[ hythlodaeus is quiet while hades speaks. for all he enjoys a good chat, hythlodaeus is a very good listener; his perceptive insight breeds in him a natural compassion for his fellow man, most especially those who are dearest to him. he remembers many long nights spent soothing emet-selch after particularly stressful weeks with the convocation, listening to him vent, laughing and kissing his worries away. it's what he's good at. what he does.

his brows draw tight, his expression grave, yet understanding. ]

Yes, you did.

[ because there is no sense denying it. what hades did was unconscionable, and had hythlodaeus been alive to see it he would have struggled, like as not pleaded with him to change his course, but that may not have even been possible. had zodiark's influence over him been too strong? so strong that even azem and hythlodaeus' combined efforts would not have drawn him back? only hades knows the answer to that. how much of his service to zodiark was his own will? regardless, at the very least, the lifestream has cleared him of his influence. ]

But Venat saw fit to give you another chance. I think she must trust the choices you will make, the things you will do with your great power.

[ for hades may have been once killed, but he is whole as ever now, as capable and strong as he has ever been.

tipping his forehead to touch hades', he brushes their mouths together once more, his hands splaying warm against his lover's chest, thumbs tracing the ridges of his collarbone. ]

But selfishly.. I want you with me, just to have you. To be beside you again, despite it all.