Who: Hades, Hestia and Persephone What: Final Negotiations Where: Hestia's House When: 17th Warnings: Lots of emotion, but no yelling. Amazing.
Hades had made the arrangements with Hestia first. He had looked deep into her eyes and into her soul and knew she had to be more comfortable than Persephone had to be for this conversation to work so their home would be the place of the conversation, discussion and negotiation. Let her be surrounded by her domain and her family.
But a heavy weight seemed to sit in his stomach as he sat on the floor, flicking small pieces of wood into the small, unneeded fire crackling in the hearth as he waiting for it all to begin. He had a feeling that it wouldn't work out the way he actually wanted it to, but then again, when did anything work out the way he wanted it to? It was such a rare event he could he count the times on one hand.
"Are you comfortable?" asked the quiet voice of Hestia from behind him, as she put a hand on his shoulder so as not to scare him, while sitting down beside him.
"Am never comfortable," he replied just as softly as he flung another little piece of wood into the fireplace and watched it be consumed by the bright flames. "But I guess I'm as comfortable as I can be."
"I can live with that." She looked up at the clock. Was it just her, or was it moving too slowly? It sure felt like time was slowing down... "When did she say she was coming?"
He looked up at the clock, too, "Any moment now. You okay?"
"I think so," the goddess replied quietly. But all the same, she pressed close to his side.
Silently, he put his arm around her and kept her to his side, sitting with her in an affectionate stillness before whispering, "I'm right there."
She smiled and gave his kiss a light kiss. "I'll be fine. I promise." Or at least she hoped so.
Persephone walked up to the door, calmly ringing the bell despite the typhoon of emotions within her. Delaney was safely at home with Mallory, and again, without her, Persephone felt at a loss...about to walk into a house that wasn't hers to etch out her place in the world.
Hestia jumped up like a shot at the sound of the bell. It could only be one person. Casting a look to Hades she walked to the door and paused. Deep breath in... deep breath out. Part of her wanted to just lock the door and say to hell with all of this. He had said that if she wanted him, she could claim him.
But she shouldn't, she told herself sadly. With another deep breath, she opened the door and put on a smile. "Please, come in."
Persephoned smiled back, quiet as she made her way into the house. It all felt so conspiratorial...the two of them inviting her over with little knowledge of what was about to transpire.
Hades stood up as Persephone entered the home and dusted himself off before taking a deep breath. "[I'm sure you can guess why I called you here.]"
"[Not entirely,]" she admitted, glancing down at the floor for a moment before looking back up at him and Hestia. "[But I'm sure it has to do with the...arrangements? That need to be made.]"
"[See, I knew you knew,]" He motioned then to the couch as he himself sat on the floor next to the fireplace to be able to watch. After all, the last time he hadn't watched their discussions he was informed of two different results -- one that was shocking and pleasant, and the other unsurprising and disappointing. He wanted to see the truth this time.
Hestia stayed standing. Anything else would feel too... relaxed. And she was anything but.
"[Okay...]" Persephone sat herself down on the couch, fidgeting nervously. This felt like a horrible horrible set up.
Hades clearly shrugged then pointed to one of the woman and then the other, "[Well...]"
Ah right. Hestia turned to face the two, wringing her hands tightly like wash cloths, looking far too small and afraid. "[I've thought about what we talked about, niece. And...]" She sighed, face guilty. "[I don't... I don't think I can live that way. I can do many things, but I do not think I have it-it in me to share someone I love like this. So I... I've made my decision. If he should be with anyone, it's you. I'm ready to step away.]"
Persephone sat there, not quite comprehending what she was hearing. She glanced over at Hades. Had she heard that correctly?
Hades heard the words clearly and they forced his eyes shut tightly, like he had just been stabbed. She didn't think she could... She didn't want to even try to compromise or fight for him...
Persephone frowned, hating the sight before her eyes. She glanced back at Hestia, wondering how this woman could see that pain and still make this decision. Maybe she had blinded herself to it. She rested her elbows on her knees, rubbing white fingers over her lips in thought. "[You know...once upon a time, h-Hades, he would let me go up to earth. He loved me more than anything and half of the year he let me go. I'm sure part of it was the decree of Zeus, but I'm also sure that part of the reason he let me go and held in his pain was because he knew I loved the sun. He knew I needed it in my life, and it was something he could not give me in the Underworld. I would be a terrible hypocrite at this moment if I didn't at least try to reciprocate...are you sure this is your choice, Hestia? He really does love you.]"
"[I know that,]" Hestia replied, voice heavy. "[Gods, I know that... But I know that he loves you too. And he's loved you longer, and you've loved him longer than I have. You know each other. You don't have to stumble and struggle and fall apart before you can go anywhere, despite recent, um, activity. But even then...]" The goddess sighed and shook her head, wrapping her arms about herself but still looking straight at the two of them. She had to be firm. Otherwise, she'd just fall apart. "[I love him. I do. Please don't think I don't want to deal with the hard parts or that I'm just quitting and running. I won't lie, Persephone; if you had not come back, I would have simply stayed beside him as long as he allowed me. I want him to stay here, to never leave. But... that's selfish of me. It's not right. He needs you as much as you need him.]"
She gritted her teeth hard, adding quietly, "[I'm the one who made a mistake so long ago. Why should I make you two pay for it.]"
"[Because love is as selfish as it is selfless,]" Hades replied softly, almost soft enough to be missed. "[Love isn't about the ease. It was not always easy between me and Persephone, but...]" He then went silent. He suddenly realized there was no point to argue. Instead, he lowered his eyes to the ground.
Persephone glanced at Hades, then quickly back to Hestia. The goddess was on an island to her own, Persephone thought. She ignored Hestia for the moment, making her way over to Hades and gently touching him. She brought her face close to his ear, murmuring softly. "[I promise I'll do everything I can to ease this pain you're feeling. I swear it. I'm so sorry.]"
Hestia watched them, feeling foolish. She wanted to be the one doing that. But she reminded herself that it was for the better. It had to be. Persephone could take care of him, and would if she accepted what she was offering. So she stood silently and watched.
Hades looked right at Persephone for a moment with those sad black eyes of his and then he closed them. He never did get what he wanted, but sitting there in a stolen moment of silence, he considered maybe he shouldn't want it. Actions speak louder than words. Persephone was willing to move outside her own comfort for his... Hestia again turned it back herself and could not. He let out a heavy breath and opened his eyes once more, resolved. "[If that is the decision, so be it. We have new things to discuss then.]"
Persephone nodded, sitting down next to him. She knew exactly what two little things he needed to discuss, and so she played her part, taking one of his hands within her own and giving it a gentle squeeze. She would support him through this separation. It was all she really could do for the moment.
Persephone was ignored for the moment. She wasn't important at this point in time. Hades brought his eyes to Hestia full of resolve and strength now, "[We need to discuss Edward and Eric.]"
Looking back up to him, she nodded. "[During the day, at work. And Saturdays,]" she offered. It was just about the same as it had been when Persephone had returned.
He was suddenly reminded that he had always hated that arrangement, but it was more than any court would probably give him. "[And I want permission to visit them in this house in the evenings and that Sunday sometimes.]"
Hestia nodded. That was fair.
"[There's actually...one more thing,]" Persephone felt awkward about doing this to Hestia, but in this matter the hearth goddess had very little right or claim. "[Zale should probably move in with us.]"
Hades hadn't even considered that to be debated but he supposed it was important to make everything clear, "[It would make the most sense, but he can visit you, Sister, whenever he wishes.]"
"[Oh yes. I'd like that, but Persephone is right. Being your brother and all,]" she replied quite calmly. Almost too calmly, she thought to herself. Maybe she was learning how to properly bottle up her feelings now? As good a time as any...
"[Obviously we will need to renegociate these things when the boys are old enough to go to school, but for now, this will do.]" Hades removed his hand from Persephone's stand up. Hestia maybe had learned to bottle her feelings, but Hades certainly had and was. "[Like we did last time, I will pay for half of their expenses, not because you need my help but because I'm their father.]"
Hestia nodded understandingly even as she stared down at the floor. She knew she couldn't support such a large house and herself and two children alone.
Stepping forward, he placed his hands upon her shoulders, "[Anything you need, I will provide.]"
The elder goddess jumped a bit at the touch, not expecting it, but she tried to offer him a smile in return. "[I... I know. Thank you.]"
The younger god brushed his fingers along her cheek and let his hand fall away in a silent sigh, "[Don't feel afraid to ask.]"
Persephone got up to her feet. She supposed it was only polite to let them have their moment. She made her way out to the stoop, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. She felt strange and shuddery all over. All her dreams were coming true, but she had to be careful and respective and not show her overwhelming joy.
Hestia noted Perse moving away out of the corner of her eyes and thanked her silently. She reached up to brush her fingers along his. She couldn't stop herself, though, from throwing her arms around him tight. "[I'm sorry,]" she said immediately. "[I know you hate sudden hugs. But it'll... it'll be the last time.]" And she just wanted it so badly.
For once Hades didn't seem to mind and wrapped his arms around her equally as tight. He lifted her clear off her feet in his hug, "[Remember, this was your choice. Not mine.]"
There was a little sob from her at his words. "[I know. I know... But it has to be done.]" Looking up, her face streaking with tears, she kissed his cheek. "[I love you. I love you. Please, please, please don't think I'm doing this because I don't. I couldn't live with myself if you thought I didn't want you here with me,]" she whispered privately.
"[You just didn't want me here enough,]" Hades whispered back, but in all tenderness wiped away her tears from her face before bringing his lips to his and kissing her softly. If it was to end, he would end it properly.
"[Don't say that. I want you happy. I do... What would happen if I begged you to stay? She would still need you too, and Delaney. I don't want anyone to be sad anymore.]" She returned the kiss though, deepening it. Hadn't they done this once before? The 'last kiss'? She sighed into it even as she shivered with the effort of not sobbing. There was time for that later.
"[You didn't have to beg. But this is what you want,]" He eased her back to the flats of her feet, smoothing his hands over her shoulders and then down her arms before giving both of her hands to tight squeeze, "[I guess there was no other way.]"
No, there was. But this was the one Hestia chose. She sighed and returned the squeeze. "[If you ever again need a place from the rain, brother... I'll always be here.]"
Hades nodded and then looked up the stairs. He would have to explain all of this to Zale and... "[Maybe I should leave tomorrow.]"
"[After you talk to Zale,]" she staid sternly. "[We can't just drop this on him. He's been moved around without a notice too many times.]"
Persephone glanced in the window. They didn't seem to be kissing at this point. She ventured to crack the front door open. "[Should I go?]"
"[Yes, you should.]" Hades glanced over Hestia toward the little glimpse of Persephone's face, "[I can't just leave...]"
"[I know...I just didn't know if you needed me for anything,]" Persephone remarked, smiling bashfully. "[Call if you need me, Hades.]" And with that, she closed the door behind her.
Hestia watched her go before looking back to Hades, heart heavy. She opened her mouth to say something. But then she realized she didn't know what to say.
Really, there was nothing left to say. Not between the two of them, anyway.
Summary: After Hestia's confessions, Hades invites Persephone over to hear the two discuss through what he actually wanted them to discuss. Hestia stays firm in her resolution to let the two others be a couple alone. Persephone consoles Hades. And does a jiggity jig in her head (see icon).