A/N: Greetings from down below! Yes, I am here with another angsty Hades fanfic because I am evil and like torturing characters... and because I don't have a life. So, as a fellow nerd and fangirl, I ask you to also let go of your social life, any and all grip on sanity you may have and read this fanfic and join me as a socially awkward, obsessed teenager (or young adult- we know you're out there and are just as insane and obsessed as the rest of us so don't deny it!)
Disclaimer: I don't own Greek Mythology... I don't think anyone owns Greek Mythology... anyway, I don't own Percy Jackson either. All rights go to Uncle Rick. *muffled cursing from the PJO fandom in the distance*
Like ice melts into rain, sometimes love turns into pain - Ice and Rain
Rain fell heavily from the darkened sky, a steady downpour of damp bullets pounding relentlessly against the grass and earth of the forest clearing. Miniature streams of thick, murky mud wound their way around tree roots and into crevices in the ground, turning the once lush and emerald wilderness into a dull, desolate swamp. The woods were quite, peculiarly and deathly so, it was as if everything had come to a standstill, not a single soul gave any sign of life, and the only noise came from the lazy patter of rain droplets as they hit the ground. It all seemed surreal somehow, everything entwining together with effortless ease and grace, like the pieces of a puzzle; despite the slowly building thunder clouds on the horizon.
In the middle of it all stood a lone, shadowed figure; and though he was out in the open with no cover from the onslaught of the storm, not a single drop of water touched him. He gazed straight head with dark, unblinking, glassy eyes and his face was a mask of aloof coldness. His features were pale and sharp, like the sculpture of a porcelain statue, and he appeared equally as lifeless, standing rigid and unmoving with his hands by his side; he might as well have not been there at all.
A sudden, tumultuous clap of thunder pierced through the air, tearing through the tranquil silence like a knife. A flock of birds soared into the sky, their startled screeching echoing about the clearing like the ghostly scream of a banshee. However the shadowed figure did not even flinch, continuing to stare ahead of himself as another man materialized next to him, seemingly out of thin air.
"Thought I might find you here." stated the one who had just arrived in a gruff voice, his muscled arms were crossed over his chest, a pair of startlingly blue eyes scanning the blurry figure positioned beside him.
For a moment, the other did not respond, then slowly he turned his head to his companion, a look of barely concealed contempt on his handsome features, "Did you pause to consider that perhaps my intention was not to be found, Zeus?"
Zeus frowned, "Hades? Is something the matter?"
Hades gave a derisive snort, turning away from his brother as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Did Zeus really think him that stupidly naive?
"Hades?" Zeus prompted with a raised eyebrow, his concern evaporating almost as soon as it had arrived, replaced by impatient irritation. For a few seconds, Hades contemplated just shadow travelling away and sparing himself the pain of finding out the truth, it would be easier that way, for a while at least. Finally he dismissed the idea, the burden of not knowing was already beginning to tear at his brain. He gave an internal sigh and turned to face the other god.
"I don't know Zeus," Hades said bitterly, throwing his hands up into the air, "Why don't you ask that mortal whore you slept with?"
Zeus looked like he had just been slapped in the face by a Titan. He blinked a few times, opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water, "W-what? I don't-"
"Save it," Hades snapped in a clipped tone, "Apollo saw everything."
There was a pause while the two gods stared at each other, neither quite knowing how to react. Finally Hades broke the tension, "What was it you said?" he spoke softly, his voice almost drowned out by the drumming of the rain, " 'This is different. This is going to be forever.' " The rebuke was meant to be venomous, but the words weren't nearly as mocking as Hades had intended.
Zeus and Hades sat contentedly side by side, a comfortable silence hanging between them, in the distance a dying sun sunk inch by inch below the horizon. A few stray, blood red rays grappled at the ground, like anchors trying to find purchase on the sea floor. Hades threw a glance at his brother who was looking straight ahead, his features were calm and unusually soft, though Hades knew they could turn into a blind, twisted rage in a matter of seconds; Zeus' electric blue eyes were as lively and energetic as ever, but lacked their wildly unpredictable and turbulent edge. Hades' eyes continued to travel over Zeus' form, down from his liquid gold hair to his carefully chiseled face and well-toned chest. After a few moments, Hades tore his gaze away and looked back up, only to lock eyes with Zeus. Amusement and... desire? sparkled in his eyes and Hades flushed, embarrassed at being caught staring. Zeus raised an eyebrow, his silent question visible and Hades opened his mouth to stutter out an excuse, but his words died in his throat.
"I..."
Hades trailed off, noticing the way Zeus was staring at him, like a predator eying his prey. He swallowed nervously and licked his lips, desperately racking his brain for something to say. But before he could open his mouth again, Zeus surged forward and kissed him. All thoughts instantly melted away, and Hades felt a burning, electrical wave of desire pummel through him, a quite gasp escaping his lips. Hades could feel Zeus grin. Then two strong hands wound around his waist and he fell into Zeus' lap, one hand moving to tug at his hair as he did so; later he would curse himself for the moan he made at the movement. The king of the gods growled something into his ear, it could have been, "Mine," but Hades was too far gone to hear or care. The pair lay there for what seemed like hours, their lips locked and hands roaming, as if they were trying to mold into each other. Which, being gods, they quite probably could have done.
Hades was the first to pull away, his eyes snapping open- he hadn't realized they were closed- as he did so. Zeus was wearing a triumphant smirk, one hand still gripping Hades' waist, and for a second Hades felt a rush of pleasure and ecstasy but it rapidly evaporated when he realized what had just happened. Rapidly, he pulled away, stumbling back a good half meter or so, mentally yelling at himself for letting his emotions get the best of him.
Zeus frowned, not understanding Hades' sudden change of mood, "What's wrong?"
Hades threw him a guilty look, "I... can't. I'm sorry- I just can't," with forced determination he added, "I'm not going to be another one of your conquests."
For what seemed like an eternity, Zeus said nothing, but when he finally spoke his voice was full of conviction, "You won't be. You're different. We're- this is different, this is going to be forever."
And then Zeus kissed him again and Hades' resolve crumbled, he gave in and felt himself kissing back. The rational part of him knew it was a mistake, that he would come to regret this, but he couldn't muster up the power- or will- to stop himself.
The memory had been a source of happiness and comfort for Hades for a long time, but now it just left a bitter taste in his mouth. A miffed sigh snapped Hades out of his reverie, "Yes, I suppose I did say that didn't I?" Zeus gave a careless shrug, his expression more bored than anything, "People say stuff all the time. They don't always mean it."
It took a moment for the words to fully register, and when they did Hades wished they hadn't. He had been prepared for denial, a furious outburst, maybe some crying and pleading. Anything but this, cold, detached aloofness that tore into him like a jagged, icy dagger.
"I really did like you Hades," Zeus sent him pitying look, but Hades could tell it was full of hidden scorn, he felt a rush of rage replace his self-loathing, "But... well. You didn't really expect me to stay around forever did you?"
Hades felt a lump forming in his throat but Zeus wasn't interested in a reply, he simply carried on talking with a casual- almost light and friendly- tone, "And I couldn't exactly let myself be seen spending too much time around you. I mean... the king of Olympus and the freak?" At that Hades couldn't stop his flinch. "Wouldn't exactly be a favored pair." Zeus barked out a short laugh, but there was no humor in it. His eyes were not lively or energetic as Hades remembered, but full of malice and darkness, and he wondered how he could have missed it before. There was a pause, but there was something definitive and final in the last statement, the conversation had ended- along with so much more. Hades knew this was the closest he was ever going to get to a goodbye. Zeus threw Hades one last glance, something unidentifiable in his gaze; and then he flashed away. Taking all signs that he had ever been there at all with him.
For a long time Hades didn't move, he simply tilted his head back and let the rain wash over him. And if the water droplets on his cheek weren't all from the rain... well, no one would be able to tell the difference anyway.
A/N: Like it? Hate it? Want me to abandon it or go ahead and post the next chapter? Leave a review and let me know!
