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It was beautiful. The River Lethe eased its way down its stream. Fluffy white clouds bounced upon the River Lethe and rose to the air above. A gentle, bright green hue brush over the land and the kind smell of grass sunk the chamber into a deep trance. The steep ground hugged Zagreus’ body. He lied there, speechless. His sharp breaths rung in his ears. He could feel his body crawl at him, screaming in agony. Bruises and slices ripped at his clothes and cut deep within his skin. His uncanny red blood slowly tainted his body and the innocent grass below him.
His fingers wrapped around Coronacht tightly and pushed from his chest, which arched his back. Get up. The soreness pricked at his body, pinning him down from the Pierced Butterfly clipped to his chiton. Zagrues failed to hold back the blood curling groan, and thus, his body could not do what he asked it to do. He let himself go once more and yelped when the grass poked at his back again. His eyes were still open, he was still breathing, so he had to keep going. He thought that he had no limits, though the cruel fates said otherwise. He gave his final arrow to the last of the Exalted before he collapsed. Zagreus was alone, resting beside undisturbed bush columns, which inhabited aimless butterflies as blue as lapis lazuli. He promised himself that he would only stay for a moment. He was unsure when that time would come, but for that moment, he had no choice but to rest.
Zagreus starred up towards the endless ceiling, the clouds had almost fogged his vision. White noise gently filled his ears to block out the sharp and bloody sighs he gave. He let his eyes fall to a close, hoping that the pain would subside quickly. He could only wish for something to disrupt his attention span. Only an exalted butterfly came to aid his silent plea. It greeted itself by landing upon the bridge of Zag’s nose. It flashed its wings towards the Prince when he opened his eyes, it seemed to enjoy its new spot. A rarity such as this never came in his previous escape attempts, he was left speechless. Perhaps he could befriend the small insect, to prevent it from sending him back home too soon.
Zagreus felt a chill down his spine and he let his eyes flutter again. His head began to hurt. He could have sworn the butterfly before him was blue. It flashed its wings again, painted in shades of lavender and outlined in a shivering gold. A sibling to his listless pierced butterfly, Zagreus could argue. His thoughts flooded to a special someone and as if it was on cue, a familiar toll shook the ground he lied on. He watched a wave of green light lead before a puff of black smoke. Thanatos.
"If I didn't know you for as long as I do, I would've mistaken you for an angel...just like the mortals do." Zagreus confessed in an act of relief.
Thanatos, however, remained silent. He hovered steeper into the Prince’s vision. He slowly pushed back his hood to let his long glowing hair rest upon his gorget. The light surrounding him manifested into a pair of golden wings that glistened and graced his figure. His presence alone lit up the room. Suddenly, Elysium did not feel as beautiful as it once did. Zag felt Death’s eyes pierce right through his pupils. Though Thanatos was without his scythe, Zagreus could almost feel the harvesting tool pressed against his throat.
“Is everything alright...?” Zagreus choked, intimidated.
Thanatos, this time, responded by lowering himself to his knees, right above Zagreus’ vulnerable head. Than gently tucked his freezing, hollow hands scooped the Prince’s upper body, to give his head a cushioned place on Than’s thighs. Zagrues thought it was going to be comforting, but it felt as hard as the Elysian floors. It didn’t matter to him anyway.
“You’re here again. I’m sorry I’m taking too long since your recent meeting in Asphodel. The Exalted here really took a toll on me. I’ll--hah...I’ll get up soon. Don’t worry.”
His grip on Coronacht grew even tighter than before, his knuckles turned white from the tension. Thanatos diverted his gaze to the titan slaying tool. Zagreus couldn’t tell if Than was staring in awe or looking down in disdain. Zagreus could only follow Death’s wandering yellow eyes that laid its gaze upon Zagreus’ keepsake. It clipped itself upon the Prince’s chiton, unscaved compared to the rest of Zag’s body. Then, eventually, Thanatos’ eyes slowly tailed to stare back at Zagreus’ pained face. He could barely take the intensity of it all. He pleaded.
“...Thanatos…?”
“Zagreus.” Death had finally spoken, his disappointed tone sent a deep shiver down Zagreus’ spine. “Your recklessness knows no bounds, it would seem.”
Zagreus could remember the time he felt dumbfounded towards his beloved Thanatos. It felt like eons had passed since then. The unwavering tension, a tone as cold as Demeter’s winter snow. Zag could remember the last breath he desperately held onto before his body gave out. The last thing he saw was Than, reaching out with a blank stare, fulfilling his duties as Death. The Prince’s heart crawled down to his stomach as he sighed. He was beginning to see his fate again.
“...You’re here to take me home, aren’t you?”
Silence. Thanatos lowered his head, the bright tips of hair overshadowed his face. The dangling strands barely graced Zag’s eyes, but he stared back with a straight face. Death would simply take him back home to start anew. He wasn’t afraid...no, no...He was not afraid of that.
“Is this how you planned to torment me?” Thanatos spoke again, his lips curled. “Run away only to have your life tug at me?”
Zagreus couldn’t tell if this sudden weight he felt was pressed onto him or pulled him down. His body jolted as his breath hitched. “Torment...? I-I don’t understand-”
“I am Death, Zagreus. We are bound to this realm. Every death here pulls to me. But you...you drag my entire being. Every time.”
“I didn’t--” Zag gasped. “I didn’t know how much this would hurt you. And all this time, you... dealt with this in silence?”
“You should’ve known. You should’ve. You never asked. You never cared. Couldn’t you see the pain I’m in.” The cruel tone in Thanatos’ voice began to waver and crack. He straightened his back and lowered his shoulders. His hair pushed back to reveal his stained golden eyes. The tears that ran down his face gave an uneasy light. No reflection from the River Lethe could brighten such glowing tears. “It feels as if...as if you're piercing through my heart, forcing it to shatter.”
Zagreus released his grip onto Coronacht, the scraping sound of the bow sliding across the floor made his head pound. His eyes stung and the wound in his chest cut deeper into his flesh. It overwhelmed him. The pain, the guilt, he had never seen his beloved Thanatos curl up and cry. Zag was unsure if he was experiencing death or fear. The tears that fell from Than’s chin pricked the Prince’s face. Zag took his newly freed hand, still stiff from the grip it had, and graced Death’s weeping face. Thanatos’ touch felt cold, but empty. Absent.
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry.” Zag panicked. “I’m sure this is a misunderstanding! I can--Ugh!”
Zagreus snapped his head to the left, choked on his own words. Each cough descended into a gargle until blood spewed from his mouth, staining the already blood painted floor. He winced as it tore at his throat. He glanced back up to Thanatos and watched Death’s face fall from a violent cry to a vacant frown. The blood began to flow and connect. It pooled under Zagreus’ beaten body. The Styx pulled at him. Zag could feel his name be screeched from below him, but he was not ready to answer. He could fix this. He promised.
“Oh Zag…”
Zagreus’ eyes met with Death’s once more. The pull grew stronger and began to drag him under the surface of blood. The Prince let out a whine as darkness clouded his vision. He thought that his body could take a little more. He wanted to fix this. He could make this better. Zagwatched Death somber, disappointed eyes stare down upon him. Soon after, Thanatos was gone in a blink of an eye. Zagreus cursed with whatever strength he had left. Everything came unexpectedly. His final breath dragged from his lips as his sense of feeling grew numb. The Styx pulled him deeper into its steep embrace and the essence of Charon’s boat took him home.
.
.
.
.
Zagreus felt his lungs fill with air when he stepped out of the pool. Despite rising from the Styx anew, he felt a headache edging near his temples. It was hard to think, to comprehend what happened during his untimely death. Were angels meant to be so cruel? The Prince brushed his cheeks, where his face stung from those peircing tears of light. He huffed and felt the blood roll off of him until the trail he left behind ended. His mind was foggy, he couldn’t tell if his focus was tunnel visioned or if it was from the heartache. His silence did not belittle his energy, since Hypnos jumped up from his slumber.
“Hey, you’re back sooner than usual! Oh, longspears, huh? Those pointy sticks are long…for a…reason?”
Zagreus didn’t hear or understand a word Hypnos said. He did the same to his father, who would had given him a harsh scolding if he wasn’t buried in parchment work. It appeared that his focus led him straight to the West Hall. Achilles seemed to be the only one in the Prince’s path that could break him out of a distracted gaze. He was not at his post to fulfill this duty, Zag thanked the gods for that.
Zagreus looked down the Hall and found what he was looking for. Thanatos stood idly in his usual spot, occupied with the River Styx with his back towards the Prince. His stunning, toned, and wingless back. Zagreus questioned his memory again. He could had sworn that Than has breathtaking wings that could illuminate the darkest corners of the Underworld. On the other hand, their previous visit in Asphodel was a blur. Zagreus inched closer to Death Incarnate. He walked confidently, but he was fearful of the spitefulness that may come from this.
“Welcome home.” Thanatos greeted. His voice was gentle, a tone that Zagreus had grown accustomed to as of late.
Zagreus had never been so afraid to see Than’s face, but he had to do this. He didn’t want everything they worked for to crumble. No more running, no more waiting. Fear is for the weak.
“…Than?” The Prince reached out and planned a hand on Than’s back. His back muscles grew tense to the touch.
“Is something wrong, Zagreus?” Thanatos had finally turnt, his face exposed with gentle eyes and hair that was cut short.
Zag froze for a moment. He was losing his touch, and he was close to losing his sanity.
“It’s okay.” Than continued as he pushed down his hood. “You can tell me.”
“It’s…it’s nothing, I think. I saw…I thought we met again in Elysium, but you grew out your hair and these bright wings on your back. You were…you were—“
Zagreus cut himself off and rubbed the back of his neck with an awkward sigh. He sounded ridiculous, though Thanatos did not mock him. He seemed rather attentive with his face slightly curved to express his concern. He reached out with his gauntlet-free hand to hold Zagreus’ arm. Than’s cold touch gracing Zag’s skin would have sent his body through a wave of ecstasy if he didn’t feel so stressed.
“I will not pry into you to get all the details, but you look weary.” Thanatos reassured as he pulled himself closer to Zagreus. “When was the last time you took a break?”
“I don’t remember, now that you mentioned it.” He was a little baffled that Thanatos would suggest such a thing.
“Well if you don’t have anything else to prioritize, you should—“
“Just-“ Zagreus didn’t realize that he was in his head again. The two fell silent, trying to see who would take the lead. Zagreus decided to continue.
“If I ever do something that infuriates you, tell me so we can work things out…Please. I would rather know than have it eat away at you.”
“Of course Zag. I’ll promise you that.”
“…Thabk you.” Zagreus said quietly. They had this conversation before, so he expected that answer. But it didn’t feel any less calming.
“However, there is something that has been bothering me.”
“O-Oh. I’m sorry Than. What is it?” Zagreus apologized prematurely. That moment of calm seemed to have vanished for a moment.
“You’re not getting enough rest.” Thanatos claimed.
Oh…Zagreus could hear the chuckle that lied in the back of Thanatos’ throat. Nothing could stop the massive grin that creeped across his face.
“And I always tease you about overworking, haha.”
Zagreus finally gave into his weariness and closed the distance between him and his beloved. The Prince rested his head upon Death’s shoulder. The size of Zag’s face was met with the cold metal of Than’s gorget. Zagreus tugged at Than’s chiton and cape to lock each other into the embrace.
“Oh Zag…” Thanatos said in a smooth, easy tone.
Zagreus was unaware of how much stress he was under until he felt the stress melt away on the command of Thanatos’ voice. The pricking feeling of glowing tears had vanished. This terrifying image of Death Zagreus imagined was planned to be forgotten. He thanked the gods for his beloved and the bond they shared.
It had been a while since they touched like this, held each other, bask in each other’s presence. Death reciprocated the gesture, holding Zagreus’ warmth close to him. Than watched the Prince close his eyes and slowly get lost into the moment. Thanatos let his head rest upon the scorched ebony hair beneath his chin. Tranquility had seduced him.
“I was planning on heading out soon, but you know what, I think work can wait a little longer. Come on, Zagreus. Let’s get some rest.”