#thanmegzag

polycule that has to shrug off their shoulder decorations each time they want to make out

FUCK YOU MEAN THANATOS X ZAGREUS X MEGAERA IS *ACTUALLY* CANON IN THE HADES GAME AND NOT JUST A FAN-SHIP?!

What interests me about both relationships is how they tackle different aspects of Zagreus.

You first encounter Megaera as a boss, furious at Zagreus' actions. Their conflict is clear: she is a dutiful character, while Zagreus is throwing away duty for his personal vendetta. Much of the early game, Meg is angry—either at Zagreus for his betrayal or at herself for failing to stop him in Tartarus. Later, we learn that Zagreus and Meg were once together but broke up on bad terms—his fault. This is interesting because, even before attempting to escape, Zagreus was rebellious, yet he was involved with the most loyal character in the game's cast.

As the story progresses, Meg and Zagreus slowly mend their relationship, with the biggest turning point being Persephone’s return. Once Zagreus officially stays and begins working to improve the Underworld—embracing duty—Meg begins to lower her defenses. Their relationship is deeply tied to duty; the fact that they were together before Zagreus’ escape suggests that, deep down, he never truly saw his place anywhere but in the House of Hades. Mending his relationship with Meg is, in a way, him accepting his role and responsibilities once more.

Then there's Thanatos, who enters the story much later—only appearing once you reach Elysium. His introduction is far more complex than Meg’s. He’s angry at Zagreus—not like megara for abandoning his duty but for leaving without even telling him, with thanatos the betrayal is not ideological its personal. Yet, despite his frustration, he is nothing but supportive. He fights alongside him, plays a game with him, grants him extra life if we win. Even his keepsake mechanic revolves around protecting Zag.

Like Meg, Thanatos is dutiful, but his loyalty isn’t as singular. He respects Hades, but just as much, he respects Nyx. And while he won’t say it outright, he sides with Zagreus in his journey. Once Persephone returns and Zagreus makes it clear he isn’t leaving the Underworld, Thanatos quickly lets go of his bitterness, allowing the player to freely romance him.

At first, it seems like a simple friends-to-lovers arc. But then Achilles mentions something interesting: Zagreus is the god of blood and life. He writes this at the end of Thanatos' codex entry, believing their relationship is bound by their very natures—death always chasing life.

Zagreus rejects this idea. As far as he’s concerned, he is the god of nothing—simply an unwanted prince of the Underworld. His reaction isn’t just because of years of being belittled by his father; narratively it’s because, at the start of his journey, he has no identity of his own. He is Hades’ son, but his father lied to him. He is a prince, but he fulfills no duty. His mother isn’t actually his mother, and his real mother is somewhere out there. Even most of his relationships are defined by the status he ran away from.

His relationship with Thanatos, isn't about him being prince—if that were the case, Thanatos, as Hades' vassal, would have tried to bring him back. Actually, they rarely speak of Zagreus status or even Hades together. Instead, their relationship highlights Zagreus as an individual. Just as Zagreus was always the god of blood but never realized it until he left, he only recognizes his feelings for Thanatos after stepping away.

By the time you've fully bonded with both Meg and Thanatos, Zagreus has reconciled both parts of himself—his identity as the Prince of the Underworld, with the duty that entails, and his identity as the god of blood, which was always a part of him. He needs both; neither is more important than the other. By the end of the game, he lives for the well-being of the people of his house while also finding peace in his newfound understanding of himself.

And then there’s Dusa. I think this is why she isn’t a romantic love interest for Zagreus in the end. Their relationship is tied not to identity, but to the home they share. Dusa loves Zagreus because he makes the House feel warmer, kinder. Zagreus loves her because she transforms the place he once found cold and unwelcoming into something he can actually call home. You can’t even max out her bond without going out of your way to make the lounge—the heart of the House—warm, clean, and beautiful.