Work Text:
The sleeping sickness came to The Underworld slowly. It was subtle enough that at first the people did not notice.
But every day after Persephone left and the borders between realms were closed, it got harder to get up in the morning. It got harder to talk, then it got harder to walk, then it got harder to stand. Then it got harder to do anything at all.
The office slowly emptied as beings stopped waking up. By the time Hecate vanished, Hades knew it was too late. He was too weak.
Slipping between waking and sleep, Hades crawled to Tartarus. Half dragging, half slipping down through the near bottomless pit of the underworld. By the time he found the door to Kronos' cell open, all he could do was stare through half lidded eyes, his father's voice echoing in his skull.
"It's over now, my son"
And Hades, too tired to speak, too tired for anything other than wordless pain and fear, let his eyes slide shut.
His last thoughts were of her.
He dreamed in rose petals and green, green grass.
Goodbye Kore.