He looks away, lips pressing into a mulish line. It feels like a betrayal - even though he imagines Azem doesn't care who Hades chooses to share a bed with (Azem themselves is certainly happy to sleep around). It's one thing to go looking for comfort in the arms of another, but what would it look like for him to seek comfort in a shard of his former friend?

Rhea'li wants to be seen as his own person. Hades isn't sure whether he can separate the two just yet.

"If I ever did-- lie with you," he bites out, "I would want it to be because you cared for me. Not because I'm another warm body to spend the night with."