Hythlodaeus stares at him for a long moment, confused... and then breaks out into laughter, clear and bright, hiding his face in Hades's neck as his shoulders shake. Once the laughter lets him go, he straightens up again, wiping at the corner of his eye, a grin on his face.

"Are you certain you would not have set me to more work, just to make up for taking you off guard? I could hardly imagine you having so much composure back then!"

This is a difference in his friend that Hythlodaeus doesn't mind in the least. Though it's unusual to hear Hades make jokes, it only warms his heart and makes him hope that now his own attempts at bringing more levity to Hades's life will be met more favourably.