Work Text:
i once believed love would be burning red
One month had passed since Jaemin had stayed for dinner in the Canadian's room and another one since they had had their first date. And to no one's surprise, it hadn't been their only date.
A week later, Mark had shown up at his room, a bouquet of pink tulips in his hand and two tickets to a photography exhibition Jaemin had been wanting to go to for months. It had been too expensive for him so he had forgotten about it.
He had ignored Donghyuck's mischievous smile at the sight of Mark on their door, and with Mark waiting, Jaemin had changed and had put on the first thing he had. It hadn't been like he had much time. The Canadian had caught him too much off guard, which he complained about at him the moment they put a foot outside the dorm. Mark just smiled, because, almost without realizing it, Jaemin had agreed to another date with him. Maybe it had more to do with the exhibition than with Mark himself, but for Mark it was still a victory all the same.
Unlike their first date, in which they had gone to Stanley Park, Jaemin with his camera around his neck taking pictures of everything he saw, and then having dinner at a Korean restaurant, provoking a feeling of warmth in Jaemin's chest by Mark's attempt to bring him closer to his country even when he was miles away from it, their date at the exhibition was much calmer. Without forcing it, they had created a kind of friendly and perhaps too friendly relationship, in which it seemed that they had known each other for years.
For Jaemin, Mark was like a golden retriever in human form. Kind, sensitive, funny and immensely energetic. Jaemin was sure that if one day he told him to go to the park and he threw him a ball, he would go after it just to ask him to throw it again.
Saying Jaemin hadn't enjoyed any of the dates would be the biggest lie in the world. He was aware that the Canadian was getting what he had wanted from the beginning. Him. But Jaemin wasn't complaining, because there was no point in continuing to deny that the hockey captain didn't provoke anything in him when the truth was that Jaemin's legs began to tremble every time he saw him.
He had grown weak under his charms.
(But he wasn't the only one, because it was clear that Mark had hearts in his eyes every time he saw the black-haired. It was undeniable.)
Also, Jaemin didn't know how or how many people Mark had had to bribe to end up getting his class schedule, but he had it. Jaemin suspected that Donghyuck not only had something to do with it but was the one behind it.
He almost dropped his phone when he ran into Mark as soon as he left his class. That had been the first time that Mark had picked him up after his classes, something that ended up becoming a routine that Jaemin had gotten used to very quickly. Very fast. Maybe too fast.
The Canadian always waited for him in the same corner, sometimes even with his hockey clothes already on, since there were days when his practice started at the same time that one of Jaemin's classes ended. Mark brushed it off when he told him he didn't have to pick him up if he had hockey. But seeing how stubborn he was, now Jaemin instead of going straight to his dorm, accompanied the Canadian to his practice. And he stayed to see them practice even when he had no idea what was happening. He just clapped every time Mark scored a point.
At first, it had come as a surprise to all of Mark's teammates, who quickly started making fun of their captain. Mark always ignored them, seeming too happy that Jaemin was there to pay them any attention. But as the days went by, they all began to get used to Jaemin's presence, and Jaemin to theirs. Especially to Jeno's, with whom he had no idea he shared classes. They were in the same major after all. Quite a surprise.
This is how they had spent their time until Christmas finally arrived.
Jaemin decided to stay at the dorm with Donghyuck. There was no point in going home knowing that soon he would have to return. Jaemin didn’t believe it was worth the money and as much as he missed his family and friends, a part of him might've not wanted to leave the country. Or a certain Canadian according to Donghyuck.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about. Mark isn't even going to be here," Jaemin told him, trying his best not to pout about it.
Mark had gone home to spend the holidays with his family, who he missed dearly even though they were only four hours away. It was touching. From what Jaemin had been able to see they were very close. But despite having left, Mark called him every day to know how he was, what he had done and even what he had eaten. Mark promised that as soon as he returned he would bring him some of the turkey that his mother made every year for Christmas since Mark didn't like the idea of Jaemin and Donghyuck eating prepared meals from the supermarket on such important dates.
And without noticing it, it was New Year's Eve.
Jaemin and Donghyuck were at a small party that the University organized for everyone who wanted to attend, but especially for those students who didn't return home so they didn't feel alone on those special days.
It was almost midnight, almost New Year, when he felt his phone buzz.
It was Mark.
Jaemin ignored Donghyuck's smirk and, promising him that he would be back before twelve, he left the enclosure where the party was being held. If he was hardly able to hear Donghyuck with all the noise, much less was he going to hear the Canadian.
“Hey,” Jaemin greeted softly.
"Hello, sweetheart."
He noticed how he unconsciously smiled. It was an instant reaction every time the other called him that.
The first time Mark had done it he'd felt his heart skip a beat.
"Where are you?"
Jaemin moved a little further from the enclosure, approaching a small viewpoint that was right in front of it. He could observe almost the entire city. It was gorgeous. He wished the Canadian was there with him to see it.
“Donghyuck and I have come to the New Year Eve’s party that the University has organized. It was either this or stay in our room with cheap alcohol.”
Jaemin heard Mark laugh, butterflies forming in his stomach. Shit. Jaemin was very screwed. So much for having told him that they would only have one date.
"So University's alcohol isn't the cheap kind?"
"Oh no, I think it's even worse than the one we were going to buy for ourselves."
Mark gave a small laugh. Apparently, he was amused by the situation.
"Aren't you with your family?" Jaemin asked, leaning on the railing, watching the few stars that let themselves be seen. In the distance, he could hear the bustle of people preparing to see the fireworks, as well as those who were leaving the enclosure, perhaps also looking for a place to see them.
Maybe Jaemin should text Donghyuck and tell him to come out.
"I had to leave. I didn't feel like hearing my grandfather singing another Dua Lipa song."
It was Jaemin's turn to laugh. That was not what he had expected.
"Sounds… Interesting."
Mark snickered. "You could say, yes."
Silence fell between them. It was as if they didn’t need to say something to each other because the silence already said everything between them. Even so, Jaemin was dying to tell Mark how much he… How much he missed him. Because it was true.
He felt as if he was going crazy.
Jaemin hadn't been aware of how much he had gotten used to the other's presence until he had left. It was as if a part of him had turned off and no one but Mark could turn it on again.
It was crazy, but that was how it felt.
Or maybe it was the cheap supermarket alcohol.
“I think you'd love to be here,” Mark whispered softly.
That piqued Jaemin’s curiosity.
"Why?"
"Because I'm here," he teased before giving him the real answer. “No, but seriously you'd love it. The landscape is beautiful. I'm sure you'd take some lovely photos.”
Jaemin's heart sank at his compliment.
In the end, he had agreed to show the Canadian his portfolio. At first, Mark hadn't said anything, which only scared him even more, but after what could have been fifteen minutes, he finally reacted by looking at Jaemin in a way that he could swear no one else had before and just with that he understood what Mark thought of his pictures. Needless to say, they didn’t leave the Canadian's room that afternoon.
"The scenery here isn't ugly at all either."
"Oh, yeah?"
Jaemin nodded until he remembered that the other couldn't see him. "Yes. But I think it’s more the electricity that everyone gives off while waiting for the start of the new year.”
"Hmm. I wish I could see it."
Jaemin wished it too.
But he didn't say it.
“Maybe next year,” Jaemin said, images of the two of them together for a whole year flooding his mind, making him shiver slightly.
“Yeah… Maybe,” Mark agreed.
His phone buzzed, making him take it off his ear to see a message from Donghyuck.
23:58
i've found injunnie. see u later?
have fun
i will ;)
and happy new year gorgeous
happy new year handsome <3
"Sweetheart?"
"Sorry. Donghyuck just stood me up." Jaemin sighed. He was happy for his friend, but he certainly didn't feel like starting the year alone.
"Fuck. That sucks. I'm sorry"
"Tell me about it."
"What are you going to do then?" asked curious Mark.
Jaemin considered it. He could go back to his room. It was sad but at least he would be warm. However, he ruled it out.
“I'll stay and watch the fireworks,” he finally decided.
"I knew you were a smart one."
Huh?
Just before he could answer, the outbreak of a firework surprised him, making him scream, and making the other laugh.
No doubt Mark was laughing a lot at Jaemin and as much as he wanted to get upset about it… He couldn't.
The two stood silently on the line as the bang repeated, over and over. The countdown had already started.
Jaemin was so engrossed in watching the sky light up in different colours and shapes that he didn't even notice that the line had been cut. More like Mark had hung up. And much less noticed how a pair of arms surrounded him until a deep voice whispered in his ear.
"Happy New Year, sweetheart."
He should’ve felt scared. However, all he felt was peace and as if every nerve of his body had woken up. His heart was pounding and the butterflies were fluttering with much more intensity.
“Happy New Year, captain,” he whispered.
The fireworks show lasted a few more minutes until the sky was completely covered in a golden colour, ending it. Still, Mark didn't let go. It wasn't like Jaemin wanted him to. Right there he felt more at home than anywhere else.
“You're a liar,” Jaemin finally said, turning in Mark's arms.
He just laughed. "Maybe a little." Mark rested his forehead against Jaemin's, both of them smiling at the closeness. A closeness that apparently not only Jaemin had missed.
"What are you doing here?" Jaemin asked, his eyes locked on Mark's, who was looking at him with that tenderness that Jaemin had grown used to.
“I couldn't bear the thought of starting the year without you in my arms,” Mark declared, his gaze lowering to his lips.
Unconsciously, Jaemin wet them and felt the other's breathing hitch for that second.
"Kiss me, captain,” begged softly Jaemin.
Without wasting another second, their lips collided in a kiss that they had both longed for since their goodbye. They let themselves go, consumed by desire and something else neither was willing to name yet, but it was there and it just kept growing.
Mark licked his bottom lip, making him moan between kisses.
It had been too long, Jaemin thought.
(It hadn't even been two full weeks, but who cares).
Jaemin opened his mouth a little, giving Mark's tongue access. The Canadian grabbed him even tighter around the waist, not letting even the air pass between them. Jaemin closed his hands into fists in the Canadian's coat, feeling every part of his body being invaded by an electric current to which he had grown accustomed.
Every time they kissed he felt that same current go through his body. From head to toe.
Jaemin felt lightheaded, but he didn't care. He didn't seem to get enough of Mark and his kisses.
But the time for air came. Breathing was necessary, so not willingly, they separated, although only a few inches, both smiling like fools.
“You drive me crazy, Na Jaemin.”
Yes, without a doubt, New Year's Eve became Jaemin's favourite holiday. But it had nothing to do with certain hockey captain at all.
After New Year and lots of kissing, Jaemin wanted to lie to himself that he didn't know how he got into this situation, but the truth was that he did in fact know how he was now on his way to one of Mark's matches for the first time. And just as he had requested, with the number ninety-nine on his back. Mark's T-shirt. But unlike many other people who also wore it, his was the original. The same one he had worn the morning after their first… Yeah. And the same one that had ended up on their bedroom floors many times.
“I can't believe it. Na Jaemin, mister I couldn't care less about sports, willing to spend an hour watching some guys chasing a puck.”
Oh, and he was with Donghyuck, of course, who kept repeating him how he had a crush on the Canadian just for agreeing to go to one of his matches.
Jaemin thought it was only fair, wasn’t it? From the beginning, Mark had tried very hard to take into account every one of Jaemin's interests. Going to his practices and even a game didn't mean he was crazy about the captain. Although Jaemin was in fact crazy about him.
Jaemin shook his head, walking past the people already seated until he found the seats the Canadian had given them. Second row. Wow.
“I'm just saying that in a few days, you'll be speaking to me in an unknown language,” Donghyuck continued, taking a seat next to him.
Jaemin rolled his eyes. “Since when is hockey a language?”
“Since your boyfriend is not only a hockey player but also the captain,” Donghyuck remarked, pointing an accusatory finger at him.
"As far as I know I'm still single." Or something like that.
Donghyuck just giggled and began to eat his popcorn.
It’s true that between Mark and him there was something. Not a dating relationship. At least not yet. But something. Jaemin didn't care. Or so he had lied to himself until a couple of weeks ago, he had seen how a girl had approached Mark with clear intentions of flirting and a feeling of possessiveness had got into Jaemin, wanting to approach them and plant a claiming kiss to the Canadian.
In the end, it didn't happen. He just watched as Mark subtly rejected her.
He had been the one who had told Mark that whatever it was they had, he wanted to go slow and get to know each other first, but after almost three months, he thought he was going to grow grey hairs if the Canadian didn't call him his boyfriend any time soon. It was becoming almost a necessity. Like an itch that no matter how much he scratched, it wouldn't go away.
He didn't know when it had started, but he needed it to end now.
Jeez, he was wearing his T-shirt, that had to mean something.
“Besides, I still have no idea what happens in a game. I just know that the goal is to put it in,” Jaemin spoke again.
Mark had tried to teach him what the sport was about but had given up when he noticed Jaemin simply couldn't retain any of the information he was giving him. Also, what came next was something that Jaemin was certainly able to retain well.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his cheeks heating up at his own thoughts.
"Isn't that everyone's goal?" His friend sighed exaggeratedly. Jaemin couldn't help it and laughed at the disgusted face of a boy in front of him, shamelessly listening to their conversation.
Jaemin stole a couple of popcorn from Donghyuck, who slapped his hand but still offered him more, before a loud beep sounded, followed by a man's voice calling out the names of every player. Jaemin's heart skipped a beat at the ease with which Mark moved on the rink, stopping in his place. Immediately, his head moved as if searching for something, or rather, someone. Jaemin held his breath as those pretty brown eyes fell on him. Jaemin could swear Mark was smiling at him, so out of inertia he smiled back, with a wave that Mark returned with a wink, his heart racing.
Jaemin didn't know when he had fallen so hard for the Canadian.
After that interaction, the match kicked off, driving the crowd crazy. Including Donghyuck, who despite complaining so much, was shouting loudly, insulting, and even jumping and clapping, although sometimes not at the right time. Jaemin on the other hand had his eyes fixed on a single player, unable to lose sight of him. He didn't really care about the game. Obviously, he would prefer Mark's team to win, but if it didn't happen at least he would have spent almost an hour drooling over him without Mark finding out.
Jaemin might not have had much of an idea of hockey, but even he could see the talent Mark had. He moved with dexterity and agility, dodging all his opponents and stealing the puck more times than Jaemin could count. Most of the points had been scored by him, but the other team was not far behind. The difference between them was very little and there were only about ten minutes left in the game if Jaemin was right.
The tension was palpable in the stadium.
Jaemin gasped as Mark was pushed with immense force against one of the rink's walls. A series of boos echoed throughout the stadium but all Jaemin was able to hear was a high-pitched ringing in his ears, his eyes more than ever focused on his player. He didn't even realize that he was now standing, his hand tightly gripping Donghyuck's forearm, who was trying to contain his wince. If it hadn't been for the fact that he was wearing a sweater, Jaemin might have left a mark of his fingernails.
The game was stopped for a few minutes, while they made sure that Mark was okay. Jaemin only breathed again when the Canadian made an okay gesture before turning to him as if he knew Jaemin was going to faint with worry and winked again. His anger was noticeable, but Mark wasn't the kind of player who wanted revenge.
But one of his teammates surely did.
"Yes! Shithead!" Jaemin yelled as he saw Jeno almost send flying the same player from before. It almost got him an expulsion, but Jeno didn't seem too concerned about it. Mark patted him on the back as if saying thank you, as he passed by.
After the incident the game didn’t take long to end with Mark scoring the last goal, leading his team to victory. Jaemin could say that he didn't expect it but that would be a vile lie.
Donghyuck and Jaemin yelled and jumped as the entire team piled on top of their captain, celebrating their victory.
Once the Canadian got himself out from all the bodies on top of him, he removed his helmet, his hair stuck in his forehead because of the sweat. He seemed as if he didn't care about anything else while he skidded toward the door, his eyes immediately on Jaemin, who, again, didn't know when he had come down the stairs and positioned himself right in front of him, grinning from ear to ear.
As Mark stepped in front of him, Jaemin didn't get a chance to say anything. His lips were immediately crushed by Mark's in a kiss that had him writhing in pleasure. His arms went to Mark's shoulders, encircling his neck, and instantly a pair of arms grabbed his waist, hugging him and lifting him off the ground.
When Jaemin wanted to realize it, he was in the middle of the rink, his forehead against Mark's, and his legs wrapped around his waist so he wouldn't fall.
"Congratulations, captain for winning another prize,” Jaemin said between smiles.
“Believe me, the only worthy prize for me is you,” Mark whispered hoarsely, his eyes shining.
Jaemin tried to hide his blush on Mark's neck. However, the Canadian had other plans, because their lips met again, this time in a more tender kiss, setting his heart on a crazy rhythm.
“You are crazy, Lee, real—”
“Let me be your boyfriend,” Mark cut him off. "Please."
Jaemin was silent for a moment. The whole world stopped at that moment. Only Mark and him existing. Mark, him, and that question.
Had he heard correctly?
"Wh— What?" let out Jaemin stunned.
“I want to be with you, Jaemin. Since the first day I saw you. I've been wanting to ask you for weeks but I didn't know how you were going to react and I didn't want to push you because I knew you wanted to go slow—”
This time it was Jaemin who cut him off, causing the Canadian to curse when he felt Jaemin’s tongue in his mouth.
"You're completely nuts, Mark Lee.” Jaemin looked him right in the eyes. “But yes, I'll be your boyfriend."
Mark's smile made him actually believe his words. He seemed genuinely happier because of Jaemin saying yes than because he had won the match.
He was totally crazy.
After the little scene they had done in the middle of the hockey rink, with their faces captured on the screens and everyone watching them, Mark said goodbye to Jaemin with a small kiss on his forehead before going to the showers, facing the teasing smiles of his team.
Jaemin loved his damn captain.