Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

[MARK]

August had just begun, and it was already raining heavily. And Mark was stranded on the porch steps of the academic block, staring at the water droplets falling around him.

It was chilly, and he regretted not wearing a thicker jacket for the day. He let out a long sigh, looking down at his shoes, which were staining with stray raindrops falling on them.

He watched it for a while, ignoring the people around him until he heard the excited squeal of a girl.

"Baby!"

Mark looked up and saw a girl waving at someone behind him. She was pretty. She wore a white shirt under her pink sweater with jeans. Her wavy hair fell down to her waist in perfect curls.

She was definitely very pretty. Mark, then, considered it for a moment, because the first thought he had for the word pretty was Hyuck.

Then another girl came running from behind Mark. She had shorter, straighter hair with an oversized hoodie and baggy jeans. She jumped into the first girl's open arms, immediately smothering her with kisses.

The ease in the action had Mark's heart twisting. He imagined it being Donghyuck in his arms, kissing Mark all over his face just because he could.

As he watched the two girls walk away, talking about whatever, his imagination kept running and without him knowing, he was smiling to himself like an idiot.

"You lost, babygirl?"

The voice was familiar, but Mark took a second to realise it was Hyuck and literally flinched to the side to see the other grinning up at him.

"Hyuck?"

"Hey," Hyuck's eyes disappeared in his smile, and Mark felt heat in his cheeks.

"What are you doing here?" Mark asked.

"It's an academic block. I wonder what college students do here."

"You had class…" Mark answered himself, and Hyuck nodded.

"What are you doing here? I hate to admit it, but we've barely met since we got back."

Mark hated it too. But he couldn't help it.

"It's my internship… I'm busy there. I only come here once a week to give reports."

"Ah… right… Lele said you are staying with your aunt for it?"

"Yeah. Luckily, the agency is close to her house."

"That's good then."

The two of them got quiet as Hyuck stood a foot away from him, watching the rain with him. Mark didn't like that he was immediately reminded of the fact that he was used to being pressed against Hyuck's side whenever they stood or sat side-by-side.

"Mark…"

"Hm?"

"Are we okay?"

"Huh?"

Mark turned to Hyuck as the younger looked up as well, eyes looking tired.

Exactly a month ago, Hyuck had given Mark tea that felt a lot like a confession. Mark would need to be a fucking idiot to think of it as just a friendly share of talents.

As much as Mark wants Hyuck, he also needs to consider that his options are either Hyuck or his parents. His brother had promised him a safety net, and Jennifer backed it up, but it didn't change the fact that this was about his parents. People he had loved his entire life. Mark was also sure he was holding hopeless hope that they could change for him.

But… They have reached a point where Mark cannot fathom only staying friends with Hyuck for his parents. And Hyuck never outright admitted that he liked him. Still, the sweet tea with a bitter aftertaste that had the perfect level of comfort held so much meaning behind it that Mark believed every word Hyuck's grandfather had taught him.

Mark had so much to tell Hyuck. He had told enough people about his problems, but he never considered Hyuck in it. What would he think of his parents?

He also had no intention to drive the awkwardness deeper, but with work, he only ever came to college once a week, and it was going to be like that for a while.

"Nothing…" Hyuck muttered, looking away again. "Are you staying till tomorrow?"

"Yeah…" Mark answered breathily, defeat creeping into him. "Chenle asked me to."

"Because it's your birthday?"

"I like to believe so."

Hyuck chuckled at that, pulling out an umbrella from his bag and flipping it open. He stepped into the rain before looking back up at Mark.

"Want a ride to the dorm?"

"That's a ride?"

"Beggars don't get to be choosers, Melk."

Mark smiled at the nickname, stepping down and dipping under the umbrella where he embarrassingly admitted to himself that he relished the way his shoulder pressed against Hyuck's back.

"I got you a gift, by the way."

"Watermelons?"

Hyuck let out a genuine laugh, nodding. "All five of them."

"Thanks. Also, please tell me babygirl is not one of the nicknames you came up with."

"No, it was not. It's a line from 365 days."

"That film that sexualises kidnapping?"

"Yeah. I actually hate that line because it was cringe as fuck. But seeing how much you hate it, I might just call you that again."

"Please don't."

"Error. Name has entered 'Dedicated List for Mark's Nicknames'. Deletion denied."

"You have an ass system."

"Find an engineer to fix it then, jeez."

Mark chuckled. He missed this so damn much. He missed Hyuck so much.

Mark set out the bottles of soju on the coffee table as Renjun eyed him with so much judgment in his eyes.

"What the fuck is wrong with you? I thought you hated getting drunk."

"I do. But I need it."

"Don't you usually do this shit at your drinking buddy's room?"

"Yeah. But he can't use his room now."

"Ugh… whatever."

"Where are you going anyway?" Mark asked while standing up and eyeing Renjun packing his bag.

"Campus studio. I can work with better supplies there."

"Ah… Cool. You're coming tomorrow, right?"

"For your birthday party at Felix's?"

"It's his party. Chenle decided that it's Felix's party cum mine."

"Right. Chenle is the loud one, correct?"

"Yes."

"I have only ever met Chenle and Hyuck. What about the others?"

"Well, Jeno is cool. Tries to act nonchalant. Is totally not. And then there's-"

There was a knock on the door, and Renjun glanced at Mark before he walked over, opening it while Mark eyed the assortment of drinks and snacks one last time, satisfied.

"Jaemin?"

"Renjun?"

Mark looked up, watching as the two stared at each other with shock on their faces. "You guys know each other?"

The two turned to him before their tense postures finally snapped into awkward glances around the dorm and clearing of throats.

"First year," Renjun answered. "All art majors were merged."

"Right. That makes sense," Mark nodded, still suspicious of the reasoning. "Well, you guys being friends makes this so much better-"

"We're not friends," Renjun interrupted, and Mark quickly glanced at Jaemin, who kept his eyes on the floor.

"We're just…" Renjun glanced at Jaemin too before looking back at Mark. "We're just acquaintances."

With that, Renjun left the dorm, throwing the door close behind him. Mark waited as he observed Jaemin in silence. The younger finally moved after a minute of staring at the floor. He took off his shoes messily before walking over to the couch, then he grabbed a beer can and popped it open, taking a huge gulp and letting out a satisfied groan.

"What was that?" Mark asked, and Jaemin shrugged.

"Let's just say I'm glad there was alcohol here after that."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Nah… I'm here for you. Honestly, I thought we wouldn't have these drinking sessions anymore because you'd barely be here. What happened?"

"Just needed a drink."

"Work is that bad?"

"It's not work."

"No?"

"Nope," Mark answered while grabbing his own beer can, but Jaemin pulled it out of his hand, eyebrows furrowed.

"It's Hyuck then."

Mark's eyes widened at that. "What? You… Fuck… Have I drunk-rambled about this before?"

"Yes. You have. In the past four months, plenty of times, actually. It's making me sick."

"You never told me…"

"Yeah, because I promised secrecy to drunk-Mark. But now, it's stretched long enough. We need a sober talk."

"Wait…" Mark sighed. "Then do you know about my parents?"

"About them being homophobic? Yeah. You told me during our first solo drinking sesh. When I came out to you."

"Right… Then you know my problem, Jaem. I can't just get this problem fixed."

"Did you talk to anyone else about this?"

"Yeah… Renjun. And even my brother."

Jaemin stiffened at the mention of Renjun, but he was quick to deflect it. "Your brother. What did he say about it? Did he cut you off?"

"No… He said he would support me. But it's my parents, Jaem… I'll lose them if I choose Hyuck…"

"Okay. Mark, oh my fucking god," Jaemin groaned, scooting closer and grabbing Mark's shoulders. "Get your head in this, Mark. Stop thinking about Hyuck and focus on the fact that you like- no. You love a boy. Think not about Hyuck versus your parents. Think of this like it's you versus them. Because if not Hyuck, then it will be some other boy. He's also going to have a dick. This is about your identity being against their belief. Fight that. Not Hyuck, you dumbass."

Mark's eyes stayed wide, staring at Jaemin with so much clarity washing over him because he was making sense. This might not be about Hyuck at all.

"Mark, you need to think about whether you want to choose people who would do everything in their power to change you to shape you to what they believe is right or people who would fight with all their power to just keep you close to them."

"Jaem… This makes a lot of sense…"

"I know."

"But… But they're-"

"Your parents. And you love them. I get that. But Mark. Do you really want to keep yourself hidden from them? Are they worth that? Does Hyuck deserve that? Do you deserve that?"

"… No…"

"Exactly. I'm not telling what you have to do, Mark. I would never do that. Just know that I would never stop being on your side, even if you choose them. I just need you to know that losing them to choose yourself is not the end of the world. That you have an entire crowd of people ready to catch you when you fall."

Mark's eyes burned at that as he looked down at the unopened beer can in Jaemin's lap. He grabbed it and shrugged off Jaemin's hands to pop it open and take a refreshing sip.

"Yah, Mark Lee."

"I heard you."

"So?"

"I'll make up my mind. But it will still take time."

"I know that, idiot."

"Stop calling me that."

"No, idiot. I'm asking if you understood. Your decision is not changing what we have."

"Real romantic. Careful. You'll have me obsessed with you, too."

"With how much you only think of Hyuck, I highly doubt it. But sure." He leaned back and took a sip out of his own can.

They stayed in silence for a long time while Mark played with the loose thread on the throw pillow.

"So… That getaway night in Jeju. What happened? Hyuck refuses to tell us."

"Oh… that…"

Mark told him about the rooftop fireworks, the tea and everything Hyuck said, down to what he said when he handed the tea to Mark.

"Oh my god, so he gave you tea right after he said that his grandfather courted his grandmother like that and you- God! I would have kissed him, what the actual fuck, Mark!?"

"I know… I almost did."

"Why didn't you, you coward?"

"Stop calling me names, jeez."

"Seriously, Mark. He did everything sappy just like those movies you love, and still, you let that moment slip? Fuck man. If you were the main lead in the movie I was watching, I'd fucking hate you."

"Shut up. Seriously. This is not fiction. It's real life. Everything is not going to be convenient to the plot."

"Not unless you force it to be."

"Huh?"

Jaemin sighed, shaking his head. "You're actually so stupid."

"Dude."

"Okay. If you kissed Hyuck after his obvious confession, did you have to tell your parents right away?"

"No…"

"Then you could be dating him now and then face them with him and have another person having not just your back but also stand by your side?"

"… You make this sound easy."

"Cause it is, idiot."

"Stop. Calling. Me. That! And I genuinely don't think I can do anything unless the weight of what they will do when they find out is always on my mind. I won't be able to focus on Hyuck either, nor myself."

"Then do something about it!"

Both of them groaned in unison and took another big sip of the beer.

"Bold of you to say all this when you've been in love with Jeno for two years and have done nothing about that."

"That's different," Jaemin pouted. "I've been friends with him since we were kids… that changes things for us."

"Right…"

"And my problem is different from yours. My mom doesn't care about the genitalia of who I date-"

"Ew, man. Don't word it like that!" Mark shoved Jaemin as the two burst into a fit of laughter.

"Okay. Tell me what happened when you saw Hyuck today."

"How do you know everything?"

"We established that you called me for a drink because of him. I'm guessing you saw him"

"I did."

"And?"

"He looked pretty."

Jaemin groaned. "Ugh. Idiot."

"Seriously. Stop."

"Fine…"

"…"

"Idiot."

"Dude-!"

Mark woke up way too early in the morning. He was still on the couch, probably having fallen asleep after getting drunk with Jaemin. Speaking of, the other man was on the couch next to him, softly snoring.

Mark stood up and stretched a little before glancing at the two room doors at one end of the dorm. One still had a light on below it.

Mark walked over to Renjun's door and knocked on it softly.

"Come in."

Mark opened the door and entered to see Renjun by his desk, sketching something into his sketchbook.

"Jun… It's four… Tell me you slept a little."

Renjun looked away from him and went back to drawing.

"Renjun…"

"I'm not tired, so it's okay-"

"You don't sleep when you're anxious. Is it Jaemin?"

Renjun stilled at that. Mark walked closer to him and frowned when he saw the obvious dark circles under Renjun's eyes that he hadn't noticed before.

"You used makeup to cover those?"

"It's harder to sleep when you're not around to remind me," Renjun confessed, and Mark let out a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, Jun. Should I move back to the dorm?"

"What? No! I don't want to be a bother-"

"And how many times have I told you that you aren't?"

Renjun didn't say anything for a long minute before shaking his head. "I'll get over it. I have to survive one more year without you anyway."

"You can always have me call you, you know?"

Renjun chuckled a little. "I'm not a kid."

"Okay. Now. Go to sleep. Take a day off to catch up on sleep, yeah?"

"I'm fin-"

"No. You're not. Go to sleep."

Mark gently pulled the sketchbook away from the younger and flipped it closed before offering his hand. Renjun sighed and took it as Mark pulled him up.

"Go sleep now, Jun."

"Happy birthday, Mark," Renjun said instead as his grip on Mark's hand tightened.

Mark grinned at the other. "Thank you."

"Hyuck stopped by earlier."

"Huh?" Mark's eyes widened as Renjun smiled softly.

"He left a gift in your room for you. I kept mine there, too."

"You didn't have to get me a gift."

"Oh, but I did."

Renjun yawned, letting go of Mark's hand and dragging himself to the bed before plopping down on it.

Mark put the sketchbook down on the table before muttering a soft, "Sleep well."

He left Renjun's room and closed the door quietly behind him. Once the door clicked shut, he quickly switched to his room, being less careful about closing it.

There on his bed sat, surprisingly, five watermelons. Mark let out a breathy laugh, walking over to them and peeling off the sticky note to see something written on it.

Don't you dare eat them without me. Love, Donghyuck.

It had a little silly face on the side that was blowing a kiss. Mark laughed again before glancing back down at his bed.

There were two other bags on it. He took the bigger one, rummaging through it only to pull out a book he had been wanting to read for a long time. Understanding that it was definitely Renjun who got him that, he turned back to the smaller bag, frowning.

Another gift? Did Chenle or Jeno stop by as well?

Mark opened the bag to find a singular gift inside. He pulled it out and let out a soundless gasp. It was a pressed gaemangcho covered in some clear outer covering with a string on top, making it a bookmark.

Mark stared at it for a long moment before he let out another deep breath. It was obvious it was from Hyuck. He not only remembered his favourite flower, but also got him a gift, probably from his Mama's garden.

His heart started racing again, just at the thought of Hyuck making this bookmark for him. Mark felt such an overwhelm of emotions that he was genuinely seconds away from crying.

How was he going to handle going back to a life without Hyuck? He couldn't even imagine it.

-

Felix's party was crazy loud. But the host had announced to everyone that it was Mark's birthday, going as far as getting a light to shine on him, under which Mark was sure everyone saw him grow flustered.

Chenle and Jaemin were hollering with the others while Jeno clearly enjoyed this, and Hyuck was laughing too.

Great. His misery was entertainment now. Or Mark was just dramatic.

He got way too many wishes from people he didn't even know. And he was pulled in every single direction, talking to many drunk young adults he probably only walked past in college.

And when someone brought up birthday spanks, he finally slipped away to the kitchen, where it was arguably quieter.

He sighed, leaning against the counter before sighing deeply. He wasn't tipsy enough for this shit, and he'd already talked to way too many people for his own good.

Then he felt ice-cold metal on his neck, and he flinched away, letting out a quick yelp as he reached up to his nape.

"Fuck."

Hyuck giggled as he held up the can for him. "You're famous, birthday boy."

"Don't remind me," he grumbled tiredly while grabbing the can. "And stop sneaking up on me!"

"Yes, sir."

"So…" Mark turned, pressing his lower back on the counter. "The gifts…"

"You saw them? I got Renjun to open up last night to hide it. I didn't know you were drunk-sleeping with Jaem, though."

"What if I had opened the door?"

"I would have told you to fuck off because I was there to fuck Renjun."

"Right. He would have kicked you out, by the way."

"No, he wouldn't have. He loves me."

"No, I don't."

The two turned to see Renjun entering the kitchen, eyes scanning the assortment of drinks and food. Hyuck complained under his breath and grabbed a brownie, breaking it in half and handing it to Mark.

The two bit into it as they watched Renjun frown over every choice before groaning and turning back to them. "I fucking hate parties- what the fuck?"

"What?" Mark asked, and Renjun looked between the two of them as if they were complete fools.

"Those… You're… Oh my god. They're drugged. You know that, right?"

"Wha…" Hyuck pulled the brownie back from his mouth and stared at it as if it were alien goo. "But it's a brownie…"

"A brownie at a college party. Real fucking smart of you two. Get back to your dorms, dumbasses."

"Why is everyone calling me a variant of nicknames meaning idiot. Am I… that stupid?"

"I'm out."

Renjun walked out, and Mark looked down at the brownie before eating the last bit.

"Why are you eating it?!" Hyuck exclaimed while staring at Mark with wide eyes.

"I mean… we're already going to get high… so… like… does it matter? And the brownies are good. Chenle was right. Felix's brownies slap."

Hyuck stared at him for a second longer before turning to stare at the brownie. He did that for a long minute before shrugging and eating the remaining in one go too.

"One more? We can split that one as well." Hyuck asked, but he was already moving to grab it.

"Sure."

They ate that piece too, and Mark was starting to feel it when they were on their fourth piece.

"Did you eat the watermelons without me?" Hyuck asked, and Mark shook his head.

"You told me not to."

"Will you do anything I tell you to?"

"Maybe. The bookmark, though…"

"Oh…" Hyuck chuckled nervously. "Yeah, that… I kinda made it on a whim. I got Jisung to help me get it properly cut and stuff…"

"It was really pretty. Thank you for that."

Hyuck's ears grew red as he muffled his cough into his elbow before stepping forward to grab another piece of the brownie. But Mark stopped him by grabbing his bicep.

"That's enough, Hyuck."

"But…"

"Come on… let's go. Renjun's right. We should go."

"But the party just-"

"Hyuck… come on," Mark said while grabbing the younger's arm and pulling him along.

Mark's vision started swimming as he weaved through the crowd, his grip on Hyuck's arm tightening. When they stepped out of that house, the silence was way too loud, and Hyuck seemed to be humming something behind him.

It was a familiar, but Mark couldn't pinpoint it. If he could comprehend fast enough to remember the tune, he would have joined. But he took to listening to Hyuck's melodious hum as they made the short trip back to campus.

The guard gave them a wave, and Mark gave him a grin that was way too big for a college student, but the guard didn't seem to give two flying fucks.

They made it to their dorm building, and soon enough, they entered the elevator where Mark stared at the number pad.

"Hyuck…"

Hyuck hummed behind him, leaning on the elevator wall with his eyes closed.

"Which floor do you live on again? Seventh, right?"

"Hmm… that one." He nodded, and Mark pressed something before leaning against the opposite wall, the cool metal being a relief on his burning skin.

Hyuck had taken to humming along to the elevator music, and Mark chose to continue just listening to it. He could probably listen to Hyuck hum for the rest of his life.

When the doors opened, the wind was cold, and Mark shivered as they both stepped out, and the wind actually fully hit him.

"Fuck…" he looked around and finally realised that they had taken the elevator up to the rooftop. "We need to-"

He turned and saw Hyuck already stumbling into the clearing, where he plopped down and leaned his hands behind him.

"Hyuck?"

"Come here, Melk…" he called and patted the space next to him, and Mark walked forward before his legs gave out. He sat down next to Hyuck, only then realising that he was turned the other way.

Not like he cared. He could actually see Hyuck clearly this way. He stared at the younger for a moment before sighing and looking up at the sky. Maybe it was cloudy, because he couldn't see a single star in the sky.

"Jeju has better skies…" Mark muttered, and Hyuck laughed at that.

"I know."

"Jeju has better food, too."

"I know."

"I miss Mama."

"I miss her too, Mark."

"She has pretty flowers."

"She does."

"I like-"

"I know."

Mark sighed in frustration. Not at Donghyuck, though. Never at him. "You know what you don't know?"

"What?"

"My parents are homophobic as fuck."

Hyuck's eyes snapped open at that and looked at him. But Mark kept his eyes on the sky.

"Everyone knows that now. I think… I mean. Yeah…"

"Mark…"

"They're very, very religious, you know? Like, like this kid from my church came out, and then he was like put into therapy and shit for it… The point is… he died a couple of months ago. They keep saying he did it. You know what I think? I think it was everyone around him telling him that he was sick."

Mark sighed. "Everyone else was the one who was sick. They tried to fix him like he was some machine, fucking monsters."

Hyuck didn't say anything, so Mark just continued. "And my parents? They never even told me. They went to his funeral, though. I'm sure they were part of the whole 'we lost a son of god' or whatever, bullshit."

"You curse a lot when you're high?"

"Don't know. It's my first time. I'm just pissed off."

"You should be. What happened to him was not fair."

"I know… and…" Mark sucked in a deep breath, feeling his eyes burn. "I keep thinking that if I were in his place… I don't know if I could have taken all that pressure either."

"Mark-"

"Hyuck. I'm new to all this. I don't know the second thing about myself. But you know what I do know?"

He turned to Hyuck, finding the other staring at him through glassy eyes. Mark's own tears were threatening to fall, and it burned so much that he just wished they would roll away.

"I know that I like you. And I know that, that fact is going to change my entire life."

Mark's mind was growing groggy. He hoped his words were legible to the other.

"Mark…" Hyuck whispered this time, hand raising to brush a thumb on Mark's cheek. He realised he was finally crying, but that didn't help with the burn. "Don't ruin your relationship with your parents for me."

"It's not about that, Hyuck. Jaem is right. It's the fact that I'm not straight. If I want to come out as whatever I am, which I don't even know… Then I need to choose for myself."

"And what do you want to choose?"

"I don't know… I don't know, and it's killing me…" Mark sobbed and fell forward on Hyuck's shoulder. The younger's arm curled around his back, giving him soft pats.

"It's okay, Mark…" Hyuck's voice was soft, feeble, but very comforting. Mark just wanted to sleep in his arms.

Hyuck said something else, but Mark's brain was shutting off with all the emotional overwhelm.

Mark's eyes snapped open, and he let out a tired groan as he sat up with a splitting headache that felt like someone was cutting into the base of his nape.

"You're awake."

Mark turned to see Renjun by the kitchen counter, chewing on toast and sipping on coffee.

"Renjun."

"Yes, Mark?"

"I feel like I've been run over a hundred times."

"I would assume that's how you'd feel if you got stoned. How's Hyuck doing?"

"Hyuck?"

"Yeah. You were with him, right?"

"Huh…" Mark frowned, eyebrows furrowing painfully as he tried to remember last night.

At first, all he felt was more pain in his head. Then it all came washing over him. Every word, every action, every reaction.

"Fuck."

"What? What did you do?"

"I confessed."

"What?"

"I confessed to Hyuck. I'm pretty sure I did."

"You're pretty sure?"

"No… I'm sure… I told him that I liked him."

"Okay…" Renjun breathed out loudly, and Mark turned to look at him to find the younger looking equally confused about everything. "What happened after that?"

"I… I don't remember. I slept after that."

"You… Where were you? You confessed here? This is a shitty place to confess to someone."

"First of all, no. We were on the rooftop. Second of all, what's wrong with our dorm room?!"

"Not romantic enough. Rooftop though… Good choice."

"Right. I was high. I did not care where we were."

"Alright… Fine. So you guys are dating now?"

"No… I mean… I don't know. I need to talk to him, right?"

"Yes. Yes, you do."

"What if he… What if he breaks this friend-"

"Mark. Stop thinking. Just go talk to him."

"Now?"

"Aren't you leaving right after breakfast? When else? Next week? That's not okay."

"Okay… Yeah… Right…"

Mark didn't move from his place on the couch right away. At least not until Renjun sighed again.

"Move, dumbass. He's not going to magically appear at our front door-"

A knock on the door had the two of them turn to it. Renjun scoffed under his breath. "No way…" He muttered and walked over, opening it to reveal a nervous Hyuck behind.

Mark sat up straighter on the couch, eyes desperate to try and read any negative emotions on Hyuck, but all he could notice was his nervous fiddling with a small bag in his hand and creased forehead.

"Hey Renjun… Is Mark awake?"

Renjun turned to face Mark, and Hyuck followed his gaze till their eyes locked.

The silence that stretched between them had Mark mirror Hyuck's nervousness. Was this rejection? Was he here to tell off Mark? Could he even handle the 'no' without even fully being awake?

"Can I come in?"

"Sure," Renjun gestured inward and snorted. "Miracles do exist, I guess."

"What?" Hyuck questioned as he toed off his shoes, but Renjun just shook his head.

"I'll go for a walk in the corridor. You guys look like you need a private talk."

How many times had Renjun left for Mark's convenience? Way too many times for the elder to even keep count, but he knew he was going to miss Renjun as a roommate forever.

The dorm grew silent as Hyuck walked in, looking anywhere but at Mark.

"Want some tea?"

"Sure…" Mark responded cautiously, watching Hyuck enter their kitchen and pour some water into the electric kettle.

Mark turned away, rubbing a hand across his face before standing up. He had done it. He had already said what he had wanted to forever. But he had done it when he was high.

"Hyuck…"

"Yes, Mark?" Hyuck's voice was feeble and tired, like he hadn't slept all night.

"Do you remember last night?"

The younger finally looked up, visibly gulping. "Yeah… You… You do?"

"Yeah."

"Oh…" Hyuck only frowned deeper. "I thought you would forget like you do when you get drunk."

"Maybe drugs work differently- I don't know, but Hyuck-"

"Then did you mean it?"

"Huh?"

"You… You actually… Me?"

Mark walked to the opposite side of the open counter, trying his best to keep eye contact.

"I did."

Hyuck just watched him for a moment before chuckling softly. "Bold Mark…"

Be bold, Mark.

"Hyuck. I meant everything I said last night. But… But that doesn't count. We need to be sober to… To properly talk."

Hyuck sucked in a deep breath, nodding. "You're right. We do."

He turned and grabbed two cups before opening his small bag. He pulled out two small tea bags that looked handmade before he dropped one in each cup. He then poured hot water into both of them, muttering under his breath. "Electric kettles. I hate them."

"What did they do to you?"

"You can't set a timer on these dorm ones. It's too hot for the tea. But… it should be fine. Stronger the better, I guess."

He slid the cup on the counter towards Mark, and before he could let go, Mark reached out, placing his hand on Hyuck's, the younger freezing.

"Not going to say it this time?"

"What- Oh… I didn't… I didn't make it as carefully as that day."

"I am sure it will be just as good," Mark reassured, and Hyuck tried to contain his smile, but he was not doing a very good job at it.

"I should have gotten you high sooner if this was how you were going to behave. We could have gotten together much sooner."

Mark chuckled at that before he felt his smile fall a little, remembering what else he told Hyuck last night.

"Hyuck… you remember what I told you about my parents, too, right?"

"Yeah… I do…"

"Then, Hyuck… would it be selfish of me to ask you to wait till I figure out what to do?"

Hyuck turned to him with shock on his face. "No, you idiot!"

"Okay, everyone really needs to stop calling me that."

"They're probably calling you that because you are one, Marker."

Hyuck walked around the counter, and Mark turned in his seat as Hyuck stopped in front of him, cupping his cheeks.

"Do what you have to first."

"Are you sure?" Mark asked, trying to read Hyuck's eyes. "I won't be seeing them till four months later during my graduation."

Mark watched as Hyuck's expression fell. The elder's frown only deepened, but Hyuck probably realised the dread on his face because he quickly shook his head and forced a small smile on his lips.

"Just… Just promise me you won't run away. I don't think I would be able to handle that."

Mark looked up at Hyuck, leaning into his touch before his own hand reached up to squeeze one of Hyuck's palms.

"Hyuck… are you a hundred per cent sure?"

"Yes, Mark. Just please… Promise."

"I promise… Thank you, Hyuck."

Hyuck's ears grew visibly crimson, and Mark couldn't help but smile as the younger let go of him and stepped back. He had half a heart to reach out and pull him into a hug.

But his nerves got the better of him.

He let Hyuck walk back to the other side of the counter, the younger leaning across the counter to be as close to Mark as the marble slab would allow.

"Whatever. Drink your tea before it gets cold."

Hyuck left the second he finished his tea, but not before getting another promise from Mark that this didn't mean that they would avoid each other.

And they had a small chat while drinking the tea. Mark had ended up back on his couch only because Hyuck had dropped him off before going back to his room.

But through it all, Mark couldn't get over the look Hyuck wore when he got to know he'd need to wait for a good four months for anything to change between them. Mark hated not only that, but he himself didn't think he could wait.

If he really had to make a choice between himself and his parents, the answer should be clear. It should be him.

Mark shook his head, sighing as he put the two cups away in the sink and ran a hand through his hair. He still had a dull headache, and he desperately needed a shower first.

Mark sighed and entered his room. He grabbed his towel but stopped when he saw the bookmark that Hyuck had gifted him lying on his table.

The grip on his towel tightened, and before he could think much, he sent a text to his brother.

MATT

Mark
When are you going back to Canada?

Matt
Next week
why?

Mark
Can I come along?

Matt
Seriously?
What about your work?

Mark
I can take a week off

Matt
Are you sure?

Mark
Yeah, I'll use all my leaves

Matt
Mark… why?

Mark
I'm going to tell them.

There was no immediate response from his brother. Instead, his brother started calling. Mark hesitated for all of two seconds before picking it up.

"Mark. Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah. I know what will happen… But you'll be there, right?"

"Of course, I will. Jenni is going to be with you, too. Do not worry, you hear me?"

"Yeah…"

"Mark, are you okay?"

"Perfect."

"Dude," Matt deadpanned, and Mark chuckled into the phone.

"I'm good. Maybe better than good. I just need to quickly get rid of this problem so I can maybe finally live as myself."

"Aw, Markie. You're all grown up, aren't you?"

"Shut up."

Matt laughed. "Fine. I'll switch Emma's seat to yours and have her sit with one of us."

"Is that allowed?"

"I think so. If not, I'll book an extra seat for you."

"Okay. I can-"

"No. I'll pay. For next Saturday."

"Okay, hyung."

"Ah, I miss you calling me hyung."

"Don't get used to it."

"Asshole. Bye. When are you coming back to aunt's house?"

"Right after breakfast."

"Cool. You should be the one who tells Emma. She'll be the happiest."

Mark chuckled again. "Of course, she will."

"I'll see you later then, Mark. I'm proud of you."

"Look who's being sappy. Bye."

"You-"

Mark cut the call and let out a laugh before putting his phone back on the table. His hand then went to the bookmark. He picked it up and stared at it before a soft smile pulled on his lips.

One week.

Everything was about to change in one week. He just had to get it over with sooner rather than never.

One week.

He'd be gone and back before anyone even knew it.

And everything would have been changed.

-

Mark went back to college on Friday to submit his report for the week before he was going to leave for Canada on Saturday morning.

The plan was that he would head back to his aunt's place right after submitting the report. Except, curiosity killed the cat.

He made it to the dorms, where he first checked on Renjun. He had kept his promise of calling every night, and luckily, Renjun didn't look as bad as he did last week.

"So…" Renjun asked with a raised eyebrow. "Why are you at the dorms?"

"I just wanted to check on you. Is that a crime?"

"I believe you're here for Hyuck."

"You don't know that."

"I'm pretty sure I'm right. Do you even know his room number?"

"Of course, I do. I just haven't ever gone there."

"Took you long enough. Go check up on your man and do something about it, please. All this yearning makes me sick."

"Yah-"

"Bye."

Mark clicked his tongue before walking over to the stairs. He went up two floors before he stopped in front of room 713.

He hesitated for a good minute before he finally knocked on it. Mark let out a shaky sigh. Should he tell Hyuck that he's going? That he's actually growing a pair and facing his parents-

The door swung open, and Mark stilled as he stared at the other.

"You…" Mark started, frowning. "You're not Hyuck."

The man laughed, crossing his arms and leaning against the door frame. Mark checked the room number again. He was sure it was the right door. Or did he hear it wrong when Hyuck had told him?

"No, I am not," he playfully smiled. "Who are you, by the way?"

"Huh… Oh… Um, I'm Mark."

The unknown man gasped and clapped his hands once. "So you're the infamous Mark Hyuck keeps whining about."

"Huh?" Mark was so confused.

"I'm YangYang. Hyuck's roommate."

"Oh… Hi…"

"Hi. One sec. Hyuck!" YangYang turned, entered the dorm and looked back to gesture for Mark to enter. "Hyuck!" He called again. "Your lover is here!"

"What-" Mark let out, clearly surprised, but YangYang just laughed again before disappearing behind one door.

Just as that door closed, the door next to it snapped open, and Hyuck stepped out, eyes wide as he met Mark's gaze.

Hyuck grumbled under his breath before he kicked at YangYang's door. "Asshole!" He called out, and they heard YangYang cackle again.

Hyuck sniffled loudly and turned to Mark again, and that is when he got a proper look at the younger.

Hyuck had a cooling patch on his forehead, and his eyes were glassy. He clearly had a runny nose, and he was red in the cheeks. And he had a thick blanket wrapped around him.

"Are you sick?" Mark asked as Hyuck nodded, but instantly winced. Okay, so he had a headache too.

"Weather change is a bitch. I got drenched in yesterday's rain, and now I can't form a solid thought. Why are you here?"

"I wanted to see you."

Hyuck turned redder as he sniffled and looked away, almost pouting. "Shut up."

Mark chuckled nervously. He didn't know what to say, so he just said the first thing that came to mind. "Were you not carrying an umbrella?"

"Ironically, I forgot- Fuck, I'm dizzy," Hyuck sighed, and Mark quickly shrugged off his jacket, placing it by the kitchen counter before rushing next to Hyuck.

"Sit down. Please."

He took Hyuck's hand, and the younger tightened the hold as he took Mark's support before they both sat next to each other on the couch.

"So you wanted to see me."

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Just cause."

Hyuck didn't turn to him, but Mark was sure that he was only blushing harder. The fact makes his heart soar. He's getting the Lee Donghyuck flustered. There's got to be like an award for that.

"My grandfather would have loved you," Hyuck grumbled before he curled into Mark's side, letting out deep breaths that made it sound like he was in pain with each inhale and exhale.

"Have you taken any meds?" Mark asked while watching Hyuck draw patterns on his thigh.

"Yeah. But it's like useless. I need to sleep it off, and I can't even do that. Everything is so uncomfortable."

"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?"

Hyuck didn't say anything for a long moment before he shifted and lay down on the couch, resting his head on Mark's lap. He then took Mark's hand and placed it on top of his head.

"Better," Hyuck hummed and got comfortable, all the while Mark tried not to shake. His fingers trembled ever so slightly against Hyuck's soft hair.

He gulped as he stroked Hyuck's hair a few times before slightly massaging his scalp. Hyuck let out a soft sigh in response, and Mark leaned back against the couch, looking up at the white ceiling.

"Melk."

"Hm?"

"How's work?"

"You're trying to do small talk now?"

"It was too silent."

"Just try sleeping, Hyuck. You need to get better."

"Okay…"

After more random ramblings, Donghyuck finally fell asleep, head still resting on Mark's thigh.

Mark kept staring at Hyuck, hand still comfortably caressing the other's head. This felt good. He felt good. He wanted to keep feeling like this.

Which only solidified his decision to go to Canada as soon as possible. He was doing the right thing. He was also going to be saving everyone's time.

Mark moved slowly and quietly. He lifted Hyuck's head gently and switched himself with a throw pillow. He rested Hyuck's head on the pillow and fixed his blanket for him.

Mark gave Hyuck's head a few more pats before he stood up, sighing. Just then, YangYang's door opened, and said male stepped out with a yawn.

"Oh, you're still here. Where's Hyuck?"

Mark pointed down at the couch, and YangYang walked over, leaning over the back of the couch before letting out an approving hum.

"He is never able to have a peaceful sleep when he gets sick. What miracle did you pull off?"

Mark chuckled softly, glancing down at Hyuck once more before looking back at YangYang.

"You're with the foreign program?"

"Hm?" YangYang perked up before nodding. "Yeah. I'm from Germany."

"Ooh. Cool. I'm from-"

"Canada. I know. If you think Hyuck ever doesn't talk about you, you're wrong."

Mark felt his cheeks heat up at that as he cleared his throat, looking away. "I'm going to head back now. Can you tell him I had something urgent to do?"

"Sure. You go do your thing, man. You aren't going to be the one dealing with a whiny and sick Hyuck missing his Mark."

"Dude," Mark deadpanned, and YangYang only chuckled.

"Go on. I'm only teasing. I just hope you guys get your shit together, you know?"

"Oh, I'm working on that," Mark muttered as he grabbed his phone. He hoped YangYang didn't hear it, but from the clear amusement on the other's face, he probably did.

"I'm going to go now."

"Bye, Melk."

"Don't call me that."

"Tsk. Of course. Only your man can."

"Dude."

"Bye, Melk."

-

Mark entered his aunt's house and found her on the couch, watching TV with a hot cup of coffee in her hand. Mark froze for a second. He was already packed and ready to go to the airport. His aunt knew he was leaving for Canada for just a week.

But she didn't know why he was going. If she got to know, undoubtedly she was going to kick him out as well, right?

"Mark, Matt said you guys are going to leave at six. And the three of them went out for dinner, by the way."

"Okay. I'll um… I'll just go pack a couple of more things."

His aunt smiled sweetly in response. "Sure. Tell me if you need any help."

"No, thank you."

She nodded and went back to focus on her show. Mark walked with heavy steps. He was going to miss his aunt.

She had been there when Mark was growing up. She was much younger than his mom and only twelve years older than Mark himself. So when Mark was still a toddler, she was his babysitter. At least till she turned sixteen, then she had moved away.

Losing her like this would also hurt, and Mark hadn't thought that far. He was so busy thinking only of his parents that he forgot to consider the fact that he could return to no home here.

He'd have to move back into his dorms and then somehow survive till Matt moved to Korea.

Or… in some huge fantasy land, his parents would accept him, get all his family to accept him, and everyone would be willing to learn.

… Impossible.

Mark stood by the entrance of the room that his aunt had first set up for him when he had first come to Korea. He still remembered how she had promised that he could come here in case the dorms ever got overwhelming.

Now what?

Mark sucked in a deep breath. He needed to pack everything else so he could move out as quickly as possible. That was the only way.

He moved fast and as quietly as possible. He pulled out the extra folded boxes from underneath his bed and cringed every time the tape made a huge noise as he taped the bases of the boxes together to make some volume.

He should have expected his aunt to check on him, instead he was so focused on tossing stuff into the boxes that he didn't see her standing at the entrance of the room until he turned with a handful of books in his hand.

Mark froze when their eyes met, and the books threatened to fall from his hand. His aunt's eyes were wide and confused, with a twinge of sadness in the way her eyebrows were furrowed. It was a family trait his mom's side of the family had, and so did Mark and Matt. It made it very hard to hide that emotion.

"Auntie-"

"You're just going for a week, right? Why… Why are you packing… everything?"

In the twenty minutes of work that Mark had put himself through, he had emptied almost everything about the room that made it his.

"Mark? Are you moving to Canada for good? Without telling me?"

"No… That's… No auntie… that's not it."

"Then what are you doing?"

Mark's breath shook, and his eyes burned. This wasn't how he wanted to tell her. In fact, he didn't want to tell her at all. Just the thought of his sweet aunt suddenly being disgusted with him would ruin any confidence he had to confront his parents with the truth.

"Mark? What is it, sweetie? Tell me."

Mark's vision blurred, and he swallowed thickly, putting the books back on his table, still in that messy stack, before facing his aunt again. But this time his eyes wandered, sweaty hands fisting by his sides.

"I… I can't…" Mark's voice shook, and before he knew it, his aunt had gently taken his hands, guiding him to the bed. They sat down by the edge of it, and she turned Mark towards her.

"It's fine. You can tell me anything. You know that, right?"

"I know."

"Then tell me. What's wrong? Is it college? Did you drop out or something-"

"No. No, that's crazy."

"It's not, but okay. Then what's wrong, Mark?"

"I…" Mark gripped her hands tightly, and she squeezed back reassuringly. This was his mom's sister; there was no way she would…

"Mark, calm down, please. Come on. Breathe in. And breathe out."

Mark followed along and only felt the knot in his stomach tighten. How could he get out of this? There was no way he could tell her that he liked a man. Mark's liking-

"Mark-"

"I like a boy," Mark spat out and immediately regretted it. His eyes widened along with his aunt's as he pulled his hand back from hers.

What was he thinking? The one thing he knew he shouldn't tell, he just told it out like an idiot-

"Mark."

He expected anything but his aunt grabbing his shoulders to keep him from running away. She cupped his face and made him face her again, but Mark tried to shake out of her hold.

"Mark. It's okay. Calm down. I know what you're thinking, and stop. I'm not going to throw you out."

Mark froze and breathed out in pants as he reluctantly looked at his aunt. Once their gazes finally locked again, she sighed and smiled softly. She let go of his face and then just looked up at him with a look he couldn't quite read. But he was sure it wasn't disgust or anything like that.

"It's okay… It's okay…" she muttered in whispers like a mantra. Mark's eyebrows furrowed as he watched her eyes gloss over before a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Auntie?"

The next thing he knew, his aunt was crying properly. It scared Mark because he had never seen her cry like this. Like she was in pain.

"Oh my god," she gasped through her tears, wiping her cheeks harshly before looking back at Mark through a smile. She gave him a quick hug before pulling back. She cupped his face again and smiled up at him. "Oh, I'm so proud of you."

"Wh-What?"

"Oh my god," she repeated, and she was back to crying.

"Auntie. Um… are you okay?"

"Yeah…" she chuckled through her tears.

What the fuck was happening?

The door to his room opened, and he turned to see Matt by the door.

"Mark, are you done packing-" Matt's words decreased to a whisper as he saw what was happening. "What is happening here?"

Matt closed the door behind him and crouched down on the floor next to him, placing a hand on their aunt's thigh, but she just kept crying.

Mark was genuinely scared and confused now.

"What did you tell her?"

"I told her I liked a guy and then she started crying."

Matt tensed, and Mark quickly understood what that meant.

"Matt… she said she's proud of me," Mark whispered, and now Matt was confused too.

"I am," his aunt wheezed and sniffled as she wiped her tears and sat up straighter.

"Uh… What?" Matt blinked in confusion before she looked at both of them.

"Do you both remember when I left your home in Canada?"

"When you turned sixteen? Yeah… Mom said you went to boarding school," Matt recounted.

Mark didn't remember that last part. But to be honest, at the age of four, he was more concerned with the fact that she was leaving.

"Yeah… I guess you could call it that… I… I um got caught kissing my girlfriend at that time, and your parents sent me to school for the troubled kids to cleanse me."

Mark felt his lips part in shock. He looked down at Matt, who looked equally surprised.

"Wait," Mark said, earning both their attention. "You're… You're…"

"Uh-huh. I'm into women. Which is why I'm… single. Or for your parents, I am. They think I'm fine because of their stupid methods, which were basically torture because being gay was apparently worse than committing crimes."

"So… you're not single?" Matt asked, and their aunt chuckled, wiping the remainder of her tears away.

"My best friend… she's um…"

"Oh my god," Mark gasped.

There was a long moment of silence before Matt spoke up again.

"Wait. How did we get here?"

"Right. Mark here was panic packing."

"I was just… I thought you'd kick me out if you knew… or rather, when you knew," Mark mumbled.

"Wait… Don't tell me. You're going to Canada to tell them?"

Mark glanced at her before nodding. His aunt's worry lines reappeared, and she took his hands again.

"Mark… are you sure? You know what's going to happen, right?"

"I know. Believe me when I say I can only think about how they will react whenever I'm with him. It's killing me. It's like they're looming over me like a threatening bomb waiting to blow up." Mark sighed, tightening his hold on his aunt. "I'm sure of this, Auntie. I want to be happy with him without thinking about how they will find out. I would rather they find out from me, and we get it over with."

"But Mark…" she let out a shaky breath before nodding quickly. "Okay. Fine. Be brave. But… please. Promise me. Don't let their narrow-minded ways change you. Don't get trapped like I was, okay?"

"I won't."

"Matt, watch over him," she said.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I want you back here, Mark. No matter what happens there, know that you'll always have a home here, okay? I'm here."

Mark smiled and nodded, feeling ever more confident now.

"Okay. Now, unpack all your stuff."

"Yes, ma'am," Mark echoed, and the other two laughed along.

Okay. So he only had one more thing to tackle. Unfortunately, it was the biggest problem at hand.

-

[HYUCK]

Hyuck woke up with a groan. The headache he remembered having was now a dull ache as he sat up and looked around. He was on the dorm couch, his sick blanket wrapped around him comfortingly.

Mark.

He turned around to find his least favourite throw pillow instead, and he sighed. He glanced at the clock to see that it was well into the night. Past twelve. But at least he felt much better.

"Sleeping beauty is awake."

Hyuck turned to find YangYang cooking up what smelled like ramen.

"Is that ramen?"

"Yes, sir. I made some for you, too. Was going to wake you up after I was done, though."

Hyuck hummed and stood up, discarding the blanket before he padded over to the counter, sitting on a stool.

"When did Mark leave?"

"Around six hours ago? Said he had something urgent to do."

"Ah…"

"Oh, stop pouting. We get it. You're down bad."

"Yah!"

"Don't 'yah!' me. I'm making you ramen."

Hyuck pouted for real and turned to the side, eyes landing on the jacket on the counter.

"Mark left his jacket."

"Huh? Oh, I thought that was yours."

"Three years being your roommate, and I would have thought you would have known my wardrobe by now."

"You can't fucking blame me. You have like a million jackets."

"... You're right."

Hyuck took the jacket in his hand and stared down at it for a minute.

"Don't sniff it, omega."

"Oh my god, Yang, you're disgusting. I wasn't going to sniff it. That's disgusting- Wait… Oh my god, what if he stinks?"

"Didn't you say you literally melted into his hold in Jeju and literally every time before? Even now. I don't think that's a very stinky guy trait."

Hyuck nodded, "True."

"So… when will you give it back to him?"

"Next week, when he comes. I should wash it and keep it, right? That's normal, right?"

"If you're down bad for the owner, and since you are in this case, yes. It's normal."

"I literally hate you."

YangYang gave him a bowl of steaming hot ramen and a lazy smirk like he knew better. "Such a liar, Hyuck."

"No I'm not. I despise you, actually-"

"I'll have all the ramen then, damn-"

"No. I love you. Come here, lemme give you a big, sloppy kiss."

Hyuck made grabby hands at YangYang, who scowled and threw him the middle finger before grabbing his own bowl and retiring to his room.

Hyuck laughed in victory before having a big bite of the noodles. Then he glanced back at Mark's jacket. A shiver ran down his back, and he regretted still not being wrapped in his comfort blanket.

He looked down at the jacket again before shrugging. He was going to wash it anyway. He put it on and immediately felt that familiar buzz under his skin. It was slightly bigger on him, but just as warm as Mark usually was.

Hyuck groaned and looked down at himself. "Pathetic. I'm being pathetic." He whispered to himself and shrugged the jacket off. He glared at him for a minute before sighing again.

How was he meant to wait for four months when he wanted to wrap Mark around him at all times?

Hyuck sat up again, shaking his head. He has to be patient. Mark needs time, and he had made a promise to Mark that he would wait.

He was going to keep his promise.

-

[MARK]

Their aunt dropped them off at the airport and left Mark with a hug that he could still feel now as he sat in the airplane.

Luckily, Matt was able to book a seat for him, and now he sat next to Jennifer's, while Matt and Emma sat right in front of them.

Emma was staring out of the airplane while Matt entertained her. That left Jennifer and Mark to talk to themselves.

"So… why suddenly?" she asked, and Mark turned to her while he tightened his belt.

"You were the one who told me to be bold, right?"

Jennifer beamed up at him and patted his palm. "You listen well, don't you? You'll make a good boyfriend."

Mark chuckled. He was going to be Hyuck's boyfriend. Hopefully.

Dinner was awkward. To be fair, it was awkward only for Mark, Matt, and Jennifer. Emma was the ever-so clueless kid, and Mark's parents were the happiest of them all.

"I'm so happy you guys came. But Mark, you could have waited for graduation. It's only three months away," his mom beamed at him. The fact that Mark was finishing his degree seemed to be something she was very proud of, and Mark forced a smile before he continued picking at his food.

"And Wayne can't wait to have you at his office. He's been chatting up about it since forever," Mark's dad added.

"And about the m-"

"Guys," Mark interrupted and sat up, dropping his spoon on the plate.

"Yes, Mark?"

Mark looked up to meet his mom's eyes, his heart clutching at the sight of her smiling eyes and the love she held in them for him. Then he looked into his dad's eyes, pure pride in his expression.

The next words he would utter would shatter everything.

"Mark? Are you okay? You look sick…" his mom's smile turned to worry, and Mark almost threw up with the way his stomach churned.

His fingers shook against his knee until Matt grabbed his hand under the table and squeezed it in support. Mark squeezed back, holding the tight grip as his breath shook.

"I met someone…"

"Oh! Who is she? From your college?"

Mark's eyes screwed shut, gulping uncomfortably. He sucked in a deep breath, eyes looking up to meet Jenni's eyes. She nodded at him, reassurance in her expression.

"I met a guy."

He blurted out, eyes staying on Jennifer, who turned to look at his parents. He refused to look yet. Not until…

"A friend?"

Mark's eyes snapped to his father's, only to take note of his clenched jaw. He knew, but of course, denial was the first course of acknowledging anything.

Just say it, Mark.

"No. I love him-"

"Mark!" his mom intervened, eyes widened, and looking conflicted, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"What did you… What did you say?" There was almost a sneer in his dad's voice as Mark looked back at him, annoyance creeping in with his immense sadness of finally going through with this. He had expected this, but actually seeing the pure dread on their faces was just something he couldn't describe properly.

"I said… I love him," Mark's voice shook, but he was firm with his words.

"Why would… what… What is wrong with you?" his mother exclaimed, finally putting her utensils down.

"Nothing is wrong with me-"

"This is wrong. This is so wrong. We have to fix this." Mark's dad sat up. His mom nodded, picking up her phone.

"I'm calling Pastor James-"

"Nothing is wrong! He's fine!" Matt sat up, voice raising and that had Emma cowering in her seat. Jenni got up quickly, picking up the girl and walking away, patting Mark's shoulder on the way.

"What do you mean-" his mom started, but his dad cut her off.

"You knew?"

"Of course, I knew. He's my brother. He trusts me."

"Matthew! Are you implying that he doesn't trust us?" his mom's angry voice started wavering, and Mark looked away, knowing that the waterworks were coming.

"He doesn't. I mean, why would he? Because this is how you were going to react anyway. And there is nothing wrong with him."

"He likes a boy," his dad said, as if it were poison.

"So?"

"So, that's wrong!"

"It is not-"

"Mark. Ignore Matthew. We can get this fixed. Like your aunt. She's fine now. You'll be fine too. We just need to get back to Pastor James and he'll-"

"I don't need Pastor James. And… mom… dad… I know you will not approve of this either-"

"There is nothing to approve of here. And we will fix this, Mark-"

"I!" Mark spoke over his father, and the table grew silent. Mark gulped uncomfortably before forcing himself to meet his dad's furious eyes. "I…" he started again with a softer voice. "I like a boy. And that's final. I don't need fixing, and I do not need your approval. I visited to tell you this. That's it."

He ended shakily, and he waited for something.

His dad stood up, still angry. "Fine. Then get out of my house," he seethed. "And don't come back until you've gained some sense again."

He walked out of the dining room, and they heard his bedroom door slam shut. Mark flinched a little before he screwed his eyes shut and turned to look at his mother next.

She was sitting there, still shocked, hot tears rolling down her face as she stared at Mark.

"You're seriously going to do this to us?"

"Mom… I love you both… I really do… But I can't go through whatever you will put me through only for me to feel guilty for who I am."

"This is not you," she shook her head, standing up. "Just apologise to your father. He'll understand-"

"Mom. I'm not apologising."

She spared him a glare through her wet lashes before leaving, too. Mark felt his tense shoulders sag as he leaned back in his chair, the wood letting out a familiar squeak.

Matt sat back too, turning to the younger. "I'm proud of you, Mark," he whispered.

"Thank you, Matt," he whispered back, and Matt patted his shoulder once.

"Your bag is still in the trunk, right?"

"Yeah."

"Grab whatever you want from your room. Just essentials for now. I'll take the rest when I move to Korea for good."

"Okay," Mark nodded.

"I'll get Jenni and Emma, and then we can go to my house."

Mark nodded again, and Matt patted him once more before getting up and going out of the room. Now left alone, Mark let out a deep breath before running his hand over his face.

He did it. He actually fucking did it. His chest felt hollow, and no burst of happiness made it feel like he was free. Still, the tension in his gut eased, and as he stood up, his knees felt wobbly. His eyes burned like they were threatening to tear up, but he kept them in.

He went upstairs as quietly as he could and walked quickly past his parents' bedroom, where he could hear them arguing. He was sure it was his father's frustrated rantings bouncing off his mom's thoughts of denial.

His room was the one across from Matt's old bedroom, which was empty now.

Mark opened his own door, staring at his room. There was so much here. And everything was just nostalgic for him. The things he did in this room, and the fact that he grew up here. And now he was supposed to say goodbye.

He walked in and looked around. What would he even take?

He grabbed his old schoolbag and took his copies of the Percy Jackson series that he remembered reading when he was twelve. He took his high school basketball jersey and the two diaries that he used to rant in, like the moody teenager he was.

He breathed in sharply before bending to look below his bed, where he found an old basketball. He pulled it out and stared at the fading sign of the autograph he got from one of his favourite basketball players, his dad got him to meet. He looked at it for a long moment before pushing it back below the bed.

Then a shoebox caught his eye. He remembered the one. He had stored all the little notes his mom used to put in his lunch bag. He glanced away and sat up properly. After all, his parents did love him a lot. He loved them too, and he was going to miss them immensely.

But there was no way around this. None that Mark could fathom.

He zipped up the bag after taking a few other things. Tossing it over his shoulder, he walked out and stopped in front of his parents' door. He could hear his mother's soft cries from behind it, and his heart clenched at the sounds.

He hated that this was the only way. He truly did.

He looked away from the door and forced himself to move back downstairs. It was empty and quiet.

He looked around for a moment, taking it all in before he finally walked out, where he saw his brother and his little family by his car. Matt was carrying Emma, profusely apologising to her for raising his voice while showering her in kisses. Emma giggled with each peck, just like the spoiled little girl she was.

Jenni was laughing by their side, holding so much adoration for them. Then she turned and spotted Mark by the door and extended her arms. Mark choked on the sob he had held in all this time and walked over before falling into her arms.

"You did so well, Mark."

Mark buried his head in her shoulder and felt his tears finally fall. She patted his back comfortingly before pulling back and wiping his tears for him.

"Uncle Mark," Emma called out. "Are you okay?"

Mark turned to them and found Matt smiling at him proudly and Emma with her worried frown. Mark finally chuckled and smiled genuinely before nodding.

"I'm okay."

"Let's go home? Tommy will definitely be waiting for us."

"Don't you have to pick him from Jack's house?" Jennifer asked as Matt buckled Emma on one side in the backseat.

"Yeah. We'll stop on the way. Mark, gimme that bag."

Mark handed his back to Matt, who put it in the trunk before walking around and pulling Mark into another hug. They didn't say anything else, and Mark just hugged back tighter.

"Now you can be with your lover boy-"

Mark playfully punched Matt's side, and the two separated with laughs.

"Get in the car, Mark."

"Alright. Thank you, Matt. Like… seriously…"

"Anything for you, baby bro."

"Don't call me that."

Matt chuckled and ruffled Mark's hair. "I'm not going to tell you again. Get in."

-

Four days in Canada with his dog and his brother's family was probably a good break that he took.

Now, as they sat on the porch steps, watching Emma run around with Tommy playing with her, Mark had a sense of calm wash over him.

"How are you doing?" Jenni asked while bumping shoulders with him. Mark smiled in response.

"Good."

"And? What is your plan after you go back tomorrow?" Matt questioned as he threw a ball for the two to chase. Tommy ran for it while Emma followed with giggles.

"Well… I'll go properly confess first."

"Maybe kiss," Matt raised his eyebrows suggestively, and Mark felt his cheeks heat up as he playfully shoved him away.

"Shut up, Matt."

"Ah, young love," Jennifer sighed as Mark only smiled to himself.

"When will you guys move to Korea?"

"Maybe early next year?" she guessed. "We found a couple of houses we liked."

"Will Emma be okay with the move?"

Matt sighed at that, "I was worried too. But she's young and very extroverted, so I don't think it should be a huge problem. And I don't want her risking being brought up like we were."

They grew silent at that, and they just watched Emma and Tommy for a moment before Matt sighed again. Mark turned to him and saw a teasing smirk on his face that he was terribly trying to hide. Mark narrowed his eyes at him, and Matt spoke up again.

"And I've been teaching her Korean. She's at least better than Jenni."

"I tried my best!"

Matt snorted. "Sure, you did, love."

"I did! Mark, he's just a horrible teacher."

"Oh, I know. He would never help me with my homework when I was a kid."

"Tracks."

"Hey, when did this become a Matt slander conversation?"

Jenni and Mark laughed at the elder male who huffed out a scoff.

"I hate it when you two team up against me."

"Cry about it, you big baby," Jenni teased, and Mark chuckled again.

"That reminds me… Mark. We're expecting."

"Huh? Oh, I-" Before Mark could finish that thought, he looked at Jennifer, who froze too. They shared a look before Mark let out a dramatic gasp.

"Really? No way! Congratulations, Matt!" Mark went in for a hug, but Matt stopped it with suspicious eyes.

"You knew."

"What? No way!"

"You told him, babe?"

"Me? No way!" Jennifer echoed, shaking her head seriously.

"I hate you both."

"I don't know why he's being all suspicious, Mark."

"Same here, Jenni."

"Oh, shut up."

The two were back to laughing at Matt till Tommy ran back to them, dropping the ball in Matt's hand before jumping onto Mark and instantly licking his face.

"Yes, buddy. I love you, too," Mark laughed through the love bombs. Tommy, after getting a satisfactory amount of licks, rested his head on Mark's thigh, relaxing as Mark gave him scratches.

"You'll bring him too, right?"

"Of course, we will. Don't worry."

-

[HYUCK]

MARK

Hyuck
Melk
Are you coming here this week?
Sent 19:09

Hyuck stared at his phone for a long moment. It was Friday, and Hyuck didn't see Mark anywhere today. To be fair, he should have messaged him yesterday itself. But curse the upcoming midterms that had Hyuck more occupied.

He tossed his phone aside and rolled onto his back on his bed. He stared at the ceiling for a good five minutes till his phone pinged, and he jumped up to take it. Though he plopped back onto the bed when he realised it was just Jisung.

He replied to Jisung before looking back at his chat with Mark.

Where was Mark?

He got off the bed and grabbed his jacket before heading outside. They were planning to go to the cafeteria for dinner at seven-thirty so he could walk around for a bit and get some fresh air.

He left the dorm building and immediately felt the chill air prickling against his skin. It was only August, and it didn't make any fucking sense for it to be this cold. But fuck global warming, maybe?

Hyuck sighed as he took the small path that wrapped around the building and sports centre. He didn't have a plan on where to go before, but now, with the guys almost finishing up practice, he headed towards the basketball court.

He peeked from the outside window and saw that it was empty. Guessing that everyone was in the showers, changing, he waited outside.

This is where he would assume people would smoke and contemplate all their life decisions, right? Hyuck wasn't a smoker. In fact, in their friend group, it was just Jaemin.

The door to the gym burst open, followed by the deep laughter of basketball players walking out of the gym while talking to each other.

"Hey, Hyuck!" one of them called and Hyuck waved back with a soft smile. A few others greeted him, and he echoed the same back before finally the other three came out last. Jeno locked up the gym while Jaemin and Chenle walked up to him.

"So Jeno's the new captain, huh?" Hyuck amused while Jeno joined them too, with a huff.

"I don't know how Mark hyung did it. No one listens to me."

"You gotta assert your dominance, Jen," Hyuck teased, and Jeno rolled his eyes before slinging a hand around Chenle and starting to walk towards the cafeteria.

In that moment, Hyuck caught Jaemin's eyes, following them like a sad puppy.

"Did you two fight again?"

Jaemin's head snapped towards him before he sighed. "Yeah… But it doesn't matter. We'll be fine in like two days."

"Sure?"

"Mhm," Jaemin hummed as he linked his arm with Hyuck's. "Let's go. I'm starving."

"Are you sure-"

"Hyuck. I'm fine."

Lie.

"And let's talk about something else," Jaemin pressed. "Tell me how you and Mark are doing?"

"What about us?"

"You had it… well I don't know how to describe it… You had it going in Jeju- Okay fuck it. Mark told me what happened. That tea was basically a confession, wasn't it?"

Hyuck cleared his throat and nodded lightly.

"It was so cute," Jaemin sing-songed. "If you did that to me, rest assured I would have made out with you on the rooftop."

Hyuck laughed this time. "Shame I chose the loser then."

"Shame indeed." Jaemin grinned before continuing, "Did you guys meet this week?"

"I didn't see him. Not to mention mid-"

"Midterms? Yeah. Jeno is really all about that academic comeback. You should help him."

"He's not doing that badly, though."

"I know. But I can tell he's worried about his CGPA and stuff. Help him, Hyuck."

"Okay," Hyuck nodded. "I'll form a study group or something with my roommate."

"Your roommate is in business, too?"

Hyuck hummed in response as they entered the crowded cafeteria. "He's in our class, though I haven't seen Jeno talk to him. To be fair, Jeno doesn't talk to anyone."

"He's shy."

"Believe me, I know. That time when we got partnered at the beginning of last sem, it took me so long to get him to even respond to me, man."

Jaemin chuckled. "He is cute, isn't he?"

Hyuck turned to look at Jaemin, who was already staring at Jeno.

"You know, it's crazy how we're all so gay," Hyuck said, and Jaemin turned to him, eyes slightly wide.

"Dude… I was thinking the same thing."

There was a serious silence for two seconds before the two of them started laughing. Jeno and Chenle turned to them before they shared a look of confusion.

"Idiots," Jeno muttered.

"You love them," Chenle countered.

-

On Saturday afternoon, when Mark still hadn't replied to Hyuck and with Hyuck having had enough time to actually go on with his spontaneous plan, Hyuck was on the way to Mark's aunt's house with a washed jacket in his bag.

He didn't actually know where she lived. But Renjun did, and he gave Hyuck the address.

It was close enough for Hyuck to go and come back for a break. Or not really, but Hyuck made the decisions anyway.

Maybe he could see Mark, greet his aunt, and Mark could show him around the neighbourhood. Maybe they could get ice cream after, like… like a date-

The bus came to a stop, and Hyuck cleared his throat, shaking his head to get rid of his vivid delusions. He got down and watched the bus drive away before looking both ways.

Street 7.

Hyuck walked till he found the street and started walking down it, eyes switching between the house numbers to find the one. Then he spotted it.

House No. 106.

He looked up at the small two-storied house with his heart beating so loud he could hear it in his ears.

Hyuck sucked in a deep breath to calm his racing heart before he pressed the buzzer for the house.

After a moment, he heard a woman on the speaker.

"Yes? Who is this?"

"Um… hello. I'm Lee Donghyuck, Mark's friend."

"One second, dear!"

The buzzer made a beep before the door opened, and Hyuck noticed a middle-aged woman with brown hair and a face structure very similar to that of Mark's. Guessing that this was his aunt, Hyuck bowed in greeting.

"Hello, Donghyuck. Is there anything you need?"

"Oh… um..." Hyuck rummaged through his bag before pulling out Mark's jacket, and he handed it to her. "I just came to return Mark's jacket."

"Oh, you're too sweet. You could have waited for Mark to return."

"Return?" Hyuck's smile turned to a confused one. "He has work on Saturday, too?"

"Huh? No, no. Didn't he tell you? He went to Canada."

Hyuck froze, his ears buzzing so loudly that he couldn't hear what his aunt said next.

Canada. Mark was in Canada… Did he leave-

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I need to go," Hyuck quickly interrupted. "I'll see you next time."

He bowed deeply, feeling his eyes burn as he quickly turned away.

"I- okay! Take care."

Hyuck didn't listen as he briskly walked out of there. He let his feet lead him away from the house till he stopped by the boundary wall of a house further away.

Hyuck pulled his phone out of his pocket and opened Mark's chat again. They hadn't talked much that week. The normal Hyuck sending memes and Mark responding at odd times that Hyuck chalked up to the elder being busy with work and college stuff.

But now staring at the obvious time difference in some messages, it made sense if Mark was in Canada.

He had not mentioned it even once. And he still hadn't responded to or even read Hyuck's latest messages from last night.

Hyuck was panting now, and his vision grew blurry. No… he can't cry. Not here.

Maybe Mark had an emergency. Maybe he couldn't tell Hyuck soon enough because he had to leave on a whim. This didn't mean that Mark left him, right?

-

[MARK]

Incheon was far from his aunt's place. So it took a while to get home, and after he landed, he reached her house only around six in the evening.

Mark planned that he would sleep for a bit, then maybe go see Hyuck tomorrow and tell him everything.

The door to his aunt's place swung open, and his aunt immediately crushed him in another one of her warm hugs.

"Mark. Oh my god, you're finally back. Are you okay? How are you feeling?"

"Surprisingly good, Auntie. What's wrong?"

"Nothing… just that your mother had called me a couple of days back to try and get me to tell you about my 'recovery'."

"And what did you say to her?" Mark asked while he finally entered the house and dropped his two bags by the couch before turning to his aunt.

"Well, I gave her a piece of my mind, and let me tell you, almost twenty years of suppression made me say a lot of things. Then she blamed me, saying that I made you like this, and then I told her some more things. Long story short, she's blocked me now. Which was honestly a long time coming."

"So… we're fine then, right?"

"Huh? Oh yeah. For sure."

Thunder boomed outside, and rain suddenly started pouring down against the windows of the house. The two glanced out before his aunt clapped her hands once.

"That calls for some hot coffee. It's been raining so heavily these days."

Mark nodded as he followed his aunt to the kitchen. Though he froze when he recognised a familiar jacket of his on the dining chair.

"Where was this? I've been searching for more than a week. Did you put it in the wash by mistake?"

His aunt turned and glanced at it once before fully turning to him with a soft gasp. "I completely forgot about that. A friend of yours brought it by. I think you left it with him."

"A friend?"

"Yes. He came around noon. Said his name was Donghyuck, but he left so quickly, saying he had something to do. Also, you didn't tell your friends that you went to Canada? He had no idea."

With every word she said, Mark's eyes widened more.

"No, no, no, no, no-"

"Mark?"

"I need to go to college."

"Now? Mark, it's raining heavily. You can go tomorrow- What's wrong? You're panicking again."

"Auntie, I promise I'll be fine. I just have to go now."

His aunt's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Mark turned on his phone and immediately saw the notification of Hyuck's message from a day ago that he missed by being on the flight.

He cursed under his breath as he booked a cab and looked at his aunt again.

"I promise… I'll come back and explain everything."

"Okay… Just stay there for the night, if you can. Don't come back in such heavy rain. And be careful."

"I will."

"And take the umbrella by the entrance."

"Okay!"

[HYUCK]

Hyuck stretched a little as they waited in the academic building, staring up at the pouring rain. It was already close to eight at night, and the cafeteria would close in another hour.

Jeno was listening to YangYang explain another topic to him to pass the time while Hyuck took the time to think back on yesterday.

He felt horrible inside, and he couldn't stop overthinking everything. Did he scare Mark off? Did his parents convince him that he was straight? Did something else happen? Was Mark fine?

"Jaemin just messaged me," Jeno said, and Hyuck looked up.

"If he's telling us to hurry for dinner, just tell him to stop the rain first," Hyuck commented, and YangYang chuckled in response.

"I honestly can't wait to meet your friends-"

"No…" Jeno interrupted YangYang. "He said Mark came by our room some time back, frantically looking for you after no one answered the door at your dorm."

Hyuck stood up straighter at the mention of Mark.

"Mark? But he's-"

"Ooh, is that Mark?" YangYang pointed instead, and Hyuck followed his finger to find a man quickly walking towards them with an umbrella in hand, but they were not careful about staying dry.

The closer he got, the more Hyuck could tell it was Mark. Hyuck's eyes widened when Mark almost slipped. Jeno and YangYang laughed, but Hyuck wasn't smiling. He was too shocked by the fact that Mark was even here.

The second Mark was under the cover of the building, he dropped his umbrella and reached for Hyuck, pulling him into a hug.

Jeno and YangYang said something, probably teasing them, but Hyuck could only focus on Mark's body covering his.

"Mark-" Hyuck started, but Mark interrupted him.

"I didn't leave."

"Wh-What?"

"I didn't leave. I promise… I didn't leave."

Hyuck could feel his tears building as instant relief washed over him. His hands wrapped around Mark, too. It was wet and cold, like Mark really didn't care about getting wet.

Before Hyuck could tighten the hold, Mark pulled back, hands coming up to rest on Hyuck's shoulder as he looked right into Hyuck's eyes.

"I went to tell them."

Hyuck's eyes widened again as his lips parted in shock. "Y-You-"

"I didn't want to wait for four months, and I couldn't do that to you… Hyuck… I told them…"

"What did they say?" He asked in a whisper, expecting something horrible, but Mark's gaze didn't deter.

"What I thought they would. They kicked me out."

"Wait, then your aunt-"

"She's fine. She amazing. She's also one of us. That makes us sound like some underground club," Mark chuckled after his rant, his eyes wandering.

"Mark-"

"Hyuck. It's fine. I've got my brother, my aunt… I've got the guys… I've got you. I'm fine."

"Just say it, dude," YangYang muttered from the side, and the two turned to see YangYang and Jeno watching them like it was some drama.

Hyuck was about to tell them to fuck off when Mark's palm came up to his cheek, turning his head to look at him again.

"Hyuck… I should have told you. I guess I wanted it to be a surprise. I'm sorry-"

"It's fine, Mark. You did what you had to-"

"Still. I should have told you. For you to find out from my aunt was wrong. Especially when I promised you that I wouldn't leave."

"Mark… Seriously… It's okay. But tell me next time you decide to just go to Canada."

"You were in Canada?" Jeno asked suddenly, and Hyuck told him off this time.

"Can you two fuck off?"

"Where? Into the rain?" YangYang asked.

"And miss this perfect romcom moment?" Jeno added.

"Go back into the building and study, you imbeciles."

"Hyuck," Mark called him again, and Hyuck turned back to him.

"I…" Mark started. "I love you. I really, really love you. And I'm sorry I took so long to tell you. I love you. Please… I…"

Mark's words broke off, and Hyuck didn't care. He just pushed Mark's hand off of him and wrapped his own around the elder's nape before pulling him down to press their lips together.

Mark's lips trembled against his as he kissed him back, and Hyuck smiled into the kiss. Every beat his heart took echoed in his ear, and he felt the burst of butterflies in his stomach.

He was kissing Mark. He was finally kissing Mark.

They pulled away a little, and their gazes met again, and Hyuck chuckled at the dazed look in Mark's eyes.

"You just had to make the dramatic confession like your favourite romance movies, huh?" Hyuck whispered in one breath, words mixing with Mark's deep breaths. "I love you too, Melk."

Mark finally blinked a few times before smiling widely and pressing his forehead to Hyuck's.

"Fucking finally!" YangYang cheered.

The two turned to them again, and Hyuck scowled at them, whereas Mark chuckled. His hand finally rested on Hyuck's waist, curling his fingers along the curve before leaving it there.

It had Hyuck's heart jump in happiness, and the familiar buzz only grew louder. He looked up at Mark, who had taken to answering Jeno's question about him going to Canada.

Hyuck wanted to kiss Mark again. He had waited long enough for this. The other two could talk to Mark tomorrow.

Hyuck pulled Mark towards him again and connected their lips once more, kissing him in earnest this time.

"I was talking to him," Jeno deadpanned, and Hyuck raised his hand to give him the middle finger before closing his eyes and focusing on Mark.

The buzz was so loud now that he couldn't care less if the other two were saying anything. His focus was on Mark and Mark only.

Mark kissed him back, just as desperately, hands pulling Hyuck closer to him.

Hyuck couldn't help but smile as they broke apart again to catch their breath.

"Mark…"

"Hm?"

"Thank you for coming back."

"We missed the first kiss?!" Jaemin exclaimed in genuine distress.

"And the second," YangYang added.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Chenle asked, but continued without waiting for an answer. "And you guys were into each other?"

Everyone at the table turned to Chenle as he raised his arms in defence. "I'm an oblivious fuck. I won't know unless someone spells it out for me, man."

"Well…" YangYang started. "I'm YangYang. That's spelt as Y-A-N-G, and then repeat. No space in between. Got it?"

Chenle deadpanned at the other guy as Jaemin snickered before he turned to Hyuck and Mark again.

"Y'all are so mean. Why did Jeno and 'Yang and then repeat' get to see it and not us?"

"Hey!" YangYang complained as Jaemin smirked.

Hyuck chuckled and linked his arm with Mark's, the older looking down at him with such adoration that Hyuck feared he would melt into a puddle right in between everyone having their dinner.

"You're both so cute, it's actually disgusting."

"Aw, don't be jealous, Jaem. Come here, I'll give you a kissy too," Hyuck said while sitting up, and Jaemin started leaning over till Mark interfered.

"Sit your ass back down, Na," Mark said, and Jaemin pouted.

"It's not even been an hour, Mark. Chill."

"Yeah, calm your alpha down, Mark," YangYang chimed in.

"What?" Mark frowned.

"Ignore him, Melk. YangYang just recently discovered the omegaverse."

"What is that?"

"Oh, your poor innocent soul. Do not let anyone taint it."

"He's dating you, Hyuck," Jeno pointed out, and Hyuck let out a dramatic gasp.

"I'm sorry, Jen, but that sounds like you think I'm a horny fucker."

"Are you not?"

"What does the omegaverse have to do with anyone being horny?" Mark questioned.

"Stop thinking about it, baby," Hyuck said while patting Mark's hand. But the elder froze, cheeks growing visibly red.

"God," Jaemin breathed out. "Mark… How are you ever going to get laid if a simple 'baby' has you losing your mind?"

"Shut up, Jaem," Mark muttered before clearing his throat, and he turned to look down at Hyuck again.

Hyuck only smiled sweetly at him, watching in satisfaction as Mark smiled back.

"Do you want to take it really slow?" Hyuck asked in a hushed voice. "I don't mind."

"What… Why?"

"I mean, it's your first time being with a guy, right?"

"Yeah…" Mark breathed out. "But that doesn't matter. I don't… I just want to be with you."

"You're so cute, Mark," Hyuck gushed, and Mark only got redder. Hyuck glanced at the others as they were now arguing about something completely unrelated. He was honestly just glad that YangYang was not standing out like a sore thumb, but that was still up for debate.

"I didn't ask you properly…" Mark stared, and Hyuck looked up at him again. "Will you… Um… Will you be my boyfriend?"

Hyuck smiled and reached up, placing a soft peck on Mark's cheek, feeling the skin grow warm. "Of course, I will, Melk."

"I like 'baby' better," Mark muttered before quickly sipping on his water. Hyuck smiled wider, ignoring everyone else when Mark looked down at him too, their eyes meeting for the millionth time since they first met.

"Okay, baby," Hyuck said softly.

-

1 year later,

Mark stood in front of the tall corporate building, staring at it through the clear umbrella as rain fell around him.

"Melk!"

Mark looked back to the front to see Hyuck run over with a huge smile on his face. Mark immediately felt his lips curl at the sight, his free hand extending to accept Hyuck, who came running into his hold.

They stumbled back two steps before Hyuck tightened his hold around Mark, resting his chin on Mark's chest, looking up at him with a few drops of rain seeping into his hair.

"Why would you run when you had your own umbrella? You can get sick, you know that."

"Stop nagging me and kiss me already," Hyuck said while puckering his lips. Mark chuckled and leaned down, kissing Hyuck gently before he pulled back.

"You're coming back to my dorm?"

"Mhm," Mark hummed as he took Hyuck's bag from him. "My aunt has her girlfriend over. I do not want to stay to know what's happening."

They started taking the short walk to the parking lot with their fingers intertwined.

"How was work?"

"Tiring. I need tea, food and cuddles."

"That can be arranged. I picked up food from your favourite Chinese restaurant."

"I could kiss you, Melk."

"Yes, you could."

"Tsk… Renjun's not going to stay in the dorm tonight."

"No?"

Hyuck clicked his tongue. Hyuck and Renjun had started rooming together for their last year together because YangYang decided to get a studio apartment, and Renjun was alone too, now that Mark had graduated.

"There's something weird going on between Renjun, Jeno and Jaemin. And I have no idea if I should ask."

"Between the three of them?"

"Yeah. I don't know. It's all tense and everything when the three are together. Which is weird because Jeno and Renjun are fine on their own."

Mark nodded, also very unsure about the situation. "I'll ask Jaem and Junnie when I see them next. For tonight, it's just us."

"Yes. And we're not watching more sappy romance movies."

"I never asked you to."

"Yeah, but like what other option do we have?"

"I have some things in mind," Mark muttered as they reached his car and he unlocked it. Hyuck scoffed in response.

"Such a pervert, Mark."

"You say that, and I know you will be on me the second we reach your room."

"Mm, you do know me," Hyuck said while turning to him, and he pressed a quick peck to Mark's lips before he pulled the passenger door open and sat inside.

Mark smiled to himself, placing Hyuck's bag in the back before seating himself in the driver's seat before folding the umbrella close and putting it in its holder.

He closed the door to the car and huffed out a sigh before looking at Hyuck again, the other already smiling at him. They shared another quick kiss before Mark turned the key to start the car.

"Oh my god, let me tell you about my manager again. I genuinely thought corporate horror stories were just a movie thing. Melk. When I tell you I've been an intern here for only a week and I'm already ready to commit arson-"

Mark laughed in response, pulling out of the parking lot. He had probably heard this rant twice in the past week. But he wasn't complaining. Like Mark would ever choose anything other than listening to Hyuck all day, every day.

THE END