[That, he certainly should have expected, and some of the tension that he's been carrying eases from his broad shoulders— just the smallest bit, but even so, it is something.]
Thank you.
[The words are terse, but not unkind, and he stiffly sinks into a seat as he allows Hythlodaeus to do what he will, leaning his head back and letting out a long, slow exhale of breath.]
But yes, I'm quite certain. [He is a grown man, and then some.] Sit yourself down.
[He'll allow the pouring of tea, but nothing else.]
[ He hides a laugh behind an exasperated sigh but, after pouring them both a cup of tea, he does sink down in the chair next to Emet-Selch, turning so he's angled to face the man at his side. His normal seat might be across the table but right now... even that felt too far away. ]
Better?
[ His tone is sardonic as he lifts the cup of tea, one eyebrow arching as he takes a deliberate sip, his eyes on his companion's face. ]
[Though he may be disagreeable even at the best of times, Emet-Selch is not about to discourage his companion from sitting next to him— as a matter of fact, it seems to dissolve a bit more of the tension in the air, and he exhales as he takes his own cup, raising an eyebrow in turn.]
Much.
[He'll consider that as much as a victory as he's going to earn, at this point.]
And you? Am I sufficiently relaxed?
[Hardly, he knows, but he is away from the office, away from work that he truly can do nothing more for. That is undoubtedly a victory for Hythlodaeus, this night.]
[ Hythlodaeus' tone is deceptively cheerful as he shoots the other man a Look over the rim of his teacup, taking a slow sip. ]
But it is a start, I suppose. At the very least, I've gotten you this far. [ Which he'd halfway expected to be a much more difficult challenge. He's pleasantly relieved that it is not.
Angling himself a little more towards Emet-Selch, he tips his head to the side to study him a moment longer before reaching out, brushing a stray lock of pale, silvery hair away from the other man's face. His fingertips brush lightly against his cheek at the action, a whisper of a caress. ]
You have earned yourself a quiet evening, Emet-Selch. One night to relax, to breathe. No matter our actions from this day forward, things will change. [ There's a subdued sort of acceptance in his voice as he meets and holds the man's gaze beside him. ] We have done all we can to brace for that change - you more than most, I am well aware. But I am afraid I am far too selfish to let this, this last night of before, pass without celebrating what is.
[Had he the energy to resist, it may have well been— but with such things often being performative in their own right, and knowing full well that his ability to truly resist Hythlodaeus' wishes is meager at best, it was only the work and its importance that had given him pause.
He exhales, slowly, and it is a release rather than a sigh. He reaches up to lightly catch Hythlodaeus' wrist as his touch brushes against his cheek, stilling him, though not discouraging.]
That has ever been your way. Focused on the present moment.
[A weakness of Hades', to be certain. One of many ways in which they complemented one another quite well.]
[ There's a quirk of his lips as Emet-Selch catches his wrist, but he doesn't tug away. Merely stretches his fingers until he can cup his palm against the other man's cheek. ]
That is what I am here for, is it not? Otherwise, I suspect you'd forget all about food and slumber outside your work.
[ The words are a light quip, but there's a pinch of concern between his brows that belie a deeper worry. ]
[ HIs own smile softens with fondness as he takes in that weary look. He slides his thumb to trace the circles beneath Emet-Selch's eyes - proof of the long hours he's been pulling. He frowns slightly at the sight of them. ]
You really have been working too hard. Maybe you should just tuck in a little early tonight and get some extra rest.
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no subject
[ He knows Emet-Selch well enough to anticipate most of what he'd want upon coming home.
But he just grins to himself as he goes to pour them both a cup, humming softly under his breath as he does so. ]
And are you sure about that? Someone needs to look after you.
no subject
Thank you.
[The words are terse, but not unkind, and he stiffly sinks into a seat as he allows Hythlodaeus to do what he will, leaning his head back and letting out a long, slow exhale of breath.]
But yes, I'm quite certain. [He is a grown man, and then some.] Sit yourself down.
[He'll allow the pouring of tea, but nothing else.]
no subject
Better?
[ His tone is sardonic as he lifts the cup of tea, one eyebrow arching as he takes a deliberate sip, his eyes on his companion's face. ]
no subject
Much.
[He'll consider that as much as a victory as he's going to earn, at this point.]
And you? Am I sufficiently relaxed?
[Hardly, he knows, but he is away from the office, away from work that he truly can do nothing more for. That is undoubtedly a victory for Hythlodaeus, this night.]
no subject
[ Hythlodaeus' tone is deceptively cheerful as he shoots the other man a Look over the rim of his teacup, taking a slow sip. ]
But it is a start, I suppose. At the very least, I've gotten you this far. [ Which he'd halfway expected to be a much more difficult challenge. He's pleasantly relieved that it is not.
Angling himself a little more towards Emet-Selch, he tips his head to the side to study him a moment longer before reaching out, brushing a stray lock of pale, silvery hair away from the other man's face. His fingertips brush lightly against his cheek at the action, a whisper of a caress. ]
You have earned yourself a quiet evening, Emet-Selch. One night to relax, to breathe. No matter our actions from this day forward, things will change. [ There's a subdued sort of acceptance in his voice as he meets and holds the man's gaze beside him. ] We have done all we can to brace for that change - you more than most, I am well aware. But I am afraid I am far too selfish to let this, this last night of before, pass without celebrating what is.
no subject
He exhales, slowly, and it is a release rather than a sigh. He reaches up to lightly catch Hythlodaeus' wrist as his touch brushes against his cheek, stilling him, though not discouraging.]
That has ever been your way. Focused on the present moment.
[A weakness of Hades', to be certain. One of many ways in which they complemented one another quite well.]
... I do appreciate the reminder.
no subject
[ There's a quirk of his lips as Emet-Selch catches his wrist, but he doesn't tug away. Merely stretches his fingers until he can cup his palm against the other man's cheek. ]
That is what I am here for, is it not? Otherwise, I suspect you'd forget all about food and slumber outside your work.
[ The words are a light quip, but there's a pinch of concern between his brows that belie a deeper worry. ]
no subject
I very well might. How fortunate, then, that I have you.
[Though it is faint and weary, a smile does tug slightly at the corner of his mouth.]
Thank you.
no subject
You really have been working too hard. Maybe you should just tuck in a little early tonight and get some extra rest.
no subject
[Hythlodaeus means well, certainly, as he almost always does, but that, Emet-Selch knows he cannot do. Not tonight.]
Being here is restful enough.
[It is, perhaps, the closest thing Hythlodaeus will get to acquiescence from him, in this matter.]