Chapter Text
Mingi stormed into the dorms, Yeosang quickly following.
Mingi ran into his room and shut the door, startling everyone in the living room.
“Jeez, what happened?” Wooyoung frowned. Yeosang sighed, “Jongho. It seems- oh I don’t know.. it feels wrong.” He plopped down next to Yunho, who pulled him close. “Wrong how?” Hongjoong leaned forward.
“Jongho.. it’s like he’s getting worse. He was so.. so quiet! And he rushed away, he locked me and Mingi out. But before that he yelled at Mingi to shut up. It was-… it wasn’t like him.” Yeosang whined.
“That’s.. strange.” Seonghwa looked at San. “I thought he wanted to be alone? That’s why he broke up with us?”
“No, San! He didn’t break up with us! It was a break!” Hongjoong frowned. “We can’t assume anything. We have to make up with him before anything worse happens. We already know he relapsed 2 days ago, who knows what has happened since then.”
“Maybe Mingi should, they are dating now!” San whined. “San, stop being a baby!” Wooyoung scoffed. “Why don’t you go since you want to be loved by him so bad!”
“Shut up!” San pouted.
“Stop bickering.” Hongjoong stood. “I’m going to talk to Mingi, you do whatever.” He mumbled as he left.
⋆˚꩜｡
Mingi jumped into his bed and wrapped himself up.
He knew he was blessed to earn Jonghos trust back, but why was he being scolded?! Jongho was the one who almost got himself killed!
He kept thinking about Jonghos outburst when he heard someone knocking. “Open..” he mumbled, he sounded way less enthusiastic than he wanted.
Hongjoong slowly crept in. “Minki.” He looked at the sad bundle of the bed. “Talk to me, what’s up?” He sat on the edge of the bed.
“Jongho! I can’t believe he yelled at me to shut up when I was only concerned! He was the one who fell asleep at the park!” He was so frustrated he swore he could cry. “It’s not fair! Then he locked me out! I just-.. I miss my old baby bear…” Tears streamed down his face.
“Come here.. oh my chick, it’s not your fault.” He held Mingi close. “Baby bear is going through things we can’t comprehend, sure that doesn’t mean everything he does is okay, but it’s.. like a cry for help. We can’t let this hurt because we know he doesn’t mean it.” He stroked Mingi’s hair. “Tomorrow, I’ll talk to the manager and we will visit Jongho. Yeah?”
Mingi sniffled. “Yeah..”
“Don’t cry my baby, captains here to make it all better.” He kissed the corner of Mingi’s lips. “There there..” he cooed. Mingi smiled a little and cuddled closer. “Wanna sleep with me and Hwa hyung?” Mingi nodded. “Let’s go then, we will spoil you all night with kisses and cuddles.” He kissed Mingi’s forehead.
⋆˚꩜｡
Mingi woke up to Seonghwa holding him tight and Hongjoong on call.
“Yes.. no we got it. It’s fine, I can do it.. Saturday. Him too? I can fill in. No- just today. Yeah-… yeah! So yes? Okay, thank you.” He hung up and sighed. “Mingi? You’re awake? Come, let’s get ready to go.” Seonghwa faintly heard Hongjoong and loosened his grip on Mingi.
Mingi slowly stood up and stretched. He knew today would be difficult, not only for him, but for Jongho. He can’t imagine being in Jonghos state.. he felt bad for cursing him out in his head.
⋆˚꩜｡
Mingi was the one driving.
“I have spare keys.. his mom gave them to me before she left to Japan.” Hongjoong mumbled.
“She’s in Japan? Why? Shouldn’t she be watching Jongho?!” Mingi frowned. “Apparently he wanted to be alone, so everyone left.” Hongjoong sighed. “I don’t believe that. They probably just didn’t want to deal with him! How cruel!” Mingi scoffed.
Hongjoong shrugged.
They pulled up at Jonghos driveway and climbed out the car. Hongjoong unlocked the door and they walked in. The house looked untouched.
“Upstairs.” Hongjoong ordered as he began climbing the stairs. Mingi quickly followed.
“Jongho?” Hongjoong called out.
No response.
Hongjoong frowned as they reached Jonghos room. He looked back at Mingi one more time before opening.
Jongho was under at least 3 blankets, there was a knife of the floor and 5 bottles of soju scattered.
“Jongho!” Hongjoong rushed to the bed. “Wake up- Jongho!”
Mingi examined the knife. It was clean, no blood, but it was still super sharp.. definitely new.
Hongjoong pulled the blankets off, which revealed Jongho. He was in a fetal position, facing away from them. “Jongho..” he flipped him over.
Jongho looked so… so vulnerable. His eye bags were visible and he was pale.
“Hyung..?” He mumbled, slowly sitting up. “Yes, your hyungs are here.” Hongjoong held Jongho close, kissing all over the top of his head. “What did you do? Did you relapse?” He check Jonghos arms in a panic.
“Hyung.. not my arms. And no.. I didn’t. I really really wanted to but-.. I didn’t.” Jongho mumbled. “I wanted to.. to forget. So much is happening in my head, hyung.. so much talking and I want it to shut up!!” He whimpered.
Hongjoong looked over at Mingi.
“Baby bear.. please-.. come with us to the dorms. We can help, way more than us one at a time.” Mingi slowly approached.
“No! You know how much it hurt? My own boyfriend’s loving everyone but me!! After being together so long… I was tossed aside, no one thought they could lean on me or me on them!” Jongho pulled away.
Hongjoong tried to reach out but held himself back. Mingi sniffed around.
“Jongho. Are you drunk?” He frowned.
“What if I am? It helped me forget before you guys came.. gosh- look at me.. can you believe this? I’m such a danger, not only did I break up with my boyfriends, but my family left me!!” Jongho was cry-laughing. “This must be fate! Oh gosh- I’m gonna be alone!!” He laughed.
Hongjoong and Mingi looked at each other in concern. Has Jongho gone hysterical?
“Baby bear..” Hongjoong pulled Jongho close. “No. We are here to stay, okay? No one is going to abandon you ever again.” He kissed Jonghos cheek.
“Yeah. And I don’t care how many times you tell me to shut up, I will stay concerned!” Mingi sat on Jonghos other side.
Jonghos laughter died down, soon replaced by uncontrollable sobs.
Hongjoong and Mingi looked at each other confused. Jonghos mood swings were concerning..
“I’m so sorry!! Minki- I didn’t mean to yell!! Everything is just so loud! I still love you.. please don’t break up with me..” Jongho pleaded, his eyes were big and wet with tears.
“Break up? Never!!” Mingi immediately turned to Jongho. “Why would I?”
“Because.. y- *hic* you’re sensitive.. I know it hurt you.. and I’m sorry I locked you out. I- *hic* I did it because I knew I’d blow up on you if I stayed longer…” Jongho admitted.
Hongjoong shook his head. “Whatever you say to us doesn’t compare to what we did to you. You have a right to lash out on us.”
“It doesn’t mean it’s right! I-.. I need to stop. I need to clear my head..” Jongho stood up, leaning on the table.
“Jongho? Where are you going?” Mingi stood up.
“I don’t know… maybe- no.. I don’t know.” Jongho wobbled away.
“Jongho! Stop.” Hongjoong commanded as he stood. Jongho complied.
“Mingi. Carry him.” Hongjoong stormed out.
Mingi looked confused but swooped Jongho up.
They made it outside.
“Where are we going, hyung?” Mingi called out.
“You’ll see. Put him in the front!” Hongjoong climbed into the car.
Mingi opened the car door and sat Jongho down before climbing into the back.
“Jongho. Me and Mingi are going to teach you to see yourselves the way we see you, to see how much we love you.”
Both Mingi and Jongho looked confused.. the wording could’ve been better.
“I-.. no!! I’m taking you somewhere special.. special to me. Okay?” Hongjoong sighed. He always forgets they’re guys.
Jongho could only nod.
⋆.𐙚 ̊
The car pulled into the parking lot of a small, old-school tteobokki shop.
Hongjoong turned to Jongho, “Babe, when was the last time you ate?”
Jongho became nervous, looking away. “2 days ago? Yesterday, after locking Mingi out, I fell asleep.”
Hongjoong let out a long sigh and looked at Mingi.
“I used to go here a lot when I moved over here, probably in my pre-trainee days. It’s super special to me.. I’m showing it to you 2.”
“Tteokbokki?” Mingi leaned forward. “Yes, you have a problem with that?” Hongjoong turned around.
“No!!” Mingi leaned back.
“Come on guys.” Hongjoong climbed out.
⋆.𐙚 ̊
They entered the shop and was immediately hit with the delicious aroma, it brought back memories from their childhoods.
“Woah.. it smells-.. delicious!” Mingi smiled.
“You two go sit, I’ll order.” Hongjoong commanded.
Mingi led Jongho to the wooden stools. “Sit next to me, baby bear.” Mingi smiled. Jongho slowly sat.
The silence was awkward, as none of them wanted to ruin the mood.
Hongjoong finally came back and sat in front of them. “Why are you guys so quiet? Speak up.” He frowned. Mingi glanced at Jongho, who looked at his own lap.
“We’ve known eachother for years! Why are you acting so-.. so nervous!” Hongjoong crossed his arms. “We are going to resolve this. Together!”
Jongho and Mingi looked at each other. “Jjongie.” Mingi smiled. Jonghos eyes seemed to grow a little bigger in hope. “Hongjoong is right. I love you so so much and I’m so tired of being scared.” He wrapped an arm around Jongho. “This time, I’m not leaving. Never again!”
Jongho smiled, a real, genuine smile. A sudden flash caught them both off guard.
Hongjoong took a photo of them with an old camera used in their trainee days.
“Hey!” Mingi shouted. “Delete that!”
“Never! My babies are so cute!” Hongjoong and Mingi laughed.
Jongho felt the warmth in his heart. He felt truly loved again.
The whole day was spent with them eating good food and taking pictures.
It’s a day Jongho would never forget.