Persephone had her room just the way she liked it: A small orb of pure sunlight in the middle of the ceiling, a grassy floor, a bed made from a great tree with a mattress of incredibly soft moss, a little spring that flowed into itself, and of course a few flowerbeds. It was probably paradise. To someone else. But Persephone hated only one thing, to be alone. And that's what this gilded cage was, pure loneliness.

The attendants, while nice, were simply attendants. They were not even mortals or nymphs. They were more like shadowy figures that slipped in and took care of things. She had explored much of the Underworld now, it had been made very clear that she was allowed anywhere in the realm. Persephone found it beautiful, but dark. She'd even placed a few little sunlight globes like the one in her room in certain areas to reveal the sparkling gems. The globes dimmed when the sun went down, creating a good measure of time. But none of this cured the loneliness. Even now, she was just staring out at her room, wishing for companionship.

A small knock came to her door. This was surprising, considering the attendants didn't usually knock. She opened it to see Hades, he actually flinched at the light as it poured into the dark hall. "H-hello." He said, like he'd meant to say something much more profound but now that he saw her he could only manage that.

"Hello." She smiled, happy to see him, despite his previous transgressions because he was probably the only other person in this place she could befriend. "Would you like to come in?"

"Yes, would you mind?"

"No." She opened the door for him. This was a bit inappropriate, but she figured, he was pretty determined with the whole wife thing, no need to be shy now. Marrying him would be a big step up anyway, he was powerful enough to have his own domain. Perhaps the most powerful man she would be able to find. She'd always wanted to be strong enough to leave her mother's choke hold. He might be able to provide that. "Come on in." She let the door swing open.

He stepped into her room slowly, looking around at what she'd done. "This is….did you do all this?"

"Mhmm." The Goddess smiled. "Do you like it?"

A slow smile came to his face, "Only you could bring such beauty to this dark place."

"Uh…thanks." She grinned and sat down on her "bed".

"Do you like it here, Persephone?" He asked, looking over her.

"Well…" she frowned a little, "I do…but the thing is…I don't like being alone." She sighed and looked up at him. "I mean I really really don't like being alone. Why did you just leave me by myself?"

He frowned, and…was he blushing? That was so cute. If on'y the mortals could see him now. "I'm sorry…I did not think you would like my company…seeing as how I…"

"Kidnapped me?"

"Y-yes."

"Well you're a little awkward, that's true." She looked up at him with a bright smile, "But in all honesty, beggars can't be choosers. And anyway you've already proven yourself to be better than my father and Poseidon."

It was well known what had happened to her by Zeus, and the child that resulted from his "seduction". Hades reached out and brushed the hair from her face, "I do not wish…to hurt you." He said softly. "Only to keep you."

She blinked up at him. He looked like he expected her to push him away. "Look, I…I know what it's like to be really alone…and I hate it too." She thought about what it must be like to spend an eternity in darkness. That is what she would be agreeing to. It was his doom. It was beautiful…but eternity? She much preferred the sun. She reached up and took his hand in both of hers. "So…how about being friends for now, okay?"

"Friends?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah…because we both dislike being alone. So I'll look past the whole abduction thing if you promise to stop by every now and then." She smiled a little, feeling foolish just describing this.

"You are very odd…" A slow smile came to his face. "I don't think I've ever met someone like you."

"Right back at cha." Persephone chuckled.

"Friends…?"

"That's what I said."

"That would be nice…yes." Hades smiled. He was kind of cute when he smiled.

Maybe darkness was a price worth paying. She would have to see.