Chapter Text
"So..." Marcus said with barely contained glee, pulling out his phone to check the time, "It's been three days since I gave you that thoughtful gift. Have you two put it to good use? Because Hermes has basically been living in your dorm room."
"What gift?" Odysseus asked, looking genuinely confused and flabbergasted for a moment.
"The condoms" Marcus cheerfully chirped(Fucking bastard).
Odysseus grabbed the nearest book—which was ironically enough his mythology textbook(That he planned on turning in later today)—and hefted it threateningly. "Marcus, I swear to all the gods—"
"Present company included," Hermes added cheerfully from where he lounged on Odysseus's desk.
"Yes present company included— That I will throw this at your head."
Marcus dodged preemptively, grinning. "That's not a denial! And considering our divine friend here has been spending every single night in your room, the math is pretty suggestive."
"We study!" Odysseus protested, though his face was rapidly turning red.
"Oh, I bet you do~" Marcus waggled his eyebrows. "Hands-on anatomy, perhaps?"
Hermes laughed, the sound was warm and made him seem simply delighted. "You know what? I like this conversation."
Before Odysseus could react, Hermes had effectively seized his waist and pulled him backward onto his lap. He then moved to wrap his arms around Odysseus's upper chest, effectively trapping him further.
"Hermes!" Odysseus squirmed, but the god's grip was secure, and he found himself extremely comfortable... despite his mounting embarrassment.
"Much better," Hermes said, resting his chin on Odysseus's shoulder. "Now you can only threaten him verbally. Besides, I quite like having you right here."
Marcus's grin widened. "Oh, this is perfect. You're basically a lap cat now, Ody. A very flustered, god-boyfriend-having lap cat."
"I am not a cat!" Odysseus tried to elbow backward, but Hermes simply tightened his hold.
"You purr when I touch your neck," Hermes murmured, just barely loud enough for Marcus to hear.
"I do not—" Odysseus's protest cut off in a strangled sound as Hermes proved his point, pressing a soft kiss to a sensitive spot that was just below his ear(One he had to move his hair out of the way to access, it was one of the same areas Hermes had kissed in one of his memories, damnit why did Hermes know his body better than him—).
"[Why are you like this?]" The Greek tumbled out unbidden, his ability to form English words apparently evaporating under Hermes's touch.
"I'm like this because you're beautiful when you're flustered~" Hermes replied in English, clearly translating through aggressive context for Marcus's benefit. "And because I can be."
Marcus was practically bouncing with glee. "He's gone full ancient Greek again! This is amazing. I'm never letting either of you live this down."
"[We aren't alone... Hermes, stop...]" Odysseus's head fell back against Hermes's shoulder, his protests losing all conviction.
"English, darling," Hermes said, though he placed another gentle kiss on Odysseus's neck. "Our friend wants to understand your lovely complaints."
"You're both terrible," Odysseus managed in English, though he made no real effort to escape the "cage" of Hermes's arms.
Marcus checked his phone again. "Anyway, speaking of timing—finals end tomorrow. Are you actually going through with this immortality thing right after?"
The teasing atmosphere shifted slightly, becoming more serious. Odysseus straightened in Hermes's lap. "Yes. This weekend. After my last exam."
"The transformation takes three days," Hermes added, his arms tightening protectively. "I'll watch over him the entire time."
"Will you sleep at all?" Marcus asked, genuine concern threading through his voice.
Hermes's smile was soft but determined. "No. I won't leave his side for a moment."
─── ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚⊹ ⋅ Time skip ݁ ˖ ✦ ‧₊˚⊹ ⋅───
Three days later, a little over 72 hours later, Odysseus woke to the feeling of fingers threading through his hair and golden light filtering through his closed eyelids. The world felt... different. His senses seemed sharper. The world more vivid, and it was almost overwhelming. He could hear Hermes's heartbeat, could sense Marcus pacing anxiously in the hallway outside his dorm room.
"Welcome back, [my love]." Hermes whispered, exhaustion clear in his voice despite the gentle smile on his face.
Odysseus sat up slowly, testing his new immortal body. Everything felt the same yet fundamentally changed, as if he'd been living life slightly out of focus and could finally see clearly.
"How do you feel?" Hermes asked.
"Like myself," Odysseus said wonderingly. "But more. Stronger. Like I finally fit in my own skin." He reached up to cup Hermes's face. "You look exhausted."
"Worth it." Hermes basically purred, leaning into the touch. "You're here. You're immortal. You're mine, and I never have to lose you again."
Before Odysseus could respond, Marcus burst through the door, relief flooding his features. "Thank god—or gods, I guess. You're awake. How do you feel? Are you still you?"
"I'm still me," Odysseus laughed, the sound somehow seemed richer than before. "Just... more."
Marcus studied him critically, then grinned. "Well, you look less grumpy than usual. Is that an immortality side effect, or are you just happy you don't have to worry about dying anymore?"
"Both," Odysseus said, pulling Hermes down for a long-overdue kiss. When they broke apart, he added, "Though I think it's mostly because I finally get to keep him."
"Forever," Hermes confirmed, looking like he wanted to cry from pure relief. "No more cycles, no more forgetting, no more loss."
"Good," Marcus said firmly. "Because I was getting really tired of watching you both—mostly Odysseus—pine dramatically. Now you can be disgustingly happy instead."
"Alright, mark my words I'm saying that to you when you get a girlfriend—or boyfriend—" Odysseus responded, only quieting because Hermes kissed him again.
"No need to be like that, [my love.]" Hermes basically purred, smiling.
"Fine" Odysseus muttered, moving to get closer to Hermes.