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[b][center][color=gray]The Three Musketeers[/color][/center][/b]
[/h1][/sup][/color][indent][sub][COLOR=gray][I] En Route[/I][/COLOR][/sub][/indent][indent][sup][right][COLOR=gray][b]#standbyme[/b][/color][/right][/sup][/indent][hr]
[sup][right][color=black] interactions: [@gothelk]x[@icy hot] collab [/color][/right][/sup]


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[right][sub]October 9th, 2020[/sub][/right]
The sun was breaking just above the horizon, painting the sky in deep oranges and warm yellows. Even in the downtown area of a bustling city like Seattle had moments of peace and quiet, and it was perhaps the silver lining of taking the third shift of a paramedic’s schedule. A yawn left the blonde male’s mouth as he fumbled with the keys in his pocket, the position of a helmet being suspended between his arm and side adding unnecessary difficulty to his entrance. 

Exhaustion gave way to frustration and offered a spark of energy as the front door of the apartment was finally unlocked and the door swung up with a bit too much force. Thanatos entered the apartment with a bang and a grumble as he checked for any damage to the wall.

[color=2F4F4F]“In the clear-ahhh”[/color] Another yawn ended his mutterings as he stalked forward, depositing the helmet on the kitchen counter and skimming through yesterday’s mail. Nothing interesting, per usual. The days had blended together, painted on a canvas of grey skies and rain, running to the tune of a siren and the heartbreak and horror of mortals. Different locations, times, and names but death was always around him, earth hadn’t presented itself different from the underworld… except for the existence of [i]her[/i]. The smell of honey and patchouli wove around him at the thought, a warmth he yearned for and damned in the same breath, [color=2F4F4F] “Why is it impossible to forget?”[/color] Thanatos asked the room around as if it would answer and sighed with disappointment when no answer was offered.

Shaking off the unwanted feelings he entered his bedroom and promptly snorted at the sight of his other half sprawled out on the comfort of the bed he seldomly used. Another yawn exited his lips and the lull of sleep called to him, along with the chill of something more sinister. That second feeling had Thanatos quickly crossing the room the tendrils of unconsciousness slipping away at the distance, [color=2F4F4F] “Hypnos![/color] The call was paired with the blackout blinds being parted, flooding light into the room.

Days and nights blended in the paint of his twilight, smooth and purple through the seeping darkness that weighed heavily. The light breeze of a dream swept him away to the moors beneath a castle’s walls, dipped into a valley smelling sweet of lavender caressed by the wings of purple butterflies. It all flushed away into the mouth of his once calm and sweeping river, broken and dashed by the shimmering light that ached his eyelids.

[color=#D8AFEB]”Noooo,”[/color] Hypnos groaned, gripping the edges of his blanket to draw it over his head,  [color=#D8AFEB]”Thaaaan.”[/color] Long drawn out whines hit the back of Hypnos’ throat as he tossed away from the light assaulting him. Having sleep interrupted wasn’t so bad if it came in sweet, gentle nudges or pulls, but Than never felt the need to coax the deer from his meadow and rather yanked Hypnos right out of his little cave of dreams.

Now awoken, however, he felt the wisps of sleep vanish from his mind and his eyes which peered over the edge of his duvet in a stark glare. [color=#D8AFEB]”Why’re you bein’ mean to me already, Than,”[/color] Hypnos bit, muffled by the threads of his comfort gripped tight in his hands, [color=#D8AFEB]”Why can’t you just take a nap here, instead, jerk.”[/color]

A smirk appeared on his lips, and he crossed his arms over his chest comfortably leaning against the wall by the window, [color=2F4F4F] “Good morning sunshine.”[/color] the sickly sweet coo was brimming with sarcasm and the blown kiss his brother’s way was anything but affectionate, [color=2F4F4F] “Why must I come home after a [i] long, grueling, and horrific[/i] shift to mind my annoying little brother curled up in [i]my[/i] bed, hmm? Did your house burn down Noz?”[/color]

[color=#D8AFEB]”I thought your home was my home too, Than,”[/color] Hypnos said with his eyes widening and a pout forming on his lips. He knew the overly sweet pouting with a dash of guilt-tripping would bounce against Thanatos’ skin and fall flat to his feet, but it didn’t hurt to try. With his head against the pillow and his body wrapped further in blankets, Hypnos peered at his twin with a sadness tugging his eyebrows up and wetting the corners of his eyes. [color=#D8AFEB]”Plus, you haven’t been around in forever; I thought maybe you’d died, or worse, fell comatose in your melancholy and sleep-deprivation.”[/color]

Thanatos scoffed and rolled his eyes, even on the verge of crying that Valentine blood shined through, [color=2F4F4F] “Succumbing to death would be quite ironic wouldn’t it?”[/color] A humorless chuckle left his lips but he shook his head, [color=2F4F4F] “Well fantastic job Nancy Drew, consider your investigation closed. I’m very much so alive and relatively healthy, so feel free to untangle yourself from my bed and see yourself out.”[/color]

Hypnos only further tangled himself in the sheets and glared at Thanatos from the veil of cloth he’d encased himself in. [color=#D8AFEB]”I think I need more evidence, Than,”[/color] Hypnos spoke in muffled tones as he rolled further away from Thanatos, [color=#D8AFEB]”There’s a killer on the loose ‘n I’m just worried. Don’t be mean to me. I don’t wanna go!”[/color] Not showing up at a conclave seemed very up Thanatos’ alley, in fact, Hypnos wasn’t quite sure if his brother ever showed up to one, to begin with. Still, that worry tingled at the back of his throat like some persistent cough and it wouldn’t quiet down until he’d confirmed Thanatos’ health and safety.

[color=#D8AFEB]”Hm… you wouldn’t murder another god, would you?”[/color] Hypnos squinted his gaze at Thanatos, staring at him with mock suspicion. Never say never, but Hypnos knew deep down his brother would never… well, at least he knew Than wouldn’t get caught.

[color=2F4F4F] “Can’t say I haven’t thought about it before.”[/color] Thanatos replies easily and puts on a show of being distracted by the suggestion, [color=2F4F4F] “Like right about now, having the means of accomplishing that might come in handy.”[/color] his tone is serious for an entire five-seconds, or to the point, it looks like Hypnos might really burst into tears, whichever came first before he was laughing so hard his stomach hurt.

[color=2F4F4F] “You think I’d be capable of violently stealing life? I don’t know whether to be offended or amused.”[/color] Thanatos answered the faux suspicion after his fit of laughter had subsided, wiping the tears of joy front the corner of his eyes.

Hypnos' eyes widened in disbelief, but quickly squinted in a glare. A huff left him as the bed dipped and bounced in a pouty rage with Hypnos’ back now turned to his brother. [color=#D8AFEB]”To think my own twin would even joke about that,”[/color] Hypnos threw a glare over his shoulder, though it quickly softened despite his refusal to move.

But he did so after caving to his own curiosity. His eyes searched Thanatos’ for but a moment. [color=#D8AFEB]”So, where [i]have[/i] you been? Mama and I have missed your presence at dinner a few too many days.”[/color]

With wide eyes, Hypnos attempted to disentangle himself from the sheets only to find himself flopping against the floor at Thanatos’ feet. A flurry of grunts and groans erupted from the pile before a few limbs and a head poked out. [color=#D8AFEB]”You’ve been on some secret romantic rendezvous this whole time haven’t you? Thaaan you have to tell me if you have; it’s the twin code!”[/color]

Thanatos crouched down in front of Hypnos, worry slipped over his feature for a moment before it was buried beneath a look of annoyance. In truth Thanatos wasn’t sure where he had been in the past couple months, floating between shifts, drifting along various shores. There wasn’t an answer he could provide that would soothe Hypnos and so he responded in the only way he knew how. Thanatos pinched Hypnos’ cheek and cooed sarcastic affections to his twin, [color=2F4F4F] “You’re so cute when you’re worried Noz, it wasn’t my intention to make you so emo. I’ll be better about managing my schedule, kay?”[/color]

With a chuckle he stood and stretched his arms over his head, his blue eyes still holding his brother’s gaze, [color=2F4F4F] “You hungry?[/color]

Of course, Thanatos provided no real answer, but Hypnos never really expected one. A hand came up to swat at Thanatos’ with Hypnos giving off a grumble as he started unwrapping his limbs from the monstrosity he found himself in. [color=#D8AFEB]”You’re the emo one here,”[/color] Hypnos retorted as he came to a sit with the blanket messily splayed in his lap. His hand came up to rub at his eyes with a frown playing at his lips, [color=#D8AFEB]”Can you make me some pancakes?”[/color]

To be fair, Hypnos couldn’t fault Thanatos. There were occasionally weeks or years where Hypnos’ days melted into each other; where the moon and sun hung as one over his sky. Honestly, he hadn’t known how long Thanatos had kept to himself and the shadows, he simply knew what the absence felt like and that he didn’t appreciate how it sat in his stomach after the conclave. Still, he’d make Thanatos repay him the trouble even if he knew his twin would refuse.
[hr][sub][right][color=gray] The Night of the Ball[/color][/right][/sub]

The gentle notes of an unfamiliar song twinkled through the speaker positioned in the middle of the apartment. What usually would have been the start of a long night riding in the back of an ambulance had changed last minute into something Thanatos much less preferred. 

The surprise charity ball had been a hot topic on all the news channels for the past 14 days. Someone had leaked the guest list at the beginning of the week and his coworkers would not let him rest about it. That and his choice for hiding away from the other gods had been toppled now that his current identity had been exposed. Or at least that’s what Thanatos assumed by the way Eros had appeared at his door last Sunday with a suit and shoes for his ‘dearest friend’

Which currently had him preoccupied, fingers roughly tugging at an expensive tie, trying to remember the last time he had worn one. Not in the past three decades at least and for the life of him could not tie it correctly now. With a frustrated huff, he threw the fabric to some corner of his room and ran his hands through his hair as he stomped to the kitchen.

[color=2F4F4F] “Hypnos! The car is going to be here in five!”[/color] Thanatos called out as he passed a mirror hung in the hallway, the glittering of light on his [url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/732239286648307794/757632493976420400/image0.jpg?width=350&height=526] suit[/url] had pulled him to a stop. When he unboxed it, he first thought the red accents were just abstract strokes of an artist's whims but upon a more careful look he could see the death motifs repeating along the fine black fabric, [color=2F4F4F] “That fucking asshole.”[/color] the grumble was lightened with a bit of amusement as he moved on. A knock at the door followed the impatient ring of the doorbell, Thanatos knew who it was and made no move to answer the door. The surprise on the other side of the door wasn’t for him, but for his brother.

It seemed appropriate to the heavy-lidded god swaying with the cloth of a bow tie wrapping itself neatly at his neck. A soft smile played at his lips, head poking out of the room he’d dressed in as he pressed the lines of his [url=https://d.wattpad.com/story_parts/251458154/images/144a35ddc568609a.jpg]suit[/url]. [color=#D8AFEB]”Almost ready![/color] he called out, running his hands through his hair as he stared at the strands between his fingers in the mirror. The touch of a love god didn’t grace Hypnos with outstanding features, but the perks of godhood didn’t deny him a soft handsomeness to the sweeping cut of his jaw. Or the sweet curl of his lips that accompanied the ever-present drowsiness that veiled his features.

When the knock alerted him, Hypnos assumed Thanatos’ proximity would bid him to answer. However, the continuous knocks put a pinch in Hypnos’ brow and he peered once more past his threshold. With a light pout jutting his lips, Hypnos swept past Thanatos, bumping his hips against his twin’s backside.

[color=#D8AFEB]”Why can’t you be bothered to answer the—”[/color]Hypnos grumbled, turning the knob and swinging the door open. The puff of air that hit him could have knocked him back if he hadn’t gripped the edge of the doorway. His eyes widened at the surprise visitor. [color=#D8AFEB]”Wha—you, uh. I should… are you here for… um. Wha-uh?”[/color] stammering barely-there words caught in Hypnos throat as he stared up at a man he’d known for centuries, lost for centuries, and avoided for centuries more. All the moments, the absence of moments, came to pierce his gut in a flurry of rose thorns and butterfly wings, dipped in the utter turmoil and guilt so bitter as to be poison on his tongue.

[color=#D8AFEB]”I’ll go get Than…”[/color] Hypnos said, barely audible above the whisper of his voice as his head turned toward the hallway.

With a warm chuckle laced with the usual layer of seduction, as everything he did in life was always marked by temptation, Desire trailed in. A week ago had been Eros’ first unannounced resurfacing to half of his favorite duo, and it only seemed right that he surprise the other, and much cuter twin in the same fashion.

[color=#FF80D4] “Good evening gentlemen.”[/color] Eros’ words were formal but his tone was familiar, as her rounded the corner in time to catch the moody twin rolling his eyes, but dressed in the suit he had tailored for him, [color=#FF80D4] “I’m glad I don’t have to wrestle you into that, Toast.”[/color]

[color=2F4F4F]”Don’t call me that-”[/color] Thanatos’ face screwed up into displeasure for a passing moment before he was grabbing his phone and keys, [color=2F4F4F] “Are you ready to go Noz?”[/color] The older twin asked furrow of worry coming between his brows as he caught the look on Hypnos’ face.

It took a moment, basking in the cool wind settling at his feet. Hypnos could only stare after the man who entered looking as if he’d dipped himself in the glow of the sun. It thrummed his heart and Hypnos bit the feeling down, thinking it would taste like bitter guilt. His eyes caught Thanatos for a split second to flash brief anxiety until he turned away to close the door.

[color=#D8AFEB]”Uh, what?”[/color] he turned with his eyebrows raised, [color=#D8AFEB]”Oh yeah, of course. I’m all set!”[/color] He tried to seep some kind of excitement into his voice, but it felt plastic against the hollow of his throat. The gravity Eros carried about him made it so hard not to stare, but the utter weight bearing down upon him, screaming ‘only blindness suits the poison of your soul’ in the back of his head. He took a deep breath, inhaling sharply as he turned toward the door.

[color=#D8AFEB]”I’ll wait outside,”[/color] Hypnos said, barely throwing a glance over his shoulder. The door clicked soft as he shook out another breath. Wondering and lamenting at Eros’ untimely arrival; had Thanatos called him? Well, it made sense as the three were close, but still. Hypnos bit his lip and slowly made his way down.

Eros hadn’t been able to utter a word to the God of Sleep before he was fleeing the scene, both men remaining in the apartment shared a questioning glance.

[color=2F4F4F] “Fuck if I know. You didn’t try that weird power shit on him did you?”[/color] Thanatos narrowed his eyes at his long-lost friend, the accusation in his tone was not held back at Eros’ expense. 

The aggression didn’t phase the God of Love, instead, it served as a light amusement as he waved a hand at the notion and shook his head, [color=#FF80D4] “Don’t be an idiot, I would never do anything like that to you or your brother, well not unless you asked. Curious Tha-”[/color]

[color=2F4F4F] “Not in the slightest, let’s go before Hypnos decides to run away.”[/color] Thanatos turned the lights in the hall off and made his exit with Eros in tow, laughing away like he often did in the old days after ruffling the God of Death’s feathers. The chill of the night met them as the door locked behind them, a limousine befitting of Eros’ luxury life awaited them at the curb and Hypnos at the bottom of the steps.

Eros descended first to get a moment of Hypnos to himself before they all entered the car.

[color=#FF80D4] “It’s really good to see you again Little Poppy. Been a handful of decades since I saw you last, and it’s relief that you’re as sleepy and cute as ever.”[/color] The gentleness of his tone was only meant for Hypnos’s ears as he approached the man from making sure to keep space between them, not wanting to overstep more than he already seemed to be.

Those words infused butterflies into Hypnos’ chest with the soft utterance and gentle tones of Eros’ deep voice. Yet, the anxiety quickly turned those fluttering wings to thorns and Hypnos lips turned upwards to a light pout. [color=#D8AFEB]”I don’t think that’s something I could ever change,”[/color] Hypnos said with his head downturned, [color=#D8AFEB]”Just like your charm and passion, though…”[/color] His words trailed off as his head turned to look away from Eros. Those choice words stung Hypnos,  though maybe that was Eros’ intention. Then why the tenderness to his tone?

It caused a pinch in Hypnos brow and he turned to face Eros. [color=#D8AFEB]”You mean when you’d first awoken?”[/color] Hypnos asked, feet shuffling the pavement at his leatherbound toes, [color=#D8AFEB]”Not sure that’s quite the fondest memory to recall if it truly is good to see me.”[/color] Hypnos bit down on his lip, searching for some hint of malice in Eros’ eyes. Some kind of resentment that would justify the pit in his stomach or if Eros had truly moved on and left Hypnos anchored to the pier of his past.

Eros held Hypnos’ searching eyes, he could see the uncertainty in them and his words opened his eyes to the truth in front of him. Guilt. It was a feeling Eros was familiar with, his long existence was not without the plague of that consuming feeling, and one point consuming enough he’d wish to scatter in the wind as nothing but a sprinkle of dust. Against the logic that screamed at him not to, he reached a hand to Hypnos, firm and gentle in its approach to cup his cheek providing him assurance but also preventing him from feeling too soon.

[color=#FF80D4] “Waking up after a long beauty sleep surrounded by the people closest to my heart [i]is[/i] a fond memory. I’d wish for it no other way. Sometimes we gods need a good, long rest to wake up to the things around us.”[/color] Eros pulled back and moved onward after a whispered ‘thank you’ fell from his lips in time for Thanatos to take his spot next to Hypnos and wrap a rough, but affectionate, arm around his brother’s neck.

[color=2F4F4F] “Cheer up [i]little poppy[/i], if you keep pouting I might have to take you to mom’s so she can babysit you.”[/color] Thanatos teased his brother pinching his cheek playfully before his demeanor softened for a moment, [color=2F4F4F] “Don't be hung up on the past, Hyp. We’re all together again so let’s enjoy ourselves.”[/color] Thanatos ruffled his brother's hair before pulling away from him and carrying on to slip inside the luxury vehicle.

Years of holding such self-resentment wouldn’t vanish at gentle words or touches of reassurance. At least, Hypnos didn’t think it worked out like that. Yet, something still held tight to his heart like an Eros dropped an anvil down his throat. It pinched his brow and brightened the red of his cheeks as instinct begged him to press himself against the touch. It was the slightest movement, stopped only at Hypnos’ realization. Knowing Eros, he likely caught it, eagle-eyed as ever and Hypnos could only gulp down the anxiety twisting his lips.

[color=#D8AFEB]”I—”[/color] the words caught against the dam in his throat. Hypnos could only watch Eros fade into the limousine, replaced by the nipping words of his brother. In rebellion, he further jutted his lips, head careening into Thanatos at the aggressive tug.

[color=#D8AFEB]”Hey, I just… fixed that, Than. And don’t call me [i]that[/i],”[/color] He whined, feeling the immediate relief of his brother’s careful words breathe relief into his lungs. He expelled it as his hands moved to fix the wayward strands before finally following both his brother and Eros into the long stretch of car. Of course, he paused, staring at the interior, mainly at the two men sitting opposite of each other. They clearly set him up here.

Hypnos’ face scrunched up into annoyance that only further cemented his youth among his twin. Rather than a fierce glare, the sleepiness that addled his features twisted his expression into an indignant pout. It was like they were home again, a young raven-haired boy shooting a look of contempt at the silvery blonde of his brother stealing the covers just to spite his twin.

Fine. Hypnos slid inside, moving close to Eros with his hands over his chest, shoulder to shoulder as he directed his pout toward Thanatos. He had the entire stretch of the limousine to them all, yet both occupants knew how much Hypnos relied on tactile affection. Maybe it was the illusion of choice here, though Hypnos’ mind vehemently denied that; this was Thanatos’ fault, after all.

[color=#D8AFEB]”You look far more handsome than my brother. Just letting you know,”[/color] Hypnos yawned past the glare, unable to keep himself sitting straight as he let his head rest against Eros’ shoulder. He still stuck his tongue out at Thanatos, foot jerking out to kick at his twin’s leg.

[color=#FF80D4] “I’m glad your sight is as sharp as ever, Hyppie.”[/color] Eros replied to the compliment with an amused chuckle. Among the twins he feels completely at ease, feeling himself relax against the plush leather seat into a more comfortable posture. 

Thanatos rolled his eyes, and let his eyes focus past the dark tinted windows to the city lights passing by. The gentle tune of a [url=https://youtu.be/vv2DSmy3Tro]song[/url] filled the comfortable silence that fell between them. The three lifelong friends brought together and pulled apart by the ebb and flow of time and fate again and again had reunited once more, and the warmth spreading from Thanatos’ fingertips had him reminiscing of a time from long ago.

The sounds of a giggle, the feeling of soft skin, the pressure of a body, and the taste of a kiss, it was something he’d never been able to completely forget. The sound of her voice was a melody sweeter than he had ever heard, [i]tictil[/i], the old name echoing in his mind in tones of joy, anger, passion, what he’d give to hear that word fall her lips just one more time.

The abrupt flash of light jolted him from his daydream as the limousine pulled to a stop. Across from him, Eros wore a charming smile and gently shook a sleeping Hypnos awake. Between the waking world and the bliss of slip did Hypnos yawn full from. The light strum of music blended into the sun-kissed skin that fluttered away in a flurry of luminescent wings. In that instance, all he could see was the young face of a god staring back at him from above fields of poppies. He wanted to sink into him until he realized where he was and he coughed, straightened up, and smoothed the wrinkles of his suit.

[color=#FF80D4] “It’s showtime boys.”[/color] Eros issued his words of encouragement as their grand entrance was met with flashing lights and eager reporters.


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