The car's interior felt stifling, as though the tension had thickened the air. Gilbert's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles whitening with the effort to focus on the road. Xavier lounged in the passenger seat, but his rigid jaw and the way his index finger drummed rhythmically on his knee betrayed his inner turmoil. His sharp gaze flicked between the side mirror and the rearview mirror, locking onto Kamsi with an intensity that seemed to burn.
Kamsi sat in the middle of the backseat, her shoulders drawn tight as if she could shrink away from Xavier's unrelenting stare. She tried to focus on the scenery flashing by outside, but her hands fidgeted with the hem of her blouse, betraying her unease. Beside her, Zendaya leaned slightly forward, her head tilted as she observed the silent battle unfolding between Xavier and Kamsi.
"Why is he glaring at you like that?" Zendaya's voice cut through the heavy silence, her eyebrows raised in curiosity. She folded her arms, tilting her head toward Kamsi for an explanation.
"I don't know," Kamsi replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze darted to Xavier for a fraction of a second before dropping to her lap. "I just hope this ride ends soon."
Zendaya's lips pressed into a thin line, and she exchanged a quick glance with Kamsi. But neither of them dared to look at Xavier again. His presence felt overpowering, filling every corner of the car like an invisible storm cloud.
Xavier didn't speak, but his expression said everything. His lips curved into the faintest smirk, as if amused by Kamsi's discomfort. Yet his eyes were hard, like shards of ice boring into her. How could she sit there, so calm, after what she'd done? The thought of her preferring Gilbert—it gnawed at him, each second stoking the fire of his irritation.
Alexander, seemingly oblivious, leaned his head back against the window, his arms crossed loosely over his chest. His even breathing hinted at disinterest, but his slight smirk suggested he wasn't as unaware as he seemed.
As the car sped on, the unspoken tension churned like an undercurrent, leaving everyone except Alexander on edge. Kamsi felt the weight of Xavier's gaze pressing down on her, a silent judgment that made her want to disappear. And yet, despite her unease, there was a flicker of defiance in the way she clenched her hands, as if daring herself not to break under his scrutiny.
Xavier's fingers stilled on his knee, his devilish smirk vanishing as his expression hardened. The car ride felt eternal, his mind circling back to the same maddening question: Gilbert? Really? The thought was a slap to his pride, a wound that deepened every time he looked at her. She was his, whether she realized it yet or not. And soon, he would make sure she did.
The car slowed to a halt in front of the apartment building, its hum fading into an awkward silence. Gilbert stepped out first, his movements brisk as he opened the door for the girls. "Thanks," Kamsi muttered, slipping past him with Zendaya trailing behind. Gilbert responded with a casual nod, waving them toward the entrance. The two hurried inside, their hurried steps echoing faintly in the quiet street.
A sharp rev broke the stillness, and all eyes turned toward the sleek black bike that rolled up behind them. Damon swung off with his usual nonchalance, ruffling his hair as he smirked at the scene before him. "What's going on?" he murmured to Gilbert, his voice low as he stepped closer. "Did I miss something?"
Gilbert's lips twitched in amusement, though his tone remained neutral. "Not much. Just Xavier glaring holes into Kamsi's back like a man on a mission."
Damon's brows lifted, his gaze sliding toward Xavier. The latter leaned against the car, arms folded across his chest, his dark eyes unwavering as they followed Kamsi's retreating figure. A muscle ticked in his jaw, his expression as stormy as the night sky above them.
Damon whistled under his breath, his grin widening. "Think he's finally realized?"
Gilbert shrugged, his amusement barely contained. "If he hasn't, everyone else certainly has."
The faint murmur of their conversation didn't escape Xavier. His sharp gaze cut toward them, daring them to speak louder. Damon, undeterred, shared a knowing glance with Gilbert, both silently acknowledging the unspoken truth hanging in the air.
Alexander, standing a few steps away, observed the unfolding drama with an almost bored detachment. He shoved his hands into his pockets, shaking his head as though silently berating Xavier for his obliviousness. "Some things never change," he muttered under his breath, his words lost in the charged atmosphere.
Xavier pushed off the car with a deliberate slowness, his movements tense yet controlled. His gaze lingered on the apartment entrance, his thoughts unreadable behind the stoic mask he wore. Whatever storm brewed inside him, it showed only in the taut line of his shoulders and the faint crease between his brows.
As they stepped into the warmth of Xavier's apartment, the door creaked open, and Laura's voice rang through the room, full of exuberance. "Oh my God, our four knights in shining armor are complete! And look at you, Alexander—you're so grown up and handsome!" Her words felt like a burst of sunlight in the dim room, her eyes softening as she rushed to envelop Alexander in a warm embrace.
Alexander's face lit up in a modest grin, the edges of his lips curving up slightly as he awkwardly accepted her affection. He was used to the attention, but the warmth of her welcome still caught him off guard. Xavier, on the other hand, stood frozen just inside the door, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his jaw tight. He cleared his throat, the awkwardness gnawing at him. He didn't know whether to roll his eyes or punch a hole in the wall.
Before the silence could stretch too long, Ruby appeared, her footsteps light but purposeful. The 9-year-old practically skipped into the room, her small frame bouncing with the energy of a child who hadn't seen a family member in ages. She spotted Alexander instantly, her eyes going wide as her cheeks bloomed with a deep blush. Her voice was high-pitched with excitement, a child's innocent enthusiasm that felt like a breath of fresh air. "Alex! You're back!"
Alexander's smile deepened as he ruffled her hair, the gesture soft, protective. "Of course I am. Did you miss me?"
Ruby nodded, her big eyes wide with affection. "Yes, of course!" She lingered a moment longer before her gaze flicked back to Xavier, standing off to the side, arms crossed and brow furrowed. The moment stretched as Ruby caught the shift in his expression but was too young to understand it fully.
Xavier, who had been watching them with a clenched jaw, finally spoke up, his voice sharp and teasing, like the older brother he so often pretended to be. "Aren't you ignoring your lovely brother for this... dweeb?" His words were pointed, his usual sarcasm dripping with something darker, something possessive.
Ruby rolled her eyes, her response quick and unbothered, "I see you every day, but I don't get to see Alex often." She turned back to Alexander, her smile wide, unguarded. "Did you bring me something?"
Alexander chuckled, his voice light, a knowing gleam in his eyes as he crouched down to her level. "I did, but I couldn't bring it because I wasn't expecting to come here today. But I promise, I'll bring it next time."
At the mention of a gift, Ruby's expression softened further, her excitement palpable, as only a 9-year-old's could be. "You promise?" she asked, her voice almost childlike in its innocence, unaware of the thickening tension between the men around her.
"Of course," Alexander nodded, his gaze lingering on her, amused by her enthusiasm. There was something tender in the way he looked at Ruby—he was the calm, patient brother, and she, the little sister who looked up to him, wide-eyed and full of wonder.
Gilbert, who had been silently observing the scene unfold, leaned in toward Xavier with a barely concealed smirk. "I think your sister still has a crush on Alexander," he whispered just loud enough for Xavier to hear.
Xavier's head snapped toward him, his eyes narrowing, a flicker of frustration flashing in his expression. His fists clenched, the muscles in his jaw tightening. For a moment, his gaze flicked back to Alexander, then to Ruby, then to the others in the room. His anger simmered, but he masked it behind a wry grin.
"Shut the fuck up," Xavier snapped suddenly, the harshness of his words cutting through the lighthearted atmosphere like a knife. His voice was low, dangerous—fueled by something deeper than just irritation. He didn't need to explain. Everyone knew. The tension between them had built to a breaking point.
Gilbert smirked, unbothered by the venom in Xavier's tone. "You're so obvious, man," he murmured, leaning back with a knowing grin.
The room held its breath for a heartbeat, but Xavier's body was already retreating into itself, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. He didn't need to say more; the air was thick with his jealousy, with the unspoken acknowledgment of how easily Alexander seemed to capture Ruby's attention. His eyes flicked to her once more—her face bright, her attention fully on Alexander—and a coldness settled in Xavier's chest, a chill that he couldn't shake, no matter how much he tried to pretend otherwise.
Ruby, oblivious to the storm brewing beneath her, beamed up at Alexander. "I can't wait to see what you got me," she said, her smile wide, lighting up the room.
And just like that, Xavier's thoughts turned inward, the unease in his chest growing heavier, the words from Gilbert's teasing echoing in his mind. His eyes flicked back to his sister, then to Alexander—and the only thing Xavier knew for certain was that things were about to change. But he didn't know how much longer he could keep pretending that he didn't care.