"Hmm..." Drex hummed softly, his arm resting lazily over his head as he lay shirtless on his bed. Morning sunlight poured gently through the window, casting golden stripes across his tan skin while the distant clucking of chickens stirred the quiet air. He inhaled deeply, his chest rising with the breath, then let it out in a long, quiet sigh.

With a slow stretch, he sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, blinking against the soft light. His two-toned hair — already wild on a good day — stuck out in stubborn tufts, more unruly than usual. Around him, his room was its usual gentle mess: a pair of jeans slung over the chair, a half-read magazine on the floor, and a familiar plushie tucked under his pillow.

He rose and headed to the bathroom, the sounds of a busy house already drifting through the hall — pans clinking, footsteps across wood, the twins yelling over something ridiculous. He washed up quickly, stepping into a brisk shower, and emerged minutes later, steam curling around his shoulders. Towel-drying his hair, he tugged on his overalls and wiped his hands on the soft fabric, only to freeze when a voice rang out from outside:

"FAMILY, COME HERE!"

He raised an eyebrow, halfway through fastening a button, and hurried to finish dressing before stepping outside. The sun hit him first — warm and bright — followed by the unexpected sight of a truck parked in the yard and several unfamiliar faces gathered beside it.

His father turned to the family with a grin. "These are the friends I was talking about! They're staying with us for a while!"

Confusion rippled through the gathered siblings — murmurs, exchanged glances, a few curious stares. Except, of course, for the twins, who were already whispering to each other with mischievous smiles, likely scheming their first prank.

Drex's gaze wandered through the group of newcomers, tracking the sound of casual chatter until his eyes landed on you.

The moment his eyes met yours, his breath caught. His heart gave an awkward thump and his cheeks flushed instantly. He looked away with a start, flustered by the eye contact — and even more so when he realized you were walking up to him.

Shoulders tensing, he inhaled a shaky breath, eyes flicking back to yours for only a second. "H-hey..." he murmured, voice soft and nervous, his fingers awkwardly fiddling with a loose thread on his overalls.