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The sky was melting into oranges and reds, the sun falling lower and lower past the horizon. You were on your way home, exhausted to the bone. The thought of respite, some t.v., and your fuzzy companion was the only thing keeping you going. Your shoulders relax as you pull up to your house, pulling the keys out and locking your car up as you exit. You shamble into your home, slotting the keys into the lock and opening the door. Finally. Home.
Your brain is barely processing anything as you shrug off your jacket, throwing it in the same spot you always do. But then you heard something. Something strange. You pause, trying to listen further. It was a shuffling noise, barely there. You scan the living room, nothing seems too out of place…except you don’t remember your blanket being thrown on the couch like that, nor did you remember that bowl being on the table.
Were you just being paranoid? It could’ve been your cat that messed with your blanket, and perhaps you forgot to put the bowl away. But then there it was again, that shuffling noise, then a small clatter. Your heart is racing now, like it’s about to burst from your ribcage. You try rationalizing it. It’s probably just your cat. What else could it be? You try to calm yourself.
“Jinx?” You call timidly, your nerves still on edge. Then, you see your little fuzzy friend run into the living room, her green eyes looking up at you with love and affection. You kneel down to her level as she trots up to you, rubbing her body against you any way she can. “Hi love,” You coo, scratching her cheeks and head in exactly the way she likes it. “Was that you making those noises?”
Just as your heart finally settles, as your shoulders relax once more and you come to the conclusion that your cat was being silly…you hear it. Well…hear and see it.
A man comes out, his strut bold and his head held high. He wore an ancient looking helmet that had wings where his ears were hidden. It rested on top of bronze curls that cascaded down his neck. Bright eyes fell onto your figure, and he wore a tunic type of clothing, something that seemed straight out of some history book and did not cover enough (not in the cold weather at least). And to top it all off, he wore sandals that wound up his calf, and wings by the ankle. You stared at him, blinked, and backed up towards your front door, ready to run for your life.
“Wait–” The man who was on the other side of your room in one second, was directly in front of you the next. You gasped out loud, backing up and hitting the door. “Let me explain–” You could barely hear what he was saying, your heart was beating so erratically it was all you could hear. Your eyes darted all around, trying to find an escape, or even to create some space. You could barely comprehend the fact that he crossed multiple feet within seconds.
“How the hell did you get in my house!” You shout, darting past a small gap the man left and creating space (but also getting farther from your best exit).
“I…I’m not sure,” The man replies, hands lifted up in a placating gesture. “I was trying to get to Mt. Olympus to deliver the final letter to Zeus, but something must’ve gone awry when I travelled between worlds.”
You blink once, then twice, staring at the man dumbfoundedly. Was he really pretending to be Hermes? Did he really think you were that gullible and a fool? Of course you weren’t. This was a strange man, perhaps not mentally well, and your life was potentially in danger.
“You’re claiming to be Hermes…” You trail off, pulling your phone out and getting ready to dial the emergency number. “The ancient Greek god that no one’s believed in for over a thousand years.”
“Ancient Greece?” He questioned, eyebrows furrowed. “Last I checked it was still around.”
“Yeah,” You nod. “But that mythos was from ancient times. People don’t really believe in Zeus, Hermes, or that whole pantheon anymore.”
It seems that you may have caused the man an existential crisis, his eyebrows furrowed as he took in the information. So, you tried to placate him, and hopefully get him as far from your home as possible.
“I mean, I really used to be into Greek mythology, it’s cool, I get that,” Your smile was strained. “But those figures were just made to explain unknown phenomena, and to make sure kids listened to their parents.”
“What year is it?” He asked, eyes flitting across your living room, like it just clicked why your home was so strange compared to what he knew.
“2026,” You answered, glancing down at your phone.
“How…” He trailed off, looking shaken to his core. “How have I managed to travel to such a time? It…it shouldn’t be possible.”
“Hey,” Now it is you raising your hands up in a placating manner, the roles having reversed. You can tell that he is being genuine, his confusion and fear real. “How about we both relax, I can make some tea, or coffee, or get some water.”
The house is silent beside the kettle boiling water. Your cat, Jinx, stares up at you curiously from under the kitchen table. The man had scared you so much that you hadn’t realized she ran and hid in the scuffle. The man was currently sitting on your couch, and while your house wasn’t big by any means, he was currently hidden from your sight by a wall.
Your fingers drummed upon the countertop as you whispered to your cat, “Do you think he really is the god Hermes?” Now that you’ve had time to let your heart settle and think over everything, you couldn’t explain how he moved so quickly, and you were sure it wasn’t your fear addled brain mushing the details. Jinx merely blinked at you, watching you intensely as the kettle beeped, the water was ready. You steeped some lotus chamomile tea, hopefully it will settle both of your nerves, and poured two cups.
As you reentered your living room, the man was pacing, head bowed, one hand resting on his chin in thought. You watched wearily, placing a cup on the coffee table closest to him, and sitting in the loveseat farthest away from him. You watched him pace for a few seconds more, eyeing his garb. It was so strange and well made. The cloth looked regal in a simple way, like the cloth alone cost more than all you had combined. Then you saw it, a wing on his helm, had twitched like it was alive. You stared more, refusing to pull your eyes away, and it twitched again, like his helm was itching to fly.
This…this was a god, but not just any god. The ancient Greek god Hermes, the god of messages, mischief, theft, and those who have no home. And he was in your living room. Lost.
You felt a headache threatening you.
It was already late, the sun had long dipped past the horizon and the moon did its best to shine through your windows that were covered by curtains. You felt the adrenalin wear off, and your eyes threatened to shut for the night as you sipped the naturally sweet tea you made. Hermes, on the other hand, was not content, anxiety thrumming through his veins as he thought about how far he will fall behind with his deliveries, how his world may fall apart without him being the thread to hold the precarious world of mortals and gods together. It was not something he had felt before, not this strongly at least. He was a god, someone who was always in control, with more power than people may realize, but now…he was lost. Lost in a strange future where he was an old god that was no longer worshipped, only spoken of for the history of an ancient civilization. Lost in a world with strange objects he had never seen before.
For once, Hermes was out of his depth.
“The tea’s getting cold,” You spoke up, eyeing his untouched mug. He finally turned towards you, his pacing paused. With hesitation, Hermes picked up the mug, sniffing the flowery aromantic tea before taking a sip. With a sigh, he finally sat on your couch, holding the mug like a lifeline. It was silent for a few minutes, the both of you sipping at tea and thinking of what to say next. You swear you’ve been thrusted straight into a fanfiction. You were having tea with an ancient god in your living room. You couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped you, short and breathy. Hermes watched on, confusion laced within his gaze.
“I’m having tea with Hermes,” You comment, your fried brain finding it absolutely hilarious. You laughed a bit more, trying to smother your chuckles beneath your hand, but it was no use. Hermes couldn’t help to join in, pitying chuckles falling past his lips. The tension seemed to ease, and the mugs eventually emptied.
“I don’t have a spare bedroom,” You break the silence, getting up from the comfortable chair. “But you can have the couch. I’ll go get you some blankets, and see if I have any clothes you can use for pajamas.” The god didn’t seem to have any objections, too weary from such strange circumstances. The rest of the night went by quickly. You had found some sweatpants you don’t even recall having, and somehow being the perfect size for Hermes, and a large shirt. He didn’t seem to be too stoked at clothing he’s probably never seen nor worn before, but he put them on without much gripe.
The next day, you were half sure that it was all a dream your sleep addled brain had conjured up. Yet, to your surprise, Hermes stood entranced in your kitchen, poking and prodding at all the strange gadgets you had.
“Good morning,” You yawned, portioning out enough coffee for two people and starting a pot. Hermes watched as you hit the buttons, wonder filling his eyes as the machine started to heat up water.
“Mornin’,” Hermes mumbled back, eyes falling back onto you. “What exactly did you just do?”
“Started the coffee,” You reply, pointing at the pot that was slowly filling with a dark brown liquid.
These questions continued throughout the morning. You explained the toaster, the stove, the fridge, the sink. It made you realize how easy technology had made things. It was strange to have someone hovering over your shoulder, watching you do the most mundane tasks with curiosity, and it was also strange to cook for two. As you wait for the eggs to cook, Jinx runs up to you, meowing like a madwoman and scratching at a welcoming mat you kept just for her. It seemed that Hermes’ next goal was to befriend your furry companion, reaching out only for her to run towards you. He continued startling her, while her hunger for the wet can you poured in a small dish became the most important thing in her world.
“You have to let her come to you,” You comment, bewildered that there was a pouting god in your kitchen. “She’s not the biggest fan of strangers, it’ll take a while before she lets you pet her.”
“Is she not charmed by my beguiling smile?” He asked, arms crossing over his chest.
You simply raised an eyebrow, a smile tugging at your lips, “She’s a cat.”
“You’d be surprised how many people, and animals, I have managed to charm my way out of.” You shake your head, turning back to the stove and splitting the eggs between two plates.
“Does this mean that all those stories are true?” You ask, Hermes following behind you as you make your way to the living room.
“Which ones?” Hermes asks, settling onto the couch like he owns the place.
“All those myths. The greek gods, pegesus, Hercules, the minotaur. Is it all true? Is it exaggerated?” You clarify, sitting on the portion of the couch Hermes doesn’t take up.
“Of course it’s all true,” He guffaws. “Some of it may be exaggerated, but it all stems from somewhere.” You eye him with doubt, he’s still wearing the pajamas you offered him, his curls still look nearly perfect despite sleeping on your couch, and you hate to admit that he does look like those chiseled marble statues.
“You’re telling me that a minotaur existed at one point in time,” You deadpan, not fully believing him. “I’m still wondering if you’re a hallucination from not getting enough sleep.”
Hermes laughs joyously at your comment, “Of course he did. Poor Pasiphaë, cursed by Posidon because her husband failed the gods. Let’s just say Apollo was not happy with him after that whole debacle.”
Your jaw dropped, “That’s insane! Why is it always women suffering for the faults of men? Boo, tomato tomato.” You made a throwing gesture at the end. Hermes once again looked confused.
“Tomato?”
“I’m throwing tomatoes,” You explained, a smile taking over you again. The god laughed, head tilted back.
“Don’t let the other gods hear you say such things,” Hermes smiled back. “They don’t take kindly to any insult, even the mundane ones.”
You glanced at your phone out of habit, and you felt your stomach drop as you read the time.
“Shit,” You stood up, taking your plate and rushing to the kitchen.
“What is the matter, mortal?” Hermes asks, already standing behind you, his plate already in your sink.
“I’m gonna be late for work,” You explain, already halfway to your bedroom. Thankfully, he does not follow you into your room. You quickly throw on some clothes that are suitable for your job, and gather important things such as your keys and wallet.
“I’ll be back in seven hours,” You state, checking the time once more. “Try not to break anything and please stay out of my room. See ya.”
Was trusting a god of mischief and thievery to your home the smartest move? No, but there wasn’t much you could do when the bureaucratic overlords deemed anyone that showed up a minute late as a replaceable cog in the work machine. Though focusing on your work was a bit of a struggle, it’s not every day that one has a god waiting at home. Well, so you thought…until a strange hawk sat on a branch just outside. You stared at it, your work begging you to get done, but the hawk seemed to be watching you, its head turned and bright yellow eyes on you. You would’ve thought you were making things up, why would a wild animal be watching you? But as you stood up to get something, its beady eyes followed you until you were out of sight.
Shaking your head, you decide to just focus on your lunch break. You had been working nonstop for four hours and your stomach was rumbling. That was until you remembered that you didn’t pack a lunch. Debating if you should get some food or just suffer, the sound of a window opening makes you pause, your head turning towards the noise. Quietly, you step towards your office door, peaking through the small window. There it was, your single sad window that faced another building, a giant tree the only thing breaking the constant brick and concrete views of the city. And it was open. Nothing else seemed amiss, your desk was the same organized mess as always, the filing cabinet closed, and your computer still in sleep mode.
Suddenly, someone pops into your vision, causing you to let out a scream and trip backwards. A small ‘oof’ escapes you as you fall on your tailbone, laughter sounding throughout the hallway. You put a hand to your rapidly beating heart as Hermes opens the door, his laughter dying down.
“You should’ve seen your face,” He chuckled, wiping away a fake tear. “Ah, that will never get old.”
“What are you doing here?” You question with a huff. “I thought I left you at my place.”
“It was boring,” He shrugged, leaning against the doorway. “I was curious what people do for work, I must say, I am thoroughly confused. You have been staring at a rectangle for the past four hours, whatever could you be doing?”
“Well,” You reply, grasping the hand Hermes offers and pulls you up with a strength that causes you to trip straight into his arms. Your heart stutters for a completely different reason, but you do your best to brush off the encounter, taking a few steps back and continuing your sentence. “I was just going to have lunch. I get fifteen minutes of pure free time, baby.”
“Only fifteen minutes?” Hermes asks, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “That is nowhere near enough time for a feast, let alone a snack.”
“You make due,” You shrug, grabbing your keys and heading out the office. “Since you’re here with me, why don’t we expose you to the worst food you’ll ever have?”
“Why would I want that?” Hermes questions, nose scrunched.
“‘Cus it’s fast and cheap,” You reply smoothly.
The car ride was humorous. Y’know those memes about showing a Victorian child something outlandish? This was exactly that, but with an even older god. Complete wonder overtook his features when he sat in the passenger seat, opening the glovebox, the center console. The radio was his absolute favorite, going between radio stations, listening with intent at the music and radio shows that played.
“Apollo would riot at some of these songs,” Hermes snickered, observant eyes always trailing back to you.
“There are so many songs I would love to get his reaction to,” You grinned, glancing at Hermes before looking back at the road, pulling into the drive thru of the nearest fast food restaurant. You quickly ordered, not wanting the god (who was still wearing the clothes you lent him) to get any funny ideas. Just like you said, the food was cheap and came out fast. Hermes peaked into the grease stained bag as you drove back to the office building. The carbonated, syrupy drinks also caused him great confusion.
“Just what is this stuff?” Hermes asks, pulling out a single fry and sniffing it.
“That, my good sir, is called a french fry.”
“That answers nothing.”
You rolled your eyes, and answered properly this time, “It’s a potato that was cut thinly and deep fried.”
“I still don’t know any of those words,” Hermes replies, raising an eyebrow.
“You don’t know what a potato is?” You asked incredulously, sending him a disbelieving stare.
“Should I?”
You let out a huff as you parked your car once more, and hurrying Hermes along as you grabbed all the food.
“I shall open you up to the wonderful world of potatoes and greasy food that will kill you faster than the stress of living,” You joke, bumping his shoulder with your own and sitting in your office.
“Will this be what finally takes down the mighty Hermes?” He jokes with you, taking the seat across from you. “Believe me, many have tried, I’m sure mortal food will be the least of my problems here.”
A mischievous grin tugs at your lips, “I wouldn’t be too sure, wing boy.”
Hermes spluttered, “Wing boy? You dare call a god ‘wing boy’?”
“Just eat your food,” You roll your eyes at his dramatics, taking a bite of your own fries.
“I won’t forget your transgressions,” Hermes mutters before he cautiously takes his own bite. Many emotions flash across his face at once. Confusion, awe, distaste, confusion part two, and finally acceptance. “I have eaten fruits plucked from Mt. Olympus, meats of creatures you cannot even imagine, and I have never consumed food such as this ‘fast food’.”
“Oh yeah,” You shake your head with a satisfied grin. “I don’t think you can dip any lower than this.”
“It tastes good, yet terrible at the same time. How do you even accomplish such a feat?” Hermes continues to ponder, eyeing the greasy, slightly squished food that lay before him.
“Humans will always find a way,” You shrugged, continuing to eat your meal.
Fifteen minutes come and go quicker than you realize. In fact, you didn’t realize your break had long ended until you began to show Hermes how computers work and you caught the time. It has been an hour and a half since you started your break and now you only had a little over an hour left of your shift.
“Ah, shit,” You cursed, pulling up your spreadsheets and data you needed to input. “You wanted to see the jobs of the future, here ya go.”
“What…even is this?” Hermes questions, pulling his chair closer to you. “It is just lines and numbers.”
“Yup,” You grumble, already starting to get back into the flow. “I’m given raw data and put it into a nice to read sheet and graphs for other people to present.”
“How…facisnating…” Hermes did not sound enthused. It didn’t take long for him to get bored. Ten minutes in and his leg was bouncing and his eyes were flittering across your office. You had a small frame of your cat next to your computer, and your desk was cluttered with loose pieces of paper and things he has learned are called pens and pencils. Your jacket was precariously thrown on the back of your chair, your trash can sat near the door and suddenly, he was curious about the rest of the building. Before you could blink he was out of sight, and who did he think you were? A babysitter of the divine? Of course not, he can do whatever he wants so long as it doesn't involve you.
Four pm hits and you sign out of your computer in a flourish. As you pack your things you can’t help but wonder where Hermes may have gone. You walk around the office building, waving at coworkers as they pass, everyone more than excited to leave. Finally, you managed to find the curly haired god in the middle of a small group of people. It seems he has caught them in an outlandish tale—you can only hope that he isn’t giving away who he truly is.
“Arkas,” You call out, the name sounding vaguely familiar, something you read about Hermes at some point when you were younger. Your gut feeling seemed to be right as it caused him to perk up, a dazzling smile sent your way.
“I’m afraid the fun is over, perhaps we can talk another time about when I made it to the top of Mount Everest." Hermes nods, making his way towards you.
“You were atop Mount Everest?” You asked, falling in step with him.
“It wasn’t called that at that time, but I learn quick,” He winked, holding the door open for you.
Time seemed to go quicker with Hermes in your life. No longer were the monotonous days of going to work, typing in numbers and coding graphs, then going home and deciding what you should sustain yourself off of. Now you had a hectic god that made even the most mundane tasks wondrous. Cleaning dishes? He was amazed that water came to your house on command. Clothes shopping? It was hilarious as Hermes tried on as many clothes as possible, even the most hideous garments. You looked forward to what every moment may bring. He had filled a lonely part of you that you didn’t even know existed.
You would bring him out and show him different scenes that even you normally wouldn’t go to, like bars, karaoke, and clubs. Hermes was having a blast. At first he was apprehensive, the thought of failing his duties weighed heavily on his heart, but as you guided him through this complete foreign world, he couldn’t help but let loose. He was no longer a god constantly on the run, he was just another man, living amongst fellow men. It was strange, to have a taste of a mortal life. Something no god can truly experience. Even now, Hermes could run so fast he disappears, morph into an animal to disguise himself, but he did that less and less often, unless it was to follow you somewhere he was not allowed (he loved to watch you present, though he could only due so as a hawk looking through a window).
The one thing any Greek myth should tell you, is that once you grow complacent, everything goes to tartarus. Just as a routine befell you both, months of living around the other, inside jokes, knowing smiles, and eyes filled with feelings that wished to burst free, a portal opened in your living room. It blocked your t.v., where you both were watching the Five Nights at Freddy’s movie, a generational monument you had claimed. Hermes was laying in the corner of the couch, arm wrapped around your shoulder as you leaned against him with a bowl of popcorn in your lap, Jinx laying by your feet.
A booming voice rang through the brilliant, glowing portal, “Hermes, you have abandoned your duties for far too long. Come back, or else.”
You sat up, eyes falling onto the beautiful man next to you. You had nearly forgotten that he wasn’t just anyone. He was a god, with duties that had fallen out of time. He was never going to stay, he didn’t belong in your world, no matter how much he fit in.
The god looked torn, eyes widened in shock, many emotions held within. His gaze fell on you, mouth opening and closing. His stomach twisted and he felt sick, it was cruel for his father to make such a demand, but he had been overstepping his duties for far too long, and he was afraid that his father would take it out on you. He stood from the couch, his legs felt like jelly as he couldn’t look away from the hurt clear in your expression.
“I’ll find my way back…” He tried to reason, his hands clenching by his sides.
“Don’t lie,” You shook your head. Trying to be strong, you smiled painfully. “I’m glad for the time we shared together, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Even though it was scary to find a strange god in my house.” A pained laugh escaped him, and he kneeled in front of you, holding your hands to his forehead, almost like a prayer.
“Thank you,” He muttered, squeezing your hands. “You have changed me in ways that I didn’t know was possible. Taught me things that no one will believe. You will always live inside my heart, I promise you that, my dearest.”
It was like he grabbed your heart and squeezed as hard as he could, tears threatened to fall from your eyes and you found it hard to continue looking at him.
“Go,” You choked, your throat tightening at the weight of the moment. “Before I do something stupid.”
“I wouldn’t mind,” Hermes joked, eyes wet. Was he really going to cry over you? Was it wrong that the thought comforted you? That you weren’t the only one in pain over this.
“I…” He trailed off, standing up slowly. “Thank you, really.” With that, he took one last look at you before entering the portal, which flashed a bright light before disappearing.
It was hard. Trying to get back into a routine that didn’t feel like a hollow void filled your heart. Jinx would lay by you more often, sensing the emotional decay you were currently feeling. It didn’t help that nearly everything reminded you of him. How he didn’t like coffee, but always wanted to make you a pot so he could use the machine. How he’d always steal your hoodies and pretend like he didn’t know where they were. In fact, even now you wouldn’t be able to find sweaters you swore you owned (you wondered if he took them with him). The couch was too big when it was just you, and you found yourself sitting in the loveseat more often than nought.
Oh, and work was absolutely awful. He had managed to liven it up so much, even your coworkers would ask where he went, until they saw the bags under your eyes and the distant look that haunted your features, and they figured it was a rough break up. The numbers blurred together, and you’d catch yourself looking out the window, only to be met with songbirds and squirrels. You tried to get out more, to move on. You were foolish to think it would last forever, to forget who he truly was and what he represented. Who he was to this world.
Nothing felt the same though. No matter how much your heart grew distant, how many people you tried to relight your heart with, to forget. But once months turned to years, your heart finally settled. Jinx would steal your attention, and it warmed your heart at how much she loved you, cared for you even when you struggled to be a great owner. Work was still a blur, but going out with your coworkers seemed less of a distraction and more endearing. Listening to Max ramble about his newest project, and how Dave was terrible at his job and nitpicked the smallest thing. Jessica swooned over every word, and you couldn’t help but cringe at the possible office romance (everyone knows when those end, they end poorly).
Things were finally looking up. While the god will always hold a piece of your heart, you knew you couldn’t let this hold you down for the rest of your life.
It’s funny, isn’t it? That your world will always turn upside the second you make peace? Just as you accept everything that has happened, that your futures have separate endings, the fates decide to have one more laugh at you.
The sky is dark, even though it’s only noon, rain pelting the hood of your car as you gather as many of your groceries as possible. You glanced at the house, calculating how fast you’d have to run to not get soaked, but you did a double take as a light shown through the window of your house. Your stomach dropped. Then, the door opened, and the god you never thought you would see again ran to your car door.
A torrent of emotions overtook you as he yanked the car door open. Grief, anger, relief, hurt, love, happiness…so much swirled through you, and it was hard to think as Hermes swept you into a bone crushing hug. The familiar scent of lemons and honey washed over you, and you felt your composure crack. It was like tearing open a healing wound, and you weren’t sure if it felt good or if it hurt. Tears mingled in the rain, you couldn’t tell if it was his tears or yours. His arms kept you close as he buried his face in the crook of your neck.
“Hermes,” You choked, the rain nearly drowning you out. His grip only tightened, pulling you so close that it felt like he was trying to merge you both together.
“I missed you,” He whispered, his voice sending chills down your spine. The water was starting to soak through your jacket, but you found it hard to care.
“How…” You pause. “Why?”
“I couldn’t…I couldn’t live knowing what I left behind,” He explained, pulling away just enough to meet your eyes. “I felt like I had been cursed, cursed to continue on like you hadn’t radicalized my entire world, like you hadn’t shown me a reality where I wasn’t feared or cherished as a god, but loved as a man, a mortal. And to go back to my old life? It was tormenting.”
“But…I thought you couldn’t stay?” You asked, eyes searching his own.
“I was such a miserable mess, my siblings convinced father to let me go,” Hermes replied, his thumb tracing patterns into your hip. “He declared that I was no longer worthy of the title of god, and that I had brought disgrace upon the family, to wish to be with a mortal forever. Apparently that had crossed a line too far.”
“What an idiot,” You huffed, and thunder crackled in the distance. He looked up at the sky wearily before he grabbed your bags of food and ushered you inside. You were soaked to the bone, and you couldn’t stop shivering, which led Hermes to fuss over you. Bringing you towards your bathroom and starting to run hot water.
“So you’re staying?” You asked so softly it was nearly drowned out, but the god still heard you. “You’re really choosing this over being a god?”
“I have lived as a god for a millennia, I have traveled the world and held power for so long,” He spoke somberly, finally deeming the water warm enough and filling your bath. “You had given me a taste of something I had never experienced before. I had always watched the lives of mortals, their impossibly short life span and all the do before I carried them to tartarus. Yet actually living it was what finally opened my eyes. I understand now, why mortals live, why they wake up another day despite the end always being the same.”
Turning the faucet off, Hermes began to inch his way towards the exit, “Now warm yourself up, I’ll bring you clean clothes.”
“You’re staying…” It was less of a question and more a revelation. Hermes watched you with fond eyes, approaching you and leaving a gentle kiss to the crown of your head.
“Warm up, we can talk more once you’re not shivering to death.”
You discarded your clothes when the door closed. Your brain was struggling to keep up with the situation. He had come back. He had given up his divinity…for you. To live a life with you, to live in a world that he was not familiar with, but has learned to love.
The warm water embraced your body, softening knots you didn’t even know existed behind your shoulder blades. Once the shock and disbelief finally wore off, giddiness soon spread throughout you. He was back! He was staying! He had hugged and kissed you like you were something precious to him. You were precious to him. When the water started to cool, you pulled yourself out of the water, drained the tub and dried yourself off. You thought that Hermes may have forgotten to bring you your clothes (a nagging in the back of your head was doubting the fact that Hermes was even here, that you had finally lost it). Your fears were quickly diminished as a pile of clothes were stacked in front of the door.
You quickly change, not wanting to spend any more time away from the one that has been driving you mad. He stood in the kitchen, masterfully using the equipment to make some meals that were common during his time (and they always tasted divine…pun intended). You approached his figure, and he sent you a soft smile. It was so warm and fond that it nearly sent you into a tizzy all over again.
“Did you have a good bath, dearest?” Hermes asked, the vegetables cooking in a white wine. It was strange. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but you always thought that was lovesick drivel…perhaps there was more truth to that saying than you thought. You both had fallen back into a routine so distant yet familiar, one that was stronger than before, less abashed to show fondness for the other.
“You’re staying,” You reply, your smile nearly blinding the man who stood next to you.
“I’m staying,” He echoed, putting an arm around your figure and keeping you close. It seems you really weren’t the only one that longed to be close. You wrapped your arms around his waist, holding him close and resting your head on his chest.
“Does this mean you’ve actually lost your powers?” You question, pulling away enough to look at his face. “That you…”
“I will live by your side, and die by your side,” Hermes admits, eyes tracing your features. “I will grow old with you, and hold you closely till the end.” His thumb traces your cheekbone as he takes you in. “My only wish is that you do not tire of me.”
“I could never,” You shook your head, nuzzling further into his touch. “If anything, that should be my fear. You’re always described as moving from one place to the next, never staying in one spot for too long. Won’t you grow tired of me?”
“Of course not,” He scoffs, looking you in the eyes with determination. “I wish to take you across the world, visit sights that have dulled with all my travels and reveal them in a new light. One that only you can bring to my life.”
“If you keep buttering me up like that I fear I may do something I regret,” You warn, your traitorous eyes falling down to his lips.
“I’m betting on it,” Hermes whispers back, face inching closer to yours. “And I hope you don’t regret it.”
A short laugh escaped you, and he looked particularly smug, which made you want to wipe that look off his face. So, you do the unthinkable (aka what you couldn’t stop thinking about since you both became close), and close the gap between you. It starts out hesitant, your lips barely touching the other, until the desperation of years of yearning and distance takes over. Hermes tilts your head just so, giving him the best angle to kiss you passionately. You find yourself lost in his touches, his kisses, his pants as he goes back in for just a few more seconds. Your body feels like it’s molten in the best of ways, every touch is like a jolt of electricity and all your brain can comprehend is him.
…Then the fire alarm blares, causing you both to jump apart, Jinx quickly scrambling to your room in respite from the loud noise. Smoke then fills your nose and you point to the veggies that are starting to burn in the pan, shouting incomprehensibly as Hermes quickly pulls it off the stove and under the faucet. You both break out into laughter, your hearts warm and gooey with love.
“Are you trying to burn my house down?” You smile, showing that you weren’t angry at all.
“I can’t help that there’s a beautiful distraction right in front of me,” His silver tongue works at full speed, it seems he hasn’t lost all his powers.
“Don’t think flattery will save you now mister,” You pretend to huff. “I’ve had a long day, and I’d rather not lose my house. Do you know how awful the market is?”
“Don’t worry,” Hermes smiles, pressing a quick kiss to your lips, then another, and another. “I’ll make you the best meal ever, and then we can talk about everything I missed when I was away.”
That missing warmth had made it back to your house, one you nearly forgot the feeling of. Things may not have been perfect, and there would be troubles you’d both have to figure out together, but in that moment, when he held you and cherished you, you knew you both would make it through heaven and hell. He had stripped himself of his divinity to live a normal life with you, and it was a sacrifice you would not let go to waste.
“Let’s finish that movie,” Hermes mentions, arm wrapped around your shoulders as you sat on the couch.
“There’s a second one now,” You grin, leaning into his embrace.
You wouldn’t change a thing for the world.