Who: Nick, Hades, and anyone who replied to this What: Thread, feel free to post now if you replied to the link above Where: Nick and Mel's house When: BACKDATED to Friday evening, after the Nick solo Warnings: Ichor and aaaaangst, maybe more to come!
When Hades messaged that he was 'already here', he wasn't lying or using a turn of phrase. He pressed 'send' as the Gates of Hell closed behind him with a sickening thud and a clank that echoed across the house. At the screams of the damned seemed muted today. Perhaps the Underworld knew he just wasn't in the mood for its nonsense right now.
With the scent of sulfur still just barely lingering against his skin, he stormed through the house like a force of nature, until he found himself behind his slave. For once he didn't turn invisible. “Where?”
Nick jumped and turned. He certainly looked a mess compared to his usually well-groomed self. Without a word, he pointed a finger toward the main bedroom. He'd left Mel where he'd laid her, unsure what to do with her otherwise. She was still wrapped up in the tarp and blanket, Shadow laying beside her with his head on his paws. "Thanks," he muttered quietly.
Hades walked passed the mortal, the fury built up inside of him expressed itself as a haunting calmness... at least for now. He made some gesture at the mortal that was clearly dismissing the thanks as he entered the bedroom and shoved aside the dog.
Shadow looked up and leapt from the bed. Help had come. Divine help now. Help that his weakened body could not provide.
“[Mel,]” The grim lord whispered as he unwrapped her. First one, then the other, frowning at the ichor, before frowning even more deeply at where the ichor was. He placed a hand upon her and fed his strength into her, repressing the shudder such an action caused him as he swept her up into his arms. Nick was worthless with her like this. Utterly worthless, “[Where is your shower?]” Damnit, try again, “Where is your shower?”
"This-this way." Leading the way, having known the level of his need for a while now, he led the god towards the bathroom and opened up the shower curtain for him. There was a bathtub and then a standing shower, so he had his choice.
“Get some clothes for her.” Hades commanded. When in a moment of crisis that was not his own, the authority he once used daily returned to his voice and his gestures. Even when he sat her in the shower stall and crouched down in front of her, there was a near perfect illusion that he was in control of this.
He tried not to think about how just a few weeks ago, Melpomene had helped him into a shower covered in ichor himself. Barely conscious then, he remembered how she helped him get the ichor off and put clean clothing on. Turning the shower on to rain down warm water he undressed up and tossed aside the ruin clothes. It was his turn now. “[Mel. Can you hear me at all?]”
Nick nodded and ran back off, returning with some loose sweats and a new shirt he'd gotten her just the other day due to her expanding belly. The thought brought a fresh new wave of fear into him. Once he was back in the bathroom, he handed the clothes to Hades and asked, "Is she gonna be okay? Is the baby...?"
Nick was two thoughts behind Hades, but it was forgivable. The mortal was flailing around like a Sim with a house fire in front of him, while the grim lord was not. Her ear dangling from the side of her head was bad, but cosmetic. Her lip torn in two and pulled away from her face was terrible, but he had done worse to many... He could lock his emotions deep inside.
Her shivering and whimpering... the nightmares she found herself in... It made him press his forehead to hers, whispering that she was safe now. For her to come back, follow the sound of his voice and come back...
But he cleaned her, he could not help but notice the ichor on her thighs. Nick's question made the Dark One's soul tremble in his very being. He placed his hands on her stomach and concentrated... Concentrated and ignored Nick.
Which did not settle well with the mortal at all. He began to shake himself, though a logical part of his brain was suddenly very clear. Of course Hades was ignoring him. Just a mortal. He didn't need him. And he had to focus on Mel. So he sat down on the toilet and waited for further commands. But he wouldn't be leaving her side again.
Hades was ignoring Nick because he was trying to concentrate. He didn't feel the presence or decay of death... But her injuries and the ichor on her thighs.... If this wasn't Melpomene he would believe in a miracle, but neither of them were gods to whom which such things happened. Not that it stopped him from muttering, “[Fates, Sisters Three, if you are simply messing with us, carry on and have your fun. I will act as a proper puppet for your delight, but protect this child...]”
But for now, the ichor was gone and he turned off the water and reached for the clothing blindly, “Nicodemus -Pelops.”
Nick held it out it numbly, not understanding the words. If this had been any other time, he would have laughed; for maybe the second time in his life, he was glad to know the god of death. Irony.
Gently, Hades dressed her and then lifted her up into his arms once more. His own clothing was wet, but they were ichor free... at least enough. He was going to be squeezing Nick to his body after all. But he would let the mortal have some sense of power... Mel needed Nick to be calm. So, he offered the injured and whimpering muse to Nick to bring back to the bed.
"Is it okay?" Ichor! Kills those humans dead. He had a feeling she'd be upset when she woke... no need to add to it because he wasn't cautious by dropping like a rock.
If it was another time, Hades might have mocked Nick for the response, but not now. Instead, he monotonically replied, “Hurry up.”
Eek. Nodding, he took the wet goddess and huddled her close before laying her on the bed. She seemed a little more quiet... He pressed a hand to her stomach, wishing he could feel the baby for any sort of life.
Like a shadow he followed, and like a gargoyle he sat upon her other side to protect her. He wanted to go out and hunt her attackers but he had nothing to go on. Nothing. For now he could wait. But he would wait invisibly. With a shimmer, Hades faded out of sight and then placed one hand over Nick's wrist and placed his other at Mel's ear, stroking her hair softly. He placed his hands and then fed his power once more... and letting the illusion that Nick was doing something as it moved through the mortal to reach Melpomene. “[Melpomene. Wake up now. C'mon. You know our deal.. I won't leave you in whimpering in nightmares very long]”
For once, Nick didn't argue. He cleared this throat in an attempt to find his voice and said, "I texted the muses. Thalia said she would come. And Poly said she was sending Apollo."