i think i could get used to this

on saturday morning, mark wakes up with maple draped across his legs like some kind of heavy blanket. he sits up and rubs the sleep out of his eyes, then grabs his phone to check what time it is. he doesn't expect to see a text from who he assumes to be donghyuck.

haechan: hi, is this mark lee?

immediately, mark opens the text and messages him back.

mark: yes, and you're donghyuck?

haechan: mhm

haechan: thank you for keeping me out of the cold that night

haechan: you were really kind to do that without expecting anything in return

mark: it's nothing lol i just didn't want to see you freeze

haechan: i do feel bad though agjdfnhg

mark puts his phone down and purses his lips. this boy is all-out adorable. he picks up his phone once again and nearly drops it in surprise.

haechan: can i make it up to you?

mark: you don't need to skslfjksl

haechan: yeah but i Want to

haechan: can i take you to dinner or something?

mark: of course

haechan: when are you free?

mark: i have no classes all week because of break, so anything works for me

mark: what about you?

haechan: same except i have to work from twelve to six thirty all week this week so we'd have to eat a bit later if that's okay

mark: that's fine!! you work at the public library, right?

haechan: mhm

mark: i'll pick you up then

haechan: no way mr lee

haechan: i'm the one planning the date here and i will execute my plan perfectly

mark: ominous

haechan: i'll pick you up at seven on wednesday if that's fine?

mark: that's more than fine. see you wednesday, donghyuck

haechan: AHGSKJDFNHJ DONT SAY MY NAME LIKE THAT

mark: we're texting, donghyuck

haechan: STOP IT I DONT LIKE IT WHEN CUTE BOYS SAY MY NAME

mark: Oh? What's This

haechan: i mean i hate my name. that's totally what i meant

mark: sure

mark: again: i'll see you wednesday donghyuck :))))))

haechan: NO STOP

with a laugh, mark shuts off his phone and gets out of bed, shuffling into the kitchen to make some breakfast.

he begins to make french toast and turns the heat on low, staring out the dirty window that spills light into his tiny kitchen. he starts to think--about donghyuck, about life, but most of all, about him.

only then is he hit by a wave of guilt. it's only been a few years since his death, and mark's already out flirting with other boys. he feels awful, horrible, but there's something in mark's heart that tells him that this is what he wanted for mark.

and that's enough.

mark closes his eyes and sighs at the thought of himself finally moving on. it seems a bit too unrealistic, but he holds fast and tries to focus on the prospect of eventually being in a relationship with donghyuck instead of death and loss.

suddenly, a flame roars, and his poor french toast catches on fire. mark shouts in alarm and quickly puts it out,  shaking his head once the flame finally dies. maple trots into the kitchen, sniffs the sir, and barks in annoyance before padding over towards the rug in the living room and plopping down on her stomach, letting out a quiet whine as she does so.

mark laughs, checks his phone, and sees another text from donghyuck.

haechan: i'm excited. don't respond to this because i'm being a panicked gay but just know i'm internally going 💖💕💓💘💞💝💗

mark decides not to make breakfast and takes a seat on the couch in front of maple, not even bothering to clean up his mess from his attempt at french toast. despite the warning not to, he types out a reply to donghyuck.

mark: 💓💝💗💖💕💞💘

he hits send and turns off his phone, smiling a little at donghyuck's message.

he sighs a bit, putting a hand over his heart. it beats so quickly and heavily that it catches in his throat. he feels like he's in sophomore year again with his pointless crush on his best friend that blossomed into something even greater.

mark shakes his head and scowls. too far. donghyuck can never replace him.

but maybe he can still try to have something with donghyuck.

  ―

xodaniel