202: Winter Solstice

“I…” Carol snort-laughed so loud, Ever wondered how Zoe slept through it. “I dare you to–”

He closed the sliding glass door, plunging himself into darkness. It didn’t take him long to start shivering, the warmth of the mulled wine draining from his cheeks. The snow had fallen from the moment they all got into the cabin for the last several hours. He held his hand out once more. Now, no snow flakes kissed his skin.

He blinked; slowly, forms were starting to swim out of the darkness: here, an old bench with a neat layer of snow, several inches thick. There, a tin shed with a corrugated iron roof. He took a few steps out, relishing in the sound of chilled whiteness being compressed under his boots. Directly in front were trees, or at least what he thought were trees. There still wasn’t enough light to see them, but he could hear them, sighing and whispering to–

There was movement amongst them. Amongst the almost impenetrable darkness, a violet arm shot up into the air. Seeing their cue, the heavy cloud curtains pulled back, revealing a full moon and an audience of stars in the thousands, seated in the colosseum of the heavens.

Nyx lowered her arm, her robe enveloping it once more. She walked across - on top of - the snow, leaving no footprints behind. She stopped, quite close to him.

“Hello Ev–” her eyes opened wide as Ever stepped in embracing her.

“Hello Nyx,” Death’s apprentice said. “I’ve drunk some wulled mine and I’m really happy right now.”

She hesitated, eventually wrapping her arms around him. “I am too,” she sighed, closing her eyes.

“Why are you here?” Ever asked when they eventually parted.

“Do you know what today is?” She replied, question for question. In this state, he wasn’t going to bother; he shook his head. “The humans call it the winter solstice. It’s the longest night of the year.” She reached out again to him, putting her hands on his shoulders. “I know you’re busy with your friends, but I wanted to also spend it with you.”

“With me?” He indicated at his own warm face. She dipped her head solemnly. If there’s one thing he realized about humans, it was that their emotions were layered and complex. As he searched her face, he didn’t find false signals or noise. In fact, even in his inebriated state, only one emotion shone bright.

“You love me,” Ever said.

Nyx beamed. The stars above lit up, pulsing in applause. “Thanatos did not let me mother him, there’s always been a black hole there. Only upon meeting you did I feel that there might be a chance to fill it.” She turned away, taking a few steps and gazed eastward. “I realize this is unfair on you,” she said. “You’re here on Earth to do a job, not role play as my son. I–”

“Mother.”

She looked at Ever, disbelieving. Snow started falling again, birthing new stars on the endless galaxy of her dress.

“Mother,” Ever repeated, familiarizing himself with the word, “I would be happy to be your son.”