And here we go for chapter 8! The next chapter is the last one hehe!

Thanks to Yuu for the betaaa and sorry this took so long orz

The morning after the expedition, Hades woke up in his bed after a strange dream. He couldn't remember what it was. The only memory left was this strange, awful feeling, like he had relived a horrible scene from the past, and good lord, he lived a lot.

He sat in his bed for a long moment, trying to calm his heart. He looked briefly at Takeru's sleeping figure next to him, and decided that cuddling with him would probably help chasing the feeling away. So he moved his boyfriend's arm so he would be hugging him too, even if the boy was asleep.

Even if Hades had tried his best not to wake him up, Takeru cracked an eye open. "Good morning, Beautiful." he smiled as he hugged the god. "How are you?"

"I'm…. I don't know how to say. I've had this strange dream, but I don't remember it…"

"Oh, that always sucks when it happens."

Hades hugged Takeru closer and closed his eyes, taking in the smell of the boy's skin. It always reminded him of when he visited his brother at the seashores back in Greece, with a small hint of something sweet… Hades was never able to pinpoint what it was. A strange mix of salt water and sweetness. But Takeru's scent changed depending on the weather. When it was clear, he smelled like the sea. When storming, he smelled like wet earth and a storm during a warm summer day. When it was colder, a slight scent of burning wood could be smelled under all the saline smell.

"Not that I am uncomfortable, but we got school, 'des." Takeru half-heartedly said as he quickly glanced at the time.

"Hmmm… five more minutes?"

"Don't ask me, I'm going to say yes for sure."

Hades laughed and kissed his boyfriend gently on the lips, which slowly deepened into a lazy kiss, mixed with small laughs. They stayed in bed for lot longer than 5 minutes, and had to hurry once they got out.

Once they were ready for school, all dressed up and properly nourished, they left the Greek dorm with Apollon and Dionysus. They were talking casually, not paying attention to their surroundings, until Apollon looked up to the sky and lost his smile.

"It's snowing…"

Hades had stopped walking a few meters before him, as he looked at the ground in horror. Snow. It was now winter. How could he have done this to him…?

"I… I'm not feeling well, I think I will stay in the dorm today." he excused himself before turning around and running back to the Greek dorm.

"Hades, wait!" Takeru called back, but was stop by the brothers. "Hey! Let me go!"

"It's better if you leave him alone for now, Take-Take" Apollon said in a sad tone. "He needs to be alone for now. That's all we can do. It really is."

"What? Why? What's the matter with him and snow? Why didn't he tell me?"

"We'll tell you at school… let's hurry, if we want to get there before the bell rings." Dionysus added as he started walking again toward the school.

The Japanese god reluctantly followed his classmate as he glanced one more time at the dorms.

Hades threw the door open and closed it quickly. He removed his shoes, kicking them in whatever direction, not paying attention to where they landed. He ran back upstairs to his room, and violently opened the door to his bathroom. He let cold water run from the sink as he put his hand under it, splashing his face with it.

He needed to calm down and quickly. He couldn't let these old emotions overwhelm him again. Not now. This had been over and decided centuries ago. And yet, he couldn't stop the emotions filling his head. Why? Why had Zeus decided winter would be a season they should live in at this school?

Hades passed his head under the water and closed it. Without even taking the time to dry his hair, he went back to his room and stood in the middle of it for a moment. He felt so… so angry! Why did his curse have to make him suffer all the time? Why was it that every time he felt remotely happy, that he felt like he belonged, things had to go downhill again?

He grabbed whatever was on the drawer next to him and threw it at the wall in his bedroom. Finding something strangely calming in the action, he repeated it with something else. As he repeated it countlessly, throwing various objects that belonged to him, he became less and less conscious. His body was moving on his own, his eyes wild as he kept throwing stuff. A glass of water. His watch. A rose Takeru had brought to him. Anything that fit in his hand was thrown at the wall or to the ground, a few items finding their way out of the window.

He was dishevelled, his fringe normally hiding his cursed eye moved out of the way. He was breathing heavily. He frantically looked around for something to throw. All his belongings were on the floor… except for his violin.

He hadn't played violin since Persephone had left him. She was the one who showed the instrument to him, and he had followed its evolution through the years and learnt how to play it with the best players in the world as they came down in the underworld, offering them a better end than the fields of Asphodel in exchange for private classes. He had become quite good at it, but alas, the day Persephone decided he was just a creepy old man and wasn't worth her attention anymore, he decided he would never ever play it again. But dating Takeru had made him want to give the violin one more chance…

He grabbed it and walked toward his window, still not realizing what he was about to do. He rose his arm, ready to throw the instrument. Just when he started moving his arm, he felt something tightly grasping his wrist. He turned around and found Takeru standing behind him.

"Don't throw it." he said in a voice barely audible.

"Why should I keep something that reminds me of her so much?" Hades replied in a harsh voice.

"Because it's more than that, isn't it? Apollon said you've started playing it again. That you started playing a new song he never heard."

Hades froze. He slowly came back to his senses as Takeru's hand grabbed him harder, preventing him from throwing the violin. He slowly lowered his arm, Takeru following the movement so he wouldn't hurt his boyfriend. When he felt it was safe enough to do so, he let go of his wrist. They stood there in silence, Hades looking empty, his eyes filling up with tears.

Takeru took the instrument out of Hades' hand and put it down on the desk where it was laying before. Carefully, he made Hades walk to his bed, making him sit down on it. The Greek god was silently crying, looking at the mess he had done, reliving what happened after Persephone had left. The underworld had found itself upside down, a lot like his bedroom right now, but on a bigger scale.

The Japanese god took a place beside him and wrapped his arm around Hades' shoulders to invite him to cry on his own. The man had covered his face with his hand as he started sobbing harder, his head resting on Takeru's shoulder.

"It's okay 'des… I'm here now"

Hades threw his arms around Takeru's neck, now crying really hard as Takeru silently hugged him, gently petting his hair in a soothing way. He didn't know how Hades must be feeling exactly, but loneliness must have been a very important feeling in his heart right now. Being abandoned by the ones you love left a horrible after taste in your mouth, and that, Takeru knew it fairly well, but for different reasons.

Once Hades had calmed down, Takeru reached out for the tissue box by his bed and handed it to him. Hades gladly blew his nose. He felt horrible and tired. He didn't want to see anyone, except maybe Takeru. But even if he had tried to make the boy leave, he knew it wouldn't have worked. The sea god could be very persistent, and also persuasive. Very, very persuasive…

Without saying a word, Takeru removed his headband and removed his jacket. He climbed in Hades' bed again, sitting on it with his back against the wall. Silently, the god of the underworld crawled over to him and let himself fall next to Takeru, his head resting on his abs. Takeru started playing with Hades hair, as this simple gesture seemed to always calm Hades down. The lord of the dead closed his eyes and hugged his boyfriend.

Takeru looked around the room at the mess Hades had created. His eyes fell on the violin he had saved. From what Apollon had said, Hades had learnt to play it because Persephone just loved the instrument. Hades had taken a liking to it as he learnt from the best musicians who had mastered it and come to the underworld after. He was in the middle of composing a piece for his beloved when she had decided to leave him. But ever since then, he hadn't touched the instrument. Yet… Apollon had mentioned hearing notes every now and then, coming from Hades' room. It wasn't a song he knew, and Apollon knew quite a lot about music.

"'des?" he whispered, wondering if he had fallen asleep.

"Hm?" Hades grumbled back, sounding slightly annoyed.

He didn't really feel like speaking, and after his little rampage, he'd rather go to sleep. He felt exhausted and only wanted to rest for a while.

"Apollon says you've been playing your violin again." Takeru tried.

"I have." he replied grumpily.

"He also says it's a composition."

"It is." Hades was a bit confused by now.

There was a long moment of silence. Hades wasn't quite sure of what Takeru was asking, if he just wanted to make sure Apollon did not lie or if he wanted to know more about Hades secret hobby, or if he wanted to know more about the composition. At the thought of the last point, Hades became very flustered and covered his face with his hand, pressing himself more against his boyfriend.

"No." he muttered.

"I didn't even ask anything!" Takeru protested.

"You're going to ask me to play. I will not."

"Aw come on. Why won't you play for me? Is it because it reminds you too much of that girl?"

Hades hesitated for a moment. "No. For a long time it was the reason but not anymore."

"Okaaay hm. Is it because… you don't like people hearing you play?"

"Yes and no. I don't really like it, but I don't mind it." Hades mused.

He was still incredibly tired and would rather sleep, especially after losing a whole day, but he found it amusing that Takeru absolutely wanted to know. And his guesses were funny.

"Is it because the song you're composing is for me because you're a nerd and you're ashamed of it? Ah, forget that, that's a joke… 'des? Hades what's wrong?"

Hades had grabbed the blanket and hidden his head under it. Oh gods he did figure it out on his own.

"Wait you actually did that? You actually composed a song for me?!"

"Maybe..." Hades grumbled, more annoyed than anything else.

He didn't want Takeru knowing anything about this before he was done composing, and even then he didn't know if he was going to show it to him. It all depended if he liked the result enough. So far, he found it alright but he still had a lot of stuff to work on.

"Please play it to me." the sea god pleaded.

"I told you I wouldn't!"

"Please, my beautiful 'des"

"What is it that you don't understand in no? The N or the O?"

"I'll make you daifuku."

"You'll end up making me some anyway."

"Please, I just want to hear it Hades, it's all I ask. Just a few notes?"

"Fine! You win! But you better make me some daifuku."

Takeru was smiling as Hades grumpily stood up. He seemed to have forgotten his sadness, at least for a moment. Even the violin seemed to have changed meaning to him. He was glad he had been able to change his mind.

Hades picked up the violin, looked for his arch through the mess in his room. Finally he found it. He cleared the floor a bit, as he liked to pace as he played, tuned the violin, and placed the music sheet on the lectern.

The sea god observed his boyfriend getting ready, trying not to laugh. It was amusing to see him go and look so nervous. Yet, it was also reassuring, after his breakdown. Takeru was surprised he had got over everything so quickly.

Finally, Hades tied his hair up, uncovering his left eye, placed the violin under his chin, took a deep breath and started playing. The beginning was soft and high pitched, and suddenly dropped to a low, long note. Takeru was immediately caught in the melody, staring at his boyfriend. Hades was looking at his fingers as he changed their positions. He was so focused on his task, it was absolutely adorable. He had this small frown on his face, as he tried to remember the notes he had previously written, looking from time to time to his music sheets.

The melody was absolutely astonishing. As much as Takeru was admiring Hades' physic, the sound of the song was simply gorgeous and caught his total attention. Takeru felt like he was at home, by the sea and staring down on the water. At another moment he felt like he was at sea, his boat shaken by the waves as a storm was raging around him. But at every note, he was reminded of himself. Every note of the melody, every pause, every silence… altogether it reminded him of him, but not quite how he viewed himself. It was like watching from another person's point of view, from someone who loved him dearly. It felt like he was listening Hades making a speech about his undying love for him.

Phrased like that, it sounded a bit weird, but it was exactly how he felt. The music stopped suddenly in the middle of the tune, and Hades opened his eyes. Takeru stared for a moment, unable to say anything. When he finally found his voice, all he said was:

"Can you play while sitting?"

"Er, well, yes but…why?" Hades stuttered, looking puzzled. He thought Takeru would at least say if he liked the song or not.

"Come sit here and play it again."

Hades slowly walked toward his bed, sat on it and as he got ready to play, Takeru laid down on his side, his head resting on Hades' thigh.

"Is this alright?"

"Well yeah, I guess."

"Then play my melody again." Takeru finished in a whisper.

With a small smile, Hades started playing again. Takeru listened to his song, eyes closed. Slowly, he fell into a deep slumber. Hades kept playing, until he heard his boyfriend snore. He put his violin down next to him and gently stroke Takeru's hair.

This young god had really changed him. Snow used to make him absolutely mad, but today, it didn't feel as bad anymore. It still reminded him of his beautiful Persephone, but now the pain had been… softened. He felt like he was slowly moving on from the past, and going toward a brighter future. He didn't want to die anymore. He simply wanted to spend his days enjoying life with Takeru and his friends, and the nights cuddled with his boyfriend or watching the night sky with him.

How things had changed since the day he had decided it wasn't worth living anymore. Since the moment he tried to kill himself by jumping in the river, everything had changed. He felt like he had changed.

Gently, Hades moved Takeru so he could stand up. The boy was sleeping so hard he never woke up as the Greek god put his head on a pillow and put a blanket over him. With a smile, Hades put on warm clothes, took his violin and headed for the exit. There was something he felt he needed to do, in order to end all of this properly.

He left a note for his nephews, who weren't in the dormitory. He scribbled on a piece of paper "Gone for a walk. Takeru asleep in my room. Love you, Hades". He left the paper on the table, where he was sure no one would miss it. With that done, he put on his boots and headed outside.

The wind was chilly, but not extremely cold. It was more like the end of autumn, when the first snow falls. Which it was, in fact.

Hades paused for a moment. He fought back feelings, took a deep breath and started walking. He took a path that lead into the forest, and eventually, to the river where he should have drowned. But Takeru's stubbornness saved him. To think they could have both died…

On the way there, Hades thought about many things. He thought about Yui, who didn't deserve feeling guilty for his actions. If… if they were to fail, he would beg Zeus to send her back to her world, even if that would make him miss her incredibly. He couldn't have Yui pay for the other gods.

After, he thought about the Norse gods. Those three were quite a thing. Loki and his pranks, Balder and his meat and Thor and his… well he wasn't quite sure what Thor did, but he was there. He would miss them too. Loki might not be quite the kind of person Hades usually hung out with (well, not that he hung out with many people), but he had good intentions and wasn't all that bad. Balder was pretty charming and nice too. And well, even if Thor barely talked, he still was his friend.

Apollon and Dionysus came to his mind. His nephews, who to be fair, could be overwhelming, had actually grown on him. He would miss waking up to Apollon burning something in the kitchen, and having to clean up after. He would miss Dionysus proposing wine at every meal they shared. They weren't close before, since people rarely visited Erebos (with reasons), but now… they were more like a family than ever before.

As for Tsukito… the boy was pretty quiet too. But something had changed in him. Hades had noticed. Ever since the moon god had started dating Apollon, he had warmed up to the others. He would participate more in conversations, and take less notes. He still addressed them by their full name, but that still could change.

And finally… his dearest Takeru. This boy had successfully melt the wall he was desperately trying to hold up. Yet, he had created a major breach that day, when he threw rocks at Hades' window. Hades had been in love with him for oh so long before all the drama, but he wouldn't allow this feeling to go any further. And yet… he couldn't imagine his life without Takeru. It would be a useless life…

He finally reached the spot where he had jumped, months earlier. The water wasn't frozen yet, and flowed peacefully. Hades stood in the same spot he had stood when he had jumped, and he was going to attend at his life again. But not quite in the same way he had before.

Gently, Hades started playing a melody. It was soft and warm in the cold of the winter. It reminded him of the sun, the flowers, the grass, the wind… but all in all, it reminded him of Persephone. Oh, how much he had loved her. But now… when he thought about her, about their life together as he played her song, he felt nothing. As the song went, he stopped feeling resentment, sadness and even loneliness. It was like playing her song finally closed this chapter of his life for good.

He felt tears rolling down his cheeks as he played, but he wasn't really crying. He just stared in the distance as he played the song, replaying in his head his happy moment with his ex-wife. Finally he got to the final note, a long, high-pitched note. When he finished playing, his arms fell to his side, holding violin and arch in his hands. He stared at the forest on the other side of the river, the trees covered in snow. A small smile formed on his lips. He wasn't fully healed, oh no. But he was closer and closer to being reconciled with life. He had closed an important chapter in his thousands of years of living, and he was ready to move on. He was now loved, he had friends, and he knew he deserved to live. He knew he was worth something, even if it was a small worth.

Suddenly, he felt his necklace break and disappear. Quickly, he parted his shirt and jacket to look at his now naked neck. Did he... really?

As he stood there, surprised and unable to move, he heard a voice yell his name. Slowly he turned around, just in time to catch Takeru in his arms.

"Please don't jump, please" the boy sobbed as he hugged him close.

"I'm not going to jump, Stormy. It's okay" Hades chuckled as he pressed a small kiss on the sea god's forehead.

"Then what the fuck are you doing here! I was fucking worried you- you- " Hades didn't leave him the time to let him finish his sentence that he kissed him. "You dumb idiot." he finished once his lips were free.

"I'm sorry. I should have made my little note clearer I guess."

"What are you doing here anyway?"

"Just playing violin."

"Come on, let's go back to the dormitory… I'm cold."

Hades took a good look at Takeru and sighed. The boy didn't even put any shoes on, and didn't even have a coat or something. The Greek god removed one of his jackets and gave it to Takeru. He put down his instrument and crouched in the snow.

"Get on, your feet are probably cold enough now."

"I'm fine I can walk- "

"Oh, just get on already! And put that jacket on."

Takeru quickly put on the jacket, which was too big for him, and climbed on Hades' back. Before he stood up, Hades gave him the violin and the arch, which the sea god took in his hand, holding them low enough so they wouldn't be in his boyfriend's face, as he had his arms around his neck.

Together, they walked back to the Greek's dorm. It took a little more time than when they walked to the spot, as Takeru might be small but he was still pretty heavy, and Hades wasn't in top shape. Finally, as the dorm came in view, Takeru asked one last question.

"Seriously though, why did you go and play violin there specially?"

"Let's just say I wanted to drown my sorrows." Hades smiled, although Takeru couldn't see it.

"That's not even funny."

Hades laughed softly, and was joined by his boyfriend. They reached the dorm as the moon appeared brightly in the sky. They spent the night cuddling and warming Takeru up, hoping he would not catch a cold.

All in all, everything was fine. And they hoped it'd be like that until the end of time.