Kidge One Shots

Thursday, April 21: Hades & Persephone

Fun fact April 21 is my wedding anniversary! Just another snippet for Kidgeweek

After Katie went back to her room I slid to the floor of the hall and prepared to wait for Shiro to return. Except the door reopened and Katie was cackling-"What are you doing dork? Forget your key?"

Keith sighs, he knows he'll never hear the end of it. He looks up slowly, "Yeeah, well it wasn't my idea to come out of my room either so, you can't fault me. Look can you please put some dry clothes on before you get sick!"

Keith had quickly averted his eyes when he caught sight of her shirt plastered to her. But for whatever reason, he knew that image would be imprinted in his brain forever. He took a long steady breath, "Seriously, don't get sick cuz you know Kolivan will make you work for home. His plan for the next 3 months is crazy."

Red-faced she nodded. "Yeah promise just get your damn ass in here. You can wear one of Matt's shirt. Plus there's a cool show on the History channel that should be starting soon."

Keith nodded and closed the door as she shuffled to the bathroom. He looked around the room, which was identical to his...if an explosion went off. Honestly he has no clue how this place got this messy in such a short time. Shirts, hats, shorts and even tools???

Not feeling comfortable sitting on the bed, he gingerly moved a bag and sat on the lone chair in the room near a desk. Looking he sees a gaming laptop that is nothing like he has ever seen before. It looked heavy and pretty banged up but not a typical brand. It looked like she crafted it together, like a mad scientist. The mouse was different too. He leaned close to have a shirt hit him in the face.

Ugh, "Hey-be nice."

He stood and pulled off his black T-shirt, grabbing the dry one, when he caught Katie's avid gaze, he could feel his cheeks heat up, and quickly pulled the dry one on. He coughed, "So um, is your show on?"

Silence.

Um, what the heck? "Katie? Show?"

She nodded, "Oh yeah, the channel is already on we just need to up the volume. C'mon have a seat, the chair is at a bad angle."

Keith looked at her, carelessly tossing clothes to the other bed, and froze. Um, sit on a bed together? God, what a bad idea.

So of course he sat down near the foot of the bed. Unfortunately, Katie, said he was in the way, so he took off his shoes and leaned against the headboard, right next to her. Keith tried to focus on the show so he started asking her questions.

It was some Greek mythology show that debated fact versus fiction. As they chatted, he felt himself relax. And he found himself slowly moving closer to her, with both of them closer to the middle of the bed than they were before.

After the first few stories, he felt her lean her head against his shoulder. He tried not to move so she wouldn't be jostled. He didn't want her to move. He liked being this close to her. Feeling her laugh or even her scoff at a fact that she did not agree with...it was nice. She was cold when she first sat down, but now, she was warm, relaxed and comfortable. In part because of him. It was nice. Even when her cold feet wormed their way under his legs...it was nice. He was being useful in the most basic manner but he liked it.

Closing his eyes for a second, he inhaled the remnants of rain in her hair, which really brought out the shampoo, as well as her own unique scent. He absently hoped they guys took their time. Got gas. Washed the van. Whatever. He just wanted more of this.

Suddenly she was nudging him, "Hey, this is one of my favorite ones! Hades and Persephone. Ya know the love story."

Keith laughed, "Love story? I dunno, I always felt sorry for him."

"Huh? Why?"

Keith thought about how to put it into words. Words that would not make him emotional or seem...weak. Because he wasn't. But, ironically, he sympathized with Hades. "Yeah, um, so, Hades, got screwed by his family, and yeah is a god but he got the crappy location. And yeah, he falls in love but she always is running away. Ya know, people think he's mad at her for running away." Keith pauses and tried to keep his voice even. "But he's not. He's scared. Scared she will leave and never come back. Because who would ever want him. He's damaged goods. An asshole. So, he shows his anger because well, it's all he knows." Silently adding, it's better than crying.

He waits for her response. What will she say?

Suddenly Katie mutes the tv. Surprised he meets her somber gaze.

"That's funny. I always assumed that she loves him just as much as he loves her. I buy into the theory that she was in the flower meadow alone, feeling restless, thinking. Is this my life? Isn't there more? More than duty? Obligation? But her mom needs her, and loves her. So she stays. Unsatisfied. Lonely. Then she meets this edgy stranger. And is whisked into a world she doesn't know or understand. But it's new and different. But she's always safe because HE would never let her get hurt on his watch. She loves all of him. But she knows that she has work to do. So she does it but ALWAYS returns. Even if he thought he had to trick her. HA! She ate them so he'd feel secure but she was always going to come back. Cuz they fit."

Keith blinks. His heart is beating so fast in his chest that he doesn't know what he should do.

He knows what he wants to do though.