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Stupid Cupid

By: stubborn_dreamer



Chapter 1: Selene 

He would have liked to say that his mistake was normal. To say it was because, he was only "human," but he wasn't. In fact, he couldn't be farther from it.

Eros watched dourly from above as the closest thing he had to a nemesis bought groceries. He frowned as she picked up two containers of tapioca pudding. Who under 70 liked tapioca? 

He'd never understand her. 

She was too irrational.

It wasn't as if she was the first person to have a failed relationship; she was just the first person who had caught him trying to wipe her mind of the terrible experience. And it wasn't like she had given him any choice. He had been dying of guilt as he watched her happy personality wither away, until she was nothing but a walking ghost. He frowned just thinking about it. She looked like she was going off to her own a funeral. 

Still, Eros was the one whom provided the seeds of love, he provided the golden arrows. He wasn't responsible for the duration of that love. It wasn't his fault. What made her case a tad...different, what made it personal, was that he was actually at fault. Her relationship had been doomed from the beginning.

If only he had been more attentive. If he had realized that there had been something wrong with the arrow, three years of her life wouldn't have gone down the tubes. She had been young, too young to endure what had been done to her. Helplessly, he could only wait until things fell apart, and they did that and more. 

She had gotten shot with a perfect golden arrow, filed to a point and hitting her dead on. The guy? Well, he had been hit with a chipped arrow. His love for her went strong for two years, and then it started to turn ugly. It turned to obsession and selfishness, then loathing, and eventually hatred. 

After things went south she seemed grief stricken to the point of wanting to be dead. So he had decided to comfort her by erasing the memory of that love from her mind. Normally he had a very strict "learn from your losses" policy, but there was nothing to learn from here. So he had visited her in the night, and with his euphoric kiss he had attempted to pull the memories from her. 

Somehow something went wrong. 

Not only did she break his unbreakable seduction, she actually tossed him out of the window. He still didn't understand how she had learned he was to blame or how she had broken his spell. From then on she started training her body and mind to battle against him. Not only could she now see him because of his connection with her, but she had managed to find the one internet website on earth that had actual magical properties. Fifty printed pages later she fancied herself a sort of hack novice witch.  

Hecate would be rolling around in her grave. 

The girl made talismans that could detect his presence and warded her house so he could not enter. She had even enchanted her very large rectangular purse to block his arrows. As soon as his arrows touched it they materialized; their presence usually setting off panic that in turn, caused him to have to leave immediately. She kept her friends away from him, causing a vacuum of anti-love in her small insignificant part of the world that made his teeth clench. It was sick. He was a god! Not God god, but a god nonetheless! Four years of battling her, a powerless human, and he wasn't any closer to getting her to love anyone then day one. He doubted he could get her to love a pet. Damn her.

"Are you still moping about because of that human?"

He turned and saw his mother Aphrodite standing in the doorway of his room. She was wearing a silky white jumpsuit with a golden chained belt. Her long wavy red hair fell to the bottom of her back. As always she seemed coy.

"I have to get her mother," he said gravely. "This year. This time, I must."

Aphrodite chuckled at her son's frustration. "Why?"

"Because she's starting to mess with my work!" he growled. 

Aphrodite shook her head and went to her son's side. Still fussing like a child, even to this day.

"My son, what are a few choice humans over the entire world? Her contributions to your failure aren't even half a percent."

"It's not up to her to decide who gets love!" he snapped, irritated that she had used the word 'failure' and 'your' in the same sentence. "It's not her right to make those decisions! I am the god of love! Not her."

Aphrodite nodded; a smile on her red lips. "Alright my son, but let me tell you. It's been 7 years that you've known her and 4 years that she's known you. You two really should settle your differences."

"Oh we will," Eros said, narrowing his eyes. "I'm going to enjoy watching her cry in ecstasy as her husband fucks her senselessly." Standing he stormed off, heading to the armory.

She rolled her eyes in response. "Goodness, he is such a child."

"Did I hear fucking and ecstasy?" 

Turning she saw her husband Ares standing in the door frame. She and her previous husband Hephaestus had gotten a divorce after the fall of Zeus. 

It seemed a better alternative than her openly cheating on him with the luscious Ares.

His dark eyes were ablaze with violence and desire for her. She felt herself tremble in anticipation as she always did. His warrior's body had taken to wearing black leather pants and white shirts underneath green army jackets.

"Oh Ares!" she said breathily as he advanced. "Where were you all this time?"

"The Middle East."

"What were you...oh my."

A second later she was on her back in her son's bed trying to convince Ares that they should change locations. Ares took her resistance as a challenge. The tell tale creak of the bed followed by her screams and whimpers signaled her defeat.

_________________________________________________

"Roses crushed under moonlight...check. Tears of a broken hearted woman...heh, check. And now I just need the cords."

Selene, her name was Selene Elizabeth Evans. It was the end of January, a few days before February would rear its ugly head. 

Valentine's Day, was it a day of love and happiness where couples could bask in their enjoyment of one another?

Or a sinister plot crafted by a sadistic winged bastard who found joy in breaking up perfectly good relationships and creating destructive ones?

Right now she was making anti-love necklaces for all of her friends. They were cute identical hearts, four in all that each had a word that collectively formed the phrase "Best friends love eternally." Hers had a smiley face that was supposed to correspond to the end. Her friends were all over that soppy stuff. She had been for a long time too, that's why it was easy to fake it. In actuality, those charms would make them feel unsafe whenever Cupid was near. A year or so back she had managed to test his range of accuracy. It was a close call several times, but she had gotten the maximum distance he could shoot without losing accuracy. Now if he went anywhere into that range her friends would immediately get out of it. 

She and her other buddies were mostly single, and so this Valentine's Day they were having a girl's night out. First a nice fancy dinner, and then they'd go clubbing. Her only friend in a relationship was her coworker Carly who had been together with her sweet boyfriend Daniel for one year. They were the kind of couple whose public displays of affection made people sick, but she found them beautiful. It gave her hope that love didn't just come from the tip of an arrow. Real love, came from within. No one needed Cupid, he just needed to realize that. She knew her girls were safe with her around, but she wasn't sure how to protect Carly without stalking her. Sometimes she wished she didn't know what she knew. Selene had forgotten how hopeful she had been, before Cupid had ruined her.

She had been 18 at the time; a college freshman as green a cucumber without a single boyfriend, or even a previous kiss. It was Valentine's Day and the campus was loaded up with couples. Back then she was the only single girl in her dorm room. The girls were nice and they still invited her to things, but she always felt like the third wheel. So instead she studied and kept to herself. It was easy to do. Back then her thick glasses and her bulky school sweatshirt were staples of her wardrobe. They were pretty much attention shields. She had been walking from the library like she normally did, when suddenly she stumbled face first into someone. 

Selene had dropped all her books and looked up to see whom she had bumped into. 

It had been Peter, Peter Laurent. 

It was instantaneous, that feeling like the world had stopped and nothing else mattered. She didn't hear a word he said as his mouth moved fervently and he helped her pick up her books. Then he smiled at her and she knew. It was love at first sight. It frightened her at first so she tried to give him space, but he pursued her and she wanted nothing more to give in; so she did. They started seeing each other, connecting in a way she had never felt before. Her heart burst from joy. There was nothing more she wanted than to be with him forever. So she leapt forward with abandon. Selene gave him her virginity and practiced her name with his last name attached to it in her notebooks. Selene introduced him to her parents. Selene moved in with him. 

They were together for 2 strong years. He graduated and had gotten a job back home in his small town. When he asked her if she would come with him and finish school there, she had said yes. When they arrived there they lived in a small apartment that he was paying for, while Selene worked a part time job and tried to make their place a home. Then things changed. 

Peter suddenly started acting coldly towards her. Nothing she did was ever good enough. She was constantly reminded that her contributions to their income were minimal and he was the breadwinner. When he wanted sex she was busy studying. He accused her of her grades being more important to her than him, and shouted that she didn't love him anymore. That yelling usually ended in her having to prove herself, which was always with sex. When they did have sex it was rough and unfeeling, and she came to dread it. Then she was called frigid. 

When Peter left marks on her after a night and didn't stop when she asked him to she cut him off. No more sex until he got his act together. In response he unofficially dumped her, saying they "needed space." Instead of kicking her out he did something worse, he left. His work took him abroad. To her surprise he left her messages, sent her presents, and even wrote her romantic letters. It was as though his time apart had mended his heart, and she was more than ready to love him again. When he came back and wanted to be with her again she accepted him with open arms. It had seemed like he cleared his head. 

Later she knew something was wrong. He wasn't unkind, but he wasn't warm or caring. It was as though everything was a formality. She should have seen it coming. Peter had found someone abroad who he had cheated with. He sent her those things to lessen his guilt and to keep her there. When he started cheating with someone in the neighborhood she packed her things and left. She stayed at the dorm and tried quickly to finish her schooling. She was 21. 

She thought that she'd get support from the community, but surprisingly everything was swept under the rug. In that small town he had power. His father was on the town council, his mother was a doctor in the hospital, and his friends were her friends. There was nowhere she could go. No haven to escape the condescending looks that were shot her way or the friends that, unable to stay between the both of them, abandoned them both altogether. This was his town. Peter understood that and she understood that. So when she finished school she left it. Picking up the remains of her shattered life, she went back home to New York. 

Selene was grateful she had a place to go back to. She lived with an old friend from her first college, and then got an apartment of her own. 

So here she was. Her job was okay. She worked as a copyeditor for a magazine that was starting to get acknowledged. She was healthy, lived in a decent apartment, and had a small group of friends. What more could a girl ask for? 

Selene scoffed. She knew the answer to that. She hadn't had sex since then, since Peter. Since everything she ever believed in was disproved. She was sure love was something enduring and instinctual, but then she had met him. 

It had been storming and raining like the second coming of Noah. There, sitting on the floor in the dim light of her bedroom she was sure she was going to die. She was so angry, so despaired that she wanted anything to take away the pain. She would have done anything. It was then that she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up she saw a pair of wings casting a dark shadow over her. Stunned, her red watery eyes stared blankly as the strange creature motioned that she should be quiet. The lights went out and she yelped as the hands gathered her up off of the floor, placing her gently onto her bed. She held its arm in her panic and started when she felt the warm bare flesh. With wide eyes she felt more and realized that it was a human arm. The creature was shaped like a man. A winged man, in her bedroom? She froze.

"Are...are you an angel?"

The winged figure said nothing, smoothing her hair from her face. Instead of speaking it simply shook its head no.

She hiccupped as the tears threatened to come back. For a second she had almost felt relieved, and then he took it away.

"Well, are you here to help me?" she sobbed.

He shushed her as she started to go back into hysterics and shook his head yes. 

She wiped her eyes as a warm comforting glow filled her. Then she quieted. Selene looked up trying to see the figure's face, but it was masked in shadow. He leaned over her and she gasped when his lips touched hers. At first she wasn't sure what to do. She lay there stiff, trying to play dead in hopes that her resistance would be noticed. Instead she felt her breath taken away as a sudden burning filled her, one she hadn't felt in a long time. It had been so long since she felt a caring man's touch. It started in her mouth, the hot air of the stranger caressing her lips. Selene dug her fingers into the mattress, refusing to relent so easily when he deepened the kiss and put his tongue in her mouth. 

A moan escaped her as the hot slippery appendage spurred her arousal. Maybe it was an alien come to seed her. Maybe she should lie off of those sci-fi reruns. She whimpered, unable to think or reason out what was happening to her. It felt too good to resist. 

Then all of a sudden she saw it. Everything she had gone through flashed before her eyes. Yet it wasn't her eyes per say, it was his, the creature's. Him sitting on the thick branch of a tree, watching her walk along the student crosswalk. Then Peter, standing on the grass and separating from the rest of the soccer team to go back towards his dorm. It was opposite of where she had come. They were going to cross paths and she felt a thrill go through her, no, him. 

He notched a bow with a golden arrow and aimed it at her. He narrowed his eyes and with the prowess of an expert marksman he let the arrow fly. It hit her straight in the back and she suddenly tripped into Peter. He took off his quiver as she stepped back and righted herself. Looking up at Peter, the first guy she saw after the arrow flew, she fell in love with him. Without looking he grabbed around for another arrow only to find one left. He glanced at it only briefly. He was simply glad to have one left. He cocked it and let it fly towards Peter. At the last second he realized the tip was slightly cracked, but it was too late. He reached out, hoping to stop it, but it passed through his fingertips and hit Peter straight on.

He cursed, angry at his mistake. Selene felt disappointment, regret, and then dread. He knew this would end badly; all he had to do was wait. He had tried their first Valentine's Day to shoot them again with different people, but their love for each other had grown too strong. It had done nothing but leave two people horribly jealous and unrequited. She saw him seeking advice from his mother, her telling him there was nothing he could do. Only human love could be replaced with godly love. The arrows couldn't be cancelled out. He jumped off a mountain and went down, back into the human world. 

Wait...what? 

Like a bolt of lightning, Selene was shocked back to her present. Her memories with Peter were hazy. She could only remember bits and pieces, and they were all the bad. He was making her forget. Furious, she used all of her strength to shove him off of her. Startled by the act, the winged man fell off. Eros' eyes widened. 

How had she broken his hold on her? He had seduced her first. He, the embodiment of lust, was being denied? By a human?

"You!"

She stood up accusingly, pointing a finger at him. "You did this! You did this to me!"

He only stared in shock as she viciously thrust open her window. Wet wind from the storm poured in and splattered across her face, her hair whipping like Medusa's snakes.

"Get out!"

Like a dumb cow he simply stared at her, unable to process what was happening.

Selene got angrier.

"GET OUT!" Rushing at him she pushed him to the window. Had she gone mad?

"Get out right now Cupid!"

He turned to look at her in horror. She knew. 

She didn't forget, she knew. 

He had to fix it, now.

Eros reached like he would grab her but instead she shoved him hard, right out of the window of the ten story building. She looked remorseless as she watched him fall and slammed her window shut. He caught himself of course having wings, but he was offended nonetheless. Seeing that morning was coming, he decided to go home. He would deal with her later. 

That's when her feed connected to his mind stopped. She knew he would be coming back to deal with her. She couldn't allow that. 

Back at her apartment, Selly realized that all of her misfortune was due to a supposedly deceased Greek god. She didn't deserve what had happened to her. It wasn't her fault and there was nothing she could have done. In a way that closure closed her wounds. In a way he had made good on his promise. He did help her; help her realize it wasn't her fault. It was his. And as long as she was around, loveless and angry, reminding him of his failure he would suffer. 

He would pay.

She chuckled at the thought. She had a surprise for him this year. A very big surprise guaranteed to even the score. _______________________________________________

Eros was in the armory preparing his weapons. He had a kiln and a wet stone that he used to sharpen and mold each arrow. Every year he melted down the one's that didn't stick and reformed them again. It was for sanitary reasons. He didn't think it was proper to shoot people with arrows others had been shot by. Actually, it sounded rather gross.

He heard the door open and saw Anteros walk in. Anteros was his brother. Like himself he had been conceived by Aphrodite and Ares. He was his younger brother, given to him by his Mother because he was lonely. The asking of a younger sibling was typical behavior among older children, until the child actually arrived. Then they wanted it sent back. Anteros had been no exception. 

"You need to make her fall in love," Anteros said, sitting on the table he was using. "Soon Eros, and by soon I pretty much mean now."

"I know I know, she's a problem," he grumbled placing a completed arrow into his quiver, head first. "Get off that table."

"Not just your problem brother, she's becoming mine," Anteros quipped, ignoring his previous command. 


Stupid Cupid



Eros looked at his brother and sighed. Anteros was the god avenger of unrequited love and those who scorned love. It was his duty to ensure that love was a mutual thing and punish those who ruined that.

"At first I understood," Anteros said sighing. "What happened between her and Peter was brutal. Awfully so, and I punished him for that. His last few girlfriends have cheated on him or left him, and if he doesn't get his act straight I'm going to make him impotent. Can't have those genes spreading around. But..." Anteros looked at Eros with a frown. "She has been quite the heartbreaker herself."

Eros wrinkled his nose. "How so? She hasn't been in a relationship since."

"That's the problem," Anteros said. "It would be better if she tried dating or at least attempted to be in one relationship. But to be readily available for any pair of wandering eyes that catches her? It's practical torture. Do you know how many hearts she's broken in the last year?"

Eros groaned. "Don't tell me."

"Ten brother. Ten. And that's counting unrequited love, I didn't even try to factor in crushes."

"I'll handle it," Eros said firmly. He went back to sharpening his arrows, inspecting each one before he dared put it in his new lightning bound quiver. What had happened would never happen again. He would make sure of it. 

"Part of me wants to make her fall in love with a tree," he said sadistically. "That would teach her. I'd like to see her trying to screw herself on a branch."

"Seems you think of her sexually often brother," Anteros teased.

Eros shrugged. "I suppose. She is a beautiful woman, and she's been the only one I know of who managed to refuse my seduction."

"Then why don't you go to her in human form? Or try to sate your desires in her dreams?"

"I can't." 

He had already thought of that. 

"I can't break the wards to her home, nor can I disguise myself as a human. She knows that form as well. Besides, the talisman she wears could find me in any form. She is too much of an annoyance to be found more than a curiosity. I just want her in love, quickly."

Anteros shrugged. "Well good luck brother. I believe she is gearing up as well."

Eros scoffed. "What match is she for a Greek god?"

Anteros smirked. "We aren't gods anymore Eros. Gods are worshipped."

"Then what are we?"

"Perhaps ideas."

Eros rolled his eyes. "Back up from the kiln great philosopher. I'd hate to see you burned."

Anteros chuckled as he left his brother to his frustrations. Funny, Mount Olympus hadn't been so abuzz since...he couldn't remember. 

__________________________________________________

"Happy Valentine's Day!"

"Aw guys! You shouldn't have!"

Really they shouldn't have. 

Selene held her smile as she tensely sat in a café with her friends as they ate breakfast and exchanged gifts. They had gotten her a box of chocolates, a Valentine's Day card with a condom taped inside of it, a free bitch day pass, and a 30 dollar coupon for the movies. 

What kind of life did they think she led? 

She hugged them regardless and then shared out her presents. When they opened them she heard them gasp. The final design of the talisman was a delicate crystal heart with a beautiful red center. It had taken Selene a long time to perfect the design.

"I made them," she said happily as their faces lit with shock and joy.

"Oh my God, this is beautiful," Jillian said, her voice actually choking with emotion.

"Wait, what does it say?" Helen said studying it. "...mine says eternally."

"Mine says friends."

She waited for them to work out the phrase before pulling her own.

"Oh my gosh thank you! This is amazing you are so gifted!" Lucy, the quieter of her friends said warmly.

"Aw...thanks guys."

"You better use that condom!"

"Okay Tory."

"I mean it."

They ate then, talking about their plans for the evening. Some of them had some work to attend to, and then they would meet at the restaurant Saint Claire's around seven. 

"Does anyone know what Carly's up to?"

Helen shrugged but Tory the group gossip knew. Putting down her drink she smiled broadly.

"Daniel is taking her to the restaurant down the street. You know that really fancy Japanese restaurant where they cook stuff in front of you and junk? Yes, he reserved a whole table just for them, buffet style I think."

"Wow," Jillian quipped. "He's pulling out all the stops. He told me, and guys do not repeat this. He told me he had bought her some special jewelry too and we all know he's a flowers guy. Do you think he's..."

"Oh my goodness a wedding!" Tory yelped, jumping straight into the enticing conclusion below.

"Let's not get too hasty guys," Selene said, trying to rein them in. She tucked a brown strand of hair behind her ear. 

"Who do you think she'll choose as maid of honor?" Lucy asked. 

"Probably her sister."

"Aw, what about us?"

"It could be earrings," Selene interjected. "Let's not get too hasty."

"Oh you're such a pessimist," Tory chided. 

Then she smiled. "It would be fun though. All of us girls together giving our baby away."

"Oh stop it," Jillian sniffed. "You're making me sad."

"Jill you are way too emotional."

"sniff...why would you say that?"

"Check please!"

An hour after keeping the peace with such a diverse group of people, Selene was walking through the park. She had today off for no apparent reason. Probably so they could make her work on something national. As she walked, swinging her bag side to side she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. 

He was here. 

She had worn jeans and a sweater today with flat ankle boots. She was ready. Her charm started to glow and she lifted up her metallic watch to spy in its reflection. He was in the tree, an arrow notched. Turning swiftly she swung her bag, the arrow sinking into the front pocket, materializing with a dull thud. 

"OH MY GOD! SOMEONE IS SHOOTING!"

"Did you see that?!"

"Holy ****!"

She narrowed her eyes, jogging backwards as she spotted him.

"You'll have to do better than that Cupid!" she shouted gruffly.

His eyes widened at her insolence and he notched another arrow.

"My name is Eros!" he growled.

He shot off three more in tandem but she flipped backwards and they sunk into the street, the sound of their speed zipping through the air. He gathered two more as she began to run and he fired them at her back. She caught them in the bag as the people around her ran and she rushed around the corner. Soaring into the air he was after her, the panic he had caused giving her some cover from a clear shot. He saw her duck into an alleyway and grinned. How stupid, separating from the crowd that gave you cover? She was his. 

"You can run but you can't hide Selene," he said loudly.

He didn't see her grin.

Triumph already surging through him he aimed the arrow forward as he entered the alley. Selene stood there waiting, a large item in her hand, notched with his own golden arrow. He watched it dumbly.

"Is that...is that a crossbow?"

She didn't answer, instead letting the arrow fly. He dodged in narrowly as she ripped another from her bag.

"Whoa hey! You can't do that!"

He caught one by its center and jumped back as she raced forward with the last arrow in her hand. 

She aimed for his head then with a grin aimed above it. Shooting it high in the air she said in a nonchalant voice, "I wonder where that'll land Stupid Cupid."

"Shit."

Racing up he surged towards the descending arrow, determined to catch it before it made some poor son crave his father. He caught it just in time and turned towards the alley to see that Selene was gone. 

"Damn. She got away." 

He could hear his family laughing already. Cursing in a few forgotten Latin words he looked at his quiver. He still had a lot of work to do. 

"Screw it," he grumbled. "I'll deal with her after a few errands." He still had to touch down in Italy.

Around four Selene was on a three way call with all of her friends. Tory was at Jillian's house and Carly was with Lucy at Helen's house because Helen had better lighting. Selene had opted to stay at her own house because she loved her friends to death, but they turned into raving psychopaths when it came to clothing. And they didn't have liquor cabinets.

"Selly, do you think we're obligated to follow the colors of love? Because I have this purple dress that looks really nice to me and..."

"Dear God Tory how could you not wear red, pink, or white on Valentine's Day?" 

"Helen it's not that big a deal."

"Jillian, don't even try to help. We know you're the only one who's going to show up in pants."

"Helen that was really rude. We're friends remember?"

"You're right Selene. It's just I'm so stressed!"

Selene rolled her eyes."I think you guys are forgetting something. You're acting like we're getting ready to meet our future husbands. This is a girl's night out. We have no one to impress but ourselves. Tory, if you think the purple dress looks nice on you then just wear it."

"What are you going to wear?"

"Red dress."

"See? She's keeping with the colors."

"I'm wearing it because it makes me feel good."

"Well I'd feel good if we were all coordinated."

Selene frowned. "Helen we're going to wear what we want. If you don't like it, you don't have to come."

All the lines were silent until Helen said, "Alright fine. I get it I'm doing it again."

"You are," Jillian snapped. "But we forgive you."

Selene put her phone on speaker and went to the kitchen. She needed a drink.

Thwack!

He hit two kids, a girl and a boy that would grow up to love each other. Since they were young they wouldn't realize it was love until they were adults. He was in another tree in another park. For some reason single people really liked parks during Valentine's Day. It was like a homing beacon for the lonely.

He was trying to see if this old man on the bench was worth putting in love when his mother arrived. He groaned. Why was it that his family always had to visit him when he was working? 

"Hello son," she said brightly. She had changed outfits. She was now in a long white sundress with a wide brim hat on her head. 

"Mother." 

She grinned at his annoyance. "So, how is your work? Any luck with...Selly? Is that what they call her?"

"Selene Elizabeth Evans, nicknamed Selly by her five friends Helen, Jillian, Carly, Tory, and Lucy. Age 25. Approximately 150lbs. 5'7. Blood type AB." 

Aphrodite raised an eyebrow. "Wow son, you seem to know your stuff."

"I know everything about her."

He notched an arrow and let it fly into a young woman and then a young man. She was walking down the steps when she suddenly tripped and fell through the air. The young man raced forward and caught her before she reached the bottom. 

"Are you okay?" the man asked.

"I'm fine. I'm..."

Their voices caught as they stared into each other's eyes. Bullseye.

"Nice one," Aphrodite complimented giddily.

"Thanks."

"So..." Aphrodite said. "You know everything? Everything everything?"

"Yes," Eros said confidently. "I know her date of birth, her social security number, her first crush, the first time she touched herself, even who gave her the first cheek kiss. I've studied her over and over to try to understand why after one incident with a guy she seems to have completely given up on love. It's...it's unnatural." 

Aphrodite watched her son torture himself and felt pity on him. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"What bothers you more, that she's given up on love...or that she's given up on you?"

Eros looked up at his Mother the goddess of love and snarled. "Mother, I know what you're thinking, and I don't like it."

"Sorry sorry, I was just curious," she said raising her hands in surrender. "...have you seen Psyche lately?"

"Yes."

"How is she?"

"Fine... she's married."

"Oh that's nice."

"Sure."

He tried to ignore the pang that began to ring into his heart. Psyche, his former wife had been the human spirit deified. They lived centuries upon centuries together in marital bliss until one day Psyche's immortality started to fade. There was no explanation to it. In fact she wasn't the only one. Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Poseidon, all of them started to fade. 

The humans no longer believed and it their belief that gave them creation. Psyche was part of a love story, but she was not a goddess of love. There was no clear explanation for why she lost it but didn't disappear. Instead she was split into two. Half of her was sent to the underworld, and half was reborn into her human form. He had tried to take her from Hades who still governed the souls that had believed before their fall, but Psyche could not be found. He had even tried to whisk her away her human self, but to his surprise it had failed. The human Psyche had been afraid of him. It didn't matter though. They knew of no way to become immortal again and remain on their current plain of existence. You were either mortal or immortal. Unless unseen forces greater than their own could give aid. 

Unable to bear the thought of losing her again he looked after her human life and the spirit of her that transferred over from generation to generation. She was currently a successful star. He wasn't surprised. Her beauty wasn't unearthly like it had been before, but she was still very beautiful. 

"My son Eros."

He looked over to his mother and realized he had been paused in thought.

"Yes mother?"

"My son, I have given you power to tend to the hearts of others. Have you never thought...that you might tend to your own heart?"

"I'll be fine. I have Hedone."

Hedone was he and Psyche's daughter. She was far from a child at this point and coexisted with their world and the human world. Being honest with himself he knew he never really saw her. She stayed with her followers the hedonists and lived as she did before in the Greek times. 

It appeared the only constant nature of human was sex and violence, and surprisingly? Travel. Hermes was still around causing mischief.

Aphrodite smirked and looked around.

"Lonely single man at ten-o-clock."

Eros turned and shot an arrow at him. He looked like an artsy bohemian type and he had put him in the path of a business woman. When he looked straight at her with wonder she sneered. Eros chuckled. He would wipe that pretentiousness right off of her face. 

He shot her in the back and her expression changed. She was a tough one so the arrow was still sinking it. She wasn't quite in love with him, but she did suddenly lust after him. That was a start. He could see the scroll of their destinies already. He'd genuinely pursue her. She'd give in to his advances in a physical manner and slowly but surely he would melt her with his art, his love, and his kindness. Eros might even eliminate one of their problems by making some wealthy patron fall in love with the man's art. That way the business woman wouldn't have to worry about pulling their combined weight.

"Speaking of time," Aphrodite said eyeing his wrists. "You really..."

"Yes yes, I know. I need a watch."

"I'm just saying..."

"I know!" When he whipped towards her, an arrow fell out of his quiver and she quickly plucked it from the air. She smiled at him.

"Enjoy this day my son," Aphrodite chuckled, kissing her son's forehead. "This day is for you after all." 

He felt her put the arrow back in his quiver. Then she disappeared, probably to bask in the season of love and the silent whispers lonely women unsuspectingly made to her, when they wished on stars for love.

Sighing he began to fly. Eros needed to find her again, soon.

Selly sighed as she dressed in the mirror. She was wearing her contacts. Her days with thick glasses had been left with Peter. The red crimson dress she wore clung to her body, but it wasn't slutty. She had black pumps with a towering heel strapped to her ankle. Her makeup was done very minimalist with just a swear of gloss on her lips and some shadow on her eyes. She looked pretty. 

She could look pretty for herself. It was okay to do that. She didn't need someone there to look pretty for. She could...

There was a knock at her door.

She stiffened and slipped off the shoes. Padding in her bare feet she went to the peephole and looked out.

It was him. How dare he defile her door with his love murdering hands? He had dolled himself up as a human. No wings, no toga, and no arrows. Instead he had donned jeans and a T-shirt, his blonde hair ruffled without care, his blue eyes tired. Damn he was sexy. 

"What the hell are you doing here?" she shouted.

He sighed heavily. "Selene we need to talk."

"About what?"

"Selene... please."

"Please what? Open the door so you can shoot me in my face?"

She watched him glare at the peephole like he could actually see her. He probably could, but thanks to her wards that was the most he could do.

"A sinfully charming idea but no. I'm...I'm willing to...to work with you on this."

Selene didn't understand that having the arrogant Eros offer to "work" with her on anything was like the moon asking the sun to switch places. 

It was momentous and if his mother had been there she would have shed a tear. Selene was not his mother. 

"Yeah well Cupid that's cute," she said snidely. "...but did you ever think that some people might not want to be in love?"

His brow creased and he braced his hands on her door. Gosh, if he could just get in there he would wring her neck.

"No Selene. Everybody does."

Selene scoffed. "What about the asexual? What about the narcissists? Or people who can't stand to be touched?"

"They are in love, it's just not with others," he explained. "It could be themselves or it could be a hobby or a fixation. Everybody loves something."

He gave her a smile that made her wince. He was trying to come off charming. 

"Come on," he said with a beautiful grin that made her chest clench. "What do you love Selene?"

"I'd love if you left."

The smile dropped and Selene felt a strange combination of triumph and disappointment.

"Are you sure that's how you want things to be?" he said quietly. His eyes pinned her through the door. They appeared to be searching, delving deep within her, and she hated it. Shivering she pulled away from the door and looked away.

"Yes," she whispered.

When he left she noticed her discarded necklace, the beautiful crystal heart dull to black. It only glowed when he was near. She went back to her room and shakily put on her makeup. She would not feel guilt. She would not feel loneliness, anger and disappointment. And if she did, she'd pretend she didn't. 

Oh, who was she kidding? She knew she was lying. It wasn't like she could fool herself. She began wondering. 

Would it be so bad to be in love again?

Most of her was scared. She didn't even know if it was worth it. Thanks to Stupid Cupid she didn't remember anything other than the bad times she spent with Peter. She wanted to remember why she had put herself through everything, she wanted to understand, but it was simply gone. Instead she felt like a stupid idiot for not being smarter and seeing things for what they were. It had been right in front of her stupid face. There was nothing that made love seem worth it. 

Sighing she put on her necklace, slipped on her shoes, and picked up her large arrow blocking purse. She had practiced running in these so she'd be fine. Walking out she waved her hand. A taxi came screeching to a halt as a man gaped at her. She smiled and got inside. 

"Hi. Downtown please."

Unknown to her Anteros cursed under his breath.

"Dammit all. That makes eleven."

He needed to find his brother, fast. 

Anteros found Eros waiting for her around her friends. He noticed curiously that all of the women had matching necklaces.




Stupid Cupid



"Hey bro," he said warmly. "By the way, what time is it?"

Eros rolled his eyes. "You know I don't have a watch."

"You really should get one."

"I know."

"So, what's that about?" he asked Eros who was farther away than usual. "Shouldn't we get closer?"

"We can't," he said angrily. "Those are charms. When I get too close they get uncomfortable and start to relocate. I need them here."

"But you can't shoot from here."

He chuckled bitterly. "I know that. I bet my firstborn that she knows that too."

"Hedone wouldn't like the sound of that."

"It's not like I'm wrong."

Anteros rolled his eyes, and then he remembered something he needed to tease his brother about. "So, she actually learned to use a crossbow just so she could fight you. You have to admit, that's pretty impressive."

"Is that all you and Mother have to do? Spy on me?"

Anteros chuckled. "Hey, Valentine's Day is our favorite day! It ensures we'll have work for the rest of the year."

"It's not the only romantic time."

"Well yes, Christmas and the summer are pretty good hot spots." Anteros frowned. "Hey, do you know when the worst time is?"

"When?"

"Spring.

Cupid raised an eyebrow. The time of renewal for all things? "You think so?"

"I know so," Anteros grumbled. "Nobody gives a fuck about anybody in the spring. It's raining and dreary and when those flowers finally come out they get all "self discovery" on themselves and start self torture in solitary confinement to get their summer bodies ready. I hate it. Seriously I do."

Eros sighed. His brother was too much sometimes. Anteros leaned on his shoulder and scanned the ground. 

"So, where is the Miss Heartbreaker?"

Eros narrowed his eyes then pointed to a woman walking down the street in a red dress. It flattered her ample curves without being too demure or too slutty. Her hair was up in a loose bun that brought attention to the elegant curve of her neck and the exotic features of her face. Sharp cat like eyes were contrasted by their warm brown color. Her plump full lips were just slightly parted and her hour glass shape slid fluidly on well trimmed legs. 

"Damn," Anteros mumbled. "I only saw her from the back. She's... gorgeous. No wonder she's so much trouble."

He patted his brother Eros before standing up and letting his wings unfurl.

"You better get to her quickly brother. Or I'm going to have to make her fat or maybe give her cystic acne. Something to get the attention off of her. You think she'd be less attractive with a peg leg? Humans are kinky fucks these days you know." 

Eros widened his eyes. Anteros was a lover of beauty. "You would do that?"

He shrugged. "Well as a last resort...and possibly after I've slept with her."

"You think she'd sleep with you?"

"I'm a Greek god. What's not to like?"

"The small penis."

He grinned as Anteros turned an angry red. It was his least favorite thing about what people still remembered about the Greek gods.

"You know that's not true," he seethed.

Eros nodded. "Of course brother."

"Fucking sculptors, giving us baby cocks. You know my statue?"

"In Piccadilly?"

"Yeah. Not even a full five inches. I measured. That is bull! Oh snap she's looking over here."

He ducked, his wings fluffed behind him.

Eros sighed. "Yes. Don't bother hiding. She knows I'm here. She always knows I'm here."

Anteros smirked as a thought suddenly occurred to him. Maybe their little game of cat and mouse was more than it seemed.

"Ha, good luck then brother," he said warmly. Then he launched himself off into the sky.

Selene's necklace began to hum against her chest. He was there watching her somewhere.

It didn't matter though because he was too far to make a difference. Besides, she was ready. 

"Are you ready Selly?" Tory smiled at her, her confidence making her breathtaking, purple dress and all. 

She nodded and together they went into the restaurant. After stuffing herself with way too much food they went to the club that was right down the street. It was a really great strip to be honest. Everything you could want was close. Selene was tempted to pick up some ice cream at the 24 hour convenience store before she left. She'd need it when she was nursing her hangover tomorrow.

When they entered the club it was packed with singles. It was strange to see the divide. Most of the dance floor was women. The men stood to the side looking out at the sea of women with hunger in their eyes. She and her friends had claimed one side of the bar and perched on the stools. One lucky guy asked a girl to dance and they moved together both trying size each other up in a flirtatious manner. 

"Strawberry Margarita?" 

"That'd be me," Lucy said happily.

"Tequila? No ice?"

"That's Selly."

She took her drink and sipped it. The lime on the edge was bitter but it complimented the burn of the drink. Just like the one she had had during the phone call. Actually she had her own cabinet for mixing drinks. So... maybe Selene was a borderline functioning alcoholic, could you really blame her? When she spent her time dodging a flying man? 

So, the question now was when would Cupid make his move? There was no way he could pop off an accurate shot in this sea of undulating bodies. This was the second safest place right now. Still she couldn't help but feel...apprehensive.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

She looked up to see a handsome caramel colored man standing by her with a 1000 watt smile. He seemed sweet. 

"Thank you," she said kindly. "But I already have one. Maybe another time."

He nodded, getting the hint and went away quickly. She felt guilty directly after. Why had she turned him down?

"Oh my gosh girl are you blind?"

Jillian's eyes followed the man hungrily.

"I can't believe you turned him down," she said angrily. "He was hot!"

"I know," Selene said sighing. "I'm just so used to saying no. I was startled. It came out as a reflex." 

"Well nip it in the bud! You have to let the next guy who asks buy you a drink."

Selene frowned. "Mm...I don't know. I've been reading these stories about date rape and roofies, and..."

"Selly! Drama Queen! Not every man here wants to rape you!"

Tory had yelled this. Selene watched as a woman standing in crowd turned and regarded her strangely.

"Do you have to be so loud Tory?"

"Oh! Sorry honey."

Selene sighed. She rubbed her temples and sipped at her tequila. When she was done with it, another guy came almost immediately. Was this like a learning experience? 

"Hi."

This guy was cute as well, less cute than the first guy but still attractive.

"Hi," she said attempting warmth instead of worry.

He sat on the stool beside her and her friends stole giggling glances. Lucy was on the dance floor with a guy. Helen was chatting with another. So much for an all girl's night out.

"Can I get you anything?"

She looked at him and forced a smile. Please don't look fake, she thought over and over.

"Sure."

He smiled and leaned on the bar. "What would you like?"

"Oh, I'd like a..."

She paused. Carly and Daniel just passed the door. 

She bit her lip as she stared outside.

"Is something wrong?"

She didn't respond. Instead she watched as Cupid walked past the door, following after them. Instantly her friends all got upset at the same time and her necklace glowed.

"Shit," she cursed looking in between situations.

"What's wrong?" the poor guy asked. "What's happening?"

"Sorry," she said gathering up her purse. She touched each of her friend's necklaces, which was the kill switch for the panic they were feeling.

"Sorry guys, gotta go," she said kissing them each. Feeling awkward they didn't protest. Then she went back to the poor soul that had tried to flirt with her.

"My crazy ex-boyfriend just walked in. I need to go before he hurts someone."

"Wait," he said showing concern. "Wait, why don't you just tell a bouncer?"

"Because the bouncer is his best friend and he's training to be a professional MMA fighter."

"...well it was nice meeting you." 

"Thanks. You should speak to the brunette. She's very fun. Likes her rum shots."

With that she ducked out and ran after them. She saw him then, the notched arrow in his bow, his arm taunt with the strain of holding it back. Carly her dearest friend was in his aim.

"No! Wait!"

Daniel turned but Cupid ignored her. The arrow shot straight into Carly and she stumbled into a waiter. Daniel reached back to hold her up, but it was the waiter in front who caught her. She looked up into his eyes and Selene knew it was too late.

"Are you alright honey?" Daniel asked worriedly. "Honey?"

"Oh yes, yes...I'm fine," she said breathlessly. She fought to tear her eyes away from the waiter and when she looked back at Daniel, she looked disappointed.

"Oh, hi Selly," Daniel said waving at her kindly.

Cupid shot the waiter just when he looked back at Carly, his hand full with menus. 

"Hi Daniel," she said weakly.

"Did you need something?"

It wasn't fair. She shook her head. "Um no, I just wanted to tell you guys that we're at the club if you want to join us later. No hate if you don't."

"Ok thanks." He said happily. He didn't notice Carly wasn't paying them any attention. "We might get a drink."

She nodded and watched the soon to be broken up couple enjoy their last Valentine's Day.

Furious she grabbed Cupid's arm and forced him away from the people. At first he had wanted to resist but realizing she was going into a secluded place let her take him away. When they were a little off into the brush of another park she pushed him, hard. 

"Why did you do that?" she growled. 

He wanted to be angry but he could see the pain in her eyes. Was she about to cry? 

"Did you want my attention that much?" she asked angrily. "You ruined my friend's relationship just to spite me?"

Understanding her reaction he sighed. "Relax, it had nothing to do with you." He could see she was currently blaming herself. "They weren't in love, not true love anyway. That waiter she landed into? That's her true love." 

"What about the guy?" she asked. "What about Daniel?"

Eros shrugged. "His true love isn't here yet. I think she moves to town in a year. I'll match them up next holiday."

"But what about now?" she exclaimed. 

Daniel would be devastated. Dumped so that she could hook up with the waiter at the restaurant he had arranged a reservation at on Valentine's day? What could be worse? 

"What's going to happen now?" 

Eros shrugged. He didn't see why she was making such a fuss. 

"That's how it works sometimes kid. People break up, love fizzles when it's fake, you move on and hope for something better. If you don't give up, you find it. You find me Selene."

As the attention shifted to her, she became aware of the fact that in a fit of anger she had put herself in a very vulnerable place. Why was she so damn impulsive? She gritted her teeth as she tried to figure her way out of this, but still appear calm.

"Yeah," she said ruefully. "Is my true love somewhere in that restaurant? Is he good enough to be Host?"

Eros' dark eyes fixed on her and his jaw clenched. Here she was, finally in front of him and he couldn't muster anything but pity and remorse.

"I haven't been able to find yours because you've been thwarting me at every turn," he said stiffly.

"You were trying to shoot me today weren't you?" she said glaring at him. She subtly had been sliding her foot back. If he came forward he would get a very sharp kick in the balls.

"Those were test arrows," he said, not ignorant of her movement. "If they turned black you weren't ready. If they didn't then I would have given you the real ones." 

"I see," she said tightening her grip on her purse. How much did she love this thing? Oh she could enchant another one. Besides, this one was old. 

"Well, this little chat was nice."

"We're not done."

"We are!"

The kick she aimed for his crotch was caught and she teetered on one foot. Using her purse she turned and whacked him hard in the head. He released her and she threw it at him and took off in a run. An arrow zipped by her ear and she gasped when she heard the string of the bow being drawn.

"Don't move."

She clenched her hands, wondering if he had a test arrow or a real arrow. If it was a test she could afford to be shot right? She took a step forward.

"Keep moving Selene and I promise you, you will love that bush in front of you until your dying day."

He looked at her purse on the ground. Hopefully her crossbow was it in. That hope was crushed when she turned to him, the crossbow in hand, and an arrow of her own making inside. 

He was sure it wouldn't kill him, but he was also sure it would hurt like hell at the very least. 

"You won't move fast enough," he said, lining his bow up with her head. He had been shooting for centuries, she had been shooting for two years tops. "I promise you that." 

His confidence shook hers. She didn't want to fall in love, not like this.

"Now drop it." 

What other choice did she have?

"Drop it...good. Now hands up and walk forward."

She glared at him like she wanted him dead and walked forward one step at a time. "You're going to shoot me at blank range Cupid?"

"No," he said ushering that she should walk in front of him. "We're going to talk. Let's head to the park. It's near here."

"Fine, but I want my crossbow. I paid good money on it."

He rolled his eyes. "Like I care about what you paid to kill me." 

Even though he said this he did scoop up her crossbow and put it in her purse. They walked together heading once again, to a park. Really, for a predominantly metal city, there were tons of parks. 

They walked until they ended up on a bridge that overlooked a pond that for the most part was still frozen. As she walked, she passed by a couple that was sharing a sweet kiss under the moonlight. Seeing her they bashfully scrambled away. They were in love, very much in beautiful love.

"I did that around Christmas," he said, watching her glancing at the couple with longing. "Looks fun right?" 

Selene would not admit that, not to him. "Ugh."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Oh come on. You don't get butterflies when you see true love?"

"No Cupid, I get indigestion."

He rolled his eyes. "Well that's attractive."

"Says the guy whose head is too small for his shoulders."

He gaped at her, shocked she could find any flaw in his perfect physique. He craned his neck side to side before realizing that no matter how he turned, he would never be able to see if she was right or not.

"Is it not," he snapped. "How dare you?"

"Sure," she said, satisfied that she had gotten under his skin. "Keep telling yourself that Cupid."

"My name is Eros."

They stood at the center of the bridge and she looked at him, waiting for him to end their charade. 

Eros frowned. She looked even more beautiful in the moonlight. She would have easily been accepted as a goddess. He wondered what a divine makeover would do to her. Aphrodite would either love her or hate her fervently. But why was he thinking of that?

Her heavy sigh broke his train of though. She acted like she was holding up the bridge they stood on. He took a deep breath. No. He was in control, not her.

"So tell me Selene..."

"It's Selly."

"What?"

"No one calls me that. It sounds like I'm a magician's sidekick or something."

"Selly? But that sounds ridiculous! Why would you call yourself Selly when your name is Selene? Are you trying to make men avo..." he paused in his tirade as she became more and more irritated in front of his eyes. 

"Fine. Selly, tell me in detail why you're so averse to love."

She crossed her arms and gave him a look of contempt."Well, I'll tell you it can't have anything to do with how you fucked up last time."

He gritted his teeth. He was so close, so close to shooting her just for the principle of it all. 

"Look," he said tensely. "I'm sorry. I never meant to cause you trouble. I've said I'm sorry, over and over every year for 4 years. When are you going to accept that?"

She fidgeted under his intense gaze. She stared at her shoe as she carved a notch into the bridge with her heel. 

"It doesn't change anything."

Eros was exasperated and desperate, and the guilt was eating him alive. In a rush of emotion all of these things showed up on his face and she watched him run his hands through his hair in a seeming panic. 

"Well then let me change it," he pleaded. "Let me give you love, true love. You want that don't you?"

She shrugged and hugged herself tighter. "I'm okay."

"Oh don't give me that," he declared walking forward and capturing her chin with his hand. It was odd to see how much he towered over her. He lifted up her gaze to his so she could see how serious he was. "Don't lie. I watch you, I know you're lonely."

Selene said nothing, instead twisting her head away from him and turning to face the bridge and the water below. She wondered what he'd do if she just threw herself over, because goodness she felt like it. 

He put his arm by her waist and stood behind her, making her very aware of his presence. The feel of his body against hers made her stiffen uncomfortably. Eros knew he was making her uncomfortable but this he could work with. 

This was a woman, a woman who could be reached. Reached with something he knew all about.

"Come on Selene," he said in a low silky voice. It fell like a massage on her shoulders. "Don't you want someone to come home to?"

He placed a hand on her shoulder and she tensed up. He left it there and slowly but surely he managed to push it down and let his hand rest there as she boiled mutely. 

"Don't you want someone to give you presents and shower you with affection? Don't you want to shower someone with affection?"

She turned in his arms, facing him unflinchingly. "Not really."

He waited a beat, studying her before smirking. "What about...someone to make love to?"

"I'm 4 years clean," she said passively. "I should start a support group."

He grinned. "But you have urges don't you?"

"I've replaced them with chocolate and an obsession with music from the 80's."

Eros laughed at her audacity. 

"You think you can replace sex with chocolate?"

"And Pat Benatar."

He snickered, shaking his head. She was a royal mess. He pulled from her and leaned his back against the rail of the bridge.

"I know you're lying Selly. I said I was watching you didn't I?"

She felt a chill run through her as he looked up at the stars. 

"What do you mean?" 

"Tell me...why is it that even though you're a righty, you prefer to stroke yourself with your left?" 

Her eyes popped open like someone was squeezing her and she covered her mouth in mortification.

"Oh my God! Shut up!"

"I bet it's so you can use your right to control the porn, am I right?"

"Shut up!" 

"Men have longer fingers you know."

"STOP IT!"

She ran at him with intent to do damage but he held her hands firmly and pulled her closer to him. Even in her heels her head barely met his chest. She shook, struggling to free herself but it was futile. 

Instead she spat at him like a wet kitten. 

"Stop it!" she snarled. "You have no right to see that! That's private!"

"Nothing is private from me Selene." 

He had used her name as a weapon against her. He nearly smiled when he felt her pulse begin to race against his fingertips. She wasn't impervious to him, no matter how she thought so.

"Your urges," he lulled. "Your feelings, they're all part of love. And like I said, my name is Eros remember, not Cupid." 

Sexual tension entered her for the first time in a long time from an outside source. Cupid, no...Eros was doing something to her. Something she thought only Peter could do. She wouldn't let him. He'd have to drag it up kicking and screaming. 




Stupid Cupid



"I am the god of lust and physical love," he said darkly. "My mother is the goddess of love, and to be honest pleasure as well. They're all tied together."

"Then why are you the one shooting arrows?" she asked as firmly as she could.

He smirked. "Mother has awful aim." 

He had her where he wanted her. 

Off balance, confused, perfect for a seducing to soften her so that love could one day enter her. He was more than willing to offer her such softness. 

"Selene."

He released one of her hands and caressed the side of her face. "Selene."

The sound of his voice set her on fire. 

No Selene, this is a trap. No! Using all of her reserve she pried his hands off of her and made some distance. He was shocked, offended, and to be honest a little hurt. He hadn't approached a woman for some time and now he was being outwardly refused? 

She ignored the heated look in his eyes. What was he playing at? She was afraid to ask. Instead, she decided to pretend it never happened.

"Aphrodite?" 

"...what?"

"The goddess of love." 

His face went somber then it went blank with formality. 

"Yes, Aphrodite. Now listen up Selene."

"Selly."

"Selly, just let me do this. Let me, right now, shoot you with a test arrow. Just to see if you're ready alright? If it turns pink I'll be able to let you know when your match is coming." 

Her face betrayed that she was seconds from taking off. No, they had made progress this year. It had taken all of last year to make her speak to him again, and all she had said was hello and a very awful curse. 

"I know I messed up, but I can make things right," he said adamantly. "Besides, you and Peter had good times didn't you?"

That made her pause. "I...I don't know."

"What do you mean you don't know?" he spat. Surely she wasn't that stubborn.

"I'm not being a smart ass," she said. "I don't remember. Not after that night you molested me in my bed. I don't remember anything but the bad memories."

"Fuck." 

He turned inwards, the revelation burning like a lighthouse. "That explains it." How could she willingly take an arrow when she had nothing but bad memories of her love? And those had been bad memories. 

Eros looked at her once again feeling betrayed by her actions. They weren't friends but, they were something weren't they? Even enemies had better rapport in the old days. 

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked her.

She raised an eyebrow. "Since when have we ever been on speaking terms?"

He didn't feel like fighting so he forced himself to let it go. "Right. Well, can you agree to this?"

"If I don't are you just going to shoot me?"

"Most of me says yes, but a small part of me wants to try for a no."

"At least you're honest."

"You don't want to do that though," he warned.

"Why?"

"You won't have just me on your tail. You'll also have Anteros."

Selene didn't like the sound of that. "Who the hell is that?"

"Think of him as the avenger of spurned lovers. Unrequited love and such."

Selene didn't understand. "Is he going to...get revenge for me or something?"

"He already has."

"Then how does he pertain to me?"

"He'll be exacting revenge on you."

"What?" she said shocked. "Why?"

"You've been breaking too many hearts. "

"But I haven't even...!"

"I know I know. I don't make the rules I just follow them. If Anteros gets to you, you're either going to become obese or get something cut off."

"...Oh sweet Jesus."

Eros nodded. "So you might want to cooperate."

She stood, holding the railing as she shifted from foot to foot. 

"Will it...hurt?"

"Huh?"

"I asked if it'll hurt! Fuck Stupid Cupid! Answer me!"

"No."

She inched closer to him though everything told her not to. She wanted, so much to trust him. It would make her life so much easier. It was just a test arrow right? She went until he told her to stop which was about two yards away from him.

She put out a hand.

"Can't you just prick me?"

He shook his head. "No, I have to shoot it." Actually he didn't, but it would be very stress relieving to shoot her.

"What if it throws me back over the bridge?"

He smirked. "It won't you chicken."

He put his quiver down and selected the correct arrow, and then notched the bow. Before she could worry too much he shot her. 

Her mouth opened to yelp but the arrow had already hit her. Just the tip rested in her chest. He watched as it turned black then fell to the ground again, sliding back into gold. 

He sighed disheartened. 

"No, you're not ready. I thought..." Well he had thought she would be. He saw she was nervous so he put on a good face.

"Oh well, at least you tried. Anteros can respect that. For now I suggest going out with the first man you find sexually attractive and are the least repulsed by. Just to get some of the heat off you. In fact I'll throw someone your way. Think of him as practice."

"That sounds like a band aid instead of a cure," she said belligerently.

"It's the best I can do right now," he declared. "I'm hoping the guy will soften you up, give an arrow a fighting chance."

"Fine, now get out of here."

"Alright. Just hand me my quiver."

She bent down and granted him a nice view of the tops of her cleavage. Nice, he mused inwardly.

Picking it up with a sigh she stuck it out to him.

"Here, take your stinking— ow!"

Selene dropped the quiver into his hands and held her finger.

"It pricked me!"

His eyes widening he examined his quiver. Somehow, through some evil force, one of his arrows had been placed with the head up. But how? He had personally placed each arrow perfectly himself. Maybe his mother had accidentally put it in wrong. It hadn't disappeared, but as she looked up he frowned, filled with dread.

"Oh no." 

She gasped and he prepared himself for the worst.

Selene Elizabeth Evans gave him the nastiest glare she could muster. 

"Wow Stupid Cupid! You really did great there. You actually put your arrow in backwards! That hurt you simple bitch!"

Eros watched her in shock. 

"You don't feel...strange?"

"No! Just irritated, but you seem to make me feel that way pretty often."

He looked down at the arrow. Well it hadn't disappeared. He turned it down as it should have been.

"Hm," he mused. "I guess you really aren't ready. But...that doesn't make any sense." 

Even if she wasn't ready the golden arrow could always make someone love another. 

She rolled her eyes and sneered. "Yeah whatever, I'm going back home now. If you don't mind."

He shook his head. "No, go ahead."

"Right. Goodbye," she walked by him, storming off like a force of nature. He watched her back with fondness. Goodness that woman was a pain.

"Thank you Selene."

She paused and looked back at him. A breeze whipped strands of her hair around and mystified, he watched her soften.

"It's...alright."

He stepped forward. It wasn't alright, not yet. "Thank you. For letting me help you, and I am truly sorry."

She sighed. "Let's make this the last sorry you ever have to say okay? I'm practically over it anyway."

He nodded, a small smile on his face as she strutted away. That was the closest he was ever going to get to a "thank you," or a "you're welcome." 

Coming from her, it felt like a hug.

He heard a woosh and looked down to see his daughter Hedone. She had dyed her brown hair black and then dyed the black hair rainbow. She liked the washed out punk look. Frozen at 19 she was at the epicenter of every teenage fad, revolt, and protest.

"What are you doing dad?" she asked smiling. 

He smiled back. She was nothing like her mother, but she still reminded him of her.

"Working."

"Oh cools. I was just you know, doing my thing."

He chuckled. To think she was at least 1000. "Sure honey."

"So, anything interesting happen?" 

"We'll talk about it at home."

__________________________________________________

Chapter 2: Broken Beds

"Yes...yes! YE—ooh! Eros! Um, what are you...?"

"Mother, Ares. I need to speak with you. It's important."

He walked off, leaving his parents that were in mid-copulation to decide what to do. 

"Family meeting time huh?" Ares said angrily, not that he was ever quite happy. 

"Oh Ares don't put up a fuss," Aphrodite said pulling Ares' member from her. "You know he hardly asks us for anything."

Ares grunted and slipped on his clothing, smirking as he watched his wife admire him.

"You better hurry Aphrodite. I lack patience you know."

She chuckled, slipping on her clothing. "You know, you should be more caring towards your son."

"My son now?"

Aphrodite rolled her eyes at the age old argument. "Well he does have your eyes, and you were my lover."

"Among others," he said, saying it as a fact rather than a fault. "It almost makes me feel bad for Hephaestus...almost."

Aphrodite shrugged. "Don't feel too bad. I had Eros set him up with a scientist several years back. From what I've heard he's made her into some kind of robot to preserve her for all his immortality."

"Eh, whatever turns him on."

They headed into the main hall that had once been the epicenter of all the gods. Now it was just an empty room with way too many chairs. Eros stood pacing by the sundial, his brother Anteros and his daughter Hedone already sitting there. Anteros had been called from work, his quiver of lead arrows lying beside him. He waited for Ares, his imposing stepfather and biological father to sit beside his mother before he began.

"I must ask a question to you and I pray all your answers shall be the same," he said firmly. "Can anyone resist the power of the gold arrow of love?"

"No one," Aphrodite said warmly. "You know that."

"I agree," Anteros said and Hedone nodded.

Ares narrowed his eyes. "What's wrong?"

Eros frowned, staring at his own quiver with disdain.

"The human Selene, the one I have been trying to catch. She was accidentally pricked by a golden love arrow and she gazed upon me and did not fall in love. She resisted its power."

Aphrodite's face drained of color and the air around Ares seemed to darken. Anteros was left with his mouth open.

"What manner of woman is this?"

"I shot her with a test arrow first," Ero confided. "It turned black."

"Even so, that's impossible." Aphrodite said standing up. "Even if she wasn't ready the love arrow can't be stopped. You know that as much as I do."

"I know, that's what's strange about it all," Eros said gravely.

Hedone looked between them worriedly. "Father, do you suppose...she's some kind of titan?"

"Titans, gods, men and women, even animals all bow to the power of these arrows." 

"Perhaps she is an escaped spirit," Anteros said frowning. "That can be the only reason."

They didn't want to think of the other reason, that their power was fading and they would soon disappear like their other brethren. It was frightening to think of.

"Well, there is one reason."

They looked at Ares who had crossed his leg in thought. They waited for him to speak but he only rubbed his chin silently.

Eros sighed. He had to be asked? "Well what?"

Are's smirked and pulled a cigarette from his pocket. He took his time lighting it and dragging a puff before saying, "She's already in love with you." Then he popped it back in his mouth.

Eros shook his head, his curls flying around in indignation. "That's impossible. I would know wouldn't I? She hates me!"

"Hate and love are a fine line," Hedone quipped.

"No, you're wrong," he said angrily. "She doesn't react to me at all. I hinted sexual intent to her twice and she refused me both times. One time I was kissing her. The other I was just speaking. She always reacts with violence."

"Hm, I like this girl," Ares chuckled.

"Violence is a reaction dull brother," Anteros said both relieved by the revelation but angry that his brother had made them worry. He leaned back against his throne as their mother sat back down, Ares rubbing her back.

"Time here has made you stupid," Anteros teased. "Stupid Cupid, that is her name for you isn't it? It is accurate. Think about it brother. In all her life's endeavors, just how much time has she vested in you? Considering all the tricks she has up her sleeve, it's pretty much obsession."

"Obsession and violent passion?"

His mother had been struck from her stupor and seemed to be chewing on the words. 

Hedone sat up, tugging at a stringy pink lock. "Dad that's a recipe for love. A crazy love, but love right? My time with the hedonists has taught me loads about crazy love." 

He stood there taking in what they had been saying. Slowly the information started to click and form a big picture he had been too detail oriented to see. They were right.

"I have to fix this," he said stoically.

"Why?" He looked up at his mother who challenged him with her gaze.

"Because she can't be in love with someone if she's in love with me," he stated. 

"Why can't she be in love with you?" Aphrodite said dramatically. "It's not like there are women beating down your door. You live on a mountain. Son you haven't had a partner since Psyche. You don't even play with the nymphs anymore."

"Most of them are gone."

"But you know where the ones that aren't are." She leaned forward, taking charge of the meeting and changing the issue to something he didn't want discussed. 

"My son, you must move on."

He stood there stiffly as his daughter and brother agreed. They could never understand. He hadn't given them love yet. 

"I've got it."

"I'm glad you have," his mother said with a smile.

"She's in love with love."

"What?"

"She's in love with the concept of being in love. Since I am love personified it would make sense that her love for love and her love for the embodiment of love be on the same standard. I see it all the time, happens a lot with teenage girls."

His family stared at him in disbelief.

"Wow," Anteros said. "That name she made for you was too accurate."

"Shut up. I know what I'm doing."

"For your sake I hope you do." Aphrodite said firmly.

"Yeah, I'd hate to have to shoot my own brother," Anteros mumbled.

Eros rolled his eyes and walked off. "Great. Meeting's over. Goodbye."

"Finally," Ares huffed. He lifted up his wife and they went back to their bedroom.

"Don't they ever stop?" Hedone whispered to her uncle.

Anteros shook his head. "Not anymore. The humans can get in as much trouble as they want without their help. They've become spectators."

"And dad?"

"He's on the frontlines.

It was a few days after Valentine's Day. Selene had bought 4 boxes of chocolate for 3 dollars, courtesy of the 75 percent Valentine's Day sales that jumped out at her at every corner. 

Sighing, she adjusted the plastic bag in her arm and her purse on her shoulder. She didn't know why she had bought it so big. Really it was more of a duffle bag. What was she doing hauling around a duffle bag when she was safe from her nemesis for another year? Maybe it was because old habits were hard to break, thus why she had the chocolate. She felt lonely. Her body ached, longing to be caressed, but she had cut herself off of masturbating after hearing that Cupid was peeking, sick bastard. Frowning she wondered if she could take his advice. Start a relationship she knew would be doomed from the beginning just so she could find someone she'd love eventually. 

Or string along that relationship until the man wandered into the arms of his true love. 

Both options sounded just awful. 

She was about to duck into another store to get more chocolate when her necklace began to glow. 

What the...

She turned and her eyes widened when her bag accidentally blocked an arrow. That crusty hoe! He was perched in a tree. 

"Really?" she shouted. "So what, you were lying?"

She ignored the people who looked at her like she was crazy and pretended she was on a Bluetooth as she ran.

"I'm hanging up now! No, I hate you! Don't talk to me anymore!"

She took her fictional headset and crushed it into her pocket. If that punk wanted to play dirty she could play dirty.

Eros cursed and tried to notch another arrow quickly, but she was already moving. 

He flew, aiming to catch up her as she headed to the same park they had had their discussion in. He hated changing their deal, but if he could make her fall in love with another person he could transfer that love to a more suitable companion. Much like he did with her friend outside of that restaurant. The new guy wouldn't be her true love, but he didn't feel comfortable having her love him. Things got too nasty when you were in love with a god, he knew that for a fact. 

Selene disappeared towards a wooded path and he sighed. On foot it'd be. He landed with a skipping run and chased after where she had last been, his arrow drawn. She couldn't be far. 

Selene wasn't far. She was ducked in a bush waiting for Stupid Cupid to land so she could get her revenge. She had her crossbow with her and she was lucky she hadn't left it home. She hoped the NYPD were happy that mace was technically illegal. She planned on using this as normal protection when she went clubbing. Sneakily, she peered through the brush, her crossbow level in her hands. She heard him running before she saw him. 

Steady...steady...with his own arrow in her bow she shot him and smiled when he shrieked in pain.

"AH! OW, Sweet..!"

She jumped up out of the brush triumphantly as he fell to the ground.

"BOW! Right in the calf princess!" 

Squinting as he rolled in pain he saw it was a golden arrow. No wonder it hurt so much. Panicked he screwed his eyes shut. Oh no, this was bad, this was so very bad. 

Selene, who was impervious to his distress, waltzed up to him, kicking the bow out of his hands with a pointed foot. 

"Ha! How's it feel SC? Doesn't feel so nice on the receiving end does it?"

He simply groaned, the arrow refusing to dematerialize with no object of affection. It stuck out, stinging like hell at an awkward angle. 

"Hey...did you hear me?" 

Selene watched him writhe for a second longer before realizing he could be seriously hurt. Oh gosh, she hadn't wanted to cripple him. She bent next to him and began to panic.

"Oh no, are you alright? Why isn't it disappearing? Cupid? Hey...Cupid!"

Eros groaned as he found himself drawn to the timbre of her voice. It sounded like harps and the fluttering of dove wings. The melody of sunshine, unfit for such lowly ears as his. 

Such joy! Such rapture!...wait! Argh! No, fight it Eros. Fight it! What are you a god or a man?

"Hey, say something! Should I try to pull it out? What should I do?"

She touched it and he hissed. Selene jerked her hand away in worry.

"Cupid? Cupid? I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry."

He couldn't speak. He wasn't sure what would come out. Instead he groaned loudly, hoping she would get the hint to leave.

"Um...um...Eros! It's Eros right? Look at me! Hey!"

Desperate Selene did what she did best, she reacted with violence. Giving him a quick stinging slap she watched as his watery eyes snapped open. 

"Oh no...don't tell me you're gonna cry."

His eyes widened as he took her in and the arrow in his calf disappeared. She looked down and noticed it had gone with relief. 

"Oh good it's gone." 

She paused. She was missing something. "Wait, doesn't that mean—ah!"

Her eyes stretched to the width of saucers as she stared at Cupid, who had roughly pulled her underneath him and was now lying on top of her. His normally teasing eyes were dark. 

"You did this to yourself," he said forcefully. 

Then he crashed his lips into hers. 

Selene shook from the intensity of his kiss and protested fervently against him. Ripping her lips away as he sought to claim them she pushed at him with all her strength.




Stupid Cupid



"Wah dah hell!" she shouted obtusely. He had her lip between his teeth. 

Using her last resort she drove her knee into his crotch. He released her, moaning in pain and she scrambled up, searching for her purse. She was about to run when curiosity held her back. This wasn't Cupid like behavior. In fact this was a new low, even for him.

"What the hell is your problem?" she shrieked as he cradled his balls.

He looked up at her, his eyes bursting with emotion. Frowning she took a step back.

"I love you," he said breathlessly. "I love the way you moved backward, the way your eyes widened in shock, the frown that suddenly appeared on your face and grows more prominent each second. I love everything about you sweet Selene."

"No."

"Yes."

He forced himself to stand and reached out for her but she swatted his hand back like a striking serpent. He wasn't deterred. Still holding his injured manhood he hobbled towards her and feeling like shit, Selene let him.

"Your arrow," she mumbled. "It's because it was your arrow that I thought it wouldn't count. I didn't realize they could work on you! You're Cupid! That's like a snake being poisoned by its own poison."

Selene looked at him but his eyes were as dull as a doorpost. God he was next to her. 

"Actually," she mused. "Now that I think about it, in my research I looked up you and Psyche and you accidentally pricked yourself then. Stop touching me. So technically, I did know you could be infected. But I forgot—Stop touching me!"

"But, you're so soft."

Oh hell. Standing firmly with all the authority she could muster she made some distance then pointed a threatening finger at the god. 

"I will stick my hard foot up your soft ass if you keep touching me! We have to find a way to fix this. Focus Cupid!"

"It's Eros," he said, standing up fully. Darn it, she had given him time to recover. His dark eyes fixed on her and she gulped.

"And I want to touch you Selene," he purred, stalking forward like a cat. "I want more than a simple touch. I want your body, your mind...I want you to give me everything."

"Not in this lifetime."

"Try and stop me."

Being that he was twice her size Selene decided now would be an opportune time to run.

Turning on her heels she raced to where the people were. If she could get to the street a taxi would take her to safety.

She yelped as he plucked her up by the back of her shirt and pushed her against a tree. Gasping she stiffened as his body pressed her against it and he took her lips with his own. His hot mouth made her tingle and she struggled to keep calm and unaroused. So far she saw failing. Turning her head she whimpered when he simply began kissing her neck in desperate languishing pecks.

"Why fight? Don't you love me?" he rasped.

"No!" she growled. "Get off of me!"

"I don't believe you," he breathed, stealing a kiss from her lips again and fumbling with her pants zipper. She wiggled and bit his arm in protest.

"Don't you dare! Don't make me hurt you!"

"You have to love me," he said, relinquishing her zipper in hopes that she would stop gnawing at his arm. He could tell she really didn't want to draw blood so she was pretty much gumming him. 

How cute.

"You looked straight at me when that arrow pricked your finger."

"I thought the arrows had to be shot."

"I lied. I just really wanted to shoot you."

She gasped. "You bastard!" 

Harnessing supernatural female rage, Selene pushed him back with her left arm and drove a pummeling blow with her right fist straight into his gorgeous godly face.

"HA! Did you see that! Right cross straight to the moon!" 

Ares smiled, eating popcorn as he, his wife, Anteros and Hedone watched Eros battle his human. The god of war grinned when she followed up the punch with a headbutt. She freed herself but he blindly grabbed her arm and she kicked him again in his groin. He fell to the ground and she sprinted away, his hand up and reaching for her as he pleaded that she "wait." 

"Oh ho!" 

He looked at Aphrodite who looked sick to her stomach. "She's a keeper."

"But she's so violent," she protested.

"Exactly," Ares quipped. "Look how we turned out."

Taking that into account Aphrodite zoomed in the picture on the girl. She was jogging and trying to flag down a taxi at the same time. One stopped, letting out a man and she swooped in pulling him out of the cab.

"Move it! Move it! Go, go!"

She hopped in and the driver had no choice but to accept his newest patron. 

"A bit rough around the edges," she said disdainfully. "She's a strong woman. You know I'm usually jealous by nature, but I seem to have mellowed with time."

"And you did suggest this mother," Anteros said, eating snacks of his own. He dipped his fingers into the ambrosia and honey. "And you also kind of caused it."

"I think she's pretty," Hedone said, dipping a pretzel stick into Antero's ambrosia.

"She is pretty," Aphrodite agreed. "Like Psyche, but much different than her. What do you think Ares?"

Ares looked down at Cupid as he tried to track down the woman. 

"Geez. That's what the pretty boy gets for not letting me teach him how to fight. Bested by a mortal woman."

"Ares!"

He raised an eyebrow. "I think that's a trick question. If I showed even a hint of anything towards that human you'd send her to the bottom of the ocean."

Aphrodite looked like she wanted to protest but gave it up. "Eh, right you are."

"That's why I love you sweetie."

Grinning, she looked at her son as he picked up his equipment and darted towards her home. 

"Well, my son has fallen in love. Shot by his own arrow."

"Right!" Anteros chuckled. "I forgot she shot him as well. She fits in if you think about it." 

"So, you think I'm going to get a stepmother? Cause I heard they suck." Hedone said crunching loudly. Her hair was currently dyed an electric blue and she had gotten a ton of piercings. She was supposed to be going cyber goth. 

"If an infant can be a stepmother," Anteros said, standing up. His time in the knitting circle was over. He had some work to do in Chicago.

"That's true," Hedone said smiling. "I am like 100 times her age. She might shop with me though. That'd be cool."

"I could shop with you," Aphrodite said pouting.

"When? You're always having sex."

"....Eh, right you are."

Ares chuckled. "Don't worry kid. You can have her in a few days, maybe years." 

Looking down he saw that the chase was almost over.

When Selene pulled up to her apartment, Eros was touching down. She threw a 20 to the driver and yelled "Keep the change," as she gunned it inside. Bounding up the stairs she unlocked her door and slipped inside seconds before Cupid ran into her door. She slipped the locks in place and slumped gratefully to the floor. Her wards were still strong. There was no way he was getting in.

"Let me in!" he demanded, pounding on the door.

"No!"

"Come on Selene, please let me in! I need to be near you!"

She shook her head even though he could not see it. "Eros, just go home."

"You are my home!"

"...oh fuck me," she muttered underneath her breath. 

"I will! But you have to let me in!"

"I wasn't talking to you!" she screamed hitting the door hard. "Get lost!" 

She hit the door hard again and he fell silent. She didn't dare look through her peephole.

Eros leaned against her door and let out a sigh. "You'll have to come out sometime. And when you do, I'll be waiting. I'll be waiting Selene. I'll always be waiting!"

"Go home and tell your mother what happened," she said firmly. "She's an intelligent woman. She'll be able to help you."

"I will tell her. I'll tell everyone about our love." 

"Uh huh, sounds great."

When he left her necklace went dead again and all her balled up adrenaline seeped away. Sighing heavily she kicked off her shoes, threw her purse down and jumped into bed. Selene was going to sleep. She was so done with today it wasn't even funny. 

_________________________________________________________

"Mother! Mother! Goddess of love I have something to tell you!"

An amused Aphrodite watched her son land and run up to her like he was a little boy who had found a snail. How precious. 

"Mother," he said smiling. "I have found the most beautiful woman named Selene. She pierced me with love's arrow and I am borne anew!"

"She hit you hard didn't she?" Aphrodite chuckled patting her son. "Come give Mother a hug, mother will sober you up."

Eros went and hugged her even as he disagreed with her. "But mother, there is nothing sobering about my love. It reaches to the skies and...and...oh..."

As the surge of emotion was tempered by Aphrodite's gentle hand Eros came back to himself. 

"Feel better?" she said, releasing her less in love son.

"Much." 

For gods the love arrows always had a more aggressive and violent reaction. Humans were used to such a surge of emotions. 

He looked up at his mother with a frown. "Did I just use the phrase "borne anew?"

"Unfortunately."

He snorted. "No wonder she ran from me." Eros still loved Selene, even now he longed for her, but he was also able to see logic. That alone was enough to dishearten him. 

"So, this is my life now," he said bitterly. "To pine after a human that won't even let me touch her." 

"Oh she's just repressing her desires. Human women do it all the time." 

"No," Eros said shaking his head. "She doesn't find me irresistible. I should be irresistible to her, I am the god of lust after all."

Ares appeared then, in high spirits thanks to the amusement he received at Eros' expense. 

"Maybe she's averse to your human form," he suggested.

Eros raised an eyebrow. "My human form?"

"Yes, maybe you should show her your real form?"

Eros frowned. "Won't that frighten her?"

Even with Psyche he had mostly used his altered form. The altered god form and the human form were of a blonde blue eyed man with white wings. 

"Why would it?" Ares asked.

"Um I have black eyes! Black wings, midnight hair! I look like the angel of death!"

"Or desire," Aphrodite lulled. "Stop it son, you know your other form is gorgeous."

"And the eyes aren't black kid. They're charcoal."

Eros had the same eyes as his father Ares. Apparently the color black wasn't good enough. 

"Well either way I won't get that chance," he said sighing. "There are wards in her apartment and she won't let me in."

"Let me take care of that," Aphrodite offered. She knew just the person. "For now you rest and think about how best to approach her."

"If you want to talk strategy...I might assist you," Ares said stiffly. 

Eros grinned. Ares wasn't really the fathering type but he did try to make himself useful, and he did care for their dysfunctional family. 

"I could use anything," he said. "And we don't have to play fair. She's been a pain in my ass since the beginning."

"Now we're talking.

________________________________________________

Unlike her children Aphrodite didn't have any wings. Instead she had several chariots, one of which was a giant shell. It was fitting considering where she was going. She sat on the pearl throne she had crafted some time back and directed the shell to head south. She had dressed up, even donning her girdle. It was purely for fun. She never went out anymore, not that she minded. Arriving on the shores of Hawaii the shell opened its mouth and let her out. It was almost sunset, but one person was still soaking up rays. There, with a metal sheet in her hands, in a flowery bikini and shades was the witch Circe. 

As she walked towards her Circe gave her a smile, her youth still upon her. Another beach chair appeared beside her and Aphrodite sat down, changing her outfit in a snap into a white and gold bikini with brown wayfarers.

"Oh I love Hawaii," Circe said dreamily. "The mortals drink out of coconuts you know."

"I didn't come here for that Circe," Aphrodite said, curling her unpolished toes. She frowned, now they were blue. There, much better.

"Why did you come my goddess?" she asked innocently.

"Didn't I tell you time and time over to stop posting spells on the human's internet sites?"

Circe chuckled guiltily. "I know, I know. I didn't put anything harmful. Besides I'm a witch, you know I like to share my knowledge. I have no apprentice, no children, no husband..."

"Keep disobeying me," Aphrodite dared her. "You'll be alone your whole life. I'll never give you love."

Circe laughed loudly, startling a bird. "You have in the past. You can keep it. I much rather prefer the men I can conjure up. Ever have a stud made of lava? And a donkey spell on the island boys to make them randy is to die for."

Aphrodite shrugged. She would have offered her love as a trade. "Suit yourself Circe. That's not why I came here. I need to know how to break a ward."

"Against what?"

"My son."

Circe chuckled and threw her metal sheet at the same bird she has previously harassed. 

"The bird's are so pretty. I hate them. Ha!"

Aphrodite sighed. Circe the witch was immortal but even she was affected by time. In her thirty something body she was becoming senile. 

"Focus Circe."

"Ah right...anti love wards. You know, I posted something a few years ago. It was only up for a day before the administrators took it down."

Aphrodite sighed. "A day is all it takes. What do I do?"

Circe grinned and leaned towards Aphrodite.

"Who's the poor sap who's afraid of love?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Well I'm going to need a name," Circe totted. "Then, you're going to need a tomato. Or a love apple as they used to say. You got a pen?"

A white feather quill and a scroll appeared in Aphrodite's hand. "Proceed."

"Ok my goddess, write this down."

_________________________________________________

"It takes a fool...to learn, that love don't love nobody! It takes a fool! Ugh! To leeaaarn! That loove ain't yoour best friend!"

It was morning and Selene hadn't had dinner the previous night. So now her game plan on this fine Saturday was to gorge herself with foods that required minimal effort while listening to an array of radio stations. And possibly soulfully join in on the choruses. 

In nothing but a Billy Idol T-shirt, her underwear, and socks she finished her second bowl of cereal and began to think. What about lunch? Did she have hot pockets? Actually the summer was coming up. Swimsuit season. Did she have lean pockets?

The song ended and She's so High by Tal Bachman came on. Respecting her role as chorus maven she waited until her turn to join in.

"She's so highhhhh, above me! She's so lovely. She's so highhhhh, like Cleopatra, Joan of Arc and Aphrodiiiiiiiteeeeee...."

"Why, thank you."

Selene dropped her spoon. 

Staring in shock she looked at the beautiful woman before her. 

"It's good to know you've not forgotten yourself in the wake of my son's affections," she said smiling. "It is good for a woman to know where she stands."

Selene pointed at her before realizing she was being rude and stood up, regretting her attire. Yet she couldn't move, could only stare at the figure in front of her.

"You! You...you-your-your..."

"The goddess of love yes."

Selene had been thinking insanely gorgeous. Aphrodite had red glossy hair that went almost to her bottom. Her face was pale but rosy, and decorated by a small full mouth and a shapely body. She had hips on her, and a tapered waist that cinched in all the right places. Come to think of it, their bodies looked relatively the same. Was that...she looked up at Aphrodite who seemed as though she knew what she was thinking.

"Don't look so surprised. You don't think he'd grow up with me for a mother and not want someone womanly for a wife?"

"Um, he didn't chose me Miss...goddess Aphrodite," Selene babbled, bowing to her. "I- I shot him in the leg...with his own arrow."

"Please," Aphrodite said, magically pulling up one of her kitchen chairs. She sat and crossed her legs. "Just Aphrodite. And well, he did choose you, in his own way."

Selene took a step back and sort of hid behind her table. She knew what Aphrodite had put Psyche through. She didn't want to go to sleep forever. She was well rested!

"Are you...mad at me?" she whispered.

Aphrodite chuckled waving a hand at the girl's fear. Wasn't she precious?

"Goodness no child. In fact I'm very happy."

"What about Psyche?" she said suddenly. "I completely forgot, isn't he married?

Aphrodite shook her head. "She passed. Quite a while ago."

"But the stories say..." 

"Too little. And you have little time to ponder on it." Aphrodite interjected.

"Why?" Selene asked suspiciously. 

Aphrodite stood up and she cringed as the goddess ushered her forward. "Come here, let me look at you."

Selene didn't want to make her angry. Of course today of all days she had gone braless. Crossing her arms she walked forward. When she was in front she realized she was taller than the goddess. That was weird. Aphrodite didn't seem to mind.

"Twirl."

Selene sighed then obeyed.

"Hands down. It's nothing I haven't seen before."

Selene flushed and fought the grimace that was trying to crawl on her face.

"Slower...twirl slower! I don't want to see you dance. Yes...yes... I like this."

The last phrase sounded oddly sexual. Selene jumped suddenly, startled when the goddess gave her butt a firm squeeze. She turned around hastily and watched as Aphrodite laughed until her eyes watered.

"Oh! That was funny," she huffed, bent over in amusement. "You have a bit more than me on bottom, but I think I might be bigger on top so, we're even. Besides I think my son might prefer that."

Selene could only look at her in horror. She was this close to saying she believed in Jesus and this was all a pagan dream. 

"Oh don't look so startled," Aphrodite said, waving a nonchalant hand. "I am the goddess of beauty as well you know. I admire beauty, as does your world. Preserving your beauty is an offering to me."

She reached out and lightly held Selene's face before turning it to the side.

"Hm. You serve me well."

She smiled and took a step away from her, her hands outstretched to the ceiling. "Now, I'm going to break the wards on this place."

Selene snapped out of her stupor and rushed up to the goddess in a panic.

"What? No you can't! Why?"

"And you are not to put them back up," Aphrodite commanded, giving her a firm glare. "Is that understood?"

It occurred to Selene that the goddess Aphrodite didn't hear anything she didn't want to hear. Her pleas were falling on deaf ears.

"Please," she begged her. "Please have mercy. You have to understand how I feel."

"My son will arrive tonight," she said in a business like voice. She threw some strange water in the air and chanted before Selene watched the veil of pink that had protected her for 4 years melt like burning paper in a fire. 

"I'd prefer that you didn't run," Aphrodite quipped, watching the wards fall. Ah, the air felt cleaner already. "If you do it will make no difference, he will still find you. I simply want to warn you dear."

She went over to the terrified girl and kissed her.

"Don't worry dear," she said warmly. "I'm considering giving you my blessing. I never do that. Embrace the power of love my sweet. It's what you need. What you both need."

Then the beautiful woman disappeared. Selene stood, her socked feet sinking into the carpet in her floor. There was nothing to do but finish her cereal.

She sat back in her seat and turned back on the radio. Oh, it was Gharls Barkley.

"Oh!...does that make me craaazyyy?"

Eros arrived to a dark apartment. The city of lights glittered in, slashing the shadows with white and red light. Silently he slipped into Selene's bedroom. He could see the mound that was her body in the bed. It filled him with desire and a longing he had long forgotten. Striding over he took her sheets and threw them back.