Do you ever think an Erotes came to her at midnight and said "Mom, i have to make 100 people fall in love by tomorrow but i don't have no more arrows" and Aphrodite just wanted to choke them because "WHY DO YOU WAIT TILL LAST MINUTE TO TELL ME?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'LL HAVE TO DO NOW?! I'LL HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO HEPHESTOS WORKSHOP, AND PRAY HE HAS ENOUGH ARROWS FOR YOU, YOU LITTLE SHIT-"
Alright, Moon, inform to us what each Erote feels about being called Aphrodite's son
(Also is she the one calling them all sons or is just the people refering to them as the sons of Aphrodite?)
Pretty please and thanku xD
Ooooooo Fun! Yeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeyeye lets do that! Of course! And ur welcome lolol
Being Called Son of Aphrodite
Aphrodite showing up somewhere with all the Erotes in tow. One by one she introduces them saying: "This is my son,"
I think it'd be like the myths where some people already assume Aphrodite to be their mother and others do not. It'd depend on the person.
You asked if Aphrodite would call them all her sons, well, yes! The Erotes are all her sons, some are just her babies. Individually however...
☆ Eros
Aphrodite places a hand on two winged youths’ shoulders. Her hand squeezes one of their shoulders lightly before wrapping her arm around his neck and pulling him in. Her voice going up an octave, "This is my darling son, Eros!"
This spoiled bastard would assume every time when Aphrodite says "this is my son" for it to end with the name "Eros." (The consequences of him being her symbol I suppose).
He has no shame. He is proud and confident with a smug smirk on his face every time. He'd be the kid to say, "Heh, well my mom is Aphrodite!" or something like that to show off.
But let's be honest, this guy needs no introduction. If they know who Aphrodite is, then they know Eros.
Eros is happy and proud to be acknowledged as Aphrodite's son and most well-known son. How healthy for the ego (not). Eros would call Aphrodite every version of the title "mom" from 'Mama' to 'Mother' to 'Dearest Mother figure' lolol.
☆ Himeros
The other youth brushes his hair over his free shoulder. An easy yet confident smile on his face that matches the Goddess. Her hand on his shoulder lax before she also pulls him in close from around his neck; "And his dear twin, Himeros. My precious boys."
Second place, as he belongs /silly. Himeros doesn't mind, it's okay.
Look, he isn't any more humble than Eros, he's just not as outward in his boasting as Eros is. He'd put a hand on his chest and say "Aphrodite is my mother as well." After Eros says his line. He also smiles vainly but looks down at you while doing it.
Is it annoying to be lesser to his twin in the realms of popularity? Yes, but he couldn't be able to get away with what he does without it. He reaps those benefits.
He's just as proud as Eros to be Aphrodite's son. Himeros also uses multiple forms of mom when referring to Aphrodite, but mostly "Mama." When being mischievous, or using a dramatic voice, or when dealing with something he doesn't want to put up with, he'll say "Mother."
☆ Pothos
Aphrodite moves on from the twins to the next youth who certainly looks more well-defined than the rest in muscle. A playful expression forms on Aphrodite's face as she grabs him by both shoulders, shaking him slightly and making him laugh while saying "This playful child of mine is Pothos, though you may see his resemblance to his parents Iris and Zephyrus."
Pothos is the honorary child, let's be honest. He's from the main trio of Erotes and spends most of his time with them anyway. Mentioned before, he saw Aphrodite as an aunt at first, but grew to see her as a bigger mother figure.
He smiles wide and says "Yep! She's my mom!" There is clear joy on his face. He's so happy to have her as an important figure in his life.
He would only call her mom, but majority of the time, he just calls her Aphrodite. I think he'd always call her mom when in an excited state. He has no issue being referred to as a son of Aphrodite.
☆ Anteros
The Goddess straightens herself up, gesturing with her hand to the youth nearest to her. He looked the most different out of the Erotes with his aquatic features and featherless wings. "This child was entrusted into my care, being the son of Poseidon and Nerites." Her eyes moving over to the Erote who doesn't look back, "Anteros."
If you remember from his ramble post, Aphrodite is unsure how motherly she should be to Anteros. This reflects in how she refers to him.
Anteros' arms crossing while saying, "I am under Lady Aphrodite's care."
Anteros, for his part, does not see Aphrodite as a mother. It does not anger him to be called her son by others as he's used to the confusion and assumptions. It can be a little uncomfortable depending on who says it. If Aphrodite calls him her son, he flinches and gets an angry look on his face. It's a subtle anger, but it's there.
They both have a complex bond to the other with conflicting feelings. At the moment, he sees Aphrodite mainly as his boss or a family friend. On some days, an Aunt (probably when she's among the other Nereids)
Anteros calls Aphrodite by her name or epithets (her most common ones) Urania, Pandemos, and Kypris. He will also specifically call her Pontia (of the Sea) as a title of high respect and also affection (this is rare). When he is upset or angry with her, he will call her Lady Aphrodite or just Aphrodite.
He refers to Aphrodite by epithets in the face of respected Gods/his superiors. But with the Erotes or those he doesn't see as above him, he'll refer to her as Aphrodite.
☆ Hermaphroditus
Aphrodite quickly moves onto the next Erote, the tallest of the batch. She puts both hands on his shoulder as well, but she does not squeeze or shake him. One of his hands goes on top of hers. A gentle smile on her face, "This sweet son I had with another God is Hermaphroditus."
Hermaphroditus is happy to have a mother like Aphrodite. A pleasant smile on his face as he says "Yes, Aphrodite is my mom."
Being one of the only (if not, the only) Erote to actually be related to Aphrodite lol. Her love and care has helped him find his place and meaning.
He would only call her 'Mom' or 'Mama'. I don't think he'd say anything else lol.
☆ Hymenaeus
The Goddess then moves onto the second tallest Erote who is close to the previous one. A serious look on his face that Aphrodite matches with her regal smile. One of her hands remaining on Hermaphroditus as the other touches this Erote's shoulder. "You might have heard the voice of my talent son Hymenaeus, for he is a son of the Muses with Apollo for a father."
Hymen respects Aphrodite highly since he has her to thank for the feelings he got to experience when mortal. Being acknowledged as something so intimate as her son makes him feel accepted in the circle of the Gods, though more specifically, in the group of the Erotes.
Hymen blushes when Aphrodite calls her his son. He straightens his posture and clears his throat, still red in the face, saying "Mother Aphrodite just calls me that, but, yes, she… I am a son of hers." He has nine moms already, what's one more?
He already has a naming system lolol, but calling her 'Mother Aphrodite' is like calling her 'Lady Aphrodite'. But she gets that title because he values her so much, same with Hera. It's a show of his love and respect. He would probably also say epithets, but not as often.
☆ Hedylogos
Aphrodite walks over to the Erote that looks very similar to her, but not exact. An uncanny feeling present when looking at him and his still, unmoving smile. The Goddess is unphased entirely, shoulder hugging the Erote who seems to freeze up for a moment before that expression is back on. "Do not let his wits frighten you. This is my cunning son, Hedylogos."
This is Aphrodite's son. He's proclaimed this since the day he first suddenly appeared since he could speak. That's who he is and what he's supposed to project.
With a hand on his hip, he smirks and says, "Well who else's son would I be?"
Just like Eros, he'd use all forms of mom to refer to Aphrodite (usually to annoy Eros). When Aphrodite is not present, he will call her Kypris but also Pyrenaea or Acraea.
☆ Phthonos
The Goddess finally approaches the smallest Erote who is also the farthest from the group. His arms are crossed and body hunched over as if to be even smaller. An angry scowl on his face that he hides when the powerful Goddess nears. She crouches down to be closer to his height, her hands on her knees. "And finally, this quiet child was also put into my care. He is born of Ate, but do not be mistaken, I value him as if he were my own."
I mean, how do you think it'd go for an abandoned child who was a failure to his second mother figure would feel if called the son of the third mother figure (that he's yet to accept) he has? Phthonos stiffens and coils up tight before snapping, "Ate is my mother!" Then runs away to a corner.
Phthonos just isn't ready to take on having a mother for the third time, even if he wanted to. He can't process the idea of being loved in the way Aphrodite loves her children. That's not the love he grew up with knowing and being dependent on.
Even when referred to as a group, Phthonos will make it known that he is not Aphrodite's son. Because he has to. If he doesn't affirm that he's Ate's son, then- then she really is gone and won't come back, but if he just keeps saying it. If he keeps seeking Ate then, then, then- she'll come back and everything will be fine. It has to be this way because the alternative is horrifying to him.
Phthonos refers to Aphrodite as Kypris and Aphrodite.
☆ Primordial Eros
"Oh! How could I forget!" Aphrodite diverting from the sudden outburst to turn to the ginormous God that's somehow been here the whole time but unnoticed. The Goddess clasps her hands together with joy in her voice, "My biggest and oldest son, Eros [Phanes]!"
The primordial being nods, "That is my mother."
Look, I won't act like I know what's on this guy's mind, he's bigger than me. Literally and figuratively.
I have the HC that he was unable to feel love, only able to manifest it for others to experience. That is until Aphrodite is born. I prefer their bond to be more than Aphrodite being a mother figure. In a way, Primordial Eros could be a parental figure to Aphrodite. The two are also cosmically link due to what they are, encompassing a huge concept. They are friends and family and more.
Intimate in a way only Primordial Eros could fully understand compared to Aphrodite, who filters it mostly (not fully) into maternal feelings. (Because I think it's fun if Gods also don't fully understand emotions/concepts as they aren't above them; they just understand them better than mortals, but less than primordials, and so on.)
He only calls her Mother, but when referring to others will call her Epistrophia.
The erotes are a group of winged gods associated with love, sex, passion and marriage. They are most often seen with aphrodite as her companions and are also often her children. The number of them varies, but here I wanted to list the main 7, their domains and their parents. As someone who honors the erotes often in my practice, I wanted to share the information I could find on them to get more people interested in them! If it’s wanted, I could make a separate post on things I usually give as offerings to them as a group to give other people ideas on where to start!
Eros Pothos Anteros
Eros: god of love and sexual desire. There are two distinct versions of Eros. One of him being one of the youngest gods, child of Aphrodite and Ares, the other is him being one of the first gods to come into creation.
Himeros: god of uncontrollable sexual desire and lust. Child of Aphrodite. In Hesiod’s Theogony, he accompanied Aphrodite at her birth along with Eros.
Pothos: god of desire, yearning and longing. Child of Aphrodite or sometimes said to be the son of Zephyros and Iris.
Anteros: god of requited love and avenger of unrequited love. Son of Ares and Aphrodite or alternatively he is the child of Nerites and Poseidon.
Hedylogos: god of sweet talk and flattery. Not much is known about Hedylogos unfortunately, not even who his parents are but a good guess would be Aphrodite.
Hermaphroditus: god of androgyny and effeminacy. Child of Hermes and Aphrodite.
Hymenaeus: god of marriage and weddings. Son of usually Apollon and one of the muses or in one case Dionysus and Aphrodite.
