(Hephaestus POV)
The second sunrise came faster than I expected, I thought as I rode my chariot up Mount Olympus. There stood Hermes, waiting on my arrival. His eyes looked the same as yesterday; very listless. I landed and greeted Hermes who nonchalantly responded.
"Is there something bothering you, Hermes?"
He looked over and quickly smiled, "Nothing much... Do not agonize over me."
"I know we do not know each other very well, but I'm a man of sentiments."
Hermes looked in the air then straight into my eyes.
"Haha, actually I was just shy to ask you this."
"What's wrong?"
"It is not that big of a concern, but I seem to be having a problem flying."
"Eh?"
"Aye. Y-you see, I'm not strong enough to carry heavy things..."
I looked at Hermes for a while wondering if what he said was authentic. If this was the real reason why he was livid, then he must have been having this problem for centuries!
"I can construct an item to your stature." My brows were furrowed when I responded.
"Oh, I appreciate your help...haha..."

"Yo, Hermes!" Both Hermes and I turned around to see Ares running up the stairs.
"Ha, I won!" He turned and jumped up and down.
"Oh no..." Hermes said under his breathe.
I looked over to where Ares stood and a man with dark long hair slowly came up the stairs. His black cloak lingered behind him as he stopped in front of Ares.
"How childish, I am not participating in this wishful rivalry."
"Eh, come on uncle, live a little." The man slapped Ares on the back of the head then treadled past him.
Could this be-
"Hades..." Hermes said a little frightened.
"I cannot believe you still invited me."
"P-please just attend at least one consultation...y-you've proved your point at the last one."
"That may be true, but I still hate attending."
"B-but the other gods have accepted you." Hermes stuttered with his words and avoided eye contact with the scary god.
"Aww, come on uncle. I told you not to scare Hermes." Ares smiled and patted Hermes on the back, but he avoided his touch.
"What's wrong?" Ares looked upon his little brother, but Hermes ignored him.
"Lets go inside Hephaestus." Hermes uttered as he grabbed my arm.
"Hephaestus, god a fire?" Hades' eyes pierced mine and fear struck my core.

"You are...truly unsightly..."

silence...

I tried to calm my raging heart, but it was almost too hard to control. I stared at Hades with so much detest and hate, I could barely even stand. Hades had the audacity, to smirk while looking at my face filled my vexation.
Suddenly he slapped the back of my head, like I was a child. "Haha! It was a jest!"
What? A joke?
"Do not take it to heart my boy."
Hades walked past me, still laughing at the situation.
"Are you surprised?" Ares said.
"That was Hades?"
"That's just how uncle is. You should be glad he likes you."
"Like's me." If that's his way of showing, then I'll let it be.

"Let us go Hephaestus, we've kept them waiting long enough." Hermes pulled me along setting more tension between Ares and himself.
But enough about that now, I should worry about the beautiful women who is soon to be mine.

(Aphrodite POV)

I waited in the throne room where all the other gods stared at me in awe. I was waiting for Hephaestus to enter so we could begin this idiotic exchange. After this marriage, I was supposed to follow my fathers orders. Knowing that Zeus could reveal Eros to everyone on Mount Olympus made me cringe with panic, especially if Ares found out that he has a child.

"Aphrodite." I turned around and Dionysus pulled me into his embrace. "How sad I am that I will not get to see your desire loving body again."

I quickly pushed Dionysus off and glanced around to see if anyone was looking. "Please don't do this here." I looked back at Dionysus who gladly stepped a few inches back.

"What? Are you afraid some would know of our affairs? Those who try to forget the past end up with burried hearts."

"That is only your imagination." I frowned at the wine god who smiled like a fool. Dionysus, another god looking for a women to tend to his "nether regions." I won't be dishonest and say we've never osculated, but that was one time and it was in the past.

"I'm astonished you would settle for a lame god like Hephaestus."

"He's a good man with a good heart. I feel no shame in marrying him." Dionysus smirked then looked at the entrance where Ares brashly tromped in.

"Aye, that's right. You feel no shame in marrying a man you don't love in front of the man you do love." Dionysus patted me on the shoulder. "Your heart makes me weep, Aphrodite, for how you will fare all these years with this feeble god. Yet, who cares about you..." Dionysus leaned in close enough to brush his lips on my ear.
"... I worry for Hephaestus when he finds out your heart is not his alone."

I pushed him away and glared at the wine god. "Don't speak nonsense."

"Haha! Do you still feel no shame in marrying him? Shame is something a good person feels." Dionysus, with his pessimistic attitude, bashed my heart like no other. For he was candor himself! And I was lies itself...

"I wonder what Ares thinks? Probably nothing for you as always." Dionysus laughed. "Tell Hephaestus we should drink together one day. Drinking makes us forget those who lie." Dionysus, still laughing, walked off to greet Ares.

Hephaestus walked in after Hades and Hermes then instantly looked around for my whereabouts. His broad shoulders stiffened once he saw me glaring at him. I took a deep breathe, trying to forget Dionysus' words, and with poise, I sashayed down the to his level.

"Hephaestus." I spoke smiling with all my might. "It is good to see you again, especially in this predicament is it not?" He seemed to be contemplating on what to say, but spoke in a calm manner.
"I am surprised you agreed to this?"
"As am I, but enough of that. Let us forget our friendliness and become lovers.
Hephaestus' face grew exceedingly shy. I almost burst out laughing, for I have never seen a man of his stature looking almost overwhelmed. I thought he was cute.
On a whim I caressed his cheek to comfort him. "It will be alright. I will be with you from now on." Again I smiled and he leisurely smiled back. I quickly glanced at Zeus and thought, is this what he wanted?

"Whats wrong?"

"Oh, naught. Let us start the exchange."

The union began and ended as it started. It was not what the humans would call a wedding, but a ceremony where the gods approved us. Of course no one would disagree with Zeus except for Hades. It was beautiful none the less and I appreciated all the gifts that were given. I looked among the crowd of gods and watched all their reactions to this superb party. Poseidon seemed to be beside himself, as he furiously glared at Hephaestus.

Ares, as expected, had no reaction to the matter and laughed with Dionysus. The festivity continued after the union and all the gods were joyful excluding Hades, who left right after. Hephaestus, who was speaking with Hestia about who knows what and I sat in the corner contemplating about life.
"

So, you get everything you desire regardless of if you want it or not." Athena sat beside me pushing her hair from her face.
"Athena, do you still dwell on Perseus and-"
"Please do not speak of that dunce. Anyhow, what are you planning?"
"What are you talking about?"
"No one in their right mind would marry Hephaestus. I mean he's not all that good-looking." Athena said as eagerness coated her eyes. She stared down Hephaestus like he was a piece of nourishment for her glorious mind.
I was confused by her actions and decided to ignore it. "I don't see it that way. I think he looks attractive."
"Oh, "In his own way" kind of thing? Please be truthful with me Aphrodite, there is no way you aren't concealing something from me. I've known you for centuries now, so tell me."
I hated this about Athena. Not only was she nosy, but she was clever in ways I couldn't even explain. Yet, when it comes to men, she's weak and easily fooled. Frankly I can't comprehend how her mind works and it irks me. Thank goodness, Apollo interrupted us before I had to say anything else.

"Have you seen Hermes?" Both Athena and I looked around, but he was nowhere in sight as was Ares. "I need him to deliver something for me."
"He must be with Ares." I said as I stood up. "I'll go look around."

"We'll continue this later, Aphrodite." Athena spoke as she stood up to leave.

I walked out the room and down the east hall. It was quiet; I couldn't even hear the reception going on in the throne room. I suddenly stopped when I heard whispering. Around the corner I could see Hermes and Ares arguing. This was very surprising, knowing that those two never fought, no matter what happened.

"Why are you acting so distant. Don't tell me you are mad that I went to visit Hades again?"

Hermes didn't even answer let alone glance at Ares.
"Even Hephaestus thinks you're acting weird. What? Was it something that Zeus said?"

Hermes jerked a bit giving Ares the answer he needed.

"That damned father."

"Wait Ares! Its not only father... Aphrodite...she."

"Eh, what about Aphrodite?"

"Yes, what about me?" I instantly stepped in and startled both of them. Hermes looked scared, almost on the verge of tears when I glared at him. I know he wanted so badly to tell Ares about Eros, but I will not let that happen!
"Don't bother us Aphrodite."

"I believe I have a right to listen in, especially if my name is spoken." I continued to glare at Hermes with a fake smile.

"Hermes, what about me?"
"N-nothing--"
"Oh, really? Well lets keep it that way shall we?"
Hermes scampered out of the room with his hidden glory, leaving Ares and I alone.

"I will find out sooner or later, you know that right?

"Who knows?" I smiled at the annoyed Ares. He was the man who only thought of me as a sister, but accepted my love for only one moment. After that, he thought nothing of it and we went back to what we were before. Not only have I accepted our relationship, I'm glad he doesn't want me. Many may think that strange, but it's the truth; I love those that don't love me. Because those who love me only see me for my looks and my power of lustful influence.
Ares see's past all that unlike all the others.

I walked back into the main hall and looked upon my forced husband. He smiled as he spoke with Artemis and Demeter. I smiled at how innocent he was and kind of wished he had stayed out of this godly world. His warm small and kind heart were so pure, I am happy I am not like my past self any longer.
I want to be genuine with the God of fire, while I also try to find my newborn self.

For we are wedded and everyone knows what that means...