more modern au stuff

[littlesprout]

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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[littlesprout]

"Well, yes," Zagreus says, warm but serious as he leans up to kiss him again - more deeply this time. "Yes. I wanted you all to myself. And I wanted you to have me all to yourself, too."

[controlsthedie]

"It's a good thing we're official then because you're doing a great job of it." One deeper kiss deserves another. "You don't even have any butterflies to compete against."

[littlesprout]

"I have to compete against the butterflies?" Zagreus is trying so hard to look hurt.

[controlsthedie]

"You couldn't get close to me in the butterfly house because of them." Thanatos boops Zagreus's nose. "I was surrounded."

[littlesprout]

Zagreus rolls his eyes, but he's smiling. "You're right. I'd forgotten about that."

[controlsthedie]

"Your trial boyfriend was captured by butterflies, and you forgot?" Now it's Thanatos's turn to look hurt. (But not really) "I'm crushed."

[littlesprout]

"Captured?" Zagreus's scoff is loud but playful. "You were having the time of your life."

[controlsthedie]

"Hm, that's true." Thanatos wiggles against Zagreus to get into a more comfortable spot. "But I'm still crushed. They were very compelling and insistent that I stay."

[littlesprout]

His hand lifts to comb through Thanatos's hair. "And what ever compelled you to leave them?"

[controlsthedie]

Those fingers through his hair feels nicer than they have any right to be, Thanatos decides.

"Maybe I was drawn by a firefly."

[littlesprout]

"I can barely find my own way, Than," he says with a little smile, kissing his forehead. "I don't know if I can promise to light yours."

[controlsthedie]

"What if I keep a flashlight with me? And a compass?" This is becoming a very pleasant way to pass the evening, and Thanatos will have no complaint if this is all they do, bodies pressed together, enjoying each other's company, and lighthearted teasing.

Maybe he does need more of this gentle slowness in his life. (Not that he'll immediately admit it because he is the workaholic Thanatos.)

[littlesprout]

"Doesn't sound like you'd need me to lead you anywhere- not if you're that prepared." There's nothing sour or upset about his tone - he's just continuing to tease him, stretching the pleasantness of the moment out.

[controlsthedie]

"The butterflies keep me during the day, but at night, I guess I'll just remain lost in the dark." He lets his body go lax, as if he's resigned himself to his fate. "Or maybe I'll be drawn like a moth toward the harsh electric lights and screens, never to sleep again."

(Somewhere, Hypnos sneezes and thinks of his twin.)

[littlesprout]

"You, not sleeping-- is that any different than how things are now?" He's mostly teasing, sure, but he'll never forget Thanatos, slack with sheer exhaustion in that hospital bed.

[controlsthedie]

Guilt flashes across Thanatos's face. Maybe it's in poor taste to joke about never sleeping since he had worked himself to exhaustion before. "Now I have someone who helps me remember to relax and take breaks. Someone who I can safely curl up against and sleep with."

[littlesprout]

"I sleep better when you're around," Zagreus admits softly, his voice gentle and fond. "You really feel safe with me?"

[controlsthedie]

"Safe enough to let you take me to a cabin in the woods when the weather is cold enough to freeze me solid." Thanatos leans in to place his forehead against Zagreus's. Part of him is surprised at how easily they've fallen into this calm peace with each other. Where did it come from for each of them? An overworked busybody and a man who never sit still. How did they learn to stop?

"I do hope that when we decide to actually sleep, we make it to a bed first. With lots of blankets." It is starting to snow outside, and they don't realize how much snow will fall.

[littlesprout]

"Are you tired now?" It's gentle concern; he's been a little over- invested in Thanatos's sleep patterns since the day he has collapsed. He reaches up to gently catch the back of his head, threading his fingers through Than's hair as he leans up to kiss him softly on the mouth. "We were traveling for a while."

[controlsthedie]

"Mmm, I can stay up a bit longer, especially if you keep doing that." He returns the kiss just as softly. "Wouldn't want to leave you all alone in a cabin while I sleep. You'll get bored."

Although, the fingers through his hair is soothing. Thanatos could easily be swayed in either direction.

[littlesprout]

"I could keep myself busy," Zagreus promises with another little kiss. Obviously he'd prefer Thanatos awake; he loves every second he gets with the other man, but he's not greedy. They'll have lots of time together this weekend. One more kiss, lingering this time. "Rest, love."

[controlsthedie]

"All right. If you insist."

Thanatos pulls away with a sigh, fingers trailing down Zagreus's arms, hands, fingertips, until all connection is lost. He walks to the room and looks back once before entering. Zagreus will hear a suitcase opening and the soft creaking of the bed as Thanatos settles into it.

(Spoilers, Thanatos will end up tossing and turning for a half-hour because he can't fall sleep.)

[littlesprout]

And Zagreus really does try to keep himself busy. He paces a bit, cracks open a book, plays a game on his phone, and lasts maybe 25 minutes. Doing nothing with Than was way better than doing something alone.

To his credit, he's very sneaky when he slips into the dark bedroom and beneath the sheets, just assuming Thanatos is asleep.

[controlsthedie]

Thanatos is busy staring at the wall, wondering if he's going to be spending the entire trip with goddamn insomnia. He is almost about to leave and go back to the cabin's main area. Clearly, this isn't working, and he might as well do something instead of wallowing in frustration.

Then a weight shift the mattress. Maybe Thanatos can stay in it a bit longer. He turns over and snuggles his way into Zagreus's warmth.

[littlesprout]

"Sorry," he mumbles softly, shifting onto his side to drape an arm around Thanatos, to pull him in. "Did I wake you up?"