#hector's asks

- @achilles-the-greatest

- @listen-to-cassandra (sibling annoyance times >:))

“He was the only one I could sneak out of the underworld. Infant souls are small, easy to slip them back into the living world, you see. Take care, Hector.”

Then he pops out. The baby smiles happily, reaching for you. When dawn comes, your son lays safely asleep in your arms.

Hector wasn't sure if he was in shock or too tired to react, but he just gently took the child and stared into his eyes. He didn't notice as time passed, but he did notice the subtle changes in the rhythm of his breathing, the flutter of his eyes. The similarities to his mother.

He couldn't do this.

He failed the first time. He tried and tried and tried to make up for it with other kids, trying to be a better father than he was. Trying not to leave.

But he couldn't do this.

He failed the first time. He was going to fail this time. It all came crashing down on himself, the guilt, the tears, the dam that held back every thought he'd had of his son.

He had a second chance.

He couldn't do this.

The baby was a familiar weight, familiar visual, familiar being, familiar aura. Too familiar, too horrible.

he’s holding a child, 12 at most.

- @telemachus-of-ithaca

You aren’t a bad parent, you know. That little boy wouldn’t let me near him until I told him I was taking him to his father. Infant souls might not be very big, but they sure can squeeze themselves into crevices even a god can’t get into when feeling threatened. He wouldn’t have allowed me to take him if he didn’t trust you with every fiber of his being.

He leans in closer.

Call me, if you truly wish to return him to the Fields of Asphodel. I will hear and take him. But… he pauses, unblinking. In the meantime, I would avoid letting him see armored soldiers or taking him near high walls, if I were you. The memories may fade given enough time, but they tend to cling to a soul long after their string is cut.

Not very far away, Astyanax starts wailing, his cries full of terror. Zagreus looks at you meaningfully. You best get moving Hector.

He wiped lingering tears and ran towards the cries. "Astyanax!?" He burst into the room, where Ctimene had the child. The wails pierced his ears, loud and shattering.

"Okay, okay, but like, seriously? We're really doing this right now? Over Helen AGAIN?"

“Just... pick a battle, Paris. This is not a kingly way to behave.”

"Let’s focus, people. There is no need for this chaos. We are better than this. Every move has a purpose. Every word is a weapon. So before we destroy each other, can we at least strategize for once?"

"This is absurd! Why even bother fighting when you can just—" he snaps his fingers, and the ground splits open briefly.

"I-I’m not cut out for this! Please, no one fight!"

"Oh great, now he’s crying!"

@worshipwarlovewisdom