The Breaking of a Union

Hephaestus had never been especially lucky with love. So, watching Aphrodite and Ares squirm in the net he’d made to catch them cheating didn’t particularly surprise or anger him. He crossed his arms and stared at them as they blindly groped for a way out. Finally, Aphrodite’s eyes lifted and met his. She scowled at him and lifted her chin defiantly. The irate spark in her gorgeous gray eyes made his heart leap despite himself.

It wasn’t enough to make him cave, though.

Hephaestus limped out of the room and into the study next to it. He returned with a folder and hit the button on his remote that would release the infidels from their prison. They tumbled gracelessly onto the bed as Hephaestus pushed himself to the closet, using the foot of the bed for support. He ripped one of her robes out of the closet, letting the bent wire hanger fall to the ground. He hurled her robe at her, not daring to look behind him. He could feel his heart beating in his chest and tears prickling at his eyes. This would be harder than he thought. He took a deep breath and laid out the foldable suitcase he’d invented. He began throwing her belongings onto the flat piece of fabric, not caring where they landed. He felt her eyes burning into his back the entire time. Turn around, they beckoned. Look at me. He kept at his task, trying his best to ignore her.

Finally, he made it to the last item in the closet. Her jewelry box. He stared at it for a few minutes. He’d made the box and their rings as a wedding present. In fact, he’d made nearly half of all her jewelry for some occasion or other. The box was full of intricately crafted rose gold, pearls, and polished seashells. He’d watched her eyes light up every time he presented her with a new piece. He wondered if any of it was real.

Ten years together, and she was suddenly an almost perfect stranger.

He reached for the box and stumbled. He heard Aphrodite’s breath catch in her throat and the sheets shift as she rose. His heart pounded as his face began to burn. He held out a hand, and she stopped. He didn’t need her help. He didn’t need anything from her, not anymore. Who the hell did she think she was?

He pushed himself to grab the box. His fingers latched onto it, and he slowly slid it off the shelf. He set it carefully in the middle of the pile on the suitcase. He tucked all the fabric and wood into the border he’d set and pressed the button. The device snapped up and folded itself into a suitcase. Hephaestus winced as the pieces clattered inside the jewelry box. Despite everything, he’d lovingly crafted most of the pieces in there. He didn’t want whatever cheap crap Ares probably bought her to get tangled with his and ruin them.

He finally turned and looked at his wife. She’d walked over and had been waiting behind him for a few minutes. Her eyes were misty as she stared at him. They looked at each other for a moment, and he tried to remember when they were newlyweds. When she was better at hiding her disgust at him.

She held out her arm and tilted her head, asking him if he was coming. He hesitated a moment before threading his arm through hers. He closed his eyes as she gently placed a kiss on his forehead. They walked to the study together, her support making the walk less physically painful.

He wished he could be more angry with her. He hoped that, at the very least, Ares would take the opportunity to dress and flee.

Once in the study, Aphrodite helped him settle into his desk chair. She leaned over him as he arranged the divorce papers on the desk. He slid a pen over to her, which she took without protest. She signed and initialed where he pointed, then handed back the pen when she finished. She hesitated before kissing him on the top of his head. Her hand brushed over his shoulder as she began to walk out. She started when his hand landed roughly on top of hers, but she didn’t pull away. They were silent for a minute, the air thick with the tension and heartache between them.

“Why?” he whispered, finally breaking. She froze, her breathing shaky. “Why him, of all people?” Aphrodite exhaled slowly.

“He wasn’t you,” she said quietly. Her voice was soft, calm, and measured. He laughed bitterly.

“Meaning he’s not a disgusting creature, I suppose,” he scoffed.

“I meant that he’s not particularly kind or sensitive,” she huffed. “He’s the god of war. He’s loud and brash, and really, his only desirable trait is how good he is in bed.” He snorted.

“You’re really so shallow that you can’t see past my face and my disability, aren’t you? Despite all my good qualities, despite how much I adore you, I’m still just a hideous beast you had to escape. You really think so little of me?”

“How dare you,” Aphrodite snapped. “You’re beautiful.” Her fingers dug into his shoulder. “More importantly, you’re kind. You’re thoughtful and passionate, and you put so much love into everything you do. Your love radiates from you and everything you make. I know I could’ve loved you if you hadn’t been forced on me. Ares is rude and brash, but he’s mine, and he is because I chose him. Not your mother, not Zeus, as his sick idea of a joke or a compromise, me. But, regardless of my choices, you do not get to disparage my husband. Do you understand?”

The whole thing was harder when he knew she genuinely cared.

“Ex-husband,” he managed to get out. “You signed the papers.”

“You didn’t,” she said. “And Hera has to approve them still.” He sighed softly and squeezed her hand.

“I will,” he said. “And I’ll get her to come around.”

“Okay,” she said quietly. Then, “Thank you.” His heart twinged. He squeezed her hand one more time before he finally let her go. She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze before walking out. She made sure to set up his walker by the door before the only trace left of her was her perfume.

He signed everything, then placed the finished divorce papers back in their folder. It was only fair to set them both free, regardless of whatever love might still be there. After that, he did his best to finish up his work. There were building permits to be signed, and he was designing a new staff for Hera for Mother’s Day. He tried not to think about how messy and complicated a divorce between two Olympian gods would be for mortals and divine beings alike. This would cause a lot of problems for a lot of people.

After staring at the blueprint for the staff for ten minutes, Hephaestus decided it was time to turn in. Aphrodite would be gone by now. He rose and made his way to his walker, using the desk to support him. The day had left him more drained than usual. The house was silent and dark as he made his way to the bedroom.

After arranging himself in bed, he carefully slid his wedding ring off and placed it on the nightstand. His heart twisted when he saw Aphrodite’s ring there, too. He’d been too tired to notice it. She left a note beside it, folded small. He grabbed it and unfolded it carefully, breathing in the last trace of her apple blossom and rose perfume.

Hephaestus,

Someday, you will find someone worthy of someone as beautiful as you. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be me.

Love,

Aphrodite.

She’d signed her name with a heart next to it like she did with all her notes. His hands began to tremble as he read the note over and over again. He placed it carefully on the nightstand with the rings, covered his mouth, and let himself sob. He might as well get it out now. The road ahead would be difficult. When he was finished, he laid down and tried to sleep in the half-empty bed. He touched her pillow, closed his eyes, and hoped they'd both come out happier on the other side.