iv.
Of all the places in the world, Nyx’s lap, to Hypnos, was the most comfortable place in the world. While he adored tucking his head into Pasithea’s, it was his mother’s that made him the most safe. And Thanatos, though loved so dearly, couldn’t make him feel as safe as their mother. There was something so comforting, so loving about her, that he knew he could crawl into her arms and she would cradle him close.
His occipital bone was up against her furthest thigh, his curly head turned in toward her stomach as he laid on his back. If Hypnos was a cat, he would’ve easily been purring, just like Fiona was at his fingertips down on the floor.
The goddess of night threaded her fingers though his hair affectionately, her other hand resting on his cheek. It didn’t matter if Zeus hadn’t actually physically harmed her son, she still comforted him and made sure he was secure. Other things were put out of her mind as she leaned back against the couch.
Her eyes were feeling heavy, though she didn’t fight it. Here she could relax as she looked down at Hypnos with a soft smile.
That smile was mirrored right back, soft and pleased around the edges. At that moment, there was no better place. If it were up to Hypnos, he would never leave her lap. Sleep turned over onto his side, gently so as not to disturb her hand. His own came up to rest at her side, fingers grazing the material of her shirt.
“I’m glad you’re here, mother,” he murmured, nuzzling her lap to make his point.
“I know,” she assured him gently, moving her hand to rest on his shoulder protectively, even if they were alone right now. She had missed spending time with him, with any of her children, before, there had always been a void.
“I’m not going anywhere either, that much I promise you,” Nyx added, opening her eyes to look at him.
One of his hands drifted of up touch her cheek, his fingertips grazing her cheekbone with something that almost seemed like a childish curiosity. She was so beautiful. Hypnos, and all of his siblings, were lucky to have such a powerful, beautiful and fierce mother.
That same hand came back down to take the hand at his shoulder and hold it against his chest. “I love you, mother. Please don’t leave tonight.”
She closed her eyes for a moment and the light beside them slowly dimmed before being extinguished. It was late, even for them, and they both needed their rest. “Go to sleep, I won’t leave you tonight,” she whispered, reaching down to pull up the blanket that had been laying beside her to cover them warmly before finally letting herself drift off to sleep.
Another mysterious flower delivery, I'm starting to really wonder who could be sending these.