Three Hearts Left Intact

Chapter 47: Bickering Buisness

As soon as he finished grilling chicken along with different vegetables as sides, Mallix set the table. Even from the kitchen, Mallix could hear Nina and James still going at one another's throats. He was slightly surprised they hadn't disturbed Zander and Alex's slumber.

Not wanting to confront them just yet, Mallix approached the new couple who were softly snoring besides one another. Tapping Alex's shoulder lightly, the man woke as he let out a big yawn. Blinking his eyes he met Mallix who was staring down at him, "I made dinner. I have some stuff I would like to discuss with you all for dinner."

Too tired to speak yet, Alex nodded as Mallix walked off as Zander began making small movements. Stretching his arms out wide as he opened his eyes, Alex tiredly looked down whispering to him in a groggy voice, "Morning. Did you sleep well?"

Nodding his head the tired boy didn't care about anything other than getting comfortable. Snuggling his head further into Alex's lap, he felt a strong hand begin to run his hand down his hair in soothing motions. He leaned into the touch loving the feeling.

"Oh I know, I wish we could stay here to cuddle too bud, but Mallix has some dinner prepared for us and I can tell it's good." Alex continued stroking Zander's head as the aroma of freshly grilled chicken traveled through the cabin.

Zander grunted slightly irritated that they couldn't stay like this, but hearing food was involved he had a quick change of mind. Laughing softly, Alex pulled the blanket off of them and rearranged Zander's shirt that had gotten all twisted in his sleep.

Stepping up he grabbed Zander's hand as he led him to the kitchen and helped make his plate of Mallix's home cooked meal.

As they were laughing and playing with the food, Mallix was still standing outside Nina and James's bedroom door. A part of him knew he should leave them to their own argument, but he cared deeply not only for Nina, but James too. After all he's his little brother. So he stood there listening in.

Finally when he heard the screeching sound of metal scrapping down glass his ears couldn't take it anymore. Knocking hard and loud with his tightly closed fist, he shouted from behind the door for them to join everyone for dinner. Walking away he rubbed his ears which still had a slight ringing to them.

He came out seeing Alex still trying to get Zander to agree on either grilled squash and zucchini or grilled asparagus. "You're eating one so pick before I do." Alex loomed with confidence as Mallix stepped behind them making his plate of chicken.

"But there both disgusting. Squash and zucchini have a weird texture and asparagus taste awful!" Zander complained trying to get away with just chicken.

"Well then would you rather eat something with a different texture or with a unique taste?" Alex cocked his eyebrow not letting Zander get away.

Mallix heard Zander begin to whine again, "Z, if Alex said your eating one. Then your eating one. So pick a dish. I spent the last hour and a half preparing all of this, and you are going to enjoy it." He started with a stern tone which gravitated to a more playful manner.

Looking down between the two men who were slightly taller than him, Zander gave in and pointed towards the pan containing the squash and zucchini. Alex smiled and piled a good amount onto his plate before sending him off with a frown towards the table. He looked at Mallix who was next to him grabbing his portion of both side dishes, and mouthed a thank you for his help.

Silently exchanging words, the two men eventually sat at the table and began a normal conversation. Before they could get into the nit and grit of it all, Alex turned to his side cutting Zander's food into tiny bite sized pieces.

"Eat everything." Alex said turning to back to the front to continue his conversation with Mallix.

As soon as they got into their light hearted conversation they finally could hear Nina's crutches echoing down the hall. She appeared not long afterwards, her dark grey circles were predominant. Her usually bubbly and cheerful self was replaced by a rather dark and dull one.

She made her plate quietly and sat down, beginning to eat her dinner in peace. "Hey N." Mallix tried to spark up conversation.

"Hi," her voice was raspy and from the soft way it came out she sounded as if she were near a breaking point.

Not having a clue on what to do both men shut down their conversation. Mallix and Alex could feel the tension arising. They ate their foods minding their own business, meanwhile Zander had been too far off in the land of daydream to have known what was going on.

He picked at his food, occasionally putting some of his chicken in his mouth, and pushing around the cut up pieces of squash and zucchini. He was swaying his head back and worth to a melody in his mind, kicking his legs to the rhythm.

Just as his chicken disappeared, he quickly tried to get up and dispose of his plate but Alex was fast to grab his wrist and push his chair in further. "No. Not until those veggies are gone." He warned.

"No!" He slammed his glass plate down roughly with the table and slouched back in his seat.

"Well your not leaving this table until there eaten."

The men went at it with one another for a few seconds before they were broke out of their zone by an obviously loud groan of annoyance when James walked in. Similarly to Nina he warmed himself up a plate of food before sitting across the table to eat.

They sat in silence wondering what would happen next. Well as silent as can be when Zander was complaining the majority of the time to Alex over the amount of vegetables on his plate.

Trying to break the awkward break in between the group, Mallix cleared his throat trying to start off. "So I have some good news about the blueprints Alex got, I may have just figured out a plan to help us get Lain and Kaila out of the Fendly place."

When everyone's eyes, including Zander's, stopped to look towards Mallix he began his attempt to explain his idea. He could tell they were all intrigued, he had grabbed their attention. Explaining his plan with different terminology and deciding on simple but effective words, Mallix had spent an easy two hours trying to get it all out while he answered the thousand of questions they had along the way.

As soon as dinner came to an end, and everyone walked away with an understanding of the plan. For once in a long time Mallix had himself a night worth of well deserved sleep. Nina and James were still bickering over James attitude, and Zander and Alex got into bed and returned to yet another night of talking. Tomorrow they were going to begin putting their knowledge to the test, and begin preparing for the big escape.
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Let me know what you think. Thanks Lexx signing off