The King of Darkness' Birthday

"Thanatos! Thanatos where are you damn it!" Lord Hades called for the god of Death, also known as his assistant.

"Yes my Lord, what is it?" Thanatos answered, his long flowing silvery-white hair flowed behind him. His eyes covered by a black sash, his face long and thin. His skin was pale, possibly even more so than Hades. His robe was white as snow and he walked with a certain air, being the god of Death did make him feel confident, but he was fairly humble and quiet, just like death itself.

"There you are! I need to make sure that Persephone doesn't find out what today is. Understood?" Hades was anxious, since he wasn't one for surprises, or celebrations.

"Yes my Lord, but I must be honest with you, I am not one to lie." Thanatos was honest, perhaps too honest at times.

"Well just avoid the topic altogether, you know how I feel about surprises and celebrations, and knowing Persephone, she'd probably go all out." Hades scoffed as he heard footsteps coming down the hall.

"Hades, Hades, there you are! I wondered where you went off to. Oh, who's this?" Persephone looked over at Thanatos as she walked over to Hades and put an arm around him.

"Persephone, this is Thanatos, the god of Death." Hades stated flatly.

"Oh hello! It's so nice to meet you." Persephone held out a hand as she smiled earnestly at Thanatos.

"Yes, it is an honor to meet the lovely Earth goddess." Thanatos gave her hand a quick shake as he brought his attention back to the events scheduled for the day.

"Yes well Lord Hades, I must warn you, today there aren't too many deaths to Judge, but Lord Zeus had requested your presence on Mount Olympus, and Demeter would like to see her daughter. She's been searching high and low for her ever since she discovered she was missing."

"Well Persephone is my wife, and thus I shall take responsibility in discussing the matter with Demeter myself. Persephone I can't keep you here, if your mother wishes you back then there isn't much I can do." Hades stated, in a matter of fact tone.

"But Hades, I don't want to go back." Persephone begged as she tugged on his arm.

"Well then, there is a way to keep you here. Eat fruit of the Underworld and you are bound here, by law." Hades beguiled her to eat a pomegranate.

"But, I will miss my mother." Persephone sighed as she bit into the fruit, swallowing six seeds along with a large bite.

"I'd like to go with you to Mount Olympus sometime Hades, to be introduced as your wife."

"I'd like that." Hades lifted up her chin as he sucked off the juice from the pomegranate that was dripping off her.

"My Lord, now that she has eaten of the fruit, perhaps I may make her a meal. She must be hungry by now. It has been five days." Thanatos requested.

"Yes Thanatos, that is appropriate. Persephone you eat something while I go up to see what my little brother needs." Hades smiled slyly as he called his chariot forth and went to the Upperworld.

"Thanatos, has Hades ever fallen in love?" Persephone turned to Thanatos, who was just about to walk away.

"Not that I can recall. He's had varieties of succubi around here, but he's never told one of them that he loved them." Thanatos waited for Persephone's response, though he saw she was somewhat distressed.

"Do not worry Lady Persephone, it is not because he is incapable of love. It may seem so, though it is because he has not met the right goddess, up until now." Thanatos smiled at the sight of Persephone blushing like mad.

"Do you know what love is Thanatos?" Persephone questioned.

"When one puts the needs of others before their own." Thanatos stated flatly.

"Ah, I see." Persephone nodded, though she didn't seem too satisfied by the answer.

"Forgive me Lady Persephone, I myself have not fallen in love, and thus I do not know much about it myself. Though I have heard it is worth waiting for. Love is something that one needn't question; it is a time in your life when you are the happiest that you can be, especially when the love is requited. Though it can be the most miserable time when the love is unrequited, or when the one you love just isn't ready to fall in love themselves. Thus love is also a very delicate and complicated situation, especially when it is someone like Lord Hades. He doesn't know much about kindness, caring, selflessness, or love, but I think each day he spends with you, he learns a little more about each one." Thanatos smiled at her, trying to reassure her that perhaps someday, Hades will learn to love.

"Thank you Thanatos, you have lifted my spirits greatly." Persephone smiled as she walked back to Hades' chambers to take a bath.

"Thanatos, I shall be in the bath, do please feel free to get me when the food is ready."

"Yes Lady Persephone." Thanatos nodded as he went off to prepare a meal for the kindhearted goddess.

"Hades! How goes it in the Underworld?" Zeus asked his brother in an uplifting tone.

"Well it's dark, full of death, the usual." Hades shrugged.

"I see, I heard you uh, found yourself a wife hu?"

"Why yes, you may know her, I mean she is after all your daughter." Hades smiled smugly.

"What? Which one?"

"Persephone, has anyone seen her? Have you seen her Hades?" Demeter interrupted as she frantically went around asking everyone if they'd seen her precious daughter.

"Not lately." Hades crossed his arms as he gave Zeus a knowing look.

"Demeter, I told you that I wasn't to be interrupted. I promise we'll go out and search for her soon." Zeus stated as he thought about what Hades was hinting at.

"You say that everyday! But you do nothing, you just sit around on your thrown, or you go out and accompany yourself with other goddesses for your pleasure! Does Hera know who Persephone's father is?" Demeter raised her voice.

"Now Demeter, no need to get hasty." Zeus backed away.

"Tell me where my daughter is and I swear Hera will never know." Demeter crossed her arms.

"Why don't you ask Hades?" Zeus looked over at his brother who was leaning against one of the pillars.

"Hades?" Demeter was rather confused.

"Yes, well as you may or may not now, I recently took on a wife." Hades gave her a smug look as he shrugged his shoulders and leaned his head back, his black hair falling back so that his head and neck were exposed.

"You! YOU!" Demeter ran over to him as he disappeared.

"Damn you Hades!" She screamed after him, though he was long gone, and she knew she'd never go to the Underworld, even if that was where her daughter was.

"Hmm hmm hmm. Ahh, nothing like taking a nice relaxing bath." Persephone finished bathing herself as she was beginning to lather her long beautiful golden-brown hair. The incense was that of lavender and cherry blossom, they reminded her of springtime and all the flowers she'd help her mother pick.

"Hmm, I wonder what mother is doing. I haven't seen her in a while, and I don't want her to worry about me. I'll ask Hades if I can see her soon." Persephone rinsed herself off and drained the water as she reached for her towel; she heard a knock at the door as Hades peeked his head in.

"I'm back." He smiled as he watched her graceful body dry itself off as she smiled at him.

"Welcome home." It was one of those warm genuine smiles that made his heart skip a beat, and he even found himself blushing.

"Thanatos said our meal is ready." Hades continued eyeing her, but kept his distance.

"Alright, let me just dry my hair. And I need to dress." Persephone brushed through her hair, using some of her power to dry her hair. She hung the towel up as she walked over to the closet and chose an ankle-long lavender peplos with small silver clasps on her shoulders to keep the fabric gathered in a "tank-top" like fashion. She then put some ankle-high silver sandals on, and then she gathered her hair into a loose bun.

"Alright, I'm done." She smiled at him.

"You look lovely." Hades hugged her from behind as he smelled her hair and smiled.

"I see you used the incense I brought for you." He leaned forward to look at her as he kissed her neck and cheek.

"Mmm, I love it. Thank you." She leaned into him as she closed her eyes and smiled.

What is this feeling? I don't understand, why is my heart pounding so fast, my face is hot, I don't understand what's gong on with my body. Hades was not too familiar with emotions, especially with the optimistic ones. All he knew was if Demeter had gotten her daughter back, then he'd be alone again and that was something he'd never wish for.

"Well then, let's go to the dining room, I'm sure Thanatos made something very tasty for us." Hades put out his hand and led her away.

"Thanatos, this looks wonderful." Hades was impressed by the meal, which was at least four courses.

"Yes Thanatos, it looks delicious." Persephone smiled as she began with a salad.

"Thanatos, you may pour the wine." Hades nodded at Thanatos as he looked to the right at Persephone gingerly eating her salad, almost smiling.

"How is it?" He rested his chin on his hands as he observed her.

"Delicious." She smiled at him as she continued to munch on her meal, occasionally drinking some wine.

"Good, I'm glad you like it." Hades finally allowed himself to eat, but he seemed to enjoy the wine more than the food.

"So how did it go on Mount Olympus?" Persephone asked.

"Well, I guess you could say that it wasn't exactly how I expected it to go. I even ran into someone I didn't entirely want to see." Hades frowned at the thought of Demeter almost getting her hands on him.

"Oh? I don't suppose you want to talk about it?" Persephone smiled coyly as she tilted her head.

"Well, I don't mind talking about it, so long as you don't get angry." Hades teased.

"I promise I won't get angry." Persephone reached a hand out as she touched his hand and tried to reassure him.

"Well, I saw your mother, and father. It wasn't a very pleasant situation." Hades frowned as he looked over to await her answer, but she didn't seem to show any particular frustration.

"Well, I honestly don't know what Zeus wanted, but Demeter busted in asking for you, demanding to know where you were. I had told Zeus that we were married, and uh, I kind of hinted at Demeter that you were my wife. She wasn't too happy, I vanished before she strangled me." Hades rubbed the back of his head as he looked down for a moment, then he looked back up at her to see her expression.

"Well, sounds like you had an interesting day." Persephone half laughed, she knew her mother would have her head the moment she would see her again.

"You're not mad?" Hades was surprised.

"Hades, you are my husband now. Mother will always be, difficult, and father is . . . hopeless. There's not much I can do, I do want to see mother, but I want her to understand that I'm not planning on leaving you." Persephone grabbed his hand as she kissed his palm.

"Persephone." Hades was shocked; he never thought someone like her could ever see anything worthwhile in someone like him.

"My Lord, please pardon my intrusion, but here is the next course." Thanatos served the bread and appetizers.

The two ate their meals as they chatted on various topics as they enjoyed their food. Their main dish came, as did dessert; and not one word was spoken of the significance of that day. Thanatos managed to just bring out the dishes and he and the other demons took them away. Then Hades said it was time to retire for the evening, he took a bath while Persephone slipped out of her clothes and slipped into a scarlet robe.

"Ahh, what a meal." Hades threw his head back onto his most comfortable chair.

"Yes, Thanatos is a wonderful cook." Persephone smiled at him from the bed.

"Yes, but it appears that there is one main dish I over looked." Hades gave Persephone a sly smile and a knowing look as he gazed upon her figure.

"So you're still hungry are you?" Persephone giggled as she got up and sashayed over to him.

As she approached him, she sat in front of his knees and he spread them out, thankful he was also wearing a robe of black silk. Persephone smirked as she noticed her husband's lustful stare. She opened the bottom of his robe so that his manhood was exposed. She gingerly began to rub it as he began to harden beneath her gentle touch.

"My my husband, aren't we sensitive tonight." She smiled proudly as she began to kiss his erection.

Her hot tongue licked the sides as she continued to rub him, starting at the base at a slow and steady pace. Once she heard him begin to hiss through his teeth, she began to massage his testicles. She then finally placed her lips at the tip as she kissed it, teasing him with her tongue, and finally she put him in her mouth as she bobbed her head and continued massaging him.

"Perse-pho-ne. Uhh! Wife, what a wonderful mouth you have." He groaned as he leaned his head back, slowly reaching ecstasy.

She began to increase her speed as he began to thrust his hips, quickly putting his hands in her golden-brown hair as he reached the end. Without warning, he came in her mouth, the juices flowing out as she swallowed as much as she could. She coughed, as he pulled away and collapsed onto the chair panting.

"Mmm (swallow), husband, that was a lot to take in." She teased.

"That . . . was the greatest birthday present I could ever ask for." Hades panted, not even aware of what he'd just said.

"Birthday? Present? Oh my god, today's your birthday isn't it? And you didn't tell me!" Persephone put her hands on her hips as she stomped towards the bed.

"Damn it! Persephone, I didn't want you to know. I didn't want you to have to worry about it." Hades stood, rather shakily, as he walked towards her trying to explain himself.

"Worry me? Huh, why would this worry me? And you, you kept it a secret, all day? And even Thanatos didn't say anything, probably because you made him promise not to tell. I just don't understand Hades, this should be a celebrated even, or at least some form of surprises for you." Persephone was clearly annoyed with the fact that he never told her this, she would have wanted to do something for her husband.

"But Persephone, I hate celebrations, and surprises." Hades huffed as he continued to try and reach out to her, though she would not have it.

"But I don't, and neither does anyone else. How selfish can you be? Don't you think others want to celebrate with you? I know there are some gods and goddesses that don't necessarily like you, but there are those who do, maybe even some who love you." Persephone was on the brink of tears.

"Love me? Hu, like who?" Hades scoffed as he crossed his arms, behaving like a child.

"Like Thanatos, Zeus, Hera, Hestia, Poseidon, Athena, and Hermes. And that's only naming a few." Persephone blinked back tears as she looked at him from a distance.

"None of them matter to me." Hades huffed as he tightened his muscles and looked away.

"Not even Thanatos?" Persephone was troubled.

"NO!" Hades looked at her, his eyes ablaze.

"Not even me?" Persephone put her hands on her heart, the tears cascading down her face.

"No-" Hades never finished.

"So I don't matter to you?"

"No, that's not what I meant, it's just I don't want you to go all out for me. Buying me gifts, throwing me a surprise party, or any form of a party for that manner, and having Thanatos help you while you keep it a secret. It's all so ridiculous." Hades began to rant and rave about it.

"But it's ok for you to tell everyone to keep it a secret from me? And I'm sure Zeus wanted to do something for you, but you didn't even give him a chance, you ran away." Something inside Persephone's mind seemed to click.

"That's not completely true." Hades was trying to defend himself.

"That's it, you're running away. You're frightened to have feelings that are alien to you." Persephone began to walk toward him, though he was beginning to back away, a glazed look in his eyes as all expressions were washed away from his face.

"You don't have to be afraid Hades, change is good for a person, you can learn from it. When you experience different emotions, you learn, you grow. You don't have to run away from something you're not entirely sure of; I can even help you if you want. But I don't want to force you Hades, I don't want you to think I'm trying to push you away from me. Because Hades, I never want to be parted from you, Hades, I love you." Persephone had finally pinned Hades to a wall as she hugged him, gently and softly as his body stiffened for a moment, unsure of what to do. His mind was spinning, his brain wasn't communicating with the rest of his body.

Never in his entire life, had anyone openly admitted that they'd loved him, his mother would express it, but she told him someone very special deserved to tell him those words more than she did. Thus, his mind was in shock, causing his body to stiffen upon contact, he didn't know how to respond, but all he really had to do was think about what her words meant to him, how thy made him feel.

She loves me? Someone like Persephone loves me? Why me? She's so beautiful, kind, innocent, loving, devoted, caring, and completely perfect. How? What do I do? How am I supposed to feel? I think I'm relieved, happy even, but I don't know if I love her back? I don't even know what love is? I guess it's whatever she'd been showing me. I know I wouldn't like it if she left, or if anyone tried to take her from me, I would never let another an touch her, let alone look at her. I couldn't stand it if her mother took her away from me, or if she'd never wanted to see me again. I think I might actually die without her . . . her smile . . . her laugh . . . her caring ways . . . the way she looks at me with those eyes . . . those lips . . . everything about her is simply, perfection. I could never replace her, and I hope to Zeus that she never wants to replace me.

"I-I love you too Persephone." He found those words that were somehow lost within his soul she brought them out. He didn't know how she did it, or why, but all he knew was that he was grateful.

"I'm so happy. You've made me happy." Persephone hugged him as he responded, embracing her tightly as she began kissing his shoulders as she slowly tugged the robe down, leading him to the bed.

"Mmm, what are you up to?" Hades fell onto the bed as he raised an eyebrow.

"Just giving my husband, the 'King of Darkness,' the rest of his birthday present." She smiled at him as she began to excite him with her body, every slow movement of her hips, they way her robe slid off her breasts, it all enticed him.

She gave him every ounce of pleasure within herself, from a simple hand-job, to a blowjob, to some action with his manhood between her breasts, to her pleasuring every inch of his body with the simple use of her mouth, and possibly even throwing in her hands. Once they finally were at the sexual intercourse stage, he gave her every once within his being. It was his turn to return the favor, but this time, he did it with love.

"Uhh, Persephone, I-I can't last much longer. I love you, I love you!" Hades finally came off his climax as he collapsed behind her, making sure not to crush her. She had already come before him, but was willing to allow him to continue until he breached the end. She simply smiled softly as she brought him up to her, barely making it so that his face sat betwixt her large breasts.

"Oh Hades, I could never love a man like I love you." She kissed him all over his face, but left his lips for last.

"What about another god?" He looked up at her, his voice somewhat muffled due to his position.

"Never." She smiled as she petted him.

"A goddess?" Hades was somewhat joking, somewhat.

"Hades!" Persephone pushed him away as she laughed.

"I'm serious." Hades pulled her in for another hug.

"Never my darling." She looked down at him as they kissed, but this time there was something different in that kiss, maybe it was love.

"Anything, and I mean anything you want or desire, I shall give it to you my love." He cupped her face as he kissed every inch of it.

"Well, I would like to go speak with my mother tomorrow, if that's alright. I just need to tell her I'm fine and I do not plan on annulling this marriage." Persephone said sternly, yet rather sweetly.

"As you wish my love." He kissed her one last time, as he pulled the covers up over their naked bodies as they drifted off into a deep slumber, never wishing to part again.