emet_sulk | [avalon] IC Inbox

He tucks himself against his taller friend. Even though he yet aches for relief, in this single, solitary moment, he feels the happiest he has ever been in a long time. This is what always wanted. This bliss. This peace.

"I love you," he murmurs back. Saying it feels like a curse. Everything he ever allowed himself to love in the days since the Sundering had faded away with time.

He knows Hythlodaeus had told him in no uncertain terms that he was prepared to spend the rest of his life with him, however long or short such a time may be, but all the same...it makes him anxious. And he hates that he feels that way. They are immortal - it shouldn't have to be like this.

Reaching up to cup his friend's cheek, he kisses them gently.

Hythlodaeus is blissfully unaware of Hades's internal turmoil and simply lets himself bask in the warmth and affection. This, too, is what he's always wanted, and what a strange thing it is to be granted it in another world, long after his own death and that of his friend. But right now the gloomy thoughts don't bother Hythlodaeus - he has more than enough faith now that they will triumph, save their people and preserve their world.

He smiles giddily at the confession and kisses back, hoping to put into it all the tenderness that he feels for his friend, bringing up a hand to stroke Hades's cheek with his thumb and comb through his hair with his other fingers.

"I never thought I would hear it from you like this," he murmurs once they part, a warm glow in his features. "If there was some manner of a competition for being the happiest man in the world, I believe I'd have quite a good chance at winning it."

"I wanted to say it while I still could." He combs through Hythlodaeus' hair, small, regular strokes so he doesn't have to quite look at his lover. "I love you. Even if I may be a fool for doing so. I love you, and Felih, and Irhya..."

And Jophrey, he admits silently to himself. He's not yet worked out how he feels towards the man. The mage had hated him upon first sight and yet when they last spoke...he was no longer sure.

"...What is so wrong with wanting this to last forever?" he whispers, eyes heating up. He ducks his head and hides it against the other man's chest, trying to stifle the tell-tale sounds of his crying.

Hythlodaeus's heart falls at those words. With how short their time here has been, he hasn't yet gotten used to how... finite things are in the mortal world. And what's even worse is hearing his friend speak as though... as though it's a sin to be happy.

Hythlodaeus wraps his arms around Hades protectively, as if trying to shield him - and more; not just shield, but nurture and heal and restore. The thought of anything being otherwise is so wildly alien that he can't even bring himself to think it.

"There is naught wrong with it," he whispers, kissing the top of Hades's head and blinking away his own nascent tears. "There is yet much that I do not understand. But the one thing I know for certain is that there is naught wrong with wishing for love and happiness. And I... I cannot well express how much it devastates me to know you've been denied both for so long."

Clutching his friend in turn, he draws a shuddering breath. It's an ugly feeling which twists in his gut. Irhya's coldness when he had insinuated that he planned to restore his world the way he had always wanted, and Felih's disappointment. Why should he care what they think? Why should he give up his own happiness when it lies within his grasp?

(Because it means thinking less of them in order to bring about his long-sought after dream.)

"If we save our world, our star," he whispers, "promise me that you will confess your love to my past self. I am an oblivious fool, as you know. Stop pining and don't wait for me to notice you."

Hearing Hades try to hold back his tears is all the more heartbreaking, and once again Hythlodaeus finds himself frustrated by the fact that he can no longer reach his friend's soul with his. Being denied their usual mastery over aether and the Sight is like being rendered blind, mute, powerless. A deeper part of him wonders what would happen if he let himself dwell on it too long.

Instead, Hythlodaeus tries to take refuge in touch, stroking down Hades's back and nuzzling into his hair. If only they could stay like this forever, indeed... There is much and more he wants to say, but something tells him he may not yet be ready to speak of the darker side of the road ahead of them.

"I do promise," he replies with a smile. "But... since you've taken the role of my teacher, would you be so kind as to give me a hint as to what kind of confession you would have liked? I would like to get it right, after all."

He snorts but then grows silent, thinking.

"I always liked seeing the stars with you. Take me somewhere they can be seen. Tell me how you feel. Kiss me if need be. Like as not I will think you having fun at my expense if you speak in that annoyingly frivolous way of yours..."

He slowly calms as Hythlodaeus strokes down his back. Even so, he hesitates before he speaks again.

"And...and if aught somehow cannot be done for the end of our star here, stop me from summoning Zodiark."

His chest tightens painfully at that request. Hythlodaeus doesn't yet know everything that has happened, that will happen - but he does know that Zodiark was to be their salvation. If he is not summonned...

"I... I promise," he murmurs. "But... no, I am certain that we can succeed. We will."

Hythlodaeus holds Hades to himself tighter. Unspoken is his fear that otherwise he would only be allowed to return to their world only to see Hades and the rest of their people perish in the Final Days.

He says nothing, simply closing his eyes and breathing. Yes. They will succeed. They will. He has to believe it, or else...

He doesn't know how long they lie there, taking comfort in the warmth of each other's skin, but Hades eventually starts to try and pull away. The ache has faded to a dull throb; nothing a cold shower won't fix - or a bit of privacy.

"Well, as pleasant as this is, we cannot stay abed all day," he says quietly. "Would you--" He hesitates, ploughs on as a slight flush returns to his cheek. "Would you like to shower together?"

This return from dreary worries to reality is more than welcome, and Hythlodaeus can't help chuckling at that first part.

"Now there is a phrase I would never have expected to hear from you! Hades, declaring that he cannot stay abed? Mayhaps you did change over these twelve millennia."

He sits up, flushing a little at the realization of his own nakedness - and particularly the reason for it - but reaches out to trace his fingers along Hades's shoulder.

"And I still maintain that we would have taken the shower much earlier if I had gotten the chance to pull you in back there."

He frowns a little at the reminder, sitting up more slowly. His expression is more petulant than serious. "Mayhap so, but there is something to be said about taking one's ablutions with one's partner after your...exertions. Wouldn't you agree?"

The faint, bitter taste is still on his tongue. He kisses Hythlodaeus on the cheek before starting to climb off the bed. Still half-dressed, he starts shedding the remainder of his layers as he makes his way to the bathroom. This time, he lays his clothes neatly on the end of the bed.

The cheek kiss is another sweet reminder of what they are now, and thus Hythlodaeus permits his eyes to linger a little on Hades as he undresses. Not that he shouldn't get plenty of chances to see that from here on now, but...

"I cannot argue with that, indeed. Mayhaps for the first time in our lives!"

He laughs and stands up to follow his friend, and it's only when they close the bathroom door behind them that Hythlodaeus suddenly leans in close, a smug look on his face.

"But I must needs point out that the, ah, exertions were all mine. Are you certain such unfair shift of the balance befits us?"

Hythlodaeus gets to relish the sight of Hades looking momentarily taken aback before a deeper red suffuses his skin. Having stripped down already, it's impossible to hide his physical reaction to those words. And it is especially difficult to escape when one's back is against a literal wall - or door, in this case.

"I used my mouth and my neck. Surely that must count for something," he retorts unsteadily.

He certainly does relish it, and decides to take it a step further - literally, moving closer to rest his hands on Hades's shoulders and pin him gently against the door.

"That you did. Would you like me to return the favour, Agesandros?"

He can't tear his eyes away from Hythlodaeus. His throat bobs as he swallows, heartbeat loud in his ears. Yes, his inner voice whispers. Yes.

Lips parting, he finds himself instead saying, "Cornering me in the bathroom, 'Daeus? Did you think you wouldn't be able to keep me down on the bed?"

Hythlodaeus's smile only grows even more smug at that bob of the throat - it feels so nice to have the upper hand again. He gently traces a finger up Hades's throat, as if to bring attention to the fact.

"Come now, Hades. Surely you know I've never been one to follow conventions. And I cannot help noticing you haven't answered my question yet... Or should I take a page out of your book and follow the unspoken hints?"

He lets one of his hands slowly, almost teasingly slide down Hades's body from his shoulder, stopping almost entirely once it reaches his hip.

Heat rushes downwards, flowing quicker than the lazy slide of Hythlodaeus' hand down his lithe frame. If the other man is toying with him again, he swears by the gods he WILL bend his friend over the sink and fuck him speechless.

Hades closes his eyes, takes a few unsteady breaths, and then opens them again. He lifts a hand and touches Hythlodaeus' cheek, other arm drawing their bodies flush together. And then he boldly arches against his friend, gasping softly as his cock drags against their thigh.

"You tell me what I desire, 'Daeus," he says huskily. "Or must I have my body speak louder?"

That's more bold than Hythlodaeus was expecting, even with his now-slightly-more-complete understanding of Hades's newfound libido, and he can't avoid a flustered expression crossing his face for a moment at the sudden and intimate contact. But he certainly isn't going to give in so easily, not when he finally had his friend on the ropes again.

Hythlodaeus hums in response, pressing against Hades's chest, heart hammering at being so close. He's never seen him fully nude before, not to mentioned touched him, so this is worth savouring all the more.

"I do wonder what you could want... Am I not the inexperienced pupil here? There is certainly much and more nuance that is all too easy for me to miss."

Spell it out, underworld boy.

The corners of his mouth twitch upwards. How quickly the embers of want rekindle themselves into a flame. It pulses through him steadily, beating harder as he subtly ruts against his friend's leg. It's as much for himself as it is to try and further tempt his friend.

"I want you, 'Daeus," he says, pitching his voice to a sultry murmur. "Your mouth, you hand - or even..."

He reaches down between them and brushes his fingertips against the other man's cock. The smile on his face is definitely a smirk as he watches for Hythlodaeus' reaction.

Hythlodaeus makes a soft, almost pleading noise at the touch, his face flushing deeper--it's all too easy for his composure to crumble if he lets himself dwell on the situation even a little more. But it's very satisfying to have Hades play along so willingly, not to mention flattering to know he's wanted. He leans in still closer to mouth at Hades's neck under the ear, sliding a leg between the other man's thighs and pressing up a little.

"Or even?.."

A low, desperate groan tears itself from his throat. The press of Hythlodaeus' body against his own, that hint of control his friend asserts - it sends his heart racing a malm a minute. He digs his fingers into the other man's skin and shifts.

"Don't tell me you never imagined it," he says huskily. "Watching my rigid self-control unravel, me gasping out your name with each - nudge - of your - hips."

The last words emphasised breathlessly against Hythlodaeus' each as he rocks suggestively.

The answer is non-verbal this time as Hythlodaeus draws in a sharp breath and then nips, practically bites at Hades's neck, his lips working the skin as he digs a hand into Hades's hair to keep him in place. He's imagined that, alright, and he's certainly imagining it now, judging by the rougher way he ruts against the other man in response, his other hand sliding down from Hades's hip to cup his ass and grip it. ~~nice~~

It actually takes Hythlodaeus some conscious effort before he manages to make himself let go of his friend's neck, kissing briefly at the mark he left, then nipping at his earlobe impatiently--no, no, focus, blast it.

"I'm starting to think we may have left the bedroom a little too early."

"You were the one who chose to trap me here," he accuses with ragged breaths. But he finds himself in rueful agreement. As much as he wouldn't mind a passionate lovemaking session against the wall, the bed is far more comfortable.

"Back to the bedroom then?" He tips his head, showing the bright red mark Hythlodaeus' teeth have left. A lazy smirk. "So you can have me properly."

Hades gets a treat - namely, the very badly concealed desire in Hythlodaeus's eyes, so obvious in his hurried breathing, the flush on his cheeks, the way he digs his fingers into his friend's skin. The look on his face is very much like the one Hades had the chance to glimpse back at the cafe after teasing Hythlodaeus so much and then drawing back. He certainly really wants.

But however caught up in a whirlwind of passion one might be, there are still considerations to keep in mind. Hythlodaeus bites at his lip frustratedly, forcing himself to draw back a little, trying to keep his breathing even.

"Only if you have done your shopping, Hades. I assume you have things ready, given how often you see Felih, but if you do not... the point is moot."

He almost pouts. Curse this land that took away their powers--life is so much easier when you can just conjure whatever you need out of thin air rather than go through the bother of getting dressed, going to a store and dealing with the embarrassment of the cashier and other customers knowing what you're up to.

In fact it was easier to keep one's private life private in Amaurot, when one need not rely upon a shop for one's day-to-day necessities. Hades has grown used to keeping track of such things now, of course, and sighs when his friend draws back.

"I did," he admits. "I thought it would be prudent to purchase some for Felih, or Irhya if she were to express interest in taking me to bed again."

Trust Hades to be the practical, forward-thinking one in the relationship.

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EMET IS SO FUCKING STUPID IM HOWLING

is he stupid tho or is he playing ;)

let's be real it's both, mr "so you want to soulfuck me??". also hmmmm tempting conditional there--

u know u want him Hyth

yeah but emet is objectively way hornier

give it time .3.

fine, i guess i can give it (checks hand) the 20 minutes it took me to write this tag

/smugwillywonka.gif

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