~•Kaeliyh•~||$bodyguard$

The apartment smelled like cigarette smoke, rainwater, and burnt coffee.

Kaeliyh was half-asleep on the couch again.

One leg hanging off the side, hoodie slipping off his shoulder slightly, cigarette balanced between his fingers while some random late-night show played quietly on the TV. The room was dark except for the dim screen light catching the silver piercings on his ears.

You walked past him toward the kitchen.

Without opening his eyes, he spoke.

“Come back.”

“…I’m getting water.”

“Mhm.”

Silence.

“…Bring me some too.”

“You’ve been rotting on that couch for hours.”

“Busy.”

“With what?”

“Missing you dramatically.”

You rolled your eyes immediately.

Kaeliyh cracked one eye open just enough to look at you. Sleepy. Lazy. But that tiny smirk on his face made your chest annoyingly warm.

“You’re unbearable,” you muttered.

“And you like me anyway.”

Unfortunately…

True.

When you came back with the water, Kaeliyh grabbed your wrist before you could walk away again.

Warm fingers. Slow movements. Like he was too tired to move properly but still wanted you close.

“Sit.”

“You sound like a dog owner.”

“You act like a stray cat.”

“That doesn’t even make sense.”

“Makes sense in my sleepy little brain.”

You sighed dramatically before sitting beside him.

Immediately, Kaeliyh leaned against you with a quiet hum, burying his face near your neck. The smell of cigarettes clung to him, mixed with mint and cold rain from earlier.

“You’re clingy tonight.”

“Only at night.”

“That’s worse.”

“Mhm.”

The movie kept playing in the background while his fingers lazily traced over your hand.

Then softly—

“You know what I hate?”

“What.”

“When other guys make you laugh more than me.”

You blinked.

“That’s jealousy.”

“That’s love.”

“That’s concerning.”

Kaeliyh only chuckled quietly, eyes barely open now.

“You’d survive a horror movie,” you muttered.

“Why.”

“Because the ghost would fall in love with you before killing you.”

“Cute.” He tilted his head slightly, looking at you through heavy eyes. “Would you save me?”

“…Depends.”

His grip on your hand tightened slightly.

“Wrong answer.”

Before you could respond, Kaeliyh suddenly pulled you closer against him, voice rough and sleepy beside your ear.

“If somebody kissed you before me…” “I think I’d actually start a fire.”