this wasn't the first time hera left him — zeus had lost count of how many times it happened, but he also knew it wouldn't be the last. while he loved his wife's fiery nature and ferocity, he appreciated it much more when it wasn't aimed his way. especially when he, for once, hadn't done anything to deserve it.

yes, he had a long history of infidelity, there were plenty of children to prove that (and thankfully they only represented a fraction of it, but he knew their mere existence was an issue for his wife). even if he hadn't, hera held on to single circumstances tight enough that they were a common enough issue she brought up — case in point: leto. in a way, he knew he had done it to himself, but at the same time...

she hadn't even asked. one look at that anonymous click bait bullshit that hadn't even named a culprit and she'd assumed, incorrectly, it was about him and ran off to her apartment. told him she was leaving, and don't bother trying to follow her or come find her. because he'd done it before, right? so clearly he'd done it again, and the so called proof was right there.

zeus didn't bother trying to rein in his anger, rolling thunder rumbling through the city, the sound far deeper and unthreatening than the empty bottle he'd thrown against the wall and shattered. the city was gloomy and dark from his view on their balcony, grey skies closing in to envelope everyone in the same joyless condition he felt.

make no mistake, he'd find the actual person that bullshit was about. he'd find them, hades had already volunteered to join in on the dealing with them part, but they'd be left lucid and coherent enough to admit the truth to hera. zeus had his own mistakes held against him already, he didn't need to be facing wrath for the mistakes of others on top of it. he'd killed for less, but he'd leave the fate of this unknown mortal to his wife, when that day came.