Chapter Text
Hades had thought he’d made his wishes abundantly clear. So, when after departing he felt the still familiar pull of Azem’s summoning magic, further empowered by Hydaelyn, he was not best pleased. He blocked it out, ignored it, certain the hero would be just fine without them.
“She’s calling us back.” Hythlodaeus stated, as if Hades didn’t already know.
He let out a huff, “She will be fine. We have done enough, she has no need of us.”
The other man frowned, “You are certain?”
“Of course. Do not trouble yourself over it.” Hades told him with a small sigh, as he closed his eyes, attempting to enjoy the peace they had earned.
Time is a strange thing in the aetherial sea. What the living experience as long stretches of time can go by in what feels like an instant. If one doesn’t hold on, it’s easy to get swept away. After what Hades thought had only been a few minutes, he felt something odd. Even as he was now, no more than a soul set adrift, he retained his strong connection to the lifestream, and was acutely aware of any changes in it. Hades felt a soul sat on the precipice of being carried away, a soul that was unmistakable in its familiarity and unique hue. There was no question that it was her.
This wasn’t right. How could this be? How could she be brought down now, if even he could not manage it? He felt at odds with himself, struggling with whether or not to take action. So many different thoughts and emotions battled within him, but time was running short. Hades shut them all out, all but his heart, and it was then he knew his course was set. Her story would not end here, and now, neither would theirs.
“…I have had a change of heart.” He announced to the man at his side.
Hythlodaeus looked surprised, but his expression soon shifted to a bright smile, “I hoped you would.”
Hades never dismissed her summon entirely, simply ignored it, so it was a simple matter to return. He focussed on it, opening his mind to accept the familiar magic as he had done so many times before.
The pair found themselves at the very edge of the universe, a great expanse of nothingness set out before them. At their feet laid two crumpled, broken bodies. Hades crouched beside the smaller of the two, and gently brushed the hair aside from her bruised, bloodied face. He winced at the sight of just the injuries visible on the surface. Who knows how bad the internal damage would be? It was plain even to one without his abilities, she was hanging on to life by a thread.
From Sylvie’s side, he glanced at the other body. Instantly, the sight brought back miserable memories of a life left behind, and a life that could have been so much more. Perhaps he was being overly sentimental. Perhaps he’d gone soft, experiencing genuine love once again after so long. But, the boy deserved a chance. Hades snapped his fingers, and Zenos disappeared.
“Where did you send him?” Hythlodaeus asked
“He will be safe. Worry not.” Hades replied in a quiet voice, tinged with an unexpected hint of emotion. “Now then,” He spoke up, turning his attention back to the unconscious miqo’te, “Let’s get her to safety.”
As he observed her, he noticed her hand held close to her chest, clutching something in her fist. Even unconscious, her grip on the object was tight, requiring a bit more effort than expected to pry her hand open. Oh. She held a little amber crystal in her hand - the very one he’d fashioned for her. For Azem. Seeing how she treasured it warmed his heart, and he found himself smiling. Hades plucked it from her hand, and slipped it into his pocket; he would return it to her, when she was safe.
With a deep breath, Hades gently collected her into his arms, while Hythlodaeus picked her weapon up off the ground. He gave a nod, and they were gone. Teleported from the vast emptiness, into the much more crowded vessel of the Scion’s. Every face in the room turned to the two men and their injured charge, expressions varying in degrees of shock.
“She still lives, but barely.” Hades announced, “If you wish that she survives this, you must put aside your grievances with me, and allow my aid.”
The group’s displeasure with the circumstances was plain from just their faces, but they did not deny him. The miqo’te woman - Y’shtola, as he would later learn - gestured towards a table, “Set her down here.”
Hades let out a small sigh of relief and did as she asked, gently laying Sylvie down on the cold metal. It was unlikely they would have risked her life, but he never could be sure with them. Hythlodaeus followed close behind, his silent shadow surrounded by so many unfamiliar faces.
“I can keep her with us while you stabilise her. But, do be quick.”
A task much more difficult than it first appeared. Those capable worked diligently to mend her wounds as best they could, enough to keep the Warrior far from death’s door until they returned home. Though, admittedly, these individuals were far more skilled than most, Hades couldn’t help but lament how long they took. If his people still lived, they could have had her stable in a matter of moments. So much time wasted. If he had plucked her from the edge of existence just in the nick of time, only for them to let her die… Well, it did not bear thinking about.
Hythlodaeus hovered close by, his arms folded, anxiety and concern clear from his expression alone. Though he was capable of healing, he feared he would only get in the way, so he said nothing, watching on from the sidelines.
By the time she was stable enough to make it home, they weren’t far from their destination. Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief at the news she would survive. But, no longer distracted by their common goal, the Scions looked to the pair with suspicion and confusion.
The feisty little elezen was the first of them to speak, she asked, “Why are you here, Emet-Selch?”
“Oh,” He sighed, “Is it time for questions now? I was so enjoying the silence.”
She glared up at him, unamused.
Hades rolled his eyes. In his time with the Warrior of Light, and their following time apart, he had grown to respect and care for her a great deal. But, the same could not be said as much for her friends. “I am here to save her life, and that is all.”
“And you expect us to believe that?” The girl asked, incredulously.
“It is the truth, and I care very little whether you believe it. The only thing I expected was that your fellows might attempt to heal her, which they miraculously managed.”
Hythlodaeus sat quietly off to the side, keeping to himself as Hades was questioned. He managed to remain unnoticed, until a man approached him, clearly in possession of a soul far older than his body; similar to Sylvie in stature and feline features, but different in a number of ways. He wore a polite smile, a contrast to the scowls and glares the pair had been welcomed with, and introduced himself as G’raha Tia. He was kind, filling the gaps in Hythlodaeus’ knowledge of their situation, and he told him what he knew in turn.
By some miracle, no injuries were suffered at Hades’ hand when they finally arrived on Etheirys, despite the bombardment of questions and irritation he endured. Those who had encountered him on the First were not best pleased to find that he stood by his decisions. Some even had the gall to want an apology. As far as he was concerned, the lot of them should have been grateful he was even there. Not that Hades did it for them, of course.
The Scions were met with celebration upon their return, only for it to be cut short by the hero’s urgent need for treatment. The pair were forbidden from accompanying her as she was rushed away, but were assured she would receive the best care in Sharlayan, to which Hades rolled his eyes. They were so graciously allowed to wait for her return in her room at the Baldesion Annex, as a supposed gesture of goodwill. He supposed it was preferable to outright hostility, but it was obviously an attempt to keep them contained, and under watch.
It was early evening when Hades and Hythlodaeus were shown to her room. Outside the large window, the sky was awash with shades of orange and darkening blue as the night slowly approached.
Once the door was closed, the two were left in silence. It was then that the reality of the day’s events were allowed to truly set in. The reality of what Hades had done. All for one woman. He hadn’t wanted to return, only longing for the rest he deserved, for long awaited peace. But, he was back. Alive. His heart thumped in his chest, faster and faster. Alive, and in his own body. Not Solus, not even Emet-Selch, really. All that remained was Hades. For the first time in centuries, he had no plan. No goal, no direction. He stood at the door, his arms folded, struggling to process it all.
“Hades?” Hythlodaeus said, softly.
His name alone on the other man’s lips was enough to disrupt his thoughts. Hades looked back at him over his shoulder, and met with another side of the consequences of his actions.
Hythlodaeus was here. He was here, and he, too, was alive. Not a shade, nor a ghost, and certainly not a dream. Here, in the flesh, to reach out and touch if he wished. He’d seen his death as a necessity, but living was a choice, as he’d followed Hades out of the aetherial sea and woken his unbeating heart.
Maybe Hades could bear to live, if he did not have to do it alone.
He turned his body to face him, and the other man was closer than he’d thought, slowly approaching Hades as if he were a frightened animal. It was Hythlodaeus that reached out to touch first, closing the distance that had been left for eons. A soft hand cupped his face, and it nearly broke him. He felt frozen, his throat burned and tears welled in his eyes, but he refused to cry. With a shaky breath, he closed his eyes, and allowed himself to indulge in leaning into Hythlodaeus’ touch.
But, Hades would take more than he was allowed. Of their own accord, his arms reached out to pull the smaller man close. He buried his embarrassed face in the crook of Hythlodaeus’ neck, eyes squeezing firmly to hold back tears, fingers gripping the dark fabric of his robes. There were so many things he wished to say, I missed you and I’m so sorry and I should have never let you go, but speaking risked far more than he could handle.
Hythlodaeus returned the embrace, holding him tight, “I’m sorry, I left you alone for so long.”
Though it stung, Hades let out a small laugh, muffled against his clothing, at the absurdity of him apologising for dying. Of course he would blame himself, the fool. His fool. He pulled back enough to look into his brilliant eyes, and wiped the few tears he’d shed from his own. “No, I will not have it,” Hades refused, with a rare smile, “I forbid you from apologising.”
“But, I-“
Refusing to suffer his protestations, Hades found the courage to silence him with a kiss. The other man tensed, a little noise of surprise muffled against his lips, but soon relaxed. He felt the ache in his heart lessen, overpowered by bliss and relief. It was slow, at first - soft, Hades gently savouring the feel of his lips, the taste on his tongue. He’d held onto memories of Hythlodaeus for so very long, but the smaller details had been lost over time. He would just have to learn them again, starting with every detail of how it felt to kiss him.
Unfortunately, Hythlodaeus lacked the patience for such an approach. He easily took control, turning the kiss into something more forceful and desperate.
A hand reached up, grasping his soft, white hair. Hades moaned into the kiss as the other man’s tongue pressed inside his mouth, distracting him as Hythlodaeus began to push into his body, forcing him backwards until they hit the large, stone door.
“Mm, wait,” Hades murmured, as he pulled away. Hythlodaeus chased after him, stood on the tips of his toes to pepper his face with kisses. “Wait.” He repeated, a touch more assertive. With a quick snap, he placed an arcane lock on the door, and a silencing spell on the room’s walls. They would not be interrupted, nor overheard.
Hythlodaeus pouted silently, as he stared up into his eyes. After a brief pause, he could wait no longer, tugging Hades down by his robes to meet his lips once more. He hummed contentedly, pleased to continue, and thoughts came to him of what laid under those robes. Leaning one hand against the door, Hythlodaeus pressed his leg firmly between the other man’s thighs.
Hades groaned, feeling sudden twinges of arousal as he grinded against him without much thought, all the while a hand half-heartedly searched for the ties to his robes. Once located, Hythlodaeus pulled away to allow it his full attention, and the former Emet-Selch felt shamed by how badly he already missed the closeness. With a pleased grin upon those reddened lips, his robes slipped from his shoulders, and fell to the ground. A light flush spread over Hades’ features, as Hythlodaeus stood back to take in the sight of him. Shining amethyst eyes travelled down, until they came to a sudden halt. His brow furrowed, with a concerned frown.
“What? What’s wrong?” Hades asked, trying his utmost not to let his alarm affect his voice, his mind beginning to race with worry. Looking down, he could just about make out a large area of scar tissue on his abdomen. Though touching it didn’t quite hurt, it felt wrong; even looking at it gave a feeling that it was not meant to be seen. In his days fighting and conquering for Garlemald, he’d grown quite accustomed to gaining a new scar every now and then. And though those days had passed long ago enough for him to be unaccustomed to the sight, that was not the issue. It was clear this was no ordinary scar.
The longer Hades spent observing it - or, trying to, craning his neck and shifting his torso slightly to get a better look - the more it began to dawn on him what it was. The size, shape and placement began to look familiar, and along with that familiarity came the memory of the pain. White-hot, searing pain, puncturing his body exactly where this massive scar now sat. It was a remnant of how he’d died.
The thought was bittersweet. Though he’d never encountered something like this before, he had a feeling the damage ran far deeper than it appeared, and thus could not feasibly be removed. It would likely forever be a testament to the monumental pain Hades had suffered, as he fought to his dying gasp in the name of love; while simultaneously, a constant reminder of his failure. His heart weighed heavy with such thoughts, but as he glanced up at the man before him, he realised his failure did not need mark the end of their tale. Though it had not played out as he had expected, nor on the scale he had wanted, at the very least, he had Hythlodaeus. His treasured friend, and so much more, would not be stood before him were it not for the events that led them there.
Hythlodaeus tilted his head slightly, a puzzled look on his face, “Well, that’s… new! I have never seen anything quite like it, but that being said, I have never known anyone to leave the aetherial sea before, as we did. Do you suppose I have one too?”
Hades struggled to voice a response. He knew the answer for a fact, and sooner or later Hythlodaeus would discover it not to be a side effect of their return; thus he would question its origin, and… what then? His companion would learn everything eventually, but Hades had not expected it would be so soon. It was not as if he was ashamed, nor did he regret his part in events. But, it was undeniable that during this brief time where he knew nothing of his past, Hades felt free. The truth was that he had enjoyed it, how for a time, none of the events of the last few centuries mattered, and the two of them could just be together as they used to. And… he did not wish to see this time come to an end, before it had to.
Thankfully, Hythlodaeus seemed to pick up on his feelings in some form. He wore a comforting smile, as he extended a hand towards the scar, “May I…?”
Hesitantly, Hades nodded. As the other man made contact with the lightest of touches, he shuddered. Still, it was not painful, just strange. Gentle fingertips trailed along the edge of the darkened flesh at a slow pace, and the more he continued, the more Hades adjusted to the sensation.
“Hmm… A bit different, but still undoubtedly you.”
Hades breathed a small sigh of relief. He eased his head back to rest against the door, letting his eyes close. As the soft touches along his abdomen continued, Hythlodaeus moved closer, hovering just above Hades, resting his weight on the door. Close enough to just about feel the other man’s breath upon his skin.
As Hythlodaeus gently seized his neck with a series of soft kisses, his roaming hand drifted further south, dipping beneath his waistband. Hades tensed up, letting out a shaky breath. He peered down at the man through half lidded eyes.
Hythlodaeus craved this, but it went further than that. With the tremendous misery and suffering of the first Final Days still in his recent memory, he needed it; the closeness, the calm, to hold, and be held, and know that the worst has passed. Secure in the knowledge that they are together, and nothing will come between them again.
For Hades, however, it was almost too much, too soon. He had spent hundreds upon hundreds of years dreaming of this - of him, imagining their eventual reunion; while in the farthest reaches of his mind, as centuries passed, doubting it would ever come. Now that it had, it was moving so fast. Hardly had he the time to comprehend the implications of the day's events, before Hythlodaeus was upon him, and he was breathing in the familiar scent that he had somehow never forgotten.
He was just a touch overwhelmed, but there was still more to come. As Hythlodaeus reached into his smallclothes, heat flooded his face, colouring it an embarrassed shade of crimson, and he realised this body was different from what he’d grown accustomed to. It brought him a small amount of relief when he remembered that the other man had never known him to be any other way, and what he found came as no surprise. However, if Sylvie were to see him… Well, if they ever were intimate again, it simply could not be like this, he thought.
Whether he was aware of his partner's mind wandering, or not, Hythlodaeus did not allow it for long. Hades choked on a gasp as slender digits slipped inside, aided by how utterly soaked he was with arousal. Skilful fingers worked to coax out his cock, and even leaning against the door, it became harder and harder to keep himself stood up. He used his own hands to steady himself on the other man’s shoulders, attempting to be gentle at first, but quickly being left no choice but to grip him tight.
“Oh, Hades,” Hythlodaeus spoke in a low, sultry tone, “I knew you were pleased to see me, but goodness, I didn’t expect this… You’re practically dripping…”
“I-I… I don’t…” Hades struggled to speak, not that he was even sure of what he was trying to say, as his body shuddered with the pleasure delivered by just those few fingers. He couldn’t help but feel it was shameful. He had been a ruler, a conqueror, an emperor, one of the most powerful beings in existence; and here, he had been reduced to a stuttering, quivering mess. But, at the very least, in that private moment, free from expectations, there was no pressure to be anything more.
From there, few words were exchanged between the two, aside from a bit of sweet talk from Hythlodaeus, every now and then. He lifted Hades against the door, his legs wrapped around his waist as he buried himself inside the former Ascian. A feeling new and old for Hades, with both his original body and lost love returned to him. Strange, exciting, frightening, a mess of feelings, whilst the anxiety of their situation still loomed in the back of his mind. But, it wasn’t long before they were all replaced with blissful, all-encompassing pleasure; holding on tight as Hythlodaeus thrusted into him, again and again, easily finding that perfect spot that made him see stars.
Hades was blind to how long it had been when his peak finally came. It could have been a few minutes, or an hour, and he wouldn’t have known. His mind went blank, every nerve in his body alight with pleasure, letting out the most obscene moans, as his orgasm spilled over his abdomen. He panted for breath, riding the high of it while Hythlodaeus continued, his pace fast and erratic, as he neared his own release.
Hythlodaeus stilled as he finished, whimpering Hades’ name, his face buried in the crook of his neck. Bare chests pressed together, hot from exertion, hearts racing in sync. The two were still as they caught their breath, save for Hythlodaeus’ legs trembling slightly beneath him.
“You, ah… You can put me down, now.” Hades mumbled, voice ever so slightly hoarse. Though, a part of him wished to remain held in Hythlodaeus’ arms, despite how his legs had begun to ache.
The smaller of the two lifted his head, his loose hair sticking slightly to sweat soaked skin. “Ah… Right, of course.” His bright, lavender eyes were wild, with pupils blown wide as he stared up at Hades, for whom his effortless beauty was among the most exquisite sights he’d witnessed in years beyond counting. He unhooked his legs, letting out a little gasp as Hythlodaeus’ length slipped out. “Can you stand alright?” He asked, gently setting the other man down.
Hades rolled his eyes, “Of course I can, do you really think I- oh, fuck,” Having underestimated just how numb and weak his legs would feel, he stumbled forward, lucky that Hythlodaeus was ready to catch him.
Though he looked very amused, he refrained from teasing, “How about we just sit, for a moment?”
With no suitable surfaces within reach, the stone floor would have to do, for now. It would be uncomfortable, but circumstances left little choice. Hades sighed, wishing the pair had thought a bit more, perhaps even pulled themselves apart for long enough to reach the actual bed at the other end of the room.
He sat leaned back against the door, atop where their robes had fallen, allowing some barrier between him and the floor. Hythlodaeus pulled up his podea, before joining Hades. He nestled close, the blazing heat of his own soft skin enough to keep Hades from feeling too cold. A slender hand reached up, threading through stark white hair to tug the man down for a kiss. Sweet and gentle, in contrast to the frantic desperation not long ago.
Hades’ eyelids soon grew heavy, tiredness creeping in after the events of a long day. A brief rest here could do little harm, he thought. Resting his head against Hythlodaeus’ shoulder, their fingers entwined upon his lap, Hades thought that in spite of all the discomfort, there was nowhere else he would rather be.