TRIGGER WARNING: Attempted Suicide

Tartarus had just finished checking and laying waste to Camp Half-blood. He stormed out of the camp in a rage, his armor glistening from the blood of demigods. His fists were clenched so hard his knuckles were white, his nostrils were flared, and his teeth were bared as he breathed heavily.

Doria wasn't in Camp Half-blood, she wasn't at Camp Jupiter, and she wasn't at her mom's house. He could check Atlantis, but something tells him she wouldn't be there.

Tartarus decided to follow her scent.

He flashed into mortal clothes – black boots, jeans, a black belt, white shirt, and leather jacket – his purple skin turned olive with a bit of a tan, his medium-length black hair went into an undercut, and his red eyes mellowed out into a soft brown. Tartarus snapped his fingers and a black lamborghini decorated with monsters appeared before him.

Tartarus got inside, being impressed with the red and black interior before turning it on and speeding away from Camp Half-blood.

The primordial found himself in the bad part of Memphis, Tennessee. The buildings had gone from pristine to dilapidated and covered in graffiti, the streets were littered with garbage, and the people had slowly become more unsavory. The drug dealers, druggies, gang members, and prostitutes grew in numbers the closer he got to Doria's scent.

It was enough to make Tartarus think, Why is Doria here?

He parked at a motel. It was the kind where you'd expect roaches in the rooms, or dried blood. Tartarus got out of the car and took a whiff of the air as he shut the door. Doria's scent was strong here, but with so many rooms, he found it better to ask the person at the front desk.

"Have you seen this woman?" Tartarus asked, handing the man a picture of Doria.

The man examined the photograph for a long time before putting it down, a furtive smile growing on his face as he said, "Maybe." He started rubbing his index finger against his thumb, adding, "But I might remember for a price."

The man's laugh was cut off by Tartarus slamming his head against the table. His eyes widened in fear as a cold blade was pressed against his throat, and Tartarus darkly told him, "Would you accept keeping your life?"

The man was quick to give up the information, and Tartarus went on his way.

It was surprising to find the door unlocked, but that surprise was quickly washed away when he saw Doria putting a gun in her mouth.

With her finger on the trigger, Doria pulled it seconds before Tartarus yanked it out of her mouth. The shot rang out like a giant bell. There was a brief moment of silence as Tartarus waited for the ringing to stop, and when it did, he was met by sweet Doria's sniffling face. Her eyes were red from tears, her hair was a mess, and she reeked. Tartarus couldn't believe that this was the same Doria he had fought all those years ago.

Doria held on tight to the gun, trying to pry it from Tartarus's hands. When she couldn't do that, she tried to point at herself and pull the trigger. Even worse, her eyes widened in anger and desperation when the gun disintegrated.

"You son of a bitch!" She shrieked, jumping on him and wrapping her hands around his throat.

Tartarus's eyes widened in surprise. He not only never expected her to be violent, but she was weak. He removed her hands and Doria made a feeble attempt to punch him. Doria could barely see through her tears, and she started losing the motivation to hurt him.

The past year had been more difficult on Doria than her teenage years. The day Samantha arrived at Camp Half-blood, her life spiraled down faster and faster. Doria lost her boyfriend, her friends, her parents, her home, and her powers; she knew Poseidon restricted Kym's powers, but she never knew he could take them away entirely. Doria tried again and again to start over in different cities and towns, but wherever she went, no matter how many fake names she made for herself, no matter how many times she changed her looks, the locals would always find out what happened to her. All of this happened because of lies, and what's worse is that people believed them.

Doria had hit rock bottom and she was sure she'd never rise. So, if she can't die quickly by gunshot, she'll die painfully by whatever Tartarus has in store for her.

She waited for his blade to run through her body to either end or mangle her, but all Tartarus did was wrap his arms around her in a comforting hug. He whispered in her ear, "What happened? Which monster was it?"

"It. . . it wasn't a monster," Doria hesitantly told him. "It was a demigod."

"Name?"

"Okay," Doria pushed him away. "Why do you care? You're supposed to hate me."

'I did at first," Tartarus moved a strand of Doria's hair behind her ear to get a better look at her face. "But now, I want you." He leaned in close for a kiss and caught a whiff of her body odor. "Preferably after you take a bath."

"Wh–what do you mean by that?" Doria asked, both curious and confused. "The wanting me, not the bath."

"I am looking for a new wife and I have chosen you. And seeing your current state, I'm sure I won't have to worry about, what was his name again? Alfred?" Doria sadly lowered her head and didn't say anything. Tartarus gently grabbed her chin, lifting her head and making her meet his eyes. "How about this? If you swear yourself to me, be mine and mine alone, I swear to give you everything you desire."

Doria didn't believe what he said, but his eyes held truth in his words. A part of her felt it'd be wrong to marry Tartarus, but if she did she'd get the fresh start that she desperately needed.

Doria nodded and said, "I swear on the River Styx that I will be yours and yours alone now and forever."

Tartarus smiled proudly, and he took Doria aback with a kiss. At first, it was soft, but it quickly became rough. Tartarus shoved his tongue into her mouth, exploring every crevice as he pulled Doria's body closer to his. Doria wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed him to take the reins. She became pinned to the wall, her legs wrapped around his waist as he began attacking her neck with kisses. Doria's moans were breathless – her eyelids flickered from ecstasy.

Tartarus tried to ignore the smell, but it was burning his nose. He very much wanted to continue this, so with a snap of his fingers, the two teleported to the shower in his private bathroom.