A grin grew on his face at the change of subject, even after so many years it still pained him to remember what had happened to those he’d held dear. It was a balm to see someone again from those days, though it was bittersweet, “But of course, would you really expect anything less from me?”
He began to walk again, arm securely back in its place around her shoulders as he lead her down the street. Though instead of continuing down the sidewalk he gently ushered her down an alley instead, ignoring the few looks that were shot their way. It wasn’t until he glanced back to check if they were alone that he gave her a hint of why they were there.
“Remember how we used to travel?”
“Never,” she whispered. “You’ve taught me all I know about elegance, dear. Maybe one day I’ll take you to my place and you’ll see.” That had its own implications, but they were left for another day. Another meeting. Seeing him again stirred caged feelings within her, ones she wanted to scope out before freeing it from its cage.
Love was a wild thing, after all.
When he nudged her in the alley, she maneuvered as subtly as he did. With a nod, she wrapped her arms around him, snakes rustling as they pressed against his chest. “Ready when you are."
Hades tensed for a moment, both at the mention of his ‘bride’ and by the reaction it caused in Em. The tone of her voice was more than enough of a giveaway as to what she thought of the goddess. He sighed, releasing tension as he gave the woman a quick one armed hug, “You know that was a marriage of convenience more than anything else but you won’t have to worry. She’s been gone a long time and it’s related one of the things we need to talk about, Em.”
He paused at that as they came to a crosswalk, pulling her to a halt next to him. The subject that she brought up kept it from becoming more than a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth. “I promise you, there is nothing and no one that you should be worried about while you’re with me Medusa.”
It was strange to see him like this. Medusa almost thought he looked fragile. The god was far from it, of course, and the mere thought of him acting this way only for her brought a wicked grin to her face, once that quickly melted into one of compassion. “So sorry about your marriage, darling,” she said quietly, rubbing his back. In reality, she wasn’t. Not all all.
Her face returned to its usual smugness, “Let’s see this house, then. I’m sure you’ve furnished it beautifully?” Part of her longed to comment on the implications behind being with him, but brushing it aside was all part of the process of longing. She would know.
Hades chuckled as he led her down the street, ” Well, if you scare some of them to death then that means more business for me and I wouldn’t complain about that.” He laughed again as she slapped his chest playfully.
“But in all seriousness,” he sighed, “ A lot has happened since we parted. More than is appropriate to talk about here, so, were would you like to go? I know of a few good restaurants that could meet your particular plate or we could head to my home since it’s nearby, ” Hades paused, “ If you don’t think that’s too forward of course.”
He tilted his head as he looked down at her, not knowing how’d she’d feel about his offer after so long apart. After all, considering Em’s history, he wouldn’t hold it against her even if they’ve known each other for centuries now.
"Not forward at all, Dear…“ she said with a smile plastered on her face. She had bristled slightly over the mention of his house. "Of course we could speak more freely at your home, but what of Persephone? Is she…are you two still married eternally?” The venom in her voice was enough to give away her feelings to Hades’ wife. Though whatever Em had with Hades was bound to end due to his time constraints since he was, after all, ruling a kingdom at the time, which only made her wonder what he was doing among the mortals.
A laugh burst from him as he straightened, ” I wouldn’t legitimately call it helping them when it’s more along the lines of helping myself, Em. “
“ You know how they are, willing to give everything for just a while longer, praying to anyone that’ll hear them. It’s really quite lucrative but enough of that,” Hades wrapped an arm around her shoulders to bringer her closer, “ I’m glad that you managed to find me, it really has been to long! Honestly, when was the last time we talked face to face?”
He smiled down at her, genuinely glad to have her back at his side again, “So since you apparently came all this way just for me, will you join me for a drink, or something like that, and you can tell me everything that I missed? “
“Doesn’t matter? They get their brief happiness, but it’s you who’s winning in the end,” she smirked, swiftly adjusting her sunglasses, being extra careful not to expose her red eyes to him.
“It’s been too long, Hades, far too long." She placed a gentle hand on his chest as he pulled her in, her other arm wrapping around his back.
"Mm…careful the wig, darling, we don’t want to scare off any humans now, do we?” As if on cue, a few snakes hissed from within and she rubbed her wig to silence them. "Now what about that drink? There is much you need to tell me. Like what you’re doing out of the Underworld for one. I’m loving the human thing on you,“ she teased, pressing down on his abs.
Hades smiled at the welcomed surprise and unexpected hug, readily returning it at the sight of an old face.
“Em, it’s been too long,” he pulled away to cup her face, “ Is everything alright, my dear? Or is it just pure coincidence that we’ve run across each other?" He glanced at her wig before raising an eyebrow in question.
Her hand slid down to his shoulder as his held her cheek. "Oh, darling, always so worried about me. I heard some miracle worker was helping the dying and had to see if it was you.” She smiled, stroking his shoulder languidly. “I’m happy I was right.”
“Well if it isn’t my devil himself!” She exclaimed as she strode towards the god in her black stilettos. Her light-brown wig tussled in the wind, but held firmly in place. All charm and smiles plastered on her face, she hugged him, and then pulled away to take a long look at his well-dressed form. Her hand reached up to cup the side of his face, thumb stroking his cheek. “I missed you."
