by Gina Carra
There are a couple of quiet seconds where Persephone panics.
She stares at the space Hades was in, connection suddenly and violently broken.
She swallows at the shock of it and waits but feels nothing. It’s almost a full minute until—
Persephone?
Persephone lets out a breath. “That took forever, what took so long?”
Hades scoffs. You think it’s a short journey?
Hebe and Demeter look at Persephone concerned. “She’s okay.”
Hades pushes her thoughts at Persephone, a comforting flow of affection. It doesn’t reach her as strongly now that they’re in different worlds, but it helps to feel the words resonate with meaning. I love you.
Persephone doesn’t know it, but suddenly the house is surrounded by blue hyacinths and lilacs.
I love you too.
Epilogue
To say the month is tense for Eros would be an understatement.
He has to constantly keep himself from going to see Persephone once he learns that Persephone is connected to Hades. It’s everything Eros has wanted for the past century—a way to contact Hades in the Underworld—but he can’t exploit it. He has to wait, and he does. It takes a lot of distractions from work and Helios, but he makes it through the month.
The sun rises and Eros stays patient. He knows Hades is going to go to Persephone fir—
The thought halts in his mind as Hades appears and looks right at him. Eros stares for longer than he should, making sure he’s really seeing clearly. “Shouldn’t you be wi—”
“I told her I had to talk with you first.”
“Oh.”
Hades hesitantly speaks up. “It’s…not your fault.”
Eros lets out a shaky laugh. “That sounded like it hurt you to say.”
Hades sighs, anxiously running a hand through her hair. “It’s an old wound and it’s not healed, but I know it’s not your fault.”
Eros doesn’t know what to say. “I heard you got married.”
Hades laughs, tension falling away with it. “My best man wasn’t there, so it doesn’t really count.”
Eros relents and crosses the distance between them to throw his arms around Hades. “I’m so happy for you. I can’t even begin to explain how happy I am. Like, Helios has literally duct taped my mouth shut three times in the last month to get me to shut up about how happy I am that you finally, finally found her.”
Hades looks into Eros’s eyes happily. It’s nice to have her best friend back. Most of her intimate memories with Eros had been during the previous golden arrow and those were all a little… rose-colored.
Eros smiles guiltily, “While I’m apologizing for things, I’m sorry I slept with your wife once.”
Hades snorts. “It’s okay. I don’t blame you.”
Eros smiles widely, cupping Hades’s face in his hands. “Ah, happy, funny Hades. I missed you.”
Hades lays her hands over Eros’s. “I missed you too.” Eros glances at Hades’s lips and Hades narrows her eyes.
Eros smiles innocently. “Force of habit.”
Hades sighs, pretending to be tired of Eros’s antics. “Speaking of which, where’s your boyfriend?”
Eros glances up at the sun. “Eavesdropping but giving us space.”
Hades follows Eros’s gaze to the sun. “Nice of him.” There’s sarcasm laced into it. She drops her gaze to look at Eros who continues to look up at the sun. “So…not denying the boyfriend thing?”
Eros blushes. “You know I don’t like to be tied down.”
Hades raises her eyebrows. She’s seen Eros’s memories.
Eros laughs loud and free. “Well, literally sure, but not figuratively.”
Hades hums, a smirk on her lips. “You think he would tie you down?”
Eros hears the double entendre. “I certainly hope so.” He jokes, but then answers seriously. “He understands, though.”
It’s all he needs to say for Hades to nod. The only reason she and Eros had managed to be exclusive was because they were trapped in the Underworld and under the influence of what was basically a love potion. She knew it was a complicated situation and she knew Eros normally wasn’t so monogamous.
Eros hesitates before continuing. “I want to be different for him.”
Hades eyes him worriedly.
Eros doesn’t need Hades to voice it. “I know. I’m not gonna change myself for him. But the thing is, he already loves me how I am. I just want to be better for him…for myself…”
Hades nods, accepting that explanation. “Well…I’m here for you. You’re my best friend.”
Eros’s eyes water.
Hades looks away, unsure how to react to that properly.
Eros wipes his hand across his eyes. “You’re so mushy now that you’re in love.”
Hades huffs. “I was mushy with you when we were in love.”
Eros hums, remembering all the sweet nothings Hades would whisper into his ears. “It was so surprising at the time.”
“And now?”
“Now we all know you’re a marshmallow.”
Hades licks her lips, worried. “I hope not everyone thinks that. I still have a job to do.”
Eros tsks. “Don’t worry, everyone’s still scared shitless of you.”
Hades nods, pleased. “That’s the only way I can get anything done.”
Eros looks at her curiously. “Maybe not anymore.”
Hades meets his gaze. “What do you mean?”
“I talked to Hebe about the whole situation. Persephone is a co-ruler with you now, right?” Hades nods slowly. Eros shrugs, trying to be blasé. “Maybe things will change.”
Hades looks at him, hope filtering into her. “Maybe.” They walk along the river in silence. Eros takes Hades’s hand and Hades doesn’t flinch at it the way she used to. Eros is surprised, and Hades smirks to herself as the emotion hits her softly.
Hades keeps her thoughts blocked, still reserving that open connection for Persephone. She squeezes his hand. “Can I ask you a favor?” Eros nods. “You know when we started um…hanging out?”
“You mean when I started stalking you against your will?”
Hades smiles fondly and hums. “And everyone started getting suspicious and asking you about me?”
Eros catches on. “You want me to make sure no one’s harassing Persephone?”
Hades nods. “I know no one’s approached her yet, but that doesn’t mean there’s no one spying.”
“Say no more. Sol and I are on it.”
Hades smiles. “When are you going to put that boy out of his misery and shoot him?”
Eros frowns. “I forgot how much I hate your death jokes. They’re not funny.” Hades smiles, proud of herself. Eros rolls his eyes and answers the question. “Soon. Now that I’ve talked with you, soon.”
Hades squeezes Eros’s hand tightly. “Good. You deserve this too.”
Eros’s eyes water again and he can’t hold it back this time. “It means so much to hear you say that.”
Hades pulls Eros into a hug and holds him. Over Eros’s shoulder, she sees Helios appear, a look of concern in his eyes.
Hades offers Helios a small smile and Helios nods, letting Hades take care of Eros this time. It’s been Helios’s job for so long. Hades is happy that it’s no longer a job for them, but just part of their relationship.
Hades makes a joke to try to cut through Eros’s sobs. “I wouldn’t be against a double wedding.”
Eros thumps his fist against Hades’s back. “Don’t even joke about that, you know how much I love double weddings.”
Hades hums. “Then plan it, Cue. As your apology for me. Plan the perfect wedding.”
Eros blinks as he pushes away from Hades to look her in the eye. “Hades…”
Hades shrugs, a little embarrassed. “You know I’m not one for big ceremonies, but I trust you.”
Eros gives into his sobs again. “You can’t just say stuff like that. I’m never going to st
op crying.”
Hades lets Eros wrap around her again, his voice soft. “As long as they’re tears of joy, I hope you never do.”
Eros startles, head whipping around and staring off into the distance.
Hades recognizes his expression. “Prayer that needs answering?”
Eros nods slowly, eyes wide. “Yes, well, no. Someone needs an arrow.” He turns and smirks at Hades. “I’ll give you one guess who.” Eros winks before disappearing.
Hades laughs to herself as Eros vanishes to answer the call. She tries to think where he might have gone and why Hades would know. Then it hits her.
✽✽✽
Eros knocks on the door with a smirk.
The door opens and Hercules stands there. “Can we help you?”
Eros pales. “Oh. Wow. So, this is awkward.”
“Eros?” Hebe calls out from the kitchen. Demeter is desperately trying to keep the meal intact. Megara is holding a glass of red wine, lounging on the couch as she laughs at them.
Hercules pushes the door all the way open and lets Eros in.
The four of them pause as they spot the quiver on his shoulder.
Hercules closes the door behind him. “What’s the arrow for?”
Eros, never one for subtlety, glances over at Demeter and Hebe.
The silence is deafening.
Demeter and Hebe look at Hercules with wide eyes.
Hercules takes a deep breath in, face expressionless as she says, “Okay.”
Hebe blinks. “What? Okay? What do you mean okay?”
Hercules shrugs, her youth suddenly shining through in her uncertainty. “I mean okay. We’re complicated, everything about this is complicated. But we’ve pretty much all had our asses handed to us by fate by now. Why should we fight it? It’ll make you happy.” She turns to Eros. “Right, it’ll make her happy?”
Eros looks to Demeter. “It’ll bring her comfort, but it doesn’t guarantee happiness.”
Demeter’s smile is small and proud. Maybe there’s even some forgiveness there.
Hercules nods. “Then it’s settled. We’re, um, a team.” She clears her throat, making awkward eye contact with Demeter.
Megara coos and stands to kiss Hercules on the cheek. “My strong baby girl being emotionally mature.”
Eros pulls the golden arrow out of his quiver. “I’ll let you choose who gets shot.”
Hebe snorts. “Oh, definitely me. I call dibs.”
Eros notches his arrow. “Okay, keep your eyes on each other.”
They hold hands, covered in batter and whatever else they managed to get on their clothes while Demeter tried to teach Hebe to cook. Cooking lessons were their attempt to get Hercules and Demeter comfortable in the same room together.
Hercules smiles to herself with Megara clinging to her arm as she looks at them, their gazes locked on each other. Hebe smiles more brightly than Hercules has ever seen before. She quietly promises to work hard to make Demeter feel more and more at home with them.
Eros lets the arrow fly.
✽✽✽
When the first day of fall finally arrives, it’s still dark out as Persephone waits for Hades to be able to visit. They’re not totally sure about the logistics, but they know Persephone’s six months are up.
Persephone’s felt it for the past week and she’s sure that as soon as the sun rises, her abilities will switch.
Hades hopes she can be there to help with the transition, and it seems like she will be.
The sun rises and Hades is there as quickly as she can manage.
Hades barely has time to wrap her arms around Persephone when her head starts to ache and her vision blacks out. Hades holds her, whispering in her ear. “I’ve got you.”
The sun starts to illuminate the meadow, but almost as soon as it does, dead grass starts to spread around them.
The grass only dies a few feet out, but Hades can see tree leaves start to turn brown in the distance.
Hades mumbles, describing it all to Persephone in a soft, soothing tone as the change washes through her.
Persephone shakes, but Hades holds her tightly. After a few minutes, Persephone seems able to breathe and stand and Hades relaxes her grip, looking Persephone in the eye.
Persephone turns away to look out at the meadow.
Hades steps behind her, wrapping her arms around Persephone’s waist.
Persephone tugs Hades with her as her takes a few steps forward and watches the circle of dead grass follow her.
She frowns. “Grass doesn’t deserve to die.”
Hades rolls her eyes. “You’re so soft.”
Persephone tsks. “Just ‘cause it’s Fall, doesn’t mean everything has to die.”
Hades laughs in Persephone’s ear. “Petal, everything does have to die. There’s no point to life if there’s no death. Grass dies all the time, with or without you. Children rip it up, roads get paved. And then it grows back.”
“I know.” She stares at the grass. “I don’t want to kill any more of it this first time…can we just go home?”
Hades swallows as Persephone calls it home. “Yeah. We can go home.”
Persephone lets out a breath she didn’t know she was holding as she finds the familiar caves surrounding her. She feels something stir in her.
She grasps at her heart and Hades can feel it too.
Hades smiles. “You’re the goddess of death now. You can feel the beauty in it, can’t you?”
Persephone stares at the river, the souls that pass through.
As she stares at it, ghostly lily pads bloom and patches of ghostly lilacs sprout on the banks.
Hades goes quiet as the lilies[8] float all along the river. Her voice comes out soft. “Beautiful.”
Persephone hums. “That’s on the nose.”
Hades shrugs. “They are.” Persephone turns in Hades’s arms and loops her arms around Hades’s neck. “Can you—”
Blue hyacinths spout among the lilacs. Hades smirks as Persephone smiles at her happily. “Who said a kingdom of death can’t be beautiful?”
Hades hums. “Everyone who’s never met you.”
Their lips meet calmly. The guardians of death stand on the bridge over the River Styx, embracing each other and glowing with power and love.
“You know, this bridge is really symbolic.” Persephone stares out at the water, but then runs her hand over the railing of the bridge.
Hades suppresses a laugh. “What do you mean?”
Persephone turns around and leans back against the railing and pulls Hades by her hips to stand close to her. “We were very different people the first time we stood right here and when we finally bridged our difference, there weren’t really that many.”
Hades sighs. “That’s really on the nose. You’re cheesy, baby.”
Persephone pouts. “It’s not cheesy. It’s true. And we still do have a lot of differences, but we talk and we balance and it’s good and I love you.”
“I love you too.” Hades snorts and laughs. “You’re so weird.”
“No, you.”
They bicker between kisses as their shared joy warms the dark world. The souls are still miserable, but they have two compassionate listeners watching over them now.
“I bet you’d look really good in the clouds.” Persephone raises an eyebrow.
Hades’s eyes narrow. “Don’t start.”
Persephone shrugs. “I’m just saying it would be kind of cool to see you with a ground level, elaborately designed golden throne on Olympus.”
“You’re an ambitious one, aren’t you?” Hades puts her hands on the railing on either side of Persephone.
Persephone smiles innocently. “There’s maybe a little bit of vengeance in me. Besides, there are four higher gods now. It just seems like we need to draw straws again.”
Hades bites her lip. “You know, I thought this was a joke but you’re making a lot of sense and it’s really sexy.”
Persephone giggles as Hades kisses up her neck.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll stand beside you. You deserve happiness, Hades.”
Hades kisses her wife, still in disbelief that their lives twisted and tangled and ended up here. “You know, I’m finally starting to believe I do.”
THE END
Acknowledgments
Sharon, who keeps giving me her time without hesitation and who believes in me so fervently I can’t possibly think of ever giving up
Tati, who asked me to write her a short story for her birthday in April 2017 and it grew into this…which, now that I’m thinking about it, is a pretty good analogy for growth of our friendship
Rena, a kindred spirit who makes me feel sane during the most insane moments in life
E and M, who came out of nowhere and into my life right when I didn’t know needed them
Maria, who drives me up the wall. She’s proof you can get shit done and have fun doing it. The friend I stopped believing I could find
Giuliana, my sister, whose feedback led me to re-rewrite 75% of this book and helped turn it into something I’m even more proud of
My mom, who reads fast, sees all, and supports me through everything
My dad, who is excited for any and all of my projects even if he doesn’t know what they are
Magdalena, Pluto, you two have been reading and supporting my work for so long and so unfailingly. You’re always right there with shining eyes and open hearts. You give me strength beyond what you could ever believe
Everyone who read, commented, and kudos-ed on AO3, this story has come a long way from its initial conception as a fanfiction. I was still getting comments on it even as I was revising and rewriting and it stunned me to think so many people liked it even in such a rough, plot-hole-filled, unedited state. It made me believe in the world and the characters I built. It pushed me to expand on their stories and polish every plot point to share with an even wider audience. Once again, you know who you are: thank you
About Gina Carra
Nothing is perfect—not me and certainly not my author bio but let me give it a try. If you read this novel, you already know a lot about me. You should know that I believe there is more to people than the image they choose to give off. You should know I’m a little idealistic. You should know I’m part of the LGBTQ community and am not a huge fan of labels. And you should know I can only stay deep and serious for so long until I have to crack a joke and shake off the tension. If you want to know more, keep reading my stories and follow me on social media.