“You overslept. Again.”
Everywhere was cold and horrible, except Arkadin’s bed, which was nice and warm and covered in soft blankets and pillows. Unfortunately, Arkadin was expected to get out of bed and step into the cold world that was both Kairos’s crystal palace and reality in general.
“I want five more minutes.”
“Tough. Get up.”
Arkadin sighed, then climbed out of bed, reaching for some tissues on a nearby night stand. His nostrils were both blocked and runny and his throat was sore.
“Really, Kairos?” Arkadin moaned. “I’m not feeling well. I think Yisini gave me a space cold.”
“Wouldn’t blame her…” Kairos grunted, standing in the doorway. “I have work to do. So do you. Get up and get sorted. I don’t want you sleeping all day.”
“But…” Arkadin moaned some more. “I don’t feel well. I’m exhausted. My throat hurts.”
Kairos rolled his eyes, watching as Arkadin climbed out of bed, hesitantly wrapping a scarf around his neck and typing a stomach wrap around his midsection, then throwing a poncho on himself. On the bedside table there was a pile of untidy, used tissues, and more spilling out from an overflowing bed.
“Ugh, why is it so cold in here?” Arkadin whined as he followed Kairos out into what was essentially the Whenvern’s work station. A large map covered in little flashing lights told him what he needed to do today. “I should have put some shoes on. Why do I feel nauseous as well?”
Kairos sighed, waiting for Arkadin to stop complaining. It took far too long for that to happen.
“Are you done yet?”
Arkadin shrugged. “I dunno. It’s fucking freezing in here.”
“I mean, are you done being a complete bitch?”
“Uh… sorry…” Arkadin muttered. “It’s just that I’m just really not feeling it the last few days. Last few weeks. Uh, last few decades. Not been feeling too good at all.”
“Yeah, you keep on saying that…” Kairos was scowling as he sat down at one of the many chairs, watching the map and occasionally pushing a couple of nearby buttons. “You keep on complaining that you’re not feeling well. Should probably do something about it.”
“I… I am trying…”
“Not hard enough.”
Arkadin hesitated, pulling out a chair and sitting near Kairos. He didn’t want to sit too close, but he didn’t want to sit too far away.
“Is… is something wrong?” Arkadin stuttered.
“Don’t you have work to do?”
“Yeah but I don’t want to do it. I’m not feeling well.”
Kairos grunted, rolling his eyes again, getting up from his seat then reaching for something underneath the desk. “Then maybe you should get your head out of your ass and put yourself back together, rather than constantly feeling shitty and fucking up all the time. Anyway, I have work to do and that involves going outside and being normal, so I’ll see you later.”
“Oh…” Arkadin stared blankly at Kairos. “Okay.”
The Whenvern tutted, then disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Reeling from Kairos’s words, Arkadin continued to stare blankly at Kairos had formerly been standing, not sure what to say or do.
After a few more minutes, Arkadin rubbed his eyes, not realising he had been crying. Once he had wiped the tears from his eyes, he sat down and got started with his work, his brother’s words still echoing through his mind.