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Chapter Text

The tall, stately woman paced her garden, looking for any imperfections among the hundreds of plants that she had cared for over the years. Caring for her flowers and fruits was therapeutic to her; so many things in her life were out of her control, that it was extremely cathartic to exert some control over the plants around her. In some ways, she loved plants more than anything else in the world.

That is, everything except for one.

In an almost compulsive act, Demeter turned around to her large farmhouse and peered up at a fourth-floor window. Her daughter’s bedroom. Thankfully, the shutters were still closed, the lights were off, and Persephone was still safe. Demeter sighed, feeling a little bit of relief.

Persephone, the newest goddess to enter the world. The goddess of sunshine, flowers, and fruit-baring trees. It was no coincidence that on the day of Persephone’s birth, all of the flowers in her garden blossomed bigger than they had ever bloomed before. A pure, kind soul, untouched by the corruption of the great gods of the universe.

And hopefully, it would stay that way.

Deftly, Demeter snipped off a couple of wisteria blossoms to put in the foyer’s flower arrangement, and headed back into the house. She closed the door softly behind her, lest she wake Persephone, and took off her gardening shoes in favor of soft wool house shoes. After placing the wisteria in a large urn, she slowly made her way upstairs, stepping lightly so the stairs wouldn’t creak. Although she was a goddess, and still in her prime, Demeter was out of breath as she reached the fourth floor.

‘I really should get one of those new elevator things Zeus told me about,’ she thought as she walked down the hallway, before stopping in front of Persephone’s door.

Demeter opened it slowly, trying to make as little sound as possible. A thin ray of light fell on Persephone’s sleeping face. As usual, she had cast off her blankets, which laid in a crumpled heap near her footboard, but she still looked comfy and peaceful. Demeter smiled; Persephone looked younger than she was, still looking like a little girl, even though she was well into her adolescence. Creeping across the room, she picked up the blanket and draped it over Persephone’s figure, before leaving the room and closing the door.

Content with her evening, Demeter went to her own rooms on the second floor to prepare for bed. As she sat in front of her art-deco vanity, she consoled herself with the fact that Persephone was happy here, in this large farmhouse, on a massive farm where she could go where she pleased. Persephone had no needs or wants, and therefore no desire to go outside the confines of their compound. And hopefully she never would; the world of the gods was tumultuous, and in a way dangerous, and Persephone had shown no interest in joining them.

And why should she? Demeter shuddered to think of what would happen if her brother, Zeus, cajoled her into his bed and then cast her aside? And then, what of Hera, ever wrathful to her husband’s mistresses? Even if that didn’t happen, there were still many of her family and colleagues who would love to manipulate her precious daughter.

As she laid down in her goose down bed, Demeter gave thanks for her daughter’s happiness, and her last thought before going to sleep was that there was no reason for Persephone to ever leave the farm. Even if there was, Demeter wouldn’t allow it. Nothing would spoil her daughter’s happiness.

Chapter Text

Sunlight poked its way through the willow branches, caressing the young woman’s face as she dreamed of flowers and trees heavy with fruit.

While she wasn’t the Olympian’s vision of beauty, her strong features and bright, intelligent eyes captured many a man’s attention. Not that she cared; she was uninterested in the matters of love and romance, seemingly more interested in taking care of her mother’s extensive gardens. However, that was just what Persephone made everyone believe.

In truth, she was starting to get bored of the endless sunny days and the constantly blooming gardens she grew up with. Even though she had been told that the world outside the farm was a cruel, cold one, she couldn’t help but feel curious. If it was that terrible, why couldn’t she learn it for herself? Many of the visitors that came to the farm to do business with her mother had mentioned great journeys that shaped them as people, why couldn’t she do the same?

Persephone had never mentioned such things to her mother; she could see how overprotective Demeter was, and she would never listen to any argument Persephone could bring forward. So, for now, Persephone just had to wait and see what would come next.

A breeze rustled the branches above her, the noise just loud enough to wake Persephone from her slumber. She slowly sat up from her place on the ground between two roots, stretching to wake her muscles as well.

Pulling her knees to her chest, she ran her eyes over the garden she had fallen asleep in. The willow garden, with many of the weeping trees and a tinkling brook that ran through the miniature forest. It was one of her favorites; not only were the trees beautiful, it was a great place to hide away from the stifling aura of the large farmhouse. But, alas, Persephone had spent too much time here today. With a sigh, she stood up and brushed the debris from her skirts. It was time to do her rounds and check the rest of the gardens on her mother’s estates.

Persephone closed the wrought iron gate behind her as she left the willow garden, heading towards the rose garden near the gate of the farm. Another of Persephone’s favorites, the bright colors and sweet scent of the thousands of roses always soothed her, no matter how bad she might be feeling. On her way, she picked up the bucket of used coffee grounds she kept around, knowing that she might have to fertilize some of the bushes today.

The short, wooden gate squeaked as she opened it, as it always did. The scent of the blooming roses hit her as she stepped into the garden, and Persephone couldn’t help but smile as she entered. All the bushes and blossoms in the garden seemed to turn to her as she entered. While tending the gardens of her mother’s estates was always a pleasant task, Persephone always relished taking care of the roses. Even the stunted, weak bushes were beautiful to her; every single flower in this garden brought her a kind of joy and peace that little else could do.

She quickly went to work, checking each bush for signs of disease, adding coffee grounds to the bushes that were starting to wilt, watering each bush with care, and trimming the old or dead blossoms from each bush. The work was labor intensive, gardening was always much more work than people would believe, but Persephone relished in it. The sun warmed her shoulders, and the wind played with her hair as she delicately snipped a rose to bring inside.

As Persephone gathered up her things to leave – her work unfortunately done – her eye caught a shape outside the fences of the farm. It was a young man, about as old as she was, and devilishly handsome, just looking at the garden in wonder. His black eyes were alight with joy as he stared at the roses in front of him, and then he met Persephone’s eyes.

A spark went down Persephone’s spine. The man’s gaze was intense, but kind and admiring at the same time. The rose she had been holding fell from her fingers as she and the stranger just looked at each other.

After what felt like a millennium, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Um, I-I beg your pardon,” he said quietly, looking away with embarrassment. “I must be at the wrong house. I thought this was Demeter’s farm.”

Persephone couldn’t help but blush. His voice was rich, and deep, and it sent more tingles through her skin.

“No, no, you’re right,” Persephone quickly said. She didn’t want this stranger to leave, even if she didn’t know him. “Do you… do you have a meeting with her?”

The man looked relieved. “Yes, I have. May I, uh, come in?” he asked.

“Of course,” Persephone replied, running out of the garden to open the gate for this stranger. Of course, Persephone wasn’t supposed to let people in the gate, even those she knew, but mother didn’t have to know that.

“Follow me, I’ll show you to the farmhouse,” she said cheerfully, smiling at the man in front of her. He gave a small, embarrassed smile in return.

“I apologize, but I haven’t introduced myself,” he said, walking silently behind Persephone as they made their way to the large house. “My name is Hades, I am one of Zeus’ brothers.”

Persephone felt her heart skip. Her mother had mentioned Hades once or twice, and she had always described him as a cold, greedy, and cruel man. But the Hades in front of her seemed kind, polite, and awkward. His shabby clothes didn’t scream greediness either, it said he was a poor man. Despite the stories her mother told, Persephone couldn’t help but feel intrigued by Hades.

“I’m Persephone,” she said in return. “Demeter’s daughter.”

Since Persephone was walking in front of him, she couldn’t see Hades look of dejection. He had thoughts of getting to know the woman in front of him, but with Demeter as her mother, it would be impossible.

They walked in silence for several minutes, until the façade of the magnificent farmhouse came into view. Hades slowed, taking in the sights of the big house in front of him, but Persephone marched up the front stairs without pausing. She opened the door and looked back to him.

“Are you coming?” she asked.

Hades shook himself from his reverie. “Yes, but… aren’t you coming as well?”

Persephone shook her head. “I’m still covered in dirt from working, plus I have equipment to wash and put away.” She kept herself from wincing, remembering that she had left all her tools back at the rose garden.

Hades rubbed the back of his neck, looking like he was trying to pep himself up for something.

“Persephone, I, uh, have a question,” he said, looking at the ground. “Do you… Are you always tending those roses around this time?”

Persephone felt butterflies rise in her stomach. “Yes, why?” she replied.

“I was wondering, if maybe you would – you would like me to stop by there some other time? Just to talk,” he added hastily.

Warmth blossomed on Persephone’s cheeks, and she nodded.

“I’d really like that, Hades,” she said softly.

Hades beamed at her response. “That’s—that’s great!” he said. “So then, I’ll, uh, see you soon?”

Persephone smiled. “Yes, see you soon.”

With that, Hades passed her to enter the entryway of the large house. As Persephone turned to walk back to the garden, she didn’t notice Hades staring longingly after her as the door closed.

Chapter Text

4 months later

Waiting for her mother to go to bed was the hardest part of sneaking out. Persephone wasn’t dumb; she knew that her mother would periodically check to see if she was asleep. It wasn’t out of suspicion, it was just one of those neurotic things Demeter did concerning Persephone.

Persephone would hear her mother climbing the stairs to her room, she would lay down and pretend to sleep, and wait for her mother to leave. Then, she would rise and sneak peeks outside her room to see if her mother was asleep.

Fortunately, tonight her mother seemed exhausted. Zeus, the leader of the gods, had come by to talk to Demeter, which always tired her out. So, Persephone was able to sneak away much earlier than usual.

As she slipped out the kitchen door, Persephone couldn’t help but be more excited than she usually was. Normally she had to make Hades wait so long, but tonight, they could spend so much time together. Silently, Persephone made her way to the front gate, opened it quickly and quietly, and made her way to a small clearing just outside the farm’s walls.

She could see Hades’ form as she approached. The god of the underworld emanated a darkness that set him apart from the normal nighttime shadows. But while others might be put off by that darkness, Persephone reveled in it. Darkness was something new and exciting to her, as well as the coldness, and she loved it about him.

Meeting with Hades was always worth the trouble of sneaking out. After Demeter had caught Hades and Persephone talking near the rose garden and chased him off, they had to be subtler in their communications.

After working out a meeting place through discreetly delivered notes, the pair had started meeting in a forest clearing not too far from the farm, but far enough away that Demeter didn’t know about it.

Hades eyes lit up when he saw Persephone walking towards him. Seeing her was the highlight of his week, and made his cold, dreary existence in the underworld a little more bearable. He instinctively held out his arms to her, and she pressed herself into him. The smell of flowers and soil clung to her, better than any expensive perfume ever made.

“You’re early!” he said, elated. They separated from the hug, but still held each other’s hands as they stared at each other.

Persephone shrugged. “I missed you. Also, Demeter went to bed early.”

Even though the temperature had dropped several degrees, and the moon and stars seemed far away, Persephone couldn’t be happier. Being with Hades, and getting to know him, was one of the best decisions she had ever made. Even if some would call him scary, his presence was comforting to Persephone.

The two immortals settled into their usual routine: Hades lit the rickety lamp he always brought with him, Persephone spread an old blanket over the ground, and laid out a small meal for the two of them.

“What’d you bring this time?” Hades asked as he plopped down onto the blanket.

“Just the usual: bread and butter, some cheese. Ooh, I do have some fig preserves!” Persephone said, laying out each item around them as she said them.

Even though this meal was simple fare to Persephone, it seemed like a feast to Hades. The oven fresh bread, the creamy butter, the salty cheese, and preserves! Hades never got fruit or vegetables to begin with, let alone enough to can and jar them. Seeing that such things were not only simple for Persephone, but easy to steal and easy to miss, was a bit of a culture shock for him.

They began talking about their past few weeks, as they normally did. Both Hades and Persephone loved hearing the about the other’s daily lives. Even though Hades’ life was stressful, it had an air of excitement and adventure in it. Being King of the Underworld was, after all, bound to be an interesting job.

Meanwhile, Hades was fascinated (and a little jealous) of Persephone’s stable life full of greenery and family, even if she thought it was boring. After being ordered to the Underworld by his brother, Hades’ life had been ridden with poverty and uncertainty. Zeus seemed so desperate for power that he felt the need to work Hades to the bone and keep him under his thumb.

But, under the light of the moon, the problems of their lives disappeared. All they needed was each other. And, naturally, their feelings grew stronger than that of secret friends.

Persephone leaned back on her hands and looked up at the sky. Through the lush foliage, she could see the belt of the great hunter Orion painted in the stars. As he always did, Hades inched his hand towards hers, entangling their fingers together as the moon continued to move across the sky.

Tonight, Hades was particularly bold. After many long, sleepless nights, he realized that he loved Persephone, Daughter of Demeter. He wanted to test the waters with her, did she feel the same as him?

“Hey, Persephone…” he started, “Is it true that the gods still demand dowries?”

Persephone looked at him, her heartbeat quickening. His pale face had turned beet red, and he was intently staring at the stars, avoiding her gaze.

“Uh, I don’t really know,” she said, also beginning to flush. Was this going where she thought it was going? “I know Zeus still does, but he’s, y’know, Zeus.”

Hades nodded absentmindedly. He was hyper focused on continuing this line of conversation.

“It’s just that, well, you know I can’t pay a dowry at all,” he mumbled, slightly embarrassed. “Zeus made sure of that.”

As always when he talked about his brother, Persephone felt a pang of sympathy. But that wasn’t what was most important. She thought a long time before giving an answer.

“Well, I know if it was me,” she said, averting her gaze as well. “I don’t really need all that much. I could just make it. Goddess of the flowers, y’know?”

Her answer almost made Hades choke. Oh gods, please let her feel the same way!

He cleared his throat quickly. “Uh, how exactly? I mean, what would you do?”

“Well,” Persephone began, “I guess, I could command the trees to give us their food, like apples, almonds, maple…” She trailed off, unsure she was going with this. “I mean, I don’t really need a lot, so just taking what I can from the trees and plants around me would be enough.”

Hades looked over at her in wonder. Her humility always surprised him, even now. “But, what about the house? The bed? All that stuff?” he asked, slowly shifting his body closer to hers.

Persephone, as if on instinct, scooted closer to Hades as well. “The bed would be easy. Just ask the birds to bring us their down. Sleeping on the ground with feathers beneath your head is a wonderful feeling,” she continued, already imagining her and Hades sleeping together on such a bed.

“And the wedding bands?” Hades said, building upon Persephone’s words.

“Hmmm,” Persephone mused, looking up at Orion’s Belt for ideas. “That would be trickier, but I guess if we asked the river, ever so nicely, he would give us the gold we needed.”

Hades heart caught in his throat as Persephone looked into his eyes. “That’s all I would need, Hades,” she said softly.

Slowly, carefully, the two leaned into each other. Their lips briefly touched, but that small kiss sparked an explosion of joy in both of their chests. As they broke apart, Hades’ heart soared. Surely, they must be meant for each other.

“So, then, what’s your answer?” he whispered, staring into Persephone’s dark eyes.

Persephone sighed, her own heart fluttering like an excited bird in her chest.

“I do.”

Chapter Text

The tension was high in Demeter’s study.

Persephone was looking between her mother, a stern look on her face, and Hades, who looked terrified. After talking back and forth between the two of them, Hades and Persephone had decided to announce their engagement.

But, naturally, that wasn’t the only thing to do. Hades, in tune with the customs set forth by Zeus, had to come to Demeter and ask for her blessing. Preferably with a handsome payment.

When Demeter came to Persephone to tell her that Hades had requested a meeting with the both of them, Persephone could tell that Demeter was already angry. She knew her mother to be prickly, but Persephone was confused why her mother was so upset.

And now the three of them were there, sitting in Demeter’s vast study, herself and Persephone in lavish chintz armchairs in front of a roaring fire, with Hades standing awkwardly before them.

Persephone tried to catch Hades’ gaze, but he appeared to be intently studying the pattern of the antique rug on the floor. She glanced quickly at her mother, who looked stern and disapproving. After Hades’ had proposed to Persephone, they had talked for hours about what they would say to Demeter, but those plans seemed to have been forgotten by Hades as he stood in front of the two women.

Demeter cleared her throat. “Hades, Lord of the Underworld, why have you asked to see us today?” she asked, her gaze sharp and unkind.

Hades startled, finally looking up at them. He looked at Persephone briefly, then said, “Demeter… Lady of the Golden Wheat. I – I have come for the hand of your daughter, Persephone, in Marriage.”

Both Demeter and Persephone looked surprised. Demeter was surprised at his forthright attitude, Persephone surprised that he went straight into it. She thought they had discussed trying to lighten up the mood and compliment Demeter before asking for marriage,

Demeter crossed her fingers together and stared at Hades, glaring at him. “And why, pray tell, would Persephone be safe with the likes of you?” she said, venom lacing the last word.

Persephone winced. She had heard that cruel tone from her mother before, but it had never occurred to her how hurtful they actually were.

Hades expression fell, but he didn’t back down. “Well, I…” he began, his voice cracking. He coughed, clearing his throat, then continued, “I do have an entire realm under my control; just as Zeus controls the heavens, I control the underworld. I am also the eldest son of the disgraced Father Kronos, and thus the first inheritor of the throne of the gods, had it not been for Lord Zeus. And the Underworld is not nearly as barren as we originally thought. For example, I have recently discovered— “

Demeter raised a hand sharply, cutting Hades off. Hades impassioned speech had done little to sway her, as her eyes were still cold.

“It is brave to mention your supposed ‘inheritance’,” Demeter sneered. “When you should be disgraced instead. We all know Kronos is rotting in the darkest pits of Tartarus. Any inheritance of his is foul indeed.”

Persephone bit her lip to stop herself from reacting. Not only were her mother’s remarks incredibly cruel, they were also untrue. If Zeus, the true inheritor of Kronos’ legacy, had heard Demeter, he would have smote her where she stood. It was clear that Demeter had said that just to hurt Hades.

Hades himself had closed his eyes, a flash of pain crossing his face for a moment, before he composed himself and opened his eyes.

“Of course, Lady Demeter, I only wanted to mention it. May I continue?” he said, remaining polite in the face of Demeter’s insults.

There was an uncomfortable pause as Demeter studied Hades. He seemed to squirm slightly under her gaze, but he held it with his own. Demeter herself appeared to be deliberating with herself.

“Alright,” she said. “I’ll entertain you, Hades. What else were you going to say?”

Hades gulped, then continued where he had left off. “Well, as I was saying, the Underworld is not the barren wasteland we once said it was. Just last week, I found some amounts of precious metals and even gemstones in the ground, and I believe there is plenty where it came from!” He paused, clearly proud of his discovery. Demeter seemed indifferent. “In addition, Lady Demeter, your family’s power and beauty is well known among the gods. While I may not have the monetary power, my control over the Underworld and its untapped potential should count for something, as well as my status as the Lord of one of the three realms.”

The plan was back on now. Butter up Demeter while singing Hades’ praises, but not to appear to be boasting. Out of her mother’s line of sight, Persephone gave him an encouraging gesture.

“I understand that you might be anxious, since Persephone is your only child, but rest assured, I would not do anything without her permission! If Persephone says no, then I will take my leave,” Hades said, an air of finality to it. Persephone was hopeful; she had suggested that Hades make that statement to bring her into the conversation as well. But as Persephone turned to her mother for permission to speak, she caught a haughty and condescending smirk on Demeter’s face.

“I see, this is why you wanted to speak to both of us, Hades,” Demeter said. “Normally I would not dare let Persephone into such an adult conversation. It’s not her place. But I see you have some air of honor about you, unlike some of her other suitors.”

Persephone had to turn away to hide the look of disgust on her face. Did her mother really think so lowly of her? And other suitors, Mother had never mentioned that to her before!

A feeling of gloom settled onto Persephone’s heart. Was this all for nothing? Was Demeter just playing with Hades?

Persephone turned her attention back to the conversation at hand, where Demeter had just insulted Hades again.

“…And furthermore, I have yet to hear you mention a bride’s payment. Every other man who has come for my daughter’s hand has brought a handsome sum. Where is yours?” Demeter asked, her eyes boring holes into Hades.

Another pause, as Hades collected himself. He took a deep breath, then said, “It… it is true that I currently have humble lodgings, however, they are still sturdy, and befitting of a god such as myself and yourself!” He stopped, swallowed, then continued, “As for a payment, I do not have… well, physical money. I have about 6 raw diamonds from my mining, that you or Persephone can do with what you will. Other than that, I can name you as a co-owner in my new mines, and whatever profits I make now or in the future can be shared with you! I was thinking… a 60/40… split…”

Hades had trailed off at the look on Demeter’s face. As soon as he stopped, she burst into unkind laughter. Persephone couldn’t hide her grimace; Hades’ shame was palpable.

When she had finished laughing, Demeter stood up to be at Hades’ level. Even though Hades was a tall man, he seemed to cower under Demeter’s derision.

“Your efforts were valiant, in their own way,” she began, contempt clear in her expression. “But, they were for naught. A few rough stones and an empty promise isn’t as convincing of an argument as you seem to think it is.”

Hades deflated, his head ducking down again. But Demeter was not finished.

“And you don’t know the gossip that has been spread about me and my daughter, have you? While I can no longer keep myself locked away from the chaos outside our gates, I have no intention of letting Persephone experience it. Persephone is to remain a maiden, forever!”

The last statement dropped like a ton of bricks. Hades looked devastated, and Persephone was enraged. Is this really what Demeter wanted? To keep Persephone prisoner for eternity?

Persephone couldn’t keep silent any longer. “Mother— “

“Silence, Kore.”

“Mother, listen to me— “

“I said be QUIET, Persephone!” Demeter shouted, “You have no men in this fight.”

Demeter turned back to Hades. “Your answer is no. Leave, now, and do not return.”

Hades looked between the two women, Demeter looking triumphant, Persephone angry and devastated. With nothing else to say, Hades quickly left the study, not looking back.

As soon as Hades’ coat disappeared around the door frame, Persephone exploded.

“I can’t believe you!” she yelled, whirling around to face her mother. “I can’t believe how… how cruel you were to him! And what was this you said about other suitors? Have you been lying to me?!”

Demeter turned her cold stare onto her daughter, something that she thought she’d never have to do. “Of course I haven’t lied to you. You have no need to hear of suitors or anyone who calls looking for you,” she said. “You are still a child after all.”

There was something in Demeter’s voice that Persephone had never heard before, at least not directed at her. Condescension. Anger. Patronizing. And worst of all, the idea that Persephone was something to be owned. To be controlled, and played with endlessly. Like a dress-up doll.

Persephone could feel bile rising in her throat. “That is lying!” she shouted. “I’m an adult, I’ve grown into my full power as a goddess, I have the right to know what is going on in my life!”

She stepped closer to Demeter. With a slight jolt, she realized that she had grown taller than her mother.

“The fact that you still see me as a child, the blind eye you turn to me and who I am, you still call me Kore despite the fact that I haven’t been a little girl for a long time!” she said, resentment filling her words. “And the way that you treated Lord Hades makes me think that you’ve always been this way, and you won’t ever change!”

Persephone took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself and collect her thoughts. “If this is who you are, if this is what your plans are for me, then I wish I lived in poverty in the Underworld! At least I’d be in a place where I’d be seen as who I am, the goddess of life!” she screamed.

There was a blur as Demeter raised her hand, and then Persephone felt a sharp pain across her cheek. The force of the blow made Persephone stagger backwards. She raised a hand to her cheek, then stared at her mother. Demeter had never hit her before.

Persephone didn’t know what she expected to find in Demeter; regret? Pain? Horror? Sadness? But instead, Demeter had a look of cold certainty on her face.

“Go to your room,” she said softly, her tone dangerous. Persephone gave her a look filled with all the hatred and anger she couldn’t put into words, then turned and ran from the study. Anything to get away from the goddess who claimed to be her mother.

Chapter Text

Hades stood in the clearing where he and Persephone used to meet.

In one hand, he held a letter. In the other, a sickly, under ripe pomegranate from the Underworld. He held his breath as the moon traveled across the sky.

All he had to do was wait.

~~

It had been two weeks since Hades had asked for Persephone’s hand from her mother. Two weeks of Persephone being locked in her tower of a room, with her only company being the messenger god, Hermes, who Demeter had conscripted as Persephone’s guard.

While Hades had been hopeful that Demeter would give her blessing, Persephone had convinced him to come up with a plan B. So, after passing notes and gifts back and forth secretly, it was finally time.

Persephone picked up a leather knapsack. All it had in it was a change of clothes, a few dried roses, a botany book, and a pair of shoes. She had almost packed a picture of herself and Demeter, but decided against it.

“You ready?” a voice whispered from the window.

Hermes floated there, suspended by his flying sandals, waiting patiently to guide Persephone away from her mother forever. Well, not exactly forever.

She laid a note on her pillow. Hopefully her mother would find it tomorrow morning.

                                 Goodbye. See you in six months.

Persephone paused; was she really going to do this? Throw everything she had every known away, for a god so forlorn and abandoned by his family?

Hermes cleared his throat behind her, and Persephone jumped. Yes, her mind was made up. She loved Hades.

“Alright, I’m coming,” she whispered, climbing out of her fourth story window into Hermes’ arms. Thank the gods he was willing to help her escape, otherwise she really would be stuck with Demeter for eternity.

“By the way, what are you gonna do, Hermes?” Persephone asked as Hermes flew them over the farm’s boundaries. “I mean, Demeter does have a pretty bad temper.”

Hermes shrugged. “Go back to Olympus, probably. Take care of Zeus’ shit, again. Don’t worry, Demeter can’t do anything to me. I’m far too powerful.”

For only knowing Hermes for a few weeks, Persephone had grown to like him. And he was one of the few gods who treated Hades like a peer, so it was incredible to find him as an ally.

The two young gods touched down a few yards away from Demeter’s front gate. Persephone hugged Hermes goodbye, before turning and running away from the farm.

Hopefully, she would never see it again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Moonlight shone down bright and clear near the train tracks. Even though the area was dirty, desolate, and barren, Persephone had never felt so alive. She gripped Hades hand tightly as a steam locomotive rattled towards them.

Hades gave her a loving look, then said, “You sure about this? We can never go back after this.”

Persephone kissed him, softly and sweetly. “I am,” was all she said.

The train slowed to a stop in front of them, and Hades helped Persephone up onto the car. It was, supposedly, the first-class car, although it was so run down. But Persephone didn’t notice; she was too wrapped up in her excitement.

The newly-weds settled down in a dusty suite as the train lurched forward. Hades took the pomegranate out of his coat pocket and began to peel it.

“How many seeds?” he asked his wife.

“Six. I’ll spend half the year here,” Persephone replied, fidgeting in her impatience.

With a deft motion, Hades plucked twelve seeds from the fruit of the Underworld. Six for Persephone, six for himself. As he handed the seeds to Persephone, he glanced out the window to see the familiar sights of the Underworld pass them by.

Persephone ate all the seeds at once, without hesitation. They were bitter, no touch of their natural sweetness or flavor. And still, Persephone cherished them.

As the train pulled to a stop, Persephone felt a kind of electricity run through her veins. She looked at Hades, who gave her an encouraging smile.

“You good?” he asked, squeezing her hand.

Persephone smiled. “Perfect.”

The couple stepped off the train, and Persephone noticed that she no longer had any issues seeing in the dark. She turned to Hades with fire in her eyes and laughter in her throat.

They were home at last.

Chapter Text

It was the dead of winter. Outside, the Underworld whirled and buzzed as only a factory can, even though it was late at night and the workers were settling down to sleep.

Hades and Persephone sat in front of a roaring fire, in separate chairs but their hands intertwined. After Orpheus had visited Hadestown, the two of them had been working on their marriage, making it stronger than before. Tonight was one of the quietest nights they have had in centuries; just the two of them, quietly enjoying each other’s’ company.

The fire cast a warm, flickering light over the book Persephone was reading. She couldn’t help but sigh happily; it had been a long time since it had been this peaceful in their big manor house. Next to her, Hades was ruffling through various letters from across the realms. Persephone was content in ignoring them until Hades made a strange noise.

“What is it, hun?” Persephone asked, turning to him.

Hades handed a letter to her. “It’s from your mama,” he said, a question on his face.

Persephone took the letter and quickly read it. Demeter was cordially greeting her, mentioning that the crops in the Overworld were improving, and asking, once again, for Persephone to visit her during the summer.

“Crops are gettin’ better,” Persephone remarked. Handing the letter back to Hades.

He raised an eyebrow at her. “Well, that’s good, right? Anything else?”

There was a hint of suspicion in his voice. They had many fights where Hades brought up Demeter, either insulting her to hurt Persephone, or accusing Persephone of preferring her mother over him. It wasn’t surprising that a letter from Demeter would make him wary.

Persephone sighed. “She’s tryna get me to visit her. Again.”

“Again?” Hades asked. “She asks you often?”

Persephone nodded. “Yup. Ever since her farms started failing and her crops turned to dust. But I never went.” She paused. “Not after she treated me.”

Hades eyes glistened in understanding. After the horrible droughts and winters of the Overworld had destroyed Demeter’s empire, it made sense that she would have hounded Persephone to come back. And yet, she never did.

It warmed Hades heart to think that, even after their worst times together, she still chose him over Demeter.

“We should write her back,” Hades said, reading over the letter.

Persephone looked at him curiously. “Not just from you, from both of us. I know you don’t like her much, but we should at least be kind to her,” he said.

“Why, Hades, you’re softenin’ up in your old age,” Persephone teased softly. Hades scoffed playfully at her.

“She’s your mama, we should try and be nice to her now,” he said, squeezing Persephone’s hand.

Persephone smiled, feeling warm inside despite the winter raging outside.

“I’ll go get the stationary.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Demeter,

Thank you for writing us.  It’s a relief to hear that your farms are improving. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

It was nice to get a letter from you, it has been so long since we’ve heard from you. We hope that this letter finds you in better health and spirits.

Love,

Hades and Persephone