Inferna (Upsilon)
by SadisticSinner on AFF!
>Chapter: Upsilon<
Kibum had feared that he might arrive too late. He had hurried, urging Vanity on as they shadow- travelled as close as possible to his father’s realm.
It proved to be a real hassle that Olympus was out of reach for them.
The blonde deity did not exactly understand how it worked, but it seemed like there was an invisible barrier - like no shadows existed up on Mount Olympus.
There was just no way they could travel any closer.
And though Kibum did not know for certain, he assumed that the way in was closed even for Jonghyun who reigned over the shadows and the depths beyond.
Vanity had been abandoned on the nearest meadow that had a large enough shadow for him to emerge from.
And upon arriving and dismounting the horse had he hoped that his feet would carry him the rest of the way as fast as possible.
The spring god had been grumbling nonstop in his mind, cursing at the brunet’s stupidity.
Jonghyun’s… recklessness.
What had the other been thinking? Rushing out like this… Kibum had known instantly what the other had been up to. Joohyun had filled him in almost the moment he stepped into the Great Hall in search for the elder.
He was an idiot.
The blonde could not stop thinking that.
Going up there to confront his parent’s like that… it was pure madness.
If something happened to Jonghyun…
Kibum would never be able to forgive himself. In the end it would be his fault alone. And though he was sure that the god of the underworld was strong, stronger than many of the Olympians as he was one of the great three …
He would be up against two of the same calibre.
More importantly… Kibum didn’t even want to fathom what a fight between such important deities would cause to the human world.
He couldn’t have cared less before all of this started, but now he was more than aware of his role.
That they were all part of this and that humans were not simply stupid creatures who picked his flowers and sold his hard work for some gold or silver coins.
They were a part of this world just like them, and were capable of reaching great achievements.
As well as terrible ones.
Humans were more similar to the deities than the spring god had assumed.
Kibum knew he had gotten off track while he had travelled but his whole attention was brought back when he had caught sight of the blue flames he knew so well.
Jonghyun was angry.
And the blonde knew he had to hurry before everything would escalate.
Before anything could happen to Jonghyun or his parents.
He could already hear them talking.
What he heard however, made his blood boil in his veins. Kibum knew he needed to step in.
Now.
His hand curled around Jonghyun’s wrist - fully aware that he was touching the other despite his azure flames, but he had learned long ago not to fear them.
They did not hurt him.
Kibum knew the reason why. Knew why the fire would never consume him as long as Jongyhun didn’t want them to.
But that was beside the point.
The moment he squeezed the elder’s arm the fire vanquished completely, leaving a baffled Jonghyun in place who looked at him with wide golden orbs.
“Then believe me”
He did not let go of the other’s arm.
This time, he faced his parents with a determined look in his eyes. He would not back down.
It had been going on for far too long… and…
That last incident…
Had been the last and final straw to break the camel’s back.
That his mother… would resort to such measures…. his very own mother who had given birth to him.
Kibum still didn’t want to believe it, but what reason did he have to not believe in what Taemin had said?
More importantly…
There was another clue. He had kept it to himself until now.
But the blonde was convinced…
His own mother had set up this trap… made someone disguise themselves as Jonghyun and rape him, only to drive him back to Olympus and into his parent’s arms.
Kibum should hate and detest Hades again.
But they had achieved the exact opposite. Though the spring god was not sure how he would feel if they had indeed succeeded.
“What do you mean?”, Minho’s voice suddenly cut through the established silence
Kibum averted his gaze from Jonghyun’s still slightly bemused features to focus on his father.
He had a feeling that Zeus had no idea about the scheme.
That the deity of the sky still valued Jonghyun in a way and would do no such thing as to deceive Kibum into thinking that the brunet had raped him.
Hell, to have a plan that included the mere possibility of this happening to the spring god was something his father would not agree with.
He hoped.
“Yeah son… what do you mean?”, it was Hyosung this time who spoke up. Looked at him with a form of terror in her eyes that he couldn’t pin point.
Was it the fear of her plan being revealed or was it real concern for him?
He didn’t know.
“Do you mean to tell us that someone really tried to assault you? Harass you in the way he said?”
Kibum wanted to scoff.
As if she wouldn’t know…
“You mean rape me?”, he pronounced the word clearly and slowly, letting it sink in and what it would have meant.
He felt his body tremble a little as memories from said day rushed back into his mind, but for the sake of the success of this conversation he pushed them back.
Kibum needed to be strong.
“Yes mother. Someone did. And on top of that did they try to make me think that it was Jonghyun doing this to me. That it was him who tied me up and tried to take me against my will!”
Minho’s eyes hardened at that. His whole features darkened as he stepped closer, about to jump at Jonghyun’ throat at anytime.
“You did what!?”, he screamed, his golden eyes now wide with anger.
The blonde hurried to step in front of the brunet.
No!
Had his father not listened?
Why were they always misunderstanding everything?
“It was not him!”, he yelled back.
“There was an imposter! Jonghyun came to save me! Were you not listening to what I have said? They made me think it was him. But it wasn’t!”
Minho stopped in his tracks. His hands were balled into fists, but they slowly unclenched now.
“It’s okay”, he heard Jonghyun’s voice from behind his back
“You don’t need to defend me like this”
Kibum only rolled his eyes at that.
“Why do you always develop a hero complex when something happens to me?”, the blonde retorted with new found cockiness.
“You always risk everything for me. But this time… they won’t listen to you”, he whispered back to the other
“You need me.”
And that caused Jonghyun to fall silent.
The brunet closed his eyes, a faint smile on his lips.
“You are right”, he whispered then, so only Kibum could hear him.
“I need you”
This time it was the blonde’s turn to flush in a bright red colour.
He was close to telling the other to shut up and nudge him for being so cheesy with him, but it wasn’t really appropriate for the time being.
“Oh”, he heard his mother sneer and turned his attention back to her.
“I see how it is then”, she crossed her arms, eyes narrowed in disgust.
“I see through your plan Hades.” Hyosung’s voice was low, the accusing tone more than obvious.
The blonde only blinked in confusion.
What?
“So it was one of his creatures, huh? They impersonated him so he could appear as the hero and save you? What a despicable scheme Hades!”, she yelled and Kibum felt his head throb in frustration.
“It was Peitho”, Jonghyun spoke up this time and faced Demeter who looked back at him.
The spring god could watch as his mother’s eyes widened and how she pressed her lips into a fine line.
The blonde knew they had her cornered. Apparently she didn’t know yet that they had seen her. Peitho that is.
“I recognised her”, Kibum affirmed the elder’s statement and addressed his father this time
“Jonghyun attacked her to get her off me and in the process he burned down the disguise. It was Peitho. I’m sure. After all she is a close friend of mother right? I know her quite well.”
The spring god held Minho’s gaze. He knew he was not lying and he also knew what he was suggesting with his assertion.
Would his father believe him?
“Minho”, Jonghyun stepped closer, right next to Kibum now
“You know what he means to me. I would never… I could never…”
The brunet was obviously fighting with himself. It came as a huge relief that Hades perceived the thought alone as just as revolting as the younger.
“It was Peitho”, the blonde spoke up again to free Jonghyun of such depressing thoughts
“I swear. With my life.”
Minho regarded them with an intense stare.
Neither of them knew if they had convinced Zeus or not.
“Darling, why are you even listening to them? We should be looking for Peitho and ask her about this? I can’t believe my dear friend would commit such a horrendous crime!”
Of course, Demeter would never admit her mistakes.
Would never confess her crimes.
Kibum was shocked to say the least. In a way, the harsh reality that his mother had set up the trap still hadn’t seeped into his brain.
The blonde still hadn’t processed it.
If he did, he would probably break down again.
“Mother…”, he whispered but shook his head
Someone like this… couldn’t be called his mother, right?
“Why did you do that? Why did you plan to have me…”, the word didn’t come over his lips this time
“I did no such thing!”, she screamed, her light eyes burning with rage as she looked at Kibum first and then directed her glare at Hades.
“You…! It’s all because of you! What have you done to him! You’re making him your puppet-“
“Hyosung”
The blonde was surprised to hear his father’s voice pipe up out of the blue.
The black haired deity’s expression was unreadable as he held Jonghyun’s gaze for a moment.
Kibum could only watch and hope.
“You need to do something, Minho… he is corrupting our darling so-“
“Leave.”
It was one word - a single one, but it caused the blonde’s face to light up effortlessly.
“Father…”
“What?”, Demeter turned her head to face Zeus, bewilderment written all over her face
“You heard me. Please leave us alone”
How his father managed to sound so calm was a mystery to the spring god. But he felt like he could hug the living daylights out of him.
He believed him.
Them.
Zeus … trusted Jonghyun, trusted him in this.
“Darling-!”, the goddess tried again, but stopped mid sentence when the tallest turned into her direction, eyes narrowed and causing the golden orbs to get an almost dark orange hue
“Silence!”, he roared and for a moment Kibum was sure that his mother was unable to move, was maybe caught up by some sort of power his father had used.
It only lasted for a few moments however as soon enough her body slumped over and she nearly dropped forward.
There was a scowl on Demeter’s face, yet apparently she knew better than to disobey the lord of the sky. The ruler of the gods.
She faced Jonghyun for a moment and the amount of utter hatred written in her light eyes made Kibum shudder.
The brunet however, did not back down.
He stood his ground as he looked back at her with determination.
The blonde hadn’t even realised that he had let go of the elder’s arm, but now he wished he could give the other another reassuring squeeze.
Hyosung left, leaving withered barley shrubs in her wake as she walked away.
Guilt washed over Kibum briefly as he could only imagine the terrible harvest the humans would face this year.
Demeter hated losing.
Especially losing Kibum.
She had proved that already. Though back then… She kind of did have a point.
She hadn’t known about the foolish agreement his father and Jonghyun had had.
Kibum hadn’t known either.
However… in his opinion had Jonghyun long redeemed himself.
A long sigh escaped the god of the sky, but when Minho tried to come closer, the spring deity took a step back out of habit.
Kibum felt his heart pound in his chest, heard it re-vibrating in his ears as he was simply uncertain of what might happen now.
The blonde was nervous and his eyes sought out Jonghyun’s golden ones, unconsciously moving closer to the other’s side.
This display of distrust made Minho stop in his tracks and Kibum might be wrong, but there seemed to be a tired smile on his father’s lips.
“I’m sorry”, was the first thing he said and the blonde felt Jonghyun tense up.
He couldn’t tell what the elder was thinking, but these words must mean a lot to the god of the underworld.
After all these years, decades, maybe even centuries already… to hear such words of apology must feel alien.
But hopefully good.
Then his golden orbs turned towards Kibum himself.
“I’m sorry, son”, he whispered, head lowered
“I didn’t know. I swear I didn’t know… I would have never allowed something like this to happen… I’m sorry that you had to go through that.”
Then he addressed Jonghyun yet again, before continuing
“I’m sorry for accusing you like this. It was wrong of me. Thanks for saving Kibum”
“I wouldn’t have let anyone hurt him”, Jonghyun answered, his voice low.
As if he wasn’t sure if this was really happening.
Kibum understood.
He felt like all of this was surreal too.
“I know”, Minho answered and showed a small smile. It was thin-lipped, but it was there.
Silence ensued and neither of them knew how to break it.
Kibum wasn’t sure if he should say anything.
If they should just leave and go back home.
So he stayed rooted on the spot and focused on his father’s features, who seemed to be fighting with words as well.
It took another heartbeat, but then Zeus finally spoke up.
“Can you forgive me?”
The blonde blinked as he was confused about whom the deity had addressed. He realised however, that both his father’s and Jonghyun’s eyes were turned to him.
So the question was meant for Kibum alone.
He swallowed thickly as he wasn’t sure what to answer.
Yes? It would be a lie.
No? He couldn’t say this either as that was too harsh in his opinion.
Kibum glanced over at the brunet who was looking at him with gentle eyes. In a way, the elder was urging him on to say what he desired.
A sigh left his lips and he kept his eyes closed for a moment until he had gathered enough resolve to utter his answer.
“Time will tell”
That was the only answer he could give his father for the time being.
Of course he could not forgive him so easily.
But he had forgiven Jonghyun - and deep inside he knew that his father hadn’t been a part of this whole scheme.
His hand reached out to find the brunet’s and the younger didn’t waste a single breath before he intertwined their fingers together.
Kibum felt the familiar warmth travel up through his arm, warming him up from the inside.
He knew he was doing the right thing.
The blonde had had a lot of time to think about everything.
And Jonghyun had been a pleasant constant during this time.
“Like time told me who to trust and who to believe in”, Kibum continued, voice steady as he tilted his head to look at the older deity who had taught him so much.
Who had shaken up everything he had believed in and who had managed to wake another side of him.
A Kibum who could live more freely, who knew far more about the world now and why things weren’t always as easy as he thought.
There were always two sides of the same coin.
Jonghyun’s look he received in return was one of utter bewilderment, but he could see that the elder was slightly flustered.
That cause Kibum to grin.
He loved it when he made the other speechless. No one would think that anyone could make the god of the underworld lose his composure like that.
But for the spring god was Jonghyun no enigma anymore.
He probably knew the brunet better than anyone - only the Erinyes and Seulgi could compete with him.
They knew the gentle soul that Jonghyun really was.
Minho kept his arms akimbo as he watched them with wary eyes.
“I get it”, he hummed and looked up at the blue sky that always loomed over Mount Olympus. There was nothing he could do.
Zeus accepted that he had done a grave mistake and that only time could heal the wounds that he and especially Demeter had caused.
But she was a completely different story - one that Minho didn’t want to talk about right now.
“I won’t stop you from leaving, son”
Kibum looked up to meet his father’s eyes.
Resignation and defeat were reflecting in the golden orbs that flickered from the youngest over to Hades before they settled on the ground.
“Just… remember that you always have a home here”
Kibum felt as if his stomach was making somersaults. His father was accepting that he was leaving, that he actually enjoyed spending time in the underworld.
That only because the season of ice was over, he did not want to come back to Mount Olympus right away.
Minho accepted that Jonghyun was not keeping him hostage.
Zeus… accepted Kibum’s free will.
“I will”
The blonde god offered a smile, trying to convey a calm vibe. On the inside however, he was slightly nervous and all the more overwhelmed.
The young deity could have never guessed that this would be a possible outcome of their family feud.
He tugged at Jonghyun’s hand now, signalling him that this was their cue to leave.
That he wanted to go back home.
The brunet didn’t utter a single word.
Probably didn’t even look at Minho for a last time before they turned around and went to find Vanity and Ira, the mare with which Jonghyun had left in the first place.
Kibum was pretty sure that the two black horses had found each other by now anyway and with the brunet next to him it was very easy to track down the mares.
Jonghyun always knew where they were, as they were creatures of the dark and Hades the lord of everything that was born from the underworld.
A whicker signalled the blonde that he had been right.
Jonghyun had led them into the right direction and soon enough was Vanity walking up to him, nudging the blonde with her head.
“Easy there, girl”, he chuckled
“Everything is alright”, Kibum told her and caressed her neck lovingly. They had really grown close.
The spring good was certain that the mare could actually feel what was up with him.
How she did it was a mystery to him, but he cherished her even more for this.
She was an unbelievable smart creature.
Ira wasn’t so far behind as she walked up to the elder and greeted him with a nudge, rubbing her head against his arm sortly and exhaling sharply through her nostrils.
They all trusted Jonghyun.
Just like Kibum did.
“I meant it”, the blonde whispered and watched as Jongyun’s body stilled for a moment, before the elder turned around to face him.
“Meant what?”, the bemusement on the brunet’s face was genuine, not an act to tease the younger.
Kibum needed to release a shaky breath.
He had practiced this a thousand times in his head, but now that he was actually going to utter the words that burned on his tongue he found himself mute.
His heart was hammering against his ribcage as if it wanted to escape and hide away.
Kibum wouldn’t let it though.
He needed to get this off his chest - the sooner, the better.
Sucking his bottom lip between his teeth, he gnawed on the soft flesh for a moment, getting his composure back in check.
Kibum’s hazel eyes locked with golden orbs.
“I… you asked me to give you a chance. I gave you one. Now… I want you to give me a chance in return”
The spring god wished he would have been able to express himself a little more eloquently, but all coherent thoughts left him when he was faced with Jonghyun’s gentle gaze.
It was unfair in a way.
But Kibum mused that this must be the way Jonghyun always felt when the blonde had looked at him.
Overwhelmed and a little helpless.
Kibum stepped closer and Jonghyun waited for him to settle, before he spoke up.
“A chance?”, the brunet asked and the blonde wanted to whine out aloud about having to be more precise.
This could actually be teasing.
But he wasn’t sure, so he went on anyways.
“I want to be… your…”, the spring god had to stop mid-sentence.
What would be the appropriate word?
He struggled with the right term, his mind racing with all the possibilities.
Lover?
Companion?
Kibum just didn’t know what he should say and cursed himself that he hadn’t thought of this sooner, but then again, he would have brought this up differently from the start so all planning would have been in vain eventually.
However, it seemed like Jonghyun didn’t need more words.
The brunet seemed to know the answer to his inner question however, and all that Kibum could do was close his eyes when he felt the other cupping his cheeks.
Jonghyun’s lips were gentle as they slowly brushed against his own - just like he remembered them to be.
It was a small game of push and pull, of slight pecks and warmth that spread through his body when the blonde wrapped his arms around the elder’s neck to pull him closer, forcing Jonghyun’s arms to travel down to hold him by the waist instead.
The kisses they had shared before had been short-lived and chaste, but Kibum did not want this one to be the same.
His arms squeezed the other male, and Jonghyun caught on immediately.
Pecks turned into nibbles and Kibum couldn’t help but mewl out as the elder let his bottom lip snap back into place, right before he meshed their mouths back together in a demanding kiss.
Their tongues found each other, brushing and twirling on their own, only to drive the both of them insane with the raw feeling that it conveyed.
They retreated again, Kibum catching his breath for a moment, before he used his hand to yank Jongyhun back down to meet his lips.
This time the younger tried to be just as bold, biting the other’s bottom lip with a smirk and retreating right after.
His chest was heaving and he knew that Jonghyun was just as affected.
Their pupils were dilated, the other’s golden orbs a little hazy as they stood in each other’s arms, catching their breath.
Jonghyun’s hands held him close against his sturdy body and before the younger leaned his head against the brunet’s chest he recognised a look of utter relief and affection in the other’s eyes that had always watched over him.
Kibum had known for a long time that Hades was craving him, wanted to be with him… and for a while he hadn’t thought that he would give in to the lord of the underworld.
Willingly so, even.
“I want to be your companion in the underworld. I want it all. I know what it means. I want it. I want you”, he breathed out, his cheeks pink and his brain slightly dizzy from the passionate kissing that had caused him to lose control at last.
His eyes only held determination.
Finally, he was able to tell the elder everything that he had bottled up inside.
Everything that had manifested, especially after the incident with Peitho.
“You taught me how to love that place. The underworld. The mares… The Erinyes and Seulgi. They are wonderful. They treat me like I am my own person.”
Though he grew frustrated sometimes when they called him their little Master.
He knew that the girls tried to hide it, but they were actually having quite some fun with teasing him.
But what did he expect?
The Erinyes were wicked creatures after all.
Only in a different way from what he had expected.
“You taught me how to love…”, he stopped, sighed, and placed his head right above Jongyhun’s heart, hiding his face.
His cheeks were burning and his heart was no better.
It was still pounding louder than ever.
“You didn’t teach me. It just happened… all on my own I just - “
His whispering was rudely interrupted however, Jonghyun’s voice blurting out from above the blonde’s head.
“I love you”
Kibum’s body froze for a split second before he could move again, a warm smile on his lips as he looked up to lock eyes with the brunet.
In a way, he felt like dying.
Had Jongyhun always felt this way in his presence? For all this time?
How did he cope with it?
“Yeah… I just… fell in love with the real you. I love you, too”
Kibum had to chuckle at his own confession and buried his head at Jonghyun’s neck again, a loud sigh leaving him.
“Why did you interrupt me like that!”, he complained, voice muffled by the brunet’s shoulder
“I’m sorry?”, Jonghyun answered, mirth clearly evident in his voice
“I just exploded? I needed to tell you”
I already knew, Kibum wanted to say, but he kept mum.
He chose to enjoy the warmth of the other’s body instead.
“It’s done now anyway”, he muttered eventually and Jonghyun hummed in return.
Should the blonde be angry because his confession had basically been ruined?
The spring god decided against it.
It would be unreasonable to be upset because of something like this.
He hadn’t had a real plan to begin with, so he had just went along with the flow.
Jonghyun, being the impulsive person he was… just had to butt in.
But Kibum decided that he didn’t mind.
The blonde was just happy that it was finally off the table. That he had ultimately managed to voice out the feelings he harboured for Hades, lord of the underworld.
The spring deity had recognised the growing feelings of attraction inside of him, but it had taken the assault from Peitho to let Kibum eventually admit just how deep these feelings had spread.
That it was okay to let his heart feel what it felt.
The blonde had started to trust Jonghyun a long time ago.
As far as he could tell, the other had never lied to him. And that was something that Kibum valued above all else.
Especially after everything that had happened with his parents and what he had experienced and seen with his own two eyes.
He trusted the Erinyes and Seulgi.
Kibum had fun with them, even learned that mortal card game the sisters tended to play among themselves.
They had become friends.
A part of his life.
That was the exact reason why it had been such a shock for Kibum when Peitho had emerged in Jonghyun’s form.
Not only because of his blooming feelings for the other deity, but because of the huge amount of trust he had put into the brunet.
The utter feeling of betrayal that had jolted through him when he had thought that the one person Kibum trusted had turned his back on him…
It had been sickening, horrifying to say the least.
But as it had turned out, Jonghyun never had betrayed his trust.
Yes, he easily lost his temper. Had nearly burned down the whole area in rage when they had caught Peitho executing the plan that involved Kibum getting scarred for life.
He was still overwhelmed with interpersonal affairs, but it was getting better.
Jonghyun was bad in reading people that were not of the underworld, was insecure about things that involved others. Like when he had pushed Kibum away when the blonde actually wanted him close.
But it hadn’t been with a bad intention.
The brunet had wanted the best for him.
Jonghyun had indulged in hatred for far too long. Had been hated, and hated in return.
Had made mistakes, like kidnapping him against his will. Had held him captive for a while.
But the brunet had accepted his flaws, had apologised.
Had offered Kibum to make up for it.
And that was why the blonde was eventually able to forgive the elder.
Why he was able to fall in love with Jonghyun despite everything that had happened.
The thought alone that it was only because of Kibum that Hades had started to change again… back to his gentle side… was on overwhelming feeling.
He knew that the elder was smitten with him and though the spring god had no idea what he had done to deserve this form of affection…
The blonde craved the attention by now.
The certainty, that the brunet wanted to be with him and wanted him close.
Kibum wanted it all.
He had been a little too stubborn to admit it earlier.
But it didn’t matter anymore.
Kibum had accepted the other into his heart, along with his realm.
The land of the souls, the dead and the dark.
He pushed his head even further into the other’s neck, taking in Hades’ unique scent.
The spring god had no words to describe what he smelled, besides that it was musky and just…
Just Jonghyun.
Another few heartbeats passed, and Kibum finally lifted his head again.
They should finally take their leave.
Their horses were already neighing with impatience, sick of their masters being glued together for such a long time.
“Let’s head home, Jonghyun”
The brunet met his gaze, squeezed his form.
“Let’s.”
>Chapter:Upsilon END<
A/N:
It’s me again! And I’m late again too, haha
I hope this 5k chapter makes up for it? I’m really sorry, but both me and my beta were busy and then I was a little lazy and tada…
But now here we are!
Happy Easter to everyone who is celebrating it ^^
We’ve reached over 700 comments… I can’t believe this ;;; Thank you so much guys!!
JongKey has finally happened!! Might I say that this is chapter 32 (counting the prologue) ;)) You see what I did there? (It was unintentional, tho)
Thank you for your patience guys!
I will get to work on the next chapter faster : ) I’m also writing for the fest ;)) I’ll prolly make a blog post about it with a super super duper small giveaway
See you soon guys!
xxx Blingdom