For better or for worse, Hythlodaeus suddenly feels possessive in a certain way, almost infuriated at the rules of Duplicity. If Hades was forced to engage in such things, Hythlodaeus would so much rather it was with someone he actually loved to start with--and though he's gathered that Hades did fall for Felih and Irhya in the end, the premise of that city turns his stomach.

So Hythlodaeus draws back a little, slipping his hand off Hades's thigh to instead run his fingers through his friend's hair at the temple, cup his cheek, kiss the side of his face tenderly.

"Until the end of my days, Hades," he murmurs in reply. "As much as I love the world and the stars. I plan to love you even when you do not love yourself, at your best or at your worst."