youwantitdarker

[anoixi]

King of shadows, king of shades Hades was King of the Underworld But he fell in love with a beautiful lady Who walked up above In her mother's green fields... It was like she was someone you'd always known It was like you were holding the world when you held her Like yours were the arms that the whole world was in And there were no words for the way that you felt So you opened your mouth and you started to sing...

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[youwantitdarker]

While her apologize was ultimately unnecessary to him, that she cared to issue one in the first place spoke volumes about how much she'd come to care for him, and that was something Hades would silently treasure. Adjusting his arm to accommodate her arm as it laced with his own. "The Devourer, you'll like him," the gentle softness of his tone provided an odd contrast to the words Hades said, his gaze flicking sideways to give her a small smirk.

A moment later they were far from the shores of the river Styx, standing in the pavilion that lead to the entrance to his home. The palace loomed above, black marble columns ringed in rich gold flanking either side of them. Hades tilted his head to the side towards the entryway before guiding her there. "I've missed you," it hadn't been very long since he had seen her, but that hardly mattered when all he wanted was to see her.

[anoixi]

Persephone took in the surroundings on their walk from the river to the palace that presides over the landscape around it. Not that there's a lot to look at. It's all stone and sparse, dead foliage; the few things that are not dead she recognizes as poisonous. No flowers spring where her steps fall, and though she had expected that part, in some part of her, it felt eerie.

The palace itself was large, and even though she'd seen such size before -- earlier that very day, on the mountain, even -- she couldn't help but look up, and up. Where Olympus was all gleaming white marble, Hades' home was black rock, with burnished gold laid in. His words bring her back from looking for the top of the columns where they disappeared into the dark. "We were in the garden only today," she protests, but undoubtedly pleased all the same.

[youwantitdarker]

While a large part of him is grateful and fortified to have her walking beside him here in the dimly lit land of the dead Hades stews on whether or not it was right to let her see this so soon. He knew how he felt for her, he knew that having her dwell here beside him would bring him nothing but joy - something he hadn't felt before her, but it was a lot to ask. She was sunlight, and here he had only the weightiest shadows to offer. It was enough to make even Zeus unsettled, and the glances he cast in her direction every so often spoke of how he thought the same, if not more, would come of her being here.

Losing her was unthinkable, he was so lost in her thrall sustaining it seemed to consume his every thought and deed. If he could only be with her on stolen evenings in the fresh air because here was too difficult for her to exist within so be it - but he wanted her as his queen so much his heart ached.

"We were," he slips his arm free of her hand, wrapping it around her instead as he guides her through the open pavilion towards the ascent of black steps that led to the entry of his palace. "No matter how long it is, time spent with you is never enough to satisfy me," Hades' eyes were warm as he turned his head to smile that cautious trace of a smile, his face softening considerably however slight it was. "I'll always want to see more of you Persephone," in any way she wanted to show him, whenever she wanted to show him - forever.

[anoixi]

"Hades," she murmurs, barely managing to keep her eyes on him and at somewhat of a loss as to what to say. She's still not used to being talked to in such a way -- like she's the most precious thing in the universe, and all he wants is to be at her side day and night. For someone who is used to being alone, it was a little overwhelming, no matter how much she might like it.

"I might have called to you earlier," she admitted. "Only... I wasn't sure of myself, you see."

[youwantitdarker]

He slowed to a halt on the stairway leading to his door and slipped his arm free of her waist, the pads of his fingers touching her chin, titling it upwards, turning to face her. "How can I make you sure of me Persephone?" She might have come closer to it before by the banks of the Styx, realizing her arrival her was not something he had commanded into becoming, but she wasn't his yet, not really.

Catching her free hand in his larger one Hades brought her palm to his chest, his face searching hers. His expression was soft, his jaw flexing, seeming to work for and against the trace of a smile on his lips. "I want to love you, how can I convince you to let me?"

[anoixi]

"Seems like you will whether I allow it or not." She says it like a joke, but it's one that falls a little flat. It's not that she doesn't want it...

Her free hand comes up to his face, and lays it lightly on his strong jaw. "I've been alone for a long time, Hades. Just... no one special, someone who takes care of the flowers. It's... strange," she finished, unsure of if she's done an adequate job explaining what would be taken for hesitancy. "I don't know how to be... like others." Her cousins, powerful goddesses who had devastating beauty, martial pursuits, or both.

[youwantitdarker]

"Yes," if it's a joke he doesn't acknowledge it, instead agreeing almost solemnly. "If you willed me to leave you be, I would." He wouldn't even watch her from the shadows if she asked, as painful as it would be. Hades loved her, was entirely devoted to her, but if she didn't want that, he would go.

"Like others?" To that he does laugh, that quiet barely there chuckle he seems to save for her alone. Glancing around them as though he were taking stock of their dismal surroundings his eyes settle back on her face, turning his head just enough to kiss her wrist. "You aren't. I'm not either. I don't want you to be like others, just you."

[anoixi]

His lips on her wrist makes her smile. It makes her want to try to be the sort of woman someone in his position deserves. She decides to take him at his word, again. Maybe that would have to be a decision she made continually. "Then kiss me, and give me the grand tour," she requests shyly.

[youwantitdarker]

"In that order," the curve of his smile deepened as he ducked his head down to comply with her request and press his lips to hers. The heat from her hand against his cheek made his chest tighten and his hand drop back down to her waist, letting his hands fan against her sides as he drew her in against him. Hades hummed low in his throat as he felt her body pressed to his, curving his taller frame around her as one hand left her side to travel the length of her back, his wide palm roving along her spine, touching her for the sake of touching her.

[anoixi]

It was a handsome smile and she wanted to see it as often as possible, rare though it was. He was enthusiastic as ever in his attentions, and she tried to match it. One hand moved to the back of his neck, and she threaded her fingers through the soft hair there. Unbidden, she imagined what it would be like to lay with his head on her breast, and comb her fingers through it, just breathing together. It strikes her that it's the sort of position lovers would find themselves in, once they... well, it was probably only a matter of time.

Judging by the feeling like anticipation coiled in her belly and deeper still, as well as his firm yet gentle hold on her, it wouldn't be long before she was making a fool of herself for him.

[youwantitdarker]

Inwardly he delighted in the way she'd grown bolder and bolder, touching him without his initiating the contact. Hades enjoyed the way she had grown more used to the idea that he was hers, putting her soft hands on him when she wanted to. Each time she had his heart skipped a beat, and now was no exception, consumed by the desire to hold her close and feel her touching all the parts of him he could not press to her intoxicating warmth.

He had wanted to show her his realm, explain to her how it worked and what it meant for the balance they all had a part to play in maintaining, but those plans all but disappeared once he had the warmth of her mouth against his own. Instead of drawing away from her Hades lifted her off the ground, stepping backwards as he broke that kiss away to instead run his lips along her neck. "Persephone," he murmured soft and low against the hollow of her throat before he pulled away far enough for his lips to find hers again.

[anoixi]

She gasped to be taken off her feet unexpectedly, but finished it with a delighted laugh and rested her arms around his neck. She might not ever have to put her feet on the ground ever again, if she only would bid him -- and she dismisses the notion, blushing again.

This kiss is a little sweeter, a little slower, and she smiles at him. "I won't see anything down here if you keep that up," she chides him jokingly.

[youwantitdarker]

"You will," he said softly as his arms tighten around her slight frame, possessive and reveling in the warmth of her. Hades leaned in, his lips brushing against the line of her neck.

"Do you want me to put you down?" The question posed almost coyly against the hollow of her elegant throat. He didn't think it would be possible to grow weary of this, holding here her at the threshold of the palace he wanted to share with her, giving her reasons to stay with his hands and his mouth.

[anoixi]

"I..." She was blushing again, uncertain. Was he a mind reader? Didn't seem fair if she couldn't read his. "Not if you don't want to," she finally answers, an arm coming to rest over his shoulders, helping her balance.

[youwantitdarker]

"Persephone," he breathed her name against her skin, his arms tightening a trifle more. "That's not an answer," there were too many thoughts running rampant through his mind, most centering around the swiftest route through the massive palace to his private chambers. He hadn't ever tried to dash through his keep with a woman in his arms, and while he would certainly try for her he wondered how much of a bother Ammit would make himself once inside. "I don't ever have to put you down," the words were warm, punctuated by a kiss to the curve of her neck.

[anoixi]

She laughs, partly because she's happy and partly because a week ago she would have found the the idea of this very situation absurd.

She comes to her senses then. "Don't be absurd, Hades, I can walk," she says with another small laugh.

[youwantitdarker]

For a moment he ignores her words and gathers her closer, inches away from simply sweeping her legs up into his arms and skirting her off. Instead he kisses her neck a few more times while holding her close before finally, reluctantly setting her back down on the ground.

"Come, we've kept Ammit waiting long enough."

And indeed, just beyond the threshold was the devourer, part lion, part hippopotamus, and part crocodile the unusual creature was half the side of Cerberus but made up for it in teeth. That didn't hamper its excitement however as it trotted over with an unusual grace, sniffing at Persephone's skirts as it circled her.

[anoixi]

"Oh!" she gasps as Ammit approaches. Definitely not a dog, but there's a sort of feeling to him, of a pet. If Cerberus is the doofy dog, maybe this one is the wily cat. "Look at you, you're lovely," she coos, unsure of where to pet it, but she settles for reaching behind its cat-like ears and scratching lightly.

[youwantitdarker]

Turning his head to hide the smile that crept onto his face as she refers to the devourer as 'lovely' he can hear the way the beast 'mrrs' its approval, tail thumping. "The underworld isn't used to being so charmed." He'd detail for her the unsightly specifics of Ammit's job at some point, but there's no room for describing, well, devouring right now. Once he's certain Ammit will permit it, he offers a hand to Perspehone. "Come, let me show you my home."

[anoixi]

The Underworld was probably more likely used to frightened mortals who had little choice but to accept their lot, but Persephone didn't say so. She withdrew her hand from Ammit's ears, and gave it to him. "Yes, please," she replied warmly.

[youwantitdarker]

The palace of Hades sprawled out in columned aisles made of dark stone. At a distance they all appeared as uniform ebony, but once one passed close enough dark blues and rich greens showed themselves. "The throne room is where I speak to the dead, all who wish an audience with me are welcome to - it is my duty to them after all." He spoke as he lead her into the expansive room, lit with hanging brazers, more of his dark stone laced throughout with veins of gold and silver.

His throne sat on a raised platform, the same shade of emerald as the ring she wore. He had thought long about the throne he would give her, about the best ways to bring forth the light hiding in the earth. Again he caught himself watching her, smiling slightly as he studied the way she moved.

[anoixi]

She glanced about as he took her from here to there. It was darker down here, and cold, but there was something rich about it, something entirely its own. "Do they often come to speak to their King?" she asks, a little seriously and a little wryly. She has to imagine it has to be a brave soul to come before Hades in this hall. Maybe those are in a better supply than she imagines.

She doesn't miss the similarity between the emerald on her finger and the emerald the throne seems to be carved from. Troublesome thing. And it had brought her here, of its own accord? Maybe it was never meant to be separated from itself -- or any number of ridiculous things that flew through her silly head.

[youwantitdarker]

"Some do," he said, studying his throne, but more the empty space beside it. "Some want another chance," Hades' gaze shifted, watching her from the corner of his eye. "To live heroically three times grants the soul passage to the Isles of the Blessed, so they come and they ask to return and try to be heroes." Turning back to her he rest his hand on the small of her back, "You would like it there," were she to dwell here he would build her a second palace there, among all the beauty the Underworld had to offer.

Gently guiding her through the throne room and past another row of columns he eyed her with a small smirk. "Do I dare show you the gardens, or will you be disdainful of me forever after once you see the state of things?" Not a lot grew in the Underworld, and while he enjoyed the sparse, twisted plants and trees he wasn't certain she would feel the same.

[anoixi]

"I do not disdain to see the things that grow where they choose to do so, no matter if it is kept tame or wild." They were all hers, and if she had any children of her body she did not think she could any sooner choose a favorite among them than find things that grew abominable. "Will you show me?"

[youwantitdarker]

With a slight nod of his head Hades led her towards an arched entryway, stepping out with her into the low, dimly ambient light of the Underworld. "Nothing blooms as brightly as you do here, but," inclining his head towards the gnarled, twisted gardens he looked thoughtful, studying the way she was so staunchly juxtaposed with them.