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Donghyuck is always on a mission to bother Mark every chance he gets.
The sole purpose of the younger if you would ask him on why he keeps doing that is because he wants to get Mark's attention.
Kung nasaan si Mark, nandun din si Donghyuck.
Kanina niya pa sinusundan at ginugulo ang nakatatanda pero hindi pa rin siya pinapansin nito.
Mark would just spare him a glance quickly then proceeds to ignore him as much as he could.
Donghyuck made all sorts of act that can make Mark to notice him but the older tried even harder just to dodge him.
"Please give attention to me." Donghyuck softly demands while touching Mark's ear.
Tumingin lang sa kanya si Mark saglit saka bahagyang nilayo ang sarili mula sa kanya.
Donghyuck felt a sudden sting on his heart. Kahit naman sanay na siyang makaramdam ng ganoon mula kay Mark, hindi niya pa rin maiwasang masaktan minsan.
'Maybe Mark hyung doesn't really like me.' Donghyuck sadly thought.
The younger pouts a little but recovered immediately when he realized that there are still cameras around the room.
Donghyuck refrains himself to get sulky at Mark because those behind cameras are still rolling.
---
Donghyuck gave up on pestering Mark the following moments.
Kasama na niya ngayon si Chenle na nakaupo sa isang sofa habang nagkukwentuhan sila.
Mark is quite relieve when Donghyuck finally stopped to bother him.
Few moments have passed when Riize finally entered the room where the Dreamies are.
Bahagya namang umingay ang paligid dahil sa kamustahan ng dalawang grupo.
The dreamies are very happy to see them and vice versa but Donghyuck is much more happy to see Sungchan.
It's been quite a while since they get to be together in the same room.
He motions Sungchan to come closer to him.
Agad namang naglakad palapit si Sungchan sa kanya habang nakangiti.
Napansin naman iyon ni Mark kaya tahimik niyang sinundan ng tingin si Sungchan.
Nung malapit na si Sungchan sa direksyon ni Donghyuck, the older grabs his wrist and pull him close.
Hindi naman matanggal ang ngiti sa labi ni Sungchan kahit nung nakalapit na siya kay Donghyuck.
The wrist that Donghyuck held when he grabbed him earlier has now shifted unconsciously and Sungchan is now holding Donghyuck's wrist.
Magkalapit na sila ngayon habang hawak-hawak ni Sungchan sa kaliwang kamay niya ang palapulsuhan ni Donghyuck.
Pinanood lang silang dalawa ni Mark habang pinipigilan ang sariling mapatingin sa kamay nilang magkahawak.
"Did you grow taller?" Biglaang tanong ni Donghyuck habang bahagya siyang nakatingala kay Sungchan.
His eyes even widened in surprise when he asked the question on Sungchan.
Mark suddenly remembers how amazed Donghyuck can be everytime he sees or interacts with Sungchan because he's so tall and he towers over him effortlessly and Donghyuck always finds it so cool.
He saw how Donghyuck's eyes seem to sparkle as he looks up at Sungchan.
There's also a glimpse of admiration behind that look and Mark doesn't know why but he hates it.
He hates how Donghyuck can easily give that look to other people.
Donghyuck and Sunchan's height difference is now more noticeable dahil magkalapit na sila.
Sungchan is still all smiles and scans Donghyuck from head to toe.
The thing is... Sungchan is so damn tall and Donghyuck clearly finds him cool just because of that reason alone.
Mark sometimes wonder how does it feels like to be few inches taller than Donghyuck.
Seeing Sungchan bows his head a little when he talks to Donghyuck makes him feel annoyed for some reason.
He'd be lying if he says he doesn't feel threatened by him at all.
Because he is.
Mark grits his teeth to stop himself from saying something but he just couldn't hold back.
"Maybe it's you who got shorter. He's always tall." Mark points out to tease Donghyuck but his words were just being ignored by the younger as he still focuses his full attention on Sungchan.
Mark clenches his jaw and averts his gaze away from them.
Now that Donghyuck's attention is not on him, he suddenly wants to be bothered by him.
How ironic.
Nung paalis na sila Sungchan, hinatid na sila ni Donghyuck hanggang sa pintuan.
Mark is still watching them while throwing a stare that can pierce right through them.
Umiwas siya ng tingin sa kanila at uminom nalang ng tubig para i-divert ang ang atensyon malayo sa kanila.
Naglalakad na paalis ang ibang members habang nagpaiwan muna si Sungchan sa bukana ng pinto dahil magkausap pa sila ni Donghyuck.
Mark starts to feel a bit irritated when he saw that Sungchan is still not going to leave.
Nagawi naman ang tingin niya kay Donghyuck na nakangiti pa habang kausap niya pa rin si Sungchan.
While Mark is silently observing them, hindi niya namamalayang mahigpit na pala ang hawak niya sa bottled water na ininuman niya kanina habang nanatili ang matalim na tingin niya sa direksyon nila Donghyuck.
"Kung nakamamatay lang ang tingin, kanina pa bumulagta yang dalawa." Chenle said jokingly.
Tila natauhan naman si Mark nung marinig iyon kaya tuluyan na niyang iniwas ang tingin sa dalawa.
Mark didn't know when did the ugly feeling seeps into him, basta ang alam niya lang, ayaw niyang nakikita si Donghyuck kasama si Sungchan.
Bumaba naman ang tingin niya sa hawak niyang plastic bottle and he was quite surprised to see that it's now crumpled.
Narinig niya namang tumawa si Chenle sa tabi niya pero hinayaan niya nalang ito at hindi na binigyang pansin.
He cleared his throat and immediately gets up. Naglakad siya papunta sa basurahan para itapon ang plastic bottle na nalukot na dahil sa higpit ng hawak niya kanina.
Malapit lang sa pintuan ang basurahan kaya habang papalapit siya doon ay naririnig niya ang mahihinang bulungan at tawanan nung dalawa.
"Text mo ako ah?" Donghyuck reminds Sungchan.
Narinig naman ito ni Mark kaya napatingin na naman ulit siya sa dalawa.
"Sure, hyung. I'll text you later." Sungchan assured and flashed a grin.
Mark creased his forehead when he heard it. He heaves a deep sigh and clenches his jaw. The ugly feeling starts to climb up on his walls again.
Fuck it.
Nung nakaalis na si Sungchan, pumwesto naman si Donghyuck sa sofa sa gitna nila Mark at Chenle.
The older shifts on his seat and expects Donghyuck to finally pester him but that didn't happen.
Instead, Donghyuck slumps himself sideways at sumandal sa balikat ni Chenle.
Mark couldn't hide the disappointment on his face upon seeing Donghyuck's head on Chenle's shoulder when he's right there.
Mark can almost taste something bitter on his mouth dahil hindi pa rin siya pinapansin ni Donghyuck.
He wants to call him, snatch him away from Chenle's shoulder, demands him to keep bothering him...
But none of those didn't actually put into action because Mark couldn't bring himself to do any of that.
"Ang tangkad na lalo ni Sungchan." Donghyuck suddenly mumbled.
Mark scowls at the mention of Sungchan's name.
'Sungchan na naman.' he compalins mentally.
He's aware that he's acting so childish right now but he couldn't help himself.
"He's always so tall though." sagot naman ni Chenle.
"I know but he seems to grow an inch taller since the last time I saw him." Donghyuck said. "It's so amazing." he added, his voice laced with full admiration.
If Mark feels threatened earlier, then he felt more threatened now...
And maybe, a bit insecure too.
Natapos na ang schedule nila sa araw na yun kaya naghanda na sila para umuwi.
It's already 8 in the evening at hindi pa sila kumakain kaya nagugutom na rin sila.
Mag-oorder nalang sila mamaya kapag nakarating na sila sa dorm.
Nauna nang umuwi sila Chenle, Jisung, Jeno, at Jaemin.
Iisang sasakyan lang ang gagamitin nila Mark at Donghyuck pauwi sa dorm nila pero hindi pa sila umaalis dahil hinihintay pa nila ang manager nila na nasa loob pa rin ng venue dahil may inaasikaso pa.
Tahimik lang silang dalawa sa loob ng sasakyan.
Donghyuck is busy on his phone while Mark is listening to music on his headphone with full-blast volume.
Wala ni isa ang nagsasalita sa kanilang dalawa at nanatiling tahimik sa loob ng sasakyan.
Kanina pa rin sila hindi nag-uusap at wala ni isa sa kanilang dalawa ang willing mag-initiate ng conversation.
Ilang saglit pa, dumating na rin ang manager nila kaya umandar na ang sasakyan nila paalis.
Humalukipkip si Mark at pinikit nalang niya ang mata niya. Donghyuck on the other hand keeps typing on his phone like he's talking to someone through text.
The ride through their dorm is quiet. Hindi sanay si Mark na hindi siya ginugulo ni Donghyuck ngayon. He couldn't even feel his warmth dahil ang layo nito sa kanya.
Habang binabaybay nila ang daan, bigla namang huminto ang sasakyan nila.
Napamulat ng mata si Mark sa pag-aakalang nakarating na sila sa dorm pero nung tumingin siya sa labas, nakita niya sa tapat ng hinintuan nila ang isang restaurant.
Naramdaman niya naman ang pagbukas ng pinto ng sasakyan sa kabilang gilid kaya napatingin siya doon.
He was confused to see Donghyuck getting out of the car.
'Where is he going?' he asked himself with puzzled look.
Umandar naman na agad ang sasakyan nung nakababa na si Donghyuck.
Mark is still confused.
Tinanggal niya ang headphone sa tenga niya para tanungin ang manager nila.
"Bakit doon siya bumaba?" he asked.
"Kakain daw sila ni Sungchan e." their manager answered nonchalantly.
Mark turned more serious again. Hindi niya kasi alam na lalabas silang dalawa para kumain.
Hindi na siya ulit nagsalita at nanatiling tahimik habang pinapanood ang nadadaanan nila.
Nung nakarating na si Mark sa dorm nila, naabutan niya naman sa sala sina Jeno, Jaemin, Chenle, at Jisung.
They acknowledged his presence and inform him that they already ordered for their food.
"Asan pala si Hyuck?" nagtatakang tanong ni Jeno.
Mark subtly frowned before he answers.
"He's out with Sungchan." Mark said coldly.
"Silang dalawa lang?" Chenle asked suspiciously. "Baka nag-date." dagdag pa niya.
Mark looks at him like he got offended by it. "It's not a date." he firmly stated.
Nagtinginan naman ang apat dahil sa pagkakasabi ni Mark.
It's like he's in a foul mood kaya nanahimik nalang sila.
"Shower lang ako saglit." saad pa ni Mark at dumiretso na siya agad sa kwarto para makapagshower.
Ilang saglit pa'y natapos na rin siya kaya bumaba na siya agad.
Sakto namang dumating na ang inorder nilang pagkain kaya kumain na rin sila.
Magkakaharap sila sa mesa habang kumakain. They keep talking about their performance earlier but Mark's mind is somewhere else.
It's half past nine when they finally done eating pero hindi pa rin dumadating si Donghyuck.
Umakyat na rin sila sa kani-kaniya nilang kwarto para makapagpahinga na.
Mark slumps down to his bed and force himself to sleep pero gising na gising pa rin ang diwa niya.
He keeps thinking about the younger at hindi siya makakatulog hangga't hindi pa niya nasisiguradong nakauwi na si Donghyuck.
He stares blankly at the ceiling and contemplates whether to message Donghyuck and ask him kung kailan siya uuwi o mananatili nalang siyang maghihintay hanggang sa makauwi ito.
Donghyuck used to inform him whenever he'll come home late but this time, it's very different dahil wala ni isang mensahe galing kay Donghyuck.
It's completely silent on the younger's end and it makes Mark feel a little frustrated.
Matagal siya sa ganoong ayos at hindi niya namamalayang isa't kalahating oras na rin pala ang lumipas.
It's getting late.
Kinuha niya ang cellphone niya para tignan kung may mensahe na si Donghyuck.
Wala pa rin.
Mariin niyang pinikit ang kanyang mata.
'This is making me crazy.' he thought.
Binuksan na niya ang cellphone niya para i-text na mismo si Donghyuck.
Mark:
It's late.
Aren't you going home yet?
Mark throws his phone on his side after he hits the send button.
Damn.
'Why am I acting like a pathetic loser boyfriend who's waiting for his boyfriend to arrive?' he scolds himself.
Tumayo sa pagkakahiga si Mark para maglakad-lakad. He's panicking internally just by sending a message to his best friend.
And why the fuck is he panicking?
His thoughts are being interrupted when he heard a knock on his door.
He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down bago siya lumapit sa pintuan para pagbuksan kung sino man ang kumakatok.
When he opens the door, he was shocked to see who's outside.
"Hyung." Donghyuck called him softly.
He's now wearing his pair of sleepwear so he's probably done taking a shower.
But when did he get home though?
Mark blinks his confusion away before he speaks.
"You're here..." he mumbled in a raspy voice.
Donghyuck only nodded and flashed a small smile.
"I came here as soon as I read your message." Donghyuck said. "Were you... waiting for me, hyung?" he added shyly.
Mark bit his lower lip to stop himself from smiling.
Yes, I was waiting for you, Hyuck.
But that left unsaid.
"I was worried because it's getting late so I had to text you." Mark said instead.
Donghyuck scrunches his nose and rolled his eyes at Mark jokingly.
"Sure, whatever you say dad." Donghyuck teased.
Sinamaan naman siya ng tingin ni Mark kaya bahagyang natawa si Donghyuck. Hindi na rin maiwasan ni Mark na mapangiti at magpakawala ng mahinang tawa kalaunan dahil kay Donghyuck.
Ilang minuto rin silang nakatayo sa harap. When their laughter died down, the younger speaks again.
"Hyung..." Donghyuck called him.
"Hm?" Mark hums softly.
"Can I sleep beside you tonight?" Donghyuck asked.
"Sure." Mark said and smiled at him genuinely.
They're now both lying down on Mark's bed.
Nakapatong ang ulo ni Donghyuck sa dibdib ni Mark habang nakayakap naman ang kamay niya sa bewang ng nakatatanda. Mark's arms on the other hand, are being enveloped on the younger's shoulder.
It's been a while since they entangled themselves like this.
It's also funny how Mark often denied skinship from Donghyuck on-cam but he also finds solace in the younger's warmth in times like this.
"Sungchan said, we'll invite you to eat with us some other time." Donghyuck informed him.
Mark tightened his hug on the younger.
Bumuntong-hininga muna siya bago sumagot.
"Okay..." he whispered.
He just silently hopes that when that time comes and the three of them gathered together, he wouldn't feel so jealous and threatened about Sungchan anymore.
"Goodnight, hyung." Donghyuck mumbled softly.
"Goodnight, Hyuck." Mark whispered gently.