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He finds you pretty fast, all things considered. Elpis is pretty big, after all, but you still stand out like the most brilliant star out in the distant dark sky.
Themis knows they're probably asking too much of you; he's seen you walk out of the first Abyssos instance covered in acid and mumbling all sorts of curses that had Erichthonios gasping in horror. Themis feels a little bit guilty about laughing at the scene. Just a bit, though.
At least, now with Hephaistos gone from the scene, you can take a well-needed breather.
You're sighing. That's the third one in a row—not that he's been keeping count…
"What's the matter, fallen star? It seems you've lost a bit of your burning fire."
He's met with a frown the moment he sits beside you, noticing you've chosen a little hidden spot below the shade of a tree next to the Lethe. Themis sits and waits for you to find your wording; you might not be very talkative, but that's exactly why he finds it hard not to cling to every word that passes through your lips.
"It's… well, Pandaemonium kind of stifles me," you end up saying after a few minutes, "I was going to say it feels like a prison, but I suppose it is a prison of sorts. I need some fresh air from time to time."
Themis doesn't want to admit he's been a little bit anxious about you immediately leaving to wherever it was that you came from the moment you stepped out of Pandaemonium without saying goodbye, but he's going to keep that for himself. For the moment, at least.
"Understandable. You didn't have… the best of first encounters in Abyssos, to boot."
You let out a groan, burying your head between your knees. It's adorable. Themis laughs and you immediately shoot him a glare, but he can't be bothered. Teasing you is fun, and you always end up smiling at him, so of course he's going to keep at it when Erichthonios and Lahabrea aren't looking.
"I just need a rest, don't worry about it."
Themis hums. Perhaps it is time for you to return to your home for a bit. If it is what you need, he can't and won't stop you.
Still, he wishes you could stay, though, despite his common sense swatting at him to let you go. It's what should be done, right? Letting someone rest when they're tired despite wanting their company? It's polite. It's practical, so you can return fresh and ready to help them find a path. It's what should be done for the greater good.
However, Themis has found himself being a bit selfish, lately.
"I'd take you with me, you know."
Your assertion makes his head spin the moment he registers it.
"Excuse me?"
"Excused," you laugh, and he lets out a huff at your antics, "But… I really mean it, you know. I've been thinking about it since you spoke to me after we found Lahabrea."
Ah.
"Aware though I was of the path you had walked, I had no interest in exposing you. I merely wanted to meet you—to travel by your side for a while."
That.
"But you know I can't," and you sound so sad, like you are full of regrets; like there's something in your heart you want to be let out, but you're forcing it down with lock and key so strong it could rival Pandaemonium itself.
Themis knows he can't ask your reasons. They must weigh heavy on you, and he won't add to that burden.
"Then I hope you tell me all about your adventures the next time you return," because you will, won't you?
Something flashes in your eyes, but it's gone way too fast for him to even register it and what you say next distracts him anyways. "Of course! But in exchange, I wish to ask for one favour."
Anything, he wants to say. Instead, he smiles and simply nods. This time there's a sparkle in your eyes that's hard to miss. He's surprised none has found you both yet, with how bright you shine.
"Say my name!"
Themis blinks once, then twice, feeling like he's being made fun of. Is this your way of teasing him back? He's not sure he's following, "Your… name?"
"My name!" you parrot happily. Oh, you're adorable and he almost gives in right then and there, but he's a bit too curious for your reason to do so.
The young man looks at you, not even trying to hide his confusion. Not like he could anyways, you seemed to be able to read him like an open book, "Why?"
You shrug, suddenly looking a bit more bashful, "A simple request, is it not?"
Ah, so you're playing with me, he thinks. Alright, he can play as well.
"As you wish—but only—" Themis raises his finger and points right at your nose, "—if you say mine back."
You don't even give him a second, grabbing his hand in yours and going full force at him with a laugh, "Themis!"
He shakes his head. What a force to be reckoned with. Perhaps one day he'll be able to ignore the butterflies he feels in his stomach when you look at him like that, before they eat him alive. Unfortunately, his name in your voice combined with his hand in yours seems to be making the butterflies even worse, and he barely manages to choke a response out. "Not that one, my star."
Your face falls and your hand's grip tightens on his. He wants to take the request back—anything so he can take away the discomfort, but you shake your head, stopping him before he can open his mouth.
"Elidibus."
His breath hitches.
He'd never heard his name said with so much… emotion. There's regret, there's sadness, longing, grief…
So wistful. His heart aches.
Your eyes don't sparkle anymore, but they're now resolute. Your hand doesn't let go of his, but it tightens its grip even more instead. Your smile comes back, but it's not forced, and doesn't waver when you lightly tug on his hand insistently.
"Mine, now."
He cannot deny you, not when it sounded like his name was your heaviest burden to bear; like a wish whispered to a shooting star you just missed.
Themis leans close to your ear, ignoring your jump of surprise, and whispers a word he's thought of countless times since your arrival, a word that haunts him every day you're gone, a word Erichthonios says in a teasing lilt when they're both alone, a word that makes him smile and think of a long road he wishes to walk; a word he knows he won't ever forget.
Your name, whispered low into your ear so none else in Elpis can hear his longing hidden in every sound.
When he pulls away, still holding onto your hand, Themis takes delight in your flushed state: your face looks red, your eyes are looking everywhere but him and your hand is squeezing his as if you're trying to focus on that feeling instead.
"Did I fulfill your request? Hopefully it was enough."
Themis gets a glare for his little tease. He'll take that; he'd rather you be a little mad instead of… that swirl of emotions you showed when you said his name.
And yet, you surprise him once more.
"Thank you, Themis. I think… I understand something now."
"What is it?"
Your thumb is drawing circles in his palm, it's a feat he's managing to give you his full attention, if he's being honest. You don't seem to realize you're doing it, but he never knows with you. "I think little by little, I'll be able to pour new memories into Elidibus, and one day they will balance each other out…
"When that day comes, I'll be able to say your name properly. Meanwhile, I hope you don't mind that I keep calling you Themis."
You could ask me for the stars above and I would do nothing but my best to deliver them to you, if it meant erasing that weight from Elidibus.
Themis nods. Whatever he'll try to say, he feels it won't be enough, so he simply squeezes your hand back instead.
Perhaps he can take a page from your book as well, he thinks as he follows your gaze across the Lethe, watching the staff of Elpis mill about from one task to the next. Perhaps he'll be able to feel the cool shade of a tree when he thinks of your name, or taste the strange treats you brought him again; perhaps he can borrow your smile as well, when he pictures your face in his mind as he drifts off to sleep and wonders what adventures are you off to this time, or feel that sudden surge of joy when he feels you might be coming back to him.
So many feelings, so many thoughts; all of them in a single word.
He'll treasure them all, so he will never forget all the beautiful things that are in your name.