Jay jay ( pov )
We got into the car.
She settled in beside me, placing her suitcase at the back, still holding that Snorlax like it was essential luggage.
I started the engine.
The drive began quietly.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… calm.
I glanced at her once.
She was looking out the window, but I could tell—
she was thinking.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
"Keif?"
I looked at the road. "Hmm?"
She hesitated slightly.
"…what if your brother doesn't like me?"
That made me glance at her properly this time.
There it was.
That small doubt.
I looked back at the road, a faint smile forming.
"Keiren already knows you're coming," I said.
She turned toward me immediately.
"And?"
I let out a small breath, amused.
"I told him yesterday."
A pause.
"And after that—"
I shook my head slightly.
"He started jumping on the couch like he'd just won something."
She blinked.
Then her face lit up.
"Really?"
I nodded once.
Her smile widened instantly.
That kind of excitement—
pure.
Unfiltered.
"…yeah," I thought.
"He's going to like you."
She let out a small laugh, leaning back into her seat, clearly more relaxed now.
The rest of the drive felt lighter.
Easier.
And soon—
we reached the house.
I parked the car.
Turned off the engine.
And for a second—
I just looked at the place.
"…home."
Then I glanced at her.
"…let's see how this goes."
"…you're so annoying," I muttered.
He didn't deny it.
Just looked at me with that soft, slightly amused expression.
And then—
his words settled in.
"…wait."
I blinked.
"You said… I'm staying at your place?"
He nodded.
"For a week."
A small pause.
"…a week."
I repeated it quietly, more to myself than him.
Something shifted in my head.
Not panic.
Just—
a sudden realization.
"Oh."
I looked at him again.
"…I have to pack."
The words came out simply.
I turned slightly, already thinking.
"…what do I even take?"
I frowned a little.
"Do I need like… extra stuff?"
Then I glanced back at him.
"…this is normal, right?"
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
"For a week?"
"…yeah, don't make it sound like I'm moving in," I said quickly.
A small pause.
"…I'm not overthinking," I added.
I was.
He stepped a little closer.
"You'll be fine," he said quietly.
And somehow—
that was enough.
I nodded once.
"…okay."
Then after a second—
"I'm still packing properly."
That made him almost smile.
I was waiting in the hallway.
Leaning slightly against the wall, arms folded, eyes on the stairs.
She was late.
Not unexpected.
Packing, overthinking, repacking—
that was her pattern.
I glanced at my watch once, then back up.
Footsteps.
And then she appeared.
Coming down the stairs with a small suitcase in one hand…
and that ridiculous Snorlax plush in the other.
I couldn't help it.
A quiet laugh slipped out.
She stopped mid-step.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she walked closer.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked.
I pushed myself off the wall, still looking at her.
"I thought you'd bring at least three suitcases," I said casually.
She frowned.
"You were panicking about clothes like it was a life decision."
I glanced at her suitcase.
"And this is it?"
She shifted the handle slightly, then lifted her chin just a little.
"I have natural beauty," she said, completely serious.
A small pause.
"So makeup isn't really a problem," she continued. "It's just clothes."
I looked at her for a second.
Really looked.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Just her.
"Sure, babe," I said quietly.
A faint smirk forming.
"That's what I fell for."
She didn't reply immediately.
But I saw it—
that small reaction she tried to hide.
And I didn't push it.
Didn't need to.
Because moments like this—
They were enough.
We got into the car.
She settled in beside me, placing her suitcase at the back, still holding that Snorlax like it was essential luggage.
I started the engine.
The drive began quietly.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… calm.
I glanced at her once.
She was looking out the window, but I could tell—
she was thinking.
A few seconds passed.
Then—
"Keif?"
I looked at the road. "Hmm?"
She hesitated slightly.
"…what if your brother doesn't like me?"
That made me glance at her properly this time.
There it was.
That small doubt.
I looked back at the road, a faint smile forming.
"Keiren already knows you're coming," I said.
She turned toward me immediately.
"And?"
I let out a small breath, amused.
"I told him yesterday."
A pause.
"And after that—"
I shook my head slightly.
"He started jumping on the couch like he'd just won something."
She blinked.
Then her face lit up.
"Really?"
I nodded once.
Her smile widened instantly.
That kind of excitement—
pure.
Unfiltered.
"…yeah," I thought.
"He's going to like you."
She let out a small laugh, leaning back into her seat, clearly more relaxed now.
The rest of the drive felt lighter.
Easier.
And soon—
we reached the house.
I parked the car.
Turned off the engine.
And for a second—
I just looked at the place.
"…home."
Then I glanced at her.
"…let's see how this goes."