AN: In case anyone is wondering, this story can be found on Quotev as well. No copyright infringements have occurred. Just an author broadening her opportunities.
And I don't own any of the characters being written about. Sadly.
Two young goddesses lay on their stomachs side by side, two large flower baskets full to the brim at their feet. The arc of the meadow was beautified by the shimmering sunlight, which the trees shielded the pair from. Artemis was one of Persephone's only companions; being so far away from all the other gods even after her forced time into the dismal Underworld with her captor, Hades. But if anything, that caused her mother to be even more adamant of her distance from the other Gods. That fiasco aside, Persephone was elated to spend time with one of her only friends. And the day was turning out to be perfectly fruitful, along with well-deserved time away from her mother.
"Apollo still won't give up. He keeps sending you gifts even though your mother usually burns them," Artemis chortled, casting a shrewd look to the spring goddess, who simply sighed, propping herself upon her elbows.
"Is he not afraid of Hades? It's common knowledge that I'm to be betrothed to him, after all. Zeus even conspired with him." After a long, scrutinizing look from the huntress, she reluctantly relented, "Alright. I overheard him speaking to mother. They weren't planning on telling me anyway, so I had to have other means," she shrugged, earning a chortle from her friend.
"So you eavesdropped. Pity Demeter still haven't seen sense- You would have been much better off had she allowed my brother to court you. Would have done him a great too, seeing as all the dolt used to think of were anything with a pretty face," Artemis scoffed, but her words had elicited a tiny laugh from the vegetation goddess, whose hands were occupied guiding an ailing plant into flourishing, taking innocent delight into the task.
"Oh, please. You know Apollo would still bed anything with a pulse, Artemis," Persephone scoffed lightly, fluffing her chestnut hair without disrupting the flowers artfully woven into them by the other deity.
The twin of said god shook her head slightly, propping herself up by the elbows. "He's changed since your abduction. He wouldn't allow Helios to shine, Persephone. Your demise changed him."
Persephone sighed once more, toying with the thought for just the slightest second. "I didn't know that. You see, mother tends to keep things from me. But at this point, I'd rather be wed to Ares than Hades. At least then I could flourish in the sun, like I'm supposed to."
"Besides," The younger of the pair continued, a secretive smile flashing in the direction of the huntress, "Since when do you ever see the best of your brother, Artemis?" An eyebrow arched, Persephone folded her arms, waiting for an answer from the fiery goddess of hunt.
Which she soon got.
"Since I decided I would not let the best thing to ever happen to him just slide away. All of Olympus knows of his treacherous rendezvouses, like that daft Daphne he was cursed to fall in love with and oh father, Hyacinthus who was turned into a damned flower I'd eat for breakfast by Hades," Artemis scoffs derisively.
Brow still quirked, Persephone's expression turned to one of disbelieving. "So you've been forcing him to send me gifts in hopes of our nuptials to occur? You do realize that there is no hopes of that after all? I'm to be wed to Hades, not Apollo," she finishes firmly, a stern look set in stone onto her usually serene features.
Artemis bristled, but did not falter, instead shooting back her own cool reply, "Darling, I never force my brother to do anything, he does whatever he pleases. Were we not friends, I would have driven an arrow through your heart just for Apollo to shut his mouth about you. Like I said, he's quite taken with you and maybe if your mother were to not cage you like an animal and control your every move, you'd be wed to Apollo and not taken hostage by that rogue, sullen Hades. You'd be happier, and with children." As Artemis finished, Persephone fell unusually silent.
"She just wants what's best for me, Artemis," Persephone starts quietly after a lingering silence, her hand fisting around a small patch of grass, which regrew in any case from the vegetation goddess's touch. Lip caught between her teeth, she turns to look at the huntress, emerald hues glistening without their usual passion. "But she doesn't realize it's not what I want."
A distant call caused both young deities to start, but soon relaxed at the familiar voice of Demeter. "I should be going," Persephone nods curtly to her friend, making to stand, her basket of flowers in tow. "Until later, Artemis."
A tiny smile for the goddess of wilderness and the springtime deity was gone, swallowed by the endless growth of brambles and bushes, leaving Artemis there, alone.