"Today is so confusing, fuck." Another day, another rant coming from Lee Jeno. "I met Jaemin on my way to class, and when I entered the room, Renjun bumped into me."

And another day, another situation of Mark having his attention definitely not on his yapping friend, but on Donghyuck that's walking down the hallway and making his way towards their direction. It looked like he was about to pass his class' papers since the office is just around the corner, and also judging by him carrying compiled folders.

"Is it with Jaemin who, may I add, looked goddamn fine with his new hairstyle today, or with Renjun who's such a cutie that even the way he walks makes my heart go crazy?" Jeno ruffled his hair and messed it up out of frustration. "Who should I give my interest to?"

Mark flinched from his place when he saw Donghyuck who stumbled, but immediately got his balance back before he would fall to the ground. Mark let out a relieved sigh upon seeing that he wasn't injured. He was about to run and catch him if he fell.

He meant that literally and romantically.

"Hey." Jeno's face then covered up Mark's view.

The closeness of their faces made Mark express disgust. He placed a hand on his friend's face and pushed him aside to continue looking at a specific someone who's moving closer to them.

"You're not even listening to me." Jeno whined. He followed to where his friend was looking and even his attention diverted to it, "You know what? I think you did some witchcraft to separate them."

"Jeno, who do you think I am? A member of a cult?" Mark matched his humor, giving him a light punch by the arm when the other one nodded aggressively.

"Who knows?" Jeno then made hand gestures along with singing to a song. "Be who you are!"

Even with his joke, Mark's full attention was still on the student who now went past them. So much for wanting to make him laugh.

Jeno thought that it was a serious situation for them. "Why did you think they broke up?"

"Not all relationships work out, Jeno. Even the perfect ones fall apart too." Mark told him.

"Yeah, but you can talk it out." Jeno advised, probably the smartest thing he had ever said. "Have some time and space away from each other to gather your composure and when the both of you are ready, then, you can talk about it."

It hit Mark straight to where it hurts. The teenage Mark Lee wouldn't understand that, but now that he's married and has a family of his own, he needed that kind of reminder. Sometimes he would forget to use his head whenever he and Donghyuck would argue. He'd often get drowned by his emotions. That advice would slip out from his thoughts. It's either he gets too tired to talk about their problems, or would get carried away by how stubborn Donghyuck can also be.

"You're right."

Scoffing in arrogance, Jeno patted his own shoulder to congratulate himself. "I know I am, I'm the Lee Jeno."

The Lee Jeno whom Mark just left by the hallway to rush towards a specific someone who went inside the office.

"Mark?" Jeno's expression changed from being overly proud to disbelief. "That fucker."

He watched his friend wait outside the office hopelessly, making Jeno shake his head in pity. At this point, he was convinced that Mark probably did cast a witchcraft to separate Lucas and Donghyuck. Jeno would be more surprised if that really didn't happen.

But wait, what if Mark really is involved in the two's break-up?

It was all coincidental. Jeno couldn't understand why a relationship so perfect would have a fall out just like that. He was only invested in this couple because Mark is interested in Donghyuck. And even before the couple separated, Jeno would notice Mark and Donghyuck stealing glances towards another.

The Lee Jeno was so busy making a conspiracy theory that he wasn't aware of his surroundings the moment he walked away from his friend who planned to stay by the office. Too preoccupied with his thoughts, he had no clue that someone from behind was running towards his direction. At the same time, someone from in front was busy reading a book, a water bottle on the other hand, to also notice the people around.

The mess was about to start.

Renjun only had his attention removed from the book when he bumped into someone, letting out a yelp when he accidentally let go of his water bottle. Jeno had his eyes widened when he was on the verge of losing his balance, his reflexes making him wrap an arm around the waist of the person who collided with him. Jaemin, on the other hand, felt that the responsibility was on him to help when he was the one running from behind. He fastened his pace towards them and caught the water bottle that went flying, and placed a hand behind Jeno to prevent them from falling.

"Are you three going to stay in that position forever?" And in time to catch the act, Chenle and Jisung just had to be there for God knows why.

Snapping back to their senses, the three cleared their throats and hurriedly moved away from each other. Renjun looked down at his shoes as if it was the most interesting thing ever in the world. Jeno locked stares with Jisung who was giving him a look that wanted an explanation. Jaemin held the water bottle that Chenle was looking at and wondered whose it was.

"Ahh... Here, your bottle." Jaemin was the first one to break the ice between them.

Renjun gave him a small smile, awkwardly reaching out for his water. "Thank you."

"Uhm..." Jeno was stuck in the middle.

Seeing that the situation needed some help, Chenle was there to save the day. "Well, since you guys are here, might as well introduce you to each other."

Jisung, being the Chinese's partner in crime, joined along. "Jeno, this is Jaemin. Jaemin, meet my stupid friend, Lee Jeno."

That insult made Jeno raise his hand, threatening to hit him. "Hey!"

Chenle's eyes then diverted to the other student who's with them. He showed a smile and politely asked, "And you are?"

"He's from my class." Jeno got ahead in answering.

"Name, dumbass." Jisung sassily commented. "What do you want us to call him? Hello, student from Jeno's class!"

The youngest one's clapback made everyone in their circle laugh, annoying Jeno as he was the center of embarrassment.

"Renjun, Huang Renjun." The Chinese transferee felt comfortable talking to them.

Jaemin's eyes were glued to him, mesmerized by his whole being. "Renjun..."

It caught Jeno's attention. He wondered if this was going to be a competition as to who's going to win this person's heart.

🕙

"Mark, you didn't have to accompany me."

"I want to."

They only had a small time with each other. The two still had classes but Donghyuck was ordered to pass their outputs at the office. It was then that he noticed Mark waiting outside. He has no clue why the older male wasn't in his class, but he just let him taol from behind nonetheless. Donghyuck was still bitter at what had happened the other day, but they never really got the chance to ask about it and talk.

It was quiet in the hallway, students were inside their rooms. Donghyuck wondered if that's the reason why Mark wanted to tag along with him, because no one was here to see them two together.

"Is something bothering you?" Mark asked, not wanting to waste time in being quiet. He wanted to make the most of them together. Who knows when they could get another chance to be together?

This was Donghyuck's opportunity to ask as to what has been bothering him, but decided not to. "It's nothing. I'm just surprised you're here with me."

"Love, I know it's something." Mark's voice was soft and slow, as if he was afraid to hurt the other with his words. "Let's talk about it. If I did something to hurt you unintentionally, hear me out."

He may, or may have not, taken Jeno's advice in order to gather courage and lower his pride. Even though he was sometimes (most of the time) annoying and troublesome, Mark admits that Jeno is quite a good friend to have. He really just needs to ask patience from the Gods above because that boy is such a handful.

"It's really nothing." Donghyuck insisted, afraid that the truth might actually hurt him.

Opening his mouth, Mark managed to hold himself back from forcing the latter into saying something. He gave him a small smile and continued to walk, giving him silence so as not to pressure him in the situation.

That took Donghyuck aback, making him stop his tracks.

"Sunshine?" Putting to a halt after a few steps, Mark turned around to face him. He raised a brow in a curious manner. "Your class is still three rooms away from here."

That wasn't Donghyuck's concern. "You're not mad that I won't tell you what's wrong?"

Then Mark remembered... he usually does get mad. He couldn't help it since he's tired from work, and he gets to look after a kid, and then take care of his husband's tantrums. Sometimes it's hard for him to control his temper and those 'sometimes' became all the time in the long run. Thinking about it now, he's such an asshole for not even trying. Mark was a self-centered dick that thought of himself only. He forgot how to consider somebody else's feelings.

"I really won't tell you." Donghyuck provoked him, thinking that the male might have not heard the first one.

"Okay, Love." However, Mark wasn't going to put this second chance to waste. "Take your time."

Donghyuck made the loudest gasp internally. "What?"

As if it's not a big deal for him, Mark shrugged his shoulders and flashed him a reassuring smile. "It's okay, I can wait till you're ready to open up to me."

Mark had no clue that Donghyuck would immediately kneel for someone as understanding as that.

"Huh?" And so, his hand was quickly grabbed by the younger one, dragging him from the opposite direction. "Donghyuck, your room is that way!"

Not listening to him, Donghyuck continued to pull him aggressively. His steps quickened so that no time was wasted. Mark kept calling his name, in a whisper tone as not to disturb classes, but the latter kept on ignoring him. A small smile may have made its way to his lips, they were holding hands, but Mark was low-key concerned where they were going. He's also worried that someone might see them and cause a rumor to spread.

In a dark corner, Donghyuck makes a turn and finally lets go of the guy's hand. He was catching his breath from brisk walking, panting and closing his eyes to focus on calming his heartbeat down.

Meanwhile, Mark was swooning over him for looking like a mess. A beautiful mess.

"Mark Lee."

Oh, it's the government name. Mark snapped back to his senses, taking a gulp out of nervousness. "Ye... Yes?"

"You are hurting me." The moment Donghyuck decided to open up, he went straight to the point. "Why do you only want to hang out with me when no one is there? We would see each other, we would bump into each other, we'd even be in the same room, but you act like you don't know me."

Blah, blah, blah, hangout, see each other, backstory stuff. Mark was too busy admiring him than listening to him.

"I would make an effort to get your attention, but you just don't care!" Donghyuck ranted, throwing hands around and making gestures. "Of course I can't approach you immediately, you have to let me know that it's alright to go to you."

Biting his lower lip, Mark just stared straight at him, not giving him a response and letting him talk.

"And not to mention, Ko Eun!" That's the highlight of his frustration. Donghyuck just had to point that out. "I get it, you guys are friends, but don't be too close when I'm there. Have some decency towards your husband, gosh. Manipulate me, at least, to thinking that you have no clue who the fuck Ko Eun is! Gaslight me, whatever! Just don't rub onto my face that you two have to stick to each other like magnets."

Mark can't help but let out a chuckle. He was enjoying the sight of seeing him all upset. Rather than taking it seriously, he was squealing at how adorable this guy is.

"What? Why are you laughing? This is a serious matter!" Donghyuck stomped his feet, looking like a kid throwing tantrums. "You are sleeping on the sofa tonight."

As if it was a trauma response, Mark cleared his throat and snapped back from his trance as soon as he heard that statement. "So hangouts, my attention, when you can approach me, and..."

"Ko Eun." Donghyuck continued.

"Love, the only reason why it looked like I'm avoiding you is because of the recent gossip about you and Lucas. Not because I didn't want to comfort you, but because I didn't want to add more rumors about you. I was there when you were talking with Lucas, I heard my name and I know he's thinking that you want to end things with him because of me." Mark began to explain, "I simply didn't want your name to be ruined. You know how people act over little things after a scandal."

Thinking about it, maybe that was obvious after all. Donghyuck should've gotten it by now that Mark didn't want the issue to worsen.

"But if you're uncomfortable by it, I can approach you first. We can start talking with people around us. I'll just find a different way and I'll make sure no one gets to ruin your name." Nearing him, Mark lifted both his hands up and cupped the younger one's face. "As for Ko Eun, just tell me if you want me to stop talking to her, I'll do it for you."

Donghyuck never knew it would be that easy. But nonetheless, he shouldn't be reckless and selfless just because Mark was willing to do everything for him.

"No, that's okay. You're still friends with her. I don't want to risk changing anything. I really just don't want to see you two together, it will hurt me." Donghyuck told him, looking away as a painful memory came to mind. "After all, she's who you compare me to whenever we fight."

"Hey," To reassure him, Mark placed a soft peck on the male's forehead. "I was stupid. I'll do better this time."

"Just... don't let me see you two, okay?" The younger one lifted his head up, looking at him with glistening eyes.

"I'll make sure to distance myself." Mark told him with a nod.

And it's as if it was a habit for them after every argument, the two leaned forward for a short kiss.

It was when pulling away that Donghyuck slapped a hand over his mouth with a realization. "Hey, don't do that inside the campus!"

Mark let out a chuckle upon seeing the younger one panic. "What? Can't I kiss my husband?"

"15 years too early, Mark!"

— to be continued