Start over?

Sports Fest was a success. Mark was praised for taking a big part in organizing the event and every class got their fair share of reward for their cooperation and efforts in participating in the big event. Jaemin's team won the championships for soccer, which was expected. Jeno got second place, but it seemed like it didn't bother him much because he was more than proud to see a certain someone with a bright smile holding the trophy. Aside from that, he was able to ask Renjun out for dinner, making Jaemin tag along to celebrate the win. Jisung also placed third in their dance competition, but it mattered more when Chenle bought a gold trophy and gave it to him to celebrate for being first in his heart.

As for Mark and Donghyuck, they also enjoyed hanging out the whole time during the event. They also got to try out the baking workshop which Mark's section put up as a booth and they found it fun. Aside from making a mess and playing around while baking a cake, it was quite an experience for them and some students also went to try it out. They were glued to the hip the whole event. Getting snacks, watching the games, and even going home. Donghyuck would always wait for Mark after every meeting of the council at the end of the day and have him walk him home.

But the whole time, that question lingered inside Mark's head.

"Start over..." He mumbled under his breath, still laying down on his bed.

Weekend came in just a blink of an eye and Mark now had time to think about it. He never really gave a clear answer to Donghyuck, the latter just respected his silence. Mark just hoped that he wasn't being misunderstood.
He was just overwhelmed with just that simple question, but that didn't mean he wasn't up for starting over.

"I'd love to start over." Mark groaned in frustration, placing a pillow over his face.

It was as easy as that, but he couldn't seem to get those words out of his mouth when he was being asked about it.

"Knock, knock?"

That familiar voice made Mark roll his eyes, having another problem in hand. "Yes, Jeno, I'm crazy, so fuck off!"

That took Jeno aback, he didn't say anything yet. He crossed his arms across his chest and leaned by the doorframe of his friend's room, watching his body lifelessly laying down the bed. "What's wrong with you?"

"Having an existential crisis." Mark told him, rolling on his bed to face the window. "Now, leave me alone."

"I'm going out, want to tag along?" Jeno walked over to the body mirror that his friend had inside his room, even if they have another one in the living room, and checked himself out.

Shaking his head, Mark glued himself on his bed. "Sports Fest drained me. I'm not even the one doing sports."

"Suit yourself." Fixing his hair, Jeno shrugged his shoulders and started to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Mark asked even if he already told the other that he won't join.

"Jaemin invited me and Renjun to watch over kids at daycare." Jeno answered him.

"How about Jisung?" Mark propped himself up, somehow getting interested to where this topic is leading them.

It took Jeno time to remember where the younger one was. "Oh, he's at Chenle's apartment right now. They're having a movie marathon."

Mark then furrowed his brows. "Doesn't Chenle live with Donghyuck and Jaemin?"

Checking the clock, Jeno made his way to the sofa after seeing that they still had time. Correction, Mark still had time to prepare and change his watermelon printed pajamas to something more casual. Jeno knows that he will immediately change his mind and tag along if finds out that a specific person is joining them for the day. "Yeah?"

"And Jisung is there? To hang out with Chenle?" Mark doesn't even know why he's bombarding his friend with questions if he already decided not to go out of the apartment.

"They'll be the only ones left there." Jeno said calmly, pulling his phone out to entertain his boredom of waiting. "Donghyuck is going with us to daycare."

In three,

Two,

One.

Jeno lifted his head up and gave his panting friend a look, raising a brow. He wasn't surprised anymore at how Mark got up immediately from his bed and ran out from his room in a flash. However, even with the obvious situation, Jeno is still being himself. He wanted to tease the latter. "But it's okay, I can tell Donghyuck that you're too tired to join us."

"No..." Catching his breath, Mark placed both his hands on his knees to balance himself. "I'll... I'll tag along."

Jeno smirked, now knowing what he can use to convince Mark next time.

🕙

"You're here!" Donghyuck skipped his way towards the two that had just arrived. "Just in time, we were about to go inside."

"It's nice to see you." Mark became soft upon seeing his partner, a smile on his face became permanent.

"Nice to see you too," Donghyuck leaned forward to whisper. "Love."

That caused Mark to let out a chuckle, finding it adorable that the younger one was doing his best not to get caught just as not get interrogated again. "So this is what you do during your spare time?"

"It's mostly just Jaemin, he loves kids so much." The two of them followed from behind as soon as their group began to walk inside the center. "I do too, that's why I tag along if laziness doesn't hit me."

"That's why our son favors you over me." Faking a pained expression, Mark placed a hand on his chest as if it was hurting. "You already have experience on how to take care of kids."

"Hey, you're exaggerating things. Chan loves us both equally." Donghyuck playfully hit him by the arm. "I actually didn't expect you to come. Jeno told Jaemin that you're tired from Sports Fest."

"I was," Mark showed him a teasing smile. "But I got all my energy back when you were mentioned."

Donghyuck didn't know if he should be flattered by it or find it too cheesy. He wasn't used to it. It's been a while since they were this comfortable with one another. This was quite different from the guy that he spent his difficult years of being married to. "Where's the Mark Lee that always loses his temper?"

Playing along with him, Mark made a hand gesture of getting his soul out from his body, crumpling it like paper, and threw it far away. "Into the trash he goes."

Both of them acted as if they were following an imaginary crumpled paper being thrown far, squinting their eyes and cheering together when it went straight to the trash.

Of course, the three that were ahead of them gave out judgemental looks at how strange they were acting. They were worried they were hanging out with crazy people. Both Mark and Donghyuck were having their own world that only they can understand.

"I feel like Donghyuck got infected by Mark's delusions." Jeno commented, whispering it so only the three of them could hear.

"This is their world and we're just living in it." Renjun said in a joking manner, honestly finding the two quite a match made for each other.

"Let's not mind them. I don't want to be infected." Hugging his body, Jaemin shivered, acting like he's in an apocalypse.

Both Jeno and Renjun laughed at him for being dramatic.

While walking down the hallway having enough time to have a short conversation, they finally arrived at a room where they'll be managing the kids inside there. Jaemin first got inside and greeted the same person who was on duty the last time he came to pay a visit.

"Jaehyun," Jaemin made a gesture in introducing the new people he invited. "I hope it's okay that I brought them with me."

"Not at all!" Instead, Jaehyun was thankful that he had a lot of help today. "I have to read a case study anyway, so I'll be busy."

"Goodluck with that!" Jaemin then reassured him. "We can handle the kids for you."

"Thank you. I'll just be at the office if you need me." Jaehyun told him.

He passed by each one of them and greeted the new faces one by one. Until he reached Mark who mayhaps forgot which timeline he's in. He was so busy getting in the moment talking with Donghyuck and casually being comfortable in mentioning their future while making their way to this room. Everything was going well with the introduction of names, not until Mark had mentioned something nonexistent at this time around.

"How are the triplets, by the way?"

Donghyuck, alongside everyone, quickly went to hover over Mark and stacked their hands in covering his mouth. They all were cursing at him inside their heads. While Donghyuck had a different reason, the other three who were there felt embarrassed as his craziness was getting out of hand.

"Triplets?" Being confused was an understatement for Jaehyun. He had no clue what was going on and what this stranger was talking about.

Luckily, Donghyuck was quick to cover up the situation. "He mistook you for someone else. We're sorry."

An unsure smile made its way to Jaehyun, finding this too familiar. "I probably look like a lot of people. Right, Donghyuck?"

Donghyuck wanted to just melt to the ground and not be found anymore. He remembered the last time he visited and uttered out about having hots on a professor. That was so clumsy of him. "Yeah... I'm sorry about that too."

With that short interaction, Jaehyun told them about what to do with the children today and what their activities are. Once everything was clear and understood, he left the group of volunteers inside the room and went to finally mind his own business. Because Jaehyun already knew some of the volunteers, he was not too worried to leave them alone with the kids. Plus, he has a lot of cases to catch up to and read.

"What happened to the two of you?" Mark asked, hearing their conversation a while ago.

Bringing up a hand on his nape, Donghyuck looked away knowing that he was also guilty of exposing the future. "I told him that he made a move on a professor."

Mark had a hand covering his mouth in shock. "That's worse than me mentioning his kids."

"We suck at this, Mark." To cope up with their mistakes, Donghyuck just laughed about it.

"I didn't even know he works here. Isn't medical school busy enough?" Mark pointed out.

"That's what I asked him last time." Donghyuck heaved out a sigh. "He said he needed to put experience in his resumé."

Nodding his head, Mark didn't ask anymore questions as not to be more curious as to what that future doctor is up to lately. Looking around and scanning the area, he noticed the others going around and already talking with kids. Jaemin had the most group of children swarming around him. Both Jeno and Renjun couldn't help but laugh at the scene, joining in playing with the kids.

A worry then came to thought. "Donghyuck, how long do we have to stay in this timeline? Do we also have to go through college?"

High school was already quite a handful for Mark to handle, much more college. He remembered how stressed out he was and the sleepless nights he had. Does he have to go through it again? He didn't hear any response coming from Donghyuck.

Facing him, Mark once again called him for attention. "Love?"

However, Donghyuck stood there with eyes widened. Worry and concern were written on his expression. "Where's Chiro?"

"What?" Mark followed to where he was looking, noticing an empty chair by the very edge of one table by the corner. "Maybe he's sick and can't be here."

But because Donghyuck was panicking, that didn't cross his mind. He immediately rushed towards Jaemin the moment that his friend stood up and walked away from the group of kids to find some board games to play with them. He startled Jaemin by taking his hand to talk to him.

"Donghyuck?"

"Do you know where Chiro is?" That was the first question Donghyuck asked, knowing very well that his friend would find that name familiar.

After their visit last time, they were talking about who their favorite was between the kids. Jaemin should know who Donghyuck is referring to. However, the answer is opposite to that. "Chiro? I don't remember anyone having that name."

"We were talking about it on our way home. I told you I had fun playing with Chiro. You even asked me why I ran after his father." Donghyuck said in detail, hoping that his friend could remember.

"Hyuck, we were playing with the twins the whole time." Jaemin had his forehead creased at how his friend was acting. Maybe he really is infected by Mark's trait. "You told me you found them funny whenever they would argue because they'd roast each other."

Twins? Donghyuck never mentioned the twins.

In fact, he was purposely trying to be distant to them so as not to slip in telling Jaemin about adopting one in the future. He was trying to be safe during that day. The whole time he was only playing with one specific kid.

"Do we have a list of the names?" Donghyuck asked, his heart beating fast in panic.

"I think Jaehyun has it." Looking down, Jaemin showed a smile at the kid who wanted to be carried up. He did so while still having a conversation with his friend. "Donghyuck, you're acting strange. Should I be concerned about it?"

Because everything is strange. From traveling back in time and having someone's existence disappear out of nowhere. Nothing's making sense and it's messing Donghyuck's head. Looking at Mark, he gave him a look that something is going on. The older one quickly caught up with it and followed him out of the room. The three left behind the room saw how the both of them were uneasy in excusing themselves, but then again, it might just be one of their crazy antics. Jaemin, Jeno, and Renjun decided not to mind it and spent their time with the kids.

"We need to get the names of the kids." Donghyuck paced back and forth from his place.

"What happened to Chiro?" Mark reached his hand out to hold the male's shoulders, stopping him from going in circles. "Love, calm down."

With his lips quivering, Donghyuck breathed heavily with how troubled he was. "What... happened to Chiro?"

Not understanding him, Mark had his brows meet at how that question was thrown back at him. The two of them stared at each other for a while, one looking for an answer and the other worrying.

It was then that Mark understood what he meant. "But you said... I was just tired from studying."

"You know what concerns me, Mark?" Finally gathering his sanity, Donghyuck began to open up. "You saying that Chiro got into an accident and then all of a sudden he's not here."

"Hey..." Bringing it up, Mark's mind was then clouded with the thought that they might have done something to change things. "Let's go get their names and we can talk about it after."

Being pulled to an embrace, Donghyuck buried his head down on to his partner's shoulder. He was still breathing heavily and panic was still evident from his actions. However, Mark just stayed quiet to comfort him. He was also clueless on what to do in that situation and how they should fix it, but didn't show it just to calm the latter down. It was working, Donghyuck calmed himself down by being in his arms.

"How are you doing, Love?" Mark asked, checking up on him, still engulfing the younger in his embrace.

"Better, Thank you." Pulling away, Donghyuck gave him a small smile before holding his hand. "Can you go with me?"

"I'll always be here right beside you." Remember something made Mark give out an awkward expression. "Though, I think Jaehyun finds me crazy."

"Us both, Love." Donghyuck reassured him before walking hand in hand with Mark towards the office where the volunteer in duty said he'd be staying.

The both of them gave each other a look before knocking and getting inside the room. To their expectations, college really is hell. Jaehyun was seated on the sofa with his spectacles on, looking focused on his laptop. Papers were also everywhere on the table and a cup of coffee not missing out in the picture. It gave Donghyuck and Mark their flashbacks in going through college, it was like PTSD for them to remember.

"May I help you?" Jaehyun asked, his nose scrunching seeing the two. It had to be the people whom he found weird.

Having his priorities straight, Donghyuck immediately asked him directly rather than staying for a short conversation. "I know you're probably not allowed, but can you show me the list of kids that were present here the last time me and Jaemin came to pay a visit?"

"Why would you need it?" Standing up, Jaehyun went to the supervisor's desk to get the record book nonetheless.

"Jaehyun, remember the parent I went after and you thought I had the hots for him?" Donghyuck asked.

These kids really need a check up. What is he talking about? Jaehyun's questioning look was enough as an answer. "Donghyuck, you ran outside the room because the twins were playing tag with you. Even Jaemin followed."

Dumbfounded, Donghyuck slowly reached for the record book, lowering his head down out of dismay. He then decided not to continue on with the topic. "Oh, is that so? I probably forgot."

Excusing himself, Mark tailed from behind with a lot of questions in mind. The two of them stayed outside of the office, silence surrounding them. While Donghyuck was busy finding a certain date on the book, Mark felt the need to get this question out of his chest.

"You have the hots for Chiro's father?" He didn't know why but that statement bothered him.

Donghyuck rolled his eyes at how the male's jealousy was kicking in at the wrong time. "Love, think. I want you to think and reflect on how bizarre that question is."

And so, Mark did. It didn't take him a minute to realize. "Sorry."

Just as Donghyuck was about to comfort him and explain that he didn't mean to sound mad, he flipped the page with the date that he and Jaemin last visited the daycare. His heart was pounding rapidly upon scanning over the page. He read the names one by one and tried to remember their faces.

Reaching at the bottom of the page, Donghyuck felt like he forgot how to breathe. "Mark... Chiro's name is not here."

Aggressively taking the book, Mark also went through the names and even flipped the pages to make sure if they read it right. He didn't stop doing so, he just kept on reading the names, hoping that he would eventually find what the two of them were looking for.

Meanwhile, Donghyuck stared straight to space. There was only one thing that could explain the situation, the only thing that he could think of.

"Mark," His voice echoed down the hallway. "Do you think Chiro only existed because we both planned to change our fates in the beginning?"

That made Mark pause from frantically searching for a name from the record book. Now that he thinks about it, he couldn't remember meeting the kid before. It was only now that he went back in time.

"I was being extra nice to Lucas on purpose. I'm usually moody and a bitch around him." That was the truth even if Donghyuck called himself a name. "The moment I realized that I went back in time, I knew what to do and that was to make my relationship with Lucas last long. I wanted our relationship to be perfect and I made myself perfect for him. Breaking up wasn't an option for me back then."

And Mark was guilty for wanting to change his future the same way he does. "I got pissed when I found out about that. I'm sorry, I also got close with Ko Eun for the same reason, just to get back at you for being stubborn."

"Chiro is gone, does that mean..." Looking at him, Donghyuck uttered out a question that sounded bitter. "We are still going to end up together?"

Why did it sound like he didn't want it to happen?

Was it hesitation in his tone?

Wasn't Donghyuck the one asking if they could start over?

And why can't Mark say anything? "I..." He seemingly couldn't say that he didn't mind if they'll still be tied up with one another in this timeline.

He didn't care if the world went upside down, he'd want it to happen with Donghyuck by his side.

Even if he'd go back in the past a dozen or millions of times, he'd still find a way to end up with Donghyuck.

But why can't he have the courage to say it despite being confident with his choice inside his head?

"Mark?"

As if the heavens above wanted to give him a hint, the reason showed up, answering all the questions he had.
Mark turned his head towards where a person was standing in the middle of the hallway. She's the reason. "Ko Eun?"

— to be continued