Chapter Text
Hermes felt somewhat guilty for leaving the poor child in the middle of chaos but he knew that the Underworld couple was right, he would only make the situation worse since he was the reason why it blew up in proportion in the first place. It was safer to let Athena resolve the issue by herself, still...
"Hah. Stop with that frowning, you're bringing the whole mood down." Hypnos whined beside him.
"It's not like you're joining them in celebration." He points out, the others were busy doting on Cerberus, the three-headed puppy is turning 3 millennia now, how his Uncle manage to keep track of the dog's birthday he'll never know. Hermes isn't that old in terms of godhood, but he more often than not forgets his birthday.
"Yeah, they're too much, that's why I'm next to you," Hypnos replies with an eye roll. "What got you so down?"
"You know, if you're worried you could just say so." It sends the older god into a spiral of denial that would have been adorable had it not been for Hermes' foul mood. "Hah. I just feel guilty."
"What? Why should you? Let them deal with their problem for once, they're not babies." Ah. The older god's bluntness about such matters never ceases to make him laugh.
"I know, Sister Athena can take care of it. I meant Dionysus, the poor child just got in and it's a mess already."
"Hah. He should have been more careful." Well, Hermes can't argue with that. "So? How long will you stay this time?"
"Till the matter settles down," Hermes replies with a strained smile. "Probably the rest of summer."
"Hah? That bad?" Hypnos looked at him incredulously. "If that's the case you might just as well live here."
He snorts at the poor attempt of convincing him. "As tempting as that is, they need me up there. The whole of Olympus might just collapse if I left."
"It already did." Hermes ignores the mumble as he left to get to Charon. Poor guy's just on the side with no one to talk to.
"Charon!" Like before, he blithely ignores the flinch he got from the other and dragged the older to the ambrosia.
…
"What do you mean you got that child from Egypt?!" Hades screamed, thankfully they were in the private chambers of the Underworld Royalty instead of the hall, otherwise, it would generate a lot of commotion that Hermes does not need on top of his Uncle being upset.
"You asked me just where he was, and I answered, he was in Egypt."
"Don't you use that petulant tone to me, young man." The King of the Underworld huffs, settling down as his wife rubs his arm to calm him down. "What was Maia doing? I thought you have given that child to her?"
"I did," Hermes confirms. "But he grew bored of Acadia and wandered off, Mother did not know he left Hellas entirely."
"Of course, she doesn't," Hermes doesn't think he was meant to hear those words. "She would have locked him in the cave otherwise."
"She would have?" Something akin to fear and panic flashed in those eyes that are as black as a void before his uncle manage to compose himself. "Why? Why can I go even as far north but never step foot in Egypt?"
Hades sighs, looking away. "I'm afraid that's not my secret to tell."
"It concerns me. So how come I am the only one clueless about this? What are you all keeping from me?"
"Because it's about you." Was the reply, as if it answers anything. "It concerns your soul, which is why it is not a matter I can disclose by myself."
He forced himself to not flinch as the older god touch his cheek in an attempt to pacify his temper. "I want to tell you, I do. But it's not a decision I can make all by myself, please, you must understand."
"I do." He does, which makes it all the more frustrating. "I do, it's just..." Hades' eyes widen at that as if realizing something.
"You've always been a clever and curious child." There was a hit of guilt and sadness in the way he said it. "It must have been a pain to resist the urge to ask about it isn't it?"
Hermes bites his lips, letting his uncle and his sister comfort him.
"Zeus is trying his best for you, he thinks this is the best choice given your circumstances and we have all agreed," Hades explains. "Know that, we've been doing this for you, it's not fair to you, I know it frustrates you, but this is the best choice possible."
"I know." Hermes nodded. "I know none of you would ever try to hurt me purposefully. Brother Apollo would throw a fit if that's the case."
Hades snort at that. "That brat definitely would."
"Come. This must be quite draining." Persephone nudges him. "You must rest, you have scheduled a visit with your children in Acadia remember, they'll worry if they see you so down."
"Thank you."
…
The summer passed by with no problem, he was doing his job just as well but with Iris taking over the messages and delivery in Olympus. It left him some free time he didn't know he needed, and so, Hermes was able to spend time with his still-living children in those times.
"Father." Hermes took the offered ambrosia to him before motioning for his only daughter to sit with him. Hermaphrodite was with his grandmother to help with preparing the boar caught by Pan.
"You look happier well rested." Ah. This discussion again. Hermes lost count of how many times his children tried to convince him to delegate his task to lesser gods but he never did, enjoying the freedom of moving around gives him too much. But perhaps he should consider, for his children's sake.
"Perhaps you should conside-"
"I will."
"What?" The shock on her face was adorable. Hermes wants to pinch her cheek as he did when she was still a child. "You would?" The pure joy in her voice and her eyes was both heartwarming and guilt-inducing. He should have considered it much earlier, his poor children must have felt quite neglected.
"I will talk with Father and Mother as soon as I return."
"Really?" He nodded and almost choked when the goddess enveloped him in a hug. "Oh Father, this is such good news." The hug was over much sooner than he wants but the joy his daughter have is infectious so Hermes isn't that upset.
"I'll talk to Brother and Grandmother!" He watches with a smile as his daughter runs to the cave.
"Hah. Took you long enough."
"Pan." He greeted warmly. "How have you been?"
"Still scaring people," The satyr grins. "Why? You want in?"
He just laughs, shaking his head.
Ah. He was really happy, so happy that he wants to freeze the time and preserve all of these memories forever.