This is by far the longest chapter of the story at over 5,000 words. Also, if you didn't notice, the story's name is now changed from Love, Secrets, and a Cup of Coffee to Mercurial. Check visit-the-moon .tumblr .com for more info. Enjoy!
"So where exactly is this house?"
He glanced at Lucy. She was curled in his arms, pulling her sweater tighter around her arms to ward against the cold.
"Well," his expression was contemplative. "It's actually an interesting explanation. Katafygio, the island, is in a plane between the mortal and immortal worlds. It's impossible to find if you're looking for it, hard to find if you aren't, and easy to find if you're me." He smiled cheekily. "But I guarantee you've heard of it. Its most famous mortal resident was Odysseus."
Her eyes widened. "Calypso's island?"
He nodded. "It's also part of the reason people believe in the Bermuda Triangle."
"So you can just come here anytime you want?"
"Yep. Part of my whole messenger god thing." He grinned at her.
"Hm. Does it usually take four hours to get there?"
He shrugged. "Sometimes."
"Sometimes?"
"Its exact location changes. But at the moment, it's—" He looked down. "Four hours, twenty-six minutes, and five seconds away from New York City."
He began to descend and Lucy, still not appreciative of the latter part of the flight, buried her head in his shirt. His feet lightly hit the ground and he tapped her shoulder. She looked up and gasped, nearly falling out of his arms. He grinned and let her down till her feet touched the sand.
He'd chosen that beach to land on for a reason. It was absolutely gorgeous, the white sand melting into crystalline blue water. Lucy's eyes were huge as she looked up at him.
"This is your island?"
He chuckled. "Only the beach. Come on." He gestured up the path embedded in the tall sea grass and she followed slowly. The path turned from worn dirt to stone and she looed up to see a large house rising into the clear sky. Her breath caught in her throat. The house sprawled across her vision, far too many rooms for her to process. She saw Hermes' amused expression.
"You didn't think Calypso lived in a cave, did you?"
He jumped up the steps and pushed open the door. He bowed theatrically and she smiled and walked in. He closed the door behind her and stood at her back.
"So? What do you think?"
His breath tickled her ear and she shivered.
"What do I think? How do you use this entire space?" She gestured to the high ceilings and he grinned.
"Well, like this." He leaped into the air and soared around and she laughed.
He sat halfway between the ceiling and the floor and propped his chin on his hand.
"So, miss Lucy, what would you like to do first?"
She smiled at him from the ground. "I still have to unpack."
He sighed heavily and sunk to the floor. "Fine, if we must. To the bedroom."
He led her up the stairs past doors and down halls until he stopped at a door. He quirked his mouth at the girl and twisted the doorknob. She took an involuntary step back at the large bed, but noticed the concerned look that found its way to Hermes' face and walked into the room with resolve.
Lucy went to her suitcase where it lay on the bed and unzipped it. She began pulling clothes out and placing them in drawers, ignoring Hermes as he flopped onto the bed. She carefully arranged them, her back still to the god, until she was finally satisfied. She turned, her hands on her hips and her eyebrow arched. He looked up in excitement.
"Done? Can we actually have fun now?"
She looked skeptical. "What's your definition of fun?"
He smiled. "Put on your swimsuit."
She stepped out of the bathroom hesitantly. She wore shorts and a t-shirt over her swimsuit. Hermes was standing by the window, looking out at something. When the door opened, he turned, now wearing a t-shirt over trunks. He smiled at her.
"Ready?"
"Where are we going?"
"First, we're going on an adventure."
She grinned in amusement. "You've got it all planned out?"
He took her hand and pulled her down the stairs. "I'm not the god of planning, dear."
She laughed as they ran through the house. "You're so excited!"
"You'll see why."
Outside, he led her to a path in the greenery.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere." He had a big grin on his face and she couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm.
Lucy glanced back at the disappearing house.
"How far are we going?"
He shrugged. "A few miles."
"Don't take this as confirmation that I like it, but why aren't we flying?"
He smiled mysteriously. "Because you'd miss so much."
She tilted her head curiously.
"Like what?"
He merely shook his head and continued along the path. She watched his back as they walked, silent until she tripped over a root. Before her hands could connect with the ground, the god had turned and caught her. He lifted her up, chuckling at her sour face.
"You're not a very cheerful damsel in distress."
"I don't particularly like being a damsel in distress," she informed him. He grinned.
"But what excuse would I have to hold you then?"
She blushed. "I'm sure you could think of some, oh god of cleverness."
He laughed again. "Probably."
They began to walk quietly again. She looked down at her hand, which he hadn't let go of when he'd picked her up.
"Will you tell me something?"
Hermes glanced back at the girl, who was watching the ground carefully.
"Like what?"
"I don't know…a story or something. I'm sure you tell excellent Greek myths." She looked up at grinned at him.
He smiled. "Did you know I'm the god of oratory?"
Her eyebrows lifted. "Really?"
He nodded. "So I'd say that yes, I tell excellent Greek myths. Have you heard the story of the planets?"
She shook her head and his smile widened. "I didn't think so. Well, when the gods had just begun their reign, Zeus wanted to signify importance of the new era. So, he brought the gods together, the gods that were alive at that time, and asked them for a bit of their essence. With each essence, he formed a sphere, almost like Earth, in the sky. Now, back then, the spheres, planets, were just as alive as Earth."
He paused as he jumped over a boulder and pulled Lucy up as well.
"There weren't humans on the planets, but there were plants and water. They were tended by the gods, and each time a god was born, they received a planet."
A long pause as he pushed a branch out of the path.
"So why are they not alive anymore?"
"World War I was caused by the gods. Did you know that? There was a…slight disagreement between us, and as normally happens, the fight affected the mortal world. During this fight, we neglected our planets. We were more preoccupied with destruction than nurturing," he said grimly.
"After the war, I was told by Zeus to ask Demeter to assist us in healing our planets. But Demeter was angry. She said that it was a crime to destroy our planets as we had. She refused to help us, and so the planets are dead to this day. They remain as a reminder to not neglect that which we are responsible for."
He glanced up at the sky, then down to Lucy. Her eyes were wide.
"Wow," she breathed. "So Mercury is actually…"
"My planet." He frowned. "It was rather beautiful, once." He shook the thought from his head and smiled at the girl. "But I have something more beautiful now."
She smiled innocently at him. "Your cellphone?"
He growled and she ran, shrieking with laughter. He chased her through the forest, running easily. Eventually, he sped up slightly and caught her, the two tumbling to the ground. He held his weight over her and she hid her face behind her hands.
"I believe I remember telling you a while ago that I was going to make you pay."
She peeked out through her hands. "Oh yeah, and how are you going to do that?"
"Just. Like. This!" In one smooth motion, he grabbed her and rocketed into the air. She screamed and clung to him.
"What is wrong with you?"
"Oh, there are books on that particular subject."
"Put me down!"
He glanced at the faraway ground and raised his eyebrows.
"You want me to drop you?"
"No, go back down!"
He grinned, thoroughly enjoying himself. "Hm, I don't know if you've been punished enough."
Her head buried in his shoulder, she nodded. "I definitely have. Stop loving this so much."
"That is impossible," he declared, but began to descend back into the forest. When they were back on the path, he put her down gently. She looked around the area then turned back to him and punched him. He rubbed his arm as she glared at him.
"What was that for?"
"That was for that little stunt you pulled."
He shook his head, smiling at the fierce little mortal, looking more like a kitten than a tiger, and beckoned to her.
"Come on, we have a lot of ground to cover."
She followed reluctantly, still glaring. He had to hide his amusement and focus on the path in front of him.
The leafy ferns that began to frame their path made him smile, and he expected the next question that came from Lucy's mouth.
"So, tell me again why we didn't fly?"
He stopped unexpectedly and Lucy bumped into him. When he turned around, he was grinning.
"See these?"
He pointed at the ferns. She looked at them, then at him in confusion.
"Yeah?"
He knelt.
"This island is much like an Earth rainforest. It's home to many species of plants that cannot be found anywhere else. This is one of those plants. This is called a Cautious Creeper."
She bent next to him.
"Why?"
"Touch it."
She looked at him warily and reached out a finger. When she brushed the plant, it curled up, recoiling from her. She gasped and pulled back quickly. He chuckled. The plant slowly unfurled, returning to its full reach. She touched it again, watching in awe as it retreated from her hand. He grinned, content with watching Lucy and the plant. She looked at him.
"Are they all like this?"
"They're all different. I'll show you some more later if you want."
He straightened and offered her his hand. She accepted it and he pulled her up.
"Let's go, Luce."
They trekked father into the forest.
"We're almost there."
Hermes smiled at the weary girl. He was practically dragging her along, her hand clutching his. She rolled her eyes.
"This better be worth it."
"Well, you tell me." He pushed through the last layer of trees and gestured dramatically at the surprise. She gasped.
"Whoa."
He grinned. "So was it worth it?'
She didn't respond, taking in the view. They stood on the summit of the mountain, looking down at the entire island. The clear blue water met white sand. There were pools of water in between the thick green forest. It was like paradise. She tore her eyes away to stare at the god.
"This is the island?"
He nodded, beaming. "Pretty awesome, huh?"
"Just a bit." Her voice was soft, her eyes wide.
His grin somehow widened. "Well, want to see the beach a bit closer up? You are wearing your swimsuit."
She nodded excitedly. "Let's go!"
He scooped her up. When she looked at him in shock, he smiled innocently.
"You want to walk the entire way?"
She gave a defeated sigh and crossed her arms.
He laughed and stepped closer to the edge. She instinctively stiffened, her grip on his arm growing firmer.
Unable to contain an excited shout, he jumped off the mountain, soaring just over the treetop. She hid her face, curling tighter in his hold. In less time than it had taken him to tell his story, they landed at the foot of the mountain. Her eyes were narrowed at him when she dropped out of his arms.
"Must you do that?"
He thought for a moment, then nodded. "I must."
She shook her head in exasperation. "Where's the beach?"
"Right this way, my dear." He showed the sandy path and she took his hand, pulling him along the worn trail. Her toes sunk into the soft sand and she sighed, kicking off her shoes. She met his gaze and smiled.
"Have you ever been to a beach before?"
She nodded, tugging him farther along the sand.
"My parents used to take us with on their trips to California."
She smiled and squeezed his hand before he had the chance to be sympathetic. He shook his head in amazement at the girl and hugged her. They stood in affectionate silence for a long moment.
Lucy pulled away and grinned at him widely, nodding at the ocean. Hermes tugged his shirt over his head and waded into the water.
"Come on, Luce!"
She blinked. She knew he was a god, but that body was ridiculous. He had the muscles of a runner, lean and ropy, but definitely defined. After all, he was considerably taller than her, and most of his mass seemed to be hard muscle. He looked like he was made out of the same marble as his statues. Combined with his infamous wit, she knew she wouldn't want to be against that in a battle. Though she would never tell him that, for fear of making his ego even larger. The god grinned and fell back into the water.
"Luuuuuucy!"
Pulling of her shirt and shorts, she ran into the water.
He lay out in the sand, relishing the sun on his back and Lucy's presence next to him. Her fingers, cooled by the ocean, traced his mark, a caduceus, and he shivered at the sensation.
"What's this?"
He turned his head to look at her.
"It's my mark."
Before she could question the term, he added, "It's what denotes me and who's…connected to me. So, if I claim someone, my mark appears on them."
"What do you mean, claim?"
He thought. "Well, it's like…I have assistants, right?"
She nodded.
"All the gods do because it's just too much work to do otherwise. So, if I get a new assistant, then he, or she, gets my mark."
"What if they change jobs?"
He shook his head. "It's permanent."
"Hm."
She frowned, reflecting on the new information as she traced his mark absently.
"All the gods have marks." He grinned. "Guess what Zeus has."
She rolled her eyes at him, but a smile curved her lips.
"A lightning bolt?"
"Bingo. Poseidon?"
"A trident?"
"Correct. Aphrodite?"
She wrinkled her nose as she thought. "A heart?"
He shook his head. "A dove."
"Oh." She looked distractedly into the distance. He flipped over, turning on his back.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, but…"
She looked at him.
"Will I get this mark?"
He frowned, looking away.
"I haven't claimed you."
"But you can?"
"Yes," he admitted.
"Why haven't you?"
At the unexpected question, he looked at her in shock. "Do you…want me to?"
Now it was her turn to avoid his eyes.
"I don't really see any reason for you not to."
"Lucy…" He struggled with the words to explain the consequences. "Marking is permanent. If I do it…you'll never be anyone else's. Not godly…or mortal. You won't be able to change your mind."
"Maybe I don't want to." She frowned at him. "What does it take? To…be marked?"
He looked away. That was another reason he was reluctant to claim her.
"It's different, depending on the relationship. But for you, we would have to…" He trailed off, unwilling to complete the sentence.
"To what?"
"We would have to…be…intimate."
The understanding dawned on Lucy's face with a peculiar mix of emotions. Revulsion, curiosity, embarrassment, fear, confusion, and another emotion that flitted across her face too quickly for him to comprehend. Her cheeks pink, she looked down.
"Oh. I didn't…realize..."
He rushed to assuage her fears.
"Don't worry Lucy, I'm not forcing you to do anything."
"I know." Her voice was soft, and he sat up.
"Really, Lucy."
She looked into his eyes forcefully and smiled.
"I know, Hermes."
He shook his head slowly. "You're kind of amazing, Lucy."
She blushed and hid her face. "Stop."
He grinned and jumped up. "Shall we return to the house?"
She laughed and stood. "Sure."
He intertwined his fingers with hers and they walked down the beach. She leaned her head on his arm.
"So…" Lucy's voice was casual. "Do you come here often?"
He laughed loudly and she blushed before joining him.
"I didn't mean it that way."
"Of course not." He laughed more before sobering a bit. "Not really. I don't have a lot of free time, and coming here alone isn't as fun."
"Why don't you bring anyone?"
She looked up at him curiously. He shrugged, looking ahead.
"I never found anyone I wanted to bring."
She stared at the ground, hiding her small, pleased smile.
After a long moment of silence, he glanced down at her. She was watching the ground, her arm wrapped around his.
"Do you like it here." He asked the question hesitantly, and she smiled at his uncertainty.
"It's so pretty here. And peaceful. Like we're the only two people in the world now."
He raised his eyebrows. "So is that a…?"
"Yes." She grinned and squeezed his arm.
Now at the house, he pulled open the door.
"So, what do you want to do?"
She grinned, a thought coming to her.
"Do you have movies here?"
He nodded, wondering what she was planning. "In the living room."
"You go make popcorn," she ordered. "I'll find the movie."
He looked at her in amusement.
"And why should I listen to you?"
She put her hands on her hips and fixed him with a fierce glare.
"Because I said so."
He held up his hands in surrender and turned to the kitchen. She heard his soft chuckle as she went into the living room.
She rummaged through the cabinet.
"Jeez, there's a ton of them," she muttered, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Finding the one she wanted, she grinned triumphantly and pulled it out.
He held the popcorn bag in his hand. Concentrating, he allowed the warmth to flow through his hand. He grinned as the kernels began to pop. Soon the entire bag was inflated and he dumped it into a bowl and brought it into the living room. Lucy was curled up on the sofa, frowning at the remote. He laughed and took it from her, sitting next to her. Pressing a few buttons, he easily turned on the TV. She made a face at him and snuggled next to him. She rested her head on his shoulder. He watched the previews curiously, trying to figure out what she had wanted to watch. The opening line made him groan. She grinned at him.
"Hercules?"
She laughed. "Objection?"
He moaned again and his head fell back against the cushions.
"Really?"
"Yes!" She grinned sassily at him and blinked innocently. "Don't you want to see yourself on TV?"
He rolled his eyes. "Not as a tiny blue guy."
"Sucks," she smirked. He sighed heavily.
"Sometimes I think you could give me a run for my money in irritatingness."
She shook her head. "You don't mean that."
Another sigh. "You're right. I'm not irritating."
She made another face at him and punched his arm.
He chuckled and settled in.
"Well, if we're going to watch the movie."
Between Hermes' running commentary on how inaccurate the plot was and Lucy's soft sing-a-longs, the movie progressed with much laughter (and Hermes' silent appreciation of her voice), and finally ended. Hermes clicked the TV off and sat back with a sigh. Lucy stood, holding the bowl of unpopped kernels, and walked into the kitchen. He followed and flicked the light on, dispelling the setting sun. The girl stood at the sink, washing the bowl silently. He walked to her and hugged her from behind, resting his chin on her head. She didn't stop, but, after stiffening when his arms wrapped around her, she relaxed against his body.
"This is a really nice place," she said softly. He bent his head to kiss her hair.
"More so when you're here."
She made a noise of disagreement. "Stop doing that."
"No." He shook his head, his chin ruffling her hair.
He could tell she was rolling her eyes.
"You irk me," she informed him. He merely chuckled in reply.
She finished washing the bowl and handed it to him, breaking his gentle hold on her. He dried it with a grin and put it away.
The god leaned against the counter.
"Lucy…"
She looked up curiously. "Yes?"
He tightened his grip on the counter edge nervously.
"Tonight…"
She tilted her head. "What about it?"
He took a deep breath and forced the words out. "There are tons of bedrooms in this house and I understand if you'd rather we sleep in different ones, I wouldn't have a problem with that," okay, that was a partial lie, "but I was curious about the…sleeping arrangements."
She froze. Sleeping arrangements…That hadn't occurred to her to be one of the things she would have to worry about. Sleeping in the same bed as a man, even Hermes…just the thought made her blood run cold. She knew it would hurt him. Why would she want to do that? Her resolve wavered. Surely she could do it, surely she could sleep with…she repressed a shudder. She couldn't. She wasn't ready yet. After 6 years, she still let him control her. But she just couldn't do it.
She bit her lip, unable to look at him. "I can't…I'm sorry. But I just can't…"
She didn't see his face fall; the expression was wiped off before she could bring herself to look up. He managed to assemble a neutral façade by the time that she did.
"Of course, Lucy. Whatever makes you comfortable. I don't mind, honestly I don't."
She knew he was lying. She knew he was hurt. That he saw it as her not trusting him. Her heart ached, and she reached for him. He went to her immediately and wrapped his arms around her. She hugged him tightly, trying to make him understand what she barely could herself.
"I'm sorry, Hermes."
"Don't be." He kissed her hair lightly.
Taking her hand, Hermes led her up the stairs. He opened the door to her room and gestured inside. She walked in and when she heard the door close, turned around. She looked at him hesitantly.
"Will you…stay? I mean, you don't have to go now."
He nodded silently.
He lay on the bed, listening to the shower running and thinking. It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter, that bastard hurt her, it's not you, she trusts you, this was not a demonstration of her trust. No matter how many times he told himself, he couldn't bring himself to believe it. He was being stupid, he told himself. He was here to make Lucy as comfortable and happy as she could be, not the other way around. If she wanted to sleep in different rooms, he should be perfectly fine with that. It was better that way anyway. Less danger of doing something he'd regret. So trapped in his own thoughts, he barely heard the water shut off in the bathroom.
He didn't look up when the door opened, but the bed moved as the girl hopped on. She crawled until she sat on her knees next to him. Her hair dripped onto his chest and he opened his eyes to see her watching him. Her hair tumbled around her shoulders, her eyes enigmatic. He didn't sit up but turned slightly to look at straight at her.
"Are you okay?" The soft question made him frown.
"Why would you ask that?"
Lucy looked away. "It's just that…you know that I trust you, right?"
He blinked. "You've said as much."
"Tonight's not about me not trusting you. I just wanted you to know that."
He stared at the ceiling. "Whatever makes you comfortable, Lucy, I told you that."
She sighed. "I'm not the only person here."
He frowned again at the ceiling. "What are you talking about? It's only me and you."
"Exactly." She brushed his shoulder gently with her fingertips. "Every decision shouldn't be about what makes me absolutely comfortable and happy."
He turned his confused frown on the girl.
"What are you trying to do? You're the one who made that decision."
Another sigh. "I know."
"So what are you doing?"
"Trying to convince myself, I suppose." She flopped down heavily next to him. "I never said my mind made sense."
He smiled. "I don't think anyone's does."
She gave him a reluctant grin. "True. You're certainly a good example."
He adopted a hurt expression.
"Sometimes you can be really mean, Luce."
"Sometimes you can be really sensitive. God of teddy bears," she teased with a smile. He sat up, causing her to as well. He fixed her with a dangerously mischievous look.
"You are pushing your luck, my dear."
She arched an eyebrow. "Am I?"
He fell back onto the bed, making it bounce.
"Naw, not tonight. You'll catch pneumonia with that wet hair."
She smacked his chest.
"Your punishment is getting rather old. I think you need to come up with another one."
He grinned, eyes on the ceiling. "I have plenty."
"Then why have I seen only one?" She taunted him with raised eyebrows.
"Because I know you secretly like it," he teased. "And that's your real punishment. You feel the need to hide the fact that you actually do like it." He was relieved to hear her light-hearted banter; the confusing self-arguments were difficult for him to process.
She shook her head. "False."
"True." He touched her nose and grinned at the wrinkle she gave it.
She gave him a deadly glare and rolled over on her back, staring at the ceiling. Hermes turned on his side to look at her. She opened her mouth to say something but yawned instead. She blushed and he grinned.
"I think it's time for bed."
Putting on a cheerful face, Hermes leaped off the bed and she watched him carefully. He bowed theatrically, which elicited a giggle from the girl. She slid under the covers, eyes still on him. He walked backwards to the door.
"Goodnight Lucy," he said softly, and the door closed moments before the light flicked off.
A blood-curdling scream tore Hermes from his sleep. Like a shot, he bolted out of bed, flying to Lucy's room. He threw the door open and scanned the room, his caduceus brandished like a sword. Finding no one, he turned to the bed in confusion.
Lucy was clearly still asleep, but clutching the covers with a frightened expression. Her eyes were squeezed tight, and as he watched her, she moaned.
"No, please," she whispered, her voice clouded with fear.
He climbed onto the bed, sitting a safe distance from the girl.
"Lucy," he called softly, but she remained locked in her nightmare.
"Please, don't." The plea was louder this time and she drew the blankets closer.
"Lucy…"
She gasped, petrified. "Please, don't, don't do this."
Her breath quickened and she shook her head violently. He grabbed her shoulders to shake her out of the nightmare. She let out a terrified scream and brought her hands up to shield her face. His blood froze.
"Please don't, no, I'll do anything, Justin, don't do this, please—"
"Lucy!" His shout jerked her from the nightmare and her eyes flew open. She searched the room wildly, taking deep, fearful breaths. He didn't know whether to move from her or towards her, but Lucy made his decision by flying to him, burying her head in his chest. He held her gingerly as she sobbed, her shoulders shaking. She tried to speak between sobs.
"I—I'm sorry. I never—meant—"
"Sh…" He rubbed her back soothingly. "Don't apologize Lucy."
"I just—I didn't—"
"Lucy." He lifted her from his shirt, looking into her tear-filled eyes. "That was…from that night?"
She nodded silently.
"And Justin…"
Her eyes widened, shock halting the tears. "I didn't say it, did I?"
It was his turn to nod. "Tell me who he is, Luce."
She shook her head at his persuasive request.
"You can't go after him, Hermes."
"Why not?" He exploded and she instinctively shied away. "He's hurt you so much, why can't I give him what he deserves?"
"Because!" She recovered and raised her voice to match. "That's letting him win! I've spent so long trying to push him out of my mind! Believe it or not, revenge is not the answer! It poisons the mind! I've already lost so much to him, he won't take my mind as well!"
Her rant silenced him; all he could do was stare at her. She glared at him, breathing deeply to calm herself. She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again, looking visibly cooler.
"It doesn't matter anymore, Hermes."
"But, tonight…" He looked helpless. "He still haunts you," he whispered.
She shook her head, looking down at the bedcover. "He can't hurt me anymore. Not with you here."
His heart sputtered. After that admission of trust, he had to prove to both of them that he was worthy to protect her. And he knew one way to do it. It was now or never.
He was silent for such an agonizingly long moment that Lucy was in the process of looking up as he leaned in to meet her eyes. She inhaled sharply, not expecting him to be so close. Her tear-streaked cheeks flushed and his breath caught. He searched her eyes, trying to determine if she wanted this. He seemed to find permission, and leaned in slowly till their noses touched. The moment dragged out, their expression shifting with every passing second. Her lips parted and her eyes shut. She pulled away, a crease between her brows. He watched in confusion and anxiety as she hid her face in her hands. She looked up, apprehensive.
"I have something to tell you."
And you thought you were dying of anticipation before.
Alright guys, drink or don't drink? (And you may want to add input because I'm seriously considering between both results and it will majorly affect the story.