Jay jay (pov)
The walk inside felt longer than it actually was.
Too quiet.
Too heavy.
I could hear my own footsteps.
My own heartbeat.
"…why is it so silent?"
Kuya walked ahead without saying anything.
That was worse.
Way worse.
I followed behind him slowly, my head slightly down like I had actually committed some serious crime.
"…okay, maybe I did."
I didn't dare look up.
Didn't dare look at Keifer either.
Because I knew—
if I did—
I would panic more.
We stepped into the living room.
Kuya stopped.
Turned.
And looked at us.
No.
Not us.
At him.
I felt it immediately.
That shift in the air.
Sharp.
Focused.
I slowly lifted my gaze.
Keifer stood beside me.
Straight.
Calm.
And he was looking directly at Kuya.
Not avoiding.
Not hesitating.
Straight into his eyes.
"…is he serious right now?" I thought, my stomach twisting.
Because I couldn't even hold eye contact for two seconds—
and he was just standing there like this was normal.
Kuya's expression didn't change.
But his eyes—
were sharp.
Measuring.
Judging.
Then—
he took one step forward.
Slow.
Deliberate.
The sound of his shoe against the floor echoed slightly in the quiet room.
My breath caught.
"…this is getting bad."
He stopped right in front of Keifer.
Close enough to feel the tension.
"Come with me."
His voice—
low.
Cold.
Not loud.
But filled with authority.
The kind you don't question.
My head snapped up immediately.
"…what?"
"Kuya—" I started quickly.
"No."
One word.
And I stopped.
Completely.
"…I'm dead."
I looked at Keifer.
He didn't react.
Didn't argue.
Didn't even hesitate.
"…why are you so calm?" my mind screamed.
He just nodded once.
"Alright."
That's it.
That's all he said.
And then he moved.
Following Kuya without resistance.
Like this was something he expected.
Like this didn't bother him at all.
"…this is wrong."
I stood there for a second.
Frozen.
"…do I go?"
"…do I stay?"
"…do I run?"
None of the options felt safe.
"Jay."
I flinched.
Kuya didn't even turn.
"Stay."
That word hit harder than anything else.
And just like that—
they walked away.
Leaving me standing there.
Alone.
"…great."
I dropped onto the couch slowly, staring at the floor.
My mind racing now.
"…what is he going to say?"
"…what is Kuya going to do?"
"…why am I still alive?"
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply.
"This is bad," I muttered under my breath.
Really bad.
I stared at the floor for a few seconds.
Then my brain started working again.
Worst decision.
"…what if Kuya is actually going to beat him?"
My head snapped up.
"No—no, wait—"
I stood up halfway.
"…should I go?"
"…what if he's already—"
I froze.
"…what am I even thinking?"
I started pacing a little.
"Okay, calm down, Jay."
But my thoughts didn't listen.
"…what if Kuya just throws one punch?"
My eyes widened.
"And then Keif just stands there—no, he won't stand there—he'll obviously defend himself—"
"…and then they both start fighting."
I stopped walking.
"Oh my God."
"And then I'll go in like—STOP—"
I paused.
"…and then what?"
Silence.
I blinked.
"…I can't even stop a fly properly."
I dropped back onto the couch.
"…I'll just stand there."
"Probably scream."
"Maybe cry."
"Yeah, very helpful."
I covered my face with my hands.
"This is bad."
A pause.
"…what if Kuya gives him that look?"
I slowly removed my hands.
"…okay yeah, that's worse."
Because that look?
Even I couldn't survive it.
"And Keif is just standing there all calm like—yeah, go ahead—"
I groaned softly.
"…why is he so calm?"
"…why am I not calm?"
Another pause.
"…because I'm normal."
I leaned back, staring at the ceiling now.
"…should I listen from the door?"
I sat up again.
"…no—that's risky."
"…but what if something happens?"
"…but what if nothing happens and I just embarrass myself?"
I dropped back again.
"…useless."
I sighed.
"…if Kuya actually touches him…"
I paused.
"…then I will—"
Silence.
"…I will what?"
I blinked.
"…exactly."
I let out a small frustrated huff.
"I can't even do anything."
And somehow—
that made it worse.
Keifer (pov)
I followed him without saying anything.
His steps were steady, controlled—authority in every movement.
I'd expected this.
Not the exact moment, but the situation.
You don't stand outside holding someone like that and expect silence.
The door closed behind us.
A quiet room.
No distractions.
He stopped and turned toward me.
His eyes locked on mine immediately.
Sharp. Assessing.
I didn't look away.
Didn't shift.
Silence stretched between us.
"You understand what you were doing out there?" he asked.
"I do."
"And you still did it."
"Yes."
A pause.
Then—
"Are you serious about her?"
"I am."
No hesitation.
His gaze stayed on me, weighing every word.
"She's not someone you experiment with," he said.
"I know."
"Then don't treat her like an option."
"I don't."
This time, my voice carried weight.
Silence again.
"She looked like she didn't know what to say," he added.
"That's because she panics," I said.
A slight shift.
"But she doesn't lie well."
That almost made me smile.
Almost.
"And you?" he asked. "Do you lie well?"
"When it doesn't matter."
"And when it does?"
"I don't."
Another pause.
I exhaled once, slow, then spoke again.
"I wanted to ask something."
His expression didn't change.
"Go on."
"My brother…" I started, then continued calmly, "he's been asking about her."
A small pause.
"He misses her."
That caught his attention.
Just slightly.
"I want to take her with me," I added. "For a week."
Silence.
Not empty.
Measured.
His eyes stayed on mine.
Longer this time.
"A week?" he repeated.
"Yes."
"And you think I'll just allow that."
It wasn't a question.
"I'm asking," I said.
Not pushing.
Not demanding.
Just clear.
Another pause.
Then he stepped closer.
Not aggressive.
But firm.
"If she goes," he said slowly, "you stay in your limits."
There it was.
Clear.
Direct.
"I will," I replied.
No hesitation.
His gaze held mine for a second longer, like he was deciding something.
Not fully convinced.
But not refusing either.
"This isn't trust," he added.
"I know."
"It's a chance."
I nodded once.
"That's enough."
Because that's all I needed.