✦ CHAPTER — AFTER THE NIGHT ✦
Jayjay's POV
I woke up slowly.
Not peacefully.
Not fully rested.
Just… awake.
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The first thing I felt—
was warmth.
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His arm.
Around me.
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Keifer.
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For a moment, I didn't move.
Last night flashed through my mind.
The crying.
The words.
The way he held me.
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My chest tightened slightly.
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Carefully—
I moved his arm away.
Slow.
Gentle.
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He stirred a little.
But didn't wake.
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I got up quietly.
Not looking at him again.
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Because if I did—
I might soften.
And I didn't want to right now.
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Downstairs felt quieter.
Calmer.
Safer.
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I made breakfast.
Simple.
Routine.
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Something to keep my hands busy.
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A few minutes later—
I heard footsteps.
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I didn't turn.
I already knew.
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Keifer.
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He didn't say anything at first.
Just walked in.
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Then—
I felt it.
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His presence right behind me.
Close.
Too close.
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Before I could react—
his arm wrapped around my waist.
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My breath hitched slightly.
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"Morning, baby."
His voice was low.
Sleepy.
Soft.
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I froze for a second.
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That word again.
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But this time—
I didn't melt into it.
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"…Morning," I replied quietly.
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He didn't move away.
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Instead—
he leaned down slightly.
Resting his chin on my shoulder.
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Close.
Comfortable.
Like it was natural.
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His breath brushed lightly against my neck.
Warm.
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"You left," he murmured.
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Not accusing.
Just… noticing.
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"I didn't want to wake you," I said.
Calm.
Neutral.
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A pause.
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His hold tightened slightly.
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"You should've."
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I didn't answer.
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Because I didn't know how to.
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Because a part of me still heard his words from last night.
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You're too attached.
Don't.
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So instead—
I focused on the food.
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"You should eat," I said softly.
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Trying to shift it.
Keep it simple.
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But he didn't move.
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His chin stayed on my shoulder.
His arm still around me.
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"Look at me."
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I didn't.
Not immediately.
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"…Jay."
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Something in his voice made me pause.
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I turned slightly.
Just enough.
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His eyes were already on me.
Focused.
Careful.
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"You're quiet," he said.
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"I'm fine."
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Too quick.
Too easy.
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He noticed.
Of course he did.
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His hand shifted slightly at my waist.
Not letting go.
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"You're not."
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Silence.
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I looked away again.
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"It's nothing."
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A lie.
A soft one.
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But he didn't push harder.
Not this time.
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Instead—
he leaned closer.
Just a little.
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His chin brushing my shoulder again.
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"…don't do that."
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I frowned slightly.
"…Do what?"
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"Shut me out."
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My chest tightened.
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"I'm not."
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But my voice wasn't convincing.
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He exhaled softly.
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Then—
his hand moved slightly.
Turning me gently toward him.
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Not force.
Just enough.
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"You can be mad at me," he said quietly.
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I looked at him.
Really looked.
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"You should be."
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That made something in me shift.
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"…I'm not mad," I said softly.
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That part was true.
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"I just…"
I paused.
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"I don't want to feel like that again."
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His expression changed.
Immediately.
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Softer.
Heavier.
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His hand tightened slightly on mine.
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"You won't."
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A quiet promise.
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I didn't answer.
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But I didn't pull away either.
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So he stayed close.
Arm still around me.
Chin still resting lightly on my shoulder.
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And for now—
that was enough for both of us. 🤍
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✦ CHAPTER — STAY CLOSE ✦
Keifer's POV
She wasn't the same.
Not completely.
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Not cold.
Not distant enough for others to notice.
But I did.
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The way she didn't look at me for too long.
The way her voice stayed calm.
Too calm.
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Like she was choosing her words carefully now.
Like she was holding something back.
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I didn't like it.
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I watched her from across the table.
She was eating quietly.
Focused.
Avoiding my eyes without making it obvious.
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My jaw tightened slightly.
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This was my fault.
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I knew it.
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And I didn't know how to fix it the way she needed.
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So instead—
I stood up.
Walked over.
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She didn't look up immediately.
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Good.
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I stopped right beside her.
Close.
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Then I reached out.
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My hand rested lightly on the back of her chair.
Sliding down slowly.
Until it touched her shoulder.
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She stilled.
Just slightly.
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But she didn't move away.
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That was enough.
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I leaned down.
Resting my chin against her shoulder again.
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Close.
Familiar.
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"…eat properly," I murmured.
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She blinked softly.
"…I am."
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Her voice was steady.
But I could hear it.
That small distance.
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I didn't like it.
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My hand moved from her shoulder.
Down to her wrist.
Light.
Careful.
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I turned it slightly.
Just enough to make her look at me.
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Her eyes met mine for a second.
Then almost slipped away again.
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"Stay."
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One word.
Low.
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She paused.
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"…I'm not going anywhere," she said quietly.
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That wasn't what I meant.
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My grip tightened slightly.
Not enough to hurt.
Just enough to hold.
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"Then stop acting like you are."
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Silence.
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She looked at me again.
This time longer.
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Something in her eyes shifted.
Not hurt.
Not fully.
But guarded.
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"I'm just… thinking," she said.
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About what?
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I didn't ask.
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Instead—
I moved closer.
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My arm wrapped around her waist again.
Pulling her gently back against me.
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This time—
she let it happen.
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No hesitation.
But no leaning into it either.
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That small difference—
I felt it.
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My chin rested against her shoulder again.
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"You didn't sleep properly," I said quietly.
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"You didn't either."
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A pause.
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That made something in me almost… soften.
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My fingers tightened slightly at her waist.
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"…I don't need it."
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"You do."
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Her voice was soft.
But firm.
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I went quiet.
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Because no one says that to me.
No one cares enough to say that.
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Except her.
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And I almost ruined that.
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My head tilted slightly.
Closer.
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"…don't stop caring," I said.
Low.
Barely there.
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The words slipped out before I could stop them.
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Silence.
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She didn't respond immediately.
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But I felt it.
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Her hand moving slightly.
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Resting over mine.
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Not fully holding.
But not pushing away either.
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A quiet answer.
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I exhaled slowly.
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Then leaned just a little closer.
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"…baby."
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Her breath hitched softly.
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But she didn't pull away.
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And that—
was enough for now.