Percy left early that morning.
Two days, he had said while grabbing his jacket. "Urgent work. Don't wait up too much, alright?"
Jay stood near the kitchen counter, still half-asleep. "Two days? That's sudden."
He ruffled her hair lightly. "I'll be fine. Just stay safe."
Then he left.
The door closed softly behind him.
And the apartment felt quieter than usual.
By afternoon, Jay already felt off.
By evening, it was worse.
She sat curled on the couch, one hand pressed lightly against her stomach, trying to breathe through the discomfort.
Her phone buzzed.
Keifer.
Once. Twice.
She saw it.
She didn't answer.
Not because she didn't want to—
but because she didn't know how to explain what she was feeling.
Keifer's POV
Something was wrong.
Jay didn't ignore calls.
Not like this.
He waited a while.
Then shut everything down.
Grabbed his coat.
And left.
Jay's Apartment
The knock came firm.
Then again.
She slowly stood and opened the door.
Keifer was there.
Suit still on. Calm face. Focused eyes.
"You didn't come to work," he said immediately.
"I know," she replied softly.
"You didn't answer my calls."
"I was sleeping."
He stepped inside without asking further.
The apartment was quiet.
"Where's Percy?"
"He left this morning," she said. "Said it's urgent. Two days."
Keifer nodded once.
Then looked at her properly.
Too pale.
Too quiet.
Too careful with her movements.
She turned away slightly and sat on the couch again, curling in slowly.
That small movement gave her away.
His voice lowered. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Jay."
"I'm fine."
A pause.
He didn't push yet—but he didn't believe her.
She hesitated.
Her hand pressed lightly against her stomach.
And this time, she couldn't hide it anymore.
"…It's just my period," she admitted quietly, eyes dropping.
Silence.
She braced herself.
But nothing awkward came.
Instead—
"Does it hurt?" he asked calmly.
That was it.
No judgment. No embarrassment.
Just concern.
She nodded slightly.
"A bit."
He exhaled once and turned toward the kitchen.
"Where are you going?" she asked softly.
"To your kitchen."
"You don't need to—"
"You haven't eaten."
That ended it.
A While Later
She heard him moving around.
Cabinets opening.
Light footsteps.
Then the smell of warm food.
She stayed on the couch, trying not to focus on the pain too much.
He came back with a tray.
Simple food. Warm tea.
He placed it in front of her.
"Eat."
She blinked. "You cooked?"
"Yes."
"You didn't have to."
"I know."
No extra words.
Just calm care.
She ate slowly while he sat beside her.
Not staring.
Just staying.
When she finished, he stood again and grabbed his coat.
She frowned. "You're leaving?"
"I'll be back," he said.
She sighed slightly. "You always say that."
His hand paused.
Then he looked at her properly.
"I always come back."
That made her quiet.
He stepped closer.
"Stay here."
Then he left.
Door closed.
Later
The apartment had been quiet for almost an hour when the door opened again.
Keifer walked in carrying a bag.
He didn't say anything at first.
Just placed it on the table.
Jay looked up from the couch. "What is that?"
He opened it.
Heating pad.
Chocolate.
Sanitary pads.
She stared at him.
"You… went out again?"
"Yes."
"You bought all this yourself?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No awkwardness.
Just fact.
He sat beside her and plugged in the heating pad.
Then gently placed it against her stomach.
"Better?" he asked.
She nodded slowly.
He handed her the chocolate.
"You don't need to do all this," she said quietly.
"I know."
"Then why are you?"
He looked at her for a second.
"Because you're not fine."
Silence.
Soft.
Heavy.
He shifted closer and gently pulled her toward him.
She didn't resist.
Her head rested against his chest.
His arm wrapped around her waist carefully.
Warm.
Steady.
His hand moved slowly in small circles on her side.
"You should've told me," he murmured.
"You were busy."
"I wasn't."
That made her look up slightly.
"…You weren't?"
"I left everything."
Her chest tightened a little.
"For me?"
"Yes."
Simple.
Real.
She leaned up and kissed him softly.
Not intense.
Not jealous.
Just grateful.
He kissed her back gently.
Then pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Sleep," he said quietly.
She nodded slightly and curled closer into him.
Her head rested against his chest.
His heartbeat steady under her ear.
His arm firm but soft around her waist.
Within minutes, her breathing slowed.
She fell asleep.
Keifer didn't move.
Didn't check anything.
Didn't leave.
He just stayed.
Because Percy was gone for two days.
And she wasn't going to feel alone in them.