The house was still buzzing faintly after all the chaos.
Zim and Jessi had just left together, Zim proudly volunteering to carry Jessi's bags as if he were on some heroic quest.
Nova and Thea followed out the door as well, chatting animatedly about what Thea might borrow to wear.
Kael, exhausted, had gone upstairs into his room, sprawled out on the edge of his bed, rubbing his temples from all the noise.
Downstairs, Aven lounged lazily across the couch, scrolling his phone, while Jace sat opposite, arms folded, looking deep in thought but calm.
Leo stretched, yawning. "Guess I should get my stuff then."
He muttered under his breath, clearly not thrilled. He was just about to head for the door when suddenly—
The front door swung open.
A soft, high-pitched voice chimed, "Hiii~"
"Hiii~" Vanessa's sing-song voice floated in first. She stepped inside, perfectly dressed, her heels clicking against the floor as though she owned the place.
And right behind her came another girl—slightly taller, sharp eyes, with a presence that screamed she wasn't here just to tag along.
The air shifted instantly.
Leo froze mid-step, his hand still hovering on the doorknob. The moment his eyes landed on Vanessa, his face twisted in pure disgust—like he had just swallowed something bitter.
His lips pressed tight, his brows furrowed. "…Of course it's you," he muttered under his breath.
Aven, sprawled across the couch, lifted his head, then let out a low, devilish laugh. "Ohhh, now this is entertaining," he smirked.
"Didn't expect you here. Come on in,"
he waved mockingly, his tone both welcoming and sharp, like he was just waiting for drama to ignite.
Jace's reaction was colder. He straightened slightly, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at Vanessa and the girl beside her.
His confusion was subtle but there—a furrow of his brow, his lips pressed into a thin line.
It wasn't confusion that made him look weak, though. It was quiet calculation, as if he were already picking apart their motives.
Leo turned his head sharply toward the stairs, clearly wanting to leave. He wasn't going to waste his breath with Vanessa, not when just being in the same space as her made his skin crawl.
But before he could make a break for it, Jace was suddenly standing in front of him. His hand pressed firmly on Leo's shoulder, stopping him mid-step.
"Kael is going with you," Jace said flatly, his voice leaving no room for argument. His eyes flicked meaningfully at Vanessa,
and for a split second, his jaw tightened. "I have something to take care of here."
Leo's head snapped toward him. "What? No—"
"Not asking," Jace cut him off, his tone colder now, heavier. His gaze locked with Leo's for one long second before he finally stepped back, folding his arms across his chest like the matter was decided.
Leo clenched his teeth, his eyes burning with annoyance, but he turned on his heel without another word.
He stormed up the stairs, shoved Kael's door open, and barked, "You're coming with me."
Kael, startled from where he was sitting on the bed, looked up wide-eyed. "Leo—what are you—"
Before Kael could finish, Leo grabbed his wrist tightly. "Now," he muttered, dragging him up before he had the chance to argue.
"Wha—wait—at least tell me—!" Kael stumbled after him, half-protesting, half-shocked at the sudden intensity.
Downstairs, Aven was practically shaking with laughter at the sight of Leo dragging Kael away like he was a kidnapped prince. "Oh my god—look at him go!"
Aven snickered, kicking his legs over the couch. "What a scene."
Jace didn't laugh. He only leaned back, his arms still crossed, his gaze cutting briefly toward Vanessa and the mysterious girl at her side. Cold, calculating, silent.
The door slammed shut behind Leo and Kael.
Outside, Leo didn't release Kael's wrist until they were halfway down the street. His grip was so tight it left Kael's skin warm, his heartbeat oddly quickened.
"…Leo." Kael finally whispered, his voice unsteady. "What's going on?"
Leo's grip didn't ease until they were almost a block away. He finally slowed down, letting Kael catch his breath.
Kael yanked his wrist free with a huff. "What the hell was that for? You just barged into my room and dragged me out like—like I'm some damn suitcase."
Leo turned his head slightly, his expression sharp but unreadable in the fading sunlight.
"Your brother had some work to handle," he muttered, the words heavy but clipped.
For a second Kael blinked—then his lips curled, a sudden laugh bubbling out of him.
He tilted his head back, covering his mouth with one hand as his shoulders shook.
"Pfft—oh, shit… Jace is never gonna pass up a chance to do his shady little 'work.'" Kael's laughter grew louder, almost uncontrollable, his eyes squinting with tears.
"I swear—this guy doesn't even need an excuse. He lives for that shit."
Leo stopped walking, just staring at him. His brows furrowed slightly as he watched Kael double over with laughter, like the whole situation was some kind of comedy show.
"…You're unbelievable," Leo muttered under his breath.
But even though his tone was flat, his lips twitched the tiniest bit—like Kael's laughter was contagious, like he was trying very hard not to smile.
Kael finally straightened, wiping the corner of his eyes. "God, Jace. Seriously. I bet Aven's eating this whole thing up, laughing his ass off while Jace goes full devil mode on those two."
Leo shoved his hands into his pockets, his eyes narrowing at the thought of Vanessa and the girl with her. "…Exactly. That's why I didn't want to leave him alone."
Kael tilted his head, curious now. "What, you think she's up to something?"
Leo's jaw clenched. "I know she is." His voice dropped, quiet but firm.
The laughter in Kael's eyes softened into curiosity—something in Leo's expression made it clear this wasn't just petty dislike. There was weight to it.
Inside the car, the air was heavier than the silence outside.
The faint hum of the engine filled the space as Leo gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles tight.
Kael slid into the passenger seat, shutting the door with a dull thud.
He leaned back, arms crossed, eyes narrowed out the window like he was trying to ignore the unease bubbling in his chest.
Leo finally broke the silence, his voice low but sharp. "Aven is also there."
Kael didn't turn to look at him. He simply gave a short exhale, almost like a laugh, but without humor.
"Yeah… he's also in that shitty thing."
His tone was blunt, but the way his fingers twitched against his arm showed the irritation—and worry—he was hiding.
Leo's jaw tightened as his eyes flicked toward Kael, then back to the road.
"What if Thea finds out about it?"
The words came out heavier than he meant, like the thought genuinely weighed on him.
That made Kael finally snap his head around, his expression shifting—less sharp now, more tense.
"No need to tell her that, you know."
His voice was firm, almost warning, but there was a nervous edge in it. He didn't want Thea dragged into this. Not at all.
Leo let out a slow sigh, eyes narrowing at the windshield.
"Well… I have to say something. I'm her close friend."
There was a strange sadness in his voice, the kind that slipped out when someone cared more than they admitted.
Kael stared at him for a moment, lips pressed tight, before letting his gaze fall.
"Yeah, that's true…"
he muttered, softer now.
"But what's new in that? Aven's always like this."
His words tried to brush it off, but his shoulders were stiff, betraying his unease.
Leo gave a small, bitter chuckle, though his expression didn't lighten. He leaned back against the seat, tilting his head as if the weight of it all was too much.
"Oh, poor devil child…"
he said quietly, almost like it was more to himself than to Kael. His voice carried a mix of pity and sadness, as if he was talking about Thea—and maybe Kael too.
Kael's throat felt dry, the phrase echoing in his head.
He wanted to retort, to laugh it off, but instead he just looked away, biting the inside of his cheek.
The car carried on in silence, heavy with unspoken things, the engine's hum the only sound between them.