weenwoon | Escordvi Inbox

Lost in thought, Hythlodaeus jolts briefly when the cork pops. He picks up his glass when Hades pours it, swirling the liquid inside gently before answering.

"I do find myself wishing I could have taken on that part of the burden for you. But..." He takes a sip of the wine. "On the other hand, I could never have been as good a leader as you."

He exhales softly, leaning his head against Hades's.

"That was part of why I gave up the position of Emet-Selch to you."

From:

emet_sulk

He gently rests his head against his friend's in turn. "I wish you had said something back then," he says quietly. "I assumed you were shirking responsibility on to another, as was your wont. We could have held the seat as a pair."

Nothing more than wishful thinking. By their time, each seat was held by an individual. He doubts the Convocation would have broken tradition, even with the most eloquent of arguments.

He tentatively reaches over with the hand not holding his wineglass and touches Hythlodaeus'. "Every time I stood before the masses, I would think of you. I imagined what you would say to sway them. I would...pretend I was you as I smiled and cajoled them. It was...tiring."

From:

weenwoon

The revelation is unexpected. Hythlodaeus's cheeks grow a little pink; to think that the ever-capable Hades would imitate him...

He turns his hand, gently catching Hades's fingers between his own.

"Were it not a burden on you, I would have liked to see your impression of me," he says with a smile to signify that it's not a serious request. He is indeed curious to see that, but the last thing Hythlodaeus wants is to make Hades remember the hardships of his long millennia of solitude.

"I never thought of holding the seat together... but mayhap that would have been the right solution. I wonder if the Convocation would have allowed that."

From:

emet_sulk

"Mm. We'll never know now." He takes a sip of wine and snuggles further against his friend with a sigh. "It doesn't matter. Keep me company tonight, Hythlodaeus. I demand it."

One day maybe he'll show Hythlodaeus something of how he acted for others. But putting on that mask requires energy and right now that energy is wholly devoted to finishing this very good bottle of wine.

From:

weenwoon

Hythlodaeus chuckles, pressing closer against his friend in turn and taking a sip of his own wine.

"And what kind of company you would like to have tonight, hmm?~"

His voice is a little teasing; he has a good idea of what the answer will be, but it's more fun to make Hades say it.

From:

emet_sulk

Although he had set up this whole date, Hades still flushes before answering.

"I-intimate company...I was hoping..." he mumbles. "I know we agreed back when we were younger that our affection was platonic but..."

He trails off, embarrassed. Visiting the Naughtilust simply isn't the same but he can't make himself say that.

From:

weenwoon

Oh-oh, Hythlodaeus senses A Weakness. How is he supposed not to pounce on that?

"Buuut?~"

He leans in a little closer, his hold on Hades's waist tightening slightly. Just to show that Hades is not getting away without answering.

From:

emet_sulk

Hades flushes and pointedly maintains an averted gaze.

"I... I'm still fond of you. That's all I mean. And I've not found many with whom I can be...entirely comfortable with," he mumbles.

From:

weenwoon

Despite his teasing, Hythlodaeus can't help blushing a little as well. Though usually he, too, would call his affection for Hades fondness, learning that his friend has waded through twelve millennia of despair to bring him back... he can't be unaffected by such devotion.

The mention of being comfortable, though, sends his thoughts down a slightly different track.

"'Tis a pity you cannot freely transform here."

What he's thinking is that Hades would be happier in his own body, not a borrowed one. What it sounds like, though...

From:

emet_sulk

He nearly chokes on his wine. "Wh-what is that supposed to mean?" he asks, coughing. "I'm not-- You-- What?!"

Help, he's dying.

From:

weenwoon

Hythlodaeus also ends up choking on his wine - but in his case it's first out of surprise at Hades's outburst, and then because of his own laughter. What's amusing is both Hades's reaction, and the fact that he apparently--did he really not know?

"W-Well," he manages after getting his breath back and wiping the tears out of his eyes (though he's still grinning widely), "I have always enjoyed seeing you transform. Your true form is quite handsome."

From:

emet_sulk

The wine stings the back of his throat and his eyes are watering.

"I wasn't aware you meant that s-sexually!"

From:

weenwoon

Oh, it's really embarrassing to have it put that way. Hythlodaeus goes red again.

"I didn't-- I mean, no, well--"

"I may have thought of it," he finally manages, in the tones of someone who knows he might be in trouble.

From:

emet_sulk

He utters some indecipherable sound again and covers his face with a hand. Hythlodaeus had seen him that way? Seen his true self that way? They may have shared intimate relations before when they were younger but it is one thing to do so in these flesh and blood bodies and quite another to have their truest self regarded that way.

"Well, put it out of your mind because I could easily hurt you in that form," he mumbles.

From:

weenwoon

He laughs apologetically, fiddling with his glass. It's not often he is embarrassed, but he is now.

"Well, I would never have expected you to agree... 'twas only an idle fantasy."

He steals a glance at his friend.

"... does it unsettle you?"

From:

emet_sulk

He doesn't move or speak for a little while as the question turns over in his mind. Does it unsettle him? Not as much as it probably should. He dimly recalls his friend had unusual tastes - or rather, enjoyed novelty - in ways far more eclectic than Azem ever demonstrated (although sometimes the pair's interests aligned).

"No... It merely caught me off-guard," he eventually replies. "You have seen my truest form before, yet you still say you're fond of me despite that? Even when it reveals parts of me that I-- I'm ashamed of?"

From:

weenwoon

He watches Hades from the corner of his eye as the man thinks, but soon enough it's Hythlodaeus's turn to ponder his own answer. He looks down at his glass again, then back up at Hades.

"... We've been close ever since we were children. After all that time, such things... no longer really matter to me. I know you, Hades, and I know that you are still you. Even if you may be ashamed of some aspects of yourself, they won't change how I feel about you."

From:

emet_sulk

His hand slowly slips off his face, leaving only his mouth hidden as he stares into his wine. He could probably count the number of times he has transformed since the Sundering on his hands, despite the long years. Even here. His transformations have been purely utilitarian yet rare, still. Doing so for no reason other than to...to show off? Well, if anyone would have the privilege of witnessing that it would be Hythlodaeus.

"...I can't freely change here. It seems it is only possible when I feel intense emotion. I hear there are ways to improve one's abilities - make them easier to access or use - but I don't trust such rumours."

From:

weenwoon

He's quiet for a moment as he works out the implications. Could it be...

"... You mean you would be amenable to it?"

From:

emet_sulk

"I... Maybe." He's quick to raise a finger before Hythlodaeus' face though. "I'm not saying I will necessarily take you to bed in that form, mind you! But-- this body feels stifling...at times..."

He gulps down another mouthful of wine and grimaces when the alcohol hits too fast.

"If you'd rather not then I-- I understand. I'm only using you to stave off my own loneliness after all..."

From:

weenwoon

It doesn't take long for Hythlodaeus to regain his usual cheer at this news. He grins, wrapping an arm around Hades's shoulders and leaning against him more.

"Oh, I cannot believe you would still feel lonely when I am here!~ Mayhap I have been remiss in bothering you enough?"

He takes another draught of his wine and sets the empty glass down.

"... 'Tis not merely bedding you that I want, Hades. I would simply... like to see you as you truly are."

From:

emet_sulk

He voices a muffled, half-hearted complaint and sets his glass down on the table as well.

"Well, save that for when we move into a larger place. I'm not trying it here. Although... Although I would still like to spend the night with you."

From:

weenwoon

... Well, now that the serious matters have been largely settled, Hythlodaeus feels free to go back to being his cheery, somewhat annoying self. He reaches for the bottle to pour them another couple of glasses.

"For someone with such plans, you certainly were flustered at seeing that... outfit at the leatherworker's."

Said as he hands Hades his glass with a smirk.

From:

emet_sulk

He flusters and shoots a small glare at his friend as he accepts the glass.

"May I remind you that I have lived a fair while longer than you by now? I've seen my share of-- of lewd costuming."

From:

weenwoon

"Hmm, have you? Under what circumstances?"

Hythlodaeus's grin says it all: he mostly wants to fluster Hades, but a part of him is curious about his... adventures in the mortal world.

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