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Arjun awkwardly stands in front of Kiaan's room for the last five minutes, not knowing if he should step in or not. He knows the boy is afraid of him, he doesn't want to scare him anymore. 

However, the boy must be bored out of his mind being cooped up in the same room for the last 3 days with nothing to do. Arjun didn't go to his "normal" job today. Well, all members of Venom have some jobs to do to make them look like law abiding and righteous citizens of the country. Arjun is a professor, as absurd as that sounds. A professor who misses most classes because of his other work. But who is there to fire him? None. Rajeeb owns the college. 

While all other members are out at work, only he and Kiaan are at home. In the last three days, he has only seen the boy during breakfast. However, he isn't sure if the boy has seen him at all. He always had his head down, too afraid or maybe too guilty to look up at anyone. 

Arjun is done with contemplating his inner thoughts. He enters Kiaan's room before knocking, two video game controllers in his hands. A little smile finds its way to his lips as soon as he enters the room. Kiaan is almost all over the bed. He always tries to make himself small but while sleeping, it seems like he can't control his body anymore. The blanket is under him instead of the other way around. His mouth is slightly open. His loud snores can tell that he is in deep sleep and very tired. 

Arjun keeps the control on the dresser before approaching the bed. He yanks at the blanket to get it and puts it over him but he didn't know that Kiaan is a light sleeper. Kiaan wakes up suddenly, screaming at the top of his lungs, startling Arjun. 

"It's just me! God, you gave me a heart attack!" Arjun almost yells, dramatically placing his hand on his chest. 

Kiaan glares at him cutely for interrupting his sleep but he drops the glare as soon as sleep drives away from his system and he notices that Arjun is the one talking. 

" 'm sorry." Kiaan says, hanging his head low, making Arjun huff. 

"Don't be. It's my fault. I must have startled you." Arjun says, softening his voice to a certain extent. 

Kian nods his head, holding the blanket tightly as if it would save him if Arjun decided to strike. Not that he thinks Arjun will hurt him anyway. He knows them well enough. None seems to have the intention to hurt him in any way which makes him feel both happy and guilty. Guilty because he doesn't do anything in return. 

"Anyway, wanna play some video games?" Kiaan looks up, surprised at the offer. 

Arjug shows the boy the controllers who just keep staring at him. He absolutely loves playing video games. Considering the fact that he spent most of his time being home alone, he played games more than he did anything else. 

Kiaan meekly nods his head at Arjun. If Arjun wasn't as observant as he is, he wouldn't be able to notice the boy's head shake. 

"How come you are so good?" Arjun asks, frustrated as Kiaan keeps killing him again and again.

It's their 5th round, each one won by Kiaan. Arjun is adamant. He will finish the game only after he wins one but the boy is too good. 

He glares at the boy, threatening him with his eyes. Though Kiaan sheepishly smiles, he intentionally loses the game, not wanting to get killed by a frustrated Arjun in real life. 

"Yes! Finally, we are playing." Kiaan rolls his eyes at Arjun's excitement. 

For the first time, Kiaan is seeing Arjun so carefree, so calm and happy though from time to time Arjun chants a string of curses when he dies in the game, it's all fun. Kiaan can't help but feel the warmth radiating from Arjun's acceptance of him. Or is he thinking too far ahead? He doesn't know and truth be told, he doesn't even care right now. He doesn't remember the last time he played a game with someone beside him or even talked to someone about his likings. 

"Let's have another round." Arjun asks excitedly. 

Kiaan is kind enough to die every time intentionally to let Arjun win which makes Arjun cocky about the whole thing. However, before they can carry on, Kiaan's stomach grumbles suddenly. The tips of his ears turn red when Arjun looks at him. 

"Nah, enough game for now. How about some food?" Arjun says, turning off the game. 

Kiaan nods his head, not knowing what else to do. They were so engrossed in the game that none of them realized 5 hours had passed already. It's almost afternoon and none of them have had lunch yet. 

So, Arjun hurriedly leaves the room towards the kitchen, he should have thought about lunch before. There is nothing ready to eat. He can order food but Kiaan should eat something homemade, something healthy. 

Feeling guilty for troubling Arjun, he trails behind the man towards the kitchen. Arjun was having a good time but he had to get hungry to ruin the mood. Arjun is annoyed by him, isn't he?

From the corner of his eyes, Arjun can see Kiaan standing at one corner. Arjun can tell that the boy is blaming himself. His distressed face gives that away. Mere words won't be enough to console him and make him realize that it's alright. He needs to feel useful to wash away the unnecessary guilt. 

"Come here, kid." Arjun calls for him, receiving a big bowl from the cabinet. 

Kiaan approaches Arjun with tiny steps, his head hanging low like always. This boy seriously needs to stop overthinking. Arjun won't be surprised if the boy ends up blaming himself for world hunger one day if he eats a little too much, well, if he already doesn't think that way. 

"Wanna help around the kitchen?" Arjun offers which finally makes him look up. 

"Y-Yes, sir." The boy says, nodding his head along with it. 

"Sir? Oh, please. I'm not your sir. Call me Arjun, it's fine." But it doesn't seem fine with the boy. 

"Older than me." He says pointing his finger at Arjun. 

He doesn't use full sentences as of yet. It still hurts a little but he can make little sentences. It's like he is learning to speak again. Arjun finds it kind of cute. 

"Call me Arjun bhaiya then." Arjun nonchalantly says, shrugging his shoulders. 

"I can?" He asks, disbelief being visible in his eyes.

"That's what I said, didn't I?" The boy nods his head. 

He seems to be stuck in his place, being awestruck at Arjun which Arjun finds odd. What's so fascinating about him? 

"So, are you gonna help or not?" Kiaan nods his head, with urgency this time and steps inside the kitchen, waiting for Arjun's order. 

"I'm making chicken curry. Is that alright with you?" 

"Yes." Kiaan didn't want to sound so excited but he couldn't help it.

He loves chicken. Actually, he is obsessed with chicken. After eating food which hardly looked edible to keep his health in check, he will finally get to eat chicken. His stomach grumbles at the thought of that. 

"Can you make the dough for the paratha?" Kiaan, of course, nods his head. 

He has no experience in the kitchen. He never had to set his foot in the kitchen ever. His father was kind enough to hire housekeepers, cook and a nanny for him. So, he doesn't know how to make a dough. But he can try. He just wants to help. 

Arjun pours a decent amount of flour into the bowl and gives him the "Go on" look while he busies himself with the curry. 

Not knowing what to do exactly, Kiaan pours all the masalas that are sitting on the counter into the flour, adding water more than it's needed, making a total mess.

"What are you doing?" Kiaan flinches with Arjun's loud voice, taking a few steps away. 

If he was making any progress, that loud disappointed voice dragged him to the beginning yet again. 

Arjun now feels guilty looking at the boy's state. He looks like Arjun slapped him quite a few times. Arjun keeps his anger in check. No, he shouldn't lose his cool. He absolutely hates it when someone creates a mess in his kitchen. He absolutely despises when someone butchers food or anything in the kitchen. But Kiaan isn't like other people he lives with. Far away from it actually. This boy is so sensitive that even a little loud voice is enough to make him feel insecure about himself. Arjun takes a deep breath. 

"You don't know how to make a dough, do you?" Arjun asks calmly, sounding much softer than earlier. 

Kiaan shakes his head, still looking down. 

"I appreciate the fact you want to help, kid. But you should also know if you will be able to do that or not. Because when we don't talk it out, disasters like this happen. Now, I will have to throw away the flour. It's not good, is it?" Arjun tries his hardest to sound as gentle as he can. 

"If you can't do something then ask for help. I will be more than happy to help you out, kid. Trust me. But you should also tell me beforehand, shouldn't you?" Kiaan nods his head once again. 

" 'm sorry." 

"You should be. But mistakes teach us to rectify and learn from them. So, if you want to help then help but don't come forward if you can't say that you don't know how to do stuff." Kiaan nods his head. 

For the first time in his life, he is being scolded for his mistake but it doesn't feel bad at all. It doesn't make him hate himself. Though Arjun scared him enough with his loud voice, he is explaining the thing well to Kiaan. 

"Now, come here and let me show you how to do it. Next time, you shouldn't fail, do you hear me?" Arjun's little chuckle makes it wholesome instead of threatening. 

Kiaan learns how to make a dough properly, how to cut chicken into fine pieces and how to cook chicken curry like a masterchef. Though he isn't sure if he will be able to remember it or forget it by tomorrow. 

Kiaan wants to say that the curry is out of the world but he can't. His mouth is full so he just gives Arjun thumbs up, making the older one chuckle a little. 

"Have some more then." Arjun says, pouring some more onto his plate. 

"Why are you all bloody?" They can hear Rajeeb's voice coming from the hallway. 

And soon, Rajeeb and Avinash enter the house, looking like he just endured a storm. A storm that made him look like shit, bleeding shit. 

"What happened?" Arjun asks calmly. 

Kiaan looks baffled for two reasons. First of all, Avinash's state scares him. He looks like someone tries to kill him, his face is bruised, his shirt is soaked in blood. Secondly, Arjun and Rajeeb don't even seem shocked or even worried. How can they make it out like it's a daily occurrence? Well, maybe because it is. 

Both Arjun and Kiaan stop eating and head towards the living room area. 

"Don't sit on the couch, Avi. I'm serious. You are going to ruin the white couch." Arjun warns. 

OK, Arjun and Kiaan have different reasons to approach the injured man. While Kiaan is worried about his well-being, Arjun is worried about the couch's well-being. To each their own. 

"Where am I gonna sit then? Rajeeb is gonna dress my wound." 

"Floor it is." Avinash rolls his eyes but sits on the floor nonetheless. 

"How could you let someone fuck you up this bad?" Arjun asks, taking a seat on the couch, ushering a shocked Kiaan to sit beside him. 

"It was necessary. They really thought they were hurting an innocent prosecutor." Avinash smirks, recalling their stupidity. 

Prosecutor? Kiaan doesn't believe it. Aren't they in some gang or something? What's happening around here? 

"So, you let them hit you?" Avinash whines when Rajeeb applies antiseptic on his wounds. 

"Be gentle, will ya?" He warns, making Rajeeb roll his eyes. 

"I will try, Your Highness." He says, being not so gentle. 

"What's the plan?" Arjun asks. 

"Oh, nothing. The mastermind behind it will just have a heart attack tonight and his properties will be given to an orphanage. He is such a kind man." Avinash laughs afterwards. 

Avinash finds it funny how people view him as someone harmless and pounces on him, to scare him off and back off from cases he fights. But the next day, some of them meet natural death, some accidental. Coincidence? Of course not. 

"Let me guess. It's the orphanage that an anonymous organization runs?" 

"Ditto." 

"It was a good idea to open the orphanage. Donations come and go. No one can suspect a thing." Avinash admits. 

While they are having a normal conversation about how they loot people and kill them, Kiaan is actually understanding how dangerous their works are. How dangerous they are. Is he making the right decision by being here? Or he's gonna regret it later? 

A/N: Trust me, even I found this chapter boring 💀
Maybe the next chapter will be good. Maybe.

Anyway, I'm here to self-promote! Drum rolls please!

"Into the Wolves' Den"

It's a supernatural story. So, if you are interested to read a fantasy book, you are more than welcome ^-^