Juugo 十五

// yall thought i was dead huh.

" If you think you can kill me then go ahead. I love to see you try." The CEO smiled the same sinister smile again.

"I'm not that stupid to kill you. I'll kill myself instead, and you'll rot in jail." Haechan then pointed the sharp object on his neck. The culprit's face fell. Taeyong squeled, not believing the scene in front of him. He wished that he can do something to stop Haechan but all he can do now is to observe.

The CEO tried closing in on the younger but as soon as he takes a step closer Haechan threatens to cut himself deeper. Thankfully before things get more complicated, a herd of footsteps were heard rushing towards the office. At once, everybody paid attention to the glass door. The door swung open and revealed Yuta, Johnny, Doyoung, Ten and a bunch of police officers. As soon as the boys entered the room, Taeyong fell to his knees out of relief and Johnny ran towards Haechan to engulf him in a hug. The police arrested the CEO who surprisingly kept quiet despite the ambush.

"Haechan ah are you okay? Did he do anything to you?" Johnny asked worriedly. Yuta, Ten and Doyoung looked at the younger with pity.

"Taeyong-ah, everything is fine now. Can you stand up?" Jeonghan asked the male. Taeyong nodded and stood up with the help of Jeonghan. Taeyong stared at the boys lovingly, relieved that nothing bad happened to Haechan. They wouldn't lose another member because of this.

"So what now? Haechan did not die so what happens to you?" Taeyong asked S.Coups who is currently busy typing on his phone.

"Oh this is actually good news. His death was prevented hence I don't really have to do anything. Although, my credit may be taken because that's my job, collecting souls. Hehehe." S.Coups scratched his head and looked at his husband.

"Thank you. Both of you." Taeyong wanted to reach for their hand but realises that he was unable to get a hold of them. Something is not right. His hand is fading slowly, disappearing into the air. Clueless, he looked at Jeonghan for answers.

"J-Jeonghan, what's happening to me? W-why am I fading away? I'm scared!" Jeonghan stared at the other with a wide smile.

"Congrats!! You're waking up!" Jeonghan jumped with excitement and hugged his husband who equally looks happy.

"W-what?? But I don't want to." Taeyong pleaded.

"That's what you're saying but your heart says otherwise. You proved that you care for the others and based on your true desire, you actually don't want to leave them just yet." S.Coups winked at the clueless male and pecked his lover's cheek. Leaving the latter shocked. Within seconds, Taeyong completely vanished in thin air, still with unanswered doubts.

"H-hyung...earlier I thought I felt Taeyong hyung's presence." Haechan said as he held Johnny's big arms for dear life. The four older boys glanced at each other with concern.

"What do you mean Haechan? Hyung is still lying unconscious on the hospital's bed. There's no way he woke up without the hospital notifying us." Doyoung told the younger. He caressed the other's head as a way of comfort.

"B-but.." Right at that moment, their conversation was interrupted by Johnny's ringtone. Surprised, he let go of Haechan and pulled out the phone that rested in his back pocket. He looked at the caller ID but it was an unknown number. Curious, he answered the phone.

"Hello?" Johnny asked with the three members closely listening in. Little do they know, Jeonghan and S.Coups was still there eavesdropping.

"Good afternoon sir, am i currently speaking to Mr Johnny Suh?" The woman on the other line asked.

"That's correct, this is he."

"Oh great! Hello, we're calling from Cheonsa Hospital and we have some pleasant news about the patient Lee Taeyong. Miraculously, he woke up a few minutes ago. The doctor-in-charge is currently checking up on him so I can't provide any updates for now. If you like to you can actually head down here-"

"OF COURSE! I'll be there as soon as I can! Thank you very much!!!" Johnny felt bad for cutting off the nurse just like that but he was so happy he just couldn't held in it.

"Who was that?" Yuta asked.

"I-its the hospital. Taeyongie, his awake." He picked up Haechan and swung him around out of happiness. Doyoung's jaw dropped and Ten fell on his knees. Yuta though, unexpectedly burst into tears. Johnny placed Haechan down since the boy was demanding him to stop then headed for the same aged friend. Johnny engulfed Yuta in a hug as he knew how long Yuta had been waiting for this moment.

Johnny then proceeded to call their manager and inform him of the news. The boys did not want to waste anytime hence they rushed to the hospital without their manager.

"What room is it again?" Johnny asked Yuta, who was running by his side.

"This is why I told you guys to visit him frequently." Yuta rolled his eyes and ran ahead of the others.

Closing in the familiar white door, Yuta halted. Unsure why, he suddenly felt nervous. With his trembling hands, he hesitantly reach for the door handle. He felt the cold surface of the metal door which sent tingles down his body. Taking in a deep breath, he composed himself before sliding the door open. The sight of Taeyong sitting up on the hospital bed took his breath away. He still couldn't believe that Taeyong was awake from his coma.

"TAEYONG-HYUNG!" Haechan squealed. He ran towards Taeyong who had a weak but wide smile. The older open his arms wide to embrace the younger. Haechan sank under his arms and sobbed, mostly due to happiness and relief. The others walked towards the leader and maknae cooing at the scene.

Satisfied, Haechan moved away from his beloved hyung, giving way for the other members to say hi too. One after another, they said their greetings and exchange hugs. Yuta waited for his turn, cold sweat dripping down his back. Why was he nervous? It was finally his turn. Both of the same aged friend locked gazes for a few seconds. Yuta took small steps towards the leader. He scanned Taeyong's features. Sunken cheeks, prominent jawline and overwhelming eyebags. Regardless, he still looked flawless.

"Hey." Yuta said in a small voice.

"Hey." Taeyong replied, trying to hide his pink cheeks.

"I can't believe you're awake. I've been waiting for this moment forever you know?" Yuta had his head down, attempting to hide his blush and tears that managed to escape. Taeyong notices this and grabbed the other's hand, intertwining their fingers together.

"I know, me too." Yuta looked up and met Taeyong's glistening eyes. He was then pulled by Taeyong's surprisingly overwhelming force which made him fell into his arms. Literally falling. The warmth of the other gave comfort to the couple. They stayed in that position just appreciating each other's presence. The four boys in the room kept their silence and try not to interrupt them. They understood that the two of the boys are the bestest of friends and they have been longing for each other embrace's ever since Taeyong got hospitalised. The atmosphere was heart-warming and peaceful until it was disrupted by the loud stomping of footsteps approaching the room.

"YAH LEE TAEYONG! HOW DARE YOU SLEPT FOR MONTHS, LEAVING US BEHIND?!!!" Taeil, their eldest hyung, stormed in the room. The two best friends separated by the sudden outburst. Their eyes fell on the raging male. Taeil approached the bed briskly, leaving Taeyong and Yuta shocked. Yuta stepped back to give the older space. Taeil stopped right in front of Taeyong and lifted his hand up, threatening to slap Taeyong. Taeyong closed his eyes for the impact but instead, two arms clinged into him. He slowly opened his eyes and noticed Taeil hugging him. He chuckled at Taeil's cute gesture.

Again, the meet and greet of the NCT members + managers started. It went for about 15 minutes until it reached Jisung. The youngest member refused to let go of Taeyong, so now they're sharing the bed. The boys informed Taeyong on the things he had missed and how the stage felt empty without him being the center. They caught up with one another until Mark, prompted a question that everyone's dying to ask but is afraid to do so.

"But hyung, why did you do it?" Every single soul + two lingering souls in the room looked at Taeyong waiting for his response.

"Well..."