It's a pain in the ass, but better finish it fast.

The day stretched on as David and Liam worked side by side, their movements steady and practiced as they began the construction of the new cabin. The location was carefully chosen—a quiet spot within the forest, far enough from the current cabin to maintain their isolation but close enough to keep an eye on things. This one was for Caleb and Daniel.

Liam had expressed little interest in the cabin's design, but David had already made up his mind about how it should look. Simple, practical, and functional. Just enough to house Caleb and Daniel comfortably, but no more. They wouldn't need anything extravagant, just a place to stay while they handled their "missions" and dealt with the tasks David and Liam had set for them.

If they wanted, they were free to add their touch to it, later.

David surveyed the land, already marking out where the foundation would go. His movements were efficient, no hesitation as he planned each step in the construction. It wasn't about creating something beautiful; it was about making sure it stood strong, that it would serve its purpose. After all, the world outside was still dangerous, even if they didn't worry about it in their little bubble.

Liam stood a little to the side, his brow furrowed as he dragged a heavy log into position. "You think they'll be okay out here on their own?" he asked, his voice low, though he didn't seem overly concerned. There was a slight edge of curiosity in his tone.

David glanced at him for a moment before returning his focus to the task at hand. "Caleb's capable. And Daniel..." He shrugged, his tone dismissive. "He'll follow Caleb. It'll be fine. They don't need to be coddled."

Liam nodded, tossing another log onto the growing pile. "True. Not like we'll be far. Just a few steps away if they need anything."

David smirked. "They won't. They're just here for the jobs. Once it's done, they're on their own. I'll leave them to figure out the rest."

There was a flicker of something in Liam's eyes, but he didn't speak again. They both knew how things worked. Caleb and Daniel weren't friends, not really. They were useful, tools to be employed when needed. The cabin, just like the contract they'd signed, was another way to ensure they stayed in line. They weren't doing this out of charity, not by a long shot.

As the day wore on, the cabin began to take shape. The foundation was laid down first, followed by the skeletal frame. David worked with precision, measuring, hammering, and cutting without a moment's hesitation. Each movement was deliberate, as if he were building a monument to their control. Caleb and Daniel would come here, and they would work in silence, contributing their strength without question.

Liam, ever the quiet partner, fell into his role effortlessly. He'd chop and haul, his hands steady as he worked to get everything in place. As the hours passed, the frame of the cabin stood tall, a stark contrast to the surrounding wilderness. It wasn't perfect, but it was sturdy, and that was all that mattered.

By evening, the basic structure was up. The walls were still bare, but the shape was unmistakable. It wasn't an elegant home—it was a place of necessity. A shelter for Caleb and Daniel, who, as far as David was concerned, would never be more than that.

David stepped back to survey their work, his hands on his hips. He wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze lingering on the cabin for a moment before turning to Liam. "This will be enough for them. No more. Let them handle the rest once they're here."

Liam looked at the cabin with mild satisfaction. "They won't complain. Not after all we've done for them."

David smirked. "Exactly. They'll be too grateful to complain. This is a gift, after all."

There was a brief silence between them, as both of them knew that Caleb and Daniel would never truly leave their debt behind, not while David and Liam still held the power over them. It was a reminder, a subtle one, that control was never truly relinquished.

They spent another hour securing the structure before calling it a day, the sun dipping low in the sky and casting long shadows over the forest. By the time they returned to their own cabin, it was dark, the fire inside warm and inviting. They settled into their familiar routine, eating in silence, their minds already on the next steps.

As David stoked the fire, his mind briefly flickered back to Caleb and Daniel. The work wasn't done yet, but it would be soon. And then, once they were settled in their new cabin, they'd have to prove their worth, just like they always had.

Liam stretched out on the couch, clearly tired from the day's labor. "Tomorrow, we finish up the cabin for them," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

David nodded, looking over at him with a soft smile. "Yeah. Then we can move on to more important things."

Liam grinned, " Us things."

They exploded into laugther.