Chapter Text
The rain had stopped by the time they came down from the roof.
It left the air smelling like fresh pavement and something new—like the end of a storm and the start of something good.
Mark kept Hyuck’s hand in his the whole way down the stairs.
And Hyuck, still red-cheeked but glowing, let him.
When they pushed open the door to the main floor of the garage, they were met by the sound of quiet chatter and the low hum of someone playing music from a speaker. Their hyungs and dongsaengs were all still there, half-pretending not to loiter, with the tension from earlier slowly unwinding into casual celebration.
But the moment someone turned and spotted them, the energy shifted.
It was Jaemin who noticed first and, in true Jaemin fashion, he gasped like he’d just seen the twist of the century.
“Oh my god, they’re holding hands,” he practically screamed.
Everyone’s heads whipped around.
The room exploded.
Yuta let out a whistle so sharp it echoed through the rafters. “FINALLY,” he called, laughing
“About damn time,” Johnny said, throwing his arms in the air like he’d won a bet with the universe. “My ship. My beautiful, chaotic ship has sailed.”
Taeyong smiled so wide his eyes crinkled, hands coming up to press together as he looked between them with a fondness so warm it made Mark’s ears burn. “You two…” he said softly. “I’m glad for you both.”
Next to him, Doyoung was nodding, proud but also vaguely smug. “Told you it’d work out,” he muttered, arms crossed, though the smile tugging at his lips said more than words ever could.
Jaehyun gave them a quiet smile from his spot by the tool bench. He didn’t say much, but the way he nodded at Mark - relieved and proud - said everything.
Meanwhile, Renjun groaned and practically collapsed onto a couch. “Oh, thank god. I was one more pining stare away from throwing myself into a moving vehicle.”
Jaemin walked up to them and made a whole dramatic circle around the pair before clapping his hands. “I am SO proud of you guys. Like, emotionally moved. Turned on a little. Mostly proud.”
“Jaemin,” Mark muttered, face already red.
Hyuck just raised an eyebrow. “Don’t make it weird.”
“I live in weird,” Jaemin winked.
Jeno stepped in next, pulling both of them into a hug that was quick but strong. “Congrats, you two,” he said, genuine and steady as always. “Took you long enough.”
Then came Chenle and Jisung—like twin gremlins full of chaos.
“OKAY WAIT,” Chenle shouted, pointing between them. “Who confessed first? I need to know. For reasons.”
“Betting reasons,” Jisung added helpfully.
“Exactly,” Chenle said. “I said Hyuck would break first, Jisung said Mark. We bet a week of dish duty.”
Hyuck blinked, looked at Mark, and then said, “Technically… I confessed.”
“YESSS,” Chenle cheered.
“DAMN IT,” Jisung groaned.
But before either could say anything else, Hyuck grinned.
“But Mark asked if he could kiss me first.”
Everyone howled.
Johnny mock-fainted. Yuta yelled, “WHIPPED,” and Renjun muttered something about moving to another garage just for peace of mind.
Mark just hid his face in Hyuck’s shoulder.
But the laughter settled into warmth. Into quiet claps on the back, congratulatory hugs, and soft glances that said we’ve all been waiting for this.
As the night wore on, the garage stayed full. Someone brought snacks. Jungwoo played a romantic ballad on the aux, while Jaemin pestered them for couple photos. But through it all, Mark and Hyuck stayed close - sometimes sitting, sometimes just standing and talking to everyone.
And every time their hands brushed, they found each other again.
－
Later, when most of the lights had dimmed and some of the crew were starting to doze off in corners, Mark looked over at Hyuck, who was curled up beside him with sleepy eyes and a little smile on his lips.
“You’re still not over it, huh?” Hyuck murmured.
Mark shook his head. “Nope.”
Hyuck smirked. “Didn't take you to be such a romantic loser.”
Mark just laughed, before he kissed his temple. “Your romantic loser though.”
Hyuck leaned in. “Yeah,” he whispered. “Mine.”