[It is with no small shock to see Lahabrea himself on his knees before Themis in this manner of his own volition. The emotion plays across that youthful face, deepening when he hears the emotion, the tone with which the older man speaks. The words themselves prick moisture into his eyes - he knows them to be truth, but hearing them spoken aloud is a different experience altogether.

Then Hephaistos presses his face to Themis's hand and he melts inside. A warm surge, welling up from within. But those crimson eyes remain turned away.

That will not do.

Carefully, as if he were touching the most precious and delicate of treasures, Themis brings his other hand to tilt Lahabrea's gaze up. Over. For red to meet blue.]

I will continue to treasure both with every ounce of will I have within me.

[His voice is thick with emotion. Gratitude, love, a thousand other things passing deep within those eyes and conveyed with voice. But all follow the same truth - Themis cared for them both so, so very much.]

Erichthonios is a wonder, and I promise to continue as I have. As I always will when it comes to him - to protect, to encourage, to love-

[He cuts himself off to lean down - and that is something rare, to lean down to the older man - and press their foreheads together. He cradles Lahabrea's face in his hands.]

But for you, too, I do the same. I love you dearly, and that will not change.