<^>

After much convincing, Mark was able to get Donghyuck to stop doing his work in the Crash Room (because Jesus Christ Donghyuck this isn't a study space) and instead go to the local public library. It wasn't horribly far from the resort and Mark promised to accompany him there. Considering the stubborn asshole that was Lee Donghyuck, that promise was probably the one thing that convinced him to agree. However, that didn't stop his stupidly obnoxious (and lovely) boyfriend, who Mark is sure was only put on this earth to torture him, from complaining the entire bus ride there and forcing Mark to carry his bag for him as they entered the library. But he got his work done, so Mark deemed it a victory.

"Mrs. Cheng's study guide makes me want to...commit vehicular manslaughter or something," Donghyuck said as he stretched. A pdf was on his laptop screen and a textbook sat to his left, open on a page about the Japanese occupation of Korea.

Mark, who was sitting across from him and was reading a book that Jungwoo had recommended to him, looked up. "History is important though, Sunshine."

"So is my mental stability, hyung," Donghyuck replied with disdain. "Plus we've been here for hours."

Mark snorted but went back to his book. "And how much of that time did you actually spend studying?"

"Babe I swear to god if you don't let me work–"

"You're the one who can't go 10 minutes without talking," Mark muttered in a teasing manner. Donghyuck glowered at him but knew he was right and went back to studying.

"Oh, by the way, babe," Donghyuck said after a few minutes of silence. "My friends want to interrogate you."

Mark furrowed his brow. "They want to what-me?"

"Interrogate you. Dipshit, I know you aren't hard of hearing," Donghyuck said. He stood up and packed away his things before giving his boyfriend a kiss on the forehead.

"Your lovey-doveyness cannot hide the threat that you just put in that sentence. Why do they want to question me?" Mark asked, grasping Donghyuck's hand and watching him smile warmly.

"Just want to make sure you're good for me. Don't worry, you'll be fine. Now come on, we need to get going. You still owe me a date and I feel like watching that new American film She Said. It's playing in the theatre downtown. I checked."

Mark knew better than to question his boyfriend any further, and followed him out of the library. He kissed his knuckles as they got on the bus, the silence a comfortable buzz between them as the chilly afternoon air flowed through the open windows.

"I love you," Mark said out of the blue. It was the first time he'd said it to Donghyuck, and normally the boy would poke fun at him for such a monumental thing happening, but he only smiled back and kissed Mark's cheek.

"I love you too, hyung."

<^>

Hayoon was even more terrifying to Mark than the last time he saw her. Now with a baby on her hip (it's been months and still no one has elaborated on how that is her baby– Mark is getting worried) and a glare in her eye, he was near faint. It only got worse when she was flanked by Jaemin and Jeno, plus two random dudes who Mark knows he's never met before.

"I think they want to kill me, Sunshine," Mark said, turning to look at his boyfriend. Donghyuck just squeezed his hand and gave his temple a kiss.

"You'll do fine. They're more bark than bite. Except for Sungchan. He might bite you actually."

Mark didn't know which one that was, but if it was the 6'0 monster, then he was absolutely going to die today. And he didn't even get to write a will. "Okay." his voice was an octave higher, and Donghyuck shoved him towards the wall of high school students, calling a "Have fun!" behind him.

Jaemin placed both his hands on Mark's shoulders and walked him into the house they were outside (it was Jeno's, he later found out) and sat him on the couch. The Giant™ sat on his left, and the other kid who looked like an otter sat on his right. Hayoon, Jaemin, and Jeno all stood in front of him.

She placed Duho in his arms, which was...interesting, and smiled sweetly at him. The look made Mark fearful. "So, Mark, what makes you think you can take our precious Donghyuckie from us?" Jaemin and Jeno produced a pen and paper and holy shit they were seriously about to kill him, weren't they?

<^>

Thankfully, they didn't kill him. Jaemin got very close at one point when Mark truthfully answered that he hated Donghyuck when they met– but Jeno held him back, once again proving his place as Mark's favorite of Donghyuck's friends.

He stepped out of Jeno's home, the warm spring air hitting his skin and making him sigh in relief.

"See? You're still in one piece. I told you you'd be fine," Donghyuck said, walking over from where he sat at the park across the street.

"I think my soul left my body," Mark replied, holding his hand to his chest.

Donghyuck rolled his eyes and intertwined their fingers. "Come on drama queen, let's get you something to eat, would that bring your soul back? A new ramen shop opened up near the bookstore."

"Oh, my love!" Mark smiled as they began to walk. "You know me all too well! My soul shall surely come back with the flavors of ramen!"

Donghyuck dropped their hands and sped up. "That's it, I'm leaving you behind. Good luck catching me you little bitch."

"Me?! A little bitch?! Lee Donghyuck!" Mark called after him, speeding up his pace to catch his boyfriend before the crosslight turned red. "Get back here! Or else I'm making you pay for both of us!"

His shout was met with a cackle as Donghyuck ran across the road, bowing to a car that honked at him when it tried to turn. Mark hurried after him, now worried he was going to get hit because he's the clumsiest person ever Jesus fucking christ–

Jaemin and Hayoon watched the couple from the front window, both smiling.

"I think he's a good match for Hyuckie," she said after the couple turned a corner and couldn't be seen.

"At least someone gets to deal with his shitty personality now," Jaemin agreed. His remark was met with a slap on the arm, but there was no heat in it. "What! I'm just saying!"

"You say too much, sweetheart." Jeno called from farther in the house. He, Shotaro, and Sungchan had set up Jeno's Nintendo and he was putting in the Mario Kart game cartridge. "Also, Yoon, come watch the baby. He is your kid."

"Are you being sexist right now, Jeno?"

The boy looked at her with the most exasperated glare before saying with full confidence, "Yes. Now take care of your child." Hayoon squawked and ran over to tackle her friend, much to the enjoyment of the other boys in the room.

Jaemin watched on with a fond smile, still stealing glances out the window in hopes of seeing his best friend one more time, but he knew the boy was safe with Mark. Donghyuck could take care of himself, but it was relieving to know that he had someone to take the load off. God knows he deserved it.

Donghyuck deserved the world.

<^>

<🐵: Ahhh...hehe. That's the end :) MWAHAHAHAHAH THATS RIGHT YOU GET A CRAPPY CLIFFHANGER OFGEPROIHG!!! Like, okay, i knew i didn't want to write too much after they got together, but also this has been going for nearly 3 years which– jesus christ thats not computing to me, but anyways.

Yeah. thats the end. :)) they live happily ever after! Fr though, thank you guys for reading this book and having confidence that I would finish it. I literally love this book so much– like more than TD/Mark Me love it, which is saying something. I'm really grateful to all of you and i love you so FREAKING much !!!

See you soon, Playmates💜>