#v: the battle of falling stars || pallas au

[masteryoftheseas]

@takenamiss asked: [GRAB] The sender gently grabs the receiver's face and pulls them close. (Asteria to Pallas - AU)

"You should have been there, my falling stars. The volcanic eruption, perfectly timed. Lava engulfing the enemy. Although sad because the volcano was doing all the work for me," Pallas laughed before he noticed Asteria inching closer to him. He frowned, not because of her presence but curious as he watched her grow more bold with her affections after he proclaimed his love for her. It would take time for her to reciprocate; he couldn't force her to admit the same so quickly.

But then he cracked a smile, admiring her beauty before he spoke again. "Does all of this talk stir a fire in you as well? Should I bring-" Pallas was suddenly caught off as Asteria grabbed his face and pressed a kiss to his lips. His hands rested on her waist, fingers digging into her flesh. His lips followed hers for a few more moments before he removed himself. He smirked at her, enjoying the boldness of his wife.

"I'm definitely rubbing off on you. In a good way," Pallas chuckled as his thumb rubbed along her bottom lip. "Now, what was I talking about? Before you distracted me, you temptress!" He teased her.

[masteryoftheseas]

Pallas learned Asteria wasn't an affectionate person while he was passionate and intense. He could be tender: his mother, brothers and Metis knew that side of him. He tried with his wife, show her he was capable of tenderness but he felt rejected. His dirty hand deserved rejection but after cleaning it? A simple gesture of understanding still passed on? He needed more from her.

His fingers curled in a fist and he placed it behind his back. He straightened his posture and pursed his lips, listening to her. "Fine. Back door next time. Or I keep everything on my training grounds and if that is the case, we will have to expand them. Add a washroom for these busy servants." He expected that standard of avoidance but her bluntness caught him off guard as he continued. He sighed as she looked away from him. Against better judgement, he lifted the same hand and gently pinched her chin. He slowly guided her back to his eyesight and sighed once more.

"I know. I planned to marry another but I gave up my love for you." Pallas confessed, pursing his lips again in shame as he thought he should have kept that to himself. "Sure, we don't have to like each other but it would make this marriage easier. We are still newlyweds and luckily immortal. We have an eternity to like each other. Perhaps even love each other." His brow arched at that last statement. He was curious if Asteria was even capable of love. True love. Romance. Passion. Was it hiding deep down? Or forbade such notions from her clinical and logical father?

"We may be at odds now but I am more serious than you believe. I am committed to this...to you. And any children we have."

Dark orbs followed his movements. Gaze gliding over his bloodied fingers. A brow raising at the mere suggestion of touching it. Asteria was trained. She was no stranger to battle. In fact, she was quite skilled with a bow. Her father made sure his daughters were not meek and helpless, even when he thought more highly of an academic form of education. That didn’t mean she enjoyed the messes of war. The spilling of ichor. The wastefulness of injuries.

She watched him pull the cloth from the table. Satisfied her dishes did not follow their ways onto the floor. That certainly would’ve caused a heated argument.

And then she watched him extend his hand again. Pallas claimed not to be a beast but as far as she was concerned he didn’t differ much from her other beast-like cousins. Iapetus sons. She had never liked them.

“Common ground in you making a mess in places I cannot see it and you making sure it is cleaned by our servants shortly after said mess has been made.” she commented. “You and I both know we don’t compliment each other. Our domains are not aligned. We have never liked each other.” she paused, gaze averting now. “We do not have to like each other but you have to take our marriage seriously. You agreed on it.”

[masteryoftheseas]

@takenamiss

"I'm pregnant." She didn't dance around the news like some others would. It was urgent to inform him. After so many tries and failures it felt like it was urgent. Pallas had expressed his desire to have a family on many occasions. Asteria simply had the desire to fulfill her duties. Something she felt like she had been failing at for the longest of times. To share that she had been successful was not only good news when it concerned their legacy, but also certainly fed her pride and ego. "Rhea says it is strong. Permanent, so to say. Congratulations."

Pallas was clueless to his wife's request; she wasn't exactly one for grand gestures or surprises but still, they had a lot to learn about each other. He hoped he could influence her to shed some of her reserved skin. She didn't have to join him during his battles but at least not look at him in disgust he came back from work before leaving it all behind him. Passion...something they lacked but perhaps could develop over time.

Asteria was straight forward and he preferred this from her especially with the announcement she made. He was lost in a blissful daze, hardly paying attention to her other words. I'm pregnant: it was the news he was impatiently waiting for.

An elated smile grew upon his lips and he stepped closer to Asteria before wrapping his arms around her. He pressed her close to him, kissing the top of her head sweetly. His father tried to dissuade him from emotions but two simple words held so much power over him. He desired a family of his own and now, he would have it. His eyes began to water and while his father's voice told him to stop, he let his emotions take control. This was a happy occasion, worthy of emotion and sentiment.

"I'm proud of you. Us. I swore to you we would do this and we did." Pallas finally replied, kissing her forehead. "We will have to send something to Rhea. Thank her for her help and blessing." He added before backing away from Asteria a little bit. He released her but only to place a hand on her cheek and the other on her stomach. His eyes glistened in happiness and watery tears and he still smiled. "I...uh...did I already tell you how proud of you I am?" He cheered.

[masteryoftheseas]

While Pallas was initially unimpressed with his match, started to learn she could challenge him. Stand up for herself in a unique brand of fierceness. He thought of her as dispassionate and monotonous but she wouldn't let any offense on his part go. Maybe he could try getting more reactions out of her, shred the strict tight skin she wore. And who better than the titan of warcraft and battle?

His lips curled, smirking even deeper and he was about to open his mouth for another snide comment, but he stopped before he could even start. For once, Asteria made him a loss for words. While he accepted the arrangement, he didn't treat his marriage seriously. Surely he had not sought out a mistress nor planned on fathering bastards, but he needed more from her. Openness. Vulnerability. If they were to spend eternity together, he needed to get to know her on a deeper level. Maybe then they could bond and respect one another outside of spouses but as friends. Maybe even lovers?

Pallas presented a hand to Asteria, hoping she would expect it and he could hold her there for a moment. But then he peered down at his hand, covered in a mixture of mortal blood and golden ichor. He huffed before finding a table cloth dressing a small table. In one swift movement, he pulled off the cloth without the items on top falling and breaking. More mess would only annoy his wife more.

He quickly wiped his hand clean and dropped the dirty cloth on top of his armor. At least the mess he started would stay in one place...to be eventually disposed of. The titan moved closer to Asteria, leaving little space between them. He once again offered his hand, waiting for her response. "I know neither of us are what we envisioned as consorts. We are oil and water but maybe we can find a common ground here. I'm not the easiest person to be around but I'm not a beast. At least to those who matter." He added as his tone softened along with his smirk.

She flinched subtly at the loud thud she already expected before metal hit marble. Darks orbs followed the objects descend - disdain apparent on her features. Asteria would've preferred it if the servants would be allowed to do their job. To immediately grab the dirty equipment and get rid of it. Clean her floors. Make irony stench of blood disappear from her halls.

"You should." she agreed, eyes returning sharply to meet his gaze. Asteria wasn't very demanding. At least she thought so herself. She did not have many expectations of him. Pallas was Pallas, after all. She knew who she married. He always tried to kick against other's shins. For the fun of it, she presumed. It had always seemed petty. Childlike. Throwing tantrums like one big baby. At least that was how it came across to someone as poised as she was.

"I am grateful you at least have managed to learn how to clean after yourself. I hope that is not a false statement, that is." She sucked in a breath, chest heaving heavily as if to rid herself of the pending frustration. "And you should stop jesting. Our marriage is not a joke. I suggest you stop insulting me and take it more seriously."

[masteryoftheseas]

Pallas smirked again and bowed his head in mocking respect as Asteria clarified the ownership of their living situation. He hardly cared for the design and its details: all he required was separate sleeping chambers, rooms for family if needed and enough space to train. Thankfully, his requests were fulfilled. He hardly received his way or his opinion respected back at the Southern Palace and with Asteria graciously accepting his terms for their home, perhaps he should try to keep it as she hoped. Tidy.

But keeping tidy as a god of war juxtaposed cleanliness and Asteria needed to know that. At least messes could be cleaned. Better to bring bloody armor through their front door than an army or butchered bodies.

"Is that the only thing you would enjoy watching me do?" Pallas snickered as he stepped closer to his wife. He dropped his armor and weapons to the floor, a loud crash rang through the halls. Servants rushed into the entry room but Pallas shooed them away. "How little you must think of me if you don't trust I will replace damages. But alas, you did work diligently on building a home suitable for us both and as your husband, I should respect it as much. I can't hold any promises you will have a tidy home at all times but at least I will clean up after myself. Now...does that meet up with your standards, my falling star?" A term of endearment he would say in teasing manner but this time, a hint of earnest charm weaseled its way in his tone.

She tried to be patient, knowing very well that he wasn't like her. Asteria preferred things to be tidy; space and order to have a clean space to think proper thoughts. To work. To study. Mess only got in the way of that. She was sure her uncle would agree with her on these matters and wondered where in her husband's education things had gone terribly wrong. Wouldn't it be better to have a steady space to strategize? Blood and scattered armory clearly were not the most harmonious of things. And it certainly did not go well with her furniture..

"Our home." she corrected sharply. Chaos, he truly was insufferable. "I would enjoy watching you make the attempt. Any damage you will personally replace. I have taken great care in selecting nice materials for the entire construction and you will not ruin it all with your carelessness. Avoid that and perhaps I can tolerate spending more time with you, indeed."