In Plain Sight - AU - Locked to seaweed_writes

[ihadabadday]

No one knew how long Gods had walked among the mortals. They just knew they had. Some remained in their country of origin, some branched out and traveled. Others started business or charities. Some just went through existence simply being. Belief didn't have much to do with how the Gods chose to lead their lives.

This tale though, it focuses on the Greek Gods of old and Mount Olympus (which is a real place and traditionally is where Zeus is said to live with Hera).

John Watson didn't care for the politics of the Gods that surrounded them every day. He had other things to focus on, to pay attention to. Like medical school, and then the military. It wasn't until he was shot and laying in the desert, bleeding, did he whisper things to the God of Death, to Hades. To a god he didn't believe in. Blood whispers they were often called. And gods hardly paid attention to them, most believed they were the whispers of dying men.

But John Watson survived when others with the same injury had died. What was different about him?

He returned to London on an army pension and a cane. He shuffled through his life, a constant ache in his chest, like there was something missing. Though he had little to no idea of what was missing. He helped others where he could, donating his time and what little money. A homeless veteran (it boiled him so to see those who helped their country be left behind) once called him a beacon of light.

A beacon of light huh?

Most days he didn't feel like one. Most days his mood was dark and everything was shit.

One night when he was limping slowly back to his dismal bedsit, something caught his attention. He glanced down an alley and saw a tall man dressed in black, being mugged by some ratty youth. The man was far too posh for this neighborhood. So why was he here? But that didn't matter. John, on two strong legs, charged into the alley and used his cane to knock the criminal away. He didn't notice, but there seemed to be a light around him, an otherworldy aura to him.

He held the cane like a sword and pointed it at the would be thief. "You need to leave here." John commanded. It had been easy for some to forget that he had been Captain John Watson of the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers in Her Majesty's Army.

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[ihadabadday]

He let out a breath as he thought. "In the past, Persephone, as the Queen of Hell, has carried out the curses laid upon the dead by the words of men." Greg replied, "Or the curses laid upon men by the dead and dying."

John watched Greg, thinking about what he was saying.

[seaweed_writes]

It was close to what Sherlock had been doing in the Overworld, where he was letting mortals sell thier souls for what they desired. Of course, this John didn’t know him.

Was that something that John would want to do? The man was still semi human and he lacked a lot of Sherlock’s cruelty and lack of empathy.

“Will you take the mantle of Persephone, John?”

[ihadabadday]

"Persephone of the Seasons or Persephone of Hell?" He asked. The mantle of the Persephone of Seasons had already settled over him. But to do more things with Sherlock, to be able to go to the Overworld at certain times...

He would... He would have to bury his emotions for it.

[seaweed_writes]

“If John were to take the mantle of Persephone of Hell, what would it entail exactly? Would that allow him to take short trips to the Overworld?” He asked Greg, knowing that John wanted to know as much as he did.

[ihadabadday]

Greg nodded. "Yes, it would." He answered.

John looked at Sherlock and then to Greg.

[seaweed_writes]

“And I assume, as the Fates, that you can’t telk us whether he should take it or not.” He asked Greg, then looked at John.
“It is your descision either way, if you want to take it or not. I assume it will not affect our relationship?” He reverted the question back to Greg again.

[ihadabadday]

Greg just took a long drag from his cigarette. Bad habit he knew, but he didn't care. He merely nodded. He could tell them about things, but not advise. It was their fate to decide.

"It will not. You two have bound yourselves together as Hades and Persephone, whichever mantle of version you choose to be is your decision. For all intents and purposes, you two are just as married as Zeus and Hera. Though, that might not be the best description. Though Sherlock should buy you a ring John, make an honest man out of you." He winked and then vanished.

[seaweed_writes]

Sherlock sighed. “He us maddingly unhelpful, that one. I’m not sure I still count him as a friend.” Greg was really his only friend before John came along. He really did care for the god as a bit of a big brother. Heaven knows he preferred Greg over his actual brother.

Which reminded hm, they were going to have to talk to Zeus sooner than later.

[ihadabadday]

John hummed. He then tilted his head and looked up at Sherlock. "He's still a good man. I think..." He then ran a hand through Sherlock's hair, teasing at the curls a bit. He smiled. Happiness. It was such an odd feeling.

[seaweed_writes]

“Yes. He is a good man.” He admitted. Sherlock was quiet for a moment, enjoying the moment, just them together.

“Do you think you are going to take the job?” He asked. Sherlock wasn’t sure what John would need to do to officially take the job.

[ihadabadday]

"Possibly. It would mean more time with you..." John mused. He ran his fingers over Sherlock's arm, humming softly.

"I do want more time with you."

[seaweed_writes]

Sherlock smiled. “You have the rest of eternity to be with me.” As a demigod, Sherlock honestly wasn’t sure if John would live as long as him. Assuming the man didn’t get tired of his lack of empathy and knowledge of human emotions. He had felt them for 48 hours, but that wasn’t nearly enough time to come to terms with them.

[ihadabadday]

John hummed softly and nodded. He shifted and pulled away from the other man. He got up and dusted himself off.

"I look forward to it." He then turned to go back to his room.

[seaweed_writes]

Sherlock watched him go. He figured that the man had some thinking to do alone, or something.

A short time after John had left that the scrying crystal pulsed a glowing pattern for a few times, then he heard his brother's voice.

"Hades. To me. Now. Bring that... pet with you. We have things to discuss."

Before Sherlock could respond, the crystal went dark again.

"Fuck." Sherlock sighed. He changed back to his normal form, 9 foot tall , pale gray skin, wearing a toga like robe, his head topped in fire.

He headed back to John's room

"John, we have to go." He paused in the door, forgetting that this John hadn't seen him in his true form yet.

[ihadabadday]

John turned, but he wasn't frightened. He had seen this form in the memories. He knew who it was.

"What should I wear for a meeting with Zeus?" He asked casually.

[seaweed_writes]

Sherlock wiggled his fingers and put John in a nice suit, a very dark blue suit with a slightly lighter blue tie, a lighter blue shirt, and dark brown loafers.

"Let me lead." Sherlock said. "He is less... pleasant than me." And that was saying something.

Sherlock took his arm and a moment later they were at the gates of the land of the gods.

"Welcome to what the mortals call.. heaven."

[ihadabadday]

John smiled at the suit Sherlock put him in. The coloring and tailoring fit him well. He put his hand over Sherlock's when their arms linked. Perfect.

He would have to learn how to do this trick one of these days. But until then, this way would work.

"It looks... Dull."

[seaweed_writes]

Sherlock shrugged. I guess if you like this kind of thing it would be nice. It doesn't really suit me though." He was way too dark for this kind of bright and sunny place.

He touched John's arm one more time, and they were in Zeus' throne room.

Sherlock didn't like to do it, but he bowed his head, elbowing John to do to the same thing.

"Well, it's about time, Hades. and I see that you brought that half god Persephone with you."

[ihadabadday]

John didn't say anything. He just stared at Zeus. He wanted to.... Go. This place was too clean, too neat. Even cleaner than most hospitals he saw.

[seaweed_writes]

Zeus crossed his arms. "Ah, the silent type? Well, that might make this go faster.

"I have been informed that you have taken up the mantle of Persephone, as well as being the illegitimate son of Ares. As his bastard son, you have no claim to his title or his responsibilities, though may suggest a small portion of his... abilities."

He paused for a second to let this all sink in. "But you have willingly taken on the mantle of Persephone, so that means that if you take her powers, you must also take her on her responsibilities. I know that fool Fates was telling you that it isn't mandatory, but I am strongly advising you to take it. I know that you want to take it anyway, so it is a win/win situation. If you say yes, you will immediately be granted the powers of Persephone and will take up her mantle."

Zeus looked to his brother, then to John. "So, what do you say?"

[ihadabadday]

"What would the responsibilities be? Fates wasn't clear." John said after a moment, "I do plan on accepting the mantle."

[seaweed_writes]

"You will be the Queen of Hell, as Fates told you." Zeus started. Mortals can curse the dead. These curses have to be done before Hades collects thier souls to be taken to Hell. If it is done, Hades will not be able to collect the soul until the curse has been completed. You are the god..." He looked over John with a look of disgust.. "Or, in this case, demigod that will fulfill those curses."

He paused for a moment.

"Also, the dead mortals can put a curse on the living. As with the living, this can only be done until they reach the gates of Hell. They will not move into the Pool of Souls until their curse has been completed. This will also be your job. You will be allowed to visit the Overworld to visit the humans who will be cursing the dead, and you will only stay as long as it takes to apply the curse."

Zeus looks the man over. "Do you think that you can handle this?"

[ihadabadday]

John was quiet for a moment as he thought on it. He knew, they all knew, what his answer would be.

"I can." He replied, "I will."

[seaweed_writes]

Zeus gave him a fairly fake smile, it was a foregone conclusion. He moved his hands in the air for a moment. Sherlock could feel the magical power in the air. Sherlock was powerful, but his brother was even more so, one of, if not the most powerful god in all of Mount Olympus.

"It is done." Zeus said, looking John over. He waved his hand dismissively towards them. "Alright, go do your jobs." He turned and went back to sit on his throne.

Sherlock bowed his head again. "Thank you, Zeus." He said it tight lipped. He didn't like having to do it, but he had to defer to his brother's stature. He looked over to John, silently telling him to do the same.

[ihadabadday]

He bowed his head. "Thank you Zeus." John said.

He straightened and then looked at Sherlock. At least this time Zeus wasn't going to kill him.

John left with Sherlock before.reaching to touch his hand. To be closer to the god. He was still uncertain of his place in all of this. But he knew he had Sherlock.