keifers (pov)
The house didn't stay loud for long.
After her little panic—
everything settled.
Too quietly.
Keiren stretched and tossed the UNO cards aside.
"I'm done. I lost my dignity."
"You never had it," Jay replied softly.
Not sharp this time.
Tired.
Keigen smiled faintly.
I watched her.
She was still smiling—
but slower now.
Careful.
Good.
"Dinner?" Keiren said after a moment.
Jay looked at him.
"…you're cooking?"
"Absolutely not."
"…then why are you asking?"
"I'm hungry."
"…that makes sense."
Keigen stood.
"I'll call them," he said quietly.
And walked away.
Jay leaned back slightly.
Just a small movement—
but her expression shifted.
There.
That wince.
My jaw tightened.
"Come."
She looked at me.
"Again?"
"Yes."
"I can sit here."
"No."
A pause.
She sighed.
"…you're really not going to change your answer, are you?"
"No."
"…annoying."
"Alive."
She rolled her eyes—
but stood up.
This time—
she didn't argue when I stayed close.
🍽️ Dinner
The table was set.
Neat.
Quiet.
No chaos.
Jay sat down slowly.
I pulled the chair without thinking.
She noticed.
Didn't say anything.
Keigen placed food in front of her.
Carefully.
"Eat," he said softly.
She looked at him.
"…you sound like him now."
"I'm learning," he replied.
Keiren sat down across from them.
But even he stayed quiet this time.
For once.
I adjusted Jay's plate slightly.
"Start with this."
"I can choose what I eat."
"No."
She looked at me.
But there was no fight in it this time.
Just a small breath.
"…fine."
She started eating.
Slowly.
The room stayed quiet.
Not uncomfortable.
Just—
calm.
Every now and then—
Keigen looked at her.
Like he was making sure she was still there.
She noticed.
"…I'm okay," she said softly.
He nodded.
Didn't ask anything else.
Keiren leaned back slightly.
Watching both of them.
Then me.
But he didn't say anything.
For once—
he understood.
🛏️ Room
She sat on the bed again.
Carefully.
Better than before.
I stood near her for a moment.
Watching.
Making sure.
"You've been staring at me all day," she said quietly.
"You've been wincing all day."
"I was not."
I looked at her.
She held it—
for a few seconds.
Then looked away.
"…okay, maybe a little."
"A little."
She sighed softly.
"It's not that bad."
"You fainted."
"That was dramatic."
"That was real."
Silence.
Her fingers played with the edge of the blanket.
"…I didn't want him to feel worse," she said after a moment.
Of course.
"You don't have to pretend," I said.
"I'm not pretending."
"You are."
She looked at me.
Longer this time.
"…why do you always say things like that?"
"Because you don't."
That made her quiet.
"…you were scared?" she asked softly.
I didn't answer.
Didn't need to.
She saw it anyway.
"…you didn't sleep," she said.
"I didn't."
No lie this time.
Her expression softened.
"You should have."
"You should have too."
"I was unconscious."
"That doesn't count."
A small smile.
Real.
"…thank you," she said quietly.
"For what?"
"For staying."
"I wasn't going anywhere."
A pause.
Then—
"…stay now too?"
That—
was different.
I didn't answer.
I just moved.
Sat beside her.
Close.
She shifted toward me.
Like she expected it.
I wrapped my arm around her.
Slow.
Careful.
She rested against me instantly.
Her head settling just below my chin.
Breathing soft.
Tired.
I pulled the blanket over her.
Tucked it properly.
My hand resting lightly against her back.
"…does it still hurt?" I asked quietly.
"A little," she admitted.
At least she was honest now.
My hand moved slightly—
slow circles.
"Sleep."
"You didn't sleep either," she murmured.
"I will."
She didn't argue.
Her fingers curled into my shirt.
Holding.
After a few minutes—
her breathing slowed.
Even.
Peaceful.
I stayed awake.
Of course.
Holding her just a little closer.
"…don't pretend with me," I whispered.
Too quiet.
But maybe—
just enough.
Because even in sleep—
she moved closer.
And this time—
everything felt steady.