Chapter Text
Sunrise over Amaurot. It's a sight that Azem will never truly be tired of, even with all these years under her belt. The breeze curls her robes around her ankles, and she kicks her feet freely. Yes, she's not meant to be atop a skyscraper without a permit, but Hades will only yell at her.
Besides, she know how to fly.
The sky brightens, from gray to pale blue. Below her the aether of the city stirs; a million residents rising with the sun. A smile spreads across her face. Pale blue turns to pinks and purples, staining the early morning mist like watercolours to the page.
Birdsong echoes among stone and glass - even in an urban landscape, life continues on. Pigeons coo, crows caw, and a flock of squealing lorikeets take to the wing in search of nectar.
Finally, the sun makes it's appearance. Azem basks in it, taking off their black mask to fully soak it in. The mist slowly burns away below, the city's aether now humming with wakefulness. The world and its people as one.
Azem has travelled the world - been to every continent, walked with a dozen different cultures. But Amaurot remains home. And not just because it contains some of her favourite people, mind. Speak of the devil, her earpiece chimes.
“And when were you going to tell me you were back?” A very familiar voice grumbles in her ear. Azem grins.
“I sent you a message! Did you not check your phone yet?” More grumbling, then a clatter and the chiming of a comms device.
“You sent that message at three in the morning. I was asleep!” There's a note of frustration, but it's not meant sincerely. “And who put this on silent? I'm meant to be on-call for the next month.”
She chuckles. “Well, it's likely to be someone who you know, which is going to narrow it down a bit.” Hades lets out an aggrieved noise, and there's the soft thunk of a head hitting a marble countertop. There's a quiet moment where they're just quietly breathing. Then, the rustle of cloth.
“Good morning, darling Azem! Did you just get back?” Hythlodaeus coos, speaking over Hades' grumbling about someone putting his phone on silent.
“Mmm, a couple of hours ago. But I wanted to see the sunrise - sorry I haven't dropped by yet.” More rustling, and then the hiss of Hythlodaeus's battered coffee machine starting up. "By the way, did you really look for me when you woke up?"
A pause, and then Hades grumbles something about needing a shower, followed by footsteps.
"Ah, you've embarrassed him." Hythlodaeus picks up the phone, the sounds of the caffeination ritual continuing. “But we do miss you, every time you head out into the wide world.”
Azem closes her eyes, touching her hand to her heart. Warmth swells in her breast, and it is very hard to resist the urge to teleport directly to Hythlodaeus's apartment. She loves them both dearly.
“I miss you too. Both of you.” Home is where the heart is, after all. “Can I drop round for dinner?” Laughter curls through her ear and around her.
“Of course! You have to give us the scoop on where you've been, what you've seen!”