#Zeus!Walter | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

hotchscoffeecup · 1 year ago

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“Power Struggle”

Pairing: Aaron Hotchner/Reader

Rating: M

Category: Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Word Count: 7.2k

Summary: For months, you and SSA Aaron Hotchner have been toeing the boundary between romance and your careers. When the unsub that's been killing women in Michigan by way of replicating Zeus' punishments from Greek mythology takes you as his next victim, it's up to Hotch and the rest of the BAU team to find you before it's too late. Hurt/comfort and angst with happy ending.

Tags: graphic depictions of violence, reader kidnapped by unsub, blood, implied SA, nudity, electrocution, scarring, hospitals

“You’re telling me someone is out here killing people to recreate, what? Greek legends?” Sheriff McCullen’s brow pinches as he shakes his head.

“Legends are stories often loosely based on a real person or event to teach us a lesson. Mythology is based on supernatural or sacred lore and explains why things came to be. It’s a common mistake.” Reid speaks quickly and methodically, as if reciting from a textbook. “It’s straight out of the mythos,” he explains, his voice tinged with something akin to excitement as he approaches the whiteboard where photos of the victims had been pinned up for review. Using a ballpoint pen as a pointer, he taps the first image of the first victim. “Regina Manford, she was found tied to a boulder in Craig Lake State Park with her liver removed. Animal predation showed birds had pecked at her while she was still alive. In Greek mythology, Zeus did this to Prometheus to exact revenge on him after he stole fire to give to man.”

Reid moves on to the next victim, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he did so. “Sarah Walters was found bound to an old water wheel that had been set on fire. Greek Mythology suggests this is a copy of Zeus’ punishment for Ixion.”

“And what did he do to deserve that?” asks the sheriff.

Reid’s lips form a tight line. “He was invited into Zeus’ home on Olympus. After attempting to seduce his wife, Hera, Zeus punished him by binding him to a wheel of fire cursed to spin forever toward the underworld. She might’ve smiled or even looked at him, and in his delusion believed she was a seductress deserving of punishment.”

“So, what? This guy sees himself as some sort of god?”

“We believe that is his delusion, yes,” answers Emily. “Each victim also bore signs of sexual trauma, this is something Zeus is also renowned for in the mythology. Our unsub thinks he’s infallible and that these women’s lives and deciding when and how these women live and die is his divine right.”

“Do we know if there will be more victims?” asks one of the detectives.

You step forward from your place between Morgan and Hotchner. “Given the number of victims Zeus punished within the mythology, we can assume he is not finished. These kills are two weeks apart. It’s been twelve days since the last body was found. We can only assume he’s currently hunting for his next victim. And when he finds one, he convinces her to go to a second location. It's once they leave the primary location that he attacks. In each case, the victim suffered a blow to the head, leaving a uniquely shaped gash in her forehead. This suggests that he strikes them with a distinct blunt object or even a ring that’s on his hand.”

“We need every man out on the streets,” Hotch states, his eyes hard as he scans the group of law enforcement gathered to receive the profile. “He stalks his victims in the city, often on the weekends when night life is busiest. He’s charming. He has no problem approaching women because he views himself as a deity and carries himself with the arrogance and confidence of one. He’s white, in his early to mid 30s, good looking, charming, and likely has a career that would’ve provided him with medical training.”

A female detective with short blonde hair sticks her pencil in the air. “How do we know that?”

“The incisions made on Regina’s body were clean, precise, and showed no signs of hesitation,” explains Rossi. “The M.E. also informed us that the hepatic artery was clamped off, meaning,” Rossi hesitates before continuing on, “meaning Regina Mansford was alive as her liver was being cut from her body.”

An uncomfortable murmuring breaks out. Hotch raises a hand, silencing them. Your mouth goes dry and you swallow, hoping your team doesn’t notice the way your eyes dilate when you look at him and the silent way in which he can command a room.

“This is why we need every available officer on the streets. Increase units in the downtown area. Have plain clothes officers on the streets. That’s where we’ll be. Thank you.” Hotch tucks his head and sweeps out of the bullpen, the rest of the team trailing after him into the conference room.

“Where do you want us?” asks Morgan as you shut the door to the conference room.

“Reid, I want you here working the geographical profile. See if there’s anything we missed that could bring us closer to a precise location where he’s kidnapping his victims. Rossi and JJ, I want you to go back to Sarah’s apartment and see if we missed anything that tells us where she was exactly on the night she was kidnapped. Derek and Emily take the north side of downtown.” He inclines his head toward you. “You and I will take the south side.”

His eyes linger on yours a moment longer than they ought to have. You dip your head and swiftly exit the room, jacket in hand as you prepare to brave not only the frigid Michigan cold but working one one-on-one with Hotch. This had been going on for months; subtle looks, brief touches where his fingers would slide over yours while passing off a case file…yet a part of you still wasn’t sure if it would ever go any further than that. You spend so much of your time with the team, it would be so easy to mistake one gesture for something that it wasn’t. Yet you knew that wasn’t true. You know behavior. You’re trained to recognize the subtlest of shifts in demeanor and body language and you know exactly what is going on.

You jump as someone pushes through the front door of the precinct. Emily’s gentle laugh disrupts your rumination. “Sorry,” she says, “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

She moves to stand closer to you as she zips her jacket. “The guys went to grab the cars.”

You nod and shove your hands in your pockets.

Emily arches a perfectly manicured brow. “What’s up?”

You school your expression and feign nonchalance. “Nothing, I just want to catch this guy before he hurts anyone else.”

Emily’s brow furrows and then straightens, a glimmer of knowing in her eye. “Something tells me there’s a different guy on your mind.”

Your heart skips a beat and you nearly choke on the crisp winter air. “What? I don’t—“ Your words falter as Derek and Hotch arrive, the SUVs humming to a gentle stop at the curb.

Emily eyes you, a sly smile curving one side of her red lips. “We’ll talk later.” She winks and steps forward to open the passenger side door, sliding inside and disappearing into the dark interior.

As you turn to move toward the SUV, Hotch is there, opening the door for you. The gesture surprises you, but it shouldn’t. He’d been doing little things like this for weeks now. You nod your head in thanks and as you turn your body to slide past him, his hand catches your hip. Your breath hitches in your throat as his fingers glide against the small of your back, guiding your movement into the vehicle.

His hard eyes meet yours as he shuts the door and you’re grateful for the shadows inside the car as you feel your face flush bright red. Hotch slides into the driver’s seat with ease. He shifts the car into gear and pulls onto the road, heading in the direction of downtown.

After a few minutes, you open your mouth to disrupt the silence, but his cell rings. Hotch answers and places it on speaker as JJ’s voice floats through the receiver, “Hotch, we think we’ve got something at Sarah Walters apartment.”

“What’s that?” you ask.

“There’s a sticky note in her trash can,” a garbled sound echoes through the speaker as she shifts the phone. The sound of paper crinkles as she reads, “Tony’s at 9, does that mean anything? Has Garcia come across a Tony in any of her research into the victims’ lives? Maybe an Anthony?”

An image of a neon sign flashes across your mind’s eye. “It’s a bar,” you say matter-of-factly.

“A bar?”

“I remember seeing the sign on our drive-in. It’s a bar on the south side of downtown. That could be where he’s meeting these women.”

“We’re only a few blocks away, we’ll head there now. Thank you, JJ.” He hangs up and slips the phone into his jacket pocket.

“How do you want to play this?” you ask.

“We go in, make observations, see if we can identify anyone that matches the profile.”

You smirk and a small laugh escapes your lips.

“Something funny?” Hotch asks, his voice low in his throat.

You purse your lips, pausing before you proceed. “If we go in looking like feds, we’ll scare this guy away.” You tilt your head, considering. “Well, one of us anyway.”

A slight twitch in his brow is the only indication your words have just barely gotten under his skin. “Touched a nerve, sir?”

As the traffic light ahead blinks red, he eases the car to a stop. He breathes out slowly, the amber glow of the stoplight reflecting in his eyes. In less than two heartbeats, he thrusts the car into park and with both hands clasps your face, drawing you in to kiss you with such fervor white spots dot your vision. It takes a moment to process the heat of his mouth on yours and the way his tongue slides between your lips, and before you can truly reciprocate the light turns green and he pulls back, his breathing ragged against your mouth as his forehead touches yours. “Be careful when and how you choose to call me sir.”

Before you can exhale, his eyes are on the road again and you’re driving deeper into downtown.

“Understood,” and then you add, almost imperceptibly, “sir.”

A small smile quirks at the corner of his lips, but he says nothing more as you approach your destination.

It's nearing 9:30pm when you pull up on the street parallel to Tony’s. People trickle in and out of the bar in groups of twos and threes; most are young, in their mid to late twenties.

“Right,” you say as you unbuckle your seatbelt and turn to exit the vehicle. “Stay here.”

“Excuse me?” Hotch asks, reaching over your lap and grabbing your wrist to stay your hand from popping the door open. Your breathing stills and he just barely turns his face toward yours. “Since when do you give me orders?”

Unsure where the confidence to challenge him comes from, you lean in near his ear. You swallow once before speaking. “I think you like taking them.” Feeling incredibly brazen, you nip at his ear once and as the unexpected gesture disarms him; flick your wrist out of his grasp and pop the door open. You slide out of the car and are immediately greeted by the frigid January air eliciting goosebumps up and down your arms. Extending an arm overhead to hang on to the frame of the SUV; you lean down into the cab of the vehicle. “I’ve got you right here,” you say as you tap the hidden earpiece. “Let me know if you see anyone from the outside that fits the profile.”

Hotch eyes you and there’s a fierceness in his gaze. You wonder if he’s thinking of how he’ll ultimately retaliate for your little role reversal now that he’s gone and upped the ante in this little game of cat and mouse. “See you soon,” you wink and slam the door shut.

As you approach the bar, you make sure your coat is buttoned in a way that hides your sidearm and credentials from sight. The bouncer doesn’t even pretend to ask for an ID as you approach and move through the front door with ease. As you cross through the threshold, your senses are assaulted by the smell of beer on tap, the sharp tang of liquor, grease, and an amalgamation of perfumes and colognes.

Immediately you begin scanning the room. You note the layout of the bar: three exits for patrons, the one you just came in through, one near the bathrooms for cigarette smokers, and an emergency exit on the far right wall near to the kitchen. There are three pool tables all of which are occupied as well as three dart boards along the far wall. Groups of friends engage one another and dates carry on without a hitch. You approach the bar, which is centered along the far wall. Stools line the high countertop and behind the bar, two women work to fulfill the never-ending drink orders. You approach the bar and slide into one of the empty seats, relaxing your shoulders as you do so, and order a rum and coke that you don’t plan on drinking.

After a moment the bartender drops a cocktail napkin in front of you and places the drink on top. You thank her and stir the contents of the drink with the swizzle stick popped inside.

“Is this seat taken?” an unfamiliar voice causes the hair on the back of your neck to prickle and you know immediately that it’s him.

Painting on a saccharine sweet smile, you turn toward the voice. A white man, standing at about 6’2”, is smiling down at you. The neon lights behind the bar reflect in his blue-gray eyes and his honey blonde hair falls in soft waves to his shoulders. “Please,” you say demurely and gesture toward the seat. You tell him your name and continue smiling.

“Ronan Carlson,” he introduces himself as he slides in beside you and adjusts the lapels on his leather jacket, a fake Rolex peeking out from his sleeve. He’s preening, you think to yourself. The bartender approaches from behind the bar and he smiles, the curve of his lips the opening act of his charming performance. “I’ll have what she’s having, thank you.” He pulls a roll of cash from the inner pocket of his jacket, flips through several bills, and pulls a $100 bill free before sliding it across the counter to her.

The bartender’s eyes widen in surprise and he winks at her. She nods her thanks and turns to make his drink.

“That was very kind of you,” I say, stirring my drink for the thirteenth time.

He shrugs and tips the baseball cap he’s wearing down over his eyes and you know it’s to obstruct the view the cameras have of him. “It’s only money, and I think I may have made her night.” He inclines his head toward the bartender whose head is bent close to the other woman’s. She’s smiling wide and shows her the $100 bill.

Internally, you roll your eyes hard, but externally you smile and look at him from beneath your lashes. “You must have a great job, what do you do for work?”

His hand flexes as he sets his drink down on the counter and you note the two chunky platinum rings he wears on his right hand. There are symbols etched into them offset by different colored stones, but you don’t want him to catch you staring as he answers, “I’m in business for myself these days,” he says with no further explanation. “Though I used to be in the military.”

You feign surprise, though you were hopeful he’d continue to divulge information. “The military, wow. Let me guess,” you pause and allow your eyes to slowly scan him from head to toe. You remember the profile. “Army…medic.”

“Reign it in,” you hear Hotchner’s voice through the earpiece. “Be mindful of how much you reveal to him. Don’t let him know you know more about him than he’s letting on.”

You watch him assess you and your read into him. One blonde brow creeps up toward his hairline and that wicked smile curves his lips again. “Excellent guess, how do you figure?”

Leaning on to your forearms, you push your drink aside and slide your hand over his and you don’t miss the way his fingers tense at your touch.

“It’s the hands,” you say coyly. “You look like you know how to handle yourself.” He relaxes under your touch and a heat ignites in his eyes that makes your stomach churn, but you don’t let it show on your face. “You look like you know how to handle a lot of things.”

He licks his lips and turns the ring on his finger. “Tell you what,” he says as he picks up his drink. He places the glass to his lips and downs its contents. “Why don’t we get out of here?” He looks down at you from beneath dark lashes. “And I’ll show you just how much I can handle.”

You stand up and flash him a grin. “Let me quickly freshen up and I’ll meet you out front.”

His lips quirk into a smirk, “I’ll meet you in the parking lot.”

You smile as you slip away toward the bathroom. As you push through the crowd you inform Hotch that the unsub is on his way out.

“There’s a line growing out the door,” he answers over the earpiece. “Does the description match the profile?”

“To a T,” you answer as you push past a couple with their tongues in each other's mouths. The amount of patrons has increased dramatically over the last hour. The volume of the music makes it hard to hear through the earpiece. You push your way into the restroom and are surprised to find it empty. Fortunately, the outside noise is muffled. You begin to describe Ronan’s appearance and note the jacket and hat he’s wearing. “He’s wearing two oddly shaped rings,” you add. “I think it’s what’s caused the unusual injury to the victims’ faces.”

“I’ve got him. He’s cutting through the line toward the parking lot.” You hear the car door open and slam.

“Got it, I’ll be right there.”

“Good work,” Hotch says over the open line.

You smile to yourself as you unbutton your jacket, glad to be on the receiving end of his praise. For a split second you wonder what else you could be on the receiving end of if you continue to play this game with him. After the case, you remind yourself. Priorities. Priority number one is getting this sick bastard off the street, and he’s right here within your grasp. You shoulder the door as you reach for your gun, positioning your thumb over the rotating hood to dislodge your weapon from its holster.

Over the speakers, an employee is calling to celebrate someone’s birthday. The crowd is distracted and pushing toward the source of celebration. The bar erupts into an off key rendition of Happy Birthday but you don’t hear it as 30,000 volts of electricity course through your veins. Your muscles spasm and lock up as you fall forward. Pain radiates from your abdomen in waves that crash over you again and again. You try to tell your body what to do as strong arms catch you and pull you into a chest that smells like cigarette smoke, but your limbs don’t cooperate. You feel his nose root into your hair as his lips find your ear. “How’s that for capable?”

As he shoulders your weight and steers you out through the emergency exit you hear Hotch’s voice in your ear. “It’s not him!” There’s an edge of panic in his voice as he says your name. “Do you copy? It’s not him. He gave another man $500 to wear his hat and jacket into the parking lot. It’s not him. Do you have eyes on him?”

Dark spots the edges of your vision as he drags your dead body weight. You try to focus all of your ability on getting out any words that can signal to Hotchner what’s happening, any at all but your mouth feels like it’s filled with cotton.”

You hear the tinkling of keys and a door slide open. Pain rattles through your skull as he throws you into the back of whatever vehicle he’s operating. Pain slices through your wrists as zip ties slice through the skin there. Through tunnel vision you see him leering at you. He’s backlit by the streetlights.

As his fist flies toward you, you finally manage one word.

“Aaron.”

•

When you come to, the first thing you feel before the splitting pain in your head threatens to cleave your mind in two, is cold.

Your mouth is dry, but as you move to lick your lips you realize you can’t because there’s a gag in your mouth. You try to move your hands, but they’re bound too. Zip ties cut into each wrist, securing them at your sides on the legs of a wooden chair. When you try to shift the chair, you learn that it’s bolted to the floor and your legs are spread open; zip ties at your knees and ankles keep them apart. Except for your bra and underwear, you’re naked. He undressed you. You feel the wound from the stun gun before you glance down at your stomach and see the two bloody pinpricks in your abdomen. You feel your heart rate increase as panic begins to set in. Do not panic , you tell yourself as you take a steadying breath. The minute you start to panic, you’re dead. You close your eyes and piece together the last dredges of your memory.

Tony’s. Sitting at the bar. The unsub. Ronan. Hotch was in pursuit. And then there was just pain.

Hotch.

The pain in your skull is overwhelming and you’re not sure if you can feel the earpiece anymore.

“Hotch,” you attempt to say through the gag. “Hotch, do you read me?”

You close your eyes as hot tears brim along your lash line when there’s no response. The signal is out of range or the unsub found the earpiece and removed it.

A door creaks open on squeaky hinges and your eyes dart toward the source of the sound. Ronan walks through the door with a sick smile on his face. As he saunters toward you, he rolls the sleeves of his flannel up to his elbows. Without looking away from you, his arm drops to his side and he scoops a folding metal chair with one hand, carrying it with him as he edges closer to you.

You flinch as he cracks the chair down in front of you, forcing it open. He chuckles as he takes a seat. His eyes skirt the length of your body and you wish any limb were free to deliver a blow to his smug face.

He reaches into his back pocket and withdraws your badge. He flips it open and holds it up to your face, the way his eyes flit between you and your credentials makes your lip curl.

“An FBI agent,” he says slowly. He slaps your credentials shut against his denim-clad thighs. “Hot damn!” he shouts and whoops. He throws your badge to the wayside and it clatters against the cement floor. “I’m going to take my time with you.”

It could’ve been hours. It could’ve been minutes. The torture is unrelenting and the pain is unending. Your chest heaves as you brace yourself for the next surge of electricity. Ronan, if that’s even his real name, twists the knob on the amplifier and taps the jumper cable clamps in his hands together. He smiles when he hears the buzz of electricity between them. As he presses them into your thighs, you cry out in pain as the shockwaves paralyze your body and mind and the pain overwhelms you.

“YES!” he roars as he pulls them away from you. He’d taken his flannel off, but now he peels off his t-shirt, balls it up, and uses it to wipe the sweat off of his face.

With the voltage no longer coursing through your veins, you slump forward, chest heaving as your scrambled brain fights to stay alert.

He drops the cables and clasps your face in his hand, forcing your chin up to meet his wild eyes. “You just don’t quit, do you? You're special.” He strokes your cheeks with his thumbs as if he cherishes what he’s doing to you. “You are worthy of a god.”

When you come to Ronan is watching you. He’s leaning forward, elbows on his knees, chin resting on his clasped hands.

“She wakes,” he muses.

You glare at him and his brow pinches. He purses his lips together like he’s been stung, but his eyes are alight with amusement.

“You,” he says, gesturing up and down your body, “look beautiful.”

You don’t need to look down to know the number of bloodied burn wounds spanning the lengths of your legs. If you couldn’t keep track of any other thought, the count was all that kept you grounded. There were ten. Five on each leg. Your wrists and ankles bled from the way you’d pulled against them with every shock he delivered.

He reaches forward and this time you don’t flinch. He hooks two fingers into the gag and pulls it down over your chin, his fingers trailing your lips as he does so.

“Here,” he says, bringing a bottle of water to your lips. “Drink.”

You clamp your lips shut and turn your face away. He laughs and shakes his head. “Come on now, don’t refuse me. That’s not how you show gratitude when a god shows you mercy.”

You muster as much hatred into your stare as you focus your attention back on him. “Mercy?” you hiss, and your voice is hoarse from screaming against the gag. It hurts to speak. You pull against your restraints. “This is what you call mercy?”

“I’m only testing you to see if you’re worthy,” he says by way of explanation. "You've lasted longer than the others."

“Worthy of what?” you ask, but you already know the answer.

“To be my Hera.”

“How is what you’re doing to me, what you did to those other women, going to help you find her?”

“They weren’t worthy,” he answered. “They couldn’t take my power like you could, my lightning. They were false. They needed to be punished.”

He leans in, his lips close enough to yours that you can feel his smoky breath on your skin. “But you, you deserve to be rewarded.” Your skin bristles at his words. His lips find your jawline and you grimace as he drags them up the side of your face. When he pulls away, dried blood flakes onto his skin.

“Don’t be afraid,” he soothes as he smoothes your sweat-drenched hair away from your face. “You’ll enjoy it.”

Unable to suffer any more of his poisonous bullshit, you rear your head back and slam it forward. Pain explodes behind your forehead, but it’s worth it to hear the satisfying crunch of his nose breaking. He roars in pain and clutches his bleeding nose. White light blinds you as he backhands you and curses your name. His ring splits the skin of your cheek open. The force of the blow causes you to bite your lip and you feel your teeth cut into the chapped skin there. You spit blood at him, angering him further.

“You are false!” he screams, spittle flying from his mouth as he shoves the gag back into your mouth. “You are not her!” He moves to pick up the jumper cables, twisting the knob of the amplifier all the way up causing the bulbs overhead to flicker. You know this is it. If he touches you with those, it will kill you.

Bracing yourself for the killing blow, you go to the grave knowing you did not give in to this bastard.

It never lands.

Instead, three shots ring out and he’s falling to the floor dead at your feet. As the unsub’s body falls, Hotchner’s frame comes into view and a choked sob escapes your lips. He holsters his weapon and runs to you. Emily and Morgan are right behind him. Morgan passes Hotch a Swiss Army knife from his pocket and he makes quick work of the zip ties binding you to the chair. From the corner of your eye, you see Emily turn off the amplifier and check Ronan’s pulse.

Unable to hold yourself up, you fall forward into his ready arms, letting yours fall over his shoulders. Hotch drops to his knee to support your weight. “You’re okay,” he says as he pulls the gag free from your mouth and you sob into his chest. He smooths your hair back from your face, his eyes assessing the damage done to you. Blood stains his shirt, your blood.

“Morgan, your jacket.” Hotch orders.

Without hesitation, Morgan unfastens his bulletproof vest and unzips his jacket. He passes it to Hotch who drapes it around your shoulders in an attempt to preserve some of your modesty.

“I need a medic!” he shouts before directing his attention back to you.

Your eyes waver as you try to keep them open. You lock in on the depths of his warm brown eyes. “You’re going to be fine,” he says but his voice sounds far away.

“He wanted someone to be his Hera,” you say weakly.

“Don’t worry about that right now,” Hotch soothes.

You swallow and it hurts your throat to do so. Your lips crack open, “You found me.”

Hotch cradles your head against his chest. “Of course I did.”

You wince as the sound of a gurney crashes into the room, the metal wheels squealing as it draws near. Your head swims as you’re swept into the air and laid out on its cushiony bed. A light shines in your eyes and voices are overlapping. Blindly, you use what strength you have left to drop your hand off the side. Unable to focus your attention on where he is, you know he’ll hear you. “Don’t leave me.”

And as you lose consciousness, you feel his hand slip into yours.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

•

A steady beeping fills your ears as you slowly come to. Your eyes feel bruised and you don’t think you have it in you to open them, but you feel something around your wrists and bolt upright. Pain crashes over you in a wave. It was a dream. You’re still bound in that basement. The beeping increases, growing louder and faster. Someone says your name and you feel hands on your shoulders. You try to swing your fist and are surprised when your arm follows through and makes contact with flesh. Did you break through the zip ties? You hear your name again, clearer this time. A man. He’s asking you to stop, to relax.

“It’s me,” he repeats and says your name again. “You’re safe. You’re in the hospital.” He says your name again. “It’s me, it’s Aaron.”

You stop fighting and blink hard. Hotchner’s stern face comes into view, except there’s concern wavering in the depths of his brown eyes. His brow softens as you relax. A small smile turns the corners of his lips. “Hey there,” he says. A nurse rushes into the room and he raises a hand, “We’re fine, here. Thank you.”

The nurse looks at you and you nod. She looks unsure about leaving but ultimately relents. “I’ll let the doctor know you’re awake.”

Aaron cups the back of your head in one of his hands and gently begins to lower you back down onto the pillows behind you. You allow him to guide you and feel the tension ease from your muscles as your back sinks into the surprisingly plush hospital pillow.

As the adrenaline wears off, you’re finally able to take stock of your injuries as the pain quickly makes itself known. You feel your pulse beating in your skull, pounding at your temples, eyebrow, and cheekbone. With shaky fingers, you touch the places where you remember the unsub striking you. You feel a thick bandage taped over your right eyebrow and steri-strips over your cheek. Your lip is swollen from where you bit it.

Bandages encircle your wrists and there’s an IV stuck in your hand. You’ve been dressed in a hospital gown and the sheets are drawn up to your waist covering the burn wounds. You don't have to see them to know how bad they look. The pain is telling enough.

“Is he dead?” you ask, lowering your hand back down to the bed.

Hotch’s lips form a tight line. “Yes.”

You blink back tears as that information sinks in. “Good,” you whisper in a choked voice. You blink and allow your head to loll to the side. A colorful bouquet of roses and carnations dotted with plastic ladybugs and butterflies sits in a clear vase on the side table.

You smile, “Garcia?”

Hotch smiles in turn. “It was tough to convince her to go home and get some sleep, but I promised her I wouldn’t leave you alone. Even then, it was still a hard-fought battle.”

You chuckle and wince as the movement irritates your injuries.

Hotch telegraphs his next move, and you know it’s to avoid startling you. He cups his hand over your uninjured cheek and strokes the skin there with his thumb.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there,” he says, and his voice sounds tired and pained. “I should’ve gone inside with you.”

“Hotch, don’t.” You reach up and wrap your fingers around his wrist. “Don’t do that to yourself. He didn’t know I was with the FBI until after he took me. If you’d been there, he might’ve pegged us as law enforcement and taken off. He might still be out there and we’d be finding another dead woman in a matter of days. You know I’m right.”

Hotch closes his eyes and heaves a heavy sigh. “I could hear you.”

“What?” you whisper. You try to sit up and wince as the movement stings the wounds in your legs and abdomen. Hotch stands and helps adjust the pillows behind your back before sitting back down in the chair at your bedside.

“Not for very long. He drove out of range, but I heard him speaking to you. I heard the blows land. I heard your head smack against the floor when he threw you in the van.” He stops and shakes his head. “I felt so helpless. I was afraid. I couldn’t get to you, just like,” his voice catches in his throat. “just like I couldn’t get to Haley.”

Your heart breaks for him as he speaks. You reach for his hand and take it, squeezing it. “Aaron, you did get to me. You saved my life.”

He clears his throat and swallows. “Yes, but we were almost too late.”

“But you weren’t,” you state, your tone firm. “Aaron, look at me.”

He hesitates and inhales deeply before lifting his gaze to yours. The corners of his eyes soften as he meets yours and you smile. You gently tug his hand, “Come here.”

Hotch glances toward the door and then back at you, “The doctor—“

“Isn’t going to do shit,” you finish. “I’m the one that endured hours of torture. Pretty sure I’m allowed some close comfort.”

He lets out a shallow laugh. “Yes, I suppose you’re right.” Standing, he shrugs out of his suit jacket and drapes it over the back of the chair. With one hand he loosens his tie until he’s able to pull it up and over his head. He tosses it onto the chair and circumnavigates the bed, assessing the best way to join you on the small mattress.

You groan as you slide over. Hotch reaches out to stop you but you silence him with a pointed look. “Mind the IV,” you say as you pat the space beside you.

Hotch acquiesces, using the tips of his fingers to raise the IV drip enough for him to slide into bed beside you. He slips an arm around you and drops the feed. It falls across his torso. The feel of his arm around you is comforting, like a security blanket, like safety. You relax into him, and rest your head on his chest. His lips brush against your bandaged brow.

“Not quite how I imagined we’d first be sharing a bed,” you joke softly as you nuzzle in deeper against the wide plane of his chest.

You feel him smile against your hair. “Only you could joke at a time like this.”

“If I can’t laugh at what’s happened, I’ll never be able to close my eyes at night.”

“Well, if that’s the case.” He rubs the bare skin of your arm in small circles. “I’ll be there until you can.”

You turn your head to look at him then, your heart full. This is happening. His eyes are on yours and you push yourself toward him ever so slightly. He closes the small gap between you and presses his lips to yours. It wasn’t hungry and primal like the kiss in the car. There would be plenty of time for that later. This kiss was light, tender…healing.

“Sir, I’m sorry. I tried to go home, I really did but as soon as I got there I—” Garcia’s voice abruptly cuts off. You look up and her initial look of surprise turns to one of abject joy.

You feel your cheeks flush as Emily and Morgan appear in the doorway behind her. Morgan’s eyes widen and Emily’s brow arches as a smile curves her lips.

“I, uh, brought backup.” Penelope giggles. She remembers she’s holding something. “And cookies! I couldn’t sleep, so I baked. I figured I could bribe you into going home and getting some sleep.” Her words leave her mouth at a mile a minute. “I thought you’d fight me on it, so I brought some muscle.” She gestures with a tilt of her head. “They’re the muscle.”

Morgan exhales and points a finger at you and Hotch. “Can someone explain to me what’s going on here?”

Emily elbows him and he drops his arm. She takes the tray from Garcia and walks it over to the side table where she places it next to the flowers. She winks at you as she turns back to Garcia and Morgan. “It’s about time,” she says.

Penelope laughs as she hooks her arm in Emily’s. “What's it been? Two, three months?”

Morgan guffaws. “Months?”

Penelope pats his face with a ring-adorned hand. “My sweet oblivious profiler. Come on, hot stuff.” She takes him by the hand and leads him from the room. Emily shakes her head and laughs. “Men.”

“Safe to say the team knows.”

Hotch releases a breathy laugh and kisses your forehead again. “I know what will be the first thing on the agenda at tomorrow’s debriefing.”

•

6 weeks. It had been 6 weeks since you’d pressed the elevator button that would bring you back to the office. The weight of your gun feels right where it sits upon your hip, your gait more familiar to you now than when it wasn’t holstered to your side. You nervously adjust the grip on your go bag. You’d packed and repacked it the night before.

This morning as you were getting out of the shower, you stared at yourself in the mirror. Your cheek had healed nicely though the skin on your brow that had been split by the unsub’s ring had scarred, severing the tail end of your eyebrow from the rest of it. The ligature marks around your wrists and ankles had healed and the skin was smooth once more. The stun gun had scarred your abdomen, but all that remained were two purple pinpricks of scar tissue no bigger than the size of an infant’s thumbnail.

Your legs are a different story. The front of your thighs are an array of mottled scar tissue. One burn had gone so deep that they’d needed to graft skin from your calf to salvage it. The wounds no longer hurt physically, but you’d woken up from nightmares on more than one occasion.

You were never alone though. Garcia worked remotely on secure laptops with VPNs as often as she was able. Rossi brought you home-cooked Italian at least twice a week and talked with you over numerous glasses of red wine. Reid brought black-and-white foreign existentialist films that you didn’t understand, but his enthusiasm as he watched made you happy all the same. Emily and Morgan brought coffee and donuts as often as they could and Hotch…if he wasn’t at the office or visiting Jack, he was with you. On several occasions, he brought Jack. Jack would sit on the bed beside you, playing with his toys, narrating the adventures of his action figures as Aaron stood in the doorway, smiling. At night, when you had woken in a cold sweat, Aaron was there with a washcloth to wipe it away. When the bandages had stuck to your burn wounds and it felt like your skin was being peeled apart, he got your pain medicine and helped change the dressings, holding you until the pain had passed.

You blink as the elevator dings, signaling you’ve reached your destination. You take a deep breath and smooth down the front of your blouse as the door opens wide. Everything looks the same, yet everything feels like it's changed as you approach the desk you occupy perpendicular to Emily’s. A smile crosses your lips as you see the Welcome Bac k card on your desk. Two vases of flowers sit behind the card. One is almost exactly like the one from the hospital so you know it’s from Garcia. The other, a bouquet of purple tulips, has a note attached to it. You open the note and read it.

Glad to have you back. Things haven’t been the same around here without you. -AH

Hotch. You should’ve known. You smile and tuck the note into your purse.

“Hey, hey, look who’s finally decided to get her ass back to work.” Morgan’s charming laugh is followed by Emily chastising him.

“Ignore him,” she says as she places a steaming mug of coffee on your desk.

“You’re a godsend,” you say by way of thanks and take a long drink. Two sugars, no milk, just the way you like. “Wow, Emily, that’s perfect. I needed this.”

“How come you don’t remember how I take my coffee?” Morgan asks pointedly.

She shrugs, “Chicks before dicks, Derek.”

You sputter and choke on your coffee.

“Look,” he says as he pats you on the back. “Her first day back and you’re gonna kill her.”

At that moment JJ passes by with a file in hand. She raises it in the air and gestures to the conference room. “We got a case.” She smiles at you warmly. “It’s good to have you back.”

Together, you, Morgan, and Emily enter the conference room where Reid, Hotch, and Rossi have already gathered. Once you’re all sat, JJ begins presenting the case. You review current victims and why the Sacramento Police Department has invited you onto the case

“Sacramento PD is expecting us this afternoon. We’ve got a long flight ahead of us. Wheels up in thirty, understood?”

A chorus of ‘yes sirs’ echo throughout the room. As the team gathers their belongings and moves to leave, you wait for Hotch to catch your eye. You wink at him before mouthing, “Yes, sir.”

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theoxenia · 7 months ago

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Kneeling down to pray is unusual. The gesture of entreaty is outstretched arms. To invoke the heavenly gods, both hands are raised to the sky with upturned palms; to call on the gods of the sea, the arms are extended out to the sea; the hands are also stretched towards the cult image. A cult image or sanctuary must always be given a friendly greeting – a chaire – even if one is simply passing by without any special reason, or else the gesture of a kiss may be made by raising a hand to one’s lips; a short, simply prayer may always be added. Socrates greets the rising sun also in this way. Simple apostrophes invoking the gods punctuate everyday life; in excitement, fear, amazement, or anger, the ‘gods’ or some fitting divine name are invoked. Often names of local gods trip off the tongue, or else Zeus and Apollo and especially Heracles, the averter of all that is evil; Herakleis – mehercule in Latin – is almost as overworn as the exclamation, ‘Jesus!’. Women have their own special goddesses, Artemis, Pandrosos, and so on. Special measures are required, however, if the dead or the gods of the underworld are to be reached. Poets describe how the suppliant hurls himself on the ground and hammers the earth with his fists.

Greek Religion by Walter Burkert

#op #helpol #hellenic polytheism #zeus #apollo #heracles #artemis #pandrosos #pandrosus #tertiary sources #praxis

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enodia-polymorphous · 4 months ago

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ARĒTĒR: THE PRIEST WHO PRAYS A deep-dive into "arētēr" as a path of priesthood. Long post ahead.

You may be reading this because you're interested in priesthood in the context of hellenic polytheism, as informed by Ancient Greek history. We are fortunate to have books written on this topic (such as Portrait of a Priestess by Joan Breton Connelly), as well as scholarly articles plus the blogs of our modern community members doing their deep-dives.

Some enjoy researching these topics for academic reasons, and some in order to reconstruct and revive paths of hellenic polytheist priesthood in modern day.

This post isn't about a well-documented title of a priest, if it even was regarded socially and politically as a title of temple clergy alongside hiereis (not an exact translation of "priest" as we know it, but the closest — written like this as opposed to hiereus or hiereia as a gender neutral term) or adjacent titles like manteis in the first place.

If you're looking for historically informed writings on hellenic polytheist priesthood titles/paths, then please see the next section.

💫 PRIESTHOOD IN ANCIENT GREECE

For the surrounding context of priesthood in hellenic polytheism, in Ancient Greece, I'd like to refer you to this post by @wayfind-er which goes into what we know of priesthood back then. They also have this post about Seers.

And as recommended by @wayfind-er as well, it can help to read @star-of-zeus's series of priesthood posts.

📜 ARĒTĒR: THE ONCE MENTIONED TITLE

I first came across the word "arētēr" in the paper "Practitioners of the Divine: Greek Priests and Religious Officials from Homer to Heliodorus" which says:

But what is it that differentiates a hiereus from a hieropoios, hierothutēs, arētēr, theopropos, or, most importantly, a mantis?

Hiereis and manteis (sometimes referred to as "oracle") are the most commonly referenced titles in Ancient Greek priesthood. They are seen as the ritual expert and the oracle expert respectively (and rather simply. I do recommend reading the posts I linked in the previous section to gain a better understanding).

If you've never heard of arētēr like I hadn't before this paper, I can reasonably assume this is because we find only one mention of this title in historical literature.

Further discussion found of this word reference this single mention, or are in the context of etymology or definition.

📖 WHERE CAN WE FIND THE ARĒTĒR?

In the Iliad, the title of the priest who knows how to manipulate such words of prayer is areter: it is Chryses who brings the plague on the Achaean army with his prayer and who later brings the plague to an end.

— Greek Religion by Walter Burkert

It is the Iliad that uses this title to refer to Chryses, who is otherwise referred to as a priest (of Apollon), with his actions within the story speaking more to his role in translations than the use of a different title. He prays to/supplicates Apollon for the plague, and is able to pray once again to stop it. His role denotes power behind his words when it comes to the deity he is a priest of.

A variety of other sources reference this mention. While they tell us the same thing, different wording and sentences can help us understand how the word arētēr is viewed in this context.

We know far less of Chryses, who is not mentioned in the Iliad outside our episode. He is introduced in 1.11 as a priest (arētēr), who arrives in the Achaean camp bearing, as an emblem of Apollo, a golden staff with the god’s fillets attached to it.

— Arjuna–Odysseus: Shared Heritage in Indian and Greek Epic by N.J Allen

There, as in the case of the priest (arētēr) Chryses in Iliad 1, the singer was not personally involved, but instead a victim of circumstances. [...] In Homer’s cultural outlook, priests and singers are a special group worthy of respect. While an arētēr is unsurprisingly not mentioned in the Odyssey’s list of traveling professionals (17:383–386), priests’ importance equally places them with the mantis in a professional religious class deserving of special status and respect

— The Characterization of Agamemnon in the Iliad by Andrew Porter

the priest himself is called areter (ἀρητήρ), in contrast to the usual designation of a priest in other passages (hiereus, ἱερεύς).

— Speech and gesture in Ritual. The Rituals of Supplication and Prayer in Homer, By Françoise Letoublon

The language (ētīmēsen arētēra) here specifies that Agamemnon slighted the tīmē of Chryses in his role as arētēr 'one who prays/curses'.

— Leonard Muellner commentary on Iliad

Here in Muellner's commentary, we start to touch on the definition of the title.

📝 DEFINING ARĒTĒR

Arētēra "priest": from ara "prayer", aratēs, with the Ionic change of [a] into [ē]. The word aratēr comes from araō "to pray", future arasō, hence arētēr, or from airō "to lift"", or from areskein "to please" God.

Arētēr is the “priest" (hiereus), called thus from the fact that he makes prayers (eukhas) on behalf of those who sacrifice. And this is the origine of the word arōmata "aromas", meaning "fumigations" (epithumiamata)

— Etymologies Grecques Antiques et Médiévales Ancient and Medieval Greek Etymologies (1) (2)

Ara (άρά) – Positive meaning of a prayer or vow; negative meaning is that of a curse: the success and glory of one implies the humiliation and defeat of another, and reflects the disposition of a deity. […] Areter ( άρητήρ )- priest with skill to manipulate prayer, to bring about the desired aspect of ara. Chryses is such a priest who both incurs and ends a plague on the Achaean army in order to regain his daughter taken by Agamemnon.

— Dictionary of Ancient Greek Religion by J. Greg Deane

Aritír - (areter; Gr. ἀρητήρ, ΑΡΗΤΗΡ. Noun.) suppliant, one who prays, a priest.

— Glossary of Prayer in Ancient Greek Religion by Kallímakhos

As all of these dictionaries or articles say, arētēr is defined as a priest who prays.

Assuming you have read about hellenic polytheist priesthood prior to this post (or checked out the posts linked at the start), we can look at this definition in parallel to hiereis.

A hiereis is often defined as a ritual-expert stationed at a temple. In hellenic polytheism, you don't require a title or vocation in priesthood to host rituals. Everyday worshippers would host or partake in rituals in the household daily. It was common, however, for hiereis to host communal rituals or festivals. They upheld tradition and had deeper knowledge on rituals.

If an arētēr is defined as a prayer-expert in parallel, given that in hellenic polytheism you don't need a title to pray to your deities, we can reconstruct (reference what we do have of historical sources) and revive (adapt the path to modern times) the title similarly.

An arētēr may have deeper knowledge on prayer in this religion. An arētēr may be called upon in communal worship, at festivals, at their designated temple to conduct, or advise on, prayer alongside a hiereis (or even being a hiereis if one were to be a hiereis and arētēr together, with hiereis sometimes being seen as an umbrella term for priesthood paths. This would involve being an expert of ritual and prayer. These aspects often go hand-in-hand in hellenic polytheism).

💭 ASSUMPTIONS

These are important to keep in mind when engaging with this information.

We can assume:

That we don't truly know what an arētēr was in historical times. This title could've been created for the context of the Iliad. It might not have been an actual station held at a temple.

A neologism is a term without existing usage but coined by the poet himself; some words seem to be of this kind, e.g. ernuges for kerata [“horns”] and arētēr for hiereus [“priest”].

— Aristotle, Poetics

That, if it were a role, it may not have been parallel to hiereis. Some priesthood roles are stationed at a temple and some are travelling or not held to one temple/sanctuary.

That we don't particularly need an arētēr in these times, with all the books, journal articles and blogs we can access in our digital age to learn about prayer ourselves.

That an arētēr can still be useful. Those who specialise in certain aspects of hellenic polytheism can assist others in a manner that doesn't encourage power dynamics, but educates and contributes to our growing community/religion.

That prayer can be a duty of a hiereis as well, without the title of arētēr because prayer is so intertwined with libations and offerings, which are often used to support prayer/a petition.

That, because we don't know its historical context, we don't know what is required to be an arētēr.

🏛️ PERSONAL CONTEXT IN REGARDS TO MODERN PRIESTHOOD

I am an oathsworn devotee of Hekate who is studying to be her priest. I am a candidate of a hiereis study program, mentored by a consecrated priestess, and I also do independent study and contemplation as I walk this path of training.

I include this as context because of future posts I want to write on the role of arētēr.

I know that modern priesthood, especially in hellenic polytheism (because we cannot reconstruct historical priesthood, which was intertwined with a historical society and political landscape), is controversial. In a decentralised religion that doesn't require clergy for us to conduct worship, many question the purpose of a path like this.

This post and my devotion isn't about defining the purpose of priesthood paths in our religion, but I do want to say that I believe well-intended, well-educated and well-surrounded individuals who are called to the path and choose the path can benefit the communities they are within, whether in-person or online, whether in a localised tradition or globally, whether or not they are the ones leading these communities or are participants.

There are individual "versions" of priesthood, unique to the practitioner and their devotional relationships. Those who are on the path of priesthood with their deities, define their paths with their deities, and it is up to them to conduct themselves in an unharmful way.

I intend to go deeper into what priesthood is for my practice in a separate post at a later time, as well as potential modern applications of the arētēr title.

I put together this deep-dive of arētēr because I was drawn to the idea of it when I came across it, and drawn to the path upon learning more. I believe that being an arētēr is a possibility for me.

Thank you for reading this huge post and I hope you got something out of it!

📚 SOURCES

Allen, NJ 2019, Arjuna–Odysseus, Taylor & Francis.

Aristotle 1995, ‘Poetics’, in DA Russell (ed.), Digital Loeb Classical Library.

Burkert, W 2012, Greek religion archaic and classical, Malden, Mass. Blackwell.

Deane, JG 2025, Dictionary of Ancient Greek Religion, Blogspot.com, viewed 6 March 2025, <https://greekreligiondictionary.blogspot.com/2011/01/dictionary-of-greek-religion-including.html>.

Feuvre, L 2025a, ἀρά, Etygram, viewed 6 March 2025, <http://appsweb-cepam.unice.fr/etygram/node/322>.

― 2025b, ἀρέσκω, Etygram, viewed 6 March 2025, <http://appsweb-cepam.unice.fr/etygram/node/321>.

Françoise Letoublon 2013, Speech and gesture in Ritual. The Rituals of Supplication and Prayer in Homer, Ritual Dynamics in the Ancient Mediterranean: Agency, Emotion, Gender, Reception, Angelos Chaniotis ed., Stuttgart: Steiner Verlag,: 291-311., viewed 8 March 2025, <https://www.academia.edu/5566018/Speech_and_gesture_in_Ritual_The_Rituals_of_Supplication_and_Prayer_in_Homer>.

Henrichs, A 2008, Introduction. What Is a Greek Priest?, The Center for Hellenic Studies, viewed 11 February 2025, <https://chs.harvard.edu/chapter/introduction-what-is-a-greek-priest-albert-henrichs/>.

Joan Breton Connelly 2009, Portrait of a Priestess: Women and Ritual in Ancient Greece, Princeton University Press, Princeton, N.J.

Kallímakhos 2025, Glossary of Prayer in Ancient Hellenic Religion, Hellenicgods.org, viewed 6 March 2025, <https://www.hellenicgods.org/glossary-of-prayer-in-ancient-hellenic-religion>.

Muellner, L 2024, Commentary on the Iliad, Perseus.org.

Porter, A 2019, 4. The Characterization of Agamemnon in the Iliad, The Center for Hellenic Studies, viewed 1 March 2025, <https://chs.harvard.edu/chapter/4-the-characterization-of-agamemnon-in-the-iliad/>.

star-of-zeus 2021, Star’s Blog Masterpost, Tumblr, viewed 12 February 2025, <https://www.tumblr.com/star-of-zeus/645593181430366208/stars-blog-masterpost?source=share>.

wayfind-er 2024, ‘Priesthood’ in Ancient Greece, Tumblr, viewed 11 February 2025, <https://wayfind-er.tumblr.com/post/771204296242003968/priesthood-in-ancient-greece>.

divider credits -> @enchanthings-a and @strangergraphics-archive

#✶ — › worship information #✶ — › areter #✶ — › priesthood #hellenic polytheism #priesthood #hellenic priesthood #helpol #priest #priestess #arētēr #areter #hiereis #hiereia #pagan priesthood

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khaire-traveler · 1 month ago

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If the pillars are fake, how are we supposed to honor the like, virtue (?? Right word idk) of the theoi in our daily life? Especially with some of Zeus’s epithets /genq im a beginner lol

Khaire! Honestly, your question confuses me a bit, I'm sorry. 💀

Is your worship based entirely on the Pillars? Do you know how to worship in general, or is the concept new to you? I'm asking because it seems you may be a little confused or as if this revelation is really intense for your personal worship; I also mean these as genuine questions. Hellenic Polytheism never had a specific, like..."set of rules" to follow, in regards to specific Pillars. It just wasn't a thing. The closest things you could probably compare the Pillars to are the Delphi Maxims, but those have some things in them that would require lots of thought to determine how to apply them to the modern day. I also don't see people talking about the Maxims often online, interestingly, so I'm not sure if many people make an active effort to apply them in their practices.

Since you're a beginner, I would actually highly encourage you to read Greek Religion by Walter Burkert; it talks a lot about ancient Greek religious practices and may give you some ideas on how to incorporate worship into the modern day. Maybe it would clarify some things for you? It's a book that isn't heavy on super academic language either, so it's easier to understand than some other academic texts.

#anon asks #answered asks

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cardierreh15 · 1 year ago

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Zeus Lament

Hold on to your fucking seats y’all! Things get messy! Both for good and for bad!

***I do not give anyone consent to repost, translate or copy my work!!!

Warnings 18+: Angst , Dub-Con Sex , Mind-Control/Mental Manipulation , Infidelity , Mentions of Cheating , Domestic Violence situation , Blood (Golden Celestial) , Nipple Stimulation , Cursing , Spitting , Breeding Kink , Oral (Female Receiving) , Death . PLEASE PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!

Pairings: Zeus/Walter Marshall x Angela's (Black!Plus Size Female)

Description: A terrible storm is approaching the city, wonder what could possibly be the cause?

Word Count: 5.8K

Song: Only RY X , Call out my name by The Weeknd.

The man sat across from his wife as she ate her fill and sipped on her wine. Everything but her beauty, disgusted him. But lately, even that was faltering. She was evil, jealous and spiteful. The infamous; Goddess of Marriage herself, Hera.

‘You are quiet today husband.’ She said blandly as she took another sip of her wine to wash down the food in her throat.

A reluctant smirk curled on his lips before he glanced away and shook his head. A small, hysterical chuckle left his lips before he rested his elbows on the golden table and rested his face in his palms.

‘You speak to me as if you don’t know what you’ve done, wife.’ The word had poison behind it. It was no secret that Zeus had a loathe over his wife that no man or immortal had ever seen. Some would say with great reason! She’d proved herself to be murderous and invidious on many occasions.

But, Zeus wasn’t in the right either.

Sleeping around with mortals in different disguises to hide his true form; impregnating and soiling the oats that have been left untamed thousands of years ago.

Perhaps, he’d driven her over the edge that she couldn’t retract from.

Hera peeled her eyes away from her plate of food and glared up at her indignant husband. She tilted her head to the side gently, ‘What is it now, Zeus? You’re angry about that little “accident” that you’ve created? Many of what you’ve called them yourself.’

Zeus slammed his palm on the golden plated table, standing up to his feet with a baleful scowl written across his dramatic features. ‘THEY WERE MY CHILDREN!’

‘Your children are here!’ Hera spat hatefully. She had no remorse, no regret. ‘On Olympus where they belong. Not with those disgusting mongrels you call humans. Such a pathetic excuse for creations. Just like-’

‘I’d watch my next words, woman.’ His face, carved into perfection like stone and marble. Zeus stood up straight and swallowed hard.

She stared back up at him, not breaking the glare. ‘Why do you do it? Why do you constantly put me through this Zeus? Do you think I want to act the way I do? Do you think I thrive off of being bitter and hateful?! I am only this way because you made me this way!’

‘No, you only do this because you don’t give a damn about nobody but yourself!’

Hera grimaced and slowly stood to her feet, scooting her throne back behind her. ‘Selfish?! While I SIT HERE AND YOU GO OUT AND FROLIC ABOUT BETWEEN THE THIGHS OF THOSE VILE CREATURES!’ Golden tears filled her bright blue orbs. ‘I sit here and I wait for you, ZEUS!’

‘FOR WHAT!?’ he snapped back. Thunder began to roar beyond the walls. ‘DONT YOU UNDERSTAND?! I don’t want you! I haven’t wanted you in centuries! I only married you in the first place because it was a power move. You were a mistake–’

‘Mistake?! Zeus-’

‘You will address me as your King.’ He placed his hands on the table and peered across, ‘I won’t stop, Hera. I will not stop until I have found happiness and created a demi-God army of my own.’

‘Zeus-’

‘YOU WILL NOT STOP ME HERA!’ He exclaimed with great disdain in his voice. He began to round the table slowly, his golden heeled sandals clicking and echoing within the walls.

Hera snatched up the golden blade she’d used to cut into her roasted goose.

As soon as she found a good grip around the handle, he’d snatched her up by her throat looking down into her eyes.

‘Ugh!’ She exclaimed at the sudden roughness. Golden tears had fallen down the sides of her face.

‘If you interfere with my affairs again, My Queen.’ The word burned the back of his throat. Oh he’d do anything to strip her from that title. Hell, he really did hate her enough to kill her himself. She’d taken so much away from him.

‘I will kill you… do you understand?’

Hera turned her gaze away from him, but he tightened up his grasp.

Her lips trembled as she looked up into his stormy eyes. ‘You wouldn’t dare…’ she choked out.

‘Then you don’t know me the way you think you do.’ He added monitorily. His warnings always went undone. Leaving ample room for Hera to continue to disobey him.

He shoved her away from him before the both of them heard the small call of their youngest daughter, Hebe.

‘Mama?’

She looked over at the massive golden doors that were cracked open. There she spotted the little face of the tiny goddess. Hera cleared her throat and put on her best smile, ‘Hebe. Darling-’ She approached her with open arms.

The young one pushed the door open a little further before running towards her mother who was now on her knees.

‘You’re supposed to be resting my sweet.’

‘I couldn’t sleep, mama.’

Zeus watched the mother speak to their daughter before he quickly spun off and walked towards the second set of double doors.

***

The dark clouds loomed up above. Lightning bolts scattered across the sky like veins. The wind blew hard enough to almost tear her apartment building off of the support beams!

Storms were quite the norm where Angela was from. The lightning capital of the world, Tampa, Florida. She’d lived through countless hurricanes and tropical storms.

The news measured it out to be a tropical storm, the first one of the season. But something about this particular storm was different than the rest.

Thunder shook the floor beneath her feet, causing her to stop in her tracks and wait for it to calm down. Angela had never been so anxious during a storm. Hell, this was her favorite kind of weather! But she had a gut feeling something bad was going to happen.

The woman ripped open the big bag of ice and poured it into the cooler. Then, she began to stock perishable snacks and foods inside of it.

Once she was done, she did a head count of her 5 gallon dispenser jugs, found her waterproof flashlight with batteries and made sure she had candles.

Angie placed her hands on her hips and gave herself a firm nod, ‘Alright! What could possibly go wrong?’ Another vociferous thunder clap erupted outside, causing lightning to flicker inside of her apartment. Then, the lights flickered off.

The power died, causing an eerie silence to fill the air. ‘Dammit, running my mouth. I just fucked the whole building.’ She rolled her eyes and picked up her phone. The battery was on 11%. ‘What?!’ She exclaimed as she looked at the charger adaptor that had never been plugged up into the wall.

‘You’ve got to be shitting me.’

She turned on the light on her phone and loaded up the flashlight with batteries and put her phone on Low Power Mode. Clicking the power on the flashlight. She walked down the hall to the electric breaker and pulled it open.

Shining the light on the labeled switches, she shifted them to the side one and then back to their original places. But nothing. She assumed whatever generator the apartments management used had gone to shit.

‘Cheap fucks’ she hissed before the flashlight began to flicker. ‘Uh uh! No, no!’ She began to bang on it, hoping it would keep its power but when it died, she let out a heavy huff. ‘Dammit.’

Angela walked back into the kitchen and began to light candles.

Once the apartment was decorated with artificial light, she walked into her bedroom and took off her dress.

She walked over to her dresser, lightning taking its own place in her room this time. Again, thunder followed. Not able to stand the blinding brightness, she walked over to the patio doors to close them. But what she saw in her backyard frightened her.

Air lodged in her throat so she was unable to breathe out or in, she stared at the tall, dark figure that stood in the grass. Heavy, slanted rain blurred out its features but by the size of its shoulders, it had to be a man.

Whatever the hell it was… it was massive.

‘Close. The blinds. Angela. Close the blinds.’ She choked before quickly pulling the stick to the side and twisting them closed.

Stumbling backwards, she let out a shuddered breath. She was afraid to walk to the kitchen and grab her phone; having the slightest belief that somehow the uncanny being would find its way inside without any aid.

So, she just sat on the bed and stared.

‘Wooo. It’s OK. Ain’t nobody gonna come out here in this rain…’ she uttered to herself and pulled her comforter back and tucked her chilly legs beneath.

Every once in a while she would toss and turn. But she always brought her attention back to the blinds. Her anxiety wouldn’t let her rest for a while, until she just closed her eyes and counted.

***

Zeus stood in the shadows of her bedroom. Lightning flickering across his face as he watched the mortal woman sleep soundly. Her soft snores could barely be heard over the rain that beat down against the glass slide door.

Stepping from the safety of the darkness, Zeus crept over to her bed. His fingertips grazed atop the silky, bronze colored sheets. Once he made it to her, his bright blue eyes searched her face.

She was a beauty to behold. Full lips, skin brown as cherry wood. Lashes so thick they almost looked like paint brushes. Then, it was her hair. Sprawled out beneath her it was coily and thick. He leaned down carefully, nuzzling his nose within the warmth of her hair. He inhaled deeply, slowly. Taking in her scent. She smelled of Rosemary and Lavender. Two scents he could get lost in forever.

Pulling away, he grazed his pointy nose over her wide one before gently pressing his lips against hers. Letting his lips settle there, his mustache and beard tickled her chin and nose. Causing her to stir out of her sleep.

Angela’s dark brown eyes flashed open to see the intruder with a beard and thick dark curly hair hovering over her. Her first reaction was to scream but instead Zeus had tricks of his own.

‘Shhh, don’t scream.’

Her eyes reflected once in gold as she inhaled so hard she thought her head would explode.

Zeus’ eyes continued to roam her face before traveling down to her neck and then the valley of her breasts.

‘Wh-who are you? What are you doing in my apartment?’ Angela’s voice was rugged and shaky. But she was careful not to be too loud.

‘Something you would never be able to comprehend mortal woman.’ His voice was much gentler than how he spoke to Hera just a few days before.

His eyes broke from her gaze as he carefully ran his palm over her silky flesh; starting from her belly to her thighs but also pulling the blanket off in the process. Revealed onto him was her half naked body, dressed in a white sports bra and matching thong.

Angela flinched at his cool touch, quickly shifting her hips away from him. ‘Don’t touch—‘

‘Don’t fight me.’ He hissed as thunder shook the apartment once again.

Just like before, she followed his command willingly. She just laid there with tears in her eyes as his large hands began to caress her chubby thighs. ‘Wh-what are you g-gonna do to me?’ Angela stammered.

‘Anything I please…’ he licked his lips as he looked up at her once again. She was silently sobbing. Tears falling into place of the last on the sides of her head. His thick brows pulled into one before he leaned back over her once again, ‘Oh my sweet one… don’t cry.’

Her sobs instantly stopped.

‘Don’t you know how lucky you are? How special you are?’ Zeus brought his hand up and smooth out her cheek with his knuckles. Then, his index grazed her bottom lip. ‘You don’t have to be scared of me… I won’t hurt you.’

‘I—I have a boyfriend.. we’ve been dating for 3 years and—‘ she lied. ‘And-and he’ll be here soon!’

‘Oh? In this weather?’ Zeus said softly as he gently pinched her chin. ‘How romantic or jus plain stupid.’ He purred softly. ‘Tell me sweetheart, have you ever fuck a God?’

Angela’s eyes grew slightly, his words rocking her core, ‘N-‘

‘I didn’t think so… you see Angel. You need someone who’s gonna take care of you. In more ways than just… one.’ His index dropped to the valley of her breasts.

A God?! What the hell was a God doing in her apartment? And why her out of all people?

‘A God? There’s no way—‘

Zeus stared down into her eyes, his eyes flickering a bright gold for a second before fading back to their stormy blue.

‘Oh my—‘

‘Zeus…’

Angela stared up at him; her eyes were a cauldron of fear, disbelief, and slight adoration. She had never seen something— something so graceful. So beautiful. ‘B-but why me?’

‘Well isn’t it obvious my little love? I have been watching you for weeks. That little inkling you felt of being watched.. It was me. I have been in your corner. You have enough beauty to my own daughter to shame.’

Aphrodite would not like that at all. She was much like her mother. Scorned to hell.

‘You’ve been stalking me?!’

‘Stalking, watching? Call it whatever you’d like. Fact of the matter is … you’re mine.’

His words nestled within her soul, causing whatever frightened feeling she had left to dissipate. In an instant, she felt protected. Perhaps it was his magic, controlling her mind and messing with her chemical imbalances. Whatever it was… it made her feel good.

Zeus leaned down once again, lips almost touching hers. ‘Let me have you.’

Closing her eyes, ‘Yes.’ She uttered before parting her lips to welcome him in a kiss.

Without another moment wasted, Zeus took her lips into his. He slithered his thick tongue into her mouth as his hand slithered down between her thighs. He grasped the thin fabric into his fist and tugged it; instantly tearing it to shreds.

Angela’s fingers instantly found their way in his soft thick, dark locks which seem never ending. She barely noticed the absence of her panties until he was pushing her thighs part. The warmth from ecstasy was keeping her warm until he pressed his cold fingertips against her sensitive nub.

‘Ooh.’ She gasped softly, her hips buckling for a second. ‘Cold.’

‘Forgive me little love.’ He began to rub at her core before slipping his middle and ring inside of her sticky entrance.

Angela shuddered out in a moan, goosebumps prickling all over her skin, nipples hardening against her thin bra.

She ripped her eyes away from his haunting gaze and looked down to watch him knead her from the inside out. She gripped the sheets beneath her. Her chest caving in as she tried to breathe through the pleasure. She wanted so badly to do something with her legs, kick and flail them about but she was still under his command. Don’t fight me.

‘Ugh!’ She exclaimed as Zeus curled his fingers up and toyed with her G-spot.

A wicked grin curled on his face as he watched her writhe and buck her hips into his embrace. He pressed his forehead against hers.

Angela opened her mouth to speak but her words instantly became gibberish and a bed of incoherent moans.

‘If you want it my sweet, all you have to do is ask.’

She felt her lower belly twist and knot, causing her thighs to clench as she felt her climax creeping up. It felt so close yet, so far. Wait, was he controlling that?!

‘Can I — can I cum, please?’ She placed her hand on his shoulder, her nails gently digging into it through the cloth of his shirt.

Zeus chuckled menacingly, ‘As you wish.’

His words were like some kind of invisible trigger, she was the chemical reaction that shifted the bullet in place and fired off the gunpowder.

Angela inhaled hard before a satisfied scream erupted from her lungs. Her head fell back against her plush pillow, body trembling as she tried to comprehend that kind of intensity.

He finally pulled his fingers from the warm home of her. ‘I can provide you with so much more. Would you like that?’ His sticky fingers grazed her neck.

‘Yes. I-I need you.’

That stomach twisting smile curled up once again against his beard. He was to die for.

Zeus stood up, bringing her small hand in his grasp and bringing her up to her feet. Her legs wobbly from the previous assault on her womb and cunt.

‘Then you have me, my little love.’

He towered over her like a mountain. Him sitting on her bed made him seem so much smaller that way. Zeus leaned down, pressing his lips against hers once more as his clothes disappeared.

She wrapped her arms around his wide frame as he pulled her chubby body against toned muscles. Angela pulled away from the kiss. Her big brown eyes trailed from his face to his shoulders, and abdomen. ‘Wow…’ her hands slipped from his shoulders and down his abdomen. ‘You’re really… real.’

‘As real as you are my love.’

She wasn’t expecting a God, no— the infamous King Of Gods to be so… kind. History made him out to be a spineless shithead. But this being before him was everything but that.

Or was that what he was making her think?

‘Lay back. Get comfortable.’

Following his command, Angela sat back down on her bed and laid back against her pillows.

Zeus stood at the end of the bed before crawling in and spreading her thighs. He lowered his head between her legs as he rested on his front side. Then, he planted soft kisses on her inner thighs, navigating his lips to her flower.

He placed the flattening of his tongue on her slit before lapping up slowly until he found her clit and brought it between his lips.

‘Mmmm, yess.’ She moaned out as she reached down and found her fingers intertwined in his locks once again.

He sucked teasingly on her clit before letting it go with a pop, then flicking his tongue over it. He used her pussy as if it were her mouth instead. Licking, and kissing with passion and a purpose.

‘Ooooh Zeus just like that. Mmmm.’ Angela moaned as she rolled and rocked her hips into his face.

Her words only fueled his desire and want for her. He grabbed her thighs and pushed them back so he could satisfy her in a more efficient way. More exposed, Zeus was about to dip his tongue within her walls and lick her from the inside out. Every once in a while though, his tongue would slip and tickle at her puckered asshole.

Angela leaned up on her elbows, her breathing shallow as she watched this celestial being indulge on her body in the most sinful of ways. He was just wicked in that way. Honestly, if it weren’t for the immense pleasure he was inflicting upon her– she would’ve thought this was a dream. ‘Uhhh fuck!’

Zeus relished in her taste. She tasted the most delectable of forbidden treats. He wanted to keep his face buried between her thighs for as long as the Earth rotated but the way his hips grind against the bed to soothe his aching member… Zeus was more than ready to claim her.

Letting out a gentle grunt at the pleasure that burned at his lower gut, Zeus’ lips ghosted her inner thigh before placing a gentle kiss there.

She had just begun to recover from her profound orgasms. Her thighs trembled, almost mimicking the sound of thunder outside. ‘Oh! Fuu—‘

Zeus brought himself up on his knees. His naked body resembled the ancient marble that were carved in Greece thousands of years ago. Except that one particular thing.

Humans once believed that men that wielded such large members lacked intelligence and were compared to violent, brainless, sex-crazed creatures.

Actually, Zeus’ cock had been tampered to be quite the insignificant thing but now… it was no wonder he made stupid decisions.

With distinguishable veins traveling over his Adonis belt, that was a sign of healthy blood flow. He was hung like nothing she’d ever seen. The whole package really.

‘Jesus- oh… I mean…’ Angela whimpered softly as she finally pulled her eyes away from his cock. ‘Wow… you are… not what I expected.’

Zeus smirked and began to crawl over her, closing that gap between them. ‘You’ve must’ve seen the statues. Are you afraid?’ His smile had grown slightly bigger.

She let out a soft breath. Well, she had a lot of reasons to be afraid right now. One of them being that a celestial God that had been known for his treachery was laying between her legs!

‘Mmm. No.’ She lied again.

‘Then we shall make haste.’ He said before helping her get her sports bra from over her head. Her breasts were so round, large and supple. His tongue traced over his lips as he tried to calm the beast that was so desperately fighting to get free.

Then, his eyes flicked up back to hers, ‘Are you ready my sweet?’

Swallowing hard, Angela nodded as her hands gently rested against his cool muscular back.

Zeus had given her a sly smile before adjusting his hips. His thick bell shaped tip against her honey coated pussy. And before he made the final blow, he pressed his lips against hers. Their tongues slipped in one another’s mouth once again for a short moment before he pulled away slightly.

‘Bite down on me if it hurts…’

Angela nodded one more time before bringing him back into another kiss.

As they kissed, Zeus thrusted his hips forward only slipping just the tip in. A wince left his chest as he felt the piercing pain of her biting down into his bottom lip. It was too late to pull back now. So he began to sink his hips into her further. This earned him a loud wail from her but the piercing continued.

Gritting his teeth to bear the pain, Zeus let out a groan as he went as deep as he possibly could.

Angie had released his hold on his lips and looked up at him with terror in her eyes. Half from the brutal stretch and half from his lips and beard coated in shiny gold blood.

‘Ugh! — Oh My— Zeus, is that? My God— you’re bleeding!’

Zeus pressed his fingers against his lips and examined it, ‘Yes. It appears that I am.’

‘Well, are you alright?!’ She exclaimed in worry.

He couldn’t help the gentle feeling that came over him. The feeling of knowing someone cared for him. He knew that his wife did… but not in the way he felt from Angela. Hera only wanted her throne and position of power. She’d otherwise be nothing without him. But, Angela… no other human woman had shown such compassion and kindness. Even if… some of this was against her will.

‘I’m fine my little mortal… see?’

Zeus brushed his thumb over his wounds and they healed in an instant. Only the blood remained and would serve as a reminder that he could also be hurt too.

Letting out a breath in relief she grabbed his face and pressed the back of her hand against his bearded jaw.

He brought back his hips slowly and steadily before thrusting forward once again. He held back a moan that always slipped between his lips.

But Angela let out a whimper as her nails dug into his flesh a little.

Zeus soon began to pick up the rhythm of his hips, creating a bit more friction. Now he wasn’t holding back his moans. She felt way too good to front over.

Angela felt so uncomfortably full at first but then a surge of pleasure began to pump through her body like drugs. She’s had great sex before but nothing could compare to this! Her standards have completely changed and if it wasn’t him… then she didn’t want it.

‘Ooooo! Zeus, fuck that’s so fucking good baby. Haaa! Don’t stop!’

‘Uhhhh. I’m not my love, we can go for as—URGH! As long as you like.’

Their moans echoed throughout her room and was enough to combat the lightning that was striking nearby and the thunder that shook the building. They were in a world of their own at this point.

Zeus brought up Angela’s thigh and rested her leg over his shoulder. He began to pump deeper, harder and faster. ‘Ooh fuck… you feel so fucking amazing.’ He moaned out before leaning down and wrapping his lips around her hardened nipple.

‘Zeus, just like that—‘ her fingers slipped through his hair as his tongue tickled and teased over the sensitive flesh. She could feel her womb twisting and turning just the same as it did earlier. ‘Mmm, I’m so close. Fuuuuuuck!’ She called out.

He’d begun to pump his hips faster, groaning and grunting against her breast.

Her thighs began to tremble as an ineffable climax rocked through her, ‘AUGHHH! FUCK!’ She cried out.

Leaving one last lick to her nipple, Zeus slowed down his thrusts and brought her lips back in for another kiss as he moaned against them. ‘Fuck you’re so warm. I can stay buried inside you forever.’ He growled before placing wet kisses under her chin and her neck.

A sheepish grin was casted on Angela’s lips as she just tried to process that vehement orgasm that she’d just passed. Her lips quivered and her chest heaved as she gently clawed down the valley of his spine. ‘Mmmm, My God… I want you here forever.’

Zeus began to pick up the pace of his hips once more as his lips began to make their way back up to hers once again. He couldn’t get enough of how she tasted. He couldn’t remember the last time he and The Queen kissed. Probably centuries ago when Hebe was born. Other than the birth of his sweet child, The Goddess of Youth, there was no other reason to remember that day.

After sending Angela in a whirlwind of mind-bending orgasms, he pulled away to stand on his knees. ‘Lay on your front side.’ On command, she rolled over and got comfortable. He leaned down to press kisses on her shoulder before his cleft nose drug across her misty, prickly skin. She smelled so good and she felt so warm.

He carefully spread her thighs with his knees as he sat back up. Stroking his throbbing cock, he used his hand to navigate her entrance this time. Time wasn’t wasted this go around, so he thrusted his hips forward into her.

The both of them let out a synchronized groan; Zeus threw his head back; quickly coming to his senses that he would not last long in this position. He had the perfect bird’s eye view of her ass and his cock sliding in and out. He was no better than a mortal man now.

‘Mmmm.’ Angela groaned, feeling so much pressure and pleasure against her wet walls. She began to grip the sheets in her fist, knowing that it was going to be a bumpy ride.

Zeus caressed his hands up from her thick thighs to her chubby waist. There, he gripped tightly before he started to accelerate. ‘Ugh, shit- yeah. Haaaah.’ He groaned as he thrusted hard and fast.

Her pretty dark brown eyes rolled to the back of her head as she could already feel her body betraying her once more. ‘Fuck yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes! ZEUS!’ Angela whined out. She slipped her hand beneath herself and began to toy with her clit as he destroyed her from behind.

The glorious sounds of her angelic songs and his skin crashing and pounding against hers fueled his desire once more. His eyes had shifted from their humanly blue to the color of the blistering sun. His moans were deeper and inhuman. He sounded more of a beast now than he did of a man. Beads of sweat prickled across his forehead, shoulders and his torso.

His grip on Angela’s hip grew tighter as he reached over and gripped her ponytail, pinning her into her pillow.

‘Ooh right there baby! Fuck baby you’re gonna make me cum again. Oooh shit!’

And just like the flip of a switch, she’d turn into putty in his grasp. But this only encouraged him to keep going. Not like the last time when he decided to give her a break. No, he wanted to rip those orgasms away from her and have her crawling come morning.

‘OOH DEAR FUCKING– ZEUS!’ Angela wept; tears had soon fallen down the side of her face.

‘Uh huh! Call out for your God baby.’

Orgasm after orgasm, Zeus’ thrusts had become staggered and arrhythmic. He was losing the battle. So, he rested his body atop hers and slowly began to thrust his hips into her. ‘Angela…fuck. I’m gonna give you– ugh! Such a beautiful baby.’

She didn’t think, and perhaps she thought he wasn’t serious but when she pressed her ass into him as he nestled deep inside her.

She was sadly mistaken.

‘UH! FUCK– GAAAHHH!’

Zeus had finally unraveled, releasing thick and rich ropes of semen inside of her. He throbbed, gently stretching her out as he bred her. His body shook as the thunder roared with a vengeance outside. ‘Uh…’ He couldn’t speak.

Angela rolled her hips beneath him, milking him from everything he had. She looked back at him just in time to see his golden hues disappear in the darkness of his ghostly blues. His thick curls were slightly damp from the work out and his parted lips had turned up into a relieved smile. Angela returned the smile and stretched her neck up to kiss him.

***

The Next Morning…

Her eyes fluttered open, her tired eyes fixated on the ceiling for a moment. She groaned softly as she slowly turned over to see an empty side of the bed. It was messy, and a telltale sign that he was once here.

She placed her hand on the vacant sheets and ran her hand over them. Still warm… it was then when she’d noticed that her patio blinds were open. The sun had beamed in on that empty space and kept it heated.

Funny, she had her blinds closed and her window was open across the room.

Suddenly, she heard a booming voice… deep with a pretty and very familiar accent.

‘Zeus.’ She uttered excitedly as she scooted herself out of her King sized bed and wrapped the sheets around her. Almost losing her footing, she rushed out her room and down the hall where the voice became distinguishable. He was here! Wow, he was still here!

Cutting the corner, there he stood in her kitchen with a phone pressed against his ear. He flashed her a bright smile and a wink.

Returning the gracious smile, her eyes roamed down to his belt where a flashy police badge rested on his hip. Confusion instantly struck her and her smile had faltered. She managed to walk up behind him and sneak his wallet out of his back pocket. When she opened it up, she felt as if air had been snatched out of her lungs.

Walter Marshall. DOB: 05/05/1983. Issued Date: 07/23/2020 Expiration Date: 05/05/2026

‘What are you doing with that?’

Almost jumping out of her skin, ‘Huh?’ She looked down at his wallet and looked back up at him. He folded his arms across his massive chest. He’d had this slightly amused smirk curled up on those lips. ‘I-... I don’t know -just…’ She just handed it back to him and swallowed her spit.

‘Mmmm, maybe you need more rest. You worked double last night, I’m surprised you’re awake!’ He reached over and placed a kiss on her temple.

‘Double?’

‘Yeah? At the hospital? The storm came in and almost destroyed the city.’ Now confusion was written on his face.

And they were confused together.

‘...The hospital. Alright… And you were?’

‘I was at the precinct. They had us shelter in place… hey, what’s going on are you feeling alright, Ang?’

Angela cleared her throat and let out a sigh. She was just about to tell him about this crazy dream she’d had until she saw a little frame of them on the bartop. She was dressed in a gorgeous white dress and he wore this chic black and white tuxedo. His beard was gone and his hair was cut to perfection.

She quickly brought up her left hand, gazing at the big sparkly teardrop diamond that sat delicately on her finger. My, it was by far the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen.

Suddenly, a flood of memories brought her back to her current reality. Perhaps the impact of working so hard and that storm had her a little delusional.

‘I’m alright, Walter. I just had this… crazy dream.’

‘Hmph, must’ve been! Here, let’s talk about it over breakfast-’

‘NO!’

Walter paused for a second as his thick brows pulled into one.

‘It’s just… Has someone ever told you that you kind of favor Zeus?’

His cheekbones turned pink and glanced to the side, ‘You mean Zeus like the God?’

She nodded.

‘No, mama. Is that what your dream was about, baby? I was a Greek God?’

When he said it, she just felt so damn stupid. She was embarrassed for even bringing it up. ‘Just forget it.. I don’t want to talk about it.’

Walter reached over and grabbed her hand, ‘Aw baby girl, don’t be embarrassed. C’mon we’ve all had silly dreams before… tell me what happened.’ He pulled her close and placed a kiss on her cheek.

‘Well… we… erm.’

He tilted his head to the side as his large hands traced up and down her body.

Angela cleared her throat as she looked up at him, ‘We were–..’

‘Would you like to show me what we did in the dream? You know I've always learned better by touch and physical interaction.’

She stared up at him as a slow grin curled up on her lips. ‘As tempting as that sounds baby, um… i think you’re burning the bacon.’

And on cue, the smoke alarm blared in the kitchen. Dark gray smoke floated up to the ceiling.

‘Shit!’ Walter exclaimed as he gently pushed her away and rushed to the stove. He choked as the stench burned at his throat and lungs. He reached over and turned off the knob and let out a gentle sigh.

‘Woman you’re a distraction…’ He turned half way with a gentle smile on his lips, ‘Get some clothes on. We’re going to breakfast. My treat.’

Inhaling deeply through her nose, she gave him a smile in approval, ‘If there are grits involved then I’m in.’

‘Good, I know a spot.’ He said with a smirk, watching her glide back in their bedroom.

His smirk instantly faded, the glow of gold reflected in his gaze.

He picked up the pan that was now coated in black soot and threw the scraps in the trash. Then, he dropped the pan in the sink.

Walter squirted some dish soap over the scrubber and began to do away with the burnt food. Suddenly, a soft yellow light glowed in his peripheral. He paused his movement, ‘As what do I owe the pleasure,’ he lifted his head, ‘Hera.’

The Goddess stood tall, her eerie gaze reflected in her eyes. Her blonde hair had specks of gold in her locks. She wore a royal white satin toga with gold trimmings. Nose and lips swollen and pink from all of the sobbing. He’d been gone for days. Living a fantasy that he’d created.

‘The children ask of you, Zeus.’

‘The children are old enough to take care of themselves. And I thought I told you to address me as, Your King.’ He gently brought a dirty knife from out of the sink and placed it in his belt.

Hera inhaled deeply, and watched him round the counter to join her in the dining room. ‘It’s Hebe. She misses you… I… miss you. Why can’t you come home? Why can’t you be with your real family? You don’t belong here.’

‘And you know where I belong?’

‘Why must you be so cantankerous?! You have a family. And it is your duty as a father, as a King, as a God—‘

‘My family is… here. I have everything I could possibly want here. Those insubordinate, spoiled and treacherous adults you call children—‘

‘You don’t talk about them that way!’ She exclaimed with tears filling her eyes once more.

‘I will talk of them however I want. Now, I know when I left Olympus I told you not to stand in my way… and yet you come here… you disturb me.’ He walked closer to her as she took a few steps back. ‘What should I tell our children once they discover that you’re dead hmm.’

‘Zeus..’ she trembled as a tear fell down her face, ‘Please… it doesn’t have to be like this.’

‘Oh but my vindictive wife… it does. See— you have pushed me away for centuries.. you don’t truly love me. Not really, only when I lie with other women— that’s the only time you actually give a damn. In the meantime, you’ve taken everything’ Zeus hissed through his teeth — ‘from me. Now I have everything I want… and you won’t ever come in between that ever again.’

‘My King. Please, I will leave — I will — ugh!’ Hera gasped as she felt a sharp, stabbing pain in her ribs. She hiccuped before looking down to see Zeus’ hand on the handle of a kitchen butcher knife, with the blade delved between her rib cage. ‘Hyuck!’

‘Ive started with you, My Queen… my new wife will take your place on the throne and I will rid my bloodline of those foul, demented children you claim belong to me. They will join you soon.’ Zeus snatched the blade from the wound and watched her fall to her knees.

Hera collapsed on her back; wheezing as her golden blood leaked from her nose and gargled out the side of her mouth. ‘Mmm—mmm.’ She held onto her wound tightly.

Zeus squatted down, pushing her golden locks out of her face, ‘Don’t fight love. Death is such a beautiful thing. Peaceful if I might add.’ A deranged smile curled on his lips as he watched her take her last breath with a final tear falling down her face.

Her bright golden eyes had faded to a lifeless gray, her hair turned gray as heavy rain clouds and her once lively skin was deathly pale.

He pressed his lips together and inhaled deeply, ‘GoodBye Hera.’

‘Hey honey I was think—‘

Angela had walked down the hallway, plugging her earrings into her ears when she saw the gruesome sight. Her heart had sunk to the pit of her stomach and her mouth had fallen open in shock.

Zeus snapped his head over his shoulder to look back at her. His eyes still shined their brilliant gold and he still held that bloodied knife in his grip. He defensively stood to his feet.

‘Wh-wh-wh-‘ she began to hyperventilate. She grabbed the chest of her shirt in her fist as if she could grab her heart itself. Angela stumbled back as tears filled her eyes with fear.

‘Ooooh my sweet petal.’ He smirked as he tossed the blade to the floor, then his eyes returned to their gentle blue, ‘You weren’t supposed to see that.’

‘That?!’ She gasped, ‘Oh my god— the dream… it was true! It was real! You’re toying with me!’

Zeus inhaled deeply, slowly blinking once, ‘As real as you are… you’ve no need to be afraid of me. I told you I’d protect you and I intend on keeping my promise, wifey.’ He brought his hand up, flashing the golden wedding band on his finger.

‘Who is that woman on my floor?’ Angie shuddered out, placing her hand on her stomach to mellow out her queasiness.

‘Oh… her? If you must know… Hera. She was my wife. Former Queen.’

Angela gasped and covered her mouth with her hands, ‘Wh—what did you do?! Why did you do that to her?!’

‘She sought to kill you, woman. Why must you question me!? I SAVED YOUR LIFE!’

‘And how do you know?!’

‘BECAUSE I KNOW HER!’ Zeus exploded, ‘Every chance she got to make me miserable and take away those who are near and dear to me, she did and without contrition! In a few days time she would’ve inflicted some rare form of cancer upon you or had one of her loyal servants come and slit your throat or worse…’

‘W-worse?’ Angela murmured.

Zeus’ tearful gaze had fallen upon her belly before looking down. ‘You are with child, Angela. My child.’

Angela gasped at the news, tears filling her eyes and quickly spilling over. ‘No, no. That can’t be!’

‘It is Angela and I eliminated her so our child could have the best possible chance to grow and succeed in the future… so I can have the proper heir… from a woman that I truly love and truly adore— Angela, don’t you get it?’

He took a step forward and she took a step back.

‘This. Is. destiny. A start of a new era, a new beginning… I never intended to be with Hera. I never loved her… she doesn’t make me feel the way you do.’

A sob ripped through Angela’s chest, ‘And how am I to make you feel? I’m just a mere stranger you came and took advantage of!’

‘No! No. You’re much more than that my little love… you make me feel… human. Gentle… fair.’ He approached her carefully with his hands out. ‘My entire ruling as King of Gods, I’ve been used… abused in all aspects of the word… I’ve never been treated normally… but being here with you, Angela. You make me feel heard. When you look at me I don’t see anger or hate.’

Angela looked up at him as she wiped her nose with her wrist and sniffed.

‘I see a bright future,’ he added as he took her hands into his, ‘Where you sit by my side as my Queen… and we rule Olympus and the Overworld… just the way it’s intended to be. Just—‘

She stared up at him, not able to form words because she was so consumed by fear and confusion. ‘I could make you a Goddess. Make all your dreams come true my little love… just say… yes.’

tags: @critfailroll @itsrubberbisquit @peternoonewantsthat @ellethespaceunicorn @deandoesthingstome @luxeydior @wa-ni @milknhonies @swiss-mrs @angreav @singeramg @ylva-syverson @amesensibles @ramp-it-up @lainiespicewrites @toooldforobsessions @kingliam2019

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royal-wren · 1 year ago

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Favorite/Lesser known/Lesser focused on Athene (Athena) epithets.

Athene Aithyia - Seabird (the grey puffin or shearwater, also known as the sea-crow).

Athene Alalkomenêis: - Defender/Parrier

Athene Amaria - Bright Sky

Athene Anemôtis - Of the Winds/Subduer of Winds

Athene Atrutônê - Tireless

Athene Boulaia - Reasoner

Athene Ergatis - Craftsman

Athene Glaukopis - Owl-eyed, clear-eyed, bright-eyed, large-eyed with a sparkling look, or with the flashing eyes. Her eyes are bright like an owl's in the night (at the very least) or have an uncanny look to an owl's eyes, giving her this title.

Athene Hephaestia - Of Hephaistos. The master of crafts like sculpting, woodwork, and metal work also shared by Hephaistos

Athene Homolôis - The Constant/Concord

Athene Kalliergos - Fine-worker

Athene Keleutheia - Of the Roads

Athene Narkaia - The Petrifying One/One with the Petrifying Gaze

Athene Nauta - Shipbuilder. Aside from the myth of creating the first ship, it is also used for navigation and protection by the goddess while sailing

Athene Pandrosos - All-Doer

Athene Phemia - Of Verbal Omens

Athene Proxima - Goddess of nearness (as Walter F. Otto translates it, the one who is always near her followers, in contrast with the distance of Apollo). She is always standing by her followers and worshippers.

Athene Phronesis - Creator of Morally Responsible Reasoning

Athene Polymetis - Wise in Many Ways

Athene Ophthalmitidos - Of the Eyes. As someone that is legally blind and with still worsening vision, it's important to me as she is a goddess that gives understanding and other gifts (other ways of seeing) in regards to it.

Athene Salpingks - Trumpeter/Of the War Trumpet

Athene Tritogeneia - Water-Born/Born From The Water. Indicating her many associations with water as a whole whether that be fresh water or salt water, and goes in the direction of her father being Poseidon over Zeus

Sources: one, two, three, four, five, six

#athena #athene #athena goddess #athena deity #athene goddess #athene deity #I wanted to make this a bit more like my Hermes one but given how long it's been sitting in my drafts I figured it best to wrap it up and #post it finally #hellenic polytheism #hellenic paganism #hellenic gods #hellenic deities #helpol #hellenic worship #hellenic polythiest #hellenic pagan

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thatgayunoriginalbastard · 4 days ago

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EPIC ships and non-EPIC songs that make me think of them because I'm trapped in this fandom

Ctimene X Eurylochus

Amen - Amber Run

A Terrible Ride - Lizard Boy

Blow My Brains Out - Tikkle Me

Elsa's Song - The Amazing Devil

Everything - Diamond Eyes

Fool - Frankie Cosmos

The Frost - Mitski

Golden Dandelions - Barns Courtney

Harpy Hare - Yaelokre

Hidden in the Sand - Tally Hall

Hurts Like Hell - Fleurie

Little Talks - Of Monsters and Men

Maybe This Time - Cabaret

Me and My Husband - Mitski

My Love Mine All Mine - Cavetown

rises the moon - Liana Flores

The Moon Will Sing - The Crane Wives

The Night We Met - Lord Huron

Unsaid Emily - Julie and the Phantoms

We Become We - Journey to Bethlehem

When She Loved Me - Toy Story 2

Odysseus X Diomedes

Blow Me (One Last Kiss) - P!nk

Body - Mother Mother

Burn Butcher Burn - The Witcher

Circles - Post Malone

Clarity - Zedd

Davy Crochet - The Backseat Lovers

Daylight - David Kushner

Dear Arkansas Daughter - Lady Lamb

First Love/Late Spring - Mitski

The Good In Me - Jon Bellion

Heather - Conan Gray

I Know Better - Matchbox Twenty

I Love You Like An Alcoholic - The Taxpayers

I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE - Maneskin

LET THE WORLD BURN - Chris Grey

Love Love Love - Of Monsters and Men

Mama's Boy - Dominic Fike

Misanthropic Drunken Loner - Days N Daze

Misery - Maroon 5

Misery Meat - Sodikken

Neverland - Ursa Major

Never Love an Anchor - The Crane Wives

Nothing's New - Rio Romeo

Over & Over - Rio Romeo

Paradise Lost - Hollywood Undead

Partner in Crime - Madilyn Mae

Rule #21 Momento Mori - Fish in a Birdcage

Saint Bernard - Lincoln

September - Sparky Deathcap

Sex with a Ghost - Teddy Hyde

Still… - Sophia James

The Exit - Conan Gray

The Moon Will Sing - The Crane Wives

The One - The Chainsmokers

Take Me Back To Eden - Sleep Token

Tungs - The Frights

Washing Machine Heart - Mitski

You - Keaton Henson

Odysseus X Penelope

Beautiful Things - Benson Boone

The Weight of Us - Sanders Bohlke

What If I Forget Your Face - Centaurworld

Would That I - Hozier

Odysseus X Poseidon

Beneath The Brine - The Family Crest

Drug - Simple Creatures

Copacabana (At The Copa) - Barry Manilow (I swear it makes sense to me)

Drunk-Dazed - ENHYPEN

Fallen Angel - Three Days Grace

Guillotine - Jon Bellion

Her Sweet Kiss - The Witcher

Hey Beautiful - Platinum Moon (specifically Ody being the one hitting on Poseidon)

Misanthropic Drunken Loner - Days N Daze

Promise - Laufey

Rule #4 Fish in a Birdcage - Fish in a Birdcage

Take Me Back To Eden - Sleep Token

Odysseus X Zeus

Bowsette - The Chalkeaters (I...have no defense for this)

Rule #34 - Fish in a Birdcage

Perimedes X Elpenor

Before You Go - Lewis Capaldi

Between the Bars - Elliott Smith

Christmas Kids - Roar

Coldest Winter (Drum Mix) - Pentatonix

Dream Sweet in Sea Major - Miracle Musical

dumb dumb - mazie

Faded - Said The Sky

Hallucinogenics - Matt Maeson

Humpty Dumpty - AJR

I Can't Handle Change - Roar

I Love You So - The Walters

Into The Unknown - Over The Garden Wall

Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls

Love Love Love - Of Monsters and Men

My Girlfriend - TV Girl

Neverland - Ursa Major

Oh Klahoma - Jack Stauber

One Little Lie - Simple Creatures

rises the moon - Liana Flores

Strawberry Blond - Mitski

Tell Me Why I'm Waiting - timmies

Unsaid Emily - Julie and the Phantoms

& - Tally Hall

Telemachus X Antinous

Bubblegum Bitch - Marina and the Diamonds

Burned - Grace VanderWaal

Bust Your Kneecaps (Johnny Don't Leave Me) - Pomplamoose (this actually works with possessive Antinous OR possessive Telemachus)

Choice - Jack Stauber

Church Bells - Carrie Underwood

Cryptid - Madilyn Mei (if you've seen my Vampire!Telemachus AU, this makes way more sense)

Dirty Thoughts - Chloe Adams

Falling Apart For You - Danica Dye

Ghosts - Jacob Tillberg

I WANNA BE YOUR SLAVE - Maneskin

Moral of the Story - Ashe

No Children - The Mountain Goats

Over & Over - Rio Romeo

Rule #34 - Fish in a Birdcage

Run the World - KittenSneeze

Saint Bernard - Lincoln

Sex with a Ghost - Teddy Hyde

Unsweetened Lemonade - Amelie Farren

Verbatim - Mother Mother

You Don't Love Me - Caro Emerald

Telemachus X Diomedes

Bruno Is Orange - Hop Along

Daddy Issues - The Neighbourhood (this applies to every Telemachus ship but especially this and TeleNeo)

Devil Doesn't Bargain - Alec Benjamin

Feel Better - Penelope Scott

Happy Pills - Weathers

i like the way you kiss me - Artemas

In Love With Someone - Prabal

Lone Star - The Front Bottoms

Mama's Boy - Dominic Fike

Miss Me - Zeph

Saint Bernard - Lincoln

Unsweetened Lemonade - Amelie Farren

Telemachus X Dionysus

Careful What You Wish For (the doctor said to) - Jack Harris

Choice - Jack Stauber

Cigarette Ahegao - Penelope Scott

Misery Meat - Sodikken

The Mind Electric - Miracle Musical

Only Acting - Kero Kero Bonito

Over & Over - Rio Romeo

Rule #21 Momento Mori - Fish in a Birdcage

Saint Bernard - Lincoln

Self Care - Penelope Scott (honestly this also works with most Telemachus ships besides Telestratus)

There's Something Happening - Jack Stauber

Who Is She? - I Monster

xanny - Billie Eilish

You Don't Love Me - Caro Emerald

[don't ask for an explanation on this ship, I just like the concept of the literally toxic and addictive relationship]

Telemachus X Eurymachus

engravings - Ethan Bortnick

The Drunk - Kiltro

Stalker's Tango - Autoheart

You Don't Love Me - Caro Emerald

Telemachus X Neoptolemus

[I literally had 71 songs for this ship so...I just made a Spotify playlist for them. And yes, it is incredibly influenced by @mercurymasc and their Band AU]

Telemachus X Peisistratus

Brighter Days - Saint Raymond

The Dumb Song - AJR

Maybe IDK - Jon Bellion

Meteor Shower - Cavetown

Time Adventure - Adventure Time

Vanilla - Flipturn

yours - Thomas Sanders

While I don't have an explanation for all of these, just know that for all of these songs I can either imagine an animatic, the characters crying while arguing, and/or the characters making out (and/or having freak nasty sex) to these songs.

I hope that I ruin/improve at least one song for someone out there with this list. And if anyone used this list as help with making any ship-themed playlists I think I would actually die and ascend.

#i realize that this is exposing what kind of music i listen to #but fuck it #i went through every song on my sad playlist for this #thought about going through the others but i've always been an angst person first #shipping rant #epic the musical #eurylochus x ctimene #odysseus x diomedes #odysseus x penelope #odysseus x poseidon #odysseus x zeus #elpenor x perimedes #antinous x telemachus #telemachus x diomedes #telemachus x dionysus #telemachus x eurymachus #telemachus x neoptolemus #telemachus x peisistratus

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faith-of-the-wheel · 6 months ago

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Ares/Thracian "Dionysos", A cognate of Rudlos?

This is one I will add for a more personal reason, but I think he has some connections. I'll explain but bare with me and acknowledge I consider more a UPG association than anything else. Perhaps someone here will find my shot in the dark interesting.

One of the twelve Olympians, son of Zeus, god of war, battlelust, courage and civil order. He is also associated Masculinity in general and modern Hellenists/Hellenic Polytheists often share the Personal Gnosis that he is a patron of mental health and one's struggle with it.

Now first, let me lay out a few facets of Ares I consider notable to this list. Although he is sometimes depicted as a mature, bearded man, especially after his syncretization with Mars, he is also often depicted as a spear-wielding(a common symbol to the cognates of Rudlos), nude, beardless youth, an ephebe. This brings to mind the connections between the ephebes and nude fighting, and the Koryos.

He was and is often shown diametrically opposed to Athena, Goddess of strategy, craftsmanship, and wisdom. Many misconstrue this as characterizing the "strategic and humane" warfare of Athena to the "savage and cruel" warfare of Ares. This could not be more wrong, as we have many stories of Athena encouraging, well, warcrimes, and Ares respecting another's honor.

The more accurate dichotomy is a much older, pan Indo-European one. One of defensive vs aggressive warfare. I have written earlier about the idea that Rudlos was the god of aggressive war, the marauding Koryos, counter-posed to the defensive Perkwunos, who protects the people and village from such raiders, and humanity at large from the demons of chaos, like Wṛ́tros. It is also widely accepted that Athena was formed from lesser, individual cults of palace goddesses, patrons of the individual homes of rulers, and later the cities they ruled, who later melded together into the panhellenic Athena, who likely takes her name from Athens and not the other way around as myth relates to us.

The crux of my theory is that rather than be actually being descended from the original PIE gods associated with these two forms of war, Ares and Athena sort of stepped into the molds they left behind, Ares particularly so.

The etymology of the name Ares is traditionally connected with the Greek word ἀρή (arē), the Ionic form of the Doric ἀρά (ara), "bane, ruin, curse, imprecation". Walter Burkert notes that "Ares is apparently an ancient abstract noun meaning throng of battle, war." Beekes has suggested a non-IE, Pre-Greek origin of the name. The earliest attested form of the name is the Mycenaean 𐀀𐀩, a-re.

The epithet, Areios ("warlike") was frequently appended to the names of other gods when they took on a warrior aspect or became involved in warfare: Zeus Areios, Athena Areia, even Aphrodite Areia ("Aphrodite within Ares" or "feminine Ares"), who was warlike, fully armored and armed, partnered with Athena in Sparta, and represented at Kythira's temple to Aphrodite Urania. In the Iliad, the word ares is used as a common noun synonymous with "battle."

He was also known by the name/epithet Enyalius. In Mycenaean times Ares and Enyalius were considered separate deities. Enyalius is often seen as the God of soldiers and warriors from Ares' cult. It has been suggested that the name of Enyalius ultimately represents an Anatolian loanword, although an alternative hypotheses treat it as an inherited Indo-European compound. The meaning is still unknown however.

Now, while it is indeed possible that Ares was a Pre-Greek(or perhaps even foreign) deity adopted by the Greeks, his character lines up closely with the IE idea of deified abstractions. The PIE's believed that if any idea exists, their must be a god who rules over it. In the absence of assigning it to a previously worshiped deity, they would deify the abstraction itself, this is the origin of the PIE god Xaryomen, Roman Fortuna, the various female night personifications throughout the IE world(Nyx, Nott, etc), among many others.

However there are two issues. First, his name is not IE in origin. It's seemingly a common noun, one widely adopted by IE people but still strange nonetheless. The second is his breadth of myth and variety of cultic practice, which is extremely strange for a supposed abstraction. For example, in parts of Anatolia, he had an oracular cult.

Consider his mythic origin for a moment. His birthplace was said to be Thrace, and he was believed by the Greeks to be the progenitor of their people. There is no well known obvious cognate of Ares is Thrace, so it is likely an association made by the Greeks because of the Thracian's martial skill and perceived warlike nature. However the cult of a Thracian god referred to as "Dionysus" was very widespread. Most believe him to be a separate deity. His connections to prophecy, poetry, war, and his identification with Apollon could indicate some connection to Rudlos, but his association with a solar cult feels potentially contradictory, at the very least could go either way because Apollonian influence and Rudlos-Dyeus identification in neighboring Anatolia.

Okay, enough rambling, let's get to personal, 100% UPG crackpot theory. When the IE Greeks encountered the Pre-Greek, Anatolian, and Minoan cultures, we know they adapted much of their culture and religion. Consequently, many IE deities were lost or altered beyond recognition. Rudlos's cult started to disappear before the Mycenaean age, and was then re-adopted/altered via Anatolian Apollon. During Rudlos's initial disintegration, most of his war-related aspects may have jumped ship and been given over to a newly formed/adopted deity, Ares/Enyalius. His aspect/son Leudhero may have influenced Dionysus in a similar manner.

To be clear, we will not considered Ares a cognate of Rudlos moving forward but I thought I would give you something I've been pondering while I continue to work on the next parts for the Rtkona series.

#paganism #deity worship #pagan #pagan revivalism #pie paganism #pie pantheon #pie polytheism #pie reconstructionism #pie religion #proto indo european paganism #hellenism #hellenic polytheism #hellenic deities #hellenic worship #helpol #ares #rudlos #reconstructionist paganism

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abbiistabbii · 1 year ago

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Ok so can we talk about how the US Congress funded two art pieces depicting George Washington as a God? Like, fucking seriously?

First one is in the occulus of the Capitol Rotunda dome and it's called the Apotheosis of Washington.

So first off the name: Apotheosis means "the elevation of someone to divine status." Something the Romans did a lot (the Founding Fathers were horny for Ancient Rome) during the Empire days was deify dead emperors, which, you know, is real personality cultish.

This painting shows Washington, being taken up into the clouds in a pose akin to a Greek God like Zeus. Below him is Columbia (a pre-Uncle Sam personification of America) crushing tyrants and kings. Along the edges you have Minerva with Benjamin Franklin, Samuel F. B. Morse, and Robert Fulton, Poseidon and Venus laying a telegraph cable, Mercury giving money to Robert Morris, Vulcan with Canons and a Steam Locomotive, and Ceres helping farmers.

OK, and to stress how much this is "Washington being made a God", the guy who painted this, Constantino Brumidi, started out his art career painting religious shit for the Vatican. The US Congress hired this man who was primarily known for his work painting art for the Catholic Church to paint George Washington being made a God.

Oh, but you know how I said there are two? Well guess fucking what, Congress commissioned another thing depicting George Washington as a God.

This is "George Washington" by Horatio Greenough, also known as "Washington Enthroned" and depicts Washington as a Greek God, clothes, pose and all.

Now this too was made for the Rotunda, but people found it controversial, not because it depicted George Washington as a fuckin' God, but because he was Half naked. People's main issue was the man was half naked, not that he was being depicted as a Greek fucking God.

Now I know you are all going to be all "Aren't you from the UK with the Monarchy and..."

We don't treat any historical figure like this. Kings, Queens, Prime Ministers. Nobody is literally depicted as a God in a serious work of art.

The most any Monarch gets is a statue, or something named after them. The tower containing Big Ben is named after Elizabeth the Second. Winston Churchill is used a lot in Nationalistic shit but even the shaggiest of flag shagger would think depicting the man as a God is too far. We have some big monuments to some figures, Sir Walter Scott has a 61.11 m high gothic tower in Princes street in Edinburgh, William Wallace has a Tower in 67 m tall tower just outside Stirling, but nobody is like depicting them as a God. But here you are, America, depicting Washington as a fucking God like that's a normal things healthy countries do.

Fuck, Mount Rushmore was funded by the Government too, where they saw a Mountain Sacred to the Dakota and was all "Let's carve the Heads of Presidents on that." They saw a sacred site and decided to deify not just Washington, but four other presidents too.

Jesus Christ America.

#history #art #art history #USA #United states #rant post

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corawithfanfiction · 24 days ago

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✯ Flawless - Sebastian Stan

guess who is back (Final Episode)

lost on 'u (previous episode)

MY MASTERLIST! - EVENTS!

This is an original story and may not be copied or translated into another language without permission!

Summary: Nora Walter’s turbulent career, traumatic accident, and potential fashion comeback collide with ex-lover Sebastian Stan’s new romance. Their public breakup, unexpected red carpet reunion, and her viral return have reignited buzz across Hollywood, stirring emotions among fans and insiders alike.

Warnings: emotional trauma, car accident aftermath, body image pressure, celebrity gossip, public relationship dynamics, age-gap relationships, social media obsession, paparazzi intrusion, romantic tension, implied substance use.

Author's Note:

All news about Sebastian Stan in this chapter are real. Since Nora is a fictional character I created, of course, I wrote all the news about her myself. The headlines about Sebastian were taken directly from original sources and translated word-for-word. I’ll drop the links below for anyone curious to check them out.

Even though Nora is fictional, I’ve made sure her storyline stays grounded in the real world and timeline—and honestly, that’s one of the things I enjoy the most about writing her. :D

For Nora’s 2022 Met Gala look, I drew inspiration from Taylor Hill. I really liked her outfit that year—it fit the theme perfectly. As you know, I picture Nora as someone with a Taylor Hill kind of beauty and energy, so she’s been my main visual reference. But feel free to imagine her however you want. :)

And as sweet as Sebastian looked at the 2022 Met Gala... let’s be honest, he was totally off-theme.

Spotted! Sebastian Stan and Annabelle Wallis Holding Hands in NYC

Written by Tommy McDardlle – December 11, 2022

Sebastian Stan (40) and Annabelle Wallis (38) were spotted enjoying a romantic winter stroll through the streets of New York City. In this rare public appearance, the couple was seen holding hands, dressed in coordinating black outfits, with Stan walking Wallis’ dog Zeus.

Rumors began swirling in May after a now-deleted photo surfaced of Wallis gently pressing her lips to Stan’s at Robert Pattinson’s birthday bash. The photo, originally shared by photographer Myles Hendrik, was quick to make headlines before vanishing.

Stan previously dated longtime on-again-off-again flame Nora Walter, with the two last seen together in 2021. They were never seen together again after Nora’s terrifying car crash in Romania. When they began dating, Stan was 30, and Walter only 19.

Birthday in the Sun! Sebastian Stan Celebrates 40th in Greece with Girlfriend Annabelle Wallis

Written by Nicole Massabrook – August 14, 2022

Is he celebrating with his favorite person? Sebastian Stan was seen ringing in his 40th birthday in Greece, joined by close friends—including rumored girlfriend Annabelle Wallis.

The couple was photographed on August 13. The actor wore a salmon and eggshell-colored bowling shirt, while Wallis stunned in a coral dress with a black sweater tossed over her shoulders, accessorized in gold.

Dating whispers sparked in May when the two were seen getting cozy at Robert Pattinson’s birthday party. A candid moment—Wallis kissing Stan’s lower lip—was posted by photographer Myles Hendrik before being quickly deleted.

Though neither party commented, the duo has been spotted frequently since: dining in LA in June and strolling arm-in-arm through NYC in July—dog Zeus in tow.

SHOCKING TRANSFORMATION: Nora Walter Spotted for First Time Since Car Crash—Weight Gain Stuns Fans!

The former Victoria’s Secret model was seen for the first time since her horrific car crash in Romania that left her with broken ribs and a shattered ankle.

The accident occurred in 2021 during a post-shoot celebration. The vehicle rolled over ten times.

Following the crash, Nora vanished from social media and stepped away from the spotlight to recover.

After over a year of silence, she was finally spotted dining with friends at a small NYC restaurant. The once runway-regular looked nearly unrecognizable, and fans were stunned by her noticeable weight gain.

Sources say the 29-year-old has no plans of returning to the catwalk anytime soon...

Is She Back?

Former Supermodel Nora Walter Spotted Entering The Society Management After Crash

Written by Tommy McDardlle – September 2, 2022

After her devastating car crash, Nora Walter disappeared from public view—and from social media. Fans were stunned when she was spotted weeks ago with a visibly fuller figure, dining in NYC.

Now, the former runway queen has been photographed entering The Society Management, the elite agency also home to Kendall Jenner.

Is Nora staging a comeback?

Sources say the model is regaining her iconic shape—and fans are watching closely.

Nora Walter Makes a Statement at the Met Gala:

“It Felt Like a School Reunion!”

Published May 2, 2022

The former Victoria’s Secret Angel made her first official appearance since her car accident, stunning on the red carpet at fashion’s biggest night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Speaking to People, Nora shared: “I get to see people I haven’t seen in forever. Friends move away, life gets crazy… then Met Gala happens and you’re like, ‘Ah, friends!’”

Recalling her very first Met Gala, she said: “It was really exciting. I remember thinking, ‘What am I doing here? I can’t believe I’m actually here.’”

From 2014 to 2016, she attended the gala with ex-boyfriend Sebastian Stan. Seeing her walk the carpet solo again had everyone talking.

RED CARPET REUNION?!

Nora Walter and Sebastian Stan Spark Buzz at Met Gala 2022!

Guess Who’s Back?!

Hollywood’s former hottest couple was spotted side by side once again!

Supermodel Nora Walter and Golden Globe nominee Sebastian Stan were seen arriving at the Met Gala.

The exes, who dated from 2013–2016, famously split after a public fight at the Civil War premiere.

They briefly reunited in 2021—but disappeared from the public eye following Nora’s car accident.

Stan is currently linked to Peaky Blinders star Annabelle Wallis, who notably skipped this year’s event...

Instagram Explosion: Nora Walter Posts “I Know You Missed Me”—Celebs and Fans Freak Out

@norawalter: “I know you missed me”

4,183,542 likes – 1,769,092 more comments

bellahadid You always know how to steal the show!!!! ❤️

kendalljenner SO PROUD OF YOU 🔥

modelfan1 IS THIS A JOKE?!

modelfan1 IT’S BEEN OVER A YEAR AND NORA IS BACK!!!

haileybieber You burned it all down, babe!! 🔥🔥🔥

fanaccount I can’t believe Nora’s back—and she’s already throwing shade at team Annabelle & Sebastian...

marvelgirlfan @fanaccount Seb came solo to the Met. Maybe Annabelle knew Nora would show up...

walterfan DID YOU SEE THE MOMENT SEB & NORA CROSSED PATHS ON THE RED CARPET?!

stansoldier They said she’d never wear heels again after the accident. Her ankle was shattered. Her ribs were crushed. This woman is a goddess.

marissalewis Girl, all I gotta say is… that ass looked incredible ❤️

❤️❤️

username1 She looked heavier just days ago—how did she slim down this fast??

username2 Am I the only one scared by how fast she lost the weight???

norawalter Just you lol @marissalewis ❤️

kendalljenner #needmoreNoraWalterphotos ❤️

gigihadid I’m not coming to Met Gala again because of you. TOO GOOD.

kyliejenner 💨💦

username87 After everything she’s been through, having all the girls with her must feel amazing. I’m so proud of her.

fanaccount54 No one from Marvel has commented…

modelfan27 Nora doesn’t need the Marvel crew. Looks like no one stuck around after she broke up with Sebastian.

username1 No one was even seen visiting her at the hospital either @modelfan27

modelfan27 @username1 Maybe they broke up, but in every interview they used to call her their sister. Now no one’s around—it feels awful.

marissalewis @modelfan27 Nora doesn’t need anyone, babe. kisses 😜

username1 I CAN’T BELIEVE MARISSA JUST REPLIED TO US

fanaccount54 Things are getting juicier by the minute...

News Links:

https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/lifestyle-fashion/stylenews/taylor-hill-back-school-moment-met-gala-1398364.html

TAG LIST: @moochiester @zizuras @blackbluerose666 @rosecoloureddudez @sebastians-love @sebastian-warneke @kingkat12 @bucky-bucky-bucky-bucky @slavicangelmuah @virgosapphire79 @star-girl-04 @veyzus @ddipotassium @pecxiebu@mil88691 @katifefe @sn0wybowie-blog @lafemme-nk @namiusedbubble @useyourwandbro @strmborns @literally-lani @iamaslytherin0 @sexualparkour @the-universe-is-complicated @heavenly-bratt @mentallyscreamingsincebirth @putherup @vladsgir @nekoannie-chan @starfly-nicole @shannon-schneider @winterslove1917 @oceanlenny @lov3liz @hopelessromanticlandmermaid

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