Time dragged onward. With each passing day, the Mortal Realm was becoming drained. At first, the difference wasn't noticeable, however as time passed on the impending death was becoming more visible. Trees lost their colors and their leaves. The ground went from a lush green to a dead brown. Crops no longer grew back, leaving other withered stumps and plants in their wake. Days dragged into months with no reprieve. No one knew exactly what the cause was, though Zeus and Hera had their suspicions. The mortals prayed and prayed for relief. First, they would pray to only the Gods they worshiped in their area, but as desperation grew so did their fear. They would pray to anyone who would hear them, anyone besides Hades that is. No mortal dared to try and blame him. The prayers kept growing in desperation, in frequency, and in volume. The longer the mortals suffered, the more apparent it became that Zeus was going to have to step in and stop Demeter's tantrum before she starved the whole world.

Zeus decided to try and reason with Demeter first. He knew how much Kore meant to his brother. Nothing was worth separating them if they both were happy. He squared his shoulders and marched towards Demeter's home. He felt as if he had to prepare for war. In a way, he was right. He knew that Hades' wasn't going to let Kore go without a fight and he knew that Kore enjoyed being with his brother. However, Zeus also knew that Demeter wouldn't stop his rampage until Kore was back home with her, no matter where Kore actually wanted to be.

Zeus paused outside of Demeter's house. An icy air billowed around the small house. Zeus' ceremonial cape flowed behind him. The white cape was clipped onto Zeus' shoulders by golden leaves. There was almost an air of death around the house. The surrounding forest was all in a state of decay. It appeared that Zeus was the only living thing around. He shook his head, honestly more annoyed than anything else. Zeus headed over and knocked harshly on the front door.

There was no answer.

"Demeter?" Zeus knocked again. Again, there was no answer. "Demeter? Come on. Please just talk to me." Zeus tried to open the door handle. It was locked. The curtains were all drawn. A winter frost was on the windows. The house itself was pitch black. Zeus knocked one last time. "Demter. You're going to have to talk to me. If you don't open this door, I'm going to have to come in. This can't continue." He paused to wait for a response. Once again there was no response. Zeus huffed out an annoyed breath. "Fine. You leave me no choice." He took a few steps back and kicked the door in.

Zeus slowly walked into the house. There was not a single light on in the house. He could vaguely make out a shape of a figure on the main couch.

"Demeter!" Zeus called out loudly to her. Mostly to announce his presence so he didn't get throat punched on the off chance she hadn't heard him. The only response was a soft huff. " Demeter, you have to stop this." Zeus rounded the couch as if he was approaching a corned animal.

"No." Demeter didn't move or even look at him. Demeter's appearance hadn't changed except for the deep dark circles that had formed over the months.

"Seriously!" Zeus paused to take a deep breath to collect himself. He knew that snapping at her now wouldn't change anything. "The mortals have done nothing to wrong you. You can't let them all die because Kore isn't ready to come home yet." Zeus stood opposite her seat. He wouldn't turn his back on her, not now.

"It matters not what crimes they have or have not committed, not one of them will eat until our daughter is once again with me." Demeter rose her eyes to meet Zeus' gaze. Her gaze was as cold as ice.

"Why?" Zeus met her eyes. Irritation was clear on his face. " It's obvious she doesn't want to come back. Is her happiness so unimportant to you?" Demeter flinched softly,

"She is simply infatuated with the bad boy imagine that your brother has." Demeter practically spat the words at him. "She doesn't know him like we do. He doesn't deserve her. She could never be happy there. She needs sunlight and love and fresh air, not the stifling heat and darkness of the Underworld. She will never be happy there."

"That isn't your decision to make. Let her live a little." Zeus backed towards the door. "Please, just reconsider." Demeter set her cold gaze on the window.

"I've given you the terms to end this. The mortals will be fed once I have my daughter back. Not a moment sooner. Now, go fetch her." Demeter set her lips in a hard line.

"I'll go see what I can do." Zeus paused in the doorway. "Just know this Demeter, if you try to make her return before she is ready to, it won't end well for anyone involved, and she won't ever forgive you. Honestly, I'm not sure she will anyway, once she sees what you have done." He stalked away, and let his words linger in the open doorway. A solitary tear slid down Demeter's cheek.

Zeus sighed loudly. "That could have gone better. " He headed towards the entrance to the Underworld. "Time to go talk to my brother I guess." He pinched the bridge of his nose as he tried to regain control of his temper.

While the Mortal Realm had begun withering away, the Underworld hadn't noticed the change, at least not enough to bring it to Hades' attention. As time dragged on, Kore and Hades had grown much closer. Kore had her own room in Hades' castle, but she hardly ever used it anymore. For the first few months, she had a rough time transitioning from Demeter's type of affection to Hades'. It took a while for Kore to feel comfortable enough, to be honest with Hades about her mother.

Most mornings started with Kore rolling out of bed first, as Hades' had always been a night owl. It made sense considering his surroundings, however lately Kore noticed he'd been staying up later and later. It was hard to fall asleep without him near. She started sleeping in one of his shirts, as well as wrapping a shirt around his pillow. Yes, they were sleeping in the same bed now. They hadn't gone beyond simply kissing and groping. Kore was sure that Hades' wasn't as okay with that, as he claimed to be. Though, he didn't really mind. Hades' was simply content to have her near him however he could have her.

This morning was a little different. Kore rolled out of bed as usual but ended up light-headed and she dropped to her knees. Hades still wasn't back yet. He'd been out all night, she wasn't sure what he was doing, but she was sure that it had to be important. Kore closed her eyes tightly. She leaned her head back and waited for the dizziness to pass. This has been happening more frequently the past few weeks. She knew that she would have to tell Hades eventually, but she didn't want this little bubble of perfection to pop just yet. With a groan, she rose to her feet. Her hair was all a mess. Hades had returned for a few minutes last night to kiss her goodnight before he rushed back off to do gods know what. Kore didn't stress as much about it now, not since Hades had given her a nickname.
"Perse." He had called her spur of the moment. It had made both of their faces flush. She wasn't sure why it affected her. Though it was nice to have something and someone to call her own.

Hades dragged himself into their bedroom. His eyes were tired, and red from exhaustion. He rubbed his eyes.
"Perse?" He asked once he saw her on the floor. "Is everything okay?" He raced to her side as fast as his tired legs would carry him.
"Yeah." Kore struggled to her feet. " I just stood up too fast and got a little light-headed." She grabbed Hades' outstretched hand and rose to her feet. Hades sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her towards him, so she stood between his legs.
"Are you sure, darling?" Hades kissed the side of her neck gently. "You know there is nothing you can't tell me. I'm sorry I've been so busy. There is just something weird going on in the Mortal Realm that is making work down here very complicated." He kissed her neck again. Hades smirked against her as a shiver ran down her back. "I promise I will try to be more present with us, pet."

"No, it isn't that." Kore shook her head. She took a deep breath. " I think it has to do with the lack of sunshine here." She kept her eyes away from his.

"Is that so?" His face fell. "I figured it was only a matter of time."

"I just need to spend a few days up in the Mortal Realm to recharge and then I will be right back by your side." Kore ran a hand through his hair.

"It's too dangerous, Perse." Hades shook his head. "I can't let you up there by yourself until we figure out exactly what is going on."

"I never meant by myself." Kore smiled at him. "Can we talk about this later? I missed you last night."

"Later then." Hades agreed before he laid back. "But later for sure." His eyes narrowed on her. He knew she was trying to avoid talking about this.
"Later." Kore sighed. "Right now there is something I'd rather do." That mischievous twinkle returned to her eyes.
"What's that, Perse?" Hades cocked an eyebrow at her. A smirk played on his lips. She always knew how to distract him.

"You." Kore climbed over him and kissed him roughly.

The suddenness took him aback. Kore took the chance to deepen the kiss. She wrapped his arms around her and buried her hands in his hair. Hades lightly ran his fingers down her back. Another slight shiver ran through her.

"Perse?" Hades whispered in her ear. He nibbled gently on her ear lobe. Kore murmured her agreement. "Can you get off me for a second? I have something else I need to talk to you about." Hades leaned up on his elbows.
"Of course." Kore gave him another quick kiss before she rolled off of him and sat at the head of the bed. Her red hair stood out against the ebony of the headboard. "Talk away." Kore smiled at him softly. Her eyes shone brightly at him.

Hades fidgeted nervously. He knew that what he wanted to ask was a big commitment, and they hadn't known each other long. There was a good chance that she would say no. He tried to reason with himself. Hades shook his head.
"Forget it." He plastered on a smile. "It's not important."

"Are you sure?" Kore cocked an eyebrow at him. "It seems like whatever is bothering you, is pretty important. You've been acting weird lately. Is everything okay? I mean, I know you've been busier lately. I don't mind really. I know that you have Ruler duties to take care of. You don't have to worry about me." She leaned toward him and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Really. We'll be okay."

Hades chuckled softly. Leave it to Kore to see right through him.
"You're right." Hades sighed. His smile became more genuine. "I just…" He paused, took a deep breath, and continued. "I just don't want you to feel like you have to fake anything, or rush anything with me. I'm fine with moving at whatever pace you want." The words left him in a rush. He ran a hand through his hair.
"Move at my pace?" Kore seemed puzzled. Her eyes widened as the dots connected in her brain. "Hades, I'm not sure when I'll be ready for that." She gently cupped his cheek and drew his eyes to hers. "I'm perfectly happy with the way that things are. I was honestly worried that we weren't moving fast enough for you. "

"What?" Hades burst into laughter. "Perse, I'm perfectly content with doing whatever you want. I am yours."