The storm outside had finally calmed, leaving only the occasional rumble in the distance.
Inside the safehouse, the hallway was quiet. All the siblings had returned to their rooms, leaving Jay and Keifer alone in the library, the only light coming from a small lamp on the side table.
Jay was still curled in Keifer's arms on the floor, her head resting against his chest. She had finally fallen asleep, exhausted from the night's terror.
Keifer held her gently, his thumb brushing over her arm. He stared down at her face, illuminated softly by the lamp.
He whispered under his breath, almost to himself,"I can't… I can't lose you, Jay. Not like this. Not ever."
Her soft breathing against him made his chest tighten.
For the first time, he let himself admit it—even if just silently.
"I care too much… too damn much," he murmured, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know how to keep you safe from all this… but I'll try. I'll fight anyone who dares to hurt you."
Keifer's heart pounded, and he realized something he'd been trying to deny.
It's not just protection. I… I can't stop feeling this way about her.
Jay shifted slightly in her sleep, mumbling something soft.
"Keifer…" she whispered, a hint of sleep in her voice.
Keifer froze, his heart jumping. She had said his name in her sleep again.
"I'm right here, Jay," he whispered back, brushing her hair away from her face. "It's okay. I'm not going anywhere."
Jay snuggled closer, curling further into him.
Keifer felt the warmth of her body pressed against his, and despite the chaos outside, a rare moment of peace washed over him.
Outside the library door, Jane had peeked in to check on them and accidentally whispered to Percy,"Oh wow… they're literally glued together."
Percy grinned. "Told you… Jay and Keifer have a thing."
Keigan whispered dramatically, "It's official. Ate Jay has him wrapped around her little finger."
Mike Keiren giggled. "And he doesn't even know how obvious he is."
Aries sighed, shaking his head. "They better survive this gang first before they do anything else."
Keifer's voice softened again as he continued,"You're the only one I'll let myself care this much about… You're mine, Jay. I'll never let anything happen to you."
Jay murmured something incoherent in her sleep, and he kissed the top of her head lightly.
"I promise… I've got you," he whispered.
Outside the room, the siblings quietly left them to their moment, knowing they had just witnessed something rare and intimate.
And for Keifer, nothing else mattered at that moment except the soft rhythm of Jay's breathing against him.
Meanwhile, across town, shadows moved silently.
The gang that had been sending threats earlier was regrouping.
Their leader's voice was low and dangerous:"She's at the safehouse. Move in tomorrow. No mistakes."
The danger was far from over.
But for now, inside the safehouse… Jay and Keifer had each other.