Kai's POV
She's asleep again.
A soft, fever-warm weight curled against me, her lashes trembling like she's dreaming of sunshine and sugar. Her cheek is on my chest, her fingers curled into my hoodie like if she lets go, the world will break apart.
I should've pulled away. I should've moved. Should've not been braiding her damn hair again like it's some sacred ritual.
But she asked.
And now there are tiny daisies tucked between the strands.
I am so screwed.
The door crashes open.
"OH MY GOD I CAN'T—AVA I'M GOING TO NEED THERAPY."
Alex's voice explodes like an air raid siren. Ava's trying to calm him, but he's already halfway into a meltdown.
I freeze.
Sky stirs, mumbling, "Kai braid… pretty braid…" and snuggles impossibly closer.
Ava gasps. "She's wearing your hoodie."
"She's got her head in your LAP—"
Alex dramatically slams the door shut behind him like it's a crime scene. "SOMEONE KILL ME. I SAW IT. I'VE BEEN TRAUMATIZED. I AM CALLING A LAWYER."
"She has a fever," I say tightly.
"She has a FEVER and you're out here acting like some devoted dark prince of flower braids and warm laps?!"
"I didn't plan it—"
"Oh, really? And what's this?!" He gestures at the braid. "Did she dream up the botanical salon on her head?"
"She asked."
"She always asks!" he groans. "She asked me to name her future goldfish once, that doesn't mean I say yes—OH GOD SHE'S WEARING YOUR CLOTHES!"
"She was shivering."
"She's in your lap."
"She's sick."
Alex squints at me, eyes wild. "She's in love with you."
A beat of silence.
I don't answer.
Ava's eyes are wide, like she's witnessing a live soap opera.
Sky murmurs something again, barely audible. "...marry Kai…moonlight baby girl…"
Alex lets out a noise so dramatic I'm sure the Queen heard it. "NO. I'M DONE. I'M OUT. SHE NAMED THE KID. THE KID THAT DOESN'T EXIST."
"She's hallucinating," I mutter.
"She's hallucinating her wedding vows!"
Alex grabs a pillow and dramatically throws it at me. "Get your hands out of her HAIR, Casanova. I can't watch this. I'm BLIND."
"You literally just opened the door."
"And I REGRET IT."
He kneels beside Sky, gently brushing her hair with a trembling hand like she's fragile porcelain. "Kid, you cannot marry a mafia Disney prince. I won't survive the in-laws."
"She's not marrying anyone," I snap.
"Yet," Ava says, smirking.
Alex dramatically lies on the floor. "I'll be dead before that wedding. I'll haunt the venue. You'll hear my screams in the wind."
I glance down at Sky, who sighs softly and nuzzles into me like I'm safety incarnate.
God help me.
Because I don't want her to move.
And that's the scariest part of all.