✦ CHAPTER — QUIET NIGHTS ✦
Jayjay's POV
I don't know when I fell asleep.
All I remember—
was him.
His hand in my hair.
His heartbeat under my ear.
The warmth.
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When I woke up—
it was evening.
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The room was dim.
Soft light slipping through the curtains.
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And I was still on him.
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My head resting against his chest.
His arm still around me.
Like he never moved.
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My fingers were still holding onto his shirt.
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I stilled.
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He stayed.
---
Didn't pull away.
Didn't shift.
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"…you're awake."
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My breath caught.
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His voice was low.
Quiet.
Right above me.
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"…yeah."
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I didn't move immediately.
Didn't want to break it.
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His hand moved slowly through my hair again.
Like he did before I slept.
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"Feeling better?"
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"…a little."
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A pause.
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"Good."
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That one word—
soft.
Relieved.
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I slowly pushed myself up.
Sitting beside him now.
---
My hair slightly messy.
My mind… calmer.
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"I should go shower," I murmured.
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He nodded once.
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But his hand—
lingered for a second longer at my waist before letting go.
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Like he didn't want to.
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I noticed.
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And for some reason—
my chest felt warm.
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Jayjay's POV
The water felt nice.
Warm.
Relaxing.
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It eased everything.
The pain.
The tension.
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Even my thoughts.
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I stayed there longer than usual.
Letting myself breathe.
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When I came out—
I felt lighter.
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I changed into something soft.
Comfortable.
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And when I stepped out—
he was still there.
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Waiting.
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Leaning slightly against the wall.
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My steps slowed.
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"You didn't leave."
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He looked at me.
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"I said I wouldn't."
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Simple.
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My chest tightened slightly.
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"…right."
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A small silence passed.
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Then—
"Come."
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I blinked.
"…where?"
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"Out."
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"…now?"
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A slight nod.
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"You didn't eat properly."
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Of course.
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I didn't argue.
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"…okay."
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Keifer's POV
She looked better.
Not completely.
But enough.
---
And that was all I needed.
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I opened the car door for her.
Waited until she sat.
Closed it gently.
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The drive was quiet.
But not distant.
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Just… calm.
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I didn't take her somewhere crowded.
Didn't take her anywhere loud.
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Instead—
somewhere quiet.
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A small place.
Warm lights.
Soft atmosphere.
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Private.
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She looked around slightly.
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"It's nice."
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I watched her.
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"You'll be comfortable here."
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That mattered more.
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We sat.
Close.
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Not across.
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Beside each other.
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My arm rested lightly behind her.
Not pulling.
Just there.
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"What do you want?" I asked.
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She looked at the menu.
Then at me.
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"…anything."
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I frowned slightly.
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"You have to choose."
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A small smile appeared on her lips.
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"…you choose."
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I exhaled quietly.
But there was no irritation.
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Only something softer.
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"Fine."
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I ordered.
Simple things.
Warm food.
Something easy for her.
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When it came—
I noticed she didn't move immediately.
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"…eat."
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She nodded.
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Took a few bites.
Slow.
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I watched her without meaning to.
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"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked softly.
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"…making sure you eat."
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A pause.
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Her eyes softened just a little.
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And something in my chest shifted again.
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Because she wasn't pulling away now.
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Not like before.
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Just… quieter.
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And I could work with that.
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My hand moved slightly.
Resting gently over hers on the table.
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She stilled.
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Then—
didn't move it away.
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Instead—
her fingers curled slightly.
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Holding back.
But not letting go.
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And for tonight—
that was enough for me. 🤍
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✦ CHAPTER — JUST STAY ✦
Jayjay's POV
The place felt calm.
Too calm.
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Soft lights.
Low voices.
Nothing overwhelming.
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Just… peaceful.
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I didn't realize how much I needed that.
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Or how much I needed this.
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Him.
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Sitting beside me.
Close.
Quiet.
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His hand was still over mine.
Warm.
Steady.
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I didn't pull away.
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I couldn't.
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Not when it felt like this.
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Not when everything between us felt… softer.
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"You should eat more," he said quietly.
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"I am."
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"Not enough."
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A small pause.
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Then—
before I could react—
he picked up the fork.
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And held it toward me.
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My eyes widened slightly.
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"…Keifer."
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"Eat."
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His tone wasn't strict.
Not controlling.
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Just… caring.
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I hesitated.
Then leaned forward slightly.
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Took the bite.
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My cheeks warmed instantly.
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This felt—
too close.
Too soft.
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But I didn't stop him.
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He didn't say anything after that.
Just… stayed.
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Watched me eat.
Made sure I did.
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And for once—
I didn't feel like I had to pretend.
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Time passed quietly.
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Until—
we were done.
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The table cleared.
The space around us quieter than before.
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I didn't move immediately.
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Neither did he.
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His hand was still holding mine.
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And this time—
I turned my hand slightly.
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Holding his back.
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A small movement.
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But it meant more than I expected.
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He noticed.
Of course he did.
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His fingers tightened slightly.
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"…Jay."
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My breath caught.
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I turned my head.
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And he was already looking at me.
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Close.
Too close.
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But I didn't move away.
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Not this time.
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His hand lifted slowly.
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Brushing lightly against my cheek.
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My breath hitched.
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"You look better."
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His voice was softer than before.
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"…because of you."
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Silence.
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Something shifted in his eyes.
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Something deeper.
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His thumb brushed gently against my skin.
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And then—
he leaned in.
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Slow.
Careful.
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Giving me time.
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Time to stop him.
Time to move.
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But I didn't.
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My eyes closed slightly.
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And his lips met mine.
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Soft.
Warm.
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Nothing like before.
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No urgency.
No jealousy.
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Just… gentle.
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A quiet kiss.
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Like he was learning me.
Not taking.
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My fingers tightened slightly against his shirt.
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And I leaned in—
just a little.
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That was enough.
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His hand moved to my waist.
Pulling me closer.
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The kiss deepened slightly.
Still soft.
Still careful.
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But this time—
I responded.
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And that changed everything.
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When he pulled back—
our foreheads rested together.
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His breath warm against my skin.
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"…tell me if I go too far."
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I opened my eyes slowly.
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"…you didn't."
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A pause.
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Then softer—
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"I won't."
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His hand stayed at my waist.
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Holding me there.
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Not letting the moment break too quickly.
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And for once—
I didn't feel like stepping back