86: Surprised

Persephone couldn't do this anymore.

She made her decision, and on the same day, she made her decision she told Klein, who understood her and supported her. She is going back to the Underworld.

Now, the Hidden Gardens cannot take care of themselves, so he decided to stay there and take care of them for her, while she stays in the Underworld. He just wished her good luck and helped her pack her things when she asked for his help when she was going to call for Charon, Zagreus appeared. This boy had the best luck a God could have, he always arrived when something was happening or when he was least expected. Zagreus was at first confused, then he deeply happy his mother would come with him back to the Underworld... And then he was sad that Klein wouldn't come with him to the Underworld.

Klein stood back and watched as Charon took both Zagreus as Persephone down the Styx river into the Underworld, interesting was that when Charon's boat was on the water, ge could feel the same energy he felt from the curse albeit different, it was the energy from the Underworld, at that moment the Styx river was part of the Underworld and Zagreus didn't need his help to be alive more than a few seconds.

On the ride back home, Persephone saw her son sad for the first time they met. She smiled warmly and asked: "What happened, Zagreus my son, tell me your worries." Zagreus sighed, he decided to trust his mother's wisdom as he told her: "Mother, I think i have developed feelings for him... Feelings for Klein." He was a little nervous as to how his mother would react, but his worries were met with a smile and an "I know" from his mother. "But what will you do about it?" She asked as Zagreus held his head between his tighs im frustration, with a sigh he said: "I don't know... The only relationship I've ever been on was with Megaera, and it didn't end up well." Persephone nodded and continued to listen to her son.

"And I... I don't know why, but I like him... Is it the fact that he helped you that makes me feel grateful towards him, and the feeling of gratefulness turned into something more, or was simply by looking at his eyes that I fell in love?" Zagreus's question was answered by the blowing winter wind, which he shrugged off the snow from his body. "Well, only you can answer that question, dear," Persephone said. "But there is one thing I am sure of." Zagreus looked at her, her eyes were serious and piercing, it looked like she could see through his soul. "He doesn't love you." Zagreus held his chest, that statement made him feel pain, a pain that was not physical yet felt several times worse than physical pain.

Zagreus didn't know this, but the moment Persephone said Klein did not love him, his eyes shed two tears that were frozen by the cold winter of Demeter. Persephone sighed and touched her son's face, she smiled a little and said: "Dont worry... He doesn't love you yet." Zagreus looked at his mother, she smiled and explained: "He told me he sees you as nothing more than a child, but he also thinks if you are persistent he may one day give you a chance. Be persistent, my Zagreus, if you really love him... Be there, at his side, and he will slowly open to you." Persephone, although a great mother, was not the Goddess of Love so she could not give a 100% foolproof plan in how to make someone fall in love with you at any cost! She went with what she knew could eventually work.

Love is something that is slowly cultivated, Zagreus would need to talk a lot with Klein because the secret to a healthy relationship is communication. They can talk about anything, they don't even have to talk, just by being near him Zagreus would make Klein used to him and when he simply isn't there, it would feel strange to not have him. And then Klein would question himself why he was missing having Zagreus by his side, and maybe realize he has fallen in love with him... Persephone spent the next hours going down the river Styx into the deep Underworld in a complete haze as she made scenarios where Klein and Zagreus would together.

Like sitting below a tree, gazing at the moonlight and stars while playing the harp. Or flying above the clouds, with your beloved at your side! Or even-

Zagreus completely ignored his seagull mother as she squealed incomprehensible noises about him and Klein... Why does he feel suddenly violated!?

-Scene Cuts-

When they arrived at the Underworld, the first thing Persephone did was hug Cerberus and speak to Zagreus. "Oh, dear son, I think he might like Cerberus." Persephone was giving ideas of inviting Klein to a banquet here deeply in the Underworld, Zagreus was somewhat hesitant about that. "You think?" Zagreus spoke with the hope that maybe they could talk about Cerberus if the situation gets awkward, need to have a scapegoat right!? "I am positive he will. He loves animals, especially cute ones. He told me that some years ago." Zagreus smiled and thanked his mother, he already had a gift idea if Klein ever accepts coming to the Underworld, Zagreus just needs to find a Hellhound pup and give it to him, they are especially cute when they are puppies but when they grow up they turn into hideous creatures.

Hades was thoroughly confused and frustrated that he was being completely ignored by both son and mother as they spoke about another man, that by the looks of it was the one that had seduced his son...

Zagreus even went to Achilles to ask him about what Patroclus and he does together, Achilles was more than happy to help and gave him details about activities both would do together such as training, fighting, bathing, killing monsters, more training, eating together, and much more. The training idea was not a bad idea, since Zagreus was sure Klein doesn't use weapons he may be even able to teach him! And he also learned from Persephone that Klein is very good at controlling his Divine Energy. "Oh, also mother, what is his Divinity?" Zagreus was curious about this, he wanted as much information on Klein as possible so he could plan on how to seduce him.

"Oh..." Persephone smiled a little tense. "His Divinity is... [Destruction]."

Zagreus was surprised.