Authors (pov)
The room was quiet.
Not peaceful.
Heavy.
Soft light fell across the bed where Jay lay, unmoving, her breathing slow but steady.
Keifer sat beside her.
Close.
One hand wrapped gently around hers.
His thumb moved slightly over her skin—
again and again—
like he was making sure she was still there.
He hadn't moved.
Not even once.
Across the room—
Keigen sat on the chair.
Far.
Too far.
His elbows rested on his knees, his hands covering his face.
But the silence didn't hide it.
He was still crying.
"Kuya…" his voice came out small.
Keifer didn't look up.
"Hmm?"
A pause.
"…will she wake up?"
The question hung in the air.
Fragile.
Like he was scared of the answer.
Keifer's grip on Jay's hand tightened slightly.
"She will," he said quietly.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
"She's not the kind who leaves."
Keigen slowly lowered his hands, his eyes red, unfocused.
"But I—" his voice broke again, "I hurt her…"
Keifer finally looked at him.
"She knows you," he said calmly. "More than you think."
A pause.
"And when she wakes up…" his voice softened just a little, "she'll take care of you like mom used to."
That—
broke something again.
Keigen's lips trembled.
"…then I'll wait," he whispered.
"I won't go anywhere…"
Silence returned.
But this time—
it felt different.
Softer.
Then—
a small movement.
So slight—
it could've been missed.
But Keifer didn't miss it.
His eyes snapped to her hand.
Her fingers—
moved.
Just a little.
"Jay…?" his voice came out low, careful.
Her eyelids fluttered.
Slow.
Heavy.
Like even that was difficult.
Light hit her eyes and she flinched slightly.
Keifer leaned closer instantly.
"Easy… don't force it," he said softly.
Her eyes opened—
not fully—
just enough.
Blurred.
Unfocused.
Her breathing shifted slightly.
"…why…" her voice was barely there, almost lost in the air, "why are you both… looking like that…"
A weak attempt.
At normal.
Relief hit—
but it wasn't complete.
"Don't talk," Keifer said quickly, his voice softer now. "Just rest."
Her gaze moved slowly.
Past him.
To the corner.
Keigen.
He froze.
Didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
"…Keigen…" she whispered.
That was enough.
He stood up immediately.
Then stopped.
Like he didn't know if he was allowed to come closer.
Keifer glanced at him—
just once—
and gave a small nod.
That was all he needed.
Keigen walked forward slowly.
Carefully.
Like even the air around her was fragile.
Jay lifted her hand slightly—
weak.
Shaking.
Reaching for him.
He froze again—
then quickly took her hand.
Gently.
Too gently.
Like he was afraid he would hurt her again.
"…you okay…?" she whispered.
Not about herself.
About him.
His breath broke.
"I'm sorry…" he said immediately, his voice cracking. "I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to—I didn't—"
She shook her head slightly.
A small movement.
But enough to stop him.
"It's okay…"
Her voice was soft.
Weak.
But real.
And that—
hurt more than anything.
Keifer watched them.
Silent.
His jaw tight.
Because even now—
she chose him.
She stayed.
And somehow—
she still came back.
Keifer (pov)
She was awake.
That still didn't feel real.
Even now—
as she rested against the pillows, eyes half-open—
I kept watching her.
Making sure she stayed.
She moved slightly.
Her hand lifted toward her head—
then paused.
Pain.
I caught her wrist before she could touch it.
"Easy."
My voice stayed calm.
Her breath softened.
"I'm not…" she murmured.
She was.
I adjusted the pillow behind her.
"Don't move too much."
She didn't argue.
Across the room—
Keigen stood like he didn't belong there.
"Water…" he said suddenly.
And left before I could respond.
"…he's still crying?" she asked softly.
"He'll stop."
A few seconds later, he came back.
Too fast.
The glass shaking in his hands.
"I—I brought water…"
I took it and helped her sit up slightly.
Carefully.
"Small sips."
She drank.
Barely.
"…does it hurt?" Keigen asked.
She looked at him.
Then shook her head.
"It's okay…"
It wasn't.
But she wasn't saying it for herself.
"…I hurt you," he whispered.
She reached for him again.
Weak.
Still.
He moved instantly this time.
Sat closer.
Held her hand like it would break.
"I'm okay," she said softly.
Then—
"You're okay… right?"
I looked at her.
Even now—
that's what she asked.
Keigen broke.
But stayed.
🌙 Night
The room dimmed.
She had fallen asleep again.
Peaceful.
For now.
I stayed beside her.
Still holding her hand.
Keigen sat on the floor, leaning against the bed.
Watching her.
"Kuya…" he whispered.
"Hmm."
"What if she wakes up… and I'm not here…"
"She won't like that."
A pause.
"She stayed for you."
Silence.
"…then I'll stay too."
Time passed quietly.
Then—
a movement.
Small.
But wrong.
Her breathing shifted.
Uneven.
Her fingers tightened suddenly around mine.
I looked at her immediately.
"Jay?"
Her brows furrowed slightly.
She tried to move.
Tried to sit up.
Too fast.
I was already there.
"Don't."
My hand steadied her instantly.
But the moment she lifted—
her body swayed.
Her grip tightened on my arm.
Her eyes squeezed shut.
The room was spinning for her.
I could see it.
Keigen stood up instantly.
"Kuya—what's happening—"
"She's dizzy," I said quickly, supporting her fully now.
"Jay, look at me."
She didn't.
Her breathing uneven.
"I'm fine…" she whispered weakly.
She wasn't.
I adjusted her back down carefully.
Slow.
Supporting her head.
"Don't move," I said, quieter now.
Her hand still held onto mine.
Tight.
Like she needed something to stay grounded.
"…relax," she murmured faintly, forcing her eyes open just a little.
A small smile.
Weak.
But there.
Keigen froze.
Watching her like she might disappear again.
After a moment—
her grip loosened.
Her breathing steadied.
She fell back asleep.
This time—
deeper.
Safer.
The room went quiet again.
But not heavy.
Just still.
I didn't let go of her hand.
Not even for a second.
"…don't do that again," I thought
And this time—
I meant it.