Demeter laughed in disbelief on the phone. "Absolutely not. Why would she even be interested in someone like you? She needs the nature and fresh air. She cannot have any of that in the underworld. "
"She needs space, freedom and someone that actually cares what she wants." Hades shot back. He was ready to fight for her if needed. "She needs more than you." His tone even, and cold.
"You will not have her. I know about your little rendezvous a few months ago. She has been a mess since then. I do not know what you said or did to her to make her think that she could simply do what she wants now. "Demeter's anger radiated off her. "I repeat, so your thick skull will understand. You. Will. Not. Have. Her." Demeter hung up to phone, before he could respond. She was fuming. Demeter pulled out her phone and sent a text.
Hades resigned himself to relieve those moments with her for now. However, he could not help but smile at the knowledge that she had begun to stand up for herself against Demeter.
Kore had begun to wonder if Hades was even still interested in her.
As the thought crossed her mind, she felt her phone vibrate against her hip. Kore sat in the same spot he had when she had seen him. She hoped he would come again, though she had yet to hear from him. She sighed exacerbated. She was sure that the text was from Artemis begging for details again. Kore was not ready to give up their private moment, so she begrudgingly pulled out her phone.
'Kore, return home this instant.' The message read. Kore froze. How had her mother known that she had a phone? She glanced around wide-eyed. She rose slowly and headed towards her mother's house.
While Demeter waited for Kore to return as she was sure that she would take her sweat time as that was Kore's style now. Demeter headed into Kore's room. She did not usually look in her room, but desperate times called for desperate measures. The first thing Demeter checked was the desk. There was a hidden compartment under the second right hand drawer that Kore did not know she knew about. The drawer was filled with papers. The only common theme was Hades. Demeter narrowed her eyes and read through every letter addressed to him. She was taken aback by the nature of Kore's drawings of them. Demeter knew Hades had corrupted her, but she did not except this level. She held them all in her hand and closed the drawer. Kore had some explaining to do. Demeter headed back downstairs and waited at the counter for Kore to return.
Kore meandered through the front door, at least an hour after Demeter had texted her.
"Where have you been?" Demeter asked, struggling to keep her voice level.
"The same place I've been the past few months, Mother." Kore did not look up and tried to head into her room.
"Give me your bag." Demeter held her hand out. Kore did not respond and kept walking. Demeter crossed the room and grabbed Kore's arm. "I said, give me your bag." Demeter forced Kore to turn towards her.
"Why?" Kore clung to the strap of her bag. "There isn't anything in there for you."
"You're right. It is not for me. It is for Hades. "Demeter paused and tried to level her tone. "I won't have him hurting you." She held her hand out again.
Kore narrowed her eyes. "Why do you think Hades has anything to do with this? Maybe, I'm only tired of being locked up like a prisoner."
Demeter smirked and headed back towards the counter. "All of these tell me that he has a lot to do with it." She gestured towards the piles of love letters and sketches.
"You went through my stuff?" Kore tried to control her temper. "Those prove nothing."
Demeter shrugged. "They prove enough." Demeter crumpled the papers and tossed them into the trash. "You think he actually cares for you." She shook her head sadly. "He is only using you. This only proves my point that you are too naïve to be around them."
Kore lashed out. "I wouldn't be so naïve to them if I could ever leave this place! If you would ever let me, see anyone besides you! I have one friend! She is not allowed around here anymore because of some stupid reason you will not even tell me! Hades is not like them! He is not like Zeus or even Poseidon! You do not even care to know! You hate him because everyone else does! Learn to think for yourself!" Kore was screaming by the end of her rant. She paused and took a deep breath, forcing down the tears that were starting to form. "You want my bag. Take it." She dropped the bag on the floor and ran out the door. Demeter watched her leave. She was at a loss for words. Kore had never talked to her like that before. This was all Hade's fault. She would not give him the satisfaction of knowing the chaos he had caused though. Demeter sat on the couch facing the door. She was sure Kore would be back soon.
Kore bolted towards Artemis' house. She was the only one who would understand. As she ran, Kore let the tears free fall. Her lungs burned, it felt like she had been running for hours when she finally came up to Artemis' house,
She banged on the door, not caring about the time. Luckily, she lived alone. After a few minutes, Kore heard the shuffling of footsteps towards the door. Artemis opened the door, unsure of who would be knocking this late. She was usually the only one up right now. Her eye fell on Kore. Kore had red swollen eyes, she was panting, and shaking. Artemis opened the door wide and ushered her in.
"What happened to you?" Artemis grabbed a blanket out of a side closet and handed it to Kore. Kore did not answer. "You, okay?"
Kore shrugged. "I finally told my mother how I feel about being locked up." Kore honestly, looked like she was in shock.
"Oh." Artemis was not sure of what to say. "What can I do?" She sat next to Kore, unsure of how to help her.
"Can I ask you a huge favor?" Kore looked into Artemis' eyes, pleadingly.
"Anything." Artemis rubbed her back. "As long as it's in my power, it will be done."
Kore took a deep breath. "Call him. I need to see him."
Artemis blinking a few times, not sure she heard correctly. "Him? You mean him, Him?"
Kore nodded. "Call Hades, please."
Artemis raised an eyebrow but did not question further. "It's late, not sure if he will answer."
Kore signed. "Just try."
"Okay. "Artemis held her hands up in defeat and walked into the kitchen to make the call.
She pulled her phone out of her pocket and dialed the number she never thought she would. The phone rang a few times.
Hades picked his head up off his desk and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Who ever was calling this late at night, better have a good reason? He picked up his phone without glancing at his caller id.
"What?" He voices low and sleepy.
"Hades?" Artemis' voice came through the receiver.
"What do you want?" Hades rubbed the bridge of his nose. He did not have time for nonsense. He was about to hang up when he heard a voice in the background.
"Did he answer?" Kore's voice was soft and hoarse, like she had been crying. His hand tightened around the phone.
"It's not what I want. "Artemis shot back. "She wants you." She did not need to say anything else.
"On my way." Hades hung up, stuffed his phone in his pocket. He grabbed his suit jacket and practically ran out the door.
"He's on his way." Artemis headed back to Kore. Kore visibly relaxed. "Do you want anything to drink?" She grabbed them both a glass of water when Kore did not answer. "Just in case." She set them on the table in the living room. She did not even have time to sit down before there was aggressive banging on her door. Artemis sighed and opened it.
"Where is she?" Hades pushed his way in the doorway. Artemis moved out of the way and pointed at the couch where Kore was sitting. Kore was staring off into space, not present. "Kore?" He knelt gently in front of her. She did not answer. He smiled sadly and brushed her hair out of her face. "I'm here." He whispered to her.
"Hades?" His touch pulled her into reality. He nodded at her. She threw herself at him, pulling him into a tight embrace. Hades chuckled and hugged her back. They stayed like that for a few minutes before Hades pulled away.
"Can I get off the floor first?" He joked, as he rose from his knee and sat next to her.
"If you must." Kore half smiled at him. She played with her hands nervously.
"Come here." He made room for her to lean on his shoulder. She eagerly obeyed. He gently stroked her hair. Artemis cleared her throat a little uncomfortable.
Kore made eye contact and mouthed 'Thank you.' Artemis smiled, and nodded her head in understanding. Honestly glad to see the two of them so happy. Before long Kore had fallen into a deep sleep.
Artemis could not believe she was about to say this, "I have a spare room if you guys would like to stay." Hades glanced at her unsure. "I expect details later, and you owe me." She chuckled and rose to show them where to go.
Hades cradled Kore close to him, as to not wake her. Artemis opened the door to her spare room.
"I'm just down the hall so no funny business." She warned before she headed into her room.
There was not much to it, just a bed and a dresser, as not many people stayed with her. Hades gently laid Kore on the bed and tried to slip out. She reached out for him.
"Hades, don't go." Her eyes barely opened. "Don't leave me."
He took a deep breath. Hades tried to convince himself to leave, as he knew if he stayed it would make things more difficult for them later, but he knew he could not leave her. He sighed and crawled into bed next to her. She curled into him, her head on his chest. He kissed her forehead. "I'll never leave you."
Kore smirked. "I know." She leaned up, kissed him roughly on the lips and returned to her spot on his chest.
Hades chuckled. "You're going to be trouble." He smiled wide and tightened his hand on her hip. Kore did not answer but he felt her giggle against him.
It was not long before sleep took the both of them. For the first time since their meeting, they managed to have a good night's sleep.