Astral was just finishing up in his workroom around four, wiping his hands off after setting the bucket down. He'd get the new shipment of soul substance sent out to Serna and Mother, and that would be it. He looked to the time, sighing some. He probably wouldn't be seeing Simon until dinner, which was a couple hours away…
Well, it usually was. What was stopping him from doing it right now? He wanted to see Simon, and it would be an excuse to get rid of two pesky souls who only seemed to get in his way.
So, instead of just waiting around like he had planned to, Astral made his way to the kitchen, humming to himself as he started to cook. He had just enough time to get the food on the table at four.
"DINNER!!"
Simon instantly sat up, startled by Astral’s yell. “Already? Shit!” He got up quickly, managing to fit the book into his hoodie pocket. With his friends in his hands he did his best to run out of the library. But he quickly realized he wouldn’t be able to, running out of air within 30 seconds. He was doing his best to direct his thoughts at Astral, trying to let the god know he was on his way. But he didn’t know if he was listening. It’d take him at least five minutes to finally reach the kitchen, breathing heavily when he finally arrived.
Leo was awake by now as Simon tried to run to the kitchen, clinging to Mia.
"He… he did this on purpose," Mia said, doing her very best not to shake. Astral was going to punish them, somehow, she just knew it.
Astral looked up as Simon finally came in, going over to him and cupping his cheeks.
"Woah, there. You shouldn't be running." He moved one hand to Simon's chest, letting some of his power slip in to help Simon catch his breath.
"You're late," the god noted.
“I-I’m sorry I got here as fast as I could. I didn’t know we were eating so soon.” He said, grateful for the air that flowed through his lungs more easily now.
"You should have asked," Astral pointed out. He hummed some, pulling his hand away once Simon was breathing properly.
"Hand them over." Astral held his hands out for Leo and Mia.
“W-what?” He stammered out in confusion, pulling the two of them closer to his chest. “I’m sorry that I was late but there’s nothing else I could’ve done. If I’d known we were eating so soon I would’ve been back sooner.” He protested.
"You never checked to see what time dinner would be," Astral challenged. "You just assumed you knew. That's not my fault, now is it? I told you to be back for dinner, but you weren't. You were too eager to get away from me." Astral kept his hands right where they were.
"You don't want me to forcibly take them from you, Simon."
Leo was already shaking, hiding his face in Mia's shirt and looking like he was about to cry. Mia tried to be upset, but… she knew in the end, if Astral didn't want Simon to have them, he would come up with any excuse he needed to to get rid of them. So, she just gently ran her fingers through Leo's hair, working to help him calm down. She had been through so much… she would help Leo through this.
Simon hesitated but he knew the god would do exactly as he threatened. He gently handed them over to Astral, wanting to apologize to them but knowing better than to do so. He kept his eyes focused on the ground, trying not to cry as Astral took them.
Astral looked down at the two for a moment, one hand going over them. Leo's sobs could only be heard for a moment before being cut off. When Astral took his hand away, the two were trinkets, just like so many other faceless souls. At least it seemed they would be kept together, Mia still holding Leo.
Astral put the two in his pocket, cupping Simon's cheeks for a moment.
"Let's eat, hm?"
Simon nodded silently. He couldn’t even bear to look at the two. If he’d been more careful….hell, if he’d never gone at all this wouldn’t have happened. “Thank you for making dinner..”
"You're welcome." Astral smiled softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Simon's head before leading him over to the table. It was a simple enough meal, but it was clear it was healthy. Astral wanted to make sure the baby was getting everything they needed. He pulled Simon's seat out for him, as if he was some form of gentleman.
"Make sure to eat everything, dear."
Simon sat down with another quiet nod, trying to be on his best behavior so nothing else bad would happen. He was tired, and so afraid of what would become of his friends. Would he ever even get to see them again? He tried to push the thought away but it was persistent, like gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe. He was absolutely miserable…but he couldn’t let it show.
Astral sat down next to Simon, starting to eat like nothing had happened. He didn't care about the two souls in his pocket- they were disposable at best, just things to make sure Simon didn't get too distressed. He'd give them back, after some alone time. He wanted time to… bond. Simon was either going to be with Astral and help raise this child as a couple, or be put away and replaced with someone more suitable for the job.
As long as Astral wasn’t talking to him, Simon let his mind wander during dinner as he ate. It helped distract from what he was eating and how much of it, and from anything else upsetting really. He finished what was on his plate, setting the fork down without a word.
Astral finished as well, picking Simon's plate up to put away. He hummed softly as he stepped back over, kissing the top of Simon's head before carefully picking him up.
"Thank you, dear."
Simon nodded in acknowledgment. “Y-You’re welcome.” He whispered. He of course didn’t want to be held but what choice did he have. He pulled the book out of his front pocket, holding it tight against his chest so it wouldn’t fall.
Astral rested his cheek against Simon's head, humming softly as he carried his 'lover's out to the living room. He sat down, Simon placed gently at his side.
Simon looked down at his lap, fidgeting with his hands. He wasn’t sure if Astral would want to talk to him but if not he was intending on just reading quietly.
Astral didn't look like he had any intent to speak with Simon. He put one arm gently around the mortal, just resting there with him. He looked to be doing whatever he could to act like they were just a normal, loving couple.
After another few minutes, Simon opened up his book, starting to read again. He leaned against Astral a bit more to avoid the risk of Astral feeling ignored.
Astral smiled softly as Simon leaned against him, starting to rub small circles against Simon's arm with his thumb. He looked content, head eventually resting on top of Simon's again.
Every time he moved, it wasn't hard to hear the sound of Mia and Leo shifting with him, clinking together.
Simon did his best to ignore the sound, and everything else really. As long as he focused on his book, he could pretend he was still in the library, with his friends. He’d pretend nothing had gone wrong and everyone was still safe. He’d continue to stay rather unresponsive like this as he read, ignoring anything that wasn’t important.
Astral spent most of the rest of the day like that, just holding Simon and giving him small gestures of affection. It had been a few hours of this before he moved, hand going to Simon's stomach. He smiled softly at the bulge, the area holding his very own flesh and blood child, leaning down to place a gentle kiss to it.
Simon tensed up just at Astral putting his hand on his stomach. And as soon as Astral kissed the small baby bump, Simon couldn’t help but flinch. His grip tightened on the book in his hands, trying to shut down everything bad he was feeling.
Astral ignored Simon's negative reactions for now. He started to hum, hand gently running over the baby bump as he sang for his child. There was so much love in his eyes, love for a child he should have never had. Not the way he did.
Simon forced himself to just ignore it all. Because as much as it hurt, it was also strange to see Astral like this. He didn’t have the desire to process all of that right now. Astral really had genuinely wanted a child. But he knew the second he showed that sympathy towards the god, it’d be used against him. There were so many other ways to get a child, and Astral had gone about it the wrong way.
For Astral, this was the only way. He had tried so much else, had been confident it had worked so many times… he hadn't truly thought this would work either.
The god rubbed small circles against Simon's stomach, resting his forehead there and closing his eyes as he continued to sing.
Simon just told himself that he’d have to get used to this, especially with Astral having his friends right now. He couldn’t risk their safety. But still, his discomfort was very clear.
Astral stayed like that for some time before finally pulling away. He leaned up then to press a gentle kiss to Simon's head.
"Thank you," he said softly.
Simon merely shrugged, not knowing how or if to express how uncomfortable the experience was for him. He didn’t want to anger the god. “You’re welcome I guess.”
