[A little noise illustrates his acknowledgment in lieu of a proper answer, yet he is distracted. By what? Well. He could have sworn that he witnessed tiny little pinpricks rise on the other's neck. Fleeting, of course. Gone in the instant it took for the other to sigh out that small exhale- yet once there. Caused by his touch, perhaps?
...That would certainly be something.
And as they are disappeared, his focus returns to what else is said. Yet he will trouble himself to guide Hades toward him within the centre of the bed as he answers.]
Well. Truth be told, I'm not one for rigidity. I sleep where I please. Some mornings, I find myself at one side. Others, the other. Sometimes, the middle. Yet always upon it.
[A brief smile follows, and he would ask Hades his preferences, but he finds that the sight of him (even with his mask still on) encourages something else. He leans forward to capture the other's lips in his own once more, a hand moving upward to wind within what unbound hair falls over the other man's shoulder.
His kiss is long, lingering. Yet it is not quite as forceful as those he has given the other before now. He does not press, nor push to hasten it or deepen it. He merely enjoys it. The environment guides his inaction, more than likely. While their present surroundings are comfortable to him, for Hades, it is somewhere he would likely feel as a stranger. And until he felt comfortable, he would not press.
And as he withdraws, tucking the segment of impossibly long hair behind Hades' ear:]
I should hope there will be little problem should I encroach upon your territory in the dead of night?
[What Hythlodaeus thought he had witnessed is neither more nor less than the truth. This affects him, and beneath the outward wall of stubbornness and (yes) rigidity, something stirs. Emotion, feeling. A nervous little twitch that is just as much anticipation as it is a natural response to having his evening and his night turned completely upside down.]
[Although he could succumb to the newness of his surroundings, the awkwardness with which he must navigate this new chapter of their shared history, Hades always was one with an ability to adapt in the moment.]
[Any real inquiries he might have are already answered. Oh yes, he can almost imagine it in the patient urging, in lips that linger against his and fingers daring to tangle themselves into his hair. He can imagine them all as Hythlodaeus saying something like this: Relax, Hades. Why don't you give it a try and see if it doesn't agree with you?]
[Well then, why doesn't he?]
[Hades is almost ready for him this time, though Hythlodaeus clearly needs no encouragement. It takes a couple of tries, but Hades determines on the third exactly how to tilt his head so that his mask won't hinder them. One hand anchors him, supporting his weight against the mattress, and the other rises to the side of Hythlodaeus' face, tilting his jaw by the barest fraction needed to return that kiss fully.]
[He doesn't rush this; he doesn't balk at the nearness or interrupt them with his usual string of muttered complaints. In fact, he offers no commentary at all, only a slow and considered exhale when Hythlodaeus does see fit to withdraw.]
Why ask now? You've scarcely given me so much as a warning in the past when you've encroached upon my territory - and that during broad daylight, I might add.
[He's still sore about earlier, it seems. Both literally and figuratively.]
Shall I then take this as a warning that I should be prepared to awaken with you draped across my shoulders and your face buried in the pillow next to mine? Or perhaps I should create a safety net should you remain on the bed and I, as an unfortunate victim, be cast over the edge.
[He snorts softly, turning his head away to make Hythlodaeus' chore even more difficult to complete. If his reflexes aren't quick enough, he might also find his hand glancing against Hades' cheek. If not, he'd likely find another errant strand sliding down over the opposite shoulder.]
...I presume this goes equally for yourself?
[Not that Hades would ever invade Hythlodaeus' personal space... Or, no. Perhaps he shouldn't make such a claim. After all, there are ample number of temptations hovering before his eyes at this very moment.]
The context behind this particular invasion is remarkably different, I'm sure you'll agree!
[Amusement shines in his eyes as he answers, the quirk of the sides of his mouth belaying barely concealed mirth. Yet, to his credit, he does contain himself. Barely. Hades' reward, perhaps, for indulging him earlier.
Yet the next statement- an overly dramatic exaggeration, most certainly, of how Hades would imagine they would wake is something that has his eyes soften and halflid, a distinct feeling of warmth spreading throughout his chest. When he raises them once more to meet the other's gaze, indeed, he has missed the opportunity to correct that other wayward strand of hair- something of which, by the by, is revealing itself to be rather untamed when unbound. And highly unruly to boot.
So. He curls his fingers against the other man's cheek, moving the backs of his fingers against the long lines of his jaw.]
I would like to wake like that every morning. Very much, in fact.
[It is softly spoken, meant. Yet it is bordering on sentimental. And that is the other's forte far more than his. So.]
Not you upon the floor, of course! The other part is most agreeable.
[His fingers move from his skin then- lightly pressing themselves against the pronounced cheekbone of the mask. And then he moves himself, laying down. His hand then ventures upward once again, in order to encourage Hades to join him.]
As for the bed in itself, I trust you'll make alterations should something not be to your comfort.
[The hardness of the mattress, the length. The breadth. Hythlodaeus, as ever, is a fairly unflappable sort. How it is is how he prefers it, yes. Yet he has no issue with alterations.]
Well, so much for me getting a peaceful night's rest. Are you already so eager as to disrupt my sleep at every opportunity? I grow weary just thinking of how often I'll be readjusting you elsewhere.
[Hades sighs even as he is encouraged to recline, just pronounced enough to make it obvious that he is doing Hythlodaeus a favor and that he should be grateful for the exertion.]
[And yet the half of it is simply a reaction to the newness of it all. He would argue that there's nothing remarkable about any of this, but perhaps that assertion rings false. Perhaps he is only hedging because he knows those eyes, those lips, and those questing fingers all have the potential and the power to undo him utterly. So soon, and already he possesses that much awareness.]
[Were he a less stubborn man, he'd surely be leaning into that touch, catching that delicate wrist and pressing both his cheek and his mouth against the back of that hand. Yet Hades is not so easy, nor is he so open. At least, not at this early stage. Yet he does accept such attentions, he does watch, and he does feel in the same way as before, as if he might shiver out of his own flesh if such affections go on for too long.]
[At length, Hades settles with his back cradled into the mattress. It is firm, but comfortable; supportive. There is more than ample room for both of them, and at least two more besides, and even with his stature, there's plenty of unused space between his toes and the edge of the bed. It isn't his, yet he doesn't find it wanting in any regard. At last, he speaks plainly.]
You needn't fret over such things. As long as it's peaceful and quiet, I can make myself comfortable anywhere.
[A quiet exhale, and because he knows it will happen eventually anyway, Hades nudges Hythlodaeus with his arm.]
Besides, you're more than aware that I'd never ignore anything which didn't meet my standards. Your bed, as it happens, is lavish to an almost insulting degree.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
...That would certainly be something.
And as they are disappeared, his focus returns to what else is said. Yet he will trouble himself to guide Hades toward him within the centre of the bed as he answers.]
Well. Truth be told, I'm not one for rigidity. I sleep where I please. Some mornings, I find myself at one side. Others, the other. Sometimes, the middle. Yet always upon it.
[A brief smile follows, and he would ask Hades his preferences, but he finds that the sight of him (even with his mask still on) encourages something else. He leans forward to capture the other's lips in his own once more, a hand moving upward to wind within what unbound hair falls over the other man's shoulder.
His kiss is long, lingering. Yet it is not quite as forceful as those he has given the other before now. He does not press, nor push to hasten it or deepen it. He merely enjoys it. The environment guides his inaction, more than likely. While their present surroundings are comfortable to him, for Hades, it is somewhere he would likely feel as a stranger. And until he felt comfortable, he would not press.
And as he withdraws, tucking the segment of impossibly long hair behind Hades' ear:]
I should hope there will be little problem should I encroach upon your territory in the dead of night?
no subject
[Although he could succumb to the newness of his surroundings, the awkwardness with which he must navigate this new chapter of their shared history, Hades always was one with an ability to adapt in the moment.]
[Any real inquiries he might have are already answered. Oh yes, he can almost imagine it in the patient urging, in lips that linger against his and fingers daring to tangle themselves into his hair. He can imagine them all as Hythlodaeus saying something like this: Relax, Hades. Why don't you give it a try and see if it doesn't agree with you?]
[Well then, why doesn't he?]
[Hades is almost ready for him this time, though Hythlodaeus clearly needs no encouragement. It takes a couple of tries, but Hades determines on the third exactly how to tilt his head so that his mask won't hinder them. One hand anchors him, supporting his weight against the mattress, and the other rises to the side of Hythlodaeus' face, tilting his jaw by the barest fraction needed to return that kiss fully.]
[He doesn't rush this; he doesn't balk at the nearness or interrupt them with his usual string of muttered complaints. In fact, he offers no commentary at all, only a slow and considered exhale when Hythlodaeus does see fit to withdraw.]
Why ask now? You've scarcely given me so much as a warning in the past when you've encroached upon my territory - and that during broad daylight, I might add.
[He's still sore about earlier, it seems. Both literally and figuratively.]
Shall I then take this as a warning that I should be prepared to awaken with you draped across my shoulders and your face buried in the pillow next to mine? Or perhaps I should create a safety net should you remain on the bed and I, as an unfortunate victim, be cast over the edge.
[He snorts softly, turning his head away to make Hythlodaeus' chore even more difficult to complete. If his reflexes aren't quick enough, he might also find his hand glancing against Hades' cheek. If not, he'd likely find another errant strand sliding down over the opposite shoulder.]
...I presume this goes equally for yourself?
[Not that Hades would ever invade Hythlodaeus' personal space... Or, no. Perhaps he shouldn't make such a claim. After all, there are ample number of temptations hovering before his eyes at this very moment.]
no subject
[Amusement shines in his eyes as he answers, the quirk of the sides of his mouth belaying barely concealed mirth. Yet, to his credit, he does contain himself. Barely. Hades' reward, perhaps, for indulging him earlier.
Yet the next statement- an overly dramatic exaggeration, most certainly, of how Hades would imagine they would wake is something that has his eyes soften and halflid, a distinct feeling of warmth spreading throughout his chest. When he raises them once more to meet the other's gaze, indeed, he has missed the opportunity to correct that other wayward strand of hair- something of which, by the by, is revealing itself to be rather untamed when unbound. And highly unruly to boot.
So. He curls his fingers against the other man's cheek, moving the backs of his fingers against the long lines of his jaw.]
I would like to wake like that every morning. Very much, in fact.
[It is softly spoken, meant. Yet it is bordering on sentimental. And that is the other's forte far more than his. So.]
Not you upon the floor, of course! The other part is most agreeable.
[His fingers move from his skin then- lightly pressing themselves against the pronounced cheekbone of the mask. And then he moves himself, laying down. His hand then ventures upward once again, in order to encourage Hades to join him.]
As for the bed in itself, I trust you'll make alterations should something not be to your comfort.
[The hardness of the mattress, the length. The breadth. Hythlodaeus, as ever, is a fairly unflappable sort. How it is is how he prefers it, yes. Yet he has no issue with alterations.]
no subject
[Hades sighs even as he is encouraged to recline, just pronounced enough to make it obvious that he is doing Hythlodaeus a favor and that he should be grateful for the exertion.]
[And yet the half of it is simply a reaction to the newness of it all. He would argue that there's nothing remarkable about any of this, but perhaps that assertion rings false. Perhaps he is only hedging because he knows those eyes, those lips, and those questing fingers all have the potential and the power to undo him utterly. So soon, and already he possesses that much awareness.]
[Were he a less stubborn man, he'd surely be leaning into that touch, catching that delicate wrist and pressing both his cheek and his mouth against the back of that hand. Yet Hades is not so easy, nor is he so open. At least, not at this early stage. Yet he does accept such attentions, he does watch, and he does feel in the same way as before, as if he might shiver out of his own flesh if such affections go on for too long.]
[At length, Hades settles with his back cradled into the mattress. It is firm, but comfortable; supportive. There is more than ample room for both of them, and at least two more besides, and even with his stature, there's plenty of unused space between his toes and the edge of the bed. It isn't his, yet he doesn't find it wanting in any regard. At last, he speaks plainly.]
You needn't fret over such things. As long as it's peaceful and quiet, I can make myself comfortable anywhere.
[A quiet exhale, and because he knows it will happen eventually anyway, Hades nudges Hythlodaeus with his arm.]
Besides, you're more than aware that I'd never ignore anything which didn't meet my standards. Your bed, as it happens, is lavish to an almost insulting degree.