Ray chuckled. "He's so easy to read."
"Do you know why he is jealous?" he added.
"It's because Father seemed impressed. Aamon is quite a jealous kid."
Ray laughed mockingly.
"Brother, are you okay? Mother said you needed us," Aiden asked softly.
"No, she didn't," Aamon interjected. "She told us to look after you."
"But it's the—" Aiden's eyes grew teary, "—same thing…"
He looked at me like a puppy on the verge of crying.
"Aamon, come on," I said, patting Aiden's head. "Don't be harsh on him."
"Humph." Aamon snorted and looked away.
Wait… this guy… is he…? I thought.
"Yup. He's jealous of Aiden too," Ray added.
"I don't remember asking for your opinion," I replied coldly.
"Why so harsh…" Ray laughed. "Whatever. Jokes aside, Aamon really is a jealous kid, isn't he?"
"I think 'attention-seeking' is the more accurate term," I said.
"Brother?" Aiden called, interrupting my thoughts.
"What is it, Aiden?"
"Can I sleep with you?" he asked innocently.
Both Aamon and I froze for a moment. I was surprised—and so was he.
"Yes, of course—"
"No." Aamon cut me off. "He's sick. We shouldn't bother him."
"Aamon, it's fine. I'm not really sick—just fatigued."
"But… but—"
I gently lifted Aiden onto the bed.
"Aamon, if you want, you can join too," I said, pulling the blanket over Aiden.
Aamon's expression turned conflicted, as if he didn't know what to do.
"…Ugh, fine. It's not like we've interacted much all these years."
Lies, Ray and I said at the same time.
After a few minutes, we all drifted into sleep.
The door creaked open.
Even without looking, I knew who it was.
Mother stood there silently, watching us with a soft smile. She stepped closer and adjusted the blanket over us before quietly leaving.
"Hehe… such a nice mom," Ray whispered.
"Shut up and let me sleep," I muttered.
---
Morning arrived, and my eyes slowly opened.
"Awake?" Aamon's voice came from beside me.
"Yes," I said, rubbing my eyes. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"Liar. You were probably watching us sleep," I said.
"No—why would you think that?" Aamon replied, slightly taken aback.
"I know you. I'm your brother—I can tell. You're easy to read."
Aamon looked away, clearly embarrassed.
"See? You're embarrassed right now," I pointed out.
"I'm not," Aamon said a bit too loudly—
—loud enough to wake Aiden.
"Aiden, sorry. We woke you up—my fault," I apologized, while Aamon watched silently.
"It's fine, Brother," Aiden mumbled sleepily.
Knock knock.
"Young masters, are you awake?"