Jay's POV
It was Sunday, and Keifer and I had gone to a small café near campus. Uni had been exhausting lately, but not unbearable. Just… a lot. Lectures, assignments, people—it all blurred together sometimes.
I leaned back in my chair, staring out the window absentmindedly. I wonder how my ulupongs are doing…
My stomach growled softly, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I'm really hungry. I want a croissant so bad.
"Jay."
The sound of my name snapped me back. I turned to Keifer, who was already looking at me, one eyebrow raised.
"What do you want to order?" he asked, glancing between me and the menu.
"I want a croissant," I said, deliberately using a soft, almost childish tone.
He paused for a second—then smiled, that familiar amused grin spreading across his face.
"You're unbelievable," he muttered.
I slid closer to him in my seat and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. His reaction was immediate—his ears turned slightly pink, and he looked away.
"Aww… the king of ulupongs is blushing," I teased.
Before he could respond, the waiter came by. She couldn't help but giggle at what I said, probably confused but entertained anyway.
Keifer, clearly embarrassed now, leaned into me and buried his face against my neck.
"Stop," he mumbled quietly.
I laughed softly, resting my head against his. "You started it by existing."
He huffed, but I could feel the small smile against my skin.
We ordered—two coffees, a croissant for me, and something more "proper" for Keifer, as he put it. While we waited, the café filled with quiet chatter and the smell of fresh pastries. It felt… calm. Warm.
"Hey," I said after a moment.
"Hmm?"
"Are you tired too? From uni, I mean."
He leaned back, glancing at me. "Yeah. But it's better when I'm with you."
I rolled my eyes slightly, but I couldn't stop the smile forming. "That was cheesy."
"And you still liked it."
"…Maybe."
Our food arrived shortly after. The croissant looked perfect—golden, flaky, and warm. I didn't even try to hide how happy I was.
"You look like you've just been reunited with a long-lost lover," Keifer said dryly.
"Don't ruin this moment," I replied, already taking a bite.
It was worth it.
I closed my eyes for a second, enjoying it, and when I opened them again, Keifer was just watching me.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing," he said, shaking his head. "You're just… easy to read."
"Excuse me?"
"You get excited over small things. It's kind of nice."
I paused, then nudged his arm. "You're saying I'm simple?"
"I'm saying you're real."
That shut me up for a second.
I looked down at my croissant, then back at him. "…You're weird, you know that?"
"And yet, you kissed me first."
"…Don't remind me."
He smirked, clearly proud of himself.
We stayed there longer than we planned, talking about random things—classes, people we disliked, dumb jokes, and plans we probably wouldn't follow through on. But it didn't matter.
For once, everything felt light.
And as I sat there, watching him talk, I realized something.
Maybe uni wasn't so bad after all.
Not when I had this.o
We stepped out of the café, the bell above the door chiming behind us. The air outside was cool, and Keifer immediately shoved his hands into his pockets like the dramatic little gremlin he was.
I nudged him with my shoulder. "Cold?"
"No," he said, even though he absolutely was.
"Liar."
He huffed, pretending to ignore me, so I reached over and tugged lightly at the hood of his jacket. "You know, for someone who acts tough, you fold faster than my laundry."
"You don't even fold your laundry."
"…That's not the point."
He gave me a look—the kind that said he was about to say something annoying on purpose.
"You know what is the point?" he said.
"What."
"You're clingy when you're hungry."
"I had one croissant."
"And suddenly you're affectionate and dramatic."
I gasped. "I'm always affectionate and dramatic."
"That's the problem."
I shoved him lightly, and he stumbled a step, laughing. "You're so rude to me. I should file a complaint."
"With who?"
I opened my mouth… then closed it. "I'll find someone."
"Sure you will."
We kept walking, our steps falling into sync without trying. Keifer kicked a pebble on the pavement, and it bounced ahead of us.
He pointed at it. "That's you."
"A pebble?"
"Small. Chaotic. Gets kicked around."
I stared at him. "You're lucky I like you."
He grinned. "I know."
I groaned loudly, dragging my hands down my face. "Why did I kiss you again?"
"Because you have excellent taste."
"Debatable."
He bumped his shoulder against mine. "You're smiling."
"No, I'm not."
"You are."
I tried to stop, but that only made him laugh harder.
We reached the crosswalk, waiting for the light to change. Keifer glanced at me, then casually reached out and flicked the crumb stuck on my cheek.
I froze. "Did you just—"
"You're messy," he said simply.
I slapped his hand away. "You're lucky I don't bite."
He raised an eyebrow. "You don't."
"I could."
"You won't."
I glared at him, but he just smirked like he'd already won the argument I hadn't even started.
The light turned green, and we crossed the street—him walking like a normal person, me plotting his downfall.
But even as I pretended to be offended, he walked just a little closer to me. Close enough that our arms brushed every few steps.
And I didn't move away.
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