The front door opened and closed softly as Zeven tried to enter without alerting anyone. Unfortunately, Gunter was currently in the common room sitting on the couch reading a worn book. Hearing the quiet click of the door latch, he turned to see Zeven's head appearing in the entrance.
Gunter stood up and walked over to him, stopping Zeven a few feet from the front door with a hand on his shoulder, "Should I make a guess about where you went?"
"No need, I was at Mammy's."
Zeven didn't meet Gunter's eyes, earning himself a sigh from the older gentleman. "You usually look better after returning."
Cutting his eyes, Zeven could see the concern in his expression. Zeven knew that Gunter wasn't insulting him, only checking on his well being.
"It's been a rough day." a tight smile and a rough laugh were all he could manage.
Zeven started to walk away but before he could step out of arm's reach, Gunter pulled him in close. Momentarily stiffening, Zeven felt his eyelids growing heavy before crouching slightly to rest his head on Gunter's shoulder.
So many years ago when Zeven first met Gunter, he had been starved for touch. To the point where any time Gunter would reach out to him he would shy away from it. It was several long months before Zeven could even stand the thought of being touched. But when all the cards fell Gunter was still there, waiting for Zeven to come around.
The first time Gunter hugged Zeven, he was still taller than him. Gunter had wrapped his arms around the small boy and rubbed soothing circles on his back not letting go until Zeven was done. It was not often that Gunter gave full hugs, but when the occasion arose, he was always ready.
It had been a long time since their last hug, but Gunter could tell that Zeven needed it.
Finally their hug ended when Zeven politely tapped Gunter's back. Looking down at him, Zeven managed a more honest smile. There was still a heavy look in his eye, but Gunter knew that he wouldn't be able to fix that.
Zeven made his way to the kitchen, he kept his footsteps light and did his best to slip into the area unnoticed. A particularly loud step caused Chris's head to snap in his direction, both parties freezing unsure of how to proceed.
Chris slowly pulled the notepad closer to her body, while Zeven pressed his back against the nearest wall.
She got up to leave but Zeven was quick to say something.
"Don't worry, I'm just grabbing something to eat. I'll be out of here in a moment." He kept as far away from Chris as the space allowed. Grabbing a bowl and a spoon from the cabinet, and making his way to the pot on the stove.
Chris didn't notice when the pot had gotten there in the first place, it seemed to have magically appeared. No doubt Gunter had worked quietly and quickly enough that he managed to throw something together before she even noticed he was there.
As Zeven lifted the ladle from the counter top Gunter walked in.
'What do you think you are doing?"
Zeven jumped, dropping the ladle with a curse.
Gunter watched as Zeven fumbled around for a minute. He looked at Chris then back at Zeven. Both looked tense, Chris sat straighter than a rod, her shoulder pulled down and back; and Zeven had his hands on either side of the stove top, his hands clenched white.
"You haven't answered my question." Gunter was neutral in tone, but it expected to be answered.
"I was grabbing dinner and taking it to my room."
"You do not get to have food in your room. You are going to eat at the table like usual."
Chris slowly started trying to slip out of the room while Gunter was distracted with Zeven, but she didn't get far.
"And where do you think you're going?"
Chris's eyes grew wide as she tried to think of a reason to give, "I'm not hungry right now, so I am just going to work in the other room…" She began to trail off before Gunter interrupted her.
"Not a chance, you are eating in here with us too."
Gunter looked at Zeven and Chris with the same knowing expression.
"Since Zeven has already gotten himself a bowl out, we may as well have dinner now."
Gunter walked around the counter and grabbed two other bowls, then he pushed himself in between Zeven and the stove. Setting the bowls on the counter, he filled all of them in a methodical fashion.
"Stop staring and sit."
The pair robotically moved to their respective chairs, Zeven shifted uncomfortably in his seat and Chris's wide eyes kept their gaze at the ground.
Gunter sat a bowl in front of both of them before sitting down in the third chair. Taking his time, he laid his napkin down on his lap. Enjoying as he watched the two squirm in their seats.
Zeven practically shoveled food into his mouth to get away as quickly as possible, while Chris twirled her spoon around her bowl without ever taking a bite.
At a lightning fast pace, Zeven pushed himself back from the table, put his bowl in the sink and darted from the room.
Leaving just Chris and Gunter, there was little conversation to be had. She started to get up, but Gunter turned to face her.
"Not a chance."
"Zeven got to leave."
"Zeven finished his dinner."
"I'm not hungry." She said more firmly.
"You didn't eat lunch either, so you will sit there and finish eating. It does you no go to run from a situation only to hurt yourself in the long run."
Chris paused. Looking Gunter in the eyes, she saw the gentle paternal nature he held. Nodding slightly, she lowered herself back into her chair and began eating.
By the time she had finished, Gunter was already cleaning up the kitchen. Chris fought back the compulsion to show him her empty bowl before excusing herself from the table. She brought her empty bowl to the sink and sat it in the basin.
A warm hand rested on her upper back. She looked over to see Gunter standing beside her, smiling gently at her. "You can do this. Just remember to take care of yourself."
Her chest warmed at hearing his words. And she realized just how tired she was.
"I think I'm going to head up to bed now."
"Good idea."
He removed his arm and let her walk away. Shaking his head at her as she left.