JAY'S POV
Something felt off the moment I woke up.
The room was too quiet. Too still.
I turned slightly—and that's when I saw him.
Keifer.
He was still lying there, but not like usual. His breathing was heavier, uneven, and there was no tension in his body, no awareness. Just stillness.
I sat up immediately, moving closer.
"Keifer?"
No response.
A small frown formed on my face as I reached out, placing my hand against his forehead.
Heat.
Too much heat.
"You're burning up…"
My chest tightened slightly.
He didn't even react.
I didn't waste time. I went to grab a bowl of water and a towel, coming back quickly. Sitting beside him, I hesitated for a second before reaching for the top buttons of his polo.
It wasn't about anything else.
He was too warm.
I carefully unbuttoned it just enough to help cool him down, trying not to overthink it. My fingers were slower than usual, more aware than they should've been.
I removed his polo then quickly looked away, focusing on the towel instead.
I dipped it into the water, wringing it out before placing it gently against his forehead. After a moment, I moved it down along his neck, then down his abs.
I tried not to pay attention, but I could already feel heat rising on my cheeks, making it impossible.
"You're really bad at taking care of yourself…"
He didn't respond.
Of course he didn't.
Hours passed.
Quietly.
I stayed there, changing the cloth, checking his temperature, making sure he was okay. At some point, I shifted closer without even realizing it, sitting against the headboard while he lay beside me.
My hand rested near his arm.
Close.
Too close.
But I didn't move it.
Didn't want to.
He looked different like this. Softer. Not the teasing, controlled version of him I was used to.
Just… Keifer.
I let out a quiet breath.
"You better get better by tomorrow…"
My voice softened without meaning to.
The room stayed silent.
And slowly—
My eyes started to close.
My body leaned slightly toward him.
And before I realized it—
I fell asleep.
KEIFER'S POV
Waking up felt slow.
Heavy.
But the first thing I noticed wasn't the headache.
It was her.
Jay.
Right next to me.
Asleep.
My eyes adjusted slowly, taking in the scene. The damp cloth was resting near me. And the bowl of water nearby.
I looked down, realizing my polo was gone. I looked back at her and smirked.
She stayed.
All day.
For me.
Something shifted in my chest.
I pushed myself up slightly, ignoring the lingering weakness, my eyes not leaving her for a second. Her hair fell softly over her face, her expression calm in a way I rarely saw.
Carefully, I reached out, brushing that strand away.
She stirred slightly.
Didn't wake.
I leaned closer without thinking.
"You stayed…"
My voice was low, almost quiet enough not to exist.
She didn't respond.
Of course.
A small, tired smile formed on my lips.
I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against her temple.
Then another on her cheek, then another just slightly lower.
She shifted again.
JAY'S POV
Something warm brushed against my skin.
Soft.
Close.
I moved slightly, my eyes slowly opening—and the first thing I saw was him.
Keifer.
Awake.
Looking at me.
My heart jumped instantly, all the sleep fading away.
"You're awake…"
My voice came out quiet, still heavy.
He didn't move away.
If anything, he stayed closer.
"You stayed."
I blinked, sitting up slightly, brushing my hair back.
"Of course I did. You were sick."
He watched me in silence for a moment, something unreadable in his eyes.
Not teasing.
Not playful.
Something deeper.
His hand lifted, lightly brushing against mine.
"You took care of me."
I looked away quickly.
"Don't make it a big deal."
A pause.
Then he leaned in slightly.
Close enough that I could feel his breath.
My heart started racing again.
"It is a big deal."
I swallowed, trying to stay calm, but it wasn't working.
After a second, he leaned closer and captured my lips.
He didn't rush it this time. His hand rested gently at my waist, pulling me just close enough that I could feel the warmth of his bare body.
When he kissed me, it was slower, deeper, like he was memorizing the moment.
We pulled back breathless.
"Next time, don't get sick."
He let out a quiet breath, almost like a laugh.
"I'll try."
The room fell quiet again.
But this time, it wasn't heavy.
It wasn't tense.
It was soft.
Calm.
I slowly leaned back against the bed again, not moving away.
And after a second—
He did the same.
Closer this time.
Not touching fully.
But enough.
And neither of us said anything.
Because we didn't need to.