Hades grinned in satisfaction as his wife lay beside him. "Hades, wipe that grin off your face, now."
"Yes my dearest."
Hades continued to grin, much like the Cheshire cat. Persephone lay beside him, eyes closed, hair mussed, the black satin sheets wrapped around their torsos. Laying his palm flat against the side of her face, Hades smiled. Persephone's eyes fluttered open and they simply looked at one another. Curling closer to her cold bodied husband, Persephone nuzzled her head under his chin and promptly fell asleep. Hades chuckled softly and tucked her into his side before falling asleep moments later. The last thought he had was, "This is mine, and I didn't get punished this time. I win."
Zeus grumbled softly to himself as he paced outside of his bedroom door. What did Nyx expect him to do? Why did Aphrodite take her side over his? Why did everyone bring up Hercules? It still pained him, even now, how convoluted Hades had been, but if that hadn't happened, Hercules wouldn't have found Meghara. And he knew they had been happy together in their life as mortals. He knew his son was happy, the day he joined Hades' river. Now, however, watching the mortals didn't bring as much amusement or pleasure as it once did. They rarely went outside like their ancestors. Instead they sat inside in front of what Hermes called a T.V., or twiddled away on their cell phones. Sitting down infront of the white door, he waited, listening to his own breathing calm before getting up to go inside. Noting that Aphrodite had moved to another room instead of the light, airy room they shared, Zeus cursed. Shoving the filmy curtain away, Zeus looked in on his son's old room. Almost the same as when Pegasus left to be with him on his journey. Sure, there were knickknacks and such from his aging days, but they were few and far between. Zeus felt saddened by the revelation that Hercules never visited, or even spoke of, Zeus and Aphrodite. Sighing, he went back into his room and grimaced. First he would find his wife.
Selene watched calmly with her mother at her uncle's plight. Zeus really could be mean if he wanted to be. Checking in on Aphrodite, Selene nodded as she saw the twins, Apollo and Artemis. Motioning for them to come to her, she filled them in on the situation. Artemis gestured her understanding, placing her bow on Aphrodites bed and comforting the goddess as best she knew how. Apollo watched through hooded eyes, and decided his place should be at the door, guarding his sister and step-mother as best he could from his father. Sitting on the floor, he waited until he heard the thundering steps belonging to Zeus. He stood tall, and looked Zeus in the eyes as he rounded the corner. "Apollo, move."
"No. Mother wants to be alone tonight. Artemis is with her now. Selene told me what transpired between the two of you. Mother may forgive you, but she needs to be alone. Hercules was her son as well, and our brother. We have not chanced to greive yet. Leave us."
"Apollo. I know I was wrong. I do apologise for being a stubborn-headed mule, but I need your mother. I do not sleep well without her by my side."
"Father. Go. She needs time. I will tell you when she comes out."
Zeus looked at Apollo, not wanting to upset Aphrodite more, he placed his hand on his son's head. "I know Apollo. You were always a good boy. You and your sister. I'm glad I did alright raising you."
"Father, you did not raise us. We raised ourselves. We will continue to do well by each other, not you."
Apollo bowed his head and ducked into the room, locking it behind him. Zeus stood outside the door, staring at the spot Apollo had just vacated, knowing that his son was right.
Hi everyone! I hope you liked this chapter, it's kind of the guys view on things going on. You'll see where Hercules was wrong very soon, and in a lot of ways. Love you guys, bye! 3
