Sila kept his composure as his brother paced the small space before him, lost in his head like he was wont to be. It wasn’t an exclusive trait. They were both experts on utilizing that type of escape. When they’d been children, more often than not, slipping into their own minds was the only way to make it through their father’s disparaging comments.
Now here they were, an entire galaxy away from Crate Varun, and they were still using that trick to self soothe.
Pathetic.
“Get your act together,” Sila broke the silence, irritated now that he’d associated his brother’s movements with weakness. They were many things, but weak wasn’t one of them and he refused to allow them to be. Ever.
His brother paused and gave him an incredulous look. “Are you seriously saying that to me right now? I’ve got a lot going on at the moment, in case you’ve forgotten.”
Rin had drawn the attention of Kelevra Diar and that was…messy.
Sila rested his head back and shrugged. “Have you considered—”
“No.”
“Okay.” He’d been about to suggest less than legal means and his brother knew it.
The two of them understood one another in ways no one else ever could. It wasn’t entirely healthy, but then, very little about either of them was, so what did it matter.
Not for the first time, he considered confessing to what he’d been doing all summer, but something held him back. A tiny voice somewhere deep inside of Sila that whispered it’d be more fun to keep Bay all to himself, if just for a little while longer.
He couldn’t do so indefinitely, of course. There were no secrets between Sila and Rin. There were other things he could tell him in the interim however.
“Would you like for me to transfer funds into your personal account?” he asked.
“What are you, our dad?” His brother scowled then rested his hands on his hips. “Also, what the hell do you even mean? Since when did you have spare coin?”
“Since about two months ago,” he stated. “It’s enough to keep us comfortable.”
“Do I even want to know how you’re acquiring this kind of money?”
“No.” Sila held his gaze steadily with his own. His brother never wanted details if they weren’t necessary. Not because he’d judge, but as an added layer of security.
Keep no secrets, but also don’t overshare. That was one of the rules.
Rin had never paid a visit to the races and he didn’t have to start now. Worrying over whether or not Sila would be caught there and arrested wasn’t something he currently had time for either. Keeping him in the dark was the best for the both of them.
Besides, he’d been smart about it. Sila had slowly built up his winnings, amassing enough to easily purchase two ship tickets off planet in a hurry if the need ever arose. It still wasn’t enough to cover either of their tuition costs for Vail or the Academy, but it was a comfortable nest egg at least, which was more than either of them had ever had before in their lives.
“How are classes?” his brother asked then, rolling his eyes when Sila gave him a curious look. “I just want an update.”
“You’re making small talk.” Sila cocked his head. “Avoiding the Imperial Prince?”
“Always.” Rin rubbed a hand down his face. “What about you?”
“What reason would I have to avoid him?” That’s not what Rin had meant and he knew it.
“You’re a real pain in the ass, you know that?”
Sila smirked. “Yes.”
“Should have drowned you at birth.”
“And live without me?” he clucked his tongue. “What a boring existence that would have been, brother.”
The corner of Rin’s mouth twitched. “True.”
“I’m here biding time,” Sila answered finally before checking his multi-slate.
