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Moving their family businesses to a new city meant one important change to the Chthonic family's carefully constructed routine—a new pediatrician for the twins.
Nyx being the CEO, was too busy to take the two children. So naturally, the task fell on Charon's shoulders. Sure, while he did have sisters such as Nemesis, Eris, and Apate, the trio were now banned from being trusted with childcare for the foreseeable future. This happened when they'd allowed a young Hypnos to shove a small game board coin up his nose at age two.
The trip to the ER was a lesson hard to learn; thus the sisters were restricted from being alone with the now four-year-old twins.
This meant that most child-rearing tasks were now the responsibility of Charon. He didn't mind them; his brothers were one of the only highlights in his monotonous business life.
Touting both boys on his hip, Charon carried them into a modern-looking building in the Olympus Mount Medical complex. It was a privately owned hospital system that had multiple locations and clinics up the west coast. Their previous pediatrician, Achilles, had recommended the doctor’s office, so they didn’t hesitate to follow through with the change.
Charon likely was a sight entering the hospital. A towering man at 6’8”, dark black trench coat and a collection of glimmering gold necklaces gently clicking against his chest. Underneath was a simple black cashmere sweater and some comfy black slacks he had thrown on to travel to the clinic. Long silver strands were pulled back in a high ponytail, a few stray wisps framing his sharp jaw and high cheekbones. He had opted to leave his hat at home, as it would only end up stolen by Hypnos, or on the hospital floor. Also as they were going to be inside, Charon saw no need to bring it with him. Likewise, he was missing his sunglasses today, leaving his pale purple eyes visible to the world.
Both boys were comfortably buried in his arms as he carried them. Neither grabbed any of his accessories—something that often shocked people. The twins were very well behaved for their age, as long as they liked someone.
After checking in with reception, Charon continued to hold the boys once he deposited himself on a nearby couch to the patient entry door.
The wait took about ten minutes. Thanatos on his left hip was alert, eyes scanning the different occupants of the hospital’s pediatric wing. There was a small play area on a plush green carpet to the far right corner of the wide reception space. The reception desk was hidden behind a glass window, the check-in counter it hovered above being a modern gray wood. There were pops of color in the room that gave off the impression of the exterior of a fairytale castle. White chairs with plush green cushions lined all sides of the wall, minus the far back where the counter was. Between the desk and the play area, an entrance door painted to replicate a castle gate was located.
"Hypnos and Thanatos Chthonic?" A soft voice eventually called them, summoning them to the playful-looking entry back to the patient rooms. Charon stood, careful not to jostle the duo too much as he turned to the source of the voice.
The nurse who appeared in the doorway was clad in soft orange scrubs, decorated in turtles. His hair was pushed back carelessly, only pinned in place loosely by a turtle-shaped hairpin that a child would normally carry. His ears were adorned in a collection of sunset hue earrings that seemed to jingle as he moved. Around the outside of each ear shell, small golden wing ear cuffs were pinned.
Charon was stunned.
"You are Mr. Chthonic, yes?" The angel looked at his clipboard briefly before offering a brilliant smile to Charon. His honey-brown eyes then immediately switched focus to the kids.
"And you must be Hypnos and Thanatos! I didn't expect such big kids!" His movement was fluid and well-practiced. Taking an ID that hung around his neck to neatly swipe a panel Charon hadn’t noticed was near the door. The automated system made an unlocking noise, and the nurse moved to push the door open for them.
He was too cute. Charon's brain was losing connection to his hands to speak. When he did come up with the words to sign, he was unable due to both his brothers being in his arms clinging to his side. He could only nod in response.
Hypnos was half asleep, his head lulling against Charon’s shoulder. He was half wrapped in his favorite crimson red blanket. His head of soft curls was even messier, Hypnos being roused from his sleep earlier that morning to be carried to the appointment. He wore a pale yellow knit sweater and a pleated red skirt that reached just past his knees. His socks were white and disappeared into hot pink children’s crocs covered in flowers and skull charms.
Thanatos, on the other hand, was dressed smartly. He was in a black child-size vest and dress shorts. His dark purple socks were neatly tucked into black loafers. Underneath the vest was a high collar dark purple turtleneck in a similar style to Charon’s. He had been so proud to pick out his clothing in the morning, Charon didn’t have the heart to tell him he overdressed for the occasion. Mort, his favorite stuffed animal, was tucked securely under one arm while the other held fast to Charon’s jacket.
Thanatos was staring with disbelief at the nurse that had arrived. His golden eyes narrowed as if expecting the man to strike them at any second. Nervous energy radiated off of his small body in waves. Hypnos on the other hand seemed to be dead to the world, but this was a common occurrence.
“My name is Hermes. I’ll be taking your vitals and doing the easy stuff to prepare you both for the doctor.” The bright man didn’t miss a beat, smiling softly at the duo before turning to Charon. “I hope you found the clinic okay. The office complex can be a real maze! Took me almost a year to find the quickest path to this wing.” Hermes filled up the space between them with a comfortable string of chatter.
Charon obediently followed the nurse to the entrance, spellbound by the aura of brightness that seemed to radiate off the shorter male. When Charon was close, Hermes had to tilt his head back to meet his eyes.
Hermes used his back to hold the door open for Charon, which revealed a long hallway. The theme around the interior was very green and childlike, looking like a fairytale garden. The walls of the hallway were decorated with fantasy-themed imagery like castles and knights. Each door along the hall had a different fairytale-themed nameplate with a doctor’s last name listed. Below the signs were envelope drops for clipboards, some filled while others were empty.
“I’ve checked the boy’s files, so I will also be assisting with the main checkup, as Doctor Olympus cannot read sign language. So think of me as your interpreter as well.” Hermes winked at Charon, which caught him off guard.
Charon’s eyes turned down to focus on the children's heads instead of the cheerful nurse before him—Hermes. He nodded in response, again unable to provide any thanks while towing both children.
The nurse quickly ushered them into one of the front offices. The nameplate “Olympus” was there, decorated by a witch's hat and broomstick combination. Hermes opened the door, revealing a soft purple-themed exam room. The walls were lavender and decorated with stars. The exam table, while white, had a comfortable royal purple-looking top to it. Two regular chairs were seated next to the exam table and a catty-corner bench, all holding the same royal purple-looking cousins. The room’s ceiling was painted a few shades of dark blue, a collection of small lights and glow-in-the-dark stars scattered across the top to entice children into the ‘magical’ room.
Thanatos’ eyes grew wide as he glanced around. Charon carefully set him down on the exam table first before carrying Hypnos over to the bench. He took a seat there and gently set down the sleepy boy, who proceeded to half crawl into his lap.
Thanatos’ small hands gripped Mort tightly while his eyes moved around. There was a counter on the wall to the left closest to the door, and a computer mounted to the wall for the medical staff to use. A scale was also positioned against the wall to the right side of the door. Above the counter was various medical equipment, as well as standard informational posters provided by the hospital. It was very much an office geared towards treating children.
Hermes slipped out of the room for a few moments before returning, wheeling a contraption that Charon remembered tracked vitals. Instead of being the familiar stark white, the device was green and appeared to be trying to imitate a dragon. To the top of the machine even had googly eyes that rolled as it moved.
“Alright! Looks like you’re the brave lad going first. You’re Thanatos, right?” Hermes' voice was gentle, his face still plastered with the sunshine smile. Charon himself felt weak to the image while Thanatos puffed up like an offended cat.
“I am...Brave!” his cheeks were slightly flushed, him pulling Mort tight to his chest.
“Yes, you are! Going first before your brother!” Hermes praised him with his honey-sweet voice. He leaned down to eye level as Thanatos talked, giving full attention to the child before him. “Are you going to show him how it’s done and impress your big brother too with how brave you are?”
Charon couldn’t help the smile that pulled on his lips watching the interaction. The nurse was very good at what he did.
Thanatos hesitated briefly before glancing over at Charon and the slowly awakening Hypnos rubbing his eyes, pushing his full weight into Charon's chest. Noticing Thanatos looking at him, Hypnos offered a sleepy wave back.
“Y...Yes,” Thanatos stuttered softly before looking down at Mort in his hands.
“You can even hold your little friend while we take your vitals,” Hermes reassured him, carefully grabbing a small green wrap from the machine. This seemed to help calm Thanatos a bit, him relaxing from his seat.
“Can I see your arm?” Hermes asked, holding out his hand. Hesitantly, Thanatos offered his right arm to the nurse. Then, carefully, Hermes wrapped the fabric around his forearm, the whole time complimenting the small boy. “You are such a brave guy doing this before your brother! Showing him how easy this is. I’m sure you’re a master at this, aren’t you?”
Thanatos’ cheeks continued to color at the flurry of compliments. He proceeded to nod, at a loss for words as he watched the green encase his arms.
“This is going to squeeze your arm for a few seconds, okay? You get to watch it inflate like a balloon!” Hermes cooed before bringing a small green clip attached to a wire towards Thanatos’ other hand. “You can keep holding your little friend- this will take your pulse.”
Without skipping a beat, Hermes continued. “What is your little friend's name?”
Charon watched the nurse skillfully handle the usually fussy twin with ease. He didn’t know why, but he felt his own cheeks heat up at the interaction. He knew it was the nurse’s job to be this friendly, but it was rare to witness Thanatos not be prickly to medical staff. The man had a charm that even won Charon over.
Not to mention the nurse was gorgeous. (Even in tacky orange turtle scrubs. Who even thought to make them that color?)
“M-Mort,” Thanatos stuttered before seeming to find his resolve as the machine started going, making a humming noise. “His name is Mort.”
Hermes beamed at him. “ Such a good name! I have a little friend myself, but I keep him at home. He’s a tortoise named Chelly.”
Thanatos’ eyes widened at that, looking up at the nurse with curiosity. “You can keep turtles?”
The nurse continued to chat with them as he finished recording both the boy's information. Various notes were quickly entered into the computer in the corner of the room as he finished each check. During the process, Hermes encouraged both boys to talk about themselves and their hobbies. The nurse didn’t falter for a moment, easily keeping up with the children’s sometimes nonsensical thought patterns.
Once they both had their vitals, heights and weights checked and documented, they both shared seats on the top of the exam table. The twins were looking oddly relaxed for a trip to the doctors. It had to be a record for the duo. Normally, it took a lot longer to calm them down enough to go through these procedures. They were wary of strangers on a good day. Charon was impressed.
Everything was going smoothly until Hypnos asked. “Mr. Nurse, are you married?”
A flush bloomed on Hermes' cheeks before he laughed, shaking his head. “Nope! I’m a single pringle little boss!” As if to emphasize, he wiggled his hands in front of the duo to show them his lack of ring. Charon caught sight of a small wing tattoo on his left inner wrist as he did.
Why was this nurse so cute? Charon never had this issue before. Usually, he was able to ignore most people; perhaps it was because Hermes was good with his brothers?
Hermes' response made Hypnos smile, the small boy carefully reaching out then gripping onto the turtle-clad scrubs. “Then you should marry Charon!”
Charon, to his defense, didn’t sputter. He did, however, tense up and bring a hand to his face before quickly removing it to sign an apology.
Hermes laughed softly at that, glancing between the children on the exam table and Charon quickly signing at him in the corner. “That is quite the compliment, Hypnos! But your brother and I need to go on a date first.” He playfully winked at the trio.
It was Charon’s turn to gain flushed cheeks, politely looking away in the direction of Thanatos, who was fiddling with Mort in his hands. Thanatos puffed up at Hypnos’ comment. But, unfortunately, for the wrong reason.
“They have to get engaged first!” the four-year-old shouted to his younger brother in indignation. “Charon is proper!”
Hermes, to his credit, held back a laugh, pressing his lips together.
Realization seemed to flood Hypnos as Thanatos spoke the words, and he clapped his small hands together. “Oh right! I forgot.”
The cheerful tenor voice chuckled at that. Hermes then moved, his hands finding their way to the green vital machine he rolled in. “I will be back with the doctor. Please hang tight.” With that, he made his escape from the room.
Charon wanted the ground to swallow him at that point. The kids didn’t let up, unfortunately.
“He’d be a pretty bride,” Hypnos was firm with his statement.
Charon couldn’t disagree, but he sighed, quickly signing to the boys. “ Be polite .”
Charon really didn't want to think of the gorgeous nurse in wedding attire. Be it a dress or a suit, Hermes' figure would cut an impressive image in anyone's mind, and Charon was a weak man. He immediately dismissed the thought about the two of them getting together, it was virtually impossible.
Charon was envious of how the twins were able to say what he never could. They were going to be fine adults one day.
Because the duo was clever, they nodded at his request. Charon did, however, catch the look between them. They were up to something, but he didn’t have long to think about it. Soon the doctor arrived, Hermes in tow.
Dr. Persephone Olympus was a cheery woman. When she arrived next after a polite knock, she beamed at the twins. Through the length of the visit, she and Charon discussed the twins' health, with Hermes carefully translating Charon’s signs to her.
While they spoke, the duo sat on the exam table side by side, golden eyes pinning the nurse with intense stairs. The twins were barely paying attention to the doctor speaking, making the process itself quicker but very suspicious in Charon’s opinion. How Hermes didn’t respond to the intense looks was beyond Charon, but he appreciated the nurse’s professionalism.
Once the exam concluded (and the twins were rewarded pomegranate lollipops), Charon swooped them up in his arms and proceeded out of the office to his car. He offered both the nurse and doctor a respectful nod on the way out, acknowledging Persepohnes’ cheerful, “See you next time.”
Once at the car, Charon carefully put the twins into their respective car seats, who were uncharacteristically quiet. They didn’t fuss until Charon took his place at his driver's seat, where Thanatos spoke up. Gold eyes were drilling into Charon from the rearview mirror.
“Flowers first.”
Charon didn’t understand the comment but simply nodded. He knew better than to question the twins when they had some idea cooking.
Later that evening, when he was lounging in his living room, Charon’s cell phone went off with a text from an unfamiliar number.
He almost dropped his phone when he read the message.
Hey Boss! Your little brothers slipped me your business card. You might need to tell them that giving things to strangers is dangerous! ;p
Embarrassment flooded the businessman. That must have been what the duo was doing when staring so hard at the nurse!
My apologies. They can be forceful when they want to be. Charon replied back quickly. His heart drummed with anticipation as text bubbles almost immediately popped up on the chat screen.
Charon didn’t hesitate to add the number to his contacts.
H: It’s no sweat! Though before engagement, I think dinner would be a better compromise, don’t you?
Hope flooded Charon at the comment, a smile tugging on his lips.
C: Next Saturday then? He sent the text back before he could overthink the matter. Charon wasn’t left waiting for long as the reply came back just as rapidly.
H: It’s a date.
A few years later, the nurse did end up being a very pretty bride. Charon felt he was the luckiest man in the world, watching the man walk down the aisle towards him.
Flowers in fact, came first.