Dearly Departed

by Chip Pons · 2026

When the ancient god of the Underworld is stripped of his divinity by the baffling Immortal Retirement Act, he finds himself stuck on Earth running a funeral home as a reminder of his lost purpose. Hayden Harlow—once Hades—has spent centuries nursing a grudge, hoping the bureaucratic Fates will finally grant him a loophole to reclaim his throne. His world of shadows is upended the day he storms into the bright, fragrant shop of Levi Wilder, a charismatic florist who sees beauty in every mess. A clash over an “offensive” bouquet of sunflowers sparks a reluctant partnership that quickly blossoms into something neither can deny. As Levi’s sunshine begins to melt Hayden’s icy resolve, the former god must decide whether to cling to his centuries‑old bitterness or risk opening his heart to a future he never imagined. Hope, humor, and a dash of divine intrigue make this gay rom‑com a witty, heartfelt tale of love rewriting destiny.