3 The Wind in the Night

"Papa. I want donuts tomorrow!" Alxce exclaimed as he looked at his father with his head laying on the back rest of their small couch as Liam cooked food for their dinner. Liam momentarily stopped to look at Alxce who was in his nightwear.

"Why baby? Do we have any special occasion tomorrow?" Liam asked as he put their leftover this morning to the microwave.

"Eh, no. I just wanted to have some, but if we don't have money for that it's fine!" Liam thought about it if he can buy Alxce some donuts tomorrow.

He does have some extra money left for this week so he might as well give what Alxce wants. Liam always make sure that he has money for the week and can afford their basic needs before he considers buying those extra things that they can live without. He does have a job yes, but he also has an apartment and bills to pay and not to forget Alxce's fees in school. His pay from the cafe is barely enough to keep them both alive which is why he learned how to budget and spend money efficiently. Although despite the tight budget, he never starved Alxce and would always get him what he wants if they had the money.

"Sure dear. I'll buy you some so you can have them for breakfast." He answered softly while getting their plates out.

"Yes! Papa I want two glazed ones." The younger spoke in his adorable voice.

"I'll buy you a whole box but you have to promise me that you will brush your teeth more often okay? We don't want those toothaches do we?"

"We have deal!" The younger gave a thumbs up with a smile.

"Mkay, now come here. Let's have dinner." Liam spoke with a gentle smile.

Alxce jumped from the couch before washing his hands in their sink and sitting down on their table which could only fit two people. They were having what they had this morning which was what Liam knew as adobo. It was the first thing he ate from this world and it blew his mind the first time he tasted it and it was Alxce's favorite food so they always have it at least once a week.

Both ate in silence until they heard a nock on the door. Alxce asked Liam if they were having any guests because it was already quite late. Liam stood up and went to the door while wiping his mouth with a tissue. He too wondered as to who could it be? He didn't know lots of people aside from his kind neighbors and his coworkers so it could be one of them.

Maybe abuela from next door came to visit since she liked taking care of Alxce or, it could be Eli since he was the only person who came visiting without any notice. When he opened the door lightly, his brows furrowed a little as a person he did not know was standing in front. The person was wearing a black cap and was almost drowned in layers of jacket.

"Y-Yes?" He spoke with caution as he did not know this person. Maybe he could be a thief or who knows?

"Bryx don't scare Liam!" He heard a familiar voice from behind. He gazed at the person before him and sighed.

"I got you good didn't I?" Bryx spoke and revealed his face with a proud grin. Liam punched his chest gently before closing the door which made Bryx yell with his manly voice. Liam just grabbed him inside and gave him a glare. Eli came next with what looked like some box of pizza and donuts.

"What? You're not going to let me in?" Eli mustered with a bitchy voice.

"Sorry, I don't let strangers in." Liam answered trying to muster the same attitude that the other had but he instead looked like a clown.

"Yeah, anyways Alxce?" Eli ignored Liam and directly walked inside with the food he had. Liam closed the door and looked at his unannounced visitors who were now sitting at their table. Alxce looked happy though as he caught sight of the donut box. Liam walked slowly towards them and sat grabbed on of the nearby stool.

"What brought you guys here? And Eli, for the nth time, please tell me when you're coming over." Eli turned his head away from Alxce and looked at Liam.

"Excuse me, why does it seem like you don't want me here and second of all, I literally am your best friend. Your house is my house and my house is your house." Eli answered dramatically which made Bryx chuckle.

"Well, you are not wrong.." Liam spoke which made Eli gasp even more dramatically.

"You don't want us here?!" Eli exclaimed.

"What? No! I mean the second half of what you said!" Liam tried to clarify.

"Okay that's enough, you two act like a brat." Bryx butted in. Safe to say that his statement didn't make the two the happiest.

"Papa, I want another one." Alxce spoke, asking for another donut.

Liam just heaved a sigh at Bryx and turned his attention to Alxce.

"Did you say thank you to Eli and Bryx?" Liam asked Alxce who had his mouth smothered with the jelly filling.

"Many thanks uncle Eli and unlce Bryx!" Alxce spoke, his words barely making it out of his filled mouth.

"Anytime love." Eli caressed the youngers head.

"Can we eat already? I'm starving and oh Liam. Did you know that it was freezing outside?" Bryx spoke. Liam sighed mentally and smiled at Bryx.

"Well, I got that already from the layers you're wearing." Liam answered.

"Okay okay, we can eat now and Bryx, remove those coats, you look like a seal." Eli remarked. Bryx made some side comments while grumbling but complied otherwise.

"How's the new job Bryx?" Liam spoke as they ate. Bryx used to be one of his fellow worker in the cafe up until a few months back where he decided to look for another job.

"It's not bad honestly. I mean I only get to guard this dude and not talk the whole day, go where he goes and that's it." Bryx answered.

"Hmm. I'm quite surprised you can keep your mouth shut." Eli teased. Bryx was the loud one on their crew back then. It would either be Eli teasing or scolding Bryx or it was Bryx pestering Eli. Liam looked at Bryx and noticed that his features changed a little. Unlike Eli and him. Bryx was quite built and had some muscles with him but looking at him now, Liam took the guess that he was working out since his muscles were more defined and he got a little slimmer. His facial features looked even more sharp, how his hazel eyes could cut you, his precise jaw or his sculpted nose.

"Liam, I know I'm dashing but eat your food first." Bryx spoke cockily with a smirk. Both Liam and Eli made a disgusted face directed to Bryx who was unbothered by the looks they were giving him.

"Uncle Lucca is even more dashing." Alxce spoke absent mindedly. The grown ups looked at Alxce who was munching his third donut. A laugh broke out from Eli and Liam while Bryx sulked on his seat.

"Kids never lie do they?" Eli teasingly spoke.

"Yeah yeah sure. Speaking about Lucca, where is the dude?" Bryx queried.

"I don't know, he never says anything. Why?" Eli answered.

"We haven't hang out in a minute. Ai that kid, I just hope he doesn't get into troubles." Bryx spoke sincerely. One thing about Bryx despite his immature attitude, is that he always looks out for them and will always be there when they need him. He's like that type of brother who always tease you but is very reliable and will always have your back. That is how Bryx is to Liam and even Eli.

"I don't think he's into trouble. He's been looking clean for a while now." Liam answered.

"And by that you mean no bruises on his face or no limping?" Eli spoke.

"Well I know that he can save himself from troubles, I just hope he stops getting into them intentionally." Liam answered with his gaze thrown far away.

"I don't want him to end up like Dianne." Eli and Bryx immediately had their brows furrowed and looked at Liam who was looking distantly, tears glistening in his eyes.

"Who is Dianne?" Bryx wondered and asked.