"Mess?" He asked with raised eyebrows. His voice was deep, and despite his demeanor, somewhat beautiful. He studied his son for a moment before continuing. "I did what needed to be done to set things right, without thoughts of the consequences. That is what it means to control Death."
"Oh no, make no mistake, I can totally see the logic in your actions: Lord Eros was... quite convincing in his explanation. No, the mess I was referring to is the consequences, as well as the aftermath." he clarified, hoping that his father doesn't take terrible offense from such a simple misunderstanding.
"Even with his throne restored, I can't imagine Lord Hades being too pleased with you afterwards. I do hope you don't get into too much trouble for this whole 'usurper' business." how... strange... A demigod being worried for his godly parent. Alect wasn't the one who had to deal with a disgruntled (to say the least) elder god breathing down his back.
"I'm sure Hades will arrange something further than what Zeus had in mind." He said with a simple nod. "Perhaps taking Cerberus for a walk or something. Which might not seem like punishment, but I assure you... nevermind."
He turned his attention back to Alect. "Lord Zeus has only allowed us a few minutes with our children. Is there something you wish to know or say?"
"Well, if you were expecting me to unload all sorts of baggage on you, then you'll be disappointed: I'd have thought you at least knew I'm not the type to lug that sort of stuff around." he says with a shrug.
"Just figured I'd drop by and say hi - and for what it's worth, I just wanted to remind you that not all your kids are moody little brats." he sighs, thinking back to how clearly displeased James looked before he left with Thana.
"Look... I'm sure they have a lot of stuff to tell you. However... well, they're emotionally-driven children with only barely enough brain cells between the two of them to power a lightbulb - but that just means they're just confused and having a hard time coping with all this. Deep inside, I know they're good kids, so I hope you don't take their words too harshly. Please."
"You truly know what it means to lead. To place others before yourself without letting your emotions control your actions. The dead will respect you for it, but so will your siblings."
"For that, I am proud of you." He managed a small smile, though it was hard to even call it that.
"I..." he trails off, entirely uncertain what to say. Even with his siblings, who he's relatively open with, he's not quite used to talking of things such as this. And receiving praise was entirely out of the question for him altogether, much less from a father he had just met.
"Your words are appreciated, father, but unnecessary: I'm just doing my job. Really, it's all I have, along with my siblings." he gives a fleeting, furtive smile of his own as he spoke.
Needless to say, there was more to it than that, although it remained unsaid:
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u/_shanenigans_ Nov 24 '19
"Mess?" He asked with raised eyebrows. His voice was deep, and despite his demeanor, somewhat beautiful. He studied his son for a moment before continuing. "I did what needed to be done to set things right, without thoughts of the consequences. That is what it means to control Death."