Welcome to AresJoxerCupidStrife

Title: Let's Make a Deal
Author: Brandy
Archive: If you really want to.
Rating: PG (1 swear word, I think.)
Category: Angst & POV
Disclaimer: I don't own, or have any rights or claims to any of the
characters in this story. Just borrowing them temporarily.
Prequel to Love's Rage

*For Christine. You asked, and this popped out. Sorry it's kinda gloomy.

This was the worst day of my life.

No. Wait, make that second worst.

The worst was when the one god I secretly love with every portion of my being married someone else.

So, that makes today the second worst. Today, the day I died.

************

I don't think Hades knew what to do with me. I'm pretty sure he'd kick me out if he could. He's too much into order to be comfortable having me around. But, he's a stickler for the rules.

Rules. I hate the rules. Rules are a direct contradiction to my whole being. Give me chaos and disorder any day.

A huge sigh leaves my body involuntarily.

I quickly look around to see if anyone noticed me slacking off.

Nope, still safe.

I feel the grimace distorting my face, as I look at the last scroll lying on the desk.

Hades insisted if I was going to be here, I had to read the rules.
*All* the rules.

I don't know how long I've been stuck in this room. I know for sure that mom and unc have already been down. I didn't think the shaking was ever going to stop. That was awhile back though. Guess they had to give up, eventually.

I looked at the scrolls again. It'd drive Athena crazy if she knew Hades has more scrolls than she does. Not that I'll ever get to rub it in. Dead gods don't get to talk to the living. Besides, I'd have to re-learn my cool speech patterns first. Took me years to learn, and only a few minutes to loose down here.

Another large sigh escapes.

Oh, well, might as well get this over with. Maybe Hades'll give me a cool job once I'm done.

I picked up the last scroll, and unrolled it, skimming down the page.

WHAT!?

Addendum to Rules of Asphodel.

Any Olympian God, who is stupid enough to get oneself killed, can return to Olympus with Hades permission. HOWEVER, said god must serve Hades in his realm for the exact number of days he lived on Olympus, before said return.

I had to re-read it.

I couldn't believe it.

"HADES!"

Hades appeared in a puff of purple smoke, eyebrow raised inquiringly.

I turned the scroll around. "Is it a joke?" I asked, my tone dead even. I didn't even giggle at my own pun.

"Oh, you've found it. Took you long enough." He smirked.

"It's true?" I whispered, still not believing.

"After we divided up the realms, Zeus asked for the addendum. Guess he was paranoid that he'd end up like Cronos. Of course, I added a few of my own provisions, but it's true. He's probably forgotten about it. However, since he didn't specify himself, only any Olympian, you qualify."

"I can go back." It felt weird.

Hades cleared his throat. "There is the matter of the time you owe me."

I felt all the happiness drain outta me.

Hades cocked his head, and looked at me strangely.

"I'm going to offer you a deal, in addition to the deal on that scroll. I'll let you return now, however, you must come back here at night to serve me. It'll take you longer to work off your sentence, of course, but you'll get to see Eris and Ares sooner."

I was shocked. "Why?"

Hades looked uncomfortable for several moments. Finally, he looked me in the eye. "I owe your mother a favor, and your uncle will owe me one. Besides, you make me nervous. You don't mix well with rules. I doubt you've followed many in your life. However, if I do this, I know you won't go out of your way to stir up trouble down here, will you?"

Well, not that I'd admit with this kind of deal on the table. Besides, I can stir up twice as much trouble on Olympus to make up for it. "No, not intentionally." Had to add that last bit, just in case.

Hade winced. Obviously, he caught my meaning.

I tried to smile sweetly, but I guess it didn't work, cause Hades took a step back, and looked around nervously.

There wasn't much to say after that. We worked out some time schedules and such.

So, I'm goin' back. And this time, I've got my goal all lined out.

Somehow, someway, I'm gonna win my Cupie back. She only has to make one mistake, and I'll be there. I can be patient. I read all Hades fuckin' rules didn't I?

End.