(Keifer's POV)
Home looked the same, but nothing felt the same anymore. The walls, the rooms, the quiet—everything was still there, but the way we moved through it had changed. Voices were softer, steps slower, and every small thing around her was handled with care, like we all understood without saying it that she had come back—but not completely untouched.
She sat on the couch, one hand resting lightly against her side, not out of panic now, just habit. Movement was easier, but still careful. Every now and then, she paused before shifting, like her body needed permission first.
"Don't get up on your own," Aries said immediately when she tried to adjust.
"I'm just sitting," she replied, her voice soft but clearer now.
"That counts," Percy added from the side, already walking toward her to fix the cushion behind her.
She gave him a look. "I can—"
"No, you can't," Angelo cut in calmly, placing a glass of water near her before she even asked.
She exhaled lightly, not arguing this time.
That was the difference.
Before—she would have.
Now—she just let them.
The house wasn't quiet for long.
Section E had made sure of that.
They came in like they owned the place, voices rising again, small arguments starting over nothing, Percy adding comments just to annoy them further.
For a moment, it felt normal.
Almost too normal.
I stood near the doorway, watching her.
Her eyes followed them, slower than before, but present.
There was something softer in her expression now.
Not weak.
Just… aware.
Later, the house settled down.
Voices faded.
Lights dimmed.
One by one, people left or moved to other rooms, giving her space without making it obvious.
I found her on the balcony.
Sitting quietly.
A light blanket around her shoulders, the night air moving softly around her.
She didn't turn when I stepped out.
She already knew it was me.
I walked over and sat beside her, leaving just enough space so she didn't feel crowded.
For a few seconds, neither of us said anything.
The city was quiet from up here.
Calm.
"You should be inside," I said after a moment.
She glanced at me slightly. "…I'm fine."
I didn't argue.
Another pause settled between us.
Not uncomfortable.
Just… quiet.
"…it still hurts," she said after a while.
Soft.
Honest.
Not complaining.
Just saying it.
I nodded once. "I know."
She looked ahead again, her fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the blanket.
"…not like before," she added.
"Good," I said quietly.
A faint breath left her, almost like a tired laugh—but she stopped herself before it fully came out.
I noticed.
"Don't," I said softly.
She rolled her eyes just a little. "…I didn't."
I looked at her properly then.
At how much she had come back.
And how much she was still holding.
"You scared me," I said after a moment.
The words came out low.
Real.
She didn't look at me immediately.
Just stayed still.
Then—
"…you came anyway," she murmured.
I didn't answer that right away.
Because we both knew.
"I wasn't not coming," I said finally.
A small silence followed.
Then—her hand shifted slightly on the space between us.
Not reaching.
Not fully.
Just… there.
I moved mine closer.
Slow.
Careful.
Letting it rest against hers.
She didn't pull away.
Didn't move.
Just let it stay.
The night stretched quietly around us.
No noise.
No chaos.
Just this.
And for the first time since everything—
nothing felt like it was about to break.
(Keifer's POV)
The night stayed quiet around us, the air cooler now, the city lights soft in the distance. Our hands still rested close, not fully held, just there… enough.
After a moment, I spoke. "They're planning something."
She glanced at me slightly. "…what?"
"Trip," I said. "All of them. Ulopong Island."
Her brows pulled together faintly, thinking. "…all?"
"Yeah."
A small pause.
Then she looked ahead again. "…you should go."
I frowned slightly. "We're going."
She shook her head lightly. "No… I mean you."
Her voice stayed soft, but clearer now. "…I don't want you to lose… enjoying because of me."
I didn't respond immediately.
She continued, slower this time, choosing her words. "If you stay… take care of me… you won't enjoy there."
That—
that didn't sit right.
I turned slightly toward her. "You think I'd enjoy it without you?"
She didn't answer.
Just looked down for a second.
"…I don't want to slow you down," she murmured.
I exhaled quietly, then moved a little closer—not enough to overwhelm her, just enough.
"You're not slowing anything down," I said.
She shook her head again, stubborn even now. "…Keif—"
"If I'm taking care of you," I cut in softly, "then that is me enjoying."
She finally looked at me.
Properly.
There was something in her eyes—confused, a little tired… but listening.
"I'm not choosing between you and anything else," I continued, my voice steady. "That's not how this works."
A small silence fell between us.
"…you won't be able to relax," she said after a moment.
I almost smiled at that.
"Who said I want to?"
That made her pause.
Really pause.
I leaned back slightly, still watching her. "We go. All of us. You don't do anything you don't want to. You rest. You sit. You complain. Whatever."
A faint reaction crossed her face.
"…I don't complain," she muttered.
"Yeah," I said dryly. "That's the problem."
She looked away again, but this time—
there was something lighter in it.
Not a full smile.
But close.
I let the silence settle again, then added quietly, "You're coming."
No force.
Just certainty.
Her fingers shifted slightly near mine again.
"…we'll see," she murmured.
I didn't push further.
Because I already knew—
she would.