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The university's student activity center. A vibrant space filled with students playing games, chatting, and studying. Donghyuk is leading a group of new exchange students, on a tour.
The short Korean smiles at the group of younger students, radiating charm and energy. He adds a theatrical flare to his movement as he gestures towards a cluster of arcade machines.
"And over here, we have the legendary arcade! It's a great place to unwind after a long day of classes. Who wants to try their hand at some air hockey?" The tan male asks.
A few students raise their hands, and he grins. He spots a Chinese sophomore towards the back of the group, who's been observing quietly the entire with a shy smile.
"Hey, pink hair! You look like you're itching to play! Come on, let's see what you've got."
The guy blushes slightly at the attention suddenly drawn towards him, but a spark of excitement flickers in her eyes. He hesitates for a moment, then steps forward.
Donghyuk claps his hands together, his enthusiasm infectious "Perfect! It's just like riding a bike. You never forget. Let's go!" He leads him to an empty air hockey table, and they begin a lighthearted game.
Donghyuk playfully teases the student as he struggles to keep up, but he also offers encouragement and tips.
"Whoa, careful! You almost sent the puck flying into the next dimension! You've got to use your wrist more, like this."He demonstrates a quick flick of the wrist, sending the puck zipping across the table. The Chinese laughs, trying to mimic his movements.
"Okay, okay, I'm getting the hang of it."
A particularly close shot sends him leaning forward, his hand brushing against Donghyuk’s arm. He doesn't flinch, but smiles brightly at the younger.
"See? You're a natural! Just a little more practice, and you'll be unbeatable." He encourages before motioning for another one of the new students to take his place, and walking around the table to stand beside the pinkette.
They continue to play, their laughter echoing through the arcade. Donghyuk occasionally offers gentle physical cues, adjusting his stance or demonstrating a technique. Their interaction is light, playful, and friendly, but from a distance, it could easily be misconstrued as something more intimate. Especially with the casual physical contact during the game. Mark, observing from across the room, narrows his eyes, his expression hardening. He sees the easy laughter, the close proximity, and the relaxed body language. A flicker of possessiveness flashes across his face.
The group moves on from the arcade to one of the student lounges, where Donghyuk finishes the tour by repeating key information he had been sprinkling throughout. He tells them they are free to explore on their own now and he can see how some of them pair up, noticing the same shy Chinese guy keeping to himself in a quiet corner of the university's student lounge.
Plush armchairs and low tables create an intimate atmosphere, but the space is mostly deserted. The sophomore sits awkwardly on the edge of a chair, when Donghyuk approaches.
“Hey man, what’s up?” He greets “Listen, not to sound condescending, but today is prime time to make friends for the semester, you shouldn't pass up the chance. Sometimes other students can be a bit harder to get close to as an exchange student, some believe we're not worth it because we're leaving soon, so maybe try befriending some of the other's from this group. It's a start” he advises, trying to sound as friendly as possible while effectively telling an evidently shy guy to go make friends now because it'll be harder later, like that isn't already a fear of his.
But the Chinese man takes it well and surprises Donghyuk by asking for his phone number which he already had, he reminds, since he gave everyone his contact in case they had any questions. The guy blushes and mumbles an apology but Donghyuk reassures him “Don't sweat it. And, if you don't have any questions and just want to text me to be my friend, you absolutely should” he encourages with the brightest smile he has ever seen and all he can do is blush and stare at the angel in front of him.
“Thanks, uhm…”
“Call me Haechan” he offers.
“Wasn't it-”
“To my friends, it's Haechan” he insists, shooting the younger yet another blinding grin that's really starting to do weird thinks to his baby gay heart “I gotta go, but see you around ok? Text me" He says before leaving with a playful wave of his hand and a skip to his step, missing all the eyes that trail behind him.
The pink haired boy puts his hand over his chest, willing his over active heart to — calm the fuck down it's just a smile, dude — he tells himself. Before he can stand up from the chair, another upperclassman leans against a nearby bookcase, arms crossed and gaze intent like he wants to talk to him.
"Hey man" Mark greets, his expression casual but his eyes sharp.
He looks up, startled, but manages a nervous smile.
"Oh hey, uhm, I'm Yang Yang, nice to meet you." Mark nods, his gaze lingering on him. He steps closer.
“Name's Mark” he introduces “Always happy to see a new Asian face on campus, you Chinese?"
Yang Yang's smile falters slightly but he's not sure why there's a vibe that isn't entirely friendly about the other "Yeah! Korea, right?" He chances.
Mark raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice "My parents are, but I was born and raised here. I visit, though. Are you in an exchange program or are you staying for good?"
Yang Yang relaxes a little, relieved that he guessed right and didn't just come through as an insensitive racist "Exchange program, I'm here for the semester."
Mark's eyes flick towards the hallway, then back to Yang Yang "Oh cool, cool” he comments dumbly, clearly not actually seeing anything cool about it “I see you've met Thomas." He switches immediately, almost giving the younger whiplash.
Yang Yang's brow furrows in confusion "Thomas?” He asks before recognizing the guide's English name “Oh, you mean Haechan?"
Mark's expression hardens slightly "It's actually Donghyuk."
Yang Yang looks surprised "What?"
Mark leans in, his voice low and deliberate "That's his Korean name, Haechan is a nickname his friends gave him. I'm surprised he introduced himself with it, must really like you."
Yang Yang's cheeks flush, and he fidgets in his seat "Oh hehe, I guess? He was really nice."
Mark's lips curl into a thin smile "Yeah, the friendliest. He's the president of the reception committee."
Yang Yang's eyes widen slightly "Really? He did mention the committee, never said he was the president."
Mark chuckles, a dry, humorless sound "Probably trying to be humble, it goes away after you get to know him."
Yang Yang looks between Mark and the hallway, a sense of unease creeping in "Are you guys friends?"
Mark's smile vanishes. He steps closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper "Boyfriends actually."
Yang Yang's eyes widen, and he shrinks back in the chair "Oh," is all he has the wit to say, mind in instant panic.
Mark's gaze is intense, unwavering "Yeah, it's like that” he says, stance shifting to something more intimidating, even if he isn't a particularly built guy, the way he squares his shoulders and lifts his chin are just as effective “So, listen, Yang Yang? He's very outgoing, very social, a charming guy. You guys can be friends, just don't get any ideas."
After he says so there's only silence between, the muttering of other students around them loud but not enough to drown the roar of rushing blood in the Chinese man's ears as his heart picks up an unhealthy pace with the way Mark is staring him down.
Yang Yang's voice trembles "Oh no! No! I wasn't thinking anything, I-"
Mark cuts him off, his voice sharp "You're not in trouble, relax" he reassures so unconvincingly that it's even funny "I know I have an attractive boyfriend, I'm not mad that you looked at him when you didn't know" his not really relaxed expression becomes harsher, his glare intense as he says "But now you know, so keep the hands to yourself, alright?"
Yang Yang's face is pale, and he nods quickly "I- yes sir."
Mark nods, a predatory gleam in his eyes. He straightens up, his tone returning to a casual, almost dismissive drawl "Good boy.” he says condescendingly before walking away, not that he needs to, because the younger student also bolts from the he chair like a teacher dismissed him from class, getting lost in the throngs of people.
Before Mark can relax — and perhaps go look for Haechan — Liam, ever the unwelcome conscience, sauntered up beside him, his voice a low, disapproving murmur. “Was all that really necessary?”
Mark’s jaw tightened. “Shut up.” he said without turning to look at him.
Liam sighed, a puff of exasperation. “I’m just saying, you can’t keep scaring off his future prospects and not have the balls to confess. Make it make sense, bro. You’re even pretending to be his boyfriend now.”
The accusation stung. Mark finally tore his gaze away from the hallway, turning on Liam with a flash of anger. “I’m just looking out for a friend.”
“Protecting him from what?” Liam’s eyebrow arched, his tone laced with skepticism. “That guy seemed nice enough.”
Mark scoffed, his eyes flickering back to the chair Yang Yang has occupied. “You didn’t catch him leering.”
“Dude, the hypocrisy!” Liam’s voice rose slightly, drawing a few curious glances. “How about you look in the mirror before you flag anyone else for the way they stare at Hae?”
Mark’s face flushed crimson. “Literally shut the fuck up.”
Liam held up his hands in mock surrender, but his gaze remained sharp. “I’m just saying. This is your last year, you sure you don’t want to tell him how you feel? You’ve been crushing on that boy for ages.”
The fight seemed to drain out of Mark, leaving behind a hollow weariness. He looked away, his voice low and resigned. “He’s on a student visa. He’s going back to Korea as soon as he graduates. He explicitly told us he had a boyfriend and dumped him before coming here because he can’t do long distance, he’s too affectionate for that. We’re doomed before we even start, so why look for trouble?”
Liam’s expression softened, a rare moment of genuine sympathy. “And you wouldn’t even consider going to Korea for him?”
Mark shook his head, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. “I’m taking over my dad’s company, man, you know that.”
A mischievous glint flickered in Liam’s eyes. “You could also just wife him up, then he could stay.”
Mark’s eyes widened, a mixture of disbelief and fury warring within him. “I really fucking hate you.”
Liam chuckled, unfazed by Mark’s anger. “It was a genuine suggestion!”
“Right,” Mark snarled, his voice tight. “And I genuinely hate you.” He turned away, his gaze returning to the hallway. He watched as Haechan leaned in, laughing at something another one of their friends said. The sight twisted something inside him, a knot of longing and possessiveness. He knew he was trapped, caught between his unspoken feelings and the unyielding reality of their situation. He was a fool, a spectator in his own life, watching the object of his affection slip further and further away.