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"You know," Mark starts, turning to his grandfather. "I wouldn't think that you'd be this carefree anymore."

"Ah, my boy..." Mr. Lee eyes darken and he clasps his hand on Mark's shoulder for dramatic effect. "Your parents..." Mark gulps. "Are very good at bending the truth."

"H-huh?"

"They probably told you I was sickly." His grandfather breaks out in a joyous laugh. "Sure, I may be winding down, but I'm perfectly fine." He smiles happily.

"Right–"

"Old Man Lee!" A cheerful shout of a young woman makes both men turn to see the sight of Mrs. Lee walking towards them, Donghyuck behind her with a basket of food in his hands.

Old Man Lee waves them over. "Sunhi, come join us!" He smiles as the two come to stand next to them.

"It's good to see you joining us this year Mr. Lee," Sunhi says, Donghyuck nodding along.

"Yes well, I've missed the stars." The old man says sadly. "But now that Mark is here I'm sure I'll be seeing them much more often."

"That's good to hear."

"Mom."

Sunhi turns to her son, who reaches to whisper into her ear. "I'm going to go up to the rocks. I'll see you in a few hours."

"Why don't you ask Mark to join you?"

"I doubt he'd want to– mom!"

"Mark, dear, Hyuck was just about to go up to the cliffs to watch the boats and fireworks. Would you care to join?" Her smirk never leaves her face as Donghyuck's cheeks deepen to a dark red in embarrassment.

"Oh sure, yeah." Mark tilts his head with a soft smile on his lips. "I'd love to go." He moves to stand next to Donghyuck, who only kept looking away. "Lead the way Hyuckie."

"Shut up." But Mark only erupted into laughter as he followed the beautiful boy into the night.

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Donghyuck sits on the cold rock, swaying to the gentle breeze. The faint sound of the harsh waves crashing below, the soft pants of both him and Mark...it was all so soothing.

"C'mon Markie, let's sit. The cliffs always have the best views to watch the fireworks."

"What is this celebration for anyways?"

"Beginning of summer harvest."

"Ah." Mark settles comfortably next to the golden boy beside him. It was beautiful on the cliffs, the dark water below and the midnight sky above; they were in their own little slice of heaven.

The first firework goes off, the rumble of a jet flying overhead as the orange and red sparks fall out of the sky, tumbling down into the ocean below. Mark doesn't think he's seen anything so beautiful, well, besides Donghyuck of course.

"Sing something Markie, I want to hear your voice again."

"What do you want me to sing?"

"I don't know. I just like hearing your voice. And I like it when you sing in English, it's calming."

Mark smiles. "Your wish is my command." There's a pause before the melody 'Two Strangers in love' by John D. Loudermilk escapes from Mark's lungs. His flowing voice and deep rumble only make Donghyuck close his eyes and lean his head against Mark's shoulder, basking in the warmth of the older boy's body. They swayed slightly, as Mark sang, the rhythmic beating through them both, steady with their heartbeats. It was something Donghyuck knew he would miss. The comfort and warmth that Mark gave off was something he was already craving for.

And Mark couldn't get enough of the sun-kissed flower beside him. He bloomed like a rose, bright and happy like a daffodil, youthful and wondrous like a daisy. Donghyuck was someone who Mark wanted to protect. Just like the waters which surrounded them, the boy was swift and harsh. Merciless. But he was also flowing, going over and under everything, making children smile with his splashes of creativity. Making elders relaxed with his cooling nature. He was the most glorious thing Mark had ever seen. A force stronger than the oceans, pulling him. Trapping Mark in a torrent of emotions; it was almost too much for the Canadian to hold on to. But still, he persisted. He knew no greater feat than that of winning over Lee Donghyuck's heart. And Mark was determined to do so.

"You have a beautiful voice Mark," Donghyuck said once the song ended, and the fireworks had ceased to show. His eyes were closed, just letting his body stay calm and relaxed in the embrace of the boy beside him.

"You know what else is beautiful?" Mark asks, smiling to himself.

"What?"

"You."

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