𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧 ❣ 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘨.

Chapter Thirteen.

"Minhyung!"

"Shh."

Jisung shuts his lips immediately upon hearing that from one of the male dentists.

"Is Minhyung here already?" he whispers instead.

The male dentist nods, "Yes, but he has a patient right now. If you want, you can wait here or in his office."

Jisung smiles, "I'll just wait in his office. Thank you." He bows slightly to the male dentist before walking to Mark's office.

He sits on the swivel chair as he waits for Mark to finish. He observes the surroundings, and on the table, he sees a familiar photo frame that makes him smile. He grabs and stares at it.

"Minhyung, Sungie, come on, let me take a photo of you two," Mrs. Park said as the two boys were eating some cotton candy outside the Park Residence.

Sungie looked at his mother, agreeing to her idea. He let go of the cotton candy and pulled Minhyung's arm. "Come on, come on, Mommy will take a photo of us."

Minhyung laughs softly at the kid, pinching his cheeks gently. "Okay, okay." He then put his arm around the younger's shoulder.

Sungie giggled as they both look at his mother's camera. He smiled widely while holding up a peace sign.

"Okay, smile! One... two... three..." And the shutter made a clicking sound.

He chuckles at the memory and puts back the frame on the table, on the exact spot where he picked it up.

He presses his lips and looks at the doorway. Still, no Mark Lee. The older must be taking so long with his patient's teeth.

He swings his feet on the floor even though, due to his height, they're lying flatly onto the surface.

Few minutes after waiting, the owner of the office finally arrives. "Hey, you're here! Did you skip class again?"

Jisung shakes his head, chuckling softly. "No, I don't have classes today. I'm not wearing my school uniform."

Mark rolls his eyes playfully before walking towards the younger male. "What are you doing here?"

"Visiting you. I miss you! I forced myself yesterday to finish all the activities I had to do so that I can visit you today and not think about academic works." Jisung quirks his lips to the side slightly as they are pressed together.

Mark almost melted. No, he melts. "Did your mom knows about you giving me flowers almost everyday and that you're visiting me today?"

Jisung nods, "Uh-huh. She says she wants to meet you again, but not until you become my boyfriend."

"What?" Mark bites his bottom lip, "I... I don't know, Jisung. Y-you're too young and I'm too old for you."

"I said I don't care about that. I like you, Minhyung." Jisung almost raises his voice, "Ever since I was a kid, I didn't mind our age gap."

"But I do!" Mark snaps. "Doesn't mean you're of legal age now, we can be together. You're still a student and I'm a working adult. We have different experiences."

Jisung breathes slowly. "Are you... rejecting me? You're saying you don't like me? You don't want to be my boyfriend, Minhyung?"

"I... uh, Jisung, that's not what I mean. I-I like you too, but—"

"But what? But you mind our age gap? Does that matter to you at all?" Jisung stands up from the chair. "Answer me!"

"No. It's just... it feels wrong." Mark looks down, shame already taking over his system.

"Well, it doesn't feel wrong to me. It feels just right." Jisung manages to make his voice soft. "And I have the capability to take care of you. Well, if you don't like me now, then you could like me someday. Minhyung, I'm willing to wait no matter how long it will take."

Mark doesn't know what to say to that. Instead, he stays quiet. He fidgets on his fingers as he walks closer to the younger. He clears his throat and slowly looks up at him, "I am sorry."

"Don't apologize. I understand." Jisung smiles and puts his hand on the older's shoulder, "Even if you don't like me, I still like you."

Mark had heard the statement from the younger already, but it still hits different hearing it again. "I like you, Jisung." he finally says.

"You do?"

"I do."

Jisung smiles and hugs his childhood friend, "I love you, Minhyung." he whispers and Mark smiles back.

I love you too, Jisung.
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