Unspoken Love

Sky rummaged through her pantry, pushing aside empty containers. "Wala ng laman pantry ko. Even 'yung ramyeon noodles ko, ubos na."

"Grocery run?" Quill emerged from Sky's bedroom wearing borrowed clothes - a pink sweater that hung loose on her frame and dark jeans that hugged her curves. Sky's breath caught. How had she never noticed how perfect Quill looked in her clothes?

"Lunch muna tayo? I'm starving." Sky's fingers found Quill's hand, intertwining their fingers. "Is this... would this count as our first date?"

A blush crept across Quill's cheeks, but she squeezed Sky's hand. "If you want it to be."

Sky's heart fluttered. She tugged Quill toward the door. "There's this new place I've been dying to try. The aesthetic is totally Instagram-worthy."

Outside the restaurant, Quill paused. "Wait ka lang diyan, mabilis lang ako." She disappeared around the corner before Sky could protest.

Minutes later, Quill returned with a bouquet of pink tulips. Sky's favorite. The gesture was so perfectly Quill - thoughtful, unexpected, sincere.

"For our first date," Quill mumbled, holding out the flowers.

Sky's chest tightened with emotion. She stepped forward, one hand taking the flowers while the other cupped Quill's cheek. Her lips pressed against Quill's skin, lingering longer than a typical thank-you kiss. She felt Quill's sharp intake of breath, saw the way her eyes fluttered closed.

When Sky pulled back, Quill's face was flushed pink to match the tulips. Sky couldn't help but marvel at how adorable her best friend looked when flustered.

Sky slid into the booth across from Quill, setting the tulips carefully beside her. The restaurant's soft lighting caught the angles of Quill's face, and Sky found herself staring longer than necessary.

Sky angled her phone, capturing the perfect shot of the tulips next to Quill's hand resting on the marble table. The lighting hit just right, casting a warm glow that made the moment feel magical. Her thumb hovered over the Instagram post button, heart racing as she typed out "our first date 💕"

Her phone buzzed immediately.

"OMG SINO 'YAN???" Jolie's comment popped up first, followed by a flood of heart emojis from Sofia.

Gabby's response was more measured: "Hmmm cute. But seriously, spill."

Mai chimed in with her artistic eye: "Those tulips are gorgeous! And that hand... 👀"

Claire's comment made Sky's cheeks warm: "Someone's looking happy today."

Sky bit her lip, sneaking a glance at Quill across the table. Her best friend was focused on the menu, seemingly unaware of the social media storm brewing.

Another notification pinged - a private message from Jolie: "Don't you dare leave us hanging! I need details!"

Sky typed back a simple "🤐" and tucked her phone away, but not before catching Quill's own phone light up with the Instagram notification.

Quill's eyes widened as she read the post. A deep blush spread across her cheeks, and she ducked her head behind the menu. But Sky caught the smile she tried to hide - soft and genuine, the kind that made her heart skip.

"You okay there?" Sky teased, enjoying how flustered Quill looked.

"You didn't have to post that," Quill mumbled, but her smile grew wider.

"Gusto ko." Sky reached across the table, brushing her fingers against Quill's hand. "Okay lang naman diba?"

Quill nodded, her blush deepening as she turned her palm up to meet Sky's touch.

Sky's phone continued buzzing with notifications, but she ignored them all. Right now, nothing mattered except the way Quill's hand felt in hers and how perfect this moment felt.

"You're doing that thing with your nose." Sky pointed at Quill's scrunched expression as she studied the menu.

"What thing?"

"That adorable crinkle when you're concentrating." Sky stretched her leg under the table, letting her foot brush against Quill's ankle.

Quill's menu tilted sideways. "I-I'm just making sure we order enough."

"Ang laki naman ng servings nila. Share nalang tayo?" Sky propped her chin on her hand, watching color bloom across Quill's cheeks.

Their server arrived, and Quill straightened. "Sky will have the strawberry lemonade - no ice, extra strawberries." She glanced at Sky. "Right?"

Sky's heart skipped. Of course Quill remembered her exact drink order. "And Quill wants the honey citron tea." She winked at their server.

After ordering their meals, Sky reached across the table to fix Quill's collar. Her fingers lingered against warm skin. "Ayusin ko sweater mo. Well, sweater ko."

"Oh! Sorry, I-"

"Pink looks good on you." Sky traced the neckline, enjoying how Quill's breath hitched. "Everything looks good on you."

Their drinks arrived, and Quill immediately grabbed extra napkins, arranging them carefully around Sky's glass.

"You don't have to fuss over me." Sky caught Quill's hand before she could reorganize the silverware for the third time.

"Gusto ko." Quill's voice was soft, sincere. "I've always wanted to."

The confession hung between them, heavy with years of unspoken feelings. Sky rubbed her thumb across Quill's knuckles, watching her best friend's eyes dart down to their joined hands.

"Feed me?" Sky asked when their food arrived, pushing her plate toward the center.

Quill nearly dropped her fork. "Here? Now?"

"Mhmm." Sky opened her mouth expectantly, fighting back a grin as Quill carefully gathered a perfect bite of pasta.

The food was probably delicious, but Sky barely tasted it. She was too busy watching Quill's face cycle through various shades of pink, memorizing each new expression she'd never allowed herself to notice before.

Sky's fingers brushed against Quill's as they pushed their cart through the grocery store. Everything felt different now - even this mundane task sparked electricity through her skin.

"We need more ramyeon." Sky tossed several packets into their cart, catching Quill's raised eyebrow. "What? Gusto mo rin naman ah. Akala mo 'di ko napapansin."

"Only beacause mabilis siyang maluto especially kapag may cravings in the middle of the night." Quill added fresh vegetables beside the instant noodles. "Pero dapat balance pa din, 'kay?"

Back at the apartment, Quill watched as Sky arranged the tulips in a vase, then they fell into their familiar rhythm, working together to store the purchased items. Sky couldn't help but notice how natural it felt - Quill knowing exactly where everything belonged, reaching past her to arrange items just the way Sky liked them.

"Done." Quill closed the last cabinet. "Movie?"

Sky nodded, following her to the couch. Without thinking, she curled into Quill's side, head resting against her shoulder. Quill's arm wrapped around her, fingers absently playing with Sky's hair.

"Ano na mangyayari?" Sky's voice was barely a whisper. "With us? After everything."

Quill's hand stilled for a moment before resuming its gentle strokes. "Nothing has to happen. We can just... be."

"Pero ayaw mo b-"

"I want you to be comfortable." Quill's voice was soft, steady. "I've loved you for so long, Sky. I can wait as long as you need."

Sky burrowed deeper into Quill's embrace, breathing in the familiar scent of her borrowed sweater. "You're too good to me."

"Because you deserve all the good things, princess." Quill pressed a kiss to Sky's temple. "Everything will be alright. We'll figure it out together. Let's allow things to unfold naturally for now."

Sky wrapped her arms around Quill's waist from behind, pressing her cheek against her back as Quill chopped vegetables at the counter. The steady rhythm of the knife against the cutting board mixed with Quill's heartbeat against her ear.

"You're making this difficult." Quill's voice held no real complaint.

"Ang warm mo." Sky squeezed tighter, inhaling the mix of her own fabric softener and Quill's natural scent on the borrowed sweater. "Nilalamig kasi ako."

"Nasa tabi lang tayo ng stove."

"Malamig pa din." Sky peeked around Quill's arm to watch her precise knife work. "Feed me a carrot?"

Quill paused, selecting a perfect slice. She turned in Sky's embrace, bringing the carrot to Sky's lips. Heat crept up Sky's neck at the tenderness in Quill's eyes.

"Gusto mo pa?" Sky opened her mouth again, heart racing when Quill's thumb brushed her bottom lip.

"You need to let me finish cooking." But Quill fed her another piece anyway.

Sky hopped onto the counter beside the cutting board, legs swinging. "I'm helping by supervising."

"Is that what you call it?" Quill's eyes crinkled with amusement. She reached past Sky for the salt, her arm brushing Sky's thigh.

"Mhmm. Quality control." Sky leaned forward, resting her forehead against Quill's shoulder. "Ang tagal mo kasi. Gutom na ako."

"Princess." Quill's free hand found Sky's hair, stroking gently. "Five more minutes."

The pet name sent butterflies through Sky's stomach. She nuzzled closer, seeking more of Quill's attention.

"Ang clingy mo ngayon." Quill set down her knife, both hands coming to cup Sky's face. "May problema ba?"

"Nothing's wrong." Sky pouted, knowing exactly what it did to Quill. "Can't I just want cuddles from my-" She paused, suddenly shy.

Quill's thumb traced Sky's cheek. "Your what?"

Instead of answering, Sky buried her face in Quill's neck. She felt Quill's laugh rumble through her chest.

"Okay, okay. Patapusin mo ako magluto dito, and then you can have all the cuddles you want."

"Promise?"

"Cross my heart." Quill pressed a kiss to Sky's temple that made her toes curl.

Sky arranged the plates with careful precision, angling them just right for the perfect Instagram shot. The warm glow from her fairy lights cast soft shadows across the ceramic surfaces. She placed Quill's favorite chopsticks - the ones with tiny hearts engraved on the ends - beside her plate.

"Need help?" Quill called from the kitchen.

"Stay there. I want to make it pretty." Sky adjusted the glasses one final time.

When Quill emerged with their dinner, Sky's breath caught. Something about seeing her best friend carrying home-cooked food, still wearing Sky's pink sweater, made her heart flip.

"It smells amazing." Sky slid into her chair, watching Quill serve the food with practiced care.

"Nakatitig ka na naman." Quill's cheeks flushed pink.

"Sobrang ganda mo, alam mo ba?" The words slipped out before Sky could stop them. She loved how easily she could make Quill blush now.

Quill nearly dropped the serving spoon. "Eat your food before it gets cold."

Sky took a bite and hummed with pleasure. "Ang galing mo na talaga magluto. Sino nagturo sayo? This is better than the restaurant."

"Practice. Someone has to make sure you eat real food instead of just ramyeon."

"Hey!" Sky kicked Quill's foot under the table. "I eat real food."

"Coffee and croissants don't count as a balanced meal."

Sky stuck out her tongue, then opened her mouth expectantly. Quill rolled her eyes but obliged, picking up a piece of chicken with her chopsticks and feeding it to Sky.

"More?" Sky batted her eyelashes.

"May chopsticks ka?"

"But it tastes better when you feed me."

Quill's expression softened. She gathered another bite, carefully blowing on it before offering it to Sky. The tenderness of the gesture made Sky's chest tight.

"Ikaw naman." Sky picked up her own chopsticks, selecting the perfect combination of vegetables and meat.

Quill's lips closed around the food, and Sky couldn't look away from how her mouth curved into a smile. Had Quill's lips always been this distracting?

They continued eating, trading bites and shy glances. Every brush of their fingers felt electric, every shared smile held new meaning. Sky found herself gravitating closer, until their knees pressed together under the table.

Sky gathered the empty plates, waving off Quill's attempt to help. "Ikaw nagluto, ako maghuhugas."

Water splashed against ceramic as Sky scrubbed, watching soap bubbles form patterns across the surface. Behind her, dishes clinked as Quill cleared the table. The domestic rhythm felt different now - charged with something new that made Sky's skin tingle.

Warm arms slipped around her waist. Sky's breath hitched as Quill's chin settled on her shoulder, her best friend's body pressed against her back.

"Need mo ng tulong?" Quill's breath tickled Sky's ear.

The plate nearly slipped from Sky's fingers. "Ka ummh kaya ko na 'to." Her hands trembled as she rinsed another dish, hyper-aware of every point where their bodies touched.

Sky turned her head, intending to steal a quick kiss, but miscalculated. Her lips landed at the corner of Quill's mouth instead of her target. The near-miss sent electricity shooting through her veins.

They jumped apart. Sky's face burned as she stared at the sudsy water, her heart hammering against her ribs. Beside her, Quill touched the spot where Sky's lips had been, her own face glowing pink.

Their eyes met. Sky bit her lip, taking in Quill's flustered expression - and suddenly they both burst into laughter.

"We're ridiculous," Sky gasped between giggles, leaning against the counter.

"Look at us." Quill wiped tears from her eyes. "Acting like teenagers."

"Ikaw kasi eh." Sky bumped Quill's hip with hers. "Sneaking up on me like that."

"Ako talaga? You're the one who tried to kiss me and missed."

Sky's cheeks warmed again, but she couldn't stop smiling. "I didn't miss. 'Yun talaga plan ko."

"Sure sure, Sky." Quill's eyes crinkled with amusement.

Sky gathered her courage and stepped closer to Quill, determined not to miss this time. Her fingers traced up Quill's arm, feeling the soft fabric of her borrowed sweater. The kitchen lights cast a warm glow across Quill's face, highlighting the blush that spread across her cheeks.

"Maybe itry ko ulit?" Sky's voice came out breathier than intended. Her heart raced as Quill's eyes dropped to her lips.

"If you want to." Quill's words were barely a whisper.

Sky tilted her head up, her nose brushing against Quill's. The scent of their shared dinner and Quill's familiar perfume made her dizzy. She could feel Quill's shallow breaths against her skin.

Their foreheads touched. Sky's fingers curled into the front of Quill's sweater, anchoring herself. Everything felt heightened - the warmth of Quill's body, the sound of water dripping from the faucet, the way Quill's hands trembled as they settled on Sky's waist.

Just as Sky leaned in, her phone blared from the living room. They jumped apart for the second time that evening, both laughing nervously.

"I should get that." Sky's face burned as she stepped back. But she couldn't help noticing how Quill's eyes followed her movement, or how her best friend's lips parted slightly, still waiting.

Sky hung up the phone, her mother's voice still echoing in her ears about Sunday dinner plans. She returned to find Quill drying the last plate, setting it in the rack with careful precision.

"You didn't have to finish those." Sky wrapped her arms around Quill's waist, pressing her face between her shoulder blades.

Quill could barely focus on the movie playing in front of them. Some romantic comedy Sky had picked - the dialogue faded into background noise as she concentrated on the weight of Sky pressed against her side. They'd started on opposite ends of the couch, but somehow Sky had migrated closer until she was practically in Quill's lap.

Sky's head rested on her shoulder, dark hair spilling across the pink sweater she'd borrowed. The scent of Sky's shampoo made Quill's head spin. She forced her breathing to stay steady as Sky's fingers traced idle patterns on her forearm.

"Nanonood ka pa ba?" Quill whispered, noting how Sky's eyes had drifted shut.

"Mhmm." Sky nuzzled closer, her nose brushing Quill's neck. "The main character just... did something."

Quill's laugh rumbled through her chest. "Ang specific naman."

"Shhhh, nagco-concentrate ako." But Sky's fingers continued their lazy dance across Quill's skin, completely contradicting her words.

The movie's soft glow painted shadows across Sky's face. Quill couldn't stop herself from studying every detail - the curve of her cheek, the flutter of her eyelashes, the way her lips curved into a content smile. Her heart ached with how much she loved this woman.

Sky shifted, throwing one leg over Quill's lap. "Ang comfy mo."

"Ang clingy mo." But Quill's arm tightened around Sky's waist, holding her closer.

"Gusto mo naman." Sky's breath tickled Quill's collarbone.

"I do." The admission slipped out before Quill could catch it. Her face burned as Sky tilted her head up, eyes sparkling in the dim light.

The movie droned on, forgotten by both of them as they existed in their own bubble of warmth and shared breaths. Quill's hand found Sky's hair, running her fingers through the soft strands the way she'd always wanted to.

Quill's hand covered hers. "I should head home. Early meeting tomorrow."

"No." Sky tightened her grip. "Dito ka lang."

"Sky..." Quill turned in her embrace. "You know I can't."

Sky buried her face in Quill's neck. "Five more minutes."

"That's what you said twenty minutes ago." Quill's fingers threaded through Sky's hair. "Come on, princess. Let me grab my things."

The pet name sent heat rushing to Sky's cheeks. She shuffled after Quill to the door, clinging to her arm as she gathered her bag and house keys.

"Ang sweater m-" Quill started to reach for the hem.

"Keep it." Sky played with the sleeve. "Bagay naman sa'yo."

Quill's eyes softened. "You just want an excuse for me to come back."

"Maybe." Sky pouted, earning a gentle tap on her nose.

"Such a baby." Quill cupped Sky's face. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Sky nodded, but didn't release Quill's jacket. Instead, she rose on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to the corner of Quill's mouth - properly this time. She felt Quill's sharp intake of breath, the way her hands trembled against Sky's cheeks.

"Goodnight," Sky whispered against Quill's skin.

Quill's eyes were wide when Sky pulled back. She opened her mouth, closed it, then pressed a quick kiss to Sky's forehead before hurrying out the door.

Sky touched her tingling lips, watching through the window as Quill practically floated to the car. Her phone buzzed with a text.

Quill: You're dangerous, you know that?

Sky hugged herself, still feeling the phantom warmth of Quill's touch.

Sky: Miss na agad kita 🥺

Sky flopped onto her bed, clutching her phone to her chest. Her lips still tingled from where they'd brushed against Quill's skin. She rolled over, burying her face in her pillow to muffle a squeal.

Her phone buzzed again.

Quill: Made it home safe 💕

Sky's heart fluttered at the heart emoji. She typed back.

Sky: Already in bed?

Quill: Hmmm... Just going to wash up quickly.

She snapped a quick selfie, making sure her pout was extra dramatic.

Sky: Ang lamig ng bed kasi wala ka.

The typing bubbles appeared and disappeared several times before Quill responded.

Quill: Daya! Babalikan talaga kita.

Sky hugged her phone closer, warmth spreading through her chest. She'd never felt this giddy texting anyone before. Every message from Quill made her pulse race.

Her fingers traced her lips, remembering how close they'd come to kissing in the kitchen. If her mom hadn't called...

Sky rolled onto her back, phone held above her face as she typed.

Sky: Balik ka, please. I'll leave the door unlocked.

Her heart raced waiting for Quill's response. The typing bubbles appeared, disappeared then,

Quill: Mamatay ako ng maaga dahil sa'yo, princess.

Heat flooded Sky's cheeks at the pet name. She snapped another selfie, this time hugging her pillow.

Sky: The pillow's not as warm as you.

Quill: Stop being cute. I have an 8am meeting.

Sky: You started it with the princess thing 🥺

Quill: Because you're acting like one

The clock ticked closer to midnight as they traded messages. Sky's eyes grew heavy, but she couldn't bring herself to say goodnight. Every buzz of her phone made her smile wider.

Sky: Tell me a story until I fall asleep?

Quill: Once upon a time, there was a very spoiled princess who wouldn't let her friend get any rest...

Sky giggled into her pillow.

Sky: Sama mo! Balik mo 'yang sweater ko.

Quill: Too late. Akin na 'to.

A photo appeared of Quill curled up in bed. Sky's breath caught at how soft Quill looked, her hair fanned across the pillow.

Sky: Fine, sa'yo na. Buti nalang maganda ka.

The clock struck midnight. Sky stifled a yawn.

Quill: We should sleep, princess. Sweet dreams 💕

Sky's fingers hovered over the keys, not wanting the moment to end.

Sky: You first.

Quill: Sky...

Sky: Okay, okay. Goodnight 💖 Text me when you wake up?

Quill: Promise. Now sleep.

Sky hugged her phone to her chest, warmth spreading through her at their exchange. She drifted off with thoughts of Quill's almost-kiss still tingling on her lips.

»

Quill's alarm buzzed at six, but she'd been awake for minutes already, fingers hovering over her phone. Sky's last message from their late-night conversation glowed on the screen.

Sky: miss you already 💖

She typed out.

Quill: Good morning, princess. Still asleep?'

No response. Of course not - Sky never woke before nine unless forced.

Quill slipped into her charcoal pencil skirt and cream silk blouse, the fabric cool against her skin. Her reflection caught her eye as she fastened her blazer - the outfit hugged her curves perfectly. She snapped a quick mirror selfie, hesitated, then sent it to Sky with the caption: 'Don't forget - picking you up at 10.'

The drive to work felt lighter somehow. Quill caught herself humming, fingers tapping the steering wheel to an invisible rhythm. She could still feel the phantom press of Sky's lips at the corner of her mouth from last night.

The conference room buzzed with pre-meeting chatter. Quill arranged her papers, checking her phone one last time. Still no response from Sky.

"Someone's chipper this morning." Claire slid into the seat beside her, eyebrow raised. "And is that a new lipstick?"

Quill touched her lips self-consciously. "Same as always."

"Mhmm." Claire's knowing smirk made Quill's cheeks warm. "Nothing to do with a certain fashion student?"

"The quarterly reports-" Quill started, but her phone lit up with Sky's reply.

Sky: !!!!! step on me in those heels 😍

Followed immediately by,

Sky: wait that was gay

And then,

Sky: i mean ang hot mo sa suot mo 💕

Quill bit her lip to suppress a grin.

Quill's phone buzzed again with another message from Sky.

Sky: sorry that was weird 🙈 but you really do look amazing!!!

"So?" Claire leaned closer, her voice low. "Any updates I should know about?"

Quill tucked her phone away, heart racing. "Just the usual."

"The usual doesn't make you blush like that."

"Mag start na meeting," Quill deflected, grateful for the timing as their senior executives walked in.

The next hour dragged like molasses. Quill's attention kept drifting to her phone, wondering if Sky had fallen back asleep. When they finally wrapped at 9:20, she gathered her things quickly.

"We're getting lunch later," Claire called after her. "I want details!"

Quill waved without turning around. She wasn't ready to share what was happening with Sky - not when she herself couldn't define it. Whatever was blooming between them felt too delicate, too precious for outside eyes.

She stopped at their favorite café, ordering Sky's usual caramel macchiato and a fresh croissant. The flower shop next door caught her eye, and before she could overthink it, she stepped inside. The pink roses practically called her name.

At Sky's apartment, Quill barely got one knock out before the door flew open. A warm body collided with hers, nearly sending the coffee flying.

"Careful-" Quill laughed, steadying them both as Sky wrapped around her like a koala.

"Miss na miss kita." Sky nuzzled into her neck. "Today's been awful without you."

"It's only been twelve hours." But Quill's free arm tightened around Sky's waist, breathing in the familiar scent of her shampoo.

"Ang haba na kaya ng twelve hours." Sky pulled back just enough to spot the roses. Her eyes lit up. "Are those for me?"

"No, para 'to sa kapitbahay mo." Quill rolled her eyes fondly. "Of course they're for you, princess."

Sky's answering smile made Quill's heart skip. She grabbed the coffee and flowers, then Quill's hand, tugging her inside. "Come on, I need cuddles before class."

Quill's heart raced as Sky pulled her to the couch. The morning sunlight caught in Sky's hair, turning the chestnut waves to liquid gold. She settled into the cushions, and Sky curled against her side, head tucked under Quill's chin.

"Lalamig na kape mo," Quill murmured, but made no move to release Sky.

"Don't care." Sky's fingers traced patterns on Quill's silk blouse. "You're warmer."

The familiarity of their routine squeezed something tender in Quill's heart. How many mornings had they spent like this? But now each touch felt charged with new meaning, each shared breath heavy with possibility.

"We should get ready for class." Quill's fingers betrayed her words, threading through Sky's hair.

"Five more minutes."

"That's what you always say." But Quill's resolve crumbled as Sky pressed closer, her warmth seeping through expensive fabric.

Sky tilted her head up, eyes bright with mischief. "Make me move then."

Quill's gaze dropped to Sky's lips, remembering their near-miss in the kitchen. Her pulse thundered in her ears. It would be so easy to close the distance, to finally know if Sky's lips were as soft as they looked.

"Quill?" Sky's voice came out breathy, uncertain.

The vulnerability in Sky's tone snapped Quill back to reality. She couldn't risk ruining this - whatever this was - by moving too fast. Instead, she pressed a kiss to Sky's forehead, ignoring how her lips tingled at the contact.

Quill's heels clicked against the stairs as they descended, Sky's hand warm in hers. Her fingers tingled where they intertwined, and she had to focus extra hard on each step to avoid stumbling.

The morning sun hit her windshield as they approached her car. Sky slid into the passenger seat, immediately reaching for the paper bag of pastries.

"Did you eat?" Sky pulled out a croissant, breaking off a piece.

"I had coffee-"

"That's not food." Sky held the piece to Quill's lips. "Open."

Heat crept up Quill's neck. She parted her lips, letting Sky feed her the buttery pastry. Sky's fingers brushed against her mouth, sending sparks through her body.

"Both hands on the wheel," Sky teased, breaking off another piece.

The drive to campus passed in a blur of stolen glances and Sky's gentle insistence on feeding her the entire croissant. When they reached the parking lot, Sky's hand found hers again.

They walked toward the fashion building, Sky pressed close to her side. Other students streamed past, but Sky seemed determined to make their walk last forever, pointing out clouds and stopping to fix Quill's collar.

"Magstart na class mo in five minutes," Quill checked her watch.

"Don't wanna go." Sky's bottom lip jutted out. She tugged on Quill's blazer. "Kiss muna."

Quill's heart stuttered. Her eyes darted to Sky's lips before she caught herself. "Male-late ka na."

"Please?" Sky batted her eyelashes. "Just one tiny kiss?"

Quill's face burned. She leaned in, pressing her lips to Sky's forehead, lingering perhaps a moment too long. "There. Now go."

"But-"

"Go to class, princess. Late ka na."

Before Quill could step back, Sky rose on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to the corner of Quill's mouth. The touch sent electricity racing down her spine.

"I'll text you later, lovey." Sky's breath ghosted across her skin. "Miss you already."

Quill stood frozen, her heart hammering against her ribs as Sky disappeared into the building. Her fingertips traced where Sky's lips had been, the phantom warmth making her dizzy.

The walk back to her car felt surreal. Had that really happened? The memory of Sky's soft lips, the casual "lovey" that slipped from them, played on repeat in her mind.

Quill sank into the driver's seat, pressing her cool hands to her burning cheeks. A giddy laugh bubbled up from her chest. She caught her reflection in the rearview mirror - her face was flushed pink, eyes bright, lips curved in an unstoppable smile.

The drive back to Armada Airlines passed in a blur. Traffic lights changed, cars moved around her, but all Quill could focus on was the lingering sensation of Sky's kiss. Not even the usual stress of Manila traffic could dampen the warmth spreading through her chest.

She parked in her reserved spot, taking an extra moment to compose herself. But every time she tried to school her expression into something professional, Sky's "miss you already" echoed in her ears, and the smile would break through again.

Quill stared at her laptop screen, the quarterly reports blurring before her eyes. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, but instead of typing profit margins, her mind wandered to the softness of Sky's lips against her skin.

She touched the corner of her mouth for the hundredth time that morning. The ghost of Sky's kiss lingered there, making her heart race all over again.

Her phone buzzed. A selfie from Sky appeared - she'd dozed off during her morning lecture, hair mussed and cheek marked from resting against her textbook. The caption read: 'wish you were here to keep me awake 🥺'

Heat crept up Quill's neck. She shouldn't find Sky's sleepy pout this adorable. Or imagine running her fingers through that tousled hair. Or picture pressing kisses to those marks on Sky's cheek.

"Those numbers aren't going to crunch themselves."

Quill jumped, nearly knocking over her coffee. Claire leaned against her office doorframe, smirking.

"Nagtatrabaho ako." Quill minimized her messages, but not before another photo from Sky popped up - this one of her stealing sips from her coffee, eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Mhmm." Claire crossed her arms. "Kaya ba nakatulala ka lang diyan sa same spreadsheet for twenty minutes?"

Quill's cheeks burned. Had it really been that long? She glanced at her watch, remembering how Sky's fingers had brushed against her lips while feeding her croissant that morning. The memory made her stomach flip.

"Earth to Quill?" Claire waved a hand in front of her face. "You're doing it again."

"Sorry, I just-" Quill's phone lit up with another message from Sky.

Sky: found your lipstick mark on my coffee cup 💋

Quill pressed her thighs together, trying to calm her racing pulse. Since when did something as simple as a lipstick mark make her feel this way?

"Hoy! Okay ka pa?" Claire laughed. "I haven't seen you this distracted since-"

"I should get back to work." Quill straightened her blazer, willing her face to cool down. But as soon as Claire left, her eyes drifted back to her phone.

Quill's phone buzzed again. Another photo from Sky - this time pouting at the camera with her chin propped on her textbook.

Sky: Ang boring ng lecture. Tell me a story?

Heat crept up Quill's neck as she typed.

Quill: Makinig ka sa klase.

Sky: Can't. Too distracted thinking about this morning.

Quill's fingers trembled over the keys. Before she could respond, Sky sent another photo - her fingers touching the corner of her mouth, mirroring where she'd kissed Quill earlier.

Sky: Right here, remember?

Quill's breath caught. She shifted in her chair, grateful her office door was closed.

Quill: Sky...

Sky: What? I'm being good. Learning lots about... something.

Another photo loaded - Sky's notebook covered in little hearts and 'Q + S' doodles instead of lecture notes.

Sky: See? Nagt-take notes ako.

Quill bit her lip, fighting a smile.

Quill: You're impossible.

Sky: But you like me anyway 💕

A final photo appeared - Sky wearing Quill's blazer that she'd left at her apartment last week. The soft material draped over Sky's smaller frame, collar popped just the way Quill wore it.

Sky: Found this in my closet. Smells like you.

Quill pressed her cold hands to her burning cheeks. How was she supposed to focus on work when Sky kept sending photos like that?