Part 6: A War Without Words
Mia stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching Aaron lift.
The home gym was dim, the hum of metal and sweat thick in the air. Aaron's muscles flexed as he pulled the bar up, veins ridging his arms and shoulders. He didn't notice her at first — or pretended not to.
"You're different lately," she said quietly.
He kept lifting.
"I said," she repeated, "you're—"
"I heard you."
The bar hit the floor with a sharp clang. Aaron grabbed a towel, wiping his neck.
"You jealous?" he asked, half-mocking.
Mia blinked. "Why would I be?"
Aaron didn't answer. But his eyes burned as he threw the towel over his shoulder and walked past her.
That evening, the three of them sat down for dinner. The silence was too clean. Like something sharp hidden under velvet.
Eli served the plates — hands graceful, voice gentle. As he leaned forward to refill Aaron's glass, his fingers lingered just a little too long on the rim. Aaron didn't move. Didn't flinch. But his eyes followed every motion.
Mia noticed.
She watched how Aaron barely touched his food. How he leaned back in his chair, posture rigid, as if trying to dominate the space. How his jaw twitched when Eli laughed softly at her joke.
After the meal, Mia took the dishes. Eli went to fold the blanket on the couch. Aaron stood by the fridge, arms crossed.
When Eli passed behind him, Aaron reached out — not roughly, not even consciously — and gently caught his wrist.
Eli stopped.
No one spoke.
Then Aaron let go and walked away without a word.
Mia saw it from the kitchen.
And this time, she didn't look away.
The next day, Mia sat on the edge of the bed, silent, staring at Eli's side of the closet.
"You don't sleep like you used to," she said finally.
Eli pulled a sweater over his head. "I've been waking up early."
"You're always out of bed when I wake up. You used to cling to me."
Eli smiled. "I'm growing up."
Mia frowned. "Is that what this is? Growing up?"
Eli didn't answer. He tied his hair into a loose knot and left the room.
Mia stayed sitting. Long after the door clicked shut.
Aaron had a friend over that night — just a guy from the gym, loud, broad, full of testosterone and bravado. They drank beer in the garage while Eli passed through to get a charger.
The friend whistled low. "Damn. That your sister's kid?"
Aaron said nothing.
"Cute," the guy chuckled. "Too cute."
Aaron's grip on the bottle tightened. "Watch your mouth."
The friend blinked. "Relax, man. Just messing around."
Aaron stood. Slowly. His shadow stretched across the floor.
"Don't talk about him."
The friend looked at him like he'd been slapped.
Aaron realized it too late.
Eli stood just outside the door, hearing everything.
Their eyes met — and Eli's smile was soft.
Not smug.
Not surprised.
Just… understanding.
Later that night, Aaron found Eli in the hallway, drying his hair.
"You didn't have to say anything," Eli said, not looking at him.
"I didn't like the way he looked at you."
Eli turned. "Why?"
Aaron stepped closer. "Because you're mine."
He froze as the words left him.
So did Eli.
Then — slowly — the boy stepped closer, until their chests nearly touched.
"You haven't earned that," Eli whispered.
Aaron's breath hitched. "Then tell me how."
Eli looked up at him, eyes dark and shimmering.
"Start by not pretending."
He walked away barefoot, hips swaying with quiet defiance.
Aaron stood there, pulse pounding.
Mia found Eli on the balcony later, curled under a blanket with tea. She sat beside him, silent.
"Is something going on between you two?" she asked softly.
Eli didn't flinch. "Would it matter if there was?"
"I love you," she said, her voice trembling. "But I'm not stupid."
Eli turned to her, calm, even tender. "Then you know this didn't start with me."
Mia swallowed. "Do you love me?"
Eli reached out and took her hand gently.
"I think I loved being safe with you."
Mia stared at him.
He kissed her hand softly.
"I never meant to hurt you."
Inside, Aaron stood in the dark of the hallway, fists clenched, hearing everything.
He didn't step out.
Not yet.
But soon, he would.
Because Eli had made his choice.
And Aaron was done pretending he hadn't made his.
[To Be Continued — In Part 7: Mia confronts Aaron. The siblings fight. Eli ends up alone with Aaron, and the line they've been dancing around finally burns away.]