Jay's POV
After dinner, I thought things would finally calm down.
I was wrong.
Very wrong.
I had just pushed my chair back when—
"Uy, saan kayo pupunta?" Keigan's voice cut through immediately.
I froze mid-step.
Keifer didn't even flinch.
"Upstairs," he said casually, like nothing was happening.
"Together?" Keiren added, already leaning forward with a grin.
"Problem?" Keifer raised a brow.
"Yes," Keigan said. "Marami."
I crossed my arms, trying to act normal—which was impossible at this point. "Bakit parang may interrogation??"
"Because," Keiren said dramatically, placing a hand over his chest, "our eldest brother is acting suspicious."
"Very suspicious," Keigan nodded. "Glowing, even."
"GLOWING??" I choked.
Keifer smirked beside me. "Jealous?"
"Disgusted," Keigan corrected.
"Curious," Keiren added.
"Single," Keifer said.
"Below the belt, Kuya," Keigan frowned.
I snorted.
Big mistake.
Now both of them turned to me at the same time.
"Ate Jay…" Keiren said sweetly.
"No."
"Are you happy?" Keigan asked.
I opened my mouth—
Closed it.
"…maybe."
Silence.
Then—
"AYYYYY—"
I covered my face immediately. "STOP—"
"And she admits it!" Keiren laughed.
"Confirmed!" Keigan added. "May something talaga—"
"Wala kayong business," Keifer cut in, grabbing my hand.
My heart jumped.
Again.
"Uy uy uy—" Keigan stepped in front of us, blocking the way. "Curfew check."
"You don't make the rules."
"I make suggestions."
"Move."
"Say please."
Keifer stared at him.
"…move."
"Close enough," Keigan grinned, stepping aside—but not without whispering loudly—
"Don't do anything we wouldn't do."
Keiren added, "Which is a lot, actually."
"GET OUT OF THE WAY—" I snapped, dragging Keifer with me this time.
Their laughter followed us.
"INGAT, KUYA—"
"PROTECT ATE JAY—"
"UPDATE US—"
"WALA KAYONG UPDATE—" I yelled back.
"WE'LL FIND OUT ANYWAY—" Keigan shouted.
I groaned, burying my face in my hands as we reached the hallway. "Ang ingay nila."
"Mm," Keifer hummed, amused. "You'll get used to it."
"I don't think I will."
But I was smiling.
Still.
And I hated that they were right.
—
I was halfway up the stairs when—
He pulled me back.
My heart skipped.
"Where are we going?" I whispered.
"Trust me."
That was it.
And somehow…
That was enough.
—
We slipped out the back door quietly, like we were doing something illegal.
Which… okay, we kind of were.
"Keifer," I whispered, trying not to laugh, "if we get caught—"
"We won't."
"You sound very confident."
"I am."
"Delikado ka."
"You like it."
"…maybe."
He glanced at me, just for a second—but it was enough to make my chest feel weird again.
Warm.
Light.
Too much.
We kept walking.
Further.
Until the lights from the house faded, and everything turned softer—quieter.
Then—
We stopped.
And I looked up.
"Oh…"
The field stretched out endlessly in front of us, the grass moving gently with the breeze. Above it, the sky was wide and open, scattered with stars that actually looked alive—like they were breathing.
"Keifer…" I whispered.
He wasn't looking at the sky.
He was looking at me.
"You like it?"
"I love it."
Something in his expression softened.
"Good."
We walked further in, our steps slower now, like neither of us wanted to break the moment.
Then he sat down on the grass, pulling me gently with him.
I hesitated for half a second—
Then sat beside him.
Close.
Too close.
But I didn't move away.
He shifted slightly, his arm brushing against mine before sliding around my waist, pulling me in just enough so I could lean against him.
And I did.
My head rested on his shoulder.
My hand found his.
And everything just…
Settled.
"Mas maganda dito," I murmured.
"Hmm."
"Mas tahimik."
"Except you talk a lot."
I nudged him lightly. "Wow ha."
He laughed softly, the sound low and warm.
Then silence.
But not empty.
Not awkward.
The kind that feels full.
Safe.
I stared up at the sky.
"Do you ever feel small?" I asked quietly.
"Sometimes."
"Like… the world's too big."
"Yeah," he said. "But not right now."
I turned slightly. "Why?"
He looked at me.
Straight.
Steady.
"Because you're here."
My chest tightened.
Again.
Always.
"Ang corny mo…" I mumbled, hiding my face against his shoulder.
"You like it."
"…shut up."
His fingers intertwined with mine again, slower this time, more intentional.
Like he was memorizing it.
"Jay," he said softly.
"Hmm?"
"You meant it earlier, right?"
"What?"
"You're not leaving."
I lifted my head slightly, looking at him.
"I meant it."
His gaze softened.
"Good."
"…you sound like you were worried."
"I was."
That surprised me.
Keifer?
Worried?
"I'm still here," I said quietly.
"I know," he replied. "Stay."
My heart—
Grabe.
"I will."
The wind picked up slightly, brushing against us, but I didn't feel cold.
Not when he was this close.
Not when his hand tightened around mine just a little.
His other hand lifted, gently tilting my chin up.
"Stop thinking so much," he murmured.
"You're too close," I whispered.
"Move away then."
I didn't.
Instead…
I leaned in.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like I was giving myself time to stop.
But I didn't want to.
And he didn't either.
Because he met me halfway.
His lips pressed against mine—soft at first, like he was still holding back.
Then deeper.
Slower.
Warmer.
His arm wrapped more securely around my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us.
My hand gripped his shirt, the other still tangled with his fingers.
Everything else disappeared.
The house.
The noise.
Even time.
It was just him.
Just us.
Under the stars.
When we finally pulled away, I didn't move far.
I stayed there, forehead resting against his, both of us breathing the same quiet air.
"…I didn't run," I whispered.
He smiled softly.
"I know."
"I didn't want to."
"Good."
His thumb brushed gently against my cheek.
And this time—
I leaned into it.
No hesitation.
No overthinking.
Just… feeling.
I rested my head against him again, our hands still intertwined, my fingers lightly tracing the edge of the infinity necklace.
"KJ ♾️"
Forever.
Maybe it was a big word.
Maybe it was scary.
But right now?
It felt… right.
And as I sat there, wrapped in his arms, under a sky full of stars—
I realized something.
For once…
I wasn't thinking about what could go wrong.
I wasn't trying to run.
I wasn't scared.
I was just—
Happy.
And somehow…
That was enough.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
:::writing
Hey guys 🥹💗
I hope you enjoyed this chapter because AHHH 😭 the soft vibes?? the stars?? THE KISS?? I'm actually screaming.
Finally giving you a peaceful, no-drama moment for Jay and Keifer because they deserve it after all that tension 🫶 and yes… the brothers are still chaotic as ever 😭
Also can we talk about that "you stayed" line?? because excuse me?? WHO GAVE HIM THE RIGHT—
Anyway 😌 more cute (and maybe a little chaos 👀) coming soon so stay tuned!!
Don't forget to vote ⭐, comment 💬, and share if you're enjoying the story—it really means a lot to me!!
love your author 💗