Saturday // Peterick Oneshots

83. Live With Me Forever Now

Mythology time! Full disclosure: Castor and Pollux (Pete and Patrick, respectively) are half-twins, but this IS mythology we're talking about. I just read the myth and thought it had very strong PeteandPatrick energy, so here it is. Angst. SRAR era.

As soon as Patrick makes sure Pete's body has gotten a proper burial, he storms Olympus, and he doesn't care how loud he's yelling, or if the marble cracks under his footsteps as he stomps to the throne room. He needs to talk to his dad.

Now.

"Woah, woah— Patrick—" A hand on his shoulder stops him just before he can enter. He turns, ready to unleash his wrath on whoever's getting in his way of getting Pete back, of getting his best friend, his twin, his other half back, when he sees Joe looking back at him. His eyes are full of sympathy, and when Patrick sees that his winged shoes are still on, he softens.

"You saw him, didn't you?" he asks quietly. He looks into Joe's eyes, his own filling with tears. "You guided him to the Underworld."

Joe nods. "He said to tell you he's sorry," he says, squeezing Patrick's shoulder. "And that he's going to miss you."

Patrick crumbles. Joe catches him in a hug, letting Patrick cry on his shoulder. Patrick was trying so hard not to, he needed to be strong if he was going to get Pete back, but he appreciates his half-brother hugging him and telling him it's going to be alright, even if it is the wrong one.

He straightens up after a minute, wiping his eyes. "You're gonna raise hell with dad to get him back, aren't you?" Joe asks, smiling a little.

"Fuck yes I am," Patrick says immediately. "This isn't fair, Joe."

"I know." Joe turns him back towards the throne room. "It's not me you have to convince."

Patrick takes a deep breath and tries to steady himself. Joe gives him an encouraging nod and one last squeeze.

"I need to talk to Zeus," Patrick announces loudly when he enters. Athena looks up from sharpening her long sword and swiftly exits, returning a moment later with Patrick's father in tow. Zeus sits down in his throne, and Athena leaves them alone to talk.

"Patrick," Zeus begins. "Now, I know you're upset—"

That's all it takes for Patrick to fill with rage again. "You're fucking right I'm upset. I want him back."

Zeus sighs. "Patrick, he was a mortal. These things happen. All of us have mortals that we've loved and cherished, but eventually they pass away." He waves his hand, apathetic.

Patrick grits his teeth and clenches his fists. "No. No, you don't get it. Pete was a part of me, and now he's gone. My other half is gone. You can't even begin to imagine how much pain I am in!"

Zeus sighs again, like he has better places to be, and Patrick hopes Hera smites whatever concubine Zeus deems more important than Pete. "The pain will fade with time. It's one of the advantages to having an immortal life." He's brushing Patrick off so easily, and Patrick knew he was an asshole, but he's never hated his dad more than he does in this moment.

"I don't fucking want it!" Patrick yells, and it echoes through the halls of Olympus, leaving damning silence in its wake. Zeus's eyes widen, just enough for Patrick to know he's actually listening. Patrick takes a breath and says in a low voice, "I don't want an immortal life if it's not with Pete."

Zeus is silent for a long time. Patrick can't tell if he's trying to wait him out or if he's actually thinking. Either way, Patrick's not leaving this room without an answer.

Finally, Zeus speaks. "There might be one way you can get him back."

Patrick's chest instantly feels lighter. "What is it?"

"You could share your immortality with Pete."

"Gladly."

"There is one catch."

"What?" Patrick asks impatiently. He already knows it doesn't matter; whatever it is, he'll do it. He just wants Pete back.

Zeus pauses dramatically. Patrick hates him a little more. "The two of you will have to spend half of eternity in the Underworld, but the other half you may spend here in Olympus."

"Done." Zeus seems taken aback by Patrick's resolve. Frankly, he doesn't give a shit. "I want to see him. Now."

Zeus shrugs. "Very well then."

Joe walks with Patrick to the gates of the Underworld, and Patrick takes a moment to pet Cerberus's heads. Then he hugs Joe, steels himself, and enters the gates.

Gerard is waiting for him on the other side, smiling softly. He pulls Patrick into a firm hug. "My brother told me you were on your way. It's very noble, what you're doing. You must really love him."

"I do," Patrick says, hugging Gerard back. When they part, Patrick doesn't hesitate to ask, "Can I see him?"

Gerard nods. "He's at my palace, waiting for you."

Patrick beams. He knew the mortals were right when they spoke highly of Hades.

Gerard leaves Patrick in the throne room and goes to retrieve Pete. Patrick paces the room, taking in the black and red decor. It's a little cold for Patrick's liking, but he knows he can get used to it, especially with Pete by his side.

"Patrick?"

His voice is so quiet, so full of disbelief, Patrick almost doesn't recognize it. He turns, and there Pete is, a little too pale and too tired— he never sleeps well when Patrick's not around— but there he is, and Patrick is so full of relief he could cry.

Fuck, he might cry.

They run at each other, colliding in the middle of the room, arms wrapping around each other and holding tight, and Patrick feels whole again for the first time since Pete died.

"Oh my god, Patrick," Pete chokes out, and Patrick can tell he's crying, so he doesn't feel any shame when the tears start rolling down his cheeks as well. "What are you doing here, fuck, I missed you so much."

Pete's petting Patrick's hair like he's trying to make sure he's real, and Patrick kisses his temple and holds him tighter. "Couldn't leave you," he whispers. "I couldn't do it, the second you died, a part of me died, too."

Pete sobs, and Patrick can only imagine what the two of them look like in Gerard's throne room, clinging to each other with tears streaming down their faces. He can't bring himself to care. They crumple to the floor without letting go, limbs tangling together, and cry on each other's shoulders until they're spent. It's so quiet, all Patrick can hear is Pete's breathing, but it's such a nice sound to have in his life again. He was right about the cold, too— he can't feel it with Pete pressed against him like this.

Pete leans his forehead against Patrick's. "Do you mean it?" he asks quietly. "You're really going to stay with me?"

Patrick nods vehemently. "I tried to picture me without you, but I can't."

"Fuck." Pete laughs a little, and Patrick smiles because he missed that sound, too. "How can I argue with that?"

Patrick smiles and shakes his head. "Don't even try."