Chapter Text
It is one of those quirky days Johnny never anticipated. The lack of normal in his dictionary these days ceases to exist. Its not like he wants to be put in these situations, it just simply happens. He tries not to run in these types of cases but fate keeps playing on his strings, they force him to face these situations.
"Your name is?" A woman asked.
The boy who dragged him all the way in this cafe raised his brows and looked at Johnny with hopeful eyes.
Seeing this kid made him remember the scene from earlier. The reason he got tangled in this mess.
The streets were busy, people were noisy and everyone was scatthered in the road. Johnny snapped out of his thoughts as he feel a weight on his arm. At first he thought he was gonna get robbed. If someone grabs you in the middle of the streets, chances of getting mugged was high. The good thing was when this stranger locked eyes with him, he mouthed the words 'please, help me'. Johnny felt relieved he wasnt some thief or kidnapper. He sighed in relief but now he has another thought in his mind. Why is this guy seeking for help?
Johnny agreed anyways. He easily agrees nowadays, perhaps because he puts alot of trust in his gut. So it wouldn't be too surprising if someone will find him dead in a random alley in the future.
The brunette male wore a brown knitted sweater with a visibly ugly design, denim jeans and a cute brown beanie that matches his sweater (the patterns are still ugly, according to Mr. Johnny Seo). The stranger seems to have an odd taste with sweaters, but at least the kid still managed to look good in them. Johnny assumed the stranger is younger, he looked like a fetus, theres no way a 29 year old man would look like that.
As he leads Johnny into a door, Johnny prayed he is not some kind of professional mugler, he really needed money these days. A poor college student, who lives off loans like Johnny doesn't deserve to get mugged. He doesn't even have money, a little exagguration, he does have 30,000 krw but what can you buy with that? Thats like 0 cents in dollars. He regreted coming with a stranger for a second.
The boy pushed him down to a seat and sat in the seat infront of him "Please pretend to be my boyfriend! I swear i will treat you after this!" Johnny nearly choked in his own spit.
A random stranger in an ugliest sweater he could possibly seen dragged him all the way from the road to this cafe, just to ask him if he could pretend to be his boyfriend.
Well damn.
"I just really need this right now, my family is gonna be here anytime soon...shit.. Please just be with me and i will buy you alot of stuffs i promise!" Johnny opened his mouth to say something but the kid intervened and tried to appeal more "Any necessities you name it!" the kid blabbered desperately, a tint of pink blush were visible in his cheeks. Staring at his eyes, Johnny sighed in defeat.
The kid had him in the 'buy' part
Although Johnny wouldnt admit, he felt embarrassed knowing he got swayed by a simple bribe. He stoop this low because of college dont blame him.
"Anything i need?" Johnny asked, interested in the boy's offer. The boy nodded and pursed his lips, clearly hiding his happiness to Johnny.
Johnny folded his arms and narrowed his eyes at him "Ok"
Which brings us to the present. Johnny's eyes quivered, he felt dryness in his mouth. Maybe he should have thought twice before agreeing.
They've only been boyfriends 5 minutes ago. Which is crazy right? Johnny doesnt even fucking know the kid's name for fucks sake. He should have asked a bit of information earlier.
Johnny calmed himself and concluded, he must do this correctly or no supplies for him.
"Johnny Seo" he reached his hands for theirs and the boy's mother smiled at him without any doubts.
"We're Mark's parents, we've heard about your relationship from our son. Its good to finally meet you face to face" Johnny mentally noted the brunette's name and formed an o' in his lips
"Likewise" trying not to initiate any conversation, Johnny retreated his hand back to his side and peeked at Mark, who looks pale as shit. Johnny felt the same honestly, with a set of eyes burning his head. Johnny felt hot in his seat. The woman was scary. It made Johnny hella nervous. Looking at Mark once again, Johnny stared at Mark, then his hand. Mark gave him a curt nod in which Johnny responded by grabbing Mark's small hand and tangled it together.
"Aside from you being sweet, kind and understanding. Mark never tells us anything about you, we didn't even know your name until now, so tell me Johnny Seo, how did you both meet?" Her tone sounds incredibly nice yet unsettling, this woman is not easy to fool. She knew her son too well. Not that its obvious with him, but with Mark's constant finger movements, it became transparent that their son is lying.
But since its her son that promised him free highlighters, Johnny decided to help him. He tighten his grip on the younger's hand and forced a smile.
This woman is definitely testing him.
Little did they know Johnny is a law major. If Johnny could be an expert in anything, it is lying. He is very good at deceiving and persuading others. He could be a con man if he wanted too, but even though he is a liar himself, Johnny cant recognize cons and not. That is the downfall of his so called talent.
Not the point.
When she threw that question, he wasn't shaken. His eyes searched a confirmation from Mark, he needed to know if Mark has told them anything. The younger got the signal and slightly shook his head.
"We both met in a convinient store, regular guys going for ramen then he spilled my ramen. He paid for it then it happened again, its not much of a romantic story you would like to hear, Madam" Johnny effortlessly lied, not missing to pop his last word.
The woman breathlessly laughed, she darted her eyes on Johnny "A ramen? You expect me to believe my Mark eats ramen?" She rolled her eyes and raised her eyebrows.
Well someone hates ramen.
Feeling the kid trembling, Johnny caressed Mark's hand with his thumb and gave him a reassuring smile
"Stop this little roleplay, Mark. We'ld be expecting you tomorrow with your luggage" She uttered. Mark looked very opposed, he wanted to say something. But Johnny immediately saw the younger's expression. Johnny gets it, typical rich kids and their arrange marriage problems. This should be easy.
"Lady, last time i checked everyone could eat ramen. And whats that got to do with our relationship? Whats the problem with us meeting over ramen?" Johnny retorts
"My Mark doesn't eat a disgusting food that could possibly cause cancer" her sharp tone when she criticized ramen made Johnny fume. Like dude, to say ramen is disgusting? What kind of person hates ramen? Its a food blessed by the Gods, both given for the rich and the poor. How dare she spit the word disgusting infront of his ramen loving ass?!
And cancer? The only turmor here is this woman's way of thinking.
"Oh yeah?" Johnny stood up from his seat, setting his foot infront. Mark completely fazed, held Johnny's shoulder, stopping him from doing any rash movements
"Yes" She answered sounding proud and shit "now pack your stuffs, Mark Lee or i'll have to force you to go back to America" She placed her sunglasses in her eyes and lavingshly grabbed her bag on the table
Mark felt helpless. Seeing the younger defeated, Johnny shoveled through his brain for any ideas. Because Mark will be the one who will be paying for his pencils later. Ok so maybe not only for that reason but also Johnny felt challenged. Glancing over Mark, his teary eyes didn't help.
With this kind of reaction, Johnny assumed this must be crucial to the point he has to do something.
Johnny sneaked his arm around the younger's waist, technically backhugging the younger, he proceeded to tilt Mark's face a bit.
Their eyes met, Johnny gazed down at Mark's lip. He stopped himself from diving in, for now Johnny is currently trying to get permission to do this stupid idea he has come up with.
Feeling the younger heave a sigh, Mark gulped down, a sign of being nervous. But his eyes looked determined. It was a silent question of "Are you willing to go to this length?" And the answer Johnny got was a Yes.
Then it happened, feeling warmth in his lips, Mark Lee widen his eyes.
They received multiple gasp from the people around them.
If Mark's mom is trying to embarrass them infront of this audience, Johnny might as well do the same and crush a stranger's mom to the point there's no going back.
Johnny pulled back, feeling victorious at this fight. The mother's expression was funny. Her jaw was wide open, her expensive bag soon laid in the floor and her knees clasped together. Johnny smirked at her and ruffled her son's hair.
"You see Mrs. Lee, My Mark here loves ramen. So why don't you let him stay?" it may been an overstatement to help a stranger like this. But to see an uneducated woman get what she deserves, it was worth it.
The woman started to breathe heavily while clutching her chest, she grunted at his statement and stomped all the way outside, glaring at Johnny before she left.
Johnny placed his hands on his hips and turned to check on Mark. Mark still looked scared but now there's a new flare circulating within his eyes. Courage, that was a fast character development.
Seeing this kid with a light smile.
Yeah, totally worth it.