Days Go By | lavashipping

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"Move," Kai ordered, waiting with a plate filled with a bit of everything he could find in the kitchen.

"It's my couch but okay." Nya shuffled into the middle. And then to the other end of the couch when Kai stretched beyond her expectations. "Hooray, quality sibling time," she deadpanned when Kai began flipping through channels.

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you."

"Maybe that's why you're so ugly."

"Please. You wish you'd look like me."

Scoffing, she turned her attention to the TV. "I'm good, thanks." Once the commercials came to an end and the main program started, she groaned.

"Why—"

"I came here to see the newest Fritz Donnegan movie, it's not my fault they play two episodes of The Real Housewives of Birchwood Hills before it."

No matter how long she stared at him, he would not return her bemused look.

"Everyone would see right through you, bro."

Kai rolled their eyes and dug into the wannabe charcuterie board. Nya watched the overly calculated moves until her tongue couldn't keep staying still.

"So is the TV the only reason you came here or...?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Well, the last time—"

"We don't have to talk about the last time."

"Okay." She tapped her fingers on the arm rest. "But what's bothering you?"

"Maybe I just want to spend time with my sister." Their eyes met her sceptical eyebrows and this time it was Kai who groaned. "Cole's pissing me off."

"And yet you want him to come along to Ignacia..."

"You said it's not a problem and yet you're bringing it up."

"Well, what'd he do? Make you confront your feelings?"

"Shut up." He dropped the plate on the coffee table, causing Nya to hiss at the recklessness. The plates were new, expensive for the sake of being expensive, and to be treated as a newborn. For a moment it seemed that would be the end of the conversation. Until Nya's internal countdown got to a zero and Kai took a sharp inhale.

"You know, we talked about it so many times that I don't think it's good for him to overwork himself so much and always for a few days he'd give off the impression that he's trying to do better before slipping back into it, but now he's not even doing it at home where I can pester him about it. Like half the week he'd excuse himself that he'll be longer at work so now I can't even do anything about it, can you believe it?"

He looked over at her as if he needed support. "He's avoiding me trying to help with his neck pain and headaches!"

With a sigh they returned their eyes to the show. "Where's the appeal in that? I don't get it."

"Like you're much better," Nya quipped to give herself time looking for the right words.

"At least I'm trying to be."

"Maybe he just needs time, you can't just snap your fingers and expect everything to change."

"He doesn't exactly give off the impression he wants to change it. Again, how's it more appealing to be at his work deep into the night when he—"

"NO. I don't need to hear that."

Kai opened his mouth in offence. "All I'm trying to say is his boss is his best friend. He doesn't need to climb any ladder, he's already doing great. And I'm sick of hearing about his aching neck when he's running away from me trying to prevent that."

"I, for one, am sick of hearing you complain about all sorts of blisters when you keep touching hot things despite everyone warning you."

"That's not my fault."

"How is—"

"You know what?" Kai began raising the volume of the TV, once again avoiding Nya's bemused stare.

"Oh, real mature."

Upon his raised middle finger she lunged for his extended arm with the remote.