Hunter's breathing changed first.
Not dramatically—just a slight hitch, like his body was testing the idea of being awake again.
Lia noticed instantly.
She straightened from the chair beside the bed, eyes sharp. Jay paused mid-sentence, sensing it before seeing it.
"Don't," Jay muttered under her breath.
"Don't you dare wake up just to scare us."
Hunter's fingers twitched.
Then his eyes opened.
Slow. Disoriented. Heavy.
For a moment, he just stared at the ceiling, blinking like the world hadn't loaded properly yet.
"…Wow," he rasped. "This is not my stage."
Jay let out a breathy laugh. "You always complain about venues."
Lia leaned closer. "You're alive."
He turned his head toward her. Recognition came instantly—no confusion, no delay.
"There you are," he said quietly. "Took you long enough."
Her jaw tightened. "You crashed a plane."
"Minor detail," he replied weakly.
Around them, Section E stayed silent—not shocked, not panicked. They already knew Hunter. They already knew Jay and Lia. The chaos had burned out hours ago, leaving behind a heavy, tired calm.
Angelo stood near the wall, arms crossed.
Kairav beside him, eyes never leaving Lia.
Hunter shifted slightly, then winced.
"Don't move," Lia said immediately.
"Yes, Dr. Bell," Hunter murmured. "Both of you."
Jay smirked. "See? He knows his place."
Ion shook her head slowly. "You almost died, and you're still annoying."
"Talent," Hunter replied.
Jessica glanced between Jay and Lia. "You good?"
Jay nodded. "He's stable. Pain meds will kick in soon."
No one questioned it. No one needed explanations. Jay and Lia being Dr. Bells wasn't news—it was just something that usually stayed locked away behind closed doors.
Hunter's gaze softened as he looked at Lia again.
"You came," he said.
She didn't answer right away.
Then, quietly, "I always do."
Not blood. Never needed to be.
Hunter closed his eyes briefly, exhaustion pulling him back. "Guess I ruined your plans."
"You ruined your own," Jay corrected. "We just fixed it."
Angelo stepped closer. "You scared the hell out of her."
Hunter smiled faintly. "Worth it."
Lia shot him a warning look. "Try that again and I'll unplug something."
Kairav huffed. "She's serious."
"I know," Hunter whispered. "That's why I trust her."
A nurse entered, checking vitals. "He'll be moved to recovery soon. You can see him later."
Jay nodded. "We'll wait."
As they stepped back, Section E regrouped naturally—no whispers, no drama. Just quiet relief.
Eren muttered, "Man survives a crash and still jokes."
Mayo sighed. "Legends are annoying like that."
Angelo glanced at Jay and Lia. "You two done saving the world for today?"
Jay stretched her shoulders. "For now."
Lia looked once more at Hunter through the glass as he was wheeled away.
Not relief. Not fear.
Just certainty.
He was alive.
And that was enough.