Serendipity - Hermes

I.

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Amara didn't know how it happened. But over the next few centuries, her and Hermes kept meeting. The goddess of curiosity would sneak out to wait by the Styx for him. He would sit with her for a little bit after he had delivered whichever soul he had picked up to Charon. And they would talk. She would ask her questions and he would answer them. Hermes would tell her about the world above. She told him about how life was living down in the Underworld.

And one day, they kissed.

Amara had been laughing at some story he was telling about his brother Apollo. Hermes had been looking at her with those beautiful turquoise eyes. She smiled up at him.

Amara looked more like her mother in terms of appearance, her features soft and curved rather than her father's harsh lines. She had ashy brown hair, not as blond as Persephone's but not nearly as dark as how Hades' used to be. Her skin was pale from the lack of sunlight but that was okay. Her smile was bright enough to make up for that. And her eyes, they were a soft lavender like her father's but unlike his, they were full of life and joy.

Hermes didn't know what came over him. He leaned down and kissed her. Amara froze, eyes wide in surprise. Then she melted into the kiss, pulling him closer by pulling at the strap of the hat that sat behind his head. Hermes obliged, kissing with more fervour. Amara's mouth mirrored his, a gentle whimper leaving her when one of his hands squeezed her hip. When he pulled away, his forehead rested on hers.

Amara let out a small chuckle. "I didn't realise you felt this way."

"I didn't realise you did too," he whispered, looking at her.

She simply smiled, pulling him in for another kiss. He happily accepted and reciprocated.

That's when they became something more than secret friends. Then they were secret lovers. And from secret lovers they became secret spouses.

There were a few people who knew of course. Apollo and Artemis for one. Hermes was incapable of keeping anything from the twins. But they could keep a secret, especially when it was their baby brother asking. They never admited it, but they dotted on Hermes. And Charon but he was sworn to secrecy by Amara who snuck him some ambrosia from the palace every time she went to see her beau.

They had been married a few centuries already. Amara was sat at the edge of the water when she felt the familiar gust of wind. She beamed. "Hermes."

"Hello my love."

The goddess noticed the wariness in him, immediately knowing something was wrong. "What's wrong ?" She asked, getting to her feet and rushing to him. She carefully cupped his face in her hands. He closed his eyes, leaning into her soft palms, his own arms circling her frame.

"I'm worried. I fear danger is looming in the world above."

Amara didn't like the sound of that. Danger in the world above meant danger for her husband, who always found himself in the middle of things.

"You could stay here," she offered. "With me."

"And your father who would kill me if he found out I married his daughter without getting his consent ?" He raised his eyebrows.

Amara threw her arms over his shoulder. The messenger pulled her closer, flush against him and leaned his forehead to hers. "I would protect you," she promised.

"I know you would." He pecked her lips before taking a deep breath and letting her go.

Amara watched as he reached for his horn and brought a soul out. The sphere glowed before forming taking the form of a woman. She was beautiful. She blinked, looking around in awe and horror.