Chapter Text
Hermes sits in the rocking chair in Ares’ living room, listening as he clatters around the kitchen making tea. There’s no need for Ares to ask how he takes his tea, or what kinds are his favorite. Soft music is playing from an old radio, something Hermes doesn’t bother with identifying.
When Hermes’ phone starts buzzing incessantly the ritual is finally broken.
He almost drops his phone.
Charon💜: Mom’s dead
Charon💜: She left me the twins
Charon💜: I’m getting in the car to go get them right now
Hermes: holy shit, do you need me to come home?
Ares sets the tea cups down on the coffee table, hovering in front of Hermes with eyes full of concern. The silence stretches for a moment before Hermes looks up. He stares at Ares with wide eyes, “Are you ready to be an Uncle?”
“I thought you were gay?” Ares blanches.
Hermes swallows around everything suddenly happening, “No, no, I am! Charon’s, er, well.”
“Charon’s pregnant? Damn, he passes well.”
“No! He got left his brothers. He’s headed to pick them up right now.”
That makes Ares pause, watching Hermes carefully. “Did something happen to Nyx?” All Hermes does is nod, back to watching his phone for a response, ready to bolt at any minute. “If either of you need help with them, I am here at any time of day, whenever. Just call, ok?” He takes the blue and orange mug in hand, the one filled with chai, and carefully hands it to Hermes, who all but mindlessly accepts it.
The tea is warm and grounding, just as it always has been. Hermes knows Charon is driving and won’t respond until at least he reaches wherever the twins currently are, probably faster than he legally should. Ares is humming a song from when they were little, sitting on the floor beside Hermes. It’s a bit out of tune, same as always. Hermes takes another sip and works on slowing his breathing to something not so dizzying. If he were with anyone else he’d be apologizing for ruining brunch for something entirely out of his control.
Ares cuts off the song, “We should probably start the food now, just in case you have to bolt.” His older brother is pushing himself up off the floor and offering a hand to him. When Hermes is up, Ares wraps him in a hug, warm and grounding like chai. He melts into the hug, shaking and unsure of if he’s crying. Ares’ voice rumbles in his chest, “It is ok to be scared.”
“D’ya think we could do eggs and toast today, instead of whatever you had planned?” Hermes asks as he pulls himself from familliar arms.
Ares smiles gently down at him, “Of course,” and takes him by the hand to walk into the kitchen. Hermes sits himself up on the counter and watches as Ares digs around for everything he needs.
Charon💜: Finish brunch, I’ll let you know when we’re headed home
Charon💜: This is going to take awhile, so you can come home then
Hermes: got it boss!! take care of you too don’t forget
Brunch is a foggy mess, Hermes doesn’t entirely know what’s happening the whole time. Just that by the time he gets the text telling him the three are headed home he’s no longer hungry. He’s throwing on his jacket and trying to leave without tying his shoes. Ares stills his rush and kneels down to tie his shoes with hands familiar with the action. He stands up and pulls Hermes into another hug, whispering reassurances and promises to be there whenever needed.
When Hermes had come home after a summer out on the road Ares had pulled him into a hug and pressed into the bruises on his ribs. It had ached like nothing else as for once Ares sobbed into his hair instead of the other way around, begging him to let him always be there for him. Pleading to never be left to wonder if he was hurting and alone ever again. They’d sunk to the floor together, rocking back and forth, right there in the doorway of that damned house. Ares had pulled back, tears still streaming down his face, and ran his fingers through Hermes’ hair while eyes raked over his face. “I love you so much,” his voice declared with all the confidence of a man who’s never known something to be truer.
Charon’s car wasn’t in the driveway when Hermes pulled in so he sat in his idling car for a moment trying to remember how to breathe. Is this house too small for all four of them? Neither he or Charon wanted a family of their own, so they hadn’t thought to buy space for one. They’ll make it work, they will. He’s making his way to the front door now, pushing inside and turning lights on. On the wall beside the doorway is a picture from every single date they’ve ever had. And on the wall behind the couch are a few photos of when Nyx allowed the two of them to take the twins somewhere for the day, always museums. Is this house 8 year old proof? What do they have lying about that could hurt them?
There’s not nearly enough warning to make this space good enough for the twins. Not when the front door is opening and heavy air is suffocating everyone in the apartment. Hermes turns around and there’s Charon in the hallway like always, silent and tall, but in front of them are the twins looking around at a place they’ve never been. The two are holding hands. Thanatos’ chin is held high but his face is blotchy and eyes shiny, and Hypnos watches his feet, holding tight to a stuffed sheep with a white knuckle grip. Suddenly Hermes is drowning in everything he doesn’t know how to do. Lord above, he’s only 23, and never thought he’d have kids. How does one talk to a child going through everything that these two are? Shit, Charon never told him how Nyx died. Did they find her dead or dying? Did they find out from some cop they don’t know?
Hermes sinks to the ground and opens his arms wide, offering a hug on their level. Thanatos presses back into Charon’s legs, hesitance written all over his face. Hypnos, on the other hand, bolts so fast into Hermes’ arms that he almost toppels the two over. Hermes wraps him into a tight hug, using his entire body. He rocks them back and forth humming that song Ares was earlier. Tucking his chin on the kid’s shoulder he looks for Charon’s eyes. He looks scared but trying not to show it, but unfortunately for him his boyfriend knows how to read him. He gestures with his head to the bedroom behind him, the guest one. There’s only one bed right now, but they’ll fix that soon enough.
Charon gets down in front of Thanatos, signing something Hermes can’t see, but guesses was asking if he wants to see their new room based on Thanatos’ little nod and where they’re headed now.
They’ll figure this out, he knows they will.