Chapter Text
“You waste your time, Lord Ares.” Thanatos sighed, turning away from the War god.
“I think not, Lord Thanatos. I would not consider any second I spend with you wasted.” He hummed, savoring the way the tips of omega’s ears turned azure at his remark.
“In fact, ” He reached out to gently grasp Thanatos’s hand, bringing it to his lips, “I consider any moment spent gazing upon your visage a blessing.” He then pressed a kiss to the back of Thanatos' hand.
Golden eyes stared up at him filled with so much longing his heart skipped a beat. This omega wanted him almost to the point of desperation.
Ares had bedded countless individuals divine and mortal in his day, he knew that look, that hunger, that desire, yet Thanatos held back. An almost herculean effort on the omega’s part as it must be unbearable to refuse an alpha like Ares. He felt the reluctance as Thanatos pulled his hand away.
“I’m flattered, really.” He watched, transfixed as Thanatos brushed a strand of silver hair out of his eyes. It's movement as if it were not air but water surrounding them, coming to rest beside Thanatos’s ear, “But I must insist you focus your attention elsewhere.”
“You mean to insult me?” He asked, his amusement thick in his tone.
Thanatos sputtered, eyes widening in the moonlight, taking on the color of spun gold. “Never my lord. I only meant to warn,” he looked away from Ares, hands gripping his scythe tightly and pulling it close. Still looking away he leans in towards Ares, his voice dropping to a whisper as if what he’s about to say is a secret, “Surely, you must know?”
“Know of what?” he asks.
Of course, he knew. It was a favored topic among his fellow Olympians. How much of a waste it was for Thanatos to be such a beautiful omega would come up alongside which king wasn’t showing enough respect that season. Comments about how if Thanatos were mortal he’d only be fit for the whorehouse spoken between sips of nectar and talks of his father’s latest mischief.
“I am barren.” Thanatos finished and he looked as if he expected Ares to step away in revulsion. It was the worst thing an omega could be. Among the mortals omegas were prized for their ability to birth strong children. To be barren was to be worthless. Even omegas who been with countless partners were preferred over a virgin barren omega. To court an omega that could not give you children was deemed as pointless as throwing salt into the sea.
In this regard the gods were only slightly more tolerant than their human counterparts. Thanatos was still part of the natural order of the world. His work necessary but greatly underappreciated by those that dwelt on the surface. His status as a god commanded begrudging respect that his status as an infertile omega lost him.
But Ares had had his fill of proper omegas. He had more than enough children to satisfy him. The Erotes from Aphrodite and his many mortal offspring kept his instincts at bay.
He wanted this omega, more than any spoils of war, more than the blood of his enemies upon his blade. Wanted to claim him, mark him, fuck him till he could do nothing more than pant helplessly beneath him.
His scent was intoxicating. It was sweet in the same way Ares found the scent of freshly spilled blood and the smoke rising off burning thatched roofs sweet. It called to him in a way that no other omega’s scent ever had before. Or any being's for that matter.
It made him want to tear the gold from around Thanatos’ throat and sink his teeth into his exposed neck. Holding on until he was sure his mating mark had taken and Thanatos was his. Ares was a man of impulses but never before had he been this tempted to take a mate.
His escapades always a brief and fleeting exchange meant to sate his post battle lust. He had little interest in seeing any of his previous partners more than once. Even his many trysts with Aphrodite ended with both gods going their separate ways, their natures too similar to lead anywhere new.
Though he never opposed another tumble with her when offered.
Ares gripped Thanatos’ chin, tilting it up so the god of Death could not look away from him, “That matters little to me.” He watched as Thanatos' breath caught, his lips parting slightly and Ares had to stop himself from leaning down to claim them. Instead, he held firm, stroking his thumb across cool skin as he continued to gaze upon Thanatos. He wanted him to see his hunger and his sincerity.
Briefly he catches a glimmer of hope form in sunset bright eyes before centuries of doubt crushed it.
“It should.” Thanatos spat, tearing his face away. He gripped his scythe tighter, hard enough to drive the ichor from his knuckles and leave them pale, steading himself before he fixed his gaze on Ares.
“I am not considered worthy of one of your status. You are the firstborn son and heir of Zeus, king of us all as well to Hera, queen of the gods. What would they say if you claimed an omega such as I? A union between you and I would bring trouble to us both. More then just common disesteem with which most of your kin find my work. You are meant for someone of the surface, someone who can give you what you desire, be your complement, someone who's not—" He struggled with the words, lips moving to repeat what he undoubtedly heard when thought out of earshot before giving up. His expression now devoid of all previous emotion in a mask of neutrality.
“I must take my leave; I’ve been here far too long.” He drifted away from Ares, taking one last look back at him to say, “Cease this foolishness.” before disappearing in a flash of green light and dark smoke.
His scent lingered in the cold night air for a few moments longer before—to Ares’ disappointment—a breeze dispersed it.
Ares was not known for his patience, but he knew when a prize was worth waiting for. To someone as closed off as Thanatos only persistence would get through his defenses and Ares was more than willing to wait.
With Selene’s moon high above him he set off to the site of his next battlefield, knowing Thanatos would be not far behind.