Not even an hour into getting that idea, Mark was this close to giving up. "How can I even find him? He doesn't go to this school."

As far as he could recall, Lucas met this person outside the campus. Though they met while still having a relationship with Donghyuck, it wasn't considered cheating— well, at least that was what Lucas wanted to think at that time. The two of them were just able to click with each other's personalities and became friends.

"Such an asshole." Mark mumbled, remembering it made his face form to disgust. "The audacity he has in saying that he loved Donghyuck when he was able to find someone while being in a relationship with him."

That's the guy whom his husband still implies to be friends with even after what he had done? Mark can't help but have an argument with himself in his mind. It was probably already cheating for being interested with someone despite already having a boyfriend. But Donghyuck just gaslighted himself to think that he was enough, and Lucas just found someone that he deserves.

Tracks and thoughts were then stopped when he passed by a certain room that was filled with books and a quiet environment.

The library.

Right now, even though Mark was tempted to go inside with the assumption that this certain person might be there like he always would, he needed to find somewhere else to settle his thoughts.

"Damn it." But it was as if his own body had its own mind to demand. He dragged himself inside the library in hopes that he would see Donghyuck and get the answers he needed.

But it looks like someone else greeted him. A familiar looking student with her hair down, and eyes concentrated on the books she had on the table. Mark's gaze can't seem to divert his attention away from her. It wasn't him falling in love all of a sudden, it just caught his interest. Ever since he found out that he had traveled back, he never did once do something that could change the timeline. Sure, he would slip his words here and there but he would make sure he won't get caught. He was always able to find a way and reason out every unintentional mistake.

In the past, nothing ever happened between them.

They might have interacted, but only for a short while.

Mark felt something weird in his emotions upon seeing the girl that liked him. He knew it was her behind the letters he would receive every day. He would oftentimes see her pass by their room just to get a glimpse of him. He knew that this person has feelings for him, what now?

"Ko Eun?"

Hearing her name coming from someone with a familiar voice, the student looked up and had her eyes locked with the person standing right in front of her. "Mark?"

Now, what? Mark genuinely has no clue as to when, where, how, and why he stood right here. He doesn't know why he approached her and is now initiating a conversation with her. They weren't supposed to talk. Not here at the library, and especially not in this situation.

Mark had to stop himself or it might get worse.

However, despite that he wanted to fix things so it could go back to the way it has usually been, a part of him wanted things to actually change.

"Do... Do you need anything?" Being nervous was an understatement for Ko Eun. She was having a hard time gathering all the courage to say a word. How unexpected can it be that the person she likes is talking to her.

Mark was being reminded of how dreadful his marriage is with Donghyuck. Everyday they were fighting. Trivial things can easily get into a heated argument for them. They weren't giving each other chances anymore.

That was what's making him want to change things.

Because what if Mark ended up with Ko Eun— his thoughts were then disturbed by a sound coming from his right, snapping his head towards that direction and catching the specific person that he knew he would see inside the library.

"Sorry." The student, who interrupted the moment, uttered an apology before walking away to another aisle.

It was Donghyuck.

Great. Just the person he wanted to see.

Excusing himself from Ko Eun, Mark knew he needed to catch up with him or he'll lose this perfect opportunity to talk to him. They needed to settle this right now because he has no idea how long he can manage to convince himself that he's not alone in this.

Part of Mark had hoped that if Donghyuck also turned back in time, the both of them would go through this mess together.

"Donghyuck." With authority in his voice, Mark had called out. "Talk to me."

Knowing that he had no way out, the said male had to fake a smile, and as usual, act like nothing just happened. "I'm sorry back there, I had no idea that you two were having a moment. I thought I was the only one here."

"We weren't having a moment." Mark defended.

Rolling his eyes, Donghyuck could feel his petty side come out. It was a lie. He knew he wasn't alone, he knew that girl was there, but what he didn't know Mark would also be there. That was what's making him bitter. "Yeah, and the way you looked at her was also nothing then."

The words he mumbled were unclear for Mark, "What?"

There was no way Donghyuck would repeat it. It will blow his cover up. "Nothing, I was just talking about the plot of this book I'm currently reading. I badly want to finish it, so I probably should get going. Bye!"

Not this time around. "Love."

Mark will not allow him to leave, not until he gets his answer.

And it was as if he knew he had Donghyuck wrapped around his finger in calling him that.

The person that Mark had called now froze from his spot. It only took Donghyuck a matter of seconds to get back to his senses and quickly find a way out of this mess. "Excuse me? You might have got it wrong. Please don't call me that. You're disrespecting the fact that I have a boyfriend—"

"You're the one who called me that first." Mark stated, "Am I wrong?"

Dozens of profanities were chanted inside Donghyuck's head. But he had to keep his cool in order to leave this situation without getting caught, "You probably just misheard it. Is your head hurting? You're acting weird."

"No," Taking a step forward, Mark was able to corner him so as not to let him escape. "You're the one who's acting weird."

"Such a bold move for accusing me of that." Chuckling, Donghyuck took a step to the side but was only followed by the guy that's trapping him. "Mark, you're making me uncomfortable. I need to leave."

"Imagine how uncomfortable I have been ever since I got to this mess, my husband is acting like he doesn't know me at all." Direct to the point, Mark had no time to waste.

Only to get an unexpected laugh coming from the other, "What?" Donghyuck continued to laugh for a while, his voice echoing across the aisle, before wiping his tears that was caused by that good laugh. "Husband? You're married already? Well, that sounds like a 'you' problem, so, good luck!"

"Yes, I am married." Mark won't take any chances for him to leave. "I'm married to you."

A frown then went to Donghyuck's face, gently pushing the male away from him. "Quit it, it's not a funny joke."

Seeing that he wasn't cornered anymore, Donghyuck gave him one last glare before finally getting the courage to step away. He planned to immediately leave without saying anything and hopefully, praying to the Gods above, he won't bump into him anymore.

But Mark sure knows how to get his attention, "I guess Chan might be a funny joke to you then?"

That was all it took for Donghyuck to turn around and get back to his place.

And that was the answer that Mark needed, "I knew it."

Opening his mouth and was about to utter another alibi, Donghyuck was caught off guard with his body being pulled closer by an arm that slowly circled around his waist. Not even saying a word yet, but he was already silenced with soft lips pressing on his'.

Usually, on a normal occasion, the only thing to do in this situation was push this guy away. Add it with a slap because Donghyuck is the drama himself.

But how long has he waited to have this kind of affection coming from his husband?

Instead of pushing him away, Donghyuck closed his eyes and lifted his hands up, making its way to Mark's nape and settling it there while drowning at the kiss they were having. "Hmm..."

This was the only confirmation that Mark needed. Being able to hold him like this, kiss him like this, and be intimate with him like this without being pushed away— Mark was right all along. Having to say something, he sadly had to pull away gently from the kiss to catch their breaths.

"Break up with Lucas."

That was all it took to snap Donghyuck back to his senses. He stood there looking baffled. A lot of thoughts were going through his head, he didn't know how to act right as his cover was blown.

All because of that damn kiss.

Donghyuck let out a sigh of defeat, disappointed that deep inside he wanted to give in to that intimate moment. That deep inside, he did, in fact, miss his husband. "I hate you, Mark Lee."

With a smirk plastered on his face, Mark teased him by leaning close with their face just inches apart. "I don't think you hate my lips, though."

Donghyuck was fuming at how cocky this guy got just because a kiss was all it took for his small secret of traveling back in time was exposed. A kiss from him, to be exact. "Why are you doing this?"

Mark could see that they were finally having a proper conversation. He moved back to give the other male a space for comfort. "You know what? I don't even have to beg for you to break up with Lucas." He shrugged his shoulders and placed both his hands inside his pockets, confident in what he had to say. "You two will eventually be separated anyway."

A scoff was heard from Donghyuck. "Well, I guess that's where you're wrong."

The tables were turned and Mark is now the one that felt like he was cornered. "What do you mean? Lucas is going to find someone—"

"And I'm not going to let that happen." It was Donghyuck's turn to smirk. "You actually think I'm just going to sit still and let life fuck my future up?"

"Donghyuck, I am in your future."

"That's why it's fucked up." Donghyuck asserted, not showing any guilt or remorse by his statement.

It would be understatement if Mark would say that it hurt him to hear it. Hurt? He felt like he couldn't breathe.

"Go on then, find that person who can break my relationship with Lucas." Donghyuck has no idea what he is sprouting about and why he's confident about how his plan will not backfire when he, himself, hasn't thought that far enough yet, but he's going to say anything that will get himself out of this situation. Out of Mark's way. "I'm going to change my future whether you like it or not."

Not being able to say a word, Mark just stood there with eyes looking empty.

Donghyuck took it as a sign that their conversation was over. With a frown, he glanced at him one more time before taking his leave, not saying his proper goodbye. He left Mark standing there with a lot of questions inside his head.

Mark didn't know where to start thinking, or what to think.

But what he does know is that it's over for him and Donghyuck.

Those sad eyes were then clouded with anger, his fists clenched tight, and lips being bit in frustration. Mark had no idea why he was trying in the first place. They hated each other, they despised one another. What made him think that they would still want a future together?

Because that's what Mark wanted?

That will have to change then. If it takes two to fix the situation, it will also take two to ruin it. Maybe that's why Mark found himself standing in front of the girl that he saw a while ago upon entering the library.

"Mark, may I help you?" the girl politely asked, clueless as to why her crush came back to talk to her after leaving her a while ago with another student.

Did Mark want to do this? No, but Donghyuck provoked him. "Ko Eun, hey."

— to be continued