emet_sulk | [jikan] INBOX

[Rhea'li falls into step beside Hades; at the very least, Rhea'li would escort him back to his lodgings. He says lightly-]

You are still allowed an opinion.

[Even if it might be one he ignores. A pause, before he asks.]

Does Hythlodaeus stay with you?

[If the other man will be at his lodgings, then he thinks his new old friend would do a far better job at keeping Hades company.]

[ He shrugs. ]

Sometimes he does. Sometimes he does not. Hythlodaeus will do whatever he pleases, whenever he pleases - as he always does.

[ Although he can't deny that his friend's company would be very welcome right about now. Not that Hades would ever dare ask for it himself. ]

If you want to stay then stay. I can create another bedroll for you.

[Ah, such convenience. He would be perfectly content to figure out sleeping arrangements, but it's certainly easier to have a solution conjured up for him.]

...Then I will stay.

[As he would for a friend who is hurting. His lips curl up into a wry smile.]

I'm certain your hospitality this time will be vastly improved.

[Compared to the invitation to the Tempest, to Amaurot, when he was dying from the Light. The comment holds no heat, only mild amusement.]

[ He sniffs but doesn't offer comment. His hospitality then had been intended to give the Warrior of Light the dignity of transforming away from prying eyes. It should have been a mercy. ]

Don't expect me to bring out the good tableware for I have none.

[ --ignoring the fact that he could simply make it. ]

[Rhea'li can't help but laugh lightly, an easy sound that carries in the quiet.]

Oh? Am I not even worth a little--

[And he snaps his fingers, in imitation of all those times that Hades made magic.]

[ He snorts quietly. ]

I will make your bedroll exceedingly comfortable and you will be satisfied with it. Understood?

[ There is a twinge in his chest as he says it, but it's easier to ignore now. ]

[Heh hehehehe. Rhea'li's gaze goes half lidded and his mouth grows wide with a smile that only promises mischief.]

I'll have you know I'm exceedingly particular about the comfort of my bedroll. [He is not.] I'll be certain to thoroughly inspect it so it meets my exacting standards.

Aye, you do that.

[ He huffs. It's not like any cheekiness from Rhea'li now could inspire any worse a headache than he already has. Right?

Once they reach his apartment, he will indeed snap into existence a VERY comfortable looking bedroll. In fact it seems he took a little inspiration from the futons here in making it. ]

There. Happy?

[Rhea'li doesn't immediately respond, making a great show of inspecting the created bedroll with a roving eye. It does indeed look quite comfortable as he circles it like a cat before suddenly throwing himself down into it.

Oh, yes. Comfortable, very.

Rolling over so he's looking up at Hades while still sprawled out, he says with half-lidded eyes.]

I would be happier if you were down here with me.

[ :) ]

[ Initially he watches Rhea'li prowl around the bedroll with some amusement. How catlike they are, despite their people detesting the likeness to the creatures. Rhea'li seems satisfied with his bedding though.

However, their implied invitation prompts him to raise an eyebrow. ]

Why?

[Rhea'li's grin widens, his elongated canines on full display.]

Why not?

[:)]

'Tis an exceedingly comfortable bedroll. It would be a shame to not share it.

[He pats the fabric beside him encouragingly.]

[ He closes his eyes briefly. Heaves a sigh. ]

Somehow I feel as though you mean something else entirely. But very well...

[ He carefully sinks down and settles on one side of the bedroll. He seems to be keeping a pointed (if small) distance between their bodies. ]

[His tail twitches, amused as he lazes about in the bedroll. In a way, he's glad Hades decided to join him.]

It could mean something else.

[He rolls onto his side, leaning on an elbow so he can look at Hades, a placidly pleasant smile plastered on his face.]

I seem to recall a certain incident in a hotspring. One you bade me forget... but how could I?

[It's not every day your ex-enemy jerks off in front of you, yells at you then runs away...]

[ His eye twitches. He had really been hoping that it would be an unspoken agreement to never mention that again. Clearly, too much to hope for. ]

I am sure I don't know what you mean.

[ He pointedly does not look at Rhea'li as he says it. ]

Rhea'li grins, all too mischievous.

"Is that so?"

His tail swishes once behind him.

"I heard something funny from one of the locals. About shadows that would secretly touch people who are... frustrated. In a sexual sense."

It explained much about the strange sensations he felt in the hotspring while he was with Dionysos... Though he wonders what it says about him that he only started feeling the strange sensations after Hades had left, and more strongly after Dionysos had transformed......

"And I wonder, mayhaps..." Rhea'li makes no move to close the distance between himself and Hades; he did seem rather skittish right now, like to run if he pursues too strongly. "Would you take me up on it? If I offered?"

"Ah," he says vaguely, thinking back rapidly to that night in the hot spring. "Is that so...?"

It would certainly explain the unexpected arousal. All he had been doing was enjoying the heat of the bath before Rhea'li entered. Shadows, though? Really?

He draws up his knees and hugs them to his chest. He can tell the miqo'te is grinning at him. Mischief is written all over their face.

"Are you only offering because of Azem?"

Rhea'li gives the question some thought. Were they back in Etheirys, he probably would not make the same offer. But here, where people have far more sexual freedoms and do not do easily conflate sex with love, he finds himself relaxing some of the rules he would normally abide by.

It helps that he is simply no one important here.

Rhea'li hums. "I simply think you ought to make the most of opportunities that present themselves."

It is, mayhaps, not a satisfactory answer for Hades.

"Of course, if you're not interested I won't be insulted. I'm quite content to rest in good company, knowing I will be safe."

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."

Rhea'li rolls over onto his front and pillows his head on his arms, tilting it so he can peer up at Hades, even though Hades is pointedly not looking at him.

"I asked to bond with you." Despite their past conflict. "Is that not sign enough that I care?"

Why would he not care for Hades, the one who reached beyond the grave to help him, the one who put Hades in it?

"I don't know. I gave up trying to understand how you think long ago."

As Azem. As the Warrior of Light. He had been content with being a begrudging friend, ally, and protector. He's afraid now to disturb that delicate balance.

"I..." He bites off the sentence before it can eventuate. Although dinner has gone a way to ease the pain of Azem's departure, he feels guilty for even considering the idea of lying together with Rhea'li. Like he's using the miqo'te as a source of comfort in lieu of the one he truly wants.

"If you understand that I can't give myself wholly to you at the moment," he forces out. "Not yet. 'Tis still too raw."

"I understand," Rhea'li murmurs without judgement, for both their hearts are already dedicated to their respective friends and not each other.

And one way or another, his life will be merely a drop in the vast river of Hades' lifetime. Rhea'li's connection will never be like that of the Ancients'.

And he is alright with that.

His tail flicks once before Rhea'li burrows himself deeper into the bedroll, shifting the fabric so he carves a little nook with his body. It's very comfortable.

"Know the offer is open even after this ordeal." Clearly Azem hasn't been keeping him busy enough if the hot spring shadows were afoot. Rhea'li's smile is small but sincere. "Now, shall we retire for the night?"

He nods stiffly, and with it Hades finally relents and shuffles underneath the covers beside Rhea'li. It IS warm and comfortable, if he does say so himself. But of course it is - he made it after all.

Having someone he trusts by his side does more for his nerves than he realises. He exhales softly, tossing a quick (and hopefully unnoticed) glance towards the miqo'te before pulling up the blanket to his chin and closing his eyes.

"Goodnight..."

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Lmao I'm gonna switch to prose coz it's easier to type on mobile

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