Too much on my mind

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I need a name for this grumpy little one

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Robert Robertson III

🎵 Radio - Bershy 🎵

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Firefighter 🔥

Theodore bursts into the station, covered in soot, grinning like a fool. Even after a long shift, he's full of energy. When he sees you, his face lights up even more.

"Babe!" he shouts, throwing his gear to the floor with a loud crash and running over to you. He wraps his arms around your waist, leans down, and gives you a messy, smoke-scented kiss on the forehead. "Missed you like crazy. Thought about calling just to hear your voice, but, well... hero duties called."

He looks at your face carefully, checking if you are annoyed or stressed. "You okay? Or did someone bother my girl while I was gone?" He sounds playful but serious, scanning the room like he might fight someone.

You roll your eyes, but you can't help smiling. He's like an excited puppy.

"I'm fine, dummy," you say, gently pushing his shoulder. "No one bothered me, so relax."

Theodore pouts and rubs his shoulder like you really hurt him. You know he's just acting for attention.

Then he notices the bag of food in your hands. His eyes get wide, like a kid seeing presents. "Wait... is that for me? Oh wow!" He drops to one knee right on the floor, ignoring Captain Harris's sigh from across the room, and folds his hands like he's begging.

"Marry me. Right here. Right now."

You laugh at him. He's been silly since he came in. You hold the bag just out of reach.

"Not until you take a shower, mister," you say, looking at his soot-covered clothes. "You look like you rolled in ashes."

Theodore groans and reaches for the bag with big, grabbing hands. He looks like a cartoon, pouting and begging. He knows he smells bad, but he missed you so much.

"But... I'm hungry now! I can't wait!" His puppy eyes try to convince you.

Usually that works, but not today. You hold the bag out of reach, shaking your head.

"Nope. Go shower. You smell like a chimney."

He flops on the floor, groaning like he's defeated. After a moment, he sits up and sighs.

"Fine. I'll shower... only because I know you won't kiss me until I do," he grumbles, brushing off his pants. "But when I come out, I get all the hugs."

You laugh at his grumpy face. "You're such a drama queen. Go wash up, big baby."

He trudges toward the showers, mumbling complaints the entire way. You know the moment he comes back clean, he will glue himself to you like he always does after these shifts. Exhausted, emotional, overflowing with affection. And honestly, you missed that too.

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Ody & Penny

The courtyard is full of men bragging about their achievements. All talking about battles won, riches earned, and of course, Helen. Always Helen. As if no other woman in the world exists.

I walk among them, my eyes drifting toward the sky. They bore me. Warriors, yes, but without brains. I see men like them die for their own stupidity.

I don’t speak much. I just listen to the same stories men always tell to feel important. When it’s my turn, I take a breath and tell a story. It isn’t anything extraordinary, but I know how to tell it. For a moment, all those faces that mock me now hang on my every word.

That’s when I see her.

A small figure behind a sheer curtain. A girl. I can’t see her face clearly, but it’s enough to catch my attention.

I go on with my story, but my eyes keep drifting back to that window.

When I look at her directly, she doesn’t look away. We hold each other’s gaze. And for a moment, I wish I know her name.

I smile a little, then go back to laughing with the others.

She can pretend nothing happened, but I saw her. And I wonder: did she like my story?

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Ody & Penny

Later, I slip away to the window, pulling the sheer curtain in front of me. Below, in the courtyard, the suitors show off, boasting of battles, wealth, and how much they adore Helen. I listen quietly, half-bored.

Then I see him.

He isn’t like the others. He doesn’t wear jewels or silk. He dresses simply, like a shepherd. But he walks with his chin high.

"Who is that?" I ask a passing maid.

She glances down. "Oh, him? A boy from Ithaca. Odysseus, I think. He won’t win. He’s clever, but not a real warrior."

I say nothing, but I keep watching.

I notice how he speaks, the way he always has a clever reply. The others mock him, laugh at his ideas. But he doesn’t care. In fact, he seems to enjoy it.

I lean closer to the window. His voice is clear, bright. His words challenge, provoke. And when he starts to tell a story, even the others stop laughing just to listen. He tells it well. Every detail feels vivid. I smile without realizing it.

And then… he looks up.

Our eyes meet through the curtain. My heart skips a beat. His gaze is calm, curious… and for a moment, we just look at each other.

He smiles, just a little, then turns away and goes on with his story like nothing has happened.

I step back from the window, my heart beating faster than it should.

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Ody & Penny

It’s spring, and everyone says it’s the perfect season for marriages. The palace is full of kings and warriors from every land, all fighting for Helen’s hand.

Helen is my age, beautiful like a goddess, but a little too fond of herself. She spends her days admiring her reflection in every shiny surface and giggling about the men chasing her.

As soon as I arrive, the maids lead me through long marble halls to her chambers. The air smells of flowers and perfume. Helen is already there, dressed in silks of gold and rose, while her maids flutter around her like birds.

"Penny!" she cries, running to me with a bright smile. "Finally! I’ve missed you!"

Before I can say anything, she turns back to the mirror. "Do you think this color brings out my eyes?"

I look at her reflection. She’s glowing with excitement, not just from the dress, but from all the attention she’s getting. The maids stare at me, waiting for my answer.

"You look good in anything," I say, smiling softly. "But yes… this color suits you."

Helen grins, satisfied, and goes back to admiring herself.

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Hades & Persephone 🌹

As I walk along the banks of the River Styx, something strange catches my eye, a faint glow in the distance. I slow my steps, curiosity stirring in my chest, though my heart begins to race.

Nestled among the gray rocks is a single flower. Its petals are a deep, vivid red, glowing softly as if lit from within. The contrast against the dull, lifeless terrain is almost unreal.

"What are you doing here?" I whisper, as if the flower might actually answer.

My hand moves toward it on its own, as though pulled by some invisible force. I stop just a few centimeters away, hesitating. The air around it feels heavier, charged with something I can’t name.

"Hades…" I murmur under my breath. Only he could possibly make sense of something like this.

I lean in, breathing in the scent. It’s sweet, almost intoxicating, but there’s something sharp beneath it. A metallic edge, like blood.

???: "Persephone."

The voice pulls me back. I turn and see him standing there, his eyes sharp with focus, yet flickering with something else, concern, perhaps. Or curiosity.

"What did you find?" His tone is calm, as always, but there’s a subtle note of tension in it.

"A flower," I reply softly. "I’ve never seen it here before."

He crouches beside me, his dark cloak rustling as he studies the flower intently.

"Fascinating," he murmurs, the faintest glimmer of wonder crossing his otherwise unreadable face.

I glance at the flower again, but a knot of unease begins to form in my stomach. Something about it feels… wrong.

"What if it’s dangerous?" I ask, my voice barely louder than a breath.

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Hades & Persephone 🌼🪴

Hades approaches and stops in front of me, tall and imposing, his long shadow falling over where I sit.

I look up at him, noticing the sharpness in his features, the cold focus in his eyes… but something else is there too. Something softer. Almost gentle.

When he reaches out to touch my face, I instinctively flinch and pull away.

He sighs, a quiet sound that almost holds regret. He can see how frightened I am.

Slowly, he reaches out again. This time, his touch is gentle. His thumb brushes against my cheek with surprising care.

Hades (softly): "It is alright. I will not hurt you."

His voice is low, calm, and steady. He looks straight into my eyes.

I can’t move. I don’t know what he means to do, but I don’t pull away this time. I just stay still and let his hand linger on my cheek.

A long, quiet moment passes.

Then, without saying anything else, he steps back and turns away.

In the next second, he’s gone.

I remain there, unsure of how to feel. The air still feels heavy with his presence. And for some reason, all I can think about is how his eyes looked… like a night full of stars.

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Hades & Persephone 🌼🪴

I’m in the palace garden. It’s a beautiful and peaceful place, filled with flowers of all kinds I've grown myself. The air is light, the colors soft. I try to enjoy the moment, hoping to feel a little more at ease.

Then, suddenly, I hear a deep, masculine voice behind me.

???: "Enjoying the scenery?"

I freeze.

My breath catches as I quickly turn around. Standing there, right next to me, is Hades. He’s wearing an elegant black toga, and he’s just as tall, stern, and intimidating as I remember.

His sharp, dark eyes seem to pierce right through me. His face is expressionless, calm, unreadable, and that somehow makes him even scarier.

I feel myself shrink back, almost cowering under his gaze. My knees feel weak. I want to run, but I can’t. I’m frozen. The intensity in his eyes pins me to the spot.

I finally manage to whisper something, my voice shaking:

Persephone (nervously): "W-What do you want…?"

Hades’s expression doesn’t change. He glances around the garden, then back at me.

Hades: "I was just taking a stroll when I saw you sitting here alone."

His eyes scan me slowly, and though his face remains neutral, his words feel sharp.

Hades: "You look so miserable."

His tone is condescending, but calm. Like he’s stating something obvious.

I lower my head, cheeks burning in shame. I don’t know what to say. I just wish he’d leave, but also, part of me is too afraid to even move.

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Hades & Persephone

I hear footsteps echoing down the hall. My body tenses. Someone’s coming. I turn around slowly, my heart pounding in my chest.

A tall figure stands in the doorway.

It’s Hades.

I flinch slightly, instinctively taking a small step back.

Persephone: "Oh… it’s you."

My voice is quiet, almost unsure. I lower my eyes, not quite daring to meet his gaze.

Hades keeps his hands behind his back, posture straight and unyielding.

Hades: "Come with me. And don’t try to escape."

His voice is cold, calm, but filled with quiet authority. He doesn’t need to threaten me. His presence alone is enough.

I fidget, clutching my hands together in front of me.

Persephone (nervously): "Do I… have to?"

Hades exhales sharply and pinches the bridge of his nose, clearly annoyed.

Hades: "I wasn’t asking. Let’s go."

His tone leaves no room for discussion.

I swallow hard. He’s so much taller than me. So intimidating. I don’t want to upset him. I’m not even sure what he’d do if I refused.

Slowly, I nod and start to follow, my steps cautious and hesitant.

Persephone (murmuring under my breath): "You don’t have to be so harsh…"

But he hears me anyway.

Hades: "I’m being efficient. You’re wasting time."

I fall silent, my cheeks burning. I feel small beside him, like a candle walking next to a thunderstorm.

We walk in silence through the vast corridors of the palace. When we reach the front entrance, the gray sky looms above. The Underworld stretches beyond, a lifeless land of withered grass, cracked earth, and smoky, heavy air.

I pause at the doorway, hesitating as a cold wind brushes against my skin.

Hades turns his head slightly toward me.

Hades: "Stay close once we’re out there. Do not wander off. This is for your own safety."

Persephone (meekly): "I… I will. I promise."

Hades (deadpan): "Good. Because you wouldn’t last long on your own."

He steps outside without looking back.

I hug myself and follow, trying to stay close without making it obvious. The air outside is dense, the ground coated in a heavy fog. It’s hard to see more than a few feet ahead.

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Hades & Persephone

I sit on the edge of my bed, arms wrapped tightly around myself. Just thinking about being so far from the sunlight, the fresh air, the flowers… it makes my chest ache.

I’ve been in the Underworld for weeks now.

Sometimes, Hades lets me step outside, but only after making sure I won’t try to run. His guards are always nearby, watching. It never really feels like freedom.

I miss home. I miss the warm breeze, the sound of birds, and, most of all, my mother, Demeter. I just want to see her again…

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Hades & Persephone

The sky is hidden by a thick, grey fog that covers the endless winter landscape. Everything is silent, but not peaceful. It feels like the world is holding its breath.

I can hear my own breathing, fast and shallow, as my chest rises and falls with each panicked inhale. He stands before me, wrapped in a dark cloak, his expression calm and serious.

"You’re now in my realm," he says in a steady voice.

I stare at him, wide-eyed, my mind spinning with fear and confusion.

"Please…" I beg, tears blurring my vision as I try to pull away from his icy grip on my wrist. "Let me go!"

His fingers tighten. He doesn’t flinch at my cries.

"Stop struggling and come with me," his tone is firmer now.

With no choice, I take small, stumbling steps as he begins to guide me forward. My tears fall, but he stays unmoved, leading me toward a distant palace.

Pebbles crack under our feet like snapping bones. We pass skeletal trees and withered shrubs, all drained of life.

Moss-covered statues stand frozen in time. Empty fountains line the path. In the distance, ivy climbs the palace walls.

We reach its giant oak doors, metal bands creaking as they open wider. He pulls me inside, still gripping my wrist, pushing me into the darkness beyond.

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Hades & Persephone

He couldn’t take his eyes off her… the way she moved, the way she spoke. There was something utterly captivating about her. She’s so cute, he thought.

Persephone, goddess of spring, was sweet and kind. Innocent, full of life… everything he was not. Hades, god of the Underworld, was seen as cold and heartless… or so everyone believed. Yet the sight of her stirred something deep within him, making his heart race. It felt like being struck by lightning.

Despite his calm and logical nature, Hades couldn’t deny the powerful pull he felt toward her. He wanted to be close to her, but expressing his feelings was another matter. He tried to suppress this sudden desire, reminding himself that he had to stay distant and composed. But she made it nearly impossible.

Thoughts of her began to fill his mind… her eyes, her smile, her laughter. He caught himself imagining what it would feel like to touch her hair, which looked impossibly soft. And it wasn’t just that. He wanted to hold her hand, pull her into his arms, nuzzle her neck…

These feelings were unfamiliar, intense. He had never desired a woman like this before. And now that he did, the sensation was overwhelming.