Pat Twice

Chapter 19

Persephone and Hades sat in silence as the car sped towards Olympus. She could feel the heat still in her cheeks. 

How embarrassing, she thought to herself. It's different in the mortal realm. Nudity happens all the time there. But in the Underworld... in Hades' BEDROOM. Gods, I'll never live this down.

Hades cleared his throat, trying to distract himself from the memory of Persephone standing in front of him. He tried to wipe the image out, which only made him blush harder. She truly is perfection.

"Kore, I want to apologize. I shouldn't have been in there. I was looking for something that would fit you and-."

"Hades I am sorry I kissed you. The timing is just... horrible really. I don't mean to be so confusing. But, I need to get through this Apollo situation and decide what I am going to do about TGOEM. There are so many people that I don't want to let down." Persephone looked at her hands as she spoke. She didn't dare look at Hades. She felt as though she were piercing her own heart with an arrow. All she wanted was to have him take her in his arms and they would leave all this behind. But, that's a fantasy and it's time she grew up. 

"Oh..." Hades finally whispered, "Well, Persephone. If that's what you wish, then I will support you. Please know that I will do everything in my power to help you with Apollo and anything else."

"Thank you," Persephone replied quietly. A wave of guilt washed over her. She never wanted to hurt him but here she is, hurting him while he still continues to save her. 

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Demeter burst through the front door before Hades could even park the car. The reporters would have been in a frenzy over this display if Zeus hadn't threatened to throw them all in Tartarus if they didn't scram. 

"Give me my daughter," Demeter boomed as she glided to the car in seconds. She swung Persephone's door open and took her arm. She gave Hades a look that would make anyone else crumble. 

"I have not harmed her," Hades replied calmly.

"Mama, please. Hades has helped me more than you can imagi-."

"Enough. He practically abducted you and brought you to the Underworld. I don't  need to hear anything from him," Demeter turned her gaze from Hades and marched Persephone into Zeus' home.

Hades held his anger in and followed them in. Hera was standing by the door, giving him a look of pity.

"I blame the both of you," Demeter spat as she sat Persephone down on the couch. She pointed at Hades and then Zeus.

"Hey, I have hardly seen the girl since she's gotten here," Zeus said, putting his hands up.

"You run the show up here, correct? Or are you too busy with little things on the side?" Demeter narrowed her eyes are him, waiting for the explosion.

"Are you implying that I am not capable of doing my job?" Zeus roared, getting in Demeter's face.

"Perhaps I am oh King of Gods!" Thunder cracked outside, shaking the entire house.

"Stop the theatrics, please," Hera jumped in putting herself between her husband and Demeter. Demeter shook her head and walked away.

"Why bother defending him, Hera? We all know he doesn't deserve your loyalty," Demeter sat next to Persephone. 

Hera's mouth opened, but nothing came out. She lowered her gaze, shook her head, and walked away from Zeus. Now it was Hades' turn to give her a look of pity.

"It seems as though the party has begun without me," a voice said from across the room. Everyone turned to see Apollo standing in the door of the hallway. His eyes no longer glowed, and he plastered an innocent smile on his face.

Hades propelled himself towards Persephone. He placed his body between her and Apollo. Demeter watched Hades block Persephone form Apollo, trying to decide how to feel about Hades' immediate instinct to protect her daughter.

"Apollo... you seem to have settled down," Zeus said slowly. He took a few steps towards the god. Apollo nodded and gave a dazzling smile.

"Yes, well, sometimes we overreact in certain situations. Persephone," he turned his eyes towards her and reached his hand out, "I apologize if I gave you a little scare. My feelings for you are just so strong that I acted out of passion-"

"Your what?" Demeter interrupted. Apollo's face twitched, clearly irritated by Demeter's interjection.

"Yes, my strong feelings for your daughter. Demeter, I want to marry your daughter. Together, she and I will be a force unlike anything Olympus has seen in a long time. She is truly amazing!"

Hades felt his entire body begin to shake. She could see Apollo's mouth turn into a little smirk. He wanted to get under Hades' skin.

"Well, Apollo, that will not be an option. Persephone is coming back to the mortal realm with me," Demeter stood from the couch and smoothed down her blazer.

"She is?" Hades turned to Demeter, his voice soft.

"Yes, she is. Zeus and I made the decision before you arrived."

Hades spun around to Zeus, his eyes filled with pain.

"Is this true, brother?" Hades inquired. Zeus sighed deeply and put his hands in his pockets.

"Yes, brother. It is true. Persephone will be taking a break from Olympus for the foreseeable future."

"Excuse me," Persephone stood from the couch and looked up at her mother, "do I have any input in this decision? What about my studies here on Olympus? What about my own goals?"

"You have clearly been distracted from your studies. I agreed to carry on your duties while you were here, as long you remained focused and trained for TGOEM. Obviously, you have done neither of those things."

"How do you know?! How do you know what my life on Olympus has been like?" Persephone exclaimed, her eyes showing a twinkle that Hades has never seen before. No, not a twinkle? Something was changing about them.

"Persephone-"

"No! I have been working hard here! I have been studying, I have an internship, and I have been growing up. I should not be penalized because Apollo will not leave me alone!" Persephone jabbed a finger in Apollo's direction, her eyes continuing to change.

"He is the reason that you felt the need to come here today. He continues to...to," Persephone stopped, her voice stuck in her throat. She felt all eyes on her. Hera with a look of concern, Hades appearing to want to jump in and save her, Zeus with a look of contempt, Demeter with an incredulous look, and lastly Apollo. A smug look painted on his face. He knew that even here, he was able to control her feelings.

"Persephone," Demeter said in a soothing voice, "Olympus is just not the place for you right now. It's too overwhelming for you, you're not ready. It's time for us to go home," Demeter placed her hands on Persephone's shoulders. Persephone never felt so small, like a child.

"Please, don't..." Hades begged. He looked at Persephone, who was only staring at the floor. She looked defeated.

"The girl clearly wants to stay, let her stay. She can learn more in Olympus in a month than the mortal realm in a decade!" Apollo jumped in.

"Stop, both of you. You two could never understand a mother's responsibility to her child. Persephone tried Olympus and it didn't work. It's time to leave. Maybe she can try again someday." Demeter walked Persephone to the door. Persephone shuffled, avoiding the looks she felt burning into her skin.

"Oh, and boys. Zeus and I discussed this as well- don't visit us," Demeter slammed the door before Hades or Apollo could argue with her. 

"No," Hades protested, rushing for the door. By the time he flung it open, Demeter and Persephone were gone. The only sign that the Goddess of Spring had been there was a single pink flower on the ground.