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Old nails dug into his back as he was shoved unceremoniously back into the closet that had become his home. The door slammed with an irritated grumble and a promise to return shortly. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn't; either way, there was nothing Thanatos could do but close his eyes and lean into the absolute darkness that enveloped him.
Soon, though, the noise of an argument grew into his awareness. He couldn't make out what they were saying, not that he cared much to try. He'd heard worse before and would again. Everyone from police officers to lovers had come through the room just outside where he was hidden; he'd long since accepted that the coffin where he slumped wouldn't be found until the term was no longer a metaphor.
Sure enough, the door slammed. Footsteps approached and paused outside his prison.
The argument seemed to increase in intensity, until a loud bang split the air. Thanatos flinched back as much as the cramped space and his bonds would allow. That was new, that was-
The door opened, burning his eyes with the- objectively somewhat dim- light. He would have hissed if not for the chain locked behind his teeth. Someone cursed.
Wait... That wasn't Sisyphus, was it?
He blinked, staring up with hazy, half-lidded eyes. Ares...? Was he dead or just hallucinating again?
All thoughts were knocked out of his head as a firm hand grabbed him by the chains wrapped around his chest and arm and dragged him unceremoniously out of the closet. A tiny whimper of pain managed to force its way out despite the gag.
Ares turned away, face as cold as the winter air against the prisoner's wet skin. He kicked away- something- and pulled the chains closer. Thanatos tried to ignore the warmth of fresh blood against his skin, staining the floor and leaking from fresh cuts. He didn't know if it was his.
His head lolled against Ares' chest as he fussed with the chains. He was saying something in a low voice, but Thanatos didn't feel like listening. He didn't feel like anything at all.
"Hypnos-?" is he safe? Is he upset with me? Does he know I miss him?
"-is fine," Ares grumbled. "Now would you..." Thanatos was, once more, not listening. He didn't care about himself, he didn't care about the body cooling against his leg, he didn't care about the cameras still standing in the bedroom. His brother was okay.
Safe with the reassurance, he let himself fall asleep.