(Jay's POV)
The water helped.
A little.
Not enough to take the pain away—
just enough to make it quieter.
Getting ready took longer than it should.
Every small movement needed thought.
Care.
Even something as simple as stepping out—
I paused for a second before doing it.
Not because I couldn't—
but because I knew if I rushed, it would hurt.
I didn't show it.
Didn't let it reach my face.
By the time I stepped out of the room, I could already hear them downstairs.
Voices.
Arguing.
Of course.
I held the railing lightly as I walked down, step by step.
Slow.
Controlled.
There was still that pull in my stomach, that dull ache sitting there, reminding me it wasn't over yet.
But I ignored it.
The moment I reached the bottom—
they noticed.
"You're up?" Aries said immediately.
"Careful," Keif added at the same time, already walking toward me.
"I'm fine," I replied.
He didn't argue.
Just stayed close enough.
Breakfast was already on the table.
Somehow.
I didn't question how.
I sat down slowly, adjusting myself before leaning back slightly.
That small movement—
still hurt.
But I kept my face normal.
Keif sat beside me.
Too close.
Not that I minded.
"Eat," he said, placing the plate in front of me.
"I can—"
"I know," he cut in. "Still."
I rolled my eyes slightly but didn't argue.
He kept doing that.
Between talking.
Between random comments.
Between his stupid flirting.
"You look better," he murmured low enough for only me.
"I know," I said.
"Still not enough."
I glanced at him.
"…shut up."
Percy snorted from across the table. "Wow. Romance."
"Focus on your own life," Keif replied without even looking at him.
"I am," Percy said. "That's why I'm single and peaceful."
"Sure," Aries muttered.
I didn't laugh.
Didn't try to.
Just let the moment sit there.
Breakfast went like that.
Noise.
Bickering.
Keif making sure I actually ate.
And pretending he wasn't watching every small movement I made.
After that—
we moved to the living room.
I sat on the couch, half leaning back, half trying to stay upright.
At some point—
I stopped trying.
My eyes started closing.
Not fully sleeping.
Just…
there.
Keif sat closest.
Focused on his phone, probably work.
Still aware.
Always.
Percy was across from us.
Also on his phone.
But different.
He was smiling.
Not his usual annoying smirk.
Something else.
Softer.
Almost—
blushing.
I blinked slowly.
Then again.
Just to make sure I wasn't imagining it.
Aries was beside him, scrolling through his phone, completely unaware.
I shifted slightly, leaning toward Keif just enough.
Then nudged him.
Light.
He glanced at me immediately.
"What?"
I didn't speak.
Just gestured with my eyes.
Toward Percy.
Keif followed my gaze.
Paused.
Then his expression changed slightly.
Not surprised.
Just… noticing.
At the same time—
Aries looked up.
Followed our line of sight.
And then—
he saw it too.
Percy.
Still smiling at his phone.
Completely unaware—
that all of us were now watching him.
I picked up my phone slowly, trying not to make it obvious, and texted Aries instead of saying anything out loud.
Jay 🫶🏻: snatch his phone and run
Aries: …why
Jay 🫶🏻: just do it
Aries: no
Jay 🫶🏻: aries pls
Aries: reason
Jay 🫶🏻: he is NOT single broooo
Aries: ?
Jay 🫶🏻: look at his face 😭
Jay 🫶🏻: we need proof
Aries: you're unbelievable
Jay 🫶🏻: and you're slow
Aries: i'm not doing that
Jay 🫶🏻: DO IT
Jay 🫶🏻: for me 🙂
Aries: don't use that tone
Jay 🫶🏻: do it or i'll try
Aries: you're not moving
Jay 🫶🏻: exactly so YOU move
Aries: this is stupid
Jay 🫶🏻: this is important
Jay 🫶🏻: national issue
Aries: …
Jay 🫶🏻: ARIES
Jay 🫶🏻: GO
I lowered my phone slowly, trying not to smile.
Across from me—
Percy was still staring at his phone.
Still smiling.
Completely gone.
Aries locked his phone.
Looked at me.
Then at Percy.
And I knew—
he was actually considering it.
Aries was still thinking.
I could see it—that small shift like he was actually going to do it.
Before anything happened—
Keifer leaned down closer to me.
Close enough that his voice dropped just for me.
"Don't move," he whispered. "And don't laugh too much. It'll hurt."
I glanced at him. "…what if I do?"
He didn't pause.
"I'll kiss you," he murmured. "Okay, baby?"
I blinked once, then looked away. "…threatening me now?"
"Warning," he said calmly.
He straightened up.
Percy noticed immediately. "Where are you going?"
Keifer looked at him, expression completely steady. "Looking for your future."
Percy frowned. "What?"
percy smirked faintly. "I am sin—"
Before he could finish—
Aries moved.
Fast.
He snatched Percy's phone right out of his hand.
"What the—Aries!" Percy shot up instantly.
Too late.
Aries had already stepped back.
Phone in hand.
And just like that—
everything broke into chaos.