<^>

"So you mean to tell me," Mark starts, staring dumbfoundedly at Yuta. "That you're dating one of my teammates and that you're coming with practice to me now to see him?"

The Japanese man smiles, clapping his hands. "So smart Mark Lee, a true intellectual–"

"I'm not bringing you with me."

"Maaaark~" Yuta pouts, shaking his friend's arm. "Come onnnn~"

"No hyung, you'll just distract both me and him. You can see him on your time." Mark shakes his head and continues to pack his gym back. "I seriously need to go now though, so you go to bed."

"You should really stop practicing this late at night. Not even for your health, it's just dangerous." Yuta warns as he follows Mark to the apartment door. "I mean it."

"I'll be fine hyung. I'm surrounded by people all day, it's nice to just have my own time to practice."

"What about that kid who's always there? What's his name– Dongfuck?"

Mark rubs his face, groaning into his hands. "It's Donghyuk, and he's chill. He doesn't bother me and I don't bother him."

Yuta raises his hands in surrender. "Alright, just be careful ok?"

Mark nods, exiting the building. "I always am." He hoists his gym bag over his shoulder and makes his way towards the bus stop. He waits patiently for the midnight bus, texting his mom in the meantime.

Me_mama:
Honey !! how are you :) I miss you :( <3

Markiepie:
Im doing good
About to head to do some extra practicing

Me_mama:
But isnt it around 11:30 there?

Markiepie:
..yeah–

Me_mama:
Just dont practice too late
And make sure someone knows youre there

Markiepie:
Ok ok
Im not the only one tho-
Donghyuk practices at night to

Me_mama:
Isnt he still in highschool ?

Markiepie:
I mean yea ??
Why?

Ma_mama:
Nothing dw dear
You get to practice and i'll get to work
I love you <33

Markiepie:
Love you to <3

"Why the fuck is everyone obsessed with my teammate?"

<^>

"Aye aye aye–"

Ten narrows his glare. "Don't 'aye' me Lee Dongfuck."

Donghyuk lets out an exasperated sigh. "I didn't mean to, it just happened. Pleaseeee don't tell Coach."

Ten groans and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Why did I have to be the one to find you and not Doyoung? I swear to god..."

Donghyuk's face falls at the comment. He knew it was his own fault for falling asleep in the crash room, but still... 'am I really that much of a nuisance?' He shakes his head, clearing it of his depressing thoughts. "It won't happen again, I promise."

"I still need to tell Doyoung and Taeyong though." Ten says, his voice leaving no room for discussion. "I'm honestly surprised Mark didn't wake you up."

"He left before I fell asleep so..."

Ten raises a brow. "You two practice together."

Donghyuk shrugs his shoulders and sits on one of the crash room couches. "Sorta. More like we both just appear here at midnight to practice individually."

"Ah..." Ten hums in understanding. "But still, he was the first to arrive...So I'd assume that he'd be the one to wake you up."

"Doesn't matter that much," Donghyuk says before standing and following Ten outside to find Taeyong.

Mark raises a brow from behind the doorway. It's not like he meant to eavesdrop, it just so happened that he was in the right place at the right time and heard his name. Sure, a little creepy but that was what most people thought of him, so shush.

Rolling his eyes, Mark steps back outside and turns towards the half-pipe. "He's probably the most overworked person here. Of course I'm gonna let him sleep in." He mutters under his breath before sliding down the soft snow. Mark was always pretty in-tap with his feelings, so he knew that the strong pulse from his heart when he heard anything 'Donghyuk', wasn't love or even "like". But he did feel the urge to protect the kid, make sure he's getting rest, eating well, drinking well, and managing his health and time. He feels that way for Yuta and his few friends back home too. Plus, the kid was way too annoying to be lovable. Calm Mark an ass, but Lee Donghyuk was too damn loud for his liking.

<^>

"Hyukie?" an elderly woman pokes her head into the doorway, sighing when she sees the clump of bedsheets shaking. "Hyukie it's dinner time."

"I'm not hungry...please just leave me alone Gran. I'm sorry, I just want to be alone..."

The old woman nods her head, even though her grandson couldn't see it. "Alright...I'll save some food for you in the fridge. Come down when you're hungry. I love you."

"Love you too." Donghyuk sighs, his eyes not blinking as he stares out the window. The 18th of October was always hard...not because his parents were in jail, but more because the memories of why they're in jail come back to the surface of his brain. The images splatter his head, rendering him back to that same scared little boy from all those years ago. He had to call in sick for both school and practice, and he isn't answering anything from Jisung, Doyoung, or Jaemin. He just needed a day to get over everything and then he'd be back to his happy, bratty self. Just like always.

<^>