basicallyhell | more modern au stuff

more modern au stuff

After the collapse, Thanatos had said he would take better care of his own health - and Zagreus had decided that he was going to hold the other man to his word. He pesters him until he agrees to take some of his long overdue vacation time, reserves a cabin tucked into a nearby mountain retreat for them to spend an extended weekend together.

Foresight, however, isn't always Zagreus's strong suit. He doesn't think about how likely inclement weather is at this time of year, and it isn't until he's grabbing his bag of clothes and leading Thanatos to the door as fat, heavy snowflakes fall around him that he realizes that they may be trapped there for a bit.

"Hopefully there's firewood," he says, choosing to remain optimistic. "Come on, it's freezing."

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Zagreus tries not to think about how appealing Thanatos is in one of his sweaters. He takes the one offered to him and kind of just settles it into his own lap - he'll be alright when the fire gets started, he thinks.

"So," he says softly, pulling an arm around his shoulder, "I think we were meant to have a conversation at some point." They'd talked about it over text over a month ago, after that party, but life had gotten busy, he'd gotten distracted. "If you remember."

Thanatos is in the middle of settling against Zagreus and his warmth when he's reminded about that party. He stills, first thinking about something he's been trying not to think about.

But he does remember what Zagreus means. "I... yes. About making things official."

"I've thought about that conversation quite a bit, you know," Zagreus says, his voice unusually somber. Is he working up to tease Thanatos a little? It's possible. "It's quite a commitment."

"You have?" Thanatos can't keep his voice from lifting up at the end. Although, it falls quickly at what Zagreus adds. Should he pull away? Ah, but Zagreus pulled him closer....

"I suppose it is."

"You suppose?" he asks, but he's relieved that Thanatos didn't pull away - he's prepared to drop the bit if he thinks he's going too far. "So you haven't been thinking about it, Than?"

On some level, Thanatos knows Zagreus is poking fun at him, but he also is a little nervous about admitting that he's been mentally calling Zagreus his boyfriend for a while now.

"I wouldn't say that. I've been thinking about it a lot, truthfully."

"Yeah?" That's actually piqued his curiosity. Gently he drums his fingertips against Thanatos's upper arm. "What have you been thinking about?"

"... This feels... right. Natural." The change in their relationship hadn't felt as jarring as he thought it might. Many times, Thanatos can't tell if there's anything different. Besides the kisses and being able to cuddle up to each other even easier. "Honestly, I... already consider you my boyfriend...."

Zagreus lapses into brief silence, because -- well, he wasn't expecting Thanatos to speak so earnestly to him. Perhaps it's unfair, that he wasn't giving Thanatos enough credit, but he'd expected him to be... well, shyer, honestly. His stomach flips pleasantly. "You do? Have you, er-- have you told anyone?"

Thanatos hadn't expected the words to come out so easily either, but maybe it was because an earlier miscommunication had jeopardized their relationship. He doesn't want to risk this being the same.

"I haven't. I knew we were still testing things out, and regardless of how I felt, it wouldn't be right to unless... unless you were also of the same opinion."

Zagreus can still decide that this relationship of theirs isn't for him.

Zagreus hums softly, quietly. Thinking. He's watching the fire as he listens to Thanatos, before he begins running his hand lightly up the side of his arm as he squeezes him gently.

"Honestly," he murmurs, "most of the time I forget we're just testing things out."

Those touches are nice and soothing. Thanatos just melts against Zagreus. Though, he does tilt his head to watch for Zagreus's reaction.

"You did?" he asks. "Then... if we both admit we forgot that we were testing it out... does that mean the test was a success?"

"Well..." And this is the part where Zagreus actually sounds a little self-conscious. "I guess that depends on- We should chat about- Oh, gods, I don't know. I've only really been with Meg before. We need to talk about- do you want this to be, um, long term? Are we going to be exclusive?"

And this is where commitment part comes in, Thanatos supposes. He hasn't really thought of it in these terms, but he also has no experience to draw from. Maybe he should have tried researching this?

"I would like it to be long term if possible. It seems foolish to test out something that would only be short term." Then he falls silent to think. Thanatos's next answer doesn't come as quickly because it's something he's thought of even less. (Not too long ago, Thanatos realized he was romantically interested in someone when before he thought he had zero interest at all.) "Did you not want to be exclusive? If there's someone else you like, then I won't stop you."

Zagreus thinks about it, too, but only because-- well, he'd asked the question, but he hadn't expected Thanatos to turn it back on him. "No, there's not," he says honestly. "I've been keeping busy, and... I suppose the only person I've really wanted to see lately is you. I hope that's alright."

"Why wouldn't it be all right? I've only wanted to see you too." Thanatos settles against Zagreus more. "Anything else you'd like to discuss before we officially make things official?"

Zagreus falls silent, watching the fire, before he quietly asks: "You think our mothers are- err..."

Zagreus is not as comfy as he was a few seconds ago, and Thanatos frowns. It is none of his business if his mother is seeing someone. He should be happy for her finding love. It bothers him more than it has any right to that their mothers were kissing, and he's wondering if he's not as supportive as he hopes or if it's just because the other person in question is Zagreus's reunited mother. And it's making things weird. For them too!

"Has your mother told you anything? Or... has she and my mother ~~kissed again~~ been in each other's company lately?"

"No. Er. As far as I knew, she and Father were- actually trying to reconcile." It's absolutely baffling to him, and he shifts to kiss the top of Thanatos's head. "We'll deal with whatever happens."

"We'll deal with whatever happens," he repeats and settles back down as much as he can with Zagreus shifting against him.

"... Just so we're clear, are we official now?"

Zagreus chuckles, relaxing a little himself. "Yes. I would like that very much."

In reply, Thanatos twists to properly kiss Zagreus, smiling against his lips as he does so. "So do I."

Zagreus makes a surprised little noise, but he laughs softly against Thanatos's mouth, reaching up to gently catch the back of his neck. "You're adorable. You know that, right?"

"I am not adorable..." he pouts. "I strike fear into the hearts of many at work."

"I don't work with you, remember?" Zagreus says with a grin, chasing that pout with another kiss.

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