March Prompt: Heart of Ares

Ares opened his eyes when the sunlight gently brushed his face. There was a faint scent in the air - one they could only feel when paying extra attention. He never knew what it was exactly. He knew where it came from, though. That sweet and flowery perfume was Ares’ favorite. 

He slowly sat up in his bed. Golden locks fell on their face and chest as he yawned. His eyes focused on the window in front of him, being able to see the top of the trees already colorful. The snow had melted the night before. They smirked. Birds were singing and flying around, and if Sunsteed looked down he’d see the pound nearby wasn’t frozen anymore. Horses would gallop happily, looking for an apple to eat. The flowers were blooming again. And, best of all, Ares’ favorite flower was standing in the middle of the valley, bathing in the sun as a curious foal came to smell it momentarily.

Ares’ smile grew wider, his fire immediately burning brighter. 

They quickly stood up, eyes focused on the flower for a minute, before he decided to leave the treehouse. 

The first place Ares saw when he opened their eyes was a giant and beautiful Ginkgo tree. For quite a while, the Lanternal would wander into the forest, but return to the same tree by the end of the day. He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know anyone. He had no purpose. Yet, they felt comfort in staying by the tree’s roots, looking at the maidenhair’s golden flowers before studying his own ashmarks. Maybe if they stayed there for enough time, he’d eventually find his home. Thus, Ares’ nickname grew from there.

As the years went by, he found his purpose everywhere else. In the Waywards, for example, Sunsteed wasn’t the brightest, but certainly the one with the warmest of hearts amongst the group. Puns intended. Just like every single other joke of theirs had the purpose of making his friends smile, even during the worst moments. Ares wanted to melt Waylon’s cold heart again, to bring a genuine smile on Quentin’s face for once, and to keep Tallie happy. Some tasks were easier than others, that’s true... Sometimes Ares felt like the worst person in the world if he was unable to do any of those things. Yet, he tried. Because his friends meant the world to him.

However, when dangerous storms threatened to wash Sunsteed’s smile away, he’d retreat back into the Ginkgo’s tree. At this point, they had built a small treehouse for themselves, right on top, to sit there in silence when he couldn’t win a difficult battle. A place for his body to rest and his mind to wander. No one knew about it - a place Ares held close to his heart, locked with seven keys. And, if needed, he’d find seven locks more. His friends suspected Sunsteed had a place like this. A little secret. When asked, he’d say that every friend should have a little secret like he did: a place, real or metaphorical, where they could just be themselves without thinking twice.

And there he was… Alone with their horses, the beautiful flowers that sprouted around, and the giant trees that adorned the place in his favorite color: gold. There, he could be himself. He wasn’t Ginkgo’s Glow, he wasn’t Sunsteed, and sometimes not even Ares Brightstone. They were nothing and everything at the same time.

Ares jumped the last steps of the stairs, landing perfectly without making a noise. They looked over his shoulder, towards his favorite flower, and sighed happily. Slowly making his way towards it, Sunsteed took the time to caress some fouls that trotted his way, giving them some needed attention. Yet, his bronze eyes were focused on their goal. 

Horses taken care of, he continued his way.

The flower had her back turned to him. A nice and gentle breeze made her petals fly away slightly. Blue ones. They contrasted nicely against the golden veils surrounding them both. The same wind hit Ares’ face, allowing him to feel that same scent from before. His flower’s perfume.

They stopped to admire the flower that had blossomed even more that day. Perhaps spring was her season, after all? It certainly would fit her. Their most gentle flower, a porcelain doll that could shatter at any second if you moved too fast in her direction. Yet, the strongest flower he had ever seen and would ever have the pleasure of meeting. 

Her blue petals, the forget-me-nots he took the time to memorize where they were.

Her green leaves and stalk, bruised and healed by time.

Her black veils adorning her face and body.

Her breathtaking smile.

Her sweet laughter.

His everything.

And when she finally turned her attention towards him, her tired eyes staring into his soul with such gentleness, Ares found himself unable to breath. Two burning suns looking at him with pure love and affection - golden, his favorite color. They didn’t share a word, just soft smiles.

His favorite flower stood up almost immediately, slowly making her way towards him. Hands behind her back, a sly smile and the same blush on her cheeks as before. The flower moved her roots like a cat stalking a bird. Yet, that bird wasn’t afraid of her, no. All Sunsteed did was to gently fall onto his knees, waiting for her.

People have told him before to not fall completely, otherwise he could lose himself. But how could they simply walk away? How could they say no to that gentle goddess in front of them, one that very carefully raised her hands to play with his hair. How could he not be vulnerable in front of his favorite flower? 

Without blinking, not wanting to lose a single second without her, Ares noticed how she had changed slightly. She had pink flowers on her, a beautiful halo adorning her black hair, her fire had changed colors and little wings were sprouting from her back. Ares was the first to see her like that. And if he hadn’t lost the air keeping his fire going already, they’d be panting all over again.

She braided his hair and they almost didn’t notice. She giggled whenever her gaze fixated on his again. When his flower wasn’t chuckling, she was humming a sweet song. Low, just so Ares could hear. No one else.

His hands carefully brushed her sides, just to make sure she was real. They spotted a cherry blossom on her ribs, one he gently inspected with his index finger.

It caused her to laugh. “That tickles”, the flower whispered.

“I’m sorry”, he said it back to her, as low as she did.

She smiled, “it wasn’t a complaint”.

Once the flower had finished braiding his golden locks, her hands rested against his large shoulders. In response, Ares held her by the waist, carefully embracing her core. Their tails touched again, mixing colors. For a moment, they stayed quiet. Staring into each others’ eyes as if the other could disappear at any second.

“You look gorgeous”, he whispered a sigh.

Her cheeks immediately got darker. “Oh, you charmer~”, she purred, kissing the top of his nose. Ares was sure glad to be sitting on top of his legs, otherwise they’d have fallen onto the ground. That would be embarrassing…

A long time ago, Sunsteed decided to show Miss Juno his secret place. After all, it made perfect sense that his heart would be allowed to be there. Ares’ mind was racing since she arrived there, wanting to make some changes for the place to be theirs now. But she refused. It was his. They’d have their own little heart to share elsewhere. And just like that, he obliged.

Ares tilted his head when Juno caressed his cheeks, cupping their face. For a second, he closed his eyes. In front of the love of his life, Ares could be himself. They could be sad, vulnerable, worried, serious… Yet, it was closer to her that they truly felt happy and safe. Nothing in the whole world could ever change that.

They turned their face gently to the side, kissing her hand. There was a silver ring there, one he gave to her during the winter. A human tradition she mentioned before, about souls celebrating both love and commitment to one another, solidifying an union that was meant to last forever. That’s all he wanted. That’s what she wanted too, once she beamed multiple “yes” and threw herself in his arms for him to catch her. 

And for that moment alone, everything was worth it.

She smiled wide with the kiss, deciding to properly greet him: “good morning, Mister Mintz”, Juno teased.

He wasn’t “Mister Mintz” yet, but that would be a title they’d hold with pride and love. Perhaps Ares Mintz would be his favorite name yet.

Sunsteed sighed, smiling wide at her. He couldn’t help but chuckle, whispering: “good morning, Miss Juno, love…”.