#she’s already been through a faux pregnancy so honestly I wouldn’t be surprised

[dyna-myght]

Is it possible for a fixed female cat to like. Go through some form of a faux heat where she wants to sort of mark her territory? Like which bed is her favorite at the time she will pee on and then she likes to pee on my clothes….

[noonachronicles]

Everlong - Epilogue

Kwon Jiyong/ G Dragon X Reader

Word count: 21k

Warnings: 85,900% Domesticity. Now with Real Smut™ (x3). Sprinkling of pregnancy kink. Language. Unrealistic expectations of love and relationships. Seriously unrealistic. Honestly, maybe a little unhealthy even. Excessive fluff. The only angst comes from left over self-esteem issues caused by that B word.

Genre: Hades/Jiyong. Greek God AU. Fantasy.

A/N: For consistency’s sake, I made the decision to refer to Ji/Hades as just Hades the whole time, but y’all know Hades is Ji and Ji is Hades and hopefully it’s nbd. I just wanted to say I actually feel pretty fortunate I got to go back to Everlong. It’s definitely one of my favorite worlds and I could probably write about them forever. My wish with this is that everyone who has been waiting for it enjoys it and doesn’t think it’s a totally cheesy snoozefest. >.< 

Spoiler Alert: I feel like a lot of people, myself included, wanted to see Hades get his happy ending. That’s definitely what they’ve been given here.Things people seemed to want out of an Epilogue included Ji!Hades as a dad. Ji!Hades with the love he deserves. Persephone being a brat. And FINALLY the non-dream smut everyone has been waiting for. So, it’s all there. I hope I didn’t miss anything!

Hades didn’t waste a single moment. There was absolutely nothing more he wanted than to spend his entire existence with you. Almost immediately after you had agreed to stay with him in the underworld he asked you to marry him. Your answer left your lips before he could even finish the question. You had said yes without an ounce of hesitation and knowing that you meant it when you said forever gave Hades a greater joy than he’d ever known. He had actually been ready to ask you that very first night, but he was forced to wait an entire weekend due to your unquenchable thirst for him. Though truthfully, he had absolutely no complaints.

The wedding had been held on Mount Olympus, as was tradition for all of the major deities. You’d only visited the location once prior to your wedding day. The trip had just been for you to see it. Since it seemed whether or not you liked it you didn’t have much of a say and there wasn’t really anywhere else you wanted to have it anyway. Luckily you did like it. Luckily you loved it. You thought it was beautiful, absolutely heavenly.

That first visit was when you met some of Hades family for the first time as well. The look of absolute fear on his face as his family introduced themselves would always be one of your favorite memories of him, he was so precious. He didn’t care if they liked you. He loved you and nothing they said would change it. He had been worried you wouldn’t like them. That you would hate them so much that you’d call off the wedding, unable to fathom being in a family with his siblings.

Fortunately Hera, Hestia, and you became quick friends. The two of them had dragged you away for hours to discuss wedding details. Apollo and Athena thought you were very clever and told Hades you were one of the funniest people they’d had the pleasure of knowing. Dionysus, Zeus, and Ares all tried to seduce you, which came as a surprise to absolutely no one. You loved his family and it only made him love you more. He told you he thought it was because of you that they seemed to like him more than usual, even making him promise that he would come around more even after the wedding and telling him how much they had missed him. It had been clear to you that they had always loved him and it was his own self-consciousness that distanced him from them.

Though he had already made you one of the immortal, Hades' family had declared that they did not accept it as true godhood. They advised the pair of you that your wedding would have to be done in the tradition of their followers, sacrifices and all. As a compensation Zeus promised that once the wedding was completed he would officially grant you godhood. Knowing that his siblings were giving him a hard time, as siblings do, you found the requirement to be quite amusing and you laughed along with them. Annoyed, Hades found it torturous and unnecessary. Despite either of your feelings it meant that, as was tradition, your wedding lasted three days.

Since you didn’t have any female friends or relatives you spent the night of proaulia with Hades sisters and female family members, as well as your grandmother who had been given a reprieve from death for the wedding. It was especially funny as a part of the traditions you were meant to give offerings to several of the goddesses at your gathering. Instead of the typical offerings you made them all personalized desserts and allowed Athena to do your hair as you gossiped about what Hades had been like before he met you.

The second day was the gamos. The day started with a sacrifice and receiving blessings from the gods, your new family. You’d been washed under a waterfall of the purest water you’d ever seen in your life. Then, together, you and Hades made an offering to his family for your future. After that was a massive feast that included the entire Greek pantheon. That part was the hardest for you. Not only being overwhelmed by the sheer number of guests but because the men and women sat separate from one another and all you wanted to do was hold Hades hand. However, as promised, at the feast Zeus offered you a plate of ambrosia and a goblet overflowing with nectar. As a part of his toast he had the court cheers to you, a true goddess and the new Queen of the Underworld.

Once the feast was over there was still to be the anakalupteria or the removal of your veil. You thought it was a little silly considering the tradition was in reference to virginity, but you went along with it regardless. With you still veiled, the procession started. You and Hades, in a perfectly hand crafted chariot, which took you through the streets of Olympus. Zeus filled the night sky with lightning bolts until it looked like fireworks and the pantheon's cheers sounded like thunder all the way from the feast in the great hall until you were home. Comfortably alone in your home Hades removed your veil and then he removed everything else you wore as well.  

The next day came epaulia, when the pantheon came to your home in the underworld and presented the two of you with their gifts. Since the place so rarely saw guests and they’d all taken the time to come you wanted to make the event more of a reception. There was more feasting, drinking, and dancing in excess. All six gardens were flooded with life and joy from your guests as they celebrated with the two of you under the sparkling night.

That night Hades stood, drink in hand, and looked over his property with joy in his heart. Seeing his home filled with the laughter and happiness of his friends and family was something he’d wanted for a long time. He was so grateful for you, knowing that without you it would never have been possible.

When he wasn’t beside you he watched you diligently to make sure you were enjoying yourself, still worried that you might find his family in any way distasteful. Though he wasn’t sure he wouldn’t have stared regardless with the way your dress flowed behind you as you moved and the silks and chiffons draped around your body so perfectly. He thought you looked, appropriately, like a goddess. Your smile was so bright and warm that everyone you spoke to was glowing with happiness. He was certain he had never loved anything or anyone more than you.

His mood dampened only slightly when he felt the cold chill that surrounded his ex wife, and the strong scent of daffodil and roses that always lingered around her. A smell that now made him want to openly gag. He didn’t even have to look to know she’d found her way to him. Her gaze burned into his back and he could feel the tension gather in his shoulders from just her presence.

“Hades…” she greeted him, not unkindly.

For a moment neither of them expected him to respond, but he offered her a jagged, “What?”

“The house looks nice.” Persephone said, stepping beside him. “Feels like ages since I’ve seen it. Or you.”

“Should have been longer.” He muttered.

“You look very handsome and you seem... happy.”

He kept his eyes on you, a calming vision. “I seem happy because I am happy.”

“I saw you kept my statue.”

“Just waiting for it's replacement.”

“Hmmm.” She sighed and leaned closer.

Hades cleared his throat, “Why are you here, Seph?”

“I told you, it’s been ages. I wanted to see how you were doing. Make sure you were truly as happy as they’ve been saying on Olympus.”

“I am. I finally found the greatest love I’ve ever known.” He eased at the thought of you, “And I made her my wife. How could I not be happy?”

“The greatest love you’ve ever known. You’re sure?” She asked, “You don’t really believe that for a second time do you?”

Hades said nothing, he only scoffed at her attempt. He wasn’t going to let her ruin this day for him the way she had ruined so many others.

“Anyway, she’s okay.” Persephone continued with a shrug, “Seems nice enough, a little dim witted if you ask me.”

“Good thing I didn’t ask you.”

She ignored the bite in his tone. “You see you have to be a little dim witted to voluntarily spend eternity in the underworld. Even you were coerced here by your brothers.”

“Seriously, what are you doing here?” He asked, still refusing to look at her. “What will it take for you to leave?”

“I love a good wedding.” She said simply. “Plus after all of our history together, I thought we were friends.”

“We were never friends, Seph. Don’t bullshit me.”

Persephone hummed thoughtfully, and chose to ignore him once more. “I guess she’s cute at least. For a faux goddess anyway. I was going to say homely originally but I suppose she does have a nice smile.”

“There is nothing and no one more beautiful in this or any other universe than my bride.” Hades said with a small smile.

He could tell you were searching for him and he watched as a glow washed over you when you’d finally found him. By just the look on your face he could tell the story of the conversation you were having with Narcissus was going to be amazing later.

It was then that he finally looked over at Persephone, “And no, I never once said that about you.”

“When did you become so hurtful?” She asked softly, getting no response in return. Then after a pause she asked, “What will you do if she wants children?”

“It’s my hope that she does.”

“Why would you hope for that? Aren’t you infertile?” She quipped, “I always assumed that you were since we never had children together.”

“It couldn’t have been that you were never around. That we hardly ever had sex and when we did you weren’t very good.” He rolled his eyes. “How true to character, Persephone. Never taking responsibility, always placing the blame on someone else.”

“I’m just afraid it won’t last.” Persephone said harshly, furious that he’d found the audacity to speak to her that way.

As she watched you enjoying yourself with her family, in the home that she built. She came to the quick conclusion that all of this was your fault. She wasn’t sure exactly what you’d done to Hades but she didn’t like it at all. Determination grew inside of her. She would just have to prove to herself and the both of you that she still reigned superior. She didn’t want him to be happy with her, absolutely not, but she couldn’t have him anything but miserable without her.  

“Someone from topside?” she went on, “She doesn’t understand what she’s gotten herself into. But that’s how you like your wives, isn’t it? Clueless. Helpless.”

“You knew what it meant to marry me.”

“How could I have? I was a child when we met.”

He scoffed in disbelief of what she was saying. “You’ve never been a child, Seph. You were always a bitch. Very much born your father's daughter.”

“Even if I did, does she actually know what it means to marry you?” She asked, ignoring his comment, “Truly, does she know? Being trapped forever in the underworld with you.”

“She knows.”

She shook her head and gave a small tsk, “How could she? Pathos said the two of you haven't even been together a full year. Poor girl doesn’t know what eternity means. She’ll never make it, Hades. She will absolutely lose her mind and she will leave you like everyone else does. Down here, all alone. What’s worse is that not only have you imprisoned her in the underworld, you’ve trapped her in immortality. Everyone knows what you did. Giving someone immortality without their consent? Like she's just a play thing for you. A toy. Surely if she doesn’t try to escape you, you’ll just get bored of her. And then what?”

“You should leave.” Hades gulped.

He didn’t believe the words she was saying, at least he didn’t want to. However he knew and now Persephone knew that she’d successfully planted the seed of doubt she’d been trying for in the garden of his mind.

She just grinned over at him, feeling pleased with the doubt written on his face. “The party has just begun.”

He could feel the heat rising on his neck. He wanted to yell, throw her out, to cause a scene. Then, as if you knew he needed you, you were at his side. Slipping your arms around his waist and landing a sweet kiss on his lips.

“Hi.” You smiled brightly at him and he brightly back at you.

“Hi.” He said softly, kissing you again.

“Are you having fun?”

He settled his hands on your hips. “Infinitely more now that I have you here.”

You melted into him as he kissed your lips and then your cheek and down your neck. His hands inched up the curve of your back, sending a shiver of delight through your body. With a smirk you looked over at Persephone who seemed deeply disturbed by the public display of affection.

“I don’t think we’ve met.” You said, throwing your hand out to her, “Who are you again?”

Knowing that you knew exactly who she was Hades laughed against your neck.

“Persephone.” She hissed her name like venom and you pulled your hand back so you wouldn’t get bit.

“Oh, right, the ex-wife!” You said enthusiastically as you looked over at her. “Glad you could make it. I can’t say I know where you got your invitation but, all's well that ends well I suppose.”

“Right and you must be the prisoner.” She glared back at you.

“I thought people said you were trying to make ‘The Topsider’ a thing.” You said curiously, “Rule of thumb, nicknames don’t stick if you don’t stick with them.”

Hades looked at you with complete and utter adoration. He’d been trying so far in your relationship to keep you away from her. He should have always known you could handle Persephone. Especially with how you always handled him. His arms tightened around your waist.

“And what do you call me?” she asked.

“Oh, I think being you is enough of an insult. Why call you anything else?” You asked innocently.

Hades choked trying to hold back a laugh. With no surprise to any of you, Persephone did not find you as amusing.

“How are you enjoying my home?” She asked cooly, “Do you spend much time in my gardens?”

“No,” You smiled sweetly, “because actually, nothing here is yours. This is my home and these are my gardens. Especially when you consider how much work I put into cleaning up the mess you left.”

Your husband said nothing, he knew he didn’t have to. Instead he raised an amused eyebrow   while he slid the strap of your dress to the side and pressed his lips against the soft skin of your shoulder as the both of you waited for Persphones response.

“And what is that supposed to mean?” She spat.

“I’m sure the house looked lovely when you had originally designed it, but everything you’d done was so...tacky and outdated.” You grinned, pleased by the red that bloomed at her throat, “Hades and I had to redo almost the entire palace. Of course it’s not all done,  there’s so much, but we do have an eternity to finish. I’m not worried. ”

“You decorated together?” She scoffed and you laughed.

“Well it is his home as well. Perhaps where you’re confused is the part where Hades and I have respect for one another. We share a partnership. Not…” you gestured loosely to Persephone as if she were something distasteful, “whatever that was.”

“And my gardens?” She asked, “You’re suggesting they weren’t up to par?”

“Oh, Sephy,” she shot daggers at Hades, knowing it had to have been him that told you how much she hated being called Sephy. “I’m not suggesting anything. I’m telling you. The gardens were a disaster. Nothing made any sense. Aesthetically…  it was horrifying. Some spots were overrun, others left bare. No worries now though, I’ve fixed everything. Well, we had to, for the wedding.”

This time Persphone laughed, “Are you really saying you put together a better garden than me? Do you realize who I am? I’m the fucking goddess of vegetation and flowers. You, a nobody...an absolute nothing, did a better job than I had?”

You raised your hand to your chest in surprise and feigned a gasp, “Is that what you’re the goddess of? It’s funny, I had just always assumed they had gods and goddesses rule over things they had at least some sort of understanding of. I never would have guessed that for you. Absolutely...never.”

Persephone let out a hysterical gasp as if you’d broken her. She looked manic but like she was trying desperately to keep it together. “I could just kill you. I really could. You're so-you’re so-funny. No one should be as funny as you are. I absolutely wish you were dead.”

With an obviously fake laugh you placed a hand on her shoulder and she pulled back like you were made of fire, “Lucky for me I’m immortal.”

Never having seen Persephone so angry before Hades wrapped his arms around you more protectively. “Seph, I apologize for my wife. She’s so… what was it you said? Sharp witted?”

“I said dim.”

Hades laughed, “Well I think we all know she’s not that.”

“In all honesty, it was such a joy getting to meet you finally, Persephone.” You oozed sarcasm, “But you don’t mind if I steal him from you, right? I mean…steal him again.”

“You can’t steal trash from someone if they had already thrown it away.” She sneered.

“That is your, and I can not emphasize this enough, absolute loss.” You smiled once more. “You should go have a drink or twelve. We knew Dionysus would be here so of course the booze is endless.”

“Sure.” You basked in the anger radiating off of her. “Enjoy your eternity long sentence in the underworld.”

“Interesting.” You grinned, “Before you started continuously mentioning it, I never imagined myself as someone with a prisoner kink, but with Hades as my warden I could really consider it. What do you think, my love? Cuff me up later?”

“Anything for my Queen.” He leaned forward and pressed a kiss against your lips. It was meant to be sweet, gentle. Neither of you were prepared for the moan that would escape your mouth.

Forgetting Persephone completely you eyed Hades, “Do you think it would make us bad hosts if we disappeared?”

“No, of course not.” He looked around and then back at you, “Most of them are too drunk to remember what the party is for anyway. Could be a wedding. Could be a birthday. Could be a Tuesday.”

“Good,” You leaned forward and pulled his lip between your teeth. When you pulled back your eyes were dark with lust and it twisted a knot in his stomach. “Take me somewhere we’ll never be found. Now.”

Without so much as a goodbye to Persephone the two of you took off like teenagers, in a fit of giggles and hormones, to find somewhere you could be alone.

A thousand years had passed since that night, literal lifetimes, but for Hades it still felt like it had happened yesterday. It was one of his favorite memories. He always thought about it fondly, especially when he was missing you like he did now.

It wasn’t often you weren’t by his side but when you weren’t it was near agonizing. The seed Persephone had planted still grew like a weed in his mind. All he could think about was you being somewhere falling in love with being away from him. He could picture you realizing how much you longed for true independence. He imagined you would run away into the night without another word. Despite how long you’d stayed so far the fear never lessened. It was almost as if the more time passed the more he worried. You were a bomb ticking away, and the longer this went on the more likely you were to go off and leave. He knew you’d call him dramatic if you knew his feelings about it. He also knew that when you finally made that decision to leave it would devastate him and he’d likely collapse into himself like a dying star.  

He eyed the empty throne beside his, your throne. It had been almost two full days this time since he’d seen you. His leg shook anxiously and he tried to hold onto the way you looked on your wedding night to calm his nerves.

“Hades, Sir.” the sound of Phobos’ voice brought him back to the throne room, however reluctantly. “Perhaps we should begin.”

“What have I said about starting without her?”

Phobos looked over at his brother, Deimos, who only shrugged and sighed, “We don’t, Sir. We do not start without her.”

“Good, glad you agree. We’ll wait.” He said clearly moody. “She will be here soon enough.”

“I’m not saying she’s not coming. I’m just saying…” he said cautiously, “It couldn’t hurt to get through a couple without her.”

Hades looked at Phobos with eyes so sharp and so heated the latter god thought he’d died, been burned alive. If looks could kill.

“Oh, is that what you’re saying? Just go on? Move forward without her? As if it were possible.”

“No.” He gulped, “It was a joke. I was just joking.”

“Well, believe me when I say I thought it was funny.” Hades said deadpan. He leaned back in his throne with a huff and a childlike pout. He continued to tap his fingers on the armrest.

It was only a few more minutes before the sound of the door at the front of the hall bursting open and slamming against the wall cut through the air of the silent room. After a long sigh of relief Hades chuckled lightly at the sound and the following echo of your shoes speeding through the giant hall.

“Sorry! Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry!” You called hurriedly as you made your way to the platform completely out of breath. “I’m late. I'm so sorry.”

“The Queen is never late, she is always right on time.” Hades eyes sparkled like universes as you came into view, pushing through the waiting souls.

“Ugh,” looking at Deimos’ smirking face you rolled your eyes at how absolutely cheesy your husband was. “Phobos, I know you worry. I’m sorry I’m late.”

“Ma’am, please, there’s no need to apologize.” He assured you.

“We’ve talked about ‘ma’am, did you forget?”

Phobos leaned in slightly, and said very quietly, “Sir prefers that we remain professional with you in front of the souls, y/n. You know that.”

“Yes well, Sir,” you said, eyeing your husband, “would be okay with the pronoun choices because his sounds distinguished and dominant. Ma’am makes me sound like an old woman that you’re trying to placate. So let’s just figure out something else, okay? I did give you an alternative option...”

“Of course, sorry ma-” he stopped himself and you tried not to laugh as his cheeks burned red, “My apologies...Your Eminence. Regardless, no need for you to ever be sorry to me.”

Still trying to hold back the laugh from him calling you Your Eminence, which you knew he hated, you lifted the basket that was at your side and swung it in front of him. “So, no need for these freshly baked apology muffins then?”

“Well...I mean, you’ve already made them. I’d hate to be rude.” He shrugged.

“I knew you would hate that.” You winked as he took the basket and held up a finger before digging under the cloth on top, “I just need...this one. Thank you.”

You took your one muffin and hurried up the platform and sunk down into your throne with an exhausted sigh. Leaning over the armrest you offered the treat to Hades.

“A muffin for my muffin?”

He blushed as he took it from you. “Pear?”

“Always.” You said looking him over and then you scowled. “Not wearing your crown? Again.”

“I don’t like to wear it when you’re not here.” He said quietly as he unwrapped his treat, “It makes me feel silly.”

“Mmhmm.” You hummed through pursed lips and then decided to let it go. “Did you miss me?”

“Every second you were gone.”

Sinking down into your seat you let out a light laugh. “Liar. I bet you didn’t even think about me once.”

Opening your notebook, the one that matched Hades, you started to read up on the souls that awaited judgement. You were sure that he’d already memorized every last one in this room while you were running late. With a slight pout on his lips Hades didn’t move his eyes from you, not even for a second. Finally realizing that he hadn’t started judgements you looked up from your book to find him staring.

“What?”

“I hope you know that’s not true, y/n.” He sounded hurt. “You’re all I think about.”

“I know four girls that would be very disappointed to hear that.” You grinned.

“Tell me.” He said seriously, “Tell me you know it’s not true.”

Smiling in full you held out your hand to him and he laced his fingers with yours. Giving his hand a gentle squeeze you said, “I know you think about me. You’re all I think about too.”

Finally happy Hades pulled your hand to his lips to kiss your knuckles and then turned to Phobos with a smile. “We can begin.”

-

You had taken quite nicely to your role as Queen of the Underworld. Along with your responsibility of judging souls side by side with Hades you had also been tasked with providing for the gods and creatures that lived and worked in the underworld. You made sure that they were happy and comfortable in their positions and had everything they needed. You counseled those in need and resolved conflicts between those who quarreled. You were constantly planning for festivals and celebrations. Even other gods came to visit more and more often when before they never had. The people of the underworld loved you dearly, and were grateful for all that you did for them. More than anything they appreciated the effect you had on Hades himself. His disposition was much more cheerful. He was much more cheerful and far more understanding.

You didn’t really think you were doing anything special, you just felt like you were helping out where help was needed. You didn’t find any of it at all difficult. Everything you did was for Hades, both the man and your home. In return for all that you did Hades gave you everything you asked for. He did everything you wanted. He agreed with everything you said. You found that pretty unnecessary. You didn’t need that from him and constantly had to make sure he knew that. He assured you every time that he did it all because he wanted to.

The only thing you ever truly asked from him was for your grandmother to be moved from the Forest of Asphodel to the Towers of Elysium. That was usually the only other place you would be found if you weren’t at Hades side. You always spent at least one full day with her a week, sometimes staying the night, but you saw her everyday. She took great joy in taking care of your children so you brought them to her each and every morning. She was a wonderful teacher who brought them to new places, and taught them new lessons with every visit. Her favorite joke, which she told you every time you thanked her for watching them was that they kept her young.

“Looks like it’ll rain tonight.” You said thoughtfully eyeing the grey clouds overhead. “Something warm would be nice for dinner. Will you make your spaghetti sauce? You know Things One and Two always love to help you.”

“I think that’s a great idea.” Hades agreed quietly, as the two of you made your way down the road that took you home. “How’s grandmother?”

“Lovely as always. We made muffins, obviously. I think we were outside of London, that little cottage she loves.” You shrugged.

“You stayed longer than usual. Is everything okay?”

You laughed, knowing what his real concern was. You reached your hand out for his. “We drank too much wine and got caught up in a marathon of true crime shows.”

Gripping your hand tightly he stopped you in the middle of the road. With his one hand he pulled you close to his chest and with the free hand he gently brushed your cheek with his fingertips. “Oh.”

“Oh?” You smirked, lifting your arm up around his shoulder. “You really did miss me, didn't you?”

“I told you I did”. He pouted. “I can’t sleep when you’re not around.”

“Me neither. Why do you think I drank so much wine?”  You kissed his rounded cheek and with a chuckle you pushed him along. “Come on then, you must be exhausted.”

“Thank you for recognizing that.” He said jokingly, “It was very hard watching the girls on very little sleep.”

“Speaking of, grandma can’t watch the kids next week.”

“That’s a first. Is anything wrong?”

You shook your head, “She’s just ‘renovating’ her paradise. She wants to spend the holidays somewhere tropical.”

“That’ll be nice for her.” He tightened his grip around your waist as you walked. “You know what? We should take the week off! Spend it together, us and the girls.”

“Phobos will have a heart attack.”

“We can just work extra hard this week to make sure everything is cleared out.” He shrugged, “It’ll be fine. I’ve left it in worse conditions. Not sure you remember how much time I had to spend away while courting you.”

“I remember,” you admitted fondly, “I helped you clean up that mess.”

Most of the rest of the walk was done in comfortable silence. You spent the time reminiscing about the time he spent with you in the bakery, and when he brought you here for the first time. Before you even knew he was who he was. Then it had you thinking about how quickly the walk to and from the pavilion was from home. You thought about when you first came, how it took days to get around, and grinned to yourself.

“Something on your mind?”

“I just realized how it really takes no time at all to get anywhere in the underworld.” you said thoughtfully as the palace made its way into view. “We can visit everywhere in a single afternoon but it took us days to get around.”  

“And?”

“Just made me think about when you first brought me here...about how you really took your time with me.” you laughed as you made your way through the open iron gates to the garden.

Typically the gardens and the underworld in general were sun drenched. However, with the grey rain clouds filling the skies they looked gloomy and almost unwelcoming.

Hades chuckled, “Don’t I usually take my time with you?”

“Cheeky.”

A light rain finally started as the two of you made your way down the, now very familiar, cobblestone path. Water droplets fell from dark green leaves and on to the ground at your feet. It smelled lovely, you’d thought, like fresh soil and clean air. Sunny days were beautiful but rainy days were better. Cozier.

As the entrance of your home grew closer something in you felt hesitant to go inside. Moving through the courtyard you paused in front of the statue Hades’ had made of the two of you. Not the erotic one he’d told he’d have made long ago. It was a more appropriate one, a sweet embrace, foreheads pressed together intimately. It was your favorite and had been since the day it arrived. Hades moved just past you but you stopped him.

“Wait.” You said grabbing his wrist.

“You okay?”

“Yeah...I just.” You pulled him into you with a small smile before wrapping your arms around his shoulders and pulling him close. “I just want another minute alone with you.”

“Oh.” Taken by surprise he wrapped his arms around your waist while you tucked your face into his neck. “Okay, of course.”

“You smell so nice.” You murmured.

“Thank you.” He blushed, “You smell nice too.”

The two of you stayed like that for some time despite the rain falling down on you, soaking through your clothes. He really loved the little moments you had alone. Of course he loved having a big family, it was what he’d always wanted but he would have also been happy with a thousand more years just the two of you too. And he still worried all the time that a big family wasn’t what you wanted and that it would be a big part of the reason you’d eventually you’d ask him if you could leave.

“You know what I miss?” You asked quietly.

And there it was, he thought. You were going to say you missed being alone or missed the freedom of being literally anywhere else. You were going to ask if he wouldn’t mind if you took a week or two away just to rejuvenate. Instead of being rejuvenated you were going to realize how much you loved the lack of constant responsibility. The beginning of the end, finally had come.

“Hades...” you grabbed his chin, turning his face to yours, “Do you know what I miss?”

“A quiet home?” He asked as his shoulders sank.

“What?” You laughed and shook your head. “No. I was going to say… I miss having sex all over the place.”

“What?!” He nearly choked.

“When we first got together you couldn’t keep your hands off me. I’m pretty sure we fucked everywhere. All over this place. Whenever you wanted, wherever you wanted. Then all of a sudden a thousand years pass by and it feels like maybe you’re bored with me.” You pouted.

Hades leaned out of your embrace and placed the back of his hand to your forehead. “Do you feel okay? Do you have some horrible fever that’s melted your brain?”

“I’m serious, Hades.” You said. “Are we just a boring old married couple now? Do I not excite you anymore?”

“You’re out of your mind, love.” He assured you. “I think about having you everyday. I want you all the time. The only reason I don’t have you when I want anymore is because I can only imagine how traumatic it would be for one of our poor children to catch us disrobed on the staircase.”

“You promise you still want me?”

“What did we vow?” He answered with a question of his own.

Finally a smile met your lips, “Forever and everlong.”

“And that’s what I meant. I still want you more than anything. More and more everyday. More than the air in my lungs.” He promised, “Cross my heart.”

“Dramatic. As always.” You sighed, satisfied, and turned out of his arms to head inside finally. “But I believe you.”

“Not so fast.” He said keeping your hand in his. He brought you over to one of the low brick walls and leaned against it. “Come here.”

“What do you want?” You grinned as his hands gripped your hips, pulling you closer until his leg was between yours.

“Use me” he said with a deviant glint in his eyes, “That’s what I want.”

“What, right here?” You laughed, “In the rain?”

“We’re all alone and we don’t even have to take our clothes off.” He smirked, “You know how to do it, baby.”

“Okay…” embarrassed and giggly, you agreed. As you pulled the skirt of your dress around your hips, you stepped forward and sunk down onto his thigh.

“I love you.” He murmured against your neck. His hands slipped over your ass and squeezed as you started to roll your hips, “You’re so fucking beautiful.”

“Stop.” A gasp escaped you as you felt the tingle of friction that you were searching for. You nuzzled into his neck breathing in the scent of him, spiced chocolate. “Mm, you always feel so good. Just what I need.”

The fingers from one of his hands dug into your hip while his other hand eased upwards and cupped your breast. His thumb brushed your nipple through the rain wet fabric before squeezing you roughly in his palm. The sounds of your moans and whimpers collected in his ear. You dragged his jacket from his shoulder and tugged his button down to the side. Finally bare, your teeth pinched at the skin on his collarbone. Heat was blooming all over your skin as you moved even faster. When the raindrops hit you, you’d swear you could hear them sizzle.

“You know those sweet little noises you make drive me crazy.” He groaned beneath you.

“I know.” Your gasps for air grew louder and more frequent as your thrusting became a frantic search for friction. “Everything you do drives me crazy.”

“Slow down, love.” He said gripping your hips, forcing them into a slow, agonizing grind. “Yeah, like that. I want to savor it.”

Your head fell back, your mouth opened, taking in the cool rain. Hades took the opportunity to latch his mouth to your neck. He bit gently against your skin and you knew he was enjoying this just as much as you were.

“Do you like that?” You asked and he growled against your skin. “Does it feel good for you too?”

“Yes. I love you so much.” He said burying his face between your breasts. “I need you to cum for me.”

“Help me.” You begged, “Please. I need you.”

In an instant his fingers were slipping under the skirt of your dress. Your arms wrapped around his shoulders tightly as you rode his thigh. His fingers massaged your clit and you nearly screamed out with pleasure but kept it in just in case. Instead you bit down on his shoulder as your thighs clenched around his leg. In no time he had you gushing onto his hand and leg, soaking through his pants.

“Oh fuck!” You gasped, shaking from your high, “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that was gonna happen.”

He just laughed as he lifted his fingers to your lips for you to lick clean, when you were done you kissed his fingertips. “I clearly haven’t been taking care of you like I should.”

“Don’t say that!” You cupped his face in your hands and gave him a true kiss, “I just...that was hot. I couldn’t help myself.”

“It was, right?” He said enthusiastically, “Boring old married couple, my ass.”

“What ass?” You teased.

He huffed out a half laugh at the joke, holding you in place on his lap. After the chuckles faded he watched your face curiously, quietly.

Then he asked, “Have I pleased you, my love. Do I make you happy?”

“Of course.” Your brow furrowed, “Happier than I could have ever imagined.”

“Then why are your eyes so sad?”

Leaning your down you pressed your forehead into his. He sat still and expectant. Finally you sighed in defeat and moved your head so that it was rested on his shoulder, your arms wrapping tightly around his body.

“I think there might be something wrong with me.”

“Why?” He asked, you could hear his heart race with panic, “What's happening? What can I do?”

“Sometimes, I just miss you.” You whispered against his ear.

“Beautiful…” He shook with laughter beneath you. “We spend every day together.”

“I know,” you held him tighter, “I think you broke me.”

“How?” He asked, gently running his fingers over your back.

“If we’re not this close, we’re not close enough.”

He hummed thoughtfully. It probably would have sounded crazy to anyone else but he knew exactly what you meant. He often found himself feeling the same way. It wasn’t as if when you weren’t clinging to him like a koala he was unable to function. It was just that when you weren’t holding one another there was a hint of a feeling of discontent. It felt like leaving the house and worrying you’d forgotten to turn the oven off. Something wasn’t right about it, something was always missing when you weren’t in his arms.

He knew the feeling was incessantly there for the both of you but what was curious to him was that it wasn’t like you to be so obvious about it. Not as much as he usually was anyway. He’d found that you didn’t really allow yourself to be bothered by much at all, so it was rare to find you upset or needy. There were just a few times he could think of when you’d complained about needing more of him. He laughed lightly as he thought about it and pulled you in close. After a moment of consideration his mouth dropped open and he laughed harder.

“Oh...shit.”

“What?” You asked, shifting your head so you could get a good look at him.

“You might be pregnant.” He smiled, cheeks growing bulbous and his pink gums and white teeth on full display.

You pulled out of his embrace, “No! No I’m not!”

“I really think you might be. You always get clingy when you're pregnant.”

“I AM NOT CLINGY!” You argued, pulling away so that you weren’t literally clinging to him.

“You don’t want another child?” He asked watching the slight drop in your shoulders.

You sighed deeply, feeling guilty about not being thrilled at the idea. Standing up from his lap you walked across the cobblestone from where he sat to the wall opposite and then back. He watched as you did it several times before finally sitting across from him.

“We’ve been together too long.” You muttered folding your hands together in your lap.

He raised an amused eyebrow, “Because I know everything about you and can read you like a book?”

“What if you’re right? What if I didn't want any more children?” he could tell you were nervous, “Wouldn’t you absolutely hate me?”

“You’ve given me four daughters and each one is just as beautiful and intelligent as her mother.” Still he frowned over at you, “I could never hate you. I do strongly dislike that you didn’t think you could talk to me about this, since it’s clearly been bothering you.”

“I love you. I love our children.” Your lips trembled, “I love our family. I love this life. I do.”

“I know.”

“Sometimes,” you gulped, “sometimes I wish it was just us again.”

He nodded unsure of how to respond. “I guess I worried about that.”

“I’m so selfish and so greedy. I’m so sorry.” Your hands flew to your face as you let out a sob, “You think I’m a horrible mother. You think I’m like her.”

“No!” He denied, knowing who you were talking about. “Not at all! Y/n, you are so far from being anything like her. Not even close to the same.”

“It’s not hard for you.” You sniffled, “You thrive as a father. You were meant for parenthood, some days I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“You’re wrong.” He said standing up and moving over to you, “I struggle. All the time. It’s easier for me because when I’m having a hard time I get to look at them and I see you. Amara has your smile and your wit, Iris and Ivy have your hair and your capacity for caring, and Lily has your eyes and they even light up over the smallest things just like yours. Maybe you think I don’t miss you as much as you miss me, but it’s only because I’m surrounded by pieces of you. You think it’s easy for me but it’s only because they remind me of you, and loving you is like breathing for me.”

“You still think I’m like Persephone.” You said in a whisper as he wiped your tears with his hand. “You think I want to leave you. I know you do, I see it on your face all the time. It’s like you're just waiting for me to turn my back on you. I hate it so much.”

“Yes. I worry, but even if you did leave, I could never think you’re like her.” Hades wrapped his arms around you again, “There is nothing in this universe that I fear, nothing at all, except losing you. I wouldn’t come back from that.”

“Well stop worrying, okay?” You asked, cupping his face. “I'm obviously addicted to you, Hades. Honestly, it would be concerning if I chose to care. I can’t get enough of you. You give me all of you and still I ask for more. I’m not going anywhere without you, ever.”

“Come inside with me.” He stood up and waited for you to join him so he could wrap an arm around your waist. “I’d like to put on some dry clothes. Spend some time with our children, have a nice dinner all together, and put them to bed. Then afterwards I’d like to make love to my wife until sunrise.”

You snorted as you made your way up the path to the doors, “As much as I love you, you wouldn’t last past midnight.”

-

While you hadn't quite filled up every room in the house with children, you did have your girls.

Amaranth was the eldest, already a teenager. She was named for your favorite flower in the whole underworld but usually went by Amara. Like all of your girls, when she was younger Amara was a complete and utter daddy’s girl. It was understandable, you thought, if you considered that Hades never said no to any of his girls. In fairness to him, being your first child, you too had spoiled Amara. All of you got lucky that she grew up to be very level headed and not an absolute brat. You figured it had to do a lot with the time she spent with your grandmother. While you would deny having a favorite child, you knew if you had to choose, it would be her. It was especially true as she aged and became less of a daddy’s girl and closer to you. You knew that Hades didn’t like it at all but secretly you loved it.

Amara was already six when you found out you were pregnant with the twins. Their given names were Agallis and Hedera, but it became a little too convenient to call them Iris and Ivy. Or as Amara lovingly nicknamed them when they reached toddlerhood, Things One and Two. Though they were just children, ever since they were young, their energy could be overpowering. The only time you’d ever seen Hermes collapse from exhaustion was at Hades birthday celebration, after he’d been chased around the meadow for over an hour. Afterwards, still excited to play, the twins had to find someone else to run after. As well as energetic, the girls were very much their fathers shadow. Since they could crawl, if he was home, they were at his heels. They copied everything he did, ate only the things he liked to eat, repeated everything he said. It was one of the few times you were okay with not being the preferred parent because honestly just watching it happen exhausted you. You truly didn’t know how he did it, his patience knew no end.

Leirion, or Lily, was the littlest. Not even a year old yet. She was a very quiet observer and loved anything that moved. Now that she could sit up on her own you could usually get away with sitting her down on her blanket and letting her just simply look. Anytime something would move her eyes would go wide with excitement and her mouth would fall into a gigantic gummy smile that mirrored her fathers. Literally anything that moved. Clouds coasting through the sky, flowers blowing in the wind, animals and creatures of any kind, her sisters, ripples in water. It didn't matter what it was, movement fascinated her to no end. You didn’t quite understand it but you appreciated the simplicity of her interests.

Friday had come quickly, you found that actually working diligently for once made the days fly by. It had been raining all week so the twins had started to get a little stir crazy. Amara would be fine in the same room for weeks on end so long as she had a stack of books. The twins were not the same, it was hard for them not being able to spend hours on end running around outside and exploring. Trying to think of something to do with them Hades had suggested that to start your vacation off right you should have a movie night in the blanket fort, and having overheard the comment the twins agreed. It had then become mandatory.

Lily had been watching you move through the kitchen, cleaning up the mess you’d made with the twins making cookies. Looking over at her you couldn’t help but warm at the bright smile on her face. With a quick drying of your hands once the dishes were clean you plucked her out of her chair and handed her a single chocolate chip.

“Don’t tell.” You whispered, as she pinched the chocolate between her fingers and brought it to her mouth.

“Don’t tell who, what?” Hades asked as he came into the kitchen, the twins hot on his trail.

“Anyone, anything… ever.” You smirked, planting a kiss on the top of her impossibly soft hair.

“You know that very soon she’ll be talking, and then she won’t keep your secrets.” He said with a raise of his eyebrow. “Anyway, movies ready.”

“Movies ready!” Iris declared as well.

“Movies ready!” Ivy quickly followed.

“Good. Since I cleaned everything up, you guys have to carry all the snacks.” You snuggled against Lily with a smile, “Where’s Amara?”

He shrugged, “Hiding away in one of a billion rooms pretending like we don’t exist.”

“Though it’s not very specific, I know without a doubt you are correct.”

“By the way, you’ll never guess what they picked to watch first.” He said handing Ivy the tray of cookies and Iris the bowl of popcorn.

With a light laugh you looked over at his miffed expression. Had to be the twins' absolute favorite movie. “Hercules?”

“It’s so wildly inaccurate!” He complained immediately as he grabbed the tray of drinks and followed you down the hall. “Uh, to start with, Hera isn’t even his mother. In fact she hates that kid. I never wanted to kill the kid, she did. And honestly, I don’t blame her. He’s a perpetual frat boy like his father.”

“Mmhmm.” You hummed in agreement, though you knew you probably didn’t need to even acknowledge his complaints as he rambled on.

“Also...I’m not blue! And my hair isn’t made out of fire, what even is that? I have great hair, actually. And I don’t have some insane, uncontrollable temper!” You nodded, amused as he grew heated, “And I’m not a villain, it’s absurd!”

You hummed again as you reached the fort. The blanket fort was really just a room in the house that had been decorated with flowing sheets, fairy lights, and piles of pillows to look like the inside of a blanket fort. Sometimes you would make real ones with the girls, but it had been Amara’s favorite thing to do as a child. Build a fort and read for hours or drag you and her father inside to watch movies, have tea parties or take naps. Eventually you figured it would be easier to just have a blanket fort on hand at all times.

“Right?” Hades directed at you. “Babe… right?”

“Right babe?” Iris said as she put down the popcorn.

“Right babe?” Ivy repeated before putting the cookies next to the popcorn and taking one for herself.

“Right.” You grinned as you sat Lily down amongst the oversized pillows and handed her her favorite stuffed pegasus. “You’re definitely not blue.”

As your husband growled you tried not to laugh. “Y/n...”

“You’re not a villain!” Giggling, you made yourself comfortable. “Honestly, I’m pretty sure they just like the movie because of the music. I don’t think they’re looking for accuracy in the mythology.”

With his lips still pursed at you he sunk down into the cushions as well. You watched as Ivy turned off the lights, and Iris started the movie before they both hurried over and belly flopped onto their father who also happened to be their favorite cushion.

As the movie began Hades reached over the space between you and took your hand. In the brief calm you looked over at him thought maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he was right and you were pregnant again. In fact he had you feeling that way a lot the last week. He always made you feel like you could handle anything. Everything seemed so easy as long as you were doing it together.

The movie wasn’t even halfway over before your husband was yawning, though he still had enough energy to grumble complaints about almost every scene you’d watched. Having seen it so many times at this point, his whining really was the best part of the whole experience for you. That and the thrilled shrieks Lily let loose every time Pegasus appeared on the screen and the horribly off tune singing from the twins.

“Um dad…” both of you turned to the doorway where your oldest was leaning against the frame. “There’s some lady at the door for you.”

“It’s a little late for a guest,” you looked over at Hades and he shrugged, “Are you expecting someone?”

“No.” He looked back at your daughter, “You get a name?”

Amara scrunched her nose. “I don’t know. Stephanie, maybe?”

“Stephanie…” both of you muttered under your breath before looking at each other in realization.

“Persephone?” He asked.

“Sure, whatever.” the teenager shrugged with disinterest and took off back down the hall.

Hades sighed and dug himself out of the child pile he was in. The twins whining about both the disturbance and the loss of their father as a cushion.

“I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll go with you.” You said quickly popping up to your feet with more energy than you’d had all day.

He looked over at you with a raised eyebrow. “I can handle it.”

“And I can watch you handle it.” You smiled back sweetly before picking up Lily.

“Us too.” The twins offered in unison as they clamored over the pillows on the floor.

“It’s a field trip!” You said enthusiastically, your husband laughed knowing exactly why you were going with him and it wasn’t just to watch him take care of things.

“Field trip!”

“Field trip!”

The twins shouted in tandem as they skipped down the hall ahead of the both of you. You watched them, surprised that they had chosen to copy you. Hades looked at you for a long moment, clearly amused, before snaking an arm around you. It wasn’t that you didn’t trust him. It was never about not trusting him. It was always about her. You didn’t understand why she was always coming around for no reason. Popping her head into your lives when you least expected it. You knew she was an idiot for letting him go and part of you worried that she knew it now too.

“Hi Stephanie.” Iris said as she opened the door to your unexpected guest.

“Hi Stephanie!” Ivy greeted her as well.

“Thing One...Thing Two, backup please.” Hades said, directing the two girls from the door, before looking up at your guest. “Persephone.”

“Hades.” She said and looked over at you with a bit of a scowl. “Good evening, Y/n. I didn’t expect a whole welcoming committee.”

“Field trip!” Iris shouted.

“Field trip!” Ivy followed.

“I assume you came here with a purpose?” Hades asked, still blocking the door.

“This is how you greet your guests?” She asked.

“No, this is how we greet you.” You said kindly, but the bite was prevalent.

Persephone let out a scoff, “I’m just here for some things I forgot.”

“And you’re just thinking of them now? A thousand years later?” You asked.

“You know,” she smirked “I forgot what a bitch you were.”

“Hey!” Hades threw his hand up, “Do not speak to my wife like that ever, especially not in front of our children.”

“No, love, she’s right.” You said calmly, “I am a bitch. It’s good that she recognizes that. Now please, come in. The faster you get your things the faster you can leave.”

Hades opened the door for Persephone and she stepped inside, eyeing the foyer. She didn’t say anything as she took off the cloak she’d been wearing and tossed it to your husband like he was a coat rack.

“So…you didn’t have this before” she said with a slight sneer as she gestured to the baby. “Aren’t you two done yet?”

“Leirion!” Hades plucked the baby from your arms enthusiastically, too in love with your daughter to even recognize the disgust in Persephone's tone. “Yes, my beautiful little Lily.”

“Lily…” she hummed, “That’s a little curious, isn’t it?”

“What’s curious?”

“Well if I’m keeping track properly, that makes Lerion or Lily. Agallis and Hedera or Iris and Ivy. And Amaranth.” She looked around, “Any other children I’m forgetting?”

“What’s your point, Seph?” Hades asked, adjusting Lily in his arms so that she was more comfortable.

“You named your daughters after flowers and plants.” She grinned, “Hades, darling, you’re making almost too obvious that you’re still not over me.”

“This bitch…” you muttered under your breath.

“Seph, and I can not stress this enough,” Hades sighed, “ the only person who can’t get over you is you.”

“Hades,” she pouted, lifting her fingers to his cheek. “You wound me.”

“Good.” You said with a roll of your eyes. “Can we please go get your things?”

You tried to make quick work of Persephone’s visit but you could tell she was trying to drag it out, requesting a tour of nearly every room from the foyer to her old room even though she’d seen them all before. Not to mention her old room was, of course, the furthest a room could possibly be.

The twins loved the trek through the house. They sprinted, skipped, hopped, and jumped their way down every hall. Sometimes going so far ahead they had to double back. Lily did not enjoy it as much, growing tired and cranky in her father's arms with every new corridor. You weren’t much further when Hades stopped and squeezed your hand.

“I’m going to split off here.” He said, giving Lily a kiss on her forehead. “She needs to be put to bed. Persephone, my kind and beautiful wife will escort you the rest of the way to get your things.”

“She will?” You asked with a tight lipped smile.

“And she won’t be murdering anyone in front of our daughters.” He smiled and tilted his cheek towards you.

“She won’t?” You leaned in to grant him his kiss.

“Good night, Seph. Safe travels home.” He politely offered a goodbye to a very putout looking Persephone.

For that very brief moment you found you could actually relate to your husband's ex wife. You pouted along with her as you watched his back retreat down a separate corridor. You definitely hadn’t wanted to see him leave but a smile found its way to your face at the knowledge that Hades knew you’d prefer to be alone with Persephone over him being alone with her. That’s why he hadn’t asked you to take Lily instead.

After persisting down a few more hallways you finally reached her old room, and you watched as she stopped before the door.

“Oh, anything of yours won’t be in there.” You said as she pushed the door open, “That’s just another playroom now.”

As soon as there was even an inch worth of opening the twins plowed inside. Persephone stood in the doorway of the brightly lit room, frozen and wide eyed. You grinned as she took in what had once been her room. Scattered toys all over the stained carpets, finger paintings and crayon art lining the lower halves of the walls. In the center of the room there was a marble statue with a red superhero cape, a rainbow clown wig, bright blue eyeshadow and lopsided lipstick.

Persephone’s face snapped toward yours with a glare. “Is that me?”

“Yes,” you answered simply, “The girls really love playing dress up. So we brought that old thing in here. Recently they’ve been practicing their makeup skills.”

“And my children’s statues?”

“They’re still out in the gardens.” You smiled, “With the rest of the family, where they belong. Melinoe actually stopped by last month for lunch with Hades and to meet the baby. Sounded like it had been awhile since you’d seen her. She’s doing very well, if you were curious.”

She cleared her throat roughly, “Where have my things been moved?”

“If I had to guess,” you hummed, “the junk room.”

You called the twins from the playroom and brought Persephone down a few more halls. When you opened the door to the junk room it was like looking directly into Marie Kondos worst nightmare. It was filled to the rafters with almost everything from every room that had once been decorated by Persephone and then redecorated by you. You’d tried your best to only keep the things that were priceless and irreplaceable. It turned out she’d had a penchant for both when it came to decorating. Room packed with things that weren’t meant for touching became a real issue with so many kids.

She sighed deeply, “How am I supposed to find anything in here?”

“I’d offer to help you if I thought you were actually here looking for something.” You leaned against the doorframe, “I think it’s obvious, however, that you’re only here because you’re obsessed with my husband and you're under some delusion that you might be capable of seducing him. I suppose I should let you know, it’s never going to happen. You lost your chance with Hades long ago and you’re never getting him back. Even if he didn’t want me he would still never go back to you, because he knows now what he’s worth. And he’s worth far more than anything you could ever offer him.”

Persephone looked over at you but didn’t acknowledge what you’d said. She grabbed the closest thing to her, without even a glance towards it. It had been a book of unpublished works by Emily Dickinson.

“Found it.” She said before slinking passed you out of the room.

The walk back to the foyer was much quicker and far less chatty. It was more like a warden walking a prisoner down death row than anything else. With the exception of two loud, cheerful girls singing Disney songs that they didn’t know all of the words to. When you thought about it you realized that, in and of itself, was probably a tortuous experience for Persephone as well. While she put her coat on you opened the door for her.

“Have a lovely evening, Sephy.” You said with a small wave, “Get home safe!”

“It’s Persephone.” She glared.

“I know what your name is. And you know I know what your name is.”

With a huff she turned on her heel and headed out into the stormy night. Several bolts of lightning shot through the sky, and there was a crackle of thunder that shook your home. You wondered briefly who Zeus was having it out with tonight or if perhaps your own anger had manifested into a storm.

“Bye Stephanie!”

“Bye Stephanie!”

You grinned as your girls waved goodbye as well and then herded them back into the house before shutting the door. When you turned around you saw your teenager sitting on the staircase with a giant smile on her face, one that matched her father's gummy smile. Her dog, Ligo, was awkwardly trying to fit her body on a single step and failing miserably.

“What’s so funny?” You asked.

“Nothing really,” she said, “That was pretty cool, mom. You were all ‘not my house, not my man’. You’re such a bad bitch.”

You snorted out a laugh, you knew you should reprimand her for cursing but it was too amusing. “Thanks, kid.”

“Dad’s really lucky. You love him a lot.”

“I love you a lot too.”

“Gross, don’t ruin it.” She scowled.

“Sorry,” you chuckled, “I keep forgetting you have to pretend like having people care about you is the absolute worst thing in the world.”

She rolled her eyes, “Can I ask you something?”

“Always.” You leaned against the banister, watching the twins chase each other down the hallway and then back again. Good, you thought, let them run themselves out.

“Do you think you could ask dad if I can go to a party next weekend?”

“Topside?” You asked curiously.

“No…”  You raised an eyebrow, that was curious. “It’s on Olympus.”

“I see.” Though he’d definitely gotten closer to his family in the last century, Hades still had strong feelings about Zeus and that side of the family. “What’s it for?”

“Nothing.” She shrugged, “Look, I know what he’ll say. He doesn’t want me going there, getting influenced by a bunch of ‘narcissistic douchebags’. And I get it, most of the cousins aren’t that great and I wouldn’t want to hang out with them anyway.”

“But…”

“But…” she sighed, “there’s one guy that’s been coming around. He comes from Poseidon’s side. He’s really funny, and he’s smart and he’s not like the other ones. I think dad would really like him. If he weren’t, you know, a boy that I was interested in.”

You scrunched your nose, “Isn’t it weird? He’s like your cousin.”

“Don’t be gross.” She groaned, “He’s so far down Poseidon’s family tree he doesn’t even fit on the parchment. He’s Poseidon’s sons sons sons sons sons sons son a million times over. And do you know how hard it is for people like us to go topside and find love? Immortals? Gods? For like a thousand reasons it’s the absolute worst. It’s impossible. And even if I did find someone and they didn’t run for the hills when I mention my dad was Hades, I’d have to watch them get old and die. Or worse. I’ve read all our family history, I know the lore. I know it doesn’t work out for me or for them, ever. It never works out. I think you forget that you and dad aren’t the standard, you're the exception.”

You grinned. “If you know it all, you know her name is Persephone not Stephanie. Yet you continue to call her that to her face whenever she comes around.”

Your daughter shrugged and looked down at her feet. “Yeah. So? I do not and will not treat anyone that treated dad that way with respect. They don’t deserve it.”

“I will talk to your dad.” Her eyes lit up as she looked over at you, “But! You have to ask him first.”

“He’ll say no!” She argued.

“Maybe, maybe not. Ask him. Tell him about the boy. If he says no then I will talk him into letting you go.” she looked at you confused, “He’s your dad. He just wants to be a part of your life, so let him be. Plus if something actually happens with this guy you definitely don’t want to blindside him with it later. Be honest. Trust him like you trust me. Who knows, maybe he’ll say yes.”

“Right.” She rolled her eyes.

“Take your sisters upstairs and get them ready for bed.” You said with a small smile, “I promise you’ll go to your party. Just ask your dad.”

With a huff she stood up and started up the stairs, “Thing One. Thing Two. Let’s go, you little demons.”

“Thank you.” You called after her, “I love you.”

The twins sped past her on the stairs, startling Ligo into chasing after them and they released matching shrill shrieks.

She turned her head, just barely, and as if it was the hardest thing she’d ever had to mutter in her life she said, “Love you too.”

With a sigh you made your way down the hall to the blanket fort to clean up the movie night snacks. After picking up spilled popcorn and half eaten cookies, and stacking up drink cups you stood up straight.

“She’s right.”

“Oh my god!” You gasped and jumped in surprise almost spilling your armful. When you turned around you saw Hades in the door.

“Yes, I am, aren’t I.” He grinned. “Your god.”

“Why is everyone in this house always sneaking around?” You asked with a roll of your eyes that matched perfectly with your daughters. “Who’s right and about what?”

“Amara. I’ll say no.”

You handed him the stacked cups and nudged him down the hall to the kitchen, “Why?”

“She’s too young. What’s she interested in boys for anyway?” He complained, “And not to mention, I very much enjoy when you talk me into things.”

“I could always just talk you into saying yes now if that's what you want.” You said as you reached the kitchen.

“Okay.”

Dumping the trash into the bin you looked over your shoulder at him, “Seriously?”

“Yeah. Talk me into it.” You watched as he leaned back against the counter.

“Thing is I don’t think you actually want me to talk.” He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. His eyes were black and heavy lidded while you stepped towards him. “It’ll have to be quick.”

With a nod of acknowledgement he leaned forward and kissed you, his tongue dipping between your lips as you unbuttoned his pants. While he continued to kiss you, you pulled him from his pants and stroked his already half hard cock. When he groaned against your mouth you knew he was ready.

“Keep your eye on the door.” You said quietly.

Then you dropped to your knees and took him into your mouth. Hands clutching the counter top he tried to keep an eye out on the door but was finding it difficult. His chest heaved slightly as your tongue swirled around the overly sensitive skin at his tip. The taste of skin and salty precum spread over your tongue.

“Oh..fuck.” His eyes rolled back as the room filled with just the sloppy sound of his dick getting stuffed in your mouth and the soft moans you released around him.

One of his hands dropped to the back of your head, and you lifted your eyes to meet his. He could only tolerate waiting another minute before pulling you back up to your feet. After a quick kiss he moved behind you, pushing your hips into the counter. His mouth latched on between your neck and shoulder.

“Do you want me?” He asked like there was a chance you wouldn’t, but his hands had already started tugging your short shirt styled dress over your hips.

“Yes.” You begged while he tugged your leggings down to your knees, “Please, I want you so much.”

He brushed his fingers between your thighs. You could hear that his fingers were in his mouth when he groaned, “You’re so wet.”

There was a pop as he removed his fingers from his mouth and the lewd image of the action in your mind, which you’d seen so many times before, had you gulping. You had to bite down on your fist hard to keep from moaning too loud when he finally sunk himself inside of you. He was thick and filling.

“You have to…” you gasped, “faster.”

His palm slammed against your mouth as he sped up and the moans that fell from your lips grew louder.

“Shhh.” He hushed you, “You have to be quiet for me.”

“I’m trying.” You whimpered. Pushing yourself off the counter you leaned back onto his chest, “Oh, my love.”

His forehead pressed to the side of your head as he grunted with each thrust beside your ear. “Will you cum?”

“Yes.” It came out like a whisper, but it felt louder, “Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes!”

Fist slamming down on the counter, your body tensed as your orgasm pulsed around him. For a moment he sped up. His fingers digging into your hips like knives. Then his own hips sputtered to a stop. Dropping his forehead to rest against your back he tried to catch his breath. With a satisfied sigh you slipped your arms forward until your top half was lying flat against the cool marble counter.

“That was...unexpected.” You laughed as you lazily moved your hand to the drawer to your left, pulled out a dish towel and held it behind you.

“I wasn’t sure you would do it.” Hades said as he took the towel and moved it between your thighs to wipe up the mess the two of you had made. “I should have known better. You absolute goddess.”

The both of you were quiet as you finished cleaning up yourselves and the kitchen. Quiet and happy, you moved around each other. Giggling like school kids that shared some trivial secret and sneaking quick kisses.

Once you were finally making your way up the stairs you squeezed his fingers, “Thank you.”

“What for?”

“For always giving me exactly what I want.” You blushed lightly thinking about how needy you were. About how you had just complained to him the other day about him not wanting you enough.

He laughed, “That was just as much for me as it was for you, but you’re welcome regardless.”

Before heading to bed you said your good nights to Amara and tucked in the twins who requested a spooky story since it was still storming so badly outside. While Hades took care of story time you took the chance to jump into the shower before bed. After your nightly routine was complete you found him already stretched out on his side of the bed.

“Tonight was interesting.”

“In more ways than one.” He said as he eyed the pages of the book he’d been reading.

You bit your lip as you looked over at him. “It was weird seeing Persephone. I wonder what she was really doing here.”

“Who knows?” He flipped a page over, “I didn’t understand her motives back then, I understand them even less these days.”

“She was dressed really fancy for just a visit here. She did look kind of nice.” and then under your breath you muttered, “At least her stupid perky boobs did.”

Hades only shrugged, “I don’t think she seemed any nicer than normal. She was kind of rude, actually.”

“No, I said she looked nice. Like she was pretty…” you tried to seem casual as you set down the hairbrush you’d been twisting around in your hands.

“Eh.” You watched as he finally closed his book, dropping it on the nightstand. “I don’t really see her appeal much anymore.”

Sitting down on the mattress a smile spread over your face and you turned off your lamp before slipping closer beside him. “She did seem greener than our gardens with envy.”

He lifted his arm so you could tuck into his side as you did nearly every single night since the first night you shared in the forests of Asphodel.

“I’m not sure she was the only one.” He chuckled.

“What are you suggesting?”

“You know I’ve seen Persephone more in the last century than I did almost the entire time we were married?” He asked, “I’ll be absolutely honest, I’ve loved every single time she’s popped up. Not because I enjoy seeing her, but because every single time you radiate jealousy. And I can’t pretend it doesn’t make me happy, how possessive you get.”

“I do not get possessive and jealous!” You smacked his chest and he laughed.

“Yes, you do. I don’t know why, there’s never been any need, but you do.” He grinned and pressed a kiss into the top of your head, “So go on, ask your questions.”

Even in the dark he knew you were rolling your eyes. It was only because you were annoyed that he knew you so well. That you were so predictable. You didn’t know why you had to ask, you wished you didn’t have to, but it always calmed you. It always made you feel better. So every time Persephone came around since she did the very first time when she showed up at your wedding, you asked the questions.

“Do you think she loves you?”

“I think she covets things that aren't hers.”

“Do you still have feelings for her?” You asked, “Is there any part of you, no matter how small, that wishes you were with her?”

“No.” He said simply, “And absolutely not.”

“I’m still prettier than her, right?” You asked, rubbing your hand over his chest.

He placed his free hand over yours and gave it a squeeze. “She doesn’t even come close, she never has.”

“And you love me?” You whispered.

“Endlessly.” He cupped the back of your head in his palm and leaned in to kiss your forehead.

You sighed, finally content. “Okay, let’s go to bed.”

-

When you woke up you were not surprised to find two tiny feet in your face. It was actually pretty common to find several extra bodies in your bed the morning after a bad storm. The little heart shaped mole on the heel told you it was Iris. You half remembered Hades getting up in the early morning to get Lily, which would be why she was starfished over his chest. You weren’t sure if the twins had climbed onto the bed before or after that though. Regardless, they were there now.

What did surprise you was Amara sleeping, cuddled into your side. With a smile you leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the top of her head. It felt like it had been a hundred years since the last time she’d let you hold her. She never came in during storms anymore. She actually reminded you of yourself a little, stubborn and independent. Never too far away, you found Ligo trying to curl up at the end of the bed like she was a little dog when she absolutely was not.

“Suns out today.” Hades yawned as he woke.

Ivy popped her sleepy head up from the other side of him. “Suns out.”

“Suns out.” Slightly delayed, Iris’ sleepy voice came from under the blanket. You gave a light tickle to the soft skin on the bottom of her feet and she tucked herself under the blanket completely with a giggle.

“We should have a picnic outside. I’m sure the dogs miss the monsters. Gods know the monsters miss the dogs.”

You nodded and turned to Amara. “Will you join us for a picnic?”

Eyes still closed she nodded and hummed in agreement. Then she pulled the blanket over her head and buried herself deeper into your side.

Breakfast was light as you prepared for a big lunch. Hades took the twins out to the garden to pick fresh fruits and vegetables and Amara stayed in the kitchen to help you prepare the food and organize everything into the baskets. You were glad the sky stayed clear, not sure what you’d do with the girls if they weren’t allowed to see the dogs for another day.

Once lunch was prepared you slipped into the restroom for a moment alone. A moment quickly became thirty minutes. Standing in front of the sink you stared down at the thin piece of plastic on the counter with its one line. You weren’t sure why you were still waiting. It was only supposed to take ten minutes. The answer was clear. Still you waited and watched, willing that second line to appear.

“Mom?” Amara’s knock on the door made you jump and you hurried to trash the test and wash your hands, “Are you okay? Everyone went outside.”

“I’m fine.” You called back. “I’m coming right now.”

With Amara by your side, each of you with a hefty picnic basket in tow, you went outside. You followed the path through the garden to a set of steps inlaid in the grassy slope that lead down to the meadow where Hades already was with the younger girls. You couldn’t stop the smile that grew on your face when you saw Cerberus stretched out on the grass, soaking up the sun, beside your husband. Just a man and his giant three headed dog.

His four boy pups, which you felt could hardly be called pups as they were all the size of small horses, were running around the meadow, chased enthusiastically by the twins. Despite their massive size you never worried about the girls with the dogs. The three headed pups had been born just after the twins and they had grown up together. The boys had always been delicate and cautious with them. It nearly broke their hearts when the pups had grown too large to come into the house and they started to roam around the underworld, learning from their father how to hunt for escaped souls and protect the gates.

Lucky for everyone Ligo was there to save the day. She was the runt of the litter, hence her name. However a runt in Cerberus’ litter was still massive. A single headed, extra fluffy, perfectly normal looking, two hundred pound leonberger. She was considered a family dog but everyone knew Amara was her true owner. The two of them were inseparable.

Reaching the blankets your husband had laid out, with no help from the twins, you put down your basket. Having followed the two of you outside, Ligo plopped down in the grass next to her father, and Amara started to put out the food. You’d have offered to help if you didn’t know your ocd daughter already knew where she wanted things to go. Instead you stepped behind Hades and wrapped your arms around him, leaning your forehead against his shoulder with a sigh.

He turned his head to look over his shoulder, “What's wrong, Beautiful?”

“Nothing.” You muttered.

With that obvious lie he turned around in your arms. Lily was secured against his chest in her baby wrap. You smiled when you saw her big bright eyes looking up at you, and pressed a kiss on the top of her baby soft head.

“What’s the matter?” He asked again, lifting your chin so you were forced to look at him.

“Nothing’s the matter.” You shrugged. “You were wrong though.”

“That seems unlikely,” he scoffed, “what am I supposedly wrong about it?”

“I checked...I’m not pregnant.”

“Oh.” He frowned and then looked at you confused, “That's a good thing isn’t it? You didn’t really want another baby.”

“No. I guess not.” You said with a small smile.

With a sad sigh he wrapped his arm around your shoulder and pulled you into his side. He buried his nose in your hair with a satisfied hum while you smoothed the hair on Lily’s head.

“We still have Lil.” He said, “Lily, remind your mother you're still a baby and that it’s okay if we don’t have another one right away.”

She only smiled up at you, babbling something incoherent. With a small laugh you held him tighter. “I love you.”

“Wait, do you mean me or Lil?” He asked with faux concern.

“I’ll never tell.” You grinned. “Let’s eat.”

“Yes.” he agreed and leaned in to give you a quick kiss.

You hummed in delight as the stubble on his face scratched your lips. “Mmm, stubble kisses are back.”

“You can expect them all week.” he laughed.

Hades called the twins over for lunch and six of you stretched out on the blankets. The pups played for a little longer before sinking down in the grass themselves for a lazy afternoon nap. You definitely didn’t get moments like this with all of you. Managing souls and the underworld kept Hades and yourself busy. The girls had daily time with grandmother followed by lessons with their tutors. It just wasn’t often you got to spend time all together like this. It made you realize just how much you were looking forward to the rest of your week off with your family.

Once the twins were fed they calmed down significantly. That only meant instead of running around they were quietly tying pink ribbons to Cerberus’ fur. The once ferocious beast had been beaten down by fatherhood until he wasn’t much more than an exhausted ball of fluff that just wanted a moment of peace and rest. Ultimately he didn’t care what the girls did as long as he got the occasional belly rub in return for his patience.

You’d been testing fruits with Lily to see what she might be ready to eat and what she liked. Raspberries were so far a success. Hades was reading his book again and when you looked over you caught Amara anxiously circling her thumbs in her lap as she eyed her oblivious father.

“Umm.” She started hesitantly and you darted your eyes back to Lily, knowing your added attention would throw her off. “Daddy?”

“Yes, Princess?” He hummed, placing his book on his lap to give her all of his attention.

You could feel the nervousness radiating off of her. She seemed even more timid with his eyes on her. “Well, you see…I was just wondering. Could I get your permission for.. can I- Would it be okay if I went this weekend to Olympus?”

“What would you need to go there for?” He asked, not unkindly, before taking a drink of wine.

“Just, uh,” she gulped, “there’s a get together I was invited to.”

“You mean a party?” He asked.

“Kind of, I guess. It’s not for anything. It’s just a hangout.”

“I didn’t realize you had friends there that you’d want to hang out with.” He said grabbing a slice of pear off of your plate.

“I don’t.” She said quickly.

Hades raised an eyebrow, “If you don’t have friends that will be there why do you want to go?”

Her mouth dropped as she realized her mistake. “Well, I don’t really have friends there, persay. There’s just one person I’m friends with. They’re going to be there. They wanted me to go too...”

“What’s her name? Do I know her?”

You bit your lip to keep from laughing. Under your breath you whispered a quick, “You’re so mean.”

He only smirked beside you, picking up more fruit off your plate.

“Uh. It’s a he. Ah-he’s a boy” she stuttered out. “My friend is a boy.”

“A boy?” Hades asked, “Zeus’ sons are worse than his daughters. You wouldn’t want to be friends with them. You’re too smart. What’s his name?”

“He’s not one of Zeus’ sons. He’s Posideons’ great great great great-“

“I’m sure he’s a great boy, tell me his name, Amara.” With that you smacked your husband on his thigh.

“Alec.”

“Alec and Amara…” he hummed thoughtfully. “That’s sort of cute.”

“Daddy, please. Just say no already so I can stop making a fool of myself.” She sighed in defeat.

“Princess. I’m hurt. Why would you assume I’d just say no?”

Amara looked at you suspiciously and then back to her father, “Are you not...saying no?”

“Some would even call it saying yes.” He grinned.

“Are you joking? Daddy, that’s not funny. Are you serious? I can go?” She nearly screamed.

He nodded, “Under two conditions.”

“Anything!”

“Ooop,” you shook your head, “I do not suggest agreeing to just anything your father wants so quickly. I’ve made that mistake.”

“One.” He ignored you, “I want to meet this Alec. Your mother and I will go with you to Olympus. We’ll meet the boy and take you home when the night is over.”

“And two?” She asked.

“I need you to watch the little ones, just one day this week.” He said simply, “I want to treat your mother to a nice day, so I need you to take care of your sisters.”

“Yes!” Amara agreed wide eyed, “I’ll do it! I agree!”

Hades shrugged, “Okay then.”

“Really? Okay?” She hopped on her knees. “I can really go?”

“Did I not just say so?”

“Thank you!” She screamed and threw herself at her father, tackling him to the ground in a hug, “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I’m so happy! Thank you, Daddy!”

Excited by Amara’s reaction Ligo hurried over and started licking Hades face.

“Alright!” He laughed, “Alright! It’s not even a big deal. You’re acting like I don’t say yes to everything you women want already.”

-

The rest of the weekend went by quickly as nothing more than lazy mornings turning into lazy afternoons that rolled into lazy nights. It was mostly time spent letting Things One and Two run around like maniacs and forcing Amara to read her books in the presence of her family instead of reading her books hidden away. You cooked meals together in the kitchen and ate them outside in the gardens. In the evenings you took walks around the underworld with the pups, and curled up together to watch movies at night.    

With hardly any warning, on Tuesday evening Hades advised both you and Amara that the next day would be the day he was taking you away. When you asked him if you needed to bring anything he only laughed and sarcastically advised you to pack your passport. The next morning started off early. Hades had woken you up before sunrise. You threw on some jeans and one of his shirts and the two of you started your trip. It took you until you were halfway there to even wake up completely, but once you did you knew exactly where he was taking you.  

The Towers of Elysium were a blinding white in the fresh light of the sun. And you were bursting with excitement at the sight. You may have visited them nearly every day when you went to visit your grandmother, but you never got to visit for yourself much. Not at all actually, not since the first time.

“What do you think?” Hades asked as you got off the elevator on the highest floor. “Will this do for a day away.”

“I think it’s perfect.”

Standing in front of the door he looked over at you, “Go on then. Wherever you want to go.”

When you opened the door you were unsurprised to be wrapped in the smell of ocean air. It had been such a long time since you’d visited this place, but the memories of it remained clear in your mind. The living room was showered in sunlight from outside and ocean air was moving in through the drapes that covered the open sliding glass door in the living room. Moving inside you smiled as you saw the red gerberas in their vases. It was exactly as you’d left it.  

“How did I know?” Hades grinned as he stepped inside with you.

“We can roll play.” You said as you kicked off your shoes. “You can be Jiyong and I’ll be me.”

With a sigh he lifted his hand. Fingers gently sinking into your hair before roughly pulling you close. His lips sucked aggressively at yours in a kiss until you were moaning into his mouth. Then he pulled away slowly and looked at you.

“Do you love him more than me?” He asked almost sadly.

“Jiyong gave you to me.” You rubbed your thumb against his pouty cheek. “He brought me here. How can I not be grateful?”

Your eyes passed over Hades face and you realized how upset he was, though he was trying his best to hide it. You could still see the subtle downward curve of his mouth, the faint single worry line that crossed his brow. Things that you had noticed from watching him for a century.

“Are you really that upset?” Even though you knew he was, you asked because it confused you. “It was just a silly suggestion. It didn’t mean anything.”

“I just want to be enough.” He shrugged and left a casual kiss on your forehead before moving into the living room. “We’ve been together awhile, maybe now you’re realizing I’m not enough for you.”

“Not enough?” You laughed, genuinely laughed before following him to where he’d crashed down on the couch on his back. After climbing on top of him you grabbed his chin, making him face you. “Hades, you are everything. I will call you whatever you want me to.”

Accepting your feelings on the matter he smiled up at you and said simply, “Not close enough.”

Knowing what he meant you laid down on his chest so he could wrap his arms around you. You weren’t tired but you closed your eyes anyway and stayed that way. Just listening to him breathe. In the back of your head you thought of about a million other things the two of you could be doing with what would ultimately be a short day with no kids and no responsibilities. Still nothing you thought of sounded as good as this. Then you realized that nothing would ever be better because existing in his arms was paradise for you. It was exactly what you wanted. It was what you thought about all the time.

“Have you ever been really mad at me and just never told me?” You mumbled into his chest after nearly an hour of silence between the two of you and barely any movement beyond his fingertips moving gently up and down your back.

He shook his head. “Never.”

“We don’t fight, not really. Not ever.” You slid your hand up his neck, letting your fingers brush the ends of his hair. “I can’t remember if you’ve ever even yelled at me.”

“Of course I haven’t. Why should I?”

“I don’t know.” You shrugged, “You don’t think it’s weird? You don’t think we should?”

“Why would I ever want to fight with you?” He asked, confused.

“I don’t know! I thought it was supposed to be healthy for couples to fight sometimes. When was the last time we really disagreed on something? Why don’t you ever say no to me?”

“I’ve told you, because I don’t want to.” He said earnestly. “I want to do everything you ask and give you everything you want. So that’s exactly what I do.”

“Do you?” You asked, “Do you truly want to?”

“You don’t believe me?”

“I just think it’s strange. I hope you know that it’s okay if you want to say no to me.” You frowned, “Even if you worry it would upset me. I know you worry, needlessly, all the time that I’ll want to leave you like she did, but it would take a lot more than a disagreement to push me away.”

“Well that’s a little arrogant, don’t you think?” He joked, “You may be the sexiest woman I have ever known but I’m not so tied around your finger that I could never say no to you even if I wanted.”

“Oh!” You laughed, “And here I thought you were wrapped around my finger.”

“Are you wrapped around mine?” He asked quite simply.

“You wish.” You laughed. “I can say no to you. I disagree with you.”

Taking a deep breath he raised his eyebrow. “When? When’s the last time you said no to me? Or were genuinely angry with me? The last time you disagreed with something I said?”

Your forehead creased as you tried to remember and his face grew more smug with every moment that passed. You shook your head, “I don’t know. I can’t remember. Maybe I am wrapped around your finger.”

“Do you know why I don’t argue with you? Why it isn’t worth it to me to disagree with you over petty things and cause trouble between us?” He asked, “Would you feel better if you knew why I let things go so easily and do everything in my power to assure that you are happy?”

“Yes.”

”Honestly, I really just don’t want us to be upset with one another.”

“Ever?”

He nodded. “I fought with Persephone nearly everyday we were together. I fight with her now, even though we aren’t together. We were constantly bickering. I was always angry and frustrated. I was always hurting. For a time I forgot what happiness felt like. I hated it so much. I don’t ever want that with you. I want exactly what we have.”

“I hate her for the number that she did on you.” You said before leaving a kiss on his cheek.

He shook his head. “I’d relive every second of it as long as it still brought me to you.”

You blushed lightly as you remembered Amara’s words from the other night, “In that case, let’s never fight. We can always be the exception, never the standard.”

Soon after that you finally peeled yourself off of him and the two of you started your day in earnest. Hades made you watch him cook an entire feast for breakfast, only allowing you to help by pouring him a glass of chocolate milk which you promptly drank half of. After that you decided you wanted to do it all. The pair of you splashed around together out on the beach and lounged by the pool afterwards. Still full from breakfast, for lunch you packed some snacks into a backpack and then took a walk through the forest for a light picnic. When you finally made it back in the late afternoon you squished together in a hammock outside. The intent was for a nap but it ended up being an hour of kissing, which you enjoyed just as much if not more.  

Dinner was later than usual, as you were pretty reluctant to climb out of the hammock, but it was deliciously filling. Once you’d eaten you moved back outside to the patio where you curled up beside Hades and he read to you from his book. You didn’t understand the story since you’d missed the entire first half but you weren’t paying much attention to anything outside of the sound of his voice anyway. Since finding out you weren’t actually pregnant you couldn’t stop thinking about the disappointment you’d felt. You’d really thought that you didn’t want another child right away. Your hands were so full as it was and it wasn’t like you were in a rush. Still you were unable to push away the thought.  

Before you finished up outside you had a realization. You knew what it was that you really wanted. You figured out what it was you felt you were missing. After a quick shower you threw on some comfortable pajamas and moved into the bedroom. You thought to wear something sexy and enticing, but you weren’t entirely sure if he would agree and didn't want to feel too foolish. Ready for bed, you bounced as sweetly as possible across the mattress until you were finally kneeling at his side.

“My love…” he eyed you over the top of his book as you rolled your lip between your teeth. “I want another baby.”

Closing the book, he laid it gently on the nightstand and looked over at you. “I’m sorry, did you just say you wanted another baby?”

“Yes.” You nodded.

His eyes lit up like you were fireworks in the night sky. “Why?”

“I’ve given you your daughters.” You said trailing your fingernail down his chest.”Now I want a son.”

“You know that’s not how it works. We can’t just guarantee a boy because we want it.”

“Then we’ll keep going until we have one.” Your chest tightened and you whispered one last plea, opting to use your husband's name, in hopes that he’d realize the seriousness of your request “Hades, please.”

He pushed himself onto his knees in front of you, his hand lifting to your neck. Without another word he pulled you in for a kiss. Your hands flew to his cheeks and your body melted into his, the way it always did. His other hand pressed against your back to hold you and he lowered you gently onto the mattress. Waiting until the first tiny moan escaped your lips he pulled away.

Looking down at you his eyes were dark and you could feel a wave of heat crash over your skin. The look made you feel like you couldn’t possibly be any more loved or desired. When he spoke, his voice sent a shiver of pure delight through your veins.

“I will give you a son.”

Your heart was pounding in your chest as he leaned back on his heels. You watched as he pulled your pants, along with your panties, from your legs. With your bare legs propped against his shoulders he trailed his fingertips lightly over your skin from your ankles to your thighs. Your legs quivered while you watched him follow the same trail with his lips. Bending down between your thighs you felt his mouth against your sex and gasped. He tested how slick you were with his fingers and your toes were already curling at the feel.

“I don’t…” you squirmed beneath him. “I don’t think that’s how you make a baby.”

Your thighs attempted to tighten around him but he’d already propped his arm against it. He was an expert and you just happened to be his profession. Dipping his fingers into the hot wet mess of you, he looked up and caught your gaze.

“I think I’ve proven I know how to make a baby.” Keeping his eyes locked with yours he leaned forward and watched you watch him brush his tongue against your clit.

“Yeah,” you agreed breathily, “You got this.”

After a satisfied sigh you fell back onto the blankets and enjoyed the feel of his tongue swirling against your sensitive bud. Your fingers curled around the blanket at your sides, tightening with every slow, intentional pump of his hand. Your knuckles were practically white when he started to move his mouth from you.

With his fingers still curling gently inside of you he eased himself up your body. Inching your shirt up along with him, he kissed every stretch mark that adorned your hips. He praised the scar you got from giving birth to the twins with his lips as well. His free hand moved over your stomach, his fingers stretching out over where he imagined the baby would sit. Unable to help yourself you ran your fingers through his hair.

“I love every version of you.” he said before leaving another kiss on your skin, “But one of my favorite versions of you, is the one were you’re round with my babies.”

His eyes trailed up your body until they locked with yours and that act alone made the hot coils inside of you tighten.

“Oh. Oh?” you gasped as his fingertips brushed against your g spot. “I like that.”

“You like it?” He smirked and removed his hand from you long enough to maneuver himself so that he was laying beside you. “You like having my babies?”

“I do.” You nodded while he reached back between your thighs. “I really do.”

“Would you like me to fill you with them?” He seemed truly amused at your body's reaction to his touch as he rubbed circles against your clit. “Shall I give you another?”

“Yes,” you begged, “please.”

He watched the little muscles in your face as they moved and he could tell you were close. “Tell me what you want, say the words.”

“I want to have your baby.” You whimpered,” I want to have all of them.”

Your body trembled with your orgasm as he leaned in and kissed your neck, damp with sweat. “Good.”

“My god…please.” You begged.

Taking deep breaths you pushed him onto his back and crawled on top of him.

“Take this off.” You demanded flicking his shirt.

Reaching down you tugged his pants down his thighs. Already hard, his cock sprung from the underwear you tore from him as well. Tossing his shirt to the side he looked down and watched as you rubbed your soaked cunt against him until he was slick and glistening.

“Fuck.” He groaned, lifting his fist to his lips. “You’re so sexy.”

“I’m glad you still think so.” You grinned and adjusted him beneath you until you were able to ease down onto his lap. Hands on your hips he urged you to move while you tugged your shirt over your head

“Love of my life...” He grunted softly as he reached up to cup your face. “You always fit so perfectly. You were made for me.”

Gasping lightly against his ear you moved with him inside of you. In a mere whisper you said, “No, we were made for each other.”

Your arms rested on his shoulders as you rocked back and forth. Then as a treat for both of you your hips circled his lap. Hooking his arms beneath your legs he flipped you over onto your back and you let out a shriek.

“Hades!” You giggled, while he buried his face in your neck with a playful growl.

Less playfully he said, “I’m gonna fuck you full of babies.”

“Filthy mouth.”

He grinned mischievously, “So clean it with a kiss.”

Digging your fingers into his hair you pulled his mouth to yours. Your tongue brushed his as he began to move his hips. With each plunge came a heady groan from his lips which you met with a pleasured cry of your own that echoed through the room.

“Oh, Hades! I’m cumming.”

You choked out his name as his hand gripped beneath your chin. Gently, he turned your face to the side to elongate your neck. His mouth roughly sucked at your throat and along your jaw. He’d started to slam into you so hard you’d been jostled to the edge of the bed. Finally, when you weren’t sure you could handle any more, his hips stilled with his orgasm.

“Give me everything.”

He stayed buried inside of you while he brushed your hair off your face and kissed your flushed cheeks. “You are the love of each and every one of my lifetimes.”

“I bet you say that to all of your wives.” With a chuckle you pulled his face to yours for a deep kiss. When you opened your eyes afterwards Hades was pouting at you. “What?”

“I’ve only ever said that to you.” He said seriously, “I never said that to her. Not even once.”

“Oh, I was joking. It was just a joke.” you promised, “I meant...because...she’s just your ex. I’m your only wife, silly.”

“It wasn’t funny.”

Grabbing his face with both hands you pulled him down and kissed his face all over. “I’m so sorry. Hades, baby, I’m sorry. Please don’t be upset with me. Think of the baby, we’re supposed to be happy. Don’t you want a happy child?”

“I will be happy when I know that you know it has always been and will always be you.”

“I know. Of course I know.”

“Then we will have the happiest-“ he grunted as he removed himself and moved onto the bed beside you. “child we’ve had yet.”

“Promise you’re not upset.”

“I’m not upset anymore. I promise.” He yawned and tucked into your side.  

Sure that he was telling the truth you tightened your grip around his shoulders and held his exhausted body close to yours. Closing your eyes you kissed the top of his damp head and sighed in content. His hand moved gently over your stomach.

“Did it work?” He asked with a small laugh. “Are you pregnant yet?”

“Too soon to tell I think.” Your fingers ran through his hair, “I’d still like for you to do that again…and again...and again. To be sure.”

He yawned once more. “As I told you before, I have no want to deny you.”

“Do you say it like that because you don’t want to do it again?”

“Do not” He growled, landing his flat palm heavy on your bare ass with a loud smack, “question my desire for you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Burying his face in your neck, he kissed your collarbone. “Look at that, we had an argument.”

“Um, that was not...” You shook with laughter at the look on his face. “Nevermind, you’re right, my love.”

-

The next morning when you arrived home you were pleasantly surprised to see that the palace was not burnt to ashes or in complete shambles. In fact the house was completely clean which you weren’t at all expecting. No dishes in the sink in the kitchen, no toys scattered all over the stairs. Not a single wall had paint or color where it wasn’t supposed to be. Nothing had been broken and hidden in a trash can in an unused room.

You found all of the girls, Ligo included, still passed out in the blanket fort sprawled out over pillows in actual pajamas, which you hadn’t expected either. All except for Lily who was sitting quietly in the middle of a pillow barrier, wide awake. When she caught sight of you she babbled out a cheerfully nonsensical request and threw her arms up for you to pick her up. Both Hades and yourself were excited to find that your children were not only all alive but also completely uninjured. You were so proud of Amara. Everyone had been bathed before falling asleep to movies, and apparently fed properly throughout the day.

You’d been so happy with how things went that you made the girls breakfast before waking them up. And you were so grateful for the care she took in watching her sisters that you told Amara she could have the entire day to herself and that you wouldn’t force her to spend time with all of you. While she did disappear for most of the day she joined in on the evening walk and movie night all on her own. She even joined you again the next morning.

The six of you had been spending time together in the main living room. Amara sat in the big cushy loveseat with her nose tucked deep inside a book. You were laying on the floor with Lily working on getting her to crawl. Your eldest attempted to pretend that she wasn’t interested but you’d seen her several times peeking around her book with a look of hopefulness.

“Come on, Lils!” You encouraged her enthusiastically. “You can do it! Come get Peggy.”

Lily looked at her stuffed Pegasus, dancing in your hand with eyes bulging in excitement. She leaned forward from her sitting position onto her hands and knees.

“Oh you’re so close! My big girl! You can do it!”

She rocked forward a few times like she might attempt it. Then, giving up, she slid down to her belly and started her sloth slow commando crawl. Amara let out a disappointed sigh.

“That’s okay.” You sighed as well and pulled yourself to your knees. “She’s probably just waiting for you father to be here so he can see it too.”

Hades had gone, followed of course by the twins, to let Ligo inside since she’d been running around all morning. As if on cue you could hear the pitter patter of paws sprinting down the hallway. Still nearly a yard away from you Lily paused her crawl as Ligo stormed into the room in a flurry.

“Ligo!” You tried to calm her as she pounced eagerly around you, “Chill.”

You laughed as she sniffed at your sides and then hurried around you in circles before sniffing at you some more. Her tail whipped around like a propeller. She whimpered with excitement as she finally settled down at your side and rested her head on your lap. Her dark eyes looked up at you, big and wide. Her tongue flopped out of her mouth as if she were truly smiling.

“What?” You asked as you scratched between her ears. Then as if she spoke to you with just a look, you knew, and your heartbeat quickened. “What do you know, silly girl?”

“She’s acting weird today.” Hades said as he walked into the room. Ivy and Iris had wrapped scarves around his ankles and were holding on tight. Both of them were giggling profusely as he dragged them along behind him. “She didn’t even wait for her treat when I let her in. Just raced in here to you like a bat out of the underworld.”

You reached up for the treat he’d brought with him and offered it to the dog who accepted it happily. Once he placed the snack bowl on the cushion he collapsed onto the couch. The twins abandoned their scarves and climbed up on their father, or as they seemed to think, their own personal jungle gym.

“Just a house full of daddy's girls.” You mused, scratching between the dogs perked ears.

“Isn't it?” He asked happily.

“Daddy.” Iris said grabbing her ponytail and shoving it into his face, “Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. You said!”

“I know! I know what I said.” He laughed, “Sit.”

He groaned as she slammed herself down onto his lap. You watched as he took out her hair tie and started to part her hair for braiding. Watching him with your children was one of your favorite sights. Hades was such a wonderful father. Sometimes it made you a little sad that he had to wait so long for the opportunity to be loved the way he deserved. It didn’t make sense that anyone could know him and not want to give him the universe.

Feeling your eyes on him, Hades turned to you and grinned at the look on your face. “What are you thinking about?”

“How much I love you.” A dramatic gagging noise emanated from behind Amara’s book but you ignored it, “And what a lovely morning it’s been.”

It was a simple enough statement. Anyone that might have heard it wouldn’t have expected that you meant anything by it. However Hades could tell what you’d been thinking about by the way your bottom lip rolled under your teeth. Your thighs were tense and pressed tightly together beneath you. They had been since he strolled into the room.

Since you’d made your request for another baby clear, he’d been quite determined to fulfill it. You realized pretty quickly that if you’d wanted him all you’d to do was say so, you should have always known. It had only been two days but he’d had you every chance he was given and never wasted a moment. The day before he’d found three windows of opportunity. Once during afternoon naps and twice before bed.

Just that morning before sunrise he’d woken you up to kisses between your thighs, followed by an hour of diligent love making while the room filled with sunlight. Afterwards he even let you go back to sleep while he started his day. And when you woke for a second time and went to shower he joined you there too. You only felt half guilty about the water you wasted while he had you pressed up against the wet tiles.

“Yes,” he agreed, thinking about it as well, “it has been quite nice. I suggest we have many more like it”

Looking just passed Lily, who’d made her way successfully to Peggy, your eyes wandered over to Ligo who had moved and was lying down by Amara’s feet. Her eyes were set on you. Her tail wagging wildly behind her with excitement. Thinking about her curious behavior you said offhand, “I would love that. Though we may not need to.”

Hades looked at you curiously and you just smiled back at him. “Already?”

“Maybe.” You shrugged in an attempt to hold back but the thrill was clear on your face.

“It’s time we should ask the girls what they think.” He said, finishing up Iris’ braid.

“About what?” Amara asked.

“About what?” The twins copied in unison. Ivy crawled into his lap with her sister now that he was done with her hair.

“How would you feel about a little brother?” You asked.

“A boy? With your track record?” Amara grinned at you over the top of her book.

“Hey!” You tried not to laugh and failed, “Hades your daughter is being a bit rude.”

“My daughter.” He smirked, “She gets that from you.”

“What about you little monsters?” You looked over at the twins, “Do you want a baby brother?”

“You will love him more?” Ivy asked, looking up at her father with genuine concern.

“Oh, of course not!” He promised, pulling his little girl into his chest. He grinned over at you and said, “Your mommy might.”

“Hades!” You scolded while he stifled a laugh.

Ivy looked over at you now, eyes already glossy with tears, “Mama?”

Holding back a laugh you watched as your daughter finally tore herself from her father's lap and threw herself at you with a sob. Her little arms wrapped around your neck desperately as if in an attempt to secure your love.

“Sweetie.” You soothed her with a gentle back rub, “Daddy’s joking. He’s being silly.”

Turning towards him the little girl gave her father her best stink face before sinking back into your arms.

Hades continued to laugh, ”Yeah, real daddy’s girl that one is.”

Pulling your daughter close you left a kiss on the top of her head. Leaning in close you whispered, “You’re my favorite, don’t tell.”

Her angry scowl turned into a sweet giggle.

-

As the sun rose on Saturday, it seemed the week of your vacation had come too soon and was leaving in a flash. All you had left to look forward to was the visit to Olympus with Amara. In an effort to make it a little more exciting for the both of you, Hades has made plans with Ares and Aphrodite for dinner so you had something to do while you waited.

It was nice to dress up. Of course you dressed nicely for judgements everyday, as it was professional. However it was rare you found an excuse to show off. Deep in the closet you found a short black halter dress. You knew you wanted to wear something black so that you could match whatever Hades had chosen for himself.

For judgements he always wore luxurious suits with shiny shoes. His hair would be slicked back and his face severe. At home he was more of a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy. Casual, comfortable clothes for playing with the kids. No matter what he wore, you always seemed to want to devour him whole. You’d been insatiable since the first kiss and he’d kept you that way every day since.

You’d thrown a black, velvet cloak over your shoulders and made your way out of the closet as you tried to clasp it at your neck.

“I’m ready.” You mumbled, as you finally got the clasp hook, and looked up. “Oh...fuck me.”

Your husband stood in front of the mirror adjusting the shirt that he had tucked into his jeans. He wore an incredibly amused expression as he looked at you in the reflection.

“Excuse me?” He chuckled.

“I will not excuse you, sir. Not for this.” You shook your head, “This is absolutely criminal.”

“My queen!” he turned around with a laugh, “Do I look that bad?”

Bad wasn’t the word you would have used to describe the way he looked. A bold pink shirt tucked into ripped black jeans. The top few buttons were left open giving you a tease of the smooth chest hidden underneath. His hair was styled into a pomp and the sides freshly buzzed. His face was cleanly shaved for the first time all week. You wiped at the corner of your mouth where saliva had gathered. Hades bent over, grabbing a leather jacket off the bed.

“What is this now?” you asked, “You can not expect me to let you out of the house in this. What if someone were to see you? Too scandalous.”

Slipping his arms into the jacket he just laughed at you. Once his outfit was complete he pulled you close. His fingers dragged the cloak from your shoulder so that he was free to kiss the exposed skin. He’d barely even touched you at all and you already released a light moan against his ear. Still very amused he kissed your neck and nipped at your jaw before giving you a true kiss.

When he pulled back he grinned, “When I walked into the bakery that day and caught you talking to yourself...I never could have expected you would be such a nympho.”

You raised a mischievous eyebrow, “That’s the thing though, I wasn’t. Not until I met you. My filthy addiction.”

“Calm down, little rabbit.” he gave you another kiss. “We’re about to go into public. Contain yourself.”

“Yes, sir.” you whined.

The youngest of your daughters were left under the care of Soteria as you and Hades went with Amara to Olympus. Your daughter remained completely silent for the entire trip, trembling with nerves as she imagined the worst things that might happen when her father met her love interest. Both of you tried to joke with her and lighten the mood, but it only made her look, increasingly, like she was going to throw up. When you reached Olympus the carriage you rode in took you to the pavilion where the party was to be held. Once you stopped moving Amara bolted out and ran a few yards away to a young boy.

“Oh, he is adorable.” you tried to hold back your squeal but the pair was so cute.

Hades didn’t think so. He let out a huff of air as he watched them out of the window. “I’ve changed my mind. Let’s take her home.”

You reached your hand up and cupped his cheek, “It’s too late. Remember to be nice.”

He only grunted and pulled his sunglasses from the inside pocket of his jacket. When he placed them on his nose you actually gasped.

“What?” he grinned.

“Too sexy. You’re trying to kill me.” you scoffed in disbelief, “I can’t believe this. Get out!”

Laughing as you shoved him from the carriage, he then turned to help you out. Alec was a sweet boy and very clever. He showed a kindness and respect towards you, your husband, and your daughter that you couldn’t help but appreciate. He was definitely a far better companion than any of the sons Zeus had to offer. By the time you and Hades left, to make your way to dinner, he had won you over. Hades was less impressed, but he had become tolerant of the idea.

You’d decided to walk rather than take the carriage, as the home you were headed to wasn’t too far and it was beautiful out that evening. So you left the kids to their party and traveled through the streets of Olympus hand in hand. It hadn’t really occurred to either of you that you’d be stopped by so many gods for a quick chat, that they’d be excited to see the two of you there. It hadn’t felt too horribly long since the last time, but apparently it had been decades. Both of you had been quite missed.    

“Hades? Y/n!”

Reaching another pavilion you looked up, only a little surprised to see Hera and Zeus. Hades tensed beside you but you couldn’t help yourself as you dropped his hand in order to hurry over to your friend. Hera threw her arms around you tightly and held you a blink longer than normal before leaning back, keeping you snug in her arms.

“What are you two doing here? I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.”

“That’s what people keep saying!” you laughed.

Still keeping a distance from his brother Hades moved behind you. “We brought Amara so she could attend a party. Now we’re headed to see Ares and Aphrodite for dinner.”

Zeus awkwardly greeted his brother and you watched for a moment as they shuffled their feet trying to think of something to say to one another.

“So,” Hera beamed as you looked back to her, “it will be difficult with those two, but I’m assuming no wine for you then.”

You heartbeat quickened, “We had thought… maybe, but I wasn’t sure.”

“Well, I’m happy to let you know, you can be sure.” She pulled you in for another hug and whispered against your ear, “Would you like to know?”

With a deep, nervous, breath you looked over at Hades who was attempting an awkward talk with his brother about the proper way to cook lamb. Turning back to Hera you nodded.

“Please.”

She closed her eyes as her forehead pressed gently to yours and her hand dropped to your stomach. Her palm pressed against you, fingers spreading out over your belly. You gulped as she smiled and then let out a little laugh.

“The reign of the women of Hades is ending.” She said as she opened her eyes and finally released you from her arms. “The men are on their way.”

“You’re sure?” You asked as your eyes lit with excitement.

“Am I sure?” She scoffed, and you realized what a dumb question it was to ask her of all people. Then she laughed in full, “Blessings, my sweet sister.”

The two of you chatted for a little longer until the sun was nearly setting. Looking over once or twice you’d even caught Zeus and Hades laughing with one another. And not before too long your husband was reaching his hand out for yours.

“Y/n…” he said kindly, “We have to go or we’ll be late.”

After quick goodbyes the two of you were back on the cobblestone path to your dinner plans. The smile hadn’t dropped from your face since Hera gave you the news and you’d been thinking of a special way to let Hades know. Your skin prickled as you walked as his cool fingers moved the hair from your neck and leaned in to kiss the skin there.

“You’re always so happy when we come here. You get to see your friends.” He mentioned thoughtfully, “Do you wish we lived here instead?”

“No.” You laughed, “I like when we visit because sometimes it’s just nice to go somewhere different. But I love our home.”

“If you’re sure.”

You hummed, looking out at the clouds in their pink and orange sunset hues. “It is a beautiful view though.”

“Here…” he gestured to a small opening off the path. “We can be a little late.”

With his arms wrapped around you, you leaned into his chest and looked out at the view. For a while you watched the way the clouds changed color to reflect the sunset. It felt nice with his hands caressing your back and the warmth of him surrounding you in the brisk chill of the evening.

“I can’t wait.” You whispered.

“For what?”

You leaned back just slightly so you could look at him, “I wanted to wait. I wanted to think of something fun, some silly way to tell you, but I’m too excited. I want you to be excited with me.”

“What are you on about?” He asked, the curiosity clear on his face.

“Hera confirmed.” Your smile was starting to hurt your cheeks, “I’m pregnant.”

“Yeah?” He asked, and when you nodded in confirmation he threw his fist in the air. “Yeah!”

You laughed when he cupped your head and dipped you backwards for a kiss. Pulling you back up he released your lips with a loud pop.

“I told you I knew how to make a baby.” He absolutely beamed. “Didn’t I say?”

“Yes, you did.” you waited a moment for him to calm down. “Hades...there’s more.”

His mouth went slack as he looked at you, searching your face. “No… is it? It’s a boy?”

“It’s a boy.” He grabbed you in his arms and spun you around until you were a mass of dizziness and giggles.

“First try!” He shouted and threw his hand up for a high five.

“First try?” Still laughing you gave him a high five, and he locked his fingers with yours. “More like our fifth try.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Have I made you as happy as you can be?”

“Happy like you wouldn’t believe.”

Looking at you seriously he pulled you back into his embrace. His fingers moved up your neck until they fisted your hair gently. Pressing his face into your hair he inhaled your scent with a satisfied groan.

He spoke quietly against the top of your head, “Promise me one more time and I’ll never make you do it again. Tell me you’re still certain you want to spend forever together.”

With a sigh of content you looked at him and pulled his mouth to yours, “I swear. I promise. Spending the rest of all eternity with you, isn’t nearly long enough for me. You can make me tell you everyday. It will never not be true.”

Satisfied with your answer he dropped his hand down to yours and linked your fingers together before pulling you back onto the path. As the sky grew dark with night you squeezed his hand and smiled. There was never anything but a feeling of absolute serenity as you walked along the path beside him.

[todorokiaimee]

An Interview with The Todoroki’s

A Blues In The Night After Story | Art by @raikiriart​

INTERVIEWER: Our readers want to know everything about your relationship and to be honest, I’m quite curious myself. Let’s start at the beginning. How did you two meet?

SHOTO: We met at our favorite coffee shop. I would always see her by herself reading a book and one day I finally got the courage to talk to her. Honestly, it was a bit of a disaster.

AIMEE: He almost killed me twice before he ever asked me out.

SHOTO: That’s a bit dramatic, Love. (An adorable blush flashes across his face)

AIMEE: He tired to one-up my snide comment with one of his own which resulted in me choking on my coffee. Then later I caught him off guard and he almost barbequed me with his fire. (She giggled while giving her husband’s hand a tight squeeze.) I had never seen such an adorable side of this usually stoic man. And the next day he asked me out on a date and the rest is history as they say.

INTERVIEWER: I see, then I have a question for you Mr. Todoroki. What would you have done if Aimee had decided not to go out on a date with you? Or worse, was currently dating someone else?

SHOTO: Hm, that would be obviously regrettable. I can’t think of spending my life with anyone else but Aimee. If she just turned me down, I would probably ask her again at a later time, try my best to win her over. If she was with another man, I would have no choice than to wait patiently in the wings until it dissolved.

AIMEE: Aw, you’d wait for me, cher? 

SHOTO: Without question.

INTERVIEWER: What’s it like being married to a top Pro Hero?

AIMEE: It’s a little weird, to be honest. I feel so incredibly safe. Between my husband, his friends, and my father-in-law, I know my daughter and I are very well looked after. But it’s a double-edged sword. We do attract attention, sometimes unwanted attention, but that’s part of the package. I was already used to the stares from being a minority here in Japan but it’s just intensified since I started dating Shoto. 

INTERVIEWER: Do you feel accepted by the Todoroki family, Aimee?

AIMEE: Of course! I couldn’t ask for better in-laws. Even King of the Grumps Enji. Although nowadays, we call him Pop-Pop which I find insanely adorable. I really feel like part of the family. They are my family since my mother passed when I was young and my father is serving his sentence in America. 

INTERVIEWER: Do you think your mother would have approved of Shoto?

AIMEE: Absolutely. He’s exactly the kind of man my mother would have wanted for me. I do think she would be surprised that I ended up with a Pro-Hero through. And let’s be real, I could do a lot worse. (She laughs, giving her husband a playful nudge.)

INTERVIEWER: Forgive me if this a difficult subject, but have you been in contact with your father since his sentencing and deportation?

AIMEE: I have. I can’t condone the things my father has done, but I understand why he did them. Grief can make a person do crazy unthinkable things. I give him a call once a month and send him letters with pictures of his granddaughter. He’s still my father after all. 

SHOTO: He’s still family. He’s remorseful and doing his time. We don’t want to keep him from Kiseki but we’re also not bringing her to a prison. So we send pictures, and she’ll talk to him on the phone. She doesn’t quite understand his situation at this age, but we’re doing our best as a family.

INTERVIEWER: How do your students feel about your marriage to a Pro Hero?

AIMEE: Well, not to brag but the kids get super excited when they find out they’re assigned to my class. They love it when Shoto stops by. A lot wonder why I still teach with my husband’s income but I would miss and worry about my students too much. I love my work. 

INTERVIEWER: How do you two handle the bridge between your two cultures? 

SHOTO: Aimee has lived in Japan since she was a preteen so she was pretty familiar with mine by the time we met. However, I had to give myself a crash course in hers. I think my biggest faux pas was touching her hair without permission. 

AIMEE: I keep telling him that he gets a free pass because he’s my husband. 

SHOTO: Even so. (He chuckled giving his wife a knowing smile.)

INTERVIEWER: How do you deal with unwanted attention as an interracial couple and family?

AIMEE: It’s never easy. My instinct is to tell the haters off but only makes the situation worse. Plus we’re trying to set a good example for our daughter. 

SHOTO: I often have long conversations with Pro Hero Rock Lock. He’s also in a happy interracial marriage with 10 years of experience over us. He stresses that as long as your family is safe, you should let the comments roll off your back. That being said, I’m not above intimidation if it saves my wife and daughter’s feelings. 

INTERVIEWER: Speaking of your daughter, you’ve chosen such a unique name for her. Is there a story behind that?

AIMEE: Well when we decided to have a baby, I struggled to get pregnant. My doctor diagnosed me with primary ovarian insufficiency or premature ovarian failure. It’s a scary way of saying I have lazy ovaries that don’t produce eggs as often as they should. We were told my chances of getting pregnant were slim. But after a year of fertility treatments, I was finally pregnant. Our miracle baby. So we named her Kiseki, the Japanese word for miracle. And we also gave her the middle name Anette, after my late mother even though it's not a Japanese practice.

SHOTO: Our little one is too special for only one given name.

INTERVIEWER: Wow, that must have been difficult for you.

AIMEE: Oh I was devastated when I found out. I felt like less of a woman. Here is this one thing that women are just supposed to do, are expected to do in many cultures and I couldn’t. My body was betraying me.

SHOTO: I felt so utterly useless to her as well. It broke my heart to see her in that state every month. Not being able to fix it and save the day nearly killed me. However, we pressed on. Starting a family was too important to us to give up. Actually, giving Aimee her hormone shots had become sort of a bonding experience. 

AIMEE: We used to have little dates where he would meet me at school during my planning period to give me my shot which was time-sensitive. We would look forward to it.

SHOTO: And of course, we enjoyed the other process of making our little princess. 

AIMEE: Cher! (They giggle with blushes on their faces.)

INTERVIEWER: Who does Kiseki take after the most?

SHOTO: She is her mother’s daughter for sure. So kind and curious. She also has a lot of her sass and smart mouth, but somehow it never meant to be that way. She’s just telling her unfiltered version of the truth. 

AIMEE: Oh, you should tell the Halloween costume story! (She giggles.)

SHOTO: (He chuckles.) Kiseki wanted to go as Endeavor for Halloween this year. Before I ordered it for her, I asked her again to be sure. “Are you sure you want to go as Pop-Pop? Not a princess or maybe even Daddy?” She just shook her head and said matter of factly, “No I want Pop-Pop. Your costume is boring, Daddy.”  

AIMEE: (She laughs.) That’s my girl! Telling it like it is. But to be honest, Enji’s costume does have actual fire.

SHOTO: Maybe one day she’ll appreciate her father’s minimalist style. (He chuckles.)

INTERVIEWER: Do you have any clue what her quirk might be?

AIMEE: Well her quirk hasn’t manifested yet but judging by her appearance, she’ll probably have a variation of one or both of her father’s quirks. She has white hair and blue eyes, so it’s possible she could have both fire and ice quirks.

SHOTO: She could also have a variation of yours, my love. As far as we know, your quirk isn’t tied to appearance. So I suppose to answer your question, your guess is as good as ours. We’ll love her just the same quirk or no quirk.

INTERVIEWER: What kind of father is Shoto?

AIMEE: He is such a doting, overprotective father. While I was pregnant, I wasn’t allowed to lift so much as a finger. Given our history struggling to get pregnant, he was so worried about every little thing during my pregnancy. It would have been cute if it didn’t drive me crazy. (She laughs.)

SHOTO: Pardon me for worrying about my wife’s and child’s well being. (He smirks.)

AIMEE: You would have thought I was suddenly made of glass. (She giggles.) But I couldn’t ask for a better baby daddy. Our little girl wants for nothing and there's nothing he wouldn’t do for her. If she asks politely, it’s done. She’s a total daddy’s girl too. Unfortunately, that often makes me bad cop and him good cop.

SHOTO: (A light blush forms on his face.) I can be firm too sometimes.

AIMEE: Sure, cher. Sometimes. (She smirks.)

INTERVIEWER: Do you think you’ll try for more children?

AIMEE: We’re open to the idea, I think. Right, mon cher?

SHOTO: We certainly wouldn’t say no to another child. I think Kiseki would be a wonderful big sister. I know my father would love another chance at a grandson.

INTERVIEWER: What’s your favorite thing about each other?

SHOTO: Her eyes. They’re so expressive. She can bend me to her will with a single look.

AIMEE: His voice. My husband’s a man of few words but he always knows just what to say. Plus I’m a sucker for his deep baritone.

INTERVIEWER: Many of our reader see you two as “couple goals.” For our last question, do you have any relationship advice?

SHOTO: Never stop trying to win your partner over. Don’t let the romance and intimacy die after you’ve been committed to each other.

AIMEE: I totally agree. It’s the little things that matter most. Cooking a meal for your partner, taking the time to write them a little love note on a post-it. The little things that say I love and appreciate you, go a long way. And of course communication. Every relationship needs good communication to thrive. 

SHOTO: Yes, you must acknowledge the good and talk through the bad. Enjoy the journey and cherish your loved ones. I know I do.

MASTERLIST

[haikyuu-imagines-and-others]

could you do the breakfast in bed for their partner with child(ren) with kageyama, tsukishima, and bokuto please? :) I l i v e f o r d o m e s t i c f l u f f

I LOVED this prompt so much when I first posted it! Ah, memories lmao I’m so useless now! xD Ah well, I’ll try my hardest, sweetie! Domestic shit is what I LIVE for!!! Hopefully this will make up… partially… for what I’m about to do to Tobio in a different request…. - Admin Satori Oikawa/Kuroo/Akaashi Kageyama/Tsukishima/Bokuto

Kageyama TobioHitomi (Blue eyes) – daughter (2)

It was the sound of pacing that woke you up from your deep sleep, your eyes struggling to open, weighing down from a head cold taking a toll on your body. You could barely move with how sick you were, so you were relying on your husband to take care of you, and your child. And you figured with all his pacing, he was trying to figure out his next steps. But the moment your eyes caught sight of who was doing the soft secondary pacing, you smiled fondly.

Kageyama was pacing the hallway outside the bedroom door, going this way and that as he tried to get everything in his arms to take back to you for your comfort and care. You could see in the dim light of the morning sun peaking through your blinds that his arms were filled with blankets and pillows. And of course, just the sight of that alone was enough to melt your heart, but what really did you in was the little shadow following his exact footsteps.

Your daughter, Hitomi, loved her daddy with all her little heart, and wanted to be exactly like him in everything he did. Her little legs struggled to make the long strides her father was making, but she managed to keep up with him quite well, always being right below his line of sight when he handed her something to carry. Right now, you could just barely see her messy black pigtails over the large pile of pillows in her arms.

Suddenly you sneezed, and Kageyama jumped almost 5 feet in the air in surprise. His deep blue eyes snapped to where you were leaning against your elbow on your bed, and before you could ward him away with the threat of catching your illness, he was right there next to you. His left hand took your free right hand in his and brought it to his lips, and you relished in the sight; he’d been so awkward when the two of you first started dating in high school, your remembered him barely being able to even walk properly if he tried talking to you at the same time. You closed your eyes for a few second, letting out a deep sigh, “What has you so worked up, Tobio? I told you it’s just a small cold… It’ll be gone in a few days.” You assured, pulling your hand from his and cupping his face, stroking your thumb over his cheekbone gently.

He leaned into your touch and closed his eyes, “I know… But… What if it doesn’t?” He asked, his eyebrows furrowing in worry, thinking back to before you graced his life, knowing he’d only lose track of himself like he did back then; focusing only on his condition for volleyball and not really taking care of himself outside of that. You’d shown him he could be someone other than his teams setter, he could be both himself and a key player without having to give one or the other up.

You shook your head, your eyes catching the movement of a shadow at the edge of the bed by Kageyama’s legs. “Tobio, it’s not that serious, sweetheart. I’ve gotten sick before… I was sick when I was pregnant…” You raised an eyebrow at him, “Maybe you’re going to be a father again?” Your suggestion made his eyes widen before looking down at your flat belly.

“S-seriously?” He asked, and you smiled at the quiet excitement in his voice; He’d fallen in love at the sight of your daughter, who he now pulled onto the bed to rest between the two of you. “D… Do you know for sure?” His voice was soft, and you looked over at your bag from the store, you’d gone to get some pregnancy tests just before the illness had incapacitated you, but you hadn’t had the strength to actually take them yet. His eyes followed your line of sight, and his body stiffened, “You were going to check… Why didn’t you tell me?” He turned his eyes back to you, and you shrugged, not really expecting it to be a big issue. You’d checked last time without him. But then, last time you’d found out he’d been away at a game overseas.

“I didn’t want to get you excited…. Just in case it really was just a bug and not something more…” You sighed, reaching up and rubbing your eyes before looking down at your daughter, who was turning her attention to whoever was talking in your conversation. “Hitomi would have to really get used to the idea of a little sibling… She’s crazy about you, Tobio.. I don’t think she’d much care for having to share you attention.” You mused quietly before looking back up at your husband.

Kageyama’s small frown didn’t go unnoticed by you, of course. You remembered how he’d wanted to be by your side throughout everything when it came to your pregnancy with Hitomi, and you knew this ‘maybe baby’ was no different. Kageyama took pride in being a father and husband more than he cared for his national career as Japan’s primary setter!

“Tobio,” His eyes met yours without any barriers, and you could tell he was disappointed you hadn’t come to him first about what you thought was happening, “I love you, Tobio… And I wouldn’t do anything to hurt your feelings… I, honestly, was going to tell you.” You assured quietly, your hand cupping his cheek once again, “Hitomi… Can you give daddy a big hug? Please?” You requested, and Hitomi almost immediately was up on her feet with her little arms wrapping around her father’s neck.

Hitomi only knew a few words, not too many to make much sense, but she was very aware of everyones emotions around her. She buried her little face in her fathers neck and babbled quietly, saying ‘dada’ and ‘papa’ over and over in some places. You knew she didn’t know why her daddy was feeling sad, but she truly believed she could make him feel better with her hugs. The innocence of a child was something that would never cease to amaze you and Kageyama.

Kageyama wrapped his arms around his daughter, pressing his lips to her little ear and smiling when she squealed and pushed away from him suddenly, “Uh-oh! Tickle monster!” You smiled as Hitomi’s blue eyes widened in faux fear and she bounced off the bed, her little legs taking her around the corner of the room and into hers in record time. But he didn’t run after her, knowing she’s get sidetracked by her toys in her playroom. You let out a sigh and laid back down on the bed, closing your eyes when your head hit the pillow; You knew his eyes were on you, and you opened your arms, smiling when you felt him lay his head on your shoulder, one arm wrapping around your middle while the other laid on your belly ever so gently. “…. If I am pregnant…. Do you want it to be a boy or a girl?” You asked curiously, burying your nose into his hair and pressing your lips against his forehead.

“I want it to be healthy…” Kageyama said truthfully, and you nudged him with a small laugh, he smiled as he stared down at his hand on your belly, “_____, I don’t really mind the gender of the baby… As long as they’re healthy.” Your fingers stroked through his hair and you could feel his breathing getting deeper and deeper.

“I think I want a boy… A little clone of you.”

Kageyama was up suddenly, and you stared at him in surprise, not being able to ask him what was wrong before he was out of the room. You sat up, hearing for his movements before letting out a small laugh when you heard Hitomi’s squeal of surprise, then he was back in the room, getting comfortable in your arms again with Hitomi resting between your bodies. You smiled and turned your body to be able to face your beautiful family. Hitomi giggled and reached up, laying her hand on her fathers face and squishing his cheeks, her giggling rising in frequency as your husband made faces while she pushed and squished his cheek. You don’t remember when you fell asleep, again, but you knew the sickness was only starting if you truly were pregnant again. But oh…. How worth it it was when you held that little bundle in your arms for the first time.Tsukishima Kei

Satoshi (Wise) - son (7)

Hikaru (Radiance) - son (5)

Being the only female in the Tsukishima household gave you some priority. Waking up, alone, but with your breakfast already made and placed beside you, was one of them. You blinked a few times, the smell of the freshly made chocolate waffles with fresh strawberries prompting your stomach to cramp in hunger. But so early in the morning, you didn’t want to do anything but sleep in. You carefully placed the tray on the side table beside the bed before curling up in your blankets and falling back asleep.

“Daddy… Mama didn’t eat her waffles.”

“Shhhh, Hikaru, let mommy sleep.”

A large hand stroked your hair out of your face, but the familiarity of it made you smile softly, feeling the bed dip twice before you felt a small body lay against you, their little head pressed against your chest and hearing how your heart slowly beat a little faster as you came back into the conscious world.

“Good Morning, beautiful.” Your husband whispered, and you gave him a sleepy smile, seeing how he just barely sat on the edge of the bed, his hand still cupping your face ever so softly. If there was one thing Tsukishima loved, it was watching you sleep. As embarrassing as it was, he claimed you never looked more peaceful than when you slept, and just the sight would make him forget whatever argument had taken place that previous day or whenever.

You hummed, “The world must be ending for you to be calling me beautiful so early in the morning.” You teased quietly, turning your head and kissing his palm softly before looking down at who occupied your chest, seeing your youngest son smiling up at you, blinding you with how completely radiant his smile was. “Oh my goodness, who let this ball of sunshine in the room?” You smiled back down at your baby, running your fingers through his short blond hair and letting out a small laugh when his cheeks were tinted with a soft pink.

“Good morning, mama!” Hikaru greeted happily, scurrying up from his place against your chest so he could wrap his arms around your neck, pressing his lips to the tip of your nose.

Tsukishima turned and sat next to you on the bed, letting his hand stroke through your hair slowly, knowing it took a while for you to actually wake up in the mornings. He’d been the one to actually do the cooking this morning, but it’d been the idea of your two sons to make it for you. And while he’d tried his best to keep the kitchen clean, having two sons made it practically impossible. “You feeling okay enough to eat?” Tsukishima asked calmly, pulling the tray from the side table to rest on his lap, “Because if not, I think I’ll just have to share it with Satoshi.” He smirked.

“But daddy! That’s for mommy!” Satoshi piped up from the doorway, and you saw he’d gone to clean his glasses from whatever mess awaited you in the kitchen. “I can’t eat what we made for her, that’s mean.” He whined as he climbed on the bed with the rest of his family, kneeling at the foot of your bed, not being able to really see much without his glasses on.

You looked up at your husband with a teasing smile, “Yeah, daddy, that’s for me!” You stuck your tongue out at him, laughing softly when he gave you a warning deadpan stare, remembering the last time you’d called him daddy you’d ended up getting pregnant with Hikaru. Slowly, you sat up, still holding Hikaru in your arms, nuzzling your nose into his little cheek and smiling when he giggled and nuzzled his own nose against yours. “Come here, Satoshi, come give mama some cuddles.” You pouted, reaching out an arm for your eldest to come closer.

Satoshi took a lot after his father. Blind as a bat and not very outwardly affectionate. There were few days after he’d become self aware that he’d voluntarily would cuddle with you or let you coddle him. There were points in time where he’d feel vulnerable and would need your comforting hand or your words of kindness, but very rarely would he actually reciprocate any sort of cuddling motions. But being half you, he had a lot of softness to his heart. He loved everyone as deeply as his little body would let him, it’s just his father’s hard outer shell made it hard for him to express it properly. Like now.

He pursed his lips and looked down at his glasses, making sure they were completely clean before putting them back on, pushing them up the bridge of his nose so his eyelashes were practically curling against the glass. His golden eyes glanced at his father, seeing how close his dad was to actually digging into the food, before he looked over at you, “But mommy, the food? Daddys gonna eat it all, and then you won’t have any left over.” He pointed out, trying to change the subject.

For now, you played his game. Leaning over, you laid your head on your husband bicep, “Hey… uh…. You’re not… thinking about…. Eating that…. Are you?” You asked cryptically, not being able to conceal your quiet giggles when you felt him tense at your slightly threatening tone, “Because… I don’t think those were meant for you….” You reaching over and took a strawberry from the top of the waffle stack, popping it into your mouth and winking at your husband when his eyes snapped to watch where the strawberry was being hauled off to. “I’m sure there’s something else I can give in exchange for the food though, Kei.” You smiled knowingly, sitting back up and patting your youngest son on the back softly, feeling him start to fall asleep from just being in your arms. Your little radiance easily tired himself out from the mornings happenings.

“Who’s to say I’ll agree to the exchange?” Tsukishima asked curiously, raising an eyebrow over at you when your eyes widened at his response, “What if I want the waffles more?” He pondered to himself, puling a small piece from the stack before popping it into his mouth quickly.

You snorted and rolled your eyes, “Liar.” You called easily, laughing when he let out a small huff at his bluff being founded so quickly. “Satoshi? Do you want some food? We can all share it!” You smiled over at your eldest, seeing his eyes squint at your suspiciously before he slowly crawled over to sit between you and your husband. While he was focused on pulling a piece free from the waffles, Tsukishima helping him make sure he didn’t make a complete mess of the meal, you leaned down and pressed a kiss to Satoshi’s temple.

He whined and looked up at you with puffed cheeks, crossing his arms after putting the waffle in his mouth, “Mommy! Why?” He let out a long sigh, and you couldn’t help but laugh at his perturbed face; almost an exact replica of his fathers. You smiled and wrapped your free arm around him, pulling him to your chest and nuzzling your nose against his head, “Nooooo, whyyyyy, Daddy! Help me!” He reached out to his father, but Tsukishima only smirked and waved ‘goodbye’ to his son.

“Ah, don’t act, my little Toshi, you know you love mommy!” You cooed, pressing a kiss to his forehead before just holding him in your arm, your other arm holding your sleeping son. You felt a chill go down your back as you realized Hikaru was actually drooling all over your collarbone as he snoozed. “Ah, Kei!” You whined, looking at your husband, who only smirked and waved you off, “Come on, he’s drooling all over me.” You pleaded, quiet laughter bubbling in your voice at how ridiculous this was getting.

“Sounds like a you problem.” Tsukishima teased, but his hands made quick work to put the tray off on the side table once more before he was pulling Hikaru out of your arms and into his, “Ah! No, wait! Regret. Why.” His voice was barely above a whisper, not wanting to wake up his son, but you couldn’t stop from laughing at his disgusted face, “How can something so small produce so much drool?”

“I don’t know, sounds like a you problem.” You shot back easily, wrapping both arms around your eldest son, feeling your heart warm when he relaxed in your arms and let you dote on him. “I think he’s dreaming of the waffles.” You mused, snorting when your husband gave you a sour look, “Let’s just hope he doesn’t dream about being potty trained all over again.” You teased, hiding your smile in your eldest sons hair when Tsukishima gave you a concerned look.

“That does sound like a you problem, daddy.” Satoshi smirked up at his dad, and Tsukishima’s eyes widened; It was like looking in a goddamn mirror. Bokuto KoutarouKoichi (Light/Shining First (child)) - son (7)

Shoji (Soaring Second (child)) - son (6)

Hideki (Splendid Opportunity) - son (4)

Tetsuo (Wise Hero) - son (3)

Aiko (Little love) – daughter (1)

Waking up in the Bokuto household was always a gamble. There were a number of things that could be wrong with how bountiful your family had grown, four sons and a single daughter… The messes were bound to be plentiful. Everyday was different from the other. Every day held a new adventure for you, for your children, for your husband.

But for now, opening your eyes to your year old daughter sitting in front of your face, her little hands pressing into your cheek and patting your forehead with the lightest of taps. You exhaled with a small smile on your lips, “Ah, Aiko… You escaped your crib once more.” You mused, reaching up and stroking her black hair out of her face, hearing her babbling away quietly as a way of responding to you. Turning to lay on your back, you pulled her to lay on your chest, her little head resting on your collarbone, chewing on her hand around her babbling. “The day has started…” You closed your eyes for just a second before they snapped open at the sound of your bedroom door slamming open.

“MOOOOOM! Hideki put baby powder in his hair!” Koichi, your eldest son, called, holding his little brother on his hip as best he could while walking into the bedroom, setting the younger boy on your bed. It was true, your second youngest son’s hair was covered in the baby powder, down to his very roots. Though he hadn’t been very precise in his aim, and a good amount had landed all over his face and shoulders.

You sat up, crossing your legs and setting Aiko in the space between your legs, reaching out and running your fingers through Hideki’s hair, “What in the world were you doing with the baby powder, Deki?” You asked with a fond smile, pulling your hand back to see it completely saturated in the powder.

“I wanna be like daddy!” He hollered, having absolutely no volume control. He thew his hands up in the air and cheered, “Daddy, daddy, daddy!!”, his wide golden eyes sparkling at the mere idea of becoming like his father.

“Like… daddy?” Your eyebrows furrowed as you tried to figure out what he was trying to say. “Oh!” You couldn’t help but laugh, realizing the baby powder gave his hair the black and white pattern that your husband had sported ever since he learned how to dye his own hair. “Koutarou!” You called, knowing your husband could hear you wherever he was throughout the house.

Koichi stood in the middle of the room, his arms crossed as he gave his little brother the stink eye, but you knew his inner monologue was somewhere along the lines of ‘why didn’t I think of that???’. “I’m going to go clean up the mess he made.” He huffed, not liking that his chores had been added to just because the four year old wanted to copy their dad. He stomped off into the room where the crime had happened. “MOM!!” Came his voice not too long after he’d left, “Tetsuo got into it too!”

“You rang, Mrs. Bokuto?” Came your husbands cheerful voice as he walked into the room, having grabbed Tetsuo and your second son Shoji before they could make a mess of the whole house. He was covered in baby powder as well, and Shoji whined in his fathers arms when Tetsuo reached over with his powder covered hands and squeezed his older brothers face.

You raised an eyebrow at your husband, your eyes going from your powdered covered sons, to his black and white hair, then meeting his large golden eyes, “You’ve created a disturbance in this household.” You teased, picking up Aiko in your arms when you saw Bokuto’s arms move to toss the two in his arms onto the bed. “Koutarou! Why? Now there’s powder everywhere!” You whined, holding your daughter close to you so none of the white mess got on her. Shoji bounced once before scurrying away, dodging his father’s arms and ducking between his legs to go get his older brother. You could hear him laughing as he ambushed his older brother, then Koichi’s responding yell of distaste. “We’ve lost another one, Aiko.” You sighed, and Bokuto laughed at your dramatization of the small issue.

Tetsuo, your youngest son, bounced twice before he just laid there, staring up at the ceiling, for a few seconds. You figured he was trying to figure out how he’d ended up on the bed, but then he was up and jumping on the same bed within seconds, Hideki copying his movements and jumping up and down with his younger brother. Little Aiko saw the fun her older brothers were having and struggling in your arms, whining and babbling, pointing at her brothers and looking back at you with determination in her gold eyes.

“Noooooo, not you, too, Aiko! Traitor!” You pretended to cry out as the little baby broke free from your hold, wobbling on her legs on the bed before Hideki helped her stand up straight, holding her hand as they jumped together on your bed. You crossed your arms and raised your eyebrows at your husband, “Kou… Your children are far too rambunctious.” You huffed, watching as he took his space next to you on the bed, forcing yourself not to lean into his embrace as he pulled you into his arms, “No more. No more babies.” You sent him a playful glare, “They only make messes and eat all my food.”

Bokuto nodded thoughtfully, but the glint in his eyes made you struggle not to laugh, “MY children came from YOUR womb… soooo I think that makes them your kids, too.” He pondered, then pouted, “Whaaaat? You don’t want any more babies? Come on, ______. I can make it worth your while.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to your ear, making your face feel like it’d been set on fire. “It’s fun making babies with you… Don’t you want another little bundle of joy?”

Biting your bottom lip, your forced out the memories of conceiving each of your children, trying not to let your memories show on your face as you whined and pushed against his chest, giggling when he nuzzled his nose against your neck, “Koutarou!” You laughed, “Those bundles of joy grow up into these little beasts!” You waved your hand to show your three youngest still jumping on the bed, your ears picking up on the sound of your two oldest running around the house; No doubt Koichi running away from Shoji as the latter tried to douse him in whatever was left of the baby powder. You looked up to see Bokuto looking at your children with only the sort of pride a father could feel. Yes, it was a messy house with messy children. Yes, there were days you wanted to pull your hair out and yell at all the boys in the house for being so psychotic. And of course, there were days you reminisced on sleepless nights with your husband before your children… But looking at your children jumping on the bed, hearing your other two running throughout the house, feeling your husbands supporting arms and hearing his heart beating in sync with yours, with your children. “Alright…” You smiled up at your husband, reaching up and stroking his cheek, internally laughing when you noticed some baby powder get smeared on his cheek and jaw, “Let’s have another.”