The hallway emptied slowly after Hunter was taken to recovery.
Not because anyone was told to leave—but because exhaustion finally caught up to them.
Jay slid down onto a bench, elbows on her knees, staring at the floor like her body had just remembered it was human. Lia stood a few steps away, arms folded, watching the doors where Hunter had disappeared. She didn't look shaken. She looked… paused. Like someone who had stopped running but hadn't yet learned how to walk again.
Angelo broke the silence first. "He'll sleep for hours."
Lia nodded. "Good."
Kairav tilted his head slightly. "You okay?"
She didn't answer immediately. Then, "I am now."
Jay glanced up at her. "You don't have to pretend."
Lia looked at her, one brow lifting. "I'm not."
That was the thing about Lia—when she said she was fine, she actually was. Not because it didn't hurt. But because she'd already absorbed the pain and locked it somewhere safe.
Footsteps echoed from the other end of the corridor.
Keifer came back first, hands shoved into his jacket pockets, eyes a little too sharp. Behind him were Yuri, Drew, Kit, Mayo, Eren, Rory, Edrix, Freya, Ella, Mica, Rakki, Cin, Felix, Calix, David, Josh, Eman, and Percy. They didn't rush. They didn't talk over each other.
They just… gathered.
Drew broke first. "So," he said slowly, "that actually just happened."
Mayo laughed weakly. "Global icon. Plane crash. Emergency surgery. Casual."
Kit glanced between Jay and Lia. "You two are insane."
Jay smirked. "You're welcome."
Eren scratched his head. "I still can't believe he was joking five minutes after waking up."
"That's Hunter," Lia said. "Near death doesn't change him. It just annoys him."
Freya studied her quietly. "You're really close."
Lia didn't deny it. "He's family."
No explanations followed. None were needed.
Ayaan leaned against the wall beside Jessica and Cindy. "The hospital staff kept staring at you two like they were seeing ghosts."
Alvin chuckled. "One nurse whispered 'Dr. Bell' like it was a prayer."
Jay rolled her eyes. "They always do that."
Theo raised a brow. "You say that like it's normal."
"It's not," Jay replied. "But it's familiar."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Sean said softly, "You didn't hesitate."
Lia turned toward him. "Neither would any of you."
That made something settle in the group. Not pride. Not awe.
Trust.
Zeke checked his phone. "Media's going crazy outside. Fans. Press. Management."
Angelo sighed. "They'll handle it. Hunter always does."
Jay stood up, stretching her arms. "We should rotate. Some of you rest. Some of you stay."
"I'll stay," Lia said instantly.
Jay glanced at her. "I know."
Kairav nodded. "I'll stay too."
A few others volunteered quietly—Daniel, Marcus, Tiger. The rest understood without being told and began moving toward the waiting area, some collapsing into chairs, others leaning against walls, eyes half-closed.
Hours passed.
Machines hummed. Nurses walked in and out. The hospital lights dimmed slightly as night deepened.
Lia hadn't moved.
Jay came back with two coffees and handed one to her. "Drink."
Lia took it without comment.
They stood there together, shoulder to shoulder, watching the glass doors of recovery.
Jay spoke softly. "He asked for you when they rolled him in."
Lia's grip tightened slightly around the cup. "I know."
Jay smiled faintly. "Of course you do."
Another hour.
Then the doors opened again.
A nurse stepped out. "He's awake. Briefly. You can see him. One at a time."
Lia was already moving.
Inside, Hunter looked weaker now. Paler. Tubes and monitors surrounded him, but his eyes still lit up when he saw her.
"Hey," he whispered.
"Hey," she replied.
He studied her face carefully. "You look tired."
She scoffed quietly. "You almost died."
"Still not the worst birthday surprise," he murmured.
Her lips twitched. "You're grounded."
He smiled, eyes closing again. "Worth it."
As she turned to leave, he added, barely audible, "Thanks for coming back from the dark."
Lia froze.
Then, softly, "Always."
She stepped out, the door closing behind her.
Jay was waiting.
"He said something stupid, didn't he?" Jay asked.
"Yes."
Jay smiled. "Good. That means he's okay."
They leaned against the wall together, finally letting the night slow down around them.
Outside, the world was loud. Cameras flashed. Names trended.
Inside, none of that mattered.
Hunter was alive.
Lia was here.
Jay was steady.
And for the first time since the call came in—
Everything was quiet enough to breathe.