[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.
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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.