POV: Jayjay
The living room slowly settled into quiet chaos.
Mattresses were spread across the floor, blankets half-folded, pillows stolen and restolen. Someone had put on a movie—no one even remembered who chose it. The lights were dim, the screen glowing softly.
I was sitting on the mattress, back against the couch.
Keifer sat next to me, close enough that our shoulders brushed whenever one of us moved. He didn't say anything—just watched the screen, relaxed, unusually quiet.
For once.
The movie played on.
Then I felt movement.
Hex.
He walked over sleepily, dragging his blanket behind him, eyes half-closed. Without asking, without thinking, he squeezed himself right between Keifer and me.
"Hex—" I started.
Too late.
He flopped down, turned sideways, and rested his head on my chest like it was the most natural place in the world. His arms curled slightly, fingers still holding the edge of his blanket.
Keifer blinked.
Then slowly leaned back, giving Hex space, whispering,
"…Wow."
I sighed softly but didn't move.
Of course he chose this spot.
Minutes passed.
The movie kept playing, but no one was really watching anymore. One by one, the room went quiet—breathing slowed, heads tilted, eyes closed.
Hex was the first fully gone.
His breathing evened out, light and steady. I looked down at him.
He looked… peaceful.
No sarcasm.
No defenses.
No pretending to be strong.
Just a twelve-year-old boy asleep.
I adjusted the blanket around him carefully.
Keifer had fallen asleep too—head tilted slightly, lashes resting against his cheeks. Even in sleep, he looked annoyingly handsome.
I caught myself staring.
Then I shook my head lightly.
Get it together, Jayjay.
I reached for the remote and turned the TV off. The sudden silence felt warm, not empty.
Carefully, I shifted Hex so he lay properly on the mattress, making sure his head was comfortable, his bandage untouched. He stirred a little but didn't wake.
I lay down beside him, one arm instinctively around his shoulder.
The house was quiet now.
Safe.
For the first time in a while, I closed my eyes without worrying about tomorrow.
And I slept.