Character is Destiny

TTC: Chapter 13

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and the non-bolded dialogue in this work. This is a show of appreciation for the books in preparation for the Percy Jackson TV show. Enjoy!

TTC Chapter 13: The Death of an Angel

Published: Sunday, March 13, 2022

Chapter 56

Key:

2010- Percy (Regular)

2007- Percy (Italics)

Previous: "Lord Hades, can we talk to you?"

Hades felt a cold fist clench his heart as he stood from his seat following Percy and Thalia outside. After a moment of hesitation, Persephone stood and trailed behind them. Bianca stood as well, making her way over to Nico. "Come on," she said quietly.

"Is this about what I think it is?" Hades asked abruptly, pausing as soon as he exited the throne room.

Percy shifted his weight back and forth before nodding sadly. "Lord Hades-"

Hades held up a hand, cutting Percy off. His voice was cold and sharp. "Do not try to comfort me half-blood. Tell me, is there anyone in particular that I can blame for my daughter's fate?"

Thalia cut in before Percy could say 'me.' "No, Lord. It was..." her voice was thick with unshed tears, and Percy rubbed her arm softly. "It was just fate. That damned prophecy..."

Hades nodded, eyes pained as he accepted the fact. Percy took him in, the sheer image of misery, and gently knocked his shoulder against Thalia's, nodding back towards the throne room. They left Hades silently, allowing him his chance to grieve for the moment.

"You do not have to act as though you care." His voice was low as he spoke to his wife. "I know you despise the results of my dalliances."

"I do care," Persephone said, slipping her hand into his as she came to his side. "I can put aside my own petty emotions. Anyway, you know my problem never lies with the children; it is with the women who birth the children because they can never understand that their greatest gift is the child they have been given and not the god who they were with."

Hades bowed his head, accepting the comfort that Persephone's presence brought. He almost couldn't wrap his mind around it - as half-bloods, their children lived dangerous lives, constantly under threat of death from an angry god or a vengeful monster. But to be able to hear about it in explicit detail was something that most could not say, and none would ever want.

"After this chapter, we will take a retreat," Persephone said. "Perhaps we will go back to the Underworld? I know you would prefer to be in the comfort of your home."

"Wherever I am with you, my dove, is my home," he said, forcing a pained smile. "I do not wish to aggravate your mother, nor do I wish to aggravate my own. We will just find a place where we will not be bothered."

Persephone smiled softly, squeezing his hand. "Whatever you please, my love."

"And we will spend time with the children, while we have them," he said, almost as an afterthought. "All of the children." He sounded as if he expected her to argue, but she simply smiled again with a soft nod.

"We will take advantage of the time we have with them," she promised.

_________________

Bianca slowly wandered away from where Percy and Thalia were speaking to her father, pausing as she and Nico reached a small garden that sat under a blooming cherry blossom tree. She faced away from her little brother, steeling herself for the conversation she was about to have.