Morning light slipped quietly through the curtains, settling over a room that, for once, wasn't filled with chaos—but the aftermath of it.
Blankets were messy. Pillows were scattered. Medicine strips lay on the table like evidence of yesterday's disaster.
And in the middle of it all stood Jay.
Arms crossed. Expression calm.
Eyes sharp.
"You're all still sick," she said flatly.
A chorus of weak groans answered her.
"I'm fine," Kavin muttered, trying to sit up.
Jay didn't even look at him.
"Sit."
He sat.
Immediately.
Across the room, Cin clutched the blanket dramatically, peeking at her like a child waiting for permission to breathe.
"Jay…" he mumbled, voice soft, "I feel dizzy…"
"You felt dizzy five minutes ago too."
"It got worse."
Jay stared at him for a long second.
"…Lie down."
He did—but not before reaching out and catching the edge of her sleeve, holding onto it like it was the only thing keeping him alive.
Jay looked down at his hand.
Sighed.
And let him.
She moved around the room like she owned it.
Checking foreheads. Fixing blankets. Handing out medicines like a strict nurse who didn't believe in excuses.
"Drink."
Felix made a face. "It's bitter."
Jay didn't blink. "Drink."
He drank.
David watched silently, taking his medicine without a word—but not without glancing at her like he wanted to say something and decided not to.
Gorya and Thyme sat slumped together, low on energy but fully conscious enough to exchange amused looks.
"She's scary," Thyme whispered.
"Always has been," Gorya replied, lips curling slightly.
It was going too smoothly.
And that, in itself, was suspicious.
Jay narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…Too quiet."
That's when she noticed it.
Kanning.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Sliding his hand toward the snack packet on the side table.
Jay didn't say anything.
She watched.
He glanced at her.
She looked away.
He froze.
Waited.
Then—continued.
Just as his fingers brushed the packet—
SMACK.
"OW—!"
Jay had already grabbed his ear, twisting it just enough to make him regret every life choice that led to this moment.
"Who said you can eat that?"
"I—I was just checking—!"
"Checking what? Your death wish?"
"I'm hungry!"
"You're sick."
"I'm recovering!"
"You're still sick."
He groaned as she let go, immediately pulling his hand back like the snacks had personally betrayed him.
From the corner, Kavin snorted.
"Idiot."
Five seconds later—
Kavin tried the same thing.
Jay didn't even turn this time.
She just reached out—
grabbed his ear too.
"AH—! HOW DO YOU EVEN SEE THAT?!"
"I don't need to see."
She let go, giving him a look.
"Try again."
"…No thanks."
Cin, meanwhile, had upgraded from sleeve-holding to fully leaning against her.
"Jay…" he mumbled sleepily, head pressing into her arm, "I'm still not okay…"
"You're talking fine."
"That takes strength…"
"You're dramatic."
"…Only for you."
Jay paused for half a second.
Then gently adjusted the blanket over him.
"Sleep."
He smiled slightly.
And actually did.
Every time she tried to walk away—
Someone stopped her.
A hand around her wrist.
Fingers catching her sleeve.
A quiet voice:
"Jay… stay."
And every time—
She stopped.
At some point, she didn't even try to argue anymore.
"…You guys are impossible," she muttered, though there was no real bite in it now.
Keifer had been quiet the whole time.
Watching.
Not interfering.
Just… observing.
The way she moved.
The way she kept checking on everyone.
The way she didn't sit for more than a few seconds.
And the way she softened—little by little.
When she passed by him again, he reached out and caught her wrist.
Not tight.
Just enough.
She looked down at him. "What?"
"Sit."
"I don't have time—"
"You do."
For a moment, it looked like she'd argue.
Then… she didn't.
She sat.
Right beside him.
And somehow—
That was all it took.
Like a signal no one announced—
Everyone shifted closer.
Gorya leaned back more comfortably.
Thyme rested against the side.
Felix stretched out, clearly more relaxed.
David sat near enough that their shoulders almost touched.
Cin, already half-asleep, tilted further until his head rested fully against her.
Someone's hand found hers again.
This time—
She didn't pull away.
Jay looked around at them.
At the mess.
At the quiet.
At how… calm everything suddenly felt.
"…Don't get used to this," she said softly.
No one answered.
Because no one needed to.
She adjusted slightly—
So Cin wouldn't slip.
So the blanket covered Kanning properly.
So the hand holding hers was more comfortable.
And then—
She stopped moving.
For the first time since morning.
Just sat there.
Surrounded.
Stuck.
And somehow…
Not trying to escape anymore.
The room fell into a gentle silence.
Not empty.
Not heavy.
Just warm.
And in the middle of it—
Jay stayed.