Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners, Joss Whedon and affiliates. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
CHAPTER 11
Persephone sat on her bed, covering her face with her hands as she recounted the dream she'd just had, in technicolor detail, to her friends.
"You know what this means, right?!" Alecto squealed.
Persephone looked on at her, perplexed. When she didn't respond Megaera stepped in, rolling her eyes as she spoke.
"It means that you like Hades."
"No it doesn't!" Persephone refuted.
"And it means that a part of you, no matter how small, can't wait for him to touch you the way he did in your dream!"
"IT DOES NOT!" She yelled again, Megaera and Alecto both laughing at her obvious discomfort in speaking of the matter.
"Oh stop it girls!" Tisiphone interfered as an annoyed Persephone shot out of bed and over to the bath the women had just finished preparing before being interrupted by Persephone's moans. "Persephone, they only tease!" she called after her.
"I'd like to have my bath now. Alone!"
"Awww, but we always talk during your baths!" Alecto whined.
"Well today we talked before my bath! So out!"
"Come on, lets go so she can be alone to masturbate." Megaera said, non-chalantly, making her sisters laugh against their own accord.
"WHAT?!" Persephone snapped, looking over at Megaera.
"I said you want to be alone so that you can mas-tur-bate." Megaera replied, stressing each syllable.
Persephone just looked on at her, puzzled. Noting her confusion, the girls took turns looking at each other with bewildered expressions. Moving closer to Persephone, Megaera repeated the word again slowly.
"Masturbate, Persephone," she said, coming very close to her, "-means to touch yourself." Still seeing an unknowing look on Persephone's face, Megaera continued on. Close enough to touch her now, Megaera reached for the strap of Persephone's gown and slid it down her shoulder, further exposing her cleavage. Trailing her hand across the swell of her breasts and allowing it to glide down the expanse of her torso.
"You know… the way Hades did in your dream." She said, raising one eyebrow at Persephone as her fingertips just barely caressed the top of her mound. Blushing furiously and finally understanding what she meant, Persephone swatted Megaera's hand away, yelling one final "get out" to the girls. Laughing and dramatically grabbing on to one another for support, Megaera and Alecto left the room, leaving Tisiphone and Persephone alone.
Grabbing the folded towel that rested on the bed, Tisiphone walked over to the large tub and draped it over the thick marble ledge. Persephone had her back turned to her and Tisiphone could see she was still breathing heavily, trying to suppress her anger.
Tisiphone made her way over to Persephone and without a word pulled the only remaining strap of her gown off of her shoulder and allowed it to fall to the floor. Extending her arm out to grasp Persephone's opposite shoulder she slowly turned her around to face the tub. Persephone reached out for Tisiphone's hand and grabbed it to support herself as she stepped into the still steaming bath water.
Persephone sat herself in the tub and closed her eyes, allowing the hot water to calm her. Tisiphone reached for the sponge and jasmine soap and began washing Persephone's back. Once she had visibly relaxed, Tisiphone gathered the courage to speak.
"You know, its not a bad a thing… that dream you had."
Persephone let out an annoyed sigh and Tisiphone quickly continued before she gave her a chance to kick her out of the room.
"I'm just saying. The two of you have been spending more time together. He's been very kind to you, has he not? He tends to you and ensures you want for nothing. And when the time comes he is to be your husband, after-all, and those things of which you dreamed are to be expected."
Persephone had relaxed significantly, responding far better to Tisiphone's reasoning than she had to Megaera's.
"He loves you and respects you, which is far more than could be said of any other god or man in his position. Anyone else would have forced you into marriage and taken what they felt was rightfully theirs by now. He's been patient with you and has even postponed the wedding until you feel comfortable with him. Can't you see how much he cares for you in such a significant gesture?" Tisiphone finished with a question and followed it up with another.
"Haven't you grown to care for him, even just a little bit?"
Persephone quickly turned her head toward her, brows furrowed together. Anticipating her typical response of 'he stole me away', Tisiphone cut her off again before she could answer.
"Don't tell me! Just think about it… to yourself."
Persephone looked from her friend back to the bubbles in the tub and began thinking of the last few months she'd spent here. Of course, she was terribly unhappy at first, but she had grown accustomed to her new life. That's not to say she didn't miss home, because she did miss her mother… terribly. But she did have more freedom here, as ironic as that was.
Back home she could only be out in the garden in the early mornings. Because their garden was situated in front of her mother's house, it was not appropriate for Persephone to be outdoors when men could be around to see her in later hours of the day. She spent all of her time cooped up in her room, staring out of her window… dreaming of something more.
Was this what she'd unintentionally conjured with her prayers for a more exciting life?
And of course there was Hades. He'd started off as a royal pain in her ass, but if she was honest with herself, he had slowly worked his way into her heart- and if she wasn't careful, he just might take up residence there.
But was that really such a bad thing?
Images of Hades began floating through her mind then- the way he extended his arm out to her before each of their strolls, his smile, his laugh. The way his chest was more times than not, exposed. The way his muscles rippled with even the smallest movement and the way in which she very much appreciated his beauty. The way he looked at her and made her feel like she was his world… like he would give up everything he owned- everything he was- if she would just let him in.
And his eyes.
Always so expressive. Always so full of emotion.
She could get lost in those eyes.
And often times she did and knew it was no secret to him. How many times had she gotten so lost in those eyes that she'd disregarded one of their conversations- only to have him ask her a question about whatever he'd just spoken and catch her completely unaware.
How many times had her faced turned a bright shade of crimson under one of his speculative looks or compliments?
How many times had he touched her skin and felt it burn straight to her core?
How had he embedded himself so deeply in her being?
Tisiphone again began stroking down the length of Persephone's arms with the sponge, breaking her train of thought. Handing the sponge over she spoke again and stood from her seated position on the edge of the tub.
"I'll leave you to your thoughts, Persephone. Just try to keep an open heart and an open mind."
Persephone gave her a weak smile directing a sincere 'thank you' her way.
Tisiphone gave her a slight bow of her head, as to say 'anytime' and turned from the tub.
"And if you're going to masturbate, try to keep it down this time", Tisiphone quickly blurted out before making a full on sprint toward the door.
"OH YOU-…" Persephone yelled while throwing the water soaked sponge in her direction. Tisiphone had just barely dodged out of range when she opened the door to the chamber and was greeted by her other sisters' raucous laughter.
"You're all incorrigible!" Persephone called at them one last time before sinking back into the tub with an expression on her face that showed not just how humorous she'd actually found her friends to be, but also her embarrassment at how right they actually were.
She was in a whole underworld of trouble.
Hades paced the length if the megaron, practicing what he would say to Persephone when he went to meet her in her garden as he did every morning.
"'G-good morning, Persephone. It's a lovely day, is it not?' No, no, that's what you say every morning. Change it up a bit." Clearing his throat he tried again. "'Good morning, Persephone, you look lovely today'. NO! That's far too bold. But is it? I mean, I've already sequestered the lady, telling her she looks lovely isn't-"
Hades was interrupted by giggles coming down the hallway. Looking up he was met by his three furies, beautiful as ever. They always seemed to float, without a care in the world, but he knew just how vicious and vengeful each of them could be. Even sweet Alecto, who always seemed to be the most innocent of them all. At times her work could put the others' to shame.
"What has my girls laughing this way at such an early time of the day? What troubles have they managed to get themselves into?" He said, as Megaera extended her arms out to him and began to dance him around the room.
"Persephone!" Megaera sang as she broke off from him into a spin- arms spread wide and head turned up to the sky.
"You've not been teasing her again, have you?" Hades sighed.
"Ohhhh no, no, no. No one has been teasing her at all. She's been very much… fulfilled… in her desires."
Hades instantly became defensive and looked around at the women, noting mischief in their eyes. He felt anger rising up in his throat.
"What do you mean, 'fulfilled in her desires'? Hades repeated. When he got no answer from Megaera he looked to Tisiphone and Alecto.
"What does she mean?" He asked the two, more firmly this time. Tisiphone simply responded by raising an eyebrow, a devious smirk on her face.
Hades balled his hands up into fists and approached them quickly, anger etched across his face. Pointing a finger in their direction he spoke again.
"I said she was not to be TOUCHED!" He yelled the last word, swinging his fist out to pound the nearest marble pillar. A large chunk of the pillar crumbled to the ground and cracks began radiating from the site of impact to run the entire length of the pillar- ceiling to floor.
Needless to say, the entire room shook and the Erinyes instantly froze.
No more giggles, no more twirling, no more devious looks. Their master was angry and they seldom managed to incur his wrath. They all held their breaths as Hades looked from one to the other before abruptly turning to walk out of the room. Once he was out of hearing range, they each let out the breath they'd been holding and their giggles returned- although this time they were laughs of relief.
"Oh Megaera", Tisiphone lightheartedly said, "-you are bad."
"So very bad", Alecto agreed.
"Don't you just love it?" Megaera replied. "Come now! With Persephone's very detailed recount of her dream and the way Hades' muscles tensed while reprimanding us, I'm in desperate need of relief!", and the three walked off toward their chamber laughing all the way.
When Hades found her, Persephone was crouched over a new bed of flowers in her garden. Never slowing, Hades briskly walked toward her, making his presence known. Hearing his advance, Persephone quickly stood and regarded him with curiosity and embarrassment as images from her dream filled her mind the moment she saw him approaching.
"Persephone!" Hades called out to her and she quickly dropped her gaze and opened her mouth to respond but Hades didn't give her the chance.
"I want to know if it's true! The girls told me-"
"THEY TOLD YOU?!" Persephone cut him off, looking up at him with complete and utter shock written on her face. She flushed a deep shade of red and couldn't help but let her jaw drop in surprise.
"So its true then?!" Hades responded and Persephone failed to notice the hurt in his voice.
"I can't believe they told you!"
"Persphone, you are to be my wife! And-"
"YOU SOUND JUST LIKE THEM! THAT DREAM WAS PRIVATE! REGARDLESS OF YOU BEING IN IT AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I AM TO BE YOUR WIFE, BECAUSE I AM NOT YET! I DID NOT EXPECT THEM TO GO RECOUNT SUCH AN EMBARASSING DREAM TO YOU."
She paused, noting the odd expression on Hades' face. He must not be used to being yelled at, she thought.
"AND JUST FOR GOOD MEASURE", she continued, "I AM NOT REPSONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN MY DREAMS OR WHO ELSE IS IN THEM! IT COULD HAVE JUST AS EASILY BEEN ANYONE ELSE INSTEAD OF YOU IN THAT DREAM. IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING!"
"What?" Hades asked, shaking his head as though trying to clear the confusion from his mind.
Persephone's eyes went wide as saucers. Had she gotten ahead of herself? Had she just told Hades something he knew nothing about? After all, she hadn't given him a chance to say just what the Erinyes had told him.
"What?" she replied, straightening out and shaking her head in the same fashion Hades just had.
"What did you just say?" Hades asked.
"Nothing." Persephone replied, unable to hide the scared expression on her face.
"You had a dream about me?" Hades asked, a smirk slowly gracing his mouth. And oh, that mouth! The things he'd done with it in her dream. The things he'd made her feel. Shaking herself from her thoughts, Persephone adamantly denied it this time.
"NO I DIDN'T!" she yelled at him.
"YES YOU DID!" Hades yelled right back in a humorous tone, pointing a finger in her direction. "YOU HAD A DREAM! ABOUT ME!" he teased.
"UGH! YOU'RE SO ANNOYING!" Persephone yelled again.
Hades was laughing now and Persephone's obvious embarrassment at having spilled her secret unintentionally made her so adorable he wanted to wrap his arms around her and kiss her!
Hades stepped forward to embrace her and Persephone reared back.
"If you come any closer I'll get them to detain you!" She warned, gesturing at all her plants.
"YOU WOULDN'T!" Hades responded, feigning shock.
"Try me!" Persephone said, crossing her arms over her chest and staring back at him defiantly. Branches started moving and soon what seemed like a small arsenal hung behind her, all poised to strike.
Thinking fast, Hades moved to one side and quickly changed direction to the other, successfully confusing Persephone and her attack was lost. Branches were met with air and other braches instead of flesh, and they wrapped around each other, completely useless to her. Now that he had an opening, Hades charged at Persephone and she quickly turned around and began running in the opposite direction.
Hades laid chase to her, unable to keep his mind from thinking about the way her hair blew in the breeze or the way her dress billowed behind her. He could smell jasmine and other scents he knew to be distinctly hers- a mixture of coconuts and earth.
And then the sweetest sound reached his ears… she was laughing.
LAUGHING!
In mid run Persephone turned around to see how far behind her he was, and she was a vision with her hair flowing past her face and a smile that lit up every dark corners of Hades' being.
By the gods, if this was a dream, he didn't know what he would do.
Speeding up just a bit Hades finally reached his arm around her waist and pulled her up off the ground and into him. The momentum from her run caused her to bend at the waist and over Hades' forearm and she held on tight while he spun her around.
Hades suddenly lost his footing and Persephone felt them falling forward. Afraid Persephone would be hurt by the fall, Hades made sure to angle himself just right so that he fell on his side and Persephone just above him.
Both on the grass in a fit of laughter, Hades gently rolled himself over Persephone to inspect her for injuries.
"Are you alright?" he asked, his laughter beginning to die down.
"Mhmm", Persephone nodded, letting him know she was alright as her laughter kept her from forming words.
Hades could only look down at her in wonder. Had he ever heard her laugh? He felt his heart swelling with emotion as he looked on at her. Persephone slowly took notice of his changing expressions and her laughter began to fade- replaced with a tightening feeling in her chest and a burning deep in her belly.
This was the closest they'd ever been and Persephone was beginning to feel very short of breath.
Hades studied every inch of her face, her skin, her hair- the way her eyes shone so brightly. The way her lips were in a perpetual pout, as though always asking to be kissed.
And he was so close to her. This was the perfect moment to kiss her. Why not now?
'DO IT!' His inner self cried out to him. 'KISS HER YOU NIT! LOOK INTO HER EYES AND SEE HOW BADLY SHE WANTS IT TOO!'
And she did. Persephone's eyes wandered down to his lips and hers parted in invitation. When he didn't move she looked up into his eyes in anticipation of what he would do next.
"You cheated", she finally said.
"I cheated?"
"You tricked me into making my branches charge at a place you wouldn't be in." she pouted, purposefully this time.
Hades smiled. "You really should learn to do two things at once. You could have easily re-directed them. Besides, a good wife does not attack her husband."
"Well then I suppose it's a good thing I am not yet your wife."
"You suppose?" Hades asked- a pregnant pause followed.
"Are you ready to be?" he whispered. Looking down at her he slowly brought his hand up to run a finger down the side of her face and across her chin, just barely grazing the underside of her lower lip. Persephone closed her eyes and waited for the kiss that… never came?
She felt Hades' warmth and weight pull away from her and she opened her eyes to see him standing above her with a hand extended out to help her to her feet. Persephone reluctantly took it and looked around at the skirt of her dress, busying herself with brushing off invisible grass and dirt. Embarrassed, yet again, because she'd made it so clear that she wanted him to kiss her but he hadn't.
Was she indeed ready to be his wife?
And more importantly, had he lost interest in her? Why hadn't he kissed her?
'WHO CARES?!' She suddenly thought defensively, 'maybe now he'll let me go home'.
She was pulled from her thoughts when Hades abruptly moved toward her and she was so certain it was for a kiss this time.
And it was.
Hades stepped right in front of her, slipping his fingers into her hair and just before he brought his lips down to hers he lost his nerve, yet again, and pulled a twig from her hair instead.
She could never want him. She was at best confused by the dream she'd had, but he wouldn't fool himself into believing a creature as perfect as herself could ever want him to kiss her, much less love him the way he wished.
And she would certainly never be ready to be his wife.
"Your garden is beautiful", he said. "It's coming along quite nicely".
"Th-Thank you", she replied, a weak smile on her face.
Hades returned her weak smile and swiftly bowed his head before turning around and walking back toward the palace.
Once Hades was out of sight, Persephone allowed herself go fall back onto the grass and began pounding at the ground with her fists and feet, like a small child would throw a tantrum.
"UGH!" she yelled in frustration. "Get yourself together, Persephone!" She berated herself then released all the tension in her body and looked up at the sky in complete bewilderment.
When had she begun to care for Hades?