Note: This story has no warnings as it is entirely fluff except for hints around the edges that one may or may not even notice without context. A darker story is coming soon but this is not that story. No abuse, no sex, not even much in the way of angst.

Story

Hades was consumed by a need for order.

At least, that was Charon's first impression. It was oddly cute. If Charon had had any real experience with the newly arrived mortals while they still lived and the rearing of their young, he might have compared Hades to a toddler who industriously scattered dust about the floor in frenzied motion in imitation of its mother while she set about actually cleaning their living space. Cute, but frustrating when mother and toddler's work were at odds. And Hades' obsessive drive to control every aspect of his new realm seemed as strange and pointless to Charon as a mother would have found it should her toddler have wanted to not only control where each particle of dust should find its home but even whether or not the dust could enter their home in the first place. Hades was, at the heart of it, trying to command control over a natural phenomenon.

And that natural phenomenon was Charon.

And his siblings, and his parents. Charon was not so much born as manifested. Nyx was only his mother in the same sense that lightning might be considered the child of a cloud. Night joined with Darkness and naturally in the space between there was Charon, existing between the above world where night passes and the underworld where darkness reigns. And many of Nyx's children navigated both above and below, but Charon had a boat and an unerring internal compass. And when the first mortals died Thanatos bore them to the edge, but it was Charon alone who could cross them over from one world to the next. For a price.

Hades did not create Charon and he did not hire him, but he liked to pretend that he controlled him. Here, as Hades saw it, was an ancient chthonic god with a penchant for rowing about in a boat on the rivers of the Underworld who had no real purpose. Why shouldn't the ferryman ferry the souls of the dead? Then Hades would do all the hard work of sorting out what kind of afterlife the soul deserved, and everyone would be kept neatly in their proper place. Hades was probably lucky that Charon found it cute rather than annoying. At any rate, there was never going to be a Charon who didn't ferry the dead. He existed to be the gateway. Hades could stir up his dust all he wanted with his ideas of order out of chaos. Charon knew the truth.

And that is why, despite what would later be said by both Hades and Zeus, the first meeting between Charon and Hermes was planned by absolutely no one. Some things are just naturally meant to be.

That is not to say that Charon took one look at Hermes and knew his importance. Rather the opposite, in fact. Hades, upon his arrival, was cute, but also condescending and meddlesome. As an example of the Olympic gods, Hades did not endear Charon towards the rest of his family. One interfering god who thought himself important was more than enough for the Underworld. And then a son of Zeus blundered in. Hermes was…not Hades. Or, for that matter, Zeus. For the longest time Charon had no idea what to make of him.

One day, for a certain definition of 'day', Charon was patiently waiting by his boat, a sense unique to him pulling him into position. At any moment he expected Thanatos to come with more souls to ferry. It was a familiar wait. He would stand tall and still. Lost shades would drift hopefully nearby, in case Charon would suddenly feel generous and allow free passage. Just as if the exchange of a coin were not necessary for the passing; they might as well beg fire to be cold or water to be dry. All was normal.

In the distance, there was a growl like the rolling of thunder, echoing through the temple and sending the shades into a nervous tremor. That, too, was not a completely unknown sound. It was Cerberus, Hades' pet dog who guarded the entrance. Perhaps some shade was foolish enough to try and leave. Perhaps some mortal was foolish enough to enter. Or perhaps the great dog was just bored and in a mood to growl.

And then there was a hum. A less familiar sound. Charon had maybe just enough time to cock his head to the side, to notice he heard the new noise, before an unexpected visitor careened towards the river with all the frantic energy of a bird that has flown into a house and now cannot find its way out. Not that this was the metaphor that passed through Charon's brain, birds not being something he was familiar with. In fact, very little passed through his brain beyond the vague idea of '?!' before the frantic flying creature was crashing into him with tremendous force. It was only through Charon being such a large and solid deity that they did not both go tumbling over into the river.

A frenzy of barking and growls rolled over the two of them and Charon first looked up at the passage where one of the heads of Cerberus was snapping at air, the beast too big to follow down the passage, a roar of barks and growls. Then he looked down to determine what daring being had made its way past the guard dog to dare fly at Charon. Was it an attack? If it were, it was a pathetic one. Aside from the element of surprise, it was not much of an attack at all.

It was a god, one of the smaller gods but not a lesser god. Charon could feel real power radiating from the body now sitting on the ground and staring up at him, blinking a lot with wide eyes. For a very long moment, each just looked at the other, equally bewildered, while Cerberus continued to make a racket in the background.

Charon had no idea what to do with this new being. Technically, this was an invasion. The god, in all appearances, was an Olympian god. Hades aside, the gods of Olympus did not have dealings with the Underworld. This was not their domain. A god, and a god of power at that, coming here, now, ramming their body into Charon…

The god just sat on the ground, staring at him. Not in horror, nor in anger, nothing that was malicious was in that gaze. Charon began to wonder if the god had knocked themself silly, running into him like that. And there had to be a reason the god was here, now, when Charon had felt a call to come to the dock and no Thanatos in sight. Should Charon be offering assistance? Was it his place to offer anything at all? On the one hand, the god could be considered a guest, in which case it was only polite. On the other…the god had broken into the Underworld. Not a transgression to be taken lightly.

Who was this god? A guest? Or an intruder? Or something else…

Charon groaned, long and low, a cloud of purple smoke encircling them. Cerberus's head finally quieted into a low whine and then the dog retreated. Still the god stared. Charon didn't fully expect anything else. Olympian gods generally did not understand Charon. Even Hades found it difficult. Hades looked at Charon, at this ancient being from the dawn of creation, and…well the man was carefully polite but Charon could sense his unease. He expected nothing else from this god, who was surely already on edge for having almost been torn apart by a giant dog.

"Oh…" said the god, and then the god was stumbling up onto unsteady feet, retrieving a fallen staff and straightening a bag that hung about the shoulders. Charon could see ankle wings flapping in a frantic whir, creating a soft hum. There were wings above the god's ears, too, not flapping but slowly fluffing up from their former position held flat against the head, almost hidden by curly hair. And the god smiled.

"My name is Hermes, son of Zeus, god of shepherds and roads and swiftness…among other things. Terribly sorry about crashing into you so suddenly, my fine fellow. I was just looking for a quiet out of the way place where no one could… well, I thought perhaps under the earth would be out of sight of any eagle's eyes and… There was this cave that called to me, dark and secret, and there was a temple and I was curious because I did not know it, and I wanted to explore only I met with the great dog, and, as I'm sure you noticed, the dog did not care for… but I suppose I am talking too much. Again. Do tell me your own name and… perhaps… where I am?"

Still honestly bewildered that some son of Zeus would just stumble into the Underworld, and knowing it was likely futile to attempt to answer, Charon nonetheless did answer in his usual way, fully expecting a blank look in return, perhaps even unease or fear.

"Youare Charon?" the god asked instead, sounding surprised, and then his entire face lit up. "Oh, andthisis the River Styx?! I heard stories about this place, though I imagine half of them are completely fabricated. After all, I heard the terrible ferryman was some horrific monster, and that doesn't sound like you at all, and… but I'm rambling again, I suppose. I apologize; that can happen when I get excited. Or nervous. Or… just tell me to shut up if I talk too much; everyone does."

Charon stared down at the little god, confused, but with growing annoyance. Not that Hermes was talking no, but that he kept stopping himself in the middle of things. How was Charon to understand if he kept muzzling himself? And were the Olympian gods so strange as to want a speaker silenced before the words have been fully shared? He knew them to be different but… well, as a being who was rarely understood outside his own family, Charon understood the value in communication. This god understood Charon and was able to make himself understood. Why would anyone want to silence that?

And he shared as much when Hermes made no attempt to pick back up the thread of his communication. It was Hermes turn to look confused.

"Oh, you… you want me to keep talking? You… you find it annoying when I stop?"

For a moment, Charon worried that perhaps Hermes did not understand him as well as he had first seemed to, if he felt the need to repeat everything Charon had just said. But it wasn't really a question so much as Hermes trying Charon's speech on for size. It was a habit Charon would grow to be fond of, though he did not yet know any of this. At any rate, before Charon could repeat himself or reassure Hermes that he understood correctly, Hermes flitted higher into the air, smiling beautifully.

"Well, in that case, I was saying how I have heard stories about the Underworld and the rivers and you, who has a boat and an oar and can navigate the rivers like no one else, but they call you monstrous and ugly and terrifying and now that you are standing before me I never would have recognized you because you are none of those things even if you are tall and powerful and ancient and mysterious and…oh you ferry the souls of the dead… I do not thing a god can die so I never expected to meet you but I am very glad I have. I can tell everyone that Charon the Ferryman is wonderful."

It was Charon's turn to repeat some of Hermes words back to him, because this strange image Hermes seemed to hold of him at this first meeting did not fit the image Charon held of himself. No, he would not call himself a monster, or ugly, but experience suggested that scary was accurate. And yes he was ancient and powerful, but mysterious? He was fully himself at all times, hiding nothing. And wonderful? It was not an adjective Charon had ever given much thought to, towards himself or anyone.

"Oh, but you are wonderful," Hermes was quick to assure him. "The only being in the world who can pass a mortal's soul from one world to the next. Older than the gods, than the titans… though I have wondered about that, because you are older than mortals yet your very core function is to ferry their souls. A mystery indeed. I myself am a shepherd, but the sheep existed before I was born. And I have recently gained the realm of fertility… though I can sense you have no need for a fertility god, and of initiation and crossing boundaries… oh, perhaps that is what drew me here. You are a god… or do you consider yourself something else? A being anyway, who helps souls cross boundaries and crossing boundaries is a new part of my domains!"

Charon considered this. All of it. He was not slow but he was thorough and patient. Hermes waited, never still but he had his own form of patience, for all that any who knew him, and even Hermes himself, would deny this. He was a being of speed and motion, yes, and could never be still… but patience is not the same as being still. And Hermes fidgeted and fluttered, eyes darting about, alight with curiosity and interest, but he waited and gave Charon the time he needed to answer.

Purple smoke swirled about them when Charon did, a long groan that started low and deep and went on and on, like the growing roar of a monster. The lost shades shivered and huddled, as they were wont to do, as Charon came to expect most to do when he tried to share anything. And sometimes he did it on purpose, to see an annoying being cower. Perhaps he did that now too, to see how Hermes would react. Would he be frightened after all? Would he cower?

Hermes cocked his head to the side, eyes distant as he took in the new information, expression interested, joyous even, the hint of a smile on his lips. Charon shared who he truly was first, because Hermes was curious and had asked, and Hermes' eyes lit up with the delight of knowing. The second thing Charon shared was more personal to Hermes, less certain but a tentative theory, and Hermes head turned to stare Charon in the face, eyes now wide with surprise.

"A psychopomp?" he asked. "You think… well, perhaps. I certainly could not do your job… I can feel from here that the river would deny me passage. I could probably fly along above it anyway, but… that is not my job. So you think… I am of Thanatos's realm? Would not be the first time I held a domain that crossed over with someone else's. Well, I could always try it and see… I just hope Death won't be angry that I'm sharing the load."

If Charon were the sort to roll his eyes, he would have. Obviously it did not matter if Thanatos cared or did not care that another psychopomp might be joining him. Hermes being one or not being one was a natural phenomenon. It would be as pointless as a butterfly decrying the existence of a moth just because they shared a similar nature.

Charon shared as much, and Hermes laughed out loud. Charon found that pleasant. Most people assumed Charon had no sense of humor at all and for this new little god to both hear him and respond to him was… nice. Something he had never even known to miss. He found himself hoping he was correct in his guess, because it would mean Hermes returning again and again.

"Well, boss, just tell me what I need to do and I'll try it," Hermes decided, once he was done laughing. "I'll…" A look of utter dismay flitted across Hermes face, all humor drained, and he said, "Wait, am I going to have to pass that giant dog every time I come and go?"

It was Charon's turn to laugh, knowing it wasn't really a joke but… well Hermes had a look on his face of utter horror, the kind of horror one expected to see in the face of a being lost in the Underworld and this was the first time for that look to appear and somehow that was hilarious. And anyway, Hermes responded by smiling again, even as he gave Charon a look.

"Come now, Boss, you aren't the one who almost became lunch."

Charon's answer, far from reassuring Hermes, was to point out that Hermes had claimed himself the god of swiftness. Surely he could outrun one dog.

"Well of course I can get around him, but every time? I… hey, you… remember that? That I am a god of swiftness, I mean? Oh, I'm not doubting your memory it's just… I talk so fast that many do not really note every word I say and I've come to expect… anyway, that is off topic. I suppose I could see it as a fun challenge; evade the giant three-headed dog. Though there's bound to be an accident sooner or later and I'd rather it not be while I'm safeguarding souls. If that even works."

The longer Charon spent with Hermes, the more certain he was that shepherding souls was one of the gods duties. That it was always meant to be his duty. A god that was a shepherdandcould cross boundariesandcould communicate even with a being such as Charon… a god of roads and a god of initiation… though perhaps fertility did not fit but everything else did. He was made for this role.

It would be curious to see how Thanatos took it. He'd either be a moth railing at a butterfly or he'd be ecstatic to share the load… not that it mattered. What was, was.

It was strange. This was their first meeting and yet, it felt… like they had always been.

Finally, Charon answered with a real answer that was not laughter.

"Oh, thank you!" Hermes said, open and exuberant and real in his relief. "I do like a challenge but that is one obstacle course I wouldn't want to face for all eternity. Hmmm… I wonder if I should go with you to talk to Hades? Since I'll sort of be falling under him, too, if I'm helping you. And he might need me there to introduce me to his dog."

Charon would be fine if Hades never learned about the new Olympian god trespassing in his realm. Hades hated things being out of place and he hated change and Hermes practically imbodied that; Charon could well imagine the god of the Underworld being annoying over Hermes. But it wasn't like Hades could stop the natural order of what was. And Hermes was probably right; they would need Hermes there to introduce him to Cerberus.

But Charon wasn't ready to share his new god with the old one. Anyway, there was no need to get ahead of themselves. Charon shook his head.

"You want to…oh… right. I guess we haven't actually tested that I am a psychopomp yet."

Hermes was, Charon was certain of that, but how that would manifest he was less sure of. A reaper like Thanatos? Or something else.

"Alright, boss. I'll go try to gather you some souls."

And without a proper goodbye, just a quip of the lips and a shared nod of the head, Hermes darted off the way he came. Charon could hear growls, then barking. He had no real worry; even if caught Hermes was an immortal god. There was nothing the dog could do to Hermes that was permanent. But he was certain that Hermes was not caught. The barking went on far too long for that. That was the sound of an animal lamenting his lost prey, not the sound of an animal devouring something small and fragile.

Later, Hermes would be revealed to Hades. Later, Zeus would learn, too. And the two great gods who thought themselves mighty rulers of vast realms would both rewrite the story in their own heads to say it was their idea, Hermes.

But Charon and Hermes knew better. They simply were, as they were always going to be.