Hades
—
I hadn't seen Athena in months. It felt like it'd been forever watching her red-cheeked face become viscous. Her eyes welled with anger. She was strong. Proud and powerful she stood before me. How I hated the look in her eyes. The disgust of me being Hades, ruler of the underworld. God of the dead. She didn't agree with what I did, as if I had a choice. She seemed glad to know the gates were between us. Though when the moon rose and everyone slept, she was glad to have a friend. The Gods were asleep. Even we needed it. But Athena, not her. She was always awake. She stood before the gates, waiting and watching Earth. I slowly rose from the underworld. I was back at the place I'd left. The grasslands of Earth. I looked around, making sure no one could see me. I started to walk to the gates of Olympus. They were right above Earth. A place for all gods to live, now except for my brothers and I. I finally reached the gates were Athena now say elegantly. She was watching still. As always in the same spot every night.
"Hello, Athena.," I spoke. She never looked up at me. I sat on the other side, trying to get to her eye level.
"Hello, Hades." She had spoken softly. Her usually harsh, powerful voice now calm and sweet. I tried to look upon Earth as she does. As if I could protect it myself. Take her place for a moment and show her I could do it. But I knew I could never. I only took life, really protecting other from the sick, damaged, and wrongful thinking humans.
"You look amazing in the moonlight," I whispered. She finally looked up at me. Her chartreuse green eyes lighting up. She only smirked.
"You say that every night you meet me here Hades. It's not going to work."
"You say that now, but here you are, smiling at me." She snapped her lips shut, giving me a look. Her beauty was more remarkable than Aphrodite. Her raven black hair fell over her shoulders lightly, showed she was calm. Nothing would happen now. "May I?" She thought for a moment.
"You may..." she spoke as she slowly opened a gate for me. I scooted over next to her comfortably. She was tense now, nervous about what I might do. Athena and I went through this every night. She was just being cautious though. Today was the start of something different. A new feeling welled in my chest. It wasn't anger, it wasn't anxiety. It was something completely new.
"May I speak to you about something?" I finally asked, catching her a bit off guard. She finally nodded, continuing her survey of the land below us. "Why not marry me? We both know I love you. If you don't love me, why do you and I feel this way when we see one another?" Her cheeks reddened.
"As if you'd ever know of my love. You gave it up for the Underworld. I gave you up for Olympus. I still...love you Hades. You were always my love. Even before betrothal. But you chose what you wanted." She finally spoke after a moment. It wasn't like she'd hesitated. She'd just, chosen her words carefully. I nodded.
"Thank you." I hadn't fully chosen. It was my duty. Born to the Underworld, born to the dead. Riches and all. I hadn't known anything else. I don't regret it. I cant.
"May I ask something now?" Her voice was low and she finally looked at me, completely. Attention no longer for Earth, but for what I'd say next. I nodded. "Would you let me sleep..? On your shoulder? Or on your lap? I haven't slept in ages. I just...I miss that." She practically whispered.
"Always. I will watch over Earth till sunrise for you." She nodded and sat in my lap. Athena rested her head on my right shoulder, letting her hair fall lightly around her face. She was stunning and she never even meant to. Her breathing started to slow down and fall into a rhythm. How I wished every night was like this. Holding her so she could finally sleep. Nothing ever happened at night. Death yes, but...not tonight. Tonight was for Death. For Athena.
—
I'm sorry it's kind of a short one. I know what I want for this book for the most part. I really love the dynamic these two have. In love, hating their choices, spiteful towards one another, yet the most comfortable around each other. More to come. The name means Night in Greek.
- Honey
