Just A Dream | Cupid's Match One-shot | √

as i fall asleep // chapter one

"You don't like the idea of matches," she reminds me softly.

I smile and roll onto my back and shrug. "I think maybe I'm starting to."

After that, I feel myself slowly drifting asleep.

***

"Boys! Wake Up! Breakfast's ready!" I hear a loud, familiar voice coming from outside my room.

All of a sudden, I feel a weight thrown onto my body. "Cal..." I groaned.

I'm still sleepy.

"Cupid! Wake up! Wake up! Mom's already calling us!" he kept tugging my blanket, my shirt going along with it.

I push him away from my body, accidentally sending him down to the floor.

"Brother!" He was getting super annoyed.

"Fine! Fine! I'm getting up!" I grumble.

I open my eyes to the sight of a smirking brother. I roll my eyes in response.

I go to my washroom to freshen up. Sunlight streamed through the windows, making me squint my eyes in response. I never really liked the idea of waking up so early.

The cold and fresh water, however, felt refreshing and it woke me up.

I quickly get out of my pajamas and proceed downstairs.

As I sprint down the steps, a familiar and delicious smell arose and tickled my senses. Could it be what I think it is?

I rush to my seat at the table, greeting everybody a good morning.

My mom, just as I thought, was serving her delicious pancakes. My mouth started to water at the mere sight and smell of the pancakes.

Instantly, me and my brothers race for the pancakes. Of course, my mother caught all out hands and smiled.

"Ta ta ta! Wait your turn," she said.

I grunted. But I'm hungry.

Valentine got the first piece as expected. He has always been mother's favourite -- always getting everything first. Though Mother says that she has no favourite, the way she acts towards Val begs to disagree.

Val dug in immediately as Mother placed a piece of pancake down his plate.

Cal was next. Unlike Val, he ate his piece with utmost class. He acted like he was having breakfast with the gods which always made him a good candidate for comparison of children.

My pancake was served last, obviously. It's not that my mother hates me. It's just that I'm a bit... out of control. Sometimes.

Nonetheless, we all ate happily. Stories were being shared and laughter echoed throughout the room.

"So boys, I'm going to the Matchmaking Service today. Do you want to come along?" She asks, enthusiasm evident in her voice.

We look at each other with the most blank expressions. It's not we don't like it there. It's just, sometimes, it could be so boring there. Mother will most likely be busy and we'll be left with nothing to do.

Yet, it's such a fine day today. It would be a shame to spend it inside.

So after breakfast, we immediately go to the Matchmaking Service.

When we get there, the usual sight of cupids working was seen. People of different shapes, sizes, colour, and gender were all lining up, in hopes of being matched.

What a fascinating sight.

We proceed to the courtyard of the service. Mother escorts us there and sets up our spot. She always picks the best spots. The trees were swaying, birds were chirping, the sun was beaming. Another perfect spot.

She sets the blanket and puts the basket on top. Then,she starts to lay down countless pieces of food.

After that, Mother went back inside to attend to the heaps of paperwork to be done.

We began to happily munch away, enjoying the serenity that the day has been so kind to give us.

When we couldn't eat anymore, we decided to play under the sun. We played different sorts of games like tag and hide-and-seek. Huge smiles were etched all over our faces.

The day is almost over and we all lay over the grass and started gazing at the beautiful sky.

I let out a sigh of contentment.

We were smiling, looking at each other. I could see Mother looking over us, also smiling.

This has been the perfect day.

***

"Cupid" a voice called out.

"Hmm?" I said.

"Cupid!" I darted my eyes open to see Cal standing over me, irritation obvious in his eyes.

"Good morning," I mumble --- my voice a bit dead.

"Morning to you too. Get up, the sun's almost out, we've got training to do." He said sternly.

Well, so much for a good morning.

I get up and proceed to the bathroom to freshen up. Sunlight was streaming in from the blinds.

God, this feels like déjà vu.

It was only then I realized that what had happened was just a dream.

I can't believe how distant we grew apart all these years. I mean, we haven't seen Valentine in years ever since that... incident.

I'm matched with a human.

Cal's continuing his job at the matchmaking service and Mother hasn't come back in so long.

Everything has turned to crap.

Our family wasn't a family anymore. Tears were starting to form in my eyes.

A knock on the bathroom door suddenly erupted.

"Brother? Breakfast's almost ready," Cal said.

"Sure. Be out in a minute," I said, holding back my tears.

I sighed.

I guess the idea of a happy family will only be just a dream.