Thanatos is cranky. He tries not to let his emotions get the better of him. He is a chthonic god. He is Death Incarnate. He is punctual, he is precise, and he does not make mistakes. He cannot afford to make mistakes.
Because the last time he made a mistake (involving a certain xenia-breaking king), he'd gotten chained up. No one could die, which is more of a problem than one would think, so the whole mortal realm was thrown into chaos. The Olympians had to get involved. It was not a good time.
After that, he threw himself into his work more vigorously than ever. No mistakes, no complaints, no audiences with Lord Hades. Everything was perfect, or as close to as perfect as he could manage.
But recently, Thanatos is often late and, dare he say, sloppy. And he is deliberately making mistakes. One mistake, to be precise, one smooth-talking, flame-footed, very stubborn, very handsome mistake who happens to be the prince of the Underworld.
Who happens to be the son of his boss.
Thanatos groans and lowers his head into his hands. The recently deceased shade beside him watches his nervously and trembles.
"You doing all right there, mate?" The swift messenger god shimmers into view beside him. Thanatos regains his composure instantly and wonders if Hermes saw him in his pitiful state.
The Olympian gives him a once-over and raises an eyebrow. Ugh, who is he kidding, of course he did.
"Not that I have time to stay and chat or anything, but just know that you're doing a real good job, even with everything happening down there lately! Keep it up!"
Hermes flashes him a toothy grin and two thumbs up before whisking the protesting shade away, shimmering out of view before Thanatos can even process what he said. Everything happening down there lately? What was that supposed to mean?
Did he mean Zagreus? Does he know about the Zagreus escaping thing? More importantly, does he know about the whole 'I might have been late because I was helping Zagreus escape, but I swear it was only twice' thing?
Oh, blood and darkness, if word gets out any more than it already has…
Thanatos is the god of death. He knows who he is, knows his role in the universe. In fact, everybody in the House of Hades knows who they are, and their role in the grand scheme of things. Lord Hades and Mother Nyx govern the Underworld, the Erinyes dole out appropriate retribution, he and his brothers each do their part in escorting and registering shades, even Cerberus knows to be a loyal, intimidating guard dog for crying out loud. Everybody knows their role and everybody's doing it, because if they didn't, the world would fall apart.
Everybody except for Zagreus. Son of Hades, prince of the Underworld. Trying to leave the very place he is meant to govern.
How very lucky of him, Thanatos thinks bitterly as he tracks down yet another miserable shade. How very lucky that the whole world doesn't fall to pieces when he's not doing his job. How lucky that the damage is only minimized to the Underworld, and Lord Hades, and Mother Nyx, and me…
The thought of Zagreus has Thanatos teleporting back to Elysium instead of completing his task. If he's late again, if he gets scolded again, so be it. He's already in a bad mood. He tamps down the small hint of relief that sprouts when he sees Zagreus noticeably less injured than he was during their previous run-ins.
But Thanatos is cranky and he lets his emotions get the better of him more often than he realizes.
"Still running from yourself, I see. How's that been working out for you thus far?" he jabs, not caring anymore if Zagreus' feelings are hurt.
The prince is in no mood to exchange niceties this time around, either. Thanatos can see that his repeated failures have only stoked the flames of determination in him, filling him with a sense of confidence different from his usual airy swagger.
Zagreus nocks an arrow in the gleaming heart-seeking bow, but does not raise it to aim, instead piercing Thanatos with his words.
"I'm searching for my mother. You still live at home with yours. You don't know what it's like."
Mother - ? Unfortunately, Thanatos cannot process this bit of information because, with the mention of Nyx, the anger within him that has been threatening to boil over for so many days is finally spilling up and out. Zagreus could be mad at him all he wanted, could hate him even, and Thanatos would learn to live with it.
But to cast aside Mother Nyx so flippantly, as if she didn't work tirelessly to keep the Underworld under control, as if she didn't raise Zagreus like her own child, love him like her own child...
Thanatos can feel his anger burning up through his chest and he opens his mouth. It needs to get out and he no longer cares who gets hurt in the process.
"How dare you - Don't you dare bring her into this. Mother Nyx was like a mother to you, too!" Thanatos shouts, words dripping venom. "And this is how you repay her? You should be ashamed of yourself, and learn your place."
Zagreus is stunned, having never heard his childhood friend's reach this volume before, and loosens his grip on Coronacht. But before he can say or do anything, a Nemean chariot barrels toward the prince. It takes all of his concentration to jump out of the roaring chariot's path behind a wall of hoplite statues.
Even his Hermes-aided weapon of choice is not doing him well in the matter of speed, especially not against Thanatos' ruthless proficiency, and he comes to understand the meaning behind the term "sudden death."
This isn't work, Thanatos tells himself as he cuts down one champion after another, so technically, he's not letting anger affect his work. But that doesn't negate the fact that he's taking a little too much pleasure each time he drags his scythe through yet another leg or torso or neck, or the fact that his chest is heaving with more than just exertion, that his vision is hazy and tinged with red.
It has barely been minutes when the shades stop materializing. Thanatos breathes heavily as he searches for his next target, frenzied eyes scanning the green fields until they come to land on the only being left, who has not moved from his spot behind the hoplite statues.
Zagreus is on his hands and knees, Coronacht cast aside. He begins to cough, hard, until he starts dry heaving. Thanatos wants to go to him, but then he looks up.
Zagreus' expression is one of wonder and fear and remorse, and Thanatos could almost cry. He hates that Zagreus is looking at him that way. He hates that Zagreus has to see him this way. He yanks his hood over his head and turns away sharply.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Thanatos is Death Incarnate and he cannot let his emotions get the better of him. Because if he does, this is what happens.
"Than," Zagreus whispers, but Thanatos is gone.