[He curls his fingers around his core, his soul, digging in. And with a careful but sharp tug --- he wants it to sting as he believes Hythlodeaus will like that better --- he pulls out a part of his soul, glimmering and gleaming.]
[He hisses through his teeth, but the way his fingers curl into Hades don't seem to be objecting the sting.
Honestly if there's a soul that can be eager to be a fragment in Hades's fingers it has to be Hythlodaeus's. Certainly the tiny piece Hades holds is more than delighted to glow and glitter in his hand, absolutely clinging to him instead of yearning to return to Hythlodaeus.
If Hythlodaeus had any shame he might be embarrassed about that but he doesn't so.]
[He kisses the top of his head as he wraps the pieces of Hythlodaeus' soul in a crystal. Lavender. Just like the color of his eyes. That and it goes well with his own dark purple crystal.]
And that is a lie is is not. You don't like everything.
[He wraps his fingers around Emet's core and leans his head on his shoulder, eyes half closing as his thumb strokes his innermost soul like he might stroke Emet's inner wrist. Gentle and rhythmic.]
I saw it, you know. Your soul shattering. Even I would hesitate after that.
[He curls his fingers around a piece of Emet's core, ever so gentle.]
Reminders aren't enough.
[He doesn't yank or rip or anything, but with precision he's carving out that piece, letting it sting in turn as he tugs his hand from Emet's soul to cradle that piece of soul.
His breathing may be a little fast but--okay it wasn't so bad. Emet's still whole, his aether surrounding them so thoroughly one could not mistake him for anything but.]
[He takes a deep breath and cradles that spark of soul to his chest, meeting Emet's eyes.
Normally he'd have something to say. He's rarely ever at a loss for words. But if he says anything, or tries, he'll just cry, he's sure of that.
Some things are better expressed other ways anyway.
He slides the hand not cradling a piece of Emet's soul into small hairs at the back of his neck and pulls him in, kissing his lips gently, but firmly. Keeping him close for a long time, just lingering where he can feel his breath.]
[Arms wrap around him. And then a second set. He closes in the world around them smaller and smaller until just the two of them exist whispering his name against his skin as if he could brand into into him.]
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