flawful | INBOX

[Seating himself on the couch, he crosses one leg over the other and indeed makes himself comfortable.]

I'm still learning how to use the television, but it can play music also... where is the, ah... the device to make it light up?

[The remote, Hythlodaeus.]

The device for the television?

_{[He's struggling buddy, give him a hot second. He finds the remote, holding it up questioningly.]}

...This?

Yes! Give it to me.

[He takes it and presses a button- the TV lights up, and Hythlodaeus presses the numbers that he knows lead to the music station. It's the only thing he knows how to do, sadly. But it's something!

It seems to be "oldies" that are featured tonight, though Hythlodaeus isn't sure what that means. The woman singing has a lovely voice, though.]

Ah... how pleasant.

_{[Hermes just watches Hythlodaeus in silence as he turns on the music, not really understanding what he's doing (but he's not complaining either. Whatever he's put on is pleasant enough to listen to.]}

The technology of this city is quite interesting, no? I know Amaurot has many amenities but I wonder who came up with the idea of this television? It is a rather clever thing...or these network devices we were all given.

I'm unsure, but it's positively delightful.

[He gestures for Hermes to sit beside him, humming merrily to the song.]

This is nice... spending time with you. We don't do it nearly often enough!

_{[He doesn't need convincing to come and join Hythlodaeus on the sofa, making himself comfortable beside him.]}

It is quite nice...I do enjoy your company my friend. _{[He tosses his gaze toward his glass, swirling the wine around.]}

I will admit I am not used to having company, here or in Elpis. I spend much of my time by myself.

[He scoots closer, leaning into Hermes comfortably.]

Time spent alone isn't always so terrible... but pray do not spend too much of it that way. You have Emet-Selch and I to keep you company now, after all.

[The song playing is slow, smooth, and Hermes is warm and comfortable. He feels at ease.]

_{[Hythlodaeus' weight against him is welcome and comforting as he raises his glass to take a sip. It's a quiet sort of moment they're sharing but that's perfectly fine with Hermes. He's the contemplative sort after all.]}

That is quite true. I have companions here - it would not do to shun them.

_{[Unlike on Elpis where he would slip away to hide himself behind piles of paperwork to avoid his peers.]}

Exactly.

[He sits quietly with him for a little while, but then a more upbeat song comes on and the fancy takes him to dance. He grins, suddenly moving and dragging Hermes up with him.]

Come, let us dance!

[He takes both of Hermes' hands and, not a great dancer himself, just kind of swings them around aimlessly. But he's having fun, and that's all he cares about.]

D-Dance?

_{[Ah, wait, he's not ready for this! He only has a moment to set down his glass before Hythlodaeus has him by both hands and is dragging him up to his feet. Already his face is a deep peach as he blushes, not really sure what to do at all.]}

I fear I do not know how.

Neither do I. Does it matter? 'Tis only us, we can look the fool if we like.

[He spins himself around and laughs, before taking both hands again and linking their fingers together.]

So dance as you like!

I suppose it does not matter, no...

_{[Ah, this is so embarrassing but Hythlodaeus is ever so influencing...he cannot just say no, can he? And what harm is there in moving his body a bit in time with the beat? Surely none at all. With their fingers laced he swings their arms gently between them, moving his hips without much grace but the effort is, surprisingly there.]}

That's it!

[Chuckling, he continues to dance with him, before trying to spin Hermes around this time. Then he wraps one arm around him, idly waving their held hands around. He seems to be having fun, and he hopes Hermes is enjoying himself too.]

Ah-!

_{[He's enjoying Hythlodaeus' antics more than anything. It may be awkward for him, sure, but he's happy to go along for the ride. Being spun has his eyes going wide but he laughs despite himself as he's pulled back with his friend's arm looping around his back.]}

[He only pauses when the music turns to the next song, which is decidedly slower and therefore not really suited to that kind of dancing. Still laughing, he looks up to Hermes with a grin.]

See? Wasn't that fun? You need to let loose sometimes.

[He pulls Hermes back to the couch, practically pulling Hermes on top of him as he flops back down.]

_{[Tugged back onto the sofa he stumbles atop the other man, having to brace himself as to not crush him. With a bit of fumbling he sets himself right, settling beside Hythlodaeus, albeit closer than he had before.

Was it fun? It was. It would be a lie to say it wasn't. Even so, it feels strange to enjoy himself. Was it really okay to? Hello existentialism.]}

I will admit...it is quite difficult for me to do so. I am not used to letting people close. If I am to be perfectly honest with you, Hythlodaeus, you are the closest anyone has ever been to me.

_{[Taking the prior Fandaniel out of the equation, Hythlodaeus now had that claim, especially when it came to being physically close.]}

It is something I am still navigating, much like everything else about this place...and what has come to pass.

[He takes Hermes' hand and squeezes it, still smiling.]

I am glad we could have this chance to get to know each other more intimately. I enjoy our time together.

[He pauses, then brushes his fingers over Hermes' cheek.]

You enjoy it too, don't you?

Aye, that I do...and yet I still feel as if I don't know you well at all, Hythlodaeus.

_{[He offers him a sobering smile, leaning into the fingertips that brush against him so delicately.]}

I cannot see what is appealing about spending time with me, but I am glad you do so none the less.

Then get to know me. I will not object.

[He can't even say the wine is going to his head, he's still on his first glass- he leans in to press a soft kiss to Hermes' lips, before pulling back slightly to curiously observe Hermes' reaction. They've never done this with just the two of them when not under some kind of influence.]

_{[It's different to be kissed when not under the influence of something. Even more different that it's just the two of them now. He isn't expecting Hythlodaeus to lean in and kiss him but he's not upset about it either. If anything it sends his heart racing, the sound of his own pulse echoing in his ears. It's as exciting as it is stressful that he keeps ending up like this with the other man but now that he has his wits about him (for once) he can't help but overthink it all.

He shouldn't doubt Hythlodaeus and in reality? He doesn't. The only person he doubts is himself, what a shocker, and it leaves him questioning everything. Was it right to seek comfort in the other man? Was it okay to let him closer? To think that only he and Emet-Selch (Caduceus aside) were all that were left of his home...it makes his chest ache. Shouldn't he be grateful to have them both? To have Hythlodaeus here, before him? He should and yet...

Hermes leans in but it's not for a kiss. Instead he tucks his face into the crook of his neck and breathes silently for a moment, trying to find his words.]}

How shall I do so?

[He holds Hermes, patting his back.]

However you would like. I am always here if you would ask questions of me... if you would simply like to talk.

[Just because Hythlodaeus is making moves, it doesn't mean he won't back off if Hermes doesn't want it.]

We needn't do anything you don't wish to do. You know this, yes?

Of course.

_{[It isn't that he doesn't want to reciprocate those moves - he very much does - but he's afraid to. He keeps his face in the dip of his neck, simply breathing in his scent. He smells clean. It's refreshing, calming.]}

...If I am to be perfectly honest I would very much like to kiss you. I enjoy it, immensely...but I have much on my mind. It feels wrong to think so much when I should be focused on you, my friend.

I could give you something else to focus on...

[He kisses at Hermes' neck, before grazing his teeth over the skin.]

Would you let me?

[He knows that Hermes loses himself quite easily to pleasure. Even if it's only temporary, it's better than feeling sad instead.]

_{[The feel of lips against his neck sends a shiver down his spine, the question leaving him with goosebumps.]}

I would let you do anything.

_{[It's the truth. At this point in his life, where he's at, what he's thinking about and going through, he's more than happy to do whatever Hythlodaeus wants. He has no duty anymore, no sense of purpose, there is no hope of returning to their star or even the lifestream in this place...so what else was there to lose other than his mind?]}

[With that answer, he pulls back slightly so that he can catch Hermes' lips with his own again. He has a vague idea of what he wants to do for him, but he needs to get him in the mood first.

Today he's wearing a loose white shirt with a rather low neckline- he hadn't arrived here with the sole intention of seducing the other man, but perhaps it had been in the back of his mind that he'd want something nice to wear. Nipping at Hermes' lower lip, he then deepens the kiss, pulling him closer.]

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