Safe place (Markhyuck)

14

When Haechan made the decision to have his new refrigerator delivered so they could remove the old one his mind was telling him he's ready even though deep in his soul he knows he isn't.

When the doorbell rings he takes a deep breath and looks through the peep hole. The man he sees is big and dirty, probably because of the job he figures, but it still makes him uncomfortable.
"Uh, just leave it on the porch please?" The man shakes his head and rolls his eyes. Haechan can see him and it offends him a little bit but when the man pounds harder on the door he really freaks out.

"We can't just leave it, the order specifically says to leave it in the kitchen and take the old one." Haechan starts to hyperventilate so he calls Mark.
"What do I do? I'm scared please help?" Mark tries to stay calm for him after Haechan explains and he fully understands the situation.
"Ok listen. You did a good job trying to get out of your comfort zone again. I am so proud of you but I need you to call Jeno. I would come in a heartbeat but I'm going to need his help and unless you want to explain our situation you need to call him first." Haechan calms as he understands where Mark is coming from.
"Ok but what do I tell this guy?" Mark wishes with everything in him that he could hold Haechan's hand through this but he really can't.

"Just tell him that you don't feel comfortable with him coming in and will have someone else help you. You can pay the extra disposal fee and if he still doesn't leave, threaten to call his company. I'll stay on until he's gone ok?" Haechan sighs, relieved that Mark is on the other end. He does as told and the guys leaves with a grumble and some words that hurt a little but he's gone and that's all that matters.
"Thank you Mark. I'm sorry I bothered you at work." Mark smiles happily on the other end.
"You are welcome, Haechanie. Never hesitate to call, I'll answer any time that I can." Haechan smiles.
"Ok I'm going to call Jeno now, you don't have to rush over or anything. I'm ok now, thanks again."

Just as Mark is finished with the first part of his day and is ready to head to his job at the cafe Jeno calls.
"Can you come with me to Haechan's later and help move some refrigerators around? He got himself into a predicament and Jaemin is in classes all day?" Mark smiles.
"Of course but I have a three hour shift can we do it at nine?" Jeno sighs in relief.
"No problem, I'm going to hang out with him until then in case he wants to talk. I'll see you later then." He hangs up and heads to the bus stop. He would rather be moving a heavy refrigerator than dealing with the public but he will be fine at least Jungwoo is here to lighten the mood.
"You look tired, have you been resting enough?" Mark chuckles.
"I'm fine, yes I'm a little tired but I'm working two jobs, of course I'm going to be. By the way I'm off this weekend and I don't want any calls, no matter what I can not work. I'm busy." Jungwoo laughs and holds up his hands.
"Yes sir, no working." Mark laughs and deals with the small after dinner rush. It turns out to be an easy night so he's thankful and he doesn't even have to close.

When Mark gets to Haechan's, he knocks and waits as Jeno opens the door.
"Oh hey, come in and meet Haechan." Haechan can see Mark get tense from behind Jeno and feels guilty. Mark smiles and holds his hand out to him who gently takes it in his own. Mark looks in his eyes and softly speaks.
"It's nice to meet you Haechan." He nods, not able to take his eyes off the other. Jeno just assumes he's nervous so it means nothing to him.
"So should we start by cleaning out what's in the old one?" Haechan nods, finally out of his stupor and let's go of Mark's hand.
"We can just put everything on the counter and I'll put it back when the other is set up." Mark nods and helps pull things out but quickly decides there isn't enough room for three to do that job.
"I'll go measure the box and the door frame to see if we need to take off the door, do you have tools Haechan?" He tells Mark to follow him which surprises Jeno but he shrugs it off, Haechan has been making small improvements here and there.
They go to the back room that looks like it is a spare bedroom and he opens the closet before turning to Mark apologetically.
"I'm really sorry, you had to lie." He pouts and Mark just smiles and touches his cheek.
"It's ok, I'm just glad you are feeling better." Haechan touches his hand that is still on his cheek and smiles softly. He finally turns and grabs the tools for Mark and they head back out.

They get everything set up, Mark did have to take the door off the hinges so he worked on that. When they finally had the old fridge empty Jeno and Mark start removing it, Haechan follows all the way to the bottom step to help them. He tries, while they are not looking and he makes it two steps off the porch in the dark. He looks around excitedly, the stars are out and the moon is pretty bright so it's not too scary. He decides to take a few more steps to see if he can make it to where they are so he puts one foot in front of the other and goes. He's a little slow but nobody minds. Mark and Jeno have been watching him proudly for a while now so they wait for him to get to where he is going before they move.
He makes it down to the gate and looks up at them, he feels so accomplished but still isn't quite ready to go on the other side of the gate.
"Come on." He tells them, as he turns they each take a side and much to Jeno's surprise he grabs both of their hands.
Mark doesn't mind, he secretly rubs his thumb along the back of Haechan's hand to let him know he appreciates it.

After getting everything in place Haechan is left with a mountain of guilt.
"You want to stay for pizza? I can't let you go away hungry." Jeno smiles and shakes his head.
"I have to get home to Jaemin but if you want to feed Mark you can." Both Haechan and Mark are surprised by his words.
"I, yeah that's ok."Haechan stutters out looking at Mark with questioning eyes. Mark looks to Jeno who seems unbothered.
"I mean I could eat." Jeno looks Haechan in the eye.
"I'll only leave him with you if you are a hundred percent sure you are comfortable with that." Haechan smiles.
"I am, I'll call if I need you but I wouldn't feel right sending him away hungry and I wish you would stay too. Oh if you want to you can bring Jaemin over later." Jeno smiles at Haechan's thoughtfulness.
"You don't have to feel guilty, you know? Besides it's after ten and Jaem is going to want to go to bed." Haechan hugs him and sends him off.
"What kind of pizza do you like?" Mark shakes his head and hugs him from behind.
"Hey, if this is about guilt I don't want any. You have no reason to feel that way. You made a huge step by even attempting it." Haechan softens in his hold.
"I know but hey at least this way I get to spend time with you." Mark let's go and goes to the couch.
"Pepperoni sounds good." Haechan chuckles and gets his phone.