Hera lays down on her bed. She's never felt such sorrow in her life. She was so tired of being locked in this never-ending loop of hatred and sadness, she finally found her little bit of happiness. Yet that happiness had to be found in another man.
She had tried to love Zeus look past all his flaws and convince herself that he could be the god she could truly like, love even.
But he had to embarrass her, degrade her with his countless affairs and mistresses.
She wasn't always so hateful she was once even considered caring. Her love for animals and marriage always filled her with joy, but what else was she to do. The way she saw it she only had two options was to roll over and take it or to fight.
So she did. But one can only fight for so long. She'd grown so tired she just wanted to rest without thinking of Zeus or any of the other gods.
That's where she met him.
On some faraway land on earth. She was disguised as a commoner and instantly noticed him because of his bright red hair. She had never seen anything like it.
He had these bright green eyes and such a wide smile that she caught herself smiling too. He wasn't built like a god but he had strong muscles and broad shoulders. You could tell that he spent his days doing some kind of work.
She didn't even realize she was gawking until she'd been caught. She immediately hid her face hiding the blush on her ivory skin.
He starts stalking towards her so she tries to act like she looking at fruit from a nearby vendor.
"H-hi" a smooth voice says from behind me
She turns around and looks up at him, although gods were naturally taller than most. When she was in her human disguise she was only 5'7. He was sweating from the heat, he looked so nervous. He was scratching the back of his neck unintentionally flexing his bicep.
"Hello" after she says that there a moment of silence where they're just gazing at each other.
"Is there a reason you've approached me?" She says with a raised eyebrow.
"Nope...not at all" he says with a toothy grin.
That's where it had all started he was so filled with love and joy that it filled her. Before she could even realize it She had fallen deeply in love with him. She went to see him every day telling anyone who asked that she was tending to her garden or animals in a place where they knew only She was allowed. She never thought Zeus would notice or even care his eyes were always on another woman. Trying so hard to keep their existence hidden from her she thought he'd be relieved to know her every thought was no longer about him or his conquests.
How foolish she was.
No matter what Zeus did, he loved Hera. He had grown suspicious of how Hera was suddenly uninterested in him and what he did. And how she was spending more and more time in her garden. He never bothered going in there he knew how unhappy she was and that was her sanctuary. But he knew Hera, he knew when something was up. So he went to her garden the place was filled with exotic plants and all kinds of animals but mostly birds, her favorite, he searched everywhere but she was nowhere to be found.
He called for Hermes one of the most clever and mischievous gods. He told him to find Hera and then inform him immediately. The god was quick his winged sandals made him as fast as lightning.
He quickly spotted Hera in a small village far from most civilization, she was dining with a man with red hair. He saw her smiling so wide he hesitated that it was actually her. In all the centuries he'd known Hera he never seen her smile and laugh with such joy.
Zeus would surely put a stop to this it was more than clear that she was in love with the man. Never In a million years did he think Hera would ever cheat on Zeus, it wasn't that she loved him but she took what little pride she had as the goddess of marriage and childbirth.
He thought for a second not telling Zeus about her affair. He could go back and lie to Zeus. Let her keep he little bit of happiness. Than all the awful things she had done ran through his mind. The horrible things she's done to the victims of Zeus and others. It's time she got what she deserved.
He hurried back to Zeus and told him his findings. To say he was upset would be an understatement. The sky's turned gray as storm clouds rolled in. Rain began to pour down on earth with violent strikes of lightning. Zeus demanded that Hermes take him to her.
.
.
.
For months Aiden and Hera have been getting to know each other. They were both well aware of the feelings they had for one another. But Hera refused to let herself give up the little dignity she still had left. No matter how much she loved him she had said her vows and made her promise and she would honor it. Aiden knew she was trapped in a loveless marriage she had told him the story of how her husband raped her and she agreed to marry him out of shame. He respected her decision to only be friends but that did not lessen his love for her.
He would respect her boundaries he only wished for just the slightest touches. The graze of their shoulder or a pat on the arm. If only he knew those innocent touches would soon be the death of him.
They were at a small shop eating and talking about nothing of importance. When the sky suddenly changed shades. Hera knew immediately what it was.
He had found out. He knew.
Hera was quick. She grabbed Aiden's hand and ran she knew there was nowhere they could go where Zeus couldn't reach them, but something horrific was about to happen and the fewer people they were around the better.
They ran into an open field when Zeus suddenly appeared before him with Hermes behind him.
His eyes were pure white rage.
"It's not what you think" she said in one breath.
Though his focus was not on her only her redheaded lover.
He lets out a loud and deep cackle. He looked insane.
"Ohhhh So this is the man who's been making my wife so happy lately." He let out another cackle "He's barely even a man!" He says with more anger.
"He's more of a man than you will ever be." Hera challenges.
Zeus laughed even harder and turn to Hermes "You hear that she think he's more of a man than me"
He turns so quickly no one was prepared for it when he backhands Hera across her face. Yet she stands her ground. "MORE OF A MAN THEN ME!! YOUR RIGHT I AM NO MAN I AM A GOD!!!" With that thunder booms loudly as lightning strikes the ground.
"I've done nothing wrong" Hera says golden blood running down her face.
"NOTHING WRONG! YOU'RE FUCKING ANOTHER MAN!"
"I have never shared a bed with him nor have I even kissed him. I've barely even touched him." she says steadily trying to stay calm
"YOU SAY THAT AS YOU CLING TO HIM SO TIGHTLY." He yells pointing out Hera's iron grip on Aiden's hand. She lets go of him.
"And so what I've committed no crime or sin" she explains nonchalantly.
He steps closer "You've may not have given him your body but I know he holds your heart." He reaches his hand up and caresses her cheek "And that my dear belongs to ME!"
She slaps his hand away "MY HEART NEVER HAS AND NEVER WILL BELONG TO YOU!"
"She's right" Aiden says smoothly he knew Hera wasn't like other women. It didn't surprise him that she was 'The Hera' her beauty was too great to be only human.
"You can take a lot from a person. Their pride, their happiness, their worth. But the heart that can only be given." He says rain dripping down his face.
"HE SPEAKS!" Zeus says mockingly
Zeus grabs him by his throat "And it will be the last time."
Hera panics she grabs Zeus arm "No Zeus don't do this! He's done nothing wrong!" Zeus can't even hear Hera's words he so clouded with rage.
She gets on the ground sobbing, she bows her head to the ground. "I'm begging you."
Hermes is beyond shocked Hera was a queen, title or not she has never done something so degrading especially not to Zeus. He wasn't sure she knew of his presence her sole focus was on Zeus and her lover.
She slowly looks up, Zeus staring down at her. Her eyes were filled with such sorrow and angst. He had done this to her. this boy.
Zeus was stunned seeing his queen in this state begging for the life of this mere human. It was his fault! This weak human has ruined his queen!
"NO HERA YOU ARE MINE!"
Snap.