Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"You give me the key to bringing down Wonder Breath," he said, plopping a vase with Hercules' face on it in my hands. "And I give you the one thing you crave most in the entire cosmos," he paused.

He wouldn't. There's no way. He lifted a curl of hair next to my ear.

"Your freedom," he whispered, his breath hot against my skin. I gasped and the vase I'd been holding shattered into a hundred pieces at my feet. I couldn't. My freedom in exchange for Hercules' weakness. Could I? I mean, Hades is right. Everybody has a weakness. But how could I betray Wonderboy like that? He seemed so innocent and naive. Probably all an act, though. Nobody is like that in real life. Except the few times I had been around him, he was like that. He truly seemed like a good person. If I do this, then what kind of person does that make me? I looked down at my sandals shamefully, already knowing the answer.

"Going once…." Hades began, holding up one long finger. My freedom was on the line. On one hand, I'd no longer have to answer to anyone. I could finally be my own person and not be under someone else's thumb. But on the other…. I blinked, trying not to think too hard about the fact that Wonderboy would be killed.

"What's in it for you?" I asked, turning around to face him. I tried to steady the tremor in my voice. His expression was calm, but I knew to tread lightly in order to not make him angry.

"Whaddya mean what's in it for me?" He said with a casual shrug. "I get rid of Blunderboy and you get your freedom. That's it. Nothing else. End of story."

I raised one thin eyebrow. A deal with Hades always came with a catch.

"Meg, c'mon babe," he said, putting his hands on my shoulders. I tried not to physically recoil from his touch. Hades always insisted on touching me. I guess since he technically owned me, he felt like it gave him the right to do so. His skin was always clammy and he smelled like the Underworld. A mix of phosphorus, sulfur, and death.

"It's not like it's even gonna be hard for you," he continued. "He's a guy; they aren't that complicated." Again, he's right. Men weren't complicated. But I just couldn't shake the gnawing feeling I had in the pit of my stomach.

For a second his hair flashed red and his expression darkened before he controlled it. Luckily the flames didn't come from his hands this time. I had been burned before. Hades was not a patient God. I would need to answer him soon.

"Ya know, I'm kinda in a time crunch," he said, gesticulating his hands wildly. "You're not gonna get this once in a lifetime offer again. Going twice…."

"Deal," I answered. He stuck out his hand for me to shake. I shook his hand firmly and I swear I could almost feel the strings binding my soul to Hades loosening.

"Good answer," Hades replied, a smirk coming across his face. "Now, let's get you ready for your date with Jerkules."

I found a public bathhouse not far from Hercules' villa. I had washed and scrubbed well, trying to remove any traces of the Underworld from my skin.

After my bath, I stood and stared at myself in the polished piece of bronze that served as a mirror. I adjusted my ponytail and tightened my chiton to further accentuate my curves. One thing I knew was certain. I could seduce any man. It wasn't a skill I was necessarily proud of, but I was good at it nonetheless.

Men had always found me attractive and I had discovered early on how to use that to my advantage. Now my body seemed to be only for Hades' advantage.

In fact, that was exactly why he sent me to persuade Nessus. If Hercules had not shown up when he had…I shuddered, refusing to think of the alternative.

Hercules…..I once again tried to ignore the gnawing feeling in my stomach. I hastily grabbed a handful of mulberries from the counter and began to crush them for rouge.

Seducing him should be easy enough. Men were simple creatures for the most part. Even the smartest of philosophers could turn into drooling idiots with just a flash of leg or a showing of cleavage. And Wonderboy was not exactly a philosopher.

I smirked, thinking back to how he stammered and blushed during our first encounter. Yeah, seducing him will be easy.

The gnawing feeling in my stomach gave way to a light wave of nausea. I steadied myself with one hand and squeezed the mulberries in my fist so tightly their dark juice started running down my arm. Their color reminded me slightly of blood.

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat and focused my gaze more intently on my reflection. You can do this. He's just another guy. I raised a shaky hand and applied the rouge to my cheeks and lips.

Suddenly, the smell of brimstone began to permeate my nostrils. Ugh. If I wasn't already nauseated. Hades' reflection appeared behind me with a puff of smoke. I was not startled by his sudden arrival. Thankfully, his scent gave him away every time.

"Whoa! Meg, babe, you look ravishing," He stated, his eyes trailing up and down my body. "You and I should have an afterparty later." I rolled my eyes and scoffed in response, not bothering to hide my repulsion. "Now remember….."

"Yeah, yeah," I replied, turning around to face him while waving a hand dismissively. "Get in, find his weakness. Report back to you. Got it."

"You got it. Badda bing, badda boom. And then you'll be a free woman." Freedom. What would I do with my newfound freedom? It wasn't like I had any family to speak of. My father, King Creon, had disowned me after I fell in love with….him. I dared not even think of his name. I had been so foolish. And look where it got me.

I had been in servitude for Hades for so long, I had lost track of time. Time passed differently in the Underworld. Days down there were years for mortals. Plus, I was never fully sure of how many years I allegedly owed Hades. He kept adding and subtracting years to and from my sentence.

Hades disappeared as suddenly as he came, leaving the acrid smell of death behind him. I left the bathhouse and began walking towards Hercules' villa, which was already teeming with a crowd of people, primarily screaming teenage girls. I rolled my eyes at the ridiculousness of it all. Several began to climb the fence into the villa. So much for tight security. I followed behind them, climbing up the gate with surprising ease, despite the height. It was easy to blend in with the crowd of fans and remain inconspicuous. After all, I'd had lots of practice. The girls pushed open the door, screaming and squealing.

"It's HIM!" one girl screamed. The swarm moved towards Hercules, who was sitting next to his trainer and appeared to be having a meaningful conversation.

"I touched his elbow!" One girl yelled.

"I got his sweatband!" Another cried, waving her arm wildly. Hercules lay at the bottom of the pile of girls, crying out to Phil for help. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He appeared to be slightly terrified of his adoring fans. I slid further into the shadows as Phil whistled a high-pitched note on his pan flute.

"Hey! Where is he?" One fan asked. Another was sobbing hysterically at the missing hero.

"There he goes! On the veranda!" Phil shouted before giving a chuckle and following the girls outside. I rolled my eyes again. Typical. Satyrs were known for being lustful creatures and Hercules' trainer was no exception.

I pushed the door shut behind me with a loud creak and stepped out of the shadows, taking in the room for the first time. Like everything else I had seen of the villa, it was extremely ornate with gold ceilings and shiny marble floors. That's when I noticed a pair of large sandaled feet, nervously curling under one of the golden curtains. I smiled. It was almost refreshing to see that Wonderboy had hidden from his fans. Most men would enjoy having women fawning over them and willing to satisfy their lust. But Hercules didn't seem to want that particular kind of attention.

I tapped my chin and pretended to think carefully. "Let see…" I grabbed the cord next to the curtain. "What could be behind curtain number one?" I pulled the cord to reveal Wonderboy. His tunic was falling off one of his broad shoulders, one of his wrists was missing a cuff, his hair was ruffled, and he had a lipstick mark on his cheek. Wow. Those girls weren't messing around.

"Meg!" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in surprise. He hurriedly adjusted his tunic and glanced furtively around the room for the mob.

"It's all right," I replied with a small chuckle, tapping my cheek to signal the mark on his. "The sea of raging hormones has ebbed."

He wiped the lipstick off his cheek with his palm. "Gee, I-I-It's great to see you. I-I-I missed you." There was a note of sincerity in his voice that I tried to ignore. I hopped onto the nearby divan.

"So, this is what heroes do on their days off," I said, casually putting my arms behind my head.

Wonderboy scoffed. "I-I'm no hero." He waved his arm dismissively and a small blush appeared in his cheeks. So humble despite all of his fame. I decided to play to his ego. Most men enjoyed being told how successful they were.

"Sure ya are," I argued, grabbing a nearby vase that displayed one of his many feats. I turned to face him, situating myself in a way that would showcase my figure. "Everybody in Greece thinks you're the greatest thing since they put the pocket in pita."

He chuckled bashfully and leaned against the frame. "I know. It's crazy." He hopped down from the alcove and reached for his sweatband before readjusting it. "I can't go anywhere without being mobbed. I mean–"

I sighed and waved my hand dramatically. "Sounds like you could use a break." I grabbed a squishy toy figure of his trainer from the table. "Think your nanny goat would go berserk," I squeezed the toy playfully, causing it to squeak and its little eyes and tongue to bulge out. "If you played hooky this afternoon?"

"Oh, gee," Hercules replied nervously, wringing his hands. "I don't know." He shook his head. "Phil's got the rest of the day pretty much booked." He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.

"Ah, Phil Schmil", I said, tossing the toy behind me and then rising to my feet. "Just follow me." I grabbed him by the front of his tunic and gave a seductive smile. "Out the window, around the dumbbells; you lift up the back wall and we're gone." He smiled nervously. I took a moment to look into his eyes. They were almost like sapphires, they were so blue. And expressive. I could already tell his resolve was crumbling. This should be fairly easy. I'll have him eating out of the palm of my hand in no time. If only the unease I felt would subside.

Chapter Text

After we left the villa, I took the lead. Instead of going through the crowded areas where I assumed most of his fans would be, I took back alleyways and side streets that I was familiar with.

For such a large and imposing man, Hercules was surprisingly light on his feet. I barely noticed him behind me. In fact, at one point, I turned around to make sure he was still with me. That was when I noticed his expression. His eyes were narrowed, his jaw was tightened, and he was glancing furtively around. His hand was at his waist near his sword, as if ready to draw at any moment.

"What?" I asked. "Afraid the Goat Man's gonna jump out of the shadows?"

"No," he answered. "But someone else could. These areas aren't safe. Do you do this often?"

"Eh, sometimes," I answered with a shrug. "But I can handle myself."

"That's what I'm worried about," he said sternly. His gaze hardened. "You need to be safe." My safety. It was almost laughable. Nobody had cared about my safety or me in years. For Hades, I was a slave and a pawn, able to do his bidding. For my father, I was nothing more than property waiting to be sold to the highest bidder.

"Well, why would I need to worry about that when I have a hero to protect me?" I asked flirtatiously. I placed my hand on his arm and leaned into him slightly. Instead of pulling away, he gave me a dopey, nervous smile, similar to the one he had given me at the villa. There was something else in his expression I couldn't identify, but it made my uneasiness disappear for a moment.

"I'm serious, Meg," he answered. "Your safety is important." He paused for a moment as if he wanted to say something more.

My stomach churned. It was….sweet of him to care so much, but I wasn't worth it.

"So," I said, hastily changing the subject. "Where to first? I'm assuming you'd like to avoid the satyr and the throng of adoring fans, right?"

He nodded in response. That left me with a few options. There was a place I had heard of, but never been to. There was a restaurant by the bay that would serve fresh seafood…..as long as you caught it yourself.

"Would you like to go to dinner?" I asked.

"I would love that," he answered, flashing me another smile. My stomach gave another involuntary backflip, but this time it wasn't from unease. We suddenly heard Phil's voice calling out from the distance. We both shot each other a similar look. Run!

I offered him my hand and was surprised at how fast he took it. His hands were calloused and twice the size of mine. I thought back to a few moments ago when he had helped me down from the window of his villa. His hands were feather light on my waist, but I could feel the strength behind them. Every time he touched me, there was a warmth that left me feeling slightly unsettled. I chalked it up to his divine bloodline.

I pulled him behind me and we ducked and dodged through side streets and alleys. We had already passed the agora and several food stalls.

"Hey, Meg," he called, a note of uncertainty in his voice. "Where are we going exactly?"

"You'll see."

We neared the docks when I spotted the small restaurant overlooking the bay. The area was not nearly as busy as the city, mostly fishermen and dock workers, but most of them were staring in disbelief as I drug the famed hero of Greece behind me.

Several patrons and staff from the restaurant poked their heads out to catch a glimpse of Hercules.

"So," I said, placing my hands on my hips and sauntering up to one of the restaurant staff. The young boy couldn't have been older than fourteen or fifteen. "What's a girl gotta do to get some privacy around here?"

The worker's eyes went wide and he blinked twice in disbelief.

"Hi," Hercules said, sticking out his hand. "I'm Hercules. Nice to meet you." The worker shook his hand with the same dumbfounded expression. An older man with a weathered face suddenly appeared next to the starstruck worker.

"Welcome, mighty Hercules. I'm Alexander. We'd be glad to serve you today. Don't mind Leonidas. He's a really big fan."

Hercules smiled and nodded in Leonidas' direction. Leonidas let out a small squeak.

"I hear you're looking for privacy?" Alexander asked, clasping his hands together.

"Not so much privacy as discreetness," I explained.

"Understood," Alexander said with a nod. "You were never here." He shot a look at Leonidas. "However, I am glad you chose to dine with us. What did you bring for us to prepare for you today?"

Hercules looked between Alexander and me, clearly confused. He really is an innocent farmboy.

"Give us a second, please," I stated.

"Of course. Please find us when you're ready," Alexander said. Leonidas stood staring at Hercules, mouth agape. "Come Leonidas. We have work to do." Alexander pushed the boy gently in order to get him to move.

I smirked. Poor kid. I turned to face Hercules, who still appeared confused.

"You've never been to a restaurant like this, have you, Wonderboy?"

"Uh, no," he answered bashfully. "Phil and I usually prepare something together or I go to a food stall occasionally. But Phil says too much junk food is bad for me."

"Your servants don't cook for you?"

"I, uh, I don't have any servants," he answered. I raised one thin eyebrow in skepticism. Certainly with his newfound wealth and status, he would have at least one servant.

"So, who takes care of that giant villa?" I asked.

"Me," he answered honestly. "Or Phil. Sometimes both of us. I never had servants growing up. And it doesn't seem right to me to have any now." He shrugged simply. He really is as humble as he seems. "I know it's a little different." Very different.

"Different can be a good thing. Being a servant isn't fun." The words flew out of my mouth before I could catch them. Hercules gave me a gentle yet concerned look.

"I mean, I'd imagine that it wouldn't be fun," I corrected myself. He gave me another curious look, but thankfully didn't question me further.

"So what makes this restaurant different?" he asked, changing the subject.

"You have to bring them the food to prepare."

"Ah," he answered. "So catch and prepare?"

"Exactly. And seeing as how we're surrounded by fishermen," I gestured to the dozen or so boats lining the docks. "It shouldn't be too hard to find someone willing to sell you their freshest catch."

There was a boat not too far from where we stood. The fishermen must have overheard our conversation because soon we were ambushed by several wanting to have the honor of selling Hercules their wares.

We settled on sea bass and prawns to bring to Alexander, who took them eagerly back to the kitchen. He then ushered us to a table overlooking the ocean. It truly was a magnificent view. I could get used to this. Maybe once I'm free I'll live near the sea. Another feeling of nausea rippled through me and I gripped the underside of the table tightly.

"What a view!" Hercules exclaimed. "This makes me miss Phil's island. I hardly ever get to the shore now, unless it's on official hero business."

"You grew up there?" I asked, as a very nervous Leonidas brought us freshly baked bread and wine.

"Kinda," he answered, taking a sip of wine . "I left my parents' home in Arcadia to train with Phil. I've been training for years."

"Looks like all that training paid off," I responded. "You're the best hero Greece has ever seen." I played to his ego again, but I really did mean it. Hades had yet to find one monster that could beat him.

"Oh, I don't think I'm the best," he answered, a small blush forming in his cheeks.

"There would be a line of fishermen and a teenage boy outside willing to prove you wrong."

He let out a small laugh. I decided that I liked the sound of his laughter.

We were soon brought our next course; honey glazed prawns. I had not had this dish in years and Alexander was quite skilled at making it.

We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching the waves crash on the shoreline. A seagull suddenly swooped down and caught a fish.

"So Meg," Hercules' voice snapped me back to the present. "Where are you from?"

"Here and there," I answered, looking down at a scuff mark on the table. "I've moved around a lot." It wasn't a lie. I had lived in a palace, then as a servant, then with my ex, and now in the Underworld. His sapphire eyes searched mine and I strangely found myself fighting the urge to tell him everything.

"Oh, I thought you were from Thebes," he stated, taking a bite of prawn. "You seem very familiar with the area." If only you knew. I briefly wondered if he'd ever met my father.

"I've lived here for a while." The lie felt like acid on my tongue. It had been a long time since I had felt guilty about lying. Get a grip. He's just another man. Wonderboy just hadn't been shown how cruel the world actually was. Yet. I took a sip of wine in an attempt to relax my nerves. Being with Hercules certainly did have its advantages. This was not the watered down wine I was used to drinking. I took another sip, enjoying the bold flavor.

"Thebes is certainly interesting," he said with a small shake of his head. "So many monsters in one place."

"There's certainly never a dull moment," I agreed. He stared out at the ocean again and shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"You know," he began, his voice slightly shaky. "I still have nightmares about the Hydra?"

I blinked and looked down at my plate, trying to hide my guilty expression.

"I'm sorry to hear that," I said, placing a hand on his arm gently.

"I mean, it was months ago," he stated, a slight frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But I just keep seeing all those heads." He shuddered.

"Wonderboy, I don't think that's something you get over in a hurry. It was a lot to process. Hopefully you'll have better dreams soon." I gave him what I hoped was an encouraging smile.

"Thanks, Meg," he said, giving me a small smile and placing his hand over mine. There was that warmth again. "I haven't even told Phil—or anyone really—about them. I-I feel like I can tell you anything."

My stomach twisted again in an uncomfortable knot. How can he trust me so much? Someone he's only known for a few months?

Thankfully, before I could respond, Leonidas brought our next course, a baked sea bass with tomatoes. I was pleased with my restaurant choice. The food was prepared well and the view was breathtaking.

Hercules evidently liked the food as well, given the way he was attacking it.

"Slow down, you big lug," I teased. "I'm not gonna take it from you."

"Sorry," he said with his mouth slightly full. "It's just so good!"

"It is," I agreed, with a slight smirk.

The rest of the meal was spent talking about a variety of topics and I was surprised to see how much we had in common. Every time he asked a question that was too personal, I'd deflect and find a way to turn the focus back to him. I was here on a mission after all, no matter how conflicted I felt. And he definitely was not making it easy.

After our meal, we walked down the shoreline as the sun was beginning to set. I breathed in deeply and spread my arms out wide, relishing the salty sea air.

"Apollo certainly blessed us with a beautiful sunset," Wonderboy stated. I nodded in agreement, watching as the pink, purple, and orange hues sparkled against the sea.

"You know, I wish Pegasus were here," he said. I shot him an incredulous look.

"Why? Your feathered pinto hates me."

"Pegasus doesn't hate you," he reassured. I scoffed. "He just needs to get to know you. But I wish he was here for a sunset flight over the water."

The damsel and the hero flying off into the sunset together. The irony was not lost on me.

"Luckily, he's not here so I can keep two feet on the ground and properly digest my dinner." I rolled my eyes. Wonderboy gave me a mild look of amusement.

"I promise that when you ride Pegasus again," he began. "He'll be on his best behavior and I won't let him fly too high. I remember you said you were afraid of heights."

When….I found myself actually liking the idea of more time together. Wonderboy wasn't exactly the worst company I'd ever kept. The conversations between us flowed easily and he certainly was attentive, given the fact that he remembered my fear of heights.

The nagging feeling returned to my stomach. If Hades' plan was successful…I shoved that thought to the back of my mind and attempted to shift my focus back to the present.

"Yeah, I'm still not convinced," I said with a shake of my head.

"Trust me," he said. "He'll be nice and you'll be safe." Although his tone was playful, there was something else that implied that I could trust him. Doubtful.

I jokingly harrumphed in response and crossed my arms, giving a small smirk. Wonderboy looked down at his feet and wrung his hands together, something I'd noticed he did often when he was nervous.

"W-Would you like to go to the theater with me?" he asked shyly. "We could probably get seats in my private box." A private box was a luxury I'd not had in years. The theater was something I'd loved since I was a child and it had been so long since I'd taken in a play. Try as I might, I couldn't hide my excitement.

When I'd gladly accepted, Hercules couldn't seem to contain his joy, with his smile spreading from ear to ear. He really was quite handsome with his boyish features and impressive physique. I decided that he looked best when he smiled and thankfully, he did it often.

Upon arrival at the theater, we were ushered to his private box. The seats appeared to be customized for his needs. There were two chairs nestled side by side and even a nest of hay in the back for Pegasus. My family's box was not too far away, but Hercules actually had the better vantage point.

"Is this okay?" he asked, wringing his hands again. "It's been a while since I've been here."

"This is great! They gave you the best seats in the house, too! Better than the ones the royals have." He eyed me curiously again and opened his mouth as if to say something, but thought the better of it.

He settled in next to me, his knee touching mine. I reached over and laced my fingers with his, surprised by how natural it felt. The warmth he radiated didn't make me feel uneasy for once. I felt...safe. I hurriedly brushed the feeling aside.

"I'm not even sure what this play's about," he murmured softly, as the curtain started to rise. "But it should be good."

Chapter Text

The play was a typical Greek tragedy, but it was uncomfortable to watch, for me especially. It was about a man who married his mother. Realization slowly dawned on me that the Oedipus the play was referring to was actually my cousin. I was suddenly grateful that Hercules had no idea who my family was. 

I snuck a glance over at him and his reaction was full of shock, horror, and mild disgust. 

“You ok there, Wonderboy?” I asked, giving him a light nudge with my elbow.

“Uh…..yeah,” he murmured. He slowly peeled his eyes away from the stage. “That’s….wow. That’s messed up. His own mother.” His eyes widened in shock.

“No wonder the royal family’s missing from their box,” I stated. “They’re having all of their dirty laundry aired in front of Thebes.” 

He looked over to the box as if indeed noticing it was empty for the first time. 

“How do you know where they sit?” he asked curiously. “I’ve been in Thebes for ten months and I’ve still yet to meet King Creon or any of his descendants. They all keep to themselves, mostly. Even with all of the monsters.” 

“I used to work in their household,” I lied smoothly. “I’m not surprised they don’t go out much. Creon lost most of his children and his wife. I’m sure he wants to keep what he has left of his family together.” I wrapped my arms around myself. I wondered if my family even missed me. I had heard news of my mother’s death a year or so prior from people in the street. I never even got to say goodbye. I looked down at my feet, blinking back tears.

“You worked for the royal family?” Hercules asked, his tone soft and his eyes full of concern. “How did you ever leave?”

“They weren’t entirely terrible,” I answered. “And I was able to leave of my own accord.” I had already shared too much and I hoped he didn’t ask me anything else. 

“I’m glad you were able to leave,” he stated, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “Otherwise, I'd have never met you.” The look he gave me made me weak in the knees. I smiled, but the uneasiness I felt returned. If you’d never met me, you’d be safe. 

Intermission soon began and the theater staff soon offered us wine and desserts. The wine once again was not watered down and I drank deeply, enjoying the slight burn in my throat. I silently hoped the wine would give me the courage for what I was about to do. 

I snuck another glance at Wonderboy and he still looked uncomfortable. I took another sip of wine and steeled my nerves. It’s not like you’ve never seduced another man before. But this time it was different. He was different.  

“You want to get out of here?” I asked, draining the remainder of the wine in my cup. 

“Yes, please,” he responded, a hint of gratefulness in his tone. 

We left the theater hand in hand and stepped out into the night air, which had developed an unusual chill for this time of year. I shivered slightly and wrapped my free arm around myself. 

“Be right back,” Hercules said, dropping my hand from his and making a beeline for the agora. I became even more aware of the chill once his hand left mine. As I stood there, I was eerily reminded of when my ex had said that to me, but he had never returned. At least not to me. While I was fairly certain that Wonderboy would return, there was a part of me that thought he might not. 

He appeared a few minutes later, carrying a gauzy, sheer lavender shawl in his arms. 

“Here,” he said, gently placing it around my shoulders. “I didn’t want you to be cold.”

I was genuinely touched by the gesture. Just the fact that he thought of my comfort meant a lot. I offered to repay him, but he shook his head.

“Thank you,” I said, wrapping the shawl tighter around me. It matched my chiton perfectly, although the material was much finer. I felt a slight pang of guilt at how much it must have cost him. 

“You’re welcome,” he answered, reaching out and brushing my cheek lightly with his thumb. “I thought it matched your eyes." A small blush filled my cheeks at both his comment and his touch. Get a hold of yourself.

He smiled in response in a way that made me go weak in the knees again. 

“There’s somewhere I’d like to show you,” he said softly. “I go there when I need to clear my head.” 

“Oh?” 

“There’s a garden nearby,” he said. “If you don’t mind walking just a little farther.”

“I don’t,” I responded, following along behind him. “Do you go there often?”

“Not as much as I’d like.” The tone in which he answered implied that something was weighing on his mind. 

“Really? Does your nanny goat really keep that short of a leash?”

“No!” he answered. “I just don’t get a lot of time to myself anymore.”

“The price of fame.”

“Yeah,” He chuckled slightly. “It’s still surreal to me.” He blinked and looked down at his feet. “And yet, it’s still not enough.” Ah. So he did have an ego. 

“So, the money, the fans, and the fame aren’t enough for you?” I asked, putting my hands on my hips.

“Oh, no, it definitely is,” he replied. “More than I could have ever dreamed. But it’s just not enough to help me rejoin my family.” 

Most everyone in Thebes knew about his demigod status. One reporter had somehow found out about his divine heritage and the rumors spread like wildfire.

“So the rumors are true,” I stated, feigning ignorance. “You are the son of Zeus.” 

“Yeah,” he confirmed with a small nod. “I’m still not sure how that got out. It’s not something I go around bragging about.”

“Most people would,” I stated. He let out a small laugh at my comment.

“It’s my destiny to rejoin my Olympian family, but it seems like no matter what I do, it’s just not enough.”

“What more could you do?” I asked softly.

“I’m not sure.” He looked down at his feet again. In the shadows, I couldn’t quite make out his expression, but he appeared dejected. 

“Hey,” I nudged him lightly with my elbow. “Family isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. You could end up dating your mom.”

He blinked and slight shock crossed his features, then amusement. He started giggling.

“Wow,” he said in between fits of laughter. “Yeah, I guess it could be worse.” 

His laughter was contagious and I found myself laughing along with him in spite of myself. 

We suddenly found ourselves at the most beautiful garden I had ever seen, full of sculpted topiaries, statues, fountains, and reflecting pools.  I now understood why he chose this place for when he needed time alone. It was almost like it had been blessed by the Gods themselves; it was so perfect. The moonlight shone throughout, granting it a serene quality. 

“Wow, what a day,” he said as he descended the garden steps. I tightened my shawl around myself and clasped my hands together. “First that restaurant by the bay.” I let out a small hum of satisfaction in remembrance of the food, wine, and conversation.

 “And then that play,” he gestured with his hands. “That Oedipus thing? Man, I thought I had problems!” He laughed again and while I laughed along with him, I couldn’t help but feel slightly ashamed. What would he think if he knew that Oedipus was my cousin? I cleared my throat and tried to hide my expression.

“Pssst!” I turned at the sudden noise, confused, to see two disgruntled yet familiar looking songbirds in the birdbath next to the staircase. The imps. Just great. They both revealed their true faces as soon as Hercules’ back was turned. 

“Stop fooling around!” Panic urged in his obnoxious lisp. 

“Yeah,” Pain nodded in agreement. “Get the goods, sister!” 

I narrowed my eyes at them. Hades must not be pleased with me, otherwise he wouldn’t have sent them. 

“I didn’t know,” Hercules began. The imps disguised themselves as birds again and began to sing. I focused my attention back to Hercules. “That playing hooky could be so much fun.” 

“Yeah,” I murmured. “Neither did I.” I looked out over the gardens and began to brace myself for what I was about to do. The imps shot me a disapproving look before flying away. 

“Thanks, Meg,” he stated, another note of gratefulness in his tone. 

“Oh, don’t thank me just yet,” I replied, trying my best to hide my guilty expression. Let’s get this over with. I let out a small yelp as I purposely overstepped, which caused me to trip down the remainder of the stairs. 

Wonderboy caught me with ease, just as I hoped he would. I leaned into him slightly and felt a radiating warmth as his large hands splayed against my back and waist. It amazed me how someone as strong as he was could be so gentle. 

“Oop, careful,” he soothed, his eyes full of concern. 

“Sorry,” I murmured, rotating my ankle. “Weak ankles.” 

“Oh yeah?” he asked, glancing down toward my feet. “Well, maybe you better sit down for a while.” 

He scooped me up in one swift motion and carried me to a nearby bench. He placed me down gently next to him. He stared off into space, his hands clasped across his lap, seemingly lost in thought. Good, he’s distracted. Might make things a bit easier. 

“So,” I began, twirling the ends of my shawl around. “Do you have any problems with things like this?” I stretched my leg out before him, my ankle in front of his face. I made sure that my chiton fell in such a way that my thigh was exposed to him. My strap fell down over my left shoulder, giving him a view of my cleavage. 

His eyes widened in shock at the sight and he appeared confused. His eyes darted back and forth, unsure where to settle his gaze. 

“Weak ankles, I mean,” I whispered, nudging his cheek with my foot. 

“Oh, no, not really,” he answered nervously, gently pushing my knee down and scooting further down the bench away from me. Playing hard to get, Wonderboy? Some men preferred if I did the chasing. I guess Wonderboy was one of them. I moved down the bench towards him, leaving my shawl behind. 

“No weaknesses, whatsoever?” I asked, my voice soft and sultry. He crossed his legs in a vain effort to hide his growing arousal. I smirked with satisfaction. Now we’re getting somewhere. “No trick knee?” I brushed my hand lightly against his knee, making him jump. As he scooted away, I quickly followed. “Ruptured discs?” 

I made my final move, placing one hand against his chest and leaning forward, giving him an ample view of my partially exposed chest. I felt his hand on the strap of my chiton. I had been with enough men to know what would follow. But instead of pushing the strap down like I expected, he firmly pushed it back on my shoulder with a small snap.  I stared at my shoulder in slight shock. What? Most men would have taken that as an invitation. 

“Uh, no,” he answered. He swallowed audibly in an effort to hide his nervousness. “I-I’m afraid I’m, uh, fit as a fiddle.” He quickly jumped up from the bench and lightly jogged over to a nearby fountain. 

 I was stunned. He was clearly attracted to me. Why would he do that? Realization slowly dawned on me. He respects me. He would never take advantage of me, or any woman, for that matter. 

I honestly didn’t think anyone like Hercules could even exist. Unfortunately, this was not going to go over well with Hades. 

“Wonderboy, you are perfect,” I said sarcastically with a roll of my eyes. I placed my chin in my hand and tried not to think of what punishment Hades would have in store for me later.

He chuckled lightly and picked up a small stone, tossing it in the air and catching it. 

“Thanks,” he answered. I remembered in one of our previous conversations, he had mentioned he liked to skip rocks as a youth. I watched curiously as he began to skim the stone across the reflecting pool. A statue of a beautiful woman with her arms held in an almost unnatural way stood at the end. 

He put too much force behind his skip, causing the stone to collide with the statue and knock the arms off. 

“Whoops!” He exclaimed with a flinch. 

I hid my mouth with my hand, trying to stifle my amused expression. Poor Wonderboy. He was so clumsy sometimes. But somehow, his clumsiness made an improvement to the statue, giving it even more beauty and depth. 

I stood up and walked over towards him, placing one hand on his shoulder and the other on my hip. 

“It looks better that way,” I encouraged, tilting my head to the side to get a better view. I noticed he did the same, standing with his hands clasped together at his waist. “No, it really does.”

We turned to face each other and he smiled and gave me an adoring look. I couldn’t help but smile back at him. 

Suddenly a bright flash of light erupted across the sky and both of us shifted our attention towards it. A shooting star. An alleged omen of good luck, if one believed in that sort of thing, which I did not. 

Hercules placed one leg on the lip of the reflecting pool and rested his hand on his knee, studying the night sky. 

“You know,” he began, letting out a sigh. “Wh-when I was a kid, I would have given anything to be exactly like everyone else.” Of course he did.

I scoffed in response and crossed my arms around myself. I began to move further into the garden. 

“You wanted to be petty and dishonest?” I asked, my tone harsher than I intended. 

“Everybody’s not like that,” he argued. 

I wrapped my arms tighter around myself and stared at my reflection in the water of another nearby fountain. I had become the person I had always hated. I was petty. I was dishonest. I was no better than my father, my ex, and all the people in my life who had ever hurt me. In fact, I was probably worse. 

“Yes they are,” I stated, trying to keep the sadness out of my voice. 

He looked at me with a slight sense of bewilderment.

“You’re not like that,” he said, his tone soft.  But I am. If you knew how despicable I really am….

His reflection joined mine in the water. 

The guilt was almost too overwhelming. While we had seen each other several times over the past few months, Hercules still did not know the real me. Hades was always at the forefront of everything I did.

“How do you know what I’m like?” I asked, turning around to face him, fighting back the tears threatening to fall. Get it together Meg.

He smiled adoringly at me again and I could feel my resolve crumbling. 

“All I know is,” he began, taking my hands in his again and rubbing the tops of them with his thumbs. “You’re the most…amazing person with weak ankles I’ve ever met.” 

My stomach filled with butterflies and I giggled awkwardly. I pulled my hands from his grip and backed away until I felt something sharp poke me in the back. 

“Oof!” I cried. I glanced over my shoulder to see what poked me. A statue of Eros with a bow and arrow.  Seriously?! I frowned. I had learned there was no such thing as love long ago. And I wasn’t in love with Hercules. I wasn’t.

“Meg,” he began, wringing his hands together nervously. “When I’m with you, I-I don’t feel so….alone.”

My heart sank and the guilt threatened to consume me. I turned away from him, unable to meet his gaze.

“Sometimes it’s better to be alone,” I stated, moving past him.

“What do you mean?”

“Nobody can hurt you,” I whispered, sitting on the lip of a nearby fountain and looking down at my lap. Hercules needed to be spared from this pain. He was too pure, too innocent…too good.  

“Meg,” he said, reaching for my hand again. I looked up and my gaze met his. His eyes were soft and kind, yet there was a seriousness behind them. “I would never, ever hurt you.” 

There was something in his declaration that told me I could believe him. I wanted to believe him. 

“And I don’t want to hurt you,” I stated. I meant it. I didn’t want to hurt him. 

Hercules leaned in closer to me. My heart fluttered and began beating loudly in my ears. If he kissed me, there would be no freedom for me. His hands gripped mine tighter. 

“So let’s do ourselves a favor,” I argued weakly, trying to dissuade him, but I found myself leaning in as well. “And stop this….” His lips were almost touching mine. “Before….we….”

A bright light suddenly blinded us and we pulled apart quickly, shielding our eyes. 

His trainer and horse had finally found us and they were steamed. 

“All right!” Phil yelled into a cone shaped object in order to project his voice. Ugh. He’s so obnoxiously loud, he doesn’t need any help. “Break it up! Break it up! Party’s ovah. I’ve been looking all over this town!”

“Calm down, Mutton Man! It was all my fault,” I barked.

“You’re already on my list, sista!” He warned. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Don’t make it worse!” Phil jumped down from his perch on the horse. 

Wonderboy’s pinto snorted at me. He was wearing a candle on his head that served as the source of the blinding light. I snorted back, extinguishing it. 

“As for you, ya bum,” Phil admonished, grabbing Hercules by the tunic and dragging him towards Pegasus. “You’re gonna go to the stadium and you’re gonna be put through the workout of your life! Now get on the horse!” 

I stood with my hands on my hips, briefly wondering why Phil insisted on treating Hercules like a child. 

“Okay, okay,” Hercules said, straightening up and holding his hands up in a slight mock surrender. 

“I’m sorry,” I said sheepishly. I really didn’t mean to cause such trouble. 

“Ah, he’ll get over it,” Wonderboy reassured me as he reached up to a nearby tree. He pulled it towards him and plucked a flower from its branches. The tree creaked and protested before it snapped back into place, waving back and forth. 

He placed a delicate white flower in my hands. It was lovely and I couldn’t help but smile at the gesture. 

I then felt him lean in and place a gentle kiss on my cheek. I was stunned; my face flushed. My hand immediately flew to my cheek. I couldn’t think of a time when anyone had ever kissed me so tenderly…so lovingly. 

My smile grew wider and my heart thrummed louder in my chest. Nobody had ever made me feel this way. 

Phil began screaming, “Move! Move! Move! Move! Move! MOVE!” 

Hercules backed away with a dreamy look on his face. I felt a slight pang of guilt that he would be disciplined by his trainer, but he honestly didn’t seem to mind. 

I waved goodbye as he stumbled onto his horse to fly away. 

After he was gone, I sat down on the edge of a nearby fountain, clutching the flower he had given me in my hand, smiling in a way I hadn’t in years. 

Chapter Text

I kept grinning at the flower in my hand, reminiscing over my day with Hercules. I wanted to see him again. I knew it was impossible, given Hades' plan. Hades. He was going to be angry that I hadn't found Hercules' weakness. There had to be something I could do to stall Hades and protect Wonderboy. I would face whatever punishment Hades had in store for me a thousand times if it meant Hercules got to live.

No. No. No. I was not going to feel this way again. A shawl, a kiss, and a flower were apparently all it took for me to bring my guard down. Some fortress of willpower I have.

My brows furrowed and I scowled at the flower in my hand. "What's the matter with me?" I asked no one in particular. The garden was empty. "You'd think a girl would learn."

If there's a prize for rotten judgement, I guess I've already won that. I reached over and spun the Eros statue in the other direction with a small squeak. Go stab someone else with your arrow. I certainly was fond of Wonderboy, but that didn't mean I loved him. No man is worth the aggravation. No matter how kind he was.

I tossed the flower over my shoulder, trying to rid myself of any reminders of our night together.

I sat on a low wall nearby and sighed, placing my chin in my hands.

Who are you trying to fool, Meg? You love him. I stood up and shook my head, trying to clear the thoughts from my mind. I wasn't some hopeless romantic. I knew better.

As I moved throughout the garden, I entered a section with more statues. Some of which showed lovers embracing and kissing. I hugged my arms around myself and imagined briefly what it would be like to kiss Hercules. My stomach filled with butterflies at the thought.

Pull yourself together. Do you want to get your heart broken again?

I found another reflecting pool with a series of stones laid out in a path that I could jump across. Upon reaching the last stone, it tilted and I started to lose my balance. I reached out to grab the nearest thing, which just happened to be the outstretched hand of another statue.

I stared up at the statue in disbelief. It was Hercules. The statue's expression was serene and noble, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Whoever had carved the statue had done a remarkable job. I had seen him wear that expression before.

Before I could help myself, I leaned in, closed my eyes, and briefly imagined what his arms would feel like around me. The statue didn't move, of course, but something in me did—a crack, maybe, in the wall I swore I would never break again.

Stop it! Here I was mooning over a statue like a stupid girl with a crush! I held my hands to my temples, trying to drown out the feelings that were too loud for me to ignore.

I found myself back at the fountain from where I had started my musings.

As I sat down, my hand touched something on the lip of the fountain. It was the flower I tossed earlier. I had a sneaking suspicion that I wasn't entirely alone in the garden. It seemed to be blessed by the Gods; maybe they also frequented the garden as well.

I didn't have to keep pretending. I could no longer ignore my feelings. I was in love with Hercules, no matter how much I tried to deny it. I just wasn't ready to say it out loud, at least not yet.

I picked up the flower again and touched the soft and fragile petals, clutching it close to my chest. I leaned back, eyes closed. For once in my life, love didn't seem impossible.

Hercules had awakened feelings in me that I long since thought were gone. Even though I knew deep down that it probably wouldn't last, I tried to hold on to hope that it might.

I was so lost in thought that I missed the statue behind me starting to crack.

I sat up, startled, and gasped in slight shock as the statue of two lovers melted apart and twisted into some sort of grotesque throne. Of course. The one moment I let my guard slip, the Fates decide to remind me who's really in charge.

I gulped and internally braced myself for the fallout. I would no longer be a pawn in his game. I was done.

"What's the buzz, huh, Meg?" he asked. What's the weak link in Wonderboy's chain?"

My heart began to race but I forced myself to remain calm, my expression steady.

"Get yourself another girl. I'm through," I stated, my tone unwavering, my hands balling into fists at my sides. My throat went dry, but I forced the words out before fear could stop me.

I started to walk away. I was not entirely sure where I would go, but as long as Hercules was safe, it did not matter.

"I'm sorry," he said with a small derisive laugh. "Do you mind running that by me again? I must have had a chunk of brimstone wedged in my ear or something—" He reached up to his ear and pulled out the tiniest amount of brimstone and flicked it away.

"Then read my lips!" I interrupted. I shot him a defiant glare. "Forget it." I carefully enunciated the words so he would not misunderstand me. I was done. Forget the deal; forget everything.

I began to storm off quickly to get away from him.

"Meg, Meg, Meg," he crooned. "My sweet deluded little minion."

He suddenly appeared in front of me and grabbed my face roughly, squeezing it tightly in his spidery, blue fingers. It took everything I had not to flinch. "Aren't we forgetting one teensy-weensy but ever so crucial but little tiny detail?" He tapped my nose lightly and I rolled my eyes in response, although my heart was hammering wildly in my chest.

"I OWN YOU!" he yelled, flames at least twenty feet high erupting from him. I let out a startled cry and shrank away quickly, throwing my arm across my face to shield myself from the extreme heat.

I had never seen him quite this angry before—at least not at me.

"You work for me," he reminded me harshly. "Or did you forget that?"

He reached out and grabbed me again, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer to him. I tried not to gag at the smell. His touch burned, still hot and scorching, from his explosive tantrum a few moments ago. For the briefest second, I remembered what real warmth had felt like. A pair of strong arms, steady and kind. I wondered if I'd ever feel that warmth again. I forced the thought away before he could see it reflected in my expression.

"If I say 'Sing', you say, 'Name that tune.' If I say, "I want Wonderboy's head on a platter, you say?" he prompted.

His grip on me tightened; his hands like iron bands. He lifted my chin with a pointed finger to make sure I was looking at him.

"Medium or well done," I replied.

"Good. Cause I thought you had lost it there for a minute, Nut-Meg. You seem to be getting too comfortable around here. You forgot I am the one in charge! Not you!"

"I'll work on that," I stated sarcastically.

"I'm sorry," he began. "Do you hear that sound? It's the sound of your freedom, fluttering out the window forever." He conjured bats out of smoke to swarm in my face and I tried not to choke on the acrid smell.

I coughed and waved them away with my hand.

"I don't care! I'm not gonna help you hurt him." I turned away from him defiantly, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I can't believe you're getting worked up about some guy!" he exclaimed in disbelief.

"This one is different!" I explained. "He's honest. And he's sweet—"

"Please!"

He'd never do anything to hurt me."

"He's a guy," Hades interrupted.

"Besides, oh Oneness, you can't beat him," I declared. "He has no weaknesses. He's gonna—"

I turned around to see Hades' face not two inches from mine, an evil smirk plastered across his features. My heart sank.

The look in his yellow eyes terrified me. It was cold, triumphant, knowing...

"I think he does, Meg," he stated, his grin widening. "I truly think he does." He took the flower I had been holding with one hand and grabbed my face sharply with the other, forcing me to watch as he burned the flower to ash in his fingers.

Realization slowly dawned on me and my eyes widened. I was Hercules' weakness. The only thing that could hurt him…was me.

"No," I protested, shaking my head. Try as I might, I couldn't help my words from coming out in a small whine. "You wouldn't."

"C'mon, babe," Hades said with an eye roll. "Of course I would. Have we met?"

I tried to yank myself free of his grasp. He slowly loosened his grip.

"I won't hurt him," I said, a finality in my tone.

"What's with the strong moral compass all of a sudden, huh?" he asked, his brow knit in confusion. "You hate men. That's, like, your thing. What is it about this one that's got you so riled up?"

I kept my mouth shut. The truth would not set me free in this instance, or many others for that matter.

He sighed and placed his spindly fingers against his temple, a move he made often whenever he was growing frustrated.

"Look, Dollface," he began, gesturing with his hands. "I can't afford any more kinks in my cosmic takeover plans, okay? And I certainly don't need you running off to warn Wonderbreath."

He snapped his fingers and suddenly the beauty of the gardens vanished from beneath me and I found myself thrown in the dark, cold dampness that surrounded the Underworld.

Chapter Text

My sandals slipped against the smooth stone as I tried to navigate the twisting labyrinth that was the Underworld. Everything looked the same–cold, gray, and endless. 

I have to warn Wonderboy.

I ran until the ground seemed to fall away beneath me. I blinked against harsh, blinding lights—and realized I was back topside, in the stadium. Hercules had gone there after our date.

Please let him be okay! I glanced around quickly until I spotted him, his blue eyes full of concern and fear. Hades stood behind him, still wearing the same cruel grin from earlier in the evening.

I started towards Hercules, hoping I wasn’t too late to stop whatever Hades had planned. 

“Don’t listen, Herc—” I managed to yell before I was bound and gagged by smoky black chains, cutting off my warning.

 I fell to the ground with a thud, the air knocked out of my lungs. Hercules raced to scoop me up in his strong arms. But before he could reach me, the bright lights and soft dirt floor of the stadium were replaced by the darkness and stone of the Underworld. 

Without warning, I was back in the stadium, seated upright in the stands. The shift made my head spin.

I struggled against my bindings and searched frantically until I found Hercules again. 

“Here’s the trade-off,” Hades began, gesturing with his hands. “You give up your strength for twenty four hours, say the next, twenty four hours. And Meg here is free as a bird and safe from harm—we dance, we kiss, we schmooze, we carry on, we go home happy—whaddya say, come on?”

“People are gonna get hurt, aren’t they?” Hercules asked, uncertainty in his tone. 

“Nah,” Hades said with a shrug. “I mean, it’s a possibility—it happens, I mean, you know, it’s war. But what can I tell ya? Anyway, what do you owe these people, huh?”

He glided towards me and grabbed my face again, his fingers digging into my cheeks, still sore from earlier. His grip tightened in a practiced way—enough to sting, never enough to show. 

 “Isn’t Meg, your little smoochy face,” Hades mocked, pulling me forward roughly. “Isn’t she more important than they are?” 

I wanted to scream that I wasn’t. 

“Stop it!” Hercules demanded.

“Isn’t she?” Hades pressed. 

I looked down at my lap. I knew if I met Wonderboy’s gaze, I'd break. 

“You’ve gotta swear she’ll be safe from any harm,” Hercules stated. 

“Fine, okay. I’ll give you that one,” Hades agreed, waving his hand. “Meg is safe.” He patted the top of my head a little too firmly. “ Otherwise, you get your strength right back. Yadda yadda, fine print, boilerplate, baboom—we’re done. Okay?” He stepped closer to Hercules, hand outstretched.

“Whaddya say we shake on it?” He smiled, easy and casual, but behind his eyes gleamed something far more sinister. 

Hercules hesitated, staring at the hand in front of him. 

“I really don’t have, like, time to bat this around,” Hades snapped. “I’m kinda on a schedule. I’ve got plans for August, okay? I need an answer—like, NOW.” His hair flared red for a second. 

“Going once! Going twice!”  he yelled. Hercules turned back to look at me. His expression was heartbreaking. A mixture of confusion, concern, fear….and love.  

I shook my head violently, eyes wide, silently pleading. Don’t take the deal. Don’t take it. I’m not worth it! 

“All right!” Hercules agreed at last, his voice a mix of fear and uncertainty. 

“Yes!” Hades exclaimed. “We’re there! Bam.” He seized Hercules’ hand in a firm grip and a strange blue and white light flared between them. Hercules groaned and fell to his knees.

My stomach twisted in an uncomfortable knot and my eyes widened in shock. It almost seemed like Hades was taking more from him than just his incredible strength. 

I blinked in disbelief. He’d given up his strength, his power, the very thing that made him him—for me. The one person who deserved it the least. 

Why would he ever do such a reckless thing? He should have just walked away. But even I knew Wonderboy had a thing for lost causes. 

The blue light between them slowly faded. Hercules collapsed to the ground, his shoulders sagging. The healthy tan glow he always carried drained away, leaving him pale, almost sickly. My heart lurched watching him. I wanted to run to him, comfort him, wrap my arms around him. But I couldn’t move. My wrists ached against my smoky bindings. 

I glanced around the stadium, desperate for anyone—the goat man, the pinto, even a miracle. Where were they? 

“You may feel just a little queasy,” Hades stated. Hercules pushed himself up gingerly off the ground. “It’s kinda natural. Maybe you should SIT DOWN!” 

 Hades’ hair flared bright red as he waved his hands and lifted a large dumbbell into midair. He sent it crashing into Wonderboy, knocking him flat on his back. Hercules grunted and struggled to lift it.

Hades leaned over him, his face inches from Hercules’. “Now you know how it feels to be just like everybody else,” he sneered, his voice full of venom. “Isn’t it just peachy?”

Hercules flinched and turned his face away, pinned beneath the weight.

 I blinked. Where had I heard that before? The garden. Our date. Had he been spying on us?

 “Oh, you’ll love this. One more thing,” he said, straightening and turning toward me.

 Hades’ deals always came with a catch. My stomach filled with dread. No. 

 “Meg, babe. A deal’s a deal. You’re off the hook.”

I flinched as he reached for me, his fingers lifting a curl of hair by my ear before he snapped them.

 The smoky chains holding me firmly dissolved into thin air. I gasped as the acrid smoke hit my throat, causing me to cough. 

 The chains binding my soul to Hades, physically and otherwise may have vanished, but I’d never felt heavier.

Across from me, Hercules had managed to sit up. He rose shakily, shoulders trembling from the effort.

“By the way, Herc, is she not, like, a fabulous little actress?” Hades asked, sliding an arm around my waist and yanking me close.  

I pushed against him, fighting, desperate to get away. “Stop it,” I whispered, my voice breaking. You’ve already gotten what you wanted. Why are you doing this? 

 I couldn’t bear to look at Hercules. I could feel his eyes on me, trying to make sense of it.

 “What do you mean?” Hercules asked. 

 “I mean your little chickie-poo here,” Hades said, dragging me closer. “Has been working for me the whole time. Duh.” 

 I looked away, shame flooding through me. I couldn’t meet Hercules’ eyes. Not now.

 “You’re… you’re lying!” he cried, voice trembling.

 I wanted to speak — to deny it, to explain — but the words were trapped in my throat. 

Hades’ imps appeared then, disguised as the two children Hercules had saved in the gorge. I saw a flash of recognition cross his features. He must have thought I’d set him up from the very beginning. Which in a way, I had.

“Help!” Panic coughed, leaning forward, as if his breath could knock Hercules over. 

 “Jeepers, Mister, you’re really strong!” Pain mocked before they both shed their disguises, revealing their true selves. 

Pain leapt onto his arm, dragging him down. Hercules stumbled, helpless. 

“Couldn’t have done it without you, sugar, sweetheart, babe,” Hades said, grabbing me tightly and pulling me close to him one last time. My stomach rolled in repulsion. I hated him—every word, every touch, every smirk. 

 I tore away from his grasp, racing toward Hercules.

 “No,” I protested. “It’s not like that.” 

 I pressed my palms against his chest, desperate for him to understand. I had no choice. I just needed him to listen to me for one second. But I knew I didn’t deserve it. 

He caught my wrists and pushed them away. The warmth that lingered whenever he touched me was gone. The eyes that were once full of love for me were….empty. 

For a brief moment, I wondered if this was Hades’ punishment for me. Not chains, flames, or eternal torment—just this. Losing him while he was still standing right in front of me. 

“I—I didn’t mean to… I couldn’t… I—” I tried to reach for his hand, but he turned away.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered.

But deep down, I knew there was nothing I could do or say that would ever make it right.

 “Our hero’s a zero! Our hero’s a zero!” Pain and Panic chanted and sang, mocking him mercilessly. They doused him with sticky drinks and dirt. Hercules stumbled to his knees, completely broken. He covered his face with his hand and began to weep. 

Tears blurred the corners of my vision.  This—this—was worse than anything I had ever faced. Watching my ex die, the betrayals, the hurt…were nothing compared to this. 

My legs gave out beneath me and the tears flowed freely then, the emotion finally breaking loose. 

 “Well, gotta blaze, there’s a whole cosmos up there waiting for me! With, hey, my name on it,” Hades said with a smirk, conjuring up a chariot. He winked and took one smug lap around the stadium. 

 “So much for the preliminaries and now onto the main event!” He called as he flew away into the sky, leaving us broken and alone.  

 All I could do was cry. But even through my tears I could feel it—the shift in the air, the hum of something dark and powerful rising. Hades’ plan was already in motion. Olympus was next.

And it was all my fault. 

Chapter Text

I don’t know how long I stayed on the ground, sobbing openly. My throat ached, my head throbbed, and my ribs were sore. My cheeks were swollen. I deserved this. I probably deserved worse. 

I could not stop crying. My tears dripped down into the dirt beneath me. Hades had won. Hercules was defenseless. The world would be thrown into chaos and it was all because of me.

I sobbed harder, my breath hitching in short bursts. My chest tightened until I had to remind myself how to breathe. As I controlled my breathing, I glanced across the stadium through blurred vision.  Hercules sat in the dirt, shoulders slumped, eyes downcast. 

I had to get up. Do something. Say something. Anything. 

I pushed myself up shakily and wiped my hands on my chiton, smearing dirt into the fabric. I hurriedly scrubbed the tears from my eyes and started across the stadium towards him. 

As I approached him, he looked up from the ground at me with a reproachful glare. Something in me broke at his expression. He should hate me. He probably does.  

 I stood in front of him, shaking lightly, struggling to find the right words to say.

“Hercules,” I began, my voice cracking when I spoke his name. “I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt you.” The words hung in the air, thick and heavy. 

He gave a small chuckle, cold and bitter. It sounded wrong on him. 

“It’s a bit too late for that, isn’t it?” He asked, voice hollow. 

“Please—”

 “Save it, Meg,” he said sharply, holding his hand out to stop me. 

 “I didn’t have a choice!” I cried, fresh tears springing forth. 

He looked at me, his brow furrowed. I took that as an invitation to continue. 

“Please let me explain,” I pleaded. “Please.”

“What is there to explain?” he asked quietly. “Meg, I cared about you so much…” His voice broke and he looked down.

Cared. Past tense. As if there was any hope of saving what we had.  

“Was any of it even real?” he whispered, running a hand through his ginger hair. “Or was it all an act?” 

I paused for a moment, searching for the right words. Some of it was, and some of it wasn’t.

 “It’s not what you think, I swear. Please believe me—I didn’t want this. I didn’t want any of this! I had no choice.” 

“You keep saying that, but I’m not sure I believe you.” 

“You don’t understand,” I said, with a small shake of my head, my voice raw. “Hades owned me. Every breath, every step—he held it all on a string.”

 “He owned you?” He asked, his brow furrowing further. “Because you two looked… very close.” 

The words sounded almost like an accusation, but yet they weren’t. Like he was trying to make sense of it all, but couldn’t quite grasp it. 

“Because that’s what he wanted you to see!” I hissed. 

 “Why didn’t you just tell me? I could have helped you.” 

 “Because it wasn’t your mess to clean up. It was mine.”

“Everybody needs help sometimes, Meg. Even you.” 

I looked away and took a deep breath.

 “A long time ago, I made a deal,” I explained, my voice tight. “I sold my soul to save someone else. Someone who didn’t deserve it.” Someone just like me. 

 He blinked, staring at the ground again. Somehow the silence hurt worse than any words ever could. 

Dawn broke hazy over the horizon, full of furling black smoke. There’s a fire somewhere. Suddenly the ground beneath us began to shake and a booming voice cried out in the distance,  “Hercules, where are you?!”

Hades had actually done it. He had unleashed the Titans. And of course, he’d start with Thebes—destroying it when their protector was defenseless. 

 Our eyes met as we moved towards the stadium exit. My expression was frantic. His was hollow, but determined. 

Both of our jaws dropped at the sight of the monster. He towered over the city, at least seventy feet tall. His single eye searching through the smoke.  The Cyclops. 

 “Hercules! Come out! Face me!”

He picked up a building and tossed it, debris flying everywhere. The townspeople scattered everywhere, their screams echoing through the streets.

Hercules began his descent down the stairs towards the mighty creature. 

“What are you doing?” I asked desperately, placing my hands against his chest in a feeble attempt to stop him. “Without your strength, you’ll be killed.”

He pushed past me, not harshly, but with a calm finality that made my chest tighten. That distant, haunted look was still in his eyes.

 “There are worse things,” he stated flatly and headed towards the Cyclops. Yes, there are.

 “Wait! Stop!” I cried. 

  When he reached the bottom of the steps, the townsfolk cheered believing their hero had come to save them. 

 The cyclops turned around at the mention of Hercules’ name. 

  “So, you mighty Hercules,” he said, giving Hercules a poke with his massive finger. He stumbled back, unsteady without his strength. 

 The cyclops laughed loudly and then swatted Hercules away, sending him crashing into a nearby tile mural with a sickening crack. He grunted in pain as he slid down to the ground. The blow would have killed an ordinary mortal man, but thankfully Hades didn’t take everything. He could still take a hit. 

 I flinched at the sight, my heart twisting in my chest. He needs help—fast. I began to search around frantically for anything I could find when I heard soft and panicked whinnying noises from a closet behind me. 

Pegasus! 

Hades was not taking any chances with loose ends. Typical. 

 I threw open the door and found Pegasus, his eyes wide with fear. 

 “Easy, Horsefeathers,” I soothed, undoing one of the knots around his legs. Hades’ imps were not the brightest and thankfully, could not tie a decent knot. Remind me to thank Dumb and Dumber later. 

“Whoa, stop twitching.” I yanked another binding loose with a small grunt. “Listen, Hercules is in trouble. We gotta find Phil— he’s the only one who can talk some sense into him.”

Pegasus eyed me suspiciously. I couldn’t blame him, but maybe the desperation in my voice was enough to convince him. I climbed onto his back slowly and silently prayed to the Gods that I wouldn’t fall off. My stomach was in knots. He bolted out of the closet, wings snapping open as we shot into the air. A scream left my throat before I could stop pit. I absolutely hated heights, but not as much as I hated the thought of losing Hercules. 

 We soared through the air so fast my head spun. I gripped his mane tightly. The clouds were thick with smoke and there was a storm brewing in the distance. 

 “Where are we going?” I shouted, the air rushing past my ears. “Do you even know how to find him?” 

 Pegasus whinnied and gave a nod. He took a deep dive and my stomach rolled as the sea came into view. We were headed towards the docks near where Hercules and I had dinner earlier. That felt like a lifetime ago. 

 The sea was choppy and violent, waves crashing along the shore. 

 I spotted Phil, carrying a small bag of his personal belongings as he descended some steps down to the shoreline towards a boat of sailors. 

  “Phil!” I cried over the roaring wind. He did not look up. Pegasus gave a loud whinny. I called out again, louder this time. “Phil!” He spotted me, scoffed, and continued on his path. “Hercules needs your help!”

 “What does he need me for when he’s got friends like you?” His words stung and I blinked back more tears. 

“He won’t listen to me!” I shouted. 

 “Good!” Phil exclaimed. “He’s finally learned something.”

 Pegasus blocked Phil’s path with an angry snort. Phil brushed him aside and continued to move towards the boat.

 “Look,” I pleaded. “I know what I did was wrong, but this isn’t about me— it’s about him. If you don’t help him now, Phil, he'll die.”

 Phil froze. For a moment, the only sounds were the rolls of thunder and the wind whipping off the water.

 “Isn’t that what you wanted?” He asked, finally, his tone flat. 

“Why would I ever want that?” I shot back.

 “Don’t play dumb with me, Missy!” He dropped his sack with a thud. “I saw you all cozied up in the garden with the Lord of the Dead.”

My eyes went wide. He saw that? 

 “What did you hear?” I asked, my mind racing back to Hades’ evil smirk, his iron grip on my waist.

 “I heard enough.”

“Phil, it’s not what it looked like, I swear.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s what they all say,” he muttered.

 “Please,” I begged, my throat tight. “You don’t have to trust me—just help him. Please.”

 Phil grumbled something under his breath. Pegasus snorted impatiently. 

 Finally, Phil looked up, and I saw the flicker of worry in his eyes he’d been trying to hide. “If this is some kinda trick…” he warned.

“It’s not,” I whispered, shaking my head. “I swear.” I offered him my hand to help him up on Pegasus’ back.

He sighed heavily, grabbed his sack, and took my hand. 

Pegasus reared back once and took to the stormy skies frantically in search of his best friend. On the way, I tried to explain everything to Phil— Hades’ deal, Hercules’ lost strength, and the cyclops that was now terrorizing Thebes.  

“The kid’s neva had a weakness,” Phil said. “Neva. I made sure of it. And now you’ve gone and created one.” 

The words stung like I’d been slapped in the face. My face reddened and I lowered my head shamefully. 

“I never wanted him to get hurt,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the wind. 

Phil just shook his head and peered towards the horizon. 

“Let’s just find him.”

I gripped Pegasus’ mane tighter, hoping that we weren’t already too late. 

Chapter Text

The cyclops wasn’t hard to find. He stood amongst a pile of rubble on a cliff at the edge of the city. Pegasus dove lower.

“Flea!” The cyclops cried, his voice deafening. 

 I flinched when I saw the cyclops flick Hercules into a pillar. He grunted in pain and collapsed against it, breathing heavily. My heart lurched at the sight. His eyes were swollen shut, bruises littering his body, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. 

 “Hercules!” Phil cried as Pegasus touched down. 

 “Phil!”  Hercules cried weakly, a small but grateful smile forming on his lips. 

  Phil hopped down from Pegasus’ back and rushed towards his student, moving urgently as he tended to his wounds. 

 “Come on! Come on, fight back!” Phil encouraged, pulling out a handkerchief to dab at Hercules’ mouth. “You can take this bum! This guy’s a pushover! Look at ‘im!” 

 I dismounted Pegasus and stood quietly off to the side. I don’t belong here. 

“You were right all along, Phil,” he said in a weak and defeated tone. “Dreams are for rookies.”

He looked right at me when he said it. 

 A fresh wave of heartbreak and shame washed over me. I had been his dream. I saw something familiar in his gaze—something I recognized all too well. That dull, broken look that comes when the world has finally shown you how cruel it can be. 

And I hated it. It looked wrong on him. He  was all warmth and happiness and light. And I had snuffed it out. 

I hated myself. How could I have done something so cruel to someone who was just so…good? 

And all for my freedom. I’d take another lifetime of servitude to Hades if it meant I never had to see that expression on his face again.

“No! No no no no no, Kid!” Phil cried urgently. “Giving up is for rookies.” He tilted Hercules’ chin towards him and forced him to meet his gaze. “I’m willing to go the distance. How about you?” 

 Something sparked behind Hercules’ bruised eyes—pure determination, raw and fierce. 

 Suddenly the mighty cyclops reached down and snatched him up like he was no more than a rag doll. I ducked out of the way of the cyclop’s grasp. 

 “Me bite off head!” The cyclops cried. My heart lurched as Hercules struggled in the cyclops’ grip. 

 He reached over and grabbed a giant piece of burning wood debris from nearby.  He waited until the monster was close enough to shove the flaming torch in the monster’s eye and blind him.

The beast roared and I covered my ears to block the deafening noise. 

 “Whoa baby!” Phil exclaimed. Pegasus gave a triumphant whinny.  

 The cyclops dropped him into a nearby cart, full of rope. Hercules sprang into action, moving around the Titan’s ankles and looping them quickly  into knots. He pulled it tight, despite his lack of strength. The knots held. 

 The cyclops stumbled and fell to his knees before he toppled over the side of the cliff.

 Hercules had rolled out of the way and was on his hands and knees, looking over the cliff, making sure that monster was indeed gone.

 The beast landed below with an almighty thud, causing the ground to quake violently.

 He didn’t notice the pillar from the nearby collapsed temple that started to tilt towards him. 

 But I did. 

 There was no time to think—only move. The fear hit me—the kind you don’t forget when someone you love is in danger. I wasn’t about to let it happen again. 

“Hercules! I cried, racing towards him.  “Look out!” 

 It took all my strength to push him out of the way. Even weakened, he was still solid. 

 As the pillar came crashing down, all I could think was he was finally safe. 

And that, I, for once, had finally done something right.  

 Before I lost consciousness, the last thing I heard was his agonizing cry.

 “Meg, NO!”

When I regained consciousness, I was face down in the dirt. The taste of dust filled my mouth, dry and bitter. A crushing weight pinned me down, forcing the air out of my lungs. 

 I tried to breathe—-and couldn’t. Panic settled in as I realized I couldn’t move. 

 Somewhere above me, I heard Hercules grunting in effort. Then, the crushing pressure was gone. I gasped and drew in a ragged breath, thankful for my lungs to be able to expand again. But the pain that followed was blinding and white-hot. 

 “What’s happening?” He asked in confusion. His voice sounded far away, warped by the ringing in my ears. 

I forced my trembling arm beneath me and somehow managed to roll onto my back. The world shifted and my vision swam. The pain doubled and I regretted moving. 

 “H-H-Hades’ deal is broken,” I murmured weakly, squeezing my fist as another wave of pain tore through me. “He promised I wouldn’t get hurt.”

Hades will lose. Even though another wave of agony tore through me, I gave a small, grim smile of satisfaction.

Hercules tossed the pillar over the cliff as if it were weightless. He turned towards me, panic and disbelief etched across his face. He was soon kneeling beside me, his shadow falling over mine. 

 He looked…alive again. His color had returned, his blue eyes sparkling like sapphires. I smiled weakly. The warmth radiating from him bled through the thin fabric of my chiton as his hands hovered, afraid to touch but desperate to help. One finally slipped behind my head, cradling it as if I might break all over again.

 “Meg,” he breathed, his voice cracked. “Why did you—you didn’t have to—”

 His brain was trying to form a coherent thought, to make sense of what just happened. I could see the thoughts flickering behind his eyes—shock, confusion, disbelief.

 I winced again and drew another ragged breath. I knew what this meant. The pain spreading through me wasn’t going to stop. But before the darkness came, he had to know. He deserved to know. Whether or not he hated me for what I’d done…I couldn’t leave this world without saying it. 

 “People always do crazy things,” I murmured. “When they’re in love.” 

  A dozen emotions crossed his face at once—regret, fear, anguish, hope, all crashing together like a wave.

“Oh,” he breathed. “Meg, I-I-” 

The way he stuttered and stammered made me think back to our first encounter. My Wonderboy. 

 “Are you always this articulate?” I teased, placing my hand on top of his. His skin was incredibly warm. 

 He gave a small, breathless laugh and shook his head. The look in his eyes—whatever it was—hit me deeper than anything I’d ever felt. Maybe it was love. But I wanted to commit it to memory, carry it with me to the darkest depths of the Underworld. 

 “You haven’t got much time. You can still stop Hades,” my voice barely above a whisper.

 Pain rolled through me and I fought back a cry. I had seen my ex die in front of me. I couldn’t let him suffer that same heartbreak. 

 “I’ll watch over her, Kid,” Phil said, his voice gruff but gentle. He nudged a flat stone closer and Hercules placed me gently on it. It amazed me how a man who could literally move mountains could hold me so delicately. Even so, I winced at the small shift in movement. 

 “You’re gonna be all right,” he stated firmly, that glint of determination sparking in his eyes again. He leaned in close, our foreheads almost touching. “I promise.”

And then he was gone.

 The warmth vanished with him, replaced by the cold bite of air and the emptiness he left behind.

 “Let’s go, Pegasus!” he shouted and the sound of beating wings carried him away towards Mount Olympus. 

 Another wave of pain flashed through me and the world went black. 

Chapter Text

The next few hours were some of the most painful of my life. 

Every breath came shallow and uneven, the ache in my chest spreading like fire through my ribs. A smoky haze hung in the air and a bitter chill drifted in the wind. 

Phil remained by my side the entire time, holding my hand and murmuring comforting words. He had seen enough in his life to know that I was dying, but he was trying anyway.  

For once in my life, I was grateful that I didn’t have to be alone. 

“You know…I was wrong about ya, Meg,” he said after a long silence with a small shake of his head. “Thought you’d be nothing but trouble for the kid. A distraction—nothing more.”

 I bit back a laugh and my ribs protested with the effort.

 “Well, you’re not entirely wrong about the trouble part.” 

He gave a huff—half laugh, half sigh.

 “Yeah, but you got guts,” Phil said.

 “Guts. That’s one word for it,” I said, trying to manage a smile. 

  I didn’t consider myself gutsy or brave by any means. I just could not let anything happen to Hercules. Not when I could stop it. 

My lungs burned, my breaths coming in short gasps. Talking hurt, but somehow not talking hurt more. 

 “You’re all right, Kid,” he said. “But stop yappin’ and save your energy.” 

  “Don’t start getting sentimental,” I whispered, the edges of my voice fraying. “It doesn’t suit you.” 

 “Well, don’t get used to it,” he muttered with a light snort. 

 Above us, thunder cracked and lightning flashed across the sky. The ground trembled lightly beneath us, letting us know the battle on Olympus was far from over. 

Phil squeezed my hand gently, reassuring me of his presence.

 “Hang in there,” he murmured soothingly. “Herc will be back soon and we’ll get ya fixed up.”

We both knew that I didn’t have that long. 

 I drifted in and out of consciousness. At one point, a coughing fit wracked my body, and I felt the bitter, metallic taste of blood on my tongue. Phil was there in an instant with a handkerchief, his face full of concern. 

Part of me prayed that it would be over soon. The pain, the waiting—it was all too much. 

And then I saw it. A white speck coming closer into view.

Wonderboy. 

 I tried to reach for him, but all I could manage was a few feeble twitches of my fingers. I wanted to see him one last time—to apologize for everything. My vision swam until it was white around the edges. I took one last shuddering breath. Then everything went black.

When I opened my eyes, I was standing at the shores of the Styx. 

Dozens of souls lined the shore. Some wandered aimlessly, others were wailing. But they were all dead. 

Just like me.  

 I looked down and I was floating. The outline of my body—if you could call it that—was blurred and fuzzy. 

 I wondered how long I could avoid Hades—and whatever punishment he had planned for me. 

The river hissed and moaned, rippling with the movements of the dead. I spotted Charon approaching with his ferry. He had been a constant presence during my time in Hades’ service. Not a friend, but always kind.

“Hello, Princess Megara,” he said as he drew nearer. I rolled my eyes. He’s still insisting on ‘Princess’? I had been away from my family’s household for so long that they probably thought I was dead. Guess they won’t have to pretend now. 

“Hello, Charon.”

“Fee for passage?” He said, holding out a bony hand.

“No, not this time,” I said. “But let me cross—for old times sake?”

“You know the rules, Megara. No coins. No crossing.”

“Worth a shot.” 

He gave me a small nod.  “Have you ever heard of Orpheus?” he asked. 

“The musician who came down here after his wife? And failed?”

Hades had told me that story once, or bragged about it, rather. 

He’d made a deal with Orpheus too, but as I knew all too well, every deal with Hades came with a catch. 

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“What about him?”

“No reason,” he said with a shrug. He loaded the remainder of the souls that had their coins on the ferry and paddled away. Charon said the strangest things.

I was alone on the shore again, with only the wailing of others echoing behind me. 

“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite ex-minion,” a voice called from behind me. 

 I closed my eyes. Of course.

“Hades,” I hissed, turning to face him. “Don’t you have some imps to torture or something?”

He had his arms spread wide like he was greeting a long lost friend. 

“But you’re more fun! You get the special treatment! Escorted by yours truly.” He gave an exaggerated bow. 

Figures.

“Well, consider me lucky,” I twirled my index finger in a circle.

 “Aw, you don’t sound too thrilled to see me, babe.” He put a hand over his heart—if he had one. “After all we’ve been through? I’m hurt. Really.”

 “You’ll live.”

 “But it doesn’t look like you will, Meg. In case you haven’t noticed?” He gestured with a sweeping motion to the Underworld surrounding us. “You’re dead!  And you’re in my house now.”

 “I paid my debt,” I said, narrowing my eyes.

“Not after that stunt you pulled.”

 I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “Don’t be a sore loser.”

He let out a dry laugh, the blue flames flickering brighter around his head.

“Oh, sweetheart, I never lose,” he said as he came closer. “But it looks like you did. No fairy-tale happy ending for you….or Wonderboy.”

I glared at him. 

“Don’t look at me like that. You knew this was coming. You break a deal with me and there’s a price to pay. Always has been, always will be.”

“And I paid it!” I snapped back. 

His hair flashed red for a brief second. 

“It’s not so much about the deal anymore. It’s the principle. Nobody—and I mean nobody— makes a fool out of me.”

“Well, you seem to do a pretty good job of that all by yourself.”

He paused—blinked—then grinned. 

“Oh, that’s cute,” he said. “Real cute. Still got that mouth, huh?”

“I’ve been told it’s my best feature.”

He tapped his chin, his grin widening.

“You know…I almost missed it. Now say goodnight, Meg!”

He snapped his fingers and then…nothing. 

I felt cold. The world was black and I was floating, weightless. The chill of the Styx washed over me, numbing everything it touched. For a moment, I thought that this was all there was: darkness, silence, and that endless pull downward. 

But even in that endless darkness, I could swear I felt a tiny bit of warmth. 

Chapter Text

The cold faded gradually, giving way to something warmer—a flicker of light beneath the surface. I could not move. I could not see. But that warmth was there, steady and familiar. 

Then I felt a shift. I exhaled, the first deep breath I had been able to take in what felt like forever. There was no pain—no cracked ribs, no collapsed lungs. How? I was dead. In fact I was positive I was. How in the world was I even breathing?

I slowly opened my eyes.

Light. 

Soft and golden and everywhere. And then I saw him. 

He was glowing. And not just in the way he always did with an effortless impossible radiance. But an actual glow. It was almost too much to look at and yet somehow made him look even more handsome, which hardly seemed fair.

There could only be one reason for that.

 He’d done it. He was a god. But how?   

But what hit me hardest wasn’t the glow. It was the expression on his face. Pure unfiltered joy. Like I was the one thing in the world he’d never thought he’d see again. Like I invented sunlight itself. And he…well, he was the sun right now. Bright and warm and alive. 

 “Wonderboy,” I breathed.  “What? Why did you—you didn’t have to—”

He gave a small smirk at my stammering and pulled me gently to my feet. Standing felt…incredible.

 “People always do crazy things,” he began, echoing my words from earlier. “When they’re in love.”

Even though I had been somehow impossibly brought back to life, I think I could have died a second time hearing him say those words. He loved me? After everything I’d done? I let out a small gasp, too overcome with emotion to speak. I could only smile as I took a step closer to him. 

 His arms wrapped around my waist, warm and solid. I melted into him, feeling cherished and so unbelievably, incredibly loved. 

I leaned in, so close our lips were almost touching—when a lightning bolt cracked loudly next to us. I flinched before I could stop myself as a cloud started to swell beneath our feet. Right. Son of Zeus. He’s a god now. Of course he gets summoned by lightning. But Zeus could have waited ten seconds. Or twenty. 

 As we began to ascend, he pulled me tighter against him, his hands spanning my waist and back. I threw my arms around his neck and breathed him in. 

Behind us, I could hear Phil protesting at being left behind, and then his undignified squawk as Pegasus scooped him up to follow. 

As we continued our ascent towards Olympus, I realized I had never been this high before. My stomach dropped. I loosened my grip on Wonderboy and wrapped my arms around myself as the panic began to creep in. He immediately slipped his arms back around my waist. And for the first time in a long time, I felt safe. 

The clouds then parted to reveal Olympus. It was dazzling, ethereal, divine—so much light that I almost needed to shield my eyes. Gold shimmered everywhere, spilling into the clouds themselves. I had never seen anything so impossibly beautiful. The aura surrounding Hercules seemed magnified, glowing brighter than ever.

I could hear the cheering of the gods for Hercules, and a genuine smile spread across my face. Nobody deserved this more than he did. He helped me down from the cloud and gripped my hands in his, grounding me amidst the overwhelming brilliance.

As I tried to take in the pantheon, I gave a small gasp of awe. I recognized some of the figures from statues and temples: Ares, Athena, Artemis, Aphrodite—all radiant, all larger than life. And then, at the top of the grand golden staircase leading to the gates of Olympus, were Zeus and Hera.               

Hera was a vision—pink, fuchsia, gold, with a shimmer that seemed to move like living light. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at her son, the same sapphire blue as Hercules’. I felt a pang of something bittersweet, realizing this was probably the first time she had seen her only son in person since he was an infant.   

Zeus was...immense. Towering, formidable, yet there was a quiet softness behind his eyes. Hercules looked small beside him.

 Beside me, Hercules glowed with elation at the sight of his divine family. He let go of my hands with a faint reluctance, glancing back at me before he started up the stairs. The way he looked—so proud, yet hesitant, hit me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. My chest tightened, not in jealousy, but with the ache of knowing this was his destiny, not mine. 

 I wrapped my arms around myself. This was everything he had ever worked for. He would finally get to know his birth parents and he had earned his place among the gods. Even among them, he stood out, at least to me. He belonged here. 

 I did not. 

 “Hercules,” Hera said, her voice trembling as she took in the sight of her son before her. “We’re so proud of you!” She enveloped him in a hug, tears spilling down her face. 

 “Mother,”  Hercules said in awe as she stepped back to look at him.

“Fine work, my boy!” Zeus said, clapping his hand on Hercules’ shoulder. “You’ve done it! You’re a true hero.”

“You were willing to give your life to rescue this young woman,” Hera said. 

 The words hit me harder than the thunderbolt that landed near us earlier. He did….what? For me? What happened in the Underworld exactly? Whatever had transpired...he had risked everything, just to make sure I got to breathe again.

My mind tried to grasp the scale of his sacrifice, but it was too much. And yet—he did it freely. Without hesitation. Without even a moment to consider his own safety.

I had known he was brave, stubborn, heroic—but this…this was beyond anything I could comprehend. And the knowledge that he loved me enough to do it, despite every obstacle, every risk….I shook my head in disbelief. 

I could feel the pantheon’s gazes on me and while I was smiling, I shrank back slightly. What mortal could be worthy of such a sacrifice? Especially someone like me. 

 “Now, at last, my son,” Zeus said, patting Hercules’ on the shoulder. “You can come home.”

The gates opened wide and the light intensified, bright and blinding. The other gods rushed to welcome and congratulate Hercules, their newest God. From my vantage point, I could not see his expression, but I knew he must be happy. 

For a moment I couldn’t move. This feeling….it was difficult to describe. Not quite heartbreak, but still equally painful. But also necessary. 

Acceptance. He deserved this. All of this and more. A family, a home. A place where his light would never fade.  

 I had spent so long in the shadows that having that one, however brief, moment of kindness and warmth would be enough to hold onto forever. He had shattered the rules of gods and mortals to pull me out of that darkness. 

 And I loved him too much to hold onto him when the dream wasn’t mine.

 Mortals don’t belong with gods. 

 I turned around, trying to figure out the best way to leave. I could probably hitch a ride with Pegasus if he’d let me. 

 I took one last look at him and all the glory of Olympus.

 “Congratulations, Wonderboy,” I said softly with a wry smile. “You’ll make one heck of a god.”

 I began to walk away, trying to stop the tears threatening to fall. Crying in front of the entire Pantheon is not on my agenda for today. I took a shaky breath. 

 In the distance, I could hear him say, “Father, this is the moment I’ve always dreamed of.” 

A single tear slid down my cheek despite myself. He sounded…complete. The ache in my chest twisted. This was his moment, everything he had worked for, everything he had earned. And I couldn’t be part of it. 

 I swallowed hard, trying to compose myself before I had to return to Earth. 

 Then I felt him. 

That warmth, soft and familiar, radiated as he reached from my hand. I turned around to face him, my jaw dropping in disbelief. 

“But, a life without Meg, even….an  immortal life, would be….empty,” Hercules said as he looked up to Zeus apologetically.

He turned to me then, taking both of my hands, studying the way they fit in his. He looked down at me, his sapphire gaze piercing mine, and my heart skipped a beat. 

Wait. What is he doing? This can’t be happening. Can it?

     “I wish to stay on earth with her,” he declared, his voice full of emotion. He wrapped his arms around me securely as I snuggled against his chest. “I finally know where I belong.” 

He let out a small laugh and rested his chin against my head for a moment, both of us relishing the embrace. We belong together. 

 This man—my Wonderboy— was willing to give up everything for me. His strength, his life, now his divinity. 

I had never felt love this intense.

It wasn’t fire. I had felt fire before. It seared, raged, and destroyed. This was something else. 

Sunlight.

Bright and overwhelming—it hit me in places I didn’t even know had feelings. 

 I didn’t even bother to hide my joy, the smile on my face spreading ear to ear. 

He then leaned towards me and I placed a hand on his bicep. 

 His lips finally met mine in the gentlest kiss I’d ever felt. Soft. Careful. Almost reverent, like he was afraid I might break. 

The divine glow around him quietly dissolved.

 But he didn’t seem to notice. 

 Neither did I. 

Instinctively, I curled a hand behind his neck and pulled him down to me, deepening the kiss. I felt him tense in surprise, just for a second, before he melted into it with a quiet breath that sent a shiver racing down my spine.

 His arms tightened around my waist as he drew me back up to him, returning the kiss with a sudden intensity. My foot lifted off the ground and I found myself on tiptoe, completely steady in his arms.

Nobody had ever kissed me like this. 

Years of doubt and fear had taught me caution. But now, pressed against him, surrounded by the golden ethereal glow of Olympus, all of that melted away. I could trust him completely. I could love him without fear. I was safe. I was home. 

Chapter Text

I stood by a window in Hercules’ villa later that evening, the sounds of celebrations outside spilling into the villa and mingling with the current party inside. I guess one could say the party followed us.

Wonderboy’s attention had been taken by nearly everybody in Thebes from the minute we landed on Pegasus. We’d met his mortal parents almost immediately. Meeting both sets of parents on the same day was enough for any girl—let alone one currently dating a demigod.

It was quiet here. And I was alone. I could finally think. I wrapped my arms around myself and looked out at the night sky, observing the new constellation of him sparkling above the city.

It had been a long day. A single, insane, impossible day.

“Meg?” his voice called, softly from behind me.

“Hey, you,” I murmured, a small smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. I turned to face him, watching as the moonlight shone through his ginger hair. “Had enough of the celebrations, Wonderboy?”

“Y-yeah, you could say that,” he replied, knotting his fingers together nervously.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just… today was a lot.”

“That’s putting it lightly.”

“I couldn’t find you earlier,” he stated, taking a step closer to me.

“I don’t really do parties. Or crowds. Or people,” I replied.

“I kinda figured.” He offered a shy smile. “I thought I might find you somewhere quiet.” He came to stand beside me, the warmth he always carried radiating from him.

“Shouldn’t the hero be back at the party being held in his honor?” I teased.

“Eh,” he said with a small shrug. “They won’t miss me. Phil’s very drunk—telling stories about all the heroes he trained—and now he’s telling everyone he kissed Aphrodite when we left Olympus.”

“Satyrs practically come out of the womb drunk and inappropriate.”

He laughed then, a real laugh, like the one he gave in the garden. He reached over for my hand, interlacing his fingers with mine.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “I don’t even know how to feel. Grateful. Relieved. But… also kind of scared.”

“Scared?” he echoed, giving my hand a squeeze.

“Yeah. This,” I gestured between us. “Us. Whatever this is. I don’t exactly do relationships.”

His expression softened before he gave a small smile.

“I’m new to this too,” he admitted shyly.

“Really? You?” I teased. “Couldn’t tell.”

He flushed, smiling. “But I figure we’ll figure it out as we go.” He brushed his thumb across the back of my hand, chasing away some of my uneasiness.

“You make it sound so easy.”

“I mean…I guess it’s not?”

“Wonderboy, relationships are complicated,” I sighed. “They’re messy. And nobody’s perfect. Especially me.”

“Meg,” he said quietly. “I know you’re not perfect. You’re just… Meg.”

“Yeah. Meg who makes questionable decisions like selling her soul to Hades.” I winced. Way to ruin a moment.

He didn’t flinch. Not a flicker of judgment. He didn’t even blink. Instead, he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around my waist.

“Meg who made that choice because she cared about someone,” he said gently. “Meg who was trying to help… who, unfortunately, got hurt because she loved too much.”

I took a deep breath.

“Do you want to know what really happened?” I asked.

“Only if you want to tell me,” he said.

“I feel like you deserve to know.”

“Then I’m here,” he whispered, tightening his arms around me. “Whenever you’re ready.”

I stared at the floor. 

“I was young, okay? And very stupid.”

“Meg,” he said gently. “I’m not judging.”

I exhaled and began. “His name was Demetrius...” The words came easier than they ever had. That slight burn that lingered with his name…was gone. “He was a smooth talker. Promised a lot of things that didn’t happen. One day, he got very sick… nothing helped him. And he… died.”

Hercules’ eyes were soft, studying mine.

“I felt so lost that I couldn’t imagine continuing on without him. So I made a deal with Hades to bring him back. And he did. All it cost was my soul. And my freedom."

I blinked, waiting for judgement that never came.

"I didn’t even hesitate. I would have done anything for him. But soon after… he left me. For someone else.”

A flicker of anger crossed his face, but he controlled it.

“Meg, I am so incredibly sorry that happened to you,” he murmured.

“I’ve been… ashamed, I guess,” I admitted, looking out the window. “Those kinds of choices—they follow you. They stain everything. And I figured… if a man like that, especially one I loved as much as I loved him, could leave… then anyone could.”

“I promise,” he declared, leaning down so his forehead touched mine. “I’m not going anywhere, Meg. Unless you want me too, that is. I mean…if I have to tell you every day until you believe me–I will.” 

I did not deserve him.

I closed the distance between us, pressing my lips to his. It wasn’t frantic or rushed—just unspoken words and undeniable warmth. After we broke apart, he pulled me tightly against his chest, rubbing soothing circles along my back.

I suddenly felt something wet and warm against my hair. 

“I almost lost you today,” he whispered, voice cracking. “I mean, I did lose you. I had…to make it right.”

I looked up at him, tears glistening on his cheeks. Something inside me broke. I lifted my hand to his face and forced him to meet my gaze.

“Hercules, I’m right here. I’m safe.”

“I was too late,” he murmured. “I never want to feel that way again.”

I held him in my arms, letting the room go quiet except for our breathing. 

“Can I ask you something?” I asked, breaking the silence.

“Anything.”

“How did you ever manage to get me out of the Underworld? I know Hades too well. He’d never let you walk out with a soul.” Especially mine.

His eyes darted back and forth nervously. “I, uh… kinda made a deal.”

I blinked. “You did what?!” I planted my palms firmly against his chest and pushed away from his embrace. 

“I offered myself in your place,” he blurted. “It seemed fair. And then I dove into the Styx after you.” He stated this as if it were something one does every day. 

I felt the world tilt. “You… jumped into the Styx. For me?”

Hercules nodded, holding his hands at his side as if he was uncertain if he was allowed to reach for me again.

“And Hades just let you?” 

He rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. “I kinda… punched him into the Vortex of Souls.”

“You… punched Hades?” I palmed my hand against my forehead. “Into the Vortex. Of. Souls.”

“In my defense,” he said, raising a finger, “he really deserved it.”

I laughed, or maybe I cried—I wasn’t sure.

“You’re crazy,” I said. “Insane possibly.”

“Possibly,” he agreed. “But I meant what I said earlier. A life without you—immortal or not— would be empty.”

He reached up and cradled my face, holding me like I was something precious. 

I really really didn’t deserve him. 

“Hercules,” I whispered, “you’re gonna wake up one day and realize I was never worth it.”

“Who said you’re not worth it?”

“Me. Nobody is worth… everything you gave up. Especially me.”

“Meg,” he laughed softly, shaking his head. “You saved me. You endured so much.” He looked out the window, the memory haunting him. “You’re the brave one.”

My mind flickered back to Pegasus, the heights. The pillar…

“I’m not brave,” I argued. “That’s kinda your thing. Big entrances. Big rescues. Very dramatic. Very flashy.”

“You’re deflecting.”

“I just couldn’t stand there and do nothing. I couldn’t let you die,” I whispered.

“And that is the very definition of brave,” he said. “Selfless. Heroic.” He brushed my cheek with his thumb. “Selfless, heroic, brave, smart, sassy… should I keep going?”

“If you’re trying to flatter a girl, it’s working,” I mumbled, a blush rising to my cheeks before I could stop it. 

“Not flattering,” he said. “Just stating the truth. I wish you could see yourself the way I see you.”

“Because you don’t know the real me,” I said. “You don’t know everything I’ve done.”

“I know enough. The past doesn’t define us. And it doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

I shook my head. “Deep down, you’ll regret it. You’ll get old, Hercules. Wrinkly, gray.”

He blinked, like the thought had never occurred to him. Of course it hadn’t.

 “That's kind of the point of being mortal, right?”

“Yeah,” I said. “And I’m going to get old.”

He smiled like he couldn’t imagine a better future.

“I think,” he said, leaning down so our lips were only inches apart. “That sounds… amazing.”

I laughed again. “Are you gonna kiss me or not, Wonderboy?”

He kissed me softly, then pulled back.

“You’re distracted,” I stated. 

“I need to tell you something,” he said quietly. “When I went down there to get you, Charon told me something.”

Charon. Orpheus. Charon knew…but how?

“What did he say?”

“He… called you ‘Princess,’” he said, ears reddening.

Of course he did. Charon always did.

“There’s no way around it. It’s true,” I said. “King Creon is my father.”

Wonderboy didn’t react—not a shocked expression, nothing.

“Charon told you, huh?” I asked.

“Just a bit. Just who your father is,” he admitted.

“Royal life never suited me,” I said simply. “My father threatened to disown me because I fell in love with Demetrius. I ran away with him and haven’t been home in years. They probably think I’m dead.”

“Princess or not… it doesn’t change who you are. You’re just Meg.”

“Disgraced princess,” I corrected.

“Either way,” he said, leaning down to kiss me again. “You’re still Meg. At least to me. My wonderful, brave, amazing, beautiful, sassy Meg.”

“Flatterer,” I said.

“I’ll gladly take it,” he murmured against my lips. And I couldn’t help but smile. 

I stood there for a minute in his arms, letting the world fall away. I tried to straighten my shoulders, tried to convince myself I wasn’t as tired as I felt. Hercules saw right through it.

“You should rest,” he said quietly, like it was both an order and a promise. His eyes lingered on me, scanning for any sign I wasn’t okay. 

I yawned, the sound escaping me before I could stop it. 

“Yeah, you definitely should rest.” He blinked and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Uh, I’ve never asked you this before. Do you, uh, have a place to live?”

Realization sank in. I had lived in the Underworld for years, so no, I did not.

“Not anymore,” I stated. 

“Would you, uh, like to stay here?” he asked, his face reddening.

“I’d like that very much,” I said with a smile. I swear his blush deepened.

“You can take my room,” he stated. “I’ll find somewhere else to sleep.”

He hesitated only a second before scooping me up. I was too tired to protest—and maybe, just maybe, I didn’t want to. His bed was massive–nothing like the cramped cot I’d had in the Underworld. It reminded me of my old bed from years before. As I settled in, I noticed the sheets smelled faintly like him.

I curled into the warmth of the sheets, letting the softness pull the tension from my body. My mind still raced with everything we’d survived, everything we’d risked. A tiny, stubborn voice whispered that it might not last—that maybe all this was too much, too fast.

He gave me a soft lingering kiss on my forehead before retreating out the door. 

“Goodnight Meg,” he said softly from the doorway. “Sleep well.”

“Goodnight, Wonderboy.”

“We’ll figure this out, you know? Step by step.”

I let out a quiet laugh. “Step by step,” I repeated, the words more comfort than promise.

And finally, I let myself sink into sleep, knowing he’d be there when I woke.