(Keifer's POV)
The room was quiet when we got back.
Not silent.
Just… calm.
The noise from downstairs didn't reach here.
Jay was already on the bed.
Lying on her side.
Scrolling through her phone.
Like nothing had happened.
I went into the bathroom.
Didn't take long.
When I came out—
she looked up.
Her eyes found mine immediately.
Then she said—
softly, simply—
"…come here, baby."
I paused.
Not because I didn't hear it.
Because she said it first.
Still—
I walked toward her.
Sat at the edge of the bed.
And before I could say anything—
she moved.
Wrapped her arms around my waist.
Pressed her face against me.
Close.
Tight.
I didn't ask again.
I already knew.
My hand moved to her back.
Holding her gently.
"What happened?" I asked quietly.
No answer.
Just a small movement—
her head shifting slightly against me.
"Tell me if the pain is too much, okay."
A pause.
"Don't hide it, Jay… baby."
She nodded.
Barely.
Her face still tucked in the crook of my neck now.
I held her closer.
Not tight.
Just enough.
Careful.
Always careful.
She didn't speak again.
Neither did I.
The room stayed quiet.
Her breathing slowed first.
Then steadied.
I shifted slightly.
Pulled her down with me.
Let her rest properly.
She didn't resist.
Just stayed close.
Like she needed it.
And for once—
she didn't pretend she didn't.
I stayed awake a little longer.
Just watching.
Making sure.
Then finally—
I closed my eyes.
With her still there.
Right where she should be.
I woke up without knowing why.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
I turned slightly.
She wasn't there.
I didn't panic.
Just got up.
Because I already knew where she'd be.
The hallway was dim.
Soft lights on the walls.
The house asleep.
But the kitchen wasn't.
A small light was on.
And she was there.
Standing by the counter.
Hair slightly messy.
Phone kept aside.
A plate in her hand.
Eating.
Like nothing in the world mattered.
I stopped at the entrance.
Watched her for a second.
She didn't notice me immediately.
Then she did.
"You're stalking me," she said.
"I woke up," I replied.
She hummed softly.
"Go back to sleep."
"No."
She rolled her eyes slightly.
I walked in.
Stopped beside her.
"What are you eating?"
"Midnight life."
I looked at the plate.
"…that's not an answer."
"It is."
I didn't argue.
She took another bite.
Then paused for a second.
Just a second.
But I saw it.
Her hand stilled slightly.
Her breath hitched—very faint.
Pain.
Small.
But there.
She tried to ignore it.
Continued like nothing happened.
I didn't react immediately.
"…pain?" I asked quietly.
She shook her head.
"Just little."
I watched her for a second.
"Why?"
She shrugged slightly.
"Laughed too much."
Of course.
I exhaled softly.
"Sit."
"I'm fine."
"Jay."
A pause.
She sighed.
Then sat down on the counter stool.
I moved the plate slightly closer to her.
"Eat slowly."
"I was eating slowly."
"You weren't."
She gave me a look.
I ignored it.
Took a piece from her plate.
She watched me.
"…really?"
I held it in front of her.
She didn't take it immediately.
Then leaned forward slightly.
Took a bite.
"…I can eat."
"I know."
She didn't argue again.
We stayed there quietly.
No noise.
No chaos.
Just the soft light.
And her sitting there.
A little tired now.
"…it's less," she said after a moment.
I nodded once.
"Good."
She leaned slightly on the counter.
Closer.
Not fully.
But enough.
I didn't move away.
Didn't say anything.
Just stayed there.
Because she didn't need anything big.
Just… someone there.
After a while—
she pushed the plate away.
"Done."
"Come."
She didn't argue this time.
Just stood up.
Walked beside me quietly.
Back to the room.
Back to the bed.
She lay down first.
I followed.
And before I could settle—
she moved closer.
Like it was automatic.
I adjusted slightly.
Careful.
Her head resting against me.
Breathing steady again.
No more tension.
I stayed awake a little longer.
Just to be sure.
Then closed my eyes.
With her right there.
Safe enough.
(Author's POV)
The mansion was finally quiet.
For once.
Lights dim.
Doors closed.
Everyone where they should be.
Peace.
It didn't last.
A loud knock echoed through the hallway.
"WAKE UP—THIS PLACE IS DEAD!"
A pause.
Another knock.
Louder.
"I SAID WAKE UP!"
Aries opened his door first.
Slow.
Already annoyed.
"…Cin."
Cin stood there.
Fully awake.
Too awake.
"This is boring," he said.
"It's night."
"Exactly."
Aries stared at him.
Closed the door.
Cin knocked again.
"DON'T IGNORE ME—"
Another door opened.
Freya.
Hair messy.
Expression worse.
"If this is not interesting, I'm pushing you off the balcony."
"It is interesting," Cin said quickly.
"How?"
"Game."
"What game?" Percy's voice came from behind.
He leaned against the wall.
Half asleep.
Still annoying.
Cin grinned.
"Truth or Dare."
Felix laughed from somewhere behind.
"This is going to be stupid."
"And you'll still play," Blaster added.
"I never said I wouldn't."
Drew stepped out next.
Stretching.
"I'm in."
"Of course you are," Ella muttered.
More doors opened.
More footsteps.
More complaints.
"Why are we awake?" Honey asked.
"Because of him," Percy pointed at Cin.
"Say thank you," Cin replied.
"No."
Within minutes—
everyone was downstairs.
The living hall filled again.
Not calm.
Never calm.
They sat in a circle.
Some on the floor.
Some on couches.
Some already arguing.
Jay sat beside Keifer.
Quiet.
But not distant.
Just… there.
Cin placed a bottle in the center.
Too dramatically.
"Rules—"
"No rules," Percy cut him off.
"Exactly," Cin agreed immediately.
"That's not how rules work," Ella said calmly.
"It is now," Blaster added.
Freya leaned back.
"If this is boring, I'm leaving."
"It won't be," Cin said.
"Start it then," Drew said impatiently.
The bottle spun.
Slow.
Everyone watching.
Some already whispering.
It stopped.
"DREW!"
"Of course," Felix said.
"Truth or dare?" Cin asked.
"Truth."
Percy leaned forward instantly.
"Are you actually broke or just acting?"
A pause.
"…next question."
"NO—YOU CAN'T SKIP!" Blaster shouted.
"I just did."
"Answer it!"
"I don't owe you anything!"
"You owe everyone!"
Laughter broke out.
Freya clapped slowly.
"This is already good."
Next spin.
Honey.
Percy sat up straighter.
"Oh, this is interesting."
"Relax," she said.
"Truth or dare?"
"…dare."
"Oh, bad choice," Felix said.
Percy smirked.
"Say something nice about me."
She looked at him.
Long.
Unimpressed.
"…you eat less when you're not around."
Silence.
Then—
explosion.
"THAT'S NOT NICE!"
"It is for me," she replied.
"Rude!"
"Accurate," Ella added calmly.
Percy leaned back.
"…I'm surrounded by haters."
"You deserve it," Aries said.
Next spin.
Cin.
Rakhi didn't even let him breathe.
"Truth."
He froze slightly.
"…fine."
She looked at him.
Calm.
Too calm.
"Do you like me?"
The room went quiet.
Blaster leaned forward.
Felix grinning already.
Cin scratched the back of his neck.
"…yes."
A pause.
Rakhi nodded.
"Good."
That was it.
"No drama?" Drew asked.
"No drama," she replied.
"That's boring," Blaster complained.
"Then don't watch," Ella said.
Next spin.
Mica.
Freya leaned forward immediately.
"Oh this will be fun."
"Dare."
"Make Calix blush."
Mica blinked.
"…how?"
"Figure it out."
Everyone leaned in.
Mica slowly moved closer to Calix.
Whispered something.
No one heard it.
But Calix did.
And his expression changed.
Subtle.
But clear.
"…okay," Blaster said slowly.
"WHAT DID SHE SAY?"
"No one tells you," Felix replied.
"That's unfair!"
"Life is unfair," Freya added.
Next spin.
It slowed.
Slower this time.
Then stopped.
Jay.
Cin pointed dramatically.
"HER."
"Relax," she said.
"Truth or dare?"
A pause.
"…truth."
Percy leaned forward instantly.
"When did you fall for him?"
A few "ohhhh" sounds filled the room.
Felix leaned back.
"This is good."
Jay didn't answer immediately.
She looked down for a second.
Then leaned back.
"…not answering."
"YOU HAVE TO!" Cin shouted.
"No, she doesn't," Keifer said calmly.
Silence.
Not tense.
Just… paused.
Jay didn't look at him.
But she didn't answer either.
Percy raised his hands.
"Fine, skip."
"But that was good," Blaster complained.
Next spin.
Keifer.
Felix smirked.
"Oh finally."
"Dare," Blaster said immediately.
"Say one honest thing about her."
The room stilled again.
Not completely.
But enough.
Keifer didn't hesitate.
"She pretends she doesn't need anyone."
A pause.
"But she does."
Silence.
Jay looked at him.
This time properly.
Didn't say anything.
Didn't look away either.
Then—
Felix clapped once.
"Okay, enough emotions."
"Yes please," Drew added.
"Next round!" Blaster shouted.
The bottle spun again.
Noise came back.
Laughter.
Arguments.
Comments over comments.
But something stayed.
Not loud.
Not obvious.
Just… there.
Between them.