The scent of sweat and blood filled the room as Brigitte, a goddess of love and beauty, gripped the sheets of the grand four-poster bed. Her light pink hair was damp with perspiration, and her dark eyes were screwed shut as she rode through another wave of contractions.
Apollo, her husband and a god of the sun, stood by her side, looking pale and shaken at the sight of his wife in the throes of labor. He swallowed hard, trying to steady his breathing as he watched his beloved wife struggle.
"Come on, Brigitte, you can do this," Apollo murmured, reaching out to gently stroke her sweat-slicked forehead. "You're a goddess. You're strong enough to handle this."
Brigitte cracked open one eye to glare at him, panting through the pain. "And you're supposed to be the god of the sun, yet you're looking paler than a newborn babe," she teased, her voice strained. "Man up, Apollo. I need you to support me, not faint at the sight of a little blood."
Apollo tried to laugh, but it came out as more of a strangled gasp. He took a deep breath and squeezed Brigitte's hand, trying to be the rock she needed.
After what felt like an eternity, Brigitte's pained cries turned into a triumphant roar as she pushed their child into the world. Apollo's eyes widened as he saw their baby boy for the first time, his curly blonde hair and bright blue eyes a stark contrast to his mother's dark features.
"He's beautiful," Apollo breathed, reaching out to gently touch the baby's tiny hand.
Brigitte smiled, her exhaustion melting away at the sight of her son. "We'll call him Solace," she decided, nuzzling the baby's soft cheek.
Apollo's excitement got the better of him, and he nearly passed out on the spot. Brigitte rolled her eyes, chuckling at her weak-stomached husband.
---
One week later, the rest of the family had gathered in Brigitte and Apollo's living room to meet the new addition to their divine family. Brigitte sat on the plush couch, Solace cradled in her arms as she beamed with pride.
Momus, the son of Nyx and a god of mockery, approached Brigitte, his sharp tongue already itching to give his harshest critique. "Well, well, well, look at you, Brigitte. Playing the doting mother already," he sneered, his dark eyes raking over her.
Brigitte resisted the urge to roll her eyes at Momus's usual antics. Instead, she smiled warmly at her brother-in-law and offered him the baby. "Would you like to hold him, Momus?"
Momus's eyes lit up at the offer, and he eagerly took Solace from Brigitte's arms. But his joy was short-lived as he began tossing the baby in the air, much to Brigitte's horror.
"Momus, stop!" Brigitte scolded, her voice sharp. "You're going to drop him!"
Momus ignored her, his grin never faltering. "Oh, come on, Brigitte. You're being overprotective. He's a god, just like us. He can handle a little toss in the air."
Solace, in Momus's hands, started to cry, sensing his mother's distress. Brigitte's maternal instincts kicked in, and she stood up, her eyes flashing with anger.
"Momus, give him back to me now," she demanded, her voice low and dangerous.
Momus, finally realizing he'd gone too far, handed Solace back to Brigitte, who took him gratefully. She scolded Momus for his carelessness, her voice filled with disappointment.
Momus, chastised, slunk away, leaving Brigitte to bask in the love and adoration of her new son, Solace.
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