Cupid's Defence

Chapter 14

xiv.

For a moment, nobody moved. Harry stood there, still in his beautiful blue suit, and Louis stood there, gaping, at the gods in front of them. Foreseeably, it was Niall who made the first move.

"Holy fucking dick sucking fuck shit," he murmured, "Are you a goddess?"

Aphrodite looked to Harry, completely ignoring Niall's confusion. "Come, Eros. It is time to leave."

"Wait," Liam spoke, softly, "What's...What's going on?"

Niall blinked at Harry. "Is--is that your mother?"

"Yes," Harry spoke, distant, "The goddess of love."

"Bloody Hell," Niall spoke, "Is she always that huge?"

"I can become a smaller form, if you wish," Aphrodite spoke, and shrunk, so that she was at eye level with them, "But there is no point to this aside from asserting your comfort. We shall not be here long."

"The people," Louis spoke, pointing, "Around us. What did you do?"

"I froze them," Aphrodite blinked, gold dust falling from her eyelashes, "Do not worry, Louis Tomlinson. They are not harmed."

"You did not have to come here," Harry said, slowly, "There are better places, for this."

"Indeed there are," Aphrodite spoke, surprised by her son's interruption, "Like Olympia. We shall discuss this further there."

"I am not going to Olympia with you, mother," Harry's jaw clenched, and Louis' stomach dropped.

"Harry," he moved to stand in front of him, frantic, "No."

"Harry, yes," Harry protested, frowning, "This is not your decision."

"It's your home," Louis pleaded, "That's your family. You-- They belong with you."

Aphrodite nodded in approval. "The small one speaks sense. Come with us, Eros. You belong with the Erotes and I."

"Louis," Harry appeared distressed, "You are my home. I do not want to leave you."

"They're your family!" Louis spoke, "I mean, for god's sake-- do you know what I'd give to have a moment with my mother back? Go with them!"

Harry shook his head, "I cannot. I cannot leave."

"Harry--"

"Louis," Harry repeated, voice forcibly steady, "This is not your decision."

Niall held Louis' arm, "Lou, he's right."

"He can't-- he doesn't mean that," Louis spoke, weakly, "Liam, tell them."

"Louis--" Liam's face was drawn tight, "It's his decision. You can't tell him where to go."

"He-- he--" Louis' chest began to heave, "He's making a mistake. He-- he should go. He wants to go."

"But I also want to stay," Harry stressed, holding his hands, "Louis. Please do not fight me on this."

"Your place is not with them," Aphrodite spoke, cold, "You know that you cannot stay here, Eros."

"My place is where I choose it to be," Harry walked forwards, and met her eye, "Mother. You have known since I was born that I did not belong on Olympia."

"You were-- different. Lonely," Aphrodite mused, "But I created you siblings so that you would no longer be so. Look at your brothers, Eros. Tell me that you want to leave when you meet their eyes."

"I am sorry," Harry spoke, faltering, "I love you all more than words can display. But-- I want to remain on Earth. I want to-- learn. I cannot spend my life concerning myself in other's happiness when I consistently ignore my own."