I stood by my love, accepting the gifts and well wishes from the other gods, most actually avoided looking at him. I turned finally to whisper, "Why are they so rude to you?"
He laughed and the room went silent, bending to where I sat he whispered, "Because if it wasn't for you, I'd to them what I thought and go home." I smacked him lightly, but returned to the gifts.
Wine, some jewelry, silks, I thanked them each and every one as they brought their gift. Some looked over my shoulder warily, most just avoided looking. He had his hand on my shoulder, possessivly, every once in a while stroking my hair.
My friend, Aphrodite, finally stepped up to take her turn. "I know how fond you are of dogs, 'Seph, but this is for your husband." She pulled a tiny puppy from her pink robes. It was small enough to fit in my hand and I stared in awe as I noticed it had more than three heads. "It would make a fine guardian.." she paused to look at Hades. "And companion for those lonely days." I felt jealously flair, but he had eyes only for me, drifting to the small puppy I held.
He shrugged and I thanked her handing him the drooling bundle. He seemed to take to it rather quickly, holding it to his body as it settled against him. I smiled up at him, happier than ever in my life. We were ready to go home.
Walking away from the happy couple, Aphrodite couldn't hide her grin. Zeus grasped her shoulder, "Mangy Mutt."
She laughed softly, "She has courage and strength." She'd seen that for herself at the pool when she'd confronted her with snarls and teeth, it felt like a lifetime ago. "Kindness, Patience, lots of love to give." She remembered the time Persephone had taken to brush the mats out of her black hair. "She is perfect for him, I made sure." As the beauty treated the beast with love, she deserved no less.
Aphrodite turned with Zeus to watch the happy couple. Persephone had gathered the gifts and turned to Hades. He had smiled for the first time since the Dawn of Greece this afternoon and it seemed he wasn't going to stop anytime soon. Then the lover's lips met in a kiss of passion, Aphrodite sighed, Zeus chuckled. Persephone pulled away and wished everyone good night and thank you. Aphrodite caught her breath.
Zeus turned clapping her on the back, "Very well matched."
Persephone's eyes were black like midnight, and with such a lovely face. The King of the Underworld had his Queen and both were on their way to their own Happily ever After.
I've started a series of one-shots called Persephone's Antics if you'd like to check them out. Hades is such a strong, responsible character, I felt he needed a young woman ready to experience what life had to offer, perhaps allowing him the chance to enjoy it with her. I can't fathom the myth. Rape to me is when a man wants to feel more powerful than a woman, at some point in our history it may have been different I don't honestly know, but Hades was a very powerful god in his own right appearing in many religions in many different names I don't see him having to take a woman by force or feeling like he needed to prove his power to her. It's just a story, but hope everyone enjoyed, thanks so much for reviewing. ShadowsClaw, I thank you for your idea, and hope you notice what I meant when it would fit a different scene so much better. Again I thank everyone that took their time to read this and everyone that reviewed. I've also written a story of Aphrodite and Heph' if you want to check out A Princess of Talent. I've been slowly working on Hera and Zeus's story, but I haven't started posting yet.