Letter 2 U

Part 40 - the reunion

The drive to Jackson's house was quiet. Jinyoung wasn't in the mood for partying, but he knew the others would pester him around if he didn't bring Mark to see them. Youngjae, Bambam and Yugyeom weren't able to attend their wedding in America since they had a very tight schedule at the time, and he knew the others still resented him for it. The Got7 members had no idea why Jinyoung refused to postpone the wedding date when they suggested him to do it and he himself didn't feel like explaining to them either. He had promised Mark they would get married as soon as he was ready to leave the hospital he had been committed, and the younger kept his word. He didn't regret his decison, now he knew it was for the best. Although it was rushed like a shotgun wedding, it was real, simple and meaningful. They loved each other and he felt like it was fated to happen anyway, the sooner the better.

When his car stopped in front of the Hongkonger's residence, he sighed nervously as he looked at the quiet elder on the passenger seat.

"I wonder what's waiting for us in there." He briskly ran a hand through his hair, as he tried hard not to let his uncertainty influence the American. He wanted his husband to interact with the city around him, his old friends and soon, his in-laws, if that was his choice. He wanted his husband to believe that his mental health had truly improved and that he shouldn't worry about tackling some of his past issues. He was aware that Mark was unsure about leaving his home country, and he knew his husband needed to get rid of that bad impression South Korea had left on him two years ago. Yet, there they were, parked in front of Jackson Wang's house and ironically, all Jinyoung wanted at that unnerving moment was to be back at LA. To his surprise, the elder didn't look as anxious as him.

"I think we should go there and find out, don't you think?" Mark suggested as he cocked his head to the side, pondering the younger's words. Only the post light behind the car illuminated his husband's concerned features.

"What if we just turned around and-"

"What are you guys doing in there! The party is inside, not out here! What are you scared of? It's not like we're gonna steal your husband, Jinyoung hyung." Bambam's energetic voice cut through the tension inside Jinyoung's car. The Thai dongsaeng opened Mark's door for him and practically yanked the elder out of the vehicle. The smell of alcohol on him was proof that the party had already started. The elder laughed at the boy's enthusiasm and gave Bambam a long hug. The couple had no doubt that the young foreigner was slightly drunk. The Korean was about to tell his dongsaeng not to surround his husband with any kind of excesses so soon, but he quickly changed his mind. He didn't want to spoil Mark's fun, or sound like a party pooper around the other members, he just had to keep a close eye on his beloved partner, as always. Therefore, Jinyoung just grunted as he swallowed his unsaid warning, closed the car doors and activated its alarm.

"Don't mind him, he's still a bit jetlagged." Mark quickly excused his husband's indisposition. Bambam didn't pay much attention to the Korean, his eyes were locked on the American. It was as if he couldn't believe he was really there in front of him. His hyung looked healthy, and even tanned. Completely different from the Mark he had visited at a hospital in the U.S and much brighter than the one who went to Thailand looking for a PTSD retreat months ago.

"Look who's here! It's my bro M.T. in the flesh! How does it feel being back to Korea, huh? How was your trip? We could've picked you guys up at the airport. No need for secrecy! Come on in, everyone is waiting." he said excitedly as he ignored Jinyoung's annoyed look and dragged the American towards the house.

When the two foreigners stepped inside Jackson's place, it was all dark, but suddenly all the lights were turned on and all the members of Got7 started singing happy birthday to Mark. Youngjae held in his hands a fully decorated birthday cake in his hands with seven candles burning at the top. The living room was full of balloons with different pictures attached at the end of each string. The pictures displayed several images of the group with Mark on special occasions, silly moments at their old dorm, Got7 winning awards, unforgettable tours, banquets with the family of the 7, embarrassing memes, especial fanmeetings and fansigns with their Ahgases. Many other shots of the good memories Got7 shared together were scattered on a wall next to a banner, which said 'Happy B-day Mark Tuan'. The eldest was deeply touched by the surprise, even Jinyoung seemed overwhelmed by it. As soon as the crying American blew the candles on top of the cake, everyone went to hug him, except for a dark-haired Hongkonger who just smiled at the scene from a corner. When they parted, Mark was still unable to hold back his tears.