(Hephaestus POV)

"Hephaestus, when is your birthday?"
I looked at Aphrodite through the restroom mirror.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not exactly sure what day I was born."

"How old were you when Thetis took you in?"

"I'm not sure of that either. Maybe, a young adult?" I stood at the doorway watching Aphrodite read a book.

"Why do you keep bombarding me with questions?"

"I was just curious is all." She yawned and stood up. Then she slowly opened the curtains to reveal the yellow sunlight.
This marvelous sight was enough to make me forget her craving for Ares. I wish I hadn't seen it so my mind could rest with bliss. For she was too aesthetic to keep up with.
"What?" I noticed I was looking at her too long and swiftly glanced away.
"Let us go eat breakfast."

The morning was just like any other. The servants, who Hera offered as one of her repentance gifts, served us a hot breakfast. The table was completely covered with eggs, barley porridge, grapes, myrtle berries, sun-dried grapes, and figs. Aphrodite took a sip of wine before she started up a conversation.
"Want to taste some? Its a new mix. Forgive me though, I have forgotten the ingredients haha."
"No that's alright..."
She smiled a bit. "Do you still dwell on what happened at the summit."
I stuffed some grapes into my mouth so I wouldn't have to answer.
"Haha! Don't be embarrassed. Even for Zeus that wine Dionysus brewed was too strong."
"It's my own choice to refrain from drinking for a while." I replied as I took a sip of water. Aphrodite kept snickering at my reactions.
"You are like a child sometimes, it's truly funny."

"I'll try not to be then."

"Oh, don't change over something I said Hephaestus. Haha, I would rather you act like this because it's too funny to watch."
She smiled while looking directly into my eyes.
That smile which I wish, on Zeus' name, I can trust, but I don't know if I can. I mean who is able to resist such a sublime ploy. No one and that's a fact.
I bet almost every god on Mount Olympus has wanted to have her body and love for their own. I truly do not want to doubt this women. With all of my heart I want to trust her and love her fully, but I do not want to get hurt by being a fool.

Thinking this, I grabbed the bottle of wine and poured a bit into my cup. A stale but sweet taste hit my tongue and slid down my throat.

"Uh, are you sure you want to drink that?"

Gulp. "Yes, I will take my chances so I can drink with Dionysus once again."

"I see." Aphrodite laughed one last time then stood up and walked over beside me. Her cold hand softly touched my cheek followed by a soft kiss upon my forehead.

As I said before, this was our daily routine and it hasn't changed even after I confronted her yesterday.
At sunrise we wake up, refresh ourselves; followed by small talk then breakfast. After she eats, she gets up kisses me on the cheek or forehead then goes to laze around the temple.
At first, I was particularly happy with the soft touches, but the longer they went on the more I want. The more I need...

I stood up, wiped the crumbs from my mouth and trudged over to the foyer.
Aphrodite was, once again, reading a romance book and running her fingers through her hair.
Slowly, I leaned over and kissed her on the lips. She did not distance herself nor kiss me back, just stayed still. I stepped back and once more, she beamed that dazzling smile of hers.

"Well that was sweet." The creases of her lips almost touched her ears. A smile that can fool anyone and even had me for a moment.
Suddenly, her smile dissipated as she looked off into the distance.

"What's wrong?" I said quickly, feeling embarrased at what I just did.

"Oh sorry, I just realized that was the first time we've kissed," Aphrodite smiled once more.
"We should do that more often."

".....Aye, if you want."

I turned around and began to walk towards the front door.

Hurt encased my heart faster and faster as the god Helios rose the sun to the top of the sky. There was nothing nor anyone who could stop this pain except for Aphrodite herself.

I covered my mouth with my hands and took a deep breath.

"I'll see you at supper."

"Alright. Work hard."

Speedily, I walked out the door and towards the ridge.
I wasn't going to be back for supper, probably not even for the night. I wanted to be alone to seize these worrisome thoughts and pray the Aphrodite will only love me.