Celeste lay on the bed, eyes tracing the ceiling, still buzzing from everything that had happened tonight.
"Damn, I couldn't even give my gift," she muttered, stretching her legs. "But at least Rowan knows now… that we've been dating."
Her phone buzzed beside her.
She grabbed it quickly and unlocked the screen.
Celeste:
He's in his room. Probably sleeping. Didn't say much when we got back.
You okay?
His response came quickly.
Ash:
Yeah. I'm well. Just lying in bed now.
How about you?
Celeste blinked, raising a brow.
"…So formal, why do you text like an office email?" she chuckled, shaking her head.
She typed fast.
Celeste:
I'm also good.
…And horny.
She grinned as she typed the next line.
Celeste:
I want to use those condoms you bought.
She sent it.
And waited.
Ash choked on air. His face went beet red.
Ash:
Cel. Stop.
We've been doing it so many times already.
Celeste rolled her eyes, smirking.
Celeste:
Exactly. And yet you still bought four.
FOUR. BOXES, Ash.
Stop lying to yourself. I know you want it too.
Who buys four if they're not planning for more?
You could've just bought one box. But noooo.
😼😼
Ash stared at the screen, completely flustered.
He tried to think of something smart to reply with, something teasing or clever—
But his thumbs just hovered.
Eventually, all he could send was:
Ash:
…
Celeste burst into a soft laugh, holding her phone to her chest for a second.
Celeste:
What's with that dot dot dot???
Sir. Explain yourself.
Are you okay?? Is your soul leaving your body??
Ash just flopped back onto the pillow.
Ash groaned into his pillow.
He wanted to deny it. To say she wasn't affecting him. But every time she said something bold like that, his heart would pound like mad and he'd end up lying awake for hours.
Celeste was too much sometimes.
And yet… he was smiling.
Ash:
You're unbelievable.
You really don't know how to stop teasing me, do you?
Celeste didn't hesitate.
Celeste:
Nope.
I live to ruin your sanity.
And I know you like it.
You're probably blushing right now.
Aren't you?
Ash pressed the phone to his chest.
He absolutely was.
Ash:
You should sleep.
It's late.
Celeste:
So you can dream of me?
Go ahead, I give you permission.
Just remember to pounce me right when we meet again, okay?
Save that 4th condom for a special night~
Ash let out another groan—his entire face red by now.
He didn't know whether to laugh, blush harder, or teleport to her apartment just to shut her up with a kiss.
Ash:
Goodnight.
I love you.
The moment Celeste read it, her teasing expression softened. Her lips curved into a gentle smile, eyes growing soft as she stared at the message.
She hugged the phone to her chest for a moment.
"Tss… even if you don't admit it," she murmured, "I know you want it so badly."
And then typed:
Celeste:
Okayyy~
Goodnight, Ash.
I love you too.
She paused, then added one last message.
Celeste:
P.S. I'm still gonna dream of you… naked.
Just so we're even.
Ash saw it.
And his soul left his body.
___________
The early rays of sunlight streamed gently through the thin curtains of the apartment. The clock on Celeste's nightstand read 6:02 AM as she sat up with a soft yawn, running her fingers through her tousled hair.
"Okay… let's go," she whispered to herself, standing up and tying her hair into a loose bun.
She quietly stepped out of her bedroom, the apartment still dim and peaceful. After a quick rinse in the bathroom, she made her way to the kitchen, tying an apron around her waist.
Pulling out a couple of eggs, diced onions, and a bit of cheese, she began cooking a simple omelette—the one dish she could actually make without nearly burning the kitchen.
"Mmm… Rowan won't feel cringe about this, right?" she mumbled, flipping the omelette with focus.
Right on cue, footsteps padded softly across the hallway floor. Rowan emerged from his room, his eyes half-closed with sleep. He scratched the back of his neck, wearing a baggy shirt and basketball shorts that hung low on his hips.
He looked at her briefly, then walked straight to the bathroom without a word.
Celeste raised a brow. "Yo, breakfast's ready," she called, though he had already closed the door.
A few minutes later, he came out, face slightly damp from washing up, hair sticking out awkwardly in all directions—and walked into the kitchen. The smell of food clearly caught his attention.
"Peace offering," Celeste said casually, placing a plate with rice and omelette on the table. She acted like it was nothing special, even though she was clearly proud of the symmetry of the egg.
Rowan narrowed his eyes at the plate, then at her, as if expecting it to suddenly explode. Still, he sat down and started eating.
After a few bites, he muttered,
"…Not bad."
Celeste grinned.
"You always say that like you're shocked."
Rowan just shrugged, chewing.
"Because I always am."
They ate in silence for a moment. It wasn't awkward—it was a calm, familiar silence that only siblings could share. But after a while, Celeste cleared her throat softly.
"So… I was thinking…" she started, eyes still on her plate. "Can I go to Ash's place today?"
Rowan paused mid-bite.
"Why?"
Celeste blinked innocently.
"Just wanted to give him his birthday present. I didn't get to yesterday."
He slowly chewed and swallowed before raising a brow at her.
"Just a birthday present, huh?"
"Yup. Nothing scandalous. You act like I'm planning a crime." She nodded, completely composed.
Rowan leaned back on the chair, arms crossed, staring at her suspiciously.
"You and that guy are already dating, and you wanna go to his place early in the morning? You think I was born yesterday?"
Celeste kept her expression pure, her voice sweet.
"We're just gonna talk, maybe eat something. You know how Ash is."
"Exactly why I'm worried," Rowan said flatly. "Ash is a soft little cinnamon roll. One touch and he glitches out."
"He doesn't glitch," Celeste said, holding back a laugh. "He blushes. That's different."
"Same thing," Rowan muttered. "I swear, you just breathe near him and the guy short-circuits."
Celeste bit back a smirk.
"He's cute like that."
Rowan's eyes narrowed.
"You didn't do anything to him already, did you?"
Celeste raised her brows, feigning shock.
"What kind of girl do you take me for?"
Rowan stared.
Celeste kept her innocent face.
After a long pause, Rowan groaned and wiped his hand down his face.
"Fine. Go. But if I see Ash walking weird or full of hickeys because of you…"
Celeste sipped her juice calmly.
"He'll be fine. He's a grown man."
"Barely."
She chuckled.
"I promise not to break him."
Rowan scowled.
"He's not some toy! He's my best friend. I've known him since we were in college. I'm not letting you emotionally or physically ruin him."
Celeste tilted her head, voice soft.
"Aw. You care that much?"
"I do," he said seriously. "If Ash ends up in a wheelchair or texts me crying 'cause of something you did—"
"I'll take responsibility," she replied, voice perfectly calm.
Rowan stared again.
"…Why do you sound too confident when you say that?"
Celeste smiled, sweet as ever.
"Because you worry too much."
He muttered,
"No, because you worry me."
Celeste just smiled.
Rowan looked away, clicking his tongue softly—but something in his chest twisted.
He'd never say it out loud, but…
Seeing his little sister already with someone—already in that phase of life—ached in a way he wasn't ready for.
The same girl he used to carry on his back, who once cried when her toy rabbit ripped.
They were only four years apart, but still. To him, she'd always be the kid who needed a helmet just to ride a scooter.
Now she was in love. Not just flirting. Not just crushing.
She had already fallen—hard.
He clenched his jaw and muttered under his breath,
"Tch… Ash better not mess this up."
___________