Chapter Text
That- that wasn’t his friend. Zagreus gazed upon Hypnos’ form from his position on the floor.
It looked haunting, horrific, like depths of the void. Kinda like Master Chaos, who, for the record, Zagreus didn't think was scary. But this false impression of Hypnos was.
He had wings, too many wings. They ripped from his back, the godly equivalent of blood still dripping from the feathers. Two wings on his head, too. They rested behind somewhat pointed ears which were, once again similar to Master Chaos. The god’s chest was skinny, unnervingly skinny, bones visibly pressing against the skin.
He didn't say anything… he just looked at him with a broken expression. Not even a ghost of a smile.
His head hurt. His vision was darkening. The world was hazy, turning into nothing more but a blur.
Then he woke up in his bed. Why was he in bed? The firestepping prince didn't sleep. Not voluntarily, at least. Perhaps that last escape attempt had taken more of a toll on him than he’d thought.
But that dream… it seemed so real. Hauntingly real.
He shook it off, though. Sneaking into the courtyard, the prince needed to clear his head. Perhaps crushing some numbskulls would help soothe his growing unease.
Zagreus was off for that entire day. His aim was off, his reflexes were slow, he got hit a lot more than what he deemed acceptable and as a result, perished before he got to Meg’s chamber, carried off by the styx.
--
Thanatos wasn’t often worried, he didn’t feel much at all, really. His demeanor was stoic and it usually reflected on his face. Death was supposed to be calm, unfeeling, unbiased. Yet here he was.
Thanatos had witnessed Zag’s last escape attempt. ’Pathetic,’ Death mused to himself, but that was the issue. Zagreus was many things: idiotic, kind-hearted, impulsive, selfless, but not pathetic.
Death incarnate watched Zagreus drag himself from the bloodied waters, massaging his left shoulder.
“Oof” he grunted.
“Welcome to the house of Hades!--oh-” Hypnos’s shrill voice filled the air and Zagreus uncharacteristically flinched. Odd, Death remarked, watching from his spot on the balcony. Not just odd, but also concerning.
“Have you tried, you know! Not getting hit by those lasers?” Hypnos said matter of factly, but Zagreus was only half listening.
That apparition he saw in his dreams clawed at the edges of his mind. It wouldn't leave him alone as he laid sights on the god of slumber.
“Zag! You ok? You didn't lose your hearing, did you? Did you?” Hypnos tapped his list and Zagreus snapped out of his trance.
Something was definitely wrong, Thanatos thought. He’d need to get to the bottom of this: Zagreus wasn’t often shaken.
Death incarnate glanced down at his twin, the god of sleep. Him and Hypnos had never been close, they were brothers, yes, but that was the only thing they shared.
Thanatos wasn't close with Charron either, but that was more from lack of interest from both parties. Hypnos, on the other hand, had always admired and loved Thanatos, to an annoying, attention-seeking degree.
He once again peered down at his twin and his friend, already knowing he’d be visited by the prince next. Thanatos didn’t like conversations, he wasn’t good at them. But Zagreus was tolerable most of the time. Hypnos on the other hand, really wasn’t. He was annoying, spoke to much, was too clingy, didn't do his job-
“Yeah, I’m fine, mate…” Zagreus rubbed his neck. “Maybe a little sore, hah…”
“Have you tried, you know, not getting crushed? It’s called a skull crusher for a reason.” Hypnos stated, matter of factly.
“I haven't.” Zagreus responded under a somewhat forced grin.
“Well, now you know!’
“Hah, yeah, I sure do… See you around, Hypnos.” He waved him off and walked further into the house, greeting everyone, even his grumpy father. With minimal success, mind you.
Hypnos watched him go, going back to his lists and counting the shades that came by.
“Welcome to the house of Hades! Dying is our living, you make the underworld a better place!” He grinned at the shades that already looked tired of being here.
As he was going down his list, the god of sleep couldn't help but overhear Thanatos speaking with Zagreus. Well, it wasn't his fault they decided to converse right on that balcony. Right above his post. He couldn't be blamed for eavesdropping, truly.
Thanatos always liked to see Zagreus, sometimes he even smiled. He never smiled while facing Hypnos. he only barked orders. He wouldn't admit it, but Hypnos felt hurt.
A hole in his chest formed each time Thanatos faced him with such disappointment and hatred. Hypnos was convinced his brother hated him. And… so did his mother. Nyx was around the corner yet she never even bothered to check up on him.
Thanatos had always been her favorite.
Which was fine.
Totally fine.
And yet, as he listened, the god of Slumber felt himself fall into a sad spiral. Thanatos spoke so easily to Zagreus, it hurt.
------
He just couldn't deal with it today. Today was bad, today was suffocating. Hypnos glanced at the growing row of shades, then back at the balcony. He concentrated, closing his eyes, gripping the blanket.
And then he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
This naturally caused a panic in the shades, enough to distract Thanatos. Hypnos was… gone? He frowned.
“He has always been lazy but abandoning his post is a new low.”
Zagreus stood next to him, peering down at the empty post and the growing panic in the shades. That wasn’t good.
“Hypnos never leaves his post, aren't you a tiny bit concerned?”
“It's not outside the realm of possibility that he would stop mid-shift to sleep” Death responded, frown deepening.
“But why would he…?”
Thanatos by now was glaring a hole at hypnos’ post.
“I do not know, I will consult Mother Nyx,” he said, disappearing.
--
Hypnos appeared at the docks in Asphodel, looking around at the lava-ridden fields. He remembered when it was normal, full of flowers. Then that flood happened. A flood of lava, no less.
The god anxiously awaited Charron’s arrival. He always knew what to do, he didn't judge or scold him like Thanatos did. Charron wasn’t really the affectionate type, nor was he really one for words? Groans? Whatever.
When the boat finally did arrive, Hypnos was filled with 2 emotions: incredible relief and painful nervousness. An intoxicating mix, to say the least.
Charrons single visible eye showed mild surprise at the sight of his younger brother.
“Ghrahh…” he groaned, stopping the boat.
“Charron! It’s been forever!” Hypnos piped up, trying to cheer himself up despite the lump of anxiety in his stomach.
“Hhahg…”
“Yes, I know, I know, I…” Hypnos paused. “I don't… have any obol, but- I don’t… I don’t feel okay.” That was a lot harder to get out than the first anticipated.
“Ghaa…” Charron motioned for him to enter the boat with a boney, purple smoke peacefully drifting from his mouth.
Hypnos grinned, laughing genuinely for the first time in what felt like forever. He hopped on, careful to not get caught by any of the ghastly hands reaching out of the styx.
“Graah..?” Charron’s ghastly voice asked, as he started the rowing.
Hypnos rubbed his arm, looking into the peaceful bloody, waters.
“It’s… the usual.”
“Hngah..” Charron groaned in response.
Hypnos huffed, leaning on his hand and just letting the peaceful sound of the boat moving calm down his nerves.
“Sometimes I… fear that the Master will force me back into my old position…” he started, “I don't wanna return… but I can feel my true self pulling at the seams, sometimes…” Hypnos subconsciously gripped his chest.
Charron glanced behind him, a rare look of concern on his face. It wasn’t often he wanted complicated speech, his brothers and mother Nyx could understand his crippled speech and that was enough. He didn’t require anything else. He didn't even like to talk.
And yet, he wished for this very moment for easy coming words, so he could comfort Hypnos a lot more.
“Ghah..” he responded,
“I know- I know… It- it was a long time ago… but, I still feel it..” Hypnos responded, looking at his reflection in the red water.
Yet what he saw wasn't him. It was a scary, demented, bloody version of him. He flinched back, blinking, and it was gone, replaced by his own image.
Charron noticed, rowing the boat again.
“Hhagha..” he groaned out, putting down the oar and walked towards him.
Charron awkwardly patted Hypnos’s head with a skeletal hand, in an attempt to be comforting. A bad attempt, but appreciated.
More than Thanatos would care to do. Hypnos chuckled sadly.
“Thanks Char…”
Charron groaned out something else and went back to his post.
“Ghah..?”
“Elysium, please…” Hypnos responded, pulling his cloak around himself tighter.
Charron made a noise of agreement and started rowing.
Hypnos fell asleep, lulled to sleep by the relaxing sounds of the water, and the peaceful rocking of the boat.
And yet, he wished he didn't.