"I didn't—it—it matters to whether it's rude. Not to whether it's—common, or allowed, or expected."

"Oh. Fair enough, I guess. Just. ... Okay so I legitimately thought you two were together when I first met you!"

"So it was you who pushed him to, to... to say those things."

"... Sort of??? I think 'pushing' is the wrong way to phrase it?? I didn't make him or pressure him and I don't know what he said, mind, I wasn't there, I just. Expressed my incredulity."

"In...credulity."

"... You seemed very together!!!!!! You two regularly get into cute killing contests that seemed very much like flirting!! I really did just think you were boyfriends!"

"...ah. I see. And he... liked the aesthetic. Or the idea. And wanted to make it true." Sigh.

"... No I think he actually just likes you!"

"I... mean, yes, he, he might. But with Zagreus, those things are... often the same thing."

"I, don't, I'm. Not the person to be talking to about any of this. And I'm hiding under the bed, do I seem super up for debating someone else's relationship status?"

She sounds a little despairing.

"Sorry. I sensed someone here and I thought it would be him. I will leave you alone."

"It's fine I don't actually want to be alone alone I just." Whine. "I am so tired of having hard conversations. There have been so many."

"...I could take you with me to work again, if you want."

"Mmmm work sounds hard too, then I'd have to figure out if I can steal anyone from you? ... Can I come with you and you go dramatically look out onto the river Styx in perfect silence or something? While I hide inside your hood? ... Would that be keeping you from work??? It's fine if the answer is no, but. ... I would like a better hiding spot than under Zagreus's bed."

"I can... take a short break. 'Dramatically looking out onto the river Styx in perfect silence'."

"Awesome. My plan had been to be a quiet shoulder buddy to Zagreus while he ransacked things but then he flirted with me and brought out a rose from Aphrodite to get her attention because apparently it was topical, and. ... Yeah."

Flicker flicker, here is a very dense little bundle of starscape! Hiding in his hood.

Guh-dong and he is now at his usual spot, watching the river.

Yaaaay! Company! Without the difficult talking bits! It's a little boring but she can amuse herself with working on her new Chthonic form.

"... Do you mind if I play music?" she requests, after a little while.

"Do what you will."

"Okay. Let me know if it's terrible and you hate it, and I'll stop or change it to something you like better," she snorts.

And then! Music. Composing it is soothing. And she gained such practice at it when she was distracting herself from the horrific battlefield of death with him earlier!

He does not react in any way to the music and continues staring at the river flowing beneath the balcony.

That's fine. He's here, and she has reassurance that she's definitely not alone anymore. She just wants company. Quiet, uncomplicated company.

Thanatos can be two of those things but probably Aphrodite is right that uncomplicated he is not.

Okay, yes, but he's not being complicated right now. He's keeping her company. Which counts as 'uncomplicated' for her needs.

"... Hey Thanatos?" she says, after some length of time and a satisfying musical conclusion to the latest piece she was working on. "Thanks. I realize I hadn't said it, but. I appreciate this."

"...mm. You're welcome."