Days Go By | lavashipping

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Cole wasn't going to let the fact that his phone was strangely silent distract him. He wasn't going to ponder about the reason when he was busy working. When he should have been busy working.

It didn't matter, lunch break would be soon anyway, maybe the shop was just busier than usual. It's normal not to receive texts all the time during work hours.

Normal for other people. Kai usually snuck a photo or two. Or some stupid joke or pick up line he thought of. Or literally anything to make sure Cole could never forget about their existence but maybe he should've seen this coming, considering the cold shower Kai prepared for him by ignoring him since last night.

But Cole wasn't going to let that fact distract him. He had work to do. Untouched work to do.

He could feel his hair turn grey.

And yet he found his finger bleeding because, apparently, he did let the fact that his phone was strangely silent distract him and, once it came back to life with an incoming call, a paper cut was underway. Along with a few curses and scrambling for the devilish device.

[Unknown number]

Accept                                        Decline

What would be an easy question any other day became a polarising dilemma. He should probably pick up, shouldn't he? Most likely there could be an explanation. And if not, the end call button is right there.

"Hello, Cole Brookstone speaking."

"Aww, that's adorable. Say it again."

"Nya? Is that you? No, I won't."

"Come on, it was so cute."

"It's cute you think manners are cute, but I won't be wasting them on you, sorry. Where'd you get my number? I don't remember giving it to you."

"Where do you think? Pixal scoured the internet for me, duh. Kai will turn into a chiuaua if you even try to get near his phone."

"Okay... no questions there... What do you need?"

"Your boyfriend is sad and I need you to fix it because he won't talk."

"Shit."

"Shit indeed. Not to mention that he's sick and, refusing medication as always, so twice the pain in the ass. Are you at work?"

"Yeah, just about to have lunch break..."

"Great, I'll pick you up in 15 minutes, don't make me wait."

"Oh– W– Nya?" But the call was already over and all he could do was blankly stare at the sleeping screen. They always had something to throw him off his rails.

Regardless, Cole hurriedly cleaned up his office, threw some things into his bag and went in search of Vania.

He found her sitting in an office of her own, forehead practically buried in the palm of her hand as she furiously scribbled something on one of the many papers covering her desk like snow covers the roofs.

Knocking didn't work to get her attention, so he tried to clear his throat – which worked a little bit better. Still, it seemed there were more pressing matters at her hands as she barely even looked at him, her eyes grazing his figure like a flicker of light.

"Vania?"

"Yeah?"

"Would it be a problem if I left early today? I'll take a double shift some other day. Some emergency came up..."

"Sure. Do whatever you want. Good luck. Have fun."

Part of him felt guilty for using his boss' lack of attention but the other part of him was set on an entirely different issue. Not that letting the time pass while lollygagging in his office was any more productive than not being present at all.

The car which pulled up by the Shintaro building was different from the one Kai borrowed from Jay but still as impressive. Nya opened the door for him without looking away from the screen with navigation. He seated himself and buckled the belt properly when she finally looked at him and smiled.

"Hey, hope you're not in any trouble."

"Not yet at least."

"That's good enough for me." She was quick to take off, leaning forward in her seat as if that would make them weave through the city streets faster.

"So..." Cole lightly slapped his thighs, trying to ignore the sweat on his hands. "What happened?"

Nya sighed. "I was hoping you'd know more. They showed up at our doorstep looking like death itself and then just collapsed, crying. What really worries me is that he didn't try to chomp anyone's arms off despite being sick, he just sulks there on his own..." She spared him a curious glance while waiting for the green light. "So, what happened?"

"I wish I'd known," Cole grumbled, opting to look out the window. Sure, it was a culmination of things, but what was the catalyst?

"Don't worry, you'll have time to think about it. We have soup to pick up."