~YOUR POV~

The rest of the day was spent at Queen's Bath, practically attached to Hoseok's side. He was giddy and excited to show you all of the scenery that he had visited many times before.

Queen's Bath was a rocky area of Kauai that lead to tide pools and a small waterfall. It was nothing compared to the sights that you both saw on the Kalulau trail hike, but it was still pretty enough to make the drive over worthwhile.

If you were being honest, though, you had a hard time just focusing on the scenery as Hoseok's words were stuck in your mind. It almost seemed surreal that he confessed that he loved you. And it almost seemed even more surreal that your future wasn't supposed to take place in Hawaii with these people that you'd come to know and love so much. Your wish of coming to Hawaii and leaving with tears in your eyes because you would miss everything was coming true. And it wasn't as romantic as you imagined it.

The thought of leaving made your stomach turn, your throat close up, and your eyes fill up with hot tears. The thought of not being able to see Hoseok every day hurt, way more than you had anticipated that it would.

But hey, you'd never been in love before you met him, so how could you possibly know how bad the flip side of it hurts?

"I had a great time with you today," Hoseok said, standing with you on your doorstep. After spending the night with him once, it seemed almost silly to be saying goodbye just because it was nighttime. But, you still had some boundaries, and you weren't about to get attached to the idea of sleeping in the same bed as Hoseok. That would only make things more difficult when you inevitably had to leave.

"Thanks for taking me out there. I feel like I've actually gotten to see a lot of the island these past several weeks," you said. The moon wasn't full, but it was bright and it shined on Hoseok's face.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," he smiled, taking a step closer to you. "Goodnight, Y/N." He placed his hands on your cheeks, leaning in to give you a soft kiss on the mouth. He pulled away a bit too quickly for your liking, so you just pulled him right back. He laughed into the next kiss, before growing serious again and wrapping his arms around you.

The kiss turned into a hug that lasted for a good moment, Hoseok's chin resting on top of your head.

"I love you," he said, pulling away for real this time, "Sleep good, Y/N."

"I love you more, though," you grinned.

"Don't start this with me because you'll lose," he joked, and you felt something strange in your chest.

It was a twinge of pain, but almost in a good way. This must be what love really feels like, you thought.

"Goodnight, Hoseok."

/////

Two days later, Kaylen was finally discharged from the hospital and allowed to come home. Lea called ahead of time and asked you and Mia and Hoseok to help throw together an impromptu welcome home party at Kai's house.

You and Mia agreed of course, glad that the youngest member of the gang was finally up and back on his feet again- well, kind of. He would have to use crutches for a while until his wounds healed completely and he got all of the stitches out.

Hoseok drove you and Mia to the local Walmart to grab a few supplies, wanting to save time by not going all the way to Lihue just for Safeway, the nicer store.

You picked up a cake, some party decorations, and a big piece of poster board for the three of you decorate with, "Welcome home, Kaylen!"

You all went over to Kai's house early using the key that Hoseok had and decorated everything before Kaylen, Felix, Lea, and Kai made it home. It was a surprisingly busy day, and a long one, especially considering that they didn't arrive home until about 6 pm.

You were worried for Hoseok, wondering how Kai was going to behave. But, you were also excited to see Kaylen back in relatively good shape.

"Welcome home!" you, Mia, and Hoseok threw confetti in the air as Kaylen crossed the threshold on his crutches.

"Thanks, guys!" he smiled, and it seemed genuine. It was good to see him look happy.

"Here, come sit," Hoseok said, gesturing for everyone to come into the living room.

"You guys really didn't have to do all of this," Kaylen said, sitting down. Hoseok took his crutches and set them out of the way. Kai, Felix, and Lea walked in then, and everyone took a seat in the living room.

If you were being honest, you were surprised that Kai was allowing Hoseok to be in his house at all considering the way Kai had been blaming Hoseok for the accident. But, even though the tension was obvious, Kai kept his mouth shut.

"Listen, Kaylen, I'm really sorry," Hoseok started, in front of everybody.

"Why?" Kaylen seemed genuinely confused.

"Because I'm the one that invited you into the water," Hoseok answered.

"So? It's not your fault there was a shark in the water," Kaylen shrugged and you couldn't help but be a bit smug. Even Kaylen wasn't upset at Hoseok, but yet Kai was dumping all this blame on him. It almost made you angry. You loved Hoseok and you knew his heart. He never would've wanted for anything bad to happen.

"Well, I just thought-" Hoseok started but Kaylen cut him off.

"Don't. What happened happened. It wasn't anyone's fault. It just happened. And I'm fine," he said matter-of-factly, and you were surprised at his maturity for a 14 year old.

"I'm still sorry it happened," Hoseok said in a quiet voice.

"Yeah, we all are. But so what? I'm alive and I still have my leg. Now, where's the cake?" he grinned, and everyone burst out into a fit of laughter. Everyone except for Kai, who excused himself during the chaos of everyone rushing to the kitchen for cake and ice cream.

You watched as Mia followed him out the front door, wondering where they were going.

"Y/N, would you mind getting Mia and asking where she put the plastic spoons? I don't want to have to be doing dishes all night," Hoseok asked. Mia had been the one to unload that particular grocery bag.

"Sure, she just went outside," you nodded, turning and walking toward the front door. You opened the screen door and started to call out Mia's name when you saw her and Kai standing by the driveway. They hadn't noticed you there, and in the waning sunlight, it wasn't likely that they would be able to see you at all. They were talking loud of that you could hear, and you couldn't help but listen.

"I'm really sorry, Mia," That was Kai. He was facing her, but you couldn't read their facial expressions.

"It's okay. I know this has been really difficult to you," Mia replied, her voice kind as always.

"I'm just so mad at myself."

"Why?"

"I've been such a jerk to Hoseok and we've really never been in a fight before. I don't know what to do, and I know I'm being unfair to him...And everyone, really." Kai explained, and you could've sworn you heard a few breaks in his voice.

"He'll forgive you. You know Hoseok; he's a kind soul. You just have to admit you were wrong," Mia's hand was on Kai's shoulder.

"I know...I'm just emotionally overwhelmed, that's all. Kaylen is my responsibility and I feel like I failed him because this happened. I don't know what I would've done if he didn't make it." You were surprised how open and honest Kai was being toward Mia. In your time of knowing Kai, he'd always come off as very reserved and unwilling to discuss his feelings. He must really care for her and have interest in her to be this honest.

"I know you love Kaylen, but you can't control his life forever. You can't control everything that happens. You just have to do your best, and that's really all that matters," Mia reassured him, and Kai nodded before stepping forward, pulling Mia into a hug.

You were already intruding, but something about the intimacy of that moment made you feel the strong need to turn away.

Maybe everything would be okay after all. Kai was coming around, Kaylen was healing, Mia was happy, and you had Hoseok.

The only problem you really had left was your imminent departure date.

And that wasn't really something you could change.