Kael hit the floor with a sharp thud, Leo landing right on top of him. For a second, all Kael could hear was the pounding of his own heartbeat, way too fast for comfort.
Leo lifted himself just slightly, smirking down at him. Water dripped from his shirt onto Kael's cheek, making him flinch.
"Easy there, baby girl," Leo drawled, his voice low and teasing, as if Kael had done it on purpose. "Didn't know you liked falling while me at ur top ."
Kael's eyes widened instantly, his face heating up. "W-What the hell did you just call me?" he stuttered, trying to push Leo off.
Leo didn't budge. His smirk only deepened, his eyes glittering with mischief. "Baby girl. Fits you, doesn't it?"
Kael glared, his ears burning red. "Shut up! Don't call me that again!"
Leo chuckled softly, finally standing and offering his hand like nothing had happened. His grip was warm, strong, deliberate when he pulled Kael up.
"Relax, baby girl," he repeated smoothly, watching Kael's reaction with sharp amusement. "You'll get used to it."
Kael yanked his hand away, muttering under his breath, "Over my dead body." But no matter how much he tried to shake it off, his chest was tight, his pulse racing, and that stupid nickname echoed in his head
When they finally reached Kael's room, Kael immediately crossed his arms.
"Alright, that's it. Go crash in Jace's room."
Leo leaned against the doorframe, casual as ever, water still clinging to his hair from their little dish–fight. He tilted his head, lips quirking.
"Not happening."
Kael frowned. "Why the hell not?"
Leo slipped past him like he owned the place, tossing his bag onto Kael's chair. He turned, raising two fingers in a lazy peace sign.
"Because that room's already packed. No space. Here—" he gestured to Kael's bed with a grin, "is more peaceful. Perfect for two."
Kael's jaw dropped. "Two? You're out of your damn mind. You're not sleeping here."
Leo just shrugged, already pulling off his damp hoodie and tossing it aside. His toned arms caught Kael's reluctant stare, making Kael quickly snap his head away.
"Look, Wins—" Leo stopped himself, smirking mischievously. "Baby girl."
Kael whipped his head back, glaring murderously.
"Don't. Call. Me. That."
Leo chuckled, unbothered. "Too late. Sticking with it." He sat on Kael's bed like it was his own, leaning back on his elbows. "Now stop pouting and move over. I'm not sleeping on the floor."
Kael groaned, running his hands through his hair in frustration. He wanted to kick him out, yell at him, anything—but instead, he ended up muttering under his breath,
"…Unbelievable."
Finally, with no other choice, Kael climbed onto the bed, making sure to stay as far away from Leo as humanly possible. Leo, of course, only grinned wider, watching Kael's every little movement with that infuriatingly calm, teasing gaze.
"Goodnight, baby girl," Leo said softly, turning onto his side, a wolfish smirk tugging at his lips.
Kael yanked the blanket over his head, face burning. "Shut up and sleep!"
But Leo's low laugh lingered in the dark, crawling under Kael's skin.
---
Next morning...
The house was nothing short of a warzone that morning. Voices echoed through the halls, footsteps thundering as if the world was ending.
"Who the hell took my socks?!" Jace's yell rattled from upstairs, his voice full of betrayal.
Downstairs, Aven was caught in a different crisis—leaning toward Thea with an awkwardly serious face.
"Um… your eyeliner's smudged—wait—don't tell her I said it! And… uh—don't look at my feet, okay?"
Because, yes, he was very much wearing Jace's socks, the ones with ridiculous cartoon bananas, and he was desperately trying to hide them under his sweatpants.
Meanwhile, Jessi had Zim by the wrist, practically dragging her through the hallway.
"Get. Up. You sloth! We're gonna be late because of you!"
Zim groaned like a cat being pulled from sunlight, mumbling curses under her breath as her messy hair covered half her face.
Kael, as always, was the opposite of chaos. He padded downstairs effortlessly, hoodie hanging loose over his small frame, short-but-slightly-long hair brushing his forehead.
His sleepy eyes and soft features made him look more like someone stumbling out of a dream than a boy ready for travel. Still, he was prepared—as if he never needed time to get ready in the first place.
Nova, standing by the van outside, peeked back inside and nearly exploded when she saw Leo casually strolling down the stairs—unshowered, unbothered, and clearly not ready.
"Are you crazy?!" she yelled. "Leo, go and get dressed, now! Kael, help him, for god's sake!"
Kael rolled his eyes so hard it hurt. "Why me?" he muttered, glaring at Leo's lazy smirk as the guy shrugged, clearly enjoying the extra attention.
Upstairs, chaos was still at peak level. Nova, multitasking like a general commanding an army, snatched a spare pair of socks and tossed them at Jace's face.
"Wear these and shut up!" she barked, before pivoting smoothly toward Thea with a bright smile.
"Gorgeous, as always."
And without missing a beat, she stormed over to Zim and Jessi. Jessi was red-faced from shouting, while Zim hadn't moved an inch, still sprawled on the bed. Nova stepped in, placing a calming hand on Jessi's shoulder.
"Go downstairs, I'll handle her."
Then Nova leaned down, her tone dropping sharp when addressing Zim.
"You've got five minutes. If you want to come, be ready. If not, you're staying behind. Your choice."
Zim blinked up at her, realizing Nova wasn't bluffing this time. With a groan, she finally sat up, muttering under her breath.
The storm raged on, but somehow, it felt… normal. Just another morning in their twisted little family.
Once Nova finally managed to herd the chaos into one room like a frustrated shepherd with wild sheep, everyone gathered in the living room. Jace, ever the paranoid one, made a round through the house, yanking on every door and window twice before nodding in satisfaction.
"Okay," Nova clapped her hands sharply. "Grab your luggage. We're leaving."
Grumbling and sighing filled the air, but one by one, they obeyed. Jace locked the front door with exaggerated seriousness while Aven and Leo hauled everyone's bags to the van.
Inside, the seating arrangement was already forming like a battlefield.
Thea claimed the window seat first, sliding in with a soft smile. Aven followed, naturally sitting beside her. Nova climbed into the front passenger seat, right next to the driver's spot.
Zim and Jessi ended up together in the middle row, Jessi still lecturing her about being slow while Zim leaned dramatically against the window, pretending she couldn't hear.
Leo slid into a seat casually, tossing a smug look at Kael, who was still standing outside, looking around.
"What are you waiting for?" Leo asked.
"Jace," Kael replied flatly. "Where is he?"
As if on cue, Jace strolled up and—without hesitation—slid into the driver's seat.
Kael froze, his whole brain short-circuiting. "…No way. No. Nope. Cancel this trip. I'm not getting in if he's driving."
Jace just smirked, turning the keys in his hand. "Baby, relax. Trust me—we're all gonna survive."
Kael's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Oh, I trust you. I trust that we're all gonna see each other in hell."
From the front seat, Nova pinched the bridge of her nose. "Kael, get in the van. We don't have time for your drama."
"It's not drama, it's basic human survival instinct!" Kael snapped back, arms crossed.
Leo leaned over the seat, grinning. "Come on, baby girl. I'll hold your hand if it gets scary."
"You better hold the wheel," Kael muttered under his breath, finally sliding into the seat, clearly regretting all of his life choices.