A long day of cleaning up his husband's mess, Donghyuck was just glad that he was still able to take a nap even for an hour or two before preparing to go out and pick up his son from school— just like he always does. He shouldn't complain about it, and he also feels like he does not have any right to do so. Mark was always busy with work, rarely comes home early, and Donghyuck understood his situation. He can't force anything with it.

Though, He would feel guilty having his son to wonder why his other father can't pick him up. Donghyuck's reason would always stay the same.

He's too busy.

"Donghyuck!"

A loud voice had made the said male stop his tracks from getting inside the school grounds, standing still by the gates as he was finding the owner of the familiar voice. Not until he felt a poke by his right shoulder that made him jump from his spot.

"Chenle!" Donghyuck shouted, giving the man that came to greet him a light slap on his arm. "Le!"

Zhong Chenle, a Chinese student back in high-school that Donghyuck never expected he'd get close with. Well, he never regretted getting to know this outgoing person who seemed like he never runs out of energy. He's like a walking ball of sunshine. Maybe there are some things that Donghyuck does not want to change after all.

"Ji told me about last night, they were drinking at your house?" Chenle laughed as he remembered what his husband had told him. "He got worried that Mark passed out, he was about to call the police."

Remembering that little incident made Donghyuck chuckle even if he was actually worried when it happened, "I'm just glad Jeno explained that Mark finished two bottles alone. Imagine the horror I felt walking out of the kitchen and finding my husband laid flat on the ground, unconscious."

"But why the police?" Chenle just had to question his own husband's logic. "Jisung, that dumbass."

"He probably just panicked, Le." Donghyuck smiled upon calling the Chinese his nickname, feeling nostalgic about the memories he had back then. It was so innocent and pure.

The other male just nodded with a laugh, still not over at how over dramatic his man is. But then again, that's what he loves about him. "It's funny how they always have get-togethers as if they haven't met each other for decades. They always have it every week." Chenle pointed out, pouting at the thought that his group of friends with Donghyuck in it were different. "Meanwhile, we just have it once a year at max."

"I'm always down for a get-together." Donghyuck said, "But everyone is just so busy."

"Renjun just got back from China, though?" Upon saying that, Chenle was trying to recall the others' schedule. He was hoping he can also plan for their own get together, getting jealous that his husband's circle of friends are always meeting up and catching up almost every single day. "Jaemin too."

"So that was why Jeno was in a hurry to get home last night." That put a smile on Donghyuck's face, thinking how happy Jeno was for finally seeing his two lovers get home after a month of not seeing them.

"Lucas... Well, I'm not sure about him." Without a thought, Chenle just mentioned names that he could remember he was associated with back in high-school.

Just to realize the next moment that it was someone's Ex.

Donghyuck's Ex-boyfriend, to be exact.

However, Chenle quickly shrugged it off, knowing for a fact that they have all grown to be mature. And as far as he could recall, both that guy and his friend ended on good terms. They all remained friends. Donghyuck, on the other hand, didn't know that mentioning that name would affect him that much. It never usually does, he really could care less about that person whom he had a past with. All he sees towards this certain person is merely friendship, a genuine one.

Shaking his head, Donghyuck decided to just ignore his thoughts. He knew more than to let his emotions get the best of him. "I believe Lucas and Jungwoo just got back from their vacation in Hong Kong."

"Really—" Only in realization that Chenle had stopped on what he was about to say. Continuing after a few seconds of being silent, "You two are still contacting each other?"

Nodding his head, Donghyuck fumbled his hands inside his pockets in hopes of trying to find his phone. "Yeah, I'm surprised you guys aren't. I'm pretty sure he's still our friend despite what happened."

He has a point. "I just lost his number." Chenle stated, raising a brow as he found this quite suspicious. "I'm surprised you managed to still be in contact with him. Mark is a jealous person."

That man sure is. A smile made its way to Donghyuck's lips at the memories he had with his husband getting jealous. There are times that he finds it funny and cute, but there would also be times that it's too much to handle. However, seeing their situation now, Donghyuck doubts that Mark still cares about what he's doing. Plus, he just recently just got a hold of his Ex's number, it's not like he had it for a long time already. He just keeps on forgetting to tell his husband about it because they rarely even have time to talk to each other.

Donghyuck heaved out a sigh as he was once again lost in his thoughts, "Mark really doesn't care." He wasn't able to add what he wanted to say when he just felt nothing upon a minute of fumbling inside his pockets. Uttering out a curse, "Shit, I left my phone at home."

Just then, a group of kids came running out of the building and two of them went straight towards the both of them that were standing by the gates alongside other parents that came to pick their kids up from school.

The phone that Donghyuck left at home was pushed aside from his pile of thoughts as he immediately got worried after seeing his own son crying from afar. It was only then that Chan got nearer that he crouched down to match the kid's height and talk to him.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Bringing his hand up, Donghyuck wiped his child's tears. "Did something happen?"

Sobbing loudly in his father's arms, "Jiro kissed me!" Chan cried out.

And the said boy arrived, only giving him a look. That caused the Chinese, that Donghyuck was talking to a while ago, to lightly smack the kid's head.

"Hey! That hurt." The boy who made Chan cry stated out with an attitude. That didn't really hurt, it was just a reason to distract himself from being guilty for making the kid cry.

"You made Chan cry! You are such a bully, Jiro!" Chenle said, scolding his own son who happens to be the one who made his friend's child cry.

Though, this wasn't the first time that these two kids were having a misunderstanding. They would often have petty fights— always have petty fights. It would always happen to be Jiro doing something that would cause Chan to be in an emotional mess.

Obviously, if it were a serious one, the parents are always there to save the day. But the fights that these two have, they are harmless.

And not to mention the small crush that Chan has towards Jiro.

Yes, Donghyuck just recently got to find out about that after cleaning up his son's room and accidentally reading an opened page of a notebook that fell down the floor. He didn't bring it up, nor question his son about it. He knew more than to make his son uncomfortable in admitting who he likes. Donghyuck will just wait till his kid would admit to him. Anyway, he didn't find anything wrong in having a small crush towards someone.

"I didn't even do it on purpose." Jiro uttered with annoyance. The boy was confused as to why the other was crying his heart out when he expected him to be giggling and jumping at this small accident. For all he knows, the crying boy was desperate for affection towards him. "I was pushed by a classmate and it just so happens, Chan was there next to me when I tripped."

"Which is why!" Both the adults had their attention now pointing to Chan, "Jiro was pushed, he didn't kiss me on his own!"

Donghyuck was fighting back a smile at how petty his son can be, especially to the person he likes.

It reminded him of how he was back then towards Mark.

"See?" Jiro then gave his father a look, "I'm telling you Pa, he's crazy."

But what seemed crazy to his son was the complete opposite for Chenle, it was adorable for him. "Hush it, Jiro. Make it up to him right now or we are not leaving this place."

His jaw dropped in disbelief, but Jiro had no choice but to do it as he knew his father can stay here all night unless he does what he says. "Chan?"

Still in his father's arms, the said boy spared him a stare before hiding his face the next moment. "What?"

Jiro gently pulled the smaller figure and leaned down slowly to give him a short peck on the head, comforting him and stopping him from crying. "Such a cry baby, I'm sorry. Do you want to eat ice cream with me?"

The two adults were acting like teenagers, squealing and twirling the strand of their hair. Ice cream doesn't sound bad, especially when Donghyuck could see his son's mood lifting up and being excited that he gets to go out with Jiro. Though, he was a little bit worried about his phone getting important messages from his husband. Anyway, he can always explain once he gets home.

Nothing's going to go wrong in leaving his phone behind, right?

🕙

"Did you enjoy the ice cream?" Donghyuck asked as soon as they arrived at their front door. He was finding the keys to their house while waiting for his son to talk about their mini date with that certain boy that he likes.

Holding on to his father's pants, Chan nodded his head with his cheeks flushed. "I enjoyed being with Jiro."

That confession made Donghyuck coo. "I'm sure you did."

The way his kid is acting reminded Donghyuck how he was a sucker for love and attention way back. He'd do anything, no matter how petty it can get, just to get this person's attention. In his case, it was Mark. Maybe that was what's different between his Ex and Mark— he quickly had to shake that thought away before it gets deeper. He knew better than to compare.

Upon opening the front door, Chan bolted inside the house, but stopped his tracks midway in the living room when he noticed a familiar figure just getting out from the kitchen.

"Daddy!" Chan shouted in excitement, running towards his other father and was caught by him as he jumped, carrying him up.

Donghyuck's eyes widened as he was in the middle of removing his shoes, snapping his head towards their direction and seeing his husband surprisingly being home early. The two of them locked gazes, which Donghyuck gulped at how serious Mark looked, before the other father settled a soft one towards their son.

"You look happy. Did anything happen today?" Mark asked, genuinely wanting to know his son's day.

Chan was so busy snuggling up to his father's neck, that he only hummed in response. Wanting to know the story, Mark had no choice but to look at his husband. The other man cleared his throat, answering the question instead. "Him and Jiro went out to eat ice cream."

Hearing a certain name was all it took to get Chan's attention, jolting up from snuggling to his father's neck and showing him a wide smile. "Jiro was a mess! Ice cream was all over his face!"

It warmed Mark to see and hear his son laughing, being the only thing that keeps him sane enough. His son's smile was contagious, resembling Donghyuck's— dismissing the thought immediately, Mark let out a light cough to bring himself back to listening to his son rant about his day with this other little boy.

But there is still something he wants to settle with his husband, thus the reason behind the glares Mark would give him from time to time. "Looks like my baby had a great day today."

"Aside from Jiro kissing me not on purpose," Chan nodded his head enthusiastically. "Yes, I did, Daddy!"

"Well, I'm going to make it better." Mark then whispered to the kid's ear, "Daddy bought you a gift. It's in your room, how about you go get it?"

Gasping in surprise, Chan hurriedly squirmed himself down from his father's arms and rushed to the stairs; not forgetting to thank his father for what he was about to give him. The adults waited for the boy to go to his room and as soon as they heard the door slam, Donghyuck was immediately cornered by the stare that his husband was giving him.

Honestly, he had no idea what was going on. Donghyuck raised a brow and spoke with an attitude, "Is there anything you want from me?"

Folding his arms across his chest, Mark walked back and leaned by the door frame separating their kitchen and living room. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

Donghyuck's brows met, puzzled at that question. It took him a minute before finally coming up with something. However, he was still not catching up with the tension they are having. "You came home early."

Mark scoffed at that statement, "Why, am I not allowed to?"

"I remember you saying this morning that you'll come home late." Donghyuck gave him a look, wondering where that attitude came from. "You could have at least told me. We could have picked up Chan from school together."

Mark then switched his spot when he noticed the man trying to get himself inside the kitchen. He earned a look from Donghyuck, but the male tried to ignore it, thinking that Mark was just trying to annoy him. Taking a step to the side, Donghyuck made another attempt to get his foot inside the kitchen, but was once again stopped by his husband who stood right in front of him once more.

Whatever he was doing, it successfully made Donghyuck lose his temper. "Move the fuck away, Asshole. I'm trying to get my phone. I left it here."

Taking something out from his pocket, Mark raised it up and showed it to the other. "You mean this?"

"Thanks." Donghyuck snatched it from his hand, thinking that Mark was going to leave him alone. But as soon as he made another step, the man did it again— towering over him. "Is there anything you want, Mark Lee?"

"Yes, and a cheating husband is not one of them." Mark stated with a frown, trying to get answers from the man.

"A cheating..." It needed to be processed in Donghyuck's head. He was making sure he didn't hear it wrong. "What?"

Just when Mark was about to utter another hint for him to get it, Donghyuck's phone rang. It was a call coming from the person that Mark's ego was threatened the moment he got home from work. The man's eyes squinted as he was waiting for his husband to answer the call.

Donghyuck stared at the caller's ID before turning down the call, heaving out a sigh and figuring out what was going on. "It's Lucas, he probably just wants to confirm about the get-together that Chenle is planning. We just met, and I gave him his number."

"You... and Lucas met?" Mark questioned with bitterness in his tone.

"No, Me and Chenle." As if it's nothing serious, which it really wasn't because he wasn't doing anything that could possibly sabotage their marriage, Donghyuck shrugged his shoulders. "He picked Jiro up from school, we just happen to bump into each other. He said he lost Lucas' number so I gave it to him."

"You're not going to talk about how you got Lucas' number in the first place?" Mark finally gathered the courage to ask, getting to the point immediately.

"I wanted to, but things just got busy and I probably forgot about it. Sorry, then." Donghyuck said, finally stepping inside the kitchen to start preparing their dinner. "Mark, do you want to order pizza or—"

"Why are you so chill about it?" Mark had cut him off, still not over from their conversation.

"Chill about what?" Donghyuck was this close to raising his voice, but he didn't want for their son to see them fight. Once was enough, it should not happen again. A second later, he was able to understand, "Oh."

"Oh?"

"It's about Lucas, isn't it?"

Clapping his hands in sarcasm, Mark gave him a smile to celebrate it. "That's it, Sherlock."

"I apologized already. I knew it was wrong not to tell you, but I really did forget." Rolling his eyes at his husband's sarcastic tone, Donghyuck didn't feel like making dinner anymore. They will probably just order, he's craving for some Japanese food anyway.

"And?" Mark felt like he needed to know more. When did they start talking to each other again? Why are they still contacting each other? Are they really just friends?

"Mark, I have no idea what you want me to say. All I can reassure you is there's nothing going on between me and Lucas" Donghyuck explained softly, not wanting to escalate the situation. "He's married, for god's sake."

"He's your Ex, why are you still talking to him?" Mark had no idea why this hurt him so much when he just had thoughts of ending things with his husband.

Maybe it was the memories they had when they were still happy together. It was what's hurting him, making his chest tighten at the thought that despite everything he did, Lucas is still the person that Donghyuck wants.

"We ended on good terms. There's nothing going on, I swear. You can even read our chats if you want to!" Annoyed, Donghyuck harshly gave his phone to his husband for being stubborn. "We are merely friends, nothing more, nothing less—"

"How would you feel if that's the reason I'd give you for talking to Ko Eun?"

That silenced Donghyuck. His blood was boiling, and he couldn't control his temper anymore. Staying here longer and talking to him would only make things worse, but he couldn't seem to get himself to walk away. Donghyuck needed answers as he started overthinking because of what he said.

"You're talking to Ko Eun?" Donghyuck asked, his voice was quiet and it hinted that he was uncomfortable by it.

Thinking of getting back at him, Mark answered, "We're just friends."

There was nothing, actually. He had never heard of Ko Eun after graduating, he also isn't keeping in contact with her. Mark was just mad that he's being treated this way when all he did in this marriage was give his all.

And Donghyuck had no idea that he was also hurting his husband by the fact that he's still in contact with his high-school ex-boyfriend, "You know what, I'm tired. Do whatever the fuck you want, Mark, I could care less."

He lied, he cared, and he was hurt that he had no clue they were still talking after all these years. To be fair, Donghyuck also didn't tell Mark about him and Lucas talking, but it was an honest mistake for him. He really did forget about it, but he did plan on telling his husband.

Guilt, that's what Mark felt when he saw that the male was on the verge of crying. He stood there in regret, only snapping out from his pile of thoughts when Donghyuck started to walk away.

Mark strode towards him and grabbed hold of his arm to stop him, "Donghyuck, sorry, I didn't mean to. We aren't talking, I just wanted to—"

"Fuck you, Mark." Donghyuck uttered out, tears already falling from his eyes and drenching his cheeks. "I really hate you, from the bottom of my heart."

He couldn't have prepared himself for this. Mark was stupid to even think that mentioning Ko Eun was a good way of getting back at him. He was even allowed to read the messages that Donghyuck had with his Ex, he could have just done that and not jump to conclusions immediately.

"I didn't mean to." Mark repeated, but quietly.

However, Donghyuck was already so consumed by his emotions that he didn't give himself time to think on what he was going to say. "I'm tired, fucking tired."

Mark closed his eyes, ready to hear all of it.

Just not the next part.

"Meeting you was the worst thing that ever happened in my life." Out of rage, It came out of Donghyuck's mouth. "I wish I could turn back to the time that I didn't have to even know that you exist."

— to be continued