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swanqueeneverafter · 3 years

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Before All Hell Breaks Loose.

The Underworld. (Surrounded by the Sea of Lost Souls, two men sit at a table opposite each other playing a game.) Hades: (Moving his piece across the board:) "And I believe that's checkmate." Facilier: (Slamming his fist on the table:) "Damn! Let's play again." Hades: (Chuckles:) "When will you learn, Facilier. You can't defeat me." Facilier: "I will find a way, believe me." Hades: "You forget who you're talking to. I know all your tricks. Why I bet I can predict what your next move will be before you've even thought of it." Facilier: "I would not be so sure, Lord Hades." Hades: "Oh have it your way. (Waves his hand and resets the board:) Just remember, Facilier, you cannot cheat death." Facilier: “I’ll bear that in mind.” Evil Queen: (Striding towards them:) “As will I.” (Rising quickly from his high-backed chair, Hades turns to face the Evil Queen as she leads a legion of former Dark Ones into his chamber.) Hades: "Well well, if it isn't the Evil Queen. At last we meet." Evil Queen: "Clearly my reputation proceeds me." Hades: "Oh you have no idea. (Looking beyond her:) And I see you've not come alone. Nimue. Zoso. Dark Ones all. It's my honour to welcome you all to my kingdom." Evil Queen: "And you are?" Hades: (Smiles:) "I am Hades, Lord of the Underworld." Evil Queen: "Charmed." Facilier: (Clears his throat:) "Lord Hades. What about our game?" Hades: "Come now, Facilier, where are your manners? Can't you see I’ve suddenly become quite busy. Besides, you've had enough humiliation for one evening. Leave us. (Facilier stands, picks up his hat from the table and exits the chamber, making sure to steer clear of the Dark Ones:) Now, where were we? Ah yes. Seeing as there are so many of you, perhaps it would be best if I saw you all in small groups. Would you care to take a seat, Your Majesty?"

Storybrooke. Granny's Diner. (While Regina talks with Henry and Violet, Emma sits alone at a booth when Zelena approaches.) Emma: (With Zelena glaring at her:) "Do we have a problem?" Zelena: (Scoffs:) "Don't you have something to say to me?" Emma: (Looks down:) "Zelena if there was anyway I could undo what I did then-" Zelena: "Oh save it, Emma. All I want from you is an apology." Emma: (Nods:) "I-I'm sorry, Zelena, I truly am." Zelena: "Thank you." Emma: "If there's ever anything I can do to-" Zelena: "Actually, there is something." (Overhearing the conversation, the Charmings move closer towards them.) Emma: (Stiffly:) "All right." Zelena: (Spares the Charmings a smile then returns her attention to Emma:) "I'm going to find my daughter and bring her home with me. All I need you to do is keep Regina off my back." Emma: "What do you mean?" Zelena: (Rolls her eyes:) "Regina and Robin made me promise that I would only be able to see my baby girl when either of them were present. I want you to convince them that's no longer necessary." Mary Margaret: "Zelena, this isn't the way to build trust. What if-" Emma: (Cutting in:) "I'll do it." Zelena: (Smiles:) "That's all I needed to hear." (With that, Zelena waves her hand and disappears in a cloud of green smoke.) David: "Emma, are you sure that's the right thing to do?" Emma: "I'll handle it." Regina: (Walking over:) "Handle what?" Emma: (Smiles:) "Nothing that can't wait." Regina: (Returning the smile:) "Good. (Taking Emma's hands in her own:) Time to go home." Emma: (Glancing over at their son:) "What about Henry?" Regina: "He's going to stay and talk with Violet for awhile." Emma: "And you're okay with that?" Regina: "I think it's fair they say their goodbyes before they're both grounded." Emma: "Regina-" Regina: "Shh. That's a conversation for another time. For now, I'm taking you home." (Emma sees the earnest look on Regina's face and nods before they're both enveloped in their own cloud of smoke.)

Mills House. (Reappearing outside on the door step, Regina leans in and gives Emma a soft, chaste kiss before turning and unlocking the front door. Allowing herself to be led inside, Emma's momentary confusion at arriving outside the Mayor’s mansion is replaced with understanding as they make their way silently up the long winding staircase. With each step, Emma feels herself being welcomed back home. Her suspicions are confirmed when upon reaching the bedroom door, Regina places another chaste kiss upon her lips. Moving over to the bed, Regina motions for Emma to take a seat. Slowly, Regina kneels and carefully removes each of Emma's boots, placing them neatly at the foot of the bed. When Emma reaches for her, Regina kisses her once more before heading swiftly towards the bathroom. Laying back on the bed, Emma listens as the sound of running water is heard. Before too long, Regina reappears in the doorway and beckons Emma over with a wave of her hand. With the gentlest of touches and the utmost care, Regina proceeds to remove the rest of Emma's clothing before helping her into the bath. Lowering herself into the water, Emma gives Regina a questioning look but Regina merely rolls up her sleeves, kneels beside the tub and begins to wash Emma's hair. Not knowing what else to do, Emma closes her eyes and surrenders to the sensation of being truly cared for and loved, unconditionally. All too soon, the bath is over and Emma finds herself being reverently toweled dry by Regina who still has yet to speak since they entered the Mayor’s mansion. Returning to the bedroom, Emma perches herself on the bed and watches while Regina removes her own clothing. Then, reclined on the bed together, they share soft, delicate kisses before Regina begins to move slowly down Emma's body. Feeling utterly loved and relaxed, Emma absentmindedly asks a question that has clearly been on her mind for awhile.) Emma: "Were you smart in school?" Regina: (Lifts her head from Emma's chest:) "What?" Emma: "Did you even have school in the Enchanted Forest?" Regina: (Confused by this line of questioning:) "I... had a tutor growing up. My father would often sit in during my lessons and watch quietly in the corner." Emma: "Yeah?" Regina: (Nods:) "I remember whenever I would glance back at him he would always give me the most brilliant smile." (Regina shifts her weight to lean on her elbow beside Emma.) Emma: (Smiling:) "What was your best subject?" Regina: "I was good at everything." Emma: (Laughs:) "Of course you were." Regina: "I do remember doing very well at spelling and seeing my father cry tears of joy whenever I managed to spell a difficult word." Emma: "That's nice. I wish I could've met him. What was he like?" Regina: "My father? (Emma nods:) He was the sweetest man I ever met. He was probably too sweet. Humble. Loving. He grew up a prince and so we had land and position, but... he was soft. Just too sensitive and he couldn't really handle my mother." (Regina rolls onto her back and stares at the ceiling.) Emma: "And your mom?" Regina: (Smiles:) "Mother was very beautiful. Very motivated and ambitious, often to the detriment of those around her. She was very smart. But cold." Emma: "I didn't get to spend much time with Cora and none of it was what I'd call pleasant. But I could tell she loved you very much, in her own way." Regina: (Nods:) "She did. There are times when I miss them both so much. When I was little and couldn't sleep, I'd always ask my father if I could sleep with him and he never refused." Emma: "I know you haven't been sleeping. (When Regina looks at her:) Henry told me he caught you in the kitchen more than once cooking long past midnight." Regina: (Shakes her head:) "I couldn't sleep. Not when you were out there alone, because of me." Emma: "Regina, I chose to save you and I would do it again, without hesitation." Regina: "I know you would, but that doesn't make it any easier. When the Darkness took you away... it was just like losing my father all over again." Emma: "Hey, you and I just destroyed the Darkness together. You will never lose me, because I'm not going anywhere, you got that?" Regina: (Smiles:) "Loud and clear." Emma: "Good. Now I think we both could use some sleep." Regina: "Mm. Agreed." Emma: (Snuggles in close and kisses her deeply:) "I love you, Regina." Regina: "I love you, Emma." (While Emma settles down beside her, placing a protective hand across her chest, Regina stares at the ceiling for a few moments more lost in thought, before closing her eyes and finally falling asleep.) The Underworld. Hades' Chamber. (Hades and the Evil Queen are seated, discussing how she came to be in his domain.) Evil Queen: "So, with the help of Snow White of all people, Regina injected herself with this serum she purchased from the Dragon and our souls split right down the middle." Hades: "How awful. And she claims to be the hero?" Evil Queen: (Scoffs:) "Let her. If Regina thinks she's seen the last of me, she has another thing coming." Hades: (Smiles:) "Well, that all really depends on what you have to offer me, my dear. I don't just send people back to the land of the living on a whim. After all, what's a God without followers, hm?" Evil Queen: "Believe me, Hades, I am not worth the trouble I would cause if you decided to keep me down here. I neither worship or follow. I lead." Hades: "Yes, I'm a big fan of your work. We're really quite similar when you think about it. You cast a curse to force people to your will, and I am cursed to rule a kingdom whose inhabitants have no choice but to obey me." Evil Queen: "Ah, but every person I cursed still had free will." Hades: "As do the members of my flock. They can choose to fall in line or spend eternity as part of the River of Lost Souls." Evil Queen: (Glancing at the river flowing beside them:) "You drive a hard bargain." Hades: "Coming from the final Dark One, I'll take that as a compliment. Now, enough stalling, what is it you wish to offer me?" Evil Queen: "A gift." (The Queen stands, conjuring Excalibur into her outstretched hands and offering it to Hades. Rising to his feet, Hades takes a cautious step towards the blade.) Hades: "You realise of course that I am already a God. Powerful enough to control anyone within my kingdom with a mere snap of my fingers." Evil Queen: "Maybe so, but if there's one thing I've learned from dealing with men like you... it's that you can never have enough power." Hades: "You would give up the Darkness in exchange for me returning you to life?" Evil Queen: "Oh please, cut the crap. You and I both know I'm not dead. If I were I wouldn’t have been able to conjure Excalibur just now." Hades: "You've known this whole time?" Evil Queen: "I had my suspicions, which you just confirmed. For some reason I am still breathing yet still tethered here by this. (Raises Excalibur once more:) Use your powers to free me and the Darkness is yours.” (Opening his hands to lay palms up, Hades allows the Queen to place Excalibur upon them.) Hades: "You know I could just kill you and have both?" Evil Queen: (Conjures a fireball in her hand:) "You're welcome to try." Hades: (Smiles:) "Perhaps you'll allow me some time to consider your offer?" Evil Queen: "Fine. (Extinguishes the fireball:) Just don't take too long." (With that, the Queen turns and exits Hades' chamber. When she passes along the darkened corridor, Facilier steps out from the shadows, having heard every word.)

Mills House. The Next Morning. (Emma lays on the bed watching Regina get ready for work.) Emma: "I'm not saying I do a full day, just go in for the morning see what's up then bail after lunch." Regina: "No, you’re not going into work today. David's got it covered and you need your rest." Emma: "So do you." Regina: "Actually I've not felt this good in a long, long time. Truly, I feel as though a weight has been lifted." Emma: "Mm. Well I still don't see why you have to go in." Regina: "Because I'm the Mayor and I have to smooth the way for your return. The Dark Swan did a number on a lot of people." Emma: (Waves this off:) "They'll get over it. You cursed them for 30 years and yet you're still Mayor. What the hell am I supposed to do here all day alone?" Regina: "Relax? Catch up on some sleep? (Emma screws up her face:) Some housework?" Emma: (Feigns a yawn:) "Now that you mention it, I am feeling kinda tired." Regina: (Beams:) "Uh huh. (Leans down and kisses her:) I'll be home before you know it." Underworld. Hades' Chamber. (The Lord of the Underworld is now speaking with the first Dark One, Nimue.) Nimue: "You can't seriously be considering the Evil Queen's offer." Hades: "Oh, and why not?" Nimue: "Legend has it that no one has ever escaped Lord Hades' kingdom. You rule with an iron fist. Allowing the Evil Queen to return to the land of the living untethered from the Darkness would set a very dangerous precedent." Hades: "True. But on the other hand it would give me full control of the Darkness, not to mention control of every single Dark One in history." Nimue: "The Darkness does you no good here. Why not use Excalibur to kill the Queen, become the Dark One and return us all to the land of the living?" Hades: "You mean trade one prison for another? Believe it or not, Nimue, becoming the Dark One would be a step down for me. Besides, the Darkness no longer belongs in that world. Regina and her Saviour banished it down here forever along with all of you." Nimue: "Then why untether the Evil Queen at all if there is no hope of harnessing the power of the Darkness?" Hades: "Because the living do not belong in my kingdom. No matter how formidable I may be, I still have limited power over those who live and breathe." Nimue: (Moving closer to him:) "And you believe you wield power over me?" Hades: "Don't test me, Nimue. I'm a reasonable guy but this unrelenting heat can make me absolutely crazy. (Suddenly, blue flames erupt out of the top of Hades' head:) Now I suggest you and your dream team of Dark Ones leave me in peace before I do something you really won't approve of." Abandoned Amusement Park. (Emma opens her eyes and finds herself sitting in her bug, not knowing where she is.) Neal: (Sits up in the back of the bug:) “Hey, Emma.” Emma: (Gasps:) “Neal?” Neal: “Yeah.” Emma: “It's really great to see you. Where are we? Am I dreaming?” Neal: “No. If this were a dream, there'd be, like, talking doughnuts or something weird like that. (Gets out of the car, before getting back into the passenger seat:) Think of this as a long-distance call from an old friend.”

Emma: “It's really you.” Neal: “How's Henry?” Emma: “Great. He... misses his dad. He's growing up.” Neal: “I bet.” Emma: “Where are we? I was asleep at home.” Neal: “You mean the Mayor’s Mansion?” Emma: (Smiles:) “It’s home.” Neal: (Nods:) “I’m glad you found your happiness. That's kind of why I'm here. It’s not over, Emma. The forces you sought to destroy are still out there.” Emma: “You mean the Darkness?” Neal: “And others.” Emma: “Others? What do you mean?” Neal: “I’m not really supposed to say. I’m breaking all kinds of rules just by being here, but trust me on this. Don’t let your guard down just yet.” Emma: “Where are you, Neal? The Underworld?” Neal: (Shakes his head:) “The Underworld's for people with unfinished business, and that isn't me. That's why I'm not there.” Emma: “Then where...” Neal: “Someplace. Someplace where I'm happy. I only came here because I care about you, Emma. Do whatever you can to prepare yourself and the people you care about before it's too late.” Emma: “All right, enough with being cryptic. What is it, what’s coming?” Neal: (Breathes sharply:) “I love you, Emma. I always have, and I always will.” (Kisses her forehead, before getting out of the car and walking away.) Emma: “Neal?” (When Emma reaches for the car door she awakens from her dream.) Mills House. Living Room. (Emma is laying on the couch when she jolts herself awake. She stares up at the ceiling and after a few moments, sits up, looking confused, before standing.) Mr. & Mrs. Gold’s House. (Mr. Gold finishes getting dressed, while Belle is still asleep in bed. His phone goes off and it's a text from Emma which reads, "Meet me at your shop, now.") Mr. Gold’s Shop. (Emma waits at the counter in Gold's shop, when the door opens and Mr. Gold enters, closing the door behind him.) Mr. Gold: “Now, you see. This isn't the library or Granny's or some bus station, Miss Swan. This is my shop. (He walks towards her and stands behind the counter:) Unless the sign says "open"... you're not invited.” Emma: “I just had a vision.” Mr. Gold: (Non-plussed:) “Really.” Emma: “From Neal. He warned me that things weren’t over and that I should prepare myself and the people I love for what’s to come.” Mr. Gold: “And what is coming?” Emma: “He wouldn’t say.” Mr. Gold: (Nods:) “Of course not.”

Emma: “You don’t believe me?” Mr. Gold: “Oh I believe you, Miss Swan. Back when I was in my coma, Bae and I had a great many conversations just like yours.” Emma: “You saw him too?” Mr. Gold: “Indeed. It was because of those conversations that I was reminded of the promise I made to Bae after he died. He told me that my family was in trouble and that when the time came, I should do whatever it took to save them.” Emma: “That’s why you were ready to sacrifice yourself in New York?” Mr. Gold: “Yes. I was prepared to do the right thing when Belle arrived to save me once again. I cannot reward my wife’s faith in me by endangering her. So if what Baelfire says is true then I must do right by Belle and take her as far from here as possible.” Emma: “You’re leaving?” Mr. Gold: “Belle has always wanted to travel. The world beyond the town line can be a scary place, but I’d rather take my chances out there than stay here and face what’s yet to come.” (Mr. Gold walks back around the counter, heading for the door when Emma grabs his arm.) Emma: “Gold. You know the Darkness better than anyone, do you really think it can come back?” Mr. Gold: (Sighs:) “All I know, Miss Swan, is Merlin believed that killing the vessel that contained Darkness would destroy it. If that is proved false and the Darkness is about to return... then no one is safe.” The Underworld. (Agitated by her earlier meeting with Hades, Nimue leads the rest of the former Dark Ones along a darkened corridor when they come upon Dr. Facilier, who blocks their path.) Facilier: "A tip of the hat from Dr. Facilier. (Nimue says nothing, merely inclining her head to stare curiously at the man:) Friends, I know I'm a stranger to you all, but it seems to me that we share a common agenda. To see the Darkness return to the land of the living and continue its glorious reign over those lesser mortals. Therefore I propose an alliance. (Facilier produces a talisman from his pocket and holds it out for all to see:) I need your generous assistance in making this stone powerful enough to return me to the land of the living. (Nimue and the others glare at him:) Hahaha, I hear you. Now, what's in it for you? Well... As soon as I dispose of the traitorous Evil Queen, then I'm gonna run this town they call Storybrooke. I'll have the entire populace in the palm of my hand. And you'll have all the wayward souls your dark little hearts desire. (Smiles, noticing that this has piqued the Dark Ones collective interest:) You all love that, don't you? So, we got ourselves a deal? (Several of the hooded figures step forward and allow their souls to be drawn inside the talisman, causing it to glow brightly for a long moment before returning to its inky blackness:) Hahaha! Now we're cooking!”

Storybrooke. Blanchard Apartment. (Regina, Henry, The Charmings and Robin Hood are gathered to hear what Emma has to say.) Mary Margaret: "It's coming back?" Emma: "Maybe." David: "Well it either is or it isn't." Emma: "Neal didn't specify what was coming, only that it was bad." Regina: "Which could mean absolutely anything." Robin Hood: "If it's the Darkness or not, there's only so much preparation that can be made for an unknown enemy." Henry: (To Regina:) "Mom, think. Are there any other people from your past who may want revenge?" Regina: "Not that I can think of, no." David: "To be fair, there must be hundreds to choose from." Emma: (Chiding:) "Dad." David: (Holds up his hands:) "I'm just saying." Mary Margaret: "Regardless of who or what it is, we have to let the town know what's going on." Regina: "And what do you suggest, that I post a notice on the bulletin board? 'Dear people of Storybrooke, while Emma Swan is no longer a threat, please standby for something worse. Details to follow'?" Robin Hood: "Well I for one am not ready to face Zelena again to tell her the bad news. I barely dodged the last fireball she hurled at me." Regina: "Speaking of which, did you really agree to support Zelena?" Emma: (Hesitates:) "Let's stay focused on the problem at hand, all right?" (The room fills with voices while everyone talks over each other, trying to decide what threat could possibly be headed their way next.) The Underworld. (Hades is pacing back and forth considering his options.) Hades: "Seemingly since the beginning of time, I have been cursed to rule over this kingdom. I have played host to the greatest heroes and villains mankind has ever known. For centuries I was given the task of deciding who would go on to spend eternity in the Elysian Fields or remain to suffer forever in Tartarus. And were my efforts recognised in any way? Of course not. (Stops pacing and heads towards the figure trapped in the pillory to whom he's been speaking:) A man can only take so much before he is pushed too far. (Leans down to be eye level with the man:) And so that is why I've redirected my efforts into making sure each and every soul that enters my kingdom suffers just as greatly as I have."

Pan: "You're doing an excellent job, Lord Hades." Hades: (Tilts his head and smiles:) "Thank you. (Stands and resumes his pacing:) However, with the arrival of the Darkness into my domain, it does present me with quite the opportunity. You see, I grow weary of torturing those who are already dead. Like any respectable deity, I long to expand my flock. For far too long I have been shackled by my curse, allowed only too briefly to enter my brother's kingdom and feel fresh air upon my face. To listen to the birdsong and to be in the presence of my heart's truest desire. (Pan raises his head at this, intrigued:) Using the Darkness I shall bring my kingdom to the land of the living, forging a bridge between both realms." Pan: "What then, Lord Hades?" Hades: (Laughs:) "What then? Oh, my dear Peter. Then the real fun begins." Elsewhere In The Underworld. (The Evil Queen is making her way back to Hades' chamber when she rounds a corner to find Facilier waiting for her.) Evil Queen: (Scoffs:) "And who are you supposed to be?" Facilier: "I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced, I am-" Evil Queen: "You were the one eavesdropping outside Hades' chamber. My, your lord won't appreciate that." Facilier: "There's a great deal that Hades and I do not agree on, but we both have an eye for talent." Evil Queen: (Laughs:) "Really. Is that what you are, a talent scout?" Facilier: "In a manner of speaking. Back when I was alive, I was quite the practitioner of dark magic myself. But I was nothing compared to Rumplestiltskin's greatest student." Evil Queen: (Eyes him suspiciously:) "You want something. What is it?" Facilier: "To learn from the best of course. Seeing you walk through those doors in all your magnificence, I could hardly believe my eyes. I never thought I would have the opportunity of meeting someone who's very name strikes fear into the hearts of many through countless realms." Evil Queen: (Rolls her eyes:) "Flattery aside, I'm not the teaching kind." (The Queen continues on her way.) Facilier: (Calling after her:) "And I'm not the kind of man who misses an opportunity." Evil Queen: (Stops walking, allowing Facilier to catch up to her:) "If I were to teach you, what would I-" Facilier: "Get out of it? (Smiles:) Besides an eager student, you would have an ally. Something the Evil Queen is in short supply of these days. (Producing the talisman from his pocket and holding it out:) Here, take this. Carry it with you and I shall be by your side. If you ever tire of me then simply throw it into a body of water and I shall return here to the Underworld." Evil Queen: (Considers:) "Hm. It has been a while since I had my own personal lap dog." Facilier: (Smiling as the Queen takes the talisman:) "Just call me your Shadow Man." Storybrooke. Mills House. (Emma reclines on the bed staring at the ceiling. Her mind racing with possibilities as to what the threat that's coming to Storybrooke could be. Despite this, Emma soon finds her eyelids becoming heavier before they close and she drifts off to sleep.)

Downstairs. (Meanwhile in the living room, Regina is staring into the fireplace when Henry calls out to her.) Henry: “Mom? Why are you sitting down here by yourself?” Regina: (Sighs:) “I’m just... thinking.” Henry: (Sitting beside her:) “About...? (Regina gives him a look:) Mom you know whatever the threat is that we can defeat it, right?” Regina: “What makes you so sure?” Henry: “Because we always have. And because what I choose to believe in is faith... hope that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we will meet them head on, together.” Regina: “You sound so much like your Grandmother.” Henry: “Cora said that?” Regina: “Ha. Ha.” Henry: “Listen, I know right now your feeling like there’s just one thing after another and there’s never a moment’s peace. But what we have here, the three of us, and our family... that’s the stuff that is always worth the struggle.” Regina: (Smiles, tears in her eyes:) “You’re definitely spending too much time with your Grandparents. How did you get to be so smart, huh?” Henry: (Shrugs:) “I figure someone’s gotta be around here.” Regina: “Hey! (Ruffles his hair and pulls him in close for a hug:) I love you so much, Henry.” Henry: “I love you too, Mom. You know we’re gonna be ready for whatever comes our way, right?” Regina: (Nods, her head against his shoulder:) “I hope so.” Storybrooke. Main Street. Night. (The clinking of blades. Emma appears to be battling against an unknown, cloaked assailant. As the fighting intensifies, the visions become shorter and shorter before, suddenly, Emma awakens.) Mayor’s Mansion. Morning. (Breathing heavily, Emma looks wide eyed down at her hand which is now shaking. She turns when the bedroom door opens to see a concerned looking Regina enter the room.) Emma: “It’s nothing, I’m fine.” Regina: “Well, you may be fine, but our town isn’t. Look.” (Regina goes to the window and opens the curtains. Glancing out the window, Emma sees that the sky is now tinged red.) Emma: “What is that?” Regina: “I don’t know, but I have a feeling it isn’t good.”

The End.

#sq #swanqueen #swan queen

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btsslowburnfic · 3 years

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Chthonic Love Ch. 17

Series Summary: A Greek Mythology AU featuring Yoongi/Suga as Hades and reader as Persephone. Olympian ruler Namjoon has delivered you, Persephone, as a gift for his brother, lord of Death, Yoongi Chapter Summary: Receiving Master Taehyung

Previous Chapter here As Yoongi walked back from the final reaping of the day he remembered that Taehyung was coming tomorrow. He groaned. He was glad to have the legal counsel but the past few days had been so intense he did not feel ready to receive him. Oh well. Time never stopped moving, even in the Underworld. Upon entering the castle, the King immediately traveled down to the Old Throne room. The dirt had permeated at this point and several spiderlings and their bigger siblings were scattered about, clicking and clacking. He almost thought it was cute. He shook the thought from his head. He did not find things cute.

“Arachne,” He called out into the dimly lit area. He waited a moment or so.

“Yes my Lord?” She appeared from the passage to the catacombs. “What may we do for you?”

“It is short notice, but would you be able to create something more formal for Persephone and I? We are receiving a guest tomorrow.”

“Oh yesssssssss. I have been wanting to create something fancier for soooooooooooo long. The Lady is so kind, you see? Do you see what she created? It is perfect and she created it from nothing.”

Yoongi pursed his lips and looked around once more, “Indeed. She is a woman of many talents. I expect them to be ready in the morning. Lethe will be by to pick them up.”

“Yessss my Lord. We will have them ready.”

“Oh. And Gloves. Gloves for Persephone,” Yoongi added as an afterthought. Your hands would likely still be injured tomorrow.

“Yessssssss my Lord.” Arachne bowed and turned around to the catacombs.

With that settled, Yoongi headed to his bedchamber. He rarely spent any time here, preferring his office. It was a sprawling room that consisted of the actual bedroom, a sitting area, and a large dressing room. The dressing room always made him laugh. He always wore the same thing, and it was barely full at all. He walked over to the back corner. Glistening under the purple light of the sconces were the few Treasures of the Realm. There were a few crowns, circlets, unmounted jewels, and his mother’s broad collar. When the three brothers divided up the realms, Namjoon and Jin took most of the shiny glittery things. Yoongi didn’t care. In general he preferred the more simple silver jewelry from their parent’s collection. But his mother's broad collar was one of the few pieces he cared about. He had to act as though he didn’t when they were dividing the treasury or else Namjoon would have taken it for spite.

He picked it up, feeling it’s weight in his hands. It hadn’t been worn in centuries. He smiled, briefly remembering the few good memories he had from earlier in his life. The large silver chains were encrusted with amethyst and obsidian. He imagined what it would look like on Persephone and felt a dull ache in his chest. What was that? He sat the piece down and shook his head. He picked a small crown for himself to wear tomorrow for receiving Taehyung. He looked through the drawers and picked out a few circlets and coronets for you to choose from. He was certain you probably had some of your own back at the spring court, but you didn’t have time to pack when you were kidnapped, did you?

He felt himself growing angry with Namjoon once more. How dare he think he could just take you from your home and drop you off somewhere. It must have been terrifying for you to wake up in a strange place, not knowing how you got there or why. He felt his hands clenched into fists. Yes. Taehyung would be able to sort through this mess, he reassured himself. With that, Yoongi put the items on the table in the living area and headed out to his office.

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You honestly didn’t realize how dirty and tired you were until you slowly eased your body into the hot bathtub. You manifested a few small flowers which made you feel prettier as the dirt chunks and sand washed off into the water. You sighed and breathed in the hot steam. Some days flew by, while others felt like years. This day had been the latter. You let your mind drift to all sorts of things: what could be on the other side of the mountain, how were the spiderlings doing, why did Penthos hate you, your kiss with Yoongi. Your kiss with Yoongi. You felt a blush cross your cheeks and lowered further into the water. Yep. That had happened.

Neither of you had a chance to talk about it, you know, with the impending structural collapse and such. But now, alone without the threat of being maimed, you allowed your mind to wander back. He had definitely kissed you back. Several times. Ughhhh….you felt slightly embarrassed but didn’t know why. What did that mean for you going home? Did you even want to go home? That was the question you kept facing throughout each day. Yoongi had asked earlier if you missed it. And you did miss parts of it: the sunshine, the wildlife, the plants. But as far as companionship, you preferred your stronger bond with Yoongi and Lethe over the ephemeral relationships with the other Gods and Goddesses of the Mortal realm.

You heard a knock at the door, “Yes?”

The door opened and you heard Lethe on the other side of the changing screen. “Will you need fresh water m’lady? You seemed...rather…”

“You can just say it, really really disgusting and dirty.” You laughed.

“Well….Yes. You had dirt in your hair and Lord knows where else. It was like a cloud of dust surrounding you. I started soaking your dress and the wash water turned brown.” She mused.

“Yes, I suppose new water would be preferred. Let me get out.” You slowly stood up, looking down at the now dark yellow water. Ew.

You wrapped a towel around your body and sat on a nearby stool. “Alright, I’m ready.”

“Excellent,” Lethe walked around the changing screen and began to drain the tub. “I can’t believe we have a nest of spiders living in the old throne room.” She chuckled.

“The Underworld keeps getting stranger, huh?” You commented. Another woman who you had seen around the palace entered with fresh buckets of water for the bath.

“Thank you.”

She poured them in and left to get more.

“Even though the staff doesn't talk much, on account of them being dead, they do appreciate your kindness.” Lethe said as she stirred the water with her hand to check the temperature. “And your leadership earlier. Even though a cave-in wouldn’t physically harm us, many are worried about it restarting their after-life penance if something were to happen to the palace or Lord Yoongi. So thank you.”

“Of course,” You responded, flicking some flowers into the bathtub once again.

“You’re not supposed to use your powers,” she scolded lightly.

“Making tiny flowers is like lifting a teacup for me. See?” you held up your wounded hand, “No harm done.”

Lethe let out a sigh as another girl brought in more buckets. “Pour them both and bring one cold bucket to help me settle the temperature.”

“Penthos is leaving tomorrow morning.”

“Oh? You ran him off that easily?” Lethe said jokingly.

“No. He’s going to see if he can figure out the cause of the cave in. Maybe we can redecorate the Great Hall while he’s gone and really mess with him.” You said half-joking.

“You mean you don’t like obsidian with a touch of obsidian complemented by obsidian?” The two of you laughed.

Once the bath water was refilled with clean water you eased yourself back in. The water didn’t change color this time, which pleased you.

“Alright, I’ll prepare some food for you. If you need anything else, you know where to find me. Taehyung arrives tomorrow so I will come early to get you ready.”

Crap. You had totally forgotten all about that.

----------------------

The next morning you were surprised to find several new items laid out for you: two dresses, a pair of gloves, and ceremonial jewelry. Lethe walked in as though she could sense your stirring. She carried a tray of what you assumed was breakfast tea.

“What’s all that?” You gestured, not fully awake yet.

“You are receiving Master Taehyung today as a representative of this court. Therefore Lord Yoongi wishes you to look the part. Don’t worry though, he didn’t order any shoes.” She shot you a light hearted glance.

You crawled down to the end of the bed and further inspected the items.

“These are too nice. I can’t wear these. I’ll look like I’m playing dress up.”

Lethe clicked her tongue, “Nonsense. You are a lady and these were made for you. Actually literally made for you by Arachne.”

You breathed out, feeling the luxurious material in your hand. “We’ll see.”

You sat down and drank your tea while Lethe began to style your hair. Once that was done you slipped on the dress and gloves. You stood in front of the circlets.

“Really? Lord Yoongi just has extra crowns laying around?” You asked, gently patting your dress.

Lethe chuckled, “It’s easy to forget that he’s a King sometimes isn’t it? But yes. There was quite an array picked out, I chose these three for you to choose from.”

You blushed at the thought of Yoongi carefully selecting jewelry for you to wear; it seemed so intimate.

“Alright, this one.” You chose a circlet resembling holly garland.

“I thought that might be the winner. Here,” She walked over and you bent your head down slightly for her to place it on your head. She stood in front of you, moving some hair tresses so they laid nicely around it. “There. Befitting of the Lady of the Underworld.”

You smiled, somewhat sadly to your surprise, “I’m not the Lady of the Underworld.”

Lethe turned the mirror around to face you, “Well you are for today.”

You gazed at yourself in the mirror. Pleasantly surprised by what you saw. The gown was dark purple with sheer capped sleeves. The top revealed your collarbones and not much else. It was light and airy, a nice contrast to the dark color of the dress. The gloves were black and you were sure were meant to hide your injuries. Yoongi is so thoughtful, you found yourself reflecting. Everything you had been given so far had been because of him. You looked in the mirror. You did feel like you were playing dress up. Dress up as someone who had it together. Pretend Lady of the Underworld. Who were you anymore? You wondered. You decided, at least for today it didn’t matter. You felt pretty. You liked Yoongi. That’s what mattered to you right now. “Alright. Now what?”

--------------

Yoongi waited at the edge of the Stygian shore. He had traded his normal simple cloak and tunic for a black suit and jacket as well as one of his more simple crowns. He hadn’t worn anything so ceremonial in centuries. There was no reason to. Namjoon was the only one who ever stopped by and he was always unannounced and there was no way he was trying to impress him. He shook his sleeves while he waited for the boat. He had seen Penthos off that morning. While he also didn’t like the idea of leaving the castle less guarded, he couldn’t continue to have the crumbling catacomb remain a mystery.

The breeze blew, drawing Yoongi’s attention. Yoongi looked over to the right. What was that? He walked closer. A palm tree? He raised his eyebrow puzzled and looked around as though he could account for its appearance. The tree was small and not brown and green like a traditional palm tree. It’s trunk was black, and it’s fronds were silver. Huh. Yoongi poked at it. The tree remained. A breeze ruffled it’s fronds as they swayed gently. He smiled but didn’t have more time to reflect on the tree’s arrival as he saw the ship on the horizon. The reaping was already done for the morning which meant this would be Taehyung. Yoongi walked over to the Estuary to guide the ship in. Once it had docked, he approached and held out his hand.

“Taehyung. It’s good to see you. It’s been ages.” Yoongi said as he took a few steps back to make room for the other man.

“My Lord,” Taehyung bowed. “It’s my pleasure to serve.”

“Come.” Yoongi turned and headed to the castle. He didn’t have the opportunity to see you before the reaping and had hoped you found the clothing satisfactory. He led Tahyung through the Great Hall. “I apologize for the lack of festivities. You know how dead it is around here.”

Taehyung laughed, “Indeed. This is a nice change of pace from the Plane of Judgment though.”

Yoongi opened the doors to the throne room where you were waiting. Lethe was off to the side.

“Taehyung, may I present to you Lady Persephone, Goddess of Spring,” he said while looking at Taehyung, he then turned and really got to look at you for the first time. His breath caught in his throat. You looked beautiful. And you looked like you were made to sit on that throne.

You stood up and smoothed your dress. You walked down from the dais, closing the space between yourself and the two men. “Master Taehyung, thank you for visiting the Obsidian Palace.”

“It is my pleasure Lady Persephone.” He bowed.

You studied Taehyung. His skin was darker than Yoongi’s and his eyes were a light brown. Running along his neck and up onto his face were black lines that formed a small spiderweb along his right jaw. It was striking and beautiful.

“I hear we have this rare opportunity to have you at our disposal for today, so may I suggest we adjourn to the library?” You asked, surprising even yourself with the air of confidence in your voice.

Yoongi was staring at you. You almost thought you had done something wrong until he finally spoke. “Indeed,” Yoongi added. You sounded so sexy to him at that exact moment. He had found himself with a loss of words. He didn’t know where these sudden intense feelings were coming from. Yoongi offered you his arm and you glided over to him. He made very brief eye contact with you before looking away, “Let’s go to the library.”

Lethe almost felt her jaw drop. She felt like she was watching a romance novel come to life. It was as though the peerage had forgotten she was in the room. Indeed for several seconds it seemed to here like only Yoongi and you saw each other. Yes. This was going splendidly, she thought.

The three of you arrived at the library a few minutes later, with several of the staff poking their heads out while trying to appear unassuming. The palace never got visitors other than the King’s brother, who they all knew to avoid unless they wanted to be turned into a goat or a tree.

A servant opened the doors for the three of you and you wandered over to the table. After you got ready you had come by and organized the texts you found and added some parchment and ink to the table as well. Yoongi looked over the table, impressed that you had taken the initiative. He made a memo to thank you later. “As you can see, Lady Persephone and I have gathered what we can on the matter. But without the original contract, it remains difficult.”

Tae took a seat and laid his satchel on the table. “Yes, that would make it hard to undo a contract if you don’t know the full terms. Luckily for the two of you. Or maybe not. All contracts that are legally entered and executed are recorded into the Hall of Records. And here,” Tae pulled out a parchment, “is the contract.” NEXT CHAPTER

#bts yoongi #BTS suga #bts writing #bts fic #bts fanfic #bts yoongi x reader #yoongi x reader #yoongi x you #yoongi x y/n #suga x you #suga x reader #bts suga x you #bts suga x reader #suga x y/n #yoongi scenarios #yoongi fanfic #yoongi imagine #yoongi fluff

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geralehane · 3 years

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an unlikely cupid

Raven and Clarke get drunk and accidentally summon Lexa the old and powerful deity who's also hopelessly, helplessly gay.

or, the one where Lexa and Clarke live happily ever after.

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If Clarke has ever learned anything in life, it would be two things. One: most ideas Raven comes up with are surprisingly idiotic, considering her brilliance. Two: Drunk Clarke never agrees with anything Sober Clarke thinks, and Raven’s ideas being idiotic is not an exception.

In fact, Drunk Clarke loves Raven’s ideas. Which is exactly how the two of them find themselves in their dorm at two-fifty five in the morning, spilling whiskey all over a wooden board Raven found in her grandma’s attic last weekend.

A wooden Ouija board, to be precise.

Sober Clarke told Raven to burn it down. Drunk Clarke giggles and snatches it from her hands, eagerly looking it over. “How do we know it works?”

“Fuck if I know,” is her answer as Raven takes a huge swig straight from the bottle, wincing at the strong burn. “We place our fingers on this small thing and hope for the best.”

“That’s what she said,” Clarke hiccups. “You ready? We ready?”

Raven’s enthusiastic nod and the splash of whiskey from the bottle notify her that everyone is more than ready. “Alright,” Clarke says. “Wait, why are we doing this, again?”

“Cause Halloween, man,” Raven loudly lets her know, nodding at her own words.

“Oh.” Clarke thinks for a minute. “True.” She squints at the board. “Is it okay that we spilled whiskey on it?”

Raven nods.

“Is it okay if I lick it off?”

Raven nods again.

So Clarke does. She drools a little on it, right in the center, but she’s too drunk to care, so she simply wipes it away.

“Hot,” her friend comments with a wide, sloppy grin. “Okay. Gimme those sausages, Griffin.”

“Hey!” Clarke makes two fists, hiding her fingers. “Fuck you. They are not sausages. They are magnificent.”

“As someone who bangs chicks, you’d think you’d learn to appreciate the gift from gods.”

“I’d trade them for a girlfriend,” Clarke says. “Or Cheetos. I’m hungry.”

“Quit dicking around and let’s do this.”

Clarke doesn’t voice another that’s what she said, but she makes damn sure Raven gets her train of thought when she waggles her eyebrows at her.

All Lexa wanted was to come back to her plane of existence and climb in a bathtub. That’s literally all she wanted. She doesn’t even particularly cares if there’s going to be water in it. She just likes the concept. Sometimes, humans have the best ideas.

Everything is giving her a headache that day. It’s like the whole universe with every world in it have decided to band together against her. Well. That’s Halloween for her. Despite it becoming a largely commercial holiday, no one cancelled Samhain just because humans decided they wanted to be a Joker once a year.

Vile creature, that man – and she says that as someone who’s viewed as demonic. She’s not actually a demon – that’s common misconception. She’s just an old goddess. Humans know a lot of her names, and none of them can even begin to imagine that she’s the one behind those faces, portrayed grim, evil, and, most offensively, male.

Lexa sighs. Her Hades days were certainly the most fun, but the tale’s been twisted so much she’s not sure she enjoys those memories quite in the same way. Oh well. Samhain is almost over. She can finally kick back and relax in a hot tub and maybe open up a bottle of ambrosia she saved for a special occasion. And what could be more special than a night of self-care?

Now, Lexa never considered herself particularly lucky. Mostly because Luck and her had a brief affair that did not end well, and she’s been mildly cursed ever since. Nothing she can’t live with, of course – but just a tad inconvenient. She’s certainly learned to cherish small blessings. That’s why, when she feels a tell-tale tug in her gut before being hurled back to a dimension she’s just left, she’s not even surprised. She simply whispers a quick thank you that she hasn’t taken her clothes off yet.

With that, she sighs and lets herself be whisked away back to Earth, wondering with scientific curiosity who could have possibly found out the summoning spell.

“I’m pretty sure you’re doing it wrong.”

“This seems like a ‘that’s what she said’ moment, but I assure you, she’s never said that.”

Raven blinks. Reaches for the bottle and pouts when she finds it empty. “Who is she, anyway?”

“Fuck if I know,” Clarke repeats Raven’s words from earlier. “And I’m not doing anything wrong. You’re supposed to move this thing,” she gestures to the heart-shaped piece of wood, with a hole in the middle of it that she looks through at Raven.

“Maybe there’s an instruction or something,” Raven mutters, grabbing the planchette. Clarke resists and tugs it back, resulting in Raven’s forehead colliding with her mouth. Hard.

“Shit!” Clarke exclaims when a droplet of blood falls onto the board from her now-split lip. “Raven, what the fuck?”

Her friend only shrugs apologetically. Not even apologetically. In fact, she doesn’t even shrug. “You’re doing it wrong,” she says.

“I do everything right,” Clarke argues, taking the planchette back. “Sit and watch. And prepare for an I told you so.”

Lexa blinks when the spinning finally stops and she’s rematerialized in what appears to be a room in a college dormitory. That alone surprises her more than anything that’s happened today. Surely, a college student couldn’t have known all the steps necessary to complete a ritual.

“…prepare for an I told you so,” she catches and turns in the direction of the voice, squinting. English. American English, to be exact. Things are taking an interesting turn. She was expecting a bunch of men unsatisfied with life and recent feminist movement. Not two drunk college girls.

She comes closer to get a better look at them, and no, she’s definitely not prepared for what she sees. And what she sees is an angel. An actual angel with a bloody lip and unfocused gaze and a strong alcoholic smell. An angel with blonde tresses and bluest eyes.

Lexa can’t stop herself from letting out the smallest, softest gasp.

She’s immensely grateful for her ability to be invisible.

She’s frozen in place, eyes taking in every inch of the girl’s body when that same voice – and oh, what a voice it is! – addresses the room, husky and low. “Is anyone here with us?”

Lexa takes a deep breath, rubs her suddenly cold hands, and hesitantly steps forward, placing her own fingers on the wooden planchette and shakily dragging it to the word “yes”.

“Raven!” Clarke yelps, jumping from the board. “Raven, I did it!”

Raven, however, does not share her enthusiasm. “Yeah,” she says blankly. “I saw you move it.”

“No, see, see,” with fast slurred speech and disheveled hair, Clarke more closely resembles a maniac than a bright daughter of two respected surgeons. “I didn’t – Raven,” she gasps, happy she finally gets a good reason to pause for a dramatic effect. “I didn’t move it,” she finishes in a loud whisper.

Raven stares at her. And stares. And stares some more before she starts to chuckle, slowly at first. Soon, it escalated into a continuous giggling. “Sure, Clarke,” she manages to say. “I believe you.”

“But I’m telling the truth!” Clarke gets suddenly upset. Why doesn’t Raven believe her?

“And I’m marrying Finn tomorrow. Get real, Griff.” The planchette hits Raven’s forehead as soon as she’s finished talking.

“See!”

Clarke’s triumphant yell pales in contrast with Raven’s terrified scream.

That is very, very loud. Lexa does not like loud.

Unless Clarke likes loud. Then she loves loud.

Right now, however, it’s starting to become a little extreme. So she sighs and waves her hand, silencing the girl whose name is Raven. She has to admit – watching her try to scream silently is mildly amusing.

But then it scares Clarke, too. “Who’s here? Who’s doing this?”

She sighs again. Then, she makes her voice audible so that Clarke can hear you. “You have noting to fear. My name is Lexa. I will give your friend her voice back, but only if she promises not to scream.”

After Raven’s rigorous nodding, Lexa waves her hand again, and the girl coughs, eyes wide and expression sober. “Who – who are you?!”

“Oh,” Lexa says, because she hasn’t really thought things this far. “I have many names and positions. I believe you know me as the devil, but I promise you, I’m vastly different from that portrayal.”

Raven blinks. “Did she just say she’s Satan?”

“I think so,” Clarke whispers back, and Lexa freezes again, watching the way she presses her lips together. How is she so beautiful?

“Does Satan really expect me to believe she’s, what, nice?”

“Well, yes,” Lexa speaks up. “That would be a polite thing to do.”

“Oh hell no,” Raven says. “I don’t play with demons,” she announces, despite the fact that it’s exactly what she’s been doing for the past half an hour. “If you’re nice, tell us how to get rid of you.”

Now it’s Lexa’s turn to blink. “I’m afraid that’s not possible,” she says apologetically. Then her eyes widen with realization. “Oh! You meant get me to leave this room?”

“Yeah. Exactly. How do we do that?”

“Oh, you – you don’t. I can come and go as I please now. That’s the whole point of the summoning spell.”

Clarke and Raven look at each other, eyes wide. “The what now?!”

So turns out that while Luck and Lexa are not exactly pals, Fate definitely favors her. Through a series of events that they can’t exactly deem either fortunate or unfortunate just yet, Clarke and Raven manage to accidentally summon one of the most powerful beings known to man. And that being just happens to fall head over heels for Clarke.

Raven finds it weird. Clarke finds it sweet. And Fate – well, Fate doesn’t find it impossible.

“Lexa, dear,” she mumbles around a thin cigarette while Lexa broods all over her realm, having just come back from Earth after yet another night with Clarke, full of talking and laughing and soft unspoken confessions on both ends. “Just take some time off and spend a life with that girl. She’ll join you after it’s over anyway. What’s seventy years to you? A blink of an eye. Besides, have you forgotten how fun it is to grow old?”

So Lexa sighs, fishes the best outfit she has out of her memory, and goes back to earth wearing her corporeal form and a pale blue oxford shirt with sleeves rolled up. She faintly recalls Clarke liking that.

In hindsight, waiting for Clarke in her room might not have been her best idea, but can she be blamed, really? She got used to it. She just kinda forgot she wasn’t visible all previous times she’s been there.

Clarke walks through her door a moment later, eyes on her phone. “Lexa, I’m home!” she calls out, not looking up as she kicks her shoes off. “You here? Le- Jesus fucking Christ!”

Lexa never particularly liked the man, but the profanity still makes her wince. “Hello, Clarke.”

“Holy shit,” Clarke exhales, pressing a hand to her chest and bending to retrieve her phone that fell out of her grip when she jumped in fright upon finding a stranger sitting on her bed. “Who are you? Damn it, Raven. I told her to always let me kno- wait a minute.” She stops, blinking. “I know that voice.”

Lexa feels her lips stretch in a smile. It’s an incredible feeling. “Hello, Clarke.” She repeats, rising to her feet and offering her a giant bouquet she retrieves from thin air.

“Oh God,” Clarke whispers, rapidly blinking sudden tears away. “Lexa. Oh my God.”

“Well, technically, yes,” Lexa says, “but we can skip the formalities.”

Clarke’s warm, solid body slams into hers next, and she huffs in surprise, falling down on Clarke’s bed with the girl on top of her, clinging to her. “Lexa,” Clarke sobs. “You’re here. It’s you. You’re here.”

“Yes,” she confirms. “I’m here. It’s me.”

Clarke’s lips on hers feel better than anything she’s ever experienced, and she’s been around for a little longer than eternity. “I can’t believe I’m holding you in my arms,” Clarke whispers when they part, breathing ragged. “You’re so real. So warm, too. Is that – is that how you really look like?”

“Yes,” she gives another affirmative. “I’m not wearing someone’s body. We’ve been over this.”

“I know,” Clarke chuckles. “I’m just checking.”

She trails a finger down Lexa’s cheek, slow and tender. Lexa sees the unspoken question in her eyes. She answers with no hesitation. “I’m here to stay. For as long as you want me.”

“Then that means you’re stuck with me forever.”

Lexa laughs. “Wouldn’t have it any other way. Although I do believe it’s the other way around. Clarke, I…” she swallows, and Clarke smoothes her thumb over the skin of her throat where it bobs. “If you ever decide to end our – this, I’ll understand. But I’m afraid I’m a little different.”

“Lexa,” Clarke coos, shushing her. She’s still roaming her hands all over her body, and it’s way less sexual than it sounds. She’s simply feeling Lexa. And Lexa’s completely okay with that. “When I said forever, I knew who I was talking to you. It’s not just a word anymore.” She leans in, pressing another kiss to Lexa’s lips. “For us, it’s a reality.”

Lexa’s heart soars when she says ‘for us.’ It jumps and stops and restarts, beating so fast she’s afraid it’ll jump out of her chest.

“A reality,” she whispers. “I like the sound of that.”

“And I like your face.” Clarke squints. “You didn’t tell me you were this hot.”

“I’ve exited for millions of years, Clarke,” Lexa reminds her. “I do not have an opinion on beauty, because it is as made up as it is subjective.”

“A concept can’t be made up and subjective at the same time.”

“Let me correct myself, then. I used to think it was made up.” Her smile grows. “Then I met you.”

“You’re so getting lucky tonight, I hope you know that.” Soft lips capture hers, and Lexa gloats.

Suck on this, Luck.

#clexa #femslash #wlw fic #halloween #spooktober femslash #hi yall im reposting my older halloween-y fics that i haven't posted to tumblr enjoy

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joyfulsongbird · 4 years

Text

“Eurydice finds out she's pregnant after going to hadestown and Persephone makes hades let her go back to Orpheus.”

🦥 anon, it wouldn’t let me post it as a reply to an ask so here we go: I meant this to be short but 5000+ words burst from my fingertips so here you go.

I had to change it slightly so that Eurydice has the baby BEFORE Seph gets back (assuming she’s about one to two months pregnant, which wouldn’t be showing yet, when she goes to hadestown) cause Seph leaves and doesn’t come back for six months.

***

work, work, work

constant, pulling, weight on her shoulders, never ending

gods, she’s tired

so tired

she’s never been this tired before

will it ever end?

la la la la la la la

two voices, so many souls. her mouth is closed and she’s screaming, echoing, crying.

and then the bell, the signal that this is not never ending. that work doesn’t last to the end of time, that Hadestown has some mercy for it’s workers. for the people who cry at the foot of the wall every day, except now they are tearing it down. and they cry, they cry, they cry for all of the blood and sweat that went into building and now their tears sink into the mortar, slowly tearing down what they dedicated their life to. what they believed would save them from poverty. and now mister Hades, every morning, reminds them that the wall must come down. that someday, they will see the sunshine again. he doesn’t speak in that hopeful tone, of course not, but Eurydice hears it.

she hears it and hopes. she hears that he is reaching for them with this withered outstretched hand that hasn’t known mercy for so long, and she’s taking it. and saying “this is what it’s like to be merciful”.

look me in the eyes and see what it is to forgive.

for she knows forgiveness like the back of her hand. she knows forgiveness like the deepness of his eyes. knows forgiveness like that the pit of hunger in her stomach. she knows forgiveness. he does not. she can teach him, she can teach him. teach them. It’s only been about two or three months since Persephone went back for spring, it could be longer than that, could be shorter. what is time in Hadestown? there is only the toll and the wall and the crumbling of what they lived for.

she drops her hands to her sides, still coated in grime, her body aching to stretch her hands towards the sky (well, what they call the sky, it isn’t that, it is red and dark and unforgiving). it’s under her fingernails, it’s in her hair, it’s on her cheeks. she is a full fledged creature, with mud on her body like camouflage. she is a machine, work, move, clean, again. what is cleanliness if you are just going to get dirty again tomorrow?

and what is germs in Hadestown? there is no sickness here. that’s what they were promised. a warm place of wealth and no pain. they don’t get sick, they don’t get cold, they don’t go hungry. that’s what was promised to them. but she can’t feel anymore. yes, now she can remember his face, remember his voice, but now... now she feels nothing when she sees his face.

it’s definitely worse.

it’s like she’s looking at the face of a boy she saw in passing on the street. she knows that she loved him, that she still loves him. but there is nothing in her memories that twinges her feelings back into what they were. she sees everything through her own gaze, she knows that at some point she felt these emotions that were so extreme that she cried real tears, that she laughed with this joyousness that filled the entire room. she remembers how he looked at her. with reverence. with love. how he smiled every time she entered a room, and she smiled too. she knows that she smiled too, she remembers that.

she goes through her routines, goes to her shared apartment flat with two other women. they never really speak, they don’t even make eye contact most of time. Eurydice just taps her foot against the floor, waiting for her turn in the shower. directly across the wall, one of her roommates, Afra, stands there. doing the same thing; waiting, listening, all impatiently. Eurydice doesn’t know her well, doesn’t know how she got here but she assumes they all came for the same reasons. security. safety. or maybe, just to get away. Eurydice is sure that if she’d known about Hadestown when she was a younger girl, living in a home with people she loathed, with people who loathed her, she would’ve flown off to hadestown long ago.

Eurydice gets the shower next, stepping into the already steamy small room with the tub and rusty shower head against the wall. the mirror is fogged up and Eurydice leaves it that way, there’s no need to see herself this way. there’s no need to see herself at all. what’s the point down here? who needs mirrors in hell?

shedding her outer layers, she steps right into the shower, watching as the water below fills with dirt and grime, turning it a muted gray color, she stands there until the water turns clear again. she scrubs aimlessly at her skin with the soap bar for a minute or two, trying to feel clean but the dirt stays no matter what she does. it’s under her nails. it’s in her hair. it’s under her skin. she’ll never be rid of it. she’ll never get rid of-

she doubles over in the shower, the dizziness catching her off guard.

“woah, okay.” she murmurs to herself, reaching to clutch the slippery edge of the tub, steadying herself. it passes after a brief ten seconds but she steps out of the shower after that, turning off the water for fear of falling and hitting her head. she knows, objectively, that she can’t really be hurt here in Hadestown but old habits die hard.

dressing slowly and carefully, she addresses the main problem here is that both her head and her stomach are killing her.

well actually the largest looming problem here is: you don’t get sick in Hadestown.

Oh gods, does she have to be the anomaly here?

she’d like to just be normal, just blend into the crowd, but no, she has to be different. she has to stick out like a sore thumb in every place.

before she even knows what’s going on, she’s thrown up what little she’d eaten that day. it makes her feel a little better but sweat makes her forehead sticky, her whole body feels shaky and not quite right.

“Eurydice?” Afra’s voice is unsure of itself, they don’t often use their voices down here. “everything okay in there?”

“yes.” Eurydice calls back. “I’m fine.”

Is she?

she feels something for the first time in awhile: fear.

***

it was all very simple, she should’ve added it up the first time she threw up, so long ago. but it isn’t until she looks in a long mirror for the first time, wearing only her underclothes that she notices something.

no.

gods, no.

she doesn’t make an appointment with Hades, like he says you’re supposed to when you need to speak with him. this is too important, this is too much of his own fault that she has to speak him right then. she wants to cry, she needs to cry but she can’t. so she runs, so she runs as fast as she can until she’s at the doorsteps of the dark building where she knows he resides almost all of the hours of the day.

the door is unlocked, surprisingly, and she just walks in. down dark halls, ignoring the shadows that paint fear across her body. that’s the one thing she can feel nowadays, fear for herself, fear for Orpheus, fear for everything, for their unborn child. no child has been born in Hadestown to her knowledge, a desolate place like this cannot sustain a new life like that. it sucks life away, it tears families apart.

it’s relatively easy to find his office, it’s the only room that’s doorknob isn’t coated with dust and the door is slightly ajar, letting stark light stream into the dark hall.

she bursts inside before she even has time for a second thought.

he’s at his desk, pen in hand, paper in the other. his eyes raise to hers the moment he notices her presence.

“miss Eurydice-”

“cut the bullshit, Hades, why am I still here?”

“I-” she holds up her hand, cutting him off somehow. such an impressive, looming presence usually, but when a women on a mission is in front of him, he never knows what to do. she starts pacing back and forth, in front of his desk. clenching and unclenching her fists. should she punch him? no, no, nothing like that. she didn’t come here for violence... why did she come here? what was her mission when she set out to come here? she doesn’t know, she just knew that she had to get here.

“I thought I’d just be able to live my life in peace. In complete solidarity. That’s what you promised me. you told me I’d get- you said I’d be good here.”

“and didn’t I deliver?” he said, his rumbling voice carrying through the office. across the desk that was separating them. “aren’t you at peace?

she felt something lodged in her throat, she tries to swallow it but the effort makes her voice come out choked. “not anymore.”

suddenly, she feels everywhere. suddenly, she’s so full of feeling her knees nearly crumple to the ground. leaning against the desk. she still doesn’t cry. no, there’s almost too much feeling for that. her whole body is overwhelmed, for so long she felt nothing that this sudden feeling is almost causing her to double over in the pain. it’s fiercely coursing through her veins, her shaking knees could be from the fear or the feeling, she can’t tell.

Hades is up and holding onto one of her arms, his touch surprisingly gentle and uninvasive. he keeps her steady, while guiding her to come sit on a couch on the side of the wall.

“sit here.” he says, his voice shockingly calm and... kind. “I’ll get a glass of water.”

he busies himself with a pitcher of water that sits on his desk, and an empty glass beside it. Eurydice fiddles with the rings on her fingers, trying to sort her mind out, trying to figure out how to say it.

he’s pouring a glass of water. for her.

“I’m pregnant.”

he stops pouring.

he doesn’t turn around either. “your boy...”

“It’s Orpheus’, I’m positive.”

“how long?”

“I only just realized today. I didn’t know who to tell, Lady Persephone is gone and I just don’t know what I’m going to do.”

he’s being surprisingly calm, for a man with no children and no real relationship with Eurydice besides one layered with negative emotions.

“you don’t work for the time being.” he says after a moment of consideration. he turns around, holding a glass of water in one of his hands to face Eurydice’s gaping face. “I need to speak with my wife, but that can’t happen for another few months. So you don’t work and keep busy within what’s left of the walls.”

“what am I supposed to do? for those four months?” she has no idea when she’ll be due, the uncertainty of it is making her feel shaky. the fear strikes her again and she turns her to the side, not making eye contact with Hades again for fear of crumpling in on herself again. she purses her lips.

“I can tell you’re scared,” he begins.

“I’m not-” she starts.

“you younglings always try to convince everyone else that you aren’t terrified,” he thrusts the glass of water into her hand, giving her a pointed look.

“like you’re one to talk.”

he sighs. “only you could sass me when I’m trying to help you.” embarrassment faintly paints Eurydice’s cheeks a blush color, but it fades quickly. “let me continue.

“I can tell you’re scared,” he repeats. “but I’ll promise to protect you and your child, I may be a lot of terrible things but one thing I will never do is force a mother and her child apart. you’ll go back to your apartment and get some rest, tell your roommates that you don’t need to get up for work tomorrow, by special permission of Hades, and I’ll try to get in contact with my wife. But I have a feeling we won’t be able to have a full discussion until she gets back from summertime.”

Eurydice nods and takes a couple sips from that glass of water, her hand shakes so much, she knows that if there was ice in the glass they’d be able to hear the clinking of the two solids. but for now, she tries to act like she isn’t slowly crashing and burning.

Orpheus

Orpheus, you have a child

and he doesn’t know it. he may never know it.

“my child will be doomed to this life, won’t they?” she whispers, eyes downcast. “if-if I give them to Persephone before spring, will they be able to go Up Top? would it be possible?”

he sighs, the sound is burdened. “I don’t know. A child has never been born here before, so I don’t know.”

she stares at the surface of the water, rippling with little currents and waves from her trembling hand. “they will never know grass, or happiness, or love-”

“no.” Hades says firmly, he steps closer, he brushes her knuckles with his fingertips, unsure of what to do as a comfort. but his words are comfort enough. “your child will know love, you will love them and that is love enough.”

she purses her lips tight together, she still does not cry, she still has yet to cross that threshold of pure feeling.

“go home, get some sleep.” it’s a command, almost, like everything Hades says is. she could always refuse but instead of standing up to him like she usually prefers to, she nods, because she could use some sleep in times like now.

***

Eurydice had forgotten love until Calista.

she knew love well before Hadestown but in that span of few months, she forgot what it was like to love. to love something with this fierceness you can’t control, and to have that ability feels powerful. she felt like a monster before, but holding a child close to her chest is what makes her feel human again.

yes, they are still in Hadestown, but when life finds ways to spring up, it flourishes.

she’s moved apartments since finding out about the baby, to a smaller one, a studio with a bathroom and a tiny kitchen but it’s just for her and her daughter. people know that the only current mother in Hadestown lives there, her neighbors seem to brighten at the sight of her child. their darkness when they come back from work slides away for just a little bit of light when Callie smiles at them from afar.

her daughter brings hope, and Eurydice couldn’t be more proud. she doesn’t even know it yet, but Callie is really the carnation in the winter, she’s the light in the dark, the song in the silence.

And Persephone comes back and is immediately pointed in the direction of Eurydice’s apartment by Hades, with barely even a kiss on the cheek, she’s worried something bad has happened. It’s a combination of good and bad in her opinion.

she knocks on the door and a voice calls, “come in!”

Persephone, not knowing what she’ll find, steps inside tentatively. “Hades said to- oh my lords.”

Eurydice sits cross legged on her small bed, a baby sitting in her lap with the widest smile she’s ever seen on a child. she has her mothers eyes, even from here Persephone can see the dark color, the deepness of them.

“hi.” Eurydice begins. Persephone closes the door loudly, accidentally making Eurydice and the baby jump. she surges forward, first taking the young woman’s face in her hands, cupping her cheeks and brushing her cheeks with her thumbs.

“please tell me it’s Orpheus’.” Eurydice nods.

“It is” she assures, “look, she has his nose and you can just see, his hair, too.”

“she’s lovely.” Persephone sighs, sinking to sit beside Eurydice. Persephone brushes Eurydice’s bangs away from her eyes, she notices that they are freshly cut and a little jagged and uneven. she’ll ask about that later. “how old is she?”

“A month.” Eurydice answers immediately, her smile is genuine and Persephone can tell, there is love. a deep, motherly love that Persephone has only ever experienced when she looks at the young girl who turned into a young woman while she was away Up Top. “she came a little early, and I was worried, but she’s doing well now.”

“what’s her name?”

“Calista.” Eurydice says, gently tracing her daughter’s ears and tiny nose. “I started calling her Callie, though, and never stopped.”

“Callie.” Persephone repeats. “I love that.”

“me too.” Eurydice bites her bottom lip, before the real dawning of Persephone being here hits her. her expression barely changes and her tone of voice doesn’t at all but Persephone can feel the shift in the air.

“how is Orpheus doing?”

Persephone continues stroking through her black hair, untangling the knots like she imagines a mother would. “he just started singing again. only the past month or so. his voice sounds different after so long with so little use but it’s just as beautiful as it was when you knew him.”

Eurydice lifts Callie a little higher, adjusts her in her arms so that the child lies with her head in the crook of her elbow. “I’m sad that she’ll never get to meet him.”

she says it simply, she’s already accepted the fact, but underneath that is the lingering of sadness that lies there. an undercurrent of disappointment that Persephone came alone. she’d probably had the tiniest grain of hope and Persephone came empty handed.

“well!” she stands up, straightening out the creases in her dress. “I’d better get to the house, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen my husband up close.”

Eurydice smiles. “alright. see you again really soon?”

“of course.” Persephone plants a kiss on both girl’s heads and heads out the door, blinking away the sharp burn of tears.

***

she walks into Hades’ office and before she can even get the words out, he waves his hand at her without looking up from his ever important paperwork.

“I’m sending her up, don’t worry.”

she opens and closes her mouth. “I thought it might take some convincing.”

he scowls down at his desk. “I’m not heartless. I saw her when she first found out, the selflessness in that girl...” he shakes his head. “she was concerned about not being able to love her kid enough. not being able to provide that for her. she wanted to send Cal up there with you in the spring without her? you know that? the insanity in her, that I’d separate a mother and her child.”

Persephone steps around her and plants a firm, smiling kiss on his lips. Surprising him and pulling him away from his paperwork. “I love you.”

a smile twitches at his lips. “I love you too?”

“so,” Persephone says, promptly taking a small step back. “Eurydice and Callie will come up on the train with me in the spring?”

“as soon as I get all the paperwork in order. this is a... unique situation to say the least.” he turns back to his work, Persephone stands and watches for a moment, before planting one more soft kiss to the top of his head and heading out to get a drink. she can’t tell Eurydice yet, because if it doesn’t come true she’ll be heartbroken but knowing that she’ll be able to take the two of them up with her in the spring will be a joyous moment.

only six months until the couple that became a family gets reunited.

***

Children grow fast, this is something that Eurydice was never told. by the time Callie is seven months old, Eurydice has watched her learn to crawl, learn to reach and to touch and to smile. it still scares her sometimes, that maybe she isn’t meant for this? maybe she’s not cut out for this kind of thing. she’s already had to reason with herself over several things that just dig into her scalp, telling her Callie deserves a better mother. she had to bottle feed her, for god's sakes, her body seems to be malnourished enough and overworked enough that she can’t give that to her daughter. she has to take care of herself too, is what Persephone keeps telling her. she has to give herself a little attention too, give herself some love as well.

she faces Hades one last time in front of the train, he says he’s there to see Persephone off but Eurydice is glad that he’s there.

“thank you,” she says, lifting her chin to look him right in the eyes. “for all that you did for me and Callie, and for you are doing for Orpheus. he doesn’t know it yet, but he will be very thankful to you.”

“don’t say things like that,” he says, voice extra gravelly with the sadness of his wife leaving, but he tries to hide it. “I would never have hired you if I’d known...”

“neither of us knew, I would never have agreed to go if I’d known.”

a small silence stretches between them, she doesn’t know what to do with herself, a year ago she despised this man. everything about him made her heart shudder in her chest, but now... she’s seen his mercy and can’t help but feel that it was there all along.

she holds out her hand to shake his. “thank you, I will make sure to let Calista know as she grows older all that you have done for us.”

he lets out a chuckle as he takes her hand. “I’m sure she will also know all I have done against you.”

“in my opinion, it evens out. thank you.” she drops his hand and climbs onto the train, her stomach starting to swirl in her stomach.

She tries to remind herself of all that she’s been told by Persephone, love herself and that has to be enough, as she climbs the train, she’d handed Calista over to Persephone while Eurydice puts her things on the train. her heart beats so fast, this rhythm of readiness, of anticipation.

thump, thump, thump

Get Callie, she’s getting fussy in another woman’s arms.

thump, thump, thump

Sit down in a seat before the train starts moving.

thump, thump, thump

“if it isn’t my favorite songbird.” a withered voice comes from the front of the train car.

“Hermes.” Eurydice breaths, she speeds her steps up to meet him halfway and throws her arms around his neck. she buries her face in the man’s shoulder, letting him gently hold her like a father would hold a daughter, gently, calmly. he pulls back after barely five seconds.

“you takin’ the train?” she nods with something like tears stinging in the back of her eyes but they aren’t close to falling, yet. Hermes’ smile stretches almost all the way to his eyes, wrinkles creasing on his forehead. “he’ll be waiting for Seph, right by the station.’

Eurydice smiles but her heartbeat is still flurrying over her entire chest, heat spreading across her whole body like a licking fire. she needs a distraction from her shaking hands and churning stomach. Hermes pats her cheek affectionately, finally looking over her shoulder and squinting at Persephone holding the infant in her arms. he narrows his eyes, like he’s seeing a mirage and isn’t sure exactly what he’s seeing.

Eurydice breaks away from him, going to Persephone to take her daughter from the other woman’s arms. “this is your kind of granddaughter, Calista.”

“a lovely name for a lovely girl.” Hermes smiles in that way he always does when he knows something, when he looks at someone and can see their future. Eurydice always feels exposed whenever Hermes looks at her, like he knows what goes on in her head every day. like he knows all of her fears and hopes and emotions. the train starts moving in that moment and Eurydice has to sit down, holding Callie in her lap, pulling her tightly against her chest.

they move through tunnels, the dim lights of the mines flash through the windows every once in awhile, flushing the four of them in a golden glow, turning Persephone’s green dress into a brownish color, splashing across Hermes face briefly and throwing shadows like the darkness of the wall falling over her. she hasn’t worked on the wall in months, hasn’t gone into the mines in about as long, but it still haunts her. to forget how to feel, though since Orpheus came and left, the place improved it still left her feeling like there a life she was missing out on, the other half of her. or maybe it just was that her other half was Up Top. Callie taught her to remember feeling, taught to feel again altogether. and when she begins to whimper in the dark of the train, her heart stutters and all she wants is to make her smile again.

“shhh,” Eurydice murmurs, bounding the little girl on her knee briefly. “it’s alright, love, shh.”

even just her voice soothes the child and she quiets, she is normally not the most emotional infant, though they all cry, Eurydice knows that from her younger siblings. she takes after her mother in that, she only gets emotional really when Eurydice gets emotional. so now, when Eurydice is nervous and fidgety and on edge, the girl picks up on it and begins to cry. she calms herself, taking deep breath and pressing a kiss to her daughters soft bed of dark brown hair.

it’s a longer train ride than Eurydice would think, so they sit in silence, contemplative over what is to come, over what is going to happen when those doors open and sunshine floods the train car. when Orpheus is right before her what will she say? what will she do? he doesn’t even know she’s coming, he’ll be happy to see her, won’t he? yes, yes, he will. she knows this, she knows he loved her, and hopes for that present tense to re-enter the assuredness of her vocabulary. she loves him, simple as that, and he will love what she brings with her.

as light starts to flood the car, she closes her eyes, feeling the warmth flood through her body. the familiar scent of the dirt and the trees, the sound of chattering voices and birds beginning to chirp, everything so familiar yet so foreign. the last time she was this anxious to step outside was during The Walk and she never stepped foot outdoors during that. she’s both ready and most definitely not.

“here,” Persephone says. “I’ll take Cal, and you can step out by yourself. take a look about, greet old friends without this little one in your arms.”

reluctantly, Eurydice relinquishes Callie into Persephone’s arms. she stands, ready to face her fate, ready to smell the earth, bask in the sunlight. she is here, she is full of light, she is ready.

she’s ready.

the train car opens by itself and she steps out, shading her eyes with her hand to gaze over the crowd, which a hush falls over. she is known here, though she looks different. though having been pregnant and gave birth, she’s lost weight. the doctors she saw worried for Callie’s health, when Eurydice has spent her whole life only getting just enough to eat and too often in Hadestown she neglected to eat, after the pregnancy especially, it seemed. she just simply... forgot to take care of herself sometimes. those were the days where she got talks from Persephone, lectures from Hades, both about taking care of herself not just for herself, for Calista. she tried her best, but old habits die hard. she looks more tired now, her hair now just brushing the very tops of her shoulders but the bangs freshly cut. every few months, or when she was feeling especially restless, she would go to the bathroom with a pair of scissors and retrim her bangs. what a great influence she’ll be on her kid.

and in the crowd, in the very back of the crowd, is a boy just a little bit older and more tired looking. and his eyes are raised to hers. his mouth is forming the first syllable of her name, with a question in his eyes. is this real? are you real?

and she wants to run to him and say yes yes yes yes im real this is real this is true

but she can’t move until Hermes walks up beside her, loops his arm through hers and begins to walk her down the steps of the station. the crowd parts for them and Eurydice can’t help but see the imagery of it all. like a bride walking down the aisle, she is being given away for the second time in her life. the first, she gave away herself, in secret. not an elopement but a ritual in which they were “married”. this time, she is given away to this life that she once gave up. here, she is being given permission to step back into this life, she is being given permission to look him in the eyes, to speak to him. he gives her away and leaves her there at the altar- or rather, right in front of Orpheus- and leaves her there, blending back into the crowd.

“how- how... what are you- how are you-?” he runs a hand through his hair, just looking at her, just... looking. “Eurydice-”

when he says her name, her entire body feels like it will combust and she can’t just stay standing there. it feels like their first kiss: happening before she knows what’s happening and over before she wants it to. whistles break out through the crowd, a laughter spreading through the silence. the tension breaks and she’s left just feeling his hands at her waist, and his face close to hers, his breath against her cheeks, fluttering her eyelashes against the breeze.

“how-?” he asks again.

she licks her lips, unsure of how to say it. “I’ll show you.”

Persephone is already walking towards them, holding Callie to her chest. Orpheus, the ever confused, just stares. the two dots not yet connected yet, so he must say the first thing that comes to mind.

“congratulat-”

Persephone shakes her head and laughs. “no, poet.” and hands Callie to Eurydice.

he watches with wide eyes as Eurydice holds the child in one arm and with the other, adjusts Orpheus’ arms so that she can gently place the girl in his arms. she holds both his arms and the baby for a moment before removing her hands and stepping back. his eyes flick from Eurydice, down to the infant, and then back to Eurydice in a panicked state.

“her name is Calista, she’s seven months old... and she’s your daughter.”

Orpheus lets out a huge, deep, shuddering sigh that feels somehow close to tears. he finally looks down and admires the face of the girl in his arms, and as he does, Eurydice tells him about her.

“she has your nose, and your hair, but my eyes. she’s not very talkative but she likes to be read to before going to sleep, and she always, always prefers to sleep close to me, or close to a person. she’s like you, she loves to listen. and she loves people-”

she stops herself at the sight of his face, smiling but filled with this sorrowful inside. “I can’t believe- I missed a whole life starting... Eurydice, she’s so beautiful.”

“not your fault, Orpheus, neither of us knew.” she murmurs. “and now, we’re here.”

“you’re home.”

#hadestown #hadestown fic #orphydice fic #orphydice #orphydice kid #eurydice #pregnant eurydice #i dont really think orphydice will have their own kids but this sprung from my fingerse #hermes #persephone/hades #hades #persephone #canon compliant #and then not #this is so fucking long im so sorry

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laughaholic-me · 6 years

Text

If Hades Were Human

We all know the Greek Gods are known for fits of jealousy, rage, murder, unfair punishments, infidelity, and much more. What if they were punished? Born again into unknown bodies, stripped of their heritage, and had to walk the world alone? They still have their memories and knowledge, but weak mortals with no power can’t accomplish great deeds, right?

Hades > Bren

Hades: God of the Underworld

Bren: Name meaning “a flame; a part of the fire”

“Dude, I thought I told you to stop doing that shit in the apartment.” Bren scolded his roommate.

“Fuck off…” he groaned.

The guy was obviously high off his rocker, and Bren decided enough was enough.

He grabbed Chase by his collar and dragged him to the bathroom. Chase was screaming and kicking the whole way.

We’re going to get another noise complaint…

Bren threw Chase into the dirty tub and didn’t bother to care that the curtains were now broken underneath Chase. He gave Chase warnings about using inside their shared apartment. He already brought enough troubled people in as it is, but Bren is sick and tired of the smell molding to him. His clothes always smell off no matter how many times he washes them, and he saved Chase in fights with other users too many times.

He twisted the handle to cold and turned on the water. Chase began to thrash and cough as freezing water sprayed him.

“Bren! What the fuck, man!” He yelled.

“I warned you! I fucking warned you to cut it out!” Bren wasn’t letting up. Not this time. “You find somewhere else to stay. I’m done with your shit.”

Chase stared wide-eyed, “Or what?”

“I’ll turn you in. I know you’re dealing too.”

Chase seemed to understand, and he slumped, clearly out of energy. Bren shut the water off and left the bathroom. He grabbed his leather jacket off of the couch and began to put it on.

“I’m going out, but when I get back, you better be gone.” Bren grabbed his phone, wallet, and keys, then paused at the door. “Keep your key or not. I don’t care.”

He was going out to buy new locks anyway. Just one key, but maybe a couple locks for the door. It’s not the safest of neighborhoods.

An hour later, he was walking out of the department store with two new locks: one doorknob, and one deadbolt. He decided to take a detour to give Chase a little more time to sober up enough to pack.

Bren let his mind wander along with his feet. He wonders who Persephone ended up as. She probably still has her green thumb. She’s probably just as scary, too. He used to miss his wife immensely, but as time went on, and his past life faded, his feelings began to fade as well. He still thinks of her but trusts that their lives are far different now. He now thinks about how many marriages between the gods and goddesses were more for convenience than anything.

He was always surprised when he grew feelings for others. In 5th-grade, Rachel Ramos held his heart. Then in 8th, Stacey De Luca captured his attention. In high school, it was a variety; Camilla Peters, Haley Johnson, Tiffany Kim, Veronica Green, and Daniella Gutierrez. All were intense women who didn’t really listen to anybody.

Bren guessed he had a type. He never bothered to try and date them. Once high school came along and teens were discovering their sexual needs, they usually ended up being one night stands at parties. They never wished for anything more and he never offered anything more. He soon got the label of “Playboy”, and Bren felt ashamed that he was acting like his infuriating godly brothers, Zeus and Poseidon.

He found himself refusing the calls of women from then on, and completely ignoring them even as his third year of college is coming up.

Bren was brought out of his thoughts when he looked up and realized he’s walked right to the local cemetery.

Some things just never change.

He opens the gate to the side of it and begins walking around. He studies the names and dates. People we always wary of his obsession with death. He watched “Tim Burton’s: The Corpse Bride” almost every day when he was six. His collection of DVDs consisted of movies that focus on death (“The Bucket List”, “Wuthering Heights”, “The Kite Runner”, “The Lovely Bones”, “Up”, “The Book Thief”, etc.)His parents were certainly worried, but every psychologist they took him to said he was fairly normal; No psychopathic tendencies that they are aware of.

His beloved parents, Debra and Mary, often tried getting him into other things. Sports, dance, gymnastics, even checkers. Bren just wasn’t interested in much. He enjoyed reading, but the tales were just as dark as his favorite shows and movies.

His moms kept a close eye on his drawings, but could never find anything that raised any flags. He drew normal kid stuff and talked like a normal kid. Wisdom and enhanced vocabulary aside.

Bren ran his hand over the large tombstone that his parents shared. He was the one who insisted that they stay together, where they belong. It was a bit more expensive, but he decided it was worth the cost.

Debra would be having a meltdown if she knew where he was living. Mary would have a stern look but say nothing. He liked to call Debra the Mother Hen, while Mary was the Momma Bear.

Bren knelt down, hand still flat against the grave marker, and pressed a kiss to the cold marble.

“How long ago did you lose them?”

Bren flinched away and fell onto his ass. The grass was wet from a recent water. He looked to see a small-framed girl standing by him. Her pin-straight hair was behind her ears, showing her pearl earrings. She had some regular jeans on and a plain green t-shirt. A boring girl.

He ignored her and looked away. She interrupted a sensitive moment for himself and didn’t feel like giving her the time of day.

“I asked you a question.” Her voice sounded again.

“And I ignored you.” He sighed.

“Until now,” She raised an eyebrow.

He glared at her as she came to crouch next to him. Now that she was closer, he noticed that her eyes were rimmed with red, and her nose was running slightly.

“I’m still waiting.” She smiled at him.

He looked at his parents' names. “A year.”

She nodded and looked with him. “Nice quote.”

It was one by Walt Whitman that Bren chose. The same quote that was above his crib when they completed his nursery, and the same one he kept with him when he moved. “Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers where I can walk undisturbed.”

“What about you? You obviously came here to see someone.”

She gently smiled, “My older sister. It’s only been a few months.”

He nodded, “Are you going to leave me alone now?”

She grinned and stood up, “I suppose so. But,” She looked at him once more. “I have the feeling our fates are crossed.”

Bren hates cynical people, and this girl was no different.

He walked back into his apartment and immediately got to work with changing the locks. Chase was obviously gone, but Bren thinks it’s gonna take another week before he’s able to get rid of the stench.

He walks outside and tests the new key on the locks: Success.

“I told you.”

Bren swivels around to see the very same girl from the cemetery. Shit.

She was leaning against the railing with a half-peeled orange in hand. She pulled a wedge out and pointed it at him. “Our lives were meant to intermingle.”

She tosses it into her mouth and walks into the apartment next to Bren’s.

Bren groaned and went back into his own apartment. He knew all about “fate” and he wanted nothing to do with it.

But...the boring girl has an interesting mind. Hades was surrounded by darkness, and for a while, it felt like Bren had to suffer the very same.

But the boring girl with an interesting mind seems dead-set on annoying him to death.

All Modern Greek Stories

#Greek Mythology #greek #mythology #hades #modern #modern hades #modern greek #Modern Greek Mythology Series

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missvalerietanner · 6 years

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The Unseen Soldier | Part 21 | Welcome Home

Subject: Hades & Persephone (aka Aiden & Sophie)

Genre: Southern Gothic retelling

Words: 1,872

Summary: Sophie adjusts to life at home after being retrieved from the forest by the Ryder brothers.

Updates every Sunday! Click to read.

“What have you done to her?”

“What you wanted. Now pay us.”

“I will not. You’ve clearly harmed her. This was not part of our agreement.”

“Oh, shut it. We brought her back, and you owe us.”

“She’s comatose. Wh--what have you done?”

“This is how we found her--”

“And the blood on her clothes, that sheer nightgown--I suppose that was your doing as well?”

“Collateral damage.”

“You expect me to believe that? I hear the rumors about ya’ll--”

“And yet you hired us because, oh wait, how many of your loyal worshippers failed?”

“Get out. You’ll get nothing from me.”

A snarl and a laugh stirred her from her delirium. She blinked. Once. Twice. She cleared the fog in her eyes, the memory of that Harvester looming over her, its claws inches from piercing her own scalp, and Aiden--

“Denise?”

A deep voice, apologetic despite the hatred in his tone. Her father. Sh--she was home?

“Pay those boys what you owe them,” Zachariah demanded from a distance, probably lounging in the living room and bored with hearing the dispute over the hushed volume of the radio perched on the table at his side.

“Listen to your hubby, Denise,” one of the brothers cooed as if she were a toddler refusing to be still and fall asleep. “You won’t like if we have to come back.”

“You think I fear you?” Her loud, barking laugh echoed off the walls of the kitchen closing in around her, shrinking and swirling. “This wasn’t what we agreed. Get off my doorstep.”

Sophie blinked, and the room righted itself, settling the nausea in her stomach.

The younger brother of the three--no, two--the Harvester--

All that blood. His horrible screams. His severed arm dropped into that endless void…

The younger brother hissed. “We’ll give you one chance, Denise.”

“Get. Out,” she ordered with a stomp of her foot to push her determination home as she lay a protective hand on Sophie’s blood-soaked arm.

“This won’t be the last time you see us,” the oldest vowed.

Then there was a strong hand at her back, shoving her forward without a bit of kindness. The heavy, copper taste in the air had been lifted, replaced by the sweet aroma of vanilla and lavender--the scent of her mother and the scent of home. As quickly as she felt the rough hand leave her back, she felt softer, sweeter arms embrace her, coiling around her tight and squeezing the breath from her lungs. Warm hands swept through her hair and down her back, soothing her and drawing her from whatever darkness she had become lost in.

That same darkness that stared back at her from the Harvester’s horrid eyes--

“Sophia, you’re home,” Denise said, releasing her and cupping her daughter’s face in her hands. “You’re safe, sweetie, and I will never, never let you go again.”

She should have felt warm. She should have felt safe and loved, but those words were so… cold.

Every movement she made or was guided to make felt distant, alien. She wasn’t in her body, wasn’t in control of it. She watched her own movements happen through a mirrors, trapped on the other side as a reflection and helpless to react, to speak.

Her mother guided her through the kitchen, past the living room and past her father who watched her every move like she was an illusion that would dissolve if he looked away. And his gaze only faltered when she was hauled into the bathroom and out of sight. She didn’t fight when her mother peeled off the stained and dirty jacket that smelt of him. She didn’t protest when she dragged the nightgown over her head and tossed both items into the trash can at their side.

Left to her bra and panties, Sophie stood deathly still while Denise grabbed a washcloth from the closet, drenched it in warm water, and began wiping away all the stains of blood and dirt and grim that clung to her weary form. Denise scrubbed away any evidence that she had ever stepped foot into those woods, and Sophie let her, never fighting and never arguing.

The warmth of the water teased her skin and warmed her blood, but all she could see, all she could feel was the icy touch of the Harvesters, those empty eye holes, and that wide jaw hanging open and ready to feast--

Ditching the washcloth into the hamper, Denise guided her to the tub and forced her to kneel before the cold porcelain. Standing over her, she bent her head back and commanded her to close her eyes as she turned on the faucet and drenched her orange locks in hot water. Sophie shut her eyes and focused on the scrape of her mother’s fingers dragging over her scalp as she worked in the shampoo and rinsed away the final remnants of the woods.

She wound a towel around Sophie’s hair and helped her stand from the floor. After shaking her hair free, Denise dropped a long cotton T-shirt over her head. The soft fabric hung almost to her knees and swallowed her form whole. Sophie frowned at the look of it, the faded design on her chest and the ratty, worn remains. The shirt returned her to the person she was before the woods, the child she was, and she hated it. It reeked of innocence, of cowardice and immaturity; things she no longer felt or even wished to feel.

Now back at home with her mother buzzing around her like a hummingbird, this was who she was expected to be: quiet, pretty, obedient, and unsoiled. With him, she had been strong, courageous even, especially that last night when the brothers--

She suppressed the urge to gag and swallowed hard, steadying the threat of bile rising in her throat at the reminder of those three wretched boys as they stood before her and Aiden, threatening to cut Sire or do worse if they didn’t get their way. And it was hard to forget that her mother--who now cooed at her--was the one who led them there.

She knew her mother loved her, knew she only feared for her daughter’s life while she was gone, knew she feared the worst. But it was a strain to pretend this had all been done for her: the endless stream of men Denise sent to die at the hands of the Harvesters, the harm done to the forest and the town--all for Sophie’s sake, and both of them would have to live with that blood on their hands.

Denise stepped to the side and ushered Sophie toward the small wooden stool nestled before the vanity and the three-paneled folding mirror sitting above it. She swept her damp hair back from her shoulders and grabbed a paddle brush from the counter. She began raking it through the wet strands in slow, methodically sweeps meant to lull Sophie to sleep as it had done so easily when she was younger.

She met Sophie’s eyes in the reflection and smiled wide. “We’ve missed you so much.”

“I know.” Her voice was void of all emotion, as dry and bland as her shriveling heart.

“We were so worried about you.”

“I know, Mother.”

Denise paused her brushing and set her hand on her shoulder, squeezing tight. “You’ll never have to go back,” she vowed with a dark bite to her words. She tightened her grip until Sophie winced from the pain. “You’ll never see that awful place again.”

Sophie released a low gasp of pain, and her mother relented, lifted her hand from her shoulder, and returned to brushing her wet hair. Dejected, Sophie bowed her head and stayed silent. Arguing would gain her no edge here, not now and not this soon after returning.

She shut her eyes tight and pretended her mother’s words were a simple lie, a fairytale not unlike the lies of the forest and its guardian that are spun to children to keep them from being too curious. Her heart hammered inside her chest as the panic rose, and she tried hard to suffocate it. But it wouldn’t leave her. Her mother’s words weren’t a lie; they were a promise, a guarantee that she would uphold no matter the cost--just as she had sent all those men to their deaths.

Sophie opened her eyes and watched her mother’s reflection, smiling proudly as she hummed a soothing song behind her and began braiding her orange hair. Denise would never agree to losing her only daughter and certainly not to the Unseen Soldier of all people. No, her mother would never be happy to let her go, and Sophie admitted then that this was going to be a fight. Battlelines had already been drawn; they were etched across the boundary the day she stepped through that forest and into his arms.

When the braid was finished, Denise gestured for her to stand, and like a perfect daughter, she obeyed. With one hand on her back, Denise guided her further down the hall where her bedroom waited for her, untouched since the day she departed, leaving home for the forest and all it promised her.

Strolling inside, Denise pulled back the sheets of the bed, nudged her daughter to lay beneath them, and covered her body with their lacking warmth and safety. Denise pressed a kiss against her temple, but it wasn’t as sweet or as tender as his had been.

“I’m so glad you’re home, sweetheart,” Denise whispered. “No one will ever take you from me again.”

Sophie lay motionless beneath the sheets. Those same threats, that same fear hung in her mother’s words, and with a hard swallow, Sophie realized that the one thing that had changed in all these days was her: her mind, her perspective, and certainly her heart no longer hummed for the life of that girl who existed before the forest. Now her life was new, belonging to a person she didn’t yet understand but locked in the shell of the girl she no longer wished to be.

Her mother’s retreating footsteps offered her little comfort, and the sound of her bedroom door shutting and locking a second later offered even less. But she didn’t care. Her mind was in tatters, and she dwelled in the darkness of the horrors that have ravaged her eyes these past hours, unable to break away from the vines that bound her inside those suffocating shadows.

She was tired, so tired buried beneath those burdens, and she shut her eyes tight just as the tears came. Curling her legs up to her chest, she drew the sheets over her head and buried her open mouth into the pillow to muffle the sobs that thundered past her lips and beat a devastating path into the soft fabric with the determination of foot soldiers storming to their deaths.

Tears burned as they were torn from her eyes, as their heat absorbed into the pillow beneath her damp hair. Her sobs became screams, stifled against the plush pillow, and neither stopped until her eyes were dry and her throat was on fire. Only then did she find some miserable fraction of peace in a subtle sleep.

#hapsgs #the unseen soldier #hades and persephone #retelling #southern gothic #greek mythology

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crimsxnflxwerz · 6 years

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Like The Dawn [ch.2]

Rating: Teen+ Summary: Sometimes it takes opening your eyes to find what you’re looking for.[ or Persephone gets reborn as a baby boy named Ryan, and Hades takes the human form Shane in a desperate attempt to find his love once again. ] Pairing: Ryan/Shane Tags: greek mythology, Hades and Persephone, reincarnation, oblivious Hades is oblivious, memory loss Author Note: This is both my own take on the classic Greek myth of Hades and Persephone and how reincarnation in Gods work and such. Original ideas stemming heavily from mythological texts.

ps. i changed Ryan to a transguy when i edited the story for a03, so that’s canon now! hope it doesn’t turn anyone off ;;v;;. also, Sara’s in the fic because she deserves to be in ever fic. happy thanksgiving!

Ryan was drowning.

Maybe drowning wasn’t the best word for it. He’d been walking along the dark shore of a vast, choppy river, bare feet walking delicately on thousands of small, round pebbles. The horizon was a white light that bled up into a black sky like a watercolor painting. There were no stars, no moon, no sounds but the waves lapping at the rocks. He’d been walking for miles, but he wasn’t tired. He’s been watching the water for hours, but the image hadn’t changed. The light stayed the same, the air remained chill, the darkness absolute.

And he had walked into the water like it was the most normal thing he could have been doing. As soon as his foot touched the water, it felt like he’d been bitten. Like a thousand teeth were piercing his skin. The water physically recoiled, moving as a single body, steam hissing upward.

He wasn’t drowning. Drowning would imply accident. This was no accident. He’d stepped into that black water to die, and that had been that. He could remember why he had done what he did, what he was escaping, but the pain in his chest outweighed the fear of the water. There was a voice in his ear.

“Once you do this, you cannot go back,” it said. “Unless he finds you, you may not return to what you once were.”

Ryan heard the words, but held his resolve. Eventually the water engulfed him, and he opened his mouth, letting it in. It felt heavy, and cold, but he couldn’t leave now. He’d made his choice, and that was to die.

The last thing he heard was a name, his name he thought, but it said, “Persephone.”

Ryan jolted awake. He looked around his bedroom, eyes scanning frantically for his clock. His eyes located it on the floor, probably knocked over at some point in the night. It’s neon blue digital numbers read 3:30 am. Sweat was covering his entire body, soaking through his pajama shirt and into his pillow. He threw the covers back away from his legs and sat up on the side of his bed.

Another dream about it. He stood shakily and went to turn his shower on. Another dream about drowning. He peeled his pajamas off and tossed them in his laundry basket as he waited for the water to warm up. What could the dreams mean, he thought, staring at himself in the mirror. He ran his fingertips along the thin surgery scars on his chest. They were pale enough by now to not be very noticeable. Maybe the dreams were from the shots. It didn’t make much sense, but he figured he might as well look it up later.

He hopped into the shower and washed all the sweat off his body, the hot water pouring down on his shoulders, loosening up his muscles. Despite having a general fear of water, he loved showers. He figured since you couldn’t drown in a shower, that it was relatively safe. They look less time, too. If he was feeling particularly timid about water one day, he could just get in and out and still feel clean.

Ryan had held a fear of water and drowning since he was a baby. His mother used to only fill the tub up an inch or else he would start screaming and crying. She had no idea why he would be afraid of the water, they both agreed that nothing had happened to him to justify the fear.

In middle school, Ryan’s friends liked to joke that he had died by drowning in a past life. Although he didn’t believe in that kind of thing, he always found himself feeling forlorn or lonely whenever the subject was brought up. And now, living on his own, the idea continued to haunt him, but this time through vivid nightmares.

Though he had a fear of water, it didn’t hinder his other loves. He loved exploring, writing, and filming. The first thing he did with his new laptop was set up his own Youtube channel. He only had his laptop camera, but he would talk for hours about conspiracy theories and things that he found on his many nature walks. He wasn’t very good at cutting his videos down, since he thought everything was pretty important, but he learned through trial and error. Then he got his first camcorder for his 16th birthday. It was small, but unlike his laptop camera, he could take it with him on his journeys. He documented everything he could, the videos gaining some more viewers now that the video wasn’t just of him.

He wasn’t bad looking, but it could get boring watching just someone’s face for almost an hour.

Today, he would be filming again before he went to work. Since graduating college, he hadn’t gotten any kinda job that really went along with his major. It was hard to find work in film, especially if the thing you wanted to film was myths, ghosts, and local legends. His job was to take calls and transfer information. Basically, a secretary. He wasn’t mad about it though. It wasn’t a hard job, it paid for his new recording gear, and it had good hours.

He got out of the shower and threw on some flannel, jeans, and boots. He wanted to go out in the woods today. He’d been researching fae and other mythical creatures that hung around wooded areas recently. In fact, he’d been kind of into reading mythology, too. It wasn’t that he thought the stories were real, they were too fantastic, too magic. Ryan did believe in some unexplainable things, but there had to be at least a little logic to it.

He was mostly interested in things like fairy rings. His mother had told him once that they were active spiritual zones, and they were caused by tiny spirits sleeping on the Earth. She said that she wasn’t sure if they were good or bad, they just were. He was hoping to find some of those today, maybe study them further.

As he walked from his apartment, he felt deep inside him that something about today was just—off. For lack of a better term. He wasn’t quite sure what was going to be off about it, maybe his gut was just fooling him or something. He held fast to his camera bag as he waited for the bus. He wasn’t in a bad part of town, but the bad feeling was making him a bit paranoid. He didn’t need to be in a bad part of town for something bad to happen, anyways. He sighed in relief when the bus pulled up and he paid with his bus pass.

The bus generally took him to work, so he felt a little out of place being so dressed down. At his job, he didn’t really need to wear a suit, but he did wear a button up and slacks, sometimes a tie. He looked around and saw that other people were wearing nicer things, carrying laptop bags and briefcases. He was glad that his stop wasn’t too far down the road.

Stepping off the bus brought on a sigh of relief. Ryan looked ahead, across the street, to the state park he had chosen to explore today. Along with the bone-deep fear of water, Ryan also had an uncanny relationship with nature. Ever since he was a child, both animals and plants have had connections with him. He could nurse any house plant back to health. Deer would approach him on his walks in the woods. Dogs and cats acted calmer around him, as if he had some kind of aura that spoke their language, like he was telling them that they were safe now. All the better for his journey in learning more about the world around him. He remembered once, when he didn’t have his camera, he had been approached by a fox. It sniffed his hand and trotted along behind him through his walk that day. It had been so magical, if only he’d caught it on camera.

He dug his camera out of the bag and flicked it on as he crossed the street. He figured he’d just take the first trail he saw, and soon spotted one that was marked with stones. As he stepped into the woods, the feeling from earlier came back, but he brushed it off yet again. There was no need to worry, right?

Sara: Do you wanna hang out at your place today?

Shane squinted at the screen of his phone. He looked at the clock, but remembered that he’d actually unplugged it last night, so it wasn’t on. Judging by the light outside, he’d have to guess that it was around noon. He rubbed his eyes with his fingertips and let out a small groan.

Six months. Six months, he’d been a human without going back down, even once. He’d never been in the overworld for this long at once. It was exhausting, really. As a human, in his human body, he needed to do things, like eat, and sleep. In the underworld, he never needed to do these things. Drink nectar for pleasure, bathe to pass time, and lay in his bed covered in furs to see if they still smell like her.

Oh yes, he’d been in the overworld for six months, because he could have sworn he was getting close.

He wasn’t sure why he felt this way. There was no indication besides a tightness in his chest, an anxious feeling in his gut. His very soul reaching out, feeling hers reach back.

Shane: No, you know the rules. Corner café?

Since living in the overworld, Shane had discovered many things about humans. First of all, if you slip up and call yourself something like Hades, people don’t take you seriously. Shane did some searching on babynames.com to find an average kind of name for a male. Shane seemed like a pretty good name, and so that’s what he became. Eventually, it became natural to refer to himself as Shane, but in his slip up period, he hadn’t made any friends.

Well, he had made one friend.

Sara: okay fine… just so you know, your “rules” are dumb.

Sara was like a blessing. Shane had thought it was a good idea when he came up to the overworld to start his search via dating apps. Truthfully, he just didn’t know how or where to start searching, and he already had a curiosity about human dating, so he figured it wouldn’t hurt to try it out. He’d made a profile for himself, and the only person to actually respond and come through was Sara. They chatted online for hours at a time, and finally met up at a café.

Shane already knew that Sara wasn’t Persephone before they even physically met. He was sure that when he found her again, something in his chest would ignite. When he started messaging Sara, he’d been excited, but nothing seemed to click. They went on two dates before he told her this. Well, he told her that he didn’t think they were gonna work out, but followed it up with a friendship invitation, claiming he needed a friend because he was “new in town”. Sara had taken it really well, she almost seemed relieved when he asked if they could just be friends.

Shane: you know you like them ;) see you there.

Sara was interested in finding out more about him. She figured out quickly enough that he was looking for someone specific, not just anyone. Not someone he hadn’t met yet. Maybe it had been the faraway look in his eyes when his eyes happen to catch a bouquet of flowers. Maybe it was the desperate arch of his shoulders, always looking, head held up in search. Somehow, she knew, and she just wanted to help.

They were meeting today for coffee.

Shane threw on a flannel and sweater with jeans. Feeling comfortable, he grabbed his wallet and laptop bag. He discovered quite quickly that he couldn’t do much in the overworld without some form of currency, and apparently gold coins were a thing of the past, so he had to make due. He found a place that traded jewelry for cash, and happily traded some lesser crafts for enough money to live in the overworld. He left his apartment and walked down the street to the café to meet up with Sara. She lived closer to it, so she’d probably be there before him. He wondered if he should text her what he wanted, or just wait until he got there.

On his way to the café, he kept looking across the street at the state park. There was something about the park that was calling to him today. As he walked, the feeling grew stronger. He looked on curiously at the forest, wondering the world was trying to tell him something. If he did go into the park, what would he find there? The feeling was coming from an ancient part of him, one that has been searching for decades, for millennium, just to find her.

He managed to pull himself away for now, since he was nearly at the café, but it didn’t leave his mind.

The café door jingled when he entered, and he saw a girl life her head. She had short, curly hair was had been dyed a deep purple. She immediately beamed at him, waving him over. Shane came over and saw that she had a number on her table.

“Order something already?” he asked.

“Oh, don’t worry, I got you something,” she grinned. “You like tea, right?”

He blushed at the thoughtfulness. “Y-yeah, I love tea.”

“Oh! I’m glad I remembered, haha,” she said. “I got you tea. I figured, since I was already here…”

“That’s very nice of you,” he scratched the back of his neck. “Oh, how are you?”

Sara shrugged one shoulder and absently picked at a peeling bit of paint on the table. “Eh, I’m okay, better now that I have company!”

Shane moved his chair a little closer to her, draping an arm over her shoulder. “Oh, what happened?”

“Just another date fell through,” she muttered. “It’s so hard to find someone these days.”

“Oh yeah, tell me about it,” he laughed. She smiled up at him. Their conversation was interrupted by a server coming over and asking them if this was their order, and set down a tray. The tray had a steaming cup of tea, a mug of coffee, a bagel, and a bowl of yogurt with oats and fruit. Sara nodded enthusiastically, and the server left them, taking the number on their table.

“Is that all yours?” Shane asked, but then she handed him the bagel and cup of tea.

“Oops, looks like I got more food than I can eat…” she muttered, trying not to grin. Shane blushed.

“You didn’t need to get this…” he said, but smiled about it anyways. After making friends with Sara, Shane had realized how lonely he’d been all by himself for so long. It was good to have a friend. In the underworld, he never had any friends. Well, he didn’t try and make any either, but still.

“Well, I needed to pay you back for all those things you’ve done for me!” she insisted. Her hand ghosted over the necklace she was currently wearing. It was a small diamond moonstone on a silver chain. The moonstone was one of his favorite gemstones, and he basically hoarded them in his palace. They always gave off a calming aura, or at least it seemed like it. It reminded him of the underworld, or at least the good parts of it. Like standing on the white shore of the great river Acheron. Unlike Styx, Acheron was peaceful and pleasant. The yang to Styx’s yin.

He’d given her that necklace the day after they decided to just be friends. He wanted to thank her for sticking around. There weren’t many people who did that for him.

“Oh, you don’t have to,” he smiled, before spreading some cream cheese on his bagel. “But this bagel will do just fine.”

They talked for a bit, sipping their drinks and simply enjoying each other’s company. Eventually, though, the pull from earlier came back. Like a magnet in his gut, being attracted to something in the woods across the street. He gazed out the window, feeling himself zone out. He imagined his beautiful wife, the night before she killed herself. She was wearing a gorgeous crimson sheer dress, roses and sticks of red berries woven into her hair. The last place he saw her was when he had left her lounging on their bed, neck red from kisses, blinking sleepily up at him.

He shouldn’t have left her that night. He hadn’t been that busy, it could’ve waited, whatever it was. That had been so long ago. He’d let so many memories go, but not that one. Her dark eyes, heavy lashes, the curve of her body, the softness in her voice. It was all so clear, and yet, he had overlooked all the signs.

She hadn’t really been happy with him. There was always something calling her away. She was like a caged bird, a chained animal. She sang and smiled and laid down to be touched, but it was all for show. She might have loved him, but he wasn’t enough. He had never been enough, and he never would be. He didn’t own her, because no one could ever own such a spirit.

“Earth to Shane,” he was brought back by a hand waving in front of his face. Sara looked at him quizzically.

“Something on your mind, buddy?” she asked. He felt his chest tighten when he looked away from the window. He brought out his wallet and plucked out a few dollars.

“Hey, I gotta go, here’s some money for the tip,” he said, hurriedly.

“Wait, you’re leaving already?” she asked, looking a bit disappointed. She rolled with it, however, and called after him as he left the café. “Well, text me later, I guess!”

He looked into the woods across the street as he waited for the light to change. The feeling inside of him grew stronger the longer he stared. The feeling told him that she was close. She was there, in the woods.

“I don’t know if you’re really out there,” he whispered to himself. “But I’ll find you, I promise.”

#buzzfeed unsolved #gods au #hades and persephone au #shyan #skeptic believer #my fic #hope you like!!!#happy thanksgiving guys!!!#alreadydone99

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missvalerietanner · 6 years

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The Unseen Soldier | Part 5 | Trapped After All

Subject: Hades & Persephone (aka Aiden & Sophie)

Genre: Southern Gothic retelling (working title)

Words: 3,035 (’nother long one ;p)

Summary: Sophie asks her captor one too many questions about his life.

Updates every Sunday! Click to read.

When she was finished her bath, she sent Bea to retrieve him, and she was surprised and warmed at the same time when the dog obeyed. He returned and slipped inside the bathroom with Bea hot on his heels. And like a willing captive, she sat on the edge of the tub, dressed in the pajamas he threw in for her. Though, they couldn’t really be counted as pajamas; they consisted of a old shirt and shorts. They were his old discards no doubt, left unworn for years. But she was thankful for the clean clothes and for their large size that dwarfed her figure.

He tended to her wounds as promised, and once the fresh gauze was in place, he lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the bathroom. He walked straight for the stairs, never glancing at her or offering an alternative. His arms held her small frame so close, so secure, and she lost herself in the feeling until he stepped on the bottom level of the stairs, jarring her body against his own.

“Uh, can we just sit for awhile and chat?” she asked, turning to face him fast with eyes pleading.

“Sure.” He relented easily enough, and instead of trudging up the stairs to carry her to her second-floor room, he turned toward the living room. He set her on the blue fabric couch and then flopped down beside her with a grunt. He threw his legs out in front of him and let his feet rest on the old trunk.

“What do you want to talk about?”

Her mind went blank. She asked for the opportunity to sit alone with him, to learn more about him and to maybe gain an upperhand in this bizarre situation. But as she stared at him, she couldn’t find the words to ask. So many questions filled her head; yet, she couldn’t force any of them to form.

That’s when it dawned on her. Simplicity. He was always so simple, and despite all the answers he held from her, there was one she was owed way before any other.

“What’s your name?”

He was caught off guard. “I thought you knew my name from all those stories.”

She shook her head, strings of her damp hair falling over her shoulder. “They never named you. They always called you a bastard or a creep or a murderer or--”

“O.K. I get it,” he said with a huff. “It’s Aiden.”

“Aiden?” she repeated with a wrinkle of her nose. “That’s it?”

He snorted a laugh. “What’s wrong with it?”

“I thought it’d be--I dunno--fancier?”

“Fancier?” He laughed again.

“Yeah, like Callahan or Donovan or Aidoneus or…” She met his eyes. “Or Bartholomew.”

“Bartholomew?” His own nose crunched in disgust. “That’s fancier than Aiden?”

“What’s wrong with it? It’s got heart.”

He scoffed and smiled wider. “O.K. You go ahead and name your son that then, and see how he feels about it? He’ll tell you how much heart it has.”

She swept her hair behind her shoulder and shuddered from the chill settling around her. The stone walls weren’t exactly free of drafts, and despite the crackling fire at their feet, she was growing cold under the weight of the night outside. To think, she was about to spend her first full night here in these woods, and she wasn’t afraid as she had been hours ago.

Sure, she sat across from a stranger, but he was nothing but kind. He tended to her wounds, fed her, gifted her with the seclusion and privacy of a guest room, and so far anyway, he asked nothing in return. A knotting sensation seized the muscles in her stomach, warning her to prepare for the moment he would ask. She tried to ignore that fretting thought, but it refused to be quiet.

He dropped his feet to the floor and leaned forward. Gripping the brilliant brass latches of the massive trunk in front of them, he unlocked its lid and lifted it, drawing a groan from its old hinges. Curiosity compelled her to lean forward and peer inside at its hidden contents. She saw stacks of old magazines, a plush leather bound book that resembled a photo album, a small wooden box with no lid that held random trinkets, and a stack of folded blankets.

That’s all she was able to see before he sat back and drew out one of the blankets. Rising from the couch, he unfolded it and draped it over her shoulders. She accepted its warmth gladly and drew the blanket closer around her form. She held tight to it, thankful for the shelter it provided so he couldn’t see the goosebumps on her skin that formed under his hand grazing her arms as he retreated.

He said nothing as he returned to his side of the couch and plopped down. He threw his legs back up on the trunk and leaned his head back, closing his eyes as if he were ready to drift off to sleep.

“What do you do out here all by yourself?”

“Whatever I want.”

Dismissive. “I’m serious,” she pressed. “It must get lonely out here.”

What are you doing?! She condemned herself with that statement. Was she offering to be the company he longed for? Certainly not! Or...at least, she shouldn’t be so pleased by the idea. What the hell is wrong with me? She watched him not even tense up at her words, and God, he was so handsome, so kind, so accommodating.

Love is, was, and always will be fickle. Her mother told her that all the time. No, all the time. And to be a teenager trapped in an older man’s home with no way to leave should have been terrifying. But he hadn’t made it seem so, and in response, her body was telling her to make the most of this seclusion. No matter how she tried to chase away those thoughts, they kept returning.

It’s just because I’m so young and he’s so old--no, not old, mature. He’s alluring. Older men always are, aren’t they? They’re knowledgeable, strong, and independent. They’ve soured from the hardships of life enough to know that not everything is sunshine and rainbows, but there’s still hope in their hearts that can be brought to life by the right people.

“Are you offering to keep me company?” he asked in a low whisper that swept over her ears like velvet and heightened all her sense all at once. He didn’t bother opening his eyes when he said it either.

Her cheeks reddened as she stared at him, and she raised the blanket close to her face to try and hide the blush in her face as the no squeaked out from her throat.

He opened one eye to watch her reaction, and he laughed. “I’m kiddin’, darlin’.”

Was he? She laughed, her nervous hands fidgeting with the blanket. “Ha, yeah, sure.”

“I build mostly. Fix things around the house. That takes up a lot of time.” He sat up straight and rubbed at his face. “I hunt for food for me and the dogs.”

“Hunt?”

He nodded with a yawn. “Yeah, how do you think I caught those birds we had for dinner? Well, the dogs and me anyway.”

“You have guns then?”

The thought never occurred to her that this man would be armed, capable of keeping her under lock and key with the implied force of gun. At the same time, though, she was foolish for never considering the possibility that he likely had several weapons. He lived alone after all, and while he wasn’t vulnerable or easily mislead, he had the right to cautious. He had to protect himself and the dogs as well. Hunting probably wasn’t the primary use for his guns.

“Does that bother you?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Yes. She refused to be honest, so she sidestepped his question. “When can I go home?”

His entire expression shifted at her words. “Is that what you want?”

“Stop that,” she said, her voice strained and tense.

“Stop what?”

“Answering every question with a question.”

He cracked a smile. “You’re not a prisoner, Sophie. You can leave whenever you want.”

“What about the woods?”

His face hardened. “The woods are dangerous.”

“I know. I--”

“The woods should be feared,” he said, his voice straining from the tension in his words.

The air in the room around them became stiff and awkward.

“H--how can I go home without passing through them?”

He dropped his gaze to the ground and whispered a solemn: “You can’t.”

She was quick to swat away the rising concern and instead leaned across the couch toward him, closing the gap between them. She was close to a real revelation; she could feel it. So she held tighter to the blanket to shield the chill in her unnerved skin from his attention while she pressed for more, plastering a solid stare on her face way braver than she felt.

“Because the forest has something to do with you, right? Like the stories say: the Unseen Soldier of the woods who houses untold goods; beware if you step inside, you won’t know when you’ve died.”

“You… memorized that?”

“It was hard not to. I heard it a lot.” She leaned closer to him with wide eyes. “Is it true?”

“What?”

“The rhyme?”

“I don’t even understand what it means.”

She huffed and crossed her arms. “You kill people who step in these woods.”

His expression changed; he became distant, reserved, but he offered no argument to her words.

“Don’t you? The stories say--”

“Not all stories are true.”

“You said that already, but you won’t say why.”

“Why what?” he asked, biting back his anger.

Keep going, she told herself. Don’t chicken out now.

“Why you didn’t kill me?”

“Is that what all these questions are about?”

She nodded slowly, never taking her eyes off him. “If you don’t plan to kill me for trespassing, then what do you want with me?”

He scoffed. “Didn’t your parents ever read you any normal stories when you were a kid?”

“No. They were all pretty much about you and this forest.”

“Hmm. It’s almost as if they knew you would wander mindlessly into them one day,” he retorted with a voice heavy in sarcasm.

She narrowed her eyes at him, annoyed by his insinuation. “I may have wandered beyond that forestline, but I didn’t do it mindlessly.”

“Then why did you come inside this forest?”

“I was curious. The others: they’re afraid of you.”

“Are you?”

Yes. She swallowed. “No.”

A mischievous grin danced across his face as he leaned his massive body toward her until his presence occupied most of the couch, causing her to slink away and retreat to her corner. When he noticed her scampering toward freedom, he grabbed her wrists, holding her still as he shifted closer to her. All of his form, all of his heat sat right in front of her, and his face was mere inches from her own.

“Are you afraid now?”

She lied. “No.”

His smile widened, stretching beyond the limits of what should be possible. He wound one arm around her waist and gathered her and the blanket into his embrace. Lifting her from the couch, he dragged her body against his until she sat on her folded legs, completely engulfed by his shadow as his body blocked out her view of the crackling fireplace.

She gripped the blanket’s edges as tight as she could manage without letting her nails bite into her palms. And she held her arms folded at the elbow and pinned to her chest, a subconscious need to keep some barrier between their chests.

“How about now?”

Her jaw tightened while her mind scrambled for an escape plan. “N--no.”

His smile cracked, and his lips parted, revealing those perfect white teeth. Before they seemed almost princely, but now in the flickering yellow and orange glow of the fire, they seemed like fangs, lengthening toward her with a hunger that terrified her.

His grip on her waist loosened, and he dropped both hands to her hips. In one smooth motion, he jerked her body further down the couch so that she lay beneath him. His hands held so tight to her bones that she struggled to suppress a whimper of pain as he pushed her into the couch, pinning her in place as she sank within its cushions.

He straddled her and bent his large body over her so that their bodies lined up: hips to hips, chest to chest, and face to face. Her lips parted, and a shaking breath slipped from her throat, unwilling to be held back any longer.

“Are you afraid now?” His voice was barely audible, the softest whisper she ever heard that held the darkest intentions.

She wanted to lie again. She had no reason why, only that her mind told her lying was a mistake while her heart told her she should find some version of this to be enjoyable. Stupid heart. What did it know? This was terrifying. He had her trapped beneath his weight, and she didn’t resist as he put her there. And now he stared at her with an intensity in his eyes that made her bones tremble.

She blinked several times to convince her mind this was all real, and once she believed what her eyes told her, she felt tears drip from the corners of her eyes and streak down her temples.

“Yes,” she answered him in a voice that cracked when released from quivering lips.

He grabbed the edge of the blanket at her chest and tugged on it, wishing to pry it from her hands to reveal her body. But she held fast, clutching it with the ferocity of a child who believed the sheer, soft fabric of the blanket would keep her safe from monsters and bad men. But it wouldn’t.

“Let it go,” he commanded in a voice softer than silk.

She refused at first, but he wasn’t going to back down. She saw it in his eyes, in the way he stared at her--no, stared through her. She dreaded what would happen if she relinquished its safe embrace from around her body, but she was petrified of what could happen if she refused any longer.

She let it go, and he threw it aside with such force that a blast of chilled air that once hung overhead slipped down between their bodies, making her tremble even more.

He placed his hand over her heart and spread his fingers wide. The edges of his fingers brushed over the mounds of her flattened breasts as she held them clamped beneath her fists. A nervous, trembling sigh left her mouth as she stared at his hand. Many emotions spun around her heart and mind, but the most prevalent was fear.

“You are afraid,” he whispered, almost to himself.

Then he slid his hand away from her heart, moving it further down her body. Her eyes remained poised on his hand while her heart hammered like a mad man inside her ribs desperate for escape.

“Look at me,” he demanded in a gruff voice straining to keep control.

Without hesitation, she tore her eyes from his hand and stared into his wild, unhinged gaze.

His hand sank lower, passing over her stomach and pausing over her belly button the instant she looked away from his eyes. That same gruff voice greeted her again.

“Look at me,” he growled.

She gasped like a animal bound to a corner by a predator. “Aiden--”

“Hush,” he barked.

His hand slid lower, passing over the line of her hips and stopping over the lower half her pelvis.

She shivered beneath his touch, both from the cold of losing the blanket so suddenly and from the panic tensing her muscles at the severity of this moment. Snapping her knees together, she pinched her thighs closed; it was her last solitary defense against what he intended.

Her tears refused to stop; they just continued to streak from her eyes, darting down her temples with a tickle each time, and dissolving into her hairline. She was helpless to stop them as they poured out. Her mind was far too busy focusing on where his hand was and how she really didn’t want this moment to be happening.

“Are you still afraid?”

“Yes.” She croaked out her response in a heartbeat.

He retracted his hand and bent down until his face was against hers once more, until the tip of his nose brushed against her own and his eyes held her attention with no distractions and no excuses.

“Good,” he said, his voice no longer demanding or hoarse with lust. “You should be afraid.”

As quickly as he had begun, he stopped. He rolled off of her and returned to his end of the couch, just beyond where her legs still stood frozen and locked together with the hope that no touch could pry them apart. He plopped down among the cushions as if nothing had happened, and he sank into their softness. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes as another yawn consumed his mouth.

Staring at him with wide eyes, she sighed. What the hell was that about?

“You should be afraid.”

She drew in a long, deep breath and released it just as slowly, soothing her straining muscles and filling her tense, fearful lungs all at once. Confused, she sat up and scooted back to her corner of the couch. She didn’t bother to gather up the blanket; instead, she curled her legs up to her chest and wound her arms around them. Hugging herself, she began to rock back and forth at a gentle pace while her mind ran wild with thoughts.

It wasn’t until her mind grew quiet moments later that she realized he had drifted off. He was asleep on the couch, and the hounds at their feet were lost to their dreams as well. But thanks to him and his actions, she was wide awake and aware.

This was her chance.

#hapsgs #hades #persephone #retelling #greek mythology #greek #hades and persephone #writings #creative fiction #the unseen soldier

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