birds of a feather, obx

027. slushies

"Are you sure you guys aren't zombies?" Rosie asks her brother. She sits on the counter while he makes her a sandwich, the girl already snacking on some Doritos. She has the otter that Cora gave to her sitting next to her.

"I'm positive we're not zombies." John B says, rolling his eyes, but can't fight the amused smile on his lips.

"It'd be kinda cool if you were. As long as you don't eat my brain, at least." Rosie says.

"Well, don't worry. Zero zombies around." John B promises. "Here." He gives her the sandwich and Rosie grins.

John B lets her eat about half of the sandwich before he opens his mouth again.

"So, you know you're gonna have to explain all the bruises." John B says, immediately noticing how Rosie's eyes widen in fear. "Not-- we don't have to do it right now. And that made it sound like you're in trouble, you're not. You're totally innocent." He assures and she relaxes a little.

"We gotta talk about whatever I've missed, though." John B says. "I need to know what they did to you."

"Do you really?" Rosie winces.

"Yes." John B nods. "You're my kid sister. I have to know how bad it is so I can help you... or at least try to."

"Can we talk about it later?" Rosie asks.

"Yeah, sure." John B nods. "But we're talking about it soon. Maybe after we get everything with the gold settled, okay?"

"Okay." Rosie grimaces, not liking the idea of explaining all the hits and being tied to her bed and starved and locked away for however long she was in there.

"You good if I go talk to Sarah for a bit?" John B asks.

"No." Rosie shakes her head. "I want to stay by you at all times."

"Rosie--"

"At least for a few days." Rosie says. "I don't want anybody else to take me."

"Nobody is. I promise." John B tells her. "You're stuck with me." He pokes her sides making her giggle.

~ ~ ~

Rosie and Cora are sitting on the floor and playing Uno. John B is currently in the shower and since Rosie can't hang out in the bathroom with them, Cora's distracting her with the card game.

"Hey, Cori. Wanna go fish?" JJ asks.

"No." Cora answers without even looking at him.

"You hungry?"

"No."

"You gonna look at me?"

"No."

"Wha-- oh, s-so what, Rosie's back and all of a sudden big brother's invisible?" He asks. His question goes unanswered as the girls focus on the game. "Oh, yeah, I see how it is. Fine. See if I care." He scoffs, going outside.

+++

Cora walks out of the bedroom and finds JJ in the kitchen.

"JJ." She calls, but doesn't get an answer. "JJ." She calls again, frowning when he still seems to not hear her, or at least ignore her. "JJ." She whines, stomping over to him. "JJ!" She tugs on his shorts.

"Oh, now I exist." JJ remarks.

"Stop being so butthurt." Cora rolls her eyes. "It's not like you've never ignored me."

"I have never once ignored you." JJ argues. "Not... not intentionally, anyway." Cora rolls her eyes.

"Can you give me a root beer? Kie put them on the back of the high shelf." Cora pouts.