The Curse Since Birth

Confession

" Dad! Where are the spatulas! " shouted Quake across from the kitchen. He and the rest of the Boys with No Last Name had crashed at Tarung's house after the celebration for old times sake.

" They're in the drawer next to the pans! " answered Tarung, his feet making sound as he went down the stairs.

Quake smiled and proceeded to said drawer. As he took a spatula out, Tarung came into the Kitchen.

" You do know that you don't have to make breakfast for us, don't you? It is my house, son, " said Tarung, walking towards Quake, who was coming out of the pantry with ingredients.

" Yeah, I know. But I wanted to help you make breakfast, otherwise I have nothing else to do, " said Quake, breaking some eggs.

Tarung huffed. " Alright, son. Give me the bacon, " he said. Quake handed him the meat and went back to seasoning the eggs. Tarung got the bacon ready beside him.

" Are the twins still asleep? " asked Tarung. Quake nodded. " Solar and Leaf are awake, but they are still in their rooms. I expect them to be down before breakfast though, " answered Quake.

Tarung nodded at his answer. " And where's Thunderstorm? " he asked. Quake stopped his work and looked at his adoptive father.

" He's training in your backyard, dad, " answered he with a slight worried frown. Tarung, too, wore the same expression.

" Is what you told me last night true about him? " he asked.

Quake's face tightened with worry. He nodded. " He wouldn't open up to us about it at that time. But I guess it wasn't an appropriate time for it. "

After a few seconds of silence, Tarung nodded and sighed a bit. " Well, the bacon should be down any minute now. In the meantime, I will go check on Thunderstorm, " he said. He washed his hands clean and proceeded to walk out of the kitchen.

" Dad, " came Quake's voice. Tarung halted and turned around. " Please don't pressure him. He will not open if you are too forceful. "

Tarung gave Quake a reassuring smile. " I know, son. Thank you. And remember, don't- "

" Don't call you dad at the academy. Yes, dad, I know, " Quake finished the sentence for him with a smile.

With a smile as well, Tarung walked out of the kitchen and towards the backyard. Before he opened the door, he took a glance out from the glass.

Thunder was training his hand combat against a wooden dummy. Beside him laid his black and red wielding sword. Tarung almost looked proud as he watched him.

Finally, Thunder halted his training and stepped away from the dummy. He waved his hands up and down, as if to decrease pain.

He took his time to manage his laboured breathing and wiped off sweat from his face. That was when he heard the door open.

He turned around and saw Tarung there. " Oh... Father... " he huffed out. Tarung smiled at him as a greeting.

" How's your morning training going, son? " he asked. Thunder took a deep breath before he focused on Tarung.

" It's as it should be, " answer he. Tarung handed him a bottle of water, to which he accepted thankfully.