Chapter Text
group chat of the heroes
members: BamBam, Yugyeom, Jinyoung, Jaebeom
Jinyoung: Guys, Friday night is fun night! So it's Mark Tuan movie marathon tonight! My place! \ (•◡•) /
BamBam: I'm innnnnn!
Yugyeom: Me too! (＾◇＾)
Jinyoung: Jaebeom?
Jaebeom: Why am I involved?
Jinyoung: Because you're our friend. You have to come, too!!!!
Jaebeom: oh....
Jaebeom: okay
BamBam: I told y'all, he loves us so much! (¬‿¬)
Jaebeom: sigh
Yugyeom: In Jaebeom's case, no objection is like an I LOVE Y'ALL TOO! (◕‿◕ ✿)
Jaebeom: double sigh
BamBam: means DOUBLE I LOVE Y'ALL TOO! (●＾o＾●)
Jaebeom: Scratch that, I won't come!
Jinyoung: No, you have to! If you won't come we're incomplete!!! (￣□￣;)
Jaebeom: ...fine
BamBam: He's so soft for Mary-Kate! (づ￣ ³￣)づ
Yugyeom: sister love ♥ ♥
Jaebeom: …..
BamBam: Jinyoung! Ask Mark to come, too!
Jinyoung: Uhm...that...I don't know. And I don't have his number. ( ⚆ _ ⚆ )
Yugyeom: Whyyyyy not? You're practically married and you don't have his number? WHaT is THIs mESS????? (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Jinyoung: It never really came up, so....
BamBam: Jaebeom, ask your boyfriend for Mark's number!
Jaebeom: Are you nuts? I can't randomly ask him for his famous friend's number! I want to keep that relationship going.
Jaebeom: Besides, how interested would Mark Tuan be in a Mark Tuan movie marathon anyway?
BamBam: Maybe not so much. But I'm sure he would be interested in cuddling up with Jinyoung A LOTTTTT! (¬‿¬)
Yugyeom: After all he felt him up pretty good already! (¬‿¬)
Jinyoung: OMG STOP (°ロ°)
BamBam: Just sayin (¬‿¬)
Yugyeom: Facts only (¬‿¬)
(*^▽^*)
Saturday, early afternoon, and Mark feels very tired but also very restless. He paces across his apartment to fix the last details when he hears the doorbell ringing. He sprints to open the dorr as quickly as possible. Mark presses the button to let the visitor in, down at the main entrance, and after a couple more minutes of waiting he lays eyes on Jinyoung. The other climbs up the last couple of steps. A bright and beautiful smile spreads across his face when he spots Mark in the door frame.
“Hi,” he gasps out, trying to catch his breath.
“Hello, did you find the place okay?”
“Yes, your description was accurate. And here's a little present for the host.” Jinyoung shoves a small package into Mark's hands. “Don't look so surprised. And don't expect much, it's only chocolate. I know, it's lame. But it's a different kind for a change.”
Mark is already amazed. He thinks it is very thoughtful of Jinyoung to bring a gift. “It's not lame. Thank you.”
“You're welcome,” the intern says while he enters the apartment. Mark walks behind him. Jinyoung looks amazing today. In Mark's opinion he always looks good of course but today it's even outstandingly good. His skinny jeans are so tight, Mark has a hard time tearing his eyes away from the inviting curve of the other's butt as he walks behind him. Furthermore he wears a pink, soft looking hoodie. He looks very huggable.
Jinyoung silently looks around, taking in the bright and spacious living room. Then he spots Mark's giant bookcase which is filled up with all kinds of manga series. With a loud “Woooooooow” he's charging towards it and lets his eyes slide over the various volumes.
“This is amazing. Mark, this is heaven. I can't believe this,” Jinyoung exclaims in awe.
Mark chuckles and steps beside his visitor, in front of the huge collection. “You know, mainly people react the complete other way around when they see my place for the first time. They are gushing about the size and the luxury of the apartment but when they see my manga collection, they get all flustered and are like 'Uuuhh...isn't that a little weird?' And with you it is the entire opposite.” He turns his head to make sure Jinyoung catches his smile.
“What can I say, I'm different,” Jinyoung says with a small shrug.
“In a good way,” Mark manages to say before a yawn escapes his lips.
“I already thought that you look tired. Are you alright?” he asks with a hint of worry in his voice.
“You're right, I am really tired. My friend and I went clubbing yesterday.”
“I thought you said you're not the type for that?” Jinyoung wonders.
“True, and that's the reason why it was sheer horror for me last night. The music was so loud that a normal conversation wasn't possible. So I got yelled at by people the whole night. It was so dark that I barely could see their faces. People randomly grinded on me, I WASN'T EVEN DANCING, JINYOUNG, AND THEY RUBBED THEMSELVES ON ME.”
Jinyoung erupts into a fit of cute giggles at Mark's dramatic statement.
“And I found tons of phone numbers in my pockets, god knows how they ended up there, from people I have no idea who they are. Everyone tried to take selfies with me, they didn't even ask. Damn rude! But it seemed impossible anyway because of this tomb-like lighting in there. At one point I was merely on my way to the rest room when someone pulled me into a corner and sucked on my neck. JUST LIKE THAT, STARTED TO SUCK ON MY FREAKING NECK, JINYOUNG! The corner was so dark I couldn't even see if it was a girl, a guy, or a human at all. Could have been a damn vampire for all I know. Honestly, this place was a fucking hellhole!”
“A hellhole, also called club. Usually people consider these kind of things to be fun,” Jinyoung says while he still tries to catch his breath from laughing so much.
“I can't relate. Do you consider this fun?”
“No.”
“Then I am glad you're another unusual person, just like me,” the actor concludes with a smirk. “My most frequent thought last night was 'What am I doing here?' followed by my second most frequent thought 'I wanna go home!' Tough initially I thought that I want to go to Mangamoon but I knew there would be nobody there, you wouldn't be there, so there was no use. Eventually I changed it to 'I wanna go home!'” Mark finishes his statement with a little shrug. He notices how Jinyoung is blinking at him. He looks astounded, his star-filled eyes as wide as the universe.
Mark considers for a moment if he said something wrong. But the other boy doesn't seem offended so he shrugs it off.
“Jinyoung, I have a surprise for you.” Mark pulls a manga out of his backpack and presents it to the other. “The new volume of 'From Dots to Dots'.”
“What? How did you get that? The release date is next week,” Jinyoung exclaims.
“Jen gave it to me early. The perk of being the company owner's brother,” he says with a cheeky grin. “I already read it so feel free.”
“What, now?”
“Why not? Would you mind if I'd take a quick nap in the meantime?”
“No but...wouldn't it be better for me to leave?”
“NO! No, don't leave! I want you to stay. I was looking forward to your visit and I'm so sorry I'm such a zombie today. But please stay. I will feel better after a short nap.”
“Okay, if you say so?” Jinyoung agrees shyly.
“Would you mind reading it out loud?”
“Huh? Why?”
“I think it would be nice hearing you read while dozing off. You have such a nice speaking voice.”
“Oh..uhm..really? No, I wouldn't mind.” Jinyoung's sheepish behavior is one of the most adorable things Mark has ever witnessed. It was just a silly thought which flashed through his mind but now he's glad that he had the guts to actually propose the idea to Jinyoung.
“Okay, great.”
Mark steers Jinyoung to the extra broad sofa and lies down, pulling the other down next to him just a second later. Jinyoung seems too perplexed to react. Mark snakes his arm around Jinyoung's shoulder and places the boy's head on his chest. Jinyoung shyly glances up. But when Mark looks down to meet his eyes, he quickly fixes his gaze on the book in his hands.
“Are you comfortable, Jinyoung?” Mark asks, softly smiling down at him.
“Y-Yeah.”
“Good, me too. Start when you're ready.” He lays his head down and closes his eyes.
And Jinyoung starts reading. At first his voice seems a bit unsettled, words coming out unusually clumsy. But soon he manages to steady himself and the words are falling from his lips like rich drops of honey.
Mark quickly feels the drowsiness defeating him. His body is nicely aware of Jinyoung's warmth and his mind is in a blissful, fuzzy place. A part of him wishes to not glide into sleep so quickly, he wants to enjoy his current state for longer. But he soon has to give up, admitting that he's just too tired.
When he wakes from his nap he feels rested and content. The warmth against him is still there but the voice isn't audible anymore. He slowly opens his eyes and lifts his head carefully to look down. Mark finds Jinyoung sleeping. He's laying on his side, head still on his chest and his body fully snuggled against Mark's.
Mark pulls away a little to get a better look at the face of the dormant boy. The actor is amazed but also happy. Jinyoung looks gorgeous while sleeping. He looks gorgeous awake as well. But this is a whole new level. The peace which his unmoving figure radiates has such a calming effect on Mark. He can't tear his gaze away from the still face. Eventually his eyes land on the slight pout which Jinyoung's lips are forming. It's so cute, Mark wants to scream.
He slowly raises his free arm and stretches out his index finger. He gently pokes the other's bottom lip. It's warm and soft and probably sweet. He tries again, now swiping his finger gently over the pout to feel the softness more intensively. It's a thrilling feeling, it completely contrasts with the calmness of the situation. He detaches his finger again and tentatively licks on it. To his surprise it really is sweet, the faint taste of chocolate is playing on his tongue. He wants to try that again. But when he touches Jinyoung's upper lip now, the other boy stirs in his sleep. Mark pulls his hand away just before the pretty, sparkling eyes open again.
(*^▽^*)
“JACKSON, I THINK I WAS A FOOL,” Mark yells into his phone when he calls his best friend in the evening.
“Finally we can agree on something. But please tell me, what exactly are you referring to?” The cheeky answer doesn't offend Mark. He's way too immersed in his feelings.
“Jinyoung, he's amazing.”
“Okay, wait. What is going on here? Your date went that well?”
“Jackson, I just realized it today.”
“You didn't snap at me for calling it a date. Mark, what the heck? Do you admit that you like him?”
“I touched his lips!”
“Excuse me, you did WHAT?”
“Don't worry, it was while he was asleep.”
“YOU DID WHAAAAAT?????”
“What? I don't think he noticed...most probably,” Mark mumbles, feeling a little guilty.
“WHAT THE HECK?” Jackson shouts through the line. “Are you out of your mind? This is sexual harassment AGAIN, Mark Tuan!”
“What? I told you, he was asleep.”
“THAT ONLY MAKES IT WORSE!”
“Oh....”
“I really don't get you anymore,” the stylist sighs exasperated. “But lets go back to the beginning. You have feelings for Jinyoung, don't you?”
“I...don't know?”
“Mark, you almost confessed it just a minute ago,” Jackson grumbles.
“Yes, maybe...no, I think yes, I have. But there's also Jiwon, my Cinderella. And I have feelings for her, too. How is that possible? I can't have feelings for both. But still...Jinyoung is......my Cinderello.”
“That's super cheesy but kind of cute and I completely let it slide because I am so happy that you finally realized that you have at least some kind of romantic intentions towards him. So who do you like more? Jinyoung or Jiwon?”
“If I could say that, I wouldn't have the problem I'm currently battling with, idiot!”
“Alright, Jiwon is Disney and Jinyoung is manga. Who do you like more?”
“That's so unfair, you know I love manga.”
“Did you just say you love Jinyoung?” Mark can see the mental image of his friend's cheeky grin in front of him.
“Not helpful, Jackson.”
“But honestly now, you love manga so much but where does this obsession with this Disney-like meeting with Jiwon come from? Just get the fuck over it and embrace what, or better who, you love!”
“Too much pressure....not helpful again!”
“Then let me be helpful. Jinyoung is nice plus you already know that his ass feels great plus he's talking. Choose him!”
Mark heaves a deep sigh before he slowly starts to speak. “But Jiwon says alone with her cute facial expressions more than 1000 words. But Jinyoung says 1000 words per minute and every single one of them is precious and witty. And his velvety voice is so thrilling. He's so funny, too. I swear, I have such a good time talking with him. It's like he understands my thoughts and feelings just from looking at me and.......”
“And?”
“....”
“Mark? You're still there?”
“....”
“Mark?”
“And oh my god....I am in love with Jinyoung!”
“Fucking finally!” Jackson breaths out in relief. He starts to happily slap his hand to his arm to create a clapping sound while his other hand holds the phone. “I am so proud of you, my little bunny.”
“I can't believe this....I AM IN LOVE WITH A GUY!”
“Hey, you won't get all unsure and scared now, right?” the stylist questions carefully. “I mean, it happens to people in these situations but not to you, right?”
“What the heck are you even talking about?”
“About you sounding like you're having the twentieth meltdown within 10 minutes and this time it's about being in love with a guy and I don't want you to suddenly turn all homophobic.”
“Are you nuts? I am freaking out because I have feelings for a guy whose ass I already groped experimentally and who probably thinks I am a strange pervert-weirdo!”
“He wouldn't visit a strange pervert-weirdo's home though. I'm pretty sure of that. Don't worry too much. Things like that happen.”
“Who the hell does things like that happen to? I don't know anybody.”
“See how unique you are? You lucky bastard,” Jackson cheers.
“You're not making any sense. Are you even trying to help me?”
“Well, I'm trying to cheer you up.”
“Try some more then.”
“Ugh...so demanding! Okay, listen! From all the things you told me, it looks like he could like you, too.”
“You think so?” Mark asks feebly.
“I sincerely do.”
“Thank you, Jackson. That did help a little actually.”
“Good! And tomorrow we will make a plan how you win him over.”
“Alright..........I think I really want to kiss him.”
“Calm down, okay? This is something you shouldn't just do without any explanation. I'm afraid your highly spontaneous physical acts will really scare him off some day. So keep yourself in check for now, yes?”
“I try.”
(*^▽^*)
Jinyoung is a little tired. He had to get out of bed way too early this morning to go to the studio and let Jaebeom once again work his magic on his appearance. After all, the commercial shooting for the energy drink is scheduled for today. And hopefully this would be marking the end of his and his sister’s work relationship.
But nothing could really shake him up today. Not after yesterday. The time he spent at Mark’s apartment together with the actor still feels like a dream. Every time he thinks about how close they were, how the other’s touches and body warmth felt on him or how cute the actor looked when he yawned, his heart goes into overdrive all over again. He feels silly and giggly but in the best way ever.
So he started the day with the best mood possible, chatted happily with his three friends and let them in on the latest events. When Sohee eventually arrived, she insisted on having to go easy on her voice for it to be best for the shoot later. Nobody was sad about it, a silent Sohee was way better than the usual Sohee.
The shoot was as non-demanding as the audition. Jinyoung just had to stand in the setting in his elfin dress and smile, occasionally move a bit, and wait for his sister to get her lines right. And then everything was over already. Jaebeom was quick to free Jinyoung from his loads of makeup afterwards.
Back to his boy-self Jinyoung came back from the rest room and is about to enter their dressing room again when a blonde guy with a big, radiating smile approaches him.
“Hey, excuse me. I’m looking for Lim Jaebeom. Do you know him by any chance?”
“You lucked out. He’s a friend of mine. And this is the dressing room he’s working in today. So just follow me,” Jinyoung answers with a smile.
“That’s great. Thank you.”
They enter the room and Jinyoung takes a quick look around just to find everybody else but Jaebeom. “Well, seems like he’s out at the moment,” Jinyoung states a little confused.
“Who? Jaebeom?” BamBam butts in. “He went to return the dresses to the commercial staff.”
“Oh, okay. He’s probably back in a bit. Just wait here, if you like.”
“Who is this?” Yugyeom happily asks when he looks up from his phone.
“He's here to see Jaebeom.”
“Hey, my name is Jackson,” the visitor says with his still beaming smile. “Nice to meet you.”
BamBam decides to lead the introduction. “Hey man, I’m BamBam, this is Yugyeom, uhm…this….girl is Sohee,” the boy hesitates, trying to hide his dismissive attitude towards her. “And this is-“
“I never thought I would meet you in real life, woooow, Park Sohee, amazing!” the blonde pipes up as he faces Sohee.
“You know me?” she asks doubtfully.
“Of course, well I know Jaebeom works for your family but I also know you because of your acting. I really liked the last drama you were in.”
“Well, thank you,” she responds with the brightest artificial smile ever.
“And holy shit, this cucumber face mask from your commercial once almost burned my face off. That was adventurous,” he states, still enthusiastic.
Sohee’s artificial smile turns very quick into an expression of pure distaste.
“Okay, as I was about to say,” BamBam quickly interrupts and steers the other away from the annoyed girl, “this is her brother, Jinyoung.” In this moment Jaebeom enters the room behind BamBam and the visitor, assesses the situation and wildly starts to form an X with his arms repeatedly, his expression more alarmed than Jinyoung ever saw it before. But his attention snaps back to Jackson in front of him when the blonde comes closer and suspiciously scans his face.
“Yes, I know,” he suddenly calls out, loud and excited. “I thought you looked familiar. You’re the Park Jinyoung, like in the Jinyoung from Mangamoon, right?”
Jinyoung is more than confused now. “Yes, I’m an intern there. How do you know?”
“Mark, he told me about you. I’m Jackson, his stylist and best friend and Jaebeom’s boyfriend. I’m thrilled to meet you,” Jackson cheers.
“Oh….” Jinyoung needs a moment to process the flood of information.
Jaebeom steps next to his boyfriend to snatch his attention. “Hey babe.” He presses his lips to the blonde’s temple and then smiles down at him.
“Hey, there you are. I was looking for you. And I took advantage of the opportunity to meet your friends,” he beams up.
“Yeah, yeah great but-“
“I didn’t know you are friends with Jinyoung. Do you know that Mark is his friend, too?”
“Uhm, yeah. We really should-“
“And to think that he’s the brother of the famous Park Sohee! The world is so small. I just learned about her sister the other day, and now it turns out she has …..a brother….as well...” His voice trails off and his cheery expression slowly fades, replaced by puzzlement.
Jaebeom shoots Jinyoung a panicked look. Behind him, Jinyoung hears somebody gasp, probably Yugyeom, and the sound of Sohee’s spiteful snicker travels through the room. Jinyoung realizes how he holds his breath while realization dawns on Jackson’s face.
“I…uhm…I need to go.”
“Jackson, wait.” Jaebeom tries to stop the other. “Babe?“
But Jackson is already half out of the room, when he calls out, “Sorry, I call you later. Was nice to meet y’all. Let’s go eat together some time soon.”
“And off he goes…” BamBam is the first to find some words after several long seconds of silence.
“What just happened?!” Yugyeom asks incredulously into the ominous void.
“Fuck!” Jaebeom simply states.
Jinyoung finds his voice again, too. “Did he just make the connection-”
“Yeah, he did.”
“So he does assume that-”
“Yep, most probably.”
“So now he's running....to tell-”
“Oh yes, most definitely.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah, fuck.
“Fuck.”
“Look, who's screwed now? How entertaining.”
“Shut up, cucumber witch,” BamBam snaps.
(*^▽^*)
Mark calmed down a little since last night. He pondered over his feelings for some hours more but always came up with the same conclusion: He really likes Jinyoung very much and he wants him to like him back. Now that he's sure of this fact, it got easier to breathe.
He even is able to converse like a normal person again. He's in a meeting room at his company and just finished some schedule discussions with Youngjae. His manager is tapping away on his laptop while Mark gathers his stuff.
Mark's new found peace of mind lasts until Jackson bursts through the door, dramatically gasping and wheezing.
“MARK, THEY ARE SIBLINGS!”
“What? Who? And why are you so out of breath?”
“I ran. I just met Jinyoung and-”
“My Jinyoung?”
“The one and only. And I learned that he's a friend of Jaebeom and-”
“Your Jaebeom?”
“Fucking yes! And I also learned that Jinyoung is the brother of Park Sohee.”
“That doesn't make any sense...why would he-”
“He is, Mark. No doubt possible.”
“But that would mean that....no!”
“Mark!”
“NO! FUCKING NO! YOU AREN'T TELLING ME THAT JINYOUNG AND JIWON ARE SIBLINGS!” bursts out the actor.
“I'm afraid so.”
All his vital energy leaves Mark's body in a second. He opens and closes his mouth but nothing comes out because there is just nothing to say. What is he supposed to say to his misfortune?!
“Mark, you're very pale right now. Maybe you should lie down,” Jackson suggests while he slowly steps closer to his friend, taking a chair beside him and encouragingly squeezes his shoulder. Mark only manages to slowly shake his head no.
“It can't be true.”
“It is tru-”
“Oh my god, you think they are twins? Oh no...there is this resemblance. They look a bit similar and I didn't notice. I DIDN'T NOTICE, JACKSON! WHAT AM I GONNA DO?”
“Uhm....I...I don't know. I mean they could be twins-”
“Noooooo no no no, I can't be in love with siblings, let alone twins! I can't. It can't happen!”
“The good thing is, your life is really like a manga now,” Jackson weakly jokes.
“Search online if ever somebody else was in love with a female and then a male twin!”
“What for?”
“I DON'T KNOW WHAT FOR! I'M HAVING A PANIC ATTACK! DON'T ASK HARD QUESTIONS!”
“Calm down, Mark. Come on.”
“I AM THE WORST! I AM SCUM! I AM UNLOYAL DIRT ON THE BOTTOM OF SOCIETY!”
“This is not calming down. And you go a bit overboard here.”
“MY PARENTS DIDN'T RAISE ME TO BE THAT KIND OF HUMAN!”
“Now you went so far overboard, you're already drowning,” Jackson comments dryly.
“Oh no, you think they talk about me? Oh no oh no oh no, what if Jiwon told him I sent her gifts and wanted to take her to dinner and Jinyoung told her I groped his butt? ….AND HIS LIPS!”
“What? You said he didn't notice you touching his lips!”
“I don't know, okay? He might have noticed. But he didn't say anything so I just tried to divert his attention to food. It worked. So I thought...maybe he didn't notice. But who am I kidding, he probably did.....OH MY GOD HE THINKS I'M A STRANGE PERVERT-WEIRDO!”
“Mark, you really need to stop panicking!”
“HOW CAN I STOP!?! HE THINKS I AM A STRANGE PERVERT-WEIRDO! AND HE THINKS THIS PERVERT-WEIRDO IS AFTER HIM AND AFTER HIS SISTER!”
“It would actually help if you'd stop panicking when I'm asking you to.”
“THIS IS A DISASTER AND YOUR DUMB INSTRUCTIONS DON'T HELP! HELP ME JACKSON, HELP MEEEEE!”
“I TRY! JUST STOP FUCKING YELLING AT ME!” Jackson shouts right in his face.
Surprisingly this outburst calms Mark down a little. He deeply breathes in and out for a minute before he continues to speak, feeling a bit more sane.
“Jackson, what am I gonna do? What if he knows I was flirting with his silent twin sister since before I even met him? And then I started to develop feelings for him and even...touched him. This makes me look like a freaking player and he probably hates me by now and...that's just not the human I am. Jackson, I am not like that.”
“I know, Mark. I know you're a good boy, a nice boy. And Jinyoung knows that, too. I'm sure of it. Besides, I don't think they know of each other's …...experiences with you. If so, they would have started chatting about you already some time ago. And since both are still talking to you, it can't be that bad.”
“Actually Jiwon didn't ever talk to me.”
“Yeah right...I forgot. But she didn't punch you in the face last time you met. That has to count for something.”
“Ugh. And Jinyoung told me that his sister is a dragon and makes life hard for him. You think he talked about Jiwon there?”
“Nah, probably the other sister. Actually scratch that. I'm pretty sure it's the cucumber sister. She gave me chills just now.”
For the first time, since the commotion began, Youngjae speaks up. “Why do I hang out with idiots?!” he asks no one in particular while he rolls his eyes.
“What's that supposed to mean?” Jackson questions surprised.
“We are discussing a major problem here, Youngjae,” Mark grumbles at his manager.
“The life of the young protagonist just got very complicated and the audience is thrilled to-”
“Jackson, shut the hell up with that! Youngjae? You want to share your opinion about my disastrous crises?”
Youngjae sighs and shuts his laptop before he faces Mark. “What I mean is, that it's quite obvious that....uhm...you know what? It doesn't matter. You'll figure it out by yourself sooner or later.”
“What are you talking about? What is that supposed to mean? Do you know anything? That's so unfair!” the actor complains in a whiny voice.
Youngjae stands up and saunters towards the door. “But if it's you...it's probably later. Okay, I'm going to check in with the marketing team now. You know the rule, at least one of our little trio has to work to keep this thing going.”
“What? We're working, too. We're discussing this difficult matter,” Jackson huffs.
“Yes, yes, I know. Please continue, I'm sure the results will be awesome,” Youngjae comments dryly.
Mark turns to Jackson, confusion evident on his face. “He's making fun of us. Hey, Youngjae, are you making fun of us? What's going on?”
His manager stops before leaving the room. He turns towards his two friends and sighs again before he speaks. “Do you know when sometimes two people meet and they become best friends immediately? And these two people complement each other so well that all the people around them look at them and say things like 'Oh, they are so smart and suave together. They are so strong and can solve every problem with combined power. They're just the best tag team, I think they could seize the world together because these two can outsmart everyone.' Do you know what I am talking about?”
Both boys shortly glance at each other with a small smile on their lips and turn their anticipating gazes back to their friend. They're nodding enthusiastically to answer his question.
“Well, however I look at it, with the two of you it's the exact opposite. Bye.” And with these last words he's exiting the room, leaving both boys dumbfounded.
After a couple of seconds Jackson is the first to find his voice again. “I think he's jealous. We're pretty close and he feels left out sometimes. We should have sympathy for him.”
“Y-yeah, you're probably right.....I guess.”
(*^▽^*)
group chat of the heroes
members: BamBam, Yugyeom, Jinyoung, Jaebeom
Jinyoung: I sat at work the whole day, anxiously waiting for him to walk in and confront me about Jiwon. But he didn't show up. His sister said something came up and he can't drop by. It sounded fishy though. And now I'm anxiously sitting at home, thinking about why he didn't walk in to confront me about Jiwon. Ugh (ಥ﹏ಥ)
BamBam: Something came up...yeah, that really could be an excuse (；一_一)
Yugyeom: But you didn't do anything to him! I mean sure, you lied to him the whole time about leading a double life. But he doesn't know that so he's the one who acts weird!!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Jinyoung: Is that supposed to calm me down???? ㅍㅅㅍ
Jaebeom: But the question is, why would he avoid you now just because he thinks Jiwon is your sister? It’s weird, right?
Jinyoung: I really don’t know. (>_<) But....I acted as if I don't know anything about this commercial shooting of him and Jiwon. But when you think about it, it's weird, right? Me not knowing what my own sister is up to. So maybe he plainly thinks I am a disgusting liar. (ToT) And he doesn't want to hang out with disgusting liars because he's the gorgeous, sweet and innocent Mark Tuan and I am just me, a liar. Meh
Jaebeom: What if he really likes you? All the touching and cuddling and complimenting has to mean something. And you and Jiwon (who he flirted with as well) being siblings might freak him out. Harboring feelings for two siblings isn't your every day problem after all.
Jinyoung: I don’t think he’s aware of how his actions could be perceived by me, all the touching and sweet talk, it's just what he does naturally. He’s just that naive. He doesn't like me that way....
BamBam: OH COME ON! HE TOUCHED YOUR LIPS REPEATEDLY WHILE YOU WERE supposedly ASLEEP!!!! Who does that just for the heck of it? He just can’t be that clueless!!!! ಠoಠ
Jinyoung: Well….
Yugyeom: I think he’s into you! And like Jaebeom said, maybe now he’s freaking out about it. He obviously had a thing for your girl-self, too. So he's probably cOnFUSeD af!
Jinyoung: He HAS a thing for my girl-self! (T_T)
Jaebeom: You don’t know if it’s still the case.
Jinyoung: I DO KNOW. You should have seen him, every time he’s in front of Jiwon he gets all flustered and self-conscious. PLUS he wanted to go out with her so…. (ಥ﹏ಥ) But I will end this charade tomorrow. After the shoot I will tell him everything. I just can't keep on lying to him like this...even though it might be the end of everything.....
Yugyeom: Oh boy (￣□￣;)
BamBam: For real? o_O
Jaebeom: Are you going to tell him that you like him?
Jinyoung: I don’t know yet. Depends on how he’ll react to the Jiwon-part. (>_<) Telling him that I have feelings for him might not be the best idea after he beats me up for deceiving him. (;_:)
Yugyeom: Good luck then. ✿ Call us afterwards!
Jinyoung: We probably have to go out to drink tomorrow…
(*^▽^*)
Tuesday – the day of the commercial shoot. Jinyoung asked Jen to get the day off for a family thing (technically not even a lie, if he considers that it was his parents' request for him to do this) and kind as she is, she granted his wish. Yugyeom and BamBam sadly couldn’t make it today, meaning his moral support is weakened. As if he isn’t anxious enough already. When he steps into his designated dressing room Jaebeom is already preparing things. He looks up with wide eyes, full of pity.
“Hey, are you ready for….today?”
“As ready as I can be, and that’s not so much. I’m nervous and worried and anxious because I’m pretty sure that Mark will hate me from today on. And if he hates me, I will be devastated and hurt because I won’t just lose my crush but also my friend,” Jinyoung finishes with a long sigh while he rubs his palms over his face.
“Okaaaay, I know there’s a lot going on for you. But nothing gets better from you being stressed out even before everything starts. And you don’t know if the outcome will meet your predictions. So try to chill a bit, even if it seems impossible now.”
“Alright,” Jinyoung mutters listlessly.
“So for today’s shoot, there’s something I need to tell you,” Jaebeom starts, his expression unusually troubled. He turns to retrieve a dress form the clothes rail. “This will be your outfit for today.”
“It’s a dress. So? You act like you never shoved me into a dress before.”
“Jinyoung, the crucial difference to the fairy dress is the length. This is knee-length.”
“Yeah, okay, it’s going to be a little awkward but-“
“No Jinyoung, what I mean is-”
“Honestly, wearing a dress doesn't disturb me so much anymo-”
“You have to shave your legs!”
“WHAT?”
“What do you expect? Should I prettily braid your leg hair?”
“I…I don’t know…and I don’t care. I won’t do it!” he says firmly and crosses his arms in front of his chest.
“Of all times you choose now to be stubborn? Really?” the stylist asks incredulously.
“Yes!”
“Jinyoung, come on!”
“No way!”
“You can't go out there, looking like that! Besides, you said we're friends now, right? Friends can ask their friends to shave their legs, right?” Jaebeom's expression softens and his voice is suddenly mellow.
“What kind of reasoning is this?” Jinyoung asks bewildered.
“Friends would do that for friends. Just saying.”
“What a joke! Are you trying to emotionally bully me into it?”
“Just freaking do it or I do it for you!” Jaebeom suddenly grumbles.
“There's a fine line between being friends and being weird, Jaebeom.”
“Jinyoung, I swear I-”
“Alright alright, calm down!” Jinyoung sighs, a clear sign of surrender. “Fine, I'll do it. Whatever. It doesn't matter anyway. As if this could make this day any better or worse.” He steps forwards to pick up the necessary utensils for his new mission, which Jaebeom had already prepared. After all there's no need to make Jaebeom's life any harder, Jinyoung reasons.
Jaebeom is obviously relieved by Jinyoung's willingness to cooperate. Though he can't help but pipe up again before Jinyoung is out of the door. “And later on, can you maybe try extra hard to charm the people with your face so they won’t notice your freaking Hulk-calves?” he asks with a cheeky grin.
“Just fuck off, jealous jerk,” Jinyoung comments dryly and Jaebeom almost chokes from laughing.
(*^▽^*)
When Jinyoung is ready to step into the spacious studio for the filming, he's as pretty as ever. Jaebeom turned him into a true beauty once again. The makeup is fresh and perfect and with his white summer dress and his pale green hair ribbon, which is artistically woven into his blonde mane, he looks like the epitome of a refreshing breeze during a sunny day.
The studio is bustling with people. A lot of staff is working on the set, the director shouts instructions and the lighting and filming crew is preparing their equipment. Everyone is busy. Suddenly a brisk girl is approaching him and immediately starts talking about the shoot. Apparently she's the director's assistant. She steers him towards the middle of the room and while she's still chattering, Jinyoung spots Mark. He looks gorgeous in this white suit and the pale green shirt, which is matching with Jinyoung's hair band. The dance instructor seems to have the time of his life, chewing Mark's ear off. The actor only nods automatically to the other's words.
The assistant girl pushes Jinyoung towards them, leaving him there with the vague advice to prepare. Mark looks up and locks eyes with him, or better with Jiwon. His eyes, his dazzling, brown eyes, Jinyoung missed them so much.
“H-Hey Jiwon,” he stammers, interrupting the instructor's monologue. “H-How are you today? Are you good?”
Jinyoung gives his best to nod and smile with much enthusiasm, trying to act as clueless as possible. Mark seems to buy it and his body relaxes noticeably. His beautiful, sweet smile stretches across his face, even though it's not reaching his eyes. Jinyoung would give everything to know what goes on in the actor's head right now. But he has to live on without that precious information, they're already maneuvered to their spots to film the first take for the commercial. In a hurry, the director calls out instructions to them and then the music starts.
The next couple of hours go by like that. There isn't even time for any private interaction between him and Mark. They get pushed from one setting to another, filming take after take and repeating every single take several times.
By the time the director calls out the much anticipated words “It's a wrap!”, Jinyoung is exhausted. Mark looks as beautiful as ever but little things in his behavior are revealing to Jinyoung that the actor is beat-up as well.
They are kind of awkwardly standing next to each other while all the staff is already busy cleaning up around them. Finally Mark decides to speak up. “Hey Jiwon, would you come with me to talk in private for a minute?” He acts fidgety and restless. Jinyoung swallows. He's well aware that the time has come. Whatever Mark has to say to him, Jinyoung has to come clean now. He continues his act of nodding and smiling wide with closed lips.
For a second it looks like Mark wants to reach out to grab his wrist but he eventually changes his mind and mumbles a quiet “Please follow me.” Inwardly Jinyoung snorts. The guy who shamelessly felt him up hasn't got the guts to take a girl's hand. He's probably shyer when he likes someone, Jinyoung thinks. He also thinks that he's really screwed now.
Mark leads him up to the rooftop terrace. The sun is shining so in Jinyoung's opinion there's at least something nice about the day.
Abruptly Mark turns around to face him. He starts to speak without letting another second go by.
“Jiwon, thank you for coming with me. I really have to talk to you,” he starts off intently. “Look, when we met for the first time, back in the storage room, for me it was something special. It was like destiny, like a divine providence, like a Disney moment happening in real life. You sat there, looking like the prettiest of all the princesses, reading manga and eating chocolates. And I thought that 'Wow, we're meant for each other. No doubt!' So I don't know if you noticed but I actually tried to flirt with you.” Now Mark is blushing adorably. Even though Jinyoung slowly and agonizingly dies inside due to the confession of his crush to his non-existent girl-self, the beautiful pink cheeks in front of him are still making his heart race. “Jiwon, I thought I'd really like you. I thought we would be an awesome couple. But then something happened, something I never would have expected. I met your brother. You probably know that he's an intern at Mangamoon. That's my sister's company and I spend much time there. I got to know Jinyoung really well over the past two weeks and....I don't know, if he ever talked about me. I.....I think he's a really great person, a very special person and....uhm...,” he stammers.
His eyes are shifting from Jinyoung's face to the ground again and again. He's obviously unsure of how to continue. But Jinyoung wants to know. Jinyoung has to know now! He must know what the other has to say about his boy-self. He's surprised Mark talks about him at all. He assumed it would end after he would have confessed to Jiwon. But no, there is more. And Mark has to finally get himself together and say it. For a moment Jinyoung grabs his arm and squeezes it gently. When the actor's gaze locks with his, Jinyoung tries once again to brightly smile away his uneasiness. Jinyoung thinks he now understands his mother's concept of living a little better.
It seems to work. Mark smiles back and straightens up a bit. “So what I wanted to say.....I'm sorry, Jiwon. I never wanted to lead you on in any way. But I learned that I was wrong about our Disney-like fate. When I met your brother it was like finding a gemstone hidden under layers of cautiousness. Every time he chose to let me see more of him, I fell a little bit deeper, a little bit harder in love. It took me some time to realize but I am very sure that I am in love with Jinyoung and nobody else. I don't know if you ever had feelings for me but I hope it's not the case. Please don't think too badly of me. And please don't tell Jinyoung yet. Again, I'm sorry. But I hope for your blessings,” Mark finishes with one last, deep exhale.
Jinyoung can't believe what he just heard. Did his crush just confess to him? Or more to his supposed sister about him? This can't be real. His emotions are going nuts inside of him and his heart starts a wild dance party in his chest, all while he stands there and only stares at the other, motionless. His brain tries to process the new situation, it can't keep up with his rampant feelings.
Mark waits for a reaction, preferably a proper one. But Jinyoung can't help him there. Instead he does what his heart tells him. In a swift action he pulls off his wig.
“I need to tell you something, too. Mark, I'm not a girl. There never was a Park Jiwon.”
Mark's eyes are widening concerningly much and his mouth falls open. It takes a few seconds before he manages to find some words. “Oh my god, what is going on? Are you actually Jinyoung's twin brother?”
Jinyoung winces. Why exactly does Mark choose to be an idiot now of all times? “What? Come on, Mark. It is me, Jinyoung!”
“W-What?” Mark's eyes are growing even larger. Jinyoung thinks it can't be healthy at all. After a couple seconds of only staring, Mark steps closer and observes Jinyoung's face carefully. He lifts a hand and gently touches the other's cheek. “That can't be. You can't be Jinyoung. Jinyoung looks...different.”
“I am Jinyoung. It's only makeup and contact lenses and accessories....nothing more.”
“But why?”
“My parents and sister kind of bullied me into it. It was either doing this commercial with Sohee or dropping out of college. A case of sink or swim,” Jinyoung mumbles disheartened.
“Honestly? You were forced to pretend to be a girl?” Mark looks like he never heard a more outrageous thing in all his life. And Jinyoung can't even blame him.
“Y-Yes. Remember I told you my sister makes me do things which no brother should have to do for his sister? This is it. It was supposed to be for this one commercial only, to help Sohee's career,” he says meekly.
Mark slowly nods. Jinyoung assumes that this must be a lot to take in for him. He's just glad the other didn't insult or punch him yet. “Okay....so you didn't plan from the beginning to deceive me, right?” Mark asks anxiously.
“NO! NO WAY! Our meetings, both as Jiwon and Jinyoung, happened absolutely coincidentally. I swear. I never, really never, wanted to lie to you. But after I met you as Jinyoung I...I just didn't know how to tell you that I am forced to be a part-time girl. In the beginning there wasn't even a need to, since I thought you wouldn't ever see Jiwon again anyway. But then I got the request to take part in this commercial together with you and then I knew it was too late to tell you because...look at me, how pathetic I am.”
“You are not pathetic, Jinyoung. You're awesome. And you can't help it if your family demands weird things,” Mark disagrees, his voice soft while his fingertips are caressing Jinyoung's cheek. “You know, I felt very bad when I found out that you and Jiwon are siblings...or would have been siblings...or whatever. I questioned myself a lot but finally decided to tell her how I feel about you.....wait.....I didn't tell her how I feel about you, I TOLD YOU HOW I FEEL ABOUT YOU! I CONFESSED TO YOU!” Mark flinches away from him, looking utterly terrified.
“Mark, wait-”
“Oh no....oh no...it shouldn't have went like this. Noooooo! I wanted to confess to you...but not like this! I'm not ready. Please don't say anything about it. Please...I-”
Jinyoung surges towards the confused actor and snatches his hand. “Mark, please let me say something. Please!”
Mark stops and shyly looks up to meet Jinyoung's eyes. “Mark, I am sorry that I lied to you. And I am sorry that you felt so bad about Jiwon and I. I never wanted to put you through this. Do you believe me?” Now it is Mark's turn to silently nod. “Good, that's good. When I met you at Mangamoon I thought it's such a big coincidence to meet you again after the situation in the storage room. When I met you as Jiwon I already thought that you're such a good and nice person, very open-minded, too. But when I met you again, as Jinyoung, and I came to know you better with every passing day, I learned so much more about you. I was able to see how genuine and humble you are, how naturally accepting and good-natured. I learned you're generous and funny and cheeky and so much more. And I realized very soon that I love every single side of you. Mark Tuan, I was crushing so hard on you, I thought I was doomed.”
“Wait, you like me back?” he asks completely stunned.
“Wasn't it obvious?” Jinyoung says with a sweet smile.
“Not to me, no.”
“Okay, well, now you understand?” Mark nods, now wearing a bright smile as well. “Even though I thought that I wouldn't stand a chance. For the whole time I thought you're straight.”
“Oh...about that, I thought so, too, to be honest.”
“Oh...wow.”
“You know, you can make it up to me for lying for so long,” Mark says with a sly grin.
“How?” Jinyoung asks cautiously.
“By finally reading 'Slam Dunk'! It's about time, Park Jinyoung.” Mark laughs and Jinyoung thinks that must be the sound of angels singing.
“Oh come on, let me live, okay? I was so nice and let you feel me up so I think we are even now.”
“Oooohhh...that, yeah. But let me do it again since I need a bit more compensation.” This adorable grin will be the end of Jinyoung some day, at least now it's the reason for his extreme heart rate.
“Pervert!” Jinyoung scoffs in mock disgust. Mark chuckles and steps closer to him, much closer. Jinyoung gasps a little, not sure if the cheeky guy in front of him wants to make his words come true right here and now.
Mark puts one hand on Jinyoung's waist to pull him even closer. The other hand he puts back on his cheek, letting his thumb gingerly run over Jinyoung's skin. He's so close now, their noses are almost touching. Mark's pretty brown eyes are staring into his until his gaze drops for a split second to his lips before looking back up.
“Jinyoung, I want to kiss you so badly. So, so very badly.” Jinyoung's heart is about to break his rib cage. All he sees and smells and wants right now is Mark. “But...not like this, Jinyoung. I can't see you under all this makeup. And in your eyes, I can't see the stars when they are like this,” he whispers, only millimeters away from his lips.
“Come with me!” Jinyoung exclaims. He detaches himself from a very confused Mark just to snatch his hand in the next moment and pulls him along. They almost sprint through the studio's corridors after they had left the rooftop.
When they burst through the door of the dressing room Jaebeom almost jumps to the ceiling in surprise.
“Holy shit, Jinyoung, what's... wait, your wig. Wait.... MARK TUAN?” Jinyoung nearly knocks Jaebeom over when he pounces on him and buries his hands in his shirt.
“Jaebeom! Jaebeom! Jaebeom! Scrape off these tons of makeup. Please! Please! Please! NOW!” Jinyoung's pleading is urgent while he nervously tippytoes on one foot to the other.
“Wait..but...what's going on here? He doesn't hate you?”
“Noooooo, he likes me. HE LIKES ME, JAEBEOM!”
“True, I really like him so much. So I would love to see his face instead of Jiwon's,” Mark pipes up from behind Jinyoung. His smile is so sweet, Jinyoung wants to melt.
“Oooh...ooooohhhh, okay then. Jinyoung, do us all a favor and change back into your boy clothes first.”
“Good idea! I'm back in a bit.” He races into the adjoining room and doesn't even bother to close the door completely. Jaebeom and Mark are awkwardly silent, now that the bouncing Jinyoung isn't there anymore.
“So, the famous Jaebeom, I guess?” Mark eventually starts with a bright smile on his face. “I bugged Jackson for an eternity but he never bothered to introduce us.”
“Well, yeah, the one exactly. Wow... Mark Tuan-”
“Mark is enough though.”
“Yeah, Mark, nice to meet you,” Jaebeom replies with slightly more difficulties to overcome the awkwardness. “Jackson, he's your best friend for a long time now. I wanted to meet you, too but I also didn't want to impose.”
“Did Jackson imply you would be imposing on me?” Mark asks incredulously. “Because that's so not the case.”
“Uhm...no, not really. But Jackson is....sometimes he's..-”
“Odd?”
“Yeah, sometimes he's a little odd, but I love that about him.”
“Good. Very good answer. Because I would have to intervene if you ever would break his heart, alright?” Mark jokes with a chuckle following.
“Oh, okay....well, Jinyoung is my friend. So I probably should say something as well. So don't make him feel miserable or I have....I don't know....do terrible things to you....and stuff,” he stammers. Mark is already shaking with laughter. “I would punch you but...uhm....your left cheekbone probably costs more than my life and...uhm...I would end up in prison. I don't want to go to prison so don't make me do this....please.”
“OH MY GOD, YOUR CONVERSATION MAKES MY EARS BLEED. PLEASE STOP THE EMBARRASSMENT, YOU TWO,” Jinyoung yells from the other room.
“JINYOUNG, QUIETNESS IS A SUBLIME VIRTUE. THINK ABOUT IT!” Jaebeom shouts back.
“How can you roast me all chic and eloquent while you only manage to stammer in front of Mark?! Are you freaking starstruck? For real?” Jinyoung questions very amused while he steps into the main room again.
“I'm not! Shut up, or you can help yourself out of your makeup-hell.”
“No! No! No! I'm sorry!”
“He's sorry! He's sorry!” Mark supports urgently.
Mark and Jinyoung are now both tiptoeing in front of the stylist with folded hands and pleading expressions.
“Fine, sit down.”
Jaebeom is making quick work of uncovering the bare Jinyoung underneath all the applied layers. In the end he carefully removes the contact lenses. “Alright, good to go.”
“Thank you, Jaebeom,” Jinyoung says and beams at him. But as soon as he's back on his feet Mark surges forward and puts his hands back on Jinyoung's hip and cheek. Jinyoung's breath hitches in surprise.
“Here you finally are.” Mark gives him another second to directly stare into his eyes before the actor leans in and closes the distance between them entirely.
Jinyoung's heart is again revolting in his chest. Mark is really testing it today. Finally Jinyoung feels these beautiful, smooth lips on his own. It's even more blissful than he ever imagined. And he imagined a lot. Mark holds him in a way that says he never wants to let go again. Jinyoung clutches the actor's shirt to have something to hold on to.
Jaebeom stumbles backwards, away from the surprising display of intimacy. “What the heck?! Control yourself a little, will you?”
Jinyoung remains unbothered. He finally has the person he longed for. For all he cares Jaebeom can be uncomfortable all he wants. He enjoys how Mark's lips are sliding against his, how he playfully nibbles on his bottom lip. Mark Tuan is a very good kisser, that is something Jinyoung learns right now. Jinyoung opens his mouth for him and the actor is quick to slide his tongue inside, tenderly licking Jinyoung's. A tingling sensation travels through his body and he has to remind himself that it would be stupid to pass out right now. He's so occupied with everything that happens inside his mouth that he only realizes late that Mark's hand wandered from his hip to his butt. But he didn't even mind it the first time Mark was doing that, so now he can fully enjoy the touch.
“Hey babe, I'm here for a dressing-room-make-out-session. Who's excited?!” Jackson's loud voice suddenly resounds in the room.
“Uhm...well..”
“What the....why are there already people making out? What....Mark? Wait, is this Jinyoung?”
Jaebeom only helplessly shrugs and says,” Uhm... yeah. A lot happened today.”
“Wow, I can see that,” Jackson laughs. “HEY, LOVER BOYS, CONGRATULATIONS,” he yells in excitement at the still kissing couple. Mark only detaches his hand from his favorite curves to make a quick V sign in his friend's direction without bothering to look at him.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the lead actor of this drama was finally able to overcome his ignorance and is now rewarded with a very charming prize,” Jackson comments playfully. In contrast to just now, he is rewarded with Mark's new hand gesture, changing the V sign to flashing him the middle finger, before his hand returns to Jinyoung's ass.
Jackson chuckles in response before he's facing his boyfriend once again.“ And you're...observing them? That looks very dubious, you know that, right Jaebeom?”
“What? I'm not! One second I was doing my job and the next second they jumped each other. They never gave me a chance to escape in time,” the stylist defends himself.
Youngjae suddenly pokes his head around the opened door. “Hey Jackson, is Mark here? He never came back to his dressing-room. Oh...there he is. And is this Jinyoung?”
Jackson quickly nods.
“Finally! At least the whining will stop now. And he found out by now that he's Park Jiwon, right?”
“He....WHAAAAAT?” Jackson screeches.
“Yep, they are the same person. I did that. Because I can. Because I'm great at my job,” Jaebeom explains to him proudly.
Mark suddenly breaks the kiss to glare at his manager but without taking his hands off Jinyoung. “What the hell, Youngjae, you knew?”
“Of course I knew.”
“Huh? Why didn't you say anything?” Jackson asks dumbfounded.
“Just for the fun of it,” Youngjae says dryly and shrugs.
“A friend of yours?” Jinyoung asks Mark.
“Yeah, this is my ex-manager and ex-friend, Choi Youngjae.”
“Don't be bitter, Mark. And by the way, the commercial staff wants to have their clothes back. You can't just go and steal other people's property.”
“I never intended to. I'm gonna freaking send it back to them later, okay? Because now we're leaving.”
“Where are we going?” Jinyoung wonders, while Mark pulls him towards the door. “Mangamoon?”
“No, my apartment.......if you want?”
“God yes, I want to,” Jinyoung cheers excitedly.
“Good,” Mark says and offers him a soft smile. “Okay, Youngjae, take the rest of the day off. Jackson, you and Jaebeom can do your little dressing-room-make-out-session thingy. Everyone deserves to have a happy day.” And after these words the newly formed couple leaves together with light hearts and easy conscience.