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As Mark lays his eyes on that particular brown hair, he's mesmerized, taken aback even, he's not even surprised he's reacting this way. He knows he falls into this same predicament everytime his eyes land over to that familiar figure. And he takes his time, as he eyes the latter from head to toe, as if it's an art piece he saw for the very first time, made to be observed and preened over. He's not even wearing those multi-dollar suits they would wear on prestigious events, no, he's in one of Mark's oversized hoodies that drowns his smaller figure, but Mark feels as if his breath was taken away from him. He sees his brown hair, the way he embodies it so naturally anyone would've thought he was born with it, but no, he sported that jet black hair, curling on the ends, ever since he was a child, and man, Mark thinks he's so lucky he witnessed that part of the now brunette. He wanders over to those twinkling eyes, softly creasing whenever he hears and sees something that manages to make him toss his head back out of pure joy. He moves on to that cute nose, one he remembers pressing his own into whenever he feels the need to show his love through simple gestures. He then looks lastly at those beautiful constellations of moles, those that he would trace every single moment he has the opportunity to, for he simply thinks it's what the latter deserves. To be loved, to be praised, and to simply be adored.
He catches the younger's eyes, one that has the look of amusement and wonder, and Mark knows the other has figured it out that Mark has once again entered this loophole of crazy emotions people call love.
Haechan excuses himself from the conversation he is in with the hyungs, and makes his way through his other members to reach over the balcony, where his Mark Lee is standing, strands of hair blowing, as if the cold winter air is caressing and adoring him too.
"Going down the rabbit hole called 'Lee Donghyuck' again?" Haechan asks, teasing, but no sign of harm, just of pure amusement and fondness, those that are meant for Mark, and Mark alone.
"I'd rather not want to escape it I think" Mark answers back, equally as playful, but also holds an equal amount of fondness, one that he also reserves for the younger only, like a little harmless secret meant to be preserved between them only.
"You better not!" Haechan scoffs. "If your mind is only supplied by thoughts full of me, then what use is it?" he scolds, pretending to hate the older's statement. (As if Mark never noticed the blush of his cheeks anyway, but chose to ignore it to prevent the younger from whining in embarrassment. Such a shame, Donghyuck was cute in every way.)
"It will have a use Hyuck-ah, that is to praise you, to love you, to adore you, and to cherish you. I think it's very useful, don't you think so?" Mark replies back as he lays his hand over the younger's nape, softly, almost whispering, hiding the forming smirk on his lips, knowing it did things on the younger's heart.
"Sappy as ever Minhyung Lee" he tries to retort with a roll of his eyes, unsuccessfully giving a sassy comeback to the older's sweet words, courtesy of those cheeks of his starting to turn red, and the slight tug of his heart-shaped lips upwards. 'Glad you didn't stutter this time Donghyuck' his brain supplies to him unhelpful. Of course, Mark Lee, that man always has his way with words, and he's lucky he gets to witness this firsthand.
"Merry Christmas, love, I'm very grateful I have you here with me, from my very first Christmas away from the place I called home, up until now, when I know home is finally in my arms. Thank you for grounding me in times I feel overwhelmed, thank you for being my anchor even though I feel the need to protect you more out of the two of us. Thank you for showing me that this relationship is a two-way street, and that I should also receive. Thank you for being my constant in this ever-changing world. I love you most, Lee Donghyuck. " Mark confesses suddenly, landing a soft peck to his forehead as he finishes talking.
Haechan, albeit quite taken aback from Mark's sudden speech, mutters out a, "Merry Christmas too love, thank you for loving me, for giving me a home in this crazy world we chose to live in, and for giving me happiness I never thought I deserved until you insisted to show me and to let me feel. I will forever be grateful for you as well, and even though I do not believe in God, I believe that someone out there, wanted us to meet, to be each other's fated, and I am thankful for them. I love you the most too, Lee Minhyung." and returning a kiss on Mark's lips after.
They share a giggle, and huddled closer to each other, like how they would always do naturally, as the winter air blows once again, now caressing the both of them, as if telling them to stay close to each other, to be each other's source of warmth, to be each other's only.
And when the members tease the both of them the next morning for their overloading sweetness, (they were unaware of all the pair of eyes watching them fondly last night) they don't protest, for they know that whenever the both of them reminisce that exact moment, no amount of cringeness will be present on their hearts. Just full of warmth and giddiness, the one that leaves a smile on their faces for the rest of the day.