I look at the two in shock who were playing like in a battle. Gosh, they really get along really well. Well, at least Nathan's water gun had no water in it because it would be hard to clean up after.
They continued firing while I stood up and watched them from a corner where I won't be hurt by the 'monster'. Finally, the sound of guns they made stopped.
"Okay, you win, kid." Eion raised his hand, surrendering.
My brother jumped in joy. "Did you see it Snowwy? We won!" He exclaimed to me. Eion turned his attention to me as if he didn't notice me this whole time. He stared at me blankly and I stared back, hiding the smile on my face.
When I couldn't take it anymore, I giggled. A slight tinge of pink was on his face, probably embarrassed that I caught him acting like that. I laughed at his reaction.
"I didn't think you are fond of kids, Eion," I said when I recovered. He stood up from his current position and straightened himself.
"It was uh..." He stammered, finding words. He was looking at the wall behind me, avoiding eye contact.
"And you're blushing. Wow, did the world have a zombie apocalypse? Earlier, you laughed. And now you're blushing?" I asked amusedly.
He cleared his throat. "I...it's not a blush." He said seriously, trying to find his way out but it's too late now. I am going to tease him anyway, "Then what is that?"
He stopped for a minute before looking at me, meeting my eyes. "It's...a sunburn."
"Okay, whatever you say, robot..." I said, still not convinced, and decided to drop it for now. I started to arrange the sofa and saw that he was still holding the saddle with his hands. Suddenly, a thought came to me and I hid the evil smile on my face as I faced Eion, "Uhm Eion?"
He looked at me blankly, raising his eyebrows. “Yes?”
"What is that saddle doing in your hands?"
At this question, he realized it and instantly dropped the saddle that was still clutched in his hand until now. I didn't try to hide the victory smile on my face.
Eion-1
Snow-1
Well, well well, look what we have here. We're now tied, Eion.
***
After we had arranged everything, we went to the living room to finish our task. We were still in the middle of the task when I found my brother snoring adorably on the sofa. I stood up then walked towards him. I softly grabbed his small body and carried him with my hands.
I went to the stairs and took small steps, careful not to wake Nathan up. I was about to step on the fourth step when I felt a presence behind me. I turn my head slightly to see Eion standing there at the bottom of the stairs.
He looked at me and glanced at Nathan in my arms, then back at me. I tried so hard not to show the tired look on my face as I struggled to carry my brother in my arms. He shook his head lightly at me and began to walk towards me. He slowly grabbed my brother from my arms.
"No you don-" My protests were cut off when I saw him carrying my brother effortlessly like it was only a feather. He starts to ascend the stairs and I let him. He gave me his hard gaze that I read as 'don't argue or else.' and that made me just keep quiet.
Besides, I was too tired to protest to him that I let him carry my brother to his bedroom. I walked in front of them and opened Nathan's door to let him enter. He delicately put my brother on his blue bed. For a moment, I saw care in Eion's eyes.
"What?" He turned around to look at me, I was still in the doorway.
"Nothing," I shook my head and walked towards my brother who was now snuggling with his Spongebob pillow. I placed his teddy bear beside him and wrapped the blanket around him. I stopped when he moved and turned, afraid he might wake up.
"Daddy...." Nathan murmured. I stroked his cheek and kissed him on the forehead. I glanced at Eion, a sad smile on his face and he quickly masked it as he noticed me looking.
"I notice you are fond of children... First Caleb who thinks highly of you then my brother, Nathan, who thinks you are a hero." I started, breaking the silence. I meant it to be a joke and teased him about it but he blankly stared at me.
Now it got me thinking. I kind of prefer to see his cold gaze rather than his blank look because I can't determine whether he was angry or not.
I saw his adam's apple bobbed up and down. "As an only child, I always wanted a brother when I was a child...." He trailed off, avoiding his gaze and staring at a wall behind me. I realized he was telling me one of his secrets.
"Oh," I said, my breath hitched. I suddenly regret breaking the silence earlier. The tension was now lingering in the air that I couldn't breathe properly.
I remembered Hannah saying that he used to be nice and kind...and ever since hearing that, I got curious about him. I wanted to know what changed him... It’s probably his mother's sudden death just like what he said to me…
But I want to ask him about that again...and now that I had the chance to ask him, I'm tongue-tied. It's like it doesn't want to talk. Now that I know a little of him... my curiosity has worsened. But if I do that, would it be like I do not have the heart?
It would be bad of me to demand him answers like I did from the restaurant that night when he was crying...right? All I know is that there is something more to him...
Silence passed us with the sound of my brother's labored breathing and snoring…I chuckled at his soft snores, he really got tired from playing that much... Glancing at the clock, I saw that it was already quarter to six, and suddenly, I felt tiredness overcame me. I sighed, trying to suppress my yawn.
Eion noticed it too and spoke up, "I guess I should be going now."
"Okay. We can finish the task tomorrow."
"Okay," He nodded his head slightly. I stood up to follow him. We descended the stairs and he grabbed his bag from the living room. I followed him until we reached our front porch.
"I really thank you for not being rude to me today. I hope you really won't glare at me again." I said, attempting a joke.
He glanced at me briefly and shrugged, "I'm not sure. See you tomorrow, Snow.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow, Eion...” I responded. And with that, he hopped in his car and drove away.