The room felt different now.
Not empty.
Not hopeless.
But… waiting.
Jay didn't move from her spot beside Keifer.
Not for food.Not for rest.Not even when Jane tried to pull her away.
She just sat there…
Holding his hand.
Watching him.
"Wake up already…" she whispered softly. "You're missing a lot of drama."
Her thumb brushed over his knuckles gently.
"I'm still annoying, by the way… just in case you forgot."
A soft knock came.
The doctor walked in, checking the monitors.
"He's stable," the doctor said calmly. "The surgery was successful."
Everyone exhaled in relief.
"But…"
Jay's heart stopped.
"He's still unconscious. We don't know when he'll wake up."
Jay tightened her grip on his hand.
"…he will," she said quietly.
The doctor gave a small nod. "Talk to him. Sometimes… they hear more than we think."
Jay looked back at Keifer.
Then listen carefully, she thought.
The room cleared slowly, leaving just Jay and Keifer again.
She leaned closer, resting her head lightly near his arm.
"You scared me," she whispered.
No response.
Her voice softened.
"I hate that you always act like you have to protect me from everything…"
She paused.
"…but I think I understand now."
Her fingers intertwined with his.
"I don't want you to get hurt because of me…"
Her voice broke slightly.
"…but I also don't want to lose you."
Silence.
Then—
A faint movement.
Jay froze.
His fingers… squeezed hers.
Very lightly.
But it was there.
Jay's eyes widened.
"Keifer…?"
She sat up straight, her heart racing.
"Do that again…"
Nothing.
Then—
Another small squeeze.
Tears filled her eyes instantly.
"You can hear me…" she whispered.
She laughed softly through her tears.
"Of course you can… you're too stubborn not to."
Jay rushed to the door and opened it.
"Percy! Aries!"
They came running instantly, followed by Jane, Keigan, and Keiren.
"What happened?" Aries asked sharply.
Jay grabbed Keifer's hand again.
"Watch…"
They all stared.
Seconds passed.
Then—
Keifer's fingers moved again.
Keiren gasped. "HE DID IT!"
Keigan grinned widely. "I told you! He hears her!"
Percy let out a breath, shaking his head. "This guy…"
Aries looked at Keifer, then at Jay.
"…he's fighting," he said quietly.
Jay leaned closer again, her voice soft but firm.
"Keifer… you don't get to sleep through this."
A pause.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"I love you… so wake up."
The room went still.
And then—
Keifer's hand tightened around hers.
Stronger this time.
Clear.
Intentional.
Everyone froze.
Jay's breath caught.
Her heart racing.
"He heard that…" Jane whispered.
Percy smirked slightly. "Oh he definitely did."
Keigan nudged Keiren. "Bro came back for love."
Aries just nodded once.
Jay didn't say anything.
She just held his hand tighter.
And for the first time since the shooting—
She smiled.