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[emet_sulk]

I am currently not available at the moment.
If you were directed here by Hythlodaeus, kindly inform him that any messes he creates are his responsibility to clean up.

If this is Hythlodaeus: Please act like a bureau chief for once in your life and stop referring complaints to me.


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[emet_sulk]

"I..."

He trails off, realising he hasn't given it much thought yet. He wants to see Amaurot, yes, and then he had thought Hythlodaeus would help him to his final rest.

Is that really all he wishes for?

Playing with the ends of his friend's long hair, his brow furrows as he mulls the question over. "I don't know," he confesses eventually. "I thought that you would send me on once I was done gazing upon our home. You have all of eternity to spend with my past self - the Hades you're familiar with. You do not need us both."

[weenwoon]

Perhaps in another context he might have made a joke or two about having two Hadeses in his life, but once again Hythlodaeus only feels a pang of sadness. "Need"? That, too, is such a... mortal view, that people can be not needed - as though it's possible to measure one's worth like that.

"Hades... Each life is precious and needed, as you know full well. Pray do not be so quick to dismiss yourself.

And 'tis not only as a lover that I care for you, lest you decide to corner yourself into some manner of romantic rivalry with your younger self. You are my friend and someone who has toiled for twelve millennia for me and all of our brethren. Your existence is worth more than merely my romantic feelings for you."

[emet_sulk]

He can envision all too easily how he may grow jealous of his past self. His nose wrinkles but he offers no objection. In truth, he's forgotten how he used to believe all lives worth equal value. Hythlodaeus' reminder almost shames him.

He should know better. He's no longer under Zodiark's sway, and hasn't he acknowledged that the star belongs to the mortal races now?

But-- "I'm so tired though, 'Daeus," he murmurs. "'Tis a trial simply to wake up each morning. Living feels like a burden - one that your presence alleviates, but still a burden. What purpose would my life have in a city which has only ever known peace...?"

[weenwoon]

He's quiet for a short while, contemplating with both fear and sadness the thought of life feeling like a burden. But with all that his friend has seen, done, been through... it is not a surprise in the least.

"Yet is it not the strife of the mortal world that tires you out so? 'Twould be a time of recovery for you, Hades."

[emet_sulk]

Would it...?

It's his turn to be silent for a time. "I'm worried that I will no longer fit in amongst our people. That peace will not suit me after waging war for so many centuries."

He sits up suddenly, a spark of an idea lighting his eyes. "I could travel the way Azem once did. Perhaps that would soothe my restlessness. But..."

He doesn't want to be parted from Hythlodaeus.

[weenwoon]

Seeing Hades brighten up like that warms Hythlodaeus's heart as well. He smiles, once again combing his fingers through his friend's hair.

"Then why not travel together with Azem? The wisdom you've gained over all these years would serve you well there, too."

[emet_sulk]

"Assuming Azem accepts me..."

His memories of them have grown faded over the years. Some things are clear whilst others tickle the edge of his mind. He doesn't think they'll reject him. He hopes they won't.

"But I would miss you, my friend. My home ever remains Amaurot, and my heart to you."

[weenwoon]

"If there is one person you needn't worry about accepting you, 'tis our Azem. 'Twas not for naught they were chosen to be the one to unite us all."

Hythlodaeus smiles, his cheeks a little pink at Hades's proclamation of affection - something he never truly expected to hear, really. Gently, he takes one of his friend's hands, raising it to his lips to press a soft kiss to the backs of his fingers.

"...And mine, to you. But 'tis not as though you would be away for that long at a time. Or is it having me for a travel companion that you long for?"

[emet_sulk]

He presses his lips together and glances aside, clearly embarrassed. He doesn't tug his hand away though. "I enjoy our dates. I enjoy the places you discover that somehow elude me. The eateries, the galleries - you have a way with people that I lack. You and Azem both.

"But I would not take you away from my past self, who would miss you if you travelled the world with us. He needs you, 'Daeus. He needs someone to stop him from spending all day in his office. He needs someone to remind him that responsibility is not a shackle." Lifting his other hand, he caresses Hythlodaeus' cheek. "Just promise you will be home when I return, yes?"

[weenwoon]

It fills Hythlodaeus's heart with such warmth to contemplate a future like that - not only saving their world, but finding a place for Hades in it as well, a way for him to belong and be happy once more. It's enough to make tears rise to his eyes again, but accompanied by a smile this time as he tips his head into that caress.

"Of course, Agesandros. You would always have me to return to. And... while I look after your younger self, mayhap you could wrangle Azem. Though with your newfound freedom of character I do wonder whether you would keep them in check or simply help them be even more efficient in bending the rules for their adventures."

Just imagine: poor young Hades on one side and the likely unholy combination of his much older self, Hythlodaeus and Azem on the other.

[emet_sulk]

"I am duty-bound to side with myself," he informs his friend tartly. "I'll be sure to reign in Azem's activities where possible. Although I must confess... I do understand the reasons behind their actions better than I did before."

Leaning in, he kisses Hythlodaeus chastely. His heart flutters now with something that feels dangerously like hope. "Are you sure you can handle us both though, 'Daeus?" he asks slyly. "Sometimes you seem at a loss as to how to counter my wit."

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus closes his eyes briefly, smiling into that kiss, but that smile grows into a smirk in response to Hades's question.

"Do I, now? I would say that I still hold the upper hand in our little... rivalry, let us call it that. Though I shall admit you did get better."

[emet_sulk]

"Hmph." He smirks as well, although it soon softens into a fonder smile. He leans a little more into his newly bonded, lacing their fingers together.

"When you cornered me in the bathroom the first night we spent together," he says softly, "you asked if I preferred to be led. I've grown accustomed to leading other men and women, but I think in matters of intimacy I do like surrendering control to a lover whom I trust. I can be myself around you, 'Daeus. I can let the mask fall away."

[weenwoon]

Though the slight change of topic is not entirely unexpected, Hythlodaeus is still taken aback by it. His face slowly grows redder as the full implications of what Hades says sink in, but he can't help the giddy smile rising to his lips as well. Perhaps if it had been just about the pleasures of the flesh Hythlodaeus would have found some space in which to simply flirt back or laugh the fluster away, but such a level of trust as Hades speaks of goes much farther.

Gently, Hythlodaeus raises a hand to cup his bonded's cheek, draw him into a kiss - not deep, but very affectionate, lips working softly against Hades's.

"Then you can leave it to me to lead you," he murmurs once they part, his thumb stroking Hades's cheek. "I can but imagine how much you must need it now, after so many centuries of having to be in control."

[emet_sulk]

The kiss fills his cheeks (and admittedly, other parts of him) with warmth. His eyes flutter shut as their lips meet, and a wistful sigh escapes him when they inevitably part. There's nothing but pure, abject love as he gazes at Hythlodaeus.

"I can show you some mortal practices I learnt in that depraved city," he suggests coyly. "If such things interest you, that is. I would like to see the romantic touch you bring to them."

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus has to (not very successfully) subdue an excited grin at the suggestion--after all, it's not as though he's without an interest in such things, but most of all it's the offer of intimacy that makes his heart flutter.

"Certainly. After all, are we not meant to share knowledge freely?" Hythlodaeus allows himself some teasing in his tone as well... before it grows softer again as he pulls Hades closer, resting their foreheads together. "And I would say that now, more than ever, I see it as my duty to make you happy, Agesandros."

[emet_sulk]

"Silly fool," he murmurs. His body is practically flush with Hythlodaeus' now. He steadies himself by resting a hand lightly on his partner's hip, the other on their thigh. There are butterflies in his stomach but he feels incredibly warm and secure. Nothing will tear them apart again. Nothing.

"By merely being here you make me the happiest man in the world."