Chapter 9. Broken

"Cause I'm broken, when I'm open and I don't feel like I am strong enough. 'Cause I'm broken when you're gone away".
-Seether, "Broken"

The first night of their understanding was a little awkward, as neither of them knew what to say. Hades had gotten Persephone more food from the upper world, keeping up his belief that she was indeed not ready to spend her life in his world. In the end, the choice would inevitably be hers. But tonight she didn't seem hungry, just picking at her food and looking down at the floor.

"Does something trouble you?" he finally asked.
"Oh, no, not at all. It's just the silence. I hate being the one to break it" Persephone gave a little nervous laugh.
"You and I both. Well then, we'll just have to keep speaking won't we?"
The princess smiled. "Of course".
"Any topics in mind?"
"Is it hard? Ruling a world like this?"
"It can be overwhelming, yes and difficult at times".
"How do you base where someone goes?"
"I base it on how they lived in life. See, I know all mortals, thanks to Thanatos".
"You mean…death itself?"
"Himself, my dear. Yes. Death is male. Yes, that's a common misplacement. I am not the god of death; I am merely the ruler of the dead. I do however have some power to give and take life. Not as much as Thanatos does, mind you, but just enough".
"Interesting. Have you ever given life?"
"I did once...with the Kraken. I'm sure you know that story".
"Of course. Everyone does. And have you ever taken it?"
"Taken it? Not in recent centuries, no. I haven't had a need to, since you mortals do that well enough on your own".
"Sometimes I hate being human".
"And why's that?"
"I'm sure you already know. But we're so…hateful. All we ever seem to do is hate each other. And then when something goes wrong we turn it on you gods, blaming you for it. It's not right".
"You're not like that".
"In my innermost nature I am".
Hades shook his head. "You're the furthest thing from it, Persephone. I would know. Zeus created you with among the purest of souls. While yes, every mortal has a dark side, you included, yours isn't as dominant as others. You wouldn't hurt anyone. You're too gentle; it's against your very nature".
"How do you know that? That Zeus made me that way, I mean".
"Because I was there. All the gods were, my dear. We all partake in some form or other every mortal's creation".
"What part did you have in mine?"
Hades smirked knowingly. "Me and my brothers help to create the souls of mortals. Each of us give mortals different personality traits which is up to them to use. It was I who gave you your innermost nature, the darker side. I couldn't give you a lot of darkness because I could feel your light even before you were fully formed. But then my brother took you and I didn't think I'd ever see or feel your light again".

Safe to say, Persephone was touched. It was because of him she had her good heart and kind nature. Had he always loved her? Even before she existed? It was all different, confusing somewhat. Seeing her slight confusion, Hades was more than glad to put it in simple terms.

"It's just as I've told you, Persephone. I've loved you since the very beginning".
"You…you planned this? All of it?"
"No! No, not all of it. I just wanted…" he didn't know how to explain it.

What had he wanted? What had gone through his head when he first felt and saw her light, before she was ever even a thought to her family? He'd wanted that light for himself. Why should the mortals have had it when he lived in the darkness alone? But he knew he couldn't hold it forever, and he didn't want the light to ever fade. Still more, he had to abide by the laws of nature itself. He still had to make it a mortal soul and that included giving the soul a darkness in it. So to fix that problem, he gave the soul some, but not as much as he would any other. He found it odd later that Zeus never objected to it.

"What? What was it you wanted? Face it Hades, you manipulated me even before I was born!"
"I…Persephone I'm sorry. If there was a way I could change that, I would".
"I'm a weakling…I have no strength because of you! Because my nature is just…it's too light…".
"A weakling? Never! Many things you may be, Persephone, but weak is by no means one of them. I just didn't want your light to fade. I didn't want you to be corrupted by other people. But yes, I had wanted your light for myself, but I see now it's not mine to keep. That's why I don't have you eat the food of my world".
"You don't want me to stay?" she looked upset then.
"No, I never said that. Oh no…what I mean is that your light isn't mine to keep. I've known that since the beginning. I love you Persephone, I'd do anything within limits to get you to stay, but never, ever, would I be so selfish as to keep you away from those you love. Which is why the choice is ultimately yours. I want you to be happy, but I don't believe myself completely unworthy of happiness. So even if you choose to leave, I will be perfectly happy knowing I had you for some little time".

Persephone took a moment to take in all he was saying. He loved her, she could see that now, but was he letting her go?

"Are you saying that I-"
"That you're free to leave? If that is what you wish then yes. I won't keep you here if it makes you unhappy when all I seek is for you to be happy. And if I can't do that, then who am I to keep you away from someone who can?"
"Hades…"
He gave her that sad little look again. "If it is as you wish, then I will let you return to your home and then I trust I won't see you again until after your life there passes. And even then, I will be waiting for you here, still pining away for your light, your love".

What could she say to that? He was holding nothing back obviously, but she could tell he wanted her to stay. In that moment, she wanted to stay as well, but Persephone knew she didn't belong in this world. She looked over at Hades again, who still looked sad, but resolute, ready for the worst. He looked fragile in that moment before her. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to stay a little longer…just long enough for him to feel just a little loved by her. What harm could it do to just play along perhaps? Persephone moved closer to him.

"I want to stay…if that's alright with you".
"What?"
"I wish to stay here for just a little longer. I want to learn more about you. Since you're the eldest of the gods, I'm sure you have a lot to tell me".

Hades felt his heart light up. She wanted to stay! She wanted to stay here with him! He had a chance! He wouldn't screw it up. He couldn't afford to screw up. He loved her.

He loved her with every beat of his heart.