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Just Like Back Then

Summary:

Hermes loves watching the Hunger Games, but not for the reason you expect.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:

You were in love with Hermes, the Greek god. Even so, you didn't know much about Greek Mythology, or his old homeland in general.

But he would tell you many stories.

"Have I ever told you of Odysseus?" You two were snuggling on the couch. "That man was so clever; he could have rivalled me!"

You were scrolling through Netflix, trying to find a movie to watch. "Did he also have wings?"

"No, none of my lineage has ever inherited my wings, that's because they're not-"

"Your what?" You stilled. "Your lineage?"

"Well, yeah. I was his great grandfather," he explained. "But that doesn't really matter."

You had never really thought about it before, that Hermes had children before. It made sense, he was thousands of years old. It would be unfair to expect him to not have lovers before you, but it still made you uneasy.

Hermes immediately noticed. "We didn't really have birth control back then, so even a one-night stand could result in a child. We did have this one root, but it wasn’t always effective, so you know. This stuff sometimes happens. If this is putting you off of wanting a kid, then you don't need to worry. I would never expect you to give me one, but if you did want to, I would raise it with you! I know I didn't really raise my other kids but that's just what it was like back then. Fathers, well at least those who were gods, weren't really involved with their babies. I mean look at me! I was raised by my mom and not by Zeus. It was also so long ago since I even had children. At least a thousand years and a man- or well god, goes through a lot of character development in that time!"

The more he talked, the more he dug his own grave, and he knew that. So, instead he decided to quickly change the subject.

"Hey, what movie did you want to watch!" He grabbed the remote and started scrolling. "Lord of the Rings, Big Hero 6, Sherlock, maybe It? Spooky whoo! Or, what else is there, Hercules, no wait that's not a good idea. Uhm." He kept on scrolling, not even looking at you anymore. "Maybe- oh."

You put your hand on the remote, stopping him from driving himself mad. "Hermes, it's okay. I understand. It would be ignorant and selfish of me to expect you to have not been with anyone else before me."

He snuggled himself into your neck, his left-wing clasping around you as if it were a necklace. "My love, you are perfect."

You combed your fingers through his hair with a smile. "Now, what movie do you actually want to watch."

Hermes thought for a bit, before putting on the Hunger Games. "My favourite movie franchise."

This caught you off guard. He usually liked dumb 2010's chick flicks, your money was on John Tucker Must Die, but then you realised.

"Right, 'Hamish'!" The fake name he used when you two first met. "You know it's actually spelled H-a-y-m-i-t-c-h, right?"

"I haven't read the books!" He argued. "How was I supposed to know that?"

"Common sense, and why haven't you read the books? Isn't this your favourite franchise?"

"*Movie franchise!" He corrected you. "And I haven't picked up a book since movies became a big thing."

"I don't think that was a smart decision."

"Just watch the movie."

Watching the Hunger Games, you started thinking; why was this Hermes' favourite? Nothing about it was his style at all, except for maybe the capital's clothing style.

As you watched Katniss cut the tree, so the Tracker Jackers would drop on the other contestants, you felt Hermes move. He held his fists clenched and his eyes locked on the screen, as if he was silently cheering for her.

When that one kid threw a spear at Rue, your boyfriend booed him and then cheered again as Katniss shot him. "Get 'em darling!"

At the finale, his body was physically shaking in excitement. As Katniss took the shot, and the arrow flew straight into Cato's hand, he jumped up. "Right in there!"

You swore you had never seen your boyfriend this excited-

For anything non-sexual, you meant.

The end credits rolled, and you started cleaning up the couch and coffee table. "What was up with all that excitement? It was just a movie."

"Oh! I just really like the games!" He explained. "Fighting for that one spot, to become the ultimate victor."

"I think you missed the whole point of the movie," you commented.

"Hey! That movie's actual goal is criticism of everything I stand for: money, capitalism and power." He folded up the blanket and draped it over the couch. "I can enjoy it in whatever way I see fit. Besides, the games remind me of home."

"A game in which participants hunt and kill each other reminds you of home?" You asked, your voice ladened in scepticism.

"Yes! We had these amazing gladiator fights!" Hermes started floating, fake punching the air. "They had to fight for their lives using their strength, wit and smarts."

"Isn't that brutal?"

He immediately noticed the disapproving tone in your voice. He didn't even need to see your face to know you were frowning again.

"Well, yes, but you know that was just what it was like back then. It was an honourable position, and the victors would get glory and stuff like that. And it is not like they were children like in the games! They were trained adults, often men but there were a few women. Not that that is a bad thing, women were really good fighters in there too, strong and fast. Although, if you don't like gladiator fights you might see it as a bad thing. That's-"

"Hermes, breathe." He did as you said.

Notes:

Inspired by this conversation I had on A God and a Mortal

LaneyNoir

All the names in the world and this mf chose Hamish Cylenne. Iconic honestly.

Me

Dude just likes to be a little extra

LaneyNoir

Which is totally valid. But Hamish?? XD

Me

Big Hunger Games fan, it reminds him of the gladiator fights

LaneyNoir

O.o My mind went to john hamish watson but this is so much better.

 

LaneyNoir if you see this, I made it up on the spot

Note 2: this is a one shot, but I have other fics that are in the same universe. I made it a series. Every fic can be read as a stand-alone and you do not need any context for any of them, (all the context you need will be given in the fic) but they can all be read together as one story.

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