Jay's POV
I found her in the garden.
She stood near the fence, fingers brushing the leaves like she was memorizing them, not really touching. The lights from inside the house spilled out behind her, but she stayed just at the edge of it.
Not hiding.
Just… not stepping fully in.
I cleared my throat softly so I wouldn't startle her.
She turned immediately.
Of course she did.
"Oh—sorry," I said quickly. "I didn't mean to sneak up on you."
"You didn't," she replied. Her voice was calm, polite. "I heard you."
Right. Of course she did.
I smiled awkwardly. "I'm Jay."
She nodded. "Eces."
Not Serina.
I didn't ask why.
We stood there for a second, two strangers sharing quiet, the air filled with cricket sounds and distant laughter from inside.
"I wanted to say… thank you," I said finally.
Her brows drew together slightly. "For what?"
"For being here," I said. "For not making things weird."
That earned a small smile. "I try not to."
I tucked my hands into my sleeves. "You don't talk much."
"You don't ask much," she replied gently.
Fair.
" Well I do talk much , but just I need time to adjust with you guys ."
I nodded.
I glanced at her sideways. "Do you like it here?"
She thought before answering. Really thought. "It's… different."
"Good different or scary different?"
"Yes," she said.
I laughed before I could stop myself.
She looked surprised—then amused.
"That's the most honest answer I've heard all day," I said.
She relaxed a little after that. Just a little.
"I'm not very good with new people," she admitted.
"I pretend to be," I said. "It's exhausting."
She nodded like she understood exactly what I meant.
The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable. It felt careful. Like both of us were handling something fragile.
"I'm glad you're here," I said again, softer this time. "Even if we don't really know each other."
She looked at me then, eyes steady, searching—but kind.
"I'll try not to disappoint you," she said.
"You don't have to prove anything," I replied. "Just… be."
She hesitated, then extended her hand. "Then it's nice to meet you, Jay."
I took it.
Her grip was warm. Steady.
"Nice to meet you too, Eces."
She smiled—small, genuine.
And somehow, in that quiet moment, I knew:
We had just started something important.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just real.
Later - that night
Jay's POV
I didn't plan on staying.
It just… happened.
Everyone was already winding down for the night when I noticed Eces standing near the stairs, backpack slung over one shoulder like she might leave at any second if no one stopped her.
She looked fine.
Which meant she wasn't.
I walked over before I could talk myself out of it.
"Hey," I said gently. "Do you know where you're sleeping?"
She nodded. "Guest room. Near the back."
"You okay with that?"
"Yes."
The answer came too fast.
I hesitated, then took a breath. "I was thinking… maybe I could stay too. If that's alright with you."
She blinked. Just once.
"You don't have to," she said.
"I know," I replied. "I want to."
For a moment, I thought she'd refuse. She looked like someone who'd learned not to depend on things that could disappear.
Then she nodded. "Okay."
Keifer raised an eyebrow when I told him.
"You sure?" he asked quietly.
I smiled. "Yeah. I think she shouldn't be alone tonight."
He didn't argue. Just nodded and handed me a blanket. "Take the bed. I'll grab another mattress."
Later, the guest room was dim and quiet, lit only by the soft glow from the hallway.
Eces sat on the edge of the bed, carefully placing her bag beside her feet instead of on the floor. Like it mattered.
I sat down a little distance away, not wanting to crowd her.
"You don't sleep easily, do you?" I asked.
She shook her head. "I listen first."
I smiled softly. "I overthink first."
That made her glance at me, curious.
We lay down facing opposite sides, a respectful space between us. No pressure. No expectations.
Just… presence.
"Jay?" she said after a while.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For staying."
I stared at the ceiling. "Thank you for letting me."
The room settled around us, quiet and safe.
I didn't know her story.
She didn't know mine , or maybe she did
But for tonight, that didn't matter.
We were just two people choosing not to be alone.
And somehow—
That felt like enough.
We slept without even knowing.
The door opened just a little.
I was awake on the time.
Keifer stood in the doorway, careful not to let the hinges complain. His eyes went straight to Eces—my sister—sleeping beside me, her breathing slow but alert even in rest.
He lowered his voice. "She okay?"
I nodded. "Yeah. She slept some."
Relief crossed his face, brief but real. "Good."
He didn't step further in. He didn't hover. He knew better than to crowd someone who lived with one foot always ready to move.
I sat up, pulling the blanket higher over Eces's shoulder.
"She doesn't like unfamiliar places," I said quietly.
Keifer nodded. "I figured." A pause. "Thanks for staying with her."
I shrugged softly. "I'd stay anywhere she is."
That earned a small, understanding smile.
He glanced at my sister again, respectful. "If she wakes up hungry, breakfast is ready. No rush."
"Okay."
He turned to leave, then hesitated. "Jay?"
"Yeah?"
"She doesn't have to explain anything here," he said. "Neither do you."
My chest warmed. "Thank you."
Keifer nodded once and closed the door just as quietly.
A moment later, Eces stirred.
Her eyes opened immediately, sharp even through sleep. "He left."
"Yeah," I whispered. "Just checking in."
She relaxed a fraction, exhaling slowly. "You didn't have to stay."
I smiled and leaned back against the pillow. "I know."
She looked at me for a long second, then nodded—accepting, not arguing.
Outside, the house moved gently into the morning.
And inside this room—
My sister was safe.
I got ready and moved out of the room only to see Keifer leaning there .
" What are you doing here, Keifer ? " I asked
It happened without thinking.
He leaned in, quick and natural, and pressed a brief kiss to my lips.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing serious.
Just… us.
And then—
"Ahem."
I froze.
Slowly, I turned my head.
Eces stood in the doorway, arms crossed, eyebrow raised, looking painfully unimpressed.
"You're blocking the doorway," she said calmly. Then added, "And kissing in front of a child."
I choked. "A—child?"
Keifer pulled back immediately, hands up like he'd been caught committing a crime. "She walked in out of nowhere."
"I didn't walk," Eces corrected. "I arrived."
I buried my face in my hands. "You're literally my sister."
"Yes," she said. "A younger one. Therefore—child."
Keifer cleared his throat, suddenly very interested in the ceiling. "I'll, uh… give you two space."
He escaped quickly.
I looked back at Eces. "You didn't have to say it like that."
She shrugged, completely serious. "Public displays of affection can be emotionally damaging."
I stared at her.
She cracked.
Just a little.
The corner of her mouth twitched. "Also, it's gross."
I laughed, reaching out and pulling her into a side hug. "You're impossible."
She leaned into me, relaxed. "You love me."
"I do," I said softly.
She glanced toward the hall Keifer had disappeared down. "He's good to you."
I smiled. "He is."
"Good," she said. "Then keep the kissing minimal."
I groaned. "You're never leaving, are you?"
She smiled sweetly. "Nope."
And somehow—
That made everything feel even more like home.
The morning sunlight poured through the kitchen windows, catching the steam from our mugs. Everyone was here—Keifer leaning against the counter, Keigan quietly eating, Keiren fidgeting in his chair like he always did, and Eces sitting calmly beside me, hands folded neatly.
"So," I said, breaking the small chatter, "I've made a decision about school for Eces."
Keigan looked up, eyebrows raised. "Oh?"
"She's smart," I said, glancing at my sister. "She doesn't need babysitting. But she does need a place that's safe… and familiar."
Eces tilted her head, watching carefully, waiting for me to continue.
"Same school as Keigan," I said firmly.
Keifer nodded slowly. "Makes sense. She already knows some of the routines and rules there, and it's secure."
Keigan gave me a faint smile. "She'll need to keep up with the workload, though. Classes aren't easy."
Eces shrugged, calm as ever. "I can manage."
Keiren piped up, leaning forward excitedly. "Does that mean I can't go there too?"
"Nope," I said gently, "you'll stay at your school. But you'll still see her plenty."
Keiren groaned, mock disappointment on his face. "Unfair."
Eces gave him a polite smile. "You'll survive."
I reached over and rested a hand near hers. "It's settled then. Same school as Keigan. You'll be okay, Eces. I promise."
She nodded once, quietly. But I saw it—just a flicker of relief in her eyes.
Keigan added softly, "We'll make sure no one messes with you."
Keifer leaned back, sipping his juice. "And we'll all keep an eye on her—here and there. She's safe."
Eces finally relaxed a little, picking at her toast. "Thank you," she said quietly. "For thinking about me."
I smiled. "Always."
The conversation drifted back to breakfast—laughter, clinking plates, and soft chatter. And for the first time that morning, it didn't feel like planning. It felt like family.
And I knew, no matter what came next, Eces wouldn't face it alone.
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