Even if I Stray, I Will Always Return to You

Note: I Own Nothing.

Summary: A glimpse of Zeus' true feelings towards his wife and children.

Note, Eileithyia, Ares, Hebe, and Eris are all small children at this point.

Zeus arrived back on Mount Olympus long after the sun had set. He had been visiting Leto, his latest lover, and the time had gotten away from him. Now, he tip-toed back to his and his wife's chambers, careful not to disturb his children's slumber. Zeus didn't want them asking questions.

Zeus almost let out a sigh of relief as he slowly opened the doors to his and Hera's chambers—almost. When he opened the heavy doors, the sight that met him made him stop and stare. On his and Hera's large, luxurious marital bed, sat his wife against the headboard, dawning her nightwear, their children sleeping around her. All four of their young children were fast asleep, most likely having lost the fight with Hypnos to wait for their father to come home. The thought made Zeus' stomach clench, as did their innocent images.

Eileithyia, his and Hera's eldest daughter, who was just short of being ten years old, sat up against the headboard of the bed next to Hera, leaning against her mother's shoulder in place of a pillow, even though their were many around her to use. Eileithyia's long black locks intermingled with her mother's, making them indistinguishable. Her yellow nightgown was rumbled, though that was most likely Ares fault. Ares, Zeus and Hera's only son, slept with his head in his elder sister's lap, snoring rather loudly for a child not even six years old. The usually rowdy child seemed quite peaceful where he was curled up, a blanket wrapped around him with care, his dark hair falling in his face.

On the other side of Hera, curled up like a cat, was little Hebe, who was no more than four years old; Zeus' chubby-cheeked, sweet-natured little girl. Her long blond hair was splayed around her, and her pink nightgown was bunched up nearly to her hips. Like Ares—and Zeus—she snored, though her snores were much softer and more adorable. Then there was Hera, who sat awake, glaring at Zeus as he entered their chambers, cradling their youngest child, Eris, in her arms, as she did. Eris, like Zeus and Hebe, was blond, and she was a very beautiful baby; though at the moment, she was fussing in her sleep. But when didn't she fuss.

When Zeus came to stand at the end of the large bed, Hera spoke. "You have betrayed me." She seethed in a hushed voice, careful not to wake the children. Zeus' only reply was, "There is nothing you can do, Hera. I still love you, but I also love Leto—" "You loved Metis, too. And Themis. Far more than I, apparently, as you never once betrayed them." Hera snapped back at him with a glare. Zeus scowled down at his raven-haired wife.

A long, tension filled moment passed between them before Zeus spoke again. "I loved Metis. I loved Themis less. I love you even lesser. But know this: Metis and Themis are gone. I love you now than any other. I may love other women, but I will always love them less than you, Hera." He said. That was his final word on the matter, and he climbed into bed, allowing Hebe to cuddle into her father's embrace as he did.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the fic! Please review!