"So Hades is gone?" John's frustration leaked through the question.
He looked out the balcony window of the hotel room he had rented while running a hand over his short hair. It was a nice place. The tile floors were a crisp, shiny white material that looked like polished sea shells and the curtains blew in the breeze against the light wooden accents like some kind of holiday movie. Not to mention the room had a gorgeous view of the rolling, azure waves that came up against the rich, golden beaches filled with tourists. Usually, he didn't splurge on things like suites and room service, he was fine just getting by in a cheap motel with spotty wifi, but the Princess was more picky. She wouldn't have said anything about John's choice, but her facial expressions spoke wonders.
Diana lounged on the sofa in the middle of the living space. Confusion and anger were painted on her face, which was never a good sign for someone with the confidence of a supernatural deity. She tapped her fingers quickly against the soft material and shook her head. Finally, she spoke with a firm voice, "This is impossible. It never should have even been able to happen! Hades was bound to the Underworld save for the Solstice celebrations and council deliberations. In all these millennia, he's never been able to escape!"
"What would he even want?" John inquired.
"You have to ask!" The Princess moaned. She stood, only to begin pacing the short length of the room, "He has the least wanted lot of the three brothers, he's bound to the world of the dead and imprisoned! All he's ever wanted is to overthrow the order and become King of the Gods himself!"
"And the other Gods can't stop him?" John stalked away from the beautiful scene in front of him.
"The Gods can't even find him." Diana muttered under her breath.
"He's coming here." Assurance rang out in his voice.
"You think." She responded shortly, "I can't go to the Gods on a whim. Besides, what in Miami could he possibly want?"
"I told you." John said quickly, "He's involved with all of this somehow."
Diana puckered her lips, "Perhaps."
John took a deep breath and held it as he turned back to the scene outside his window. It looked how he felt on the inside. Civilians ran about tossing frisbees, snacking on sweets, and enjoying the beautiful, warm sun that shone around them. Yet, the powerful ocean waves pushed and pulled against the shore, never pulling anyone under but always reserving the possibility. A storm was coming - that was clear - whether or not Diana and her Gods wanted to acknowledge it. And somehow Shayera was caught in the middle.
Finally, he turned back to her again, "Listen, I don't have much more time to argue about this. I have a date in an hour."
Diana's jaw dropped, "With who?"
"Shayera!" He spit back, "Or Summer. Whatever you want to call her."
Diana blinked several times before she finally starting laughing hysterically. She held her stomach as giggles rolled over her and she closed her eyes in glee. John's eyes narrowed, but he waited until she quieted just a bit before asking, "What's so funny?"
"You're going on a date with her?" She finally asked, whipping a tear from her eye.
"What about it?" John crossed his arms dangerously.
Diana finally stopped laughing, but her face held a wide smile as she said, "That seems like a horrible idea."
"And why would you think that?"
"Because," Diana said with a twinkle in her eye, "when Shayera finds out you took her other self on a date, she might just kill you. And that is something I'm looking forward to seeing."
John had let Shayera choose the restaurant. And why not? She knew the city better than him, he no longer had any idea what foods she prefered anymore, and everyone who knew her could tell you that she loved to be in control. A few hours before supper, she had texted him an address not far from her apartment building, and when he realized the location was in the heart of the old industrial district, John instantly regretted his decision. Leave it to her to choose some kind of beat down dinner for their first date. He thought nervously. It's finest food would probably be some kind of deep fried meat with a side of fries. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he should have seen this decision coming.
But he was trying to make a good impression so she would continue to talk to him. So even though he resented it, John put on his best pair of dress pants and a soft periwinkle shirt that stretched over his chest. He should replace it, he knew, but as he smelt the collar, there were still traces of Shay's honeysuckle conditioner beneath the scent of his detergent. It had been her favorite shirt to wear around his apartment on rainy days with nothing but perhaps a pair of her bright, colorful underwear. The memories had brought a smile to his face as he picked a grey tie with a simple pattern he was fairly confident she wouldn't make fun of. Then again, she would probably find a way to tease his either way.
And he would laugh along because her smart quips always brought him joy.
The sun was just starting to kiss the horizon when John came upon the building Shayera had indicated. Like he thought, grey concrete patches covered the cracks in the old, chipped brick building and vines stretched themselves up the corners before wrapping themselves around the windows. Plain, hole covered steps lead up to a doorway concealed by the numerous wooden planks nailed across it.
He sighed. It looked like he was getting stood up.
Still, he stood across the street, leaning against a cold metal lamp post which flickered when the wind pushed against it with too much force. For the third time in less than five minutes, he checked his watch. 6:14. She was nearly fifteen minutes late.
Finally, he stood up and looked around one last time before he decided that he that she wasn't coming Not completely surprising, to be honest, but disappointing nonetheless. His heart sunk in defeat, knowing that she had so easily tricked him into thinking that she would have dinner with him. With a heavy sigh of defeat, he started to unbutton his sleeves as he strode down the street.
Just as he started to round the corner, he heard a female voice call, "John! Wait!"
Startled, he turned around to see Shayera running down the street after him. Her yellow sundress dancing around her legs, showing just a hint of too much leg, and her dark curls flew in the breeze as she hurried towards him. His breath caught in his throat, excitement sparking flutters in his stomach.
Grinning, he said, "Hey, I thought you weren't coming."
"Sorry." She said stopping in front of him, "I was running late, and I always forget that new people don't know to go to the back."
"The back?" He asked skeptically.
She chuckled at his surprise and said simply, "Yeah. Donovan doesn't do things the regular way."
Confusion swept across his face, but instead of pushing further, he asked, "I thought you said jeans and a nice shirt."
He looked her over from the way the thin straps of her gown showed off the creamy skin of her shoulders and her loose skirt hung against her slight frame. He was surprised to find more freckles splattered across her skin and even a star shaped birthmark pinned against her right shoulder. The dress was simple, but feminine and sweet - something he knew Shayera would like but only wear if she had to.
At his comment, Summer merely shrugged, "You seemed like the type of guy who would dress up no matter what I wore. And Galen picked it out for me. It's sat in the back of my closet for months, and he's just been dying for a reason to force it on me. Says I don't dress up enough."
John smiled at the observation.
Her cheeks perked up at his expression. Looking quickly over her shoulder at the old, shabby building, she turned back to him and asked, "You ready to taste the best food this side of the city?"
"Let's just say I have my doubts." John said even as he fell into step with her.
Summer lead the way, bouncing with excitement. John had forgotten how when she looked forward to something, her whole body practically hummed with enthusiasm, and her face grew flushed. Even when she started down another smokey, gravel alleyway, he didn't question her. Her confidence seemed absolute, though she glanced over her shoulder once or twice, as he followed her to an old service elevator around the back.
He was surprised to see it open, and white Christmas lights were twisted around the metal bars. With the dim lights, the rickety enclosure took on a magical quality, and the fresh flowers bundles had been tucked were the strings pressed against the steel let off a floral scent. Summer pressed the only button that wasn't covered by stickers or decorations, and glanced his way with a simple, "This impresses everyone the first time."
He watched the dark shadows of the building pass by, "I'll admit, this was unexpected."
She laughed merrily, "Just you wait."
When she elevator doors finally parted, he had to admit that she was right. The top floor of the abandoned building had been completely transformed into a beautiful sanctuary. Windows had been smashed out and replaced with wooden shutters that swung open to allow the cool city breeze to move through the room. Lights spun around the pillars and beams overhead, and bright, sheer fabrics hung in delicately folded sheets. Candles were lit throughout the room, and soft music played from a single piano player in the corner whose hands moved over the keys by memory. Meanwhile, clusters of customers throughout the space had pushed together tables and were laughing happily over drinks and large plates of food. It was magical.
"Summer! Good to see you my darling!" A deep voice approached from behind the bar.
A large, middle aged man with a thick mustache and a large belly hurried over to the couple. His facial hair curved over a hearty smile, and he quickly leaned in to capture the dark haired woman in a colossal hug that she returned immediately.
When they broke apart, the man turned to John and asked Summer, "Is this him?"
"Yes," She answered playfully, "But we're here for dinner, not for you to scare him away."
The man frowned and looked John over. Slowly, his eyes moved from John's clean haircut to his dress shoes and then back up. His dark brows raised when he reached the hero's chest, and he said immediately, "The boy has a boring tie. You could do better."
Summer tried but failed to hide her smile, "A topic for another day, Donnie."
"Fine." The man muttered gruffly before raising his voice to shout, "Julian!"
A young man in skinny jeans and sunglasses holding back his long hair slid out from behind the bar with a tray full of drinks. Immediately, the teenager stepped in front of them and said in a breathless voice, "If you'll just follow me."
The boy zigged and zagged through the maze of tables and chairs, dropping off a martini here and a mojito there. As he edged closer to the wide window that overlooked the city, the youngster finally dropped off the entre tray for a group with a snarky comment about being done for the night. Finally, he ushered them into a small table in front of the gorgeous view and dropped two menus before the two of them. In a rushed voice, he told them, "Appetizers on the front, house specials in bold, and all drinks are half price until 8:00. What could I get you to drink?"
Summer answered before John could manage, "I'll have my usual and...whatever domestic beer you have for my friend."
John scoffed as the boy stepped away, "What if that's not what I wanted?"
The woman raised her eyebrows and waited for him to contradict her.
Eventually, he rolled his eyes and murmured, "Fine. You're right."
She smiled triumphantly and glanced over the menu for less than a minute before placing it at the edge of the table and leaning forward. She ran her finger nails over the edge of the cheap tablecloth, but quickly changed her mind and clasped them together and leaned back once more. It didn't take a genius to see that she was nervously trying to broach a subject, but instead of asking her, John continued to read the menu.
Finally, she had enough and asked, "Okay, I can't take it any longer. What kind of work is Iggy helping you with?"
John laughed as he tossed his menu on top of her's, "That's what you want to know?"
"Oh, come on!" She pushed his shoulder across the table, "What is it? Drugs? Arms smuggling? Or did he tell you about his time in Portland?"
"What the hell happened in Portland?" John said in confusion.
"Just give me a hint." Shayera said ignored his question.
And for a moment, it seemed like the two of them were back in his little apartment in Detroit, teasing each other over take out Chinese and old Western movies which she openly mocked, but tolerated on his behalf. She was the same person she had always been - confident, funny, and full of life. Her hair still flipped in the same way, even if the color had changed, and her sarcastic wit still reeled him in effortlessly. The gods could change her looks, her identity, even her memories, but one thing was certain. No matter what, she was still Shayera Hol.
So John took a deep breath and began the strangest date of his life.