The house was peaceful when Aster returned. The golden-hour sunlight streamed lazily through the tall windows, and the scent of roasted garlic and something creamy wafted from the kitchen.
He followed the smell with quiet steps, setting his bag by the door.
Finn's soft giggles echoed from the dining table.
"Uncle, I want 'nother one—just tiny!"
Adrian chuckled under his breath, holding out a forkful of mashed potato. "You said that three spoons ago, Finn."
"But I'mma growing boy!"
Aster smiled despite himself. The ache in his chest—lingering from the encounter earlier—eased just a bit.
Adrian noticed him and glanced up. "Hey. You're back."
Aster nodded and gave a small wave toward Finn. "Hey, little monster."
Finn lit up. "Brother! You missed mash-taters! So yummy!"
"I'll get my share," Aster said as he passed, brushing his fingers lightly through Finn's hair. "You're getting heavier."
"Finn is taller too!" Finn said proudly.
Adrian jerked his head toward the hallway. "Want to talk in the study?"
The study was dimly lit, clean, and quiet—the kind of room that made you speak softer without meaning to.
Aster stood near the shelves while Adrian leaned casually against the desk.
"They were there," Aster said without preamble. "At the audition."
Adrian's brow lifted. "Who?"
"Two people I cut ties with recently. Evan—he was my former manager—and Lianne. She..." Aster hesitated. "She was someone I trusted. Almost a girlfriend... kind of."
Adrian said nothing, but his posture shifted—more attentive now.
Aster exhaled. "They've been trying to contact me for weeks. I stopped answering. Today was the first time I saw them in person again."
"Let me guess," Adrian said, voice dry. "They acted like nothing happened."
"Exactly. Evan said he was negotiating a new contract on my behalf—with a terrible agency I wouldn't touch now. Lianne was dramatic. Teary. Making it sound like I hurt her."
Adrian's voice was calm. "Do you think they're dangerous?"
Aster shook his head slowly. "Not in the way you're thinking. Just... manipulative. Self-serving. They used my trust before. I didn't see it then."
Adrian's gaze sharpened slightly. "Do you want me to step in?"
Aster looked up.
There was no threat in the offer. No pressure.
Just... a resource laid at his feet.
Aster considered it.
It would be easy to say yes.
Adrian could crush them in an instant. One call. One word. They'd never get work again.
But something in Aster resisted that.
He crossed his arms and leaned slightly against the bookcase. "No."
Adrian tilted his head. "No?"
"I want to handle it myself," Aster said. "This time... I can."
He didn't say more. Didn't have to.
This time, he has power. Support. A manager who believed in him. A contract that protected him.
He didn't want Adrian to fight his battles. Not when he could finally stand on his own.
Adrian studied him for a long moment.
Then, quietly, "That's rare."
"What is?"
"That look in your eyes," Adrian said. "Like you know what you're worth."
Aster blinked, caught off-guard.
He cleared his throat. "Well, I'm trying."
A small silence stretched between them.
Then Adrian straightened. "If you change your mind—"
"I'll let you know," Aster said with a faint smile. "But I'd like to try first. Besides, using you would be like dropping a bomb on a crack in the sidewalk."
Adrian gave a soft chuckle. "That's the second time you've compared me to heavy artillery."
"It fits."
Adrian smirked. "I don't mind being your nuclear option."
Aster laughed under his breath, feeling lighter now.
"I should go get Finn ready for bed," he said.
"He's already in the bath," Adrian said. "Apparently, the rubber duck is 'mean today.'"
Aster paused at the door and glanced back.
"Thanks for offering, though."
Adrian only nodded. "Anytime."
Later that night, Aster stood at Finn's bedside, brushing wet curls off the child's forehead.
Finn was already dozing, one little hand still gripping Aster's fingers.
Adrian leaned in the doorway, arms folded.
"You handled that well," he said quietly.
Aster didn't look up. "I don't want to owe more than I already do."
"You don't owe me anything."
Aster said nothing to that.
But in his chest, something clenched and softened at the same time.
Not because he was falling.
But because—for once—he didn't feel alone.