He hopes a silly hat is the worst thing Hythlodaeus can come up with.
"Only one, remember," he says mildly. "Let's go."
The markets await! The colder climate and time of year has brought out vendors' more wintery stock. Emet-Selch is familiar with a lot of it by now so this is his chance to watch Hythlodaeus' reactions.
As expected, Hythlodaeus is excited to explore the markets, flitting here and there to inspect the goods for sale: from spice mixes and seasonal treats to decorations and, yes, even clothes.
It doesn't take him too long to discover the first gift candidate. At one stall he riffles through the merchandise, then turns to Hades with a grin and two incredibly goofy-looking earflap caps that... have a horn on the forehead, apparently themed after a narwhal tusk.
Hythlodaeus does briefly look like he's about to pout - he's used to getting more of a reaction out of his friend. But... at the same time, this does mean they get to wear matching hats, so he can't complain about this.
"Indeed. Here, let me put it on for you."
(Well, maybe dressing Hades up like he's a child will get him a response?..)
He endures it perhaps better than Hythlodaeus may expect. Hades makes sure to look suitably unimpressed when his friend is done and stepping back to admire his handiwork.
"...You next." He holds up the other cap after a long, stoic stare. Without waiting for a reaponse, he steps forward.
Oh, that does irk him a little. That reminder that his friend is now the slightly taller one.
Huffing, he fits the cap snugly over Hythlodaeus' head, gently brushing his fringe back beneath its edge. He ties off the strings with a slip knot rather than a bow out of an impulsive urge to be contrary.
"Hmm..." He makes sure the horn is sitting nice and tall. "There."
Hades is sure they look like a pair of fools. Matching fools, but fools nonetheless.
They absolutely look like fools, but one can be certain that Hythlodaeus only enjoys that. He smiles fondly at the contrast between Hades's huffing and the gentle way he brushes his hair back; how very like his friend.
"Doesn't this put you in a festive mood? I find this tradition of dressing up for various occasions charming."
"I think you know nothing puts me in a festive mood," he retorts dryly. "But I am in an indulgent mood right now. Are you sure these hats are what you want?"
A little frivolous spending is worth seeing Hythlodaeus smiling and happy. His gaze lingers on his friend's face before he glances at their reflections in the nearby mirror.
...Absolutely ridiculous. He wouldn't have it any other way.
"Oh, no, these are just to keep our ears warm. Surely you would not expect a practical purchase to be a gift?"
Which, of course, means: Hythlodaeus loves these hats, but he wants to find something even more ridiculous (or just get more presents, while he has the chance).
"Ah, but should I not be saving my coin for your present? It would be heartbreaking to have to give up on the perfect gift because I can no longer pay for it."
"And here I thought my charm would be enough to entice you to pay for it," Hythlodaeus replies with a grin, but reaches for his coin purse nonetheless. Look, he's being responsible!
"You know, I think this is the first time you've ever admitted I'm charming," he remarks after they stroll away from the stall. It's likely he will never let Hades live this down.
He also pulls out his coin pouch and pays the vendor for his own hat, shaking his head in response to Hythlodaeus' comment.
"Well... You are," he says with a vaguely awkward air. He clears his throat. "You have a way with people that I simply do not." His voice grows quieter. "I missed that about you after you were gone."
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no subject
Date: 2025-12-06 04:55 pm (UTC)"Only one, remember," he says mildly. "Let's go."
The markets await! The colder climate and time of year has brought out vendors' more wintery stock. Emet-Selch is familiar with a lot of it by now so this is his chance to watch Hythlodaeus' reactions.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-13 03:01 pm (UTC)It doesn't take him too long to discover the first gift candidate. At one stall he riffles through the merchandise, then turns to Hades with a grin and two incredibly goofy-looking earflap caps that... have a horn on the forehead, apparently themed after a narwhal tusk.
"Hades, look!~ What say you to matching hats?"
no subject
Date: 2025-12-13 03:38 pm (UTC)"A narwhal cap, hmm? It does look rather warm. 'Twill keep our ears warm in this climate."
Hades smirks faintly, waiting to see if Hythlodaeus tries harder to get a reaction out of him.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-13 04:35 pm (UTC)"Indeed. Here, let me put it on for you."
(Well, maybe dressing Hades up like he's a child will get him a response?..)
no subject
Date: 2025-12-13 04:53 pm (UTC)"Oh, fine... But only if you let me put yours on as well."
no subject
Date: 2025-12-15 02:56 pm (UTC)"Stand still for a moment, then."
He puts the cap on Hades with some ceremony, adjusting it a few times... and ends it by tying the ends of the earflaps together like a ribbon.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-15 03:19 pm (UTC)"...You next." He holds up the other cap after a long, stoic stare. Without waiting for a reaponse, he steps forward.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-15 03:30 pm (UTC)"Yes, yes~"
He bends his head down a little to make it easier for Hades to put it on him. Look, he's being helpful!
no subject
Date: 2025-12-15 09:45 pm (UTC)Huffing, he fits the cap snugly over Hythlodaeus' head, gently brushing his fringe back beneath its edge. He ties off the strings with a slip knot rather than a bow out of an impulsive urge to be contrary.
"Hmm..." He makes sure the horn is sitting nice and tall. "There."
Hades is sure they look like a pair of fools. Matching fools, but fools nonetheless.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-17 04:21 pm (UTC)"Doesn't this put you in a festive mood? I find this tradition of dressing up for various occasions charming."
no subject
Date: 2025-12-17 05:06 pm (UTC)A little frivolous spending is worth seeing Hythlodaeus smiling and happy. His gaze lingers on his friend's face before he glances at their reflections in the nearby mirror.
...Absolutely ridiculous. He wouldn't have it any other way.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-18 05:13 am (UTC)Which, of course, means: Hythlodaeus loves these hats, but he wants to find something even more ridiculous (or just get more presents, while he has the chance).
no subject
Date: 2025-12-19 11:06 am (UTC)This accompanied by a broad smirk. Checkmate, friend!
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Date: 2025-12-21 03:10 pm (UTC)"Ah, but should I not be saving my coin for your present? It would be heartbreaking to have to give up on the perfect gift because I can no longer pay for it."
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Date: 2025-12-21 03:17 pm (UTC)Raising an eyebrow here. Is he...teasing?
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Date: 2025-12-22 01:48 am (UTC)He's so smug.
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Date: 2025-12-22 01:18 pm (UTC)Said shopkeep is looking between them, simultaneously amused by the banter but also unsure whether to speak up.
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Date: 2025-12-22 02:52 pm (UTC)"You know, I think this is the first time you've ever admitted I'm charming," he remarks after they stroll away from the stall. It's likely he will never let Hades live this down.
no subject
Date: 2025-12-24 03:23 pm (UTC)"Well... You are," he says with a vaguely awkward air. He clears his throat. "You have a way with people that I simply do not." His voice grows quieter. "I missed that about you after you were gone."