A plot could revolve around a mortal who prays to both Ares and Athena simultaneously. The two gods are intrigued and descend to the mortal world. There, they find that the mortal's problem is a complex one that requires both war - like strategy and wisdom to solve. As they work together, they discover new aspects of each other and their relationship evolves.
Another way is to show a begrudging respect. Ares might respect Athena's intelligence in battle even though he is more impulsive. In the fanfic, there could be a scene where Ares witnesses Athena outwit an enemy with her wisdom, and he has to admit, albeit reluctantly, that she has her merits. Then, this could lead to a more complex relationship where they start to collaborate on some military matters.
One interesting Ares and Athena fanfiction could be about their rivalry in a modern setting. For example, they could be competing in a business world, with Ares using his aggressive tactics and Athena her wisdom. Another might focus on a time when they have to team up against a common enemy from the underworld. In this story, they would have to put aside their differences and combine their powers.
One common theme is the clash of their personalities. Ares being the god of war, impulsive and violent, while Athena represents wisdom and strategy. Another theme is the idea of forbidden love, as they are often seen as being on different sides in the mythology.
Some fanfictions focus on their character development. Athena might be shown learning about the more primal aspects of power from Ares, while Ares could gain some wisdom from Athena. It's also popular to see them in modern - day settings in fanfictions, like they are reincarnated and have to deal with the modern world while still having their inherent god - like qualities and the complex relationship that comes with it.
There are no real versions that depict Ares and Athena in a love relationship. Ares is associated with brute force in war, while Athena is about strategic warfare and wisdom. These two concepts don't really lead to a romantic connection between them in any of the traditional mythological tellings.
One possible plot twist could be that the other gods oppose their union. Since Ares is the god of war and Athena is the goddess of wisdom, their marriage might disrupt the balance among the gods. The gods might fear that their combined powers would lead to unforeseen consequences. For example, Zeus could be worried that they would become too powerful and try to overthrow him. Another plot twist could be that there's a hidden prophecy related to their marriage. Maybe it was foretold that their union would either save or destroy the world of the gods. This would add a layer of mystery and danger to their relationship.
There isn't a traditional love story between Ares and Athena. Ares represented raw aggression in war, while Athena was the embodiment of intelligent and just warfare. Their relationship was mainly defined by their different approaches to battle. Athena was respected for her wisdom and skill, and she would have little to do with Ares in a romantic sense as their natures were so different.
You can start by looking on fanfiction websites like Archive of Our Own (AO3). It has a large collection of fan - made stories, and you can easily search for Ares and Athena fanfiction there. There are also some dedicated Greek mythology fanfiction forums where writers share their works about these two characters.
One great 'ares x athena fanfiction' story is 'The Forbidden Bond'. It delves into their complex relationship in a unique way, exploring how their opposing natures might find common ground. Another is 'Ares and Athena: Unlikely Allies' which shows them teaming up against a greater threat, with some really interesting character interactions.
It could be a very unique married life. Ares might bring his passion and energy into their relationship, while Athena would use her wisdom to manage their affairs. They could be a powerful couple, with Ares protecting their domain physically and Athena making smart decisions for their future. They might also host grand feasts in Olympus where they showcase their combined influence, with Ares showing off his war trophies and Athena impressing the guests with her intellectual discussions.