Jay's POV
The clinic was quiet. Almost painfully quiet. The faint hum of the air conditioner and the soft ticking of a clock were the only sounds.
I opened my eyes slowly, wincing as the light from the window hit my face. My head still throbbed, and every movement made my vision blur slightly.
"Finally awake."
I turned my head just enough to see him. Keifer, sitting on the chair beside the bed, arms crossed, looking… calm. Too calm.
"I was just making sure you didn't float away or something," he said, voice casual but with an edge of seriousness.
"I didn't," I muttered weakly, my lips curling into the smallest smirk I could manage.
He raised an eyebrow. "You're lucky this isn't the battlefield, Princess. You'd already be in trouble for fainting on me."
I groaned and leaned back into the pillow. "I'm fine. I just… maybe overdid it again."
Keifer didn't move. He just sat there, watching, silent except for his occasional sharp glance.
"I don't need… babysitting," I said, though my voice came out softer than intended.
"I'm not babysitting," he replied evenly. "I'm… making sure you don't die from your own stubbornness."
I blinked. "Right. Because you care about my life so much."
He didn't answer. Just tilted his head slightly, eyes tracking me like he always did.
For a moment, it was quiet between us. The kind of quiet that made everything feel heavy, almost electric.
I forced myself to sit up a little. "I need water."
Keifer stood immediately. "Here." He handed me a bottle without a word. I took it, my hand brushing his briefly. Nothing happened. Not yet.
"Thanks," I murmured, turning my head away slightly.
He smirked faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Don't mention it. Just… don't try fainting again, okay?"
I tilted my head, exhausted but amused. "Not promising anything."
"Of course not," he said dryly.
The nurse walked in then, checking my vitals again. I tried to shift, but Keifer's hand was already lightly supporting me. "Relax. You need to stay still," he said.
I huffed but stayed put. "Fine. But only because you're in my way."
Keifer rolled his eyes and leaned back slightly, letting me drink. "You're impossible."
I gave a small laugh, the first real one in hours. "Maybe. But you like impossible."
He just shook his head, muttering something about "troublemaker," and stood up.
"Going somewhere?" I asked.
He paused at the door. "Just… keeping an eye out. Don't make me chase you again."
I smirked despite the pounding in my head. "Chasing me? Noted."
He gave a quiet, almost imperceptible hum and left the room.
I exhaled slowly, leaning back against the pillow. My head still hurt, but seeing him… sitting there, calm and collected, even after everything, made me feel a little lighter.
Maybe being stubborn wasn't the worst thing… as long as he was around.