Disclaimer: I own nothing. Everything belongs to Descendants, or Ginny's AU. I'm just playing in it. Some OCs are mine.
DANG THIS CHAPTER WAS HARD TO WRITE. I had what I wanted outlined, but I just couldn't get it to all connect at first. I had some stress to bang out though, so you bet I kept hammering away till I was done.
Also, I'm kind of going through some things, and I may be channeling a couple extra chapters before my usual weekly Sunday updates. I also have another story planned, but I want to write a good chunk of it before I start posting in tandem with this series.
Heh. I said chapters wouldn't be very long. Yet here I am with the last few consistently being twice as long as I had intended.
AmythestDragon14: We'll get there eventually, but keep it in the back of your mind! :D
OceanBlueSeaEyes: Just about. She's definitely inherited the overprotectiveness and doting nature of her own mother. No kid is going to take that for very long.
danifan3000: For ancient times 12 is more preadult, where they start to learn their responsibilities. It's 15 when they're considered adult and take things on like marriage or participating in war times. And the episode I referred to in particular is Hercules and the River Styx! There are a few other Poseidon episodes, but that's the one I remember the most.
I hope y'all enjoy! Feel free to share your thoughts!
He was beginning to get annoyed. It had been over a month by the time Hadie had got to see Celia or Dizzy again. Even then it was only when they visited the restaurant or if his dad dropped him off at Curl Up and Dye. There he had to wait until Dad, Mal or one of her crew came to escort Hadie back to the restaurant or into Hades' territory.
Luckily, since the weather turned warm again, Dizzy and Celia were allowed to come over to the Underworld. The one good thing to come out of the increased protective rules was that the two girls could visit just as freely as any of Mal's crew.
As the months rolled by, Hadie came to increasingly appreciate Celia's company. Dizzy was often stuck at school or the family shop, but Celia had far less responsibility. Outside of her own personal lessons and her headmaster of a dad forcing her to attend school, Celia often stayed over when Uma visited or snuck down on her own.
While he adored Dizzy, she wasn't a magic user. Having someone his own age around to discuss different magical studies was amazing. Now that they'd gotten past their differences, the separate perspectives on Death and the Afterlife were fascinating. Hadie had ended up asking for books on other pantheons for when Mom came back.
'Speaking of Mom,' Hadie thought as he picked up his room. 'She's coming home today.'
He laid out his blanket across his bed. 'For once…I don't know if I'm looking forward to it. Birthday or not, most of her Mirror calls have been her going over all the new rules and asking if I'd gotten into anymore trouble. As if I looked for it.'
He couldn't help but roll his eyes at the last thought. Placing the last of his scattered books on the shelves, he hopped onto his bed and laid down. He was just in the mood to be alone.
He felt such a double standard for what his sister could do, compared to when she was his age and that was before she had even gotten full god blood. It wasn't fair. But nothing on the Isle was. He wasn't about to cry about it. On the Isle, you cry you die.
'Which I don't even have to worry about! I get they don't want me to get hurt, but as a fledgling God, immortality is part of our family biz.'
'Why do they try so hard to keep me innocent? It's not like I'm getting of the Isle anytime soon. I should be trying to survive the now, not preparing for a future that might not even happen.' He rolled over and stared at the wall. 'I'm not a baby anymore! Mama – Mom, only reads me stories from Auradon. I get knowing the history of the villains here, but I'm getting tired of the constant hero encouragement. I want to hear more of Dad's stories. Or at least less fairy tale perfection and more struggles or failures. Success or not, I'm far more interested in the adventures of the hero's determination to overcome than 'happily ever after' endings.'
He felt himself slowly drift off to sleep and snuggled into his pillow. 'I know Dad's got so many different things to do, and most of his stories aren't appropriate for my age. So he says. But at least he babies me less when Mom's around. He just…he just doesn't have as much time to read me stories or sing me to sleeplike Mam…Mom does.'
'More stories…even as small as what his chariot looked like…or…or bashing on the other gods during a party…'
Gentle hands swept through his hair. One stopped to cup his cheek as he slowly woke back up.
"Mm–Mom?" Hadie groaned. Groggily, he forced his eyes open to see his mom smiling sadly above him.
"Hi, sweetheart," a hand moved back to brush his hair out of his face. "Did you sleep well?"
"Hmm, I guess? I didn't mean to fall asleep and miss you coming back," Hadie said as he sat up.
"It's perfectly fine, darling," Persephone pulled him onto her lap, holding him close. "I'm just so happy to finally hold you again."
Hadie couldn't help himself. He might've been thinking poorly of his family, but to finally have his mom back… Tears began to fall and he turned to bury himself into his mother's hair. The overwhelming scent of his only association with Summer filled his nose.
"I missed you, Mama," he sobbed.
"I missed you too, τo υι͑ου̑ mou. Now, why don't we join your father and sister in the kitchen? You get to decide what's for dinner. He's made a few things to try already though while you were asleep."
True enough, distracted by the scent of flowers, Hadie could smell whatever new thing his dad was making. He always made something different with whatever new ingredients mom brought.
With some effort, Persephone lifted Hadie off the bed as she stood. Holding him on her hip, she carried her son to the kitchen.
"Ah, I see the birthday boy has deigned to grace us with his presence," Hades chuckled.
"Hardly," Hadie snarked. "I've been taken from my bed unwillingly."
"Hadie," scolded his mother. From the counter Mal and Uma cackled.
"Looks like his sarcasm genes have activated, Aunt Steph." Uma chortled. "Not surprising considering he's got you lot for parents."
Hades grinned maniacally while Persephone simply pursed her lips.
"She's got you there dear, you might keep it sweet in front of the kids, but I've seen you let loose."
"Is it true? Does mom actually swear?" Mal exclaimed. Hadie, now fully wake, gazed at his mom with wide eyes.
"I'm not answering that," Persephone deadpanned. "I believe I brought Hadie here to decide what's for dinner, not entertain your gossip."
"See? Sarcasm," laughed Uma.
Wiggling down from Persephone's grasp, Hadie looked around.
"Did you bring anything new back?" He asked. The counter was covered in plates and ingredients where the girls were wrapping up some mixture that had already been made. A pile of the odd green rolls already making a large pile in the center.
"Or did you have any ideas dad?"
"I've got a fair few, but you can decide the protein and that'll help decide which I'd make."
Hadie shuffled through the ingredients before he pointed a few out for Hades to use. Some of the items were funky looking, but one couldn't be picky on the Isle. While they waited, Mal showed Hadie how to wrap the minced mixture of rice and fish in what he learned were grape leaves.
For the next hour, Persephone entertained them with stories from Olympus while they waited for dinner. Tales of what God was embroiled with drama from another. Or something stupid someone—usually Zeus—did again. Harry, who had moved in more or less permanently outside of his sister's monthly dinner, eventually joined the trash talk commentary from Mal and Uma. A thin wrap of cloth was tucked under his arm when he arrived, that he quickly ran to drop off in his room.
"Here's a fresh hot tray of moussaka! Also whipped up some loaded fries in case you don't like the aubergine, but you've all made plenty of dolmades to eat or for later too." Hades plated everyone up with a small square of the baked dish.
After a round of thanks, everyone dug in. Though there was some reprimanding as the kids' habits of eating too fast was discouraged while in the Underworld.
Mal had gotten her presents from Persephone while Hadie was asleep. Their mom had brought some small things for the Rotten Four and Virgil outside of the usual gifts. There was even a large jar of animal crackers for Pain and Panic.
Once everyone was full, the adults got up to store leftovers. They only ate so much on special days, with the rest having to be rationed for a year until Persephone returned with more supplies. Only the adult gods got away with eating so little.
"I've left the bags for you in the den, dear," Persephone shooed Hadie and the others out of the kitchen.
"Thanks, mom!"
He already knew what most of the gifts were. The last half of the book series he'd been reading. New books to learn from, and clothes to fit as he grew.
"What's…this?"
"My favorite game in the whole world," there was a gleam in Hades eyes. "I want to teach you chess."
"Chess?"
"Board game, strategy, outwit your opponent, yadda yadda yadda." Hades hefted the board out of the bag.
"Yeesh, Steph, you get a solid marble case or somethin'?" The table creaked as he placed the thick board on it.
"You know they sometimes check what I bring, but I really wanted to get you something special to share," Persephone popped one of the drawers open and pulled a piece out. "Luckily Hermes is crafty and more than willing to help out."
A dark blue and grey figure of Hades now stood proudly on the gold and black tiles.
"And yes, there's an unbreakable spell on these in case you lose your temper."
Hades chortled as he ruffled through the dark pieces. "Ah, this might be the most beautiful Queen I've ever seen," he held up a likeness of Persephone.
"Each piece is a unique God, Chthonic vs Olympian. Identifiers on the base for position. I…thought it might be a good idea for the kids to know who's who. You know, in case…"
"Ugh, good idea. A bit optimistic but I understand," Hades shut the drawer. "We'll look through them later, I don't fancy seeing my brother's stupid face today."
Persephone rolled her eyes at her husband's antics while Hadie opened the last few of his gifts. A new coloring book, a small set of something called Lego—probably some Auradon thing—and replacement strings for the broken guitar Mal had gotten him last year.
All that was left was…
"Oh, cool!"
"A sword?!" Hadie dropped the freshly unwrapped gift at his mom's shriek.
Now that he looked at it closer, the wrapping looked very much like it was from whatever Harry had carried in earlier.
"Yea, we all learned when we were Hadie's age, I just thought—"
"Harry, I know you mean well, but your group didn't exactly have appropriate examples growing up," Persephone softly spoke as Hades carefully picked up the sword.
"Sure, Aunt Steph, but I've even started showing Celia," Uma said. Hadie nodded vigorously. Celia had told him about her learning, even if she didn't really have time for lessons too often.
"And mom, we thought, maybe after the turf war, it'd be good for Hadie to learn," Mal added.
"Which is very kind of you, but I just don't feel comfortable with him using weapons right now."
"But why," Hadie pouted.
"I just don't think it's safe—"
Something inside him snapped. His thoughts from earlier in the day surging up.
"Safe?!" Hadie glared at his mom. "Mal just said they've all been using swords since they were five, at the very least Uma taught Celia how to hold one!"
One look from his mother silenced his bubbling outrage. Never had he seen such a hurt and disappointed look on her face.
"I'd rather you run and get out of any possible harm, than engage with people who have no issues holding back against a child," her voice was still quiet, but a stern edge was heard.
"I don't see the harm in him learning to properly handle one, Persephone. Just maybe leave out the sparring till he's older," Hades interrupted, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder.
"Fine!" Persephone huffed. "But if he gets hurt, I'm holding you lot responsible."
"Aw mom, we rough house all the time," whined Mal. "An occasional bruise or cut isn't going to hurt him."
Hades edged back towards the kitchen, pulling Persephone with him, "Why don't I get the cake ready?"
With their parents gone, Hadie and Mal looked at each other awkwardly.
"Thanks, guys. I really do appreciate it," Hadie finally said.
"Your mom is right though; that running is best right now." Uma knelt in front of Hadie. "Even Mali didn't try to use her sword against anyone till we were eight or nine."
"So, for now we just practice?"
Harry slung an arm over Hadie's shoulders. "Practice makes perfect little Lord. Jay's a good example of that, he was horrible." Light laughter filled the room, breaking the tension.
Mal smiled. "On the other hand, it's about time I showed you how to make smoke bombs, don't you think storm cloud?"
It was late into the night when the only Gods of the Isle retired for bed.
"Have you noticed he's calling me mom more often?" Persephone sank against the mattress. Hades spat into the sink and rinsed his mouth before re-entering their bedroom.
The bed bounced as Hades fell onto it. He rolled over so he faced her.
"He's growing up, Steph. And I think it might be his little way of rebelling against all our rules without getting in trouble and throwing a full ass tantrum."
His wife threw him a glare. "Language, Hades." An amused smirk was her only response.
It didn't help he had said similar things when they'd taken brief respite in the kitchen.
"I need him to be safe. We lost so many years with Mal, and I'm not even here to experience either of their lives half the time." One of Hades' arms snaked around her waist, pulling her close. "I want…I wish we could have more children…he wouldn't be so alone then. But this Isle, and being away so often, is too unforgiving to force more kids to go through any of this."
"We've practically adopted all of Mal's friends in the meantime."
"Ah yes, the big bad God of the Underworld, doting father, gracious uncle."
"Uma was right, Hadie clearly got double the sarcasm genetics from us."
Softly nuzzling her neck, Hades couldn't help but sigh. The scent of the flowers and trees were always freshest upon his wife's return. She pressed against him.
"I've missed your touch," her voice was soft.
"I've missed touching you, τη̑ς γυναικός μου."
"Hurry up, Hadie!"
Hadie sped up at the sight of Celia, weaving through the crowded docks. It had taken a while, but they now had a place to hang out that wasn't under the eye of his parents. True, it was still in his dad's territory, but it felt like it was his own place.
"Quick, get in," Hadie said back as he waved to Derek.
It'd taken a couple months, but everything they needed was finally smuggled in.
It's hard finding loopholes when your dad was considered one of the best dealmakers in the world. Having Styx, the Goddess of Oaths, in the control of his realm probably helped.
Shortly after Hadie's rather tense birthday party, Mal, with some pushing from Uma, became a little laxer in following their parents' rules. He'd go with her crew to Ursula's restaurant and then from there head off with Celia to a nearby abandoned shack. The only stipulation was that had a Rat or ally like Virgil was stationed near. Not close enough to feel like they were being babysat, but that if they couldn't find any of the Rotten Four or get to Ursula's, they would know someone else was nearby. Not that Celia or Hadie ever needed to find them. A short wave whenever they headed back to Ursula's, or if one of their sisters or their first mates came to grab them was the extent of any interaction with a Rat usually. It did mean he wasn't able to share food with Celia as often. At least not the best cooking the Isle had to offer. Though Jay or Virgil sometimes swung by with food, just so his dad thought Mal or Uma was still with Hadie.
It worked in Hadie's favor. He'd convinced the others that a secret knock was needed just so he knew it was them.
In reality, it was so he and Celia could hide any evidence of them practicing magic.
It wasn't nearly as nice as Mal's clubhouse, but the shack served its purpose. Old curtains covered the walls, preventing anyone from looking in. The loud crashing of waves hid any noise they made. If it got too cold, Hadie would switch to practicing his fire in order to warm the room.
"I brought some new notes," Hadie pulled out some loose sheets of paper. These were a lot easier to hide or burn if needed. Celia had recommended it, in case anyone they didn't trust found their stuff. Family was one thing, but they still didn't want magic getting out to anyone else on the Isle.
"Took me a bit, my writing isn't nearly as clean as dad's is. But we can't go off with instructions we can't read."
"Nice. I managed to get a box from my dad. Only you or me will be able to open it."
"Smart," Hadie looked at the small box. It didn't look like much, but that was the point. Just knowing how it worked from when Celia mentioned it last time, he couldn't help but be impressed.
"This looks like a good spot," Celia creaked open one of the floorboards. "Wait, I should show you how to use this before I put it in."
"So, press here, twist here… then you pull out this and then up and then…" with a creak, the box opened. A few charms Celia had made already stuffed inside. "It's simpler to close, see?" As the lid closed, all of the different bits folded back in automatically.
"It doesn't really have a limit to store physical items, but you see these patterns here? We have a limit how many things that hold actual magic can go in. These will slowly color in as it reaches that limit."
"Sheesh that's really neat. Your dad really managed to make that for us?"
"Mhm, as the years go by, he says that the villains are finding more and more about the Barrier. It really does seem to come down to intent."
"And since we're not planning to use magic so much as practice it, we should be in the grey area."
A small wind-up clock ticked away for them to keep track of time. Slowly, they worked through the notes, quizzing each other on theory. They didn't have much, but they figured they could hone the small methods they had to perfection. They'd be less likely to be exposed as long as they didn't lose control of any magic.
If the two didn't have anything new to work on, they'd discuss the Isle. It was the only way Hadie learned more than he should know despite his family's wishes.
'It's nice.' Hadie thought. 'To be able to chill and not worry about keeping a filter.' He might've not liked that Celia had been right with how babied he was, but at least he could trust she wouldn't hold back. He might not get to experience much of the Isle dangers, but at least he could be aware.
"Your mom gets off the Isle, right?"
Shaken out of his thoughts, Hadie glanced at the ochre skinned girl.
"Hm? Yeah."
"Do you think you'll ever be able to go too?"
Hadie leaned back against a box and frowned. If he went, he couldn't, wouldn't, go without at least Mal. His cousins, Uma and Virgil. Celia and Dizzy…he didn't even think there would be much of a chance of his dad getting off the Isle.
If he could go back and forth with his mom, maybe. As long as he could still see his family.
'I certainly don't see myself calling any of the Olympians family any time soon. Mom barely mentions her own mom, usually because dad gets sour every time she's mentioned.'
"I think…" He started slowly. "I'd like to hope…maybe one day? But that's a big if. I'd rather focus on what I know we can do."
"What would you do if you ever did get to go? Even for a day? Or for however long…"
He could hear the wistfulness grow in her voice.
"You sound like you having something in mind."
"Honestly? As much I want to explore more magic…I'd like to interact with more people. I love using the tarot cards to figure out what makes different kinds tick, ya know? Fools will spill their heart at a little mysticism, even if they think it's a joke."
Hadie couldn't help but laugh. "You would. Even I would pay to see you do that."
"I could now, if you're up for it," Celia grinned, flicking her deck from her wrist to her hand.
"You know what? Go for it."
"I'm still not gonna do it for free."
"I know, I know," Hadie reached into a pocket. "You wouldn't dare say no to this."
He slapped a small gem onto the floor.
It was in rare form to hear Celia squeal.
"Thought you weren't supposed to have these?" She stared closely at the bright red ruby.
"Dad was going to show me how to charge them, but had some Underworld biz pop up. Left them out."
"Niiiice," Celia hummed. Her cards suddenly came to life under her hands, shuffling at speeds he just knew were imbibed with help from the other side.
"What do you wish to see?"
"I don't know how to put my answer to your first question in words. So…Auradon."
Click. Click. Click.
Swiftly, three cards arranged themselves between the two.
"Your past, 6 of Cups reversed, water…Now, ace of wands, fire…Possible future? For maybe going to Auradon? Judgement."
"Is any of that good?"
"You're shedding shackles, and have already started an inkling of a plan? Or will soon be sparked by an idea….I-I think...for something huge."
"A plan? I haven't…" Suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him. An image of all the chess pieces all set up. "I…I have an idea of what I'd do if I was in Auradon."
"What?"
"It'll take me a while to fully form it but…something to make a fool of dear Uncle Zeus. And help my parents."
"Hey, we're only six. We've got plenty of time."
TRANSLATIONS and rough pronunciations:
(tah, hwe-oo moo) τo υι͑ου̑ mou, my son
(tays goo-ny-kahs moo) τη̑ς γυναικός μου, my wife