Hythlodaeus tries to unsuccessfully bite back a small sound at the back of his throat at that kiss - somehow the softness of it, the gently affectionate way Hades is playing with his hair is more overwhelming than something outright passionate would have been. At the same time... he can't deny how nice it is, how it makes butterflies dance in his stomach. The playful tone Hades adopts helps, too - as always, it's easier for Hythlodaeus to keep his composure and remain comfortable when there is a touch of joking in everything. It might have been strange otherwise, this entirely rapid pace of events that under normal circumstances would have taken them at the very least a decade to work up to, if not more - definitely a lot more if Hades was still the man Hythlodaeus knew before.

And although it feels very much so unreal for him, too, Hythlodaeus decides he's not going to squander this chance - not to mention give his friend any more ammunition for mocking him later. He closes his eyes, trying not to let his breath pick up too much from excitement, and slowly, exceedingly softly rests his hands on Hades's hips.

"Indeed. Shall we see how well you do as a teacher, most eminent Emet-Selch? If you would like, I am certain I could offer suggestions for improvement afterwards."

It's still very much so a challenge, a very thinly veiled implication that Hythlodaeus still thinks himself the more skilled of the two. How terrible would it be to be proven wrong! It is absolutely something he doesn't expect in any way whatsoever.