Ζεύς

that guy everyone loves to hate

[exmpxzeus]

My Dearest

mpxartemis​:

(...) She shrugged, taking a sip of her water and leaning against the kitchen counter. “I’ll try it now.” She was hungry, after all. And relieved by the offer to heat up the food for her, since the last time she had tried to use the microwave had been rather disastrous. Would Apollo be mad if she set up a cooking fire in the loft, she wondered? She had heard that people could have fires in their homes, and it would make cooking so much easier…

artemis speaks to him of how lonely her life might have become out in the woods now that there are less of her huntresses to accompany her and he actually feels for his daughter, gaze shifting back towards her to take in her expression for a moment. artemis is awkward with speaking of her emotions, of course, but when she adds that last part, he shakes his head briefly.

“you don’t have to do it because everyone else is doing it,” he tells her in a soft tone of voice, a genuine care now lacing his words that had been absent in the past centuries of his life since being away from his family. they are a blessing and a curse on his life, after all, and no matter how much he has learned to detest some of them, there are also those that he will never be unable to love. “but becoming more at ease in this modern world might enable you to find more people again who would love to join you in your forests. humanity is growing tired of their technology all on their own, i’m sure you can find plenty willing.”

that is all the advice he decides to give, however, not wanting to push his daughter or even thread on territory that isn’t his to set foot in. so instead of speaking more on the matter, he walks back towards his daughter’s kitchen and easily picks the containers of food up from where he left them, to put it all back into a pot on the fire and reheat it.

“i never use the microwave,” he tells his daughter after a moment, just in case she is curious. “the waves they use for heating ruin the flavour of the food. it’s always better to reheat things in a pot over the electric fire.”

[nikitacomk]

I don't judge, I would also spend the day photographing this masterpiece!😂♥️

Kdrama: Her private life (2019)

[exmpxzeus]

Dangerous Thing

with || @mpxayden || 

[exmpxzeus]

(...)  “Having utter control over your life is awesome, indeed, but don’t you think too much freedom could actually be a kind of disadvantage?”

ayden doesn’t just brush past his answer, but instead goes deeper in on it, and zeus appreciates someone who can uphold a conversation, so his smile is genuine when he listens to the young man’s opinion, even when it’s one he disagrees with wholeheartedly.

“history is a fickle thing,” he says with a small shrug. “humanity’s hands have written it down, but humanity has never been good at accuracy.” he allows himself a little roll of his eyes at the thought of this species, and then sighs softly. “ah, but well you should know this, for it’s been centuries since last they realised something more lived among them.” he shakes his head briefly. “and then they take these inaccurate writings and carry them into their future like they’re the undeniable truth.”

he clicks his tongue, before turning an amused smile ayden’s way. “besides, people grow and change, don’t they? gods could do the same. the prejudices people base their opinion of me on are thousands of years old. when’s the last time you heard a similar story about me? for all these new religions of mortals speak of forgiveness, they’re still an endlessly judgemental species.”

he shrugs, like it doesn’t quite matter to him, not really, because in the end mortals are fleeting things, but humanity is endless it seems, even when they’re working hard at racing towards their own ruin.

“as for too much freedom being a disadvantage... i think that is only the case with people who don’t know themselves, their limits and what they want from life. i don’t think it applies to gods like me who have lived so long there are very few surprises left inside of themselves. what is there to be disadvantaged by?”

it’s an actual question, not just a rhetoric one, which is proven when his gaze returns to ayden’s features and a look of genuine curiosity softens his face as he does so.

[exmpxzeus]

My Dearest

mpxartemis​:

(...) “You didn’t need to stay, dad,” she continued, her tone neutral. It was not like she was mad that he had stayed - after all, she was probably one of the few children he had who still had some affection for him, given how dysfunctional their family was. Of course, her affection was, in no small part, due to the fact that Zeus had always favoured her. So, she probably should not have been surprised that he had stuck around to spend more time with her. “What did you end up cooking? Sorry I fell asleep, this city living thing is killing me.”

it’s only a few hours later that something stirs within the house again, the silence broken by more than just the swish of him turning pages in the book. he’s been somewhat immersed in the story by now, but easily pulled out of it when his daughter speaks as she makes her way into the living room. he looks up from the book to follow her with his gaze, smiling when she simply takes a glass of water to drink, smiling wider when she tells him he didn’t need to stay.

“i wanted to,” is all he gives her in way of an explanation, not moving from the couch just yet. “i made a stew i think you’ll like, with boiled potatoes.” he looks at her from his position in the couch, his small a soft and almost private thing, meant for no one but her right now, and more genuine than a lot of his expressions tend to be. “if you hate the city living why don’t you go reside in the forest, my dear?”

it is then that he does push himself up from the couch, closing the book gently and returning it to the shelf with a casualness that belies how carefully he makes sure he doesn’t damage the book nor any of the others. “do you want me to reheat it now for you to eat or are you not hungry?”

[exmpxzeus]

Dangerous Thing

with || @mpxayden || 

[exmpxzeus]

(...) “My turn to ask then,” he paused for a few seconds to mull over the questions he wanted to ask, then decided to start with a quite classic one, “From your own perspective and experiences, what is the best and worst parts of being a god? Especially being you, the king of Greek gods?”

zeus watches the way the young man responds to his every shift in mood and words, happy to find that there seems to be no interest there and only a friendly return of his expended interest. which is why he breathes out a chuckle when he’s told of the young man’s regret about there being no epic battles on the planning. he inclines his head simply at ayden’s willingness to entertain his request of using first names and trading a question for a question, then listens with rapt attention to the words that follow as ayden explains the origins of his passion for photography.

he takes a small step closer as he does, not to invade the young man’s personal space, but simply to be able to hear him better, to not miss a word that’s being said. his eyes cling to ayden’s features as he speaks, skimming over the boy’s expression, his eyes, the movement of his lips. nothing about what he does is suggestive, he’s simply focused his entire attention on ayden, nodding along to his explanation of the uniqueness of photos and how no two humans, no two grains of sand and no two pictures are ever exactly the same. it’s a nice philosophy, so he accepts it easily, and smiles a bit wider at the glint in the young man’s eyes. he likes people with passion, because it shows they invest themselves in the world, if only in one part of it.

as ayden claims it’s his turn to ask, zeus tilts his head ever so slightly to the side, waiting patiently without rushing the young man. when the question follows, however, he can’t help a soft chuckle to go past his lips. “that is an interesting question,” he hums easily. “one could ask if there is any downside to being a god at all.” he gives a little shrug of his shoulders, before motioning with his hand for ayden to walk with him as he puts himself into motion. why not have a stroll on the beach while they discuss these things and ask each other these questions, after all?

“i’d say the biggest downside of being me in particular is the opinion everyone has already formed of me before i ever even open my mouth to them. which is really the only downside i see to all of it.” being a god, being greek, being who he is in particular. “the best part about being a god?” he glances briefly towards the ocean, before looking at ayden again. his expression shifts into a playful grin then, one that is meant to include the young man in his mirth, not make him the target of it. “being able to do whatever the hell i want, i guess.”

[exmpxzeus]

;too much to chew

seonghwaxmp​:

(...) “If I had more practice I could have toppled you-”

It may not have been the best thing to say, but it is the first that comes to mind amidst his confusion and the unusual way his pulse leaps at the suggestion of the tables being turned.

at the young man’s bitten words, zeus merely tilts his head back and laughs freely. he’s not necessarily laughing at the young man, but he’s definitely amused by the claim. he looks back down only when he’s let his mirth run its course, eyes sparking with the electricity of this encounter and the joy he gets from having another person pinned down like this, completely at his mercy. this man should be glad he is a merciful god, and not a vengeful one.

“it would take more practice than even your demigod lifespan could ever give you, handsome,” he says lightly, his claim easy but convinced. when he leans down this time, it’s to let his lips brush softly over the slope of his current partner’s temple, pressing a little closer when he reaches down to his cheek.

“now tell me,” he says then, indulgent if anything. “what is it you have been so futilely trying to achieve with me? is it control you wanted? or just the suffering?” he raises an eyebrow, smirking once more as he takes in the already flushed and already quite more of a mess than he had been at the party. he shifts down then, so he can press his lips to the centre of the young man’s throat, and then gently take the skin between his teeth, as if proving on some base level that if he wanted to tear this man’s throat out right there and then, he could just do it.

“what were you expecting to get, handsome?” he asks then, peering down at the young man with heavy eyes and that smug little smirk on his face.

[exmpxzeus]

Nightmare

aphroditexmp​:

(...) “He’s not good for nothing, Daddy,” she insisted, always ready to defend Ares, “We actually met up again here. It’d been a long time for us too. I have to confess that I’d taken to running away with the mortals - it was fun while it lasted.” With a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders, she’d reached over to entwine her arm with his, smiling up at him.

“Are you busy tonight, Daddy? Come over for dinner,” she said with a flutter of her lashes.

he smirks lightly when she says her brother isn’t good for nothing, because he can think of one thing she would definitely think ares is good for. the one thing that keeps drawing them together, he’d say. the one thing that drives so many of them, mortal and immortal alike.

when aphrodite links their arms, he lets her, because he has no objection to it, and he even gladly indulges the question she asks of him. “how could i refuse a dinner with my daughter?” he says with great charm, and smiles warmly at her, reaching up his free hand to briefly tap a fingertip to her nose before he focuses on the road ahead of them.

“perhaps your brother isn’t good for nothing, but he’s definitely not good for you. you could do much better than him. if you are going to cheat on your husband, why not do it with someone worthy of your time and energy? there is much better out there than ares, beloved.”

[jaeuck]

Kim Jae Uck .gif series

Ryan Gold in casual clothes

[exmpxzeus]

Dangerous Thing

with || @mpxayden || 

[exmpxzeus]

(...)  He let the last word roll off his lips a tad later than usual, just because he almost forgot that the man standing in front of him was actually a really powerful divine force. “Should we take it as your official greetings to all of the islanders? A recreational activity you’ve taken up? Or was that your warning to some mysterious marine force lurking in the sea and attempting to invade this island?”

he nods his head in clear interest when ayden answers his question, his smile softening at the edges as he listens to this piece of information given to him by the young stranger. though, he considers them strangers no more. with a name freely given and such a piece of the young man’s life bared for him, he thinks they’re well on their way to becoming acquaintances, and he’s no stranger to the process of turning people to his hand. slowly. gently. all the while making them feel like it’s entirely their own decision.

when the next question is shot at him, with that foxy smile to go with it, he lets out a low laugh, amused by the joke even if it wasn’t perhaps the best one. original it was, though. he doesn’t think he’s heard that very often before. usually people’s questions go straight to his escapades rather than lingering on his ability. ayden gains another few points from him for that, too.

the sir that follows the next question has his eyes lighting up with amusement as well, and he shakes his head lightly, but he doesn’t interrupt, focusing again straight away when ayden keeps talking. he nods his head to indicate he’s hearing and understanding each question, before his expression once again breaks out into a smile at the last part.

“no mysterious marine monsters ready to invade the island, i assure you,” he says with a small shake of his head. “also no warning, no greeting. no ulterior motive whatsoever, actually. i’ve been in the mortal world for a while and it’s simply not as easy there for me to let my ability run freely, so it’s almost a relief to be able to just let a lightning shower rage all around me without having to make sure no one can see or notices the strange weather phenomenon.”

he tils this head to the side then, eyes focusing fully on the young man again, with his fox-like features so easily announcing his heritage. “no need to call me sir, ayden. my name will do fine if you must call me anything.” he smiles a bit wider then. “and i’d like to trade you a question for a question if you’re open to it. i like knowing who i’m talking to and i’m genuinely interested in learning more about you as well.” his smile widens, softens, warms - all at the same time. “like how you ended up at photography of all things?”

[exmpxzeus]

Golden Boy

mpxfelix​:

(...) “I’m glad you’re back! And yeah, I think I have. I’ve made lots of friends, and my mom is here, and I have a boyfriend, and I’m about to open an ice cream shop,” he babbled as he put the kettle on, putting a tea bag in one mug and a generous scoop of hot chocolate mix into the other. “What have you been up to? What do gods do outside of the island? I don’t think I’ve ever thought to ask about that. Do you just, like, hang out with the humans? Or is there a real god place like in Disney’s Hercules movie?”

he smiles when the look felix fixes on his face is absolutely devoid of any recognition whatsoever - as expected - and then laughs a little when the young boy tries to talk himself out of his accusation. “it’s alright,” he says lightly, and he’s glad to see that felix still enjoys the affections bestowed upon him, because he’s gotten so used to being affectionate with this boy he doesn’t think he could be any other way - at least not without serious reason to.

he follows felix to the kitchen, taking in the setup of it. some things have changed, but most of it is the same. he thinks he could look through the cupboards and still find everything he needs for making dinner once again. but he’s not here to do that today. he is more than happy to listen to felix babble, though, nodding his head when he hears about felix’s mom being around. he knew that. the boyfriend part, though, that’s news. and surprising as well. he really didn’t think felix was the boyfriend type. as in; he seemed to innocent for it. but then he had been on the island for several years now, he must have grown in some ways at least. getting a boyfriend, opening up a store.

he’s given absolutely zero time to respond to any of it, however, as a series of questions follow that have him smiling ever wider, until by the time the last question hits him, he’s just looking at the young demigod with a warm fondness full of actual amusement. “there is,” he says with a simple nod of his head, speaking ever so slowly as if trying to give the boy the opportunity to realise the truth himself before zeus speaks it aloud. “it’s called mount phoenix.” he chuckles softly then, shaking his head lightly and stepping forward so he can run another hand over felix’s hair, fingers slipping through the blond locks and temporarily settling in the back of the young boy’s neck. he gives it a gentle squeeze as well, almost fatherly - if that were something people would associate with him at all, that is.

“i’ve been travelling in the mortal world, just doing very mortal things. i presume what every god does outside of the island is different, but for me it’s usually just a little bit like travelling for leisure. i visit places, i do some sightseeing. sometimes when i stay long enough i build up and live a small part of a mortal lifespan before i move on.” he shrugs a little. “nothing fancy this time around, though, i was just taking stock of the state of the world for a while.”

[exmpxzeus]

Fire Department

with || @mpxtohil || 

it’s not often that he doesn’t enjoy his council duties. even after all these years, taking care of the rules and regulations and making sure people stick to them is still something he takes pride in and finds satisfaction in.

but that job is made almost twenty million times better when the person he needs to talk to about some official fire department stuff turns out to be one of the most hottest people he’s ever come across - pun intended. he makes sure to introduce himself politely and seriously, so that the lieutenant will know he’s not joking about the new council regulations for interventions.

the moment he’s made his official speech, though, and they’re calmly settling into what is more of friendly small talk than any official business, his smile turns a little more sultry and he allows his eyes to roam the mayan god’s face and body. it’s probably not the first time they meet - he honestly doubts there’s any god he hasn’t met before - but if they’ve seen each other in the past, he’s quite certain tohil didn’t look like this. so if he’s giving his eyes a little bit more to feast on than he maybe should, that’s not an issue, he thinks.

“oh,” he says when he remembers something new, and very slowly moves his gaze back up to meet with tohil’s, lips slowly folding into a meaningful smile, though his words don’t at all fit with the expression. “i was also asked by the chief of police to ask your team to send over the paperwork on the last three months’ interventions so they can cross-check with their own. make sure to do that by the end of the week, yes?”

he reaches out then, just because he can, and non too subtly adjusts tohil’s jacket a little, just to have an excuse to run his fingers over the bit of bared skin of the god’s chest. and, oh; he’s flirting alright.

[exmpxzeus]

Father and Son

with || @aresmp || continued from here: 

“Why thank you father,” The sneer was already in place as he beheld the one god he probably should not piss off, but did anyway as history chronicled. “Wanna use them to replace your nonexistent balls?” He turns away to march up to the entrance of Babylon, not at all caring if Zeus would follow or not. Seeing as how the supreme god of everything shitty liked to do whatever he wanted, damn the consequences, Ares didn’t give a crap either.

“Am I going to hear why the fuck you’re here?”

zeus casually tucks his hands into his pockets and looks after his son as ares marches up the steps of the business they’re next to. he’d been on a walk to reacquaint himself with even the less familiar corners of the city when he’d come across his son. it figures that a place like babylon is run by someone like ares; he definitely can’t fault the logic in that.

“perhaps you will,” he says simply when he’s asked that question, and smiles lightly as he watches his son shove a key into the lock to enter the premises. “or perhaps you will find out instead.” he lets his gaze go over ares’ shape, then moves it back to the door before looking towards the street he’d been walking through.

“it’s quite funny how you feel the need to bring up my genitals every time again, son,” he says then, and while he’s talking his voice already changes while his body goes along, until the man that is standing at the bottom of the stairs looks exactly like the one standing at the top of them. “is it because something’s wrong with yours?” ares’ mocking voice asks, a smirk taking over the features at the sound of it as zeus casually flexes the temporarily mimicked body. “how interesting,” he says then, and continues walking like nothing’s wrong, still wearing his son’s face and automatically having taken on ares’ way of walking as well. it’s not that hard to imitate his children, after all, he knows them too well.

[exmpxzeus]

One More Drink

with || @mpxhel || continued from here:

"I concur." Hel says with an elegant shrug, studying the taller god with steady grey eyes, the barest hint of amusement lurking behind them. "Seeing as how I seem to owe this drink to you, and yet. I have no idea who you are." She gestures at the thin flute of champagne, still untouched. It was not uncommon for Hel to visit a bar or two after a night's work, alcohol hardly had any effect on a half-dead goddess, but the taste lingered enough that she didn't mind partaking.

"Do you make it a custom to purchase drinks for beings you just met?"

"usually, yes,” zeus agrees easily to the question about his customs, and the smile he sends the norse goddess’s way is charming in every way. not flirty, not leering, just warm and appreciative of her little joke. and if she was serious about it, that’s fine for him as well.

“my name is zeus,” he says after taking a sip of his own drink, and gives no further explanation. most people have heard of his name in some way or form, after all, and on the rare occasion when they haven’t, he’ll be more than happy to provide further information when asked about it. “you looked like you might enjoy this particular drink,” he adds after a moment. “it’s particularly sweet.”

he lifts his own glass in a little toast and then takes another sip, relaxed and unbothered, clearly in no haste to move closer or try and take over her entire evening. he’s just here to have a nice, relaxing time, even when it’s not always possible.

[exmpxzeus]

Nightmare

with || @aphroditexmp || continued from here:

She huffed, a pout forming on her lips as she looked up at her father - the man she loved and yet had disappointed her time and time again. "I assume that you're not calling me a nightmare, Daddy," she said, the hint of hurt hidden in her playful tone, "That wouldn't be very nice of you considering how long it's been."

his smile is surprisingly warm when aphrodite pouts at him and he reaches out a hand to run a hand over her hair, careful not to ruin any part of it in the process because he knows how much her looks matter to his daughter.

“you are always a dream, beloved,” he says gently, as he lets his fingers run down the side of her face, thumb resting briefly on her chin. “i was merely joking.” he brushes his thumb over her skin and then lets go of her entirely in order to be able to take a proper look at her.

“it has been a long time, hasn’t it?” he doesn’t remember having seen her even once since the days he left the mountain. somehow it’s both strange and heart warming to see her again. “how have you been? are you still mingled up with your good for nothing brother?”

[exmpxzeus]

My Dearest

with || @mpxartemis || continued from here: 

Artemis hadn't fallen asleep on purpose - but moving to the city had fucked up her sleep schedule so tremendously, it would have basically been impossible for her to not drift off while Zeus was chattering on and cooking dinner. It didn't help, perhaps, that he had showed up without warning (well, maybe - it was possible he had contacted Apollo on one of those phone things and her brother just hadn't told her), and she had already been half-asleep on the couch despite it being early in the evening.

She didn't stir until she felt herself being lifted up, heavy eyelids fluttering open only briefly, as if to check that she wasn't being carried off by a monster or enemy. "I'm not a baby," she mumbled, huffing softly. Clearly it did not bother her that much, though, because the next moment she buried her face in his shoulder and drifted back off.

the visit to his daughter’s place had been a spur of the moment thing. hearing that artemis and apollo had come to the island was a sort of bittersweet thing, because for all that he is fond of his family, they are a double-edged sword in his life whenever he returns to them. but artemis is... well; artemis. he has always been fond of her, has always had a soft spot for her and allowed her much more than any of his other children. and in return; she has always been one of the least judgemental.

so when he turns around from his just as impromptu cooking session to find her dozed off on the couch, there is only warmth and a particular brand of affection that can be found inside of him very rarely, when looking upon one of his children who hasn’t annoyed the fuck out of him yet over the span of their lifetime. it’s therefore with gentle hands that he lifts his daughter from the couch, and with a small smile that he hears her mumble those words to him.

“you will always be my baby,” he says softly in return, turning his head so he can press a sweet little kiss to her temple before she buries herself away against his neck, and gone she is again. he doesn’t mind, carries her to the bed and puts her down gently, tucks her in just as gently, and leaves another kiss on her forehead before he straightens. he looks down at her a moment longer, just to treasure this moment. sometimes there is a peacefulness in being with his family, after all. sometimes.

he heads back into the living space then, closing the door lightly behind him, and goes to put his freshly made dinner aside in the proper boxes so it can be reheated and eaten at a later moment, preferably after she wakes up. once the entire kitchen is clean and untouched again, he takes a random book from her shelves and sits down to read until his daughter wakes again.

[exmpxzeus]

Dangerous Thing

with || @mpxayden || 

[exmpxzeus]

(...)  “Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe you must be Zeus.” Of course he can’t be wrong with that guess, the saying is just for the sake of courtesy. “If you aren’t in a hurry, may I have a photo of you and ask you some questions? Just so I can write up an official welcoming article for you on our newspaper. It’s some sort of a tradition here, you know.”

the young demigod’s expression shifts into a smile, polite and curious, and zeus is instantly more endeared to him than he would be anyone else for the simple fact that he is interested in the lightning rather than scared. interested, perhaps, in zeus himself as well. he can live with that. he takes in the young man as he speaks, making a space in his mind for ayden, photojournalist of mount phoenix, and filling it with every detail his eyes can catch. things to remember for later, things to make use of when opportunity or need arises.

“pictures never hurt. just be careful when you approach a regular lightning shower, they’re usually not as kind as to let you get closer unharmed.” his smile is filled with warm amusement, not a joke at the young man’s expense, but a little lightness to help ease the atmosphere between them from whatever awkwardness there may be. something to break the ice, perhaps.

“you are not wrong,” he replies when he’s sort of asked about his identity, and then tilts his head lightly to the side as he lets his gaze go from the boy’s face to his camera and back. “and i don’t mind a few questions and a photo. just tell me where you want me and i’ll be happy to oblige.” he gently uses his foot to nudge a piece of glass aside created by the heat from the lightning and the melting sand, before refocusing his full attention on the young demigod. “is photography an interest of yours, ayden, or is it just a way to make money?” 

his voice is awash with interest, his entire body language exuding that same complete focus, as if there is no one else in the world more important than the one person he’s speaking to right now. the smile he shows is much the same, almost perfect in its friendly warmth and its single-minded interest.

[happiness365]

Kim Jae Wook at ‘Her Private Life’ Poster and Teaser Shoot