--: Keifer's POV: --
The first thing I felt was the sunlight—warm, persistent, and honey-gold—pressing against my eyelids. My body felt heavier than usual, but for once, it wasn't the leaden weight of exhaustion. It was the solid, grounding weight of life.
I opened my eyes slowly, my vision clearing to find a sight that made my chest tighten. I was being anchored. Keigan was behind me, his small hand still fisted in the back of my shirt. Keiran was on the other side, his body forming a barrier behind Jay Jay.
And then there was Jay Jay.
She was tucked directly under my chin, her face pale but peaceful. She looked so small, yet I knew this was the girl who had spent the night playing drill sergeant just to keep the world away from us. I didn't move. I just watched her until her eyelashes began to flutter. When her eyes finally opened, they found mine. She didn't pull away. She just stared at me, memorizing every line of my face.
"You're awake," she whispered, her voice raspy.
"I am," I murmured back. The silence between us was electric. Too much time had passed. I saw her gaze drop to my lips, and that was all the permission I needed.
--: Author's POV: --
Keifer moved with a sudden, predatory grace, his hand sliding up to cup Jay Jay's jaw. He leaned in, closing the distance until their lips met.
It wasn't a gentle kiss. It was a desperate, starving reclamation. Jay Jay didn't flinch; she leaned into him with a soft moan, her fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck. As the kiss deepened, their tongues tangled, and the friction sent a jolt of pure fire through Keifer's veins.
Under the cover of the heavy duvet, his hand began a slow journey. He slid his palm beneath the hem of her oversized t-shirt, his skin searing against the bare warmth of her waist.
He felt her shiver as his hand traveled higher, his fingers grazing the delicate skin of her ribs. He was seconds away from losing all control, but just as his hand reached the curve of her breast, a small, sleepy voice broke the silence.
"Kuya? Why are you eating Ate Jay?"
--: Keifer's POV: --
The world stopped.
Jay Jay's eyes snapped open with sheer panic. She shoved my hands out from under her shirt and scrambled backward so hard she slammed into Keiran, who was lying directly behind her like a human sandbag.
Keiran grunted as Jay Jay's back hit his chest, his sleepy arms instinctively wrapping around her to keep her from falling.
"Is she made of candy?" Keiran asked, rubbing his eyes. "You were biting her."
Jay Jay's face turned a shade of red I didn't think was biologically possible. Even my own ears felt like they were on fire. "I... I wasn't eating her, Keiran," I managed to say. "I was just... checking if she was awake."
At that moment, Keigan propped himself up behind me. He had a tiny, mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Checking with your mouth?" Keigan asked, his voice dripping with a teasing, sing-song tone. "Is that the new doctor's rule, Kuya? Or do you just like how she tastes?"
Jay Jay let out a tiny, high-pitched whimper and hid her face in her hands. Despite the embarrassment, I felt a surge of relief: She didn't flinch. She wanted me there.
"Okay! Everyone out! Bathroom! Breakfast! Now!" Jay Jay squeaked, scrambling out of bed.
--: Author's POV: --
The four of them emerged ten minutes later. Jay Jay was practically running, her head down. Keifer followed, looking composed despite the heat in his neck. As they entered the kitchen, the entire house went silent. Angelo, Aries, the F4, the girls and the Section E members were all gathered around.
"Look who's joined the living!" MJ cheered.
"Sit down," Gorya said, smiling. "We've got everything ready. You must be starving."
Jay Jay went to take a seat, refusing to meet anyone's eyes. But before she could reach for a fork, Keiran announced to the entire room:
"Kuya won't be hungry. He already had breakfast. He was eating Ate Jay in bed."
The silence that followed was deafening—for exactly three seconds. Then, the kitchen exploded.
Thyme choked on his coffee, spraying it across the counter. Kavin dropped his fork with a loud clatter. Angelo's hand froze on the juice pitcher, his eyes snapping to Keifer with a murderous glare.
But it was the Section E boys who made it worse.
"Whoa, Keifer! Didn't know you were on a specialized diet!" one of thm barked out, leaning against the far counter.
"Is that the secret to a fast recovery, Keif?" another teased, whistling loudly. "Note to self: skip the pancakes, find a girlfriend."
"Man, the he doesn't waste any time!" Someone laughed, giving a mock salute.
Jay Jay buried her face in her hands on the table, a muffled, pained groan escaping her. Keifer just cleared his throat, looking at the ceiling.
Angelo stared at Keifer for a long, tense moment. He looked at Jay Jay's blushing face, then at Keifer's protective stance. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh. "Just... sit down and eat the actual food, Keifer," Angelo muttered. "Before I change my mind about letting you stay in this house."
Trying to save them, Kavin tapped his phone screen. "Anyway! Before Keifer starts 'eating' anyone else, you guys need to see this." He turned the phone around to show the photo of them sleeping.
Jay Jay peered through her fingers, her blush softening as she saw the picture. Keifer reached out and took the phone, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips.
"Send it to me," Keifer said simply.
Jay Jay leaned her head against Keifer's shoulder, the embarrassment fading into warmth."I look like a mess," she whispered.
"You look like you're home,"Keifer whispered back.