Chapter 95: Don't Let Go
(Jay Jay's POV)
Morning came slowly.
Soft light filtered through the hospital curtains.
Warm.
Gentle.
But I didn't move.
I was still there.
Still sitting beside him.
Still holding his hand.
Because even after everything—
I was scared to let go.
Jay (whisper):
"…you're still here."
Keifer slept peacefully.
His breathing steady now.
Calm.
Not like last night.
Not like that terrifying moment where everything almost ended.
I leaned back slightly in the chair.
Eyes tired.
Body exhausted.
But I didn't care.
Because this—
This was everything.
(Keifer's POV — Waking Slowly)
Light.
Too bright.
I blinked slowly.
The pain was still there.
Dull now.
Manageable.
And then—
I felt it.
Warmth.
Familiar.
I turned my head slightly.
And there she was.
Jay.
Still sitting beside me.
Still holding my hand.
Still here.
Keifer (soft, barely awake):
"…you didn't sleep."
(Jay Jay's POV)
I looked up instantly.
Jay:
"You're awake."
A small smile formed on my lips.
Jay:
"And no… I didn't."
Keifer frowned slightly.
Keifer:
"…why?"
I looked at him like the answer was obvious.
Jay:
"Because I was making sure you didn't disappear again."
He went quiet.
And that silence—
Was different.
Softer.
Keifer (quiet):
"I'm not going anywhere."
Jay (immediately):
"You almost did."
The words slipped out.
Too fast.
Too raw.
Silence followed.
Then—
Keifer sighed.
Keifer:
"…come here."
(Soft Moment)
I hesitated.
Jay:
"You're injured."
Keifer:
"I don't care."
Jay:
"I do."
Keifer (weak smirk):
"Just… come here."
And that tone—
Soft.
Needing.
I couldn't refuse.
Carefully—
Gently—
I leaned closer.
Resting my head against his shoulder.
Avoiding his injured arm.
His hand moved slowly.
Wrapping around me.
Weak—
But still strong enough to hold me.
And that?
That made my chest ache.
Jay (murmuring):
"…you're stupid."
Keifer (soft):
"You jumped in front of a gun."
Jay:
"For you."
Keifer:
"…same thing."
A small laugh escaped me.
But it quickly faded.
Because the memory—
Still hurt.
(Emotional Conversation)
I pulled back slightly.
Looking at him.
Really looking.
Jay (quiet):
"Don't do that again."
Keifer:
"I didn't exactly plan it."
Jay:
"You stood there."
Keifer paused.
Keifer:
"…it was my father."
Silence.
Heavy.
Jay softened instantly.
Jay:
"…I know."
Keifer looked away.
Keifer:
"I didn't think he'd actually…"
He didn't finish.
Didn't need to.
I reached out.
Gently turned his face back toward me.
Jay (soft):
"You don't have to go through that alone."
Keifer:
"I didn't want you involved."
Jay:
"I was already involved."
Keifer:
"…I noticed."
A small pause.
Then—
Jay (firm, emotional):
"No more secrets."
Keifer nodded slowly.
Keifer:
"No more shutting me out."
Jay:
"No more pushing me away."
Keifer:
"…deal."
We stayed like that.
Foreheads almost touching.
Breathing the same air.
Feeling the same thing.
(Keifer's POV — Honest Moment)
I looked at her.
Really looked.
Her tired eyes.
Her messy hair.
Her trembling hands.
All because of me.
Keifer (soft, emotional):
"…you stayed the whole night."
Jay:
"Obviously."
Keifer:
"…what if I didn't wake up?"
She froze.
Jay (firm, almost angry):
"Don't say that."
Keifer:
"It's a question."
Jay (voice shaking):
"It's a stupid question."
Silence.
Then—
She leaned closer.
Jay (whisper):
"I would've stayed anyway."
My breath caught.
Jay:
"Even if you didn't wake up."
That hit harder than anything.
Because that—
Was love.
Raw.
Real.
Unconditional.
(Ending Moment)
I pulled her closer again.
Carefully.
Keifer (soft):
"…don't let go."
Jay (without hesitation):
"Never."
And this time—
When we held each other—
There was no fear.
No distance.
No secrets.
Just two people—
Who almost lost everything—
And chose to hold on tighter instead.
End of Chapter
Chapter Moral ✦
Love isn't proven in perfect moments—
it's proven in the ones where everything almost falls apart.
Staying… even when it's hard,
even when it hurts—
that's what makes love real.
Because sometimes,
not letting go is the bravest thing you can do.