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Atlas felt as if something were definitely off with his spouse. Or perhaps not felt, but he knew there was something off with Astaroth.
Throughout the entire day, from the moment Atlas awoke from his fulfilling slumber, only to find the previous warmth beside him was nowhere to be found as he reached out to embrace Astaroth, only to be met with a cold, empty space. This was the first red flag raised.
The blonde decidedly hadn't pried into the reason behind his spouse's abrupt bequeath this morning, assuming he had only left for urgent duties and such. They were slaves to their positions as knights, after all.
However, much to Atlas' disappointment, the Scynthivian's uncharacteristic behaviors would not stop there. He could feel his gaze linger whenever near, however once caught sight of, Astaroth would act as if he weren't staring in the first place.
Slowly but surely, frustration began to build up in the Atlantean. He was now outrightly determined to figure out what in the world was wrong with his boyfriend.
After hours, and hours of avoidance. Their respective shifts finally ended, and Atlas decided he'd just occupy himself with reading a book. He wasn't a total fan of books, per se, but it was an valiant effort at a distraction.
Astaroth didn't wish to speak to him, nor interact with him? Fine! So be it. That bastard ought to have better things to do anyways.
A few beats of silence pass, he was barely at the second paragraph before letting out the umpteenth sigh of today. The blonde genuinely hates the fact he cannot help but miss the presence of the dragon.
And speak of the Patriarch, the front door resounds a click that immediately registers in Atlas' earshot. Almost as if on autopilot, his gaze fixes onto the man who stood at the door. Steep crimson meets sky blue, and Atlas' throat nearly goes dry for a second.
Astaroth hadn't made much of an expression as he let himself into the home, closing the door behind him with yet another quiet click of the doorknob. The tension was awfully thick, or that was at least how Atlas felt.
A scowl tugs at the blonde's lips, ignoring the raven's presence outright as his focus resurfaces onto the book he held.
Still, the Scynthivian approaches. And with only a few swift movements, he carefully takes Atlas' wrist into his hands and moves it to the side before the Atlantean could even protest.
Languidly, he maneuvers himself over Atlas, before settling comfortably over the blonde's lap. And ferevently, he wraps his arms around Atlas, burying his head into the Atlantean's shoulder.
This was definitely the last thing Atlas expected, however, the clinginess Astaroth was currently expressing is a stark contrast to his neglectful demeanor not too long ago. And despite the inner turmoil stirring up inside of Atlas at this very moment, he could not find it in himself to complain.
Because, yes. He did miss Astaroth. He ought the push Astaroth off of him, away from him. Be angry with him. Which is what any self-respecting person would do.
However, Atlas is but a weak man, weak to the whims of his own heart.
Astaroth speaks, "Atlas?" His words come out muffled, due to his rather cozied up position on the blonde's shoulder. However, the Atlantean responds nonetheless.
"What in the world are you doing?" Atlas snarkily replies, and despite his hostile tone, he made no move to shove the Scynthivian off of him. Still, he only set his book down atop the nearest drawer. His arms now moving to envelope Astaroth just the same.
"Would you still love me if I was a worm?" Asks Astaroth.
Atlas snorts at the ridiculous predicament, was that the thing Astaroth had been sulking over for the entire day?
"Forget the 'if', you are a worm." States Atlas.
A few beats of silence pass, and Astaroth's head moves to press a kiss to the crane of Atlas' neck before speaking.
"But.. you love me, right?" The Scynthivian asks as if to search for consolation.
To which, solace, he receives.
"Out with your foolish hypotheticals." Responds Atlas as his hold on Astaroth tightens by the slightest.
And perhaps that alone, was enough for Astaroth to know he was truly loved by the Atlantean.