BCJ 9 • pete and peter

***

Taking care of an actual kid wasn't really that much of a problem for Kao since he was used to it. He could look after a group of kids for a day and he'd still enjoy it.

But taking care of a grownup who still acts like a child requires a different level of patience and understanding.

It was just their second day at the orphanage but he could already sense his blood spiking because of Pete.

"I got it first!" Peter howled as he grabbed the ball from Pete who immediately raised the ball over his head.

Kao just stood there, watching and waiting for one of them to finally surrender but it didn't happen.

They had already spent almost an hour arguing whose turn it was to shoot the ball and Kao was on the verge of flipping the court upside down.

He didn't even know how in the world the two ended up in the basketball court. He was busy helping in the kitchen when he decided to look for Pete and heard arguments from a distance.

"Why don't you two give it up already? It's time for lunch."

"No!" the two said in unison before giving each other deadly glares.

"I was here first! You just stole the ball from me!" Peter retaliated before giving Pete a punch but failed.

"Oh, really? Because I can't see your name on this ball, you midget," Pete taunted before poking a finger on Peter's head, emphasizing their height difference.

"Pete, you better leave the kid alone and help in the kitchen, or I'm gonna shove that ball down your throat."

Pete playfully grinned before giving Peter a light punch on the shoulder. He thought that would be the start of another fight but luckily, Pete heeded his words and started marching towards the kitchen.

Kao carefully approached Peter who was already dribbling the ball.

"Peter, why don't you clean up so you could eat lunch?"

Peter didn't answer and just dribbled the ball away from him.

"I heard some couples are visiting. Why don't you dress up so you'd be chosen."

That made Peter stop on his tracks. He immediately threw the ball away and stared at Kao.

"Leave me alone," he muttered before going back inside the building.

Kao already know how much of a stubborn Peter was so he just decided to leave the kid alone and continue helping in the kitchen.

His brows furrowed the moment he entered the kitchen for there stood Pete who was undeniably flirting with the other volunteers.

For some reason, he felt agitated, not because Pete was not doing anything to help but because of something else. He just couldn't point it out.

"How many times are you gonna lick those lips of yours? You look like a fucking iguana," he snarled as he slammed the food tray in front of Pete.

"Tss. Move over. I'm watching Celeste," Pete replied without even laying his eyes on Kao.

Kao's eyes then landed on the woman who was scooping food for the kids. He'd admit, Celeste was pretty, the kind of pretty that Pete would definitely go after, the kind of pretty that would turn heads wherever she sets her foot on.

"You're not here to gawk at women, you're here t-"

But even before he could finish his sentence, Pete had already sauntered to where Celeste was.

***

Kao had just finished washing the dishes when he noticed Peter running towards the back of the building. He was about to follow him when he noticed Pete running after the kid.

Thinking that they might end up arguing again, Kao immediately followed the two. But instead of witnessing a disaster, something else unfolded before his eyes.

There Pete was, gently rubbing the back of Peter who was crying in his arms.

Something inside him told him to walk away, leave the two behind and go on with his work. But another side of him told him to stay, and maybe pry a little on what happened.

He decided to do the latter.

"Stop crying already. They'll come and get you soon," Pete gently whispered.

Kao didn't know this side of Pete. He has always seen him as someone who would not give a shit about those around him.

It was the first time he saw Pete wipe his tears.

Pete was crying.

And so he was.

And he didn't even know why.

***

Kao found Pete in the kitchen. After eavesdropping for a bit earlier, he decided to leave the two alone and help with the chores instead.

"What are you doing?"

"Do you know how to bake a cake?"

Kao let out a snicker as he saw Pete's face covered with flour.

"And why on earth are you baking a cake?"

"I want to surprise Peter."

"Huh? Is it his birthday today? Sandy didn't mention that one."

"No. It was last month. Celeste told me."

Kao immediately frowned upon hearing Celeste's name.

"The orphanage tried to celebrate it but Peter didn't come out of his room that day. I want to bake him a cake to somehow make him feel better after what happened."

Kao heaved a deep sigh. Apparently, Peter was disheartened that another couple came instead of his parents. He still firmly believes that his parents are still alive and just abandoned him.

"I'm thinking of asking Celeste for help but I don't want to disturb her. Should I ask her?"

That was enough to snap Kao out of his thoughts.

"What type of cake are you making?" he immediately asked as he grabbed his phone so he could start searching for recipes.

"Uhm, just anything?" Pete replied unsurely. He clearly didn't know what he was doing.

"Okay, let's just make a simple chocolate cake," Kao replied in a firm voice. He has very little knowledge on baking but he'd rather watch countless tutorials online than watch Pete and Celeste.

***

"It's bitter."

Kao coughed unintentionally as they watched Peter's distorted face.

"Tss. Just be grateful you little brat. I spent the entire day making that one," Pete berated before lightly poking Peter's forehead.

Peter just grimaced before taking another bite.

Pete tried to hide a smile but Kao could clearly see it creeping across his face.

He didn't even know how in the world the two got close but he was happy that he discovered Pete's soft side because of Peter.

"You better finish all of that or I'm gonna beat the hell out of you."

"I'm barely chewing on this. It's even more bitter than my entire life."

"Tss. You brat. Give me a bite."

Peter willingly obliged and pushed a large slice of cake into Pete's mouth.

"Geez. How on earth did we make this Kao? It's bitter as hell!" Pete spat the cake out.

Kao just shrugged. He was sure they carefully followed the steps they found online.

"Stop eating that. We'll make you another one."

Pete tried getting the cake away from Peter but he just smacked Pete's hand away.

"I'm gonna finish this. It's not good to waste food."

Pete tried to argue but Peter just answered back again.

Kao decided to leave them alone as he could sense that Pete was definitely enjoying Peter's company and how he wished he could see Pete's smile every day.

***