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The Immortal Heart	By : amandalee Category: 1 through F > Clash of the Titans (2010) > Clash of the Titans (2010) Views: 7819 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: We do not own Clash of the Titans or the characters portrayed in this story, and we make no money from writing this.

Chapter List
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Chapter 62

Prometheus had a small shelter in the gardens, nothing more than logs stacked onto one another and kept together with nails, but it had come in handy the previous night after the titan had been asked to stay outdoors by the new king of Olympus.

I curse you, Atlas, Prometheus thought. And your likeness to me. And most of all, your cruelty.

Knowing that Zeus had been awfully indulgent simply by letting him remain on Olympus, Prometheus thought it best not to push his luck by entering the fortress. Encountering the poor little creature that had suffered such horrors at the hands of Atlas in one of the hallways would surely end in another loosened bladder, or worse.

The titan was busy watering his newly planted apple trees with water from a nearby spring when he was approached by Zeus. Though the Olympian king looked relatively unfazed, Prometheus knew that this might be the moment he would be told - not asked - to leave Olympus for good.

"What can I do for you, Zeus?" he asked in a friendly, conversational voice, not giving away his suspicions.

"I wish to talk to you about certain matters," the god replied, and his motives remained as cryptic as ever.

"Oh?" Prometheus put down the sizable vessel he had used to contain the water. "Then tell me, what is on your heart?"

"While taking a bath last night, Hades and myself could not help but notice that the water in our pools has gone putrid. I would like you to tell me about our water supply."

“Ah yes,” the titan said, considering the baths. “I tried my best to keep certain wings of the fortress clean, but one can only do so much with still water. I sadly do not share Cronos’ ability to control the heavens. Otherwise I would have kept the water of the pools flowing.”

“You mentioned rain on this mountain yesterday,” Zeus remarked. “That Cronos used it to keep these grounds regularly fed with rainwater.”

“The rains fall on a slope, leading the water down here. It might be tricky,” Prometheus said, waving his arm towards a distant incline. “But then again, a master of thunder may find it effortless. I can take you to the slope if you like.”

“Yes,” Zeus said, looking at a patch of clouds in the distance, visibly heavy with rain. “Yes, take me there.”

*

The goddesses had taken it upon themselves to begin moving furniture which proved useless in size out of the living quarters. Unfortunately, much of said fittings were nearly impossible to move, thus Demeter and Hestia were left with no choice but to clean around them until they could gain additional help. Hera, thinking herself above such work, set off in other parts of the fortress to see what she could discover.

Meanwhile, Hades was helping Poseidon to determine the source of the bathing pools’ water.

“It has to be here somewhere,” Poseidon said as he stood waist deep stagnant water, poking about a tunnel entrance.

Hades, still unsettled by the slimy, algae-coated surfaces of the pool walls, stood at the edge, observing. In his arms was a bundle of rags torn down from an old curtain they had found in a less well maintained room. The older god stood ready to provide the rags in case Poseidon should need to clean away the slime in order to better see what he was looking for.

"Can you see anything?" Hades wondered anxiously, not liking his brother's silence.

"Not much, to be honest," Poseidon replied, reaching through the bars of the drain with one arm. Once he pulled his limb back, it came out coated in the same slimy, green substance which covered the walls and floor of the pool.

Hades hoped that his fellow god would not ask for help that entailed him getting into the pool before they found a way to get it cleaned. The stench emanating from the tunnel was a strong indication that the water was not fit to be used for bathing.

"The water has gone bad because it is stagnant," the curly-haired god muttered to himself. "Which leads me to believe that there is a blockage here somewhere, preventing the water from circulating..." He reached in again, as far as the bars allowed, and withdrew a handful of blackish sludge from the tunnel.

Hades, standing close to the edge, reeled back in disgust. "What is that?" he exclaimed, horrified to think that traces of the substance could be - and probably was - leaking into their bathwater.

"I know not," Poseidon said, not as shaken by the discovery as Hades, but affected nonetheless. "But I think it has been brewing for a long time... long enough to clog up the drain. Our father was likely not as concerned with cleanliness as we are."

Suddenly a noise, made louder by the echoing in the tunnel, interrupted Poseidon's train of thought.

“Did you hear that?” he asked back to Hades, and when he glanced back at his older brother, he saw an expression which read in the affirmative. Hades was backing away from the edge before Poseidon had even gestured him to stay away, and he watched anxiously as the younger god edged closer to the source of the noise.

What could possibly be in there, Poseidon found himself wondering. Such a cramped place and yet, clearly something was back there…

Hades jumped as he heard a cry of surprise come from the tunnel mouth in unison with frantic splashing. Eyes wide, Hades could not help but step forward, thinking perhaps he could help his brother from…

A tiny creature escaped from the tunnel, hitting the water with a small splash and swimming away on webbed feet. Shortly afterwards, Poseidon made himself visible once more, visibly blushing for being so frightened of a frog.

“Yes, it cheers my mood to see you understand the severity of the situation,” Poseidon said irritably, but he knew he could barely be heard over his brother’s laughter. Still, as embarrassed as he was to have been startled by such a harmless animal, he enjoyed seeing Hades in a good mood. Feeling a need to take vengeance, he hit the surface of the water, splashing beyond the pool’s edge towards the other god.

“No!” Hades yelped, trying to stifle his laughter in vain. “I am sorry!”

Poseidon chuckled, watching Hades scramble to get away from the filthy water.

“I have an idea,” he stated, regarding the slick, dirty drain. “Perhaps more water is not what we need at the moment.”

"What are you proposing?" Hades asked, venturing back to the pool's edge.

"We must empty out this pool, and clean it thoroughly. But in order to do that, we must first unclog the exit drain." Poseidon gazed, not without a certain amount of disdain, at the slimy blackness of the tunnel he had been exploring. It was more than wide enough to allow a god to pass, but the mere idea of crawling into the tunnel and manually removing the filth made the hairs rise in Poseidon's neck.

"Can you not... absorb the water into yourself?" Hades asked meekly, feeling terrible for his brother and the task he was currently facing.

"Sadly this mass of water is overwhelming even for me," the other replied. "If I tried, I would likely burst."

Hades giggled, momentarily amused by the mental picture that was put into his head. Then he quickly became serious and swallowed hard once his brother started the task of removing the bars covering the tunnel. He dreaded how Poseidon would probably look - and reek - once he re-emerged from the drain.

*

Zeus followed his titan guide to the slopes Prometheus had referred to, and discovered a river ending in a huge waterfall, which likely supplied water to most of Olympus. He wondered how water so clear and fresh could turn so murky and putrid inside the fortress.

“This river is the source of our water at the fortress,” he said, more to himself than his guide. He glanced upward at the dark clouds which looked ready to rupture with rain at any moment.
“I wonder…” he muttered.

Lightning tore through the skies above, and rain fell instantly as though the clouds which held them had been pierced by the bolt itself. Thunder, loud and quick, followed only a few seconds afterwards.

Prometheus started slightly at the unexpected display, watching in awe of the rain which fell upon them. Wiping his now wet hair away from his face, he opened his mouth to receive some of the water, grinning.

“You were right,” Zeus said, looking at his achievement. “Little effort.”

He looked down the incline, observing the way the river spread into smaller streams. A slightly larger stream led to the fortress, no doubt the source of drinking and bathing water for the stronghold, but something seemed to be interrupting the path.

“Can you see that?” the god asked, pointing in the vicinity of the stream. Prometheus, towering over his traveling companion, nodded.

“I can. It looks as though we might have found our problem.”

Even as titan and god slowly made their way toward the obstruction, they could determine from a great distance what it was. A tree, not the oldest either individual had seen, but still tall and thick, lay on its side, blocking much of the water flow.

“This tree does not seem to have any rot,” Prometheus stated when they had reached their destination and began inspection. “At least not before it had fallen. But look at how the roots were interrupting the floor of the stream. I remember Cronos telling other titans to get rid of a tree near the bank several days before the battle. I can only presume this is that very tree.”

Both titan and god looked at the pathetic sight.

“I fear they did not understand the reasoning for the tree’s uprooting,” Prometheus remarked. “… idiots.”

Zeus could only nod in agreement. With a few exceptions, like his father and Prometheus himself, titan-kind was not very bright. Zeus thought back on the three that had demolished their old home. While superior in physical strength, the three brutes had been easily defeated by the use of wit.

"We must remove the trunk and pull up the roots still obstructing the stream," Zeus decided. "That will be your task for today."

Prometheus accepted his workload without any objections or complaints. Being the size he was, he was more suited for the job than his smaller companion.

Zeus turned around to leave and let Prometheus get on with his task, but then it occurred to him that he had promised Hades to ask the titan a question.

"There is something I have been meaning to ask you..."

Prometheus raised a questioning eyebrow, having noticed the difficulties Zeus seemed to have asking the question.

"I wonder if you could tell me where to find Atlas' quarters?"

"Let me guess... You wish to eradicate every trace of him from your new home?" the titan asked.

"I want to know just so that Hades will not end up wandering there by accident."

"My brother was one of Cronos' most trusted men. He had his quarters close to the tower, where your father used to reside."

Zeus felt a cold hand grasp his heart. The quarters closest to the tower had already been claimed by most of his siblings. Had one of them unknowingly settled into the chambers of Hades' violator and torturer?

"Which door, Prometheus?"

Prometheus glanced at him with a look that suggested Zeus should have already known, before setting to yank the trunk out of the ground.

“His door is a ruddy brown,” he replied. “Mind you it used to be red, but such is what happens when blood fades…”

Zeus thought back with disgust on that very door. Indeed he remembered the color. To think that Atlas actually painted the door with the blood of enemies or prey - were they both in that foul creature’s eyes? - left the god feeling uneasy. How often did he have to renew the color?

“I do know that room,” he said. “It is… oh no. Poseidon chose those quarters himself.”

Prometheus stopped pulling, and the remnants of the tree stopped groaning in protest. “Oh yes, that is a problem.”

“He is not going to appreciate my orders for him to choose a different room,” Zeus stated, looking with a hint of anxiety back at the fortress.

“But why must he leave that room?” the titan asked, continuing his chore.

“Is your mind gone?” Zeus asked. “I cannot have him sleeping in a room where that monster did who knows what!”

“It is no longer that monster’s room,” Prometheus calmly argued, pulling until the roots came loose of the disturbed soil. Stones scattered from the bottom of the stream. “Rid it of all proof of my brother’s presence. Burn it and the door. It will be Poseidon’s living quarters.”

Zeus shook his head vehemently. "No, no! We would never be able to get his foul stench out of the walls, the floor, the very air! And if Hades found out who used to live there, he would never even want to enter those quarters!"

"No one has said you have to tell him," Prometheus said, unperturbed by the god's ire. "My brother has not lived there for a long time. It is merely a room, just like any room in the fortress. Get rid of his possessions, and it will be like he never lived there."

"No!"

The titan shrugged and went back to uprooting what was left of the tree, obviously not bothering to take the argument further. Zeus remained where he was, glaring at Prometheus for a while before turning on his heel and heading back to the fortress. He dreaded having to tell Poseidon whose quarters he had taken over. Hopefully the older god would be just as disgusted and voluntarily relocate to another set of chambers, although Zeus knew that his brother could sometimes be as stubborn as a mule.

Zeus' heart was heavy by the time he returned to his new home and immediately sought out Poseidon's quarters. He opened the ruddy brown door with a barely suppressed shudder - why had he not seen it before? - and felt both relief and annoyance at finding the rooms empty.

"Damn you, Poseidon..." he muttered before continuing up the steps to his own chambers.

As he entered the bedroom, he heard the sound of laughter coming from the bathing pool. Glad to recognize the laughter as belonging to his eldest brother, he knew he could not arouse suspicion from Hades now. The revelation of Atlas’ room to Hades was the last thing Zeus desired.

“Do I hear merriment in here?” he asked in a mock angry tone as he entered the baths. “I thought two gods had promised me that they would help to clean this fortress!”

Zeus could not keep up his teasing façade the moment he looked at Poseidon, for his fellow god’s appearance was what had inspired such laughter from Hades in the first place. Standing now in only knee deep water, Poseidon was coated in green and black slime. Zeus had no choice but to join Hades in laughing.

“Yes, yes, hilarious,” Poseidon grumbled, flinging excess gunk from his arms. “Mind you I can easily ascend to your level and give you each a hearty embrace.”

“What exactly did you do to look as you do now?” Zeus asked, his laughter slowly dying down.

“Before I can clean this place properly,” Poseidon explained, wiping the slime from his face, “I needed to remove the blockage at the exiting drain.” He waved at said drain, droplets of scum flying from his hand as he did.

“I blame the frog for frightening him so,” Hades said with a giggle.

“You are of no help to me,” Poseidon stated unhappily. “No matter…” Closing his eyes, he concentrated and as his brothers watched, the slime began to run off of him, and soon they knew why. Poseidon was producing water from his form, cleaning himself through his own machination.

Zeus found this to be as appropriate a time as any to talk with Poseidon in secrecy. He kissed his eldest brother’s forehead to garner his attention.

“I believe our sisters need assistance cleaning their room, darling,” he said. “Hera has refused them help, and they could afford an extra pair of hands.”

Hades, who was well acquainted with their problem, had to wonder what he could do to help, especially when it came to moving the heavy, titan-sized furniture.

"I doubt I could be of much assistance," he said. "I am not strong enough."

"Nevertheless, go and see if there's something you can do." Zeus' voice was patient, but Hades could easily decipher the hidden message in her brother's words: Zeus wanted a word alone with Poseidon and was politely asking Hades to give them some privacy.

"I will, brother," Hades said meekly and made his exit. He doubted if he could be of any help to Hestia and Demeter, but it never hurt to ask.

Once they were alone, Zeus turned to Poseidon with an expression so grave that the older god feared he had done something to invoke Zeus' wrath.

"Brother, why did you have to pick those quarters for yourself?" the leader asked, his aggravation barely contained in his voice.

Poseidon blinked in confusion. "What about my quarters? Do you want them for yourself? I figured you had already chosen our father's--"

"I don't want them for myself, you imbecile!" Zeus snapped, throwing his arms out in a gesture of frustration. Why did Poseidon have to be so dense?

"Then what is going on?"

"You have to move out of those quarters. Choose another bedroom, there should be plenty. I intend to barricade that door and make sure no one can enter."

Poseidon, made none the wiser by Zeus' expletives, ascended the steps out of the pool, now relatively clean. He reached for a cloth to dry himself.

"You are not making any sense, brother," he said frankly, shaking his curly head.

“THAT IS NOT…” Zeus stifled his own shouting, realizing Hades could still be within range of hearing. He sighed, looked at the floor for a moment before continuing to speak, his voice at a much lower register.

“That is not just any room. It belonged to Atlas.”

Poseidon’s brow softened as he instantly understood. “It is no wonder… it remains close to that of our father,” he said.

Zeus nodded. “He would keep his greatest warriors close to him at all times.”

Poseidon glanced at the doorway, thinking of Hades. What would have happened to the poor god had he entered that set of rooms and realized whom they once belonged to?

“That explains all of the weaponry,” he said unhappily. “He had… quite the collection.”

Zeus’ glare deepened. “I want it destroyed. All of it. I will not have the poison of our enemy tainting this place any longer. Not Cronos, not Atlas.”

Poseidon stared at his brother. The youngest god had reached a place in his mind where others must tread with the utmost caution. Zeus’ logic made sense to him, but likely no one else.

“Zeus,” Poseidon said carefully. “We can burn all that lays therein, but then his presence will be gone from us. I am not saying I still wish to use his quarters as my own, but… if you leave that place barricaded, it will be as though we are trapping him within, instead of mere memories. It would be as though his spirit were haunting this place. Hades would never want that. Would you?”

Zeus ground his teeth, angry at being questioned. What he wanted to do was simply remove the door and replace it with a brick wall, making the room inaccessible to anyone. But he also knew that such a drastic choice of action would lead to a lot of questions, from Hades in particular, and Zeus would not be able to hide the truth from his mate.

Poseidon could plainly see his brother's anguish and approached him, though without trying to offer any kind of comfort, as Zeus had reacted badly to such in the past.

"The best would be to tell Hades the truth," he said. "After all, the monster himself is gone, only his possessions remain in there. Hades will understand."

"Fine, I will not have the room barricaded," Zeus muttered, still not pleased with the idea of the room remaining accessible. "But I will have to lock the door."

"You will do as you wish," the older god said with an acquiescing nod. "I will vacate from those quarters by tomorrow morning."

"Tonight. I will not have you spend another night in there."

Poseidon was tempted to roll his eyes and ask Zeus if he believed Atlas' ghost would possess him if he slept there another night. But then it occurred to him that the abominable titan had not been killed but left to suffer for eternity.

“I suppose everything must go from the room,” he finally suggested. He had tested the waters of Zeus’ patience enough for the morning and surmised that an offer to help was the best direction for now.

Zeus nodded, taking a deep breath to calm himself. “Everything.”

“I suppose we should rid ourselves of all the weapons, no matter the room,” Poseidon added, glancing back at the pool. Shaking his head at his predicament, he descended the steps once more. “None of them would be of much use, based on their size alone. Even a dagger would prove to be a very broad, cumbersome sword.”

Zeus stood still, silently watching his brother continue the work of cleaning the pool. The older god walked to the side of the pool’s exterior, pressed his hand into a clot of algae – ignoring the sound as he did – and shut his eyes. Seconds later, Poseidon pulled his hand away and dark, green dust fell from where slime once adhered.

“Extraordinary,” Zeus remarked.

Poseidon gave a small smile at his achievement. “It will certainly make the cleaning of this place easier. Did you ascertain a reason for the still waters?”

“Prometheus and I found the obstruction and cleared the way. The water should be spreading through the fortress now, especially due to the rain.”

“The flow should help to clear things,” Poseidon added, glancing toward the drain where water would enter. “You seem to be getting along well with our host.”

Zeus shrugged. “He does seem to be one of those rare exceptions of an otherwise mindless and brutish race.”

“Like Metis?”

Poseidon received a quick glance from his brother. "Yes, like Metis," Zeus then agreed.

Poseidon already knew that Zeus did not like discussing Metis with him or anyone else, for that matter. Whether or not this was because he had developed true feelings for the titaness was up for speculation, despite Zeus' claims that the relationship between Metis and himself had been purely physical.

"Will you invite her to the wedding?" the older god carefully asked, knowing that he was already out on treacherous waters. Zeus had told Hades of his affair with the titaness, and though the eldest god had barely batted an eye at the revelation, Poseidon did not know if either god would be comfortable having Metis present at their marriage ceremony.

"I have not yet decided," Zeus replied curtly. "In fact, I have no plans of a wedding in sight yet, either. We shall see."

"But... I thought you were going to...?

"I promised I would marry Hades, but I did not say when," Zeus explained. "My first priority is to establish Olympus as our home. Only then can I begin to consider other matters, such as marriage. Hades is my mate; just because we aren't yet wedded does not change that."

"I know, Zeus, but..."

Zeus raised a critical eyebrow at his brother. "But what, Poseidon?"

“We all understand the pain he has endured, brother,” he said. “He truly looks forward to this ceremony. And if he does, then so do we all. We would all like to see him happy…”

Suddenly Hera came to mind, and based on Zeus’ expression, Poseidon could tell he was
thinking similarly.

“Almost all. Nonetheless… I would not wait very long if I were you. He might begin to feel doubt. You would not want him to be hurt.”

Zeus would have bristled had he fur or feathers. His brow knit at his brother’s concern.

“I would never hurt him. He knows to trust me. We merely have priorities and obligations to uphold.”

“Yes, brother,” Poseidon finally said, and he spoke no more on the subject, returning to cleaning the pool.

Zeus turned and walked out of the living quarters, roaming the hallways with thoughts of his brother’s advice racing through his mind. Of course he trusts me, he thought, utterly perplexed at the very idea. How could our plans hurt him? This war was far more important than a wedding! What is the use of enjoying marriage if the battle is lost and the wrong side is triumphant?

Then again, having children in times of war was not incredibly convenient either. And Hades would have never had the chance to bear young if not for Zeus’ meddling. Where did that leave them then? A dead child and Hades likely never wanting to attempt starting a family ever again, even though they likely could.

Thinking of that wretched, misshapen form that Demeter had to do away with made Zeus doubt he would willingly try again with Hades as well. All of those boneless limbs and…

The image of the stillborn child felt familiar in the youngest god’s mind for just a fleeting moment, but his thoughts we interrupted when he passed a doorway and found himself outside. Again he could hear Hades’ laughter and, following the sound, discovered the older god in the grass. Cerberus bounded around him, its bulky body making its joyous run look comical.

Hades' visage immediately lit up when he spotted Zeus, and he moved his attention from Cerberus to his brother and mate.

"Poseidon is almost done with cleaning our baths," Zeus announced, thinking that his brother had better be finished once it was time to return to their quarters. "Were you able to help our sisters?"

Hades tried to stand up, but was nudged in the backside by an intrusive snout and fell back down on the ground. Zeus knew that the fearsome beast was only playing and did not interfere, instead waiting for Hades to scold Cerberus himself.

"We did our best to dust the place," Hades said, giving the three-headed canine a bop on its leftmost snout when it tried the same move twice. "We also moved most of the weapons into a storage room. Demeter and Hestia said they were uncomfortable with those things hanging visibly on the walls."

Zeus wondered which titan had occupied the room now inhabited by his two sisters. Probably another one of Cronos' most bloodthirsty brethren, judging from the amount of weapons he'd seen decorating the walls. Zeus decided not to dwell on the subject, as it was making him uncomfortable. Instead he addressed the issue why he had sought out Hades now.

"What are your plans regarding our wedding ceremony?" he asked.

Hades looked up from Cerberus to regard his brother with a guarded smile. Clearly the notion of the ceremony brought him joy, but now… was he worried that Zeus would be telling him bad news?

“Well…” Hades said quietly as he stood up, walking toward his brother as Cerberus followed.
“What were your plans, brother?”

Zeus smiled, and he grasped his eldest brother by the shoulders when he was within reach.

“The events of battle and finding a new home have left me with few thoughts in the way of planning, dearest. I am curious to know if you have thought of anything.”

One hand lifted from Hades’ slender shoulder to affectionately cup his cheek. "After all, we are now safe to properly enjoy the festivities.”

Eyes lowered, Hades smiled once more. “I… well, I was thinking… we might marry outside. In the gardens. And perhaps… oh, it is silly…”

“I am willing to hear it,” Zeus said, his tone encouraging. “Please, tell me.”

Hades hesitated but finally the truth came out. “I had a vision of a pretty grey day, without rain, but also without blue skies. I had thought that perhaps with your control of lightning that you might be able to make this happen…?”

Zeus grinned at the suggestion, imagining it himself. “I do like grey clouds, come to think of it. Perhaps it can be arranged.”

Hades grinned gleefully and wrapped his arms around Zeus' neck. He should have known better than to doubt his brother's resolve for even a moment; clearly Zeus was just as intent on getting married as Hades himself. He could already picture himself and Zeus on the big day, people of many races congregated around them, cheering them on and wishing them all the happiness in the world...

From that day on, he would be officially wedded to Zeus and be bound to him for all eternity. Hades realized that that day could not come quickly enough.

"When are we going to do this?" he asked, standing on his tiptoes so that he could nuzzle his brother's jaw and press tiny little kisses to his face.

"I don't know yet, Hades," Zeus replied, and he was not slow to see the look of disappointment on Hades' face. "We must settle into our new home before we can start making plans for the future. And there is still plenty to do before this place is fully ours."

"Yes, I understand," Hades said slowly, although the disappointed expression was not yet fully erased from his face. "It is just that I'm looking forward to it so much..."

"I know you are," Zeus said with a smile and returned some of the kisses bestowed upon him by his mate. "As am I. When the time is right, we shall get married."

Cerberus, who had been watching the two gods silently, save for the loud breaths of three separate throats, licked at Hades’ hand with the rightmost head. Chuckling, Hades wiped the drool from his hand onto his robe and patted the head.

“Would it please you to attend the ceremony too, Cerberus?” he asked the beast, who wagged its tail at the attention.

“Speaking of attending,” Zeus said, “have you thought of who we might invite?”

“I do not know for certain,” Hades answered, “In my mind I see many guests. Chiron must arrive, that much I know.”

“Of course.” Zeus glanced toward the gardens, where Hades’ ideal marriage would take place. But the gardens also brought to mind a very certain concern.

“Now that we are trying for peace with the titans,” he said, “will you want any of them to attend?”

The hand patting Cerberus stopped, and Zeus looked at the almost unreadable expression on his brother’s face. Hand guiding the older god’s face upward so that he could look into his eyes, he wordlessly implored Hades for an answer.

“I know I should not feel afraid of them...” he said. “Only… our union would be a perfect ceremony to invite our new allies, don’t you think? And I should not feel fear.”

“That is a lovely gesture,” Zeus agreed. “And it is also natural for you to be apprehensive. But there will be peace between our races now. I would never allow otherwise.”

"I hope so," Hades said quietly, and he closed his eyes, resting his head against Zeus' shoulder. He could have remained in that position for hours, had a wet snout not nudged against his backside, demanding attention. Both gods laughed out loud at the comical noise of surprise emitted by Hades.

*

By dusk, both Zeus and Hades returned to what had now become their chambers, finding the baths empty, both of water and Poseidon. The pool itself looked even more frightening now, as though it was some kind of dark, bottomless abyss, and Hades failed to hold back a shudder. Should he wander off in his sleep and fall down there...

"What happened to the water?" he asked, noting that most of the algae was gone, and the little which remained had dried out.

"Poseidon explained that the best way to get clean water was to let the pool dry before filling it up again," Zeus replied. "So we'll leave it like this for some time and then re-establish the flow."

Hades, nodded, understanding the reasoning behind his brother's actions. He had been looking forward to a bath in clean water, but cleaning out the pool was a much more pressing issue.

"Are you ready for bed?" the younger god asked, his hand stroking and gently rubbing at his sibling's neck.

Hades shut his eyes at the pleasing sensation, tilting his head to further enjoy his brother’s touch. He sighed, and the sound seemed to encourage Zeus to continue his attention.

“Bed would be lovely,” the older god said, tilting his head the other way and chuckling when the touch began to tickle him.

“Perhaps we can try a bath tomorrow,” Zeus suggested hopefully as they climbed into bed. Hades had gone up first, hands groping his bottom as they pushed him upward over the edge. He giggled as he watched the ungraceful manner in which his brother climbed after him, almost sliding back down when the bedcover unexpectedly gave way for a foot or so.

“It shall be most welcome to share a bath with you without the fear of slipping on the steps,” Hades replied, nuzzling into his brother’s neck before kissing it. Zeus grinned, taking the smaller god into his strong arms and laying on his back, pulling Hades with him. Hades nestled against his leader and beloved’s chest, enjoying the warmth and closeness.

“Now that we are able to marry,” he asked. “Shall I invite my sisters to make preparations?”

“Of course,” Zeus replied. “They enjoy planning celebrations, and this will likely be no different. If anything, they will have more to enjoy.”

“Mmm…” the older god simply enjoyed this moment of quiet between himself and his brother.

If they were to make love before they fell asleep, he would not mind, but for now, laying here together without any worries was just as satisfying. They continued this way for another minute until something came to Hades’ mind as he thought of the coming ceremony.

“How shall we get Chiron up the mountain?”

Zeus laughed. “Oh, we’ll think of something.”

"I hope so. Our brother would be very disappointed if he was unable to attend."

They both snickered at what was obviously true, and Hades then raised his head slightly so that he could look into Zeus' eyes.

"A part of me refuses to believe we are truly safe," he said. "That we are... together. And that we're going to be married."

"Nothing can come between us now," Zeus replied, gazing up at his brother's solemn visage. So many horrible things had happened to Hades lately, and it was truly no wonder that his delicate self had started to always prepare for the worst. Zeus wanted to promise that nothing bad would ever befall on his mate again, but as no one could know what the future had in store, it was a foolish promise to make.

"There are still those... who want us harm," Hades murmured, not mentioning that one of those people were inside the fortress, free to move about as she wished. That his own sister harbored such black hatred toward him was unsettling enough without being spoken out loud.

"That will not happen, because I won't let them. Don't you trust me, Hades? I said I would protect you."

"I... I trust you," Hades said breathily, his body reacting to the way Zeus' hands moved across his back and down his sides. Though there was a layer of cloth between them, the heat of Zeus' skin was palpable, along with the moisture secreted from his palms. There was absolutely no doubt as to how the younger god wanted to proceed.

The very tip of Hades’ tongue darted out just far enough to wet his lips, and Zeus knew his brother was feeling the same way. Still, he had to take care in his actions. Were he to be too forward, the gods might fall back to the very first steps again of their attempted return to intimacy. As Hades began to lift himself into a seated position, Zeus trailed his fingertips deftly towards his brother’s front, until the lightest tickle against small nubs brought them hard. Hades did the same for the youngest god, eyes closed as he felt his way around the very familiar landscape of flesh. They continued their explorations until Zeus brought his touch lower, lifting cloth and finding the warm patch of hair which delicately accentuated the very place the god was looking for.

A very light moan escaped from Hades, a sound which amused Zeus, though he tried not to laugh. Zeus closed his hands around the parts, cupping them gently, and Hades found himself tensing, though not out of fear.

Zeus hoped that keeping Hades on top of himself rather than placing his own bulk atop his brother's smaller form would keep Hades from feeling overwhelmed. A shudder passed through the older god's slender body, and his member twitched in Zeus' hand, swelling and elongating with arousal.

"Do you wish to proceed?" Zeus asked, already knowing what answer to expect. He just needed to make sure.

Hades nodded, giving another breathy moan. The cursed feelings of dread had not yet come over him, and he intended to keep them at bay this time. Struggling to rid himself of his clothing, Hades wished that Zeus would do the same. Though he was utterly familiar with the hard edges and planes of his brother's body by now, Hades needed - craved - to see it and take in the perfection that was Zeus.

Zeus sat up, but only long enough to shrug out of his robe. He quickly leaned back against the pillows, Hades still sitting astride his lap, and gently tugged the other down for a kiss. The hands which had caressed Hades' sex with such a wonderful mixture of passion and care moved behind him to knead his delectably pale backside. Hades knew that Zeus loved his bottom, and he was not one to complain. The strong fingers massaging his flesh crept closer to the cleft between his cheeks, their intention obvious.

Hades sighed out another moan, eyes closed and looking to be in absolute bliss. His breath was audible with every exhale as his brother continued to massage the puckered flesh. The older god’s hands, wrapped around the curve where chest met ribs, began to rub and tease at Zeus’ nipples.

“Ahhhn…” Hades murmured. “More… more…!”

A smile curled on Zeus’ lips and he pressed as he massaged. Hades went completely silent, and the younger god might have guessed he had done something wrong had he not seen the way his brother tilted his head back, mouth open in a silent cry, but expression relaxed otherwise.

“Do you like that?” the Olympian leader asked slyly, already knowing the answer.

“Mmn,” Hades whimpered, nodding. His smile becoming a grin, Zeus sat up again, kissing Hades’ throat as his brother’s head remained tilted back. Hades straightened just enough to return the kiss, his breath heavy.

“Shall I get the oils?” Zeus asked in a quiet voice, nearly whispering it.

“Yes.”

“Do not move,” the younger god said, giving his brother a quick peck on the nose before crawling over to the bottle which held said substance.

Hades watched as his brother moved, taking in the sight of his proud manhood bobbing unashamedly between a pair of powerful thighs. Zeus did absolutely nothing to try to hide his arousal, and Hades wished he could have been as carefree as his youngest sibling. He found himself averting his eyes when Zeus returned, his cheeks tinged with pink. Shyness was so deeply rooted into Hades' nature that his siblings had long since stopped questioning it. Zeus thus did not interpret his fellow Olympian's reclusive behavior as a lack of want. Hades was just as aroused as Zeus himself, he simply did not have the confidence to act unabashed.

"Look at me," the leader requested, stroking a blushing cheek before capturing Hades' chin between his thumb and forefinger. A moment passed before the other complied, his beautiful emerald eyes gazing longingly into Zeus' own. Relieved to find his brother's eyes free of fear or hesitation, Zeus proceeded to spread Hades' legs. The thin muscles in his thighs quivered slightly, but immediately a large hand was there to soothe the skin and the taut flesh beneath it.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Zeus asked once more.

"Yes," Hades said, shifting positions. "I know how long you have waited."

"Do not concern yourself over me. I am asking you. Do you want to?"

"Yes, I do."

One hand, still caressing, lightly brushed against the surface of flesh where two sensitive globes twitched in response. Hades smiled, eyes shut as he experienced such sudden and astonishing pleasure at the touch. He felt his brother’s face nuzzle his cheek as Zeus prepared his hand and sex with oil.

First he massaged as he did only moments before, silently asking Hades to open up for him. Gently, he eased a slick finger into him, and when the older god relaxed in only seconds’ time, he added another. Slowly, still massaging as his hand moved, he pushed and pulled the fingers inwards, then out. Hades was responsive in the most beautiful way. His lithe body went limp like the bedclothes beneath him, inviting any and all stimulation, his limbs spread and his chest heaving with restless breaths. Lips parted, Hades seemed to want to beg for more, but did not speak.

Zeus was happy to comply, but he had to confess – if only to himself – that he too was nervous. He had indeed wanted this again in his and Hades’ lives, something they had not been able to share thanks to the titans. But the concern still lingered that should something go wrong, they would fall back to the beginning of their journey.

“Dearest,” he whispered, slowly removing his fingers, “climb atop me.”

Almost looking drowsy as he lifted himself, Hades followed his brother as he crawled on top of him, kneeling just so that he could be lowered onto his leader and beloved’s phallus.

Zeus did not want to risk mounting Hades and have his brother relive the terrifying moments of Atlas doing the same. Though nowhere near the size of a titan, the younger god was still easily twice the size of his sibling and thus intimidating. Letting Hades ride him was the best solution for now, and though Zeus preferred to have much more control, he was more than willing to have his brother on top if it meant their bodies could be joined.

Zeus' hands slowly parted Hades' buttocks and positioned his erection, gently urging his mate to sit down onto it. Hades did, although the initial gasp of pain was enough to worry Zeus.

"Take it... slowly..." he encouraged, craving the hot silk grasp of his brother's insides but also not willing to hurt Hades for the sake of his own satisfaction.

Hades experienced the familiar burn of the entry, fighting his body's urge to thrust the intruder out. Weeks had passed since they last did this, and that attempt had not ended well. Determined to make it work this time, Hades breathed out and lowered himself further down.

Zeus both watched and felt sweat break out on his brother's skin and knew that this was a response to pain, not arousal. He moved his hands from Hades' hips up to his face, pulling the smaller god down on his chest as Hades' own ribcage heaved with the strain of accepting Zeus' phallus.

"We can stop," Zeus said, stroking at the soft hair now spread across his shoulder.

Hades shook his head. "No... you can move. I'm alright..."

“You being above me like this is good,” Zeus told him. “It will make you feel more in control of our coupling. But the entry at this angle is… awkward, wouldn’t you say?”

He felt Hades nod against his chest. “My legs were tense trying to lower myself. I think it made me tight when I finally allowed you inside me.”

A big hand caressed his hair, focusing at the scalp and soothing the older god. “Try to sit up.”

Zeus felt the deep breath that Hades took as he readied himself, and he watched as his beautiful fellow god pushed against the surface of the bed. Hades’ brow furrowed as he righted himself, but he did not pull away or clamp around his brother. His breath was slow, and he stared at his sex, which had flagged in the moments of discomfort. Zeus seemed to notice this, for he lifted a hand and softly tickled the organ. Hades reacted immediately, a soft little noise of satisfaction escaping his lips.

Smiling, Zeus trailed his fingertip along the underside of Hades’ shaft and was almost surprised at the shiver which ran through the other god.

“Mmmn…” he struggled to say, “mm… move…”

Zeus very nearly laughed. “Brother. This is where you move.”

Hades’ brow knitted again. “But… what if I do this incorrectly?”

“Would you like me to bounce you?”

"I..." Blush deepening, the older god made a tentative movement, his long, slender fingers digging into Zeus' pectorals. The shaft within him slid halfway out and then back inside with an awkward thump, the muscles in his legs straining again. Hades loathed to think that he had lost all of his remaining grace and wondered what Zeus truly thought of him.

"Let me," the bigger Olympian said, slowly getting into a seated rather than lying position until he was face to face with Hades. Thick, muscular arms wrapped around Hades' ribcage, pressing their bodies flush against one another, and then Zeus began to thrust into him from beneath.

Hades promptly wrapped his arms around his brother's neck and his legs around his waist, pleased to let Zeus do most of the work. The feel of his brother's thick organ moving inside his body caused a burning sensation at first, but he quickly adapted, the familiarity of the act making itself known.

Zeus intently listened for noises that might suggest Hades was not enjoying himself. He knew from previous experience that his brother did not always communicate what he truly felt, and thus Zeus had to be attentive. So far, however, nothing seemed to be amiss. Hades had buried his face in the juncture between Zeus' neck and shoulder, and the younger god could feel his damp exhales against his skin.

Hades could barely believe his good fortune. Though he had desperately wanted intimacy such as this again in his life, he had not expected to take to it again so easily, let alone in such a breathtaking manner. Feeling himself adapt to Zeus put him in a state of willing and welcoming submission, and he felt he could adjust to anything his brother gave him. That sense of confidence made each thrust all the more fulfilling, and I his state of increasing bliss, he was tempted to bite Zeus’ neck where his face pressed against.

“Does this please you?” he heard Zeus ask in a whisper into his ear. All Hades could do was moan an affirmative.

Gently nuzzling the same ear, Zeus increased the pace of his thrusts, and he too began to succumb to the overwhelming feeling of pleasure which left him unable to speak. His deep voice made a soft grunt seem louder, and Hades was inspired to cry out in a louder volume as well.

After a few more minutes of their motions, Zeus found himself near climax. Hades, while clearly in deep pleasure, did not seem to be as close, so the younger god thought it best to help him.
Careful not to disturb their pace, he reached between their bodies and gently grasped his brother’s sex, stroking it.

Zeus' other hand entangled in Hades' waist-length hair, not pulling but holding the other's head still. He felt something sharp nicking the skin of his shoulder just as Hades climaxed, and Zeus first did not realize that his brother had bitten him. Hades slumped against the younger god's larger frame, and Zeus followed suite, only a couple of thrusts later.

Bodies sticking together by sweat, both Olympians felt the remaining energy drain from their limbs, and Zeus' softening organ slipped out of Hades' orifice. Rather than disengaging from his mate, Zeus held Hades close, kissing damp skin wherever he could reach it.

"Are you alright, brother?" the younger god asked, not quite yet free of the nagging doubt that Hades was going to burst out in tears any given moment.

Relief flooded through Zeus when he felt a nod against his neck, consisting of Hades' nose quickly going up and down.

"Do you wish to sleep?"

"Yes, I do..." came an exhausted reply from the smaller being. "But perhaps we should clean up first...?"

The leader chuckled. "I believe you're right." He gently lowered Hades onto his back and reached for the basin and washcloth he had purposely left on the bedside table.

Hades instinctively lifted a hand when the object were near him, but was pleasantly surprised when Zeus did not hand them over, instead wetting the cloth himself and cleaning the elder god of his post-coital shine.

“Do not worry,” Zeus said jokingly as he noticed the faint look of surprise on his brother’s face. “I assure you this water is clean.”

Hades gave a small laugh and grinned as he enjoyed the cool sensation of the wet cloth drifting over his skin. He likely would not be able to fully enjoy another attempt at lovemaking until he had some sleep, but he loved the sweet feeling of the cloth against his body by the god he loved and would soon marry.

When he finished with Hades, Zeus gave himself a bath, albeit quicker. Returning the basin to the bedside table, he lay beside his older fellow god, an arm over the smaller body in order to stroke back the long locks of dark hair.

“You did very well tonight,” he complimented him, enjoying the mere sight of Hades’ eyes closing with contentment at the treatment given. Hades, already lovely in appearance, could look so beautiful when he was not worrying about the state of himself. “I am proud of you. I am happy we could do this.”

Hades nodded sleepily. "So am I..." he murmured, slightly resisting the call of sleep. Hearing that his brother was proud of him further warmed his heart. Blindly fumbling for some part of Zeus to touch with his hand, he managed to say "I love you..." before slipping away from the waking world.

Zeus returned the sentiment, but by then Hades was already softly snoring.

TBC...
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The Immortal Heart