I don't own Percy Jackson & the Olympians and I don't make any money with this- even though I should if you consider all the hard work-.

Let me start my usual talk about nothing by saying I am sorry I haven't updated for so long. I just didn't have the inspiration and I also had exams, so.. I just wasn't able to.

But I am now and I will definitely update more, although I can't promise I will update a lot. My muse is unpredictable, stubborn and loves annoying me, people. Keep that in mind.

I hope you still like this update. Enjoy!

Hades started walking again, not once thinking he should be careful, and looked at his phone again. You would almost expect it to be the solution for any problem humanity faced, the way he looked at it.

In a very short time, his phone had become very important to him. It was a link to Medini. To the wonderful, mysterious and intelligent woman that held his undivided attention. It enabled them to text any free minute he had, which meant he and Medini could talk a lot. That meant a lot to him.

Every time he was able to, he would talk to Medini. He knew it wasn't smart to do this. but he just couldn't stop himself from talking to her, getting to know her. She was so fascinating, so charming and so.. familiar.

Even though he had only known her for the a short amount of time, he still had this strange feeling he had known her forever. That they had spend a lot of time together and knew each other well. Like he should know her.

She sometimes said things that triggered a memory, but he could never quite recall where he had heard someone say something like that. He would know he had heard that somewhere before, but he could never quite know when or from who.

And that wasn't the only thing that made her seem familiar. Apart from saying things that triggered memories, the things she said often were things he would say or have said himself. She was a lot like him, even if there were things about them that were completely different. She understood him.

For the first time in his long life, there was someone who thought like him, who understood him with no or little words. He finally had someone with whom he could talk about anything, without the fear of rejection or getting laughed at.

He had never felt this comfortable, content and happy before. His secret, deepest desire had come true; someone like him, someone that understood him at all times.

He had longed for someone who understood him for his entire life, but it had never happened. No one ever seem to think like him or understand him at least. Most didn't even want to come close to him or were so prejudiced that they had an entirely wrong image of him.

Most people thought they knew him and based every opinion about him on the image they had, but that wasn't him. It was just how he acted towards the people around him, not who he actually was. It was fake, an act.

He was so different from that person most people thought he was. It wasn't like nothing of the prejudices were true, but the biggest part wasn't. Most prejudices were piffle, so unlike him that no one who actually knew him, would take those seriously. But that was the problem.

Most people didn't know him. They knew his name, his reputation and stories about him, but they didn't know the real him. They didn't know what he liked to do or what his thoughts and feelings were. They simply didn't know him, only knew someone everyone believed was him.

They knew nothing and yet, behaved like they knew everything. It made him nauseous sometimes. How could all those people behave like they knew him while even his wife, the person he likely loved most in the universe, didn't?

Even his wife didn't know everything about him, even his wife still had some prejudices left, and she had lived with him for centuries. So if even she didn't know everything, how could all those other people behave like they did? They couldn't.

He just didn't comprehend how people could be that oblivious, that obtuse. How they could tell lies like that? The lies people told and their oblivious nature was one of the reasons he prefered to isolate himself from the other deities, and sometimes even the whole world.

He had isolated himself for as long as he could remember, had been convinced the world would never change and that was the only way he wouldn't get hurt. He had thought isolation was the best option he had. But now, he wasn't that sure.

The world was still the same in many ways and Hades wasn't a fool; he knew there were a lot of bad people and anyone could hurt you, even the persons you didn't expect to hurt you. But there had also been a change.

The world had become lighter, better in a way. There were less bad people, there was more love and friendship. There had been a change, a small one, but a change nonetheless. And when the world changed that little bit, he had had changed a little as well.

Since he had met Persephone, he had been a different person. He had been the same towards the rest of the world, but he had been very different to her. He had opened up and shared things with her, trusted her. Something he didn't do easily.

There were still things she didn't know, things he didn't trust her with, but she had been the first person he trusted and confided in. She had been different than all those people he avoided.

She had made him happier, less pessimistic and generally made everything in his life better. He loved Persephone. It was the truth, even if it sometimes seemed like he didn't love her. He loved her more than anything in the universe.

Which was why he despised the time they had to spend apart, the time he didn't see her. He felt himself falling back into the same patterns, into the same way of thinking as he had before she had been with him. It wasn't a good thing.

But what was a good thing, was Medini. He had never expected it, had never believed it to be possible, but there was another person that could change his world, make it seem like a better place. She made him feel like Persephone sometimes did, like there was hope and he should just have faith in the world and enjoy life. And now he had Medini, he did.

Persephone always made him feel good,-even if they argued and she didn't always understand-but there was that inevitable moment she had to leave him. And he would be left behind, lonely and miserable.

That was why Medini was already so important; she kept him from being lonely and miserable. She filled the void that followed after Persephone had left. She made it possible for him to be happy even when Persephone wasn't near him.

Persephone hadn't left yet, but Hades already noticed how much Medini did for him. She only talked to him,but it changed a lot. She made him smile more, laugh at loud even and made the burden of his job feel a lot lighter. She had just as much effect on him as Persephone, maybe even more.

Hades , walking again without thinking about his destination, looked down at his phone and smiled. Medini had send another message, seconds after he had send his respond to her latest message. She obviously liked their 'conversations' as much as he did.

So you really want me to feed you then? I didn't expect that, you don't seem demanding like that:) You aren't secretly a lot younger, are you?

She was obviously teasing him and he smiled when he imagined her standing on front of him, smiling playfully. I am not demanding dear and if I remember it correctly, you offered! And why would you think I am younger than I let on? Are you?

You are right, I did offer. I just can't imagine a grown man desiring to be fed, isn't that something only young children desire? Toddlers and such. And I never gave you my age, so I can hardly be younger than I let on.

Smart, avoiding my question altogether. I sense an invitation however, an invitation to ask your age. Or is it unthinable to ask such a thing? They do say it is rude to ask a lady for her age, after all.

Smart man, asking a thing that is indeed rude, but asking it in a way that is sounds awfully polite. Maybe I will respond to your question if you respond to mine.

What would that question be?

What is your age?

Does age even matter? Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. J

ack Benny said that. In 1970.

You read the times?

I read practically anything.

Really? And your memory is well enough to recall anything you have read?

I believe so.

You don't seem convinced. Do you allow me to test the proclamation that you recall everything?

Sure, but how do you plan to confirm my suspicion?

I will quote something and you will tell me who said it.

That actually sounds like fun, I'm in:)

Are you ready?

I am. Commence the quoting!

All right, here is my first quote; Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.

It is from Wolgang Amadeus Mozart. I would recognize that anywhere. And it is a beautiful quote, one of my favorites.

It is also one of my favorites. Mozart truly was brilliant. What are your other favorite quotes?

There are too many to tell them all, but one of my other favorites is this one; Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. And yours?

That one is from Oscar Wilde, isn't it? What do you like about it? And I have, just like you, many favorite quotes. One of my favorites would be ; Always forgive your enemies - nothing annoys them so much.

That one is also from Oscar Wilde! What a coincidence. Do you forgive your enemies? I like the comparism, it is a very beautiful and true one. Love is indeed necessesary and fills your live, keeps you alive, if you ask me.

Perhaps it isn't a coincidence, we do have an awful lot in common after all. I attempt to forgive my enemies, but I never succeed. How does one forgive one's enemies? It isn't easy. So you are a romantic person? I somehow expected you to be.

I believe so. Is it positive or negative to be a romantic person? Are you a romantic person, I somehow suspect you are. I don't know how you forgive your enemies, but it takes a lot of strength. Not everyone possesses that strength, I don't always possess it either. Why did you expect me to be a romantic person? Because of that quote?

Neither. Being a romantic person has equally advantages and disadvantages, so you can't exactly say it is positive or negative. But everyone needs romance in his/her life, so I assume it is positive. Some people who knew me have called me a romantic person, but I am not convinced I am. What makes someone a romantic person anyway? It is hard to determine when you are one. But you, you just seem to be a romantic person, someone to believe in love and that good conquers all and such. I find it hard to believe you have any enemies by the way. How can someone be insane and inane enough to have any negative feelings towards someone as mindblowing and simply perfect as you?

I feel flattered that someone sweet, caring and intelligent like you could think that about someone like me. But you don't even know me, not really at least, so how can you be so sure? But then again, I am convinced you are a romantic person while - until just now- you haven't given any real indication that you are. I shouldn't say you can't know I am a wonderful person while I believe you are the most wonderful man in existence. We both have inadequate information to say things like that, don't we?

You would think we do, but to me, it doesn't feel that way. I have told you this before, but it doesn't feel like I have just met you and never actually met you. It feels like you have always been with me and know me like no one else does. Forgive me if you feel like I exaggerate, but it is how I feel and even I can't change the way I feel.

I can't tell you that you are exaggerating while I feel exactly the same. How can it be that we just met - and didn't even really met- and it still feels like we have known each other since the beggining?

I don't know. Maybe there is no explanation and we should just enjoy it. I know I am enjoying myself immensely just talking to you. You have already become a part of my life while I haven't known you for long.

I don't even remember how much time has past since I started talking to you. It seems years, at the very least, but it can't be more than a few days.

I do hope it doesn't seem years because I am boring and time passes very slowly?

No. Time goes by fast, but I feel like I have known you for years. I can't really explain it.

You don't need to explain. I know exactly what you mean, because I feel the same. I shouldn't feel this way, because I barely know you, but I already care deeply for you. Forgive me if I am being too forward.

You aren't, but I will admit I am nonplussed you feel about me this way.

Why would you be nonplussed? You are stunning, intelligent , caring and understand me. And those are just the character traits I have discovered after a limited time with you. Who knows what more you keep hidden. You are a wonderful person, how couldn't I already care for you?

" Darling! What are you doing?".

Hades twirled around, instintively closing Medini's messages and hiding his phone, to face a smiling Persephone. Next to her was a grinning Aphrodite, who looked very smug and satisfied with herself. He didn't like that.

Persephone walked towards Hades and kissed him. Then, she turned to Aphrodite and smiled at her.

"You were right Aph, he really is completely absorbed by his phone. How strange".

Aphrodite shrugged.

" I know. Maybe you should keep an eye on Charon, he seems to be stealing your husband's attention from you".

Persephone laughed, the soft, melodious laugh Hades loved so much. He didn't like it now for some reason, feeling too anxious too enjoy it. He wanted to see Medini's answer. He was just very curious.

" Well, it isn't necessary to keep an eye on Charon. Why would I pay attention to some man when I have a stunning, intelligent and wonderful wife?" he said, smiling at Persephone and trying to show nothing of his anxiousity. He really wanted to see Midini's response.

Persephone laughed again and playfully slapped him on his arm. "You just say that to humour me, you scoundrel".

" I am sorry to disappoint you, ma belle, but I actually meant it. You are my wonderful wife and I can think of nothing that hold my attention and eye more".

" That is good, because I just realized something".

" Really? What did you realize, mon amour?".

" I have been horrible lately. I have completely ignored you and we only have little time left together. Aph pointed out we haven't had time for ourselves for ages and I realized I really want to spend some time with my handsome and romantic husband. So we are going out tonight!".

Hades felt surprised, but what was even more surprising, was the slight disappointment he felt. He had always loved spending time with Persephone and from the way she looked at him, it would surely be a very enjoyable evening. Something that would normally lift his spirits a lot.

And yet, he felt rather like he had just lost the lottery instead of won it. For some reason, he would rather spend time with Medini.

Not that he didn't want to spend time with Persephone, but there was so much about Medini that he didn't know yet. He wanted to discover all those things. The woman just fascinated him.

But Persephone could never know that, couldn't even know Medini existed. Hades knew she would be outraged if she ever discovered he was talking to another woman and rather talked to that woman than to her. He didn't want that and not just because it would make things a lot more complicated.

He also didn't want to harm Persephone, he still loved her after all. He wanted her to be safe and happy, smiling and laughing, and not in tears or shouting and screaming. He would never intentionally hurt or harm her in any way.

So he smiled, ignoring the slight disappointment he still felt, and gave her a quick hug. He tried very hard to act surprised but happy instead of surprised and just the slightest bit disappointed. She didn't seem to notice his disappointment, for she kept smiling.

" That is wonderful, love. What a surprise!".

" So you're happy? You don't mind going out with your boring wife?" Persephone said, her smile showing she was just teasing him. She liked being complimented and knew he would always compliment her when she said something bad about herself.

" My dear, even if you were covered in wounds, blood and your hair would be as tangled as possible, you would be nothing short of stunning. You are simply perfect, the very embodiment of beauty".

Aphrodite glared at him when he said this, but he ignored her. She had been the one to tell his wife they should go out. He didn't like her interfering with his personal business. Or that she interfered at all, really. Besides, it was the truth. To him, Persephone was the embodiment of beauty and not Aphrodite.

Aphrodite quickly said goodbye, saying she didn't want to interfer with the 'lovebirds', and Persephone and Hades walked back towards the palace on their own.

Persephone was talking and laughing and , although Hades did enjoy himself, he found his thoughts drifting to Medini and what she could be doing. He hadn't been able to tell her he had to stop talking to her, so she probably was still waiting for his message. How would she react if he didn't respond for hours without any plausible reason or warning?

Damn it. I have to tell her I can't talk to her for some time, that something urgent needs my attention. But how? Persephone can't possibly say it.

Hades really wanted to tell Medini he couldn't talk, but didn't know how. Persephone was still on his arm, laughing and talking. And she wouldn't leave him alone, he knew. This evening was obviously meant to be spend in her company at all times. All evening, he wouldn't have a chance to talk to Medini.

Persephone and Hades reached the palace, after a detour to her gardens - where she kept stopping to talk to her precious plants- and Persephone immediately walked towards the dining- room.

Hades momentarily forgot his dilemma when he walked inside; the lights were out, except for the faint lights of candles that were placed everywhere, the table was set for two- two plates, two glasses of champaign and there even was someone playing on a violin.

His wife had worked very hard to make this the perfect evening and Hades felt suddenly guilty he had been so distracted. He vowed he would be attentive and charming tonight and would do anything to make this night special to his wonderful wife. He did love her and thought her to be more valuable than any jewel in his possession after all.

She smiled at him and he felt touched and flattered when she looked into his eyes with bright, twinkling eyes that held love and devotion. He never felt like he deserved all her love, but always felt happy when he saw she loved him even if he didn't deserve it.

She looked especially beautiful tonight, with her dark hair falling in soft curles and a dress that hugged her forms. The love in her eyes and the faint blush made her even more beautiful, Hades thought.

He took her hand, bowed, and kissed it. He looked up with a smile, her hand still in his larger one. He didn't miss how she inhaled sharply and how her face turned a darker shade.

" How could I ever thank you for arranging this, ma belle? You are truly more than I could ever hope to have near me".

" I am just glad you like it. We don't get to spend much time together and well, since I will leave shortly, I thought-".

He straightened and in one fluid motion, pulled her against him so he could kiss her. When the kiss ended and she opened her eyes, she smiled. She looked even more beautiful with swollen lips and that glazed look in her eyes.

" Where was that for?".

He smiled back, playing with a strand of her beautiful hair. " For being you. And to cut off any rambling you might have started".

He moved his arms from her hips to her shoulders and whispered in her ear. " A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous".

He pulled back and, ignoring the dumbstruck lookher eyes, offered her his arm. She looked quizzically at him, but accepted his arm and followed him into the room for a romantic night between wife and husband. She wasn't aware of the fact that her husband desperately wanted to talk to another woman, to warn her so she wouldn't wait for a respond she would receive far later.