Hermes nodded. He would not cry.
“I promise I wasn't lying. Swear on my title as god of truth even.”
Hermes physically refused to start crying.
“I love you so much, alright. Don't doubt that. Okay?”
“Okay.” And suddenly there were tears in his eyes.
He felt sad.
He felt tired.
Apollo seemed to notice the tears all at once.
“I’m… I’m really happy you got a piece of You back Herms.”
Hermes felt tired.
“...I didn't.. I'm sorry I upset you.”
“It's okay.”
He rubbed at his eyes. Desperate to change the subject.
“I don't feel sick anymore,” He said quickly. “I still lack an appetite but uh, thats good?”
“Thats great!” Apollo said with an obviously fake smile. He was glad for the change of subject. “I mean, no longer feeling sick. Not the lack of appetite.”
“I know.”
“You haven’t eaten today yet, have you?”
“No.”
“Can you summon nectar?”
“Probably.”
“Thats not a yes. Let's go get something.”
Hermes rolled his eyes, and held out his hand. A glass popped into existence and quickly filled itself.
For a moment, his peripheral vision went fuzzy. But he drank the nectar quickly enough that it faded in moments.
He didn't even feel dizzy.
He hated this.
But..
He didn't feel sick.
He felt fine.
Not good, or bad, or sick.
Absolutely fine.
Tired, still. But fine.
No, he wasn't even tired.
He was just.. He was tired of feeling so weak. Tired of being treated like glass. Tired of knowing how close he came to fading, and tired of being reminded of it.
He could feel the energy settle within him. It didn't get stuck or flow weirdly, it just settled.
Apollo’s worried expression pulled him from his musing. “I’m fine Apollo, really,”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes, Apollo.”
“I’m not mad, you know.”
“...You aren’t?”
“No. Just, don't do that again and we’re fine. Kid, I just, fates, you scare me sometimes. I need you to be safe. I’m not mad, scared if anything.”
Hermes didn't know what to say, so he just stayed quiet.
“I mean, I was mad, but I'm not anymore.”
“I did try to wait. But I’m not exactly known for impulse control.
Apollo smiled a bit. “No, you’re really not.”
“I know I should have waited but-”
“Hermes.. You know what? What happened happened. You don't need to explain. Just tell me next time. Okay? And as long you’re sure you’re okay then it's okay.”
“I am.”
“Then everything is fine, Herms.”
YOU ARE READING
Swirling Colors
FanfictionA series of one shots following the concept of "What if Hermes was captured by the triumvirate?" 1: Blank Walls - Locked away, alone and without ambrosia and nectar, with mortals-turned-godlike poking through his essence as if he were a toy, is Herm...
