They wandered through the city like it was theirs—no schedule, no deadlines, no one to answer to.
Jay's laughter filled the air as they walked. She pointed at a street performer and mimicked his silly dance, then burst into giggles when Keifer shook his head like he couldn't believe she was doing that.
"Stop," he said, but his voice was warm, not annoyed. "You're embarrassing me."
Jay looked at him, eyes sparkling. "I'm not embarrassing you."
Keifer's lips curved into a smile. "You're doing it on purpose."
Jay shrugged, still laughing. "Maybe I am."
They passed small shops with colorful displays, and Jay dragged Keifer inside one of them, pulling him toward a wall of scarves. She held up a bright one against her face, making a dramatic pose.
Keifer watched her quietly, a soft smile on his lips, his eyes never leaving her. She was so alive—so free in a way she rarely allowed herself to be.
Jay caught him staring and grinned. "What?"
Keifer shook his head slightly, like he couldn't stop himself. "Nothing," he said. "I'm just… glad you're here."
Jay's laughter faded into a soft smile. "Me too."
They continued walking, stopping to grab a snack from a street vendor. Jay took a bite and immediately made a face like it was too spicy, and Keifer laughed—just once, quietly, like he didn't want to draw attention.
Jay looked at him, eyes bright. "You're smiling to yourself."
Keifer's cheeks lifted. "I'm not."
Jay nudged him with her shoulder. "You are."
Keifer's smile softened. "I can't help it."
Jay felt her heart squeeze in a way that made her chest feel full. She looked around at the city—the busy streets, the people moving like they were all on a mission—and then she looked back at Keifer.
He was watching her again, like she was the only thing that mattered.
It hit her suddenly, like a truth she'd been avoiding for too long.
She stopped walking.
Keifer stopped too, turning to face her.
"What's wrong?" he asked, concern slipping into his voice.
Jay took a breath, eyes shining. "Nothing's wrong."
Keifer waited, patient. "Then why did you stop?"
Jay's fingers twisted together, nervous. She looked up at him, and for the first time that day, she seemed serious—like the playful version of her had disappeared.
"I just… I realized something," she said softly.
Keifer's expression softened, encouraging her to continue.
Jay swallowed. "I used to think… I used to think Jax was what I wanted."
Keifer's eyes flickered, but he didn't interrupt. He just stood there, waiting.
Jay's voice trembled slightly, but she kept going. "But today… today I'm realizing something else."
She took a step closer, her heart pounding. "Jax will never be you."
Keifer's breath hitched. His eyes searched hers, and for a moment, the city noise faded.
Jay's voice became quiet, but steady. "And I don't want him to be."
Keifer's hand lifted, almost on its own, and brushed her cheek. His thumb traced her skin gently, like he was confirming she was real.
Jay leaned into his touch, closing her eyes for a moment.
"I don't know when it happened," she whispered. "But I know now. You're everything I've been looking for… without even realizing I was looking."
Keifer's eyes softened, and his voice came out low. "Jay…"
Jay shook her head slightly, tears threatening but not falling. "Don't say anything yet."
She took a deep breath, gathering the courage that had been building inside her for months.
"I don't want a life where you're not in it," she confessed. "Not just today. Not just for a break. I want you—forever."
Keifer's expression changed then. His smile wasn't playful anymore. It was real. It was soft. It was everything.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her close, like he was afraid she might disappear if he let go.
"You know," he whispered into her hair, "I've been waiting for you to say that."
Jay lifted her head, eyes wide. "You have?"
Keifer nodded. "Yeah. Because I've been feeling the same way. I just didn't know how to say it."
Jay's breath caught.
Keifer pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes with a tenderness that made her heart ache.
"You're not just a break from my life," he said quietly. "You're… the part of my life I want to keep."
Jay smiled through the tears now, her heart feeling like it was finally in the right place.
"Then stay," she whispered.
Keifer's smile widened, and he kissed her gently—slow, soft, full of promise.
When they pulled apart, Keifer whispered, "I'm not going anywhere."
Jay rested her forehead against his, feeling the truth in his words.
And in the middle of the city, surrounded by noise and people and movement, Jay realized something she'd never been able to admit before:
Keifer wasn't just a part of her life.
He was her future.