Jay's POV – Morning in the Hospital
The first thing I noticed when I woke up—
Was warmth.
Not the blanket.
Not the room.
His hand.
Still holding mine.
I blinked slowly, adjusting to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains.
And there he was.
Sitting beside me.
Head slightly tilted back against the chair.
Eyes closed.
Still holding my hand.
He stayed.
The thought settled quietly in my chest.
For a moment…
I just watched him.
The sharp lines of his face looked softer like this. Less guarded. Less controlled.
Almost peaceful.
My fingers shifted slightly in his grip.
His eyes opened instantly.
Alert.
Focused.
On me.
"You're awake."
His voice was rough from sleep.
I raised a brow slightly.
"You didn't go home."
It wasn't a question.
He straightened a little.
"No."
"Why?"
A small pause.
Then—
"Because you were here."
Simple.
Direct.
Very him.
I looked away for a second, hiding the small smile that threatened to appear.
Keifer's POV
She tried to act normal.
Like this was nothing.
Like I didn't spend the whole night making sure she was breathing fine.
Typical.
"How's the pain?" I asked.
"Manageable."
I gave her a look.
"Real answer."
She sighed.
"It hurts."
Better.
At least she wasn't pretending.
"I'll call the nurse."
"No—"
"I'm calling the nurse."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Keifer."
I didn't move.
"Jay."
A few seconds passed.
Then she leaned back.
"Fine."
Good.
Morning Care (Soft + Possessive)
The nurse came, checked her vitals, adjusted medication, and left.
I didn't sit back down immediately.
Instead, I looked at her.
"You're eating."
She blinked.
"What?"
"Breakfast."
"I'm not hungry."
I exhaled slowly.
Then picked up the tray placed on the side.
"Doesn't matter."
I sat beside her.
Closer.
"Open."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Are you serious?"
"Very."
"I can eat on my own."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because you won't."
Silence.
She stared at me.
I stared back.
Unmoving.
Unbothered.
Uncompromising.
Finally—
She rolled her eyes.
"Unbelievable."
"Open."
She did.
Barely.
Just enough to prove she was annoyed.
I almost smiled.
Jay's POV
This was ridiculous.
Completely unnecessary.
And yet…
I didn't stop him.
He fed me slowly.
Carefully.
Like I was something fragile.
Which I wasn't.
But the way he looked at me—
Made it hard to argue.
"You're enjoying this," I muttered.
"A little."
I huffed.
"Control issues."
"Care," he corrected.
I looked at him.
There was no teasing in his expression.
Just… sincerity.
That shut me up.
Midday – Visitors
By afternoon, word had spread.
And of course—
They showed up.
Gemma burst into the room first.
"JAY?!"
I winced slightly at the volume.
"I'm not dying."
She ran to me anyway and hugged me carefully.
"I swear you stress everyone out!"
"I'm fine."
"You fainted!"
"Temporarily."
"That's not reassuring!"
Behind her, Angelo leaned against the door.
"You really can't stay out of trouble, can you?"
I smirked slightly.
"Seems like it."
Aries stepped in quietly.
"You okay?"
I nodded.
"I will be."
Keifer's POV – Possessive Shift
They were all talking.
Loud.
Chaotic.
But my focus stayed on one thing—
She was tired.
I noticed the slight shift in her posture.
The way her fingers tightened just a little.
Enough.
"Alright," I said.
Everyone paused.
"She needs rest."
Gemma blinked.
"We just got here—"
"And now you're leaving."
My tone wasn't rude.
But it wasn't up for debate either.
Angelo smirked slightly.
"Still the same."
I didn't respond.
Gemma sighed dramatically.
"Fine. But we're coming back."
Jay looked like she wanted to argue.
But she didn't.
Good.
Jay's POV
The room went quiet again.
I looked at him.
"You kicked them out."
"They were tiring you."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
I studied him for a moment.
"You've become… very controlling."
He stepped closer.
Resting his hand lightly on the bed beside me.
"Only when it comes to you."
My breath caught slightly.
That was—
Dangerous.
Quiet Afternoon
The silence between us wasn't awkward.
It was calm.
Comfortable.
He sat beside me again.
Close.
Not touching.
But present.
"Your company," he said suddenly.
I looked at him.
"What about it?"
"You've been managing it remotely."
"Obviously."
"Without using your authority."
I raised a brow.
"You've been tracking that?"
"I notice things."
Of course he did.
"It was necessary," I said.
"Why?"
"Because if I stepped forward…"
I met his gaze.
"You would've found me."
He didn't deny it.
"Correct."
A small smile formed on my lips.
"At least you're honest."
Keifer's POV
I leaned back slightly.
"You're not disappearing again."
It wasn't a question.
She held my gaze.
"No."
Something in me settled.
Evening – Soft Moment
The light outside dimmed.
The room turned warmer.
Quieter.
She looked tired again.
I stood up and adjusted her pillow.
"You should sleep."
"I just woke up."
"And you still need rest."
She sighed.
"You're exhausting."
"And you're stubborn."
She smiled faintly.
Final Moment
As she lay back—
Her hand moved slightly.
Searching.
Without thinking—
I took it.
Her fingers wrapped around mine instantly.
Comfort.
Trust.
Not dependence.
Choice.
Her eyes met mine.
"Stay."
Just one word.
I didn't hesitate.
"I'm not going anywhere."
And this time—
Neither was she.