321: Banter

Banter

After a long time of the father and son just embracing each other, Azy finally stopped crying. His face was still a little damp with tears and there were the occasional hiccups from the heavy sobs that had wreaked his body earlier. He was also still sniffling intermittently, but he looked so determined to stop himself now. 1

The boy stepped back and wiped away his tears with his sleeves. And as soon as he finally met his father's eyes, his gaze changed into one that was blazing with determination. 

Suddenly, he grabbed onto Zeke's arm. 

"I… Mom… you need to go see mom." He said, his eyes pleading and at the same time unwavering. It was an endearing mix of him begging yet ordering at the same time.

As Zeke's eyes dilated at the boy's words, Azy's magic began to move again, as if something had aggravated the sleeping shadows within him. "I need to bring you to her now!"

"Hold up, little one." Gav's voice echoed, causing everyone to look at him with the exception of Zeke who did not bother to turn around. His eyes were constantly fixed on his son, still drinking in his features that were so alike himself with wonderment. "Even though he's your father, you can't just take him away like that."

"And who is this… not so stranger among us here?" Alex butted in, tilting his head at Gav. "If you're planning to stop Azy from taking his dad away, I'm sorry but I guess, my only choice is to ask you to just let them be. Don't worry, I'm absolutely free to entertain you while we wait for their return." 

"Hmm…" Gav eyed Alex from head to toe. "I see that this world not only has interesting individuals like Zeke and his brother, but there is someone like you too. However, I have to politely decline your interesting offer."

Alex raised a brow. "Mind telling me why is that so? Don't tell me you're afraid you won't be able to keep up." Though his voice was still as polite as ever, the taunting and teasing in his words were unmistakable.

A slow smile graced Gav's lips after hearing Alex's words. 

He opened his lips to speak when Zeke suddenly rose. "You won't need to do anything with him, Alex." He quickly gave his order and then holding Azy's hand, turned around and faced the men. "Gav doesn't need any entertainment anyway."

Alex raised a brow again, but this time at Zeke. "Is it just me or are you trying to protect this pretty fella here?" 

Zeke sighed and continued. "Nor does he need my protection." 

"Then what do you want us to do to him?" Sebastian piped in, his voice firm and a little dangerous. "I don't care if he's the future King of Underworld, I'm not going to just stand still if he tries to stop you from seeing Alicia." 

Gav chuckled. "Easy there, 'lil bro… it seems like you're literally the polar opposite of your calm brother." 

"We don't have time to deal with the likes of you right now." Sebastian hissed back in retaliation, feeling aggravated. He could not help it because Zeke had already said he was still going back. They did not know if the gate would suddenly open again and swallow him back. So they truly did not have any time to waste in having all this chit chat to reason things out with this man, whoever he is! "Azy, just take your father to your mom. Go with them, Iza. I'll deal with this guy."

"Well, I don't mind joining the brawl. It's been a while since I've done any sort of warm up that's worth my while. I'm afraid my bones have already gone rusty by now." Alex also spoke, pushing himself off from the wall and tilted his head from left to right, causing cracking noises to come from his neck. 

"Oh well, since it seems these two are being so welcoming of me, I guess I might as well grant them their wishes." Gav replied and he too uncrossed his arms that were over his chest and lifted his hand, running his fingers through his hair as he smiled. "I don't want to be rude when I'm the guest here after all, right boys?"

As the atmosphere suddenly began to tense up once again, Zeke shut his eyes closed for a moment and when he opened them, his calm voice came out in a menacing and no-nonsense tone. "Stop it, every one of you. And don't make me repeat myself again." 

"They're the ones who keep asking for it, not me." Gav whirled around and shot a pitiful look at Zeke, indicating that he was being wronged here.

"Enough playing around. You're going to come with me, Gav." Zeke turned to Alex and Sebastian and added, "So there is no need for you two to watch over or entertain anyone."

"Now this is indeed a better choice," Alex commented before chuckling, his mischievous nature finding the entire scenario earlier highly amusing. "But are you sure it's okay for him to hang around us outside? Even I could tell that he's hiding something incredibly dangerous."

"I'm not purposely trying to hide anything. But I'm impressed with your observation." A lopsided grin flashed across Gav's face, appreciation for Alex's insight glinting in his eyes.

"Don't butt in, kid. I am not sure what kind of creature you are, but I am certain I should be thousands of years older than you."

"Thousands… that's impressive. It seems you've lived long enough to still be here." Gav could not help but quip at Alex's comment.

Alex smirked. "And I'm certain I'm still going to outlive you."

"Let's go." Zeke's voice echoed and it was then that Alex and Gav realized that Sebastian and Izabelle were already right next to Azy and Zeke. "You two can banter here then. Since the both of you seem to love taking jabs at each other. I will leave you to enjoy yourselves right here." Zeke added as he looked at Alex and Gav over his shoulder before the four of them disappeared in the next breath, leaving Alex and Gav looking on at the now empty spot. 

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