goddess of love

"You ignite and inflame me. You melt me." --Sappho, tr. by Michael R. Burch, from “Fragment 11,”

[battle-lust]

Nobody Else

[risenfromseafoam]

battle-lust‌:

Adrian’s eyes flashed, the blue and brown mix turning electric underneath the club lights. “I never cheated on you.” His heart ached at the memories that came crashing down on him - the sound of their shouting in the hallway of his apartment building, his own body wrenching sobs the night they’d broken up and he laid in bed on his own for the first time in a year. He wanted to close his eyes to brace himself against the pain their relationship, and its inevitable end, had brought him, but he couldn’t, just like he couldn’t push away his feelings for Aurora. 

There was a hollowness in his chest that had been there since their break up. Adrian was starting to think it would never go away. He’d given Aurora such a huge piece of him, maybe all of his heart, and he couldn’t take it back. 

It was that emptiness that made him choke on the words he was dying to say in that moment. His eyes blurred with water, every single one of Aurora’s worst leaving deeper bruises than the hits he took during practice. “You just want to blame it on me instead of admitting that you didn’t love me the way you said you did.” He started to pull away from her, not sure how long he could keep the hardness in his voice before it gave way to the emotional wreck he was. “Don’t fucking blur the memories just so they fit how you want them to!. Don’t act like I don’t want - like I didn’t want that for us. With you.” He shook his head, taking a half a step back. 

“Right,” her eyes narrowed, Aurora hadn’t believed it then, and she didn’t believe it now. A part of her felt like if he’d just admit it, maybe she could forgive him... but he wouldn’t. And Aurora knew there was more to their relationship than he said. She hated that she knew it, but she did. The two of them shared... something. Something he didn’t share with Aurora, and she couldn’t stand that. 

His word stung like a slap in the face, and Aurora blinked. “How can you even say that? I still--” she stopped herself, sucking in a deep breath to stop herself from admitting what she felt. Would the aching for him ever stop? She had to believe that it would, that he wouldn’t forever have a hold on her heart. But she didn’t really believe it... he had carved his name into her heart, and now it belonged to him. But he couldn’t know that. “I still need a man who can support me, no matter what I’m going through.”

[battle-lust]

Nobody Else

[risenfromseafoam]

battle-lust‌:

“I don’t have to!” Adrian snapped, though he made no move to separate himself from her overwhelming touch. Fire spread through every inch of him, and he was dying to spread it to her. Did she still feel that burn? It was so familiar, but it caught him by surprise every time. He expected it to fade eventually, to dull and burn out. Instead, it only seemed to grow stronger. 

“Bullshit. Maybe everyone else believes that, but you can’t fool me.” He tore his eyes away from the spot on the wall he’d been glowering at. Meeting her eyes, he felt his heart jolt. Adrian had a temper, but over the years, he’d learned to keep it in control in front of cameras….sometimes. He dropped his head, looking fierce, but his voice was softer, almost husky. “You need adrenaline. You love a thrill. Anyone can be good to you - I was good to you, that’s not enough. You’ll never last with someone predictable and boring.” 

He finished his bold claims with a smirk, because he knew in his heart they were true…and they were true for him too. The blonde singer who wailed into microphones and crooned at him in bed made him want to fall asleep he was so bored with her. Adrian brushed a hand across Aurora’s cheek, his thumb grazing her jaw in a showy gesture to push her hair back out of her face. “Someone who makes your heart race all the time. Someone to argue with. Someone who challenges you. Someone who makes you want to go into club bathrooms and fuck like the world is ending.”

“Cheating on me with your stupid little friend isn’t being good, Adrian,” Aurora snapped, pulling on her own heartstrings even as she brought up the reason they’d broken up. He still denied he’d been banging the girl, but Aurora could feel it in her bones, there was something there, and between the feeling that he felt something that strongly for someone else, and believing that he was lying to her, neither of them could handle staying together, no matter how badly they wanted it.

“You don’t know what I need! I need someone who makes me feel safe, I need to not worry about where my boyfriend is all the time, I need to know that I’m the only girl on his mind!” She protested, but didn’t push him away. His touch was electric, and even the brush of his hand across her cheek made her want more. She couldn’t deny that she wanted to take him into the club bathroom right now, but she knew that was a bad idea. “I need someone who wants to settle down... I want a family, Adrian. And you can’t build a family without trust.”

[battle-lust]

Nobody Else

[risenfromseafoam]

battle-lust‌:

Adrian wished that his body didn’t melt against hers so easily. It was easy to forget her magnetic pull when he didn’t see her for a few weeks. Any woman’s body would do for a quick fuck, but it never felt like this. “That’s because they all have it coming,” he snorted, his fingers scratching against her dress. He pushed his body against hers, closing the gap between them with absolute no regard for his singer girlfriend. 

“He sounds like he’s real fun,” Adrian grunted, rolling his multi-colored his eyes. Heat spread up his neck almost as quickly as it raged into his chest. “What do you see in douchebags like that anyway? What do they even talk about? I know you, you’ve got to find him more boring than a box of goddamn rocks.” He didn’t care that he was ranting. He squared his jaw, glaring overtop of her head. “What does he do when you show him stupid shit on instagram and want to make fun of people dressed like trash bags? Explain to you how the fucking phone works? What a god damn winner.”

No matter how long they were apart for, every time they touched, that same old chemistry pulled her in. They didn’t even need to kiss, just looking into his eyes, she could feel how drawn she was to him. They belonged together, that much was clear from every touch. 

“You don’t even know him,” she scoffed, rolling her eyes. Of course, it figured that he automatically hated any guy she so much as mentioned. Not that she didn’t hate his date, but at least she wasn’t vocal about it. “He’s very good to me, he treats me like a queen, and I’ll have you know he does have a sense of humor.” She defended him, but even as she spoke, she was sliding her arms around his neck, intertwining her fingers behind his head. “He’s very.... stable. I need that in my life, I need someone to... keep me grounded.” At least, that was what he mother kept saying, and all her friends. They said she needed someone who could look after her, who was mature and grown up. So she’d found someone who fit the bill.

[battle-lust]

Nobody Else

[risenfromseafoam]

battle-lust‌:

“I hate when you lie to me,” Adrian rolled his eyes, his arms naturally slipping around her waist. He tried very hard not to look right into her golden eyes, but they called to him more than hot coffee when he woke up hungover. His tongue darted out to wet his lips, and he forced himself not to smile as his eyes grazed over her face. “I know when you’re fake laughing.”

The music was easy to dance to, or maybe it was just easy to dance with Aurora. Adrian hated how natural it was to fall into a rhythm with her. He’d spent years trying to convince himself he hated her, that the two of them were nothing but bad for one another, and yet… 

“I came with someone,” he answered dryly, his eyes flicking up as if to keep a look out. Adrian rarely dated seriously - he didn’t have time for it - but he’d been seen out in public with the woman before. She wouldn’t be pleased if she knew Adrian was dancing with Aurora, but if Adrian was being honest, he didn’t really care. 

He rested a hand on the small of Aurora’s back, his hand catching on the sequins on her dress. “She’s off schmoozing with some music producer,” a sly grin appeared on his features, “She told me to stay put. Apparently I hit the guy’s brother in some bar fight a few years back. Dude’s still holding a grudge. But if I hit the brother, then he had it coming. I should’ve gotten a paycheck for giving him a free nose job, if you ask me.”

“I’m not lying,” she protested, squeezing his shoulder. “You said I look bored, and I don’t. You’re the only one who can tell,” she pointed out, she was a very good actress, but she always had trouble fooling him. She moved effortlessly in his arms, following his lead as easily as if they’d done it hundreds of times.

“Oh, really? How nice for you,” Aurora lied, feigning surprise. Of course she’d seen the woman he’d arrived with, and of course she’d recognized her. He’d been out with her before, and Aurora couldn’t stand it. She was some wannabe singer, but Aurora had already let slip a few unsavory rumors about her. It was petty and she knew it, but anyone who went out with Adrian more than once was subject to her wrath.

“You always say that, any guy you punch supposedly has it coming,” she rolled her eyes, but they usually did. Adrian was a hothead, he picked fights all the time, but he was usually good at picking the douchebags out in a crowd. “I’m seeing someone too... he doesn’t like these parties, though. He owns a tech company,” she had been seeing the reclusive hardware engineer for a while now, although he often bored her to tears. She wasn’t even sure why she was still dating him, when he refused to do anything she liked and she couldn’t stand the things he did.

[battle-lust]

Nobody Else

Adrian tossed back the last of his drink, willing himself not to look across the room. He hated parties like this. Everyone was dressed up to the nines for no reason other than a picture on the way in and to impress each other. Not that anyone seemed to rely just on their looks. He’d seen so much ass kissing he was starting to think people might actually start bending over to really seal the deal. 

His eyes narrowed dangerously when he saw the exact woman he was trying to ignore. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he stared over at her. That was the other problem with these stuck up shin digs. She was always there.

His lips twitched into a hard line, making him appear just as fierce as he really was. If he was smarter, and had more self control, Adrian would’ve turned around and walked away. That wasn’t his style, though. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a woman with lust-filled approaching the one he was currently staring at, and his instinct kicked in.

He pushed past the people under the purple afterparty club lights, merely grunting as some shouted obscenities at him for being so rude. With the grace of someone half his size, he slid up beside the redhead, glaring over at the woman who’d tried to approach. “Dance with me.” It wasn’t really a question. He knew that if they stood there long enough, some nosey blogger would start asking questions about whether they were back together. “You look like you’re bored out of your mind.” @risenfromseafoam

[risenfromseafoam]

Giggling at some inane joke, Aurora tossed her perfectly curled hair over her shoulder. She loved parties like this, but tonight, everyone seemed so stale. She nodded along to whatever story was being told, but her mind was elsewhere. Mainly stealing glances at the blonde boxer across the room, looking away just in time to not get caught.

She sipped her drink as she saw a familiar figure approaching her, a dark haired woman she’d met on set the other day. The woman had not been subtle about her attempts to get Aurora into bed, and yet, Aurora knew things would get very awkward if she turned her away. She smiled, but before the woman reached her, she jumped as she suddenly saw the object of her attention next to her, inviting her to dance. She couldn’t help the smile that stretched across her face, and she rolled her eyes good naturedly. “All right,” she nodded, reaching out to take his hand, she tugged him out onto the dancefloor with an apologetic nod towards the woman.

“No, I don’t. But you do,” she answered as she turned to face him, resting her hands on his shoulders. “I’m surprised you haven’t cut and run yet,” she observed. “You’ve made your obligatory appearance, isn’t this normally where you slip out a side door?”

[juilletdeux]

[risenfromseafoam]

grainbearer‌:

“ Water, sunlight and love. And the right soil, of course. But we’ll fix that for your beach. ” Taking the flowers, she hummed as she made a flower crown. Her fingers were used to the motions, used to threading delicate flowers into shapes. With a bit of her powers, she made it stay as it was - beautiful and forever. “ And I know, you’re very good at love. Give the plans the love they deserve and they grow to be beautiful. ” 

With a grin, Demeter held up the crown and nodded towards Aphrodite’s head. “ May I? ”

“Love?” Aphrodite’s eyes lit up, a thrill of surprise rushing through her. It seemed there was very little in the world that could survive without love, she was quickly learning, and it excited her. She watched with wide eyes as the elder goddess shaped stems and leaves together to make a circle of flowers. “Love makes everything more beautiful,” she nodded, the two seemed to go hand in hand. 

She nodded, smiling widely. “Yes, please!” She agreed with an excited giggle, she loved wearing flowers in her hair.

[risenfromseafoam]

Honey Cakes

[risenfromseafoam]

battle-lust‌:

He closed his eyes, but the moment he felt comforted, guilt overwhelmed him. He wrapped his hand around his lover’s wrist, pulling it away from his face. “But it does.” It was too late to do anything about it now. If Ares had put up more of a fight before Aphrodite had been married off, he might’ve been able to save her from this fate, but those days had long since passed. “Aphrodite,” Ares whispered, scooting out from under her so that her touch wouldn’t overwhelm him. “After the baby is born…do you want to take a step back? From us?”

Aphrodite felt cold when he pulled away from her. She knew he was going to say something serious. He only pulled away from her when he had something serious to say. She tried to brace herself, but she was totally unprepared when he finally spoke, and she couldn’t keep the heartbreak out of her eyes, her lower lip jutting out. “You don’t want me anymore?”

[risenfromseafoam]

❌ ❌

Rough Sex: Aphrodite loves being tossed around a little, manhandled, even bruised. She likes it when it hurts a little, and she likes being dominated in the process. 

Roleplaying: Pretending to be someone else is a real turn-on for Aphrodite. She especially likes it when she gets to get dressed up for a game, and she has a closet full of sexy little costumes she likes to wear.

[risenfromseafoam]

diviinemuses‌:

Excitement bubbled in her but she tried to keep her face as even as Aphrodite. Psyche wanted to scream out to the world she was having a child; one of her hands went to her stomach. Her stomach was still mostly flat but she kept touching in awe. “ Yes, ” the excitement was clear in her voice and a smile threatened to break out. “ Eros and I just found out last night. ”

“Congratulations are in order, then,” she forced a smile. Of course Aphrodite would be the first person Eros came running to with the news; if she weren’t, she’d probably die of a broken heart. Or at least say she was until Eros begged for forgiveness. “I brought you something,” from behind her back she presented a plate of small, round deep-fried cakes, glistening with golden honey. “I don’t know what you like to eat, but I used to get cravings for these whenever I was pregnant. I thought you might like them.” It was an olive branch, though offered tentatively.

[risenfromseafoam]

youthebe‌:

“– You have no food and the windows are open, those are my concern.” 

“Oh, is that all? I’m on a diet, and it’s hot! Don’t worry about intruders, Ares taught me to fight. I can eviscerate a mortal inside a minute.” She boasted.

[risenfromseafoam]

diviinemuses‌:

      “ Expect come barging in. ” Which had happened more than once. It was a distraction and one that only pissed him off. He had pushed Ares’ shield once for that very reason. “ I let very few people in my forge. There would be no way I’d let someone stay in there without me. ” There was too much going on as it was inside his forge. Half finished projects and dangerous weaponry very few could handle. He’d never forgive himself if someone got hurt in his forge. He watched her, amusement clear in his eyes as she cooked. “ If you wish to tell her that, be my guest. I suggested it once and nearly had my head torn off. ” 

Having visitors in the forge didn’t sound like such a bad thing to Aphrodite, but it was just another things that they disagreed with. She got so lonely here, hardly anyone just dropped by to visit her anymore. “I’ve noticed,” she commented, she was technically allowed in the forge, but she rarely went in. She hated how the soot and smoke got into her hair and clothing, and how the sparks from the fire singed her delicate skin. “Maybe I will! It’s been almost a week since our last disagreement, I’m sure she misses me already.” Aphrodite and Athena rarely got along, and while their bickering could tear a mortal’s ear drums apart, Aphrodite got a sort of thrill out of it. The eggs were just starting to turn white, so she took a generous portion of goats’ milk butter and cream and added it to the pan, letting it mix with the eggs. But her hand slipped while she was adding the cream, and she accidentally added double the amount she was supposed to. “Oops,” she murmured, poking the dish with a spatula experimentally.

[diviinemuses-blog]

( @risenfromseafoam | starter )

       The urge to run had begun to form in her chest. Since Eros had came to get her from her slumber, she hadn’t been alone with Aphrodite. Her fingers twitched at her side as bowed her head. “ My lady, you’re looking lovely. ”

[risenfromseafoam]

Aphrodite purposely kept her expression even and her chin high, keeping her gaze level. “Psyche,” She nodded graciously, though without much warmth. Eros loved her, for whatever reason, and she didn’t want to be the cold and cruel mother-in-law Hera had always been to her. “My son tells me you are with child.”

[risenfromseafoam]

diviinemuses‌:

       “ Or just piss everyone off. ” He’d rather not have an angry Ares or Athena near his person. At the mentioned of an apprentice, he tried not to shutter. “ Very few could do the work I do. Could even do half of what I do. Even if I trained someone, I feel their work would be lackluster compared to mine. At least with me, everyone knows they can trust my work. Plus, do you really think I have the patience to train someone? ” He gave a snort, watching her with careful eyes. Grace and beauty, as she floated about the kitchen. It was a captivating sight to see. Seeing her do anything, really, could capture his attention. Even their fights and battles of words glued him into his favorite part of her - that she was more than a pretty face. That she held a sharp tongue and mind that could hold up with the best of them. He grinned in his beard, lifting a hand to his face to hide it.

“Not like they could do anything about it,” she shrugged, he’d proven that his forge was impregnable when he wanted it to be. “Well they don’t have to do half of what you do, they could just like... clean your tools, or something.” She let out a sigh, he was probably right, he barely had the patience to deal with her being around, let alone having someone poking around in the forge. Returning to the stove, she cracked two eggs into the pan, forgetting to check if it was hot enough first. It wasn’t, and she bit her lip as some of the eggshells fell onto the exposed yolk. Cracking the second egg, the yolk broke before it hit the pan, the golden center oozing out and spreading through the pan. That one could just be scrambled, she decided, stirring it a little bit. “You could refuse some work, then. It’s not like Athena needs any more shields --doesn’t she have one that turns people to stone? I think she’s set for a while.”

[risenfromseafoam]

diviinemuses‌:

         “ I do timely work. I do have a reputation for fast but the best work. ” He was proud of his work. He was proud of all that he did in the forge. If he felt stressed, his work would suffer. It was the one thing he was good at - even if no one thanked him, just seeing how well his armor or shields or weapons worked was enough for him. He slide the chalice closer to himself, inhaling. It was a pleasant smell and did remind him of his wife. “ Yes. Breakfast sounds good. ” He’d control his face better this time. The least he could do was eat the food she cooked. “ Thank you. ”

“If you made them wait, they might appreciate all you do more.” She persisted. Aphrodite lived to be adored, she just couldn’t comprehend how he could be happy to do work without receiving any accolades. She placed a pan on the stove to heat, collecting the fresh ingredients from the pantry. “Or you could always take on an apprentice or something, then they could at least do the little things. Like Eros does for me,” she suggested, pouring him a cup of goat’s milk.

[risenfromseafoam]

diviinemuses‌:

     “ So, I should let my work pile up? I feel as if I should remind you of just how many requests I get daily. I come out every night - if I let it pile up, I’d be in here for weeks. ” Irritation rose in his chest. He couldn’t do what the others do - take time off to go do whatever they please. He was lucky enough to leave the forge at night. And even then, at least four more requests would have been passed to him. He found himself often jealous of the free time most had. “ No, don’t. ” He reached for it. “ You like it. That’s reason enough to keep it. ”

“Why not? It’s not like they’re going to replace you, make them wait a while!” She demanded, she could never understand why he worked so hard, especially when he received so little gratitude. She paused when he reached for the chalice she had been about to toss, looking into his face for a moment before she released it. “Fine, we’ll keep it. Do you want some breakfast?” She offered, walking over to light the stove. She was not a good cook --no one had ever taught her-- but she tried.

[risenfromseafoam]

All Things Jelly

[risenfromseafoam]

battle-lust‌:

He felt the same way, which is why he didn’t pull away. The few times he’d fallen in love with someone else had been…magical, but those romances didn’t compare their relationship. Adrian glanced down at her eyes, meaning to look away as soon as possible, but instead found himself getting lost in her deep gaze. “You can’t make that promise,” he whispered, though his eyes were pleading with her to make it anyway. “You’ve always been enough for me. I didn’t - I never wanted anyone else. Not at first.  All my love, all my adoration - is that even what you want?”

“Let me decide what I can promise,” she answered stubbornly, although deep down, a part of her knew it might not be possible. As much as she always wanted him, her heart was fickle. Falling in love was a part of who and what she was, she wasn’t sure she could give it up, but for him, she would try. “Yes, I want you. I’ve always wanted you, it’s just... everything else always got in the way. But maybe now that we’re here, like this... maybe everything will be different.”