Pull. Measure. Cut.
Pull. Measure. Cut.
Pull. Measure.
"Stop."
Clotho and Lachesis stopped their work, looking up in bewilderment at Atropos. Their faces quickly became somber as they recognized the chilling emptiness of the girl's eyes- a prophecy, a vision, a revelation was being made.
"Plans have been changed," Atropos whispered, her voice holding a surprising tone of malice. "Our foolish father is growing impatient."
Her eyes snapped to the other two sisters, waiting in quiet suspense. "We must see Lord Hades. Now." Her voice left little room for question as three pillars of smoke disappeared through the stone floor and continued down.
It was incredibly rare that a sister left her post, but for all three to leave signaled catastrophe- somebody was messing with fate, and it would not be tolerated.
***
"I'm really sorry for today, I-"
"Lady Kore, if you apologize one more time, I may just throw you to Cerebus."
I scoffed, giving the taller lord an amused look. "That sweet dog is my friend. We'd have a grand time."
Hades let out a laugh, shaking his head. "I don't doubt it," he mused.
We fell back into silence as they meandered down the carpeted corridor, equally lost in their own thoughts. I was beside myself in embarrassment- how could I have taken over in the judgement room like that? Mother would fall over dead if she could've seen the impudence of it all!
"That was amazing, what you did today."
I snapped my head up in surprise as Hades gave me an amused smile. "What?" I asked stupidly.
"What you did in the judgment hall. Most would have ran or sobbed or had to leave..not you. Honestly, seeing you come down like an avenging angel is an image that I just couldn't shake."
I stared at him in bewilderment. "You're..you're not mad?"
"Mad?" Hades laughed. "How could I be mad? You are one of the bravest women I know, Kore, and I am delighted I got to see that fire in action."
My thoughts turned melancholy as I glanced ahead down the palace corridor. "You are one of very few men on Olympus that would admire such a trait," I noted honestly.
My fire, my so-called bravery and temper would be a major flaw to beat out in the minds of the Gods on Olympus. Gods, I thought, that might one day have the right to beat it out of their wife.
Hades came to an abrupt stop, grabbing my arm gently and waiting until I looked to him. "Kore," he spoke my name softly. Something inside me melted a bit. "I want you to know that I intend to compete for your hand- and I intend to win. The thought-" he broke off, taking a deep breath as he apparently tried to call his temper. "The thought that someone, especially certain arrogant gods with an ego larger that Olympus, could very well sweep Kore off her feet and away from here is terrifying. You are strong and beautiful for who you are, Kore..and I don't want to see anyone try and break that."
My heart thudded, my eyes watered. Nobody had ever defended me like this, or admired the qualities I had been told my whole life were wrong.
"In truth," I replied softly, unable to quite meet his eyes as I took his hand. "The thought that losing you is so terrifying to me was a scary thought in itself."
Hades chuckled, clasping his other hand on top of mine. "That I understand perfectly. Kore, I try to be a kind lord, but I am aloof to
Olympus by choice- opening your heart meant opening it to heartbreak." He sighed, thinking back to the only relationship he had in the past- Clarey.
"You know I once was courting someone," He stated softly. I grimaced, and nodded. The affair between him and the siren had been all the scandal and gossip Olympus could've hoped for. Mother told me she was absolutely awful towards those in the Underworld, and while she liked Hades, she hated his kingdom and that he didn't have more power in Olympus. She left him, and when Olympus scorned her for loving Hades, she disappeared. Nobody has seen her since.
"You mean my half-sister, Clarey," I responded gently. We had the same father- many of those in Greece shared our father. Clarey was quite a bit older than me, and for obvious reasons was kept away. Demi-Gods rarely got along with full Gods as siblings.
He nodded, clearing his throat. "I have fought the battle against depression, anxiety, and loneliness my whole existence, and losing Cleary because of who I am was gutting. But now, to realize that you are tearing down the protective walls isolation offers is startling."
He sighed, one hand scrubbing his face as we turned to a familiar entry way. Hagneia awaited, after all. "I don't want to say goodbye, but I can't risk keeping you here much longer- I knew too well the temptation the Underworld food held, and.." he trailed off for a moment before squeezing my hand. "I won't keep you by force, Kore."
I turned, my face still flushed. "Thank you, Hades." My voice was soft, and despite the heaviness of the conversation, I really was happy. "I have always wanted to see the Underworld, and it passed all expectations." I smiled softly, turning to leave when I felt a tug on her hand. I turned, my eyes meeting Hades with a question.
"Kore..." Hades started, his voice nervous. It took him a minute to meet my eyes, and another to summon the courage to speak. "Kore," he repeated softly. "You make the Underworld so much brighter. You..you make my life brighter, happier."
My smile deepened as the red blush returned. I placed my free hand on top of the man's. "I feel the same way," I replied, my voice trembling.
Hades smiled, squeezing my hand lightly. "Kore..I have to tell you how I feel. How..how I truly feel."
My heart skipped a beat, but, somehow, I managed to wait in silence.
Hades took a deep breath before pulling me closer to him. "I love you, Kore. I love your happy demeanor, your righteous anger, your love of fun. I love the way your nose crinkles when you laugh, how you get lost when you look at the sea, and how you like chocolate above all else. I love how you aren't afraid to show your emotions, how you aren't scared to face your fears.."
"Kore, I am in love with you, with every fiber of my being. I- I cannot imagine a life without you, because a life without you by my side is one of pain and sorrow. I know that I am not the most desirable or popular choice of Olympus. You would be confined to a dark and rather dreary place, with a husband who is the joke among gods. I can't promise you a perfect life, but I can promise you a happy one."
The tears glimmering in my eyes stopped Hades' confession. He stared to take a step back, trying to work his words into an apology. "I- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
With a laugh, I grabbed his tunic and pulled him back. "Don't be silly," I grinned pulled him down to me, our lips in a passionate kiss.
Holy heavens almighty, I have been missing out!
It was no ordinary kiss- I mean, not that I have any to go by, but it felt like a thunderbolt coursing through me. Hades froze for a second before responding. He pulled me tight against him, our bodies fitting against the other perfectly as he deepened the kiss. One hand went to the small of my back, the other in my loose hair. I melted into the man as pure bliss settled on me, my hands wrapping around his neck as we shared what had to be the kiss of the cosmos.
After a long moment, we separated, Hades resting his forehead on mine. We both breathed heavy, grasping the other like a lifeline. "I love you too," I replied, giving a chuckle, as though the kiss didn't express that enough. Hades smiled, pressing a chaste kiss to my forehead before pulling me in, holding me tight. We stayed that way for awhile, enjoying the comfortable silence of just being together.
But, I eventually stepped away, my heart heavy, and Hades' concerned look returned.
"But Hades..the contest. What are we going to do?" I asked, my heart breaking. "I can't defy her father and mother...and I know that a competition means the reality of not having you by my side. I- I can't be like the other goddesses with lovers on the side, Hades, but I can't..I can't be apart from you." Anxiety was taking over as the reality blossomed before her. I found love, and it was going to be ripped away. "What if you don't win?" I whispered as a tear dripped down my cheek. .
A determined fire lit in Hades' eyes as he refused to release my hand, another coming up to wipe the tear away. "I'll just have to win," he replied simply. "I have finally found my match, Kore. I am not going to let them separate us so quickly."
***
The Fates watched the endearing scene from the shadows, Clotho having to keep herself from cheering as the two kissed. This was their destiny, and it was a glorious one. Hades and Kore must unite to keep the cosmos in order- but the mention of the contest sobered the Fates once more. They knew it would not be so simple- Hades would have to fight tooth and nail to win.
That, however, is what they were there for- to tip the balance in Hades favor.
**
A bit of fluff for your day. â¤ï¸
What do you think Zeus is up to??