Dealing with the Devil

"Hell fuckin' no!"

Was T insane?

Was Senior?

How the fuck had they even-

He growls as he staggers, his hands reaching to find T so he could shake him.

The fucking darts!

The sleep shit.

"T!"

How long had he been out?

Did Uma know what happened?

Since they were here and not getting help from Yensid, he could only imagine she didn't.

How could T keep Uma in the dark like that?

His eye twitches.

A hand settles on his shoulder.

"Guyliner, chillax. You're acting like I'll kill ya or something."

He blinks-

Or at least, it feels like he blinks.

It was impossible to really tell what he was doing, other than knocking hands away and trying to defend himself from whatever it was that Senior was plotting.

"Sure, I've never done anything like this before-"

"Nope." He turns away from the voice, "I can be stayin' blind, this ain'nah bein' up fer discussion."

Something solid bumps against his shoulder.

He wraps his arms around the body beside him, "fuck this, we're out."

"Oh sure, come barge into my temple demanding I counter curse you and then once I get everything ready to fix your stupid mortal troubles you bail. Typical."

A cold chill runs down his back as a much larger hand cups his head.

"I don't think so."

He knew better than to fight.

Knew just how strong the god of death was.

But it was as if something in him snapped.

He shoves T away, hoping it was also away from the god who seemed fixated on him.

This was never the way he thought he'd die-

"Be gettin' off me!" He demands as he twists and turns, flailing for all he was worth in the attempt to perhaps surprise the god into letting him go.

He flinches when T grabs his wrist.

But freezes when the hand on his head vanishes.

"Oooh, what's this then?"

He flinches as T stills.

Something about the purr in the god's tone set his teeth on edge, and he wasn't a fan of T's reaction either.

"What? What be ah happenin'?" He demands, fighting against the helpless feeling building up in his chest.

T's back presses against him as his grip shifts before his thumb brushes over his racing pulse.

He stills.

That touch-

T had his tender moments, but that-

He reaches out, wrapping his arms around T's waist before he lets his head drop to rest on his shoulder.

He couldn't be sure, and Sea Gods knew he didn't want it to be true-

But he was pretty sure Faustina was out.

Out and once more being stern with the god, even silenced by a curse.

"Awww, Guyliner calmed down." Senior chuckles, "oh, put the glare away. I wasn't going to hurt your-"

He frowns at the sudden silence.

"Uh, boyfriend?"

He pulls Fasutina back a step when she begins to radiate heat.

"Yeesh, that's a shade of red."

"Oy, shut it." He blindly feels for Faustina's face before he turns her to face him, "we ain'nah bein' entertainment. An' we ain'nah bein' interested in-"

"I have gathered the things."

His grip on Faustina tightens when the room around them vibrates.

"I have read the book."

He takes another step away from the voice.

"So now, you will sit in the damn circle-"

The wind rushes from his lungs as he and Faustina are plucked off their feet.

"And you will be silent."

He yelps at the same time Fausitna squeaks when they're slammed to the ground.

Faustina taps his shoulder in quick succession.

"Now, where was I?"

But he was too busy patting down his jacket pocket that was suddenly freezing to hear what Senior was doing.

"Love? Me orb-"

His voice sticks in his throat as red light stabs his eyes before he finds himself sheltered against Faustina's neck.

"I- I be-" His arms wrap around her.

"Thank god," Faustina breathes out in relief.

"Ooooh, I'm good." Senior states proudly before he hears a book snap shut. "Maybe there is something more to this whole magic thing besides gross and life sucking."

Faustina nuzzles him for a moment before she stills.

"The fuck-Oh, shit- I can talk again." T turns away from him, "you actually fuckin' did it?" He asks too amused for his liking.

"How can he be ah doin' magic when the barrier be ah workin'?" He demands as he holds up his still cold orb with the tiniest hint of ice blue flame in the center.

"Ha!" T snorts, "knew it."

"You knew what?" Hades asks as he crosses his arms over his chest.

T turns to Hades in amusement, "that-"

He slams a hand over T's mouth, "that we be bein' mighty grateful an' we can be ah bein' on our way now."

He's surprised to find T nodding with him.

"Oh," Hades grins, "well, you're welcome then. Try not to piss off anymore witches though."

Like they'd meant to in the first place.

T pulls him to his feet, "the goal."

"Oh and, the only thing I ask-" Hades frowns, "look, just tell her I helped, okay?"

He pulls away.

Was the god-

Was he asking them to put in a good word with Deez?

"I mean, s'like a drop in the bucket, but yeah, we'll let her know."

Hades rolls his eyes, "that's what your smarter half says, except she says every drop counts, which, ya know, helps. Unlike you."

T shrugs, "one of us has ta be honest."

"I'm not sure we agree which one of you is."

"An on that strange like note, we be bein' off." He salutes the god, "thanks again fer all ya be ah doin', an' we can be ah showin' ourselves out like."

Hades frowns as he waves them off before he looks around at the mess, "PAIN! PANIC! Clean this up, now!"

"Yes oh Merciful Lord of Darkness."

"Of course our great master."

His hand tightens on T's shoulder as they walk through the wrecked temple, his heart thumping in time with every echoed step they took.

With everything that was wrong with this entire situation, he would have to say in this moment he was most surprised with T.

He wasn't dragging him, or pulling him away.

He wasn't fighting with him or trying to get one last poke at the god.

It was almost as if he was just as eager to leave.

And then a shadow falls over the exit.

"You seem to be doing much better now, nestmate of the little spiders."

His eyes widen as the voice echoes in his mind.

"Adz," T greets with a grin. "Finished already?"

"You- you!" He blinks as he looks up at the giant spider blocking the exit.

He remembered now.

The voice ringing in his head when he first found himself lost in the dark.

"Me."

"Seriously?" T lightly checks his shoulder, "'least say thanks or someshit, we'd've been fucked without her."

"We'd ah been-" He blinks before he turns back to Adelaide.

Was she the only reason they were alive?

"I would never wish to put it that way, but possibly. The spells of the nasty meat do not penetrate my skin the way they do yours. Little spiders and mate are lucky I happened along."

Could she hear him thinking?

"Yes, just surface thoughts though, I'd hate to be rude."

He stares up into what he could only assume were Adelaide's eyes.

She was terrifying.

And majestic.

Like his Kraken-

Actually, like most of the women in his life, only in different ways.

"Thank you. I am both and so much more. I appreciate your thoughts, and very much enjoy the way you compare me to important nestmates."

He slowly grins before he bows.

She liked how he compared her?

How would she feel about being treated-

"Me pleasure, beautiful lady, and thank you for savin' our asses when we needed you. If ever I can be ah repayin' the favor," he winks as he stands straight again.

A pleasant laugh fills his ears.

"I can see why the Little Spiders like you, you are a fearless mate."

Well, that wasn't exactly true, but it made him stand taller.

T grins as he pats his back, "your color's back." He looks between him and Adelaide, "what'cha talkin' 'bout?"

"Your fearless mate was complimenting me and offering me his services should I find need to call on him."

"Aye." He nods as he turns to T, "ya ain'nah tellin' us how charmin' she be, terrifyin' or not, it be hard ta not be impressed."

T scratches the back of his head, "s'not like I got much opportunity to." He turns to Adelaide and places a hand on her leg, "no offence, ain't like you aren't amazing." He assures her, "jus' that a few of my nestmates have a thing 'bout bein' respectful from a distance."

"So I have observed. And do not concern yourself with the concept offending me. I find the bloodless girl and her protective mate to be charming in their own way."

T snorts as he runs his hand through her bristles. "Best description of D yet. The Bloodless Girl. Beam's gonna fuckin' die."

"It do be ah leavin' ah image," he chuckles, "don'nah it?"

T grins up at him, "excited 'bout her and-"

"Excuse me!" Hades' voice thunders through the temple, "just because the curses are gone doesn't mean we're finished here!"

Fuck.

T salutes Adelaide before he grabs his hand and pulls him down the steps.

His eyes narrow as he quickly follows T.

This was new. Not that he was complaining.

It was about time T realized what kind of fire he was playing with.

But still-

Why?

"Do not make me chase you!" Hades booms as he appears in the open doorway.

He frowns as they slow.

Yeah, they seriously were no match for a god, and as much as he appreciated T's new found respect for his life-

Trying to run away now was suicide.

"My apologies, I merely wished to pass your scavenged items to you before you left."

"Ain'nah yer fault me lady," He sighs as he turns back to the temple.

"Fuck-fest aside- Why're you talkin' out loud?"

"Why?" He frowns.

"Cause, ya know," T shrugs, "she can just read it. It seems like, unnecessary."

His brow furrows as he looks at T.

T never adjusted to anything new without a fight, so why was he suddenly rolling with something like a spider who could talk and read in his head.

"My manner of communication is much like the way the little spiders communicate with each other."

Really? This was what it felt like for T when Faustina was present and speaking?

"It is not exact, but, yes. It is something the little spiders have marveled over." A melodic laugh tingles over his mind, 'well, one of the little spiders finds it far more interesting than the other. I rather enjoy her endless questions."

He can't help his smile.

"Yeah yeah yeah." Hades rolls his eyes as he taps his foot impatiently, "get back up here. We still have our former deals to discuss."

T eyes the god warily before he drops his arm and sets his jaw, "sounds like fun." He dead pans before he reluctantly starts the climb back up to the god.

They'd been so close to freedom.

So close to returning home to show they were alive and unharmed.

But now, here they were, trudging back up the stairs.

Shit.

He frowns.

This.

This is exactly what I was worried about.

And what per se was that?

As if you don't know.

Entertain me, please?

You fucking went behind my back-

You mean covering your ass?

My ass didn't need covering.

Oh, so you were the one updating him everyday? Funny, I never saw the scratch you call writing. Or read him complaining about it.

Not the point-

Disagree, very much the point. If you had acknowledged your-

-what the fuck were you thinking?

Oh, I don't know, that perhaps the deal you made needed to be fulfilled lest there were consequences.

Tch. Well look where that got us. Great job, Faus-T-na.

He smirks at her frustrated growl.

Idiot child, would it ever kill you to pay attention to the smaller details?

What's that got ta do with you gettin' involved with-

"There now," he feels a hand on his back before he and Harry are thrust into the hastily cleaned sitting room, "have a seat and let's chat."

He glances at Harry not surprised to find the pirate just as confused as he was and waits a minute before he shrugs, walking over to his preferred chair.

When Harry, albeit reluctantly, follows and settles in front of where he perched he lets out a silent sigh of relief.

"So, first of all, how is my daughter? And second of all," Hades plops into his chair as he crosses his arms over his chest, "what is with the cliff note updates?"

He frowns, "I mean," he shrugs. "She's alive."

"Yeah, managed to see that one for myself," he sneers, "thanks."

"Cool, so we're caught up then?" He lifts an eye brow.

"Nice try, Firebug, but there ain't a fire under your ass right now," he levels a dark glare as he stares into his eyes, "so stay."

"She be doin' fine 'nough," Harry explains through clenched teeth, as if trying to prevent someone from pulling his teeth, "she be insistin' on helpin' out same as the rest o' us."

You're both being unnecessary.

What? We answered his question.

How exactly? Those were the most generic answers possible.

"Oh, right," Hades slashes his fingers through the air in quote, "helping. As if you idiots would actually let her go out on the Isle after that."

"I mean, she's pretty persuasive." He shrugs.

And needed it desperately.

Which was weird to think about since 'it' was a book burning.

"Huh." Hades sits back in his chair, "okay then. So you're all out running across the Isle and back, badly dodging spells, and, what? Trying to take over the Isle?"

He nods, "yeah, that 'bout sums it up."

Are you doing this on purpose?

"And she's really doing okay?" Hades asks, putting an uncomfortably long emphasis on really.

"The fuck you care?" He rolls his eyes.

Hades sits up so fast he blurs, "I care because-" the finger shaking in his face pauses as he stumbles.

"She's my key off the Isle." He mocks, "yeah, so we heard."

"Yes. That." Hades crosses his arms again, "and as my key I try to keep tabs on her."

He lifts an eyebrow, "well I mean, kinda my job, an' ain't much to tab."

"As if you're my only link to her," Hades rolls his eyes, "I'm a god, not an idiot who wants to constantly pull my hair out over your ineptitude."

"What hair? You're bald as fuck."

Ineptitude is an insult.

Yeah and? That's kind of what our relationship is based off.

"That was a sad insult." Hades tuts as he slowly shakes his head, "you losing your touch?"

"Fact. Sad fact." He corrects.

"Yes, well my hair will return once these," Hades scowls as he holds his banded wrists up, "are gone. Can't say the same for your brain."

He snorts.

"I mean-" He shrugs. "Can only take so many concussions, ya know?"

"Oh my fucking me!" Hades slams his hands down against the arm rests of his chair, the wood joints shattering as they collapse, "she managed to block my connection to her, tell me what she's doing."

"My bad," he frowns, "didn't even know that was a thing." He pauses, "you are talkin' 'bout the whole stalkin' her thing right?"

Hades narrows his eyes, "by 'stalking' I assume you mean my ability to find her."

"Dope." He grins, "go D."

"If I can not follow whatever this, this thing is that connects us," Hades brushes the tiny bits of wood from his hands before he slowly stands from his ruined chair, "if I can not feel how she is doing," he grips the corner of the heavy looking coffee table between them before he flips it out of his way, "then how am I supposed to trust that she is not getting herself killed?" He demands.

"Holy fuck," He blinks at the shattered table before he turns back to Senior, "it's a family trait."

"I'm done with you!"

Harry yelps as Hades pushes him out of the way.

"Faustina!" He demands as long fingers wrap over his shoulders, "Faustina, get out here right now!"

No thank you.

What, I thought you two were friends. He mocks.

We correspond, that hardly makes us friends.

"Leave'em 'lone!" Harry demands as he jumps on the couch and tries to pry the god's hand off him, "ya ain'nah talkin' to her, so be ah leavin' me mate alone."

His heart slams against his chest.

"Hook!" He snaps, "It's fine- It's how we show love."

"Ew," Hades scoffs before he flicks Harry away and straightens, pulling him to his feet by his shoulder, "but not wholly inaccurate. FAUSTINA! Little Arachne, get the fuck out here, we need to chat."

"Uh, rude." He huffs, "right here."

"You had your chance," Hades waves him off before he shakes him in mid-air, "NOW! Or I'll bring Guyliner into this."

His throat goes dry as her fear pierces him like a blade.

His eyes widen.

Shit.

What the fuck was he supposed to-

T…

His eyes narrow.

It had been forever since he'd heard her use that tone.

The reluctant acceptance.

The defeat.

The resounding resignation.

And worse, the silent plea begging him to relent.

The tone she used when she was about to shove him out the window-

Fuck!

Tina don't even think about it, he's bluff-

She closes her eyes tightly.

She wasn't willing to take that chance.

She lets out a surprised cry when she's forcefully snapped back and forth.

"Hello? FAUSTINA?" Hades slowly turns towards Harry.

"Here. I'm here, I'm here, I'm here."

"Oh," Hades grins as he gently sets her down on the couch before he gestures for Harry to join her, "well then, glad I get another chance at a first meeting."

She blinks.

That-

Hadn't been what she'd been expecting.

"Oh?"

"Exactly." Hades frowns when he sees his ruined chair before he sits in the chair opposite it, "look, whether you were wrong or wrong to yell at me after I didn't take your suggestion and decided to check on the situation myself, that's all in the past."

Despite the situation her lip twitches, "in the past it might be-"

"Yes." Hades interrupts as he settles, "in the past. And since I didn't like that first meeting, we're gonna have another."

"I'm not quite sure that's how it works."

"Which, by the way, your whole-" he gestures to her, "everything, much better in a dress. Energy shift and all."

Energy shift? What shift-

Oh.

Them.

But did that mean her and T had different signatures?

Her eyes brighten.

How fascinating.

And an unexpected bone.

She tilts her head, wait-

Was that how Deez could always tell which of them were out?

She shakes her head as she files the question away for a more appropriate moment.

Her cheeks burn at the compliment despite herself.

"They are my preference." She studies him carefully.

He'd calmed, and for that she was grateful, but she still wasn't sure what his current state was. Or whether or not he was hoping to gain something more than something as simple as a redo to their first meeting.

She'd made a tenuous dare when she'd decided to spurn him.

"Yeah, sure," Senior rubs one shoulder awkwardly, his gaze darting between her and Harry.

Harry shifts closer, hugging her to his chest for a brief moment before he maneuvers to put himself between her and Senior.

"Ya be wantin' her out, here she be, now what?"

Senior chuckles as he shakes a finger at Harry, "straight to the point, Guyliner, knew I let ya stick around for a reason."

She frowns as her fingers twist in the back of Harry's coat. "Which is?"

Senior's mouth claps shut as he looks away, "I meant it when I said I didn't like our first meeting."

"It wasn't what I'd envisioned either." She admits with a sigh. "Then again, I'd never planned on speaking to you in person, so I'm not sure what I was expecting."

Not that it hadn't been a concern.

She'd accidentally piqued his interest, and Hades was nothing if not fascinated by things he didn't understand.

"Ouch, never thought you'd speak to me in person, yeesh." Senior covers his heart dramatically, "Anyway, we did meet. And it wasn't the meeting I thought it would be either, so, since I made a small blunder on my part, I would like the chance to fix it."

She blinks.

He wanted to-

She schools her features to keep the smile from curving her lips.

Hades and T were alike in deed.

Her gaze sweeps over him, "I would appreciate that, I would hate for us to have to part ways so soon after making each other's acquaintance. I do believe we were getting on quite well."

"Exactly." Senior claps his hands together, "So, I have a few ideas I could offer towards a deal to make that meeting disappear."

"Oh?" She tilts her head, "and what would those entail?"

"Really?" Harry grumbles under his breath, but doesn't do anything to stop her.

"Well, my wants are for us to continue to write, everyday," his eyes narrow slightly as he brings a finger up, "but not like the past couple of days."

"It'd be my preference as well, but your actions-"

"I'd like to be able to ask five questions that you have to answer, because that's more how I wanted our first meeting to go."

She blinks, "and I want three items from your hoard of treasures for every question I answer."

"Done!" Senior pulls a scroll and pen from the side of his seat, "I was planning to mention how much T was interested in my store rooms anyway." He pauses with the pen hovering over the paper, "would three now in exchange for forgetting the cove help?"

"Deez's self-interest is worth more than material items."

"Look, I'm not saying you have to forget that I info dumped memories she shouldn't have seen into her head," he gestures dismissively, "I'm just asking for you to forget our first meeting."

She'd certainly appreciate that.

Her eyes narrow.

Not that she was going to share it but-

If he was willing to so freely offer his hoard of treasure…

How far was he willing to go?

"I believe I could manage to forget it, that is, if you're willing to publicly declare the Spider the proper leader of the Isle."

Senior pauses his writing and looks up, "are you asking me to remind the Isle that, according to Maleficent, the former ruler of the Isle, the Spider is the ruler, or are you asking me to support the Spider as the leader of the Isle?"

She blinks.

Did he really just-

Her resolve crumbles as a smile curves her lips.

Hades, loophole extraordinaire, had just asked her to clarify her request.

"I'm requesting your support."

Senior sighs, "look, I can't just give my support like that-"

She holds up her hand, "I am not a dimwitted simpleton. I don't expect you to put your weight behind him tomorrow. Not to mention, you backing the Spider without him garnering his own support would be suspicious."

"Right." Senior taps the pen to his lips before he snaps his fingers, "okay, so how about this then. You have the Spider do some kind of public appearance, and I'll remind the Isle that technically, the Spider is the ruler, and then once the Spider has a set amount of followers, I'll throw my support in there too. Huh? Sounds like a good deal to me."

"What percentage are we to meet for your contribution?"

"I didn't show any support for dearly departed Maleficent until she had half the Isle behind her." He frowns, "though, with the Spider being a kid, and recent things we'd all rather not talk about, I imagine that number would be a little harder to get."

"I think a third is fair."

Senior nods as he bends over the scroll again, "done."

"Then, let our next meeting be our first. I was still upset with you at the start of this one."

"Fair…" Senior tilts his head, "so then, how do I meet you without upsetting you?"

"You can be tryin' ta not be threatenin' them she be carin' 'bout, fer starters." Harry glares.

She frowns as she glances at him from the side of her eye.

Her heart constricts.

He was disappointed with her.

Not that he didn't have the right to be.

She turns her gaze back to the god, "It would go great lengths to keep me from being disheartened by your behavior."

"So, we write into the deal that you will come out and talk when I request it?"

She narrows her eyes, "as long as you can accept there are exceptions, I will not come out with another present that isn't my family."

"Yeah, like I'd let anyone else in my damn temple," he rolls his eyes, "Adelaide, being the exception."

She smiles gratefully at his clarification, and the meaning between the words.

He wasn't planning to request to talk to her in person outside of his temple.

He hadn't needed to put her at ease.

Honestly, he needn't do any of this.

"The company will be good for you, you brood too much and it makes you spiral."

"You're confusing me with my daughter. Ew. I don't do feelings."

She glances at Harry as she closes her mouth, "my apologies. I misspoke, what I meant was I believe you'll enjoy another distraction since you destroyed your TV."

Embarrassing him would do no one any favors.

"It was broken anyway." Senior huffs, "and sure. I know I'll enjoy Adelaide's company. Very fascinating lady."

"She really is," She nods, "so, to recapitulate I will come out upon request assuming it's only you, or a member of our family and more importantly, you will refrain from threatening those I care for. I know the concept is currently beneath you, but I cherish them greatly and threatening them will lead to consequences neither of us desire."

"Understood."

The pen continues to scratch across the scroll.

"Excellent, it's lovely to be on the same page again."

"Agreed," Senior rolls the scroll up before he passes it to her, "also, you are a shrewd negotiator. Where, oh where, did you pick that skill up?"

"You would have been disappointed with anything less." She shrugs, "I've lived with one of the most stubborn asses on the Isle my entire life, it was a necessity."

Though, if she were to be honest-

She would never have the gall to speak so boldly to-

Well, ninety-nine percent of the Isle.

It was Senior's own doing that had brought her to this point.

It was odd how empowered she felt in her dealings with him.

How much more brazen she was.

She never would have imagined being comfortable reprimanding Hades, but then the notebook happened, and it grew from there.

Senior chuckles, but falls silent as she looks over the contract.

She pauses when she realizes he'd laid out the whole contract in layman's terms, with not so much as a clause.

She looks up when she finishes, "I appreciate the candor, it-"

He'd be upset if she admitted that it spoke volumes to her, and the last thing they needed was for him to grow uncomfortable.

"means a great deal to me that you aren't trying to take advantage of the situation."

"God. Asshole." Senior rolls his wrist as he sighs, "sometimes idiot, but not evil."

A smile curves her lips, as she extends her hand. "Pen."

He passes one over, waiting for her to sign before taking both back.

"There." He nods firmly once he adds his signature.

And then he holds his long fingered hand out to her.

She taps Harry's shoulder.

"If I have to." Harry grumbles before he loosens his hold on her.

"Thank you, my Prince," she breathes before she leans forward and hesitantly clasps hands with the god.

"Great, now…" Senior grins as he scoots to the edge of his seat and continues to shake her hand, "nice to meet you Faustina. Wow, this is such a great first meeting. Really nice and smooth. No waves to speak of- I have questions I have been dying to ask you!"

She smiles, "it's a pleasure to meet you as well, Lord of Death. I do so enjoy our conversations. What would you like to know?"

"Finally!" He claps his hands together childishly, "Question numero uno! What the fuck kind of name is T?"

She blinks as she glances up at him curiously, watching as Harry leans in closer despite his proximity to the god before she drops her eyes back to her knees.

Really?

That's what he wanted to-

"Oh dear." She bites her lip.

That wasn't what she'd been expecting at all.

Such a simple request.

So many ramifications.

She sighs before she turns to Harry, "you can't repeat this."

Harry furrows his brow, but nods, "aye? Me lips be sealed then."

She nods, her face growing hotter by the moment.

She shrinks further into the couch.

T was going to murder her.

For so many reasons.

God help her.

She wouldn't even blame him.

"Tiglath." She cringes.

"Tig- Lath-" Hades snorts before he claps his hands over his yellow toothed snear, "seriously?"

Her face catches fire as she drops her head, "unfortunately."

"Where-" Hades throws his hands in the air, the sudden action has her reaching for Harry. "Oh where, did you find that name?"

"It's biblical." Heat licks her cheeks. "It's-"

"Trash? I wholeheartedly agree. What mortal nonsense." Hades rolls his eyes, "Still, Tiglath huh?" He snorts as he rubs his hands together, "guess some good things came out of it."

She closes her eyes.

Could T kill her? She'd never given it serious thought before. Surely he'd understand. Right? He'd been dying to get into those stores.

"For you I suppose." She eyes the amused god before she sighs.

He wasn't going to let go of this bone anytime soon.

"Oh Underworld, yes." Hades chuckles, "And I will be filling that one away for later."

Nope.

He was going to kill them.

She just knew it.

Probably accidentally.

From his own embarrassment.

But it would kill them nonetheless.

Hades laughs a few more times before he dramatically wipes a tear away, "Oh yeah, that was great."

She shakes her head.

She wasn't sure who was more childish, Hades or T but it was definitely a close race.

"I see that."

"And just so you know, whatever plan you're cooking up is cutting it reeeeealy close." Senior holds up two fingers, "in two days the Isle is supposed to vote in this stupid election thing."

She frowns.

Two days?

Where had the last week gone?

Her eyes widen, had it only been a week?

She shakes her head.

No matter.

A smile tilts her lips, "I've always found that T's best work is accomplished whilst under pressure." She studies him for a moment, "and the same can be said of those he trusts."

Harry's arms tighten around her for the briefest moment.

"Anything I should be looking forward to?"

She frowns, "I'm not sure it will be to your taste-"

Senior snorts, "I did make a deal with you to publicly announce the Spider as the legal ruler."

She nods, "you did, but I still feel you should know that I replaced T."

Senior tilts his head to the side, "you're the Spider now? Well, that is interest-"

"Ha!" She snorts, "no." She shakes her head, "that title got passed to someone with charisma. No one would follow T after speaking publicly. And I'm hardly better."

"That makes sense," Senior pouts, "boring, but makes sense."

"Great," Harry stands and pulls her to her feet, "an' since she can be writing' the details to ya later, can we be ah rummagin'? Ya be owin' three items for the deal an' three more for the question answered."

She glances at Harry-

Who was clearly already so overjoyed with her decision.

Senior grumbles as he sinks into his chair, "fine. A deal is a deal. Start with two doors down on the right."

"Thank you," She smiles, before a hand on her back guides her from the room.

They're halfway across the room before a realization dawns on her.

A giggle escapes her before she can think to stop it. "Father has to be rolling in his grave."

Harry's brow furrows, "I like ta be thinkin' his sleep ain'nah bein' peaceful, but why?"

She turns to him, arms behind her back as she walks backwards, "because," she grins, "I just made a deal with the devil."

Her face falls when regret fills her as she watches Harry bite his lip and turn away, falling silent as he continues to walk beside her.

Damn it.

She drops her eyes.

She knew he was going to be upset-

Why had she said anything?

Why did she have to derive happiness from something as stupid as making a deal with a the God of Death?

What had she been thinking?

He'd never fallen silent on her before-

Not like this.

How angry at her was he?

She fidgets with the hoodie's sleeves as her stomach turns.

"I guess that do be makin' it worth it," he finally speaks up, "just fer the beautiful smile o' yers."

She looks up confused as she studies him curiously.

That was unexpected.

She bites her lip, "It's okay, to be mad at me for this."

"I ain'nah bein' mad." Harry slowly admits, "I just be wishin' he ain'nah takin' such ah likin' to ya, it be ah makin' me nervous like. Like he might be ah plottin' ta take you an' Deez next time."

"I wasn't expecting it either," She admits, "he just…"

Reminded her of T.

"Never mind." She shakes her head. "I'm sorry it's disturbing you, you didn't need more to worry about. It was just a very fortuitous deal. One I wasn't sure would still be on the table later. As you pointed out earlier, he's a rather capricious god."

"It were ah good deal, I can be seein' that. An' we know he be havin' medicines an' shit, so I can'nah be complainin'." Harry turns to her once they reach the door. "Ya be doin' good, me Pirate Princess."

"Ew! If you two are feeling lovey dovey, go outside the temple."

"That would be what you would comment on, capricious one."

"Eh, what can I say-" Senior rolls his eyes before he continues down the hall, "I am what I am."

Confused.

Impatient.

Wayward.

Kindred for all the worst reasons.

But ever so familiar in the queerest way.

There were just so many parallels between them, it was hard not to find herself endeared to the god, much to her chagrin.