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Hypnos hadn’t noticed how long his hair had gotten. He wasn’t aware if it grew over time or if he just willed it longer in his sleep one day or night. But his curly white hair was long now. It went down past his waist, longer than Thanatos’ had been all that time ago. Longer than Hypnos’ had been then too. Not many people realized that Hypnos had cut his hair when his twin did. He couldn't stand having long hair when Thanatos didn’t, it was another thing they had in common gone with the cut of a sword. Thanatos had even smiled when he saw Hypnos after he cut his curls.
But now it had been…well some length of time, Hypnos was never good at keeping track, time always slipping through his fingers like sand, and his hair had been long for a while. Defying gravity on a daily or nightly basis just like the rest of him while he lounged on the chaise that Zagreus had gifted to him.
Thinking of Zagreus made Hypnos sigh and hide his face in his hair, it was very convenient to hide his blushing cheeks or occasionally an inopportune smirk while welcoming shades to the Underworld. He seemed to always blush when he thought of Zagreus with his polite disposition and his snarky replies to Hypnos’ equally snarky jibes and advice.
As if the Fates could hear his thoughts, really Hypnos wouldn’t put it past his sisters being able to do so, the thick blood-water of the Styx started bubbling. Moments later Zagreus breached the surface with a gasp and a flip of his hair out of his eyes. In no time, he dashed over to Hypnos and tripped over a fold in the rug where it was caught under the foot of Hypnos' chaise causing him to sprawl into Hypnos.
Hypnos let out a squeak at the impact and then started laughing as Zagreus got his footing back. Hypnos could feel a wet sensation and realized that in his haste, Zagreus didn’t dry off from the Styx so Hypnos was now streaked with blood-water where he broke Zagreus’ fall.
Zagreus pulled away and stood up straight, running his hand on the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Apologies, guess I should watch where I’m walking, well dashing.”
“It’s okay,” Hypnos said with a laugh, “I guess those boons from the Olympians make up for your lack of coordination, huh?”
Zagreus groaned and hung his head. He looked back up at Hypnos, “Your wit really cuts to the quick,” Zagreus said in mock offense, complete with a dramatic hand over his heart.
“Gotta keep you on your flaming toes,” Hypnos giggled.
Zagreus smiled back and then squinted. “I made a mess of your hair, I’m sorry. Guess I need to get some more gems so I can finally commission that towel rack from the House Contractor.”
“It’s okay,” Hypnos started to say just as Zagreus blurted out, “I could wash it for you if you’d like.” A statement, not a question of if Hypnos wanted him to, but a statement that he was willing to, was offering to.
Hypnos felt goosebumps on his skin as he thought about how nice it would feel to have Zagreus’ hands in his hair. To have Zagreus’ touch in a way that was different from their occasional cuddling. Without hesitation, Hypnos replied with an enthusiastic yes.
“Alright then,” Zagreus said with a soft smile. “Let me get Achilles to cover for you while you take a break then. I’ll be right back.”
“Okay,” Hypnos answered. His body was thrumming with excitement or nerves, he wasn’t sure which. He realized he was clutching his quill and parchment way too tightly. He floated off the chaise and laid the items down just in time for Zagreus to come back over, Achilles on his heels ready to cover for Hypnos.
“Thank you, sir,” Zagreus said to Achilles.
“It’s no trouble, lad,” Achilles replied and waved them away.
Zagreus grabbed Hypnos’ hand and Hypnos relished the warmth of the hand clasping his own.
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Hypnos was led to one of the less used bathing rooms in the House, but he supposed it was the one Zagreus used most often as it was closest to his chambers. The room was warm and humid as they entered, steam rolling off the surface of the water in the hottest pools.
“Here we are,” Zagreus said as he let go of Hypnos’ hand and closed the door behind them.
Hypnos was no longer nervous and just happy to spend time with Zagreus. He couldn’t wait to feel Zagreus’ hands in his hair and maybe even on his skin. Hypnos didn’t much enjoy sexual intimacy, but he adored being touched in most other ways. Sex was theoretically appealing to him, like sometimes witnessing the sexual dreams that many mortals had, but he didn’t desire participating in such acts. He knew that Zagreus did enjoy sex and had multiple sexual partners, but Hypnos didn’t mind. He was glad Zagreus was able to enjoy himself that way with others and in a non-sexual way with Hypnos.
Zagreus was seated on a stone bench near one of the pools, he patted the empty spot next to him for Hypnos to come join him. Hypnos floated over, he had planned to walk, but his feet didn’t seem to want to touch the ground. He vanished his quilted cloak to the ether so that the humidity wouldn’t dampen it. The fact that he could have just vanished the blood-water from his hair and clothes without bathing had occurred to him and if it had occurred to Zagreus, he didn’t say anything.
With his cloak gone Hypnos shivered a little despite the warmth of the room before he acclimated to it. Hypnos sat down on the bench, several inches of space between his and Zagreus’s thighs. Zagreus had started to shed his greaves and bracers while they sat. He placed them in a haphazard stack, but at least pushed them under the bench with his foot where they wouldn’t be tripped over.
“Already learned your lesson from tripping on the rug?” Hypnos asked, he couldn’t help himself.
Zagreus’ cheeks colored a deeper red than they had already been from the steam. “Perhaps.”
Hypnos just giggled and followed Zagreus example, taking off his own more ornamental greaves and various arm and leg bands; he knew some didn’t but he hated the feel of them on his skin while wet. He slid his own far neater pile of adornments under the bench. As he sat up, Hypnos was met with the sight of Zagreus standing next to the bench and shedding first his belt, placed on the seat of the bench, and then his chiton and leggings which he left as a heap of fabric on the ground. Hypnos watched a now naked Zagreus unwind the ribbons from his hands and wrists, his eyes following as the ribbons slithered out of Zagreus’ hand.
Hypnos removed his gorget from around his neck as he watched Zagreus delicately take his laurels off and gently place them on the bench seat next to his belt. Hypnos stood, well floated as his feet had a mind of their own, not quite wanting to touch down. He unclasped his own belt and tossed it onto the bench. He raised his hands to pull his sleep mask off of the top of his head only for it to tug on his hair when he tried.
“Zag?” Hypnos asked, “Can you, um, help?”
Zagreus came over. “What’s the matter?”
“My sleep mask, it’s um well stuck. In my hair. Could you untie it for me?” Hypnos asked with a laugh at the end.
“Of course,” Zagreus said.
Hypnos dropped his hands and left the sleep mask where it lay on the top of his head so it wasn't in the way of the ties tangled in his curls. He grabbed the length of his hair and put it over the front of his shoulder so it was out of Zagreus’ way.
Zagreus placed a hand on Hypnos’ bared shoulder as he stepped closer behind Hypnos to get a better look. Hypnos shivered with joy at the skin on skin contact, brief as it was with Zagreus moving his hand to use them both to untie the sleep mask strings.
“It’s really stuck in there. Don’t know how you managed it.”
“I think my hair has a mind of its own,” Hypnos replied. He barely felt any tugging as Zagreus unknotted the ties and gently untangled his hair strand by strand. For all his brashness and brutal fighting abilities Zagreus could be extremely gentle. Hypnos knew it already, but it reminded him just how comfortable he felt with the other god.
“There we go,” Zagreus said when he was all done. He held the sleep mask out to Hypnos by one of the ties, his arm over Hypnos’ shoulder so it was within his reach.
“Thanks,” Hypnos said as he took his sleep mask from Zagreus’ hand.
“No problem. I’m going to grab the soaps and oils while you finish undressing.”
“Works for me,” Hypnos said cheerfully.
Hypnos laid his sleep mask down on the bench seat between his own belt and Zagreus’ things. He smiled to himself, he liked seeing their very recognizable adornments laid out next to each other. His soft sleep mask and Zagreus’ burning laurels.
Hypnos finally unpinned his chiton and let the soft, well-worn fabric slide off of his body. He had no issue with being naked or being naked around others. He enjoyed being free from all of his clothing and constricting adornments; it was much more comfortable sleeping naked. But he abruptly realized that there in the bathing chamber was the first time Zagreus would see him truly naked.
Sure they cuddled in bed and didn’t wear all their clothes and adornment when they did so, but Hypnos never stripped down further than his long chiton. Although that train of thought made Hypnos realize just how much he wanted to cuddle with Zagreus while they were both naked. Hypnos desperately hoped that Zagreus would let him cuddle next to him in the pool, or at least sit near enough to touch.
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Hypnos watched Zagreus slip into the pool, letting out a groan of pleasure as his body met the warm water. “Come on,” Zagreus beckoned, “the water feels great, I know you’ll like it. I could see you shivering before.”
“Coming,” Hypnos said with lack of anything witty to say instead. He had an inkling that Zagreus knew he hadn’t been shivering purely from being cold. Hypnos managed to make his feet touch the ground and walked over with the barest whisper of his soles on the warm tiles.
Hypnos stopped by the side of the recessed pool where Zagreus was lounging, the water to his chest with his eyes closed, arms stretched out across the tiles. He peeked open an eye and tilted his head back further to look up at Hypnos where he stood near the edge. “Fancy meeting you here,” Zagreus said in that teasingly fond way of his. “It’s not everyday that a gorgeous god like yourself joins me here.”
“Flattery will get you,” Hypnos paused for dramatic effect, “everywhere.” He laughed before he continued. “It’s not everyday I get called gorgeous.”
“Guess I’ll need to remedy that then. And I already met today’s quota. Now are you going to join me in here?”
“Alright already,” Hypnos said as he dipped a toe into the water before sliding his whole body into the pool. The warm water was a balm to any chill he thought he had. He instantly felt warm and cozy, groaning at the sensation. It wasn’t even the hottest pool in the bathing chamber and Hypnos already felt like he was melting in the best way.
Hypnos sank down so that the water reached his chin, scooching closer to Zagreus who was watching him with soft, but keen eyes. Hypnos looked up at Zagreus as he moved even closer, his hair floating behind him as he glided through the water.
Hypnos finally came up to the edge of the pool right next to Zagreus and placed his crossed arms on the edge next to Zagreus’ arm. He leaned his cheek on his folded arms and looked at Zagreus sideways. “Hi,” he said with a giggle.
“Hi,” Zagreus said in return with a smile. He moved his hand and placed it on the crown of Hypnos head where his hair was still mostly dry and fluffy. Hypnos sighed as Zagreus carded his fingers through his hair, closing his eyes in pleasure. He surprised himself when he let out a whimper as a shiver went down his spine when Zagreus’ fingers rubbed against his head wing.
“Sorry,” mumbled Zagreus as he attempted to move his hand away from Hypnos’ wing, but Hypnos grabbed his wrist to keep his hand in place. “No,” Hypnos almost whined. “Please, don’t stop. Just more.”
“Alright,” Zagreus said gently, resuming his rubbing as Hypnos let go of his wrist to enjoy the sensations, wing twitching in pleasure again. “I didn’t realize your wing was that sensitive.”
“It is, but no one really touches it all that much anymore, I didn’t realize how much I missed it,” Hypnos said, his voice slightly slurred by how relaxed he was becoming.
“I can see how much you like it, so why don’t I wash your hair before you completely fall asleep on me.”
“But you like when I sleep on you,” Hypnos replied without even opening his eyes.
Zagreus chuckled. “Well, you’re right about that. But I’d rather have you sleep on me in my bed after I’ve washed your lovely hair.”
“You really think it’s lovely?” Hypnos asked incredulously.
“I really do. It seems I haven’t said it often enough if you’re that shocked.”
“Um, I guess. Maybe you could say it more often, then?” Hypnos implored. “Shouldn’t have you bottling up your thoughts.”
“We shouldn’t should we. Then let me tell you that you are beautiful, with your hair tumbling down your back or floating in the air around you.”
“You’re gonna make me blush,” Hypnos said as he moved away to face Zagreus.
“I think I already have,” Zagreus said, running his thumb along Hypnos’ cheek bone where his flush must have been visible on his skin. Hypnos' mouth fell open in a sigh as he leaned his cheek into the palm of Zagreus’ hand. He really did love the feel of Zagreus’s hands on him. It also made him realize that they really needed to up their cuddling time if Hypnos was feeling this starved for Zagreus’ touch.
“Why don’t you wet your hair fully and I can get to washing it for you,” Zagreus suggested, trailing his hand down the side of Hypnos’ face and neck until he dropped it into the water.
Hypnos acquiesced by sinking into the water until he was fully submerged, letting the water cradle him as he ran his hands through his curls to make sure the water had fully saturated them where they were thickest. He surfaced a few moments later with his hair plastered to his head, his wet bangs in his face, spitting a stream of water out of his mouth because he thought it would make Zagreus laugh.
“You look just like one of the fountains,” Zagreus said. “Perhaps I should commission the House Contractor to install a fountain that looks like you.”
“Hah,” Hypnos laughed out loud, “Maybe I could pose for it. Oh gods, what do you think Than would say? Can you make this happen just so I can see Than’s face when he sees it?”
“I mean, if you really want me to,” Zagreus said.
“Hmm, I’ll think about it.”
“Good. Now come over here so I can wash your hair. We can use one of the benches.” Zagreus said as he hauled himself out of the pool with the strength of his arms, water sluicing down his body. With his eyes, Hypnos followed the trail of the water droplets down Zagreus’ broad back and strong thighs.
“Let me grab the soaps and a pitcher,” Zagreus said once he was standing outside of the pool, looking down at Hypnos.
“Why can’t we just do it here?” Hypnos asked a bit petulantly as he leaned backwards to float on his back in the water.
“There isn’t really a ledge to sit on,” Zagreus said from the other side of the room as he grabbed the soap and water pitcher.
“Oh, I have an idea,” Hypnos said, clapping his hands together as he sat back up in the water, as if cradled by it.
“I’m all ears,” Zagreus said with an indulgent smile as he walked back over and set the items down by the pool.
“Well, okay, so I can just float like this,” Hypnos said, indicating the way he was sitting with his legs crossed in the water, as if seated on an invisible chair. “And you can sit on the edge, with your feet in the water.”
“That should work. I hadn’t realized you could float like that, but I suppose I should have,” Zagreus said with a tilt of his head. He then sat down on the edge of the pool, sticking his feet in the water, kicking them back and forth while he waited for Hypnos to take his place in front of him.
Hypnos made his way over, pushing his hair behind him as he sat in front of Zagreus, between his flaming feet. While floating, Hypnos’ head was level with Zagreus’ chest and he thought about how it would be nice to just lean back against him.
“Come this way a little bit,” Zagreus said as he nudged Hypnos a little closer in one direction with one of his feet.
Zagreus lathered the soap in his hands and started scrubbing Hypnos’ hair, massaging his scalp as he worked the soap into the thick white curls. Hypnos’ eyes fluttered shut as he pressed his head up into the pressure of Zagreus' fingers. They were firm yet gentle as Zagreus made sure not to snag any curls. Hypnos wondered if Zagreus’ head was tilted to the side in concentration, he could just picture it.
Hypnos let out occasional sighs and groans as Zagreus methodically washed his hair, spending more time massaging his scalp than was probably necessary.
“You’re really good at this,” Hypnos remarked as Zagreus made his way down the length of Hypnos’ long hair.
“Meg’s let me wash her hair a few times before so it’s not my first time washing long hair. Although yours is much thicker and curlier so I don’t want to accidentally pull on any curls.”
Hypnos couldn’t think of anything witty to say in response, he was enjoying the process too much and becoming sleepy again. He floated a little higher so that Zagreus could reach the ends of his hair to soap it up and then floated back down so it trailed in the water and Zagreus could reach the top of his head to pour water over the rest of his hair.
Zagreus placed a hand on Hypnos’ forehead to protect his eyes from the soap. Hypnos squeezed his eyes shut tighter anyway as Zagreus poured a few pitchers full of water over his head, rinsing his hair and plastering it to his skull in the process.
Hypnos heard the clink of the pitcher on the tiles as Zagreus set it down. He felt Zagreus’ warm breath as he leaned forward to comb his fingers through Hypnos wet hair. He squeezed some of the excess water out of it and draped it over Hypnos’ shoulder as Hypnos had done earlier when it was dry. Hypnos twirled some strands around his fingers enjoying the felt of his soft, sleek locks.
He heard Zagreus let out a quiet gasp behind him and it took his foggy brain a moment to realize it probably meant that Zagreus could now see the scar that ran down Hypnos’ back with his long hair or clothes no longer covering it. Hypnos tensed slightly as Zagres ran gentle fingers along Hypnos’ shoulders and down his back, following the path of the scar only touching the smooth skin near it and not the scar tissue itself.
Hypnos relaxed slightly as Zagreus lightly squeezed his shoulder before leaving his warm palm there.
“You can touch it,” Hypnos heard himself say. “I mean if you wanna, it doesn't hurt. It hardly feels like anything actually.”
“You’re sure?” Zagreus asked in a soft, concerned voice. Hypnos could only imagine the concerned furrow in his brow as he asked.
“Totally. It was a really long time ago, Zag.”
“Doesn’t mean you don’t still feel anything about it.”
Hypnos shrugged his shoulders. “It is what it is. I think about it sometimes, but at least being the god of sleep means I don’t really have nightmares about it.” He laughed a little self-deprecatingly.
Zagreus leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss to the part of the scar near Hypnos’ pronounced spine. Hypnos then found himself dragged backwards into Zagreus’ arms, at least as much as possible with Zagreus sitting on the edge of the pool and Hypnos floating half in and on the water in front of him. Zagreus wrapped his arms around Hypnos’ shoulders and tucked his feet against Hypnos’ flanks in the water. Hypnos brought his wet hands up to clutch at Zagreus’ forearms and leaned his cheek against them. It was the warmest and most relaxed he had felt in a long time.
“C’mon,” Zagreus said, “let’s get you out of here. We can go to my chambers and you can sleep on top of me for as long as you want.”
“Are you sure about that, Zag? That might be a really long time.”
“It’s a good thing we have eternity then,” Zagreus said as he released Hypnos from his hold, pulled his legs out of the water and stood up at the pool’s edge. Hypnos was about to follow suit when Zagreus leaned down and lifted him up out of the water, one arm supporting his back, the other under his knees.
“Heh, yeah, good thing,” Hypnos agreed.
“You know,” Zagreus said as he carried Hypnos over to the bench where they left their clothes, “Than’s hair has been looking a bit longer too.”
“Really!?” Hypnos exclaimed excitedly, kicking his feet and squeezing his arms tighter around Zagreus’ neck. “You think he’d let me brush it if I ask?”
“We can use Mort to summon him later if you want to find out.”
“Sounds like a plan to me. But first you promised me a nap.”
“I did, didn’t I,” Zagreus said with a smile. “Let’s go tuck you in then.”