"I'm not some shrinking violet any more." Almost right after he says that, he realises the implication and hastily adds: "I mean that I'm not shy. I never have been. I don't know where you got that impression from."
Despite his earlier teasing, Hythlodaeus can't help flushing at that kiss. Even from his point of view, it's been a while since they were last intimate with each other.
"Well... does it not make sense, then, that I would test your- progress, shall we say, by seeing how you respond in public?"
Even as he says that, his free hand finds Hades's to intertwine their fingers.
The alcohol has finally loosened him up more. He closes his eyes briefly.
"I don't enjoy public indecency, Hythlodaeus, and I'd rather you didn't give others the wrong impression about our relationship. These mortals do not understand agape."
"There are all sorts of visitors to the taverns," Hythlodaeus remarks at that first part - and it's true, including couples who think nothing of being overly... affectionate in public.
But what Hades says about their own relationship makes Hythlodaeus's chest feel warm. Agape... It really is the best expression of what they are to each other.
But he wouldn't be Hythlodaeus if he didn't still tease Hades over it.
"You love me~"
Crooned in that sing-song voice of his that he uses when he knows he's being a little shite.
"Oh, shut up," he grumbles. There's no point denying it: he does love Hythlodaeus in his own way. It may not be a romantic love, but there's no other way to describe how his heart ached when they parted, and the way it soared when they were reunited.
"Now are you going to keep teasing me or do I have to kiss you until you stop speaking?"
Seemingly nonchalantly, he tightens his hold on Hades's waist slightly, fingers subtly probing at his clothes. The aforementioned teasing, one might assume.
"Well, you could always take matters into your hands, like you said. Or..."
Hythlodaeus turns his head to keep - very smug - eye contact with his friend.
His cheeks seem to glow a darker shade of pink. He's not really sure which he wants right now. Both options are appealing in their own way, and as is typical of someone presented with many appealing options, he is struck with hesitance over the choices.
"I...would like you to act as you normally would," he says eventually. His unoccupied hand lifts to tug suggestively at Hythlodaeus' collar. "Let us satisfy each other without thinking too much on who is leading whom."
The tone of the question makes it clear that Hythlodaeus wonders if Hades is really sure about that: after all, what could you expect from someone with his capriciousness?
But for now he simply lifts his hand to cup the side of Hades's face, thumb stroking his cheek.
"Allow me to look at you, then. I haven't had the chance to study your new features quite so closely yet~"
He holds still whilst Hythlodaeus explores his face. Although he had made a point of choosing someone with similar eyes, the streak of white hair is something he had to grow out gradually. Without it, he fears he would have forgotten himself. Solus' face is familiar but sometimes that slight irregularity throws one off worse than a completely new face.
Truth be told, Hades is afraid to look in the mirror too often. He feels as though Solus' face has supplanted his own of late.
Should Hythlodaeus' hands venture too close to the Garlean 'third eye', he will twitch and draw back instinctively.
"I have...heard of some explicit novels written with Garlean physiology in mind. I've not read them myself though."
But he holds still again so that Hythlodaeus can continue to indulge his curiosity. "It is difficult to surprise a Garlean. It offers something like a sixth sense. Even whilst blindfolded, I have an idea of when an object is physically near me, for example."
Mayhap it is. Hades sets his glass down on the table so he can focus his attention fully on Hythlodaeus.
"Try it, then." He tugs off his tie, loosening the knot before handing it to his friend. Although his manner is steady, his heart is quietly thudding against his rib cage.
Hythlodaeus didn't expect his friend to acquiesce so readily, but he certainly won't complain about it. He takes the cloth, his own heart skipping a beat. They've never really done something like this before...
"Mm... I wonder if I should bind your hands as well?" He asks it half-jokingly... but only half. Working at the tavern has really broadened his education, so to speak. Besides, the thought of someone as powerful as Hades being at his mercy... well.
"Close your eyes," he says, as nonchalantly as he can manage, holding up the tie.
He gently wraps the tie around Hades's head, making sure that while the the knot is sturdy enough, it's not uncomfortable, and then moves away to fetch another tie. For a few moments, he weighs it in his hands as his heart beats faster with excitement and disbelief. It's a good thing Hades is blindfolded now, because Hythlodaeus can't help a rather goofy grin rising to his lips - he feels very much like when they'd first started getting intimate with each other.
He steps back to the couch, sitting down and gently pushing at Hades's shoulder.
"Turn around, now."
(It should be more fun to have Hades's hands tied behind his back, right?)
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no subject
Date: 2026-03-22 05:48 am (UTC)"I'm not some shrinking violet any more." Almost right after he says that, he realises the implication and hastily adds: "I mean that I'm not shy. I never have been. I don't know where you got that impression from."
no subject
Date: 2026-03-22 09:15 am (UTC)That elbow jab doesn't deter him in the slightest.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-23 02:02 pm (UTC)Shifting more upright, he plants a decisive kiss against Hythlodaeus' cheek.
"I thought you already knew I respond better when we're alone."
no subject
Date: 2026-03-26 02:52 pm (UTC)"Well... does it not make sense, then, that I would test your- progress, shall we say, by seeing how you respond in public?"
Even as he says that, his free hand finds Hades's to intertwine their fingers.
no subject
Date: 2026-03-29 02:07 am (UTC)"You know, I hear that some depraved few enjoy the thrill of being caught in public. I didn't realise that you were one of them."
no subject
Date: 2026-03-29 02:17 pm (UTC)"Now, I did not say that! And anyroad, that was far tamer than what I have seen some other couples do in public."
(Are they a couple now? We just don't know.)
no subject
Date: 2026-03-29 02:36 pm (UTC)The alcohol has finally loosened him up more. He closes his eyes briefly.
"I don't enjoy public indecency, Hythlodaeus, and I'd rather you didn't give others the wrong impression about our relationship. These mortals do not understand agape."
no subject
Date: 2026-03-31 03:24 pm (UTC)But what Hades says about their own relationship makes Hythlodaeus's chest feel warm. Agape... It really is the best expression of what they are to each other.
But he wouldn't be Hythlodaeus if he didn't still tease Hades over it.
"You love me~"
Crooned in that sing-song voice of his that he uses when he knows he's being a little shite.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-01 07:15 am (UTC)"Oh, shut up," he grumbles. There's no point denying it: he does love Hythlodaeus in his own way. It may not be a romantic love, but there's no other way to describe how his heart ached when they parted, and the way it soared when they were reunited.
"Now are you going to keep teasing me or do I have to kiss you until you stop speaking?"
no subject
Date: 2026-04-01 01:36 pm (UTC)"Hmmm, I wonder~ Don't you secretly enjoy being teased?"
no subject
Date: 2026-04-03 12:27 am (UTC)He frowns. Almost petulantly.
"Tease for too long and it can become torturous."
no subject
Date: 2026-04-03 02:10 pm (UTC)Seemingly nonchalantly, he tightens his hold on Hades's waist slightly, fingers subtly probing at his clothes. The aforementioned teasing, one might assume.
"Well, you could always take matters into your hands, like you said. Or..."
Hythlodaeus turns his head to keep - very smug - eye contact with his friend.
"Is it that you want me to take the lead?"
no subject
Date: 2026-04-04 08:32 am (UTC)"I...would like you to act as you normally would," he says eventually. His unoccupied hand lifts to tug suggestively at Hythlodaeus' collar. "Let us satisfy each other without thinking too much on who is leading whom."
no subject
Date: 2026-04-08 12:45 pm (UTC)The tone of the question makes it clear that Hythlodaeus wonders if Hades is really sure about that: after all, what could you expect from someone with his capriciousness?
But for now he simply lifts his hand to cup the side of Hades's face, thumb stroking his cheek.
"Allow me to look at you, then. I haven't had the chance to study your new features quite so closely yet~"
no subject
Date: 2026-04-10 12:09 pm (UTC)Truth be told, Hades is afraid to look in the mirror too often. He feels as though Solus' face has supplanted his own of late.
Should Hythlodaeus' hands venture too close to the Garlean 'third eye', he will twitch and draw back instinctively.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-10 01:08 pm (UTC)"Ah... sorry. You've said it's a spatial sensory organ, yes?"
But before the mood can turn sour, he goes on with a cheery smile:
"I would be surprised if the Garlean people did not find a use for it in... intimacy."
(Surely, there are some strange fetishes out there. Surely.)
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 08:57 am (UTC)"I have...heard of some explicit novels written with Garlean physiology in mind. I've not read them myself though."
But he holds still again so that Hythlodaeus can continue to indulge his curiosity. "It is difficult to surprise a Garlean. It offers something like a sixth sense. Even whilst blindfolded, I have an idea of when an object is physically near me, for example."
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 12:08 pm (UTC)He hums curiously; to him, that reads like an invitation to experiment.
"Mayhap I should blindfold you, then... and see if I can't surprise you."
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 01:28 pm (UTC)"Try it, then." He tugs off his tie, loosening the knot before handing it to his friend. Although his manner is steady, his heart is quietly thudding against his rib cage.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 02:01 pm (UTC)"Mm... I wonder if I should bind your hands as well?" He asks it half-jokingly... but only half. Working at the tavern has really broadened his education, so to speak. Besides, the thought of someone as powerful as Hades being at his mercy... well.
"Close your eyes," he says, as nonchalantly as he can manage, holding up the tie.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-11 02:26 pm (UTC)But for now he closes his eyes and obediently waits for Hythlodaeus to cover them.
no subject
Date: 2026-04-12 03:00 pm (UTC)He gently wraps the tie around Hades's head, making sure that while the the knot is sturdy enough, it's not uncomfortable, and then moves away to fetch another tie. For a few moments, he weighs it in his hands as his heart beats faster with excitement and disbelief. It's a good thing Hades is blindfolded now, because Hythlodaeus can't help a rather goofy grin rising to his lips - he feels very much like when they'd first started getting intimate with each other.
He steps back to the couch, sitting down and gently pushing at Hades's shoulder.
"Turn around, now."
(It should be more fun to have Hades's hands tied behind his back, right?)