The Crowns of the Gods.

Gaia

Gaia observed from a corner of the crowded room, her expression a mix of amusement and skepticism as her brother, Hades, danced with Persephone. The sight of his genuine smile both irked and pleased her; she had long feared he would never escape his shadowed existence. Demeter's unexpected approval of their relationship had been a surprise to everyone, given her protective nature towards the young girl.

Across the room, Gaia's other brothers attempted to charm mortal women with little success, their attempts met with polite rejections. She chuckled to herself, noting their lack of Hades' finesse.

Zeus approached Gaia with a sigh, his expression rueful. "Why can't a woman look at me the way Peri looks at Hades?" he lamented.

Gaia arched an eyebrow, her tone sharp. "Maybe because you seek to possess and control, while he simply yearns for love," she retorted, handing him a beer with a smirk.

Zeus frowned at her blunt assessment but took the beer nonetheless, eyeing her skeptically. Meanwhile, Poseidon joined them, accompanied by twins, Tori and Tammie.

"Zack, meet Tori and Tammie," Poseidon introduced with a proud smile.

"Hello, ladies. Nice catch, Paul," Zeus greeted with a teasing grin.

The twins giggled and headed towards the dance floor, where their uninhibited dancing drew Gaia's disapproving scoff.

Poseidon raised an eyebrow at his sister. "What's on your mind, little sister?" he inquired.

Gaia rolled her eyes. "Of course, you'd find the two most unsuitable girls in this place. I'm heading home to Dionysus," she declared.

Poseidon chuckled. "Ah, the god of women and wine awaits. Have fun," he told her.

Her brothers chuckled at Gaia and started to walk away, but she quietly raised a hand, summoning tree roots that tripped them. Hades and Persephone laughed at the scene, and Gaia tipped her beer to them before turning to leave. As she approached the door, Dionysus walked in. Hades pointed to Gaia with a smile, catching Dionysus's attention. Persephone kissed Hades on the cheek and headed to the bar for a drink. A group of men standing there moved closer, trying to engage her in conversation. She ignored their advances, but they persisted, growing more insistent.

Hades moved to intervene, but Gaia shook her head subtly, signaling him not to interfere. Instead, she smiled at him, and her normally blue eyes began to glow with a faint green hue. Hades caught on to her silent message. His own eyes turned a deep red, and he subtly signaled to his brothers. Zeus's eyes glowed yellow, and Poseidon's shimmered with a tranquil blue light.

Suddenly, the bar began to tremble as if caught in a seismic disturbance. Startled patrons looked around in confusion and fear. In unison, Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, and Gaia shed their human forms, revealing their formidable divine selves. The roof of the bar tore off, and the air crackled with raw elemental energy. Persephone instinctively sought refuge behind Hades as the men and other patrons fled in a panic.

Hades was the first to regain his composure, gently comforting Persephone as she gripped his hand tightly. Gaia turned her attention to Dionysus, drawing him close with a passionate kiss. However, Zeus and Poseidon, less adept at calming themselves, began to argue. Gaia sighed, stepping in to separate them and guide Poseidon and Dionysus out of the chaotic bar.

"Alright, now that everyone's settled, how about we head back and unwind with some board games?" Hades suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

"Yeah, sounds good. Right, Gaia?" Dionysus chimed in eagerly.

"Yeah, let's go," Gaia agreed, relieved to leave the tumultuous scene behind.

Later that month, Gaia paced anxiously in the hallway of her home, nervously chewing her fingers. She awaited a phone call from the doctor, her thoughts consumed with worry. She desperately hoped the news would reassure her—that she wasn't carrying her brother's child. When the phone finally rang, she jumped, hastily picking it up.