(a/n : sry for being 38 mins late besties actually i tried to post it but it was showing try later 😔😔💗💗💗. hope you all understand)
The laughter that had filled the rooftop bar a few minutes ago had faded into a heavy stillness.
Only Jay's trembling voice remained, her confession slicing through the air.
Jay (softly): "He made me afraid to exist in my own home. Every time I thought it would stop… it didn't."
Her hands shook as she tried to grip the edge of the table. The glass beside her tilted, spilling slowly over the wooden surface.
Freya reached to steady it, but her eyes never left Jay — wide, red, and wet.
Freya: "Jay… you're safe now. You don't have to hold that alone anymore."
Jay gave a small, hollow laugh — one that hurt to hear.
Jay: "Safe? It's funny. I forgot what that word even means."
Rory (quietly): "What… what happened?"
No one answered. Jay's voice cracked through the silence.
Jay: "He wasn't my father. Just a man who made me hate the mirror."
Every word hit them like a stone thrown into still water.
Felix's jaw clenched.
Denzel's fists tightened around the table.
Even josh— usually expressionless — looked away, his throat moving as if he were holding back something raw.
Then Keifer entered. He froze when he saw her. His gaze flickered from the spilled drink to Jay's shaking shoulders.
Aries walked forward slowly, voice shaking."You should've told me, Jay."
Jay looked up, startled. The sight of Aries standing there, eyes red, made her heart drop.
Jay (softly): "You weren't there… I didn't want to bother you."*
Aries stepped closer, his voice breaking. "I was supposed to protect you. Not leave you with them."
Jay tried to smile through the tears. "You didn't know."
He knelt beside her, pulling her into a tight hug. "I'm here now. And I swear, no one touches you again."
Keifer was still staring — the anger and heartbreak twisting inside him. He hated that she carried this quietly while he kept teasing her, while he thought he knew her.
He walked up behind her, his voice low but trembling."You hid all that behind that sarcastic smile."
Jay blinked at him, trying to hold herself together. "Because pity doesn't help, Keifer."
Keifer's jaw tightened. "It's not pity. It's—" He stopped himself, words choking him. "You're stronger than anyone I've ever met."
Yuri, still near the door, finally spoke, voice low."Now I get why she never flinches when people hurt her — she's already survived worse."
Honey wiped her tears. "And yet, she still smiles like it's easy."
Freya hugged Jay tightly again. "Because she doesn't want us to worry."
She turned, eyes glassy, and in that moment all the walls she'd ever built fell apart.
She looked up, eyes glossy. The moment she saw him, her lips trembled and she stood — stumbling forward until she fell against his chest, hugging him tightly.
it wasn't just a hug. It was the kind that said I'm breaking and I need you to hold me together.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, legs half-clinging to him — a koala hug.Keifer froze for a moment, then gently held her close, one hand on her back, the other cradling her head.
Jay (muffled, trembling): "He… he made me scared, Keif. Every time… I felt like I was nothing."
Keifer's jaw tightened. His eyes burned with anger he didn't let show — not at her, but at the man who'd done this to her.He held her tighter, whispering against her hair.
Keifer: "You're safe now, Jay. No one's ever going to touch you again. I promise."
it wasn't just a hug. It was the kind that said I'm breaking and I need you to hold me together.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, legs half-clinging to him — a koala hug.Keifer froze for a moment, then gently held her close, one hand on her back, the other cradling her head.
Jay (muffled, trembling): "He… he made me scared, Keif. Every time… I felt like I was nothing."
Keifer's jaw tightened. His eyes burned with anger he didn't let show — not at her, but at the man who'd done this to her.He held her tighter, whispering against her hair.
Keifer: "You're safe now, Jay. No one's ever going to touch you again. I promise."
.Freya quietly turned away, wiping her tears.
Cin covered his mouth, shoulders shaking.
Rory looked down at his shoes, anger trembling in his breath.
Rory (muttering): "If that man was alive… I swear I'd—"
Felix: "Don't. Keifer's already holding her together. We can't fall apart now."
The room was filled with a thousand unspoken emotions — guilt for not knowing, rage at the faceless man who'd hurt her, heartbreak for the girl who'd always smiled through her scars.
Jay's voice softened, barely a whisper.
Jay: "I'm tired… Keif. Just tired."
He pulled back slightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Keifer (softly): "Then let's go home."
Keifer turned to the group.
Keifer: "You all go back. I'll handle her."
mayo whispered to kit
mayo: "He's never looked at anyone like that before…"
Felix nodded.
kit: "Yeah. That's love… real one."
No one stopped him when he lifted her into his arms. The night air was cold outside, but his warmth wrapped around her like a shield.
Section E followed them out silently, their steps softer now, their hearts heavier.
aries called after him quietly,
aries: "Take care of her… please."
Keifer nodded once, the streetlights casting gold on his sharp features.
Keifer: "Always."
The drive to the Watson mansion was quiet.
Jay leaned against the window, half-asleep, her fingers still tangled in the sleeve of his jacket.
Keifer glanced at her every few seconds, his eyes soft — afraid she might disappear if he looked away too long.
When they arrived, the grand gates opened soundlessly. The mansion's lights glowed faintly through the trees.
Keifer parked, stepped out, and went around to open her door.
Jay didn't wake when he lifted her — just sighed softly, curling closer into his chest like she always belonged there.
Inside, the maids froze at the sight — their usual discipline breaking into worry.
Maid: "Sir, is Miss Jay—?"
Keifer (quietly): "She's fine. Just… had a rough night."
They hurried ahead.
Keifer carried her upstairs, every step careful. He laid her gently on the bed, pulling the blanket over her.
Jay stirred, opening her eyes halfway.
Jay (drowsy): "You didn't leave."
Keifer: "Didn't plan to."
He sat beside her, brushing his thumb over her knuckles.
Jay (whispering): "Why do you stay?"
Keifer: "Because I'd rather break with you than watch you break alone."
A small tear escaped her eye. She reached for his hand and tugged weakly until he lay beside her — over the covers, careful not to crowd her space.
Jay shifted closer, resting her head on his shoulder, arms wrapping around him.
Keifer stiffened for a second, then exhaled, wrapping one arm around her protectively.
The room was quiet — only their breathing and the soft hum of the night.
Jay (half-asleep): "You make me feel safe, Keif."
Keifer (whispering): "That's all I ever wanted."
And for the first time in years, Jay slept without fear.Keifer stayed awake long after, watching her, guarding her peace like it was something sacred.