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Looking through his house, Jupiter wonders if he really needs anything. It's not like he has anywhere to go.
Not to mention, he didn't exactly give X anything when Jupiter forced him out, years and years ago.
So does he deserve anything? This is a punishment, not reparations, despite what Sun says.
Jupiter will make it a punishment.
He hears the door creak open and looks over his shoulder.
X and Saturn stand there, the latter looking uncomfortable and clearly not wanting to be there.
"Jupiter," X sneers. "Why are you still here?"
Jupiter lowers his head guiltily. "I just... arrange for my things to be moved. Sun did give me an hour."
"Hurry up and leave then," X says. "This is MY house now. How does it feel?"
"...I'm sorry..." Jupiter's voice is only a whisper now, the man close to tears.
"I don't ca-" X starts.
He's interrupted by Saturn, who bursts into tears and slams into Jupiter hard, holding him tightly. "I- I don't want you to go! Please, there has to be something you can do!"
Jupiter holds Saturn close, pushing his face into his hair. His voice comes out muffled. "No. I made my choices, Saturn. I have to live with them. Besides, I deserve this."
Saturn draws in a deep breath. "Then I'll go with you! I won't let you leave alone, Jupiter. I had a hand in the crime, too."
At this, X interrupts. "That's real funny, Saturn. But that's part of my revenge too. I knew you'd say that, and I'm willing to tell Sun you didn't do anything about it. You REALLY think he'd let you leave?"
Saturn wails desperately. "I don't want to stay! If Jupiter is going, then so am I!"
Jupiter pushes him to arm's length, looking Saturn in the eyes. "No. X is right, Sun wouldn't let you leave. Not to mention, I'm going to be homeless, and I'm not letting you be part of that."
Saturn sniffled, clinging tightly to Jupiter. "But I... I can't..."
"You can," Jupiter tells him. "Be strong."
He doesn't tell Saturn he doesn't plan to live long on the streets.
"I love you, Saturn." Jupiter whispers. "Goodbye."
He starts toward the door, and X moves out of the way, grinning. "Are you not taking anything?"
"Oh, right. Just one thing!" Jupiter answers.
He moves to his- the bedroom, pulling a small bag out from under the bed. "This is all I need."
X tilts his head, amused. "I don't think so. I'm pretty sure you'll need more than that."
"I won't," Jupiter promises. "This is my emergency bag, with my emergency plan."
Saturn watches, eyes empty but still noting the odd wording. 'Emergency plan', not 'emergency supplies'. But ultimately, he doesn't think much of it.
Jupiter kisses the top of his head. "I'll miss you, darling."
Saturn looks down at the floor. "I'll find you, one day."
From behind them, X grins. Not if he has any say in it. He's going to keep the two separated for as long as they both live.
Jupiter nods, and, hoisting his bag onto his shoulder, walks out without looking back.
He's not going to have the courage to do what needs to be done if he looks back and sees Saturn.
Jupiter plants an image of X's pleading face, back when he was still Hades. Back when he was still begging not to be forced out of their tiny town.
And he leaves. He walks through the old roads, past the building where Sun had glared down at him and said that fateful word- "Exile."
He deserves it.
He walks day after day, surviving only on what he can find and the kindness of strangers.
Finally, he gets out to an unfamiliar town, far enough out that he doesn't recognize anyone.
Jupiter enters a sketchy-looking alley, looking for all the world like a homeless man seeking shelter for the night. But luckily, he's big and scary enough that no one ever bothers him.
And finally, sitting down on the harsh asphalt between a few rotting wooden crates, he opens his small, ratty bag and pulls out his emergency plan.
A small, old, worn-out Colt revolver that he'd purchased years ago. It still works, he knows.
He loads it rather quickly, putting the barrel to his temple and letting out a breath.
He's terrified to pull the trigger, but Jupiter knows this is the only way that X will ever truly not fear him.
Not fear Jupiter coming back and ending X once and for all. Not fear Jupiter's return.
Not that X will ever know Jupiter is dead, but at least this way... Jupiter can delude himself that X will sleep without fear. That Hades will feel safe.
"I'm sorry, Saturn."