"She likes broccoli?"
Arthur's face looked hilarious when he asked that, and Kelly burst out laughing.
Arthur looked so disgusted since Kelly started talking about Natalia's favourite food which they were preparing in the kitchen now and Kelly understood why. Most of them were foods that Arthur really hates...
"Come on. Not everyone hates vegetables."
"I don't hate vegetables. I just don't like broccoli. It just doesn't taste like anything and is so… weird."
Sigh…
"But Natalia likes it. I even put broccoli in her mac and cheese," Kelly said secretly grinning, thinking about how she also did the same with Arthur's mac and cheese, which he never noticed.
Arthur never caught on that the little tiny green pieces in that yellow goodness were broccoli.
Yeah… So Kelly would rather keep her mouth shut, or else Arthur might stop eating mac and cheese altogether.
"Really? So weird."
Arthur played with the broccoli stem and busied himself looking at the menu Auntie had written down.
'Yeah, of course, the list would be this long. This Natalia is the queen of England after all.'
Arthur scoffed but just helped Aunt Kelly cook and store what they prepared. He was also going to be eating those after all.
Well, he understands why Aunt Kelly is so excited and being so extra. And he wants to help her too.
But Arthur now realises he was feeling jealous of Natalia getting all this treatment. She deserves it, that's right. She is here after so many years, and these two people are hers after all...
"Arthur, I made your favourite stir fry too, but this time we are out of peas. I'm sorry about that, dear. Just try it once without peas this time, okay?"
Arthur was taken aback as he stared at Aunt Kelly, who hurried around the kitchen, not noticing his gaze.
"...I was being so selfish. She thought about me too..."
Arthur felt really guilty about feeling jealous. Missing peas didn't even matter, she didn't have to apologise...
"Mom... what's with so many dishes?"
Arthur froze as he suddenly heard Natalia's voice from behind, which sounded a little drunk or dazed.
He guessed it must be because she might have woken up just now.
"Ah… I made all your favourites. I want to give you a good homemade meal. Did you just wake up from your nap? Do you need something to drink? Or should we just dive into lunch? Are y-"
Kelly breathlessly went on, making the other two stare at her with wonder.
"Mom... I am not going anywhere. You don't have to get so worked up..."
Natalia mumbled and held her mother's hand, comforting her.
"I didn't come to leave again, Mom. Don't worry. I will be home to eat your meals every day. So let's take it slow, okay?"
Natalia calmly said again, seeing her mother's silence. But she then saw her nodding after a quick sigh.
Her mom loved her so much, didn't she?
"I'm sorry, Mom. I will be a good daughter from now on."
Natalia let go of her mom's hand and was going to walk back to her to freshen up. So she could then come back and help her mom, but she noticed something flinching.
Not something.
Someone...
Natalia couldn't help but stare at him.
Arthur...
Natalia had already noticed that omega who was curled up in a dining chair, secretly glancing at her since she came there. Also, how he flinched and turned away whenever she turned toward him too...
And that face was very red.
Natalia's lips cracked a little smirk as her eyes finally left the omega behind who made her feel amused again.
'Cute.'
.....
"Wow!"
As everyone sat at the table, lunch ready, Kevin couldn't help but give his compliments to Kelly and Arthur.
"Dig in."
As they started to eat, both Kelly and Kevin stole glances at each other, feeling like this was very different from the family meals they usually had.
It was too silent.
Usually, Arthur would be talking nonstop, but he was very quiet today. They thought he must still be getting used to having Natalia around.
Well, it was kind of that.
'I wanted that chicken drumstick… Hmmph!'
Arthur glared at his plate as he thought back to the time when the chicken drumstick he was eyeing was taken away by Natalia.
He was not happy about it at all.
And now he feels it. What's it like to share...
'It's all right, it's all right. There are plenty more.'
Arthur told himself as he soon realised how spoiled and bratty he was being.
He didn't want to be that way.
"Arthur, today I am going to town. Is there anything you want?"
Kevin asked, and everyone looked at Arthur, whose eyes shone.
Kevin would have asked that later, but he realised they missed the chaotic, loud atmosphere Arthur brings every time.
Without his voice, everything felt just so empty.
Maybe they were so used to having Arthur around that they now miss his chatty behaviour.
Maybe he will soon be comfortable with Natalia and will be the same soon.
'Right... We should help them get along.'
Kevin had that in his mind too.
"Ice cream?..."
Even though Arthur was excited about his uncle going to town and definitely getting what he wanted, he just remembered that Aunt Kelly was mad about him eating too much ice cream.
But by that time, he had already said it.
Arthur looked really guilty when he asked for ice cream, and Kevin sighed, feeling pity for Arthur.
Of course, he isn't going to buy ice cream once his omega said no.
"Something else? Just for today? I will get you ice cream another day."
Kevin said, and Arthur nodded as he was already thinking about something else.
"Mmm... I can't think of anything. Just bring whatever Uncle wants," Arthur said, and Kevin nodded as he took another bite of his food.
"Do you want something too, Natalia?" Arthur secretly glanced at Natalia, who was sitting next to Uncle Kevin.
Arthur couldn't look away. Even the way she was eating was just so... interesting?
"Ugh, why am I being so weird? Who stares at someone eating?"
Arthur thought. But he couldn't help it; he had been stealing glances at Natalia since they started eating. Maybe it was just curiosity.
"There isn't much I need right now," Natalia said, turning to her dad, who nodded and returned to his food.
Of course, Natalia noticed.
That omega...
She could clearly see his two black eyes staring at her in secret.
It was amusing and Natalia almost let out a chuckle. She couldn't help but want to tease him now.
So, she raised her head and stared right back at him, who panicked.
Their eyes locked, and Natalia felt a wicked satisfaction as Arthur's eyes widened and his face turned red.
Now, Natalia had to admit it again.
"He is very cute."