Chapter 1: A New Hero
Summary:
I put up a rough version of a painting I'm working on for this chapter because I'm too impatient to wait until it's finished lol. I'll let you know in the chapter notes when I finish and update it. (Yes, I just figured out I painted his hand backwards. Oops. It's human error not AI, because I'm a dummy about where the damn fingers go sometimes too lol)
EDIT 5/31/25: Finished painting is up now!
6/10/25: Fixed the descendants' names to better fit within Greek mythology.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
BACK TO THE WATER
WILL OF A GOD PART II
Chapter 1
A New Hero
Hermes caught his eight year old child with a grin and swung them around. “Welcome back, Herelope. We missed you.”
Odysseus hauled the child into his arms and kissed their face until they giggled and squirmed away. “How was your trip, darling?”
“I had lots of fun, Daddy! Uncle Ares showed me all kinds of neat tricks.”
“Did he?” Apollo smiled and held open his arms. “You'll have to show us everything you learned then.”
Herelope squealed in delight and jumped right out of Odysseus’ arms and into Apollo’s. The child couldn't quite fly like Hermes, but they had incredible speed and leaping ability. Their athleticism and Odysseus’ strength in them had drawn Ares’ eye, and he had taken Herelope on as an apprentice. Herelope loved his uncle Ares dearly, and yet, it was always Apollo who got the brightest smile and the happiest giggle out of them.
“I missed you, sweetheart.” Apollo kissed their cheeks and hugged them tight.
“I missed you, too,” Herelope murmured. “I missed you most.”
Odysseus raised an eyebrow at Hermes. Hermes shrugged and gave Odysseus a mock sigh. “Our youngest child has decided we're only second-rate parents. Oh well. I guess we're just going to have to try for another soon.”
“Papa!” Herelope's chiding tone made Odysseus struggle to keep a straight face.
“So I heard. Apparently, we're only almost as good as Apollo.”
“Daddy! You know what I meant!”
Hermes and Odysseus broke into soft laughter.
“We're only teasing, love.” Hermes kissed Herelope's cheek. “We know you love us, you just love Apollo a little bit more.”
Herelope huffed. “I do not!”
Apollo made a sad face. “You don't?”
Herelope made a sound of dismay. “Don't cry, Apollo! I love you most of everyone, the same as I love Papa and Daddy.” They frowned. “It's different too though.”
“That's all right, Heré.” Odysseus ruffled their hair. “We're only teasing. We know you love us.” He rubbed the child's back. “So what did Ares teach you, love?”
“He taught me to throw a dick!”
Odysseus and Hermes choked and sputtered, struggling not to laugh. Apollo covered his face with his hand.
Ares groaned and walked up beside Odysseus. “A discus, Heré! Discus. That's a very important distinction.”
Hermes covered a half-hysterical laugh with a coughing fit. Odysseus stayed stoic, but only because he was laughing like a hyena in Hermes’ head.
“Dear gods, Heré.” Apollo lost his composure and buried a snort in his hands, and that set all the adults laughing. Hermes couldn't breathe. Gods.
Herelope frowned from Apollo's arms. “What's so funny?”
Odysseus wiped tears from his cheeks. “Honey, ‘dick’ is a rather rude word that refers to a penis. That's why we're all giggling—it was funny to imagine you tossing a penis across the arena.”
“Ten points if it smacks the bullseye,” Ares muttered, “twenty if it flops the point-counter in the face on the way down.”
Everyone giggled at that.
Once the laughter quieted down, Herelope jumped from Apollo's arms to Hermes’. “Papa, I… don't think I like my girl parts.”
“Hm? Are you trying to tell us you don't want them anymore?”
“I can get rid of them?”
“There are surgeries, love,” said Odysseus, “but they're dangerous even for gods. Is it really that you want to be rid of your female parts, or do you just want to be a boy?”
“I am a boy,” Herelope said in a quiet voice. “But I don't look like one.”
“Sweetheart,” said Hermes in a gentle voice, “even if you had been born with no boy parts at all, you can still be a boy, and you don't have to change anything about your body to do it.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Gods have some ability to alter their features,” said Apollo. “Especially gods like Hermes. We can shift sexes if we choose to, and that can help us feel more confident, if our bodies match our perception of ourselves, but you don't have to have a boy's body to be a boy. That's something you choose in your heart, though many people will try to tell you that's not true.”
“So I can be a boy even though I still have some girl parts?”
“Of course, sweetheart.” Odysseus ruffled Herelope's hair. “Do you want us to call you a boy from now on?”
“Yes. I feel better like that.”
“All right then.” Hermes kissed his cheek. “Welcome home, my son.”
Odysseus hugged them both. “Our son. Telemachus will be so happy to have a little brother.”
Herelope sniffled and hugged them both, tears rolling down his face. “You're the best dads ever.”
Hermes kissed his hair and held him against his shoulder. Apollo and Ares gave them soft smiles and squeezed Herelope's shoulders.
“Welcome home, sweet boy,” said Apollo.
“I'm proud to have my nephew as my apprentice.” Ares ruffled Herelope's hair. “Welcome home, Heré.”
Herelope sniffled and squeezed his hand, then gave Odysseus a worried look. “Dad, do you think Mama knows?”
Odysseus rubbed his boy's cheek. “I think she's walking with us and cheering. I think she's so proud of you, like we are. I think she loves her second son as much as her first.”
“She does,” Hermes said, his heart overflowing and his eyes welling. “Can you sense her? She's right here with us, telling you she loves you and she's glad to have another son, and to share part of her name with you.”
Herelope hugged his parents. “I love you too, Mama.”
Odysseus kissed his hair and held Hermes close to his heart, and Hermes took comfort in the warmth of their love.
“Hey, Dad! We're home!”
Herelope, now sixteen and fresh from his latest voyage with Ares, Athena, and his big sister, Orimene, waved from the pier. Odysseus greeted his youngest children with a wave and a smile. Gods, how he had missed his babies.
Hermes waved, then raced onto deck and scooped both of his children onto his shoulders. Orimene and Herelope giggled, and Hermes raced them to Odysseus’ side.
Apollo met him there, his smile soft and bright. “Hello, kids. Did you have a good trip?”
Herelope grinned. “Apollo! Catch!” He jumped out of Hermes' grip and landed in Apollo's arms. “Hi! I really missed your beautiful face out there.”
Pink dusted Apollo's nose and ears. He held Herelope tightly and kissed his cheek. “I missed you, too, sweetheart.”
Hermes huffed. “How is he always here right on time?”
“God of prophecy, love.” Odysseus helped Orimene down, and she gave her fathers a hug.
“Well, I won't forget to greet you.”
Odysseus gave a wry laugh. Herelope was already deep in conversation with Apollo.
“Makes you feel a bit redundant, hm?”
Hermes huffed. “I gave birth to him, and he's stuck on Apollo.”
Odysseus chuckled. “All little boys must grow up someday.”
“Not yet,” Hermes whispered.
Odysseus kissed his temple. “Hm. Maybe it's time to start thinking of having another, if you feel this way.”
Hermes grimaced. “Maybe if you carry them.”
“I would if I could, darling.”
Orimene gave Hermes a piercing look. Hermes winced and turned away.
“I… Odysseus, I….” His lower lip trembled and his shoulders slumped. “Well, I'll do it when Herelope is an adult. Not now.”
Orimene sighed and rubbed Hermes’ shoulders. “Someday, Papa.”
Hermes murmured, “Forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive.”
Odysseus had the distinct feeling that he had missed something.
“Hermes? Are you okay, love?”
Hermes gave him a wan smile. “Just missing my baby, I suppose.”
Odysseus hugged his shoulders. “We'll have another as soon as you're ready. For now, I think we should talk about the one we have already while he's distracted, and while Apollo is, too.”
Orimene snorted. “Apollo, god of prophecy or not, still hasn't caught a clue. Heré, on the other hand….”
Odysseus watched Herelope gesture and bounce around as he told Apollo a story. “Yes, I see.”
Ares stepped into place beside Odysseus. “Hello, brother. All is well in Ithaca?”
“We would have called you back if it wasn't.” Hermes frowned at Apollo. “By the gods, Heré, you couldn't have chosen a simpler suitor?”
“Simple?” Orimene gave her father a perplexed look. “You want him to choose a fool?”
Athena moved into place beside her. “I think, my friend, Hermes is referring to Apollo's trauma, not his intelligence.”
“It concerns me, too.” Odysseus shook his head grimly. “He's never forgiven himself for Kassandra. I fear, when he finally catches on to how Heré feels, he won't welcome it.”
“He won't want to hurt Heré,” said Hermes with a sigh. “So he'll probably panic and run away and do exactly that.”
“How is Kassandra anyway?” Ares frowned at the boy and the god. “Does anyone know if her spirit still blames Apollo for her pain? If not, perhaps that knowledge might heal him.”
Hermes winced. “We'll have to ask Hades. Odysseus and I cannot go to the Underworld now.”
“You can't?” Ares grimaced. “Ah. Penelope. Of course.”
Hermes shuddered and pressed closer to Odysseus. “To see her like that would destroy us both.”
Odysseus held Hermes’ shoulders. “We will ask Hades when he next visits, but, in the meantime, what do we do about Heré?”
Hermes shook his head. “I don't think there's much we can do besides try to build Apollo's self-confidence and prepare for the fallout if that falls through.”
Odysseus sighed. “I wish I could fix it, but I think you're right. I just hope we can heal them and help them understand each other when it happens.”
“We'll do our best, love.” Hermes leaned against Odysseus’ side. “In the end, that's all we can do.”
Odysseus nodded and held him closer. “Oh, my brother. How I wish you could see yourself as we see you.”
He kissed Hermes’ hair and led them on toward the castle.
Persepolis accepted the crown from his father with a stately bow. Now forty-five, he was well-suited to lead and experienced enough to do it well. Telemachus, however, was sixty-seven, and his health had begun to decline.
Odysseus dreaded the day when his son's gentle, loving heart would beat no longer. They had little time, he feared. Nausicaa, Telemachus’ wife, had already gone on the year before. Odysseus missed her dearly, and Telemachus’ smile held more pain than joy now.
Odysseus wished he knew how to save them all.
“Well now,” said Hermes with a glint of gold at the corners of his eyes, “is this a coronation or a funeral? Where's the music?”
Apollo chuckled. “I can provide some, if you like.”
“Oh no.” Herelope, now twenty and a fully-grown man, stood and took his hands. “You're going to be busy dancing with me.”
Apollo's face flushed, and a flicker of understanding crossed his face. “I am?”
“Of course!” Herelope grinned at Daphne's youngest daughter, Maderes, a prodigy on the lyre and one of his friends. “You can play for us this time, hm?”
The girl hesitated. “I suppose so, if Apollo really doesn't mind.”
“I….” Apollo watched Herelope nervously. “I suppose.”
Herelope's eyes filled with pain. “Ah. If you don't want to, I won't force you.” He gave Maderes a brave attempt at a grin. “Guess I botched that, hm?”
Maderes sighed and took out her lute. “I'll play, since Apollo isn't sure about it. But someone else will have to sing.”
“I guess I can, since it seems like I won't be dancing after all.” Herelope sat by his friend, his eyes downcast and his smile fragile and full of hurt.
Odysseus stepped toward him, aching to take the pain from his baby's heart, but Hermes eased him back and shook his head.
“He won't appreciate us making his hurt obvious when he's trying so hard to keep it from Apollo.”
Odysseus looked away. “I don't like this.”
"I know."
Even as Herelope's clear contralto wove intricate harmonies with Maderes’ lyre, and Orimene joined in out of solidarity, her mezzo not as clear as her brother's, but still full and rich enough to fill the hall with music, his heart broke every time Herelope's breath stuttered or his voice warbled.
Apollo watched with grief and guilt in his eyes. At the end of the song, he asked one of the women under his tutelage to take over and swept Herelope into his arms. He danced with the boy and laughed and smiled along with everyone else, but his eyes couldn't conceal the pain he covered with a smile.
Apollo knew now, and that could only mean more trouble for Herelope later.
Hermes took his husband's hand and shifted his clothing into his favorite dancing outfit—the violet, red, and golden silks Penelope had chosen for him years ago. Seeing Hermes dance in them made them both feel as though their wife was dancing beside them, happy and youthful and free once more. Odysseus knew she was, at least in spirit. Hades had confirmed that she either stayed by their children or with Odysseus and Hermes. It gave them some comfort, though they still missed her dearly.
Hermes lifted Odysseus’ chin. “Eyes on me, darling. It's a happy occasion, and our grandson deserves our joy.”
Odysseus kissed him lightly. “Thank you, Hermes.”
“Don't thank me, dance with me. Show me that grace you learned on the sea.”
“Hm. Very well.”
Odysseus shifted his clothing to complement Hermes’ outfit—a black form-fitting bodysuit trimmed in gold with sheer, flowing pant legs and one shoulder and side of his chest left bare. He chose violet, crimson, and gold silks to wrap around his shoulders and hips and let his long hair loose. Charmed bangles and medallion belts over his body caught the light with his movements, and a flick of his wrist lined his eyes in kohl.
Hermes’ eyes burned. “Gods, Odysseus.”
“A beautiful dancer deserves a beautiful partner, yes?”
Hermes beamed and took his hands. The next instant, they were dancing on air, their feet light and their movements flowing and graceful. Odysseus lifted Hermes into the air and carried him through a complex dance he had learned especially for his flying, lightweight partner. Hermes laughed in delight and flew with him.
Before long, they had the entire gathering captivated.
“Dad,” Telemachus said with a grin, “I didn't know you could move like that.”
“Thank your mother and your papa,” Odysseus muttered. “It took both to drill it into me.”
Hermes giggled. “This is all you, darling.” He leaned over Odysseus’ shoulder, his ankle held in Odysseus’ other hand and his arms draped down his chest. “We do look fantastic together, though.”
“Hm.” Odysseus swung him around so he lay across his thigh, his legs pointed above their heads. “We do.”
Odysseus let the music sweep him away and led his husband in a flowing, acrobatic dance only Hermes and Odysseus could do. Odysseus’ incredible strength and fluidity of movement complimented Hermes’ flight, speed, and natural grace. They flowed together with the ease of seventy years of love and close bonds between them.
Odysseus loved him more with every day.
The song ended, and Odysseus twirled his husband back into his arms. Hermes’ eyes sparkled and his smile glowed.
“You're so beautiful, my love.”
“Funny, I was thinking the same about you.”
Odysseus chuckled and pulled him into a soft kiss.
Applause broke out everywhere.
Persepolis hugged them both. “Grandfather, Grandpa, that was a wonderful dance.”
“Thank you.” Odysseus kissed his cheek. “Go enjoy the celebration, love. This is your day.”
“I thought I should thank you, since you were acting as performers.”
“Ah. Well done. That was really just your grandpa's flamboyant streak acting up, though.”
“Darling,” said an amused Hermes, “have you seen yourself lately?”
Odysseus chuckled and scooped Hermes against his side.
“Dad! Papa!” Herelope squeezed through the crowd and hugged Odysseus, Hermes, and Persepolis. “That was great! Can you teach me?”
Odysseus glanced to Apollo, who was playing his aulos and staring into space, his expression troubled.
“I'd be happy to, but you'll need an outfit for dancing. Chitons leave you a bit too much on display, if you understand.”
Herelope grimaced. “Ugh. Can you fix me then?”
“I've got it, love.” Hermes shifted Herelope's formal xystis into a black bodysuit lined with gold, like his father's, though with both sides of his chest covered to hide his chest binding cloth. Dark blue sheers flowed over his legs. Another flick draped indigo, silver, and sky blue silks around his hips and over his shoulders, bangles around his wrists and ankles, and a silver medallion belt at his waist. Hermes finished the look with kohl around his eyes and a hint of color on his lips, just enough to bring out his natural beauty without making him look too feminine.
“There you are, love.” Hermes smirked. “That should get a certain broody god's attention.”
Herelope gave a wan chuckle. “Maybe.”
Odysseus took his hand. “Come, and I'll help you learn to fly like your papa.”
Herelope's smile brightened. “Yes! Let's go!”
Odysseus chuckled and started his lesson by teaching him to spin.
As Hermes predicted, Apollo couldn't keep his eyes off of Herelope for long. And yet, the tension and worry in his expression only increased with every passing moment.
Overcoming Apollo's fears would not be so simple.
As the night went on, Odysseus kept one eye on his youngest son. He had a strong feeling that Apollo's fears would get the better of him sooner rather than later. And so, when he saw Herelope grip Apollo's hands, his face full of honest emotion and tears, when he saw Apollo shake his head and step away, his grief and terror written all over his face, he knew the boy had confessed and been refused. Herelope's form slumped, and pink, glowing tears dripped from his chin.
Hermes made a soft sound of dismay. “Oh, Apollo, no.”
Odysseus pressed him into his arms. They were just close enough to hear Herelope's desolate, broken reply.
“I don't understand. I thought you loved me, too. I thought—”
Apollo flinched. “Heré, no. No, I can't—you don't want me. You don't—it’s only a phase, Herelope. You'll be fine.”
Herelope lifted his chin, and a faint glow lit his eyes. “Call me a child if it makes you feel better. Tell me you're unsuitable if you must. I don't believe you, but that's your opinion. But don't you dare try to tell me what I feel for you isn't real.” He turned away and pressed his hand over his face. “You don't know how deep it runs or how long I've wanted this. It's no phase. I've loved you all of my life, and that will never change, no matter how much you try to push the truth away.”
“Herelope, you'll find someone else. You deserve happiness.”
“And you, Apollo?” Herelope held his gaze. “Don't you also deserve to be happy?”
Apollo gave a broken whimper and vanished into thin air. Herelope stared at the spot he had stood, gave one shattered sob, and dropped to his knees.
“I don't understand, Apollo. Why?”
Hermes and Odysseus rushed to hug their baby. Odysseus cradled him against his chest and tucked his boy's head under his chin, comforting him with the warmth and strength of his form.
“Oh, honey.” Hermes stroked Herelope's hair. “I'm so sorry.”
“Why?” Herelope gave Hermes a pleading look. “What did I do wrong?”
Odysseus squeezed him tighter. “Nothing, son. This is a problem in Apollo, not you.”
Hermes sighed. “Ares?”
The god of war responded to his call and appeared next to Hermes. “Oh. Heré?” Ares sighed and rubbed the boy's back. “He told Apollo, didn't he?”
“Yes.” Odysseus eased Herelope into Ares’ care instead. “Look after him. Hermes and I will try to set Apollo straight.”
Herelope winced. “Dad, Papa, don't hurt him. Please.”
Odysseus kissed his temple. “We love Apollo too, sweetheart.”
“We're just going to talk.” Hermes tipped Herelope's chin up. “Don't despair, sweetheart. Let your uncle take care of you for now, and Odysseus and I will take care of Apollo. Maybe, together, we can work this out.”
Herelope sniffled, and Ares tucked him into his arms.
“I have him, boys. Good luck.”
“Thank you.” Even as Odysseus leaned into his husband's powers to make himself light enough for Hermes to carry, he kept it to himself that they would probably need every ounce of luck they could get to pull Apollo's head out of the past.
“Don't give up before we've started.”
Odysseus wrapped his arms around his husband's neck. “All right. Let's go, love.”
Hermes let out his wings and took to the air. Odysseus clung to his neck and closed his eyes against the wind.
‘Hold on, brother. We will help you understand, somehow.’
Notes:
Chapter 1, where Hermes and Odysseus wingman for their son to get him together with his half-uncle, because this is Ancient Greece, and no one gives af. 😅
Chapter 2: Past and Future
Summary:
More Iliad lore to deal with Apollo's trauma.
Chapter Text
Chapter 2
Past and Future
Odysseus and Hermes found Apollo pacing before his one-time home, expression tormented and tears running down his face.
Hermes hugged him fiercely. “Apollo, shh. We're here. It's all right.”
Apollo broke down. “I'm so sorry. I never meant to—I swear, I didn't know, Hermes.”
Odysseus sighed and rubbed his hair. “We know, brother.”
Apollo flinched hard. “I'm sorry! I didn't—I won't—”
“The hell you won't.” Hermes held Apollo's shoulders and lifted his chin. “Herelope needs you, Apollo. Do you really want to leave him to suffer?”
“But….” Apollo gave them a lost look. “I don't want to hurt him.”
“Then come home and tell him you didn't run off because you don't want him, because he's devastated, thinking he did something wrong.”
Apollo's eyes welled. “You really want me to…? But he's your son!”
“And?” Hermes tugged Apollo into a hug. “We're gods, remember? Yes, he's much, much younger, but we're immortal, Apollo. And he's mature enough to make his own decisions.”
Apollo winced. “I don't want to hurt him, nor you. I-I'm still so—are you sure, brothers? He could find someone younger, someone undamaged.”
Odysseus took his hand. “He wants you, flaws and all.”
Apollo flinched. “But—”
“No,” said Hermes in a firm tone. “All of these things that scare you—you should talk about them with Herelope and work them out between you. What's really important right now is only one question: do you love him?”
Apollo opened his mouth—
“I'll remind you I'm the god of lies, so if you even think of being dishonest to spare him or some other self-sacrificing stupidity, I will know.”
Odysseus snorted. “Yes, he will. Can't even surprise him.”
Hermes smirked. “I play along. Sometimes.”
“Yes, I know.” Odysseus gave Apollo a gentle smile. “Apollo, you didn't really think the infamous trickster king and the Messenger god would miss the signs all this time, did you?”
Apollo's face flushed. “I didn't even know, Odysseus. I couldn’t realize I was being so obvious if I didn't even know I was….”
Odysseus squeezed his hands. “Falling in love?”
“I… am I?”
“Oh, darling, you're blatantly in love.” Hermes giggled. “You're the only one who didn't know!”
“We saw this crisis coming, too.” Odysseus rubbed Apollo's back and traced through the ends of his hair. “Brother, why are you so afraid to love him? Is he not strong enough for you? Beautiful? Intelligent? Kind?”
Apollo flinched. “He is all of that and more. I just don't want to hurt him.”
“This isn't about Herelope. It's about Kassandra, even now.” Hermes sat beside Apollo and rubbed his back. “Brother, I have a little confession to make.”
“Hm?”
“I know you said not to, but we might have taken matters into our own hands and asked Hades how she and her family are doing as soon as we realized the bond between you was likely going to cause problems for Herelope.”
Apollo grimaced. “I don't want to trouble her.”
“That's just it, Apollo. We didn't actually bother her. Turns out Hades had been trying to work out how to bring her up to us for decades anyway.”
Apollo dropped his head. “Oh.”
Odysseus kept his voice soft and gentle. “It's not what you think. Kassandra is dead, Apollo, and, with her death and the fall of Troy, the curse over her broke. She was vindicated, and her family asked her forgiveness for ignoring her warnings. And Kassandra told them the truth, that they couldn't help but ignore her because you had cursed her.”
Tears slid down Apollo's face. “I'm so sorry. If I could take it back….”
“We know, brother.” Hermes took his hand. “And so do they.”
Apollo looked up. “What? But I have asked no message to be taken to them, nor have I tried to disturb them. How would they know?”
“You can thank Tiresias for that.” Odysseus hugged Apollo's shoulders. “Kassandra's family were angry at you, at first, and they blamed the downfall of Troy upon you—but they did so in front of Tiresias, and he set them all straight.”
Hermes snorted. “In a manner of speaking. He told them that they could hardly blame you for their downfall when you had warned them that continuing to hold Helen against her will would see them all killed before the end of the next season. They couldn't blame you, when you told Paris the cost of his crime, and he still chose to keep Helen for himself. And then, Helen punched him straight in the mouth.”
Apollo gasped. “She attacked Tiresias?”
“Gods, no,” said Hermes. “She attacked Paris! She told him she had wanted to do that for decades, and now that she and her true husband were dead, and they had verifiable confirmation that everything that had happened to them was Paris’ fault, he no longer had anything to hold over her head. Paris just stared at her like an idiot. So she kicked him in the balls, too, and told him that was for blaming another innocent soul for his inability to understand the word ‘no!’”
Odysseus snorted. “And then Tiresias really rubbed it in. He said ‘It's shameful when even a blind man can see the truth better than a supposed prince and heir of Troy. And also when a hard boot is coming into range of his masculine parts.’”
Apollo snickered. “I would have paid to see that.”
“It's why we made a point to remember it,” said Hermes with a giggle, “and why Hades made a point to tell us.”
Odysseus chuckled and rubbed Apollo's back. “The truth is, they are all angry at the one who actually deserves the blame now. They don't even blame us, though Hector doesn't understand why I had to….” Odysseus shuddered and wiped his eyes. “Few things haunt me as much from that journey as having to kill his little son. Gods, I begged to raise him as my own. I begged Zeus to spare him any way possible. But, in the end, it came down to the lives of everyone I love versus his, and I….”
“You made a terrible choice to spare your family.” Apollo squeezed Odysseus’ hand. “It was truly Father's fault, not yours. If he had wanted to, he could have helped you teach the boy why Troy fell. And we could have loved him enough. Honesty, I think, might have made the difference for us all, especially since you are no longer mortal, but once again, Father cornered you and forced you to do terrible things for his own amusement.”
Hermes gave a bitter huff. “He knew, didn't he? That Ody would be immortal by the time the baby grew up?”
Apollo stared into the horizon. “I cannot say for certain, but….”
“But it wouldn't be the first time he used a human like a toy and threw them away when they broke.” Hermes sighed and flew into Odysseus’ lap, so he could hold his shaking husband. “I'm sorry, love. If I had been there, I would have spared you.”
Odysseus pressed his head against Hermes’ and blinked tears down his face. “It wasn't your fault, but where were you that night? I half expected you to be right by my side, with as often as you fought for me.”
“I was guarding Helen,” Hermes murmured. “None of it was her fault, and she was so torn. Despite Paris’ abuse, there were people in Troy she loved. It broke her heart to see it fall.”
Odysseus flinched. “She was so miserable on the way home. I wondered for a long time if we had done the right thing, or if we had just kidnapped an innocent woman and murdered her family.”
“No. Ithaca tried for years to bring her home peacefully.” Apollo squeezed Odysseus’ shoulder. “If you can absolve me of Kassandra's blood, then Troy's does not stain your hands, either.”
“They chose their own fate, darling,” said Hermes. “And they know it now, too.”
Odysseus nodded. “I only wish I could have spared the child. I….”
“He knows,” Apollo murmured. “I have the sense he's listening. Hector, I mean.”
Odysseus lowered his head. “If I could give him his baby back….”
Hermes stroked Odysseus’ hair. “Father forced you into it, love. You have never had the gift of foresight, and neither do I nor Athena. Apollo does, but not on everything, and he didn't know your future then either. Father did know and lied to you. He just wanted his revenge to be complete, and he used you to enact it.”
Odysseus kissed him lightly. “Thank you. It does give me some little peace with myself to hear that.” And, if he didn't know that, to those he loved, Hermes was one of the most honest gods despite his position, he might have questioned whether they said this for that explicit purpose.
Hermes kissed him lightly. “We told you because it's true. But, for Herelope's sake, we should get back to the topic at hand.” He took Apollo's hand. “Apollo, Kassandra followed you after that day. Once she knew you had also tried to save Troy and carried the warnings she no longer could herself, she decided she wanted to know who you really are, and she followed you. For the past fifty years, she's watched over you. And your mourning, your grief for her broke her heart. She finally understood, when she saw you cry for her, that you did love her. And she mourned you, too.”
“No.” Apollo's tone came out shattered. “That was not love. The way you sacrificed yourself for Odysseus, whether he ever welcomed you or not—that is love. That is what she deserved from me. If I had loved her, I would have protected her, regardless of her feelings for me. If I loved her, I would have respected her decision and stood by her as a friend, as you did for Odysseus. I would have bled to shield her and her family from death, as you did. Don't call it love. I never treated her so kindly.”
Odysseus rubbed Apollo's back. “That's why you're afraid to go to Herelope now, isn't it? Because you saw how devoted Hermes was to us, and you regret that you made different decisions in the past.”
Apollo tucked his knees to his chest and shuddered. “Herelope deserves someone who will love him the right way.”
Hermes huffed. “You mean like someone willing to sacrifice themselves so Herelope can be happy?”
Apollo nodded.
“And how is that not exactly what you're trying to do, brother?”
Apollo lifted his head. “No, I….” He blinked hard. “It's not the same. I—”
“It's exactly the same,” said Odysseus.
“But, it really isn't—I am not—”
Hermes smacked his hand against the front of his helm. “Oh, by the gods, how on earth have you gotten it into your head that the god of the damned sun isn't good enough for our boy?”
Apollo grimaced. “No. In this matter, I'm not a god, I'm just me. He shouldn't have to choose me because of my powers and immortality.”
“He didn't.”
“He did. He doesn't know the soul under the god.”
“Hm.” Odysseus traced through Apollo's hair. “He chose you because you're beautiful, yes, because your voice makes him fly when you sing, and your lyre makes him dance. Because your poetry brings him to tears and laughter. He chose you because of the god you are, yes—he would have to be blind, deaf, and a fool not to appreciate your gifts—but it's more than that, too, Apollo.”
Apollo gave him a lost look. “It is? But how? I've never let him see the… softer parts of me.”
“But you have, Apollo.” Odysseus squeezed his hand. “You loved that boy so well. And now, he loves you.”
“He chose you not only because you're beautiful and talented and eloquent, but because you chose him first.” Hermes held Apollo's shoulder. “He chose you because you're the first one beside us to greet him when he comes home, and the first one to pester us with messages for him when he's away. Because you watch over him wherever he goes, and you somehow manage to beat us to his side when he's in need of help. Not even my speed is enough!”
Apollo gave a sheepish laugh. “God of prophecy, brother.”
“Yes, and you use it to protect him,” said Odysseus. “To be there when he needs you, the instant he realizes he does. You hold him when he has bad dreams and make him laugh when he's sad, and you never, ever let anyone tell him he isn't a man because he has some feminine parts. Apollo, you adore that boy. it's obvious in everything you do. So why would you think you don't deserve him?”
Apollo shuddered. “I cost her everything, Ody. Everything, because I was an impatient, arrogant fool. Maybe, if I had treated her with respect, she might have come to love me of her own accord, as you did for my brother. Even if she didn't, I still might have kept her friendship and her faith. At least she might have survived. Instead, I hurt her so much, she took her own life rather than spend one more moment at my side.” His voice broke. “If—if I ever hurt him so badly, I fear I will perish, too.”
Odysseus rubbed Apollo's shoulders. “You aren't the same person, Apollo. Your grief has made you into a new god. A kind, compassionate god, who, rather than take the chance that his past mistakes might hurt Herelope, has run away and broken his own heart to protect him. Brother, you won't hurt him. You can't. You love him more than you love yourself, by far.”
Apollo covered his face. “I just… I'm so scared, brothers. I don't know what to do.”
A soft, unsteady alto called, “I do.”
Apollo froze. “Herelope.”
Odysseus looked up to see Ares standing at his son's side, the god's visible features under his helm resigned and heavy with sorrow. Herelope's cheeks bore streaks of pink, glowing tears, but his expression was stoic.
Apollo flinched and turned his face away. “Herelope, I—”
“Don't.” Herelope moved to Apollo's side and brushed his tears away. “I'm so sorry. I thought—but I was wrong. And, if it causes you pain to—” He let his hand fall and stepped back. “I won't ask for anything more again.” He held his head high despite the tears he couldn't stop and turned away. “A-Ares….”
Ares sighed and gathered him into a hug. “I'm sorry, son.” He brushed Herelope's hair off of his face. “You're doing an honorable thing. And I'll do what I can to help you heal from your grief.”
Apollo flinched and pushed forward on his heels. “Wait, I don't want….”
“Did you expect me not to mourn you?” Herelope sighed and covered his face. “I… I'll try. Give me some time to—I'm sorry I'm not strong enough to be brave yet, but I'll learn.”
Apollo whimpered. “Herelope, stop. Please.” With a sob, he rushed to the boy and pulled him into his arms. “No. No, I left so I wouldn't hurt you. This is not what I want.”
Herelope shuddered. “Apollo, I—I'll try not to let you see it, but this—please. Please don't hold me this way, not anymore. I c-can't—” He struggled to choke back a sob. “Please. It hurts too much to hold back like this.”
With a sigh, Apollo pulled him closer and cradled his head against his shoulder. “Herelope, I'm so sorry. Shh. Don't cry. I'm here. I'm right here.”
Herelope winced. “Apollo, what does that mean?”
“I didn't mean to hurt you.” Apollo squeezed him tight and kissed his hair. “I'm sorry, Heré. I panicked, because I didn't want to hurt you like I hurt Kassandra. I was afraid to be that monster to you. But this—no. I can't leave you in pain like this.”
Herelope shuddered. “I'll learn to go on as soon as I—”
Apollo cut him off with a firm, loving kiss. Herelope gasped and made a sound of fear and confusion.
“Shh. It's all right.”
Apollo kissed him again, his touch soft and tender. Gentle strokes through the short hair at his forehead made Herelope whimper, a sound of both pain and pleasure. Then, he melted against Apollo with a little sob, and Apollo supported him in a loving embrace.
Odysseus plucked Hermes’ elbow, and they made a discreet exit. By the time they looked back from across the sun isle, Ares was patting Herelope's shoulder and hugging Apollo.
Ares held his brother's wrists and murmured to him, “You aren't the god you were in the past, and he isn't Kassandra. Herelope is willing. He wants to love you. Even Kassandra forgave you long ago.” He stepped back and squeezed Apollo's shoulders. “Don't be afraid to try again.”
Apollo sniffled and bowed his head. “I-I'll try.”
“Good.” Ares rubbed Herelope's shoulder. “I'm going to let you two talk this out. You have my pendant if you need me.”
Herelope winced. “I don't want to hurt him, Ares.”
“Then love him, son. Love him so hard he can't be afraid of the past anymore.”
With that, Ares vanished.
Herelope stared up at Apollo, his hazel eyes so full of fear and uncertainty, it hurt. “Apollo, what do you need from me? Ask, and I'll go. If—if it means you can be happy, I'll leave.”
Apollo sighed and let his shoulders slump. “By the gods, I don't deserve you. You're everything I failed to be.”
Herelope winced. “I… don't understand that, Apollo. Are you telling me to go?”
Apollo caught him into his arms. “No, Heré. I'm asking you to… be gentle. Slow. I don't want to make another mistake with you like I did with her and drive you to suffering.”
Herelope gasped. “You're saying…?”
“Stay,” Apollo whispered. “Stay by my side and teach me to be the god you deserve.”
Herelope blinked a rush of tears down his face and slid shaking hands into Apollo's hair. “You already are.” Tentatively, he tiptoed and pressed a soft, halting kiss to Apollo's lips. Apollo shivered and clutched him closer, sweeping the young god into a desperate embrace.
Apollo pulled back after a long, slow kiss and held the boy's face. “Herelope, I—I love you.”
He flinched, as if waiting for it all to fall apart again. Herelope caressed his cheek and slowly guided him to open his eyes.
“I love you, too, Apollo. With everything I am.”
Apollo took a shaky breath, and tears streaked his face. “Oh, Heré.”
“Shh. I'm here, love.” Herelope brushed Apollo's tears away. “I didn't mean to hurt you.”
“It's only relief.” Apollo pressed his forehead against Herelope's. “I'm sorry I hurt you, darling.”
“No. It's okay. You were only scared.” Herelope held Apollo's face and rubbed his thumb across his cheek. “Will you talk to me about it, though? Why were you so terrified?”
Apollo sighed. “I was once an arrogant fool, and I made a lot of terrible mistakes.” He sat on the low wall he had occupied earlier and guided Herelope to stand between his legs. “It's a long, sad story, and it doesn't paint me in a good light. Promise you won't look at me differently when it's done?”
Herelope gave a sad, wry little laugh. “Apollo, I've been in love with you since I was old enough to know what it means. I don't think there's much you could do to make me look at you differently.”
Apollo closed his eyes and dropped his head to rest against Herelope's chest. “I promise you, darling, one day I will earn the love you have for me.”
“You don't have to try.” Herelope cradled his face and kissed the top of Apollo's head. “I love you whether you earn it or not.”
Hermes sighed and leaned against Odysseus’ side. “He's so much like you.”
Odysseus rested his cheek against his husband's hair. “Strange. I was thinking he must have inherited that undying devotion from you.”
Hermes linked his fingers through Odysseus’. “Let's go home, darling. They're okay now, and they won't want us watching if they get much closer.”
“Hm. I think Herelope will wait to be intimate for Apollo's sake, probably until he initiates things. But they do deserve some privacy anyway, I agree.” Odysseus lifted Hermes in his arms. “Shall I try flying this time?”
Hermes kissed him playfully. “I'll even catch you if you fall.”
“How gracious.”
“Unless you drop me. Then you can swim home.”
“I suppose I had better take extra care not to drop you, then.” Odysseus wound Hermes’ legs around his waist and pulled him close. Hermes’ eyes glowed with heat and desire, and Odysseus responded to it by kissing him breathless.
“Let's see how quickly I can get you home, hm? Or shall I take a scenic route?”
“Odysseus, your idea of the ‘scenic route’ would see us home by about the time our next child is ready to marry. Hurry it up so we can get started on making them instead!”
Odysseus laughed softly and let Hermes’ power carry them home.
“Papa and Father finally left, hm?”
Herelope's words, murmured against the shell of Apollo's ear, made a surge of heat spiral through the elder god's body. He shivered and guided Herelope to rest against his body instead, pressing soft kisses to his dark curls. Herelope sighed and went lax against him, tucking his head under Apollo's chin and his arms around his waist.
Apollo ran his fingers through his lover's hair and held him, content just to be close to him. He still felt like an interloper, like he didn't deserve the gift of his sweet angel's love, but he couldn't bear the idea of his fears making Herelope suffer again. If it brought peace to his lover's heart, then he would just have to do his best to always deserve his partner's love, this time.
Herelope kissed Apollo's neck and snuggled closer. “Gods. I never want to move again.”
Apollo chuckled softly. “Hm. Might be awkward come time for one of us to relieve ourselves.”
“Agh. That's where your mind went? Really?”
Apollo snorted. “Call it the wisdom of an old god.”
“Or Mom's sense of humor coming out in you.”
Apollo leaned back and lifted Herelope's chin. “Darling, how do you know that? Your ability—do you have foresight? Or, perhaps, hindsight?”
Herelope gave him a wry look. “I don't need it. Everyone talks about her all the time. I never got to meet her, but I feel like I have just from their stories.”
Apollo gave him a soft smile. “Ah. Fair enough.” It was just as well. The sight often came with a heavy toll.
“But, um….”
Apollo's breath stilled. “Yes?”
“I… don't know. Sometimes, I look at my reflection, and I see her looking back instead. She always looks like she's so happy to see me. I… I wish I could just hug her, but the image only lasts a moment.”
Apollo winced. “Scrying. Fates.”
Herelope lowered his head. “Is that bad?”
Apollo kissed his forehead. “No, darling. I will teach you to develop it.” And help him deal with the flip side of knowing too much.
Herelope smiled up at him. “It's from you?”
Apollo rubbed his cheek. “One gift I wish I might have spared you. Knowledge is a double-sided blade.”
Herelope gave him a serious nod. “I'll try to always use it for good.”
“I know you will.” Apollo stroked his lover's hair off of his cheek. “Does it make you happy?”
“Hm?”
“To have a part of me in you?”
Herelope's breath hitched and his cheeks turned crimson. “Ah-hah. Very happy.”
Apollo really should have known that the son of Hermes and Odysseus would not miss the unintentional double entendre behind his words.
He kissed him lightly. “Not yet. Please. I need to take care with you.”
Herelope nuzzled his nose. “I know, love. I know you're not ready. Just let me know when you want more. Until then, I'm content with being in your arms.”
Apollo eased him into a soft kiss. “Thank you, my love.” He slipped his hand into Herelope's. “Come, walk with me. We'll have a look at the herd while I tell you of my past and what drove me to run before.”
“All right.” Herelope laced his fingers with Apollo's. “Lead on, my love.”
“No. I'm not leading you. We walk side by side.”
Herelope smiled. “I'll only let you have the lead when I want you to then. Sound good?”
“Mm. Do you need me to?”
“Not today, darling.”
“Does that mean you might sometimes?”
Herelope hesitated. “I think that might be a question best left for later, Apollo. As in, when you're ready to discuss the bedroom later.”
Apollo's face burned. “Oh. Oh, I….” He chuckled. “You know, I don't even really know which way I prefer. I told you I was an arrogant asshole. I've never let anyone take me.”
Herelope gave him a worried look. “Are you ready to discuss this, Apollo?”
“Hm? Yes, it's all right. I'm not ready to practice it, but I don't think there's any harm in knowing what we want before we get to that point.” He gave Herelope a curious look. “I know you're of mixed sexes, but I don't know what that means for me. Can you take me?”
Herelope swallowed hard. “I can, if you want me to.”
Apollo shivered and pulled him closer. “I… think I do. Not today, but when we're ready. I wanted control in all things before. Now, I think I want to know what it means to be vulnerable in your arms.”
Herelope stopped and gazed at him, face flushed, breath harsh, and eyes glowing with his coral-colored aura. “Apollo, this is not the way to entice me to wait.”
Apollo stared into his eyes. “I won't say anything else about it now then, but… gods.” He cupped Herelope's face. “You're so beautiful. Seeing you burn for me is so—damn.” He stepped back and took an unsteady breath. “So, um, back to the subject.”
Herelope gave a dark chuckle and fell into step beside him again. “I did try to warn you that you were playing with fire.”
“So you did.” Apollo kissed his hand. “Can you also be taken?”
“Apollo! We just said not to discuss this now.”
Apollo winced. “I'm sorry, love. I actually wasn't thinking about sex. Well, in part, but I asked because I don't know what your anatomy actually is, and I wanted to know how we will need to bear children. Or if we intend to have them.”
“Children?” Herelope gave him a wide-eyed, dazed smile. “You want to have a family with me?”
“Yes. And I'll carry them if you don't want to.”
Herelope hesitated. “I have the anatomy, but….”
“But you're Ares’ apprentice. You're a warrior. A pregnancy would make you vulnerable in battle.”
“Yes. And I don't like the idea of—I'm not a woman.”
“It makes you uncomfortable.” Apollo kissed him lightly. “Then I suppose I will definitely need to learn to be vulnerable for you. Unless you don't want children at all?”
Herelope grinned. “If you're having them? Gods, yes. I'd love to see you pregnant and happy and loved.”
Apollo chuckled sheepishly. “I never imagined I would….”
Herelope bit his lip. “Darling, you don't have to. I-I don’t like the idea of bearing, but I will, if you need me to.”
“No.” Apollo stroked his cheek. “I fear it would damage you, both in body and spirit, to bear when you don't want to and your position is so demanding. I will gladly carry for us. I'm just surprised that I find the idea so… comforting when I was always so dominant before.”
Herelope's smile eased. “You like it? The thought of….”
He touched Apollo's stomach under his himation fold. Apollo felt every caress like electricity on his skin, even with two layers of fabric between them.
“Of bearing our children?” Apollo covered Herelope's hand with his own. “I will do anything—anything—to make you happy.”
Herelope's smile slipped. “Apollo….”
“And yes, before you frighten yourself again, I do like the idea.” Apollo pressed Herelope's palm against his belly. “Will you still think I'm beautiful when I'm in a woman's body or one much like your own? When I'm heavy with child and my feet ache and I am swollen and tired and want to eat unholy things in the middle of the night?”
Herelope gave a soft laugh. “I think I'll love you even more.”
Apollo pulled him into a soft kiss. “Then I will bear for us, and you will keep us safe.”
Herelope nuzzled his nose. “With every breath I take, I'll protect you and our family, my love.”
“So will I,” Apollo murmured against his hair. “I promise, this time, I won't let you down.”
Herelope hugged him. “I know, darling.” He pulled back with a searching look. “This time?”
Apollo nodded. “Right. Walk with me, and I'll tell you why I was so afraid.”
“I'll be right at your side, darling.”
Apollo squeezed his hand. “Stay? Even if what I have to say might hurt, I love you and I want to be yours.”
“You are, darling. Just as I am yours. And yes, I'll stay by your side as long as you want me there.”
“Forever?”
Herelope leaned against his shoulder. “Forever it is.”
Apollo wrapped his arm around his shoulders and, with a deep breath to steady his nerves, he began his tale. “A long time ago, before Odysseus set out to war, I was the patron god of Troy….”
Chapter Text
Chapter 3
Washed Ashore
Poseidon walked along a stretch of some island shore, he didn't care which, staring at the scroll in his hands. Maybe, in the end, he had been the one to lose the most by his campaign for vengeance. Another invitation, another of his nephew's wedding feasts that he was forbidden to attend. Apollo hadn't been quite as hostile this time, perhaps because Poseidon had respected his request to stay away during Hermes’ wedding and the subsequent celebration of the birth of his firstborn, but he had still made it clear that Poseidon was, in no way, welcome in Ithaca.
For the sake of the sun, Poseidon had never even met Herelope. He had only stolen a glimpse here and there, taken from the sea while the boy sailed here and there on missions with Ares. The boy looked so much like a darker version of Hermes, it hurt.
And now, that same boy had grown into a man and fallen for Apollo. They were to be wed that evening.
Poseidon hadn't even known of Kassandra. He hadn't known the boy he watched over from the safety of the waves had been healing that wound, bit by bit, until two years before, when he had overheard Hades and Persephone speaking of Kassandra and worrying about how to tell Apollo.
They hadn’t taken well to discovering his presence nearby, either.
Poseidon sat on the edge of the tide and rested his head on his knees, the invitation dangling from his fingertips. A sudden gust of wind blew it from his hands, and Poseidon snatched for it with a gasp.
It sank into the sea before he could catch it. Aeolus’ doing, probably.
Poseidon watched the ink run with a deep ache in his chest. The more the letters blurred, the more it hurt. Apollo's name faded from the scroll much as he had faded from Poseidon's life, much as most of his family had, and a sudden wetness on his face surprised him. Spray, on the god of tides?
Oh. No. No sea spray glowed aquamarine blue.
Poseidon shuddered and wiped his tears away, but more followed. It was no use. This last blow cut too deeply. How much more would he lose now, by his own hand? Herelope's children, to be sure, would never know him. Hermes’ children, if he had others, would certainly never trust him either, but the losses did not stop with Odysseus and his direct family.
Ares, too, had distanced himself and had taken his twin boys with him. He didn't seem to be in a hurry to marry Aphrodite, but when they did, Poseidon fully expected to be barred from that wedding as well. Artemis and Athena were sworn maidens and would never take a partner, but Poseidon had once taken pride in being there to celebrate all of his nieces’ accomplishments. Now, he had no idea what they were even doing in their lives, let alone what they had accomplished.
Even Hades and Persephone would likely block him access to their family events, given how close they had grown to Odysseus over the years. Hera wasn't speaking to him much either, and Hephaestus had cut him off entirely, claiming Poseidon and Zeus had broken the bonds they had once forged. Dionysus hadn't entirely cut ties with everyone, but Poseidon had the distinct feeling he stayed only to keep an eye on Olympus for Odysseus and Hermes rather than any sort of love or loyalty.
The last few decades had been exceptionally lonely ones for the god of the sea, and he had only himself to blame.
“Maybe you could learn to forgive.”
“No.”
Odysseus had offered him a way out. A lifeline to spare both his pride and their families more suffering. How different might his life had been now, had Poseidon taken that lifeline?
To begin with, Odysseus would probably be dead. Poseidon had forced Hermes’ hand by attacking the man he loved all those years ago, but if he had simply let Odysseus go, perhaps Hermes might have been content to stand by him in life without making him immortal. To grant him the choice to live and die beside Penelope without ever making his suit known.
Well. Considering everything, Hermes and his new family were probably grateful to Poseidon now for Odysseus’ immortality, but, if so, that was where their positive feelings ended.
Apollo, too, was still angry at Zeus for the way he had handled Odysseus’ fate after his second-in-command had killed one of his herd. He had only ever asked for the guilty man to be punished. Given how much Odysseus had loved Eurylochus, he still would have suffered by his loss, but it didn’t compare to forcing Odysseus to choose between his own life and that of all of his crew.
“Please don't make me do this!”
Odysseus had never wanted to become a monster. He hadn't wanted to hurt them.
“Odysseus didn't deserve this any more than Hermes does!”
Athena was right, wasn't she? Odysseus had maybe deserved some pain, but, though Poseidon's son had been hurt, the god had later learned from the lotus eaters that Odysseus hadn't trusted them and tried to warn his friend not to kill anything until they were sure it was safe. Once again, his friend hadn't listened, and Polyphemus killed him in retribution, as well as many of his men, right in front of Odysseus.
Odysseus’ attack was provoked.
And Poseidon….
“Almost all of whom were slaughtered by your hand….”
He had damn near killed them all.
Apollo had said Odysseus was essentially a god in his own right now, the kind of god that would terrify even Ares, if he ever decided to use his power. A god of blood and vengeance, Apollo had called him. A god of war that even the actual god of war feared to anger.
Was it true?
As if it had happened yesterday, the memory of that night on Ithaca's shores came rushing back.
“You're going to stop this storm.”
“Or what? You can't kill me.”
Odysseus turned to face him, his head lowered and his mouth twisted into a scowl. A human at the end of his rope. So fragile. So useless.
The storm winds struck Odysseus in the face then, and Poseidon's gut clenched. He could have sworn he saw a flash of red in his eyes.
No. It had to be a trick of the light. This arrogant fool of a man couldn't be—
Odysseus lifted his head and faced Poseidon with the desperate resolution of a man on the brink. Dark hair shorn on the edge of a sword and a beard streaked with premature gray surrounded the war-torn face of a mortal hero driven to his limit. Everything about him looked human—mortal and fallible and weak compared to the strength of the divine.
Then, Poseidon met his eyes, and his confidence poured out of him with his courage. Red light blocked the sight of Odysseus’ eyes—light like the aura of the divine.
“Exactly,” Odysseus said, his voice as harsh as the sword against the grindstone.
A sword Poseidon himself had honed.
It couldn't be! Odysseus was human!
Wasn't he?
But that red glow refused to blink out, and Odysseus refused to back down.
Those weren't the eyes of a mortal man at all.
Still, perhaps it was only a little divinity left over from some ancient immortal heritage. Odysseus was still human. He couldn't do anything to a god.
Poseidon watched as the man bent down and reached for his own trident. Hah! Now the fool would pay! No mortal could bear the weapon of the divine!
But, to his horror, Odysseus didn't die on contact. His hand closed on the weapon with ease, and Odysseus gave no more reaction than a slight shudder.
It couldn't be true! This had to be a bad dream! And what did Odysseus intend to do with his trident anyway?
But those eyes… those were the eyes of a god driven to rage, and Odysseus’ knuckles had gone white around the trident, and his arm didn't turn to ash or bleed. He hefted the trident over his head—a divine weapon far too heavy for any human to lift even if they could survive touching it—and Poseidon had a sudden inkling of what Odysseus intended to do.
“Wait….”
His heart froze to his ribs. Oh fates help him. He had just driven a god to rage, and now, he lay bleeding and injured under him.
Odysseus meant to tear him apart!
“Wait!”
The weapon shot forward and down, and lightning and fire shot through his bones, sundered his flesh and left him bleeding. A cry escaped him, but Odysseus wasn't moved.
Poseidon had awakened the sleeping god inside him, and now, he would pay the price.
Poseidon shuddered at the memory of that night. For a moment, he had truly feared that Odysseus might kill him despite his immortality. The last time Odysseus had lifted the trident, Poseidon had felt the killing rage inside him. His eyes had burned through him, red as blood and alight with the will—and the ability—to strike down a god.
He had, in that moment, learned what it meant to fear death.
And yet, just when he had thought it was over, another being had stood between Poseidon and the monster of his own creation—a being with an aura of love and mercy. That being had taken Odysseus’ blood-soaked hands in their own and guided them down, guided him to drop the trident and step back, and the aura in Odysseus’ eyes had faded.
Poseidon didn't know if he truly owed his life to that unknown being. Could anyone truly kill a god? He didn't know beyond a doubt, but Odysseus had come too damn close that night.
Perhaps he did owe the unknown being his life. Poseidon had the terrible sense that, if the grace of his benefactor had not stopped Odysseus, he would not be here now to worry over it.
It was partly why he had told Zeus a god had attacked him that night. He hadn't wanted to admit it back then, had convinced himself that Odysseus couldn't be truly immortal, and some vengeful god must have used him to get revenge. But then Hermes had spoken, and his theory had crumbled. Betrayal had blinded him for the moment, but when his anger cleared, when his family had gone and no one was left to entertain his hubris, the truth had slapped him in the face. It had taken him decades to admit it, but in reality, Hermes’ power had only aided Odysseus and protected the human from harm.
Odysseus was divine in his own right, and, had the unknown being not intervened, Poseidon would have died at his hand.
Who had saved him that night? Who had the power to save him—the power and the influence over a raging, halfway-to-godhood Odysseus with a vendetta against him?
Poseidon's heart clenched at the realization that there could only be one soul with enough power to bring Odysseus back from the brink, at least in those days, before the gods had made their home in Ithaca rather than Olympus.
Hermes.
Poseidon owed Hermes his life. And, three days later, he had repaid his nephew's mercy by nearly torturing him to death.
“U-Uncle Poseidon, please… please don't hurt me anymore.”
“Look at him!” Poseidon's niece stared at him with eyes rimmed in tears and stark with horror. “Look what you've done to him!”
“And Hermes—no.” The disgust in Apollo's eyes was only matched by his pain. “This is much too far. My trust is broken, too.”
“Go, Athena.” Ares kept his sword trained on Poseidon despite the tears in his eyes. “We will guard your retreat.”
Aphrodite pressed her hands into her hips and glared at Zeus and Poseidon. “Are you happy now that you got the vengeance you so craved?”
“No,” Poseidon choked out. “No, I'm not.”
But what could he do? He had sealed his fate with his own hands.
‘Hermes, I'm so sorry.’
He pressed his head into his knees and struggled to keep tears back, but they escaped anyway. He hated being so vulnerable, but damn. He missed his family so much.
“Oh!”
A feminine squeak sounded behind him. Poseidon whipped his head up, and the unknown woman gasped and staggered back. “Oh no. Oh, I shouldn't have come!”
Fates. She sounded terrified.
Poseidon turned to face the woman. Ah. A nymph? She had fair skin, dark hair woven with pearls and coral, and haunting blue eyes. For an instant, she stared at him in terror. Then, her eyes tracked down his face, and something in her expression softened.
“Lord P-Poseidon?”
He kept his voice soft, unwilling to frighten her further. “I'm not here to hurt you.”
Some of her terror eased. “I… just wanted some c-coral and seashells.”
“Take them then. Unless….” He sighed and turned away to stare into the horizon. “I suppose I have earned your fear. Never mind. I will go, so you may gather your seashells in peace.”
He stood, heart bitter and cracked down the middle, and moved into the tide.
“Ah, w-wait, please.” She took several unsteady breaths. “I didn't intend to disturb you, Lord Poseidon. I-I just… had a strong feeling that I needed to come to the beach. I thought—but then….” She hesitated. “D-do you need…? No. A god wouldn't need help, but I—your eyes—” Concern overcame her terror at last. “Oh, my lord. Are you okay?”
Poseidon's breath hitched. It had been so long since anyone had shown him any sort of genuine kindness. This poor nymph was terrified of him, and yet, she couldn't help reaching out when he was in need.
He broke. There was no other word for it. Her kindness after so many years alone broke him, and a whimper escaped him, then a sob. He winced, ashamed of his pitiful display, and covered his face with his hands.
“I-I'm fine!”
“Oh, Lord Poseidon.” Cautious, uncertain steps drew closer.
“Don't,” Poseidon breathed, voice raw. “Don't look at me.”
“I… all right. I'll close my eyes, my lord.” She was closer than he had thought. “But y-you can hold my hand, i-if you want to.”
Poseidon lowered his hands. The nymph stood near him, her eyes closed and her hand extended. She was trembling from head-to-toe, and yet, she didn't back down.
“Why?”
The nymph flinched. “Oh. Y-you don't have to, my lord. I-I just wanted—but maybe it's too presumptuous for a nymph to offer a g-god her—”
Poseidon took her hand. “No. Why do you offer to help me when I can see how terrified you are?”
“I….” She tentatively wrapped her small fingers around his palm. “I just—you look so sad, my lord. I didn't like seeing you cry.”
Poseidon stepped a little closer. “Do you know who I am?”
“The god of the tides, y-yes. No nereid could mistake you.”
An aquatic nymph? Perhaps she had been drawn to his side. “Do you know what I've done?”
“I… have heard stories, my lord.”
“Of what?”
The nymph hesitated. “Circe tells us much. You made the seas and all the animals of the water. You gave us fish to eat and guide our ships.”
“And… of Odysseus?”
The nymph flinched. “Circe said you….”
“I hunted him.” Poseidon's voice came out raw. “Drove him to the end of the earth and nearly killed us both.”
The nymph's eyes flew open. “What?” She gasped and dropped to her knees, both hands covering her eyes. “Oh, forgive me. I was only so shocked. Gods cannot die, can they?”
“It's all right.” Poseidon eased her to her feet and held her hands. “I used to believe we were utterly indestructible. Now, I am unsure. Odysseus—that final night, he faced me with the strength of a god. I—I forced his hand, and he attacked me. I survived, of course, but, for three days, I couldn't move from the place he left me. I think, if gods can die, I was close to death then.”
The nymph moved closer, her eyes shut and her expression torn between shock and wonder. Poseidon tentatively brushed a lock of hair from her cheek.
“Oh….” The nymph blushed and ducked her head. “My lord?
Poseidon swallowed a rush of aching desire for simple contact, just to be hugged, to be touched with gentleness and affection. He choked back a whimper of pain, and the nymph's expression shifted to compassion and concern.
“My lord, you sound as though you're in terrible pain. Is… there anything I can do?”
Poseidon dropped to his knees and covered a whimper. “Just… touch me.”
The nymph stiffened. “My lord, I have never—not on my own will. I… do not know of the ways of the body. Not well enough to please a god, to be sure.” She whimpered. “A-and I'm so afraid.”
Poseidon gasped. “You've been raped?”
The nymph's voice came out unsteady and heavy with shame. “I think there are few of my gender who can honestly say that they have not been, my lord.”
Something twisted his heart. It hurt, the thought of this sweet, scared little nymph suffering under a brutal man.
Poseidon touched her shaking fingers, trying desperately to soothe her fear and hoping he wasn't making it worse. “I'm not asking for that. I don't want to cause you pain.” He wrapped her hand in his and looked up into her face. “Open your eyes. It's all right.”
The nymph did as he asked, and bright blue eyes fixed upon him. “My lord!” She tugged on his hand. “You don't kneel to me! I am only a nymph.”
Poseidon shuddered and dropped his head against her stomach, stilling her. “Please. Just touch me. I don't mean as a lover. I just—I….”
“Oh.” Uncertain, trembling fingertips touched the top of his head. “L-like this, my lord?”
He winced. “You aren't obligated. I won't hurt you if you don't want to.”
“Oh.” Her posture eased slightly. “Thank you, my lord.” Softly, she stroked his hair, her touch uncertain and barely there. “My lord, I won't refuse you, but I don't understand what's happening.”
He reached up to wrap his hand around her wrist, careful not to hurt her. “You have heard how badly I treated Odysseus. Have you also heard of how I hurt my innocent nephew, and what that cruel betrayal cost me?”
The nymph hesitated. “Circe said Hermes offered his blood in Odysseus’ stead, and that you hurt him terribly in retribution, but I don't understand the rest. What do you mean, what it cost you, Lord Poseidon?”
“Everything,” he whispered. “Everything that once mattered is gone. Everyone I loved, they've all turned on me. I know I brought it on myself, but I am so—so….”
The nymph knelt before him and murmured, “Forgive me, my lord, but I cannot bear your pain.” With a shiver, she wrapped her arms around his waist and tugged him against her, and Poseidon froze.
A sob crept up his throat. So warm. So soft. He hadn't felt anything like this in so long.
“My lord, say the word and I will release you. I—”
“Don't,” Poseidon breathed. “Please don't let go.”
“Oh.” With a soft sigh, the nymph pulled him close and eased his head onto her shoulder. “If it's a hug you need, then you may have mine as much as you wish, my lord.”
Poseidon whined in agony and held her against him, shaking in her arms. Tears raced down his cheeks, and he clutched at her for dear life.
“I'm sorry. I don't mean to scare you.”
She relaxed in his arms and tentatively stroked his hair. “I'm here, my lord.”
“Poseidon. Just call me Poseidon.”
“I… really? But I'm only—”
Poseidon pressed a kiss to her cheek. “But for my children, you're all I have left in the world right now. Please.”
She sniffled and rested her head upon his shoulder. “Yes, P-Poseidon. As long as it's what you truly want.”
“Thank you, sweet pearl.”
The nymph gasped and clutched him closer. “Oh. You really think…?”
“No one else sees me any longer. No one else sees anything but a monster in me, save only for my children, and most of them are not… like us.” He whimpered. “I don't want to be a monster to you. I don't want to be your lord. Just… stay. Please.”
The nymph held him close and pressed her cheek against his own. “Yes, I… I'll stay.”
“Because you want to, dearest, or because you feel you have to?”
“I….” She relaxed against him and buried her face in the hair draped over his shoulder. “I want to, as long as you want me here, too.”
Poseidon held her head against him and sighed in pure relief. “I do.” He slid his hand into her hair and rubbed her cheek. “But what should I call you?”
She gave a soft giggle. “You can call me your pearl if you like. I liked it very much.”
Poseidon nuzzled her hair. “I'm glad to hear that.” He leaned back and lifted her chin. “But I think I've been a very selfish, arrogant creature in the past, and I don't want to be that way with you. What's your name, my lovely pearl?”
A soft blush rendered her so beautiful, his chest ached.
“Oh, Poseidon.” Her smile was bright and warm and it drove the ice right from his broken heart. “I'm Amphitrite.”
He brushed her hair off of her cheek, and she turned into his touch with a sigh. “Oh, I never dreamed the fates would send me to you.”
Poseidon kissed her forehead and, at a sweet look of longing and wonder in her eyes, he pulled her flush against him and buried his face in her hair.
“Thank you, Amphitrite.”
She ran gentle fingers through his hair. “Hm? What for, Poseidon?”
“For saving my life.”
Amphitrite stilled, then a soft kiss landed upon his ear fin and gentle arms squeezed him against her. “Anytime you need me, Poseidon, I'll be here to hold you.”
Poseidon nuzzled his head into her shoulder. “Would you stay with me? Just a little longer?”
She ran her fingers through his hair and held him close to her heart. “As long as you want, sweetheart.”
Poseidon stayed until sunset. Then, he took Amphitrite by the hand and walked her back to Circe's house. “May I visit you again soon, my beautiful pearl?”
Her eyes sparkled and her face turned pink. “I'd love that, Poseidon.”
He kissed her cheek and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Until next time then, Amphitrite.”
“I'll be waiting.”
A happy flutter in his chest made him smile. “Not too long.” With another kiss to her forehead, he slipped into the realm of the gods.
Maybe he wouldn't be alone any longer after all.
And maybe, one day, Amphitrite could help him find a way to bring his family home again, too. At least he had a little more hope to that end than he had that morning. It had to mean something good, right?
Notes:
Imma do my best to make y'all cry over Poseidon. 😁😎
Chapter 4: No Secrets
Summary:
CW: Mentions of a suicidal character.
Chapter Text
Chapter 4
No Secrets
Odysseus shivered as quicksilver raced over him for the fifth time that night. He pulled his gasping, arching husband close and kissed him hard, and Hermes cried out against his tongue.
Now. Now was the moment everything would shift, if they had been successful. Odysseus watched Hermes closely, but nothing changed this time either.
“Damn.” He flopped beside his husband with a groan. “Love, it's been five days of trying. I don't think it's going to take right now.”
Hermes gave a nervous laugh. “Oh, well, surely one more try wouldn't hurt?”
Odysseus frowned and leaned up on his elbow. “If you really want another round, but you're usually telling me to calm down and stop being so eager or put my own ass up for the taking after so much activity.”
“Yes, well, I really want that baby!” Hermes dragged him into another kiss. Odysseus didn't pull away, but he didn't deepen it either. As soon as Hermes pulled back, Odysseus set him off of him and gave him a stern look.
“All right, Hermes. We all know you have the market on cunning, but I'm not an idiot either. What's going on?”
Hermes flinched, and Odysseus’ heart clenched.
“Damn. It's serious.” He tugged Hermes into his lap and pulled the cover all around them. “All right, love. Talk to me. Why are you so eager to get pregnant that you're driving me beyond my limits?”
Hermes sighed and dropped his head. “Apollo warned me I was being an idiot, trying to keep it from you. I knew he was right, but I just….”
He lifted his eyes to meet Odysseus’, and the tears in them made Odysseus’ stomach clench.
“Hermes?”
Hermes whimpered and dropped his head onto Odysseus’ shoulder. “I can't. I can't cause you any more pain.”
Odysseus sighed and cupped Hermes’ head against him, rubbing slow circles against his scalp with his thumb. “Tell me, love. Whatever it is, we will work through it together.”
Hermes whimpered. “I don't think I can do much to help you with this, Odysseus. I won't leave your side, of course, but this isn't something I can protect you from. Not even Father can challenge them.”
“Not even Zeus…?” Odysseus’ breath stilled. “By the gods, are you speaking of the Fates, Hermes?”
Hermes gave him a grim nod.
“Damn!” Odysseus lifted his lover's chin. “Speak. If they are involved, it's much too serious to leave unsaid.”
Hermes flinched. “I suppose you're right.” He took an unsteady breath. “Promise you won't be angry at us? We only wanted to spare you pain.”
Odysseus kissed him softly. “I love you with all of me. That will never change.”
“I love you too. Remember that. Please.”
Odysseus held him closer. “I promise. Now, will you tell me what's going on?”
“I-I'll try.” Hermes shuddered. “It's just… we don't have all the answers, love. Even with everything Apollo can scry and everything Hades and Ares can tell us, we don't have all the pieces to the puzzle. Athena even asked Father if he knew of anything, but he didn't tell her anything new, if he does know.”
“All right. So what do you know?”
Hermes swallowed hard. “Odysseus, you're—y-you're not just a demigod. You're a god of your own right, and you were before I saved your life.”
Odysseus’ heart sputtered and his blood froze in his veins. “I… what?”
Hermes took an unsteady breath. “I… don't understand it entirely. You seem to be a unique case in that, most of the time, the majority of your powers are dormant. It could be that you don't yet know how to access them. Or, it could be the fact that you weren't born into godhood, but rather you were given a divine heritage as an adult, after you were already used to life as a mortal human. I don't know. But what I do know is that you don't have even a tenth of my powers in you now, yet you're still immortal and divine.
Odysseus’ eyes widened. “Oh gods. Sex hasn't been nearly as intense between us lately. I thought it was just us growing accustomed to the bond, but….”
“But the truth is that the bond isn't as strong as it was once.”
Odysseus winced. “I don't want to lose that connection to you, Hermes.”
“You may always share some of your power with me, once we know how to do so safely, but you won't lose this bond anyway. I only eased some of my power back to test the link and your mortality. If anything in you had changed, I would have put it back in an instant, and I don't intend to ever take any more of it back again anyway.”
“I didn't change then, when you pulled your power back. Or even notice, apparently.”
“No, and if you were actually human, you would have.”
“I don't understand. How can I be a god and my powers be dormant? How can I be chosen as a god and not born? And what, precisely, am I a god of?”
“The latter two questions are the main reason, other than the fact that I don't want to lose our bond either, that I won't pull my power from you completely. I don't know how immortality works with you, and I'm not taking that chance.”
Odysseus nodded. “Can you tell me the other answers to those questions?”
Hermes flinched. “That's what has me so scared. I can't be certain, but I think, my love, that the Fates chose you because they were irritated with Father or Poseidon, or both. I think they didn't like them slinging their powers about all over the place and murdering people left and right. The Fates say when someone dies. Maybe Zeus and Poseidon were trying to defy them, or maybe they were just too irresponsible with their power. Maybe it's another reason altogether. As I said, we can only surmise.”
He shuddered and hugged his chest. “But the nature of your powers, when they activate, and how they manifest—all of it suggests that you are a god of retribution.”
“Retribution? You mean like Nemesis? But why would we need two? As far as I know, she has absolutely no trouble fulfilling her duties.”
“I know, love. I don't understand it completely either, but that's the best theory that my siblings and I have been able to come up with so far.”
“Damn.” Odysseus rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Hermes, how long have you known?”
“I… suspected something was strange when you nearly killed Poseidon. Even with my power and with Aeolus and I fighting by your side, I expected that battle to be much more difficult. We thought maybe you might have some divine blood then, but, after Penny died and I tried to give her my power, I began to understand maybe there was something else going on. That's when I realized you had less of my power left than I thought. And for you to still be immortal, something else had to be going on.”
“So how did you work out the rest of this theory?”
Hermes flinched. “You're angry.”
“I think hurt is more accurate. Hermes, this is my life. How could you hide it?”
Hermes’ eyes filled. “Because—because you're so torn up with guilt even now. You're so convinced you're a monster already. We just… I was so afraid it might drive you to do something drastic.”
Odysseus growled. “What, like go on a rampage and kill half of Ithaca?”
Hermes’ tears dropped, and his voice came out raw. “No. Like go into the kind of self-loathing I'm not strong enough to save you from. Like you might hurt yourself.”
“I would never do anything so desperate.”
“You tried.” Hermes clutched his knees and shuddered. “Over and over on Calypso's isle, I watched you try to die and wake up only to try again. And I couldn't do anything—I couldn't save you then either.”
Odysseus sighed and lowered his head into his hand. A century later, and still Calypso came back to haunt him.
Damn. He hadn't realized the extent of the damage she had done to Hermes’ psyche as well as his own.
“Odysseus, please.” Hermes laid his head upon Odysseus’ lap and wept into his thighs, his entire body shaking. “I'm so sorry I kept it from you for so long. Please forgive me. I should have told you. You're right, and I'm sorry I didn't trust you like I should have. I just—every time I tried to speak, I kept seeing you covered in blood and calling yourself a monster. I saw you c-cutting into yourself to bleed yourself out, or eating poison, or diving off a cliff and—and I just couldn't. I couldn’t lose you, too. I can't. Please, Odysseus. Please, even if you hate me, please don't do it again.”
Odysseus tugged him into his arms. “Hush.” He kissed Hermes’ hair and held him tight through a storm of desperate tears.
“I'm so sorry, Ody.”
Odysseus rocked him on his lap and held his head against his shoulder. Maybe he was a little angry at Hermes, but not like this. Hermes’ own guilt and fear was a far worse punishment than this deserved. Especially since Hermes had been so deeply traumatized, Odysseus couldn't hold his fears against him.
“Shh. Breathe, darling. I'm right here, and I still love you just as much as I did this morning.”
Hermes whimpered and clutched at his back. “You don't hate me?”
“Never, darling.”
Hermes choked back a sob and clutched at him desperately. “Odysseus, I'm so sorry, love. I didn't want to hurt you. I was just so afraid. I just—I….”
Odysseus kissed him lightly. “I know, love. You were terrified to speak because you love me. It's all right. It's hard not to be a little angry knowing you hid it for so long, but I understand why. I forgive you.” He kissed Hermes’ forehead and rocked him in his lap. “It's all right, my love. Just rest on me until you're calm again. I have you.”
Hermes sniffled and pressed his head under Odysseus’ chin. “Ody, you're not mad at the others either, are you? They just thought it was my place to tell you, and they thought it would do less harm coming from me.”
Odysseus shook his head. “There's no point in getting angry over it. They meant to protect me, and you were traumatized.” He kissed Hermes softly. “It's all right. We're still a family. Just breathe and try to quiet your heart, my love. When you can speak again, we'll discuss this further, but not until you can bear it.”
Hermes slumped against him in relief. “Odysseus, I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, Hermes.”
Odysseus rubbed his back in slow, calming motions and murmured soft encouragement against his ear, and, slowly, Hermes’ sobs quieted. Odysseus set him on the bed once he had control of himself and retrieved a linen and some of the washing water from the daytime basin. He gently washed Hermes’ face and set the linen aside.
“Feeling better?”
“Some, thank you.”
Odysseus sat beside his husband again and wrapped his arm around Hermes’ shoulders. “Now then, no more tears, beloved. We're all right, and I am not going to leave you to face the world alone.” He cupped Hermes’ face and held his gaze. “If I had known you were fighting so hard to save me from Calypso, it would have given me hope.”
Hermes curled up against his side. “I tried to tell you, but you just couldn't hear me.”
Odysseus slipped his hand into his husband's. “We didn't have this bond yet, and I… was I divine by then?”
“I think so, love. By everything you've told me, I think your powers manifested against Scylla and the sirens. And, if you hadn't been immortal during… Calypso, well, I'm not sure you would have survived.”
“You had no idea then, though?”
“No. I thought you were mortal.”
Odysseus rubbed his chin. “I think I was. At least, I got older. Maybe the Fates didn't intend for me to live forever.”
“Or maybe they knew you would need me and planned for me to awaken your godhood all along.”
Odysseus considered this. “I think so. If I am a god, then I'm sure everything in me changed the night you saved me.”
Hermes traced his fingers through Odysseus’ hair. “I had thought—you were shaking so hard, and your skin….”
“What about it?”
“Well, I thought then that it was so intense to touch you because I loved you and you had my life within you, but every brush against your skin, especially when you were recovering after I pulled you from the sea—it was electric.”
“Electric? You mean like the first time you kissed me, and it felt like lightning?”
Hermes brushed their lips together. “Mm. It still does.”
Odysseus smiled a little and caressed Hermes’ cheek. “For me as well.” He traced his fingers through his husband's soft, brown waves. “So, I think we can be certain that I became a god that night, if I truly am divine now.”
“I’m positive you are, darling. As I said before, if you weren't, you would have changed when I withdrew some of my power.”
“It just feels so presumptuous to say.”
“It's the truth, though.”
Odysseus nodded abstractedly. “Hermes, what now? If we have already exhausted all of our potential sources of information, where can we learn the truth?”
Hermes grimaced. “And that is why I was so eager to be pregnant earlier. Well, that, and I really do want another child.”
“If the Fates arranged this, love, they will probably not allow it to happen until after we do whatever it is you're trying to avoid.”
Hermes sighed. “Most likely. Well, there are two other people I can think of who might know something, short of asking the Fates themselves. Not even Dionysus is that foolhardy, but the potential helpers aren't exactly my favorite people either. Well, one isn't so bad, but he doesn't really live in a hospitable region. Or live at all.”
Odysseus flinched. “Tiresias.”
“Yes. I can't stand the thought of going into the Underworld now. If we saw Penny….”
Gods, no. Odysseus would break.
“Perhaps it is best to ask Hades to speak to him. Or at least attempt it.”
“I don't know if he'll tell him anything. Or he may not be able to see anything without you there in person.”
“You may be right, but we will try the safer way first.”
Hermes nodded. “The only other person I can think of is Circe.”
Odysseus squeezed his hand. “Circe isn't a problem now that she understands we have no ill intentions against her nymphs or herself. We will visit her first, and, in the meantime, perhaps Ares could carry a message to Hades for us, unless he or Persephone is out and about before we leave for Circe's isle.”
“Actually, I think Ares should come with us. I think they all should. Well, our grandbabies have their own families to look after now, and Telemachus is too old to sail.” Hermes’ expression twisted in grief, but he didn't go into it then, thank the gods, because Odysseus couldn't stand the thought. “But Herelope and Orimene might like to come.”
Odysseus tugged Hermes into his lap. “Yes. We will ask them then.” With a shudder, he buried his head in Hermes’ shoulder. “I can't stand seeing them grow old.”
Hermes nodded and curled into Odysseus’ chest. “I'm scared of the day we….”
The day they lost Telemachus, and Orimene, too.
“Yes. So am I.”
Hermes hugged him hard, and Odysseus took refuge in his husband's arms. Having new children might ease the ache of grief, but nothing would ever replace their mortal loved ones. Odysseus only prayed they had the strength to endure. At least they wouldn't lose each other.
That was one loss Odysseus was certain he wouldn't survive, immortal or not.
Chapter 5: A New Journey
Chapter Text
Chapter 5
A New Journey
Odysseus’ breath froze as he set foot on the gangway. He had traveled since coming home, of course. He couldn't very well lead Ithaca without traveling to the neighboring kingdoms, but, until now, he had traveled by horseback or with Hermes’ speed. He hadn't set foot on a ship since the night he had taken Ithaca back from the hands of the enemy.
No. No! He couldn't do it again. He couldn't lose his family. He wasn't strong enough.
Hermes folded his arms around Odysseus from behind. “Darling, this is a very different situation. You're not a mortal. None of us are except Orimene, and she's Athena's champion, with all of her father's strength and her mother's charm.”
Orimene grinned at Hermes. “And my Papa's sass.”
Hermes chuckled. “That's the truth.”
Odysseus loved to see the relationship between his and Penelope's children and his husband, but he couldn't smile. Not now, with his fears pressing so close.
Orimene kissed her father's cheek and took his hands. “Breathe, Dad. We're going to be fine.”
Odysseus glanced back to the kingdom. “But….”
“Aphrodite and Persephone are keeping an eye on Telemachus and Ithaca for us, love.” Hermes kissed his forehead. “If anything happens, we will know in an instant.”
Odysseus shuddered and clutched Orimene's hands. “I can't lose you. Any of you. I can't.”
Apollo held Odysseus’ cheek. “Brother, we will all fight through hell and back to make sure you don't.”
“And we all trust you with our lives, Dad.” Herelope took his hand, and Orimene shifted her hands to the opposite side.
“Come on,” said Orimene. “This won't be like before.”
“But, Poseidon….”
Ares moved to stand beside Odysseus and held his shoulder. “My friend, Poseidon is changed. Greatly.”
“Losing us came as a hard blow,” said Apollo. “Poseidon was the one to hold Zeus back from challenging me when I warned them not to come to the wedding. It damn near came down to war. It might have, if Poseidon hadn't stepped between us and pleaded with Zeus not to make him fight us.”
“How ironic,” said Odysseus, his words bitter on his tongue. “I suppose it matters more when it's one's brother begging one not to be a sadistic bastard.”
Apollo snorted. “I suppose so. Father certainly didn't listen to his own son.”
“Or his daughter,” said Athena.
Odysseus sighed and leaned against Apollo's shoulder. “Brother, I trust you. You truly feel that Poseidon is changed?”
Apollo nodded. “He was displaying clear remorse even then. And ever since… well. Hades has told me he's caught Poseidon lingering around him. You know he's the only one of our family gods who hasn't entirely cut off Zeus and Poseidon at this point—he’s just too gentle for that—and Poseidon keeps coming close. He won't approach him outright, but he watches over him and listens a lot. Hades has said he's actually concerned for his well-being.”
“Hades?” Herelope huffed. “He's a sweetheart, sure, but I pity the idiot who dares try to take on the god of the dead.”
Athena shook her head. “Not Hades’ well-being, Poseidon's.”
Apollo rubbed the back of his neck. “I'm not sure what to make of it. Hades is the most empathetic and loving of all of us, and so gentle. He may be reading too much into Poseidon's behavior, or he may be sensing something deeper that none of the rest of us are able to see.”
Hermes clutched Odysseus closer. “Either way, I don't want to be the one to deal with it.”
Odysseus kissed his husband's cheek. “No, and no one would ask that of you.” He gave a resigned sigh. “You're sure it's safe, Apollo?”
“I believe so, yes.”
Odysseus nodded and squeezed his children's hands. “All right. Just… don't let go.”
Orimene kissed his cheek. “We're right here, Dad. Besides, if Poseidon does try anything, just kick his ass again! We'll help too.”
“Considering how hostile everyone on this ship is to Poseidon and Zeus and how powerful we all are,” said Herelope, “I highly doubt either of them are stupid enough to pick a fight.”
“The boy is right,” said Ares. “Poseidon is not so foolish as to challenge both of the primary gods of war and you, too. Not to mention Herelope, Hermes, Orimene, and Apollo.”
“Hades is coming too after he talks to Tiresias,” said Athena. “So there will be far too much firepower on this ship for anyone to challenge us.”
Odysseus nodded. “Maybe we could wait for Hades? If Tiresias can help us, then there will be no need to travel to Circe's isle.”
“Let me ask him how things are going.” Hermes squeezed Odysseus tight. “Hades, any luck?”
Hades’ soft-spoken tenor echoed in Odysseus’ mind. “I'm afraid not. Tiresias says he is not the one who can help us this time. We don't need a prophet to see a truth that already exists.”
Hermes sighed. “Damn. Odysseus is terrified to sail. I was hoping we could avoid it.”
“If it helps, Tiresias also said to tell you that Poseidon has had his own battles and his own life to live. His eye is not on us.”
Odysseus slumped in relief against Hermes. “Oh, thank goodness.”
Hermes kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Hades. Tell Tiresias too, please?”
“I already did. I'll come to the ship as soon as I have everything in order here.”
“All right, see you later then.” Hermes nuzzled Odysseus’ cheek. “Well, you heard him, love. Poseidon has his own life to distract him now, so let's sail while he's busy elsewhere.”
Odysseus couldn't argue with that logic. He took a steadying breath and forced himself to step onto the gangway. Hermes hovered behind him, his hand at the small of Odysseus’ back and his voice soft against his ear.
“That's it, love. You can do this.”
Odysseus let his family guide him onto the ship and clutched the railing for strength. He was trembling and pale, but he was on the ship. That was enough.
Hermes touched down before him and brought Odysseus into a sweet kiss. “Now then, you're going to be fine. We'll fill this trip with music and laughter and joy, so you don't need to fear sailing again.”
“Just stay clear of Scylla and Charybdis,” said Odysseus. “They're too dangerous even for gods.”
“We will, Dad.” Herelope kissed Odysseus’ cheek. “Let me navigate?”
“Yes, please do. You've been sailing more than any of us as of late anyway.”
“I have scrying powers, too.” Herelope leapt onto the upper deck. “I can use the water as a mirror to warn me of any incoming trouble.”
Apollo leapt up beside him. “I'll teach you how to develop it along the way.”
Herelope thanked him with a tender kiss. “Thank you, love.”
Apollo flushed and nodded, following his partner to the front of the ship.
“They're so cute.” Orimene nudged Athena's side. “Almost makes me wish I'd taken a partner instead of swearing myself to you.”
Athena chuckled. “You know, nowhere in your vows or mine does it say we could not take a female.”
Orimene's face turned crimson. “Is there something you want to tell me, Athena?”
The goddess laughed. “I am teasing. It is true though. We only swore off men. If you want a female lover, your vows don't preclude it.”
Orimene smirked. “Why settle? I'm already devoted to a goddess. What mortal woman could compare?”
“I think you do well for yourself, daughter,” said Odysseus with a laugh. “But if you intend to keep flirting with Athena, then I believe your Papa and I will join Ares instead. At least we can be sure we won't see more than we want to with him.”
“Oh please,” said Ares with a snort. “Don't pretend you two don't watch them flirting all the damn time, like two old women playing matchmaker.”
Odysseus smiled. “I like to see my children happy.” He shook his head. “We have more important things to discuss now though.”
“Right.” Ares motioned to the upper deck. “Then we will make sure my apprentice is learning what he should be while he stands behind the sails.”
“I'm behaving, Ares!” Herelope snickered. “Mostly. It's all Ap—”
Apollo pressed his finger over Herelope's lips. “Nice try.”
“Not fair, using your sight to make me behave.”
“All's fair in love and war.” Apollo rubbed Herelope's cheek. “We will have time to play, darling. For now, your father needs us to focus. For Odysseus’ sake, please pay attention to your navigation.”
Herelope nodded and took position. “All right, Apollo. Show me how to use the waves to see.”
“Yes, my love. Let your spirit blend with the sea and the air. Breathe in the tides, breathe out your power. As your being permeates the water and your focus narrows, you will begin to see.”
Herelope nodded and obeyed, and Ares unmoored the ship, and they were off.
Odysseus clutched Hermes’ hand and reminded himself that, this time, he was sailing to visit an ally and a friend, and the gods were on his side.
This journey would be different. He would make sure of it.
Odysseus stayed near his family to keep his nerves as steady as possible on the sea, but he couldn't relax until Hades returned near nightfall.
“Hello, everyone. I met a friend along the way, and they wanted to come along.”
A being with pale skin, long, white hair, sky-blue eyes, and no clear gender popped out from behind him and waved. “Hi! Long time no see, Odysseus.”
Odysseus gave them a surprised smile. “Aeolus! How are you, my friend?”
“Fine as the clouds in the sky!” They tapped him on the nose. “But I've been informed that you could use a bit of cheering up.”
“Is that so?”
“Ever heard the god of wind play? It's not too shabby, if I don't say so myself.” They pulled out a panflute and blew a rapid scale. “What do you say? Feel like a spin with an old friend?”
“You can play and dance at the same time?”
Aeolus giggled. “God of wind, Ody!” They snapped their fingers, and the flute swirled and bobbed in the air all around them, all but playing itself on the breeze.
“Well, that's a nice trick.” Hermes grinned. “Now, how about a few of mine?”
He clapped his hands, and sparkling, shimmery dance costumes materialized on Aeolus’ and Hermes’ bodies. He had put Aeolus in white, silver, and pale blue, and himself in green, gold, and jade. Odysseus smiled and dressed himself in a similar outfit to what he had worn at Persepolis’ coronation, with a black bodysuit and pants trimmed in silver, with green and white scarves.
“Ooh, you clean up nice, Ody,” said Aeolus with a wink. “Shame Hermes got there first!”
“Hands off, my friend,” Hermes said with a laugh. “Unless you intend to share!”
Odysseus flushed. “Something tells me Penny would have something to say about this arrangement.”
Aeolus laughed. “I'm only teasing, friend. I don't actually have much interest in that kind of thing. Dancing is always fun, though!”
Odysseus chuckled. “All right. Does anyone else want to join in?”
Hades shook his head. “I'll just watch.”
“I'll take you up on that offer,” said Orimene with a grin. “Papa, let's show them how it's done.”
Hermes spun her around with a laugh.
Ares raised an eyebrow at Athena. Athena waved him onto the floor, and he chuckled and offered his apprentice his hand.
Herelope accepted with a grin. “Dad, Papa, a little sparkle please?”
“A bit less so for me,” said Ares, wrinkling his nose.
“Look at Dad and tell me he isn't stunning,” said Herelope.
"Humph."
“Oh, lighten up!" Orimene clapped Ares' shoulder. "One sparkly evening won't kill you, old man!”
Ares chuckled. “All right, but I swear, if you put me in pink, Hermes….”
“Don't threaten me with a good time, darling!” Hermes flicked his wrist, and an outfit similar to Odysseus’, but in black, red, and gold formed over Ares’ body. He dressed Herelope in the same cut, but in purple, indigo, and silver.
“I suppose I can endure this.” Ares took Herelope's hand and swung him about.
"Now you're talking!"
Orimene began a lively, bouncing dance with Aeolus, both laughing like children, and Odysseus twirled his husband into the air. Hermes laughed in delight as Aeolus flew him into a swirl of brilliant fabrics and sparkles, and switched places with him. Odysseus gave them a wry grin and borrowed some of his techniques for Herelope's powers to make Aeolus fly, too.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Apollo play his lyre and gaze at Herelope in pure adoration. Athena sat beside him before long, and her expression looked a bit too similar for her ‘flirting’ with Orimene to have been entirely harmless.
Hermes danced Aeolus back into Orimene's arms and twirled around his husband. “Do you suppose Orimene is going to let my dear sister stall much longer now that she's finally caught on?”
Odysseus watched Orimene wink at Aeolus and fly up on the wind, using her trained agility and strength to show her skills off to her best advantage.
“I'm going to say that's probably a no, darling.”
Hermes’ laughter drove the ice from Odysseus’ soul.
Odysseus drove his husband into the floor of their cabin so the bad memories would stay at bay. Hermes bit his wrist to keep his cries quiet and writhed under him, shaking apart in Odysseus’ arms.
As long as he had this, as long as Hermes was there to steady him, Odysseus could keep his past from overtaking him, barely. The memories they were building now would make the next night easier, or so he hoped.
“Ody,” Hermes gasped, “please, please, I—” He buried a cry in his arm, and Odysseus followed him into bliss with a soft murmur of his name.
“Gods.” Hermes flopped onto his face with a groan. “How is every time with you so—”
His body shifted and altered, and Odysseus moved back with a gasp. Hermes looked down his new frame, slimmer than before, but with wider hips and thighs and with two solid handfuls of breasts on his chest, a wide-eyed look.
“I'm….”
“Pregnant,” said Odysseus with a gasp. “Oh, Hermes!”
Hermes let out a quiet laugh and rubbed his stomach, his expression awestruck. “We're going to be parents again, darling.”
“Hm. You changed sexes entirely this time.” Odysseus eased his husband into his arms. “Do you think it means we're having a girl?”
“Possibly. Though, even if so, she may still decide that it doesn't fit.”
“Either way, they will be loved.” Odysseus kissed him softly. “We could always ask Apollo or Heré to scry for us.”
“I think I'd rather be surprised.”
“Hm. So would I.” Odysseus tugged Hermes into his arms and tucked his longer, silky curls behind his ear. “Darling, how do you feel about naming this one for Apollo?”
Hermes smiled softly. “I think he would be honored.”
“We should surprise him with the name when they're born.”
“Mm. Let's do it.”
“All right." Odysseus kissed Hermes happily and caressed his belly. "I love you, my beautiful wife, and my little child.”
Hermes giggled and settled in his arms. “I'm still your husband, really.”
“I know, darling.” Odysseus frowned. “Hermes, if I'm fully divine now, does that mean I should start taking your herbs too once you're able to top me again?”
Hermes opened his mouth and shut it. “You know, I have no idea. I think not, or we would have been surprised long before now, but then, I never try to do that. There is some element of will involved, so maybe it just hasn't happened yet.” He shook his head. “Maybe Circe will know. For now, we'll be fine as we are.”
“Yes, we won't need to worry about it for the next several months at least.” Odysseus smiled and kissed Hermes’ stomach. “I am so happy you're here, little one. I can't wait to meet you.”
Hermes ran his fingers through Odysseus’ hair. “I love you so much.”
“I love you, darling.” Odysseus kissed between Hermes’ new breasts, not particularly large, but certainly more feminine than he had possessed before. “Hermes, should I still refer to you as male, or would you rather I use something else for now?”
Hermes wrinkled his nose. “I'm not actually a female. I just have a female body while I'm carrying a child.”
“Understood. I just wanted to make sure you were happy.”
“Would you like it if I called you a woman while you're carrying, if that is a possibility?”
Odysseus gave him a wry look. “Absolutely not.”
“There you go then.”
Odysseus nuzzled Hermes’ breast. Hermes tipped his head back a little, his breath hitching.
“Those are sensitive, Odysseus.”
Odysseus smirked. “I know.” He kissed and sucked the skin, and Hermes tossed his head back. Odysseus licked the pink center and suckled him, and Hermes groaned and arched under him.
“O-Odysseus, if you're trying to—”
Odysseus slipped two fingers into his slit and stroked, using his memory of Penelope to hit the right place on the first try.
Hermes gasped and arched into his hand. “Nnngn. So intense.”
Odysseus lifted his head. “You know the beautiful thing about a female body?”
“Ahh, mm. Yes?”
“I can make you come over and over before I even take you.”
“Oh, gods.” Hermes shivered and clutched the hammock ropes. “O-Ody, the children….”
Odysseus chuckled and moved down Hermes’ body, using his lover's powers to balance so he didn't send them toppling out of the hammock. “I saw the way Athena was looking at Orimene. Chances are very good they're distracted. And Apollo and Herelope are sailing the ship.” He kissed around his lover's navel and over the sensitive crest of his hip. “Really, we only need to worry about Ares and Hades, and they're grown adults with partners of their own—Ares even has children—so they have the experience and common sense to know when to avoid bothering us.”
Hermes panted and clutched Odysseus’ hair. “Ahh, oh. Be gentle. I've never been fully female before.”
“Of course, love.” Odysseus hovered between Hermes’ legs and spread him open, watching his body react to his strokes. “I just want to make this night last, so I can hold onto it when I'm afraid on the sea.”
Hermes groaned and rocked into his hands, his breath coming faster. “O-Ody… I can't—it’s so—” He whimpered and arched, and Odysseus watched his entrance clench and his thighs quiver. Hermes jerked and shuddered above him, and Odysseus slid his fingers inside him instead. Soft kisses through his climax made Hermes gasp and pull back.
Odysseus eased in and out of him, stroking that spot deep inside, until Hermes was a little less overstimulated. “Watching you come is wonderful no matter what kind of body you have.” He stroked Hermes’ nub with his tongue, and Hermes cried out and gripped Odysseus’ hair.
“O-Odysseus!”
Gods, Odysseus loved making his husband cry out his name. Hermes thrashed around him and kicked his feet. Odysseus slid his other fingers into the back, still slick from taking him as a male earlier, and Hermes whined and arched into his hands.
Odysseus moved with his lover's body, speeding up and pressing deeper as Hermes’ rocking grew more intense. Hermes thrashed above him and sobbed his name, and his thighs clenched around Odysseus’ neck.
“Ody, please!”
Hermes shuddered under him and pressed against his face, his body quivering. "Ah!" His tension broke again with a cry, but Odysseus had no intention of stopping.
Between slow, gentle licks, he murmured to his husband, “I missed making love to you like this.”
Hermes groaned and shuddered under him. “Oh, gods. Odysseus, I… please.”
“Mm. When I'm done.”
“Damn it, Odysseus. When I married you, I didn't realize you were a damn pleasure dom!”
Odysseus gave a dark chuckle. “What? I enjoy making you come all over me. It's even more fun to come out the next morning with a sparkly beard and watch everyone blush.”
“You're a sadistic, evil man.”
“No, I'm a sadistic, evil god, apparently. And that means I have even more stamina to make you lose your mind to pleasure.”
“Oh, gods help me.”
“Just us here, darling.” Odysseus sucked him gently, and Hermes threw his head back and whined.
“Odysseus!”
Hermes gave a stuttered cry and soaked Odysseus all over again. This time, Odysseus followed him into bliss and dropped beside him, exhausted, but happy.
“Gods. Every time with you is incredible.” Odysseus eased out and lay down beside his trembling, panting lover.
“Did I wear you out again?”
Hermes groaned and smacked his chest lightly. “How are you… coherent? Sleep, damn it.”
Odysseus chuckled and kissed his damp forehead. “Let me take care of you first.” He grabbed a cloth from his pack and poured some water from a canteen set aside for washing rather than drinking. He cleaned Hermes’ body and then himself, then hung the cloth up on a hook by the door. He would wash it in the morning, though he would probably have to make do with salt water.
After giving Hermes a drink from the other canteen and taking a little water himself, Odysseus hovered and sank onto the hammock, so he wouldn't jostle his partner too much. Hermes curled up in his arms as soon as Odysseus lay beside him again.
“I love you, Ody, but I swear if you touch me again tonight I'll send you flying through the damn hull.”
Odysseus chuckled. “Understood.” He nuzzled his cheek. “This is still allowed?”
“You know what I mean.”
Odysseus nodded and caressed Hermes’ cheek. “Rest, my darling. I promise I won't bother you again tonight.”
“You're never a bother.” Hermes curled up under his chin. “I'm just exhausted.”
“Sleep then. I will hold you.” Odysseus rested his hand over Hermes’ belly. “Goodnight, my darlings.”
Hermes kissed him lightly. “Goodnight, love.”
Odysseus settled down with a sigh. “Hermes? Thank you.”
“Mm?”
“For giving me something beautiful to remember on the sea.”
Hermes kissed him lightly and tucked his head under Odysseus’ chin. "Anytime, love."
For the first night since leaving Ithaca, Odysseus slept without nightmares.
Chapter 6: Old Friends
Summary:
I finished the painting in Chapter 1, if you want to see the final product!
Chapter Text
Chapter 6
Old Friends
Hermes left the cabin the next morning with a shy smile on his face. Odysseus walked beside him, one arm around his shoulders and the light in his eyes full of joy.
“How are you feeling, love?”
Hermes chuckled. “Not much different yet, despite some key changes.”
“I am not complaining.” Odysseus guided him to the railing and cuddled him from behind. “I love you in all your forms.”
Hermes leaned against his powerful chest with a sigh. “I'm glad this happened here, on the water, so you can let some of that old trauma go.”
Odysseus kissed his cheek. “I am too.”
“Hey!” Herelope called from the upper deck and vaulted down to them. “Good morning, Dad, Papa. You look happy!”
Hermes smiled at the ocean. “Last night was wonderful.”
“Oh, you sound like me today!” Herelope kissed their cheeks. “And… did you get shorter, Papa?”
Hermes chuckled. “A little, I suppose.”
“Really? But why?”
Apollo leapt down beside Herelope. “You do sound different. Are you all right, brother?”
Hermes grinned. “I'm wonderful!”
“You truly are happy,” said Hades with a soft chuckle. “Ah!” His eyes widened. “Are you simply going about as a woman today, nephew, or is there something we should know?”
Athena, Ares, and Orimene rushed out of the cabin.
“Wait, what? You changed to a woman?” Orimene squealed and grabbed Hermes into a hug. “Papa, are you pregnant?”
Hermes laughed happily. “Yes! You're going to have a little sibling in nine months!”
Orimene and Herelope tackled him into a hug, and Hermes giggled.
“Be gentle, you hooligans.” He chuckled and hugged them hard. “I'm so glad we could share this happy memory on the sea.”
Odysseus smiled at his family and leaned against Apollo's side. “It is a beautiful memory.” But his expression held worry. “I just hope our trip is easy.”
Ares hugged his shoulders. “Don't you worry, brother. We will keep him and the new baby safe.”
Athena nodded and kissed Odysseus’ cheek. “Congratulations, brothers. I'm very happy for you.”
Hermes basked in the love and joy of his companions. “I can't wait to tell Aphrodite.”
Hades’ smile held old grief. “I wish….”
Odysseus moved to his side. “Hades? I know it isn't what you want, but we would be willing to help you and Persephone have a baby, if you want.”
Hades hugged him hard. “I don't know how Persephone feels about that, but thank you for the offer.” He stepped back and blinked hard. “Would… you speak to her with me when we return? You and Hermes?”
“I think I can help, maybe,” said Apollo. “I don't know for certain, but if Artemis helps, maybe we can make it so the baby actually carries your essence, Hades, but with Ody's life and ability to survive.”
“I'm not sure how well that would work with the god of the dead, nephew, but I'm willing to try if Persephone, Odysseus, and Hermes are also willing.”
“Of course,” said Odysseus. “You've wanted a baby for so long. I'd be happy to help.”
“So would I.” Hermes kissed Hades’ cheek. “Don't be sad, Uncle. We'll figure it out.”
Hades hugged him. “Congratulations. I am very happy for you. Your baby will be very well loved.”
Hermes covered his stomach with his hands, his heart overflowing with soft, warmth and love. “Yes, they will be.”
Odysseus swept him into his arms. “Always.”
Hermes leaned against him, content and happy, both for his little one's future, and for their plans to help Hades. He would be a fantastic dad. Hermes couldn't wait to see it.
Two weeks went by with no trouble. Odysseus watched over Hermes like a hawk, but he moved on light feet and smiled everywhere he went now. His joy was contagious, and everyone on board smiled when they saw him. Odysseus hadn't had nearly as many nightmares since Hermes conceived either. For the first time in seventy years, sailing no longer felt like a curse.
And yet, as they landed on Circe's Isle and made their way to the castle, Odysseus couldn't help but worry. They still had much to do, and if Circe did know about his godhood, everything might change.
He held Hermes’ hand tightly, not only to steady him, but because if he didn't, he felt as though something terrible might happen.
As they crossed a forested grove overlooking the beach, a masculine voice hit Odysseus’ ears, and panic crashed over him instantly.
“There you are. Coward!”
“Ruthlessness is mercy upon ourselves….”
“Or what? You can't kill me.”
“O-Ody?”
Hermes’ terrified whimper cut through the clash in Odysseus’ mind, and he grabbed him up and hid amongst the trees. Apollo and Ares crawled into place on either side of them. Athena and his children crept into the bushes on Apollo's side, and Hades positioned himself near Ares. With his family all around him, Odysseus could finally breathe, and he dared to peek through the leaves.
“Is this a good place for your work, Amphitrite?”
A pretty little nymph, short even by Odysseus’ standards—couldn't be more than five feet even—walked beside the god of the sea, carrying an armload of twine and river reeds. She had her long, black hair tied out of her face, and the pack she carried at her hip and over one shoulder reminded Odysseus of healers he had met on the road.
So she, at least, probably wasn't a threat.
“Hm. It will do, if you don't mind getting some new reeds for me. I'm not entirely sure I have enough.”
Poseidon gave a quiet chuckle and waved his hand over the sand. A patch of similar reeds grew under his fingers. “How is that?”
“Oh, lovely! I'll be able to make a wonderful medicine basket with all of this.”
“Good.” Poseidon settled on the sand by the reeds, and Odysseus shielded Hermes and leaned in for a better look. .
Poseidon watched Amphitrite weave a series of sea grasses into a basket with fascination. “You know, I think being able to create things with our being, the fact that we are born with divine talents—I wonder now if it hasn't deprived us.”
Amphitrite looked up briefly—she couldn't look away from her work for long without losing progress. “Deprived you? But you can make whatever it is you're deprived of, and you don't need to work hard like a nymph or a human might. Especially a human.” A lock of her dark waves dropped out of her tie and flopped into her face. “Oh. Ugh.” She blew at it, trying to puff it back over her shoulder.
Poseidon slipped his fingers under her hair, tucked it behind her ear and back into her bun, and altered her hair tie to pin it back in place with a bit of his power.
“Ah. Thank you, dear.”
He caressed her shoulder lightly and sat beside her, taking care to block neither her movements or the light.
“That's what I mean,” said Amphitrite. “If I had to deal with that on my own, it would have made finishing this a terrible chore, and I might have lost all of my progress. For you, it took only a little touch, a little power, and it's fixed.”
Poseidon nodded and rested his head on his hand, leaning his elbow on his thigh. “Yes, I suppose, in that way, humans and nymphs have it much harder. But there is something you gain by the work, I think. By training to learn skills, rather than simply being born with them.”
“Hm? What's that, dear?”
“Respect. For the craft, for the skill it takes to make it, and for yourself, in learning to accomplish something amazing with nothing but your wit and your hands.”
Amphitrite paused. “I suppose that's true. The process of training a skill does tend to teach other things, too. Discipline, pride in oneself, and pride in others who also achieve amazing things. Dedication, purpose, and companionship for those one works and learns with. A sense of peace in the working of one's skill. And empathy for others, in watching their struggles to learn that which also gave us pain and frustration, and generosity in teaching the next generation.” She met Poseidon's eyes, her expression sorrowful. “No. You're right. You have been deprived.”
Poseidon tucked another loose strand of ebony behind her ear. “For the most part, gods have nothing but cruel experience to teach us those lessons. We cannot rely on our parents, if we even have them, and we miss out on that sense of community and discipline you gain by training. It instills a sense of arrogance in us. We think we are better because we have no need to work to make something beautiful. And yet, the more I watch you work, the more I think I am the one who is lacking.”
Amphitrite tied off her work and moved into his arms. “You're beautiful, Poseidon. Inside and out.”
He rested his head on her shoulder. “Hm. I wasn't, Amphitrite. It was only losing so much and finding you that taught me to appreciate the beauty of mortal things, and of your immortal kin.”
Amphitrite stroked his cheek. “And that willingness to learn is part of what makes you beautiful to me.”
Poseidon smiled and leaned into her touch. “You surpassed me long ago, darling.”
Amphitrite giggled and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, sweetheart. It means something wonderful, I think, to be beautiful to a god.”
Poseidon turned into her touch. “It does to us, anyway.” He kissed her forehead and held her face, his touch soft and gentle. “Finish your basket while the sun is still high, my pearl. I don't want all your hard work to go to waste.”
Amphitrite kissed his palms and gave him a soft smile. “Thank you, my darling friend.” She sighed and resumed her weaving, crouched over her basket as her fingers threaded the grasses into intricate designs. “There is one thing I don't enjoy about this method of creation: the backaches.”
Poseidon ran his fingers lightly up and down her spine, healing on his fingertips. “Better?”
Amphitrite slumped forward with a little groan. “Oh, by the seas, it was a blessed day when I found you on the shore, my friend.”
Poseidon gave her a hesitant attempt at a smile. He didn't stop his healing until she set her finished basket aside and curled up in his arms. He pulled her closer and closed his eyes, at peace with the world, as long as he held this sweet little nymph close to his heart.
A lowered female voice sounded behind Odysseus. “Does that worry you quite as much as it worries me?”
Odysseus jumped. It both gratified and alarmed him that Hermes and Apollo did, too.
“What the…?” Odysseus turned and breathed a sigh. “Fates, Circe. You nearly startled us straight back to Tiresias.”
Circe raised an eyebrow. “Did I? A group of gods?”
Odysseus sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “You know then, why we're here?”
“I had a vague idea you might come knocking soon.” She frowned at the god and the nymph, both still oblivious to their presence. “I do not like the thought of the same god that tormented you so viciously cuddling up with one of my nymphs.”
“No, nor do I,” Apollo murmured. “Odysseus, what should we do?”
Odysseus watched as the nymph tied off her finished basket and showed Poseidon her work. Poseidon smiled a little and touched the frame.
“This is beautiful, Amphitrite. I am a little jealous of your skill.”
“You don't have to be.” She set her basket aside and climbed right into his arms. “I'll share anything I have with you.”
Poseidon lowered his head over hers and closed his eyes. “I… would like that.”
“Good! It's about time you learned to smile again.”
Poseidon sighed and hugged her, his embrace gentle and careful. “I think you may be the only soul left in the world who still has the capacity and the will to care.”
“Then come to me when you're lonely. I enjoy your company anyway.”
Poseidon squeezed her close to his heart. “Thank you, Amphitrite.”
“You're welcome. In both senses of the word.”
Odysseus gazed into his husband's eyes. Hermes had pressed himself against Odysseus’ side, trembling and pale, when they first found the couple. Now, he just looked sad. Full of pain and betrayal for all Poseidon had done to him, yet did not seem inclined to do to a pretty stranger. Odysseus lifted him right up into his arms and pressed Hermes’ head against his neck. “I have you, darling.”
Hermes sniffled and pressed his face into Odysseus’ shoulder. Odysseus rubbed his back and, with Hermes balancing himself in his arms to spare Odysseus having to hold his weight, Odysseus motioned his family away from their vantage point.
“I can hardly believe my eyes, but it's clear enough that she's there of her own will, and Poseidon wants her there too. If anything, her presence seems to be doing him a world of good.”
Circe frowned. “And if he changes his mind, then what? I don't want an angry god after my nymphs.”
“The only advice I can give is to keep an eye on things and to call for us if you sense the situation turning sour. As far as I can tell, Poseidon is already fiercely attached to this little nereid. To try to separate them now may bring the exact fate you fear upon your heads.”
Circe huffed. “Unfortunately sound advice.”
“He seems to truly care for her,” said Hades. “I hope he does.”
Hermes flinched. Odysseus kissed his hair and held him close.
“Yes, and that's exactly the problem.” Circe gave Hermes a worried look. “Odysseus, is he going to be all right?”
Odysseus nodded and rubbed Hermes’ back. “Shh. My love, I know it hurts, but you have family who loves you dearly, and we have a little one on the way. Think of that and let it ease your heart a little.”
Apollo rubbed Hermes’ hair. “I think, Hermes, that this is not what you fear anyway. I've told you I've sensed remorse in Poseidon since your wedding, brother. He was the one who stood between us and begged Father to back down before we were driven to war. He regrets it, and it was losing us that brought it home to him how much he had thrown away.”
Hermes’ pain eased a little. “I… don't know.”
“I understand, brother. You have good reason to be leery.”
Circe nodded grimly. “He does, and that's what frightens me for her, too. For us.”
Apollo gazed at the pair on the beach, his expression heavy with sorrow and empathy. “What he's feeling now—I understand, Circe. I've seen it in myself.”
She hesitated. “You think this is genuine.”
“I do. I think your nymph friend is teaching him lessons he should have learned long ago. What's more, he appreciates her for it. If she's having that much of an effect on him, to render such a proud god so humble in her presence, then I think it's better for both of them just to stand back and observe. To get in their way may cause much more harm.”
Circe frowned. “Do you sense an enchantment on her?”
“No. As far as I can tell, that was completely honest.”
“I think so too,” said Herelope.
Circe eyed him. “And why would you know, boy?”
“He is my apprentice too,” said Apollo.
“Humph.” Ares nudged his shoulder. “He's my apprentice, brother. He's a bit more to you.”
Apollo flushed. “Um, yes.”
Herelope stifled a giggle and leaned against Apollo's chest. Apollo kissed his hair and buried his red face in his curls.
“Hm.” Circe glanced over the couple and returned her gaze to Poseidon and the nymph. “Well, you may have a point about interfering causing more harm than good, boys, but I still intend to check her for spells and enchantments and to speak to her about this, and whether she is honestly willing or afraid to upset a god.”
“I think that's a wise precaution,” said Athena.
“She may not be able to reveal her discomfort while the god is near,” said Orimene. “It looks genuine to me, but she may simply be an accomplished actor.”
“Also sound advice,” said Odysseus.
Circe nodded. “I think so, too, but we've been here too long. I'm hiding our presence, but, even so, we should all get away from here before we're caught. We may as well use the interim to discuss your questions, Odysseus.”
Odysseus gave the god and the nymph one last look and followed Circe to her home, his family following close at his side.
“I hope this is the end of our problems with Poseidon.”
Hermes sniffled and buried his head in Odysseus’ shoulder. Odysseus held him close and whispered love and devotion in his ears. He did hope this meant their feud would never be resurrected, but, even so, he was angry at Poseidon, too. Hermes deserved better than this.
“Regardless of your uncle, we love you, darling.”
Hermes hugged Odysseus’ neck, and Odysseus hurried him away from the scene that had so broken his husband's heart.
Chapter Text
Chapter 7
A Divine Truth
Odysseus followed Circe into the deepest part of her stronghold. Hermes walked at his side, his usual flamboyant nature subdued. Hades walked on Hermes’ other side, rubbing the god's back. Apollo walked beside Odysseus and shot Hermes worried looks every so often. The rest of their family filed in around them, keeping back from the other nymphs so as not to upset the already nervous Circe further.
Odysseus liked pigs well enough, but he didn't want to be one.
Circe guided them into a room with a table and a bubbling cauldron, with jars of various things on shelves all around. Herbs both divine and mundane hung from every available surface, and runes of all sorts covered the walls. Golden and brass instruments the like of which Odysseus had never seen glinted in corners and along ledges. Even the table itself had sigils and runes carved into every available inch, so the presence of a massive swath of blank white fabric against the wall behind the cauldron caught Odysseus off guard.
“Oh….” Herelope stepped close to the fabric. “Is this a scrying mirror, Circe?”
She gave him a wan smile. “And I have half a mind to use it to check Poseidon's motives, but….” Her eyes met Hermes’. “Well. Perhaps that can wait. For now—” she flicked her wrist, and eight seats sprung into being around the table— “have a seat.”
Odysseus obeyed, tugging Hermes right into his lap. Hermes gave a wan giggle.
“I believe the lady intended us to sit in our own seats, my big, strong man.”
Odysseus didn't laugh. “When your pain stops burning my soul, you may sit in your own seat.”
Hermes huffed. “So pushy.”
“Please. This kind of agony isn't good for the baby, Hermes, nor for you.”
Hermes winced and hugged his stomach. “I don't want to hurt them.”
Odysseus ran his hand up and down his back. “You're not, love. Just try to relax as much as you can and rest on me.”
Hermes nodded and wrapped his arm around Odysseus’ shoulders. Odysseus held him close and rubbed his back.
“Apologies for the interruption, Circe. I need to take care of him right now.”
She shook her head and gave Odysseus a genuine smile. “No. I'm glad to see your devotion to your partner, my friend. It's good to know there are some men in the world I don't need to turn into pigs.”
“Please don't do that,” said Herelope with a grimace.
Circe eyed him. “Hm. I think there is no need to worry with you either.”
Apollo swept Herelope against his side and shot her a glare. “None of us are a threat to your nymphs, Circe.”
Ares shuddered. “Not in the least.”
“Speak for yourself,” said Orimene with a wink. “Since I've been given leave to pick up a female if I so choose and all….”
Athena gave her an unamused look.
Odysseus rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Daughter, this might possibly be the worst place in the world to make that joke.”
“Who said I'm joking? I might just go snatch up a nereid of my own, you know, since I'm so available and all—”
Athena grabbed her by the front of her chiton and kissed her. “There now. You've made your point. Do stop terrorizing Circe before she's tempted to turn you into something less appealing.”
Orimene smirked. “Well, it seems I'm spoken for after all. Threat absolved, Circe.”
Circe snorted. “She is absolutely your daughter, Odysseus.”
Odysseus gave a wry laugh. “Thank you?”
“It was a compliment.” Circe gave the woman a searching look. “But it does raise some interesting questions. You were born after your father was chosen as a god and inherited a streak of immortality of his own. How old are you now, Orimene?”
Orimene frowned. “Um, I'm fifty-three. I'm mortal though… aren't I?”
Circe stared into her face. “Maybe. You look exceptionally young for your age, but not quite as young as a true immortal would look.” She cocked her head and peered into her eyes, then stepped back abruptly. “Yes, you are mostly mortal. Long-lived, I think, but not immortal.” She sifted through jars on a nearby shelf and set one on the table. “But I think it wouldn't take much to change that.”
Athena gasped and clutched Orimene against her side. “No. You're saying…?”
“Speak to her about it, Athena. You know what you must do.”
Athena inclined her head. “I am grateful, Circe.”
“I'm only doing it to keep her under your guard and away from my nymphs.”
Odysseus laughed, wonder and joy bright in his heart. “Oh, daughter. I wish we could also save Telemachus and his boys, but to know I might not lose you is….” He covered his face and closed his eyes against a surge of deep emotion. “I'm so relieved, and sorrowful all at once. I hope Telemachus understands.”
Hermes kissed his cheek. “Odysseus, that man is his mother's son, all around. He's the most gracious, tender-hearted person I've ever met. I swear, if I didn't know Athena mentored him, I would think he was Hades’ student.”
Hades inclined his head in acceptance of his compliment.
Odysseus clutched Hermes’ hand. “But will this break his tender heart?”
“I think he'll be happy to know his sister doesn't have to face death, and that a part of his mother will go on forever.”
Odysseus sighed. “I hope so. In the meantime, we should return to the discussion at hand. Circe's time is valuable, and I can see she's nervous about Amphitrite.” He fixed Circe with a grim look. “So, it's true then. I am a god now.”
She nodded. “I noticed the shift in your power the instant you stepped on my island again.” She shuddered. “Odysseus, you must safeguard it carefully. You're a kind man and one of the most devoted I've ever met, but you also have the potential to be a dire threat, and this power is meant to bring the gods to heel. Be careful how you use it, my friend.”
“Bring the… what?” Odysseus set Hermes on the bench and stood, his heart hammering in his ears and his head spinning. “I-I don't understand. I love the gods. I don't….”
Hermes grabbed Odysseus’ hand. At the same time, Ares and Apollo rushed to his side, bracing him up.
“I don't want to bring the gods to heel,” Odysseus said, his voice haunted. “All of my remaining family save for my son and grandchildren are gods or demigods.”
Hermes tugged his hand. “Darling, sit. You're too pale.”
Odysseus let them guide him to the seat once more. “Circe, please tell me I'm not going to be used as a weapon against my own family.”
Circe winced. “That's what we're here to find out. I think it's for a different reason. Though it may sometimes seem that way to mortals who cannot see the greater picture, the Fates aren't cruel for the fun of it. They always have a reason for what they do, even if it seems harsh in the moment. And I can see no justifiable reason to attack gods who have done nothing but try to protect humanity, at least for the past century.”
“What reason was there to kill my entire crew, Circe?” Odysseus shuddered. “Please. I hope you're right, but I've felt the cruelty of the Fates firsthand, and I will not survive if they plan to use me against my loved ones. I would sooner join my wife in the Underworld than hurt them.”
Hermes clutched his arm. “D-don't say such dramatic things, darling. I'm sure it's not that bad.”
Odysseus tugged him right back into his lap, tears blinding him. “Circe, please.”
Circe sighed and squeezed his shoulder. “Breathe. I will prepare the mirror, but your partner is vulnerable right now. He needs you to be strong for him.”
Odysseus took a shaky breath and hugged Hermes close. “I-I'll try.”
“Good boy.” Circe began measuring herbs and potions into her cauldron, and Odysseus struggled to keep the panic from his face. Bring the gods to heel? What on earth did that mean?
Ares dropped to a crouch before Odysseus and held his shoulders. “My brother, if you do have the power to topple the gods, there is no one else in the world I would trust to wield it.”
Apollo nodded and rubbed Odysseus’ back. “He's right, Odysseus. You've seen what suffering brings. You've lost too much and love too hard to ever use such power irresponsibly. I trust you, brother, and I love you.”
Hermes tipped Odysseus’ chin up and kissed him gently. “I adore you and I trust you with everything I am. We're going to be fine, darling. If your power is dangerous, we'll teach you to control it.”
Odysseus gave him a heartsick look. “You're certain it can be controlled?”
“Dad,” said Orimene, “none of us are certain of anything yet—except you. It's going to be okay. Just breathe and let us take care of you.”
Herelope hugged Odysseus’ neck. “I love you, Dad. This changes nothing.”
“Listen to your children, Odysseus,” Hades said, his voice soft and gentle. “It will be all right.”
“I-I suppose, but….” Odysseus met Athena's eyes. “A-Athena? You haven't said anything.”
She kept her reply to a low murmur. “Because I can see that our conversation is disturbing Circe's work.” She sat beside Odysseus and took his hand. “I didn't trust you once, Odysseus. I regret that decision still.”
Orimene sat at her feet and leaned against her legs. “Whatever Circe finds in that mirror, Dad, know we love you and trust you regardless.”
“I love all of you too.” Odysseus covered his face. “I can't hurt you. I can't!”
This time, if it came down to a choice between his life and theirs, Odysseus’ choice would be easy.
“Hush.” Hermes tugged Odysseus’ head down to rest against his shoulder. “No one is going to die.” In a vocal whisper, he added, “Breathe, darling. Let's try not to assume the worst before we even know what kind of power you have.”
Odysseus gave him a sorrowful look. “I think we already do know. If I'm meant to bring gods to heel, and all signs point to me being a god of retribution, then I think we know now why I am here when Nemesis already handles the humans who anger the gods. I am, by that logic, meant to exact retribution against the gods.”
Hermes’ eyes widened. “Retribution against—oh damn! Poseidon! Odysseus, that explains everything. Remember I told you that battle should have been much more difficult? Apollo, Ares, and I surmised that I was so injured when Poseidon attacked me because I had rendered myself weaker, because I had put half of my power in you, but even with your godhood, we didn't understand how you damn near killed Poseidon without much help at all. If your powers are meant to kill and punish gods who have gone astray, then of course you defeated him. As you said, you're Nemesis, but for gods!”
Odysseus’ heart thundered. “But does that mean I can choose not to hurt a god? Does that mean I can show mercy and protect those gods who don't deserve retribution?”
A voice cracked with age responded, “Oh, very good, boy. I knew we chose well.”
Every hair on Odysseus’ body stood on end. Oh no.
Hermes went rigid in his arms. “Circe, please tell me you didn't just do what I think you did.”
Circe gave a choked whimper. “N-not on purpose. They overrode my spells.”
The aged voice gave a dark laugh. “You do well with your tricks, daughter of magic, but you are no match for Fate.”
Circe staggered back. “I-I'm not trying to interfere with Fate, madam. We were only trying to learn what Odysseus’ powers are.”
The old woman laughed again. “And you see, our Right Hand figured it out all on his own. Or mostly so. His family gods have done a good job of helping him.”
Right hand? The right hand of Fate?
Odysseus forced himself to turn to the voice. The once plain tapestry showed violet mist in the shape of a loom, with hours of the day marked along the top bar. Two young women worked the loom, one spinning the threads from mist and feeding them to the loom, the other weaving the fibers into a tapestry. The woman who met Odysseus’ eyes neither wove nor spun. The old crone drew threads from the end of the tapestry as it passed by, holding a pair of golden scissors over the fibers.
The Moirai. Gods above.
Hades gave her a grim look and moved to shield a shaking Athena and Orimene. Apollo shoved Herelope behind him and guarded Hermes. Ares stood at his side, his expression tight with alarm.
Odysseus swallowed thickly and took position in front of his terrified family. “Lady Atropos. You called me your right hand. Does that mean you intend me to kill any immortals who are overdue to… meet Fate?”
Atropos shut the scissors over a thread, and it snapped with a rush of green mist. Everyone in the room winced.
“Hm. Yes and no, Odysseus. You have the power to kill the gods, yes, but that power will only come when you need it, such as when you stand in the presence of a god who has committed some grievous sin against the world.”
She looked up from her thread, and glowing red eyes fixed upon Odysseus—he felt she saw right through him down to his soul. She probably did.
“Your powers are dangerous, which is why they are, other than your immortality, your bond to your husband, and your godly strength and day-to-day abilities, locked within you until it is necessary to call upon them.”
She snapped another thread without turning her head. “We don't want a god-killing monster going on a rampage, such as Zeus and Poseidon have rampaged against you. That is why, when we saw your future and past through Tiresias’ sight, we decided that you were the best candidate for the job. A man who loved and empathized with humans, yet was not afraid to kill if necessary. A man who understands the value of life and of death, who was willing to sacrifice and to fight for those he deemed worthy, a powerful warrior and a devoted family man, and a witty, intelligent trickster who is both difficult to manipulate and nearly impossible to hoodwink.”
Snap!
“You are just the right mix of love and resolution, mercy and vengeance, trust and perception. We know you will do well.”
Odysseus gulped. “Do what? I… don't understand.”
Atropos eyed him. “You do.”
Odysseus grimaced. “I have an idea, yes. Given we are speaking of the lives of gods, many of which are my own family, I think it's probably wise to make damn sure I understand correctly.”
Atropos gave him a sharp smile, and Odysseus realized he had just been tested. His heart slammed into his throat. That eerie grin could mean he had passed, or….
“Ah, I knew we chose well.”
The group let out a collective sigh of relief. Odysseus’ knees wobbled, but he didn't allow his fear to show. Atropos knew damn well he was terrified. Anyone in their right mind would be while talking to a being that could end them with a mere snip of her scissors.
“Ah, but that is the problem, isn't it?” Atropos drew another thread, this one glowing red, twined with hints of gold and green. Odysseus knew in an instant she literally held his own life in her hands.
Hermes made a sound of horror. “W-wait.”
Odysseus held him back. “Don't.”
Atropos held up the thread. “Such a pretty string. All the immortals have such lovely threads.” She pulled a golden and sky blue one out, too, and Apollo stiffened. Then a green and golden one joined it, tied with a small thread of bright orange, and Hermes whimpered and shielded his stomach.
Odysseus gasped. “Please, don't!”
Hades cried, “No!”
Atropos snapped her scissors shut on all three threads.
Odysseus dropped to his knees, shaking with terror, but….
But he wasn't dead.
“Dad!” Orimene grabbed him up. “Oh gods, are you alive?”
“Fine.” With a gasp, he raced to his husband and his brother-in-law. They were both clutching each other in terror, but they still breathed.
“Ody,” Hermes called, his voice shaking and raw.
“Oh, darling.” Odysseus caught him into his arms and Apollo too. “You're all right. It's okay. Shh.”
Herelope stood frozen by Apollo, eyes wide in shock and horror. “Oh gods,” he breathed.
Apollo shuddered and hid his face in Odysseus’ shoulder. Odysseus pulled his terrified son into their embrace, kissed their cheeks, and clutched them all tight, relieved to feel their breath on his skin and their hearts beating as frantically as his own.
“Nothing.” Atropos' croak made the entire family jump. She held up the threads, revealing completely undamaged strands of life. “I'm afraid these scissors just don't work as well on immortals. I could unweave the threads from the beginning, but that is a rather messy process that tends to affect too many lives to really be a viable form of justice.” She sent the immortals’ threads away and carried on with a new mortal's fate.
Snap!
“So, you see, we have rather a dilemma.”
Odysseus passed Apollo into Herelope's care and motioned for Ares to guard Hermes. “A dilemma.” He forced his voice to come out steady. “I see. May I ask that, if you must carry on with further demonstrations, to please be cautious with terrifying my husband? As I'm sure you gathered from the state of his thread, he is with child.”
Atropos snickered. “My, my, you're a brave soul, to make demands of death.”
Odysseus shuddered. “You said you need my help. In that case, it would serve us both well to work on… civil terms.” He didn't dare risk anything sharper than that. Atropos was terrifying.
The crone smirked at him. Could she hear his thoughts?
Oh. Damn. He had better watch his mouth. “A wise idea, dear son,” said Atropos.
Odysseus gulped.
“As it happens,” she went on, “I have already shown you all you need to know regardless. We do not have the power to truly end an immortal's life without quite a lot of labor and collateral damage. You do. Therefore, we have tasked you with keeping the gods in line.”
Odysseus nodded carefully. “What kind of line?” He wasn't taking chances. Not with this.
“For the most part, we don't care what the gods do.” Snap! “They know how to keep their part of the world in order, and, in general, they do it well. We're mostly content to live and let live, where immortals are concerned.”
Her sister, the maiden creating the threads, looked up. “But when the gods start interfering with the fabric of space and time just to prove a point, we have a problem.”
The other sister, a mature woman with a rounded belly, nodded. “It creates knots in the thread, tangles, that we must undo.”
Atropos took over. “And that makes our job much more difficult, not to mention it ends too many lives at once.”
Odysseus grimaced. “Too many lives? You're speaking of Poseidon. Zeus. When they murdered my crew to take vengeance upon me, and of similar acts of cruelty and hubris.”
Atropos gave him another dark grin. “You are doing well.”
“Thank you.” He wasn't about to offend literal death by poor manners.
Atropos snickered. “We have more important things to concern ourselves with than manners or a bit of sass, dear boy. And, yes, that is precisely the kind of godly ‘justice’ I have in mind. Your husband too, suffered far too much under Poseidon's wrath. Had his string snapped, it would have caused a backlash through the entire—” Snap! “Tapestry.”
Odysseus inclined his head. “So, if I understand you correctly, you chose me as a god of retribution against the gods, and granted me the ability to kill immortals. Those powers will only activate when I need them, and, when they do, you expect me to bring the offending immortal to heel. Is that correct?”
“It is, Right Hand.”
Odysseus didn't show his distaste for the title. “Am I required to kill them every time? And must I attack Zeus and Poseidon retroactively?”
Atropos gave him a level look. “Your judgment is fair, Odysseus, and you have the right to exercise it. If you sense that a beating is enough of a warning to make the offending god straighten up, then, really, it's better for everyone involved if you do not kill them. However, if they are truly stubborn….” Snap!
Much as he really hoped she hadn't just ended that unfortunate mortal's life as a conversation point, he wasn't stupid enough to say so.
Judging by the leer on the crone's face, she knew anyway.
He suppressed a shudder and moved on. “I believe I understand now. Poseidon, I think, is at least trying to redeem himself. Despite our personal grievances against him, I can't see how attacking him now would benefit anyone. Zeus is another story. From all I hear from my siblings and friends, he is as arrogant and reckless as ever. Do you and your sisters have a particular plan in mind for him, Lady Atropos, or should we decide how to handle it ourselves?”
Atropos gave him a dark grin. “Oh, I think you will find the answer in the natural course of Fate, dear son.” She lifted her scissors and snapped them shut, and the screen went blank once more.
Odysseus stared at the empty fabric and blinked several times, caught off-guard by her abrupt exit. “Oh.” He took an unsteady breath and sank into the chair beside his shell-shocked husband. “Gods. That was….”
“A-absolutely terrifying,” gasped Herelope. “H-how did you just talk to death? Like a regular person?”
“What choice did I have? Their business was with me, and you're all the very dearest people to my heart.” Odysseus stroked Herelope's hair. “I will always guard you.”
Herelope hugged him and buried his face in his father's shoulder. “I hope I can be as brave as you someday, Dad.”
Odysseus closed his eyes. “I don't. That kind of bravery is born of suffering, son. When you have nothing to lose, or if you have everything to lose, then you learn to push your fears aside to save what you love. What you will not lose, not this time, not ever.”
Herelope hugged him tighter. “I'm sorry, Dad. That you understand how that feels.” He kissed Odysseus’ cheek and stepped back. “But I'm still proud of you.”
“Thank you, son.” Odysseus tugged Hermes against his side. “Darling, are you all right?”
Hermes pressed against Odysseus. “Can we just… go? I can't….” He stared at the blank tapestry and shuddered. “We almost lost everything today.”
Odysseus swept him into his arms, into a bridal carry. “Circe, is there somewhere I can take him—”
“Can we just go stay on the ship tonight, Ody?”
Odysseus met Circe's eyes. “You'll advise us about Poseidon after you scry for his motives and speak to Amphitrite?”
Circe nodded, her expression blanched of all color. “But, if you understand, I'm not sure I can manage to scry again tonight. Not after that.”
Odysseus glanced at the screen and told himself he wasn't checking to make sure it was still empty. “Yes, I understand.”
His skin prickled when he turned his back to it, as if someone was watching him, but he knew it was only paranoia. If the Fates wanted to watch him, they certainly didn't need a sheet of plain linen to do it.
“If any of you would prefer to stay here for the evening,” said Circe, “I do have a few rooms, but I don't blame you for wanting to put as much distance as possible between you and the scrying mirror as possible. I will give you permission to fish and hunt on the Isle, or you may eat here—without fear of becoming pigs—and then return to your vessel.”
“Thank you, Lady Circe,” said Apollo. “You're very gracious.”
“After that, I rather feel we're all in this together. A common foe, yes?”
“I'm not sure I'd classify the Fates as foes, per se,” said Hermes with a grimace, “but I understand precisely what you mean.”
“Yes.” Odysseus rubbed Hermes’ back. “Do you feel able to take a meal here?”
Hermes sighed. “Yes. I think we probably all need some proper food and rest.” He eyed Circe. “So long as no one becomes dinner for the next night.”
Circe gave a subdued chuckle. “I save that spell for the pigs in men's clothing, not friends and allies.”
“Deal.”
Notes:
Now you know what I had planned for Ody.
Atropos is a badass, no?
Chapter 8: Fair Warning
Summary:
CW: Calypso is an utter piece of shit. Zeus is... not as bad.
Edited to make Zeus redeemable. I just couldn't live with the version I had in here before, especially not since turning to Hellenism myself and answering Dionysus' call. So I'm editing this to change his fatal flaw to stubborn pride rather than abusing Ganymede on purpose.
Chapter Text
Chapter 8
Fair Warning
Odysseus bolted up in the night at the sound of a scream. It took a second for him to process that he wasn't actually in the Underworld again, and the screaming was probably just in his dream.
“No!”
Oh dear gods. It wasn't a dream. He had never heard Hermes scream like that.
Odysseus was out of his hammock, armed, and dressed before he even touched the ground. “Hermes?”
Another shrill scream ripped across his ears. At the same time, the door to his cabin burst open, and Apollo, Herelope, and Ares stumbled into the room in varying states of dress.
“Odysseus?” Apollo rushed to him. “What's going on?”
“I don't know. Hermes….” Odysseus raced to the other side of his hammock, where Hermes was trying to fly despite being tangled in the blanket and the netting.
“Papa?” Orimene ran into the room in her chiton, Athena on her heels and tugging her own chiton into place on her shoulder. “Oh, Papa, what's wrong?”
“It must be a nightmare.” Odysseus carefully freed Hermes’ wing at his ankle from the netting and checked under his husband's ear. No, that one was all right. It was safe then, to wake his petrified husband.
“Hermes!” Odysseus grabbed his lover into his arms and tucked his head on his shoulder. “Darling, shh. It's all r—”
Hermes thrashed and pleaded, “Odysseus! Ody, please, no!”
Odysseus winced and rubbed Hermes’ back. “Hermes, sweetheart, wake up. I'm right here, my love. It's all right.”
Hermes whimpered. “O-Ody?”
“Shh. I'm right here, my darling. Everything is all right now.” Odysseus wrapped him in the blanket and carried him against his chest. “It's only a dream, Hermes. You're safe. I'm safe. The children are fine, and so is the rest of our family. Breathe, darling.”
“I thought….” Hermes broke down, and Odysseus paced the floor with him, murmuring comfort to him and holding him close.
“Oh, Papa….” Herelope sniffled and clung to his sister's hand. “What kind of dream is this bad?”
Orimene covered her mouth and, at another broken sob from Hermes, pressed her face into Herelope's shoulder. Athena rubbed her hair and watched Odysseus comfort Hermes, her expression heavy with grief.
“It was Atropos, wasn't it?” Ares blinked hard and rubbed Hermes’ shoulder above the blanket. “He was upset over it earlier, and now he's having terrible nightmares.”
“The pregnancy is not likely helping in that regard,” said Athena.
Apollo materialized his lyre and played a soft, soothing melody. “It's all right, brother. We're all safe.”
“Wait….” Odysseus’ heart dropped. “Hades?”
“Navigating the ship for us so we don't sail off course while we take care of Papa,” said Herelope. “Dad, what can we do? I've never seen him so scared, not from a nightmare.”
“It wasn't just a nightmare,” Hermes said in a broken voice. “It was a memory.”
Odysseus winced. “Oh, darling. Poseidon?”
“No. It was… about a month before Athena came to help me set you free from Ogygia. Calypso….” Hermes winced and gave Herelope and Orimene uncertain looks. “You don't want to hear this.”
Orimene blinked back tears and hugged them both. “We know, Papa. We know what she did to Dad.”
Herelope rubbed Odysseus’ hair. “Are you okay to hear it, Dad?”
“Calypso cannot hurt me again. I don't enjoy reliving it, but when my husband is this distraught….” Odysseus nuzzled Hermes’ cheek. “Speak, darling. None of us like to hear it, but we're much more concerned for you at the moment. We'll be all right. Tell us what's hurting you, my love.”
Hermes hesitated. “You—Odysseus, this is one of the most terrible memories I have from that time. Are you sure?”
Odysseus flinched. “Perhaps, unless it's relevant to your recovery, we could… gloss over the details of her attack?”
“I can't bring myself to repeat that part anyway.”
“All right. Then tell us, darling. We'll recover. You need to get this off of your heart, especially now, when you are so vulnerable.”
“It's all right, Papa.” Orimene rubbed Hermes’ shoulders. “Dad is doing okay, but you're really scared and upset. Please talk to us so we can help you.”
Herelope nodded. “Yes, Papa. We're scared for you and the baby. Just get it out, okay? We'll be fine.”
Apollo wrapped Herelope up from behind. He motioned to his sister, and Athena did the same for Orimene.
“Now, we're protecting your children, Hermes,” said Apollo. “Speak and get this poison off of your heart.”
Hermes sighed. “A-all right. It—it happened on the shore, and so close to the barrier, I was able to see everything. I tried so hard to save you, but I—” He choked back a sob. “I'm so sorry, Ody.”
Odysseus kissed his tears away and kissed his lips lightly. “Hush. You did save me, darling. You and Athena both suffered to bring me home. You're my hero, my love.”
Hermes sniffled and pressed his head against Odysseus’. “You're mine, too. You were then, and I had to watch—she forced you down on the beach, in full view. I-I fought so hard to get through the barriers. She glared at me too, even while she was… on you—like you belonged to her and I would never have you. But I didn't care about that then—I just wanted you to be safe.”
He whimpered and covered his face. “I couldn't do anything. And, when it was over, and she left you crying in the sand, I… just for a moment, I was able to get close enough to touch you. I was terrified to touch anything but your hand after you had been violated so badly, but even that made you pull away from me and retch.”
Odysseus buried his face in Hermes’ shoulder. “I remember now. I was sick because she forced me to….”
“Don't go there, darling. You were crying in misery the whole time. None of what she did to you was your fault or your choice.” Hermes shuddered and pressed his head under Odysseus’ chin. “D-do you remember what else happened that day?”
Odysseus opened his mouth and shut it. His memory of that afternoon was a blank void.
“No.” That didn't bode well.
“You went into the jungle and climbed to the top of the highest cliff you could find, begged Penelope and Telemachus to forgive you, and jumped off.” Hermes whined in anguish. “You were broken in pieces, and I was sure you would never, ever open your eyes again. But you did. And when you woke up and realized you were still alive and still a captive, you grabbed the most lethal poison you could find within reach and swallowed it while I tried to take it from your fingers and begged you to hold on. I screamed for you to stop, that I was fighting to save your life, but you just couldn't hear me. And I had to watch you die and wake up all over again.”
Herelope sobbed. “Oh, Dad….”
Apollo hugged him close. Ares held his apprentice's shoulder with a trembling hand, his red aura burning hot in his eyes. Orimene clutched Herelope's hand and whimpered, and Athena pressed her body against Orimene's back.
“I'm so sorry.” Odysseus gave his children a penitent look and rocked Hermes in his arms, struggling to soothe his husband's grief. “Hermes, darling, look at me.”
Hermes lifted a tear-streaked face to meet Odysseus’ eyes. “Ody, I'm sorry.”
“No, beloved, no apologies. You suffered too. Of course it traumatized you.” Odysseus kissed his forehead, over the bridge of his nose, and down to his mouth. “But I'm safe. I'm happy and healed now, and you did save me. You were my hope, Hermes, and when you let me sleep with my head in your lap on the journey home, when you guarded my dreams and held me after a nightmare, when you told me funny stories to pass the time so I wouldn't lose myself in my trauma and danced for me under the stars—you were my saving grace.” Odysseus cradled his husband close and pressed his head against Hermes’. “I didn't know it yet, but I fell in love with you during those nights on the raft, and I adore you more with every passing moment. And, now I'm a god in my own right. No one will ever hurt us ag….”
Odysseus froze. He was a god—a god of retribution. That meant it was both his divine right and his job to exact justice upon all the gods who had hurt them so badly, who cared for neither human nor divine life. That meant he could exact justice upon Calypso.
If anyone deserved retribution, it was her.
Beyond that, Apollo had warned Zeus twenty-five years ago that they would kill her or otherwise incapacitate her as soon as Odysseus could face it. Apollo had told him to find a replacement and suggested that he punish her of his own accord. But, by all rights, Calypso hadn't gotten so much as a bump on the head while Odysseus and Hermes suffered so badly, that even fifty years after the fact, they still had night terrors and flashbacks severe enough to traumatize everyone who witnessed it.
Zeus didn't intend to do a damn thing to her. Apollo had suggested it was because, at least in body, Calypso was an attractive female, and probably one of Zeus’ favorite diversions.
If that was the case, then destroying Calypso would absolutely send a message to Zeus too, wouldn't it?
“Odysseus?” Hermes frowned at him. “You're thinking hard, but I can't hear it right now. Too upset. What is it?”
Odysseus gave his family a grim look. “Ares, please tell Hades to change course, set heading 255 degrees west-southwest.”
“Change course?” Herelope frowned at Hermes. “But, west-southwest? That's….” His eyes widened. “Dad? Are you sure?”
Odysseus’ vision shaded red. His aura was burning. “I've put it off too long. Ares?”
Ares searched his eyes, and grim resolution set his features. “I will warn Hades.”
“Herelope, go with him and take the wheel from Hades. Please ask Hades to carry a message to Mount Olympus instead.”
Herelope nodded and raced off, Ares jogging behind him.
Apollo swallowed hard. “Odysseus, for those of us who aren't as familiar with the sea, exactly what is west-southwest of here?”
“Ogygia.”
“Oh, hell,” Orimene gasped. “Dad, you're going to smite her?”
Odysseus cocked his head, testing the word on his tongue. “Hm. Smite is a good word for it. And yes. I am going to execute her, so she can never haunt our dreams or waking moments again. Zeus has… hm. About eight days to find Calypso's replacement before judgement comes for her. He has one opportunity to heed our warning, and that is all he will get.”
Hermes gave him a grim look. “He won't take it. He won't believe you're strong enough to break through the barriers even with our help.”
“When we are finished in Ogygia,” said Odysseus with a cold smile, “I plan on sending Zeus a little present.”
“A… present?”
“Trust me. He will get the message.”
Hermes took a steadying breath and nodded. “I trust you with my life. But, baby or not, you're not leaving me on the ship when you face her. This time, we fight her as a team.”
Odysseus hesitated. “Yes, but… Apollo?”
Apollo nodded. “I'll shield him, don't worry.”
“We all will,” said Orimene. “She won't be happy to see Papa and know you love him of your own will. We're definitely going to protect him.”
“And you and your brother, Ori.” Athena caressed her cheek. “She will hate you, too.”
“I'd like to see the bitch try to take either of us on.”
“We won't let her.” Apollo squeezed Hermes’ shoulder. “We're going to be okay, but if Hades is carrying that message to Olympus, I think I had better go with him.”
Hermes frowned. “Can you still go there, brother?”
“Oh, Father wanted to see how long it took me to ‘come crawling back.’ I'm sure he left that option open so he could lord it over me.”
“He isn't going to like your message then,” said Odysseus. “Be careful, Apollo.”
“And warn Hades too,” said Orimene.
“I will.” Apollo bid them farewell and hurried after Ares and Herelope.
“We will go with him so you can dress and take care of your husband, Odysseus.” Athena slipped her hand into Orimene's. “Come, my love.”
Orimene flushed and trotted after her lover. “Papa?” She paused at the door. “It's going to be okay this time.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Hermes blew her a kiss. “Now, go make sure your brother stays awake and on course.”
“Will do.” She waved and shut the door behind her, and Hermes slumped against Odysseus’ chest with a shudder.
“You're sure about this, Ody?”
“Yes, darling. She has haunted our lives for far too long.”
Hermes stepped down and let the blanket fall. “Then we'll show her how dangerous it is to hurt a god.”
Odysseus nodded and helped his lover dress for training. If they were going into battle against a goddess, he wanted to be in top form.
Calypso would pay for hurting them so badly, and for other innocents she might have made suffer. Odysseus would see to it that her reign of evil ended before she hurt anyone else.
“All right, Atropos. If I am to be your Right Hand, then Fate will call for a rapist and torturer among the gods in approximately eight more days.”
He heard no answer but the distant tolling of a bell, and Odysseus counted that as acknowledgement enough.
Apollo led Hades into Olympus, his steps grim and certain despite the whispers all around them. Hades rested his hand on Apollo's shoulder, but his usual gentle smile had shifted into hard resolution. Apollo was glad of it now. They would need every ounce of strength they had to deal with Zeus.
The gods in the courtyard took one look at them and stepped aside to let them pass, their eyes following their steps. Conversation fell silent all around them, until the only sound audible was the quiet sobs of a boy they recognized too well, and Zeus’ own low voice.
“Come now, Ganymede. Is this any way to treat your lover?”
Ganymede, a fair-haired youth with a strikingly beautiful face and body—not that his looks had served him well—stood on trembling legs and, with a shudder, he pushed down the shoulder of the scanty, half chiton that was the only adornment Zeus allowed him.
Apollo cleared his throat, thankful that their warning had come in time, he hoped, to spare the boy another day of suffering. Soon, perhaps they could actually do something to help. If Odysseus would really have power over Zeus, then, with any luck, then they could finally rescue the poor boy. Gods, Apollo hoped so.
Ganymede, a fair-haired youth with a strikingly beautiful face and body—not that his looks had served him well—stood on trembling legs and, with a shudder, he pushed down the shoulder of the scanty, half chiton that was his only adornment.
Apollo cleared his throat, thankful that their warning had come in time, he hoped, to spare the boy another day of suffering. Soon, perhaps they could actually do something to help. If Odysseus would really have power over Zeus, then, with any luck, then they could finally rescue the poor boy. Gods, Apollo hoped so.
Ganymede had suffered far too much, even if Apollo knew Zeus wasn't actually aware of it. How could the boy safely make his resistance known? Athena had almost died for far less. So had Hermes, and Ganymede didn't have their power. Zeus didn't intend to make him suffer, perhaps, but he didn't exactly give Ganymede any option to refuse, either.
Zeus turned, rage burning in his eyes. “Who dares interrupt the King of the—” His eyes widened. “Apollo?”
Ganymede gave Apollo a grateful look and raced for the relative safety of Hera's side. She stood in front of him and motioned for Hephaestus to guard him. They couldn't protect him forever, but they could, at least, keep him safe for one more night.
“Hello, Father,” said Apollo in a cold voice. As if he didn't have enough reason already to hate his father, Ganymede brought it home again out of control Zeus really was.
He had never in his life dreamed he would have anything positive to say to Atropos or her sisters, but….
“Ladies of Fate, thank you.”
He sensed a wave of gratification and anticipation. So the Moirai weren't happy about this either. For once, Apollo agreed with their judgment.
Zeus’ face twisted with rage. “You were banned from Olympus!” He gave him a dark grin. “Or have you come begging my forgiveness?”
Apollo scowled. “We come in Hermes’ stead once more, and we will leave as soon as his message is delivered.”
Zeus glowered. “It couldn't wait?”
“No,” said a fierce Hades, “it could not.”
“I think it was rather fortuitous timing, actually,” said Apollo, “but the truth is, either way, Hades is correct. You were warned twenty-five years ago to find a replacement for Calypso, as we would one day exact justice upon her the moment Odysseus was able to face it. That day has now come, and, what's more, Odysseus not only has the will, but also the power to kill her.”
Zeus huffed. “A demigod, kill a goddess? Not even a demigod by his own right, but a bastard demigod born of Hermes’ power?”
“That's the thing, Father. Hermes now has about ninety percent of his power back, and Odysseus is as immortal as ever.”
Zeus frowned. “Or he has simply not shown the signs of aging yet.”
Hades scowled. “Odysseus gave back over half of the power Hermes gave him the same day you and Poseidon nearly killed him, to save Hermes’ life, the same way Ares and I shared power with Athena to save her life after you hurt her for doing exactly what you told her to. Odysseus has been living without aging past maturity for the past sixty years.”
“What?” Zeus shook his head. “So he picked up power from another god. Your point?”
Apollo gave a harsh laugh. “Which god exactly? Me? Since my sister has recovered, I have my full power at my disposal. All of us do save Hermes and Athena, and Athena shared her gift with her demigoddess lover, not Odysseus.”
“Get to the point, Apollo.”
“Fair enough.” Apollo stood tall and set his shoulders. “Our message is this: Odysseus is not a ‘bastard demigod.’ He was immortal before Hermes ever helped him. He has been chosen as a god of Retribution, but his target is not the humans—his targets are the gods themselves.”
“That cannot be!”
Hades carried on in a hard tone much unlike his usual mellow tenor. “Calypso's fate has already been decided. In eight days, Odysseus and his loyal gods will land in Ogygia, and Calypso will be judged by the Right Hand of Fate.”
Zeus snarled, “I am the god of Fate, and I gave him no such power!”
Apollo ignored his protest. They hadn’t expected him to believe them.
“In eight days, Odysseus will sentence her to death for her crimes and execute her. If you have not chosen a replacement for her by that time, then the cosmos will suffer. Consider this fair warning.”
Apollo stepped back, and Zeus pressed into his space, lightning crackling across his eyes. “You lie. No one can kill a god.”
Apollo turned away and shrugged.
“Take the warning or don't. We brought it as a courtesy for the sake of whatever part of the cosmos she supposedly guards. Of course, if you only kept her alive all this time for the sake of your own enjoyment, well. I suppose you'll just have to find your fun elsewhere.”
“Like your wife, perhaps,” Hades muttered.
“Oh, don't worry about me,” said Hera in a dark tone. “I'll be there watching the show and protecting my family.”
“Thank you, Aunt Hera.” Apollo motioned to Hades. “Are you ready to go back?”
Hades hesitated. “Just a moment.” He gave Zeus a disappointed look. “Your son is still bleeding over the damage Calypso did to him. Does it not hurt you? Do you not care at all that Hermes, too, is severely traumatized from her crimes?”
For an instant, pain flickered across Zeus’ expression. “Hermes made his choice long ago.” He crossed his arms over his chest, and all traces of any emotion besides anger vanished from his eyes. “And you will soon see that this is all a foolish delusion anyway. Perhaps Nemesis will have something to say about it.”
“Nemesis can do nothing to Odysseus now.”
“And who told you this?”
Apollo's smile was cold. “The Moirai did, actually. I wouldn't advise bothering them about their own warrior god, though. They're not particularly pleased with you at the moment.”
Zeus blanched. “Take care, son. Anger the Fates, and even I can do nothing to stop them.”
“I suggest you keep that advice in mind eight days from now.” Apollo rubbed Hades’ shoulder. “Come, my friend. We have done our duty by them. Whether Father heeds us or not is neither our decision nor responsibility.”
Hades slumped in defeat. “I had hoped, for Hermes’ sake….”
“I know. So did I.” Apollo offered his hand. “Let's go. If we're to help Ody fight a goddess in a few days, we should prepare ourselves.”
Hades inclined his head. “This will be one spirit I will be glad to carry….” He drew up short, his face screwed into a bemused frown. “Do dead gods even go to the Underworld?”
Apollo frowned. “That may be a question for Odysseus, as he is the one with a link to the Fates.” And the only one of their group with the sheer gall to ask them.
Hades nodded and took Apollo's hand. “Let's hurry and ask him then, because I will need to prepare somewhere to hold her and prevent her from mingling with the other spirits if she does fall under my domain.”
Apollo squeezed his hand and led him away from his father, who stared at them both as if they were about to be struck down. The further they walked without punishment, the more the confidence bled off of Zeus’ face. Good. Maybe he would heed their warnings after all and at least have a backup plan prepared.
But, if he didn't, it wasn't their fault. They had done what they could. The rest was up to Fate.
Even if Zeus did nothing, at least Apollo knew the trip wasn't entirely wasted. Whatever the leader of the gods chose to do, Apollo and Hades had spared his innocent captive one night of suffering. That would have to be enough, until Zeus’ turn for judgment arrived.
‘Soon,’ Apollo appeased himself and made his way back home, Hades at his side.
Chapter 9: For Whom the Bell Tolls
Summary:
Sorry for the delay, folks. I always tend to procrastinate on battle scenes and sex scenes, but this summer has been scary hard. Been dealing with a perfect storm of health issues for me, my mom, and my son. It's just been utter madness. But I have many chapters after this drafted, so the wait for the next won't be so long.
Chapter Text
Chapter 9
For Whom the Bell Tolls
TW: Sexual Assault (brief, not too graphic).
The moment they set foot on Ogygia, Odysseus’ gut turned to stone and his pulse hammered in his ears. No. He couldn't—not this place. Never again.
Hermes moved in front of him and took his hands. “Ody, do you need to go home?”
Home was safer, but if he left now, then….
“Calypso deserves to die.”
“Dad, it can wait if you're not ready.” Herelope stood beside Hermes and gave his father a gentle smile. “It's okay, really.”
“If you aren't able to face her, Odysseus, then we will leave right now.” Apollo gently patted his shoulder. “We're all behind you, brother.”
“Every step of the way,” said Athena.
“Damn straight,” said Orimene.
Hera held his shoulder. “We will not force you. Can you face this, dear?”
Odysseus took a deep breath and forced the crash of panic away. He had to face her, and if he didn't conquer his fears now, he never would.
He pulled Hermes into his arms and buried his face in his neck, breathing in his scent and holding him close. Even in a woman's body, Hermes was still athletic and strong. It was different enough from Calypso's form that Odysseus could find comfort in the heat of his body pressed close, his heartbeat in his ears, his gentle fingers sorting through his hair. A moment like this, with Hermes’ soft voice murmuring love and encouragement in his ear, and Odysseus found the strength to stand tall once more.
“Forgive me,” he said, his voice a little rough. “I am strong enough now to face it, but….” He clutched Hermes’ and Herelope's hand. “Don't leave my side. Orimene, Apollo, please stay close, too.”
Apollo kissed his cheek. “We'll be right behind you.”
“We all will be,” said Hades in a gentle tone.
“Be strong, brother,” said Ares. “We're with you.”
“Dion and Demeter are keeping an eye on Father for us,” Hermes murmured. “So we have time to work undisturbed.”
Odysseus took a steadying breath and nodded, and, with the support of his family bracing him up, he took a step forward, then another, and another, and soon, he had put the beach behind him. Ahead, the thatch hut that looked like a cozy home on an island paradise, but had actually been the worst kind of prison, loomed on the horizon. For an instant, Odysseus checked at the sight of it, his breath frozen and his feet refusing to move. Then, Hermes squeezed his hand, and Orimene rubbed his shoulders, and Herelope hugged his waist, and Odysseus remembered he didn't have to face this nightmare alone. With a sigh, he took another step forward.
But, when he went to take another, his feet had frozen, and, this time, fear had nothing to do with it.
“Oh, darling, how kind of you to visit. And such a lovely group you've brought to me!” Calypso stepped out of the jungle, her smile wide and her eyes predatory. “I look forward to acquainting myself with each and every one.”
Odysseus couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. This was the nightmare that made him scream for help in the night even now, only it wasn't a dream this time. Calypso stood before him, leering at them all, and Odysseus couldn't move.
“Oh, darling, if you missed me, you should have said something!” Calypso gave a dark laugh. “It must be lonely without your wife, hm? Well, no worries, darling. I'm sure there's plenty of fun to be found here.” She smirked at Hermes and dragged her fingers under his chin. “For everyone, hm?”
Hermes snarled. “Don't touch me!”
“Oh? And what are you going to do about it, beautiful lady?”
“I'm a male, asshole, and I'll—” He struggled to reach his bow. “I'll bite your filthy fingers off!”
Calypso laughed. “A male? My dear, aren't you a little deluded?”
“Shut up. If I can just—reach my bow….”
Calypso chuckled. “Oh, keep trying. I'll just entertain myself with your companions in the meantime, hm?”
“Don't you dare,” Hermes spat.
“D-Dad,” Herelope gasped, voice shaky. “Dad, snap out of it. I-I can't move.”
“Oh, your father is here? How interesting. You're in for a bit of… education, dear.” Calypso grabbed Odysseus between the legs. “We'll begin with an old pro, hm?”
“D-don't,” Odysseus gasped and struggled to break away. “Don't touch me!”
“Don't pretend you don't want it. See? You respond so well.”
Odysseus whimpered and fought to kick her off, to escape that sickening touch, but nothing he did was enough. Tears choked him, and he gasped, “I'm so sorry.”
Hermes cried, “Let him go!”
Calypso chuckled. “Or what, darling?”
“I said, let my husband go!” Hermes threw his dagger at her. It only scraped her wrist, as he couldn't move well, but that was enough to annoy her.
“Husband? Oh, now you are delusional.” Calypso frowned. “But then, you do raise a good point. How are you still alive, Odysseus? How are you still young?”
“We're not your pets, you spoiled bitch,” Hermes snapped.
Calypso's eyes narrowed. “You… I recognize you. Why are you female now?”
“I told you, I'm not, you idiot!”
“Dad,” Herelope gasped, “Dad, are you okay?”
Odysseus shuddered. “I'm sorry. I'm so….”
“Dad, come on. Come on, you're the only one of us that can end this. Please.”
“Dad?” Calypso narrowed her eyes at Herelope. “Which one is your father, boy?”
Herelope pressed his lips together and looked away.
Calypso grabbed his chin. “Answer me, or perhaps I'll start my fun with you instead.”
“No.” Herelope struggled to pull away, but couldn't escape. “No, I don't want….”
Rage rushed to life inside Odysseus. That was his baby under Calypso's hands. That was his child, his blood, his life. The little baby Hermes had fought so hard to bear through the grief of losing their wife, and the only one of their children blessed with the honor of Penelope's name. The child who had struggled so much to discover their identity, and the little boy who had loved them so well for their unconditional acceptance of it. The child who had become a warrior under Ares’ teachings, and the man who had fallen so hard for Apollo's gentle devotion and sweet nature. The man who had become so reliable, so much of a support to his parents and siblings. That was the child under Calypso's hands, crying out for help.
No. No! Odysseus would not stand for this! He would not stand by and tremble while his family suffered for his weakness.
Fire coursed through him and set his blood burning. He broke through the ice on his limbs, grabbed Calypso's wrist, and twisted it away from his son.
“Get the hell off of my son, you foul bitch!”
Calypso gasped. “Your son! But Telemachus must be seventy now!”
“That's not Telemachus, you idiot, that's Herelope, my second son and Hermes’ firstborn, and you will not lay a finger on him or any of our other children and relatives.” Odysseus wrestled her back and threw her into the grass.
“Hermes!” Calypso growled. “That's who you are.”
“In the flesh.” Hermes gave her a sadistic grin. “Oh, and I'm in a female body at the moment because I'm having Ody's fourth child, you evil hag!”
Calypso shrieked and dove for him, but Odysseus caught her by the throat and threw her onto her back. Fury ripped through his veins and glowed in his eyes, and Odysseus let it burn. No more would suffer at her hands. No one else would endure her cruelty, especially not the family Odysseus adored.
No. She would meet judgment for her crimes today, and Odysseus would carry out her sentence, here and now.
“Well done, my boy.” He didn't know who had said it, but her voice must have acted as a catalyst, for, the next instant, a dam burst inside his soul, and strength and power rushed in like a damn tsunami.
Gold-trimmed ebony armor formed on his body, and red, armored wings spread from his shoulders and the sides of his helm. An ebony sword formed at his hip and his quiver, now carried between his wings on a harness over both shoulders, turned black with gold edging and ruby decor. His bow turned black with golden runes all along the curve and ties, accented with rubies like drops of blood.
Odysseus took flight and pulled his sword. He acted on pure instinct—or perhaps Atropos was guiding him from beyond his senses. With a flick of his wrist and a wave of his power, his family was freed, at least enough to move their arms and fight back, if not enough to really challenge her.
That was Odysseus’ job.
“You bitch!” Hermes shot her through the arm, his aura burning and his expression feral. “How dare you touch my husband and threaten my son!” He shot at her again, aiming for her face, but Calypso deflected it with a wave of her hand.
“Useless!” She pulled the arrow from her arm with a laugh. “You cannot defeat a goddess!”
Odysseus nocked an arrow to the string. “Hermes.”
“Yes, love.” Hermes took a deep breath. “Oh, you may be right, Calypso. Much as I'd love to tear you to pieces, I cannot kill an immortal.” He gave her a feral smile. “But, unfortunately for you, he can.”
Calypso's eyes narrowed and focused on Odysseus. “Nonsense. No one can kill an imm—”
“Calypso of Ogygia,” said Odysseus in a booming voice that resonated with power and fury. “You are found guilty of the crimes of rape, torture, and false imprisonment of an immortal. You need no trial, no jury, as we have seen the evidence with our own eyes and heard it with our own ears.”
“Immortal? You're not—”
“I am Fate's Judge.” He liked that title a great deal better than to be the Right Hand of Death.
He swore he heard Atropos cackling in his mind.
Suppressing a shudder, he aimed his bow for Calypso's heart. “You have one chance, and it is more mercy than you deserve. Do you swear to repent and turn from your evil ways forever?”
Calypso snorted. “Oh, darling. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but none of you are going to escape from this island. Run all you like. Immortal or not, my barriers will hold you just as they did before.” She waved her hand at him. Odysseus felt her power course over him and slide off of his skin like water off of a well-oiled sword. He shook it off and adjusted his aim.
“You have refused mercy.”
Calypso gasped. “What? But how? You should be frozen!”
“You will not hurt me again, Calypso, and I will never allow your filthy hands to touch my family.” He drew his arrow back. “You have denied your one chance for mercy and now, you will be cut from the tapestry of Fate forever.”
He loosed his arrow. It lodged in her heart, and Calypso dropped to her knees with a gasp. Her magic field flickered and faded, and the gathered gods all gasped and jumped back, freed from their bonds. Calypso looked up, eyes wide and a pink, glowing stream dripping from her lips. Her power and life. Good.
“I-I don't understand. This… cannot be.”
Odysseus took his sword and walked to her, his steps sure and inexorable as the toll of a bell. No, that actually was a bell tolling. In his head, or…? No, by the way his family looked all around for the source of the noise, they heard it too.
“Nice touch, Atropos.”
That time, he definitely heard a cackle.
Calypso's eyes darted left and right, but Odysseus was the harbinger of her death, and her wide-eyed gaze eventually settled upon him.
“What is this? I don't understand.”
Odysseus lifted his blade. “I told you already, but for the sake of those who might be listening and doubting their own senses, let me make it perfectly clear. The Fates are tired of the gods having no one to check their bad behavior. They are tired of cleaning up the damage your recklessness, arrogance, and ruthlessness causes, and so, they chose me to be the bearer of Fate to those whose threads don't snap under Atropos’ blades. As Nemesis is to the mortals, I am Retribution against the gods, and you have been found guilty.” Odysseus raised his sword. “Enjoy the trip to hell.”
Calypso raised her hand and cried, “Wait!”
But Odysseus had already sealed her fate.
He fueled his swing with the power burning inside him and brought it down with no mercy.
Calypso's head rolled, and her hand flopped, useless, to the ground. In a great spurt of golden ichor and pink light, she flopped forward and did not move again. The golden glow spattered everywhere faded to the dark crimson of mortal blood.
She was dead.
Odysseus closed his eyes as his divine power again sealed itself. His wings and armor disappeared, but the sword remained, and his bow and quiver did not shift back to their earlier design. He shrugged, shifting his shoulders to get used to the new way of carrying his arrows, and wiped the blood from his face. The sword, apparently, cleaned itself, so he used it to cut a wide swath of bloodied fabric from her clothing. His husband's power served to levitate her head and hand into the cloth, and Odysseus wrapped them both into a gory bundle.
“Apollo, Ares, will you deliver this to your father?”
With a grimace, Ares nodded and took the bundle. “Not my favorite chore, but I will do it for you, brother.”
Apollo took Odysseus’ hand. “We will, but are you all right?”
Odysseus grimaced. “Shaken, but I will manage. Hermes and the others can help me. Please take that and protect your brother. Zeus will have to face me in person, if this is not enough to straighten him up, and I fear what effect killing the king of the gods would have upon the world, not to mention what killing your father would do to our family. A loss like that—Hermes and the baby would suffer, too.”
Hermes shuddered and held his belly. Orimene hugged his shoulders. “It's all right, Papa. We won't let that happen.”
Hermes leaned against her with a sigh. “Thank you, darling.”
She kissed his cheek and rubbed his arm in a gesture of comfort.
Ares squeezed Odysseus’ shoulder. “Well done, brother. You dispatched her with honor and spared any number of innocent lives a torturous fate. I'm damned proud of you.”
“We all are,” said Apollo. “Now, go to your husband and take care of him. We'll see to it that Father gets the message.”
“We will go with you,” said Hera.
Hephaestus nodded. “Well done, Odysseus. You are a man of honor, and I am proud to call you kin.”
Odysseus accepted a hug and returned a kiss on the cheek from him. “I am happy to be your kin, cousin. Safe travels, all of you.”
They kissed his cheek and bid him farewell, and Odysseus hurried to his husband's side.
“Thank you, darling, for fighting so hard to protect us. Rest now. The job is done, and Calypso can hurt us no longer.”
Hermes slumped against Odysseus’ chest. “It was terrible, watching her assault you all over again and not being able to stop her.” He gave Odysseus a worried look. “Are you okay, darling?”
Odysseus shuddered and buried his face in Hermes’ shoulder. “No. I hate this place. Take me home.”
Hermes held him and kissed his hair. “I'm afraid to fly you with the baby to think of, but we can go to the ship now, darling.”
“Yes, go,” said Orimene. “You don't need to be here, Dad, nor Papa.”
Herelope nodded. “No, you don't. But, Dad, what do we do with the body?”
“Let her rot,” said Hades with ferociousness uncharacteristic of his sweet nature. “Leave her body to be torn apart by the animals, like she tore apart Odysseus and Hermes. She does not deserve the honor of a burial.” He turned his back. “And, on that note, I had better go make sure her soul goes to the place Atropos' guardians prepared.”
“Be careful,” said Athena. “Don't get too close.”
Hades nodded and vanished.
“Well,” said Herelope, “I guess that's all we need to do here. Let's get back to the ship.”
Odysseus nodded and turned away. But, before they had taken five steps, a voice called out from behind them. He froze, terrified for an instant that Calypso had somehow revived despite her death.
“Please, wait!”
No, that voice was a shade too low for Calypso.
“Don't leave me here, please!”
Odysseus’ heart sank. Calypso had taken another captive.
Chapter 10: Ahead of the Game
Chapter Text
Chapter 10
Ahead of the Game
Ares struggled to keep his temper even as he guided Apollo, Hera, and Hephaestus to the center of Mount Olympus. All this time, Zeus had ignored their warnings in favor of getting some action on the side, and if Odysseus hadn't been the god of Divine Retribution, then they would all be captives now. Hermes might be dead, actually, or close to it. He would definitely have lost the baby.
Thanks to Zeus’ pride and indifference to Calypso's evil, they might have lost everything today.
Thank the Fates, they hadn’t. Pride swelled in his chest and softened his fury. Odysseus had been truly magnificent. A true warrior. He only used his words to establish his role and announce his divinity to the heavens, to inform her of the charges against her, and offer her one chance to redeem herself.
Considering what Calypso had done to Odysseus in the past and even that day, Ares wouldn't have been so merciful, had he been in Odysseus’ shoes. He would have sliced off her head the minute he had control back, but no. The way Odysseus had done it was the right way. The just way.
By the sun, Ares was proud of his brother-in-law.
And that made him even angrier at his father. What the hell was he thinking, letting such a vile creature as Calypso go on without a check for so long? Was a pretty face really that important to him? So important, he would let his son and his husband suffer for seven years under her thumb? By the gods, what Hermes had shared of his dreams was absolutely horrific!
Ares couldn't wait until Odysseus laid down the law for his utter bastard of a father.
Hera squeezed his shoulder. “Son, your aura is blazing. I understand your anger, but try to calm yourself. Fury will not help this situation.”
Ares took several deep breaths, but it did little good. “I can't. That asshole let it go this far, and she might have taken us all captive.”
“If she had, I am certain he would have taken action against her.”
“So that's what it takes? The abduction and rape of four of his children, his wife, his brother, his son-in-law, his nephew, and most of his grandchildren? That's what it takes to move him to action, all because she's apparently a good lay—to those who don't care about anything else anyway—that’s where he draws the line?” Ares snorted bitterly. “I am waiting impatiently for the moment Odysseus recovers, because I want to watch what he does to that bastard. Especially once he knows of Ganymede, he will make him pay.”
Hera didn't even try to justify it. “I… I know. I'm sorry, son.”
Ares huffed and paced, trying to work off his fury, but every time he remembered Odysseus crying out for help, remembered Hermes screaming for Calypso to get her filthy hands off of his husband, remembered Calypso's threats to Hermes and his children—Ares’ own apprentice and his little niece or nephew—his rage burned even hotter.
He would ask how his father could have let it go for so long, but he had been forced to watch Ganymede suffer under Zeus’ thumb for far too long now to question it.
The truth was, Zeus was scum, and the faster Odysseus mopped the floor with him, the better.
Apollo moved forward and held Ares’ shoulders. The expression in his eyes mirrored the anger inside Ares, but Apollo had banked it, somehow.
“I know, brother. I know. I am absolutely furious with him, too, but remember, we aren't doing this for his sake. It's for Hermes, so he doesn't have to suffer one more blow at a time when he's so vulnerable. It's for Orimene, Herelope, Telemachus, and his boys, so that they don't pay the price for our anger, or Ganymede. And it's for that innocent little baby, so they grow up in a world with a stable cosmos and a happy family.”
Ares growled. “I just can't get past that he let her get away with it. How many others might he be protecting, just as evil as they are?”
“If he is, Atropos will know. And, since it's quite clear that she does, in fact, intend to guide Odysseus in her own way, then so will he know. If there are others, we will find them and see to it that they meet justice, but, brother, once Father sees how serious this actually is, in a way that not even he can deny, then he may finally come to see the light of his own accord.”
“And if he doesn't?”
“Then we will have no choice but to tell Odysseus, but we must at least try to shield him from that fate.” Apollo squeezed Ares’ shoulders. “You're absolutely right, Father has been extremely cruel, negligent, and irresponsible, and his actions have cost our nearest and dearest far too much. He deserves your rage, he deserves to rot, but Ganymede, Odysseus, and Hermes don't deserve to suffer that blow, too. Let it go, my brother, not to let Father get away with it, but to spare our brothers and their children more pain and suffering, to spare the boy as much pain as we can. Let it go, so Hermes and his little one pull through this disaster intact, so we get to meet our little niece or nephew one day soon.”
Ares took a steadying breath and let it out, and, with it, he released his fury. Apollo was right. Zeus deserved punishment, but his innocent captive and Ares’ other family didn't. He closed his eyes and leaned against Apollo's chest for a moment, just taking in his strength. Grief had taught his brother temperance, and Ares let it flow through him now, for the sake of his true family.
He looked up, and the red had faded from his vision. “Thank you, brother.”
“Anytime.” Apollo patted his shoulder. “Now, let's go give Dad a reality check, shall we?”
“So that no others suffer as Odysseus has, yes, let's go.”
Apollo squeezed his brother's shoulders and guided him to the courtyard.
Zeus stood near the edge of the yard this time rather than in the center, and, instead of attempting to beguile some unfortunate young person or lording it over the other gods, he was staring at a star-studded tapestry against the wall. One of the stars had gone dark, and other stars around it moved closer to the hole left behind, a slow march to what Ares feared was their doom.
So Zeus had not heeded their warnings. Hah! He would live to regret it now. Ares let that serve as a balm to his fury, still simmering under the surface, and followed Apollo to stand before the king of the gods.
“Father.”
Zeus jumped and turned a scowl on his sons. “What do you want? Can you not see I'm busy?”
“We bring a message and a—” Apollo grimaced— “a gift from the god of Divine Retribution.”
“God of….” Zeus huffed and turned back to the tapestry. “You truly believe that insanity?”
Ares nudged Apollo aside. “I notice one of your stars has gone out, Father. Care to venture a guess as to why?” He managed to keep his tone barely this side of civil, somehow.
Zeus frowned at the tapestry. “Yes, one of the goddesses isn't responding. It's… quite strange.”
Apollo nodded grimly. “Calypso?”
Zeus’ narrow gaze cut between his sons, then his nephew and his wife, who stood just behind them. Other gods had begun to gather, too, knowing by now that whenever Odysseus’ gods showed their face in Olympus, they always brought an entertaining show. Dionysus, of course, was the first in line. Ah. He was actually shielding Ganymede, not simply watching the show. Ares gave him a discreet nod of thanks.
Actually… a show? Oh, that was a good idea. If they gathered all the gods at once and forced them to face the truth, no one could deny Odysseus’ role.
They would probably save a lot of lives that way.
“What do you know about—”
Ares cut across him. “We need to call an emergency council of the gods, immediately.”
Zeus narrowed his eyes at Ares. “Is that so? You turned your back on Olympus long ago. You no longer have the authority to call such a council, even if I did still have a herald.”
Aura hot, Ares yanked open the bundle, made damn sure he grabbed the hair rather than the other end, and shoved Calypso's severed head right into Zeus’ face. “Your dead girlfriend says otherwise.”
An outcry broke out among the gathered crowd.
Zeus staggered back. “Calypso?” His expression hardened. “What trick is this? Did Hermes do this?”
“No,” said a cold Apollo. “Odysseus killed her, just as we warned you he would.”
“The tapestry,” Demeter whispered, her hand over her mouth. “Oh, what does this mean?”
“It means the gods now have someone to hold them accountable.” Ares held the head up, making the crowd flinch back and retch. “Well, go on then, Father. If it's just a trick, surely the king of the gods can break it.”
“Oh-ho-ho!” Dionysus grinned. “Such a bold offer to make, for one who is supposedly a liar.” He clapped his hands and pranced about, effectively drawing the attention from the boy using the cover of Demeter's long himation to escape, at least for the moment.
“Well, let's see it then,” Dionysus challenged. “Where's the trick?”
Zeus’ eyelid twitched. “I'm certain it….” He waved his hand at the head. Nothing changed. “Well, surely if I….” Another test failed. “This… cannot be.”
Hera stepped forward. “Enough, husband! Apollo gave you fair warning decades ago, that Odysseus would kill her one day. He warned you again eight days ago, when he told you Odysseus had been chosen as the god of Divine Retribution, and that he would arrive to exact justice upon Calypso this day. The divine tapestry shows the truth, and it is staring you in the face right now. Calypso is dead, Odysseus did kill her, and, thanks to your utter indifference to her evil, we were nearly all enslaved under her freezing magic, until Odysseus overcame his trauma and executed her.”
Zeus jolted. “What? Who…?”
“All of us,” said Hephaestus with a scowl. “She froze us all in place, threatened to kill Hermes and his unborn child, and assaulted Odysseus right in front of all of us. We could not move. Only Hermes could break free at all, and that was only enough to speak and move a little. The rest of us could not even blink, but Odysseus? He resisted her. And then, he was reborn as a god before us all.”
“But how? I don't understand.”
“You do.” Hera gave him a cold smile. “You had ample warning, Zeus. If you have done nothing to prepare for her execution, it's your own damn fault.”
“It isn't theirs, though.” Apollo waved to the frightened gods gathered around. “They don't deserve to suffer for her crimes. So we must hold a council to warn the gods of Odysseus’ new role and to find a replacement for Calypso. Or would you prefer that all of your stars be swallowed up by the void her death left behind?”
Zeus turned to the tapestry and swallowed hard. “I… will send the message.”
“Thank you,” said Apollo in a dark tone.
Ares closed the bundle, washed the blood from his hands with his powers, and held his brother's shoulder. He said nothing else. Nothing else he might say would be remotely pleasant, and they couldn't afford to rile Zeus up further now. This was too important—to the world as a whole, and to Ares’ family, too. Justified rage or not, he could control it, for them.
Hermes turned to face the voice crying out for help—so Calypso had captured another innocent soul.
Death was too good for her.
On the beach, a naked girl, probably fourteen or fifteen, staggered through the sand. Oh, not a girl either. They were of mixed sexes, built somewhat like Herelope. Hermes would wait to learn what gender they preferred before he gendered them, then, but before that, the poor thing needed help.
“Odysseus, your chlamys? I don't have anything suitable….”
Odysseus unhooked it from his shoulder and tugged it loose from his quiver. “Hello there.” He rushed to the captive, Hermes and Herelope close at his heels. “Here you go, sweetheart.” He draped the cloth over their shoulders, and the captive broke down.
“Oh, please. Please don't hurt me. I-I know I'm not normal, but please….”
Herelope blinked tears down his face and brought them into a gentle hug. “Who told you you're not normal?”
“I… but didn't you see?”
Hermes rubbed their shoulder. “You'll have to tell us what gender you prefer to go by—male, female, or something in the middle. We can't make a judgement by your body, and that really doesn't mean anything anyway.”
The captive gave him a stunned look. “What gender I prefer? You mean I can choose? I'm not just… nothing?”
“You can identify yourself as agender if you feel that fits best.” Herelope held her shoulders. “But, sweetheart, look.” He lowered his chiton, revealing the binding he wore on his chest. “I'm like you. Exactly like you, it looks like, or close to it.”
“But… are you a boy? You dress like a boy, but your voice….”
“I know, it's a little higher than most. The people important to me don't mind, so I don't care what anyone else thinks. And yes, I prefer to be a man. I'm Herelope. These are my parents, Odysseus and Hermes. And that's my older sister, Orimene, her girlfriend, Athena—she's also our aunt. More of our family will be joining us soon, but you look overwhelmed as is. What's your name, honey?”
“Um, it's Echo.” They whimpered. “Can I really pick what I want to be?”
“Yes, sweetheart.” Odysseus rubbed their hair. “What fits best for you? Tell us, and we'll call you that from now on.”
Echo covered a sob. “I always wanted to be a girl, but Mother said I was a freak and nothing and sold me to slavers. I escaped and ended up washed up on this island. I thought it would be better to be a castaway. B-but I was w-wrong.”
“Oh, honey.” Herelope hugged her tight. “I'm so sorry. That's awful.”
Hermes rubbed her shoulder, and the girl squeaked and jumped away. Hurt bloomed in his chest. What had he done? Still, he tried not to let it get to him. He looked like a woman for the time being. Maybe she was afraid of women after Calypso.
“Oh, oh, I'm sorry.” Echo dropped to her knees and covered her head. “I didn't mean to insult you, Lady Hermes.”
Ah. So that was her problem.
“I'm still a man, sweetheart. I'm just in a woman's body for a while, but what do you mean by that?” Hermes knelt with her, but didn't touch. “Why would you think you insulted me?”
“B-because you're a god, and I'm just a worthless slave and a monster and—”
“Hush.” Hermes rested his hand on her hair. “Echo, my firstborn child is built exactly like you. Herelope has breasts and female and male genitalia, just like you do. And, in our eyes, he is a wonderful man, a brave fighter, and a kind person to anyone in need. Why would you think we would think less of you, simply because you're built the same way?”
She whimpered. “Y-you're not disgusted?”
“I am, at the people who abused you so badly, that you think you have no worth or meaning. I am, at your parents, who would sell an innocent little girl into slavery just because she also has some masculine parts. I am disgusted at Calypso for keeping you captive and abusing you. I am disgusted at the slavers who bought you and probably abused you too. I am disgusted at all the people who hurt you so much, your self-confidence has been crushed to practically nothing, but I'm not at all disgusted with you.”
Echo sobbed and lifted her head. Brilliant green eyes met his own. “You don't hate me?”
Hermes opened his arms. “Come here, sweetheart—unless you don't want to. There's no obligation, but—”
The girl flew into his arms and wept on his shoulder, and Hermes rocked her against him.
“No, honey. I don't hate you. I'm just scared for you right now.”
Odysseus knelt beside them and stroked the girl's hair. “She will need a new home.”
Hermes looked up at him, his expression open and raw, and Odysseus smiled.
“So we're adopting another daughter then?”
Hermes loved him even more. “I need to protect her, and Herelope's already decided she's one of us.”
Odysseus kissed his cheek. “It's a good thing we took a big ship.”
Herelope smiled tentatively. “She's coming home with us?”
“That's up to her.” Orimene knelt beside them and held the girl's shoulder. “Hi there, Echo. I'm Herelope's sister, Orimene. I'm sorry you’ve had such a painful life. Our dads already love you, and Herelope wants you under his protection, too—I can see that clearly—but it's ultimately your choice. Do you want to come with us?”
Echo winced and clutched the front of Hermes’ himation. “Oh, please, please don't leave me here.”
Orimene squeezed her shoulder. “Oh, sweetheart, no. We're not leaving you behind regardless. I just meant—well….”
Hermes shook his head. “Orimene, she's just been rescued from a life of hell. Give her some time to adjust and think of what she wants. Either way, we will make sure she's safe from now on.” He gave his husband a worried look. “She can't walk with those on. I'm amazed that she broke through them at all.”
“I tore them out of the wall.” She sniffled. “They weren't built very well. Calypso mostly used her powers to keep me captive, but I got away somehow just before I saw you.”
“I know, sweetheart.” Odysseus rubbed her shoulder. “Would you like me to help you onto the ship? Hermes could under normal circumstances, but he's pregnant, and the baby has already had enough stress. I can carry you, if you trust me, or Herelope can.”
The girl hesitated. “But… why are you bloody? Are you hurt?”
“No. It's Calypso's blood. I killed her.”
Echo's eyes widened. “That's why I could get out. She's really dead?”
Athena moved closer, but didn't get within touching range, probably for fear of upsetting her again. “She is.” She pointed to the corpse lying in a heap on the grass, and Echo flinched away.
“It's all right,” Athena said in a soothing tone. “She's really dead. We all witnessed her judgment and punishment.”
“Punishment?”
“For rape and torture.” Odysseus lowered his head. “I was her prisoner too, Echo. She kept me here for seven years before Hermes and Athena could get me out. That was before I knew I was a god too, or what the Fates chose me to do.” He lifted his head and held her gaze. “I'm now the Judge of the Fates. A god of retribution against the gods. And Calypso more than earned her Fate.”
Echo gasped. “Y-you're a god, too?”
“We all are, except Orimene,” said Herelope. “And she's a demigod.”
“But… why are you helping me? I don't deserve….”
“None of that.” Odysseus swept her into his arms. “You're just a girl in need of help, and why should we not help you? My firstborn son is human, sweetheart, as was Penelope, Hermes’ wife and mine. Why shouldn't we care about you?”
“I… d-don't know!”
Hermes rubbed her shoulder. “Come on, Ody. We need to get her away from all of these memories of pain. She can't heal in this hellish place.”
Odysseus nodded and started towards the ship again. About the same time they landed on the deck, Hermes jumped.
“Hermes?”
Hermes went ashen. “F-Father?”
Chapter 11: The Summit
Chapter Text
Chapter 11
The Summit
Hermes froze, panic rushing through his veins at the sound of that familiar, authoritative tone. His knees trembled, and he might have fallen into the sea if he hadn't used his wings to catch himself and Odysseus hadn't steadied him.
“Zeus?” Odysseus set Echo down. “Forgive me, dear, but this is urgent.” He rushed to his husband and gripped his hands. “Darling, what does he want?”
“Son, do you truly intend to ignore me?”
Hermes clutched Odysseus’ hand. “Help me.”
Odysseus clutched him close. “Zeus, what do you want?”
A surge of anger passed back through Hermes. “How dare you speak to a god that way, boy! I should—”
“I am a god myself, Zeus, and I answer to Atropos, not you. What do you want? I'll ask you to make it quick, as you're terrifying my pregnant husband.”
The rage jolted, and a thread of worry ran through it. “You… really believe you're a god.”
Odysseus held Hermes closer. “Zeus, I am not going to argue with you over my divinity. If you want to know so badly and won't believe your own eyes, ask Atropos. As for your demands, either get to the point, or I'll get to it for you. Hermes cannot bear this right now.”
The worry turned to fear. Hermes pressed his head into Odysseus’ chest. Odysseus rubbed his back and kissed his hair.
“I have you, darling. You’re safe, and you'll stay that way.”
“I-I can't bear much more. First Atropos, then Calypso, then Echo, and now this. Odysseus, I'm so scared. A-am I going to lose this baby?”
Odysseus clutched him closer. “No. I won't let that happen. I—”
Hades reappeared on the ship. “Calypso is sealed away in the new Underworld under lock and key. She will do no more ha—” His eyes settled on Echo and widened. “Oh. A nymph? Who is this?”
“Echo, another of Calypso's prisoners. She can tell you the rest herself.” Odysseus passed Hermes into Hades’ care. “Watch over him, please. Zeus is demanding his attention but won't say why, so I am going to Olympus before he kills my child and breaks my husband irrevocably.”
“Wait.” Athena motioned Orimene to her side. “Take care of Echo and Hermes, please. You and Herelope have healing powers that I don't. Keep them calm. You too, Hades.” She took Odysseus’ hand. “You're going to need help to get into Olympus the first time.”
Odysseus nodded and held Hermes’ cheek. “Stay with the children, love. I'll settle this.”
Hermes winced. “What if Poseidon comes?”
“Herelope, Hades, and Orimene can hold him off, and you can message us all right away. We will be here as soon as possible. Just try not to panic, love. Unless you think you’re safer to come along?”
Hermes whimpered and backed away.
“That's what I thought.” Odysseus kissed him lightly. “It's going to be fine. I'll keep my bond to you open so you can hear me and I can hear you.”
Hermes slumped in relief. “Yes, yes, that's better. Odysseus, please. Be careful.”
“If anyone dares threaten us, they will meet the god behind the man, and they won't like it.”
Hermes closed his eyes and gave a shaky sigh. “Okay. I trust you.”
“Thank you, darling.”
“Go kick some ass, Dad,” said Orimene with a wink. “You too, love.”
Athena gave a dark chuckle. “Oh no. I think this time the student has definitely outstripped the master. I'd much rather sit back and watch.”
Herelope grimaced. “Be careful. And hurry back. Echo and Papa are really scared.”
“I'll let your Papa know what's going on as soon as we know.” Odysseus kissed Hermes lightly. “It's going to be fine, darling. I love you.”
“Tell me that when you get back.”
Odysseus laughed lightly. “I will.” With another brief kiss, he took Athena's hand. “Let's go, sister.”
Athena nodded and carried him away. Hermes slumped against the wall of the ship and held Herelope's hand tight. “Oh, Odysseus. Please don't leave us all alone.”
“Never, darling. Hold onto the children and send Aphrodite and Persephone a message. Let them know we need them on full alert.”
“Will do.” Hermes leaned against the wall and whispered a prayer he never dreamed would cross his lips. “Lady Atropos? I… don't want to bother you, but Odysseus is going to face Zeus now. He may need your help.”
A sense of wry amusement crossed his mind, and he realized Atropos already knew. Well. At least he could be sure she was on top of things.
The dark cackle that earned him chilled his blood.
Maybe he would leave dealing with the Fates to Odysseus in the future.
Odysseus landed in Mount Olympus with a thump. So this was the home of the gods. He had to admit, it was a stunning place, full of beautiful plants, serene waters, and marble and golden dwellings. He couldn't help taking in the scenery a little, but he kept his focus on Athena for the most part.
“Where do we find your father?”
Athena motioned to an open air walkway and raced down the stone path. “This leads to the courtyard.”
Odysseus felt his power surge, and his godly attire and attributes returned. Was he in the presence of a guilty god, or was Atropos lending him a hand?
“Your powers also come in matters of self-defense, child. They will not remain if you purposefully attack anyone who is not a threat, however; so use it wisely.”
“Understood.” Odysseus let his wings loose and flew after Athena, racing over babbling brooks and under leafy canopies with all the speed he possessed.
“Ody?” Hermes’ voice trembled. “Father said something about a meeting of the gods. Be careful.”
“I am in my divine form, darling. No one will dare threaten me like this. Or, if they do, then they are an exceptionally stupid god, and perhaps the universe would do better without them.”
Atropos' cackling was actually beginning to amuse Odysseus, too. Maybe she was growing on him.
The snort that earned him actually made him chuckle, too.
Athena gave him a bemused look.
“Atropos is actually rather funny, sometimes.”
Athena's eyes widened. “You're a braver soul than I.”
Odysseus chuckled a little, but his mirth faded at the sight of the group gathered in the main courtyard. And his brothers stood at the center of it all, both looking harassed and alarmed and angry.
“Ares! Apollo!” Odysseus shot for them and landed in front of the gods, his wings shielding them from the crowd pressing in all around. “Back off!” He didn't draw his sword, but it wasn't necessary. The instant the gods saw him, they all gasped and took several steps back of their own accord.
Except Zeus, of course.
“Who are you, and how did you get to Olympus! Only gods are allowed here.”
Athena pushed her way through the crowd. “A god, of course. And I brought him.”
Apollo breathed a sigh. “Brother, I'm glad to see you. Especially like this.”
Odysseus’ feathers fluffed, and fury turned his aura crimson. “Did someone hurt you?”
A gasp sounded among the gods, and footsteps moved away, but Odysseus didn't turn. His brothers had all of his attention now.
“No. Easy.” Apollo held Odysseus’ shoulders, causing a minor uproar. “Oh, do shut up, all of you. Except you, Ares.”
Ares snickered. “Our siblings and our aunt are also exempt, I hope?”
“And Odysseus, yes.”
The crowd went dead silent.
Even Dionysus’ jollity had paled. “This god with the red wings—that is Odysseus?”
Another god called, “You mean the mortal man Poseidon hunted?”
“And failed to kill, yes.” Odysseus took off his helm and stared the gods down. “Yes, I am Odysseus of Ithaca. Ask Poseidon if you want confirmation and refuse to believe my allies and kin. And, yes, I am a god now.”
“But then….” Dionysus paled. “Oh, but what about Hermes? Is that why he didn't come? Did he give you all of his power?”
As Odysseus knew Dionysus loved his brother, though he chose to stay in Olympus and keep an eye on the other gods, he gave his brother-in-law a smile. “No, Dionysus. He didn't come because he’s pregnant and absolutely terrified of Zeus and Poseidon after they nearly murdered him for nothing but pure hubris.” Odysseus fixed Zeus with a steely glare and rested his hand on his blade. “Our child has already been through far too much stress in the two weeks since their conception, so, I am here in his stead. Now, Zeus, I ask you for the fourth time, what on earth was so important that you terrified my poor husband with no warning and then refused to tell us what you actually wanted?”
Zeus glared. “I need Hermes to act as herald.”
“Then you will have to settle for his husband and bonded life-mate. I am not letting you anywhere near him. Your message?”
Zeus opened his mouth a few times. “If you're a god, why do you still have Hermes’ power?”
“Because we both enjoy the bond between us. I have less than a tenth now. Enough to bond us and share a few of his powers. Not enough to weaken him. Your message?”
Ares and Apollo shared dark grins.
“Watching you manhandle him is almost erotic,” said Apollo in Odysseus’ head. “If you were not my brother and Herelope not my mate, you might be in trouble, my friend.”
Ares covered a snicker. Hera smirked. Hephaestus choked back a laugh. Dionysus winked at Odysseus.
Odysseus gave Apollo a wry look. “Be very glad I know you're teasing.” He turned back to Zeus, all traces of amusement gone. “Well?”
“An emergency council of the gods.” Zeus frowned. “So we really do need Hermes to carry it. You don't know them all.”
Odysseus didn't deign to respond. “Darling, your father wanted you to call an emergency council of the gods. Are you well enough to deliver that message to the gods I don't know personally? Do not dare message Poseidon.”
Hermes hesitated. “I think so.”
“Don’t do it if you aren't sure. Zeus put you in this position. He can figure out how to fix his own mess.”
“I'm sure. I'll be fine.”
“Hermes. Are you being brave?”
“No! I really do think I can handle it. I wouldn't put the baby at risk on purpose, Ody.”
Odysseus’ heart eased. “All right. Then carry the message for those I don't know, and I will carry it for everyone else. Leave Poseidon to me.”
“You're sure, darling? You were so afraid of him.”
“That was before I had wings and a shiny new sword. He doesn't seem to be as much of a dickhead now anyway. And, if he is, perhaps I will borrow your methods of correction just for him.”
Hermes chuckled. “All right. Be careful, darling.”
“You too. Don't push yourself too hard.”
“Coming from the most relentless top ever!”
Odysseus snorted. “That's different.”
“If you say so, but go on, darling. The children are nervous without you, and poor Echo has no idea what's going on. Hades and Herelope are keeping her calm, but she's scared, and she wants to be off of this island.”
“Tell Herelope to set sail. We'll be back as soon as I set these idiots straight. Oh, and tell Dionysus you're okay. He was scared for you.”
“Will do. Good luck with the dickheads.”
“Thank you. I fear I may need it.”
Odysseus closed his eyes and linked to every god in Zeus’ court that he knew of, Poseidon and Zeus included. It took a significant chunk of his power, and he hoped Hermes would really be okay. Still, he did link to all of them without trouble, and he only had messaging as a minor, secondary skill, so perhaps they would be fine.
“This is Odysseus, the husband and life-mate of Hermes. Zeus has called an emergency council—”
“That was me, actually,” interjected Ares.
Odysseus gave his brother-in-law a nod of acknowledgement. “Apologies, Ares has called an emergency council of the gods, and Zeus requested that my severely traumatized, pregnant husband carry the message. As I have a share of his power, I'm carrying it to those of you I know instead to ease the burden. Please come to Mount Olympus immediately, as Zeus is still not convinced of my godhood when I'm standing right in front of him, with wings and divine armor, and Ares is holding Calypso's severed head.”
Apollo choked back a snicker. “Well. That was… informative.”
“See if it doesn't get them here,” said Odysseus with a smirk.
“That it will, nephew,” said Hera with a wry grimace. “Probably in a panic.”
“But it will get them here?”
“Most likely.”
“Then my job is done.” Odysseus glared at Zeus. “You never said you wanted them here peacefully.”
Atropos' snort made Odysseus grin.
Zeus scowled, but a trio of panicking gods landed nearly atop him before he could do anything about it.
Ares gave a dark laugh. “Never a dull moment, brother.”
“It's about to be even more exciting.” Out loud, Odysseus said, “Come with me, brothers, sister. I have another message to deliver, and I could use your support.”
Apollo took his arm. “This way.”
Odysseus nodded and followed him to a quiet sitting room away from the calamity brewing in the main courtyard, Ares and Athena on his heels.
“Thank you.” Odysseus linked to his siblings and crossed the distance to the god of the sea's mind. “Poseidon, I saved you for last, because this message is for your ears alone. Mostly.”
Ares snickered.
“I am Odysseus of Ithaca. I am the man you hunted to the ends of the earth. I am the man who suffered the loss of nearly everyone I ever loved to your wrath, and the man you tried to drown in the Aegean Sea. And I am now the god of Divine Retribution, tasked by the Fates themselves to kill gods who have caused too much damage, who have used their gifts recklessly and tangled the threads of Fate by their ruthlessness.”
Odysseus took a breath to calm himself. He didn't want to enrage Poseidon, just to send him a bit of friendly advice.
“As of half an hour ago, I judged Calypso of Ogygia as guilty of rape, torture, and false imprisonment of humans and gods alike, and I executed her. She is dead by my hand.”
Poseidon's aura held no anger. Only pure fear and remorse reflected in his heart. Perhaps Odysseus could be merciful, then.
“I've seen you with your nymph.”
Poseidon gasped. “Please, don't hurt her. She has done nothing deserving of pain.”
Odysseus paused, relieved that the god had acted so swiftly to protect the nymph and hurt for his husband all at once. “Actually, I was going to say that I think she's been doing you some good.” And yet, he couldn't hold back his anger over Hermes’ pain. “Do you even know that you broke my husband's heart by your cruelty? Even now, it hurts him terribly.”
Poseidon's voice wavered. “I know.”
Odysseus’ fear and anger eased another notch. Poseidon couldn't mask his heart like this, not with both the Judge's and the Messenger's power active in Odysseus.
Poseidon regretted it. He was absolutely sick with remorse.
And yet, Odysseus was neither ready nor able to forgive him. Not yet.
“I contacted you to warn you, Poseidon, and to inform you of the changes in my being and role. Did you hear Ares and Apollo?”
“Y-yes.”
“Good. Then you already know the laws.” Odysseus let his fury blaze. “And, if you ever so much as lay a finger on my family again, I will not hesitate to judge and execute you, too.”
He severed the link and shuddered. “That was unpleasant.”
Ares rubbed Odysseus’ shoulder. “You were more merciful than he deserved.”
Maybe so, and yet, Odysseus couldn't help feeling a little guilty. Poseidon hadn't challenged him, and he had been honestly scared and miserable with remorse.
Maybe Odysseus could think about forgiveness. Eventually. For now, he had more urgent problems.
“Well then,” he said with a dark smile, “that means we really only have one more arrogant asshole to set straight, and then we can go home.”
Athena smirked. “Why do I have a feeling I know exactly what you're going to do?”
“Hm. Just let me verify….”
“Wise plan,” said Apollo. “Considering the consequences should it backfire now.”
Odysseus grimaced. “Good point.” He closed his eyes. “Atropos, is a little demonstration of my powers against the rules?”
Atropos gave a dark chuckle. “Is it not part of your plan to judge Zeus?”
“Well, I don't intend to actually hurt him unless he forces my hand, but I was hoping it might help him grow a conscience, yes.”
“Carry on then. As long as you are using your power to judge a target, we don't particularly care how you do it. That's why we chose a trickster and a man who has a strong sense of justice and empathy, remember? Judge them as you see fit, whether you use violence, intimidation, empathy, or wit. All we care about is that the crimes stop and the flow of fate is restored, without a major toll on the surrounding threads.”
“Thank you for the explanation. In that case, I will go take care of Zeus now. I pray it does not end in violence.”
“Oh, I think you can handle it either way.”
She cut the connection, and Odysseus shook himself a little. Talking to her was always unnerving.
“Atropos clarified my abilities. Since we do this to teach the gods who I am and to help Zeus learn a shred of humility, then I'm free to act as I will. They trust me to use my powers responsibly, and I don't intend to let them down.”
No one let the Fates down if they could help it.
Athena nodded. “Then let's go show them that an old god can, in fact, learn new tricks.”
Odysseus shot her an unamused look.
Ares snickered. “Oh, I am looking forward to this.”
“Tell Hermes you're okay first, Odysseus,” said Apollo. “He's worried.”
“I'll tell him on the way.” Odysseus motioned to Athena. “Lead on to the council hall, sister.”
Athena nodded and led out. Odysseus connected to Hermes again as he followed.
“Darling, I'm back. Poseidon is now aware of me and what he stands to lose if he pisses us off. Now it's time to set your father straight.”
Hermes let out a sigh of relief. “Ody, thank goodness. Do it quickly and come home soon, please. We need you.”
“Don't worry, love. I plan to. Watch through Apollo's sight?”
“Mm-hm, if he lets me.”
“I'm sure he will.”
“Is it bad that I'm half looking forward to this?”
Odysseus chuckled and prepared himself to deal with the most arrogant asshole of the entire pantheon. Fate help him, Hermes might be looking forward to the confrontation, and his siblings definitely were, but Odysseus would rather be just about anywhere else.
“Here goes nothing.”
“Good luck.”
Chapter 12: A Promise in Paradise
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Chapter 12
A Promise in Paradise
Poseidon staggered onto the beach of Circe's Isle. Circe met him at the entrance to the garden and stood with her arms over her chest.
“Odysseus told you, hm?”
Poseidon swallowed hard. “You knew?”
“I was there when Lady Atropos gave him his designation and tasks. You do realize you're very lucky to be alive right now, don't you?”
He shuddered. “He said he killed Calypso. Is it true?”
Circe nodded grimly. “My own abilities informed me of her death approximately an hour ago.” Her gaze sharpened. “Odysseus is one of few men I trust around my nymphs because he understands the pain that most women endure at a man's hand. For seven years before you attempted to murder him, Calypso kept him as a captive and tortured him right in front of Hermes, to the point that Odysseus tried to take his own life repeatedly. Had he not already been immortal, he never would have survived her. Instead, he escaped and discovered his true power and led his country and family for fifty years like the hero he is.”
Poseidon choked. “You're saying Calypso…?”
“Kept him like Zeus keeps Ganymede, yes.”
Poseidon's stomach lurched. “So, when I found him on the sea… I was torturing a man who had already endured a far worse hell than I ever would have put him through, even at my worst.”
Something in her posture relaxed. “You were. Odysseus was a broken man that night. He had nothing and everything to lose when you found him. He was desperate. Weak. Suffering. And, still, he found the power within him to defeat a god.”
Her gaze sharpened again. “Odysseus is a true hero. He has the power now to completely topple the hierarchy of the gods and destroy anyone who crosses him, but he will instead use it only to judge those who deserve to die under his blade. Once Odysseus finds Ganymede, Zeus may well die. But Odysseus still will not take over the heavens, because he isn't interested in power. He wants love, and to protect that love.” She held his gaze. “And you? What is it that you want, Poseidon? Do you still believe that ruthlessness is the path to righteousness?”
He grimaced. “No. Are you going to tell him to come judge me now?”
“Odysseus makes his own judgments. I am not his keeper.” Circe's aura blazed bright pink. “But if you dare hurt Amphitrite, then I will not hesitate to tell him every detail. After I have my own say, of course.” With that, she turned her back and stalked away.
That was probably as close to a blessing as he was likely to get, and maybe the last one he would ever receive, however backhanded.
With a deep ache in his heart, he followed the bond in his spirit to the southeast garden, near the shore. Amphitrite bent by the edge of the grass, tending to the flowers along the southern wall.
“Amphitrite?”
She looked up at the sound of his voice, but the smile slid from her face as her eyes met his own. “Oh, Poseidon! You're….” She dropped her basket and ran to him, blue-black hair flying behind her and her eyes wide with concern. “Darling, I feel your terror. What is it?”
Poseidon shuddered and sank onto the shore, his legs too unsteady to support him. “Amphitrite, did Circe ever tell you of Calypso?”
Amphitrite grimaced. “She's warned us never to approach her island. She said, should Calypso ever catch us, she might treat us as the dangerous men do, when they catch women unprotected.”
“She would treat you as a sex slave. I have just heard confirmation of it in the worst way, perhaps second only to hearing of your capture or enduring it myself.”
“She couldn't hurt a god, could she?”
Poseidon's voice broke. “She did. Apparently, she kept the most dangerous god in the divine court imprisoned on her island for seven years, a-after I murdered most of his fleet, and before I tried to kill him and nearly died for it.”
Her breath hitched. “I… what? But isn't that what happened with Ody—”
“Odysseus, yes.” Poseidon gripped her hands. “Just before Circe told me of his suffering under Calypso, Odysseus himself contacted me through his link to Hermes. He spoke directly into my mind. A-and… he informed me that Calypso is now dead at his hand, which Circe confirmed. He is, apparently, the god of Divine Retribution, who is tasked by the Fates to judge and execute gods who are too ruthless, who break the laws of nature and kill too many or commit heinous crimes. He is judging Zeus as we speak, I fear, and I do not know if he will show him mercy or not. By the end of the day, we may have a new king of the gods, or none at all.”
Amphitrite pressed her hand to her mouth and squeaked in horror. “He—he's a judge and executioner of gods? And he's powerful enough to judge Zeus?”
“I am reading between the lines of what Odysseus and Circe said and what I saw myself in the divine court, but the impression I received was that he was next.”
“Oh, fates. W-what does that mean? Will Odysseus kill them all?”
Poseidon swallowed a burning knot of shame. “Odysseus is a hero, Amphitrite. He has no intention to harm the innocent, but he will not hesitate to strike down the guilty, if he decides they need to die. A lesson he learned at my hand.” He lifted his head, his eyes burning. “In his eyes, I am the most guilty of all, perhaps even more so than Calypso.”
Tears raced down her face, and Poseidon brushed them away. “I'm so sorry, my sweet pearl. I don't want to leave your side, but I may not have a choice soon.”
“No,” Amphitrite breathed. “No. I can't! I can't endure losing you. I can't—I love you so much. I can't lose you.”
Poseidon's heart tumbled. “You love me?”
She caressed his face, and Poseidon turned into her touch.
“I love you so much, I can hardly breathe when you're near me. I want to stay by your side always.”
With a shaky sigh, Poseidon cupped his hand over hers and kissed her palm. “I love you too, Amphitrite.” He traced his knuckles across her cheek, taking care so his sharp nails wouldn't hurt her. “I wish I had known you sooner. Before I—” He lowered his head and shuddered. “Maybe, if I knew you were waiting for me, I wouldn't have been such an arrogant asshole.”
Amphitrite lifted Poseidon's chin and gave him a sad smile. “It's not too late, Poseidon.”
Tears streaked his face. “I think it is, darling.”
She kissed his tears away, and Poseidon felt the soft touch down to his soul. Gods, how he loved her.
“Not for me, Poseidon. Never for me.”
Poseidon leaned into her palm and nuzzled her fingers. “Amphitrite?”
“Hm?”
“Are you still afraid of me?”
“Afraid? I'm holding your face and wiping your tears, dear.”
“I meant….” Poseidon touched her mouth and traced her lip. “Afraid of me as a male.”
Amphitrite’s breath stilled. “P-Poseidon?” Her voice trembled.
“Ah.” He let his hand fall. “Never mind it, darling. I won't push you.”
Tears wobbled on her lashes. “Oh, Poseidon. You feel that way, sweetheart? For me?”
Poseidon looked away. “I won't ask anything of you, Amphitrite. I'm grateful just to have you near.”
Amphitrite gasped. “Oh, by the sea, you do?”
Poseidon flinched. “I'm sorry. I won't—”
She climbed into his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him. He gasped and pulled back.
“Careful, Amphitrite. My teeth are sharp.”
“Is that your only objection to kissing me?”
Poseidon's ear fins folded back. “I… don't know. I never have. I do have children, but I've never been in love like this.”
She stroked his cheek. “I love you, darling. May I try?”
“As long as you promise to take care.”
“I trust you to protect me, darling, and if you do accidentally nick me, it's okay. It's worth it.”
“All right. Just be careful.”
“I will.” She held his face. “Relax and don't move too quickly, darling. I need you to move away slowly if you want to stop, all right?”
Poseidon nodded and gave himself over to her care. She tipped his chin down to her level and slowly pressed their mouths together. Poseidon tensed, fearful of hurting her, but she only caressed his face and gave him slow, soft kisses that somehow felt like fire in his core. He pulled her closer and tried to move with her, and Amphitrite smiled against him.
“That's it, darling. Does it feel good?”
“Wonderful. Is that all?”
Amphitrite gave a sweet giggle. “Listen to you, all excited now.”
“Is that bad?”
“Absolutely not.” She gave him another kiss with firmer pressure, and Poseidon surged into her touch with a hitched breath and his fingers curling into her himation. Amphitrite eased back. “Don't jerk away now, darling.” She kissed him again, but the slow sweep of wet heat between his lips might have made him jolt back if not for her warning. She caressed his cheek and ran her tongue between his lips again and—and oh….
Oh, this was divine.
Poseidon clutched her closer, and Amphitrite swept her tongue deeper on each stroke until she was exploring inside his mouth, and Poseidon was shaking and burning up in her arms. Her tongue met his then, and he couldn't help arching up under her. She only followed him though, and he didn't taste blood, so he dared to caress her, too.
Amphitrite's soft moan set him on fire.
He clutched her back and lost himself to her touch, gasping with each new, wonderful sensation and trying to mirror her as much as he could. Soon, he was laying her back and kissing every depth of her mouth, and Amphitrite was quivering in his arms and moaning under him.
He pulled back, panting, his movements slow and careful, and guided her to sit again. Amphitrite gasped as she settled on his lap once more, and Poseidon arched up at the heat and pressure of her body against his own.
“Ahh, forgive me. I didn't realize I was—” He tried to lift her up, but she shook her head and rocked atop him.
“It feels good.”
Poseidon couldn't speak. The sensation of her body so hot and soft and perfect against his own choked his breath and set his core blazing. He whimpered and held her hips. It would be so easy just to slip her skirt up and….
But Amphitrite was already doing it herself. He watched, eyes wide, as she leaned up on her knees and shifted her clothing so her body was bare against him. He slid his hand up the back of her thigh and surged up at the sensation of her skin pressed directly against his covered shaft.
“A-Amphitrite, if I take you, you may get pregnant. There are things I can do to prevent it in the future, but I didn't today. I wasn't expecting this, and human methods of contraception don't work with a god.”
She gave him a smile full of tears. “Then, if he takes you from me, I will still have part of you to hold onto.”
Poseidon shivered. “You want me?”
“Please, darling. If this is the last moment we have, I don't want to waste it.”
Poseidon closed his eyes. “If it isn't the last moment, will you regret me in the morning?”
“Never. I love you, darling. I have for weeks. Please. I want to feel you.”
She pressed onto him again, and Poseidon couldn't hold back any longer. With a groan, he shifted his chiton out of the way and eased into her hot, slick channel. Amphitrite arched in his arms at the first touch and panted hard. “Oh, oh, darling.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and sank down inch by inch, until her bare bottom rubbed his thighs. Poseidon cupped her cheek under her chiton and rocked into her, all hesitation gone to an unbearable surge of pleasure. She whimpered and bounced atop him, one hand reaching into her folds. He would have liked to do that for her, but his claws would only hurt her. Still, he did caress her breast and push her clothing down enough to suckle the other, keeping his teeth well away from her skin. She whined atop him and clutched his hair, and Poseidon lost himself to the rhythm of their bodies.
“Poseidon, darling, please….”
“Amphitrite?”
She tipped up his chin and kissed him deeply, and, though it worried him at first, he tried to protect her with his own tongue and water shields. She shuddered and moaned into his touch, so he relaxed.
Heat and light spiraled in him quickly, and her cries vibrated his tongue, and her body felt like the first, last taste of paradise he might ever know.
“P-Poseidon, oh, darling!”
With a soft whimper, she arched back and quivered in his arms, and then, the heat and pressure was too much. He buried his own cry in her shoulder and panted through cool blasts of quicksilver through his veins.
Neither of them moved for a while. They simply held each other, panting and slowly coming down from their high.
Then, Amphitrite burst into tears, and Poseidon's heart broke.
“I don't want it to be the only time,” she sobbed, and he rocked her in his arms.
“I know, my love. I don't either.” Poseidon buried his face in her hair. “I wish I had longer to offer you.”
“Maybe it's not hopeless. Did Odysseus say he was going to judge you?”
“If I ever hurt anyone in his family again, yes.”
Her breath hitched. “But… if you don't hurt anyone?”
“I don't know. He was angry.”
“I don't think he will forgive you easily, but that doesn't mean he wants to kill you either.” She stroked his hair and sniffled against his neck. “He isn't cruel. Circe wouldn't trust him if he wasn't a good person. I think, if you tell him you regret it and show him how different you are, he'll at least let you live even if he can't forgive you for a long time.”
“Amphitrite, I murdered his entire crew and drove him to be a ruthless killer.”
“But has he acted that way since returning to Ithaca?”
“I… don't think so. I think Hermes and Apollo would not trust him so completely if he had. Hades certainly wouldn't.”
“Then I think he can be reasoned with.” Amphitrite cupped his face. “But even if I'm wrong and you only have a short time left to love me, I still want to spend every moment of it at your side.”
“So do I.” Poseidon tipped her chin up and kissed her softly. “Amphitrite, will you marry me, darling?”
Amphitrite gasped and squealed in delight. “Oh, Poseidon! Yes!”
He gave her a warm smile. “Then at least, if these are our last few moments together, we will be happy.”
Amphitrite tugged him into a kiss, and Poseidon let her love chase his fears away. At least for the moment, they had this joy. And, if he was living on borrowed time, then he would cherish what moments he had left with this beautiful little nereid that made his life worth living.
Notes:
Not what you were expecting for this chapter, probably, but it is an important little interlude.
Chapter 13: A King's Ransom
Summary:
Okay, y'all, I had to take the previous version of this chapter down because I've begun my path on Hellenism, under Lord Dionysus, and I just couldn't live with the original plot I had for Zeus here. I feel slightly less appalled about this version of him (it's more in character for Epic too), and I figured out where I'm going from this point on. So, that was a very short hiatus, and we are back on track, with not too many changes other than I made the focus of Odysseus' judgment against Zeus, Zeus' pride and brutality and heavy hand with the smiting rather than Ganymede being straight-up sex trafficked and raped.
Chapter Text
Chapter 13
A King's Ransom
Odysseus followed his siblings—and the cacophony of a thousand irritated, angry voices—into a massive marble amphitheater. Zeus stood center stage, of course. The other gods argued back and forth about Odysseus and Calypso so loudly, he couldn't hear himself think. He stood by for a moment, listening to get an idea of what they were actually so upset about, though he was fairly sure he could hazard a guess.
“But gods simply aren't chosen,” said a female Odysseus didn't know, a stately goddess with a serious demeanor, cascades of golden hair, and a plump form.
“Themis,” Ares muttered. “Goddess of law and order.”
Another female, a slight little thing with an identical twin seated at her right, cleared her throat. “Aren't they?”
Her sister called, “That's strange. I was sure we were mortal once.”
“The Leucippedes,” said Apollo. “Human princesses who were changed into goddesses by their husbands.”
“Their husbands were made into gods, too, actually,” said Ares.
“I wish Penny would have let us do that.”
Odysseus sent a wave of love and comfort to his husband and listened on.
“But you are simply goddesses of the hearth and your own families,” said a male who couldn't seem to sit still. Two feathered, black wings stretched from his shoulders. “You don't have power over the gods themselves!”
“Cratus,” said Athena. “God of strength and one of Zeus’ attendants.”
“That explains a lot,” Odysseus muttered.
Apollo and Ares snorted.
A male who strongly resembled Ares spoke up. Ah, it was Ares’ son, Deimos. Odysseus didn't see him often, as he tended to be a little shy, but, despite his hard calling, Odysseus liked the kid, and his twin brother, too. They were good boys.
“So,” said Deimos, “what you're saying is that a human can't possibly gain power over a god?”
“Yes, that's precisely what I'm saying. The numbers just don't add up.”
Phobos, Deimos’ twin brother, spoke up. “Funny that Poseidon isn't actually here right now, or I bet he would have something to say about that.”
“Especially since he's stopped being a complete and utter asshole,” Deimos added.
“That's debatable,” Hermes muttered. Odysseus sent him love and comfort again.
Phobos snorted. “After Odysseus dealt with him, you mean?”
“Exactly.”
“Good job, boys,” said Ares with a proud grin, though he kept it quiet so as not to give their location away.
Odysseus bumped his shoulder and communicated to the boys, “Your father is proud of you. And so am I.”
Another unfamiliar god interrupted the rush of their joy and relief.
“Is it true? Can a human truly escape a vengeful god?”
He sounded so desperate, and Odysseus’ heart ached with a sudden rush of worry. He turned to get a better look at the speaker and gasped at the sight of him.
He was only a boy.
He looked to be barely into his twenties, and he had a kind of beauty Odysseus rarely saw even among the divine. Blond curls shone atop his head, above chiseled features and full, pink lips. His eyes, blue as the sky, held so much pain, so much sorrow, it hurt to look at him.
Immediately, Odysseus knew this young god was in trouble. Who was he, and why did he look so haunted?
Zeus gave the god a narrow-eyed look, and the boy whimpered and curled into his knees.
“S-sorry, Lord Zeus. I won't say anything else, my lord.”
All of Odysseus’ family gods winced.
Oh, Odysseus did not like the look of this.
“That's Ganymede,” said Ares with a growl in his tone. “One of many crimes you should take Father to task for.”
Odysseus tuned the argument among the gods out in favor of hearing about the young man with such pain in his eyes. “Who is he, and why do I need to take Zeus to task for him?”
“He was a Trojan prince,” said Apollo with a glower at Zeus. “Until Father decided he was too beautiful to leave alone and bought him from his father for a damned pair of horses.”
Rage ignited in Odysseus’ soul. He went still, and his voice dropped to a lethal murmur. “You're telling me that boy is a captive? That Zeus has been keeping him exactly like Calypso kept me?”
“Ganymede can at least roam Olympus with Zeus and associate with the others,” said Apollo in a haunted voice. “And, I don't think it's quite the same. Father did ask his consent before he… well.”
“But look at me.” Athena rubbed her face, where a silver scar crossed one eye and over her cheek. “This was from simply winning the game he devised for me, and Ganymede saw it. How can Gany refuse, knowing how likely Zeus is to kill him for it?”
Ares nodded. “He isn't accosted every night either, as Father has many conquests, and the other gods do their best to protect him as much as we can, but the truth is that Ganymede is miserable, and Father still will not let him go.”
Odysseus’ aura blazed. “Why did you never tell me of him?”
“Because,” said a weary Athena, “until now, there was nothing we could do to save him.”
Odysseus’ blood blazed. “Are there others?”
Ares shook his head. “Ganymede is an unfortunate favorite. That's why we couldn't get him out. Zeus never lets him out of his sight for long, and even if we did manage to steal him away, he would tear the world apart to get him back.”
Odysseus’ soul burned. “Hermes, my love, warn Echo, Hades, and the children that we will be bringing home one more captive.”
Hermes’ relief washed through Odysseus. “Thank you. That poor boy has been miserable for far too long.”
If Hermes knew of him….
“Fifty years?” Odysseus’ voice came out in a deadly rasp. “He has been under Zeus’ rule for over fifty years?”
“More like a century,” said a haunted Apollo. “We all tried to help him, but….”
“But none of you can combat Zeus, and the power imbalance is too extreme for Ganymede to have any semblance of a real choice. Well then. I think it's about time Zeus learned that the laws apply to gods, too, and he is not the biggest bully in the arena any longer.” Odysseus drew his sword and soared into the amphitheater, rage tearing through him.
He hadn't planned on judging Zeus violently, but now, he wanted to tear him to pieces. He wouldn't kill him unless Zeus forced him to, for the sake of the innocents who didn't deserve to suffer.
But he would make him bleed.
“I've heard enough,” Odysseus shouted, his voice resonant and sharp. “It's clear you lot won't believe your own senses until you see it for yourself.” He ripped off his helm and snarled, “I am Odysseus of Ithaca, and I am Fate's Judge! And you, Zeus the Thunder King, are now on trial.”
Zeus barked, “What? You dare?”
Odysseus shot across the amphitheater and caught the panicking boy into his arms.
“By the gods, you didn't even give the poor boy proper clothing?” Odysseus wrapped his own chlamys around Ganymede's half-exposed form and lifted him into his arms. Ganymede whimpered and curled into a ball.
“I'm so sorry, sweetheart. You're going to be safe in just a moment.”
He wasn't sure where the power came from, but he flew straight ahead and landed immediately on his ship. Ganymede hid his face in his hands.
“Forgive me, Ganymede. I'm sorry I had to scare you. There wasn't time to warn you.” Odysseus set the boy down and held his shoulder. “Hermes? Love, watch over him, but be careful. If you see anything suspicious….”
Hermes came out of the cabin and nodded to Odysseus. “We'll keep him safe, and we will watch for trouble.”
“Thank you. Leave the bond open.”
Hermes nodded and knelt before the boy. “Hi, Ganymede. Do you remember me, honey?”
Ganymede lifted his head and whimpered. “Hermes? I-I don't want Zeus to hurt you again.”
“Don't worry, sweetheart.” Odysseus’ aura blazed. “By the time I'm done with him, he won't dare lift a finger against you.” With that, he teleported directly to Zeus, who had charged into the main courtyard and was searching the tapestry for his captive. The other gods were filing into the yard and gathering around the central plaza, their eyes wide and their posture tense. They jumped back when Odysseus reappeared.
He ignored them, flew straight to Zeus, grabbed the back of his xystis, and threw him bodily away from the tapestry, into the center of the courtyard.
“Zeus, Thunder King! You are under arrest and trial for the crimes of murder, enslavement, rape by coercion, drug-induced rape, abduction, illegal slave trading—” Odysseus deflected and neutralized a bolt of lightning with a flick of his wrist. “And sex trafficking. Do you admit your guilt?”
Zeus's eyes and clothes blazed white. “Ganymede? You dare accuse me of raping him?"
"I do."
"He gave his consent every time!”
“And look what you did to your own children for defying you!” Odysseus dragged his hand over his eye and pointed to Athena. “Look, there stands the daughter you abused for playing the game you ordained and winning. See how she bears the marks of your pride? Or perhaps you recall what you did to my own husband for standing against you for my sake? He is marked all over by your anger at his denial of your wishes! And yet, you claim Ganymede had any power to refuse?”
“I never raped him!”
“Perhaps not with malice, Zeus, but you never gave him a choice either.”
“Enough!” Zeus’ hand glowed blue and white. “I have had enough of your insolence, boy! I let you live because my children pleaded for you. Now, you use them and my own consort against me? Your defiance has gone too far!”
A colossal blast of lightning crashed directly upon Odysseus, surrounding him in blinding light, but, other than his hair standing on end, Odysseus hardly noticed it. He let the lightning roll off of his skin like water and waited.
Zeus gave a vicious laugh. “You fool. You can never defeat the king of the gods! Now, see what your hubris has brought you to? Thunder bring her through the—”
“That old line again?” Odysseus reached through the lightning and grabbed Zeus by the throat. “Aren't you done yet?”
Zeus’ eyes widened. “W-what? But… how?”
Odysseus flicked his wrist, and Zeus’ storm flickered and died. “I already told you. I am Fate's Judge, and not even the king of the gods is above the law any longer.” He threw Zeus down and slashed his sword down the god's chest. Zeus screamed and staggered back.
“Admit it. You bought an innocent child—a prince—like a slave and forced him into immortality he did not ask for, just to make him into your toy.” He slashed again. “You ripped a boy away from his home—” Slash!
“Enslaved and imprisoned him—”
Slash!
“And raped him repeatedly.”
Slash! Slash! Slash!
Zeus cried, “Please, I told you the truth! I asked every time!”
Odysseus pressed the blade to Zeus’ throat. “And if he had said no? If he had refused you, what then?”
“I… would have let him go.”
Odysseus’ heart burned. “Is that so? I ask you now, Zeus, when Athena asked for your help to save me, when she did what you asked and won the game to set me free, what was your answer?”
“I—she tried to humiliate me!”
“You humiliated yourself by being a complete asshole to your wife and children!”
Odysseus kicked him across the courtyard, so viciously he slammed into a pillar. A few steps forward, and Odysseus had his sword at the god's throat again. “And Hermes? What was your excuse then? When my husband begged you for mercy, what did you do?”
Zeus flinched.
“Exactly. Now, while we are on the subject, remind me, Zeus, how you punished Prometheus for attempting to help mankind? Do you dare to call his torment fair?”
“He turned humans into a threat!”
“A threat to your throne, you mean? That is why you devoured Athena's mother as well, is it not?”
Zeus flinched. “I… was trying to protect the order of the gods!”
“You were trying to protect your own ass, Zeus,” cried a goddess from the crowd. Probably one of the primordial goddesses. No one else would dare.
Odysseus’ aura burned red. “I believe her a lot sooner than you.” He paced up and down Zeus’ battered form. “Tell me this then, king of the gods. You claim to be the god of Fate. Did you know, when you ordered me to murder an infant so my own kin would not perish under his blade when I was consumed by age, that I would be immortal within three years?"
Zeus grimaced. “Odysseus, you were only a human then. There was not yet any decree of immortality or protection over your life.”
Odysseus could grant him that. “Fair enough, but I still have one more question. When you came to meet me off the coast of Apollo's home isle, did you know that I had, in fact, fought against my crew to protect the cattle? That I was, at the time, ill, suffering, and a prisoner of war, when you placed the fate of my entire crew on my head?”
Zeus’ throat bobbed. “I gave you the choice of your own fate.”
“Offering me a choice between my life and that of nearly everyone I had left was not mercy, Zeus!”
Zeus scowled. “I might have just killed you all.”
“It might have been kinder if you had tried. Then, I would not bear the guilt for a crime I did not commit.” Odysseus leveled his blade at Zeus’ throat. “But, I will humor you. I will pretend, for a moment, that compassion and not pride motivated your decision that day. Of course, that would mean, when you saw how distressing your judgment was to the one man on board who had not participated in the crime you were there to judge, you would have shown him mercy, hm?”
Zeus gulped.
“Tell me, Zeus. When I begged for mercy, begged you not to make me choose, the one man who fought to protect the herd, what was your answer?”
Zeus opened his mouth and shut it.
“You forced me to choose anyway, didn't you? Then you murdered my entire crew before my eyes, severely injured me, destroyed my ship, and let me be imprisoned with a rapist for seven years. You ignored your son's pleas to save me, even when you saw him bleed for his grief. You attacked your own daughter for fighting for me, too. And then, you attacked your son in retribution for the god who chased us into that hell in the first place, and you ignored his cries for mercy, too. And yet, you dare try to tell me that Ganymede had a choice? You dare pretend that you would not have torn him to pieces for his defiance, just as you did to Prometheus, Metis, Hermes, Athena, and me?”
Zeus snapped, “I am the king of the gods! It is my right to judge!”
“Not anymore, it isn't.”
Odysseus slashed and kicked and clawed and blasted him until he was little more than a whimpering heap on the ground.
“This is your judgment, Zeus: you are no longer untouchable, no longer above the rule of law. From now on, you will not wield your throne like a weapon. You will learn the difference between willing, enthusiastic consent and the fear of eternal punishment. You will learn to temper your pride and judgment with mercy and compassion, or, mark my words, Zeus, the next time you unleash hell upon someone, not for their crimes but simply for offending your pride, the next time I hear of you using your power like a weapon, I will take it from you. And then, when I'm done with that, your divine punishment will come when I will cut off your dick and choke you on it, so you can hurt no more innocents with it, whether you learn compassion or not! Are we clear?”
Zeus shuddered. “Y-yes, yes. But Ganymed—”
“Is no longer, nor will he ever be, your concern. Touch him again, and I won't stop at cutting your dick off.”
“But I—”
“There is no negotiation here, Zeus. I am the Divine Judge now. Either you agree to my terms, or I kill you. I don't want to do that for my husband's sake, nor for his siblings, but I will not allow a cruel, prideful brute to lead the gods. Either keep your dick in your gods-damned chiton and your thunderbolts to those who actually deserve justice, or I will execute you here and now, in full view of the entire divine court.”
Zeus whimpered. “A-all right! Please….”
Odysseus sheathed his sword and stepped back. “Stay the hell away from Ganymede and our family, Zeus. The next time I have to judge you, you will truly learn what ruthlessness means.”
With that, he turned and walked past the shocked crowd, through silence thick enough to cut with a sword, and back to his stunned siblings. Apollo had his hand over his mouth and tears streaking his face. Dionysus had buried his face in Ares’ side, and Ares rubbed his back, his expression stark with horror. Athena was crying openly on Apollo's shoulder. Hephaestus supported his mother, his eyes wide and rimmed in molten tears.
Odysseus winced and approached them with his head down. “Forgive me. I couldn’t let him get away with it.”
Apollo choked out a sob and smacked Odysseus around the head. “You idiot! We aren't angry about Father. Fate knows he's had it coming for a long time. But you just stood there! The lightning was falling everywhere, and we couldn't see you, and—and we thought you were dead, you asshole!”
Odysseus winced. “Oh, Apollo. I'm so sorry. I was just thinking about his energy and letting him wear himself out. I didn't think of how it must have looked to you.”
Apollo hugged him and sobbed on his shoulder. “Damned idiot. I'm so glad you're okay.”
A broken whine sounded in Odysseus’ mind. “O-Ody….”
Odysseus’ stomach dropped. “Hermes. Oh gods. Apollo, tell me he didn't see…?”
Apollo blanched. “Oh no.”
Without another word, Odysseus teleported back to the ship.
“Hermes!”
Hermes knelt on the deck beside Ganymede, shaking and retching over the side of the ship. Beside him, Herelope sobbed into his back. Orimene stood a little distance away, tears racing down her face and Echo hiding against her shoulder. Hades guarded Ganymede, but his eyes held horror and anguish, too.
“Oh, my loves, I'm so sorry.” Odysseus raced to Hermes and stroked his back and his son's at once. “Darling, please forgive me. I didn't intend to terrify you like this.”
“Idiot,” Hermes sobbed. “Stupid, irresponsible, self-sacrificing dolt! I t-thought—I….”
Odysseus caught him into his arms and lifted him up against his chest. “I am so sorry. Hermes, my babies—I did not mean for you to see that.”
Herelope tackled him into a tearful hug. “Dad….”
“Shh. I'm all right. Didn't even feel it. I'm right here, sweetheart.”
“You better just stay that way from now on,” Hermes chided. “You're not leaving my sight for the foreseeable future. Poor Ganymede thought we were all going to be killed for his sake. And I….”
Odysseus eased him into a soft kiss. “I'm so sorry, love. Yes, I promise, I'll stay right by your side from—”
Hermes gasped and doubled over.
“Hermes?”
“Ahh,” Hermes writhed in Odysseus’ arms. “Oh, it hurts.”
Odysseus’ stomach crashed through the floor. “Oh no. Where does it hu…?”
He looked down, and his heart sputtered and froze inside his chest.
Hermes’ chiton was covered in blood.
“O-Odysseus…?” Hermes looked up at him with wide, terrified eyes.
Odysseus raced him into the cabin and poured all the healing energy he had into his husband. “I know it's scary, love, but try to stay calm. Herelope! Orimene! Help me!”
Mentally, Odysseus called, “Apollo! Get to the ship now! Hermes might be losing the baby!”
Horror crossed the link. “What?”
“Hurry!”
“On my way!”
“Oh, Papa!” Orimene took Hermes’ hand and flooded his belly with soft green light. “Hold on. You're going to be okay.”
Hermes covered his belly. “But the baby?”
“We're trying, darling. Try to stay calm.” Odysseus knelt by his husband and pressed his hand over his abdomen. “Atropos, my baby is in dire trouble. Is it safe for me to give Hermes and the baby some of my power?”
“Hm. No more than ten percent. Yours is a battle power, not healing. More than that may do more harm than good.”
“Thank you.” Odysseus filtered his life and power into his infant and his husband, praying that ten percent was enough to keep them both alive. Herelope knelt on Hermes' other side and laid his hands over Hermes’ belly. Hades guided Echo and Ganymede into the cabin.
“Odysseus, I will watch for trouble and keep the ship on course.”
“Thank you, Hades.”
Hades nodded and left, and Odysseus focused all his energy into keeping the flow of life steady and gentle, so that Hermes and the baby might survive.
“Please. Please, don't take them from me now.”
He kept his prayers steady and his emotions as level as he could, so his husband could rely on his strength when he needed him most. “Hold on, darling. It's going to be okay.”
Hermes clutched his hand and trembled under him, and their children fought with all they had to save them, and Odysseus prayed that, somehow, his fight to save one innocent wouldn't cost him another.
Chapter 14: Vigil
Summary:
If you didn't see my note and changes about chapter 13 already, I changed the previous chapter because, after deciding to follow Lord Dionysus in real life, I just couldn't stomach the utterly irredeemable image of Zeus I had painted before. He's still a bastard here, but he's more of a tyrant, not a sex-trafficker and straight-up rapist. (Though the myths themselves aren't doing the god of the 🍆 any favors either.) At any rate, I tried to at least hint that there is more behind this mess than Zeus is letting on. None of the other characters picked up on it either, so it's a very small hint, but, regardless, just try to take my word on it that this version of Zeus isn't a total jerk and wait for things to clear up a little.
Chapter Text
Chapter 14
Vigil
Odysseus’ family stood vigil over Hermes, each offering their love and power to help him stay strong. Dionysus had come to help keep Hermes’ spirits up, and Ares had brought his sons along, too. Together, they all stayed by Hermes’ side, using their powers to drain the panic and fear from him and to ease his stress. It helped keep him calm enough that Odysseus was able to relax his fierce grip on his own emotions, a little. At least enough to hold Hermes’ hand and bury his face in his husband's shoulder, though he did fight back his tears. Dionysus’ gentle hand on his hair took the edge off of Odysseus’ stress and anxiety, too.
Apollo looked up after a long while of healing him. “The bleeding has stopped, but I don't know what it means to begin with. I don't know enough about pregnancy and childbirth to offer much help. Even Artemis doesn't know how to help when the baby is this early.”
“Who would know?” Odysseus lifted his head. “Who could help us?”
“There are a handful of gods besides Artemis,” said a grim Ares. “Trouble is they're all scared senseless of you right now, and they might also be cunning enough to lie. They might think they can get rid of you through your child and husband.”
Odysseus didn't bother saying that he was right. Without Hermes and his children, he would break irrevocably, but Hermes didn't need to hear that right now.
Dionysus held his shoulder, acting as a quiet support. He probably sensed Odysseus’ despair. Odysseus couldn't hide his mental state from the god of madness, but, for his husband's sake, he didn't allow anyone else to catch on.
“Ares, do you mind keeping watch over the ship tonight? If the gods are that upset, the healers might not be the only ones cunning enough to try something exceptionally stupid.”
Hermes whimpered. “Ody….”
Odysseus kissed his forehead. “Shh. Don't worry, darling. We have an insane amount of firepower on this ship, and many trained warriors and tricksters. They won't get far.” He stroked Hermes’ hair and caressed his cheek. “Ares?”
“I don't mind, but you'll keep me updated?”
“Of course.”
Ares nodded and squeezed Hermes’ hand. “I'm going up now then to keep us safe. Hold on, brother. We'll pull you through this.”
Hermes clung to his hand. “Please don't let them get close. I don't know if I can bear anything else.”
“I promise.” With that, Ares squeezed Hermes’ hand and exited Odysseus’ cabin.
Hermes shuddered when he had gone and buried his face in Odysseus’ shoulder.
“Brother, I am here,” Dionysus murmured, his voice soft and measured. “I will help you pull through. We all will.”
Hermes clutched his hand.
Odysseus kissed Hermes’ curls. “We won't let anyone come near you, love. Atropos keeps a fairly constant watch over me, too, so she may sense trouble before any of us.”
Herelope looked up from where he was caring for Echo's long hair and trying to work out the tangles. “Sense it, but can we trust her to speak?”
Orimene, standing guard half over her step-father and half over Ganymede, gave a wry snort. “Use that head Ares trained into you, dummy. If Atropos lets something happen to her brand-new, fresh-from-the-warrior-forge hero, then she'd have to go to all the trouble of finding a new one, and how do you think Dad would feel about listening to her if she let his husband and child die when she could've done something to stop it? Atropos is scary as all hell, sure, but she's not stupid.”
“I like her,” Atropos muttered with a dark laugh. Odysseus wasn't sure whether to count that as a good thing or not.
Herelope blushed. “Oh. Well then, we'll be fine here, Papa. No one's scarier than Dad, except Atropos.”
Atropos cackled. “I like him, too.”
Odysseus decided to call it a good thing for the sake of his own sanity. “They're good kids.” Out loud, he said, “She is currently watching over us, too.”
Orimene gave him a wry look. “Did my blunt mouth piss her off?”
Atropos snorted.
“On the contrary, she seems to get a great deal of entertainment out of it.”
“Thank the… Fates for that.”
“You're welcome.”
Odysseus rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Atropos is helping, of course, but we shouldn't put all of the pressure on her either. She has her own job to do, and protecting ourselves is still our responsibility. Ares is monitoring the physical area for threats. Do we have anyone who can keep an eye on the spiritual and hidden side of things?”
Hades pushed off of the wall. “That is my area of expertise. I will help keep watch.”
“I think I should go with him and relieve Athena from sailing duty.” Herelope squeezed Echo's shoulder. “You can come along if you want, sweetheart, but I can't hold you up when I sail. I have to be able to move around and such.”
Echo shuddered. “I-I don't want to see the water. May I stay here?”
“Of course, dear,” said Dionysus. “Why don't you keep Ganymede company? He's rather nervous, too.”
Ganymede flushed and lowered his head, shame coloring his emotions.
Herelope crouched in front of him and held his shoulder. “Hey. None of this is your fault, okay? We're all just happy you're safe.”
“We've been trying to figure out a way to save you for a long, long time, Ganymede,” said Apollo.
Dionysus growled under his breath. “I detest it.”
Everyone turned to stare at him.
“Dion?” Hermes gave him a worried look. “Gany isn't at fault here.”
“Oh, darling, no, that is not at all what I meant.” Dionysus’ aura burned green. “I am the god of pleasure, brother, and so many assume that means my pleasure and mine alone, regardless of how those I care for feel, but it's quite the opposite. I cannot bear the thought of their pain. I can't stand to watch—” His voice broke, and he covered a rush of tears with a shaking hand. “Ganymede, I am so sorry I couldn't protect you better, sweetheart.”
Odysseus wrapped his arm around his brother-in-law's shoulders and rubbed his arm. Dionysus pressed his head under Odysseus’ chin.
“I don't—Dionysus, please.” Ganymede winced and tugged at his chlamys, a garment borrowed from Apollo, who was closest to him in build and height. “You've fought harder than anyone to protect me.”
Echo held his hand in her own, and Ganymede relaxed a little.
“That's why you stayed in Olympus when the rest of us left, isn't it?” Apollo gave Dionysus a searching look. “It wasn't just to keep an eye on Zeus and Poseidon—you couldn't leave Gany behind.”
Dionysus nodded and wiped his eyes. “I did want to keep all of you safe, too, but Ganymede needed help. And it's part of my calling to heal that trauma.”
“Thank you, brother.” Odysseus hugged him hard. “Thank you for protecting him when we couldn't, and for never leaving his side.”
Dionysus leaned against his shoulder, and Odysseus rubbed his back in soothing circles.
“I'm sorry,” Ganymede said, his head bowed and shoulders shaking. “I-I never meant to cause so much pain.”
Dionysus flinched. “Gany, no.”
“Gany,” Hermes murmured, “Dion's right, you've been suffering much too long. Please don't blame yourself, honey. Do you want to come sit with us?”
Ganymede flinched. “I don't want to distract you.”
“That's exactly what I need, Gany—a distraction to take my mind off of my fear.”
Phobos nodded. “He's right. It would do him a lot of good.”
“And I think Uncle Dion needs to protect you, too,” said Deimos.
Ganymede blushed and settled on the floor beside Hermes. Dionysus gave him a relieved smile, and Hermes reached over the side of the hammock to rub Ganymede's shoulders and across his hair.
“Thank you, honey. I know you're scared.”
“I just don't want you to suffer for my sake.” Ganymede blinked hard and curled into his knees. “You're the first people who ever made me feel safe, and Dion's tried to help me for so long, and now, you're sick because of me, Hermes, and so is your baby, and Zeus….”
When Zeus recovered, he would be furious. Odysseus wasn't stupid enough to think this was the only battle he would have to fight to drive his point home. Even so, given the opportunity to go back, he would have made the same choice. He would have done it sooner, if he could have.
Odysseus knelt before Ganymede and held the boy's face. “I couldn't have left you there either.” He brushed a tear away and tucked his hair behind his ear. “You needed us, sweetheart. You were suffering. I couldn’t just stand by and watch it happen any more than Dionysus could.”
“I-I know.” Ganymede buried his face in Odysseus’ shoulder. “Thank you.”
Odysseus held the boy and rubbed his back, rocking him a little. “I have you, sweetheart. You're going to be safe from now on.”
Ganymede flinched, and Odysseus held him tighter. Slowly, Ganymede relaxed against him, and, when Odysseus felt silent tears falling against his shoulder, he gave a sigh of relief. The boy needed to release his pain, desperately.
Dionysus met his eyes over Ganymede's shoulder, and Odysseus understood. The god was helping Ganymede let go of the strong front he had had to ruthlessly maintain for so long. Echo, too, gave a quiet sniffle and curled up against Hermes’ side, and Odysseus rubbed the nymph's hair over Ganymede's shoulder.
“We will take care of them, brother. They will be all right.”
Dionysus nodded fiercely.
Odysseus stroked Ganymede's hair and held him through his grief, all the while trying to think of someone, anyone, who might know what to do for Hermes and his baby.
Athena came in while he was thinking, her expression weary, and leaned against Orimene's side. Hm. A woman—they would probably know what to do, right? Maybe somewhere with a lot of women.
Oh. He knew of a place like that, didn't he?
“Circe,” Odysseus said. “I think Circe and her nymphs are our best hope. Surely one of them will know something about midwifery, seeing as how they're all female. They must have had to deal with pregnancies and babies before, right?”
Orimene winced. “Dad, Circe is a week's travel away.”
“I know, but if we can't trust the gods now, that's the best idea I've got. Ithaca is much further.”
Orimene shuddered and crossed her arms over her chest. “Is there any way to get there faster without putting Papa in danger?”
Phobos nodded. “A week is much too long to wait. Any number of things could go wrong.”
“We will keep him healed until then,” said Athena, “but none of us have wind or water powers, do we?”
“Hermes has some wind powers,” said Deimos, “but he can't use them now.”
“I could—”
Apollo cut Hermes off sharply. “No. Absolutely not. You're not to expend any energy at all if you can help it. You need everything you've got to keep you and the baby safe.”
Hermes sniffled and hugged his waist. Odysseus lifted one arm from Ganymede's shoulders and held his husband's hand.
“I have some water magic,” said Ganymede, his voice uncertain. “It's not very strong though. I'm not equal to an Olympian.”
“By design, I think,” said Dionysus with a growl.
Phobos rubbed his shoulder. “I don't think Grandpa meant to be that vicious, Uncle Dion.”
“Either way,” Odysseus held Ganymede's face, “it will never happen again, sweetheart.”
Ganymede gave him a tentative nod. “I… think I believe you.”
“Thank you, Ganymede. I know it's hard.” Odysseus rubbed his shoulder. “Can you use your water powers from here? I don't want you outside in case Zeus tries anything stupid. I don't want to make it easier for him, and I really don't want to have to kill him, even if he might deserve it. Too many innocents will suffer if I have to really take out the king of the gods, everyone here included.”
Ganymede shuddered. “I think I can manage it. Whoever is sailing will just have to help me stay on course.”
“We can do that.” Apollo rubbed his shoulder. “I'll open a mental mirror with Herelope and keep an eye on our heading for you.”
“Thank you.” Ganymede aimed his hands at the back of the ship, and it shot forward with a bump.
“Well done, Ganymede.” Odysseus poked his head out of the door and used the stars, the horizon, and the waves to estimate their speed. Once he was fairly sure, he went back inside. “That puts us at about twelve knots, so, if we could keep that rate constant, we would make it to Circe's in about two days. Ganymede can't do that, however, so I estimate it's probably closer to four days.”
“It's still too long.” Orimene grimaced. “No one else has any useful powers? Deimos? Phobos? Echo?”
The boys shook their heads sadly.
Echo flushed. “I-I have a little water and wind skills, and my singing seems to have some kind of power, but I don't think any of that is strong enough to help nearly as much as Ganymede is.”
“Every little bit helps,” said Odysseus. “If you do what you can while Ganymede rests, then it might be enough.”
Echo nodded. “I-I'll try.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Odysseus returned to his husband's side. “Then there's not much else to do now but pass the time and keep Ganymede and Echo as healthy and rested as possible.”
“I'll help keep them calm,” said Dionysus. “And keep an eye on the metaphysical side of things.”
Odysseus squeezed his shoulder in thanks.
“You said you can sing, Echo?” Hermes gave her a wan smile. “Do you mind?”
“M-me?” Echo blushed hard. “But Apollo is so much better.”
“Sweetheart, Apollo is watching the sea to keep Gany on track and healing me. He can't sing and do that at the same time. And I'm sure your voice is fine. I just… thought it might help me sleep.”
“Sing for us, darling,” said Dionysus with a smile. “It doesn't need to be perfect. Music brings peace and liberation, and we all need to let go a little.”
“Just keep the wine back for now, Uncle,” said Orimene. “We need to keep our wits sharp.”
Dionysus nodded. “Of course, but a little music wouldn't hurt anyone.”
“No, it wouldn't,” said Hermes. “Echo?”
Echo gulped. “Okay. I hope it isn't bad.” She rocked on her heels for a long moment, unsure of herself.
Odysseus rubbed her back. “Don't worry, Echo. You don't have to sing if you're afraid. I'll sing for him, though I'm not a musician by anyone's standards. Still, if it's just a soothing sound you want….”
He murmured a lullaby he had sung to all of his babies. Penelope had taught it to him, and singing it always reminded him of her sweet alto, clear and true, ringing through the castle on a sunlit morning.
Hermes sighed and clutched Odysseus’ hand. “Oh, Penny. She must be watching over us, too.”
Odysseus kissed his forehead and carried on singing.
After a few verses, Echo came in with an uncertain high harmony, and Odysseus closed his eyes, relaxing into the lilting tone of her voice.
Odysseus heard a sniffle nearby. Ah. Ganymede was trying not to let his distress interfere with his powers. Odysseus rubbed his back and scooted close so he could comfort the boy and his husband at once. “What is it, Ganymede?”
“I just don't want you to lose everything for my sake, but I'm terrified you might. Maybe I should just go back so Zeus doesn't—”
Odysseus gathered him into a hug, taking care not to interfere with his work. “Hush. First of all, hell no. Leave, and I'll just have to kick Zeus’ ass again to get you back.”
Ganymede gave a tear-thick chuckle.
“Besides that, I beat him senseless in front of the entire pantheon. He's going to be pissed off either way. He doesn't like his authority challenged, and I didn't just challenge it, I beat it to a bloody pulp. He will try to get it back. But when he does, we will be ready.” He closed his eyes and borrowed his husband's power inside him. “Hephaestus?”
The god's emotions spiked with alarm and curiosity at once. “Don't startle me at the forge, friend. That's how people get hurt.”
“Apologies. I am glad to find you working, however. I have a request.”
“Hm. After seeing you put Zeus so thoroughly in his place and rescue Ganymede, I'm in a generous mood. What did you have in mind, cousin?”
“Well, to be honest, I'm not sure it's entirely possible, but if anyone can do it, you can. I want to make a new vessel for Ganymede to focus his power through.”
Hephaestus sighed, his emotions colored blue with pity and sorrow. “He can't bear to use his old one now, hm?”
“Can't even look at it, no, but more than that, I want to make a new vessel that can repel electricity. And not only repel it, but shoot it back at the one who called it, with some… interesting effects.”
Hephaestus gave a dark laugh. “Oh, I believe I know exactly what to do, my friend. Give me twenty-four hours.”
“I imagine Zeus will still be trying to recover by then, so you should have plenty of time.”
“Good. Then give me time to work and consult with Mother, and I will bring it to you when it's finished.”
“Thank you, Hephaestus.”
“No, thank you for doing this. We have all wanted to get that boy out for so long. I am glad to make something to help him protect himself.”
“Thank you anyway.”
Hephaestus chuckled. “You're welcome.”
Odysseus cut the link and rubbed Ganymede's hair. “Hold on, sweetheart. Maybe by this time tomorrow, the future will look brighter.”
“Not in my experience.” Ganymede sniffled and leaned into Odysseus’ touch. “But maybe I can try to believe that.”
“Good boy.”
Hermes shot him a wry look. “Odysseus, what did you do?”
“Me? Nothing much. Hephaestus has some interesting plans though.”
Hermes chuckled mentally. “Plans you inspired, Trickster King?”
“That's Persepolis. I'm afraid I'm just your garden-variety trickster god now.”
Hermes smiled and reached for his hand, but his face tensed with pain partway through. Odysseus rested his hand on his husband's and caressed his cheek.
“Hold on, darling. We're going as fast as we can.”
“I'm trying.”
Odysseus kissed his fingers and tried to keep his fear from troubling Hermes. Four days. Three at best. Gods, he prayed they could hold on so long.
If they didn't, if Zeus’ tyranny killed Odysseus’ child or husband, he wouldn't stop slashing until Zeus was a bloody puddle on the stones of Mount Olympus.
Chapter 15: Brewing Trouble
Summary:
The Oneirei are not quite the sweethearts here that I made them in Out of Oblivion. Probably closer to the truth here, though nothing I write is meant to be taken as gospel. It's a work of fiction based upon a work of fiction based upon an ancient, translated work of fiction, so do with that what you will.
Long chapter!
Chapter Text
Chapter 15
Brewing Trouble
Poseidon walked along the shore with Amphitrite, watching the sun rise. For now, at least, Odysseus hadn't decided to kill him. He had heard nothing at all of Odysseus since Poseidon had fled the courtyard after Odysseus had come to Olympus, and since Circe had given him a death threat and a blessing in the same sentence. No news was, possibly, good news in this situation, but he couldn't help wondering when that would change.
Maybe it was best not to delay. If any moment could be his last, he wanted to give Amphitrite as much joy as possible before he went. At least she might have a few sweet memories to hold onto, before they were all snatched away.
“Amphitrite?” Poseidon clutched her hand. “I think we should tell Circe we would like to wed soon.”
Amphitrite gave him a smile touched by sorrow. “Should I do the first ritual tonight, so we can marry in the morning?”
“Will you have time to prepare, darling?”
“I have lots of friends to help. We'll be fine.”
Poseidon stroked her cheek. “Then let's go speak to her, while her mood towards me is still… somewhat favorable.”
Amphitrite kissed his fingers and took his hand. “Let me lead, darling. Circe won't like it if you take control on the women's isle.”
Poseidon inclined his head and followed her to Circe's castle. To his surprise, a group of nymphs had gathered at the door, their ears pressed to the wood.
“What on earth?” Amphitrite approached her sisters and whispered, “Girls, what's going on?”
“Hera is in there,” a naiad whispered back. “They've been talking for hours. Where have you been anyway?”
Amphitrite blushed and glanced back at Poseidon.
The naiads stifled giggles.
“Oh, you're a lucky woman, Amphitrite!”
Poseidon's face burned. “Thank you?”
The naiads gasped and scattered. Poseidon wondered what he had done to frighten them away, then the doors opened, and he realized they hadn’t been frightened of him at all. Well, he had made himself known among them quite often in the past few weeks.
Amphitrite grabbed his hand and tugged him behind a nearby grove of trees and tall bushes. Through the leaves, Poseidon watched as Hera came out with Circe trailing behind, a grim expression on her face.
“So you need these herbs from Olympus to make the spells hold,” said Hera, “and a bit of Ganymede's hair to tie it to his spirit. And Hephaestus needs a sample of the finished potion once you have it ready, so that he can infuse the base of it right into the diamond. That way, no one can break the enchantment without breaking the vessel altogether.”
Circe nodded. “I also need a certain kind of glass from the forge, if it's available, to use for the potion container. This will have powerful energy, so I have to protect my equipment. The inside of the vessel will need to have at least a portion of the potion-infused glass worked through the diamond, too, so my enchantments are permanent.”
“Hm. It will take work to make that hold.”
“Hephaestus and his artisans can do it, and my spells will reinforce their work, but none of this will hold without a link to the spirits we need. Can Hades do it?”
“No, his job is to keep spirits in the Underworld, not link them to the living, but did you not hear that Dionysus has joined Odysseus as well? He only stayed behind in the first place to protect them from Zeus.”
Poseidon flinched. Another nephew lost to him. Fates, it hurt.
“Well, yes, I did hear of it,” said Circe, “but I wasn't aware Dionysus could….”
“One of the few who can. He has been reborn himself, remember?”
Poseidon did. He would never forget the day they had lost Dionysus. And now, he had lost him all over again. Tears slid down his face, and Amphitrite hugged him against her. Her presence eased a little of the stark grief and regret inside him, though nothing would ever take it away.
“In that case,” said Circe, “if Dionysus is prepared to help, and Odysseus is here to keep his party animal side away from my daughters, then I think we have everything we need.”
“Good,” said Hera. “Then let me hurry to Olympus and send Demeter after these herbs, and we will get back to you soon.”
Circe nodded. “I'll be watching over the situation in the meantime.”
“Thank you. If the situation with our messenger takes a turn…?”
“I'll send my swiftest messenger.”
Messenger? Did they mean Hermes?
“Good. Then I—” Hera froze. “Oh. We should not discuss this further, my friend, not here.” She parted the vegetation shielding Amphitrite and Poseidon. “We have company.”
Circe scowled. “You again. What do you want?”
So much for a favorable mood.
He gave Amphitrite a worried look, but the nereid was shaking against his side. So it would be up to him after all. He couldn't blame her. The gods were frightening for a nymph at the best of times, and Amphitrite knew Poseidon wasn't in good standing with Hera these days. Or with Circe. Or much of anyone, for that matter.
“Amphitrite—I….” Poseidon took a steadying breath. “Apologies. We didn't intend to eavesdrop. We came to speak to you, Circe, but almost as soon as we arrived, you stepped out with Hera. That said, as for your work, may I offer my assistance as well?”
“You want to help?” Circe raised an eyebrow at him. “You actually want to help Ganymede?”
Poseidon grimaced. “I realize I've made terrible mistakes in the past, Circe, but I don't—Ganymede was miserable, and I was as helpless as anyone else to protect him. If someone is finally getting an effort together to actually grant him his freedom, then, yes, I want to be a part of it.”
“Hm.” Hera searched his eyes. “I think I actually believe you.”
Poseidon sighed. “Sister, please. You know I regret it.”
Her expression softened a little. “You have never admitted it before.”
“Amphitrite has taught me much.”
Hera gave the nymph a warm smile. “In that case, I must thank you, Amphitrite.”
Amphitrite gulped and bowed to her. “T-thank you as well, Lady Hera.”
Poseidon stroked her hair in effort to calm her.
“Well then, Poseidon,” said Hera, “if you really want to help, we're working on a vessel for Gany that will repel Zeus’ powers and throw them back at him.”
“I appreciate the concept, but his own lightning won't hurt Zeus, will it? Ganymede would still be vulnerable.”
“Leave that part to me,” said Circe. “With Odysseus, Hades, Dionysus, and Atropos’ power backing mine, I'll make him regret everything he's ever done.”
Poseidon gulped. That was one quintet of gods he most definitely did not want to piss off.
“Ah. I see. In that case, I know of many materials under the sea that could be incorporated into such a vessel to help repel electricity and conduct Ganymede's power. I can gather them for you, if you like.”
Hera nodded. “Take them to Hephaestus if they're metals, gems, or crafting materials. Bring them here if they're liquid, plants, or other organic matter.”
Poseidon inclined his head. “I will.”
“You have about three hours,” said Circe. “Any later than that, and I won't have time to examine them before Hephaestus has the base ready. I have to begin work immediately then.”
“Understood, but why the urgency? Of course I wish to break Ganymede out as soon as possible, but are we not risking discovery by moving too quickly?”
“Ah, so you didn't attend the council yesterday,” said Hera. “I wondered why Odysseus didn't call you out as well.”
Poseidon grimaced. “He did, through Hermes’ abilities.”
“If that is all he did, consider yourself fortunate. He snatched Ganymede away right from under Zeus’ nose and beat my foolish husband to a pulp before the entire pantheon. Zeus is barely conscious, the last I heard.”
“Don't leave out the best part, Hera,” said a smirking Circe.
“Ah, yes. Odysseus judged Zeus for all of his crimes, mostly revolving around murder, tyranny, and rape, and he told Zeus, verbatim, to ‘keep his dick in his gods-damned chiton and his thunderbolts to those who deserved judgment, or he would cut it off and choke him on it.’”
Poseidon winced and shifted his leg forward to shield himself.
Circe snorted. “I doubt he has the same interest in emasculating you, Poseidon. Stupid as you have been in the past, you're telling the truth that you've never taken anyone without consent, or you certainly would not be allowed to fraternize with one of my nymphs.” She tapped her chin with her finger. “I always did want to know if I could actually turn a god into a pig.”
Hera snickered. “Start with my husband. Poseidon is at least trying to learn.”
“Um… yes, yes I am. There's no need to turn me into anything else. Or for any removal of delicate anatomy.”
Amphitrite stifled a giggle. Poseidon smiled down at her and rubbed her cheek.
“Hm.” Circe's anger softened a little. “I hate to admit it, because you really hurt my friend, but you've been good to Amphitrite. I suppose I can keep my spells to those who earn them. For now.”
Poseidon's knees wobbled with pure relief. “Circe, I… thank you.”
“Don't. I still don't like you.”
“Ah, understood.” Poseidon sighed and lifted his head. “You do agree, at least, that Amphitrite is safe and happy with me?”
Circe met Amphitrite's eyes. “Well? Are you?”
Amphitrite nodded and clutched Poseidon's hand. “Very. He's so gentle and kind to me, and he shields me even from himself. He loves me, Circe, with all he is, and I love him. I… want to begin the ritual.”
“Amphitrite,” Poseidon murmured, “do you mind waiting until this situation with Ganymede is settled? He's been suffering for over a century, and I don't want our own plans to cause any distraction at a time when we will all need our wits and strength about us.”
Amphitrite nodded and squeezed his hand. “Then we would like to wed once Ganymede is safe, Circe.”
Circe sighed. “Fine. We'll prepare the ritual in five days.” She hesitated. “But, Amphitrite, please stay near the Isle until then. We….” Her eyes met Poseidon's and narrowed. “We're going to need all hands.”
Amphitrite bowed. “Of course.”
Even as Poseidon thanked Circe for granting her blessing and left in search of materials she and Hephaestus might need, he wondered what Circe had kept from him, and why everyone's aura burned with urgency and worry.
What had he missed?
With a shake of his head, he dove into the water and shot after the nearest source of anemone coral he could find. Something serious was going on, even beyond Odysseus’ overnight ascent straight to the top of the godly food chain. Circe wouldn't tell Poseidon outright, but between him and Amphitrite, perhaps they might piece together the facts anyway. He would learn more by helping Circe in her work than otherwise, at any rate, so he made a point to hunt down as many potentially helpful materials as he could find, just in case he needed to run.
He wasn't out of the kelp forest yet.
Ares’ twins looked up from Hermes’ side at the same time, their expressions tight with sudden alarm. Dionysus, too, materialized his staff and stared into the distance, eyes narrowed and a hint of a glow making his green eyes burn.
Odysseus jumped to his feet and grabbed his bow. If the gods of madness, fear, and panic had noticed something amiss, then he would be a fool to ignore it.
“Hermes, be still and leave the bond open.”
Hermes clutched the twins’ hands and nodded.
Odysseus let out his wings and shifted into his divine form. “All right. Where are they?”
Deimos pointed to the south, and Dionysus opened his mouth to speak, but Hades’ warning sounded at the same time.
“Odysseus! Assassins hiding in the south!”
Odysseus growled and materialized his armor, too. “Not today!”
Orimene, Dionysus, and Athena raced outside after Odysseus. Ares and Hades took position beside him.
“Apollo!” Herelope called from the helm, “Take over, love.”
Apollo obeyed, and Herelope joined his father and sister on the starboard deck.
“Where are they?” Orimene searched the sky and growled. “The bastards are hiding. I sense them, but I can't track them.”
Hades blocked an attack aimed at Odysseus. “I feel them, but cannot see them or make them visible.”
Echo squeaked, but Odysseus couldn't afford to comfort her now. “Someone who can sense them, cover Apo—”
Apollo blasted a wave of burning light behind him, and an unknown god screamed and toppled into the ocean.
“God of Prophecy, brother,” Apollo called. “I'll be fine. Just figure out a way to make them visible—” He blasted another attacker, but they evaded his rays this time. “Preferably before they incapacitate us all.”
“Make them visible,” Echo muttered.
Was she okay? Odysseus cast the cabin a wary glance and ducked under a sudden attack.
“Damn! We can't defeat them if we don't know where to aim.”
“Maybe I….” Dionysus created a string of vines and threw it around the form of what Odysseus assumed was one of their attackers, far out to starboard, but the vine vanished as soon as it connected.
Dionysus growled. “Bastards! They have some kind of invisibility power guarding them and anything that comes into contact with them. I don't know how to—agh!” He swung at an attacker overhead, viciously, and an invisible body crashed into the waves. “I can't sense them until they're too close. We will all be killed at this rate.”
Echo stepped onto the deck. Odysseus started to order her back into the cabin, but then he noticed the aura in her eyes. It reminded him of something he had seen before, somewhere in the distant past.
Her voice came out with a strange warble he hadn't heard from her before. “Herelope, open your mirrors.”
Herelope gasped. “Oh! Maybe it would help….” His aura burned silver. “Damn. No good, Ec—”
She grabbed his hand, opened her mouth, and let out a screech that Odysseus had only ever heard the like of in distant memory, because if he had ever come too close, he would have been fish food.
Echo was part siren.
He winced, half-expecting to find blood in his ears or to be charmed to swim to his own death, but it didn’t have much effect. Orimene staggered a little, but with a shake of her head, she recovered.
“The hell…?” Orimene gave her a sharp look. “What are you trying to pu—oh. Oh damn. That's not good.”
Ten winged gods in battle armor had just appeared above, circling the ship like vultures. One had a cut across his face and a dripping chlamys—he must have been the one Dionysus had hit.
Odysseus motioned Echo to Herelope's side. “Stay with him and keep them visible, if you can. Herelope, protect her and the cabin. The rest of you….” He spread his wings. “Time to send Zeus a little message.”
He shot into the air after the assailants and engaged. “Welcome to Greece, asshole. I hope you didn't have any long-term plans.” He kicked the god in the face—ah, Cratos—and slammed him across the back with an overhead slash attack, courtesy of Eurylochus and his greatsword tactics. The god dropped like a stone and hit the water with a great splash. The next one landed beside him, and two more crashed into the sea a few yards away.
Ares growled and sent another god toppling—hm, another attendant of Zeus. No question who had organized this attack then, not that Odysseus had doubted it in the first place.
Dionysus grabbed the third attendant with strangling vines and pitched him into the sea. Orimene and Athena teamed up on another goddess and sent her crashing into the sandbar to the north. Odysseus grabbed a god who tried to retaliate against his daughter—dark wings and a mask on his face? That had to be one of the Oneirei. Morpheus, probably. Odysseus stabbed him in the gut and threw him atop the downed goddess. He would live. It wasn't a mortal wound for a god, but he would certainly feel that in the morning.
Odysseus raised his sword to challenge the next enemy, but then, Herelope's cry cut across his ears.
“Dad!”
At the same time, Hermes called, “Ody! Enemies on deck!”
Odysseus whipped out his bow and shot down a god that manifested as a black shadow. Another covered in gray mist winced behind the cover of his white mask and attempted to flee, but Odysseus shot that one through the shoulder and pinned them to the deck.
Phobetor, hm? Odysseus had a few bones to pick with him, then.
By the time he landed, Herelope had his sword trained on Phobetor and his other hand holding a mirror shield steady over Echo and himself, and Dionysus had the shadow god trapped in vines and pitched overboard.
While his family finished off the final flying assailants, Odysseus grabbed the Phobetor by the throat, ripped him off of the deck, not caring that it also tore the arrow straight out of his wound, and slammed the gasping, sobbing being against the cabin wall.
“So it was Ganymede you were after all this time, hm? Give me one good reason why I should not kill you all.”
Phobetor flinched. “We all have a purpose in the world. If you kill us, the—”
Odysseus’ grip tightened. “And maybe I think the world could do with a few less nightmares, hm?”
Phobetor blanched. “I thought—”
“Oh, I know exactly who you are. Your brothers are limping back to Erebos by now. Did you imagine you would save your own ass by claims of some lofty purpose? Try again, asshole. You've haunted me personally for ninety years. Why on earth would I spare you?”
“I—it doesn't work like that, Odysseus! I didn't bring you nightmares, your trauma does that. I am the one who keeps them from crossing into reality.”
“That's actually true,” said Dionysus with a grim expression.
Odysseus eased his grip a little. “In that case, I suppose I can grant you mercy—this time—if you do me a little favor.”
“Y-yes?”
“Don't worry. I don't want anything from you personally, but I'm letting you live as a messenger, do I make myself clear? Send your brother if you cannot carry the message, but make sure Zeus understands.”
Phobetor nodded grimly.
“Good. Tell Zeus he can keep his authority and his power and his kingdom. I have no interest in his throne, but Ganymede is ours now, and I will not let him touch another hair upon that boy's head.”
Phobetor winced. “I don't think he means to—”
“I don't care what he means to do, he will not, now or ever, do it to Ganymede. Do I make myself clear?”
“Y-yes.”
“Good. Then I will let you go.” Odysseus growled into his face. “But this is the only warning you will get. I pulled my power this time for the sake of those you guard with your purposes, but the next time he pulls this trick, I won't be so merciful. If he dares to attack us again, the next time, I will fight with all of my power, and then I will come for him. Understood?”
Phobetor flinched. “Y-yes, sir. Please don't kill me.”
Odysseus threw him down with a scoff of disgust. “You're not worth the effort. Get out of my sight.”
The god whimpered and vanished in a stream of mist.
Herelope scoffed. “Useless. Echo, Dionysus, are they actually gone?”
Echo nodded. “I don't sense any others except—”
Hades smacked the last god with his sword and sent them crashing into the water—ah, and there was the final dream god brother. Athena and Ares shot Phantasos through the shoulder and the leg, and Orimene sent a rain of sharp rocks onto him. The god whined, covered his head, and vanished.
“They're all gone now, sir,” said Echo.
Odysseus squeezed her shoulder. “Well done. Did you know you were part-siren?”
Echo's eyes widened. “I am?”
Dionysus gave her a wry nod. “Your resonance attack—that's something only a siren can do. I'm very glad you don't seem to be interested in snacking on us, though.”
Echo choked. “S-snacking on…?”
“Yes,” said an amused Herelope. “Sirens use their voices to lure in sailors and then eat them.”
“Urgh. I-I'll stick to fish, thank you.”
Odysseus chuckled and patted her shoulder. “You may have all the fish you can eat after that. You saved all of us.”
Echo gasped and covered her mouth, tears welling on her lashes. “I-I did?”
“Yes, you did great, honey.” Herelope grabbed her into a hug. “I'm so proud of you.”
Orimene landed beside him and clapped Echo's shoulder. “Thank you, friend. We would have had a hard time fighting them without you.”
Echo burst into tears. “Oh gods. Oh, you really think I—oh….”
Hermes called, “Echo, come here, sweetheart.”
Echo staggered into the cabin on shaky legs.
Hades squeezed Odysseus’ shoulder. “Good work, everyone. Herelope and I will resume the guard, but I doubt my foolish brother will try anything else tonight.”
“Probably not like that anyway,” said Herelope, “but I need to help Ganymede anyway. Nice shooting, Dad!”
“That was exceptional archery,” said Ares with a grin. “Not that I expected anything less.”
“You weren't too shabby yourself, Uncle Ares,” said Orimene with a wink. “Of course, my darling Athena was better.”
Athena snorted. “Trying to earn some attention, are we?”
“Can you blame me?”
Dionysus gave Athena a dark grin. “Ah, I see how it is. So, your vow to bed no man only applied to males, hm, sister?”
Athena smirked.
“Oh, nicely played.”
Orimene grinned. “That's the goddess of wisdom for you.”
“And other things, hm?”
Athena flushed.
Odysseus tugged Dionysus’ hair lightly. “Not here, brother.”
“Ah. Not a good idea to pull the god of pleasure's hair, Ody.” Dionysus flipped his long, dark waves over his shoulders and out of reach. “Though, if you expect me to behave, I suppose I can be a good boy for you, darling.” He gave Odysseus a playful smirk.
“Enough, you degenerate,” said Orimene with a laugh.
“Proud of it,” said Dionysus with a wink.
Odysseus chuckled, grateful that Dionysus had found a way to ease the tension and help them all calm down without the need to actually act on his ‘suggestions’ or numb their wits with wine. With a pat to Dionysus’ shoulder, he led the group back into the cabin, other than Hades and Herelope. Apollo stayed outside too, no doubt to check on Herelope and make sure his lover was well.
Odysseus checked the skies and seas one last time and, reassured that Zeus had called off the attack for the time being, he returned to the cabin as well.
Hermes had Echo in his arms, and the girl was crying on his shoulder.
“You really want to adopt me?” Echo covered a sob. “I… I've never—no one's ever even wanted to be my friend, and now you know I'm part-siren, and I'm… different from most girls, and you still want me in your family?”
Dionysus huffed. “Different? Who decides what a woman should be? You are wonderful just as you are, darling.”
“Exactly.” Hermes kissed Echo's cheek. “Yes, love, we want you to be our little girl. Ody and I already decided that the instant we pulled you out of Ogygia. Would you like to be our daughter, love?”
Echo sobbed helplessly. “Please. I—please, yes. If you're really sure it's okay with Odysseus and Herelope and Orimene.”
Odysseus smiled and smoothed her hair. “You have another brother, a mortal brother, called Telemachus. He's my eldest son, born of our wife, Penelope. She's gone on to the other side now, and Telemachus is aging quickly, but he will absolutely adore you, rest assured of that.”
“He's the gentlest, most loving man we know,” said Hermes with a kiss atop her head. “And Herelope adopted you the instant he saw you, too.”
“Welcome to the family, little sister.” Orimene kissed her cheek. “We're absolutely going to get your future brother-in-law on board in training that voice of yours, too. Well, that is, if you want to.”
Echo sniffled and wiped her eyes. “D-do you think… I could help you with it?”
“Absolutely, sweetheart.” Hermes rubbed her cheek. “You already saved all of our lives tonight. Your little sibling is still holding on because of your help, too. So you've already helped us, but you could learn to use that power for all sorts of other things, too.”
Echo rested her hand over Hermes’ belly. “Like healing?”
“Maybe. If nothing else, your songs are beautiful and they help keep me calm.”
“You should sing for us if you feel up to it,” said Phobos. “Hermes got really scared, and we couldn't draw it all off of him.”
“Your songs would help him rest better,” said Deimos.
“They would be good for us all.” Dionysus materialized his pan flute and played a rapid tune. “And I'm happy to play along.”
Echo wiped her eyes and beamed at them all. “Okay, I'll try. Should I start now, Hermes?”
“If you like.” Hermes rubbed her cheek. “But, if you want to call me Papa, honey, you can.”
“Dad or Father for me, so you don't confuse us,” said Odysseus with a smile.
Echo whimpered and threw her arms around Odysseus. “Thank you, D-Dad, and Papa.”
Odysseus kissed her cheek. “Welcome home, sweetheart.”
Echo wept against his chest. He sat by Hermes and let his husband take her into his arms, knowing her relief and happiness to have a family that loved her at last would bring him peace. Hermes gave him a soft smile full of love.
Then, Ganymede covered a sob, and Odysseus watched Hermes’ heart break. Odysseus kissed his husband's forehead, sat beside Ganymede, and pulled the boy into his arms.
“I'm so sorry,” Ganymede choked out. “I'm putting you all in danger, and I hate it. I hate that the first place that feels like home is suffering for my sake.”
Odysseus stroked his hair and held him.
“I hate even more that I'm just not strong enough to leave,” Ganymede whispered.
“Shh.” Odysseus kissed his hair. “You're not leaving, I'll drag you right back. And scold you for making us worry.”
Ganymede chuckled through his tears. “Are you adopting me too?”
Odysseus didn't laugh. “Do you want us to, sweetheart?”
Ganymede hesitated, then shook his head. “Echo is fifteen. She needs parents. I may look young, but I'm an adult.”
“Adults can still need their parents, love,” said Hermes. “And if you need us to stand in for you, we'd be happy to.”
“Absolutely,” Odysseus murmured.
Ganymede buried his face in Odysseus’ shoulder. “Thank you. I still feel like it's too late for that. But I….”
“You don't have to quantify it, Gany.” Odysseus rubbed his back. “You can be our family but still stay independent. That's fine with us, as long as you're not putting yourself at risk.”
Ganymede's voice held terrible pain. “It doesn't matter what I do, I'm always going to be a risk.”
Odysseus cupped the boy's cheek. “And you are worth it.”
Ganymede whimpered. “No. I….”
“Hush, darling.” Dionysus’ voice came out unsteady. “Yes, you are worth the risk. And none of us will ever let you go back to Father.”
“But Zeus….”
“We know, sweetheart,” said Odysseus in a firm tone. “We know Zeus won't give up until he challenges me directly and gets beaten into a pulp again. We know he's not done yet.” He lifted Ganymede's chin. “But, before Atropos chose me to act as her judge, I was known as one hell of a cunning warrior and leader, and Hermes is just as smart. We've trained our children well, too, and all of our family gods are powerful and intelligent warriors. And now we have a siren on our side. Can you put your faith in us, sweetheart? Can you trust us to protect you?”
“I just don't want you to suffer for it.”
Orimene crouched beside him. “We'll do our best to see that we don't. Can you believe in us that far?”
Ganymede hugged her. “If not you, no one.” He sat back and wiped his eyes. “Thank you, everyone, for all you've done for me. Even if it doesn't last, I'll remember these moments and bonds for the rest of my life.” He took a deep breath and began pushing the ship on his water powers again. “And now that you have all fought so hard for me, it's time to do my part to help you.”
Orimene kissed his cheek. “Thank you, sweetheart.” She stood and moved back to Athena's side. “We all agree then that this attack was a test?”
Odysseus nodded. “And now that the test failed, now that he knows we're prepared for stealth as well as a direct attack, he will come at us with the strongest gods he's got.”
Hades winced. “Odysseus, can we handle that?”
Odysseus gazed at his husband, holding Echo and watching over her hair, his expression heavy with fear.
“We are not simply comrades, nor do you answer to me as a leader alone. We're brothers and sisters and children and parents and partners and friends. We're a family. And, regardless of what Zeus brings, we will fight to defend that family with everything we've got.”
Orimene stood tall and lifted her chin. “Hell yes, we will! Let the bastards come, we'll send them all crying home to their mothers!”
“Again,” said Herelope with a grin.
Atropos cackled. “I do like them.”
“Atropos approves.” Odysseus smiled grimly. “And so do I. Zeus may keep the throne, if he can lead with wisdom, but we will not bow to his tyranny and ego any longer. We are free, not his pawns, and we do not fear him. He is powerful—Athena and Hermes both bear the evidence of that—but, together, we are stronger. When he comes calling, give them hell, everyone! We will teach them a better way, be it by our own example or on the ends of our blades.”
The family cheered, even Ganymede and Echo, and Odysseus bowed to them all. “Atropos gave me the power to fight, but I fight for you. And I know every last one of you will fight for us, too. I love you all. And we will pull through this, together.”
Another cheer went up, and Odysseus’ heart eased despite the worries crowding his mind.
Hermes’ voice sounded in his head. “Hell of an inspirational speech, darling.”
“It's true.”
“It is, but I feel your worry. What do you really think of our odds?”
Odysseus didn't answer for a long time. “It won't be easy. I cannot help but fear that blood will flow on both sides of the battlefield. I'm prepared to kill if I must, to keep our family safe. I hope it doesn't come to that, but I won't let Zeus destroy us all.” He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. “My real fear is that he'll attack before we make it to Circe. While you're still vulnerable. If I lose you, if I lose our baby—I don't know if I'm strong enough to go on.”
Dionysus stroked Odysseus’ hair, his gaze heavy with concern, and Odysseus wrapped his hand around the god's.
Hermes held Odysseus’ cheek and brushed a stream of red tears away. “You will be. Our children need us, Odysseus. I will fight with all of my power to keep the baby and myself safe, but promise me, if something happens, you won't leave our children to face the world alone. Please.”
Odysseus sighed and stroked Hermes’ cheek. “You had better not leave me, then, because if Zeus’ ego kills either of you, if it kills any of us, I'll make the heavens bleed.”
“You'll make Father bleed, not the heavens.”
“That was, essentially, what I meant.”
“Darling, with you, ‘essentially’ can mean many things. Don't turn Atropos against us. Please.”
Odysseus had to yield to his husband's wisdom. “I won't. But I won't let Zeus live either, if I lose any one of you.”
“Good, don't. If he's horrible enough to kill his own children and grandchildren for an ego trip, he deserves it.”
Odysseus squeezed Hermes’ hand. “If it comes to that, will you forgive me?”
“I would, if there was anything to forgive.”
Odysseus knelt by Hermes and kissed him softly. “I love you.” He rested his hand gently over Hermes’ stomach. “I love each and every one of you. And I will protect you. I promise.”
Hermes eased him into a gentle kiss. “We love you, too, and I know you will.”
Odysseus murmured his lullaby and held his husband's hand until he slept. And then, he moved on with the next stage of his plan, improvised as it was.
“Hephaestus, Circe, if I have a part-siren nymph here, do you suppose her powers would help the enchantments stick?”
“Siren powers?” Circe sounded incredulous. “How on earth…?”
“Echo. She's part siren, but doesn't have any desire to eat humans. She didn't even know until some instinct in her led her to use her resonance attack against Zeus’ minions. She used Herelope's abilities as a mirror and turned them all visible so we could fight back.”
Hephaestus gasped. “Oh, with that, Circe, I think this diamond will actually repel the lightning rather than absorbing it. With her ability acting as a resonance field and insulator, the electrical current won't get through at all.”
“And her charm song would be the last key I need,” said Circe. “Bring her here, Odysseus, if she's well enough to fly, and bring Dionysus, too—just keep him away from nymphs.”
Odysseus frowned. “Circe, Dionysus would never hurt them.”
“Absolutely not,” agreed Hephaestus. “He's very loving, Circe.”
“A bit too much so for my taste,” said Circe, “but I have a task for him anyway. I need his ability to bridge the gap between the Underworld and this realm, unless you feel up to trying it, Odysseus?”
Odysseus suppressed a shudder. “I can't.”
Circe's voice came back full of sympathy. “I thought not, my friend. But if you can vouch for Dionysus, then bring him and your daughter, and we will finish this vessel together.”
“I'll ask them now.” Odysseus turned to his new daughter. “Echo, would you mind doing me a favor to help keep us safe?”
Echo nodded. “What can I do? Anything I have, it's yours.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. Come with me. Athena, Dionysus, I'll need your assistance too, if you're willing.”
“Of course, brother.” Dionysus moved away from Hermes. “Will you be well with Deimos and Phobos to keep you calm for a while, Hermes?”
Hermes gave him a wan smile. “I don't like being stuck here, but yes. I'll be okay.” Mentally, he added, “I know what Ody has planned, and we need it to keep everyone safe. Go. I'll be fine for a while. And good luck.”
Dionysus squeezed his hand and stepped into place beside Odysseus. “Ready when you are, brother.”
“As am I.” Athena joined them and followed Odysseus on deck. “What's the plan?”
“Circe and Hephaestus are forging and enchanting a Zeus-proof weapon for Ganymede, but they need help.” He squeezed Echo's shoulders. “Do you mind using your siren abilities to help them finish it?”
“Not at all, but how?”
“Athena, can you bring Aunt Hera back to Circe?”
“Yes, of course. You need her now?”
“Yes. I'll take Dionysus and Echo.”
Athena inclined her head. “I'll meet you there shortly, then.”
Echo called, “Athena, wait.”
Athena turned. “Yes, niece?”
Echo's cheeks turned pink. “Oh. A-Aunt Athena, can you teach me to fight with my siren powers?”
“That might be a better task for Apollo, but we'll certainly try. Perhaps I can train you in physical combat while Apollo trains your siren powers.”
“Let's do it then. I want to help, too.”
“If you're going to do that, we'll need some protection against sirens,” said Dionysus. “You can't direct your powers against individual targets, sweetheart, not when we can all hear it, too.”
Odysseus shook his head. “I'll see what we can do. In the meantime, hurry along, Athena. Circe is waiting.”
Athena bowed to Odysseus, and then she was gone.
Odysseus took a steadying breath. “Hephaestus, Circe, did you happen to hear that conversation?”
“I think a pendant charmed with her repelling resonance would do the trick,” said Circe.
“I'll get started,” said Hephaestus. “A magnesium and titanium pendant with… hm. Hollow interior to absorb and mute sound, Circe, or a mirror to reflect it?”
“The mirror. We want her attacks to hit anyone without a pendant, at least for now.”
“Then I'll make a mirror on one side and a hollow chamber on the other, so the family can switch between using them in and out of battle. I'll have them ready for you to charm by the time Athena and Echo arrive.”
“Thank you.” Odysseus cut the link and went to Apollo's side. “Brother, do you think you can train a siren to fight in… possibly two days?”
Apollo grimaced. “I can try.”
“Good. When we get back, you're on training duty.”
“Understood.”
Odysseus took Dionysus aside. “Brother, I know quite well you would never hurt the nymphs, but Circe is nervous of you. Keep your flirting in check on the Isle, please, for everyone's sake.”
Dionysus sighed. “More of the usual misconception about me, hm?”
“Circe doesn't trust any male until they prove themselves. Thoroughly.”
Dionysus shifted back into his feminine form. “Then I will just stay like this. And you may address me as a woman in this form. I am.”
Odysseus squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you.”
Echo sniffled and hugged Dionysus. “You're like me, too.”
Dionysus hugged her back. “There is no shame in walking the line between the genders, or bearing both, or fluctuating between them, as I do. In the end, we are all living beings and all deserving of respect.”
Echo leaned against his side. “Thank you, Un… Aunt Dionysus.”
Dionysus chuckled and kissed her cheek. “Welcome home, darling. Now, come on. Let's go put those newfound powers to good use, hm?”
Echo nodded and followed her new kin into the night.
Wingkink_is_the_best_tag on Chapter 1 Fri 15 Aug 2025 02:44PM UTC
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