[oom; new york, 2008: central park at night]
Ouranos doesn't know how the mortals can stand all the soot in the air here in New York City, how they can cope with not being able to see the bright blue sky in the middle of the oppressive months of summer - it's not so bad at night, though, when the air's cooled down and the sky clears enough for a few (very few) stars to be seen, which is precisely why he finds himself perched on the branch of a tree in Central Park at 2 o'clock in the morning.
Much as he wants to dislike this city, he can't. Much as he wants to complain about the brightness of all the buildings and how they're practically blinding at night, he never does. Much as he wants to complain about the air quality, he keeps quiet.
He is a god. He can adapt, he can survive - it's not like any of the things that annoy him can kill him.
Mostly, though, he doesn't want to hurt Paul. Doesn't want to hurt him or upset him, and if this is his home, then this is where they'll stay.
With blue wings beating against the cool, slightly humid air, he flutters from tree to tree until he's perched on the fence at the edge of the park, overlooking 5th Avenue.
"You're happy."
He cocks his head at the sound, tilts it enough to look at the expansive patch of trees behind him.
"I am," he answers.
"Truly."
"Yes," comes his confirmation. "Truly."
"I had my doubts - "
"So did I."
For a moment, the only sound coming from the trees is the rustling of leaves caused by a light breeze.
"You treat him well."
"I try."
"No - I'm telling you, make sure you treat him well."
"Oh. I will."
"Do not try to have any children."
If his hands weren't wings, right now, Ouranos would be facepalming.
"I know. Thank you, Gaia."
"You do understand that this is by no means a blessing."
"Of course. I am simply thanking you for acknowledging - "
"Of course," she says. "This is, after all, what you always wanted, yes?"
The bird is silent for a moment. Then: "I suppose."
"Well, you never were happy with me. And with Nyx - "
"Lyssa's arrived at Milliways."
"Has she?"
"Yes."
"And... ?"
"We're getting along. Well. Very well."
"Ah," Gaia responds, "if only all your children had been so lucky to love their father as she does."
"If only. Goodnight, Gaia."
"Goodnight, Ouranos."
When he hears his wife's voice quiet, he shifts, in the blink of an eye, back to human form.
He'll walk home. It's not far.
And it is, after all, a nice night.
Much as he wants to dislike this city, he can't. Much as he wants to complain about the brightness of all the buildings and how they're practically blinding at night, he never does. Much as he wants to complain about the air quality, he keeps quiet.
He is a god. He can adapt, he can survive - it's not like any of the things that annoy him can kill him.
Mostly, though, he doesn't want to hurt Paul. Doesn't want to hurt him or upset him, and if this is his home, then this is where they'll stay.
With blue wings beating against the cool, slightly humid air, he flutters from tree to tree until he's perched on the fence at the edge of the park, overlooking 5th Avenue.
"You're happy."
He cocks his head at the sound, tilts it enough to look at the expansive patch of trees behind him.
"I am," he answers.
"Truly."
"Yes," comes his confirmation. "Truly."
"I had my doubts - "
"So did I."
For a moment, the only sound coming from the trees is the rustling of leaves caused by a light breeze.
"You treat him well."
"I try."
"No - I'm telling you, make sure you treat him well."
"Oh. I will."
"Do not try to have any children."
If his hands weren't wings, right now, Ouranos would be facepalming.
"I know. Thank you, Gaia."
"You do understand that this is by no means a blessing."
"Of course. I am simply thanking you for acknowledging - "
"Of course," she says. "This is, after all, what you always wanted, yes?"
The bird is silent for a moment. Then: "I suppose."
"Well, you never were happy with me. And with Nyx - "
"Lyssa's arrived at Milliways."
"Has she?"
"Yes."
"And... ?"
"We're getting along. Well. Very well."
"Ah," Gaia responds, "if only all your children had been so lucky to love their father as she does."
"If only. Goodnight, Gaia."
"Goodnight, Ouranos."
When he hears his wife's voice quiet, he shifts, in the blink of an eye, back to human form.
He'll walk home. It's not far.
And it is, after all, a nice night.