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I wonder the same, quite often.
[She frowns, curling her fingers into a loose fist and bringing it to rest against her chin as she keeps her gaze focused downwards.]
But I cannot bring myself to begrudge him his beliefs. I know that he was not always what he became. You told me, yourself— but I could see it even before then.
[She frowns, curling her fingers into a loose fist and bringing it to rest against her chin as she keeps her gaze focused downwards.]
But I cannot bring myself to begrudge him his beliefs. I know that he was not always what he became. You told me, yourself— but I could see it even before then.
Ah yes. [ He gives a thoughtful hum, tapping a fingertip against his chin. ] You said you met a memory of me, did you not? Emet-Selch's memory of me.
[She gives a solemn nod without looking up.]
I did.
[And later on, she'd met the real Hythlodaeus, had the opportunity to communicate with his very soul, though she doesn't care to impress the finality of his fate upon him any more than she already has.]
It was clear you care a great deal about him— about your people, as well, and that he remembered you in such a way... he really is rather sentimental.
[It's a compliment.]
I did.
[And later on, she'd met the real Hythlodaeus, had the opportunity to communicate with his very soul, though she doesn't care to impress the finality of his fate upon him any more than she already has.]
It was clear you care a great deal about him— about your people, as well, and that he remembered you in such a way... he really is rather sentimental.
[It's a compliment.]
[ That gets a quiet chuckle from him. ]
He'll not thank you for that observation, but you're not wrong. But I think it one of his better traits. [ He pauses to think for a moment, giving a soft hum. ] And now that you've seen him before this great tragedy... what are your thoughts? Have they changed?
He'll not thank you for that observation, but you're not wrong. But I think it one of his better traits. [ He pauses to think for a moment, giving a soft hum. ] And now that you've seen him before this great tragedy... what are your thoughts? Have they changed?
If anything, my heart breaks for him all the more.
[She finally turns his gaze back towards him, somber.]
I understand more than ever what it is he fought for— he loves this world and the people in it, the same as I do my own. I could never agree with his methods, but my heart aches all the same.
[She finally turns his gaze back towards him, somber.]
I understand more than ever what it is he fought for— he loves this world and the people in it, the same as I do my own. I could never agree with his methods, but my heart aches all the same.
im making an executive decision for both angst AND smooches
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bureaubrat
2021-12-31 07:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ hythlodaeus has always loved mornings. watching the sun slant in, warm and gold through sheer curtains, lying in a warm bed beside someone you love - is there truly anything better than this?
waking up beside hades is, for a moment, like living in a memory. their legs are tangled, hades' breath tickling his ear, and it's just so familiar that hythlodaeus can swear that he sees the skyline of amaurot through the sheer curtains when his gaze flickers open. it is just another beautiful day.
but then the memories begin to tumble back, and he recognizes that this room is not his own, but an inn room, and the skyline outside of the window is gridania's rolling trees. they have been given another chance, another lifetime. the memory is fading.
and yet.. hades remains here, with him, and isn't that all that matters, in the end? their legs are comfortably tangled, their bodies close, and warm, and though it has been eons since last they were able to touch it still feels so achingly familiar that it is all too easy for hythlodaeus to reach forward and brush the hair from hades' sleeping face, as he has done a thousand times before. ]
Wake up, sweet prince.
waking up beside hades is, for a moment, like living in a memory. their legs are tangled, hades' breath tickling his ear, and it's just so familiar that hythlodaeus can swear that he sees the skyline of amaurot through the sheer curtains when his gaze flickers open. it is just another beautiful day.
but then the memories begin to tumble back, and he recognizes that this room is not his own, but an inn room, and the skyline outside of the window is gridania's rolling trees. they have been given another chance, another lifetime. the memory is fading.
and yet.. hades remains here, with him, and isn't that all that matters, in the end? their legs are comfortably tangled, their bodies close, and warm, and though it has been eons since last they were able to touch it still feels so achingly familiar that it is all too easy for hythlodaeus to reach forward and brush the hair from hades' sleeping face, as he has done a thousand times before. ]
Wake up, sweet prince.
[It had, perhaps, been the first truly restful night of sleep he'd had in millennia. How many nights had he spent alone throughout those long years? Even when he'd played the role of partner when circumstances demanded, he had always ensured his own company was distant, removed— this, however, was different. Warm, familiar, a memory from a world long gone, a life he had left behind and had at last, after thousands of years, come to reluctantly accept that he would never taste again.
And yet, as always, someone had to meddle.
The morning sun threatens to wake him before the gentle stir of movement, and his upper lip very nearly curls into a sneer as the light threatens to force his eyes open, but it's not until he feels long fingers reach to brush tangles of hair back from his face that he raises his own hand to swat at it, shooing it away.]
I refuse.
[He's perfectly comfortable exactly as they are.]
And yet, as always, someone had to meddle.
The morning sun threatens to wake him before the gentle stir of movement, and his upper lip very nearly curls into a sneer as the light threatens to force his eyes open, but it's not until he feels long fingers reach to brush tangles of hair back from his face that he raises his own hand to swat at it, shooing it away.]
I refuse.
[He's perfectly comfortable exactly as they are.]
[ an easy smile curves hythlodaeus' mouth, a sleepy, rough chuckle in his throat. this, too, is familiar. ]
Mm, are you so certain..?
[ the fingers in hades' hair now trace the shape of his ear, and trail down his long neck, as hythlodaeus sits halfway up to crook his elbow and rest his head against his curled knuckles. eyes hooded, he watches emet-selch's face, his familiar features.. he had never forgotten them, and yet it has been so very long since he has been able to lie abed and simply admire him. ]
It's a beautiful day.
Mm, are you so certain..?
[ the fingers in hades' hair now trace the shape of his ear, and trail down his long neck, as hythlodaeus sits halfway up to crook his elbow and rest his head against his curled knuckles. eyes hooded, he watches emet-selch's face, his familiar features.. he had never forgotten them, and yet it has been so very long since he has been able to lie abed and simply admire him. ]
It's a beautiful day.
[It is getting increasingly difficult to keep his eyes closed, but he stubbornly manages to do so regardless, nudging at Hythlodaeus' thigh with his knee in half-hearted protest.]
You think every day is beautiful.
[He makes a vain effort to make it sound like an insult, but even then, it's lackluster— cranky at best, and the arm he has draped over the other man's waist tightens its hold ever so slightly.]
I will not. You'll not drag me from this bed— do not waste your efforts.
You think every day is beautiful.
[He makes a vain effort to make it sound like an insult, but even then, it's lackluster— cranky at best, and the arm he has draped over the other man's waist tightens its hold ever so slightly.]
I will not. You'll not drag me from this bed— do not waste your efforts.
[ Emet-Selch's methods... Hythlodaeus can imagine how those could have gotten out of hand without anyone else to temper him. They've spent so many eons as a sounding board for each other - Azem, too. Any one of them would have gone into this crippled without the others.
He gives a soft sigh, shaking his head. ] He would not have been his best, but he would have fought all the same. As you would, I assume. Me... I doubt I would have had the forbearance to last nearly as long as either of you.
He gives a soft sigh, shaking his head. ] He would not have been his best, but he would have fought all the same. As you would, I assume. Me... I doubt I would have had the forbearance to last nearly as long as either of you.
[ another warm, easy laugh, and he drags his fingertips along the hard ridge of emet-selch's jawline, the way he has done a hundred, thousand times. ]
I certainly never said you need leave the bed.
[ he is feeling very warm and lazy himself, like a cat in a sunbeam, and after so many long years left bereft, leaving hades' side is the last thing he wants to do. in fact, he only arches closer when that arm closes more tightly around him. emet-selch's eyes are stubbornly closed, but no doubt he shall hear the smile in hythlodaeus' voice as he glides his thigh to hook over hades' hip.
he's feeling very touchy-feely. he's always feeling touchy-feely. ]
Did you sleep well?
I certainly never said you need leave the bed.
[ he is feeling very warm and lazy himself, like a cat in a sunbeam, and after so many long years left bereft, leaving hades' side is the last thing he wants to do. in fact, he only arches closer when that arm closes more tightly around him. emet-selch's eyes are stubbornly closed, but no doubt he shall hear the smile in hythlodaeus' voice as he glides his thigh to hook over hades' hip.
he's feeling very touchy-feely. he's always feeling touchy-feely. ]
Did you sleep well?
Would that things could be different— for all of us.
[That she had to deliver news of their own fate had made her heart beyond heavy, a feeling she should be used to by now, but fears she never will be.]
I've no doubt that you would follow your heart, as well, regardless of how difficult it might be.
[That she had to deliver news of their own fate had made her heart beyond heavy, a feeling she should be used to by now, but fears she never will be.]
I've no doubt that you would follow your heart, as well, regardless of how difficult it might be.
There's little else left to us, I suspect. [ He makes a face at that, because he hates having to say that. It feels far too much like giving up. ] Unless we can find a different path, although I know how carefully we must tread, for your sake.
[ A pause, as he stretches his hands out beside him in a shrug. ] It sounds a complicated mess all around. But it doesn't sit right with me not to at least try.
[ A pause, as he stretches his hands out beside him in a shrug. ] It sounds a complicated mess all around. But it doesn't sit right with me not to at least try.
[That smile is perfectly audible, and at his companion's concession, he does crack the faintest beginnings of his own smile, one eye opening just enough to show a sliver of one aurum eye.]
We may be able to come to an accord.
[Hades lets out a long, drawn breath as he stretches out, his feet peeking out just beneath the covers as he reaches one arm overhead, eyes opening fully as he rolls onto his back and offers Hythlodaeus a genuine smile.]
Better than I have in countless lifetimes, to answer your question.
We may be able to come to an accord.
[Hades lets out a long, drawn breath as he stretches out, his feet peeking out just beneath the covers as he reaches one arm overhead, eyes opening fully as he rolls onto his back and offers Hythlodaeus a genuine smile.]
Better than I have in countless lifetimes, to answer your question.
Does that mean I have your aid, then?
[She looks to him, questioning, her brow slightly furrowed.]
I know it is a great deal to ask— but I have no choice but to get to the bottom of this. If you would rather keep your distance from this situation, I would certainly understand.
[She looks to him, questioning, her brow slightly furrowed.]
I know it is a great deal to ask— but I have no choice but to get to the bottom of this. If you would rather keep your distance from this situation, I would certainly understand.
It's already too late for that.
[ His lips quirk crookedly at that, but he inclines his head in agreement all the same. ]
Yes, you have my aid, for what little it's worth. Although I can't promise to be much help in the grand scheme of things.
[ His lips quirk crookedly at that, but he inclines his head in agreement all the same. ]
Yes, you have my aid, for what little it's worth. Although I can't promise to be much help in the grand scheme of things.
[ at last hades opens his beautiful eyes for hythlodaeus to enjoy, and he is greeted by a warm, affectionate smile, one that hades has seen many, many times, reserved only for him.
and ah, how sweet it is to see that smile in return, a rarity from emet-selch, and yet so lovely to behold. after all hades has been through, the pain, the horror, the sacrifice, to see him smile so warms hythlodaeus' heart so keenly it all but aches. to be responsible for even a hint of it is a great privilege, but then, he has ever felt privileged to be even a small part of emet-selch and azem's lives. how could he possibly have earned their love? how could he possibly have been worthy? ]
As did I.
[ he says, his hooded gaze lingering still on hades' tired face. ]
I suppose being kept alive by Hydaelyn's magicks is not quite so untenable.
and ah, how sweet it is to see that smile in return, a rarity from emet-selch, and yet so lovely to behold. after all hades has been through, the pain, the horror, the sacrifice, to see him smile so warms hythlodaeus' heart so keenly it all but aches. to be responsible for even a hint of it is a great privilege, but then, he has ever felt privileged to be even a small part of emet-selch and azem's lives. how could he possibly have earned their love? how could he possibly have been worthy? ]
As did I.
[ he says, his hooded gaze lingering still on hades' tired face. ]
I suppose being kept alive by Hydaelyn's magicks is not quite so untenable.
[ There's an almost physical pall that hangs over the city. Empty streets and dark skies. A sense of grief. Of impending doom. Of an insidious aura of fear that permeates every corner.
Hythlodaeus enters the tall building and lifts a hand in an absent wave to the figure behind the front desk, bypassing him and heading for the lift. It's only a few moments later that he's stepping out onto one of the higher floors and heading for one particular closed door.
He gives a brief knock on the surface before pushing inside without waiting for permission. It's late enough now that the building is mostly empty, and he senses no one else within the chamber except for the person he's here to see. ]
You lost track of time again.
Hythlodaeus enters the tall building and lifts a hand in an absent wave to the figure behind the front desk, bypassing him and heading for the lift. It's only a few moments later that he's stepping out onto one of the higher floors and heading for one particular closed door.
He gives a brief knock on the surface before pushing inside without waiting for permission. It's late enough now that the building is mostly empty, and he senses no one else within the chamber except for the person he's here to see. ]
You lost track of time again.
I'm grateful.
[To say the least. Really, that's putting it mildly.]
And I wouldn't sell yourself so short. You've been nothing but a generous friend to me, each time we've met— that you've served as my escort in this place despite not knowing who or what I truly was only speaks of your character even more highly.
[To say the least. Really, that's putting it mildly.]
And I wouldn't sell yourself so short. You've been nothing but a generous friend to me, each time we've met— that you've served as my escort in this place despite not knowing who or what I truly was only speaks of your character even more highly.
[ The smile he gives her is soft and crooked, but there is fond affection in his gaze. ]
You remind me so much of her. How could I not? Just as I would do all I could to offer her assistance in her time of need, so too will I offer the same to you. Whatever I may do to aid you - to aid all of us, isn't it? I will give it my all.
You remind me so much of her. How could I not? Just as I would do all I could to offer her assistance in her time of need, so too will I offer the same to you. Whatever I may do to aid you - to aid all of us, isn't it? I will give it my all.
It would seem you always do.
[She smiles warmly, and in that moment, she seems a true echo of her predecessor.]
If you have any other questions, I will do my best to answer them.
[She smiles warmly, and in that moment, she seems a true echo of her predecessor.]
If you have any other questions, I will do my best to answer them.
I have so many I scarce know where to start. [ He gives a wry chuckle, shaking his head. ] It doesn't help that I don't know which are safe to ask and which are not.
One might concede that it is bearable.
[For all the effort he puts into sounding exasperated, he cannot help but smile, and reaches to take the side of Hythlodaeus' face in hand to pull him downwards into a languid kiss. It is a simple display of affection, yet the emotions that accompany it are anything but. Overwhelming and surreal are chief among them, but there is also gladness, affection, and bittersweet as they may be, he is intent on enjoying these moments after thousands of years parted, countless lives lived for his duty and his beliefs rather than for himself.]
This once, I will abide her meddling.
[The words are murmured against his lips as the kiss breaks, the curve of his wry smile apparent by touch. It is not something he offers to many, this private part of himself, but Hythlodaeus had ever been an exception.]
[For all the effort he puts into sounding exasperated, he cannot help but smile, and reaches to take the side of Hythlodaeus' face in hand to pull him downwards into a languid kiss. It is a simple display of affection, yet the emotions that accompany it are anything but. Overwhelming and surreal are chief among them, but there is also gladness, affection, and bittersweet as they may be, he is intent on enjoying these moments after thousands of years parted, countless lives lived for his duty and his beliefs rather than for himself.]
This once, I will abide her meddling.
[The words are murmured against his lips as the kiss breaks, the curve of his wry smile apparent by touch. It is not something he offers to many, this private part of himself, but Hythlodaeus had ever been an exception.]
[ what a good, sweet kiss it is. the moment hades pulls him in hythlodaeus is ready, leaning forward, his loose hair spilling over his shoulder to tickle hades' collar.
it still feels like a dream. how many years has it been since they have been intimate? countless. so long that time had ceased to have meaning. the moon had been so cold and distant, and so many times hythlodaeus had felt he might dissolve into nothingness, for all the time he spent wandering, cut off from everything he knew, from etheirys itself. from azem. from hades.
a soft, satisfied sigh gusts against hades' lips, and hythlodaeus smiles, folding both arms over hades' chest, nuzzling nose and mouth both along the strong line of his nose. ]
I should hope you would..
it still feels like a dream. how many years has it been since they have been intimate? countless. so long that time had ceased to have meaning. the moon had been so cold and distant, and so many times hythlodaeus had felt he might dissolve into nothingness, for all the time he spent wandering, cut off from everything he knew, from etheirys itself. from azem. from hades.
a soft, satisfied sigh gusts against hades' lips, and hythlodaeus smiles, folding both arms over hades' chest, nuzzling nose and mouth both along the strong line of his nose. ]
I should hope you would..
I admit, I don't know which are safe, myself.
[She had hardly asked Elidibus for a list before coming here— it would have been an impossible task, she imagines.]
With as much as I've told you already, I rather think I've broken all the rules already.
[But that was about what brought her here, and that isn't what he wants to know. Apparently, he wanted to hear about her.]
Let's see... perhaps about why I became an adventurer? That seems innocent enough, though I don't think it's terribly interesting, either.
[She had hardly asked Elidibus for a list before coming here— it would have been an impossible task, she imagines.]
With as much as I've told you already, I rather think I've broken all the rules already.
[But that was about what brought her here, and that isn't what he wants to know. Apparently, he wanted to hear about her.]
Let's see... perhaps about why I became an adventurer? That seems innocent enough, though I don't think it's terribly interesting, either.
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