the crows

Chapter 2

 Jace and Kane took the elevator down together, stepping into the dining room with damp hair and clean clothes.

Lev was plating the food, the green-haired man that had came with food was rummaging through the fridge, and a black-haired guy was playing on his phone.

There was a certain scent lingering in the air that caused Jace to bound towards Lev. "Mac and cheese! You really made it for me!"

Lev laughed at his childish behaviour, "Yes, I made it for you. Eat as much as you want, I bought quite a lot of macaroni, cheese and cream, so I can make it anytime you want."

Jace's golden-green eyes practically shone with worship of the kind chef in front of him. "Lev, where's the beer?"

Lev turned to the green-haired man, shooting him a glare, "It's one in the afternoon, Albert, no alcohol until seven." Greenie, presumably Albert, scowled, and Jace noticed his lab coat. He must be the scientist then.

The food was laid out on the table, a array of various different cuisines with a special taste at every seat. Kane had moved to the drawers, helping take out the utensils.

All of a sudden, a group of people walked in, Caelan taking the lead, the others having no choice but to stay behind him. Behind Caelan was a pale-skinned man with crimson red hair wearing a long-sleeved black shirt and black sweatpants.

A woman with pink and purple hair was talking happily with Micah and Jace's eyes nearly bulged out of his skull at the sight of the short, grumpy man smiling and talking.

Kane laughed, noticing the look on Jace's face, "Isa's like Micah's older sister, they're really close." They had started to take their seats, and Jace moved forward to sit at what he presumed to be his spot, with a bowl of steaming Mac and cheese.

Once they were all seated, Jace expected them to give their thanks like he'd always had to do back at base, but they just dug in to the food.

Oh well, he was an atheist anyways. He picked up his spoon, mixing up the still hot cheese with the slightly cold parts at the top before taking a big mouthful.

It was a mistake, as he burned his tongue and had to grimace as he moved the food around, trying to cool it down as he took quick breaths. Lev and Kane took notice in this and grinned, Jace really was like a child at times.

After swallowing, Jace carefully blew on his next spoonful before eating. Now he could fully taste the flavour of the food, and man was it delicious. He could tell it wasn't the instant kind, but the type that was made with real cream and herbs.

Jace was practically glowing, and Lev had to suppress a snort at the look he gave him. He looked at Lev like he was a god, ready to fall to the ground and worship the land he walked on.

Kane laughed under his breath, trying to stifle his snorts with a mouthful of mashed potatoes. It was like Jace had never eaten homemade Mac and cheese, but Kane couldn't blame him.

He'd been like that too, after Caelan had taken him back to base on a whim and Lev had made him homemade mashed potatoes.

Lev went back to eating his curry, waving Jace back to his food. Jace savoured every bite like it was his last meal, even though Lev had already told him that there was a lot more to be made.

After the meal, Albert disappeared along with Houston and Caelan. Jace and Kane helped Lev tidy up while Micah and Isa pored over a book.

Jace complimented Lev multiple times for the wonderful food, offering to help him anytime. It was after he wiped down the table that he noticed the book Isa and Micah were reading, bounding over to them.