[Third Person's PoV]
Medusa shuffled out of her room within the sprawling halls of Midnight Castle, her robe wrapped lazily around her body. Her usually well-coiled hair was an untamed mess of serpentine locks, hissing quietly in protest as they woke with her. Her eyes remained half-lidded, a fog of sleep still clinging to her mind like cobwebs as she padded barefoot down the dimly lit corridor toward the kitchen. The morning air was cold, and she let out a small sigh, clutching her robe tighter.
The promise of coffee was the only thing coaxing her forward.
As she entered the kitchen, the first thing she noticed wasn't the smell of brewed beans or the soft glow of the enchanted lanterns that flickered to life with her presence—it was a peculiar red shape sitting on the marble counter. A box. Not just any box, but one molded in the shape of a heart and adorned with a neatly tied ribbon. A tag dangled from the side like an invitation.
She squinted at it, slowly blinking as her sluggish mind tried to comprehend what she was seeing.
Curious, she stepped closer, the chill of the stone floor forgotten. The tag read, in elegant cursive: To my Favorite Godmother, from your Favorite Godson. Happy Valentine's Day!
Her lips parted into a small but genuine smile. She reached for the tag and turned it over. On the back was a printed cartoon chibi version of Lucian—his oversized head sported an impish grin, one hand resting on his hip, the other by his lips as he blew an exaggerated kiss. A floating heart hovered nearby.
Medusa couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head fondly. "That little rascal…" she murmured.
Untying the ribbon, she opened the box to find perfectly arranged rows of chocolates, each one delicately molded and glistening slightly from a sugary coating. She plucked one from the edge, popped it into her mouth, and let out a soft, surprised hum. "How sweet of him… literally."
---
Meanwhile, in the Underworld…
The ominous silence of the throne room was suddenly pierced by a gleeful voice.
"Lucian sent over gifts!!" Medea announced, floating into the chamber with an armful of oversized gift baskets. Her eyes sparkled, her smile stretching ear to ear as she hovered triumphantly before the royal thrones.
Persephone immediately perked up. The Queen of the Underworld sat up straighter, her expression glowing with excitement at the sight of the colorful baskets and frilly bows.
"Really? For us?" she exclaimed with delight, rising halfway from her throne. Her long gown trailed behind her like soft waves.
Medea floated forward and looked over the tags. "Let's see… This one's for you!"
Persephone nearly squealed. "Goodies! Gimme!" she said, bouncing in place as she accepted the basket and sat back down, already peeking inside.
She crossed her legs and set the basket on her lap, humming to herself as she dug through the treats like a child during a festival.
Hades, seated beside her, didn't share her enthusiasm. He leaned on one elbow, his eyes narrowing as he observed the display. A twitch formed at the edge of his brow. A vein pulsed at his temple.
'Did that brat really just send my wife a gift on Valentine's Day?! The day mortals celebrate love?! Is he trying to die?!'
He remained frozen as Persephone selected a chocolate, popped it into her mouth, and visibly melted with delight.
"Soooo gooooood," she moaned, placing both hands to her cheeks, swaying her body slightly in bliss.
The pressure in Hades' temples doubled. His glare could've cracked obsidian.
Then Medea, still grinning, reached into her own basket and pulled out a sealed envelope. "Oh, and Lucian also sent a letter for you."
"What?" Hades growled, his eyes snapping toward her. He snatched the envelope from her hand, shredded it open, and read.
'Dear Honorable Father,
As I'm a generous and filial son, I've taken it upon myself to offer you some much-needed advice on how to be a phenomenal husband—'
The parchment crinkled in Hades' fist, his knuckles whitening as rage crawled up his spine.
'—Women adore it when their partners take initiative to show love and appreciation, especially on days like this. Sitting around, on your royal rear, doing nothing makes it seem like you don't care, even if we both know you do. Big gesture or small, it's the thought that counts. And hey, if you're lucky, she might reward you with a kiss. Just saying.
By the Shadow and Darkness – Your son, Lucian.'
The letter burst into green flames in his hands, disintegrating into glowing ash that drifted through the air.
Hades turned to look at Persephone again, watching quietly as she giggled and sifted through her gift basket like a child unwrapping birthday presents. Her joy was radiant—she held up a bundle of sweets and excitedly showed them to Medea, who leaned in with a grin.
Hades stared at his wife's smile longer than he intended to. That glow… that happiness… when had he last seen her light up like this?
He sighed softly.
Then, with a single step forward, green flames spiraled up his body like a rising tide. In a flash, they dissipated, revealing him now dressed in a sleek, shadow-black three-piece suit that shimmered faintly with silver threading. His collar was sharp, his tie perfectly knotted. He looked regal. Commanding.
Persephone blinked, surprised. "Where are you going?" she asked, curiosity laced in her voice.
Hades exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm… taking you out today," he said, his voice dropping into something softer—warmer. "A date. Just the two of us. I feel like it's been far too long. And I… I want to treat you today."
Persephone froze.
Her mouth dropped open slightly, her eyes wide and beginning to glisten. "Seriously?" she asked breathlessly, placing the basket by the armrest and standing up. "You're not just messing with me?"
"Of course not," Hades replied, trying to maintain his usual cool demeanor despite the heat creeping to his ears. "Isn't today the day mortals celebrate love? I may not be mortal… but neither is my love. And if this day is meant to honor love, then I'll honor you."
His words dripped with dark elegance, yet the sincerity in them left no room for doubt.
Persephone giggled like a lovestruck maiden, then leaned up and kissed him quickly on the cheek. "Let me go get ready~ Hehehe!" she sang out, practically dancing down the throne room steps.
Lifting the edge of her flowing dress with both hands, she skipped away in a flurry of laughter and joy.
Hades touched the spot on his cheek where she kissed him. A rare smile curled his lips.
'…I should reward him,' he thought, Lucian's letter echoing in his mind.
Medea stood nearby, watching the entire exchange with an arched brow and a knowing smirk, already knowing exactly who to thank for the moment.
---
Later that evening…
Annabeth sat comfortably on her bunk bed, flipping through a thick book. Her dormmates were sprawled across the room, sitting on their beds and beanbags, chatting about crushes, unspoken feelings, and the eternal fear of rejection.
"So… how did you and Lucian get together, Annabeth?" one of the girls asked curiously, her head resting on her pillow.
Annabeth looked up from her book with a calm expression and said without a hint of hesitation, "Oh, simple. I pushed him down and had my way with him."
There was a beat of stunned silence.
All three girls stared at her, jaws slowly dropping.
"You did wha—" one girl began, but her sentence was cut short as something in her peripheral vision made her yelp.
She turned her head just in time to see a figure hanging outside the window—Lucian. Balanced on the narrow ledge of the fourth floor, a red rose between his teeth, he waved dramatically with one hand.
"AAAAHHHH!!" she screamed, scrambling backward in a panic. Her roommates jumped in alarm, following her gaze in disbelief.
Annabeth, entirely unfazed, closed her book and hopped off her bed with a smirk. She sauntered to the window and flung it open.
"My Juliet~" Lucian cooed, his voice muffled by the rose.
"Oh my Romeo~" Annabeth answered in kind, resting her chin in her hand. "That rose wouldn't happen to be for me, would it?"
"But of course, my Juliet~" he replied smoothly. "Only a beauty such as yourself deserves a rose plucked from the gardens of Elysium."
She giggled, accepting the rose and giving it a playful sniff before tucking it behind her ear.
One roommate stared, eyes wide. "Lucian… we're on the fourth floor… How did you even climb up here?!"
Lucian gave her a dramatic, dead-serious look and held up a thumbs-up. "With the power of love and determination."
Another girl glared. "What if we were changing?!"
Lucian shrugged, smirking. "Then I would've gotten a free show—ACK!"
Annabeth smacked him on the head, rolling her eyes.
"I was joking…" he muttered, rubbing his skull.
Lucian hoisted himself through the window with practiced ease, landing lightly inside the girls' dorm. "I hope you lovely ladies don't mind if I steal Annabeth away for the night?" he asked with exaggerated politeness.
The three dormmates exchanged weary looks before replying in unison, "Take her…"
"Thank you kindly," Lucian grinned, walking over and crouching slightly. Annabeth hopped on his back without hesitation.
"I'll bring back treats for your loneliness," he called out as he climbed out the window, Annabeth laughing gleefully as they vanished downwards.
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