Jay jay (pov)
I woke up early.
Again.
For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, not moving. The room was quiet, soft morning light slipping through the curtains, everything calm—
but my mind wasn't.
It went back.
Without asking.
Last night.
The café.
The way he kept looking at me like I was the only thing there.
…and the kiss.
I shut my eyes.
"…okay, no," I muttered, turning to the side and pressing my face into the pillow.
"Stop thinking."
That didn't work.
I exhaled and pushed myself up, running a hand through my hair before getting out of bed.
"Get normal," I told myself.
I went through my routine slowly—washing up, tying my hair, fixing it twice even when it was fine.
Everything felt normal.
But not really.
I was about to get dressed when—
knock knock
"Jay," Aries' voice came from outside, "if you don't come down in two minutes, I'm legally allowed to eat your breakfast."
"…legally?" I said, opening the door slightly.
"House rules," he replied, completely serious.
"You made those rules."
"And they're very fair."
"…you don't even like my breakfast."
"I like your breakfast."
"…shameless."
"Two minutes," he repeated, already walking away.
I shook my head slightly but found myself smiling for a second before closing the door.
"…focus," I told myself again.
I got ready quickly this time and went downstairs.
The dining table felt normal—plates, food, the usual quiet morning. I sat down and started eating without saying much.
Everything was fine.
Until it wasn't.
It just… slipped back in.
The way his hand held mine.
The way he didn't let go.
The way he said it so simply—
"I like this… us."
My lips curved slightly before I even realized.
"…oh no."
"Why are you smiling?"
I froze mid-bite.
Kuya.
I looked up slowly. He was watching me, not suspicious exactly, but enough.
"Is there something funny in the food?" he asked.
"…no," I said quickly, shaking my head.
But my brain—
was not cooperating.
"…yes," I added.
I blinked.
"…why did I say that?"
Kuya's eyebrow lifted. "What?"
There was a pause.
Very short.
But very dangerous.
"…the food is smiling back at me," I said.
Silence.
Aries choked.
Actually choked.
Kuya just looked at me for a full second.
"…you need sleep," he said flatly.
"…probably," I muttered, looking back at my plate.
"…why am I like this?"
My phone buzzed.
I picked it up quickly, almost too quickly.
👑 king of uolopong 👑
I'm here, love.
I paused.
"…love?"
That word stayed for a second longer than it should have.
A small smile formed again, softer this time.
I typed without thinking too much.
coming love
And sent it.
I froze.
"…wait."
"…WAIT."
My eyes widened slightly as I stared at the screen.
"…I didn't mean to send that."
"…I was supposed to delete that."
"…why didn't I delete that?"
"…shit."
I put my phone down slowly like it had betrayed me.
"…jay, play dead," I thought.
"…again."
"…ulopong, shit—"
"Where are you going?" Aries asked, noticing me stand up too fast.
"School," I said quickly.
"Obviously."
"…early school."
He looked at me for a second. "…you're weird today."
"…you're weird every day."
"Fair."
Kuya didn't say anything this time, just watched quietly.
I grabbed my bag and headed toward the door.
My phone felt heavier than usual in my hand.
"…he saw it."
"…he definitely saw it."
I opened the door and stepped out.
"…damage control."
I stepped outside and the morning air hit softly against my face—cool, quiet, the kind that makes everything feel slower than it is.
And then—
I saw him.
Leaning against the car.
One hand in his pocket, the other holding the keys loosely, head slightly tilted down like he'd been waiting for a while.
Like always.
"…okay," I thought, my steps slowing just a little.
Maybe—
he didn't see it.
I pulled my phone out quickly, trying to keep it casual, my fingers moving faster than usual.
Opened the chat.
Unread.
For a second, I just stared at it.
"…he didn't see it."
Relief came too fast.
Too much.
I deleted the message immediately, my thumb slipping slightly in the rush.
"…careful—"
The phone almost fell.
I caught it just in time.
"…get normal," I muttered under my breath, exhaling slowly before slipping it back into my pocket.
Then I walked toward him.
Each step felt normal.
Looked normal.
But something—
wasn't.
He looked up when I got closer.
And smiled.
But it didn't reach his eyes.
"…that's not right."
It was there—the curve of his lips, the usual calm expression—but something behind it felt… distant.
Like he was holding something back.
I stopped in front of him.
"…what?" I asked, softer than I meant to.
"Nothing," he said.
Same word.
Same voice.
But not the same.
I didn't push.
Not yet.
Instead, I leaned in slightly and gave him a small peck on the cheek.
Usually—
he would say something.
Tease me.
Pull me back.
But this time—
nothing.
He didn't even move.
And that—
felt wrong.
Before I could think more, his arms came around me.
Suddenly.
Firm.
One hand settled at my waist, pulling me in closer without hesitation. The other slid up to my shoulder, holding me there like he didn't want space between us.
My breath hitched slightly.
"…that's tight."
Not uncomfortable.
Just—
intentional.
Then—
he leaned down.
His face pressed into the side of my neck.
Warm.
Close.
His breath brushed softly against my skin, uneven for a second before it steadied.
And he stayed there.
Not moving.
Not speaking.
Just—
there.
The world around us felt quieter.
Cars passing in the distance, faint sounds of morning, none of it reaching this moment.
His hold tightened slightly.
Not enough to hurt.
Just enough to say—
stay.
I didn't move.
"…he needs this," I realized.
Slowly, I lifted my hands and rested them lightly against his back.
Not pulling him away.
Not questioning.
Just—
there.
Supporting.
A second passed.
Then another.
It felt longer.
He stayed like that.
A little too long.
"…what happened?" my mind whispered.
Something wasn't right.
Gently, I pulled back.
He didn't stop me.
But for a second—
his hands didn't leave.
Then slowly—
they did.
I looked up at him.
Really looked.
His face was calm.
Controlled.
Too controlled.
"…you're hiding it."
I lifted my hand and cupped his cheek, my fingers brushing lightly against his skin, making sure he looked at me.
"Keif," I said softly.
His eyes met mine.
There it was.
Something behind them.
Not gone.
Just—
buried.
"You can tell me," I said, my voice quieter now, but steady.
A small pause.
"If I can help… I will."
My thumb moved slightly against his cheek without me thinking.
"I know I'm not the best at listening," I added, a faint, honest smile slipping in.
"But I'll try."
Another pause.
"I'll change it if I have to."
I held his gaze.
Didn't look away.
"…just for you."
The morning air moved lightly around us again.
Soft.
Still.
And for a moment—
nothing else mattered.