(Keifer's POV)
The morning was calm
she came down after getting ready
and sat down on the table
She didn't need to be told to eat.
She never did.
The moment the food came—
she leaned forward slightly.
Eyes on it.
Focused.
"Don't touch mine," she said immediately.
"I wasn't going to."
"You were thinking about it."
"I wasn't."
She narrowed her eyes.
Didn't believe me.
Then started eating.
Properly.
Like she actually enjoyed it.
Better.
I watched her for a second.
Just to make sure she wasn't pretending this time.
She caught it.
"…what?"
"Nothing."
"You're staring."
"I'm checking."
"I'm eating," she said, taking another bite.
"I can see that."
"Then stop checking."
"I won't."
She rolled her eyes.
But didn't stop.
Good.
After a while, she leaned back slightly.
Not tired.
Just… satisfied.
"That was good," she said.
"Obviously."
"You chose it."
"I did."
She gave a small nod.
Like she was admitting it without saying it properly.
We sat there for a moment.
Quiet.
Then she suddenly sat up again.
"Let's go," she said.
"Where?"
"Somewhere else."
Of course.
"You're not done yet?" I asked.
"I just started."
There it was.
Old Jay.
We walked again.
Slower than she wanted.
Faster than I allowed.
Balanced.
She moved into another store without asking.
Accessories this time.
She picked things quickly.
Looked.
Rejected.
Moved again.
Energy was back.
Too much, maybe.
I stayed close.
Not stopping her.
Just watching.
She picked up a bracelet.
Paused.
Just for a second.
Then put it back.
I noticed.
Didn't say anything.
A few minutes later—
I picked it up.
Bought it.
She didn't see.
Not yet.
We walked out again.
"Where now?" she asked.
"Outside," I said.
"…why?"
"You'll see."
She sighed.
But followed.
We ended up near a quieter area.
Less crowd.
More space.
She sat down first this time.
Without being told.
Good.
I sat beside her.
Not too close.
Just enough.
She leaned back slightly.
Looking ahead.
"Tired?" I asked.
"No."
Of course.
"…a little," she added after a second.
Better.
I took the small box out.
Placed it beside her.
She looked at it.
Then at me.
"…what is this?"
"Open it."
She did.
Slowly.
Then paused.
The bracelet.
Simple.
Clean.
She didn't say anything for a second.
"…you bought this when?"
"Inside."
"I didn't see."
"I know."
She looked at it again.
Then at me.
"…why?"
I leaned back slightly.
"Because you didn't take it."
A pause.
"…I just liked it," she said quietly.
"I know."
She didn't wear it immediately.
Just held it.
Carefully.
Then—
slowly—
put it on.
It fit.
Of course it did.
She looked at it for a moment.
"…thanks," she said.
Simple.
Real.
I nodded once.
We stayed there for a while.
Not talking much.
Just sitting.
Together.
By the time we got back—
it was already evening.
The house wasn't quiet anymore.
Section E.
Again.
"Finally," Percy said. "Couple returns."
"Shut up," she replied instantly.
Better.
Dinner was loud.
Messy.
Normal.
She ate properly.
Argued properly.
Laughed—
controlled this time.
And I watched.
Still.
Because even if she was back—
I wasn't going to stop noticing.