The Greek goddess Hera, but she divorced Zeus and she's lesbian?
Hera’s Mirth
(Thank you for the prompt... I love it so, so much.)
Setting: Mt. Olympus and wider Cyprus; time/period is unspecified
Trigger Warnings: Mention of illness and toxic relationship
Euphrosyne is pronounced you-fross-in-ee; yes-goose-find-right-body-zoom-kit-night-free
Mirth (noun): gaiety or jollity, especially when accompanied by laughter; amusement or laughter
Hera was done. Done with her husband,, done with his infidelity and recklessness, done with pretending she liked him at all. She was the Goddess of Marriage and the Family, but that did not mean she stood by bad or toxic relationships.
“I want a divorce.”
“Yeah, yeah, sure babe, go wild.” Zeus said, not listening as always. Instead he was peering down from Olympus, probably with his eye on another poor mortal or nymph. Hera would usually feel obliged to curse the girl and show all actions had consequences, even if she couldn’t curse the King of the Gods himself.
“You don’t understand.” Her hand slammed onto the table in front of him, eyes shining with rage. “I am the Goddess of Marriage. And I’m getting a divorce. As of...” She glanced to the marble sundial behind him, watching the shadow move to the hour. “...Now, I am a free woman, and you will rule alone.”
With the first genuine smile she’d made in millennia, she turned on her heel and stalked from the throne room, peacock gown trailing in her wake. She could already hear her throne crumbling behind her, but felt no grief in loosing her position. It’s not like she was allowed to do much ruling, anyways.
Bitterness clogged her laugh as she materialised in the mortal world, wandering through the streets of Cyprus in pauper’s dress. It was her birthplace, and she was glad the people seemed to be thriving, couples wandering the streets and buying goods with faces stretched into grins. Only one of these pairs, she knew, would have a rocky relationship, and for that small number she was glad.
“Miss!” A cry came from her right, as a small girl tugged one her arm. “Do you have any spare change? My mama’s ill and we can’t afford the doctor.”
“What about your papi?” Hera lent down to the girl - she had always had a soft spot for fully mortal children. “Is he at work to care for her?”
“No, Miss.” The child shook her head and bit her lip. “Papi is sick too.”
Hera felt a pang in her chest, and wondered if this compassion would last. “Then I will pray for them.” She cast a few golden coins into the child’s hands, who ran off a great deal happier than before, and made a mental note to shout at one particular step-son later. Apollo ought to do all of his job, not just the fun parts.
Hera continued down the street, in search of a particular soul. She hummed quietly under her breath as she made her way up the hill, godly speed and strength carrying her up without much effort. It left her mind free to wander, returning to the subject she’d repressed for years. It had been far too long, even for her immortal mind, since she’d felt so powerful and free. Maybe it would be enough this time.
Before her, the hill flattened out and revealed the sunset. It was beautiful, a million shades glowing and pulsing in the warm dusk air. Bright and brilliant, it would have blinded anyone less than a god. Perhaps there was no need to shout at Apollo after all. But it wasn’t the most beautiful sight Hera saw, as she wandered toward the cliff edge, eyes fixed upon a lithe figure bathed in shadow.
The ex-queen’s voice became gentle as she gazed upon the mortal with her watery oxen eyes. Gentle and quiet, to hide its fearful shake.
“Excuse me,” She was glad she didn’t have to breath to survive, because the view of soft brown hair framed in gold stole it all from her. “Is this spot taken?”
“Sorry, I’m waiting for someone.” The whispery voice was music to her ears, so much so she considered falling to her knees there and then.
“What if they’re the one asking, Euphrosyne?” A gasp left her lips as the mortal turned, standing within seconds. Her round jawline trembled, green eyes full of tears that were never meant to be hers.
“You... you came.” Was all she whispered before the dam broke and tears carved their tracks into her dark cheeks, brow furrowing in relief. For the first time in years she laughed, full of her usual joy and mirth.
“Of course, darling.” Hera’s arms were open wide, and the woman threw herself into them. Tears filled the Goddess’s eyes, hidden from her lover’s view, and almost fell into the curls as Hera carded her fingers through them. Soft, gentle and joyous, Hera knew she should outlive lifetimes more.
Like their hearts had.
“I missed you.” Hera admitted, quiet enough so no hidden deity would hear, but clear enough for her favourite person to smile again. That person pulled away to show her smile, white teeth sparkling in the fading light, like the moon reflects the sun. “I swear on the River Styx, Euphrosyne, I’ll never let myself miss you for so long ever again.” The wind howled at her oath, Euphrosyne’s eyes widening because she knew better than most what it meant to break that oath.
“Does this mean you... you know...”
“Am no longer married? No longer Queen? As free as I want to be? Yes.” Hands fitting into each others perfectly, they sank to the grassy floor.
“And how free is that?” Euphrosyne’s voice was wrecked with controlled emotion, but the trademark smile still graced her. She grinned with her eyes, a true smile that Hera could not have longed for more, as the mortal studied their entwined hands. In particular, her thumb rubbed against the Goddess of Marriage’s ring finger, shadow of a ring still visible despite the accessory's disappearance.
“Not free at all, if you would have me.” Their hands were lose once more, suddenly they ached to hold one another again. Yet only Euphrosyne’s palms were empty, because Hera held in her hands a ring more gold than the sunken sunk, topped with a gem shining and sparkling in a peacock’s hue. “Please, love. If I can make you immortal again, we can be together for eternity.” All caution was to the wind as Hera confessed to the one she needed most. “I love you.”
The words barely left before Euphrosyne’s lips were on hers, arms around her neck as Hera’s own made their way to her waist, pulling each other closer, begging to be inseparable. The kiss (oh, how Hera had longed for that kiss!) was short but powerful; the two of them felt more heavenly than any other blessing could have made them.
“Yes.” Euphrosyne rushed, glowing with more than just joy as the ring slipped onto her finger: a perfect fit. “I love you Hera, yes!” Golden light erupted from her chest and she burst into flames, consuming every inch of her mortal prison, hitting Hera full force with fire and ice, leeching into her veins and tugging at her heart. The light soon faded and Hera changed into her immortal figure - a mortal form would do no good as the returned goddess before her laughed.
“Hera! Hera, love, I’m back! You fixed me!” The sound was of birds chirping and choir children singing, waves against the shore and ice cubes on a warm day, melting with Hera’s last resolve.
“You were never broken.” She gushed, tears of joy dripping down her chin. “Darling, you were never anything but perfect.”
“Just cursed into this body for a millennia, right?” The Goddess of Mirth was laughing again, joking and letting her joy reign over anyone allowed near her. And to Hera, it made her the most beautiful being in the universe.