Night had fallen quietly over the hotel. The city lights outside flickered softly through the curtains, casting faint shadows across the room.
Jay was sitting on the bed with her knees pulled up, scrolling through her phone. Across the room, Keifer leaned against the small couch, watching her without even realizing it.
She looked peaceful again.
Too peaceful for someone who had almost started a war with a waitress at lunch.
Keifer chuckled softly to himself.
Jay looked up immediately. "What?"
"Nothing," he said, shrugging. "Just remembering how you almost fought that poor waitress."
Jay rolled her eyes. "She was holding your hand."
"It was an accident."
"Mm-hm."
Keifer smirked. "You were jealous."
Jay grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at him again.
"I was not jealous!"
He caught it easily, still smiling.
"Sure you weren't."
After a while, the teasing faded and the room grew quiet again.
Jay slid off the bed and walked over to the window, looking down at the city below. The lights reflected softly in her eyes.
Keifer watched her for a moment before standing and walking over beside her.
"Beautiful view," he said quietly.
Jay nodded.
For a moment they just stood there together, shoulders almost touching.
Then Jay spoke softly.
"You really risked a lot… you know."
Keifer glanced at her. "For what?"
"For me."
Her voice was quieter than usual.
"You stayed, protected me, dealt with all of this… even the blueberry disaster."
Keifer laughed softly. "That one was your fault."
Jay bumped his shoulder lightly.
"I'm serious."
Keifer's expression softened.
"I know," he said quietly.
A small silence settled between them again.
Jay turned slightly toward him.
"So… why?" she asked.
Keifer tilted his head. "Why what?"
"Why go through all this trouble?"
Keifer hesitated.
He looked at her—really looked at her.
The determination in her eyes, the warmth she tried to hide, the way she stood so close to him now without even noticing.
His chest tightened.
"Because…" he started.
Jay waited.
Keifer ran a hand through his hair nervously, something he rarely did.
"Because you matter to me," he said finally.
Jay's breath caught slightly.
Keifer took a small step closer without realizing it.
"More than you probably realize," he added quietly.
Jay looked up at him now, her heart beating faster.
The space between them had nearly disappeared.
Keifer lifted a hand slowly, brushing a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Jay…"
His voice had softened completely.
For a moment it looked like he was about to say something more. Something bigger.
Something that had been building between them for days.
Jay's heart pounded.
"Keifer?"
He exhaled slowly.
Then he smiled faintly instead.
"Nothing," he said.
Jay frowned. "You were about to say something."
"Maybe," he replied.
She crossed her arms. "Now you have to say it."
Keifer chuckled softly.
"Another time."
Jay groaned. "You're impossible."
"Maybe," he said with a grin.
Jay turned away slightly, pretending to be annoyed.
But before she could walk away, Keifer gently caught her wrist.
She turned back toward him.
Without a word, he pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her in a quiet hug.
Jay froze for a second… then relaxed into it.
Her head rested lightly against his chest.
Keifer rested his chin gently on the top of her head.
Neither of them spoke.
But both of them knew one thing.
He had almost said it.
And the next time…
He probably wouldn't stop himself.