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Another day, another obol.
The Underworld was busy as always, with shades mingling in the Temple of Styx as Hermes quickly filed them in and lined them up to be ferried. Charon had arrived there earlier than usual, intent on being ready for when his partner arrived so that they did not run behind schedule.
Of course, that was a feat in itself, seeing as he had been handling the twins solo.
“Hopefully things were not too hectic while I was away, my dear boatman?” Hermes hummed as he flitted over, placing a kiss upon Charon’s cheek. The kisses proceeded to the twins, right upon their foreheads. “You were good for your dad, right?”
Erebus and Elysium were both settled upon Charon’s lap, happily mouthing along Charon’s obol mantle like it was the best thing in the world, and that it was solely meant for their entertainment. Elysium tackled her gnawing technique with vigour, whereas Erebus was simply taking his time, lazy and content. Opposites, yet they balanced each other out perfectly. It was amazing how much personality could develop with just a bit of time.
“Hrraaaaahhhhh.” Charon rumbled, not bothered in the slightest by the twins or his appearance as the shades drew closer. One by one, coins were dropped into a bag beside him, with the shades boarding his boat soon after. He kept watch closely on them, intent on having an accurate count. “Uurrruhhh?”
“Can’t rest yet, unfortunately.” Hermes sighs, digging around in his satchel to take stock of his remaining tasks. “A few more messages to deliver and then I can come home for the night. Would you like me to take one of the twins with me on my travels?”
A noticeable clink, coupled with a coo of satisfaction drew the attention of both the parents. Erebus was still gnawing on the mantle, though he looked up at his dad with longing, one hand outstretched. A pure act of want, a cry for attention.
A little smoke heart escaped from Charon’s lips as he scooped the child from his lap and brought him up into his arms. Pleased by the development, a small flurry of hearts escaped the young god.
“Well, I think we know who will be coming with me.” Hermes snorted, scooping Elysium up with a twinkle to his eye. She giggled and squirmed, flailing happily in his arms with a wide smile. “Hello, my little troublemaker. Are you ready to go on an adventure?”
More giggles, with the little goddess happily burying her face in Hermes shoulder as she fisted strong hands into his chiton. Hermes rubbed her back with a smile, no doubt having missed the twins during his daily adventures. Charon couldn’t help but warm at the sight of the pair, heart swelling with affection for his little family.
“I must say that the twins seem to have left quite the impression on you, my dear.” Hermes chuckled, gesturing to the mantle.
Gaze dropping to his mantle, he eyed the teeth marks and the various shimmers of drool along the coins.
“Mmm.” He hummed in return, fondness clear.
“We’ll be back home as soon as I can manage, my dear.” Kissing Charon and Erebus once more, Hermes fluttered his wings and made way for the door. “Love you!”
Charon’s gaze did not falter from the door until it was shut once more, earning a sigh from the boatman. Little hand patting at his face, he was reminded that yes, they would both return and yes, there was still work to do. Nuzzling Erebus’ crown, the boatman gathered his sack of obols and head for his boat.
–––––– • ––––––
Shades ferried to their new forever homes, Charon had returned to the vault. Erebus had slept throughout the boat ride (both twins had a knack for doing so, usually), and now with renewed energy, he had decided to busy himself with some toys beside his dad. He was a quiet child, who thankfully easily pre-occupied himself.
And for that, Charon was thankful. While the shades had been taken care of, there was still one large task to complete — taking stock. With tight book-keeping and a photographic memory, Charon knew it wouldn’t take long, though any task could seem massive while caring for a child.
The ambrosia was counted and polished, the boons were neatly organized. An order was sent to the chef to send more pomegranates and make more gyros, intent on keeping them fresh for his customers. He checked through his daily list with ease, occasionally glancing over at Erebus to check on him before returning to his task. Soon enough, he was at his final and most time-consuming task — counting the obols.
“Huurrrgghhh.” He rumbled his task, ending with a smoke heart that was returned by the young god as he settled down in his chair to begin his last task. Charon couldn’t help but watch fondly for a moment as Erebus played with some wooden toys, eyes full of wonder as they rolled along the floor.
The steady clink of obols soon filled the room, methodical and precise. Before Charon knew it, he had reached the bottom of his bag, signalling the completion of his task.
But the boatmen paused.
Was he off by one?
In all his years of ferrying, Charon had never been off on his collection of obols, and he was certain of the number that had boarded his boat earlier. His eyes drifted to Erebus, and upon finding him still preoccupied, he started to recount the days earnings.
Another missing. No, that wasn’t right. Recount.
And again.
And again—
How could this happen? He was absolutely certain of the number of shades that had boarded his boat, there was no question. And he had seen each obol as it had been deposited—
His gaze dropped to his obol mantle as it glimmered when he reached for his bag once more, drawing his attention. Tiny indents, faint shimmers of drool—
A light trail of smoke escaped Charon’s open maw as he gaze flitted to Erebus.
Now, there are various scenarios that could go through ones mind when they are looking for a missing item. Most often, one would think that they had simply misplaced it, maybe that they had remembered incorrectly if they had recieved everything or even simply that someone else had taken it.
Charon didn’t quite think of those options, instead his brain thought of…a different scenario.
“Mmmaah?” Erebus squeaked, confused as he was suddenly scooped up by his father and held up to be examined. A wooden toy still remained partially in his mouth, as he had been mouthing on it shortly before.
“Hhhhuurrrgghh??” Charon questioned the child who was clearly incapable of answering, looking him over with blatant concern. He checked his clothing, his diaper, his mouth— Oh gods what if he—
“Charon?” Appearing as he was called upon by his plume, the swift god snorted as he found Charon comedically looking over a very confused child. “Love, what is the matter?”
“Abwah!” Elysium squealed, excitedly gesturing to her twin as she caught sight of him. Hermes had fashioned her to his front with his scarf, intent on keeping her contained as he flitted about the world above.
“Hhrraagggghhhh!!! Urghhhh hwah??”
“You are missing an obol….and you think that Erebus…has consumed it?” Hermes returned, slowly unravelling Elysium from his front.
“Hahh.”
“My love, I’m not sure that’s quite possible.” Hermes snorted.
“Da!” Elysium exclaimed loudly, squirming as she reached for Charon. “Da! Da!”
Weary with worry and still at a loss, Charon took Elysium into his free arm with a sigh. If Erebus had not consumed it, then where could it—
Pausing as something cold smacked against his cheek, Charon was pulled from his thoughts.
“It seems that Elysium takes after me, both in the sticky fingers and the ability to worry you.” Hermes laughed, gesturing to her hand.
“Da!” Elysium exclaimed proudly, drawing the cold object away from Charon’s cheek to hold it out to Erebus. Grinning as her twin took it, she clapped her hands with a happy squeal.
Tilting his head back, the deep sigh that Charon emitted produced a cloud of smoke above him, inciting giggles from the twins.
And so, the missing obol had been found.