Chapter Text
Your boyfriend was... odd, to say the least.
He would be on business trips for days on end, doing god knows what. He claimed his job was being a sort of messenger, but wouldn't elaborate on it further, nor would he tell you who exactly he worked for. It was strange yes, but you hadn’t thought about it any deeper than that. Your boyfriend was odd, after all.
He always wore a hat, always. It didn’t matter if it was day or night, hot or freezing, he wouldn’t ever take it off, no matter what. You had always figured he may be balding and was embarrassed or something along those lines.
One day, however, you almost accidentally knocked it off. He looked panicked, way too panicked. It was an overreaction, yes, but your boyfriend was odd, after all.
Then, there was the matter of his family. He always brought them up in conversation, but also refused to tell you about them, let alone introduce you.
It was always; 'My brother would hate that, I'm giving him five', 'I'll be home late, I need to bring my sister this dress she's been waiting for' or 'father has been pestering me about finishing this thing'.
If you asked for their names, however, it was always 'who cares, more importantly...' and he would quickly change the subject.
It was odd, but so was your boyfriend after all. You knew that going into this relationship, so what gave you the right to question that?
You had never been in a relationship before, which is why you thought this was normal. People in a couple need their own privacy, you shouldn’t expect him to tell you everything.
Those thoughts all came to a halt this spring. An old friend had been visiting. You two hadn’t seen each other in a long time. You moved to the other side of the country a few years ago.
She wasn’t attracted to the bustling city, instead her heart laid at home in her parents’ old store. And so, she stayed behind. Even so, she seemed to be a lot more experienced on every front.
"Those are red flags," she had told you almost immediately. "You may be his girlfriend but you're not in his life. Then, you have to ask yourself; who is?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" You had asked, afraid of her answer.
"He's keeping a secret, and I wouldn't be surprised if that secret has two kids and a ring on her finger."
You were sitting in the living room of your apartment, waiting. Looking over the side of the couch, your eyes focused on the front door, until you heard his keys, at which you quickly turned away. Your hands fidgeted in your lap, and you nervously bit your lip.
"Love~ guess who's here!" He had practically danced his way into your apartment. "And I brought your favourite." He held up two bags of take-out.
He sat them down on the table. Quickly he grabbed utensils out of the kitchen drawer, shutting it again with a swing of his hips.
"Work has been so dull lately, all I could think about was getting back to you." He plopped all the contents of the bags down on one giant plate. "But now I'm all yours for the whole weekend! So, why don't we watch that show of yours and lay back."
He sat down next to you, cradling the plate in his lap, and held out a set of utensils for you. You didn’t even look at them, let alone grab them. “You’ve been so quiet.” He pulled your lip out from between your teeth. “And your lip is busted now. What’s wrong, love?”
"I met up with a friend," you started.
"And...? Did something happen?"
"She pointed out that... that this isn't normal. That you don't keep someone you love in the dark on your whole life." Your voice started shaking. "And I, I feel like I don't even know who you are! For all I know your name might not even be Hamish Cylenne!" Small tears started building up in the corner of your eyes.
"Love." He put the food down on the coffee table and moved his hand to cup your cheek. "I'm sorry you've been feeling that way. What can I do to make you feel better? I could try to get more time off work."
You pulled away from him. "I want you to tell me who you are!"
His smile fell. "Y/n, that's not-"
"Then there won't be a relationship anymore."
It felt like you had just poured ice cold water on him. "Let's think about this more rational-”
"I AM THINKING RATIONAL!" Before you could continue, however, his phone went off.
He pulled it out of his pocket, the word Father clearly lighting up on the screen. "I'm sorry love, but I have to go." He leaned down to give you a kiss on the head. "We'll talk about this when I get back."
'Hamish' was about to leave, his hand on the doorknob when you yelled, "leave and I won't be here waiting for you when you get back."
"Y/n-" thunder struck outside, scaring the both of you. You hadn't even realised it was storming- "I promise, I'll explain everything once I'm back. I love you!”
The door closed behind him before you could even object. Heavy tears streamed down your eyes, onto your favourite shirt. You wouldn't let yourself waste much time crying. Taking this opportunity, you quickly packed your bags before he came back.
Even though you had spent much more time in here, 'Hamish' owned the apartment. He had bought it long before you two had even decided to live together. Even so, it had been practically bare when you moved in, like you two only had only gotten it the day before.
Everything that made this place a home was yours. Perhaps, that was another of his red flags. With your bags in tow, you left, not letting yourself look back.
It had long been dark by the time you arrived, making the old train station look like it had been ripped straight out of a horror movie. It was small, only one train came through this station, and barely anyone got on and off. The lights flickered and the wind made the building creak.
Walking out, you were greeted with a familiar sight illuminated by the moonlight. The old town you grew up in looked the same as you remembered, if not a bit older. You walked down the old street to the building at the end.
You parents’ house wasn’t big by any means, quite small actually, but the garden surrounding it was impressive. Although, as your parents grew older, the garden had become neglected. Nature had reclaimed the property, growing wild and tall.
You walked over the cracked walkway. As you approached the door, it flew wide open. Your mother rushed out, embracing you in a hug. “Oh, my dear! We have missed you so much!”
Your father walked out behind her. “Don’t suffocate her.”
“Hi, mom, dad. I have missed you two too.” You had, you really had, but it was difficult to show, instead sadness laced your voice. “But I’m really tired, we can catch up tomorrow.”
“Right!” Your mother took your back from you. “Let me carry this. Your corner is still set up the same way. Your siblings aren’t coming home any time soon, so you have to whole bedroom for yourself.” She continued to ramble on all the way, but you didn’t really listen, instead just nodding along.
Hermes rushed up the complex’s stairs, through the hallway, and came to a stop in front of apartment two-five-three.
He slammed open the door. “Y/N! I’m back!” Not seeing you in the living room, he made his way to your bedroom. “I am sorry love! But I have time to talk now!”
He didn't find you in the bedroom either. That's when he looked around more carefully; your stuff was gone. Not all of it, of course. That would be too much to drag with you in so little time, but it was the most important stuff:
Your college degree, your favourite pictures, your favourite clothes, your coffee mug, your make-up, your stuffed animals, your pillow which you always threw at him when he was teasing you. It was gone, all gone.
You had left him, actually left him, just like you had promised.
"Leave and I won't be here waiting for you when you get back."
Your words echoed through his brain, reminding him that this was his fault. You had told him what would happen, and he left anyway.
He picked up one of your old hoodies. It was obvious why you had left it behind. The colours had faded, and the fabric had been decorated with small holes and stains.
Still, he held it up to his nose. Your smell attacked him almost immediately, and he greeted it with open arms.
He laid on the bed, hugging the fabric tight against himself. His finger hovered over your name on his phone, with a bit of hesitation he tapped it.
Call denied
Call denied
He had figured this would happen.
You
My love
I'm sorry, please come back
Father really needed me
I promise we can talk
Love?
Call denied
I love you
Please, let me explain myself
This user has blocked you
"Fuck."
He put the phone down. His grip became tighter and his eyes slightly watery. As he moved, his hat fell off, revealing two beautiful white wings. With his feet, he tugged up his trousers revealing two more on each heel. They fluttered as tears started to form. Before they could fall, however, he moved the wings in front of his eyes.
It felt comforting to him. It always assured him that no one could see him cry.
His phone pinged but it wasn't you. It couldn't be. It pinged again, and again. Then it started ringing. He didn't bother to look who it was, because it wasn't you, so it couldn’t have been important.
Hermes had stayed in that position for three days straight, didn’t even move an inch. He didn’t eat, not even any ambrosia, didn’t drink and didn’t bath. He ignored all the sounds coming from his phone, all the thunder outside the window. He just laid there.
It should have felt strange; the god of travel and speed suddenly being still and unmovable, but it didn’t. Like this was what he was meant to do.
The smell on your hoodie had long faded, but he still held it tight. His mind raced with memories upon memories of you.
"When father told me you have been laying completely still for three days straight, I figured you must have tricked him to get out of your duties." A voice interrupted his thoughts. "But you really are just ignoring your duties to sulk."
He lifted his head, suddenly moving again made him feel a bit lightheaded. "What are you doing here Dionysus?"
"Wow, no witty banter or snarky grin?" When he didn't get anything in return he continued, "well, who do you send to deliver a message when it is for the messenger god?" Hermes looked at him, unconvinced. "I lost in drawing straws."
"I'm busy." He lowered his head again. "Tell father I won't be doing shit for a while."
"You do look very busy." The other god sat down on the bed. "Hugging that dirty hoodie all day long must cost you a lot of energy." He materialised a bottle of wine out of thin air and held it out to his brother. "Want to talk over a drink?"
Hermes hesitated. "Fuck it." He grabbed the bottle, popped it open with a flick of his finger and immediately brought it to his lips. "She left. She took the most meaningful stuff in her life and left me behind."
"Her?" Dionysus materialised another bottle for himself. "Are you talking about that mortal you've been obsessing over? And here I though Apollo was the dramatic one."
"She's different." He sat up straight. "I've had lovers before yes, but I had never truly loved them. Just liked the idea of getting in bed with them."
"Then, why aren't you going after her?"
"I don't know where she is." Hermes admitted. "I didn't cast any favours on her. I didn’t want other mythos creatures noticing her."
"So, you just gave up?" Dionysus took a big gulp of his wine. "All those years ago, you raised me in secret, you thought me trickery, reason and to never give up. Look at you now."
The other man glared but quickly softened. "I know what you're trying to do, and it's working." He floated of the bed, stretching out his limbs. "I take it you have a plan little brother? Or did you wind me up without any thought of reason?"
"If there is anyone who can find her, it's Athena." He stood up, making both bottles disappear again. "You would need to get her to help you though."
Hermes picked up his hat, planting it on his head before flying over to the window. "Tell father I will be out of the game for a little while. Although, I don't think I will be missed with you around."
"This is the last time I will play messenger for him."
He laughed before flying off and disappearing between the clouds.
You had been home for three days, and every day, your heart started to feel heavier and heavier.
On the first day, you had cried your eyes out in your mother's arm, telling her everything. How much you both hated and loved 'Hamish'.
You had recounted the first time you had met him.
It had been a chilly August day. It was your first year at college and had just moved away to the big city. You still had to find your way around.
So, it was no wonder you had made a wrong turn and now needed to rush yourself to get to the bus on time.
As you were running through the busy street, not paying any attention to your surroundings, you ran straight into someone. Stumbling back onto the ground, your eyes landed on a handsome young man.
His brown hair came to his shoulders and looked healthy and luscious. His jaw was refined, and when he smiled, you noticed the cute gap between his front teeth. You could not see his eyes though; they were blocked by a pair of dark sunglasses.
"I am so sorry sir!" You quickly apologised. "Are you alright?"
"I am fine, darling." He helped you back up. "You didn't hurt yourself, right?" He looked over you, not noticing any signs of hurt.
In the corner of your eye, you noticed a vehicle driving past. "Shit! There goes my bus."
"Where did you need to rush so fast to?"
"[Name] college. I'm definitely going to be late now, though." You shook your head.
"I could give you a lift if you want?" He offered. "I'm driving past there anyway, might as well."
Was it a good idea to get into a car with a stranger you just met? Of course not. "Uhm... you know what? Sure!"
"Alright, my car is parked right around the corner."
He led the way while you followed a few steps behind. "I am Y/n, by the way!"
"He- Hamish, it's a pleasure meeting you."
Yeah, your parents scolded you heavily for that one.
On the second day, you decided to finally make yourself productive. Not only to help your parents out, but also to keep your mind distracted. So, you threw yourself at the garden.
You had started with pulling out the weeds between the flowerbeds in front of the house, before planting stunning crocus flowers in them. You had always liked their stunning, vibrant colour.
Next you worked on cleaning up the walkway. There was no way for you to restore the cracked stone, but you felt like you didn't need to. It gave the place a very cottage feel to it.
Lastly, you cut down the tall grass surrounding your home, making it so you could finally see something through the first-floor windows again.
On the third day you had started rebuilding the vegetable garden at the side of the property.
You had thrown the rotten fruits and veggies into the composter before working on the overgrown plants themselves, trimming them down and freshening them up.
It was around midday, when a shadow fell over you, which was strange. The sun shone heavily against your neck just a few seconds ago.
"Love." His voice travelled through the air. "Can we talk?"
You turned around. 'Hamish' was standing behind you, hat still on. "I don't have anything left to say to you." You turned back and started pulling the weeds out from between the tomato plants.
Hamish sat down next to you. "Then just listen. I-"
"Stop, I don't want to hear you either." You glared at him. "Actually, I don't want to see you at all!"
"How long?"
You looked at him, baffled. "What?"
"For how long do you not want to see me?"
You couldn’t believe this man was being serious. "W-well, at least not for a year!" You stuttered.
"Alright." Hamish stood up again and walked off.
You tried to put your focus back on the garden, but tot was difficult. Instead, you kept wondering; was he really coming back in a year? Surely by then he would have moved on.