Flares - Book 1

0.5 - Dinner

Alex laughed loudly as he watched Bruce throw Klara over his shoulder, causing the girl to scream. Tom stood beside the taller boy, smiling carelessly as he watched the scene in front of him; dinner was ready, the table was set and the family was now wrestling in the living room, not playfully on the furniture, however, but they had decided to move the furniture out of the way, using the area rug as their ring.

"Okay!" Bruce yelled after setting his daughter down. "Who is next in the ring?"

"My turn to take you down old man!" Alex yelled, his eyebrow cocked as he looked at his dad, determined. Bruce was the one who had gotten Alex into martial arts; had taken up many courses during his college years, and later on practicing with his son to toughen him up and help teach his future siblings and children ways to protect themselves.

"I will enjoy beating you again." Bruce taunted; a statement he's spoken many times and delivered without fault. "How many wins will it be this time?"

"Uh, I think it's like 17 vs-" Klara attempted to calculate.

"23 wins vs 0 in Bruce's favour." Tom answered confidently, he'd been watching the men fight for years, each challenge made by Alex only helping him grow, yet, even after 24 years, Alex couldn't beat his dad.

"You are right my boy!" Bruce laughed as Alex lunged at him. He went for Bruce's leg, using his weak ankle as his leverage. Bruce saw this coming however, stepping to the left before hooking his arms around Alex's arched back.

"I think this is their quickest battle yet." Klara spoke, turning to Tom who refused to pull his gaze from the pair.

"No way, remember when Alex got sick that one time and wouldn't let up, your dad caved and Alex was down in five seconds." Tom shook his head, laughing at the memory. Alex groaned as Bruce flipped him onto his back, kneeling over him and placed a hand on his neck lightly. "However, it is the second quickest."

Klara bellowed loudly at Tom's comment which earned a glare from her brother as he stood up slowly. "You try going up against him then, Tom."

"It's fine, I'm sure he's tired by now-"

"Please, I've fought all my kids, except you." Bruce smiled, the comment bringing a sort of peace to Tom. "Now you can make the first move so I can kick your ass too."

"Ooh,"Alex and Klara chorused as Tom shook his head.

Tom looked at Bruce, the older man was smirking at the child, playfully beckoning him closer. Tom went for the legs, like Alex did before, but instead of grabbing he counted on Bruce moving, twisting his body to lock around his left thigh. Alex stared wide-eyed as Tom pulled Bruce causing his body to hit the ground in one fell swoop.

Bruce was shocked, initially,of coarse he would be; his children's best friend just knocked him on his feet. But,he was also shocked over how Tom so easily out smarted him. Bruce had known the boy for years, openly welcomed him into his home and offered up his 'dad' advice whenever needed, but he'd never seen Tom display so much trust and ease with the family as he did play fighting. It was a small act, to those watching, but Bruce felt it was much more, it felt like Tom was finally accepting he was a member of the family, his fears and anxieties were pushed away and blocked out. To say Bruce was proud was an understatement.

Alex and Klara cheered loudly, their excitement causing the Cannon's entrance to go unnoticed as the family kicked off their shoes. "What's going on in here?" John chuckled as they looked as Bruce ho laid on his back while Tom stood up, extending his hand to the man.

"Looks as though I am no longer an undefeated champion in my family-" He held Tom's hand firmly as the boy pulled him up- "but, dinner is ready and Sandra will be home any minute now."