Chapter Text
The October air was somehow very warm but just coming out of the ice rink made everything warm so it might just be his mind playing tricks on him.
Mark combed back his black hair as he saw his mom's car pull up to the pick-up lane.
"See you tomorrow!" Mark yelled at Gabe who was grumbled.
"How the fuck did your mom get here before mine?"
"Shut up, dude!" Mark wheeled his hockey bag then opened the tank of his mom's car. "Hey, Ma!"
"I don't have all day, Mark."
If this was a year ago, Mark would have flinched back and shut his mouth. Mark smiled before lifting his bag into the trunk and closing it shut.
"Airport day tomorrow?" Mark yelled at Gabe.
"Shit, I gotta pack!" Gabe cried out. Mark laughed before waving goodbye and hopping into the car.
"That boy," Mark's mom shook his head with a small smile. Their car turned out of the rink parking lot into the main road.
"I give all my respect to Mrs. Yang," Mark told his mom. "She gets all the respect to deal with all three of them."
"I agree," his mother's voice had a touch of sadness. "Going to Wendy for therapy?"
"No, she has a test today," Mark rubbed the back of his neck. "I already talked to her about the tournament."
"And?"
"Wanting to win but feeling some anxiety," Mark replied. "This was the same tournament I met Donghyuck."
"Oh," his mother nodded as he looked down at his lap. "But Skate Canada isn't in Toronto?"
"I don't think?" Mark raised his hands up. "I haven't been paying much attention to figure skating so-"
"I never really expected you to since you stopped talking to Donghyuck in May-"
"It was for exams at first!" Mark felt like he was explaining this for the 100th time. "Plus, you and dad were filing divorce and custody battles."
"That was such a pain," His mother commented.
"I know! So, Donghyuck was like 'Ok, talk to me when everything is fine'-"
"So, are you implying that everything isn't fine?"
"No, I am just socially awkward and what am I supposed to say when I message him as the friends-turned-ex-turned-friends that left?"
"You can be unbelievable at times," His mom pulled into the driveway. "I know you aren't packed like Gabe so get on it."
His mother left the car promptly as Mark pursed his lips. His lip tilted up as he got out of the car to get his bag.
-
The following day Mark hugged his mom as he was dropped off at the airport with Johnny and Gabe. The rest of the team were saying their goodbyes as well.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Lee!" Johnny put an arm around Mark. "Mark's gonna be fine."
"I'm not worried about him," His mom let go of Mark. "I'm worried about the teams that are going to face defeat from you all."
"Mom!"
"What?" His mother smiled. " You better get going."
Mark returned the gesture as he saw more of his team and coaches going into the check-in area. He was fairly tired and blanked out most of the time as the team checked in, went through security, and walked to their terminal.
"I am not going to shop this time," Gabe told Mark.
"All because we almost missed out flight last time?"
"Exactly," Gabe deadpanned.
"We are so early though!" Mark complained. "You know what I'm going to just walk around and go to the bathroom."
Johnny and Gabe didn't try to argue as Mark away.
As Mark walked through the terminal, he took his time to people watch. With the bathroom pretty far from him, he had time to look around.
As he approached a terminal going to British Columbia, his eyes gravitated toward a boy with a black and white turtleneck. Noticing a store, Mark quickly entered as he went next to a table to shield himself.
He watched as the male turned around to show his face.
There was no way...
Yet Mark couldn't help his eyes but stare at the black-haired boy.
His sun-kissed skin still made him shine and the boy was just standing there with his blue luggage.
Suddenly, Donghyuck looked up and their eyes connected.
At one point, the two would have jumped into each other's arms. Mark would have picked Donghyuck up with a twirl. Donghyuck's head would be settled in Mark's chest as the older set him down. Then, their lips would have connected in perfect euphoria.
Today was not that. Instead, they stared at each other for a moment.
It was like that time almost a year where they closed the door between each other.
Only they had moved on. The memories of happiness came at first then the times of the learning. Mark knew that both of them had changed. He doesn't even know if love was what they were. All he remembered where the times of happiness and mistakes.
It was like gravity when the two drifted together and stood in the middle of the busy walkway.
When they shared a smile together, they couldn't help but remember the time that it brought butterflies to their stomachs. It only felt like a wash of familiarity now.
"Donghyuck," Mark greeted the younger. "Good to see you."
"I can say the same," Donghyuck replied with a small smirk. "Let's take this somewhere else."
"Somewhere else?" Mark couldn't help but remember this conversation happening before.
"Tim Horton's near the bathrooms," Donghyuck smile only grew. "What do you think?"
"Sure," Mark responded as he brushed his hair back. "Just let me tell my friends."
-
If someone would have told him that he would meet his ex-boyfriend at the airport and they would be fighting over what food they would be ordering, he would have called it one of his best friend's antics.
"I am telling you to order me a cookie, Mark-Hyung," Donghyuck right into the elder's eyes.
"But the doughnuts and cinnamon rolls are my favorite!"
"Then, you order them for yourself!"
The lady at the cash register waved over to the bickering duo which caused Donghyuck to lightly push Mark over. Mark stumbled over as Donghyuck tried his hardest not to roll his eyes.
"Um," Mark stuttered before spitting out his order.
Donghyuck's eyes looked at the elder. The way he stood with more confidence and showed his scars openly. Remembering the times when Mark would close off to him but Donghyuck knew that asshole of a father was treating. It was like seeing a new Mark and Donghyuck didn't know how to feel.
When the lady told the two the total bill, the two boys both put out their cards.
"I'm paying," Mark told the younger.
"No, I pay."
"Donghyuck, I swear we don't have time to fight over the stupid bill."
"If it is so stupid, why aren't you letting me pay for it?"
"Excuse me, but do you want me to just choose a card?" the lady said, taking the eyes of the two males.
"Sure," Mark blurted out as he shuffled the cards showing only the tops of the cards.
The lady picked it up as Donghyuck laughed.
"See, I get my way!" Donghyuck hit Mark's shoulder.
Mark seemed to be trying his best to hide his smile, but Donghyuck knew better. He knew from his eyes that Mark found Donghyuck funny.
"You two are a couple?"
Donghyuck didn't need Mark to translate, but all he felt was a shake of fear burst into confidence.
"We are just friends-"
"Ex-boyfriends," Donghyuck butted in at Mark's surprise.
Donghyuck gave a smile as he snatched his card before grabbing Mark's hand and dragging him along.
"What was that about, Hyuck?"
"I don't feel like having small talk when we only have such little time together."
Mark's lip quirked a bit as they sat down at a small table inside as they waited for their drinks to be made.
"Mark-Hyung, I'm sorry I didn't text you," Donghyuck's eyes met the older. "I know you are probably blaming yourself but it is both of our faults. Let's try to text more after this."
"I think that would be ideal," Mark smiled as he drummed his fingers on the table.
"Mark!" The staff member called out.
"Excuse me," Mark spoke in English making Donghyuck's heart flutter again.
As Donghyuck watched Mark get up, his vision was taken over with small flashes as his mind wandered.
-
It was their first time meeting in Quebec. The two were outside taking their selfie in front of the flowers. Instead of removing his arm around Donghyuck, Mark brought the younger closer.
Their lips meet perfectly as they kissed under the moonlight. Even though he hadn't known he was gay, Donghyuck kissed Mark with a small smile.
Donghyuck tugged Mark along as they went back to their hotel.
Donghyuck swirled around to see himself standing on the ice taking a bow. Mark was there cheering with the roaring crowd.
Mark handed Donghyuck Moo the Moose plushie. Instead of a hug, Donghyuck kissed the elder resulting in many gasps but the cheers were drowned in the feeling on content with their lips locking.
When he let go, Donghyuck was forced into a media chair where people raised questions.
The media seemed to love them. The idea of Donghyuck having such an open relationship and advocating for Korean LGBTQ+ people was doing the press well.
Donghyuck and Mark laid in the hotel bed reading the articles happily as they cuddled up.
They called and messaged each other almost every day. All Donghyuck felt was happiness as the smile of Mark's face and laugh that he emitted never failed to bring up his mood.
Sadness was nonexistent.
Their date at Mark's rink was perfect. They skated with each other and allowed themselves to let go. They kissed openly and skated around the rink for hours. As they held hands the entire dinner, Donghyuck's dream reoccurred. They kissed longer and happily before Mark drove him back and sent the night cuddling by his side.
Their parents have been accepting. During Christmas, both of their families chatted happily and offered a toast to Donghyuck and Mark's relationship. It was perfect as their sibling set up some mistletoe where the two stood. It seemed so right for Donghyuck to wrap his arms around the elder's neck and connect their lips.
New Year's at Jaemin's house allowed Donghyuck to openly introduce Mark as his boyfriend. Everyone loved Mark even more and it brought a big smile to his face. At midnight, the two were already out in the garden kissing. After months of dating, they were about to start the New Year together.
None of Mark's sad letters were opened as the two happily chatted to each other on their daily calls. They made sure to always let each other know when they were having a hard time and they knew that they would meet soon.
At Four Continents, Coach Song was arrested as Donghyuck took a surprise trip to Vancouver. Mark had been surprised to see Donghyuck on his doorstep.
Jumping into the elder's arms, they allowed themselves to realize that it was true. It only took a couple of months for them to reunite. From cuddles on Mark's bed to going back to the rink to train, the two were attached to the hip.
Their relationship only seemed to blossom. The years seemed to go by as Mark slowly grew into a bigger hockey star and Donghyuck grew into a better figure skater.
Nothing seemed to get in the way of their relationship. Donghyuck moves to Canada to further his training and the two moved into an apartment together.
Mark was now a professional hockey player. It was crazy to see the figure skater and hockey player cliche work so perfectly. Mark and Donghyuck only embraced it.
Donghyuck felt like he was watching a movie as they grew older. Mark was kneeling down asking him to marry him. He cried both at that and during the wedding where the two families and friends teased the two. They were the perfect couple.
Adopting kids and retiring from their sports only followed it all and Donghyuck knew the flashes of possible what-ifs were coming.
Only the fading visions came as Donghyuck felt his dreams and wishes disappear with it.
-
"Donghyuck, here is your drink and food!"
Reality had taken over.
Donghyuck didn't know if he wanted to cry and regret or reflect and smile. Everything felt so real. Every flashback was perfect, but here he was. Sitting on a chair in an airport with Mark holding some sweets for the road.
"Thank you, Mark-Hyung," Donghyuck bowed with a shake in his voice. "Can we take a photo? I know Jaemin, Jeno, and Renjun won't belle when I would say I saw you here."
"Sure," Mark's unawareness made Donghyuck's heart clench. "Let me have your phone."
Fishing out his phone and unlocking it, Donghyuck let his arm go around Mark as he held up his drink. Mark's arm moved to Donghyuck's back as he took lots of photos.
"Wow," Mark shook his head as he looked at the photos. "Can you send me those?"
Donghyuck nodded as his phone was handed back to him.
"My flight is coming up and Gabe and Johnny will be at my throats if I'm late."
"We wouldn't want that," Donghyuck couldn't help but frown. "It was good to see you, Mark. Please text me."
"I will," Mark promised. "You better respond!"
"As long as you don't text me at an unreasonable time."
Mark laughed as the two walked out of the coffee joint.
"Enjoy your food," Mark signaled to the bag in Donghyuck's hands. "Good luck at Skate Canada."
"Um, thanks," Donghyuck pressed his lips together. "Good luck with your tournament."
The two didn't really know what to do.
"I'm gonna leave now," Mark spoke up. Bye, Donghyuck-ah."
"Bye, Mark-Hyung."
Donghyuck stood there as he watched Mark walk away. When Mark looked back at him, the two stared again. It was the magic the two felt as their eyes seemed to search their souls for something.
Mark smiled first and a small wave to match it. Donghyuck followed as he nodded.
Soon, people started to slowly block Donghyuck's view.
Mark faded into the crowd leaving Donghyuck to walk away from the coffee shop, abandoning all the dreams he had in there for now.