Back again are we?
Might I suggest catching up on the last part of this, just go back a couple chapters. I want this to be known as it is, not misinterpreted in any other way.
I ended off by saying I 'escaped' Jumin's pent house through the penthouse window, I'll continue from there.
So, I woke up as usual, but I felt terrible, the guess I have for that is that while memories don't immedietly carry over through these 'resets', intense feelings do. I felt guilty and hated myself for reasons I then did not know, I felt so bad I nearly didn't get out of bed on the day I receive a text from Unknown… But, as fate has its way, I did get out of bed, and I did still receive a text.
As the RFA was introducing themselves to me, I was… different with them, snappier if you will. For the first few hours I had known them I took out the anger I had at myself and the guilt, on them before finally calming down.
Over the net few days I was still snappy with them but less so, even less so with a blonde that seemed to refuse any negative comment I made to him. I guess I got comfort in his… willingness. I felt better when I spoke with him, he made me forget my guilt and self hate.
His willingness, his… loyalty he showed to me, saying he would save me when the bomb threat came. It all made me feel better at the moment… so much so that I began to enjoy his puppy-ness. I began enjoying… controlling him.
I don't know how but during the bomb threat, the blonde somehow got the address to the apartment, activating it when he stepped it. We only got to exchange our 'I love you' before we both blew up in fire.
Still hating myself, angry and guilty, I got a text from a stranger.
With the RFA, I was still snappy but this time, I stopped how I was acting because I saw someone worse off, emotionally, then me. I saw an actor who was desperate to be seen as good enough by everyone he met, so I flocked to him, his positive attitude numbing my snappiness.
But all wasn't well and good with the relationship we had. The actor failed in clearing his name against sexual assault claims laid against him, he left soon after saying he need some time to clear his mind before being able to properly starts a relationship.
A week later I found a letter at his house, I opened it on a whim. It was condolences, the actor was… was speeding on the road, a truck driver didn't see him. I felt it to be my fault, that guilt piled on top of what I felt, I 'escaped' again. The truck didn't hurt.
Spiteful to myself, I got a text.
The assistant I once again found comfort in fainted on the job, needing to be hospitalized. I pushed her to work harder so I felt responsible for her job, the CEO-in-line accepted me immedietly.
I worked harder than the assistant did for months, getting little or sometimes no sleep, barely eating some days to work harder and harder. Unfortunately, I too reached my limit, though I pushed through it even after passing out on multiple occasions. One day I past out as normal, but I didn't work again.
I received a text.
I got into the CEO-in-line's eyes again. I went to his place to help him as I used to but… Everything had piled up so much I… I gave up at some point…
I gave up and let the CEO-in-line control me, locked me in his penthouse willingly, I broke from it all.
I spent so long wallowing in self pity that I'd forgotten why I felt guilty. I spent so long hating myself that I forgot why I gave up.
It wasn't until I had a dream, remembering a phone call from a hacker, a phone call about broken bread crumbs. But strangely… I didn't feel guilty when I woke up. I felt… determined.
I felt done with the self hatred I had put myself through over the months of resets… I felt willing to move on.
Wanting to keep that feeling, I broke out. I escaped for the last time.
And when I woke up, the strangers text I received…
Was the one you read on my first day.
The hospital room was silent, the beeping of a machine being the only exception.
A chair, white in colour and well kept by staff, had its seat moulded down by a male, blissfully sleeping with crossed arms and a drooped head, his red hair covering his face.
The red head shirred as a knocking echoed through the room, the door opening soon after.
"Saeyoung…" A dark-haired man sighed as he entered the room.
Saeyoung awoke to the calling, turning towards the voice he saw the dark-haired man "Jumin…" He stated, rubbing his eyes of sleep.
Nodding, Jumin stepped into the room and took the seat next to the groggy red head.
"What's that?" Saeyoung pointed to something as Jumin took a bite of it, a displeased look on his face.
Ignoring the curious red head as he ate, he wiped his lips with paper towel he pulled from a pocket "A cookie. I was going to order my chef to prepare everyone dinner again but Yoosung stopped me and convinced me to eat with a copper spoon instead of silver" He took another bite of the cookie, his face not showing any signs of enjoying the treat.
Saeyoung chuckled at the analogy, his laughter cut off by a yawn. Looking back at Jumin he frowned upon inspecting the cookie more. "Chocolate chip…" Sighing, he looked forward at the bed in front of them, eyes focusing on the unconscious man on it.
Jumin followed his gaze, the brunette reminding him of why he came in "Saeyoung, I think it's time for you to return to your home"
"Not gunna happen" Saeyoung refused, tilting his head back as he yawned once again.
"You've been here for the past week" Jumin stated, taking another bit of his cookie.
Saeyoung turned to Jumin with a stern face "I won't leave MC or Saeran. I can't leave Saeran again…" Turning away, he stared at the wall ahead, his brother in the room next door "And I can't leave MC. He stayed with me through it all, what kind of person would I be if I can't stay with him through this?"
Sighing, Jumin stood up and threw the wrapper of his cookie in a trash can before turning to the mopping red head and putting a hand on his shoulder. "You aren't obliged to care for them right now, that job falls on the nurses and doctors I hired"
Saeyoung looked up at him "I want to stay with them"
Shaking his head Jumin sighed and turned to MC "Fine. But what would he think?" Saeyoung turned to the brunette "From the time we all have spoken to him in the chatroom, I can tell he is a very empathetic person. How do you think Mel would be if he found out you stopped caring for yourself because of him?"
Saeyoung turned away from the brunette. "I don't think he would feel very happy with you" Jumin added.
Hitching his breath, Saeyoung looked up at Jumin once again "…You wouldn't tell him…" Jumin didn't respond, only continuing to stare at him with a challenging gaze.
After a minute of silence Saeyoung crumbled, falling forward in his seat with a sigh "Fine…"
Saeyoung knew that MC would have two reactions if he found out he hadn't been caring for himself. Externally he would very displeased with him. Internally MC would feel guilty, knowing he was why he wasn't caring for himself.
Standing, Saeyoung ran a hand through his hair, freezing as he removed it, his face scrunched up. Wiping his hand on his sweater he turned to Jumin "Does the hospital have a visitor's shower…?"
Looking at Saeyoung's shiny hair, Jumin felt his own despite knowing it was clean "No. But the doctors should let you use one of there's, I asked them to ahead of time"
Nodding Saeyoung thanked him and turned to the door. "Wait"
Turning to Jumin he looked confused as he pulled a few bills from his own wallet and handed them to him. "Go eat"
Saeyoung's eyes widened as he pushed the bills back to Jumin "That's almost… 400'000 Won! I can't take that, Jumin!"
"On any other day you would be more than willing to accept money from me, strange" Ignoring Saeyoung's refusals, Jumin set the binded wad of cash in his hands.
"What am I supposed to do with this? Hospitals are relatively cheap for food" Saeyoung set the money in his pocket, knowing Jumin wouldn't take it back.
"I will repeat myself. Go eat"
Grumbling, Saeyoung turned to exit the room as Jumin spoke up again "And I don't suggest the hospital food, it taste horrible. Go out and eat. Healthily"
Hearing a muttered thank you from the red head, Jumin proceeded to sit in the seat Saeyoung had previously occupied.
After a few minutes of looking at his phone, Jumin turned away from it as he both heard and saw the covered mass on the bed shift. Humming, Jumin turned back to his phone only for the mass to shift once again.
"Hmm…" Sighing, Jumin tapped his phone and placed it to his ear. After a moment of ringing, someone spoke up.
"Hello Mr. Han. Did something happen at the hospital?" The monotonous voice of his assistant asked. Jumin sat up straight in response.
"No. Everything is as it should, Mel and Saeran are in their rooms, both still unconscious"
"Then what is the nature of your call? It is nearing midnight, Mr. Han" Jumin noted his assistant sounded irritated.
He turned to look at the rooms door "I want you to come to the hospital"
"You said nothing was-"
"Infact. Bring everyone here along with two bags of Honey Buddha Chips and PhD. Pepper"
Jaehee sighed "Yes, Mr. Han… Given that Saeyoung is already there… we should arrive in 26 minutes, 30 if Yoosung is asleep. If that is all…" She hung up.
Putting his phone away, Jumin turned to the mass of blanket on the bed. A face was peeking out from under the mass, blue eyes staring into Jumin's gray.
After a minute of staring with the occasional blinking, Jumin spoke up "Good evening" The younger man under the sheets grumbled in response.
"You knew I was awake… How?" MC demanded with a half glare.
Turning to the door Jumin hummed "When I stepped in you were cocooned in blankets. When I left this morning, you weren't"
"I was cold…" MC grumbled into the sheets. Looking away from Jumin he focused on the door "So Saeyoung left?"
Jumin nodded, "Are you all right with that?"
MC eyed Jumin suspiciously before grinning "Yes, but I am going to kill him, of course. He's not taking care of himself"
Jumin chuckled "As expected of you… But Mel, how are you feeling? You were unconscious for nearly a week"
Sighing, MC rubbed his eyes and blindly reached for the bed side table in hopes for his glasses. Not feeling them, he retracted his arm back into the blanket with a grumble. "I'm fine… well as 'fine' as anyone who's gotten shot can be…"
Shifting onto his back, MC lied in the silence. Looking over at Jumin, he saw what might be the ravenette tapping his thumbs on his legs; an anxious action that didn't go well with the man.
"What's wrong?" MC questioned, not liking the tapping.
"I'm confused…" Jumin stated. Looking to MC, he stilled his hands "Mel, you came to us 3 weeks ago allowing us to hold parties once again. Firstly, I don't think you were ever properly thanked, so I would like to extend my full gratitude to you. Thank you, Mel"
Looking away, MC chuckled as he struggled to hide his embarrassment at the unusual thanks "It's quite all right Jumin…"
"That was not the only thing I wanted to thank you for" Taking his phone out, Jumin checked the time before putting it away. "Saeyoung explained to me what you did at Mint Eye. The truth of how you were injured" He pointed to the brunette's chest.
MC touched the wound, wincing as it sung beneath his gown.
Jumin shook his head "Although I think what you did to be reckless and against natural self-preservation, I can't help but admire it… Were it not for you; Jihyun, my first friend, would have died"
"For someone who has only known us for a short while, you were ready to give your life to protect one of us… and for that, I don't know how to thank you… If there is ever anything you need- within reason- I will get it for you"
"It's alright Jumin, I- What the hell…?" Hand on his neck, MC froze as Jumin bowed in front of him, to him. Back peddling, MC shook his hands in front of him "Jumin there's no need for that…!"
Sitting up, Jumin patted down his suit where it had bunched up.
"Jumin…" Sighing, MC set his hands in his lap, running the fabric of the blanket through his fingers "That's not needed, really… I… I didn't take the shot for praise or compensation. I have my reasons for doing it but- those are for me to know"
MC took a deep breath as he stared into Jumin's gray eyes "Despite what V's done; betrayed our trust, been a leading cause in most of our pain… he doesn't deserve to die" Looking away, MC caught a blinking light in the corner of his eye. It was his phone, flashing with notifications. He turned back to Jumin "I'm sure everyone else can agree on that as well- as much as they hate him… I'd hope they don't wish death on him"
Jumin nodded "That is exactly what I think and hope. You have a very mature way of thinking, Mel" MC looked at him perplexed, Jumin continued "I suppose that is one of the reasons the RFA is so drawn to you. You compliment but challenge their way of thinking"
"Thank you Jumin, I-"
"I should leave you to rest" Jumin turned off and put his phone away, when did he take it out? "But before I go, I would like to say one last thing" Standing from the chair, Jumin stepped towards MC's bed. Leaning forward he picked up MC's hand, the brunette's hand smaller than Jumin's.
"I'm glad to have a friend like you" Smiling, Jumin patted MC's hand before setting it down. With Jumin exiting the room, MC was left stunned, surprised to see a smile from the usually monotone Jumin. It made him hopeful and happy, that he'd done more good than before.
Alone, MC settled back onto the bed with only the thankfully regular beeping of his heart monitor to company him.
Sighing, he placed a hand over his chest, where the stinging sat. Feeling his eyes close his conversation with Jumin played back in his mind, stopping at him refusing to talk about why he saved V.
MC remembered the walk to Saeyoung's car those days ago and the man who left him the note by the shop. He remembered opening the note and reading it, the note saying only one thing.
"Why was Jumin smiling anyways?"
What? It didn't say that, the note said to-
"I don't know dude, but it creeped me out…"
Wait…
Shooting up, MC stared at the door as he saw it open a crack, the voiced now more audible.
"But why are we carrying these things?"
"Mr. Han told me to bring them…"
Raising a brow, he stared at he door as footsteps stopped.
"Guys, be quiet, Saeyoung might be sleeping…"
"Thank you, Zen"
"I think I saw him walking through the halls a while back…"
"So Jumin wants us to deliver these to MC? Why? How's he going to eat them, he's sleeping like the dead. Maybe I can take a bag for myself…"
MC winced as he heard a smack through the door.
"That is not an appropriate thing to say Yoosung"
"Ow… Jaehee… that hurt…"
"If Saeyoung heard you I'm sure his words- or actions- would hurt a lot more than a simple smack to the shoulder. And be glad it was a simple shoulder smack, were my hands not full you would be crying on the ground"
"Noted… but did you have to hit my keyboard shoulder, I-"
"Guys!"
MC jumped as he noticed a head poking into the room, red eyes beaming at him as the door was shoved open, a familiar white-haired man stepping in, two bags in each of his hands. Behind him were more familiar faces.
"He's awake!" Stepping in, Zen set his bags on one of the chairs before sprinting over to him.
The other two people stepped in as Zen wrapped his arms around MC, eliciting a squeak the man.
"Thank goodness your awake…" Jaehee exclaimed, smiling.
"Does that mean he heard what I said…?" Yoosung turned away. Jaehee elbowed his side.
Patting Zen's back as the actor clung to him, MC chuckled "I'm glad I'm awake too" He turned to Zen "Um… can you release me now?"
As quick as he attached himself, Zen scatted away from the brunette, his cheeks red like his eyes "Sorry. I'm just happy you're alive"
Jaehee nodded, pushing her glasses up "Me as well. Mr. Han and Saeyoung told us you were caught in the cross fire between Mint Eye and Mr. Han's security personnel" She had a knowing glint in her eyes.
"They did…?" MC figured they were told so they wouldn't fear Saeran.
Setting his bags down, Yoosung agreed "Yeah! I was scared when I heard" Looking to the floor Yoosung wiped at his eye "I was scared we'd lose you…"
"Yoosung…" MC sighed feeling his heart grow heavy at the sight.
Wiping his other eye, Yoosung looked back to MC, the brunette taken aback by the blonds angered expression. "Yoosung?"
"You nearly broke your promise…!" Taking a step forward, Yoosung glared at him.
MC looked as him confused "Promise…?"
Hearing MC not know what he was talk about seemed to only make him madder. Clenching his hands, Yoosung went over to MC's side, Zen stepping out of the way.
"The promise!" He exclaimed jabbing a finger at the brunette "I did all my school work. I went to all of my classes and studied lots while you two were gone!" Yoosung started to shake as he continued to yell "I even searched online for a part time job!"
"I kept my half of the promise… but you nearly didn't keep yours…!" Reaching, Yoosung grabbed the sheets of the bed as he fell to his knees, his face landing in the crook of MC's legs and the mattress.
Hearing Yoosung hiccup into his sheets MC placed a hesitant hand on Yoosung's head, speaking the blonds name, he ran a hand through his hair.
"…"
MC, continuing his attempt to soothe his distressed friend, sat silently with only Yoosung's sobs to break the silence.
Looking up at Zen, he saw the actor shift back and mouth something to him. 'Take your time'
Nodding, thankful for everyone's understanding, MC returned his focus to the crying college student on his leg. Running his hand from the blonds hair to his cheek, he prompted him to raise his head.
"Yoosung…" He started but was interrupted before he could continue.
"You nearly died Cali…" Finally, Yoosung followed MCs prompting and raised his head to face him, his face covered in streaming tears, his usual gleaming eyes now red "I can't lose more family…"
As he spoke Yoosung continued to cry, his face shifting more into the hand that held it, MC stared at his friend, the feeling of tears prickling his own eyes starting.
"Yoosung…" He repeated feeling his heart twist, saddened yet touched by the blond. He felt touched by the fact Yoosung considered him as family, despite now knowing him for long.
Moving, MC leaned down to Yoosung and wrapped his arms around him, closing his eyes as he rested on the blonds head.
As he hugged Yoosung, MC felt another warmth wrap around him, surprised, he smelt vanilla. A scent he strongly associated with Zen. Hearing a whisper, he soon felt more arms (He guessed them to be arms) wrap around him and Yoosung. First one with the scent of coffee, Jaehee. Then one of cologne with a hint of honey.
Honey?
"Saeyoung…?!" He yelped from under the mountain of hugs.
One by one, the weight of arms wrapped around him lessened until he was released. Looking through the small crowd of people in his room, he stopped as he spotted red.
Seeing the red head MC smiled and began saying something but was cut off by being knocked onto his back. Staring up at the ceiling, strands of red hair in his eyes, he felt a tight embrace coupled by the still familiar honey scent.
"MC…" The male in question relaxed as he felt a warm sigh hit his neck. As the feeling of the arms wrapped around him lessened their hold, a familiar face came into view.
"Saeyoung…" MC raised a hand, running a thumb under one of the red heads amber eyes, removing the forming tears. He frowned as he noticed the gray bags.
With a sigh of his own, he weakly glared at the man in front of him "I heard you haven't been taking care of yourself"
Hearing the completely true statement, Saeyoung stiffened before turning away and glaring at the floor. "Jumin… I'm gunna…" He muttered through his teeth.
"I overheard" MC corrected, feeling sorry for Jumin.
Saeyoung continued to mutter to himself before freezing, his gritted teeth and glare disappearing as he turned back to MC "You were awake? Why didn't you do something- like… something so we knew you were awake? I… I've been so worried and scared"
MC shrugged at the question, "I don't know…" removing his hand he turned away "The bed was comfortable?"
Moving over to see his hiding face, Saeyoung sighed "I don't-"
"Ahem…!"
Jumping away from each other, MC turned to the voice, Zen, while Saeyoung nearly struggled to keep himself from falling off the bed.
Stabilizing himself, Saeyoung looked back at Zen he saw the actor standing near the door, arms crossed.
"Should we, uh… give you two some privacy?" He gestured to the two of them on the bed, Saeyoung practically having crawled on top of MC after the brunette noticed him.
Looking at themselves and their position, Saeyoung slid off the bed, opting to stand on the opposite side of the room as MC propped himself to sit up.
"Sorry," Saeyoung spoke up "got a head of myself. Anyways, MC-" The brunette turned to him "I'm… glad you're alright…"
Smiling, MC thanked him.
"Oh, right!" Jumping from the sudden shout, everyone turned to Jaehee as she held up a large plastic bag "Mr. Han told me to bring these for you two" Setting it on the end of the bed she pulled five bags of Honey Buddha Chips out of it. Doing the same to a bag near Zen, only bottles of PhD Pepper were found inside it.
Setting them near his feet, she stepped back, looking to MC she smiled "Mr. Han said you requested chips and pop to be carried by the guards who saved you all. These are the exact contents from the five guards who saw you"
Shifting forward to grab one of the chip bags his target was snatched by someone, turning to the thief, a skeptical looking Zen, he pouted.
Zen ignored his pout and scanned the back of the bag "He can't eat these!" Zen turned to Jaehee "Look at these things! 345 Calories. 345! In a single bag!" Zen glared at the other bags of fatty chips.
Looking back at the bag, Zen's expression slowly grew more disgusted as he read "Oh my God… That trust fund-high class eating jerk is trying to poison him, isn't he?!" Grunting, he shook the bag violently as he pointed it as MC's bed side machines.
"Do we even know if the chemicals in this crap won't interfere with his IV?!" Sighing, he threw the bag of now chip crumbs by its brethren.
Crossing his arms, Zen moved to the door "If he's going to eat a third of his calories now, they may as well be healthy!" Opening the door, Zen grabbed Yoosung's arm much to the blonds distress "We're buying MC lunch- a salad! Yoosung, let's go!"
With that, Zen stomped off with Yoosung in tow, the blond boy pleading with the actor to let him go as he failed to release himself from the older males hold.
A moment of silence for Yoosung.
…
"Well then…" Clearing her throat, Jaehee slowly but quietly shut the door behind the rowdy men.
Turning to her friend, she picked up one of the chip bags, turning it over to read the back as Zen did. "Oh my… Zen was right" She looked up at MC, the brunette trying to keep himself from laughing "MC," The male in question turned to her "these chips aren't good for you… I too think you shouldn't eat them"
Snickering, MC grabbed one of the bags and quickly scanned it, rolling his eyes he handed it to Saeyoung, the red head carefully taking it "I wasn't going to eat them- well when I asked Jumin for them a week ago I was- But now I want to give them to you guys"
As MC looked to the door behind Jaehee a pop sounded through the room soon followed by the rich smell of honey.
"I was going to explain that but Zen-" MC stifled laughter in his arm "-Zen went 'Mother Mode' and proceeded to drag Yoosung away"
"I see…" As Jaehee set the bag back on the bed, she wiped her hand on her clothes. Saeyoung ate a chip loudly.
Pushing the bags closer to MC, the assistant glanced at Saeyoung as he ate another few chips "I am still on track to keep bad foods out of my diet when I can, so I must refuse the chips. My apologies" Opening her mouth to speak again a ringing stopped her.
Upon hearing the sound, Jaehee's shoulders dropped as she sighed. Grabbing her phone from her bag she hesitated to speak as she stared at the screen. Debating if she could risk leaving the call.
With another sigh, she put the phone to her ear, looking up at MC and Saeyoung "I'm sorry, It's Mr. Han…"
Stepping out of the room she muttered something about 'perfect timing' as she answered the phone. "Mr. Han. Yes, I'm at the hospital…" She left hearing range soon after.
Left alone in the room, MC sat back turning his head to stare at the heart monitor connected to him, the blue line jumping up as it beeped with his heart.
Usually beeping was accosted with something bad or irritating like an alarm clock, the person unfortunate to have it being forced to fumbled and press and stop it so they can sleep for 'five more minutes'. But this beeping, though annoying at times, wasn't something he could just press and have stop, it wasn't something he wanted to just stop. The beeping was, in actuality, him, his life, displayed on a screen for all to hear and see. And were this beeping to stop, it wouldn't be just the third 'five more minutes' of sleep, but a forever of sleep.
Well, at least not for him, he'd be back at home soon enough awaiting a text from a stranger.
With a silent sigh, MC blinked his thoughts away, the thought of awaiting that cursed text hurting him too much to bear.
Focusing on the sound of his own heart beat, both from the monitor and his own body, ignoring the sound of rustling and crunching chips elected from the man behind him in the mean time, he closed his eyes. With only blankness in his vision, he focused on sleep.