The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
But this time…
It wasn't empty.
It was waiting.
Jay sat beside Keifer, her fingers still intertwined with his.
Her eyes were tired, but she refused to sleep.
"Come on…" she whispered. "You've slept enough."
For a moment—nothing.
Then—
A small movement.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Jay froze.
"Keifer…?"
His fingers twitched again.
His breathing shifted.
And slowly…
His eyes opened.
His vision was blurry.
Lights. Shapes. Voices.
Then—
He saw her.
Jay.
Right there.
Holding him.
"…Jay…" he whispered weakly.
Her breath hitched.
"I'm here!" she said instantly, leaning closer.
"You idiot—don't you ever do that again!"
Her voice cracked as tears filled her eyes.
"I swear I will personally kill you if you scare me like that again—"
Keifer stared at her…
And smiled.
A weak, tired smile.
"…missed you too," he murmured.
Jay hit his shoulder lightly.
"Don't joke!"
Another hit.
"You got SHOT, you idiot!"
Another.
"Do you know how scared I was?!"
Her voice broke again.
"I thought you—"
She couldn't finish.
So she just leaned forward and hugged him tightly.
"Don't do that again…" she whispered.
Keifer winced slightly but still wrapped his arm around her.
"…I'd do it again," he said softly.
Jay pulled back instantly.
"WHAT?!"
He smirked faintly.
"If it means you're safe."
Jay stared at him.
"…I hate you."
Keifer's eyes softened.
"No, you don't."
The door opened.
Percy, Aries, Jane, Keigan, Keiren—
And their parents.
All of them froze when they saw Keifer awake.
"HE'S UP?!" Keiren shouted.
Keigan grinned. "Golden boy is back!"
Percy walked in, shaking his head. "You really had to be dramatic, huh?"
Aries stood quietly for a second… then nodded once.
"Good."
That one word said everything.
Serina Watson rushed to Keifer's side, tears in her eyes.
"My son…"
Mark Keizer Watson stood behind her, relieved but composed.
"You gave us quite the scare."
Jasfher Mariano crossed his arms. "You better recover fast."
Jeana smiled softly. "And no more getting shot, please."
Jay muttered under her breath, "Yes, please, no more stupidity."
Keifer glanced at her, amused.
"You're really not going to stop insulting me, huh?"
Jay glared.
"Not after what you did."
He smiled slightly wider.
"…I like it."
Jane leaned toward Percy.
"Oh my God, they're already back to fighting."
Percy grinned. "Romantic fighting."
Keigan added, "Ate Jay almost cried herself to death yesterday."
Jay whipped her head toward him.
"SHUT UP."
Keiren laughed. "Too late, we all saw it."
Jay groaned. "I hate all of you."
Keifer looked at her softly.
"…you love me though."
Silence.
Jay froze.
Everyone froze.
Jay slowly turned back to him.
Her heart racing.
"…you're really testing your life right now," she said quietly.
Keifer held her gaze.
"Am I wrong?"
The room went silent again.
Waiting.
Watching.
Jay swallowed.
Then—
She leaned down.
And kissed him.
Soft.
Gentle.
Real.
Gasps filled the room.
Keiren: "NO WAY—"
Keigan: "I KNEW IT!"
Percy: "FINALLY."
Jane: "ABOUT TIME."
Aries just shook his head slightly… but there was the smallest hint of approval.
Jay pulled back slightly, her forehead resting against Keifer's.
"…you're still an idiot," she whispered.
Keifer smiled softly.
"And you still love me."
Jay didn't deny it this time.
She just stayed close.
And for once—
No arguments.
No rivalry.
Just… them.
In a room full of family—
After chaos, fear, and pain—
They finally stopped pretending.
And everything between them…
Changed.