(Jay jay) pov
The night felt quieter once we stepped out of the restaurant. Not silent—just softer. The air was cool, streetlights casting a warm glow across the road, and everything felt slower somehow.
"I'll drop you," Keifer said.
I didn't argue.
The drive started quietly.
The city lights moved past the window in blurred streaks, reflections sliding across the glass. I leaned slightly back, watching them for a second before glancing at him.
He was focused on the road.
Hands steady on the wheel.
But then—
a quick glance.
At me.
I caught it.
"…what?" I asked.
"Nothing," he said, eyes back on the road.
"You just looked at me."
"Yeah."
"…why?"
Another quick glance.
Then back to driving.
"Because I can."
I exhaled softly. "That's not a reason."
"It works."
I shook my head, looking out the window again.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
another glance.
Short.
Quick.
"…you're doing it again," I said.
"Driving?"
"No. Looking."
He smirked faintly, eyes still forward. "Multitasking."
"…focus on the road."
"I am."
I turned slightly toward him. "Barely."
"You're distracting."
I blinked.
"…wow."
"Not complaining."
"…you should."
He didn't reply.
But I saw it—
that small smile.
A few minutes passed like that.
Quiet.
But not empty.
I watched him again.
The way his fingers adjusted slightly on the steering wheel. The way his eyes stayed forward—but still, every now and then—
a glance.
"…why do you keep looking at me like that?" I asked, softer now.
"Like what?" he said, slowing slightly at a turn.
I hesitated.
"…like I'll disappear."
This time—
he didn't answer immediately.
The car moved through a dim stretch of road before the lights came back again.
Then—
"…just making sure you don't."
My chest tightened a little.
I looked away.
"…he says things like that so easily," I thought.
"I'm not going anywhere," I said quietly.
"I know," he replied.
A pause.
"…still."
That was enough.
The car finally stopped outside the house. The engine turned off, and everything went still again.
I reached for the door.
Then paused.
"…what?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Nothing."
But I didn't move.
He leaned back slightly, looking at me now properly.
"You're thinking."
"I always think."
"Not like this."
I glanced at him. "…and what does this look like?"
"Like you want to say something but won't."
I held his gaze for a second.
"…maybe."
He didn't push.
Instead, he opened one arm slightly.
Not dramatic.
Just enough.
"…come here."
I moved without thinking.
The moment I leaned in, his arms wrapped around me.
Tight.
Secure.
Like he meant it.
I rested my head against him, my hands gripping his shirt lightly.
"…he hugs like he's afraid to let go," I thought.
His hold tightened slightly.
"…you're holding too tight," I murmured.
"Am I?"
"Yes."
He didn't loosen it.
"…deal with it."
I smiled slightly.
"…you're impossible."
"Still here."
A small silence settled.
Then slowly—
he pulled back just enough to look at me.
His hands moved to my face.
Gentle.
Careful.
And then—
he kissed me.
Slow.
Deep.
Not rushed.
Not unsure.
Like he was making sure I felt everything he couldn't say.
The world outside didn't matter.
Just him.
When he pulled back, his forehead rested against mine.
"…you're really not going anywhere?" he asked quietly.
I looked at him.
"…not now."
A pause.
"Not ever."
And this time—
his smile came back.
The house looked quiet when I reached.
Too quiet.
I stepped inside slowly, closing the door behind me as gently as possible. The lights were off, the living room empty, everything still.
For a second, I relaxed.
"…maybe he's asleep," I thought.
Good.
Very good.
I slipped off my shoes quietly and started toward the stairs, careful with every step. No sound. No mistakes.
"…just go up," I told myself.
Halfway there—
"Out late?"
I froze.
"…I'm dead."
I turned my head slowly.
There he was.
Sitting in the dark like he had been waiting.
Kuya.
Of course.
I forced a small smile. "You're awake."
"No," he said flatly. "I'm sleepwalking."
"…right."
I glanced at the stairs.
So close.
"…run?" I thought.
No.
Terrible idea.
And Aries—
Flashback.
"I'll help you," Aries had said.
"One condition."
"What?"
"When you come home late, I'm not saving you from Kuya."
"…traitor."
Flashback ends.
"…useless," I thought.
"Come here," Kuya said.
I walked toward him slowly, already knowing this wouldn't be easy.
He was watching me too closely.
"So," he said, "where were you?"
"Out."
His eyebrow lifted.
"…very detailed."
"With friends."
"Which friends?"
"…people."
"Jay."
I sighed. "Section E."
He nodded slightly.
Then—
"And why are you smiling like that?"
I froze for half a second.
"…am I?"
"Yes."
I tried to stop.
Failed.
"…this is bad."
"What happened?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"Jay."
"…it was just… a good day."
Silence.
He didn't look convinced.
"A good day?" he repeated.
I nodded.
"…too suspicious?" I thought.
He leaned back slightly, still watching me.
"You don't usually come home late just because of a 'good day.'"
"…true."
I shrugged lightly. "We were just hanging out."
Another pause.
He looked like he wanted to ask more.
But didn't.
"…thank God."
Finally, he exhaled.
"Go to sleep," he said. "It's late."
I blinked.
"…that was easier than expected."
I turned quickly toward the stairs before he could change his mind.
"Jay."
I stopped.
"…not again."
I turned back slowly.
He looked at me, not as strict now.
"Don't make it a habit."
A pause.
"…okay."
I didn't argue.
This time—
I actually meant it.
I went upstairs quickly, not stopping until I reached my room.
The moment I closed the door—
I leaned back against it.
And finally—
I smiled.
"…survived," I thought.
I moved around slowly, going through my usual routine—washing up, tying my hair loosely, changing into something comfortable. Everything felt lighter today.
Different.
I didn't rush.
Didn't overthink.
For once—
my mind was calm.
I walked to the bed and dropped onto it without caring, face half buried in the pillow.
"…I'm so tired," I mumbled.
Not in a bad way.
Just—
full.
My body relaxed almost instantly.
And then—
my phone buzzed.
I turned my head slightly and reached for it lazily.
👑 king of uolopong 👑
I'm home.
A small smile formed without me trying.
"…of course he texted," I thought.
I typed back slowly, eyes half closing already.
just survived kuya
I stared at the screen for a second.
"…that's enough."
I placed the phone beside me without waiting for a reply.
My eyes closed.
And this time—
sleep came easily.