Fine {DoTae} | complete

Twenty-Nine

The morning comes, and Taeyong inspects the marks on his body in the mirror while Doyoung smugly watches from the bed. Taeyong's slender fingers trace each one, neck twisted this way and that to assess the full trail. Doyoung trembles from excitement. The burden of the past may still take a long time to budge, but at least with Joowon gone there's one less obstacle they need to worry about. They kiss some more, then go for a walk after breakfast. Taeyong takes photos of the ducks on the river and posts a few to his Bubble. He tells fans to have a good day and not worry about him, that he's infinitely happy.

Friday comes, and Doyoung is nearly sick from fear. The sight of the police station alone terrifies him, with the dull, grey bricks and officers walking about. Inside is even worse, despite the plants in the lobby and the smiley receptionist that greets them. He'd been informed of their arrival and guides them to a small room with a single table in the middle. Doyoung shows them the messages. They copy the information off his phone, and he gets it back a while later. Hyunseok takes them out for lunch. Taeyong pushes his salad around his bowl. Doyoung couldn't shove the rice into his mouth any quicker if he tried, since his anxiety stopped him from eating a real breakfast even with his mother hovering.

"Minjeong has been blacklisted," Hyunseok announces after a long silence.

Taeyong's spoon clatters to the bowl and he gawps at the manager. "When were you gonna tell us that?"

"I just told you," Hyunseok says.

Doyoung grins. He never liked her from the start. She'd pick on him, throw him the dirtiest of stares simply for entering the room, and his own lack of power in the company only increased the urge to smack her. He almost wishes he did. His skin crawls with the reminder of how she grabbed him, dug her nails into his skin like a bird's talons sinking into prey.

"There was another meeting about you," Hyunseok continues. "Only yesterday. That's why I didn't tell you before. Just about every staff member with letters in their title was there. I wasn't meant to be there, but I went. And they were genuinely considering writing a statement! Even though we'd discussed it and said no before. Can you believe it?"

"Yes, I can certainly believe it," Taeyong mutters. "And what was in this statement?" His voice is full of scorn.

"That they were going to review your contract. Something about 'all the damage caused'. And then share it with the press 'on your behalf' since they want you to make a statement."

"I haven't caused anyone any damage," Taeyong says, steady and fierce. His eyes shine like diamonds in the darkest rocks. Doyoung reaches for his hand to soothe him, and Taeyong visibly deflates. "Sorry, love." Doyoung just smiles at him.

Hyunseok leans close, voice low to avoid anyone overhearing. "It's about reputation, Taeyong. Since you were outed and the company kept you, the company hasn't avoided the fire either. And now the media have their hands on your dating history," Taeyong scoffs, "people want to know exactly what goes on behind closed doors. They assume they're letting all their idols run around from club to club. That's not what idols do."

He pauses to give Taeyong time to think, but he says nothing.

"I had to be diplomatic if I wanted to keep my job, since I was already in the firing line. I'm meant to follow you everywhere but I let you do just about what you want so at least some of the blame falls to me here. But I told them about the sasaengs we see everywhere. I pointed out that they're the ones who get that kind of information first. Then I said that Minjeong used to be one. They called her into the office, and you should have seen her face when she realised it wasn't about a promotion!"

"Fuck her," Taeyong growls. Then he laughs, and Doyoung nearly chokes on the kimbap he's just put in his mouth. "Serves her right."

Hyunseok offers a look of disdain, but it's short lived because he joins in the laughter too. Doyoung smiles, cheeks lifting without the weight of fear pressing down on him, and the air is light and free, fluttering.