Homeless forever most likely.

[let_me_loose]

So one of the specks of dusts wishes to command me? The audacity of mortals will never cease to amuse me. However, you are no spawn of the gods. I need not get permission to bring you home with me.

Touch my hand. [He extends a blackened limb, his clear blue gaze unfaltering.] Look into my eyes. Age will come upon you and then you too will experience the beauty of death.

Comments

You mean the whole being alive and immortal thing? I'm doing fine with that predicament, thaaank you

[majestical]

That is a trait we both share. [Zeus doesn't attempt to get Hades to look at him again, but he does take one step closer.] Your fate was unkind and unfair.

I think some change could do us good.

[let_me_loose]

It's too late for you to admit that. [He glares over his shoulder.] My "fate" was chosen by you.

[majestical]

Is it too late? Even gods make mistakes, Hades. Wronging you is something I can never take back, but I can try to make amends for what I've done.

[let_me_loose]

How do you plan on making these amends? [And how does Zeus know he will accept?] I've spent ages in the dark.

[majestical]

[Zeus doesn't know, really-- but it's a guilt eating away at him, especially while he withers away. He, of course, looks for forgiveness, but to expect it is something else entirely.] I do not know. Remorse... Apologies... They may not be what you want, but it's all I am able to give you.

[let_me_loose]

Remorse is something a god should never feel. You have been amongst your precious creations for too long.

[Yet...

Isn't bitterness a mortal emotion?]

They're not worth your time. [Pay attention to your brooding brother, Zeus. He has issues.]

[majestical]

And yet, without them, we would be nothing.

[A hollow laugh escapes him for a moment.]

We are not so unlike them. We have powers and the ability to rule them, perhaps... But in some ways-- many ways, they are better. They struggle. They succeed, even in the bleakest of odds. There is hope and greatness in their hearts when there should be none left. In truth, we could stand to learn from them.

I am not ashamed to feel remorse or sadness-- any of these things you deem unworthy. If I could take away the pain I have caused you, I would this very moment. [He pauses, a smile pulling at his mouth, though it is sad.] Unless pain is too human a feeling for you.

[let_me_loose]

We would be gods with or without them.

[Mortals satisfy egos, though, truly, who worships Hades? Aside from those who fear death.]

With every moment they exist, you become softer. You have lost sight of your true power. They are nothing compared to us and yet you act as if they are worth our pity.

[He starts to pace, his brow furrowed.]

I will use my pain effectively. Unlike you. [He comes to a halt, tipping his head back to enjoy the light.]

[majestical]

I once thought that to be true as well.

[But Zeus leaves his musing at that.]

Not pity. No. Something else. I have lost sight of nothing; I've gained perspective. It's a shame you refuse to do the same.

Effectively? Is that what you call this-- letting your hatred and bitterness swallow any goodness that might threaten it? And for what? [He pauses only briefly, turning to face Hades straight on, a steely look glossing over the sorrow in his eyes but not snuffing it out.] Do you truly wish to destroy me? Mankind?

[let_me_loose]

There was a time that I wanted nothing more than to rule by your side. I naively trusted your judgment and gave you the power over my fate.

[They both know how that turned out.]

While you played with your mortals, I ruled over their rotting remains. If they are toys to you then you only allowed me to play with them after they fell apart.

[Second-hand humans suck.]

That is what I mean to you, brother, and don't pretend otherwise.

akjhdsk laughed way too hard at 'second-hand humans'.

[majestical]

Pretend. [He echoes the word, how strange it sounds to him, and shakes his head.] I deserve that, I suppose.

...I can admit many things; I have been arrogant, I have even been cruel, especially to you. If it's of lying you wish you accuse me, very well. I cannot tell you what to believe.

[This conversation, after all, has been running itself in circles.]

But I do not pretend when I say am truly sorry for banishing you.

Hades wants new shiny ones. :<

[let_me_loose]

[He finally faces Zeus, approaching him slowly. If one looks closely enough, there is still a hint of longing and pain in his eyes. It probably won't last long, however. Hades doesn't allow himself to hope.]

Accusing you accomplishes nothing. You know what you have done and I know what I must do.

[He clenches one fist, ignoring the grotesque, blackened skin.]

I will not remain in the Underworld.

Maybe if you behave, Zeus will get you some for Christmas!

[majestical]

[If it were anyone but his brother right now, Zeus may have missed it. It's not that hint that takes a shot at his godly heart, however. It's that it leaves just as quickly because Hades refuses to let it linger. That betrayal and his dwelling in the Underworld has made him as cold and walled away as his surroundings. For a moment, Zeus can't look at him, because that's his fault.

Where he once would have lost his temper and growled back at Hades, he instead seems tired and almost defeated. It's a strange and foreign look on the king of the gods.]

But what will you do after you leave?

That would be an excellent stocking stuffer.

[let_me_loose]

[It does linger, but acknowledging it won't do him any good. How many nights has he spent, sequestered from his wife because of this? Persephone could never understand such a betrayal. She is his light while Zeus...

The king of the gods...

Is the source of his darkness.]

Are you giving me a choice?

[majestical]

I am in no position to choose for you, brother.

[Especially not now, when he can no longer rightly call himself the leader of the gods.]