Mediterranean Kiss ~ Taeten

Sometimes Honesty Hurts

Taeyong sat with Ten, Mark and Johnny in a small circle on the floor of Mark and Johnny's cabin. The atmosphere was tense and uncomfortable but Taeyong knew this had to happen. Mark and Johnny needed to work things out with each other, tonight.

“Do you want to start Johnny?” Taeyong asked in a gentle tone, patting Johnny’s knee.

“Um, okay." He replied nervously.

He swallowed and looked over at Mark, whose eyes shot down to his lap. Ten nudged Mark with his foot, coaxing him into looking at Johnny. He slowly lifted his head to look at him as Johnny started to speak.

“Um, Mark I- well first I want to apologize for before, for kissing you. I got carried away with my feelings and didn't think.” He paused to let Mark speak but Mark kept silent so he continued. “The truth is that I have feelings for you. I- I like you, more than as a best friend. I have for a while.” He dropped his head as the last sentence escaped his lips.

Taeyong wanted to hug him. He wanted to hug both of his friends. They both had the same pained expressions on their faces as they avoided looking at each other. Johnny seemed almost ashamed of his feelings and Mark was looking increasingly uncomfortable.

Mark sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.

“Johnny, I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have slapped you, I was just… well you took me by surprise.” He picked at a loose piece of cotton on the hem of his t-shirt as he spoke. “I don't want to hurt you, it's just…”

Silence filled the air while Mark tried to find the right words to say.

“Its, well, I don't… like you… like that.” He chewed on his bottom lip and glanced sadly at Johnny.

Disappointment darkened Johnny's features and his shoulders slumped. “Yeah, I figured.” He replied, his voice hollow.

Taeyong could tell Johnny had still hoped to hear something else from Mark, but now his hopes were dashed.

“It doesn’t matter though right? We’re still best friends.” Mark responded quickly, ducking his head down and trying to catch Johnny's eyes.

Johnny looked up and met his eyes with a look of shock.

“It doesn’t matter?” He repeated incredulously.

“I mean, this is what this is all about right? Sorting things out and still being friends?” Mark clarified. He glanced cautiously at Taeyong as if for help.

“It might seem that simple for you Mark but it's not that easy for me.” Johnny muttered.

Taeyong grimaced. This wasn't going as well as he'd hoped.

“No, wait, I didn't mean it like that.” Mark quickly backtracked. “I still want to be friends with you. I just don't want to hurt you; you must realize that!”

Johnny didn't look convinced. “Then why would you say that it doesn't matter?”

“I didn't mean that Johnny, I just don't want to keep on hurting you by turning down your feelings over and over again.” Mark responded, trying not to dig himself into a hole.

“He really doesn't want to hurt you Johnny, and he has just had about six shots of tequila so he's probably not thinking straight.” Taeyong said, coming to Mark's aid.

Mark shot him a thankful look and Johnny sighed, a resigned expression on his face.

“Okay fine. I like Mark but Mark doesn't like me back. Can we just leave it at that then?” Johnny muttered dejectedly.

He seemed like he was giving up. He went to stand up, reaching for his crutches but Taeyong stopped him, catching his arm.

“We can't just leave things like this.” Taeyong pleaded.

Johnny stared back at him sadly, his eyes going glossy, silently begging to let him go. Taeyong could tell he was still hurting. He probably just wanted to be alone to sort through his feelings.

Taeyong dropped his hand from Johnny's arm and sat back down. Ten scooped his hand up in his and entwined their fingers, gently running his thumb over the back of his hand in slow, soothing motions. Taeyong was thankful for Ten's company and squeezed his hand tightly as he watched Johnny get to his feet.

He slowly began making his way to the door on his crutches when he stopped and sighed angrily then turned back to face them.

“Can you guys actually leave instead. I'm sorry but these stupid crutches - I just can't deal with them right now.” Johnny asked glumly, sounding defeated.

Taeyong, Ten and Mark quickly stood up. They walked past Johnny to the door, Mark sheepishly following behind them.

“We're just next door if you need anything okay?” Taeyong reminded Johnny.

Johnny nodded and then turned to Mark.

“You're not going to make me leave too are you?” Mark asked woefully.

Johnny stared gloomily back at him for a moment but broke their eye contact, dropping his head.

As he did Mark stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him in a tight hug.

“Don't decide to push me away. I know I might be acting selfishly but I still want you as my friend. I insist on it.” Mark said fiercely.

He kept a firm hold on Johnny and the taller slowly relaxed into his embrace and hugged him back.

“You are being selfish.” Johnny mumbled against Mark's shoulder.

He caught Taeyong's eye and gave him a small nod, signalling it was okay for he and Ten to leave. Taeyong nodded back and gave him an encouraging smile.

Johnny’s eyes fluttered closed and he rested his forehead on Mark's shoulder.

Ten led Taeyong out the door and quietly pulled it shut before pulling him into a hug of his own. Taeyong enveloped his arms around Ten's warm body and rested his head against his.

“Well, it wasn't perfect,” He began.

“But I think it was enough to keep their friendship in one piece.” Ten said, finishing his sentence.

“Yeah,” Taeyong agreed. “I sure hope so.”