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Persephone runs, she does not stop. She can never stop, when she stops she will burn. She can taste the ash, feel the heat. Everything was on fire.
Sweat and dirt covered her everywhere, her robes were destroyed and burned. She navigates the crumbling streets, alone. All alone. "Home… I want to be home…" she cries.
The ground beneath her is gone, suddenly there is nothing. She clambered holding on to something, alone. She's all alone. Persephone screams, but there is no sound that can leave her throat. The world was lost to ruin, Persephone would die. Alone. All alone. And then she falls…. And falls…. Endlessly.
Seph awoke, abruptly sitting up with a pained scream. Her hands flung to her throat, gasping for breath. Sobbing with wide eyes, shaking.
Alerted Hades woke up next to her, seeing the distress her soul is in. He realises a nightmare has befallen her. His arms wrapped around her, she flinched at the sudden warmth but Hades did not mind. All he cared about was to help her calm down.
"Shhh, little flower." he whispers soothingly. Pulling her back against his chest, into his lap he cradles her. Soft lips press to her forehead as his hand cascades through her hair while the other holds her in place.
Eyes snap to Hades, she gradually becomes aware that she wasn’t in danger. I’m at home.. with Hades… I am at home.. home.
“It was just a dream, little flower. Nothing more.” Hades tells her, fingers gently run through her hair scratching her head.
It calms her down slowly but surely as she settles in his arms. “..everything was burning.” she whispers. Compelled to share her nightmare with him.
Hades listens to her, moving her hair to the side before pressing a kiss to her cheek. “Go on, my love.”
“.. I was running, it was raining ash and fire… everything was crumbling beneath me. I was alone… I wanted to be home.” she murmurs quietly.
Hades frowns then pulls her a little closer. "I would always be there, my love. Protect you and save you."
She nods at his words taking a few deep breaths. "... The last thing I remember was falling…"
"... And you woke up just when I catched you, held you to my chest like I am now. Cascading a hand through your hair, telling you it was all just a bad dream." Hades finishes as he places a finger beneath her chin."And then I kiss you, take care of you until you fall asleep once more safe in my arms." he murmurs as his lips ghost over hers.
An unspoken question, Seph raises her hands to his cheek and more is not needed as he kisses her gently. Their lips moving in unison start to drown out the uncomfortable feelings of her nightmare.
He pulls back slowly, gently stroking her cheek. “My beloved little flower.”
"My beloved angel." she whispers, settling in bed with him once more. She can feel his fingers scratch her scalp slowly but surely putting her back to sleep.
"Do you have nightmares too, Hades..?"
"Yes, even I sometimes have nightmares. Often when you are roaming the star."
She shifts in his arms to look at him, their eyes met and he sighs. "I dream of losing you some days… others you return hurt...some dreams you never returned." he murmurs quietly as he stares at the canopy.
"As disturbing as so many dreams are, I know they are dreams. I know you're strong, I know that you'd always find your way back to me. And I know that I would do anything to save you." he declares golden eyes burning with passion before he looks down upon her. "Does this sate your curiosity, little flower?"
She nods as she closes her eyes, finding sleep wanting to claim her. The last thing she feels is his lips pressed to her forehead. "I would even forsake my soul if it would save you…." he whispers but she had not heard as much anymore.