The Path to Victory

Chapter 9


Hades was pleased to have his quarters all to himself again, but he also felt melancholy about his child being gone from his sight and reach. The Kraken would thrive in the ocean, there was no doubt about that, but a bond between a child and its parent could not be easily severed.

The oldest male Olympian sat in his bed, feeling desolate. While the creature was here, at least he had felt he still had a purpose, and that feeling was now gone. The fact that Zeus spent hours discussing battle strategies with Poseidon which excluded him did not make Hades feel any better.

And then there was his recovery. Despite the fact that almost a week had gone since the birth, Hades’ former youthful appearance had not been restored to him. He no longer looked like a dying man and had regained some of the weight he lost bearing the Kraken, but… his hair was still grizzled, his eyes still hollow, and he was far too pallid, as if he had not yet recovered from the extensive blood loss he suffered during the birth.

*

Zeus had felt entitled to excusing himself from dinner, as he had more important things to do such as plan the next battle against Cronos with his brother, who had also been excused from being present at the dinner table. By the time they had come to an agreement, their plans had overdrawn suppertime, and they had to dine by themselves.

Their sisters mentioned the younger gods had been missed greatly. What the goddesses had neglected to mention was that Hades had not attended dinner either. Only when Hestia confided in Poseidon did the truth come out. Poseidon had a hunch as to why, and he secretly put together a small tray of food and wine and took it to his older brother’s quarters.

A quiet voice accepted his entry after he knocked, and when he stepped through the doorway, the god found Hades sitting by himself, shoulders hunched and head down. Rather than asking the obvious question, Poseidon held up the tray.

“I thought I might bring you some sustenance.”

Hades gave his brother a smile that was weak at best and feigned at worst. “Thank you, Poseidon. But you really needn’t bring me any food. I am fully capable of feeding myself now.”

“Oh, I know you are,” the younger god replied and set the tray down on Hades’ bedside table. “I did not mean to imply otherwise. I simply… wanted to see how you were feeling, brother?”

Hades’ body language and position already spoke for themselves, but Poseidon felt he should ask, anyway. There was a long pause of silence before the other answered.

“My strength is returning, and for that I am grateful,” Hades began. “However… I still look revolting. And I feel like I am not much use. What were you and Zeus discussing earlier, for so many hours? And dare I ask why I was not invited to be present?” Hades tried unsuccessfully to keep his voice neutral, but the bitterness and despair he had tried to keep contained within himself shone through clear as day.

Poseidon felt guilty that he was the only one asked to help in planning the future conflict. In his opinion, all three gods should have been present. “We were discussing battle strategy,” he finally answered. “Zeus must have considered such things would not interest you.” It was a poor excuse, but it was all he could think of.

“Is that what he told you, or did you presume that yourself?” his brother asked, voice low.

Sighing Poseidon took a seat next to the older god. “Actually… he never said anything of the matter.”

Hades’ head lowered even further. His hair obscured his face, particularly his eyes, and he was thankful for it. He hated to be seen in his misery, even when someone he trusted so much as Poseidon was present.

“Do you wish to discuss it?” Poseidon asked carefully.

“To what end?” Hades responded, his voice weak. “This is how Zeus sees me, and I am starting to believe he is right. Perhaps my use has run its course.”

“That is not true,” Poseidon retorted immediately. “If it weren’t for you, we would not even have a weapon against Cronos and his Titans.”

Hades finally looked his brother in the eye, and the expression on his face read of betrayal. “But now that you have it, I’m of no further value to any of you.”

“Hades, stop this nonsense, at once!” If his brother was looking for pity, he was not going to get it from Poseidon. It stung his heart to hear Hades belittle himself like that, and the feeling intensified when he realized that he was partially to blame for his brother’s state of mind. Why had he not voiced an objection when Zeus asked to discuss battle strategies with him alone? Surely he could have said something?

Taking a seat opposite Hades on the bed, the younger Olympian grasped his brother by the shoulders and caught his gaze. “You are our brother, and you’re just as valuable as Zeus himself. Don’t let anyone tell you different.”

“Then perhaps you should tell this to our dear brother,” Hades muttered. “In his opinion, I rank even lower than our sisters. Although he does not view them as equals, at least he treats them with kindness and respect.”

“He is stubborn,” Poseidon replied. “And his head is thick. One could take a hammer to it and he would still live. Zeus thinks the world owes him everything because of what he has done for us. But we are still ourselves, and he cannot will us to change.”

Hades looked down, considering his brother’s words. “And yet…” he said under his breath, “here I am. I am not the same as I was before he planted his seed. I was… I was beautiful compared to how I am now.”

“My brother,” Poseidon whispered, lifting his fellow god’s head. He kissed Hades on one cheek, then the other, and finally on his parted lips. Hades closed his eyes at the sensation and surrendered to cool wandering hands.

“Brother…” the younger god repeated. “You are beautiful.”

Hades could barely argue at present. His brother’s lips parted from his own and drifted down his throat, placing tiny, wonderful kisses against his pale skin. However, Hades came to his senses when he felt Poseidon’s hands trying to get inside his robe.

“Brother… what are you doing?” he asked, scowling, as he held both palms pressed to the other’s chest, stopping his advances.

“Making love to you,” Poseidon replied as he continued to hold Hades close. “I wish to show you that you are still beautiful.”

Hades’ scowl deepened. He did not need fake pity; in fact, having his brother lie with him simply to make him feel better was downright depressing. “You need not prove anything to me,” he said. “I know what I have become, and having you pretend—”

“I’m not pretending anything,” Poseidon stated firmly. “I want you. That I speak the truth should be obvious enough even to you, brother.” Gently grasping Hades’ hand, he placed it between his own legs, where a distinct hardness was already present.

That feeling of his brother’s hand against his own organ made Poseidon breathe heavily. He leaned into Hades, pressing his face into the curve of the older god’s neck. Once more, Hades felt a strange solace in his younger brother’s touch, and he instinctively cradled Poseidon’s head against him, encouraging the stimulus. Smiling, Poseidon continued, one hand urging Hades to keep stroking him, the other playing with nipples which had grown hard in mere seconds.

The manual stimulation continued for several more minutes until Poseidon felt something against his cheek. He touched the now wet skin and looked up, realizing tears had fallen against him. Hades was weeping, even as they pleasured one another.

“Dear brother,” Poseidon whispered, gently taking Hades in his arms and guiding him onto his back. “What is troubling you?”

“You don’t desire me…” Hades replied quietly. “I’m sure of it.”

However, the elder god’s tone suggested he was more trying to convince himself than his brother. Poseidon nuzzled against Hades’ jaw and tenderly caressed his fellow god’s side.

“I do. Please allow me to show you.”

A shudder passed through Hades’ body when Poseidon grabbed the hem of his robe and pulled it over his head, exposing his body in full. His member was already hard, resting swollen and engorged against his abdomen. Despite his insecurities about himself and his brother’s motives, Hades could not avoid writhing in pleasure when his organ was manipulated by the other god’s deft, skillful fingers.

Poseidon leaned over his brother’s spread-eagled form and kissed him on the lips again. Hades’ mouth willingly accepted his probing tongue and eventually he even returned the kiss. When they finally parted for air, the eyes of both Olympians were dark with lust.

“Do you believe now that I desire you?” Poseidon asked, gazing deep into his brother’s large eyes.

“Why, brother?” Hades asked softly, reaching up to touch Poseidon’s soft curls. “Why me? I’m repulsive. Surely any of our beautiful sisters would be happy to oblige you. I know that Zeus has chosen Hera, but I know Hestia or Demeter would—”

Fingers gently pressed against Hades’ lips, silencing him. “Because I chose you,” Poseidon answered. “You are what I love, my brother. And no matter how you appear… all I see is you.”

Hades wore an expression of confusion as he listened, and part of him wanted to refuse the truth of what his brother said. But before the words of love were even finished, he took the hand against his lips and kissed it.

“Make love to me,” the older god said, his voice only a whisper but a quiet demand nonetheless.

Poseidon smiled and immediately began to disrobe, his brother reaching up to kiss his chest as he did. Once both gods were completely naked, they joined once more and rolled onto their sides, limbs entangled as they kissed one another.

“I have an idea,” Poseidon said as their lips parted. “You never had the chance to penetrate one of us. Perhaps you can try, see if it suits you.”

Hades gave a peculiar, devious little smile at the offer. “I would very much like that.”

The idea intrigued him, and he was definitely interested, though also a smidgen surprised that his brother would let him do that. Hades had already mentally prepared himself to assume the submissive role ever since Poseidon made it clear that he wanted to make love, since it was all he knew thus far. His member, already painfully hard, twitched in response to the excitement he felt.

When Hades felt his brother’s gentle hand caress him, he momentarily feared he would climax and spill his seed before they had even gotten properly started.

“How shall we do this, brother?” he whispered to Poseidon, looking into his eyes for guidance. “I have never done this before.”

The younger Olympian gave a small chuckle and rolled onto his back, spreading his legs. “It’s no more difficult than it appears. Come and lie on top of me…”

Giving a sly smirk, Hades crawled onto his brother and again they began to kiss, but only for a few seconds. “Shall we require oils?” Hades asked. “We had not used such in the past...”

“It will make things easier,” Poseidon said with a chuckle. “Otherwise, I believe you are ready.”

Smiling, the older god grabbed a jar of lamp oil from his bedside table and began to slather it over his erect phallus. Poseidon grinned in amusement at the copious amount his inexperienced fellow god used, but said nothing. Hades would learn in time, after all.

Leaning over the younger god, Hades gave his brother a kiss on his brow. “I am ready,” he said, still looking uncertain, yet eager to begin.

Poseidon caressed the elder god’s cheek and nodded. “As am I. Do it, my brother.”

Hades felt the need to watch as he entered into Poseidon, to make sure he would penetrate him correctly, and it excited the older Olympian to see his phallus disappear into his brother’s snug channel. The sensation itself however made the sight pale in comparison. Both gods moaned passionately as the penetration happened, and Hades had to pause and catch his breath so that he would not climax that very moment.

Poseidon hid the mild discomfort he felt when Hades entered him; he was certain that it would pass in no time at all, and using the oil had certainly made things easier. Why had he not thought of it when he took Hades?

This was not the time to dwell on it. Instead he pulled his brother down to lie atop him and kissed the trembling Olympian’s brow, then his cheek. “I am ready, brother… You can begin…”

Hades needed no further encouragement. Face against his brother’s neck, he started thrusting slowly, both for Poseidon’s comfort and to avoid a premature climax in himself. Remembering how Zeus had treated him, Hades was determined not to let his brother experience the same discomfort.

“Oh, Hades… You’re a fast learner, brother…” Poseidon murmured in between the other’s gentle thrusts into his body. Stroking his brother’s hair, he added, “I won’t break, however. If you wish to pick up the pace, you may do so…”

Hades smiled, remembering he had said something similar to Poseidon when the roles had been reversed over two weeks ago. He affectionately kissed the slight dip between his brother’s throat and chest. “One can hope I will be able last long enough to keep you satisfied as well.”

“I have faith in you,” Poseidon said with a smile, patting his brother’s hair. It was a shame his poor brother’s hair was no longer held the same beauty it once had, but at least it had grown back.

Hades began to increase his pace as he thrust into the younger god, and he watched intently for any change in Poseidon’s expression, no matter how small. He did not want to cause his brother any unneeded pain, but fortunately this did not seem to be the case. Poseidon’s eyes simply remained closed as though the younger god was lost in a blissful dream. This was encouraging to Hades and he went a little faster and thus his pleasure began to build to heavenly heights.

Poseidon mewled in pleasure and all his muscles went taut when his brother’s phallus impacted with a spot inside him that brought him the most intense jolts of pleasure he had ever experienced, and for a brief moment, his reaction frightened Hades.

“No, you did not hurt me,” Poseidon murmured, pulling his brother back down on to him. “But whatever you did, do it again… It felt so good…”

Hades had no idea what this was, of course, but he did his best to repeat his thrusts with the same force and angle, and his brother’s response told him every time he succeeded. Proud to have caused the younger god such bliss, he felt confident enough to let go and finally allow himself to finish inside the other.

Hades collapsed onto his brother’s larger frame in a boneless, sweating heap of limbs, and during the minutes it took for him to recover, a gentle hand never stopped stroking his hair or back. When they finally parted and Hades pulled out of Poseidon’s grasp, rolling off of him, his limbs were still not steady.

“Did you enjoy that?” Poseidon asked, reaching out to touch what he suspected were tears on his brother’s cheek.

“I did… Thank you…” Hades panted, still moved that his brother had agreed to submit to him in this way. “But… you did not finish, am I right?” He glanced at the other’s still-hard member and immediately felt a stab of guilt.

Poseidon could not help smiling at his brother’s concern and caressed Hades’ cheek, rubbing the remaining tears away with his hand.

“Not quite yet,” he said, “but in time. There’s no need to feel distress over it.”

Hades nuzzled against the hand which caressed him. He found peace in his brother’s touch. “I would still wish to pleasure you completely.”

“Rest for now,” Poseidon advised, then gave a small chuckle. “You may fall asleep trying.”

Hades held his mouth over a yawn and had to admit his younger brother was right. He nodded and closed his eyes for just a moment, and that moment was all it took for him to fall asleep.

*

Hades awoke some time later to the feeling of Poseidon holding his hand. He opened his eyes and saw that the younger Olympian held up his left hand, inspecting it as though searching a jewel for flaws.

“You have beautiful hands.”

Smiling, Hades pulled his hand free and rolled on top of the other god, stealing a kiss. Laughing, Poseidon kissed back.

“I am ready to try again,” Hades whispered into his brother’s ear.

“Indeed, already?” Poseidon pretended to be surprised and passed his hands over Hades’ flanks. His ribs were still prominent, but at least he did not look or feel terribly emaciated. The god’s hair fell over his shoulder and onto Poseidon’s face, threatening to make him sneeze. Laughing, he brushed it away.

“I truly want to pleasure you…” Hades said imploringly, reaching down to passionately kiss his brother again. This time, however, two hands cupped his face and held him at a distance; something which immediately caused doubt in Hades. Had he done something to displease his brother?

“Don’t you want me?” he asked, his voice almost failing him.

Poseidon smiled warmly, and for a moment Hades was unsure of what to believe.

“I do want you, my brother,” the other said. “However, there is no hurry. Be calm, and let me handle things.” The younger Olympian slowly passed his hands down his brother’s neck, shoulders, and finally his back. Hades’ lean, smooth body felt very good under his touch.

“Would you allow me to take you?” Poseidon asked.

Hades gazed into his brother’s eyes for a moment and finally grinned. “You and only you,” he said as though to himself.

His brother lifted an eyebrow, puzzled. “What?”

Fingertips drifted against Poseidon’s cheek as Hades looked upon him pensively. “I trust you. You are the only one I would allow to take me as though I were a woman. Zeus may think he can do so, but he does not rule me, and he takes me against my desire. You are the only one who may take me with my permission.”

Poseidon gave a wide smile and stroked his brother’s angular jaw. “I am glad of it.”

Within only a few short minutes, Hades had made Poseidon hard again, and he was groping for the lamp oil, eager to experience how much easier the penetration had to be. When he was first taken to bed by his brothers, neither of them had used a lubricant, and the friction was the source of most of the pain.

“Just a small amount will suffice,” Poseidon advised when he once again watched his brother handle the lamp oil. After all, they did not need to be completely slathered in it to achieve the desired effect. “Like that, yes…”

Grasping Hades’ hand, he guided it to his own arousal and sighed in pleasure when the other god’s long, slender fingers coated his member in a thin layer of oil. Suddenly an idea occurred to him. “We could put some inside you, as well,” he suggested. “That will make it even easier, brother.”

Hades was not averse to the idea and simply watched, willingly spreading his legs when his brother dipped his own fingers in the oil and then inserted them into his channel. Of course the fingers were not nearly as big as his brother’s engorged phallus, but they were a nice appetizer of what was to come.

Thinking that Hades had received enough preparation now, Poseidon settled himself into a position to take his fellow Olympian. Rather than leaning over Hades, he got onto his knees and lifted his brother’s legs over his shoulders; an act which earned him a surprised look from Hades.

“That’s very bold,” Hades remarked with a chuckle, concerning his brother’s position.

Poseidon grinned as he looked down at the elder god. “One must not frown upon change, after all…” he answered.

The angle at which Hades was penetrated was different this time, and at first he felt great discomfort from it, but he kept himself calm and soon the uneasiness gave way to absolute pleasure.

“Are you ready to continue?” he heard Poseidon ask him, cautious. Hades’ eyes were closed as he drifted in ecstasy, and he wondered if this was how Poseidon had felt only a short time ago when their roles had been reversed. “Hades?” the younger god called to his dazed brother. “I said”—

“Yes…” the elder god was finally able to murmur, his bliss robbing him of intelligible speech. “Yes… go…”

Smiling at the sight of his brother in such a state of pleasure, Poseidon was obliged to begin his thrusts, slowly at first, but soon increasing in speed. Hades did not take long to respond to the pace, and one of his hands drifted up to play with a now perky dark bud of a nipple.

His brother’s hand briefly placed itself atop his, but soon Poseidon resumed caressing Hades’ legs while thrusting into him with slow, languid motions. With the uncomfortable friction nearly absent, Hades was able to focus solely on the pleasure brought by his brother’s member moving within him, stroking places he wasn’t aware even existed.

“How does it feel, brother?” the younger god asked, prepared to change his technique or even stop altogether if Hades expressed discomfort.

“It feels… heavenly, my dearest,” Hades answered, reaching out to touch some of the stray locks of hair that were within his grasp. “But if you would go faster, I have no complaints…”

Sporting a broad grin, Poseidon decided to take up on the offer. Remembering the unexpected pleasure his brother had given him during their previous lovemaking session, he wanted to give the same back to Hades. If the spot existed within him, he could only assume it could also be found within his fellow Olympian.

Hands gripping his brother’s quivering legs, Poseidon exited the snug passage, much to the dissuasion of the older god, who mewled in complaint. Poseidon lowered the bottom half of Hades’ body onto the bed and then, giving his brother a quick kiss on the mouth, penetrated him again. Moaning sharply, Hades placed a hand on the back of the younger god’s head, fingers entwined in dark curls.

“Yes… yes, Poseidon… that’s… ohhhhhh…” Hades almost sounded delirious as he attempted to speak in the throes of passion. He tossed his head back and the grip on the handful of hair made Poseidon wince for a moment, but he could easily withstand the momentary pain. Hades had no idea what he was doing, after all, and that had to mean that Poseidon was succeeding in finding that very special place within. He continued a fast pace, and he was sure that both gods would be soon reaching climax.

Hades released his grip on his brother’s hair once he caught himself pulling it hard enough to cause pain, but a few hairs stuck to his sweaty palm nonetheless. Placing his hand on Poseidon’s shoulder instead, he could simply lie beneath his brother and take what he gave, which was the most intense feeling of bliss he had ever experienced in his life.

Thighs wrapped firmly around Poseidon’s hips, Hades felt his climax rush through him to finally result in a spurt of seed from his phallus, squeezed flush between their bodies. Poseidon soon followed, his own release coating Hades’ inner walls in a warm, almost burning sensation. For a few seconds the Olympian lay completely drained atop his brother, but he did not want to burden his smaller sibling with his weight any longer than necessary.

Hades was almost disappointed when the physical connection between them was broken, and he reached out to touch Poseidon, who now lay beside him, still collecting his breath. Hand on his brother’s chest, Hades could feel the rapid hammering of his heart beneath his ribcage.

As if realizing his brother’s need for physical contact, Poseidon rolled onto his side and took Hades in his arms, and Hades instinctively nuzzled against him. The two gods lay there intertwined in one another, waiting for their hearts to slow down, listening as they subconsciously began to breathe in time with each other.

“Are you feeling well?” Poseidon asked when he did not hear anything save for the labored breathing from the elder god.

Hades hummed in deliberation, eyes shut and body limp against his brother. “I never thought I could feel as though my flesh were on fire, and yet enjoy it so greatly.”

Giving a quiet laugh, Poseidon continued to look at his brother’s face, admiring every detail. He lifted his hand and lightly traced the older Olympian’s profile, starting from the hairline, traveling down the center of the face, down the curvilinear nose and against lips. He finally stopped when he met the dip of the collarbone.

“What was that for?” Hades inquired, the purpose of his brother’s activity completely escaping him.

“No reason… I was simply admiring my brother’s features,” Poseidon replied, laying his hand against the older god’s now flushed cheek. To his great surprise and dismay, Hades turned his face away, as if ashamed. “Hades…”

“There is nothing to admire. I look like a monster,” Hades whispered, feeling a sudden, intense urge to prevent his brother from seeing him. How could anyone possibly look at him and find what they saw appealing? How could Poseidon kiss him, touch him, and make love to him without turning away in disgust of what he was holding?

“Hades… my dear brother, if I did something to cause you pain, I deeply apologize for it,” Poseidon tried, dismayed at the sudden and abrupt change in the other’s mood. He could only assume that having attention brought to his face made Hades self-conscious in a way that Poseidon could never understand.

“I did not mean to make you… uncomfortable,” he continued, still touching Hades to show him that it was something that he enjoyed doing. “In fact, I meant to say I find your nose quite appealing.”

Hades gave the other god a doubtful look, as though expecting the exchange to all be a joke. “Is that a fact?” he responded, looking his brother straight in the eyes.

Smiling, Poseidon leaned forward and kissed Hades right on the nose. He received a scowl from his brother, but he smiled sweetly nonetheless.

“It’s a handsome nose,” Poseidon insisted. “You have a strong profile. Like our brother, only beautiful.”

Hades groaned and turned on his side, back facing his brother. “I won’t hear any more of it.”

The younger god laughed and wrapped his arms around Hades from behind, his form fitting into the curves of his brother’s back. Were the two gods any closer to one another, they would be making love again.

“Perhaps you don’t find yourself beautiful anymore,” Poseidon said, inhaling the scent of his brother’s hair. “But I do. And you cannot change my opinion on the matter.”

Hades wanted to argue further, but he enjoyed the feel of his brother against him too much. He only sighed and took one of Poseidon’s hands in his own before relaxing against him.

Poseidon surmised it was already past midnight and thus long past their usual bedtime, which was why the need for sleep suddenly overcame him. Hades’ breathing suggested that the other god was not yet asleep, and Poseidon couldn’t help but wonder why. Did Hades have something on his mind that kept him awake?

“Brother… We should sleep,” he murmured in his brother’s ear, trailing his hand over Hades’ side and hip, enjoying the softness of the other’s skin.

“Will you remain here for the night?” Hades asked, making an attempt to rise at the question, but Poseidon held him down, gently yet firmly.

“Certainly. I will be here when you wake up. Go to sleep, brother.”

Hades hesitantly complied, his mind still riddled with doubt and insecurity. He trusted Poseidon enough to know that his brother was not simply using him for his own pleasure or benefit, and yet he could not fathom why the other god even bothered with him.

“Poseidon… do you love me?” he asked, fearing the answer and yet desperate to know it.

The question was a genuine surprise to Poseidon, and he was speechless at the blunt way his brother had asked. He was uncertain of how to answer, but he knew he could not waste time thinking over how to answer, lest Hades doubt the merit of the answer itself.

“Of course I do, Hades,” he replied. “We are brothers. Despite what Zeus may lead you to believe, there should be no animosity between brothers as close as we are.”

Hades squeezed his eyes shut in frustration, expecting such an answer. The response was an obvious method of avoiding the real point of the question.

“No, no, no…” he said, interrupting his younger brother. “We are connected to one another in blood and thus close in a way others would not understand. I know all of that.” This time, Hades turned over and looked into Poseidon’s eyes, silently demanding the truth. “Now answer: do you love me?”

“Yes!” Poseidon called out, not knowing what kind of answer his brother was expecting. “What would you have me say? Of course I love you. You are very dear to me, Hades.”

“It was nothing. Forget it.” Hades sat up, running his hands over his face. He was determined not to start crying again, not in front of Poseidon; he had already made a fool of himself before his brother far too many times.

Poseidon sat up as well, placing an arm around Hades’ taut shoulders. The other was very clearly distressed about something, but he had no idea what it could be. What had Hades meant by his question, and why had he not been satisfied with Poseidon’s answer? They were brothers and thus shared a strong emotional bond formed by blood alone, but… Hades had not referred to that. What did he refer to, then? The bond that existed between spouses?

Remembering Zeus’ mocking question on whether he considered making Hades his consort made Poseidon’s face heat up from sudden shame. Did he truly want to take Hades as his consort, and more importantly; would Hades agree to something like that?

“Brother… can’t we discuss this…?” Poseidon implored.

“I’m tired now,” Hades said, his voice cold as death. He extinguished the lamps in his bedchambers and proceeded to settle into bed, acting as though his brother were not there, despite Poseidon’s rather vocal objections.

“If you wish to remain here until morning, I will not stop you,” Hades said with a certain nonchalance that suggested he could care less. “But I would rather sleep alone tonight.”

Poseidon gave a defeated sigh as he stared at his older brother in the dark. “I do not want to leave you here alone.”

“Fine,” Hades answered. “Stay here. But keep your distance. I’d rather not have you accidentally smothering me in my sleep.”

Poseidon glared at his brother. Clearly Hades was attempting to initiate a battle of egos. “That is ridiculous, brother. I am not that much bigger than you.”

There was no response from the older god; he simply curled up, back facing Poseidon, and held on to his bed covers as if he feared someone would steal them from him.

Since Hades clearly was not interested in further physical contact, Poseidon decided to leave him be. He obediently stayed on his side of the bed, holding on to the amount of blankets he had been granted, and listened to his brother’s breaths while trying to find sleep.

Just when he thought he had managed to draw his gloomy brother out of his miserable mood, a minor misunderstanding caused Hades to become angry with him. Oh well, hopefully he had forgotten all about it in the morning. Poseidon closed his eyes and more or less willed himself to sleep.


TBC...