Taeyong's POV

"Please Hyung. If we keep dying our hair this much, it's gonna fall out before we're thirty. Jisung and Chenle are still very young and they've already had to dye it so much. Bleaching your hair that much is not good," Mark said with a groan as we left the practice room.

"Look Mark, I don't think management will listen if I ask them," I said with a sigh.

"Seriously Hyung? Could you not at least try? It's for the benefit of the Maknae and other Dreamies," Mark pleaded as he paused in the middle of the hall. I sighed and groaned before nodding slowly.

"Ok fine. I'll go talk to them later," I gave in.

"Can you go talk to them now," he asked slowly.

"You don't want much do you," I said raising an eyebrow.

"Please Hyung," he begged, giving me puppy dog eyes.

"Ugh, fine. I'll go see if I can find someone from management, you owe me one though. Go back to the dorm and tell the other's I'll be a little bit late," I said, giving up completely. That's what Mark does to you, he somehow manages to convince you to do anything. He grinned and quickly wrapped his arms around me before pulling away and walking off down the hall. I groaned before turning around and walking in the direction of the management rooms. I hate talking to management, especially when it's about something that will benefit the members because management don't tend to listen and hate being told they're doing something wrong. But I'll deal with it this time because Mark wants me do and it's for the Dreamies, I always wanna look out for the younger one's. I paused when I got to the dorm of our main manager. I could hear people talking inside which means that there's more than one person inside, hopefully not having an important meeting. I took a deep breath before knocking gently.

"Come in," someone called out. I let out a deep breath before opening the dorm and walking inside, closing it behind me. There were four people in there, our manager, our choreographer, the head of the stylist department and someone who I didn't know.

"Taeyong-ssi, what can we do for you," Manager-nim asked.

"Uh, hello Hyung-nim. I'm here to discussing something regarding NCT Dream," I said as I politely place my hand behind my back and bowed down. I saw his eyes narrow and felt my hands shake slightly behind my back but I took a deep breath.

"And what might that be? Last time I checked, you weren't in NCT Dream," manager-nim said, crossing his arms over his chest. That looks like a very inviting and totally not defensive stance.

"No, I'm not but I'm the leader of NCT which means the younger ones generally come to me with any concerns," I told him.

"Well what is it then," he asked rolling his eyes. Well this is going well.

"Uh. Some of the Dreamies are a little concerned with how many time's they're having to bleach and dye their hair," I told him.

"Why? There's nothing wrong. We can bleach and dye them however many times we want," he said with a frown.

"I know but bleaching isn't good for your hair and they're still young so it's even worse. If they keep dying it so muc-."

"I don't think this concerns you at all Taeyong. This is a decision from management and it will stay like that," manager-nim said shaking his head.

"But manager-nim-."

"NO TAEYONG. Don't get involved with things that don't concern you," manager-nim cut me off.

"But it's not good for them. It's just hair colour, why can't they keep it one colour for a while," I asked.

"I said it doesn't concern you! Don't be smart with your Hyung. Their hair colour will change to whatever colour we want, whenever we want. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME," he yelled as he stood up and smacked his fists on the table. I flinched back in fright at the loud noise and dug my nails into my palm.

"Of course Manager-nim, my apologies," I forced out politely.

"Good. Now get out of my sight, we're in the middle of a meeting," he said, waving me off. I bowed politely before leaving the room, my heart raising and a small whimper leaving my lips. I was rushing down the halls when I turned a corner and heard someone call out for me.

"Yongie. Yongie slow down." I paused out the sound of my Hyungs voice and wiped my eyes as quickly as I could.

"Hey, you ok," he asked gently as he walked over to me.

"Uh yeah, I'm fine Taemin Hyung," I said quickly as I looked up to him. His eyes grew soft as they roamed my face and he let out a small sigh.

"What happened," he asked softly as he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"N-Nothing," I said quickly, looking away.

"Come here Yong," he said gently as he held his arms open. A tear slipped down my face as I quickly moved into his embrace. He held me gently and I melted into the hug, relieved to have some comfort after being yelled at mere minutes ago.

"What happened," he asked quietly.

"I got scolded and yelled at," I whispered.

"Who by," he asked.

"Manager-nim because I tried to get them to stop dying the Dreamies hair every month," I replied. He let out a sigh and ran his hand through my hair.

"They weren't too rude to you were they? Because I can go and beat them up if you want," he joked. I chuckled and pulled back to look at him before raising an eyebrow in surprise. His face looked quite serious.

"Wait, you aren't joking," I asked, eyes wide.

"No, why would I be joking," he asked seriously. I was confused but he smiled gently at me as he ruffled my hair.

"You're my dongsaeng Yongie, I'd beat anyone up for you if they hurt. Actually having said that, they made you cry so I'll be right back," he said sweetly before his eyes hardened. I panicked as he turned to walk back down the hall and lunged forwards, grabbing his arm.

"Hyung it's fine. Jeez, since when have you been the protective one," I asked with a small chuckle.

"Since always. Are you sure you're ok? I can walk you back to your dorm," he said gently.

"Yeah, I'm fine Hyung. Thank you, running into you cheered me up a lot," I told him.

"Alright, as long as you're ok, I guess I won't have to harm anyone," he said as he wrapped an arm around me gently and pulled me into a side hug.

"I am ok," I replied, hugging him softly.

"Head home now alright. Call me if you ever need me," he said placing a gentle kiss on my cheek. I nodded and pulled away, giving him a small smile.

"Will do but I'll be fine," I replied.

~~~~~

I was not fine, definitely not fine. For some reason after that day, I found it hard to say my opinion about stuff. Whenever someone asked for my opinion, I found myself saying that I didn't care or I found a way to get out saying it. Whenever someone asked though, I always felt panicked, my heartrate increasing, my palms sweating and my hands shaking. I didn't really understand but I didn't think about it too much, I just thought it would go away. But it didn't...

"That's not how you do it Jaehyun, it's like this," Yuta groaned as he repeated the move.

"No it's not. I'm doing it right Hyung," Jaehyun replied with a frown. I groaned and rubbed my hands over my face. These two have been arguing about the one dance move for the past five minutes and everyone else is too tired to bother stepping in.

"Taeyong, you're the leader. What do you think," Yuta asked. I froze as everyone turned to me. Oh god.

"What do you mean," I asked nervously as my heartrate already started to increase.

"Who is doing the right move? I already know it's me but Jaehyun obviously need you to tell him to get it through his thick skull," Yuta said as he frowned at the younger.

"No, I'm the one that's right. Tell him Hyung," Jaehyun said, turning to look at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh uh, I. I don't really care," I said with a shrug.

"Seriously Hyung? You have to care because we'll be performing this for millions of people and if you don't tell Yuta how to do it properly then we'll all look like fools," Jaehyun said.

"No, you need to tell Jaehyun that he's wrong," Yuta said as he placed a hand on my shoulder. I felt suffocated and there was a weird feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"I really don't care. It's not me you should be talking to," I choked out quickly.

"Seriously Hyung? It's not just something you can not care about. Just give us your opinion and whoever is wrong will say sorry to the other," Jaehyun said.

"I-I-." I broke off as my stomach clenched and I felt bile suddenly rose up in my throat. I dropped to my knees and held my stomach with one hand holding my stomach and the other holding me up.

"Wha-." I cut Yuta off as I doubled over and vomited right on the floor of the practice room.

"Shit, Yong." I felt arms wrapped around my mid-section as I threw up again and heard many gasps. I groaned and whimpered, leaning back into the hold.

"Yongie, do you think you're going to throw up again," Johnny asked from behind me and I realised it was him holding me up. I whined and nodded as I begun to cry at the horrible feeling. I felt arms slip under my legs and behind my back and the next second, I was being lifted up and carried out of the room.

"We've got you Yong," Taeil Hyung whispered as I groaned. They carried my all the way to the toilets and placed me in front of one, just in time for me to double over one again and puke. It sounded horrible and smelt disgusting but Johnny and Taeil didn't seem to care as they brushed my hair back and rubbed my back gently.

"Shh, you're ok," Johnny whispered gently. I threw up one more time before falling back into Taeil's arms with a whimper. He gently wrapped a hand around my stomach and rubbed soothing circles over it as it clenched painfully.

"Why didn't you tell us you were sick," Taeil asked me with a sigh.

"I'm not sick," I whispered.

"The vomit in the toilet and on the practice room floor say something completely different," Johnny said. I shook my head and curled up in Taeil's arms.

"Look, we don't know what's wrong so it's up to you. Do you want to go back to the dorm or do you want to go back to the practice room," Johnny asked me. My chest constricted and a whimper left my lips. Not another alternatim, why can't they just decide for me?

"Tae, hey are you alright? Do you need to throw up again," Taeil asked me quickly. I whimpered again and shook my head, clutching it with my hands as it felt like someone was smashing a hammer into it.

"Do you want us to take you back to the dorm. We can do that if you want us to. We just need you to tell us what you want us to do," Taeil said gently. I cried out and tears streamed down my face as I sobbed. My head was pounding and my heart was racing. It hurt so much.

"Yong? Yongie what's happening," Johnny asked quickly. I gasped as the pain increased and then felt my eyes roll to the back of my head before everything went black.

Johnny's POV

I rolled my eyes as Yuta and Jaehyun argued and then turned to Taeyong to try and settle the argument. Classical. I was confused when Taeyong kept saying he didn't care which one was right. Since when? We need to be in synch and doing the same thing so we look good on stage.

Seriously Hyung? It's not just something you can not care about. Just give us your opinion and whoever is wrong will say sorry to the other," Jaehyun said.

"I-I-." Taeyong cut himself on as he paled and suddenly dropped onto his knees clutching at his stomach with one hand. Everyone gasped at the dramatic change in the atmosphere.

"Wha-," Yuta trailed off as Taeyong lurched forward and emptied his stomach onto the floor. Crap, I didn't even realise he was sick.

"Shit, Yong," I said as I rushed over to him and knelt down as he threw up again, wrapping my arm around his stomach gently to hold him up and make sure he didn't fall into his vomit. He whimpered and leaned back into me.

"Yongie, do you think you're going to throw up again," I asked gently. He whined and nodded quickly as he started crying. I really do hate seeing him cry. Taeil walked over quickly and scooped Taeyong up in his arms before carrying him out quickly and into the closest bathroom. It seems like he was just in time as the minute he put Taeyong down, the leader down, he lurched forwards and threw up into the toilet. I quickly begun to brush his hair back softly as Taeil ran his hand up and down his back.

"Shh, you're ok," I whispered softly. He threw up one last time before collapsing back into Taeil and whimpering. Taeil moved his hand over Taeyong's stomach and rubbed his hand over Yong's stomach softly.

"Why didn't you tell us you were sick," Taeil asked. That's what I would like to know. I hate seeing him hurt and right now he doesn't look very good at all.

"I'm not sick," he whispered. Yeah, totally.

"The vomit in the toilet and on the practice room floor say something completely different," I pointed out. Taeyong snuggled into Taeil's hold and shook his head quickly.

"Look, we don't know what's wrong so it's up to you. Do you want to go back to the dorm or do you want to go back to the practice room," I asked, not knowing what else to do. Unfortunately that seemed like a bad idea as Taeyong's face contorted and he let out another whimper. I got I hate hearing him whimper so much.

"Tae, hey are you alright? Do you need to throw up again," Taeil asked quickly. Taeyong let out another whimper and clutched his head with his hands and tears started falling down his face. What the hell is going on?

"Do you want us to take you back to the dorm. We can do that if you want us to. We just need you to tell us what you want us to do," Taeil told him, trying to be gentle so as to not aggravate Taeyong any further. It didn't seem to do much help as Taeyong let out a painful cry and began to sob as he arched in Taeil's hold.

"Yong? Yongie what's happening," I asked quickly, now starting to get extremely worried. He sounded like he was in so much pain. He suddenly gasped and his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he went limp, the cries stopping immediately. Taeil and I were both frozen as he held an unconscious Taeyong in his arms.

"What the hell just happened," I asked slowly.

"I have no idea but one thing is for sure, there is no way we are continuing with practice. We need to get him home," he said as he stood up and lifted Taeyong with him. I grabbed some toilet paper and wiped Yong's mouth gently before putting it in the toilet and flushing everything down. Taeil carried him back to the room where we found the other's all talking, the floor already clean. They all stopped talking and looked to us as we entered. It took a few seconds for them to take in the sight.

"Oh my god, what happened," Mark asked quickly.

"He passed out so we're going home alright. He wasn't in a good state at all so if any of you argue when he wakes up, you're going to seriously regret it," I said sternly. Everyone went quiet and immediately nodded, Yuta and Jaehyun looking slightly guilty. As we were carrying him out, we happened to run into Taemin from Shinee and Baekhyun and Kai from Exo.

"Hey guys," Kai waved before they all paused.

"Yongie," Taemin cried out as he rushed over, Kai and Baekhyun following close behind.

"W-What happened? Is he ok," Taemin asked hurriedly as he ran a hand through the youngers hair.

"He passed out," Mark said.

"We can see that," Baekhyun replied but his voice was gentle.

"He got really worked up and got sick, then passed out," I told them. Taemin furrowed his eyebrows before sighing.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with what happened last week would it," he asked gently.

"What do you mean what happened last week," Doyoung asked quickly as we all turned to look at Taemin in confusion, even Baekhyun and Kai. Taemin looked up at us and raised an eyebrow.

"He didn't tell you," he asked.

"No, we have no idea what you're talking about," I said.

"Last Tuesday I think it was. I was heading to the practice room when I saw Taeyong running down the hall. I stopped him and he was crying-."

"What do you mean he was crying? Why was he crying," Taeil asked quickly.

"I was getting there," Taemin said with a frown, successfully making everyone go quiet.

"I asked him what was wrong and he was stubborn at first but he ended up telling me. He said he was talking to management about something to do with the Dreamies and always changing their hair colour or something," Taemin said.

"Yeah, I asked him to talk to them and see if he could get them to lay of us all changing our hair colour but why was he crying," Mark said quickly.

"Because he got yelled at by management. I told him I'd go beat them up because they made him cry but he said he was fine. He looked pretty shaken up though," Taemin finished.

"Sons of a bitch," I said, switching to English but everyone could understand what I was saying.

"God, it was all my fault. I was the one that pressured him into asking. I didn't think they would make him cry," Mark said sadly.

"Hey Markie, it's not your fault," Baekhyun said quickly as he pulled the younger into a hug. Mark smiled softly and hugged him back before they both pulled away.

"Thank you for telling us Taemin Hyung. We'll take him home and talk to him later when he wakes up," Taeil said with a sigh.

"No problem, just get him to call me later so I know he's ok," he replied. We said goodbye to the three of them before walking off and heading towards our van.

~~~~~

Once we were home, I told everyone to go up to their rooms and have a shower and get changed, the usual thing we would do when we get home from practice. Taeil placed Taeyong down on the couch before leaving Mark and I alone with him. It took about 10 more minutes for him to start stirring. I sat up quickly and moved closer to him as his eyes slipped open. He groaned and slowly sat up with the help of Mark and I.

"You ok," I asked gently. He blinked and looked around before nodding slowly.

"Are you sure? Do you need anything? Something to drink? Some Panadol," I asked worriedly. His eyes widened and his breathing picked up quickly.

"Yong," I questioned.

"Hyung, it's ok. Forget we asked alright, we aren't going to ask anything, I promise but I want you to tell me why you're getting so worked up? I need to know why you passed out," Mark said firmly. I was confused but it seemed to calm Taeyong down and he sighed.

"I-I dunno why exactly. It's just started happening randomly. Whenever someone wants my opinion or gives me a choice between things I freeze up and I dunno, panic," Taeyong said sadly.

"Does it have anything to do with last week," I asked him softly. He paused and frowned before looking over at us.

"What do you mean," he asked.

"Taemin Hyung told us about what happened when we ran into him as we were leaving," Mark said.

"Oh," Taeyong said with a sigh.

"Why didn't you tell me Hyung. I'm not mad, I just want to know," Mark said gently.

"I didn't want to upset you. I knew you'd blame yourself for making me go but it wasn't even that bad," Taeyong said sadly.

"Not that bad? They made you cry and now you're too scared to state your opinion on anything. We need you to tell us what happened in that meeting," I said gently, hoping to convince him to talk.

Taeyong's POV

I blinked my eyes open slowly as I woke up and groaned. I sat up gently with the help of who turned out to be Johnny and Mark.

"You ok," Johnny asked softly. I blinked and took a look around. I was sitting on the couch in the dorm which means I must have passed out and the boys brought me back here.

"Are you sure? Do you need anything? Something to drink? Some Panadol," Johnny asked me quickly. My eyes widened in horror as he continued to asked my questions and my breathing quickened.

"Yong," Johnny said, his eyes full of confusion. I saw an odd glint in Mark's eyes before he quickly spoke up.

"Hyung, it's ok. Forget we asked alright, we aren't going to ask anything, I promise but I want you to tell me why you're getting so worked up? I need to know why you passed out," I don't know why but hearing him say that seemed to calm me down and I felt better. I should probably tell them before whatever this is get's worse.

"I-I dunno why exactly. It's just started happening randomly. Whenever someone wants my opinion or gives me a choice between things I freeze up and I dunno, panic," I said with a sigh.

"Does it have anything to do with last week," Johnny asked making me freeze. I frowned and looked over at them to see the concerned look in their eyes.

"What do you mean," I asked quickly.

"Taemin Hyung told us about what happened when we ran into him as we were leaving," Mark told me.

"Oh," I replied with a sigh. I really didn't want Mark knowing because I knew that he would feel bad for asking me to go when it really wasn't his fault and I just overreacted.

"Why didn't you tell me Hyung. I'm not mad, I just want to know," Mark said gently.

"I didn't want to upset you. I knew you'd blame yourself for making me go but it wasn't even that bad," I said with a small frown.

"Not that bad? They made you cry and now you're too scared to state your opinion on anything. We need you to tell us what happened in that meeting," Johnny said with a sigh.

"It really wasn't that bad," I said as I brought my knees up to my chest.

"Once again, whatever happened in that meeting made you not want to say anything that other's might not agree with. That means that it was worse than what you were saying," Johnny said. I sighed and placed my chin on top of my knees.

"I just got yelled at that's all. Manager-nim told me to mind my own business and told me they could do whatever they wanted," I told them. I thought back to that day and shivered, curling in on myself slightly as I remembered a specific moment that wasn't very pleasant.

"There's something else you aren't telling us Taeyong, I can tell. I've been friends with you for years and I can tell when you're not telling me everything," Johnny said with a frown. I sighed and looked down, burying my head into my knees, hiding from them. I don't get it, I don't understand why I'm so upset about it. It's not even that bad and yet my shoulders started to shake as I began to sob into my knees.

"Yong," Johnny exclaimed and I was immediately engulfed on either side of me. I pulled my head up and turned to the right, burying it in Johnny's shoulder.

"I don't know why I was so scared," I whimpered.

"What do you mean," Mark asked softly.

"Manager-nim jumped up as he yelled and he slammed his fists down on the table. It was loud and it scared me, that's why I was crying when Taemin Hyung found me," I sniffled.

"Ah aegi, it's ok," Mark said softly as he ran his fingers through my hair. I paused and slowly lifted my head up, turning to look at Mark with a raised eyebrow. He was bright red and chuckled nervously.

"Did you just call me aegi," I asked him.

"Uh, whoops. I guess I'm just used to saying it with the Dreamies, it kind of just slipped out," he said. Everyone was quiet for a few seconds before the three of us all burst out laughing. It was a nice change from the crying I've been doing a lot today.

"I never thought I would hear you calling me that," I chuckled.

"It was an accident," Mark groaned, still blushing in embarrassment.

"Yeah well it was cute," I said softly as I hugged him gently.

"Going back to the previous topic that we can't just disregard. Is that, is that why you threw up earlier when Yuta and Jaehyun were pressuring you into deciding something? And then later when I was asking what you wanted to do before you passed out. You were scared because of how manager-nim reacted when you said something he didn't like," Johnny asked me gently. I let out a sigh before slowly nodded and turning to look at him. He sighed softly and gently leant over to press a kiss on my forehead.

"It's ok Yongie, we'll help you get through this ok and we'll make sure manager-nim knows the consequences of his actions," Johnny said gently.

"Do you promise," I asked quietly.

"Yes, we do," Mark said firmly. I gave them a small smile and nodded slowly.

"Can we just relax for the rest of the day, i-if that's not to much. I mean-."

"Yes, we'll relax for the rest of the day. The other's are upstairs but they'll come down. First of all though, you might wanna call Taemin Hyung," Mark said.

"Why," I asked with a frown.

"Because he was worried about you and we promised we would get you to call when you were awake," Johnny said.

"Yeah, I can call him now," I nodded.

"Alright. We'll go get the other's while you call him," Mark said before he and Johnny walked off upstairs. I pulled out my phone and quickly dialled Taemin Hyung's number. He picked up almost immediately.

"Taeyongie? Are you ok," he asked quickly.

"Yeah Hyung, I'm ok. I'm sorry if I worried you," I said with a sigh.

"Nah, it's all good. I'm just glad you're ok. Kai and Baekhyun were there as well and we got quite the surprise when we saw Taeil walking with you in his arms," he chuckled.

"Yeah. Also thank you," I said quietly.

"For what," he asked.

"For looking after me the other week," I replied.

"Like I said then, it's no problem. I'm your Hyung, it's my job to look after you," he told me.

"Well you're a good one. I'll let you go now, I just called to let you know I was ok," I told him.

"Thank you for calling and call again if you ever need. Relax for the rest of the night," he told me.

"Will do Hyung," I said before hanging up just as the other's came downstairs. No one questioned anything, just sat down on the couches and got a movie ready on the TV. I ended up with Haechan sitting in my lap and Jaehyun sitting next to me as Yuta pressed play. I don't know why I got so upset from that meeting but I believe Mark and Johnny when they said that they would help me through it. Those two can literally do anything if they set their minds to it.

A/N

This was requested by @3shinjirarenai3

Thanks for reading everyone and I hope you're all keeping hydrated and well