Of Shields & Trees [BxB]

05 | Never Trust a Prankster

It was past noon and not a single prank from the boys. I was getting edgy. I watched as their parrot rolled around on the tiled kitchen floor, playing with some spoons. He nibbled on them, looking straight at me with his adorable intelligent eyes, and cawed an "Are you ready?". Ready for what?

Our foster mother for the week skilfully jumped over him every time she had to get something from the fridge. Right now she was stuffing peppers with a cheese and egg filling, and I just sat on the kitchen counter, observing her movements. I've never seen anyone cook before. Sure, the ladies in my old school's cafeteria sometimes looked busy, getting freshly baked pastries out of the ovens, but... this was new to me. Her hands were dancing over the ingredients as if she has been doing this her whole life. It was such a major difference compared to my mother.

"Noah!" She suddenly called, almost scaring the life out of me. During the whole time I was here, I barely heard her speak. "Noah!" She repeated again even louder.

Her youngest child lazily came into the kitchen with a bored look on his face. So this was how he was called.

When Miss Nora initially introduced us to our foster mother, she only said the surname of the family — Buchvarovi. In ancient times this was how they called barrel makers. You know, the ones for wine and other tasty drinks.

Anyway, back then I was way too shy to ask for their first names. Well, I asked the oldest son and he brushed me off so... Noah's was the first name I learned.

"Yes, mom!" He said, leaning on the counter.

"Please, set the table, will you?" She said, not taking her eyes off the task at hand.

"Yes, ma'am!" He saluted lamely and went back to the living room. "Feet off!" He barked at his brother. "Time for lunch."

I didn't leave the comfort of my seat as I watched them wipe the table clean and set a plain white tablecloth over it. Then followed a black lace embroidery, spread out at length in the middle of the table. They set Stoyan to arranging the plates while the brothers worked on decorations. They tied three candy canes with a bow and placed them over each plate, fake silver snowflakes were propped over the glasses. Some of the balloons that survived our arrival were tied in one corner of the room.

Their Christmas tree wasn't anything special — a small artificial one that barely had any decorations on. But I've noticed the older brother arranging presents around it and I wondered if there would be one there for me as well. The only presents I ever received from my parents were clothes they were supposed to buy me anyway. Most of the time I got either socks, or a T-shirt, if they were feeling generous.

"Boys, I have a surprise for you!" The oldest one said, rubbing his hands in anticipation, his characteristic creepy smile back on his face.

This didn't sound good.

I exchanged looks with Stoyan before we bravely followed him to his room. The brunette opened his wardrobe and took out a funny-looking green suit with candy canes printed all over it.

"This is for you." He handed it to a gaping Stoyan. "I didn't take you into account." He turned towards me and I almost exhaled in relief before he showed me an equally ridiculous hoodie. It was also green, with a faux suit print and two reindeer heads on its pockets. Now I understood why everyone's sweatshirts at the social home were Christmas-themed.

"No way!" I uttered in disbelief.

"Yes way, fresh meat!" The brunette dumbly nodded his head, a strand of hair falling over his eyes. "This is for you."

"There's no way I'm putting that on!" Stoyan exclaimed after gaining back the ability to speak. He was examining the suit as if it was going to bite him any minute now.