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]

"Ask." He told Sherlock when they sat down, "I know you have dozens of questions." John smiled at him.

He couldn't tell him that he had seen the look hundreds of times before on his past self's face. That he just rolled his eyes and answered. Usually when they were in bed after a rigorous round of lovemaking.

Gods he missed Hades. He missed the man's touch. He had not taken another bed partner since his love was killed.

[seaweed_writes]

"You.. are a god..." He said, continuing before John could even respond, as he knew the answer. He poked at the lamb in front of him, a little hungry but more curious than anything else.

Where even to start? "But... you look human. So. what do you look like when you are a god? I mean.. Persephone... the Greek goddess.. she was a goddess, and you.. well you look male. Are you just pretending to be a guy?" He wasn't sure why, in these times, women and men were pretty much equals, there was no real advantage to being male any more, like there had been back in the 20th century, when his parents parents parents lived.

[ihadabadday]

"I am Persephone. But... I was once mortal. Ages and ages ago. Two or three hundred years ago. I lost track." He let out a sigh and rubbed his face.

"I was thirty, a doctor, working in an A&E here in London. When I first met Hades. I didn't know who he was. We went to dinner and saw each other here and there after." That part was a lie, they had tumbled into bed after those few drinks at a bar.

"We bedded and he told me what he was. I... I didn't run. I was entranced and he offered me pomegranate seeds. I ate them and became Persephone. I am a demi-god, not a true one. This is my form. Maybe one day I could change it if I wished, but for now I have no desire to change it."

[seaweed_writes]

A mortal could become a god... or at least a demigod? That was surprising. Did that mean.. that he could be a demigod? What would he be the god of? Chemistry? Pretty sure that didn't exist. He had to chuckle, then apologized. "Sorry, my mind was... wandering for a moment.
He blushed a deep red.

So.. he really had been a doctor. and back in the 20th century too, so it had been a while. Sherlock had a bit of a fascination with that time period. It was a time with a lot of changes, for the good and bad.

And this man had loved a god.. he assumed Hades was a true god, and not a demigod though John had not said. So.. why was he not with Hades any more?

It hit Sherlock. John had gone to dinner with Hades, and then they had.. he guessed become involved? That was what it sounded like, from what he said.

"We are here.. having dinner..." Sherlock said, slowly, unsure. "Are...you... going.... to offer me pomegranate seeds?" Of course they had just met and he really had no intention of... bedding John.. that was such an odd term to use, archaic, though it made sense, he thought. He was pretty sure, even as a former mortal, and a demi god, their bodies wouldn't be... compatible, even if that was something he wanted..

He didn't even know what he wanted.. yet.

[ihadabadday]

John laughed. "No... I can't... I can't change a mortal to a god. It's not part of my skills." he let out a breath.

"Hades died. About a hundred years ago. There are some plants, not of Earth, that can kill a god. I had left for Sydney for the Southern Hemisphere's winter, and I felt it. A connection being severed. I never wanted to feel that way again. I vowed revenge upon those that killed my love."

John let out a breath. "All these years and I've never stopped loving him. Excuse me." He got up and fled to the bathroom. He splashed water on his face, trying to stop the torrent of tears that threatened to fall.

[seaweed_writes]

"Oh." He was surprised to find that he was actually a bit disappointed that this demi-god couldn't make more demi-gods like himself. He guessed maybe that only a god could make a demigod? Which would confirm his hypothesis that Hades had been a true god.

But if Hades was dead, who was running the underworld? Unfortunately he didn't get to ask before John ran towards the loo.

He gave John a few minutes, then politely and softly knocked on the door. "John. Umm.. if you need to reschedule, it's fine. I can come back another time. I didn't mean to upset you."

So.. he had apparently loved Hades, and had taken a pomegranate seed to be a demi-god with Hades, and then Hades had died, and he was here now.

There were even more questions and less answers. Who ran Hell? Did he get his revenge?

[ihadabadday]

John opened the door after a minute, having calmed himself down and dried his face. "Sorry about that. It's not often I... Not often I converse with people that don't know what happened."

It seemed every god and demi-god knew what had happened to him and Hades.

"We don't need to reschedule. We can continue dinner. I promise." He smiled at Sherlock. Though it was getting harder to smile anymore.

[seaweed_writes]

Sherlock frowned. It looked like so far all he was doing was making this man miserable, bringing up old memories and getting him more and more upset. He was beginning to think that the best thing he could do would be to leave, but he wasn't sure how to bail out now. He should have left while John.. or Persephone.. or whomever was in the loo. He had lost his chance.

That smile John gave, it was not a happy one. Sherlock sighed. Maybe he just needed to change the subject... and now, of course, the lamb would be cold and the wine would be slightly warm.

"If.... you are sure..." Sherlock followed John back to the living room where thier food sat, untouched.

[ihadabadday]

John sat down at the table and let out a breath. He let his power circle around the wine and food, warming and cooling. He then pulled it back into himself. "There, the food should be warm." He offered.

He didn't know if he could do it. Break Sherlock's life like this. He seemed so... Happy.

[seaweed_writes]

"Wow.. You can just heat things up like that? You have a lot of powers. I wonder what else you can do?" Sherlock had to chuckle.

Finally, he took a bit. "This is excellent!" he said. It really was good, he wasn't just saying that. He started in, in earnest, enjoying the lamb and potatoes. They worked well together

[ihadabadday]

John smiled, glad that Sherlock seemed to be enjoying it. He didn't need to eat or sleep or breath. But he did so to seem mortal. And to be honest, he enjoyed it. There was something about waking up next to a partner that pleased him.

"I'm glad you like it. The wine is excellent." He said in response.

[seaweed_writes]

"I've had that for a while, never had a reason to use it.. until now." Sherlock almost blushed.

He tucked into his food, a bit of an awkward silence fell over the table. Sherlock really had no idea what to say, he knew nothing about this man, and every time he asked a question, it just made John feel worse, so he ended up just being quiet and eating.

[ihadabadday]

"I apologize for not being the best company this evening. It was not my intention." John said as they cleaned up.

"It has been a while since I willingly tried to make friends with someone."

[seaweed_writes]

"I apologize for lowering your mood." Sherlock replied, dipping his head in apology. "I seemed to do nothing but say the wrong thing."

Sherlock helped where he could, cleaning dishes and tidying up the table.
"Perhaps I could... try again, another time? " He was feeling a bit bold here.

[ihadabadday]

John flushed and smiled at the inquiry. "I... I would like that." He admitted before biting his lip. He then leaned in and kissed Sherlock's cheek quickly.

He then pulled back, even redder. He couldn't believe he had done that!

[seaweed_writes]

"Oh.." Sherlock said, putting a finger to where John had just kissed him. It was quick, almost chaste one would say, though a man kissing another man on the cheek was really anything but.

"I..... umm.. know... a nice little Italian place not far from here. We could walk."

[ihadabadday]

John was still red. He nodded. "I would like that quite a lot. I am free most evenings, so please just come collect me when you would like to go." He told Sherlock.

Maybe it wouldn't be so hard to love this Sherlock.

[seaweed_writes]

Sherlock was going to be out on yet another business trip this weekend, so he'd rather do it before then.

"I leave Friday morning on business. Shall we say same time on Thursday night?" That would be two more days that he would have to wait, but perhaps it would e best to give this man the benefit of time, let his mood rise a bit.

[ihadabadday]

John nodded. "Thursday night will be fine." He agreed.

He finished the dishes and then set them to dry.

[seaweed_writes]

Sherlock looked around... there was nothing left for him to do here... once again he felt rather awkward.

"Well.. umm.. I suppose I should return to my flat. It was very nice to meet you, Mr Watson." He lingered for a moment, before heading towards the door.

[ihadabadday]

John moved and grabbed his wrist. He smiled and kissed his hand. "Please. Call me John."

He released Sherlock and stepped back.

[seaweed_writes]

"Okay... John.." Sherlock was a bit nervous, The man was quite handsome and he seemed nice, though sad, but he was also pretty forward. Sherlock wasn't sure if he liked that or not, He was a bit off balance with this man.

Maybe the next maybe not really a date would clear things up.

Maybe.

"Have a nice evening, John."

He headed out the door and back up to 221B. Kissing his hand like a gentleman of the 1800s, that was... interesting.


Sherlock had a lot to think about and 3 days before he saw John again.

[ihadabadday]

John was torn... He bit his lip as he waited for Sherlock. They had steadily been having dinners together for the past three months. But now... It was almost the spring equinox and he... He would have to return to Demeter's residence.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Fuck.

[seaweed_writes]

As much as things had been a bit awkward at first, Sherlock eventually grew to love the meals that he and John had together. He rarely ever talked about this Hades that apparently had been a part of his life so long ago.

They had shared a few little quick kissed and sometimes snuggled while watching crap telly, but they had never actually done anything physical. Part of Sherlock want to take things further with John, but he seemed to be holding himself back. Sherlock is pretty sure that John is still holding onto that man that he obviously still loves the man.

Maybe he would never love anyone else.

Had John just been stringing him along the last 3 months? It was almost time for John to leave.. He could find another apartment before he came back.

[ihadabadday]

John answered the door when there was a knock. He smiled when he saw Sherlock. "Hey..." An odd feeling overcame him and he knew. He just knew. It would be okay.

Before Sherlock could say anything, he pulled him in for a rough kiss. He nibbled slightly on the man's lips before releasing him. His face was flushed with something else.