SWISHY

I reached for the counter, still warm and floaty from the shower, and grabbed the folded "pajamas" Charlie had left for me. The fabric felt softer than usual, almost silky, but my brain was too tired to question it.

I shook it out lazily.

Whatever. My eyes were half‑closed, all I could think about was my soft warm bed.

I slipped it over my head, the fabric sliding down my shoulders in a way that felt strangely... nice.

It... draped.

Like a shirt.

A really long shirt.

The hem brushed against my thighs, lighter than anything I usually wore to bed. I frowned a little at that, but only in the vague, half‑awake way someone frowns at a math problem they struggled to solve.

"Huh... guess she forgot the shorts," I muttered, tugging at the bottom. "Weird."

The mirror was still completely fogged over, a white blur where my reflection should've been. Probably for the best. I didn't have the energy to deal with whatever my face was doing tonight anyway.

I ran a hand through my damp hair, yawned, and shuffled toward the door, the "shirt" swishing lightly around my legs in a way I absolutely did not register.

I was to tired.

Too relaxed.

And Too done.

If Charlie wanted to lecture me about dripping water on the floor, she could do it after I collapsed somewhere soft.

I shuffled out of the bathroom, rubbing my eyes with the heel of my hands. I was too tired to process anything beyond bed now.

Making my way step by step towards my room. The door was open. Charlie and Riley were sitting on the edge of my bed talking in low voices. They both looked up at the same time.

Riley froze.

Charlie didn't.

Instead, she let out a tiny, victorious exhale through her nose.

"See?" she whispered to Riley, smug but trying not to smile too hard. "I told you he'd be too tired to realize. He always gets like this when he's wiped out. Completely oblivious."

Riley's eyes were wide, darting between me and the nightgown like she was trying to figure out if she should intervene or just combust quietly.

Meanwhile, I just stood there, blinking at them.

"What?" I mumbled. "Why are you both staring at me?

Charlie shook her head quickly. "Oh nothing, you're good. Totally fine."

Riley nodded way too fast. "Yeah. Fine. Completely fine."

I tugged at the hem of the "shirt," frowning again. "Charlie... why didn't you leave me any shorts? This thing feels kinda long."

Charlie's mouth twitched like she was fighting for her life not to laugh.

"You're tired, Kris. Just... don't worry about it right now. Go to bed, before you fall over."

"Well can't really do that with you two sitting on my bed... actually wh-"

I took a step toward the bed...

Charlie suddenly snapped her fingers.

"Wait....Hair."

I blinked blearily. "Whuu..?

"You can't go to sleep with damp hair," she said, already standing and reaching for the blow dryer on her dresser. "It's bad for your health. I always wake up stuffy when I do that."

I was too tired to argue. My brain was basically oatmeal.

Charlie patted the bed. "Sit.... I'll dry it for you. It's to long to leave wet."

"Why you being so YAAAAWNMmm nice Charlie?"

" You've had a pretty rough day Kris, cmon just sit. It'll be like we used to when we were younger." She reminisced."

You always bugged me when mom was drying my hair. She would do yours too even though you had short hair. You used to love that.

I nodded remembering. With a lazy smile. Thinking of my mother.

I plopped down without thinking, shoulders slumping forward. The moment she switched the blow dryer on, a warm hum filled the room. The heat drifted over the back of my neck, soft and steady, and my eyes immediately started drooping.

Riley watched from the side, hugging her knees, a tiny smile tugging at her mouth.

Charlie gently combed her fingers through my hair as she dried it, lifting the strands so the warm air could reach them.

The motion was slow, rhythmic, almost hypnotic. My head kept tilting forward, then bobbing back up like I was fighting gravity.

"There you go," Charlie murmured, guiding my head upright again. "Just relax. You really are exhausted huh?"

I made a small noise that wasn't quite a word. In response,

The warmth, the soft tug of her fingers, the steady hum, it all blended together into something that made my whole body feel heavy and safe.

Riley whispered, "He's going to fall asleep sitting up."

Charlie whispered back, "I know. Since we were little he's always been like this when Ive dried his hair. Look at him." She queeed with joy.

Riley, unable to help herself, slowly reached for her phone.

Charlie's hand shot out instantly, grabbing her wrist.

Her eyes widened in a silent absolutely not.

Riley whispered, "But he's so cute right now."

Charlie mouthed back, "I KNOW....But no."

Riley's face crumpled in dramatic despair. She whispered, "Please, Charlie. Just one. He's to adorable...

Charlie hesitated... then sighed through her nose.

"...Fine. One. Just one."

Riley lit up silently, already angling her phone. She snapped a quiet picture.

Then another.

Then one more.

Charlie glared. "Riley."

"I'm done! I'm done," Riley whispered... then immediately took another one.

Charlie rolled her eyes, and quickly pulled out her phone and snapped a selfie with Kris looking all sleepy.

Riley's smirked knowingly

Charlie shrugged. "What? He looks adorable. I want one too."

I didn't hear any of it.

Or maybe I did, but my brain filed it under not important.

The blow dryer moved in slow circles, the warmth brushing over my scalp and forehead. My eyelids fluttered. My shoulders sagged. My breathing slowed.

Charlie smiled softly. "There we go. Almost done."

Riley rested her chin on her knees, watching with a quiet, fond expression. "He looks so peaceful like this."

Charlie nodded. "Yeah. He really does."

The blow dryer clicked off, and the sudden silence made my head dip forward again.

Charlie steadied me with a hand on my shoulder. "Okay, sleepyhead. Now you can go to bed without getting sick."

I yawned so hard my eyes watered and shuffled toward the bed, the "shirt" swaying gently with every step.

Riley made a tiny strangled noise behind her hand.

I didn't notice.

I was already halfway to collapsing.

My eyes already firmly glued together as I drifted off oblivious to the world, and all my current problems.

Morning hit me like a brick wrapped in a warm blanket.

I woke up groggy, heavy, and vaguely annoyed that the world expected me to be conscious. My hair was sticking out in weird angles, my brain was still rebooting, and the blanket felt too warm.

I stretched, you know, one of those really big stretches where you lose all control of motor functions.

After contemplating whether I should get out of bed or continue being a human burrito. I decided that it was probably best to get up.

I slid out of bed, "shirt" drifting around my thighs like a soft little cloud. Still didn't register. My brain was still groggy from sleep as I wiped drool from my cheek

Yawning so hard my jaw cracked and shuffled out of the bedroom.

The house smelled like breakfast, eggs, toast, and something sizzling. Sunlight spilled through the kitchen window.

And Coffee oh sweet Hestia coffee me please.

Charlie was at the stove, spatula in hand. Riley sat at the dining table scrolling on her phone.

I rubbed my eyes and wandered in, the nightgown swaying gently with each step.

Riley looked up.

Froze.

Charlie turned around to say something.

...and promptly followed suit.

I blinked at them. "Morning." My voice heavy with sleep still.

Riley made a noise like she'd swallowed her own tongue. "K‑Kris...?"

Charlie's eyes widened, then narrowed at Riley in a silent don't you dare laugh warning. "Good... morning. You, uh... slept well?"

"Yeah," I mumbled, rubbing my face. "Like a squirrel.

I walked past them to the coffee pot, completely unaware of the pastel nightgown fluttering around my legs like I was starring in a commercial for fabric softener.

Riley slapped both hands over her mouth.

Charlie turned back to the stove, shoulders shaking like she was trying not to lose it.

I opened the fridge. "Why is there no crème left?..."

"Kris," Charlie said carefully, "sweetie, did you... look in a mirror this morning?"

"No," I said, grabbing the milk. "Why? Do I look awful?"

Riley squeaked. "Not awful. Just... different... adorable. The last part to quiet to register.

I frowned. Huh...Different how?"

Charlie inhaled sharply through her nose. "Kris.... You should look down."

I looked down. lol

Still didn't get it.

"...Why is this shirt so long?"

Riley made a strangled noise.

Charlie pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Kris. That's not a shirt."

I blinked. "Huh..?"

"No," Charlie said, voice wobbling between laughter and panic. "It's a nightgown."

I stared at her.

Then at Riley.

Then at the nightgown.

"...Oh."

Riley whispered, "He finally noticed."

Charlie sighed. "Yeah. Took him long enough."

I stood there in the kitchen, holding a carton of milk, wearing a pastel nightgown, and processing the situation at the speed of a dying computer.

"...Why am I wearing this?"

Charlie raised a hand. "Okay, in my defense."

Riley cut in. "It was her idea."

Charlie glared. "Riley!"

Riley held up her hands. "I panicked!"

I groaned, covering my face. "Can I at least drink my coffee before we talk about this? its to early early for me to process how I ended up in this thing

Charlie sighed. "Yeah, Kris. Go ahead.... You are weirdly calm right now you shure you're ok."

I took a life altering sip of my steaming mug of coffee. Savoring the rich dark taste.

" Oh...am I... Well, I guess it's because I kinda figured you would do something like this." My voice dropping an octave growing dangerously sweet a smile that could kill plastered across my face.

"But that ok sis... I'll let you have this one. Just keep in mind I will have my revenge. And it will bein the form of compensation..

"Compensation? But Kris it's just a-"

I assume you took pictures..."I cut her off. "what am I even saying of course you did.

It's you were talking about. "

Charlie and Riley both gulped. They knew they were cooked like a well done steak. Their pockets already feeling lighter at the thought.

"Like I said, I'll let you have it for today so get a good look. It's 10 bucks per picture you took and payday is coming soon huh Charlie."

Charlie's spatula clattered against the pan.

Riley choked on absolutely nothing.

Both of them stared at me like I'd just announced rent was due early.

Charlie sputtered, "T‑Ten...TEN dollars?! Per picture?! Kris, that's,...that's robbery!"

I sipped my coffee again, slow and serene, like a villain in a bathrobe.

"Well... you did put me in this thing."

Riley squeaked, "Charlie took more than me! She took like...like."

"RILEY."

Charlie's voice cracked like a whip.

Riley shrank into her chair. "I panicked okay..."

I raised an eyebrow. "How many pictures did you two take?"

Silence.

Charlie stared at the stove like it could save her.

Riley stared at her phone like it had betrayed her.

I took another sip. "That many, huh."

Charlie groaned into her hands. "Kris, please. We were...you were...it wa-"

"Adorable," Riley whispered.

Charlie shot her a look. Riley immediately pretended to be fascinated by the salt shaker.

I leaned against the counter, letting the nightgown swish dramatically around my legs just to watch them suffer.

"So," I said lightly, "should I start calculating the total now, or do you want to confess first?"

Charlie looked like she was doing mental math and regretting every life choice that led her here.

Riley whispered, "Charlie... I think we're broke."

Charlie whispered back, "We were broke before this."

I cleared my throat.

Both of them snapped to attention like soldiers caught slacking.

"Look," I said, setting my mug down, "I'm not actually gonna bankrupt you.

They both exhaled in relief.

"But," I continued, "I am owed something."

Their relief died instantly.

Charlie narrowed her eyes. "What kind of something."

I smiled sweetly. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe... breakfast in bed for a week?"

Riley gasped. "A WEEK?!"

"Or," I mused, "maybe you two can do my laundry for a year...."

Charlie's soul visibly left her body.

Riley whispered, "He's evil. He's actually evil."

I shrugged. "Actions have consequences."

Charlie groaned. "Kris, we were just, you were so tired, and the nightgown was right there, and you looked so—"

She stopped herself.

Riley didn't.

"Cute," she said.

Charlie slapped a hand over Riley's mouth.

I blinked. "...Cute?"

Riley nodded, muffled under Charlie's palm.

Charlie sighed, defeated. "Yes. Cute. You looked cute. Happy now?"

I looked down at the pastel nightgown.

Then at them.

Then back at the nightgown.

"...I'm going to go change."

Charlie squeaked, "Wait. can you...can you leave it on for like two more seconds."

"NO," Isnapped, pushing her gently backtowards the stove. "STAY..." I said trying and failing to be intimidating. Looking like a puffed up gerbal.

I walked out of the kitchen, coffee in hand, dignity questionable, nightgown fluttering behind me like a tragic princess.

Behind me, I heard Riley whisper

"...Worth every penny."

And Charlie whisper back "Yeah...We've got to make him realize it sooner or later..., But we've got time.

"Yeah..."Riley agreed.

I shut my bedroom door behind me with my foot, still holding my coffee, still wearing the pastel nightgown like it was the most normal thing in the world.

U getújj mïuy gin The moment the latch clicking d, put my coffee mug on my night stand and, exhaled. I'm going

Then...

My cheeks flushed so hard I felt like I was gonna pass out. I couldn't give them the satisfaction of knowing how embarrassing that was. My male honor a forgon conclusion. I picked up my pillow shoving it over my face like I was trying to smother myself and.....

AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH......!

A full 60 seconds later...

Once I had gotten it out of my system. And was not on the verge of a full mental collapse. I popped up off of the bed. Face still slightly flushed.

"Okay," I muttered to myself, "time to get out of this thing before they get any more material."

And that's when it hit me.

The fabric brushed against my legs again, soft, light, stupidly comfortable. Like... offensively comfortable. Like it had no right being that gentle on my skin.

I froze.

My brain, like a villian, offered a traitorous thought

...This is actually kinda comfy.

I blinked hard.

"Nope," I said out loud, shaking my again.head like I could rattle the thought loose. "No. Absolutely not. We're not doing that."

I tugged at the hem

It swished.

...It's really soft though.

I glared at the ceiling. "Stop. Stop thinking that."

I pulled the neckline away from my shoulder experimentally.

It fell back into place with a soft little whisper of fabric.

...Okay but why does it fit so nicely—

"NOPE."

I practically ripped the nightgown off over my head like it was cursed, tossing it onto the bed as if it had personally betrayed me.

I stood there in my boxers, staring at the pastel puddle of fabric on the mattress.

It looked innocent.

It wasn't.

"That's how they get you," I muttered, pointing at it like it could hear me.

"First it's 'oh it's just pajamas,' then suddenly you're... you're... comfortable?"

I shuddered dramatically.

No. Absolutely not. I refused to let Charlie be right about anything today.

I grabbed a normal T‑shirt and shorts, pulling them on with the speed of someone trying to outrun a thought.

Once fully dressed, I took a deep breath, grabbed my coffee again, and opened the door.

As I stepped back into the hallway, I whispering to myself

"Never speaking of this again."

Then, after a though snuck back in "...It was kinda comfy though."

I slapped my own cheek lightly.

"STOP."

And marched back toward the kitchen like a man determined to bury a secret forever.

Charlie and Riley both looked up like they were checking to see if I was still wearing the nightgown.

I wasn't.

"See?" I said, sliding into my chair. "I'm normal again."

Riley muttered, "Debatable."

Charlie puffed her cheeks pouting.

I rolled my eyes, and ignored them, taking another long sip of coffee. My brain finally started booting up past 5%.

Riley cleared her throat. "S‑So... uh... anyway. About the DOL."

Charlie perked up instantly.sounding a little too enthusiastic . "Yes......DOL the game. That we're logging back into..."

I raised an eyebrow. "You two are acting weird."

"We're not," they said in perfect unison.

I stared at them.

They stared back with the confidence of two raccoons caught stealing from the garbage can.

"...Right," I said. "AAAnyway."

I set my mug down, rubbing my forehead.

"I need to log back in today."

Charlie's expression softened. "I still don't like the idea of...poking the bear so to speak."

Riley leaned forward, elbows on the table. "You still think we can get Hestia to talk to us?"

I hesitated.

Not because I doubted it.

But because saying it out loud made it sound insane.

"I don't know," I admitted. "But something happened. I wasn't supposed to be stuck in that void. And whatever's going on with me—"

I stopped, remembering the warmth, the voice, the way the air had felt like it was breathing, and of course the hidden class.

Riley watched me carefully. "I watched you get smashed. You definitely died like the rest of us."

Charlie nodded. "And you never respawned with us, you went back to that cave. That's not a glitch you just... get."

I swallowed. "Yeah. I know. Hestia also mentioned the devs messed with causality. Whatever that means."

The room went quiet for a moment.

The smell of eggs and toast filled the space. Sunlight warmed the table. It should've felt like a normal morning.

But it didn't.

Riley tapped her fingers against her mug. "So what's the plan? You gonna go back in alone?"

I blinked. "I was planning to...."

"No," Charlie said immediately. "Absolutely not."

Charlie crossed her arms. "I won't have it no way. Because if something weird is happening in that game, you're not going in without us....I can't lose you."

Riley nodded. "Yeah. Party of three. No solo missions."

I felt something in my chest loosen a little.

And smiled at the two of them "Thanks. You two really."

Charlie shrugged. "You're our magic swordswoman after all. If you die, we've got no main damage dealer."

Riley added, "Also we care about you or whatever."

Charlie elbowed her again.

Riley winced. "Owwww...okay, okay, we care about you a lot."

I snorted. "Smooth."

Riley grinned. "I try."

Charlie flipped a pancake. "We'll log in after breakfast. All three of us. We'll go straight to the main temple of Hestia . If anyone has answers, it's gotta be the her clergy.

I nodded slowly. "Yeah. That sounds good."

Riley leaned back in her chair. "And maybe this time, don't die on us again. We don't need anymore surprises like that ice coffin you made..."

I groaned. "It wasn't... I didn't...I was stuck!"

Charlie smirked. "Uh‑huh. And next time you scare me like that. You'll be stuck in a dress instead of a nightgown

I glared. " we are never talking about that again."

Riley whispered, "But it was so..."

"NO."

She shut her mouth.

Charlie slid a plate of food in front of me. "Eat. Then we log in."

Riley spoke up "So... we gonna get the boys to log in or... " she left the rest unsaid.

Absolutely not, no. They can't know.... At least not yet." I pleaded.

I took a bite, still half‑lost in thought.

Whatever happened yesterday at college... it wasn't over.

I felt it in the pit of my stomach, it was far from over. In fact it was just the beginning....