*Knock knock*
Kim was in the kitchen, preparing dinner when she heard a knock at the door. She looked at Alex, who was standing beside her.
"It seems like your brother is back. Here, watch this for me. Let me go answer the door," she said to him, as she dropped the knife she was holding on the kitchen island before going to answer the door.
She opened the door and saw Silas standing outside.
"Silas!... You're back." She was slightly surprised when she saw him.
She felt that something was different about Silas, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
When she realized she was still keeping him outside, she stepped aside.
"Come in. Alex and your dad have been worried about you."
"Thanks." Silas walked into the house and closed the door behind Kim.
He walked into the living area and saw his dad seated on a sofa, intently watching the news that was being broadcasted.
"Chris, Silas is home!" Kim shouted to him, breaking his concentration.
Silas smiled when he saw this. He was about to stop her, but she had already called out to him before he could.
Chris quickly turned his head when he heard that Silas was back.
"Son... you're back." He smiled as he gazed at Silas' face, with an unsettled expression on his own.
"Come sit. Have a seat with your dad," he said as he adjusted, making space for Silas to sit.
"Silas, you and your dad stay here while I go finish preparing dinner with Alex," Kim said to him and returned to the kitchen.
Silas nodded at her and took his seat beside his father.
"Dad..." Silas greeted as he sat down.
"Son... how was your trip?" his father asked as he patted Silas on the shoulder.
"It was fine," Silas shrugged and turned to watch the news.
"How are you, champ? I was told you were helping out with dinner in the kitchen," Silas said as he ruffled Alex's hair and lifted him off the ground.
"I was. Welcome home, big brother."
"Thank you, champ."
The three of them took their seats at the dining table, where Kim was already waiting.
Once they were seated, they started eating dinner with smiles on their faces.
As they ate, they chatted about lighthearted things, making the atmosphere even more enjoyable.
After dinner, Kim and Alex cleared the table and did the dishes, while Silas went to his room and Chris went back to watching TV.
When he got to his room, Silas took a bath and put on a light pair of shorts for sleeping before heading to Alex's room.
Since he had just come home after three months, he intended to spend time with Alex playing games. They would play until Alex started feeling sleepy, as it was the weekend tomorrow.
Inside Alex's room, Silas sat on the bed and started booting up the PlayStation, setting up everything before Alex was done with the dishes.
After he finished the setup, he saw the door open, and Alex walked in.
"Hey, champ. Wanna take some beating from me before going to bed?" Silas asked with a mischievous smile, pointing at the TV screen displaying the game.
Alex smiled when he saw this. He had been thinking about asking Silas to play with him.
It seemed like they had the same thought.
"Big brother, do you really think you can beat me? I've gotten good at the game, and I'll be the one to deal the beating this time," Alex said excitedly as he took his seat beside Silas and picked up a controller.
"Confident, aren't we? Let's see how good you are, then," Silas smiled mischievously as he ruffled Alex's hair.
The game started, and the two of them played deep into the night. When Silas noticed that Alex was already dozing off, he stopped the game and tucked him into bed.
"Good night, champ," Silas said as he switched off the lights in Alex's room before heading to his own.
Silas got into his room and slumped onto the bed.
"I think it's time for everyone to take a vacation," Silas said as he looked out the window.