This short originally appeared as the November 2019 short for my Patreon. Each month, patrons nominate their favorite couples and characters, vote on one, and I write a brand new short featuring the winner. For more bonus stories, please consider joining my Patreon.5Going Public, Part 2HerculesHercules
I’ve been in the public playroom dozens of times since I moved into the Underworld, all without actually playing. It feels different tonight, and it’s not just because it’s filled to the brim with powerful people. Each set of couches are filled, and as I follow Hades and Meg on their winding journey to the middle of the room, I belatedly realize that there are exactly the same number of groupings as there are territories in Carver City.
Every territory leader is here tonight.
“Eyes forward, little Hercules.” Hades doesn’t look over his shoulder to ensure I hear his murmur. He simply assumes I’ll hear and obey because any other option is unthinkable. He’s right.
I focus on the middle of his back. He’s wearing one of his customary black on black suits, and looks particularly dapper tonight. This scene might be for us, but it’s also for show, too. Appearances matter. I shift my attention to Meg, which is a mistake because she’s distracting as hell. She’s wearing trousers and a cropped bustier thing that leaves a large swathe of her stomach bare and puts her breasts on display.
A space in the center of the room is cleared except for a St. Andrew’s cross and a chest that isn’t identical to the one in our bedroom, but is close enough that I have no doubts about what it contains. My body goes hot and I have to concentrate to muscle down my physical reaction.
Hades flicks his fingers, and I obey instantly, folding into a kneeling position in the center of the space. I swear I can actually feel the attention of everyone in the room as their gazes trace my bare chest and back, examine the tiny black shorts Meg picked out earlier, flick over my thighs and feet. I keep my gaze on the floor in front of me. I’m not running this show, and the relief is enough to make me shake. I trust Hades and Meg to take me where I need to, but I didn’t expect to be so overwhelmed by the audience.
I catch sight of Meg’s trousers a moment before her fingers feather through my hair. “Breathe, Hercules. Just breathe. He’s got us.” She speaks low, the words for me and me alone.
I obey. I was never going to do anything but obey.
I half expect Hades to give some kind of speech, but I should know better by now. Everyone is aware of why we’re here, and Hades isn’t one to waste time grandstanding when his actions can speak for him.
“On the cross, little Hercules.” He doesn’t raise his voice, but I hear every word all the same.
I’m already moving to obey before my mind fully registers the command. There was a time when I’d question that, but we’re long past it. I position myself in front of the St. Andrew’s cross. Meg’s hands are the ones that begin to fasten me to it, cuffing my wrists up at the top of each section of the X. She double-checks the tightness and then trails her fingers down my arms, nails lightly scratching.
I shiver and bite my bottom lip. It’s nothing close to pain, but the promise of things to come chases away a bit of my nervousness.
Hades walking around to stand before me chases away the rest. There’s a wealth of warmth in his eyes, and it’s just for us. No one else in the room matters. “Do you remember the first scene we did together?”
“Of course.” It was Meg on the cross that time, and it felt like the moment when we all crossed the point of no return with each other. I didn’t recognize it at the time, but then I was still wrapped up in twelve different kinds of confusion when it came to these two. I’m not now.
I’m where I’m supposed to be.
More, I’m happy to be here.
“This is a new beginning of sorts.” He speaks softly, just for me. “There’s no going back from this.”
I manage a smile. “There was no going back from it the moment I fell for both of you.”
“True enough.” He shifts to the side, looking to where I can hear Meg digging through the chest. “Your safe word.”
“Olympus.”
“You may begin.”
I have half a second of thinking he’s talking to me before I feel the first bite of the flogger against my back. It stings more than hurts, but I gasp all the same. Hades watches my face, the heat in his eyes rising with each strike. He leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips, and then he’s gone, disappearing behind me.