emet_sulk | [avalon] IC Inbox

"You like being held, do you? I shall keep that in mind."

He already has some inkling that Hythlodaeus enjoys contact and is more than happy to fulfil that need. For now, however, he gently nudges his partner off his lap so they can make the walk home - though not before stealing another swig of the wine.

Hythlodaeus gets up with a chuckle, swiftly and gently snatching the mug out of Hades's hands to take another sip as well. Though the amount he's drunk is entirely too little to affect him, he feels curiously warm and elated - but perhaps it's merely from getting to fool around like this, as though they're a pair of youngsters.

"I am quite open to the idea of you making up for how little you've held me in the past."

"I shall cradle you like a newborn babe and rock you to sleep. Would you like that?"

The wine isn't enough to get Hades terribly drunk either but it is enough to make him somewhat bolder. After Hythlodaeus takes back the mug, he rests his hand casually on his friend's hip as they walk. There is no question that they are 'just friends' like this.

He smiles to himself, leaning into Hades slightly as they walk, the closeness and the fairly statement demonstration of their relationship making his heart flutter pleasantly.

"'Twould be a dream come true. However, I thought you planned to tie me to the bed?"

"There will be ample opportunity to do both. Since you have been denied the chance to purchase me a scarf, you may pick whether I tie you to the bed or cradle you when we return."

He is in an indulgent mood. The way Hythlodaeus' face lights up brings so much joy.

He does look more than a little happy at that, wrapping an arm around Hades's waist in turn, but he can't help teasing - then again, can he ever?

"Or mayhap I shall tie you to the bed."

The suggestion elicits some surprise from him. Enough that he ends up staring at Hythlodaeus for a few seconds. Being restrained had been an unexpected pleasure in that other city. He had never found someone he felt comfortable repeating it with but, perhaps...?

"Well...if that is your choice of indulgence then how can I refuse?" he finally says, fiercely ignoring the nervous knot in his stomach as he watches his friend's reaction.

Hythlodaeus watches Hades's reaction in turn - the pause was long enough to be somewhat suspicious, after all. But while he can tell there may be more to it than just Hades's words, it doesn't seem that his friend is averse to the thought - perhaps simply shy, as he can be in some matters (even if it is often erratic). And so the answer Hythlodaeus offers is both a reassurance and a tease.

"Quite easily, if you've no desire for such... kinks, did you call it? But 'twould indeed be enjoyable to have you at my mercy."

Hythlodaeus quickly gets confirmation of how Hades truly feels in the sudden rush of heat to his cheeks. He glances away quickly, too late to conceal it.

"I...did not think you the type," he confesses. "I always felt as though I had to be the one to curb your misbehaviour." His heart beats even quicker as he swallows and adds, "A reversal of that could be enjoyable."

Hythlodaeus, on the other hand, doesn't quite conceal his own happy grin as he slightly tightens his hold on Hades's waist. His cheeks are a little flushed too, but with excitement rather than embarrassment.

"Now that sounds as though you wish to misbehave, Hades. I wonder... how many other surprises you're hiding from me?"

"Mayhap I do," he states, surprising himself with his own boldness. He leans into his friend's side, thinking nothing about how it might look. "Twelve thousand years and hardly a day to myself. I should like to know what it feels like to be...disciplined. Especially as you only ever seem to enjoy my curtness."

Fortunately for everyone else outside, it's not such a long walk back to their lodgings - and perhaps fortunately for these two as well, because even as they speak Hythlodaeus feels a growing desire to get away from prying eyes and somewhere more private (not to mention more comfortable).

"I'm wounded, Agesandros! I enjoy every side of you. 'Tis simply that that is the one you choose to display most often."

"Hmph." Smiling faintly though, he leans up to kiss Hythlodaeus' cheek. It must definitely be the wine making him more open with his affection, but he too is glad to see that they are just about home.

He unlocks the door for them and enters first, breathing a sigh of relief when the cold air is finally shut out. "Let us finish the wine first before it loses its heat."

After that? Well... His gaze and his touch lingers on Hythlodaeus.

The lingering is not lost on Hythlodaeus, and likewise he doesn't quite let go of Hades's hand even as he moves to put the cup down and start undoing his coat.

"Good idea. It's quite a pleasant taste, too - 'twould be a shame to lose it. Particularly if we mean to make today a day of indulgence for ourselves."

He nods, helping Hythlodaeus remove his coat. His own follows shortly after and he drapes it over one arm. Taking up the mug, he cups his hands around its warm exterior before taking long sip. He passes the remaining half to his friend afterwards.

"No doubt I could replicate it with alchemy," he murmurs, "but making it the traditional way allows you to appreciate the nuances of the final result."

Hythlodaeus nods appreciatively as he drinks up the rest of the wine without hurrying, letting himself enjoy the taste and the warmth.

"Mayhap we could make it for our friends for the celebrations. I know you've been quite vocal about not being willing to give presents, but a get-together would still be pleasant, no?"

He wrinkles his nose. Well, enjoying a meal together IS simpler than thinking up unique gifts for several people...

"Yes, I suppose it would be," he concedes. "Although I would prefer to eat out."

Please don't make him have to think about cooking.

"Ah? You do not fear that we would get into debt once more if we organize a big dinner? Though if you do not feel up to the task, I would be ready to take it onto myself."

That's right, Emet. Just imagine letting Hyth do all the cooking.

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, brow furrowing in that way Hythlodaeus knows best.

"Sometimes I think you weaponise your incompetence against me." He opens his eyes, reaches up and pinches his lover's cheek. "Fine. But know that I do so in protest."

He starts to head towards the stairs, wanting to put his coat away before anything else. He has a feeling it will be hours before either of them feel like tidying up otherwise.

Hythlodaeus, in turn, only grins at his friend's grumpiness that he knows is just played up. He lets Hades pinch his cheek with a fond, then leans in to press a quick kiss to his forehead - the third eye, to be precise.

"I do not weaponize aught, Hades! I merely suggested that if you do not wish to cook, I could do it instead."

He follows suit, however, trying not to betray his own excitement at the thought of getting to spend the rest of the day with just the two of them.

He shakes his head. "We both know you would make a mess and that it would be left up to me to clean it up," he says with exaggerated, long-suffering tiredness.

He spares a momentary glance at his phone, left behind on the table when they had gone out. His expression dims briefly but he quickly turns from it and takes Hythlodaeus' hand again, giving it a squeeze.

"When you are ready..." He trails off, heart thudding in anticipation.

He does notice that brief glance. Clearly, he needs to make more of an effort to distract his friend...

Hythlodaeus smiles, returning that squeeze as he steps closer to Hades, leaving barely any distance between them, raising his other hand to trail his fingers through his lover's hair.

"When I am ready?.."

He dips his head, leaning in even closer to murmur the question against Hades's lips. Of course, he's fully aware what his friend means, but there's a pleasure in making him elaborate, one that he feels Hades might enjoy too.

Even though he knows he quite literally asked for his friend and lover to assume the reins, being confronted by it is...well, something else. He finds himself unable to tear his eyes away, feels a flush creeping up his neck and into his checks yet again despite having left the cold behind. Some of it is the wine, but honestly...honestly?

Most of it is sheer attraction.

The way Hythlodaeus' fingers tenderly brush through his hair sets his heart aflutter. Even without their soulsight here, his lover's gaze is no less piercing. He feels seen in a way few can understand.

Yes, he thinks - this sort of play does arouse him. He doesn't try to hide it this time. And it's only because of his utter trust for Hythlodaeus that he feels comfortable in what he says next.

"When you are ready...to have me," he whispers.

Hythlodaeus tries to force himself to breathe evenly, stay in control, but there is a moment of tension, a dilation of his pupils that betrays all too clearly how much Hades's openness affects him. There's the sheer physical desire, of course, but more than that there's the dizzying knowledge that Hades would be honest with him - not something afforded to many, as Hythlodaeus well knows. That trust, that vulnerability is more alluring than merely physical intimacy - perhaps because it is a testament to the strength of their bond.

His eyes never leaving Hades's face, Hythlodaeus gently but quickly spins them around, pressing his lover up against the wall, one hand winding into his hair to keep a tight hold on his head as he closes the distance between them to kiss Hades, slow but thorough, giving him no room to break it. He has a feeling that this kind of insistent attention is what Hades wants - and thinking about it, perhaps that has been obvious all along, given the history of their friendship, both between the two of them and Azem.

He only has time for a short, sharp gasp before Hythlodaeus seals his mouth in a deep kiss. He's never truly seen this side of his friend before. Glimpsed it, perhaps, when someone pushes Hythlodaeus beyond even his immense patience. Glimpsed it again that first night when emotions ran high and closeted desire finally spilled over into open want. But now his friend is off the leash, so to speak - is this what they are truly like?

He is not being afforded any leeway. Hythlodaeus' fingers are wound tightly into his hair, with prickling pain accompanying even the slightest movement. Hades wraps his arms around his lover's back and dizzily surrenders to their direction. The taste of the spiced wine lingers on both their tongues.

"Mm... mm..." His fingers curl into the back of Hythlodaeus' shirt.

Edited 2021-12-24 15:32 (UTC)

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