(Keifer's POV)
The second pillow fight finally ended.
Not because anyone surrendered.
But because everyone was too tired to continue.
Blaster was lying on the carpet again.
Blaster:
"I can't feel my arms."
Felix threw a pillow at his face.
Felix:
"Drama queen."
Denzel was half asleep on the couch.
Eman was still watching the recordings and laughing quietly.
Ci N looked like he had run a marathon.
David had disappeared into the kitchen for water.
The living room looked like a storm had passed through.
Feathers.
Blankets.
Snack wrappers.
Chaos.
Then a small voice spoke.
Keiren:
"…I'm tired."
Everyone looked at him.
He was rubbing his eyes like a sleepy kitten.
Jay immediately softened.
She walked over and crouched in front of him.
Jay:
"Me too, Keiren."
He grabbed her hand like a spoiled little prince.
Keiren:
"Ate Jay… come sleep with me."
The room went silent.
Felix slowly turned toward me.
Then smirked.
Felix (whispering):
"This should be interesting."
I ignored him.
Mostly.
Jay blinked.
Then smiled gently.
Jay:
"Okay."
Keiren immediately cheered quietly and pulled her toward the hallway.
Keiren:
"Come come come!"
Jay looked back once.
Jay:
"Don't destroy the house while I'm gone."
Blaster raised his hand dramatically.
Blaster:
"No promises."
Jay laughed and disappeared upstairs with Keiren.
And suddenly…
The living room felt quieter.
Felix slowly turned toward me again.
His grin growing wider.
Felix:
"Your girlfriend just got stolen by a ten-year-old."
Keifer:
"He's my brother."
Felix:
"That doesn't make it less funny."
Blaster sat up suddenly.
Blaster:
"Imagine being jealous of a child."
I glared at him.
Keifer:
"I'm not jealous."
Denzel snorted.
Denzel:
"Sure."
I crossed my arms.
Trying very hard to ignore them.
But my brain was already imagining something.
Jay.
Sleeping.
In Keiren's room.
Felix noticed my expression immediately.
Felix:
"Oh he's definitely jealous."
Keifer:
"I am not."
Blaster whispered dramatically.
Blaster:
"Stage one: denial."
I stood up.
Keifer:
"I'm going upstairs."
Felix clapped slowly.
Felix:
"Stage two: investigation."
I ignored them completely and walked toward the stairs.
The hallway upstairs was quiet.
Most lights were dim.
The chaos from earlier felt far away.
I stopped in front of Keiren's bedroom door.
For a moment…
I just stood there.
Then I opened the door slowly.
The room was dark.
Only the small night lamp glowing softly.
Keiren's bed was big enough for two.
But now…
There were two people sleeping in it.
Keiren was in the middle.
Completely knocked out.
One arm spread across the blanket.
Hair messy.
Peaceful.
And Jay…
Was sleeping on the side.
Curled slightly toward him.
Her arm wrapped around Keiren protectively.
Like she was guarding him.
It was quiet.
Peaceful.
Soft.
Something strange happened in my chest.
It was warm.
But also…
Annoying.
Because she looked very comfortable sleeping with my brother.
I muttered quietly.
Keifer:
"…traitor."
Then I walked closer.
Carefully.
Trying not to wake them.
Keiren didn't move.
Still sleeping like a rock.
Jay shifted slightly but didn't wake up.
Her hair was covering part of her face.
I gently moved the blanket aside.
And climbed onto the other side of the bed.
Now there were three people on the bed.
Keiren in the middle.
Jay on one side.
Me on the other.
I carefully slid my arm across.
Resting my hand on Jay's waist.
Then my other arm moved slightly.
Resting across Keiren too.
Like some kind of weird family hug position.
Keiren stirred slightly.
But didn't wake up.
Jay moved closer in her sleep.
Her back pressing lightly against my chest.
And just like that…
The jealousy disappeared.
Because now…
She was still next to me.
My chin rested lightly on her hair.
And I sighed quietly.
Downstairs I could still hear faint voices.
Section E probably still arguing about something.
But here…
Everything felt calm.
Peaceful.
Jay murmured softly in her sleep.
Jay:
"…snacks…"
I almost laughed.
Keifer (whispering):
"You're unbelievable."
Keiren suddenly mumbled in his sleep too.
Keiren:
"…pillow fight…"
I shook my head.
Somehow…
In the middle of all this chaos…
This strange little moment felt perfect.
And slowly…
With one arm around Jay…
And my other arm across my little brother…
I closed my eyes.
And finally fell asleep too.