--: Keifer's POV: --
The tropical sun had finally begun its slow descent, bleeding deep purples and bruised oranges across the horizon. Inside the cottage, the light was dimming, casting long, skeletal shadows against the wooden walls. The air conditioner hummed a steady, monotonous tune that had lulled me into a state of semi-consciousness.
My arm was completely dead. I'd been propped up on one elbow for what felt like an eternity, holding that cold compress against the small of Jay-Jay's back. My neck was stiff, and my back ached from the awkward angle, but every time I thought about moving, I'd look at her face. She looked so peaceful, her lips slightly parted, the tension finally drained from her forehead.
The "ants" had finally stopped crawling. The cooling gel and the ice had numbed the itch into submission, and the exhaustion of the trauma had done the rest.
I watched the clock on the bedside table. 7:45 PM. Almost dinner time. The smell of salt air was fading, replaced by the faint, distant scent of woodsmoke from the beach bonfires the resort staff were lighting. I felt my own stomach growl, a reminder that I'd only had a few bites of toast since the sun went up.
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
I drifted in that hazy middle ground between sleep and wakefulness. I wasn't quite under, but I wasn't ready to face the world yet either. My back felt... different. The sharp, localized fire was gone. The maddening, buzzing itch had settled into a dull, heavy warmth.
Carefully, without thinking, I started to shift.
"Jay? Take it easy," Keifer's voice was a low vibration next to my ear.
"I'm okay," I whispered into the pillow. "I think... I think I can turn over."
"Don't push it. If that bandage pulls, it's going to sting like a bitch."
"I'm stiff, Keifer. My neck hurts from laying like this."
Slowly, with his hands hovering over my waist like he was ready to catch a falling vase, I began to rotate. I braced myself for the sharp tug of the tape, the searing pain of the skin stretching—but it didn't come. Instead, there was just a tight, firm pressure. I let out a long, shaky breath as I finally landed on my back, my head sinking into the soft pillows.
I opened my eyes and looked at him. He was still shirtless, his hair a wild, salt-crusted mess, and his eyes were dark with a mixture of relief and lingering worry.
"Better?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"So much better," I breathed. Being able to look at the ceiling instead of a pillow felt like a victory. "I feel... human again."
--: Keifer's POV: --
I let out a breath I'd been holding since we left the beach. Seeing her lie on her back meant the wound was stable. It meant the inflammation had gone down enough that the pressure didn't send her into a spiral of pain.
"You're a fast healer, little one," I murmured, reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair from her damp forehead. "But don't get cocky. You're still on bed rest."
"It's dinner time, isn't it?" she asked, her eyes drifting toward the window where the sky was now a deep indigo.
"Technically. Aries sent a text ten minutes ago saying Section E and the F4 is hogging the VIP table at the grill. He asked if we wanted him to bring plates here."
Jay-Jay sat up—slowly, tentatively—and I moved behind her, propping the pillows up to support her spine so she didn't have to use her back muscles. She looked at the tray on the floor from earlier, then back at me.
"I don't want to eat here," she said, her voice gaining a bit of its usual stubborn spark. "I want to see the sky. I want to smell the real air, Keifer. If I stay in this room for one more hour, I'm going to start talking to the furniture."
--: Keifer's POV: --
I wanted to say no. I wanted to lock the door, bolt the windows, and keep her in this sterile, safe bubble until the scar was nothing but a faint white line. But I saw the way her eyes were searching the room, the way she looked slightly claustrophobic. The trauma of the water had been bad, but the trauma of being trapped might be worse for her.
"Fine," I grunted, standing up and stretching my stiff limbs. My joints popped like firecrackers. "But you're not walking. Not all the way to the grill."
"Keifer—"
"No arguments, Jay. You just spent the morning hyperventilating because of blood loss and shock. You're not hiking through sand. I carry you, or we stay here and eat cold eggs. Pick one."
She rolled her eyes, but a small, tired smile played on her lips. "Fine. Carry me. But if Section E starts making jokes, I'm blaming you."
"They won't be joking tonight," I muttered, more to myself than her.
I went to the closet and pulled out one of my oversized hoodies. It was thick, soft, and smelled like the sandalwood cologne I used. I helped her slide her arms into it, the fabric swallowing her small frame. It was perfect—the heavy material would protect the bandage and make sure nothing brushed against her back.
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
The moment Keifer stepped out onto the porch with me in his arms, the cool night air hit my face, and I felt like I could finally breathe. The island was alive at night. The sound of the crickets was a rhythmic pulse, and the distant beat of music from the resort bar felt like a heartbeat.
He held me high against his chest, his grip firm and steady. I tucked my head into the crook of his neck, breathing in the scent of him. After the terror of the morning, this—the solid weight of his arms, the rhythmic thud of his heart against my ear—was my only reality.
As we approached the outdoor grill area, I expected the usual chaos. I expected everyone to hoot and holler, or Thyme to make some loud remark about us being "extra." But as we got closer to the large circular table under the bulbs, a strange hush fell over the group.
Ci-N, who was usually halfway through a bottle of something or telling a loud story, immediately stood up. He didn't laugh. He didn't tease. He just pulled out the most comfortable chair and adjusted the cushion.
"Careful, Keifer," Ci-N said, his voice unusually quiet and serious. "The sand is uneven right there."
David looked up from his plate. He didn't roll his eyes. Instead, he watched Keifer lower me into the chair with an expression of genuine, deep-seated concern. "You look pale, Jay-Jay," David noted, his brow furrowed. "Are you sure you should be out here? We could have brought the food to you."
--: Keifer's POV: --
I ignored them for a second, focusing entirely on making sure Jay-Jay was positioned right. I grabbed a spare cushion from a nearby lounge and tucked it behind her back before I even thought about sitting down myself.
"She needed the air," I said shortly, taking the seat next to her.
Aries sat across from us, pushing a plate of fresh fruit and grilled fish toward Jay-Jay. He didn't say much, but he gave me a sharp nod—a silent 'thank you' for getting her out of the room. He looked at Jay-Jay, his eyes searching hers. "Does it still hurt to breathe, Jay? Be honest. I have the medic's number on speed dial."
"I'm okay, Aries. Really," Jay-Jay promised.
Ren, usually the most composed of the bunch, leaned forward. "We've had the kitchen prepare everything light. Nothing too heavy for your stomach since you were in shock. If you feel dizzy at all, you tell us immediately."
It was jarring. The usual teasing was replaced by a heavy, protective atmosphere. They weren't looking at us as a couple to be mocked; they were looking at Jay-Jay like she was something precious that had almost been lost.
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
The dinner was long, but not in a draining way. The guys kept the conversation low and gentle. MJ spent the time peeling shrimp for me so I wouldn't have to move my arms too much, and the others actually stayed quiet, just listening to make sure I wasn't struggling.
I saw the true bond of the group again, that was always there when someone needed help. It wasn't just about jokes and status—it was about this. When one of us was down, the rest became a shield.
"Ready to go back?" Keifer whispered in my ear after I'd finished most of my fruit. His hand was resting on the back of my chair, a constant, grounding presence.
"Yeah," I murmured, leaning my head against his shoulder. "I've slept so much today that I'm actually wide awake now. I just want to get back to the room and... talk. Or just be."
As Keifer stood up and gathered me back into his arms, Aries stood up too. "I'll walk you guys back. Just to make sure the path is clear."
"I've got it, Aries" Keifer said, his voice soft but firm.
"I know you do," Aries replied, nodding respectfully. "Get some rest, Jay. We'll be right here if you need anything tonight."
--: Keifer's POV: --
The walk back was silent, the resort settled into a late-night hush. I carried her up the wooden steps of our cottage, my heart finally slowing down to a normal pace.
Inside, I set her down on the edge of the bed. I moved through the room with practiced efficiency, turning down the covers and getting a fresh glass of water. I helped her out of the heavy hoodie, leaving her in the soft tank top from earlier. I checked the bandage one last time—it was clean, dry, and holding steady.
I slid into the bed beside her, pulling the duvet up over both of us. The room was dark, save for the pale moonlight filtering through the blinds.
I lay on my side, watching her. Her eyes were bright, reflecting the silver light. She wasn't tired at all; the long nap from the afternoon had seen to that.
"Keifer?" she whispered, her voice clear and alert.
"I'm here."
"I like lying on my back... but I like being next to you more. Actually not next to you but on you. You are very much comfortable."
I felt a ghost of a smirk pull at my lips, despite the exhaustion still ghosting through my limbs. "Oh, really? I'm a mattress now?"
"The best one on the whole world." she murmured.
--: Keifer's POV: --
I didn't need any more convincing. I shifted onto my back, propping myself up against the headboard with a couple of pillows so I was at a slight incline. I reached out, my hands finding her waist, and guided her gently.
"Come here then," I rasped.
With painstaking care to avoid putting pressure on her injury, I pulled Jay-Jay onto me. She settled her chest against my torso, her legs interlocking with mine, and rested her head right over my heart. I wrapped my arms loosely around her, my hands resting on the small of her back—just below the bandage—to keep her steady.
The contact was electric. Having her weight against me, feeling her warmth seep through my shirt, made the rest of the world feel like a distant memory.
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
He was warm—unbelievably warm. I could hear the steady, rhythmic thump-thump of his heart against my ear, and it was the most grounding sound I'd ever heard. His arms were like iron bands around me, making me feel shielded from everything.
"You're okay with this?" I whispered, tracing the collar of his shirt with my finger. "I don't want to make your arm go numb again."
"Baby," he said, his voice dropping into that low, gravelly register that always made my breath hitch. He tilted my chin up so I had to look at him. The moonlight hit the sharp line of his jaw and the softness in his eyes. "I would let both my arms fall off before I'd ask you to move. If you're comfortable, I'm more than okay."
He leaned down, his lips brushing against my forehead in a kiss that lasted a second too long to be just 'friendly.' It was a lingering, silent promise.
I was content. I was more than content—I was finally breathing normally with her weight anchored against my chest. But then, I felt her stir. Jay-Jay shifted, her small hands bracing against my shoulders as she pushed herself up slightly.
"Keifer," she whispered, her voice sounding a little strained. "The tank top. The fabric is catching on the edge of the tape again. It's... it's irritating the skin."
I frowned, my protective instincts spiking. "Does it sting? Do I need to check the seal?"
"No," she said, shaking her head, her messy waves brushing against my cheeks. "I just... I don't want anything touching it. I want to take it off."
Before I could even process the request, she was sitting up fully. With a slow, cautious grace to avoid jarring her back, she reached for the hem of the thin cotton top and pulled it over her head, tossing it onto the foot of the bed.
My throat went bone-dry. The moonlight hit her shoulders, turning her skin into polished marble. She didn't stop there. I watched, my heart hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs, as she reached behind her. A small click, a soft rustle of lace, and her bra followed the shirt.
She stood there for a moment, completely bare from the waist up, looking like a literal goddess in the silver light. She started to lean back down toward me, ready to reclaim her spot on my chest, but I reacted instinctively.
"Wait," I rasped, sitting up abruptly.
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
I froze, feeling the cool air of the AC hit my bare skin. "What? Is it the bandage? Is it bleeding?"
"No," Keifer said, his voice sounding deeper, rougher than usual. He stood up, the mattress creaking under his weight. He didn't look away—his gaze was intense, burning with a mix of raw admiration and a fiercely protective heat. "The AC is on high, Jay. You're going to get a chill, and the last thing you need is a fever on top of everything else."
--: Keifer's POV: --
I didn't give her a chance to protest. My heart was thundering against my ribs—partly from the sheer, breathtaking sight of her in the moonlight, and partly because the thought of her getting sick made my protective instincts flare into overdrive. I stood up, the cool air of the cottage hitting my own bare chest, and strode toward the closet.
I grabbed my heaviest, softest oversized hoodie—the dark grey one that smelled most strongly of my sandalwood cologne. I turned back to the bed, shaking the fabric out.
"Keifer, I'm fine," Jay-Jay whispered, her voice a little shaky as she sat there, exposed and beautiful in the silver light. "I just didn't want the fabric rubbing the bandage."
"I know," I rasped, my voice sounding like I'd swallowed gravel. I sat back down on the edge of the mattress and held the opening of the hoodie wide. "But you're shivering, Jay. And I'm not letting you get a chill on my watch."
I didn't just hand it to her. I held it out like a sanctuary. "Come here. Both of us. In the hoodie."
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
My breath hitched. I looked at the wide expanse of the sweatshirt and then at Keifer's steady, burning gaze. I didn't hesitate. I moved forward, crawling across the sheets until I was right in front of him. I felt the soft, heavy fleece of the hoodie drop over my head and shoulders, and then, with a coordinated movement, Keifer pulled the hem down over his own head too.
Suddenly, the world disappeared.
Inside the hoodie, it was dark, warm, and smelled entirely of him. The fabric was a tent, creating a private, heated universe just for us. I felt his bare chest press against mine—the friction of skin on skin sending a jolt through my entire body. My hands found the corded muscles of his waist, and his arms wrapped around me, pulling me flush against him so that our heartbeats were literally knocking against one another.
"Better?" he murmured. The sound vibrated through my chest.
"Much better, and warm" I breathed, tilting my head back.
--: Keifer's POV: --
Being this close—trapped in the same fabric, her bare skin molded against mine—was a beautiful kind of torture. I could feel every curve of her, the softness of her breasts pressing into my sternum, the way her small hands gripped my back. The air inside the hoodie grew thick and heavy with the scent of her skin and the heat we were generating.
I looked down, and even in the dimness inside our little fabric tent, her eyes were luminous. She looked up at me with a raw, wide-awake intensity that made my control snap.
I didn't wait. I leaned down, my hand cupping the back of her neck to support her, and crashed my lips against hers.
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
The kiss wasn't gentle. It was deep, hungry, and filled with all the terror and relief of the last twelve hours. It tasted like desperate protection and a need so sharp it made my toes curl into the mattress. Keifer groaned into my mouth, his tongue seeking mine, his grip tightening as if he were trying to pull me inside his very soul.
I leaned into him, my fingers tangling in the hair at the nape of his neck. The heat was dizzying. Inside the hoodie, the world was just the taste of him, the feel of his rough palms against my skin, and the overwhelming sensation of being completely, utterly safe.
He pulled back just an inch, his forehead resting against mine, both of us gasping for air in our small, dark sanctuary.
"Jay," he whispered, his voice trembling with an emotion so deep it terrified me. "Don't ever... don't ever scare me like that again. I can't lose this. I can't lose you."
"You won't," I promised, my voice a broken thread as I pulled him back down for another kiss. "I'm right here. Inside your heart."
--: Keifer's POV: --
I held her for what felt like hours inside that hoodie, our breaths syncing until they were one. Eventually, the intensity of the kiss mellowed into something softer—a slow, rhythmic swaying as we sat there in the dark.
I shifted us so we were lying back against the pillows again, still encased in the same giant sweatshirt. She settled onto my chest, her ear pressed to my heart, her bare skin a warm weight that finally allowed the last of my tension to dissolve.
"Keifer?" she murmured, her voice sounding small and sleepy at last.
"Yeah, baby?"
"You're the best mattress in the world, even if I wasn't sleepy I'm getting sleepy again... but you're an even better boyfriend."
I smiled, closing my eyes and wrapping my arms around the bundle of her. "Go to sleep, Jay. I've got you. Always."
As the first light of dawn began to touch the island, we finally fell into a deep, dreamless sleep—wrapped in the same thread, breathing the same air, finally safe.