Inbox for Expiation

[emet_sulk]

Your call is answered by a deep, put-upon sigh.

"Yes? What is it?

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[emet_sulk]

Hades has most certainly been keeping the door locked. Can't be too careful with all the supposed criminals after all. Still, he isn't the least bit surprised when he opens the door and sees Hythlodaeus on his doorstep.

Heart fluttering (and immediately feeling self-conscious about it), he steps aside to let his friend in. "You certainly wasted no time..."

[weenwoon]

"I suppose I could have waited until you come to persuade me to move, yes," Hythlodaeus laughs in response. "But I thought to save you the worrying. Besides, it has been such a long time since we last shared lodgings! Not since we were children, I believe."

He sets his bag down on the floor, looking around with interest.

"So, where shall I be staying?"

... Yes, he's going to very blatantly and purposefully ignore the fact that there is only one bedroom, and only one bed.

[emet_sulk]

"You can take the bed," he says quickly as he shuts the door. "I will sleep on the floor."

He can create a futon or bedroll to sleep in temporarily, he thinks. He's used to sleeping 'rough', as it were.

"You do realise you could have asked for your own dwelling, don't you?"

[weenwoon]

"But you would worry if I was all alone, right?" Hythlodaeus replies cheerily. He sits down on the aforementioned bed, bouncing a little as though to test it for springiness.

"But I hope you will only sleep on the floor as long as it takes to make a bigger bed. I would imagine your poor aged back would complain otherwise! Not to mention I would feel quite bad about it."

[emet_sulk]

A bigger bed...? Hades flushes at the implication. Apparently the thought that they would sleep separately has never crossed Hythlodaeus' mind. Well, he supposes it's a fair assumption given that they have confirmed their mutual affection.

"You would be surprised how comfortable a bedroll can be. But...fine. I do receive regular income so a larger bed is not out of the question."

[weenwoon]

To be fair, Hythlodaeus would still have proposed to sleep together even if they hadn't kissed. It's just how he is... although he does notice the flush on Hades's face (with some satisfaction, too).

"Oh? So you've found an occupation for yourself, then? Here I thought you would be happy to finally have some rest."

[emet_sulk]

"I needed a weapon at the time."

He gestures aside to where a gunblade rests point-down upon a stand.

"I offered my services as a healer to a girl who organises a group of knights. She found me work at a chirurgeon's office. With the coin from that job, I commissioned that blade."

As far as work goes, sitting in a clinic a few days a week is a rather easy job. As a healer rather than a nurse, he's not even expected to be nice to the patients he sees (although he certainly gets disapproving looks for his blunt manner from time to time).

[weenwoon]

Intrigued, he stands up to come over and examine the gunblade. It's not what he's used to Hades wielding... but the more complex yet still elegant design does suit his friend, Hythlodaeus thinks.

"Could you not have simply created one? I have been informed creation magicks do not last here, but I would think it enough for one battle."

He runs a finger along the top of the gunblade thoughtfully.

[emet_sulk]

"And what would happen if the gods here decided to negate my powers completely, hmm?"

He comes over to stand by Hythlodaeus. "No man may be able to take my sorcery from me but I need tangible weapons that no god can take from me either. 'Tis only sensible in a strange place like this."

[weenwoon]

"It certainly is... quite strange. But interesting too, do you not find?"

Well. Trust Hythlodaeus to always stay optimistic in any situation. But the talk of weapons reminds him of something else...

"Would your income be enough to commission a harp for me as well? You did ask me to sing for you, but I am too shy to do so without a proper accompaniment."

[emet_sulk]

"Perhaps not immediately, but I'm sure with some saving we could manage something."

He hesitates then reaches out to take Hythlodaeus' hand.

"Or you could find a job yourself."

[weenwoon]

He gently squeezes Hades's hand in return, more than a little pleased at the contact.

"Ahh, and here I was hoping to live off your generosity~ But mayhap I could work together with you?"

[emet_sulk]

"Nothing would make me happier, but I am not sure how appropriate your bedside manner would be."

He smiles slightly. "Then again, perhaps some music would lighten our patients' spirits."

[weenwoon]

"This is the first time you've said you would be happy to work alongside me."

He smiles in return, glancing at Hades.

"You have many patients? I saw the message from a man who was looking to identify what medicinal herbs there are here and what they do."

[emet_sulk]

He looks away self-consciously and shrugs.

"I haven't seen you in a long time. I'd like to spend every moment I can with you. But no, there are less patients than there were some moons ago. Many of them are victims of minor household accidents."

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus grins triumphantly, leaning against Hades's shoulder.

"Every moment you can, hmm?~"

[emet_sulk]

He can sense Hythlodaeus is grinning like a cat at him. He squirms inwardly.

"What? Is it so strange of me to want to spend time with my...my..."

Argh, Zodiark help him, he can't say it.

[weenwoon]

Of course Hythlodaeus is going to take the opportunity. He leans onto Hades's shoulder some more.

"With your?~.."

You gotta say it!

[emet_sulk]

(No!!!!)

Hades flushes a darker pink and mumbles.

"Your...lover..."

[weenwoon]

Hythlodaeus giggles, and how giddy and almost childish it sounds might be an indicator that he's actually quite flustered too, merely much better at cloaking it.

"And yet you didn't want to share a bed... Is that not what lovers are supposed to do?"

[emet_sulk]

Hades is unfortunately too mired in his own embarrassment to notice that Hythlodaeus may be just as affected by this as him. He pointedly continues to avoid looking at his friend - his partner.

"The bed is too small. I'm sure you would kick me out of it in your sleep."

[weenwoon]

... Well. Hades probably is right about that, too. So Hythlodaeus chooses not to pursue that line; fortunately, he still has plenty of ways to embarrass his newfound partner.

"So you would agree that that getting a bigger bed should be our first priority? I would like to have your company during the nights, too..."

[emet_sulk]

'Company during the nights'? Hades swallows as his thoughts wonder whether Hythlodaeus means that superficially or as something more. Knowing his friend, if he asks for clarification then Hythlodaeus will tease him for even thinking it.

...Although, it's not as though he doesn't want it, does he? Hades takes a deep breath and lets it out to steady his hammering heart.

"I suppose you're right, yes. Given a month, I think we can afford to replace the bed."

[weenwoon]

There's a bit of a shocked silence from Hythlodaeus. An entire month?..

"... I suppose that for the time being I'll have to be content with spending our waking hours together."

[emet_sulk]

He stares in confusion before he remembers: Hythlodaeus doesn't have any concept of commerce.

"...I suppose I could conjure us a bed we could sleep in each night. As a temporary measure," he says.