Chapter Text
The gods were never kind. To mortals they were largely indifferent, with occasional moments of benevolence or wrath; largely depending on the god and their whims. However, to each other? All bets were off. Kindness was weakness and they could not allow to be seen as weak. This tradition lead to the majority of problems in their lives. As such, gods never fell in love with one another, only occasionally granting a particularly favored mortal immortality. That is, of course, until two gods accidentally fell in love.
***
It was night when the god of revenge, (Also known as Jason), emerged from beneath the earth. He shook off some of the remaining dirt on his tunic and observed his surroundings. Jason had come out five miles away from the nearest town in order to avoid being seen. And with a slight grumble at the trek ahead of him, he began walking.
Jason soon approached a particularly raucous tavern from which light and the sound of mirth spilled out. He entered the tavern, taking care to side swipe the pools of vomit outside the front door. Inside the area was lit with spattering of oil lamps.
As soon as he entered the room he was directed to the focal point. Everyone was either staring at him or purposely not staring at him and talking in hushed voices. The most light seemed to be emitted from where another man was sprawled. He was handsome, Jason would give him that, and had the long red hair that was beautiful despite being disheveled. The man seemed to be able to keep five different conversations straight, between twelve people. Jason dismissed the man. He had work to do, and it did not involve gorgeous strangers.
It appeared the man had other ideas.
While Jason made his way to order a drink, the man finished up his conversations and sauntered over to the bar.
“Hello there,” The red head said. “You come here often?”
The bartender set a glass down in front of Jason. He tasted some of the alcohol. “Really?” He asked.
“What? Don’t I get points for trying?”
“No.”
“Can I least get a name?” The man asked with a fluttering of eyelashes. And something in Jason’s heart- twinged. It was not moved, or overly changed, but it did have a pang of unnameable something run through it.
Maybe that’s why he replied “Jason.”
The other man smiled like he had won something. “A gorgeous name to go with a gorgeous face,” He said. “I’m Roy by the way.”
Jason finished his drink. “Well Roy, I’m afraid I have to get going soon.” Sure enough, he spotted his target. A man with uneven brown hair, and a waxy face was stumbling towards the door, where he would no doubt add to the pools of vomit outside. A man who goes home and begins beating his wife, if no one stopped him. And it was Jason’s intent to prevent him from returning home that night.
Roy’s face fell. “You just got here, are you sure that I can’t get you another drink?” He asked.
He shook his head. “Sorry, I was just waiting for a friend. Maybe we’ll see each other around.” He doubted he would ever see that man again. Greece was large, and there were plenty of people who needed a harsher type of justice. With a nod of farewell he went out into the night.
Jason started tailing his target immediately. The man was staggering in zig-zags and barely able to keep on his feet. So Jason waited, and waited, until the man fell. He swooped in, like a hawk to help the man to his feet.
“May the gods bless you,” The drunk slurred.
There was an alleyway, not too far from where they were standing, that Jason directed the man towards.
He was bleary eyed, and unable to walk. He was defenseless. He didn’t even see the sword that was made out of shadows at all. He might have not even have noticed it had Jason not plunged it into his ribs.
The man let out a yelp, that faded into gurgling, that soon turned into nothing at all. Jason sheathed his sword, and walked into the darkness.
***
It was another night and Jason was pissed. He and his father had gotten in another fight. Again. About how Jason should really consider changing his jobs to escorting people to the underworld. Let nature take its course and let Bruce make the decisions on what punishment people deserve. Maybe be like his brothers and sister, chasing after the ones in the mortal world and rough them up a little bit, or turn them over to the mortals' version of the law.
And Jason would say maybe these people wouldn’t change. That they didn’t deserve another chance, that they deserved it. How they needed to be stopped from hurting anyone else. And how maybe if Bruce didn’t like what he did, he shouldn’t have made him a god.
It ended like all their other fights, with Jason storming away and both of them seething mad.
Deep down he was tired. Tired of his father always wanting him to be better than he was, more like his siblings. As kind as Dick, as smart as Tim, as talented as Cass, and able to change his ways like Daiman. They all found their spots within their mis-match family with ease. Something Jason never seemed to do.
Tonight he didn’t want to think about that. Tonight he wanted to get drunk and forget about his problems. And he knew exactly how he would do that.
The tavern he visited a week ago was just like before, loud and bright. He entered to see the same man in the same position as before.
Jason went to the bar. It wasn’t long before he felt the presence of a man beside him.
“Didn’t think I’d see you again,” He said.
Jason shrugged. “I thought coming here might bring entertainment.”
“What type of entertainment?” Roy asked with a sly grin.
“Haven’t made up my mind yet.” He wondered if the other man would take the bait.
“I think I might have an idea or two.”
He gave him a lazy smile. “Would said entertainment be found upstairs?”
“Why indeed it would.”
“Then lead the way.”
Roy went to the innkeeper and rented a room for the night, then practically dragged Jason upstairs. As soon as they reached their room and the door was shut and the fun began.