Myth [h.s au]

Chapter 8

Hades was up early that morning. The sun had barely peeked out from behind the horizon and the god was already training, pumping push ups like crazy. He had hardly broken a sweat considering he was a god and that was just another annoying privilege he had. He was not training for the muscles, but to occupy his mind.

Hades suddenly stopped and sat on the floor, frowning. "Niall?" He called out for his trusted servant, trying to make a mind link with him.

"Yes, your royal grumpiness?" Niall replied within a few seconds, already detecting the hidden anger in his master's voice.

"How are things in my realm? Are you managing everything?" He skipped straight to the point.

"Of course, it is just like you are here, my Lord." God of death was satisfied with his answer until Niall added, "I'm pouting in my room all day, hiding in the dark and crying over how beautiful I am and no one can see it because I'm locked up down here."

Red flashed in the god's eyes. "Niall, I swear-"

"I am just teasing, your impulsiveness." Niall grinned, his legs lazily thrown over the armrest of his master's lush throne chair, a bowl filled with grapes situated in his lap. Honestly, this was like vacation for Niall and death never felt better.

"Are you taking care of Kassandra?" He asked, talking about his precious pitchfork.

Niall rolled his eyes. "Yes, polishing her daily and keeping her close to me." He glanced at Kassandra, casually leant against the throne.

Hades was relieved. "Good. And no one suspects anything about my whereabouts? No one has noticed anything?"

"No, because everyone is used to you being invisible and hiding away. Sometimes I let the hounds in your chambers to make a mess just so it looks like I am cleaning after your royal ass again," Niall casually said while popping a grape berry inside his mouth, knowing the god can't flame his ass now that he is away.

"What did you just say?! Niall...!"

Before Hades could yell at him more and reprimand him, Niall interjected with a quick, "oops, have to run, bye!" and their mind link broke.

Hades took a deep breath and as he exhaled, smoke came out of his nostrils. "I am going to turn him into a smoked ham and feed him to my hounds."

A small laugh reached his ears. "I'm so glad there's someone else putting you in your place besides me." Thalia's rough morning voice filled the room, making him lift his head, watching as she stood leant against the doorway in her wrinkly pyjamas. Her face was puffy from sleep, eyes slightly squinted and trying to adjust to being open.

"What are you doing up so early?" He stood up, allowing her to bask in the sight of his glorious muscles and taut spotless skin. He was wearing only white briefs, not leaving much to imagination. His untamed curly hair fell down his shoulders in a heap of tangled waves.

Thalia shrugged. "I went to sleep early last night." She couldn't help but let her eyes roam up and down his body a few times before tearing her gaze away from it, moving it aside and focusing on the wall behind him. She tried to appear unaffected.

"I would have woken you up anyway. Ready for another training session?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest, making the prominent muscles on his arms bulge out.

Thalia groaned a little. "Not before breakfast." She turned around and walked towards the kitchen, roaming about and preparing the ingredients. Hades followed her, watching her every move and soaking everything in, looking like a small child. He was still fascinated with everything modern, wanting to study the colourful spices and smell each one.