emet_sulk | [avalon] IC Inbox

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."

"Shall I be more crude in public then? Is that your...'kink', as they called it in Duplicity?"

He smirks more openly at his friend.

He raises his eyebrows in response.

"Now, I can only guess what that word might mean."

What's a kink, most reverent Emet-Selch, please enlighten him.

Gladly, o best friend.

"A kink is a form of foreplay or sexual play that you are quite partial to. You may enjoy being bound with restraints, or being humiliated in public, or even having sex in public. Such are only a few examples of what they are."

Well, at least he can still pretend his face is red from the cold. Right? Right.

"You've certainly learned a great deal in that city, my dear Architect. And I imagine you've had plenty of chances to discover what you are partial to, hmm?"

He lifts an eyebrow, nonchalant. "And what if I have?"

Finding a clean bench, he takes a seat whilst carefully hding their warm drink and then...pats his lap. Yep, you saw correctly, Hyth. He is asking that you sit on his lap.

Hythlodaeus blinks a couple of times, a disbelieving grin on his face. Is he really?.. Yes. Apparently, yes.

But though it's surprising, it's not like Hythlodaeus has anything against the idea, and there's no reason to let Hades have the upper hand. With a playful smile, he shrugs and then sits down in Emet's lap, winding his arms around his friend's neck - as much as he's able to, with both of them wearing winter clothes.

"I would have taken this to mean that you are partial to flaunting me in public... if you hadn't gotten so flustered merely because I read you a poem. One that others would not be able to understand, mark you."

"You went down on one knee as if you were proposing all over again. Anyone would have understood the intent even if they did not understand the words."

Hythlodaeus being a head taller does make this somewhat awkward, but he manages to nuzzle his partner's neck and hold up the mug for the man to take a sip from.

He smiles, dipping his head to take a sip. It is quite awkward physically, but at the same time Hythlodaeus can't help but bask in the affection and the peacefulness of the situation, not to mention the relief he feels at having distracted Hades enough. Though the air is cold, the drink is hot, outside warmth to mirror the inner one.

"Mayhap so, but is that truly any less embarrassing than talking about tying me to the bed or having me sit in your lap?"

"Sometimes, 'Daeus, there is more worth in silence than in speech," he retorts. He takes a sip of the wine after his friend, letting the wine linger on his tongue before he swallows. "But in bed I do enjoy hearing your voice raised in exaltation towards me. 'Tis how I know I have your full, undivided attention."

Smiling smugly, he offers the mug back to Hythlodaeus.

Once again there's a deeper red hue to Hythlodaeus's cheeks than readily justifiable by the cold, but he still refuses to give up. He takes the cup, nonchalantly turning it slightly so that when he drinks it's from the same spot Hades did.

"Mm... I am uncertain if I should be flattered or worried that you think my attention can be on aught else other than you when we are together."

Cheeky. He expects it though, so it doesn't fluster him much. Instead he rests his chin on Hythlodaeus' shoulder and wraps an arm about his friend's waist.

"I remember you as being fickle and capricious. Can you blame me for feeling jealous at how easily you befriend those you meet?" he murmurs.

Ah. The subject of such jealousy is still a somewhat strange one to Hythlodaeus, but not one he particularly wishes to make too much light of in the circumstances. He smiles, though, running a finger down the side of Emet's face.

"But befriending is not the same as falling irrevocably in love. And if such doubts plague you, should I be more open with my expressions of affection?"

He flushes a little but does not look away. Only tightens his hold ever so slightly.

"I can do without another poem, but I would never refuse your overtures, my dear friend."

The blushing is adorable - who'd have thought Hades had it in him after so openly talking about their relationship? Hythlodaeus leans in closer, as though to make it all the more clear he only has eyes for his friend.

"And would you prefer those overtures to be here in public? Or once we return home, so that I truly have nothing to distract me from your company?"

Oh, hells below, why did he ever think he could win against Hythlodaeus? Hades swallows but manages to maintain his outward composure for the most part.

It's impossible, however, to keep his voice entirely steady. "Perhaps...returning home would be best after all. We can finish our drink somewhere warm."

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

:> mission accomplished

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