"Pass!"

"Jaemin, here!"

"Goal!"

Soccer practice went on like the usual. By now, Donghyuck got his interest back in his sport. Before, he was too busy being occupied in catching up with his past and adjusting to it. Once he got used to his routine, he managed to finally balance studies, his sport, and Mark. Well, Mark wasn't such a bother because he, too, was busy with his schedule. Donghyuck felt free having to do things on his own, which was the opposite to himself during marriage. Perhaps it's because he had all the free time to think about Mark and it's different for his partner who was busy. There was nothing to distract him enough other than taking care of their son. Maybe he should also consider pursuing a job this time around.

Anyway, for the meantime, he was bothered by that one mistake he made during their test. Nonetheless, he was still able to put his focus on their practice until it ended.

But Donghyuck just can't shake it off. "What do you mean I got it wrong with just one miscalculation?"

Closing his locker, Jaemin pulled out his phone and fiddled with it. However, he still listened to his friend's rant. "Hyuck, I got half the score. I'd die to have your kind of problem."

"Yeah, but I'm pretty sure I got it right!" Was Donghyuck mixing up the lessons he also learned during college? That's probably it.

"You are pretty." Jaemin complimented out of nowhere, giving him a smile once he looked up from his phone. More like having selective hearing because he was busy texting someone.

"Hey!" Donghyuck can't help but get flustered at how much of a flirt his friend is.

"I said petty, Donghyuck." However, it isn't Jaemin if he doesn't tease the other. His day wouldn't be complete if he doesn't annoy him.

"Fuck you." Getting his empty duffle bag, Donghyuck threw it at the player with him. He then got back to changing his shirt and shoes, organizing his things on what to bring and what to leave in his locker. "By the way, Chenle is not joining us lately."

Jaemin was also cleaning his stuff before settling down on the bench, still on his phone, waiting for the other to finish. "I also don't think tutoring sessions are the reason. I won't be surprised if he just quits the team all of a sudden."

"I mean, he joined soccer because we were in it. I think he prefers basketball more." Upon putting his shirt inside his bag, Donghyuck closed his locker and faced his friend who is still busy with his phone. "Care to explain who you are talking to?"

"Just some people." Turning his phone off, Jaemin flashed a bright smile. "I'll be home late."

That caused Donghyuck to show a pout on his lips. "You won't go home with me?"

"Renjun is adopting a cat. He wants me and Jeno to tag along." Jaemin said, genuinely excited to meet them tonight.

Donghyuck couldn't do anything about it. As much as he wants to sulk because his friends are busy with their own partners, he knew it needed to happen. Sometimes, he just wishes that he's clueless about things so he won't have to make it such a big matter to him.
Going along with it, Donghyuck nodded his head and let his friend go. "Jaemin, what do you actually feel towards them?"

Despite the sudden question, Jaemin answered nonetheless with an honest one. "I'm comfortable having the two around."

A smile of relief was shown on Donghyuck's lips. He was glad to see that his friend wasn't rushing things and concluding their situation immediately. It was nice to see that Jaemin is taking all the time to learn and get to know more about his feelings and what he wants. Donghyuck was relieved to know that he didn't have to worry much since Jaemin was mature enough to handle things.

"I'll get going first." Jaemin had to excuse himself the moment he received a message that his company was waiting at the front gates. "Get home safe!"

Only being able to wave his hand, Donghyuck watched his friend walk away until he disappeared from his sight. It was only then that he started to move, his lips curving down. It might not bother him much, but it does get quite lonely having to walk home alone and coming home without any company. His roommates would often get home late, he's not mad about it, but he just wished he'd get himself busy from thinking about how lonely it is being alone.

And as if his wish was granted, someone greeted him outside the building. "What's bothering you, Love?"

Looking up, Donghyuck had his brows meet in confusion. "Mark? You're still here."

Again with the name. It made Mark roll his eyes in irritation, but answered the question anyway. "Council's meeting ended late, I also stayed at the library to study for a while."

Donghyuck let out a chuckle at how the other was giving out an attitude, he knew why. "How was the meeting, Love?"

That somehow put a bright smile on Mark's face, taking the younger one's hand as they began to walk towards the front gate. "We were just discussing about your team's upcoming game outside school."

"Hey!" Donghyuck raised his voice, already thinking of the possibilities of what the council talked about. "I'm playing this time!"

Mark gave him a concerned expression. "Sunshine—"

"No! Whatever you say, no. I will play, I want to play!" Donghyuck exclaimed, insisting that he wanted to be included in the team. "I'm bound to stumble down and have some scratches in my sport, Mark. Let me live my teenage years."

Seeing the determination in his tone and face, Mark knew he didn't have anything else to convince his partner otherwise. "Fine. I'll talk about it to the council tomorrow."

"Aha!" Donghyuck let out a laugh of disbelief. "So you did remove my name again."

"I'm overthinking about the sprain you'll be getting!" Mark defended himself. "We skipped that part during Sports Fest."

"If it happens to me then be it." Donghyuck shrugged his shoulders, not making a big deal about that situation. "You'll be there to watch. Run to me and pick me up, okay?"

Mark chuckled at the male's witty remark. "You're still so stubborn, Sunshine."

"Deal with it." Huffing, Donghyuck looked away as they were still walking hand in hand. "You married me."

"I did." Mark said without a second to waste, showing that he was so sure of how he felt. "And I fell in love with everything about you."

This was contradicting how his partner acted during their marriage. Donghyuck can't help but internally gag at his flattering but empty words. "I have an attitude."

"I'll be patient." Mark said, knowing that he wasn't before. "I'll start to get used to it."

Still not convinced, Donghyuck raised a brow as he threw another bad trait. "I'm picky with food."

"Let's order pizza!" Mark joked, having the younger one laugh along. "We can always order the take-outs that you want."

The comforting memory made Donghyuck's lips curve up, remembering the times that they always do. "I would always want your attention."

"I'll quit my job!" Exaggerating it, Mark gave him a sheepish smile in return. "Kidding, but I will make sure to give extra effort this time around in managing my time."

The two were laughing at their conversation. By now, they were reminiscing the memories they had while also making their way to Donghyuck's subdivision. Mark would make cheesy jokes here and there, and even if it wasn't a comedic level of funny, Donghyuck never failed to laugh at each one of the jokes.

"Renjun did what?" Donghyuck asked, thinking he heard it wrong.

"He ignored both Jaemin and Jeno for the whole month because he walked up to them making out." Mark cackled at the memory during college.

"Wait, was this when we got almost no time for each other?" Donghyuck furrowed his brows at the vivid scene.

"Because Jeno and Jaemin keep on bugging us for help!" The two of them said at the same time, which made them burst to laughter once again.

"Gosh," Wiping his tears from laughter, Donghyuck was near to letting out a sob from laughing. "They are hopeless."

"They'd do anything for Renjun." Mark commented, also being a laughing mess.

"You know what surprised me the most?" Finally calming himself down, Donghyuck could finally speak properly without his voice cracking. "Jaemin and Jeno."

"Right?!" Mark nodded his head in agreement. "I actually thought Jeno just liked Renjun."

"Jaemin too! I thought he was interested in Jeno because he sees him as a competition." Donghyuck told him. "I could never understand their relationship."

"It's not our place to do so." Mark said, seeing that they were already right around the corner of the male's apartment. "Even if I also don't get it, I do have to admit that they look like they complete one another when they're together."

"It's like they found their person." Donghyuck eyed his apartment before facing the guy walking beside him. "Like how I found you."

That made Mark feel butterflies inside his stomach. The two of them stopped their tracks upon arriving in front of Donghyuck's apartment. Even with silence engulfing them, they were both comfortable with the fact that they were both staring with love in their eyes. Mark held the younger's hand tight, not wanting to let go any time soon. This was one of the many moments he'd wish and prayed that they would finally go back to their own time.

Mark badly wanted to hold him.

To wake up every morning beside him.

To spend time at home with him.

To go out with the family he made with him.

Mark wanted him already.

"Donghyuck, do you know why I talked to Ko Eun that day even if I knew you would be uncomfortable with it?" Mark felt like he wasn't able to explain himself properly about this.

However, nothing mattered anymore for Donghyuck. Seems like he was already secured with the idea that his partner rejected the confession. "Mark, it's okay."

"Because that's the only thing that's stopping me from saying it." Nonetheless, Mark continued to explain. "Ko Eun was my only worry."

That caught Donghyuck's attention. "Say what?"

"Say that I would love to." Mark finally got it out from his chest. "I would love to start over with you."

Hearing that made Donghyuck's breathing hitch. He didn't know hearing that would affect him so much— in a good way. This was the only time he could relate to what Mark would feel about badly wanting to go back right now. Donghyuck already wanted them to be over with this and skip to the part where they are now married.

"I was worried that if I commit myself to saying that earlier, we might have a problem with Ko Eun." Mark told him. "But now, I fixed that part already. I can now say that I—"

Donghyuck quickly cut him off by closing the gap between them, giving him a peck on the lips. He was confident enough to make a bold move because he knew his friends weren't here to eavesdrop on them.

Looks like Mark wasn't pleased with just a simple peck. He wrapped an arm around the male's waist and pulled his body closer til they were glued to one another.

"I love you, Lee Donghyuck." Mark whispered, his breath ghosting over his partner's lips. "You didn't let me finish."

With a smirk plastered on his face, Donghyuck threw his arms over the guy's shoulders. "How about finishing inside my apartment? My friends are not home."

"You're provoking me." Leaning forward, Mark had the urge to kiss him once more.

"My plan exactly." Donghyuck was supposed to initiate it first, but he was put to a halt when he heard a familiar voice calling his name out.

"Donghyuck?"

"Mark?"

Chenle and Jisung?

— to be continued