seokmonstersfest | 🍀 [Round 4] #58 (SD4) - Forbidden (Part 5) 🍀 (Reply)

Kyungsoo immediately cuts the power. Minseok is crying, shaking and drooling. Chanyeol removes the bite plate and wipes his face with a cool cloth. Yixing says they should get images before continuing.

Minseok fails.

“Okay, I think we should move on to the second pulse,” Kyungsoo says looking up at the box.

“I can’t. Do it without me!” Chanyeol heads for the door.

“Chanyeol!” Yixing grabs him and whispers, “Don’t. You put yourself in danger by leaving. Keep it together, you know we’re doing the right thing here.”

Chanyeol takes his place beside the bed again. He takes care of Minseok after each round. Kyungsoo and Yixing agree that three is their limit and power down all the machines. Chanyeol unhooks Minseok and makes sure he’s cleaned up.

“I’ll go deal with them. Get him back to the recovery room. Chanyeol, don’t leave him. Stay outside the room until I get there. This isn’t going to end well.” Kyungsoo walks out.

Minseok wakes up confused. He is lying strapped to a table in the center of a sterile white room. He thinks it must be coming up on three weeks since he was arrested, but he can’t be sure. Memories of what’s happened return slowly. He has lost count of how many injections and tests he has been subjected to. They have all failed. He knows they will declare him incurable and set his execution, yet he has no regrets. Minseok wouldn’t change anything. He is glad he had the chance to experience true love.

“Mr. Kim, we are running out of options for you. You have not responded to anything we have tried. Even electroshock therapy failed. The president believes we should give up.” The head scientist states without looking up from the file in his hands.

“Then give up. You’re wasting your time anyway.” Minseok shrugs. He refuses to show any fear despite how weak he has become.

“Very well, I will notify your parents. They will be relieved that you’ve chosen not to embarrass them any further.” Kyungsoo finally looks up from the chart. There is a strange look on his face, “I will see you in the morning. If there are no issues, your execution will happen at nine am. I’m sorry Minseok.”

They stare at each other for a moment before Minseok watches him leave. He doesn’t understand the looks Kyungsoo gave him nor why he used his given name when he has been “Mr. Kim” the whole time he’s been here. He chooses not to dwell on it. It doesn’t matter anyway. This is the last night of his life, and he has better things to think about.

He has just fallen asleep. Peacefully dreaming of happier times, when yelling outside the room wakes him. He can’t make out what anyone is saying, only the sounds of a struggle. Suddenly, there is quiet. He hears the lock click and the door swings open. Minseok must still be dreaming. There is no way HE is here. It takes him a moment to come to his senses.

Minseok struggles with the bindings trying to free himself. They work together to release him. Minseok leans heavily on his companion as they make their way out. A loud explosion goes off as they make it into the hall. Everything goes black…

“It’s been three days. Three. When is he going to wake up?” Minseok hears someone say.

“Soon. Give him some time. He’s been drugged for weeks, and you both were hit hard in that explosion.” A second voice.

“I know. Did you have to medicate him so much?” The first voice again.

"It’s better than the alternative. Think about what he would have been subjected to without it.”

“I’m just worried. You have no idea what it was like to be here knowing where he was. I know you didn’t have a choice, but I still wish we could’ve gotten him out with me. What if he doesn’t wake up?” This time he recognizes the voice, Junmyeon.

“He will. You know he’s a fighter. Always has been. He’s gonna be pissed though.” Baekhyun says.

“Look, he’s waking up now.” Kyungsoo leans over the bed. “Minseok? Can you hear me?”

“Why?” He struggles to form the words as he opens his eyes. “Why you?”

“Why am I here?” Kyungsoo guesses. At Minseok’s nod, he continues, “Long story. I’ll let Myeon and Baek handle that. Let me check you over first. You should eat something too.”

He pulls away not wanting Kyungsoo to touch him. “Don’t.”

“Minseok, let him. Please? He’s on our side. Trust me.” Junmyeon takes his hand from the other side of the bed. “I love you.”

Kyungsoo works quickly, taking his blood pressure, pulse, and temperature before moving on to the bandages. There are several. His right arm is broken, along with a few ribs and a twisted ankle. He flinches as Kyungsoo checks the massive gash across his forehead. Kyungsoo tells him there are several stitches, but scarring should be minimal. He looks at Junmyeon who’s also banged up. Thankfully, nothing extreme. Just lots of cuts and bruises.

“Okay. Not so bad. I’ll see if Chanyeol can bring more supplies when he comes. Vitals are improving, and your motor functions are coming back. Can you raise your left arm? Good. Now, wiggle your toes. Good. Any nausea or extreme headache?” Kyungsoo asks in full on doctor mode.

“A little headache, minor dizziness. Mostly, I’m starving.” He’s still not sure he trusts him.

“Alright, let him eat. If he’s up to it after, then tell him.” Kyungsoo walks to the door. “Hey, Jongin. How about some soup?”

“Someone tell me how he’s on our side? He tortured me! Now, you’re acting like he’s a lifelong friend.” He’s glaring at the doctor.

“Did I torture you?” Kyungsoo smirks. “Or… Did I drug you? Force you into an influential state, and make you hallucinate everything?”

“What? Bull shit! I felt it.” Minseok is furious.

“Babe, relax. He’s telling the truth. You’re going to hurt yourself.” Junmyeon tries to get him to lay back down.

“Don’t! Don’t defend him. You weren’t there.” He pushes him away.

Jongin comes in at that moment with a huge steaming bowl. It’s mostly broth, but Minseok is so hungry he doesn’t care. He thinks about his time in containment as he eats ignoring the conversations around him. Could Kyungsoo be telling the truth?

It’s clear Mr. Lee was the one who arrested him, but he doesn’t remember much of that or how he actually got to the clinic. He knows Kyungsoo and Lee got into a pretty substantial argument when he first woke up. Lee was calling for immediate execution but was refused. He remembers Kyungsoo and Yixing both filed more injunctions to block Mr. Lee citing his extreme bias as a direct contradiction for Minseok’s treatment. They succeeded.

He remembers Chanyeol staying with him and handling the medications and IVs. They ran all the tests same over and set a plan to ‘cure’ him. Treatments started slowly the first week, changing meds and running more tests for effectiveness. When that didn’t seem to work, he moved on to harsher injections. That’s where things go blurry. Kyungsoo said they kept him drugged, so he assumes that’s why. He’s getting flashes of Amber coming in to check on him when Yixing was on guard duty. Feeling like he’s missing something big, he continues to wrack his brain for answers.

Bothering him most is the electroshock therapy. It felt so real. The intense fear of being strapped down and that barbaric machine. He shudders thinking about it. Three rounds he endured. He can still see Kyungsoo standing over him with Yixing monitoring his vitals. Chanyeol as well, wiping the sweat and drool from his face.

“I’ll tell you how we did it if you want? I promise you. I didn’t electrocute you once.” Kyungsoo sits back down next to him.

“Please?” He nods, continuing to eat.

“We injected you with a strong hallucinogen as I said. Once it took effect, it was easy to convince you that it was really happening. I rigged that machine to vibrate when I pushed the button. Essentially, you felt the vibrations and automatically responded as if you were shocked. Your reactions were so good no one questioned it.” He pauses laughing. “The President himself watched one of the sessions.”

“I think I remember that. It was like they were having a party up there watching. I honestly thought it was real. I owe you an apology.” Minseok is sincere.

“Nah, even though it was fake, you were still mentally tortured. I didn’t have a choice, but I’m not a monster. Chanyeol really had a hard time. We all did.” Kyungsoo sighs leaning back in the chair.

When Minseok finishes the first bowl, Jongin runs for another. He also brings him a chunk of homemade bread.

“This reminds me of my grandma. She made bread just like this.” He continues eating happily until he notices everyone staring. “What?”

“Go ahead. The longer we wait, the more pissed he will be.” Baekhyun tells Junmyeon. “Better yet. I’ll be right back.”

Minseok waits. Looking up, he sees Kyungsoo and Jongin whispering. “Not you two? You aren’t.”

“Yes. Hyung… He’s… Where do I start?” Jongin runs a hand through his hair.

“How about with me?” An older woman walks in.

“Gammy? How? I’m dreaming. This isn’t real.” He’s freaking out. “Oh, shit. I’m dead. I’ve actually died.”

“I would yell at you to watch your mouth but…” she sits on the edge of the bed taking his hand. “I’ve missed you, my sweet boy.”

Wincing as he reaches for her with tears welling up. “I don’t understand. How is this possible? I thought you were dead.”

“Technically, I am dead. There’s a death certificate on your grandfather and I. He’s downstairs with Amber.” She hugs him tightly.

“Wait, Pop too. Amber! Is she okay? Baek, was she there? What about the baby?” His mind is going a mile a minute.

“She’s okay. The government has it out for her though. She used her code to let us in since the fake one failed and Junmyeon’s was blacklisted. Yixing checked her over before going back to the clinic for more damage control.” Baekhyun is leaning against the wall.

“How are you so chill? I’d be a basket case. I am a basket case. That’s your wife and kid.”

“I’m not. They’re not…” Baekhyun starts.

“Hey! Wait for me.” Amber comes running up the stairs. “Geez, I can’t run like that. Pop went to check-in. He should be back shortly. Hi, Min! How you feel?”

“I don’t know. Talk!” He looks back to Baekhyun.

“Minseok, let’s start from the beginning.” Gammy touches his shoulder before moving to the chair Kyungsoo was in. “One thing, remember we love you. Everything that was done was to protect you. Your friends were operating under my instructions. You hear me?”

“Yes, ma'am. Just please tell me what’s going on.” He wiggles around on the bed trying to get comfortable. “Myeon, help me? I shouldn’t have laid back down.”

“Wait a sec.” Jongin gets up to move the armchair he was sitting in placing it in the corner next to the bed. “Think we can get you in the chair for a bit?”

Junmyeon maneuvers Minseok from the bed into the chair careful not to jostle him too much while Jongin brings in more folding chairs. Amber takes the rocking chair by the door with Baekhyun next her. Jongin goes back to where he was, opening a chair. Kyungsoo scoots closer taking his hand. Minseok can only smile as he meets Jongin’s eyes. Jongin looks happy. He’s still uneasy about Kyungsoo, but it’s clear he isn’t what he seemed.

“Do you need anything?” Junmyeon asks.

Shaking his head, he looks back to his grandmother. Junmyeon sits next to him and links their fingers, squeezing once. Minseok squeezes back letting him know he’s okay.

Gammy cleans her glasses with her apron before putting them back on and looking at Minseok. “Do you remember much of your childhood? Specifically your grandfather's work?”

“I uh, I’m not sure. I still have a hard time on what was real and what’s implanted. I think he worked in the labs?” Minseok asks.

“Yes. He was a scientist. He worked on the vaccines. It wasn’t supposed to be what it is today. It was supposed to help with mental issues, mostly addictions and extreme attachments. When they realized that they had a formula that did away with all emotional attachment your grandfather wanted to shut it down. Sooman was the one who pitched it to the government. You see, he was our friend, but he was bitter. Jealous I picked your grandfather over him. He hid it well for years. Sooman created the matching system thinking he could prevent others from rejection. He planned to use the injections against us in hopes that we would be separated. Pop saw it coming. He made arrangements for us to escape if we were arrested. He built the cabin just before we were taken. We had several contacts still working in the lab. Kyungsoo, Yixing and Amber’s parents were ‘sympathizers’ and shared information with us until they escaped. We have our own little community here. Obviously, that’s how they’re involved. Baekhyun just sort of showed up.” She makes everyone laugh. “We couldn’t get rid of him if we tried.”

“Hey, you all love me. I keep it interesting.” Baekhyun’s still laughing.

“I approached Baek when you got close to him in college,” Junmyeon says. “I took a chance. He could have turned me in. Lucky for me, the injections didn’t work for him either. He was struggling to pass his tests and was on the verge of being investigated. So, I brought him here. We taught him how to fake the cure. Kyungsoo and Yixing would alter his results and Chanyeol would give him a placebo injection.”

“God, that was how long ago?” Baekhyun asks.

“Too long!” Amber tells him.

“Hey now, you’re the one who agreed to fake marry me.” He messes up her hair.

“Fake? What do you mean fake?” Minseok is confused.

“Oops. I forgot we hadn’t gotten that far yet. Basically, Kyungsoo put a fake match in the system so we could avoid the added attention. She’s more like a sister to me than a wife.” He smiles at Amber.

“So wait, the baby?” Minseok asks. “Is this why you were so upset?”

“No, no. I was upset because I want a baby more than anything, but I didn’t want to pretend. Yixing deserves the right to raise his own child.” Baekhyun shrugs like it’s not a big deal.

“Yixing? Amber, you and Yixing?” He’s dumbfounded.

“Yup, if that surprises you wait until you see Baek with Chanyeol. Those two are sickeningly cute.” She fake gags. “I’m sorry we lied to you. When you moved in with us, we wanted to tell you, but Gammy thought it best not to.”

“Okay, so you pretended to be married to avoid detection. Kyungsoo, Chanyeol, and Yixing work at the clinic. I assume that’s how you all ‘take’ your injections and labs. What are the check-ins for? And why wasn’t I set up with all these fake things?” Minseok asks trying to figure everything out.

“Your grandfather organizes rescues of people set for execution,” Kyungsoo speaks up. “You were an issue. You were being watched too closely from day one. That’s why we did it the way we did. I set your execution for nine in the morning knowing we could get the plans together. We were already prepared to get you out before the ECT. Then fucking Lee, sorry Gammy, he had to go and stir the pot. Made everything more difficult. He had the president push the execution to midnight. He knew you were a priority and they’d come. I was able to get a message to Jongin, and he got to Pop. It was Lee’s goons who set off the explosion.”

“Wow. How many people have you rescued? Actually, where are we? What about my mother and father?” Minseok rattles off question after question.

“Your father will be here tonight if all goes well. That’s the check-in pop was waiting for. There’s a little more to tell you, but I promised to wait for him. As for where we are, we are just outside the wall. Remember the woods no one would go in because it was too treacherous to get through? We made a clearing and built cabins. We get electricity from solar panels and generators. The kids bring gas when they can.” Gammy smiles, proud of the community they’ve built.

“How do you get in and out?” Minseok is still processing everything.

“That’s a secret, my boy. Sorry, didn’t mean to frighten everyone. Hello, dear.” Pop kisses Gammy and faces Minseok. “I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you.”

“I feel the same way. I’ve missed you both so much.” Minseok shakes his hand not feeling up to standing again.

“Your father should be here soon. He, Yixing, and Chanyeol were just getting to the tunnels. That’s how we do it. Dug a tunnel right under their noses, we did.” Pop’s slapping his knee laughing.

Minseok takes a minute to look around the room. All the people he loves crammed into one tiny space talking and laughing together. Jongin and Baekhyun went down to bring coffee and muffins for everyone while they wait for the others to arrive. He’s getting tired and uncomfortable from sitting up for so long but doesn’t want to get back in the bed yet.

Pop continues telling him about the day to day process of the community. How they all work together to grow and harvest crops. He promises to take him to see the farms and greenhouse when he’s able to get around. Minseok is amazed as he listens. This, he thinks, is how life should be.

Yixing comes up the stairs first going right for Amber. He pauses looking to Minseok as if he made a mistake.

“He knows. You’re fine.” Amber tells him.

“So then he knows about us too?” Chanyeol comes in next.

“Yup. So what happened.” Baekhyun nods as Chanyeol hugs him planting a kiss on the top of his head.

Yixing and Chanyeol fill everyone in on things at the clinic. Amber is officially on the wanted list even though they tried to claim she had no choice but to enter her code. She could go in for questioning to be cleared but Yixing refuses by saying it’s too dangerous with her being pregnant. Pop tells them she can stay in the community. They are in the process of building more cabins. Baekhyun and Jongin have been cleared and can return to work Monday morning since there is no definitive proof they were involved, and their interviews passed. Kyungsoo apparently filed a fake interview report earlier that morning.

Just as Minseok is about to give them his blessing to continue running the shop his father walks in.

“Hello, all. I wanted to deliver supplies quick.” He says to everyone before going to Minseok. “How do you feel? You look better than you have been considering you’re up.”

“I’m okay, just getting tired.”

“Can you hang a little longer? I have some important things to tell you.” When Minseok nods, he says, “Let’s get you in bed.”

“No, not yet. I’m fine.” Minseok waves everyone off. “Just give me a few. I need a bathroom break.

“I’ll help him.” Father takes his arm leading him past everyone.

When Minseok is finished and settled back in the chair, Gammy dismisses everyone. “Junmyeon, you stay. He’s going to need you. Everyone else out, please.”

Minseok notices his father pull Jongin and Baekhyun aside. He can’t hear anything being said when everyone else is folding up their chairs and chatting as they exit. It seems they were asked to stay as well. Minseok smiles to himself while watching Kyungsoo whispering with Jongin before kissing him to leave. His smile then turns to laughter as Baekhyun points to them and smacks Chanyeol on the back of the head. Chanyeol gets the hint, kissing him goodbye.

“So explain something,” Minseok says when the two take their seats. “How? When did you even get to see them?”

“Game night wasn’t exactly game night. Chanyeol and Kyungsoo would come to mine and Amber would stay with Yixing. When you moved in, we had to get creative.” Baekhyun laughs.

“And yet, you yelled at me.” Minseok laughs with him.

“Again, you were being watched too closely. We wanted to tell you. I hated keeping things secret. I was happy you found Myeon again.” Jongin says.

“That, and it would’ve made the booty calls easier.” Baekhyun wiggles his eyebrows.

“Baekhyun! I do not need to know about either of my sons’ sex lives!” Minseok’s father is turning red with embarrassment.

“Excuse me? What do you mean either? Are you implying Jongin’s your son?” Minseok stands up too quickly. “Ouch! Damn it!”

“Minnie, sit. You’re going to hurt yourself.” Junmyeon’s trying to push him back in the chair.

“Did you know?” At Junmyeon’s guilty expression, Minseok loses it. “You all knew he’s my brother. Move! Let me out.”

“Minseok, just sit so we can explain. Your father didn’t mean for it to come out like that.” His grandfather reasons with him.

“No, I can’t believe this. Move! I can’t.” He’s so angry he breaks down. “It’s one thing to lie to protect me, but this? Just let me go.”

“That’s enough! Sit before you hurt yourself.” Gammy takes charge, forcing Minseok back in the chair. “You do not blame them! They had no choice in any of this. Jongin was placed for adoption the day he was born. He had no choice in this either. It was best you didn’t know.”

“Why? It’s bull shit. I had a right to know. I would have been there for him if I knew.” He argues.

“Hyung, you were there for me. Do you not remember paying for my tuition? And giving me a job? You weren’t a boss. You were a friend. You were my big brother even when you didn’t know you were one.” Jongin reaches out patting Minseok’s knee. “I know you feel...excluded, but it was to protect us both.”

Minseok is still angry but calms enough that his father can tell the story. Minseok’s mother had started the injections before they were perfected. She had a multitude of reactions from them, the most prominent issues being mental. She spent years in and out of the facility undergoing different treatments.

Five years after Mother’s first injection she was deemed ‘cured’ and mentally stable. They decided to try for a baby. When she finally got pregnant, she was ecstatic. Enlisting Gammy for help, she decorated the nursery. For a few years, she was good. Minseok gave her hope and a purpose. His mother truly did love him. Things started to deteriorate around Minseok’s second birthday. She knew the injections were failing but had learned how to fake it. She did well at first. It didn’t last.

She got pregnant again when Minseok was four and couldn’t handle it. She went completely crazy and was officially institutionalized. Gammy and Pop wanted to raise Jongin but knew it wasn’t a good idea with Mr. Lee plotting. Mother wouldn’t accept it either. She gave birth in the facility. They all decided it was best to let on the baby didn’t survive and placed him somewhere safe.

Mr. Oh worked with father and offered to take Jongin even though his wife was due with their own son a few months later. He said they would raise the child as their own but update father frequently. Father knew he had no better options. They had papers forged saying Jongin was a product of a diseased and was set to be adopted prior to Mrs. Oh’s current pregnancy. Mother still doesn’t know that Jongin is alive.

Mother was never quite the same from that point on. Her illness progressed as the years went by until she fully snapped at Minseok’s arrest. Pop had a lot of guilt at how everything went down since he created the vaccine. He’s been working for years to develop an actual cure for his daughter.

Jongin is leaning awkwardly across Junmyeon as he listens so he can hold Minseok’s hand. They all seem to be in shock. Minseok’s anger subsides as he realizes none of them knew the full story.

“So, what happens now? What about Mother? Junmyeon and I are stuck here now. Amber too.” He’s rambling. “Baekhyun, I have documented that the shop goes to you and Jongin. It’s in the safe. Even though I’m pissed with pretty much everyone, I don’t want the shop closed.”

“Woah, Minnie slow down. We can figure it all out. Don’t be mad. It was a decision made when we were all young. It’s not their fault or mine.” Junmyeon pleads with him.

“You can’t expect me to just get over something like that so quickly. You had a choice in telling me. You were supposed to be friends.” He huffs.

“Minseok, we made them keep it from you. Blame your father and I. As for your mother, I think we have something. Kyungsoo and Yixing have been helping me. They really are geniuses. I plan to use Amber now that she’s staying.” Pop tells them.

“And that means what? What are you doing with? With?” Jongin struggles. “Mom?”

“I’m going to bring her here. I think it’s best for us to leave the sector and move here permanently. Kyungsoo is confident that we can truly cure her. He and Amber tested it on a patient not long ago. Yixing has been monitoring the data. It’s very promising.” Father answers. “Let’s give the kids some privacy. A lot has been thrown at them in a very short time. Minseok. Forgive them and move on. What’s done is done.”

“I’ll try. Right now, I’m angry.” He refuses to meet his father’s eyes.

“Give him some time.” Baekhyun says. “I’d be pretty pissed off if I were him too.”

They sit in silence. Jongin, Baekhyun and Junmyeon all looking at each other trying to figure out a way to get Minseok to open up again. Knowing he’s acting childish, Minseok picks at his fingers. He will talk to them eventually. Just not today. He needs to process everything before he can fully let go.

“Think we can go outside? I haven’t seen the sky in weeks.” Minseok sighs.

“How are you going to make it down the steps, Hyung?” Jongin is worried.

“I can carry him.” Junmyeon offers.

“What about his ribs?” Baekhyun brings up.

“I’m not that breakable.” Minseok gets to his feet. “Junmyeon, how do you want to do this?”

“Here, tuck this arm like this. That way your ribs are protected and I don’t get a cast in the face. Good. Okay, this arm over my shoulder. Hi, there,” He pauses pecking Minseok’s lips making him scowl. “Sorry, back to professional. Lean on me. I’ll lift you. Ready? One, two, Three! See, I’ve got you. Baek, door, please.”

“I didn’t think that would work.” Jongin follows them down the stairs.

“What on earth are you doing?” Gammy yells when she sees them.

“Let them go. Myeon has him. They’re fine.” Pop pulls his wife back to him. “Remember those days?”

Junmyeon carries Minseok out to the porch. Kyungsoo runs out with a blanket and some throw pillows. He arranges them quickly and nods to Junmyeon. He sets Minseok down carefully in the rocker and sits in the one next to him. Scooting closer, he links their fingers. They sit together quietly watching the sunset until the stars appear.

“I could get used to this.” Minseok sighs squeezing his fingers once.

“Good. That’s good. You see that cabin?” He points in front of them. “That’s ours, I built it for us. I mean, if you want.”

“If I want. C’mere nerd.” Minseok rolls his eyes pulling him in for a kiss. “Of course I want that. And we would be close to my grandparents.”

“My parents are there. Jongin, Baek, Soo, and Yeol share that one when they’re here. I think Amber is going next to us on the other side. We can help her with the baby. Yixing is going to try to go back and forth, but it will be dangerous. I think he’s going to quit the clinic and move here if I’m honest. We have another guy, Jongdae. He was just hired so Soo will still have a partner.” Junmyeon continues filling him in. “Pop could use another doctor too. He cares for everyone here. It’s amazing what your grandparents have done. Although, I think they’re ready to start passing the torch.”

“I think they’ve earned that right. Don’t you?” Minseok asks watching the stars again.

“I do. What do you think? Get you healed up a bit more, and maybe we could start taking over some of the responsibilities?” Junmyeon watches him with a smile on his face.

“Yup. One thing though. I don’t want to only save those set for execution. If this cure Kyungsoo has works, I want to take down the whole damn thing. I want to fight.” Minseok has never been more sure of anything.

“I think Pop is doing a happy dance in there.” They turn their heads to see Pop in the window. He gives them a thumbs up while Gammy shoves him away. She waves before closing the curtains.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Minseok asks before yawning.

“Minseok, as long as I’m with you I’m ready for anything. Come on.” He picks him up again. “We can plan our hostile takeover tomorrow.”

“You really are a nerd.” Minseok laughs. “But I love you.”