They walk through the Underworld, everything is dark and scary. Rhode holds onto his hand tightly while he holds Benthesykime in his arms and Triton follows them from behind. There are multiple entrances to it, but being Hades's brother Poseidon had access to some that were completely unknown by most.
He keeps looking behind them to ensure nobody is following them. Amphitrite promised to make sure his absence wouldn't be noticed for a little while. Enough time for him to flee with the puppies. Poseidon also made sure to use plants to hide his smell. Being in distress, his old alpha could find them easily otherwise.
They finally make their way through a dark hallway, the only source of light being small torches along the way. Rhode looks around the area with wide eyes, clutching onto her father's hand as if they would be separated in the darkness.
Triton tries to appear unbothered but he's also struggling with his own emotions. And what awaits them after their hard journey. The teenager rubs at his wounded cheek thinking about the one they left. Surely someone will know about what happened and will take their revenge on them at some point.
"We're almost there," Poseidon whispers as they come closer to the light shining at the end of the hallway that seemed to never stop getting longer and longer. He clutches Rhode's hand as he feels her shaking a little bit.
"It's okay little one, we're going to be safe here." He tries to reassure her. The little girl looks up to him, but she doesn't seem convinced.
She looks down to the floor sadly. "I want to go home Mama."Poseidon stops in his tracks and as he holds Benthesykime on his right hip with one arm, he kneels in front of his eldest daughter.
"I know Rhode. But this will be our new home for now." He rubs a gentle hand on her dark hair. "We'll be safe here. I promise." She nods knowing that they won't be going back to Atlantis for a long time and silently continues to walk.
They finally reach the entrance and Poseidon sighs silently as he reaches for the handle. Only those Hades allowed to enter can go through. It has been decades since he's last seen his older brother and the Sea God silently hopes that Hades will accept them within his Home and welcome him back into his heart.
Poseidon holds his puppies tight as they finally muster the courage to enter inside. They're in Hades's throne room. He tries to see if his brother is around and he is. Sitting quietly on his Onyx throne looking down.
The family stops. Poseidon sets Benthesykime down onto her feet as he motions for his children to stay slightly behind just in case. "Stay close, don't move until I tell you it's safe to."
After all, Hades might not be happy to see them, and he's also an alpha. Triton advances slowly and gets closer to his sisters while they all take in the surrounding areas.
Poseidon silently makes his way to Hades, shaking slightly. He tries to find different ways of telling his brother why he didn't give him news, and why he left so abruptly last time and why he's back, and how sorry he is-
"Poseidon? What are you doing here?"
A harsh but seemingly concerned voice interrupts his internal monologue. Poseidon dares to look up. "Hades I-." He tries and he looks behind him at his frightened puppies, almost pleading them to make a run for it while they still can.
Much to his horror, Hades follows his gaze towards the children. But to his relief he doesn't hurt them. "Why would you bring children here? This place is dangerous for them."
His voice is harsher than he wanted it to be, but then again, Poseidon stopped caring about him or looked up to him as a brother ever since he got claimed. Hades would never admit it, but it hurt him deeply. At least he thought that Poseidon would have told him he had two more puppies.
"I know, but we're in a dire situation." He tries to explain and Hades hums in understanding and stands from his throne to stand in front of his brother. Hades can smell how frightened Poseidon is despite the fact that his smell has been thoroughly covered with plants.
He knows Poseidon too well.
"It's rare that you come visit me anymore, unlike when you were still a young God."
Poseidon nods sadly. "I know and I'm so sorry."
But his bitterness is there still. And he's not willing to hide it, his feelings were hurt and after everything he's done, he also deserves an explanation.
The God of the Underworld takes a long quiet moment to look at Poseidon thoroughly. Despite the fact that he didn't visit for a long time, he still cares deeply for him. But he also wants answers as to why he suddenly visits him.
His gaze lingers and then stops on a blue mark on Poseidon's neck. It's not the claiming mark. It's like Poseidon had been visibly…Hades takes a breath and before Poseidon has time to react or resist, Hades pulls him closer and opens his shirt and sees multiple bruises scattered around his chest and stomach.
Someone aimed to keep it hidden from view.
"Poseidon what happened to ou?" Hades finally asks as he looks at the purple and blue bruises scattered on his baby brother
Poseidon bites his lip. "It's not what you think." He tries.
The God of the Underworld narrows his eyes slightly. "Don't you dare lie to me Poseidon."
He looks down to his feet. "I-I don't want to explain in front of them." He quietly says.
He adds before he pulls Poseidon for a hug this time. Poseidon breathes a sigh of relief and holds onto Hades for dear life. Silent tears start to fall. " It's okay you're safe now." Hades whispers into his ear.
Poseidon tries to calm down his tears but it had been such a long time since he got to hug someone, his alpha never allowing him to receive physical affection after he claimed him.
The elder brother holds Poseidon's head with a gentle hand, and rubs the other on Poseidon's back soothingly. He won't leave Poseidon alone anymore.
The puppies watch confused from afar. Triton clenches his fists tightly at their uncle's gesture, ready to intervene if their Father is in immediate danger. Rhode is now gripping the back of his pants looking at the scary alpha. Triton was standing tall next to his sisters, although he was still a puppy himself, but he really did try to protect their family.
After the embrace, Poseidon parts reluctantly, but his puppies are watching and he doesn't want to scare them, or appear weak. So he rubs his tears silently before he goes back to the reason for their staying.
"Hades please, will you take us in?" He asks silently hoping that he would since he's his last chance at survival.
Hades hums silently as he watches the fearful gaze of the puppies and Poseidon, fidgeting. He wanted to ask so many questions since he had last seen his brother but he didn't say much and merely nodded.
"I will claim you as my own." He says and Poseidon sighs in relief once more. Even though he didn't expect him to actually claim him. "You would?" The younger God asks in disbelief.
The God of the underworld nods solemnly as he looks back at the children. "And the puppies too of course."
"Thank you, Hades. I promise, they will be well-behaved." He assures.
Hades smiles. He's not technically used to puppies since the only ones he interacted with had been his brother's but he'll have to child proof a lot of areas.
Poseidon gestures for the children to come forward while Hades finds a lingering servant and instructs them to prepare rooms for the children, he has no doubt that Poseidon will most likely sleep with him since he's been touch starved for so long. And needs a nest, since he's an Omega.
Triton pushes Rhode and Benth gently as they join their Father's side again. Poseidon holds Rhode as she reaches for him. "Now we are safe." He says.
Hades comes back a few moments later, he's smiling gently so as to not frighten the puppies. He also sees that they're wounded. And his smile fell as quickly as it came to his face. But he hides his anger.
"Before you can all rest into your assigned quarters, we need to go through some things first." Poseidon feels anxiety rushing in once more but Hades is quick to reassure him. The God of the Dead smiles once more when he slowly comes to Poseidon and gently bites into his neck leaving his own mark and scent.
He's very gentle, not hurting Poseidon in any way but making sure the mark is visible just in case his old alpha came all the way here.
"Now you're mine" He whispers into his neck. Poseidon feels his hot breath. Hades looks for any signs of discomfort though, and he finds none so he's happy to have Poseidon by his side again even if it's different than what they're used to.
"No one can touch you or hurt you in any way." He repeats, he wants Poseidon to know he can count on him. Hades brings him into another embrace, one that seals off the claim. Allowing his protective scent to wash over his terrified brother.
They stay like this for a few more moments before Hades goes over the puppies. Now, it was rare for non biologically related Alphas to accept another's puppies, but since they're already part of his extended pack, Hades already considers them as his own.
He makes his way to them, as Poseidon introduces each one. Hades rubs his scent on them, making sure everyone knows they're his as much as Poseidon is. The imprinting process will hopefully be smooth considering they're very close to Poseidon.
Hades pulls back but then he feels someone running into him, and as he looks down he recognizes one particular pup. "Thank you for taking us in!"
"You're welcome, little one." He replies gently. His interaction is slightly awkward but then again, he's not used to puppies. Poseidon smiles at the small interaction. They've been here for a short time, but he already feels at Home and safe.
They finally settle down for the night. The children walk together in the front while Poseidon and Hades walk side by side. The Alpha tries to know a little bit more of the situation without putting Poseidon in a bad mental space.
"I'll tell you more once they're asleep. " He starts. "You have to know that I was defending myself and the puppies."
Hades nods silently, but he doesn't push. Poseidon stops suddenly. "I- I didn't mean for it to go this far. He went after Triton one day and I lost it"
He takes a breath before continuing. "I snapped and once the kingdom finds out, I'm not sure what's going to happen."
Being an Omega and having possibly killed his alpha, while being King of Atlantis put Poseidon into a very dire position. His Kingdom would persecute him even if it was self defense. He feared that they would take his children away. And remove him from his domains.
People of the Sea did not play around with their laws. But they favores the Alpha in most situations leaving him hopeless, and desperate to escape the abuse.
Hades studies him silently. Then he lifts Poseidon's face gently to meet his eyes.
"Then I'll make sure no one finds out." He says before kissing his forehead gently before joining their children.