I Do Not Own Percy Jackson & The Olympians. And you REALLY ought to know that by now.
And once again, I apologize for not updating for a long time but I was on a holiday, then I got ill and now my laptop has crashed ( I spilled my drink on it) and I have to borrow someone else's laptop. Good reasons, if you ask me.
Enjoy!
Third Person – Hades' palace
Hades took long strides while he walked towards the gardens, rubbing his slightly sore nose. He had been so focused on his Phone- or actually, answering Medini's message- that he had actually walked into a door. With that vixen Aphrodite watching!
His thoughts shifted from the embarrassment he had felt to the both malicious and mischievous look Aphrodite had been wearing when she had spoke to him. She had looked ominous for the first time since he had known her.
He had anticipated she would start talking about Medini, that she would at least be aware of the fact he was talking to a woman on the dating site, but she hadn't said anything about the dating site or women. It made him suspicious. It wasn't like Aphrodite to say or do nothing in such a situation.
Aphrodite was a lot of things, but she wasn't oblivious. Especially not when it came to these kind of things. He was almost convinced she knew he was talking to another woman and he had the growing suspicion she also knew that he was rapidly developing very strong feelings for said woman. He just hoped she wouldn't interfere too much and that she didn't discover who Medini was before he did.
He feared Aphrodite might tell her what she knew about him and that Medini wouldn't want to talk to him anymore. That she would think he had just been playing with her or that she believed the image that most people had of him. There were only a few people who didn't have that image and even they didn't always think positive about him. It made him fear Medini, who hadn't really met him yet, would think something horrible to when she discovered who he really was.
How would she react if she discovered he was Hades? Would she disappointed? Would she stop talking to him and insist she didn't want to have anything to do with him? Or would she be angry and send him a lot of messages with all the horrible things that were said about him?
He feared the moment she found out who he really was. People always treated him like he was a monster, like he didn't belong anywhere and they didn't want him in their proximity. They might fear him, but that didn't mean they respected or accepted him. And it certainly didn't mean they were nice to him. They never were.
He had the feeling he would die from the inside of Medini would react like that. He had the feeling even Persephone wouldn't manage to cheer him up if Medini looked at him with the fear and dislike. The thought alone made him feel nauseous.
He had finally found a woman who was not only beautiful and intelligent, but also understood him. With whom he could talk about anything and who gave him the feeling he had to hide nothing, unlike other women he was with. He didn't even dare to share everything with Persephone and he loved her.
He had known Persephone for millennia, was married to her and loved her more than anything and still he didn't feel the same connection he had with Medini, a woman he had met about a week ago and hadn't even really met. He just didn't want to lose her.
He hardly understood how his feelings could be this strong already, but he knew even Persephone didn't give him these feelings. He loved Persephone, loved spending time with her no matter what they did and was happy with her as wife, but she had never given him the feeling that she was his other half. While Medini did give him that feeling.
He resented himself for it, but he knew he was starting to like Medini more and more and was more interested in her than Persephone for the moment.
But then again, Persephone has never truly understood me, now has she? She is kind, intelligent, beautiful and I love her, but she isn't Medini.
There aren't many similarities between Persephone and me, similarities that there are between me and Medini. No matter how much I love Persephone, she will never be able to understand me, to converse with me about the things Medini and I are interested in.
And Demeter is truly a horrible, horrible mother-in-law. No man should have to deal with that.
On the other hand, Persephone loves her and I love Persephone. The least I could do is be polite towards her mother, even if it is just to keep Persephone happy and I don't mean it. She is still the mother of the woman I love.
Hades had arrived at the gardens and he could already see Persephone, although she couldn't see him. She was kneeling, giving some of her plants water while she talked to them in that soft, sweet tone most people use to talk to their children. What she was saying wasn't exactly sweet though.
" I mean, it is so frustrating. My mom might be peculiar, but she did raise me and loves me for who I am. Why can't Hades understand my mom – although very annoying- is a great person? He just has to be an asshole about it, the chesty jerk".
Hades walked towards her and kneeled down as well, hugging her and inhaling he sweet scent. He loved her smell. She stiffened at first, but he whispered " I am sorry" and she relaxed slightly. Taking this as a good sign, he continued with his speech.
" I should have never talked about your mother in such a manner, no matter what my opinion concerning her is. She is your mother and you deserve tranquillity and peace, not a husband that is arguing constantly with your mother.
You deserve to be loved and cherished, to be happy and I fully intend to do anything to make that happen".
Persephone relaxed even more and he heard her sigh softly.
" You are saying that now, but will you actually be chivalrous towards my mother like you are to me when she visits us again?".
Hades chuckled and kissed her neck, inhaling her flowery scent that smelled better than any flower if you asked him. It always calmed him down and made him feel light-hearted.
" Chivalrous might be a bit much to ask, but I promise I will be civil towards her, my blossoming pomegranate".
" You promise?".
" I promise. I will even take an oath on the Styx, if you wish me to".
" No, that is all right. I know you are trustworthy and would never promise something if you didn't wholeheartedly intend to keep that promise".
" So am I forgiven? Or have I forever been banned from your company and will I spend the rest of my days truly in Hell, because you won't be there to brighten even the gloomiest days anymore".
Persephone turned into his arms and smiled at him, a smile filled with love, before she touched his lips softly- first with her fingers and then with her mouth. They shared a soft, but passionate kiss before they broke apart and Persephone lay her head on his chest, closed her eyes and sighed softly.
" No you are forgiven. I leave tomorrow after all, it would be inane to waste this day by being angry at you while you are being so sweet".
" Ah tomorrow. The worst day of all, because it is the day you will leave, my sunshine".
" Hades..".
" I know you have to leave, my love, so I won't attempt to change your mind. I do however, ask you to spend the remainder of this evening and the night with me".
He kissed her forehead, then her cheek and whispered in her ear " We can do whatever you want, my Hibiscus".
Persephone shivered and slowly opened her eyes to look into his and smile at him. " Since when do you call me Hibiscus?".
Hades chuckled, leaning down to give her a quick kiss on her lips before answering.
" I researched flowers and their meanings. An Hibiscus stands or delicate beauty. I thought it was fitting". He didn't tell Persephone why he had researched them; to impress Medini. She clearly loved flowers and gardening and he thought it would be nice if he could show he had some knowledge when it came to flowers. Other ways, he would feel like a feel whenever she talked about her beloved garden.
Persephone smiled at him again and kissed him, pulling back when he tried to deepen it. She was smiling mischievously and her eyes shone like they normally only did when she away from the Underworld. He tried to kiss her again, but she stopped him.
" You will have to do something that get rewarded like that Hades. And just being so sweet and romantic isn't enough this time" she said teasingly.
Hades tightened his embrace and kissed her forehead, although he wanted to kiss her lips. He would let her have it her way.
" Tell me what I have to do, my lady" he said.
" Hmm. Firstly, let me go".
Hades arched one eyebrow, but didn't say anything and let her go. She stood and stretched before offering him her hand and tugging on it, signalling he should stand up. He did, looking at her with questioning eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him before pulling back slightly so she could look into his eyes.
" Secondly, you can pull out weeds. They are ruining my garden".
She leaned in again, kissing him deeper this time before pulling back again.
" And then, you can use your godly powers to assure my plants won't be bothered by anything ever again. And perhaps you can think of a way to actually give them sunlight? We could both use some, my Gladiolus".
Hades chuckled. " Anything you wish, my Holly".
He leaned in to kiss her, a proper passionate kiss, but she stopped him. She shook her head, smiling.
" None of that until you have done what I asked you to, my Bachelor Button".
Hades sighed, but let her go and obediently started pulling out weeds. He summoned gardening gloves, a cushion, a gardening spade and a watering can. He placed the cushion under his knees and put the gloves on before starting.
He first carefully examined the plants to make sure he knew which ones to remove, then threw some water over them before gripping the bottom of the weeds and pulling it sharply out of the ground. Sometimes, he would use the gardening spade to loosen the soil around the weed's roots. When he had removed all the weeds, he snapped his fingers and the pile of weeds he had gathered was burned.
Persephone- who had been busy in another part of the garden but had kept looking at him- touched his shoulder to get his attention when he was done.
" Where did you learn that ?" she asked, her voice filled with awe.
Hades chuckled. " I am not a fool Persephone, I am perfectly capable of disposing of some weeds".
" Yes, but the way you did it.. and you didn't even have to ask which plants had to stay! You just knew what you had to do".
" I decided to read a bit about gardening, it is your biggest hobby after all. Do you like the surprise?".
Actually, Medini had told him all this, but he wasn't about to tell his wife that. It would be a lot safer to just tell her he had learned it so he could make her happy. If that meant he had to spend more time in her gardens, so be it. He could live with that.
Persephone surprised him by practically jumping into his lap and giving him a kiss that was so passionate that he was gasping for air when she pulled back . She was gasping as well, her breathing fast and erratic.
He hadn't seen her look this radiant in years; her eyes were shining like little starts, filled with colour and life like they would when she wasn't in the Underworld, her smile would have impressed Apollo and she actually shimmered a bit, like rays of sunlight were coming from her. The flecks of dirt on her face and the simple clothes she had changed into only made her more beautiful in his eyes. His breath was stolen by her appearance, almost as much as when she had kissed him.
" Oh god, you are so sweet! That you would do that for me" she said, kissing him again. Now she had started, she didn't seem able to stop. It was like a dam had broken.
" You" Kiss. " Are". Kiss. " The". Kiss. " Most". Kiss. " Amazing". Kiss. " Man". Kiss. " In". Kiss. " The". Kiss. " Universe". Kiss.
Persephone gave him one last, deep and overwhelming kiss before pulling back. She was gasping for breath much like him, her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen, her hair a mess and she looked happier than he had seen her in some time.
He felt awfully guilty when he remembered why he had learned a bit of gardening, but pushed it away. He hadn't done anything after all, only talked, and she seemed happy. He wasn't going to ruin the mood by talking about another woman. Besides, they were enjoying their time right now and that was what mattered.
He wrapped his arms around her and started placing kisses on her soft, warm skin. On her forehead. Her nose. Her mouth. Her neck. Her collarbone. Above her collarbone. Her ear. And finally, her lips again.
They shared another passionate kiss and it ended with Hades gathering Persephone in his arms, making all the gardening tools disappear, and carrying her bridal style towards a bed that had suddenly appeared. Hades also made sure no one would bother them.
They spend a few hours in that bed before Hades picked Persephone up again and carried her towards the dining- room where the candles, plates and romantic atmosphere had remained. They let someone bring food and talked and laughed for hours before they walked towards bedroom and fell asleep in each other's arms after a few hours.
Hades woke the following morning early, but not early enough. Persephone's side of the bed was already vacated and cold and there was a little note on the nightstand. She was obviously gone already.
He rubbed his eyes before picking it up, smiling when he noticed she had sprayed some perfume on it so it smelled like her.
My dearest Daffodil, I have already left when you read this, but I am looking down at you as I write it. Your hair, black like the night, is spread messily on your pillow. I love threading my fingers through that hair, darling, and feeling the silkiness.
Your eyes are closed right now, but I can imagine them- those beautiful dark eyes I feared when I first came here but have grown to love. They are beautiful, intimidating but beautiful and I love them the most when you allow me to see the love and admiration you have in you reflected in them.
And your delightful body , only the lower part covered by the sheets, calling to me like a siren's song. You do know how hard you make it sometimes to leave, don't you?
Because no matter how much I love the sun, my mom and the flowers, the Underworld has you and that alone makes it worth being stuck in a dark place. You brighten my days like the sun above could never hope to do.
Know that I will miss you, my love. I will miss your laugh, your dry humour, your arms around mine while you sleep – I will miss that tremendously- and everything else I love about you but don't have the time nor the words to name.
Please keep in touch with me, knowing I will miss you even if I enjoy some time away from the Underworld.
I was born to walk in the sun and be surrounded by flowers, but I now believe I was also born to love and cherish you.
Thank you for the amazing evening and night, I had the most wonderful time. Another of the many things I will miss during my absence.
For always and forever yours, Persephone.
Hades smiled when he read that, picturing Persephone writing it and looking down at him with a faraway, loving expression. He could almost hear her sigh and walk over to him , threading her fingers through his hair and kissing him on his forehead before leaving. It was a lovely image and he wished she was really here. She had just left, but he already missed her.
He hated being stuck here, with people that feared and perhaps respected him, but weren't friends. He hated having no one to talk to and having to miss Persephone.
He missed her; missed her laugh, her eyes, her warm body next to his.. he just missed her presence. She always made him feel happy, even when things weren't going that well. And he always felt so lonely and depressed when she was gone.
He pressed the note to his heart and inhaled her scent, hoping to ease some of the loneliness, but it only made it worse. He felt his good mood disappear slowly, until he felt like the entire world was gloomy like the Underworld.
He always felt horrible- especially the first few days- , but it was even worse now Persephone and he had spend such an amazing evening and night together. He wanted to cuddle with her and talk, maybe have breakfast together, not wake up alone with only a note with her scent stuck on it.
Hades' pessimistic thoughts were interrupted by his Phone, that let him know he had a message. He immediately brightened, reaching for it. He wasn't sure what would make him happier; a message from Persephone or Medini, but he was almost certain this was Medini and it did make him very happy. Although that was because he was lonely or because he really liked talking to her, he didn't know.
Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day. How are you, sleepyhead?
It is from the Dalai Lama. I wake up some mornings and sit and have my coffee and look out at my beautiful garden, and I go, 'Remember how good this is. Because you can lose it.' And I was quite horrible, but then I got your message. Thank you, luce del sol. How are you?
Jim Carrey. Nice quote! And I am truly a ray of sunshine- or luce del sol, if you want to call it that. I had a good night's sleep and worked in my garden for a few hours. And now I get to talk to you, which also brightens my day. Why did you feel horrible?
So you are a morning person then? Somehow, it doesn't surprise me that much. I can imagine you being up insanely early, working in your garden and singing a song. Do you sing when you are in your garden?
And firstly, I am not much of a morning person and secondly, it is just one of those days. Or it would have been, if you hadn't given me a quote and brightened my day with it. Thank you Luce.
De nada. Is that now my new nickname? I rather like it. I am a morning person, I just love watching the sunrise. Even after all the time I have been alive, it is still breathtakingly beautiful. I do sing. So what is your favorite time of the day/night? Perhaps it is, I rather like it as well. Does that mean you admit I have fine nicknaming abilities?
The sunrise is beautiful, I will give you that, but I prefer sunset. And I suppose my favorite time is twilight, when it isn't yet completely dark but almost.
Hmm, I am postponing my judgment for now. I still need to think of a nickname for you though. Perhaps I will just call you Amadeo, it is a beautiful name after all. Or Dark father, seeing as you like darkness so much ;)
I don't like it that much, I just feel more comfortable when it is dark. And that is an improvement, I suppose. Better than saying I have no nicknaming abilities.
Don't even think of calling me dark father, that is a horrible nickname! Bad girl ;) And what song do you sing?
Mm, you feel more comfortable when it is dark. Why? Are you a vampire? It sure sounds mysterious. I won't call you dark father than, mister mysterious. I prefer to keep that a secret ;)
I will tell you why I feel more comfortable when it is dark if you tell me the song. It isn't because I am a vampire, I have never liked blood that much. Sorry to disappoint you.
Mister mysterious.. I rather like that.
Is this blackmail or trade? And you have to tell first, if you want me to tell.
You could never disappoint mister mysterious, you are so many things I like already. And I have never like blood myself, so it is better that way.
Fine. I feel comfortable, because no one can see you when it is dark and you don't have to hide. It is protective, like an invisibility clock or shield. That and I have a sensitive skin.
You like vampires, but you don't like blood? Not exactly a match made in heaven, Luce. And tell me!
What or who are you hiding for? And what are you hiding? Why do you even feel the need to hide? Is it because your family doesn't understand and accept you? I know how that feels. My garden is my darkness.
A sensitive skin you say? So you won't be willing to go to the beach with me? I was kind of looking forward to that, you could do my back...
And fine, if you ought to know, it's here comes the sun. Happy now?
Sometime after that, came another message. I sometimes sing a different song as well, especially one of Adele; someone like you.
I am very happy. Beatles fan?
I like Adele's songs, although it is annoying that they are mostly about her love life.
And I am hiding from my family, my responsibilities that I didn't want in the first place, all the people that don't understand me. I suppose I am hiding from the world really.
I have never felt that comfortable around people, they never understood you and are often so mean.
But you, you are different. You understand me and I have the feeling you would never willingly hurt me. That is one of many things I am quickly starting to lo-
Hades hesitated for a moment before he changed love into really like about you. He wasn't sure how she would react to the word love and wanted to be cautious. He didn't understand his own conflicted feelings yet. It was better to be a little playful and not yet tell her exactly how much he liked her. If he did that, he wanted to do that when he really saw her.
And for you, I would do something far more challenging than going to the beach with you and burn my skin. Just ask.
At that moment, Hades' stomach decided to remind him he hadn't eaten yet and he quickly send another message.
I am going to grab some food, I haven't had breakfast yet. Back in a minute ; )
He took his Phone with him to breakfast, not wanting to leave his connection with Medini behind. He wasn't even aware he was humming; here comes the sun while he walked downstairs.
Aphrodite's Pov; somewhere close to Hades' room.
I was surprised when Hades came out of his room for three very good reasons. One; He was grinning so widely I suspected he was about to strain a muscle. Two; he had his Phone with him and was sort of cuddling it ( the guy really needs some social advice ) and three; he was humming. I recognized the tone eventually.
The Beatles? Why on earth is he humming here comes the sun, that doesn't make sense...
I shrugged, deciding I would find out later. Right now, I had something more important to do. Which was why I was hiding close to Hades' rooms.
I had hidden here when I had realized Persephone wouldn't come to her personal chambers. How I had realized that? I am the goddess of love , I know it when couples break up, argue, kiss, make up etcetera. It is my job to know and even if I say so, I am very good at what I do. So I quickly realized Hades and Persephone had made up and would eventually come here.
I have to say, I was surprised to see Hades carry her into the dining- room – that I could see from my hiding place- bridal style. I was even more surprised when they laughed and talked the entire time and Hades was very kind, sweet and romantic. I didn't think he had it in him. And I was REALLY surprised when they stopped using the table for food. Especially since the bedroom was not far away from them. But hey, it was kind of sweet.
And yes, I watched. Is that so bad ? Again, it is my job. And it would probably have ruined the mood if I had left my hiding place and apologized for seeing all that. It also would have been strange that I had been hiding there. Well, they would have found it strange. And after some time, both were gone too far to notice and care much about anything anyway, so I didn't and still don't feel guilty.
It isn't like I did it for my entertainment – maybe I enjoyed watching, but that wasn't the reason I was watching-, but to help Hades get Demeter. I still had to talk to Persephone and make sure she didn't stand in the way after all.
The annoying thing is that they didn't stop after that ; they went into the bedroom for 'dessert' ( I am not going to tell you what they choose as dessert, but you can guess) and eventually fell asleep. I wasn't surprised they were exhausted.
Why, you might ask, didn't I leave after? Simple; I still wanted to talk to Persephone.
I have been dying to get Demeter and Hades together for some time, Ares is busy ( some war somewhere, I didn't ask) so I can't have fun with him right now and I am still slightly mad at Persephone about the entire Adonis thing, so this is a nice way to spend time. She will find a new guy, I am sure. She isn't ugly after all.
Anyway, my point is, that I really wanted Demeter and Hades to get together and Persephone had to disappear for that. And no, not as in one of those movies where you kill someone or abduct them.
I just talked to her and asked her if we could go shopping tomorrow. Then, I hid again. And not at all, because Hades looked very good while he wass sleeping with only his lower body covered. No, Because I thought I might gather some information. Sounds logical right?
I first wanted to borrow his phone, so I could see what he and Demeter had been talking about, but he almost woke up when I tried to get it. Too dangerous, I decided. So I had waited until morning- because I really needed that Phone, not because I was curious- and now he brought it with him! Really annoying.
I watched him walk away and decided I would never get that Phone. I mean, the man guards it like a lioness her cubs. No way I could borrow it- not steal it, I would give it back- and he wouldn't give it if I asked nicely either.
So, sighing and stretching , I left the Underworld and travelled back to Olympus. I still had to go shopping tomorrow. And maybe I would go visit Demeter, because I am such a nice person and perhaps she would let me borrow her Phone. Yes, borrow!
Third Person- Demeter's palace
I am going to grab some food, I haven't had breakfast yet. Back in a minute ; )
Demeter sighed softly and smiled while she looked at the message, imagining Amadeo sitting at a table and sipping nektar. Perhaps he would wear a bathrobe, or only pants or nothing... Okay, the last one probably not, but she could imagine him only wearing pants. He seemed like someone who would do that.
I wouldn't mind him wearing only pants while having breakfast. He would no doubt look amazing, with that muscular yet thin body. Raising the spoon between his soft lips. What would his lips taste like?
Demeter was so lost in her pleasant daydream of Amadeo only wearing pants and sharing her breakfast with her that she didn't hear her door open nor did she hear the soft voice call " Mom? I am home!".
In fact, she only noticed another presence when the person lay her hand on her shoulder and she jumped, turning and swallowing a startled scream.
It was the first time in Millennia that she wasn't very glad to see her daughter. Not when her daughter interrupted such a pleasant daydream about a very handsome man.
Persephone looked surprised for a moment before smiling and laughing softly. She apparently hadn't noticed her mother was slightly annoyed with her.
" Wow mom, you were lost in thoughts. Where were you thinking about?".
Demeter answered without thinking.
" Amadeo".
And froze when she realized she had told her daughter while she hadn't been ready to so yet. She looked just as surprised at her slip of tongue as Persephone, who was staring at her with her mouth wide open.
I will end it here and try to update soon, but again; no promises. Hope you liked it! Oh and the flowers;
Daffodil- Chivalry
Hibiscus- Delicate Beauty
Gladiolus-Strength of Character
Holly- Domestic Happiness
Bachelor Button- Anticipation