Archive of Our Own

The campus cafeteria hummed with the low murmur of conversation and the occasional clatter of trays and utensils. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a soft glow over the tables, each one filled with groups of students lost in lively banter. Mark, though, sat at the corner table, as usual, his tray perfectly aligned, earbuds in, eyes on his laptop screen. He looked like the ideal focused student, but anyone watching closely would have noticed the way his gaze kept flicking up, scanning the room with a kind of quiet curiosity, or maybe…loneliness.

Mark had always been shy, even back in Canada. He’d had a small, tight-knit group of friends growing up, and it was with them that he felt comfortable, able to relax and be himself. Being around people wasn’t the problem—he loved it, in fact. The laughter, the inside jokes, the easy familiarity of friends was something Mark cherished. But moving to Korea for university had changed things. Suddenly, that comfort was gone, and he found himself struggling to fit in. His usual shyness became more pronounced, and with every day that passed, he felt more and more isolated.

It wasn’t that Mark didn’t want to make friends—he just didn’t know how. Two years had gone by, and while he’d managed to maintain a few polite acquaintances, he hadn’t found anyone he really clicked with. And the longer he stayed on the sidelines, the more he convinced himself that people found him boring. Why else would no one make an effort to talk to him? He started to believe that maybe it was easier to just stay in his bubble, where he couldn’t disappoint anyone or be judged for his awkwardness.

Until Haechan happened.

It was a random Tuesday when it all started. Mark had been minding his own business, like always, when a tray unceremoniously dropped onto the table in front of him, disrupting his neat little bubble of solitude. He blinked in surprise, meeting the mischievous grin of a guy he’d only seen around the lecture halls.

"Mind if I sit here?" Haechan had asked, though he was already sitting, as if Mark’s opinion on the matter was purely a formality.

Mark had stuttered out something unintelligible, trying to figure out why this overly friendly guy was acting like it was his birth right to sit there and had chosen him out of all people. There were other tables—friendlier, normal tables with normal people. But Haechan didn’t seem to notice or care about Mark’s bewildered face.

"You’re Mark, right? The guy from Canada?"

Mark nodded slowly, confused. How did he know that?

"I’m Haechan. Well, Donghyuck, but everyone calls me Haechan." He leaned back casually in his chair as if they were long-lost friends, his bright smile impossible to ignore. "The guys Professor Kang grouped me with…didn’t seem to care much about the project, so I asked her to change it. But, since every other group was full, she told me I can work with you."

Mark blinked again, his brain racing to catch up with the flood of information. He didn’t recall ever being told about having a partner for the project.

"Uh, okay…" Mark mumbled, staring at Haechan. He wasn't sure how to react to the sudden intrusion—both to his project and his peaceful lunch. Normally, group work meant dealing with the type of person who barely pulled their weight. Haechan, with his easy grin and relaxed demeanor, looked like he belonged in that category. Yet here he was, apparently of his own volition.

Haechan tapped the table with his fingers, as if he could sense Mark’s skepticism. "Don’t worry. I’m not just going to dump everything on you. I actually want to get it done properly."

Mark was still skeptical, but it’s not like he had a say in this, so he resorted to nodding his head.

Next time they met Mark was hunched over his laptop in the library, fingers tapping at the keyboard. He glanced at the empty seat across from him, wondering if Haechan was going to actually show up. Group projects never ended well—at least in Mark's experience. He'd spent more time picking up the slack than collaborating. But just as the thought crossed his mind, the chair scraped against the floor, Haechan flopping down into it with an energy that filled the quiet space.

"Guess what I found!" Haechan beamed, holding up his phone, practically vibrating with excitement.

Mark didn’t look up, keeping his eyes on the screen. "What?"

"A paper! Some research that’ll be super helpful for what we’re working on." Haechan grinned. "It’s got all the stuff we need."

Mark paused, glancing up at him. "Really?"

Haechan rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. "Yes, Mark. I can be useful, you know."

Mark didn’t say anything, though the skepticism must have been obvious in his expression.

Haechan laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Relax, I’m not here just to mess around."

Mark gave a small nod, trying to ignore the creeping guilt. "Fine," he muttered, eyes back on his screen.

Haechan pulled up the article on his phone and started scrolling. "Trust me, it’s solid. I’ve already skimmed through the key parts."

Mark glanced at the screen, slightly impressed despite himself. "Alright, let’s see."

They fell into a surprisingly comfortable rhythm, discussing parts of the research and jotting down notes. Haechan, much to Mark’s surprise, was focused and quick to suggest ideas. He wasn’t just a guy who coasted through group work. By the time they wrapped up, Mark had to admit they’d made solid progress. He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. "Well, that went better than expected," he muttered.

Haechan grinned, packing up his things. "Told you. We make a pretty good team."

Mark huffed. "I wouldn’t go that far."

Haechan shrugged, not missing a beat. "You’ll come around."

Mark stood up, grabbing his bag. "Don’t count on it. We aren’t going to meet up after this project ends anyways."

Haechan’s smile only widened as he headed toward the door, calling back over his shoulder, "Oh, I’m going to make sure I find you. Don’t worry!"

Mark pretended to be annoyed by that. But as he followed Haechan out, he couldn’t help the small, grudging smile that tugged at his lips. He found himself glancing at Haechan. He still couldn't quite figure him out. The guy was loud and always seemed to have endless energy, but he wasn’t pushy—at least, not in a way that felt overwhelming. Mark had expected to carry most of the project himself, like always, but Haechan had done more than just pull his weight.

It was... nice.

He quickly pushed the thought aside, huffing to himself. Getting too comfortable with people never worked out. He’d learned that lesson the hard way.

But it didn’t feel like Haechan was like that.

Mark's lips twitched, and he shook his head, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Yeah, like he was going to admit that anytime soon.

It had been about two weeks after that first cafeteria encounter when Haechan had shown up at the library—uninvited and entirely too cheerful for Mark’s liking. He was taking his words about finding him very seriously apparently.

Mark was sitting in his usual spot, buried in a book, the silence of the library wrapping him in a comforting bubble. The equations in front of him made sense. They were logical, predictable. People, on the other hand… not so much. And Haechan? Haechan was the least predictable of them all.

Which is why Mark was entirely unprepared when Haechan slid into the chair across from him with a loud, exaggerated sigh. "Dude, you’re like a ghost. Do you live in this library?"

Mark looked up, visibly startled. He glanced around, as if hoping to find an escape route. "Uh… I like it here. It’s quiet," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, in deference to the library’s usual calm.

Haechan grinned, clearly unfazed by the environment. "Well, not anymore. I found you."

Mark groaned internally but kept his face neutral. "Why are you here? The project already ended.” he asked, a little too bluntly, but Haechan didn’t seem to mind.

"Because I’ve decided you need to meet my friends," Haechan announced with a kind of nonchalance that made Mark’s stomach twist with nerves.

Mark blinked, taken aback. "What? No, I’m studying." He gestured to the textbook in front of him, hoping that would be enough of an excuse. "I’m busy."

"Busy being boring." Haechan waved a dismissive hand, like the concept of studying was beneath him. "Come on, you don’t have to be an antisocial nerd all the time. You’ll like them. They’re cool."

Mark bristled slightly at the word “nerd,” though he didn’t bite back. Instead, he tried once more to plead his case. "I don’t… do groups."

"That’s fine," Haechan said breezily, already standing up and slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "You don’t have to talk. Just come and sit there, awkwardly staring at us like you always do."

Mark opened his mouth to protest again, but Haechan was already grabbing his arm—not forcefully, but with enough insistence that Mark knew resistance was futile. "Trust me. You’ll thank me later."

As much as Mark hated being pulled out of his comfort zone, something in Haechan’s tone made him reluctantly go along with it. He didn’t want to, but the guy had a way of bulldozing through Mark’s carefully constructed defenses.

As they walked, Haechan kept up a steady stream of chatter, as if sensing Mark’s internal turmoil and doing everything in his power to distract him from it. Mark appreciated the effort, even if he wouldn’t say it out loud. It was… nice, having someone who cared enough to pull him out of his shell, even if it was annoying at the same time.

When they finally arrived at the cafe, Mark felt a wave of dread wash over him. There was a group of people already sitting at a table, laughing and talking loudly. They looked so… comfortable. Like they belonged together. Mark, on the other hand, felt like an outsider, standing awkwardly in the doorway, unsure of what to do with his hands.

Haechan noticed his hesitation and nudged him lightly. "Relax. They don’t bite," he whispered, then added with a grin, "Well, maybe Jaemin does, but only if you’re into that."

Mark shot him a glare, though it lacked any real heat. He took a deep breath and followed Haechan to the table, feeling the weight of unfamiliar eyes on him. Haechan introduced him with a flourish, like he was presenting the star of the show.

"This is Mark."

Mark’s face flushed red, and he awkwardly waved. "Uh… hey."

To his surprise, the group welcomed him warmly, as if they’d known him forever. And despite his initial nerves, Mark found himself slowly—very slowly—starting to relax. He didn’t say much, but Haechan made sure to include him in the conversation.

As much as Mark hated to admit it, Haechan had been right. It wasn’t so bad.

The quiet hum of the café was a welcome contrast to the chaos of campus life. Mark sat by the large window, the soft glow of evening light casting a warm hue over his table. His laptop was open in front of him, but the document on the screen was untouched. Instead, he stirred his coffee absentmindedly, gazing out at the bustling street. The café had become a bit of a refuge for him over the past few weeks—a place where he could unwind after lectures and group projects.

In the month since Haechan had forced his way into Mark’s life, moments like these had become increasingly rare. Haechan, with his relentless energy and annoying habit of popping up everywhere, had a way of filling Mark's once-quiet world with chaos.

At first, Mark had fought against it, but even he couldn’t deny that things had changed since Haechan appeared, dragging him into an unexpected circle of friends. And as much as Mark pretended to be annoyed, he was grateful—though he’d never say it out loud.

The sound of the door swinging open didn’t catch his attention at first. He was too wrapped up in his own head, mentally replaying the events of the day. That one professor had been more intense than usual, and the group project he was working on was a mess. The last thing he needed was more social interaction.

"Mark! Fancy seeing you here!"

Mark’s grip tightened on his coffee cup. He didn’t even have to look up to know who that voice belonged to.

He exhaled slowly before turning his head. There was Haechan, of course, grinning ear to ear as he made his way over to Mark’s table. The guy had an uncanny ability to pop up exactly where Mark wanted to be left alone.

"Do you seriously have a radar for wherever I am?" Mark muttered, his tone dry but not harsh.

Haechan plopped down into the seat opposite him without a second thought, sliding his tray onto the table as if he’d been invited. "What can I say? I’ve got a sixth sense for finding friends in need of company."

Mark resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I’m not in need of anything. I was enjoying the peace, actually."

Haechan didn’t even blink, already unwrapping the muffin he’d bought. "Sure, you were. But peace is overrated. Anyway, how’s it going? You looked like you were deep in thought, or y’know, zoning out."

Mark shot him a half-hearted glare, pulling one earbud out. "I wasn’t zoning out."

"You totally were," Haechan teased, leaning back in his chair, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You always get that look when you’re pretending to be productive but really just staring into space."

Mark sighed, letting his eyes drift back to his laptop screen. It was impossible to keep Haechan out once he’d decided to be involved. Still, part of him found it hard to stay annoyed. The café had been quiet, sure, but maybe a little too quiet. And Haechan’s presence—while irritating on the surface—had become something of a strange comfort.

"You’re going to distract me," Mark muttered, typing a few words just for show.

Haechan leaned in, watching him with exaggerated curiosity. "From what, exactly? Because that page has been blank for at least five minutes, and I didn’t see you rushing to fix it before I got here."

Mark bit back a smile, refusing to look up. "You’re really observant for someone who doesn’t know when to leave people alone."

Haechan’s grin widened. "You say that, but you haven’t kicked me out yet."

Mark finally looked up, narrowing his eyes. "I’m just too polite."

"Right. That must be it," Haechan quipped, pushing the muffin across the table toward Mark. "Here. Eat. You look like you’re running on fumes."

Mark stared at the muffin, it was one of his favorites, then back at Haechan. "I don’t want it." Honestly, Mark doesn’t know why he said that. He could have just accepted it with a thanks like a normal person.

Haechan didn’t move. "Sure, you don’t."

There was a brief pause in which Mark stared at the muffin longingly before he sighed, picking up the muffin with an embarrassed look. "Fine, but just because it’s sitting right in front of me. Not because I want it."

"Yeah, okay," Haechan said, leaning back with a smug expression that told Mark he’d already won.

Mark took a bite of the muffin, trying to ignore the warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with the muffin. How did Haechan manage to do this? Every time Mark thought he’d carved out a moment for himself, Haechan would sweep in, dragging him back into his world of chaos. And no matter how much Mark pretended to be annoyed, he never told him to leave.

"So, big plans for the weekend?" Haechan asked casually, sipping his iced coffee.

Mark raised an eyebrow. "No. Why?"

"Just wondering. Thought maybe you’d finally stop pretending to be a workaholic and hang out with us for once."

Mark scowled, though there was no real heat behind it. "I’m not pretending to be a workaholic. I actually have stuff to do."

Haechan smirked. "Uh-huh. Sure, you do. You’d probably have more fun if you weren’t stuck in your own little world all the time."

"I like my world," Mark muttered defensively, though even he knew it sounded weak.

"Yeah, but you like our world too," Haechan shot back with a playful glint in his eye. "Don’t act like you don’t. You’re always hanging out with us now."

Mark looked away, focusing on the muffin in his hands. He didn’t have a good retort for that. It was true—he had started spending more time with Haechan and his friends. Not that he would ever admit it was because he actually enjoyed it.

"You should come over this weekend," Haechan pressed on, leaning forward eagerly. "We’re doing a movie night. You can pick the film—something nerdy and educational if it’ll make you feel better."

Mark’s lips twitched, fighting the smile that threatened to break through. "I’ll think about it."

"That’s a yes," Haechan declared, standing up with a triumphant grin. "See you then, Mark. Don’t get too lonely here without me."

Mark watched him leave, shaking his head in exasperation. But as the café returned to its usual quiet, the seat across from him now empty, Mark couldn’t deny the small pang of disappointment he felt.

"Idiot," he muttered under his breath, though he wasn’t sure if he meant Haechan or himself.

The cafeteria was busier than usual. Mark had settled into his usual seat, already surrounded by the familiar noise of Haechan’s friends. Or if he dared to say his friends.

Jaemin was telling some ridiculous story, Jeno nodding along while Renjun rolled his eyes in disbelief. Mark wasn’t paying too much attention, but he felt… content. He’d gotten used to the group now.

Mark glanced around, listening to the familiar rhythm of their conversations. A few weeks ago, this kind of setting would have made him feel out of place, like he didn’t belong. But now? It was different.

Just as he was lost in thought, a warm presence settled next to him. Mark didn’t need to look up to know it was Haechan. The guy had a habit of zeroing in on him no matter where they were, like it was the most natural thing in the world to sit right next to Mark. Haechan was already leaning in close, talking animatedly to Jaemin and Chenle about some movie he’d watched over the weekend. He was so close, in fact, that his arm kept brushing against Mark’s, and Mark found himself subtly inching away, as if the extra space would somehow bring him relief from the constant, casual touch.

Haechan, of course, seemed completely oblivious to personal space. His elbow nudged Mark again, and Mark instinctively shifted back, his heart skipping a beat in annoyance. Or maybe something else—he wasn’t sure.

Then, as if on cue, Haechan laughed loudly and leaned in even closer, his face right next to Mark’s. This time, it was apparently too much for Mark’s  brain as he suddenly jerked back on reflex, nearly knocking over his entire tray in his scramble to avoid the touch. His elbow bumped into the edge of the tray, sending his fork clattering to the floor and nearly toppling his drink. The sudden noise caught the attention of the whole table, and for a split second, everyone paused to look at him. Heat crawled up the back of his neck as he awkwardly reached down to pick up the fallen utensil, doing his best to act like he wasn’t just... startled.

Jaemin smirked, clearly amused. “Everything okay, Mark?”

Mark straightened up, forcing his expression into something neutral. “Yeah. Fine,” he muttered, avoiding eye contact with Haechan, who seemed blissfully unaware of the chaos he'd caused. Why does he have to sit so close? Mark’s heart raced, though he tried to bury the irritation—and the blush—that threatened to creep up.

Why is he always like this? Mark thought, glancing at Haechan’s oblivious grin. Annoyance bubbled up inside him, but there was something else, too—heat crawling up his neck and settling in his cheeks. He cursed the slight blush that had undoubtedly appeared, willing it to disappear.

“Mark,” Haechan’s voice cut through his thoughts, and Mark blinked, realizing Haechan had turned his attention fully toward him. “You in there? You’ve been quiet.”

Mark stiffened, shooting a sidelong glance. “I’m fine,” he mumbled, pretending to be focused on his food. He didn’t want Haechan to see how off-kilter he felt just by being near him.

Haechan’s brow furrowed slightly, a flicker of worry passing through his usual playful expression. “You sure? You seem kinda… off.” His voice softened, the teasing edge replaced by something gentler. For a brief moment, Mark caught a glimpse of genuine concern.

It made something twist in his chest.

“I’m fine,” Mark repeated.

Haechan blinked, but instead of pressing further, he only nodded, giving Mark a little space. “Okay, okay. If you say so.” His smile returned, though the concern lingered in his eyes.

Mark swallowed hard. He didn’t like the tightness in his chest, the guilt that followed every time he brushed Haechan off. He glanced up briefly, catching Haechan still watching him, a smile on his lips. Mark quickly looked away, his voice dropping. “You’re so annoying, you know that?”

The words came out softer than he meant, like the bite was missing. Haechan just chuckled, as if he knew better than to take it seriously.

“Yeah, but you love it,” Haechan teased, leaning in just a little closer, his side pressing into Mark again.

Mark’s breath caught, and he pushed his tray away slightly to avoid another accident, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up his neck. “In your dreams,” he muttered, but the usual sharpness in his voice wasn’t there.

Haechan grinned, satisfied with the reaction, and leaned back into his chair, his attention shifting back to the rest of the group. Mark, on the other hand, couldn’t shake the flutter in his chest or the heat that refused to leave his cheeks.

It annoyed him how easily Haechan could get under his skin, make him react without even trying. But at the same time… it wasn’t the worst thing in the world.

Not that he’d ever let Haechan know that.

Mark was hunched over his laptop in the library, eyes heavy from staring at the screen for hours. His notes were scattered around him, textbooks piled up as he tried to finish an important project. He let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing his temples.

Why did I wait until the last minute to do this? he chided himself. Stupid. Now I’m never going to finish in time.

Just as he was about to dive back into his work, the familiar sound of footsteps approached. Without needing to look up, he knew exactly who it was.

“Still alive over there?” Haechan greeted, his grin brightening the dim library light.

Mark glanced up, struggling to mask his irritation—or perhaps the relief that washed over him at the sight of Haechan. “Barely,” he replied, his voice deadpan.

Haechan chuckled, setting a coffee cup down next to Mark’s laptop as if it were the most natural gesture in the world. “Figured you could use this.”

Mark stared at the coffee for a moment, surprise flickering across his features before he looked back at Haechan. “I didn’t ask for this,” he replied, though the warmth of the cup was undeniably inviting.

“Didn’t have to. I saw you drowning in your notes earlier, so I thought I’d save you from collapsing halfway through your all-nighter.” Haechan shrugged, his casual demeanor radiating ease.

Mark huffed, determined to downplay the gesture. “I’m fine. I don’t need saving.”

Yet, despite his words, he picked up the cup and took a slow sip. The warmth seeped into his hands and spread through him, providing a surprising sense of comfort amidst the stress. Okay, maybe I needed this. But I’m not telling him that.

Haechan plopped down in the chair next to Mark, pulling out his phone. For a brief moment, they fell into a comfortable silence, the soft tapping of Mark’s keyboard mingling with the occasional hum from Haechan’s device.

“Need help with anything?” Haechan asked casually, glancing over at Mark. “You look like you’re about to throw hands with PowerPoint.”

Mark groaned, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration. “This project is a disaster. I’m pretty sure the rest of my group has no idea what they’re doing.”

Haechan, sensing Mark’s distress, slid his chair closer and peeked at the laptop screen. “Let me see. Maybe I can fix it.”

Mark hesitated for a moment, contemplating the offer. But before he could respond, Haechan had already grabbed the laptop and began clicking through the slides. For a few minutes, he rearranged content, added transitions, and tweaked the text. To Mark’s mild disbelief, the presentation transformed before his eyes, quickly looking ten times better.

“There. Now it doesn’t look like a kindergartner made it,” Haechan announced, a triumphant grin plastered across his face as he saved the file and pushed the laptop back toward Mark.

Mark muttered, “I could’ve done that,” even as a flicker of gratitude warmed his chest.

“Sure, but now you don’t have to,” Haechan replied, smirking.

Rolling his eyes, Mark felt the corners of his mouth betray him, tugging into a faint smile. Why does he always do this? he thought, unable to shake the admiration creeping in despite himself. He could’ve just gone home and rested, but he stayed.

He tried to brush off the feeling, but deep down, he couldn’t deny how Haechan had just saved him hours of frustration. It was hard not to appreciate it, especially when he made everything seem effortless.

“You didn’t have to help,” Mark grumbled, attempting to regain his composure. “I had it under control.”

“Yeah, but now you have more time to relax and do whatever you nerds do for fun. You’re welcome,” Haechan replied with a casual shrug, completely unfazed.

Mark shook his head, though the warmth in his chest lingered. Haechan’s small acts of kindness, whether it was bringing him coffee or fixing his project, always came without any grand gestures. And even as Mark tried to pretend it didn’t matter, he knew it always did.

It was another typical night at Chenle’s house, where the group had gathered for a long-awaited movie marathon. Blankets were scattered around the floor, cushions everywhere, and the coffee table was packed with snacks—exactly how they liked it.

The usual argument over which movie to watch started as soon as everyone settled in. Jeno was pushing for an action movie, while Renjun and Chenle were all in on a comedy. Jaemin, true to form, had already made a case for a cheesy romance. Meanwhile, Jisung sat quietly on the side, letting the others debate, as usual.

Normally, Haechan would jump right into the mix, fighting for his movie of choice until everyone gave in. But tonight, he leaned back, unusually calm, and glanced over at Mark, who was sitting on the edge of the couch, quietly observing the chaos.

“You know what?” Haechan cut in, raising his voice just enough to get everyone’s attention. “Let’s let Mark choose tonight.”

All heads turned toward him in surprise. Even Mark blinked, looking caught off guard. “Me?”

“Yeah, you,” Haechan said casually, moving a bit closer to Mark on the couch. “You’ve never picked before. Might as well be your turn.”

Jeno raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you give up control like that?”

Jaemin snickered, catching on to Haechan’s unusual behavior. “Yeah, seriously. You’re always the one making us watch whatever horror movie you’re obsessed with that week.”

Haechan shrugged nonchalantly, ignoring their teasing. “What? Can’t I just let someone else pick for once? Mark hasn’t had a turn yet.”

The others exchanged looks, some smirking knowingly, but none of them pressed further. Chenle, who was hosting, just chuckled. “Fine, fine. Mark, it’s your call.”

Mark shifted awkwardly, feeling the weight of everyone’s attention. “Uh… I don’t really care. Just pick whatever.”

Haechan leaned in, his shoulder brushing against Mark’s as he said, “Come on, Mark. You’ve gotta have something in mind. Just pick.”

After a moment of hesitation, Mark sighed and scrolled through the options on the screen, landing on a light-hearted romcom. “This one, I guess.”

To everyone’s surprise, Haechan nodded immediately. “Good choice. Let’s watch it.”

Jaemin shot Haechan an incredulous look. “No complaints? Who are you, and what have you done with the real Haechan?”

Haechan just grinned, not bothering to defend himself. “I can be chill, too, you know.”

As the group sat together in the dimly lit room, the movie playing in the background, Mark could feel Haechan’s presence beside him. Haechan was close—closer than anyone else in the group—and Mark tried to focus on the screen, pretending not to notice.

Haechan leaned over, making some snide comment about the movie, his arm brushing against Mark’s. He’s always doing this—getting in my space, Mark thought, a frown pulling at his lips. But despite his irritation, he didn’t move away. His heart raced at the closeness, a warmth settling in his chest.

"It’s just because he’s loud. He does this to everyone," Mark told himself, even though he knew it wasn’t true. Haechan didn’t sit this close to anyone else. He hated that it made him feel... something.

Mark shifted in his seat, trying to focus on the movie, but the faint brush of Haechan’s shoulder against his own was all he could think about.

He sighed, doing his best to keep his focus on the screen, but Haechan was persistent.

“Hey, did you see that guy’s face? What even was that expression?” Haechan whispered, his voice low, but the hint of laughter in it was hard to miss.

Mark bit back a smile, keeping his expression neutral. “Just watch the movie,” he muttered in a low voice.

But Haechan didn’t stop. Every chance he got, he’d whisper something in Mark’s ear, trying to make him laugh. And even though Mark tried to keep his act up, there were moments where the corners of his lips twitched despite himself.

At last, Mark huffed, “Can you let me watch the movie?”

“But it’s funnier this way,” Haechan said, grinning.

Mark rolled his eyes, but he didn’t move away. He found the corners of his lips twitching as Haechan continued with his quiet commentary, trying—and almost succeeding—to make Mark laugh.

It went on like that for most of the night. Every time Mark thought Haechan would get bored and focus on the movie, he would lean in with another joke or comment, nudging Mark’s arm or shoulder to get his attention. And though Mark kept up his usual act—short responses, eye rolls, and subtle scowls—it wasn’t lost on him how Haechan never seemed to get frustrated or give up.

By the end of the movie, Mark’s heart was racing from more than just the romcom’s grand finale. He glanced at Haechan, who was still sitting far too close, his arm draped casually along the back of the couch as if it had been there all night. And even though it was annoying, even though Mark had spent most of the night pushing Haechan away—there was a part of him that didn’t mind.

But like he said, he’d never admit it.

The house had quieted down after the movie night ended, with most of the group already gone, leaving only Jeno and Haechan behind. Chenle had gone to sleep a while ago. The kitchen was dim, the soft hum of the refrigerator filling the silence as Haechan rummaged through Chenle’s snack cupboard. Jeno leaned casually against the counter, watching him with an amused expression.

"You really gotta raid Chenle’s kitchen every time?"

Haechan rolled his eyes, grabbing a bag of chips. "It’s basically a tradition at this point. Besides, Chenle doesn’t mind.”

Jeno chuckled, but his expression shifted as he glanced toward the living room where they’d been just moments ago. His voice lowered, tone more thoughtful now. "You know... you’ve been acting kinda different lately."

Haechan paused, mid-bite of his chips, and gave Jeno a curious look. "Different how?"

Jeno tilted his head, eyeing him with a knowing smirk. "I’m talking about Mark."

Haechan nearly choked on his chips. He coughed, quickly turning away to gulp down some water, hoping it would hide the flush creeping up his neck. "W-What about Mark?" he stammered, trying to sound casual, but the sudden shift in tone betrayed him.

Jeno crossed his arms, eyebrows raised in that all-too-familiar way. "Come on, man. You really think no one noticed? You’re not exactly subtle."

Haechan’s face burned. "Noticed... what?"

Jeno shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "You like him. I’ve known for a while now."

Haechan froze, his grip tightening on the chip bag. He wasn’t expecting anyone, especially Jeno, to figure it out. "I—I don’t... What are you even talking about?" he muttered, trying and failing to play it off.

Jeno gave him a long, pointed look. "Dude, you’ve liked him since before you even introduced him to us. Don’t think I didn’t notice how you jumped at the chance to be on that project with him."

Haechan’s embarrassment only deepened, his mind racing to come up with an excuse. "It wasn’t just—"

"Just because you wanted to get close to him," Jeno cut in smoothly, finishing Haechan’s thought for him. "Come on. I’ve seen the way you look at him. You’ve been staring at him way more than what’s socially acceptable." Jeno smirked, clearly enjoying the way Haechan was squirming under his words.

Haechan was flustered, struggling to find his words. "How... how did you even know I liked Mark?" He cursed inwardly, realizing he’d just admitted to it.

Jeno grinned, giving him a playful nudge. "Because you’re obvious, dude. Every time he’s around, you can’t help but gravitate toward him. And when he’s not looking, you stare at him like he’s the only person in the room. I’m honestly surprised Mark hasn’t caught on yet."

Haechan groaned, hiding his face behind his hands. "Oh my god, this is so embarrassing."

"Don’t worry, I’m not gonna tell anyone," Jeno said with a chuckle.

Haechan peeked through his fingers, still red-faced. "I can’t believe you noticed that."

Jeno just shrugged. "Hey, it’s hard to miss. You really like him, huh?"

Haechan sighed, finally dropping the act and nodding. "Yeah… I do. I don’t even know how it started."

Jeno smiled softly, no longer teasing. "Well, just don’t wait too long to tell him. He might surprise you."

Haechan’s heart skipped a beat at the thought, but for now, he could only sigh, glancing down at the chips in his hand, his mind still reeling from the sudden revelation from Jeno.

As the weeks rolled into months, it became increasingly clear to everyone in their friend group that Haechan was practically glued to Mark. Whether they were at school, hanging out at someone’s house, or grabbing snacks between classes, Haechan was always just a little too close to Mark, always trying to make him laugh. It wasn’t just Jeno who noticed anymore; the whole group was beginning to see it.

One afternoon at lunch, they were gathered around their usual table, talking loudly as usual. Mark had messaged them that he would be late, having to talk to his professor about something. Haechan sat there, absently pushing his food around his plate, a slight frown on his face as he glanced at the door every few minutes.

Chenle leaned over to Renjun, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Look at Haechan, looking all sad while waiting for Mark.”

Haechan looked up sharply, defensive. “I’m not sad!”

Jaemin snickered, leaning back in his chair. “You look like a forlorn wife waiting for her husband at home when Mark isn’t around.” All Haechan could do in retaliation was throwing his used tissue at his face.

“You can’t deny that you are always stuck to him like glue.” Renjun said with a shrug.

“You guys are ridiculous. It’s just… I like hanging out with him. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Chenle, unable to resist, leaned in closer with a grin. “Oh? So, you wouldn’t miss him if he doesn’t come today?”

Haechan frowned, taking a sip of his drink. “Of course, I’d miss him! Who wouldn’t?” He paused, glancing toward the door again. “But that doesn’t mean I’m sad or anything.”

“Sure, sweetheart,” Jaemin said with a wink. “Just admit you have a crush already!”

Haechan rolled his eyes, trying to brush off their teasing, but he could feel the heat creeping up his neck.

Quietly observing the exchange, Jisung suddenly piped up with a playful smile. “How about a week without talking to him? No trying to get his attention, nothing. Just see if you can actually stay away.”

The table went silent for a moment, everyone processing the ridiculousness of the suggestion. Jisung chuckled, fully aware it was just a joke—no one expected Haechan to take it seriously. But as Haechan’s eyes widened at the challenge, a defiant spark ignited within him, swirling with both intrigue and apprehension.

Maybe this is a good idea, he thought, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. If he could go a week without talking to Mark, it might reveal how much Mark really cared. The thrill of the unknown tugged at him, a challenge that felt too tempting to ignore.

“Fine! I can do that!” he declared, his voice firm but betraying a hint of uncertainty. The room erupted in laughter, surprise lighting up the faces of his friends, who had expected him to laugh it off.

“Wait, you’re serious?” Chenle exclaimed, raising an eyebrow. “You think you can actually pull that off?”

“I mean, how hard could it be?” Haechan shrugged, attempting to sound nonchalant as he crossed his arms defiantly. Yet, beneath his bravado, a flutter of anxiety took root in his stomach.

Jaemin leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “I give you three days before you’re begging to talk to him again. You’re practically glued to his side!”

Haechan rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto his face. “I’ll show you! Just watch me.”

As laughter filled the air, Haechan’s heart raced, battling the thrill of the challenge against the nagging doubt in the back of his mind. What had he just committed to?

As the conversation shifted back to their usual banter—who had the most embarrassing crush stories, or who had the best skills in gaming—Haechan’s thoughts drifted back to Mark. He could already picture him, that easy smile lighting up his face, and the way his eyes sparkled with mischief when he joked around.

Would he really be able to resist? What if Mark noticed he was gone and actually cared? A part of him secretly hoped that he would. The thought sent a rush of warmth through him, a mixture of excitement and fear swirling together.

“Hey, don’t get too cocky.” Renjun warned, snapping him back to the present. “You might end up regretting this.”

Haechan waved him off, though his heart raced at the thought. “I won’t regret anything! It’s just a week, right?” But even as he said the words, doubt crept in.

As the laughter and teasing continued around him, he could hardly focus on anything else. He had thrown down the gauntlet, but now he was left to face the reality of what that meant—and whether he was truly ready for the challenge ahead.

Mark finally emerged from his professor's office, feeling mentally drained. The conversation had been longer than he’d anticipated. With a sigh, he rubbed the back of his neck and made his way toward the cafeteria, the familiar sounds of chatter and laughter growing louder with each step.

As he got near their usual table, the sudden hush that fell over his friends caught him off guard. He paused, glancing around them, who were all staring at him with various expressions of surprise and amusement. Mark frowned, the feeling of being under a spotlight creeping up on him. It felt oddly unnerving.

He scanned the table and noticed the usual chaos, but something felt off. The seat next to Haechan was filled with Jisung, and Haechan himself didn’t seem to be making any moves to signal Mark over. Instead, he was deep in conversation with Chenle, a rare smile on his face that didn’t seem directed towards Mark at all.

Mark shrugged it off, forcing his legs to carry him forward. It was probably nothing. As he settled down at the opposite end of the table, he tried to push away the odd feeling that had settled in his stomach.

“Hey, finally made it!” Renjun exclaimed, breaking the silence. “You look like you’ve been through a war,”

“Yeah, just got out of a meeting with Professor Lee. He really loves to talk,” Mark replied, forcing a smile as he opened his half-eaten sandwich from morning. He didn’t have much time before his next class, so he couldn’t waste time on going to buy something else.

The conversation resumed, but Mark couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different. Haechan wasn’t leaning over, cracking jokes, or throwing in playful jabs like he usually did. He was animated, but it was directed toward Chenle, who was listening with wide eyes and laughter.

Jaemin, ever observant, raised an eyebrow. “Mark, you seem a little... tense.”

Mark didn’t miss a beat. “Do I? Must be all the unnecessary noise today,” he quipped dryly, his eyes flicking toward Haechan for just a second before refocusing on his tray. That was petty. He knew that.

Jaemin snorted, clearly entertained, while Mark, feeling the heat creeping up his neck, forced himself to focus on his sandwich.

“Are you going to eat that?” Jaemin asked, gesturing to the half-sandwich in Mark’s hand with a frown.

“Yeah, just…” Mark started, but his eyes flicked back to Haechan, who was still engrossed in his animated conversation with Chenle. Usually, Haechan would be the first to pipe up about how Mark needed to eat better, but today he seemed too wrapped up in whatever story he was telling. Mark shook his head slightly, trying to focus on his friend instead. Maybe it was because they weren’t sitting next to each other. That had to be it.

“I don’t have time to get something else. My lab starts in twenty minutes.”

“Twenty minutes? Seriously? You can’t go in there on an empty stomach,” Jeno interjected, eyeing Mark’s meager sandwich like it was a crime. “You know labs usually last for three hours, right? How are you supposed to get through that?”

Mark sighed, glancing down at his sandwich. “I’ll be fine,” he said, but the thought of sitting in a three-hour lab without any real food didn’t sit well with him.

“Here, take some of mine,” Jeno offered, nudging his tray closer. “You need something with substance if you want to survive.”

Mark hesitated for a moment, feeling a little guilty.

“I can’t eat all of this by myself anyway.” Jeno rolled his eyes dramatically, but there was a soft smile on his face.

“Alright, if you say so,” Mark relented, reaching over to take a little bit of it. “Thanks, man.”

As the group talked and laughed around him, Mark found himself stealing glances at Haechan. He frowned a little when he noticed that Haechan wasn’t even glancing in his direction. Why wasn’t Haechan trying to talk to him like usual? The familiar teasing, the playful jabs—it was all absent today. It was strange to say the least.

At some point Haechan burst out laughing, leaning closer to Chenle, and for some reason, a knot tightened in Mark's chest. He shifted in his seat slightly, almost like he was about to say something, before catching himself. He shook his head, frustrated.

But no matter how much he tried to focus on the conversation around him, his eyes kept flicking back to Haechan, half-expecting him to pull some goofy stunt just to get his attention. Yet when Haechan didn’t, when he stayed engrossed with the others, a spark of irritation flared in Mark’s chest.

Why does it bother me so much? he wondered, feeling the annoyance linger longer than it should.

With a final glance at Haechan, who was still not looking his way, Mark decided it wasn’t worth overthinking. He stood up, grabbing his bag. “I should get going. My lab starts in a bit,” he said, forcing a casual tone.

“See you later!” Renjun called out.

“Yeah, later!” Mark replied, waving as he walked away. He tried to ignore the lingering feeling in his gut and focused on his class ahead. It wasn’t a big deal—he was sure of it. Haechan would be back to teasing him in no time.

The next day, Mark made his way to class, feeling somewhat refreshed after a night of decent sleep, his mind buzzing with thoughts about his work and the upcoming weekend. As he walked, he chatted with Jisung about his latest assignment, barely aware of his surroundings.

Just as they passed a group of students near the lockers, Mark caught sight of Haechan talking to someone. For a brief moment, Mark felt like their eyes locked. It was a split second, but he could’ve sworn Haechan’s gaze shifted towards him. But instead of walking towards him or waving, he turned on his heel and left.

Mark paused in his way, feeling dumbfounded.

“What just happened?” Mark murmured, blinking in confusion as he tried to process what he’d just seen.

Jisung looked back at him, a puzzled expression on his face. “What? I didn’t see anything,” he said, glancing toward the lockers.

Mark felt a frown pull at his lips. “Haechan was just there. I think he saw me, but then he just… turned and walked away.”

“Are you sure? Maybe he didn’t see you,” Jisung suggested.

Mark shrugged, his mind racing. “Yeah, maybe. I mean, it was quick. He could’ve just been talking to someone and not noticed me.”

He rubbed the back of his neck, trying to shake off the strange feeling settling in his stomach. It was probably nothing. Haechan was just busy. “Let’s just get to class,” he said, forcing a smile and nudging Jisung as they walked away.

He pushed open the door to his class, settling into his seat with a sigh. Yet, as he pulled out his notebook, the image of Haechan walking away lingered in his mind, leaving him with an inexplicable sense of something—something he couldn't quite put his finger on. It was probably nothing, Mark told himself, focusing instead on his notes. There was no need to overthink it.

The mall was bustling with life as the group wandered through the stores, laughter and chatter filling the air. It was a much-needed break after a long week of classes. However, from the moment Mark arrived, he couldn’t shake the nagging annoyance building inside him. Haechan had only looked at him once, a fleeting glance before he turned back to Jaemin, who was recounting some story.

Mark tried to dismiss the nagging feeling clawing at him, convincing himself he was merely overthinking things. But with each laugh that erupted from Haechan, it felt as though a weight pressed down on his chest. It was the unmistakable sensation of being at a lively party while feeling utterly out of place, as if everyone was in on a joke that he wasn’t. He couldn’t help but wonder if Haechan was deliberately pushing him away. Was this some sort of prank? The thought lingered in his mind, making it harder for him to shake off the frustration.

What if I did something wrong? Mark pondered, anxiety creeping in as the group continued to walk. The thought gnawed at him, deepening the knot in his chest. He kept his gaze straight ahead, unwilling to dwell on the answer.

“Hey, should we grab some food?” Jaemin suggested, glancing around as they made their way to the food court. Everyone eagerly agreed, and Mark, following his usual instinct, started to walk toward Haechan, ready to claim his spot beside him.

But as he reached their table, Haechan grabbed Renjun’s arm and pulled him down into the seat beside him, a wide grin plastered on his face as they continued talking. Mark froze, momentarily caught off guard, the familiar frustration rising within him. It was like that feeling of going to class and finding your designated unofficial seat already taken.

“Seriously?” he muttered under his breath, irritation bubbling up as Haechan completely ignored him, engrossed in whatever Renjun had just said. The mix of annoyance and disappointment surged within him, and it felt like a punch to the gut.

“It’s fine,” Mark whispered to himself, forcing a smile as he moved to sit next to Jeno. But the irritation clung to him, a heavy presence in his chest that he couldn’t shake. A lump formed in his throat as he tried to convince himself it didn’t matter who Haechan sat with. He was just annoyed because it felt like his designated seat had been stolen—nothing more.

“Mark, you okay?” Jeno asked, glancing over at him with concern.

“Just tired,” Mark replied, tightening his grip on his drink, wishing he could convince himself as easily as he’d told Jeno.

As their conversation flowed around him, Mark found himself increasingly distracted. His gaze wandered back to Haechan, catching glimpses of the way his smile brightened when he laughed at Renjun’s jokes. Each time he looked over, the knot in his chest twisted tighter. He tried to focus on Jeno and the others, but the deeper he sank into the atmosphere, the more he felt like an outsider looking in, completely detached.

What the hell was this feeling?

You’re just annoyed because he’s not bugging you like usual, Mark told himself, taking a deep breath. That’s it. You’re not jealous. That’s ridiculous. You’ve never needed anyone’s attention. Mark tried to reason with himself, taking a deep breath to calm the storm brewing inside. He was fine. Everything was fine.

But he wasn’t fine. As much as he tried to ignore it, his mood had been dipping all day, directly tied to the distance Haechan was suddenly putting between them. And as much as Mark hated to admit it, it wasn’t just annoyance.

It felt like something more.

This wasn’t just about him feeling left out; it was about something deeper, something he hadn’t fully acknowledged until now. The awareness of that longing left him unsettled. Mark could no longer deny that Haechan’s absence affected him more than he had ever realized.

As the day came to a close, the group finally exited the mall after a long, tiring day. Mark could barely keep his eyes open; all he wanted was to go home and sleep for the next ten hours. He glanced over his shoulder, catching sight of Haechan standing a few paces behind, absorbed in his phone.

Mark noticed that Haechan looked kind of tired, his usual vibrant energy replaced by a hint of weariness. The familiar spark in his eyes seemed dimmed, and his smile wasn’t as bright as it usually was. Concern crept into his mind, prompting him to slow his pace, trying to appear casual as he considered whether Haechan was okay. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself, but Renjun, ever the observant one, picked up on it right away.

“Looking for someone?” Renjun asked, a smirk dancing on his lips.

Mark stiffened at the question, his defensiveness flaring as he shot back. “What? No. Just… tired. It’s been a long day.”

Renjun chuckled softly, clearly unconvinced by Mark’s attempt to play it cool. “Right.”

Mark frowned, feeling irritation swell—not just at Haechan, but now at Renjun, too. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he grumbled.

Without Haechan trailing behind him or leaning into his space, everything felt... off. He tried to shake the feeling, forcing himself to focus on whatever Jaemin and Renjun were discussing, but the unease lingered like a shadow.

Why does it bother me so much when he’s not around? Mark pondered, his mind racing as the group continued to walk. He kept his gaze straight ahead, unwilling to dwell on the answer. He knew it was more than just annoyance but admitting that felt like a weight too heavy to bear. It wasn’t the first time he had felt that strange knot in his chest, the one that twisted every time Haechan didn’t look his way, but today had been different. It wasn’t like Haechan hadn’t spent time with the others before. But today, for some reason, it felt like a personal slight.

Mark glanced down at his feet as he walked, his stomach churning. Is it just because he’s not teasing me like usual? Mark tried to rationalize his feelings, but even that excuse felt thin. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he wasn’t just irritated. There was something else beneath the surface, something that had been growing for months.

I don’t need his attention, he told himself firmly, but the words lacked conviction. His gaze kept flicking toward Haechan, drawn to the familiar sight of his easy grin, the way he leaned into the conversation, completely at ease. And it struck Mark how much he had gotten used to Haechan being in his space—his constant teasing, his presence.

That thought made Mark’s breath catch. No. I don’t need him around. I don’t. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized how much he missed that attention. How, despite always acting annoyed, he had started to look forward to it.

He clenched his fists, frustrated with himself. This is stupid. He shouldn’t care. Haechan was just a friend, someone who had barged into his life and forced him out of his bubble. That’s all it was. But then why did it feel so different now?

Haechan leaned against the mall railing, watching as the group meandered through the various shops. He smiled and laughed along with Jaemin’s jokes, but his heart wasn’t really in it. Every few minutes, his eyes would flick over to Mark—just for a second, to see if he was looking, if he noticed the space between them.

But Mark never looked back.

This is harder than I thought, Haechan admitted to himself. The whole point of the bet for him had been to see if Mark even cared—if his presence had any effect on him at all. He didn’t care about proving anything to his friends honestly. But now, as Haechan sat there trying to keep his distance, it felt like the whole thing was backfiring. He missed the teasing, the small back-and-forths they’d have over the most ridiculous things. He missed being the one to make Mark react, even if it was just a scoff or a roll of the eyes.

And now? Now it felt like Mark was perfectly fine without him.

Does he even care? Haechan wondered, a small ache settling in his chest. He wasn’t used to feeling this way—uncertain, out of control. Normally, he was the one pulling the strings, making things happen. But with Mark, everything felt different. He didn’t like feeling unsure.

"Hey, you good?" Renjun’s voice broke through his thoughts.

Haechan snapped back to reality, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just tired," he lied. It wasn’t entirely false—he was exhausted, but not physically. The emotional strain of keeping up this act, pretending he didn’t want to talk to Mark, was wearing him down.

Renjun raised an eyebrow but didn’t push further. He turned back to the group, but Haechan's mind stayed on Mark. Is he even noticing that I’m not around? he thought, watching as Mark walked a few steps ahead with Jeno, looking completely unbothered.

Maybe this was a mistake.

The group had gathered for a casual study session at Jaemin’s place, the atmosphere buzzing with a mix of laughter and last-minute cramming for finals. Mark and Jeno were seated on the couch, flipping through their notes and engaged in small talk, while across the room, Haechan was laughing loudly at something Jisung had said. Haechan leaned closer to Jisung, teasingly ruffling his hair.

Jisung swatted him away with a laugh, but Mark’s posture stiffened slightly at the sight. He tried to keep his focus on Jeno, but his eyes kept drifting back to Haechan. He wasn’t sure why it bugged him—Haechan joking around with others was nothing new—but something gnawed at him.

Mark couldn’t focus. Not with that tight knot of unease sitting in his chest.

He looked back down at his notes, trying to force himself to focus. It’s not like I miss him, Mark reasoned, but even as the words formed in his head, they felt wrong. He did miss him—missed the teasing, the way Haechan’s presence filled every space he occupied. Without that, things felt... off. Emptier.

This is ridiculous, Mark told himself, but the itchiness inside him wasn’t going away. In fact, it was only getting worse.

He sighed quietly, pressing a hand to his forehead. What’s wrong with me? The answer floated in the back of his mind, but Mark wasn’t ready to face it yet.

As Haechan leaned in even closer to Jisung, whispering something that made him burst into laughter again, Mark’s frustration rose. It wasn’t that Haechan was interacting with the others—that was normal. It was the fact that Haechan hadn’t even glanced his way, not once. Mark was used to being overlooked but with Haechan he couldn’t bring himself to get used to it. He didn’t want to.

“Could you tone it down? Some of us are trying to study over here!” Mark snapped, his voice sharper than intended. The room fell silent, all eyes turning to him in surprise. Haechan blinked, clearly taken aback.

Mark huffed and turned away, feeling his heart race in a way that only fueled his frustration. Why do I even care? he thought, trying to shake off the feeling. It used to be me he was messing around with, and now... now it’s like I don’t even exist.

Haechan had infiltrated his life in a way Mark hadn’t wanted. He had barged in with that loud laugh and bright smile, dragging Mark out of his shell. And now? Now Mark couldn’t help but feel a twinge of annoyance at how Haechan seemed to treat him like an afterthought.

What changed? Mark wondered, the unease settling deeper in his chest. Why does it bother me so much that he’s not paying attention to me? He didn’t want to admit it—not even to himself—but the thought of Haechan acting like he didn’t exist gnawed at him more than he could comprehend.

Renjun, who had been watching the exchange with an amused expression, raised an eyebrow and exchanged a knowing look with Jaemin, who smirked in response.

Mark didn’t say anything after that, his mood lingering in a frustrated haze as he attempted to focus back on his notes. The study session felt off-kilter, the balance of attention disrupted by his brains inability to think about something that wasn’t Haechan.

I’m fine, he repeated in his head, but the more he looked at Haechan, the less he believed it. The sound of laughter from the group faded into the background as he caught himself staring, lost in thought. Maybe I am being ridiculous. But that didn’t change how his heart raced whenever Haechan was near.

As the study session wound down, Mark could barely keep his focus on his notes.  Finally, they finished packing up, and he grabbed his bag, ready to escape the tension that had been building all day. As they walked out, he tried to shake off the annoyance clinging to him, but it lingered, like a shadow he couldn’t quite shake.

When they stepped outside, Mark took a deep breath of fresh air, hoping it would clear his mind. But all he could think about was Haechan.

What is going on with us? The question hung heavy in the air, leaving Mark feeling more confused than ever. He needed to figure this out soon because it was starting to drive him crazy.

After the study session at Jaemin’s place, Mark returned to his dorm. He dropped his bag on the floor and sank onto his bed, staring up at the ceiling. The room was quiet, but his thoughts were anything but.

What just happened? he wondered.

Mark’s heart raced as he recalled the moment, he snapped at Haechan, the surprise etched on his face. Part of him felt justified; he was tired of being overlooked. But the other part—the part that craved Haechan’s presence—was filled with regret.

It drove Mark crazy how easy it was for Haechan to make him feel something, to make his chest tighten with each small touch, each laugh aimed at someone else. It wasn’t just the usual irritation either—it was something sharper, more overwhelming.

Why does it hurt when he doesn’t pay attention to me? That question made Mark sit up in haste. It was an admission he hadn’t been ready to make, but now that the thought was there, it was impossible to ignore.

He leaned against the headboard, running a hand through his hair in frustration. This is stupid, he repeated for what felt like the hundredth time that day. But even as he sat there, chest heaving with the effort of holding himself together, Mark knew it wasn’t just annoyance anymore. It wasn’t just about missing Haechan’s teasing or his constant presence.

He cared. And not just in the way he had been telling himself. There was something more here, something deeper that had been creeping up on him ever since Haechan had pushed his way into Mark’s life.

Do I actually... like him? The thought made Mark’s heart race, panic rising in his chest. No. He couldn’t. He wasn’t that vulnerable, wasn’t that open to someone who could just as easily hurt him. But no matter how hard he tried to deny it, the truth was staring him in the face now.

With a frustrated sigh, Mark reached for his phone, hesitating as he scrolled through his contacts. He wanted to text Haechan, but doubt clawed at him. What if he ignores me again?

He dropped his phone onto the bed, feeling the heat rise in his cheeks at the thought. Mark was used to being the one who kept his emotions in check, who put on a brave face no matter what. But this? This was different.

Taking a deep breath, he felt the weight of unspoken feelings pressing down on him. What do I do about this? Navigating emotions had never been his strong suit, especially with someone as unpredictable as Haechan. Mark couldn’t wrap his head around why Haechan was ignoring him anyways.

Is he finally tired of me acting like I don’t care? The fear settled in his stomach like a stone. That wasn’t true at all. Mark cared. Maybe a little more than he wanted to.

He thought back to their recent interactions, recalling the moments when Haechan had seemed distant. Was Haechan finally fed up with Mark’s indifference? Those questions twisted in Mark’s mind, leaving him feeling more unsettled than ever.

Mark sighed, staring blankly at his phone, torn between reaching out and retreating into the safety of his silence. The idea of confessing felt daunting, but so did the thought of keeping everything bottled up.

The atmosphere in the cozy corner of the café was filled with the chatter of students and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Haechan sat across from Jeno, his head resting in his hands, looking more exasperated than usual.

“I can’t keep doing this,” Haechan whined, his voice a mixture of frustration and sadness. “I thought ignoring him for a week would be easy, but it’s driving me insane! It feels so wrong.”

Jeno raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed casually. “You chose to do this, remember? The whole ‘no talking to Mark’ challenge.”

"Yeah." Haechan’s voice was flat, lacking the usual energy. "I thought it would be easy. You know, just ignore him, see if he even notices that I’m not constantly bugging him. But..." He hesitated, chewing on his bottom lip.

"But what?" Jeno pressed, his gaze sharpening.

Haechan let out a frustrated breath. "But it sucks, man. I didn’t think it would be this hard." He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the tension building in his chest. "I didn’t think I’d miss talking to him so much. And it’s like... I don’t know if he even cares."

Jeno tilted his head, giving him a considering look. "You think he doesn’t care?"

"Look at him," Haechan muttered, "He’s just... doing his thing. He hasn’t even looked for me. It’s like he’s fine without me around."

Jeno hummed thoughtfully. "Or maybe he’s just as confused as you are."

Haechan frowned, crossing his arms. "What do you mean?"

"Mark’s not exactly the most open person," Jeno pointed out. "He’s probably wondering why you’re not acting like yourself. He’s not gonna come running to you the second you stop paying attention to him. That’s not his style."

Haechan stayed quiet, mulling over Jeno’s words. A part of him knew Jeno was right—Mark wasn’t the type to chase after people, especially when it came to showing how much he cared. But that didn’t make this any easier.

"Maybe," Haechan said softly, the edge in his voice softening. "But I just... I don’t know. It feels like he doesn’t need me around anymore."

Jeno studied him for a moment, then leaned in. "You like him, right?"

Haechan’s heart skipped a beat. He opened his mouth to protest, but the words didn’t come. It didn’t matter, Jeno already knew anyways. Instead, Haechan let out a defeated sigh. "I do."

"Then stop torturing yourself with this bet," Jeno said, his voice gentler now. "If you like him, just... talk to him. You’re not going to get anywhere by staying silent."

Haechan nodded slowly, the weight of the truth settling on his shoulders. He had been using the bet as a way to distance himself from his own feelings, to see if Mark cared without having to confront his own emotions. But now, after days of silence, it was clear that the bet was doing more harm than good.

"I just... I’m scared," Haechan admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "What if he doesn’t feel the same way?"

Jeno gave him a small, encouraging smile. "You won’t know until you try. But honestly? I think he cares a lot more than you realize."

“Ugh, why does this have to be so complicated?” Haechan groaned, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

“Welcome to the world of feelings,” Jeno replied with a smirk. “It’s a messy place, but you’ll figure it out.”

Haechan sighed again, his resolve wavering. “Fine. I’ll think about it. But for now, can we just... I don’t know, distract us with something?”

“Sure, how about we order something sweet?” Jeno suggested, grinning. “It might help ease the pain of unrequited crush drama.”

With a reluctant smile creeping onto his face, Haechan nodded, appreciating the lightheartedness that Jeno brought to the conversation. Maybe this wasn’t the end of the world after all.

That night, Haechan lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. His mind replayed the events of the past week, the way Mark hadn’t even glanced his way, how he had been so focused on his own conversations with the others. It was like Haechan didn’t exist.

The silence between them was suffocating.

Haechan rolled over, pressing his face into the pillow in frustration. This is stupid. He had thought the bet would prove something—show him whether or not Mark cared. But all it had done was leave him feeling empty, like something essential was missing.

He missed Mark. More than he had ever thought possible.

What if Jeno’s right? Haechan wondered. What if Mark is just hiding his feelings, the way I’ve been hiding mine? The thought gave him a flicker of hope, but it also terrified him. What if Mark wasn’t hiding anything? What if he really didn’t care?

Haechan sat up, rubbing his face with his hands. He couldn’t do this anymore. The silence, the distance—it was eating him up inside. He needed to talk to Mark, needed to find out where they stood.

But the fear of rejection lingered at the back of his mind, keeping him frozen in place. What if this ruins everything? Haechan thought, his heart pounding in his chest.

He sighed, lying back down and staring at the ceiling once more. Tomorrow, he decided. Tomorrow he would decide what to do about this colossal mess he had created.

The classroom buzzed with the sound of students chatting and shuffling papers as they settled into their seats. Mark sat at his desk, fidgeting with the edge of his notebook, his heart racing as he stole glances at Haechan across the room.

Come on, Mark, he mentally urged himself, feeling the weight of his emotions pressing down. If you want to sleep at night and catch up on your pending work, you need to talk to him right now.

But every time he opened his mouth to say something, the words got caught in his throat, his nerves wrapping around him like a vice. What if he brushes me off? The thought made him wince, and he shifted in his seat, trying to gather his courage.

As the professor entered the room, Mark’s heart sank. The lecture began, and he found it increasingly difficult to focus. His eyes kept drifting back to Haechan, who was listening attentively, unlike Mark.

You can do this, Mark reminded himself, glancing at the clock. The class would be over soon, and he needed to act before it was too late. He could feel the urgency building within him, a burning desire to clear the air between them.

Finally, as the lecture wrapped up, students began to pack their bags. Mark took a deep breath, steeling himself. Okay, here goes nothing.

“Haechan,” Mark called out, his voice shaking slightly. Haechan’s head snapped up, his surprise growing as Mark stood there, staring straight at him. He’s... nervous? Haechan was taken aback. Mark never let his emotions show this openly.

“Uh, I…” Mark started, wanting to reach out, to say what was on his mind. Just then, another guy approached Haechan, a grin on his face.

“Haechan, you need to see this!” the guy said excitedly, grabbing Haechan’s arm to drag him to whatever he wanted to show him.

Mark’s heart sank. Panic surged within him. Just when he thought he had his chance, it slipped through his fingers.

Haechan looked back at Mark, a flash of regret in his eyes, but the other guy was already pulling him away. Haechan stumbled, turning to follow the other guy, who was still holding onto his arm.

“Wait!” Mark blurted out, taking a step closer. Without thinking, Mark reached out and grabbed Haechan’s other arm. For a heartbeat, time seemed to freeze. They stared at each other, surprise reflected in Haechan’s eyes and determination etched into Mark’s face.

Haechan couldn’t understand what was going on. Mark had always been reserved, never the one to reach out like this, much less in front of people. His heart raced, both from the shock of the situation and the unexpected intensity in Mark’s expression.

“I said I want to talk,” Mark stated firmly, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions brewing inside him. A frown was etched on his face, a mixture of frustration and a hint of desperation coloring his expression. He didn’t know where this confidence was coming from honestly.

Haechan felt his heart skip a beat, utterly surprised. The Mark he knew rarely shared how he felt, much less with this kind of determination. Haechan had always been the one to initiate anything between them, but now... Mark was breaking that pattern. “What’s going on?” Haechan asked, feeling genuinely lost.

Mark didn’t answer right away, his grip tightening slightly. “I don’t like this,” he blurted out, his voice low. His pulse pounded in his ears, and the weight of the words felt almost too heavy to bear.

“Don’t like what?” Haechan asked, still reeling from the suddenness of it all. His mind raced, trying to piece together what was happening. Was Mark angry? Upset? Because of how he was ignoring him?

Mark swallowed hard, his resolve hardening. “We should talk somewhere else,” he said quickly, not wanting to hash it out in front of prying eyes.

Haechan hesitated, glancing back at the guy still holding onto his other arm. The guy was staring between the two of them, clearly uncomfortable. “Okay,” Haechan finally agreed, his voice softer now, not wanting to prolong the tension.

They slipped out of the classroom, moving into a quieter hallway. The air between them felt charged, every step echoing the unspoken emotions hanging in the space. Mark leaned against the wall, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.

“I just... I don’t like how things have been,” Mark began, trying to steady his voice. “It feels like you’ve been avoiding me.”

Haechan’s heart sank as Mark’s words hit him. Mentally he cursed himself and his friends for that stupid dare. He hadn’t realized how much it had affected Mark, and now, seeing the hurt in Mark’s eyes, guilt gnawed at him.

“Mark, I—” Haechan started, his voice laced with regret, wanting to explain, to apologize for putting him through this.

But Mark wasn’t having it. He held up a hand, cutting Haechan off before he could get the words out. “No, let me finish,” Mark said, his voice steady but his eyes betraying the vulnerability he felt. His emotions, so tightly wound, were spilling over now, and he wasn’t sure if he could stop them.

Haechan clamped his mouth shut, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never seen Mark like this before—so open, so raw. It wasn’t the cool, reserved Mark that everyone knew, the one who always kept his feelings under control. This was different. Haechan stood still, waiting, knowing that whatever Mark had to say, he needed to hear it.

Mark took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I’ve been trying to figure out what I did wrong,” he admitted, his voice quiet but heavy with emotion. “I thought maybe you were mad at me, or that you didn’t want to hang out anymore because you found me boring.”

Haechan’s chest tightened. This was all his fault, and he wanted to stop Mark, to tell him it wasn’t like that, but Mark’s expression kept him silent.

Mark looked away for a moment, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “I just... I don’t know how to handle this,” He admitted, his voice cracking slightly. “I didn’t expect you ignoring me would mess me up this much, but it has.”

Just as he was about to take the leap and confess everything, their professor entered the hallway, scanning the space. He noticed the tension and approached, brow furrowed. “Is everything alright here?” he asked, his tone firm yet concerned.

Mark’s jaw clenched in frustration, his eyes flicking toward the professor. Not now. They were finally getting somewhere, and now this? He reluctantly released Haechan's arm. He didn’t want to explain their situation to a teacher. “Yeah, we were just—”

“Actually, Mark,” the professor interjected gently, cutting him off. “Could you come to my office for a moment? I’d like to discuss your recent project.”

Mark's heart sank as the professor gestured for him to follow. He wanted to protest, to insist he needed to talk to Haechan right now, but the way the professor looked at him brooked no argument. He glanced back at Haechan, who looked torn, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

“Uh, okay,” Mark said reluctantly, his voice barely above a whisper. He turned to follow the professor, feeling the weight of unspoken words lingering in the air.

As he walked away, he could feel Haechan’s gaze on him, a mix of regret and conflict in his expression. Mark felt a deep sense of disappointment wash over him.

After what felt like an eternity, Mark found himself in the professor’s office. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and the atmosphere was quiet, yet he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling of unfinished business.

The professor began discussing the project, but Mark’s mind was elsewhere, replaying the moment with Haechan. The way he had reached out, the panic in Haechan's eyes—everything felt unresolved.

“Mark?” the professor prompted, pulling him back to the present.

“Yeah, sorry,” Mark replied, forcing himself to focus. But as he sat there, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he needed to talk to Haechan, to clear the air before it was too late.

Haechan leaned against the cold wall of the hallway, his mind racing as Mark's words echoed in his head. "I don’t like how things have been." The emotion in Mark’s voice played on repeat, each syllable sinking deeper into his chest. He ran a hand through his hair, letting out a low groan of frustration.

What just happened? He had never expected Mark to say something like that—never. Mark was always so reserved, keeping everything bottled up like a fortress no one could penetrate. For Mark to lay everything out like that... it was surreal.

Haechan sighed, feeling the guilt settle in his stomach like a stone. I messed up. He knew it the moment he saw the hurt in Mark's eyes, but hearing it spelled out, hearing how much his avoidance had affected Mark—that stung. He hadn’t intended to hurt him. It was just supposed to be a stupid dare, something to prove to his friends that he could go a week without clinging to Mark. But it backfired, and now the damage was done.

“God, I’m such an idiot,” Haechan muttered under his breath, slumping against the wall. He didn’t know how to fix this. He wanted to apologize, to tell Mark that it wasn’t supposed to go this far, that he was never actually trying to push him away. But how could he do that now? How could he explain that it was a joke—one that spiraled out of control?

And then there was the other thing, the thing he couldn’t ignore. "I didn’t expect you ignoring me would mess me up this much, but it has." The thought sent a strange warmth through Haechan’s chest, but it was quickly replaced with more confusion.

What did he mean by that? Was Mark just frustrated because things had been weird between them, or was there something deeper to what he was saying? Haechan groaned again, louder this time, rubbing his temples as if that would somehow unscramble the mess in his mind.

There was no denying it—he never would have heard any of this from Mark if he hadn’t pulled that stupid stunt. Mark wouldn’t have said any of this without being triggered.

“I need to fix this,” Haechan muttered, shaking his head. He couldn’t let things stay like this. With a deep breath, Haechan straightened up, determination flickering in his eyes. He had to talk to Mark again, not just to apologize, but to figure out what all of this meant—for both of them.

Mark trudged back to his dorm after the meeting with his professor, his mind spinning in circles. His earlier conversation with Haechan felt unfinished, lingering in the back of his thoughts like an unsolved puzzle. The adrenaline that had pushed him to finally speak up was gone now, leaving only confusion.

What do I even do now? He ran a hand through his hair, mentally exhausted. He wasn’t good at these things—confrontations, emotions, vulnerability. Maybe I should just forget about it.

As he entered his dorm room, the quiet space felt both comforting and stifling. He tossed his bag aside, kicked off his shoes, and made his way to the shower. The hot water ran over him, easing the tension in his muscles, but doing nothing for the mess in his head.

His mind replayed the scene in the hallway—Haechan's wide-eyed surprise, the flash of guilt in his expression, the way Mark had grabbed his arm without even thinking. Mark sighed, leaning against the tiled wall. Maybe I was too harsh. But then again, why did he avoid me in the first place?

By the time he stepped out of the shower and dried off, he still didn’t have any answers. He pulled on a t-shirt and sweatpants, ruffling his damp hair as he moved back into the room. Just as he sat on the edge of his bed, a knock sounded at the door.

Mark frowned, glancing toward the door. Who would come here now? He wasn’t expecting anyone. With a sigh, he padded over to the door and swung it open.

Standing there, looking hesitant but determined, was Haechan.

Mark’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he quickly masked it with a dry, unimpressed look. “Did you finally decide to stop ignoring me?” he deadpanned, crossing his arms.

Haechan winced at the jab, shifting awkwardly on his feet. “Uh, yeah… about that,” he started, rubbing the back of his neck. His usual confident demeanor was nowhere to be found. Instead, he looked nervous, almost embarrassed. “Can I come in?”

Mark hesitated, his instinct to stay guarded kicking in. “Why? You didn’t seem like you wanted to talk earlier.”

“Look, I know I messed up,” Haechan said quickly, his voice a bit higher than usual. He was clearly out of his comfort zone. “I... I just need to explain. Please?”

Mark huffed but stepped aside, letting Haechan into the room. He didn’t say anything as Haechan awkwardly shuffled in, looking around as if trying to find the right place to stand.

The silence stretched between them, and Mark leaned back against the wall, arms still crossed. “So?” he prompted, his tone flat. “What’s there to explain?”

Haechan swallowed, feeling the pressure mounting. This wasn’t going how he’d hoped. “Uh, okay, so... the thing is, it wasn’t—” He paused, grimacing. “It wasn’t because I was mad at you or anything. The whole avoiding thing, I mean.”

Mark raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Then why? You just decided one day it’d be fun to ignore me?”

“No!” Haechan blurted out, waving his hands. “No, it was... ugh, this is so stupid.” He groaned, running a hand through his hair. “It was a dare. The guys, they—well, they challenged me to go a week without... you know, without clinging to you.” His voice trailed off, clearly embarrassed by the whole thing.

Mark blinked, processing that. “A dare,” he repeated flatly. “You ignored me because of a dare?”

Haechan winced again, nodding his head in shame. “Yeah. It sounds dumb now, but it’s not like I wanted to ignore you. It was just—” He stopped himself, shaking his head. “It was stupid, okay? And I didn’t think it would, like, affect you this much. I didn’t know you’d... feel like that.”

Mark’s gaze flicked away, his jaw tightening. “Yeah, well, it did.” His voice was quieter now, the sarcasm fading. “I thought I did something wrong.”

Haechan’s chest tightened at that. “Mark, I’m sorry,” he said softly, his tone sincere. “I didn’t mean for it to go this far. I was just trying to prove a point, but I didn’t realize it would hurt you.”

Mark didn’t respond immediately, his arms still crossed, but his expression was softer now, less guarded. He let out a slow breath, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “Well, it did hurt,” he admitted, surprising himself with how honest he was being. “I didn’t know why you were avoiding me, and it messed with my head.”

Haechan bit his lip, feeling guilt twist in his gut. “I shouldn’t have done it,” he said quietly.

The silence between them was heavy, but this time it wasn’t as tense. Haechan hesitated, then took a step closer. “I like this Mark who talks about his feelings,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t expect it, but... I like it.”

Mark’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard. He looked away, feeling the heat rise to his face. “Don’t get used to it,” he muttered, the dry tone returning. “I’m not good at that kind of thing.”

Haechan chuckled softly, his shoulders relaxing. “I noticed,” he teased gently, the atmosphere lightening. “But still... thanks for being honest. Even if I kind of forced it out of you.”

Mark shot him a glare, though there was no real malice behind it. “You didn’t force anything. Whatever I said, it was because I wanted to say it.”

“Still, I really am sorry, Mark,” Haechan muttered, fidgeting with his fingers. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never wanted that. It was stupid.”

Mark glanced at him, eyebrow raised. “You’ve already apologized. Twice now. Are you gonna keep doing that, or is there something else you want to say?”

Haechan opened his mouth, then closed it, suddenly nervous. His heart raced as he looked at Mark, feeling the weight of everything he’d been keeping inside for so long. This wasn’t how he imagined confessing, but the moment felt too important to let slip by. “Actually... yeah, there is.”

Mark tilted his head, curious but guarded. “What? More dares I should know about?”

Haechan shook his head, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. “No, no. This is... different.” He exhaled deeply, trying to gather his thoughts. “I... I’ve liked you for a while now.”

Mark blinked, standing up straighter. “What?”

Haechan’s hands waved as if he was trying to backtrack, his words coming out in a rushed ramble. “I mean, it’s not like I meant to. It just... kind of happened? You’re always so cool, even when you’re all serious and focused on your studies. And then when you started talking more to me—like actually talking, not just giving me your usual one-liners—I realized I liked that side of you too.”

Mark’s eyes widened slightly, and he opened his mouth to say something, but Haechan kept going, too caught up in his nervous energy to stop.

“I didn’t plan for it. I mean, I didn’t wake up one day thinking ‘Hey, I’m gonna like Mark,’ but... I do. And then with the whole dare thing, I thought maybe it would help me figure out if you cared about me or not.” Haechan’s voice trailed off, his cheeks burning as he rubbed the back of his neck. “So... yeah. I like you. A lot. And I didn’t know how to handle it.”

For a long moment, Mark just stared at him, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched on, and Haechan felt his stomach twist with nerves. He had never been this vulnerable with anyone before, and now he was starting to think maybe he shouldn’t have said anything at all.

“I know it’s a lot,” Haechan added quickly, trying to fill the awkward silence. “And if you don’t feel the same, that’s fine, really. I just... I didn’t want to keep pretending—”

Before he could finish, Mark cut him off. Not with words, but by closing the distance between them and pressing his lips to Haechan’s in a sudden kiss.

Haechan’s eyes widened in shock, his mind blanking as he registered what was happening. Mark was kissing him. Mark, who always kept his emotions in check, was kissing him.

It was over almost as quickly as it began. Mark pulled back, his face slightly flushed, though he tried to hide it with his usual dry tone. “There. Now will you stop talking?” He bit his lip, feeling the familiar heat rising in his chest. As much as he hated to admit it, Haechan's attention always made him feel special. And right now, all of Haechan’s attention was on Mark. He didn’t want to need it, but with each passing day, it became harder to deny how much he craved it.

Haechan blinked, his heart racing as he stared at Mark. “You... just kissed me.”

“Yeah,” Mark muttered, looking away. “I did.”

“So... you like me too?” Haechan asked, still trying to process everything.

Mark rolled his eyes, but there was no real annoyance in his expression. “I literally just kissed you, didn’t I?”

Haechan couldn’t help but grin, his earlier nerves fading. “I mean, yeah, but you could’ve just been trying to shut me up.”

Mark snorted, shaking his head. “Trust me, I wouldn’t kiss you just for that.” He paused, his expression softening a little. “Yeah. I like you too.”

Haechan’s grin widened, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. “You could’ve just told me, you know.”

Mark huffed, crossing his arms. “And you could’ve not avoided me for a whole week because of a stupid dare.”

“Touché,” Haechan admitted, still smiling.

Mark glanced at him, his expression softening even more. “Though I don’t think I would have ever realized it myself without your stupid stunt. So, I guess it wasn’t that useless.”

Haechan’s smile widened at Mark’s words, his heart fluttering with the warmth. “You must be feeling pretty generous right now to think that.” he said, stepping a little closer.

Mark laughed softly, a hint of his usual sarcasm creeping back. “Well, I’d say I’m feeling pretty generous.”

“Generous enough for another kiss?” Haechan teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Mark sighed, feeling the corners of his lips twitch up into a reluctant smile. “You really don’t know when to stop, do you?”

Haechan grinned, taking another step closer, his confidence growing. “Not when I know what I want.”

Mark shook his head, pretending to be exasperated, but there was no hiding the warmth spreading through his chest. He could feel Haechan's presence, close and steady, a stark contrast to the uncertainty that had plagued them for the past week. There was something comforting about the way Haechan stood there, waiting, as if he was giving Mark the time to decide.

“Well?” Haechan pressed, his voice light but laced with anticipation. “What’s it gonna be?”

Mark glanced at him, their faces now just inches apart. For a second, he considered teasing Haechan, maybe dragging it out just to watch him squirm, but the sincerity in Haechan’s gaze stopped him. Instead, he leaned in slowly, his heart thudding in his chest. “You’re really something, you know that?”

Haechan’s grin widened, his breath catching as Mark closed the distance between them once again. “I try.”

Their lips met softly this time, a gentler kiss filled with a sense of understanding and quiet acceptance. Mark’s hand found its way to Haechan’s shoulder, pulling him closer, while Haechan’s fingers curled into the fabric of Mark’s shirt. There was no rush, no urgency—just the two of them, sharing a moment that felt right.

When they finally pulled apart, Haechan rested his forehead against Mark’s, both of them breathing quietly in the stillness of the room. They stood like that for a few moments, the comfortable silence wrapping around them like a warm blanket.

Haechan, still resting his forehead against Mark’s, let out a small laugh, breaking the silence. “So… now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, can we talk about how bad you are at expressing your feelings?”

Mark huffed, though a smile tugged at his lips. “You’re one to talk. You ignored me for a week because of a dare.”

Haechan pulled back slightly, his grin widening. “Okay, fair point.” He paused, tilting his head playfully. “But you have to admit, you missed me.”

Mark rolled his eyes, though the blush creeping up his neck betrayed him. “I didn’t miss you.”

Haechan raised an eyebrow. “Really? Because the way you grabbed my arm in the hallway says otherwise.”

Mark groaned, covering his face with one hand. “Don’t remind me.”

Haechan laughed, gently pulling Mark’s hand away from his face. “It’s okay. I like this side of you.”

Mark gave him a half-hearted glare, but the warmth in Haechan’s gaze made it impossible to stay annoyed. Instead, he sighed and muttered, “Yeah, well, don’t get used to it.”

Haechan’s smile softened, and he squeezed Mark’s hand. “Too late.”

Mark wasn’t sure when he’d gotten so used to having Haechan around, but now that they were here, standing together like this, it felt… right.

“So, what now?” Mark asked, his voice quiet but steady.

Haechan smirked, mischief dancing in his eyes again. “Well, now that I’ve finally gotten you to admit you like me, I say we make up for all that lost time.”

Mark raised an eyebrow. “Lost time? You mean the week you were avoiding me?”

“Exactly,” Haechan replied, completely serious but with a playful glint in his eyes. “You owe me a lot of attention.”

Mark groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. “You’re impossible.”

Haechan chuckled, nudging him lightly. “You missed me when I wasn’t around, right?”

Mark didn’t answer right away, his cheeks tinged slightly pink as he muttered, “Maybe.”

Haechan’s eyes lit up with playful triumph. “I knew it!”

Mark rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the small smile creeping onto his lips. “Whatever. Just don’t do it again.”

“Don’t worry,” Haechan said, leaning in to press a quick, teasing kiss to Mark’s cheek. “I’m not planning on doing it ever again.”

Mark pretended to be exasperated, but the small smile playing on his lips gave him away. “You know, I still think you’re annoying.”

Haechan laughed, his arms tightening around Mark in a playful hug. “Good thing I’m not going anywhere, then.”

As they stood there, wrapped up in the warmth of each other’s presence, Haechan’s fingers absentmindedly brushed through Mark’s hair. He paused, noticing the damp strands. “Wait... did you just shower?”

Mark blinked, slightly confused by the sudden change in topic. “Yeah, why?”

Haechan pouted, stepping back a little to get a better look at him. “Your hair’s still wet. You’re gonna catch a cold, dummy.”

Mark rolled his eyes. “I’m fine. It’s just water.”

But Haechan was already moving, glancing around the room. “Do you even own a blow dryer?”

Mark raised an eyebrow. “What are you—”

Before he could finish, Haechan spotted the small blow dryer sitting on Mark’s desk. With a triumphant grin, he grabbed it and plugged it in. “Sit down,” Haechan ordered, his tone firm but playful.

Mark opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it. He sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed, giving Haechan a wary look. “You’re really gonna dry my hair for me?”

“Yup,” Haechan replied, flicking the blow dryer on. “Can’t have my favorite tsundere getting sick.”

Mark crossed his arms, pretending to be annoyed, but the way Haechan gently combed his fingers through his hair as he dried it made it impossible to stay grumpy. The warmth of the dryer and the careful attention Haechan gave him was oddly soothing, and Mark found himself relaxing into it more than he expected.

Haechan hummed softly as he worked, his fingers running through Mark’s hair with surprising care. “You know, this is nice,” he said after a while, his voice softer now.

Mark raised an eyebrow, closing his eyes as he leaned slightly into Haechan’s touch. “What, blow-drying my hair?”

Haechan chuckled. “No. Just... this. Being with you. No weird tension, no more stupid dares. Just us.”

Mark’s heart did a funny little flip at that, and he resisted the urge to smile. “Yeah... it’s nice,” he admitted quietly.

They stayed like that for a while longer, the sound of the blow dryer filling the room as Haechan dried the last of Mark’s hair. When he finally turned it off, he stepped back to admire his handiwork, grinning proudly.

“There! All dry. Now you won’t get sick.”

Mark gave him a small nod of thanks, still sitting comfortably on the edge of the bed. Haechan, however, wasn’t quite ready to let the moment end. He sat down next to Mark, their shoulders brushing, a playful but curious look in his eyes.

“So,” Haechan started, glancing at Mark, “now that everything’s out in the open... what made you realize you liked me?”

Mark stiffened slightly, the question catching him off guard. He looked away, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. “Do we really have to talk about this right now?”

Haechan grinned, nudging him lightly. “Yup. I mean, you already kissed me, so I think it’s fair game.”

Mark sighed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. After a moment of hesitation, he finally muttered, “Honestly? I realized I really hate it when you don’t pay attention to me.”

Haechan blinked, surprised by the admission. “What?”

Mark kept his eyes on the floor, his voice slightly embarrassed. “It’s like... you draw me in. When you’re around, it’s impossible not to notice. And when you’re not, everything just feels off. Like something’s missing.”

Haechan’s expression softened, his playful grin fading into something gentler. “Mark...”

Mark shrugged, still avoiding Haechan’s gaze. “I don’t know when it happened exactly. I just knew that I didn’t like it when you started ignoring me. It messed with my head more than I thought it would.”

Haechan let the silence linger for a moment, his heart swelling at Mark’s words. “You know... for a guy who’s bad at expressing his feelings, you’re doing pretty good right now,” he teased gently.

Mark shot him a sideways glance, his lips twitching into a reluctant smile. “Don’t get used to it.”

Haechan laughed softly, leaning his head on Mark’s shoulder. “You’re always saying that.” He let out a contented sigh, the warmth between them feeling even more solidified now. “Well, for the record, I’m never planning on ignoring you again. I kind of like giving you attention.”

Mark groaned but didn’t push him away, a soft smile lingering on his face. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t overdo it.”

“No promises,” Haechan quipped, the mischievous sparkle returning to his eyes. “But I’ll try my best.”

Haechan shifted slightly, turning to face Mark more directly. “You know, it’s nice seeing you open up like this,” he said, a playful glint in his gaze. “But this is only with me, right?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “You can’t go around doing this with just anyone else, what if everybody gets to know how amazing you are and suddenly want to date you?”

Mark laughed incredulously, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah. Just you, don’t worry.”

“Good,” Haechan replied with a mock-serious expression before pulling Mark closer by the hand. “Because I don’t share well, and I’m definitely not about to let anyone else enjoy my boyfriend.”

Mark blinked, momentarily taken aback by the word, but a smile quickly broke through. “Your boyfriend, huh?”

“Obviously,” Haechan said, grinning as he gave Mark’s hand a playful tug. “You think I’d put up with all your tsundere nonsense and not even call you my boyfriend?”

Mark rolled his eyes, though there was no hiding the warmth in his voice. “Lucky me.”

Haechan leaned in, nudging Mark with his shoulder, his tone light but filled with affection. “Lucky us.”

Mark chuckled, feeling that familiar sense of comfort settle around them again. “So, what now?”

“Now,” Haechan declared, standing up and pulling Mark with him, “I’m claiming you for the night. We’ll do whatever I want—no complaints.”

Mark raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly do you have in mind?”

Haechan’s grin widened mischievously. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe we’ll watch a movie, cuddle, and you can tell me more about how much you missed me while pretending you didn’t.”

Mark groaned but couldn’t suppress his smile. “You really don’t know when to quit, do you?”

“Not when it comes to you,” Haechan replied, his tone softening as he looked at Mark, sincerity shining through the teasing.

Mark’s heart did a little flip at that, but he shrugged it off, giving Haechan a mock-serious look. “Fine. But only if I get to pick the movie.”

Haechan beamed, clearly happy with the arrangement. “Deal.”