(Jay's POV)
We had just gotten off another ride when everything started blending into noise again—music, people shouting, Cin arguing about something pointless, Felix laughing like always.
I was walking slightly ahead this time, still talking to Rory about which ride we should go next.
"No, that one was better," I said.
"It was not," Rory argued. "You just screamed louder, that's why you think—"
Before he could finish—
there was a sharp movement behind me.
A thud.
Not loud.
But wrong.
I turned instantly.
Keifer had taken a step back, his balance slightly off, one hand coming up instinctively to steady himself. A man brushed past him like nothing happened—too fast, too careless.
Too intentional.
"Hey!" I said, stepping forward, but the guy didn't even turn back.
He just kept walking.
Like he didn't care.
Like he knew exactly what he did.
I frowned, looking after him. "What the hell—"
"Jay."
I turned back immediately.
Keifer was standing straight again, but not fully relaxed. His jaw was slightly tight, his hand still near his shoulder for a second before he dropped it.
"Are you okay?" I stepped closer without thinking.
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine."
"I am."
"That wasn't normal."
He didn't respond to that.
Just glanced once in the direction the man had gone, then back at me.
"I said I'm fine."
I ignored that and reached for his arm, lightly holding it. "Where did he hit you?"
"Jay—"
"Just tell me."
A small pause.
Then he sighed, barely noticeable. "Shoulder."
I shifted my hand slightly, pressing gently near where he pointed.
He didn't react much—but I felt it.
That slight tension.
That tiny pause in his breathing.
"You're hurt."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"It's nothing."
I looked at him, not convinced at all. "That guy did that on purpose."
"I know."
"You know?" I frowned. "And you're just okay with it?"
"I didn't say I'm okay with it."
"Then—?"
"Leave it."
Just that.
Calm.
Controlled.
Like it didn't matter.
Which somehow made it worse.
I looked past him again, trying to spot the man in the crowd, but he was already gone.
Of course he was.
"Idiot," I muttered under my breath.
"Jay."
"What?"
"Drop it."
I looked back at him. "You got hit."
"I've had worse."
"That's not the point."
"It is."
"No, it's not."
For a second, neither of us spoke.
Then—
"You're staring again," he said.
"I'm checking."
"I said I'm fine."
"You're not convincing."
A small pause.
Then he moved his shoulder slightly—just enough to prove something.
"See? Still working."
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Act like it doesn't hurt."
"It doesn't."
I gave him a look.
He didn't break.
Of course he didn't.
"Okay, fine," I said, crossing my arms. "Then I'll just assume you're lying."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You are."
He looked at me for a second—then, very slightly—
smiled.
Not big.
Just enough.
"You worry too much."
I didn't even think before replying.
"Only when it's you."
The words came out softer than I expected.
And for a moment—
everything around us faded.
The noise.
The crowd.
Even the group behind us.
He didn't say anything immediately.
Just looked at me.
That same look again.
Steady.
Quiet.
Too aware.
I looked away first.
"…don't make it a habit," I added quickly.
"Getting hit?" he asked.
"Yes."
"I'll try."
"That's not funny."
"It wasn't meant to be."
I huffed slightly, but stayed where I was, still closer to him than before.
Cin's voice suddenly cut through everything.
"WHY ARE YOU TWO STANDING LIKE STATUES? WE ARE GOING!"
"Coming!" Rory shouted back.
I glanced at Keifer again. "If it hurts more later, you're telling me."
"It won't."
"You're telling me."
A pause.
Then—
"Fine."
"Promise?"
He looked at me.
"…yeah."
I didn't fully believe him.
But I let it go.
For now.
We started walking again with the group, but something had shifted.
Not big.
Not obvious.
But I stayed a little closer to him.
And this time—
he didn't tell me to stop.
We rejoined the group like nothing had happened.
Cin was already dragging Felix toward another ride, Rory arguing loudly about something no one was listening to, and Josh just shaking his head like he had given up on all of us.
Normal.
Everything looked normal.
But it didn't feel exactly the same.
I didn't move ahead this time.
I stayed beside Keifer.
Not too close.
Just… there.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"You're following me now?" he said, glancing at me.
"I'm not following."
"You are."
"I'm walking."
"Near me."
"That's allowed."
He looked at me for a second, then slightly leaned closer.
"Concern?"
"No."
"Sure?"
"Very."
"Liar."
I rolled my eyes. "You got hit."
"I'm still standing."
"That's not impressive."
"It is."
"It's basic."
He huffed a quiet laugh, then shook his head slightly.
"Relax," he said. "I'm fine."
I didn't reply.
Didn't argue this time.
But I didn't move away either.
We kept walking like that for a few seconds, the noise of the park filling the silence between us.
Then suddenly—
his hand moved.
Light.
Casual.
Resting on my waist.
Like it had always been meant to be there.
I froze for half a second.
Not because it felt wrong.
Because it didn't.
"Keifer—"
"Hmm?"
"Your hand."
"What about it?"
I turned my head slightly to look at him. "It's on my waist."
"I'm aware."
"Why?"
"Because you're walking too far."
"I'm literally right next to you."
"Exactly."
"That doesn't make sense."
"It does to me."
I stared at him for a second.
He didn't move his hand.
Didn't even try to justify it properly.
Just kept walking—
like this was normal.
Like I was supposed to get used to it.
"…you're annoying," I muttered.
"And you didn't remove it."
I didn't.
That was the problem.
Or maybe—
not a problem.
I exhaled quietly, then instead of pushing his hand away—
I took it.
He looked at me.
I didn't say anything.
Just shifted his hand off my waist—
and instead looped my arm through his.
Holding it there.
Firm.
Natural.
Like that made more sense.
"This is better," I said.
He raised a brow slightly. "Is it?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
I didn't answer immediately.
But I could feel it.
His arm.
Solid.
Warm.
Comfortable.
"…because it is," I said finally.
"That's not an explanation."
"It doesn't need one."
He looked at me for a second longer this time.
Then—
that small smile again.
"You're getting comfortable."
"I was always comfortable."
"Not like this."
I ignored that.
But tightened my hold slightly without realizing.
And he noticed that too.
Of course.
"Careful," he said quietly.
"Why?"
"You'll get used to it."
I glanced at him. "And?"
"And then you won't let go."
I almost scoffed. "I can let go anytime."
"Sure."
"I can."
"Try."
I stopped walking.
Actually stopped.
Then slowly removed my hand from his arm.
Looked at him.
"There."
A pause.
He looked at my now free hand.
Then at me.
"Two seconds," he said.
"I can do more."
"Do it."
I turned forward and started walking again.
One step.
Two steps.
Three—
And then I felt it.
That slight pull.
That absence.
I stopped again.
Turned back.
He was still standing there.
Watching.
Not moving.
Not calling me.
Just… waiting.
I stared at him.
Then sighed.
"…this is stupid."
"Is it?"
"Yes."
"Come here."
I walked back.
Without arguing this time.
And slipped my arm through his again.
Exactly where it was before.
"This is your fault," I muttered.
"Of course it is."
"You're impossible."
"And you came back."
I didn't reply.
Because—
he wasn't wrong.
"OH MY GOD CAN YOU TWO WALK FASTER OR GET MARRIED ALREADY?" Cin shouted from ahead.
"SHUT UP!" I yelled back immediately.
Felix burst out laughing. "He's not wrong!"
Josh rubbed his forehead. "I regret knowing all of you."
Rory added, "We've been waiting for five minutes!"
"It's been thirty seconds," I said.
"Same thing," Edrix replied.
I rolled my eyes but didn't move away this time.
Didn't loosen my hold either.
And Keifer—
he didn't say anything more.
Didn't tease.
Didn't push.
Just let me stay there.
Close.
Like it was exactly where I was supposed to be.