The End Of Love

[newtralize]

We were reaching in the dark
That summer in New York
And it was so far to fall
But it didn't hurt at all
And let it wash away, wash away

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[newtralize]

[He had never cared for the lavish and carefree lifestyle his brethrens seem to indulge in. The parties to the glutton to their promiscuous tendencies. It really just wasn't his scene.

Of course, his circumstances are unique. He didn't have the luxury of leisurely spending his time like the others. Being God of the Underworld was more momentous task than he thinks anyone realizes (or cares). Mortals, to the gods, were play things to them. Objects or toys. Not actual living things with their own autonomy. They didn't hold any value to immortals. It was such an insulting way of thinking.

The underworld isn't some lifeless and gloomy place. Not exactly. There's a coldness to it and it is far from homey like Olympus. Hades enjoyed it though. The place was stone walls and countless shelves filled with tomes. He knew every name and every story. Unlike most others, he had valued every life that went through his domain, no matter the length of their life.

He didn't care to join in on the festivities on Olympus. He attended more out of a feeling obligation and less because he wanted to be there. Hades lingered only long enough to be considered satisfactory before departing; spending much of his time off to the side and observing everyone else behind the deer skull he hid his face behind. As far as he knew, no one cared if he were there or not other than they found more humour in making fun of him when he was there to hear their stinging words. There have been attempts to converse with him (along with trying to proposition him), but he was also far less socialized than everyone else when he spends majority of his time working than being around others. Or at least that weren't departed souls.

However, recently, he had been rather...preoccupied. He found himself leaving the Underworld more recently and more often. Simply put, he was harboring a rather helpless crush over Demeter's child. Persephone.

Which leads to his current conundrum.

He really wasn't thinking was he. He sure he wasn't. Not when he all but spirited Persephone to his realm and now he found him face to face with a rather displeased looking immortal.

Hades really should worry about possibly placating them or the fact that they were quite mad (could he blame them even?). All he could really think about was really how beautiful they were though.]

[periit]

[ The lifestyles of the gods were at the very least intriguing. Persephone rarely took part in the gorging of ambrosia or wine, though he did indulge occasionally. And while their promiscuity was alluring in some aspects, the insistent attempts to bring him into the fold were long since tiresome. In that, he and his mother were the same. Physically, he was quite unlike her, rather the opposite—his hair was straight as a pin, as smooth as silk and as dark as night, in sharp contrast to his fair skin.

Persephone understood why they pursued him; he knew he was attractive. Unlike most of the other gods, he couldn’t find himself forceful enough to trick or persuade someone into fucking. So while he attended Olympus’ parties willingly enough, he wasn’t terribly active in them as others were. He didn’t partake in gossip or plotting with human lives, or even the scalding words they threw at their fellow Olympians when they didn’t fit in; he saw no use or point in it.

No, he would rather spend his time in an open field, tending to the flowers he was so fond of wearing to show off their blooms. He’d inherited a green thumb or two from his mother and if you ever had a problem seeking him out, all you had to do was follow the scent of flowers and he wouldn’t be too far. Perhaps that was why it was so easy to find him to begin with.

When the earth opened up beside him his first thought was not abduction, despite all his past rejection. Persephone fully expected Olympus to sound its horn, for it to be Hermes’ arm that whisked his away, up to the safety of the mountain. But when the arm that wrapped around him only drug him down, all but destroying the state of his flowers and neat plaits, he couldn’t make heads or tails of what was happening.

Not until they stopped, Persephone set on his feet and the body that carried him down moved away. Even then, while he fixed his clothes and hair to be manageable enough to see through, all he could smell was the cold, lingering with ash. But it only takes a few aggravated moments of flailing for him to see again, and when he turns it’s with an anger rarely seen outside of Demeter’s wrath.

His chest heaves for breath and it slows the more he takes in his surroundings, though it doesn’t calm entirely, even when he faces the one who stole him away. That he finds himself staring at a skull used as a mask isn’t daunting to him. In fact, he finds it only adds fire to his veins and boosts the ire in his voice: ]

What is the meaning of this?

[ He hadn’t thought Hades as being the sort for this. ]

[newtralize]

[Hades was sure that Demeter would forbid him from being able to speak to Persephone had he not brought him down here. He was sure the other Gods would merely use it as further ammo to ridicule him (if they won't already because he did just spirit them away). Of course, this was also not considering if Persephone would even give him the time of day. Most did not find his company...enjoyable.

The other was like fire. The sun itself (sorry Helios) standing in front of him so brilliantly. So beautiful. Something so fierce and wild and he can only consider just how mesmerizing they were in his eyes. An untamable force, but he wouldn't want to in the first place.

He really has it bad.

While the other seems to flare up, Hades seems to wilt somewhat. The usual crackling of fire and embers that spark from bright curls aren't there. Extinguished. He would usually tower over the other had he not curl in slightly. Even the brilliance of Newt's eyes seem to be put out.

And when he speaks, his voice was gentle. Calming and soothing like a river. His tone, a bit embarrassed.]

I- [Oh, he is really quite embarrassed.] I just wanted to talk and I didn't think. You're really quite beautiful.

[Hopeless.]

[periit]

[ Flare up is an understatement. There was a reason no one dared to cross Demeter, nor her children for that matter, and the rage swelling up from within Persephone is only one—which pales to his godly abilities. Withering vegetation means no sustainability and though there’s little to be affected here, there’s plenty he could do with the flowers in his hair.

Or would, if Hades had shown any threat towards him once they were face to face (face to mask, rather). Oddly, he hasn’t, and it brings Persephone pause, especially when he speaks so calmingly. But he is no fool; he knows the tricks Olympians can play.

Though his stance loosens the skepticism in his eyes doesn’t fade. He’s heard stories from Demeter of the god’s deceptions. He sees the way Hades curls in on himself and how the color drains from him but Persephone doesn’t give him an inch. ]

You wanted to talk, [ He echoes, trying to piece this together. ] So you stole me away… to tell me I’m beautiful?

[ Is he following that right? ]

[newtralize]

Well, when you put it that way... [Hades rubs the back if his neck sheepishly. This was the god of the underworld and he was acting more like some awkward teenager than some heartless and code immortal that his reputation was probably known for.] It sounds a tad farfetched when you echo it back to me.

[He wrings his hands for a moment.] I- Your mother isn't very fond of me, so I wasn't sure how else to get your attention. I can't say that this was really well thought out though.

[And he had been so desperate. Lovesick fool.] I have no intention of deceiving you though even if I'm sure you're skeptical of my intentions.

[periit]

[ Though he might be starting to see the other god with a different light from all his shy displays, there’s still an irk that crawls under his skin from the situation itself, and can’t possibly help the sarcastic surprise he wears at Hades’ realization. A tad.

Despite that, and it likely being the first time he’s heard a god use a genuinely silver tongue on him, Hades is still unmoving towards him—giving his words some weight. Hm. ] Mother is little fond of anyone other than her children. Your best chance would have been to simply speak.

[ Maybe the way he fusses over a singular braid hints to the wheels turning in his mind, so he stops and straightens himself, a hand on his hip. ]

Well. Here I am, [ Persephone’s tone is confident; attentive, his interest peaked. ] Speak.

[newtralize]

Your mother loathes to have to interact with me as most are. [Being the goddess of the cycle of life and death meant that Demeter had to have some interaction with the god of the underworld.

Hades was no fool to begin with, but it was easier to know these things because the other gods had no qualms speaking their thoughts while he was in the vicinity. It's also because of his reputation that-] At least in this way, you wouldn't be ridiculed for giving me the time of day. [He cared little for them to ridicule him for setting his sights on her, but he knew that the gods could be quite cruel to each other. It was easy for one to react out of spite and he knew of a certain goddess who was quick to do so.

Now that they were here though, Hades wasn't sure what to do.] I'll be honest I really don't know what to converse about. I merely wanted to know more about you. I, well, merely wanted your company and I didn't think much else.

[periit]

You’re right, [ He admits quietly but follows it with a one shouldered shrug. ] However, I also think you misdirect her reasoning. [ The other gods though, he’s not sure. Death was a subject none of them liked, understood or cared for, truthfully. He wouldn’t know the extent—while he interacted with many of the gods and goddesses, he wasn’t very close to them. Only amiable. ]

No, you’ll only have the whole of Olympia looking for me if my mother decides to worry. [ And she often did, just not enough to call the other gods to arms. For all Zeus had wronged her by, it was unlikely he would deny her something like this in fear of ramification. Still. Persephone did tell her he’d be gone most of the day. Hades didn’t need to know that.

Yet.

Laughter bubbles up that catches in the back of his throat, the sound hushed. ] My, how unprepared we are. You want to get to know me? [ Moving his hand from his hip, Persephone smoothes over his linens and fixes his belt as he looks around the room. ] I would like the same. [ He turns back to Hades, taking in his mask. ] Show me your domain.