Work Text:
Spring in her step
Persephone
Spring time has always been my favourite time of year. Stereotypical, I know. “The Goddess of spring enjoys spring time”. But it's true and I don't care what people say. Nothing can change how swarms of butterflies envelop my insides when I see the first leaves erupt from the previously lifeless trees or feel the warmth of helios light melting winter's final snow. The thing I love most of all though is the new beginnings. A fresh start for plants and animals and people, even me. Gods know I could use a fresh start, more than most.
Hades
Finally spring time. My favourite time of year. The seemingly endless streams of souls claimed by the cool frosts of winter begin to wane. I knew being “the king of the underworld” wasn't going to be a pleasant job when I took it but this year's winter was worse than most. A particularly bad cold front swept over the lands claiming hundreds more souls than usual.
The lighter workload is nice but that's not why spring is my favourite season. The thing I love most is the new beginnings, a fresh start. Gods know I could use a fresh start, more than most.
“Hades, I have something I need to tell you.” I say as my whole body fills with dread. I knew we would have to have this talk eventually but this is far sooner than I planned.
It has to be now. If Apollo releases those photos… a wave of nausea sweeps over me and a cold shiver runs down my spine. I don’t want Hades to be caught off guard if, no not if, when that happens. Maybe there is something Hades might be able to do to help.
“Ok, do you want to talk in here or in the living room or in the office? Where do you want to go?” he replied, with nothing but tenderness and care. He must have picked up from my tone that this is serious.
“The living room would be nice, thanks.” The walk there is one filled with silence. The air is thick with tension.
We sit down on opposite sides of the same couch. Cerberus joins me on my side sensing my need for support. My voice starts to shake as I try my best to hold back my tears. I take a deep breath.
“Umm, I don’t know if you remember last week when ugh…” The shake in my voice is unmistakable now. My throat feels tight and my stomach could empty out at any second.
Hades shuffles a little closer and offers his hand. A gesture so simple yet so meaningful. He has a way of always making me feel safe and in control. It’s always my choice and saying no doesn't come with consequences.
I gently place my hand in his and some of the tension in my body melts away.
I am safe.
“Last week when we were in your car and umm Apollo was waiting at my house.”
“Yes, I remember.” The restraint behind his words was almost more pointed than if he said what he really thought.
“Well umm, a few weeks ago Artemis invited Apollo and Hermes over for a movie night. The movie finished way later than we thought and so they decided to stay the night.” I stopped for a moment to take a breath and hold back my tears. I don't understand why this is so difficult to talk about. I trust Hades more than anyone in the world. I know I’m safe here. But… what if Hades doesn't think of me the same after I tell him. What if he starts to look at me like some poor wounded animal. Even worse than that, what if he thinks it's my fault. I didn't say no. Why didn't I say no? I could have fought back or called for help but I just lay there like a sack of tulip bulbs.
Maybe this is my fault.
Hades' warm arms wrapped around me. He bundled me up close to his chest and we just sat there for a while. He always knows exactly what I need.
After my breathing finally comes right, Hades gently lets me go.
“Are you ready to continue?” he says with such tender softness. I nod and continue with my story.
“Apollo had made a few comments throughout the night that made me feel a little bit uncomfortable, but I haven't spent that much time around men before so I just assumed this was maybe how you all acted. Eventually as I was in bed, ready to go to sleep, the door opened and Apollo came in. He said that he was very attracted to me and asked me to do things I've never done before.” At this point the tears start streaming down my cheeks but I keep going.
“He slipped into my bed and took my clothes off. Then he pulled out his phone and took pictures of me.” A sob slipped out of me.
“ I was so frozen with fear. Please understand I didn't want this, but I couldn't move or even make a sound. I was so scared.” my whole body starts shaking and all my words melt away replaced by heaving sobs.
Hades looks shocked. His face froze half way between disgust and pure hatred before he schooled his features into neutrality. Once again he wraps his arms around me and pulls me in tight to his chest, gently stroking my hair while I cry.
After 10 minutes or so I get my composure back and gently pull away. Hades doesn't let go of me, instead he holds me at arms length till we are looking at each other. He leans in and gently kisses my forehead.
“Are you ok?”
“I think so, maybe, not really” I can't bear to look him in the eyes as I reply.
He softly lifts my chin until I am looking in his eyes again and kisses my forehead once more.
“What would you like me to do? Is there anything I can do to help?” Hades says
“If I could maybe stay here for a bit where he can’t get me, if that’s not too much to ask?”
“You can stay here until the sun turns black and every human on earth is long dead. You can stay here until kronos has run out of time and even then you can stay a while longer. You are welcome to stay here for the rest of your life if you'd like.” Each word he speaks is full of love and sweet tender truth.
I am safe.
“Well I have to go back to the mortal worlds for springtime but if I could stay till then I would be very grateful.”
“Of course you can and I can guarantee that he won't come anywhere near the underworld ever again.”
“Thank you Hades.” I add shyly.
That was the last time I thought about Apollo for months. I spent the best few months of my life with Hades and Cerberus feeling, for the first time in my life, utterly content and happy and safe.