Morning didn't arrive gently.
It never did when Section E was involved.
Sunlight crept through the curtains, falling over a living room that looked like a battlefield after a long night. Blankets were tangled. Shoes were abandoned wherever people had collapsed. Snack wrappers littered the floor like confetti from a party that never officially ended.
Someone groaned.
Someone else rolled over and kicked a pillow off the couch.
And somewhere in the middle of it all, Lia slept.
Jay woke up first.
Her eyes opened slowly, blinking against the light. The first thing she noticed was warmth. The second thing was weight. She glanced down and realized her leg was thrown over Lia's, completely unashamed, like it had always belonged there.
Lia lay beside her, flat on her back, one arm tucked behind her head, breathing steady. Her face was calm — too calm for someone whose birthday had already been attacked by Section E the night before.
Jay smiled without thinking.
She shifted slightly, adjusting her leg.
"Don't," Lia muttered, half-asleep.
Jay froze. "You're awake?"
"No," Lia said. "I'm haunting you."
Jay snorted, then relaxed again. "Happy birthday."
Lia opened one eye. "You already said that."
"I'll say it again later."
Before Lia could respond—
"IF ANYONE IS DEAD, NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO TELL US."
Ion's voice sliced through the room like an alarm.
Jay groaned. Lia closed her eyes again.
Mira sat up from the floor, hair sticking out everywhere. "Ion, why do you wake up like you're starting a revolution?"
Ion grinned proudly. "Because chaos is my calling."
Across the room, Angelo was already awake, sitting on the armrest with his phone in hand, calm as ever. Aries stood near the window, arms crossed, scanning the room like he was counting survivors.
Zeke stretched and knocked into Sean. Marcus complained about the floor. Theo snored loudly, completely unbothered.
Jay pushed herself up, still half-draped over Lia. "Do any of you know how to be quiet?"
"No," Aries said immediately. "And it's Lia's birthday."
Lia finally sat up, hair messy, eyes tired, expression flat.
"…I regret waking up," she said.
Everyone smiled.
"That's the birthday spirit," Kairav said, walking in from the kitchen with a mug. "Morning, menace."
Jay blinked. "You're conscious?"
Kairav shrugged. "Barely."
Keifer followed behind him, hair a complete disaster, hoodie half-zipped. "Why is everyone yelling?"
Jay's face softened instantly when she saw him. Keifer caught the look and smiled back, easy and warm.
Aries noticed.
Immediately.
"Oh my God," Aries muttered. "Do not start."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "Start what?"
"That," Aries said, pointing between her and Keifer. "That look. That face. That… romance."
Keifer laughed. Jay leaned in and kissed his cheek just to be annoying.
Aries gagged dramatically. "I'm surrounded by traitors."
Lia smirked. "You'll live."
"Barely," Aries replied.
Angelo clapped his hands once, cutting through the noise. "Okay. Since everyone survived the night, let's get organized before this turns into a medical emergency."
Ion saluted. "Too late."
Angelo ignored her.
"Kairav. Keifer. You two take the spare room."
Keifer nodded. "Works for me."
Kairav smirked. "Try not to steal the blanket."
"I absolutely will."
Angelo turned. "Lia and Jay — same room."
Jay grinned instantly. Lia didn't even react.
Aries frowned. "Why do they get a room together?"
"Because," Angelo said calmly, "they function better that way."
Aries opened his mouth, closed it, then muttered, "I hate that you're right."
"Me and Aries — last room," Angelo finished.
"I call the bed," Aries said.
"You snore," Angelo replied.
"I'll snore louder."
Decided.
People scattered, dragging bags, arguing over pillows, stepping over each other like it was normal — because for Section E, it was.
Later, after food was stolen, drinks were argued over, and someone almost burned toast, everyone finally settled.
Jay and Lia's room was quieter than the rest.
Jay flopped onto the bed dramatically. "I'm exhausted."
Lia sat beside her, leaning back. "You caused half the noise."
Jay kicked her lightly. "False."
She shifted again, casually throwing her leg over Lia's lap like it belonged there.
Lia glanced down. "You're comfortable."
"Very."
Lia didn't move it.
Outside the room, chaos continued.
In Kairav and Keifer's room, they were already arguing.
"You take up too much space," Keifer said.
"You exist too loudly," Kairav replied.
In Angelo and Aries' room—
"If you touch my side—"
"I will absolutely touch your side."
Back in Lia and Jay's room, Jay leaned her head against Lia's shoulder.
"You okay?" Jay asked softly.
Lia nodded. "Yeah."
Jay smiled. "Good."
They stayed like that, listening to the noise, the laughter, the arguing — all of it blending into something familiar and safe.
Section E had already surprised Lia.
Now they were just staying.
Together.
And for once, that was enough.