Everyone exchanged glances as Kai shifted uncomfortably in his hospital bed. Jin took a step forward, concerned.

“How are you feeling now?” Jin asked softly.

“Press your doorbell, and you’ll find out.”

“That little rascal actually did it,” Jin muttered, glaring at Hoseok, who quickly hid behind Namjoon.

“Dad, let’s go home,” Jungkook suggested, turning to Kai with a hopeful look.

“Forty-five thousand,” Taehyung chimed in suddenly.

“What?” Jungkook blinked in confusion.

“The hospital bill,” Tae clarified with a grin. “I already paid. Now, give me that cash back.”

“Tae!” Jin glared at him before turning to Namjoon. “Ignore him. Namjoon, take the kids home. Tae and I will stay here with Kai.”

Namjoon nodded, though he looked hesitant. “Kai... We’re really sorry about what happened yesterday.”

Kai gave a soft smile. “It’s alright, Joonie. You’re too kind.”

“You’re too sweet, Soo,” Jin added with a grin, addressing Soo.

Soo smiled back. “Thanks, .”

“Soo,” Namjoon began, his voice heavy with guilt, “Please don’t hate us. Forgive us.”

Soo sighed but gave a small nod. “It’s okay. At least I got him alive.”

Namjoon walked over to Jungkook, patting his shoulder. “I really like you, Jungkook. You should come to our home sometime.”

“You already have six problems; why are you inviting a seventh one?” Taehyung teased.

“Shut up, Tae. We’re leaving.” Jin rolled his eyes. “Come on, kids.”

“I’m staying here,” Lisa insisted.

“No, I can’t send Joon home with this group of troublemakers.” Jin chuckled.

“Hah! Go help Joon, Lisa.” Taehyung waved her off. “Dad and I will stay and settle things here.”

“Can I stay?” Jimin asked timidly.

Before Kai could respond, Lisa walked over, placing a hand on Jimin’s shoulder. “Come on, Jimin. Noona will buy you ice cream.”
She turned to Kai, offering him a small smile. “Take care, Uncle.”

With that, she led Jimin out of the room. Hobi and Yoongi grabbed Joon’s hands and followed suit, leaving the room quieter as Kai settled back into his bed, watching them leave.

************

“Give me your number, I’ll transfer the money,” Jungkook said, looking at Taehyung expectantly.

“Yeah, sure…” Taehyung mumbled, handing over his phone number.

“At least you could say, ‘It’s okay, Jungkook, no need to pay me,’”

“For what? You think money grows on trees? I’m working hard for this!” Tae huffed.

Jungkook rolled his eyes. “How selfish can you be? Actually, I don’t even have that much cash in my account,” he pouted, glancing at Taehyung with a mock frown.

Tae raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you the CEO of a company?”

“Yeah, but my mom handles the finances. She barely gives me any money to spend on my own,” kooki admitted, sighing.

“Whatever,” Taehyung shrugged, “I like your proposal. Let’s move forward with it.”

Jungkook blinked in confusion. “Me? Propose? No way, I didn’t propose! I’m not marrying you!” He shook his head, horrified at the thought.

“No, you idiot. I’m talking about the business proposal. Your interior design ideas are solid. I’m ready to hire you for our new projects.”

Jungkook's expression softened with a playful smirk. “Oh, that? Well, you’re lucky to have me,” he boasted, leaning back with a satisfied grin. They were sitting in a quiet corner of the hospital, unnoticed for the most part. Taehyung shot him an amused look.

"Actually, my ideas are always brilliant. Back in London, people would call me non-stop, fighting to get my time," Jungkook continued, clearly getting excited.

Taehyung watched him, silently captivated. The way Jungkook talked, his eyes sparkled with passion, and his hands moved animatedly, expressing every word. Taehyung’s gaze lingered on Jungkook’s soft, cherry-red lips. Unconsciously, he gulped.

Jungkook, caught up in his own excitement, bit his lower lip while talking. The sight sent Taehyung over the edge.

Without thinking, Taehyung reached out, pulling Jungkook close. Their lips met in a sudden, heated kiss. Jungkook’s eyes widened in surprise, but after a brief moment, he melted into it, kissing Taehyung back with equal intensity. They shifted closer, the world around them fading.

Suddenly, a slow clap echoed through the hallway.

Taehyung and Jungkook broke apart, their faces flushed, turning towards the sound. Jin and Kaisoo were standing there, staring at them with wide grins. Some doctors and nurses, also watching, began to cheer. Even the security cameras had zoomed in on them, capturing the whole scene.

Once they parted, the applause grew louder. Jin nudged Kai with a grin. “So... should we start talking about marriage plans now?”

Jungkook and Taehyung, still stunned, glanced at each other awkwardly. Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck, trying to brush it off. “You know... sometimes... things just happen.”

Jungkook cleared his throat, trying to explain, “Actually, kissing triggers the release of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and dopamine. They enhance bonding and happiness. Plus, lips have lots of nerve endings, making kisses feel... uh, pleasurable. It also reduces stress by lowering cortisol levels... and... it’s good for your immune system,” he rambled nervously, struggling to justify what had just happened.

“Right,” Taehyung nodded, his voice barely above a whisper.

As the crowd continued to clap, the two boys quickly got up, exchanging one last glance before walking away from the scene as fast as they could.