Jay's POV
The building was finally quiet.
Not perfectly fixed. Not fully repaired.
But breathing again.
Hannah had taken some of boys home. Miguel and Carlos were still downstairs reviewing security footage. Hex had gone to "check something" which meant he was probably rewriting half the firewall out of spite.
And somehow…
Keifer was still here.
Sitting across from me.
Feet on the floor this time. Surprisingly respectful.
I leaned back in my chair and removed my heels.
"You're still here."
He shrugged. "I said I'd help."
"You haven't helped."
"I helped punch someone."
I tried not to smile.
He leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees.
"You're limping."
"I'm not."
"You are."
I stood up immediately just to prove a point.
Took three steps.
Pain stabbed my leg.
I paused.
He raised one eyebrow.
"…It's minimal."
He stood up.
Before I could protest, he walked over and gently caught my wrist.
"Sit."
His tone wasn't joking this time.
I stared at him for a second.
Then sat on the couch instead of the executive chair.
He crouched in front of me.
"Show me."
"It's just a scratch."
"Jay."
I sighed and slightly lifted the fabric near the cut.
It wasn't deep. Just long.
He stared at it like it insulted him personally.
"You said it wasn't serious."
"It isn't."
"You bleed like a normal human, you know."
I tilted my head. "Disappointed?"
"A little. I thought you were part robot."
I laughed softly.
There it was.
Normal.
He looked up at me.
"Does it hurt?"
"Only when I move."
"So… don't move."
I folded my arms. "I have a company to run."
"You almost got stabbed."
"And?"
"And that bothers me."
The way he said it made my chest feel strange.
I looked away first.
"You looked angry," I said quietly.
"When?"
"When he cut me."
He didn't answer immediately.
Then:
"I was."
Silence settled.
The city lights flickered outside the glass wall.
"You don't have to fight like that," he said.
I smiled faintly. "Yes, I do."
"Why?"
"Because if I don't, people think I can't."
He shook his head. "No one thinks that."
"I do."
That made him pause.
He stood up and walked to my desk, picking up my mask.
He turned it in his hands.
"You hide fear well."
"It's a talent."
He walked back and stood close.
Too close.
"You don't have to hide it from me."
My heart betrayed me by beating louder.
"I'm not hiding," I said calmly.
"You are."
He leaned slightly closer.
"I saw it."
"Saw what?"
"When the glass shattered. Before you moved."
I swallowed.
For half a second… I had hesitated.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"You're not fearless," he said softly. "You're just stubborn."
I smirked. "That's worse."
He laughed under his breath.
Then he did something unexpected.
He reached behind me and gently adjusted the cushion so I could lean more comfortably.
"CEO treatment," he said casually.
I stared at him.
"You're being unusually considerate."
"Don't get used to it."
I smiled.
The room felt smaller somehow.
Quieter.
He sat beside me this time.
Not across.
"Do you ever get tired?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Of fighting."
I thought about it.
"…No."
He looked at me sideways.
"I get tired of protecting people who don't protect themselves."
He was quiet for a moment.
Then he said:
"You don't have to protect me."
"I know."
"I can fight."
"I know."
"Then why do you look at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like I'm going to break."
I blinked.
I didn't realize I did that.
He leaned back against the couch.
"I'm not glass."
"I know."
"Then trust me."
I looked at him properly this time.
"You almost got into my building without permission."
"I did get in."
"After threatening a guard."
"He deserved it."
I rolled my eyes.
He smiled slightly.
"You know," he added, "when you wore the mask on me…"
"Yes?"
"For a second I understood you."
I didn't expect that.
"It's quieter," he continued. "Less intense."
"That's the point."
"But also… lonelier."
That word stayed in the air.
I looked down at my hands.
He nudged my shoulder lightly.
"You don't have to fight alone."
I didn't know what to say to that.
So I did what I always do when emotions try to corner me.
I teased.
"Are you volunteering?"
He grinned.
"Depends."
"On what?"
"Is this a job application?"
I laughed.
"Benefits include possible stabbing."
"Hazard pay?"
"Emotional damage."
He pretended to think.
"I'll consider it."
Silence again.
But comfortable this time.
He glanced at the city lights.
Then back at me.
"You looked good in that suit."
I blinked.
"That's your serious comment?"
"I'm serious."
"You're ridiculous."
"And you're blushing."
"I am not."
He leaned closer, examining my face like a scientist.
"You are."
"Keifer."
"Yes?"
"If you don't stop staring, I'm charging you rent."
He smiled softly.
"Worth it."
My heart did something very unprofessional.
Footsteps echoed faintly in the hallway.
Hex's voice somewhere outside.
The world creeping back in.
Keifer stood up slowly.
"I should go before your Night Byte gets suspicious."
"He doesn't get suspicious."
"He definitely does."
I stood carefully.
He noticed the slight wince but didn't comment.
At the door, he paused.
Turned back.
"You scared me today."
I froze slightly.
"…Sorry."
"Don't apologize," he said. "Just… don't do it alone next time."
Then he left.
The office felt bigger again.
Quieter.
I walked back to my desk and sat down.
My leg hurt a little.
But something else felt warmer.
Kaizer could attack buildings.
Break glass.
Hack systems.
But right now?
The only thing echoing in my mind was:
"You don't have to fight alone."
And for once…
I didn't hate the idea.
End of Chapter. 💙