Jay pov:
I woke up before my alarm.
The bed was warm—but not on his side.
I frowned slightly and rolled over, staring at the empty pillow. For a second, that familiar irritation tried to crawl back in.
Don’t get soft, I told myself.
I got up, pulled on one of his hoodies, and padded downstairs.
That’s when I smelled it.
Pancakes.
I stopped at the last step.
Keifer stood in the kitchen, hair messy, sleeves rolled up, flipping pancakes like this was the most normal thing in the world.
I crossed my arms instantly.
“Morning,” I said flatly.
He turned—and smiled.
Not smug.
Not playful.
Soft.
“Morning,” he replied. “You slept okay?”
I scoffed.
“Define ‘okay.’”
He watched me for a moment, then tilted his head.
“You’re pretending,” he said calmly.
I raised an eyebrow.
“Pretending what?”
“That you’re still mad.”
I opened my mouth to argue—
Too late.
He stepped closer, closed the distance, and before I could react, he kissed me.
Not rushed.
Not desperate.
Gentle.
Intentional.
My brain short-circuited.
I pulled back just slightly.
“You’re bold,” I muttered.
He smiled.
“And you’re not mad anymore.”
I didn’t deny it.
We ate together after that. Quiet. Comfortable. His arm around my shoulders, my head resting against him like it belonged there.
Because it did.
A while later, something felt… off.
He leaned back against the couch, eyes half-closed.
“You okay?” I asked.
“Yeah,” he said quickly. Too quickly.
I touched his forehead.
Hot.
“Keifer,” I said sharply. “You have a fever.”
He sighed.
“I didn’t want to ruin the morning.”
I stood up immediately.
“You’re not ruining anything. Sit. Don’t move.”
Oh my poor baby .
I grabbed a blanket, wrapped it around him, handed him water.
“You’re sick,” I said.
“And you’re bad at hiding it.”
He smiled weakly.
“I know.”
Then his phone rang.
I glanced at the screen.
A name I didn’t like.
I answered before he could.
“Hello?” I said calmly.
A female voice replied, overly cheerful.
“Oh! Hi, is this Keifer? I was calling to ask about—”
“This is Jay,” I interrupted.
“His fiancée.”
Silence.
“Oh,” the girl said. “I just needed to ask him something work-related—”
“He’s sick,” I continued, tone smooth but sharp.
“And unavailable.”
“Oh, I didn’t know—”
“Now you do,” I said politely. Dangerously.
“If it’s urgent, send an email. If it’s not, it can wait.”
Another pause.
“…Okay,” she muttered.
I hung up.
Keifer watched me, amused despite the fever.
“You didn’t have to—”
“Yes,” I said, sitting beside him. “I did.”
I handed him medicine and fixed the blanket again.
“You’re mine,” I added quietly.
“And when you’re sick, I don’t share your attention with anyone.”
His smile softened.
“I like this version of you,” he admitted.
I scoffed lightly.
“You like all versions of me.”
“True,” he said. “But this one… this one makes me feel safe.”
I stayed with him like that. Watching him. Taking care of him. Letting the world wait.
Because bad bitches can be soft.
But only for the people who deserve it.
Keifer POV:
I woke up to voices.
Bad sign.
“…She put the blanket on him again,” Keiren whispered.
“And the tea,” Keigan added. “And she threatened a coworker.”
I cracked one eye open.
Jay was standing near the kitchen, arms crossed, watching me like a hawk.
“She’s scary,” Kieren said.
“But in a ‘she’ll murder for you’ way,”Keigan replied.
Jay turned slowly.
“If either of you wakes him up,” she said calmly, “you’ll regret it.”
They froze.
“…Noted,” Keiren muttered.
I smiled weakly.
“You don’t have to babysit me.”
She walked over immediately.
“Yes, I do.”
Keiren snorted.
“She’s in wife mode.”
Jay didn’t deny it.
She adjusted the blanket again, then pressed the back of her hand to my forehead. Still warm. Her expression softened just a little.
“She’s worried,” Keigan whispered.
“She missed you,” Keiren added.
Jay shot them a look.
“Get out,” she said.
They raised their hands and backed away, laughing.
“As you wish, boss.”
The door closed.
Silence.
Just us.
Jay POV:
I stayed quiet for a while.
He watched me, eyes heavy, fever making him softer, less guarded.
“You okay?” he asked quietly.
I nodded once.
Then sighed.
“I’m not mad anymore,” I said. “In case you were wondering.”
His lips curved slightly.
“I knew.”
I sat on the edge of the couch.
“I hated sleeping without you,” I admitted suddenly, staring at the floor.
“I didn’t sleep well. I kept waking up.”
He didn’t interrupt.
“I missed you,” I continued. “More than I wanted to admit.”
I finally looked at him.
His expression changed. Soft. Emotional. Real.
“You never have to pretend with me,” he said gently.
I swallowed.
“I know,” I whispered. “That’s the problem.”
I leaned down, resting my forehead against his for a moment. Nothing dramatic. Just close. Just honest.
“You scared me,” I added quietly.
“When you were sick… and when I thought I was losing you.”
His hand found mine, squeezing gently.
“You didn’t lose me,” he said.
“You never will.”
I closed my eyes for a second.
“Good,” I murmured.
“Because I don’t let go of what’s mine.”
He smiled.
And for the first time in a long while everything felt calm.
Keifer POV:
I felt better.
Not just physically.
It was the way she was still there when I woke up. The way she pretended she wasn’t watching me breathe. The way she cared without making a big deal out of it.
That’s when I knew.
It was my turn.
She was in the kitchen, wearing one of my hoodies, hair messy, scrolling on her phone like nothing in the world could touch her.
I leaned against the doorway.
“Sit down,” I said.
She glanced up.
“…Why?”
“Because I’m better,” I replied. “And now I’m taking care of you.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“I don’t need—”
I held up a plate.
Pancakes. Again. But this time with fruit. And coffee. Exactly how she liked it.
She paused.
Then sat.
I smiled.
Progress.
I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, gentle.
“Thank you,” I said quietly. “For staying. For protecting me. For everything.”
She looked away.
“Don’t make it weird.”
“I will,” I said softly. “Because you matter.”
She didn’t argue.
Jay POV
That was the problem.
I didn’t want to.
I watched him move around the kitchen like he belonged there. Like we belonged there. And something inside my chest tightened.
I’d been strong for so long. In control. Untouchable.
But with him?
I cared.
Too much.
I realized it in the smallest moment—when he handed me the coffee and remembered exactly how much sugar I liked.
I swallowed.
I’m in trouble, I thought.
“I don’t say this,” I began slowly, “so don’t get used to it.”
He looked at me, attentive.
“I think I… fell harder than I planned,” I admitted.
His expression softened instantly.
“Jay—”
“I know,” I said quickly. “I’m still me. I’m not changing that.”
“I don’t want you to,” he replied. “I fell for this.”
I exhaled.
Okay.
Maybe loving him wasn’t a weakness.
Maybe it was a choice.
The door burst open.
“GOOD MORNING, LOVE BIRDS.”
I flinched.
Keiren and Keigan.
Of course.
Keiren looked between us.
“…Did we interrupt a moment?”
“Yes,” I said flatly.
“Worth it,” he replied.
Keigan smirked.
“So this is what happens when he gets sick? She goes full wife mode?”
I crossed my arms.
“Say one more word.”
They raised their hands.
“Hey,” one laughed, “we like her. She scares him.”
“I do not get scared,” Keifer protested.
I leaned in slightly.
“Lie again.”
They LOST it.
“Yeah, he’s done for,” one said.
“She owns him,” another added.
Keifer shrugged, smiling.
“I’m okay with that.”
I rolled my eyes—but didn’t move away.
Later, when the noise settled and the house felt warm and full again, I realized something important:
This wasn’t chaos.
This was home.
And for the first time?
I wanted to protect it.
(Author note:
HIIII pookies so this chapter was requested and yeah , You all wanted so I gave it. Btw I have some spoilers for the next chapter:
" Then I saw her "
" I don't share what's mine"
" If the past thinks She could just show up then she is wrong "
Tell me your guesstes in the comments and Yes I will make Keifer jelous but I don't know when. ( Actually I know 😉)
Bye my pookies , love your author 🎀 🫶)