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"Jaeminnnnn pleassseeee." Donghyuck is currently clinging to his arm, giving him the biggest puppy dog eyes he can muster and pouting.
"Hyuck, I told you I don't do well at parties," He mumbles, cringing as he thinks of the last party he went to. He got completely ditched by his "friends" as soon as he walked in and got so uncomfortable he did the 20 minute walk all the way home in the rain. Not a fond memory.
Donghyuck lightly smacks his arm, "I know what you're thinking of and you know I would never do that to you right?"
Jaemin nods his head, which isn't good enough for Hyuck, so he keeps going before he gets smacked again. "Yes, I know. You're nothing like them."
Donghyuck smiles proudly at that and starts going through his closet once again, pulling out shirts and holding it up to Jaemin’s body before tossing it in one of the many piles they have on their floor. His eyes light up as he pulls out something from the back of the closet, "You are going to look so hot in this."
Jaemin rolls his eyes. He eyes the outfit Hyuck picked out with doubt. Would this look good on him? Almost as if he can read his thoughts, Hyuck tackles him in a bear hug and flicks his forehead when he pulls back. "Yes, hot. Don't give me that look, you're hot and you should have more confidence in yourself." Jaemin puffs out his cheeks at that and Hyuck giggles as he pokes them. "Stop pouting, now let's get you in this, I still have to do your makeup."
"Is it too late to go home?"
"Yep!" Donghyuck chirps, grabbing his arm and pulling him into the house. Jaemin immediately flinches as he hears the loud music and smells the alcohol in the air. Someone tries to shove a drink in his hands, but Donghyuck rips it from Jaemins grasp and gives the stranger a glare as he shoves it back towards them. "Don't accept anything from strangers, ok? Especially if it's not sealed. You don't know what the fuck they mixed in there."
Jaemin nods his head, but it’s not like he was going to drink it anyways.
Someone nearly runs into Jaemin, throwing him a quick apology before wandering off. Jaemin frowns when he sees the varsity jacket he's wearing. He turns to Donghyuck, arms crossed.
"Hyuck," he says, narrowing his eyes at his friend.
"Hm?" He says, unable to meet his eyes.
"Is the soccer team here?"
Donghyuck shrugs, "I don't know, maybe?"
Jaemin groans, "Hyuck then you know who might be here!"
Donghyuck lets out a fake gasp, "Really? I would have never guessed. It's not like this was all a ploy to get you to finally talk to him."
Jaemin sighs. "Hyuck, you know I can't do that."
Hyuck flicks his forehead once again, "You are perfectly capable of walking up to him and starting a conversation. You just choose not to."
He pouts, "It's not that easy."
Donghyuck rolls his eyes, "I'm not going to force you to do anything you don't want to do here. But if you see him, I think you should try talking to him." Donghyuck suddenly smirks. "Don't think he doesn’t notice you staring at him all the time."
Jaemin’s cheeks heat up at that. "I don’t stare at him," he hisses, but Donghyuck only laughs at him, grabbing his hand and dragging him deeper into the party.
This will be fun.
Jaemin sighs as he bangs the back of his head against the wall. No, Hyuck didn't ditch him, as promised. But he doesn't know what's worse, Hyuck ditching him or listening to him flirt with one of the members on the soccer team for the last 30 minutes. He watches Hyuck let out a giggle at something Jeno said, which wasn’t the slightest bit funny, and playfully smacks his shoulder. He can't watch this anymore.
"Hyuck, I'm gonna go grab another drink from the kitchen."
"Ok," he starts to say, but stops, turning to look at his friend. "Want me to go with you?"
Jaemin watches the way Jeno stares at Donghyuck, cheeks flushed and a small smile on his face. He grins, "No, it's ok. Stay here with Jeno, I'll be fine."
Donghyuck frowns, but nods his head, telling him to call him if he needs anything.
Jaemin makes his way to the kitchen, squeezing past all the sweaty bodies in the room. He's ready to pack up and get out of here. He’s positive Hyuck would take him home, but he doesn’t have the heart to tear him away from Jeno. Just as he's debating calling an uber, someone bumps into him, their drink spilling all over the cute cardigan Hyuck picked out for him.
" Oops , my bad. It must have just slipped out of my hands."
Jaemin knows that voice all too well. Sighing, he looks up, fake smile ready, but who he sees causes him to freeze up. It's not the owner of the voice that causes him to hold his breath, it's the person behind her.
Mark
He's staring at the now empty cup in Jessica's hands. She has her arm wrapped around his waist, and she's leaving no space between their bodies. Practically gluing herself to his side.
Mark looks up, meeting Jaemin’s eyes. Jaemin blushes and looks down, muttering an apology under his breath and quickly walking past them.
A hand wraps around his wrist, stopping him. He turns around and sees Mark staring at his soaked cardigan with a frown.
"Come on, Mark. Let's go." Jessica says, trying to drag Mark away, but he doesn't budge.
"Here, take this off."
"W-what, No it's fine." Jaemin tries to say, but Mark doesn't listen and helps Jaemin out of his wet cardigan. Jaemin shivers as soon as it's off, the shirt he's wearing underneath is too thin. That doesn't last long though because Mark quickly takes off his varsity jacket, wrapping it around Jaemin. He blushes as soon as he's done, getting butterflies in his stomach when he’s suddenly surrounded by Mark’s cozy scent.
“You don’t have to do that,” Jaemin mumbles, going to give back his jacket, but Mark stops him with a smile, putting his hands in his pocket and leaning closer.
“Just return it to me later, ok?”
Jaemin’s mind goes blank. Return it to him later? Meaning he’ll have to approach Mark again and talk to him. Mark gives him a smirk, like he can read his mind.
“Mark! Let’s go.” Jessica says, latching onto Mark once again, dragging him away as she glares at Jaemin. Mark sends him a smile and a little wave as he’s dragged away, stunning Jaemin.
Does he actually want to talk to Jaemin? He can hear Hyuck in his head, rolling his eyes and going “duh.” He watches the way all the cheerleaders surround Mark, giggling and placing their hands on his shoulder or chest. Why can’t Jaemin do that? They all talk to him like it’s easy, like they don’t get those nervous butterflies when he smiles at them, or when he laughs. Jaemin turns around, going to the kitchen. He’s about to reach for a sealed bottle of water sitting on the table when he spots a table filled with red solo cups next to it. The cups Hyuck told him to avoid. He picks one up, taking a sniff and almost gagging. It’s so strong. Jaemin thinks back to those pretty cheerleaders, clinging onto Mark like it’s nothing. Maybe this is what he needs to loosen up a bit?
He takes a deep breath, throwing his head back and quickly finishing the drink, cringing as it goes down his throat. A little wouldn’t hurt right?
“Jaemin!”
Donghyuck grabs onto his shoulder, spinning him around to face him. “Where have you—what’s that in your hand?” He grabs the cup out of Jaemin’s hand, frowning when he sees it’s empty. He squints at Jaemin, “Have you been drinking this? I told you not to!”
Jaemin giggles, playfully slapping Donghyuck’s shoulder. “But it’s gooooddd Hyuckie. I don’t know why you told me not to drink it! You’re so mean!” Jaemin pouts, swaying slightly in place.
“How many did you drink?”
Jaemin giggles again. “I don’t know sillyyyy. I lost count after,” Jaemin frowns, looking at his hand and slowly raising his fingers, he stops at 3. Giggling he shows Hyuck. “Threeeee, see!”
“Oh dear lord, we are leaving now!”
Donghyuck starts dragging Jaemin away, but he starts whining, refusing to move. “No! I have to do something first!” He says, stomping his foot.
Donghyuck looks at him with confusion. “And what’s that?”
Jaemin looks around the room, stopping when he spots a head of jet black hair. “I need to talk to Markie!” He says, pointing at the man in question. Mark hears this and turns around, raising his eyebrow when he sees Jaemin pointing at him.
“W-what? Mark? Jaemin, listen you’re drunk, maybe you shouldn’t-.”
Jaemin ignores Hyuck, stumbling his way to Mark, nearly tripping on his way there. Mark reaches out a hand to steady him. Jessica glares from where she’s still glued to his side. Jaemin frowns when he sees her arm wrapped tightly around him, giving Markie a little pout.
Mark catches on and untangles himself from Jessica, who whines in complaint.
“Jaemin? Do you need something?” Mark looks at Jaemin’s red cheeks and the way he sways in place. “Are you drunk?”
Jaemin giggles for the millionth time tonight. “I *hiccup* am.” Jaemin raises a hand to his mouth, smiling as tiny hiccups come out.
Mark chuckles at his cute little hiccups, gently grabbing his hand and lowering it from his face. “I can see that.” Mark catches Donghyuck’s worried eyes from behind him. “I think your friend’s worried about you. Maybe you should go back to him?”
Jaemin pouts, latching himself to Mark’s arm. “No! *hiccup* I don’t want to yet. I have to tell you *hiccup* something!”
Mark smiles, “Ok fine. You tell me what it is, then you let your friend take you home. Deal?”
Jaemin nodes his head quickly at that. “Deal!”
“Alright, what is it then?” He says, gently squeezing Jaemin’s hand he still has in his palm.
Jaemin grins at him, “It’s verrrrrry important ok! So make *hiccup* sure you pay attention!” Mark nods his head with a chuckle.
Jaemin takes a deep breath, here goes nothing.
“I *hiccup* like *hiccup* you!”
Mark blinks at him, unsure if he heard that right. He opens his mouth to speak, but stops when he hears laughter. He turns to his side to see Jessica, clutching her side as she laughs. The room goes quiet, everyone wondering what’s so funny.
“Jess,” Mark warns, but she doesn’t stop.
“You,” she says, pointing to Jaemin. “Like Mark?”
Jaemin nods his head and frowns. He doesn’t know what’s so funny about that.
“That’s adorable ! Did you hear that, Markie? He has a lil crush on you. ” She mocks.
Jaemin feels his cheeks heat up, not from the alcohol this time. Tears start to build up in his eyes, and he quickly stumbles away from Mark.
“Jaemin-” Mark reaches out his hand, but Jaemin turns around and bolts out the back door.
Jaemin sniffs and wipes at his cheeks as tears continue to fall. He hears commotion behind him, and he’s pretty sure he hears Hyuck screaming, but he doesn’t care about that right now. He just wants to get away.
Jaemin jumps when he hears a branch crack next to him, looking around him with worry. “Anyone there?” He gets no response. He wraps his arms tightly around himself, clinging to the jacket Mark had given him. His sobs slowly start to die down. He ran and ran until he couldn’t see the house anymore, finding a bench to curl up on and cry. He’s starting to regret running so far as he hears another noise. “W-who’s there?”
“Jaemin?”
Jaemin nearly jumps out of his skin, turning he locks eyes with Mark. He’s out of breath, skin shining with sweat and hair slightly disheveled. “Mark? H-how did you find me?” Jaemin starts panicking, he wasn’t prepared to face Mark yet. He starts to get up, ready to run again, but Mark quickly grabs both his wrists, stopping him.
“Please don’t run.” Mark pleads, pulling Jaemin into a hug. “I got so worried when you ran out. We didn’t know where you went. We thought something might have happened to you.”
Jaemin’s breath stops. Mark was worried? About him? “You were worried about me?” Jaemin mumbles into his shoulder.
Mark pulls back with a frown. “Of course I was worried about you,” he says, cupping Jaemin’s cheeks. “I was extremely worried.”
Jaemin blushes, “Why?” He mutters.
Mark gives him a soft smile, slightly caressing his cheeks. “You mean so much to me that’s why. I never got a chance to respond to your confession.”
“I-it’s ok * hiccup* I already know what your answer will be.” He’s not sure why his hiccups have decided to come back, maybe it’s because of how nervous he suddenly feels as he stares into Mark's soft, brown eyes.
Mark grins, “I don’t think you do.” Mark slowly leans forward and presses a kiss to Jaemin’s forehead. “I like you too.”
“Wait you * hiccup* do?”
Mark giggles, “Yes, Jaem I do. I’ve liked you for so long. But you ran away every time I tried to talk to you, silly.” He gives Jaemin small pecks all over his face.
“What about Jessica?”
Mark shrugs. “Her dad sponsors our team, I just put up with her so he’ll keep doing it. That’s all, nothing else.”
Jaemin blushes, “So, you really like * hiccup* me?”
“I do,” he gives the last kiss on Jaemin’s lips, kissing him softly before pulling away. “We should really get back before Donghyuck calls the police.” He grabs Jaemin’s hand with a soft smile. Just at that moment, his phone rings, he picks up ip with a frown. “Jeno?” His eyes widen and he looks at Jaemin sheepishly, “Too late.”