A/N Chapter idea goes to jayferrrrrr
KEIFER POV
I woke up in the middle of the night, the room cold and too quiet.
Jay wasn't next to me.
My arm reached out instinctively, searching for her but the space beside me was empty.
"What the hell?" I muttered, sitting up.
"Jay?" I called softly, expecting her to answer, to complain, to say something sarcastic.
Nothing.
That chest tighten.
I got out of the bed, rubbing my eyes, scanning the room.
No Jay.
Then I heard it.
Crying.
Soft, muffled, coming from the bathroom.
My heart dropped.
I didn't think.
I didn't hesitate.
I went straight to the bathroom and pushed the door open.
"Jay—"
There was broken glass on the floor.
A few drops of blood near her hand.
And Jay—
Jay was sitting in the corner, knees pulled tight to her chest, her face buried in her hands, her whole body shaking.
Shit.
I didn't waste a second.
I went straight to her and wrapped my arms around her.
She tried to push me away, weakly, her hands trembling against my chest.
"Please—get out. I'll hurt you," she choked out, her voice breaking.
Hearing her say that…
it hit me harder than any punch ever could.
I tightened my hold, not enough to trap her, just enough so she knew she wasn't alone.
"Hey, hey… it's okay," I whispered, trying to tilt my head so she could see my face. "It's just me. Keifer."
She flinched at first, like she didn't trust her own senses.
Like she wasn't sure if I was real or another nightmare.
I gently cupped the side of her face, guiding her to look up without forcing her.
"Jay," I said softly, "I'm right here."
"Hey, look… it's me. Keifer," I said softly, trying to get her to see me, not whatever fear was eating her alive.
For a moment she didn't react.
Then her head lifted—just a little—and when her eyes finally focused on me, something in her broke.
She threw herself forward and hugged me.
Not gently.
Not carefully.
Desperately.
"Keifer," she cried into my shoulder, her voice shaking so hard it made my chest ache.
I wrapped my arms around her immediately, pulling her close, holding her like she might disappear if I loosened my grip even a little.
"It's okay," I whispered, one hand going to the back of her head, the other around her shoulders. "I'm here. I'm right here."
She buried her face in my chest, her hands tightening around me with every second, like she was holding on for dear life.
"Keifer…" she choked out, her voice breaking in a way that made my stomach twist.
"Please—please get this out of my mind. I don't want to remember any of this," she cried, her whole body shaking harder.
My heart dropped.
I leaned in and kissed her forehead, slow and steady, trying to anchor her back to the present.
"It's okay. I'm here. You're safe," I whispered against her hair.
"Keifer, I might hur—"
I didn't let her finish.
I shook my head immediately, my hands coming up to cup her face gently—not to stop her, but to reassure her.
"Jay," I said softly, firmly "You won't"
She tried to look away, but I guided her gaze back to mine, careful, gentle.
"You're scared. That's all this is," I murmured. "You're not dangerous. Not to me."
Her breathing hitched, her fingers tightening in my shirt like she was afraid of herself.
I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her again, letting her feel something solid, something steady.
"I've got you," I whispered into her hair. "You're safe with me. Always."
She buried herself into my chest again, clutching me like she was afraid I'd disappear if she let go.
This is happening again.
The same shaking.
The same fear.
The same way she held on like I was the only thing keeping her upright.
I slid one arm under her knees and the other around her back, lifting her slowly into a bridal carry.
She didn't fight it this time—she just curled into me, her forehead pressed against my shoulder.
Her eyes were red.
Too red.
And seeing her like that… it hurt in a way I didn't know how to explain.
I carried her back to the be"Sleep," I said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "I'll be here."
Her breathing was still uneven, bud and set her down gently, like she was made of glass.
I pulled the blanket over her, tucking it around her shoulders so she'd feel warm, safe, held.
Then I sat beside her, close enough that she could reach for me if she needed to, but not crowding her.
t she didn't let go of my hand.
Her fingers curled around mine, weak but certain.
I stayed right where I was.
Then after I knew she was asleep
I slowly loosened her grip, careful not to wake her or make her panic again. Her fingers slipped from my shirt one by one, and for a second I hesitated—just watching her breathe, making sure she was really calming down.
Then I stood up and went back to the bathroom.
The mess was still there.
Shattered glass scattered across the tiles.
A few small drops of blood near the sink.
The kind of scene that made my chest tighten all over again.
I crouched down and started picking up the pieces one by one, moving slowly so I wouldn't cut myself.
The sound of the glass clinking together felt too loud in the quiet room.
When I finished gathering the shards, I grabbed a towel and gently wiped the floor where the blood had been.
I didn't want her to see any of it when she woke up.
She'd been through enough.
I grabbed the first aid kit and went back to her.
She was still asleep, breathing softly, her face finally calm after everything she'd been through.
I sat beside her and took her hand gently.
Her finger was still bleeding a little.
Nothing serious, but enough to make my chest tighten again.
I opened the kit quietly, trying not to make a sound, and cleaned the cut as carefully as I could.
I didn't want to wake her. She needed rest more than anything.
She flinched when the antiseptic touched her skin.
I froze.
Then I slowed down, my movements softer, lighter, almost like I was afraid she'd break if I pressed too hard.
"It's okay," I whispered even though she couldn't hear me. "I've got you."
I wrapped the bandage around her finger, making sure it was snug but not tight.
Her hand relaxed a little in mine, like even in her sleep she could feel the difference.
When I finished, I brushed a stray hair away from her face and let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.
She looked peaceful now.
Safe.
I kissed her forehead, just a soft touch, hoping it would help her settle. Then I lay down beside her, careful not to wake her.
But the moment my body hit the mattress, she moved.
She immediately shifted closer, like her instincts recognized me before her mind did. Her arms wrapped around me, holding on tight, her face pressed against my chest again.
I let out a slow breath.
Even in her sleep, she was reaching for comfort.
I wrapped my arms around her too, pulling her gently into me. Not too tight — just enough so she knew she wasn't alone.
Her breathing steadied against my shirt.
I rested my chin lightly on her head.
"We're going home tomorrow," I whispered, even though she couldn't hear me. "You'll be okay. I promise."
And with her in my arms, warm and finally calm, I closed my eyes.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
JAY-JAY POV
I woke up and saw that animal sleeping next to me.
For a second I forgot where I was, why he was here, why his arm was still half‑wrapped around my waist like he owned the place.
I slowly sat up, trying not to wake him.
But of course he woke up instantly—
like some kind of overprotective guard dog.
He shot up, eyes alert.
"Do you need anything?" he asked immediately.
I blinked at him.
"No," I mouthed, shaking my head.
Then I noticed it.
The bandage on my finger.
I stared at it, confused for a moment, trying to remember when—
how—
who—
And then it hit me.
He did this.
I looked at him again.
"You… did this?" I asked quietly, lifting my hand a little.
He didn't say anything at first.
Just nodded once, like it wasn't a big deal.
"Jay, what do you remember?" Keifer asked softly.
"I won't force you if you don't want to talk about it."
I looked at him.
And then everything from last night came rushing back.
FLASHBACK
I slowly got out of that animal's grip, making sure he didn't wake up.
Damn, he is heavy.
I slipped out of his arms and tip‑toed to the bathroom, rubbing my eyes.
My whole body felt heavy, like sleep was still pulling me down.
I pushed the door open quietly and stepped inside.
Then my elbow hit something.
Crash.
The glass vase on the counter fell and shattered across the tiles.
"Shit," I whispered, staring at the mess.
"Who the hell puts a vase in the bathroom," I muttered to myself, rubbing my forehead.
I crouched down and started picking up the broken pieces.
I was in a rush — I just wanted to sleep, and I was still half‑asleep already.
I grabbed one of the shards too quickly.
A sharp sting.
I froze.
Blood started to come from my finger, warm and sudden.
My breath caught in my throat.
Then the memories started to come — fast, sharp
"SHUT UP AND GO!"
A man's voice thundered in my head, loud enough to make my whole body flinch.
He turned toward me.
His eyes were cold.
Too familiar.
"Jay. Come to me."
I didn't want to.
Every part of me screamed no.
My feet felt glued to the floor.
But I still went.
And then another memory slammed into me — sharper, louder
"You can't do anything right," another man snapped, stepping toward me with something in his hand.
My stomach dropped.
He grabbed my wrist and forced something onto my hand — something that stung, something that made my whole arm jolt with pain.
I cried out, the tears coming before I could stop them.
"SHUT UP AND STOP CRYING!" he yelled, his voice echoing in my head like it was happening all over again
Then another memory hit me— sharper, darker
Suddenly I was small again.
I looked down and saw myself covered in blood—not mine, but splattered across my clothes, my hands, the floor. My heart pounded so hard it hurt.
Mama was standing there, frozen, a knife in her hand.
Her eyes were wide.
Her whole body shaking.
There was blood everywhere—on the walls, on the tiles, on her clothes.
I didn't understand what happened.
I just stood in the middle of the room, crying so hard I couldn't breathe, my voice barely coming out.
Then before anything else could happen—
before the memory could swallow me whole—
two arms wrapped around me from behind.
I didn't know who it was.
I couldn't tell what was real and what wasn't.
My heart was pounding too fast, my breath stuck in my throat.
"Please—leave me," I choked out, trying to pull away. "I'll hurt you."
But the arms only tightened, steady and warm, not trapping—
just holding.
"You're okay," a voice said, low and calm.
I shook my head, still trying to come back to reality, still seeing flashes of things I didn't want to remember.
"Jay," the voice said again, closer this time. "Jay, look at me."
I forced my eyes open.
And it was Keifer.
His face was right there, worried, steady, real.
Not a nightmare.
Him.
The moment I recognized him, something inside me snapped.
I didn't hesitate.
I just threw my arms around him and held on like he was the only solid thing left in the world.
The tears came hard, shaking my whole body.
"Keifer—" I sobbed into his chest, my voice breaking. "Please… take it out. I don't want to remember. I don't want it in my head."
He just held me tighter, one hand on the back of my head, the other around my shoulders, grounding me, keeping me here, keeping me safe.
"I've got you," he whispered. "You're safe. You're here with me."
And for the first time in a long time—
I believed him.
Then he picked me up and put me on the bed and I slept
END OF FLASHBACK
"Jay."
Keifer's voice pulled me out of the memory like someone yanking me back to the surface.
"I don't know, Keifer," I whispered, my throat tight. "There was a man yelling… and the last one—Mama had a knife in her hand and I was in the middle of—"
I didn't even finish.
Keifer just moved.
He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest before the words could tear me apart any more than they already had.
And that's when I realized—
I was crying.
In shaking, breath‑catching, chest‑tight crying.
I didn't even know when it started.
"It's okay," he murmured, his voice low and steady against my ear. "It's okay, Jay. We'll figure this out."
His hand moved slowly up and down my back, grounding me, keeping me here, keeping me from slipping back into those memories.
I gripped his shirt, trying to breathe, trying to stop shaking, but the more he held me, the more everything I'd been holding in finally broke loose.
"I'm right here," he said again, softer this time. "You're not alone in this."
After I finally calmed down, Keifer stood up and brushed a hand through his hair.
"Let's go. The kids will be waiting for us," he said gently.
I nodded.
My voice still felt stuck somewhere in my chest, so I didn't try to speak.
I just got ready quietly. He did the same, giving me space but staying close enough that I could feel he was watching out for me.
The drive was… silent.
Not awkward.
Just quiet.
When we reached the house, I unbuckled and stepped out immediately, letting the cold air hit my face. It helped. A little.
I took a breath and looked at the front door.
Home.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
💙🔥 AUTHOR'S NOTE 🔥💙
SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE 😭🔥
I was watching Ep 6 and OMG it was AMAZING 😭🤭✨
Ella?
Yeah… my hatred for her just LEVELED UP 😭💀🔥
Trying to manipulate Jay like girl PLEASE 😭🤦♀️
And FREYA???
I thought she was a mean girl at first, but NO 😭💔
Her backstory had me CRYING. She didn't deserve any of that.
She really taught me "don't judge a book by its cover."
Meanwhile Yuri…
Red flag back then, red universe now 😭💀✨
Keifer was guilty too, but at least he CHANGED for Jay 😌💙🔥
Main point:
FREYA DESERVES BETTER (maybe someone like Edrix 👀😏)
And guys… I can ALREADY feel the heartbreak coming when Jay learns about Keifer's plan 😭💔
I know he's trying to protect her but MY HEART CAN'T TAKE IT 😭🔥
I'm literally preparing myself for emotional damage at this point 😭✨ Anyway, this is it for today
Anyways BYE GUYSSSSSS 😭💙🔥