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"Ah... so I am." He takes a deep breath, trying to will himself to stop. Eventually he speaks again, his tone oddly sombre.

"I simply- I saw it again. The Final Days, and my time alone on the moon." The silly feeling intensifies- he shouldn't have been so affected by this. Though he supposes when it was happening, when he was walking with a purpose, when he'd said his goodbyes... it had felt final, but in a way he could cope with. Why, he'd surely see Emet-Selch and Azem in the lifestream again, after all. When the situation had called for it he could keep a clear head, and the hope that he'd see his friends again had stuck with him and carried him through those 12000 years. But dreams follow no logical explanations, and the fear that had gripped him in his nightmare had been difficult to battle.

"My apologies. I'm being foolish."

Emet-Selch lays silently as he listens to the details of the dream, his own frown not leaving his face as the explanation continues.

"Why would it be foolish? It is not." An unforgettable event, for all the wrong reasons. "Even for those sundered reflections, the image of those starshowers etched itself onto their broken souls. To say nothing of what it did to our hearts, and the memories it seared into them."

If he tried hard enough, Emet-Selch is certain he could picture it in his mind even now. The sky on fire, the taste of ash and death in the air. The far too many words left unsaid, and the tension in not knowing if their plan would even work.

But conciously reliving it is different to dreaming it, where you have no control, how it plays on the fears you try to keep suppressed. It hadn't happened in a long time but Emet-Selch had experienced it in the past, knowing all too well how the constant dreams of fire and death can wear you down.

But what he had wished for more than anything during those times was someone to share it with, who could truly understand how awful the whole ordeal was. Which is why he is foregoing his usual complaining or avoidance at this time and his voice, while sleepy, conveys his sincerity as he leans his head against Hythlodaeus'.

"Tell me about it. Either the dream, or the real memories. There is no-one else who can truly understand what we had to suffer through. But perhaps talking about it will allow sleep to find you once more."

He goes quiet, thinking. Emet-Selch knows all about the Final Days, and he doesn't want to talk about his sacrifice.

"My time on the moon was... lonely. And yet despite knowing this, I can scarcely recall any of it." He cups Emet-Selch's cheek as he speaks, finding comfort in his presence. "It did not feel much like 12000 years. It felt like a dream. I suppose there is some small comfort in that. And what I can recall, I know that I thought of you... of home."

To say that Emet-Selch had saved him from despair was no understatement. "Where others succumbed to grief, I did not. I have you to thank for that." He meets Emet-Selch's eyes where they softly glow in the dark, smiling. He isn't really the type to let himself be overcome by sadness anyway, but on the moon he still might have lost himself.

Still, he shakes his head. He's wide awake now. "I doubt sleep will take me any time soon. You seem tired. I'm going to make some tea." Maybe Emet-Selch will follow him, he doesn't know. He'll make a pot for them both anyway. He scoots out of bed and wraps himself in a dressing gown before shuffling off into the main area.

It's oddly comforting, but in a shameful way, to know that a good chunk of time on the moon was in nothing but a dreamlike state. He had no idea at all what happened to the souls who became Zodiark. Were their minds still their own while trapped inside of Him? Or had they not been aware of anything that happened? Somewhere in the middle, it seems.

But ah- the talk of him being the one to save his friend from the despair, it honestly makes his chest well up with emotions, as his arms tighten their hug and he buries his head into lilac hair. Those felt as Hades, to hear the words from a dearest friend who had gotten him through some of the darkest times. But also those of Emet-Selch, who allowed them to linger there with each passing millennia as he was unable to fulfill his duty.

"Elidibus visited the moon from time to time. But I could not set foot on it unless necessary. I hope you understand why." He saw it as a mockery, the thought of traipsing about on it when both his people and his god were trapped within. No, he would not show his face unless it was needed, or he was able to free them.

"But know that within all that time, not a single day passed where I did not remember my duty. Both to our people, and to my friends."

It's a heavy topic, both the lengths he went to with trying to enact their plans and the skewed morality associated with it, but also the effort he went to in order to keep those memories alive, sometimes even physically, and literally. He honestly isn't sure if it's the right time to bring that up, instead opting to intentionally lighten the mood.

"To think, you were gone so long I began to look back fondly on your teasing and the predicaments you would cause me. I even missed it. Obviously, I lost my sanity somewhere along the way."

It's said with a humourous tone, as Emet-Selch unwraps his arms and allows his companion to leave the bed. He hums in acknowledgement as he makes for the kitchen, but while his body may still tire his mind is now fully awake. So a few minutes later, Emet-Selch too arrives in the kitchen in sweatpants and thick dressing gown, leaning against the kitchen counter silently as the water boils.

Of course, he understands. He wouldn't have wanted Emet-Selch to see him like that, anyway. He doesn't even remember Elidibus being there, so he supposes he was in a state where he couldn't really comprehend as much. He's glad to see him when he stands by the kitchen counter, smiling and leaning in to kiss him while he waits.

"Did you really miss my teasing? I will have to do it twice as much to make up for time lost."

Pouring the water into the pot, he closes the lid and grins at Emet-Selch. He's trying his best to shake the gloom from his mind by acting as if everything is completely fine. There's something about his smile that just isn't right, though.

"Go sit down, I'll bring the tea momentarily." He hums to himself as he pours out two mugs, before he brings them to the sofa and sets them on the small table in front of it.

"I did. Past tense. You really needn't go to the trouble, I see plenty of it already."

Who is he kidding, he knows he will never get any peace and has brought it entirely on himself, plus it just wouldn't be the same if it suddenly halted again.

But Hythlodaeus seems to be fine, at least from the way he is acting, so Emet-Selch heeds his words and meanders on over to the sofa, lazing over it to relax while waiting for the tea, after which he sits up, both to grab a mug and clear some space beside him.

He sits beside Emet-Selch and takes a sip of his tea, leaning against his friend with a sigh. He's about to open his mouth to insist that he continue to annoy Emet-Selch, when there's an odd tapping behind the curtains covering the doors leading onto the balcony.

"Hm...?" Curious, Hythlodaeus sits back up. "Is someone there?" He glances over at Emet-Selch, quirking an eyebrow. "Expecting a late night visitor?"

The tapping persists, until there's a distinct thud against the glass.

Emet-Selch was just about to enjoy his first sip of the tea when the rattling can be heard.

"I'm not expecting anyone, and certainly not at this hour." Sitting the tea down with a sigh, he lifts himself up from the sofa, making his way through the living area and towards the door. Can't have anything nice around here, who is trying to bug them this time?

"If it's the miqo'te, I'm throwing her off." The most likely culprit, Megumi was fond of using anything but the front door when she tried to visit. His tone suggests that he likely is not joking with his threat. However when he throws the door open very ungracefully, the only thing to meet him are two beady yellow eyes and a mass of black feathers.

"...Huh."

"Who is it?" Getting up, Hythlodaeus follows behind Emet-Selch and squints at the giant bird.

"Ah." He pauses, then snorts. "How exactly...?" For some reason it strikes him as funny, and he starts chuckling. "'Tis like looking in a mirror for you, hmm?" He waves at the bird, which takes the open door as an invitation and begins to waltz inside. Hythlodaeus does nothing to try stopping it, for his part.

"It does not look anything like me!" A phrase which is entirely hilarious to an onlooker, considering Hades himself is now also glaring daggers at Hythlodaeus with yellow piercing eyes, his feathers all ruffled so to speak.

"Don't encourage it--" Too late. "Now look what you did." He sounds so exasperated, standing in front of the giant bird as if that will somehow stop its path. It doesn't, of course, the bird simply side steps him and continues wandering further inside.

"You are clearing up any mess it makes!" The audacity of this bird, just waltzing in like it owns the place, before stopping to turn around and stare.

"...."

Don't mind Hades, he is engaging in a silent staring contest with his feathered foe.

A phrase which is entirely hilarious to Hythlodaeus, who cracks up laughing even harder. The bird stops beside him, and he tries to calm himself before speaking again.

"What... what are we going to do with it? I'm certainly not moving it." He wants to touch it, but the beak is a little intimidating. The stare is something he's used to, but Emet-Selch does not have a sharp beak.

"How did it even get here? Did you summon it?"

Emet-Selch is still silent. His gaze does not leave the bird. No, he is fully commited to this little endeavor. So they stand there, for a full two minutes or so, the bird ruffling its feathers, unmoving, while Emet-Selch folds his arms tightly, staring the bird down.

Until the creature finally blinks, before chattering its beak to begin making an absolutely horrific noise that echoes within the walls like artillery fire going off.

"That's more like it." Emet-Selch is not startled by the noise, almost as if he expected it. He won and that is what matters.

"And no, I did not summon it. Why would I? I have met their kind before though." Apparently they just have an affinity for him.

Wincing, Hythlodaeus still snickers at the exchange.

"Oh, I don't know, mayhap you summoned it in your sleep. I recall them from our time in Elpis, albeit smaller."

He bites his lip, obviously up to something. "'Twould make for a good companion, wouldn't you say?"

The bird seems to have gotten over its little challenge, now back to wandering the kitchen area, taking a good look at everything around it as its giant feet tap on the floor tiles with each step.

"If I'm summoning in my sleep, we have bigger problems than a bird." That would be truly problematic, though Emet-Selch is certain it is not the case here.

"Besides, being in possession of a soul indicates that this one is no arcane entity that I created. It simply exists. Besides, I would have made it a lot smaller if I were ever inclined to do so." Has Emet-Selch ever made them before, or are just naturally predisposed to seeking him out? If he has, he never admits to it. A mystery for the ages indeed.

Letting out another sigh, he moves to walk in front of the bird, encouraging it to turn around and leave the way it came. Honestly? The thing is a little endearing, at least in Emet-Selch's eyes.

"Not inside the house, it won't. But it can stay outside, if it pleases."

"Right you are. Do you think it would allow me to touch it?"

He steps closer to it- it looks at him as he reaches a hand out cautiously, and as he scratches at its neck feathers it simply stares. Well... that's better than biting his hand off.

"We could let it inside if the weather is bad, surely?" Said as if he doesn't intend to let the bird in every time Emet-Selch isn't around...

He answers with a shrug, but then Hythlodaeus is already sticking his hand out anyway. No limbs have been removed during the process, so it seems the bird has taken a liking to them both.

"It's a bird, the creature is likely fine outside..." Though. Hmm. Emet-Selch is frowning again. He thinks back to his first weeks here in the city where he almost froze to death twice as he shoos the bird back out onto the balcony for now.

"....Only if it is truly awful outside. My first month here the weather nearly killed people."

"Truly? Full glad am I that you came out of it unscathed."

He watches Emet-Selch usher the bird back outside and shrugs. "I don't see why it couldn't have stayed inside for a little while..." He would rather enjoy the distraction. As it is, he simply sits back down to pick up his tea again.

"I trust you will provide ample distraction in its place?" It's as close to admitting that he still doesn't feel quite right as he's getting.

"If you call hugging a complete stranger for body warmth 'unscathed', then sure." Less said about that, the better.

With the bird gotten rid of for now and nothing to show for it but a few stray feathers which can wait for tomorrow, Emet-Selch chooses to follow suit, taking a seat on the sofa once more and reaching for his tea, taking a long sip.

"Is that what it was? A distraction?"

The wording is not lost on him. In fact, he places his mug back on the coffee table momentarily. They may have been separated a long time, but he knows his friend well. Something weighs on his mind. It's one thing to seek enjoyment out of getting Emet-Selch to do something with him or for him, but this seems something different entirely.

"A distraction from what?" He has an inkling. There is a reason they are sat out here and not asleep after all. Still, he cannot be sure.

"A distraction from... memories, I suppose. The dream lingers."

Sipping at his tea, he sighs through his nose. "But I do not wish to think about it. Nor do I particularly want to talk about it, hence needing a distraction."

He smiles weakly at Emet-Selch. He doesn't like admitting to having such thoughts, but if it's only Hades then it isn't so bad. His trusted friend... he is lucky to have him again.

"I do feel better than I did before, however. Please don't feel you need to worry on my behalf."

"If you do not wish to speak of it, we won't."

He isn't going to push it if Hythlodaeus does not wish to discuss it. They aren't good memories, and they are certain to keep cropping up anyway no matter how much they discuss it, some events are simply too traumatic to resolve. They probably should at some point though. Talk about it, that is. But not in the middle of the night, when half tired with rattled nerves.

Twisting around slightly he leans an arm on the back of the sofa, resting his head on it as the other reaches out to sweep hair away for his friend's face. A distraction, he can certainly provide.

"What kind of distraction are you wanting?" They have it all. Food, drink, a bird outside. The innocent kind- the variety of media now available to them. The not so innocent kind. A smile creeps across his lips, he knows which one he'd go for if it were up to him.

He leans into that hand, before shuffling closer and resting his head against Emet-Selch's shoulder.

"Anything at all, my friend. Though judging by your smile, you have something in mind?"

He chuckles, leaning over to set his drink back down again before pressing a soft kiss to the corner of his mouth. "Please do share."

He brushes hair away for a moment longer, letting fingers twirl around it playfully before his hand settles on the back of his friend's neck.

"Simply a distraction which can prove to the both of us that this is not a dream." They have been here together for several days now yet even so, not even Emet-Selch can shake that little nagging doubt that rears from time to time, that this was all an illusion, that he had finally flipped.

But in dreams you cannot touch, and feel the warmth, nor relish in the scents of the tea, or shampoo used. Not with the same intensity anyway, and he's know because he'd certainly thought of it over time.

"...Not a bad dream, anyway." He adds on, amused by his own thoughts as he leans in to press smirking lips into the ones before him, as he casually drops his other arm to meet the other in intertwining around Hythlodaeus' neck. The kiss is slow and languid, he is in no rush and they have the time to spare.

This is certainly an idea he can get behind- he has the same thoughts sometimes, that perhaps he's simply imagining all of this. Though he does wonder why his imagination would introduce a shoebill of all things.

Kissing back slowly, he eventually mimics Emet-Selch's position from when they'd first arrived here together- he shifts to straddle him on the sofa, all the better to be closer to him. He presses in, tangling a hand in his hair, savouring the feel of lips on his own, knowing that it's Hades and relishing it. He's in no hurry, simply enjoying the kiss for what it is.

There's nobody who could possibly make his heart soar the way Emet-Selch does. For as nice as it is to kiss others, he'll never be near dizzy with affection the way he is with his dear friend. It certainly does provide that much needed distraction.

Hythlodaeus moves into his lap and it only serves to make everything so much better. His own hands drop to slide around his waist, settling upon his lower back to pull him in close and keep him there as he leans back into the sofa, comfortable and happy.

The kiss gets deepened a little, its instinctive after the change in position as Emet-Selch muses over it in his mind. It really is quite funny that there is no awkwardness about it, that their actions and even bodies seem to fit together so well, one could think they had always been this way. And while he has had plenty of positive experiences here, some even quite nice, there is still only one person who he wants to kiss simply to enjoy the act.

Of course that means the escalation occurs naturally too, easily, and perhaps the only consolation (or burden, depending on how you wish to look at it) is that the thick fabric of their dressing gowns serves to limit the amount of contact between their two bodies. If it weren't there, he knows they'd be going at it already.

He breaks away from this kiss, head tilting to place others across Hythlodaeus' jaw as he speaks, these ones slow but lingering.

"Distracting enough?

"Almost..." He chuckles it as Emet-Selch kisses his jaw, eyes closed. He starts fiddling with his dressing gown, slipping it off his shoulders, leaving it to pool at his hips and continue to cover the rest of him. He's thankful that he decided not to put any sweatpants on- even the dressing down was only for modesty's sake. He doesn't really get cold anymore.

"But you could stand to distract me a little more." He tilts his own head to press kisses to the other man's neck, enjoying the feel of his skin beneath his lips. The very fact that they fit together so perfectly is a source of great comfort to Hythlodaeus- as if there had been any doubt in his mind that they wouldn't. It all feels so natural, so very right.

Nipping softly at his throat, he then moves his lips back up to meet Emet-Selch's again, leaving a fond kiss there once more.

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