Parting of Echoes

IV

Dinner was odd, as he was not used to being at a table with other people. Sure, he'd gone out with friends or coworkers to eat, but it wasn't like this- a space usually meant for family or loved ones to relax and have some semblance of privacy, yet here he was. He'd served each boy a plate of the chicken, managing to find cucumbers and tomatoes in the refrigerator, alongside lemon and some salt to add to the flavor of the meal. Their drinks were orange juice he'd spotted on the door of the fridge, unopened and ready to be consumed.

He sat down, facing the eldest boy while little Hephaestus sat on his right, Prometheus on his left, looking at the food as if it was poisoned. The act of suspicion was going to get on his nerves very quickly, but he reminded himself that he was meant to care for these kids, but he wasn't big on kids from the start unfortunately.

"You starving is fine by me, Prometheus."The man finally said, leaning back in his chair a bit as he raised an eyebrow, taking the fork and stabbing it through his chicken to start eating. Prometheus looked at him instead, "Ichor" merely enjoying his meal, glad to have something in his stomach, moreso proud of himself for how good the chicken had actually turned out; his grandfather would be proud.

Hephaestus was eating the chicken as if it was his last meal, his little plushie sat beside him as he tore through the poor lifeless bird, enjoying the tender flesh that had been seasoned for flavor. Next, he aimed for the cucumber, devouring that too, followed by the tomato, and by the time "Ichor" had made it halfway through his food, the young red haired boy had finished his food, a wide grin on his little face.

"You have tomato juice on your face,"Andromeda pointed out, grabbing a napkin to clean his lips, his own plate half consumed while Prometheus worked on finishing up, no longer eyeing him as if the man was the scum of the earth. Hephaestus was smiling while the older boy was cleaning his face, his plushie now on his lap, though his eyes kept glancing at the chicken that was left on the stove, just in case anyone wanted seconds. For once, he saw Hephaestus' smile briefly go away, before it was back as he looked up at Andromeda.

"Can I have your food?"The small boy whispered, Andromeda looking back at the man, who had finished his food now, using a napkin to clean his own mouth. He could hear their little conversation, as the table wasn't all that big, and the boys weren't all that great at whispering- it was a little funny.

"Do it when he's not looking,"The older boy replied, which caused "Ichor" to let out a small huff of amusement, as he drank his water.

"I can get you seconds y'know?"He stood up, putting his cup down as he grabbed the youngest's plate, going to the stove to get more chicken, not wanting the kid to accidentally burn himself, as he could be blamed for it. He could hear their little whispering, followed by a little "ouch!" from what he could only presume was Hephaestus.

When he returned to them, he found all three sitting at the table, both older boys with empty plates and empty cups, while Hephaestus had his little hands on the table, clearly waiting for his food. "Do you two want more?"he asked as he set the plate down for the boy, his gaze finally on the two others.

"I'll accept."Andromeda nodded, offering his plate to the man, while Prometheus took longer to answer. He watched the youngest boy before reluctantly nodding, "Me too."he said, moving quickly to hand him the plate, which in turn lead him to have it slip out of his grasp, falling onto the floor with a sharp crash, sending little pieces of it scattering, as it broke. Damn porcelain plates, honestly, who buys them with kids using them? The man thought to himself, frowning as he looked at the floor.

Even if he was focused on the broken plate, he didn't miss the way the middle boy inhaled sharply, as if fearful.

His actions perturbed the man, as the boy quickly got off the chair to get on his hands and knees, desperately attempting to clean up the broken plate. Frantic apologies left his mouth, the other two remaining deathly silent as they watched the other boy try to amend his error.