Chapter 47: The Argument That Wasn't Really an Argument
(Jay Jay's POV)
The Watson mansion had never felt this quiet before.
For the first time in months there were no guards running through the halls, no weapons laid out across the dining table, no strategy meetings that lasted until sunrise.
Just silence.
And honestly…
It was a little weird.
I was sprawled across the living room couch with a blanket around my shoulders, scrolling through my phone lazily.
News headlines.
Random videos.
Messages from people I hadn't replied to in weeks.
Normal things.
Things that used to feel boring.
Now they felt strangely comforting.
From the kitchen I could hear running water and the occasional clatter of plates.
Keifer was washing dishes.
Which was still funny to me.
Because this was the same man who ran an underground organization, commanded armed men, and took down criminal networks.
But right now?
He was arguing with a frying pan.
Keifer (from the kitchen):
"Why is this pan so greasy?"
I didn't even look up from my phone.
Jay:
"Because you cooked."
There was a pause.
Then his voice again.
Keifer:
"That's not helpful."
I smirked and kept scrolling.
A few minutes later he appeared in the doorway with wet hands and a suspicious expression.
Keifer:
"What are you doing?"
Jay:
"Scrolling."
Keifer crossed his arms.
Keifer:
"You've been scrolling for forty minutes."
Jay:
"And?"
He pointed at my side.
Keifer:
"The doctor said rest."
Jay:
"I am resting."
He narrowed his eyes.
Keifer:
"That doesn't look like rest."
Jay:
"You're washing dishes."
He blinked.
Jay:
"You lost this argument already."
He muttered something under his breath and went back to the kitchen.
I heard the faucet turn back on.
I continued scrolling.
But eventually…
Something caught my attention.
A food video.
Chocolate brownies.
Cookies.
Chips.
Candy.
My stomach growled immediately.
I sat up slowly.
Jay:
"…Oh no."
The pantry raid from last night had not been enough.
Apparently.
I stood up carefully and walked toward the kitchen.
Keifer was standing at the sink with sleeves rolled up, washing the last few plates.
He looked oddly domestic.
Jay:
"Hey."
He glanced over his shoulder.
Keifer:
"Hey."
Jay:
"I'm going to the mini mart."
The plate in his hand froze.
Completely.
Slowly…
Very slowly…
He turned around.
Keifer:
"No."
Jay:
"…I wasn't asking."
He dried his hands calmly.
Too calmly.
Keifer:
"I'll come with you."
Jay:
"No."
Keifer:
"Yes."
Jay:
"I'm just going to buy snacks."
Keifer:
"I know."
Jay:
"So why are you coming?"
He looked at me like the answer was obvious.
Keifer:
"Because you got shot three days ago."
I sighed dramatically.
Jay:
"I can walk to a store."
Keifer shook his head.
Keifer:
"I'm coming."
Jay:
"You don't have to."
Keifer:
"I want to."
Jay:
"You're being overprotective."
Keifer leaned against the counter.
Keifer:
"You're being reckless."
Jay:
"I am literally going to buy chips."
Keifer:
"With a bullet wound."
Jay:
"It's healing."
Keifer:
"Still coming."
I groaned loudly.
Jay:
"You don't need to escort me everywhere."
He stepped closer.
Keifer:
"I'm not escorting you."
Jay:
"You literally are."
Keifer:
"I'm accompanying you."
Jay:
"That's the same thing."
He shrugged.
Keifer:
"Different word."
I threw my hands in the air.
Jay:
"This is ridiculous."
Keifer remained completely calm.
Which somehow made it worse.
Jay:
"I'm not fragile."
Keifer's expression softened slightly.
Keifer:
"I know."
Jay:
"Then stop acting like I am."
He looked at my side again.
The bandage visible under my shirt.
And the softness disappeared.
Keifer:
"You almost died."
The words hung in the air.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
I looked away.
Jay:
"I didn't."
He walked closer.
Slowly.
Keifer:
"I saw you collapse."
My chest tightened.
Keifer:
"I carried you while you were bleeding."
His voice dropped.
Quieter.
Rougher.
Keifer:
"I thought you were gone."
The frustration inside me softened.
Just a little.
Jay:
"Keifer…"
He ran a hand through his hair.
Clearly trying to calm himself.
Keifer:
"So yeah."
He gestured toward the door.
Keifer:
"I'm coming."
I stared at him for a moment.
Then sighed.
Jay:
"You're impossible."
Keifer smirked slightly.
Keifer:
"I've been told."
Jay:
"Fine."
I grabbed my jacket.
Jay:
"But if you try to stop me from buying chocolate again…"
Keifer raised an eyebrow.
Keifer:
"The doctor said—"
Jay:
"I will run away."
He laughed.
Actually laughed.
Keifer:
"You can barely jog right now."
Jay:
"Don't underestimate my motivation."
He grabbed the car keys from the counter.
Keifer:
"Let's go before you start another pantry raid."
Jay:
"That was a successful mission."
Keifer opened the front door.
Cool night air rushed inside.
Keifer:
"You call chocolate theft a mission."
Jay:
"I regret nothing."
We stepped outside together.
The long driveway of the Watson mansion stretching out in front of us.
The night calm.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Keifer locked the door behind us.
Then glanced at me again.
Just to make sure I was okay.
I caught him doing it.
Jay:
"Stop checking if I'm alive."
Keifer:
"Can't help it."
Jay:
"I'm fine."
He smiled slightly.
But still walked closer.
Close enough that our shoulders brushed as we headed toward the car.
Keifer:
"Good."
Because even though the war was over…
And the mansion was finally peaceful…
Some habits were clearly not going anywhere.