Having heard of other people waking up with far more memories than they'd gone to sleep with, Persephone thought she ought to have been far more prepared for this. In the grand scheme of things, she hadn't really even gotten all that many new memories--a week's worth, at most. She already remembered having left for some time away to think, and she remembered why she'd left, of course. All she'd had to remember was Zeus' warrant for her arrest, her absolute breakdown, her conversation with Hera, and Hades' continuous proof that he was unfalteringly on her side. Between his staunch protectiveness of her, his willingness to let her be exactly who she was, and the fact that he'd trusted her with exactly who he was, there was no questioning how much she had him in her corner and vice versa. That was all to say that it wasn't like she'd gotten months of memories she had no way of expecting, right? It wasn't anything at all, really.
Except, no, it was not not nothing.
It was everything.
And as Persephone blinked away the sleep from her eyes and became aware of everything she remembered and the solid presence of her best friend beside her, she had to take a moment to temporarily push away all of the terrifying, uncertain memories and focus on Hades. Their last conversation back home, which felt like it had happened only moments ago, played on loop in her head.
Your wants and needs are not secondary to mine.
A kiss can be just a kiss.
She smiled a secret, soft smile and pulled herself closer to Hades, lifting a hand to tap a finger against his chin, and whispered, "Are you awake?"
They had been swimming together. Usually swimming was a solitary activity for him as he was self-conscious about his scars. When she asked, though? How could he turn her down. They’d been swimming, and he’d wrapped her in his arms. ”Are you awake?”
Her voice tugged him out of sleep and he shifted slightly in the bed, instinctively pulling her closer to him. As his mind moved from sleeping to wakefulness, the full impact of the dreams-memories-whatever they were settled over him.
He opened his eyes and her lovely face filled his vision. She was smiling at him and he just basked in it for a moment. “Good morning.”
As soon as Hades’ eyes opened and it was clear that he was awake and aware, Persephone tilted her chin up and pressed her lips to his. It wasn’t their first kiss here, nor there, but it felt as important as it felt right. She smiled against the kiss and let it linger for a moment before settling back into him. “Morning,” she replied, closing her eyes and taking just a moment to push away the familiar sensation of floating away, letting the feeling pass as quickly as it had begun. Of course, that did nothing to stop the blushing flower petals from adorning each of their bed heads, but there was nothing to be done for it just then.
“Do you remember--” she wrinkled her nose as she considered how best to describe the onslaught of memories-- “After taking me into your home to let me hide out for awhile, you took me shopping. I made you get a new outfit, too. Do you remember that?” Her eyes opened and she pulled herself up onto her elbows, looking down at Hades now from her new vantage point. “Do you remember telling me that a kiss can be just a kiss, and everything before that?”
Responding to her kiss was as easy as breathing. He moved a hand to gently caress her cheek until he felt her draw back slightly. When the flower crowns appeared he raised an eyebrow and smirked. It wasn’t an uncommon occurrence when they kissed, but it never failed to make him smile.
As Persephone launched into her rapid fire questions about his suddenly new memories, he realized what must have happened. They’d both received an update to their memories overnight. He looked up at her, eyes soft, and reached his hand to settle lightly on top of hers. “I remember.”
At his confirmation, Persephone excitedly sat up, simultaneously aware that she didn’t particularly enjoy the sudden distance she’d put between them and too alert to stop it. “You remember, too! Funny that we both remember the same thing at the same time. But I’m glad you remember, too,” she said, reaching out to wrap her fingers around his. “They feel like important memories. For us, I mean.”
Her myriad memories felt important, too, for various reasons and equally varying desire to have remembered them. It was easier to focus instead on those that only elicited the happy warmth that spread through her, to push away the memories that frightened and worried her.
“It…feels good, too, knowing we’re on the same page, both here and there. It’s one of the few things that feels right and easy, you know?”
Her hands always felt so small and delicate next to his. He couldn’t help but be fascinated by it whenever she held his hand. He smiled and squeezed softly in response.
Although he was still groggy, it was difficult to not be affected by her bubbliness. Hades shifted so he could sit up as well. “I’m glad we both remember too.” Now that they were both sitting, they were closer together again and he leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Whatever we do, so long as it’s in my power, I’ll make sure we do it together.”
Not that these memories were anywhere within Hades realm of power, but he was a King. He was allowed to be overdramatic now and then. “Starting with breakfast. What do you think?”
While Persephone knew that there was little either of them could do in terms of controlling how and when and why these memories came to them--or any part of Vallo’s brand of magic, for that matter--she appreciated how confident he was in his ability to be by her side for all of it. He was always there for her, supporting and encouraging her. When he’d barely known her, he’d proven his faith in her ability to make her own choices, respected her boundaries, and somehow seen the goddess she truly was. No matter what happened here or there, she wanted desperately for them to be able to face all of it together.
And for as much as Persephone loved the idea of breakfast, she wasn’t quite ready to abandon this cozy, lovely bubble.
She brought her shoulders up as she pressed her palms together in what she hoped was a particularly mischievous gesture. “Or, counter offer, we start with staying here trying the just a kiss thing for just a little while longer.” There was more to discuss, more to work through from what she knew they both remembered now. Everything else could wait, though, because Persephone wanted a moment or several to just appreciate this person she did have and whom she never wanted to let go.
Hades raised an eyebrow at her counter offer. She seemed so genuinely pleased with herself and he found it completely irresistible. Though, in fairness, he found her irresistible in most instances. He drew her close and cupped her face lightly. They were only a hair’s width apart when he stopped and answered “I accept,” in a low tone before kissing her.
Persephone knew she drove a hard bargain, making him choose between breakfast and this, but she wasn't even remotely sorry for it. She smiled against his mouth and murmured, "This is why I always beat you at chess." And then she wrapped her arms around his neck and decided they might have to plan for lunch, instead.