Hades and Persephone

Bonus Chapter: Aphrodite

Bad news: I still have writers block.

Good news: I have a folder on my computer literally named "H+P unnumbered chapters" which, strangely, most of them have 0 to do with Hades and Persephone. But I will probably use them as bonus chapters that way you guys get some form of content while I figure out writers block (I have literally rewritten the same 3 lines for the past week).

So basically take these bonus chapters as like little insights to the characters/gods.

"You know, little mortal," Aphrodite began. "The best advice I can give you is to find the spark; not the roaring flame.

"I will admit to loving Ares. He is, and always will be, my first love. My first lover. He will always hold the piece of my heart. Yet" -she took a seat on the bed next to the young girl- "I do not love him.

"My relationship with him is one of passion. It is one of insatiable hunger and blinding lust. He tore apart entire countries in my name. Killed countless people if I said it made me happy. Sometimes he did it just for a rumor of them insulting me."

"That sounds kind of sweet."

The goddess smiled. It was one of warmth, genuine. As if she was remembering a fond memory. "I suppose it was on some level. But nevertheless, Ares is as sick as he is sweet. Ares took his claim." Her face dropped, as did her voice.

It was a distant sound- her voice. One of forlorn and sadness. "Sometimes I wonder if that was all he saw me as; another conquest." A tear fell down her rosy cheek before she could continue.

"When Zeus gave my hand to Hephaestus I was, understandably, angry. Which in turn made Ares harsher. I acted out of spite. I refused to give time of day to the man who found time- everyday- to craft me a unique flower.

"The man who did nothing but try to win
my heart, even after I threw a wall in his face after each attempt.

"Hephaestus was always loyal to me; though Styx knows I never deserved it. Ares saw war after war, thinking if he won just once he could sway Zeus. Athena always had to step it; beat him back in place. I suppose, in disguise, his constant fighting was a blessing.

"Ares left me whenever a war broke out. He'd leave me alone, expect me to wait, and when he'd return it was often with a babe in hand or a child at his side. In the meantime, Hephaestus kept trying. He always tried. And, slowly, I came around.

"His love was quiet compared to that of Ares. It was a sweet word or a simple gift. Held hands or a kiss on the cheek. Ares was loud and demanding and possessive. I want to say that was why it took me so long to notice, and maybe it was.

"Maybe it was how different they expressed themselves, or maybe it was how angry and spiteful I felt, or maybe I was just a bitch. Maybe I still am....

"Regardless. My love for Ares will always be a part of me. He will always be a part of me. But he no longer has it. He no longer owns me. And there isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I was more faithful to my husband."

The clock on the wall ticked by. For what seemed like an eternity, to both goddesses, it was the only sound in the room. Aphrodite reached over to a prismatic vase and pulled the handcrafted bouquet from it. Each painstakingly delicate petal was bronze, their stems tin. If the mortal woman had not been told their make she would have mistaken them as real- needing sunlight and soil to grow.

Aphrodite could have asked Hephaestus for anything. Glittering gold inlaid with jewels, beautiful multicolored glass in the perfect likeness of an animal, crowns so extravagant it could make Hera jealous. Yet, she only ever asked for her bronze roses. And Hephaestus only made them for her.