Hades and Persephone

A Walk in the Park

CW: mentions to being underweight

As Hades was never tired, he was always a morning person as a result. He rarely spent extra time in bed, not even to relax, as he preferred to relax in a warm bath. Specifically, a warm bath, as it was pleasant to feel a different temperature for once, instead of the Underworld's usual coldness.

So, whenever Cerberus attempted to leap up onto his bed to wake him up, Hades was already awake.

"Cerberus, please," Hades said, arms crossed as he stood at the foot of his bed.

Cerberus lounged across it with his legs stuck up in the air. He blended into Hades' bed sheets, because, of course, the sheets were black like everything else Hades owned. The only spot of colour in his room was the rack of purple ties in the corner.

His room was rather... scarce. Just a bed, the usual drawers, a wardrobe, and a small shelf with some old books, on top of which sat his helmet of invisibility. It was about time he dusted it; it was losing its shine.

Scooping his phone up from his bedside table, Hades headed to his en suite, meaning to check for the daily list of tasks that Hecate usually prepared in advance. That was there, as expected, but he paused with his hand on the door handle as he saw another message.

Persephone: Good morning! Hope you have a good day today xx

Hades smiled as he slipped into his en suite—black like everything else—though he did wonder as to why Persephone was up so early. She did not strike him as an early bird. He sent her a good morning message back, then looked into his mirror. Even his pyjamas were expensive, made from black silk, and his slippers had not been cheap either. He did not like tying his hair back, but he had to braid it when going to bed. Long hair and bed head were an atrocious combination.

Once he'd untied his hair, and was in the midst of brushing it, his phone buzzed. Putting down the brush, he checked to see there was another message from Persephone.

Persephone: You're up early too, so you can't say much!

Hades: I am sure I mentioned before I do not need much sleep. Besides, I must get ready for work.

Persephone: That's why I'm up! Opening shifts at work on Thursdays! That means I get the afternoon to do whatever I want before Mother gets back home xx

Hades: Ah, I see. Then we could meet up this afternoon if you would like.

Persephone: I would LOVE that xx

Hades: Then I will come up with a plan as I work. I must leave you now, for I need a bath. Do not let me get you distracted.

He put down his phone, then returned to getting undressed. After nearly folding his shirt and leaving on top of the toilet seat, he looked back in the mirror and frowned. Perhaps the reason he dressed 'flashy' was to disguise how dissatisfied he was with himself physically. He ran a finger over his terrible pronounced collarbone. He may have been a god, but that did not make keeping an ideal weight easy.

Hades had always been skin and bone, always insecure about how underweight he was. Hecate was not much better, being almost as slim as he was, but she never seemed bothered by it. She was always called beautiful and dangerous, whilst he was sickly and terrifying. Oh, how the beauty standards differed depending on one's gender, though he was unsure as to who the standards were more unfair on.

Another buzz from his phone pulled him from his thoughts, and he checked to see Persephone had replied, wishing him a good day at work. He wished her a good day too, and then frowned and sent another message.