Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

It was a tale. Not as old as Time. 

But, it was a tale. Everyone knew it by heart. 

Six children were born in a world ruled by cruelty and greed. These six children grew into adults; adults who destroyed the old world. Forged a new one. Ruled by themselves. A kinder world that was ruled by friendships and love. 

But, the old world wasn't so cruel. The new world wasn't so kind. 

And, the kings and queen who ruled the new world were not always adults. They were children first. Ambitious, daring and capable of great kindness and greater cruelty.

And, it all started with a boy. Born from the sky with great powers of lightning was a clever boy. Who saw the great cruelty of the world from a young age. He was not the oldest of the six children born, but the youngest. So, any of what he saw had already been observed by the others. Ignored for they believed they could not help change the world. This is the way it has always been, why should they think they could change it now?

The boy did not know the other children when he was born nor in his youth. So, he thought he must be the only one in his world who had seen the injustices. So, he must be the one who changes it. For if he doesn't, who else will?

And, the boy continued his dreaming and planning until one day, he met the son of Time. 

It was in Times’ court. The boy's father, the Sky, had brought him along to a diplomatic meeting. Standing by Times’ sides were his son on his left, the new heir to their terrible and cruel world, and on his right, Times’ brother Intellect and his son, the god of the dead.

Time, Intellect and Sky left the boys to their own devices as they held their meeting in a private room. 

The boy felt awkward around the heir of the world and his cousin. He had never been around such powerful presences before. The heir didn't seem to hold such notions, finding the affair extraneous more than anything. 

The god of the dead, Thanatos, seemed bored. Immediately sitting down on the floor. 

“How long do we have to be here for, Aidon?” he asked, turning to his cousin. The boy stared at him, suprised that he would throw around the heir’s name so carelessly. Was it because they were cousins? Was this normal?

“Don't be so rude, Thanatos,” the heir chastised. “We have a guest.”

Thanatos glared at his cousin lightly, before turning his deadly gaze on the boy. He seemed to look him up and down, analysing him in a way that terrified him. The boy swallowed.

“What's your name anyway?” Thanatos asked.

The boy blinked, not having considered that they did not know his name. He knew theirs. Ofcourse, he knew theirs. They were related to the king of the world. It would be foolish if he did not know their names.

“Zeus,” he said after a minute. “My name is Zeus.”

Thanatos narrowed his eyes at him, “Well, Zeus, I don't like you.”

“Thanatos!” the heir warned, his brow furrowed. 

“What?” Thanatos asked. “I don't have to be nice to him! Do you know where Hestia is? I'd like to hang out with her.”

“She's…somewhere,” the heir said vaguely. “I can't keep track of her.”

Thanatos got up, stretching his arms, “I'll go find her.”

The heir rolled his eyes, shaking his head as he watched him go. When it was just Zeus and the heir, the heir sighed heavily.

“I'm sorry about him, Zeus,” the heir said. “He's…well, himself. Can't change much about him.”

“It's fine,” Zeus said. “Hestia is..the daughter of Iapetus.”

“Yeah,” the heir said. “She is. But, her father is usually busy travelling or exploring. So, she stays with us. Much to Rhea’s chagrin.”

“Really? Rhea? What does she…have to do with this?”

The heir smiled lightly, exhausted and far too grown for a young man, “She doesn't like father.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Keeps herself and Demeter as faraway from here as possible. But, let's us hang around their forests. Demeter usually brings Hera with her.”

Oh, Zeus thought. They seemed close. Zeus had expected for them to grown up as he have. Secluded and isolated from the world. His father said it was because they are the sky itself. They are it's beares. Zeus controlled the sky and lightening, what was his fathers’ will be his when his father grows bored of it. If he'll ever grow bored of it.

“-hang out?” the heir was saying. 

Zeus blushed lightly, not having heard a word of what he had said. 

“What?” he said dumbly. 

The heir smiled kindly, “You really should join us. Ignore everything Thanatos says, he takes time to warm up to people. But, Hestia is kind. Always has been. And, if Rhea takes a liking to you so will Demeter and Hera.”

“Oh,” Zeus said. “Uh, I don't know if my father will…allow me.”

“He does not have anything against my father. Or, Rhea, I believe. So, there should be no issues. And, if he does not like it, bending the rules a little hasn't killed anyone so far.”

Zeus laughed, taken aback. The heir of the world, the son of Time himself, just told him to break the rules. It was the heir, who was now smiling at him mischievously, all bright and firey like a proper heir was meant to be. 

“Are you serious?” Zeus asked him. 

“Ofcourse, I am!” the son of Time said, clapping Zeus on the back. “Besides, if we get you, we might be able to convince the spoiled prince himself to join us sometime.”

“Uh…spoiled prince?” 

“Poseidon. You know him right?”

“I've heard of him,” Zeus said. 

“Yeah, well, you probably don't know that his parents spoil him rotten. King of the sea, he claims himself to be,” the heir said, smiling fondly. He didn't look any bit as annoyed as his words conveyed. It seemed more like an old joke. A fondness in his face and voice that conveyed closeness. 

Zeus did not know how to react to that. He had never been close to anyone his age. The closest bond he had was to his maid, Amalthea. 

He did not know how to reply to the heir. If his refusal would be considered rudeness. If the heir would take offense to his words. What would his father say? He did not even know if refusal was an option. If the heir had offered in a way of hospitality only. 

So, Zeus replied in the only way he knew he could without causing offence, “Sure.”

The heir to the world grinned, smiling at him warmly, “Well, then, Zeus. I cannot wait to introduce you!”

Hestia was both nothing like and exactly like how Hades had described her. In fairness, it was a brief description. But, it stood true. 

The woman, for that was what she was, being older than all of them by a few hundred years, had a kind face and a kinder presence. Her long hair was a dark red; it looked entirely brown in the dark, but as soon as she was close to a light source her hair looked entirely red. It was a beautiful strangeness that only added to her alluring nature. She was tall, her chiton wrapped around her beautifully. Ashes stuck to the bottom of her chiton, but she didn't seem to notice; if she did, Zeus doubted she would be bothered. Her eyes were a beautiful brown, deep and almost shining. She was surrounded by nymphs and attendees, all fawning over her and falling at her feet. The respect she commanded in the room was greater than the respect the heir commanded. 

That was strangest to Zeus, how could they respect her more than the heir to the entire world itself. The strangest part he thought was that the heir seemed unbothered by it. That it was only a fact that Hestia was owed more respect than himself. Was it because she was his elder? She was the first, of course. Of their parents children. The gods, their parents called them. And, Hestia was the first of their kind. It was Aiden next, the heir to the world. Then it was the daughter of Rhea, Demeter. After her, was the son of the Oceanus and Tethys, Poseidon. The daughter of Kreious, Hera. And, finally it was him, son of the sky. They were the first of their kind. And, accordingly, they would be the strongest. Born of Life, Time, Earth, Ocean, Constellation and Sky itself. 

Zeus had thought they grew up like he did. But, it was not true. The gods had known each other and been friendly enough to break their parents laws. All except for the sons of the Ocean and Sky. Though even the son of the Ocean seemed more fond of them than the son of the Sky. Zeus promised himself that one day, he will be close to them too. 

But, even then, it did not make sense to Zeus. The heir should have the utmost respect, he thought. But, he did not comment. It was not his place. 

When they had found Hestia, she was tending to a hearth with Thanatos languidly laying beside her talking animatedly about this and that. Hestia was clearly listening, though she remained silent.

The heir smiled, watching them. When Hestia heard them, she smiled kindly at them. Thanatos narrowed his eyes at Zeus. 

“Everyone this is Zeus, son of Hyperion,” the heir introduced. “Zeus, this is Hestia.”

Hestia grinned, all warmth. She stood up quickly, enveloping Zeus in a hug, “Oh, it's so nice to finally meet you! I've heard much about you from your father!”

“Really?” Zeus asked, unsure.

“Yes! I was disappointed he never brought you here. No one should be alone for so long.”

“I wasn't alone,” Zeus said, disgruntled thinking of Amalthea. Then he quickly remembered his manners, offering apologies.

Hestia only laughed lightly, “No need to apologise, silly. It is alright. If you say you were not alone, then I will believe you. But, if so, who did you have?”

Zeus stared at her, not knowing what answer he should give. He did not want to mention Amalthea to them. So, he said the closest thing to her, “Nymphs. I had some friends.”

“There are nymphs where you live?”

“Aren't they everywhere?” 

“Fair enough,” Hestia said.

“I was thinking of bringing him with us. Next time we meet with Demeter and Hera,” Hades said, smiling.

“Oh, what a wonderful idea!” Hestia said at the same time as Thanatos shot up, “Wait why?!”

The heir leveled a glare at his cousin, “Because, Zeus is nice. And, I like him. Do you get it now? Stop being pissy.”

“I'm not pissy!” Thanatos argued.

“Really?!” Hades exclaimed, hands on his hips. “That's not you throwing a hissy fit for no reason?”

Thanatos blushed from embarrassment, glaring at his cousin. Hestia shook her head.

“Cats and dogs, those two,” she whispered to Zeus.

Zeus snorted, watching the two of them. 

“Zeus is coming with us,” the heir said. “End of discussion.”

“Oh, just because you're older doesn't make you the boss!”

“And, throwing a fit won't make you heard,” the heir said, crossing his arms. 

Thanatos stomped his feet, before sighing out a “Fine!”

Zeus felt awkward watching them, and only when the dust settled did he feel brave enough to say, “I don't have to come.”

“Nonsense!” Hestia said.

“You're coming just so I can spite him,” the heir said pointing at his cousin.

“I hate you,” Thanatos replied smoothly.

Zeus swallowed, feeling more self aware than he had in years. He almost regretted coming today with his father. But, underneath the undeniable anxiety and trepidation, there was a thrill at the inclusion. At the idea of meeting more people his age. 

He found himself excited to go back and tell Amalthea about it all.

Chapter Text

When Zeus returned to his father’s palace, he immediately rushed to Amalthea rattling off to her about the prince, the way he easily spoke to him as if they have been friends for years and not strangers who met a minute ago, about Thanatos and his standoffishness, about Hestia her kind face, the way she commanded the attention and respect of the room even more than the prince himself. 

Amalthea smiled, indulging him and asking him all sorts of questions. Zeus gladly answered and if he had no answer, he promised to figure it out and get her the answers. Amalthea would smile softly, promising to hold him to his word. 

The next week, the prince, Zeus, Thanatos and Hestia all headed over to a forest close to where Rhea lived. Despite the Prince’s insistence that Rhea hated his father, he was almost entirely at ease walking through her forests as if he had been a hundred times and knew the road by heart. 

Zeus followed them quietly, unlink them, he had the sense to be quiet, careful and aware of the forest and all that lived in it. The prince led them to a clearing where two girls were already sat by the lake, chattering loudly and laughing about something. Zeus eyes’ widened a little. The taller one had beautiful blonde curls and clever blue eyes. The other had dark red hair and brown eyes with specks of gold. 

Hestia took off. She rushed up to the girls, hugging the brunette. She hugged Hestia back easily, grinning widely. The blonde got up more gracefully, immediately hugging the Prince holding tightly onto him. He hugged her back, smiling easily into her hair. 

Zeus felt aware of his own skin, standing there awkwardly as the friends reunited.

The blonde pulled away first, firing off questions faster than anyone could comprehend.

“How are you doing, Aideon? Your father still himself? I heard he's had a meeting with Hyperion, what was that about? Did Hyperion bring his son?”

The prince only laughed at her excitement, everyone's attention drawing to them immediately.

“Hera, Demeter,” The prince started focusing on the two girls. He turned to Zeus, grinning, “This is Zeus. The son of Hyperion. Zeus, this is Demeter daughter of Rhea and Hera daughter of Thea.”

He indicated the red head first, the daughter of Rhea. And, the blonde was the daughter of Thea. Zeus found himself smiling.

“Hi,” he said awkwardly.

Hera’s shock wore off quickly, her head tilting slightly as she grinned, “So, you're Zeus?”

Zeus nodded, feeling scrutinised under her gaze, “Yeah.”

“Huh, you're much older than I thought,” she said, more of an observation than anything.

Demeter squinted her eyes, “I thought he'd be taller.”

“Why taller?” Thanatos asked, a look of disgust on his face. As if Zeus being taller genuinely offended him.

Demeter shrugged, “From the way Aideon described him, I thought he might be taller. Or more confident.”

Hera laughed at that, her hair and shoulders bouncing with the movement. Her laughter was light and beautiful. Almost like a song.

“Girls!” Hestia chastised and Demeter, Thanatos and Hera immediately shut up looking at her. She raised a single brow at them, which was enough to have them all blushing from embarrassment and looking at their feet. The prince laughed good naturedly. When Hestia turned her gaze to him, he covered his mouth, badly hiding his laughter. Zeus, in turn, laughed at him. And, in that moment, he figured out his mistake. He had assumed that Hestia would go easy on him considering he was new, but no. She turned his gaze to him, looking more disappointed than anything that he would join the group's antics. And, Zeus felt embarrassment rise in his throat. 

Oh, he thought, this is why everyone turned their gazes away from her. It reminded him of Amalthea and her disappointed gaze.

“Children, the lot of you,” Hestia chastised. 

“Hey, he's a prince,” Zeus said and quickly regretted it as the prince raised a brow, shaking his head. 

Hera laughed softly, smiling at them. 

“It's a wonder how the world will be left in his hands,” Hestia said.

As if on cue, the rest of the group laughed. Zeus joined them only if it was to fit in. 

“At least it's not Poseidon’s hands we're leaving the world in,” Demeter said, a lopsided smile on her face. 

“Oh a true blessing!” the prince exclaimed.

“Praise the Fates!” she returned.

“I thought I was only brought on to encourage Poseidon to join,” Zeus asked, turning to the prince. 

“Yes, but I wouldn't leave the world in his hands.”

“Do you know when your father is having a meeting with Oceanus again?” Hera asked. “It would be good to see him again.”

Demeter giggled, “Just never let him hear that or his ego will grow bigger. We can't have that.” 

Hestia tutted, “Have any of you considered that you're the reason he doesn't hang out with you?”

“No!” the group said in unison. 

Hestia rolled her eyes fondly. 

And, that was how their afternoon was spent. Talking about who had offended who. Who was meeting with who. Demeter talked about her mother and Hera did too. Thanatos lounged on the grass, complaining about having nothing to do all day. The prince remained quietly, an exhausted look passing over his face when the topic of his father came up. And, Hestia only offered compassionate understanding of her father's travels.

“What about you?” Hera asked. “How's your father?”

Zeus shrugged, “I rarely see my father. He's always busy.”

“Same as Hestia’s?”

“Uh, he doesn't travel as frequently.”

“Has he offered to let you join him?” Demeter asked. 

“No,” Zeus said. “He prefers to be alone. But, I have Amalthea. I don't need much more.”

“Amalthea?” Thanatos asked. “Is she your girlfriend?”

Zeus wrinkled his nose in disgust, “No, she's my maid. She raised me.”

“Oh,” Thanatos replied, he looked earnest as if he genuinely was trying to learn more about Zeus. “Do you guys think Nyx would let me work in the Underworld?”

Demeter laughed as the prince shook his head. 

“Why the Underworld?” the prince asked, exasperatedly as if they'd had this conversation a million times before. And, they easily could've. 

“Nyx barely talks to our parents, you think she'd let a god work in the Underworld?” Demeter said, smiling at him as she nudged him with her foot.

Thanatos swatted at it, “I don't know, I think it'd be something to do and it would be fun.”

“Fun?” the prince asked. “It's full of dead people. Why would you ever want to work there?”

“Okay, asshole,” Thanatos said, glaring at the prince. “I want to escape you. Happy?”

The prince shook his head, “Be serious, Thanatos.”

“I'm serious!” Thanatos argued back. “Bia said it's good.”

“Oh no,” Hera laughed.

Demeter laughed too, instantly knowing what she had meant, “He's going for a girl!”

Thanatos’ cheeks reddened with embarrassment, “I am not!”

Hestia laughed too, hiding it behind a hand. The look of betrayal on Thanatos’ face was one for the ages, sending them all howling in laughter.  It was easy, Zeus realised. To laugh, to tease, to criticize without any heart. It was all far too easy with them. He no longer felt like a stranger intruding on them, but a part of their group. Friends he had made, the very first.