Author POV:
The door swung open.
Yuri's parents said goodbye and closed the door behind them.
And chaos walked in wearing five different faces.
Bags dropped like they personally offended gravity.
Shoes? Scattered. One hit the wall. No one claimed it.
Jayjay walked in first, took one look at the room, and pointed like a queen claiming territory.
"That bed is mine."
Felix didn't even argue. He just launched himself onto the other bed.
"THIS ONE IS MINE."
The mattress squeaked in protest.
Ci-N stepped in slowly behind them, eyes scanning like a villain choosing his next victim.
"…interesting," he murmured.
Edrix looked at the couch.
Long.
Hard.
Then nodded like a monk accepting fate.
"I have been chosen."
He dropped onto it immediately, blanket already halfway over him like he'd been preparing for this moment since birth.
Keifer stood in the middle of the room.
Still.
Silent.
Processing one very important detail.
Jayjay.
On the bed.
Already lying down.
Half-dead.
Hair messy.
Stealing his peace. Existing loudly without words. Hot. (It was the wind, or... Keifer.)
"…I'm sleeping there," he said.
Jayjay didn't even lift her head.
"No."
"There's space."
"There's also a floor."
"I'm not sleeping on the floor."
"Then don't."
"That doesn't solve anything."
"That sounds like a personal issue."
Felix turned, chin resting on his pillow. "Round one: Fight."
Ci-N leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a grin forming.
"Place your bets."
Keifer stepped closer.
"Move."
Jayjay turned her head slowly, eyes sharp despite looking like she was about to pass out.
"No."
"Jayjay."
"Keifer."
"Be reasonable."
"I am."
"You're taking the whole bed."
"Yes."
"You're one person."
"Yes."
"This is inefficient."
"This is peaceful."
Edrix, already horizontal: "I support her. Protect peace."
"YOU HAVE A COUCH," Keifer snapped.
"And I'm thriving."
Ci-N clapped once. "Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful."
Keifer exhaled, running a hand through his hair like he was this close to filing a complaint against the universe.
Then.
Decision made.
He walked forward.
And just flopped onto the bed next to Jayjay.
Jayjay bolted upright. "EXCUSE ME-"
"Too tired," he muttered, grabbing a pillow and settling in like this was destiny. "I'm not moving."
"You are absolutely moving-"
She shoved him.
Nothing.
She shoved harder.
Still nothing.
"Why are you so heavy?!" she snapped.
"Built different."
Felix clutched his chest. "That line was illegal."
Ci-N pointed. "Write that down."
Jayjay glared like she was seconds away from committing a crime.
"Get. Off."
"No."
"Keifer."
"Jayjay."
Eye contact.
Electric.
Annoying.
Unbreakable.
Edrix whispered, eyes closed, "enemies to lovers… live performance…"
"SHUT UP," Jayjay snapped.
Felix rolled over, wheezing into the pillow.
Ci-N walked closer now, crouching slightly like a documentary narrator observing wild animals.
"Notice how neither is willing to retreat," he whispered. "Fascinating."
"I will throw you out," Jayjay said without looking at him.
"Worth it."
Keifer closed his eyes. "I'm sleeping."
"You're not sleeping."
"I am."
"You're literally talking."
"Last words."
Jayjay stared at him.
Because now, he wasn't joking.
His face had softened.
Breathing slowing.
Like he genuinely had no energy left to fight.
That… threw her off.
Her voice dropped a little.
"…move a bit."
One eye opened.
Victory spark unlocked.
"Say please."
"Don't test me."
"…understood."
He shifted.
Bare minimum.
But enough.
Jayjay flopped back down, turning away from him.
"Don't touch me."
"Wasn't planning to."
"Good."
"Good."
Pause.
"…you snore?" she muttered.
"No."
"You look like you do."
"You look like you kick people in your sleep."
"Only if they deserve it."
Felix whispered, "he's dead by morning."
Ci-N nodded. "I'll document it."
Edrix? Already gone. Soul left. Peace achieved.
Ci-N claimed the bed beside Felix.
The lights went off.
The room dipped into soft darkness.
City noise hums outside like a distant lullaby.
For a moment. Quiet.
Actually quiet.
Then:
"…guys," Ci-N whispered.
"NO," four voices said instantly.
"Last question."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Jayjay groaned. "Say it fast before I throw something."
Ci-N grinned, eyes glinting in the dark.
"If a zombie apocalypse starts right now… who here betrays first?"
"YOU," everyone said.
"I'm being targeted."
"You'd sell us for one biscuit," Felix said.
"Half," Edrix mumbled from the couch without opening his eyes.
Ci-N clutched his chest. "Fake friends."
Keifer pulled the blanket up. "Sleep."
"…okay, but Keifer-"
"No."
"If Jayjay was being chased-"
"WHY AM I ALWAYS THE ONE GETTING CHASED?!" she snapped.
"Main character energy," Ci-N replied.
Felix was already dying silently.
Keifer sighed. "…I wouldn't let her get chased."
Pause.
Tiny.
Loud.
Jayjay blinked in the dark.
Felix whispered, "oh that was smooth."
"Accidental rizz," Ci-N confirmed.
"HE DIDN'T MEAN-" Jayjay protested.
"Too late," Felix said.
"Recorded," Ci-N added.
Jayjay laid back down, voice quieter now.
"…idiot."
Keifer heard it.
Didn't respond.
But if anyone could see in the dark, yeah.
Ears red.
Finally.
Actually finally.
The room settled.
Five chaotic idiots.
One cramped space.
Somewhere between annoyance and something softer.
Sleep slowly pulling them under.
"…I'd survive the zombie apocalypse," Ci-N whispered one last time.
Edrix, half-asleep: "You'd start it."