emet_sulk | [avalon] IC Inbox

... Ah, and it still comes down to this. Hythlodaeus sighs internally, but decides not to dwell on it overmuch.

"Did you enjoy leading them?"

Did he? He shifts a little more securely into Hythlodaeus' side as they slowly walk.

"...Yes," he eventually says softly. "For the first decade or so, I did."

Hythlodaeus can only guess what happened after that first decade, but right now he would much rather focus on what good Hades can remember.

"Tell me some of your fonder memories. It heartens me to know you yet found some happiness in that world."

He falls silent as he tries to remember more pleasant times. They are always moments, brief and fleeting, like the lives he lived amongst the people. Not like the long stretches of fondness he recalls in the unsundered world...

"I... When I was newly crowned emperor of Garlemald, I would sit with the soldiers around the fire and eat with them during campaigns. Such was their reverence for me that they named the soup we ate that night in my honour." A pause. "The people also named a park after me - after Solus. Despite being a military nation, I couldn't bear seeing children without somewhere to play. In Solus' later years, there was a playwright whom I favoured with my patronage; I gifted him an airship so that he might take his talent to the rest of Ilsabard and beyond."

Hythlodaeus chuckles quietly, glancing over to his friend with unconcealed fondness.

"Ah... that is so much like you, Hades. For all your shyness, you've always cared for people so deeply."

Even those he ostensibly despised - much as he scorns mortals, the Garleans were mortal, too. Hythlodaeus wonders if Hades has ever thought about the fact.

He flushes pink and draws the collar of his coat higher. "I am not shy... I am private."

Lengthening his stride, he tugs Hythlodaeus on at a more brisk pace. "Here, we're nearly there. See?"

Hythlodaeus chuckles to himself, following. It's sweet that Hades seems to think that arriving at their destination will somehow stop Hythlodaeus from his antics.

"That we are. But am I really not allowed a little more time to adore my bonded?"

Mouth set in a mulish line, he steps in close and rises on tiptoe to kiss Hythlodaeus' cheek.

"You can adore me all you like at home. Now come. I would like that hot drink you promised me."

He grins in response, squeezing Hades's hand.

"I'll hold you to that, then. And, hmm... I believe there was a stall over there." He points down a path - and indeed, in the distance there's a darker shape of a small shop. "Their drinks are quite delightful, by all accounts - though as with many things here, you are like to find magical ingredients in them. Hopefully naught too unusual, hmm?"

"Hopefully."

He wanders down the path with Hythlodaeus by his side, casting his gaze over the list of available beverages.

"Let's buy one to share, shall we? Or do you have your own preference?"

Though there were indeed his own ideas Hythlodaeus had, the thought of sharing a beverage is a rather more fun one. He grins in response, then looks over to the list as well.

"Oh, I would certainly love to share one... assuming you are fine with such an obvious display of our closeness."

Said as though they didn't walk here arm in arm.

He rolls his eyes, elbowing his friend (gently, for him).

"We are holding hands, you kissed me on the cheek but moments ago, and we bear matching rings. Don't embarrass me further."

Of course, the correct response is to put his head on Hades's shoulder, even if it's a little awkward with the height difference.

"Now that sounds like a challenge to me, Agesandros."

"How could you possibly be more embarrassing?" he asks indignantly. He eyes Hythlodaeus out of the corner of his eye, wary but (notably) not pulling away.

He feels like he's going to regret asking this.

A fine question, if a dangerous one for Hades himself. Hythlodaeus smirks smugly, takes both his friend's hands in his own for a few moments as he positions himself before Hades... and then gets down on one knee, disregarding the snow, and begins to recite - a love poem in the Ancient tongue. Though the words would be unfamiliar to passersby, the tenderness and affection in Hythlodaeus's voice (which he does not particularly bother to lower) are obvious enough to make it clear what's going on.

Too shocked initially to stop the other man, he's forced to watch (and listen) with increasing horror as Hythlodaeus recites the poem in full hearing of everyone else at the beverage stand. His face grows even redder than it already has from the cold, and by the end of it he's desperately trying to tug Hythlodaeus back to his feet.

He can't bear to see the looks on everyone else's faces right now. He wants to shrivel into the ground.

"Alright - alright you have quite made your point! Please, stop," he hisses.

Though he did start reciting it in earnest, by the end of the poem Hythlodaeus struggles not to laugh, amused by his friend's embarrassment and attempts to pull him up so as to end the spectacle sooner. He gives in (this time), getting up with a laugh and a big grin on his face.

"Come now, I was merely answering your question! But I do admit 'tis adorable how you blush so."

He sniffs, face still exceedingly red, and turns in towards Hythlodaeus so that his face is mostly hidden from the onlookers.

"Choose your damned drink and let's find somewhere to sit down that is well away from here."

Hythlodaeus chuckles, leaning in quickly to give Hades a peck on the cheek before he can protest.

"As you wish, stars of my life. Now, what should I get..."

He turns to the stand, apparently completely unaffected by his own display of mushy feelings, and studies the menu for a while. Though he would like to get something more outlandish, he does know that Hades will likely need a brief break from his antics.

"Would you still prefer to share a drink?"

Grumbling to himself, he lifts his gaze to the menu.

"I am of a mind to deny you that privilege after that display," he grouses. "You incorrigible fool."

Hythlodaeus smiles to himself - he knows Hades well enough to be fully aware that the grousing means the gesture did touch his heart. But it doesn't hurt to play along a little.

"Oh my... I shall be on my best behaviour from here on, then. Or should I expect some punishment once we return?"

"You would like that, wouldn't you?" He says it off-hand, but then he suddenly realises that he can punish Hythlodaeus. Two can play this game of public embarrassment.

Glancing upwards at his friend, he says in a perfectly clear and carrying voice, "I am of a mind to tie you to our bed and hear your sweet voice begging me for release."

It has the desired effect: Hythlodaeus goes red, staring at his friend - his lover - wide-eyed. Even after all this time he sometimes finds it hard to remember how shameless Hades can be in certain aspects, despite his usual and still-present shyness. It takes him a moment or two to regain his composure; then he clears his throat, closing his eyes briefly. Loath as he is to lose...

"W-Well, that is certainly flattering. But you are right, we should continue such conversations somewhere more... private. I fear the poor stand worker has enough worries on their mind even without our demonstrations."

Enjoy your victory (?).

His lips curve faintly. Mood much buoyed by the small victory, he orders a large mug of spiced wine for them to share. The vendor seems to be more than glad to send them on their way.

With drink in hand, Hades starts off in search of a bench not covered in snow. "'Tis nice to know you are capable of blushing, 'Daeus."

Hythlodaeus offers the vendor a brief apologetic smile and a bow as they leave. While he is mostly shameless, it's not as though he's inconsiderate of others.

Hades's words almost make him purse his lips briefly, but almost immediately he finds a way to turn it to his advantage... if it can be called that.

"My, my! Simply because it takes you quite a bit of effort to make me blush does not mean I am incapable of it."

wow what are you gay

he's just jealous Zodiark got Hyth all to himself for 12,000 years okay :T

you could have come to the moon to visit, smh

but then he would have been emo :(

AS IF HE WASN'T EMO ALREADY

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I'M SORRY I'VE BEEN TOO DEPRESSED TO ACTUALLY LOOK UP A POEM...

IT'S ALRIGHT, IT'S NOT LIKE EMET IS ALREADY DYING OF EMBARRASSMENT OR ANYTHING

:> mission accomplished

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