"Haechan!"
Alyssa runs into her brothers arms, the male laughing. "I've never seen you this excited to see me."
"Just enjoy the hug, will you?"
"Sure." Haechan hugs the girl tighter, squishing her until she hits his back for him to let her go.
"Rude."
"I was hugging you."
"Right."
"You two are funny", Paige says and then looks at Haechan. "Hi."
"Hi. Hi Marissa." Haechan grins at the third girl. "Veronica."
"Stop trying to embarrass me!"
"I just said her name!"
"But you're trying to embarrass me!"
"Are you two done?"
Haechan goes quiet at the sound of his mothers voice and finds her looking at him. "Hi, Haechan."
"Hi", he mutters and feels a hand grab his.
"Who are they?" His mom asks, looking at Jaemin, Mark, and Jeno.
"My boyfriends."
"Boyfriends? Plural?"
"Yes." The womans eyes flick to her daughter so she clears her throat. "Nice to meet you guys."
"Hi", they say quietly.
"Let's move to the backyard."
As Haechan tries to go inside, his mother stops him. "I wanna talk to you."
"No."
"Excuse me?"
Haechan laughs. "Did you forget I'm an adult? Or that as a human being, I have a right to say no?"
"I know both of those things."
Haechan tries to go past her but she blocks him, making him roll his eyes. "What?"
"Don't come into my house with that attitude."
"I didn't. You blocked me and now I have an attitude."
"I don't know what being an adult makes you think you are but you do not get to disrespect me."
"How have I disrespected you? All I've done is try to see my sister at her graduation party and get annoyed that I can't. I wanna go past you."
"Not until I'm done talking."
Haechan rolls his eyes again. "What?"
In the backyard, everyone searches for Haechan and his mom.
"She's probably keeping him", Jisung says, annoyed.
"Want me to go find her?" The stepdad asks.
"No, I'll do it", Alyssa says and hurries back inside.
Kade follows after her. The two stop when they find Haechan and their mom talking by the front door.
"Wait", their mom says. "Did you hear something?"
"I don't know anything with you not letting me see anyone", Haechan says.
"Fine! Go! We'll talk later."
"No, we won't."
"If you wanna see your sister again, we will."
Haechan stops in his tracks. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. If you wanna see Alyssa again, you will talk to me."
"You're aware that's manipulation right? In one of the purest forms."
The woman rolls her eyes. "You always say I'm manipulating you."
"'Cause you do."
"No, I do not."
Haechan looks at his mother annoyed and in disbelief. "You just threatened to keep me from seeing Alyssa."
"I was joking. See, you always make me the bad guy but you don't understand jokes."
"What the fuck?" Kade mumbles.
"Should we say something?"
"Wait."
"What is taking them so long?" Mr. Lee asks.
"I bet it's that woman", Jisung says.
"Hey, that woman is my wife."
"It must suck to be you."
Chenle gasps. "Jisung!"
"What?"
"You can't just say that", Chenle says, lowering his voice. "Even if it's true."
Jisung chuckles, amused and sighs. "Fine."
"Why don't we eat?" Marissa suggests.
"Yes", Chenle agrees.
"I'm going to the party. You've wasted enough of my time already. I came here for Alyssa, not you."
"Are you gonna do what I say?"
"When have I ever wanted to listen to you?"
"So you admit you're disobedient."
Haechan chuckles without humor. "Sure."
"I'm not gonna say it again. Do what I say or deal with not seeing Alyssa."
"Using your power on me only works when I let you. I don't give a fuck what you want and I don't care what horrible shit you try to do. Alyssa is her own person and if she wants to see me, I will make sure she will. Now I'm gonna tell you for the last time that I'm going to the backyard to spend time with my sister and you are not going to stop me. I hope this conversation was what you wanted 'cause I'm never talking to you again."
Kade and Alyssa take that as their cue to hurry out the back door and run away, trying to look like they weren't just spying.
"What happened?" Their dad asks.
"Mom is crazy", Kade answers.
"You shouldn't talk about your mom like that", their stepdad says.
"You might agree if you heard what we heard."
"What are you guys talking about?"
Everyone goes quiet at the sight of Haechan and his mother. Haechan goes straight for Alyssa and pulls her into a hug and kisses the top of her head. "I'm so sorry. Mom stopped me."
"I know. It's not your fault."
"I'll make it up to you, okay?"
"You're here, you don't need to make anything up."
"I still wish that didn't happen."
"Anyone would", Kade mutters, only to get smacked by Alyssa.
"Don't say that!"
Haechan eyes the two of them. "What happened?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing!"
"No, something happened. What happened?"
"We were just talking", Mrs. Reed says to her ex-husband.
Mr. Lee looks at his son."Haechan, what did your mom talk to you about?"
"She wants to talk to me after this."
"He was rude."
"I said no."
"Mom, that's how no-contact works", Kade adds.
"Don't talk to me like I'm stupid."
"Here, Cookie", Jisung says, handing Haechan a plate of food. He looks at Alyssa and grins. "Veronica is holding yours."
The teen rolls her eyes and goes over to her friends.
Once everyone eats and had time to talk, Mrs. Reed brings all the attention to her daughter and puts her graduation gifts around her.
"It feels like it's my birthday", Alyssa says happily.
Haechan can't help but smile at the joy on his little sisters face, especially when she picks his gift first. She pulls out the hoodie and smiles at him before picking up the white envelope in confusion. She opens, pulls out the item just enough to read it and lets out a scream.
Completely forgetting the gift bag, she flys off her chair and into her brothers arm, jumping up and down in his hold.
"What is it?" Veronica asks in amusement.
Alyssa turns to her, screams again, hugs Haechan again and then answers in a squeal so high-pitched all anyone can understand is "concert tickets" but barely. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
Haechan laughs at her reaction and pulls out his phone to take a picture of her before responding. "Thank Jaemin too, these were actually his idea and he told me to give them to you."
Alyssa goes over to Jaemin and traps him in a hug, still squealing. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome."
"Oh, there's candy in your bag."
Alyssa quickly picks up her gift bag and hunts through the bottom, pleased with all the candy in it and smiles at Haechan in satisfaction.
"She smiles just like you", Jeno comments.
"She does most things like me."
"Mine next!" Veronica calls out to Alyssa, bringing their attention back to the girl.
Alyssa peers into the bag and gasps before pulling out a small frog plushie. Next, she pulls out a box, opens it, and blushes.
In a second, Haechan is out of his seat and next to Alyssa, trying to see what the item is. Alyssa rolls her eyes but gives up pretty quickly and lets him see. Haechan reads the message on the cardboard the necklace is on and smirks at Veronica before whispering, "Someone really likes you."
"Stop!" Alyssa exclaims, thoroughly embarrassed.
Haechan gives her a quick hug and ruffles her hair before running back to his seat to avoid getting smacked by his sister.
"Do you like it?" Veronica asks.
Alyssa nods, avoiding eye contact with her. She picks up the next bag, getting shocked by how heavy it is. "Marissa, what is this?"
"Open the bag."
The girl sticks her tongue out at her best friend and then opens the bag, like she was told and pulls out something wrapped in tissue paper. She gasps and smiles at it before showing everyone else the graduation picture frame with a picture of her, Marissa, Paige, and Veronica in their current outfits.
"How'd you do that so fast?"
"I had your dad print the picture for me and then set it up in my car. I was so stressed."
"I love it", Alyssa says, holding her arms out to hug her. "Thank you."
"There's more."
After looking through the rest of the gift, Alyssa gets up and pulls out small gift bags from the corner of the backyard and hands them to her friends. Then she gets slightly bigger ones and checks each of them before passing them out to Haechan, Jaemin, Jisung, Jeno, Mark, and Chenle.
"Oh, what's this?" Mark asks in surprise.
"It's a thank you gift. Plus, Haechan told me you all made some sort of contribution to a graduation gift for me and I appreciate it." A few seconds of silence go by and then she adds, "This is also to show you what it's like having me as a sister-in-law so hopefully you don't fuck it up."
Alyssa's dad, stepdad, and friends burst out laughing.
"Alyssa!" Mr. Lee attempts to scold through laughter.
"I like that girl so much", Veronica blurts, making Marissa and Paige's eyes go wide.
"Alyssa!" Marissa screeches, barreling at her best friend.
"Huh?"
"What happened?" Haechan asks, all too curious. Marissa whispers it to him, making him gasp. He turns to Jisung who grins at the bright red teen.
"You gonna continue your game of telephone?"
Jisung shrugs."If you insist."
"I was joking!" Jisung ignores her to whisper to his boyfriend. "Dammit."
"Uh, can someone please fill us in?"
"Uh, yeah!" Kade exclaims from his seat at the table with his parents and stepfather.
"Sorry!"
➳
"You're gonna talk to me, right?"
"No."
"I was joking earlier but I can still do it."
"Okay, go ahead."
The woman smiles. "I know what you're trying to do and it's not going to work."
"And your manipulation won't work on me, too bad."
"This is not manipulation. I am asking you to talk to me."
"And I'm giving you an answer. No." Haechan smiles. "I'll be going now."
"I will make you talk to me." Haechan snorts but she keeps going. "You say I'm manipulating you but you won't even tell me what I did wrong. You know, I read an article about how the silent treatment is manipulation so aren't you actually manipulating me right now?"
"What the fuck", Haechan says out loud.
"Hm?" His mother asks smugly.
Haechan considers his mothers request, simply for the chance to say everything he's never gotten to say. To express all the emotions he had to keep hidden. To tell his mom every single thing she ever did wrong.
"Fine", he says. "But not alone."
"What?"
"If we talk, I want Jisung or at least one of my boyfriends with me."
The woman scoffs. "You're twenty-three and can't even talk to your mother in private?"
"I don't want to. I can. I don't want to."
"And why not?"
Haechan chuckles. "I decided on no-contact. If I'm gonna talk to you, it's gonna be on my own terms."
She rolls her eyes. "Fine. Bring Jisung then. I'm sure you told him all about me."
"I did. But I'm gonna bring whoever I want. You don't get the choices here when I don't have to do this in the first place."
"Okay, when?"
"Whenever I decide", Haechan says with a smile.
"Stop that. You might think you get to call all the shots but you don't. I am still your mom."
"That's what you think."
She looks taken aback. "What? Haechan, I am your mom."
"You gave birth to me and then did the bare minimum. To me, you're barely a parent and that's your own fault." He starts towards the door. "And by the way, I do call the shots, 'cause, like I said, I don't have to do any of this. Bye."
As soon as he's out of the house, he sighs and takes deep breath in the fresh air, just now realizing how suffocated he felt in there.
Jisung is the first one to hug him, squeezing him tight before bringing his face into his hands. "Are you okay?"
Haechan nods. "I didn't enjoy that but I'm fine. Also, one of these days, one of you gets to watch me tell her everything she did wrong."
"Wait, what?"
"She wants me to talk to her and I decided that letting everything out and telling her how horrible she is doesn't seem that bad. Might be therapeutic actually."
"Are you sure?"
"I can always change my mind."
➳
"Why are you so happy?" Jeno asks.
"My boyfriend is coming."
"Do I finally get to make fun of you?"
Lyssa rolls her eyes playfully. "Shut up. But also, it's not just him. Him and his friends like to come in here to relax from work."
"It's a good idea."
"Yet you rarely use it."
"Hey, I come in here with my friends and boyfriends."
"I've seen your boyfriends three times and Chenle and Doyoung all the time."
"Because we always make plans or just cuddle."
"Okay, I admit that's cute."
"Of course it's cute."
"Yeah, yeah. So is Doyoung or Chenle coming in again?"
"Chenle." Lyssa checks her phone and gasps, a smile forming on her face. "What?"
"He's almost here. And he said he got me something."
"You just reminded me why Lele and his boyfriend made me wanna throw up."
"You're so hypocritical", Lyssa says, looking up at Jeno. "You and your boyfriends are all lovey dovey every time I see you with them. Especially you."
"All I do is hug them!"
Lyssa shakes her head, silently laughing. "No, you do not." Her face brightens. ""Princess! Pumpkin! Sweetheart! 'No one calls them that but me'. 'Stay away from my boyfriends!' Need I go on?"
Jeno rolls his eyes right in time with the dogs barking at the customer who walks in. Lyssa runs out from behind the counter and into the males arms. Jeno gags while they're not looking.
"Is this the guy I bought chocolate-covered strawberries for?" He asks the girl as they approach the counter.
"Mhm. This is Jeno."
"Hi", Jeno says.
"Hi. Wait." Jeno looks up to find the guy staring at him, finding him familiar himself. "Do I know you?" Jeno shrugs. "No, wait, what's your last name?"
"Lee."
"Dude, we used to be friends. In middle school, remember?"
I'd rather not
"Oh, yeah", Jeno says, keeping his voice monotone.
"How you been? I haven't seen you since high school. You were always with that one guy. I forgot his name."
"Chenle?"
"Yeah, him! How are you?"
"Good, how about you?" Jeno replies automatically.
"Good. Hey, we should hangout."
Jeno looks up and finds the couple staring at him. He doesn't want to answer but he's about to agree to be polite when Lyssa speaks up.
"I don't know. He's pretty busy being a hypocrite."
Jeno rolls his eyes. "I'm not a hypocrite."
"Imagine your boyfriends walking in right now, how would you react?"
"I'd smile at them 'cause I like them."
"I'm gonna get a video one of these days."
"You do that."
"Is this how you keep yourself entertained?" The guy asks his girlfriend.
"Yeah. Jeno's pretty good company. Kinda boring sometimes though."
"It's not my fault you wanna talk when I'm already doing something."
"Texting your boyfriends."
"Anything."
"Texting your boyfriends."
"Oh, yeah", the guy looks at Jeno. "Man, I didn't know you were into guys." Jeno hums. "When did you realize?"
After we stopped being friends
"When I was fourteen."
"Didn't we know each other then?"
"After."
"Oh. Well, I'm glad you're good."
Jeno nods and mentally thanks whoever walks in so he can give his attention to them. He feels even better when he sees his best friend.
"Lele", he says, moving out from behind the counter.
"Hi, cute boy. You okay?" Chenle asks, taking in his expression. Jeno nods unconvincingly and pulls the male into a hug.
"Is this one of the boyfriends?"
"Me?" Chenle asks. "I might love Jeno as much as his boyfriends do but I'm not one of them." He grins at Lyssa. "This the guy you won't stop talking about?"
Lyssa goes red. "Chenle!"
"Don't worry, I don't shut up about my boyfriend either."
"He doesn't", Jeno says quietly.
Chenle pulls back to look at Jenos face, trying to figure out what's wrong. When he doesn't, he gives Jeno a few kisses and goes back to hugging him.
"Was Jeno clingy when you were friends?" Lyssa asks her boyfriend.
"Yeah, a little bit."
"Wait, you were friends with Jeno?"
The guy nods. "Middle school."
It suddenly clicks in Chenles mind why Jeno is acting like this.
Everyone looks at the entrance when the door opens and the dogs get excited again.
"Yo!"
"Hey, man."
"Hi, Lyssa."
"Hi!"
"Jeno, when you're done, come help me, okay?"
Jeno nods, not making a move to pull away from Chenle. The male kisses his cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"I'll be here, okay?"
"Okay."
Jeno squeezes his best friend even tighter for a few more seconds before pulling away and going back behind the counter.
"You okay?" Lyssa asks.
Jeno nods. "I'm fine."
Upon realizing that some of Lyssas boyfriends friends are also people Jeno used to be friends with, he becomes a little less fine.
Noticing this, Chenle gets up and goes to the counter and lowers his voice to say, "You've gone through half a pack of gum in twenty minutes, are you okay?"
"Trying to be", Jeno mumbles.
"Bad memories?"
Jeno nods. "Unpleasant feelings too."
"You should play with the animals."
"When I'm done."
"I'll be waiting for you, okay?"
Jeno nods.
He tries to wipe any emotion from his face as one of the guys approaches the counter. After the guy orders and pays, he still stays there.
"Uh, do you need something?"
"Do you remember me?"
I wish I didn't
"Mhm."
"How you been? You like disappeared after sophomore year and left us for that other guy."
Jenos mouth falls open in shock. "That is not...what happened."
The guy mirrors Jenos expression. "Dude, yeah, it is."
"I didn't leave you."
You left me first
"Wait a minute." The guy turns. "Ay, didn't Jeno leave us in tenth grade for that other guy?"
Chenles head snaps and looks at Jeno who's looking down, obviously trying to pretend he's not the subject of the groups conversation.
"Wait, come here for a sec", another guy calls.
Jeno doesn't move at first but when Lyssa waves him over and everyone stares at him, he decides it's best to oblige and goes over to the table.
"Yes?" He asks stiffly.
"What do you remember about tenth grade because we're thinking of things differently."
"Dude, we all coulda swore you just left us."
"None of you really seemed to care", Jeno admits quietly. "I didn't think it mattered."
"Wait, what?"
"Okay, that is not true."
If Jeno was a little less annoyed and thinking properly, he wouldn't speak the thought that immediately comes to mind. But he isn't thinking and he is annoyed. "You might think that but you didn't have all your friends leave you, did you?"
"You left us!"
Jeno feels himself getting even more emotional and he takes a deep breath, hoping they don't identify the shakiness. He feels arms around him and then head nuzzle against the crook of his neck, invading all of his personal space, calming him slightly.
"I'm here", Chenle whispers."I love you. I got you, I love you. I'm right here. I love you."
Jeno lets Chenle pull him away and once they're across the cafe, he turns to hug him properly, hiding his face in his shoulder, inhaling the feeling of his best friend.
"Thank you", he mumbles."I love you too."
"You're perfect."
"Are they staring?"
"Yep."
"Dammit."
"Lyssa looks concerned."
"I don't want her to say anything. I wish I didn't see them. I don't wanna talk about any of this, it's not gonna fix anything. And they're blaming me for getting tired of using me for convenience."
"You don't have to talk to them. When your shift is over, we can leave and do whatever you want, okay, cute boy?"
Jeno nods against him and takes more deep breaths so that he's ready to tend to any customers that come in.
"Hey", he hears Lyssas voice. Jeno doesn't look at her so she has to speak to Chenle instead. "I'm sorry about them. And Jeno, Max is coming in so you can leave if you want."
"Do you wanna do that?" Chenle asks, quietly. Jeno nods. The silver-haired male forces a smile as he looks at the girl. "We'll get going. You don't have to apologize, that had nothing to do with you."
"I'm still sorry."
"Don't worry about it."
Lyssa forces a smile and goes back to where her boyfriend is.
➳
My Love #1, My Love😚, Lele...
Haechan
Who wants to go face a troll with
me?
Lele
That's a lot nicer than I thought
you'd say
My Love #1
He's said worse
Haechan
I always say my mother is acting
like a *insert insult here*
But anyways, a companion to visit
the troll?
My Love #1
If I don't have work, no hesitation,
I'm there
My Love😚
I'll go
Haechan
I just realized something
Baby, are you sure you'd be okay
with that? My mom is like your
grandma but maybe worse
Mother*
"Mom" did not feel right
My Love😚
Even more reason for me to
wanna be there with you
I'll be okay, I promise
Puppy
I'd also prefer going with you but
do whatever makes you
comfortable Sweetheart
Bubs<3
What he said^
Lele
You know I'll be there (if you want)
Haechan
I don't care so whoever's free
It would be funny if all of you came,
it would annoy my mother so much
My Love #1
Sold
Haechan
😂
➳
"You sure you wanna do this?" Jeno asks.
"Nope." Haechan sighs. "But I'm gonna do it anyway."
He feels two hands slip into his and smiles at his boyfriends.
"We'll leave anytime, okay?"
The male nods. "Okay."
They take their time walking up the driveway and to the front door. Haechan takes a deep breath before ringing the doorbell.
"Who is it?" His stepfather calls through the door.
"It's Haechan."
The door swings open to reveal the man who takes in the four. He nods at them and then looks at Haechan. "Your mom is in her room. Are they waiting downstairs?"
"Nope."
"You're telling me you're gonna bring all of them up there with you to talk to your mom?"
"Yep."
Mr. Reed sighs and lets them all in. Haechan makes his way upstairs, making sure at least one of his boyfriends is close by.
"Who's up here?" His mother calls.
"It's me", Haechan says, pushing the door open.
"Really, Haechan? Three?"
"Mhm."
"And they can't wait downstairs?"
"Do you want me in this house or not?"
The woman rolls her eyes. "Fine. Get comfortable."
Haechan sits on the edge of the bed, further annoying his mother. Mark, Jeno, and Jaemin decide to stay standing.
"You start."
"Stop being so hostile."
"Nope."
His mother sighs. "I miss you, you know. I hate spending Christmas or your birthday not seeing you. Even if you're mad at me, I'm still your family, aren't I?"
Haechan immediately tries to block out the 'I miss you' comment, refusing to give into inconsistency, lies, and mistreatment. Even if a part of him is pleased at the thought or wants to say it back, he refrains and gets to the point. "And I hated spending Christmases without Dad. And then, when we saw him, you wouldn't be there. I don't know if you remember but I used to only be comfortable with you. I was used to you but you wouldn't even give up a lunch without him for your son. You just got mad at me for waiting for spend Christmas, my favorite holiday in a way that made me comfortable and happy. And being family doesn't mean shit if you don't treat me right and you didn't. I talked to you time and time again. I had to. 'Cause you wouldn't let me see a therapist. Not even when I didn't wanna be here anymore. You refused to fix it. You got mad at me for my feelings. You told me they weren't true. You tried to control everything and hated that you couldn't control me. I'm never going to be okay with that."
"Number one, I didn't stay when you saw your dad because it would be awkward and you know I couldn't just leave Bryce."
Haechan scoffs, getting even more upset by the second."'Cause he's more important, right?"
"What?"
"You always put someone before me. Kade, Alyssa, and then Bryce. You know I never wanted a stepdad. I never felt okay having an invasion in my space, in my life, that I never agreed to", Haechan rambles out, becoming heated. "But if I wanted to marry someone you weren't okay with, you'd expect me to just drop them. Because it's what you want. If you could stop me, you'd make sure I marry woman even when you know I am gay."
Mrs. Reed rolls her eyes. "You're still going on about this? You have three boyfriends. Have I said anything to you?"
"It doesn't matter when I know what you think! You tried to scare me into being straight, telling me I'll go to hell and I'm upsetting God by ruining his plan. Repeatedly telling me it's a fucking chose when no one would ever choose to face the shit you and other people put them through for who they love!" Haechan looks up at the ceiling for a moment and then adds. "You even yelled at me for wanting a fucking pride flag and looked up a straight flag to convert me!"
Jeno, Jaemin, and Marks eyes widen in shock and horror.
"Okay, what the hell?"
"Stay out of it!" The woman snaps.
"Let them talk", Haechan says with a glare. "You're just upset more people will tell you that you're wrong and you're a fucking horrible mother."
"I clothed you, I fed you, I put a roof over your head, I bought you things, I took you out to have fun. And I apologized about yelling at you and I am not homophobic."
"That's what you're supposed to do!" Haechan nearly shouts. "That's what being a parent is, taking care of the goddamn child and you didn't. You didn't take care of me. And everything you said was homophobic! You just don't wanna be the bad guy but pretending what you do is okay doesn't make you better!"
"No, I tried to understand you. When you explained stuff to me, I listened and asked questions."
"You have a homophobic mindset!"
Mrs. Reed sighs."Fine. Go back to me putting people before you and not taking care of you. I did that!"
"No, you didn't. You made me sacrifice my time, my breaks, my fucking mental health just so you could be lazy. Even when you were in the house, I was watching Alyssa, not you! And you always told me I was being mean to Kade for wanting us treated equally. I got yelled at, punishments, and insults while Alyssa got hugs snd Kade got nothing." Haechan starts to tear up, hating the vulnerability he's showing to his mother. "Normal parents take care of their children when they're sick, normal parents go help their child when they're screaming. Normal parents actually care when their child is getting hurt!" Haechan goes quiet. "And then you found someone else to ignore me for. You think I don't like anybody but have you ever even thought to consider why I don't like him?"
"I already told you why I was tough on you. You keep bringing it up!"
"I wasn't loved!" Haechan screams, tears streaming down his face. He feels himself get pulled against chest and two hands grabbing his, calming him. "That wasn't love."
"You told me that I can't decide your feelings for you so don't sit there and tell me I don't love you. I do." Despite the womans words, she's staring at Haechan the same way she did when she was scolding him and mad at him.
Mrs. Reed rubs her temples, a reminder of all the stress Haechan caused her and how annoying she found him. He just stares at her in tears, waiting for her to say something.
"Tell me why you don't like Bryce."
Jeno scoffs. "Seriously? Out of all that, you wanna talk about your husband?"
"Keep interfering and I'll lock you out of this room."
"Not with Haechan, you won't."
"Haechan", she says, ignoring Jeno. "Go ahead. I'm sure your boyfriends won't interrupt."
Haechan takes a shaky breath, sadness switching to anger as he speaks."This was really fucking obvious but in case you forgot, he only cares about you. That man does not and never has given a damn about me. You should know that. 'Cause instead of letting the fucking fifteen year old enjoy his weekend when school was killing him, he had to stay in his house watching his little sister 'cause his older brother got to do whatever he wanted. It doesn't matter whether I was mature or not, I was a kid too. I only had fun 'cause you let Jisung come over but sometimes I couldn't for no fucking reason while I had to watch Alyssa and her friends. He's never tried and after him not caring about me, I didn't want him to. And I did not need another "parent". I didn't even have you or dad and I didn't need you. I raised myself and that's why I'm not your robot."
"Bryce said sorry."
"You think that fixes it?" Haechan exclaims. "You think a forced apology that he didn't even act on fixes everything?"
"I stayed home 'cause you wanted me to! I wanted to go out but I didn't", she says, like it's something to be praised for.
"Sure, get mad at me for having to watch your own goddamn kids."
"Also", Mrs. Reed says, trying to calm down. "I never tried to make you a robot. You're just making up lies now."
All the male can do roll his eyes at the ridiculousness of his mother's words and ask, "Oh, is this the manipulation starting again?"
"I simply don't know what you're talking about. That's not manipulation."
"If you're lying, it is. And I'm used to that from you."
"I am not a liar!"
Haechan snorts. "Sure, you're not."
Just then, Bryce walks in and sits next to the woman. "Are y'all still talking?"
"Yes."
"Oh, okay."
When all he does is continue to sit there on his phone, Haechan rolls his eyes. "So I still can't just talk to you without him interfering, right?"
Bryce looks up."Excuse me?"
"You're excused."
"Okay, if you're just gonna be disrespectful, you can leave."
"Thank God", Jeno mutters, a little too loud.
"Excuse me?"
"I said 'thank God'." Jeno smiles, standing up. "Bye now."
The woman scoffs."Haechan, you're just gonna let him talk to me like that?"
"Yes", He answers, wondering why it isn't more obvious.
"You shouldn't let them do that", Bryce says.
"Does it look like I care?"
Bryce points a figure. "You better stop talking to me like that."
"Or what?"
"You know, you've been disrespectful for a long time. Why don't you apologize to me and your mother and then you can leave?"
"How about I just leave?"
"You should've been spanked more when you were younger. Someone ought to beat your ass."
"'Cause emotional abuse wasn't enough, right?"
"I did not emotionally abuse you!"
Haechan laughs. "Like what I said wasn't enough, there's more but you're letting your husband do whatever he wants as always. But since you had to know, all of what I said and more is why I have no contact with you and this treatment will forever be why I won't take it back."
"The way you treat Haechan is disgusting", Mark says.
"Why don't you just shut up?" Bryce asks.
"Don't fucking take to him like that", Jaemin snaps, enraged.
"Get the hell out."
"We're trying, asshole."
"Don't come in this house again."
"I don't plan on it!" Haechan calls.
"Good!" Bryce calls back.
As soon as they're at the car, Haechan is wrapped in a giant bear hug and attacked with kisses.
"God, what the fuck is wrong with them?" Mark asks.
"Everything."
"I almost punched Bryce."
Haechan smiles. "I would've let you."
"I'm so pissed. How can someone be so horrible?"
"No idea. I'm glad that's over and that Alyssa listens to me. I didn't want her to be here for that conversation. I knew it wouldn't turn out good."
"You shouldn't expect that", Jeno says, hugging him again.
Haechan sighs into his embrace, seeping into the comfort his boyfriends provide him.
"Can we get dessert and then cuddle?"
"Absolutely."
➳
"They what?", Jisung shouts into his phone, already getting up. "Yeah, I'm coming.
Mine💕
Jisung
I'm going to Jaemins apartment
I fucking hate Haechans mom
and stepdad
Mine💕
Oh God
Is Haechan okay?
Jisung
He's being distracted and going
to receive so much affection he
can drown in it
Mine💕
Good
I'll be there after my shift
I love you💕
Jisung
I love you too💕
➳
Jisung laughs at his boyfriend who's bouncing in his chair. He leans down to kiss his cheek, startling him. Chenle turns and wraps his arms around Jisungs neck before pulling him down into a kiss.
"I love when you kiss me."
"Well, I'd hope you love it."
"I love everything about you."
Chenle brings him into a hug. "I love everything about you too. You know what I'd love even more?"
"Oh God. What?"
"It's not that bad. Just go on a trip with Jeno and Mark."
"Without you? And Jaemin and Cookie?"
"Yeah." Chenle laughs. "That's what Jeno and Mark means."
"Okay", Jisung says slowly. "Why?"
"Why do you think? To spend time again. I'm tired of only having crumbs of your friendship."
"Do Mark and Jeno share this view?"
Chenles head snaps up to study his boyfriend. "What are you thinking right now?"
"What? Nothing."
"Jisung."
The male sighs and seats himself on the silver-haired males lap. He doesn't look at Chenle as he says, "I'm fine...spending time with them. I like them but are they gonna wanna spend all that time with me?"
"Considering it was their idea, I'd say yes."
"What?"
"We were talking the other day and I brought up how you three are and then Mark said you should probably fix that and it basically ended up with them too embarrassed to tell you themselves but they like you too and thought you'd like it. And don't worry, they know not to make you a third-wheel. And Jeno said he'll be nice."
"Did Mark have to threaten him with no kisses?"
"Nope."
➳
"I did not miss this hike", Jisung comments.
"Me either", Mark groans, tightly gripping onto Jisungs hand. "Oh, you wanna know what's funny?"
"This involves me, doesn't it?"
Mark smiles at Jeno. "Of course, Pu-Jeno."
"What were you about to call him?"
"Just ignore that. Anyways, Jeno took me to this outdoor concert-"
"Really, Pumpkin?"
"And it was crowded so we had to park, like, a two minute walk away and he complained about it but he always brags at being able to do shit like this."
Jisung laughs at looks up at Jeno. "Very interesting of you."
"I only like this stuff when it's my idea."
"Oh, yeah. How'd you get Mark to agree to this?"
"I didn't."
"What?"
"Heights scare me shitless but I know I'm not gonna be doing this the whole time and I didn't die last time so I can do this again. Only this though. I can happily watch Jeno from a rock climbing wall on the ground. And people on rollercoasters on the ground."
"I hate rollercoasters. They're so loud too."
"I remember. You two made me go on the rides by myself."
"Better you alone than with two people crying and at least one in an anxiety attack."
"True. Anxiety attacks sound awful."
Jisung nods. "They are. I had to engrave the five, four, three, two, one technique in my head."
"I heard of that. I don't remember it all though."
"Five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste", Jisung recites. "Haechan and Jaemin know it but it's much easier to like, not, have to think of it yourself, especially when you're mid-freaking out."
"That's a lot. But it actually helps you, right?"
"Enough. I don't really stop being anxious right away. Especially not when I didn't have medication but meeting Jaemin helped me a lot. His presence makes me feel better."
"Your friendship is cute and I'm glad you have each other. Same with Sweetheart. They're both really happy they have you."
Jisung smiles and nods.
➳
"Finally!" Mark exclaims, reaching up from the sky. "Oh, Jisung." He yanks the male down into one of the tree stumps.
"Ow!"
"Sorry. But this is just so we can relax while Jeno sets up the tents." Jeno rolls his eyes and begins. "This is your fault for not letting me help last time."
Jeno sighs. "Fine. It is my fault. You two just sit there and look pretty. Oh, take selfies for, you know, everyone."
"On it."
Jisung pulls out his phone and starts taking selfies with Mark until Jeno moves behind them to photobomb them and then join the pictures. As soon as they're done, Jisung sends them the pictures and in the groupchat with their boyfriends. The responses are immediate, making him and Mark laugh.
"They're already screaming."
"I can still hear Haechan screaming from when me and Princess kissed."
"That was loud", Mark says. "I get it though. We thought you were just gonna hug and then we found out your date went really, really well."
Jisung chuckles. "Jaemin was freaking out."
Jeno stops what he's doing and looks at him. "Really?"
Jisung nods. "He was in shock. He told me he felt like he was dying. In a good way. He just couldn't believe what was happening. Also, he planned to kiss you then."
"WHAT?"
Princess
Jeno
YOU PLANNED TO KISS ME ON
OUR DATE?!
IT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN?!
Princess
OMG I'M KILLING JISUNG
Jeno
IT'S TRUE?!
Princess
Of course it's true
You think I didn't wanna kiss you?
I was just making sure you wanted
to and then I began to realize how
obvious you were being (sorry
Princess. It's really cute if that
makes you feel better) so I decided
that it was the right time to finally
kiss
Worked out pretty well since now
you won't stop kissing me when
you see me
I enjoy it, of course
Are you blushing, Princess?
"Which one of you told him?"
"It wasn't me", Jisung says. "Though I thought about it."
"Pumpkin!" Jeno whines, hiding his face in Marks shoulder, making his boyfriend laugh.
"You're so cute. How could I let them miss out on you blushing? Doyoung too."
"YOU TOLD DOIE?"
Once Jeno calms down and finishes setting up the tent with small contributions from Jisung and Mark, they start on the food, Jeno being wary of the males cooking skills. After they're done eating (and Mark and Jisung boasting about not ruining the food), they decide to rest and talk.
"This is painful", Mark admits after two minutes of silence.
"You sound like Doyoung."
"I have a question", Jisung blurts.
"Ask away."
"Lele told me this was your idea. I'm...", Jisung flushes. "I don't mind but, um, why?"
"No wonder Lele is whipped for you, you're adorable."
"Thank you, that's enough."
"Actually", Jeno grins. "What were those compliments that made you break? You're insanely cute, you have a precious smile. I wanna pinch your cheeks."
"Just don't actually do that." Mark and Jeno share a look. "NO!"
Guess how much of that scene with Haechans mom was fiction. Hint: It's not all of it :)
Don't worry, the MarkNoSung camping trip will continue next chapter. I just didn't want this that long cause this chapter really would go on forever otherwise
I love you!
Edited❤️