Through the Dark

Chapter 16: Central City

Hunter and Ezra apparated into their new house. The house looks big but isn't as big as a manor. Just nicely big enough for both of them. They had acquired it through a broker via Lucius, of course. It was fully furnished, with early colored walls. Lucius had managed to have a library (the house had four rooms, one was converted to a library). The stairs were all glinting and well-polished.

"The garden needs weeding!" Hunter exclaimed. Ezra rolled his eyes. The boy has this penchant for pulling off weeds, apparently.

"Get inside, Alexander, and mind you to not to trample on the stairs. I ought to cut your legs off," Ezra reminded. The young man did as he was told and took his clothes.

Then Hunter stopped at the middle of the stairs. He took a moment to look at the drawing area. It was haven. The couches looked fluffy and comfy, the fireplace was adding to the homey feeling. The kitchen was still hidden fron view though.

He continued on. Then stopped. He didn't ask where his room was!

"E- E- Ezra!" He shouted, stuttering a bit. He was minding his tone of course; he doesn't want to be murdered by the man on their first day together. The said man went to the bottom of the stairs, and asked, "Do not shout, Alec! What is it you want?"

"Sorry, but, where's my room, Ezra?"

The man waved him off with a, "Just choose, Alexander."

Hunter's eyes widened. He gets to choose?

He was somehow feeling discomforted by the idea. He likes the freedom, yet he was completely thrown back by it. It was... overwhelming, to say the least.

When Ezra came back, the boy was still standing there, bag in hand. "Alec!" The boy's head snapped towards his direction. The boy looked small, all of a sudden. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know."

"Don't know what, Alexander?"

"Where do you intend to room?" The boy asked.

Ezra sighed. He climbed up the stairs and opened a room. "In, Alexander. Take a look."

The boy didn't move, but asked again, "Where will you room?"

Ezra was completely puzzled. What was the boy up to? But he still answered while pointing to the left room. There were three rooms in the second floor; one on the left, one next to it and another to the farthest.

The boy nodded, his body language immediately shifting to a more easy stance, "I'll get the one next, then."

The boy didn't need any push as he strode towards the said room, leaving Ezra puzzled over his demeanour.

---0----0----0----

After being settled, Hunter went down the stairs and found Ezra assessing the oven toaster.

"What are you doing, sir?" The man had his fingers on his chin, his brows furrowing and his eyes looked completely confused.

"What is this thing? Do you know what it is? It looks like some sort of box."

Hunter bit his lower lip to keep himself from laughing. Doesn't Ezra know what an oven toaster is?!

"Of course," he replied, forcing himself to remain as calm as possible, "It's an oven toaster."

"What in the world?! A toaster?!" The man's eyes were wide as saucers. Hunter hid his laugh with fake coughs.

"Does it make you cough in some way?"

"No," Hunter answered readily. This is the most ridiculous conversation he ever had with Ezra, and yet he was finding it amusing. He really thought Ezra was well acquainted with an oven toaster. "It makes toasts, Sir."