@never-surrender continues (x)

Perhaps Perses was too nonchalant about the events that had caused his scars. Too trained to focus on survival. The victory over those out to hurt and kill him. Each of them had taught him important lessons, but he would never allow them to break him. He would still go out there. It was never the cause of why he doubted what he was doing with his life.

When they first became intimate, Perses had wondered what Aubrey would think of his scars. Whether they would put her off. Instead, she had reacted with compassion and sorrow for him. And in a way, he should not have been surprised by it. “We can both keep our opinions on them,” he offered as a compromised, fingers brushing through her hair. As her lips connected with an old gunshot wound on his shoulder, a soft sigh escaped him. “I’m glad, too. I’m glad to be here with you.”

@takenamiss asked: "Hey, don't be rude! I'm being serious here!" -Asteria to Perses

“I have no doubt that you are!” Perses would deny how much the condescending tone in his voice resembled his father. Dark eyes scrutinized his wife while his face remained stoic. He didn’t feel affronted by her statement. Asteria was free to have her opinions and to share them with him. But that would not mean that he agreed with them. Neither did it mean that he would cave in. Still, most times, their arguments were civil. More like academic disputes than lover’s quarrels. Some would say passionless. At least when Perses compared them to the fights Pallas had with Styx. Or he had with some of his paramours.

“Please, enlighten me, Asteria. Which of my words were rude to you?”

@takenamiss asked: ❛  no matter what i do, it's never enough.  ❜ (Asteria to Perses)

“To whom? Me?” He hadn’t raised his voice. The questions were asked in a neutral tone, not revealing any underlying opinion the Titan had about his wife’s statement. But Perses didn’t appreciate it when she was passive-aggressive with him. He had been truthful about her from the beginning, and while it could be considered unkind. Wasn’t that better than him sleeping around behind her back. He was loyal to her where it counted. He didn’t have any other children besides Hecate. She had his support when she required it. But there was a part of his he couldn’t give to her.

@never-surrender asked: [ wounded ] sender patches up receiver's wounds (perses / aubrey)

“It’s not so bad, Jagiya!” Perses muttered. He could tell from the frown on Aubrey’s face that she wasn’t happy with the state he’d come home in. His men had warned him. Told him to go to the hospital first, but it was only a scratch. The bullet had barely even hit him, and the hospital would’ve been legally obliged to call the police. And then he would’ve had to deal with a cover story and bribes when there was no need for it. Nothing, a bit of alcohol and band-aid couldn’t fix. “I’ve had much worse.” He added, immediately regretting the dismissive tone he had used. With a sigh, he put his finger under her chin to lift her head up so she had no choice but to look at him. “Are you mad at me? I’ll promise to be more cautious next time.”

@masteryoftheseas (EURYBIA) gets PERSES

“She doesn’t speak of it, but I know Asteria blames me,” Perses commented in a calm tone. His face was expressionless not betraying what he thought about it. His marriage to Asteria had been arranged by his mother and Phoebe, and he had agreed to quiet down his father. Put some pressure away from Pallas and Astraeus. From the perceived shame of his older brother marrying one of Oceanus’ and Tethys’ daughters. To give Astraeus a chance to marry for love. It was only fitting that he would come to his mother for advice. Everyone expected them to produce an heir. Asteria more than anyone else. She considered it her duty, and Perses had no argument against it. Not that he minded sharing her bed. She was a bit shy. Some would call her cold, but the Titaness was beautiful and not opposed to making their time together more than a task. But even after all these months of marriage, they had not managed to procreate. “Although I’m not sure whether she blames it on my affairs or my domain.” He was the god of destruction. Creation from destruction was a complicated thing. “I would ask aunt Rhea for help, but she seems occupied at the moment.” His aunt and the king seemed in a dispute, and he didn’t want to involve more people than necessary.

@takenamiss (ASTERIA) gets PERSES

During her pregnancy, Perses had spent more time with Asteria. Had even shared his chambers, and when he had come home from his duties, he had found her sleeping in his bed, causing him to be as quiet as possible to not wake her. Still, she had opened her eyes, and he had sat down on the side of the bed, cupping her cheek gently.

“My apologies. I didn’t want to wake you.” His dark eyes moved from her face over her figure under the blanket, settling on her growing belly. “How are you feeling?”

@never-surrender (AUBREY) gets PERSES

They had done everything the wrong way around. Their arranged marriage did not lend itself to a more traditional courtship. Not that Perses had thought that he would miss it. Or that he would want their relationship to be more than the business exchange it had been. But his thoughts on the matter had changed the closer he and Aubrey had grown. The more she had wormed herself into his heart. And after everything they had gone through together – the attempt on his life, her confession that her father and brother had asked her to spy on him – he wanted to restart their relationship. Wanted to take her out on a proper date. A new experience for him as well. He had taken out women before, but it had always been more of a formality. Foreplay, in a sense. For his wife, he wanted to make the occasion special.

Asking her had not been the problem. And his heart had skipped a beat when she had agreed. Finding the right venue and planning the evening after their dinner had not been a problem either. After all, he knew her well enough by now. Still, now that the day had come and he was waiting for her to get ready, Perses couldn’t help but feel nervous. The moment he heard her footsteps coming down the stairs, he all but jumped to his feet and looked up at her, swallowing thickly. Words had left him for a moment at the sight of her. “Wow!” He cleared his throat. “You look great!” Perses held his hand out for her, kissing hers as she took it. “Are you ready to go?”