there was a void in his life, one he felt every day. at first zeus thought, perhaps, he was missing the fight. his entire life led to one moment and now the moment was done — what next? it could be anything, he was ruler over all, but that didn't feel like enough. there was nothing beyond it, was that truly all there was?

it wasn't the fight he missed. well, maybe a little. what zeus found himself missing was who he'd fought beside. there had been such camaraderie that was now scattered across the realms, his brothers each ruling their own, but that wasn't it. he found himself missing the quiet, easy conversations he'd had with hera after the battle broke for a time, recognizing her sharp, fiery shouts from across the field of war. there had been so many fighting beside him, he was grateful for them all, yet when he thought of ruling over the gods he could only imagine her by his side.

a second trip to samos — the first had been when he went to ask hera to join his fight. she'd circled him like a predator, named her price, showed no deference, and her spirit won her over in an instant. now zeus was there again, having spent years with her, years of her winning him over again and again, to ask her to join him again.

oceanus appeared as displeased by his presence as he had before, though with at least an attempt of a facade to appear welcoming to the king of the gods. but zeus wasn't there for the titan, as he hadn't been there for him the first time either. it was a formality, a nicety, coming to oceanus' island with no warning, the least zeus could do was stop to greet him. as before, he was still there with the titan when hera came in. even the mere sight of her made him feel that void start to fill.

"i believe you promised to share a fig with me," zeus started, attention fully on the goddess before him, an easy grin spread across his features as he thought back to a conversation they'd had one night amidst the battle. they'd shared so many, but that one in particular stood out. "i miss you — your smile, your laughter, your fire and anger, i miss all of you, hera. you once said you believed in me, that you thought i would make the realm a better place, and i know i can but it would be all the better with you by my side. you want to choose your future — choose that future, rule with me and be part of that better place." his hand extended to her, gaze steady as his grin softened to a smile. "marry me, hera. be my queen."