Home Sweet Home

[Andraste]

The palace of the Grand Count was ornate and elaborate as always. She spent most of her time between Korriban, Lothal or here nowadays. The prince usually stayed here, and she only trusted the finest and closest caretakers to look after him while she was gone. She had been away to retrieve Serie back, and it ended with the destruction of the Jedi temple on Jedha. In the end, Andraste got what she wanted and the Jedi had another blow against them.

Holonet news was covering the incident everywhere, and it became galactic wide news that the Jedi and Sith were at open war. Andraste was exhausted from being away, and she wanted nothing more than to see her son. As far as her knowledge went, all of her husbands were away on duty, and it would just be the two of them in her chambers in the palace.

She was still adorned in her trademark black dress, the hems sweeping the floor behind her. Exhaustion was clear on her face, and she pushed the doors open and made her way inside. She was greeted by a group of handmaidens, and they immediately got to work to prepare a bath for her.

Before that, Andraste decided to make her way deeper into her chambers to find her son. Her thoughts were far away from the incident on Jedha and the war, and she was concerned with nothing more than seeing his tiny face again.​

 

[Siris Drast]

Despite with what was happening with the Black Hand, Siris thought it was time for him to come "home". It was time for him to finally see his son, Elix. He had been building up in his head the entire time, wondering how he would react, wondering how Elix would react despite that he was barely old enough to form words or do anything else pretty much. Siris kept the mask back at Abafar, not having any trust for it in the vicinity of his family and remembering the pain Alais inflicted on him and it when she visited. He wasn't going to let the mask have another chance in trying to disrupt things again.

Flying and landing at the palace of Serenno, Siris stepped out of the ship as his gaze went to the massive structure in front of him. He couldn't help the little scoff that came out of him, remembering where he and she started back on the apartment on Alderaan. Times were changing and the palace was a very clear reminder of that happening. Siris had heard of the news on Jedha, his wife planning to retrieve Seerie Fond and bringing the Will of the Empress to do it. She wouldn't be at the palace and Siris would take the time to meet his son.

By the time Alais had entered the chambers and proceeding deeper to find her son, she would find Elix and Siris on the couch in front of a massive window that overlooked the beauty that Serenno offered. Siris was knocked out on the couch, one of his legs over the side of it with one of his arms behind his head. It was one of the rare times that he was completely out, Alais' footsteps not even rattling him out of his slumber. It's been a long time since he could just sleep peacefully without worry. One of the things that helped him sleep was Elix, his small little body laying flat on Siris' chest as he went up and down with his breathing.

Elix was just like his father, knocked out and showing no hint of waking up. Their son was sprawling out on his chest, one of his tiny hands resting in his father's beard. Siris had his arm lightly laying on top of Elix, making sure that he wasn't able to roll over and fall off of him but both showed no intention of moving from their spot. Both were breathing softly and they didn't even flutter when Alais neared them.

 

[Andraste]

To say that she was surprised would be a huge understatement. Andraste paused at the door, her jaw growing slack at the disarming sight of Siris fast asleep and their baby also out right atop him. The sun was just setting over the horizon, the golden light bathing them both as they laid on the ornate sofa. Andraste couldn’t help but simply watch for a moment, observing the way they both looked so peaceful.

There was no Eternal there, and no husband to the Empress. It was simply a man with his son, and they were both in peaceful slumber. Andraste thought of all the choices she made and the world she brought them into. For all the dark that existed, these were the precious little moments that made it all worth it. Things had been more strained between her and Siris with the Eternal taking over more and more. However, all of that was long forgotten as she took in sight of them both.

Andraste finally moved forth and walked up from behind where Siris lay, leaning down to kiss the top of his forehead, “I didn’t know you’d be coming,” She murmured softly before placing another kiss and moving over to crouch down on the ground to the side of them. Andraste smiled as the baby stirred a little, his tiny fingers curling to clutch his father’s beard. She traced a finger over the small hand, “When did you arrive?”

 

[Siris Drast]

Feeling something press against the top of his forehead, Siris' eyes fluttered open and revealed the silver seas they still contained. He found Alais standing right over him, a small smile touching his lips at the sight of his wife. "Thought I'd surprise you." He murmured back softly as she planted another kiss before moving to the side and crouching down near them. Feeling the weight on his chest, Siris looked down and found Elix still fast asleep despite stirring for a little bit as he grabbed harder onto Siris' beard. "Seems he's taking his sleeping habits from you." Siris murmured again with a soft chuckle, knowing how well Alais could sleep through most things unless it was an earthquake.

Siris sat his head up slightly on the pillow, making it easier for him to look at her without disturbing Elix. "A few hours ago. We played for a little bit before we both crashed." Reaching out his hand, Siris' thumb traced along Alais' chin and up her cheek slightly, "How are you doing?" The exhaustion was evident across Alais' face and he presumed she just got back from Jedha. Siris' thumb then went to her lip, tugging the bottom one down slightly before a small smirk came to him, "There's room for one more." He suggested before silently and softly scooting over to the side for her. The couch was huge despite the Sith Lord's large frame.

Elix stirred a little more before finally waking up, his round eyes opening wide and revealing the same silver that his father had. He let out a few grunts before glancing between the two of them as a disproportionate smile came and he slapped Siris' chest lightly. "Hey, little soldier," Siris grabbed onto the sides of Elix, lifting him up in the air and back down a few times as their son let out a few short guttural laughs at the rush. Placing him back down on his chest, there was no crying or anything else like that, Elix completely calmed with the presence of Siris and nestling back into his neck and fingering with his beard. "Easy this time," He muttered softly to his son, recalling on how he liked to yank it on and find amusement in Siris' pain.

 

[Andraste]

“Was falling asleep part of the surprise plan?” She chuckled softly, watching her son quietly for a moment as Siris traced a thumb along her face. It was a familiar and affectionate gesture, and it reminded her of the countless little moments they shared between them. As he moved over and made room, she didn’t hesitate to get up on the sofa, snuggling into him so his arm wrapped around her.

“The Jedha temple is destroyed,” Andraste muttered, her fingers now lightly grazing against Elix’s head and the light hair there. The baby blinked and looked around curiously, his vivid silver eyes much more prominent now than ever. He was a spitting image of his father in that regard, and Andraste had to recall the little quip Siris made about him having her sleeping habits. Her thoughts lingered back on the temple, “I didn’t go in with the intention of destroying it actually…then a Jedi did something exceptionally stupid and I thought why not,” She shrugged, surprised at herself at how nonchalant this all was.

Elix wiggled around, now trying to sit up on Siris’ chest. Once he managed that, he decided to make little fists and use his father’s chest as a drum. He even cooed and sang to himself, repeatedly slamming his tiny little fists down on Siris’ chest. Andraste simply observed this for a moment, “Did you actually change his diaper yourself?” She eyed him curiously. She always made a point of reminding Siris that he was never present enough for the child. A part of her wondered if he used up all his spare time on his mistress, or if he truly were that occupied with the Black Hand.

For a long moment she said nothing, simply laying against Siris and watching their son have the time of his life using his father as an instrument. After a while, she tilted her head to look at Siris, her golden eyes meeting silver ones that matched, but didn’t have the gaze of wonder, that her son’s had, “Do you still love me the same way you used to?” Did things change since she became an Empress? Had they become more cordial? How much of his personality was Eternal now compared to the Siris she once knew?

 

[Siris Drast]

"No it wasn't, me and Elix were just having too much fun." Siris' arm went around her, acting on natural instinct as he drew her in closer against his hard figure. Siris' gaze mostly remained on Elix, watching as Alais' fingers went through their son's hair while also telling him what happened on Jedha. He wasn't surprised by the outcome, it was one of the few outcomes that could have happened with her flagship there and parked. Bringing his gaze over to Alais, he arched his eyebrow slightly about not having the intention for it before she filled in on why it occurred and he understood now. Bringing his gaze back to the ceiling, "That's what always happens doesn't it? They do something stupid and we show much it really was." Siris remembered how she was made, the Jedi banning her from the order and one of the stupidest mistakes they ever committed.

Hearing Elix attempt his singing, Siris looked back down at him with a smirk on his face as his son continued beating his chest in trying to make some sort of beat for himself. It always amazed Siris how much Elix didn't have to worry about while is mother tries building an empire and his father tries to build something born within the shadows. The only thing Elix was worried about was trying to make a beat and match it with his singing and it made Siris happy that that was the only on their son's mind. Hearing her question, Siris looked back towards Alais, "It was hazardous at first but yes, I did." He caught her underlying point and it hurt him slightly.

Hearing her second question, Siris eyes stared right back towards her, a questioning look in them as he wondered why she was asking this question. Things have changed between them and Siris had thought about it constantly, remembering back in their apartment on Alderaan when they would just lay on the couch together and talk for hours about random things. Now here they were, together as a family and talking about the destruction of temples. But one thing hadn't changed through it all and that was his love for her. "Yes, I do. With all my heart and whatever else I could offer." Siris' arm pulled her in tighter against him as he brought his gaze back to the ceiling, "But we would be lying by saying nothing has changed between us."

Siris lifted his hand from the arm that was already around her, his index finger slowly tracing up and down her side, from ribs to her hip. His eyes went to the bracelet that he still wore that she crafted from him, the image of both of them sitting at the pink table and her telling him what it was for. Such time had passed from that little ice cream shop and it was difficult to grasp all that has happened between them. Elix didn't seem to pay any attention to this, now grabbing at the fabric of Siris' shirt and giving it sharp little tugs to occupy his time.

 

[Andraste]

She didn’t quite know herself why she asked him that. Perhaps it was the way she missed him now, and she began to yearn for the man she knew so long ago. Her own hand absentmindedly traced along his jawline, and her eyes remained on his. Andraste had so many things she wanted to say, but she none of the words came. What could she ask of him? To give up the Eternal? To stop being a Sith Lord? Was she beginning to regret marrying others that were in positions of power?

“Would it be selfish of me to want you to be nothing more than just a father to Elix?” Andraste couldn’t even get the question out without a sad smile on her lips. It was impossible. Years ago, Siris held no real power, no real direction that was tied with the rise of an empire. Today he was one of the most feared beings in the galaxy and he commanded forces that could inspire fear across worlds. Yet none of that mattered as she watched the way Elix happily slammed his fists on him or tugged at his beard painfully.

Elix decided he had enough time with his father and began to crawl over to Andraste. Naturally, he didn’t care how he did it, and he practically crawled directly above Siris’ face to get to her. Andraste simply laughed and scooped the baby to herself, kissing the top of his head. She peeked up at Siris, “I don’t want these moments to continue to be once every blue moon.”

 

[Siris Drast]

Siris could see the battle playing across her eyes, making him wonder what caused this and what she was actually battling about. He closed his eyes for a moment as her hand traced along his jaw before opening them again and once more greeted by her yellow eyes. When she asked him if it was selfish just for him to be Elix's father, Siris paused for a moment, just staring into her eyes for a few moments before finally answering. "I don't think it's selfish. But we both know that it can't happen." Siris would have liked nothing more then just to be a father with Elix but only if Alais could just be his mother and wife as well.

Siris saw the sad smile form and he leaned his head down softly, giving her a gentle kiss as he pressed his forehead to hers. "Not anymore," He muttered softly, her being the Empress and him the Eternal being the biggest obstacles in their way. He felt Elix tug his beard once more and lowered his gaze on his son, arching his eyebrow at him but Elix didn't seem to care. Siris closed his eyes as Elix crawled along his face, having the utmost determination now to be with his mother. Siris chuckled softly at the moment once his face was safely away from Elix's tiny hands and feet.

With Elix now in Alais' arms, Siris turned on his side to face her, their son nestled comfortably between both of them. His hand came up to Elix, rubbing the knuckle of this thumb against his cheek before looking back to Alais. "They won't be for long, I promise." Siris paused for a moment as his eyes went to their child, a small smirk coming to his lips before looking back at Alais. "I still feel it in my mind, it writhing in the back of my mind." Sighing softly for a moment, he spoke again, "I just need a firmer control over it. I'm making progress and soon we'll all be together more."