Hades puts his arm protectively around Persephone's waist as he starts up the chariot. She's not always steady on her feet when the chariot begins moving. Moments later, as they arrive on Olympus, Zeus is there to greet them. Hades takes a deep breath before he steps off the chariot into his overenthusiastic brother's arms. To Hades it always seems as if Zeus is drunk with his brashness. "Hades you made it! Good to see!" Zeus booms. He loves teasing his older brother. Hades always rises to the bait.
"Attendance is mandatory, is it not? I couldn't exactly get out of it, besides Persephone made me come." Hades grumbles. He catches Persephone's glare out of the corner of his eyes and immediately stops insulting his brother.
"Good evening, father." Persephone says as she steps forward slightly. She squeezes Hades' hand tightly as she goes past him.
"Persephone you look absolutely stunning. You do realize of course, that your mother is going to have a fit when she sees that dress." Zeus says hugging her tightly.
"That was part of the point. Mother can't go on thinking I'm a child. I'm a goddess and I'm married and co-ruling the Underworld and she still treats me like she did years ago when I was small. Hades picked out the sandals for me." Persephone says as she lifts the hem of her dress to show off her husband's good taste.
"Hades I'm impressed! I didn't think you had it in you." Zeus says slapping his brother on the back. Fashion was never on Hades' radar.
"You couldn't pick out a nice pair of sandals for Hera if your marriage depended on it! At least my wife finds me useful in such matters." Hades says coldly.
"Persephone did you pick out his outfit tonight, and if not did he know what colour you were planning on wearing tonight?" Zeus asks getting agitated.
"No, he picked his outfit out all on his own and no, he didn't know what colour I was wearing. I kept it a secret." Persephone says proudly about her husband.
"You can't have that close a connection. You've only been married a decade." Zeus challenges. His anger is rising. He's not used to being challenged so much.
"I know my wife in every way possible. We have an emotional connection, not just a lust connection, though we have that too, and we trust each other implicitly." Hades says throwing a dig at his brother. To emphasize his point he pulls his wife close and kisses her soundly. All the gods and goddesses are shocked at his speech and his actions. Normally the Lord of the Underworld doesn't display his emotions to anyone unless it's anger.
Something in Zeus snaps at that moment and he lunges at his older brother. He knows Hades is right about himself and Hera. The trust and the knowledge of each other has long since disappeared and it disturbs Zeus greatly. "How dare you criticize my marriage! At least I didn't have to kidnap my wife!" Zeus hollers loudly. He glances at Hera across the room and she actually smiles at him. For the first time since before Hades and Persephone got married they're talking to each other without malice. He does love her despite the things he does to her. He doesn't understand why he cheats on his wife.
"At least I'm faithful to my wife unlike my little brother who seems incapable of keeping it in his toga! My wife loves me! Can you say the same?" Hades asks maliciously. He already knows the answer. Hera tells him often that she stopped loving Zeus years ago.
Persephone jumps in between the two gentlemen. She hates when her husband and her father fight. "Stop it! When are you two going to grow up and stop competing against each other?" she cries.
"I tried to keep my promise, sweetheart, but my younger brother seems to enjoy goading me into fights." Hades whines. He hates seeing his wife angry, especially with him.
"I don't want to hear the excuses anymore! You two are grown gods! There are no excuses! Now shake hands and apologize!" Persephone says sharply.
Eager to please his wife and stay out of her bad books Hades steps up to his brother, holds out his hand and says tightly, "I'm sorry if I said anything that offended you." He hates giving his brother an apology or a compliment.
"I'm sorry if I anything I said made it sound as if I think you're a bad husband to Persephone. I think the two of you are doing very well together." Zeus says clasping his brother's hand. He's being truthful. "Come, let's eat."
"Where did you seat me, O ruler of Olympus and all things on heaven and earth." Hades asks sarcastically.
"Except me and you." Hera says as she comes over to talk to her elder brother.
"Hmm?" Hades says absentmindedly as he hugs his sister. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Zeus doesn't rule you and me. It's very clear that Persephone rules your heart and it's clear that whoever has Zeus' eye at the moment, and that's certainly not me at any time, rules him, but no one rules me." Hera says flirting with her brother.
"Hera, you're simply terrible. You're such a tease. It's amazing what Zeus allows you to get away with saying. I couldn't have said what you just said." Hades says praising his sister.
"I have him wrapped around my little finger most of the time. He listens to me." Hera says sashaying the length of the room and sitting elegantly in the end chair. All eyes are on her despite the presence of other beautiful goddesses, including Aphrodite, who looks less than happy.