Persephone poked her head into the pantry, rifling through the bags and containers until she emerged triumphantly, apple chips in hand. She reached up to the cupboard, swinging it open and grabbing a small bowl. Ripping open the bag of chips, she savored the tangy smell of Granny Smith apple chips as she dumped a sizable amount into the bowl.

Potato chips were good, but sometimes they were too salty. Apples were great, but not crunchy and snackable enough for her right now. Therefore, apple chips: the perfect solution.

Tucking her book under her arm, Persephone picked up her snack bowl and mug of chai tea as she shuffled slowly over to the couch. Hardwood floors and fuzzy socks could be a dangerous combination if caution was not exercised.

Persephone plopped down on the end of the couch opposite Hades, letting her book slide out from under her arm as she positioned the mug and bowl on the end table beside her. As she got herself settled, Persephone gazed out of the window briefly. It was drizzling lightly; not grey, but definitely wet. A perfect time to stay indoors and snuggle up with a good book.

She proceeded to stretch out, sighing in relaxation as she put her socked feet on the coffee table.

Hades looked up from his novel and raised an eyebrow, glancing accusingly at Persephone's feet accosting his marvelous coffee table.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's impolite to put your feet up on surfaces?" Hades remarked sardonically as he raised his coffee to his lips.

"She sure did", Persephone replied cheekily, wiggling her toes and grinning. "I still did it anyway, just to mess with her. One must rebel under the oppressive regime with all means at one's disposal."

"Including feet?" Hades asked, nodding towards her fuzzy rainbow socks.

"Especially feet," Persephone replied with a smile, grabbing one of Hades' toes next to her on the couch cushion and giving is a squeeze.

Hades clenched his feet and squirmed, trying very hard to maintain a neutral expression. Persephone knew that Hades' feet were particularly ticklish, and while normally she loved getting into a tickling match with him (even though she would always inevitably lose, seeing as she was ticklish almost everywhere), this time she wisely chose to refrain, seeing as he was currently holding a mug of hot coffee, and it is not at all pleasant to be doused in hot drinks.

Instead she gave him an affectionate pat on the foot and relinquished her hold, earning an audible sigh of relief from Hades. He had been tensed in anticipation of a tickle attack, and was pleased to regain his foot unassaulted.

Persephone took a sip of her tea and munched on a few chips as she crossed her ankles and pulled her book into her lap. She fingered the tassel on her bookmark before opening up to the marked page. She was about halfway through, and felt that she could easily power through the rest of it since she was at a really good part.

She looked over at Hades, who was looking quite fetching and comfortable in his lounge pants and loose fitting dark sweater. His eyes were skimming back and forth quickly, devouring the words before him. From where she was sitting she could tell he was nearly done with the book.

"What are you reading?" she inquired after swallowing a mouthful of chips.

"It's a World War II spy novel called 'Jackdaws'. It's written by Ken Follett, and it's very good. It's about a group of women who infiltrate and blow up a communications building operated by the Nazis. The main character is a very tough and resourceful woman; you'd like her," Hades explained.

Persephone smiled. "Sounds interesting. I'd like to check it out when you finish, which seems like it shouldn't take too long," she observed with a nod towards the book.

Hades nodded, looking at the pages he had left. "It is a very engrossing read; I can barely put it down. The action and pacing are great, without sacrificing characters or the story."

"Sounds awesome!" Persephone enthused.

"What about you?" Hades asked, gesturing to the open book on her lap with his coffee before taking a drink.

"It's called 'Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.' It's like a grown-up retelling of the Wizard of Oz, starring the Wicked Witch of the West. It's really fascinating," Persephone replied, holding up the book to show the cover, which featured an illustration of the titular green-skinned witch.

"Oh yes, I've heard of that one. The author writes different spins on multiple fairy tales, right? Like Cinderella and Snow White. I tried reading it once, but I didn't care for the author's style. He was too political, and he's unnecessarily wordy," Hades explained, frowning slightly at the memory.

"Aw, I like his diction, it's sophisticated. And I think the politics works well as a metaphor for many dilemmas in this day and age translated into the idyllic world of a beloved fantasy land," Persephone defended.

"If you say so…" Hades stated dubiously. He still wouldn't be picking it up anytime soon.

"Plus, they adapted it into an awesome musical!" Persephone exclaimed happily.

Hades chuckled as he set his coffee mug down. "Ah, so that's the real reason you love it so much: not because it's well-written, or for its morals and views, but because they turned it into a bombastic Broadway musical with a catchy soundtrack."

Persephone "hmmphed" with much offense as she picked up her tea and sipped it haughtily. "Some people just have no taste."

"Clearly," Hades said with a wide grin that he hid behind his book.

Persephone gave him a sideways glare, to which he merely chuckled before returning her eyes to her book and settling in to some relaxing reading time.