InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "a friendly weldome"

Hel, Goddess of the Underworld (the_hidden) wrote in deities_dot_com,
@ 2012-06-29 14:24:00

Entry tags:

~hades, ~hel

It's What Friends Are For (tag: Hades)
Her father's visit still had Hel reeling. It had been highly emotional for the both of them; things had been said that shouldn't have, others were things that should really have been spoken long ago. It would take time, she knew that, but Hel had a feeling the healing process had begun. Finally.

While her attitudes could not change overnight- centuries of feelings and beliefs took time to alter- now she at least had a few new phrases to remind herself each time she slipped into the old mindset. Words Loki had spoken that she held very tightly to. Hel knew that to cling to the things said was no less an obsession than holding to the old concepts, yet it was a better thing to be obsessed with.

One thing she never questioned was her father's word. He was many things, and Hel was not blind to his faults. Yet his honesty was never something that had been called into question, at least not where she was concerned. She knew, too, his absolute disdain for emotional outpourings, and with that knowledge she knew the truth of what he spoke.

What she needed now was a friend to talk to. Hel didn't have many of those, and only one that she had shared her past with in total honesty. Only Hades knew the whole story, from her point of view at least, and all the emotional trauma that had come with it. Just as she knew nearly all there was to know about him.

Pity he was married.

That had been an interesting thing for Hel to deal with. Right from the day they met, Hel knew Hades' deep devotion to his wife, if only from the way he spoke of her gardens. Yet here was someone who understood Hel, accepting her just as she was, her appearance having no more influence on his attitude than if he had been blind. So it had been natural for Hel, finding someone like that and with so much in common between them, to develop feelings for the Greek god. Still, common sense had prevailed, and with time she was able to view him as a treasured friend. Especially once she'd met his wife and daughter. There was no way she was getting into the middle of that.

One might have thought that being of the same sex, Hel would have felt closer to Persephone, or even Makaria. Yet it was Hades who most resembled her own personality. He understood the sheer pride she felt in her realm and her duties for he shared those same feelings. So when Hel had had time to digest all that had been said between herself and her father, it was second nature for her to want to share it with her closest friend. Besides, it would give her the chance to ask him about Phobetor. That one still struck her as odd.

Hel briefly considered calling him to meet her somewhere for coffee, or maybe a walk in a park someplace, but in the end chose to go to his home. She really did not want to be accidentally overheard. This was a conversation she preferred to keep private. And then she wouldn't have to take the time to get all made up and pretty. Bonus.

She stood at the gate to his realm, as she had so many times before, alternating heads as she scratched behind Cerberus' many ears. Hel had heard the initial growl, then watched as the beast bounded to the gate in excitement upon recognizing the intruder. The dog had long ago become well enough aquainted with her that her presence no longer caused any alarm. Except that middle head- Hel always thought she needed to keep an eye on that one. Definitely the wild card of the trio. A couple of treats usually won him over, though, and she never forgot to bring them.

Hades. It's Hel. Are you free?, she called out from her mind, hoping she wasn't catching him at a bad time. She knew she had one thing in her favor- this was the time of year he spent without his spouse. Which meant that while his mood might be a bit darker, the Lord of the Underworld was more likely to welcome company. Hel always hated interrupting the brief periods of time he got with his wife.

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notbitter
2012-07-03 01:38 am UTC (link)

Every year, Hades jammed his spring schedule so tight that a dead person wouldn't have time to not breath. He buried himself in the duties and responsibilities of his realm, and then tried to dig himself deeper. Hades did not have nearly as many subjects as his younger brothers, but during the spring, he wished he had far less. It wasn't because they weren't good about doing what they did or that they caused Hades a lot of trouble. It was exactly because they were good at what they did and that they didn't cause Hades enough trouble. Hades had been trying to get Thanatos to take a vacation during the spring for years. Thanatos never did. And now somehow they'd gotten caught up. Ahead, even. Somehow. Hades really should have gone to bed the night before.

So that afternoon, Hades had resorted to fixing the Lampades' shower. After he'd fixed their sink, and their security system. And failed to fix their Xbox. And ordered a replacement for the Xbox he'd failed to fix. And promised that the moment they had better taste, he'd fix the stereo that he may or may not have thrown a screwdriver at while he was fixing the sink.

Hades had just turned off the water and started unscrewing the shower head when Hel's voice came into his head. He stopped what he was doing immediately. Nothing he'd been doing that afternoon had been a necessary responsibility to his kingdom, but even if it had, Hades would have still stopped. He didn't like free time during the warm months, but he was always ready and willing to make his time free for certain people. Hel definitely fell into that category. He'd spend any time he could with her. It was for the best really. Hades had absolutely no idea how to fix the Lampades' shower. YES. Hades said.

He changed quickly and then showed up at the gate a few seconds later. Over the years, Cerebus had really taken to Hel. Even the middle head, who was much more of a wild card than the others, had really warmed up to her. Hades walked up and started scratching behind the left head's ears while Hel did the right.

“It's good you're here,” Hades said, “Cerebus has clearly missed your company.” He had too. Hades didn't know whether she was there for business or company, but their was a strange glow to her mood that made him guess the latter. She looked well. Even her corpse half looked more revitalized. It didn't matter that she was blonde. Hades didn't care about that. Hel's blonde was an entirely different shade.

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the_hidden
2012-07-03 07:16 pm UTC (link)

"I'm betting Garm misses yours, too." Their pos thing they had in common, the Helhound had taken just as big a liking to Hades as his own three-headed beast had to the Northern Underworlder. But Hel knew it wasn't only the dog he was referring to when he said it was good she was there. She understood exactly what he hadn't said. Leaning over to give her friend a hug, Hel frowned. "You're getting thin again."

Hel knew the toll his wife's absence took on Hades. No doubt he'd been skipping both meals and sleep in an effort to keep himself- and his mind- occupied. Even so, Hel's news had her in far too good a mood to dwell on unhappy thoughts. Instead, she sought to tease her old friend. "Looks like I should have brought you a cheeseburger and a milkshake!" Such comments were nothing new, though the food choices had changed much over the years.

"So, I have some news if you've got some time to chat." Hel knew he would make time, but even among good friends manners were still expected. The extra sparkle in her eyes and the slightly crooked smile would tell Hades it was good news, even if she hadn't gotten around to coming right out and saying it yet.

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notbitter
2012-07-09 08:07 pm UTC (link)

“That is a problem,” Hades said in reference to Garm. He frowned. “I'll have to get my people working on a solution, and arrange a visit when I get their results.” His tone was playful. Hades wouldn't say anything to affirm it, but the sheer amount of attention he gave to the bloody Norse hound whenever he visited Helheim said everything about his feelings towards the animal anyway.

Hades leaned over to accept her hug, and put his arms around her in return in what he hoped was not an entirely awkward fashion. He had to be especially delicate with the corpse side, to make sure he didn't cause her any unintentional harm, but overall Hades tended to be awkward with that sign of affection anyway. He wasn't used to them. Partly because he did not think they were very kingly, and partly because they just tended to make him feel uncomfortable. Hades didn't think he deserved that kind of affection. He didn't think it did good things for his psyche. It was different with Hel though. She ruled an Underworld too, and they were close. Hades trusted her with him. He trusted that hugging Hel was alright.

Hades shook his head at her teasing, but smiled. He was used to it from her. She knew he wouldn't touch either of those things with a pole. Hades did suppose he had gotten thinner though. He just didn't really pay much attention to it. Hades actually liked cooking, but preparing and eating actual meals took time, and it wasn't such an involved process that his mind couldn't go other places. Besides, then he'd have to sit at the table with the empty chairs, and Hades didn't ever really feel like doing that. He ate when the thought occurred to him, and left it at that. “I'll eat something later,” he said.

“Of course I have time,” he said, “Anything for the Norse queen. This is good news, I hope?” She looked happy. It was a good look on her.

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the_hidden
2012-07-11 06:20 pm UTC (link)

"The best."

At least Hel thought so. She knew there would be difficult days ahead for her father, as he tried to finally face his grief and let the boys go. He would also need to reacclimate himself to the world outside the cave. So much had changed, it made Hel's head spin to think of all the things that were different in the world. For the rest of them, it had been gradual, but for Loki, everything at once was bound to be overwhelming.

"Dad is back."

Hel waited to see Hades reaction before she continued. If he wanted to know details, she would share them. Actually, even if he didn't ask for them she still would. Hades knew well how separated from her family she felt. How very lonely she'd been. If not for the Greek Underworld, Hel might have been all alone for all this time. Sad state of affairs to have to go outside one's own pantheon for companionship.

She no longer thought of the Norse as her family. Outside of her father, these people were her family now. And while neither she nor Loki were anywhere near ready for it to happen, Hel knew when Ragnarok finally came, she would do more than her share to see that Asgard received its due. But such thoughts were for another day. Right now, Hel was far too happy to dwell on such matters.

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notbitter
2012-07-17 05:05 am UTC (link)

Hades stared wide eyed with surprise for a second. Even when Hel had said the news was 'the best,' he hadn't expected that. This was huge. Her father had refused to come out for so long that Hades had never really thought it would happen. Which made him kind of angry. Loki had Hel, and Hades knew how much Hel loved her father. Loki choosing to stay in the cave, and abandon Hel for that long wasn't just unfair to her. It was wrong. It made her feel abandoned, and Hel had already had enough of that with the Aesir. But now....

“Wow,” Hades managed. He blinked. Then he smiled. Hel got to see Hades smile more than most did, but it was still a rare expression. “That's...great! That's amazing.” It really was. He wouldn't know exactly how to process it, but with Hel there, looking as pleased as she did, Hades could only see it as a good thing. Hades was happy for her because she was happy. He had so many questions.

“Did he come see you?” Hades guessed that he had, because otherwise he didn't think she'd be as happy, but it was best to check. Find out the details. “How is he? Is he adjusting?” Loki had been in the cave for so many years. The modern world was probably a lot to take.

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the_hidden
2012-07-21 05:47 pm UTC (link)

A shadow passed over Hel's face for just a moment, so fast Hades might not even notice it. It was amazing and great and all of that. Yet there was the fear of the unknown still lingering. Hel was no fool, and Asgard would find out sooner or later. There was that stupid prophecy, and too many of the Aesir were too sword-and-hammer-happy to let her father be. For the first time, Hel realized just how precarious a position Loki was in.

But that was a worry for later, one she would probably share with Hades after the initial discussion was had. "I saw him. In the cave. Kinda blew a gasket, you might say. But it got him out, so I suppose in the end it was good." It hadn't taken Hel long to put two and two together and figure out it was her outbursts that had finally pushed Loki. The very first words he spoke in her hall told her as much.

"It'll take time. Assuming the Aesir let him have that time." Damn. There it was, sooner than she'd wanted it to be expressed. But Hades knew. He knew all about it.

"Still, it was amazing, Hades!" The light was back in her eyes. "He...Hades, he said he was proud of me."

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notbitter
2012-07-23 08:47 pm UTC (link)

Hades nodded. She could have screamed at her father for hours centuries ago and Hel still would have probably shown more restraint than he would have been capable of in the same situation. Though there was really no way to tell. Hades had never even tried for a close bond with his father for obvious reasons. He didn't really know what that was like. But if he were wallowing in a cave somewhere for centuries and neglecting Kari, he certainly hoped she'd come tell him off.

“I'm sure you didn't say anything he didn't need to hear,” Hades said, “He probably needed that push, and is glad he had it now.” How could he not? Being anywhere was better than in your child's entrails with snake venom dripping over your head. Hades couldn't even imagine. He frowned at the mention of the Aesir. He didn't really understand why they wouldn't just buzz off. Hadn't they done enough rotten things?

“I hope they've learned their lesson by now,” Hades said. None of their cruel “preventions” had done much except help along the things they wanted to stop. He paused, and touched her shoulder. “You know I'm here right?” he said, “If you need anything.” It was as close to sentimental as Hades usually got. “If all else fails, the Aesir can't get in here,” he pointed out. The Greek Underworld could be a veritable fortress when Hades wanted it to be. If Hel needed more time, he'd do anything to help her get it.

He smiled at her. Hades was happy for her. Hel needed her father to say he was proud of her. It was long overdue. “Of course he is,” Hades said, “How could he possibly not be?” Hel had taken the worst possible situation and raised an empire with it. She was a good person despite the heartache, and a stellar queen. Any father would be so lucky.

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