Chapter Text
In life Achilles held nothing but contempt for the gods. Maybe he had worshiped them or even liked them but towards the end, he held nothing but rage for them. In death he didn’t feel rage, merely indifference though he would give them the respect their titles deserved. But to actively worship one once more? He didn’t think it was possible
But after he was reunited with Patroclus he told him about everyone in the House, telling him stories or anecdotes about them all as well as his thoughts and feelings on them. And in the fashion of Patroclus, he quickly grew a knowing look to his eye, silently saying he knew something before Achilles was even aware it was there. At first he thought maybe it was how much fondness he held for Zagreus. He thought of him as a son, even if he dare not say that near the House for fear of inciting Hades' wrath. But that wasn’t it, though Patroclus did quite proudly say how he and Achilles where Zagreus parents now and the lad would do nothing to change that
No, Patroclus had put Achilles head in his lap and explained how he was talking about his feelings for a certain Sleep God. That Achilles always had a new story or thoughts on Hypnos each time he came to the glade to visit Patroclus on his breaks or day/night off. Once Patroclus made Achilles realize it, Achilles of course apologized but Patroclus merely laughed. Said he was glad Achilles had someone to love in the House so he could have company in both places
Though Patroclus WAS a little jealous as he wanted to see Hypnos for himself and hear him laugh. Achilles liked Hypnos' laugh and smile most of all. His laugh was so bright and cheery, his smile full of light and happiness. It was hard for Achilles to look at him and not feel happy, no matter how ‘broody’ he was moments before his eyes landed on the forever sleepy god. One day he would love to be able to bring Hypnos here and introduce them, he knew Patroclus would love Hypnos just as much.
He stalled for a little while, unsure of how to bring the topic up, and even more unsure of what Hypnos thought of him. The two didn’t interact very often anyway and in the past, whenever Achilles did try and strike up a conversation, Hypnos had left, saying he had to do this or that. Achilles had a feeling that Nyx was using some influence to tell her son to stop evading his work. Achilles knew it couldn’t be easy for Hypnos to do two jobs at once, especially since his domain affected so many mortals every day/night.
Achilles decided that before he would confess, he would try and help Hypnos out, to try and ease his burden, attending to the line and doing all that parchment work couldn’t be easy on one person, even if they were a god. He just hoped Patroclus accepted the idea of him going to Hades and asking him if Patroclus could be Hypnos assistant. He entered the glade and barely had time to sit down beside his love when Patroclus looked up at him and spoke
“You have something on your mind, my love”
Achilles couldn’t help but to chuckle, giving Patroclus a fond smile as he sat next to him, holding his hand softly
“It should scare me with how easily you can read me, but yes, I do have something on my mind. I have an idea, and I want to see what your thoughts are”
Patroclus rose a brow as he rubbed his hand with his thumb soothingly, silently telling him to go on
“I miss you, I get tired of waiting for my breaks and days off to come see you. And Hypnos can’t keep doing a job that is realistically meant for two or three people just on his own. I’d like to go to Lord Hades and ask him about appointing you as Hypnos’ assistant, so we can work together, come here for our breaks, and days off, and finally be together always. You’ll see Zagreus much more often this way as well”
Achilles watched Patroclus face, waiting for him to outright refuse it as he had feared he would but Patroclus just hummed in thought and stroked his beard
“What would I be doing as his assistant?”
“I believe you would most likely be going through his backlog of parchments so souls who have been waiting eons in Erebus may finally get an audience with Lord Hades and be properly placed. And going over the current list when Hypnos inevitably falls asleep. But this way we can see each other, you can see Hypnos for yourself, and Hypnos gets the help he desperately deserves and needs. What do you think, my darling?”
Patroclus leaned back and closed his eyes as he thought, Achilles watching with slight impatience. He thought for so long that Achilles had the feeling that he was only taking this long to mess with Achilles. And the way his lip just barely quirked when Patroclus opened his eyes said that yes, he was
“I would be honored to be Lord Hypnos' assistant. And I look forward to seeing you more as well. When you return to that dreadful House, be sure to speak to Hades right away”
Achilles chuckled and brought him into a kiss to spend the rest of their time in bliss. When returning to the House after his break, Achilles went to Hades' desk, glad that Hypnos seemed to be off somewhere else. Achilles wanted this to be a sort of surprise for Hypnos. He cleared his throat to get Hades' attention, standing straighter when Hades finally turned his stony eyes towards him
“My Lord Hades, if I may, I have an idea that may help Lord Hypnos with the procession line as well as make it work smoother and more efficiently. If I may?”
Hades raised a brow but said nothing, silently allowing Achilles to continue. It gave Achilles a little hope since he wasn’t yelling at Achilles to basically fuck off
“Well, my Lord, it seems that the job you have given to Lord Hypnos would realistically require two or three people, even if a God was the one doing it. My idea would be to get Lord Hypnos an assistant to work on the backlog of lists so those souls will finally be brought to the procession line while Lord Hypnos worked on the present one. And to work on the present list when Lord Hypnos has nodded off to tend to the mortals in his domain”
Hades leaned back and stroked his beard in thought. Achilles must have caught him in a good mood if even the suggestion that someone else besides Hades himself knew how to improve the House wasn’t immediately pissing him off
“I must admit, I’m a bit embarrassed that a mere shade has come up with a sufficient solution to Hypnos’ under- failings when I could not. Very well, I shall find a suitable shade to help Hypnos right away so Hypnos may train him”
“Um, if I may once more, my Lord?”
Hades rose another brow but was still in his good mood so he waved his hand
“I was speaking with Patroclus whilst on my break and he would be more than willing to be Lord Hypnos’ assistant. He would have more patience than the regular shades that come through the House, nor would he be shaken by things he sees or reads on the list. I hope I do not sound to disrespectful when I say this but if you where to hire regular shades, I believe you will quickly see that Patroclus is the only suitable assistant”
Hades stared at him hard, probably trying to instill fear into him again for so blatantly questioning a decision Hades made. If Achilles were human, he may have fainted on the spot
‘Fear is for the weak. Fear is for the weak. Fear is for the weak’
“Fine, we will do it your way. Bring Patroclus here and tell Hypnos about all this. I must be getting to the Temple Styx soon so I cannot do it myself. But know this, shade; if your precious Patroclus makes one disastrous mistake, just one, I will send him back to Elysium where he, quite frankly, doesn’t belong. Do we have an understanding?”
“Yes, my Lord”
Instead of answering, Hades disappeared in smoke and fog. Achilles felt his shoulders slump in relief and excitement when not only his suggestion was accepted but that Hades was allowing Patroclus to be the assistant! Not wanting to waste time, he quickly disappeared back to Elysium