Jay-Jay's POV
The apartment felt different that night — warmer, softer, like the walls themselves exhaled after holding their breath for years. Keifer and I had stumbled through the door after walking Serina to her car, hands still linked, the photo from her bag tucked safely in my pocket.
"Finally home," he murmured, kicking off his shoes, bracelet glinting on his wrist.
Our home. No more hiding. No more ghosts.
I headed to the kitchen for water, but he caught my waist from behind, pulling me against his chest. "Wait."
His voice was rough, thick. I turned, and that's when I saw it — his eyes, shining too bright, jaw trembling just a little.
"Keifer?"
He shook his head, like words wouldn't come. Instead, he cupped my face, thumbs brushing my cheeks, staring at me like I was the only real thing left in his world.
Breath hitched. A tear slipped down his cheek — first one, then more. Silent at first, then his shoulders shook, and he pulled me into his arms so tight I felt his heartbeat thunder.
"Jay," he choked out against my hair, voice breaking. "I love you so much."
My own eyes burned. I wrapped my arms around him, holding on as sobs wracked his frame — raw, healing, everything he'd buried pouring out. Kaizer's lies. Years alone. Brothers lost and found. Mom's return.
"I love you," he whispered again, fiercer, pulling back just enough to meet my eyes. Tears streaked his face, but his gaze burned steady. "You fought for me when I couldn't. Stood with me. Saved me. Every day, every mess… you stayed."
"You saved me too," I whispered, wiping his cheeks. "Ulupong."
A watery laugh escaped him. He kissed me then — slow, deep, tasting of salt and relief. When we broke apart, foreheads pressed together, he smiled through the tears. "Queen of my heart."
We sank onto the couch, tangled together, his head on my chest as the sobs faded to quiet breaths. My fingers traced the bracelet, then his hair, then his back.
"Serina's coming tomorrow," he mumbled, half-asleep already. "Family dinner here. Section E. Everyone."
"Perfect," I said, kissing his temple.
He nuzzled closer. "No more running. No more alone."
"Never again."
Outside, city lights twinkled. Inside, just us — whole, safe, loved.
And as his breathing evened out, one truth wrapped around us like a blanket:
We'd made it.
Together.