Eros Cupid

This story is by Cambell Navarro and was part of our 2023 Fall Writing Contest. You can find all the writing contest stories here.

“Come on, Mom! Pick up this time for the love of Zeus!”

 

“Eros, what’s going on? You are at the Modern Museum of Art, yes?”

 

“I’ve been sitting on its roof for hours, Mom. It’s getting hot. Are you sure this is the right day?”

 

“Yes, I’m sure. Beth always runs a bit late.” Aphrodite’s voice was smooth, golden, the tone she used when she wanted him to calm down.

 

Eros rolled his eyes. “What’s this girl to you anyway?”

 

“She asked for my help. No one’s done that in centuries, so I thought, why not? If she wants this Chad to love her so much, what’s the harm?”

 

“He could be an absolute jerk, Mom.”

 

“That’s why I sent you, dearest son. Your love darts turn even the hardest of hearts. You do have your best ones, right?”

 

“Of course.” Eros stood up and stretched his lean form toward the sky. Aphrodite didn’t ask for his help often, but he was getting bored. Besides there was a Ruben’s exhibit at the neighboring museum he wanted to see. Cupids always amused him. “How much longer should I wait?”

 

“Don’t be sullen, child. Give her another ten minutes.”

 

“Won’t have to, Mom. Girl’s just turned the corner and is headed this way, boy in tow.”

 

Eros ended the call and flew silently down from the roof, landing unseen just behind the pair. He sensed the love Beth was feeling, but Chad was cold and indifferent to it. “This may take more than a dart. I might need a full-fledged arrow to pierce this kid’s defenses. Good thing I always come prepared.”

 

Slipping inside with them, the God of Love stopped to admire the building while the two paid their admittance fee. It reminded him of the temples in Athens. Clean lines, tall ceilings. Walls of glass between the columns instead of open space, but the effect was the same. Light streaming in and changing as the sun made its circuit across the sky. He gazed out at the pond that surrounded part of the building. It was as though the place floated on water. With a contented sigh, he turned to find the couple disappearing down the corridor to his right.

 

Hurrying to catch up, Eros swung around the corner and ran into an invisible obstacle. Staggering back, he started to fall just as someone grabbed him, pulling him back onto his feet.

 

“Careful, bro! They may not be able to see you, but every human in the place will hear you if your quiver hits these granite floors!” Pothos appeared in front of him.

 

“What are you doing in Texas?” Eros hadn’t seen his brother in years. Pothos rarely left his gig in LA where shout outs for the God of Longing were incessant.

 

“I got an urgent DM from this kid who follows me on Instagram. Seems he needs some help landing this chick he’s into,” Pothos shrugged.

 

“Him?” Eros asked, pointing to Chad.

 

“Yeah,” Pothos nodded, casually stringing his bow. “Himeros is around here somewhere. We’re double teaming this one.”

 

“Whoa! Wait a minute. What’s the kid want exactly?”

 

“Seriously, dude? He can’t get that girl in bed, so he’s called out for some erotic longing and sexual desire to hit her full force,” Pothos grinned. “I’m here to deliver the longing. Himeros is covering the desire.”

 

“No, man,” Eros shook his head. “Beth’s in love with him. You need to back off.”

 

“Says who?” Pothos glared at his brother.

 

“Mom does!  She wants me to hit your boy with a bolt, so he’ll love Beth back. Once that happens, I’m sure he’ll get everything he wants and more,” Eros returned, poking a finger into his sibling’s chest to emphasize his point.

 

Pothos pushed the finger aside. “Well, tell Mom it’s not happening. The kid’s a player. He’s not interested in love, just easy sex.”

 

“Well, he’s not getting that this time,” Eros said, making a grab for Pothos’s bow.

 

“You’re not going to stop me!” Pothos jerked it away and gave Eros a shove as Himeros appeared at his side.

 

“There you are!” The God of Desire gave Pothos a slap on the back. “I thought about starting without you, but it will be better if we work in tandem. Eros! Long time! Good to see you, man.”

 

“Yeah, right!” Eros took a step back from Pothos, working to contain his growing anger.

 

Himeros glanced between the two. “What’s going on?”

 

“He’s here to protect our target,” Pothos answered.

 

“Oh, I see,” Himeros smiled, trying to diffuse the tension. “What’s the deal, Eros? You don’t usually care what we get up to.”

 

“The girl asked Mom for help,” Eros replied.

 

“Maybe a little longing and desire will do her good,” Himeros shrugged. “Nothing for us to fall out over.”

 

“Beth wants love. Hitting her with your darts will destroy her,” Eros said.

 

“So, another human falls apart. What do you care?”

 

“I’m the God of Love, not destruction. I mind if one of mine gets hurt. Leave her alone.” Eros took a menacing step toward his brothers.

 

Himeros ignored him and turned to Pothos. “Hey, if our dude gets hit with love’s wound, sex is sure to follow. Eros does the work. Mom’s happy. We get the credit, right?”

 

Pothos brightened at the thought. “I can hang with that, or Eros might miss!”

 

“Not going to happen, bro,” Eros said. “I never miss.”

 

“Alright, we’ll back off. Kid’s all yours,” Pothos grinned.

 

“I owe you one,” Eros replied. “Since you’re here, there’s a really sweet Rubens exhibit across the street. Sure to be lots of cupids. I’m headed over after this.”

 

“Sounds good. Catch you there later.”

 

Eros watched both of them head for the exit. Once they disappeared through the door, he turned his attention back to his mother’s errand. He searched the first and second floor exhibits but could not find the couple anywhere. Frustrated, he turned a corner and found himself in a small alcove that overlooked the first floor gallery and the water beyond. Beth and Chad were directly below him, deep in conversation. From the look on Beth’s face, it wasn’t going well. She was losing hope.

 

“I’ll fix that,” Eros thought, pulling his bow off his shoulder. Reaching back, he pulled his most powerful dart out of the quiver and fitted it to the bow string. He took careful aim, let it fly, and nodded with satisfaction. “That’s on target.”

 

But just as the arrow was about to strike Chad, a dart from the right hit it square on. It careened to the left, going through the outer window, and falling harmlessly in the pond.

 

“What in Hades name!” Eros watched as two more darts flew from the same direction. This time the target was Beth. “I don’t think so!”

 

The God of Love launched himself toward the couple. He swept in front of Beth and took both darts full in the chest. Reeling from the blow, he grabbed a love dart from his quiver and plunged it into Chad. Then he stepped out from between the pair. As he heard Chad declare his love for Beth, Eros turned to his brothers as their darts filled him with such a longing for the kid that he could hardly breathe. He approached his siblings in a fury. “You gave your word!”

 

“Calm down, Eros,” Pothos said. “Look at those two. It’s all turned out the way you wanted.”

 

Eros glanced back at the pair to find them just parting from a long kiss. It was plain Chad was in love, but that very sight was a torment to the god now. He turned back to Pothos, his face purple with rage, and grabbed him by the arm.

 

“We’re going to see Mom right now. You can explain these holes in my chest and the terrible urges that came with them.” Eros shook his other fist in Pothos’s face.

 

Himeros stepped between them. “Eros, you know that’s just the darts talking. Let the effects wear off and then if you still want to drag us to Olympus, we’ll go without an argument.”

 

When Eros hesitated, Pothos jumped in. “Look, why don’t we take in that cupid exhibit while we wait? We could all use a good laugh about now.”

 

Eros blew out a long angry breath and released his brother. “Okay. But all darts go in my quiver. Now!”

 

“I’m good,” Himeros nodded, handing his over as Pothos did the same. “Maybe we can catch dinner and a beer after?”

 

“Don’t push it!” Eros indicated the museum exit. “You two first.”

 

As the three flew next door, Eros spotted Beth and Chad headed in the opposite direction. He hovered for a moment, fighting the desire to snatch the boy from her. As the couple turned a corner, he whispered a little prayer. “Blessings on you, girl. Hope this turns out the way you want once that love dart wears off.”