[ there's a pause at that, and he considers Emet's words carefully despite his earlier attempt at lighting up the mood.
It helps that Emet has been working on his soul, that he is kind, that he hasn't doubted for a second that loves him, and always will, regardless of what he decides.
And after a moment of consideration he shifts and moves so he can sit on Emet's lap, arms going around his neck, mirroring the same position they were in back in his dream world. ]
... I need more time to think about it.
I will not propose in a dream. And I will not propose while we're in hell. But I will hold onto those rings.
[He warps his arms around him probably no different than he has dozens of times in the waking world. Well, except for the soul petting.]
Of course. Patience is one of my virtues I'm told. And I did ask for something proper. If you decide this is the path you want, I have no doubts the occasion will be special and worth waiting for.
I might have a specific occasion in mind. But before then, allow me this, before I have to face reality again.
[ he's going to move his hand to his chin, guiding his face as he leans in to kiss his lips. Just like Emet's kiss in the dream, it's soft and barely there, and he breaks it shortly after ]
... My feelings aren't going to change either. I will always love you. I do believe I told you, something about your personality being impossible to resist to.
[ he laughs at that, and it sounds like he's genuinely having fun. Sorry it's at your expense Emet but LOOK. ]
Wasn't that the whole point of this exercise? I get to talk about my siblings — to whom you gave a heartfelt goodbye I assume — my father, my fears and concerns for wherever this is taking us next, tell you I will always love you.
But a kiss is being sentimental? Or is it the combination of the last two, hmm? You have my attention, Hades. Let's hear it.
[How could this happen to such a pure and innocent man?! But he grumbles out.]
It was actually a request for them to take care of you if you must know.
[And then he sighs in that fake way of his.]
I am not like you, Five. When I look at you and what you mean to achieve I truly do see a hero as loathe as I am to use that word. The path you walk has not been without sacrifices, taken by you and your enemies, but in the end the solution will serve all.
Contrast that with my methods. The Calamities. The loss of life as malformed as it is. How even an aspect of aether is now tainted to be be considered evil through our tireless work. That we can't even find a path of lesser bloodshed. And that is not even considering the Tempering, concerns that my thoughts are not my own.
Unconditional love, like the on you are proposing, is hard to grasp from anyone save Lahabrea, especially when all is laid bare.
[ He did not expect a sincere answer from his teasing, and it shows. But the answer has him concerned, and there's a pause as he takes it all in, listen to every word and carefully weighs it. Eventually he brings a hand to the back of Emet's neck, and rests his forehead against him, closing his eyes.
He can't touch his soul the way Emet does, but maybe if he focuses on his own feelings, of how much he loves and cares for him, he'll be able to pick up on it in a way that his words can't convey ]
You are exactly like me. You just said it yourself. In the end the solution will serve all. That's your objective as well, isn't it.
Taking life is still taking life regardless of whether it was one person or billions of them. If I get a pass, then so do you. If I am a hero, then so are you. It's that simple.
As for finding a path of lesser bloodshed ... that's exactly why we're working on a different solution now, aren't we? Regardless of Noah and Thancred's cooperation. You might not have discarded Zodiark as an option, but calamities are no longer the only option available to you, and you're looking for a different path.
Is that really what you're worried about? That I will change my mind, decide you're a monster and leave you alone?
Not a monster, but perhaps something to be tinkered with until fixed especially concerning the Tempering. But you have taken it with such grace it is a little baffling, a little unbelievable. How thoughtful you are with such a heavy topic.
However, do not think I actually believe you would do such a feat. Time and time again you have proven otherwise much to my surprise. But the concern still lingers, illogical, but that's what fears are, are they not? And it has been plaguing my mind considering recent events. How we are viewed as villains.
[He smiles at him though. It is hard to say if he can actually feel the adoration from his soul or he simply just knows.]
And it seems only fair that if I dig into you for providing truth to your thoughts that I would be held to the same standard. That is how much I respect, love, and care for you. A right you have more than earned.
Well ... I won't say that I'm not grateful for it. This does feel more honest than you simply going along with my wishes.
[ he pulls back, but only so he can reach for Emet's hand and bring it to his lips ]
I won't say your fears are entirely baseless. Tempering is concerning, and I was the one who originally told you I would want to find a way to get rid of it.
But I will keep my word, and I will not do anything without your knowledge and consent. Whatever we do about it we choose together — you, Lahabrea and I.
My primary concern is saving both of our worlds. The rest is simply a variable in that the equation.
[ He laughs again, and the more Hades blushes the more adorable he looks and the more it serves to convince him that hey, he really does want this, and maybe it's not such a bad idea. Maybe he can have it and he really is overthinking things. ]
You know I could make it so much worse if I wanted. If I knew you were so easy to embarrass I would have started trying sooner.
[ and he's going to take a page from his book, bringing a hand to his head and brushing his hair ]
By the way. I didn't forget you called me handsome. And you said you love my soul.
[ with every new revelation he becomes stronger and stronger. And that's exactly why he's the boss.
He's going to keep with those hair petting, slow and gentle, and he even hums as he keeps his eyes on hades, not wanting to miss a single detail of the way he looks right now ]
Guess this is a lot easier without the height difference. And speaking of things that are easier then.
[He like it, the hair petting. Even if he's complaining about he is still leaning in to it, eyes going half lidded. And he does try to match the gaze, but he'll break it first looking to the side.]
I can't say I'm surprised that would be included in your father's tutelage. Seems equatable with dead or nearly forgotten languages.
Oh I absolutely want to if it's going to make your face any redder.
[ but with Hades leaning into his touch and definitely enjoying the closeness he can't find it in himself to stop, so instead he focuses on that, letting him look away but leaning in to kiss his forehead, his cheek, and then the corner of his lips.
It's a lot easier to be affectionate when he's not the one getting embarrassed from it, so really, Hades reacting like that is only spurring him on. ]
But I don't mind staying like this for a little while longer, instead. I could invite you to a proper dance another time.
[He takes the hand standing. At the question, he shakes his head and snaps his fingers. The telescope disappears, the lights darken, but with the overhead covering opening up there is more than enough starlight to see by and not trip. Also this type of mood lighting is good for hiding the blush, right?
He clasps on pair of their hands together and places the other on his shoulder, giving Five the lead role.]
Don't I cherish every moment with you? But have no doubts I will commit it to memory.
[ That's cheating, but he doesn't seem to mind right now — all the more so because the mood of this situation really hits him, and his face too goes slightly red.
But Emet doesn't need to know, and he will hum as he starts dancing with him — leading, obviously, and his form is as impeccable as reggie's training would have demanded ]
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Re: Day 273 Night
And on this topic, as flourishing as the presentation was, I do promise to be kind to you. I do not want you to feel ashamed for caring.
Re: Day 273 Night
It helps that Emet has been working on his soul, that he is kind, that he hasn't doubted for a second that loves him, and always will, regardless of what he decides.
And after a moment of consideration he shifts and moves so he can sit on Emet's lap, arms going around his neck, mirroring the same position they were in back in his dream world. ]
... I need more time to think about it.
I will not propose in a dream. And I will not propose while we're in hell. But I will hold onto those rings.
So wait for me.
Re: Day 273 Night
Of course. Patience is one of my virtues I'm told. And I did ask for something proper. If you decide this is the path you want, I have no doubts the occasion will be special and worth waiting for.
Re: Day 273 Night
[ he's going to move his hand to his chin, guiding his face as he leans in to kiss his lips. Just like Emet's kiss in the dream, it's soft and barely there, and he breaks it shortly after ]
... My feelings aren't going to change either. I will always love you. I do believe I told you, something about your personality being impossible to resist to.
Re: Day 273 Night
Thank you.
Re: Day 273 Night
that's what he gets for the PROPOSAL ]
That's a nice look on you.
Re: Day 273 Night
Well, you are being sentimental.
Re: Day 273 Night
Wasn't that the whole point of this exercise? I get to talk about my siblings — to whom you gave a heartfelt goodbye I assume — my father, my fears and concerns for wherever this is taking us next, tell you I will always love you.
But a kiss is being sentimental? Or is it the combination of the last two, hmm? You have my attention, Hades. Let's hear it.
Re: Day 273 Night
It was actually a request for them to take care of you if you must know.
[And then he sighs in that fake way of his.]
I am not like you, Five. When I look at you and what you mean to achieve I truly do see a hero as loathe as I am to use that word. The path you walk has not been without sacrifices, taken by you and your enemies, but in the end the solution will serve all.
Contrast that with my methods. The Calamities. The loss of life as malformed as it is. How even an aspect of aether is now tainted to be be considered evil through our tireless work. That we can't even find a path of lesser bloodshed. And that is not even considering the Tempering, concerns that my thoughts are not my own.
Unconditional love, like the on you are proposing, is hard to grasp from anyone save Lahabrea, especially when all is laid bare.
Re: Day 273 Night
He can't touch his soul the way Emet does, but maybe if he focuses on his own feelings, of how much he loves and cares for him, he'll be able to pick up on it in a way that his words can't convey ]
You are exactly like me. You just said it yourself. In the end the solution will serve all. That's your objective as well, isn't it.
Taking life is still taking life regardless of whether it was one person or billions of them. If I get a pass, then so do you. If I am a hero, then so are you. It's that simple.
As for finding a path of lesser bloodshed ... that's exactly why we're working on a different solution now, aren't we? Regardless of Noah and Thancred's cooperation. You might not have discarded Zodiark as an option, but calamities are no longer the only option available to you, and you're looking for a different path.
Is that really what you're worried about? That I will change my mind, decide you're a monster and leave you alone?
Re: Day 273 Night
However, do not think I actually believe you would do such a feat. Time and time again you have proven otherwise much to my surprise. But the concern still lingers, illogical, but that's what fears are, are they not? And it has been plaguing my mind considering recent events. How we are viewed as villains.
[He smiles at him though. It is hard to say if he can actually feel the adoration from his soul or he simply just knows.]
And it seems only fair that if I dig into you for providing truth to your thoughts that I would be held to the same standard. That is how much I respect, love, and care for you. A right you have more than earned.
Re: Day 273 Night
[ he pulls back, but only so he can reach for Emet's hand and bring it to his lips ]
I won't say your fears are entirely baseless. Tempering is concerning, and I was the one who originally told you I would want to find a way to get rid of it.
But I will keep my word, and I will not do anything without your knowledge and consent. Whatever we do about it we choose together — you, Lahabrea and I.
My primary concern is saving both of our worlds. The rest is simply a variable in that the equation.
Re: Day 273 Night
I know. I know you will. Ever do I trust you. Never will I doubt that you have our best interests in mind rather. A head clearer than our own.
[GOSH FIVE He is going to blush again real hard at the hand kissing.]
.... But I am going to concede your win this time. You can stop now.
Re: Day 273 Night
[ because he's keeping his hold on that hand and kissing it again, before he leans in to kiss his cheek ]
You look adorable right now.
Re: Day 273 Night
No, he actually likes to be bullied and if possible the blush spreads to the top of his ears.]
You've made your point.
Re: Day 273 Night
You know I could make it so much worse if I wanted. If I knew you were so easy to embarrass I would have started trying sooner.
[ and he's going to take a page from his book, bringing a hand to his head and brushing his hair ]
By the way. I didn't forget you called me handsome. And you said you love my soul.
Re: Day 273 Night
[Well, this was nice while it lasted. Time to bury Five in a ditch. He's officially become too powerful.]
Why would I not love your sou---- that's not the point!
[Says the man leaning into the hair petting.]
Re: Day 273 Night
He's going to keep with those hair petting, slow and gentle, and he even hums as he keeps his eyes on hades, not wanting to miss a single detail of the way he looks right now ]
Guess this is a lot easier without the height difference. And speaking of things that are easier then.
Did I ever tell you? I know how to dance.
Re: Day 273 Night
I can't say I'm surprised that would be included in your father's tutelage. Seems equatable with dead or nearly forgotten languages.
Truthfully, I'm surprised you would want to.
Re: Day 273 Night
[ but with Hades leaning into his touch and definitely enjoying the closeness he can't find it in himself to stop, so instead he focuses on that, letting him look away but leaning in to kiss his forehead, his cheek, and then the corner of his lips.
It's a lot easier to be affectionate when he's not the one getting embarrassed from it, so really, Hades reacting like that is only spurring him on. ]
But I don't mind staying like this for a little while longer, instead. I could invite you to a proper dance another time.
... I think this isn't so bad.
Re: Day 273 Night
And miss the opportunity to see you dance? I think not. Up with you.
Re: Day 273 Night
Good. You better cherish this moment, I'm not going to again any time soon.
Would you like to head to garden, then?
Re: Day 273 Night
He clasps on pair of their hands together and places the other on his shoulder, giving Five the lead role.]
Don't I cherish every moment with you? But have no doubts I will commit it to memory.
Re: Day 273 Night
But Emet doesn't need to know, and he will hum as he starts dancing with him — leading, obviously, and his form is as impeccable as reggie's training would have demanded ]
Well. So will I, actually.
Re: Day 273 Night
After all this time you remember it perfectly, do you? Of course you do, brilliant as you are.
[And he will rest his head against him as he listens to Five hum.]
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