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The lights cut out between the sixth and seventh floors. The elevator jolted, and Caveira’s hand shot to the wall. She flattened her expression instantly, sliding against the panel as if nothing had happened.
She stood in silence for a moment before starting to hit all the buttons in the elevator one by one, in an attempt to get something to happen. Today was not the day for this. She wanted to be in her room, eating junk food and getting ready for bed. Not stuck with… her.
Kali let out an amused huff of air and smiled at the display, seeming to enjoy the thinly concealed panic.
“Don’t start.” Caveira dropped the buttons and leaned against the back wall, trying to put space between them.
“Start what?” Kali leaned back against the handrail, looking far too comfortable for someone trapped in a metal box. “I haven’t said anything.”
“You don’t need to say anything.” Caveira scoffed, sliding down to sit. Might as well get comfortable, no telling how long this would last.
“Mm.” Kali smiled and furrowed her eyebrows. The smile did not seem very genuine, which only pissed Caveira off more.
Caveira’s eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms over her knees, sitting stiffly despite the cramped space. She did not bother speaking; she didn’t really want to talk—not to Kali anyway.
“You really don’t have to act like this,” Kali said lightly, tilting her head as if Caveira’s glare were somehow amusing. “We’re stuck here together. Might as well… talk.”
“Talk?” Caveira echoed incredulously. “You mean, you want to lecture me about how to enjoy life while hiding behind a trust fund?”
Kali’s smile wavered. “Not hiding. Let’s call it… avoiding unnecessary stress.”
“Stress?” Caveira snorted. “You mean real life. You think money can replace effort. That’s what I hate about people like you. It’s lazy, it’s easy, and it’s—” She stopped, taking a harsh breath. “It’s pathetic.”
“I’ve put in plenty of effort to get where I am,” Kali retorted. “But good for you. I didn’t know you could string together that long of a sentence without punching something.”
“Fuck you.”
“Not in your dreams.”
“I don’t have time for whatever this is,” Caveira said flatly. She stood back up and tried to hit some more buttons, as if they would magically work this time. They did not.
“You don’t have a choice,” Kali reminded her, as if Caveira couldn’t see that.
“Stop making it harder than it needs to be.”
“I have been nothing but cordial, Caveira.”
They were silent for a moment, before a low metallic groan cut through. The elevator shifting slightly before settling again.
Caveira’s hand shot to the railing instinctively, though her face stayed impassive.
Kali’s eyes flicked to Caveira’s hands, where she was white knuckling the rails like her life depended on it. “Looks like the elevator has its own plans.”
Caveira didn’t answer. She pressed back into the wall, one foot braced, like she was expecting the drop.
“You feeling a little… jumpy?” Kali teased, tilting her head.
“I—” Caveira cut herself off, straightening abruptly. “I am not jumpy.”
The elevator made another noise, this time louder. Caveira closed her eyes and tensed. Refusing to meet Kali’s gaze even after it stopped.
“Mhm. The picture of composure I’m sure.” Kali teased dryly.
Caveira let out a slow exhale. “I said I’m fine.” She said slowly. Trying to come off a little more relaxed. It wasn’t working very well.
Kali drifted closer. “It’s okay to admit you’re scared.” She cooed, only half sincerely. “I won’t tell anyone.”
Caveira’s eyes snapped open at the touch. Kali’s hand brushing hers, closer than she’d expected. “I’m not scared,” she said, quieter than she meant to be.
“Mhm.” Kali hummed, clearly unconvinced. Her head tilted close enough that it made Caviera wondered if she were about to try and kiss her.
Caveira instinctively recoiled, sliding her hand back, but Kali followed, letting their fingers brush again. The sensation made Caveira flinch, but when she settled into it, she wasn’t sure she disliked it.
“You really don’t have to fight it,” Kali murmured, her tone was infuriatingly playful for something that was a serious matter to Caveira. “We’re stuck. Might as well… make the best of it.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Caveira lied, poorly, as she melted under Kali’s touch.
“Okay.” Kali let her eyes flick to Caveira’s lips. “Do I need to spell it out, princess?”
“No yo—” Caveira’s response was cut off by the lights flickering back on. The elevator stalling once or twice, then beginning to move smoothly again.
The two broke away, as if mysteriously coming back to their senses as the door opened.
“See?” Kali said lightly. “Told you there was nothing to panic about.”