"I wish I could go back in time to where we never met."

"I wish I could turn back to the time that I didn't have to even know that you exist."

As the saying goes, be careful of what you wish for.

It might possibly come true. The moment you wake up, you'll just end up wondering what the fuck is going on.

Which was what Mark was thinking as soon as he slowly batted his eyes open, adjusting to the sunlight getting inside the room from the window. Upon rubbing his eyes, his forehead creased and his brows met. Still not realizing anything, he let out a yawn and stretched his arms in the air. He stopped midway with a question in his head; How on earth did he get to bed? Donghyuck and him had a fight last night, he could remember sleeping in the living room, on the sofa. He knew well how petty his husband is, there's no way Donghyuck carried him back to their room.

Speaking of his husband, it was a change that he isn't sleeping right next to him. Mark usually wakes up first and it was the only moment that he could admire his husband, only because it's the only time the man won't yell and nag at him.

Did they switch places? Mark spaced out, trying to remember if he was the one who slept in the room and Donghyuck in the living room.

There's no way. He's not old enough yet to forget. Mark even brought a pillow and a blanket to the living room.

Where's the blanket? "Why is the bed so different?" He had to ask himself.

Though it seemed familiar, it wasn't the king-sized bed that he and his husband had in their room. This bed barely even fits two people.

"Why is the room..." Mark had no words to finish his sentence, he just used his eyes to examine wherever he was.

Everything felt so familiar, yet so different.

Trying to shrug it off, Mark searched for his phone only to find it under the pillow he was sleeping on. He took it out only to have his brows furrowed in confusion. It creeped him out, he was having a hard time believing it. No, this couldn't be real. There is no such thing. Even science can't explain what's going on.

A prank. "Yeah, maybe he's just playing with me." Mark said, admitting that he was an asshole last night. "Okay, Donghyuck! You caught me, I almost started to fall for it."

He received no response, only birds chirping outside— and footsteps heard by the door.

"Donghyuck, Love?" Mark called out, praying that it was him, his husband, the man he married and vowed to be with for the rest of his life.

Only to be more confused at the person who opened the door without even knocking.

"Get up, dumbass, we're almost late!" A voice roared inside the room.

Pale skin, thin lips, an under eye mole, slicked back hair that reminded Mark of how clean this person looked back in high-school, and an appearance that reminded him of a dog; a Samoyed. This is such an awkward morning to wake up to, and topping it off with a man he doesn't recall calling him to come visit.

Mark eyed the male from head to toe, getting more and more confused than he already was a moment ago. This doesn't seem like a prank at all.

It was like he went back in time.

"Je... Jeno?" Mark had stuttered, not really knowing how to react to this situation.

"Ma... Mark?" The student by the door mocked, laughing at how his friend was acting. "What's wrong with you? Come on, you're leading the assembly."

"I am?" Lost, Mark was lost. He couldn't understand what was going on. However, at the same time, it was as if this had happened before. "Why?"

Jeno raised a brow, starting to worry. "What do you mean 'Why?' Mister Vice President of the student council?"

Vice President? Mark hadn't heard that title for ages. He really does not flex it that much, but at some point in his younger years, he was elected to be part of the student leaders. But this memory goes way back, more than a decade back, why should this be brought up now? It's so random.

"Did... Donghyuck ask you to do this?" That was all that Mark could utter.

He was trying to process his surroundings, and the situation he is in. If this would be a prank that his husband has done to get back at him, this would be too much. There's no way he managed to arrange all of this in just one night— this specific apartment couldn't have been available for Donghyuck to plan this out.

"Donghyuck?" Did he hit head or something? Jeno was convinced that this might be an alien in the form of his best friend. This is what he gets for having a movie marathon last night. "Who's Donghyuck?"

"You don't know who Donghyuck is?" It all seemed to make sense, but Mark was having a hard time trusting the situation. "What day is it today?"

Jeno had more questions to ask about his behavior this early in the morning, but he just simply came to a conclusion that this friend of his might still be dreaming. "June 6."

Since when did he go back to his husband's birthday? Mark could only remember the recent birthday he celebrated with his husband. They just went out for dinner, and got home not late after so that they could still put their son to bed. He can also recall being alone with Donghyuck on the same night, at the kitchen, eating the cake that Mark tried to bake. He got complimented for his effort, but just not the taste of the cake. The rest of the night... Well, let's just say he also relieved such a tiring day with his husband.

Back to the point, how is it Donghyuck's birthday all over again?

"Mark, you're crazy for smiling out of nothing." Jeno pointed out with a look of horror. "Anyway, Hurry up if you don't want me to leave you. I'll go in, like, thirty minutes from now."

"What are we?"

Before he can even leave the room, Jeno's tracks were stopped by that sudden question thrown at him "What?"

"What are we?" Mark repeated. He was trying to calm himself down. He was afraid that if he might do something reckless, he's going to ruin something. This time, he has to think smart, no matter how ridiculous the situation sounds.

Traveling back in time, it does sound funny.

Funny? More like impossible.

"Mark, you're creeping me out. We're best friends, what else, dude—" Jeno was then cut off by the latter on the bed trying to explain his way to this mess.

"No! Not that kind. Like, are we working, are we retired, or... what?" Loss for words, Mark was having a hard time trying to be chill about this. He just hoped his husband is just somewhere out there looking at the cameras and laughing at how stupid he looked right now.

But sadly, it looked like there were no cameras being set up.

"Retired?" Jeno was flabbergasted at these questions he's getting at this godly hour. It's giving him a headache. "Mark, get your shit together. We are graduating high-school, we are senior students, not senior citizens! Don't act like you're having amnesia."

High-school? 15 years back?

"One... One more question." Mark was on the verge of hyperventilating. He could feel his breaths starting to come out uneven, and his heart was beating fast in panic. "Jaemin, and Renjun?"

This was his last shot, observing closely for a reaction. Mark knows him very well, and definitely knows how easy for this guy to fold upon mentioning his two lovers.

To his dismay, he received pure confusion from Jeno. There was no hint of telling Mark that this friend of his knew those people. "Who? Jae... min? Longchin?"

That was all it took for Mark to be convinced that he really did the impossible.

He traveled back in time.

And if he recalls correctly, this would be the year where he and Donghyuck would talk to each other for the first time. His friend's lovers, that were just mentioned, are also not yet together. Renjun would still be a transfer student, and Jaemin is part of his husband's circle of friends.

Mark knew exactly when they'll meet, and how they will meet.

As for him and Donghyuck, today was also the day they first started talking to each other. It was his birthday and his friends decided to surprise him at the cafeteria. Mark just happened to pass by it and as he was about to order his lunch, he bumped into someone that he had no idea was going to be his future husband.

"Donghyuck." Mark whispered under his breath. He then got up immediately because of a sudden thought upon mentioning a name.

He has to find him. There's no way he's the only one that turned back time.

Both of them were wishing for it.

Jeno traced his eyes at his friend that got up from his bed, and walked towards his direction. "Where are you going?"

"To school?" Mark told him, trying to act cool as if nothing happened. "Didn't you say we were going to be late?"

"Yeah, we are." Lifting a finger up, Jeno can't help but point out on what his friend was wearing. "But in pajamas?"

🕙

And what Mark had expected, It did happen. He guessed that Renjun, one of his friend's lovers, would be enrolled around today. Though, he wasn't quite sure in what class. It took him by surprise when a new student was introduced in his' and Jeno's class, that happened to be him. However, he couldn't ignore the look that his friend gave him as soon as the new student was introduced, knowing clearly that the name was being mentioned by Mark just this morning.

Mark is just praying that he doesn't get cornered right after his class. He doesn't know how long he can pretend not to know anything.

At some point, while waiting for lunch break, he was low-key having fun at the guessing game with himself. Knowing the lessons in advance, predicting what his classmates are going to do, expecting an announcement from the principal, and also noticing a familiar girl that walked past their room.

Though he was enjoying playing guessing game of his own, Mark still had his focus on finding the only person that could possibly be in the same situation as him.

"Want to eat at the new place that just opened up today—" Jeno flinched when Mark, who was also his seatmate, immediately jolted up from his seat as soon as the bell rang, indicating their lunch break. "Is everything alright?"

Even if Mark was able to guess some things a while back, he really wasn't sure how accurate the conversations were going to go. He was just confident that he was an awkward talker back in high-school, it was easy to bring it back. "I'm just craving for cafeteria meals right now."

"Really? Since when do you even like what they serve? Whatever, meet you..." Not being able to finish what he was going to say, Jeno witnessed Flash passing by him. He clicked his tongue at how Mark was in a hurry when they still had a friend that's a year lower than them to pick up and eat lunch together with. "... at the cafeteria, then."

Mark felt like he shouldn't waste anymore time. He knew he couldn't be that accurate towards his guesses, he didn't want to risk missing out what was going to happen at the cafeteria. Supposedly, there should be ruckus between a group of friends. They are going to get a lot of attention with cakes and balloons, but they could care less about what the people are going to say. What's important is them being able to celebrate their friend's birthday.

And speaking about birthday, the celebrant finally arrived at the same time that Mark had stepped foot in there.

"Chenle, if I trip and people are going to make fun of me for the rest of my high-school days," A familiar voice was then heard, complaining. "I'm going to also haunt you in your dreams for the rest of your life. I'm going to make sure you won't be sleeping right."

His heart was racing, Mark had no idea why. He was just blending with the crowd that was staring and talking about the birthday surprise. His eyes laid at the certain male who was blindfolded as not to see the surprise yet. A smile then made its way to Mark's lips when he could see that nothing much had really changed.

That's still the feisty man that he tied vows with.

That's his future husband right there, walking down the— cafeteria.

"Relax!" Chenle reassured with a laugh, "There's no way I'm going to embarrass you on your special day. Save that schedule for tomorrow."

Donghyuck groaned, feeling all eyes on him despite the fact that he couldn't see the people around him because of the blindfold he was wearing. "What's the get up, anyway?"

"We're getting there!" Chenle's eyes traveled amongst the crowd, finally finding their table after a second or so.

It was a good thing that they were almost there, walking towards a certain table with a cake prepared and cupcakes for them to celebrate his birthday. Donghyuck couldn't stand being silent and curious for a minute. Just as he was about to speak another word and complain about how tight the cloth was wrapped around his head, he could then feel it loosen up until light hit his eyes.

Adjusting to the brightness of the light with his eyes squinted, Donghyuck gasped at the effort his friends made for his birthday.

"Happy birthday, Donghyuck!"

Chenle and Jaemin shouted in unison, throwing their hands up in the air and giving the birthday celebrant the brightest smile they could ever show.

But before letting the birthday boy say something, Jaemin hushed him with his index finger placed over his lips, "This is not yet all."

And just when he thought things couldn't get any better, someone came inside the cafeteria with a bouquet in one hand, and a stuffed toy on the other. Donghyuck's eyes sparkled as he focused on this guy that was walking towards him with that handsome smile that can make anyone fall to their knees. However, he can't seem to help but notice a certain person by the side, eyes full of rage at the situation happening. It made Donghyuck wonder why someone could have such anger on a happy day like this.

Of course, it had to be Mark.

The self-control Mark had in holding himself back from getting in the way. There's no way that's going to last long though. He was already walking towards the celebrant's way, at the same pace as the current boyfriend had.

But the boyfriend arrived first, leaning down to give the birthday boy a kiss on the forehead first thing, before handing him over the gifts. "Happy birthday, Babe."

"Lucas," Donghyuck was internally screaming, not knowing how to calm himself down at the surprise he got for his birthday. "You didn't have to—"

"Excuse me."

Still having the hope of Donghyuck traveling back with him, Mark couldn't help but ruin the moment and grab the celebrant by his wrist. Did this ever happen before? He was not quite sure, but it didn't matter as of the moment. He was also consumed with jealousy, unknowingly claiming what's his without considering the timeline he was in.

They weren't even supposed to meet this way.

"Hey!" Donghyuck had his voice raised, but seeing that Mark had no plans on talking to him, he also remained silent all throughout their walk to the back of the building.

Mark then raised a brow at how the latter was silent, expecting that he would be screaming and even fighting to break free. This was the answer to what he was guessing. Maybe Donghyuck really did turn back time with him.

Continuing to walk, and as soon as they had arrived at a place that's quiet and they're the only ones around, Mark settled himself in front of Donghyuck and took in a gulp. He honestly had no clue where to start, and how he was going to explain this to him. He'd like to admit, this wasn't part of his plan. He didn't mean to drag Donghyuck out from there and bring him here. His temper was just on its brink when he saw the two being all in love. Forgetting the fact that it was how it's supposed to go.

"Hey." Donghyuck had repeated after seeing that the person finally let go of him.

But he was immediately cut off by Mark who began to ramble, "Look, Love, I'm sorry. I don't know how this happened. The last time I remember was us fighting and me sleeping on the sofa last night. But all of a sudden, I woke up in my old apartment that I had back when I was still—"

It was Donghyuck's turn to cut him off, but with a question. "Who are you?"

— to be continued