It was a usual night.

Hades lay in his canopy bed, staring at the bloodred ceiling. His room had more color than the whole of the Underworld combined.

A dying fire smoldered in the hearth. The fire was slowly wearing away, similarly to Hades' spirit.

Persephone absolutely did not love him, and he had caused her so much pain that he couldn't bear it, even if it was only an accident.

A honeyed noise made him jump. "Lord H-Hades?"

He turned over to see Persephone, looking very small and afraid in his doorway. She seemed scared out of her wits, but ashamed at the same time.

"Yes, Lady Persephone? Is something wrong?"

"I…I'm afraid," she said, just above a whisper.

"Of what?"

"There are so many strange noises outside my room. I feel like they will…get me." She sounded like a child instead of a headstrong young goddess.

"Nothing can harm you here," Hades assured her.

Persephone nodded, but sparkling tears rolled down her cheeks. The god beckoned for her to come closer. He thought she would hesitate, but she ran to him and jumped on the bed, and into his arms. The wind was knocked out of him, producing a small oof sound, but he didn't mind.

Stroking her hair, he lied on his side, and reassured her that nothing would "get" her. Her convulsing sobs began to slow, but she did not pull away from him. Her arms were folded against his chest, and she was unabashedly as close to him as she could get.

Seeing that she would not leave, Hades pulled the sheets over Persephone. Not wanting to wake her if she was asleep, he thought, I apologize. Because of me, you are trapped in this place of torture. I am sure you have heard this a good amount of times. But, I must say that I love you. I would do anything for you.

There was no response, and Hades thought that he would be satisfied just by thinking this, but he wasn't.

Then, It wasn't your doing. But even if it was, I would forgive you. Hearing that, and recognizing the soprano tones to be Persephone's, Hades smiled.

It was the first time he had ever smiled, in thousands of years. But, there was a first time for everything.

A/N- I've uploaded two mini-chapters. I planned to make them one chapter, but the two events were pretty different so I split them up.