite. You may have an apple if you continue to behave, Milo,” Hyacinthus said gently as he reached his arms out to take back his son. “But, Louis is busy, my love, so your father and I will fetch it for you later.” 

Just as Louis was about to bid them farewell, he felt the heavy gaze of a certain god all the way from across the opulent room for the second time that night. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the figure leaning against one of the marble pillars, eyes staring straight at him.

“Actually, I was heading out to the garden anyway,” he quickly lied. “I’m feeling a bit ill.”

And oh, he should not have played that card.

It was quite uncommon for gods to feel anything less than perfectly healthy at all times.

Sure enough, Apollo and Hyacinthus only looked at him in concern. “Ill? Are you sure you are okay?” Apollo asked cautiously. “Do you believe someone might have hexed you? Or maybe the Three Fates are up to something mischievous?” 

Pasting on a smile so as to not let the urgency of the situation show, Louis hurried to find a better excuse as the figure across the room slowly started making its way towards him.

“That was the wrong way to phrase it, I apologise for scaring you,” he rushed to assure the couple. “I just think I’ve had one too many ambrosia shots and now I am paying the price dearly. I need a few moments of fresh air, but while I am out there I am more than happy to grab the apples for Milo.”

Now the couple looked at him knowingly. “Oh, that makes sense,” Hyacinthus said. “I heard that Dionysus was in charge of making them tonight so they are especially potent.”

Letting out a laugh, Louis all but stumbled away, as gracefully as a god could. “Of course, that must be it,” he continued to fib. “I will be back in just a mere moment. Don’t you worry Milo!” 

As soon as he whirled away from the happy, if not a little bewildered family, he picked up his pace, intent on stepping out of the palace before the bane of his eternal existence could find him. 

Hurrying down the countless stairs that led to the garden, he cursed Liam for incorporating such detailed and complex architecture as he felt his sandal strap become loose. 

Luckily, he reached the bottom of the stairs before his sandal could dislodge and had just made it to the start of the pathway to the apples when he felt a presence behind him. He warily turned around to come face to face with the sea god who continued to plague his mind. 

“You have been avoiding me.” Poseidon gazed at Louis down the long lane of perfectly trimmed grass and marble columns. Louis swallowed drily at the sight of the all mighty god before him. Harry’s locks of chestnut hair has grown flatteringly to frame his face and his smooth olive skin and bulging biceps looked heavenly against his blue chiton. It took everything in Louis to not swoon at the golden wreath of laurels that were placed delicately in his hair.

“I have done no such thing. I have been quite busy, you know. The whole world does not spin on its axis just for Poseidon and his underwater kingdom,” Louis responded, arms around his body as he shuffled self consciously away from his ex-lover. 

Poseidon only kept his gaze as he descended down the pathway, stepping closer to Louis. 

“There are a few claims you have boldly stated that I must contest. Number one, and perhaps the most important of all my humble requests, I beg of you to please not call me that. It is Harry, for you my beautiful. I have told you this.” The God of the Sea requested of his not quite lover. 

“Two, some may argue that the world does indeed spin for me. After all, it is I who harnesses the moon and the tide to work as one so that we don’t get sent straight into oblivion.”

Louis couldn't help but scoff at the unconcealed display of hubris, opening his mouth to retort but Harry was quicker. The God of the Sea was very well aware that the only chance of winning an argument with the stubborn headed God of Beauty was to not let him speak until the other was done. Louis loathed that he knew him that well.

“And three, I thought you said we would be mature about this,” Harry frowned at him and Louis tried to ignore the dangerous swoop in his stomach at the god’s adorable pout. It was so unfair that someone so powerful and intimidating could look so precious, at the drop of a hat. 

“You are the one who broke up with me after all.” Harry reminded him. As if Louis could forget. The last time they were in this garden was the last time they had seen each other at all. After Louis had spoken his truth and Harry had given his blasé response, the God of the Sea had vanished suddenly. Probably back to his kingdom to have his way with his ridiculous harem of admirers. 

Rolling his eyes at the bitter memory, Louis turned away and strode towards the cluster of apple trees near the far end of Olympus Garden. 

“That is not quite the narrative that you have been delivering to our court,” Louis called out, knowing that Harry would inevitably follow. He tried not to read too much into it.

“Only because you wanted it that way.” 

Sure enough, Harry had trailed behind him, almost apprehensively as if not to spook him. Louis wanted to scream at the god to go away but he knows that will only spur his infuriating ex-lover on even more. 

He whirled around stopping so suddenly that Harry almost crashed into him. 

“I did that for both of us, Harry,” he said, conviction clear in his tone.

“I wouldn’t want your other precious lovers and consorts to think that I was to blame for all of your unhappiness. The last thing I need is a swarm of nymphs belittling me, more than they already do. And this way you get to keep up your omnipotent appearance in court. No one would ever believe someone like me would be the one to tame you anyway.” 

Harry immediately tried to reach out for him, but Louis had enough and strolled away, intent on completing his original mission.

“What is that supposed to mean?” the god’s throaty voice rings out from behind him. “You know I would do whatever you want, Louis. I have taken no other lovers but you. Just say the words. You are the one who is the god of beauty and desire, after all.” 

Huffing at the blatant lie, Louis ignores the words that have settled between them. They stare at one another for several moments, eyes locked in a powerful impasse and Louis can’t help but let the words that have been spoken permeate in his brain. 

So what if happened to be the god of desire? No wonder Harry wanted to get with him in the first place. He probably saw Louis as some sort of challenge, thinking he was playing him right back with his own tools of beauty and desire.

Well, if it was desire Poseidon sought, it was desire he would get.

Steeling his resolve, Louis kept walking until he got to the patch of apple trees. He thanked whoever planted these, probably Demeter, for making the height of the apples just barely out of his reach. Smirking, he stood on his tiptoes, letting his chiton fall off one shoulder. Louis reached for a bright red apple that hung lower on the tree grasping it and elongating his spine, showing off his body the best way he knew how. 

He knew flashes of his golden skin threatened to expose themselves through the intricate wraps of his silky, chiton fabric. 

Like a lion stalking a lamb, Harry moved forward, almost gliding as he reached Louis. 

“What are you doing to me, my liege?” the God of the Sea murmured as he slid an arm around Louis’s slender waist. 

Louis’s breath stuttered and his grip on the ruby red apple tightened just as Harry’s did around his body. 

“I am hardly your liege, in this pairing,” he whispered out, tilting his head up to gaze at Harry’s imperceptibly dark eyes. 

“No?” Harry inquired. “Am I not at the mercy to follow your every order? To cater to your every whim?”

Louis’s lips parted as he swallowed thickly, Harry’s eyes tracing his bobbing Adam’s apple intently. 

“Are you?” were the only words he could get out in response before Harry was dipping down to press a heated kiss against his lips. 

Louis immediately whined high and wrapped his arms around Harry’s neck as he kissed back, dropping the apple and nearly sobbing at the cruel fact that he would get to taste Harry one more time.

“Oh how I’ve missed this. How I’ve missed you, Venus Filium," Harry murmured into their kiss as he tugged Louis’s bottom lip between his teeth. 

“Aphrodite will be quite smug to know you consider her my mother figure. Although I do not know how she’d feel about you taking on her Roman name,” Louis whispered back as he tried to keep up with Harry’s insistent tongue. 

“Please do not talk about her right now, baby,” Harry implored as he pressed one last searing kiss to Louis before gripping the back of his neck softly and nibbling on the outer shell of his ear.

Louis groaned at the sensuality and buried his head into Harry’s delicious smelling neck. He smelled like the best parts of the sea, salty and sweet all at once. It was Louis’s favourite scent in the entire world. 

“You are the one who brought it up,” he pouted at the reprimand, letting Harry work his tongue around his sensitive ear as he shivered and not because of the cooling night air. 

Harry just hummed in response, as his sinful hands moved down to cup Louis’s luscious arse cheeks. Louis could only blush in filthy pleasure as the God of the Sea moaned at the contact. Harry squeezed even tighter, palming each cheek in one hand and Louis nearly came on sight as their torsos were pushed together, half-hard cocks brushing up against one another. A crackle of electricity shot up his spine as they gently moved against the other.  

He allowed Harry to fondle his backside while all he could do was cling onto the god’s broad shoulders and press chaste kisses up and down his throat, the friction between them coming to a head almost too soon.

“Tell me you missed this too, my love” Harry beseeched him, pleadingly, as if he needed this confirmation more than anything in the entire universe. More than the sun, moon, and stars.

This time it was Louis who chose not to use his words, instead letting out a strangled moan as his arse was pulled apart and played with, Harry’s index finger running down his crack and teasingly brushing against his hole. 

“Yeah?” Harry murmured, pleased at the agreeing sound that was pulled from Louis’s lips. He shifted slightly, swivelling his pelvis gently against Louis as the God of Beauty responded almost immediately by grinding his hips back.

“Want me to unrobe you so this sweet little body is all on display? All mine for the taking? I know that’s why you put on that little show earlier. Wandering around the palace talking with other Gods who don’t appreciate you, trying to make me stare at you. It is truly pointless for you to try and win my affections. I will always be captivated by your presence.” Harry’s stream of consciousness was a sure sign he was at his peak sexual frustration. 

Louis only shrugged his other shoulder, letting the other sleeve of his fall off his arm so that the chiton crumbled to just his waist. He desperately tried to ignore the words that came from this frustrating god’s mouth.

Harry always complimented more than just his physical beauty. 

But Louis still wasn’t entirely convinced that he wasn’t just as disposable to Harry as a common garden nymph was. 

Harry moaned at the sight of the bare skin, moving both his hands up from Louis’s arse to thumb at the perky nipples that immediately hardened in the crisp air. 

“Love these so much,” the God of the Sea whispered, almost to himself as he tweaked the nubs, relishing in Louis’s groans of pleasure before he relinquished his hold and swiped his tongue over the left nipple. 

Harry took great pride in dismantling the God of Beauty with each swipe of his tongue on his chest. Soon, Louis was a writhing mess underneath him, just the way he liked. Harry quickly pulled the chiton down so that Louis’s cock was on display, immediately springing up to slap lightly against its owner's stomach. 

“You are so beautiful, anthos,” he breathed out before pressing a chaste kiss to the tip of Louis’s length, swallowing it until it hit the back of his throat. 

The reaction from the God of Beauty was sublime. Louis threw his head back, letting out a guttural whine. He could not help it when he eagerly fisted the curls atop Harry’s head, imploring the God of the Sea silently to stay. He had missed this just as much as Harry, if not more but he was not quite ready to make his affections so apparent.

Meanwhile, Harry sucked and curled his tongue along Louis’s cock, relishing in each beautiful sound that escaped through the other god’s lips. 

Finally, Louis was shaking as he spilled his load right into Harry’s mouth. The God of the Sea immediately stood up and pressed his lips passionately against Louis’.

The gods messily kissed, smearing spit and come all over their mouths, Harry’s bright red cock pressing up against Louis’s in frustration. 

“Taste yourself angel,” Harry murmured as he stuck two fingers into Louis’s mouth. “Made such a pretty mess for me, didn’t you?” 

Louis swallowed thickly around the two digits filling up his other hole. He slurped every last bit of cum left on Harry’s fingers, cheekbones hollowing out obscenely as Harry effectively gagged him. He didn’t quite know what Elysium felt like, would hopefully never have to, but he was sure this was a little taste of it. He felt so righteously whole in Harry’s embrace, so utterly claimed and possessed by the God before him. Here in the whispering of the cool night, they intertwined, rejoicing in the other’s presence. 

Finally, after Louis had his fill of the strong fingers brushing against his throat, he pulled off Harry's hand. Harry pressed a heated kiss to his lips, hands groping Louis’s arse just one more time before releasing him. With a flash of his large hand, the two were instantly cleaned up, Harry looking utterly smug at what had just occurred between the pair. 

“So,” Harry began as he readjusted his own chiton and the wreath of laurels on his head. 

“I heard overheard at the beginning of the night from Liam, that Hephaestus was setting you up with some pithy little goddess. Did you agree?”

Louis felt like he had just been slapped with a goblet full of icy water as he stared at Harry in disbelief. This couldn’t be the reason Harry had just partook in their recent actions. All to lay some possessive claim over him

“Are you seriously asking me that right now?” he demanded. 

“Why are you upset?” Harry demanded right back, encroaching on Louis’s space again. Louis pushed the God away from him as he fastened his sandals back on.

“You have got to be joking! Surely even you can’t be this obtuse,” he sneered, gulping quietly as Harry’s jaw tightened when he heard the clear insult. 

“You have no right to ask me about that, Poseidon ,” he lashed back out. “Go back to one of your other nymphs. I’m sure they’d be so eager to offer themselves up to you.”

“Oh, like you just did?” Harry clenched his fists, looking extremely affronted at being reduced to his title. 

Before Louis could even react to the crippling comment, Harry had disappeared into thin air. All of a sudden, clouds rumbled above, embracing each other as if they were gladiators ready to start a war. The smell of the salty sea still lingered in the air as fat raindrops began to unleash themselves from the clouds.

Louis wiped the tears that threatened to spill over his waterline as he was left standing in the Olympus Garden for the second time. Sighing out a shuddery breath, he shook himself out before standing tall. He would not let Harry ruin all his other prospects, or the rest of his night. 

His heart was beaten, but it was not broken. 

✦✧✦✧

Through misconstrued ideologies and bumbling folklore of mere mortals, it was believed that gods were untouchable. They did not bleed the same ruby red blood as mortals, their eyes possessed a stronger, luminescent gaze, and their strength was frighteningly formidable. They simply did not share the same vulnerabilities that mortals did and thus their immortality was written in stone. 

But gods were not vampires. They were also not savage beasts. They could not simply turn their heart off or turn their cheek the other way at their own conscience. 

Louis knew he was allowing himself to feel the pain. Sanctioning the pain to seep through him like rain through a creaky, old windowsill, slowly but surely filling up the gaps until nothing else was noticeable. With each immortal breath he took, it was tinged with the sorrow that he felt at the nonexistent proximity of his soulmate. It had been months since the two had last met and he was feeling the gap deeper into his heart, every single day.

But did Harry feel the same? 

The love that he felt for the God of the Sea was swallowing him whole like the ocean itself. Louis looked out at the mellow ocean, watching as the waves bobbed up and down. Some short time had passed between the night at the Spring Solstice and Louis had sought the sea’s comfort almost every night since then.

“I thought I might find you here.” 

Louis looked up from his perch on the rocks to see none other than the God of the Sea staring down at him with something unrecognisable in his eyes. Harry looked different today as he loomed over Louis’s seated figure. The god was shirtless, although that was far from out of of the ordinary for him, and something seemed slightly off.

Louis studied him quietly, careful not to linger on Harry’s sculpted abs, as the other god leaned nonchalantly against his impressive trident. Harry was not smiling and it made Louis frown in turn. As much as he despised when Harry possessed that stupid, cocky smirk after saying whatever he could manage to pull out of his ass, it was unsettling to see him look so somber.

“How did you get all the way down to these rocks? Did you jump off a cliff?” Harry attempted to joke almost as if he could read Louis’s mind, but Louis was in no mood to humour him. 

“No, sorry to disappoint,” he responded dryly. 

“I simply used my great beauty to bribe a group of mighty strong looking sailors to row me out here. You know, since the only useful skill I possess is my beauty and powers of persuasion,” he fibbed, secretly loving that Harry’s eyes narrowed and his hold tightened on his trident at the mention of others. Why was he so hopelessly attracted to possessiveness? 

“You are cunning and resourceful, and it does no one any good to pretend you are not,” Harry said firmly, eyes locked onto Louis’s. 

“Well a lot of good it has done me,” Louis couldn’t help but complain. “Everyone here only cares about being my friend for the privileges I have or being my consort for this fake beauty I carry.” 

The God of Beauty was too wrapped up in his own turmoil to see a storm swirl in Harry’s eyes at the mention of consorts. His trident glowed a menacing dark blue and purple as it connected to the sky in a stream of lightning and glowing energy. All of a sudden, the waves that were scattered across the ocean grew just a bit larger and meaner as they crashed mercilessly into the shore spattering the rocks with their wrath. 

Shaking himself out of it, Louis returned his attention to the god before him just as the minor storm settled. Harry slowly sat down next to him, subtly flicking the last traces of the bad weather away and discarding of his trident temporarily. As Louis tucked his knees into his chest, he looked up at the sky confusedly, watching the dark clouds vanish and the sun re-emerge. However he was too distracted at his own openness to question the odd behaviour of the weather.

“I am sorry to burden you with all my trivial matters. I know the gifts we have are a privilege and I ought not devalidate them by complaining all the time. Aphrodite says we must cherish the talents we have.”

Harry shook his head slowly. “I don’t believe you are doing that at all. It is frustrating when those around us do not see us for our true selves. Much of the life that resides in the ocean often thinks I am only good for creating huge storms and causing mayhem, when my only intention has ever been to create peace within the water.” 

Louis couldn’t help but do a double-take at the show of vulnerability from the god. It was one of the only times he had seen Harry this raw. 

“Surely they must be dull,” he argued back. He could rationalise his own self being misjudged, but someone as powerful and strong as Poseidon? 

“You do so much Harry,” he tentatively reached a hand out to press against Harry’s knee, cupping it gently. 

Before Harry could rebuttal, Louis was listing his evidence on his fingers. “You help keep the animals in the ocean safe, you control the moon and the tide so mortals don’t drown, you make sure we get adequate rain to plant our crops and flowers. And that’s just the tip of all that you are capable of! I can’t imagine who is dunce-headed enough to think that you are just threatening.” 

As the words settled in the area, Louis blushed and tried to stutter out an apology. Turning to address Harry and reprimand himself for not knowing his place, all he was met with was the God of the Sea staring at him intently, something akin to smooth fondness and crackling passion in his eyes. 

Before Louis could begin to form words, he felt himself being transported. When he opened his eyes, they were standing at the top of the cliff that kissed the sea. 

“The things that you do to me,” Harry breathed out as they stood toe to toe. He cupped Louis’s cheeks in his palm, tilting the god’s face up to meet his own.

“You needn’t apologise at all, Louis. It is I, who is at fault here. I simply let my feelings control me. When I overheard Aphrodite and Zeus talking about how Hepheastus intended to set you up with that goddess, I grew jealous.”

“Why?” Louis dared to question body trembling at the proximity he and Harry shared.

“She is not right for you, anthos, ” Harry breathed out, his whole body pressed up tightly against Louis’s, lips caressing the outer shell of his ear.

Louis huffed, doing his best not to shiver at the almost contact. He squirmed, trying to shift his weight to move Harry off of him while he simultaneously stepped on the god’s toes. Harry winced at the pressure, but Louis knew it was all for show, the god of the sea would never let so much as a foot as tiny as Louis’s render him in pain.

“Don’t you have oceans to control and diaphanous nymphs to woo?” Louis countered after he realised there was no worldly way to which he would move the god away from his personal space. 

“The only one I intend to woo is you,” Harry all but purred and Louis almost gasped at the startling glint of honesty and vulnerability in his eyes paired with such a scandalous phrase.

“It does you no good to say things that you do not mean.” he countered, still not allowing the truth to break his barriers.

“And it does you no good to pretend that you will not give in to me,” Harry whispered arrogantly.  

At those words, Louis felt his heart crumble into a million pieces. Harry was giving him whiplash with his personality. One minute he felt that the other truly understood him and his insecurities and the next Harry was spouting off bullshit like that. 

Stepping back, he glared at Harry. “This is exactly why I cannot humour you,” he spat out. “You act as if you are entitled to have me, to own me. If that’s the treatment I wanted, I could go right to anyone of those lowly gods and ask them to take me.” 

Harry’s eyes grew darker as he returned the glare. “You will do no such thing.” 

Withstanding the very heavy urge to stamp his foot like a petty child, his promise to Zayn be damned, Louis tried to walk away, only to have a strong hand catch his wrist.

“Get off of me.”

“No.” 

Harry stood tall above him as he heaved out angry breaths, shoulders tensing at the strained situation that had suddenly arisen between the two. 

“You are going to listen to me, if it’s the last thing I do,” Harry muttered dangerously. 

“I want you to be mine in the purest of romantic sense. You are all I can think about every single day. I cannot focus on my tasks without being reminded of the etherealness that is you. I know you think otherwise, but I have not bedded a single nymph, god, or goddess since we have been involved. How could I? After I have had the immense privilege to experience all that you are. Sweet, dynamic, smart Adonis.” Harry finished his speech by gripping both of Louis’s wrists as if to implore him to listen.

But the words were not enough. Try as he might, Louis could not shake off his insecurities nor Harry’s tight grip on him.

“It does not matter if you are infatuated with me,” he snapped back. “Everyone is. And so what if I love you back?” he gulped at the admission. 

“Everyone loves you back also. So you see two common things do not make a rarity. The truth of the matter is that you will never know what it is like for me, Harry. You are one of the most powerful gods to rule Mt. Olympus and there will always be others to try and seek your heart, your affections. I have to take care of how I look and how I act every single day just so I don’t get ripped apart and dissected by the gossip of Mt. Olympus. If we were to be together, I would be subject to those same whispers. It was already humiliating enough the first time, I don’t wish to experience it again.” 

“I still fail to see the problem,” Harry sighed, using one hand to push back the curls that adorned his face. 

“So what if there is gossip? There always is. We will ignore it.” 

Trying not to rip his own hair out in frustration, Louis used the momentary distraction of Harry’s free hand to rip his own hands out of Harry’s grasp. Whirling away, he intended on stomping all the way back to the entrance to the Underworld but before he could make it even five steps, he was being transported again.

Sputtering for air, he found himself back at the bottom of the cliff, almost tripping over the little pebbles of the beach. He looked around wildly for the cause of his pain, and slight nausea, before he saw Harry emerging from the water. 

The God of the Sea emerged from his home, muttering something about Louis’s insolence and not straying away when he was trying to transport them both. The comments only made Louis’s blood boil even more. 

“I didn’t ask you to keep transporting me to places against my will! When are you going to get it through your thick skull? It is much more of a risk for me to be with you, rather than you with me. My entire image will get torn to shreds” Louis exclaimed feeling the anger seep into his bones much like the chilled wind that suddenly seemed to gust chaotically around the pair. 

“Your pride will be your downfall,” he couldn’t help but hiss at the water-drenched god, who stood so furiously in front of him anger radiating off him in big waves of heat, despite the chill. 

Louis could feel the warmth diffusing dangerously between them, and he forced his gaze away from Harry’s piercing glare. He knew better than to look one of the Big Three in the eye during such a tumultuous fit of rage. 

“And your vanity will be yours.” Harry shot back as he stepped closer to Louis until their foreheads were almost touching.  

There was a beat of silence and then a deafening crack that resounded and was heard even through the storm that waged on. Harry’s face barely moved to the side and that made Louis feel frivolous all over again. 

“How dare you?” Louis cried out, already feeling the tears start to form and his vision cloud over. He couldn't believe that he had slapped the God of the Sea, and he could picture Zeus and Hades holding their sides in laughter. He could also picture Aphrodite smirking in approval. He hoped this wouldn't make its way through the circle of gossip.

Suddenly everything was too much. 

“How dare I?” Harry spat back. “I’ve had enough of this martyr act, Louis. Yes, I made a mistake by letting you walk away. But I’ve been trying so desperately to fix it and you’re too wrapped up in your own pity party and how you think others perceive you, to see it.” 

“Oh well I apologise for merely thinking about the consequences of my actions,” Louis cried, throwing his hands up in the air as icy rain pelted his skin. “One of us has to do that in the relationship and it obviously isn't you.”

Harry growled, as he gripped Louis’s cheeks to tilt the others' face up to meet his own. The two glared at each other, two impressive figures matched up on the sandy beach. There had not been such a volatile conflict between lovers since Aphrodite and Zeus’s third marriage. Louis was sure Hades and Zeus were both watching from their thrones with rapt attention.

“That's not what I said at all,” Harry argued, bringing Louis back to the present. “You are being purposefully obtuse.” 

“Gee, you are just really laying on the praise thick today, trying to win me back,” Louis snapped, scornfully. 

The rain was really starting to fall down now, a heavy cadence thrumming against the cliffs and splattering onto the already energetic waves.

Harry laughed bitterly. “Says the one who just slapped me.” 

“Sorry we cannot all change the course of the entire ocean to bend at our will. I had to make up for what I was lacking with my forceful physicality.” Louis shot back but he knew it was a lie.

Even physically, without his powers, Harry would always be able to overtake him. It sent a delicious zing up his spine that the god didn't. Eyes softening, Harry leaned closer and pressed a kiss to Louis’s sopping wet forehead. It was such a stark contrast to his aggression minutes before that Louis could only stare straight ahead into his ex-lovers eyes. 

“You do not lack anything,” Harry insisted. “You are perfect the way you are. It is I who lacks common sense. And I am sorry that I didn’t fight for you when you told me you wanted to part ways. I assumed it was because I was not enough for you, not that you were feeling insignificant.” 

“Harry, you have always been enough for me,” Louis breathed out, unable to keep the truth in even though he still felt a pinch of anger. 

Harry’s eyes exuded a sense of hope, and Louis felt an overwhelming sense of melancholy at his next words. 

“Sometimes beings are not meant to be together. I want to try, Harry, I do but the stakes are too high. I hope you will respect that. We cannot be together” He stated, carefully examining Harry’s reaction. But the light in Harry’s eyes refused to dim. In fact, the God of the Sea merely smiled. 

“Why are you smiling?” he demanded to know. 

“While your worries and reasoning are valid, and make no mistake, I intend to prove you wrong about them, I refuse to accept the outcome you have planned for both of us.” Harry beamed down at him, rain soaking through his curls and dripping onto his forehead. 

“I told you I intend to woo you, and I will.” 

Louis stepped out of Harry’s grasp and posed the rhetorical question. “What part of “ we cannot be together” is incomprehensible to you?” 

“All of it.” the God of the Sea answered unnecessarily. “Getting to be with you for eternity is the only thing I care about, and I’ll be damned if it’s not the last thing I do.” 

Louis could take no more. Harry seemed to be on some sort of bewitched spell. Perhaps all the transportations he had created had made him a bit loopy. All he knew was that he needed to out of there immediately before he did something preposterous, like give in to the love of his life.

“Goodbye Harry.” He closed his eyes and felt himself away from the very god who he hated and loved all at the same instance. At least this transportation was at his own bidding. 

✦✧✦✧

Niall handed him a crystal glass filled to the brim with syrupy ambrosia. Mint-cucumber flavoured this time.

“You look like you need it,” the god said sympathetically as he settled down next to Louis with his own beverage in hand. “I call this a mojito. It’s a little too overpowering for the mortals right now, but in time I am hoping they will take to it in a few centuries or so.”

Louis chose not to answer, instead conveying his opinion by almost slurping down the entirety of the heavy liquid in one go, loving the way it soothed his throat like a balm. He would have to collect mint leaves the next time he was back at the garden so he could imitate the refreshing concoction. 

Niall only watched in equal parts amazement and amusement as the glass was emptied in record time.

“Niall, you are the God of roads and doorways. Tell me which road I should choose please,” Louis politely requested as he closed his eyes and leaned back onto the comfortable seats out on the verandah. Servants immediately came out with cool towels and a platter of delicious looking grapes and cheeses. Niall’s house was one of his favourites in all of Mt. Olympus, adorned with gold touches and the same Olympian marble. 

Niall only laughed. “Hermes does not offer directions like that and you know it, Lou. What I can do is send you on a gust of wind straight to Poseidon himself—with the assistance of Zephyrus, of course. Well, I guess since Harry resides in the sea right now, it would be south of us. But Notos would be more than happy to help, he’s always been a romantic at heart.”

Shooting up from his reclined position and startling the servants who were about to plop another grape into his mouth, Louis steadied the beverage in his hand before levelling a glare at his friend. 

“It sure seems like you’re offering me directions and wind intervention,” he said sullenly. “I cannot talk to Harry right now. He will only make my head throb madly and we will inevitably scream at each other again and I simply cannot have that weighing on me. I feel fragile.” 

“Hey,” Niall held his hands up in surrender. “You asked for council and I am simply advising you the best I know how to. We are Gods. It would be foolish to let miscommunication hold us back from loving each other. And a little birdie tells me that there is definitely something that needs to be discussed between the two of you.” 

“Who is it?” Louis demanded. “Has Hephaestus been running his mouth at the chess games again?”

Niall laughed at this. “Louis, you do realise you are one of the only gods who gets along with The Big Three. They all care about you in their own way which is exceedingly rare but that’s not the point. Gossip and scandal is sure to run from their mouths all the way down to the other gods, those ornery nymphs, and even the servants.” 

“It’s not a scandal, don’t call it that Niall.” 

“I’m just saying,” Niall continued on. “I really think Harry would be willing to put in the work for you, Lou. All you have to do is be honest with him. Let him know how much your insecurities affect you. That God would bottle up all of the ocean if it was what you wanted, and he can. You just cannot see past your own doubt.”

Letting Niall’s word sit in his brain, Louis sighed, chewing on a grape thoughtfully. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t tried to communicate in the past, but perhaps it was a little bit of his fault that he hadn’t been clear enough. 

Almost like he sensed Louis’s swaying feelings, Niall prodded further. “You will have to see him at the Summer Solstice.” 

He tried not to think about how those words held an echoing familiarity to the ones Zayn had uttered a season prior. 

✦✧✦✧

A beautiful creature soared through the sky, wings ablaze with all the prowess the world had to offer, before it settled down right in front of Louis’s wondrous eyes.

“Pray Tell, what has our brother done now?” Zayn rolled his eyes, but even the dullest of men could pick out the slight interest colouring his tone. 

Louis couldn’t find the words to answer as he stepped up to the magnificent four-legged creature, entranced by the way its immense, shiny, wings fluttered under the moonlight.

“Hello there beautiful,” he cooed. “You are so enchanting, I have never seen an animal like you before.”

The creature huffed out a snort as if to agree and Louis couldn’t help but giggle. “Of course you already know, how could you not?” he questioned rhetorically.

Louis slowly extended his hand out, making sure it was in sight of the animal’s line of sight. After making sure it didn’t react with hostility, Louis let his hand fall against the flank as he stroked the soft, white coat. 

“I think he wanted to call it a pegasus?” Liam offered helpfully. “He worked tirelessly to perfect its form and shape before rendering it. She is meant to carry you to the Summer Solstice.” 

Louis gasped, already feeling something warm and fuzzy settling throughout his insides. 

“He did this for me?” he gaped as the pegasus nudged his forehead with her own. “She is truly magnificent.” 

“Harry certainly has gone above and beyond,” Liam applauded, impressed and slowly inching forward to the pegasus. “He has said he has created a simpler version of this animal called a horse. It will help the mortals greatly on Earth but this horse will not have the wings that your beloved pegasus does. He thought that might be too advanced for such a trivial species.” 

Louis laughed as Liam attempted to pet the magnificent being, but the pegasus just bucked her head away, levelling the god with a sceptical glare.

Even Zayn couldn’t help but smirk at the frosty treatment. “Well it seems we have finally found a creature that will not yield to the King of the Gods,” he teased his brother as Liam looked affronted.

“I think I shall name her Calliope, Callie for short,” Louis interrupted loudly so as to prevent any further sibling squabbles. 

“That is beautiful,” Liam said, Zayn nodding in agreement. “A fitting name for such a beautiful pegasus.” 

“But just so everyone knows,” Liam began pridefully as Louis groaned and Zayn rolled his eyes. “It was I, who slayed that impudent beast, Typhon and locked him in the pits of Tartarus. I don’t know if you recall, but I harnessed the power of my lightning bolts to bring that monster to its horrid knees. No one has ever not yielded to me, and Calliope will be no exception.” 

“Well perhaps you don’t remember my creation of the Kraken then,” Zayn said mock boredly, as he examined his nails. “Just the most terrifying beast who slayed our Titan father for us?”

Louis laughed quietly into his hand at the pettiness between the sibling gods as he began to mount Callie.

“Perhaps you two will be able to catch the tail end evening of the Solstice once you are done with your pissing contest. Oh and don’t even think of touching my pegasus, Liam,” he called out gleefully, as he gently nudged Calliope.

The two brothers ceased their bickering to watch in awe as Calliope galloped a few metres and then took off into the gleaming night sky. 

✦✧✦✧

Louis felt as if he had finally reached the very peak of his existence as he effortlessly drifted through the skies towards the palace at Mt. Olympus. Calliope’s strong wings soared elegantly as she whinnied with joy.

“You were meant to fly,” Louis whispered against her soft mane. “You look absolutely radiant, Callie.” 

He savoured each moment in the air as he flew above Mt. Olympus. When he caught a taste of salty seawater, he sighed. It seemed Harry truly was set on winning his heart over. He would have to be on his best guard tonight to make sure it did not happen. Calliope gently touched down outside the Olympus palace and bowed her head, waiting for Louis’s praise. Pressing three kisses to her forehead, Louis stroked her mane and offered his gratitude. 

“You go have a fly about,” he whispered. “I’ll call you when I am ready.” 

Calliope huffed out a sigh before nudging him once before she took a running leap and descended up into the night sky. 

Louis gathered his chiton, lifting it so it did not touch the ground, and began to make his way up the stairs to the palace.

He was immediately greeted by Aphrodite and Hephaestus, and he resisted the urge to turn right back around. He had been avoiding Aphrodite for this very reason and the matching gleam in both their eyes did not seem promising.

“Louis, I have not seen you in ages,” Aphrodite softly reprimanded him before pulling him into a comforting embrace. “Come by my palace tomorrow so we may catch up.” 

“Of course I will,” Louis promised, hugging her back and then making his way to greet Hephaestus. 

“Have you put any more thought into meeting with Eileithiya?” Hephaestus asked. “I know she got her pretty little hopes up when we mentioned it in the springtime. She would love to make your acquaintance. In fact, your marriage would be most bountiful.” 

Trying not to choke at the offending statement, Louis could only nod, before rapidly shaking his head. 

“I really do appreciate your efforts, Heph, but I simply cannot accept. I’m sure she’s a lovely goddess but unfortunately I am in no position to be courting, much less marrying.” 

Sighing disapprovingly, Hephaestus looked very much the quintessential father figure as he patted Louis’s shoulder.

“I suppose I should know better than anyone, to not get in the way of a god’s desires and will.” He admitted defeat. Aphrodite offered no remarks, but Louis knew she was disappointed as well. 

“I must make my way around the room,” he hastily offered as an out for his retreat. “I will see you later tonight.”

With that, he sped off in the opposite direction, making a beeline for the exit into Olympus’s most extravagant palace. 

He had just made it as far as the second stone pillar in the corridor when a hand grabbed him around waist and whisked him into a tiny alcove.

“So I take it you did not enjoy my gift?” Harry asked, sounding extremely disappointed.

”Was she unsatisfactory? I worked with Artemis for weeks on the prototype.”

Louis was temporarily distracted by the surprise of the topic.

“Of course I loved her,” he admitted. 

“I cannot wait to fly around all of Mt. Olympus. She will be a dear companion to me, I already know it. Thank you, Harry.” 

Not a second later after his gratitude was given did Harry pull him down into a searing kiss. 

Louis let himself indulge in a few seconds of pleasure before he was pulling away, gazing at the hurt that blossomed in Harry’s eyes. 

“Harry, please, I told you we cannot do this,” Louis pleaded trying his very hardest to disregard Harry’s sinful gaze and already swollen lips. 

“Are you really going to marry her?” Harry demanded. “Say it isn’t so.”

“And what if it was?” 

“It would wound me to my very core Louis, to see you trapped in such a loveless marriage, with someone who does not cherish you with every fibre of their being,” Harry ranted darkly, tightening his arms around the smaller figure. “It is an insult to you, and everyone else who adores you.” 

Louis trembled against the hold, desperate to get away but too weak to follow though. 

“What would you have me do?” he shot back, amazed that his voice stayed steady while his mind waged wars of attrition against his heart. 

“I would have you be mine for eternity,” Harry said solemnly, stroking Louis’s head with a tenderness that rivalled the way the soft waves of the ocean lapped delicately on their shore. Louis tried and failed to not realise how much that sounded like an oath. 

Still scowling, he gazed up at the man, the god, who was responsible for so much of his strife recently. 

“Do you have me pegged as a fool, Harry? We have seen the outcome of this before. You are simply not satisfied by just me and I can no longer stand to be one of your many trysts talked about on Mt. Olympus.” 

“I was foolish then, I will be the first to admit that, my love. But I have seen the error of my ways and all I wish is to have the chance to win back your affections,” Harry implored, stroking the caramel fringe once more. 

“You can’t say you don’t miss me,” The God of the Sea continued as he stared piercingly into Louis’s eyes.

Louis could only huff. “That has never been the issue.” 

“So what is stopping us now? We can be together forever.” Harry said as lackadaisical as a centaur happily sprinting through golden fields. He leaned down, as if to kiss Louis and the god knew he had to act fast.

Mustering every single ounce of physical and mental strength he heaved Harry off of him. 

“I think we both know it’s best if I leave before things get too deep. I would implore you not to follow me please.” Louis requested as he made his way back down the hallway. 

When he heard no footsteps, he found he was not as pleased as he had assumed he would be, but he was now a god on the mission for relaxation after the vexing encounter. 

The best thing about Zeus’s palace was the bath house. And Louis knew for a fact that it would be completely abandoned since everyone was enjoying the festivities. He could have hours to himself in the soothing environment. 

His mood took a slight turn for better as he entered the elaborate room. Sure enough the giant bath lay untouched, not a ripple in the water to be seen.. A purple glow surrounded the room, enhancing the marble and scents of lavender and lemon wafted around. Louis unwrapped his chiton so it hung just at his waist as he made his way over to the water. The tub couldn't even really be constituted as a tub. It was basically a pool of the most refreshing spring water that had been warmed to perfection.

Just as he was mentally applauding himself for escaping Harry’s charms, he heard the heavy footsteps enter the room and he felt his heart sink.

“What are you doing here? ” he demanded, feeling very much like a teacher scolding their disciples. 

“What are you doing?” Harry merely shot back, eyes trailing down to rest on Louis’s exposed chest.

“I thought I told you not to follow me. I’m bathing, is that a problem?” he asked, sarcastically.

"Not in the slightest,” Harry murmured, and suddenly the room felt hotter than Louis remembered.

“But I will be the one bathing you.”

“No.”

“Let me, please Venus Filium. It would truly make me happiest.”

“I said no , Harry.” Louis glared at him watching as Harry’s mouth set into a straight line at the refusal. Suddenly there was a huge gust of wind and with a snap of the fingers, the water had disappeared. 

Sputtering at the completely empty bath, Louis watched the smugness grow in Harry’s eyes. 

“What is the meaning of this?” he exclaimed in anger.

“Fine,” Harry said, his jaw ticking in annoyance. “If you won’t bathe with me, then you will not bathe at all.”

“I’ll just wash at my own home then. Zayn has plenty of bathrooms for me to use,” Louis countered, almost in disbelief.

“You will do no such thing. All baths contain water and I don’t know if this has slipped your mind, but I control all water.” Harry said stubbornly, crossing his arms against his chest. 

“You cannot be serious,” Louis wailed, as he put his chiton back on. “You are acting like a child Harry. If you want to play games, that's perfectly fine but just know that you will be playing with only yourself.”

He stomped towards the exit of the bathhouse, but was immediately pushed up against the wall, Harry’s immeasurable powers of strength pinning him there without the God of the Sea so much as lifting a finger.

“I’ve had enough of this,” he stated as he stalked towards Louis, nostrils flaring and eyes burning with something dangerous.

“That’s rich,” Louis laughed incredulously. “Seeing as I’m the one who’s getting obsessively stalked. I think I’ve had enough of this too.”

With a flick of his wrist, Louis undid the invisible force that held him there against his will, and attempted to make a break for it again. Before he could even think about transporting elsewhere, this time Harry used his own physical strength to grab Louis and haul him over his shoulder.

"Please just let me bathe in peace, Harry. I am not asking for much," Louis tried to get in one last plea and make the other god see reason.

"It will be very peaceful, baby. I will soap up that tiny, nice, little glorious body for you, and you will not have to lift a single finger. Then I shall hand feed you grapes and cheese and all the ambrosia in the world until you are perfectly content." Harry said cheerfully, making no move to put Louis down.

Louis could feel a pit of anger growing in his stomach, twisty spikes of red-hot rage ready to explode out of him. He could get angry too. He was plenty angry at those who continously ignored him, used him to bolster their own social status, and making him feel inferior. He supposed now was as good a time as any to let it all out.

“Put me down you heathen,” Louis screeched, but he doubted anyone would be able to hear him over the party. 

He pounded his fists against Harry’s broad back, shrieking and squirming as loudly as he could. 

SLAP.

A heavy handed smack landed on his bottom, rendering Louis completely speechless. 

“Watch it.” Harry whispered into the dark room.

“Although you have my complete affections and love, and I would never do anything to harm you, your behaviour is only testing my limits.”

“Good.” Louis said stubbornly, ass cheek aching from the dull sting of the slap. 

There was a beat of silence before he started up again. 

“I said. Put. Me. Down.” Louis gritted out, resuming his squirming and digging his nails into Harry’s backside. 

“I don’t care about whatever it is that you think you can do to me, you ignorant, completely foolish son-” he was cut off by Harry laying down four more spanks across his ass. 

“I’ve had about enough out of you,” Harry said firmly as he manhandled Louis across his lap, sitting on the edge of the giant Grecian tub. 

“The feeling’s mutual,” Louis snapped back before groaning as Harry began to rain heavy smacks against his ass. 

“Gods-” Louis choked out at the delicious assault. 

“Just need someone to put you in your place, huh baby?” Harry muttered as he rotated between palming Louis’s ass in harsh squeezes and then smacking it until the golden skin turned a brilliant red shade.

“Can’t run that pretty little mouth when you’re across my lap and I’m giving you exactly what you want.”

Louis breathed heavily in his arms as his ass was spanked for what felt like eons. He felt each knot of tension and lust and aching need for Harry, unravel with each smack to his ass.

It wasn’t long before he could feel the tears spilling over and he sobbed into his arms at the pleasure, as he rutted helplessly against Harry’s thigh. Harry laid a few more smacks onto his now ruby red backside before palming it relentlessly and pressing a soft kiss to each cheek. Louis was glowing bright rosy pink from Harry's hands and he immediately tried to squirm away, but Harry would not yield.

"I would think about the consequences of your actions, my love," he whispered darkly into Louis's ear. "Do not make things worse."

Sighing shakily, Louis acquiesced, wanting to be good for the god who held him. He offered up no more words, eyes searching frantically around the room looking for something to fixate on, before Harry sighed in endearment. Turning Louis over, he cradled him in his arms.

“There, there,” he soothed him. “You did so good, anthos . The best.”

Harry wiped Louis’s tears from his eyes, pressing more kisses all over his face.

“You were so tense, baby. You just needed me here to remind you that I can take away all your stress whenever you want. You forget, I am eternally on your side, Adonis .”

Louis shivered violently at his gods given name being used. With another snap of Harry’s fingers, the water miraculously appeared back in the pool-like tub, almost threatening to spill over the edge. Sinking into it, with Louis in his hold, Harry laid the boy gently back against the wall of the tub and kissed him firmly on the lips. Sighing happily,  Louis kissed back feverishly, moaning at the contact. 

Harry continued to kiss up and down the smooth, tanned skin, savouring each taste of Louis as if he were a mere mortal and this was his last meal on Earth. Louis moaned out at each touch feeling as though his body was a pot of honey that had been left out to soften in the sun. He writhed impatiently under Harry’s velvet tongue as he gasped out “Please.” 

"Patience," Harry reprimanded softly. "I promised I would wash you and I will." 

Huffing, Louis pouted. "I do not need to be washed anymore," he tried to negotiate. 

Harry only squeezed his hips as he summoned the necessary soap and brushes. 

"Do not argue with me, Louis. I am still upset at your fiendish behavior tonight."

Mouth dropping into a little o, Louis scowled. 

"My behavior? You quite literally forced your way in here to lay a claim that you have no right to."

Growling at the untruth, Harry rubbed the soap all over Louis's body, lathering him up as best he could. Louis could tell the god was angry with his words but his touch was ever so delicate. Well, good. Louis was also angry. Angry at the fact that Harry was making this so difficult for the both of them. That he was choosing this path when he could simply discard of Louis anytime he wanted. Louis was tired of being yanked around on a chain. When he chanced a glance at the God of the Sea, Harry's lips were set in a grim line as he examined every rivet of Louis's body, making sure no crevice was unturned. 

"You are so infuriating," Harry muttered under his breath.

Louis stiffened. 

"Then why are we here right now, Harry?" he demanded. "When all we do is fight and argue. We go in circles and none of us leaves content. Why do you continue to put us through the ringer?"

Squeezing out a sponge, Harry began to slowly wash the soap away, letting it float in iridescent bubbles in the water. He cupped Louis's ass cheek, watching as the smaller god couldn't help but roll his hips into Harry.

"Because I would rather fight with you every single day until the end of time, than not be with you." Harry said lowly, eyes concentrating on the task at hand. 

Stifling a moan at the bigger palm that groped his ass, Louis struggled to find a response. The words resonated with him. He and Harry never pulled their punches with the other and he knew that was one of the reasons that he was drawn to the god at first. Sure, the God of the Sea was impossibly smug but he never spoke down to Louis or acted as if he was some delicate being that was not capable of anything other than artificial enchantment. Harry treated him like more than an object, like he was knew with great conviction that Louis was destined to change the world. And Louis couldn't help but agree that he would rather spend every day griping at Harry, staring into those stormy green eyes that flashed with irritation whenever Louis mouthed off, than go one more second without him.

Almost as if he could read his mind, Harry finished his washing and positioned Louis so that they were embracing once more. He felt the other god mouth carelessly at his shoulder and he took this as a sign of Louis's beginning assent. He paused his touch momentarily to caress Louis’s cheek in his hand.

“What do you desire, anthos ?” he softly demanded.   

“You.” 

The God of the Sea’s hand moved down to grip Louis’s throat just tightly enough to elicit a high whine from the smaller.

“I knew you still liked this,” Harry said, lips tracing down the path of Louis’s cheekbone. 

The smugness radiated off him in waves of infuriatingly overwhelming heat followed by the a cool, salty breeze of the ocean. And while Louis couldn't disagree with the statement, he needed to let Harry know that he certainly did not hold all of the cards. He had some tricks up his sleeve too.

“And I know you still like this,” Louis felt coherent enough to respond as he reached down and gripped Harry’s cock. 

Both gods moaned, Harry at Louis’s contact with his hard length, and Louis at Harry’s hand tightening even more around his throat. All Louis could feel and see was pleasure everywhere as he stroked Harry’s cock up and down, fondling all over just the way he knew the other one liked it. He felt his brain become dizzyingly light in the best way, beautiful yellow spots dancing around the room like the little fireflies he had seen down on earth. Perhaps this was earth. He didn’t know anymore. 

“Come back to me, anthos ,” Harry purred, relinquishing his grip on the smooth throat in front of him. “Come be with me, my love.” 

Louis whined high, hips canting up, seeking the pressure against Harry’s own body. The God of the Sea was quick to grab Louis’s hips to stop him from rutting against him. 

“Hush, my liege and let me take care of you tonight,” he cooed into Louis’s ear, tongue lashing out quickly to run up and down the outer shell. Harry nibbled on the pink, delicate skin, hot breath caressing the insides of Louis’s ear, causing the God of Beauty to let his head roll back to rest against the edge of the pool.

“I will take care of you until the end of time,” Harry promised as he worked two fingers into Louis’s entrance, corkscrewing them just right so that Louis let out a pleasured moan. 

Harry coaxed moan after moan out from the golden body beneath him, watching intently as Louis convulsed from pleasure from only his fingers. 

When he assessed that the other god was ready for him, he grabbed Louis’s by the sides again, hands brushing against his little nipples, and stood him upright against the pool. Lining up, he began to sink into the heat, pulling out little noises of pleasure from the radiant god beneath him.

“You are the most tantalising, unearthly being I have ever had the pleasure of knowing,” he lathered on the praise as he thrust in and out of the other god. 

“You are holy,” was all Louis could gasp out as Harry delivered yet another harsh thrust to his hole. 

The two rejoined their lips, Harry desperate to render his lover speechless but Louis was stubborn as ever.

“Divine and paradiscal,” he slurred out as Harry bit harshly down on his ear, taking his time to suck the pink flesh. 

Harry had to chuckle at that. “Always so polite, baby. You give me the most pleasure and yet you still find a way to match me compliment for compliment.”

“Want to,” Louis whispered out. “Care about you.”

“I know you do, baby,” Harry said furiously as he began to work his way up to both their climaxes. 

“You care about everyone so much and I wish you’d let me in to care for you.” 

With that phrase, Louis began to shake, reaching his peak of pleasure as he orgasmed between their two chests. 

“So good for me,” Harry crooned as he felt Louis still clench around his cock. Louis could barely stand, even with the weightlessness of the water, so he wrapped his arms around Harry, letting the other god use him how he pleased. 

“How lucky am I to have this? My baby is being so generous.” Harry’s thrusts spread up as he picked up Louis’s legs and wrapped them around his torso before holding him by the arse cheeks. 

It only took a few more heavy thrusts before Harry was cumming deep inside Louis’s hole. The smaller god rested  his head against Harry’s shoulder as he was pumped full of silky ropes of cum.

“You are mine until eternity has shattered and the sun and moon cease to exist,” Harry promised firmly, rubbing Louis’s hole with his middle finger, soaking up all the cum that threatened to seep out. 

The God of the Sea was surprised when his head was yanked down to meet Louis’s lips in a bruising kiss. Both gods sucked and licked every inch of the other's mouth for a few moments before Louis pulled Harry’s head back once more and stared at him directly in the eyes. 

A silence filled the bathhouse, one that felt heavy as Harry searched Louis’s gaze. Taking a deep breath, Louis closed his eyes. He knew in his heart that he would be strong enough to weather whatever storm came out of their impending relationship. And he knew, without a doubt, that Harry would be worth it. 

All things must pass.

“I am yours,” Louis promised back, tongue running over his bitten, swollen, red lips. “But you are mine as well.”

Harry couldn’t help but let out a groan at the possessive claim of ownership from the little tart beneath him.

“That is right, anthos,” he reassured the other god, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “I cannot truly be happy unless you are right here in my arms.” 

“You are so brave for trying,” Harry murmured against Louis’s forehead, kiss after kiss making its way onto the God of Beauty’s honeyed skin.

“I promise that I will let you experience the disservice of those who wish they could emulate you. I will make every single second that you breathe worthwhile.” Harry promised. 

“Please say you believe me,” the God of the Sea continued. 

Sighing happily, Louis tightened his hold around Harry’s neck, clinging to the other god as hard as he can.

“I do believe you, Harry. I am sorry that it has taken me so long to see that I was being foolish. I was simply scared.”

“And you had every right to be,” Harry said, hugging the smaller form. “I was oblivious to your discomfort and I deserved to lose you. But I will never make that mistake again. You are mine because you choose to be. Mine because we make each other better. And mine because I couldn’t imagine a world without you right by my side, strong as ever.” 

✦✧✦✧

“I love you so very much,” Louis said determinedly, later that evening as they lay, sprawled and tangled in the silk sheets of Harry’s underwater kingdom.  

“I know you know, but I just thought I should tell you again. Because you gave me so many reasons back at Mt. Olympus but I did not get my chance to return them.” he nestled into Harry’s side. 

Harry took the smaller man’s hand in his own, pressing a kiss to each finger, watching as Louis giggled quietly at the childish action. 

“And I love you, Venus Filium, ” he responded with equal conviction.

“I believe I always have, since I saw a little god running around the depths of the Underworld, playing with a three-headed beast like he was a baby rabbit. Even then, your beauty outshone everything. I could not wait to get to know you.” 

Louis blushed deeply at the admission. “You have quite a way with the words that you string so prettily together.” 

“What can I say?” Harry cracked that same, familiar, smug smile that Louis had come to begrudgingly love. He wrapped Louis up in his arms, kissing his bare shoulder. That same familiar scent of the ocean swirled all around them and Louis couldn’t think of a time when he felt this content. 

“You are my muse, baby. My supernova. The Zeus to my Aphrodite.”

“Oh gods that is so audacious, Harry. Those are like my parents. Do not ever say that to me again.” 

“Just returning the favor of when you brought her up during our time in the apple orchard, darling." Harry returned, lips pulled up in a grin.

Louis rolled his eyes as he played with Harry's muscular pec, gripping the flesh before setting a gentle kiss on the skin.

"You will certainly keep me on my toes," he said, but his eyes held no malice at all.

Harry kissed him on the forehead. "That's a promise you can count on." 

"Until the end of eternity?"

"Until the end."