Persephone had only been gone for three hours, but her mother was already frantic. Demeter had told her daughter to meet under the oak in the meadow at the sun's peak, yet she was nowhere to be found. Demeter called out Persephone's name desperately – where could she be? After scouring the meadow and surrounding forest she fell on her hands and knees to the ground. She pressed her palms into the damp grass and concentrated as hard as she could. Being an earth goddess provided special privileges such as this. Demeter expanded her very soul into the ground and felt the earth's warmth as it quickly spread miles wide. She could feel every plant down to its roots, every step of the wild deer, even the tiniest source of life she felt. But none of these were what she was looking for. Finally she felt the light footsteps of her daughter; she must be near the lake. After securing Persephone's location Demeter set off into the forest.

Persephone couldn't understand why this lake was forbidden to her. It was so beautiful and serene; the towering trees provided cool shade and delicate beams of sunlight, and the small waterfall only relaxed Persephone. She sat under a large willow tree with branches that acted as a curtain. Under the tree she was hidden and felt shielded from the rest of the world. Yes, she would definitely have to come here more often. She would just have to make sure that her mother would never –

"Persephone!" Demeter called. Persephone groaned. She hadn't even been gone that long! It wasn't as if she had been kidnapped or anything; she simply wanted to explore. Not that mother would understand. Persephone emerged from under the tree and prepared to face Demeter's wrath.

"I'm here, mother."

"Persephone! What on earth are you doing here? Do you not realize that you were supposed to meet me in the meadow hours ago?" Demeter ensnared her daughter in a too-tight hug, as if she hadn't seen her in years, not hours.

"I wasn't gone that long; I just – "

"No more. It's done. Let's go now."

Demeter took Persephone's hand in a firm grip and purposefully left the quiet lake. Persephone remained silent, lost in her thoughts.

Well, at least I had freedom for a little while.

Hades pinned the girl to the wall roughly before brutally crushing his lips against hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck as both of their breathing became more labored. She let her hand trace the contours of his shoulders and chest and sighed when he moved his lips to her neck. He was only a second away from throwing her on the lounge when they were interrupted by the almost song-like voice of Aphrodite herself.

"Well you two have certainly hit it off, haven't you?" she asked, leaning against the doorframe. Hades glared at her for a moment before sighing exasperatedly.

"You may go," he said to the blushing girl. She ran from the room, avoiding eye contact with the goddess of love.

Aphrodite shut the door behind her and lounged on the divan by the fireplace, twirling a lock of her hair absentmindedly. Hades crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, waiting for whatever she had to say. She was silent for a few moments before beckoning him to join her. He took a seat across from her and continued glaring until she spoke.

"I didn't interrupt anything now, did I?" she asked innocently. She laughed teasingly at the look Hades gave her. "Don't be so angry, Hades. She's a stupid nymph. She'll come back to you the second you call her. 'Oh my Lord Hades, it is such an honor to please you!' I believe she said?"

"What do you want, Aphrodite?" he asked, trying his best to hide his grin at her impression.

"What, I'm not Ditey anymore? I had become rather fond of that nickname…" she lost herself in memories for a moment before realizing herself and continuing. "I just wanted a chat, that's all. Is that too much to ask? Are you too busy for your Ditey now?"

"The girl didn't really matter anyway; I just needed a distraction," Hades leaned back in his chair. "So yes, I have time for you. What is it that you need?"

"Oh a distraction? That's all you're looking for?"

"Yes, Aphrodite. That's all."

She averted her eyes under his piercing gaze and composed herself before speaking again. The same memories were flashing through both of their minds, but they knew it wise not to speak of them.

"Anyways, I came to deliver this."

She held out a gold envelope sealed with Demeter's crest. Hades was about to open it when Aphrodite spoke again.

"It's an invitation to Demeter's garden party," she sat up defensively when Hades raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't look at me like that! I didn't read yours! I got my own thank you very much! You're insufferable, you now that?"

Hades smirked as he read through the invitation. He looked up questioningly when he felt Aphrodite's gaze.

"I was just thinking how I don't have a date for this little party," she sighed, returning to her lounging position.

"Your husband, perhaps?" Hades offered.

"Hephaestus hates these sort of things."

"Ares?"

"Come now, Hades. No one with an ounce of dignity takes their lover to a party. It spoils the fun too. What's the point of an affair if it's no longer secret?"

"Oh believe me, Aphrodite, you and Ares are no secret," his smirk returned at her childish pout. He decided to indulge her for once. "Would you consider accompanying me perhaps?"

She leapt off the lounge and planted a firm kiss on Hades' cheek, smiling the whole time.

"I would love to," she practically sang.

Hades watched her as she left the room. Yes they had a bit of rocky history together, but that didn't mean they couldn't attend a party together as friends. He only hoped that Aphrodite would see it that way.

"Nymph?" he called. The girl appeared seconds later. Hades lay her on the lounge previously occupied by Aphrodite and continued from where they'd left off.

Author's Note

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story! The Hades/Persephone romance has always been fascinating to me and I'm so excited to explore it as a writer. Reviews are always appreciated!