Chapter Text
Taeyong blinks his eyes open, squinting as bright light surrounds him. Like someone turned the volume up on life, he starts to hear sounds fade into existence around him. The sound of machines beeping and the rolling of carts along the floor.
He lolls his head to the side to see Johnny sleeping beside him. They’re holding hands and Johnny is twisted up, bent over with his head on his arm. He looks incredibly uncomfortable but Taeyong can’t help but smile at the sound of his soft breathing.
Out of the corner of his eye he sees someone step into his room and gasp. The sound wakes Johnny who sits up straight suddenly. His eyes lock onto Taeyong’s newly conscious form before he could even turn to look at Mark, who stands in the doorway.
“You’re awake!” Mark says excitedly.
Taeyong hums, still exhausted. “Where am I?”
“You’re at Neatic Memorial Hospital,” Johnny says, tightening his grip on Taeyong’s hand.
Taeyong looks back and forth between the two of them in confusion. The memories begin to flood his brain again. The abduction, the torture, the rescue. How hot Johnny was when he fucked up Jimmy Fisher. All the things that have happened in the last…
“How long have I been asleep?” he mumbles out.
“A few days,” Johnny says.
A few days!?
“Yeah I know it sounds bad but you really needed it,” Mark adds. “They really did a number on you.”
“My only regret is not finishing the job on Jimmy,” Johnny says.
“Yeah but, I’m sure the Hybe Alliance is handling that as we speak. And like you said, if you had he wouldn’t have been as humiliated in front of all his goons,” Mark reminds him.
Johnny grumbles in resigned agreement.
“Is everyone okay?” Taeyong asks.
“Everyone’s fine,” Donghyuck, who had come in behind Mark, says. “Jaehyun and Chenle got checked in at the same time you did. Jaehyun’s injury was pretty manageable so he got out the next day but Chenle’s in the room next door still. He’ll be fine though.”
“Good,” Taeyong nods to himself.
The room is quiet again for a minute as Taeyong sits in thought. Questions fly around his mind and memories he hopes to suppress but never fully will play one after the other. He’s so trapped in his own mind that he almost doesn’t hear Mark.
“Yongie,” Mark says.
Yongie.
Mark hasn’t called him that in years. He said he was “too old” to call him that anymore or whatever. He misses it.
“Can I talk to you alone for a minute?”
Taeyong nods, looking at the other two as a silent request for them to leave the room. They understand immediately. Mark sits down in Johnny’s seat.
“What did you need to talk to me about, Markie?”
Mark opens his mouth but nothing comes out. He tries again but still, nothing. Then his lip trembles and his chest rises and falls more noticeably. He brings a hand up to his face to hide his eyes. He chokes out a sob before he can suppress it.
“Mark,” Taeyong coos, reaching for him.
“I’m sorry,” Mark manages.
“It’s okay if you need to cry,” Taeyong says.
“No I mean-” he cuts himself off with a sigh and clears his throat. “I’m sorry for what happened that night.”
Taeyong’s brow furrows in confusion before his eyes widen in realization. That night. The fight. Taeyong yelled at Mark. He put his hands on him. He feels his own throat tighten.
“You did nothing wrong, baby,” Taeyong says.
“But if I- if we didn’t-”
“No, no, no,” Taeyong tuts, reaching out to him. Mark leans into him, collapsing into a sob. Taeyong pets his hair and whispers comforting words into his temple. When Mark’s breathing evens out a little, Taeyong pulls back.
“You did nothing wrong. I broke my biggest rule and took it out on you,” Taeyong says.
Mark sniffles, wiping away the tears from his wet cheeks. “What do you mean?”
“What do I always tell you guys?” Taeyong asks. When Mark doesn’t say anything, Taeyong answers his own question.
“We have to stick together because to lose one is to lose the team. And without the team we have nothing. It didn’t help anyone to keep it secret,” Taeyong says.
Then he sighs like he’s about to say something difficult. “I knew something was coming. I didn’t tell you because I wanted to handle it myself. I should’ve remembered that you’re all grown up now and it’s okay to lean on you.”
One side of Mark’s lips twitch up into an understanding smile. Everyone knew about the letter in Taeyong’s office at this point. Mark nods. “We’re all guilty of doing things the hard way every now and then. I’m here whenever you need me.”
“I know Markie- I mean Mark,” Taeyong says. “Thank you.”
Mark smiles back at him. “I’ll let Johnny know he can come back in. I’m sure you guys have some catching up to do.” He walks to the door before stopping and turning back to face Taeyong.
“Oh, and Yongie…”
Taeyong gives him an inquisitive look.
“I guess it’s okay if you call me Markie,” he mutters. “But only when it’s you and I!”
He runs out of the room before Taeyong can say anything, drawing a laugh from Taeyong.
Moments later, Johnny walks back in. He looks at Taeyong like he hung the stars in the heavens. Taeyong tells himself it’s because of everything that happened. Everyone else knows that’s just how Johnny looks at Taeyong.
Johnny groans like an old man as he sits back down in the seat, making Taeyong roll his eyes with a chuckle.
“Jeez Gramps, you alright? Should I call a nurse in?” Taeyong pretends to reach for his remote.
“I think I’ll make it,” Johnny says just to be dramatic.
They sit in comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s presence before Johnny finally says, “we need to go on a vacation.”
“Tell me about it,” Taeyong agrees.
“I’m serious! Where do you want to go?” Johnny’s up on his feet in an instant, walking around the room. “Italy? Brazil? Miami? What about Indonesia? I’ve heard about some great beaches we could go to and the food is-”
“Johnny!” Taeyong laughs. “Where is this all coming from?”
Johnny stops pacing and moves to sit next to him again. “We need to get away from here for a little while,” he whispers. “I don’t want you to go right back to work like nothing happened. Because I know if I don’t literally take you at least 1000 miles away from here you’ll do just that.”
Taeyong pouts slightly. He understands. He knows Johnny is right. But even still…
“Having a routine again will help,” Taeyong weakly suggests.
“Nope,” Johnny says, popping the ‘p’.
Taeyong sighs. “Fine. Whisk me away to some dreamy, romantic location to have a truly wonderful and unforgettable time. I suppose.”
“That’s the spirit!” Johnny grins wide.
∙ 1 Week Later ∙
Taeyong sighs contentedly as his body relaxes into the beach chair, soft pink sand underneath his feet. About 4 days ago, Taeyong was released from the hospital and 2 days later they were flying to Bali. Johnny was right. This was exactly what he needed. No work, no anxiety, and 24 hour uninterrupted access to Johnny’s attention.
He looks over at his husband with a smile but furrows his brow when he notices him seemingly lost in thought.
“Are you okay?”
Johnny jumps, looking at Taeyong. He waves his arm dismissively.
“Yes, I’m fine!”
“What is it?”
Johnny sighs. “I know I’m the one who said we needed to avoid talking about work but I was just-”
“Just say it Johnny.”
“I think we need to recruit the Wishies,” Johnny says instantly.
“Who?” Taeyong racks his brain trying to recognize the name.
“They’re a group of kids from Chilbury. Unfortunately, I think you’re going to love them.”
Sorry Doyoung.