With his hood on and his comfy jogger pants, Lucas roamed around the mall with his head down and hands inside his pockets. Even going through a heartbreak, he managed to attend classes after needing a day off to collect his sanity. He had a lot of thoughts and questions in mind. He might be physically inside his classroom, but his attention was elsewhere. Lucas was just glad that weekend arrived fast and he finally can get another time for himself.

He really is trying to move on from it. He's trying his damn best.

However, moving on didn't become easy for him as he dearly loved the person. Lucas genuinely cared for Donghyuck.

He wondered where it went wrong. Lucas could only remember them being happy and content with one another. The only time he noticed something strange was during his ex-boyfriend's birthday, when someone from the student council took him out for a talk.

Since then, everything has changed.

"Lucas, call us, okay? We've been trying to talk to you but you keep on ignoring us in school."

"Hey, I called you an asshole. Get mad at me! Get mad at me and then let me hear your side. Tell me that I'm wrong about you being an asshole."

Lucas opened his phone and messages from Jaemin and Chenle were the first ones he saw. He appreciated the two still trying to talk to him and hear him out. But what really caught his attention is a message from Donghyuck, making him press to see their chats as fast as the speed of light.

"I won't force us to be okay, but I know I owe you a long explanation. I'll be honest, I swear. If you're ready to talk, tell me."

"I don't want to talk." Lucas mumbled under his breath upon staring at the message.

He didn't want to get hurt at the truth.

Lucas was afraid that the truth might be what he thinks it is. The pain from the break-up is one thing, but knowing that his ex-boyfriend was seeing someone else while they were in a relationship is hell.

He might question his worth at that point. He did nothing but give genuine affection, yet that's what he gets in return.

"Huh?" Getting out of the department store, this person immediately had a smile on his face when he saw a familiar face. "Lucas!"

Hearing his name made him raise his head up just to see someone with a bright personality waving at him. He stood still in his place as he let the latter approach him instead. The moment that the two of them were finally standing in front of each other, Lucas felt it again.

He felt time stopping.

Lucas has always felt this way whenever he'd meet this person and it keeps on bothering him. It doesn't matter, he'd always push those feelings away and convince himself that it's nothing.

"Jungwoo..." Lucas had no energy to greet him out loud. It just came out as a whisper.

The said male as heard it nonetheless, giving the taller male a warm smile. "We always bump into each other, don't we?"

Lucas had no idea why that had to be pointed out but he nodded his head as a reply. "How's your cousin's birthday?"

"I had a blast!" A laugh came out of Jungwoo's mouth upon remembering the last time they met here at the same mall. "Thank you for helping me carry my bags."

"No problem, man. You looked like you were having a hard time." With his eyes traveling down, Lucas pointed his finger at what the other was carrying and became nosy about it. "Another birthday party?"

"No," Jungwoo's smile faded slowly, but managed not to look too disheartened. "How do I say this... A wedding?"

Lucas' brows met because of how that statement became a question. "A wedding?"

Not wanting to elaborate it even further, Jungwoo shook his head as an indication that he didn't want to talk about it. "By the way, were you able to think of a gift for your boyfriend?"

"Oh, that." Lucas trailed off once more from his trance.

"I remember you talking about it. You said you couldn't find anything." An idea then came to Jungwoo's mind, "Are you busy right now?"

Lucas wasn't able to answer the first question yet and got asked with another one. "No, I'm just trying to waste my time." So that when night comes, he can immediately go to sleep and not think of his problems.

Jungwoo found the tone of his voice quite odd. He wanted to talk to him about it but maybe this plan of his can also cheer the other up. Who knows, maybe he's just sad because he still hasn't found a perfect gift for his boyfriend?

"I'm going to a jewelry store, join me." It wasn't a question. Jungwoo invited the taller one to go with him.

The situation hasn't been processed inside his head, but Lucas agreed anyway. He had no clue why they were headed to a jewelry boutique, but tailed from behind nonetheless. Not uttering a word, nor complaining. The two walked around the mall with Jungwoo skipping his steps with excitement, and Lucas looking more like the male's bodyguard for following from behind with a stoic expression.

Jewelries and accessories weren't to Lucas' expertise, so he just followed quietly from behind like a lost dog the moment they went inside a boutique. Jungwoo greeted the staff as if he knew them for quite a while now. Because Lucas was his company, the employees also greeted him with a polite bow.

"Mr. Kim, it's good to see you stop by again today." A saleslady came out behind the counter to entertain the customer. "We have new rings that just arrived. Would you want to check them out?"

The saleslady excused herself when the said male nodded his head. While waiting by the counter, Jungwoo noticed the person he came into the store with looking around and being in awe at the jewelry inside the glass countertops. A quiet chuckle was heard from him when he saw Lucas gasp, it may either be because of the prices or it might be because the design is beautiful.

It was only then that they got to talk when Lucas stood beside him after a short while of sightseeing.

"You look like you're a regular here." Lucas had to ask, "Are you the owner's son?"

That made Jungwoo let out a laugh. "Silly, no! It's my 3rd visit this month. They probably are just aware of the occasion."

"What occasion?" Lucas started to have assumptions as to what they were talking about and their purpose for coming here.

However, not given the chance to ask and confirm what he was guessing, the same lady from a while ago had arrived with a box in hand. She then placed the dozen choices of rings on top of the counter and patiently waited for the decision.

But as curious as she is, she had to ask. "You're alone, Mr. Kim?"

"Doyoung is busy today." Jungwoo mentioned a name that is not familiar, his eyes on the jewelry in hopes to finally find a perfect one to pick. Although, he remembered something to point out. "Oh, by the way, can my friend also choose?"

Pointing a finger at himself, Lucas had his eyes widened upon being included in their conversation. "Me?"

Jungwoo nodded his head, giving him a reassuring smile before turning back to the staff. "He's also finding a gift for his boyfriend."

Lucas awkwardly gave a look towards the saleslady who was polite enough to motion her hands and make him comfortable in looking at the rings being displayed. Though it was for his own boyfriend, Lucas' gaze went to Jungwoo who's trying out the rings. He could see the dismay in the latter's eyes while being in the middle of looking for what fits him.

"Lucas, do you think diamonds will look good on me?" Jungwoo can't help but want an opinion from someone else, "Or should I go for something simple?"

"Not sure?" Which Lucas was honest about. Though, he decided to help. "Let me look at the others."

And finally finding his purpose of being there, Lucas walked away from him and roamed around the store. He could have sworn there were a couple of rings that had caught his eye. He has no idea if it's up to Jungwoo's standards, but he hoped it would help him decide what he's looking for in a perfect ring.
Seeing this specific ring, Lucas timidly raised his hand up for the staff's attention. The lady walked over to him and took the set where the ring he pointed is at. The two of them walked back to where Jungwoo is and the said male's eyes went over to the new set of rings that was brought over.

"Those are pretty." He complimented, "You found one for your boyfriend?"

Shaking his head, Lucas asked permission from the staff to try out one. "I'm looking for what fits you."

Jungwoo wasn't able to utter a word. He only got surprised when the taller one took his hand and gently made him try out the rings that he had chosen.

"Hmm... Gold looks good on you." Lucas seemed focused on helping the latter find a perfect ring. "Silver also. This is going to be hard."

A smile made its way to Jungwoo's lips unknowingly. He hardly knows this guy and just gave him his trust after bumping quite a number of times already. Yet, he felt his stomach go crazy at how Lucas had his thumb caressing his hand while making him try the rings. He was also speaking to him in a soft manner that made Jungwoo feel like it's possible to melt on the spot.

"How about we try this one..." Lucas continued.

"Seems like the fiancés came to pay a visit!"

Not until the owner of the store arrived and made the both of them snap back to their senses. With Jungwoo looking away to avoid looking obviously flustered, Lucas froze from his place, trying to process what on earth he was doing.

And the owner just had to add, "Doyoung looks different here?"

🕙

"Look at this! You made a mess." Mark scolded.

Donghyuck scoffed, "Did you take me out to dinner just to nag at me?"

"If you weren't being clumsy then I wouldn't have said a thing." The older one then stated.

"Sure, Mark." Instead of apologizing, Donghyuck had to argue as well. "Whatever makes you sleep at night."

Weekend finally came for them. After a long busy week of classes and activities, they were, just like any other student, dying for the week to be over. Both of them had no plans for the weekend; probably just to rest. However, their friends were all out.

On Donghyuck's side, Chenle, as usual, went out to an amusement park with the student he is tutoring math with, Park Jisung. Jaemin, well, Donghyuck has no clue where he's out to. Jaemin did get the list for groceries though. His Chinese housemate was the last person he met this morning. Chenle just told him that Jaemin also went out. With that being said, Donghyuck had the apartment all to himself— but the silence inside made him go insane. He got used to the two keeping him busy on a weekend.

Mark, on the other hand, thought that Jeno would laze around their apartment just like any other weekend he would. To his surprise, his friend informed him that he'll be out after lunch. Mark bugged Jeno to tell him where he'll be going, but failed all attempts. He then wanted to invite Jisung over to get to know the video games that he's been busy with these past days, but the moment he heard another familiar voice over the phone when he called the younger one, Mark knew he was with one of Donghyuck's friends.

With Donghyuck getting bored at his apartment, Mark went to pay a visit and asked him out.

And that's why they are here.

Arguing.

"I'm accepting an apology." Mark told him, drenching his handkerchief with water and tapping it on the stain on his shirt.

"How many times do I have to explain it to you?" Donghyuck leaned by the sink with his arms crossed. "It was not my intention to bump into you!"

Pointing the stain on his shirt, Mark gave him a look with his brow raised. "Explain this."

"A guy bumped into me, Mark!" Huffing in frustration, Donghyuck was trying his best to hold his inner demon back. "If you just stayed at our table and waited for me, this wouldn't have happened!"

"You didn't hear me when I said to order lettuce." That's how they got in this situation where both of them were inside the one-cubicle restroom at the eatery that they decided to have dinner at. Mark collided with a server that's bringing a table's order, having the sauce on the tray to fall on his shirt.

Donghyuck initially planned to apologize, that's why he followed the older one inside the restroom, and he also wanted to clean the stain for him, but the moment the door was closed, Mark started to quarrel with him and blame him for what had just happened. He also lost patience and didn't have the dignity to back down on an argument, thus, the two going back to their old routine.

"Duh! This place is fully packed." Donghyuck rebutted, snatching the handkerchief in the male's hand and was now the one wiping the stain. "You could have told me while we were still at our table choosing for our orders."

Mark stood there and just let the younger one clean the stain. Though, it looked like the shirt itself needs to be washed with a detergent for it to be removed. From his shirt to the person trying to fix the mess, Mark's attention now diverted to Donghyuck who puckered his lips with the jumbled up emotions that he's feeling as of the moment.

The silence that the two of them had for a while made them look back and reflect on their actions.

"Love, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to raise my voice at you."

"Mark, I'm sorry for being clumsy."

Seems like they both had thought of apologizing.

Though, for Mark, it wasn't a funny situation as he felt more guilty, a smile appeared on his face when Donghyuck laughed because they both apologized at the same time. However, Mark knew it was wrong for him to start an argument when the mistake was unintentional.

"Sunshine," Which is why he's taking small steps in changing himself. "Don't apologize for anything. You didn't mean to bump into me."

"Yeah, but I still made a mess." Donghyuck told him, pouting at how the stain was still there on the guy's shirt.

"Don't worry about it." And a habit that he got used to, Mark leaned forward and placed a peck on the male's pouting lips. "I'll wash it when I get home."

Still pursing his lips, Donghyuck stood there with apologetic eyes.

"Stop pouting." Mark told him, being tempted the longer he was staring at him.

Provoking him, Donghyuck puffed his cheeks and puckered his lips to act cute.

The urge Mark had made him go crazy. "Fuck."

Donghyuck's intention was to just annoy him, but what he got instead is being pulled closer and having their lips to meet. He didn't even get enough time to think, the next thing he knew he was making out with Mark inside the restroom. Is he complaining? No, because he, too, had his arms thrown over the male's shoulders to deepen the kiss they were having. Tilting his head to the side, Donghyuck gave Mark more access to taste every inch of him. Mark gently pushed him to the wall without pulling away from the kiss, only taking a second to breathe before getting a taste of his lips again.

They missed this.

They never knew they were craving for one another until now that they were making out.

"Are you taking a shit?! What's taking so long?!"

But of course, someone had to ruin it. Though, they can't blame the person outside the restroom, they were at a public place afterall. Donghyuck let out a light chuckle as soon as they pulled away from their heated intimacy, still pinned at the wall with Mark resting his head down to the younger one's shoulder.

Mark groaned in frustration, tightening his embrace on Donghyuck's waist. "I badly want to marry you already."

— to be continued