I have to say, so far, my favorite pairing of all time is Persephone/Hades. I never get tired of reading other people's versions of the story and when I got into a roleplay with a friend of mine. This is what came from it. This story is written by both Liyorah and I (you should read her stuff. but not mine. mine sucks.) though I edited it myself and did a bit of rearranging for clarity for the reader. I hope you enjoy our take on the story! I already have several chapters finished and will upload them over time. The story will progress as we have it!

And, yes. This is rated MA and for good reason. Sexuality is mentioned and is written out so if it makes you squeamish, I would recommend against you reading it (that includes rape). This is a romance, a love story and explores both side of the story. It is our own take on the story as well as exploring... our (Liyorah and my) interests. It is somewhat accurate in relation to the myths but the timeline is altered a bit as well as some other changes. Thus, it is not completely accurate. We do our best but we also like to play around with it.

Hope you enjoy and please review!

We may just take some interest in what you have to say for ideas into our story. We both love ideas and I can tell you that for sure... what we have planned for the future... damn, I personally can't wait to write it out. So stay with us and enjoy!

(oh. and. I know it isn't "toga" but I am too lazy to go through and change it.)

Chapter One

The Maiden and Death

Persephone

Persephone looked up at her mother, blue eyes wide as she nodded her head over and over. "Mhm… yes… yes, Mama… I understand. I do." She smiled so prettily at the taller Goddess… so lovingly, that Demeter's expression changed from sternness to coddling.

"I worry," Demeter said, brushing back the red locks of Persephone. "You are my only Kore – I'd rather not be parted from you, darling," Persephone leaned into the touch, their eyes connecting for a moment.

"It's just for a little while, yes?"

Demeter nodded, feeling something tighten in her throat. "Yes… but it is the first time you have not come with me."

"You said I did not have to, remember, Mama?"

Demeter sighed. Persephone was still fifteen – just a child. Whatever had possessed her to allow her daughter to stay home alone? She clearly wasn't ready. "I just…"

"I'll be fine!" Persephone giggled, taking the hand her mother had splayed in her hand and linking both sets of slender fingers together. "A few days and then everything will be as it was. And you'll be back in time for my birthday – I just do not want to travel, Mama," In reality, those festivals were the most boring things in all three realms. She was just so glad she didn't have to witness them again.

Demeter leaned down to press her lips against her daughter's forehead, holding her there tightly for a moment. "Do you remember my rules?" Persephone's brows furrowed, one side of her lip curling upward, as if already planning on breaking them… and feeling guilty for it. "Persephone!" Demeter, who rarely used her daughter's actual name, snapped and took her hand back to firmly grip the younger Goddess's chin.

"I remember," Persephone sighed.

"Repeat them, then." Her mother's green eyes had gone cold and Persephone looked down at her feet.

"Do not leave the valley under any circumstances. Do not invite anyone into the valley. Go inside after dark and do not leave till sunrise." Persephone glanced towards their little cottage. Demeter was a strange Goddess, Aphrodite had once told her. All other Gods lived in the lap of luxury at all times. Demeter preferred everything simple, with no help whatsoever.

"And if I find you've broken any of them..." Demeter said coldly, gripping Persephone's chin tighter till her daughter met her gaze once more. "You'll not forget the lashing you'll receive. Am I understood?"

"Mama, I am not a child…"

"Kore," Demeter's gaze was set in stone.

"Yes, understood. Very much," The Earth Goddess released her daughter.

"Good." Her face softened. "I'll be back. I love you."

"I love you too," Persephone muttered, her good mood at having a bit of independence very much so ruined.

Demeter clucked her tongue. "Don't frown so, Kore – it just continues to prove to me just how much of a child you are." Petting her daughter's hair once more, she bestowed one last kiss on the red locks, before turning towards her chariot. The sleek, brown horses gave a kick as Demeter seated herself in. "Only a few weeks, love! Behave!" And with a cluck of her tongue, Demeter was gone. Once her mother had disappeared, Persephone plopped to the ground.

"Treats me like a baby," she muttered, resting her head against the top of her knees. "Worries too much." Persephone did not see herself as a child. She saw herself quite grown up. In reality though… in reality, Persephone had been shielded from absolutely anything and everything that could harm her. It had mostly been just her and her mother her entire life. Persephone knew nothing of pain, of want, of jealousy… yet she had also missed courting and sharing and selflessness. She grew up vain, silly, defiant, and stupid, inherently good, yes. Kind, sweet, gentle, playful, a light really in all places dark – something that inspired love, protection, affection… but she was still unable to hold back childish wants, to stop tantrums before they started. Most importantly, Persephone found it hard to think for others. She had not grown up entirely on Demeter, though. No… sometimes, the goddesses Aphrodite, Artemis, and rarely Athena, would come to play with her… but that did not take away the ache of living such a… meaningless life. It did not make her stop desiring the company of others. It made her… lonely. So… lonely.

Raising her head up, she glanced at the midday sun. Why did she need to be confined? Why couldn't she have her own adventures? Prove to Mama that she was an adult… and that she should be allowed to do as she willed? It didn't seem fair and it didn't seem right that she was forced to keep her head in the metaphorical 'sand'. (Artemis had just taught her that phrase and Persephone simply loved it!)

Persephone stood, her hands on her slender hips, nodding her head sharply. With not even ten minutes since her mother had left, Persephone had already gotten over her 'moral conflict' of disobedience… and the fear of the repercussions. No one would ever know if she decided to leave the valley.
Besides… she was only going a few miles out to grab a pomegranate. It would be fine.

Hecate

Hecate smoothed down her slick black locks, green eyes trying to focus on the small pool in front of her. The Goddess dipped her hands in once more, finding the situation to be almost impossible… or at least very difficult. Aphrodite had given her so little information on when the girl, this… Persephone would be outside of Demeter's carefully bundled nest. All the Goddess of Love (the airhead that she was) had said was that Persephone was sure to ignore her mother's will and leave the valley sometime today. And really, Aphrodite hadn't even bothered to give a detailed description. The job was ridiculous, in all aspects, in Hecate's mind. To even think of breaching Demeter's domain, to spy upon it, even to enter without invitation, was ludicrous, which was why she had to wait. The Earth Goddess, if wanting to remain hidden, remained completely and utterly hidden.

But that certainly did not mean the areas outside the valley of Gaia were unreachable, Quite the contrary. If it had been… well, Hecate would have been, as mortals tended to say 'out of luck'. The areas outside of Gaia's, now Demeter's, domain were easy to breach, yes, but there was plenty of places to look… and to keep looking, unable to lock in one direct place? It was certainly draining upon even the Witch's magic.

Perhaps one of the most powerful Titannesses before, Hecate had lost a good portion of power during the Titanomachy – it was penance. Penance for what, the Goddess would never understand. She had fought alongside the Olympians, but was punished alongside the Titans. Perhaps Zeus feared one day she would have risen against them if he had allowed her to keep all her magic. Was Zeus didn't understand was that Hecate did not want to rule. Anything. In fact, she could have been ruling the Underworld alongside Hades if she wished, but… that? That sounded horrid.

She found ruling much like marriage: a tie down. It was something that stole your freedom. It was a man's world, Hecate understood, if not a bit bitterly. If she had been Queen, whether of the Heavens or of the Underworld, her submission would be required. Even if she ruled alone, there would be far too many men challenging her iron fist – it would make the day-to-day life difficult. Thinking back to marriage, Hecate thought of Hades. She knew him possibly better than anyone. She was certainly better than the so-called 'family' of his, the ones who tried to excommunicate him whenever possible. And what she knew was that Hades needed a wife – someone to make his brooding life even a bit less lonely. Hecate had realized that he should have had one long ago. Although a ruler of Darkness, Hades did have his pick of the lot. He was the wealthiest God – wealthier than Zeus and Poseidon combined. He ruled over the gems of the Earth, the iron, everything vain women wanted… Goddesses like Aphrodite, Iris, hundreds of nymphs, and even Hera before wed, had wanted to be his queen. But they weren't what he needed. And Hecate had made that clear when advising him. Hades didn't need a plotter, didn't need someone sly with ulterior motives. He needed innocence and kindness, submissiveness, tenderness. He needed someone he could take care of. And really, the way Aphrodite had explained this girl, it seemed a perfect match.

But Aphrodite, Hecate thought bitterly, was an idiot. This was probably a waste of all their time.

And just in that moment, upon the waving waters of the bowl, a figure appeared. Hecate immediately directed her magic to follow. The Goddess of Witchcraft's eyes widened. What a… dear, dumb, sweet thing. Short, very short, possibly from growing up without ambrosia. She had long, curled red hair; tan, yet creamy skin… petite. If they were getting into sex, Hecate studied… the girl was very tiny with small curves; round, cup-able, small breasts; and hips large enough for childbearing. A woman, yes, but in such of a way of innocence, Hecate assumed darkly, Hades would want to just eat her up. She looked like a giggly piece of glass, Hecate summarized. The Goddess watched the girl's full lips, button nose, blue eyes, immediately finding that she wanted to croon. It wasn't just appearance, though. The way she moved… the way she chattered to random animals she saw on her way, or plucked flowers carelessly, the way she tripped, picked her self up, only to trip again? She seemed to just ooze light-heartedness. And everything Hecate had wanted for Hades.

And then, just like that, Hecate realized Aphrodite's ulterior motive. Aphrodite must have assumed someday Persephone would be discovered… and to keep the child trapped under ground meant less competition. A victory for Aphrodite then, Hecate thought, because she couldn't care less. Persephone… at least from a glance, would be what the Underworld needed. And if Hecate assumed wrong, which she never did… at least Hades wouldn't be quite so bored for the afternoon.

Focusing one last burst of her magic upon the bowl, she let the image follow Persephone, as the young Goddess finally seated herself under the pomegranate tree. Now, she just needed Hades to find this. And what if he happened to come into his study because Hecate requested it, only to find Hecate not there?

Well, it was just fate then, the Goddess of Witchcraft thought with a smile, leaving the room with a soft click of the doors.

Hades

Hecate, more than anyone else, watched out for him though the god of the dead would disagree that he needed any sort of protection or aid: the eldest of the Olympian gods, who ruled the depths of the earth that was the realm of the dead. None but those deceased tread there. Those who did and were not as thus, could only be his fellow gods who came far and between and those who sought to steal what belonged to him alone. One couldn't really call the depths of his realm "dark" per say, but it was completely devoid of any sort of life outside of the fields of Asphodel and Elysium. It was almost as if it could stretch on forever. A place of terrible suffering, sorrow, and longing... but death wasn't also a terrible thing. It was sleep, eternal and never changing - but for those who led a good life? Well, the god of the dead did not set aside Tartarus for them.

And life moved on above the earth - he rarely left the dark depths of his realm but rather the residence of that black throne was nearly constantly held. There was such weariness upon that immortal face, the lines about his eyes and on his brow. His lips were in a thin, hard line, not betraying even the barest hint of a smile nor any other emotion. Yet, his hand lifted, brushing over his cheeks and mouth before he tilted his head to the side as if listening to something no one else could hear.

"Why do we loathe Hades more than any god, if not because he is so adamantine and unyielding?"

His lips curled in a hint of a humorless smile, his dark eyes seeming to take on only a flicker of life. And yet, as he moved, his eyes flickered upwards. "Ah, my lovely Hecate," he breathed, exhaling as his fingers brushed in front of his eyes. "How rare for you to call on me. And in such a peculiar way." But, he leaned forward, standing and stepping down from the throne he sat upon. Here where he ruled, no man, let alone god, wished to tread. Not willingly, at least. He had wondered that himself sometimes, why he would stand as god here (though the fates decreed he would by the drawing of lots). One who was so feared by mortal man would never utter his name. However, as he opened the door of his study and stepped inside, it was not Hecate he found. No, rather, he closed his eyes and went still, lips parting only a fraction. This scent that only belonged in the realm above was warmth that seemed to kiss his cool flesh, warm on his face. It was alive here, but it was not here in the underworld that he found the sweet taste of the springtime. Rather, his eyes opened and he lifted his hand to touch the air that surrounded him. So different, so warm it made his heart ache.

Hecate was playing her games. His pale lips curled into a frown that lingered only for a moment. The green fields alive with grasses and flowers, trees dotting the landscape upon the pool of water before him. The sky was blue and the wind sweet. However, as his eyes swept over what had been presented to him, he paused then felt his attention focus upon one who too occupied this space. She was unknown to him utterly - something that should not be. No, this could be no mortal, and with that his breath rushed from his lungs so forcibly it stung. A woman, young and filled with the vibrancy of life, hair like fire and skin like milk. His heart caught itself, thudding hard in his breast until it rose to his throat. The pounding, he could hear it in his ears as he moved forward a fraction, towards the young maiden whose slender body curled beneath the pomegranate tree envisioned on the pool. Blood rushed through his body, making him hot even as it flooded his loins in sudden irritation. She had a supple, slender body and fine breasts that peaked from the soft fabric of her clothing. She had the hips of a woman and fine thighs that formed down to her legs. The curve of her smooth neck, those eyes alight with happiness, innocence... that mouth! Rosy and sweet, pulled into a smile that made him weak. A beauty, such a thing that he had no idea existed! His desire peaked and it made his head spin. Hecate was showing him this woman; it was an open invitation. Who she was he wanted to know. He wanted the beautiful doll that curled her self in the shadows of the tree.

But for him? Such a creature needed the sun on her skin, the sky sparkling in her eyes, and breath of the earth in her lungs. To bring her down to the realm of the dead would diminish that life that flooded her ripe body, the body of a woman - yet young and virginal to the world. He thanked and cursed Hecate at the same time. His indecision was rising. He could have wed long before, but it was that goddess who convinced him against it. The goddesses who would have had him, given him what he desired. But now this young woman was presented to him and at last, all of his uncertainty melted away. That light, it belonged in the depths of his realm. The warmth he craved, to taste that sweet flesh that now had only been kissed by the sun.

He wanted her. All of her.

Tearing his eyes away, he pulled the door open and slammed it behind him. A figure came up behind him, pale and noble in his own right, urgent in his attempt to get his lord's attention. He ignored him, rather flicking his wrist out and shouting his order to keep his duties on hold... the usual whenever he left. Cerberus bowed down submissively to its master to allow him to pass though its tail waved frantically behind it, his chariot and its dark horses waiting before him, always ready for its master. To the realm above, a place that was not accepting of such a presence. But that no longer mattered. Instead, as the black steeds pounded over the ground, his mind focused on only one thing. Who was she? Why had she been hidden from him? Why... why had she been shown to him now? But, as the light of the day came to his eyes, he closed them, shielding them with his hand. The grass swayed around him, brushing at his long dark clothing that hung from broad shoulders. She was nearby; he could feel it in the earth beneath his feet. The grass he touched began to wither so he went forward, not wishing to destroy what was precious here. He knew better than that.

Hades that pedo.