Jay's Fantastical Sleepover Extravaganza

Kenji wasn't sure if he heard correctly. Jay was allowing them to stay in his house? While he appreciated it, that was a huge change of plans for everyone involved. Would this really be okay?

"Why Jay, that's really nice of you." Stanley looked at him with kindly eyes. "Thanks."

"We're so sorry to inconvenience you like this." Kenji apologized. "Thank you so much."

"You have our deepest appreciation." Higgy tried to be sincere, but it almost sounded like a threat.

The others offered various thanks before Jay had a chance to respond.

"No really, you don't 'ave to thank me for it. It's not like I could send you out like that. Besides," Jay cleared his throat. "There's good news and... bad news about this arrangement hahaha." Somehow, he laughed sadly. "The good news is that there are many bedrooms!" He fiddled with his bowtie. "The bad news is that there aren't many beds."

"How many are there?" asked Benji.

"...Two." Jay tapped his fingers together. "One in my room and one in me sista's. There's also an air mattress around 'ere somewhere for if me bruva ever decides to pay a visit, but it's never been used. So, if any of you are comfortable sharing a bed, that would be greatly appreciated."

"I guess us old foagies are going to have to share, huh Stan?"

"I suppose so!" Stanley agreed. "We're such close friends, after all." Wisdom may come with age, but subtlety sure didn't.

"Jolly good, jolly good! You two can have Kamala's bed." Thankfully, Jay seemed none the wiser. He mulled over something for a moment. "Would any two of you be willing to share the air mattress?"

Kenji's back wasn't thrilled about the idea of sleeping on the floor, but he'd rather not force any of the boys to. "Maxy, Toni, what about you?"

"Yeah, we'll take the air mattress." Neither Maxy nor his brother were excited. Nevertheless, they resigned themselves to sharing.

"Lovely!" Jay clapped. "That pretty much takes care of the available beds. Now for the tricky part. Where do the rest of us go?"

"Is it okay if one of us sleeps on the couch?" asked Higgy.

"What a wonderful idea! If you'd like to take it, you can."

Higgy stifled a chuckle, no doubt relishing in the compliment. "Thanks. I will."

Jay motioned to the chair Benji sat in. "And if someone wishes, they can 'ave this chair."

"I can sleep in the chair." offered Nicky, before realizing something. "Wait Kenji, did you–?"

"It's fine." Kenji declined. "You can have it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." He thought for a moment. "Actually, Higgy, do you still have your sleeping bag?"

Higgy shuddered. "Unfortunately."

"May I use it? I'm sure you won't mind considering what happened this morning..."

"If you want that cockroach-infested thing, knock yourself out." A sudden look of mortification flickered on his face. He glanced at Jay. "Um, that was an exaggeration. It was just one cockroach, and it's out now. We promise not to bring any weird bugs into your home."

Jay giggled. "If you did, I suppose Gumbo would just eat them."

"It should still be in Stanley's car, r–" Kenji and Stanley stared at each other in horrified realization. "The car. It's still out in the rain!"

"Oh dear, I 'eard there's flooding around the area. I do 'ope it's quite alright out there." Jay jerked his head up. "I know! I 'ave a gara–I've a garridge, you can put it in there."

"Thank you." Kenji held his hand out toward Stanley. "I'll go."

"In this weather??" Benji looked at him as if he'd lost his mind.

Concern showed on Stanley's face. He hesitated handing over his keys. "It's getting kinda dark out there. Are you sure about this?"

"We can't let your car get flooded. Besides, our luggage is in there."

"I'll keep watch to make sure 'e 'as a safe trip." Jay volunteered. "In fact, let me 'and you a–a torch! Just a moment." He scampered over to the padlocked door and disappeared inside.

"Should one of us help?" asked Nicky.

"You can go with Kenji, and I'll help Jay keep watch." Higgy suggested.

"Thank you for the support," Kenji squinted at Higgy, "but I don't want to risk anything happening to more than one of us. You remember what Benji said about American healthcare."

Toni's worried eyes looked up at him. "Please stay safe."

"Ahhh, safety is practically his middle name." Maxy gave his brother a fanged grin. "Let him do all the worrying."

Kenji wasn't sure how to respond. "Thanks..."

"...Wait, did he say a torch? How's that gonna work in the rain?"

"It's British for flashlight." While Higgy did not outright say the words 'Have some culture, you buffoon,' the tone of his voice made it clear.

"You can have my coat." offered Nicky.

"Thanks, Nicky." Kenji really appreciated that, since he hadn't dressed for more than light rain. Standing up, he gripped the keys. "I should wait for Jay by the door."

With everyone's well wishes at his back, Kenji continued to the door. He took off his suit jacket–ignoring Maxy's scandalized gasp–and replaced it with his brother's trenchcoat. It was already long on Nicky, somehow, so it nearly reached Kenji's ankles. Rain continued to thump against the walls, warning him to take an umbrella.

A door opened behind him.

"Oh, there you are!" Jay carried a black 'torch' in one hand. The other hid behind his back, carrying something Kenji couldn't see. "'Ere you go." He placed the flashlight in his hand and waved back to the others. "Don't worry, we'll be back in a jiffy!"

Kenji and Jay stepped out of the house and under the canopy. It did its job of protecting them from the weather. Just barely, since the wind swept the rain at a diagonal. The sky, which was a light grey when they first entered, had since turned nearly pitch black. It made it difficult to see Stanley's little green car at the end of the entryway, but it sat there, unflooded for now, if not for long.

Jay stared at it. His mouth pressed into a thin line, twitching downward. "Just as I thought. Knew I should've 'ad you park further up."

"Is there something wrong?"

"Beyond that driveway is the end of me property." His gaze didn't budge. "Kenji?"

"Yeah?"

He removed the hand from behind his back, revealing a low-brimmed hat and sunglasses. "Could you wear these?"

Kenji took the items in his hands. "Why?"

Jay looked around, then beckoned him to lower his head. "You might see people waiting down there." His voice lowered, sounding more stern and grim than Kenji had ever heard it. "They may approach you. Do not look at them. Do not talk to them. Just take the car and drive."

Kenji had a good guess as to what was going on. "Paparaz–?"

He put a finger over his mouth and nodded.

"In this weather??" Kenji whispered.

"You'd be surprised."

Kenji did as told, putting on the hat and sunglasses. He'd definitely need the flashlight now.

Jay's hand raised and lowered toward Kenji's head.

"Is something wrong?"

"May I...?" He put his hand down. "Aw, nevermind, you look quite nice as is! When you make it up the driveway, I'll go inside and open up the garridge."

"Thanks." Kenji tipped his hat. It was a little crooked, but it should still get the job done. "Sounds like a plan."

Jay's face broke out into a bright, toothy smile before he covered it with a gloved hand. Kenji put up his umbrella and turned on the flashlight. It was time to venture into the storm.

A soft "good luck" ushered him into the dark. Kenji's umbrella protected the top of his head, but his face, along with anything not protected by Nicky's trenchcoat, got pelted by the wind and rain. The driveway's incline wasn't much of a problem walking up, but it rolled a sheet of water down with Kenji. He took careful steps to avoid slipping.

Kenji reached the base of the driveway with a splash. The bushes across the road shifted a little too suddenly for his taste, but upon closer inspection, it must've been the wind. A few inches of rain crept up Stanley's tires, but nothing major. He opened the door, and–

"Hey buddy, can you help me out for a sec?" A man approached. With a camcorder.

Though his heart thumped against his chest like the rain on the car roof, Kenji looked away and didn't talk.

"Just have a couple questions for you. It'll be really quick!"

He sat in the car, jamming the keys into the ignition.

"That your car? Whose car is this?"

His umbrella shielded him from the paparazzo, but that became a problem in itself. It wouldn't close. He wrestled with it while the man outside kept hounding him with questions.

"Having trouble with your umbrella?" The paparazzo moved it out of the way. "Why don't you answer some questions while you work on that?"

"Please leave me alone." Kenji couldn't stop the words from leaving his mouth.

"Ohhhh, so you can talk! What's your name?"

He found himself with a camcorder inches away from his face as soon as the umbrella closed. Was this legal?

"Better yet, tell me about the other guys who came in with you. What is your relation to Jay Kingston?"

"Hey sir!!" Another paparazzo plastered himself on the passenger side window. "Was that Stanley Baker with you, yes or no?!"

While not an avid horror flick fan, Kenji imagined this had to be what it felt like to be cornered by zombies. He couldn't even close the door without slamming Paparazzo One's hand in it, as much as the thought tempted him. But he couldn't stay here. At this rate, they'd all get trapped in the flood.

Kenji started the car, but that didn't deter anyone. Honking didn't do much either. He found his foot easing on the gas pedal. That got Paparazzo Two to back up.

Paparazzo One didn't let up. "I notice there's some luggage in the trunk. How long are you all staying?"

Slowly, Kenji turned into the driveway, hoping with every cell in his body that this weirdo wasn't willing to let his feet run over for a scoop. Wait. Was that a third one running down the street??

"You really gonna leave me out here in the rain?" asked Paparazzo One.

He continued to drive. Pushing the pedal a little harder, he managed to shake the off paparazzo, door flapping in the wind. As the back wheels touched the driveway, a set of gates closed behind them. The paparazzi were finally out of his hair.

Kenji took a deep breath, closed the door, and carefully drove his way into–When did that garage open? It didn't matter. He continued driving, hoping his twitching hands wouldn't veer the car off into a wall. Ever so slowly, he parked inside, turned the car off, and gently, carefully, lowered his head down on the steering wheel and screamed internally.

What if they didn't back off? What if they started climbing on the car? What if another one was hiding under the car? That would count as manslaughter. Maybe murder! He'd be a felon, an American felon, sent to a lawless American prison for the rest of his days probably, if not executed.

Did the camcorder get a look at his face? Sure, to the American public, he was just some guy, but he was some guy at Jay Kingston's mansion. They were going to have questions. For all he knew, one could've snuck into the car, but he was too tired to even check. He just wanted to lie down.

"Kenji?" Someone knocked on the window.

He jumped at the noise, half expecting another camcorder.

Instead, it was Jay. "Terribly sorry to scare you! Terribly, terribly sorry!" Kenji opened the door to reassure him, but couldn't get a word out fast enough. "Kenji, are you okay?"

"Yeah... I–"

"I'm so, so sorry about that. I 'ad no idea they would jump on you so quickly! The absolute nerve! And of course I'd left the doggone gate open." What an odd phrase to hear with his accent. Jay paced around, gripping his bangs captive in one hand as he checked in, around and under the car. "They could be crawling all over the place as we speak. If I was any more of a ninny, I would've left me locks undone, but thankfully, that's taken care of. The 'ouse should be safe. The 'ouse should be safe..." He slapped it away with the other one. His voice softened. "Are you really alright, Kenji?"

"Yes." Kenji composed himself. Jay looked as bad, if not worse, than he felt. His hands shook like leaves as he arranged and rearranged objects in the garage. Loose strands of hair from frazzled bangs dragged down his face. Even his bowtie hung askew. "I'm just glad no one got hurt."

"Good, good. They're annoying, but it's not completely their fault." He chuckled. "If anything, it's mine. Contrary to popular belief, the paparazzi don't normally show up on their own. Me management sends them wherever I go. It's a necessary evil to keep me in the public eye. I know they just want the best for me career, but..."

"That sounds stressful."

"I'd be lying if I said otherwise, haha." His smile disappeared. "Still, they 'ad no right to go around 'arassing you! You're simply my guests, you shouldn't 'ave to suffer because of me."

Jay struggled to figure out where to put his soaked suit jacket. Hold on. He wasn't wearing his suit jacket. In fact, he'd been completely drenched in rain. How did Kenji not notice? No wonder he was shivering!

"What happened to your clothes?"

"I didn't want them noticing me, so I ran in 'ere while they were busy. Plus, I needed to keep an eye on you so I knew when to close the gates."

Kenji slapped his forehead. Of course that was Jay's doing. "You have no idea how much I appreciated that."

Jay laughed. "I 'ave a feeling I do."

A creeping sense of paranoia latched onto Kenji. "I know the paparazzi here are aggressive, but they can't actually sneak into someone's house, can they?"

"Not legally, but I'd rather be safe than sorry." Jay drummed his hands on a desk for a moment, mulling over something. "Since you 'ad the trouble of dealing wiv 'at, I suppose I can let you in on a little something."

Kenji leaned against the car, curious.

"Less furniture makes it easier for me to check around the 'ouse for intruders. To be honest wiv you, there's not much in this 'ouse I'd miss if it was stolen." Jay smiled. "The worst thing a robba could steal is me privacy. And Gumbo, of course."

Kenji looked around the neatened garage, letting the information set in. "I imagine I'd be the same in your position."

"Well, that warms my 'eart to know someone understands. I 'ope you're never in my position." Jay turned a paint can so its label faced the same way as an adjacent one. "Everyone else probably thinks I'm weird, but that's noffing new, hoohoo. In fact," he looked at the can, "from what Stanley tells me, you're a bit of a worrywort too–" He grimaced. "Probably better than me, I mean, but–"

"It's okay, I know I am." Kenji smiled.

"Hahaha, it's good to know you 'ave a sense of 'umor about it. I was just wondering," his pointer fingers slid on top of each other, "do you ever, haha– Do you ever get that nagging sense of an omen when things aren't right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Little things. Things people wouldn't normally notice. Maybe you see a picture frame that's sliiightly tilted, and think, 'Dearie me, if I don't fix that, it could fall on someone's toes!'"

"Ohhh, I can see that." Kenji almost answered yes, but he got the feeling what he thought of and what Jay was talking about were two different things. He waited for Jay to elaborate more.

"Or, even more strangely, you see something like an off-center vase, and if you don't fix it, you feel like you're going to say something embarrassing in front of a stranger, or a chandelier'll fall on someone, or maybe your plane may crash and everyone will die because of you. And you know, logistically, that this vase 'as no bearing on any of that, but the nagging feeling just won't go away until you do somefing. So hours of your day are eaten up rearranging meaningless trinkets!" Jay's voice quieted, fingertips clawing against each other. "You ever, you ever get that? Haha?"

Kenji wished he could comfort him with a 'yes,' but that was beyond anything he'd ever experienced. This seemed very sensitive and vulnerable, and he didn't know what to say. A drop of water dripped from his hat. He remembered something.

"...I'll take that as a no, eheh. Heh." Jay's hands squeezed each other as he looked away.

"It wasn't your fault."

"What?"

"The paparazzi." Kenji took off the hat Jay gave him. "You were trying to fix this, weren't you?"

"Y-Yes..."

Kenji returned the hat. "I don't know if this will help at all, but I don't think you could've prevented that from happening."

"I appreciate you saying that." A smile flickered on Jay's face. "It's moments like these that make it really 'ard to drop the 'abit. But it's just that. A silly little 'abit of mine."

That sounded extreme for 'a silly little 'abit,' but Jay was probably uncomfortable enough talking about this. Kenji didn't want to push it.

"I'll get started bringing everyone's luggage. Is there anywhere you want me to put it?" Though he did have one last question. "Any specific way you want it arranged?"

"Anywhere's just fine, aha." Jay set Kenji's hat aside. "You don't have to arrange it any special way. I'm trying to break the 'abit, not get others involved."

"Oh, I understand." Kenji felt like he made things more awkward. He decided to give Jay a way out. "You should probably go in and dry off."

"If... it's okay wiv you, I'd like to stay 'ere for a while longer. Maybe I could 'elp!" Jay offered. "After all, it's the least I could do after everyfing that's 'appened."

"Thanks, but you don't need to make it up to me."

"It's fine, really, heheh. Besides, I'm not doing this for entirely selfless reasons. I..." He trailed off.

Kenji looked back from getting Stanley's gardening book out of the car.

"I 'ope you don't think I'm any weirder for saying this, but you... 'ave a calming presence, heh."

"Me?" He didn't understand.

"Ah. No one's ever told you?"

"No, it's not that." Kenji stood up. "I was worried I'd been making you nervous."

Jay thought for a moment. "Maybe a little, but it's not your fault. I'm just so excited to finally get to meet you is all. Talking to you like this though, I feel a little more at ease."

"I'm glad you feel that way." Kenji smiled at the carnation on Jay's hat, untouched by the rain. He must've used his suit jacket to shield him. "It's nice talking to you, too. You're very heartfelt."

Jay laughed a genuine laugh. "Oh my, I don't know what to say." His eyes drifted toward the book in Kenji's hand. "'Old on, izzat me flower book?"

Kenji held it up. "I thought this was Stanley's."

"Oh?" The cogs visibly turned in Jay's head. "Right, right! I lent it to 'im." Liars, both of them. He noticed the calla lilies in the back seat. "What nice flowers! I sawr 'em in the dressing room earlier wiv an envelope. Wonder who's the lucky recipient."

...Really? It was a good thing the sunglasses blocked Kenji's eyes. He could not keep a straight face. "They're for me, actually."

"'Ow lovely! Do you know the sender?"

'Your admirer trusts you a lot...'

As tempting as it was to end this ruse, Kenji played along for his admirer's sake. "They're anonymous, I'm afraid. Only Stanley knows. I wish I could tell them in person how much I appreciated the gift, but I guess he'll have to do it for me."

"I'm sure they'll be delighted to 'ear, either way!"

Kenji took out the bouquet. "Is it okay if I place them in here for now? Calla lilies do well in humid areas."

"Go ahead!" Jay made space for them on the desk. "Do I recall those being your favorites?"

How agonizing. "Yes, they are. Also, I hope you don't mind me flipping through your book. I was curious if the pink one meant anything special.

"Did it?"

"Admiration."

Jay chuckled. "Well it wouldn't be an admirer if they didn't admire you!"

Sunglasses were really good for giving people tired looks without them knowing it. "I'm sorry I couldn't answer your question about your carnations earlier, but I'm sure you already know what they mean."

"Yep." He did not elaborate.

Kenji popped open the trunk of the car. "Jay, do you drink coffee?"

"Not often, but occasionally."

He took out Nicky and Maxy's luggage first. "I'm at the point where I can't go a morning without it, so maybe that's a good thing."

"Haha, sounds like me, though I fancy starting off me mornings wiv a cuppa tea."

"Tea's nice." Higgy and Toni's luggage were the next to come out. Kenji paused, planning a slight change in subject. "I normally wake up four or five-ish. Just letting you know in advance in case you hear me up and about."

"Oh, that's fine! I'm usually up by then, too." Jay flattened his hands against each other, delighted.

"What a coincidence!" Kenji took out his own bag last. "I'm used to waking up long before anyone else. Do you normally have tea around that time? If so, I hope you don't mind me joining you."

Jay's face lit up. "Not at all! I wouldn't mind at all!"

Kenji couldn't help sharing some of his happiness. "Well, hope to see you at breakfast."

"I'll be looking forward to it!"

A knock sounded from the door into the house. Jay opened it to reveal Stanley.

"Oh there you two are! I checked outside and didn't see anyone, so I got worried."

"We're terribly sorry for worrying you. We just ran into a bit of trouble outside, but it's fine now."

Stanley leaned in the doorway, eyeing both of them. "Trouble? What kind of trouble?"

"Paparazzi." answered Kenji. "We were parked just off the property, so they took an opportunity to try to wring information out of me. But as you can see, I'm safe thanks to him," he looked to Jay, "and I didn't tell them anything."

"We've just been in 'ere recuperating from the 'ole thing." added Jay. "Sorry to worry you again."

"We were just about to bring the luggage in."

Stanley breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, I'm glad everyone's alright." He smiled. "You look nice in those glasses, Kenji." His smile died when he looked over Jay. "And you look..."

"Dreadful, I presume?" Jay laughed at himself.

"That's one way of putting it. Do you want me to bring you a towel?"

"If it's not too much trouble. There should be some in the bafroom behind the living room."

Stanley nodded. "Not much trouble at all. I'll grab one for Kenji too."

After Stanley left, Kenji took out Higgy's sleeping bag, and Jay returned to the desk nearby. There were a few moments of silence.

"You don't expect much of me, do you?"

"Wh-What?" That question took Kenji off guard.

"Oh, I don't mean that in a bad way." Jay tilted a nearby wrench so that it hung straight. "You know that I'm famous, but you don't see me as above you or anyfing like that. Like Stanley and Benji too, provided I get more of a chance to talk wiv 'im. It makes it easier to talk to you three."

"I see."

"Not that the younger ones are unpleasant by any means." he clarified. "They seem nice. But I can tell some of 'em are big fans and I worry they feel they can't be themselves around me." He looked down at his fidgeting hands. "That I make them nervous."

Kenji closed the trunk of the car. "Hmmm. The more time they spend with you, the more they should loosen up. Probably." If it worked for Jay, it should work for them. "Either way, you shouldn't have to worry about Maxy. Few things make him self conscious."

"That's the poofy-'aired one, right?" Jay held his hands around his head, mimicking Maxy's hair. "I quite like 'im. 'E makes me feel like I'm one of the lads. Or at least 'ow I imagine that feels. But you know, you are kind of right. The more time I spend wiv 'em, the more I can see glimpses of their personalities."

"It's hard for them to hide it." Kenji chuckled to himself.

"I absolutely love that kind of thing. Seeing 'ow people act naturally. I know I told you I value people's privacy, but that's only because... a certain degree of nosiness allows the paparazzi to exist, so I try to curb it in me self." Jay shrugged. "But I suppose it's 'uman nature to be curious."

Kenji couldn't care less what other people did in their lives, but he could kind of understand why Jay would feel the way he did. He didn't seem to be the type of person that got to know people in a normal way.

"Anyway, I think I'm starting to get a feel for the other lads. The other one whose name I know," Jay wagged his hand, trying to remember, "Toni...?"

"Yes, Toni."

"Seems like a sweetheart, that one. I never understood why me sista likes to dote on me so much, but seeing him, I think I do now."

"Believe me, Toni has many people willing to spoil him. He is a sweet kid, though."

"If I 'ad 'im as me little bruva... No, it's best 'e is where 'e's at. Speaking of bruvas, yours is the tall one, right?"

"Yep, that's Nicky."

"Nicky. He seems very," Jay tried to find the word, "dreamy. Not in the 'andsome way–I mean, 'e's a nice-looking chap, don't get me wrong. 'E looks like 'e dreams a lot, is what I meant to say."

"You'd be right to say that." Kenji smiled. "His head is in the clouds and it's all sunshine and rainbows. Well, maybe not all the time. We all have our problems, he's just so smiley that I sometimes forget that."

"That sounds like a positively wonderful life to lead!" Jay pressed his hands over his heart. "It must 'elp to 'ave you as an older bruva."

Guilt twinged in Kenji's heart. "Thanks for the sentiment, but I'd consider myself a better teacher than a brother. In trying to keep him safe, I think I may've caused more issues. We're trying to work through it."

"Well, that's good. There's books for parents and teachers, but there's no guide on 'ow to be an big sibling." Jay rationalized. "That's why I'm glad I'm not one. I can barely 'old me self together, haha!"

"Thank you."

The door opened, and through it thrust a hand holding a pair of towels.

"Here's your towels!" Stanley poked his head in. His brows furrowed. "Golly! Feels like a sauna in here! Y'all don't feel like passing out?"

Jay picked up one of the towels. "I was already lightheaded from the incident."

"Same here." Kenji chuckled, picking the other one up. He dried off his face. "We'll be in shortly."

They both thanked Stanley. He went on his way, and so did they, making their way back to the luggage.

"Which ones should I take?" asked Jay.

Kenji decided to have a little fun. He handed Jay two bags of luggage. "These are Toni and Higgy's."

"'Iggy. That's 'is name..."

"You can probably tell that he's a big fan of yours."

"Can I!" Jay laughed. "I feel bad for the poor chap. When 'e's not self-conscious around me, 'e looks so confident in 'imself. Kinda like me bruva! But 'e fancies 'imself a perfectionist, so maybe we could actually work together wivvout squabbling so much, ahaha!"

"I'm sure he'd love the opportunity."

"So would I. If I recall correctly, Stanley's told me some interesting things about 'is skillset. Plus 'e seems like a riot!" Jay rested a hand on Higgy's sleeping bag. "Do you think 'e'd mind if I borrowed this for the night?"

Kenji blinked. "You could ask, but I thought you were sleeping in your own bed."

"Nooo. I never 'ad that in mind." Jay waved his hands. "I was gonna give you my bed!"

"Wh– No, that's not necessary at all. I wouldn't want to kick you out of your own bed."

"It's bad enough I've got people sleeping on couches and chairs. It'd be unconscionable for me to rest well while others are in those conditions!"

"Oh, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine."

"But I insist!"

"It's your house."

"You are me guest."

The two were locked in a gentlemen's duel with polite words as their weapons. Kenji struggled to think of something to say. In a situation like this, a moment's hesitation could be the end of him.

"It's a waterbed~"

What a hard bargain.

"You are quite tall, Kenji." Jay picked up the sleeping bag. "I'd likely fit in this better than you can."

"I'll think about it." Kenji nearly surrendered. At this point, he didn't know what he was fighting for. Politeness' sake? He kept fighting anyway.

"Okay, I'll let you think. In the meantime, we can take these in," Jay lifted his set of bags, "I'll take a quick shower, show you all the second floor, and then you can decide. 'Ow's about that?"

"Sounds like a deal."