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[happy-shiny-god.insanejournal.com]

WHO: Rhode & Anteros
WHEN: After brunch
WHERE: Kitchen, Dite's home
WHAT: Rhode feels peckish and goes for a snack, Anteros is hiding in a ridiculous place.


Anteros was thrilled being back with his brother and his mother but this world was so different. He was hiding in the kitchen on top of the refrigerator, having taken one literal bite out of everything inside it before settling on a wedge of cheese that he nursed in his hands. At least it was something he recognized. He was blue which was also a new feeling. But Mom and big bro were talkin about clothes and he wanted to avoid it for as long as possible. He was barefoot and only wearing his cutoff PJ bottoms.

When he heard someone enter the kitchen, he froze. Oh god, it was one of them and they were going to put pants or shoes or some other sort of torturous thing on him. He held his breath but blinked when he saw someone he'd never seen before come into the kitchen. His mouth dropped open as he watched her come closer still oblivious to his presence. When Rhode opened the fridge he leaned down so he could get a closer look at her. Out of all the gifts his mother could have possibly given him as a welcome home present, this was by far the most stunning.

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[rhodus.insanejournal.com]

Rhode was more than used to being sized up everywhere she went, by anyone and everyone she came into contact with. A raised eyebrow or pointed gesture with her left hand (thereby showing off her wedding ring) usually took care of that, but there was something about this look, so open and free of guile that she stood where she was and just looked back.

"Oh, honey, be careful, you'll fall-" she said, and jumped back as he did just that, kneeling down to make sure he was alright. "Oh gods, are you alright? Hey, say something so I know you're still with me." She put an arm under his head to lift it up, checking to see if there were any bumps or cuts.

[happy-shiny-god.insanejournal.com]

Anteros was dazed.. he'd been in this world just mere days and this was the third time his body had smacked into something, the floor as it was..

His body relaxed as soon as Rhode put her arm under his head. He still couldn't say anything. Eyes with such innocence in them still stared at her and finally he frowned a little. He raised his hand to brush some hair out of her face gently, "Did I hurt you..?" he asked, horribly concerned that she might have been effected by him falling somehow.

Sure his brain was feeling fuzzy but he doubted it had anything to do with the crash.

[rhodus.insanejournal.com]

"Honey, I'm just fine, it's you I'm worried about," Rhode said distractedly. "You sure your head's OK? That was a nasty spill you took, and tile isn't exactly a forgiving surface to land on. Let's see if Dite's got anything in the freezer we can put on your head."

Turning 180 degrees and somehow managing not to dislodge him (and she was very proud of that), she pried open the freezer door from the bottom. An old bag of frozen blueberries caught her eye, and even if they weren't fit to eat anymore, they'd make a great ice pack. She held it up and said, "Now this'll be cold, but it'll help, promise." She pressed it to his forehead and asked, "How's that?"

[happy-shiny-god.insanejournal.com]

Anteros didn't respond as she talked, her just watched her finding he liked watching her. Every slight movement was graceful and it reminded him of home, it reminded him of watching someone painting and knowing that it was going to be a masterpiece.

When she pressed the pack to his forehead, he responded truthfully, "Cold." just like Rhode had said it would be. He stared at her face and raised a hand again. His fingers outstretched and he hesitated a moment as if wondering if he'd get smacked again somehow for trying again. But it seemed worth the risk as the pads of his fingers gently touched her cheek.

A smile lit up his face like the sun breaking through the clouds. "Are you one of mother's creations?" he asked in a wondering tone and then smiled again as if he was just silly, "Of course, you must be. Only she could have made something so beautiful.."

[rhodus.insanejournal.com]

"Well if there's any swelling, it'll help keep it from getting too bad," she told him, adjusting it so it sat more squarely on his head. "Let's not have a huge bump on that handsome face, hmm?"

She felt his fingers brush her cheek and took it all in stride. There was no threat from this man, none that she could tell, anyway. He seemed almost childlike, like he needed to be taken care of, and that was something Rhode could do.

She laughed softly in the back of her throat. "You could say that," she said. "Some stories say that she's my mother, some say Amphitrite. I remember it both ways. But she's the one I called to come and get me from the hospital. I'm working on calling her mother, too, but it's taking a little getting used to her." Her brain caught up with his words, then. "So you're one of Aphrodite's children, too? What's your name?"

[happy-shiny-god.insanejournal.com]

Anteros gave a shy smile when she called him handsome. He let out a deep breath and closed his eyes, he enjoyed her presence very much. He nodded, "Anteros." he looked so much like a satisfied kitten that you'd half expect him to purr. "What do they call you?"

[rhodus.insanejournal.com]

Rhode had to giggle at the look on his face, she was more than a little tempted to scratch him behind the ears. "Anteros, huh?" she said. "So you're...Eros' twin brother. He's generally alright, he officiated my wedding."

In answer to his question, she said, "I'm Rhode, Aphrodite's child by Poseidon, if you believe those stories. I'm staying here for a little while, until I get better."

[happy-shiny-god.insanejournal.com]

Anteros kept his eyes closed but looked pleased when he heard her laugh. He turned in towards her a little as if it was the most natural thing to do because that's what it felt like. "His twin, his playmate, his younger brother. I was created for him so he would never be lonely." even though now and even back then Eros had his wife and child and Anteros' purpose was almost rendered obsolete at times. In this new world.. he was starting to feel more and more like that and a deep sadness threatened to invade him. "Are you ill?" he asked when she said she was getting better.

He opened his eyes and did a double take, his eyes widening a little as he looked at her. No, nothing could be wrong with this world if it harbored someone like Rhode in it. His hand went again to her cheek, this time cupping it softly. He scoffed a smile, still amazed. "Being the son of the Goddess of Beauty was still poor preparation for meeting you, Rhode.." not being able to get over how pretty she was.

[rhodus.insanejournal.com]

Rhode nodded. "Seems like a good reason to create someone," she said easily. "To make it so someone would always have a companion."

She mentally cursed when she realized that had slipped out. "Ah...sort of. I got hurt, I had to stay in the hospital for a while. There are quite a few cruel people in the world, as if I didn't know that already."

Her laugh was a little self-deprecating, and she blushed and ducked her head. "You must have hit your head pretty hard if you think I'm that pretty," she joked.

[happy-shiny-god.insanejournal.com]

Anteros frowned deeply and sat up, pulling the frozen fruits off his forehead and letting the bag slide to the floor and replacing it with his hand in Rhode's lightly. He gave it a gentle squeeze and said, "We were not meant to be alone." she seemed so sad and he wasn't sure how to handle the fact she'd been hurt. He believed her though, his head bowing and a look of profound sorrow washing across his features as he fell prisoner to his own thoughts for a moment. This world... this world was changed.

He raised his lashes and looked at her and slowly started to smile again, "I hit my head often but it wouldn't change your appearance." not really understanding why his head injuries had anything to do with how gorgeous she was. She blushed? Why? Didn't she believe him? Why wouldn't she? He didn't know how to lie.. he weighed her hand in his and said sincerely, "I understand almost nothing in this world.. there is so much noise everywhere, drowning out everything good. But ever since I saw you, for the first time since I have arrived... it has been quiet." and he sounded very grateful.