(Hephaestus POV)

Its been 5 months since Aphrodite and I have been married and everything has been going swell. I have a beautiful wife who smiles only for me and laughs with me yet, why does she look so unhappy at times?
If I'm not looking, she will stare off into the distance and sigh like the world has forgotten her. Have I done something? No, someone must have spoke ill of her. I try to get an answer, but everytime I ask her, she smiles and says nothing.
I thought of this while forging a golden winged helmet for Hermes. The gold and binding metal came together as one as I finished the last carving of the wings. I stepped back and looked upon the head wear with joy. Taking a deep breathe, I wiped the sweat from my face and walked outside. After trudging up the big hill, I opened the door to the white abode. I expected to see Aphrodite sitting in the foyer, but she was nowhere to be found.
"Welcome back lord Hephaestus." one of the servants said as I sat down. I am still uncomfortable with having servants around the house, but it's not like I can get rid of them.
"Where is Aphrodite?"
"She went out around noon. To where, I do not know."
"Alright, thank you. You can leave for the day." I waved my hand for them to go and they did accordingly.
I guess the only thing to do is wait for her to return.

(Aphrodite POV)

I sat in a familiar chair where I haven't sat in months. Zeus's throne room still as white and clean as before, was clear of any servant that should be around. Father was once again pacing back and forth thinking of what to say.
"Are you ever going to speak?"
"I can't just call for my daughter and spend some time with her."
"Please Zeus, stop procrastinating and tell me what is it you want?" I had no time to be sitting here when Hephaestus is probably worrying about me.
"I need you to tell Hephaestus to forge a bow and arrows."
I stopped all of my movement then peered at Zeus with curiosity.
"Bow and arrows? For Apollo?"
Zeus stopped pacing then looked at me. "Aphrodite, did you know Eros holds powers? Not even I knew until I asked Hermes to surveillance him."
"How dare you spy on my son!"
"Why wouldn't I? He is the son of a war god and the goddess of love. It peeked my interest, so I had Hermes spy on him."
"I wish you would stop asking Hermes to do these types of things. He will become bitter."
"Aye... But be will be more useful that way." At that second, I wish I had a knife to impale Zeus in the back. Its not that I hate Zeus, I loathe him and that selfish, doltish, evil brain of his, but I can't stand against him. He's stronger than me and he took me in as his daughter when no else one would. Now Hephaestus has been brought into this mess as if his life did not matter!

"I'm surprised you didn't ask Hermes to do this bidding? What are you planning?"
"...This is not something he needs to do."
"I swear you contradict yourself like no other."
"Just remember, you will do as I say, or-"
"I know!"
Unexpectedly, Ares walked in with Hermes. My heart started beating rapidly. I had almost forgotten what he looked like. I missed his pitch black curly hair and his narrow dark eyes. The part I missed the most was his voice which at one point made me drown in pleasure. He was drenched in sweat and out of breathe as he flipped the hair from his face. His shoulder muscles flexed slightly as he bent down to wipe the dirt from his pants. I remember every blemish, every action, every breathe he's ever taken. This was love.

"What is it you want?" He spoke down to Zeus just like always.
"What is this dispute with Poseidon?!"
"Oh that. He keeps annoying uncle with jewel this and jewel that. It was bothersome so I threw one at his trident and surprise surprise, it shattered." Ares laughed at his own words while I tried to hide my smile.
"You will bring it to Hephaestus and get it fixed right away!"
Ares glanced around, "since when do you tell me what to do?"
Father was about through with Ares, and began to create a bolt until Hermes stopped him.
"Father, I will see to it myself that he gets the trident fixed." Hermes said in a dull tone.
Zeus nodded and swiftly left the room.

"What was that Hermes? You'll see to it that I do what?" Ares said while ruffling Hermes' hair. Instantly, Hermes pushed Ares away and looked back at me.
"I saw your chariot outside, will you take Ares there. I'll leave before you." Hermes walked out the door without looking back.
I stepped down the high flooring and walked beside Ares. "You two still fighting?"
"Nothing like that...who knows what troubles him..."
"Maybe it's a women?" We stepped onto the chariot and began to float in the air.
"If it was, he would have told me."

"Wait? When has Hermes ever talk about women."
"Huh? Millions of times. He's not innocent you know. He's also a man."

"I'm sorry, I try not to pry into other peoples relationships."

Ares side eyed me before speaking. "Well, that does not matter. He will be over whatever troubles him soon."

"I have to admit, this is worse than the quarrel he had with Apollo." I laughed while touching Ares's shoulder.
"Yeh, but they immediately made up when Hermes gave him that Lyre." Ares pouted. "I'm sure Zeus said something to make him angry with me..."
"Probably..." I said as I laid my head onto his shoulder. He didn't say anything nor push me off so we stayed like this until we landed. I am sure he feels nothing when we are together, but if there is just a bit of hope then maybe I can give up.

Walking up the stairway, I could hear Hermes laughing with Hephaestus. It was a shock to both Ares and I and it made me wish that I could tell Ares why Hermes was being distant, but I can't...not yet.
"Aphrodite, you should have told me you were leaving earlier." Hephaestus stood up and walked towards me.
"Forgive me, I didn't want to bother you."
"Nice to see you again Ares."
"Same to you." We all walked inside and sat down.
"Hermes told you that I accidentally broke Poseidon's trident?"
"He did...I'll just need a few pieces of the original then I can fix it."
"Here." Ares pulled out a few shiny sapphire pieces of metal from his pocket.
"You kept a few pieces?" I said about to laugh.
"Yes, I wanted to brag about my glory." Ares smiled at me making my heart feel warm. He was always like this. Being with him here made me feel at home. I really missed being in his presence.

(Hephaestus POV)

What was that?

For a split second, I found myself staring into the face of the women I can't help but love, yearning for another man.

Was it my imagination?

Actually, I've seen this expression before at the summit of the gods. That one expression which I thought was finally mine, but now I know it to be different. The way she stirred about while sitting next to him or how her eyes haven't even glanced at me since she walked in.

What was this?

"Hephaestus?" I heard Hermes' voice break my thoughts.
"Ah, yes I can surely fix it with this amount. Also, I have the thing you asked for, Hermes."
I quickly stood up expecting Aphrodite to at least look at what I was grabbing for, but she did't.

"You said your sandals alone were not fast enough so I made you a helmet." Hermes eyes grew big as he took hold of the armor.
"Its magnificent...perfect. I thank you a million times."
I looked over to where Aphrodite sat and still she did not peer at Hermes and I. A sudden pain went through my heart. I couldn't stand it anymore; I have to leave.

"Well you all take your time, I'll start on the trident." Swiftly I left the house wanting nothing more than to believe it be a lie.

Aphrodite is in love with Ares...