Safe Zone (NF, NP, ML, EB, JP)

Chapter Five

Jingjing grinned. “Yep. Surprise, we’re your new roommates.” She glanced at Piploy. “Well, more like backup.”

The room went still.

Natt tilted her head. “Wait, wait, wait. Backup? Since when?”

Milk finally stood, smoothing her expression into something calm, authoritative. “Since last week. I was informed. They’ll be joining us here.”

Bonnie, who had been curled on the couch scrolling her phone, sat up straighter. “So we’re doubling the squad?”

“Pretty much,” Piploy confirmed.

Bonnie whistled. “Damn. Guess someone thinks we’re important.”

Emi raised an eyebrow, "Well, the more the merrier I guess." She said, plopping back on the couch

Pitcha stretched her arms above her head with a grin. “I’m not complaining. At least now we’ll have people to take night shifts so Natt stops snoring in the hallway.”

“Hey!” Natt shot her a glare. “That’s called dedicated surveillance.”

Love didn’t laugh. Her eyes stayed on Milk, sharp and unreadable. “Funny how you didn’t tell us sooner.”

The room went a little quiet.

Jingjing cleared her throat, breaking the tension. “Uh… we can just dump our bags anywhere? Don’t want to get in the way of your… family meeting.”

“Spare room at the end of the hall,” Namtan offered quickly, giving them a small smile.

“Got it.” Piploy bowed her head politely and Jingjing went upstairs with her.

As their footsteps faded, Emi yawned and stretched out on the couch, already over it. “Well. Guess that’s settled. Reinforcements have arrived. Yay us.”

Bonnie smirked. “You sound thrilled.”

“I’m just saying, this house is starting to feel like a reality show with too many contestants.”

Pitcha leaned forward, eyeing Love and Milk. “Oh, I don’t know… I think it just got more interesting.”

Love tore her gaze away from Milk long enough to shoot Pitcha a warning look. “Don’t.”

But Pitcha only grinned wider.

Milk exhaled quietly and sat back down, trying to school her features into calm neutrality. But the weight of Love’s stare never lifted.

_______

Just as Piploy was about to enter the room, Jingjing shoved past her shoulder without even a glance.

“Keep it up, rookie.” Jingjing smirked, tossing her bag onto the bed like she owned the place.

“Oh, shut up, will you?” Piploy snapped, teeth clenched, fists tight at her sides.

Jingjing turned, one brow cocked, lips curled in that infuriating half-smile. “Make me.”

Piploy stormed forward, her steps sharp, Jingjing bracing herself like she expected a fight. But instead of shoving her, Piploy’s hand shot up, grabbing Jingjing by the collar and yanking her forward.

Their mouths collided, fierce and hungry, nothing gentle about it.

Jingjing froze for a fraction of a second, then her hands immediately found Piploy’s waist, dragging her closer with a low chuckle against her lips. “Thought you hated me,” she murmured between kisses.

“I do,” Piploy said, but kissed her harder anyway.

Jingjing smirked against the kiss, tugging Piploy closer until their bodies were flush. “You’ve got a funny way of showing it,” she teased, her voice low, breath hot against Piploy’s mouth.