A huge thank you to all of my lovely reviewers. The updates should be coming better now due to my holiday becoming less crowded and my doctor actually being helpful. Thank you so taking the time to read my ramblings


He made her dinner. It was simply roasted chicken, boiled potatoes and steamed kale but they both enjoyed it. Despite the new change, they sat at opposite sides of the table, silently cutting, chewing and swallowing. Occasionally, either would glance up as if checking to be sure the other was still there, healthy and whole. Neither thought the other was concentrating on anything other than their food. It was actually quite adorable, to see them both so stubborn in their care.

Maleficent finished first, or at least she stopped eating before Hades. There was still food on her plate but she was done.

"Here." Hades popped in behind her chair to help her up. She smiled and let him. Per his usual exuberance, he tipped the chair back and scooped her up with a fiery flourish. She gave him a soft kiss on his cheek as he set her down.

"Thank you."

"My pleasure." He winked. Already he considered himself the suitor, bent on playing the heroic part of normalcy. So far she did not seem to dislike his approach.

The day was uneventful but pleasant. Hades spent most of it playing around with a puzzle, something he had not done in years due to lack of patience. But with Maleficent curled up in the chair beside him, he found it brought out the best in him, at least when it came to picking up tiny pieces and finding their location. She slept or watched him, saying nothing as he muttered about the stupidity of the puzzle pieces not going where he wanted them to. Occasionally he would change the shape of one to fit and she'd cough, forcing him to change it back.

"Finally." He sighed, finding the home of a particularly 'misshapen' part. "Centy, finally got the road all in. Guess I've got more of the puzzle blood than I thought." He smiled to himself, very happy at his accomplishment. There was no response. He glanced down at his elbow to find her asleep. Her head rested against his arm, breathing deeply and fast asleep. "And you said this wasn't boring." He teased, gently running a finger down her jaw.

Puzzle forgotten, he had a cosy full length couch appear beside the table. He settled her onto it and tucked a pink and yellow blanket up to her chin. The horn headdress looked acutely uncomfortable though, so he carefully figured out how to disentangle it from her hair and set it by the half-done puzzle. Her hair had been coiled inside of the headdress and now fell out into a thick limp braid across the couch arm. He touched the end of it, enjoying the softness of the inky hair. It seemed fitting that under her spiky horns would be a feathery mane.

She grimaced and he pulled back, thinking he had hurt her.

"You okay?" he asked, forgetting she was still asleep. "Don't know what makes you so sleepy." He teased. Asleep, every worry and care seemed to leave the evil fairy's stern face. Not exactly tired, but willing to rest, the god expanded the couch a bit and sat, wiggling in until her head was on his lap. This was nice, he thought. Afternoon and evening of light petting, kissing and- he stopped. He sounded like an old man from a 50's sitcom. What century was this anyway? Well, he reddened, for Maleficent he guessed it was around the 13th, not that history had ever been his forte... and his own... maybe 50's wasn't so old after all. Cursing himself for being an idiot, he leaned back and stared up at the spiral ceiling.

Tomorrow he was going to start repairing a few things around here, he mused. Get everything castle-shape so to speak.

"What time is it?" Maleficent murmured, not moving from her position.

"It's dark outside. Got a hot date or something?"

She chuckled, rolling from her side to be able to look up at him.

"Perhaps."

He leant down and pecked the tip of her nose.

"Point him out and I'll rip him limb from limb." This drew a full laugh from her. Her fingers played with the edge of his toga sleeve.

"Will you stay with me tonight?"

"Duh." he returned without thinking. "Centy, I'm not leavin you unless you give me the boot." Dramatically clutching his chest he added, "Or the claw. Personally though I'd prefer the boot."

Maleficent sighed, adjusting herself so that her arm went over her head. It loosened her chest, making her breathing more comfortable.

"That is not what I meant."

He raised his eyebrows, mulling her question over. Ah...

"Ya sure you want that?" he asked softly, looking down at her.

She swallowed, not sure. And yet when her lips parted again to speak, she heard herself, so sure and confident,

"Quite."

That was enough for the immortal being. He shifted until there was room for him to lie down next to her, back flush against the couch back. She was spooned up against him, leaving no room between them. He sucked in a breath, enjoying the steady feel of her smaller form against his own. His arm wrapped around her, pulling her back to rest snugly against his chest. Her hair smelt like chestnuts, surprising him as he buried his nose in it.

"Comfy?" he asked, voice muffled by close proximity. He felt her nod.

They laid nearly motionless for five minutes, until Hades felt a chill and had to re-situate the blanket.

"How can you possibly be cold?" she murmured, pushing herself up to sit. "Are you not partially made of fire?"

He blinked up at her, not sure why this mattered, but game.

"Uh, yeah. Ever seen a flame go out, Centy. Ain't a pretty picture." He smirked. "Now the other way, that's when things get smoky." He tucked his hands around her narrow waist and lifted her just enough to be able to settle her so she was forced to straddle his stomach. "If ya get my drift."

"And if I don't?" she questioned, eyes all wide and innocent. Oh she played along remarkably well for a stiff as ice evil mistress.

"I've got ways of making it all crystal clear."

She kissed him, drawing a moan out as her lips trailed from his mouth to his jawline. He doubted she had much if any experience with this sort of thing and yet here she was skillfully snogging him. His mouth opened to chide her about this but she returned to her original target and he was cut off. He gave up on asking about her past as she poured more and more passion into making him forget. Finally, her lungs forced her to take a break and she was all his.

Expertly, he flipped them, careful to not put any of his weight on her slight body. He took both of her wrists into his hands, lifting them up to his mouth. Her pulse was practically racing as he kissed his way from her pulse points to her palms and fingers. It excited him to know that he had such an obvious affect on the stern woman.

"Please don't stop."

Ironically he did as soon as she whispered the plea. Was it something in the food he fed her or what? But it seemed as though she had become so painfully vulnerable with him. It hurt him, sending a pang through his rarely used pumping organ to hear her ask again and again for him to be there for her. He wondered if someone had abandoned her long ago, or if it simply was the fact that no one had ever not left her behind. He'd been down this road before.

He laid her hands down and cupped her face with both of his hands.

"I'm not gonna stop, Centy." He assured her, very serious. Together they helped him out of his toga, which took more time thanks to her sleepiness and general shortness of breath, but he did not mind. Slow and steady won the race according to some sage out there. Clad now only in his boxers, Hades sought along her robes for the fastenings, buttons or hey, he'd take zippers. Her trembling hand caught his wrist and dragged it to the back of her neck. From there it took his five seconds to divest her of the first layer and another six for the second. He shoved the thick cloth off till it hit the ground and then gathered her back into his arms. She was still wearing her under robes, which ironically had more substance than any toga the women he usually hit on wore.

"I'm sorry." She sighed.

"What for?" He settled them back, making sure she was cushioned by his arm and the pillow he'd created.

"I'm not-" Maleficent stopped, eyes darting from him as if searching for an answer. He did not like where this was headed.

"Ssh." he soothed, securely tucking her further against him. Her hand brushed against his bare chest, the grey skin of him contrasting vividly with the pale white of hers. "You're not what? I don't care whatever it is. Now hush up and kiss me." he tried to lighten the mood but it only seemed to disgruntle her.

"No. We can't." she hissed, struggling to sit up. He didn't let her, keeping her down despite her nearly frantic flailing.

"Hate to break this to ya, but we've already." Lost in his confusion as to what exactly was going on, he immediately sought refuge in his go-to method. Unfortunately, being snarky didn't seem to help the situation. She stopped moving just long enough for him to loosen his hold on her and then broke free, scrambling off the couch. "Centy, wait." he called, concerned. She ran as soon as her feet touched the stone. He blinked, watching her vanish out of the castle before finally realizing she had no intention of stopping. "Damn." he cursed, taking off after her as soon as he'd disentangled from the blanket.

"Maleficent!" He caught up with her easily, far faster with his superior size and health. Being a god had its perks as he appeared in front of her. She slammed into him, trembling so violently he was amazed that she was able to stand much less run. Even with him blocking her path and holding her there in front of him, she fought him, hitting his rock-like chest with clenched fists.

She had been thoroughly enjoying their time. The ease in which he had become such a comfort to her had left her breathless and yet now, she only wanted to escape. There was such pain, confusion and longing that all she could think about was getting away. Had her staff been in her hand, she would have fried him without hesitation. But instead, she was forced to fight him physically and it was not going in her favour.

"Settle down." He demanded, sounding more worried than angry. He caught both of her wrists before she could swipe dagger-like claws at his face, forcing her to become still or break bones. "What's wrong? What happened?" Hades' grey face loomed over her in the dark of the night, the only thing her yellow eyes could pick out beside swaying dead trees and treacherous rocks.

"I can't love you." With her confession came another round of fury and she wrenched away from him.

"Who's asking you to?" Hades returned. "I'm not asking you to love me. You were the one asking me to stay." His voice was thundering in the dead silence. With the conflicted feelings he had had earlier he had really no right to be angry at her for uncertainty, but rationality was not his strong suit. "You want me to leave and I'll leave."

"Then leave." There. The feelings all became easier to cope with and the pain died to a dull throb. Anger, hatred, cruelty; all were things she could deal with.

And promises forgotten, he did just as she told him to. One moment he was standing, angry and fuming in front of her and the next... he was gone.

She turned and slowly made her way back into the castle, every step harder and harder to take. She felt numb; worse than when she had woke up impaled on that sword. This was a different pain. Fear and the stinging whip of betrayal accompanied this one. Collapsing on the couch, she stared at the absurd pink and yellow blanket until the colours began to swirl together. Moisture clouded her vision and she buried her head in the pillow, silently grieving for a mess she had only just realized making.

She had not wanting him to go. Not really. But then again, she felt so confused when it came to the warm and kind feelings she'd begun to have toward Hades. She had never loved anyone before. And certainly no one had ever loved her. Hades had not either... somehow he had just stayed out of some odd duty or something. More tears came to her at that thought pattern. Why hadn't the little fairies simply killed her? Why had death been so unkind to hand her back her life only to toss Hades in for good measure?

A gentle hand touched her shoulder and she started, entirely not expecting it.

"I didn't mean anything I said, Centy." Hades murmured, pulling her into his lap. She allowed him to, tucking her arms around his neck as he rubbed her back. "I promised not to leave you and I'm not going to."

"I'm sorry." she whispered.

"Me too. Who'd of thought we'd ever have a lover's quarrel, eh?" he chuckled, using the toga he'd picked up to wipe the tears from her face. "I understand. Or least I'm gonna try to. Whether you like it or not, I'm not leavin you alone to rot away. You're as stuck with me as the mould on your dungeon floor." And somehow that was the most romantic thing she'd heard him say.