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It was well known that Charon - in both life and business - was a meticulous man. He was successful in his business ventures, not because of his family name, but because nothing happened within them that wasn’t carefully, scrupulously thought out. And even outside of work - because despite Hypnos’ teasing, he did do things besides work - he liked things to be in order. He knew where every cent in his personal bank account went, he had extensive lists of presents thought out well before any holiday arrived, and he always had some hand in preparing family get-togethers.
All that to say, Charon liked to have a plan.
And this instance was no different.
This plan, when broken down into its essential parts, was incredibly simple. And in the grand scheme of everything, Charon was sure it wasn’t too bad a plan. A rather good one, he might even say - though that didn’t stop him from running over each step in his head, rather obsessively, as he paced back and forth on the expensive wool carpet of his childhood bedroom.
The first step was the easiest - be at the door when Hermes arrived for his mother’s annual New Year's Eve party. Charon’s room allowed him to see each person as they arrived, making it a remarkably straightforward task. And as soon as he saw even a flash of that familiar orange scarf, Charon would be at the door to greet the man wearing it.
The second step was a little harder but still doable - spend as much of the evening with Hermes as possible. Hermes usually stayed by Charon’s side for these gatherings, so it wasn’t too far out there to assume that night would be the same. But on the flip side, the term “social butterfly” was too tame a description for how outgoing his best friend was - so staying close to Hermes the whole evening was out of the question. As such, Charon settled on “as much” of the evening. It felt like a good compromise.
That led nicely into step three - ensure he was sitting by Hermes when the New Year's countdown began. So long as he succeeded in step two, there should be no issue. And even if Hermes wasn’t around as midnight drew near, Charon was sure he could find him, no problem. Perfectly simple.
And then there was the last step. The “problem step,” if Charon were to give it a name - kiss Hermes at the start of the new year.
Charon’s anxious pacing halted abruptly. He pressed a hand against his chest, his heart hammering against his palm at the mere thought of kissing Hermes. He had longed to do so for so many years, practically since they first met. One look at the man - whose smile glowed like a brilliant sunset and whose eyes sparkled like the gold Charon loved to adorn himself with - and he had no choice but to fall. With someone as beautiful and kind and loving as Hermes, it was inevitable.
The issue remained whether Hermes felt the same - and what a tricky question for Charon to pose.
He was sure there had been hints. Little moments that made Charon embarrassingly hopeful that Hermes might hold the same feelings for him. Small touches, soft smiles, tender words - each one gathered and hoarded in Charon’s mind like the most precious of jewels. But then again, Hermes was just... like that. He gave out sweet touches and smiles and words to all those he cared about - because he was, at heart, a kind and loving person. Which very well meant Charon could be seeing something that wasn’t there in the first place.
But, oh, how badly he wanted there to be something. Charon had always been a greedy man, and he desperately wanted Hermes’ love and adoration solely for himself. Like a seedling reaching for the warmth of the sun, he longed for Hermes’ affections.
But the thought of telling Hermes his true feelings was a frightening one. He knew Hermes was not someone to give up on a relationship so easily, but the chances of Charon making their friendship awkward were not small. That fact alone had held him back from telling Hermes how he felt for years - yet, he knew that continuing to conceal his feelings was unfair to himself and Hermes both. Friends as close as them didn’t hide such things from each other.
Having a plan helped the nerves, at least. If he followed the plan-
“Charon?”
Nearly leaping from his skin, Charon turned from staring forlornly out his window to Thanatos standing awkwardly halfway in his room and halfway out in the hall.
“I knocked.” Thanatos clarified, only serving to further Charon’s embarrassment. His brother had been knocking at his door, and he had been so focused on his thoughts of Hermes that he hadn’t even noticed.
”What do you need?” Charon signed, his hands forming the words sharply.
“Mother requested you. She said there has been an issue with the delivery of the drinks.” Thanatos replied. Charon was grateful that, although he looked tempted, his dour brother pushed no further on what Charon had been deliberating about. “I’ll let her know you’re on your way down.” He said, already turning before Charon could stop him. Charon glanced between his open bedroom door and the window, his foot jiggling anxiously on the floor.
Perhaps if he got this done fast enough, there would still be time to meet Hermes when he got there.
Determined to see his plan through, Charon hurried through the large halls of his mother’s gothic mansion, hoping that whatever happened with the drinks would be an easy fix - but, of course, it wouldn’t be. All too quickly, Charon lost himself in a whirlwind of miscommunications and mixed-up dates, setting him on edge for the evening to come.
“I was quite clear on when they were supposed to be delivered.” Nyx told the customer service representative on the other end of the phone. Charon could see she was frustrated, though his mother was never one to let loose those kinds of feelings into the world.
“I don’t know what to tell you, ma’am - we have them as being delivered tomorrow.” The man replied over the grainy speakerphone, all too unnerved by the calm rage of Nyx. Charon felt for him - he remembered being young and wishing his mother would yell. It felt far more tolerable than the steely disappointment in her voice.
“Yes, I gathered.” Nyx replied, her tone cool enough to chill a person to the bone. Charon sat nearby, periodically listening to Nyx’s composed tirade between sending frantic texts to see about getting drinks from elsewhere - nigh impossible on New Year’s Eve. There were favors he could call in, but did he really want to waste those on a silly little get-together? Perhaps they could send Dusa to a nearby store and ransack them of all they had left. Nyx wouldn’t like the idea of cheap, bottom-of-the-shelf booze and generic brand sodas, but it was better than nothing.
“Anything I can help with?” A familiar voice called across the room, immediately sending Charon’s heart into overdrive. He turned to see Hermes standing in the doorway of Nyx’s study, grinning like the sun. Charon nearly melted into his seat at the sight of him, dressed in a nice button-up shirt, slacks, and the ever-present scarf Charon had gifted him a few years before. Even when it didn’t go with the dress code, Charon never saw him without it.
“Thank you, Hermes, but I think we shall manage.” Nyx replied, sending Hermes a tight-lipped smile before returning to calmly berating the representative. Hermes’ eyebrow raised, looking to Charon for an explanation.
He tried to hide how his hands shook while he signed. ”Problems with the drinks. We’re figuring it out.” He explained. ”Thanatos might need help with the decorations.”
“I will go give him my assistance, then! I’m sure Hypnos was also supposed to be helping, but I already saw him napping in the foyer.” Hermes laughed - and despite everything going on, it brought a grin to Charon’s lips. The shorter man was good at that, making Charon forget all about his stresses with just the sound of his laugh. Charon waved as Hermes retreated to find Thanatos, returning to his task with a smile.
So, step one didn’t go quite as planned - but it wasn’t that important to the plan, anyhow. It was fine to be skipped. Once the drink situation was figured out and the party was in full swing, he would get back on track with the plan.
So he thought.
Charon saw Hermes briefly right before the party started - right as the shorter man was running to the bathroom - and then, after that, it was an evening of brief glances and exasperated looks. The party had far more in attendance than usual, making every room on the bottom floor absolutely packed. Charon never found himself lacking in people wanting to catch up with him - and neither did Hermes. Occasionally, their eyes would connect from across the room - pale gray meeting deep, chocolate brown - and they would make silent promises that after this conversation, they would converge.
Only once - very briefly - did they make good on those promises. Charon stepped outside to have a breather from the crowds of bodies and rethink the whole kissing Hermes plan. Steps one and two had, so far, not gone as he might have hoped, and he hated to think what that meant for the rest of them. Sighing deeply, Charon leaned on the ornate iron handrail before him, lighting a cigarette and hoping it would calm his nerves. His plan was falling apart before him, and he didn’t know how to handle it.
Did he put a pause on the rest of it? It seemed like the most logical option, yet Charon found himself hesitating. Something about that night felt important. He didn’t know why or how - but if there was one thing he did know, it was that he couldn’t wait another year to tell Hermes how he felt.
“Crazy party, right boss?” Came Hermes’ voice from behind him, pulling Charon from his thoughts. He was quick to discard his barely smoked cigarette - knowing how it irritated his friend’s lungs - then turned and waved at Hermes, gesturing him over to where Charon was standing. Hermes approached without hesitation, smiling up at Charon, then turned to look out at Nyx’s immaculately decorated garden. They sat in peaceful silence, letting their breaths turn to mist in the cold, nearly January air.
“Seeing as drinks have been set out, I assume that whatever was happening got fixed?” Hermes asked, taking a minute step closer to Charon. Most people probably wouldn’t have noticed - but Charon did. He noticed everything about Hermes. Like the heat of his body as he approached, warming Charon’s shoulder and flushing his cheeks. Feeling bold, he took an equally small step toward his friend, their arms just a hair’s breadth away from brushing.
”Called in a favor.” Charon responded, looking up at the stars. They were so beautiful and bright in the cold winter air - though nothing in the world shone quite as splendidly as the man next to him. In Charon’s eyes, the stars only served as an elegant light source to highlight Hermes’ beauty, with how they sparkled in his dazzling eyes and lit up his soft smile.
“I should have guessed - always the problem-solver you are, boss. Ever thought about taking a day off? Give the rest of us mere mortals a chance to be useful?” Hermes teased, nudging Charon’s ribs with his elbow. Charon laughed, swatting him away, though his heart yearned to grab his arm and pull their bodies together.
”When I’m dead.” He replied. Hermes laughed merrily, holding onto the railing to steady himself so he could lean back on his heels and look up at Charon. Their eyes made contact - and for a few precious moments, it was just him and Hermes in the universe. All he could do was stare and wonder if, instead of waiting, he should just kiss Hermes now. Wouldn’t that be better than in front of all those others? Even if Hermes did want to kiss Charon, maybe he wouldn’t want to do it in front of all those people.
“Charon.” Hermes called his name softly, saying it like it was something precious. Charon’s heart skipped a beat as his best friend took a step closer, still staring deep into Charon’s eyes. “You know- there’s something I’ve been-”
Charon’s phone buzzed, loud and insistent, in his pocket. He was keen to ignore it and urge Hermes on, but after the fifth time it vibrated, he knew it was something urgent. Sighing, Charon shot Hermes an apologetic look and pulled out his phone. There was a series of texts from his mother asking him to fetch Hypnos. He had fallen asleep stretched entirely out on one of the couches in the main drawing room, and others were starting to complain.
”Sorry. I have to go get Hypnos.” He signed, holding his phone out for Hermes to see. The smaller man bit his lip, a flash of conflict passing over his eyes.
“Ah, no worries.” Hermes said finally, smiling - though Charon couldn’t help but notice how tight and superficial it looked.
”We’ll talk right after?” Charon asked, backing up towards the door. Hermes' smile warmed.
“Right after, and not a moment later, my friend!” He called out. Charon grinned and went to fetch his narcoleptic brother.
He should have known that finding Hermes again wouldn’t be that easy, with how the night had gone thus far. Right after putting Hypnos to bed, he went in search of his best friend, only to be unable to find him before someone swept him up in a lengthy conversation about his recent business ventures. Charon knew he was being rude, constantly glancing away, hoping to spot a glimpse of Hermes, but it had also been rude to cut off whatever Hermes had been going to say. And, truthfully, he cared more about being inconsiderate to his friend than one of Nyx’s many uptight business collegues.
Yet, even after being free of his social obligations, Charon still couldn’t find Hermes anywhere - and before he knew it, it was nearly midnight. With only five minutes left, panic began to form an aching pit in his chest. He searched through the throngs of people, each minute passing far too quickly for his liking.
Dejected, he began to think that maybe the universe was trying to tell him something. He already knew Hermes was too good for him, too kind and sweet, and entirely out of his league. Hermes could have anyone - so why would he want Charon? It may be best that none of his plan had worked out.
As the countdown started, Charon stood in the middle of the large entrance hall, surrounded by people yet entirely alone. There might as well have been no one else there, with how loneliness seeped into his bones, making them ache.
“Ten!”
Charon shifted awkwardly, feeling entirely too despondent to act excited about what the coming year held.
“Nine!”
He knew he would tell Hermes his feelings eventually - he would be a horrible friend if he didn’t - but after his wasted efforts of the night, it all seemed so... out of reach.
“Eight!”
“Charon!”
Charon barely heard the panicked shout over all the other voices, but it was there. His heart shot into his throat, fell to his feet, then resumed its usual position pounding at his chest. Even if it was faint, he would know that voice anywhere. His head turned this way and that, frantically searching for his best friend.
“Seven!”
Somehow, over the sea of bodies, clear on the other side of the room, Charon managed to spot Hermes, looking just as frazzled and frantic as Charon felt. His soul lifted, realizing Hermes had also been searching for him.
“Six!”
Charon held up a long arm to get Hermes’ attention. The smaller man’s head whipped toward him-
And when their eyes met, just like that, Charon knew. Knew it as sure as the sun rising in the morning and setting at night.
Hermes felt the same.
“Five!”
Charon could see it in the frantic way he pushed through the crowd, running to Charon like his life depended on it. He could see it in the wide-eyed desperation on his face, unmistakable even from the other side of the room.
Charon’s heart was a beating bell upon his chest as his legs jerked into motion, running to meet Hermes.
“Four!”
There were far too many people. Charon’s large, awkward body shoved through them with some difficulty - but his eyes didn’t leave Hermes’ for even a second. Their gazes said everything they hadn’t for so long, telling of feelings long hidden and thought to be unrequited.
“Three!”
Charon had never felt so exhilarated in his life. His blood pumped through his veins, and his heart pounded in his ears with every step, every molecule of adrenaline pushing him forward.
“Two!”
Only a few feet was left between them, and barely any time to make it that distance.
“One!”
Not wasting one more second, Hermes threw himself into Charon’s waiting arms and crashed their lips together. The kiss was desperate and somewhat violent, but oh, it was perfect. Charon pulled Hermes against his body and kissed him with the desperation of five long years of waiting.
“Happy New Year!”
Cheers and applause sounded around them, but none of it mattered at all. To Charon, it was just background noise to Hermes’ soft, inviting lips. The kiss was messy and wet and hungry, and Charon was sure he might be crying, but he had never been happier. He didn’t want it to ever, ever end - he was sure if it did, it would all slip away and become something of his fondest imaginations.
And yet, even if it did - what a wonderful fantasy.
They both gasped for air when Hermes finally pulled away, staring at each other with wide eyes and heaving chests. For the briefest of moments, self-consciousness wormed its way into Charon’s mind, telling him that he misread the situation, that Hermes hated the kiss, that it was just a spur-of-the-moment decision and meant nothing.
Then Hermes laughed, and Charon’s body relaxed. He grinned, raising his hand to sign, ”I was looking for you.”
“And I was looking for you!” Hermes exclaimed, still giggling. He reached down and grabbed Charon’s hand, giving it three gentle squeezes. The gesture brought a lump to Charon’s throat, finally realizing this was no fantasy. It was real. Charon raised their clasped hands and placed a gentle kiss on each of Hermes’ knuckles, bringing a fetching blush onto the man’s tanned cheeks.
Charon smiled and pulled Hermes’ arm, leading them from the crowds and up to the room that had once been his. They laughed as they ran from the party, high on affection and dizzy with adoration.
Hermes pulled on Charon’s hand as they reached the door, halting the taller man. He turned to face Hermes, who was out of breath from their escape and still beaming like the sun would never set again. “Charon... Gods, I- you know how much I love you, right?” He asked, stepping closer and squeezing Charon’s hand again. Charon shook his head, taking Hermes’ other hand as well. Hermes’ gaze softened, his whole face burning a deep maroon.
“I couldn’t even begin to tell you how much. When we met, I thought you were the most amazing person. And I couldn’t have been more right about something in my life, I tell you.” He said. A deep, satisfying warmth settled in Charon’s chest, his spirit lifting with each word. “And I just- I don’t think I could have gone another year without telling you.”
Charon pulled his hands away. ”I thought the same.” He said. Hermes’s hands clenched and unclenched excitedly in the air as he stared up at Charon with wide-eyed fascination.
“Really?” He asked as if Charon hadn’t just kissed the daylights out of him in front of hundreds of people.
”Really.” He confirmed, one hand settling gently on Hermes’ burning cheek while the other signed, ”I love you.”
Seemingly unable to resist, Hermes clasped Charon’s cheeks and pulled him down, slanting their lips together once more. Charon’s hands slid over Hermes’ shoulders, down his back, and came to rest under his thighs, lifting the shorter man into his arms. Hermes gasped into the kiss; his strong legs immediately wrapped around Charon’s waist. Feeling light as air, Charon smiled and pulled away, spinning them around in circles until Hermes gasped for air from how hard he was giggling.
When Charon came to the stop, there were a few moments of peaceful, lovely silence as the two stared into each other’s eyes. Charon could hardly believe everything that had happened - was it possible that Hermes was his now? Could this really, truly be his new reality? Where he got to love Hermes whenever he pleased, and not just from the shadows?
One look at the gentle adoration of Hermes’ gaze told him yes, it was all real. Hermes was his.
Hermes’ smile turned sly, his legs tightening around Charon’s body. “So, do I have you to myself for the rest of the night? Or do you have some other obligations to attend to?” He asked, wrapping his arms around the back of Charon’s neck and pressing their chests together. “Because there are some things I’ve wanted to do for quite a while that I have been more than patient in waiting for.”
Charon’s knees shook, but before he could respond, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. They both paused, and Charon saw Hermes’ gaze drop in disappointment. The urge to reach for the phone was strong - but the pull of Hermes’ love was even stronger. He smiled and pulled a hand out from under Hermes’ thighs, putting it in his pocket and silencing the phone.
”Yes. I think we’ve waited long enough.” He signed with his free hand. Hermes lit up, lacking no enthusiasm when he leaned in to kiss Charon again. Charon sighed into the kiss, cupping the back of Hermes’ neck and running a thumb against the soft skin there.
Somewhere in the back of his love-addled mind, Charon knew he should be bothered that nothing in his plan had worked out - but with Hermes’ lips on his and his strong legs sliding down to cage around Charon’s hips, it hardly mattered. In fact, it didn’t matter at all. And when Hermes leaned up and whispered something deliciously scandalous in Charon's ear - something about taking him to bed and not letting him leave until morning - he determined that sometimes, things worked out perfectly without a plan.
And as the door of Charon’s bedroom slammed shut behind them, he decided he was completely fine with that.