He pushed to stand even though his knees protested the extra weight so suddenly. He had been exercising it more than necessary and it was stronger than doctors expected. It was healing faster than anticipated. When she stood to see him out, he moved to intercept her. He hated the tone to her voice, he had done that. He had scoffed at her, said cruel things, and then ignored her calls. He had thought she was crazy but now he realized she had sensed the god soul inside of him.
He reached out for her, invading her personal space as he leaned forward. The urge to kiss Cora was so strong, Hephaestus was willing to ignore the idea that she was his much loved and hated mother if it meant touching Cora again.
He did brush a soft kiss against her lips, taking an ounce of comfort from the barest hint of contact before he took a step back to avoid a smack or to avoid doing too much. "Hephaestus was a fool, he let his family destroy him and yet he never hurt them in return. Only sought answers and support from them. None of which they gave. Not his wife, not his mother, and certainly not his father."
Gabriel fell back into the chair and looked at her. "Hello, Mother." His voice didn't change but his eyes certainly did. Stronger, larger. Gabriel seemed to grow before her eyes. "You were very wrong. I was not your beloved Zeus but your son."