Safe place (Markhyuck)

16

Sleepover part 2:

After a failed first attempt at going outside the gate and two more movies the two decide to start preparing their food for grilling. Even though Haechan's self conscious is telling him that Mark is probably bored, Mark is having a great time. He's relaxed and feels at home with Haechan.

Mark doesn't really know his way around a kitchen at all so he has to help him with everything, he doesn't mind a bit though, since he thinks it is the cutest.
When he gets Mark started with chopping some veggies he stands back and watches closely to make sure he doesn't get hurt.
"I got this, just go start up the grill would you?" Haechan pauses.
"You mean the one in the back yard? I uh thought you were doing the grilling?" Mark stops cutting and faces him.
"I can if you want burnt food?" He chews his lip looking like he is thinking of a solution.
"I can go with if you want to wait until I'm done here?" Haechan shakes his head.
"No, I'm ok. We walked around the yard last night in the dark right? I can do it." Mark smiles and squeezes his shoulder looking right in his eyes.
"I know you can." Haechan looks determined as he nods and gets the bag of coals off the table and takes his first step toward the grill. Mark watches with a satisfied grin, he knows how to light a grill, and he's grilled meat before, not that he is that good at it but he could have managed. If Haechan wants to truly get better he needs to navigate some of the smaller hurdles himself.

He watches as Haechan turns his head from side to side quickly, checking for signs of danger but as he gets into the act of firing the coals and getting everything ready he feels fine. Mark can see the way his shoulders relax as he carries on with it. He quickly runs to the counter to pretend like he wasn't watching the whole thing when Haechan starts to walk back to the house.
He isn't expected to be crushed but it happens as Haechan squeezes him from behind.
"Thank you." He whispers before he grabs the tray of meat and walks back out without a second thought. As they finish all of the cooking, Mark sets the table that is sitting on the back patio. When they sit to eat it's clear that Haechan is satisfied with himself.

"Can you just stay here forever?" Haechan asks smiling while Mark chuckles.
"You're amazing, you did that on your own." He scoffs and shovels in a forkful of food.
"You do know I wouldn't have grilled out if you weren't here, therefore you have to stay. You can live in the guest room and Jeno and Jaemin can fuck wherever they want and you won't have to witness anything." Mark can't help the fond smile he gets.
"Don't you think you are pushing our relationship a little too fast?" He asks smirking, watching the younger get flustered. Haechan pouts and starts eating again, he looks troubled or at least deep in thought.

"What's on your mind Haechanie?" Mark asks making his cheeks turn red with the use of that nickname. After a few seconds of contemplation he finally asks what's on his mind.
"You keep saying strange things about us." This gets Mark's attention as he's scared that he may have upset the other.
"About us being in a relationship and going on a date but, but would you actually date someone like me?" Haechan asks almost afraid to actually hear the answer.
"Psh, what do you mean? Would I date someone who is smart, funny, beautiful and brave? Of course I would." Haechan stills, a blush still present on his cheeks.
"So if you found someone that was all of those things and had agoraphobia, you would date them?" Mark rolls his eyes and stands, he walks right over to the other and kisses his cheek.

"I meant you, I would date you. Of course that is, if you would even say yes to a guy like me?" Haechan almost feels overwhelmed but still keeps his eyes on the other.
"I guess,I don't know for sure but I think I could say yes, in a perfect world anyway." Mark sits back down and stares thoughtfully.
"Ok but why?" Mark asks, making the other blush again.
"Uh, well. I think you are cute and sexy and the most thoughtful and caring person I know. You make my heart beat faster when I think of you and when I know I'm going to get to see you I get excited." He blushes harder, he can't look Mark in the eye anymore, afraid he's said too much.

"So how about Wednesday? I don't work that night? Will you go on a date with me?" Mark frowns when he sees Haechan start to cry.
"You know I can't, don't make fun of me." He says sadly as he gets up and goes into the house. It doesn't take long for Mark to follow him, he spins him around and kisses his lips softly but with enough force to show him that he wants him. Haechan kisses back almost immediately but pulls away too quickly.
"Mark, this, this is." He gets flustered and can't finish his sentence.

"I'm sorry. I crossed a line didn't I? Ruined whatever this is we had going? I meant it though, I meant everything. I'm Sorry." He says quietly as he starts to gather his things, after the clear rejection and the look of absolute horror on the others face, it's clear to him that he fucked up.
"I should probably go, I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
Haechan starts to panic, it happens too fast. One minute the one person who's lips he wanted on his were kissing him and the next he can barely breath.
"Don't leave me, you said you wouldn't leave me." He whispers as his back hits the wall and he slides down.

When he wakes a few hours later he is surprised to find himself in his bed. He slowly looks around and sees Mark sitting in the chair looking at his phone. He doesn't know what to say but he needs to make it right.
"I'm sorry." He says simply making Mark perk up, he sighs and stands.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. You can't help the way you feel. If it's not mutual then we're friends, that's that. I wasn't leaving because I wasn't going to be there for you, I just thought you would be uncomfortable with me here." Mark taps his hand that is resting on the blanket.
"I'm not feeling that well so uh can we finish the marathon another time? Maybe next weekend or something?" Haechan tries to control his quivering lip as he hears the sadness in Mark's voice.
"Yeah, ok." He wipes his eyes as Mark walks toward his bedroom door.
"See you soon?" He asks shakily.
"Of course. Goodnight Haechanie." He doesn't look back as he goes through the door, he doesn't want him to see the tears.
He really thought this time he was right and that he had finally found someone he could love, who would love him just as much but just like before his instinct was wrong.