Chapter Text
Themis stroked Hephaistos’s hair as he laid in his lap, humming a half-remembered song. Everything had been at peace since he arrived here, to the Source. He'd slept for several days, and was told later that Hades and Hythlodaeus had helped the Warrior of Light end the Final Days during that time. Hephaistos never left his side for a single second. It was a deep relief that it was all over, and the star was safe for good this time. He was free to rest and be with his love for eternity. However... He paused his hum.
“‘Istos,” he softly called out. The man cracked an eye open, gazing at him with such pure love that Themis nearly teared up.
“Hmm?” he asked. “What is it?”
Themis bit his lip, trying to collect his words.
“I have been thinking. Our aether is so strong that we can stay here, in the Lifestream, for eternity, answer the call of whoever wields the crystal of Azem, and help the star in the ways they ask of us. However...”
“You wish to reincarnate as a mortal,” Hephaistos said. Themis’s heart stopped for a second, and his surprise must have reflected on his face, because the man let out a warm laugh. “You have many talents, but subtlety isn’t one of them. Every time Hades looks out to the Source, you’re quick to join him, and you have been talking to souls departing from here. I can see it in your eyes, the longing to be in their place.”
Themis averted his eyes. “I cannot deny it. I wish to walk Etheirys again, learn, gain joyful memories... perhaps become a warrior to protect people. A true hero, this time.” Hephaistos hummed as he reached up to gently cup Themis’s cheek.
“I’m not going to lie, the thought has crossed my mind lately too. I have been here for much longer than you, and I admit, being able to only merely watch is frustrating. Leaving it all behind; the feeling of guilt, the grief, the knowledge of failure...” Themis sighed. They agreed not to discuss whose fault was what after the hundredth pointless argument, and instead tried to encourage each other to let go of the guilt. He traced Hesphaistos’s hairline with a finger.
“The only thing holding me back is...” he said, pausing for a moment. Even saying the words felt like a cold void in his chest opened all over again. “Forgetting you again. And there would be no getting them back this time. I would never remember the time we shared together.” Tears welled up in his eyes, rolling down his nose and landing on his lover’s face. Hephaistos used his thumb, still resting on Themis’s cheek, to wipe some of them away.
“Then so be it,” he said, far more calmly than Themis felt. “You know... In the Source’s eastern continent, people believe that true lovers reincarnate as twins. We have been together for so many years, it would be impossible for us to stay separated. We will make new, happy memories together. Imagine taking our first steps together, speaking each other’s names as our first words, always knowing what the other thinks...” More tears slipped out of Themis at the words. His chest felt hot and tight, and his head was swimming.
“It sounds beautiful,” he whispered. “I... want it. I want it so much.” Saying these words has never been easy for him, but the others’ gentle encouragement helped him express his desires. And now, there was nothing he desired more than the fate Hephaistos had just described. But speaking of the others...
“We should tell Hades and Hythlodaeus,” he said, forcing his voice to be steady. He wanted them to know where he was, not disappear on them and leave them to worry. Hephaistos hummed.
“Later. I want to sleep in your lap.”
Themis smiled as he resumed stroking his hair.
“Sleep all you wish, love. You deserve it.”
Later, when they both had their fill of rest, they sought out Hades and Hythlodaeus. The two were looking at the Source, no doubt watching the Warrior of Light. They turned around when they heard the two approaching, and Hythlodaeus had a twinkle in his eyes.
“You have come to say goodbye,” he said. Themis blinked in surprise.
“Wait, how-” Hythlodaeus chuckled behind his fist.
“We knew this moment would come. I wasn’t aware of much while in Zodiark, but I had a connection to you, His heart. It perhaps still lingers, I can feel your hope, your desire to love again... or it’s just written so plain on your face that it’s impossible to miss. Yours too,” he glanced at Hephaistos. “And frankly, I have nothing but the best wishes to the both of you.” Hades just waved his hands.
“Yeah, yeah. I for one am not going to miss you. One thing is to be coworkers for one thousand years, and another is to be locked together for twelve. I can’t wait to finally get some peace and quiet, even with ‘Daeus around.” His eyes softened as he beheld the pair. “But I do think you two deserve a good next life. After all you’ve been through. I’ll do everything in my power from here to make it so.” Themis smiled at them, trying to force the tears back from his eyes.
“Thank you. But... how about your reincarnation? Are you intending to stay here forever?” Hythlodaeus shook his head with a smile.
“We’re going to wait a little longer for our friend, and be reborn together. You go on ahead. Scope out the place for us,” he gave another chuckle. “Farewell, my friends.”
Themis and Hephaistos nodded as they said their goodbyes, then sought a secluded place in the Lifestream. The pull here was stronger, but they still fought against it for a few moments more. Themis was stronger now, he could easily withstand the flow of aether.
“This is it, then,” Hephaistos started, looking hesitant for the first time since they agreed on this course of action. Themis felt it too, the fear of the unknown, but he shook it off.
“It will be alright,” he said. “Our souls would never drift so far that we won’t find each other again. And after all the bad hands we’ve been dealt... Fortune must take our side now, mustn’t it?” Hephaistos smiled as he leaned down and kissed Themis.
“I’ll believe you, love,” he whispered. “See you in the next life.”
“See you in the next life,” Themis echoed. “I love you.”
Then they let the flow take them to oblivion and rebirth.