Hey guys, I know I said the next chapter would be a new Detention chapter, but then this popped in my brain. Sorry. Maybe next time.

Also, first chapter of Adventures of Vivienne is up! *fanfare*

Another cause for celebration? THIS IS THE 50TH CHAPTER! *cheers*

Couldn't have done it without all your support!

Sometimes, we have questions that we already know the answer to, but a part of us needs confirmation.

When asking these questions, we often wish we hadn't said anything the second the words leave us.

Zelena hates these kinds of questions.

But right now, there's one nagging at the back of her mind, and she needs to get it off her chest.

"Hades?'

He looks up from the book he's been reading. "Yes, Zelena?"

She immediately regrets saying anything. "I-never mind."

His brow furrows in confusion. "What is it?" he asks, rising.

"Nothing, " she says dismissively.

"Zelena," he coaxes, catching her wrist gently, "What is it?"

In a split second of nerves and anxiety, she says it. "Do you love me?"

The puzzlement in Hades' expression grows, and she can see he's a little taken aback.

"I know, it's stupid, but...I just-I just need to hear it." Her voice has dropped to a whisper.

She knows it's a silly thing to ask, after everything he's done for her, after everything the two of them have been through together.

But he's the only person who's ever said it to her in a way that makes her feel like she matters.

Because every time he says it, it's with the same amount of emotion that he spoke those words the first time in Oz, at a table he'd set for both of them. She hadn't believed it then, but she did now.

She's sure he knows how she feels about all this, too.

Still, she can feel her embarrassment growing, and she ducks her gaze.

She feels Hades' hand brush hair away from her face and tilt her head up.

He's smiling, not in a teasing way; it's just a soft, reassuring gesture.

And then he kisses her, ever so gently, his fingers threading through her hair, the smile still present as she responds.

It's times like this where she can feel more love and passion in the slightest things from him in one moment than from anyone and anything else in her entire life.

Hades pulls away, and rests his forehead against hers, holding her hands in his.

"I love you, Zelena," he whispers. "I love you more than anything in all the realms, and I will say that whenever you need me to."

Tears sting Zelena's eyes. She's not really sure why she's crying, maybe happiness, maybe relief.

All she knows is that she is with the person who would go to the ends of the earth for her.

And that she'd do the same for him.

Hades presses a kiss to her brow. "I love you, Zelena," he murmurs. "I love you so much."

She blinks back the tears and kisses him.

"I love you too," she whispers.

And really, that's all either of them needs.

Review, please!

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