Work Text:
“My child.”
Charon’s head tilted ever so slightly to the left, letting his gaze fall onto Nyx’s face. She was staring out at the Lethe, just as he had been moments earlier, her sharp features accentuated by the river’s soft glow. As always, she appeared quickly, quietly, and without warning, though Charon had long since gotten past being startled by the habit.
He nodded his head in greeting, returning his attention to the river. His hand twitched where it rested on his oar, an unconscious reaction to the nervousness settling in his gut. Really, he wasn’t sure why he was so anxious. The worst she could respond to his request with was no, either because it wasn’t possible or because she didn’t want to. He would accept either one. But deep down, he knew that both would make him equally disappointed.
“It is not often that you call for me,” Nyx spoke, as Charon had yet to. “It was a pleasant surprise to receive your summons.”
Her words were calm, though there was an undercurrent of hesitancy to them. It wasn’t hard to guess where it was from - they both knew why he didn’t come to her for anything. When he had come into this world - created, not birthed - it had been with the intention of his not needing anything from her. It had served its intended purpose, making him into the boatman he needed to be. But it had also made their relationship odd. One where Charon felt incredibly awkward asking her for any kind of favor. But...
It was for Hermes. And for him, he would do anything.
There is something I must ask you.
Nyx was silent for a few moments after Charon got those words out. He could feel her eyes on him, even as he kept his own on the Lethe. Likely searching for something more, something deeper, in his skeletal face that she wasn’t going to find.
“Go on, Charon. I will do my best to answer.” She urged.
How much control do you have over the night sky?
Charon finally looked back at his mother. She looked perplexed, but answered quickly regardless.
“More than some might like to think, but not as much as others might believe either.” She responded. Charon nearly huffed - she was as vague as always - though she continued shortly after. “There are gods that have control over aspects of the night sky aside from myself. So I suppose it depends on what it is exactly you need.”
Charon took a few moments to gather his thoughts. What was it he needed, really? He knew the result he wanted; he knew what he would do if the answer to his request were yes. But how to ask for it? He wasn’t sure. His head tilted down to the water that lapped near his bare feet, thinking back to the day before, when all this had started.
“I wish you could have met my mother.”
Charon paused in surprise, the hand that had been running through Hermes’ hair freezing in place. It wasn’t the sentiment that surprised him. Through the years, Hermes had often spoken of his mother, occasionally lamenting that Charon would never be able to meet her, trapped in the stars as she was. There had always been a hint of sadness, or longing - but never had it sounded so sorrowful. Miserable, even.
Charon pulled back - as much as he could when their naked bodies were all but melded together, curled tight to one another amongst the dark sheets of Charon’s bed - and tilted his head down to look at his lover. Hermes made no move to do the same. With a soft huff, Charon pressed a long, pale finger under Hermes’ chin, turning up his face for Charon to see. Tears glistened in his dark eyes, some caught in dewdrops on his eyelashes, others sliding down his tanned cheeks. Despite them, he laughed.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into me so suddenly,” He said, reaching up the hand wedged between their chests to rub at his eyes. “I apologize, I’ve ruined a perfectly good romantic mood.”
Hermes.
Charon spoke his name gently, fondly. His fingers resumed their path through his hair, silently urging him to reveal what was on his mind. It took two strokes for Hermes’ shoulders to relax, a weathered sigh heaving from his chest, and only two more for him to start speaking again.
“I just know she would have loved you.” He said, his voice getting caught deep in his throat. “It wouldn’t have mattered for even a second that you aren’t from Olympus, or that you’re Chthonic. That’s just how she was. She always tried to see the best in anyone who crossed her path, no matter where they came from.”
Hermes pressed his face into Charon’s chest. His tears wetted the skin there, but Charon didn’t care even a little. He pulled him in tighter, held him closer, a silent but comforting presence for his little bird to cling to.
“I remember when I was young, we used to sit just inside the entrance of the cave we lived in, letting our toes peek out and feel the warmth of the sun. She would tell me stories, or I would make up my own to tell her, or sometimes, we would just sit in silence.” Hermes recounted, turning his head very slightly upwards so Charon could hear him better. Charon took the opportunity to pull his hand away from Hermes’ hair and rest it on his cheek, wiping away his tears with his thumb. “I wish I could remember those times better.” He continued, closing his eyes and nuzzling his face into Charon’s hand as his bottom lip trembled. “If I had known she would be taken from me so soon, I would have tried to enjoy them more, instead of wondering why I had to be in that cave so often.”
It was an odd thing. Charon’s relationship with his own mother was, all things considered, nonexistent. He didn’t feel one way or another about it - it was just how it was. How it always had been. But something about the way Hermes spoke about his own mother made a sharp sting of- something go through his chest. Sadness? Jealousy? Longing?
Whatever it was, he pushed it aside. This moment was for Hermes, not him.
“I do remember one of them well, though.” Hermes opened his eyes, looking up into Charon’s.
Tell me, little bird.
A smile pulled at Hermes’ lips. It was small, but still big enough for Charon to feel the pull of it with the hand still resting on Hermes’ cheek. He couldn’t resist reaching out his thumb and tracing the edge of it, as he so often did. Was it because his own face couldn’t make all the expressions Hermes’ could? Was it so he could feel the evidence of his beloved’s joy? Whatever it may be, it only widened Hermes’ smile. And Charon would never complain about that.
“As I got older and more restless, I’m sure she knew the days of us staying together as we were were limited,” Hermes explained, pausing only to press a kiss to Charon’s thumb. “On that day, as we sat at the edge of the cave, she asked if I would follow her somewhere, and that she had something important to ask of me.”
Hermes’ eyes fell to Charon’s chest, gaining a far-off look to them. Perhaps he was pulling at the memory, trying to recall every detail. Or maybe, trying not to cry again.
“Of course, I said yes. And she led me to a river.” Hermes looked back up at Charon. “The Styx. Or at least, the small portion of it that runs past the mortal world.”
Charon quietly took in that information. He wasn’t aware that Hermes and his mother had once visited the Styx, though that wasn’t all too surprising. Charon had far too much to do without also checking in on every being that approached his river.
“Even at that time, the Underworld fascinated me. For good reason.” Hermes grinned at Charon. If he had eyes like Hermes, he would surely be rolling them. “So I was all too happy to listen as she explained what it was. She told me it wasn’t just a river through the Underworld, but also a place to make promises.”
Charon hummed in response. The Styx’s power was indeed strong enough to bind another being into an oath, though he couldn’t say they always turned out well. He recalled once a misuse of an oath by Helios’s son, leading to a crashed chariot and a condemnation by Zeus, amongst other tragedies. Though most mortals and nymphs, like Hermes’ mother, knew how to respect the river’s strength.
“I told her it was fascinating, but I wasn’t sure why she had brought us here. She-“ Hermes paused, swallowing deeply. Charon stroked his bare side comfortingly, dragging his long fingers up and down the soft skin covering his ribs. He would wait as long as he needed.
Though with Hermes, that was never too long.
“She asked me to promise her something. To swear on the Styx that no matter what happened or where I ended up, that I would be happy.”
Hermes sniffled. “I joked about it at the time, but I made her that promise, which I didn’t think much of because I thought she would always be there to see me, wherever I went, but she isn’t, and she hasn’t been, and I-“
Hermes shuddered. A small, wounded sound came from Charon’s chest as he pulled his beloved closer, running soothing hands over his body and nuzzling his gaunt cheek into his dark hair. Eventually, Hermes’ cries calmed enough for him to speak again.
“I just wish, more than anything, that I could tell her that I haven’t broken that promise.” Hermes looked up, giving Charon a small, watery smile. “I’m so, so, so, so very happy. Because I have you.”
Charon’s heart melted. Hermes had told him often that he made him happy. But how lovely was it to hear such a thing stated so resoundingly, so emphatically? A promise to his mother, unbroken, because of Charon’s love for him. He pressed his teeth to the top of Hermes’ head - his version of a kiss - and pulled him close. Never before had he mourned his inability to shed tears, but for a moment, he wished he could, if only to show Hermes how closely he had touched his ethereal, immortal heart.
She knows. Of that I am certain.
Hermes chuckled, the sound muffled by Charon’s chest. “I’m sure she does, she knew everything. I could never hide anything from her.” He tilted his head to the side. “She probably was glad to be put in the stars, so she could keep an eye on me for the rest of time, no matter where I went.” Then, quieter. “I hope that’s the case. That she has been watching me, caring for me from afar.”
Charon rested his head on top of Hermes’ head as the messenger let out a deep, weary sigh. “I won’t ever know for sure, I suppose.”
After that, Hermes went quiet. His breathing evened out, his little bird drifting to sleep. A rare occurrence for him. And yet, Charon couldn’t do the same, his mind racing with thoughts and ideas. Could he give Hermes his mother back? Zeus’ word was final; he doubted anything he could do would be permanent, but-
Nyx.
Charon squeezed Hermes tighter. Could his mother do something? Though she remained in the Underworld, she held dominion over the night sky, where Hermes’ mother was. It was more likely than not that she could somehow bring his mother back. The question was, would she? For him?
For the moment, Charon kept the idea to himself. No use getting Hermes’ hopes up. Though the idea of asking his mother for something made him uneasy, he resolved to speak with her the following day.
As for this day, he would spend the rest of it with his lover in his arms, just where he was always meant to be.
I want Hermes to have his mother back.
The statement caused Nyx’s eyebrows to raise, a look of surprise not often seen on her impassive face. Charon was quick to clarify.
For as long as he can.
Nyx’s face settled, though her eyes narrowed as she descended into deep thought. Charon let her take her time, the two descending into silence for a good long while. The only sounds were the soft swishing of the Lethe’s waves and the distant shouts from the warriors of Elesium. They lulled Charon into a hypnotic state, nearly making him jump when Nxy finally spoke again. “I cannot undo what Zeus has done.”
Charon’s stomach sank, disappointment carving an ache deep in his chest. He should have known. It wasn’t Nyx’s fault; it wasn’t her he was upset with. The chances were so small, he shouldn’t have let himself get his hopes so high.
“However-” Charon’s shoulders rose again, turning to his mother once more, who was looking at him with a small smile. “I believe I can still help.”
Nyx reached up and placed a small, comforting hand on Charon’s shoulder. Warmth radiated from it, and for a brief moment, he felt hope entirely unrelated to Hermes’ mother. “Come to the House of Hades in a few days. I should have something for you by then.” She said. Charon nodded, clutching his oar so hard the wood began to creak around his hands.
They shared a small moment of quiet joy before Nyx’s face turned serious once more. “I am certain I don’t need to warn you, but you must make sure Hermes knows this may happen only once. His mother is in the stars for a reason. And I will not strain our newly won peace with Olympus by undoing his father’s commands entirely.”
Charon nodded. And with that, Nyx disappeared. He turned back to the river and let out a small, relieved sigh. It wasn’t much. And whatever time Nyx could give Hermes surely wouldn’t be nearly enough for him.
But it was something.
“I have to say, my professional associate, I never thought I would see the day you would summon me from some place that isn’t the Underworld.”
Charon chuckled, turning and opening his arms just in time for Hermes to throw himself into them. He pressed feather-soft kisses all over Charon’s face, in between sweet nothings about how beautiful Charon looked in the light of the setting sun, and how he should come up from the Underworld more often for Hermes to see.
It was only when his beloved’s words started to get more salacious, his kisses pressed lower and deeper, that Charon had to push him away. It took enormous strength to do so, but if he didn’t, he was sure Hermes was moments away from reenacting the first time he pulled Charon out into the sun and enticed him into making love beneath it.
Hermes’ pout was immediate, but his curiosity immediately got the best of him. “So, why did you call me here? I’m assuming this isn’t an ordinary meet-up.”
Charon took a deep breath. Despite not having a heart similar to even Hermes’, it still began to race with nervous anticipation. So many what-ifs clouded his mind - what if Charon didn’t do it right, what if Hermes got upset, what if he wanted more than what Charon could give him?
I have something for you.
Before Hermes could question further, Charon turned and began to walk toward an open field off in the distance, beckoning Hermes to follow him. He eyed the sun, so close to setting, but still not at the point where the stars were beginning to surpass its light. He wanted to make sure Hermes knew everything he needed to, but also that he had every possible moment he could with his mother.
If it worked.
Charon’s hands clutched nervously at his oar. Nyx hadn’t seemed at all doubtful that it would work, but now that he was there, he began to wonder if he should have questioned her more. If there were any risks to her plan not working.
“You’re making me a bit nervous here, Charon.”
Charon huffed, motioning Hermes a bit further until they were right in the middle of the field, the blades of grass brushing lightly against his bare feet. He paused, then turned to Hermes and took his hands.
I have a message I have to pass on from Nyx before I give this to you.
Hermes’ eyebrows scrunched in confusion. “Nyx? You’re not making any sense, love.”
Charon huffed again. Hermes and his impatience. It would have been exasperating if Charon didn’t love him so much for it.
This can only happen once. And it will only last until the sun rises tomorrow.
“What are you-”
Charon pulled away and reached into his cloak, taking out the small boon Nyx gave him, the small black and purple sphere pulsating against his skin. Charon looked up at the sky, and when he saw the first stars beginning to appear, he pressed it between his hands, the boon bursting into a flurry of black particles.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then another, and another, until Charon was sure it hadn’t worked, his chest beginning to ache with his disappointment. Hermes looked so confused. He was going to have to explain to him what he had been trying to do, and that it didn’t work-
Then, from above, a few stars began to fall. Not fast or striking in any way, but gently, like the falling of snow. The two watched with mouths agape as the lights drifted towards them, coming closer and closer, each one winding around the other. The closer they got, the faster they spun, and the brighter they came. Until the moment the cluster was right before them, the two having to shield their eyes from the brilliance.
And then, it was gone.
And then-
“...Hermes?”
Before them, eyes wide and filled with tears, stood Hermes’ mother. She couldn’t possibly be mistaken for anyone else, from the deep brown eyes, jet black hair, and sharp, beautiful features that were all present on Hermes’ face.
Charon turned to look at his beloved. To see the resemblance, but also to make sure Hermes wasn’t upset. He had yet to move, his mouth hanging open as he stared at the woman before them.
Hermes.
Charon’s voice snapped Hermes out of whatever void he had been lost in, the messenger taking in a sharp gasp of air and stumbling toward his mother, his feet nearly slipping out from under him in his haste to get to her. It all happened so fast. One moment, he was standing beside Charon; the next, Hermes and his mother were on the ground, their knees digging into the soil as they embraced.
“Mom- mom, is it really- are you real? Are you real?” The words kept falling from Hermes’ mouth over and over, in between sobs and Maia’s own affirmation of Hermes’ existence. They talked over each other, cried together, hiccuped at the same time, and all of it was the most beautiful thing Charon had ever seen. Almost too beautiful. He wondered if he should turn his gaze away. If his looking, staring - gawking - at the scene before him might taint it somehow.
But then Hermes was looking back at him, tears pouring down his face, and Charon couldn’t possibly look away. He pulled his mother so they were both standing, then held her hand as they walked over to Charon.
“Charon, you- you did this? For me? You brought my mother back?” Hermes asked, his voice trembling. Charon nodded, staring into Hermes’ eyes. He loved him so. Anything in his power that he could do for Hermes, he would. A variety of emotions swept across Hermes’ eyes - joy, delight, shock, and then, a brief flicker of sadness. “But I only have tonight?” He whispered.
Charon cast his eyes away as he nodded once more. He loved him so. Anything in his power that he could do for Hermes, he would. But giving him more time with his mother wasn’t part of that.
“Don’t dwell on that, Hermes,” Maia spoke, her voice soft. Charon looked back as she pulled Hermes into a hug, holding him as tightly as only a mother could. “We have tonight, the whole night, which is more than I ever hoped for.”
Hermes was still for a moment. And then he melted into his mother’s arms, nodding as he wound himself around her. They held each other for a few moments more, swaying to an invisible tune that only they could hear. Then Maia pulled back, wiping tears from her eyes as she turned to face Charon.
“Thank you, Charon. I must admit I’m still not entirely sure how this happened, but I can only assume that it was you who brought me here somehow.” She said, smiling up at him. Before Charon could say anything in return, that she didn’t need to thank him, that it was all his own mother’s doing, she continued, “You really are as amazing as Hermes always tells me.”
Hermes blinked in surprise, likely feeling just as confused as Charon felt. “I told you? When did I tell you?”
Maia turned to face her son once more, holding his cheeks with her hands. “My baby bird, do you truly think I don’t listen when you speak to me?” Hermes’ eyes widened, forcing more tears to spill from them, which Maia wipes with her thumbs. “When you tell me about your day, about the things you see, the people you meet, the people you love,” She glanced briefly to Charon with a bright smile, even as she cried her own tears, “I hear it all. I always have, and I always will. Don’t you think for a second I haven’t spent the last hundreds of years watching over you.” She pulled Hermes close, their foreheads touching. The tears they wept mingled as they fell, watering the ground beneath their feet. “Or that I won’t continue to do so for the years to come.”
Hermes’ chest heaved with sobs. It hurt Charon to see, but it was a good hurt, one that stung and warmed his chest in equal measure. For so long, Hermes had been plagued by uncertainty, never knowing whether his mother could see him, hear him, care for him. But now, there it was. The answer he had sought for so long, out in the open. She had always been there for him. And she always would be. A soft, shuddered sigh of contentment left Charon.
It took a while, but eventually, Hermes was able to calm himself enough for Maia to usher the three of them into sitting in a small circle. Charon watched with a soft, gentle smile as the two moved as one, always keeping one hand on each other. As they sat, Hermes squished as close to her as possible without outright crawling into her lap. Charon wouldn’t have judged him if he did just that.
“It is so nice to meet you in person, finally, Charon,” Maia said once they were settled. “I remember the first day Hermes told me about you, soon after he started his work as a psychopomp.” Maia turned to Hermes with a grin, lightly pinching his cheek. “Call it a mother’s intuition, but I thought even then that there was more to his feelings than he was letting on. He was far too excited about getting to know his “professional associate” than most others would be.”
Hermes’ face reddened, though the toothy smile he shot back at her told them both all they needed to know. Or, what Maia needed to know. It had long since been revealed that both of them had started to harbor feelings for one another only a few short meetings into their first working together.
It is a pleasure to meet you as well. I’ve heard so much about you.
Maia’s smile faded, her head tilting as she regarded Charon. “I apologize, Charon, but I can’t quite make out what you are saying. I’m not as gifted with language as my son is.” She lamented, looking quite disappointed in herself. Charon wished he could ease her worries, that he could tell her he was long since used to others not being able to understand him. But Hermes was quick to jump in in his stead.
“He said that it is a pleasure to meet you as well, and that he has heard a lot about you.” He said, his cheeks flushing when his mother grinned slyly at him.
“He has, has he? Hopefully, you haven’t been telling him anything bad. Or boring.” She teased, ruffling Hermes’ hair.
“Mostly about us being reclusive cave dwellers.” Hermes ribbed back with a smile. Maia tsked.
“Honestly, it was not nearly as bad as I’m sure he’s told you, Charon. It certainly didn’t teach him any patience.”
“Probably did the opposite.” Hermes chuckled, linking his hand with his mother’s and squeezing three times. Charon smiled. So that was where he got it from. It was something Hermes often did with him: three squeezes, three words. I love you.
Maia hummed. “That seems to be the case.” She nudged Hermes’ shoulder with her own, nodding her head toward Charon. “Tell me more about this. I want to know everything, start to finish.” She leaned in close and loudly whispered. “Though, spare your poor mother of any intimate details.”
Hermes snorted with laughter. “Mom! Really, if you’ve been listening, you should already know everything.” He said, rubbing his red cheeks.
“Yes, but I couldn’t ask any questions! And there are many I have, believe me.” Maia turned to Charon with a grin. “I’m sure if I could understand Charon, he would tell me.”
Charon grinned back and nodded. Hermes let out an exasperated but fond sigh. “Fine! Fine, I’ll tell you.” Hermes shook his head. “You probably would figure out how to talk to Charon just to get the story anyhow.” He muttered.
Through the rest of the night, the three sat in that circle, talking and talking and talking. Or, Maia and Hermes talked, and occasionally, Charon would say a word or two that Hermes would translate for his mother. Even though she did know just about everything, Hermes was more than glad to regale the timeline of their relationship, from work associates to friends, friends to lovers. He talked about his jobs, his family on Olympus - steering clear from talking about Zeus or Hera as much as he could - and about helping Zagreus and Persephone’s lie to keep the peace between their two worlds. And all the while he held his mother’s hand, or wrapped his arms around one of hers, or leaned his head on her shoulder, holding her close like she would disappear if he didn’t.
It was an odd thing. All they were doing was talking and holding each other, something Charon had seen many times with many different people during his long life. Yet despite that, watching them interact was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen. He silently thanked his mother for giving him the chance to see it. To witness such tender love between son and mother, even if it was for only a night.
A very long night, Charon realized many hours later. Despite how he tried to keep a careful track of the time as it passed - because he knew Hermes may not - it felt like the night stretched on and on, lasting far longer than Charon ever thought possible. It was summer in the mortal world, the air around them warmed even in the dark, and yet, despite the nights being shorter than those during the winter, the sun seemed hesitant to rise.
He wondered if it was one last gift from Nyx. A boon of a different kind. An outstretched hand.
Though as long as it did last, it did have to come to an end. Eventually, dawn broke, the stars dimmed, and Charon had to watch as the two realized their time was growing short. He stepped away for a moment, giving them some privacy, though he couldn’t help but glance back as Hermes settled his head in his mother’s lap, his eyes closed as she brushed her fingers through his hair, humming a song Charon was sure he had heard from Hermes’ own lips before.
He came back when there were only a few minutes left.
“Charon,” Maia called out, her smile gentle, despite the redness around her eyes and cheeks. She reached out to take his hands and squeezed them three times. “Thank you for taking care of my son. He is-” She paused, swallowing deeply, “He is my everything. And I could not ask for anyone better for him.” For a brief moment, her face changed into something sly, near mischievous. “And if you both so desire it, I give you my blessing to marry my son. Just have it somewhere where I might be able to listen in.”
Charon wheezed out a small chuckle, the bones and joints of his face creaking with the action. Gently, he squeezed her hands back. She whispered one last thank you, then turned back to Hermes, who was already looking at her with silent tears going down his face.
“Hermes.” She pulled him into a hug, though for only a moment, before she gently pushed him away so she could look into his eyes, holding tightly onto his shoulders. “My son, I am so incredibly proud of you. I was so worried when I left that you would lose your way, that you might become influenced by... some of those on Olympus.” Hermes reached up and hung his hands on his mom’s wrists, looking at her with a tight, watery smile. “But you took your own path, and grew into the god I always knew you could be. All while keeping the same kind and clever spirit you’ve had since the moment you came into this world. I want you to promise me that you won’t ever, ever lose it. No matter what.”
Hermes nodded, his lip trembling as he spoke. “I won’t. I won’t, I promise.”
Maia smiled, leaning in to press two kisses on each of his temples. “Good. I know you always keep your promises, baby bird.”
The two embraced as the sun rose from beyond the horizon. They held each other tight in the last moments, whispering things Charon couldn’t hear, right until Maia faded back into small flecks of light, Hermes’ arms sagging with her form no longer there to hold them up. The two watched as the lights flew up, dancing in the morning light until they faded softly into it.
And then, they were alone.
Charon looked down at his beloved and held open his arms. As he guessed he would, Hermes was quick to fall into them. He was crying, but also thanking Charon, whispering his gratitude deep into his cloak.
Most of it was Nyx.
Hermes turned his face to look up at him. “Nyx might have made it possible, but you cared enough to ask. To try for me.” Hermes sniffled, flying up to Charon’s height and holding his gaunt cheeks between his hands. “I love you. You are the best thing to ever happen to me, Charon. And I don’t think I could ever repay you for giving me my mother back.”
The two embraced, whispering sweet nothings to each other, until the sun beating down on Charon was too much, and they retreated to the entrance of the Underworld, hand in hand. He watched with a small smile as Hermes talked about his mother and all the new memories they had shared, overjoyed to see his beloved so happy and full of life. Not that Hermes was ever lethargic or lifeless, but after seeing his mother and receiving confirmation that she had been watching over him, there was a radiance about him that hadn’t been there before. A shine in his eye that brought warmth to the cold of Charon’s body.
“What did you think of her idea, then? ‘Cause I thought it was a great one.”
Charon tilted his head toward Hermes, looking at him in confusion. His little bird shot him a - suddenly very familiar - mischievous look.
“Getting married.”
The boatman choked, swatting away Hermes as he laughed and poked at him. It seemed like a joke, one that Hermes moved on past very quickly in favor of talking more about his mother, and yet-
Discreetly, Charon turned head away from him, hiding the grin contorting the sharp grooves of his face. He may be asking another favor of Nyx sooner than he realized.