Here they were again.
It always happened the same way.
Hawkeye would sit at the end of the long dining room table and wait for his guests to arrive.
The young swordsman with the strange colored hair would hardly say a word being so exhausted from training. Even if the boy could utter something Hawkeye doubted he'd take the chance. After all Hawkeye decided if the swordsman earned his dinner, the warlord wasn't here to give handouts.
He cooked the food, he'd decide who'd eat it.
Then the nuisance would fly into the room accompanied by those dreadful ghosts. The pinkette was the complete opposite of the swordsman, she'd be so loud it made Hawkeye wonder if she'd ever shut up. He only allowed her to eat so he could enjoy the few glorious seconds of silence while she chewed.
The two of them would take their places usually beside each other, an isolated spot away from Hawkeye. The pinkette would chatter with the brat for a while as the warlord tried to enjoy his meal.
His trainee would chow down like a glutton after the long day of grueling training. Such terrible manners. Is what the older man always found himself thinking. Despite his manners Hawkeye couldn't deny the boy had impressed him thus far. So for now he could let the manners slide.
Surprisingly enough the girl was better mannered while eating, she was truly able to appreciate his cooking as well. Perhaps that was another reason why he let her eat here.
It was around this time the worst part of dinner approached. The brats eyes would turn to him noticing he was so distant. Without even asking if it was okay to invade his personal space the two of them would pull their seat across the room.
His hardwood floor was getting numerous scratches from the dragging of the chairs. The sound they made while being dragged was deafening.
Hawkeye never once stopped them though.
That was a curious thing. Hawkeye couldn't figure out why that was...
Was it just more trouble then it was worth? Or was it something more?
The master swordsman never had the time to dwell on that much before they were on either side of him.
For the duration of the meal the three of them usually shared one big plate...
If the brats were lucky they could occasionally get him joining in on a conversation.
If they were really lucky they earned a small smile maybe... Just maybe even a chuckle...