Jay-Jay's POV
I don't think my heart ever learned how to behave around him.
Even now.
Even after everything.
The room is quiet in that soft, fragile way that comes after something real has been said. After something that wasn't supposed to be spoken out loud—but somehow was.
And now it's just… lingering.
Him.
Me.
Too close.
Too aware.
"…You always do that," I murmur, my voice softer than I intended.
Keifer tilts his head slightly, eyes still locked on mine like he's reading something I haven't even processed yet.
"Do what?"
I exhale, shaking my head faintly.
"Say things like they're normal… when they're not."
There's the slightest shift in his expression.
Not confusion.
Not surprise.
Just that calm, steady certainty that always makes my chest feel… unstable.
"They are," he says quietly. "With you."
And there it is.
That feeling.
That stupid, dangerous, heart-tripping feeling.
Before I can even react—
The door bursts open.
"I CANNOT PROCESS THIS—"
I flinch so hard I nearly fall off the couch.
"Oh my GOD—" I groan, dragging a hand over my face.
Of course.
Of course it's her.
Samy storms in like she owns oxygen, dramatically clutching her chest as if she just witnessed a historical event.
Behind her—
Much calmer.
Much more dangerous in a quiet way—
Coel walks in, hands in his pockets, observing everything like he's already ten steps ahead.
"No, let her process," Coel says casually, leaning against the desk. "I want details too."
"No—no more details," I mutter, already regretting every life choice that led to this moment.
Samy spins toward me so fast it's honestly impressive.
"He literally said 'she's mine' in front of EVERYONE?"
I cover my face instantly.
"Please stop—"
Coel smirks.
"And you didn't faint?"
"I should have," I mumble into my hands.
Samy gasps dramatically.
"You should have DIED."
I peek at her through my fingers.
"You are not helping."
From the side—
A very unhelpful voice adds—
"She handled it well."
I turn slowly.
Very slowly.
And glare.
Keifer is leaning back like he's watching a show.
Relaxed.
Amused.
Annoyingly calm.
"I was traumatized," I snap.
"You were smiling," he replies smoothly.
"I was in shock!"
"You were enjoying it."
"I WAS NOT—"
"You bit your lip."
"…THAT DOES NOT MEAN ANYTHING."
"It usually does."
Samy makes a sound somewhere between a scream and a laugh.
"Oh my GOD this is better live."
Coel nods slightly.
"Agreed."
I point at both of them.
"You're supposed to be on MY side."
Samy immediately sits next to me, throwing an arm around my shoulders.
"I am on your side," she says. "Your side is just… extremely entertaining."
Coel folds his arms, studying Keifer now.
"You do realize," he says calmly, "that most people don't declare ownership in public settings."
Keifer doesn't even blink.
"Most people hesitate."
Coel raises an eyebrow.
"And you don't?"
Keifer glances at me for half a second.
Then back.
"No."
And there it is again.
That thing he does.
Where he says something simple—
But it lands like it means everything.
I look away first.
Obviously.
Because I value my sanity.
Samy nudges me lightly.
"You never told us this much before."
Her voice is softer now.
Less dramatic.
More real.
And that—
That hits differently.
I swallow slightly.
"I never told anyone… this much."
The words feel strange coming out.
Heavy.
Honest.
Too honest.
There's a small pause.
Then—
Coel speaks.
Gently.
"Except us now."
Something in my chest loosens.
Not completely.
But enough.
Samy nudges my shoulder again, but this time it's softer.
"And we deserve it," she says. "We suffered your mood swings in New York."
I turn to her immediately.
"YOU were the mood swing."
"Excuse me," she says, offended. "I was stability."
Coel snorts.
"She cried over noodles for three days."
I sit up straight.
"I WAS GOING THROUGH SOMETHING—"
"You named the noodles," Samy adds helpfully.
"I WAS ATTACHED—"
"You apologized to them before eating," Coel continues.
"I WAS EMOTIONALLY COMPROMISED—"
Keifer's voice cuts in, low and amused.
"…You named noodles?"
I freeze.
Slowly turn.
"…That is not the point."
"What did you name them?"
"…Irrelevant."
"Was it romantic?"
"IT WAS COMFORTING."
Samy collapses into laughter.
"I can't breathe—"
Coel shakes his head, smiling slightly.
"This explains a lot."
I cross my arms, glaring at all three of them.
"I trusted you."
"You overshared," Samy corrects.
"You EXISTED," I argue.
For a moment—
It's just laughter.
Easy.
Light.
Normal.
And then—
It hits me.
Quietly.
Softly.
But completely.
These people.
This room.
This moment.
They saw me at my worst.
Not the dramatic kind.
Not the visible kind.
The real worst.
The quiet kind.
The breaking kind.
The kind where you don't even know how to explain what's wrong—
You just know everything is.
And they stayed.
I glance at Samy.
Still laughing.
Still chaotic.
Still herself.
At Coel.
Calm.
Observant.
Always understanding more than he says.
And then—
At Keifer.
Who isn't laughing.
Who isn't distracted.
Who isn't looking anywhere else.
Just—
Looking at me.
Like I'm still the same person he chose.
After everything.
"Why are you staring again?" I mutter, trying to ignore the way my heartbeat just betrayed me.
"Observing," he says.
"That's worse."
"You're dramatic."
"You encourage it."
"You enjoy it."
"…I tolerate it."
"You lean into it."
Samy claps suddenly.
"OKAY enough—new topic."
I narrow my eyes.
"That sounded dangerous."
"It is," she confirms proudly.
Coel straightens slightly.
"Actually… there is something."
I blink.
"…Why do I feel like I won't like this?"
"You won't," Samy says cheerfully.
Coel looks at me.
Then at Keifer.
Then back at me.
"I've heard those names before."
My stomach drops slightly.
"…What names?"
He tilts his head.
"Shun."
Pause.
"Seraphina."
The room shifts.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
But enough.
My fingers tighten slightly.
"What about them?"
Coel exhales slowly.
"They're not just random people, Jay."
Samy nods immediately.
"Yeah… like… at all."
I glance at Keifer instinctively.
His expression?
Unreadable.
Too calm.
Too still.
"Then what are they?" I ask quietly.
Coel hesitates for a second.
Then—
"They're powerful."
Samy adds—
"Like… dangerously well-connected powerful."
Coel continues.
"Shun Takahashi—his family owns one of the biggest international hotel chains."
My brows pull together slightly.
"And Seraphina?"
Samy exhales.
"Vale Industries."
That lands.
Even if I don't want it to.
Coel watches me carefully.
"They operate in the same circles."
Pause.
"As Keifer."
Silence.
I look at him again.
Really look this time.
At the way he's standing.
At how unaffected he seems.
At how this—
This entire conversation—
Doesn't shake him.
"Of course they do," I murmur.
Keifer finally speaks.
"They're irrelevant."
Coel raises an eyebrow.
"They didn't seem irrelevant back then."
Keifer's gaze flicks to him.
Sharp.
Brief.
Then back to me.
"They still are."
And for some reason—
I believe him.
Even if part of me remembers—
Exactly how not irrelevant they felt back then.
Samy suddenly stretches.
"Well! That was emotionally heavy."
"YOU made it heavy," I accuse.
"I add flavor."
"You add chaos."
"Same thing."
Coel pushes off the desk.
"We should probably leave before this turns into another flashback episode."
Samy immediately grabs his arm.
"Yes. Yes we should."
I squint at her.
"…Why are you smiling like that?"
She winks.
"You'll figure it out."
Oh no.
That's never good.
Before I can stop her—
She pulls Coel toward the door.
"Come on, let's give them space."
"I didn't ask for space—"
"You need space."
"I DON'T—"
Door opens.
Door closes.
Silence.
Again.
I slowly turn.
"…They're not coming back, are they?"
"No."
"Traitors."
"They're efficient."
I exhale, dropping back slightly.
"This is your fault."
"How?"
"You exist."
"That's not a crime."
"It should be."
He steps closer.
Too close.
"Telling stories about me?" he asks quietly.
I tilt my head slightly.
"Only the dramatic ones."
His gaze sharpens just a little.
"Then you missed a few."
My lips curve slightly.
"Add them."
There's a pause.
A shift.
Something softer now.
Something quieter.
He reaches up—
Fingers brushing lightly against my cheek—
Not rushed.
Not intense.
Just…
There.
"I will," he says.
And then—
He leans in.
This time—
Not claiming.
Not proving.
Not fighting.
Just—
Us.
Soft.
Certain.
Real.
And for a moment—
The world doesn't feel loud anymore.
Just steady.
Just him.
And somehow—
That's enough.
The kiss doesn't last long.
But it lingers.
Not on my lips—
In my chest.
In that quiet, steady way that makes everything else feel… less loud.
"…You're staring again," I mutter, not opening my eyes.
"Observing," Keifer replies calmly.
"That's still creepy."
"You like it."
"I tolerate it."
"You lean into it."
"…Stop exposing me."
A beat of silence.
Then—
The door opens again.
I don't even react this time.
"I swear if this is you two again—"
"It is us two again."
I groan.
Of course.
Samy walks in like she owns the building.
Again.
Coel follows, less dramatic, but just as intentional.
"You left," I accuse.
"You looked busy," Samy shoots back, glancing very obviously between me and Keifer.
"We weren't—"
"You were," she interrupts. "We respect privacy. Temporarily."
Coel doesn't waste time.
He leans back against the wall, arms folded.
"Shun Takahashi… and Seraphina Vale."
My body stills before I can stop it.
Not visibly.
Not dramatically.
Just—
Enough.
Coel nods once.
Measured.
Certain.
And suddenly—
This doesn't feel like teasing anymore.
Samy looks between us.
"Wait—this is serious now?"
"No," I say immediately.
"Yes," Coel says at the same time.
I glare at him.
"Pick a side."
"I did."
"That was the wrong one."
Keifer hasn't moved.
But I can feel it—
That shift in him.
That quiet alertness.
Coel continues, eyes on me.
Samy blinks.
"Like… rich rich?"
Coel doesn't smile.
"Dangerously rich."
That word sits in the air.
Dangerously.
I exhale softly.
"He's not a bad guy."
There's a pause.
Not from them.
From him.
"I never said he was," Keifer replies.
Calm.
Even.
Too calm.
I glance at him.
His expression?
Neutral.
But his eyes—
Not neutral.
Never neutral.
Coel nods slightly.
"He's known for being controlled. Strategic."
Pause.
"Doesn't act without a reason."
Samy's eyes widen immediately.
"Oh."
She turns to me slowly.
"So he was definitely provoking you."
I blink.
"…What?"
The realization doesn't hit all at once.
It creeps in.
Piece by piece.
The way Shun stayed close.
The way he spoke.
The way he looked at Keifer.
"…Oh."
Samy claps once.
"Oh wow. She just unlocked the memory."
"I did not unlock anything," I argue weakly.
"You absolutely did."
Keifer finally speaks again.
Low.
Measured.
"He knew exactly what he was doing."
I turn to him.
"…And you?"
He tilts his head slightly.
"What about me?"
"You reacted."
"I responded."
"That's the same thing."
"It's not."
Coel watches both of us carefully.
"No," he says. "It's not."
Silence settles again.
Not uncomfortable.
Just—
Heavy with understanding.
Samy suddenly points at me.
"Okay but wait—"
Oh no.
That tone.
"What?"
"She knew he proposed to you once, right?"
I freeze.
"…We are not doing this."
"Oh we are absolutely doing this."
I look at Keifer.
He's already looking at me.
Of course he is.
"You never told them?" Samy gasps.
"IT WAS IRRELEVANT—"
"It was a PROPOSAL—"
"He was seventeen—"
"He still asked—"
Keifer's voice cuts in.
Calm.
Too calm.
"…He proposed."
I close my eyes.
"I hate all of you."
Samy beams.
"We love you too."
Coel, traitor that he is, adds—
"That explains the hospital visit."
I snap my eyes open.
"YOU KNEW ABOUT THAT?"
"I connect patterns."
"STOP CONNECTING THEM."
Keifer exhales slowly.
"You said yes?"
My head snaps toward him.
"WHAT—no!"
A pause.
Then—
"Good," he says simply.
Samy makes a strangled noise.
"Oh my god he's jealous again."
"I'm not jealous," Keifer says.
"You sound jealous," she argues.
"I sound aware."
"You sound threatened."
"I sound patient."
I cross my arms.
"You don't sound patient."
"I am being patient."
"With what?"
He looks at me.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
"With you."
That—
That does something.
Something very unhelpful.
I look away immediately.
"Don't say things like that."
"Like what?"
"Like… that."
"Be specific."
"No."
Samy whispers loudly to Coel—
"They're flirting again."
"We noticed," Coel replies.
"I hate that you noticed."
Coel straightens slightly.
"Seraphina Vale."
And just like that—
The air shifts again.
Different this time.
Sharper.
Samy exhales.
"Oh yeah… the perfect one."
I don't respond immediately.
Because—
What do you even say to that?
Samy whistles.
"That sounds expensive."
"It is," Coel confirms.
I stare at the floor for a second.
Then—
Quietly—
"She was… perfect."
The word feels bitter.
Even now.
And before anyone else can speak—
Keifer does.
Immediately.
Firm.
"She wasn't."
I look up.
"…She was."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Samy slowly looks between us.
"…This is intense."
Coel, still calm, adds—
"She has a reputation. Top in everything."
Pause.
"Academics. Business training. Social image."
Samy nods.
"So basically… intimidating."
I let out a breath.
"…Exactly."
There's a moment of silence.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just—
Honest.
Because the truth is—
It wasn't just intimidation.
It was comparison.
And comparison?
Is cruel.
I laugh quietly.
More to myself than anyone else.
"She fit his world more…"
The words slip out before I can stop them.
And instantly—
Everything shifts.
Keifer moves.
Not fast.
Not aggressively.
But enough.
Closer.
"She didn't."
I shake my head.
"You don't have to—"
"I'm not reassuring you," he cuts in.
"I'm correcting you."
That stops me.
His voice isn't soft.
It's not teasing.
It's not even gentle.
It's certain.
"She didn't belong anywhere near me," he continues.
Silence.
Samy looks like she's about to scream but is holding it in physically.
Coel just watches.
Quiet.
Understanding.
I swallow slightly.
"…You say that now."
He tilts his head.
"I said it then."
I blink.
"…You did?"
He steps closer.
Just a little.
"You just weren't listening."
That—
That hits harder than it should.
I look at him properly now.
Not avoiding.
Not deflecting.
"…I was trying to understand," I admit quietly.
His gaze softens—
Just a fraction.
"You don't have to understand everything," he says.
Samy suddenly whispers—
"I'm crying."
"You're not crying," Coel says.
"I'm emotionally affected."
"You're dramatic."
"I learned from her."
I roll my eyes.
"Stop making this about me."
"It is about you," Samy insists.
"It's always about you," Coel adds.
Keifer's voice cuts through again.
Low.
Steady.
"It's about us."
And there it is again.
That word.
Us.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
But somehow—
More powerful than everything else said in this room.
I don't respond.
Because I don't trust my voice right now.
And for once—
No one teases.
No one interrupts.
They just…
Let it sit.
And somehow—
That feels heavier than anything else.
Because some truths don't need noise.
They just need to be heard.
Work was supposed to be… normal.
Predictable.
Safe.
It wasn't.
I stare at my laptop screen, pretending to read the same line for the fifth time.
Emails.
Reports.
Deadlines.
All very real.
All very important.
And yet—
Completely ignored.
Because across the office—
There are whispers.
"Mr. Watson again?"
I freeze.
Not visibly.
But internally?
Absolutely.
"Third day this week."
"Does he even have work here?"
"I don't think so—"
I slowly close my eyes.
Count to three.
Open them again.
Nope.
Still here.
Still happening.
I glance up.
And there he is.
Walking in like he owns the building.
Like the glass doors open for him personally.
Like gravity itself just decided—
Yeah, this one gets special treatment.
Keifer.
Casual.
Calm.
Completely unbothered.
And the worst part?
He looks like he belongs here.
I push my chair back slightly.
Stand up.
Cross my arms.
"Why are you here again?"
He doesn't even pause.
Doesn't hesitate.
Doesn't care about the entire office watching this unfold.
"I work here."
I blink.
Slowly.
"…You don't work here here."
A few employees nearby suddenly become very interested in their screens.
Badly.
Keifer walks closer.
Not rushed.
Not dramatic.
Just—
Direct.
"I have reasons."
I narrow my eyes.
"That sounds suspicious."
"It's simple."
"It never is with you."
He stops right in front of me.
Too close for a workplace.
Too close for my sanity.
"Which are?" I challenge.
There's a pause.
And I know that pause.
It's dangerous.
Because when Keifer pauses—
He's about to say something that will ruin my ability to function.
And right on cue—
"I love you."
…
My brain?
Gone.
Completely.
Offline.
I blink.
Once.
Twice.
"…You can't just—"
He continues.
Like he didn't just drop something life-altering in the middle of a corporate environment.
"And it's not a crime to see the person I love."
Somewhere behind me—
A chair squeaks.
Someone whispers—
"Oh my—"
I feel heat rush straight to my face.
"You can't just say that in the middle of the office—"
Too late.
Way too late.
Because he leans in.
And before I can react—
Before I can process—
Before I can even pretend to be professional—
He kisses me.
Quick.
Confident.
Like it's the most normal thing in the world.
And for a second—
Everything stops.
Then—
"I SAW THAT—"
"LOOK AWAY—LOOK AWAY—"
"WHY AM I STILL LOOKING—"
I pull back instantly, eyes wide.
"YOU ARE UNHINGED—" I whisper-yell.
Keifer looks completely calm.
Of course he does.
"You like it."
"I do NOT like it—"
"You're smiling."
"I AM NOT—"
"You are."
"I'M ABOUT TO GET FIRED—"
"You won't."
I point behind him.
"They just witnessed a public display of unprofessional behavior—"
"They witnessed honesty."
"They witnessed chaos."
"Same thing."
I stare at him.
"You are impossible."
"And yet."
That and yet.
That stupid, confident, unfairly effective and yet.
I turn away quickly, trying to regain some level of control over my expression.
My breathing.
My life.
"Why are you actually here?" I mutter.
"Already told you."
"That doesn't count."
"It does."
"It doesn't."
He steps slightly to the side, lowering his voice just enough—
Not enough to be private.
Just enough to feel like it is.
"I missed you."
And there it is again.
That shift.
From chaos—
To something softer.
Something quieter.
I glance at him.
"…You saw me yesterday."
"And today."
"And the day before."
I fold my arms again, trying to ignore the way my heart is doing something very unhelpful.
"You don't need to come every day."
He tilts his head slightly.
"Who said I need to?"
I blink.
"…Then why are you?"
He leans just a little closer.
"Because I want to."
Silence.
Somewhere in the background—
A keyboard stops typing.
I close my eyes for a second.
"This is not fair."
"What isn't?"
"You saying things like that when I'm trying to be serious."
"I am serious."
"You're distracting."
"You're distracted."
"You are the distraction."
He smiles.
Not big.
Not obvious.
Just enough.
"That's not my fault."
I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"You're ruining my professional image."
"You didn't have one."
"I DID—"
"You argue with your friends loudly in the middle of the office."
"That is called communication."
"That is called chaos."
I glare at him.
"You're enjoying this too much."
"I always do."
There's a pause.
Then—
He reaches forward.
Fixes a strand of my hair that had fallen out of place.
Simple.
Small.
But—
Too intimate for where we are.
"You look tired," he says quietly.
I blink.
"…I am working."
"You're overworking."
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
That softness again.
That awareness.
I hate how easily he sees through me.
"I said I'm fine."
"You said that last time too."
I don't respond.
Because he's right.
And I don't like that he's right.
"Go back to work," I mutter, turning slightly.
He doesn't move.
"Keifer."
"Hmm?"
"Go."
A pause.
Then—
"Say please."
I turn so fast I nearly trip.
"Are you serious?"
"Very."
"This is blackmail."
"This is negotiation."
"This is childish."
"You're still here."
I stare at him.
Long.
Hard.
"…Please."
He considers it.
Actually considers it.
Then nods.
"Good."
And just like that—
He steps back.
But before he leaves—
He leans in slightly again—
Just enough—
"Try not to miss me too much."
I scoff.
"I won't."
"You will."
"I won't."
"You already are."
I open my mouth to argue—
But he's already walking away.
Calm.
Collected.
Like he didn't just turn my entire day upside down.
The office stays quiet for exactly three seconds.
Then—
"JAY—"
"I HAVE QUESTIONS—"
"IS THIS A DAILY THING—"
"ARE WE INVITED TO THE WEDDING—"
I drop my head onto my desk.
"This is a nightmare."
From across the room—
A familiar voice calls out—
"You love it."
I don't even look up.
"…I hate all of you."
But my lips?
They betray me.
Because despite everything—
Despite the chaos—
Despite the embarrassment—
I'm smiling.
The moment the door of my apartment closes behind us, everything shifts.
The noise from the world outside—Samy's dramatic voice, Coel's teasing smirks, even the faint echo of office whispers—fades into something distant.
Here… it's quiet.
Too quiet.
And suddenly, the weight I've been avoiding all day settles right on my chest.
I don't look at him immediately.
If I do… I might break faster than I already feel myself slipping.
So I walk in.
Drop my bag on the couch.
Run my fingers through my hair like I can physically shake off the thoughts clawing at my head.
I fail.
Of course I do.
He doesn't speak either.
That's the worst part.
Keifer isn't the kind of person who fills silence.
He reads it.
Waits for it.
Understands it.
And right now?
He's watching me like he already knows exactly what I'm about to ask.
I inhale slowly.
Exhale.
Then—
Jay (soft, almost a whisper): "How are they…?"
The words barely leave my lips.
But they feel… heavy.
Like they carry years inside them.
I don't say who.
I don't need to.
Keifer doesn't ask.
Doesn't pretend.
Doesn't delay.
Keifer (gentle, steady): "They're… not okay."
And just like that—
Something inside me cracks.
Silence.
Thick.
Loud.
Unforgiving.
My throat tightens.
My fingers curl slightly at my sides.
I force myself to ask the next question.
Even though I'm terrified of the answer.
Jay (voice softer, fragile): "My mom…?"
There it is.
The one name I avoided the longest.
The one person I hurt the most.
Keifer exhales slowly.
Like even he hates saying this.
Keifer (quiet): "She smiles less."
Pause.
A long one.
Keifer (softer): "Everyone does."
That's it.
That's the line that breaks me.
Because it's not just about her.
It's about all of them.
My family.
My home.
Everything I left behind.
And suddenly—
I can see it.
Her sitting alone.
Trying to smile.
Failing.
My chest tightens painfully.
Jay (barely holding it together): "…Oh."
That's all I manage.
One broken syllable.
I turn away quickly.
Because I don't want him to see it.
The way my eyes are already burning.
The way my hands are starting to shake.
But of course—
He sees everything.
Keifer (low, closer now): "I should've found you earlier."
I turn instantly.
Sharp.
Almost defensive.
Jay: "No."
He doesn't argue immediately.
Just watches me.
Keifer: "I tried—"
Jay (cutting him off, firm despite the tremble): "Not enough to blame yourself."
Silence.
Because I won't let him carry this.
Not this.
Not something that was my choice.
My mistake.
Jay (voice cracking slightly): "I hid."
There it is.
The truth I've been avoiding.
I swallow hard.
But the words keep coming.
Because once they start—
They don't stop.
Jay: "For years."
My vision blurs.
Jay (shaking now): "You suffered… they suffered…"
My voice breaks completely.
Jay (whisper): "It's my fault."
And that's when it happens.
The tears.
I don't even try to stop them.
Because I can't.
They fall.
Fast.
Hot.
Uncontrolled.
Jay (choking slightly): "I hurt everyone… especially her…"
And I hate it.
God, I hate this feeling.
The guilt.
The regret.
The what-ifs.
Before I can spiral further—
He moves.
Fast.
One second I'm standing there—
The next—
I'm pulled into him.
Strong arms wrap around me.
Firm.
Grounding.
Unshakable.
Keifer (soft, but firm): "No."
I shake my head against his chest.
Jay: "Yes—"
Keifer (stronger): "No."
His hand comes up.
Gently gripping the back of my head.
Holding me there.
Like he's anchoring me.
Keifer (low, steady): "You survived."
Pause.
Keifer: "That matters more."
My breath stutters.
Because that—
That line hits differently.
I pull back slightly.
Just enough to look at him.
My vision still blurred with tears.
Jay (broken): "But they didn't get me… they didn't get—"
He cuts me off again.
Not harshly.
Just… surely.
Keifer: "They didn't lose you."
Pause.
His eyes soften.
Keifer: "They're waiting for you."
And something about that—
That quiet certainty—
It hurts.
But… it also heals.
Just a little.
His thumb brushes under my eye.
Wiping away my tears.
Careful.
Like I'm something fragile.
Keifer (softer now): "You think they'd rather have you broken there… or alive here?"
I don't answer.
Because I know.
And he knows I know.
I let out a shaky breath.
My hands move without thinking—
Gripping the front of his shirt.
Holding on.
Jay (quiet): "I didn't think it would last this long…"
Keifer watches me.
Silent.
Jay: "I thought I'd fix myself… and go back."
A humorless laugh escapes me.
Jay: "…Guess I'm bad at timing."
Keifer's lips twitch slightly.
Keifer: "You've always been bad at timing."
I glare weakly through my tears.
Jay: "Wow. Emotional support. Amazing."
Keifer (deadpan): "I'm consistent."
A small, broken laugh escapes me.
And just like that—
The tension eases.
Just a little.
His hand moves again.
Tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
Keifer (low, teasing lightly): "You cry a lot."
Jay: "You make me cry."
Keifer: "Correction—your life choices make you cry."
Jay: "I'm going to push you off the balcony."
Keifer (calm): "I'd like to see you try."
I sniff.
Roll my eyes.
But I'm smiling.
Just a little.
And somehow—
That matters.
His forehead rests lightly against mine.
Keifer (soft again): "You don't carry this alone."
My grip tightens on his shirt.
Jay (barely audible): "…I know."
Silence settles again.
But this time—
It's not heavy.
It's… safe.
After a moment—
I lean into him.
Fully.
Letting myself rest.
And he lets me.
Of course he does.
His arms tighten slightly around me.
Not suffocating.
Just enough to say—
I'm here.
Minutes pass.
Or maybe seconds.
I don't know.
All I know is—
For the first time since asking that question—
I can breathe again.
And maybe…
Just maybe—
I'll be okay.
I don't know how long I stay like that.
In his arms.
Held together by nothing but his steady breathing and the quiet rhythm of his heartbeat against my cheek.
Everything feels… slower.
Quieter.
Like the world decided to pause just for a second—
Just long enough for me to breathe.
His hand is still in my hair.
Gently brushing through it.
Not rushed.
Not distracted.
Just… there.
And for once—
I don't fight it.
I let myself lean into him.
Let myself exist in this moment without overthinking it.
Without running.
Without hiding.
But of course—
Peace doesn't last long with us.
It never does.
His voice breaks the silence.
Soft.
Careful.
Like he's testing the ground before stepping on it.
Keifer (gentle): "Are you ready to meet them?"
Everything inside me stills.
My fingers tighten slightly against his shirt.
My breath… pauses.
Because that question?
That question carries everything.
The past.
The guilt.
The fear.
The things I've been avoiding for years.
I pull back slowly.
Just enough to look at him.
Jay (honest, quiet): "…I don't know."
No hesitation.
No pretending.
No strong front.
Just the truth.
And for a second—
I expect him to push.
To convince me.
To tell me I should be ready.
But he doesn't.
Of course he doesn't.
He just nods.
Keifer (soft): "That's okay."
And somehow—
That makes it worse.
Because he's not forcing me.
Not rushing me.
Not expecting anything.
He's just… waiting.
And that kind of patience?
It hits harder than pressure ever could.
I look away.
My thoughts already spiraling again.
What would I even say?
How do you face people you disappeared on?
How do you explain years of silence?
Before I can drown in it completely—
Keifer speaks again.
Keifer (carefully): "Two people are coming to meet you."
I blink.
Wait.
What?
My head snaps back toward him.
Jay: "…Who?"
My voice comes out sharper than I intended.
More alert.
More… anxious.
Two people?
Why does that sound worse than everyone?
Keifer watches me for a second.
Like he's measuring how much to say.
Then—
Keifer: "I explained everything."
Pause.
Keifer (quieter): "But not the reason."
I frown slightly.
Jay: "Why not?"
Because if he told them everything—
Why not that too?
Why leave out the one thing that matters the most?
His answer comes immediately.
Without hesitation.
Keifer (steady): "Because that's your story to tell."
And just like that—
I go silent.
Because he's right.
Of course he is.
That part—
The reason I left.
The reason I stayed away.
The reason I broke everything—
That's mine.
And no one else gets to tell it for me.
Even him.
I sit down slowly on the edge of the couch.
My mind… already racing again.
Two people.
Who?
My fingers lace together unconsciously.
Jay (inner thought): Two people…
My heart picks up slightly.
My brain starts doing what it does best—
Overthinking.
Overanalyzing.
Overimagining.
Shun?
The thought hits first.
He would show up.
He's unpredictable like that.
Calculated… but unpredictable.
Or—
Seraphina?
No.
That would be… too much.
Too complicated.
Too—
I exhale sharply.
Jay (muttering): "No way…"
Keifer raises an eyebrow slightly.
Keifer: "Talking to yourself now?"
Jay (flat): "I'm processing a potential crisis."
Keifer: "You're dramatic."
Jay: "You brought two mysterious people into my life without warning."
Keifer (calm): "I warned you."
Jay: "Vaguely."
Keifer: "That counts."
I stare at him.
Unimpressed.
Jay: "I hate you."
Keifer (without missing a beat): "No, you don't."
Pause.
Jay (quiet, automatic): "…No, I don't."
He smirks.
Keifer: "Good. We're clear."
I roll my eyes.
But there's no real annoyance behind it.
Because even now—
Even in the middle of all this uncertainty—
He finds a way to steady me.
Or distract me.
Honestly?
Probably both.
He steps closer again.
Standing right in front of me.
Keifer (tilting his head slightly): "You're thinking too much."
Jay: "I always think too much."
Keifer: "That's the problem."
Jay: "And what's your solution?"
He leans in slightly.
Close enough that my breath catches again.
Keifer (low): "Stop thinking."
Jay: "That's not how brains work—"
He cuts me off.
Not with words.
With a kiss.
Soft.
Unexpected.
Perfectly timed.
My words disappear instantly.
Of course they do.
I freeze for half a second—
Then melt into it.
Because apparently—
That's my weakness.
When he pulls back—
Just slightly—
His forehead rests against mine again.
Keifer (quiet): "See? Effective."
Jay (breathless, glaring lightly): "You're manipulative."
Keifer: "You're responsive."
Jay: "That sounded worse than you intended."
Keifer (smirk deepening): "I meant it exactly how it sounded."
I push his shoulder lightly.
Jay: "You're impossible."
Keifer: "And yet—"
He leans closer again.
Keifer (low, teasing): "You're still here."
My heart does that stupid thing again.
That flip.
That drop.
That oh no.
Jay (muttering): "I regret everything."
Keifer: "No, you don't."
Jay: "Stop knowing things."
Keifer: "Stop being predictable."
I groan.
Jay: "I'm dealing with emotional trauma, and you're flirting."
Keifer: "I multitask."
Jay: "That's concerning."
Keifer (deadpan): "You like it."
…He's not wrong.
I hate that he's not wrong.
Silence settles again.
But lighter this time.
Easier.
Still—
The thought comes back.
Two people.
And suddenly—
The weight returns.
Not as crushing.
But still there.
I look down at my hands.
Jay (quiet): "When… are they coming?"
Keifer doesn't hesitate.
Keifer: "Soon."
That's not helpful.
At all.
Jay: "That's not a time."
Keifer: "It's accurate."
Jay: "You're the worst."
Keifer: "I've been called worse."
Jay: "I'll upgrade your title."
Keifer (amused): "I'm curious now."
I look up at him.
Eyes narrowing slightly.
Jay: "Menace."
He considers that.
Seriously.
Keifer: "I like it."
Jay: "Of course you do."
He crouches slightly in front of me.
Bringing himself to my eye level.
Keifer (softer now): "You don't have to be ready."
Pause.
Keifer: "You just have to be honest."
My throat tightens again.
Because that—
That's harder than being ready.
I nod slowly.
Jay (whisper): "…Okay."
And for the first time—
It doesn't feel impossible.
Just… terrifying.
But maybe—
That's a start.
I lean forward slightly.
Resting my forehead against his shoulder.
Jay (inner voice): Two people…
My mind refuses to stop.
Shun?
Seraphina?
Someone else?
Family?
Or—
Something worse?
My fingers tighten slightly against his sleeve.
Because whatever it is—
Whoever it is—
It's coming.
And I'm not sure if I'm ready to face it.
But I don't get to run this time.
Not anymore.
I close my eyes slowly.
Letting that thought settle in.
Jay (inner voice): I wasn't ready to face the past…
Pause.
Jay (inner voice): But somehow—
A breath.
Jay (inner voice): It was already on its way to find me.