#hermes x reader

You stood at your locker, quickly sliding on your coat and hat. You had been restless since lunch. Was Hermes actually going to meet you outside? Your mind had been plagued by him since lunch. You had been finding it difficult to pay attention in class. You sighed. You shouldn't be letting him make you unable to focus. You'd best study soon. You didn't want to get behind.

Your parents weren't going to be happy. You had never brought anyone home without at least a day or two of planning with them first. Let alone someone they probably hadn't met. Then again you had never tried.. maybe they'd be ok with it?... Yeah, probably not. Not like you had much of a choice though. You could try turning him away, but given how enthusiastic he was and how awkward you were around people you weren't used to talking to (and or people who you found really really pretty. He was both of those things.) it probably wouldn't work. You flinched. You'd better brace yourself for a scolding from your mother.

You tossed your backpack over your shoulder, gently shutting your locker. As you turned to make your way to the doors, you were cut off by a familiar face blocking your way.

"Hey Aspie!" You exclaimed, giving her a slight grin. Honestly, this was a pretty bad time, but whatever.

Aspasia stood before you, a wide smile on her face. "Hi <Y/N>!" She called brightly. "I was thinking we could walk home together today! It'll be easier to take our minds off the cold if we're together!" She suggested. You froze. Oh Primordial Beings, why did she have to ask this today? Any other day you would've been eager to! You loved her, but she was quite a gossip. If she found out Hermes, who probably wouldn't want to admit that he needed tutoring, was trying to go home with you.. well news would fly fast. And you did not want to have to be the new main character of the week. You could ditch him... You internally shook your head. That felt like kind of a douche thing to do. He had confided in you, and he seemed so hopeful.. But she was your friend! You didn't want to have to turn her away. You'd regret to miss her company.

You sighed internally. You didn't have much time left to ponder this dilemma before your silence became odd.

"Uhh-, how about tomorrow?" You suggested. It was the first words you were able to muster, so you spoke them. Her brows furrowed slightly, confusion dawning on her face. Shoot. You were never a quick liar. "Sorry- I uhm.. was thinking I'd go to the store to grab snacks today before I got home. I wouldn't want your parents to worry." You spoke slowly, and almost flinched at how unnatural your words felt. You felt your stomach twist in guilt, a bead of sweat forming on your face.

She looked skeptical but nodded. "Alright. Tomorrow then." She agreed. She definitely did not believe your lie, but didn't press you further either. She turned and left, an air of disappointment surrounding her. You winced, the guilt growing heavier. You didn't want to push her away! Heavens, you had never lied to her like that before! What if she thought you were hiding something? Well, ok, you were, but what if she thought you didn't trust her?! Agh, you wish you could just explain everything to her, but that'd be unfair to Hermes, wouldn't it? Oh well. Too late to change anything now, you supposed.

You exhaled, making your way to the exit you were taking. Normally, you took the side doors out, since it was closer to your locker, but he specifically said the main doors. So that's where you'd go.

You felt the claws of anxiety rake down your spine. What if he wasn't there and you just lied to your best friend for nothing? What if the story about failing math was just made up and he was just planning to humiliate you? He was a popular kid, why would he waste his time with someone who clung to the shadows and was terrified of attention? Besides, he was rich! What was stopping him from just.. hiring an actual tutor? Someone who had, oh you don't know, experience with this sort of stuff? That question lingered a bit longer than the others. Yeah wait, that would make way more sense. If he clearly didn't want the news he was failing math and needed tutoring getting out, why was he risking asking a random classmate me barely knows for help?!

Still, despite your mix of perfectly logical (and fine, maybe a few illogical) fears, your heart was racing at the thought of seeing him again.

And sure enough, he was, in fact, actually there. He wore a wide grin on his face at the sight of you, along with fairly minimal seasonal attire. Some gods weren't as affected by temperature as other divine creatures, so you wouldn't be surprised if it was more for decoration than to actually keep warm. You felt heat rise to your face seeing his excited reaction.

"Err- Hi." You spoke flatly, trying not to portray how nervous you felt. Oh gosh, did that sound rude? Hopefully he didn't interpret the lack of emotion as disinterest or boredom or annoyance- Should you say something else? You didn't want to come off as weird or anything- gosh had you made things awkward?

"Greetings, darling~!" He exclaimed, full of energy, and an expression on him that seemed blissfully unaware of the turmoil coursing through your head. "I was starting to worry you wouldn't show up! I suppose it's good though, since there's less people around now, and all that stuff. Not that I care much what others think, but I'd say after about the say, fifth fling rumor, it starts to get a bit tiring." He rambled, rather cheery.

You blinked, startled. "Ah. I- don't really like.. attention very much... So I guess it's also good. For me." You muttered awkwardly, wincing. You were hopeless. You really needed to get it together. He gave you a sort of odd look, as if something clicked in his brain. You cleared your throat. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Ran into a friend." You stated, trying to make your voice a bit stronger this time.

"Oh, that's perfectly fine, dear. Shall we get going?" He spoke, tilting his head, extending a hand to you. You froze a bit. Titans below, you must have looked like a deer in headlights. Was your face red? You hoped it wasn't red. He chuckled, and you hesitantly took the hand he had offered, avoiding eye contact. You knew he was very touchy with pretty much everyone, but you certainly were not used to it.

"Follow me." You sighed, turning towards the path towards your home. "Just a warning, my parents won't be expecting a guest, so they might be a bit.. startled." You added, looking away from his face.

"Oh dear, I'm not getting you in any trouble, am I?" He asked, tilting his head. You hesitated.

"I'm.. not sure, honestly. They'll probably just scold me, but as long as you behave well enough I think I should be fine?" Your answer came out slow, as if you were thinking as you spoke.

"I'll be on my best behavior then!" He exclaimed brightly, doing a mock salute and grinning. You let out a small chuckle despite yourself, causing his eyes to sparkle.

"Thanks." You responded, a smile creeping onto your face.

***

"I'm bored, can we take a break?" He pouted, though his tone was light-hearted. You rolled your eyes playfully. Somehow, you had managed to calm yourself down, letting yourself focus on numbers and equations rather than the look he was giving you. The two of you had arrived about a fifteen minutes ago, you quickly explaining the situation to your mother. She was.. hesitant, but let you off with a warning to plan with her or your father next time, along with telling you to leave your bedroom door opened if you wanted to work in there. You obliged.

"We've barely even started." You noted, raising a brow. Though, you couldn't help but smile. "Weren't you supposed to be desperate for tutoring or something?"

"Oh, but we've already accomplished so much, haven't we darling? Surely we've earned a little break time~?" He spoke smoothly, seemingly trying to use his charms to his advantage. You felt heat rise to your face, but you shook it off, trying to keep your defenses up.

"We've only finished four problems..." You trailed off, trying to avoid eye contact. His eyes widened, an almost innocent look to them.

...He was doing the puppy dog eyes again. "Pretty please?" He asked, vibrant hazel eyes sparkling as he blinked, his lashes fluttering.

Admittedly, it was working. "..Oh fine." You huffed. His grin widened. "What do you want to do anyways?" You asked, tilting your head.

"Just talk, really. Like uhm.. What's your favorite color?" He asked, tilting his head. You paused, surprised at the question. You gave it, asking him for his. "Green! Ooh, but I also love orange. It's hard to say, really." He answered. He looked across your room, seemingly taking in the surroundings.

His gaze locked on your wall of drawings. His eyes lit up. "Oh! Right, you like drawing, correct?" He questioned, scurrying over to get a closer look at the papers you had taped to the wall. You felt yourself sink deeper into the cushion you sat on, embarrassed.

"I uhm- draw a lot of my classmates. It's good practice." You quickly explained, wincing knowing what he was going to see. You heard a delighted gasp from him.

"Is this me? Darling, it looks amazing! Are you in the art club, by chance?" He exclaimed brightly, gently grabbing the paper, careful not to pull it off the wall. "Oh wow, there's a lot of me." He uttered, eyes darting place to place.

You felt your face glow a faint, rosy red. There were at least four drawings of him up there. "You have uhm- interesting features to-"

"Can I keep one?" He interrupted.

The tension in your shoulders dropped slightly. "Oh. Yeah, that's ok. You can take all of them if you want, honestly." You replied, startled.

He grinned, peeling the tape of one of the drawings off the wall. "Ooh! Is that one Dio? Oh he'd love that! You should start showing these to people!"

"Err- I'd rather not." You muttered. After taking another moment to look up at your sketches, he moved to the other side of the room, allowing himself to fall down onto your bed.

"I must say, it's quite cozy in here. I approve of your interior design." He commented, staring up at the ceiling while he sunk into your mattress.

Your jaw dropped slightly, face red as a poppy, heart beginning to pound in your chest. "I- thank you, but please get out of my bed." You protested. He sighed, getting up and wandering back to the cushion he was seated at earlier. "Anyways, I have a question." You spoke, calming yourself.

"Shoot it." He replied, tilting his head.

"Your family is like.. loaded, right? Couldn't you just have hired an actual tutor?"

He paused, before shrugging. "If I did, Zeus would find out, and then he'd check my grades and probably kill me. It's better if he just thinks I'm out canoodling or something." He responded casually, as if that made any sense to you.

"Hang on, do your parents even know where you are? Did you tell them you'd be going home with someone else?"

"Nah, Zeus doesn't really care. Ares just straight up disappeared for a couple of weeks once. Me and Artemis had to go off and find him ourselves. Though, to be fair he is father's least favorite. Poor soul."

Your jaw dropped. "But what if something happened to one of you? Would he even know?"

He shrugged once more. "He wouldn't care. I'm better off dead than a failure in his eyes." He answered, tone still casual, as if this were normal. "Anyways~! I've been drafting up this wonderful prank idea to pull on Ms. Demeter, and I'd love to hear your feedback!" He shifted the subject, and you felt like a rug had been pulled from beneath your feet.

"Are you really just going to change the subject from that..?"

"Yes." His voice was firm as he spoke, final. "So I was thinking I'd swap out all of her markers before class and-"

You listened absently as he spoke, thinking on what he had said previously.

***

"You should probably get going, my father's going to begin cooking dinner soon." You cut in, pushing aside the papers the two of you had been working on, looking up at the clock.

"Oh! Yes, sorry. I'd hate to stay longer than I should. My siblings will get worried if I'm gone too long anyways." He exclaimed, sitting up.

You hesitated. "I can uhm- walk you back to your place, if you want." You offered, trying to pretend your heart hadn't sped up again. His eyes lit up.

"That would be nice." He responded, voice oddly soft. He reached behind him, stuffing his arm through the sleeve of his coat he had discarded on the floor earlier. You reached for your own, which you had placed on a hook on your wall. "So, should I meet you outside again tomorrow?" He asked, lips tugging upwards.

"Uhm- Sorry, I promised I'd walk home with one of my friends tomorrow." You answered awkwardly. "Friday, maybe?" Two days from now. Your heart fluttered at the prospect. He nodded. "I'll make sure to ask my mother later."

~~~

You walked beside him in the cold air of the winter night, steps light on the icy concrete. The freezing air cut through straight to your skin, causing you to shiver. "Ugh, I can't wait another second for spring to finally begin... this cold is unbearable." You muttered, shaking out your arms in hopes to warm them up.

"Ah, the woes of a nature spirit." He teased, sounding amused. "Here, want to trade coats?" He offered, tilting his head. You shot it a skeptical look, and realized he was probably being sarcastic, considering how thin his was.

"Look, you could've easily worn something warmer-"

"I meant it, darling. This one's enchanted." He was already beginning to pull it off, ready to hand it to you.

You paused in slight shock. "Oh. You don't have to..."

"I insist."

Hesitantly, you took your own coat off, taking his. Your first thought was that he was definitely right about the enchantment thing. It enfolded you in warmth, almost like a hug. "Wow.. Thank you, really." You uttered, blinking. "You won't be too cold without it or anything, right? I wouldn't want to-"

"I'll be fine. You're literally a plant, dear." He reasoned, putting on your coat.

"I wouldn't quite say literally.." You muttered, but didn't protest further. You tried to pretend you weren't entirely flustered at his act. Stars above, you were wearing something of his now. His eyes glowed in the low streetlight, deep hazel pools, almost like a pond, golden flecks shining within. Titans below, he was beautiful... You tried to shake the thought away but... "You have really pretty eyes." You blurted, immediately regretting it. Shoot. Heavens, why were you so stupid?

The eyes in question went wide. Were you imagining that rosy hue his cheeks had begun to glow? "I'm sorry-"

"No. Uhm- thank you. You're.." He shook his head, almost looking as if he were scolding himself for what he was about to say. "We're actually getting fairly close to my place, I should.."

You swallowed nervously. Gods, you had made it awkward, hadn't you? You had managed to screw everything up. "Ah. Do you want the coat back, then..?"

"No. Keep it, I have more. Just uhh.. meet me at the willow tree again at lunch tomorrow, will you?" He spoke, lips creeping up into a small grin.

"Oh- yeah, of course."

"See you then, darling~!" He exclaimed, leaning in and giving you a bop on the nose. You felt yourself redden at his touch, and watched as he walked off.

As he disappeared, turning a corner, you tried to push back the sting of regret you felt. You had messed things up, hadn't you? Sighing, you turned, beginning your journey back to your own place of residence.

Author's Note:

finally got around to writing this lol!!! almost fully dropped it in favor of another project but currently my mentality is fuck it we ball and do both 😎👍

~Originally Published 08/09/26~

You swung an open your door, a certain mild ʚmannered god trailing after you. "That was fun." You spoke, hanging your bag on the hook.

"I suppose those two were... tolerable." He sighed dramatically. You rose a brow. "Alright, yes, I liked them enough. They were rather pleasant." He admitted, letting out a small 'hmph' noise.

You nodded.

"So, would you say I played my cards right?" He asked, a mischievous grin sprouting on his face. Upon realizing what he was referring to, you felt heat rise up your neck. Unwillingly, your gaze flickered to his lips. Oh god. You thought, eyes wide. You tried to muster up words, but to no avail. He let out a soft chuckle, cupping your chin gently.

"Shut up." You muttered, looking away, though you didn't pull from his grasp.

He giggled. "I'm just teasing, darling! Though if you'd like-"

You gave him a gentle flick on the nose. "Quit it." You grumbled. There was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, smile slightly crinkled. He allowed his hand to fall back to his side, wings giving a slight flutter. There was a slight shadow to his expression though, as if something was nagging at him.

"And here I thought I was on my best behavior." He pouted, crossing his arms. You couldn't help but chuckle a bit at that.

"I said maybe. There was never any confirmation." You pointed out.

He let out a small 'hmph' in response. "Still." He huffed. He dropped the pouty act, the wide grin reemerging on his face. "Anyways~! I must say I'm quite flattered with how highly you apparently spoke of me to Jay." He remarked, horribly smug all of the sudden. "Really, for someone who acts so reserved and stiff it's really quite a surprise."

You stiffened from embarrassment, before letting out a long breath. "What, do you want me to compliment you more often or something?" You asked, raising a brow. "I just figure your ego is already inflated enough without me feeding it." You shot back, shrugging.

"Perhaps~" He grinned. Something in his expression shifted, something that almost looked like concern. He had hidden it quickly, before you could even blink. But you had caught the change. Upon realizing this, he sighed. "You don't actually think I'm out of your league though, do you?" He asked, the playfulness suddenly dropping from his tone. You remembered the comment your coworker had made earlier, and the following protest that you shut down. Was he really still thinking about that?

"Does it really matter that much?" You blinked, startled.

"To me, it does."

"I mean.. you are literally a god." You responded, tone slow and hesitant.

"Yes, but plenty of mortals have had relationships with gods. I don't see how it changes anything." He stated, brows furrowed lightly. You supposed that was true, but you weren't sure that changed how you viewed things either. He was a literal god, even if he wasn't, he was gorgeous and charming and funny and you could go on for a while. You were rather average.

"Weren't all those mortal lovers like, incredibly beautiful or interesting in some way? Or like.. special or something?" You questioned, squinting. You knew you weren't the 'mortal lover' type, and you were completely fine with that. In fact, really you were better off. Those stories didn't usually end well, did they? You were average enough in the sense to not be.. interesting to a god, you suppose? You were lower middle class, not particularly innocent or filled with wonder or something, and fairly plain in terms of looks. It was really a wonder that Hermes had stuck around this long.

"You are special. To me, at least." He said softly, breaking you out of your thoughts. You looked up at his face, which was now devoid of his usual smugness. He shook his head lightly.

You blinked, startled. "I- Oh." You felt yourself soften at his words. You struggled to process what he had said, yanked out of your mind's wanderings. "I- I just can't really see what about this bothers you so much." You blurted, words coming out as you thought them in your confusion.

"I don't know, it shouldn't be this big of a deal, I just.. I don't want you to feel like you're inferior somehow. Or like you're not good enough for me. Or like I'll lose interest and move on to someone somehow 'better' when I can't even fathom the thought of someone like that existing." He paused. "I like you because you're you. And I wouldn't want you any other way." He spoke, tone firm.

You just.. stared for a moment, lips slightly parted in surprise. He let out a nervous laugh, his guard seemingly going back up. "Err, apologies, darling. I didn't mean to make that so dramatic. I suppose it's just been nagging at me all-"

"No, no. You're uhm- fine." You interjected quickly. You found yourself reaching up to cup his cheek, and he let you, almost leaning into your touch. "Did you.. really mean that?" You asked suddenly, all of your worries about pride or dignity temporarily swept away.

His face softened once more. "Of course." He responded softly, an odd certainty to his voice you hadn't heard from him very often. You looked at him for another long moment. God, he was beautiful. His vibrant, golden eyes shone like stars, and yet they were entirely focused on you, as if drinking in your very presence. His face was like that of a statue, or a painting. Made to be viewed and revered for its beauty for years to come, a masterful showcase of an artist's skill. A halo of light surrounded his curls from the dim glow of the lamps behind him, making the edges of his hair shine a fiery gold. Every inch of him was perfect. And yet, he was looking at you as if you were the same. As if you were the goddess and he were a mere mortal.

Suddenly, a very impulsive thought crossed your mind. And yet, you couldn't quite squash it down.

You leaned in closer, noses almost touching. You allowed your thumb to stroke his cheek, his skin soft. "Can I...?" You spoke hesitantly, hoping he would guess your meaning.

He nodded.

You had been curious about what this would be like for longer than you'd admit. Your heartbeat had quickened, but you didn't let it deter you. You got even closer, lips barely brushing against his. Your breath hitched at the sensation, soft yet tingling, like the buzz of TV static. The touch was gentle, tentative. And yet to you..

It felt like two worlds had collided.

You hesitated, his breath warm against your face. His eyes were curious, as if he were waiting to see what you'd do, waiting for you to make the next move. Ensnared by claws of doubt, you winced, ignoring the almost magnetic pull he had on you and stepping away. "I'm sorry, that was stupid, I shouldn't have-"

Before you could finish speaking, his lips crashed against your own. A bright, hot sizzling feeling coursed through you as if you were struck by lightning, electricity coursing through your veins. Instinctively, you felt your hand reaching up hold his face as well, in hopes of stabilizing yourself, eyelids fluttering shut. His hands clutched your waist, grip gentle but still firm as he held you close.

When you two had finally broken apart, there was silence. Your face was flushed, mouth slightly parted. He was fairly red himself, eyes wider than usual, oddly still. The two of you just stared at each other for a moment, catching your breath. Neither of you moved.

Finally, he let out a soft, breathy chuckle. "Gods.." He trailed off, as if in disbelief. The corner of his lips gave a slight tug upwards, forming into a small grin. His wings twitched, as if he were holding back the urge to flutter them in excitement.

"Holy shit." You breathed, blinking. He laughed, and you couldn't help but follow. He didn't move his hands from you, and you didn't move yours either, savoring the feeling of him. He leaned his forehead against yours as his eyes fell shut, another giggle escaping his mouth.

Did that actually just happen?

***

The messenger god stared up at his ceiling, a lovesick grin plastered on his face. His head wings fluttered, almost fanning himself. He could hardly believe anything that had happened today. They had finally done it. She kissed him. He kissed her. They had actually touched lips.

And gods, it felt amazing.

Her hands clasped around his face, her sharpness softening beneath his touch, her lips... Gods, her lips. The moment haunted him, even now as he laid on his bed. It was as if, just for a moment, the world had slowed down for him. He had been called back to Olympus not long after, but his mind lingered in the moment. He let out a sigh, heavy with both contentment and longing.

"You look like a lovesick teenager."

He immediately sat up, startled by the teasing voice that had interrupted his thoughts. His head swiveled, seeing Dionysus leaning against the frame of a now wide open door, sipping from his goblet he seemed to perpetually have on hand. "Well someone's jumpy." He observed, his eyebrow quirking up with amusement.

"Couldn't you at least have knocked?" Hermes grumbled, though he kept his tone lighthearted.

The younger brother shrugged. "Would you have even noticed?" He asked, still teasing. "Anyways, I'm assuming something happened with the mortal girl?" He wore a knowing grin on his face, seeming terribly pleased with himself.

"We kissed."

He blinked, as if caught off guard for a moment before taking another sip of wine. "Damn." He spoke. "You two just reached first base? From the look on your face, I would've guessed you had just gotten laid." He commented casually.

Hermes felt heat rise to his face at the thought, but he pushed it down, deflecting with a laugh. "What can I say? I've got a bit of a crush." He admitted with a shrug.

"A crush? Still not willing to admit you're in love with the woman, are you?" Dio asked, skeptical.

"I wouldn't go that far." The messenger remarked, the response coming out before he was forced to think on the statement. His brother barked out a laugh.

"You're still hopeless, you know that? Even Ares could tell how you feel about her, and he's even worse than you." He pointed out, rolling his eyes.

The elder sibling bristled defensively. "Whatever. Why are you here, exactly?"

"Well I was going to invite you out for a drink, but I can see you're a little.. occupied." He spoke, lips tugging up in a smirk. "I'll let you go back to sighing and staring at the ceiling longingly." He turned, closing the door behind him. He hesitated for a moment, as if about to make another comment, but seemingly decided against it.

Hermes sighed, letting himself fall back onto his pillow. He was helpless.

Author's Note: they finally did it oh my golly oh my gee

similar to their confession chapter this was essentially me just trying to build up to the big thing I planned and then a little bit of aftermath and then nothing else happens because I was so focused on that one thing but yknow what I think it works well enough for this.

also I since I was with the incorrect quotes generator a few days ago and I was thinking of this the whole time while writing this chapter

Raven being mc because giving my mcs names / nicknames makes them feel more like people so sometimes I use those-

thinking I'll draw Hermes again soon or something. Idk.

Hope yall enjoyed!!!!!

~Originally Published 08/03/26~

HOLY SHIT HOW IS IT AUGUST?!?!???!??! EW I HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL SOONNNN

You sat down the table, the last one to get your food from the concessions area. "Welcome back, cutie~!" Jay exclaimed, grinning. Hermes blinked at her, startled. You tried your best not to blush. You placed your plate and cup down, grabbing your slice of pepperoni pizza and taking a bite. 

"Hey, Jay." You grinned.

"So uhmm, how did you two like, meet?" Seth cut in awkwardly, directing your gaze to you and Hermes.

"I saved her from getting hit by a car!" He exclaimed, grinning.

"We kept in touch afterwards." You shrugged. "..he's relatively entertaining." You added, muttering.

He gasped dramatically. "That has to be the nicest thing you've ever said about me!" He exclaimed.

You scoffed. "Oh please. I say nicer things about you plenty."

"She certainly did when she was telling me about you." Jay cut in. You gaped.

"Oh~? Do tell me more, darling."

You clasped your hand over her mouth. "Jay!" You hissed. You knew she would greatly exaggerate what you had said to embarrass you. "He calls everyone that, don't worry about it." You said in a low voice, nodding at Seth, who looked rather confused. You could feel her laughing beneath your hand.

"Don't worry, cutie, I won't tell him a thing. I'm sure you can tell him about how charming and pretty you find him yourself anyways." She remarked, a mischievous tone of voice.

Your face went beet red with blush. "Shut up." You grumbled. Hermes grinned at you, a horribly smug and giddy look on his face. For a split second, however, his expression dropped, as if something worried him. But it changed back so quickly you were left wondering if you had imagined it.

"Oh, don't act like you're not smitten with me~!"He teased.

"Both of you are insufferable." You groaned, rubbing the bridge of your nose.

"...I think that's just your type."

You turned, blinking, seeing that it was Seth who had just spoke. "I- you too?!" You exclaimed, startled. Jay and Hermes just stared for a moment, before both burst out laughing, Jay wrapping her arm around boyfriend's shoulder. "...I hate the fact that you're probably right." You admitted with a sigh.

Hermes leaned against your shoulder playfully. "Aww! I'm your type!" He exclaimed. You rolled your eyes.

"Don't flatter yourself."  You responded, though your tone was lighthearted. You leaned into him for a moment, before sitting up and shouldering him off of you.

"So. Were you dating when he flirted with you at work or-?" Seth asked after a moment of quiet.

"Nope." You spoke.

"To be clear, I was not flirting-"

"You were harassing me." You corrected.

"Was not!"

"Hold on, what are you all talking about?" Jay cut in, confused.

Before anyone else could answer, Hermes responded, giving a slight eye roll. "Oh, not much. I visited that cafe you all work at while she was at the counter. I simply wanted to make sure she was doing alright. It did not occur to me I was being 'weird' and 'creepy'." He sighed, doing quotation marks with his fingers.

There was a moment of silence after he spoke. "Right..." Jay muttered, squinting. "Anyways, I was thinking we could take a group photo!" She exclaimed, pulling out her phone from her pocket. You felt yourself perk up at the suggestion. She extended her arm, messing with the camera angle to make sure everyone was in frame. You grinned, Hermes peeking out a bit to make sure he was visible from besides you. He slung his arm around your shoulder, warmth seeping into your skin. She snapped the photo, and you leaned onto his touch.

"You better send me that." You spoke, raising a brow. Hermes rested his head on your shoulder, but you didn't pull away this time, instead just paying him no mind.

"Of course." She shrugged. She pointed her phone towards you, snapping another photo, a mischievous grin on her face. You rolled your eyes.

"Are you seriously taking pictures of us?"

"What? You two are being cute. Figured I might as well." She protested, tucking her phone back in her pocket. She casually took a bite of her pizza, taking a moment to chew.

Seth hesitated, looking like he was about to speak. You moved your attention to him. "So uhm- Hermes, where are you from? You don't really seem like you're from here so I figured I'd uh- ask." He asked hurriedly, still sounding a bit nervous. You wondered if something was bothering him. He did tend to be awkward, but still. You thought about his question. You supposed the god did appear a little out of place here, and not just for his beauty. His skin was well tanned, something unusual for a place like this. Not that it didn't get sun, but certainly not enough year round to maintain a tan like that. Not to mention he had an odd sort of.. accent? You weren't sure what to call it. But his pronunciation was almost.. too perfect. Which didn't exactly mean all that much, but it could imply that while he speaks English fluently, it may not feel natural to him.

He shrugged. "I'm from Greece. I travel a lot though." Answered casually. "How about you two? From here?"

"Born and raised." Jay shrugged.

"I'm from South Carolina. Moved here in middle school." Seth replied. "What? Why are you all looking at me?"

"I don't know, you've just never mentioned that before. I would never have guessed you were from the coasts." His girlfriend replied, sounding mildly surprised.

"Isn't being from Greece more surprising?" He asked, blinking

"Yeah but like- I've never met him till now. I'm just surprised it's never come up." She remarked, voice light. "How were the beaches down there?"

"Pretty ok, I think... I don't really remember, honestly." He spoke, squinting as if in focus.

She sighed. "I've gotta scrounge up enough money to travel to East Coast one of these days. I miss the beach."

"Huh. I don't think I've ever actually been to one of those." You blinked. "Or well, a salt water one that is."

Hermes and your coworker across from him both stared at you for a long moment. "Well I suppose I'm going to have to change that." The god finally spoke, sounding completely certain.

"Oh please, I don't-"

"Nope. I'm taking you. You need a vacation anyways." He interrupted.

"Ugh, don't we all." Jay groaned. "I've been taking extra hours lately. Sucks ass."

"Oh shit, why?"

"Tiffany's a bitch."

The rest of the evening went on similarly, full of light conversation and laughter.

~OPHELIA'S PERSPECTIVE~

She sat, inhaling. He would be here soon.

"Ophelia?" A soft, melodious voice rang out. Sure enough. "I've returned. I apologize for how long I've been gone, my sunrise. Helios kept me quite busy." He swept towards her, cupping her face in his warm, soft hands. She could feel his smile, his light amusement in his words.

She turned away, unable to meet his gaze. "Ophelia?" He asked again, slightly confused. "Please just look at me, my dear. I'd hate to think the love of my life was angry at me." He spoke, concerned.

She couldn't look at him. She was afraid if she looked at him, she'd collapse back into his arms, sobbing as he held her close. "Don't call me that." She snapped. He pulled away, as if shocked. "If you loved me, you wouldn't have been trying to kill my best friend." Her voice was cold, distant and far from the warmth she had once greeted him with. And yet, it trembled. Strength diminished by her heart break.

He hesitated for a long moment. "Ophelia, I-"

"Don't. I don't want to hear your words- I don't want to hear your excuses! Just.. leave." She burst out, holding back a sob. He reached towards her, and she stiffened. "Don't touch me."

"Please, my dearest..."

"What could you possibly have to say for yourself, Apollo?!" She protested, eyes wild. "What excuses could you possibly have for trying to kill my friend?!" The words tore from her throat, the anger almost sounding unnatural, something she rarely let free. But now it has clawed its way out of its prison, unleashing itself.

He was silent. Tension crackled in the still, quiet air. She drew in a long breath, her heart itself trembling. Suddenly, the weight of his presence that once comforted her tasted bitter on her tongue. "I love you deeply, Ophelia. You are my sun, my light, my warmth. Without you, my world would be plunged into cold, icy darkness. The bird song would turn into cruel mockery of my grief, the poetry that once came so naturally would dry on my tongue. I couldn't bear living without you. I only wanted-"

"You wanted me to be dependent on you." She finished coldly. "You wanted to rip me out of my previous solar system and into your orbit, where you would be the only thing I had. You wanted to own me." She confronted. "You're selfish. You think everything revolves around you. Why didn't I see it before? Gods, even from the day we met, you were like this. Why did I ever let myself fall for you?" She desperately wished she could hate him. She wished she didn't still crave the feeling of his arms around her. She wished the thought of his absence didn't make her feel hollow. Since when did she feel so much about him?

"Why can't I hate you?" She wondered out loud, her voice much quieter than before, a whisper of somberness to it.

"You belong to me. Just as I belong to you. It was written in the stars, woven by the fates themselves long ago. We make each other whole. Can't you feel it?" He responded, an underlying tremble to his smooth voice. "Please, I beg you, my dearest, don't abandon our love. I need you like I need the ambrosia I sustain myself off, without you I'd shrivel, I'd-" He cut himself off. He had dropped the serene act he had held before, panic and desperation rising as he spoke, words beginning to flow quicker from his lips. He reached up, holding her face once more. "Please. Just..- Just at least look at me."

Guilt twisted in her stomach at his desperation. Some part of her wished she didn't confront him. But she had to. Perhaps what she really wished is that it wasn't this difficult. A sob she had been holding back rose in her throat. "I- I can't-"

He gently wiped the tear from her face. "I can't do this anymore, Apollo. You- You think you can just kill someone just because it's convenient to you! A real, human life ended just to make yourself more of a hero in your stupid love story! It's not even me you fell for- it's the idea of us." She choked out, tears streaming down her face. "I  don't care if I have to defy the stars, I don't care if I never love again. I can't be with you. I can't play the part you wrote for me in your stupid fantasy! Not if it means you'll kill innocent people to maintain it!"

He hesitated. "It is the nature of the gods, to kill." He uttered, though there wasn't much confidence in his.. excuse(?).

"It didn't have to be yours." She spoke softly.

Unable to resist any longer, she looked at him.

And gods, what she saw felt heartbreaking. His wide, beautiful golden eyes were flooded with desperation, his normally serene, enchanting face a painting of panic and grief. Something within her shattered.

But hidden beneath all of what she saw, was a small spark of something she had never seen on him before. Something that she almost couldn't identify at first.

Fury.

She felt a knot of fear in her stomach. "Just- leave. Please." She uttered, looking away once more as she pulled away from his touch. Suddenly, she wondered if this was a bad idea. What would he do in his grief when he lost hope? What if he harmed her? She would have never thought he was capable of doing so, but now she isn't sure if she knows anything about him. Or worse, what if he harmed her family? Or friends? Someone specific came to mind in that last statement, and her stomach lurched with dread. No one deserved to be punished because she had made the foolish decision of loving a god.

"...Are you afraid of me?" He asked, shock and devastation weighing on his voice.

She ignored the question. "If any part of you actually loves me just please- don't hurt the people I love. That includes <Y/N>."

He froze, stiffening at the mention of that name. It almost looked as if a switch had been flipped within him. "You'd really choose her over me?" He muttered.

"Apollo-"

"Fine. I'll go. I won't touch her, if that's what you really want." He interrupted, jaw clenched. "But just know I love you deeply, even if you do not understand. If you want me back, call my name and I will come."

And with that, he was gone.

She sobbed.

Author's Note: love yall but you two have been dating for like. a month at most. 😭🙏 these dramatic ass bitches I swear...

song "what if we rewrite the stars" from hit movie/musical Greatest Showman except instead of rewriting the stars to be together it's rewriting the stars so they can get a divorce

SORRY IF THIS IS BADLY WRITTEN IDK IF IT IS BUT IT KINDA FEELS LIKE IT SO IF IT IS MY BAD

also wow i posted a new Hermes story!!! don't get too attached to it for all we know i might not update it for like. four months or something. not purposefully or anything but it be like that sometimes

This chapter was going to be called "This Night" in reference to a Billy Joel song of the same title however the scene that the chapter title is referring to ended up being postponed in favor of Ophelia and Apollo break up scene so.

see yall!!!!

~Published 07/25/26~

You sighed, holding back a shiver at the cold. It was early January, a few days after winter break had ended. It felt like no matter how much you covered up, the frost would still sink its fangs into you, seeping deep into your aching bones. The nymphs and dryads (such as you) and other spirits of plant life didn't tend to do well during the winter, and you were no different. You were grateful to see the entrance of the school ahead of you, though you wished you had a scarf.

You were relieved as soon as you entered the building. Warmth. You heard the chatter around you, a slight drawback to the indoors. You didn't exactly like being around too many people. It overwhelmed you. You paused, startled by a group of students rushing past you. Minor gods, all walking much to slow to your annoyance. When they finally passed, you scurried to your locker, stuffing your backpack within. You had math class first. Certainly one way to wake up in the morning. Luckily, it wasn't too far away.

You turned slightly, glancing at the door to the classroom, the rustling by of feathers catching your eye. Hermes rushed in, and your breath quickened before you stabled yourself. What was he doing in there so early? There was a good six minutes before class started. Normally people would socialize before being confined to the classroom. Especially him. In fact, he was often late.

Whatever. It wasn't your business anyways. You ought to visit Aspasia. She was a good friend of yours, someone who actually saw you for who you were and dragged you out of your shell. Plus she was always up to date on all the gossip. You felt bad for her in this weather. She was an Anthousai, a flower nymph. In the winter, a tree's leaves may shed, and its bark may grow brittle, but it will remain standing strong. Not like a flower. A flower will wilt.

You exhaled. Hopefully she had many layers to wear.

***

You sighed, making your way to your seat. Class would start soon. You sat, when suddenly- something caught your eye.

There was a note on your desk.

A note. On your desk.

Actually, it was better described as a rather ornate envelope. There was a gold border around the edges, twisting like vines. Little hawk motifs decorated it, along with golden leaves. You tentatively picked it up, wondering if someone had left it here on accident. Why would anyone leave you a note?

Wait... Was that the Olympian seal on it?

You blinked.

The Olympians were the most popular kids in the whole of Olympus Highschool for Immortals and Magical Creatures. Their father founded it, and therefor not only did they get away with anything they wanted, but they were also loaded. Practically everything that happened at this school revolved around them. After all, they were rich, hot, and powerful, who wouldn't want a piece of that? Rumor has it that most of them are actually only half siblings, despite their father being married, so it seems that drama is hereditary in that family. Each of them all had different reputations and- Alright fine, you'll go down the list.

Athena and Hephaestus were the eldest, and least problematic. They had actually graduated last year, and now both off at college. Athena, while she was here, was always super academic. She never got an A- or below on anything, and was probably a genius. She was in a bunch of after school activities, like Chess Club, Debate Team, Student Council, and probably a bunch more. You and her actually had a slight friendship. She had helped you study before, and would help you with your homework if you needed it. She was by far your favorite. Hephaestus you had a bit less to say about. He was quiet and reserved, and apart from when he and Aphrodite dated, there wasn't really any drama about him. You heard he was a talented artisan though, excelling in classes like woodworking.

Aphrodite. She wasn't actually related to any of the Olympians, instead just being a family friend who moved in with them. And she was hot. Practically everyone dreamed of getting with her, and she knew it. She had a new boyfriend pretty much every week, each having an elaborate break up story. Currently, she was dating Ares, and to his credit he was lasting way longer than usual. Apparently she actually started consorting with him when she was still dating Hephaestus. Scandal.

Ares. A buff jock, who was surprisingly smart, but just didn't show it often. Similar to you, he was in all AP classes. He was very committed to the wrestling team, and was probably their most important member. He was actually rather sweet, from what you've heard. Always buying Aphrodite flowers and helping kids who are being picked on.

Artemis and Apollo. They were twins, though they couldn't be more different. Where Artemis stayed out of relationship drama, Apollo was enthralled. Both were in all AP classes though, and you actually were sharing a class with Apollo right now. He was extremely pretty, and practically everyone has swooned over him at one point or another. He was a tragic, poetic dream boat, heart broken over his boyfriend Hyacinthus suddenly transferring schools. (Rumor has it he moved because his parents found out he was being bullied by some kid named Zephyr. Who also apparently had a crush on him? It was unclear.) He was in choir and was a very talented lyre player, though he wasn't in band. Both him and his twin sister were in archery club, excelling greatly at it. Artemis was in track as well, and generally had a reputation for being fairly cool. She'd defend girls who were getting bullied and harassed, and generally was untouchable.

Dionysus. He was the youngest out of the siblings. He was also a huge party animal. He was super eccentric and animated, and actually in the grade below you, so you didn't share any classes with him. Apparently he had a reputation for hosting absolutely insane parties, sparking the phrase "What happens at a Dionysus party stays at a Dionysus party". You weren't sure you wanted to know. He was also in the drama club, being a very talented actor. You were actually also in the drama club, though they had stopped meeting for the year. You'd met him, and he seemed chill enough.

And finally, Hermes. He was in your grade. Fastest kid in track. Valued member of the school newspaper. All AP classes. In fact, you shared many of your classes with him. Got broken up with by his toxic girlfriend a week ago. Objectively hot. Ok yes, fine, you had a massive crush on him. In your defense, you tried desperately not to! He was a notorious class clown and troublemaker! The teachers dreaded him. And yet... you always found yourself having to hold back a laugh at his jokes and pranks. You should be finding him annoying! Not funny! But oh stars above, he was pretty... And he was charming, and he was athletic, and he was smart and witty and clever and- Agh, you had it bad. Not to mention that other than Athena, he's the only Olympian that ever remembers your name. He actually remembers you. You. A forgettable, quiet dryad.

You of course, did not have a chance with him, nor any of them. You were at the bottom of the social hierarchy. You had a few friends, sure, but other than that you were a nobody. You preferred to stay that way. You were purely focused on academics, art, and theater. You stayed out of drama and weren't involved with relationships.

So what in Hades would an Olympian want with you?

You flipped over the letter in your hands. The Olympian seal was a letter seal stamp all of them used. It contained an image of a torch surrounded by a laurel wreath. You realized with a start that words were written on the back.

"Open me! -H."

H. Hermes? Why would he leave a note for you? It must have been a mistake. You swapped nervously, eyeing him chatting with Apollo in the back of the room before class. You should return it to him. Your heart fluttered, but you swallowed back your fear. It was the right thing to do.

You made your way across the room to him. He paused in his conversation, gaze flickering towards you. Hopefully you weren't interrupting anything. "Uhm- Sorry, I think you must have accidentally left this on my desk..." You muttered, embarrassment flooding through you as the brothers stared. You held up the letter, trying to avoid eye contact.

Hermes took the letter from your hand, eyeing it for a second. He looked up at Apollo, who seemed to be watching this exchange very closely, interest sparking in his eyes. Soon, the letter was thrusted back into your grasp. "Not mine." He shrugged. "Something tells me you should hold onto it though. I doubt someone would carelessly misplace a letter like that. It's probably for you." He added, tossing you a wink. You felt the tips of your ears go red with blush.

You opened your mouth to speak, to protest, but nothing could quite come out. So instead you just gave a slight bow of your head and walked back to your seat. You heard him resume conversation with his brother, chattering like nothing happened. You sat down, looking to see if anyone was watching before tearing open the envelope. Hopefully it wasn't a mistake, and someone really did leave it for you. You pulled out the note, reading it.

"Dearest Y/N,

Meet me by the willow tree in the courtyard during lunch. Don't tell any of the other Olympians. I need your help with something.

-Sincerely, as always, Hermes."

You reread it a few times, still trying to process things. So it was actually him. And he doesn't want his family to know. What does he need your help in particular for? Why you? Maybe he wanted help with a scheme? That wasn't exactly something you wanted to be involved with. Was he trying to prank you? What if he knew you liked him and was trying to humiliate you? Possibilities ran through your head. It probably was a bad idea to go but... Damn it, you were curious.

The bell rung, and you quickly stuffed the note into your binder, grabbing your pencil. Class was starting.

***

It was lunchtime. And you had a decision ahead of you. You unfolded the note, looking at it for a moment. It had haunted you all day, lurking in the back of your mind when you should've been paying attention in class.

You weren't sure what to do. You could go to your regular table and not risk it but... You really wanted to know what it was he wanted. And besides, it felt rude to just leave him hanging if he really would be there. He was absent from the Olympians's usual table...

You took a deep breath, walking into the courtyard, paper sack lunch in hand. You weren't a coward. You'd face this.

You made your way towards the willow tree that stood in the corner, it was tall, its enchanting leaves swaying in the breeze.

Sure enough, he was there, a grin on his face as he sat crisscross applesauce by the trunk. "Finally! I was starting to think you wouldn't show!" He exclaimed, beckoning you to sit next to him. You hesitantly complied, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Why did you uhm.. invite me here, exactly?" You asked, trying to sound at least semi-confident (and probably failing). Your heart sped up. You were alone with him.

He let out a small laugh. Something about it made him almost sound.. nervous? Surely that couldn't be the case though. He sticked his pinky out towards you. "Pinky promise you won't tell anyone?" He asked. Catching the look on your face, he amended his statement. "It's not anything bad, I swear."

You locked your pinky around his. "I promise." You spoke hesitantly.

He took a deep breath. "Ok. So. I may or may not have been failing math as of late." He admitted. Your eyes widened with shock. "I've heard you're pretty good at it, and cheating off you isn't really an option since you're so far away so I was wondering if perhaps you could tutor me?" He asked, tone uncharacteristically awkward and his eyes pleading.

You blinked. "What- Why me?! Why not one of your siblings or friends-"

"It's embarrassing! I can't have them know I'm failing anything! Normally, Athena would help me but she's off at college now, and she had good things to say about you, and you seemed nice and I wanted to get to know you more since you seem so mysterious and-, but also if Zeus finds out I'm failing anything he'll smite me and-" He cut himself off, taking in a long breath. You froze, bewildered by his sudden desperation. His eyes were wide, seemingly slightly mortified by his ramble. You'd never seen him lose his cool like that. "Err- sorry. That was rather undignified. Forget I said any of that. But anyways, I have my reasons." He corrected, clearing his throat.

You just stared for a moment, scrambling for words. He wanted to get to know you more? That thought seemed impossible. Let alone the thought he wanted your help. "Oh." You spoke, blinking. He had never really seemed the type that actually cared about school, and yet, here he was, freaking out about math.

"So will you help me? You can name whatever price you want, darling, as you can see, I'm desperate." You felt your heart flutter at the word darling, face warming up.

You hesitated. Getting tangled up with any of the Olympians was a bad idea. You had tried to stay in the background. The background was safe.

"Please?" He pleaded, vibrant hazel eyes glittering. Was he doing puppy dog eyes? If so it was kind of working.

You sighed. It was just tutoring. What was the worst that could happen? "Oh fine." You spoke, giving in. He let out an exhale of relief. "Do you have somewhere you want to meet?" You questioned.

"Would you mind if we meet at your place? We could probably get privacy at mine but... Well it's very chaotic."

"I don't know.. I'd have to ask my parents, I'm not sure if they would appreciate me bringing a boy over-"

"Great! I'll walk with you there after school!" He interjected, not paying any mind to your words. He materialized a deep purple flower out of no where, which considering it was the middle of winter was particularly impressive and confusing. He tucked it into your hair, a grin on his face, before standing back up. "The others will be wondering where I am. See you at three, darling! I'll meet you outside the front door!" He exclaimed, bounding away.

You sat there for a moment, startled. What in Hades just happened?! Hermes, who you had barely talked to previously, and happened to have a massive crush on, just asked you to tutor him out of nowhere? Perhaps he's plotting something. He did seem genuine but... You shook your head. You couldn't possibly know for sure, especially with him.

You supposed you'd just have to wait and see.

Author's Note: should I be starting another fic? NO. DEFINITELY NOT. Am I doing it anyways? yeah.

I personally always liked school aus way more than I think I would. idk they're just plain fun. so that's kind of what I'm planning for this story. for it to just be like a fun fluffy tale and stuff :D I'm thinking like around 10 chapters? Idk.

If you were thinking "why is Hyacinthus at a school for immortals" well. ok so in this au he is an anthousai. specifically a.. you guessed it!!! hyacinth!!!! he's also a trans guy, because I think that would be fun. Hermes's ex is Peitho btw. More on her laterrrrrr!!!! Peitho my beloved....

Hermes may or may not also be crushing a bit..... that's partly why he chose her in particular for help 😼

~Published 07/21/26~

Your eyes wearily blinked open, followed by a sharp burst of pain. "Agh, fuck." You muttered, trying to sit up. You felt a hand gently push you back down. 

"Don't you dare."

You looked up, seeing someone looming over you. Apollo your mind rung, though you were offered no other context. His violet eyes glowed in the candlelight, and you could spot a thin ring of gold within, shining through. "Where..?" You uttered, gaze flickering around the small room. It appeared to be a clinic, though it was a bit more.. cozy than you were used to when it came to those. Less industrial. 

"You're on Olympus." He paused, sighing. "I suppose I better tell Hermes you're awake." 

"Why the fuck am I on Olympus?" You asked, blinking.

He turned towards the door, shrugging. "You were shot a few days ago. Hermes freaked out, messed with some cops, broke a lot of rules while doing so, and brought you here." He explained, reaching for the doorknob. "I'm going to go fetch him." He sighed.

He disappeared, leaving you alone. "That explains some things." You muttered. Looking down, you saw your torso covered in bandages, flinching as another burst of pain hit you. "Shit." You groaned. You could barely move, the pain was so heavy. Sunlight spilled through a slim opening between the curtains, a faint reminder of the outside world. Candles flickered dimly, the shadows of their flames dancing on the walls. You found it difficult to focus on anything, mind constantly being drawn back to the sharp pain in your torso. No matter what you did, it was a constant presence, buried deep within. You knew it would take a long time of healing to finally dislodge.

You felt your mind trying to slip into unconsciousness, wishing for nothing more to escape, but you fought it. You'd stay awake. You wished to see Hermes, after all. You struggled against the dark sludge of sleep threatening to drown you, trying to avoid falling into its dark waves. You tried focusing on how your body felt, despite how much you hurt. It helped, though it was painful.

The door swung open, breaking through your drowsiness. "Y/N?" Hermes stood in the doorway, face alight with concern. His voice was quiet, as tentative as a leaf falling to the ground. For some reason, you felt your heart beat faster at the sight of him. It surely couldn't be fear, no, but you weren't sure exactly what else it could be. 

"Hey Hermes." You croaked. At the sound of your voice, it was as if a switch had been flipped in him. He hurried to your side, frantic.

"You're awake!" He exclaimed. "I- I don't even know what to say! I was afraid you wouldn't pull through and.."

"I'm not dying over a box of fucking twinkies." You let out a light, shaky laugh.

His eyes went wide with guilt. "I am so sorry, darling- it's my fault this happened, isn't it? If I hadn't made you go in that 7/11 or split up you wouldn't have-"

"Shush." You muttered, raising your finger to his lips. You allowed your hand to fall back to your side, a small echoing thud on the mattress. You were surprised by the look on his face, the worry, the care. You hadn't thought he cared much. He leaned down, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear and placing a tentative kiss on your forehead. It was.. oddly tender. He was oddly tender. Your heart gave another flutter, to your slight confusion.

"I'm just glad you seem to be alright." Hermes sighed.

"'Alright' isn't the word I'd use, personally." 

You turned your gaze, seeing Apollo standing in the corner, an unreadable expression on his face. "Me neither." You muttered. 

"She may still die. We can't be certain." He added, and you thought you may have seen a flash of pity in his otherwise guarded eyes. 

"You do not sugarcoat things, do you?" You spoke, raising a brow. Your voice dragged, tired and shaking. "I'll be fine. Again, not letting myself die over.. twinkies." You shuddered, mustering what little strength you had to speak, trying not to portray your weakness. Apollo didn't seem to buy it though, shooting you a glance.

"Right. Besides, you can't die! We have so much catching up to do!"

"She needs more rest, little hawk." The elder brother interjected, his tone soft.

"What? But she's been resting for days! She just woke up!" Hermes protested, eyes wide. 

"He's probably right." You admitted with a sigh. "I can barely talk." 

"You.. Oh, fine." He relented, letting out a deep breath. He turned away, shooting you a look of longing before facing the door. You felt desperation seize your throat. For whatever reason that may be, you didn't want him to leave you. Darkness clouded the edges of your gaze. You didn't feel ready for sleep yet, but it most certainly was ready for you.

His brother hesitated for a moment, mouth open as if about to speak. "...You may stay this time." He sighed, giving a slight roll of the eye.

"Thank you, Apollo." Hermes responded. He returned back to your bedside quickly, gently grabbing your hand. He pressed it to his lips, the feeling quite soft, before returning it to your side. He didn't let go, instead letting his fingers interlock with yours.

"Rest well, my love."

***

Two weeks had passed. At first, you'd drift in and out of consciousness, waking up every few days. Apollo told you he had been keeping you sleep for longer to let you heal. Hermes would come by occasionally, leaving you trinkets and snacks to wake up to if you were still asleep, and if you weren't, he'd sit down by you on the bed and chat about his day and how things were going in the mortal world and do anything he could to keep you company. It was.. nice, really. Recently, though, you had found yourself being awake longer and longer, the pain fading into something more tolerable. You had begun getting out of bed, stretching your legs. Apollo had begun leaving your side more and more, trusting you to be fine on your own. 

This was one of those times. You took a few steps, pacing around the room. Your legs had grown weak from lack of use, and you were trying to get them back in shape. Your torso still burst with pain, but you had grown somewhat used to it. The curtains had been opened fully, allowing the sun to fully spill into the room, spreading its warmth.

Suddenly, the door swung wide open, Hermes striding in. "Greetings, darling!" He exclaimed, a wide grin on his face. You jumped, startled.

"Hi." You responded flatly. 

"Guess what?" He started excitedly, too impatient to wait for a response. "Apollo said you can finally leave the clinic! Well, he also said I have to bring you back later, but still!" His wings fluttered with energy, his golden eyes shining. 

"He did?" You uttered. You felt some of his excitement spread to you. You hadn't had fresh air in forever.

"Come on!" He exclaimed, grabbing your arm. "I have somewhere to show you!" 

~~~~~~~~~

You slowly sat down, careful not to upset your wound. "It's beautiful." You breathed, looking up at the wisteria trees around you. Different trinkets hung from string on the branches, colorful pieces of broken glass catching the sunlight. A clear pool sat in the center, lily pads floating atop. Crocuses sprung up around, their vivid petals breathtaking. 

"It's one of my sacred groves. I come here for privacy, calmness, all that junk. Only those I invite can enter." He explained, shrugging. 

"And you invited me?" You teased, grinning. 

"Of course, darling~! I've taken quite a liking to you, you know." He grinned, practically beaming.

You gave a small laugh. "No shit. I'm on Olympus instead of wherever the fuck the afterlife is." You chuckled. "Not to mention the fact you've asked me to kiss you twice." You added with a raise of the eyebrow.

"And you've obliged both times, my dear." He reminded you. He cupped the side of your face, fingers brushing softly against your cheek. "Speaking of, do you mind if I..?" He asked, voice dropping softly. You shook your head slightly. He broke the distance, letting his lips fall against yours. 

It was gentle, different from the others somehow. It felt more intimate, more of an intentional, indulgent action. Heat rose to your cheeks, hot as flames. Your heart beat heavily as he moved his other hand to hold your face. 

When the two of you finally broke apart, he was quiet. He didn't move his hands, letting his forehead lean against yours. A small giggle escaped his mouth. You could hear the wings on his head fluttering giddily. His touch was warm, sparks alighting beneath your skin that you had never felt before. You knew he was beautiful before but... You don't think you had found him so gorgeous until now. His golden eyes shone, tan skin practically glowing. What was happening to you? What even was this? Neither of you had ever put a label on whatever the fuck this was supposed to be. You enjoyed his affection, yes, but it was rather confusing. He gasped excitedly after a moment. "Wait... Are you flustered?" He asked, raising a brow.

"...Whatever." You muttered. 

"You are~!" He exclaimed, beaming. 

"How am I supposed to not be?!" You protested, defensive, pulling away from him. 

He laughed. "Looks like someone's not as unshakable as I thought~!" 

"Shut up." You grumbled. Your heart must have been beating like a drum. You wouldn't be surprised if he could hear it.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you like me~!" He teased.

"...Am I hallucinating?! Did we not just fucking kiss?!" You asked, blinking. You thought his cheeks grew a bit more pinkish at your words, but if so it was quite subtle. "Do you think I just let anyone do that?!"

He laughed. "You've got a fair point there. I'm flattered, really." He spoke, reaching out to cup your face one more. You didn't resist. "You're quite beautiful, you know..." His voice had become more gentle, eyes soft as they drank you in, affectionate. You tilted your head, slightly surprised. 

"Oh. Uhm- thank you." You replied, blinking. "You're pretty as well." Something within you stirred at his gaze, something you didn't quite recognize. It was warm and fluttering, oddly pleasant. "Very pretty." You added.

He gave a small chuckle. "Thank you, dear." He responded. "There's something else about you, I can't quite put my finger on it... But you're well- alluring. I can't quite stay away, even if for whatever reason I wanted to." He gently stroked the side of your face with his thumb, touch soft. "Whatever it is, I've missed being with you. I'm more glad than I could put to words that you're getting better, and that you're alive, and..." He trailed off. You hesitated, unsure what you could even say to that. "You don't have to respond. Just know if you ever need anything.. Tell me. I'll come running." 

There was a long moment of silence between you two. You were shocked at how genuine his words felt. "..Wow. Uhm- thank you." You finally spoke. 

"Of course." He breathed. "Sorry, was that a lot

You hesitated for a moment. "When I'm healed, what are we going to do? I doubt Apollo will have me stay any longer than I have to." You asked, voice tentative, afraid to ruin the moment.

"..I was thinking, only if you were ok with it, of course, I could help you settle somewhere in Greece! Perhaps somewhere like Lesbos, it's quite pleasant there." He suggested, tilting his head. "Of course, if there's somewhere specific you'd rather be, I'd gladly take you there. As long as it's far, far away from the U.S." He added, letting his hand slip away. You felt relief that he wasn't sending you back

"Lesbos sounds nice." You responded with a shrug. "as long as you visit, I don't really care where I end up though." You found yourself a bit embarrassed at the.. sappiness, of your words. But they were honest, and that mattered more. 

He let out small laugh. "I'm not even sure if Zeus himself could stop me from visiting you, darling. That is, if he even cared to try. He knows I'd probably go on strike if he did." He remarked, the corner of his lips tugging up in a small smile. "Not that I exactly have as much work to do than I used to, but I'd like to think I'm still very important." He added, shrugging.

"And yet, you still have the time to go on the run with a random mortal for almost an entire week." You pointed out, raising a brow. 

"Oh shush." He muttered. "I left plenty during the nights, you just happen to be a rather deep sleeper! Not to mention I perform my duties much faster when there's something I'd rather be doing." He explained with a shrug. 

"...I can sleep through that?" You blinked. 

He giggled. "Well, admittedly I've done a bit... of interference. You actually woke up the first time, though I'm assuming you don't remember." He spoke with a shrug. "...I had to leave three times that night." He added, shuddering. 

"Interference?" You asked, a brow raised.

"Oh you know, just a bit of divine stuff. Apollo's always been much better at it though." He explained. "All I can really do with it is soothe you when it seems you are about to wake up. Really, it's a matter of luck that it has worked each time." 

You tilted your head. "Huh. How many times have you been called away?" You questioned.

"Five." He sighed. "Apparently when I hold my lover in my arms I am no longer busy enough for them to leave me alone. And yet when I interrupt them-"

"Lover?" You cut in, brows furrowed. He went quiet for a moment, as if his voice had dried in his throat, mouth hanging slightly agape. A pinkish hue rose in his cheeks, his eyes widened. Is that really how he viewed you? You couldn't help feel a bit shocked.

He cleared his throat as he regained his composure. "I mean... would that word be inaccurate, really?" He answered tentatively. You felt your heart flutter to your annoyance. You thought of the feeling of his lips on your own, his toned, rich olive skin turned soft as he held you, his golden eyes gentle when they fixed on you. The thought of his affection tempted you, a song drawing you near. You couldn't deny anymore that you wanted him.

You blinked. "...I guess not." You muttered, looking away. He grabbed ahold of your chin, turning your head back towards him. His wings gave a small twitch, a smile on his face. You allowed yourself to stare at his face, the myriad of freckles decorating it, each one of them some how perfectly placed, scattered with the utmost care. He was gorgeous. "Quit looking at me like that." You grumbled, not a fan of the infatuation that was coursing through you.

He tilted his head. "Like what?" He asked, seemingly pretending to be utterly clueless. 

"Never mind." You sighed. He let out a small huff in response, but didn't press you further. You looked up at the vibrant purple petals above you for a moment, trying to focus on them instead. 

He inched closer to you, his skin now brushing against yours. Still, you didn't look back at him. He seemed to find this mildly offensive, to your amusement. At this point, you'd might as well make a game out of it. He leaned in further, letting his lips graze against your neck, causing you to stiffen. You felt sparks beneath your skin where he had touched, jolts of electricity running through your body. Your stomach flipped, eyes widened. You felt yourself grow hot, struggling for words. "Hermes." You uttered, blinking.

"Hm?" He answered innocently, and you met his gaze. He flashed you a triumphant grin, dazzlingly bright. He lowered his head once more, pressing another kiss to your neck, this time more firm. Your breath hitched in your throat, and for a moment you must have forgotten how to breathe at all. Your mouth hung slightly agape, lips parted, but no words escaped  "Something to say, love?" His breath was hot against your skin as he spoke, tone teasing. 

"I-" You started, no idea what you could even respond with. His eyes were alit with amusement, and something else you couldn't quite put a name to. Finally, you managed to scrounge up enough confidence to come up with a quip. "Somehow I don't think Apollo would approve of such improper behavior with a patient." You pointed out, raising a brow.

He laughed. "Probably not. Do either of us really care though?" He asked, quirking up a brow. He wrapped his arms around you, careful not to get too close to your wound, pulling you closer to him.

"Guess not." You shrugged. He had a mischievous grin on his face, and he leaned in. His gaze flickered down to your lips.

"Do you mind if I..?" He asked.

You shook your head. "No, It's fi-"

Suddenly, his lips rushed against your own, interrupting. Your eyes widened for a second before you closed them, startled. He leaned forwards, causing you to tilt back. It felt like a gust of wind coursed through you, sweeping you off your feet. He didn't separate, instead letting his tongue slide within, tasting oddly sweet, like cinnamon. You accepted it, a warm, thick molten feeling slowly traveling down your throat and pooling in your stomach like honey. You wrapped your arms around his neck, skin fever hot. He placed his hand on your back, stabilizing you as he leaned further.

Damn, you were lucky.

***

Months had passed from that moment. Apollo had long released you from his care, and Hermes had helped you settle into a beautiful little cabin on Lesbos. It was more than you could ever have hoped for. Every moment was peaceful, and it was difficult to have worries when the beach was only a short walk away. Hermes would visit often, bringing flowers and stories and different exotic snacks he had picked up from his travels. The two of you had grown much closer, finding joy in each other's embraces. When he wasn't there, you'd spend your time reading, learning crafts, meeting the locals and joining on community activities. You had picked up the guitar recently, practicing your singing as well. You were a bit rusty, but he had insisted on hearing your voice, and seemingly found himself enchanted. For the first time in your life, you were at peace. You were happy.

You sighed, shifting slightly. The early dawn light spilled through the slightly opened window, the curtains swaying in the gentle, salty breeze. You spared a glance at your lover resting beside you, your limbs a tangle of warmth and ease. You watched as his bare, toned chest rose and fall faintly with fondness. Your gaze traced the curve of his jaw, entranced by his beauty. Every part of him was perfect, glowing in his radiant divinity. 

His eyes slowly fluttered open, golden irises fixed on you. "Morning, dearest~" He murmured, his voice as soft as the wind. He looked at you with warm, blooming affection. 

"Morning, pretty boy." You muttered. He ran his hand through your hair, grinning. He pulled you closer, his uncovered skin was soft pressed against your own. Since the.. well, incident, he had always been careful not to agitate your bullet wound, which had now healed into a more subtle scar. Though, it did still hurt if pressed on hard enough. You rested your head on his warm chest, noticing the bite mark on his shoulder with faint satisfaction. You're sure your skin was much more blemished than his, however. "What do you want for breakfast?" You asked, voice dragging drowsily. 

"Mm.., I was thinking I'd make you something today." He responded. "Hestia showed me her chocolate chip pancake recipe yesterday. You'll love them, darling."

"Sounds good." You responded with a small shrug. "I'm assuming you'll be out of here after breakfast again?"

Hermes grinned, the wings on his head twitching slightly. "Actually, I recently realized I never quite cashed that favor of yours!" He remarked, mischievous. "Up for another little adventure?"

You sighed. "Oh, great." You muttered sarcastically, though your tone was light hearted. "I don't know. I think I'm passed my politician slaughtering days." You spoke, yawning. "Besides, pretty much the entire American presidential succession line sucks ass." You pointed out, lifting your head to face him.

"But wouldn't it be fun to cause a little chaos~? After all, the frenzy of two assassinations without a person in custody should last until the next election. He's got a speech he's doing today, it's the perfect opportunity!" He quipped back. 

"Mmm.., can't someone else do it? If I get shot again I'll be pissed.. Probably'll die too..." You murmured. The memory of the dark alleyway haunted you, the sudden pain, the fear.. You shuddered. 

He flinched slightly at your words, frowning as his gaze flickered down to the scar decorating your torso. "I assure you, dear, I'll be more careful this time. We won't spend any more time down there than necessary, alright?" He responded, grip tightening. 

"...Fine. But you better have a damn good plan." You responded, allowing your head to fall back down onto him. 

He let out a light chuckle at your words. "I'll think of something over breakfast." He shrugged. You scowled at him in response. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding! No need to glare daggers at me, darling! We can discuss it over food, alright?" He grinned. He traced circles on your back with his thumb, the sensation oddly tingly. 

"Whatever." You grumbled. He pressed a kiss to your head, soft and affectionate. You sighed, letting your tenseness melt atop him. Out of anything that could have happened after the assassination, falling in love with a god was probably the thing you expected least to happen. But now that it had, you couldn't feel an ounce of regret. For once, it felt like someone actually cared. He made you feel seen, wanted. You couldn't ask for anything more. He had clawed his way into your heart, now firmly imbedded within. You had never felt this way before, but now that you did you were determined to hold onto the feeling. "How long you figure we can stay like this?" You murmured, voice quiet. 

"Forever?" He answered. You laughed, voice warm. 

"You and I both know thats not happening." You replied. You had to admit however, that the prospect seemed tempting. He sighed dramatically. "We should probably get up to have breakfast soon." You pointed out reluctantly. 

"Probably." He muttered. "Doesn't mean we have to, darling." 

You gave a slight, playful eye roll at his words. "If we wanna kill Vance at that speech, we have to get up at some point."

"Orrr, perhaps we could kill some other politician! Like that Mitch McConnell guy."

You laughed. "Oh please, he's bound to die on his own any second now. He'll probably be dead before we even show up." 

"Fine..." He muttered. "Ten more minutes?" He asked.

"Ten more minutes." You agreed. You nestled yourself even closer to him, his warmth seeping into you. You noticed the markings on your skin from when we 'marked you' with his symbol thing were faintly glowing, a soft buzz. You exhaled a small breath. "...I love you." You murmured softly.

You could hear his wings fluttering excitedly in response, to your amusement. He placed another tender kiss to your head, lips soft.

"I love you too, darling."

Author's Note: holyyyy shittttt ITS DONE?!??!?!? anywayyssss surprise!!! its all fluff!!! ive never actualllllyyyyyy finished a fic before. Ever. At least one that wasn't a oneshot. 

my thought process while writing some of this was "omg these freakign FREAKS!!1!1!11""

here's the playlist I listened to while writing this

this was a fairly slow writing process like I only got like a few hundred words out per day after the first like thousand and two hundred. 

if I had a nickel for every time ive written a make out scene id have two nickels which isn't a lot but considering im a romance author its weird its only happened twice. 

I low-key might write a bonus chapter with hermes reaction to when y/n eventually one day dies. (peacefully, but he's still distraught). y/n canonically goes to Elysium like all great monster slayers do.

anyways. I leave you all with these parting messages.

Be gay. Do crime. Punch your local nazi. Kill evil politicians. Remember no matter how hopeless things seem, we can still change our own future. There is always hope for us, no matter how much they try to suppress us.

~Published 07/09/26~