Ares

Chapter 15 || You're a poor unfortunate soul.

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Dedicated to @aliennightmare because it's a privilege to be your Queen. And to @5SOSATC for your rad comments!

"You're just a ghost at most, a set of empty bones, searching for anything and everything to make you feel whole, when it gets cold."
— Holy, PVRIS.

Zeus lifted his brow. "Hello, Ares."

"Who's this?" Ares nodded to the bald man wearing dark framed glasses.

Zeus adjusted his necktie and grinned. "Sorry to drop in on you like this. Do you have a moment?" he smiled, ignoring the question and clasping his hands in front of his pinstriped suit.

Ares blinked, his mind whirling to explain the unexpected visit. He turned for his bedroom and left the door open to go throw on a t-shirt and pair of trainers while Zeus and the other man let themselves in.

"Nice place," Zeus said, surveying the condo while his friend shut and locked the door.

Ares came back into the living room and jerked his chin to the other man. "This your lawyer?"

Zeus exchanged glances with the man and chuckled. "This is Mr. Fly. He's an...associate of mine who hopes to help us come to some sort of an agreement."

Ares ran a hand through his hair, attempting to smooth his nappy bed head. "Agreement?"

Zeus gestured to the sofa. "Do you mind?"

Ares shrugged his shoulders and watched Zeus unbutton his coat and take a seat. Mr. Fly remained standing, his hands folded in front of him like he was Secret Service, annoying Ares with his mechanical presence. "Can I get you something to drink?" he asked Mr. Fly. "Maybe some prune juice or Metamucil?"

Mr. Fly stared blankly at him through dead eyes, lacking humor as much as he did colour.

Ares snorted and turned back to Zeus, honing his gaze to a razor's edge. "What do you know about Caleb?"

Zeus stretched an arm out along the back of the couch and crossed his legs like a girl. "I know he's going to have to take up a new line of work." He winked at Mr. Fly, a sinister grin sliding across his smoothly shaven face.

Angry butterflies exploded in Ares's gut, turning his insides to mush. He clenched his teeth and curled his hands into fists. "What did you do?" he whispered.

Zeus raised his eyebrows into the middle of his forehead. "What I had to do to protect my family, Ares."

Mr. Fly watched Ares like a hawk. Ares wasn't even sure the old fart was breathing.

"You sonofabitch," Ares hissed, taking a step toward Zeus.

Mr. Fly responded, stepping forward and positioning himself between Ares and Zeus.

"Careful Ares, you don't want to antagonize Mr. Fly here," Zeus said smugly, lifting his chin. "He can tend to get a bit melodramatic."

Ares glared at Mr. Fly, who stared back with indifferent eyes. Ares couldn't stop a chuckle. "Maybe some Activia would help."

Zeus tossed his head back and howled with laughter. "You're a funny guy, Ares."

Mr. Fly, however, didn't crack a smile.

"What's this all about?" Ares asked, tightening his fists and making a vein bulge out along his biceps.

Zeus's amusement sobered. His cold eyes tightened and he spoke gravely. "I want you to start being a man and live up to your responsibilities, like we talked about in your office. Or even back at home in Olympus."