"Have you noticed that Lacerta has been acting… differently, lately?"

Astro looked up from the book he's been skimming through and turned towards Amber, who had just finished going through a few of her own notes. The two were doing a bit of research on dimensional portals, trying to figure out if they could narrow down the issue of the creatures from Tartarus slipping through the boundaries.

Seeing as Amber had been raised by Hekapoo and was well versed with dimensional travel, he figured her help and input on this would be pretty valuable.

"Has he? I don't think he's been acting all that differently to be honest." Lars seemed equally as hotheaded and hot blooded as ever. "Have you noticed something?"

Amber nodded. "I think so. It's nothing major, but… I think it has to do with Bergljot. He's been acting just a little differently ever since she's shown up."

Astro chuckled. "That? You know how competitive he can be. I mean they butt heads a little more often than he does with Scent, but I don't think it's anything to worry about," he said, closing the book and setting it back on the shelf. "Why, does it seem like it's bothering him?"

He knew how easy it could be to bruise Lars' ego. The first time he had lost to Scent he had thrown an absolute fit. He's learned how to better deal with it since then, but it wouldn't have surprised him if he'd had a bit of a relapse with Bergljot. She was strong, even by a god's standards.

Amber shook her head. "No, that's not what I mean. It's just… the two of them sort of act differently when they're together, don't you think? They seem a bit more lively. They're still bickering but it's a lot more… I don't know, playful," she said.

Astro raised an eyebrow. "Wait, are you trying to say Lacerta has gotten a thing for her?" he asked, looking slightly concerned. He had made it perfectly clear he didn't want him making any moves on her. She was a guest and ward in their home, and a member of the Norse pantheon. He didn't want him doing anything reckless and risking relations between them. "Has he been bothering her?"

"No," Amber said, sighing. "This isn't like how he was with Wisteria or Ravana. I think he really is sort of smitten with her. It's cute."

Astro looked genuinely confused. The idea of Lacerta being smitten was just so foreign to him. Lustful and horny, absolutely. He had threatened him about his loose ways more than a few times. He was not going to have any of his kids birthing bastards and have his grandkids go through what he did when he was younger.

But smitten? It was such a strange concept for him to wrap his head around. Lacerta took quite a bit after his grandfather, and Typhon hadn't really matured enough to settle down with a woman until he was a fair bit older. Typhon had told him that Lacerta would probably be the same way.

"Are you sure you're not just looking too much into things? No offense, but you weren't exactly the most observant when it came to noticing romantic interest," Astro said, unable to keep the smirk off of his face.

Amber scoffed and slapped his arm. "I'm not a teenager anymore! I notice things! And I'm not looking too much into it. Take a look," she said walking over towards the window. She gestured to him to come and see what she was talking about. Astro followed and looked down into the courtyard to see Lacerta and Bergljot.

It looked like Lacerta was giving her yet another flying lesson. Bergljot was moving side to side, probably doing an exercise to help her with maneuvering quickly in the air to avoid enemies to avoid enemies and attack. And Lacerta was hovering close by, his hands out slightly and looking ready to catch her if she lost her balance.

He was smirking and saying something to her, which she scowled and snapped at him about. For a moment it looked as if she was going to fall, but Lacerta reached out and caught her, laughing before she elbowed him in the chest. He coughed and then scowled back at her, but kept his hold on her.

He was being… gentle.

And it wasn't as if Lacerta had never been gentle before. When he would hold his younger siblings as infants, whenever he had played with Sear's hatchlings as a kid, or when he was given a challenge he needed to focus on, he could be gentle. But it was rare that he was so careful with other people.

Even with the King's Crew, he didn't really see the need to. They were tough. There was no need to coddle them or pull his punches, at least not physically. He had to have known Bergljot was just as tough, if not tougher than the others. So why in the world was he being so delicate right now?

"Oh shit, I think you're right…"

Amber looked at him curiously. "Why do you say that like it's concerning?" she asked.

Astro reached up and scratched his head. "I just… I'm not sure if we should be worried about this or not. If you really are right and those two are becoming close to one another it could really complicate things," he said.

"Oh c'mon," Amber said, rolling her eyes. "If those two like each other then that's just that, isn't it? It would certainly be more simple than whatever Dorado is dealing with."

"That's… true I guess. But that doesn't mean Lacerta's is simple either. A god and a titan together? That kind of thing would cause waves and rifts. Imagine how the pantheons would react? Imagine how some of the other titans would react? How would this affect our relationship with the Norse?"

"The Norse are one of the few pantheons that respect you. They might be weary, but they're blunt, forward, and honest. I don't think the pact you have will be broken just because those two started dating. And do you really think Thor would let it?" Amber asked. "Besides, I think Bergljot is good for him. And he's good for her too."

Astro hummed and looked back down at him. Now that he thought back, he had noticed just some subtle changes in Lacerta's behavior since Bergljot had become a regular member of the King's Crew. He wasn't bringing random girls around the castle anymore, and he seemed more… focused.

He had always been focused in a way, but now it was different. Like he had something to prove. Of course that could have been him trying to prove something to Astro rather than Bergljot. Ever since he had gotten on him about how they'd dealt with that attack a few months back Lacerta had seemed out to prove he was indeed the one to be considered as Astro's sole heir.

"You're not actually going to tell them that they can't be with those girls, are you?" Amber asked. "Because I wouldn't be able to go along with that. It wouldn't be fair."

Astro frowned. "I'd never do that…" Whoever any of his children wanted to be with, he would welcome with open arms. There was a time where Hody had kept trying to pry him and Maria apart, and he wasn't about to do the same to his own children. "But I can't pretend things won't be complicated either."

Amber reached up and cupped the side of his face. "Complicated relationships seem to be a Butterfly family tradition," she said before giving him a peck on the lips. "Whatever happens, I'm sure they'll figure it out."

Astro smiled back at her. "You know, I never would have thought out of all of the kids' relationships, Sagitta would be the easiest one to manage and keep track of."

Amber looked at him surprised. "Really? So are you finally coming around to her and Sandor being together?" she asked.

"Oh hell no. I'm still gonna gut that kid like a damn fish the moment he slips up," Astro said, glaring and balling his fist up. "But it's still hands down the easiest to understand out of all of them."

Amber clicked her tongue. "Right…"

"I do agree that Bergljot is probably having a positive effect on him though. His mind being on something other than the throne or one upping Dorado might give him some perspective," Astro said. "But I still don't want them getting… too friendly."

"Are you really under the impression that you could stop them if they wanted to take things that far? Because I think we both know there really isn't much any of us could do if they decided to-"

"Amber, he's my son and I die for him. But if he ends up having a kid out of wedlock AND creating a rift between us and the Norse, I'm gonna have to kill him. It will be my parental obligation as both his father, and that kid's grandfather," Astro said.

"I have never heard of any type of obligation or rule like that…"

"I'm the king. I can make up rules when I want to."

After they had finished up their research and put everything back, Amber had made her way down to the stables to go check on Ashe. Between her duties as Queen it was a bit difficult to always carve out time to see her. And though they had plenty of other creatures in the stable to keep her company, Amber still made sure to go and regularly see her trusted steed.

When she made her way inside however, she was surprised to see someone was already with him.

Bergljot smiled up at the Underworld Warnicorn, one hand stroking his mane while the other rubbed his nose gently. Amber rarely ever saw her look so relaxed and unguarded. It brought a smile to her face. "Hello."

The moment Bergljot heard her voice, her eyes went wide. She quickly turned around towards her, and then bowed slightly. "Queen Amber. It's a pleasure to see you as always," she said politely.

Amber nodded back towards her. "A pleasure to see you as well. And please, you don't always have to be so formal." The girl had lived here now, and despite how much she insisted on keeping up appearances, Amber and the others would have liked her to treat the place as if it were her own home.

Bergljot raised her head. "Yes ma'am. I'm sorry about bothering Ashe. I was just… making sure he was okay. I was passing by and heard something so-"

"You don't have to make up an excuse to come and see him, you know," Amber said, walking over and patting Ashe. He winnied and leaned down to nuzzle her face. "He really is something. When Queen Margo first showed him to me, I was in awe."

Bergljot looked back and forth between the two. She had seen Amber riding off on him once and had honestly been interested in the steed ever since. She had even taken him riding sometimes during the night. She knew she probably wasn't supposed to but… well, she couldn't help herself.

Besides, he wouldn't let anyone else besides her ride him, and she didn't seem to get much of a chance to. It just seemed like a shame to not have anyone taking him riding.

"He is something," Bergljot muttered.

Amber hummed, and they stood in silence for about a minute. Bergljot felt a bit awkward, and was about to excuse herself, when Amber spoke again. "You know, with how busy I am I'm not really able to go riding with him as much as I'd like," she admitted.

"Oh… I'm very sorry to hear that."

"You know, I'd hate to bother you with this, but if you wouldn't mind taking him riding in my place it would really help me up," Amber said. "Ashe can be very stubborn about who he allows to ride him, but I don't think he'll have any problems with you. You are a true warrior after all. And he seems to like you."

Bergljot blinked and then looked down to try and hide the smile spreading across her face. "I-It would be my honor Queen Amber. I'd be glad to help you out in any way," she said, trying and failing to hide how excited she was.

Amber bit back a laugh. For someone so intimidating and strong, she could be awfully childlike when it came to certain things. "I really appreciate it. Don't be shy about going riding whenever you'd like. I'm sure Ashe would love the fresh air and exercise," she said. "In fact, if you wanted to take her riding now, that'd be fine."

Bergljot's face lit up. She was used to midnight rides with Ashe, which she very much enjoyed. A moonlit ride through mewni was invigorating and fun. But something as simple as a time change for some reason made it even more fun to her. "I-if you don't mind."

"Of course not."

Bergljot nodded towards her and then opened Ashe's pen. Amber smiled as she watched her begin to saddle up Ashe, deciding not to tease her by questioning just why she was so comfortable and quick at doing it. She had known about her and Ashe's midnight rides for a while now, but she figured it was about time to just give her full access to her loyal friend.

Bergljot jumped on Ashe's back, and the Warnicorn grunted, ready to go charging off. Amber nodded as the two left, feeling happy with herself. She was very much related to Bergljot, and it wasn't hard to see why. A young girl in a strange new setting trying to fit in and find acceptance among her people. She could very much relate to that.

And maybe it was silly but… she thought she would very much like it if she and Lacerta really had started taking to one another.

Outside, Bergljot smiled as rode on Ashe, who galloped straight out of the courtyard and into the open fields of mewni. It really didn't matter where they went. Ashe could take them literally anywhere, and she often let him decide their destination and just enjoyed the ride. "Yo, what are you doing on Ashe?"

Bergljot looked up and saw Lacerta flying beside them. "Queen Amber has asked me to take Ash riding since she's busy," she said, with more than a little hint of pride in her voice.

"And he let you? Shit, he must be getting on in years if he thinks you're a worthy rider," Lacerta said snickering. Lacerta had honestly never tried to ride him himself. He never had the need to. He preferred to use his own two wings.

Ashe grunted and moved to the side, jabbing at him with his horn. Lacerta moved out of the way and scowled, and Bergljot smirked at him. "He's just fine. I've never seen any creature move this well," she said, patting Ashe, who winnied in response. "I bet you could beat you to the Spiderbite Kingdom."

"You must have lost your mind if you think that he could beat me!" Lacerta said, smirking right back at her. "Bring it on! Let's see if the old war horse can still go!"

Bergljot leaned down towards Ashe's ear. "Let's shut his big mouth up Ashe!"

The skeletal steed let out a loud winnie before speeding off, and Lacerta smirked before speeding after them.

A/N: Future AU one-shot of Astro and Amber noticing Lacerta and Bergljot getting a little closer. All the parents are a little more observant with some kids more than others. Mama Amber doesn't miss a thing when it comes to Lacerta, no matter how subtle it is. I also feel like she would be pretty close with Bergljot since she's in a kind of similar situation to what Amber was. And Bergljot probably has some fire based connection to her from being linked to Sol. Hope you guys enjoyed!