Achilles has learned to be patient during long periods away from a partner, but there was still plenty of room to agonize over Hermes' well-being—and feel powerless to provide help and protection. Hermes' warm, trusting weight solid against him dissolves all lingering anxiety. At least for now.
Achilles smiles at the image of an infant Dionysus. Until he first met Zagreus—hardly bigger than a human 5-year-old at the time—it had been difficult to conceive of the gods as children. It was like looking at a venerable old tree and trying to imagine it as a sprout, or picturing bustling Athens as a tiny village before it became a grand city. But Zagreus quickly taught him that godlings are every bit as curious, silly, and troublesome as a mortal child. Clearly Dionysus and Hermes were no different. Maybe, as some of the youngest of the Olympians, that's why they're particularly fond of the plucky new cousin.
"I may have spied your brother doing that at a feast once," he laughs. "Poor Lord Poseidon was deep in his cups, and he couldn't figure out why his leg was so very heavy until it was pointed out."
Achilles releases a smiling sigh and simply gazes at Hermes for a long, contented moment. His eyes only stray when the lamplight plays across the new necklace resting at his chest. He gingerly taps at one of the familiar charms with a blunt nail. "Still carrying your magpie's treasures even without your bag?"
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Achilles smiles at the image of an infant Dionysus. Until he first met Zagreus—hardly bigger than a human 5-year-old at the time—it had been difficult to conceive of the gods as children. It was like looking at a venerable old tree and trying to imagine it as a sprout, or picturing bustling Athens as a tiny village before it became a grand city. But Zagreus quickly taught him that godlings are every bit as curious, silly, and troublesome as a mortal child. Clearly Dionysus and Hermes were no different. Maybe, as some of the youngest of the Olympians, that's why they're particularly fond of the plucky new cousin.
"I may have spied your brother doing that at a feast once," he laughs. "Poor Lord Poseidon was deep in his cups, and he couldn't figure out why his leg was so very heavy until it was pointed out."
Achilles releases a smiling sigh and simply gazes at Hermes for a long, contented moment. His eyes only stray when the lamplight plays across the new necklace resting at his chest. He gingerly taps at one of the familiar charms with a blunt nail. "Still carrying your magpie's treasures even without your bag?"