Alive

By: Aviantei

34 mph

Due to scheduling circumstances, Nate is the only one available to see me and Alexander off at the airport, but I don't mind. I'm just glad that the trip out is a lot less hectic than the trip in; it's a damn near blessing to be able to roll my luggage into the airport in peace. Nate doesn't seem as relieved as I do, though, unable to fully conceal his disappointment from my watchful big sister eyes.

Maybe that watchfulness has been developed over years of wanting to know how to tease him, but who's asking here?

"Don't look so pouty," I say, reaching out to pinch Nate's cheek. Of course, my teasing gesture just brings out his sulking even more, which was naturally the point. "You know that we won't be gone for too long, plus we're flying you out to check out the IG setup once you snag some free time. You'll get to see me and Alexander before you even know it."

"I know, I know," Nate says, trying and failing at scowling at me. His playful annoyance doesn't stop his face from turning pink, though. "You always just stay long enough for me to get used to you, though, then you run back off, Kir. I'm mature enough that I can admit I miss having you around."

It's so warm and fuzzy that I can't help but smile. How lucky am I that I have a family that I want to spend more time with? "Well then you're just going to have to become a fancy IG mechanic and move out to the city with us. You'll never get rid of me, then."

"Don't worry," Alexander says from the side. "I think I have a pretty good idea of how to keep her somewhat under wraps." In perfect sibling coordination, Nate and I snort. Alexander rolls his eyes, then offers out his hand to Nate. "I'll introduce you to Jan and Dew next time, man. And if you ever want to know if there's an in as a mechanic, just ask."

"R-right!" Even from my viewpoint, I can tell that Nate's handshake is stiff. By the kindness of my heart, I hold off on teasing him—for now, that is. "I really appreciate it. And it was great meeting you!"

I smirk. "Think you're being enough of a fanboy?"

"Shut up, Kir!"

Alexander's chuckle cuts off the potential sibling scuffle before it can gain any ground. "If it's any consolation, Nate, you're probably one of the best fans I've managed to meet. Feel free to fanboy as you see appropriate."

I whack Alexander's arm. "Don't you have a big enough ego without recruiting my little brother?"

"I'm pretty sure he recruited himself, but if you're worried, I promise I still like you best." Nate coughs something that sounds suspiciously like an insult I can't process, and he receives my next hit. Dammit, now I'm the one who's blushing way too obviously. Flashing me one more smirk, Alexander pulls out his phone to check the time. "We should start heading through security so there's no rush. You ready to go?"

"Yup, yup." Letting go of my carryon for a moment, I pull Nate into a tight hug, and he returns it. "Take care, little bro. Call me if you have any trouble. And keep Dad in line best you can. He won't be able to resist if you and Caleb give him the puppy dog eyes. Use them to your full advantage."

Nate lets out a slightly watery laugh. He's always been the worst at goodbyes, and that just makes me get more emotional than necessary. "We'll hold down the fort. See you soon, Kir."

"See ya."

With one more hug and a few more farewells, Alexander and I are in the line for security, waiting our turn. It's not too crowded for the moment, but there's just enough crowd present that Nate seems to think he's perfectly incognito, watching us from the sidelines. I decide not to embarrass him anymore in front of Alexander and just watch my brother with a small smile. One of these days, we'll drag him to IGPX city, where he can get his hands dirty in all the mechs he wants.

But until that day, it's nothing but the journey home.

"Are you the type to get homesick?" Alexander asks once we've got our bags back together and we're wandering towards the gate. Unlike some other people rushing to their destinations, we're a bit early, so we can take our time.

I shrug. "No more than you are." I've always been very self-sustained, especially when there's the opportunity for adventure in front of me. Everywhere feels appealing, with the fresh shock of color attached to it. Even the traces of gray that clung to me on the way in have disappeared. I don't think I've seen any since.

How refreshing.

"That's good." Alexander may not know what I'm thinking, but he carries an easy smile, his free hand intertwining with mine. "We have some time. What do you say we get some coffee?" My own lips curve up in a soft mirror of his.

"Sure. I'll pay."

"Holy crap, Kirsten, I missed you!"

I've been able to have my phone fully operational for less than ten minutes, and already Mariya's whining at me on the other end of the line. I toss an apologetic grimace to Alexander, but he gives me an assuring wave and takes up sentry to wait for the rest of our luggage at baggage claim. Resolving to buy him a little more than just some coffee later on, I retreat to the nearest wall where passersby won't be able to hear Mariya's overloud voice as easily.

"I'm pretty sure we agreed that stalking was something you're not allowed to do," I say, not knowing why I even bother.

"It's not stalking if Cunningham told me when your flight was. And that I was using a public online tracker to make sure you didn't have any issues. Oh, and he posted this cute pic of you two on his private social media, so I could tell you were at the airport back home." As per usual, she can ramble off her nonsense without even the slightest traces of hesitation. When the hell did they get close enough to share social media accounts? If I didn't bother with the stuff, I'd be upset. "Now, if I really wanted to stalk you, I would have—"

"Don't you always record your own calls?" I ask. Pretty sure she wouldn't want to spill her secrets in a way that could be used as evidence. As frustrating as she can be, I don't want Mariya to end up arrested; infuriating genius or not, she's still just a kid.

Mariya laughs in a way that would fit a video game antagonist better than a living, breathing human being. "Don't be silly, Kirsten, dear. It doesn't matter what I record myself saying, because there's not a person alive who could crack my systems." She snickers again. What's more terrifying is that she's telling the truth, and not just a hyperbole.

I sigh. "Yes, yes, you're incredible. Was this call just to flex, or did you want something else?" While I'm still considering setting up Mariya monitoring on Dad's health, I'm going to trust him to communicate with me—or have Nate and Caleb be narks whenever he doesn't.

Mariya harrumphs. "I behaved the whole time you were gone. I just wanted to say hi since we haven't talked." A few retorts spring to mind, but since phone calls are basically our main form of communication, I'd feel bad denying her the social interaction. "Plus you've been spending loads of time with Cunningham! The racing season's about to start. Let's hang out."

"Hang out?" It's such a common string of words, but it doesn't match up with how Mariya talks at all, so I just end up gaping in public like some fish. "Like, as in, hanging out in person? Are you feeling sick? Should I call an ambulance?"

"Rude." It's not my fault that I can't even remember the last time that I saw her face in real life. Several months? A year? It's hard to keep track when there's so much gray all blurring together. Mariya makes a sound that I'm pretty sure indicates that she's stuck out her tongue for all the good it's doing her now. "Come on, Kirsten. You're like the only person who's ever come see me before."

I hum under my breath at the memory. "Last I checked, that's because you're a shut-in."

"And as such, that means if I'm gonna hang out with anyone, you need to come over, because I'm not exposing my location to anyone else." I can't help but snort at her dramatic tendencies, but I suppose that's what makes Mariya, well, Mariya. "Ah, whatever. I'll make this a standing offer so you can come over once you decide to stop being lame."

"I am not lame. I'm like the coolest friend you have!" Is that a skewed rating since I'm one of her only friends? Sure, but I'll take it. Trying not to make my outburst too obvious to the crowd jostling to get to the revolving baggage claim, I clear my throat and lean further back against the wall. "But, sure. If you want some company, I'll come over. It's about time I enable you in a positive way."

"For real?! You're the best. I henceforth take back everything I said about you being lame." Her laughter ends up giving me the same fuzzy feeling that seeing Nate and Caleb's smiles do; adding in a younger sister to the mix doesn't seem too bad. "We'll have to watch some movies. Oh, and you can try this game I'm playing, too. Wow, I'm actually excited for hanging out with someone. You're right, Kirsten, maybe I am sick."

"Well I'll be sure to come and check on you soon if you are ill." Through all the bodies, I catch sight of Cunningham, both of our bags in hand. I toss him a wave he can't return, but he notices me, too, and heads my way. "I gotta go so we can get out of the airport in one piece. You behave over there, you hear me?"

Mariya lets out an overexaggerated hum. "Now why would I go and do something like that?" The sound of my sigh is enough to set her off on a fresh round of giggles. "Well, I suppose I can keep myself under control for you. Tell Cunningham I say hi. Mariya, out!"

Shaking my head, I stuff my phone back in my pocket. My hands free, I accept my suitcase from Alexander. "That Mariya?" he asks with an air of amusement.

"Smirk all you want; she'll be bombarding you with random phone calls soon enough." I'll be damned if that girl learns any sense of personal space. She should at least bother Alexander as much as she does me. "It's your privilege as my partner. You have to put up with my friends and family."

"I can think of way worse fates." He nudges my shoulder once before we head towards extended parking. Since we were in such a rush to leave, we left his car behind. It doesn't take too long from the exit for the heat wave to hit us in the face, dry air a complete change from the atmosphere on the opposite coast. But the sky is blue, the clouds are white, and Alexander is in color beside me. I think I'd be satisfied anywhere, so long as I get that view. Alexander manages to ruin my moment with a yawn. "I am kind of exhausted, though. Let's head home and get some rest."

My smile doesn't fade. "You know what, Alexander? I just realized something."

"Hm? What's that?"

"I think you're the only person I've ever met that could make taking a nap sound exciting."

If he can accomplish that much, I don't see either of us having to fight off boredom again.

[Author's Notes]

Penultimate chapter is here, whoo! That means this fic will wrap up with the epilogue-y chapter next week. Whoo!

You know where to wait next Saturday, so please look forward to it!

-Avi

[12.16.2019]