Markers and Liquors [Pt.2]

Leaving the shop, Asmodeus scanned around to see an abundance of people spread out through the street and traveling. Looking around he couldn't see signs of Aster being near, but then again that little bastard was good at staying undetected, even from him someone like him.

However, there was always this one method that he could use when it came to finding people like Aster, and it was one of the oldest methods in the book.

"Asy where are you?!"

Asmodeus cuffed his hands around his mouth and called out, "Aster, Aster I know your around here somewhere! Stop hiding!" he then went over to some stranger and walking up to him he attracted the attention of a few people which he then said for them to hear.

"Has anyone seen a foreign kid around here? He has tanned skin and mixed hair, he has this moody aura to him too and he looks grumpy!"

Asmodeus said to a group of strangers, "Sorry, I haven't any idea" one of the people said, "Same here" another stated "I think I saw someone like that walking west of here" some lady then said and turning to her Asmodeus was about to thank her and be off, but then some man spoke "No, look over there, I think that's him next to Rena's tailory?" he said pointing to the left side of Rena's building belonging to another shop and looking closely to where the man pointed, Asmodeus saw him.

Wearing what was similar to traditional Chinese clothing, and holding some cheap booze in his hand, something was off about Aster.

And looking at Aster something was different!

With sharp red eyes and mixed brown and black hair, Aster was now a whole 5 feet in height and smaller than he had been the last time Asmodeus saw him, and his height wasn't all that changed about him, he looked more refined and charming, his appearance changed a bit and looking at him, it was as if Asmodeus was looking at a Young Saint, completely different from the once warrior like form he took on the last time he saw him.

Turning back around Asmodeus bowed.

"Thank you very much, sir!"

Running off and going over to Aster.

"Hey I didn't see you over here Aster?" looking at Aster, Aster ignored him as his eyes were closed and he didn't even bother opening them for him, "haha, I feel blind for not seeing you~" meddling his way closer he then paused and spoke out as he was confused to why Aster didn't respond when calling him, "Wait, but why didn't you respond?" he asked curiously.

Because he knew Aster heard him???

Barely opening his eyes Aster looked to Asmodeus talking to him and as he did he saw a short young male with misty purple hair reaching down to his back and tied into a ponytail, blue eyes cold as ice and deadly in gaze as the Arctic Sea, tanned skin similar to his but lighter and closer to resembling olivy skin, and then that damn smile that irritated Aster so very much.

looking down to the empty bottle of booze he finished not so long ago, he bent over and then raised it up pressing the empty bottle hard against Asmodeus's chest and taking a step over to him.

"Shut up and buy me something to drink" he wasn't in the mood to continue listening to Asmodeus talk and if he had to listen and stick around while in this form he was going to have to not be sober to do all that.

"Are you drunk, Asy?"

"No" maybe.

Looking to Aster.

"But you promised me"

And looking back to Asmodeus he didn't care for such a promise, something was wrong with his body and he didn't feel like listening to this shit when it was clear that he didn't even want to be here.

But then again, there was always another battle, another war, and ever growing conflict, so fuck it, looking to Asmodeus he chose to just go along with today.

"Please" he couldn't believe he was about to say this to HIM, "I'm broke and just need one spot" seriously he wants to punch himself in the gut for just asking, but it was too worth the disdain, "I promise that I'll sober up before the festival" that was more or less the truth he promised...

Looking at him he wasn't pleading, he was asking and promising and while looking at Aster as he did such, he puffed his checks pouting and pondering if what Aster said he was going to keep.

But then he thought of something and the more he contemplated, the more it fluctuated, and the more he saw something other than just Aster wanting to drown himself in liquor.

Looking back at his son and crossing his arms.

"It's a promise. Don't break it"

Cracking what looked to be a curve at his mouth, "I won't" he surprised the living hell out of Asmodeus and it brought him to some conclusions and also some gratification as he felt and saw the slightest bit of happiness come from Aster.

"I'll be right back"

Leaning back against the building as he was mentally tapping out at the moment, he watched as Asmodeus walked over to one of those alcohol stands that were set up close by on the other side of the street, and as he walked past some town statue that boy turned from a mere boy into a man wearing a green cloak.

The man in question was rather handsome and his looks could only be compared to the gods.

This was Asmodeus's primitive form.

He didn't mind it but he preferred his original form.

. . . . .

Taking out his coin pouch, ordering and handing the man in red behind the stall a gold piece, Asmodeus came back handing over 4 luxurious liquors to Aster.

"Happy now?"

"Very happy"

"Good. Don't forget you promised you'd be sober before nightfall, the sun's coming down so you have 2 hours before the festival"

"Mm-hm" looking over towards the sun's greatness, he looked to its overall greatness and wondered if he should tell Asmodeus that the sun would be coming down in half an hour and not 2 hours...

He just decided to keep it to himself.

And looking over to these God-given gifts from heaven he popped open the cork to one and started drinking up, not holding back his desire to devour this drink and savor each and every sip.

Asmodeus watched as he may have just supported a bad habit. And Aster downed himself in a whole 2 bottles of the luxurious liquor before finally turning his attention to Asmodeus who watched with question(?).

"Asmodeus try this! It's the best stuff I've ever had~"

Looking at Aster and frowning...

'he looks like he doesn't like me drinking?' Aster came to a stop and rubbed the glass bottle against his cheek.

"Suit yourself, this shit is amazing~"

And looking at him even more, Asmodeus sighed.

"Fine. Gimme some"

Handing over an untouched bottle, Asmodeus awkwardly took a sip of it and nothing changed about his expression, he didn't enjoy drinking anymore ever since his younger days with his family.

However he noticed that it brightened Aster's mood and looking at his son, he saw a faint smile and it reminded him so much of his elder sister Mahiru hiragi.

"Good right~," he said with a flushed face, he couldn't deny it if anyone asked if he was drunk, because he knew he was and he didn't have the strength to not, not admit to it.

Yeah... "Now, what did you want to do again? You wanted to walk around right? Okay, let's go! I'll lead the way this time hahaha" he was hammered.

"Aster shouldn't we go after finishing these? It's not appropriate for kids to go around drinking in public more or less in general. Especially with you being drunk and all?"

"Good thing we're both adults~ let's go!"

Grabbing Asmodeus by the hand the roles had switched as Aster had become the reckless kid and Asmodus was forced into acting more mature.

"But–" Asmodeus was cut off as he was pulled along.

"Now shut up and drink!" Aster yelled.

"let's get hammered and have some real fun!" HE ROARED.