Jay's POV – Discharge Day
Hospitals always had a strange kind of silence in the morning.
Not quiet.
Just… controlled.
Everything felt measured.
Predictable.
Unlike my life.
I adjusted slightly on the bed, testing my foot.
Still painful.
But better.
"Don't," Keifer's voice came immediately.
I didn't even look at him.
"I was just checking."
"You were about to put weight on it."
"I'm a doctor."
"And I have eyes."
I finally turned to him.
He was standing near the window, arms crossed, watching me like I might do something reckless any second.
"You're overdoing it," I said.
"And you underdo taking care of yourself," he replied instantly.
I exhaled.
"We balance each other out."
That made him pause.
Just for a second.
Then—
A small smirk.
"Don't get used to winning arguments."
I almost smiled.
Keifer's POV
She looked better today.
Still pale.
Still tired.
But stronger.
And that alone—
Was enough to calm something inside me.
"Doctor said you'll be discharged today," I said.
"I heard."
"And you're not going back to work immediately."
"I am."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
She raised a brow.
"Keifer."
I stepped closer.
Slow.
Firm.
"You're coming home and resting."
"I have patients."
"You have a damaged foot."
"I can manage—"
"I know you can," I cut in.
Her words stopped.
And I lowered my voice.
"But you don't have to."
Silence.
She looked at me.
Not arguing.
Just… thinking.
Discharge Scene
The nurse entered with paperwork.
Formalities.
Instructions.
Medication schedule.
Jay listened carefully, nodding.
Of course she did.
She was already ten steps ahead medically.
When everything was done—
She tried to stand.
And instantly—
Her body tensed.
I was beside her in a second.
"Easy."
"I'm fine."
"You're limping."
"I'm walking."
"Barely."
She gave me a look.
But didn't push me away when I held her arm.
That was new.
Possessive Moment (Subtle)
As we walked through the hospital corridor—
A male doctor approached.
Young.
Confident.
And looking at her a little too much.
"Dr. Jay," he said.
She nodded politely.
"Dr. Rohan."
"I heard about your case yesterday," he continued.
"Incredible work. I was hoping we could discuss—"
"She's off duty," I said calmly.
He paused.
Looked at me.
Then back at her.
Jay spoke before it escalated.
"Another time, doctor."
Professional.
Controlled.
But I didn't miss the slight shift.
The hesitation.
He nodded.
"Of course."
But his eyes lingered.
Too long.
I didn't like that.
Not one bit.
Jay's POV
The moment we walked ahead—
I felt it.
His energy had changed.
"You didn't have to do that," I said.
"I did."
"It was just a conversation."
"He was looking at you."
I stopped walking.
"That's normal."
"Not the way he was."
I raised a brow.
"You sound jealous."
"I am."
That caught me off guard.
"You're… admitting that?"
"I don't hide things."
I stared at him.
And then—
I laughed.
Softly.
"You're unbelievable."
"And you're mine."
The words came out naturally.
Not controlling.
Not claiming ownership.
Just…
Certain.
My heart skipped.
Car Ride – Soft Romance
He opened the car door for me.
Helped me sit.
Carefully.
Put the seatbelt on.
Again.
"You don't have to do all this."
"I want to."
His fingers brushed slightly against my shoulder as he pulled back.
That small touch lingered.
Keifer's POV
I didn't like the idea of her going back to an empty house.
Not after everything.
Not when she could barely walk properly.
"I'm coming with you," I said as I started the car.
She looked at me.
"For what?"
"To make sure you don't do something stupid."
"I don't—"
"You stepped on a nail in your own house."
She went quiet.
Exactly.
Jay's POV – Almost Living Together
When we reached my apartment—
He didn't leave.
Of course he didn't.
I unlocked the door and stepped inside slowly.
He followed.
Looking around.
Taking everything in.
"This is where you've been living?" he asked.
"Yes."
Alone.
Unsaid.
But understood.
He walked further inside.
His presence filled the space.
Changed it.
"You shouldn't be alone right now," he said.
"I'm not helpless."
"I didn't say you were."
He turned to face me.
"But you don't have to prove strength by isolating yourself."
I looked at him.
"And what are you suggesting?"
He stepped closer.
"Let me stay."
Silence.
That one sentence changed the air.
Tension + Softness
"You're already here," I said quietly.
"That's not what I meant."
I held his gaze.
"I know."
A pause.
Long.
Heavy.
Then—
"Not permanently," he added.
"Just… until you're better."
I considered it.
Carefully.
Logically.
Emotionally.
"You don't trust me to manage alone?"
"I trust you to overwork yourself and ignore pain."
Fair.
Very fair.
Flirty Shift
I sighed.
"You're very persistent."
"And you're very difficult."
I smirked slightly.
"And yet, you're still here."
"Exactly."
Final Moment
I walked toward the couch slowly and sat down.
He was there in seconds.
Adjusting my leg.
Making sure I was comfortable.
"You act like this is your house," I muttered.
He looked at me.
Calm.
Confident.
"If you let me… it can be."
My breath caught slightly.
That wasn't a joke.
That wasn't flirting.
That was something deeper.
I looked away.
"You're not subtle."
"I don't want to be."
Ending
The apartment didn't feel empty anymore.
Not with him there.
Not with his presence filling every quiet corner.
And for the first time in a long time—
Being taken care of…
Didn't feel like weakness.
It felt like…
Home.