The camera lights were harsh, the scripts often ridiculous, and the hours never kind—but somehow, Aster still smiled through it all.
Commercial shoots. Variety show appearances. Game segments that involved balancing eggs on spoons while answering trivia about local street food. He didn't expect this version of his comeback to include bubble wrap obstacle courses and endorsement posters for vitamin drinks—but here he was, working.
And oddly enough, loving it.
His body ached from being stretched in too many directions, his cheeks sore from smiling too much, but deep inside, something that had long been dormant was stirring back to life.
He was acting. Even if just for commercials and gag skits. He was building himself again.
By the time he stepped into the house, the sun had already slipped behind the horizon. Warm lights spilled from the windows. Laughter echoed faintly from inside.
Home.
He didn't realize how good that word had started to feel.
Inside, Finn's giggles bounced off the high ceilings. Aster peeked into the living room and found the little boy riding on Adrian's back as if the tall man were a horse, tiny fists gripping the back of Adrian's shirt.
"Yaaahh!" Finn squealed. "Uncle! Go fasterrrr! You're too slow!"
Adrian made a dramatic groan. "You're heavy! You been sneakin' snacks, huh?"
"Nuh-uh!" Finn kicked his legs, laughing. "I'm light! Like bunny!"
Aster couldn't help the grin tugging at his lips.
Adrian turned at the sound of the door. "Well, well. Just in time, starboy."
Finn gasped. "Brother!!"
He scrambled down from Adrian's back with exaggerated care and ran, arms wide.
Aster knelt down with open arms, catching the little boy in a warm hug. "Hey, baby bun. Missed me?"
Finn nodded into his shoulder. "You looked funny on TV. You did da—da..." He tried to mimic one of Aster's dramatic expressions from the show.
Aster laughed. "Wow. I'm being impersonated by a four-year-old. Should I be worried?"
"Nooo! It was good funny! Like... a princess in a castle!"
"Ah," Adrian called from the kitchen. He ddoesn't even know how he got there. "Princess in a castle who almost fell into a cream pie."
"That was unscripted," Aster muttered.
Adrian reappeared holding a ladle. "Dinner's almost done. I'm just simmering the soup. You're just in time." Adrian gently blew the soup in the ladle and gestured it to Aster, "Come on, try it."
Aster raised a brow. "You cooked again?" He let Adrian feed him the soup. "Hmm.. it's good"
"Who else, Starboy?" Adrian smirked. "Dani left earlier. You're a very busy Superstar. I'm the only choice."
"Finn will cook!" Finn puffed his chest proudly.
"Finn is a little boy," Adrian corrected, ruffling Finn's hair. "Almost cried 'cause the banana in your lunchbox was spotty."
"B-but it was ugly banana!" Finn defended with a frown. "Looked like... Like... sick banana."
Aster tried not to laugh.
Adrian turned back to Aster, voice a little softer. "You okay? You look tired."
"Little bit," Aster admitted, shrugging off his coat. "It's been a long day."
"I'll talk to Jace," Adrian said, already heading to grab utensils. "Have him adjust your shoots. You've barely eaten on time this week. You're running on caffeine and charm."
"You saying I'm charming?" Aster teased, despite the tiredness.
Adrian gave him a once-over. "You're like a feral cat with long pretty lashes. It works."
Aster huffed out a laugh.
Then paused.
And without meaning to, stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Adrian from behind.
He hadn't meant to.
Didn't plan to.
But it felt... right.
Adrian froze only for a beat, then placed a hand over Aster's forearm, the other still holding the ladle
"You gonna cry on me again?" he asked lightly.
Aster let out a breath. "No. Don't get used to this."
Adrian leaned back slightly, kissed Aster's temple, then dropped smaller kisses down his cheek. "Careful. I might think you like me."
"You'd think wrong," Aster muttered, though his hands didn't move.
"I'm always right. Ask Finn."
"Uncle is always right!" Finn chimed in, climbing onto one of the chairs. "He even said the moon eats the sun on eclipse day!"
"...Okay, that one might need a correction," Adrian admitted.
Dinner was warm and full of laughter.
Finn made little "nom nom" noises with every spoonful of rice, his cheeks puffed out like a squirrel. Aster told stories from his shoot, complete with overly dramatic reenactments. Adrian made bad jokes, as usual, and even fed Finn the last dumpling when he pretended to be full.
"No fair," Aster said. "That was mine."
"You want it?" Adrian picked up another and held it out with chopsticks. "Say 'Ah—'"
"Not in front of the kid," Aster warned, flushing.
Adrian grinned but obeyed, placing it in Aster's bowl instead. "You're lucky I'm a gentleman."
"Uncle, you're not gentleman," Finn said. "You say bad words in the car."
Aster choked on his tea.
Adrian looked betrayed. "Traitor!"
Finn just giggled, face smeared with sauce.
Later, as they were cleaning up, Finn tugged on Aster's sleeve. "Brother..."
"Hmm?"
"Can we always live here?"
Aster's hand stilled.
He knelt down slowly. "Why do you ask that, baby?"
"'Cause... I like this," Finn mumbled. "Big house, toys, Uncle..."
Aster pressed a kiss to his forehead, blinking fast. "Yeah. Me too, baby."
He glanced over at Adrian, who is currently washing the dishes. Like a regular family member. Not someone who practically bought him for six months.
He sighed. Gently caressing the back of Finn's hair but can't give him the answer he wants.
This is a contract.
Still a transaction.
But for tonight...
It was home.
And if this happiness had an expiration date—
Aster would savor every bite of it.