Jay woke up slowly.
For a moment, everything felt unfamiliar—the soft mattress, the faint scent that wasn't hers, the quiet hum of a house that wasn't her own.
Then it hit her.
She wasn't at her house.
She was at his.
Her eyes opened fully.
And the first thing she noticed—
Their hands.
Still intertwined.
Her breath hitched slightly.
She turned her head.
Keifer was still asleep beside her, his expression calm, his usual sharpness completely gone. His grip around her hand wasn't tight, just… there.
Like even in his sleep, he didn't want to let go.
Jay carefully tried to move her fingers out of his hold.
Big mistake.
His grip tightened instantly.
"Where are you going?" his voice came out low, slightly rough from sleep.
"I—nowhere," she whispered quickly, freezing in place.
His eyes opened slowly, gaze settling on her face.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then—
"You move too much," he muttered.
"You don't let go," she shot back softly.
A faint smirk appeared on his lips.
"Not planning to."
Her heart skipped.
Again.
She quickly looked away, trying to act normal. "It's morning."
"I can see that."
"Then let me go."
"No."
Jay turned back to him, giving him a look.
"Keifer."
He stared at her for a second longer… then finally loosened his grip.
But just before she could fully pull away—
His fingers brushed hers again.
Light.
Unintentional.
But enough.
"Go," he said.
She got up quickly, trying to ignore the slight warmth still lingering in her hand.
"Why am I like this?" she muttered to herself.
After freshening up, Jay stepped out of the room, still fixing her hair slightly.
The house felt alive now.
Voices.
Movement.
Chaos.
And then—
"Ate Jay!!"
It was Keiren.
He hugged her tightly, smiling brightly. "You stayed!"
Jay laughed softly, bending down slightly. "Looks like I did."
Another voice came from behind.
"Tch. You're loud."
Jay looked up.
Keigan stood there, arms crossed, his usual annoyed expression on his face… but something about him felt different.
Less hostile.
More… controlled.
"You're still here," he said.
"Good morning to you too," Jay replied, raising a brow.
He looked away slightly. "Whatever."
Keiren grinned. "He waited to see you."
"I did not."
"You did."
"Shut up."
Jay couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"Breakfast," Keigan muttered, turning away. "Come if you want."
That was… new.
Jay exchanged a small look with Keiren before following him to the dining area.
The table was already set.
And for a second—
It felt like she belonged there.
"Sit," Keigan said, already pulling out a chair.
Jay blinked slightly. "You're being nice."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
Keiren giggled. "He likes you now."
"I said shut up."
Jay laughed softly as she sat down.
A few minutes later, Keifer walked in.
Still looking half sleepy, but composed as always.
His eyes immediately found her.
And stayed there.
Jay noticed.
Of course she did.
"Morning," she said, trying to sound normal.
He didn't reply immediately.
Just walked over, pulled the chair beside her, and sat down.
"Eat," he said.
She blinked. "That's your good morning?"
"Yes."
Keigan scoffed. "Romantic."
Keifer ignored him.
Jay tried to focus on her food, but she could feel it.
That gaze.
"You're staring," she muttered under her breath.
"I'm looking."
"There's a difference."
"Not really."
Her ears turned slightly red.
Keiren leaned toward her, whispering loudly, "Kuya does that when he likes something."
"I can hear you," Keifer said flatly.
Jay choked slightly on her water.
"Eat properly," Keifer said, handing her a glass without even looking.
That small action…
Didn't go unnoticed.
The breakfast continued with light teasing, small arguments, and random chaos.
But through all of it—
Jay felt something she hadn't expected.
Comfort.
After breakfast, she stepped aside near the living room, taking a quiet breath.
Everything felt… different.
Better.
"You're thinking again."
She didn't turn.
"I do that."
Keifer walked closer, stopping beside her.
Not touching.
Just there.
"You fit here," he said suddenly.
That made her look at him.
"What?"
He didn't look at her immediately.
His gaze was forward.
Calm.
Certain.
"You don't look out of place."
Her heart softened.
"That's because of you," she said quietly.
Now he looked at her.
And for a second—
Something unreadable passed through his eyes.
"Maybe."
Silence followed.
Soft.
Steady.
But from the hallway—
A figure stood still.
Watching them.
Keigan.
His expression wasn't annoyed this time.
Wasn't angry.
It was thoughtful.
Observing.
Like he was trying to understand something.
And as Jay smiled slightly at something Keifer said—
Keigan's gaze shifted.
Not away.
But deeper.
Something about this…
Was changing.