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It was New Years Eve and Mark had just finished performing at Madison Square Garden with SuperM. Now, performing with SuperM isn't a problem. He loves all the older members and continues to feel so blessed to be chosen to be in this group. Yet, Mark is so annoyed that SM had decided to book their tour around the holiday season.
When the tour started at the end of October, Mark was more than excited to be able to tour again. Although not with 127, he was happy to see the fans again. With their newest album, SuperM began their second world tour.
Now this isn’t Mark’s first world tour, but it’s been awhile since he’s been this busy again. So far away. When they traveled to Japan on Halloween for their second stop, Mark was a little jealous of the photos the other NCT members shared from their Halloween party. But Baekhyun managed to buy them all expensive alcohol and Mark can’t even remember the rest of the night.
When Thanksgiving came, Mark usually wouldn’t have minded since it was an American holiday. However, in the last 3 years Johnny had made it a tradition for the members to enjoy a turkey to help him feel less homesick. When Johnny sent a picture to the group chat of all the NCT and WayV members, besides SuperM members, enjoying the holiday, Mark was sad.
When Christmas came around, Mark was used to the chaos that comes with winter performances. Last year, Mark performed with NCT 127 and NCT 2020. This year Mark had performances with SuperM, 127, Dream, and U. Rehearsing alone with a choreographer in a studio in a different country, Mark was beginning to feel restless. On Christmas Day, Mark moved from stage to stage, not being able to enjoy the moments in the waiting room shared with the other members playing games and joking around. When the show came to an end, Mark found himself on the next plane to New York to prepare for SuperM’s 3 shows.
Now that it’s almost midnight and Mark’s finally got a moment to himself in his hotel room, he drops himself onto his bed. He checks the time back home.
I’ve missed it, Mark thinks.
It’s way past New Years morning in Seoul now. The tradition since Mark debuted with NCT has been to watch the sunrise with his fellow members. A tradition that Mark holds special to his heart. A tradition that Mark broke. Soon tears began to roll down his face. Mark shoves his face into the pillow and lets out a muffled scream. It’s just not fair and Mark knows he’s being selfish. He’s living his dreams, but it’s getting tiring.
Suddenly Mark’s phone rings next to him. Mark moves his face to look at it.
Donghyuck
Mark denied the FaceTime call, not wanting his boyfriend to see his face. Donghyuck called back normally soon after, probably knowing Mark didn’t want to FaceTime. Mark contemplated answering. He knows he shouldn’t be mad at Hyuck, but he had to be frustrated at someone. He felt so hurt and upset. In the end, he decided to answer.
“He-”
“Mark Lee! It’s almost the New Years!” Donghyuck’s happy voice boomed through the phone, “Are you going to watch the fireworks? I heard the New York fireworks are so amazing.”
“I’m not.” Mark answered, “I don’t care about the fireworks.”
“What?” Donghyuck asked, confused. “You love fireworks.”
“How was it?” Mark questioned bitterly, “how was the sunrise?”
“Mark we -”
“Never mind, I don’t want to know.” Mark interrupted, “it doesn’t matter anymore.”
“You wouldn’t be asking if it didn’t matter.”
Mark stood up annoyed, his frustration over the last few months reaching its point, “Fine! You’re right! It does matter! Every year we’ve watched it together. Every year we’ve spent New Years together. Even when you hurt your leg we managed to view the sunrise together. And that’s not only it! Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! All of those days are gone and I couldn’t even enjoy them. Everything is different now, and I know it’s going to continue to be this way! This is just the beginning.”
“I’m sorry you’ve been busy Mark and that we haven’t been able to do the things we usually do.” Hyuck spoke in a whisper.
Mark tried to fight back the tears, but failed, “I’m just so tired Hyuck.”
“I know.”
“I hate this so much. I just… I just wish that SM didn’t do this to me. I wish they didn’t decide to put me in a billion different units and fly me around the world. Sometimes I just hate the concept of NCT and how it makes me work till I can’t feel anything anymore. Why couldn’t we just debut like a normal group with set members, less comebacks, and without all this stupid infinite member shit” Mark let out his frustration.
“Mark, I know you’re upset, but you know you don’t feel that way,” Hyuck corrects, “you’re tired. You need to rest and when you come back -”
“When I come back what?” Mark interrupted, angry now, “things won’t change. It’ll be another comeback, another tour, and another tradition that I’ll miss out because I’m too busy being SM’s bitch.” Mark spat out.
“Mark!” Hyuck said in shock.
“You know what Hyuck, you’re right. I am tired. I have to go.”
“Wait! Mark!”
Mark hovered his hand over the end button before bringing it back to his ear, “what?”
Mark listened in silence for a few moments before Hyuck spoke, “Happy new year Mark... I love you.”
Mark let out a sigh, “good night Hyuck.”
Mark ended the call, flying his phone across the room. He stormed outside onto his balcony, the view was incredible. The city looked pretty at night. He could hear people in the streets celebrating the new year's arrival. Fireworks went off in the air, people cheered, but Mark felt cold and tired. He leaned against the railing, watching another round of fireworks blow up, a bright one catching his attention as it flew across the sky like a shooting star. Mark glared at it.
“I wish NCT’s system wasn’t so fucking stupid! I wish it didn't even fucking exist!” Mark screamed.
Feeling exhausted from the concert and all of his emotions, Mark returned back into his room falling onto his bed. He’ll worry about showering tomorrow, now he just wants to sleep and not think about anything. Mark closes his eyes, letting sleep consume him.
✨
Mark woke up with a massive headache. It was like he was hungover, but Mark didn’t drink at all last night. Getting up Mark paused. This isn’t the hotel room. This isn’t even the dorm. Mark was in a room he didn’t recognize. Although, it was a really nice room. This isn’t right, Mark thought. I swear to God I was in New York last night. Mark looked at his phone and noticed that it was 7am and he was indeed back in Korea. Mark got off his bed and headed to the bathroom connected to his room and stopped when he saw himself in the mirror.
“What the fuck?” Mark said aloud when he saw himself in the mirror. His hair was black, when Mark last remembered his hair being a dark blue when he went to sleep. He was in pajamas and had no left over makeup from the concert on his face. “I must still be dreaming,” Mark told himself.
When he exited the bathroom, he stopped when he noticed something weird on a shelf at the corner of his room. On the shelf, CDs were on display, some from his fellow celebrity friends and some NCT’s. But something was strange. The Dream, WayV, and 127 cds weren’t there. Well at least the ones he remembers. All of his NCT cds now said “NCT.” Mark froze when he looked at the cover of the Regulate album. It was NCT 127’s first repackage album, one that Mark was proud of. It was the last album that 127 had 10 members for. It didn’t make sense. Haechan, Johnny, Jungwoo, Yuta, Winwin, and Taeil weren’t on the cover. Instead it was only Taeyong, Jaehyun, Doyoung, and… is that Ten?
“Why is Ten here? What the hell?”
“Your wish came true.”
Mark jumped back in shock, his back bumping into the shelf. Mark pulled the cd to his chest, “Johnny! What are you doing here? I didn’t even hear you.” His tall member was laying in his bed in all white. Mark tried to calm his heart as Johnny laughed at him. “What are you talking about?”
Johnny smiled at Mark, “your wish came true. You hated NCT’s system, now it doesn’t exist.”
Mark stared at Johnny like he was crazy, “what?”
Johnny stood up from the bed, stretching casually, “you said and I quote,” Johnny made air quotation marks as he mocked Mark’s voice, “I wish NCT’s system wasn’t so fucking stupid. Now the system doesn’t exist.”
“How did you know I said that?” Mark questioned.
“I heard you.” Johnny answers and Mark rolls his eyes.
“You are fucking with me. You’re really funny Johnny, ha ha you got me.” Mark said, “you can stop this prank.”
“It’s no joke.” Johnny pulled the cd out of Mark’s hands, “you made the wish and now this is the world we live in. NCT 127, NCT Dream, NCT U, and WayV don’t exist. It’s only NCT, a five member boy group from SM entertainment.”
“Okay,” Mark spoke, trying to play along with whatever bullshit Johnny was spitting, “so what about you?”
“Oh, I’m not Johnny, I’m an angel.”
Mark stared at Johnny, who looked dead serious. “You’re an angel?”
“Yup! I mean look at me,” Johnny gestured to his all white ensemble. “I just took on the form of Johnny to make you more comfortable and I’m loving it.” Johnny smiled, flexing his arm muscles.
“Okaaay.” Mark wrapped an arm around Johnny, “maybe we should get you to bed, I think you need some rest.”
Johnny shook off Mark’s arm, “you don’t believe me?”
“Johnny, everything you are saying is insane.”
Johnny pouted, “if I wasn’t an angel, could I do this?” Johnny then started floating in the air, a transparent pair of wings glowing from his back. Mark jumped back in surprise as Johnny landed back on the ground and the wings disappeared.
“No no no this isn’t real. I have to be dreaming.” Mark shook his head and paced around the room, “I’m still asleep in New York.”
“Nope, this is real. You wished upon a star and now this is your reality.”
Mark stopped pacing, “what star! I didn’t wish on any star!”
“But you did. Last night when the fireworks went off, you wished on a star.”
“This is ridiculous!”
Suddenly the door is opened and a tired looking Ten opens the door. Mark notices that Ten also looks different. His silver hair that he had last night at the concert now a bright red. “Mark, why are you yelling so early in the morning?” Ten says, annoyed, rubbing his face from just waking up. First, Mark is confused as to why Ten is here, but also nothing about this morning makes sense.
“It’s Johnny’s fault!” Mark points to Johnny standing next to him, ready to complain, but notices the way Ten freezes before shaking his head.
“Shut up Mark.” Ten says coldly, taking Mark by surprise. “Either go back to sleep or stop making so much noise. I have such a hangover.” Ten says, before slamming the door shut.
Mark stares at the closed door. “He didn’t see you.” Mark speaks after a while.
“I told you, I’m not Johnny. I’m a angel.”
The reality of the situation starts to dawn on Mark as he sits down on his bed. “This is real?” Mark asks aloud and Johnny nods.
“This is real,” Johnny confirms.
“What do we do now?” Mark asks Johnny. They’re still in the unfamiliar bedroom.
“Hmm, whatever you want. You don’t have any schedule today.” Johnny says.
“I don’t have a schedule? That’s a first.” Mark feels relieved.
Johnny goes to open the massive curtain. Mark squints as the bright morning sun comes into the room and then Mark steps towards the huge window.
“Woah, this view.” Mark observes the pretty Seoul skyline and the Han river. “Johnny, where are we by the way?”
“Oh, this is your apartment.” Johnny says, watching a plane fly by.
Mark’s mouth drops open as he stares at Johnny, “What! This is my apartment?”
“Yup, really nice penthouse one too. Follow me, you should see the living room.” Johnny goes to exit the room and Mark follows him.
When Mark looks at the living room, he’s baffled. It’s huge! The furniture is nice and a sleek black. It’s an open concept living room that connects to the kitchen. (For reference, imagine Kai’s apartment) Mark moves to the beautiful piano near another big window. It’s Mark’s dream piano. “It’s beautiful.”
“That was a gift from Lee Soo Man for your successful solo album.” Johnny stands next to Mark.
Mark traces the keys with his fingers, “solo album?”
“Yeah, you know less units, more opportunity for a solo album. Million albums sold, it was a huge success.” Johnny answers.
“Wow,” is all Mark is able to say. “This is incredible. I don’t live in a dorm anymore.”
“No, you guys stopped living together two years after you debuted. You know, less members, more opportunity to live alone.”
“But Ten is here?” Mark remembers.
“Slept over. You both went drinking last night.” Johnny explains.
Mark hums, “that explains why I feel hungover.” Mark falls onto the huge couch, “I can’t believe I live here. This is so nice.” Mark gets comfortable on the couch before he asks Johnny, “you said I had no schedule today?”
“Yeah, you guys don’t have a current comeback. Taeyong is promoting his solo album right now and Jaehyun is starring in a drama.”
Mark sits up, “so what am I supposed to do?”
“Whatever you want.”
Mark feels giddy. This reality doesn’t seem so bad. Mark gets to live in a nice apartment, he had a solo album, and now he has free time. It seems too good to be true. “I don’t even know what to do. I’ve never had time to myself.” Mark answers honestly.
“We could go to your studio.” Johnny suggests and Mark sits up.
“My studio? I have a studio?”
“Of course! How do you think you produced your own album? I mean you have multiple studios, one in your apartment too, but SM gave you your own studio in the company building.”
“Can we go see it?” Mark asks, excited.
“Yeah, let’s go.” Johnny snaps his fingers and they both disappear in a bright light.
“What the hell was that!” Mark says when he realizes that they’re in a parking structure. Mark isn’t wearing pajamas anymore, but black jeans and white tee with a jacket and a beanie over his head.
“I’m an angel.” Johnny says like it answers all of Mark’s questions.
“Where are we?” Mark asks.
“I mean I could transport us to your studio, but I thought you’d want to see your cars.”
“Cars?!” Mark’s voice cracks as he speaks. Johnny gestures to the three cars parked next to them. All are luxury cars of a variety of colors. “These are mine?” Mark goes to look at the cars up close.
“All that money you made from NCT and your solo work.”
“This is crazy!”
“Why don’t we go for a drive?” Johnny says as he goes to the passenger side.
Mark sits in the driver seat, “Uhh, I don’t have my license.” Mark answers shyly.
Johnny looks at Mark, “you do have your license in this reality. Trust me, you know how to drive.”
Mark starts the car and puts in drive. Mark knows he never got his license or learned how to drive, he never had time before. Yet, Mark realizes he knows exactly what he’s doing and that he’s a pretty great driver. He even knows where he is going, it’s like muscle memory.
“See! I told you that you know how to dive.” Johnny goes to play music. It’s Love Talk, Mark recognizes, but when he looks at the screen he notices that it says the artist is NCT and instead of the WayV member’s voices, he identifies his own voice instead of Lucas. It’s Jaehyun, Taeyong, Doyoung, and Ten singing.
“We sing this song now?” Mark asks Johnny who is jamming in the passenger seat.
“WayV doesn’t exist. Your entire discography is different now.”
Mark just hums and continues to listen to the song. Soon they arrive at the SM building and Mark parks the car. When they enter the SM building, people begin to greet Mark. Johnny leads him to the elevator and takes them to a higher floor. As they walk to his studio, Mark notices the posters on the walls. It’s so weird seeing photos that once were 127 and WayV concepts now just being the 7th sense unit.
“We’re here!” Johnny announces when they arrive. Johnny gestures for Mark to open the door, smiling at him. When Mark opens the door, he freezes.
It’s a really nice studio. Custom to what Mark likes. There is a trophy case with many awards, some for NCT and some for himself. “This is crazy. I never was able to have a studio because we had too many members.” Mark tells Johnny as he goes to sit on the chair, spinning and touching the small knick knacks on his desk. Johnny sits down on the couch behind him.
“It’s a really nice studio.” Johnny compliments. “Isn’t this new reality great?”
Mark turns the chair to face Johnny, “if I have to be honest, I’m loving this reality. It’s amazing, I could stay here forever.”
Mark’s phone vibrates in his pocket and he takes it out to look at, it’s a reminder on his group schedule that Taeyong had a recording at Music Bank. “Oh Taeyong has a recording.” Mark tells Johnny. “We should go and support him.” Mark stands up.
“Are you sure about that?” Johnny asks and Mark doesn’t understand.
“Yeah I’m sure, I have to go support him.” Mark says and Johnny snaps his fingers and they disappear in a bright light.
They arrive in the hallway of Music Bank, Mark now has a mask on and flowers in his hand. He walks towards the door that says Taeyong’s name and knocks before entering. Mark notices that the chatter in the room dies immediately. Taeyong is sitting on the couch on his phone. He also looks different from what Mark remembered last night. What Mark notices the most is Taeyong is glaring at him and Mark is beyond confused, because Taeyong has never looked at Mark like that before.
“Umm, hey.” Mark says awkwardly.
Taeyong stands up, “what are you doing here?” His voice is beyond cold and Mark flinches slightly.
“Uhh I wanted to come and support your solo debut.” Mark answers and Taeyong snorts.
“Sure. I don’t know why you bothered. Come to rub it in more?” Taeyong says and Mark is even more confused.
“Rub what in?”
“You’re really going to play stupid? After everything you said yesterday? You’re a real dick Mark Lee.” Taeyong spits out.
“What are you talking about?”
“Stop trying to act like you’re some saint Mark. We all know you’re a fucking ass. Must be nice to have debuted first when I trained longer than you. Although, I guess SM was right in picking you since you sold more albums than me.”
Mark turns to look at Johnny who has been standing quietly behind him before turning to Taeyong. He doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t understand what’s going on and he doesn’t know what to say since he’s never seen Taeyong this mad before.
“Just get the fuck out of here Mark. Let me get some peace and promote by myself. You can be your fake self when we have schedules together.” Taeyong goes to sit in the makeup chair.
Mark stands there for a moment before deciding to step out of the room, Johnny following behind him. When he closes the door he turns to Johnny. “What just happened? Why was Taeyong like that?”
Johnny shrugs, “you and Taeyong aren’t on the best of terms. Yesterday you told him that his album sucked.”
“I did what!” Mark doesn’t believe it.
“You also convinced SM to let you go solo first and well you are Lee Soo Man’s favorite.” Johnny and Mark start to walk away from the room.
“I did that? Why would I do that?”
“With less NCT units, you have less opportunity to have work. So you told SM to let you do a solo.”
“But why would I do that to Taeyong?”
“Let’s just say, you aren’t the nicest in this reality. To be fair, neither is Taeyong. He never really mellowed out after debuting. SM put a lot of pressure on him to be a good leader and he is the oldest in the group, so he was always stressed.”
“Oh.” Mark understands. Johnny, Taeil, and Yuta always helped Taeyong with leader duties since they were the older members.
Mark stops walking. The other members, Mark thought. NCT is only five now when it used to be 23. Mark feels guilty. He hadn’t even thought about the other members this entire time. Mark turns to look at Johnny, “Johnny, what happened to everyone else?”
Johnny smiles softly before humming, “I can show you.” He snaps his fingers and they disappear in a bright white light.
They’re sitting in a dark auditorium, on the stage is a theater performance. A musical to be exact, although Mark doesn’t recognize which one. Mark leans toward Johnny, “what are we doing here?”
“You wanted to know what happened to the other members. Take a closer look.” Johnny points to the stage.
Mark squints before his eyes widen.
It’s Taeil.
“That’s Taeil!” Mark says loudly and Johnny shushes him. “Taeil is here.”
“Yes, he does theater. After attending the prestigious art’s program, he started working here. He’s very popular.”
“I’d imagine.” Mark says as Taeil sings a high note and the audience claps. “It’s great that he’s still a singer. I’m glad.”
“It’d be a waste if he wasn’t.” Johnny comments.
“He didn’t join NCT?”
“He was scouted, but he didn’t make the cut off to be in the group. Without the NCT system, Taeil wouldn’t have debuted until the Firetruck era.”
Mark nods his head. He hadn’t realized that if NCT’s system didn’t happen, then so many of the members wouldn’t have debuted.
“Well, should we move on?” Johnny asks Mark and Mark nods before Johnny snaps.
This time they’re seated at a stadium. Fans are screaming, in Japanese Mark notices. They’re watching a soccer match. “Yuta’s a soccer player!” Mark speaks loudly so that Johnny can hear him.
“Yup, one of the best in Japan!”
Mark notices one of his favorite members running around the field, smiling brightly. “That’s great. It was always his childhood dream.”
“He auditioned for SM, but without the NCT system, they had no need to be a global group, so they had no need for a Japanese member.”
Mark didn’t think about that. SM’s goal for NCT was for them to be a global group, which is why they had so many members from different countries.
“No Japanese members? What about Shotaro?” Mark asks.
“He’s still here in Japan. He’s a dancer.”
“I see.” Mark realizes something, “wait, Yuta and Taeil were always obsessed with Winwin. What happened to Winwin?” Mark asks.
Johnny snaps his fingers.
They’re at a movie set, Mark notices.
“Excuse me, who are you?” A staff stops them and Mark almost panics before they recognize him, “Mark Lee? Oh my, I’m such a big fan.” Mark understands the Chinese and thanks the staff person as they lead them towards the set.
They walk towards the set and Mark notices the back of one of the chairs writes, Dong Si Cheng. “He’s an actor.” Mark says aloud.
“A very popular actor” Johnny tells him.
“Dong Si Cheng,” the staff tabs on his shoulder, “there is someone here to see you.”
Winwin turns around and looks at Mark and smiles, “hello, nice to meet you.”
“Winwin… uh I mean Dong Si Cheng, it’s great to see you. That’s great that you are an actor,” Mark says and Winwin frowns, looking at the staff.
“He’s a Korean singer,” the staff member tells Winwin and Mark realizes that Winwin didn’t understand Mark who spoke in Korean. If Winwin never joined NCT, he’d never need to know Korean, Mark realizes. Another staff member comes to tell them that Winwin is needed on set. Winwin just bows politely before leaving.
“I’m happy he finally got to be an actor.” Mark smiles as Winwin walks away, “but what about the rest of WayV?”
“Hmm, Kun became a very popular music producer. Xiaojun sings for dramas. Yanyang is still living in Germany with his family. Hendery and Lucas got scouted and are now models.”
“Wait, Lucas and Jungwoo were dating!” Mark remembers, “what happened to them?”
Johnny snaps.
“Where are we?” Mark asks. They’re standing on a university campus that Mark doesn’t recognize.
“He should be here any second.” Johnny says looking around before he points in the distance, “there he is!”
Mark looks to where Johnny is pointing to see a dark haired Jungwoo running past them. He’s dressed casually, with a backpack on.
“He’s a student.”
“An engineering student,” Johnny corrects. “Jungwoo was always really smart. Without getting scouted by SM, he just went to college after graduating high school.”
Mark understands. Jungwoo always used to joke and say that if he hadn’t joined NCT he would’ve become an engineer.
“But Lucas?”
“They never met Mark.” Mark turns to Johnny who watches Jungwoo sadly. “They never got together.”
Mark realizes, without NCT, none of the NCT members would’ve met. Never would’ve got the opportunity to meet and become friends. Family. Lovers.
Mark eyes widen.
Hyuck.
“Johnny, where’s Hyuck?”
“What are we doing back here?” Mark asks Johnny. They’re back at Music Bank, but this time they are sitting with the audiences. The lights dim and the fans start to scream. When the music plays and the lights come back on, Mark is shocked. Hyuck is performing on stage. He’s a solo artist and he’s shining.
“He’s amazing isn’t he.” Johnny says. “He’s one of the most popular idols right now.”
“He’s a solo artist?” Mark asks, not able to take his eyes away from Hyuck.
“Yup, under YG entertainment.”
“YG?”
“After SM decided that they weren’t going to do NCT’s system, Hyuck left SM and got scouted by YG. They loved how unique his voice is and knew he was talented enough to be a solo artist. He debuted a year after you did. His albums did really well. He’s one of the most successful artists.” Johnny fills Mark in.
Hyuck sings the bridge of the song and the fans go crazy. “Wow,” is all Mark can say. When the song comes to an end and Hyuck and his dancers move to exit the stage, Mark’s feet move before he can even think.
“Where are you going?” Johnny quickly follows behind Mark.
Mark is almost stopped by the staff, but he pulls his mask down and they recognize him, letting him pass.
“Mark, wait!” Johnny calls after him.
“I just need to talk to him.” Mark tries to catch up with Hyuck.
Mark arrives at Hyuck’s waiting room and freezes.
“You did good.” Jeno says as he holds Hyuck in his arms.
Hyuck smiles at him. “Thanks. I’m happy you made it.”
“You guys are disgusting.” Renjun, who was one of the dancers, comments from the couch.
“Don’t be bitter, Renjun.” Hyuck teases.
“I’m not bitter, I’m itchy. This outfit is so itchy, I hate it.” Renjun comments as he tries to take off the netted material when he notices Mark at the door. “Mark.”
Hyuck and Jeno turn at the same time to look at Mark. Hyuck looks surprised for a moment before his face becomes more irritated. He lets go of Jeno, before he walks towards a frozen Mark. “Mark Lee, what are you doing here?”
Mark doesn’t know what to say. His boyfriend and his other member are holding each other and now Hyuck is looking at him with such disgust that Mark can’t utter a single word.
“Jealous?” Hyuck smirks, “sorry you didn’t win album of the year. Maybe better luck next time?” Hyuck teases and the people in the room laugh, Jeno and Renjun too.
“What?” Is all Mark can say.
“Guess your plan at playing dirty didn’t work. My fans outvoted yours. Either way, I’m glad my relationship is public now.” Hyuck smiles at Jeno, who looks angrily at Mark.
“Hyuck.”
Mark notices the way that Hyuck’s smirk drops for a moment when Mark says his name. Mark tries to reach for Hyuck’s hand when Jeno pulls Hyuck back and punches Mark in the face. The people in the room gasp.
“Don’t fucking touch him.” Jeno spits out as Mark stumbles back and holds his cheek. He’s never seen Jeno get aggressive before and he doesn’t even understand why.
“Jeno, stop.” Hyuck says, holding him back. He’s looking at Mark with angry eyes. “Get the fuck out of here Mark. And if you tell anyone, I’ll make sure to tell dispatch all about your group drama.”
Mark just stares at Hyuck. The boy he loves. His best friend. Someone is pulling his arm and taking him out of the room. When they are away from the room, the hand pulling him stops.
“What the fuck are you doing with Donghyuck?” Doyoung scolds him. “Are you stupid? The company said to stay away from him.”
“I… I…” Mark stutters.
“He knows about you and Taeyong’s fight. You know after that stupid stunt you pulled, he’ll expose us.”
“What stunt?” Mark asks. He looks around, noticing Johnny is nowhere to be seen.
“Don’t play dumb Mark. Even though you don’t even feel guilty, what you did was fucking wrong.” Doyoung rolls his eyes. “Just go home. I don’t even know why you are here, Taeyong told you to leave. So just leave.” Doyoung leaves Mark there as he walks away.
Mark’s eyes fill with tears. Everything doesn’t make sense. He doesn’t understand. Hyuck and Jeno seemed to hate him. Doyoung too. Taeyong also hated him earlier.
“I tried to stop you.” Johnny speaks from behind Mark.
“Where the hell did you go?” Mark yells at him.
“I was here, you just didn’t see me.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Mark says as tears roll down his cheek.
“We should go.” Johnny says.
They are back in his apartment, sitting on his couch. Johnny hands Mark a tissue and Mark grabs it, wiping his face.
“I don’t understand what’s happening. Hyuck... he and Jeno… they… they’re together? And Doyoung he… What’s going on? What did I do?” Mark yells out in frustration.
“Mark, I mentioned earlier that you weren’t that nice.”
“I remember.”
Johnny sighs, sitting down next to Mark. “In 2013, Donghyuck joined SM as a trainee. One year after you. So did Jeno and Jaemin. You remember what you and Hyuck’s relationship was like back then?”
Mark nods, “we fought a lot. I used to hate him,” Mark pauses, '' Well I thought I hated him, but I was already falling for him.”
“In 2015, SM decided that they were only going to allow a few members to debut. Donghyuck was actually planning to debut with you guys. NCT was supposed to have 6 members. But the company saw how much you and Hyuck still didn’t really get along.” Johnny stops talking, looking at Mark before he continues, “they asked you, the company, if you thought Hyuck should’ve debuted with you. I don’t know why you said it, but you told them no.”
Mark looks at Johnny in shock, “What? I wouldn’t… why would I?”
“I’m not sure, but Hyuck knew that it was your fault. So instead of remaining in the company to debut at a later time, he left. I guess Jeno followed him. Jeno decided to pursue acting and Renjun was scouted by YG as a dancer. Since then, you and Hyuck never spoke. It was like some unspoken rivalry. You continued to hate him. When Hyuck debuted after you and was just as successful, you were even more bitter. When your solo was released the same year as Hyuck’s full 3rd album, you were up for the same award for album of the year. You knew you wouldn’t win the award, so you told a reporter that Hyuck was dating Jeno.”
“WHAT?”
“Yeah, it’s also one of the reasons Taeyong and Doyoung are really angry at you. For outing him. It caused a lot of chaos, but Hyuck’s fans are loyal so he still managed to win best album. YG denied the dating rumors, but it didn’t stop the bad comments people said.”
“Why would I do that? I wouldn’t do that to Hyuck.” Mark doesn’t believe it.
“I don’t know Mark, but what you did is done.”
“It doesn’t make sense. Why would I do all of this? Why is this my reality without the NCT system?”
“You never had your members. Each member to help you, to aid in the formation of the Mark Lee of multiple NCT units. The support system. The friends. Family. Hyuck wasn’t there to make you laugh, teach you to be mad, to fall in love with. Dream wasn’t there to be your friend. This is the result of it all.”
“I don’t want this. I don’t want this reality.”
“It’s too late. You made the wish, I can’t take it back.” Johnny stands up, moving away from Mark, who follows after him.
“What do you mean?”
“Once you wish upon a star, it’s what becomes reality. I can’t do anything.”
Mark shakes his head, fighting back the tears. “No… No, I don’t want this. I want Hyuck, I want Yuta. Lucas. Taeil. Winwin. EVERYONE! I want to be friends with Taeyong again. Please!” He grips onto Johnny’s shirt.
“I’m sorry Mark.”
“No…” Mark whispers.
“Mark.” Ten speaks from behind him. Mark turns to face him, wiping the tears off his face. “Are you okay?” Ten asks.
“I’m fine.”
“Okay, well I’m going to head out. Thanks for letting me crash.” Ten says as he heads for the exit.
“Bye.” Mark waves him off slowly before he drops his hand. “Johnny.”
“Hmm.”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t ask earlier.” Mark turns to look at Johnny who was staring at the now closed door. “Johnny.”
Johnny moves his gaze from the door to Johnny, “yes?”
“What happened to you? If you didn’t debut in NCT and you aren’t here right now, then where are you?”
Johnny smiles sadly at him, “Home. I’m in Chicago. SM didn’t let me debut, so I went home. I went to college and now I’m working with my dad.”
“But Ten?” Mark says.
“We tried to stay in contact, but with his idol life it became too hard.”
“But you loved him.”
“I did. I do, but it wasn’t going to work out if I’m a thousand miles away.”
Mark’s eyes start to water again. What have I done, he thinks. Johnny and Ten love each other. Lucas and Jungwoo loved each other. Even him and Hyuck. Yet, without NCT they’d never have met. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay Mark. It’s done.”
“No.” Mark shakes his head. “It can’t be! I can fix this! There has to be a way to fix this!”
“You can’t,” Johnny says sadly.
Mark pulls his hair in frustration. “I have to do something.” Trying to think of something. Mark comes up with an idea. If he can’t bring back his old reality, maybe he can make this new reality like his old one. “Jaemin!” Mark remembers. “What happened to Jaemin? Jeno and Jaemin were together, not Hyuck.” Mark grabs Johnny’s hands. “Take me to Jaemin!”
“Why are we at a hospital?” Mark asks. They’re standing in a waiting room when the doors open and a bunch of doctors walk out. Mark notices a black haired Jaemin in glasses following with a few other students.
“He always wanted to be a doctor. When his idol career wasn’t going anywhere, he went to school.” Johnny tells him.
“Johnny, can you get Jeno here?” Mark asks.
“What?” Johnny looks at Mark like he’s crazy, “I can’t do that.”
“Please!” Mark begs.
Johnny rolls his eyes before snapping his fingers. Suddenly Jeno arrives through the doors, wearing a mask, he walks up to the front desk. “Hi, I’m checking in for a check up.”
“Okay, please have a seat over there.” A nurse tells him.
“Well, now what do you plan to do?” Johnny asks as Jeno walks towards then.
“Oh Na Jaemin!’ Mark yells out before ducking behind Johnny. Jeno’s head turns to look around before spotting Jaemin. Jeno’s eyes widened in surprise, as he decided to walk towards Jaemin.
“Jaemin? Na Jaemin is that you?” Jeno asks.
Jaemin looks confused until Jeno pulls his mask down, Jaemin breaks into a smile, “Lee Jeno? Is it really you?”
“Yeah, it’s me. Wow, you’re a doctor.”
Jaemin laughs and shakes his heads, “No, just observing. I’m still in school.”
“That’s cool. I know this was always your dream.”
“It is. I heard your drama is doing well. I watched the first few episodes when I had time, I really enjoyed it.”
“Thank you.”
“How’s Hyuck? I heard about the rumors.”
Jeno shrugs, “it is what it is. They aren’t true, but what can you do now that everyone thinks it is.”
“I’m sorry, I know people have said bad things.”
“It’s okay, nothing me and Hyuck can’t take.”
“His albums are really good.”
“They are. He was always born to be a singer.”
“He really was.” Jaemin laughs and Jeno joins him.
“Um,” Jeno scratches the back of his head, “do you think maybe you’d like to get dinner sometime and maybe catch up some more?”
Jaemin blushes slightly, “I’d love to, but school’s been so busy and I really need to focus on my studies if I’m going to get into med school.”
“Oh… Right, that’s right.” Jeno says, slightly defeated.
“Also, I’m sure you’re really busy too!”
“Yeah. Yeah, I am.”
“It’ll be too hard,” Jaemin says sadly, “we live in two different worlds now.”
“We do.” Jeno says back with just as much sadness.
“I should probably go.” Jaemin says, noticing that the doctors have moved on. “It was nice to see you Jeno. I wish you the best.” Jaemin smiles before walking away.
Jeno watches Jaemin leave, speaking softly, “bye Nana.”
Mark watches the interaction in disbelief. “It didn’t work. I know they love each other. They always did, but they…”
“Jaemin’s right. It’s too difficult with Jeno’s career and his own career.” Johnny tells him.
“Wait, he said he wasn’t actually dating Hyuck. They aren’t together.” Mark looks at Johnny with determination, “I need you to take me to him. Well after we stop somewhere else first.”
“I’m not your personal transporter, you know.” Johnny says to Mark as they stand outside of the small restaurant.
“I really appreciate it Johnny.” Mark says with a huge bouquet of sunflowers in his hand.
“After this, it’s over Mark. I can’t stay by your side. This is your reality.”
“I’m going to fix it, Johnny. Trust me.” Mark says determined.
Johnny just sighs before gesturing to the restaurant doors, “he’s in there.”
Mark takes a deep breath before heading into the restaurant. It’s funny, this was the restaurant that Mark and Hyuck would go to a lot before the wish. Hyuck loves the kimchi stew here. Mark greets the waitress and scans the room when he notices red hair on someone sitting at the corner of the room. It’s where they’d always sit. He’s not facing Mark, so he walks towards Hyuck, stopping at the table. Hyuck is eating his soup when he turns to look at Mark. His lips falling into a frown.
“What are you doing here?” Hyuck says with venom in his voice.
Mark moves to sit in front of him. He holds the flowers out to Hyuck, who just stares at him. “Um, these are for you. I heard you came in first place today. Congratulations!” Mark says awkwardly. Hyuck still won’t take the flowers and Mark is starting to lose confidence. “Please accept them. No hidden motives I swear. I just want to talk.”
Hyuck still glares at Mark as he grabs the flowers from Mark’s hands. He places it on the table. “You want to talk? Should I call Jeno here to punch you in the face again?”
“I know you aren’t dating.” Mark says.
“I know you know we aren’t dating. You knew we weren’t dating when you told that reporter that we were dating.” Hyuck spits back.
“I’m sorry.” Mark genuinely means it, “I don’t know why I did that. Actually I guess I know why I did that, but if I could back and fix it, I would. I promise you. Hell, Hyuck if I could go back and have you debut with me, I would do anything.”
“You’re lying. I know what you told the trainer.”
“I was stupid,” Mark interrupts. “I was selfish and dumb and I never should’ve ruined your chances in debuting. Hyuck, I mean it.” Mark looks at Hyuck in the eye. “You are an amazing singer Hyuck and I was always jealous of you back then because you were so talented and good at everything. Everyone loved you and so did I, but I was just a stupid teenager.”
“What?” Hyuck looks surprised.
“I mean it. I loved you. I still love you Hyuck. You mean everything to me. You could’ve been my best friend. You could’ve been my boyfriend, and yet I was so selfish. I know I can’t change the past, but I’m really hoping I can fix this future.”
Johnny watches from outside, debating if he should or shouldn’t, before snapping his fingers.
“Mark.” Hyuck signs, before looking at Mark, “you fucked up Mark Lee. You regret it now? You regret that wish?”
Mark’s eyes widen as Hyuck looks at him. “What did you say?”
Hyuck rolls his eyes, “you regret ruining NCT now? Ruining everyone’s lives just because you were tired of the system.”
“How do you -”
“You want to know the truth, Mark? I knew how tired you were and I tried so hard to let you know that I was there for you. I know you were upset that you were missing out because of how busy you were. I tried to keep you company, but you pushed me away. You always pushed me away… You thought you were alone, but I was always there. Standing right beside you. I’d talk to you. Make you feel included, but you didn’t let me in. I didn’t even go to watch the sunrise. None of us did. It didn’t seem right without you or Taeyong. We were going to wait for you. Instead, you decided to be selfish and change everything. So this is what you get Mark. Your wish came true and now you’ve lost me.”
Tears fill Mark’s eyes as Hyuck stands up from the table, “Hyuck… please… I’m so sorry.”
“It’s too late Mark. Live your life. I’m sorry, but I won’t let you get a happy ending. You don’t deserve it. I won’t be your friend and I won’t love you in this reality. So please Mark, don’t contact me again.”
Mark stands and tries to grab Hyuck’s hand, tears rolling down his cheeks and Hyuck’s crying too. “Hyuck.”
“Goodbye Mark.” Hyuck pulls his hand out of Mark’s hold and turns to leave the restaurant. Mark’s eyes follow him as he leaves. He sees Johnny standing where he left him outside of the restaurant and Mark runs out to him.
“What just happened! How did he know?” Mark grabs Johnny.
“It was the closure you needed. I allowed it for a moment.”
“What?”
“You can’t go back Mark. You need to let go. You made the wish.”
“No… NO! This can’t be it! I take it back! I take it all back! Please Johnny! I don’t want this!”
“I’m sorry, Mark. This is it.”
Mark opens his eyes and he’s alone in his studio. Johnny is gone. No, Mark thinks. I don’t want this. Why the fuck did I make that stupid wish! Why was I so stupid? Why was I selfish? Mark looks at the trophy shelf and starts to fly the trophies all around the room, letting them shatter on the ground. He screams in frustration.
“What the fuck are you doing!?” Taeyong grabs Mark, holding him from behind.
Mark struggles in his arms, continuing to scream. “Let me go! Let me go!”
“Mark! Calm down!” Taeyong yells at him, before turning Mark around and slapping him in the face. “Mark, relax!”
Mark stops struggling, breathing heavily. The tears don’t stop falling. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Mark continues to repeat, looking down at his shoes. His entire body is shaking.
“Mark, please calm down.” Taeyong speaks softly. It sounds like the Taeyong that Mark knew.
Mark looks up at Taeyong who is looking at him with concern. “I’m… I’m sorry Taeyong. I’m sorry I’m such a dick and that I’m selfish and I ruined everything. I know you hate me and I’d hate me to, but please I just need someone.” Mark cries.
Taeyong pulls Mark into a hug, rubbing his back. “Shhh… It’s okay. It’s okay Mark. Relax.”
Mark tries to calm his breathing, taking in big breaths until his tears stop falling. They stand there is his destroyed studio, the only sound of Mark’s ragged breaths.
Taeyong releases Mark from his hug, looking at his face. He wipes his tears away with his hands, “are you okay?” Taeyong asks.
Mark shakes his head and Taeyong sighs, “you’re going to be okay, Mark. It’s going to be okay.”
“It won’t,” Mark stutters out.
Taeyong smiles slightly, “it’ll be okay Mark. I’m here now. It’s going to be okay.” Taeyong looks around the room, taking in the damage. “Why don’t we go get some air?”
Mark just nods as he follows Taeyong out of the room.
“Here you go.” Taeyong hands him a cup of hot chocolate and sits next to Mark. They are on a bench on the rooftop of the building. It’s late at night now. “You feel better?”
“Yes,” Mark answers softly, letting the steam from the cup warm his face. “Taeyong?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m sorry for everything, Taeyong.” Mark and Taeyong look at each other.
“It’s okay, Mark. I forgive you. I know you mean it. I understand.”
“No, Taeyong you don’t. I ruined everything.”
“Hmm, but I do. I understand what you were going through Mark. I was going through the same thing. I may not have been in Dream, but I was in the other units with you.”
Mark stares at Taeyong in shock, “you know?”
Taeyong smiles softly, “I do.” Taeyong looks up at the night sky. There aren’t any stars because of the buildings. “I may not have made the wish, but I understand why you did it. I would’ve done the same thing. I was tired too.”
“I can’t fix it. It’s too late. Everyone’s scattered. Hyuck hates me.”
“Well, I don’t think we will be able to be NCT again and I can’t get Hyuck to be with you, but I’m here. I’ll be here and we will get through this together. Like I said, it’ll be okay Mark.”
Mark finally manages to smile back at Taeyong. “Thank you.”
After a while, Taeyong’s phone starts to ring. He picks it up, “Doyoung? I’m with Mark. Don’t worry, we aren’t fighting. You’re here? Okay. I’ll see you soon.” Taeyong hangs up and puts his phone back in his pocket, “Doyoung is happy we aren’t fighting anymore. He misses you by the way, he was only being mean because of me.” Taeyong stands up, stretching. “You want to join us for dinner? Doyoung was going to cook steak to celebrate my comeback?”
“You live together?” Mark realizes.
“Of course, I couldn’t live without him.” Taeyong smiles.
Mark smiles too, “I’m glad… I’m glad that you two are still together.”
“Me too. I love him you know.”
“I know you do. I’m okay, I think I’m just going to hang out here a little longer and then I’ll just head home.”
“You sure?”
Mark nods, “I’m sure. I’ll be okay.”
Taeyong hesitates for a moment, before sighing. “Fine, but we are coming over for breakfast tomorrow. I know you still can’t cook to save your life.” Taeyong teases.
“Deal. I’ll see you then.”
“Okay then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Bye Taeyong. Thank you for staying by my side.” Mark smiles and Taeyong turns to smile back at him.
“Always.” Taeyong says before leaving.
Mark watches him go before he lets his head fall back onto the bench. He looks up at the night sky. It’s like when everything went wrong. Mark’s just glad he has Taeyong and Doyoung still. Even Ten and Jaehyun. It isn’t everyone in NCT, but it’s better than nothing.
Mark closes his eyes and lets the cold breeze hit his face. Listening to the sound of the busy streets of Seoul. He doesn’t know long he sat there before he hears a voice.
“Chenle, I told you I just finished practice. I’m sorry I missed your call. I miss you too. No, you don’t need to come visit me. I’m too busy and I know Sungchan is suspicious of us. I’ll see you for my birthday remember? I can’t wait either.”
Mark watches Jisung standing near the railing, talking on the phone. Jisung turns at that moment and makes eye contact with Mark.
“Oh my God. Chenle, I have to go. I’ll call you when I get back to my dorm.” Jisung looks nervously at Mark, pulling the phone closer to his face as he tries to whisper into the phone, “I love you.” He hangs up and puts the phone in his back pocket as he scratches the back of his head awkwardly. Jisung looks around at everything, but Mark and Mark wants to laugh.
“Jisung?” Mark says and Jisung's body goes stiff.
“Uh.. Yes?” Jisung answers.
“Want to join me?” Mark pats the bench and Jisung awkwardly goes to sit next to him. They sit in silence for a few minutes. Jisung played with his fingers and Mark just stared at the skyline ahead of him. “So…” Mark says, “You were talking to Chenle?”
Jisung’s face flushes, “uh.. Yes. I was. Um… how do you know Chenle?”
Mark realizes, in this reality he never got to meet Chenle. “I heard you.” Mark decided to answer.
“Oh… Oh right. Yeah, I was talking to Chenle.”
“Your boyfriend?” Mark teases. Jisung hesitates, “it’s okay Jisung, I won’t tell anyone.”
Jisung seems to relax, “yes. He’s my boyfriend.”
“I’m glad.” Mark says to himself. “Where is he?”
“China. He’s been busy preparing for a showcase, so I haven’t been able to see him.”
“How did you two meet?” Mark wonders now with the new reality.
“Um, well we met once when we were kids at this show, but we met again when he came to Korea for a show. He came to the company to record some things and we started talking and realized who each other were.”
“That’s cute.”
Jisung blushes, “he asked me to be his boyfriend on his birthday and I was too scared to accept because I’m still a trainee and I don’t want the company to find out. I think even Sungchan is starting to figure it out. But Chenle told me that it was going to be okay and I trust him, so here we are.” Jisung rambles.
“I’m happy for you two.” I really am, Mark thinks. They were always soulmates. Even if Mark messed up the reality, Jisung and Chenle still were able to meet and be together.
“I’m happy. Although, sometimes I wish it were easier to be with him.” Jisung says. “To be honest, sometimes I wish Chenle and I debuted together.” Jisung says, talking aloud to himself. “Sometimes I even wish we would all have debuted together. Like when we trained back in the day. We all could’ve been in NCT and I think that would’ve been cool.” Jisung smiles at Mark, who freezes.
Mark notices it then, from right behind Jisung. A shooting star. Mark jumps off his seat, “A shooting star! Right when he made his wish. That’s gotta mean something!” Mark yells into the night sky. “Please.” Mark whispers into the night sky.
“Wow.” Johnny says.
Mark whips his head to see Mark standing where Jisung was once. “Johnny?”
“Looks like you found a way to fix it after all.” Johnny smiles at Mark, “congratulations Mark of NCT 127, U, and Dream.” Johnny laughs, “don’t mess it up this time.”
“I won’t.” Mark says with determination.
Johnny snaps his fingers.
“Mark! Mark! I swear to God if we miss our flight because you are still sleeping, I’m going to kill you.” Ten is yelling as he pounds on Mark’s door. Mark opens his eyes and recognizes the hotel room and smiles.
“Oh my God. It worked!” Mark gets off the bed and runs to open the door.
Ten’s hand is raised, stopping his knocking. “Good, you’re finally up! You better get ready for our flight. I need to get back to my man.”
“Johnny!” Mark realizes and says aloud.
“Yes, Johnny. Now hurry up Mark!” Ten leaves to his room and Mark can’t help the smiles on his face. He quickly rushes back into his room and checks his phone. He goes to his music app and sees that all the albums have returned to normal. “It worked. I can’t believe it really worked.” Mark realizes that it is now the middle of the night in Korea and as much as he wants to call Hyuck, he decides he can’t wait to see him in person. Mark decides to get ready.
“Move bitch!” Ten bumps into Mark as he exits the van. Taeyong, Ten, Lucas, and Mark had told the managers to take them to the company building so that they could see their members. They head down to the basement dance studio and Mark can hear the laughter from inside as Ten pulls the door open, Lucas right behind him. Taeyong is walking next to Mark. Everyone is here. I get to see them. I can see Hyuck! Mark thinks to himself.
“Yes, you’ll see him soon. Come on, Mark.” Taeyong says and Mark looks at him in shock. Taeyong just winks before he is pulling the door open.
Mark scans the room, trying to find the one person he couldn’t wait to see. He’s not here.
But everyone else is.
Mark can’t stop the tears from filling his eyes. They’re here. Everyone is all here. Ten has Johnny in a tight hug. Taeyong doing the same to Doyoung. Lucas is trying to get Jungwoo’s attention away from a bag of chips. Winwin looks beyond annoyed as Yuta and Taeil fight for his attention. Shotaro and Sungchan are filming tik toks. Kun is trying to stop Xiaojun and Yangyang from fighting. Hendery is dancing by himself in the strangest way. Jeno has his legs over Jaemin’s as they look at Renjun lovingly as he rambles about something. Jisung and Chenle are playing with Daegal.
Mark can’t help but smile at his members. It’s the chaos that he loves. It’s everything that he missed. It’s like he’s -
“-home.”
Arms wrap around Mark from behind, and Mark’s hands go to hold them, his smile growing bigger.
“Hyuck.”
“Welcome home, Mark.”