Chapter: Mine
(Keifer's POV)
The small medical cabin near the retreat area smelled like antiseptic and old wood.
Jay was lying on the narrow bed near the window, her leg carefully wrapped in a thick bandage where the snake had bitten her. The staff from the retreat had treated it quickly. They kept saying the snake wasn't highly venomous, but they still needed to monitor her.
Still…
My heart hadn't slowed down since the moment she collapsed in my arms at the lake.
Not even a little.
Jay looked pale, but she was awake now. Her hair was messy from lying down, and she looked tired, but at least her eyes were open.
And that alone made me breathe again.
Most of Section E was crowded outside the cabin.
Cin was loudly telling the story for the hundredth time.
"BRO SHE JUST DROPPED LIKE—BOOM!"
Rory groaned.
"You're exaggerating."
"I AM NOT!"
Blaster laughed.
"Keif looked like he was about to fight the snake himself."
Drew added dramatically,
"True love."
I ignored them.
I was sitting beside Jay's bed, leaning forward with my elbows on my knees.
Watching her.
Just watching.
Jay noticed.
"…Keif."
"Hm."
"Stop staring."
"No."
She sighed.
"You're weird."
"Almost lost you," I muttered quietly.
She didn't answer that.
Instead she looked down at the bandage on her leg.
"…does it look bad?"
"It's fine."
"…liar."
"It's fine," I repeated.
For a moment the room was quiet.
Then suddenly the door creaked open.
I looked up.
Yuri walked inside.
My jaw tightened instantly.
Jay noticed too.
"Oh… Yuri."
He looked awkward.
Like he wasn't sure if he should even be here.
"I heard what happened," he said quietly.
Jay gave a small nod.
"I'm okay."
He walked closer to the bed.
Too close.
I leaned back slightly in my chair, watching carefully.
Yuri sat down on the edge of the bed beside her.
My fingers slowly curled.
Jay didn't move away.
That annoyed me more than it should have.
"You scared everyone," Yuri said softly.
Jay rubbed the back of her neck.
"…wasn't planning to."
There was an awkward silence.
Then Yuri slowly reached forward.
And took her hand.
My chest went cold.
He held it gently.
"You need to be more careful," he said quietly.
Jay blinked in surprise.
"…Yuri—"
But he didn't let go.
And something inside me snapped.
I stood up so suddenly the chair scraped loudly across the floor.
Both of them looked up.
Before Yuri could even react—
I grabbed Jay's arm.
Pulled her up from the bed.
And kissed her.
Hard.
Not soft.
Not slow.
Harsh.
Possessive.
My hand moved to the back of her neck as I pulled her closer, my other arm wrapping tightly around her waist.
Jay gasped slightly against my lips.
The kiss was messy.
Angry.
Terrified.
Because all I could think about was the moment she collapsed in my arms.
The moment I thought I lost her.
And the moment Yuri held her hand like he had any right.
Jay's fingers grabbed the front of my hoodie.
She didn't push me away.
But she was clearly shocked.
After a few seconds—
I pulled back.
My breathing was heavy.
Jay looked stunned.
Her lips slightly red from the kiss.
Behind us, Yuri had already stood up.
His expression dark.
But I didn't even look at him.
My eyes stayed on Jay.
I grabbed both of her shoulders.
"Don't do that again."
She blinked.
"…what?"
"Don't scare me like that."
My voice was rough.
Lower than usual.
"You passed out in my arms."
Her expression softened slightly.
"You think that was fun for me?"
"That's not what I mean."
She studied my face carefully.
Then sighed.
"You're overreacting."
"Am I?"
"You are."
I shook my head slowly.
"Promise me something."
Jay frowned.
"What?"
I stepped closer.
My hands still on her shoulders.
"Don't leave me."
She blinked.
"What?"
"Promise me you won't disappear like that again."
Her expression shifted.
The teasing tone she usually had was gone.
"…Keif."
"Promise."
She stared at me quietly.
For a long moment.
Then finally—
She reached up and gently held my wrist.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"That's not a promise."
She rolled her eyes slightly.
"You're dramatic."
"Jay."
She sighed.
Then looked directly into my eyes.
"…I promise."
Something in my chest loosened.
Just a little.
She added quietly,
"I'm not leaving you."
For a second I didn't say anything.
Then I pulled her into a hug.
Tight.
Careful of her leg.
Jay froze in surprise.
Then slowly wrapped her arms around me too.
Behind us the door suddenly burst open.
Cin shouted loudly,
"IS THE PATIENT ALIVE—"
He froze instantly.
Rory peeked over his shoulder.
"…are we interrupting something?"
Blaster grinned.
"Oh they're definitely kissing again."
Jay groaned against my chest.
"Why are they like this…"
I sighed.
Because honestly…
I wondered the same thing.