(Keifer's POV)
By the time we got back to the room—
she was already tired.
Not the kind she would admit.
The kind I could see.
I closed the door quietly behind us.
She walked in slowly, like she always did now—steady, but careful, like every step still carried a memory of pain.
"Sit," I said.
She gave me a look.
"…I was going to."
"Sure."
I walked closer anyway, one hand lightly hovering near her in case she lost balance. She didn't push me away this time. Didn't argue.
Just let me be there.
She sat on the bed slowly, exhaling softly as she leaned back against the headboard.
That small shift—
I noticed it.
"Still hurting?" I asked.
"…a little."
I nodded once.
Then moved closer, sitting beside her.
For a moment, we didn't say anything.
I reached up, brushing a strand of hair away from her face carefully, my fingers barely touching her skin.
She didn't move away.
Just looked at me.
"You didn't eat properly," I said quietly.
"I did."
"Not enough."
She sighed faintly.
"…you watch too much."
"I have to."
A small pause.
Then—
she shifted.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Moving closer to me.
I didn't stop her this time.
Her hand rested lightly against my arm, like she was testing if it was okay.
I let it stay.
Then her head leaned against my shoulder.
I stayed still for a second.
Then moved just enough—
so she didn't have to adjust herself.
My hand came up, resting gently against her back.
Not pressing.
Just there.
Her breathing slowed.
"You okay?" I murmured.
"…yeah."
I tilted my head slightly, pressing a soft kiss against her hair.
Light.
Careful.
She didn't move.
Didn't pull away.
So I shifted just a little more, my fingers brushing along her jaw before lifting her chin slightly.
Slow.
Giving her time.
Her eyes met mine.
Tired.
Soft.
There.
I leaned in.
Paused for half a second—
just to make sure.
Then kissed her.
Not deep.
Not rushed.
Just gentle.
Soft enough that it didn't take anything from her—
only gave.
She responded slowly.
Carefully.
Like she was still learning her limits again.
When I pulled back—
I didn't move far.
"Still think you're fine?" I murmured.
She gave a faint look.
"…I am."
I almost smiled.
She shifted again, this time leaning more into me.
Not forcing it.
Just enough.
I adjusted immediately, letting her settle properly against me, my arm around her now—but loose, careful, making sure nothing pressed where it shouldn't.
Minutes passed.
Quiet.
Her breathing changed.
Slower.
Heavier.
"Sleep," I said softly.
She didn't reply.
Just moved a little closer.
And I stayed exactly where I was—
not moving,
not letting go—
because right now,
this—
was all she needed.
Morning felt different today, lighter than the past few days had been.
Not heavy, not slow—just quiet enough to feel normal again.
I woke up and noticed the empty space beside me immediately.
That alone was enough to make me sit up without thinking twice.
"Jay?" I called out, already scanning the room carefully.
There was no answer, just silence settling in for a second.
Then I saw her standing near the window, completely on her own.
Not holding anything, not struggling—just standing there like she used to.
I walked toward her slowly, watching every small detail of her posture.
"You're up early," I said, keeping my tone calm and steady.
"…couldn't sleep," she replied, not turning fully toward me yet.
There was something softer in her voice, but stronger than before.
"You walked here?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
"Yes," she said without hesitation, like it wasn't a big deal.
I let out a quiet breath, shaking my head slightly.
"You're pushing it," I said, more warning than question.
"I'm trying," she replied, correcting me without even looking guilty.
That stubborn tone was back, and I recognized it instantly.
"Go get ready," I said, stepping back just a little.
"…I know how to walk," she muttered, clearly unimpressed.
"Barely," I replied, already turning away before she argued more.
That look she gave me said enough—she was definitely feeling better.
By the time we stepped out, she looked different than before.
Still weak, but there was energy in the way she carried herself.
Not stable yet, but confident enough to forget that fact completely.
That was the part I didn't trust.
We walked together toward the stairs, side by side this time.
She didn't hold anything, didn't slow herself down like before.
Then we heard it—voices, loud and chaotic, echoing from downstairs.
No need to guess, I already knew exactly who it was.
Section E had definitely arrived, and not quietly either.
"…they're here," I said, glancing slightly at her reaction.
She didn't say anything, but I felt the shift beside me.
That sudden spark of energy she couldn't hide even if she tried.
I stepped a little closer and placed my hand on her shoulder.
Not holding her back, just there—steady, quiet support.
Because I knew exactly what this meant now.
Today—she felt better.
And that meant she was going to do something reckless to test herself.
The moment we stepped down—
it got louder.
"Finally!"
"That took years!"
"Did you both get married upstairs or what—"
Voices overlapped instantly.
Section E.
All of them.
Cin was the first to move.
He rushed forward without thinking.
"Jay!"
I stepped slightly in front.
Not blocking him completely.
Just enough.
He stopped.
Not confused.
Just… careful now.
"You okay?" he asked, softer this time.
She nodded.
"…I'm fine."
He looked at her for a second longer.
Then relaxed.
That was enough for him.
The rest didn't stop.
Percy leaned back like he owned the place.
"Wow, she's alive and walking. Miracles exist."
"Shut up," Aries said immediately.
Calix smirked. "Careful, Keifer. Your wife is getting stronger."
Felix added, "Not wife. Officially wife."
"Both of you stop," I said flatly.
They didn't.
Of course.
Jay walked past me.
On her own.
Straight into them.
Too normal.
"I was always fine," she said, sitting down like nothing happened.
Lies.
Drew whistled. "Confidence is crazy."
Denzel shook his head. "Doctor said rest, not attitude."
Blaster laughed loudly. "Let her fall once, she'll learn."
I looked at him.
He shut up.
Cin moved closer again, this time sitting near her.
Not touching.
Just there.
"You sure you're okay?" he asked again, quieter.
She nodded.
"…yeah."
He believed her.
Or chose to.
Conversation picked up again.
Loud.
Messy.
Normal.
And she matched it.
Replying.
Arguing.
Rolling her eyes.
Like nothing ever happened.
Too normal.
Then someone said something—
probably Percy—
and she laughed.
Not small.
Not controlled.
Too much.
I saw it instantly.
The way her body stiffened for just a second.
The way her hand moved—
straight to her stomach.
Fast.
Instinctive.
Then she dropped it.
Like nothing happened.
"…what?" she said, looking around like we were the problem.
No one caught it.
Except me.
I stepped closer.
Not making it obvious.
"You okay?" I asked quietly.
"I said I am," she replied.
Same tone.
Same stubbornness.
But her breathing—
slightly off.
She shifted in her seat.
Just a little.
Trying to adjust.
Trying to hide it.
I didn't push.
Didn't call it out.
Just stayed there.
Closer now.
Because I knew.
She wasn't fine.
She was just pretending well enough—
for everyone else.
Not for me.