KEIFER'S POV — WHAT I COULDN'T SAY QUIETLY
I didn't go far.
Just far enough that my hands stopped shaking.
Just far enough that I didn't turn back and do something irreversible.
The night air was cold. It did nothing.
All I could see was her—on the ground, blood on her mouth, still refusing to beg. Still strong. Still alone in a place that never deserved her.
By the time I walked back, my jaw hurt from how hard I'd been clenching it.
The tent flap was half open.
Light spilled out.
She was sitting up now.
Alive. Breathing. Wrapped in bandages I'd put there myself.
That should've been enough.
It wasn't.
I stepped inside.
Straight to her.
No warning. No soft landing.
"Who.were.they?"
Her eyes lifted to mine immediately.
No fear.
No flinch.
Just… Jay.
"My ex-boyfriends," she said calmly.
Something inside me went tight.
Ex.
Plural.
I turned away before my face betrayed me.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, voice sharp despite myself. "Why didn't you tell any of us? Why didn't you ask someone to go with you?"
"I handled it," she replied.
That did it.
I spun back to her. "You handled it?" My voice cracked. "Jay, look what happened.You were in danger and none of us were near you, you could have atleast told anyone or atmost you could have told me"
Her eyes softened.
That somehow made it worse.
She studied me for a second, then asked gently, "Are you jealous?"
"No," I snapped instantly.
Too fast.
Too loud.
She didn't move. Just tilted her head slightly. Patient. Like she already knew the answer.
"Keifer," she said quietly. "Are you jealous?"
I laughed once. Harsh. Humorless.
Then the words tore out of me.
I snapped..
"Of course I am."
The whole area went silent.
Cin froze.
Felix's head snapped up.
Even David stilled.
I took a step closer to her, hands clenched at my sides.
"Tell me what guy," I said, voice shaking now, "what guy would enjoy watching his girlfriend walk into a place—alone—and find out she was cornered by not one, but two of her fucking ex-boyfriends?"
Silence hit like a wall.
Girlfriend.
The word hung there—too loud, too real, too late to take back.
Section E processed it all at once.
"What?"
"WAIT—"
"DID HE JUST—"
"BRO—"
Jay blinked.
Just once.
Then she looked up at me.
A slow smile curved her lips.
Dangerous.
Warm.
"Your girlfriend?" she asked softly.
I didn't hesitate.
Didn't soften it.
Didn't retreat.
"Yes," I said clearly. "Mine."
The tent exploded.
Cin screamed.
Felix yelled something incoherent.
Someone knocked over a bag.
Someone actually clapped.
"ABOUT TIME—"
"I KNEW IT—"
"YOU OWE ME TEN—"
Only David stayed quiet.
Yuri too—watching me with that unreadable look that somehow felt like approval.
I didn't care about the noise.
I only cared about her.
I lifter her chin with one finger almost close...
"You are mine, Jay," I said, voice loud enough that it cut through everything. "And I'm yours."
Then I leaned down.
Cupped her face carefully—avoiding the bruises, the bandages, every place that hurt.
And I kissed her.
In front of everyone.
Not rushed.
Not angry.
Claiming.
When I pulled back, All what surrounded us was chaos—screams, teasing, laughter. Someone actually fell over.
Jay rested her forehead against mine, smiling like the world hadn't just tried to tear her apart.
"You done yelling?" she murmured.
"No," I said honestly. "But I'm done pretending."
Her hand slipped into mine.
Firm.
Certain.
Outside, the night carried on—unaware, uncaring.
Inside the tent, something had shifted.
They could whisper.
They could threaten.
They could try again.
This time—
She wasn't alone.
And everyone knew it.
The bonfire cracked loud enough to drown out the past.
Flames climbed into the night, sparks spiraling upward like they were trying to escape the dark. Everyone gathered in a loose circle—laughing, teasing, pretending the day hadn't tried to bleed us dry.
I leaned into Keifer without thinking.
His arm came around me just as easily.
Like this was already normal.
"Wow," Cin stage-whispered, not even subtle. "They're leaning now."
Felix tossed a pebble at him. "Shut up before I cry."
Keifer dipped his head slightly toward me. "You okay?"
I nodded. "I am now."
The fire popped.
Someone was mid-story when it happened.
"JAY—!"
The shout cut clean through the noise.
My head snapped up.
Then again—louder, closer.
"JAY! HEY!"
Two figures emerged from the shadows beyond the firelight.
For a second, my brain didn't place them.
Then the flames flared higher.
And my chest forgot how to behave.
"Adam?" I breathed.
"LAURA—!"
I was on my feet before anyone could stop me.
I ran.
Straight into Laura's arms first—she crushed me like she was trying to fuse us back together. I laughed into her shoulder, breath shaking.
"You idiot," she said fiercely. "Do you have any idea—"
Then Adam.
He pulled me into a hug that lasted longer. Stronger. The kind that checked if you were still real.
He stepped back just enough to scan me head to toe, hands hovering, eyes sharp. "You hurt?"
"I'm fine," I said quickly. "I swear."
Laura narrowed her eyes. "You're bandaged."
"Details," I replied.
They exchanged a look.
Oh. They knew.
"Holy Saints," Adam said quietly. Not a question.
I didn't deny it.
Keifer cleared his throat behind us.
Not aggressive.
Not jealous.
Just… present.
I turned, smiling, and tugged Adam and Laura toward the fire. "Come on. I'll introduce you."
Section E watched with open curiosity as we approached.
"Guys," I said, "this is Adam and Laura. Old friends. From back home."
Laura grinned immediately. "You must be the famous Section E."
Cin puffed up. "We are."
Adam's gaze flicked to Keifer—sharp, assessing, protective in a way only chosen family gets.
"And you," Adam said calmly, extending a hand. "Must be the one standing closest."
Keifer took it without hesitation. Firm grip. Steady eye contact. "Keifer."
Adam nodded once.
Approval—not loud, but earned.
Laura plopped down by the fire like she belonged there. "So," she said brightly, "are we joining or what?"
Rory scooted over. "Bonfire rules say yes."
Felix grinned. "We were just about to start Truth or Dare."
"Oh," Laura said, delighted. "Dangerous choice."
Adam smirked. "I like danger."
I dropped back down beside Keifer, his arm finding me again instantly.
Someone passed the bottle.
Cin spun it dramatically.
It slowed.
Clicked.
Stopped.
Pointed.
Straight at me.
Groans erupted.
"No—" "Absolutely not—" "DAY ONE BACK AND—"
I sighed. "Fine. Truth."
Cin leaned forward, eyes gleaming. "Who kissed who first?"
Keifer didn't move.
Didn't answer.
I smiled into the firelight.
"I did."
The circle exploded.
Laura screamed. Adam laughed. Felix fell backward. Someone yelled "ICONIC."
Keifer bent closer to my ear. "No regrets?"
I tilted my head, brushed my lips against his jaw—just enough.
"None."
The fire burned on.
And for the first time in a long time—
The night didn't feel like something to survive.
It felt like something to keep.