The tavern was disgusting. Dirt caked the floor from the boots of burly men, ale sloshed from their tankards. Miqo’te women danced on display in a manner that had Aulus reeling, thoughts of Cihye flashing through his head.
It was a miserable place. But as much as he wanted to, he couldn’t leave until he had found-
….Was that Zodi?!
Aulus nearly tripped over himself in his rush to his husband, alerting the creation to his approach. Zodi seemed as surprised as he was.
“Aulie?”
“Zodi,” Aulus breathed, relief in his voice. It was barely audible over the tavern racket. “What are you doing here?”
“Same as you,” Zodi replied, shifting his gaze. In a seat by the bar sat their son, claws clutched around a glass. Lucius was, to great relief, still alive and breathing. But he seemed anxious, constantly scanning his surroundings and shivering slightly. His eyes were wide and his ears and tail twitched erratically, but he never noticed his parents cloaked in shadow nearby.
“He looks terrified,” Aulus whispered with a pang of sorrow. How he longed to hold Lucius in his arms and calm his shakes…just like a child.
“His powers are developing,” Zodi noted. “But he can’t control them, so he’s turned to…”
A Roegaedyn man sat down next to Lucius at the bar. The boy turned to him, wide eyes staring expectantly. The man handed him a satchel, and Lucius opened it just enough for Aulus to see the familiar glint of syringes.
“What is that?”
“Somnus,” Zodi replied. “A particularly pure strain that is injected, rather than smoked. Much more potent...and expensive.”
Aulus furrowed his brow, thoughts running through his head. What did Lucius want with so many drugs? And how did he plan to pay for it? How was he providing for himself all this time?
He was broken from his thoughts by Lucius heading upstairs with the man. “Wh- Where is he going?”
There was a certain numb tone to Zodi’s answer that chilled Aulus to the core. “To pay for it.”
The color drained from Aulus’ face as he realized what that meant. His gunblade was in his hand in an instant, summoned from a dark portal. He was at the bottom of the stairs before a claw gripped his arm, yanking him back.
“No!” Zodi snarled. “You can’t! If he sees you, he’ll run off!”
“We can’t just let this happen! I can’t let it happen! Not to my son!”
Zodi flinched at his words, but didn’t loosen his grip. His head dipped, lips pursed as hurt flowed through him. Aulus thought Zodi was a bad father, not even worthy enough to call himself one. Maybe he was right.
He took a breath. “This isn’t how we get him to come home. It would only drive him farther away.”
“So you’re saying we just sit here and watch him be molest-”
An otherworldly noise followed by a crash cut Aulus’ fury short. The wall of the room Lucius disappeared into had become crushed by some force. Aulus took a step forward, intending to break free and get involved regardless of Zodi’s approval, but Zodi had already rushed past him with inhuman speed.
He found Zodi in the doorway, overlooking the scene. Lucius was on the bed, clothes partially undone and sitting upright. His claws dug into the sheets as he stared at his bedmate, who was across the wall and planted firmly in the convex wall. A tentacle pierced his unmoving chest, splattering the scene with blood.
Lucius was shaking again, face pale and sweaty, looking for all the world as if he was about to vomit from what he had done.
“Lucius,” Zodi called out, sounding more concerned than Aulus had ever heard him. Where was the playful, carefree cat with insatiable wanderlust? Had he truly matured from his unexpected fatherhood?
Lucius snapped to attention, seeing Zodi and Aulus there for the first time. As Aulus expected, his gaze grew red hot and furious at having been followed. He snatched the bag of somnus and jumped out the window before they had time to react.
“No!” Zodi reached out for him, but it was too late. The creation raced to the window, desperately trying to find any sign of the boy. Nothing. His scent was gone.
“Where did he go?”
The creation heaved a sigh, attempting to rein in his frustration. He dug clawmarks into the window pane, lamenting another lost chance. He had to be careful. If he wasn’t, Lucius might someday choose to go where he couldn’t follow.
“I don’t know. I think he took a portal. I’ll try to trace it.” He placed a hand on the wall, seeking Lucius’ aetherial trail. “You should go back to Kaeso.”
“No, I want to help,” Aulus protested, red eyes pleading. “Have you been following him all this time? Is this why I haven’t heard from you in moons?”
Zodi closed his eyes, pain and failure written in his face.
“Please, Zodi...he’s my son too. I want to help bring him back home. And I miss you.”
The creation heaved another sigh, his shoulders dropping. Turning, he took Aulus’ hands in his claws and looked him in the eyes.
“I miss you too.” A squeeze. “But I’ve already lost one child. I can’t- I can’t lose another. You have to look after Kaeso. Promise me.”
Aulus’ heart felt like shattering. And yet there was still hope holding it together. Zodi cared so much more than he realized. And he knew Zodi was the only one who could help Lucius with his powers. They were the ones that had to reconcile. The best that Aulus could do for them right now was to keep a warm home with Kaeso’s cooking for when they return.
“...I promise.”
Zodi smiled gratefully and kissed him on the cheek.
“Don’t worry. I’ll bring him home.” Zodi stepped backward before dissolving into shadows, escaping out of the window to follow his son.
Aulus was left alone, the moonlight no comfort to his aching heart.
