Deathbed... Or Not.

[Malachai Roen]

Mmmm..... Fuzzy and warm... Everything was fuzzy and warm and Kai felt like he was floating on a cloud...

In reality, he'd come just about as close to dying from a bee sting as anyone could get, and was currently hooked up to an array of tubes and machines and who knew what all, doped up on some very strong pain medication so he felt numb all over.

He didn't remember much.  A small prick of pain - on his hand? - and then everything was sort of fuzzy afterwards.  Fuzzy like his head.  Mmmm....  But, right.  He'd been walking in the garden, like an idiot.  What kind of person with a deadly bee allergy walked around in a garden in warm weather without their EpiPen with them?  And then what happened...?

Nope, he wasn't feeling up to thinking about it.  He'd remember later.  It took all of Kai's effort to crack his eyes open and get a look at where he was.  The room was very white.  And there were beeping sounds, people wandering in and out, checking things, saying things to him which he replied with a weak nod, although he didn't understand most of what they were saying.  Well... Looked like he'd probably live, at least.  They didn't look too terribly worried.

His hand was all wrapped up in gauze, and, he thought, probably swollen up like a balloon.  He'd only been stung once before in his life, when he was young, and the symptoms had been horrific.  Kai was glad he couldn't see where the sting was, although he thought he could see hives starting to break out up his arm.

Where was anyone?  Shouldn't someone be crying over him, or something?  Oh, right... Most of his friends only spent time with him for his money or intelligence in his field or something.  Why would he expect anything different?  So Kai laid there like a useless lump, staring blankly at the opposite wall, wondering if maybe it would have been better if the bee had stung closer to his heart.  It probably would have hurt less.

[Deleted]

Leave it to her dumb older brother to find himself in the hospital over a mere bee-sting. Of course, and as expected, Sera was listed as the person to call in case of an emergency. With their parent’s in a completely different state, it was only natural. Even though Sera was only 17, she was still far more capable than your average student. That’s what happened when you had brains and money; means. She had the means to receive the notice, she had the means to transport herself to the hospital(thanks to the new car her folks got her for her birthday last year), and she had the means to consult with the doctors and negotiate with the insurance over Malachai’s medical care.

Really. A bee-sting. How embarrassing that must have been for Malachai. He’s usually a lot more careful about his allergy.

As cold as her tone was, Sera actually was worried for him. For about 3 seconds.

It was a bee-sting. All he needed was a shot and he was good to go. Sera didn’t understand why he had to be as dramatic as needing to stay in the hospital for more than a day. Oh, well, it was doctor’s orders, and who was she to argue with the all knowing doctor?

Sera strolled through the white-tiled hallway, her gaze cold and focused only on her destination, until she finally arrived at the room where her poor brother had been locked away. “Well, aren’t you just the drama queen?” she said in a monotone voice of sarcasm, crossing her arms over her torso and leaning lightly against the frame of the doorway. “And here I thought you were dying.” The tiniest of smiles appeared on her thin lips. “What a shame.”

[Malachai Roen]

Kai was still staring blankly at the white wall in front of him when he heard approaching footsteps down the hall. There was only one person he really wanted to see, and the chances of it being who he wanted were slim to none, considering how they had last talked. Zach was probably amused that Kai had ended up in the hospital, if he even knew about it at all. Probably think it serves me right, he thought gloomily.

He didn't look at the visitor until she spoke, and even before he did, Kai was suppressing a sigh. Of course it would be his dear sister. His feelings for the girl were... Complicated, to say the least. Their history, and particular events in it, left Kai always feeling a tumultuous range of emotions. However, her greeting set the mood for today.

"It wouldn't be me if I didn't make things dramatic, right?" he replied, finally glancing in Sera's direction. Kai was still scruffier than usual, his stubble longer and hair more unkempt than his normal perfectly groomed appearance. Still, he managed a small, sarcastic smirk. "No, I couldn't just go and croak on you, could I?" he taunted. "What would you do with all the inheritance money without me?"

Kai grunted and sat up a bit more, rubbing his fists against the bags under his eyes. "So... Are you here just to be sorry that I'm still alive, or do I get a hug?" Any comfort would be welcome now, even from the icy arms of his sibling.

[Deleted]

While there was no way of Sera knowing how Malachai’s little pet boy-toy would react to her brother being in the hospital, she did know that her own thoughts were in the general area of It serves him right. Why? Obviously for not being careful enough when bee season was at it’s peak, for wallowing about like a pining high school girl over his recent break-up(Malachai never told her about it but she had her sources), for doing everything he possibly could to be more perfect than Sera was at everything they did ever.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true, but he was at the things that mattered to their parents.

“Not quite good enough for an Oscar, however,” she quipped back. “Especially looking like that.” Really, when was the last time he shaved? That break-up must’ve been worse than she thought….well, good riddance to bad rubbish. Malachai was better off without that middle-class journalist…or writer or whatever he was. “I can think of a few things.”

Sera’s smile lengthened an extra millimeter as she stood up straight and strolled closer to the bed, not answering her brother’s question. Her eyes flitted down to the ground as she carried herself with a slender grace and continued to speak. “Some of us were thinking about going away for the summer.” Her darkened eyes rose to meet his. “You’re welcome to join us,” to take his mind off things, “…unless you’re afraid of getting another little bee-sting?”

[Malachai Roen]

Kai was normally far more careful than he had been today. He avoided places like the rose garden like the plague, and always carried his epinephrine device with him. He'd just been wallowing in too much depression and self-pity to care today... Or at least, that was what he told himself until he got stung. Then he panicked and cursed himself for being so dumb.

"Good thing I'm not studying to be a theater major, then," he retorted, rolling his eyes. Even if he wanted to, there was no way his parents would have allowed it - not nearly enough money in that business. "And... That's not my fault. I've been in the hospital, I haven't had the energy to groom myself." He'd been in the hospital for less than a day. Obviously he'd been going without trimming for longer than that. Kai's cheeks flushed slightly with embarrassment and shame; the last thing he needed right now were Sera's quips and smugness.

He watched her as she came closer, eyeing the slender thing up and down with a frown. She'd always been so thin, Kai thought he could wrap one of his hands around her slim legs. "'Some of us'?" he repeated, glancing back up with a furrowed brow. "Who?" Kai wasn't sure who she meant, but.... The idea of going away sounded almost pleasant. Maybe it would help him escape this place, escape him... "I've been stung twice in my life, Sera. I'm not letting my allergy control what I do." He grunted and crossed his arms over his chest, looking outside. "Shouldn't you... I don't know, be in class or training or something?" Kai wasn't even sure what time it was.

[Deleted]

Sera knew her brother well and knew that he rarely wandered about in gardens and the like, especially during this particular season. That was one reason why she was surprised to hear that he had been taken to the hospital for such a small thing. It…irritated her that this whole break-up of his disturbed the man enough that he could slip up this much. Really, what was so great about that spineless writer anyway?

A smile appeared at Kai’s retort. Theater was interesting, and there was potential for a lot of fancy things to be made, but it was true that there was no money in acting. Now business, specifically in the fashion industry; that was where the real money was. A lot more than whatever mindless research that Malachai was doing, tinkering with his bunsen burners and test tubes. No, consumerism was what made the economy and the only thing bigger than the fashion industry was the food industry. After all, every needed clothes, even if they were only the three dollar one-time-use t-shirt from the convenience store.

Sera scoffed at his excuses. “And yet rather than a mere 5 o’clock shadow, you look more like you should be corralling with the billy goats gruff.”

She wasn’t about to lay off him. After all, Malachai had the gall to do something so stupid and make her worry for longer than two seconds. “Just me and some friends from school. They’re eager to meet you, you know.” Some of them. Others didn’t really care. “Good. Then it’s settled,” she said as soon as he dismissed his “fear”. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements.” A small laugh dared to escape her lips as she pulled out her cell phone to make those “arrangements”. “Classes are over for the day.” She looked back at him. “You should feel special. I decided to spend extra time studying tomorrow just so I could come see you today.”

[Malachai Roen]

Kai had tried to keep the entire ordeal with Zach away from his sister. Hell, he couldn't even remember if he had mentioned Sera to the writer at all - and he sure as hell wouldn't have told her about him. Still, he knew his sibling had her ways, and it wouldn't surprise him if she somehow knew intimate details from her 'sources'... Whatever they were.

He vaguely wondered if Sera was working yet. Unlike her, he didn't keep constant tabs on his family, having made the decision to focus on himself without her rivalry distracting him as he went through college. It didn't mean he wasn't curious, though.

"It's nearly finals week. I've been too busy studying to spend a lot of time making myself look perfect." More lies. Tests had never stopped him from obsessively grooming in the past.

He groaned inwardly at the mention of said 'friends'. "You mean the people you pay to spend time with you?" he challenged, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Nevertheless, he knew he'd had a pretty lasting reputation at Hammel, so it wouldn't surprise Kai if his name still floated around occasionally. Especially since he taught yoga classes there on occasion. "Wait, I didn't-" Kai sighed, giving up. If she wanted him to go on some little trip, fine. He'd deal. Even if he had to put up with her shitty 'friends'. "Oh... Has that much time passed?" he wondered. Hadn't it been this morning that he'd been stung? How long had he been out? Time traveled weirdly in the hospital.

"Yes, very special," he sighed, shifting to try to sit up more; he grimaced and slipped back down. "It's always a pleasure to swap quips with you, dear sister." With a sarcastic smile, he reached out with his un-stung hand and patted Sera's. "Do mom and dad know I'm here?"

[Deleted]

It wasn’t hard for Sera to find out about the writer her brother was screwing. Sera had a network of people from whom she could ask about Malachai’s latest activities and endeavors. It wasn’t hard when Malachai was seen with the dull-faced pauper all over town, especially not when his activities with many of his usual pickings started dwindling off. At this rate, Sera wouldn’t even have to try to gain more affection from others than her brother. Malachai didn’t even seem to be trying anymore.

Unless he’d done something stupid like falling in love.

“That’s your story and your sticking to it, fine.” She wasn’t going to press, but Sera was going to find out sooner or later. It may as well be sooner, that way she didn’t have to embarrass him with it later.

“If it works, it works. Not everyone can be as goddamn perfect as you,” she hissed. So Sera still had issues with socializing? At least she’d found a way so that she didn’t have to feel like a hopeless outcast.

Sera clicked on her speed-dial and put the phone to her ear. There was an answer almost immediately. The conversation took less than 20 seconds, but by the end of it, Sera had done what she’d sought out to do.

Sera pursed her lips at the mention of their parents. She tucked the phone back into her jacket pocket. “No,” she said. Sera looked back up at her brother, her features softened only enough that someone who was close to her would be able to notice. “I didn’t tell them.” They’d find out on their own time, when the insurance papers came in the mail. “It’s not like they’re going to pay a visit once they find out.”

[Malachai Roen]

Was it really... Bad that Kai had broken off the majority of his other sexual relations with people for the sake of the writer? Sure, he still flirted, as Zach well knew, but... He and Sera had to settle eventually, right? He was twenty-two, he... Should be maturing now and thinking about having a family. Right....? Sera, she was still young, and he didn't like to think about all the people she was screwing in order to keep up with him. Maybe this had been good for both of them.

Too bad it was over...

His jaw tightened, but he didn't respond to her jab. If she really cared about why he wasn't making sure he looked perfect, that was her problem.

"I'm not perfect," he replied, eyes narrowing. "I just know how to treat people like I think they want to be." Even if Kai didn't like someone, he still made sure to pick up how to act around them, especially if they could benefit him somehow. He softened a little. "You're smart, Ser. You're beautiful, and determined. There's no reason why you can't have the same as I do, if not more."

He sighed, head flopping back against the pillow as she made whatever call she was making. Kai didn't know what he'd gotten himself into.

At least she hadn't told their parents, he figured. Kai knew they'd find out, but at least by then, when they called, he would hopefully have a good enough excuse that they wouldn't get after him too much for being careless. "Thanks," he murmured. His hand, still on his sister's cold one, gave it a squeeze, before pulling away. "How... Are you doing, anyway?" he asked. "We haven't... Seen each other in a while."

[Deleted]

Malachai probably should be settling down about now but Sera didn’t think her brother had it in him to remain monogamous. And as long as it was that way, Sera was fine. Malachai would flurry his attentions over many, many people, but even after all of that, none would capture her brother’s attention long enough to be equated as more than just a passing fancy. No, all of his relationships were fleeting, including the one he had with the writer(though that had lasted a lot longer than most), leaving family there to occupy the greatest part of Malachai’s affections.

“I can do that too,” Sera griped. It’s not like she was emotionless. Far from it, in fact. “Its not my fault that they don’t notice. Besides, if I’m really supposed to “treat them how I want to be” then the same ought to go for them too. If they ignore and say awful things about me, then why shouldn’t I about them! Why should I treat them any differently than how they treat me?” The room was starting to grow colder as Sera became more and more worked up despite herself. “They always come expecting some sort of reward for being close to me, why shouldn’t I demand the same of them!? And if they can’t offer me anything, then why should I even waste my time with them!?” Sera stomped her foot and crossed her arms at the end of her rant, a thin layer of ice appearing underfoot and cracking in a spiderweb pattern.

She took a deep breath, her eyes as cold as the breath which expired from her lungs into a small white cloud. She needed to calm down. This kind of behavior was just not becoming at all and no doubt Malachai would use it against her.

“Your appreciation is unnecessary,” Sera scoffed. “It is literally pointless to go crying to mom and dad every time you get a bump on the head.” She clasped her thin fingers into a tiny fist once Malachai had taken his hand back, wishing that he hadn’t. Her scowl reappeared and she stepped closer, sitting her thin bum on the edge of the bed and leaning into her brother. “I’m alright,” she said softly, her eyes downcast. “Hold me.” She slid her thin arms up to wrap around her brother in an affectionate embrace. Sera rested her head against his chest. “I miss you,” she admitted.

[Malachai Roen]

Kai held in a sigh. He had grown used to these sorts of outbursts from his sister over the years, though it had been a while since the last time he'd had to experience one of them. Goosebumps raised on his arms as the room chilled; he stuck them under his blanket. "Have you ever heard the phrase 'killing with kindness'?" he murmured after a moment. "If people treat you badly, or upset you... The best, although hardest, thing to do is to return it with compassion and understanding." He smiled faintly. "It can really throw people off." He looked down and shrugged, knowing Sera probably wouldn't listen. Kai's eyes narrowed and he glanced outside the door as his sister's fit got worse, hoping no one had seen the cracks on the floor. "Sera.... Please." He wracked his brain for something to say. "I know mom and dad always taught us to only be around people that can benefit us, but... Sometimes people can just make you happy... Without any sort of materialistic means." Zach's face appeared in Kai's mind, and he sighed, burying his face in his hands. God, he missed him.

He gave the icy girl a moment to calm down, not lifting his head until she spoke again, this time of a different matter. He let out a quiet, relieved breath and peered up once more.

"An allergic reaction and near-cardiac arrest isn't exactly a bump on the head, but... You're right," he replied with slight amusement. He scooted over to allow her some room to sit (not that she needed much), frowning sympathetically. He would have offered her a hug had she not already taken the initiative. "Alright," he murmured, wrapping his thick arms around the thin girl as she laid against him; his bicep was nearly as big around as her thighs, he noticed. "I miss you too," he murmured, placing a kiss on the top of her head. As much as they didn't get along sometimes... Kai dearly loved Sera. "We should... Go do something sometime, once I'm out of here. A vacation in Maui, or something," he joked.

It was at that moment that a nurse decided to come in, and saw the two embracing. She stopped and cleared her throat. "Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt the couple, but I just needed to check your read-"

"She's my sister," Kai blurted, then laughed with embarrassment. With Sera's lighter skin tone and much slighter figure, it was sometimes hard to tell they were siblings.

[Deleted]

Malachai was the only person in front of whom Sera would dare to have these kind of outbursts. In front of anyone else would be far too unsightly for her to bear. Plus, she knew she could trust Malachai to not go off and snitch to their parents about her unseemly behavior. Anyone else would end up talking from one person to another until it finally reached ears Sera didn’t want the news to reach. At home, Sera always reserved her “tantrum” or “complaints” as she called them for discussions she had with her brother. Why not, he was the only one who really listened to her. Her parents would just point out how much better Malachai was at containing his emotions and keeping them under control.

“Killing with kindness,” she repeated with a scoff. “I’ll be kind to people who offer it in kind.” Because that made sense. What was the point of being being nice to someone who didn’t treat her with the respect her station deserved? “What’s there to understand? They’re obviously being mean because they want to be or because they’re jealous.” Jealous of how much better she was than them. Jealous because she was friends with other people instead of them. Jealous because other people had things to offer her when they only had smart words to fling out at her. She scowled at Malachai’s lecture with disdain. “I’m happy with what I have. I don’t need people who will make me unhappy.” Like those jealous peons who only knew how to complain about how unfortunate they were in comparison to her.

Sera’s moods were indeed something of pure hot and cold, changing at the drop of a hat. Therefore it didn’t take long before she had finally settled herself back into something more calm.

She didn’t respond to Malachai’s rebute. It may not have been a bump on the head, but it was just a bee-sting. If he’d kept his epi-pen with him, then it never would have gotten as bad, and even then he was just a phone call away from “survival”. No need to get dramatic about it.

As Malachai’s arms wrapped around the extra-slim girl, he allowed her slight weight to fall into him, enjoying the feel of comfort she often enjoyed while growing up. “I was thinking about renting a vacation house in the woods for the camping trip. The place I looked at has a lot of really nicely themed rooms.” Keeping herself in his arms, Sera looked up at her brother like a kitten. “They have quite a few of them. I think we could even afford a few extra guests, if there was anyone you wanted to bring.” Not that she wanted Malachai to bring anyone, but she figured that he’d be happy by the offer.

Before she got an answer from Malachai, their moment was interrupted by a nosy nurse. Sera sighed and pulled away finally. “Anyway, just think about it, Malachai,” she said softly, looking down with a slight pink in her cheeks.

[Malachai Roen]

Kai wished his sister would learn how to better control her emotions, but until that happened, he was trying his best to be a supportive older brother and help her, despite their often rocky relationship and the fact that she often didn't listen to his advice. Like now. He was only trying to help, really; he hated seeing her like this, and wished there was more he could do to make her happy. But... He'd come to realize that it was jut something she'd have to figure out on her own.

He held in an exasperated sigh. He wished she could see how unhappy she seemed, ranting and complaining like this, when if she just ignored the opinions and words of those who made her upset, she would be much better off. "I'm just trying to offer some advice," he told her softly. "You don't have to take it. I want you to be happy, sis. Sometimes people are just mean, and if you can't change them, then... The best thing to do is ignore them and try not to let their words get to you." He'd never asked to be a lecturer; he didn't think he was all that good at it anyway.

Kai was glad for the subject change; although he'd been wary of the idea at first, it sounded like it actually might be kind of nice. "That sounds lovely," he told her, toying with the ends of Sera's hair. "I look forward to seeing it." At the offer to bring friends, Kai opened his mouth to say something, but quickly became flustered and shut it again. Zach... No way was that even a possibility. They hadn't talked since... Maybe Vanessa? Wait, no. Sera couldn't find out about Christian, good Lord... "I'll see if any of my college mates want to go," he finally said. "Thanks, Ser."

He let the nurse do whatever she was doing before he spoke again. "I will," he mumbled, letting Sera slip out of his arms. Kai had a lot to think about. "And... Thanks, you know, for coming to see me. You're the first." Maybe that would give his sister a very needed boost of smugness from the girl that so often tried to out-compete her older brother.

[Deleted]

Obviously Malachai had never been in her position otherwise he would never make these kind of idiotic suggestions. Right, Malachai was just so perfect that he’d never been put in such a position, where criticism descended on you at every corner. Where people were just waiting for you to mess up so they could use your shortcomings against you. If Malachai had experienced any of that, then he couldn’t tell Sera to simply ignore it so easily!

The subject of the summer cabin was one that Sera was much better suited to handle, as it was an affair with her friends and something she was looking forward to. She smiled slightly as he played with her hair. It felt nice. “Just let me know once you find out,” she said softly. “It’s easier to change accommodations sooner rather than later.” And expensive, though that was hardly the issue, it was more whether there was any space available at the time they decided to change their head-count.

Sera’s smile did brighten, if only a little into something both smug and delighted in knowing that she was the first and only person thus far(aside from the nurses) who had come to visit her brother. She’d have to bribe the charge nurse to let her know if there were any others later, but for now, she held all that glory, of having her brother to herself. “Of course I was,” she said. “Who do you cares about your wellbeing the most?” Certainly not his friends. “Your sister, that’s who. Don’t you forget that.” Sera sent Malachai one more departing smile before she clicked her heels out of the tiled room and down the hallway.