Hades woke up to the sight of an angel. She had fiery hair that reminded him of the warmth of summer, yet her fingers on his face felt like sharp pangs brought by winter. He had learned to cherish every waking day, since he had met his wife Persephone, and he had learned to curse every lonesome night for the months she was gone.

Every time she came back to her mother, Hades planned. He planned how he and his wife would spend their days when she came back, but he also planned how he would make her stay more permanent. The possible actions he thought he could take all required one thing: Persephone's death. An action he will never, ever allow, even though all his counsel suggest it. He would never agree to Persephone dying. He would never want her hurt. He would rather spend half the year alone than see her in pain.

"What is it, dear?" he said, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. He returned her touch with his palm on her cheek. "Is it already time?" he said, a frown forming on his face. He feared the day she would have to leave him yet again, due to her mother's grip upon her. He lied down on their bed, thinking about how he would lie there again, every night, cold and alone and without his dear Persephone. Her absence did not feel like an emptiness inside him, like one would usually think. No, her absence made him feel like he shouldered all the despair from all the souls he governed in the underworld.

He loved her more than anything, and without her, he had nothing. Without her, he was nothing.

Hades was filled with happiness when she said they had a few hours, but the sudden realization that it was, after all, only a few hours had him depressed. It was all cleared when she seduced him yet again, an action he had always loved and never rejected. Each time they made love, it was like their first; primal,passionate and perfect. He gave her his all, knowing she would be gone yet again in a few hours.

Hades looked at his beloved when they finished making love. She looked content, yet afraid of something, something he did not know. Soon he did, when she spoke.

She spoke of speaking to her mother, about staying in the underworld for good. Both of them knew the answer to that, and it was obvious with her next words. Persephone had a plan.

"My love, you know our current arrangement was Zeus's decree. Should you take another seed, Demeter will only appeal to Zeus; it would not change anything. But I know my brother, and he will side by us both. He knows we have spent years away from each other, and will surely decree that it is enough. He will allow it. But what of your mother?" Hades said. He held her closer against him, wanting to remember her warmth for the months to come.

He feared for him and his wife. He did not fear Demeter, no. He feared what she would do. His days alone was spent planning, and plotting, thinking of ways just like Persephone had, but all of those instances from his ideas, all of those always end up with a wildcard. Demeter's actions. Every god and immortal knew Demeter would be willing to take drastic actions for her will to be heard. He feared she will hurt Persephone even more, not just from separating her from him.

Her smile, her reassuring smile got Hades weak. She did not know what her actions would bring. Neither did he, but he knew what the possibilities are. He has thought of them every day for months. The possibilities were dire. Yet he could not reject her. He could not bring himself to let her down. Her eagerness, her desire to come back to him, it was too beautiful to destroy.

"Do it, my love. Do it for us." Hades said. He had a million more words to say, but he knew, he knew his tears would fall should he say one more.

Persephone's assurance did not assure him of anything. It crushed him, but he didn't let it show. She held on to something that will never happen. Demeter will not give up her daughter. If otherwise, she would have done it ages ago, letting Persephone and Hades live in peace. As a fellow god and an immortal, Hades knew Demeter would always, always stay true to her nature, and her nature was to never let her daughter go. Persephone said her mother has to come around eventually, but for someone that has eternity waiting for them, eventually would never come.

Hades smiled at her words, hoping she didn't catch on to his thoughts. "I believe in you, dear Persephone. Soon, we will be together forever." he said. His words echoed within him, each time hurting even more. "Promise me, though, Persephone. Should your plan not succeed, promise me, that whatever happens, you would come back to me. Please, Persephone. I need to hear it." he said, as he held her cheek on his palm.