Chapter 14

The room seemed to still for a moment, before a gust of wind blew through the hall, and the massive doors swung open. Standing in the doorway was none other than Santa, his belly shaking with laughter, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Well, well, well," he said in a booming voice, "It seems someone has already started the celebration without me!"

Ares let out a shout of excitement, rushing to Santa with a childlike enthusiasm that I never thought I'd see from the god of war. "It's him! It's really him!" he yelled, pointing toward the man in the red suit.

The other children—Zagreus, Melinoe, Apolla, and Artemis—followed suit, crowding around Santa with loud cries of joy. Their laughter filled the air, infectious and pure. Even the more reserved gods like Athena and Poseidon couldn't help but smile, watching the scene unfold. It was a moment so full of life that even I felt the warmth building in my chest. This was Christmas—this was the magic of the season, the joy, the laughter.

Santa smiled, spreading his arms wide. "Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas to all!"

And just like that, the whole room erupted with cheer. Ares, Dionysus, and Hermes began playfully bickering over their gifts, while Poseidon and Aeolus exchanged stories of Christmases past. Even Hestia, who had always been reserved, let out a hearty laugh.

As the celebration grew livelier, Hecate gently pulled me aside, her gaze soft but filled with love. Her presence was like a quiet anchor amidst the joyful chaos that surrounded us, and I welcomed the reprieve. The laughter of my family, the voices of the children playing, and the joy of gift-giving had created an atmosphere of warmth and light, but with her by my side, everything seemed to slow, allowing me to savor the moment.

She smiled at me, her expression full of affection, her dark eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight. "I've got something for you, Hades," she said, her voice low and intimate, just above a whisper. "I was interrupted earlier."

I raised an eyebrow, curious. "A gift?" I asked, though I had already guessed it was something special. She had a way of making every gesture meaningful, every word count.

She nodded, a gentle smile on her lips, and handed me a small, delicately wrapped box. The wrapping was simple, but the care with which it was done spoke volumes. "Open it," she encouraged, her tone a soft invitation.

I took the box from her hands, feeling the weight of it. There was something about the way she handed it to me, something unspoken in the gesture that made my chest tighten with anticipation. I carefully unwrapped the paper, savoring the moment. When the paper fell away, it revealed a beautiful onyx pendant, its smooth surface catching the light, gleaming with an almost ethereal glow.

The pendant was finely carved—etched with intricate details that captured my attention. I traced the designs with my fingers, feeling a connection to it, as if it were a part of me. But what made it even more special was the names engraved on the front. It had the names of my family.

I froze for a moment, the weight of the gesture settling in. My heart stirred in ways I hadn't anticipated. The pendant felt like a bridge, a symbol of something eternal that she had given me—a token of connection, of family, of love.

"I... love it," I whispered, the words carrying more weight than I had expected. I found myself at a loss for anything more to say, the simple truth of the moment overwhelming me. She had thought of me, and my family, in a way that no one ever had. It was the most thoughtful gift I could have received.

Hecate smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling with a quiet satisfaction as she watched my reaction. "I'm glad you like it," she said softly, her voice gentle and sincere. She had always been the one to understand the deeper meanings of things, to know what truly mattered. The pendant was more than just a beautiful piece of jewelry; it was a piece of my heart, a reminder of all the people who mattered most in my life, even the ones who had long passed.

I could feel the emotions rising within me, an unexpected warmth spreading through my chest. I reached out and gently cupped her face in my hands, gazing at her with a tenderness that felt rare, even for me. "Thank you," I murmured, my voice hoarse with gratitude. "This means more to me than I can ever say."

She leaned into my touch, her expression softening even further. "You're welcome," she whispered, her fingers brushing against my hand. "I wanted you to know that you're not alone. You have me... and you have all of us."

I closed my eyes for a moment, letting her words sink in. I hadn't realized how much I needed to hear them, how much I needed her reassurance. With her by my side, I felt a sense of belonging I had never known. The weight of the Underworld, the responsibility that had defined my life for so long, seemed to lift just a little. It wasn't about being a king, or a ruler. It was about being a man, loved and understood.

I pulled her closer, instinctively leaning in to kiss her, my lips brushing against hers in a soft, lingering kiss. "Merry Christmas, Hecate," I whispered against her lips, my voice thick with emotion. "You've given me a gift that will stay with me forever."

"Merry Christmas, Dear," she whispered back, her arms winding around me, holding me close as we shared the warmth of the moment. "I love you."

As we lingered there, the sound of laughter filled the air again. Santa had already begun handing out gifts to the others. Zagreus, recieved a beauiful crafted ring... huh, Apolla also had gotten one that was quite similar. Melinoe and Artemis got two beautiful matching Recurve Bows that they had ran off to try. 

Ares was gifts a toy horse... that looked strangly like Fluttershy. Poseidon got some rare fish that he gushed over. Hera, Hestia and Aphrodite were gifted beautiful dresses. Athena had gotten an owl that she proceded to say was better than Poseidons fish. Demeter got a puppy and Hephestus had gotten a new hammer. Hecate had gotten these three things she had called the Deathly Hallows. 

And as the gifts were exchanged and laughter filled the room, I couldn't help but watch the scene unfold with a sense of awe. Santa, a figure who held such magic in his presence, had somehow brought the gods together in a way nothing else could. It wasn't about the gifts—it was the love, the connection, and the sense of family that filled the air.

The room buzzed with excitement, and as I looked around, I saw Hecate by my side, watching her family with a smile. The children—Zagreus, Melinoe, Apolla, and Artemis—were in their own world, laughing and playing with their new gifts. Santa continued to spread cheer, moving from one god to another, his infectious laughter spreading across the hall.

And as I stood there, my heart swelling with warmth, I realized that for the first time in my life, I didn't feel the weight of the underworld on my shoulders. I didn't feel the isolation that had once defined me. I was surrounded by love, laughter, and family, and in that moment, I truly understood the magic of Christmas.

Hecate gave me a gentle nudge, her eyes sparkling. "Merry Christmas, Hades," she whispered.

"Merry Christmas, my love," I replied, my voice full of tenderness. I pulled her close, feeling her warmth beside me.

As the night wore on, we celebrated together. Gifts were shared, laughter echoed through the halls, and for the first time, I truly felt at peace.

This was Christmas—our Christmas.

And it was perfect.