~<*>~ Music in me: seventeen fan-fiction ~<*>~

Chapter 34

"Seungmin?" As if on cue, Scoups' head pops up behind Dino, making Seungmin smile. Dino looks at the two confused, it seems like Scoups knows him, but why does Dino have the feeling that he knows the brunette too?
"How do you-" Dino says, but then, it suddenly hits him. The way he moves, the sound of his voice, Dino finally recognizes it.
"You're the friendly guy from my kidnapping", Dino blurrs out surprised and Seungmin nods smiling.
"Yes, I am. I also let Scoups through so he could rescue you", Seungmin adds.
"Thanks for that, by the way", Scoups says and Dino looks at his leader confused. Why would you say thanks for getting shot? But ofcourse, Seungmin couldn't have known that would happen, right?
"So you heard me in the hospital?" Seungmin asks, it looks like relief washes over him.
"Yes, I did", Scoups answers.
"You visited him in the hospital?" Dino asks surprised.
"Chan did too", Scoups sighs.
"What!?" For a moment, Dino is scared that his brain will explode. Why did Seungmin and Chan visit Scoups in the hospital and not kill him?
"Why are you here?" Scoups interrupts Dino's thoughts.
"I want to ask a favor," Seungmin responds, "I am kicked out of Stray kids because of the whole I-helped-Dino-escape-thing. And I was wondering if I can join your group." Both Dino and Scoups stare at the brunette in shock. They surely did not expect this. And why does it sound a bit sus too? Dino walks over to his leader and looks him in the eyes. What is the black-haired male going to do? Is he going to let Seungmin in, or is he going to be careful? Looking in the black eyes of the older, Dino can see that he is deeply in thought.
"What are you thinking about?" the brunette asks softly. Meanwhile, Seungmin entered the building because he didn't want to get wet anymore, which Dino understands completely. 
"I don't know what to do", Scoups admits and he sighs frustrated. Without a warning, Scoups turns around and walks into the room where the other members are. Seungmin looks at Dino hopeful.
"Why are you coming now? My rescue was a long time ago", Dino asks the brunette. Seungmin ony lifts his shoulders.
"If you're kicked out of your own group because you helped the enemy, would it be smart to go towards the same enemy right after?" Dino thinks about Seungmin's words and sighs.
"I have tried to live on my own, but I know for a fact that Stray kids is behind me. I can feel their breath in my neck", Seungmin adds and Dino looks at the brunette, full of doubt.
"I'm not asking you to trust me", Seungmin continues when he notices that Dino stays silent, "I"m just asking for help. I need someone to protect me like I protected you. I put my life on the line so you could escape and live again. I think it's only fair that you return that favor." The brunette looks Dino in the eye as if he's daring him to say something in return. Dino closes his eyes in doubt, but he knows that there's only one right option.
"I'll try my best", Dino sighs and Seungmin smiles thankful. 
"Stay right here until I get back, okay?" Dino adds while he too walks over to the other room. Let's hope that the brunette will keep his promise.

Inside, Scoups has already told the news because Dino sees the disbelief in the other members' eyes.
"You cannot take him in", Mingyu says.
"What if it's a trap?" Joshua adds. Scoups sighs and he sits down again, the tension is getting too much for the leader. Dino hurries over to him with worry, Scoups has to keep taking care of himself.
"Guys, can we go easy on him? He's not fully recovered yet!" Dino snaps and Joshua rolls his eyes while the room falls silent.
"It's okay, I can handle it", Scoups assures the brunette, but he's not having it. Scoups is only informing the group and they are already acting as if he has done something bad. That's not fair at all.
"We haven't decided anything yet! And besides, Seungmin is not the worst person on this earth." Dino looks around the room, but no one seems to be convinced yet.
"And why should we forget about the fact that he's a member of Stray kids?" Jun asks.
"Because he isn't anymore", Dino responds. The longer Dino thinks about it, the more he pities Seungmin. That poor guy saved him and what does he get in return? 
"Believe me, he's a good guy. Otherwise, he wouldn't have helped you rescue me", Dino adds, the brunette is suddenly starting to get desperate. He needs his team to accept Seungmin.
"What if that was a trap as well? Scoups got shot", Joshua reasons with him. Dino sighs frustrated while the group is slowly agreeing with the black-haired male.
"Come on, guys!" Dino yells, "Why can't we just give him a chance?"
"Because we can't trust him!" Vernon yells back. Dino notices that Scoups closes his eyes and he places a hand on his shoulder to support the leader.
"But we can trust him!" Dino exclaims, still desperate.
"And why should we do that?" Seungkwan asks while he crosses his arms in front of him.
"Because you say so? Because we have to trust you?" Joshua asks scoffing. Dino wants to answer, but the black-haired male cuts him off.
"I don't think we can trust you anymore", Joshua says calmly and Dino looks at Wonwoo for support, but the black-haired male with glasses is only looking from Joshua to Dino and back. Dino can't help but feel hurt inside, what did Joshua tell his friend which made him doubt Dino so much? His sadness turns into anger towards the older.
"And why is that?" Dino grits through his teeth, slowly losing his calm.
"We trusted you, but you broke everything. We trusted you enough to bring Minho with you, but he killed Hoshi. We trusted you enough to let you in our group, but you got kidnapped and that leads to Scoups getting shot. We trusted you again with finding out who the spy was, but you got kidnapped once again, causing Wonwoo to almost die and Jeonghan to sacrifice his life. I think that you have showed us that everything we trust you with, gets broken in the end." Dino stares at Joshua with tears in his eyes. How can someone think so badly about him? And the worst part of all is that it's true. But Dino is not going to show him that.
"And you are any better than me?" Dino scoffs and Joshua takes a step back in surprise. All eyes are focused on the brunette, except for Scoups' because the leader still closes his eyes.
"Where were you when Scoups got surgery? Did you stay awake all night, worrying about if he will ever wake up? Where were you, when Wonwoo had a hard time, when he needed support? And where were you, when Jeonghan was hanging in the air? Were you the one holding him tight so he wouldn't fall? Were you the one trying to get him up, but failing because it was too heavy? No, you were the one watching it all and blaming me after." The whole room is silent while Dino lets his words sink in. He hates himself for crying right now, but he can't help it. Joshua really gets on his nerves lately. 
"It's not because your soulmate died that you have to blame the world for what you didn't do", Dino adds quietly while he squeezes Scoups' shoulder gently to see if the leader is still okay. The brunette notices that everyone except for Joshua has been keeping themselves at the background, too scared to get involved into this heated argument. Johsua's eyes look like they shoot fire while the black-haired male steps closer to the brunette.
"You jerk," he growls, "you will regret saying that." The words didn't even leave Joshua's mouth yet, or he grabs Dino's collar roughly. The brunette squeeks startled and his eyes searched around the room scared. But his fear soon turns into sadness when he notices that no one is willing to help him. Seeing no other option, Dino uses his hand which was first laying on Scoups' shoulder to grab Joshua's arm, trying to release himself. 
"You are worth nothing. You are just a stupid little kid ruining our lives, you think you are a hero, but in reality, you are just a-" Josua's words get cut off by a deep, firm voice yelling.
"Enough!" Joshua releases Dino immediatly before he takes a few steps back. Dino stares at the male startled before turning around and seeing a furious Scoups standing up.
"I need a team, not some stupid children. Fix these arguments as soon as possible", Scoups says and Dino nods, he doesn't want to lead the group in even more danger.
"Besides, I have a plan for Seungmin." All members look at their leader surpirsed. Because of the argument, everyone almost forgot what they were arguing about in the first place.

~<*>~

Scoups sighs while he walks over to the room Seungmin is in, with Dino following him. He hates it when his team is arguing about stupid things. Scoups knows that Joshua and Dino hate each other and that's okay, as long as it doesn't affect the group.
"Who will tell him?" Dino asks curiously. Luckily, everyone agreed with Scoups' plan.
"No one. Just stay silent and smile", Scoups responds while they enter the hallway, where Seungmin is waiting for them.
"What are you going to do with me?" Seungmin asks, his eyes fixed on Dino. Scoups finds it odd, but he decides to ignore it.
"We decided to let you in, it's cruel of us to leave someone to their fate, all alone in this world. We choose to trust and believe you, but only on one condition", Scoups states and Seungmin looks at him thankful.
"Anything", the brunette answers and Scoups looks at Dino. He looks back and Scoups can continue.
"You have to stay here the whole time. You cannot leave without someone who will accompany you. We will also keep watch over you, to make sure nothing goes wrong." Scoups notices a glimpse of dissapointment in Seungmin's eyes, but he looks up right after and smiles.
"Sure, thank you", the brunette says and both Scoups and Dino smile relieved.
"Follow us", Dino says and they all walk towards another room. The other members are already decorating the room with a few things like a bed, some clothes and some books to read in.
"We won't treat you like a prisoner, but we have to be careful. I hope that you understand", Scoups says and Seungmin nods, his expression is far less excited, but Scoups is already glad that Seungmin accepts it.
"The room is ready", Wonwoo informs Scoups while all the members walk out.
"Please enter", Scoup says and Seungmin walks inside the room. It's not big or nice, but they have tried to make it a bit cozy.
"Thanks again", Seungmin says while he sits down on the bed. Scoups nods, but keeps standing in the doorway.
"We will also ask you some questions every now and then, I'm sure that you don't mind", the black-haired leader adds and Seungmin shrugs.
"It's not like I have a choice", he says and Scoups sighs while he closes the door. The leader has took the first shift on him, so that his team can take a rest. Scoups sits down, he still fees a little dizzy standing up, and lets his head rest against the wall. Scoups doesn't know whether he made the right decision or not, but he tried to keep everyone happy. If Seungmin is right, they are protecting him. But if Seungmin is lying, he can't do anything else either, he is in cutsody. Scoups has to think about Dino, the brunette didn't really like Scoups' plan, he rather treats Seungmin right. Scoups gets that, but they have to be carefull as well. Still, Scoups can't help but feel bad a bit. Although he is surrounded by people, the brunette must feel lonelier than ever.