[He had always been so good at that: finding just the right words for any given situation, forcing Hades to lay down his burdens as much as he would allow himself, doting and chasing his worries away. He exhales slowly, any response he might have delayed by the warm press of parted lips, the brush of fingers drawing a soft, appreciative groan from him instead.

He draws his own touch along the length of Hythlodaeus' jawline before taking what remains of his braid between two fingers, letting it slip through as he tucks it behind his partner's shoulder, baring his neck. The kiss breaks, but their brows remain pressed together, Hades' aurum gaze as affectionate as it is weary.]

Here with you, I can almost believe all of that.

[He remains skeptical, as ever, but here in this room, entangled as they are and having been gifted something as precious as it was impossible, he is able to ease his hold on it, to let the present be what holds his attention rather than the challenges ahead.

They will still be waiting whenever he does choose to step out into the world, but for now, he has no intention of leaving this inn room.]

Had I been given the opportunity to ask for such a favor— it would have been this, regardless.

[To be together again. To have another chance, for at least some short while, to have another taste of the life that had been cut all too short, along with the lives of those he loved most dearly.]

Has it not changed how you see me?