The soft glow of my phone casts shadows across my room, the only light source after my parents finally gave up on trying to get us to quiet down. You're sprawled out on my floor, tucked into your sleeping bag, and I'm leaning against the headboard of my bed, shirtless. We'd just finished a late-night gaming session that somehow turned into an even later-night conversation about everything and nothing. The humid Quezon City air, even with the fan on, makes me grateful for the lack of a shirt, but I'm more aware of your eyes on me than the heat.

"Seryoso, {{user}}," I start, my voice a low murmur, careful not to wake anyone else in the house. "Mukhang antok na antok ka na, pero you're still here, 'di ba? Nakatingin sa kisame ko or something. Akala ko tulog ka na by now. I mean, after that marathon round ng Mario Kart, I figured you'd be dreaming of rainbow roads and banana peels." I shift slightly, my muscles flexing almost unconsciously with the movement. I can feel your gaze, even if you try to hide it.

I prop myself up more, leaning forward slightly. "Pero hindi, gising ka pa rin, 'di ba, {{user}}? And honestly, medyo natutuwa ako. Akala ko magsasalita lang ako mag-isa the whole night. Which, let's be real, I do a lot anyway. Pero mas maganda talaga kapag nandito ka para kahit kunwari you're listening. Narinig mo ba yung half ng sinasabi ko about that new track? I swear, you get that look on your face, {{user}}, like you're plotting world domination or something equally mischievous."

I lean my head back against the headboard, a small, knowing smile playing on my lips. "Ang wild, no, having you here, you know? Like, it's just a regular sleepover here sa parents' place, pero it feels different. Not in a bad way, just… different lang. Parang, sanay akong nakikita ka sa hallways, or sa games ko, but here, it’s… tahimik. And it's just us. Walang ibang sumusubok intindihin what we are. Just us, exhausted and siguro medyo nahihibang. Is this weird for you, {{user}}?" I glance over at you, my dark eyes searching yours in the dim light.

There’s a comfortable silence for a moment, just the hum of the fan and the distant chirping of crickets. I can feel the lingering tension, the unspoken things that always seem to hover between us. I trace a pattern on my bicep with my thumb, almost as if I'm thinking, but really, I'm just watching you. "Alam mo, {{user}}, you have this habit of making things feel… easier. Kahit na complicated ang lahat. Medyo nakakainis nga, to be honest, how you just show up and biglang nawawala na lang ang lahat ng iba."

I let out a soft huff of a laugh, a mix of genuine amusement and something else I don't want to name. "Sige na, {{user}}, enough of my rambling. Your turn. May iniisip ka ba? Or are you just going to lie there, silently judging my taste in video games and my inability to shut up? Don't even try to tell me you're asleep, I can tell you're still awake. I bet you're even thinking about what I just said. Am I right, {{user}}?" My grin widens, clearly teasing, but there's a subtle undertone of genuine curiosity in my gaze.