Chapter: Don't Go
(Jay's POV)
The evening had stretched into night without either of us noticing.
The mansion was quieter now. Serina and Kaizer had retired to their room hours ago, leaving soft instructions for the staff to prepare anything we might need. Aries and Percy had finally stopped texting—probably because their phones died from the chaos of the group chat.
And Keifer and I…
We were still on the couch in his room.
My head rested against his shoulder, his arm wrapped securely around me. The city lights from the window painted soft shadows across the floor.
For the first time in five years…
I felt like I could breathe.
But somewhere in the back of my mind, a small voice whispered.
You should go.
Before this becomes too real.
Before you forget why you built those walls in the first place.
I ignored it for as long as I could.
But eventually…
I shifted slightly.
Keifer noticed immediately.
"What?"
I didn't look at him.
"I should go."
His arm tightened around me instinctively.
"It's late."
"That's exactly why I should leave."
I sat up slowly, pulling away from his warmth.
The moment the distance appeared between us, the cold returned.
Not from the room.
From inside me.
I stood up and grabbed my bag from the floor.
"I'll come back tomorrow."
My voice was calm.
Controlled.
The way I had trained myself to be.
But when I turned toward the door—
His hand caught my wrist.
Gently.
But firmly.
"Jay."
I stopped.
Didn't turn around.
"Let go, Keifer."
"No."
My heart skipped.
I finally looked at him.
He was still sitting on the couch, but his eyes…
They weren't calm anymore.
They were desperate.
The same desperate look he had in the hospital five years ago when I told him not to come near me again.
"Don't go."
His voice was quiet.
But it cut through every wall I had built.
I pulled my wrist back.
"I have my own place."
"I know."
"I have work tomorrow."
"I know."
"Then why are you stopping me?"
He stood up slowly.
Walked toward me.
Stopped just inches away.
"Because every time you leave…"
His voice cracked slightly.
"I'm terrified you won't come back."
The words hit me like a wave.
I opened my mouth to respond—
But nothing came out.
He continued quietly.
"Five years ago, I watched you walk away."
His eyes searched mine.
"And I let you."
"I told myself it was the right thing."
"That you would be safe."
"That you would be happy."
He stepped closer.
"But I wasn't."
His hand reached up slowly, gently brushing a strand of hair from my face.
"I was never happy."
My throat tightened.
"I spent every day wondering if you were okay."
"If you were eating."
"If you were sleeping."
"If you were crying."
His voice broke.
"And I couldn't do anything about it."
I felt my eyes sting.
"Keifer—"
"I'm not asking you to stay forever."
He cut me off gently.
"I'm not asking you to forget the five years I caused you pain."
His hand cupped my face.
"But tonight…"
"Just tonight…"
"Please don't leave."
The tears I had been holding back finally escaped.
One.
Then another.
Then more than I could count.
" You idiot," I whispered.
He smiled softly.
"I know."
"You can't just say things like that."
"I know."
"It's not fair."
"I know."
I hit his chest weakly.
"Stop agreeing with me."
He laughed quietly.
"I can't help it."
I looked up at him.
At his tired eyes.
At the way he looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.
And despite everything…
Despite the years of pain.
Despite the walls I built.
Despite the armor I wrapped around myself…
I realized something.
I didn't want to leave either.
I let out a shaky breath.
"Fine."
His eyes lit up slightly.
"Fine?"
"One night."
I pointed at him.
"But if you snore, I'm leaving."
He grinned.
"I don't snore."
"Liar."
"I'm serious."
"Percy said you do."
His expression dropped.
"Percy is dead."
I laughed through my tears.
He pulled me into his arms.
Wrapped around me tightly.
Like he was afraid I would disappear if he let go.
And for the first time in five years…
I didn't want to run.
---
Later That Night
We ended up on the couch again.
Not because there wasn't a bed.
But because neither of us wanted to move.
I was lying against his chest, my fingers tracing lazy patterns on his shirt.
His hand ran gently through my hair.
The room was silent.
Peaceful.
Then he spoke quietly.
"Jay."
"Hm?"
"I have to tell you something."
I lifted my head slightly.
"What?"
He looked down at me.
Serious now.
"Yuri escaped."
My heart stopped.
"What?"
"Two days ago."
I sat up completely.
"And you're just telling me now?!"
He sat up too.
"Because I didn't want to ruin tonight."
"Keifer—"
"He's been spotted in the city."
My blood ran cold.
"He's looking for you."
I stared at him.
Processing.
Fear creeping up my spine.
But before I could spiral—
His hand found mine.
Squeezed gently.
"But he's not going to find you."
His voice was steady.
Firm.
Dangerous.
"Because I won't let him near you again."
I looked at him.
At the determination in his eyes.
At the promise he was making without saying the words.
And for the first time since hearing Yuri's name…
I didn't feel afraid.
"You're serious," I whispered.
"Deadly."
I let out a shaky breath.
"You know he's dangerous."
"So am I."
His answer was simple.
Absolute.
I studied his face.
"I'm not going to hide."
"I'm not asking you to."
"Then what are you asking?"
He pulled me closer.
"For you to trust me."
His forehead rested against mine.
"Let me protect you this time."
I closed my eyes.
Five years ago, he pushed me away to protect me.
And it destroyed both of us.
Now he was asking to stay.
To fight.
Together.
I opened my eyes.
"Okay."
He looked surprised.
"Okay?"
I nodded slowly.
"But if you try to sacrifice yourself again—"
"I won't."
"You don't know that."
He smiled.
"I do."
He kissed my forehead gently.
"Because this time…"
"I'm not letting you go."
I buried my face in his chest.
And for the first time in five years…
I felt safe.
Really safe.
Not because of walls.
Not because of armor.
But because I wasn't alone anymore.
---
The Next Morning
Sunlight streamed through the windows.
I woke up to warmth.
Again.
Keifer's arms around me.
His steady breathing against my hair.
For a moment I just lay there.
Listening.
Feeling.
Then—
My phone buzzed violently on the table.
I groaned and reached for it.
The screen lit up with a message.
Unknown number.
My blood froze.
I opened it.
One sentence.
"I know where you are."
I sat up instantly.
Keifer woke immediately.
"What?"
I handed him the phone.
His expression darkened.
Then he looked at me.
Calm.
Controlled.
"Stay here."
I grabbed his arm.
"Where are you going?"
"To handle this."
"Keifer—"
He turned back.
Cupped my face.
Kissed me gently.
"Trust me."
I stared at him.
Then nodded slowly.
He walked out of the room.
And for the first time…
I didn't feel like running.
I felt like waiting.
Because this time…
We were going to face it together.