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“Less like a goth?” Hermes prompted.

“I want to surprise Persephone,” Hades said.

“We could swap outfits,” Hermes suggested. “That wouldreallysurprise her.”

Hades glared.

“Fine,” Hermes huffed and then stalked over to him. “Stand still!”

He placed a hand on his chin and then made a circle around Hades, assessing him from head to toe.

“What are you looking at?” Hades asked, growing impatient.

“Shh,” Hermes ordered, waving his hands back and forth. “You are interrupting my genius.”

Hades rolled his eyes.

“I saw that,” Hermes snapped. “Do you want my help or not?”

Hades crossed his arms over his chest.

“Put your arms down!”

Hades let out a frustrated breath and put his arms at his sides, fists clenched.

“Unclench your fists!”

“If you tell me what to do one more time, I—”

“Undress!” Hermes declared.

“What?”

“You asked me to dress you for your engagement party,” he said. “So undress.”

“I didn’t ask you to dress me,” Hades said. “I asked you to help me choose something to wear.”

“And the outfit I chose requires that I dress you.”

“Then pick another outfit.”

“No.”

They stared at each other for a long moment, and then Hades gave a frustrated sigh. It was a common occurrence when he was around Hermes. He straightened and then shoved off his jacket.

“Oh, we’re doing it the mortal way,” Hermes said, grinning.

Hades paused as he started to unbutton his shirt. He thought using magic would make it seem like he was too eager, but Hermes was making him feel like he was performing a striptease.

“Fuck it,” Hades said and snapped his fingers, naked except for a pair of underwear.

“Hmm,” said Hermes, and a swath of dark fabric appeared in his hands. “Briefs. Who knew?”

Hades tensed as Hermes draped the fabric over his left shoulder and then proceeded to wrap it around him in the style of a traditional himation, keeping part of his chest exposed.

“I could have done this on my own,” Hades commented as Hermes smoothed his hands down the front and back of the garment.

“Probably, but would it have looked as good?” Hermes asked, pushing him toward the mirror, and when Hades saw his reflection, he couldn’t disagree. The fabric was the color of the night sky, and the edges were trimmed in silver, as if they’d been dipped in the brightness of the stars.