Arcadia 11

Thirty-One

It had been a very relaxing month. His mother was more than thrilled to see him and his brothers and sister taking time out of their own busy schedules to spend time with him. All the support he was getting only making him think his decision to leave the band was the right one. He'd been quietly contemplating the decision more in the last few days, being surrounded by his family only swaying him further. That is, until he got a videocall from his group.

Mark was sat in Jackson's lap with Youngjae gently massaging his legs, Jaebeom was leaning against Yugyeom playing with the younger's hair, Jinyoung of course no where to be found since he'd taken up another show. BamBam had been prepared to hear all about when had been happening there, but to his surprise they didn't care to talk about themselves. Giving BamBam all their attention, asking about his family and friends, his hometown and the restaurant. His band mates only worrying about his health and his safety while away from them. Bringing an immense sense of love and family with each question and positive comment.

"When will you be back?" Youngjae asked, looking through his fringe at the younger, hiding his hopeful gaze. "We miss you a lot." He admitted rather bashfully, his  ears tinted a pretty pink, the slightly older male having a soft spot for both his dongsaengs.

At a loss for words, he just sat there with his mouth open and eyes filling with tears. They missed me? Were they lying? Why weren't they more angry at me for taking away the focus from Mark (who had been oddly quiet the entire time)? Huffing he continued to stare at them, the tears finally falling freely, surprising his friends as they all gawked at him. Everyone too shocked to speak.

"Why Bammie cry?" A small innocent voice asked (in English). It was very quiet and rough from disuse, but BamBam would know that voice anywhere.

"Mark-hyung, I..." He started his voice cracking and heavy with repressed sobs. "I just didn't think you wanted me back." He admitted, his tears falling freely as the sobs left him.

"No, I love Bammie!" The same innocent tone said. Turning around to look at Jackson, as if he had a solution, his own eyes filling with tears. "Bring him home!" He demanded, his lips forming a pout as he pleaded with the other.

Yugyeom reached out to ruffle his hair, a sad smile on his lips. "He doesn't want to be here right now, and that's fine, he's more than allowed to spend time with his family." He chastised very gently, "He needs to decide when he comes back." he sounded like he was trying to convince himself as much as Mark.

That's when BamBam noticed the strange dynamic. He thought Mark was in Jackson's lap due to the American male's clinginess (especiallywhen sick), his silence wasn't unusual, but the way he was speaking now was different, his eyes kept drifting to other things before snapping back, only to repeat the pattern. He had seen this behavior before, in fact he'd seen it two days before he left Seoul. And now that he was thinking about it, all the signs pointed to one thing, regression.

"Markie, Bammie will be home soon. We can play whatever you want! Plus I have a surprise for you, but you have to be patient." He said, hoping to placate the Little and hoping his theory was correct. "Can you be a good boy for me and help out at home?"

The response was adorable, Little Markie smiled beautifully all his teeth on display, his eyes sparkled like stars as he began nodding his head vigorously (Jackson having to physically stop him). "I good!" He said, his voice just a smidgen louder due to his excitement, but the loudest any of the people with him had heard.

"Okay, I have to go." He received a whine in reply which only made him smile wider. "I'll see you soon, I promise!" He said, his eyes dancing with joy as his mind and heart finally settled, his hopes of belonging only fortified by the Little's reaction. He wants me to come home! He thought giddily, quickly ending the call to get started packing,  calling his manager, and then booking a flight home. He rushed to his mother letting her know all about his members' reaction to him being gone. Her smile knowing and that proud glint in her eyes proving she knew he was making the right choice. He couldn't stop smiling, bouncing around and whooping with joy as he bustled around their home gathering all his stuff.

Once that was taken care of, he sat down and contemplated calling his friends, but before he knew it he was dialing.

"Eun Woo, you'll never believe what I just found out!" He exclaimed excitedly.

A deep chuckle was his reply, "Hello BamBam-ssi, Eun Woo-ah is busy. I'll have him call yo-" Park Jin Woo was cut short by an excited shout.

"Appa!" There was shuffling and then a squeal.

"Jun-ie, what have we told you about running inside?" Eun Woo's stren voice said.

BamBam laughed, knowing this was a constant discussion with the Little, especially after his accident the month before. "Will you just let him know I need to talk to him urgently?" BamBam said, a clear smile in his voice, he knew they preferred turning phones off and just being with their Little whenever Myung Jun regressed.

"Of course, BamBam-ssi." He replied. "I'm glad to hear you in a better mood. I would have gone over to your place soon and beat your hyungs if they didn't realize their mistake soon." He said, that same protective tone he used for his members coming out for BamBam as well, giving him even more hope.