Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness, ease my troubles that's what you do.
It had been a beautiful ceremony and none present could question the depth of the love between the bride and groom. They both seemed aglow with it and by the end of the ceremony there was scarce a dry eye in the pavilion. The heady excitement didn’t end there as the guests all filed into the reception area to await the announcement of the new bride and groom and start of the festivities. The wait was a short one as Eros and Psyche entered looking like a postcard example of the happy bride and groom . After a little bit of mingling with their guests there was a call for their first dance making both bride and groom blush as it quickly became a chant. Not one to ever play by tradition Eros picked up a champagne flute tapping it lightly to draw the attention of the excited crowd.
“Let us compromise. My bride and I would not have made it to this day without the help and support of our friends so we wish to spend this evening celebrating not only ourselves but the dear friendship and love we have with all of you .”
Psyche smiled up at Eros giving his hand a squeeze before looking out at their guests
“Yes please spare us both the embarrassment of your scrutiny. My poor husband is lucky he can walk after all the times I have tread on his feet dancing.”
Eros bent over to catch her lips in a chaste kiss as the crowd burst into a mixture of laughter and applause. The musicians taking the hint soon began to play popular tune to start up a group dance per the grooms wishes. The guests interested in dancing soon formed two parallel lines one made of maids and the other of gentlemen. As the song hit a chord the dance began slowly. This part of the dance was simple if not terribly choreographed. It was a dance of partners despite the rigid lines. Persephone was across from Hades. The other set of partners in their pair being Ares and Aphrodite. Persephone had never seen them together publicly so she had been surprised but perhaps even a busy god like Ares could be swayed from time to time to unwind. The pair glided around her and Hades stationary forms meeting in front of them to clasp hands before spinning back to their original spots which cued Hades and Persephone’s turn to start. Watching Hades from the corner of her eye ,as she moved through the motions, she couldn’t help but smile. He looked so focused and stiff a contrast to the casual look he sported. Eros had insisted that the male guests avoid as he phrased it “all those depressing dark colors” and insituted a dress code of a much lighter nature. Thus to comply with the grooms wishes Hades was sporting a tan tweed suit , jacket currently absent, with a crisp white dress shirt, blush colored vest and matching tie. He looked very much the part of a sexy librarian and momentarily she stumbled in her steps her wicked thoughts distracting her. Thankfully even though he seemed to be struggling with the dance Hades was able to reach out and catch her elbow lightly as he saw her stumble right before they were to meet in the middle . He slid his hand down from her elbow to her hand earning himself a squeeze of thanks from her before they returned to their respective spots.
Hades was a wreck. He had another monumental row with Minthe and for once he had had been the one to break it off between them. He felt relieved like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders when he heard the front door slam so hard it nearly came of its hinges. Now though without the buffer of Minthe he was forced to face Persephone with no shields to hide behind and it was as exciting as it was terrifying. He couldn’t take his eyes off her she was absolutely enchanting. He remembered the first time he saw her he had thought then he had never had seen a woman so beautiful but today he stood corrected. Her dress had a simple refinement to it that allowed her to shine but at the same time not outshine the blushing bride. The off the shoulder top adorned with scattered periwinkle flowers seemed to flirt dangerously with the powers of gravity but showed off her delicate collarbones lovely. The corsets tightness cinched at her waist gauzy shades of periwinkle material pooling from beneath it in light as air layers. Realizing he was staring he quickly averted his gaze as their part of the dance began. He was weak willed for a god and he could not keep his gaze from her for too long. Thankfully because of this he managed to save her from what may well have ended in an embarrassing tumble earning a squeeze of thanks in gratitude because of it.
The tempo of the song began to speed up and soon it was once more their part of the dance . He stepped out to meet her, eyes locked on hers. Persephone blushed faintly at the intensity of Hades gaze as suddenly the earlier hesitance he seemed to have towards dancing had faded catching her off guard. Not paying attention to her own foot falls she moved a step to far her front brushing his instead of passing by in the coy fashion that was called for . She flushed darker in embarrassment spinning back to her start position. Hades had not fared much better having blushed scarlet until he saw the smirk of amusement on Ares’ face. Cutting him a glare he stepped forward as the four of them joined hands spinning slowly before breaking off into there parallel rows once more. The cycle repeated itself once more until the crescendo of the piece approached.
Stepping together Hades gently placed his hand on her lower back holding onto her outstretched arm and leading her with the procession of dancers artfully pivoting then around and retracing their steps back to their starting position.
Persephone for a moment let herself dream she was a queen to his king walking a promenade together. His guide was so steady and true she had no fear of stumbling under his care. Glancing up their eyes locked for a moment before they both looked away embarrassed at being caught.
Stepping back to their places they waited their turn before stepping out together for the last time hands intertwined as they turn together slowly heads turned towards one another.
“You look lovely this evening. Dare I say giving the bride a run for her money.”
Persephone shook her head a mischievous smile coming to her lips
“If you actually believe that I dare say you sir are approaching 100% scoundrel. Even Aphrodite will tell you none is as fair as a bride in love on their wedding day.”
Aphrodite whipped her head around staring at both of them with narrowed eyes having heard her name. They had to ignore her burning glare as they struggled to hold in the laughter that threatened to spill free as they returned to their places the song coming to an end.
Hades was certain Kore’s dance card would fill quickly so he moved to ask her for the next dance. Sadly his speed was no match for a certain messenger god. A flash of red and pink slid in his path blocking Kore from his sight.
Hermes beamed at Persephone giving her a deep bow before standing and offering his arm to her.
“Might I have the pleasure of this dance milday?”
Persephone giggled softly behind her hand but quickly sobered up playing along responding with a small curtesy in turn before draping her hand over his offered arm.
“It would be my honor good sir.”
It seemed impossible but Hermes smile grew even wider as he quickly swept her away Persephone turning long enough to give Hades a parting wave which he returned while inside he cursed his lack of haste.
The new music did away with the stiffness of the earlier court dance instead allowing dancers to break off in pairs. It was fast paced dance but with Hermes as ones partner the speed was even more so. She was certain that between the long sweeping strides and the turns they would touch every inch of the dance floor but it was fun. It brought back fond memories of their childhood together and the hours they spent spinning and playing in the wildflower fields.
Hermes had similar thoughts as well but his had long grown up from that of his boyhood. He was besotted with the woman in his arms but fool that he was he never seemed able to put words to those feelings. It seemed a Syphinx had taken possession of his tongue and lacking the answer to its riddle he never could find the right words. He had even tried to dress in a way which showed his favoritism choosing to wear a peachy pink suit with a soft pink button up shirt and floral bow tie.
Spinning together in a turn his winged heels gave them extra lift making Persephone squeal in delight before he set her back to rights and continued the dance back on the ground.
“Has anyone said yet what lovely décolletage you have this evening?”
Persephone blinked at this rather odd question shaking her head no.
“ I can’t say it has come up in any conversations yet.”
Hermes chuckles softly realizing too late how awkward the word sounded coming from him. He really was hopeless.
“Well then you have heard it first from me so don’t go giving any other louse here the credit.”
He winks playfully as mentally he was kicking himself. Hearing her laughter was the only consolation he had for the mess he had put himself into.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Although I dare say I may need ti rest after this dance. You have swept my off my feet. You have improved quite a bit since we were children.”
Putting the cheese on thick he laughed wiggling his eyebrows at her
“In more ways then you know even”
Taking a moment to think through his implied meaning she gasped playfully smacking his arm that lay under her hand.
“You are a wicked impure young man. It seems my mother was right all along.”
Hermes laughed at this statement slowing them down as the song came to its end.
“You know she always worried too much. I am harmless as a fly. Speaking of flies though I believe I owe you a cool beverage. Perhaps if we get to the punch early we will avoid having any in our drink.”
“That sounds marvelous take me away to the refreshments please good sir!”
“As Milday commands so shall it be!”
Weaving there way out of the dance floor as the next song began they arrived at the refreshment table. They lingered for a time drinking and making idle chat as Persephone rested up. Hermes waxed on about his many tales of adventure and mishaps Persephone listening on with mild interest . It really drove home to Persephone how sheltered she had lived under her mother’s thumb. The only clear memories she had of adventures seemed to all include Hermes himself and had often ended in a scolding from her mother. Her head nodded along with Hermes stories as she sipped politely from her cup eyes moving around distractedly to take in the other guests. Seeing a familiar face approaching she smiled waving to him excitedly.
Thanatos has been a tad fashionably late to the reception. One of Poseidon’s newest offspring had been forced upon him following the ceremony and had immediately spit up an nauseating mix of what he could only assume was breast milk and some sort of half digested sea creature. His coat was beyond salvaging but the rest of his attire had survived unscathed. He was left wearing tweed slacks in a light violet color with a matching fitted vest .His pale pink tie was tucked neatly under the vest providing a nice pop of contrast to his ensemble. Making his way towards the refreshment area he was soon sidetracked as he saw Persephone waving at him. Diverting his original path he headed her direction . He knew far to well how Hermes could suck all the oxygen out of the room with his talking so Thanatos decided to rescue the fair princess from his clutches.
“Excuse me Hermes but I think I am going to have to steal the princess away for a twirl.”
Hermes interrupted mid story sputtered for a moment trying to offer a protest but quickly was cut off by Persephone.
“I will catch up with you later Hermes. The dance it calls me!”
Taking Thanatos’ offered arm she lets him lead her out on the dance floor as the song begins to change. Unseen by Kore Hades had been approaching her from behind hoping to steal her away as well but he was thwarted by Thanatos.
As they made it out to the center of the dance floor her spun her out away from him chuckling lightly now that they were out of hearing distance.
“The dance calls you hmm? You are lucky it was Hermes you said that too. He is probably the only male here that would believe something like that.”
Persephone pouted at him slapping his shoulder lightly in retaliation as he pulled her back in.
“Hush, I really did want to dance. Standing still in these heels too long is painful.”
Thanatos lifted up her hand to his lips kissing the back of it.
“Well then let us see how passionate you really are.”
He looked up at her his eyes glowing with challenge and something else she couldnt place. Whatever it was had released an army of butterflies into her belly.
Standing back up he lifts the hand he had kissed with his own keeping their palms pressed closely together as he begins to lead them in a slow spin neither of them breaking eye contact. As he raises his free arm above his head she mimics him like a mirror image lacing their fingers tips together as they move closer together. They continued their slow sway together there pressed together palms trapped between their two bodies. Letting his fingers go she dropped her arm and took the lead from him wrapping her fingers around and lifting their joined hands up high she spun herself his arm.
Not about to be undone he laced their fingers together tighter spinning her back and pulling her too him. Hearing her gasp in surprise he
smirked locking his eyes with her once more. Not giving her time to recover he slid his hand from her grasp before settling both hands around her sides gently lifting her up then slowly lowering her back to her feet her own hands coming to rest on his shoulders barely a breathes width between them now. Sliding his fingertips up her back his right hand cups the back of her head fingers sliding through her wavy styled locks to brush tenderly over her scalp.
Persephone could feel the heat of the blush staining her cheeks but she was long beyond caring. Thanatos was truly a lord of the dance and the way his hands moved over her left her feeling heady and overstimulated. As his fingertips traced up her spin her breathing hitched ever so softly. Feeling his hand cradle her head she predicted his next move and as he leaned in closer she allowed him to dip her sliding her own hand from his shoulder to cup his cheek as their breathes intermingled lips mere centimeters apart.
Time seemed to slow between them as so close together there was no escape their eyes locking them in a world they alone occupied. Their world came crashing back to reality as applause broke out around them and they both realize that the music had long ago ended. Gently lifting her back from the dip he reached up taking the hand cupping his check in his hold.
Thanatos had almost slipped but she had seemed as lost to the passion as himself. He wondered briefly what would have come of it had they given into the passion that had obviously stirred between them. Looking into her eyes he marveled at the swirl of emotions that shone so plainly there. She truly was a wonder. In all his years he had never encountered another like her. She was a goddess ,that should she wish it, would have his devotions daily. Unable to resist the temptation he turned her hand outward pressing a tender kiss into the middle of her palm.
Persephone nearly jumped out her skin at the sound of the applause. She had thought herself blushing before but now she was certain she must be red as a lobster. What had just happened? Almost happened? Had she wanted it to happen? All of these thoughts flew away like a ballon set free when Thanatos hand covered the hand she still had resting against his check. Eyes locking once more she felt as if her face might never go back to its normal coloring. As he turned her palm kissing it she looked on in wonder her chest rising and falling rapidly with the sudden spike in her heartbeat.
Across the room unnoticed by the couple on the dance floor Hades watched as a torrent of emotions brewed inside of him the strongest of them being anger and jealousy. In his distracted state the glass in his hand was crushed the sound of broken glass snapping him out of his haze. Looking down at his now empty fist he opened it letting the remaining glass fall to the ground as a mixture of whisky and blood dripped from his hand.
Poseidon who had been standing beside Hades looked at him and then his hand before looking back to him.
“ Umm bro you’re kinda bleeding all over the place”
Giving Poseidon a look that clearly implied he was an idiot Hades took out his pocket square tying it tightly around his wounded hand.
“Thank you for the astute observation brother. If you will excuse me I need another drink.”
Not giving him the opportunity of a reply he quickly turned and headed back towards the refreshment area determined to drink enough to either get the courage to honestly talk to Kore or worse case forget the chemistry he thought he saw between them .
