The Rules: Book Five

Chapter 24

Yoongi had been lying still for a long time, dosing in and out to the sounds of staff shuffling around or the low tones of Su talking to someone. He finally started to open his eyes a little, becoming a little more conscious of the world. 

"Hello there,"  he heard someone say as he waited for his eyes to focus. He then turned to see Dr Lee sitting patiently next to him.  "How are you feeling?" Yoongi frowned, trying to figure out how and why he was there.

"You're here. How long have I been here?" He said in a gravelly voice.  Quon looked up and quietly watched the two talking as Su was sleeping hard on the couch.

"About nine hours. It's the middle of the night." He stood up and picked up a water bottle with a straw, offering it to him.  Yoongi tried to lean forward to take a sip but quickly stopped and stayed still.  "Let me help," Lee pushed the button on the bed, raising him a little to a better sitting position. 

"Do you need more meds?"  He asked as they waited for the bed to finish repositioning.

"No.  I don't think so. I think I'm stiff from not moving.  Where's Ami?  Is she ok?"  He graciously took a long sip before Lee answered. 

"She's okay.  Su has them at a hotel up the street.  She's there with Pak and Choi, and they will meet us on the plane when they release you."

"She shouldn't be by herself."  He sighed, "I should be there with her."

"She's not.  When I left, Pak and her were camping out on the couches for the night." Lee shrugged his shoulders, "I don't understand it.  Huge Penthouse, and they chose the couches." 

"Pak is staying with her?"  Lee saw him relax, and a relief flashed over his face. "Good." 

Quon watched Lee think momentarily, "Pak is really an intricate part of your group, isn't he? He's more than just her security or friend to you all."

"Minus Su, Pak is probably one of the most important people to all of us.  Jae is up there, too.  I think we all understand each other on a deeper personal level...without ever crossing the line."  he clarified.  "Ami doesn't sleep well alone, especially when things are stressful.  As you can imagine, we've all been spoiled for the past few years.   Pak understands that not just knows, but understands. That's why they are on the couches tonight.  He's not going to let her be by herself.  It's not the first time he's done that, and we've done it for Jae."

"My guess is that tonight, Pak needed that too,"  Lee said quietly as Yoongi gave him a questioning look.  "You know you should have stayed in Iceland."

Yoongi took a deep breath. "We needed to leave.  I'm ok." 

"You're ok because they're giving you this."  He looked up at an IV bag hanging next to him. "You were in shock by the time you landed.  I think Pak feels a little responsible for not taking you in immediately.  Shock is very serious."

"No."  Yoon shook his head, "We needed to get out of there.  It was my call to leave."

"Well.  I'm letting you know so you are aware that might not be how he's feeling right now.  That's one side effect of being as interwoven as you all are.  Personal emotions come into play. Work is not just work anymore.  You can't clock out and leave it at the office.  What you all have found and created is amazing for each of you.  I don't want to see that break down."

Quon understood what Lee was talking about.  Before Choi left, he and Quon had a quick conversation and had similar feelings.  Maybe not as deep as Pak, but what Lee said resonated with him. 

"You just need to be aware.  A little sage advice."  Lee patted his leg as he got up and adjusted his IV meds.  

"Thank you."