Work Text:
Another work day for Donghyuck, another day away from his pack.
Limang taon na pero hindi pa rin sanay si Donghyuck na sa kanilang lima, siya ang nahiwalay. Pero okay lang, para rin naman yon sa kabutihan ng packmates niya. Bilang nakatatanda sa pack, siya ang unang nalayo sa kanila para mayroon silang mapangtustos sa araw-araw nilang pangangailangan. Noon ay hindi kalakihan ang nakukuha ng mga packmate niya kaya naman kinailangan niyang maghanap ng trabaho na mayroong mas malaking sweldo. Idagdag mo pang mayroon silang packmates na nag-aaral pa. Ngayong medyo gumaan na ang kanilang buhay, lahat sila ay may source of income at sapat na ang kanilang mga ipon, mapa-personal na ipon man ito o sa kanilang pack funds, hindi pa rin maiwan ni Donghyuck ang kanyang trabaho.
Sa isang cafe nakilala ni Donghyuck ang isang pack na binubuo nina Chenle, Jisung, Jeno, Jaemin, at Mark. Pagpasok niya sa establishment ay nakita niya ang lima na nagkakatuwaan habang kumakain sa isang booth sa gilid. Narinig ni Donghyuck ang lakas ng tawanan at kantyawan na sobrang saya– walang bahid ng kahit anong negatibong emosyon at parang ang gaan lang ng buhay nila. Gano’n rin ang pinapangarap ni Donghyuck noon para sa kanyang sariling pack– ang makapag-bond sa labas, kumain sa cafe na kagaya nito o ‘di kaya restaurants nang kumpleto at walang pag-aalinlangan sa gagastusin nila.
Sa hindi inaasahang pagkakataon, muling nakita ni Donghyuck ang lima sa kumpanyang kanyang pinag-apply-an. Ayon din sa sources na nakuha ni Donghyuck (read: mga tsismosa sa pantry at coffee room), silang lima daw ay may koneksyon sa pamilya ng may-ari ng kompanyang pinagtatrabahunan nilang anim. Sa loob rin ng iilang buwan niyang pagtatrabahao ay naging kaibigan niya ang mga miyembro ng pack na iyon.
Nagsimula ito kay Chenle, isa sa mga pinakabata sa kanyang pack. Kahit na nasa ibang department si Chenle ay siya ang unang napakibagayan ni Donghyuck. Isama na rin siguro ang fact na masiyahing bata si Chenle at talagang outgoing ang personality nito. Akala pa nga ni Donghyuck noong una ay baka linalapitan lang siya ni Chenle dahil may nalaman ito tungkol sa kanya at inimbestigahan siya (taga-HR si Chenle). Maling-mali siya sa pag-iisip no’n.
Sumunod naman ay si Jaemin na nasa kaparehong department niya. Kung tutuusin ay ayaw sana makausap ni Donghyuck ang binata dahil sa lagi itong naka-poker face at seryoso sa oras ng trabaho noong kasisimula niya pa lang sa office nila. Pero laking gulat niya dahil sa welcome party na ginawa ng department nila para sa kanya at isa pang bagong hire, nakita niya ang personality ni Jaemin na hindi niya rin sure kung matutuwa ba siya dahil maligalig at makulit din pala ito o kung matatakot siya dahil hindi niya kinakaya ang 180 degrees na personality shift nito outside working hours.
At siyempre, kung nakilala na niya si Jaemin at dapat na niya na ring makilala si Jeno, ang boyfriend nito. (Jaemin’s words, not his.) Right after ng welcome party nila ay agad niya itong nakilala dahil siya ang sumundo sa isang wasted at hyper Jaemin. Si Donghyuck kasi ang napili niyang lingkisan ngayong gabi at s’yempre hindi siya makakauwi nang hindi naaalis ang mga braso ni Jaemin sa baywang niya. If he wasn’t so flustered by the skinship ay mapapansin niya ang subtle scenting ni Jaemin sa kanya. Their department head informed him that Jaemin’s boyfriend will fetch the younger, and maybe, give him a lift too since ayaw na siya pakawalan ni Jaemin. All while laughing too at Donghyuck’s scared expression.
Aba! Sino ba namang hindi matatakot ‘pag nalaman niyang itong wagas na makalingkis sa kanya ay may jowa pala at susunduin siya. Makikita pa sila sa ganitong sitwasyon at baka kung anong mangyari! Naku, marami pang plano si Donghyuck sa buhay at sa para sa pack niya.
Pero mali na naman si Donghyuck! (Wala ka nang tinama tungkol sa pack nila, naku po!)
Jeno is not like others nga naman (Jaemin’s words again, noong nakausap na niya ito sa office, break time, and sober). Kalmado ito at nakangiti kahit na mukhang naistorbo ang tulog nito. Wala ring negative or aggressive pheromones noong nadatnan niyang nakatulog na nakayakap ang nobyo niya sa isang taong hindi nila kakilala. Rinig din ni Donghyuck ang lambing sa boses nito nang sinubukan niyang gisingin si Jaemin at tanggalin ang pagkakapulupot ng mga braso nito sa kanya. Matapos nilang maipasok si Jaemin sa sasakyan, inalok siya ni Jeno na ihatid na rin, parang isang peace offering dahil siya ang naging target ng clingy drunk Jaemin. Hindi naman nakatanggi si Donghyuck dahil una, wala na rin siyang mabo-book sa oras na ‘yon, at pangalawa, ayaw tanggapin ni Jeno ang hindi niya.
Simula noong araw na nakapag-usap sila nang sober sa office canteen ay “kinupkop” na nilang dalawang ni Jaemin si Donghyuck bilang kanilang anak-anakan, kahit ayaw ni Donghyuck.
At bilang anak-anakan ng dalawa, napagpasyahan ni Jaemin na dapat na niyang makilala ang isa pa nilang anak. Doon niya nakilala si Jisung, ang pinakabata sa kanilang pack. Cute si Jisung, sobrang curious niya sa lahat ng bagay at laging ino-overanalyze ang mga napag-uusapan nila. Madali rin siyang mamangha sa mga bagay-bagay na bago sa paningin o pandinig niya.
At ang pinakahuli, si Mark. Siya ang huling nakilala ni Donghyuck dahil lagi silang nagkakasalisi. Kung kailan libre si Donghyuck ay hindi naman makakasama si Mark, at vice versa. Pero they did meet one time. Sa office. In the most unexpected way. Donghyuck was sick then. He himself didn’t know. Akala niya nung una ay normal lang na sakit ng ulo at sipon dahil sa ever changing na weather. Kinagulat naman niya nang lapitan siya ni Mark sa booth niya at pinatong ang suot nitong suit jacket sa balikat ng omega.
“You’re releasing distressed pheromones and it’s been making the whole floor agitated. Come to the clinic with me.”
Mark’s suit jacket was brimming with the alpha’s scent which covers the omega’s scent. Donghyuck initially just wanted to take a small sniff of Mark’s scent to know kung ano ang scent ng his friends’ pack alpha, pero dahil nga may sipon siya ay he erased the thought, instead he breathed it in. A mistake. Because as soon as he did it, the scent of peppermint invaded his nostrils, making him stumble as he fell dizzy. And the last thing he can remember is Mark quickly catching his fall.
“Gusto mo ba masisante?”
Donghyuck was interrupted by Jaemin’s voice. Napasimangot si Donghyuck sa kaibigan at hindi ito sinagot. Sumipsip na lang siya sa order niyang Hibiscus Tea.
“Ano na naman iniisip mo? Ang aga-aga nakasimangot ka diyan?”
Umiling lang si Donghyuck.
“Alam mo maiinis na ako sayo. Gusto mo bang tawagin ko si Mark?”
Napaismid naman si Donghyuck. “Bakit mo naman tatawagin si Mark?”
“To squeeze answers from you, duh.”
“You know, you don’t have to call him to get answers from me. ‘Wag mo laging ginagamit si Mark to threaten me.”
Jaemin snorted, “I’m not threatening you, magagalit sakin si Mark kapag ginawa ko yon.”
“Jaeminnie, stop mentioning him.”
“I can’t. Simula nung malaman ko na Mark’s starting to court you, hindi ko na mapagilan ang sarili ko.”
Donghyuck sighs. He knows Jaemin won’t drop it anytime soon.
“You know that we want you to be a part of us, right?” Jaemin asked which made Donghyuck stop.
Yes. They want him in their pack, to be Mark’s mate. To be a part of their pack means leaving his pack now. And Donghyuck doesn’t want it.
Donghyuck leans back to his chair.
“Do you seriously think that I am packless?”
Jaemin stills and Donghyuck takes that as an answer. Binigyan niya na lamang si Jaemin ng tipid na ngiti at isang mahinang tapik sa hitang nakapatong sa desk niya bago tuluyang mag-focus sa trabaho niya.
Jaemin slowly straightens up and backs away from Donghyuck’s booth, hindi pa rin inaalis ang tingin sa kaibigan. Donghyuck just observes him from his periphery and by his senses. Nang maramdam ng mas nakatatanda ang kamay ni Jaemin na dahan-dahang dumausdos sa buhok sa may batok niya bilang senyales na nagpapaalam na ito, doon niya lang na-release ang tension sa mga balikat niya.
Isang mahinang paumanhin ang narinig niya from Jaemin bago ang mga yapak nito papalayo.
Donghyuck sighs. He’ll have to talk to his other friends and Mark later.
As the clock ticks to 5 pm, Donghyuck readies himself to leave his cubicle at magpaalam sa mga kasamang may balak mag-overtime. Habang nag-aabang ng elevator, sakto namang nag-vibrate ang kaniyang cellphone.
1 new message from Injunnie.
Injunnie
Hyuck? Makakadaan ka ba ng grocery or convenience store?
Agad naman nag-type ng ire-reply si Donghyuck. Pero bago niya pa ma-send ay nakaramdam siya ng baba na dumantay sa balikat niya.
"Kuya Hyuckie, sino 'yan?" The person behind him asked, elongating the last vowel sound. Hindi na kailangan lumingon ni Donghyuck para malaman kung sino ito dahil sa amoy pa lang, pananalita, at pagkilos ay alam na niyang si Chenle ito.
Isinend na muna ni Donghyuck ang reply niya bago i-lock ang cellphone at ibulsa, tapos ay hinaplos ang cheek ni Chenle na hindi naka-squish sa leeg ni Donghyuck.
"Pauwi ka na rin, Lele?"
Chenle gives Donghyuck one quick squeeze sa middle niya before unlatching himself from Donghyuck and humming an affirmative response. Nakatayo ngayon si Chenle sa side niya, facing him with a playful smile sa labi.
"Naghihintay sina Kuya Jeno, Kuya Jaemin, at Jisung sa baba. Hindi 'ata namin kasabay si Kuya Mark?"
Donghyuck looks at the numbers gradually decreasing — galing sa top floor ang elevator — before humming too, hearing what Chenle just informed him.
"Ikaw, Kuya? Sabay ka na rin sa'min — dinner tayo?"
Donghyuck looks at Chenle's expectant face and gets reminded of the text message he just received. Ngumiti na siya ng bahagya ngunit bumukas ang pinto ng elevator na nagpalingon sa kanilang dalawa sa gawi nito.
"Kuya Mark!"
Bungad nito ay si Mark na may hawak-hawak na flask at nakasukbit ang bag sa balikat sa iisang kamay. Agad na pumasok si Chenle sa elevator para tumabi kay Mark at lumingkis sa side na unoccupied. Pumasok na rin si Donghyuck at pumuwesto sa kabila ni Chenle.
“Saan kayo magdi-dinner, Le?”
Donghyuck smelled Chenle first before he heard him - happiness radiating from him in big waves. Alam na agad ni Donghyuck kung saan kakain ang mga kaibigan dahil doon. At gano’n din si Mark.
And so, Chenle talks until the elevator doors open on the ground floor. There they see Jaemin, Jeno, and Jisung chatting with each other while waiting kay Chenle, and perhaps Mark since magdi-dinner nga raw sila.
Donghyuck was about to bid them goodbye no’ng naunahan siya ni Mark.
“Hyuck?” Donghyuck turns around, facing the two and hums in response. “Sama ka? Dinner with us?”
Although may sagot naman na si Donghyuck, he pauses and thinks about it again.
Chenle keeps on looking between the two then to the trio waiting outside the office building and decides na iwan ang dalawang nakatatanda dahil kinikilig na siya sa silent exchange ng dalawa.
Sumagot naman si Donghyuck when he knows Chenle is out of earshot. “Sorry, hindi ako p’wede ngayon.”
Tumango naman si Mark, pero halata sa kilos nito na may gusto pa ito sabihin. And so, Donghyuck decides to tell him, “may need ‘ata sa bahay namin, urgent. Kaya uuwi ako agad.”
“Hatid kita?”
Donghyuck hums while shaking his head, “may dadaanan pa ako. Late na rin - baka masaraduhan kayo ng restau.”
“Let’s grab dinner for your family?” Mark offers again, not backing down. Donghyuck notices that Mark has that determined look on his face right now kaya naman napatawa siya nang mahina.
Tumalikod siya kay Mark at nauna nang maglakad, to which resulted to Mark being confused and dumbfounded. Sumunod naman siya agad para makahabol kay Donghyuck at maglakad sa tabi nito.
“Sige na, hatid mo na ako.”
Donghyuck blurts out no’ng nakahabol na si Mark sa kanya. Naramdaman niya na rin ang kamay ni Mark na dahan-dahang dumadausdos sa braso niya hanggang sa pulsuhan niya, hanggang sa nakuha na ni Mark ang hawak nitong bag. Nakikita naman ni Donghyuck si Chenle sa labas na parang uod na inasinan sa pagpapadyak nito at paghahampas kay Jisung na aray nang aray kay Chenle. Napatingin rin siya sa gawi ni Jaemin an nakangiti lang nang bahagya sa nakitang exchange kina Mark at Donghyuck.
Pagkalabas nila ay sinalubong na sila ni Jeno.
“Hindi kayo sasama sa dinner?” Agad na tanong nito na may nakakalokong ngiti, all because he knows the answer to his question and just wanted them to admit to it.
Mark nods and fist bumps the other Alpha. “Oo, hatid ko si Donghyuck sa kanila. Sa susunod na lang kami sasama.”
Chenle shrieks out loud, muffled by Jisung’s cloths kasi sinubsob niya ang mukha niya sa likod ng nakababata dahil ayaw niya mag-eskandalo sa labas. Tinawanan naman ito ni Jaemin at Jeno, pati si Mark ay lumawak ang ngiti. Donghyuck is just amused at Chenle’s antics kasi hindi niya talaga gets kung bakit kilig na kilig ang beta sa kanila ni Mark.
They were about to part ways, nauna nang maglakad sina Jisung at Jeno habang hatak-hatak na ni Jisung si Chenle at sinasabihan ito sa naging responses niya kina Mark at Donghyuck while Mark juggles his belongings and Donghyuck’s on his left hand habang pinangkakapa niya naman yung right para sa car keys niya.
Donghyuck looks at Jaemin who is still standing in front of them. “Nana?”
Jaemin hums and steps closer to Donghyuck. Nagulat naman si Donghyuck nang bigla siyang yakapin ni Jaemin and he heard Mark chuckling beside him, amused by the whole scenario unfolding.
“Call tayo later? After ng dinner namin or before ka mag-sleep?” Jaemin offers.
Donghyuck has an inkling kung ano ang gusto pag-usapan ni Jaemin and takes note of it. Tumango siya habang nakapatong ang baba sa balikat ni Jaemin. Hinigpitan ng nakababata ang yakap sa kanya momentarily, squeezing his middle bago bumitaw at magpaalam sa dalawa. Jaemin then comes running towards the trio na nauna to catch up with them.
When Donghyuck and Mark are finally situated sa loob ng car ni Mark, the latter asks him, “bakit daw gusto makipag usap ni Jaemin?”
Donghyuck glances at him while fixing his seat. “I’ll tell you later, or bukas. Don’t worry, nothing bad naman.”
Mark looks at him for quite some time. Donghyuck knows that he wants to know about it, since siya nga ang Pack Alpha ng mga ito and he worries about them all the time. Pero he trusts Donghyuck and his judgment. And Jaemin, too. If Jaemin wants to open up or talk to Donghyuck about it and not him, he respects it.
Napansin naman ni Donghyuck ang pagtahimik ni Mark kaya pumunta ito sa harap ni Mark at minasahe ang forehead ng nakatatanda. “Sabing ‘wag i-stress-in ang sarili. Jaemin’s fine; may gusto lang ‘yon itanong sa’kin.”
And with that, Mark immediately melts to Donghyuck’s soft touch. He smiled softly, the unoccupied hand slowly making its way to the younger’s waist, squeezing the soft flesh underneath the layers of his corporate attire. And there’s that. Alam na ni Donghyuck na he somehow calmed the alpha in him, na ang assurance niya sa nakatatanda ay gumana because Mark’s scent mellows; from a tingy pine to a soft leafy breeze, barely there. Calm, sated .
Hindi naalintana ni Mark na napapikit na pala siya ng kan’yang mga mata. He only then realizes when Donghyuck makes a side comment.
“Sus, nagpapa-lambing lang pala.” Then he softly chuckles.
Hinapit ni Mark si Donghyuck mula sa baywang para magtago sa leeg nito. Donghyuck is still chuckling, finding the older one cute nang maasar niya ito.
Donghyuck is once more endeared seeing Mark na nagpapalambing sa kanya when he was just so worried and protective of his own pack only mere seconds ago.
"Tara na, baka magsara na grocery. And let's order take outs na rin." Pag-aalo ni Donghyuck sa kasamang nakayakap pa rin sa kanya, not minding na nasa public place sila.
Once Mark lets go of Donghyuck, he quickly led the younger sa parking spot niya. Pinagbuksan ng pinto, tinulungan isuot ang seatbelt, at nilagay niya ang gamit ng nakababata sa backseat.
The drive to the grocery store was quiet, save for the car’s radio playing on its lowest volume setting, with Donghyuck humming to the songs from time to time, and the soft beat of Mark’s thumb drumming on the steering wheel to the beat of whatever song was playing. Also, may kaunting ingay rin galing sa mga patapik-tapik ni Mark sa hita ni Donghyuck tuwing pinapatong niya ito rito whenever they come to a stop.
And once they arrived at the grocery store, they started to move on auto-pilot. Para bang madalas na nila itong ginagawa and no words are needed to be said para malaman kung sino ang gagawa. Mark takes a cart, while Donghyuck walks a little slower to wait for Mark. At habang hinihintay niyang sumabay muli si Mark sa paglakad niya, he pulled up his phone and checked kung anu-ano nga ba ang mga pinabibili ni Renjun sa kanya.
“Let’s go.” Mark said once he finally catched up with Donghyuck. The latter looked at the cart the older man was maneuvering around and frowned.
“Kuha ka rin ng basket, please.” Donghyuck requests. “I might add something for you guys.”
Mark shakes his head, “you choose pero I will pay. Wait for me again. Kuha lang ako basket mo.”
Donghyuck only looks back to Mark while the other is on his way again to where the baskets are stacked. Donghyuck knows na he can’t defy Mark’s words earlier. Minsan kasi ay hindi ito kumportable na may ibang taong nag-aalaga sa pamilya niya, sa pack nila. Kaya naman, Donghyuck just accepts that Mark is okay with him choosing for the things he thinks they might need sa bahay nila and lets Mark pay for it, dahil hindi naman papayag ang nakatatanda na bayaran ito ni Donghyuck at baka mag-away pa sila.
Once Mark returns with the basket, he arranges it sa designated place nito sa cart and let Donghyuck lead the way around. As the list gets checked out one by one, Donghyuck also thinks about the things to put in Mark’s basket with the older’s consensus, of course. He asks kung anong brand ba ang hilig or prefer ng mga ito in some of the products na he wants them to try, allergies he still didn’t know about, and other preferences such as likes and favorites over snacks and drinks.
During these longer hours of them hanging out, even when doing errands for their family, Mark and Donghyuck enjoy every single second spent with each other. They take all of their time together as a date, or a bonding moment.
In Mark’s case, these moments with Donghyuck let him serve and observe Donghyuck. Gusto niya ipakita at iparamdam kay Donghyuck na handa siyang maging kasangga nito sa buhay, maging sa masasayang moments nila o sa mga pagtupad ng sari-sarili nilang responsibilidad. He wants Donghyuck to know na he is in for everything the younger has to offer and willing to share. Gusto niya pagsilbihan si Donghyuck at mas makilala pa ito. He doesn’t mind if it's a fancy dinner of wine and steak, or a comfy date at a local coffee shop, or a warm and cozy picnic, or a grocery errand. He wants it all.
For Donghyuck, he appreciates everything Mark does for him. Admittedly, he didn’t want the older to start courting him in the beginning pero with a little bit of push from his family and don’t tell this to Mark, pero isang factor na rin siguro ay yung sparkling doe eyes ni Mark when Donghyuck first implied that he might reject him, ay pumayag na rin si Donghyuck na pagpaligaw. Mark knows na he already has a pack. He told the older about it bago siya tuluyang pumayag sa panliligaw nito. He wanted Mark to know that his only non-negotiable was his pack. And thank the heavens because Mark understands. And so, here they are.
Mark has been courting Donghyuck for about 3 months now. Prior to that, magkakilala na sila for 5 months, thanks to Mark’s packmates na officemates din niya. The older’s packmates actually still doesn’t know about Donghyuck’s own pack and he promised he won’t share it with them unless si Donghyuck ang magsasabi.
Donghyuck looks to Mark, “do you think Jaemin will like these?” Then proceeds to gently shake the chips he got. “These are fried veggies, I think? Pero may nakita akong banana sa packaging?”
Mark lets go of the cart handle to hover beside Donghyuck and hums, “I think he and Jeno will like that. They mentioned they wanted to start a strict diet para sa work out routine nila.”
Donghyuck only nods, letting the new information sink into him. “Let’s get two for now. Balik na lang tayo to get more if they enjoyed it. Tell them to share with Lele and Ji, ha? Let them try rin.”
Donghyuck adds the bags of chips to their cart, specifically sa basket nila Mark na nag-uumapaw na sa dami ng kinuha ni Donghyuck for them. Samu’t saring pagkain at iba pang produkto ang nandoon. It has chips, condiments, biscuits and chocolates, noodles, and just everything and anything he sees.
After that, Donghyuck makes them stop at one aisle that has fewer people to check if he already has everything he needs.
“You know, gusto kasi ni Renjun yung mga veggie and fruit chips na ‘yon. I think fried ‘yon or dried?” He chuckles. “I actually don’t know, bub.”
That slip of endearment.
Mark notices that these days, kapag silang dalawa lang ni Donghyuck ay napapadalas ang rinig niya sa endearments ni Donghyuck sa kanya. He also thinks na unconsciously itong nasasabi ni Donghyuck dahil laging busy ito sa kung ano man ang ginagawa niya when he blurts out the endearments. It always warms Mark’s heart kasi parang achievement sa kanya na matawag ni Donghyuck ng ibang bagay bukod sa pangalan niya. It makes him happy, contented, and syempre, kilig.
Mark gulps down his kilig and said, “I remember Renjun. Wasn’t he the one who influenced you on eating hotpots?” With that, Mark feels like he hit the jackpot the way Donghyuck instantly glowed at the recognition.
“Hala, you remembered!” He giggles. “Sobrang healthy living ni Renjun, Mark.” And, we’re back to Mark. “I remember getting meat the last time we went to eat hotpot together, then pagbalik ko sa table, nakasimangot na siya sa’kin.”
“He means well po.”
“I know.” Elongating the last syllable. Iginaya na niya si Mark na magtulak muli ng cart para makapili na sila sa cashier. “I just think na imbis na ako ang idamay niya sa healthy living ay dapat yung mga bata ang ayain niya. You remember Anton, ‘di ba? He still keeps chips sa closet niya kasi akala niya magagalit si Renjun sa kanya.”
As they walk leisurely along the wide aisle to the cashier, Mark can't help but adore Donghyuck as he continues telling stories about his packmates. Mark likes this look on Donghyuck — masaya, content, and carefree. And Mark thinks, no, he knows that he will do anything and everything to never let Donghyuck feel negative emotions for so long.
After checking out and paying for everything they added to their cart, iginaya na ni Mark si Donghyuck pabalik ng parking with their two big eco bags and one box loaded sa cart. They loaded all the bags and box sa likod ng kotse ni Mark, tinupi muna ang mga upuan sa likod para mabigyan ng espasyo ang mga pinamili.
“Mark,” the younger quietly calls as he closes the trunk. Mark hums at iginawi ang ulo sa side ng nakababata. “I’m thinking of letting your pack know about mine.”
Sa sinabi nito, naalarma si Mark. He knows that Donghyuck is doing everything to protect his family, kahit na ang identities nito. Donghyuck has his reasons kung bakit hindi niya masabi-sabi sa ibang tao, kahit na sa mga kakilala at ka-close niya, ang tungkol sa kanyang pamilya. Hindi dahil sa nahihiya siya, no. There is more to that. He just really treasures the sanctuary and serenity his family has now, but he knows that it’s finally the right time to let Mark’s pack know about his beloved family.
Mark nods in understanding. He trusts and respects all of Donghyuck’s decision, lalo na kung para ito sa sariling pack ng nakababata.
“When do you plan on telling them? Ano kailangan ko gawin?”
Donghyuck just smiles and internally melts at Mark’s response. He holds Mark’s left cheek with his right hand and feels Mark resting on it.
“Just two things,” he pauses and combs through Mark’s gelled hair. Natawa pa ito nang bahagya nang hindi niya maipadausdos ang kaniyang daliri sa ulo nito. “Gather them and be there with me through it all.”
And this time, it is Mark that smiles fondly, feeling already accomplished.
“Consider it done.”