Work Text:
2020: His Name
☀️
Mark stood again at the front of Santa's Factory, a Christmas store he always visited three days before Christmas. It's that time of year again for him to buy gifts for the children at the orphanage he works for. The store only opens from December 22-28 every year. Since Santa and his reindeers were the main employees of the store, the people found it entertaining and adorable thus it is very famous. People buy toys, pay for them to the reindeer cashier, and then Santa will be the one to put them in a bag. Before he hands it to the customers, he will greet them, "Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! Have a Happy Holidays!" Some will take a picture with him, especially the kids who are really fond of him. Because of that, the line is always long, full of enthusiastic customers.
Since 2015, when he started to work for the orphanage, he frequented the store to buy gifts for the orphans. He was an orphan himself from Little Dreamers Orphanage. He graduated from high school with the help of the organization. Instead of entering the college that the officials were offering him, he chose to work for them. He wanted to serve his fellow orphans because he knew what it meant for the kids. He also had someone for him back then, but that hyung chose to chase his dream. Now he's in China and only comes back home once a year.
From the outside, Mark knew there were already many people inside even if it was just the first day of operations this year. He could go some other day, but no, he wouldn't back out. He waited one whole year to see that particular reindeer guy again. He first saw the reindeer guy in 2018, so this was the third time he would catch a glimpse of the guy. At first, he wasn't sure if the guy was a reindeer or an angel, thanks to the antlers in the guy's head, it kinda tells the difference. The certain employee caught Mark's attention 3 years ago with the guy's certain radiance. He exudes happiness and warmth. Mark's attention was drawn ever since but he never tried to approach the guy. He didn't even make a move like asking for help as a customer. He just stole glances whenever he could. It was like that the 2nd year he was there too. Mark promised himself that he would make his move this year. He must befriend the guy no matter what. He only has one week.
But Mark wasn't moving from his spot. People were passing in front of him. Some were bumping him. But no, he hasn't moved. He couldn't move. He didn't know what to do once he saw his angel again. Right, an angel. He sees the guy as an angel brought to him by Santa. Just seeing the guy makes his heart beat faster. It makes his shopping lively. He is beautiful, Mark thinks. He didn't have the courage but he really wanted to befriend the guy. This was a huge challenge for Mark because he is a shy person. He's not the type of person to make the first move. But what could he do? His angel is so beautiful that he can't wait anymore.
Mark took his first step. He still hesitated until a running boy pushed him to move forward. He couldn't back out now that he was at the door blocking the people who wanted to enter the store. Embarrassed, he made his way in. There's a lot of people inside. There were also new reindeer faces this year. Mark scanned the store, hoping to have a quick glimpse of his angel. He walked between aisles of toys, trying not to bump into people, but still no sign of the beautiful guy.
"Where is he?" Mark whispered to himself, "I need to get his name at least,” he kept on looking around. His head was high, looking over people's heads. Until someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around slightly annoyed by the interruption but what he saw made his jaw drop.
"Are you okay? May I help you?" a very beautiful man was standing in front of Mark Lee. And he was not just any other beautiful man. He was the guy who he admired and wished to befriend. His angel.
"Are you looking for something? Or someone?" the guy asked again. He was smiling as if amused by Mark’s face right now. The boy snapped out of his trance, realizing his mouth was slightly open.
"I— I... You... t-toys. Buy toys. I need," he became Yoda all of a sudden. The man laughed at him. This was the worst first impression of him, Mark thought.
"Okay. Let me help you. We're at the decoration section so... We're going there," the guy pointed somewhere. Mark couldn't care less. He just nodded while looking at the reindeer's face. "I'm Donghyuck by the way. C’mon!" Mark almost lost consciousness.
🍉
"T-thank you for your help! I'm sorry for my attitude a while a-ago," Mark couldn't look at Donghyuck’s face, especially when the man was still laughing amusingly at him. They were outside the store. Mark finished buying toys with the help of Santa's most beautiful reindeer. Donghyuck saw him out as part of his help.
"You're cute, you know that? What's your name?" Donghyuck asked.
A very ripe tomato's hue was crawling from Mark's neck to his face. The beautiful guy in front of him was telling him he was cute and was asking for his name.
"M- Ma-… My name is Mark,” he kept on stuttering. Mark wanted to punch himself right at that moment.
"And... How old are you?" Donghyuck’s eyes were wide. Finally, Mark looked up at Donghyuck and met his wide eyes.
"21," the reindeer's wide eyes widened even more and his jaw dropped.
"Is that for real? You don't look 21! Wait! Please tell me you just turned 21."
"I became 21 last August,” Mark smiled shyly.
"Oh my God, Mark. You're a year older than me! I thought you're way younger," Donghyuck seemed to laugh a lot. Mark loosened up when he learned that he was older than the guy in front of him.
"Anyways, I have to go back now. I'm sure Santa needs my help. I hope you enjoyed your shopping here. Please come again!" Donghyuck waved him goodbye. As the door of the store closed behind him, Mark started to smile so wide. He couldn't believe he did it.
"So he is Donghyuck. What a beautiful name," Mark walked back to the orphanage since it was not far away. He believed he had hearts in his eyes right now. He was so happy that he didn't realize that he was already at the front of the orphanage's huge gate.
"But, I only know his name. We're still not yet friends. My mission is still not complete. I shall go back there tomorrow. Yes, I must!" after he talked to himself, he entered his home.
2020: Become His Friend
☀️
Another busy day in Santa's Factory and our Mark Lee was standing in front of the store again. He decided to come back to fulfill his main goal this year; to befriend the beautiful angel reindeer whose name he got yesterday, Donghyuck.
He spent his whole night thinking of a reason to be able to go back today. Every year, his task was to just buy toys. Now that he already bought what he needed, he couldn't find any unsuspicious reason to go back to the store.
("I should have bought half today and half tomorrow. Why didn't I think about that?" Mark had asked himself that night.)
Now he was standing again on the same spot he was yesterday. Gathering the courage to go inside the store. After a few minutes, he finally stepped his way in.
"Annyeonghaseyo! Welcome to Santa's Factory!" a voice startled Mark. He almost went back outside. He thought his heart fell out of his chest. That was because he thought the one who welcomed him was Donghyuck. When he realized he thought wrong, he immediately bowed and said sorry even though he didn't have to.
Once inside the store, he looked for a certain someone again. He went by the decorations aisle where he met Donghyuck yesterday. Then an idea came to him.
"The orphanage needs some decorations too huh," he began to look for decorations that would suit the orphanage and the officials would like. Of course, there were already decorations in the orphanage that were being used every year. But buying new ones wouldn't hurt. For some time, he forgot about Donghyuck because he’s enjoying choosing Christmas decorations. Not every year does he get to do this because he was just in charge of the toys.
After he finalized the items, a realization came to him. He hadn't seen Donghyuck for the past hour. He sought every aisle looking for his favorite reindeer but he didn't see him. He lost his hope today and decided to pay for the decorations and then go home fast to dwell in his devastation.
"Maybe talking to Renjun will lighten up my mood somehow," thinking of the nice young orphan, he proceeded to the long line to the cashier.
Mark didn't mind standing in line for long, but he had his frowning face all the way to the cashier. He put the items on the counter for the cashier to be able to punch in the barcodes. He just wanted to finish fast.
"Had a bad day, huh?" the cashier began speaking to Mark. He looked at the reindeer cashier, slowly to pay him a reply. His eyes met with the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. His jaw slowly dropped. The reaction he always had whenever he was face to face with this beautiful man.
"I see you bought decorations this time. I never saw you buy some before," Donghyuck said. He was the one in charge of the cashier today which was why Mark didn't see him around. He couldn't just notice Donghyuck behind the counter because of the long line in front of it.
"Before? You noticed me back then?" Mark’s eyes are so comically wide right now as he didn't expect what the reindeer cashier said.
"Yes, of course. Every year I saw a walking baby lion at our store. Buying toys," Donghyuck seemed like he was purposely slowing the punching of items down, but Mark wasn't noticing it.
"E- every year? Why baby lion?” Donghyuck laughed which made Mark embarrassed.
“I don’t know. You look like a baby lion. You sometimes scrunch your nose and it’s so cute, it made you look like a baby lion,“ Donghyuck smiled. Mark nodded, mouth still slightly open, "Well, every year since I worked here in 2018, I already saw you back then. I felt like you already noticed me too. We're just both shy to approach each other, am I right?"
Mark couldn't believe everything he just heard. Donghyuck, the angel, noticed him in the same year he saw his angel. This must be fate, he thought. Just before Mark could say anything, a boy came in front of them.
"Hyung! I want to hug Santa!" they both realized that the items were ready, but Mark hadn't paid yet. He fiddled in his pockets, forgetting which pocket his wallet was in. When he finally got his wallet, he fished the exact amount of what his items cost. After he handed in the money, he fetched the bag full of Christmas decorations from Santa, who greeted him. He then heard Donghyuck call him, so he turned around.
"Come again tomorrow!"
"I- I can't! It's Christmas Eve..." but Donghyuck didn't hear him.
☀️
Breathless, Mark was in front of Santa's Factory again. It was Christmas Day, December 25. He ran from the orphanage to the store early in the morning, without any reason for coming. But he was sure of one reason and that was to formally talk to Donghyuck to become his friend. He was worried though. The younger told him to come the day before, but he couldn't because it was their Christmas Party at the orphanage and he couldn't just ditch it. So he was worried that he somehow let down his favorite reindeer.
He didn't wait any longer. He entered the store, someone welcomed him, and then he proceeded to every aisle of Christmas items inside. He wandered around the store. There were not many people that day but he still hadn't seen Donghyuck. He had already gone to the counter thrice, in every aisle twice, but still no Donghyuck. He checked his watch and realized that he'd been there for almost an hour already. He finally gave up. He went out of the store frowning again.
"I'll just try again next year," he sighed.
"It's Christmas Day! Why aren't you happy? And what are you going to try again next year?" again, unexpectedly, Donghyuck was in front of him. He was wearing casual winter clothes and not the usual reindeer costume. He doesn't have those antlers in his head. He was just a normal boy that day.
"I..." Mark began to stutter again. Then he shook his head. He wouldn't let himself fail this time. He composed himself and did one heavy exhale then he talked again, "I was looking for you inside. I couldn't come yesterday because we have an annual Christmas Party that I couldn't miss. Sorry."
"Why are you sorry?" Donghyuck laughed, "We also had our Christmas Party last night. Can you imagine Santa and his reindeers partying hard on Christmas Eve?" Donghyuck pointed towards the store where they could see Santa. Santa who though greeting happily, looked really sleepy. Both of them laughed.
"It's my day off today," Donghyuck continued, "I don't know what to do or where to go so I came by to visit the others. I'm also waiting for you to come and... you did," Donghyuck’s smile was what made Mark’s heart flutter.
“Thank you!” Mark bowed.
"Wha-" Donghyuck was on the verge of laughing again because of the older's stiffness and formality.
🍉
They went to a nearby park. On the way there, there were not many words exchanged. Just small talks about what they did last night. Mark was still awkward around Donghyuck. They sat under the shade of a big tree, eating ice cream.
"We really shouldn't be eating ice cream during this season you know," Donghyuck was always the one to break the ice that always forms whenever they don't talk.
"Right," was the only word that Mark said.
Their ice cream was almost finished when Mark finally spoke.
"Uh, Donghyuck. Merry Christmas," Mark was looking at Donghyuck straight in his eye for the first time that day.
"Gosh, Mark. Don't be too formal. We're almost the same age, let's be comfortable, okay? I don't bite. You’re the baby lion, maybe you're the one who bites,” Donghyuck laughed at his joke, “But of course, Merry Christmas to you too," Donghyuck brought the last bite of his ice cream cone near Mark’s, indicating they should cheers. Mark did the same.
"Okay," Mark loosened his tensed body. His smile was more natural now. They both finished their ice cream. Then Mark spoke again.
"If I may ask, why is Santa's Factory only opened for only a week every year?" Mark finally voiced out his curiosity these past few years.
"Ooh. That's right, it's not general knowledge what our store does," Donghyuck positioned himself comfortably to explain, "Santa, our boss, actually has other stores. And it opens during different times all throughout the year all around Seoul. He brings all of us with him. We have one during valentines. We have a school supplies store before school starts. We have a family gift store in time for parent's and children's day. We also have a surfing store at the beach during summer. And some more other stores."
Donghyuck explained excitedly. It was clear that he enjoyed his work with this peculiar boss of his.
"That's... actually really cool. That made me curious about your other stores. I hope I can visit them one day," Mark replied with fascination in his eyes.
"You. Tell me about yourself. What do you do with all the toys you buy every year?" Donghyuck’s body is now facing Mark.
"I work at an orphanage. I'm an orphan myself. After I graduated high school, I started working for the people who took care of me; helping other orphans with their everyday lives. The toys are for them," Mark said brightly.
"WOW! You're incredible. I mean, you grew up without parents but look at you now. Living normally just like everybody. I admire you." Mark couldn't believe Donghyuck’s reaction. He didn't get why someone as beautiful as Donghyuck admired his life.
After a few hours of talking and getting to know each other, Mark decided that it was time to go. It's only afternoon and both of them haven't eaten their lunch yet.
"I still need to go back. They don't know that I went out early in the morning," Mark didn't want to leave right now. The time of his life is already happening. He waited two years for this. But he thought maybe this was enough for now.
"Okay. So, when will I see you again?" Donghyuck asked. Both were standing up; their butts sore from sitting for too long.
"I'm not sure," frowning, Mark continued, "After Christmas, we have lots to do until next month. So I may not be able to go back before your store closes this year," Mark feels apologetic. He still wants to spend time with Donghyuck.
"It's okay. I enjoyed your company and your presence these past few days. I really wanted to talk to you back then when I first saw you. I'm glad I finally approached you the other day. Thanks for the time, Mark.” Donghyuck’s ever-bright smile is flashing on his face.
"Thanks to you too. I really want to know you too. I want to be your friend... Is that alright with you?
"Of course, silly. We're friends now." Donghyuck laughs for the nth time. "So, I'll see you next year? You won't forget about me right?"
"YES! I mean, yes. Of course. I won't forget about you. You should do the same. Thanks for making me your friend. I..." Mark is still hesitating to leave.
"It's okay. You should go now. Or the people at the orphanage will hunt you out here."
"You're right. I'm going. Take care Donghyuck. Merry Christmas again." Mark starts to walk away because if not he may not leave Donghyuck at all.
"ANNYEONG CHINGU-YAH!!!" Donghyuck shouted while waving and walking backward. Mark was so happy that he also waved aggressively for five seconds then proceeded to run back to the orphanage.
🍉
Back at the orphanage's facility, Mark walks slowly going back to his room. He remembers that he asked Jisung, the youngest orphan, to cover up for him and promised him bubble tea when he got back. But he has no bubble tea. He completely forgot. That's why he is sneakily going back to his room, trying to avoid getting anyone's attention. When he got in front of his room, he heard a door click nearby. He hurriedly opens his room to hide. What he witnessed made him want to go back to Donghyuck.
"Hyung. Where's my bubble tea?" Jisung is in front of him, holding the water gun toy he got last night, targeting to shoot him. He regrets buying that for him.
All the other children that he is close to are inside his room, playing with their new toys. Imagine five young boys having the time of their lives in one tiny room.
"S-sorry. Hyung forgot." Jisung fires at him and everywhere in the room, making Mark slightly wet. That triggers the other boys to come at him too. Leaving Mark helpless.
"Hyung." Renjun, the oldest out of the bunch, started to talk. "You should have just come to me."
"Right. I should have."
2021: In Love
☀️
"Only one month to go." Mark is standing in front of his calendar. He put an X on the date today just like what he did on the other dates. He has been doing it since January of 2021.
"Hyung?" Jeno, the very innocent and forgetful kid, calls for him and opens the door in his room. "Let's eat breakfast. We can't eat without you."
"Coming!" Mark left his room.
☀️ One month later...
"Annyeonghaseyo! Welcome to Santa's Factory!" Mark was back again in his favorite store that only opened one week before the end of the year. He's already familiar with the store's environment. He now knows where to look if he's looking for something... or someone.
The minute he stepped inside the store, he already had a glance at his favorite reindeer. Instead of going to him, Mark went somewhere to pick some items. After that, he proceeded to the cashier to pay and went out immediately.
"Reindeer Hyung." Donghyuck turned around to face the kid who tugged on his shirt. He flashes a beautiful smile and asks the kid.
"How may I help you?"
"This," the boy handed Donghyuck what he had been holding for some time now. "The hyung outside told me to give this to you. This lollipop is for me." The kid waved the lollipop he got.
Donghyuck received an artificial poinsettia flower with a card. Before thinking, he hurriedly ran outside to look for that 'hyung', but he couldn't see anyone he was familiar with or someone suspicious. He looked at the flower and the card. He read the card's content.
"Long time no see. I actually missed you. I want to tell you something. I hope we can meet on Christmas day. :)” the card says.
Donghyuck is dumbfounded. He is confused actually. He doesn't have an idea who the 'hyung outside' might be. But the gesture made him happy. For receiving an artificial flower from their store (it still has its price tag) he is thankful.
"Alright let's see who you are on Christmas day." He went back inside the store smiling.
🍉
"Did it work?" Renjun asked.
"I don't know."
"Ehhhh. What is that? Why do you don't know?" Jaemin, the kid who gave him the idea, whimpers.
"After the kid went back inside the store I got nervous. I ran away," Mark explained.
"I told you hyung. You should be the one to personally do it," Chenle, his favorite kid, states.
"Maybe that kid you asked just took the lollipop and forgot about your request," Jisung made him nervous once again. "You should have just given me that lollipop, hyung," he added.
"No, it should be mine!" Chenle started to bicker with the youngest.
"It's alright hyung. Think of it positively. I'm sure it worked," Jeno reassured him.
"Thanks, Jeno-yah. I hope it went as planned. Okay. Okay. Let's all sleep. Let's just see what will happen tomorrow. Renjun, come with me tomorrow to buy gifts. Please?"
"Not a problem," Renjun gave Mark a thumbs up. All the kids that were camping in Mark’s room started to go back to their respective rooms.
2021: The Preparation
☀️
Mark is back again at Santa's Factory to do his annual task, to buy gifts for the Little Dreamer’s orphans. This time he went with Renjun because the kid already graduated from high school so he didn't need to be given toys anymore. He'll still receive gifts though, which will be bought by the orphanage's owner, just like what Mark has been receiving since 2015.
They entered the store and at one glance, Mark already knows that Donghyuck is in charge of the cashier today. Good thing he brought Renjun with him, he thought. They already started picking up toys for the kids. It is easier with Renjun around because he knows more about his orphanage friends than Mark does. Their shopping went smoothly. It's faster too because the number of kids to be given toys has decreased.
“Renjunie, you know what to do," Mark handed Renjun some money to pay for the toys.
"Not yet. I still don't know what to do hyung. Do I just come there to pay for these?" Renjun sarcastically asked.
"Wha-" At first he didn't get what the boy meant, but as he glanced at Donghyuck once again, he suddenly thought of something.
🍉
"Thanks for shopping at Santa's Factory," Donghyuck greeted before he began scanning the barcodes of the items Renjun brought to his counter. He is smiling throughout the whole process. But when he got the last set of items, he slowly looked at the person paying.
"A hyung requested me to give you that. Please punch that in before reading the card so that I can pay," Renjun said, just like what Mark had taught him.
"Who-" Donghyuck stopped before he could ask who the 'hyung' was because a child started crying. The noise made him work faster, thinking that the line would pile up if he didn't make it quickly.
After Santa gave Renjun his shopping bag and greets him Merry Christmas, Donghyuck calls for him, but he immediately goes out of the store. Donghyuck, on the other hand, couldn't leave his post. He can't go outside to see who it is. Again he was left curious.
After the reindeer's shift, he looked at the gift he received a while ago. Just like what he received yesterday, a poinsettia with a card, but now it includes a chocolate. He didn't need items from their store, but receiving them from an anonymous source made them special. He opened the card.
"Did you get my card yesterday? You look beautiful working. Just don't strain yourself. Remember, on Christmas. :)” Donghyuck smiles. "Oh there's some more."
"PS: I don't know if you like chocolates, but that's the flavor you got last time, that's why," Donghyuck’s eyes slowly get bigger, and his mouth slowly opens with a smile.
"BINGO! I think I know who you are now," Donghyuck immediately stood up from where he sat to look for their boss. He's going to change his day off, because it's supposed to be tomorrow, December 24th, this year. But he has a very important "date" on the 25th, so...
"SANTA-nim!!!
☀️
"How would he know it was you if you didn't write your name, hyung? Teacher Kim always tells me to write my name so that he would know that it's mine," the bratty Jisung asks. It's already Christmas day and Mark is preparing for his 'date'. It was really hard to prepare when there were a bunch of kids around him. Some are helpful but many are not.
"Babo! That's the strategy there. It wouldn't be interesting if hyung put his name!" Jaemin is outraged by Jisung’s foolishness.
“Jaemin-ah. He's not babo. That's bad," Jeno motions for Jisung to come to him, and that made Jisung make a crying face.
"Hyuuuuuuuung!!" Jisung comes to Jeno but Chenle pushes him away saying something like 'Hyung is mine!' while Jaemin glares at them.
"OMO!!!" Mark stands up abruptly.
"What's the matter hyung?" Renjun stands up worrying about his hyung.
"AIISSSH!!" Another sound and facial expression was shown that made the kids worry.
"EEEEEHHHHHH!" The kids that care said altogether.
"I didn't even indicate in the card where we should meet!!! And at what time! I'm such an idiot! Idiot!!" Mark is hitting his head but glares at Jisung when he hears a soft 'babo' from the brat.
"What are you going to do now, hyung?" Jeno asks.
"Yah! Nana! This is your fault. Your idea fails! What will hyung do now?" Chenle throws all the blame at Jaemin who looks like he's going to cry anytime soon.
"It's not your fault Nana. Hyung will think of a way-" Mark is cut off by Renjun.
"Just go to your meeting place with the plan in your mind. If he goes there, then you're meant to be and he felt the connection of you two in your cards. But if not, maybe better luck next time. Or just hang yourself just like the people on TV when they fall out of love."
“Renjunie!” Jaemin screeched.
"No! Renjun’s right."
"You're going to hang yourself?!!" Jeno suddenly shouts.
"Not that! I mean, he's right. I will still go to the park. I will wait for Donghyuck ’til I can. If he comes, that's more special because he knew it was me. Thanks Renjun-ah!!"
"Whatever."
Mark finished his preparations. When he's done he stood up and looked at himself in the mirror.
"You're all set hyung! Good luck!" Jaemin patted his back. The other kids bid him good luck too.
"Thanks, guys! I wouldn't have done this without you all. And... Jisung, don't sleep in my bed. Go back to your room," With that, the other kids laughed and Mark set off, with a smile and determination on his face.
2021: The Confession
☀️
Mark arrived at the park where he and Donghyuck first had their normal conversation. He arrived two hours earlier than his supposed meet-up time. He thought he needed that much time to condition and prepare himself for what he was going to do. Luckily there are not many people there who'll find him hilarious.
Mark is worried. Really worried. He’s thinking, what if Donghyuck didn't even read his cards? What if he doesn't care or he's not curious at all about who sent him those flowers and cards? What if he cares but for some stupidity, his secret admirer has done, he doesn't know where and what time to go? What if we meet but he doesn't accept me? What if he found me funny? What if? What if-
Mark spent one hour worrying. He didn't even find an answer to all his questions. He just kept on worrying and saying he was nervous. He can feel the butterflies in his stomach multiplying. That's when he noticed he'd been there for more than one hour and Donghyuck was still not there.
"This is my fault! This is my fault! Really my fault. I just listened to a kid's advice without even thinking," Mark lets out a heavy sigh. And another one. And another. He stood up and-
"Who left this lion cub out here? Baby lion’s shouldn’t be left alone.”
Mark freezes. One year has passed but he will never forget that beautiful voice, and he is hearing it now! He slowly turned around to see the owner of the voice.
"Oh. But if it's you, I don't mind." Donghyuck is smiling brightly.
"...."
"Are you... not going to... say something?"
"H- Hi," Mark looked like a robot right now. Eyes were fixed onto Donghyuck and sound was leaving his mouth even though he was not moving his lips.
"Hahaha! You're really funny you know! Why do you have to wear that baby lion onesie?” Yes. Mark is wearing a lion cub onesie right now. That's the only way he thought to impress Donghyuck. Donghyuck touched it.
"Don't you like it?" Finally, Mark’s expression changed. But to a worried one.
"I LIKE IT!! I like it, of course. You wore this for me, right? But your face is enough to portray a baby lion, why put on a costume?" Donghyuck helps Mark take off the hood of the onesie, "Pretty."
Mark blushed. Donghyuck liked his face more than a costume. Donghyuck came. Donghyuck was standing in front of him. Donghyuck knew he was the one sending him cards. Donghyuck-
"Merry Christmas! What are you going to tell me? You're the 'hyung outside' and the 'hyung' who sent me poinsettias and cards, take note, from our store, right?"
Mark knows this is the time when he has to do his planned confession. He waited one year for this moment to come. And now that this moment was already in front of him, he couldn't just stand there and make a fool of himself. He stood straight. Looked straight into Donghyuck’s eyes. Let out one heavy sigh, then smiled.
"Merry Christmas!" Mark hands Donghyuck a small box.
"That's for me?" Mark nods. "I didn't even prepare anything. I just showed up like this."
"No! That's fine! You showing up today was more than fine!" Mark said that hysterically. When he calmed down, he stretched out his arms again to give his gift to Donghyuck.
Donghyuck accepted it with a smile. He opened it immediately but was careful not to ruin the packaging completely. Inside the small box is a microphone made of quilt and is made to be a keychain. Donghyuck looks at it eyes wide.
"Did- Did you not like it?" Mark worriedly asked.
"Are you kidding? This is my first time receiving a gift like this! It's a microphone! How did you know I like singing?" Donghyuck asked enthusiastically.
"You like to sing?"
"You didn't know?" Honest Mark shakes his head slowly. "Then why did you give me this?"
"Actually, I like music. I couldn't think of anything to give you that can't be found in your store. So I thought of making that, taking the risk of whether you will like it or not. It's a guitar at first, since I like playing it. But it's quite hard," Mark admitted shyly.
"Wow! We have similarities huh? Thanks! I really appreciate this!" Mark saw that Donghyuck was happy and that made him blush slightly, and he looked at the ground in shyness.
"So is that it? You just want to give me this?"
"No! It- it- thi- ... THIS!" Mark stretched out his arms again to Donghyuck, holding a single poinsettia, his head facing the ground and eyes shut tightly.
"I LIKE YOU, DONGHYUCK! Please accept my feelings!" Mark felt his body burning. He wanted to be sucked into a hole immediately. Dig six feet under the ground and bury himself. He was expecting an angry Donghyuck after this. His ears were ready to hear words of disgust and rejection. But even so, he needed to do this. He can't wait another year anymore.
"You're a bit faster than I thought. But not fast enough," Because of nervousness, Mark didn't hear Donghyuck’s answer. He slowly lifts his head and one by one opens his eyes. Still, face ready for rejection.
"You're fast because I didn't expect you to confess this early. But not fast enough because..."
Mark anticipated. Donghyuck quickly grabbed the poinsettia and then jumped forward so that he was just ten centimeters away from Mark.
"...Because it took you three years before asking me out, silly!" Donghyuck blushed but eyes still fixed on Mark.
"I don't get it," Mark was confused. He understood what Donghyuck said but his mind was not processing it.
"Since the day I saw your face in our store three years ago, I already liked you. I really want to touch that cute face of yours," Donghyuck laughed. Mark’s expression didn't change.
"Alright. Listen... I like you too, cutie Mark. I like you a lot! I didn't regret approaching you last year even though I was afraid you were just going to ignore me. But then, I became friends with my long-time crush and I was so happy that day that I can't stop thinking of you."
"I liked you too since the day I saw you in our store. I really wanted to become friends with you. I'm happy I took the courage to approach you last year," Mark is smiling now, "And now you courageously confessed to me. Thank you."
"No! THANK YOU!" Mark almost shouted that. Both burst out laughing.
"But how did you know it's me and how did you know we should meet here?" Mark finally asked.
"I knew it was you when you said on the card about the flavor I took last year. The first thing that came to my mind was the ice cream we ate," Donghyuck stopped but mouth parted. Mark waits ’til Donghyuck talks again.
"I knew you would be here because this is the only place aside from the store where we met each other. But I didn't know what time I should come. So I came here early in the morning. When you didn’t come, I went back to the store thinking maybe you went there. But no. I walked around the store then later around this park then finally I saw a sitting baby lion under this tree," Donghyuck happily tells Mark of his morning adventure.
"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! I forgot to indicate where we should meet. I got a little excited and totally forgot about it. Actually, I really thought you won't appear today," Mark was wearing his apologetic face.
"Don't be. At least all your efforts didn't come to waste," Donghyuck slowly lifted his arms to touch Mark’s face. The older man's face color turns tomato red. Donghyuck laughed at that and brought both his hands in Mark’s face to feel it, “You’re so cute!! I wanted to do this for so long.”
"Uhhh... Would you be happy to have a lunch with me?" Mark offers.
"DEFINITELY!!" Donghyuck held Mark’s hand and then pulled him closer to him as they started walking. Both are excited for the years to come.
☀️🍉