His smile sharpens and he dips his head lower, close enough that their breaths can mingle. That bob of the throat is not missed and he counts it as a point in his favour.

He has learnt much from his time amongst the mortal races and he's no longer that blushing virgin Hythlodaeus possibly still thinks of him as. For every embarrassing thing that slips out of his friend's mouth, he shall pay it back twice over.

"A lesson, yes. A firm one." He breaches the short distance to leave a chaste kiss, continuing to idly play with some locks of the other man's pale hair. "I know you hardly listen to anyone, 'Daeus, least of all me. But let us see if you can learn, hmm?"

All that said, he can hardly believe he's about to do this. It almost doesn't feel real. Hades trails his fingers to the hollow of his friend's throat, lingering long enough to feel the reassuring beat of their pulse. Then he starts to unbutton and peel back Hythlodaeus' collar.

He's mindful of any sign that his friend may try to stop him. After all, one can never be certain how much of Hythlodaeus is talk and how much true intent and action.