Chapter Text
Haechan had stopped stealing things almost as naturally as it had started. Suddenly, material items just didn’t seem as important to him as they had before. That being said, he still took things from Mark regularly. Mark, who was always willing and ready to let Haechan take everything.
Things had been going quite smoothly between the two since they talked. They had learned the art of communication and were really working on themselves for each other. Both of them wanted to be better so their relationship would work.
Haechan especially was really trying his hardest to be a better person for Mark. Of course, Mark didn’t think anything regarding Haechan was wrong, but Haechan still felt like he needed to improve. He had treated Mark wrong too many times and vowed never to do it again.
Did Haechan still think Mark was really hot when he was angry? Yes. Was he going to bring up Jeno every time he wanted to see that fire in Mark’s eyes? No. Because Haechan could easily do that all by himself (if that was any better).
Haechan was learning, growing as a person, and he wanted to prove it to Mark.
When Haechan had invited Mark to go on a date himself, Mark grew a little suspicious. It wasn’t like that was a bad thing. If anything, Mark was absolutely enlightened. He just never thought the day would come where Haechan would ask first.
So far, like in every other aspect, Mark had put in all of the effort to arrange and set time aside for dates. Haechan didn’t even like calling them dates because to him that was too cheesy and nothing had really changed. They had always been attached at the hips. Holding hands wasn’t any foreign concept to them, now they just maybe made out more often.
So, for Haechan to ask Mark on a date. Something was definitely up and Mark wanted to know what it was.
Mark didn’t ask what was up, he didn’t want to be rude, but he definitely showed up to Haechan’s house on that special night with an open eye. Maybe Haechan had bad news he had to break to him? Maybe he wanted to break up and let Mark down gently?
Mark still had these concerning thoughts every once in a while but he had to remind himself this was Haechan. His soulmate. His best friend. If something was wrong or if Haechan was losing interest, he would let Mark know immediately. Not in some roundabout way like this.
So, after Mark had taken a few moments to calm himself down, he knocked on the door.
When Haechan opened the door, Mark easily recognized the smirk on Haechan’s face as a troublesome one.
This first thing Mark noticed besides the smirk on Haechan’s face was how beautiful the shorter male looked. It was clear he had showered not too long ago and his hair was still a little damp. It looked entirely too soft for Mark’s well being.
“My mom isn’t home,” Haechan explained, stepping aside to let Mark in.
Mark couldn’t hide his reaction in time as his eyebrows raised just slightly in shock. Before he could even ask, Haechan was answering.
“She’s on a date… or something, I guess. But she isn’t home. Won’t be for a while,” Haechan explained. Mark noticed he looked a little tense, but not upset. Maybe just uncomfortable.
“That’s cool,” Mark mumbled, trying to find the right words.
“Yeah, I guess it is,” Haechan responded, “it’s just a little weird. But it’s good for her.”
Mark nodded his head in agreement. Haechan seemed to be taking this pretty well, but he couldn’t help but wonder if he was really a little overwhelmed. “Didn’t want to be home alone tonight? Is that why you invited me over?” Mark offered.
And Haechan’s smirk was back. “No, stupid. Well, I mean, of course I didn’t want to be home alone tonight but that’s not the only reason. You should really have more faith in me,” he rambled on, guiding Mark into his room.
Mark sat down on Haechan’s bed and waited patiently for whatever it was Haechan was doing. When he glanced over to his side, he saw Haechan opening up his drawer. Mark couldn’t help but quietly gasp in surprise when he saw that the drawer was empty. All that was left inside was a little box. Everything Haecan had stolen was no longer there.
Haechan handed the box to Mark. Inside was a few printed out photographs. Old ones from when they were in middle school together. They both looked so happy back then. Mark couldn’t help but wonder how happy his old self would feel if he knew how Haechan and Mark were together now.
Pushing those thoughts aside, he set the photographs down and took out the next item. It was a small silver ring. Haechan held his own hand out in front of Mark to show the matching one he was wearing already. Mark hadn’t even noticed it.
Mark put the ring on immediately. Haechan reached out to connect their hands, linking their fingers together. “What is all of this?” Mark finally asked.
Haechan smiled so brightly. Like he had been waiting for Mark to ask. “I did a little bit of digging and found out that today was the day we met. It was an accident really. I was just feeling nostalgic and went through old photos… but it was today. All of those years ago.”
Mark couldn’t help but wonder if Haechan knew they were soulmates too. Mark couldn’t think of anyone else in the world who made him feel so special. Like he was made for Haechan and Haechan for him.
Mark carefully set the box down and glanced at the drawer again. “What happened to…” he trailed off.
Haechan answered quickly. “I just thought I didn’t need those things anymore,” he spoke softly, like he was afraid Mark would judge him, “because I have you.”
Instead, Mark pulled Haechan into his lap. He brought a hand up to cup his jaw. “God, Haechan,” he began to speak. Haechan smiled brightly again. “Who knew you were so… cheesy.”
Haechan’s smile was instantly replaced with a frown. “You know, I can just return the rings if-“
“No, no, no. I love it, really. Thank you. I just couldn’t help it, you’re too easy to tease,” Mark explained. And it was true, Mark felt so happy he could hardly believe it was all real.
Mark grazed his thumb across the soft skin of Haechan’s cheekbone. He could feel and see how faintly he was blushing.
“There’s something else,” Haechan confessed, like he was reminded of something. Mark couldn’t possibly believe that there could be anymore. He suddenly felt entirely underprepared.
Mark nodded his head anyways, waiting. Haechan didn’t speak or move for a moment. “What is it?” Mark asked.
Haechan brought his hands up to cover his face. Mark could still see how red the tips of his ears were, however. “It’s embarrassing,” Haechan mumbled.
Mark couldn’t help but chuckle just a little. Haechan was seriously being too cute. “Come on, what is it? So cute…”
Haechan shook his head no. “Never mind, just take the box and go,” he said, trying to push Mark away.
“Haechan, seriously, what is it? I promise I won’t laugh,” Mark said, but he couldn’t really promise Haechan that. Haechan knew.
“I just…” Haechan trailed off, setting his hands back down at his sides. He didn’t dare look up into Mark’s eyes though. “I just wanted to say-“
He cut himself off when Mark’s hands came up to hold his sides, reminding him of their position. He blushed just slightly more, if that was even possible.
“I just wanted to say that I love you… too,” Haechan finally said.
It was silent in the room, and Haechan spoke fairly quietly, but Mark heard him perfectly well. “What was that?” He asked anyways, just to tease.
Haechan stood up from Mark’s lap, fully prepared to storm out. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’ll stop, I swear!” Mark hurriedly exclaimed.
He held Haechan by the hips, holding him in place. Mark looked up from where he was still sitting on the bed, trying to meet Haechan’s eyes. Haechan stayed silent.
“Say it again,” Mark asked.
“No.” Haechan immediately replied, pouting.
Mark still grinned like an idiot anyways. He pulled Haechan closer, until Haechan’s toes were touching the edge of the bed. He stood their still between Mark’s spread legs.
“Just one more time? I’ll ask nicely.”
Haechan looked down at that, which was a huge mistake. Mark was still staring right back up at him. He looked away immediately.
Mark’s hands traveled up from Haechan’s hips, pulling his shirt up to his chest. Haechan froze in place. Mark leaned in to press a kiss to Haechan’s belly. He felt so soft and warm.
“Please, Haechan? Say it one more time?”
And Haechan felt like he was being worshipped.
Haechan brought his hand up to rest in Mark’s hair, lightly tugging on the strands. He considered it for a moment, only because Mark was asking so nicely.
“What if I want you to say it?” Haechan countered instead, smiling just slightly. As much as he wanted Mark to think he didn’t like being cheesy and romantic, he was starting to get used to it. Maybe it wasn’t so bad.
“Then I’ll say it a hundred times. Until you beg me to stop-“ Mark pulled Haechan down onto the bed next to him. He swung a leg over him and shifted his weight into Haechan’s lap.
In all of the times they had made out (or otherwise), Haechan was always on top. Haechan just naturally liked being in control, but this was nice too. More than nice really.
Mark kissed a trail up from Haechan’s neck to his jawline, muttering a soft “I love you” in between each kiss. Haechan couldn’t help but giggle at the ticklish sensation.
“Okay, okay, stop it already!” Hachan practically squealed, trying to push Mark away from where he was attacking his neck with little kisses. “Mark,” he spoke suddenly.
Mark’s eyes snapped up to meet Haechan’s instantly, afraid he did something wrong.
“I love you,” Haechan whispered, calming all of Mark’s nerves in a matter of seconds. Mark felt like he was on some insane rush. The feeling Haechan’s words gave him was indescribable.
“I’ll make you say it again.”
“Go ahead,” Haechan whispered, tilting his head as he awaited what he really wanted, “steal the words from my lips.”
And so Mark kissed him again.