Chapter Text
Donghyuck had decided what to do with the baby. He was going to get an abortion. He was not ready, he did not feel he had the strength to give it up for adoption without thinking about it for the rest of his life. Keeping it wasn’t an option either. Even if Taeyong had assured him that they would find a way to make it work Donghyuck didn’t want to halt his career in that way. He didn’t want to have a baby and that was enough to say an abortion was the best option.
When he told Taeyong the older nodded.
“Of course,” he agreed. “If that’s your decision we’ll make it happen.” Taeyong reached out to hold the maknae’s hand. They were currently in Donghyuck’s room, Johnny having left to eat dinner. Donghyuck nodded.
“That’s my decision,” he confirmed.
“Okay,” Taeyong smiled slightly. “I’ll ask management about the best opportunity to do this and then we’ll set up a meeting.”
“Hyung will you come with me?” Donghyuck questioned, heart pounding inside his rib cage. Taeyong squeezed his hand.
“Of course I will if that’s what you want.”
“I do.”
“Okay, I’ll make sure of it.” Taeyong nodded toward the door. “When are you going to talk to Mark?” Donghyuck sighed.
“I already did.” Taeyong’s eyes widened.
“What! When?” He exclaimed.
“Two days ago.” Donghyuck tried not to sound bitter but he knew Taeyong could smell it on him.
“What happened?” The older omega looked concerned.
“He was shocked. He accused me of cheating. I told him to take some time to think about everything.” Donghyuck shrugged. “The usual you know.” His joke fell flat.
“Donghyuck-“ Taeyong was cut off.
“Please don’t say anything hyung. Please. I don’t need to hear it right now and don’t talk to Mark. He’ll come to me when he’s ready.”
“Did you at least get to tell him you’re getting an abortion?” Taeyong said, looking reluctant but listening to his plea.
“No,” Donghyuck admitted. “I’ll do that when he starts talking to me again.”
Taeyong frowned but didn’t protest.
“Okay, I think we deserve a nap. We had a long practice today.” The older omega pulled Donghyuck down onto the bed and situated them into a good cuddling position. Donghyuck did feel tired so a nap didn’t sound too bad.
He couldn’t help but think about the abortion. He really hoped Mark would come to his senses before then because Donghyuck really needed him to be there when it happened. Even if Mark had accused him of cheating Donghyuck still loved the dumb alpha and wanted to be with him.
~
Another few days passed and all of NCT were currently practicing for their joint choreography with all the 21 members. Mark still hadn’t come to Donghyuck and the younger was growing more antsy by the day. He knew his bitter mood would worry all the members so he kept up his usual cheeriness which seemed to make Mark more frustrated by the minute. Donghyuck was playing around with the Dream members, he was talking to Yangyang and Xiaojun, Hendery was hugging him and joking with him. Maybe this was the type of stuff that indicated cheating to Mark, but Donghyuck really couldn’t bring himself to care. If Mark was really that insecure he needed to sort out his thoughts, because Donghyuck really loved him but he didn’t want to change himself for him. Not to that extent.
Mostly everyone were ignoring the uncomfortable signals Mark was emitting and steered clear of the alpha except Johnny and Yuta. They were both joking with him and trying to lighten up his mood. Donghyuck knew everyone understood there was something up with them but he was grateful that no one was prying further than asking about his well-being. He focused back onto his current company.
The choreography was basically finished, but they were going over it to make sure everything was perfect.
“Okay everyone,” Taeyong clapped his hands and silenced the chattering members. “Let’s get back in position for verse 2.”
Donghyuck cheerfully bounced over to the center position with Xiaojun and Jaehyun. This part of the choreography was the most difficult but they’d been practicing for months and mostly always got it right. It was a three way part of the verse with the three of them and the choreo required Donghyuck to be carried into a jump over Mark, Taeyong and Yangyang who’d done the previous lines in the verse.
They all got ready and the music was started. It was all going well and Donghyuck was getting ready to overtake the verse when something went awfully wrong.
He didn’t know who exactly but Taeyong, Mark and Yangyang managed to fumble the positioning, making the distance for Jaehyun and Xiaojun to cross way too far. This caused Xiaojun to lose his grip and sent Donghyuck tumbling painfully to the floor. He sucked in a sharp breath as pain jumped up his leg. Someone stopped the music abruptly. A cacophony of voices assaulted him. Mostly alphas and omega’s sensing an omega in distress, betas trying to calm everyone very loudly. Donghyuck was on his back, looking up into Taeyong’s, Jaehyun’s and Xiaojun’s faces as they hovered over him. Xiaojun looked spooked, eyes wide and chest heaving.
“I’m so sorry!” He exclaimed, hands clutching at Donghyuck’s arm unconsciously.
“I’m fine,” Donghyuck managed to grit out, trying to sit up. Jaehyun supported him gingerly.
“Everyone stop talking!” Taeyong roared, standing up from his kneeling position. The noise in the room dwindled down at the leader’s order as everyone calmed. Ten made his way over to Donghyuck.
“Hey baby,” the omega said gently. Donghyuck offered a weak smile, still clutching at Jaehyun and Xiaojun. “What hurts?” Ten proceeded to ask.
“My right leg,” Donghyuck said, wincing when Ten reached over to prod at his ankle. Typical really. Donghyuck had already injured his leg once before, he really didn’t need this again.
“Yep, should definitely see a doctor,” Ten nodded to himself, looking up at Taeyong who was watching them intently. Donghyuck suddenly felt dread well up from his stomach. Was the baby okay?
The fear must’ve permeated the air as his scent changed and the other members tensed.
“It’s okay.” Taeil had come over to stroke Donghyuck’s back, thinking his fear had to do with another potential leg injury. Which wasn’t completely wrong but still not quite right.
“We should probably get to a company car and drive over to the hospital,” Taeyong concluded.
“I’ll help you up,” Xiaojun said then, gripping Donghyuck and helping him up. This caused a growl from another of the members which reverberated in the quiet practice room. Donghyuck knew exactly who it came from.
Most everyone turned to look at Mark who was looking at Xiaojun with anger. He had his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his posture screaming at everyone to stay away from who he viewed as his omega. Donghyuck understood the sentiment. Mark knowing Donghyck is pregnant as well as seeing him get injured must’ve dialed his alpha sense up to eleven. Xiaojun looked intimidated. To mostly everyone else Mark was usually super sweet and awkward. Never this. But Donghyuck had been together with him long enough to know the alpha had some typical alpha tendencies. Like this.
Donghyuck sighed through his nose, looking at Taeyong and seeing the older looking back at him, inquiring.
“Haechan hyung,” Chenle suddenly piped up. “You’re bleeding.” Donghyuck seized up where he was standing, looking down at himself to see his pants stained a dark red. He looked up at Taeyong with horror, seeing the older’s similarly concerned eyes.
“Oh no, the baby,” Donghyuck said, his quiet voice laying itself over the room like a weighted blanket.
“The what?!” He heard Doyoung exclaim from somewhere behind him.
“We need to go,” Taeyong said, “Xiaojun, let Johnny handle Donghyuck, it’ll be okay.” Xiaojun reluctantly backed away, letting Johnny come up and overtake the grip he had on Donghyuck, eyeing Mark cautiously.
“Ok, Haechannie,” Johnny said, “I’m picking you up now.” Donghyuck nodded and wound his arms around the tall alpha’s neck. Mark had seemed to calm down since Xiaojun, who was much more unfamiliar than Johnny, had stepped away.
“I’m coming too,” he growled, before shaking his head slightly to clear away the possessiveness. “If you’ll let me.” He directed his last statement at Donghyuck. The omega nodded slightly before they were off. Johnny carrying him bridal style out of the room and Mark hurrying to follow. Taeyong brought up the rear and Donghyuck heard the leader tell the others:
“Practice is over for today. You can go back to the dorms.”
~
They drove with the manager to the hospital. Mark stinking up the car with his worried pheromones. Taeyong and Johnny were a lot better at concealing their scents but they didn’t berate Mark. Donghyuck knew he himself reeked of fear which probably fueled Mark’s own worry.
“So you’re pregnant,” Johnny confirmed absentmindedly, nodding slightly.
“Yeah,” Donghyuck sighed. “I’m sorry for not telling you.”
“That’s okay,” Johnny assured. “I just hope the baby’s okay.” Donghyuck hummed distractedly. Johnny eyed him. “Or not?” This caused Mark to whip his eyes away from the window to look at Donghyuck.
“Well,” Donghyuck started, “I was going to get an abortion, so if this is a miscarriage then I guess it would be merciful.” Donghyuck felt like a bad person even saying that. But it was what was right for him. He knew his instinctive response was to vehemently protest even considering a miscarriage to be a potentially good thing but he figured it all would lead down the same road eventually.
“You were going to get an abortion?” Mark whispered. Donghyuck looked at him. He could smell that Mark was equally relieved as he was disappointed. Donghyuck could understand that. This was a baby of their making after all and Mark’s alpha instincts were probably telling him it was a bad thing to get rid of it. But no matter that; Mark himself didn’t want a baby.
Donghyuck could relate.
“Yes.” The younger held a hand to his stomach and tried to ignore the blood wetting his pants. “I was going to tell you before. But I figured I’d give you some time.”
“Making this decision on your own can’t have been easy,” Johnny said, looking sad for his sake.
“I wasn’t all alone, I’ve had Taeyong hyung.” Donghyuck met Taeyong’s eyes, the leader sitting in the front passenger seat, looking back at them as his name was mentioned.
“Taeyong hyung?” Mark repeated. “You told hyung? Before me?” Donghyuck braced for the worst possible scenario before he nodded an affirmative. Mark stared at him, letting the time pass before turning to look out the window. Donghyuck bit his lip anxiously.
Before he could say anything they were at the hospital.
Johnny helped him out and both him and Taeyong supported Donghyuck as they went inside, Mark trailing after them. They found a nurse and Taeyong started talking.
“Excuse me, we need help. He had a bad fall and hurt his leg. He’s also pregnant and bleeding,” Taeyong explained. The nurse nodded at them. She was going to say something before Donghyuck suddenly felt dizzy. Very dizzy. The whole room was spinning and he found himself falling forward. He would’ve hit the ground if it wasn’t for Taeyong and Johnny holding him up.
“Haechan! Donghyuck!” He heard panicked shouting. It was definitely Mark. The scent of his alpha being distressed only furthering Donghyuck’s own distress. He could vaguely see the outline of Mark being held back by Johnny and Taeyong as he himself was lifted onto a gurney and wheeled away.
~
Donghyuck awoke to a hand holding his tightly, two familiar scents piercing the stale hospital air around him. He slowly blinked his eyes open to peer at the occupants in the room. Mark was gripping him tightly, head bowed over his arm, and Donghyuck could see silent tears running down his face.
He shifted his head slightly to see Taeil on the other side of his bed. Donghyuck let a small smile grace his lips at the sight of his oldest hyung sitting there, scrolling through his phone. He slowly moved his head back to look at Mark again. The alpha must’ve sense he was awake because he abruptly looked up and his eyes widened.
“Haechan,” he breathed, “you’re awake.”
Taeil looked up from his phone, smiling when he saw the 127 maknae was conscious.
“Hey Haechannie,” the oldest said gently. He stood to stroke Donghyuck’s hair. “You’ve been out for about a day. I switched out with Taeyong and Johnny a couple hours ago but they’re still in the waiting room. A lot of them are.” The oldest looked slightly sheepish at this. Donghyuck felt his heart warm. His members were worried for him, they were here. “I’ll leave you two alone for a bit,” Taeil then said with a pointed look at Mark.
Donghyuck had almost dozed off as the beta had played with his hair but that made him perk up again. As Taeil left, Donghyuck set out to sit up properly in the bed instead of laying down. Mark was quick to let go of his hand and instead support his back, tilting the pillow upward to make the position easier to maintain. The alpha then returned to holding the omega’s hand.
He was still crying. Donghyuck didn’t really know what to do.
“Please don’t cry hyung,” he managed to say, voice weak. Apparently the wrong thing to say, as Mark promptly burst out sobbing.
“I’m so sorry,” the alpha managed. “Hyuck-“ he cut off, choking on his tears. Donghyuck felt his own tears welling up from the tension and pain that had been gathering for the last few days; physical and mental.
“Mark,” he said through his tears. He didn’t really know what to say. He just felt the need to try and be reassuring toward his distressed alpha.
“I was so scared,” Mark finally managed to get out. “You just collapsed and I didn’t know what to do.” Mark was gripping his hand so tightly Donghyuck was starting to lose circulation. “And we lost the baby.” The older looked up at Donghyuck when he said that, looking heartbroken, mostly at the situation though.
“It’s okay,” Donghyuck tried to assure. “I figured that was gonna happen.” He drew a deep breath for good measure anyway. Mark just looked at him with big round eyes.
“I’m really sorry,” Mark whispered. Donghyuck didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know what the older was even apologizing for. He said as much.
Mark inhaled deeply, trying to gather himself.
“I’m sorry for everything. I’m really sorry for ignoring you these last few days and being hostile with you and the members and losing the baby,” the alpha uttered before his mouth tensed, eyes round and regretful. He searched Donghyuck’s face. “But what I’m most sorry for, is how I reacted when you told me.”
Donghyuck nodded slightly, looking away. Mark squeezed his hand, almost as if trying to assure himself the younger was still there.
”I was being really unfair and judgmental. I made you feel like I didn’t trust you and I’m really sorry for that,” Mark licked his lips nervously. “I love you Donghyuck and I had been scared for days that I was losing you, that you were in love with someone else. You had been avoiding me and kept whispering with Taeyong. I really thought you were going to break up with me and tell me you were dating someone else.” Donghyuck turned his head back to face the older alpha. There were still silent tears leaking out of Mark’s eyes. “I panicked, and I was really stupid. I’m just really sorry.” Mark whispered the last part and his voice cracked with emotion.
Donghyuck looked at the other for a long while. He knew the alpha meant every word he said, and he still loved Mark. He would love Mark for the rest of his life. He was sure of it.
“I believe you,” he finally rasped out. Mark’s almost cracked his neck, whipping it up to look at the young omega. “But it’s gonna take a lot more than that to make me forgive you.” Donghyuck nodded, determined. “First, cake, every day. And kisses whenever I ask. Chocolate every Saturday. You should also prepare to cook for me at least once a day, and if you poison me I will kill you.” He punctuated this with a threatening finger pointing at the older. Mark was trying to contain a smile.
“I’ll ask Taeyong hyung for lessons,” Mark promised solemnly.
“Good. And I expect to be carried everywhere form now on. My feet will not be touching the ground. Ever.” Donghyuck turned his nose up haughtily. Mark grinned at him.
“Of course.”
“And I want full access to all your clothes. No telling me no when I try to steal your favorite hoodie. Also, you will apologize to Xiaojun hyung for growling at him. And to me for being a sucky boyfriend, every day until I’ve forgiven you.”
“Okay,” Mark nodded, looking determined. Donghyuck eyed him for a second before smiling slightly. He turned his hand so he could thread his fingers between Mark’s as the older was still holding onto him.
“Okay.” The younger squeeze assuringly. “And I love you too, you big dork.” Mark’s smile was blinding.
Donghyuck felt butterflies in his stomach. It wasn’t okay, not yet, but they’d get there.
~
Later, when the members took turns to visit him, not many of them asked about the baby. Donghyuck figured Taeyong had given everyone a low key rundown of everything so Donghyuck didn’t concern himself with explaining to his members. He was glad for the lightness that every visit brought and thankful that they didn’t make the baby a big deal. Except Dream of course.
“So that’s why he’s been weirder than usual.”
“Hmm I really don’t see it, Mark hyung and Haechan with a baby. They’re both still babies themselves.”
“Makes sense. That’s why he’s been crying so much.
…
Ouch! What? I’m only stating the facts.”
“Okay everyone, shut up! He might start crying again!”
And Donghyuck really wouldn’t want to have his Dream team any other way.
~
He was released from the hospital with a cast on his leg and pills for the pain. He felt strangely empty, knowing his baby was no longer inside him, but it was for the best. They weren’t ready for that. And even if he felt bad about it, he had his hyungs who would always take care of him, his friends who would always cheer him up, his dongsaengs who would always need him, his pack who was family. And Mark, right beside him, who would always love him.