The hospital room was dimly lit, the faint beeping of machines and soft murmurs of nurses creating a soothing background as Rosalia settled into the chair beside Jimin’s bed. She had refused to leave, her determination unwavering. The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm light over Jimin’s peaceful face, and for the first time since she had rushed to the hospital, she felt a slight sense of relief wash over her. He was alive; he was here.

As the night wore on, she made herself comfortable in the chair, her legs tucked under her. The hospital gown Jimin wore hung loosely on his frame, and she couldn’t shake the feeling of worry that clung to her. She gently took his hand, her thumb running over the back of it, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her fingers.

The nurses came and went, checking his vitals, adjusting the IV drip, and ensuring he was stable. Each time they entered the room, Rosalia felt her heart race with anxiety, but they always offered her reassuring smiles, telling her he was doing well and would likely wake up soon.

“Can I get you anything?” one of the nurses asked, her tone kind.

Rosalia shook her head. “I’m fine. I just want to be here when he wakes up.”

The nurse smiled. “That’s very sweet of you. Just remember to take care of yourself, too.” She patted Rosalia’s shoulder gently before stepping out of the room.

Rosalia turned her attention back to Jimin, taking in the peaceful rise and fall of his chest. She had never seen him like this—vulnerable and fragile. It pained her to think about what he had been through and the risks he took for the sake of his work.

“Jimin,” she whispered, leaning closer. “Please wake up. I can’t stand seeing you like this.” She brushed a strand of hair from his forehead and cupped his cheek, feeling the slight stubble under her fingers. “I need you. You can’t leave me like this. You promised.”

Minutes turned into hours, and Rosalia found herself losing track of time. She pulled out her phone and texted Jin, letting him know she was still at the hospital and that Jimin was stable. The boys had offered to stay, but she insisted on taking care of him alone.

Every now and then, she caught herself glancing at the clock on the wall, its ticking sounding louder in the quiet room. It was getting late, and fatigue was creeping in, but she fought it off, knowing she had to stay alert for Jimin.

Suddenly, Jimin stirred, a soft groan escaping his lips. Rosalia leaned in closer, her heart racing. “Jimin? Can you hear me?”

His eyelids fluttered, and slowly, he opened his eyes, squinting against the bright light. “Rosa?” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes! I’m here,” she said, her heart soaring at the sound of his voice. “You’re safe. You’re in the hospital.”

He blinked a few times, confusion clouding his features. “What happened?”

“You got hurt during your mission,” she explained softly. “You’ve been unconscious for a bit, but you’re okay now. I’ve been here the whole time.”

A flicker of worry crossed his face, and he attempted to move, only to wince in pain. “I didn’t want to worry you,” he murmured, trying to sit up.

“Don’t!” Rosalia urged, placing a hand on his shoulder to keep him down. “You need to rest. The doctors said you’ll be okay, but you have to take it easy.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice laced with guilt. “I didn’t want to put you through this.”

“Jimin, don’t apologize,” she said firmly, leaning closer. “You didn’t do this on purpose. You were doing your job, and I’m just grateful you’re alive.” Tears brimmed in her eyes, but she blinked them away, forcing a smile instead. “I need you to focus on getting better. That’s all that matters right now.”

He studied her for a moment, his gaze softening. “You stayed with me? All night?”

“Of course,” she replied, her voice steady. “I wasn’t going to leave you alone. You mean too much to me.”

A small, grateful smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and it filled her heart with warmth. “You really shouldn’t have. I didn’t expect you to—”

“I don’t care about expectations,” she interrupted gently. “I just want to be here for you. You were there for me when I needed you, and now it’s my turn.”

He nodded slowly, his expression serious. “Thank you, Rosa. I didn’t realize how much I needed you until… until now.”

Rosalia felt her cheeks flush, a mixture of embarrassment and affection swirling within her. “Just promise me you’ll be careful next time,” she said, trying to keep her tone light despite the gravity of the situation.

“I promise,” he said, his voice firm. “I’ll be more careful. I don’t want to worry you like this again.”

As they spoke, a nurse entered the room, checking Jimin’s vitals and adjusting the IV again. “Good to see you awake, Mr. Park,” she said with a smile. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I got hit by a truck,” he replied with a weak chuckle, and Rosalia couldn’t help but laugh, the sound breaking the tension in the room.

“That’s understandable,” the nurse said, jotting something down on her clipboard. “You’ve had quite the ordeal, but you’re on the mend. Just keep resting, and we’ll monitor you closely.”

Once the nurse left, Rosalia returned her focus to Jimin, who had settled back against the pillows, his eyes still slightly dazed. “You scared me, you know,” she said softly, her voice full of concern. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

“I’m sorry, Rosa,” he repeated, his voice filled with remorse. “I never wanted to put you through that. It’s just part of what I do.”

“I understand that now, but it doesn’t make it any easier,” she replied, her fingers tracing over the bandages on his arm. “Just promise me you’ll talk to me about it next time. I don’t want to feel left in the dark.”

He nodded earnestly. “I promise. I’ll be open with you. I just… I didn’t want to drag you into my world.”

“You already have,” she said, her gaze steady. “I’m not going anywhere, Jimin. You can’t push me away. I care about you too much.”

He looked down, his expression pensive. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”

“Absolutely,” she replied without hesitation. “I want to be part of your life, all of it—good and bad.”

His eyes met hers, a mixture of emotions flickering across his face—fear, relief, and something deeper that made her heart race. “Then I guess I’ll have to make sure I’m worth it,” he said, a hint of a smile returning to his lips.

“You already are,” she said softly. “Just focus on healing, okay?”

The hours slipped by, and Rosalia found herself lost in conversation with Jimin. They spoke about everything and nothing, sharing stories and laughter, and she could feel the bond between them strengthening with each word. It was as if the world outside the hospital walls faded away, leaving just the two of them in their little bubble.

Eventually, fatigue began to catch up with her, and she felt her eyelids grow heavy. “Jimin, I think I’m going to close my eyes for just a moment,” she murmured, stifling a yawn.

“Okay, but promise you’ll wake up when I do,” he said, his tone teasing yet genuine.

“Promise,” she replied, her eyes fluttering shut.

She drifted in and out of sleep, the rhythmic beeping of the machines lulling her into a peaceful state. Each time she opened her eyes, she found Jimin watching her with a soft smile, and it filled her with warmth.

The night stretched on, but she felt secure knowing he was beside her, even if it was just in the quiet moments of his recovery.

When morning light began to filter through the window, Rosalia stirred, stretching her arms above her head. She blinked, her gaze landing on Jimin, who had fallen asleep, his face relaxed and peaceful. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of him, the man who had become her anchor amidst the chaos of life.

Just then, the door swung open, and Jin stepped in, a coffee cup in each hand. “Hey, sleeping beauty!” he said cheerfully, handing her a cup. “Thought you could use this.”

“Thanks, Jin,” she said, taking a sip. The warmth spread through her, and she felt a surge of energy. “How’s Jimin doing?”

“Still sleeping, but he’s stable,” Jin replied, looking at Jimin with a hint of concern. “He really scared us all, you know. We didn’t expect the mission to go so wrong.”

Rosalia nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of it all. “I know. It’s hard to process everything.”

“I’m glad you stayed with him,” Jin said, his tone sincere. “He needs you. We all do, but especially him.”

She met Jin’s gaze, feeling the truth in his words. “I won’t leave him again. Not after everything that happened. He means too much to me now.”

Jin smiled knowingly, as if he understood the depth of her feelings for Jimin. “You’re good for him, Rosa. He’s had a tough time adjusting to everything, especially with his work. You bring a light into his life that he didn’t know he needed.”

Rosalia couldn’t help but blush at Jin’s words. “I just want him to be happy and safe.”

The morning wore on, and Rosalia remained by Jimin's side, the gentle sound of his breathing easing her worries. Every now and then, she would glance at the door, half-expecting it to swing open with the arrival of one of their friends, but for now, it was just the two of them in the room, and she cherished that.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, Jimin finally stirred. He blinked a few times, looking around the room before his gaze settled on Rosalia. A smile broke across his face, making her heart flutter. “Hey,” he croaked, his voice raspy from sleep.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “You had us all worried.”

“Did I?” He chuckled softly, but then his expression turned serious. “I didn’t mean to. I didn’t want you to worry about me, Rosa.”

She shook her head. “You don’t get to decide that for me. You’re important to me, and when I heard you were hurt, it terrified me.”

He reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. “I’m sorry for putting you through that. I promise I’ll be more careful in the future. I don’t want you to feel like this again.”

“Just remember, I’m here for you,” she replied, squeezing his hand gently. “You’re not alone in this anymore.”

“Thanks, Rosa,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “It means everything to know you’re by my side.”

Jin, who had been quietly observing, cleared his throat, breaking the intimate moment. “Well, I’ll leave you two alone. I have to check in with the others and update them on your progress, Jimin. Just know that we’re all rooting for you, and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“Thanks, Jin,” Jimin replied, giving him a small nod.

Once Jin left, the atmosphere in the room shifted. It felt lighter, as if the weight of the world had lifted just a bit. Rosalia and Jimin were able to share a comfortable silence, simply enjoying each other's presence.

“Rosa,” Jimin said, breaking the quiet. “About the mission… I never wanted you to see that side of my life.”

“Jimin, I understand that it’s part of who you are,” she reassured him. “I may not fully comprehend everything, but I want to be part of your world. I want you to trust me enough to share it with me.”

He looked at her, admiration shining in his eyes. “You’re incredible, you know that? I don’t deserve you.”

“That’s not true,” she replied, her voice firm. “You deserve happiness, Jimin. Just like anyone else. I’m here because I want to be. I choose you, no matter what.”

He smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. “I choose you too, Rosa.”

As they shared another tender moment, the door opened again, and this time, it was one of the nurses with a clipboard. “Good morning! How are we feeling today, Mr. Park?”

“Like I’ve been hit by a truck,” Jimin replied with a wry smile.

The nurse laughed softly. “That’s understandable! We’re going to do a few checks, and then we’ll see about getting you some breakfast. You’ll need your strength.”

Rosalia watched as the nurse went about her tasks, checking Jimin’s vitals and making sure everything was in order. She felt a sense of gratitude toward the hospital staff, thankful for the care they provided.

After the nurse finished her checks, she left the room, leaving Rosalia and Jimin to their privacy once again.

“Want me to get you some food?” she asked, standing up.

“Only if you’re going to eat with me,” he replied, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Of course!” she laughed, “I’ll be right back.”

She stepped out of the room to find the cafeteria, her heart lightening at the thought of sharing a meal with Jimin. After grabbing some breakfast, she returned to his room, feeling a sense of purpose.

“Look what I brought!” she said, holding up the tray as she entered.

“Food! Finally!” Jimin exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.

She set the tray down on the small table beside him and began to serve them both, her heart swelling with happiness. The air between them was filled with laughter and easy conversation as they shared their meal.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Jimin asked, his mouth full of toast.

“Well, first, we need to get you out of here as soon as possible,” she said playfully. “I can’t have you stuck in a hospital gown when we have adventures to go on!”

He chuckled, then grew serious. “I need to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?” she asked, setting her fork down, suddenly alert.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about us,” he began, his expression contemplative. “About how we’ve gotten closer, and… I don’t want you to ever feel like you’re just a temporary thing in my life.”

Rosalia felt her breath hitch in her throat. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” he said, searching her eyes, “I want to take this seriously. I want to be with you. For real. No more hiding. No more secrets. Just us.”

Tears of joy filled Rosalia’s eyes as she absorbed his words. “Jimin, I feel the same way. I don’t want to hide anymore, either. I want to be part of your life, all of it.”

“Then let’s do this together,” he said softly. “I want you to be my partner, in everything. You deserve that.”

She nodded, a smile breaking across her face. “Yes. I want that, too.”

With that, a newfound sense of understanding settled between them. The storm that had threatened to tear them apart now felt like a distant memory.

As the hours passed, they spent the day talking about their future, laughing, and planning their next steps together. It was as if they were building a bridge to a brighter tomorrow, one that was filled with hope, love, and promise.

When evening rolled around, Jimin’s doctor finally came in with good news. “We’re going to keep you for another night for observation, but if everything checks out, you’ll be free to go home tomorrow,” he said with a smile.

“Great! I’ll take it,” Jimin said, his spirits lifting.

Once the doctor left, Rosalia squeezed his hand excitedly. “You’ll be out of here soon! Then we can really celebrate.”

“Celebrate what?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Our future,” she replied, her gaze steady. “I can’t wait to start this journey with you, Jimin.”

“Me too,” he said, smiling broadly. “I can’t wait to show you just how much you mean to me.”

As they settled into another comfortable silence, Rosalia felt a wave of contentment wash over her. She knew they had a long road ahead, filled with challenges and uncertainties, but for the first time, she felt ready to face anything as long as they were together.

Their hands remained intertwined, a silent promise of support and love as they embarked on this new chapter of their lives together.