Had it been a dream? No. It had been real. Everything he had been shown flashed through his mind quickly. Seeing Venice, Maria's home, and Maria and the children for the first time in years... he was both glad he had been taken out of the painful memory of previous happiness, and disappointed he couldn't see more of how happy things used to be.

And then he had seen Persephone. He was starting to empathise with his brother Zeus. He imagined that was how Hera acted whenever he cheated on her. At least he was a more loyal husband, Hades thought with a hint of smugness. Now that he thought about it, Hera and Persephone would be good friends.

When would the next ghost show up? Just as he thought that, he saw bright, glistening light appear in his room.

"Oh, for gods sake!" Hades exclaimed. Couldn't he get at least an hour to recover from the first ghost?

The light faded until it revealed the ghost. To Hades' surprise, he was not made out of light like the previous one. He was a large man who greatly resembled Santa. He had a mass of dark hair with a sprig of holly on his head and a beard the same color and wore crimson velvet robes. Despite not being made of light, he seemed to insert more light in the room than the previous ghost.

"Hello, Hades." He had a deep, yet friendly voice. "I am the ghost of Christmas present."

"Of course you are," Hades grumbled.

"That's a nice snow globe." Hades noticed the ghost was staring at the snow globe next to the bed. He didn't know why he had left it there. "Is it your Christmas present?"

"I thought you were Christmas present," Hades joked, surprising himself.

The ghost burst out laughing, a loud, merry laugh. "Good one, Hades! I didn't know you made jokes."

"Oh, just show me what you want to," Hades snapped. "Should I take your hand?"

"Where did you get the globe from?" The ghost ignored him, seeming transfixed by the ornament. "Your wife?"

"None of your business," Hades snapped.

"Okay, okay. Take my hand, Hades." Hades reluctantly obliged, and felt himself flying again. He didn't fly for long, and ended up at another area of the Underworld. His son Nico was there, along with Charon. The latter was talking to him animatedly, and Hades groaned when he heard what he was saying.

"I work my hardest," Charon was saying. "But Lord Hades is cruel, harsh, and unforgiving."

"Well, you're right about the second part," Nico scoffed. Hades scowled while the ghost chuckled, no doubt finding the comment amusing.

"I always hoped that one day, he'd become nicer and–"

"Nicer?" Nico interrupted. "That'd really be a Christmas miracle."

"–and give me a pay raise," Charon finished. Hades scowled again. "Anyway, I was wondering if you could talk to Hades and ask him to give me one."

"Yeah right," Nico scoffed. "It's easier trying to talk to the zombies." Hades scowled again, but was slightly taken aback by the venom in his son's voice. He didn't know Nico... disliked him so much.

"Oh... I see." Charon seemed surprised as well. "But perhaps you can give me one instead? I'm sure you're kinder than Hades."

"It's not hard to be," Nico replied. Well, at least he seemed more interested in insulting him than the pay raise.

"Geez," the ghost remarked. "What did you do to make your son hate you so much? Forget to show up to a baseball game? Take away his favorite toy?" Hades ignored his attempts at humor.

"Maybe later," Nico told Charon. "I'm going to the Upper World."

"The Upper World?" Charon exclaimed. "But why?"

"I like it more than this place," said Nico. "It's completely lord of the underworld free."

As Nico left before Charon could protest, the ghost instructed Hades to take his hand. Hades was grateful he wouldn't have to watch his son insult him more and took it without hesitation. He felt himself flying again, and was shocked by the sight that greeted him when he landed.

Persephone was sobbing into her bed, her shoulders shaking. She clearly wasn't in Hades' palace. Her mother Demeter was next to her, rubbing her back comfortingly.

"Persephone, what's wrong?" Hades asked, forgetting she couldn't hear him. He couldn't bear to see his wife in such a state.

"This is on Christmas day," the ghost informed, seeming unfazed by the scene. "Technically the future. But like I said, there is no real present."

"It's okay, dear," Demeter soothed. "Don't cry. Forget about him."

"I can't!" Persephone cried, and Hades gasped. Was he the reason for her distress? No, that couldn't be. He would never reduce her to such a state.

"It's alright," Demeter repeated. Hades had never seen her talk so kindly before. Probably because she was always yelling at him or nagging Persephone.

"I can't believe Hades blew me off, on Christmas Eve." Her tearful words made Hades' heart sink. So it was him. "I really thought he'd want to spend Christmas with me."

"I always told you it was a mistake to marry him," Demeter said, in her usual nagging tone this time. "First he kidnapped you, then cheated on you with that mortal woman, and now he blows you off on Christmas."

"Mother!" Persephone cried, sobbing louder. Hades preferred his son's insults over Persephone's sobbing.

"Sorry, dear," Demeter said quickly, and her voice was back to the kind, soothing tone Hades was so unfamiliar with. "But it's honestly what I think."

"I really wish you'd stop lecturing me," Persephone sniffed. "We're married, and I love him. Well, I don't right now, but usually, I do."

"I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean to upset you more," said Demeter. "I just care about you. When he kidnapped you... it was the worst day of my life. Even if he hadn't, I wouldn't be happy about him marrying you. Maybe when you have children, you'll understand. Not like Hades ever could," she added bitterly.

But he did understand. After Zeus had killed Maria, he had been forced to place his children in the Lotus Casino, and not interact with them for decades. He longed to talk to them, to bring them to the Underworld, like he had wanted to do years ago, but he knew they were safer there. If someone kidnapped them, it'd be even worse, since they wouldn't be safe with that person. He still didn't like Demeter, but perhaps he could put lights up in his palace. Just for tomorrow.

"Hades isn't that bad," Persephone sniffled.

"What?" Demeter exclaimed. "But he made you cry." Maybe Zeus was right about goddesses being impossible to understand, thought Hades.

"Yes, but he isn't all bad." Her sobs had receded to sniffles by then. "He's a good, attentive husband for the most part. He just acts like this sometimes. I'm being silly and dramatic, really." She wiped her hand across her eyes.

"No you're not," Demeter assured. "But forget about him. You have me to spend Christmas with. We'll have a great Christmas together." She wrapped her arms around her daughter, who buried her head in her mother's chest. Hades watched with a bit of begrudging respect towards Demeter. She may be unbearable and overbearing, but she did care about her daughter. That was why she had gotten so angry when Hades married her. And she was there for her on Christmas, which was more than could be said about Hades and his son.

"We must go, Hades," the ghost said. "But it's a touching scene, don't you think? Makes me want to cry. Happy tears, that is. That is, if I could cry."

Hades didn't reply. Persephone had been sad because of him, and Nico had been angry. He preferred the latter, but neither were great. He could handle the Olympians hating him, but not his own wife and son. He was always complaining about the Olympians pushing him away, but he had pushed his wife and son away. He should've felt grateful they wanted to spend time with him. Nobody else could tolerate him. And what had he done? Made it clear he preferred to be alone.

"Earth to Hades?" the ghost asked. "You have to take my hand."

"I will," Hades snarled. "You're not funny, ghost. Quit with your jokes."

"Just trying to lighten the mood," the ghost replied as Hades took his hand. This time, he thought he was back in his palace for a moment, before realising he wasn't. It looked a lot like one of the rooms, though. As dark and gloomy as the others. He realised this was the cabin now built for him at Camp Half-Blood. About time they gave him one, and it was decent. His son had designed it himself, and it definitely suited Hades well.

As expected, his son Nico was in the cabin. As not expected, another boy was as well. A boy who greatly resembled one of Hades' brothers.

Hades groaned out loud. Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, the bane of his existence. He had never met such an insolent, disrespectful mortal in his life. Well, aside from his son, if his remarks to Charon were anything to go by. He was even more annoying than his father. Hades had felt slightly guilty for sending that Fury after him after finding out he hadn't actually stolen his helm of darkness, but not anymore. He deserved it for his smart mouth.

What was more, there was another boy next to him. A boy with deathly pale skin, jet black hair... oh, no. What was his son doing in the Poseidon cabin? Did he hate his father so much he preferred being in a different cabin?

"It's so dark in here," Percy remarked. "How can you see anything?"

"Well, it is the Hades cabin," Nico noted, looking annoyed. Hades felt a twinge of sympathy for him.

"Well, you designed it well, if a little gloomy," Percy said. "I heard you had a bunch of undead servants to help."

"Why are you here?" Nico snapped. "Don't you have a cabin of your own?"

"Well, yes," Percy replied. "But can't I visit my favorite cousin on Christmas?" The words sounded familiar to Hades.

"Favorite cousin?" Nico asked incredulously.

"Well, you're the only one around my age instead of thousands of years old," said Percy. "Except for Thalia. But she's a hunter now, so..."

"We're not really related," Nico noted.

Percy ignored him. "I wanted to say Merry Christmas."

For a moment, Hades was expecting his son to react like he had when told that by Poseidon. But instead he said, "Thank you... But it's not very merry."

"Why?" Percy asked. "Everyone's out there celebrating. Seems pretty merry to me."

Nico didn't reply, glancing down instead with a downtrodden expression. Hades was taken aback. Was he that upset about not being able to do anything with his father on Christmas?

"What's wrong?" Percy asked, concerned. "I can tell something's bothering you."

"It's nothing," Nico replied. "Nothing you would understand."

"I've been killing monsters and fighting gods since I was your age," retorted Percy. "I think I would. Go on, tell me."

Nico looked up, gazing at Percy through his dark bangs. "Yesterday, I went to the Underworld."

"Why?" Percy asked. "You have a cabin here now."

"I know... it's just, I have a room there as well. I wanted to talk to my father."

"How'd it go?" Percy asked. "Not great, I'm guessing." He looked uncomfortable at the mention of Hades, to the god's approval. It was good if the boy was scared of him.

"I gave him a Christmas present," Nico replied. "A snow globe. It cost quite a lot."

"Wow." Percy looked baffled by the idea of someone giving Hades a present. "Did he like it?"

"Not really," Nico replied, looking disappointed. "But that doesn't matter. Anyway, I asked him something really dumb."

"Can't be dumber than that time I gave him advice on how to rule the Underworld," Percy noted.

"You did that?" Nico sounded impressed.

"Yeah. I told him he should walk Cerberus more and give Charon a pay raise." Nico looked relieved he hadn't asked his father to give Charon a pay raise.

"I asked him if he wanted to do something with me on Christmas," Nico explained, looking embarrassed. "That went as well as you'd expect."

"Wow." Percy stared at Nico.

"I told you it was dumb," Nico said. "You can laugh at me now."

"It's not dumb," insisted Percy. "It's brave. I could never ask my dad that. I'd be too afraid to."

"More like you'd be too sensible to," Nico retorted. "Of course, he said no. He was as cold as ever. You know, ever since I convinced him to help the other gods, I thought he'd be a bit nicer. Just a little."

"He should," Percy agreed. "You're the reason Kronos was defeated, and the other gods respect him now." Hades scoffed at that. He doubted some (Zeus) would ever respect him.

"Well, your dad adores you," Nico said bitterly. "Don't know what you have to complain about."

Was he jealous? But Hades did ado— care about his son. He just didn't show it always... often... ever.

"Not really," Percy replied, surprised by Nico's words. "When we first met, he called me a wrongdoing and said he was sorry I was born."

Nico looked surprised. "Really?"

"Yeah," Percy replied. "Well, he also said I was his favorite son."

Nico scowled. "Of course..." Hades also scowled, because one of his brothers was outdoing him at something.

"Well, forget about Hades," Percy told his cousin. "He might not appreciate you, but everyone at camp does. Everyone loves you after what you did. I bet you're the most popular kid."

Nico laughed. "No way. I bet you are. You're the one who killed Medusa and the minotaur when you were twelve."

"That was years ago," said Percy dismissively. "Anyway, you're twelve, and you summoned a skeleton army to defeat Kronos. And told him his death would make you happy. That was pretty awesome."

Hades smirked. Maybe Poseidon's son wasn't so bad. He watched them leave the cabin into the light outside.

He remembered how Poseidon had done the same thing. He had shown up to wish Hades a merry Christmas and ask what his problems were, like his son had done for Hades' son, and Hades had blown him off and told him to leave. At least his son had been nicer.

"We must go now," the ghost said. "Last one, Hades."

Hades took his hand, and found himself in his palace again. He saw himself all alone in his throne room, back hunched, doing paperwork. He waited several moments to see if something would happen, but nothing did. He simply sat there, doing paperwork as usual, occasionally making a sound of annoyance. He supposed he should be used to it, and he was, but it was depressing to see himself all alone, spending Christmas like this. He probably wouldn't have cared if he hadn't seen his wife and son spending Christmas with others and being angry at him for blowing him off. He could be spending time with them.

"Well, that's depressing," the ghost remarked. "Is this how you spend Christmas? Seems rather boring."

Hades didn't reply.

"Well, I suppose there's nothing else to see here," he said, offering his hand to Hades. He took it, and the immediate moment afterwards, found himself lying in his bed yet again, his eyes popping open.

I love Nico roasting Hades and being like a teen who hates his father. The stuff he said to Charon is just one of the many instances I've thought of. I imagine them constantly bantering and insulting each other, even if it's not really their relationship in canon. For example: Hades: I'm going to the fields of punishment. At least the tortured spirits are more tolerable than you. Nico: Of course you can tolerate them. They're as horrible as you are.