The hospital smelled like antiseptic and misery.

Jae hated it.

He hated the sight of Ava lying on the hospital bed, her arm wrapped in thick bandages. Hated the way her usually lively eyes were dull from the painkillers. Hated that it was her blood on his hands earlier, not his.

Section E took over the hospital waiting room. Kai was pacing, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked painful. Lily was fuming, arms crossed, while Minho had his hand on her shoulder, silently grounding her. Eli sat on the chair, his head in his hands.

Nobody spoke.

Nobody knew what to say.

Jae sat next to Ava’s bed, his fingers intertwined with hers. He had barely left her side since they arrived.

Ava stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

“Jae?” her voice was weak, but hearing it made his chest unclench just a little.

“Hey,” Jae murmured, leaning closer. “How are you feeling?”

Ava blinked up at him before offering a half-smile. “Like I got shot.”

Jae exhaled, half-laughing, half-breaking. “Not funny.”

She squeezed his hand lightly. “Are you okay?”

That made him freeze.

She was the one in the hospital bed, and she was asking about him?

Jae swallowed, looking away. “I should be asking you that.”

Ava studied his face, noticing the dark circles under his eyes, the barely contained rage in his clenched jaw.

“You’re blaming yourself.”

Jae didn’t answer.

Ava’s grip on his hand tightened. “Jae, look at me.”

He hesitated before meeting her gaze.

“This isn’t your fault.”

Jae exhaled sharply. “You were shot, Ava. In front of me. Because of me.” His voice cracked. “If I had just been faster—”

“You were there,” Ava interrupted. “And I’m alive because of that.”

Jae’s throat tightened. “I should’ve protected you better.”

Ava sighed, reaching up to cup his face with her uninjured hand. “Jae, if you keep blaming yourself for everything, you’re going to go insane.”

He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes for a moment. “I just… I can’t lose you, Ava.”

Ava softened. “You won’t.”

Just then, the door slammed open.

Kai stormed in, followed by Eli, Minho, and Lily.

“ALRIGHT, THAT’S IT,” Kai declared. “WE’RE FINDING OUT WHO THE HELL SHOT AVA.”

Minho nodded. “Jae, we’re going hunting.”

Jae stood up immediately. “Good. Let’s go.”

Ava groaned, pulling him back. “Jae, you are NOT leaving me in a hospital bed just to commit actual murder.”

Jae smirked, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead.

“Watch me.”

And just like that, war was declared