i'm cool.

"Name's Hades. Lord of the Dead. Hi, how ya doin'?"

[underworld-lord]

br-cx​:

“yeah, yeah, calm down before you blow a casket and i have to like extinguish you or something.” bruce said rolling his eyes at his father’s growing tone. “look, i know you aren’t death… but the mortals seem to get this whole thing mixed up. and uh… you kind of made your name of yourself after trying to off herc. you just happen to get the blame.” bruce said shrugging his shoulders and chuckling a bit. as much as he hated when he let his own anger blow he loved when hades got worked up. 

“do you honestly think they are wanting to sit and take notes on how the chain of the underworld works or just point fingers at the bi man in charge, cause i will answer that for you… they can’t even comprehend half the time.” 

-

Was Hades mad? Yes. Did he enjoy being called out on it by his son joking about ‘extinguishing’ him?

Hell no.

“Yeah, okay, mortals are stupid. Got that. Get it, got it, thanks. Doesn’t mean I like getting blamed for things that aren’t even my fault.” He thought for a moment before he started grinning. “Don’t suppose you’d be willing to set the record straight with some of your mortal buddies? Do your old man a favor? Might go a long way in making up for your attitude. Waddya say, huh?”

[underworld-lord]

br-cx​:

“oh so someone actually wants to hang out with you who isn’t mom? because if you say yes i will actually be shocked.” it was bruce’s place to make fun of his father but for some reason when anyone else seemed to state their negative opinion it was bruce who seemed to get easily hot headed and disagree. consider it a natural trigger in him to feel when he wished he didn’t. but the fact stil remained, not everyone was fond of hades company. 

“im just stating what i know from the rumors you are by far a dead ringer for the creepiest professor. no one wants practically death to be killing the vibe.” and yet bruce was hades’ son…but did they want him around either? he still questioned that at times. “sometimes i think you forget just how strange people actually find you, you know that?” 

-

Ah. The death kind of creepy. Now that was a creepy that Hades could understand, basically, where people were coming from. Sort of. At least, he was used to it. He didn’t agree with it -- in fact, people forming incorrect opinions about him because of the crappy job he got saddled with was one of the many things that pissed him off.

“Ah, c’mon. It’s not like I’m the one cutting the strings,” he said with a huff. “I’m not ‘Death.’ We both know that’s not my job! I’m not in charge of the dying part, just after. What about that is so hard for mortals to understand?!” 

[underworld-lord]

tidalswept​:

As many problems as Elena had with her mother, it still stung to hear someone else criticize her. And it gets her back up before she realizes. ‘It was more than that!’ She exclaims, frowning deeply. ‘She wanted power, she wanted to be recognized as the true Queen - which she was through her marriage and rightfully so. Snow White ripped that away from her … from us.’ Her brown eyes flicker down and then back up again. ‘Didn’t you want power too?’

Hades frowned. He didn’t like the way she seemed to be accusing him. “...Alright, so you did your homework. Whaddya want, a gold star?” 

Of course, it’d be nice if the thing people knew about him wasn’t the story of his greatest failure.

“Still. I don’t buy this whole ‘fourteen-year-old-princess stole my right’ thing. Everyone says it was vanity. Plain and simple. She was already Queen -- people literally call her The Evil Queen. The heck did she have to complain about?”

[underworld-lord]

br-cx​:

bruce rose a brow. “still better than what you are going to do.” despite the fact he had other plans he’d never tell his own father about as beyond the point. if hades had to think his son was just a drunk so be it, bruce had lost that much care years ago. “oh really? and… what part of sitting around your students alone watching a romantic movie is…cool?” once again, bruce did have to say he enjoyed being the thorn at hades side, if it was anything at all. 

-

“Who’d said I’d be alone?” Hades asked, despite the fact that he didn’t actually have plans. Still, his wife was there, he’d go bug her later. His eyes flicked toward her flower booth. He sent a wave her direction that he wasn’t quite sure she’d seen before turning back to his son.

“Hey, if you wanna see it like that, that’s a you problem, kid. And kinda makes you a fucking weirdo. Not only are they my students, but they’re also a bunch of royal brats. Seriously, ugh. I’m just doing my job, taking up the role as the responsible adult, right along with the other professors here. And hey, while I’m here, may as well grab some popcorn and laugh at the stupid chick-flick some genius picked out, am I right?” 

The fact that he was working was really a technicality. The only thing he was supervising was the snacks he’d grabbed -- evident in the way he threw a piece of popcorn in the air and caught it in his mouth.

[underworld-lord]

tidalswept​:

Her brow furrows as a million memories play behind her eyes. All memories of her mother, of course. Which leads her to her next statement - her entire being feeling as if she needs to argue with this man, as if it is her mother sitting beside her. ‘Did you know my mother?’ She asks with a slight edge to her voice, ‘ Because you both sound exactly the same. All doom and gloom, is that a villain trait?’ Perhaps she’s taking it too far, but she can’t seem to hold her tongue.

“Your Mom...” Hades echoed, trying to place it, trying to visualize the last name next to hers on the class roster. “...Right, miss ‘I’m gonna do a murder ‘cause a kid’s prettier than me’. Nah, didn’t know her personally. That’s what you think I’m like?” he asked. Of course, he’d attempted to end the life of an infant -- but in his mind, his reasons had been justified. “I don’t see it.”

[underworld-lord]

tidalswept​:

He seemed bored. Not at all interested in the conversation. Trying to avoid anything more the girl faces forward towards the movie - trying to ignore him. Unable to help it after a few moments she turns back, sighing heavily. ‘I just don’t get it. How do you see the world the way that you do?’ 

Hades gave her a sideways glance. “Easily” he replied, unable to help himself. “...It’s experience, kid,” he continued, taking a drink from his cup of punch and secretly wishing he was drinking something stronger. 

[underworld-lord]

enchcnting​:

&&.                  𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐏𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 curtains causing persephone to stir slightly. her body stretched as she let her fingertips slip to the opposite side of her . . the space where her husband would usually occupy. feeling the empty space, she finally opened her eyes shocked that he didn’t find his way next to her. did he finally heed her words for once ? 

pulling herself from the comforts of their bed, she slowly and carefully opened the door catching her lower lips between her teeth. “ hades ? “ she whispered, peeking from the doorframe. figuring he must have been still asleep she exhaled feeling a little guilty that she made him curl up on the less than comfortable couch. he must have had some aches and pains everywhere. despite their arguments and disagreements . . she still did love him and when she shouldn’t . . she still cared. 

perhaps, if he could put in the effort with the flowers, she could meet him half way and make something for him as a peace offering. starting off with a fresh cup of coffee, she brewed it perfectly the way he would potentially like it. it was a start before she decided to make breakfast later on. with the mug in hand, she slipped over to the couch, pressing a kiss to his forehead setting the mug down on the table to the side. “ wake up my love, i . . made coffee. “ she whispered. 

“Hnng...”

Hades started to stir. And he was grumpy. Before he even opened his eyes, he was grumpy. Even with them closed, the sun was too bright. 

“How ‘bout I don’t?” He mumbled before rolling over and putting the pillow over his head. Fresh coffee or not, he was not ready for it to be morning yet and he needed it to go away. It had taken him a while fall asleep, and he wasn’t sure if it was because of the couch or because he’d grown  accustomed to having someone next to him.

He was sore. He’d ended up sleeping on his neck funny, and now it was stiff. Stupid useless fucking human body... The limitations of his human form was a downside to life on campus compared to the underworld. But, in all fairness, it was probably the only downside. He briefly considered the possibility of cancelling class for the day. But even with the extra few moments with his head under the pillow, morning was still there and it wasn’t going away. He let out a sigh and finally managed to get up to a sitting position. He looked and felt about as dead as the souls swimming in the river styx. 

“...Coffee?” he asked, almost certain he had heard his wife say something about that. He spotted the mug next to him. He held the it with one hand while the other rubbed at his sore muscles in an attempt to lessen the achiness. 

[underworld-lord]

br-cx​:

“yeah well, i’m not mom, and im not going to put it light on you, pops. but you make a shitty plan, then it fails. i know better than anyone there is no one else to blame.” bruce said making a shrug at the man. “cousin herky should have been an easy out for you if you were around to make sure the job was actually done. instead you sent the worms.” bruce laughed still wondering what fools would freak over killing a baby but it was before his time. 

“whatever, i actually have plans and im sure you are going to sit around here looking like a creepy professor so should i like let you go and creep in your shadow or something?”

-

“Right. Your super-important plan of getting shit-faced,” Hades said, remembering with a roll of his eyes. “And, hey, I don’t creep. I’m not a creepy professor, I’m a cool professor. If you’re gonna insult me, c’mon, at least make the insult about something that makes sense!” 

[underworld-lord]

tidalswept​:

Her mouth pops open as he describes the way he sees the world. Shaking her head, the girl can’t help herself as she disagrees. ‘ No no no.’ She says, laughing a little. ‘ There are genuine ways for people to experience self growth and there’s like eight billion people on this planet..’ Her tone is argumentative for sure, but she couldn’t help herself now - he’s just so … arrogant especially for a professor. Most of them challenged their students but not in this way, she could see he truly believes everything he says. ‘There has to be good people. And call me naïve if you want but have you considered that you’re just pessimistic?’ Maybe time in the underworld does that to you .

Hades gave noncommittal shrug. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.” She was young. She’d learn better. “Even if there are good people, trust me, kid, they’re the exception, not the rule.” He wasn’t even looking at her anymore, he was examining his nails. The argumentative attitude he was getting from her barely phased him; he was used to much worse from his own son.

[underworld-lord]

br-cx​:

as much as bruce hated when his own anger got the best of him he loved when he could get his father ticking. letting out a laugh he reached out and clasped the other’s shoulder. “oh! that’s right. you could never do the job yourself so you had to send two imbasiles to do it…and still failed!” he said watching as flames had flickered their blue tint. a smirk grew on his lips. “watch it, you don’t want to burn anything, people aren’t too fond of that.” 

“yeah.” bruce said shrugging his shoulders and tilting his head. “i think you let that fucking ship sail far too long ago, pops.”

-

Hades shrugged his shoulder away -- his surface temperature was becoming steadily higher with his anger, and he wasn’t about to give Bruce the satisfaction of knowing just how pissed off he was. Give Bruce the knowledge that he was starting to get to him. Behind his back, he closed his fist around a lingering flame to extinguish it.

“Yeah, yeah yeah. How could I forget? Everything that goes wrong is always my fault,” he said, rolling his eyes.

[underworld-lord]

br-cx​:

“are you kidding? im just getting started, im still young and just like you said, we got all the time in the world, might as well use the chaotic asshole personality you passed down on someone who deserves it, right?” bruce said knowing the biggest things with hades was to never back down, if hades didn’t want to just treat bruce like a son for once then he would get what bruce knew best… being a pain in the ass. 

“i can’t wait till cousin herc comes to see callista and she forces us all to get together, cause you know she will… and he can go on and on about the times you fucked up at something even the fates could see as your future. you know my favorite is how you can’t even assassinate a baby.” there was a time when a childish bruce would have wanted nothing more than to be like his father. where hearing about hades’ many failures would have sent him into a ball of flames and a fit so terrifying it scared the soulless. but then…the pride of having daddy’s approval faded and it turned into anger. 

-

While the possibility of Hercules coming to campus had initially filled Hades with dread -- the continuation of the insult was able to bring about a bit of the rage the god was known for. 

“Hey, I wasn’t the one who botched wonderbreath’s assasination!” he protested. Perhaps a little too loudly. He suddenly became very aware of the students and colleagues around them who had just heard him confess to, at one time, attempting to kill a baby. He took a breath, clasping his hands behind his back -- it was a way to look composed but it had the added benefit of disguising the flicks of blue flames that had started dancing at his fingertips.

“Talk about your ‘one big, happy family’” he uttered bitterly.

[underworld-lord]

tidalswept​:

Being called naive gets her back up - even if it is by a professor. Her eyes narrow and she huffs slightly, feeling her cheeks redden as if being called out in front of a crowd. ‘Okay so what about charity work? Or adoption? Or simply helping someone through a door?’ She challenges him, eyes ablaze now. ‘How are any of those sprinkled with self interest?’ 

Hades laughed. “Because you’ll do it just to feel good about yourself. Or so other people will think you’re a good person, ‘Hey, look what I did!’ Forget actual self-reflection and personal growth, am I right? Nah, that takes effort...” he said.

“Adoption might not fit that so much, but hey, there are lots of selfish feelings that could go into adoption, depending on the bio parents’ story. Maybe you’re ripping a precious baby out of the arms of a parent who loved them and could’ve improved their circumstances with a bit of help. No, instead, you wanted a child so badly that you thought you could do better. See? Selfish!” He looked very proud of himself, considering the grim nature of his words. 

[underworld-lord]

enchcnting​:

&&.             “ what ? “ she questioned daring to hit him once more with the pillow. she didn’t fear him . . for the most part. 

“ oh ? “ she questioned while letting out a shocked gasp. “ you mean to tell me . . you tune me out when i say things you deem ridiculous ? i bet you never hear me then. “ she wouldn’t put it past him . . still she didn’t understand why hearing it hurt her. “ i’ll remember that, hades. “ her voice colder, maybe this was the moment where enough was finally enough for her. 

she was willing to leave the discussion there but she spoke up once more. “ you’re sleeping on the couch tonight, hades. don’t even think about coming to the bedroom . . “ she murmured heading to where the bedroom was, closing the door behind her. she was so upset that she barely noticed the flowers to her side . . that was until she felt a petal crunch under her. as she lifted up slightly . . that’s when she noticed the bundle of dead flowers. just one touch and it was as if she breathed new life into them. she wanted to believe that he was trying . . apart of her possibly did. the naive part of her basked in feeling partially heard by him enough to put in the effort of collecting the flowers for her. placing them back on her nightstand table she for a split second allowed herself to remember a moment in time where she allowed herself to love him. 

after a few moments . . she emerged from the room in a silk nightgown. moving behind him, she trailed her fingertips against the sides of his arms, to his chest. dipping over to one side, she pressed her lips to his cheek. “ thank you . . “ was all she said before turning to head back to the bedroom. 

“What?” Hades asked, walking after her as she headed to the bedroom. “Wait, hang on. Babe. Babe! Let’s talk about this!” But it was no use, he was talking to a closed door. And the closed door didn’t seem like it was all that interested in negotiating.

Very huffy, he went to the storage space in the hall and pulled out some blankets and a pillow before storming to the couch. There was definitely some grumbling happening as he made is way to the couch and took a seat. And there he sat. Until he felt a presence approaching him from behind. 

A satisfied smile spread across his lips. The thanks he’d gotten meant the flowers had worked. He’d succeeded. She was still his. And, just maybe, he’d finally done something right. 

He leaned back, tilting his head so his lips would meet hers.

Except she had already gone. And he was still alone on the couch.

[underworld-lord]

br-cx​:

“father? rich use of fucking words you use only when it’s convenient for you isn’t it. but guess what, asshole, the whole respect talk kind of left the station like…15 years ago.” he said raising a brow. please, bruce was a young god but he was still an adult. and at this point in his life hades had been put in one spot of bruce’s life where he was just the person to assist in his life. was there even any love in hades part as much as persephone had put into it. her actual soul went into not just having bruce but raising him as well. not compared to the man he would consider a father…at times.  “im just saying…it’s funny all the talk you do. and in all the stories you just end up back in our dark deep hellhole of a home.” something even bruce felt a distaste for. not wanting to go back to. 

-

Hades tensed. His (quite extensive) record of failure -- now that was a sore spot.

“Alright, maybe that’s how it happened before...” he answered, crossing his arms. “But not this time. You can throw this...angst...temper tantrum...thing. Call me whatever you like. But sooner or later you’re gonna have to face it, kid: You’re just gonna have to get used to me being around. Are ya there yet or do you want to keep throwin’ a hissy fit and call me names for a bit longer? I got all the time in the world.”

[underworld-lord]

enchcnting​:

&&.               𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 mocking her again. the way it made her calm blood boil. why could he never take her seriously ? was she that much of a joke to him ? “ why do you always have to do that ! “ her voice only rose slightly. “ i do want to set a better example for him . . he deserves that. “ not to mention she deserved to have that example. taking a nearby pillow, she swung it whacking it against him. 

“ Eros is a better man than you’ll ever be . . that’s for sure. “ she shook her head listening to him list off the many things he’d seemed to absorb from their previous conversation. “ well congrats for learning a thing or two . . and for actually listening to me for once. perhaps you’ll go an extra mile and give me those things i’ve been deprived of. “ she took a breath before taking up a lotion, slowly working it into her leg. “ what if i’m the one that stood my date up ? or . . we simply decided to reschedule our date for a more private setting where students wouldn’t be around. did you maybe . . think that ? “

Hades blinked as the pillow whacked into his shoulder. “...The hell?” He tilted his head, confused -- and just the tiniest bit impressed. 

“Hey, I listen,” Hades protested. “I mean, I ignore most of it when you’re being ridiculous. But my ears work just fine, thanks.”

On the side table, next to her side of the bed, there was, not so much a bouquet, but a clump of dead flowers. No vase with them (what was the point? They were all dead.) But they were there all the same, loosely dropped and scattered haphazardly across the tabletop. A nod to something she had told him at the event. 

With the extra time he had waiting for her, he’d had plenty of opportunity to gather them up. To say that it was a romantic gesture -- one indicating care, affection, or anything even close to resembling love -- would’ve been giving Hades far too much credit. There were many reasons to do it that helped him more than anything. To get her to stop pestering him, for starters. What sounded to him like her complaining was starting to get old, and it could be an attempt to get her to quiet down. He could’ve done it out of pride -- to prove that he was so much better than whoever she’d planned to spend the evening with, and do it by giving her exactly what she wanted -- easy to do what she was explicitly stating it. But, out of self interest or not, he’d still done it -- or, at least, tried. 

The god rolled his eyes. “For cryin’ out loud, stop taking everything so seriously.”

[underworld-lord]

enchcnting​:

&&.                𝐀 𝐋𝐈𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 in the air if persephone said she didn’t linger in the shower a while longer just to kill time. she prayed to the gods above that he’d be asleep by time she emerged. she was not the bearer of such luck it seemed. as soon as she was into view she felt her eyes roll . . painfully as his voice sounded in her ear. was he . . gloating ? of course he was. as much as she tried to ignore him . . her hair could only tolerate so much brushing. placing the brush down, she finally looked over to her side before walking into the direction of where he sat. 

“ do you really believe i wouldn’t go through with something, hades ?” she quipped while shaking her head slowly . . still utterly disappointed. “ everything i said . . you really think it was an act ? hades . . “ she pursed her lips frustrated at this point. “ if eros himself asked me on a wonderful date filled with romance i’d accept it without a question. “ she spoke speaking . . half truths. “ i told you how i felt . . i’ve expressed that i wanted some affection. i want you to treat me like your wife. i want an actual marriage not . . this. “ she motioned to the space between them. “ i want to set a better example for my son . . he deserves to see what love is and not your definition. “

“You want to set a better example for him? Super noble, wow. Go ahead. You have my support. Right on, girlfriend,” Hades said, unable to help himself. The cheeky grin revealed that he was quite pleased with his terrible joke.

But the smile faded as her words ran through his mind. “Obviously, not everything was an act. Duh. I believe ya now...mostly. I mean, Eros is still a loser. I believe you do want all that...affection, romance...stuff. But I know for a fact you never met up with anyone tonight. Which means...either you never meant to go through with that date, or the sucker stood ya up.”

[underworld-lord]

br-cx​:

bruce sapped a hot beaded look at his father, two flames shouldn’t play together but hades’ words had more effect on the much younger bruce who was still very quick to lose his temper. stepping forward to the man, bruce scoffed. “that is my mother you are talking about and with the way you treat her, it’s very obvious that i need to be involved. you have let her burn one too many times, hades. don’t think it doesn’t go unnoticed how fed up she gets with your endless bullshit.” 

bruce rolled his eyes. he hated how easily his father got under his skin and just wanted nothing more than to be able to control himself. “you keep telling yourself that, old man. but last i checked your brother would easily smite you the second you step out of line.” 

-

“Yeah, and it’s your father you’re talking to, wise guy. If I cared, we could have a real nice chit-chat about respect. And your attitude.” He sighed casually, letting Bruce hurl the words and letting them bounce off. He could tell he was starting to get to Bruce, and that mattered more than most insults Bruce could throw.

Most.

“What does Uncle Sparky gotta do with this?” Hades asked. “And look, we’ve been over this. I’m not stepping out of line anytime soon so I don’t lose this job -- that’s a hell of a lot better of an offer than I ever got from Mr Castle On a Cloud.”