"When you ask me so, how can I refuse?" Though one might think Hythlodaeus's words joking, his voice is quiet and affectionate more than anything, the humour there only as part of his usual demeanour - a reminder of stability, perhaps. He holds his friend a little tighter; as far as he can tell, it's needed. He'd never heard Hades's voice crack before, even at his most emotional moments.

"... You know, I've never had the chance to hold you like this before. It's quite nice," he adds after a short while. It's both a truth and a further attempt to comfort his friend.