As Aetherion walked back toward his family, the first person he made eye contact with was Zeus.
Zeus's eyes widened slightly before a sly grin spread across his face.
"Huh? Brother, you're back already?" he teased. "I thought you'd be… enjoying yourself somewhere else by now."
His tone carried an unmistakable hint of mischief.
Aetherion merely glanced at him before looking away, choosing not to answer.
Instead—
It was Hera who spoke.
"Shut your mouth."
Her reply was short and sharp, accompanied by a small frown.
Aetherion sighed inwardly. The nectar was still clouding his thoughts, and the last thing he wanted was to get dragged into another conversation.
Fortunately, before either of them could continue, Rhea interrupted.
"That is enough, you two," she said, her voice calm yet carrying the authority of a queen.
She turned toward her eldest son.
"Come, my boy. Sit beside me."
Aetherion gave a lazy nod.
He already wanted to sit down anyway.
Without another word, he walked over and took the seat beside his mother.
Almost immediately, two nymphs approached him carrying fresh cups of divine nectar. Their hopeful smiles brightened the moment they reached him.
"Here, Lord Aetherion."
Not wishing to disappoint them, Aetherion accepted the cup with a gentle smile.
"Thank you."
Those two simple words were enough to make both women blush.
As he raised the cup and took another drink, they looked ready to continue speaking—
But before either of them could…
Hera appeared beside him.
"You may leave now."
Her tone was polite.
But firm.
Neither nymph dared question it.
They exchanged nervous glances before bowing lightly.
"Y-Yes, Lady Hera."
Within seconds, they were gone.
After witnessing Hera on the battlefield and hearing tales of her deeds, very few immortals wished to test her patience.
Aetherion simply leaned back into his chair, letting out a quiet sigh as the sounds of the celebration washed over him.
Laughter.
Music.
The endless chatter of immortals enjoying their victory.
Most of all…
His brothers.
Zeus and Poseidon were still loudly recounting exaggerated stories from the battle while Hades occasionally corrected them, only to be ignored once again.
Aetherion couldn't help but smile.
Then—
A gentle tap landed on his shoulder.
He turned his head and looked up.
Standing before him was Hestia.
She greeted him with the same warm, gentle smile she always wore.
"Are you alright, Brother?" she asked softly.
Aetherion returned the smile, while flexing his arms.
"Yes. There is no need to worry. I am far too strong for a little nectar to defeat me."
Hestia giggled quietly.
"Then I won't worry anymore."
"Yeah… no need to worry about this idiot."
Hera's voice came from beside him, though she deliberately looked the other way.
There was still a trace of annoyance in her expression.
Aetherion turned toward her.
His cheeks carried a faint golden flush from the nectar.
With a mischievous smile, he reached out and lightly poked her cheek with a finger.
"You seem awfully bothered tonight, Hera. Did something happen?"
He asked the question sincerely.
He truly didn't understand.
Hera immediately stiffened.
Without warning—
Thump.
Her fist landed squarely on his shoulder.
"Ow!"
Aetherion rubbed the sore spot with a pained expression.
"What was that for!? I only asked a question."
"That," Hera replied with a huff, "was for asking such a stupid question."
Aetherion stared at her, utterly bewildered.
Before he could protest any further, Hera suddenly moved.
She pulled her chair closer.
Then—
Without asking—
She gently guided his head down until it rested against her shoulder.
"Be quiet. And get some rest, you fool. You drank far too much nectar. It has clearly gone to your head."
Her voice remained stern.
Almost scolding.
Yet—
Her ears had turned a brilliant golden.
She was obviously embarrassed by what she had just done.
Aetherion noticed.
But instead of teasing her…
He simply smiled.
Closing his eyes, he allowed himself to relax against her shoulder.
"…First you punch me…and then you tell me to rest…"
A small chuckle escaped him.
"…How confusing."
He muttered the last word quietly beneath his breath.
***
As Aetherion was finally about to close his eyes and relax after the chaotic evening—especially after everything that had happened with Selene's kiss on his cheek and Metis's kiss on his lips—a dreamy smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
'…What a strange night.'
All he wanted now was to rest for a while and let the effects of the divine nectar wear off so he could think clearly again.
Unfortunately…
"HAHAHA!"
A loud voice echoed through the hall, followed by heavy footsteps.
Aetherion immediately opened his eyes and lifted his head from Hera's shoulder.
Looking up, he saw two familiar figures approaching him.
The first was a tall, broad-shouldered man with bronze skin, brilliant golden eyes that shone like the sun itself, and a smile so bright it seemed capable of illuminating the entire hall.
Helios.
Walking beside him was another bronze-skinned man, though the atmosphere around him was the complete opposite. His eyes were as black as the deepest night, carrying a calmness that reminded one of death itself.
Thanatos.
"What are you doing over here?" Helios called out with his usual booming voice. "Sleeping already?"
Aetherion sighed.
"Can you not see I'm trying to relax, you fool?" he replied lazily. "I've been dragged around dancing all night… in case you somehow missed it."
There was a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Helios simply tilted his head before grinning even wider.
"Oh? Dancing with my sister… and then with Metis?" he teased. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting that from you."
He burst into laughter.
"But then again… you're a man after all!"
Beside him, Thanatos merely smirked.
Finally, he spoke in his usual calm, smooth voice.
"And why are you pretending to be tired?"
He looked directly at Aetherion.
"From the expression on your face a moment ago… I'd say you were enjoying yourself quite a bit."
Aetherion immediately looked away.
"…Be quiet, you two idiots."
"Hahaha!"
Helios laughed even harder.
"The nectar is definitely working! This is the first time I've ever seen you half-drunk!"
A mischievous grin spread across his face.
"You should drink more often. It's actually quite entertaining!"
Aetherion pinched the bridge of his nose.
"…Just sit down already. You two are ruining my relaxation."
Helios and Thanatos exchanged amused glances before shrugging.
"Fair enough."
Using their divinity, they casually created two chairs close to him and took their seats.
A few nearby nymphs quickly approached, serving each of them another cup of divine nectar.
They even handed one to Aetherion…
And another to Hera.
Hera watched the entire exchange with a small frown.
'Damn it… Why did they have to show up now!?'
She had finally managed to get Aetherion to rest against her shoulder…
Only for these two to interrupt.
Clicking her tongue inwardly, she accepted the nectar without saying anything.
Soon, all four of them raised their cups.
The nectar flowed once more.
Around them, the celebration continued in full swing.
Music filled the air.
Laughter echoed beneath the star-filled sky.
Gods, Titans, nymphs, spirits, satyrs, and countless other immortals celebrated together, sharing stories of the battle, boasting about their victories, and enjoying the peace they had earned.
It was their first battle and first victory.
And tonight…
No one wished to think about tomorrow's war.
Aetherion found himself smiling more and more as he listened to Helios's loud laughter, Thanatos's dry remarks, Hera's occasional complaints, and the cheerful conversations of his family.
For the first time in what felt like forever…
He felt at peace.
He slowly closed his eyes for a brief moment.
'I wish… Moments like this could last forever.'
A gentle smile remained on his lips.
Then he lifted his cup once more and drank deeply from the divine nectar before continuing to laugh and talk with Hera, Helios, Thanatos, and the rest of his family beneath the endless canopy of stars.