Twin's Desire

Chapter 39 - Dungeon

The party was very nice. Although Khun No and Vegas bickered a lot with Hase joining them, we laughed all night long. It was the happiest.

Seeing your friends and family gathered in one circle, laughing carelessly and forgetting for a moment how cruel our world is. It was blissful and frolic. I never thought I'd be needing this.

"You look like a proud mom, looking at them like that." I heard someone murmured.

"Aww. Khun Israel, well yeah... It's fun looking at them. It's good to be home." I said and smiled at him.

"You're part of my family now, Pete. Stop calling me Khun anymore. Israel or El will do. And don't add Phi on it or I might just disapprove your relationship with Vegas." Khun Israel said on a serious tone.

He looked at me and we both laughed.

"Okay... El." I said and smiled on him.

"Thank you, Pete." Israel said after a long silence.

"For what?" I asked confused.

Israel sighed and gazed through our family.

"For protecting Hase. He said that, back at the island, he knows that you're capable of defending yourself but he was there and became your weakness. He said you begged the abductors to let him go while you surrender yourself to them... He also told me that when you were at the yacht, he sensed that you're afraid---trembling but still stand in front of him on a protective stance. As if you were ready to die right there and then as long as Hase was alive. And then there was Vegas too... I can't really imagine and doesn't wish on seeing you on a rampage, but Hase told me that you love Vegas so much to the point that you lose yourself to your darkside despite being the most composed person I've ever known. I know you're ready to kill and die for the two precious people of my life, you love them as much as I do and I can't thank you enough for protecting them when I wasn't able to do it myself." Israel muttered but I heard every word clearly.

I stared at him in shock and chuckled.

"This is the first time I heard you spoke about more than 5 long sentences..." I started and Israel gave me a "Seriously? I was being emotional on something here."

"Well... You can't expect me to just let them die in front of me, don't you? As what you've said, I love them. With all my heart. Besides, among us four, we can't deny I'm the strongest. Physically, at least." I confidently said and I heard Israel chuckled.

"My physical strength is second to none, Pete. You've never seen me fight." Israel boasted and raised his eyebrow to me.

"You haven't seen me fight, too. Your physical strength is second to none, except for me. You're second to me." I insisted playfully and Israel laughed out loud now.

"No, Pete. I'm stronger." Israel said in a semi serious voice and looked at me intently.

"Nope, not a chance. I'm stronger." I declared and we had an eye to eye battle.

"Why don't you guys just settle it through sparring?" A voice came from  our side and I saw Chay looking at us.

"Yow." Chay greeted and raised his canned soft drinks.

"Sorry for eavesdropping. But yeah, why don't you guys start sparring? Maybe that'll help you guys decide who's stronger. Right, Phi Pete?" Chay suggested and Israel and I looked at each other again.

"Bring it on." The both of us uttered and get to our feet.

"Woahhhh. Everyone! We've got battle!" Chay happily announced and everyone started to get out of the water.