Chapter Text
Things changed suddenly. Or rather, the changes appeared gradually, silently at first. Junior had always been friendly – and even a bit flirty, but it was part of his persona. Mark knew it well. But then, things started to change. Stolen glances when Junior thought Mark was not looking. Touches that lingered just a bit longer than they used to. Secret smiles that seemed to hold so much meaning. Whispered words that made Mark feel so special.
Then, it hit Mark like a bullet train one day. After a day full of filming for a new variety show they were both a part of, Junior had offered to drive Mark back to his condo. Or rather, Junior had dragged an exhausted Mark to his car, pushing him gently into the passenger seat – his right hand placed strategically to prevent Mark from bumping his head against the frame – and buckling his seat belt before walking around the car to take the driver’s seat.
Mark was so tired it took him almost ten minutes into the drive to realize two things. First, he was not in his car. Second, Junior was not driving towards his condo.
“Where are we going?” he asked sleepily, barely able to keep his eyes open.
“My place is closer. You’re barely able to stand on your own, so I think it’s better if you sleep at my place tonight. Plus, we have a schedule early tomorrow, so it will be more convenient.”
Mark couldn’t argue with his logic. He was too exhausted to keep his thoughts straight, but still, something at the back of his mind was nagging him. A small, barely conscious thought, like a word that was on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t get out, no matter how hard he tried.
“I didn’t bring anything to stay over,” he mumbled weakly, still troubled.
“It’s okay,” Junior replied calmly, his hand squeezing Mark’s arm reassuringly, his eyes never leaving the road. “You can borrow my stuff.”
Mark nodded even though he knew Junior wouldn’t be able to see it. He wanted to ask Junior something, but he couldn’t remember what. His thoughts were getting hazier as sleep was slowly taking over his body.
****
“…Rak?”
Mark slowly opened his eyes, blinking at the face staring at him, so close he could feel the other’s breath on his skin. His head jerked backwards instinctively at the closeness.
“Sorry, did I scare you?” Junior asked him, his eyes full of worry, and hurt? He didn’t wait for Mark to answer before adding: “We’re at my place. I was trying to wake you up…” He chuckled softly, his next words still tinted with worry. “Wouldn’t have you sleep in my car all night, right?”
Mark nodded, unbuckling his seat belt before making his way out of the car. As he stood up, his body betrayed him and he felt his knees buckle under the weight of the exhaustion he felt after a long day. Before he could catch the car door to steady himself, he felt a pair of strong arms go around his waist, holding him up.
“Wow, slow down.” Junior exclaimed, holding him against his chest securely. “Let me help you.”
Junior closed the door softly, locking the car before walking towards the elevator, still keeping Mark in his arms. They shuffled awkwardly for a few steps, before Junior stopped abruptly and suddenly turned around and crouched down, glancing at Mark.
“Hop on,” he exclaimed with a wide grin.
“Huh?” Mark was at a loss for words. If it was from the shock of seeing Junior like that so suddenly or from the sleep still clinging to his eyes, he couldn’t tell.
Junior didn’t give him time to think things through; he just took Mark’s arms and put them around his own neck, before taking hold of his thighs and standing up, hoisting Mark up his back like he weighed nothing.
Mark clung to his shoulders, afraid to fall, and Junior chuckled warmly. He turned his head slightly; his lips close to Mark’s ear before whispering “Hang on tight, or you might fall.”
Mark, a blush blooming on his cheeks, only nodded before pushing Junior’s head gently and grumbling about dangerous walking and concrete walls, Junior’s amused laugh ringing in his ears.
Junior didn’t let Mark go until he stepped foot into his condo. He kept him on his back through the whole elevator ride and walk along the corridor despite Mark’s incessant complaints.
More than that, Junior didn’t even let Mark down after entering his place. He took off his shoes before making his way through the living room and headed straight to his bedroom, where he let Mark gently down, helping him sit on the bed.
“Wait for me here,” he said simply before walking away. A few seconds later, he came back with a towel and bowl of warm water.
“Are you going to wash me?” Mark asked him, half joking.
“Of course I am,” Junior replied, his gaze focused. “You can barely sit; there’s no way you can take a shower in this state.”
Mark opened his mouth to retort that he could at least towel himself clean without any help, but Junior put a finger on his lips to shush him. Mark just froze, his brain short-circuiting at that touch.
Junior let his hands fall on Mark’s waist, his fingers carefully sliding under his shirt to remove it, halting his movement as if waiting for Mark’s permission. Mark exhaled slowly before nodding his head. He felt strange; his brain was foggy, but his heart was racing. He shivered, goosebumps appearing on his skin as Junior slowly removed his shirt, his hands leaving hot trails where they made contact with Mark’s skin.
This felt like pure torture for Mark. Junior was taking his time, slowly and carefully using the towel to rid his skin of any trace of the day’s activities. His gaze was focused yet tender, glancing up from time to time to make sure Mark was not uncomfortable.
His eyes narrowed suddenly as he stared at Mark more intently. “Do you have a fever?” Junior asked, his voice barely above a whisper, like he was afraid to break the spell they both seemed to be under.
“I… No, I…” Mark couldn’t finish his sentence, his voice getting stuck in his throat when he felt the back of Junior’s hand grazing his cheek.
“You do!” Junior retorted. “Your skin is so hot.”
“I’m just tired,” Mark replied weakly, pushing Junior’s hand away from him.
Junior sighed, and for a moment, Mark thought he had seen through him, but then he just got up from the bed, putting the towel and bowl on the nightstand before opening his wardrobe to take some clothes for Mark to sleep in.
“Here, you can wear these,” he told Mark as he gave him a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. He then took the towel and bowl and left the room, giving Mark some privacy to change.
“Don’t wait for me,” Junior told him with a last glance before closing the door, “I’ll take a quick shower and go to bed shortly.”
Mark wasted no time changing his clothes and lay down on Junior’s bed, nestled under the covers, warm and content, ready to fall asleep. Yet, something was at the back of his mind. Junior was acting strange. Since when was he so tender and sweet? So touchy? Even with all these questions swimming around his head, Mark felt himself slowly succumbing to sleep. Before he finally drifted away, one final thought entered his mind. When did Junior start calling him Teerak?