Chapter Text
Luke wakes up in his Papa’s arms groggily. He doesn’t remember much of the day before. But he feels safe in the warm embrace. He feels someone’s chin on his head and a protective arm around his padded bottom. He instinctively cuddles closer.
He feels small today. Maybe because Papa is so tall and big in his immortal form or simply because Luke is now physically smaller than he was the day prior.
But then he whines a bit as he feels the wetness between his legs, this time protected by the diaper but still. He squirms in Hermes’ arms. The god opens his eyes softly when he senses that his little one is awake and fussy. That doesn’t stop him from giving Luke a kiss on his bouncy little cheek and holding him tight against his bare chest.
He read a few parenting books before taking Luke back in, to make sure he knew about good practices for bonding and it said that skin to skin contact is good for infants.
Luke isn’t an infant, but Hermes does not care. After all, his body is smaller than it used to be, the teen’s features look more childlike and his tummy is now more chubby and soft too.
“Good morning sweetheart, did you sleep well?” But the response he gets isn’t the one expected.
“No!” He grumbles and kicks his little leg into Hermes’ stomach. He catches it gently before impact and smiles down at his little one. His pajama bottoms cover his little foot entirely now that the process has started.
Luke won’t be as little for long, but as long as he needs to, and Hermes would be here every step of the way.
Process where his son’s soul would start to clean itself before slowly but surely starting over with immortality. Now, Luke didn’t choose immortality, but after the last appointment with Apollo, both brothers decided that it would be better in the long run to simply let the little one stay little for a while until his soul got rid of all the bad things that happened.
They didn’t know which form Luke would eventually take though. But for now, Hermes could enjoy his baby boy.
And if Hermes got to be the father he should have been the first time around, it was simply a bonus. A way to repair his deeds. Apollo had warned that if Luke stayed too much into this state he would eventually end up having to be turned into an immortal because his soul was supposed to be gone already, into Hades’ domains for reincarnation.
But Hermes wasn’t ready to let his baby go just yet, and to watch him growing up away from him wasn’t a considerable option in his eyes. So he thought of another way that would probably get him problems with the Council at some point.
He would turn his little one into a godling. With or without Zeus’ consent. His father can rot in Tartarus, he doesn’t care. He made him believe that Fate cannot be changed but now, Hermes is playing with his sons and nobody would stand in the way.
For now, he was simply basking in his little boy’s presence and enjoying every second of his baby even if he’s a bit aggressive in the morning.
He chuckles at his son’s adorable pout and it annoys the boy even more.“Oh cranky are we today?”
He feels a hand patting his bottom gently. “Someone needs to get changed, let’s get you cleaned up baby. And then we can come back and cuddle before breakfast hmm?”
Luke’s pout intensifies and he crosses his little arms over his chest and that’s when he realizes that the snug pajama top is big on him now. The wrists dangle past his wrists and then pulls them back he sees that his hands are a lot smaller in size and softer than they had during the last few years.
“Papa, my jammies got big!”
Hermes smiles and presses another kiss to Luke’s forehead. “No sweetheart, you just got smaller and squishier.” He says as he presses the little boy gently.
Luke giggles as he gets squished but frowns and pouts again. “But I don’t want to be little again!”
The god lifts him higher on his waist so he can sway him before telling him the plan. Or at least, small parts of it because his small mind probably won’t be able to understand much yet.
“Your body does what it needs for your little soul to feel better.”
“My soul?” Luke taps at his little chest with his small hand. And Hermes nods.
“Yes, your soul, little one. That’s why you are here. Because you needed to heal and because..”
I didn’t want to let you go. He thinks.
“And because you were a little lost before, and made mistakes…That was not your fault.”
I allowed you to feel unloved and I broke you so deeply. I allowed myself to believe that I would hurt you if I was near.
“Now, Papa has you so you can grow up like you should have and we will stay together forever.”
I could have been there and I wasn’t. I failed you as a father, but not anymore.
Hermes’ heart soars with love as Luke’s icy blue eyes look so trusting into his own. And are filled with such love and innocence.
“I’ll stay with you?” Luke asks.
Hermes nods. “Yes baby, you’ll stay with me. You’ll meet your brothers and sisters too.”
“I have brothers and sisters?” Hermes chuckles at his surprised expression, he’s simply too adorable.
“Mhm. You have a few, most of them are a lot bigger than you though I’m afraid.” And immortal, he wants to add but for now it’s better to let Luke enjoy his childhood.
Luke pouts again because he doesn’t like being small. “I’m not a baby. I’m strong, I had a sword before!”
Hermes laughs and kisses his temple. “Yes you are. But I’m sure they will be elated to meet their baby brother.” Luke is unconvinced. “But you’re not just a baby, you are my baby.”
Sensing his confusion, Hermes gently reassures him. “It’s okay my heart, you’ll be safe. I won’t go anywhere.”
“Promise?” He asks his little voice a lot smaller now.
“I swear on the river Styx. I won't go anywhere without you.” He smiles down at his baby boy and Luke finally uncrosses his arms. His little belly makes a rumbling sound.
“Sounds like you’re hungry little one, let’s get you changed and then you’ll eat a filling breakfast.” He says as he lifts Luke into his arms in the direction of the bathroom.
…..
Luke is now changed into more age appropriate clothing for his regressed state : cute overalls with a lion’s head embroidered on the front pocket. He still has a diaper on for now since Hermes doesn’t want him to be too bothered with bodily needs while he’s playing with his toys or causing trouble.
Hermes was preparing the boy’s breakfast. He made pancakes but he also prepared a bottle of milk. His milk to be precise. He wanted to see if Luke would want to drink it or even nurse since he’s so little and will be needing help with feeding himself anyways.
He puts the pancakes on a plastic plate and sets the table for his little one. Putting the bottle next to the plate. He calls out to the little one playing. “Luke, breakfast is ready little one.”
The boy looks up and stands as he toddles towards the kitchen and everything is so much bigger than him. But when he arrived the furniture had been closer to his own height.
“There you are!” Hermes coos down at him. Normally Luke would react with a grimace or even leave his dad to his antics. But the little boy smiles brightly as he’s picked up and seated onto the chair because he can’t reach it anymore.
Hermes puts a little bib around his neck and cuts his pancakes into small pieces along with some strawberries. Luke eyes the bottle of warm milk warily but doesn’t reach for it, he picks up the fork in his little hand and tries to take a piece of pancake using it but struggles.
His dad doesn’t correct him as his motor skills regress with his mind,but does help and feeds him. “There you go!” He praises and Luke gives a big smile. “You’re doing so well, little one.”
But Hermes would also like Luke to drink his milk so after his third bite of the pancake he reaches for it and picks up his little one to situate him in his lap. He doesn’t want to force Luke to drink it, but it is important that he does so his godly form will get the nutrients it needs to transform his human body.
It will also accelerate the process a little bit.
The god cradles his child in his lap, supporting his little head with the help of left arm while the other holds the bottle of warm divine milk. He tries to make it as soothing as possible for the child but Luke fiddles with the bib and start to squirm before he even gives him the bottle.
“Okay little one, I know you’re still hungry and want to eat the rest of your pancake but I need you to drink your milk too. It will help make you grow stronger and healthy.”
He lowers the nipple close to his son’s mouth but Luke closes it tightly and pouts.
“Luke please, I know you’re still hungry sweetheart.” His tone is patient and soft,he doesn’t want this bonding moment to be scary.
“No!”
Hermes sighs through his nose. “Please little one, just three sips for Papa?” He tries to plop the bottle in his mouth gently, but Luke turns in the other direction so he retreats.
“I can make it have a chocolate flavor if you’d like?” Hermes tries. But Luke shakes his head, his nose scrunching up and his face red with frustration. His little stomach growls softly again and Hermes feels his heart shatter a little bit. He wants to take care of his son but he’s not allowing him to. And now he’s probably starving.
“I know baby, you’re still hungry.” He tries one last time but again Luke pushes the bottle away.
Hermes is not easily defeated and he tries to give his son the bottle three more times before reclining back into the chair and putting the bottle back onto the table.
They’ll have to try another day, he thinks. Of course he’d give Luke the remaining pancakes instead but it felt like he was failing at being a good father to his son once more.
But he’s pulled from his thoughts by little hands pawing at his chest gently. A bit aggressively at first, pulling at his shirt. And then patting gently as Luke’s thumb goes into his mouth instinctively while doing so.
Hermes gets the hint. “Is that what you want, little one?” He asks, stroking Luke’s small hand on his chest while the other stays in his mouth. The boy doesn’t give him a verbal response but another tap on his chest, which he takes as a yes.
He quickly removes his shirt and helps Luke get situated. The boy does not squirm away this time, which makes Hermes beam in delight. Because that means Luke feels safe enough around him to ask for it.
It’s been a long time since Hermes has nursed any of his children. But a part of him deeply misses the bond and love that he shared with each of them, immortal for the most part. He misses those sweet moments with them when they were little.
The god adjusts the little one and situates him close to his nipple but allows Luke to make the choice to nurse from him or not. He doesn’t want this precious moment to be forced, but he secretly hopes Luke will nurse.
The boy latches on, tentative at first, but once he tastes the sweet milk mixed with his father’s ichor, he starts to suckle, curling his little hands around his dad’s chest. He basks into the sweet scent of his papa.
Luke makes soft little sounds as he suckles the milk and Hermes smiles down at him adoringly.
“Do you like Papa’s milk?”
Luke gives him an adorable smile around his nipple and goes back to nursing, his eyes dropping slightly because the milk appeases him and put him to sleep.
Hermes leans down and kisses Luke’s forehead. His little one, finally where he belongs.
Once Luke has finished nursing he pats his chest once again, the corners of his mouth still covered with some of it and Hermes laughs. “You’ll get more milk tonight little one.”
Luke whines kicking his legs against Hermes’ thigh, on the verge of a tantrum.
“I promise you’ll get more tonight sweetheart, but for your first time you did very well.”
His father settles him on his lap wrapping his arms around his waist as he squirms still. But he stops when he feels the milk has finally settled into his stomach, filling him up like any grown up meal would.
He sits still then, his eyes dropping with sleep as the milk takes effect on him. The ichor mixed in with the human blood inside of him. The scars he had physically got healed completely. His hair becomes shinier and brighter in color. His body relaxes softly, as his soul is starting to process.
Hermes watches carefully as Luke’s head drops back into his stomach when sleep overtakes him suddenly. He also makes sure his son doesn’t feel sick or worse. Thankfully his body accepted his ichor, and Hermes can see that Luke’s physical appearance is changing slowly.
And then something stirs around Luke’s ankle.
Hermes smiles knowingly and lifts one of the boy’s legs gently, and lifts up the overall pants to see. And there, a tiny fluttering little wing is poking out of the flesh. Reminiscent of his own, but fluffier and smaller in size, untouched by any pain or war.
The god smiles at the sight. The process has begun.