[for Matt]

[2020sight]

It's a good night. Athletic, even. Very satisfying for all parties.

Hopefully Matt didn't mind that Epimetheus takes up most of the bed when he sleeps.

To make up for hogging the bed, though, Epimetheus offers to spring for a late breakfast when they finally get up and head down to the bar. Which means getting a booth and plenty of eggs, bacon, and toast, and a lot of coffee. Epimetheus is looking pretty pleased with himself -- for this morning's efforts as much as for last night's.

Comments

[callipygos]

"So polite," she approves. "I like you already. Hang onto this one longer than Mariposa, won't you Eppy?"

[2020sight]

Epimetheus glares at her.

"Oh come on, that's dirty pool, 'Dite."

[semicharmed]

Matt scrubs a hand over the side of his face.

"That's, ah, very flattering."

[2020sight]

"She's good at that. Take it with a grain of salt. Or a whole shaker."

[semicharmed]

"Uh," Matt says.

"Oh, you know, funny story, I think we're out of salt. Totally not acceptable, I'll go grab some."

(There is absolutely salt at their booth. And the table next to their booth.)

"Be right back."

[callipygos]

Aphrodite watches him go, then slides into his vacated seat with a pout.

"Well done, Eppy. You scared the cute boy away."

[2020sight]

"I am not scary! You are an intruder on a perfectly nice brunch!"

He waves his hands at her. "Shoo."

[callipygos]

"I was just teasing a bit," she protests.

"I never see you with anyone in here."

[2020sight]

"Wh-- I hang out with people here!"

[callipygos]

"And I'm sure it's lovely," Aphrodite says, somewhat patronizingly. "But I don't see you with anyone who looks at you like that nice boy was doing."

She means, 'like someone who has had sex with you, recently,' but she's not confident Epimetheus will pick up on that.

[2020sight]

"That is none of your business," he says, prim.

[callipygos]

Aphrodite laughs at him over the rim of her glass.

"I think it's exactly my business, dummy."

[2020sight]

". . . Tell me you did not have anything to do with this."

[callipygos]

"--What?"

Aphrodite bursts into another laugh.

"Anything like what, pray tell?"

[2020sight]

"Did you set this up?"

Is his whole life a lie?!

[callipygos]

"Paranoia isn't very sexy, Epimetheus."

[2020sight]

Grumpy: "Well I'm not trying to be sexy for you."

[callipygos]

"I guess not," she says, amused.

"Honestly, Eppy, is it so strange for you to have a nice little one-night stand that I must have made it happen? Which I didn't, by the way."

[2020sight]

"I--!"

Beat.

"Am not going to answer that because it's clearly a trap."

[callipygos]

"A trap?"

Aphrodite looks wounded beneath the brim of her hat.

"I just want to know why you'd think I had something to do with this."

[2020sight]

"Because you have a history of hooking people up, particularly with mortals, particularly me with mortals."

HE CAN NAME TWO OFF THE TOP OF HIS HEAD.

[callipygos]

"Not that often!" is, unfortunately, her best defense.

Aphrodite shakes her head.

"I already said I didn't do it. I'll swear on the River Styx that I didn't, if you want, and then you can get past blaming me and admit that you have a problem."

She can name two off the top of her head!

[2020sight]

"A problem with what?" he asks, incredulous. "You? I'll admit that one!"

[semicharmed]

(In the kitchen, Matt is deciding between several containers of fancy salt.

It occurs to him that like, if those two start fighting in earnest and forget all about him, this will be the second time in a month that this has happened.

"When do you think I should go back out?" he asks the sous-chef.

Remy, who has been busily adding spices to a soup, gives Matt a very skeptical look.

"You said they're Greek gods?"

Matt nods.

"Uh, yeah, sit down awhile. Really ruminate on that salt.")

[callipygos]

"No," Aphrodite retorts, "well, yes, all right, but a problem with--"

She makes a frustrated huffing noise.

"First of all, it's very unbecoming when a man can't get along with his own family, or at least act like it. It's what mortals call a 'red flag'?" She sips her drink, righteously. "And second of all, it says something about you and sex that you started this argument with me at all."