in which the end of term calls for wii battles and making friends. (above is the dance, and the hall i based the setting around).

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a class of seventy gather in an unattended lecture hall, and huddle up in the front rows of seats wearing nothing but pride and smiles.

finally, the year is over.

almost.

they have two weeks left before graduation. two weeks left with their roommates who they'll be saying goodbye to. two weeks left to thank teachers for helping them pass, and to mingle a bit more before their inevitable departure.

and honestly, mark is sad.

he never thought he'd be able to say that he'd successfully mastered even half of his chosen course. but here he is, surrounded by many successful students with a degree in business management and finance.

a handful of ra's set up the projector, whilst a few of the older graduates plug in screens and mess with cables.

because what a better way to celebrate the end of the semester than video games and endless chatter.

---

marks never seen so many different types of students in one hall, talking with people they usually would never be seen with.

honestly, it's like some cliche college movie.

there's a collection of science majors in the far corner, talking with guys marks only ever seen at the gym and in the cafeteria. and a spattering of computing majors laugh loudly with their newly made drama friends, who are seen to be reenacting some embarrassing scenes from their college lives.

mark sighs, and smiles to himself, glad that everyone is getting along.

god, it is like some cliche college movie.

someone's yelling, hushing everyone and clutching a selection of remotes in their hands, and mark recognises him as an english major. almost-white blond hair falls over his eyes as he continues his attempts at shutting everyone up.

but it doesn't seem to be working.

and mark isn't the only one who notices

a voice pipes up, loud, a thick accent and demanding tone as he slams his first harshly against the wall and shouts over the seventy other pupils.

"shut up!"

a grin cracks on the blond who's standing in front of them all, as he eyes the boy who yelled so loudly.

"thank you. now, we commence the twelve hour binge of wii games and hilarity to end the year! and for helping me out, jack, you're up first!"

every pair of eyes fall on the head of once neon green hair now faded to a light mint colour, as he stands and makes his way towards the boy with the remotes.

mark is strangely compelled by him, and his coloured hair and spray on jeans. something about his oversized shirt - white and splattered with paint that covers a fading logo - makes him look just that bit cuter, and mark can't seem to take his eyes off him.

"you needs an opponent, mcloughlin. any volunteers?"

the korean boy finds his hand raising, and soon enough he's the first one to volunteer among the slightly skeptical crowd.

"mark! great, get your ass up here then!"

"language, felix."

one of the ra's chuckles, being lenient because the now-named felix didn't actually swear, and it was the end of term. they could do anything and it wouldn't matter, because they're leaving soon.

mark reaches the space beside jack, who seems to be a couple inches shorter than mark, and all the korean boy can think is wow, he's cuter up close.

meanwhile, the arts student is almost thrown by the look of his opponent. he didn't expect him to look so...perfect? the irishman struggled to think of another word that could describe such a boy.

but he stopped thinking about him like that when he realised they'd be playing against each other.

"felix, you haven't told us what we're playing."

"oh, of course i haven't. can i have a drumroll please?"

the crowd of students aren't them start tapping their knees, or anything else within their reach (jack watched one of his art classmates slap their friend repeatedly on the head), as felix fumbled with a remote.

"you'll be playing..."

the projector switched on, displayed a large screen that took up nearly the whole wall, and jack was ready to throw in the towel at this point.

"just dance!"

there was already a song picked, ready to be played, and mark turned to the irishman, giving a heart chuckle.

"i don't dance."

"neither do i."

jack mumbles, beginning to regret coming up here. but he shrugs off that thought.

besides, he hasn't embarrassed himself enough yet.

"well, i'll have fun kicking your ass."

the green haired boy raises an eyebrow, as if to question mark, but soon they're being shoved closer to the centre and they're spinning to find that the selected song is from marks favourite musical.

grease.

the drama and music majors seem to be cheering, excited to see the results of this.

"dibs on danny!"

mark rushes, selecting his character quickly. there was no way in hell he'd be playing sandy, because it was quite clear that that role was meant for jack.

"aw, why do i have to be the girl?"

the irishman protects whilst giggling, pressing a button and allowing the loading screen to appear.

"you wanna find out why?"

a deeper smirk falls onto mark's lips, the youngers ears tinting scarlet as a blush crawls fast to his cheeks, and a chorus of 'oooooh's sounds from the students who trade names and stories as they set up.

"oh, shut up."

almost immediately after jack speaks, the music starts and they're clutching wii remotes and laughing because they're about to embarrass themselves in front of every person they've ever taken a class with.

"you're going down, greenie."

"at least take me to dinner first."

and the people around them are laughing at the comment that sends a whirl of innapropriate thoughts through marks brain.

both underestimated how much a duet it would be, until it started, and jack was walking around mark with comfidence, and the korean boy was sneaking glances at the youngers rear.

but they danced, however, ignoring the fact that they must have looked so stupid because they were laughing and making dumb faces at one another and dancing because they only had two weeks left to do something like this, and feel the way they do now.

never, in their oncoming lives, will they feel so embarrassed, but so, so thrilled.

the arts major, and math nerd, are bonding over a game where they're forced to duet to a song about a couple, who are both just as wanting as each other.

or, to put it more simply.

mark and jack are bonding over a game made for couples, and children.

and they're having the fucking time of their lives.

the chorus hits, and their faces are inches away, mint green hair falling i front of eyes as they both hold back laughter, and show challenging smiles that say nothing but i want to win.

and they dance on, repeating moves, and they're getting the hang of it. mark is enjoying it thouroughly, and people watch on with excitement as other break off into small groups for some light conversation.

it hits the final thirty seconds of the song.

and neither have fully realised that one has to hold the other until jack is jumping, and a split second before it's too late mark is catching him, and allowing him to wrap his thin legs tight around his waist.

jack knows what it feels like to be tall.

and mark knows what it feels like to want a stranger so fucking bad.

instinctively, strong arms wrap around jacks body and he hasn't been held like this in forever, so he's enjoying it as much as he can because soon he'll be the song will end and their moment will be over.

jack notes that being in marks grip feels nice, safe even, as they spin. he won't be dropped, mark wouldn't let that happen. he is safe, and unable to be harmed as they dance.

mark leans forward, allowing jack to fall back, but not too far. the irishman is hanging, head tilted back with his arms out and a manic grin on his face.

and suddenly, the crowd is clapping, and laughing, and mark is pulling jack up and letting him land back on his feet.

mark has completed his first game of just dance against an exceptionally cute art boy.

and lost.

"woo, i won bitches!"

jack yells cockily, humour laced in his tone as they lets out all the laughter both tried so hard to contain.

"yknow, you're not a bad dancer, mcloughlin."

"i could say the same for you, but i'm pretty sure you lost."

the korean rolls his eyes, and hands his controller over to a girl with short hair to stands at the sidelines, waiting patiently for her turn. jack does the same, and they walk each other back to the spot where jack sat comfortable ten minutes ago.

"i had fun."

"i did too."

they lock eyes, and hot chocolate is melting into an ocean of cobalt and cyan, and before they know it...

they're in jacks old dorm room, wasting time and making memories.

one more to add book of college experiences.

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here's a remotely funny, kinda shitty college oneshot i wrote. i hope you actually pictured mark and jack doing that dance because honestly it's fucking hilarious. i originally wanted to have them dance to 'time of my life' from dirty dancing but i thought this would work better. well, anyways, i hope you've enjoyed, maybe give your opinions on it? i don't mind. have a nice night now.
-a.