Keifer POV
I came home later than usual.
The house felt quieter than it had in days—not tense, not heavy. Just… normal. That alone made me pause at the door for a second.
Kerien was sprawled on the couch, legs half-hanging, controller abandoned beside him. He looked up when he saw me.
"Where's Keigen?" I asked immediately.
Kerien didn't hesitate. "Went out. With a friend."
That made me blink.
Gone out.
With a friend.
A week ago, those words would've sounded impossible.
I felt the shock first—sharp, instinctive—but it softened into something warmer. Relief. A strange kind of happiness. After everything that happened, after the breakdown, the letter, the storm inside him… Keigen stepping out on his own felt like a small miracle.
"Did he say when he'll be back?" I asked.
Kerien shrugged. "Nope. But he smiled."
That was enough.
I nodded, ruffled his hair without thinking, and walked to my room. My phone was already in my hand before I sat down.
I called my wifey.
Because exams were close.
And because if she failed, I'd never forgive myself.
She picked up quickly. "Yes?"
"What are you doing?" I asked, already suspicious.
"Reviewing," she said.
"With who?"
"With Cien."
I actually stopped walking.
"Cien?" I repeated. "You're… studying?"
"Don't sound so shocked," she muttered.
I smiled despite myself. "Come here. Study properly."
There was a pause, then, "Okay."
When she arrived, she brought chaos with her.
Jay walked in first, bag on one shoulder, hair slightly messy like she'd been running. And behind her—
Cien.
Loud. Breathing too much. Complaining about walking.
"Why is your house so big?" he groaned. "Do you know how many steps—"
"Sit," I ordered.
He sat.
We spread the books out. Actual books. Notes. Highlighters. I still couldn't believe this was happening.
I turned to Jay, narrowing my eyes. "Okay. Answer this."
I asked a question.
She answered.
Correctly.
I stared at her.
I asked another.
Again—right.
I leaned back slowly. "Who are you and what have you done with my wife?"
She rolled her eyes. "Elara helped me."
That name again.
Cien suddenly stood up, stretching his arms dramatically.
"Okay, academic geniuses," he announced, "my brain is overheating. I'm going to the washroom before it explodes."
Jay didn't even look up from the book. "Please don't explode in our house."
Cien grinned. "No promises," he said, then pointed at me. "And you—don't do anything illegal while I'm gone."
I raised an eyebrow. "Like what?"
"You know exactly what," he said suspiciously, then walked off, still muttering something about trust issues.
The moment his footsteps disappeared down the hallway, the house felt… quieter. Too quiet.
Jay slowly closed the book and placed it aside. I watched her fingers linger there for a second, like she was debating whether to pick it up again or forget studying entirely.
"So," I said casually, leaning back, "you answered everything right today."
She looked at me, proud and tired at the same time. "Don't sound so shocked."
"I am shocked," I said honestly. "This is historic."
She scoffed. "Elara is scary when she teaches. I didn't dare not understand."
I laughed softly, then noticed the way she was sitting—legs folded under her, hair slightly messy from studying, eyes still warm from earlier chaos. Something in my chest softened.
"You did well," I said again, quieter this time.
Her gaze flickered. "You already said that."
"I didn't say it like this." I leaned closer. "This time I mean… I'm proud of you."
That made her look away.
Dangerous move.
I reached out, brushing my thumb against her knuckles. She didn't pull back. Instead, her fingers turned, lacing with mine naturally, like muscle memory.
"Keifer," she warned, voice low, "Cien will come back any second."
I smirked. "You're the one still holding my hand."
She glanced down, then back at me. "I never said I'd let go."
That was all the permission I needed.
I shifted closer, slow enough that she could stop me anytime. She didn't. Our knees touched. Then shoulders. Then her forehead rested lightly against my chest.
"Today was… a lot," she murmured.
I lifted her chin gently. "Yeah. But you handled it."
Her eyes met mine. Too close. Too familiar.
I kissed her.
Soft. Slow. Like I was afraid the moment would break if I rushed it.
She responded instantly, fingers curling into my shirt, pulling me closer like she'd been waiting all day for this. I deepened the kiss just slightly, careful, controlled—until she smiled against my lips.
"See?" she whispered. "Illegal."
I chuckled, kissing her again, shorter this time, teasing. "Worth the crime."
She laughed quietly, then suddenly pushed at my chest—not hard, just enough to make space.
"Keifer," she said, trying to sound serious, "if Cien walks in—"
Right on cue—
The door creaked.
She panicked.
"Close your eyes," she hissed toward the hallway.
Cien's voice echoed back. "Why should I—"
"JUST DO IT IF YOU WANT TO LIVE," she snapped.
There was a pause.
Then: "Okay! Okay! Eyes closed! Why does this feel threatening?"
I couldn't help it—I laughed, forehead dropping to Jay's.
"You're evil," I whispered.
She grinned. "You like it."
I stole one last quick kiss—fast, dangerous—just as Cien's footsteps returned.
"Alright," he said loudly, still squinting, "I'm back. And I swear if I open my eyes and see something—HEY."
He opened them.
Looked at us.
Looked at how close we were.
Then screamed.
"I LEFT FOR TWO MINUTES."
Jay slapped a hand over his mouth. "Lower your volume."
He pulled her hand away, horrified. "THIS is why siblings shouldn't trust boyfriends."
I leaned back, innocent expression firmly in place.
"Relax," I said. "We were just… revising."
Cien stared. "Your definition of revision is concerning."
Jay smiled sweetly.
And somehow, despite the chaos, my hand found hers again under the table.
Another kiss, shorter this time, teasing. Her fingers curled into my shirt, and—
Small arms wrapped around her suddenly.
"Jay ate!"
We froze.
Kerien.
He hugged her tight, face buried against her, like he was afraid she'd disappear.
I stared. Jay stared.
Because Kerien… never liked her. Not openly. Not like this.
He pulled back just enough to look at her. "I missed you. After the hospital."
Jay softened instantly.
She hugged him back, careful, gentle, like he was something fragile. "I missed you too."
My phone buzzed.
I stepped away reluctantly, answering it as I moved toward the door.
That's when the scene behind me changed.
Jay POV
Keifer walked out with his phone pressed to his ear, his voice lowering as he moved farther away. I barely noticed when the door closed behind him.
Because Kerien hadn't moved.
At all.
He stood there for a second, looking at me like he was deciding something very carefully. Then, without warning, he walked closer, sat down beside me—and gently rested his head on my lap.
I froze.
Not metaphorically. Literally.
My hands hovered in the air, unsure where to go, my breath stuck somewhere between shock and panic.
"Kerien…?" I whispered.
No answer.
His eyes were already closed.
His fingers curled into the hem of my sleeve, not tight, not desperate—just enough to make sure I was real. His breathing was uneven, like he was exhausted in a way sleep alone couldn't fix.
My heart clenched.
This was the same boy who barely tolerated my presence before. The same boy who would roll his eyes every time I entered a room. And now—he was sleeping on me like I was a safe place.
I slowly, very slowly, lowered my hand to his hair.
Soft.
Too soft.
I stroked it gently, afraid that even blinking too hard might wake him. He shifted a little, settling more comfortably, and my chest tightened again.
"You're heavy," I whispered jokingly, my voice shaking anyway.
He didn't move.
I stayed still, my back straight, my legs already starting to numb—but I didn't care. Right then, he felt like something fragile. Like glass.
And then—
"HEY—WHAT THE HELL?!"
Cien's scream echoed through the room like a fire alarm.
I nearly jumped out of my skin.
Cien stood near the door, eyes wide, finger pointing dramatically at us.
"EXCUSE ME," he yelled, "WHY IS THAT CHILD ON MY SISTER'S LAP?"
Kerien stirred slightly, frowning in his sleep, his arm instinctively tightening around my waist.
I stiffened.
Cien's jaw dropped. "DID HE JUST—"
"CN," I hissed, death-glare activated. "Lower. Your. Voice."
He rushed forward anyway, whisper-shouting now. "That's illegal! That's emotional kidnapping! That's—"
Kerien shifted again, this time fully waking up.
He blinked once.
Twice.
Then realized where he was.
Instead of pulling away, he tightened his grip around my waist, burying his face deeper against me like a shield.
I felt my face heat up instantly.
"Kerien," I whispered urgently, "you're awake."
He mumbled, voice rough with sleep. "I know."
Cien lost it.
"HEY. HEY. HANDS OFF. THAT IS MY SISTER."
Kerien finally looked up at him, eyes still sleepy but sharp enough. "She didn't tell me to move."
Cien sputtered. "SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO—"
I reached out and smacked Cien's arm lightly but firmly. "CN. Shut. Up."
He stared at me in betrayal. "You're choosing him over me?"
"Yes."
"No hesitation?"
"Absolutely none."
Kerien smirked.
That did it.
Cien leaned in closer, whispering furiously. "Listen, you—whatever-you-are—"
Kerien looked him dead in the eye. "Brother-in-law."
Cien choked on air.
Before he could recover, Kerien stood up slowly, still holding my waist, deliberately positioning himself between me and Cien like a human wall.