Mercenary

Chapter 6.

Bright is surprised at how good Tommy's and Win's stamina is. They are able to go on for hours without any break. Jimmy watches them throughout the whole practice as they use a piece of chopstick as a knife.

Bright was more impressed at Win and Tommy, being able to learn things quickly, despite the fact that they are injured. It didn't take long for them be practicing using kitchen knives and swinging it around as if they're murdering someone. Bright wipes the beads of sweat on forehead. "It's different huh? Using a knife and a chopstick."

Win nods. "Yeah. The knife is heavier and a little harder to move over when swinging."

"Move over?" Bright asks.

"Man move over?" Win says with uncertainty.

"You mean maneuver?" Bright asks as he corrects him.

Win's eyes lit up. "Yes. That."

Jimmy could see the effort that they are putting in in learning whatever they can. Tommy pits the knife on the floor and crosses his legs. "I am tired." He inhales deeply. He is so used to being force to clean, take out the trash among other dirty job that this was considered a workout, not to mention that he has to do it without food or water.

Bright smirks. "Yeah. You guys have the basics down. Go get some rest. Your next lesson will be basic first aid by Jimmy, here." Bright points towards the taller boy with his nose. "It's about time I get a break and sit down and watch you guys."

"First aid?" Tommy asks looking at Jimmy.

"Yeah. It's like treating someone who has injury." Jimmy explains. "Like that bandage that I did on the both of you. That's first aid."

The two boys look at their bandage. "Oh. I didn't know this is called first aid." Win says as he examines it.

"Yeah. Mine will be easy. It's just more absorbing and less moving around." Jimmy says as he stretches his legs, they've been sitting on the floor for too long. It didn't take long for the time to pass as Jimmy teaches them the basics of first aid. Bright watches them as learn, lying down on the sofa.

Bright's eyes got heavy and he wouldn't have thought that he would've fallen asleep. Win got distracted from his lessons and turns to Bright as sees him with his eyes closed. "Win? Are you paying attention?" Jimmy asks.

"S-Sorry." Win apologizes.

"Just leave him. He's probably tired from last night. He will probably need all the rest he can get ready for tonight." Jimmy says.

"So what are we going to do?" Tommy asks

Jimmy scratches his head. "Honestly I have no idea. I think it's going to be better if you guys stay with Gulf or Mew while we're out. It'd be better that way. I can't have you guys risk your lives for nothing." He answers.

Win could tell that Jimmy was being genuine about treating Tommy and himself as equal beings. He could assure himself that Jimmy means well but he couldn't decide about Bright. He doesn't seem to be showing anything that would assure him that he is safe with him.

Bright only asks him about leaving which makes him feel slightly unwanted which was giving a weird negative feeling about it. He felt somehow worse than being a slave. At least as a slave, he is wanted.

"But I thought you taught us how to fight because we'd be going to fight that monster with you?" Tommy asks.

"Well, I mean it's for emergency cases only. So you guys can protect yourselves if we're not around." Jimmy replies.

"What if we could help you guys?" Win cuts into the conversation.

"Ahh. Don't ask me anymore. I don't know. All I know is that I'm just there to support Bright. If anything else, you can ask Bright once he wakes up." Jimmy had enough of all the questions. He got up from the floor and walks towards the kitchen. "I'm going to start cooking. You guys wanna help?"

Win and Tommy looks at each other with a smile on their face. They got up from the floor and follows Jimmy to the kitchen. It didn't take long for them to finish cooking and Jimmy asks Win to wake the other boy up. He finds Bright to be snoozing softly with his arms above his head, he didn't feel right waking somebody who is comfortably asleep.

He pokes lightly on Bright's belly. "B-Bright?" He calls out for the other boy.

Bright groans and rubs his belly. Win pokes it once again, calling out to him. This time Bright groans louder and opens up one of his eyes. "What?" He asks.

"Jimmy asks me to wake you up for dinner. Then we're going to meet Gulf." Win informs.

"Let me sleep for a while more." Bright shuts his eyes and ignores Win's presence.

"But Jimmy asks me to wake you up." Bright says.

Bright groans and flutters his eyes open, glaring at Win. He grabs win by the arm and pulls him into the sofa. Bright hugs the smaller boy and puts Win's head to his chest. "Sleep."Bright says.

Win didn't know how to react to this. He don't want to struggle against Bright because he knows just how strong he is and he don't want to cause any trouble. Bright starts to rub Win's head and snuggles into Win.

Win couldn't help it but it feels really comforting. The warmth from Bright and the way he pats him and play with his hair, he couldn't help but close his eyes and sink into the comfort of Bright's embrace.

Jimmy scoops the rice and puts it on the plate, handing it over to Tommy. "Can you help me put these on the table?" Jimmy asks.

Tommy nods and toddles off. Jimmy isn't used to with people helping him cook but he is glad that there is someone helping him. When Tommy comes back, his face was confused and surprised at the same time. Jimmy lifts a brow at him. "Why? Did you drop the plate or something?" Jimmy asks.

Tommy shakes his head. "No. Win is sleeping with Bright." He says honestly.

Jimmy lets out a breath. "Let's get this onto the table, I'll handle it." When the two of them sets up the table, Jimmy walks to the living room and kicks Bright's leg that is dangling off the sofa. "Wake up. It's time to dinner."

Bright groans. "Later."

Jimmy kicks it slightly harder this time. "We have to meet up with Gulf. I know you're going to be grumpy if you won't get food in your system before a mission."

Win didn't know how but he ended up resting on Bright. When he lifts his head, he feels his face heat up. "Good morning." Bright greets as he looks at Win.

"Just head to the table when you're ready to eat." Jimmy says as he walks away.

Win is stunned and he didn't know what do to. "Want to continue our sleep?" Bright asks as he smiles at the boy.

Win got up from Bright and scratches his head. "I-I think... I uhh.."

Bright puts his feet to the floor. "Fine. Let's go and eat then." He got up from the sofa and walks past the boy who seems really flustered. "What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing!" Win answers and follows Bright as he walks towards the dinner table.

When the two finally takes a seat by each other, Jimmy shot a suspicious look at Bright. "Well you two definitely seem to be bonding really well." He commented.

"We just slept together. That's it." Bright answers. "What's wrong with that."

"Oh nothing." Jimmy looks away. "You hardly sleep with anyone."

Bright lets out an exhausted breath and ignores Jimmy's remark. Win eats his food silently. He didn't know that Bright wouldn't have an active love life but considering his job, it was hard to have a love life anyway.

Tommy finishes his food quickly once again. He looks up at Jimmy. "Thank you for the food." Tommy smiles at Jimmy.

"You cooked the food. Why are you thanking me?" Jimmy says, letting out a short laugh.

"It's because I never had more than one meal a day." Tommy answers. "I never get to eat anything this good also."

Bright looks at Win. "Are you the same?"

Win nods. "Sometimes I don't even get anything to eat at all."

"With us, the two of you are going to have proper meals from now on." Bright says. "There's no need for thanks as long as you guys put your weight in the house." The two of them nods in reply and Win continues eating his food.