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Chapter Text

A Most Willing Queen

I've loved mythology since I was a kid, and the myth of Hades and Persephone has been one of my favorites since I was introduced to the wonderful world of myths. I also enjoy the retellings of myths and fairy tales, I was a kid when Disney's Hercules came out and I loved it, even though the movie diverged from the myths in some wacky (but fun) ways. Recently, I watched the cartoon that was made from the movie and really enjoyed myself and then watched the movie again. Ahh, nostalgia ahoy.

So I decided to do a Hades and Persephone story, using the world/characters from Disney because well, this version of Hades is a heckin lot of fun. Persephone appears in the movie near the end when the gods are gathered around Hercules in gratitude. She’s the one with blonde hair and pale purple skin, and a headpiece/headdress thing that looks like a flower.

I like classical/historical retellings of mythology and fairy tales but I also enjoy fun and light-hearted retellings, whether set in the modern day or just using modern language and anachronisms (like this version of Hercules)

In classic mythology, Hades is the oldest brother, but in Disney's Hercules, he's the youngest, so I am using that. The time frame for this is a bit ambiguous as it spans years, but it begins not too long before Hercules is born.

So here we go, and I hope you enjoy this! All feedback is welcome. This was quite a challenge for me to write because historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I had to keep reminding myself that anachronisms were perfectly ok – and needed – here. I’ve never written anything like that before, so I tried my best to capture some of the humor one could find in the show or movie, especially with Hades.

Brief historical note – the aulos is a two-piped flute. It can be seen in classical Greek art and I wanted something other than a basic flute or Pan pipe.

o0o0o0o

Mother did not like bringing her up to Olympus too often. Persephone wasn't sure if she should be glad for that or not. She was the daughter of a mighty goddess, one of the Dodekatheon, and her mother was also one of the children of Cronus himself. Pretty high up there in the hierarchy and yes, Zeus defeated Cronus and the Titans, but he hadn't done it entirely on his own. And as her mother would point out, lightning bolts don't feed mortals. And one of the fastest ways to become happy is with a full belly, which Persephone couldn't argue with. God and mortal alike enjoyed a good meal and going to bed with a full belly. Even if the gods didn't need food, the banquet tables of Mount Olympus were piled high when there was a party.

Since she was born, the importance of the cycles of Nature was ingrained into her. Mortals died, plants died, but that was part of the cycle of life, and it was Demeter’s job to help maintain that balance, and as she got older, some of that responsibility became Persephone’s. For she was also the Goddess of Spring, dancing through the fields and causing the flowers to bloom as Greece warmed from its yearly cooling.

But doing that, and all the other things through the year got tiring. Persephone dreaded the idea of eternity following the same routine. Whenever she expressed boredom, her mother always scolded her, reminding her of how important it was to ensure the plants grew as they should, going through the cycles. Or she would switch up the nymphs that attended her daughter, thinking that fresh faces would help alleviate some of that boredom.

Persephone was always supposed to be bright and cheery because, after all, she was the Goddess of Spring? And who wanted a quiet or gloomy spring, her mother would point out. Persephone could appreciate how important it was to be mindful of Nature and the blessings and rhythms of the earth. And all that jazz.

But sometimes she just didn't feel like doing any of that. She just wanted to enjoy peace and quiet, and not listen to the chatter of the nymphs or her mother's lectures. And she didn't want to wear that stupid flowery headpiece her mother chose for her when she was performing her goddess duties. She got the theme – Demeter's plant theme was pretty in-your-face to anyone who looked at her, but the flower motif was so overdone.

“Can you believe it? Hera’s pregnant again!” Mother laughed, clapping her hands with excitement. Persephone held back a shrug as she sipped some nectar. Even though having a baby was a pretty big part of nature, she’d always thought the process somewhat messy. Nature didn’t just involve plants, after all, even though animals were more Artemis’s domain.

“That's lovely. She and Zeus look so happy," Persephone said politely. She wouldn't begrudge another couple's happiness, even if the party was not as fun as she'd hoped it was. Mother was constantly at her side, giving her little opportunity to have a real conversation with another god. Sometimes another goddess would seek Mother's attention, and Persephone would try to sneak away, but Mother would eventually notice she was gone and go after her. Agggh.

That would change when Artemis approached them. She wasn't sure if Artemis had needed to talk with Mother, or if the Goddess of the Hunt was trying to help out the younger goddess. Maybe because Artemis's mother had been pretty protective until the wild young goddess had proven once and for all how independent she was.

Persephone let out a sigh of relief as she moved among the other gods – some of whom she had not seen in years – and taking in the grand sights of Mount Olympus. It did feel a bit strange up here, being so far away from the earth. She heard snippets of conversation, much of it centered around the upcoming baby, but also of various other things – dealing with worshipers, petty rivalries with other gods, the latest fashions, and the like.

Some of the gods here had been here since the beginning of creation and she felt awed by them. She’d heard the tales of how the Titans had been crushed by Zeus, who set the order of the world right so that mortals could live in peace. And then he’d apportioned lots to himself and his brothers, and those who had helped him in the mighty battle against Cronus and the other Titans.

It was said that Zeus, in his wisdom, granted the lots according to each god’s abilities. And it was something that seemed to have worked. No one could deny that Poseidon or Demeter were not happy – or suited – with the spheres they’d be given headship over. And likewise for many of the other gods.

Except for one. Gloomy as Hades might be, it was an open secret that he was unhappy with his lot. Someone had to take over the Underworld, but no one else wanted such a morbid place when there were delights in heaven and earth to be enjoyed.

She'd only seen him a few times and never exchanged anything more than a few polite words with him. But she felt bad for him after hearing the way the other gods talked about him. Maybe he wasn't as handsome as Apollo, or as friendly as Hermes, or easy-going as Poseidon. But she couldn't imagine that being stuck with a place no one wanted would do favors for anyone's mood.

She blinked as the very deity she was thinking about slunk past her, looking quite pissed off. Probably Zeus had another dig at him. It seemed that the gods rotated through the same few sets of jokes about Hades. About him being so stiff. Or having a fiery temper. And sometimes a bit of wrestling, as many brothers did, but Hades never looked like he was having any fun when Zeus or Poseidon had him in a headlock.

Most other people would have just laughed at Hades behind his back as he sulked off. Persephone stared for a moment before retreating from the party, almost gliding after him.

He stepped outside. Thick wisps of clouds surrounded the pavilion, and Hades muttered to himself as he slid his hand across his hair. She could practically feel the tension radiating from him. Suddenly, he whipped around, scowling at her. Several meters separated them, and she flinched back at his sudden movement. He blinked in surprise and straightened himself.

“Yes?” he asked diffidently, though she could still sense his anxiety and stress.

“I-” She blinked and looked at him. “I just… um.” It sounded so logical in her mind, but when it came time to speak, she found herself unable to express just what she wanted to say. “I’m sorry you had a bad time and… um.”

He raised his eyebrow. “I don’t remember the last time anyone showed any concern about how I was at these parties.” He slid across the ground, wisps of thick gray smoke curling around the hem of his clothes. It was hard to not feel intimidated as he towered over her, but he seemed more interested now instead of angry. So she continued, feeling a little calmer.

“I mean, the jokes and comments people say. Mother says it’s just how things are, but…” She shrugged. “I don’t see them treating one another the way they treat you. They’re jerks.”

There was an almost imperceptible shift in his expression. “That is observant of you, Persephone.” The way he said her name sent a small shiver down her spine, and against the darkening sky, the blue flames that danced around his head were ethereal. He didn’t look so scary like this, with the gentle twilight around him.

“Um, thank you?” she said with a small smile.

“No, no, really. You’re a breath of fresh air, you know that. I mean, aside from being the Goddess of Spring and all that. These parties are a drag and babe, you really made my day.”

Babe? But when he said it like that, it didn’t bother her. Had any other god called her that…

Mother told her about how her flowers brought joy to people. And Persephone knew that. She could see the joy in people’s faces when they saw flower-covered fields, when they plucked flowers and inhaled them, or used them for oils and perfumes, and so on. But it was nice to see that she’d brought happiness to a tired and bitter god with a few kind words.

She blushed and laughed shyly. “So… um, what’s the Underworld like?” she blurted out. He slid closer, wisps of smoke trailing around her feet.

“Eh. Could be more lively. Decor hasn’t been updated in a few thousand years, but who’s there to impress? The dead? They just pile up and I wonder if the place will ever get full. Doesn’t seem like it, but hope springs eternal.”

Despite his morose description of the Underworld, Persephone was still intrigued. She’d lived on earth. She’d seen heaven. Wouldn’t it be interesting to have seen the underworld, too? Before she could ask another question, she heard her mother shout out her name.

“There you are! What are you doing out here?” she demanded, barely noticing Hades.

“Mom! I just needed some fresh air.” Quickly, she glanced at Hades. A little help here, bud?

“It does get loud in there,” Hades said. “One can only see the same faces and hear the same jokes so many times…” He rolled his eyes. Persephone bit back a smile as she met his eyes. “Anyway, I’ve done my duty and made my appearance, so I believe it’s time for me to amscray. Got my duties in the Underworld that Zeus so generously bestowed upon me. Good night, ladies,” With that, he gave mother and daughter a small salute and disappeared into the ether.

“What was that about?” Mother demanded.

“What was what about?” Persephone asked with genuine confusion. She hadn’t done anything she wasn’t supposed to, was she? She’d just chatted a bit with Hades, who… well, actually didn’t seem quite as bad as the other gods thought.

“What did you talk about?”

“What? Mom!” Persephone said with a small huff. “Um, I asked him about the Underworld.” She left out the rest of it, though she did wonder if her mother ever stopped to think about how stupid the whole ‘let’s pick on Hades and call it teasing’ schtick was.

“Why?”

Persephone wanted to roll her eyes at that. “I was just curious about what it was like in a world opposite of ours. Figured who better than to ask than the god who ruled that place, right?”

“Mmm.” Demeter scowled, but quickly settled her face into a pleasant expression. You don’t have to be so protective, Mom! Jeez. Despite her mother's efforts to shelter her, Persephone wasn't ignorant of what mortals did. After all, her mother's work was inevitably tied with fertility even though there were other goddesses that resided over marriage or love. She saw the way that some of the gods looked at her and knew what they wanted.

She was curious about that sort of thing, but she hadn’t come across anyone that she would give serious consideration to. Her mother really needn’t worry about her, but there was no point in telling Mom that...

o0o0o0o

Persephone sneaked away from the nymphs as they danced and played their musical instruments, the cheery notes of lyre and aulos accompanying singing. It was something she often did when she wanted to simply be alone. She’d ask the nymphs to play music and then sneak away during their jam sessions. Yeah, Mom would scold, but without any evidence of wrongdoing, what could Demeter do but think that her daughter was weird?

The shade provided a welcome respite from the sun that had beat down on her head when she was with the nymphs, and she flipped her blond hair over her shoulder. The shade seemed to get thicker the further she went into the woods, and she paused as she looked around. The light at the edge of the woods seemed so far away.

“So what’s a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this?” she heard someone ask. She yelped and spun around, nearly tripping over a root before she saw Hades, sitting against a tree.

“You should know better than to sneak on people!” she exclaimed softly, quickly straightening herself and brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

“Babe, if it’s any consolation, I wasn’t trying to frighten you. But yes, it’s a habit of mine.”

Yeah. She could see that. “Okay, sure. But what are you doing here?” she asked.

“I’m here to see you.”

She gave out a small, surprised laugh and gestured to herself. “Me?”

“Why not? Things seemed to be going nicely on Olympus with our little meet-and-greet, but your mother barged in. I figure, this time, we could take the chance to relax a little and get to know one another better. Sound good?” He grinned at her.

Some – okay, a lot of – women would have been repulsed by that fanged grin. But there was an odd charm about it. It wouldn’t have looked right on any other god, but it suited him, just like the blue flames and dark smoke did. She stared at him for a few moments, considering the implication of Hades’s interest in her.

The other gods mocked or scorned him. She’d offered him a kind word and like he said, it was like fresh air. It seemed only natural he would seek more. Considering what she knew of him, could she blame him? And she would be lying if she said she wasn’t the least bit curious about him.

“… Yeah. That does sound good.”

He stared at her for a moment as if he could not believe his luck. It was cute how his eyes widened and his lips puckered a bit as if he was trying to decide if she was teasing him or not.

Damn, the other gods really had done a number on him, hadn’t they? Seemed like some therapy was called for, but that was not for the here or now. He blinked and quickly collected himself, running his hand across his head. His flames seemed to burn a little brighter. Now that she thought about it, there was a certain appeal around Hades that was lacking in gods that were considered more conventionally attractive.

He leaned back against the tree. “In that case, have a seat.”

She waved her arm, and one of the roots from the tree flexed up, raising itself high enough for her to be seated comfortably.

When she was seated, she was just outside of his reach, but he could lean over and grab her. She saw the wisps of gray smoke curl around her feet and wondered if perhaps she’d made a mistake. He might be socially awkward, but he didn’t have ill intentions, did he?

She looked up at his face. They stared at one another for a moment before both of them opened their mouths to speak. She gave a small, sheepish laugh and gestured for him to go first.

“So, what are you up to?” he asked casually.

“Not much, really. Just had to sneak away from the nymphs for like, the umpteenth time. How about you?” she asked.

“I decided I needed a break. I mean, I’m the ruler of the Underworld, who’s gonna tell me I can’t take a break.”

“Zeus, perhaps,” she pointed out, seeing a glimmer of a scowl on his face before she continued, “But you can be sure that he won’t hear of it from me.” She flashed him a smile, and he relaxed visibly, chuckling and shaking his head.

“And you won’t tell him if I have a drink, either?”

“Oh no, no. My lips are sealed!” With that, she made the locking gesture on her lips. He grinned and with a wave of his hand and a puff of smoke, a martini glass materialized, with an eyeball in place of the olive. She blinked and looked at it, trying to not look grossed out by the eyeball.

“Oh, how rude of me. Would you like one?” he asked.

“Yeah, sure. Just, without the…” She pointed to the contents of his glass.

He snorted quietly at that, but a drink materialized for her, thankfully sans an eyeball.

“So, it seems that perhaps I’m not the only one who needs to get away sometimes,” Hades commented as he took a sip of his drink.

“Not as much as you do, I think. But yes.” She sighed before she took a sip. “Oh, that’s strong. But good.” It was different from the beers and wines that could be produced from the grain and grapes grown in Demeter’s fields. The flavor was sharp and not what she was used to, but after a few more sips she was used to it. “It’s just… the same thing. Over and over. Year after year.” She was a goddess, and so she didn’t need to be as concerned about the passing of time as mortals. “Planting, growing, harvesting, preserving, the same grind over and over like some rat race and I feel bad about thinking about it like that way because nature is so important and I don’t want to disappoint Mother and-”

“Whoa, whoa. Hey. Take a deep breath. Have your drink,” he coaxed. She took a deep breath. Sometimes she would feel anxious, but then Mother would tell her she had nothing to be anxious about, and that there would be nothing to be anxious about as long as she did her duty. She reached up to run her hand across her hair, thankful she wasn’t wearing one of these flower headpieces. “Someone as young and cute as you shouldn’t be so stressed out, hey?”

“I'm one of the older gods of my generation. I just look young." Fresh-faced spring to her mother's more matronly appearance. She didn't hide the mild annoyance in her voice.

He stared at her for a moment before nodding. "Oh yeah, that's right. You don't come to Olympus very often, and neither do I. But may I say you look fantastic for your age."

“Is that meant to be a pick-up line?” she deadpanned. He grinned at that.

“Is it working?”

“Not really.”

His face fell so quickly at that it was almost comical, and weirdly enough, she felt a little bad for him. He was interested in her, but he was not doing the best job of showing it. Some people were just socially awkward, but she imagined that being picked on constantly didn't help. So she wouldn't be one of these people.

“It’s just that I get so many comments on my looks. How cute I am, how fresh I look, and all that. It’s not very original.” She took another sip of her drink. “Really, if you’re going to try to hit on me, maybe go for something a little more creative?”

He stared at her with his mouth open for a second before he quickly collected himself.

“All right, all right. You know what? That’s fair enough. I get what it’s like to be typecast, so…” He squared his shoulders as he looked down at her, and she could tell that he was putting serious thought into it. That was more flattering than she wanted to admit. “How about this? If you were a taser, you’d be set to stun?”

It was her turn to stare at him with her mouth hanging open for a second. That was more flattering than she expected. He blinked at her and looked nervous when she said nothing so he threw out another one.

“So, aside from taking my breath away, what do you do for a living? Do you have a Band-Aid, because I scraped my knees falling for you? No wonder it’s so gray around here, all the color is in your eyes.” With each line, he drew a bit closer to her, inch by inch. She did not move back, though some others would have.

Seeing the God of the Underworld trying cheesy pick-up lines on her caused her heart to give an unexpected flutter. She gave out a soft giggle. His eyebrow quirked in mild confusion as he tried to figure out if she was laughing at him, or just enjoying his lines.

“Do you have more?” she asked.

“More what? More lines? You want more?" he asked, delighted surprise in his voice. "Well, then. Are you an artist, because you're so good at drawing me in? Are you a time traveler, because I see you in my future? Do you know what my toga is made of? Boyfriend material." Closer still he leaned until his face was only half a foot away from her own. She might have felt threatened, but there was something… exciting about having him in her personal space. The smoke swirled around her feet and lower legs, but the pressure was gentle, barely even there.

What would it be like having Hades as a boyfriend? Aren’t you getting a little ahead of yourself, Persephone asked herself. She barely knew him! She blushed as Hades looked down at her, wiggling his eyebrows at her in a playful leer.

Mother would have told her to run. But she just stared back at him and smiled sweetly before she finished the rest of her drink. “I’ll admit, these lines are pretty funny. And I do thank you for humoring me.”

“I like a woman with a healthy sense of humor.”

She thought about what she’d seen on Olympus and the way he was treated. “I like a man who can make me laugh,” she retorted gently. This time, when they stared at one another, it wasn’t awkward. She was certain her lavender cheeks were more pink than purple now.

“Persephone!" one of the nymphs screeched. The spell was broken, and she gasped quietly as she spun around in the direction of the voice. The other woman was still a ways off, but she did not have much time. Annoyance flared up, and she took a deep breath before turning to Hades, seeing the blue flames edging with red as he glowered in the direction of the voice.

“I… gotta go. Sorry," she said. "Mom's been in a mood lately and I really don't want to provoke her. But it was nice to see you again, Hades." She handed the glass back to him, and he took it, their fingers touching for a moment and giving her a pleasant tingle.

“Wait,” she heard him say as she rose from her seat and turned from him. She stopped and looked over her shoulder at him.

“I suppose you wouldn’t object to me seeing you again?” he asked as he reached out, picking up her hand and placing a kiss on the back of it. For a god of a cold and dark place, his lips were surprisingly warm.

“Not at all.” Her voice came out a touch thicker than she’d expected, and she found herself not wanting to pull her hand away. “Bring a few more of these pick-up lines next time, will you?”

He chuckled at that and nodded. “Until then, Persephone.” He disappeared into the ether, and Persephone stood there, staring at the spot where he’d disappeared, all the gloom gone before her friend found her.

o0o0o0o

Pain and Panic peered at their lord and master from behind one of the pillars in the throne room. There’d been something a bit off about Hades since he came back from his last visit to Olympus. A couple of times, they’d caught him sitting on his throne, staring off with a wistful expression neither of them had ever seen. He’d just come back from the surface world, and there was no mistaking the moony expression on his face.

“Could it be?” Panic whispered to his companion. They’d served Hades for hundreds of years and been around enough mortals – usually to spy or cause mischief on behalf of Hades – and seen them act like this. Old or young, male or female. They might be servants from the realm of the dead, but they’d seen enough of Aphrodite and Cupid’s work.

“If this came from one of Cupid’s arrows, it won’t end well,” Pain responded worriedly. They remembered that too well, even though it’d been ages ago. Manufactured love might be strong, but it wasn’t true love. It was like trying to replace real vanilla extract with the imitation stuff, and for one such as the God of the Dead, it simply wouldn't do. Really, it wouldn't, as the whole Leuce affair had shown. Talk about a dumpster fire.

“Hopefully the girl will be nice?” Panic replied.

“Well, there’s that,” Pain replied, crossing his fingers and hoping for the best.

Chapter Text

II

o0o0o0o

Persephone had gotten pretty buzzed off the martini Hades gave her. Not drunk, but she worried that the nymphs or her mother might see it in her face. It was a nice buzz though, and made the music a bit more tolerable as her friend scolded her for wandering off.

“You know how your mother gets. If you want to wander off, at least take one of us with you!”

Persephone held back a sigh. Sometimes she did. And… well, sometimes she just wanted to be alone. Or to meet new people that her mother hadn’t picked for her.

Like Hades. She had to bite back a smile as she thought of his roguish grin. He wasn't the first person who'd looked at her with desire. But he was the first whose desire had drawn out a definite response from within. Cold as the Underworld was said to be, he looked like the type of person who'd be all too happy to keep her warm, especially since he had flames on his head. And his lips certainly had heated her, even if it'd just been the back of her hand.

His pick-up lines… yeah, they were cheesy, but he was trying, and at least he hadn't tried to impress her by being all boastful, or macho like a lot of men tended to be around attractive women. Plus, he'd listened to the feedback she gave him, which was more than could be said for some people.

She didn't know how she felt about him per se, but she could say that she found him interesting. And yes, attractive. Okay, okay, he was hot, Pun intended. She'd spend more time with him and see how things turned out. It certainly would be a refreshing break from her routine. Maybe there was something about the trope of good girls and bad guys…

o0o0o0o

One disadvantage of being a friend of the God of the Dead was that there was no easy way to reach him. The other gods often liked to mock Hades and his dead realm, but Persephone sometimes wondered if it was just because they didn’t understand or were afraid of the place. Even if gods weren’t mere mortal humans, there were still a few things beyond even mighty Zeus’s understanding.

Toss an overprotective mother and gossipy nymphs into that mix, and it left Persephone wanting Hades's company more than she would have thought. And yes, the nymphs weren't supposed to gossip, but what else were they supposed to do? There was only so much active tending that nature needed, especially with Demeter's power to nourish the earth. So when Mom was away in this land or that, blessing the harvests, Persephone inevitably picked up some juicy stories, whether the nymphs intended her to hear them or not.

Hades was quite lean pickings, though. Jokes and insults about him were plenty, but Persephone could not recall hearing many stories of substance. Hades didn't go on heroic journeys to prove his godhood, grant a boon to some city or tribe, or bring some great innovation to humans. Unlike so many of the other gods, Hades had no grand temples built in his honor. Service to the God of the Dead was a lonely occupation.

“You be a good girl," she heard her mother say. "Ares and Athena are fighting, and their soldiers are just tearing up my fields to feed themselves! You see why I don't like to bring you to Olympus too much. The squabbles of the gods spill over all too often!"

“Yeah, Mom. Don't worry. I have my weaving and gardening," Persephone said. As soon as her mother was gone, the younger goddess wanted to spin around the house and run outside. Not that she was happy about the destruction of her mother's sacred fields, but at least it meant she'd have some freedom for a while.

After quickly peeking around, Persephone slid out of the house, darting into the forest that hugged the north side of her mother's sanctuary. She used her powers to shield herself from the nymphs as she ventured further into the woods. It was quiet, but not completely – there was the singing of birds, the rustle of leaves, and her footsteps. Mom never could seem to understand why Persephone liked being alone sometimes. The Goth phase she went through as a teenager had vexed Demeter greatly, but Persephone had eventually tired of the look.

She hadn't quite let go of her love of some of the Goth aesthetic, though. Bright and cheery colors and fresh flowers certainly could liven up any space, but sometimes she wanted things a little darker. It was more soothing on the eyes, at least for her. Wasn't variety supposed to be the spice of life, after all?

It seemed that her mother was determined to keep her life as bland as possible.

“Damn, you look pretty mopey there. I hope it’s not because of me,” she heard a voice. She gasped and spun around, seeing Hades sitting in a small clearing between the trees, black smoke swirling under and around him as they held him aloft.

“Hades!” she said, her voice quiet, but she was unable to hold back a note of joy. “No, no. Just… my mom being a mom, I guess. Um, how are you?”

“Much better now that I’m with you,” he said with a grin. She smiled back at that. “Are you still interested in more pick-up lines?” he asked.

“Haha! Yes, please.”

“Then pull up a seat.”

She needed no further invitation and made herself comfortable near him. He looked particularly delighted to see her. Not that she hadn't seen it in others. She was the Goddess of Spring, she was supposed to bring joy to other people. But there was something more profound in the way that Hades looked at her as if he was drinking up her presence but trying to not be obvious about it.

“I put a lot of effort into picking the best lines for you. So, here we go…" He cleared his throat, swiping his hand over his head and squaring his shoulders before looking down at her. "If you were a chicken, you'd be impeccable."

She giggled at that.

“If you were words on a page, you would be fine print.”

“Wouldn’t that make me hard to read?” she asked with a teasing smile. The corners of his lips quirked up almost imperceptibly.

“Life without you is like a broken pencil… pointless.”

“You make a fine point.”

He leaned in, enjoying the banter. She felt her heart thud in her chest and almost didn’t hear his next line. “Did the sun come out, or did you just smile at me?”

“If I can bring a little light to your life, I’m glad for it.” This time, she was the one who leaned in, or rather up, as she lifted her chin, looking at him. A few thick wisps of dark smoke curled loosely around her legs and waist.

“I was wondering if you had an extra heart because I just had mine stolen."

“Pretty bold to accuse me of theft,” she shot back gently, her eyes twinkling. He grinned as he leaned down further, and the smoke around her intensified, now curling around her arms.

“I’m learning about dates in history. Want to be one of them?”

“I imagine I’d be a lot more interesting than all these other dates you mention.”

“I would bet my kingdom on it. Though I'm afraid that'd be insulting to someone like you because no one else wants the Underworld."

“You sell yourself short. And so do your brothers. The Underworld serves a valuable function in the world.”

Even though her mother didn’t like to talk about Hades, she did acknowledge the importance of keeping life and death in balance.

“You don’t need to try to upsell me on this, babe. No one else wants it. It’s a dumping place for dead souls. That’s what I rule over, a dead-end.”

She reached out to touch his hand. He looked surprised, but quickly relaxed and placed his other hand on top of hers. “It can’t be easy, being you. Your house is dreary and depressing and no one wants to visit it, and when you do leave it, your brothers and others make fun of you and give you a hard time and then slap the term ‘brotherly affection’ or ‘Oh, I’m just kidding, you’re too sensitive!’ on the bullying they do to you.”

He stared at her for a moment, and she saw something raw and vulnerable in him, an exposed nerve that she’d unwittingly touched in her sincere attempt to be kind to him.

“Jeez. I came up here to see you and hopefully put a bit of light in my day and yours, and things got serious, fast. Baaaaaabe." He blinked and that vulnerability was gone, like a candle being blown out.

“I’m sorry!” She pulled her hand away from him, looking at him with a stricken expression. “I didn’t- I wasn’t- Hey, wait. You’re the one who brought up the Underworld in the first place-”

He squared his shoulders again, and she recognized the macho act he tried to keep up with the other gods. Somewhere between being kind of a douche, and being smarmy. She had to nip this in the bud, fast.

She grabbed his wrist, and he blinked and focused on her. “You don’t need to do that. Don’t try to act like you don’t have emotions. At least, around me. I’m sorry if I said anything that hurt you, it really wasn’t my intention.”

He scoffed quietly, looking away as if it meant nothing to him, but she saw through his act even as he spoke. “You didn’t hurt me,” he said with an almost defiant edge to his voice.

She let it slide, but she maintained her grip on his wrist. “If you don’t like how serious things got, then why don’t we just go back to what we were doing before? The fun banter and all that? How about it… tall, dark, and handsome?”

“You think I’m handsome?” Hades asked skeptically.

“Believe it or not.” She stared at him evenly. He wiggled his eyebrows at her, and she smiled. “So… are we still on for that date?”

“Date? What date? Oh.” He blinked and grinned. “You name the place and time.”

She paused, feeling a bit of panic creep in. What if she set up something, and then Mom wanted her help with something, or wanted to spend time with her daughter? She blinked and looked up at Hades.

“Is something the matter?” he asked. “Not having second thoughts, are you?”

“Oh Gaea, no! It’s my mom. She's strict about who I hang around with outside of the virgin goddesses or the nymphs. Kinda hard to jot down a date when you have a helicopter parent who monopolizes much of your schedule."

“No need to fret. You want this, and I want this, so we’ll make it happen, all right?” He looked down at the pale purple hand that was hooked around his wrist, and put his other hand on top of hers, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “The problem is, Demeter doesn’t have enough distractions, hm? So I’ll provide some.”

She could tell by his faint, devious grin that he had several things in mind already.

Some might see her behavior as teenage rebellion. But she’d gone past her teens a long time ago, regardless of how youthful she might look. Her mother might praise her for her maturity at times, but never for things that Persephone actually cared about.

“Thank you,” she said. He looked down at her with a wistful expression.

“It's been too long since anyone's thanked me for anything. I know I said it before, but you are a breath of fresh air. So I promise you a date you'll never forget, all right? Just let me take care of things, hmm?"

“Is there anything I should do?” Persephone asked. He lifted his hand, stroking his chin and staring off thoughtfully for a moment.

“Just bring your sweet self," Hades said with a slight purr to his voice. "If you want to pick something nice to wear, I know you'll rock the look, but as I'm sure you know, there are other things I enjoy about you." He punctuated this with a grin.

She laughed quietly and looked down shyly.

“Is that a blush I see?” Hades asked, and she could hear the curiosity and titillation in his voice. “Ohh.” His tone took on a softness she hadn’t imagined anyone was capable of, especially one such as Hades. “Am I making you blush?” he asked in that same soft tone that was having a much stronger effect on her than either of them could have imagined. She felt his finger under her chin, and she let him coax her face upwards.

“Persephone, you’re adorable. And believe me, I don’t mean that in the way you hear it from others. I mean, babe, this is so sweet you’re practically giving me diabetes here, but I mean that in the best way. If anyone’s going to make you blush like that, I’m glad it’s me. It puts a bit of warmth in my cold, dead heart.”

Her blush only deepened at that, and she found herself unable to break free of his gaze. His finger slid along her jaw, and she took in a slow, shuddering inhale.

If Persephone was aware that Hades was entertaining thoughts of kidnapping her, she would have had a hard time deciding if she wanted to stay or run. Without thinking, she reached up to touch his hand, feeling the warm flesh under the cool-toned skin.

Cold, dead heart. Yeah. After thousands of years ruling a place that no other god wanted and scorned by heaven and earth, no wonder Hades would describe himself like that. Her other hand reached out, and it was Hades's turn to become still, watching her and her actions. Her hand came to rest on his solar plexus, and she could feel the beat of his heart.

Well, his heart wasn’t quite dead. Nor was his flesh, if the warmth of his hand or lips were any indication. She drew her hand back.

“So. I’ll go home and pick something for the date, and you’ll come pick me up?” she asked. He blinked as if coming out of a trance before a slow smile came onto his lips.

“Count on it.”

o0o0o0o

Count on it. He’d said these words to her with a calm and collected expression, but inside, his heart was pounding, his pulse racing, his mouth dry. It was hard to not just pick her up and sweep her off, and coax her to put her hands on other parts of his body. He looked down at his hand and wrist. There was no visible discoloration on the skin, but Hades could almost imagine that he saw a soft glow where she had touched him.

The God of the Underworld was many centuries old, but right now he almost felt like a teenage boy, overwhelmed by the maelstrom of emotions that surged within as he watched her walk off. How easy it would be to reach out, extending his arm with smoke so that he could hook it around her and pull her back.

“No, no. You got this. Don’t blow this,” Hades whispered to himself. “She digs you. She thinks you’re funny and she wants to see you again. Patience, patience.”

I don’t want to be patient, damnit, Hades growled to himself. For too long he’d been lonely. For far too long he’d been relegated to life in the shadows. For far too fucking long he’d watched as others – god or mortal – made happy homes for themselves with loving and supportive partners who made even a shabby hovel seem like a mansion because of the warmth they provided.

For far too goddamn fucking long he ruled from a cold and lonely throne, hearing the wailing of human souls, going to an empty bed when he needed rest. No one to unload his sorrows upon, no one to laugh with, no one to offer him comfort on these long days and longer nights. Not that there were nights in the Underworld, but the point remained the same.

He sighed. Would Persephone even want to live in the Underworld with him?

“Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you?” he muttered to himself. He hadn’t even had a first date with her! Speaking of…

“Pain! Panic!" he growled, summoning his subordinates. He had a fair amount of demons and servants in the Underworld, but for some reason, he couldn't fathom, these two were near and dear to his heart, though no one – not even Pain or Panic themselves – would ever guess that. "I have some errands for you..."

Chapter Text

III

o0o0o0o

Her mother normally liked her to wear lighter or brighter colors, but Persephone had managed to amass a few darker-colored items in her wardrobe, including a dark green tunic with small golden flowers woven along the hems.

Though Mom was more focused on wealth that grew from the earth instead of wealth that was mined from it, Persephone had a few golden pieces of jewelry in her collection, mostly gifts from wealthy worshipers who had sought to curry her favor along her mother’s. She did not have the chance to wear them often, and with the darker clothing and jewelry, she felt less like the Goddess of Spring, and more like… well, she wasn’t sure. Just someone that her mother had never envisioned.

“Persephone, how do you expect me to go out on a date with you if you’re just going to knock me out with how amazing you look?” she heard Hades say as he came out of the ether.

“You charmer,” she giggled. “Do I really look that nice? I wove this myself,” she said, gesturing to her tunic.

“Athena would be jealous of your weaving skills,” Hades said as he circled her, giving her an approving once-over. She’d pinned her hair back with several golden pins, letting the rest flow loosely along her shoulders and back. “Although that’s just window dressing – albeit very nice window dressing – when it comes to you. And to think that you did this for me.”

For me. And what about you? She took a closer look at Hades and saw more of what she'd barely noticed before since he'd surprised her. He'd also dressed for the occasion, swathed in black and deep indigo, a gold wristband peeking out from under the sleeve of his long-sleeved tunic. He looked like a king, even without a crown. He looked handsome. And yes, he looked hot – flames on his head or not.

“Look who's talking!" she shot back, and he grinned at that. "You know how to pull off a classy Goth look."

“You’re worth being classy for,” he replied with a pleased grin before he held out his arm to her. “Shall we?”

She took his arm and let him pull her into the ether before they reappeared in what looked like the ruins of a palace, the overgrown vegetation giving the place a serene charm. Some people might have thought this a weird idea for a first date – or any date – but Hades had things set up with a table and two chairs, several lamps giving the open space a peaceful ambiance under the light of a quarter moon. The table was laden with various tasty foods that could be found on Earth, but Persephone was more interested in her surroundings.

“So, where are we?” she asked as she approached a collapsed wall, looking beyond it to see what looked like a mountain range, with a scattering of stunted trees and grass amongst rock crags.

“This palace belonged to a long-dead king of an extinct kingdom. As you can see, it's not too hospitable here, so this place doesn't get any visitors. Which makes it the perfect place for me if I need some fresh air. It's just about as backwater as you can get on the real estate market, but at least there's no noisy neighbors to deal with."

“I like it,” Persephone said approvingly. There wasn’t much in the way of green here, but this place had a stark beauty that she could not deny. And it looked like Hades had done little to alter the natural beauty that time had wrought upon this abandoned place. Some people might find it spooky, but it was beautiful. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“You're the first person I brought here," he admitted. She felt her heart melting at this admission and reached to take his hand, squeezing it.

“I'm honored. You know, this date is going pretty great so far, and it's just barely started," she said warmly. He laughed at that. Even though he could be goofy or smarmy at moments, she was seeing a more sensitive side to him that she wondered if anyone else was ever aware existed.

“You’re worth it, babe.”

There was that warmth she felt around Hades – had in fact felt since she first talked to him – and it was only increasing the more she was around him. There was no denying the physical attraction, but she also found his efforts to please her… well, pleasing. She kept her grip on his hand and looked up at him, the moonlight bathing his skin in its pale, gentle light. The visual was making her feel unexpectedly light-headed.

“Are you all right?” he asked, and she blinked as she focused on him. She blushed and looked down.

“This will probably sound like I’m a high school-aged girl, but seeing you dressed like that, with the soft light on you… well, it made my heart flutter.” She fanned herself with her free hand for emphasis. “I mean, not that I didn’t think you looked good before, but tonight, you are at the top of your game. Eleven out of ten and all that.”

She could see him straighten his back and puff his chest at this generous but heartfelt stroke to his ego before he gently slid his hand out of her grip, looking down at her, gliding to her side. She stood where she was, looking up at him sweetly.

“I know the gentlemanly thing to do is save the kiss for the end of the date but… babe, you look so damn irresistible. And knowing you made yourself look like this for me…” He circled her, moving behind her before placing his hands on her shoulders. “You light a fire in me,” he said, his mouth mere inches from her ear. He slid in front of her, looking down at her.

“You know what the gentlemanly thing to do is? Asking the lady what she wants,” Persephone said, biting back a smirk. He inclined his head in a surprisingly graceful bow and held out his hand to her in a benevolent gesture.

“And what does the lady Persephone want?” he asked suavely.

“Perhaps I don’t want to wait for a kiss, either.” Her heart was pounding as he looked down at her with a faint, dreamy smile for a moment before he leaned down. She lifted her chin and reached to cup his face as she felt his breath on her cheek.

She started to pucker her lips before she felt his lips. Instinctively, she gently captured his lower lip between her teeth as she deepened the kiss, feeling him give a surprised but pleased groan against her mouth. His hands slid around to her back and she pressed her lips against him several times, puckering her lips sweetly as she took in the scent and taste of him. He was a mixture of earth – not the warm earth to be found on the surface, but deep within the planet, ancient rivers and veins of metal and precious substances cutting through it – and smoke with a hint of sulfur in it.

She caught a whiff of mint on his breath and smiled to herself. So he’d taken the time to freshen his breath before coming to see her? Men and gods might boast of grand deeds, but it was little touches like this that she found more endearing – and telling – of people than nearly anything else.

Resolutely she pulled back before things could get too intense, though damn if she wasn’t tempted to let things simply run their natural course. But she was old and observant enough to see what could become of relationships. Mortals provided plenty of drama for the gods to observe, especially if divine mischief was the cause. No, the gods weren’t supposed to mess around with mortals, but they did it anyway. She’d seen it happen with the nymphs that surrounded her. Some would fall in love with mortal men or the other way around. Occasionally a nymph would catch the notice of a god or a monster. Sometimes things worked out and… sometimes they didn’t.

Hades's blue flames were now tinged with shades of red and gold. He kept her in his embrace, but he lifted his head, allowing the kiss to be broken.

“I didn’t think I would be getting dessert before dinner,” Hades quipped as he looked down at her with a satisfied smirk.

“Mom always told me, dinner before dessert. But I’m not a kid anymore, so…” She shrugged. “And there’s something to be said about doing your own thing.”

“Ah, a woman after my own heart.” He led her over to the table, pulling out a chair for her before taking his seat. “I forgot to ask about your food preferences so I had a little of everything delivered,” he said as he gestured to the lavish spread. Fruits and vegetables, flatbread and pita chips, hummus and baklava, stuffed olives and cheeses, and even gyro burgers.

She picked up one of the burgers and bit into it, savoring the taste of grilled lamb and beef. Her mother was what could be called a health-food nut, so what was a simple treat for a mortal was essentially forbidden fruit for a goddess.

Oh, the irony. She let out a short hum of delight as she took another bite, and Hades regarded her with a bemused glance before he took several olives and popped them in his mouth one by one.

“I wasn’t even sure if I should toss in some burgers, I didn’t know if the Goddess of Spring would turn up her nose at that,” Hades said lightly.

“I know my mother means well, but she’s one of these crunchy granola moms. Nothing goes on her table that she didn’t grow herself or wasn’t grown in one of her sacred groves, you get the idea. Healthy eating’s good for you and I know that, but this…” She hummed in enjoyment as she took another bite of the burger.

“Life’s better if you allow yourself to enjoy a bit of vice now and then.”

“Like your drinks,” she pointed out. He laughed quietly.

“Zeus can go on about duty and service and all that, but virtue is a cold comfort.” he waved his hand, and one of his vodka martinis appeared. There were several olives in it, and he offered it to her.

“A burger and booze… not exactly what I’d call the breakfast of champions but it’s not something I’ll scoff at.” She sat back and took several sips before plucking out one of the olives. “This is the most memorable dinner I’ve had in a long time. And I mean that as a compliment. I haven’t enjoyed someone’s company this much in a good while.” She took another sip, relaxing as she looked across the table at her companion who had a drink of his own as well.

It wasn’t the first date she had ever been on. It was the first date in which her mother had had no involvement, however. And though Hades might be unorthodox in some things, he’d been doing pretty well so far. He’d taken her to a pleasing location, provided ample victuals like a good host, and was providing her with stimulating conversation.

“I might say that misery loves company, but I’m pretty content right now,” Hades said with a small smile as he looked at her, propping his chin up on one hand. She finished her gyro, licking her fingers. Some music had started playing, and she almost didn’t notice because she’d been busy enjoying the food and Hades’s company. She smiled back at him.

“I’m pretty happy, too,” she replied. “Being here with you, I mean.”

“Now you’re making me blush,” Hades said with a sheepish chuckle.

“Hey, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander…”

They chuckled at that and ate some more before he rose to his feet. “Perhaps milady would like to take a moonlit stroll with me?”

“Nothing would please me more," she replied as she rose to her feet. The music wafted after them as they made their way out of the structure, the crags and peaks of the mountains sharply illuminated under the moonlight. Persephone was so lost in her thoughts and Hades's presence that she stumbled over a rock, but Hades caught her, and a more than pleasant jolt passed through her as she felt him hug her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he picked her up, and they stared at one another for several long moments before he gathered enough wits to speak.

“You all right?” he asked. She nodded. As a goddess, she wouldn’t twist her ankle, but it didn’t mean a god couldn’t be clumsy! How embarrassing to trip in front of Hades, on her first date with him! Why did she have to be such a dork?

“You know, I could just keep carrying you like this. That way, you can just relax and enjoy our walk, hmm?” He wiggled his eyebrows, and she rolled her eyes but chuckled warmly at that.

“You just want an excuse to hold me.”

“Well…” Hades drawled as he looked down at her. “Can you blame me?”

“Come to think of it… not really." She leaned her head against his chest… this did feel nice. His bulk was solid and strong, and she was reassured by his presence and embrace. Eventually, he set her down carefully, and she let out a small sigh as she straightened her hair before looking back at him. She didn't want this to end. It was such a wonderful and relaxing night and she felt like she could be herself. She hoped Hades felt that same comfort around her.

He led her over to a stone bench that had managed to survive the passage of time just enough to remain functional. The music was playing again, albeit in a slower and more romantic tone.

“Where’s that music coming from?” she asked.

“Just a couple of my servants,” he replied as he sat down.

“I thought that minions couldn’t leave the Underworld?”

“Most of them, no. But as God of the Underworld, I do have a few messengers that can come to the surface. So…” He waved his hand through the air in a musical flourish. “I wanted to provide atmosphere for our date.”

“You did." She sat next to him.

“Have you been enjoying yourself so far?” he asked. She smiled and nodded.

“That’s good to know. I really wanted to make this nice for you, but wasn’t sure about getting fireworks or some gladiators or something like that. I didn’t wanna overdo it, you know? But then I was wondering if maybe as a goddess you wanted something flashy-”

She touched his arm. "You did great. Seriously. I really couldn't ask for anything more. I know I don't always agree with my mother, but she has said that the simplest pleasures in life are the best. And that's what you did. You provided good food and music and found a great location. Please, just carry on as you are." She flashed him a smile and batted her eyes.

o0o0o0o

He'd been more than ready to impress her and had a few things set up, ready to bring them out on cue. And this daughter of one of the most powerful gods in the Greek pantheon was happy with a burger and a moonlit stroll.

Part of him wanted to wow her just so he could see the look on her face if she saw the fireworks, flying horses, a rock band, and all that. But there was something about the quiet contentment on her face that touched him more profoundly. Damn.

He looked down at the hand resting on his arm. He reached with his free hand, placing it on top of hers. She smiled at him. He smiled back. He could not help but imagine how it would be to have this sweetness to come home to after a long shift at his duties.

“You know I’m head over heels for you, Persephone. I just want you to be happy and comfortable.”

She smiled gently at that. “And I suppose there’s no ulterior motive for that?” she asked lightly. He swallowed thickly, wondering just what sort of answer to choose. Light and flirty, or should he be bolder, given his steady success thus far? Before he could reply, she continued.

“I mean, you’re not the first god – or man – to express desire to me. But with these others, I’m like, meh. But with you…” Her voice trailed off. The flames on his head and shoulders took on a more golden tone now.

“Babe, the feeling’s mutual, believe me. And I promise, I’ll make you feel good.”

“I believe you.”

Liftoff, we have liftoff. The gold in the flames contrasted beautifully with the blue. Hades was barely aware of the hands pressing against his chest. “Yes…?” he asked with a low purr.

“But I don’t want to rush things.”

Abort mission, abort mission. However, that was easier said than done. Hades swallowed and took a deep breath, most of the gold disappearing, but the rich hue remained at the edge of his blue flames. Part of him wanted to say, screw that, let's sweep her off her feet and drop her on her back, and it seemed to take an almost herculean effort for reason to wrestle desire into submission.

“Is something the matter?” he asked in a calm tone, though a slight purr of desire bled into his words. She looked down for a couple of moments before shaking her head.

“I don’t know. I mean, I like you. And I find you sexy.” Hades had to stop himself from preening at that statement, and she continued, “But that’s a pretty big step to take with anyone.”

“… You know what, it is,” Hades conceded. Aw, crap. Was this what it meant to truly care for someone? He remembered what happened with Leuce. But this was different. For all his aloofness, his machismo, his smarminess, and douchiness, Hades was still a lonely creature who desired for someone to love him. Cupid's magic had soured him on the idea of tenderness or true passion for centuries. Persephone’s warmth and ease around him was starting to make him see that perhaps, just perhaps, he had a chance at true love.

So he knew that if she wanted more time, he should give it to her. After all, after all the respect and kindness she’d given him, didn’t she deserve that?

It didn't stop him from being horny as fuck, though. "Babe, you know how badly I want you, right? I just want you to know that you can trust me to treat you well." he leaned in, running a finger along her jaw.

She nodded. “It’s just so overwhelming.”

“Preaching to the choir here, honey.” His finger moved down her neck and along her shoulder, feeling her shiver pleasurably. He could see her inner struggle in the way she nibbled her lip, keeping her eyes downcast, but she did not pull away as his fingers slid down her arm and the back of her hand. She was such a little minx, even though she wasn’t trying to be. And that made her even more attractive.

She drew her hand away, pressing it to her heart. He remained where he was, waiting.

It sounded like she was choking on the words, but she managed to make out a “I need to go home,” in a soft voice.

He wanted her. And she wanted him. So why shouldn’t he just snatch her up and take her with him? Perhaps if she was no longer in her mother’s sphere, she might let go of these inhibitions. He’d make good on his word about pleasing her and he’d absolutely spoil the fuck out of her. It’d be a pleasing distraction to his kingly duties.

It would be the first real myth there was about him. The Abduction of Persephone. Or if you wanted to make it really juicy, The Rape of Persephone. Yeah, that wouldn’t cast him in a very good light, would it? But then, he was a rogue, and when had the opinions of mortals ever mattered to him? No matter what god they worshiped, they all died in the end and went to his kingdom.

But he’d had plenty of nasty things said about him already. Not that some of them were entirely true. He could be an asshole sometimes. Granted, much of it was in response to the way he was treated by his family, but he didn’t want anyone thinking so lowly of him, especially for something he didn’t, and never would, do.

“All right, babe." He pulled back a bit as he looked down at her, and shyly, she turned her gaze to him. He offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile before he rose to his feet. He offered his hand and was relieved when she took it.

“I had a wonderful time, Hades. And I look forward to our next date.”

“So I didn’t scare you off?” he asked, pushing down his desire with some dry humor.

“No, no. Not at all.” She shook her head, her golden hair swishing prettily.

“Can I have a kiss before you go?” he ventured. She smiled and beckoned with a come hither gesture of her finger, and he leaned down, feeling her cup his face before pressing her lips to his. He pressed down a bit as he placed his hands on her shoulders, wanting to give her something to remember – and look forward to.

His desire still burned, but at an abated level as he watched her back away from him. She gave him a little wave, and he waved back with a small smile before she disappeared into the ether.

He let out a quiet groan before sliding over to the bench and lying down on it, staring up at the sky as the music wound down to a stop.

“Are you all right?” Pain asked as the pair of demons emerged, seeing Hades lying there on the bench like a mortal who’d had too much to drink.

“Just peachy,” the God of the Dead replied with a pleased rumble.

Hades did not see Pain and Panic look at one another with wide, hopeful smiles.

Chapter Text

IV

o0o0o0o

Persephone gave her aunt the usual polite congratulations that anyone would give to someone who’d just had a baby, injecting enough warmth in her words so she didn’t come across as fake, but she honestly didn’t see what the big deal was. Yeah yeah, a new god was born and all that, but she’d seen enough of those and been to enough of these parties.

Little baby Hercules could lift his father over his head… ooh boy, that kid was going to be a handful, wasn’t he? Especially with a father like Zeus, and siblings like Apollo, Ares, Bacchus, and Hermes. At least Mom got distracted with spending some time with her sister and newborn nephew, so Persephone had the time to wander off.

As she did, she thought about her mother’s distaste for Hades. It made sense from a neutral perspective. Mom was a goddess of the earth and life, of fertility and abundance. Death was the opposite of life, so while she didn't hate Hades, the nature of her powers meant that his proximity could be considered unpleasant, even though Hades never intended for it to be that way.

Weirdly enough, Persephone wasn’t bothered by it. She sensed it, but it didn’t impact her any more than the color of his skin did. It was just part of him and who he was.

“What's a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this?" she heard a now-familiar voice say. She almost rolled her eyes but smiled faintly as she turned to see Hades.

“The same reason you’re here, I’m certain. Lipservice to Zeus and his brat.”

“Ah, you know me too well,” he said with a light chuckle as they stood in the shadow of a pillar. “But I’m sure our next date will be better,” he joked. She snorted at that and took a sip of her ambrosia, basking in the comfort of Hades’s company.

“Persephone!" she heard someone call out and turned to see Apollo. She knew that Apollo was one of the men that Mom considered a potential match for her daughter. After all, the God of the Sun and the Goddess of the Spring, didn't that sound lovely? A union of two forces of nature, and all that.

So then, what did it mean to put the God of the Dead and the Goddess of Spring together? She put a polite smile on her face as Apollo approached them.

“What’re you doing in the shadows? Don’t tell me that Hades pulled you into his doom and gloom,” Apollo said with a chuckle, slapping Hades on the shoulder in a gesture reminiscent of his father. Persephone saw Hades fight back a finch as he squared his shoulders.

“The shadows can be very cooling and restful after being out in the sun," Persephone replied pointedly. A glance in Hades's direction revealed that he was biting back a smile. "After all, my skin is so fair, I worry about getting sunburned."

Now she was certain Hades was holding back a guffaw, especially with Apollo’s surprised expression. The younger god was used to having women swoon over him, much like his father did.

“Well… I’ll get you sunglasses and a straw hat. I certainly wouldn’t want to overwhelm you with my radiance,” Apollo offered with a smile most girls would have found handsome. And Persephone did, in an objective way. It wasn’t hard to see why artists or sculptors would want Apollo as a subject.

Too bad for Apollo that she wasn’t one of these women so easily swayed by a pretty face. Suddenly, that face was much too close to her own, Apollo leaning in and giving her a smile that worked on so many women – and men – before.

She took a step back. “Hasn’t anyone had a discussion with you about personal space?” Persephone asked with a strained smile.

“I know I can be overwhelming, but don’t worry, I’ll make sure you don’t get burned-”

“Hey, the lady turned you down twice, and much more politely than I would have. Take a hint buster,” Hades said, trying to not let his flames rise too high. Tempting it was to throw a wrench in this charming little party, he wasn’t in the mood to get blamed for yet something else.

Apollo puffed out his chest before Zeus's booming voice rang through the air.

Oh, thank Gaea, Persephone thought as Zeus gave one of his speeches, giving her the chance to slip away from Apollo, Hades taking his cue and slinking off in the other direction.

Mother gestured her to come and sit with her, and Persephone offered no argument, sliding over as her mother regarded her with a fond and approving smile. Zeus and Hera thanked everybody for the gifts and well wishes and reminded everyone to have a good time. Hades came forward to pay his obligatory respects to his brother and sister-in-law. And there it was… Zeus picks on Hades again under the guise of brotherly love, willfully blind to Hades's scowl and body language.

The King of the Gods was also oblivious to Hades’s pointed comment about having a full-time job. And oh no, a dreadful joke from Zeus about working himself to death. Hades muttered something to himself before slinking off into the shadows.

Persephone had no siblings, though sometimes her mother might adopt a nymph or orphan child, raising them in her service. She knew siblings quarreled and had disagreements, even Mother with her sisters Hera and Hestia. Most quarrels that sprung from power dynamics were relatively minor from what she'd witnessed. But the constant mockery and mistreatment of Hades went beyond that. Just as Hades had suffered all these centuries, Zeus and the others carried on that mindset, further cementing it within their psyches. When Hades tried to stand up for himself or step out of the place Zeus mandated for him, he was bullied for it.

Out of all the men that she could have developed serious feelings for, it figured she’d fall for one with serious issues. But she couldn’t hold that against him, that wouldn’t be fair to him, would it? Sure, he could be smarmy or sarcastic at times, but his affection for her was genuine, and she reciprocated it. He had a roguish charm, and he was funny.

And he treated her with respect. A huge point in his favor. She smiled to herself quietly, looking forward to her next date.

o0o0o0o

Hades muttered to himself as he thought about what the Fates had told him, and how Zeus’s little brat was the one thing that stood between him and control of the cosmos. He stroked his chin as he thought about a trump card he’d been holding onto for centuries. It was a potent brew that had been fermenting since nearly the first day Hades had been relegated to the Underworld. He was determined to find some use for the negative energy that filled this place, and through what seemed like an eternity of distillation, it floated before him, glowing a sickly purple in the container he kept it in.

He’d often thought about using it on Zeus, but could never think of the right time or opportunity to take such a drastic measure. But now, it looked like that scheme was about to pay off in a way he hadn’t anticipated.

Hercules already proved incredible strength as an infant. He’d be insufferable as an adult, especially as yet another mighty son of Zeus. So the little brat would be taken out of the equation as soon as possible.

“Make sure he drinks every last drop of it,” Hades instructed his servants. Pain and Panic nodded eagerly, saluting before they took off.

o0o0o0o

“Come on, come on,” the pair of demons whispered as they watched Hercules drink the liquid death, his godhood slipping away from him. Suddenly, they heard voices, and their nerves were already so frayed from their mission that the bottle slipped from their hands, the last drop falling into the dirt as they scrambled away.

They watched as a peasant couple made their way up the path, coming across the baby. Pain and Panic looked at one another as the couple decided they would keep the baby.

“Well… that’s hardly the worst outcome,” Pain whispered. “He’s not a god now, and they’re just peasants. He’ll live an ordinary life and die an ordinary death. A mortal couldn’t stop a mighty god, anyway!”

“Yeah,” Panic replied. He looked down at the golden disk that had been around the baby’s neck. “What to do with this, though?”

“We’ll just give that to the boss as proof that we did the job,” Pain replied decisively. The demons grinned and nodded at one another before disappearing.

o0o0o0o

The peasant couple who found the seemingly abandoned baby adopted him, believing the gods had answered their prayers after years of struggling to have a child. And in a way, that was just what had happened, except that it was Hades that inadvertently granted them this boon.

They named their baby Alcaeus, and he was just like any other babe, but for his immense strength.

And up in the reaches of lofty heaven, Zeus and Hera mourned the loss of their child, now rendered mortal by some cruel, unknown force, and could only watch him from afar.

o0o0o0o

The disappearance of baby Hercules surprised Persephone. She wondered if perhaps the baby, with his immense strength, had crawled out of his cradle and gotten himself lost in some misadventure, but what was even more shocking was the news that he’d been rendered mortal. So he could not come back to Mount Olympus.

Which made no sense to her, to be frank. Whatever made him mortal, he was still the son of the king and queen of the gods. Weren’t they going to fight for their son?

But then, if he was mortal, perhaps it was better that he live among them, surrounded by people like him. Who knows. Regardless, she wished the kid luck.

o0o0o0o

Persephone shivered as she felt Hades slide his hands along her shoulders. She would be lying if she said she never entertained thoughts of intimacy with him, especially after every successive state. It seemed to get harder and harder to pull herself away from him every time he drew her in. Sneaking away when her mother was distracted was all good and fun, but she wanted more.

“I know you think it’s a boring place and you got the raw end of the deal with your brothers, but I’m still curious about the Underworld,” she said as she felt his warm breath on the side of his neck.

“I know that people say the grass is greener on the other side, but babe, there’s no grass to speak of here.”

“That’s quite all right.”

He regarded her with a bemused expression. “I don’t get it. I make sure to pick good spots for our dates…”

“And you’ve done a fantastic job there, no complaints. But I still wanna see.”

“Well, how could I say no to that sweet little face," Hades finally replied, running his finger under her chin. "Let me spruce things up first, hmm?"

“Fair enough.”

o0o0o0o

I have high regard for canon, but I decided to play around with Hercules’s story a little so that it would fit in better with my introducing Persephone to this tale. In classical mythology, that was Hercules’s birth name, he did not become known as Herakles until he started his penance well into his adulthood.

Chapter Text

V

o0o0o0o

Persephone had heard enough about the Underworld to imagine what a gloomy and dark place it was. Mother said that even just being near one of the entrances to the dark kingdom filled her with unease. Persephone braced herself for it and was pleasantly surprised at how… neutral it felt.

Yeah, there was no life here. It really was the world of the dead, but she didn’t feel scared, not with Hades at her side. His hand was warm on her shoulder even though she wore a cloak, a deep dark green with various colors woven along the edges.

Though she was able to imagine a bit of what the Underworld might be like, nothing could have prepared her for the stark majesty of a place so opposite the one that the rest of the gods lived in. Was it dark and gloomy? Well, yes. But it was also beautiful in its way. Perhaps it was just the novelty of it, but she was finding a certain charm around the place. The rivers, the palace, and even the three-headed dog.

The pit of souls… not so much. She looked at it with mixed feelings. The souls didn’t seem to be suffering, but she pondered what awaited at the end of life. Here was the answer, staring her in the face.

“I get that the spinning can be hypnotic but you don't want to stare at that for too long," Hades said as he nudged her away. "There, you've seen the Underworld. Peachy, isn't it?" he asked dryly as he led her back to the throne room, pulling her into his lap.

“It has potential,” she said.

“Did I hear that right, babe? Potential? This is a dead-end job, in all senses of the word.” His tone was disbelieving but she was certain she saw a glimmer of intrigued curiosity in his eyes.

“This is your kingdom, right? To do with as you please?” she asked.

“As long as the souls are contained, I suppose. Though as you know, nothing can grow down here. No sun or moon hangs in the sky. Yada, yada.”

“Yeah. You don’t have as much to work with as the other gods do,” she observed with some sympathy, thinking of her mother’s world, and how full of life it was. And the heavens, and the seas… all tied together in the circle of life. And then there was the Underworld, separate from the rest, so cut off from life itself that its ruler was brought to despair.

“But I think, if you work within the rules of this place, you could make something out of it. You already have a few servants and guardians, right? Is it possible to employ more?"

“Yeah, but bigger staff means more problems. Then I have to be the boss everyone hates.”

“Yeah, I gotcha.” She reached up to cup the side of his face, and the pleased expression on his face reminded her of a cat having its cheek rubbed. “Well, it’s your kingdom, and I’m just trying to help you. At least, if you want it, I don’t want to be overstepping my bounds…”

He regarded her with a thoughtful expression. “One could say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but what do I do if I’m already there?” he asked, gesturing to their surroundings with a wave of his arm. He gave out a small scoff before placing his hand over hers.

“Of course, you’re the one little slice of heaven in this place,” he added. She smiled at that.

o0o0o0o

He’d been nervous about showing Persephone around, but he didn’t see scorn, disdain, or pity on her face. Only curiosity. It was the first time he hadn’t felt diminished on the rare occasions that a god from Olympus deigned to come down here.

Nonetheless, he was relieved to have their next date on the surface world, letting her feed him grapes while they relaxed under the shade of a tree. She even let him put his head in her lap. Sometimes he wondered if she was fully aware of the effects of her actions. She knew he wanted her, and had admitted that she wanted him too.

So having his head resting on her while her fingers ran through the flames on his head… why, it skated on the edge of maddening. He wasn’t sure if her genuine affection was provoking these urges… or tempering them. Perhaps an unholy combination of both.

Their respective duties took a fair amount of their time, but they found time to sneak away on these dates, enjoying one another’s company.

“So, last time, you said you thought the Underworld had potential. Have you given thought to that?” he asked. Who knows, maybe she would have a good idea, and it’d be far more helpful than anything his brothers or anyone else could ever suggest.

“Well, the souls are dead, right? But there are more definitions to life than the strict biological term."

“… Eh?” Hades asked with perplexity before she smiled and fed him another grape.

“I mean, if you reward some souls with a place where they could have a peaceful afterlife, then you'd have a kingdom that was more lively… in a manner of speaking. Philosophers, artists, scholars, kings, and even peasants who led good lives. They'd have you to thank for a comfortable afterlife. Imagine all the wisdom and creativity you'd have at your fingertips. No matter who they served in life, they end up in your hands."

“You know… I really wish I had thought of that eons ago when Zeus handed me this little pocket in the great big cosmos.” A scowl passed across his features.

“I get that. But this place still belongs in the cosmos. It serves a purpose, even if most deem it unpleasant.” She stroked her chin. “I know you had this place foisted on you, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t find a way to better it for yourself.”

“You know babe, I think you might be on to something there. You know what they say, sometimes it takes a fresh pair of eyes…”

Persephone giggled quietly at that, and a contented smile settled itself onto his face as he took another grape from her dainty hand.

o0o0o0o

Pain and Panic fluttered close by in the guise of birds, flying in a circle overhead before landing nearby and twittering cheerfully. Persephone turned to them and smiled.

“So what brings you here?” she asked, idly braiding some daisies into a rope.

“Our mighty lord asks if the next full moon is good,” Pain said, ruffling his feathers and looking quite adorable. Persephone smiled and lowered her hand, offering a finger for him to jump on. The full moon was in a couple of days. Fantastic. He probably had a moonlit stroll in mind… but sometimes a cliché could work quite well.

“Tell him I’ll be looking forward to it,” she said as she lightly petted Pain’s head. Panic fluttered to her knee, fluffing out his chest feathers, in a not-so-subtle display for attention. She laughed softly at that and petted the other bird as well.

Demons they might be, and more used to causing mischief than bringing joy, neither of them would object to a bit of kindness from their boss’s inamorata. They knew how vital it was to avoid Demeter’s notice, so they took extra care when they were deployed to the surface world for something related to Persephone. That was made all the easier when the goddess in question covered for them and even gave them treats.

Oh, she was a keeper. And it looked like Hades knew that, because it’d been over a year now and the relationship was still going strong, even if the couple still had to be quite discreet about it. There was no mistaking the joy and contentment in Hades’s eyes when his girlfriend was around. And if Persephone also happened to be nice to her boyfriend’s demon servants, all the better.

They fluttered around for a bit, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, and simply being able to relax for a little before Persephone quickly shooed them away.

“Mom’s coming. I can feel it.”

Pain and Panic needed no further explanation.

o0o0o0o

It warmed Demeter’s heart to see Persephone in the field, braiding a rope out of daisies as she often did when she was little. She sat next to her daughter as she looked around. As far as she could tell, her daughter hadn’t been up to mischief, but she couldn’t help but get a feeling sometimes that her daughter was hiding something from her.

“Did anything happen when I was gone?” Demeter asked, picking up several locks of her daughter’s long hair and starting to braid it, something else she had also done when her daughter was little.

“Frolicked with the nymphs. Made sure the flowers were blooming in season. Did some spinning and weaving?” Persephone asked.

“No trips to Olympus? Sneaking off to see a boy, perhaps?” she asked hopefully. She would have liked her daughter to remain a virgin goddess, and have the company of Athena, Hestia, and Artemis – women Demeter approved as role models. But on the other hand, if she had just the right son-in-law, the advantages of that were undeniable. Apollo. Triton. Even Ares.

“Mom!” Persephone said with a small laugh. “Apollo’s a meat-head.”

“True, but he is the God of the Sun and is a powerful natural force. You could keep him wrapped around your finger.”

Persephone laughed at that, and Demeter laughed with her.

o0o0o0o

It’d been a while since she saw Hades, so she was especially happy to see him, practically glomping him as he materialized out of the ether.

“Hey, babe,” Hades said with a grin as he looked down at her. “Someone seems quite glad to see me.”

“Am I that obvious?” she shot back teasingly.

“Hey, no complaints here. Being God of the Dead usually means that people aren’t happy to see me. And out of all the people that could be happy to see me, I’m glad it’s you.”

“Ah, you’re a sweet-talker,” she replied with a soft giggle. He smirked at that.

“I have one I am certain you will like,” Hades said, seeming quite confident in himself as he looked down at her. “You know what they say, chivalry is dead. I’m the God of the Dead, so I’d say I got chivalry in spades.”

She raised an eyebrow and let out a hum of appreciation. “Oh, that is a good one. The best one so far, I think. So since you have spades of it, will you bury me in chivalry?”

“What did you have in mind? A knight in shining armor? A troubadour strumming my lyre under your window? Saving you from a dragon?”

“Are you suggesting roleplay ideas?” she asked quietly, a playful lilt in her voice. He grinned at her and wiggled his eyebrows.

“I'm game if you are, sweetheart," he replied with a soft purr. She looked up at him, cupping the side of his face. The moonlight shone down on them, casting an ethereal glow that only served to enhance the mood.

She’d been having these little trysts with him, sneaking away with him when they could find the time away from their jobs, schedules, and prying eyes. A lot easier said than done given their opposing spheres of influence.

But these moments with Hades were totally worth it. She saw a side of him that no one else did, and it flattered her to know that he was sweet for her. He could be smarmy about it, but hey, she liked that bad-boy charm. Some of his lines could be quite amusing, or watching him deal with Zeus or the other gods when he was in a more feisty mood. Was he someone she could see a future with? She wasn't certain at first, but there was no denying that her feelings for him had intensified.

It would be an odd alliance. The God of the Dead and the Goddess of Spring. There would be plenty of gossip and speculation over that. But right now, she didn’t need to think of that, for there were more pressing matters. She looked at Hades, feeling his hand squeeze hers.

“Let’s pin that as something we’ll definitely try later,” she promised. Hades’s blue flames took on an edge of gold, and she smirked to herself. Despite all his flirting, innuendo, and teasing, he respected her boundaries. But oh, enforcing these boundaries was an ever-increasing struggle for her. “But for now…” Her hands slid up his arm. “what I want is you, Hades, mighty lord of the Underworld.”

“You have me,” he said, spreading out his hands in a welcoming gesture, wiggling his eyebrows.

“I'm glad to hear it because I intend to make good use of that," she said with a grin.

“You mean…”

“Oh, yes. I’m ready.”

At that, Hades’s flames burst high, becoming white-hot.

o0o0o0o

“Was it good for you?” Hades asked, doing his best to not sound too anxious when he asked that. He’d done his best to ensure her enjoyment, but there had been times he’d lost himself in his passion. It was damn impossible to not lose his mind over her.

“It was amazing,” she whispered as she tilted her face up to kiss his cheek, wrapping an arm around his middle reassuringly. “Trust me, I’m going to be wanting more of that.”

“All you have to do is ask.” His himation was draped across them both, and he pulled up the hem, tucking it around her shoulder to make sure she was warm. She gave out a contented hum and nestled her head against his shoulder. He buried his face in her hair, smelling like life itself. Sun-warmed earth, various flowers, and her natural scent, all rolled up in one delectable perfume. He hugged her closely, never wanting to let go.

After she cuddled with him for a bit, she started to wiggle against him firmly. A toothy grin spread across his face as he looked down at her. She batted her eyes at him.

“You’re such a minx,” he whispered hotly.

“Only for you.”

He ensured that she was well-rewarded for it.

o0o0o0o

In the Underworld, a place known for being devoid of life, a pomegranate tree appeared behind the palace.

“The heck?” Panic asked in surprise when he came across it on one of his rounds. It was so unexpected that for a moment, he wondered if he’d stumbled into the upper world somehow. But nope. It was a tree, in the Underworld.

“Are these safe to eat?” Pain asked as he looked up at the large, ripe fruits.

“They do look pretty damn tasty, though.”

“Should probably inform the boss first, though,” Pain pointed out. How Hades would react would be anybody’s guess, though. Nothing was ever supposed to grow in the Underworld, as Pain and Panic could attest through their centuries of service to Hades. The real question was whether or not Hades would see this as a good or bad thing.

Chapter Text

VI

o0o0o0o

All Persephone could do was shrug helplessly as she stood before the pomegranate tree. Its presence in the Underworld rattled Hades, although he tried to hide it from her.

She was just as rattled by it. The Underworld was essentially a world of its own, a dead one with only Hades and his demons and underlings as the living beings within it – although whether Charon and a few others were ‘living’ was up to debate.

Not only that, but each god had their sphere of influence. Gods might come into conflict, whether by accident or design. Gods were supposed to be wiser than humans, but even the immortals had their foibles. Such as Poseidon and Athena when they were fighting over a city, each of them claiming they had greater rights and glory. That'd been settled peacefully, but a rivalry remained between the two.

Persephone wasn’t mentioned much in mythology because she tended to stay out of arguments. Never did she think that she might somehow exercise undue influence in someone else’s domain. Her mind raced with possibilities as she walked a circle around the tree as Hades watched her.

“It’s real,” she confirmed. “Although not quite safe for mortals to eat.” She rested her hand on one of the fruits. “I think this happened when we…” She raised an eyebrow, fluttering her hand through the air in a seductive gesture.

“I’ll be damned,” he muttered. “I guess you really are special… but I’ve known that for a long time,” he added with a grin. “But does this mean I’m going to end up with a whole forest?”

“What are you- oh, you sly dog," she replied with a throaty laugh. "But it's still something I need to investigate. Mom emphasized the importance of keeping balance in the world, and I want to be sure that this tree isn't…" isn’t what? Something that shouldn’t exist? A breach somewhere in the cosmic balance?

And it wasn’t as if she could just run off to her mother and ask about this. Mom always told her that she could come to her with anything… but she’d managed to hide her relationship with Hades for over a year now. Despite the vast differences in the spheres they inhabited and influenced, she and Hades still found time for their dates and trysts. And why shouldn’t they? They were consenting adults who enjoyed one another’s company!

“Don't look so down about it, babe." She felt his fingers under her chin, and he gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll figure this out. I'll be honest, this is the best thing anyone's left here in the Underworld," he said, his smile fading as he recalled a past upset. He quickly straightened himself as he looked down at her.

Her heart fluttered as she looked up at him. Most people would think ‘homely’ was a kind word for Hades’s appearance, but she’d come to enjoy his looks. That sharp nose, the flame hair, the proud chin… it suited a mighty god who ruled over a realm all his own.

“I had Pain and Panic grab us some dinner,” Hades offered. “And then perhaps you’d like to spend the night…” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

“As luck would have it, Mom’s in Thessaly and I don’t expect her back for a few days, so…” The Underworld might be a cold place, but Hades was known as the Rich One, and his flames filled in the rest, figuratively and literally.

“Then come with me and enjoy my hospitality,” he replied with a playful growl. “You will be very… well-cared for.” There was no mistaking his intentions, and she smirked back at him.

“I don’t doubt that… given past experience.” She wiggled her shoulders.

“You know you’re playing with fire, right?” he shot back as he leaned down, invading her personal space in a way she welcomed. She lifted her hand, running it lightly across his scalp and feeling the pleasing tingle of his flames against her palm.

“You’ll make sure I don’t get burnt, right?” she whispered into his ear.

“Yes. But there will be plenty of heat nonetheless,” he shot back.

“I’ll be counting on you to keep me toasty.”

“I know I've said it before, but you're such a minx." He regarded her with a fond smile before it became devilish, and she let out a happy squeal as he scooped her into his arms.

o0o0o0o

Hades stretched out in bed, taking a satisfied drag off his cigar as Persephone dozed beside him, snug under a pile of blankets. Enjoyable as their first romp had been, he'd had the small but nagging fear that one of the other gods might come across them, but down here, he had all the privacy he needed. The last thing he needed was one of his nephews catching wind of this and redoubling their efforts to woo Persephone for themselves.

So far she’d managed to keep them at bay, using her mother as a smokescreen. Sometimes it rankled him to watch one of the other gods hit on Persephone, but then it pleased him to see her rebuff them, whether politely or firmly, and know that he was the main reason for it.

“You've made it so nice down here," she said. He smirked faintly at that. He could fill the palace with the best furs, the finest silks and velvet, piles of gold and silver, chests full of gemstones and baubles, but what good was any of that without someone who could sincerely enjoy what he had to offer?

“Eh, what's the wealth of the Underworld compared to your presence," he commented as she stretched her arms, and he heard a soft chuckle. "If you're hungry, I can heat up some of that food," he offered, flicking his fingers and forming a flame.

“After what we just did, I’m ravenous.”

“I like a girl with a healthy appetite.”

She sat up and looked over her shoulder at him, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation as he regarded her with a wolfish smirk. "Appetite? Look who's talking," she retorted. He grinned back at her unapologetically.

o0o0o0o

As any parent can attest, a toddler can be a real handful. When that small child is imbued with godlike strength, one can't blame Amphitryon and Alcmene for sometimes wondering if the gods had played a prank on them. Nonetheless, Alcaeus proved a joy once the couple learned how to help him put his strength to useful tasks. The old donkey could enjoy his rest as the little boy pulled the plow with the ease any child would a pull-along toy. He could draw and fetch as much water as his hard-working mother needed, and easily split logs for his appreciative father.

But as children grow, so does their potential for mischief and youthful obliviousness. Alcaeus wasn’t given over to the former very often, but the latter’s effects were compounded by his strength.

Some would consider it a shame that the child wasn't allowed back into Olympus for his taint of mortality, for there was no denying that Olympus would have borne the brunt of Hercules's strength better than the earth did. But away from the lofty realm of his birth parents, Alcaeus made mistakes and saw how they impacted his parents, neighbors, townsfolk, and so on.

To be sure, he still annoyed and frustrated people, but his sincere regret and efforts to make up for his mistakes made the townsfolk tolerate him for longer than they might have. The mighty son of Zeus would learn lessons down here that were not on the curriculum of the education of young Olympians.

o0o0o0o

Hades stood in the clearing behind his palace where the pomegranate tree grew. He tossed a pomegranate in his left hand, feeling the cool flesh of the fruit slap against his palm in a steady rhythm. There hadn’t been any more trees popping up despite the multiple times they enjoyed one another’s company. He had no reason to believe she was lying when she said that this was unintentional. But then, what did it mean?

Despite his confusion about it, the pomegranate tree had come to be a source of comfort for him. In this dead place, the deep hue of the fruit provided a splash of color in a place that only had somber or sickly shades. It reminded him that even if she wasn't with him physically, a part of her remained in the Underworld.

She was his dirty little secret… although the affair was a lot less tawdry than most would think. It wasn't shame that made them exercise caution, but pragmatism. That didn't mean he didn't want to shout it from the mountaintops now and then. All the crushes he'd had previously – Hera, Leuce, Aphrodite – paled before the Goddess of Spring. Behind that sweet face and innocent appearance lurked a mind that appreciated his wit and delighted in his unique charm.

He smirked as he dug the nail of his thumb into the pomegranate, peeling it back to reveal the cluster of seeds. Munching on them thoughtfully, he ruminated over his eventual lordship of the cosmos. The planets would align and he would wrest the crown of Olympus from his brother and enjoy some much-needed comeuppance of the golden child of the family. Just a handful of years remained. Oh yes. He chortled to himself as he popped several seeds into his mouth.

o0o0o0o

Persephone stepped into the golden sandals that were laid out for her before pulling on a robe. These trysts in the Underworld did not happen often, but Persephone had come to enjoy these forays down here. Oddly, she'd come to see this place as a haven, where she could recharge. Being the Goddess of Spring had its perks but also responsibilities, and down here, she didn't have to feel the constant pulse of life in the world.

“Do you need anything?” Pain asked as she stepped out of the bedroom. She smiled at him. “I thought I would stretch my legs a bit. But you know what, I think we could all use a nice hot cup of coffee, right? So why don't you go up and grab some breakfast for all of us?” She’d come to find the pair of demons endearing. They were cute in their own devilish – pun intended – way, and sometimes they helped provide the distractions that kept Mom busy and ignorant of her daughter’s dalliances with the God of the Dead.

“Right away, ma'am!" Pain replied with a flourish. She smiled as she roamed the halls, and made her way through a doorway previously unseen to a room that felt small despite its generous dimensions. She explored a bit more of the palace every time she came here, sometimes she rose before Hades did. Even down here with no mornings, she still found herself getting up early out of habit.

‘Don’t go swimming in, or drink from any of the rivers or other bodies of water here,’ was one of the first rules Hades had taught her. She’d been careful to follow the guidelines her host set for her, however curious she might be. She wasn’t going to be like Pandora and unleash a bunch of trouble upon herself much less others.

That said, Hades told her to remain within the palace unless he was at her side. And this was well within bounds, wasn’t it?

There were no lamps in here but enough light came through the doorway for her to see ledges with various treasures on them. She puzzled over it for a moment before she realized that these were Hades's tributes.

Mortals offered tributes to appease the gods and to have their prayers granted, though for many, it was about respect. Mom didn't care much for gold, so many of her offerings came from the harvest, with an occasional animal. Zeus on the other hand… his tribute collection might as well be a trophy collection. The mightiest kings in Greece paid him tribute and erected grand temples in his name. Quite a few of the other gods or goddesses had their own collection of impressive tributes. She'd seen some of the tributes Apollo had gotten, he had a pretty damn good thing going with his oracle at Delphi.

And what did Hades get? There wasn't much the God of the Dead could grant. He couldn't make people fall in love. He couldn't make it rain or make the earth issue its bounty. Nor could he offer a crown for any earthly kingdom. So there wasn't much reason to pray to him, much less make offerings.

She looked around at the dark, sparse space. No wonder Hades had this tucked away in some long-lost corner of the palace. There were a few things the God of the Dead might offer… if he was in a good enough mood. And from the looks of it, that didn’t happen often.

Her eyes adjusted to the darkness as her gaze moved along the offerings he'd kept. Gold, gemstones, and items that were of great wealth to mortals were cast aside here like a discarded toy. A dull gleam in the corner caught her eye. It laid flat on the surface, so she reached for it, tilting it upward to get a better view of it, blinking a couple of times and furrowing her eyebrows in shock and confusion as she recognized Zeus's cloud-and-lightning bolt insignia on one side, seeing the name Hercules emblazoned on the other.

She remembered seeing baby Hercules chewing on it when she and her mother went to Hera and offered their congratulations and well-wishes.

She wasn't supposed to know about 'Alcaeus', but the child eventually attracted Demeter's notice due to the inevitable whispers about the child's strength. But she was nice enough to ensure that the valley was kept fertile so that the child could grow up with relative ease. It was bad enough the poor child had his immortality taken away from him, so Demeter was doing this as a favor for her sister and brother-in-law, so they would not need to worry about Hercules or his adoptive parents going hungry.

Alcaeus. Hercules. She stared at the golden disk again. What was it doing down here, in the Underworld

“Persephone? Hey, where are you, breakfast is here! I got a couple of these goat cheese and egg breakfast wraps you like so much,” she heard Pain cheerfully call out.

“Here," she called out without thinking before the cool sensation of the disk in her hand sent a jolt through her. Her mind tried to work out possible scenarios for Hercules's token to be down here. Had some mortal come across it and offered it to Hades in exchange for having a prayer answered? Considering Hades's bitter relationship with his brother, Persephone would not put it past him to be petty enough to hold onto it. Yeah… yeah, that made sense, didn't it?

But if that was the case, then perhaps whoever had found it knew what happened to Hercules, what sort of malevolent force could part a mighty son of Zeus from his godhood. In that case, shouldn’t she advise Hades to do the right thing? Something that could threaten the son of Zeus could threaten any other god…

The demons bounded into sight with a couple of bags of the finest the Greek fast food breakfast menu had to offer. "What are you doing down here? No one besides Hades uses this wing…" Pain chattered cheerfully before he froze, seeing what was in her hand.

They quickly straightened themselves, but there was no mistaking the shock – and fear – on their faces as they recognized Hercules's gold medallion.

“So… how did this end up in your boss’s hands?” Persephone asked in a deceptively calm voice.