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It had taken but a few hours to arrange the room for Persephone, with a little help from Hades and his magic to re-purpose the space he had previously used as storage. A bed, a large desk, a bookshelf, and a cabinet for her robes.
After she had put down her little decorations she sat down by his side leaning back and staring at the ceiling with a sigh. “I am exhausted…” she commented quietly. The only acknowledgment Hades gave was a low snort. As per usual he was reading something about aetherology she could never wrap her head around.
“If you are so exhausted why do you not simply lay down in your bed and have a nap?” he inquired calmly. If he seemed taxed from the magic he didn’t show it, though she found it more likely he wasn’t taxed at all. Hades was certainly the one with the larger aether pool compared to her.
“I would sleep too long if I went to my bed… it would mess up my whole schedule.” She murmured closing her eyes subsequently.
She heard his book snap shut, some shuffling as he got comfortable. “You can nap on my couch, I can simply wake you up if you wish so.”
“Hm…” Persephone opened her eyes, watching as Hades leaned back, golden eyes regarding her with a questioning look. “Alright… just wake me up in a bit alright?”
The young sorcerer rolled his eyes as if he had not just offered her that, watching her get comfortable on her side as she closed her eyes he returned his attention to the book, holding it in one hand as he read that was until he felt her shuffling about.
She snuggled up to him and Hades could not quite hide the blush that spread on his cheeks feeling her so close with so much fewer clothes in the way. After all, he was in his apartment. No, their apartment now.
He put his hand on her arm, an inadvertent hug that stained his cheeks in an even deeper tone of red, luckily not stirring her. She seemed more comfortable than ever, so Hades chalked it up to him being a better pillow. Surely it was nothing more than that.
He wasn’t sure when his eyelids had started to feel heavy falling close as the book drifted out of his hand slowly but surely. In hindsight, he should have removed himself from this situation, but the weight of his friend against him felt like a warm blanket on its own. Comfortable and calming as it was.
Listening to her breathing he relents summoning a blanket over them as he slowly succumbs to his own need for a nap.
Strange dreams of her aside, the sound that woke him up and her likewise was, uncomfortable, to say the least. As much as Hades had never gone that far with anyone he knew as much as to what he was hearing. Our neighbors.
He should be more worried about holding Persephone in his arms, more terrified about the growing attraction he felt toward her. That bubbled to the surface right now of all moments.
Persephone was the first to move after a set of more moans, pressing herself upright on his thigh, or rather between them. *Not there…* He let out a strangled sound at that staring at her downright horrified, her blue eyes widening as she scrambled away. More moaning from upstairs. “I am so sorry Hades!” she let out and her voice was an octave higher than usual.
“It’s fine…!” he protested keeping the blanket well where it was as he sat up. “I am sorry you woke up…I do not understand why they have not… put up some sound protection.” He muttered raising his hand to quickly do so for them.
The sound drowned out as silence between them stretched.
“They were…” Persephone muttered quietly.
“…intimate I believe yes,” Hades said hoping she wouldn’t bridge the topic.
“….you.”
“Not another word!” he snapped back to which she flinched. Hades regrets it immediately as he brushed a hand through his white hair. “That is not the reason… this is all I will say to that.” He said not wanting her to believe that hearing *them* had somehow… worked him up like that! Ridiculous!
But somehow Persephone ever curious couldn’t just stop there as she looked timidly at him. “…but why then..?” she questioned and Hades felt his cheeks tint ever darker. Don’t ask me that!
“It is nothing, Persephone it just happens at times when… men wake up.” He waved it off with his hands. Hating how she had never been educated about such things by her parents. Another reason to despise them even when their abuse of her had done enough to earn his ire for a thousand lifetimes.
“So it’s not because of me…?” She asked with a hint of disappointment and Hades’s instinct was quicker than his thinking. “I never said that……!”
He regretted it right away.