by Gina Carra
Persephone throws her a look. “What’s up with you today?”
Hades whines. “You don’t understand how lucky you are, do you?”
The three of them look at each other, all confused.
Hades pokes at the food with her fork excitedly. “It’s not like I’ve never eaten before. I have. But not—do you not understand just how good this food is? You can’t possibly be used to it.”
Persephone shrugs. “It’s part of Demeter’s ability. He knows how to combine flavors. It’s not that we’re used to it. We just got really tired of feeding his ego.”
Demeter huffs around a mouthful of bacon. “You’re all disinherited and I’m adopting Hades.”
Hebe sighs. “How the tables have turned.”
Hades grins happily, cheeks stuffed with food.
Hebe laughs at the awkward grin while Hades looks like a chipmunk with all that food in her mouth. She rolls her eyes. “No wonder Cue likes you so much.”
Hades’s mood sobers as she slowly swallows her food. “You guys…haven’t heard from him, have you?”
Hebe shrugs. “Aside from him ruining the innocence of some of the kids I watch over, no.”
Hades tilts her head.
Hebe explains reluctantly. “Some teens shouldn’t be having sex. But Cue loves playing matchmaker, even without his arrows. He coaxes them into beds with each other and says it’ll teach them about the world.” Hebe stuffs food in her mouth, upset. “I need to talk with him.”
Hades stares at her with wonder. “I…It’s hard—well, impossible, really. I never really understood how all your jobs overlap. Persephone’s ability overlaps with Cue’s a lot too, doesn’t it?”
Demeter hums. “But cooking is becoming more and more seductive every day.”
Hebe nods exaggeratedly. “I can confirm that.”
Persephone scrunches her nose. “Disgusting.”
But Hades laughs, loud and free.
It’s the laugh that Persephone fell in love with and the table goes quiet as the others hear her laugh for the first time.
Hades chokes off the laugh as she finds everyone staring at her. She worries and starts to panic but Persephone covers Hades’s hand with her own and she understands in a moment.
Persephone picks up Hades’s hand and presses a quick kiss to her knuckles before she turns back to her food, a blush on her cheeks in embarrassment at the show of affection. She ducks her head and eats her food.
Hades looks around the table confidently. “Thank you.” There are a lot of thoughts behind it that she could voice and she’s not sure which one to focus on. “Thank you for giving me a chance and for inviting me into your home and your lives.” She pushes some crumbs around on her plate. “And for teaching me about food. This is truly an unforgettable day out of the millions of days I’ve seen.”
Demeter reaches over and grabs Hebe’s hand. “It’s unforgettable for us too.” Demeter locks eyes with Persephone as he says it. It’s a final acceptance.
Persephone doesn’t mean to cry but she ends up leaving the table as she starts sobbing. Hades quickly follows her and rubs her hand up and down her back, comforting her. They cuddle on the couch while Persephone tries to stop crying. Every time their skin touches, Hades sheds a tear as their emotions blend.
Demeter and Hebe clean up, subtly (not subtly) glancing over at the couple. Demeter elbows Hebe. “She just seems really innocent, doesn’t she?” Hebe nods. “I keep having to remind myself she tried to murder your wife.”
Hebe frowns. “Don’t say it like that.”
Demeter shrugs. “That’s what happened.”
Hebe sighs. “She was tricked. And she’s better now.”
Demeter pauses what he’s doing to watch Hades frantically try to calm Persephone down, producing every kind of ghostly flower she can think of and Persephone laughs behind her tears. Demeter nods. “Yeah, it looks like she did.” He clears his throat. “I am cooking a feast every time that kid visits.”
Hebe snorts. “I expect no less from you. She’s gonna get fat.”
Demeter snorts right back. “Ah, the curse of the gods. We can’t get fat. How is anyone gonna know how much delicious food we eat?”
Hebe shakes her head in mock despair. “We’ll just have to tell them.”
Demeter sighs. “Travesty."
There’s a knock on the door and they all blink at it.
Persephone thinks to wipe her tears away and finds Hades’s hand brushing across her cheek in reaction to the same thought. They both recognize the overlap and stare at each other with wide eyes. Hades smiles, a little embarrassed. “Sorry.”
Persephone shakes her head. “No, it’s just…”
Hades nods, neither of them able to find a word for the bizarre moment.
Hades intentionally feeds Persephone a thought about kissing her on the cheek. Persephone rolls her eyes and pecks Hades on the cheek as Demeter opens the door. Hades smiles smugly until the door opens to reveal Helios.
Hades isn’t an idiot. She knows what this is about.
Persephone feels Hades’s emotions shift for a moment before Hades stands up, breaking contact with Persephone.
Persephone wipes at her eyes again as she watches Hades stare at Helios.
Helios looks past Demeter’s shoulder at Hades.
The entire room is silent.
Hades folds her arms across her chest. “Where’s Cue?”
Helios takes a breath. “Hades, can we talk?”
Hades stares at him for a moment. Demeter, Hebe, and Persephone watch Hades shift from the youthful god who never had breakfast to the god of death; face empty and emotionless.
Persephone wants to reach for her hand, but she gives Hades a moment of privacy.
Eventually Hades sighs and turns to Persephone, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. In a moment, she explains everything she needs to. I’m okay, but I haven’t really spoken with them for a century. We need to hash this out, but I really don’t want to leave you. I’m sorry I’m closed off, it’s just a work instinct. I love you. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She slides past Demeter to follow Helios out the door.
Hebe blinks as Demeter shuts the door behind them. “Everyone saw her go from a puppy to a wolf in like half a second, right?”
Demeter nods at Hebe with wide eyes. They both turn to Persephone who’s still looking at the door, jaw dropped.
Hebe clears her throat and Persephone blinks, turning to them as she runs her tongue over dry lips.
Hebe barks out a laugh and Demeter throws her a curious glance.
Persephone turns red.
Hebe snorts, giggling loudly. “You’re so hot for her!”
Persephone stutters, “S—So? So what if I am?”
Demeter sits in shock for a moment before sputtering and joining Hebe in laughter. “Wow. Hades is really your type, huh? I knew you liked people with strong dualities so this must be like overkill for you.”
Persephone lies on the couch, curled up in a ball with her back to them. She speaks under her breath. “She’s very hot, body and soul.”
Demeter smiles softly. “I’m happy you finally found her, Seph. I truly am.”
Persephone smiles to herself and hugs a couch cushion as she waits impatiently for her spouse to come back inside. Yeah, that’s still going to take some getting used to.
✽✽✽
Hades stands in the meadow with Helios and glances around. “Cue’s not here, is he?”
Helios shakes his head. “No, and I already told him to leave his quiver at home next time he sees you.”
Hades laughs without humor. “Is he scared to see me?”
Helios looks at Hades accusingly. “Didn’t you used to share thoughts with him? Can’t you figure out why he wouldn’t want to see you?”
It’s been a while, so Hades has to think for a moment to understand what Helios is getting at. Then it hits her in a rush.
The lead arrows.
Helios snorts, frowning at Hades. “No shit.”
Hades looks up at Helios with a small pout. “I never really talked with him after the last arrow, so excuse me for not catching on more quickly.”
Helios’s accusatory expression doesn’t fade. “We’re all aware of how much you haven’t spoken to Eros after the last arrow. That’s kind of one of the main problems here.”
Hades’s eyes flicker as she listens to Helios. She knows that. She’d thought about that a lot since Eros had shot her with the gold arrow and trapped Persephone in the Underworld with her. She hadn’t been able to think about it until then.
Hades takes a deep breath. “Can…this is selfish. I know it is. But can you tell him to wait one more month? A lot has happened with Persephone and I really need to give her as much time as I can today.”
Helios’s frown is more pronounced. That is not the answer he wanted.
Hades runs a hand through her hair, stressed. “Helios, I know, okay? I know how that sounds. But…I woke up one day and I was ritualistically married and unable to see my wife. I have a lot to take care of.”
Helios’s expression melts into surprise. “You guys got married? And you didn’t tell Cue?”
Hades sighs shakily. “It’s so complicated, Helios.”
Helios hesitates. “If you’re short on time, then explain it as quickly as possible.” He holds out his hand.
Hades stares at it, expression going cold again. “I only do that with Persephone.”
Helios rolls his eyes. “That’s not true.”
Hades’s eyes darken. “I don’t open my mind to anyone but Persephone.”
Helios hesitates before dropping his hand. “Fine. I’m just—”
Hades shakes her head, relaxing. “No, I know. I’m sorry. This—” She gestures to herself and her heart, indicating her emotions. “This is all just really new. I’ve never been…here with…this.”
Helios doesn’t follow for a moment until he realizes that Hades means she’s never been on Earth with the capability for emotion like this. His eyes go wide. “Oh.”
Hades ducks her head, embarrassed. “To be honest, Helios, I’ve really only met you once before. I can’t say you haven’t proven yourself a loyal friend.” He refers to the fact that Helios stole her the lead arrow. “But you’re still new to me…if that makes sense.”
Helios nods slowly. “Um. Should I tell Cue about the marriage thing?”
Hades hesitates. “What do you think?”
Helios shrugs. “It could go either way.”
Hades laughs as she thinks. “Tell him. But tell him it…wasn’t really my choice.” Helios looks at her with concern. “It’s all fine, it’s just…” She tries to think of the quickest way to explain. “Fate.”
Helios snorts and Hades smiles a little exhaustedly, glancing back toward the house.
Helios nods toward it. “Go back to her. I’ll talk to Cue.”
Hades bows her head slightly and Helios is shocked to see a higher god lower herself like that. “Thank you.”
Helios smiles and vanishes in a glimmer of sunlight.
Hades glances up at the sun, closing her eyes under its warmth before she turns to go back inside.
She opens the door hesitantly, hoping she’s not intruding.
As soon as she looks in, she sees Hebe and Demeter staring at her from the kitchen and glances to find Persephone curled on the couch.
Hebe and Demeter immediately start cracking up laughing so loudly they fall against each other.
Persephone sits up and looks at Hades with a pout.
Hades looks between Persephone and the others with curiosity. Persephone rolls her eyes and Hades smirks at it as she closes the door and joins Persephone on the couch.
Hades holds out her hand and Persephone frowns at it a moment before sighing and lacing their fingers together, relaying the events to Hades.
Hades barks out a laugh as she blushes. The echo of Persephone’s arousal lingers between them. They watch each other, ignoring the laughs from the kitchen.
Hades keeps her voice low. “Do you wanna go somewhere?”
Persephone holds Hades’s gaze. Their connection is there, but there’s this haze of emotion between them that neither of them can really begin to describe.
Demeter and Hebe go quiet as they sense the shift in mood.
Persephone nods once and it’s all Hades needs to whisk them away in a puff of smoke.
Persephone blinks as her eyes are suddenly assaulted by bright sunlight.
As her eyes adjust, she looks around a small, secluded clearing in a forest.
She hears a river running close by and sees a variety of flowers sprouting brightly around them.
Persephone knows this place. She knows it well.
This was where she would run away to when missing Autumn became too much, or when she and Demeter got into an argument, or when she felt useless.
But now that she’s here with Hades’s hand in hers, she realizes this spot is important to Hades too.
Hades blushes and ducks her head. “It’s creepy.”
Persephone tilts her head. “I… I want to say it’s kind of romantic, but you’re right it’s kind of creepy.”
Hades laughs, but there’s guilt in her eyes.
Persephone tsks. “It’s not your fault. You didn’t understand it.”
Hades’s memories swirl between them.
Hades knew of Persephone for a long time. She’s always been the girl with the beautiful soul and even without a wide range of emotions, Hades has been able to recognize that Persephone was unique.
She knew now that her soul was the result of her tragedy with Autumn, but it also came from the strength she gained as she overcame that loss.
Persephone had been a mystery to Hades and Hades would occasionally find Persephone in this very spot on her days she could be on Earth.
They linger in both sides of the same memories.
Persephone’s voice is low when she speaks up. “You think you somehow knew?”
Hades snorts softly. “How could I have known?”
“Isn’t that how fate works?”
Hades shrugs. “I just thought you were weird. I wasn’t in love with you.”
Persephone looks at her skeptically. “You tried to draw me a hundred times and never finished because it didn’t come out right. It seems, in retrospect, like you were in love with me.”
Hades doesn’t fight back immediately. She considers that. But she shakes her head. “Persephone, I didn’t really know anything about you. I mean, it’s romantic to consider, sure. But…” She makes a face. “You were an exception. I don’t know how else to explain it.”
Persephone lays her free hand over Hades’s heart. “You don’t have to explain anything. I know.”
She slides her hand up to tangle in Hades’s hair and pulls her in to kiss her slowly.
They kiss languidly and eventually Persephone hums, pulling away as she feels the sunlight on her skin. “Wait, can’t Helios—”
Hades interrupts. “Let him watch. I want to feel the sunlight I’ve been deprived of.”
Persephone snorts and stares up at the sky a moment with a wide, carefree grin. “Look away, Helios.” Hades’s lips press soft kisses down Persephone’s neck.
For a moment, a cloud drifts in front of the sun and Hades lifts her head with a frown. “I swear to the gods, if he really—” The cloud drifts away and Hades sighs, relaxing into Persephone’s touch.
Persephone raises an eyebrow. “You swear to the gods? That’s usually in reference to the higher gods, ya know, you.”
Hades’s eyes soften. “And you now, don’t forget. Of course I swear to you, Seph. I’d swear anything to you.”
Persephone brings their lips together again as they undress each other, love imbued in every tender touch.
As time runs out, Hades sits up. “Get dressed,
petal. I don’t want to leave my wife and queen naked and alone in the forest. I’ll take you back home.”
Persephone sighs as she tugs her clothes on. “There were too many pet names in that sentence.”
Hades tugs her own clothes on as well and singsongs, “Wife, queen, petal.”
Persephone glares at her, but there’s a smile on her lips. Persephone mumbles, “Really like petal.”
Hades stands up. “I know you do.” She stares at the darkening sky. “Half an hour.”
Persephone reaches for Hades’s hand to help her stand. As soon as they’re standing, Hades transports them to the house.
Persephone tugs Hades toward the door. “Come say goodbye.”
Hades pulls her back.
Persephone gets it. “They’re going to tease us about having sex for the rest of our eternal existences. Time to get used to it.”
Hades pouts and lets Persephone tug her inside.
As soon as they walk in the door, Demeter and Hebe burst into a round of applause and whistles.
Persephone smiles fondly and pretends to hate them. “Shut up, she’s only got like twenty minutes left.”
Hebe speaks up. “Are you guys going to pass love letters through Hermes?”
Hades throws her a look. “Why would we?”
Demeter huffs. “Mental connection or not, I thought you guys were the most iconic fated couple around. You’re not going to write romantic letters?”
Hades and Persephone look at each other. Persephone answers for both of them. “Nope.”
Hades stares back at her. “I’ll send you flowers.”
Persephone feels her heart skip a beat.
The motley crew of a family sits together and they chat idly, just happy to be sharing the same space again. Persephone feels it at the same time as Hades that they only have about a minute left. Hades shoots Persephone an encouraging smile. “It won’t be long.”
Persephone argues back. “It’ll feel like it.”
Demeter clutches his chest wordlessly, enamored with the couple in front of him.
Hades turns to Demeter and Hebe and bows. “It was so nice to meet you both, official—”
Persephone tugs Hades towards her as she feels the seconds running out and presses their lips together for a few brief moments before Hades is gone.