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It was late, too late, probably. Mark felt exhausted. Overwhelmed. But at the same time, he felt so fulfilled. After all those years, full of preparing, improving, changing, he’s finally come to the point where he genuinely feels content about his career, his art and creation. He feels genuine pride looking at his first baby – as he likes to call his debut solo album.
He scrolls on his phone, in the dim lighting of a singular lamp on his bedside table. Reading. Monitoring. Waiting. The clock barely strikes 2am as he sighs deeply to himself. He sends a text.
to: 혀기
pssst
haechanie
are u finished?
He doesn’t need to wait long for the reply to pop up.
from: 혀기
what is it hyung?
aigoo do you miss me that much?
Mark rolls his eyes as he imagines the smirk on Donghyuck’s face.
to: 혀기
hm what if i do?
are u gonna do something about it?
He’s convinced now, he’s too weary to think. He forgets to even feel embarrassed about his clinginess. He just wants to rest his eyes, right inside of Donghyuck’s sweet embrace.
His phone rings again.
from: 혀기
i was planning to go live now, though
do you think you could wait some more?
promise, i’ll be quick
Mark shakes his head as his restless body falls flat on the bed.
to: 혀기
sure, donghyuck-ah
as long as you make it up to me
The next notification he sees is informing about Haechan going live, titling it „막프”. Mark lets out a giggle.
Donghyuck’s face pops up on the screen of his phone. He’s laying in bed, too. There’s something incredibly addictive, absorbing about the way he looks — his hair a bit messy, the bare skin on his face fully exposed, after having washed the make up off. And a visible blush, splashing through his cheeks. He’s wearing a white shirt with some silly words written on it in english. The sight makes Mark chuckle.
Finally, he speaks up, voice low and tired, yet eager for a conversation. And Mark loves him like this. Soft and open. His eyes sparkle with excitement as he talks about his plans for the nearest future. Mark listens, watches. Waits. He finds that quite comforting, too. Not even the fact that he’s out there, looking so radiant, almost vulnerable. But the fact that Mark knows, that soon enough he’ll have this Donghyuck all to himself. His Donghyuck.
„Mark-hyung,” his name suddenly rings in his ears. „I like him,” Haechan confesses shyly, lowering his eyes from the camera.
Naturally, Mark is aware that it’s not the kind of confession he usually gets to hear from the boy. It’s so public. Unofficial. Almost as if for the show. People believe that Haechan is, and has always been loud about his feelings. So transparent. But, oh, Mark thinks it’s a blessing that they get to see him like this. The path they’ve walked together was long and difficult, full of conflict, complications and doubt. And most of all — fear. Because that was the difference between Haechan and Donghyuck. They weren’t quite the very opposites of each other, yet, contrary to popular belief, getting to the bottom of the his real feelings, those he liked to hide deep inside, was the real challenge. Mark knew him, though. He’s learned how to dive underneath his surface. And now, he can see right through.
The live ends not long after that. Mark can’t help but feel his chest tighten. Maybe out of excitement, or maybe simply because Donghyuck still, somehow, makes him nervous. That’s what he gets for sticking around the boy who sines like the sun.
His bedroom door creeks ever so lightly, as a familiar figure emerges in the room. Mark turns to him, slowly, his round eyes looking up. Donghyuck tiptoes towards the bed, stopping right in front of where the taller lays. They stare at each other for what feels like just a second, admiring. Donghyuck’s right palm softly finds its way to Mark’s cheek. The touch lingers in a form of blood rushing to his cheeks. Donghyuck lets out a heavy breath through his nose. And Mark watches. He looks, and looks, and there’s so much fondness each inch of his body. He shoots the boy who’s still standing in front of him a knowing look. Neither of them say a word. They don’t have to.
Donghyuck finally gets under the warm sheets, slowly, leg by leg, until he’s all snuggled up where Mark has kept a special place for him. They’re facing each other now, Mark lying on his left side, Donghyuck on his right. Mark studies his face, eyes tracing each mole, each feature carefully. His fingers find their way into his soft, dark hair, brushing delicately. His lips curl into a fond smile.
„So you like me, huh?” He teases, breaking the silence with a quiet voice, resembling a whisper. Donghyuck breathes, bringing his body closer to Mark’s, wrapping his hand steadily around the other’s waist.
„So what if I do?” He answers, nuzzling his head into the crook of Mark’s neck, making the other shiver ever so slightly. Mark places a lingering kiss on the top of the younger’s head. He lets out a hum.
„That makes the two of us, then,” he whispers, both of his arms tightly hugging Donghyuck back, bringing their bodies as close to each other as it’s physically possible.
And Mark truly does. He loves him like this. He loves him this way the most — all his. Head hidden, buried in the cosy embrace of his arms, both palms of his hands wandering softly, steadily on Donghyuck’s back with a feeling of his warm breath on his skin. In moments like this, he feels more complete than ever.