After both Chay and Macau finished their meal, Chay let out a groan of satisfaction before looking at Macau in full seriousness, 'how many times a week do you cook?'
Macau let out a breathy laugh, 'normally 3, maybe more if the food runs out. Why?' he asked with a knowing smile.
Chay's face didn't break his serious expression, 'just give the word and I will be here.' Macau laughed again as he went to collect Chay's plate before the other boy stopped him. 'What are you doing?' Chay questioned. 'You cooked so I clean.'
Macau stood up in opposition, 'You don't have to Chay, I tend to make quite a mess.'
Chay stood us well and placed his hands on Macau's shoulders, forcing him to sit back down. 'No, you stay seated and don't do anything.'
Macau removed Chay's hands and stood up again in defiance at the stubborn boy, 'I'm not going to let you clean up the entire kitchen, it's filthy,' he said with determination before suggesting a compromise. 'At least let me package up the food and put it all away.'
Chay considered for a moment, seeing the stubbornness in Macau's face, he let out a resigned sigh, 'fine, but after that, you aren't helping.' Macau looked at Chay in triumph and let him go, making his way into the kitchen and getting out various containers to put all the leftover food in. Chay rolled his eyes and grabbed their plates making his way over to the sink.
Macau felt a little guilty at all the mess he had made, though, in his defense, he intended to clean it all up himself. He packaged some of the leftovers in smaller portions so people could just heat it up and go, and then put the rest in bigger containers so others can get out what they want. After all the food was put away and the dishes were by the sink waiting to be washed, Macau grabbed a tea towel and went to dry the dishes before it was ripped out of his hand by a glaring Chay. 'Sit down,' Chay said with a stern look. Macau started in protest, but Chay just raised his hand with the stolen tea towel, 'don't make me use this.'
Macau laughed and raised his hands in surrender at Chay's threat before making his way to the other side of the bench where he was sitting before. He watched as Chay did the dishes, taking in how good the boy looked in his clothes. Macau snapped out of his thoughts in shock, where did that come from? he thought. Shaking off the sudden thought, figuring this would be a good time to ease his curiosity about Chay, Macau decided to ask him about his life. 'So, you like gaming?'
Chay looked around at Macau confused, 'Um, yeah? I guess.' He said, continuing to wash the dishes.
Macau scoffed, 'you don't have to act like I'm a total creeper, you're the one who told me you were up all-night gaming.'
Chay nodded his head letting out a short laugh, 'right, yeah, I do like gaming. It's fun, and it passes the time when you have nothing else to do.'
Macau tilted his head, 'You don't have any other hobbies you enjoy?'
'Not really,' Chay replied, 'When I was at school yeah, there were things I liked to do.' He paused and took a breath before continuing, 'but things have changed now.'
Macau frowned, yeah it would have been a huge change in his life when he got dragged into the world of the mafia, but that wouldn't stop him from doing everything. Macau's thoughts drifted to the young boy who couldn't stop smiling while he performed on stage. 'What about music?'
Macau physically saw Chay freeze and wondered what he had done wrong, 'well... I mean, it's just, I-I remember seeing you do a concert once at school,' he said carefully. 'We talked for a bit, and I helped you pack up. I could tell you really loved music and performing, so I was just wondering if you were still doing it?'
Slowly Chay continued the dishes then spoke in a rough voice, 'I don't play anymore,' was all he said.
Macau could tell that this was a topic that should not be pushed, but still, 'that's a shame, you were really good even for me who knows nothing about music, I could tell you could definitely go places.' Chay stayed silent and Macau steered the conversation away from the tense atmosphere, 'I'm a bit of a gamer myself, what types of games do you play?'
While Chay finished up the rest of the washing they had an in-depth discussion about all the games they liked to play and what consoles they used. 'I keep my Switch and PS4 at my apartment, so I don't have anything here.'
Macau went over to Chay and put his arm around the boys' shoulders, 'well if you ever want to game while here, feel free to come over to my room. I have collected a lot of consoles and games over the years,' he said with a grin.
Chay gave cheeky smile, 'if you say that I might never leave.'
Macau smiled, glad to have brought Chay's spirits back up. 'That wouldn't be so bad,' he said laughing before realising the words that had slipped from his mouth. Chay looked at him and Macau let go of the boy, looking away awkwardly, 'Um, Well, I'm going to head to bed, and since we don't have training tomorrow, I guess I'll see you on Monday,' he said before hastily making his way out of the room, unaware of Chay's eyes following him in amusement, a smile on his face, until the door closed.
As soon as he exited the room, Macau buried his face in his hands and let out an embarrassed groan, mentally hitting himself for saying his thoughts out loud. However, upon hearing footsteps coming from down the hall, he composed himself and started walking away from the kitchens.
As soon as the door clicked behind him, leaving him in the familiar comfort of his room, Macau let out a sigh, a smile forming on his lips at his awkward actions around Chay. He didn't know why he always felt so comfortable around the boy, something he grew up making sure not to feel around anyone. Macau looked around his messy room, clothes scattered everywhere, his gaming consoles a mess of cords and cables, and his shoes in a pile under his dresser since he could never be bothered to put them away properly. Wanting to clear his head, he decided that his room was much overdue for a clean, so he made his way over to the tv and put on some music before starting to gather all his clothes and chuck them on his bed.
****
Macau returned to his room after putting the vacuum cleaner away and looked around his room with pride. His clothes were all folded and put away, his bed was made, his shoes had finally been placed in the cupboard, and you could actually see the floor! He smiled at his work before it dropped from his face when his eyes snagged on the tangle of cords on his table in front of his tv. Full of determination, Macau went over to his gaming consoles and unplugged everything before untangling one cord at a time and rolling it up, putting it near its console.
****
A knock on the door brought Macau out of his focus. He frowned as he looked at the clock that read after 10 and wondered who would be at his door at this time of night. Getting up and leaving his almost packed-up consoles and controllers, he went to the door and open it only to find no one there. He frowned once again as he stuck his head out of his room, looking down the hall, a small smile forming on his face as he saw Chay walking away from him. 'Chay?' he called out in question.
Chay turned around and smiled at Macau, 'Oh, I didn't know if you would be awake.' He said shyly looking at the ground and intertwining his fingers.
Macau couldn't help but let out a short laugh at the cute actions of the shy boy and leaned against the door frame, 'what can I do for you, Chay?'
Chay slowly walked over to Macau, 'I... well... I mean, if you're busy or want to go to sleep I under...'
'No, I'm free' Macau said, maybe a little too quickly.
This time Chay laughed, 'well... I'm not really tired since I slept earlier and,' he paused and Macau saw something like sadness enter his eyes, 'I don't really want to be alone.'
'Well, I did say to feel free to come over anytime,' Macau said, inviting Chay in.
Chay smiled and made his way into Macau's room looking around, 'Wow, my room is never this clean.'
Macau put his arm around Chay's shoulder, a cocky smirk plastered on his face, 'Yeah, well, I guess I'm just that good.'
Chay rolled his eyes, noticing something, 'If you're that good, why is there still a shoe under your bed?'
Macau let go of Chay and grabbed the shoe glaring at it, 'Found you! I was looking for you for ages!' he said as he went and put it back in the dresser before looking at Chay with a goofy grin, 'ok... so maybe my room was a little messy until about an hour ago.'
'Uh-huh,' Chay replied with an amused look.
Macau went over and re-plugged in his consoles, 'you came to game, right?' he called over to Chay.
'Nah!' he exclaimed making his way over to the couch and collapsing on it, 'I came purely for the pleasure of your company!' Macau turned and gave him a doubtful look causing Chay to continue, 'and maybe your games as well,' he finished with a cheeky smile. Macau laughed and stood up as the PS5 started up, he then handed a remote to Chay before plunking on the couch beside him and began playing.