(Jayjay's POV)
The car ride was quiet. The only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the faint rhythm of the tires against the road. No one spoke — not Kiefer, not me. The silence wasn't awkward; it was heavy with thoughts neither of us could say aloud.
When we finally arrived, the car stopped in front of his house. I watched as Kiefer gently carried his sleeping little siblings into their rooms one by one. I stood in the living room, waiting, eyes tracing the pictures hanging on the walls — moments of laughter frozen in time.
He came back, wearing that casual hoodie — sleeveless, soft, and a bit loose — making him look effortlessly relaxed.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice quiet.
"I'm cool," I said with a small smile.
"Cool?" He tilted his head slightly, walking closer. "Then you should go shower and sleep. You've had a long day."
"Where am I sleeping?" I asked, raising a brow.
He blinked, then gave that teasing half-smile. "My room. Problem?"
I stared at him, half in disbelief, half amused. "Your room?"
"Yeah," he said, chuckling. "What? You think I'm making you sleep on the couch?"
I just sighed and walked off toward the bathroom. When I came out, I found a shirt and shorts waiting on the bed — his shirt, clearly. I slipped it on; it was loose, soft, and smelled faintly of his cologne.
I was drying my hair when he walked in.
"Wow," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "Didn't think my shirt would actually fit you."
I rolled my eyes. "Maybe you just have bad judgment."
He laughed — low and easy. "Do you have a little time?"
"For what?"
"For this," he said, stepping closer, poking my side playfully.
I yelped, laughing, "Stop it, Kiefer!" But he didn't. He kept tickling me until I lost balance and fell back on the bed, him right beside me, both of us laughing breathlessly.
When the laughter faded, we just stayed there — his arm loosely around me, the room quiet again. My heart was racing, and I could feel his warmth through the fabric of his shirt.
Our eyes met. For a moment, everything stopped — the world, time, everything.
His breath brushed my cheek, and I could hear my heartbeat echoing in my ears. He leaned closer, his forehead resting gently against mine.
"Jayjay…" he whispered.
I didn't say anything. I didn't have to.
He brushed his thumb against my cheek, his touch careful — gentle, almost afraid to break the moment. Then, he kissed me — soft and unhurried. The kind of kiss that didn't need words, the kind that said everything we couldn't.
It was sweet. Warm. Like falling into something you never knew you wanted until it was there.
When it ended, I leaned my head on his chest.
"Sleep," he murmured softly. "You're safe here."
And I did — in his arms, listening to his heartbeat until I drifted away.
(Kiefer's POV)
Morning light peeked through the curtains, soft and golden. I woke first — Jayjay still asleep, her hair resting against my arm, her breathing slow and steady. I smiled to myself, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"Good morning," I whispered near her ear.
She mumbled, "Morning…" half-asleep, her voice muffled.
I pressed a quick kiss to her forehead before slipping out of bed. After a shower and a change into a black shirt and jeans, I headed downstairs.
Kieran and Keiren were already at the table, eating breakfast — messy, loud, and full of energy.
"Morning," I said.
"Morning, Kuya!" Kieran grinned. "Can we go to Adrian's house again today?"
I sat down and shook my head. "You guys have school tomorrow. Homework first."
Kieran's smile faded instantly.
I laughed softly. "Hey, how about this? When vacation starts, we'll stay there for a week. Deal?"
His eyes lit up again. "Promise?"
"Promise."
By the time I finished eating, Jayjay came down — hair still slightly wet, eyes sleepy. She looked… peaceful.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
"You looked too peaceful," I teased. "Didn't wanna ruin that."
"What time is it?"
"Almost eleven."
"WHAT?!" she jumped, half awake now, and rushed back upstairs.
A few minutes later, she called out from the bathroom, voice muffled behind the door.
"Kiefer! I didn't bring any clothes!"
I smiled to myself. "Don't worry. I told the maid to get some for you."
A few minutes later, she came out dressed in the new shorts and a simple top, still fixing her hair.
"Let's go?" I asked.
She nodded, grabbing her phone. "Your siblings aren't coming?"
"Nope," I said as we headed to the car. "They've got school stuff to do."
(At Adrian's House)
We arrived a little late. The others were already practicing in the living room when we entered.
"Look who finally showed up!" Felix teased, spinning halfway before tripping. "The lovebirds!"
"Shut up, Felix," Kiefer muttered, rolling his eyes.
"Lab rats are late!" Calix laughed, dodging a mock punch from CN.
I laughed, shaking her head. "We're not late — just… fashionably on time."
"Right, right," Ci-n said with a smirk. "Now come on, we've almost finished the dance."
We joined in, the music echoing through the house. They'd already improved a lot — though a few steps still ended with someone laughing or missing a beat.
"Felix, your arm again!"
"I swear it's the music!"
"Bro, you can't blame the beat every time!"
Everyone burst into laughter again.
By the time we got it right — synchronized and powerful — they all collapsed on the floor, panting but grinning.
"That was fire," Adrian said, handing out bottles of water.
"Still one tiny mistake," Ci-n said. "But I think we're ready."
"Ready for what?" ciel asked, walking in with snacks.
"For the name reveal," Ci-n said dramatically, pointing at her. "We are… the Jay Warriors."
"Didn't we already use that name before?" she teased.
"Exactly," Ci-n said proudly. "Classic comeback."
Laughter filled the room again.
After a short break, Adrian turned on the TV and connected his phone. "Now… outfit selection time."
One by one, pictures of outfit ideas slid across the screen — some cool, some ridiculous.
Felix pointed at one. "If we wear that, we'll look like backup dancers for a superhero movie."
Calix added, "Better than looking like a boyband from 2009."
ciel and I laughed so hard we almost dropped the remote.
Finally, they landed on one — black-and-silver fits with sleek cuts, perfect for movement and style.
"Perfect," Adrian said, grinning.
"Jay Warriors," I echoed softly, smiling.
And for a moment, everyone felt it — that spark of excitement, of belonging. The beginning of something bigger than just a dance.