𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐕𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄 ➤ 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆

xii. it's alright, i'm right here

Persephone always wondered what was going through his mind.

He had been smiling just a moment ago, but now he was back to his depressed self.

But she didn't say something offensive to him.

Persephone furrowed her brow and waved her hand in front of his face, hoping to distract him from whatever he was thinking.

Thank the Gods, it worked.

"Your mind is a million miles away again," she said, exasperated as she placed her hands on her hips.

Hades apologized to Persephone and sighed.

"I sometimes wonder if you're going mad or what –"

"Me? Mad?" he scoffed. "Not going to happen. But there's a bigger chance for that to happen to my brothers."

He abruptly stood, so he was now towering over her with his height. To Hades, she was so small that she barely passed his shoulders. The sight of her small stature and annoyed face looked so adorable to him.

"I didn't realize you looked so beautiful when irritated." he teased and patted his hand on her head.

"Oh, you think I'm small?"

Hades extended his hand upward. Persephone saw that he was holding an orange tulip. "Try to catch this, then," he said simply.

She cursed under her breath and reached for it, but he lifted it higher. Persephone glared at him and tried the same thing several times, including standing on her toes and jumping to snatch it from his grasp.

He had no expression on his face, but Persephone knew he was hiding his amusement and suppressing a smile or laugh.

And then she caught it.

"That's for you, by the way." Hades crossed his arms, still wearing that expressionless face.

Persephone's cheeks turned immediately red.

"T-t-thank you," she stammered, staring at the flower in awe. "Tulips. You shouldn't have."

"They're beautiful, I know. That's why I picked them."

"Oh, actually ... tulips, they ... er ... symbolize deep love," Persephone explained while her cheeks grew warmer.

He blushed too. "I didn't think of that," he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and bore a silly little smile.

"Orange tulips symbolize friendship," she said.

"Persephone?"

"Yes?"

"Do you see me as a friend?"

"Well, yes," she said still blushing. "You're the epitome of a true gentleman and a friend."

He then smiled stupidly and it looked like his eyes were glistening.

"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" she immediately asked, alarmed.

"No, no," Hades reassured her. "It's just that I've never been called someone's friend before."

She gave him a really-now look, and he sighed deeply. "My servants consider me a friend of course, but right now, it-it-it feels different, the way you said it."

Hades felt embarrassed by the way he stammered slightly. It was kicking in again, but a firm clear of his throat was sufficient enough for him to regain his confidence again.

"If you think you're unworthy of someone's love and friendship, then you're wrong. You're the kindest person I've ever met, a person like you can make even the darkest of realms a happier place. Because as I got to know you, you definitely... deserve the whole world."

As she was saying this, she was failing to realize her hand was inching closer to his, their fingers a few inches from entwining with each other.

"I'll keep this," Persephone said, inhaling the flower. "Tulips are one of my favorites."

"So are mine," Hades said under his breath.

"I had no idea you liked flowers," she said, raising an eyebrow in surprise.

"That was until I met you."

She chuckled as she shook her head.

But she looked up again, remembering what she was supposed to say to him earlier.

"Hades ..."

"What?"

"This morning," she said quietly. "I-I-I had a conversation with- with," she said hesitantly. His confused eyes searched hers for an answer.

"Did they hurt you?" His voice suddenly darkened. His hand was now holding hers tightly, the thought of someone intruding on the palace and harming her tortured him.

"No," she shook her head. "It was Minthe. I've decided that she could live in the palace if it's alright with you -"

Hades' hand quickly slipped away from Persephone's.

His face was paler than before, and doubt was evident, his brows were furrowing. "Why did you do that?"

"Hades, she has no home, no family. What was I supposed to do? I even feel sorry for her, she's been on her own because nobody bothered to help her. What Minthe needs is a proper home and we'll give it to her, won't we?"

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"Like I said it happened this morning. Please don't be mad, I felt so much pity for her -"

"Persephone, you should've told me right away." he moaned, his hands found themselves on his temples, and shook his head rapidly.

"Hades?" she whispered "Are you –"

He said nothing, but his breathing was ragged and rapid. But she could hear him saying Minthe's name in incoherent murmurs.

"I'm here, I'm here, everything will be alright." She moved closer and took one of his hands in hers. "I'm here, Hades," she repeated, not sure what else to say. "I'm here, it'll be alright."

She gently squeezed his hand and placed it on her chest, allowing him to feel her heartbeat. She whispered soothing words to him while holding his hand. And slowly — very slowly, his breathing was beginning to subside as she further placed his hand on her chest.

Hades tried to wiggle his hand free from her grasp, he wanted to tell her that he was completely fine and didn't need her reassuring words and glances for long.

But she didn't let go of her grip.

He knew she didn't mean it on purpose. And he was right. Persephone could still see the anxious shimmer in his eyes and was determined to not let go until he was all alright.

He let himself be drawn to her, slowly moving closer until they were but a foot apart. He had
the most appalling urge to close the small distance between them and press his lips against hers.

Persephone's hitched in her throat and then ...

He suddenly took a step back, and he caught her gaze; his eyes, a few moments ago, burning hot and intense into hers, were filled with a regretful look. He suddenly ran away.

She felt the impulse to do the same. Her whole body crashed against the large oak tree, but she managed to maintain her balance.

Persephone's breath was becoming rough and she ran her hand along her neck up to her head and her hair.

She couldn't believe it.

Her lips were inches away from locking into his, and she could feel a rush of warmth flood her whole senses.

That was probably, the most embarrassing thing that happened to both of them.