dear_mun | (no subject)

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(no subject)

...this is a terrible idea.

I'm used to it here; the darkness doesn't bother me, the silence is now comforting, the chill something I bear without notice. But you! You want to send me back. You want me to follow him into the light and then tear me from him for your own amusement - oh, yes. You call them "games" for good reason, despite your nonchalance. The subject matter shouldn't be taken lightly.

I am not your muse. You should rethink this.

[OOC: content warning - ~~possible~~ sexual situations in thread with golden_lyre]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It doesn't. But I don't place any blame on you; Hades would have ensured I stayed, one way or another.

I have thought that from time to time, but...

I could never be certain.

Oh, my beloved. You were certain. [Her smile is forgiven.] You didn't trust him, or you wouldn't have turned.

In that moment I didn't trust him at all.

Since then, I have been less sure. You were there, after all.

Perhaps that was his intent. Aphrodite says my tale is a tragic one - I don't believe he ever truly meant for you to succeed.

And I wish it were otherwise, for I've missed you so terribly.

He needn't have put so much effort into it. Enough other things have made me doubt myself since then.

And I have missed you every moment.

Orpheus, you mustn't. How often does Hades relent? There are always caveats on his goodwill - and I'm used to it here, now.

I won't wish you were with me; I couldn't bear to cut your life short to satisfy my own desires.

That is not all I have doubted of.

And I am far past the point where my life could be called short.

...I did wonder at your beard. Your hair is different, too.

[She reaches for him, hesitant, unsure if he'll accept her palm to his cheek.]

How long have I been gone? Time doesn't pass here in the same way it does above.

It's the fashion. The hair at least. The beard would have happened soon enough regardless.

[At this point, he could not make himself pull away from her touch.]

It's been...centuries. I've lost count.

Centuries! No, that's not possible! [Distressed, she cups his face with both hands.] How cruel to leave you alone for so long when it barely feels more than a season.

[His eyes close, and he leans into her touch with a sigh, hands fluttering hesitantly up to her elbows, barely touching them, as though he's worried she might slip between his fingers.]

It has been such a long time, my love.

[She does, but only to slide her hands over his jaw and entwine her arms about his neck. Tiptoes let her be as close as height allows and she hugs him with all her might.

She's cool to the touch, but slowly warming.]

I fear this is only an interlude. Others I've spoken with have intimated that this place is but temporary, and I am not in the Underworld, but nor am I anywhere else. Will you unburden your sorrows while you can? Even closed, I can't bear the sadness in your eyes.

[His whole frame relaxes as her arms twine around him, and he finally folds her into his embrace. His breath stutters slightly.]

I'm sure you're right, and I...don't know how I can unburden sorrows that will only be worse when you're gone again.

Beloved, why else did we choose one another if not to provide shelter from the storm? [His arms feel hot to her chilled skin, but the more he holds her, the more alive she feels.] You are my husband and my love - my life. I've no desire to cause you further pain; I seek only to ease it.

[He shifts to lean his cheek against her hair with a soft exhale.]

You ease all of my by your presence, and if you wish me to release all of the centuries that have passed, I will do so as much as I am able. You need only ask.

I ask only if it will truly ease you. [Her lips find his cheek, up by his ear, soft and cool against that hint of rough from his beard - new, but not unlikeable.] Or you could play for me. I have no music without you.

[Her request brings a smile to his face even as he feels his heart constricting in his chest.]

If I play, will you dance?

With all the joy I possess, and for as long as you wish.

I would wish you to dance forever, if only so I may keep you always in my sight.

And when I wish to be in your arms, beloved? What then?

Then you have only to ask. I would gladly give up my wish for yours.

Play for me, and we'll let the dance take us where it wills.

[Nodding, he presses a kiss to her temple and disentangles himself to find his instrument. It, like so much about him, has changed over the centuries, and where it once was a clearly divine lyre, it is now a guitar whose only hint at supernatural ability is the faint golden gleam of the wood.]

What would you hear me play?

[Her skin warms under his lips, and her hair takes on a richer red tone. His presence is slowly removing the chill of the Underworld from her body and soul. Smiling up at him, she's about to ask him for the wind in the leaves and a carpet of flowers, when she notices he is most definitely not holding a lyre.]

Orpheus? What is that?

[Delicate fingers reach for the neck of the strange instrument.]