I will arrive at your home shortly. If you are elsewhere, please inform me of your location.
I look forward to your smile.
[Themis is thankfully not busy, but even if he had been, he would have finished up quickly to attend to Lahabrea. Making his way over to Lahabrea's home, he considers the text, and ultimately does not bother to knock. He lets himself inside and begins his search for Lahabrea.]
['My smile?' Lahabrea couldn't help but huff at that last bit, despite the fact that he was smiling from ear to ear. While he is slightly concerned about the implications of this conversation, Hephaistos is overjoyed at the opportunity to speak privately with Themis. Despite knowing his son has taken a liking to Themis, he didn't expect the boy to suddenly ask to marry him. This comes as a bit of a shock, but a welcomed one since Erichthonios certainly could've done worse. However, this is quite a development.
When he heard the knock on the door, he felt a pang of worry. What shall he say? Lahabrea never imagined such a day would arrive. However, the vast majority of parents are woefully underprepared. Perhaps it was naivety on his part, but Lahabrea couldn't help but think of Erichthonios as a child at times. After all, that's his son. No matter how big Erichthonios grows, he'll always be the chubby little bundle of joy Athena placed in his arms.
He takes a deep breath once he sees Elidibus, taking a moment to calm himself before speaking.]
[Themis does not answer Hephaistos at first. His countenance instead seems to soften, almost melting slightly, and he strides over to the far taller man. It is good that Erich told Lahabrea of their engagement - he had hoped it would happen, and that it was so soon spoke to the warder's eagerness. In truth, Elidibus knows that to their people this development was quite fast. When you are immortal, things take time, drag out, as the years slip by.
But after everything, after all of them suddenly had no time at all.
Well.
He fully believes he can be excused for a touch of hastiness.
Speaking of hastiness, he reaches up to pull Hephaistos down to him, kissing him soundly before any further words are exchanged. Let that be a sign of how he feels for the older man, and how naught has changed between them. This is a time only for happiness, and he is determined to have both. Finishing that, he lets go and smiles brightly, as if he'd done nothing.]
Am I to receive words from our dearest Speaker on the subject? Our relationship, quiet as it was, has been steadily progressing for some time now - since shortly after the events that brought us all together in the first place.
[Just as Lahabrea was ready to offer his congrats, he is hushed with a kiss. Only Themis has the privilege of yanking down the Speaker of the Convocation for a passionate kiss. There are few who can afford such indulgences and live to tell the tale. Nonetheless, Lahabrea's demeanor shifts from stiff formalities to something far more relaxed and familiar. He kisses Themis with every fiber of his being, fully memorizing every curve of his lips. A part of him couldn't help but wonder whether this would be their last kiss, but happily, Elidibus is quick to dismiss such nagging thoughts before they can take root.]
Yes, you are.
[ He replies gently, slowly sliding on his knees before Themis. Their awkward little height gap makes things awkward, but Lahabrea intends to balance the metaphorical plain field. This is not the first time Themis has witnessed Hephiastos on his knees, but it will be the first time Hephiastos has spoken so earnestly. ]
There is no one else I would trust with my heart, let alone with my son, other than you, Themis. You have protected Erichthonius when I could not, willing to let him find solace in your comfort.
[He takes Elidibus' hand and tenderly nuzzles the pale knuckles against his cheek, all while averting the youth’s gaze.]
While some may condemn me for not seeing the flaw in allowing a colleague to marry my only child, I can't help but be pleased at the prospect of Erichthonios not being alone when my time here ends.
[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.
[Lahabrea finds solace in knowing that his son will not be alone whenever he dies. While he doesn't typically show his heart on his sleeve, he does care deeply about his son. He wants Erichthonios to prosper and have a happy life alongside Themis. That is a far happier fate than the one that awaits him at the end of the world. This is why, as a father, Lahabrea is pleased that his son will have the opportunity for happiness.
But what about himself? What makes Lahabrea happy? Despite its simplicity, the question is somewhat difficult to answer. Fortunately, Lahabrea does not have to think about the response right now. Instead, he looks at the beautiful blue eyes before him with awe.]
You shouldn't waste your love upon this old vessel, [He whispers while nuzzling his forehead against Themis’.] But I shall accept your love all the same.
You have done much to earn my trust, Themis, and as such, I bestow my blessings on you. My only wish is that I could live up to your expectations.
It is no waste. [Said firmly, before gentling.] In time, you shall see so.
[He sounds certain of that fact. And he is. He will convince Lahabrea eventually of how deserving the older man is of love, regardless of his age. If anything the many years he spent without make him even more deserving of it - and Themis has nothing if not time and love to spare. After everything, they both deserve this.
A moment to enjoy this intimate closeness, before he smiles at the mention of trust.]
Your blessings are welcome - though know that I would have been willing to perform any great feat to earn them. That you give them freely warms me from within.
[Though he chuckles now, a rich sound, fond.]
What expectations I could have had have been long since surpassed. Maintained. You have set aflame your forge within my heart, Hephaistos, it will take much and more for such a thing to be snuffed out. An impossibility as long as I exist, in fact.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Text: un:@Emissary -> Action
I look forward to your smile.
[Themis is thankfully not busy, but even if he had been, he would have finished up quickly to attend to Lahabrea. Making his way over to Lahabrea's home, he considers the text, and ultimately does not bother to knock. He lets himself inside and begins his search for Lahabrea.]
[action]
When he heard the knock on the door, he felt a pang of worry. What shall he say? Lahabrea never imagined such a day would arrive. However, the vast majority of parents are woefully underprepared. Perhaps it was naivety on his part, but Lahabrea couldn't help but think of Erichthonios as a child at times. After all, that's his son. No matter how big Erichthonios grows, he'll always be the chubby little bundle of joy Athena placed in his arms.
He takes a deep breath once he sees Elidibus, taking a moment to calm himself before speaking.]
I've heard the news.
no subject
But after everything, after all of them suddenly had no time at all.
Well.
He fully believes he can be excused for a touch of hastiness.
Speaking of hastiness, he reaches up to pull Hephaistos down to him, kissing him soundly before any further words are exchanged. Let that be a sign of how he feels for the older man, and how naught has changed between them. This is a time only for happiness, and he is determined to have both. Finishing that, he lets go and smiles brightly, as if he'd done nothing.]
Am I to receive words from our dearest Speaker on the subject? Our relationship, quiet as it was, has been steadily progressing for some time now - since shortly after the events that brought us all together in the first place.
I admit that we did attempt to be discreet.
no subject
Yes, you are.
[ He replies gently, slowly sliding on his knees before Themis. Their awkward little height gap makes things awkward, but Lahabrea intends to balance the metaphorical plain field. This is not the first time Themis has witnessed Hephiastos on his knees, but it will be the first time Hephiastos has spoken so earnestly. ]
There is no one else I would trust with my heart, let alone with my son, other than you, Themis. You have protected Erichthonius when I could not, willing to let him find solace in your comfort.
[He takes Elidibus' hand and tenderly nuzzles the pale knuckles against his cheek, all while averting the youth’s gaze.]
While some may condemn me for not seeing the flaw in allowing a colleague to marry my only child, I can't help but be pleased at the prospect of Erichthonios not being alone when my time here ends.
no subject
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.
no subject
But what about himself? What makes Lahabrea happy? Despite its simplicity, the question is somewhat difficult to answer. Fortunately, Lahabrea does not have to think about the response right now. Instead, he looks at the beautiful blue eyes before him with awe.]
You shouldn't waste your love upon this old vessel, [He whispers while nuzzling his forehead against Themis’.] But I shall accept your love all the same.
You have done much to earn my trust, Themis, and as such, I bestow my blessings on you. My only wish is that I could live up to your expectations.
no subject
[He sounds certain of that fact. And he is. He will convince Lahabrea eventually of how deserving the older man is of love, regardless of his age. If anything the many years he spent without make him even more deserving of it - and Themis has nothing if not time and love to spare. After everything, they both deserve this.
A moment to enjoy this intimate closeness, before he smiles at the mention of trust.]
Your blessings are welcome - though know that I would have been willing to perform any great feat to earn them. That you give them freely warms me from within.
[Though he chuckles now, a rich sound, fond.]
What expectations I could have had have been long since surpassed. Maintained. You have set aflame your forge within my heart, Hephaistos, it will take much and more for such a thing to be snuffed out. An impossibility as long as I exist, in fact.