Plight of Persephone

Ok people, you know the score, I do not own Hercules, Disney does and even though they have not issued plans for a live action redo, give it time. Everything else seems to be getting the treatment so I wouldn't be shocked if it happened. And since Disney aren't entertaining the idea of a remake, I decided I would. Don't worry, you do not need to have read any of my other stories to read this one and the original is NOT going anywhere, it stays here where it belongs.. I do own this version of Persephone and all other original characters and places that come up, permission and advice is always given to those who want to use them but do tell me if you use my characters so I may view and comment on your work.. Just like the original I will be basing this story around Greek myths and twisting them around just like Disney did, I will also be reworking some of the original plot lines.. Please review and let me know your thoughts.. Thank you for your time. Enjoy!

Reviews:

Sharkeygirl: Yeh, Hades might be a bad guy but he has always had a flames off policy when it comes to females. It's not specifically stated but I have noticed that he treats female underlings somewhat differently to male ones, using manipulation and menacing threats rather than out and out violence which he saves for male ones. Minthe has been bothering him for years and for whatever reason hadn't been taking the many hints that he laid down. Unfortunately this wasn't the first time he's been blunt with her but it is the first time he has threatened her with underlings and when Cerberus has found her harassing his master. X

Azhi D: I'm glad your enjoying it and in these uncertain times happiness is what we need most.. x

An Unhobbity Hobbit: An OG? Wow, I wasn't sure there was many of them still reading. I expected most to be settled with families by now. Welcome back, the rewrite happened purely because of all the Disney reboots and I chose to do this since my old story follows the same 'dated' formula. Although, I won't be pushing cultural pandering and alphabet leanings. I don't need to do the latter right enough as this is set in Ancient Greece and they are pretty open about any kind of relationship.. I'm also happy I started the rewrite as it's given me something to focus on in these traumatic times.. Happy reading.. x

A~N: Ok guys, while I'm housebound I am going to try hard to return to my Tuesday update. I want to try and reform a regular post day and try to claw back some reader confidence. I know my posting has been sketchy lately and I really want to fix that.. X

Chapter Seventeen: The Grim Avenger in Femme Floral Fatale

"Aww..c'mon cutie! Have'a heart! Lemme try it on the imps. Pleeeeease.." Hades pleaded, actually on his knees in the middle of the Grove of Lethe with his hands clasped together imploring a petite goddess. If any of his underlings saw this he would flame them into next week as his reputation as a cruel dictator would shot. But he didn't understand why the blonde goddess would dangle a Chair of Forgetfulness in front of his face and not let him test it out. He had always wanted one of those but the import taxes were almost as expensive as the chair itself and so not worth the costs. What was the point in her owning the coolest torture device ever conceived if he couldn't test it out on the imps first?

"Nohh! They haven't done anything to deserve such torture... yet." Persephone uttered the last word under her breath with a half eye roll as she folded her arms keeping her light scowl. It was true, she had barely seen the imps today as they had been covering the Soul Booth while Hades had been topside in his meeting with Zeus but it was only a matter of time before he found something to get irate with them over. Still, she wasn't a fan of punishment without rhyme or reason, it seemed to go against the whole 'Fairness in Tartarus' system he had been teaching her down here.

"They exist." Hades suggested flashing her a pleading grin, hoping that was enough.

"Maybe so but you have their parents to blame for that.." Persephone smirked kinking a brow, her expression twisting into a playful smirk.

"Yeh but I ain't torturin' Oyzis and Lamia for that, they're friends of my parents and trust me, you do not wanna upset those two, believe me." The blue flamed god replied grimly knowing fine well how both Nyx and Erebus looked in fury. He had experienced that often, in fact, he had purposely been avoiding his shady father since coming out of the Pool of Lethe dreading how the God is Shadows was going to react about him releasing the Titans, never mind chaining up his fellow gods and throwing a mountain on Zeus! He would never hear the end of this..

"I wouldn't mind meeting them sometime. Mom always speaks so highly of Lady Nyx.." Persephone replied sweetly, no longer looking annoyed as it seemed that the Lord of the Dead was suitably distracted from the Chair of Forgetfulness.

"Eh, I dunno.. I've never taken a girl home to Ma before, heh. She might get the wrong idea about us. You've no idea how long she's been nagging me to find a deity with the same 'aura as mine and bring the Underworld to a place of cosmic unity.'. Heh, she's very into astronomy. She claims that everyone's future's are mapped out in her stars, they just have to know where to look for the answers.."

"Wow.. Really?" The blonde goddess looked impressed but Hades snorted in response.

"Pfft... Don't buy into it Seph.. She may be the Mother of the Fates but she's not as accurate as them." The blue flamed god got to his feet hardly looking as awed with the idea as the more naive goddess.

"Your just saying that because she's your mother.." Persephone replied softly, knowing that she too had downsized her mother's achievements just to avoid talking about her anymore too. "But I won't push you on the subject, that sound fair."

"Ok, great.. So sure you don't want me to test run this baby out for ya?" Hades flashed her a narrow-eyed leer with a wolfish sharp-toothed grin leaning down to be face-to-face with the youthful looking goddess. They were back onto the Chair of Forgetfulness again. He held out his large hand offering her the half drunk pink Pomtini in a martini glass, still with a cherry on a toothpick. The blonde goddess with white skin giggled girlishly accepting the drink.

"No! It's my birthday present, I should get to use it first." Persephone replied sipping her drink once more as Hades finished off his spiced nectar on the rocks.

"Fine! Then you can throw the imps on it.." He exhaled after downing the drink and making the empty glass vanish in a puff off smoke. Most likely sending it to the kitchen to be washed by one of them later.

"Hades, no imps! I will use it when I'm good and ready to and I promise you, whoever goes in it will deserve to be there." The youthful goddess responded sternly through it was ruined by the slight smile of amusement still ghosting her face.

"Alright, alright.. Geez, take it easy. A god can look out for his best girl, can't he?" Hades had been smirking as he said this but the moment they were out his brain seemed to kick in with a mental CLXX on this. Wow! Back up. Did I just refer to her as 'my girl'.. But, she's not looking repulsed.. His recently resurrected heart was pounding like Hephaestus during a back order for Zeus. He knew he had it bad and he could hear his biological brother's earlier proposal still burning away in his ears but there was no way he could push her into that. Even if, by some miracle, she was down he wasn't even sure he was ready.

"I guess.." Persephone replied in an almost breathless tone, an almost disbelieving yet nervous edge touched her expression. A soft peachy blush lightly flushed her cheeks while there was a hopeful glimmer in those brilliant olive green eyes. There was a moment of silence that hung awkwardly between them once more and the youthful goddess took an unnecessarily large swig of her Pomtini, swallowing thickly and ignoring the dregs and cherry on a stick left inside the glass.

"Y'know, I should probably go and relieve the boys from the Soul Booth, they're way overdue a break and I don't need them getting uppity about it." The fiery pale-blue grey skinned god exhaled looking a little reluctant about leaving but knowing that he couldn't play hooky all afternoon as he was moving into the busy season. "I know today's your day off an' all but once I catch up on the paperwork you wanna hook up for dinner? My treat, whadda ya say?"

"Sure, sounds good. Just come get me when your ready to go." The blonde-haired goddess replied airily, happy to have any excuse to spend time with him since his time was limited as it was and she wouldn't need any time to ready herself for this, it wasn't as if this was a date so it wasn't a big deal what she looked like.

"Great.." His own voice came out in an elongated breath that he hadn't been aware he was even holding. His heart seemed to flutter faster at her response and a strange new feeling of tentative hope appeared. Maybe she wasn't so disgusted by him like the other goddesses were. "Here, lemmie get that for ya, my sweet.." He added flashing her a smarmy leer taking her glass from her. He was pushing his gentlemanly manners to lengths only usually used when he was wheedling a shady deal. This time it wasn't for business and while it was odd it felt strangely right when directed to her, she soothed his savage nature by merely being in his presence. He picked up the uneaten soaked cherry on a toothpick and offered it to her. Persephone took it from him with a small smile and a murmur of thanks then opened her mouth a little and took the cherry between her teeth.

"Until tonight.." Hades added with a playful wink then vanished out in a curl of smoke with the glass in tow. The blonde goddess only hummed in some mirth while she chewed the alcohol-soaked cherry then turned her green eyes thoughtfully towards the Chair of Forgetfulness. She was back on what to do with it..

At the quiet spot near the Falls of Lethe was the little green plant with small white flowers, trembling in rage and jealousy at what it had just witnessed between the two immortals at the bottom of the grove.

Things were getting weirder and weirder the deeper Theseus went into the Underworld. This place was not anything like the young mortal king expected. Darkness, despair and a bottomless pit of suffering but not plants, trees and a sweet smelling nymph to boot. Sure, the flowers were down and gloomy looking and probably poisonous, if the nymph what's-her-face was anything to go by, the trees were crooked and creepy looking and their raised roots were a tripping hazard so he had to watch his step. But how were they growing? Surely Hades hadn't allowed them to grow unless his personality had flipped upside down completely.. It was a well known fact to both gods and mortals that the Lord of the Dead hated Spring and despised flowers, so what was going on? Surely Persephone hadn't grown this. She was just a flower maiden from what Theseus knew of Demeter and her daughter, her job was to grow flowers in spring and tend to them through the summer until they shrivel up in autumn. There was no way the sweet damsel of Demeter could grow anything this sinister, especially in a realm she didn't belong in..

Heeding the nymph's advice the masked hero didn't smell anything, in fact he breathed through his mouth in slow deliberate breaths and he moved swiftly towards a T-junction where he could see the dark waters of an unknown river. Not wanting to know if there were any souls in it he turned away looking for a sign that might indicate where he was. Unfortunately the only one in the area was decrepit and scratched out, most likely by his minions on Hades' orders. He wasn't known for making things easy but fortunately the nymph had already told him which way to go so he turned left, heading towards the Pool of Lethe, completely unaware he was actually on the banks of the Acheron and closer to his prize than he thought..

"The Underworld was far warmer than he thought it would be, he had always imagined it would be bone-chillingly cold down here but it was like summer, in fact, the Grim Avenger was beginning to sweat in his chiton.." The masked hero was uttering to himself as he approached some creepy, leathery green leaved Cypress trees that were standing sentry around the edge of what could only be described as a warm, unearthly and eerie jungle of thorny bushes and gloomy flora.

"Who's there?" A female voice called out, sounding more curious than frightened. His eyes found a figure rise up from where they were bent, a thick mane of blonde hair swished as their head turned revealing soft pearly white skin, brilliant olive green eyes that scanned the area and luscious full cherry lips forming a neat, quizzical pout. Her soft golden-brown brows knitted together as her eyes peered around the thick leathery foliage of the subterranean garden. Theseus' face twisted in disgust at her tight black dress that showed off more of her figure than should be on show for a virginal damsel.

"Dear gods, she has become his plaything." He uttered scowling deeply then straightened adding, "Not for long." Her green eyes met his with a narrow-eyed look, her arms went to her hips. One jutted out as she gave him a disapproving gaze.

"You do know it's considered an affront to goddesses to invade their privacy without an invitation." The white-skinned goddess said in an unexpectedly stern tone as she watched this masked mortal pull himself out of her plants, thinking he was lucky he had picked a spot to come in where the foliage was benign.

"Ah, yes. I apologise flawless Persephone for the intrusion but we must go—" Theseus began moving swiftly towards her, offering a hand to hers.

"Go?" Persephone looked confused, pulling herself out of reach.

"Yes, now we must make haste before the Lord of the Dead comes back. The Grim Avenger is here to rescue you from him and return you to your mother.." Her reaction was not what he expected, rather than look thrilled she looked offended by his words.

"Rescue me!" Her voice screeched out loudly before she eyed him like some low-life bug that was ruining her hard work by chewing on some recently grown foliage. "And just what is it you think that you are rescuing me from, hero?" The last word spat out of her mouth with such contempt that it threw Theseus completely and he rubbed his long chiselled chin as he pondered her reaction.

"The Grim Avenger was taken aback by her reaction, was it possible that the Lord of the Dead had manipulated her innocent mind—" His thoughtless outspoken self-narration was all that was needed to push Persephone over the edge causing her lovely mane of bright blonde hair to burst into a bonfire of flames that swept across her shoulders and fanned out like a dangerous flower.

"I DON'T NEED HADES TO TELL ME HOW TO THINK!"

"Huh?" The blue flamed head of said Lord of the Underworld craned around from the line of newly arriving souls off the black gondola, his gaze now resting on the distant point where he knew the Fall of Lethe was hidden behind his skull-shaped home.

"That didn't sound good.." Charon's voice came from his standing position at the stern of his long black boat with grotesque carving of the head of a serpent. The second the last souls left his boat he dipped his elongated oar and began quickly rowing back upstream away from his boss, not wanting to be dragged into something that didn't concern him.

"Pain!" Hades snarled out and immediately the rose coloured imp with a flopping mop of magenta hair came out of a puff of shimmering pink, grinning widely with a rolled up scroll in both his hands and looking anxious.

"Panic!" The fury god added in an equally intimidating tone and the light teal imp with long pointed horn-like ears appeared holding a half-eaten pastry looking terrified.

"Breaks over boys, I gotta go check on Seph, somethin' is goin' down round back.." The distant sound of her irate voice drifted back.

"Wow, she sounds pissed.." Panic exclaimed before chuckling lightly. "Glad I'm not on the receiving end of that.."

"I might know why she's pissed.." Pain stated and this made Hades turn to him as the chubby imp unfurled the scroll revealling the headline: Hades Still Holds Spring Hostage, Is Greece Doomed To Eternal Winter?

"Gimmie that! What is this?" The blue flamed god had snatched the news scroll from Pain and ran his eyes over the story, "Bla-Bla-blabla... 'this reporter concludes that without Demeter's daughter the Goddess of Nature will be too distraught to bring in Spring, leading to an endless winter until her return, who will save her?' Pfft! Puh-lease... As if she needs saving, c'mon! Gimmie a break.. She can leave whenever she wants." He sighed heavily then turned his round golden eyes to his minions. "As usual boys, the media has put I and I together and come up with V.." He then stroked his chin thoughtfully, "Hmm, woulda been a great scheme, too bad I never thought of it back when I had Seph as a tot.."

"That's not the first headline like that either.." Pain added without giving the ramifications of this admission much thought. Panic on the other hand immediately started shushing him and trying to silence him by grabbing his mouth, only to be pushed back by his stronger but dimmer partner. "They've been running this story all week. Panic's worried some mortal hero might try and grab Persephone.."

"Wait, this story has been going how long... AND NOBODY TOLD ME ABOUT IT!-!" Hades snarled out turning a nasty shade of orange, the news scroll burning into ash in his hands as he simmered in fury on the spot.

"Ah, c'mon.. It's not such a big deal boss, who's gonna be dumb enough to try and take her." Pain added trying to sooth the raging bonfire that was his boss.

"Oh, I dunno.. Maybe Hercules.." Panic sounded in a tone that suggested this should've been obvious to a simpleton like him.

"Don't you think he woulda been here by now?" Pain retorted with an uppity inflection.

"Oh yehhhh..." Panic added rubbing his chin, thinking about it. "He's usually more prompt than this.." Hades who had been about to roast them, his fists to his elbows nothing but flames, suddenly froze looking worried by the prospect of some would-be hero coming down and attempting to kidnap Persephone. His arms snuffed out as he returned blue and growled in frustration at not being able to vent.

"Argh... Memo to me, memo to me! Carbonise you after a check in with Seph.." He declared making both imps flinch in unison, remaining coiled until he moved away from them then flashing each other a nervous grin.

"So who do you think this bozo is hasslin' Persephone?" Pain asked picking up his clipboard from the spot they had left them in before going off for break. Panic picked his up after wiping his smooshed pastry off his leathery skinned hip, having crushed it in his fright over a threatened smiting.

"Who cares, he's doomed..." The teal imp snorted unconcerned, thinking that if Persephone hadn't dealt with the intruder Hades sure would the second he got there. Pain merely nodded as they both turned their attention to the grouping of souls waiting for them. "Welcome to the Underworld, now that you are dead you may feel confusion, nausea and or disillusionment, this is normal—"

"I wish he would hurry up and ask her out already.." Pain added at this point making Panic exhale and turn to him.

"What?" He flashed his twin brother a look of irritation, this was hardly the time for this discussion.

"The boss. Why doesn't he just ask out Persephone, I mean, it's obvious he's sweet on her, what's holdin' him back?" The rose pink imp frowned in confusion. "If anyone deserves some happiness it's him.."

"Maybe he doesn't think she likes him back.. You know how badly he takes rejection." Panic rolled his eyes about to turn back when Pain gripped him flashing a twisted grin.

"Hey, maybe we can give them a prod in that department.." The rose pink imp exclaimed looking sneaky.

"Pfft.. Yeh, right. To even stand a chance of doing that we would need to get a—" The slim teal imp suddenly broke off with a far away look on his face, his job now long forgotten as an idea came to him. "Maybe we can Pain, maybe we can.." Panic's eyes narrowed deviously, they were both on the same page now.. But they would have to wait until their next break to get what it was the teal imp wanted..

...At the exact same moment..

"You are way off base if you think for just one second that he has any control over the way I think." Persephone's usually sweet voice was a high shrill screech, the ends of her hair still searing in golden flames and the Grove of Lethe feeling incredibly hot and sweaty, like someone had just cranked up the temperature dial from Mediterranean summer to sticky sultry tropical rainforest levels. The plants around them even seemed to quiver, flower heads folding up as if protecting themselves from wrath. Then sound of something moving in the undergrowth started and caused a snapping noise which momentarily took the attention of the mortal masked hero for a split moment before his eyes returned to her.

"Apologies.. The Grim Avenger didn't mean to offend. He simply wishes to see justice prevail.." The masked mortal threw her his best smouldering grin, most likely expecting her to swoon like multiple mortal teenage girls did when faced with his muscles. Unfortunately the blonde haired goddess didn't look too impressed by his handsome good looks.

"Uh-huh.. Justice for what, exactly?" Her green eyes narrowed in suspicion, confused by whatever warped reasoning he could have for breaking into Hades' realm and trying to spirit her away.

The Grim Avenger blinked in utter disbelief.

"Y-your sure you..." His usual voice tailed off at the scrutinising look the youthful beauty was giving him, her arms folded tightly across her ample bosom. The dark hooded hero then cleared his throat and readdressed her in the gravelly tone he usually used for his hero persona. "Ahem.. Excuse me. What I mean is that a delicate flower maiden such as yourself doesn't not belong in a harsh place like this.."

Persephone's jaw dropped in shock as her green eyes widened and she remained speechless for a brief moment before her brain kicked into gear once more, fury filling her inchor.

"DID YOU JUST IMPLY I'M A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS!" The white skinned goddess raised her voice once more making the masked hero wince, amazed that the Lord of the Dead hadn't shown up yet as she was loud enough for him to hear. The rustling in the thicket around them that had quelled for a moment started again, louder, getting closer and making him feel uneasy..

"Well, heh, aren't you?" The Grim Avenger looked completely bemused trying to shake off the feeling that something bad was going to happen.

"Arh! First you insult my intelligence and now you think I'm some snivelling waif that needs some big strong dolt to RESCUE HER FROM THE UNDERWORLD?" The moment her voice raised something struck like snakes from the undergrowth making the worried masked hero turn his head from the furious goddess who had her fists balled at her sides as her chest heaved with her deep breaths. His deep blue eyes widened in horror as some thorny barbs shot out at him, wrapping themselves around him and dragged him across the ground. His yell of surprise and pain as the thorns scratched his skin, causing minor grazes to his tanned skin and a small drop of blood to pool in a couple of spots, stopping him from struggling so he didn't rip his skin open.

"I'm a goddess, not a damsel in distress.." Persephone hissed flicking her wrist and the thorny barbs slammed Theseus into the ornate chair that had looked out of place in the thick foliage of the stiflingly hot grove. "And by the way.." Her voice was soft, returning to its sweet sultry tone with a new steely edge to it which hinted at her continued frustration with his vision of her. She sauntered lazily to where he was sat and leaned over, making sure his forearms were resting on the armrests then remained leaned in with a twisted smirk on her face that actually marred her innocent beauty making it look far more dangerous. When she spoke there was a chilling foreboding edge that sweet sultry voice. "I'm not a prisoner, I can go home anytime I want.."

"Whoa-hoh! Persephone, babe.. I see the lessons have been paying off.." The sound of Hades' voice filled the Grove of Lethe before the nine foot blue flamed god appeared out a cloud of smoke behind Persephone making her jump back in surprise as he flashed her a grin. "Oh, now this place is stiflingly hot, kinda reminds me of Tartarus.." He added taking in the unearthly heat that surrounded him.

"Uh, yeh... S-sorry, heh, I raise climates when I'm upset it will go back to normal in a few days, I promise." The white-skinned goddess flashed him an imploringly wide green eyed look. She knew that the heatwaves of the surface world usually happened because someone, usually her mother, had been the cause of her upset. She brought a whole new meaning in needing to 'cool off'.

"Huh? Oh, it's fine.. I like it. And it explains why things have been unusually warm down here lately, usually it's cold, damp and brrr.. But you, my sweet, are a little sunspot, we should scmooze baby and talk long term." Hades pulled her in close and placed both hands on her shoulders flashing his most charming leer.

"Your not mad then?" Persephone asked looking surprised.

"Mad? I'm never mad.. Well, not at you anyway. But in case you didn't notice, I can handle the heat.." He leaned his head down level with hers and gestured to his full head of blue flames. This made Persephone giggle lightly her sweet smile coming back.

In the seat between them the masked hero had found his mind clouding over. There was something odd about this chair, it was incredibly comfortable but something was wrong with his body. He wasn't even strapped down but he couldn't move, his limbs felt heavy and listless and despite his mind internally screaming for them to move they didn't. He felt like a head on a stick.

"What's happening to me.." He murmured in a soft voice, his tough Grim Avenger persona voice was gone as his eyes rolled laugidly in his skull, the numbing had travelled to his neck so he couldn't turn his neck. Sadly his struggling question was ignored as the two gods continued as if he hadn't even spoken.

"Whadda ya say we find out who this bozo really is? I know I'm dyin' t'know.." Hades smirked to the blonde goddess in some amusement before stretching out a muscled pale-blue arm and snatching off the head mask, revealling the sandy blonde haired King of Attica. "Whoa! Theseus? Really... Hm, was not expectin' that.." The fiery god looked surprised.

"You know this mortal.." Persephone narrowed her eyes up in disdain at the fiery god.

"Nahh.. But met his dear ol' dad when he kicked the bucket a few years back and arrived here.. This kid was supposed to be the next big thing before Jerkules came along and stole his thunder, hah! At least he was until he returned victorious from Crete and a simple sail mistake caused king daddy to throw himself to his death. Imagine his horror upon learnin' he'd topped himself for no reason.." He then straightened with morbid amusement studying the mask that Theseus had been wearing. "Is this the getup you were usin'? Hmm, a bit more down and broody than your traditional hero but hey, maybe that was your problem, huh? Too much focus on the 'nhya, nhya-nhya' and not enough action.."

"I don't understand, what makes you want to stay here.. with him?" Theseus could feel the words slurring, struggling to form as he fought the will to just succumb to the chair that was trying to suck him into a state of stupor where he would be completely aware of his surroundings but be unable to respond to them. Hades looked offended by this question and flared irritably about to retort when the youthful goddess placed a hand on his chest, her touch automatically making his flames reced and return blue. His yellow eyes rolling to her as she addressed the hero subdued by the chair he was sitting in, unaware that he was slowly fusing to the seat.

"You wouldn't understand, you just don't see what I see." Her voice was soft and purposeful as her green eyes turned upwards to the blue fiery god. The harsh undertones gone, as her heart filled with with that warm fuzzy feeling that felt completely different from the swirling fury that rose like a vengeful phoenix and sent domain temperatures soaring. No, this was not something that was born of anger it felt strangely happy and peaceful..

"Seriously Seph, not even I see wha—" Hades had chuckled lightly and only started to counter her words when he broke off shocked when she gripped the neck of his dark blue undershirt and pushed her lips to his. His first instinct was blind panic, he gripped her shoulders tightly intending to push her off him. She shouldn't be kissing him, she was only here temporarily, she would be gone in the Spring.. He couldn't get attached... even though her lips were soft to the touch, just like the asphodels in the Fields of Purgatory and just as befuddling, making his hooded eyes shut. His nostrils filled with the gentle fragrance of her dark flora and he could taste the sweet fruit she loved to cultivate and eat. Hades' inner turmoil slipped to the back burner of his mind as his flames flared a lusty white and billowed over his shoulders, his grip slackening as his full dark lips started to respond to her sweet, innocent little kiss..

Persephone's fingers were still bunched in the muted green and blue design around the neck hem, tensing and tightening when his large hands gripped her around the shoulders. She expected him to rip her off and push her away so she clung on, feeling if he rejected her advances she might die, if that was possible. This wasn't her first kiss, Hermes had stolen that centuries ago and just like the one she was offering Hades now it was sweet and innocent but it didn't feel like this. This stirred her insides in a way she had never felt before, it was indescribable but addictive too, she couldn't will herself to stop as she didn't want it to end. Her heart leapt to her throat when she felt his grip slacken and his lips suddenly moved against hers. He was responding! Persephone let out a small noise, yielding to him..

In that moment the kiss' innocence was tarnished, it became something more primal. One large hand skimmed around to to her lower back as the other tilted her chin, taking control of the kiss as his tongue probed. Hades was using it to strategically gain access her mouth as the hand by her face flicked the soft skin of her cheek. Predictably her sweet lips parted and allowed him access with a small moan. He was no stranger to seduction, he had had a few trysts. Mere one night stands just to sate his lust. It would quell for a few millennia then like a hungry beast it would return with a vengeance demanding tribute. The difference between those females and Persephone was that he had no feelings for them, they had just been used and discarded. Once he had satisfied his carnal desires he never called them back. He and Leuce had been lovers, friends with benefits. He loved her but he wasn't in love with her, she understood the arrangement and he had entertained her repeatedly until her end when she burst into a swirl of fluffy seeds and travelled away in the winds, never to be seen again. Sometimes he missed her but more her company than anything else. He had tried to replace her but unfortunately for him neither the witch or his little stalker had understood that he didn't want anything long term, nor did he want to share his Underworld...

...until now.

Whoa! No! Where did that come from? Hades' eyes opened in shock and however reluctantly he wanted to he pulled her sweet lips away from his and stepped back from her. Her eyes peeled open in confusion and she looked up at him and he could see it, what Hermes had been saying. She did like him too. He could feel his heartbeat quicken and hear Zeus' proposal of marriage... Then the warmth in his chest turned to icy fear.. He wasn't ready for this, he couldn't condemn her to a life down here. He wouldn't—

"Did I do something wrong?" Her voice broke through his mental torture like a bucket of water extinguishing his fire. His large golden yellow eyes blinked a few times before he spoke.

"No. No, I just have to get back. Heh, got deadlines, targets to meet and I can't take my eyes off Team Useless too long. Don't want them slackin'.. again." Hades replied running his finger through his flames as they flared briefly as he straightened with a firm expression and a slight curl of his fists.

"Are we still on for dinner?" Persephone followed up, still looking unsure as if able to perceive that there was some subtle change in the dynamic of them. He certainly wasn't looking as comfortable as he should look after instigating such an intensely passionate turn to her innocent kiss.

"Yeh, of course. A god of my word babe. I will come getcha once I have thumbed through the paperwork." He responded easily, flashing her a wide grin and she looked a little suspicious making him inwardly question if she could see he needed some space from her to mull over what had just happened between them. Fortunately she smiled in the next moment and he was sure he had gotten away with his awkward social blunder.

"Ok then." Persephone smiled brightly, satisfied before adding sweetly, "Do you think you could do one little thing for me before you go?" Her eyes narrowed hopefully as she raised her dainty hand with two fingers barely touching.

"Name it, my sweet." He crooned softly, narrowing his eyes in a smouldering manner. He wasn't above a little harmless flirting, especially since he knew for sure she had a sweet spot for him.. He did like to tease. Predictably, her cheeks flushed a soft peach at his words and she ran her fingers through her messy blonde mane of hair looking suddenly coy.

"Do you think you could get rid of him?" She gestured to the young King of Attica slumped motionless in the Chair of Forgetfulness behind them. He may have been unresponsive but he had had a front row seat to their show..

"Consider it done." Hades replied with a nasty edge to his smile, snapping his fingers and both the thief and the ornate dark wooded chair vanished in a curl of dark smoke..

Little Notes:

Hey guys, thank you so much for the 51 faves and 65 alerts. That's quite a jump and while I attribute a lot of that to being stuck indoors under lockdown I'm happy that you've chosen this story to read and follow. In response I have put up a brand new poll that is taking requests for what story you would like me to write to mark 100 reviews. And you can vote twice, I made sure.. It will stay up until I am only a few reviews away from the target as I want to be ready to post as soon as I hit the goal.

A little bit more of Hades' backstory here, particularly regarding his opinions on women, yes, I know a little self-serving but are we really surprised? I hope it explains his reluctance to fully embrace his attraction to Persephone a bit better and also why Hecate is so hell bent on trying to take the Underworld away from him. This is kind of a key point and will be resurfacing again in the next chapter..

I've also tweaked Persephone's abilities a little in this story. Her hair turns to flames when she's mad but it's more of an illusion than actual fire like Hades' flames. She creates heat when angry which affects the climate in the domain she is in so temperatures rise and fall with her moods. Of course, there will be consequences if she isn't around which will been seen later. I like this idea of global warming being caused whenever Hades and Persephone fall into a blazing row..

Apologise for the lack of Hecate, Hermes and others who were all missing in this chapter. I promise that they will be back in the next one. And yes, Nyx and Erebus too will be making appearances soon as well, we all love some of that sweet Hades torture.. A little heads up, Persephone may have a bit of a song going on too, nothing drastic, don't worry. So I will hopefully see you next Tuesday with a brand new update!

Until then, stay tuned..

A~Teal