A/N: Here is the anxiously awaited chapter 2. Thank you to everyone who has commented and left kudos, you all are amazing. Thank you to my editor Spooks_on_Parade. Check out all of her amazing works. I won't keep you, enjoy this chapter inspired by the amazing Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe.

When it Rains it Pours

Ch. 2 - Tears

The absolute terror in Persephone's eyes caught Hades off guard. She looked like a rabbit caught in the crosshairs, ready to jump away at a moment's notice. Her breath hitched as she began to descend into a panic. What could have happened to cause such a reaction in the Goddess of Spring?

"Kore breath. You need to breathe," Hades said placing his hand atop hers, trying to ground her and draw her attention. Tears spilled down her cheeks from her shining eyes so full of fear. He wanted to do something, anything, for her, but he knew from his own panic attacks that being there and talking would be the best thing — so that's what he did. He whispered sweet nothings as his thumb stroked over her hand.

A low whine caught his attention from the doorway of the kitchen. Cerberus, stood there, ears laid back and a saddened expression on his face. Hades beckoned his loyal companion over so that he could also comfort Persephone, allowing the large dog to wind around her and lay his head on her shoulder from behind.

The pink hand not held by Hades' blue one reached over to pet the canine. She stroked through his silky fur as she took deep breaths until her racing heart and trembling calmed. Her tears did not stop however, they actually picked up until she was sobbing.

His heart broke for the little goddess falling apart in front of him. He needed to do something besides just sit there. He carefully opened his arms and drew her into him until she was leaning into his chest and sobbing into his shirt. His hands stroked her back as he hummed softly to her. It took a while but her sobs finally quieted and she was nearly asleep against him.

He picked her up, careful not to jostle her too much, and began his trek down the hall to the guest room. Cerberus followed them and, as they entered the room, he trotted past, drawing back the covers with his teeth. Hades chuckled under his breath so as not to wake the snoozing woman who had fallen asleep in his arms, face pressed into his chest, as he carried her to her room.

The change in temperatures or textures must have startled her as she shot up in bed as soon as he lay her down. Her eyes were once again panicked as they darted around until she found him standing beside her. She held out her hands to him, beckoning him to her bed. Her look of fragility and fear drew him to her like a moth to a flame and he couldn't deny her this one thing — she asked for so little.

"Stay. Please," She begged frightfully.

He drew her into his arms once again as he sat on the bed, stroking his hands through her hair. "What has you so frightened, sweetheart?" The endearment was so natural coming from his mouth that it took his mind a minute to catch up, though he realized he couldn't find it in himself to be sorry for saying it.

"He's going to hurt people...the photos…can't let him share...hurts...need to make him stop." He felt her tears soak through his shirt as she pressed her face against his chest as though she were trying to hide, he didn't think she realized what she had just said. Her hands bunched in his shirt as she spoke.

"Who has pictures Kore? What pictures? Pictures of you?" She nearly choked at his questions.

"What?" Her eyes were questioning which confirmed his theory.

"You said 'he has pictures.' Who is 'he', sweetheart? Please, let me help you. We can take care of any pictures. Did whoever 'he' is hurt you?" Hades feared what she would say, but he would stick by his word and help her.

Persephone tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear as she thought. He would give her all the time she needed. Finally, she blew out a breath but dropped her head. She wouldn't look at him. He wouldn't force her to, whatever was going through her mind couldn't be easy to talk about.

"Apollo." She said softly, so soft he barely heard her.

"What about Apollo?" What had that shitty little Sun God done now?

"I...I need you n...not to freak out on me. I n...need you t...to listen, to...to just be here, w...with me." She stumbled out.

"I'm listening," He told her gently.

Hesitantly, she told him everything — from the first time she met Apollo, to that fateful night, to every time she had been around him since, including this night. She didn't want him to interfere either, she wanted to deal with this in her own way, find the closure that she needed.

Every word she said explained past reactions. It also explained why she had shown up to his house tonight alone, shivering and dripping wet, with nothing but the clothes on her back. He wanted to track down Apollo and throttle him until his head exploded. He wanted to revel as the life drained from his golden eyes.

But he wouldn't because Persephone was right. He needed to keep a level head and not freak out because she needed him for support more than she needed him to avenge her. He would always be beside her to help her along the way, in whatever way she needed him to be.

By the end of her story, they were laying down — Persephone's head on his chest and his arms wound around her. "Are you mad at me?" She asked as she drew lazy patterns on his t-shirt covered torso, that caused pleasurable tingles to dance over his body.

He was shocked at the words that came out of her mouth. "What?! Kore where did you get the idea that I'm mad at you?!" He exclaimed.

"Well...you haven't said anything. I...I didn't want to upset you, but when I looked at you... you looked so angry."

He hadn't meant to let her see the anger that flit across his face as he listened to her story. He was so focused on her he didn't realize that his schooled features had slipped.

How stupid could he be? He knew she was observant. He should have been paying better attention to keeping his features neutral, she was what mattered, not his feelings on the subject.

"Kore, sweetheart, I'm not mad at you at all," he said tilting her face up from where it had been laying so he could look at her. He saw the curiosity plain on her face even in the darkened room. "I'm angry at Apollo for what he did to you and I'm angry that you weren't better protected. But I'm also glad that Cerberus came to you that day and kept it from happening again." The aforementioned dog raised his head from where he had laid at the end of the bed and his tail wagged gleefully.

"Of course he did because he's my good boy." She smiled lovingly at the dog and he acknowledged her doting with a small woof before laying his head back down. "Hades what happened to me, it wasn't anyone's fault but Apollo's. I know he needs to pay for his crime, but I'm not ready to go public — I don't know if I will ever be ready."

He sighed heavily, wishing he could change the way she currently felt. He hated to think of that little shit-head strolling around free, not a care in the world, and Hades knew, without truly knowing, that Persephone had not been his first victim and would most likely not be his last.

"Kore, where is Apollo's Lyre? You mentioned you had taken it. While I'm not opposed to you destroying it piece by piece, if you're caught with it you could land yourself in major trouble. If I were caught with it, I could just say I had confiscated it for one reason or another, we both know there are many reasons that I might do that. It wouldn't be such a big deal. Will you please allow me to help?" He looked at her as her fingers stopped moving.

"It's in a box at Artemis's house. I would have to get it while she's out or sneak it past her somehow. I don't want to get in trouble, but I want to take something from him. Ever since I met him all he has done is take from me — my peace, my joy, my dignity. I just want him to feel as afraid of me as I am of him right now. I want him to be the one to quake in my shadow. So I took something from him. Why is it fair that he can hurt me, but just retribution would result in a penalty? I know it was wrong to steal it, but I want him to feel what I feel."

She trembled in his arms as she rambled in frustration.

"I understand where you're coming from Kore, I do, but I don't think this is the way to go about it. Tomorrow we can go pick up some of your things from Artemis's and I would like it if you could grab the box with the lyre. You can tell her you're picking up some clothes because you'll be away for work for a bit since I know how she feels about the underworld and me in general. I also think it would be good for you if you went to see a therapist, it's your choice of course, but it might help, sweetheart. There's so much I want to help you with, but I'm not a professional. My therapists are great, I have been going to them for a long time and they help me a lot, they could help you too if you want to see them." She nodded her head, her warm cheek brushing against him through the material of his shirt. "Does anyone else know what Apollo did?" He asked gently as he ran his long fingers through her ever-growing hair.

"Just Eros. I didn't know what it was until I showed Eros my memories and he talked me through it all. He's been keeping it quiet for me. He thinks I need to go public about Apollo too, but even if I did who would believe some lowly Goddess of Spring over the great Olympian Sun God? Besides he's Zeus's favorite, he would never let Apollo stand trial, or if he did it would be biased. It's pointless."

Hades raged internally about his brother because he knew she was right. It hurt him for her to think that her case against Apollo was pointless, she should never feel that way. He couldn't let that happen.

"I will take care of Zeus, whenever you're ready. I will always be in your corner, Persephone. For now, though I believe we should both get some rest — we have a long day at work tomorrow."

Her drooping eyes agreed with him and they both snuggled down into the warm blankets piled on the bed.

It felt good holding her in his arms, she fit as no other had before. He didn't want to let her go, he couldn't bear to lose her. He wanted her by his side forever, he knew that now. He could only hope that someday she would feel the same about him after she had had a chance to heal and they had had a chance to talk. He would be honest with her — she deserved that.

He was going to have to have a long talk with Minthe very, very soon. He needed to be honest with her as well and end their relationship. It wasn't working out and hadn't for a long time in all honesty, it was toxic. The last thought he had was how warm and soft Persephone's breath was on his chest as he drifted off into the most peaceful sleep he had had in an extremely long time.

A/N: What do you all think? Aren't these two cute? Are you excited for the upcoming talk with Minthe? Chapter 3 is in the editing stages and Chapter 4 is being written. If you enjoyed this or have any constructive criticism leave me a comment down below or a kudos.

As always my faithful readers,

Faith