Here I am with another update! ;D
To my most recent reviewer, 'Let's find the dam snack bar', I wanted to say two things! One, I freaking love your username! XD And number two, wish granted!
Well. They'd all be lying if they said they didn't see this coming. With Perseus being raised in Atlantis and Thalia on Olympus, it seemed only fair that Hades be granted the same notion. So when he'd revealed his single son, Nicholas, was still alive, Zeus really couldn't complain- especially when he had his own demigod daughter asleep in palm. It was yet another solstice, Summer, with Percy just a few months short of a year and Thalia reaching six months that day.
Hades revealed his so Nicholas- or Nico, as his mortal love had become fond of calling him- was still quite alive and well. He'd been stashed away in a magical casino, the Lotus Hotel. While his mother had died long ago- at Zeus's hand, not to mention- the child had remained safe there, aging ever so slowly, for eighty years. Grudgingly he had to allow Hades the same privilege, on the condition that Nico must be socialized with all gods, also granting his father access to Olympus whenever he so pleased as long as Nico was there as well. Of course, Zeus's policies were the least of Hades worries. Not only did he have to put up with his wife's complaining, but his sister as well.
"Still after all this time he hasn't remained loyal! I told you he'd make a lousy husband! You couldn't have married a nice water spirit? Or we could have fixed you up with one of those lovely satyrs- now there's a creature that can appreciate nature. Too scrawny though… they should eat more cereal!"
"Mother!" Persephone cried. "Please, not this, not right now."
"Well, when then?!" snapped the goddess. "You need a real husband- I'm sure if I spoke with Pan-"
"Sister!" Hades wasn't known for his patience. "I've just about had enough of this!"
"Well I'm not done!" she sniffed. "And pomegranates… such messy fruits. If you plan to force someone into staying somewhere, at least choose a food that won't stain your chiton!"
"Sister!"
"Mother!"
A whimpering sound stopped the argument short. Nico lay nearby in an obsidian cradle, wrapped in black silk blankets. He'd been enjoying a nap, but the bickering had interrupted him.
The baby, about three months old, as far as his current physical state went, opened his soulful black eyes, though innocent and doey with infancy. Gurgling curiously, he managed to sit up and grip the edges of his cradle, looking around at them curiously.
"Well… I suppose he is rather cute."
"Cute?!" hissed Demeter at her daughter. "He's the spawn of your so-called husband and some mortal woman!"
"Yes." Persephone admitted sadly, sending a tired glance at Hades, who avoided her eyes at all costs. "But… well, look at his eyes." She stood from her chair and silently walked across the room, robes swishing as she went. "They have that look in them… like the new fawns I would play with as a child."
The baby stared at Persephone curiously, blinking his wide eyes at her. A small smile crossed her lips. She could hardly blame him, after all… especially when he extended his arms toward her expectantly, fists still clenched in the reflexive way babies do, though his point got across just fine. "Oh don't you even-"
She picked him up. She had to admit, the three month old tot actually fit quite well in her arms, knees tucked against his stomach as she held him against her chest, head on her shoulder and arms folded to his chest. He gurgled appreciatively to her, nuzzling her neck. She met her mother's glare with. Glare of her own. "Oh mother, really. He's sweet."
"He's the spawn of-"
"Mine." Persephone insisted sharply. "He will be mine. He can't be held responsible for his father's mistakes." She walked closer to her parent. "Look at this face- this innocent child's face that has done nothing to wrong you- and tell me that you hate him." She shoved the baby into her mother's arms.
At first, her face lit up in rage… until he smiled his innocent, gummy smile and giggled at her, reaching his hands up toward her fed. "Well, I…" it was only made more irresistible when he yawned suddenly, rubbed his face in the clumsy way that infants' do, and decided to continue his nap on his grandmother/aunt's lap.
Demeter sighted. "Alright. Perhaps he's just a bit cute."
Persephone beamed. She'd always wanted a child, but Zeus forbid any more 'underworld spawn' whether they be demigod or not millennia ago. She supposed little Nico would do. She took the baby back from her mother, crsdling him close. He stirred slightly but didn't wake, taking a fistful of Persephone's robes in one hind. She smiled tenderly and pressed her lips to his forehead.
"You're quite the charming little one, you know that?" the goddess of spring could already feel her love for him blossoming in her heart.
There you go! I know, a bit short, but this was all the longer I could make this scene. Please review! To everyone that reviewed the last chapter, think you!