A fit of giggles erupted from the five children that sat at the counter, the woman behind it looking relieved to see them laughing. The children in their uniforms were regulars at Griddy's, often showing up in groups of three or four. She never caught their names but knew them by face and almost always had their favorite donut at the ready for them before they got around to ordering.
"N-no," Number Two shoved another piece of donut in his mouth then shook his head. "I don't think I can eat anything else after this."
"Me neither," Number Seven laughed softly. Donuts were the only times she and her siblings ever got to bond outside of occasionally speaking at the academy.
"I could keep going," Five shook his head. "But it's looking like Six or Four could too."
As if on cue, his brothers locked eyes with each other and shook their heads.
"What do we get out of it if we do?" Four raised an eyebrow at him. Six looked equally as curious.
"The knowledge that you can eat the most donuts," Five shrugged. "Two and Seven are out so that leaves us three to try to prove we're best."
"One could probably win," Seven added with a soft laugh and shook her head.
"T-too bad he and Three decided against j-joining us," Two shook his head.
"Can we do one more donut for everyone?" Five's question earned a few groans as an answer. "What, we can save the uneaten ones for our brother and sister."
His words earned a nod from everyone. The woman that worked there returned with the most spectacular looking donuts she could offer.
"On the house," She murmured. "Since it seems fitting to give my best customers a taste of the most popular ones from the menu."
"Thank you," The five children said in unison. Four, Five, and Six each claimed a donut and took a bite from it. Two and Seven looked on with slight interest and disgust. They didn't go to leave until their brothers had finished their fifth donuts.
"This can't have been a good idea," Number Six groaned once they paid for their meal. The five took off running the moment they got outdoors. Having placed bets on who could eat more than the rest of the family made them run later than planned when it came to sneaking back home.
They arrived, panting, outside the academy and traipsed over to the fire escape that led to Five's bedroom. Seven held a small bag with a few donuts in her hand. She took the lead on climbing and didn't struggle with forcing Five's window open.
The children gave a sigh of relief once safely inside. Quick hugs were exchanged then they darted off to their rooms, knowing they needed to get ready to check in with their father.