Work Text:
Narrator:
"Thanatos does not often find himself in the depths of Oceanus, for most mortal souls require his presence on the surface. But in the aftermath of the Titan's incursion, the residents of the great House of Hades are charged with duties beyond their regular scope of work—a temporary solution in accordance to the long process of reconstruction. And so, the loyal and ever-dutiful Incarnate of Death finds himself corralling misplaced shades and subduing the most resisting of spirits… in addition to his already tiresome, unending work… "
He raises his weapon aloft. It glitters in the unearthly light, showing its form with metallic flashes. The weight of the haft is comfortable in his hands, and the ominous clinking of chains familiar. He positions himself in the room, allows his enemies to surround him. Hopefully, having them close by will make this encounter end all the quicker.
With a deft swing, Thanatos attacks. He makes an overhead sweep that claims several souls at once. He twirls his weapon, building momentum so that the spiked weights at the ends of the chains carry their full force into his enemies. He sidesteps an attack then adjusts his stance. Switching his grip, he swings outward, extending the flail fully to land a devastating blow on his enemies.
Each move is accompanied by the clanging of bells, originating from the hollowed spikes of his weapon. The sound echoes in this deep, dark space, resonating with the shades' essences, purifying them back into submission. It also reverberates with his bones, strengthening the connection to his new weapon. This is the toll of the dead.
Shortly after, he's alone.
He sheathes his weapon. Shakes off the residual tremors in his hands. There's a persistent ache in his neck. A tension that remains after being held in stasis for so long. A cthonic god he may be, but his workload has increased exponentially.
He misses Zagreus.
He wonders if his lover is back at the House. As proud as he is of him, some part of Thanatos can't help but reminisce back to when Zagreus played the part of lackadaisical prince. Back then, he could always rely on Zag's attendance back at the House.
Now their duties take them away from each other, more so with the ongoing repairs. Aside from Lord Hades' exacting demands, Zagreus was committed to further expansion and new decor. His recently remembered memories of a sister from another time inspiring him, pushing him to dogged pursuit for more gemstones.
Speaking of which, Thanatos spots a veritable treasure trove here in this chamber.
It seems there are unexpected advantages to being the boundary to the bountiful domain of Lord Poseidon. That, or the shades he had just claimed were greedily squirreling valuables away.
Unfortunately, he doesn't have Zag's mysterious skill of transporting huge lumps of precious gemstones and diamonds across multiple regions of the Underworld. Perhaps he could contract his brother to transport them over. They all have to do their part after all.
Mind set, Thanatos inscribes a glyph to ward away stragglers and relocate to this chamber. Then, he finds the tether connecting to his brother and teleports.
He ends up standing in one of Charon's shops but with his brother nowhere in sight. He sighs. Ever since Chronos' took control, the Underworld and its connections have shifted slightly, just enough to form a disconcerting new maze. How ironic it is that to mend the vast underground network they need time aplenty.
Oh well, perhaps he'll just leave a note and a few extra obol for Charon's trouble.
"You look at me with bewitching eyes,"
He startles at the sound. He's been hearing the remnants of a melody the entire time he's been in Oceanus, but it's only now that a voice sings clear in his head.
"A red and a green give me butterflies…"
His eyes widen and he looks to the chamber ahead manned by some shades.
"I can't disguise the way I feel about you anymore."
Perhaps it would be better to wait for Charon's arrival. Better to explain the situation in person instead and in the meantime, he can sate his curiosity.
◂ ﴾ ❖ ﴿ ▸
Thanatos is humming.
It shouldn't feel momentous. But it does. Zagreus can't even recall another instance of his lover singing or playing an instrument. At most, he's seen Than showing some appreciation back when Orpheus used to perform at the House. He would spread out redolently in his old chaise on break. His eyes would close and he would simply listen.
Now, Zagreus watches Than sort through his parchmentwork with a tune in the air, while he, himself, lies spread out on the bed, happily sated after their lovemaking. He can't help the smile that takes over his face.
"Hey Than?" he calls out.
"Yes, love?" Thanatos answers absentmindedly, as he affixes his signature on some parchment.
After all these years, Zagreus still can't help but feel giddy from the endearment. He sits up, shameless in his nakedness, blatantly hoping to tempt his partner back into bed.
When he doesn't reply, Thanatos looks back at him. His gaze turns reprovingly but there's fondness in the twinkle of eyes and the start of a disbelieving smirk in the crook of his mouth.
"You're impossible," he mouths silently, but Zagreus knows the words well enough to hear them anyway. The tenor of Than's voice echoes in his ear. Memories of passionate nights flicker through his mind's eye. He can't help but wag his eyebrows suggestively. Than shakes his head at his antics.
"Come now, no more lazing in bed. You've a House to repair," he says.
Zagreus laughs at that, dropping his cheek onto his upturned hand as he leans on his bent leg. He luxuriates in the gaze of his lover, feeling his skin pinken in anticipation.
"Last I checked love, I was accosted right as I got out of the Styx and hurried off into our bedchambers," he says.
"Oh really? Who would dare make such demands on your time and attention?" Thanatos replies.
"Who indeed?" Zagreus gives him a winning smile, he continues, "I was then undressed, without so much as a hello, and have been kept prisoner in our bed, with no leave to report any of my progress or findings to the House. I am but a helpless victim in all the debauchery that has transpired."
Than scoffs at his dramatics but he also sets his parchmentwork down to face him fully, so Zagreus considers it a win.
He says, "There was nothing helpless about you the entire night. Try desperate, perhaps. Or hungry. Loud. Libidinous, if you so choose."
Zagreus mock-gasps, "Than! How scandalous! You'd accuse your Prince of such?"
He rolls his eyes but makes his way over. He reaches a hand to Zagreus' cheek, thumbs it tenderly, and gives him a besotted smile as he says, "I'd call him such, and more"
More. Lover. Best friend. Confidant. Soulmate
"Well I'm glad we're in agreement!" Zagreus says and Than laughs as he leans down.
Zagreus is smitten. He can't help but tilt his head up eagerly to let his lover kiss him. He relishes in his touch and finds comfort in the possessiveness of Than's intensity.
They separate once Zagreus needs a breath but then kiss once more, measured this time. Another kiss, fleetingly so. Another for comfort. And another just because.
"Come, get dressed," Thanatos mutters against his lips.
Zagreus smiles and acquiesces, "Very well love."
He finally stands up while Thanatos goes back to his desk, but instead of returning to his documents, Thanatos too re-equips himself. He adorns the rest of his accoutrements.
Zagreus is just about to put his tunic on when that tune carries out once again. He can't help it, besotted fool that he is. He just watches Than adjust his straps and buckle his accessories. He wants to breathe this moment in, imprint it most accurately. Their eyes meet once more.
"Zagreus?" Than intones. The, 'What are you waiting for?' is implied.
Zag drops his bundle of clothing while his partner huffs in amusement, eyeing him all the while as he makes his way over in the nude.
"Than," he singsongs out, reaching for him. Thanatos reciprocates, hands returning to their rightful place on his hips.
"Yes Zagreus?" he asks sportingly.
"What's that song you've been humming, huh?"
"What—" his golden eyes widen in surprise, "—I…" flustered, he tries to escape but Zagreus merely slides his hands up his back, leaning fully into him.
Than looks anxious. Unexpectedly shy. His mouths forms wordless shapes and Zagreus can feel the quickening of his heart. As much as he likes to tease his lover, he knows that sometimes Than will have unexpected hangups about all sorts of things.
Zagreus hugs him close, then places a tender kiss on his chest. He looks back up entreatingly.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to love. It's no matter," he says. He offers up a smile, fills his gaze with all the affection he can muster—which comes second nature when he looks at Than.
Golden eyes sharpen, focusing on his smile. His eyes. Zagreus can feel the intoxicating way that Than's chest expands as he takes in a deep breath.
Then, he leans down. Picks up Zagreus by his thighs and carries him back to bed.
It seems further renovations shall have to wait.
◂ ﴾ ❖ ﴿ ▸
Melinoe is having a rough time this go around. With the amount of Fear in the air and a weighty curse from Chaos, she feels overwhelmed. In addition to all that, Scylla's songs have been reverberating even more forcefully in Oceanus tonight. Her head feels like it's about to crack from all the overstimulation.
Perhaps it would be best to call it a night and try again on the morrow, but then the hope of one more chamber, one more boon, drives her forward.
Eventually, she reaches Lord Charon's shop but finds the dummy in place of their esteemed boatman.
'That's new,' she thinks to herself. Playing by the honor system, she leaves the appropriate amount of golden crowns and reaches for a boon from Apollo. She hasn't seen him in a while, so the sense of warmth that blooms in her heart is a welcome one.
"In the name of Hades, Olympus, I accept your message," she calls out.
"Sunshine! It's been a while. Apologies for my absence. I finally got in touch with your brother. He's an amicable sort, isn't he? You never told me you two shared an aptitude for music. Why, we should get together some time! Maybe once all this is sorted out."
How curious. Melinoe didn't know that the Olympians were back to giving boons to her brother but surely that was a good thing. Shrugging, she accepts her blessing and makes her way forward with a deep sigh.
An ominous view greets her.
"Oh, look who it is gals! You've been holding back on us lady!" Scylla accuses.
Melinoe eyes them suspiciously, noting the lack of Charybdis but a whole new platform on the stage. Despite the absence of the tentacled monstrosity, the crowd was even bigger tonight.
"Oh, how so?" she asks, unsheathing her weapon.
"Uh-uh. It's a surprise now! You'll just have to hear our new set with our new guest appearance. And lemme tell you, you are not ready for what we've got in store."
Melinoe scoffs, crouching down with Lim and Oros in hand. "I'll handle anything you throw at me."
"You heard her gals, bring him out!"
The spotlight alights and there on the platform stood…
"Melinoe!?"
She sighed into her hand. She really should've called it a night.