Kei groaned as sunlight punched through the curtains. Again. His arm was numb, his neck was twisted at an unnatural angle, and—yep—he was in Nebu's bed. Again.
Wrapped like a burrito in blankets, Nebu barely stirred, except to nuzzle closer and mumble, "Five more centuries…"
Kei sighed. "Why does this keep happening?"
He tried to shift away, but Nebu's grip tightened. Like a sleepy boa constrictor. "Stay. You're warm. And soft."
"I am not soft."
"You are."
Kei finally slipped out, landing on the floor with a muffled thud. He shuffled to the kitchen, half-expecting peace. Instead, he got chaos—served hot with a side of eggs.
Vel was already at the counter in a silk robe she definitely didn't own yesterday, hair done up like she just walked off a runway.
"Morning, sleepyhead," she purred, handing him a cup of coffee. "Rough night? Or should I say… rough cuddle?"
Before Kei could groan, a second Vel strolled in—wait, no. Not Vel. Aera.
Her hair was styled identically, her outfit a perfect mirror of Vel's. She struck the same pose against the counter, coffee mug raised, lips curled in the same smug smirk.
Kei blinked. "Why are there two of you?"
"I was experimenting," Aera said in Vel's exact tone. "Vel's moves seem… effective. Figured I'd try being the fun one for a change."
Vel narrowed her eyes. "You're creeping into copyright territory."
"Please. If anything, I improved it," Aera replied, perfectly in sync.
Kei turned to grab a spoon and nearly jumped—Aera was suddenly slouched on the couch in Nebu's sweater, mimicking her now. Blanket. Cookie. Sleepy stare.
"Too much?" she asked, voice slow and dreamy.
Nebu wandered in next, yawning like a cat. Her gaze fell on Aera, now morphing her posture to mirror Nebu's down to the drooping eyelids.
"Vel," Nebu said flatly, "you know he's not gonna sleep with you. He sleeps with me."
Rika entered mid-eye-roll. "Why are there so many versions of everyone this morning?"
"Envy's being Envy," Tobi said from the floor, already halfway through a slice of leftover pizza. "She's got identity whiplash."
Aera twirled. "Just exploring my options."
"You're exploring my nerves," Vel snapped.
Aera winked. "Don't be jealous."
"You are jealousy!" Vel shouted.
Rika, Vel, and Aera started bickering in escalating volume. Nebu tugged Kei's sleeve.
Kei just sipped his coffee and muttered, "I need a reset button on my life."
From the couch, Aera—now back in her own outfit—smirked. "Be careful what you wish for. Some of us remember what we were like before."
The room quieted.
Just for a second.
Then Tobi burped,
and the moment was gone.
As the noise picked back up, Kei slumped into the chair like a man defeated by fate itself.
"Okay," he muttered. "Real talk. Why do I keep waking up in your bed, Nebu?"
Everyone quieted, curious.
Nebu blinked slowly, as if she'd just remembered a long-lost truth. "Oh. That."
Kei leaned forward. "Yes. That. Explain."
She nibbled the edge of her cookie, then casually said, "I levitate you in your sleep."
"…You what?"
"Levitate. Telekinesis. Simple stuff. Float you down the hall. Tuck you in." She paused. "Mostly just because I feel like it."
Kei's soul briefly left his body.
Vel burst out laughing. "You steal him like a bedtime trophy?"
Nebu yawned. "It's not stealing if he doesn't notice. Besides, he radiates warm sleepy vibes. He's like a sentient heated blanket."
Kei slapped a hand to his forehead. "I'm going to start sleeping in a vault."
Tobi cackled. "Dude, she can probably phase through walls. Give up."
Rika looked mildly impressed. "I mean… respect."
Aera snickered. "Jealousy aside… that's kind of adorable."
Vel pouted. "Well, I'm starting a petition to ban mid-sleep teleportation. I demand equal cuddling rights."
"Denied," Nebu mumbled, already dozing off on his shoulder.
Kei groaned into his hands. "This house is going to kill me. One weird dream at a time."