Chapter Text
Zagreus barely dodged the slow traveling orb shot by the Splitter. When he started his security check, he already knew he was being greedy and added too many bounties to the Pact of Punishment. Now here he was, paying for it with literal sweat and blood. Every chamber encounter was a chore to clean up.
The newly spawned Splitters and Exalted didn’t give him much time for regrets though. As they launched another attack, Zagreus did a quick front roll just like Achilles taught him. Once he found a break in the assault, he got on his feet and aimed with Chiron.
If only he could see his own expression as he waited for the shades to be within striking distance. There was a glint in his eyes and a wild grin splitting his face. His heartbeat thrummed in his ears, drowning out all noise. He heard nothing but the sound of adrenaline coursing through his veins.
A Longspear raised his weapon, but before he could bring it down, Zagreus let his arrow fly. The Longspear scattered into dust as the arrow pierced his heart. But Zagreus couldn’t revel in his victory for too long. More Exalted were coming. His father outdid himself this time, summoning so many shades from Erebus just for his little ol’ self. When he meets his father on the surface, he must absolutely remember to thank him.
The twang of his bow, the cries of the shades filled Elysium. As he got into a rhythm, his arm and his body knew its business better than his head did. Achilles’ training and his relentless practice with Skelly came in handy. He didn’t need to think, only react. However, just as he thought he would come out of this chamber unscathed, an Exalted regenerated without his notice. It snuck behind him and dealt a blow.
“Tsch.” Zagreus’ moment of elation vanished into thin air. His heart dropped to the pits of his stomach when heard Than’s keepsake power down. It was the sixth time in row he failed to live up to Than’s expectations and be careful.
“Sorry, Than,” he murmured as he dispatched the last Strongbow with much revulsion.
Finally able to get his breath, Zagreus sighed. His hand came up to thumb across the pierced butterfly pinned to his chiton. A forlorn smile couldn’t help but find its way to the prince’s face as he thought of his cherished friend.
In retrospect, perhaps Than’s keepsake wasn’t the best choice this run… but he missed him. It was hard to keep track of time in the Underworld, but Zagreus was sure it’d been at least a few days since he even caught a glimpse of Death. The last he saw Than was when they confirmed their mutual affection and shared his bed.
He thought things were fine between them. Before Than shifted away, he assured him everything was okay, that things were good. Better than good. Throughout the act, he made sure to ask Than’s consent for every little thing - from simple touches like hand holding to kisses on his lips, his chest… even lower - to the point Than told him to shut up. They giggled and they laughed as they learned each others’ sensitive spots. It was perfect, Zagreus thought. He couldn’t think of a better way to cement their newfound bond and love than through connecting their bodies.
But...what if he made a mistake? He knew Than lacked experience - the other god hinted as much that Zagreus was his first. Not that he was that much more experienced than Than, Megaera being his only other partner. What if he said or did something Than didn’t like? Maybe he came on too strong and Than felt pressured to sleep with him?
It was his fault. After he found out (with some help from Achilles) what he felt for Than went beyond platonic love, he was too excited, too happy to court his longtime friend. The zeal at which he used to escape the Underworld switched its target. For weeks, he was fixated on Than and winning his heart. He was shameless in his pursuit, sought him out at every chance, lavished him with gifts. He could sense Than hesitate at his change in attitude, and given his personality, it was just like him to hedge and weigh every pros and cons to his decision. Despite knowing this, Zagreus kept pushing and pushing him until Than finally lashed out.
But he apologized about the way he confessed, didn’t he? He told him he was willing to wait until Than was ready, no matter how long it took. Than was the one that came to him, the one that took the final step to become lovers…
But what if he read him wrong? What if Than regretted his decision?
Zagreus’ hand moved from the pierced butterfly to unclip Mort from his belt. He held the well worn companion to his forehead and closed his eyes. Sometimes, he felt if concentrated hard enough, he could smell the faint traces of Than. It was a cool, calming aroma of frankincense and laurel leaves. The scent was so much like the owner himself.
Anxiety ate at Zagreus as he pressed Mort closer to him. He wished he could see Than and talk to him, let him assuage the ache in his chest.
“Than,” he whispered his heart’s desire, unknowingly summoning the very person he was thinking of.
In the next instance, ashen green light filled the chamber and a figure emerged from translucent wings. “Miss me?” Than asked, his tone haughty.
“Than!” Zagreus yelled, too surprised and elated at seeing his lover to feel guilty. “Yes! I missed you. I really missed you.”
“Oh…” Not expecting such enthusiasm to his rhetorical question, Thanatos was taken aback. He coughed into his hand and looked away. “Ah...t-that’s good. Well, I don’t have much time to spare. Let’s get this over with.” No sooner did he finish speaking did he realize there were no shades for him to send to their second death.
“Zagreus, what’s this?” There was a sharp edge to his voice. A warning. If the answer was not to his liking, Zagreus might be sent home sooner than expected.
“Ah. It was an accident. I was holding Mort when I said your name. I didn’t mean to summon you...But since you’re here, can we talk?”
Thanatos frowned. “I’m busy, Zag.”
“I know, I know. It’ll be quick, I promise.” Zagreus reached out and lightly tugged at Thanatos’ hand, a silent plea for him to stay.
Death pursed his lips, unhappy to be disrupted from his duties, but also unable to say no to his prince. “Fine.” He stared at the hand holding his wrist and floated a little closer. “You wanted to talk? So talk. What is it?”
Now that he had him here, Zagreus couldn’t help but be nervous. He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to find the right words to his worries. “Than...we’re lovers aren’t we?”
“What?” Than stared at him with wide eyes.
“I-I mean I know we...slept together… but when I said I liked you, I don’t mean as just a bedmate. If I wasn’t clear before, I really like you. As in the death do us part kind of way, as the mortals like to say. Not that we die or anything. B-but if you’re fine with forever...with me, I’d be honored. More than honored. Delighted in fact.” Zagreus chuckled, embarrassed at his own rambling. “Look, I just want to make sure everything is fine between us. I haven’t seen you for days and I haven’t heard you say you like me back. Not! Not that you have to, of course. I don’t want to pressure you. Whenever you’re ready. I just... want to make sure we know where we stand with each other. See, because with Meg, I wanted one thing, but she wanted something else, and that failed spectacularly. I don’t want that to happen with you. You were my friend before my lover. Or I hope you’re my lover. I don’t want to ruin things between us. I’m talking too much aren’t I? I…”
Zagreus finally had the guts to look at Than and gauge his reaction. He hadn’t heard a peep from the other god since he began his spiel. “Are...are you blushing?!” Zag couldn’t keep the shock from his voice.
An unmistakable golden flush painted Than’s cheeks. After Zagreus blatantly pointed it out, it only deepened in color and even reached all the way to his ears.
“No! I’m not!” Thanatos yelled in denial.
Before Zagreus could stop him, Thanatos quickly shifted away, leaving the flabbergasted prince alone in the quiet chamber.
Zagreus couldn’t believe it. He stared at the empty space where Thanatos once stood.
“Ugh. Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why’d I say that? Of course he’d get embarrassed and run away!” After collecting his thoughts, he berated himself. Now that he scared him off, he doesn’t know when Than will next appear. It could be hours, days, even weeks before he sees him again.
Zagreus spent a good amount of wrecking his father’s regenerating chamber and cursing himself before he finally decided to move on. Using his anger to fuel him, he made quick work of the shades blocking his way and claimed the boon from Lord Hermes.
“What did you say to Thanatos, boss? I just ran into the guy and he was practically glowing, ” the fast talking god was eager to spill the gossip. He spoke even faster than normal. “You know how I said he was almost smiling last time when he spoke about you? This time I am sure I saw him smiling when your name came up. Or maybe it’s because he enjoyed reaping the poor gutted soldier’s soul? Hard to tell with him. A bit creepy if true. No, I’m sure it’s because your name came up. Usually he’d tell me to be quiet because I talk too much, but he didn’t say it this time! Looked like he kept wanting me to talk about you. Never saw him blush like that. Kind of cute. Don’t tell him I said that.”
Hermes shoved the boon at Zagreus and flitted off to wherever he fancied.
Zagreus stood staring at nothing yet again, but the feeling and situation was different. It started small - just a tickle in his chest. Then his whole body shook as uncontrollable laughter overtook him. He sat down, running his hand through his hair as he waited for his merriment and relief to subside.
Cute. A shy Thanatos was devastatingly cute. Zagreus only wished he could see it himself.
He removed Mort from his belt once again, and placed a kiss on it.
Zagreus couldn’t wait to see him. Maybe a little teasing wouldn't be so bad after all.