Chapter Six

Hephaestus had always been a decisive person, but as he picked at his food, enjoying watching Landyn devour his, he honestly wasn't sure what he should do. A big part of him wanted to whisk Landyn back to his home and curl up with him forever more, preferably in his big bed. He could zap up food, as Landyn had asked, and he'd happily feed his sweet mate every time Landyn opened his mouth.

But the other side, the one that had been formed when he realized how "less than" he was when compared with other gods, seriously wondered if he'd be better taking a page out of Zeus's book and simply ensuring Landyn never had to want for anything in his life again. For all his brave words about Hephaestus being distinctive or distinguished, Landyn couldn't say handsome, and Hephaestus really wished he could be the dashing, handsome, young-looking mate Landyn deserved.

"You're fretting about something." Landyn pushed his empty plate away with a happy sigh. "That is by far the best meal I have eaten in my whole life. Truly wonderful, thank you. Now, what are you worried about? Perhaps I can help."

Hephaestus glanced around. He'd picked the restaurant, one he'd been to before, because it was only half full, and he'd chosen a table isolated enough so they couldn't be overheard. But regardless, he waved his hand in a circle, creating a sound bubble around their table, keeping their conversation private.

"No one can overhear us," Hephaestus said, keeping his voice low anyway. "I am pleased I could provide something as basic as a meal, and you're right, I've never been a rough sleeper as you call it. I feel, before we leave here for the evening, I should offer you a choice in our mating."

"I can totally understand you not wanting to be with someone like me," Landyn said, nodding, perfectly serious. "I'm not female. I can't provide you with children, and a man like yourself would probably want to grow a family with their special someone."

"Children are not the issue here." Hephaestus didn't see the point in explaining that all mates of gods could have children regardless of their gender. "My concern is that I'm considerably older than you are – like considerably - and very set in my ways. I fear you would be very unhappy being with me all the time. I mean, I could…"

Landyn held up his hand and Hephaestus stopped. "Whether I'm happy or not is on me, not you, Hephaestus. No one can make someone else happy. They either are or they aren't. The same applies for you. I can't make you happy, I can just ensure that nothing I do would cause you to be unhappy."

Which was a different way of thinking about a relationship that Hephaestus hadn't considered. But his insecurities still shone through – they were older than dirt. "When you dreamed of having a mate, didn't you wish for someone younger or better looking?"

"When you were dreaming of your mate did you hope for someone bigger, older, and better looking than me? Perhaps even a person with lady parts?"

"No." Hephaestus was shocked that Landyn turned his question back onto him. "That's not what mating is all about. The Fates determine two or more people, who are perfect for each other…"

He left the rest unsaid. His sneaky little mate had just pulled the rug out from under his argument. "Okay. Fair enough. Matings are not about looks, or age, or anything else, especially when it relates to paranormals. I'm just worried that I won't be enough for you, and it would devastate me if you were unhappy with me."

Landyn was nodding again. "I'm worried about the same thing. I mean, you are clearly a man of means. You didn't let me see the prices, which was sweet of you, but I know this meal wouldn't have been cheap, and the same can be said for your monster vehicle.

"When I said I have nothing, I meant it. I'm just a skinny ferret shifter on the run from a rich vampire who wants to keep me in a golden cage like a pet. I haven't slept in a bed for two years and this meal, that you provided for me, is the most I've eaten in one sitting within that same time span. You gain nothing from having me in your life. I have no skills, very little education, and would likely be a drain on your resources for the rest of our lives, which is hardly fair on you."

The vampire comment threw Hephaestus for a moment, but when he thought about the rest of Landyn's words, he started to laugh. And when he started, he found he couldn't stop. Landyn was watching him, probably thinking he'd lost his mind, and Hephaestus wondered if he had – if the whole meal was some altered reality he was dreaming of.

"I'm so sorry, I know this isn't really a laughing matter, but do you see how alike we are?" He said when he managed to get his humor under control. "We both worry that we have nothing to offer the other. We both worry that we're not the best person to be in our mate's life. The same mates the Fates threw together because they believe we're perfect for each other."

"Do you mean we have something in common after all?" That seemed to perk Landyn's mood up.

"Well, we do, don't we? If we're both prepared to give each other up because we don't consider ourselves worthy, even though that's the last thing we want in our heart of hearts…"

"Then we truly are perfect for each other." Landyn clapped his hands. "I knew it. Really, I did. I just needed you to feel it, too."

He was being teased. It was as if Hephaestus could feel his mate's happiness in the air. It was a heady feeling. "I'm glad we're on the same page. Now, what did you want for dessert? They do a lovely apple pie here."

"Can I be cheeky and ask for two helpings?" Landyn's smile stretched over half his face. "Don't be fooled by my small size. Ferrets eat a lot."

"You will never go hungry again," Hephaestus promised, and that was a promise he intended to keep for my mate . It was a heady feeling, knowing he could follow through.

/~/~/~/~/

Laughter was a great leveler. Landyn hadn't realized until Hephaestus laughed just how much he was worried about his mate rejecting him. It was true, he felt inadequate because he wasn't in that position other gentleman ferrets put themselves in, before they started strutting around looking for someone to have their children. His particular breed of ferret – the black footed variety – were loners from when they were very young. But male ferrets of his kind were raised with very firm ideas on how they needed to provide a stable home environment for the prospective bearer of their children.

Landyn always knew he was different. He understood that children needed a loving and stable home, and a lady ferret was far more likely to provide those things if the gentleman ferret was making the income necessary to support that home, even if he wasn't there very often. Because there were so few ferrets of the black footed variety, young men, like himself, were encouraged to look beyond their species to find someone to give them children, but those children were always the most important part of any male ferret's mating requirements.

Hephaestus hadn't rejected him. Somehow, the Fates, that Landyn had only heard talked about in whispers, had paired him with someone who thought he wasn't good enough for Landyn. He really wants me.

"Yes, I do."

Landyn looked up in shock. He hadn't realized he'd said that thought out loud. He'd spent so much time on his own, talking to himself was sometimes the only time he used his words. "Sorry," he said quickly, feeling his cheeks heat. "I tend to spend a lot of time in my head because I've been on my own so much of the time. I don't even realize I've spoken until someone answers." He giggled. "This is all so new and wonderful, I just…my mind is officially blown."

"I'm glad it's a good thing. I feel the same way." Those bluish-gray eyes were so kind. "An unexpected pleasure."

"You'll make me blush." Landyn already thought his cheeks were on fire. "Tell me more about you. You said you had a studio. What sorts of things do you do there?"

"I will tell you, but I think the staff are waiting for us to leave." That kindly look didn't waver. "Do you feel comfortable enough coming with me to my home, or I could arrange a hotel for you, if you'd prefer, and visit you again for breakfast in the morning?"

Landyn shook his head. He already knew his ferret didn't want to let the older man out of his sight. "I'd rather be with you if you'd be comfortable with that. I mean, you might not be ready to have someone new, a person you don't know, be in your personal space. But," he added as he had a quick thought. "In my shifted form, I don't take up a lot of space, so I could shift and find a corner of your place to sleep in, if that suits you better." It had to be more comfortable and warmer than under the bridge.

"As much as I would love to meet your shifted form, and soon, we can't talk or get to know each other if you don't have the use of your words."

"Less danger of me saying something silly that way," Landyn said, but he happily waited until Hephaestus took care of the payment side of things, and they walked slowly out of the restaurant. Landyn frowned when he saw how much Hephaestus was limping, but he didn't say anything until he was sitting in the passenger seat of Hephaestus's truck, and they were driving down the road.

"Does your leg hurt very often?" The comfort of being in an enclosed vehicle that smelled of Hephaestus's unique scent gave him the confidence to ask.

"I was born with a club foot," Hephaestus said, although Landyn noticed he was focusing hard on the road. "Then, when I was older, I was thrown off a mountain and landed badly, which didn't help. It aches if I walk on it too much or if the weather gets cold or things like that. But I've lived with it for a lot of years."

"You got thrown off a mountain?" Landyn couldn't believe what he'd heard. "Who would do such a thing? You could've died."

"It was my dad. It's no big deal. It was a really, really long time ago." Hephaestus slowed the truck at a traffic light, but it turned green as they approached. "Did you learn anything about mythology when you were at school?"

Landyn looked out the passenger window. "I already told you I haven't had much schooling. I can read and write and do basic math, but I don't know about a lot else."

"My apologies." Hephaestus seemed to mean it, but Landyn was also getting the impression the older man was uncomfortable or worried about something.

"Is this to do with what you are – like with your magic, and not dying when you get thrown off a mountain? Let me tell you, if I ever meet your dad, after hearing he did that to you, I'll kick him in the shin and when he's hopping around with his sore leg, I'll bite him." Landyn was just trying to make Hephaestus laugh. He didn't think he could bite anyone, except his mate, of course, and his gums were itchy just thinking about that.

"It's not likely to happen, but if it does, I'll be cheering you on when you do it."

Yes. Hephaestus was laughing, but then Landyn's heart started to race and black spots appeared in front of his eyes when his mate added, "Hephaestus is the name given to the ancient Greek god of artisans, blacksmiths, carpenters, most craftspeople, fire metallurgy, metal working, sculpture, and volcanoes. That's me. That's why I didn't die. I'm immortal and after we've claimed each other, you will be, too."

"But…but…you're an actual god and the Fates gave you a ferret shifter as a mate?" Landyn could barely get his words out.

"My uncle Hades, Lord of the Underworld is blissfully mated to a chipmunk shifter, and Thor, who's a Norse god, is equally happy with his mate who is half sand cat and half fae." Hephaestus seemed to be a very dedicated driver, keeping his eyes on the road. "It's been theorized that the Fates are pairing many of the ancient gods from all pantheons with shifters because any shifter type is known for their loyalty, their ability to love deeply, the fact they can so readily show their caring for their mate, and they are the least likely of all paranormal beings to be affected by their mate's godly status."

Hephaestus quickly glanced his way. "There is also the little matter of most ancient gods have a shocking reputation for being promiscuous, and yet, when they have been claimed by their shifter, they never have the urge to stray again, which helps cement the relationship the mated pair will have going forward."

The words were going around in Landyn's head, but they were like pinballs spinning around, crashing into walls – they weren't making sense. But he knew Hephaestus was expecting some kind of reaction from him. "You're happy about this?"

"I am, and you'd be able to scent if I attempted to lie to you, so you know my words are true. I am very happy that the Fates have blessed me with a shifter of my own."

"Well, that explains the chair in the park." Landyn's head still felt woozy, despite Hephaestus's soothing tones. It was tempting to rest his head on the passenger window of the truck, but Landyn leaned the other way, resting his head on Hephaestus's arm. The bigger man – god – didn't say anything but the vibe in the air around them was comforting. I got a god!