Chapter Five

It was a very nice and warm Sunday morning despite the rain last night. Children are out at the park with other people doing their daily exercises, enjoying life. As other people say, after a storm comes a rainbow, and yet two particular boys were about to experience a bigger storm.

Daniel and Noah got up early. Both headed to the bakery in just pajamas because for them, Sunday is equal to lazy day. They are closed on Sundays so both boys should be at home but unfortunately for them, they had to make a business deal with the men who came yesterday.

People may think they are crazy for not dressing up like usual but neither of the two really had the strength to pick up a new outfit that they would be removing after the meeting. It was a waste of time and laundry anyway. Daniel sat at a chair wearing light blue pajama pants and a white tank top. Noah, on the other hand, was wearing a large shirt that brought down to his mid-thighs and short shorts, making him look like he was not wearing anything underneath. The thirty-year old always managed to look adorable so effortlessly that it sometimes made Daniel wonder why his best friend hasn't been in any relationship yet. Noah had to find someone that will take care of him in the future because Daniel knew the two of them won't always be together like before and it worried the brown-haired lad.

Noah heard Daniel's stomach grumble, chuckling at the younger, he stood up and went to the kitchen of the bakery to cook breakfast.

"I'll make us some pancakes and coffee."

Daniel nodded and followed his best friend inside the kitchen. He leaned on the wall as he looked up at the ceiling in deep thought. Remembering the events that happened yesterday, Daniel thought it was actually a good opportunity for the both of them. Naming the price won't be easy but Daniel and Noah weren't like those other sellers that like to take advantage of such things so those three men could consider themselves lucky that they went to the right shop.

"Do you think they already ate breakfast when they come here?"

Daniel asked as he walked to Noah's side who was pouring a small amount of the pancake batter into the pan.

"I'll just make them new ones when they arrive but I think they're obviously old enough to know that skipping breakfast isn't a good practice."

Noah replied with a shrug before flipping the batter over. Daniel smiled as he sniffed the delicious scent of the food. Both boys were so preoccupied with their tasks that they didn't hear the door opening, nor did they notice three figures staring at them rather fondly.

"Smells great, mate."

They were both startled at the deep voice that Noah almost dropped the pancake that he just scooped up. They looked to the side and saw the same faces from yesterday standing by the kitchen door.

"Have you had breakfast a-already?"

Noah curiously asked as he focused on cooking just to avoid eye contact. He had a frown on his face as he tried his best to get immersed in what he was doing. Daniel looked at the three visitors as if they just grew another head, mentally cursing himself for not locking the door of the shop earlier. They could've been robbed by others!

The blue-eyed boys looked at each other and both spoke at the same time. They both smirked to themselves, knowing how Noah would react to their answer.

"No."

Noah stopped his movements and suddenly felt like it was one of those days he spent with the twins. The 'parent' inside of him took over as he turned to look at the two smirking idiots by the door.

"What? It's already 9 in the morning and you haven't eaten yet? You're not babies anymore! You should make your own fo-"

"We know, dad."

The twins purposely emphasized on the last word as they chuckled and smiled but soon regretted it when they saw the look on the pink-haired man's face. Noah stiffened at the mention of the word. It was so precious to Noah's ears and hearing it come out of the twins' for the first time again made his heart warm but also made his mood drop at the same time .

"You can sit at the front and let us cook please."

Daniel interrupted, knowing how Noah was feeling uncomfortable at the moment. When the three left, Daniel turned the stove off and closed the door ,making sure no one can hear them.

"So, are you going to tell me why you're like that? They're the twins you were telling me right? I saw how you reacted yesterday so I had the hunch."

Noah nodded at his best friend, sighing in frustration deciding it is better if he told Daniel everything. He could've told Daniel sooner about every little detail, knowing Daniel wasn't a person who judges people easily, but he was just so sad that he wanted to forget about it.

"It started when-"

Flashback...

18 year old Noah, a high school student was walking down the street at a chilly night. He was on his way home from the grocery store when he heard faint cries from a small alley. Noah's curiosity got the best of him so he looked deeper into the alley, his eyes got larger from the state of shock he was in. There they were, two identical boys about nine years old hugging each other, a small and thin blanket covering their bodies as they shivered.

"A-are you okay? Come here."

Noah removed his coat, feeling the cold breeze and cautiously held his hand out for them to hold on to. One of them, hair was darker than the other one held his hand shakily and hugged him, the other twin followed suit. The twins just got dumped by their parents and had nowhere to go and no one to trust but seeing Noah's precious concerned eyes, they knew they were safe. Unfortunately for Noah, it only lasted seven years. After the twins turned sixteen, Noah found himself alone in his apartment with empty cabinets and no sign of the twins.

End of flashback...

"- and that was when our bond started. If I go to school, they would whine and not let me go. I always cooked food for them since they seem to love it. We were happy you know, but then..."

Noah started to sob lightly as he stirred the last batch of batter beside him. Daniel was so immersed to the story that he didn't notice when Noah started cooking again.

"When they turned sixteen, they... t-they told me that I wasn't good enough and that I made them uncomfortable. I-I didn't know what I did wrong and that night, I went to their room to talk but, they were...g-gone. I kept searching for them but I started to lose hope, knowing they were angry at me. I-I even tried committing s-suicide after I took you in. That was until you came knocking on my bathroom and telling me to hurry up. You actually helped me Danny, and I thank you for that. You've always been there for me."

Daniel tried his best to keep the tears from falling. It was Noah who was crying so he had to be strong enough to give the other comfort.

"What are you going to do now that they are here?"

"I don't know."

Noah sadly replied. He didn't know if he should ask them or if he should just act like nothing happened. Was he still angry? He is still disappointed at himself to say the least. He kept blaming himself for not being a good role model that it wasn't healthy anymore.

"Well, I'm glad I helped. I'm always here Noah, you know that. They might be hungry and I am too so, let's go?"

Noah nodded and held a tray with pancakes and coffee while Danny held plates and utensils. They made sure to wipe their faces but when they got to the other three's spot, it was obvious that they cried but everyone pretended like nothing happened just to not make them any more uncomfortable.

"So, we wanted to have a three-layered chocolate cake and about more than a thousand cupcakes with icing. That would be needed in two weeks."

Ice stated while they ate after thanking Noah for cooking, leaving both Daniel and Noah in shock.

"What do you mean more than a thousand? How could you expect the two of us to do that in two weeks considering that there is also a three-layered cake? We don't have other workers here."

Zaccheus chuckled.

"We already thought about that, mate. We will bring you and the ingredients to our mansion and the maids will help you, they are good at cooking I promise, they just need someone to instruct them."

"Y-you want us to stay at your place? For two weeks?"

Noah asked and looked in Zaccheus' eyes like he was crazy. Why would they need to stay at someone else's place? These boys could be kidnappers for all they know.

"Yeah, don't worry. We have extra room for the two of you."

"Noah will be on the twins' shared bed and Danny on mine."

"WHAT?"

Daniel and Noah screamed in unison as their faces held disbelief and confusion.

"That's not even called an extra room!"

Zaccheus hid his smirk as he spoke.

"I guess it's a take it or leave it kind of thing."

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