•four seasons //johnmark//

•mid-summer

Genuine happiness wasn't a feeling Mark knew well. He knows what it's like to be partly happy. He knows the feeling of a bright smile across his face and laughing so hard that he falls onto the floor. Mark loved the feeling, it felt like freedom. It was an escape from what he was actually feeling. Maybe that was unhealthy, but Mark didn't think twice about it. Mark's favorite thing in the world was seeing happiness in others. He loved seeing people's smiles and hearing pure laughter around him. It was refreshing and gave Mark hope.

One of his favorites was Donghyuck. He was next to him, giggling about something one of the players said. His tan skin was glowing in the sun, he was basically golden. A dark tan was growing on both of their faces because of the constant sun exposure. Donghyuck's laugh could cure any sadness Mark was experiencing. Not that the younger needed to know that, it would boost his ego too much

Practice was longer today and Mark was drained. He had made the mistake of not drinking enough water and now he's paying the price. He'd heard the effects of heat exhaustion, but they felt worse than they sounded like. His head was foggy and, he felt major dizziness whenever he took a step. Donghyuck seemed to notice Mark's change of behavior first.

"Mark, are you okay?" He asked, putting both hands onto his shoulders.

Mark couldn't respond. Donghyuck looked glossy through his eyes. Mark only could shake his head as he could feel his legs beginning to give out from under him. Stumbling, Mark felt himself fall onto Donghyuck. The younger was quicker though and, was able to make sure he stayed up straight.

"Come on, Mark," He whispered, taking one of Mark's arms and swinging it over his shoulder.

Mark was in a daze, but he could make out how awkward this situation was. Everyone was probably staring, and Mark couldn't stand the thought of it. He felt so helpless as he clung onto Donghyuck. As they got closer to the other side of the field, Mark barely made notice of another person running to them.

"Jesus, what happened?"

It was Johnny. Mark could barely make out his face through his clouded vision but, he recognizes the voice. Johnny being there made Mark feel ten times worse. He hated appearing weak or needing help, especially to people who didn't know him well.

"I think it's heat exhaustion," Donghyuck said. "Where's the coach?"

"Downstairs," Johnny replied, glancing at Mark's state. "I can take him if you'd like."

Donghyuck shook his head, "I want to be with him. Could you help though?"

Johnny nodded. He got closer into Mark's space and tapped his waist as if asking permission. Mark wasn't in the state to say no. Mark didn't know Johnny at all, only having a brief conversation earlier that week. Yet, Mark had no reason not to trust Johnny. He didn't seem like the type to hurt anyone. Johnny took Mark's silence as a yes and bent down, wrapping one arm behind Mark's back and the other under his knees. Mark let out a groan as he was lifted in the air. He weakly put an arm around Johnny's neck as support but, he was slowly losing energy. Mark allowed his head to rest on Johnny's shoulder.

"We have to go quickly," He heard Johnny say.

The last thing Mark remembered was Johnny softly scratching his back in comfort before he lost consciousness.

-

Mark awoke to a bright overhead light and a hand in his. Turning his head over, he saw Donghyuck. He seemed exhausted, his eyes a bit droopy.

"Hyuck?" Mark grunted, his voice still rough.

Donghyuck's eyes lit up as he scrambled to sit up straight, "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," Mark reassured, squeezing his hand. "Thank you for noticing, and I'm sorry for worrying you."

"You have nothing to apologize for," Donghyuck said.

Mark looked around the empty training room with a frown, "Is practice still going on?"

"Yeah, coach just put some ice on your neck and waited until your pulse was normal again," Donghyuck answered. "Johnny's around here somewhere though."

Mark nodded, he needed to thank him. Right on cue, Johnny walked into the training room, a bottle of wattle in his hand.

Johnny met Mark's eyes and, a smile crossed his face, "Good, you're awake."

Mark hummed, "Yeah, thank you for carrying me down."

"It was nothing," Johnny replied. "Here's some water."

Mark smiled gratefully, taking a long sip of water. Johnny lifted himself on top of the table and took his phone out. The three sat there in silence, but Mark was appreciative of it. It wasn't long before the other arrived and the training room became lively again.

-

"Donghyuck, I promise I'm okay," Mark laughed.

Donghyuck hadn't let go of his hand the whole way back to the dorms. Mark didn't mind the comfort, but he needed Donghyuck to know that he's okay. That Mark wasn't going to disintegrate into thin air. When they finally entered the dorm, Donghyuck was quick to head to the shower. He'd been quiet ever since Mark woke up earlier that afternoon. Mark didn't want to push but, he was worried.

It was past ten when Mark heard sniffles from the bed next to him. He rolled over and saw a sight he never wanted to see again. Donghyuck was rolled into a ball as he tried to ease his ever-growing sobs. It almost stung Mark to see his best friend like this. He quickly ran over and pulled Donghyuck's close. The younger scrambled to grab hold of a piece of clothing as if Mark was his lifeline.

"Breathe, Hyuck. You're okay," Mark whispered the same words his mom used to say whenever he was upset.

As Donghyuck's sobs ceased and the darkness continued to loom over them, Mark couldn't help but think about what he'd missed. Was this his fault for not checking up on him earlier? But the way Donghyuck held him tightly and whispered to never let him go told Mark a different story. As much as Mark relied on Donghyuck, the younger relied on him just as much.

Mark knew at that moment that he had to be better. He had to be stronger than the both of them so that they don't both fall apart. He can bear it so that Donghyuck didn't have to. Mark could do it.

He had to.