Safe place (Markhyuck)

27

After a couple weeks of "dating" the two are very much in like. They have been on a few small dates here and there, the first being the walk to the park to get ice cream from the vendor there. Haechan was nervous but did just fine. The second one was a bigger step, they went to the coffee shop that Mark works at. They went at a time when it usually isn't busy and he even got to meet Jungwoo. He got scared and whispered his order to Mark and had to leave to enjoy their coffee and even as Haechan thought Mark would be really annoyed, he surprised him by being really proud instead.
"You have done so well. Just think, over the three dates we've had you have done so much. You have every reason to be proud of yourself." He uses his finger to pick up Haechan's pouty chin.
"You are amazing and brave and I am so happy to sit with you in the grass at the park instead of at a table." Haechan scoffs and wipes his left over tears.
"Your friend probably thinks I'm stupid and a coward." Mark chuckles and holds his phone out where Haechan can see a text he received from Jungwoo after they walked out.

Jungwoo: I hope he, is the reason you secretly smile. He's cute and you look good together. Seems nice.

Mark scratches the back of his neck.
"It's kind of embarrassing but I just want you to see that people don't see you the way you see yourself."
Haechan looks away then turns to Mark and smiles cutely.
"Am I?" The look of confusion on Mark's face makes him chuckle.
"The reason you secretly smile?" He asks, now embarrassed he brought it up. Mark lets out a breathy nervous laugh.
"Every time." Haechan leans up and kisses his cheek.
They finish their coffee in the park with their arms interlocked and their heads on each other's.
"Come over Saturday please? I'm having all of you over for dinner. I want to tell Jeno about all my progress, I've been dying to but he needs to know about you first." Mark nods and smiles.

"I want to talk to him about how sweet and cute you are and be able to go on double dates together and hold your hand whenever I want to so yes of course I will be there." Haechan excitedly pulls him into a kiss then stands and holds his hand out.
"Let's go, you are tired." Mark sighs, knowing it's true. He stands and pulls him in once more before they walk away. It's just a sweet kiss filled with all of his feelings. He knows Haechan isn't ready for him to vocalize just how he feels so he's trying to go slow no matter what.
They walk at a slow pace enjoying the peaceful night air, Haechan is relaxed, even given the change in his environment. His therapist says they are doing everything right and helps him work out the emotions that come with all of his break throughs. He's in a great place at the moment end even though he doesn't reach every goal, every time he has Mark to build him up and tell him that he did great anyway. His only regret in any of this is that he can't share all of this happy stuff with his best friend.

When Haechan opens his door to see a group of four people standing there he is almost overwhelmed but he looks at the faces and feels good. He hugs Jeno then Jaemin, then he hugs Mark and tries not to linger too long.
"This is our friend, Renjun." Jeno says awkwardly.
When he locks eyes with him he has a flashback of his and Mark's first date. This was the person who delivered their food. He walks up and to everyone's surprise, hugs him as well.
"Thank you for your help." He whispers making Renjun smile. He only nods, knowing that Mark had asked him not to tell anyone.
"It's so nice to finally meet you. I've heard so many nice things." Haechan says while Renjun tries to smile as genuinely as possible.
"Thank you, you as well. Jeno tells me you guys were best friends for a long time." Haechan smiles and nods looking to Jeno before hugging him again.

"I'm so happy you guys are here! We have so much to talk about." Mark tries really hard to wipe the fond off his face while watching this but it's impossible. They have a little small talk before Haechan excuses himself to the kitchen to get their drinks, Mark quickly offers to help and even though Jeno is skeptical, he just watches Mark vanish into the kitchen.
When Mark enters and sees Haechan leaning against the counter, he slinks his arms around his waist.
"Nervous?" He whispers. Haechan nods and turns in his arms, reaching up to put his own around his neck.
"I just hope he isn't hurt." Mark sighs.
"I know, I feel like this is my fault for the way I introduced myself to you but..." Haechan kisses him.
"I wouldn't change that for anything." Mark kisses him again, this time it's longer with a little more tongue. Haechan starts to gently push him away, knowing they need to get back out there but is quite surprised when Mark is ripped from his grasp.

"What the fuck are you doing to him?" Jeno yells as the other two are just shocked. Mark doesn't speak right away, can't, and the anger he feels at the accusation that Jeno just hurled at him makes him see red. Haechan is still by the counter watching as Mark's face went from surprise to anger then sadness. He starts to move toward him and notices Jeno moving into a protective stance, he frowns and pushes his shoulder with his finger. Mark holds his hand up and shakes his head.

"It's ok Haechanie, I'm going to get some air." He walks out, doesn't spare a glance at Jaemin who has been listening to the whole thing, not sure if he should intervene.
Haechan frowns and walks past Jeno, right through the living room and out the door. Now Jaemin is in complete shock at the lack of hesitation and goes to the window to watch. Mark had walked out of the gate and started pacing and Haechan walks right up to him and buried himself in Mark's chest, effectively calming the other. When Jeno walks in Jaemin pulls him to the window and he can see the loving exchange between the two. Haechan is being silly, making Mark giggle. Mark takes his hand and they start to walk away leaving the other two slack jawed.
They make a complete circle around the block so Mark has time to cool off and even be somewhat understanding as to why Jeno would think that way.

"You know just seeing your face calmed me but thank you for walking with me around the block." Haechan smiles and kisses him on the lips.
"Come on, we have some explaining to do." Mark nods as they walk hand in hand into the house.

At this point Jeno is pacing and his emotions are everywhere.
"Where is Renjun?" Mark asks looking around.
"He got a call and had to go into work." Jaemin says softly.
"On a Saturday?" Mark questions to which Jaemin can only shrug.
"Ok, Jeno and Jaemin please sit so we can explain everything." Jeno stops pacing and sits but doesn't look up.
"I'm sorry, we are sorry we've kept this a secret for so long but yes we are dating and we like each other, a lot." Haechan says shyly while Mark squeezes his hand.
"We never had an intention to hurt you. We both wanted to tell you for so long but the opportunity never came up and We just got to a point where we needed to tell you." Mark says quietly.
The two finally sit and tell them how they met and everything since then.

"Wow, I'm happy for you, I guess." The hurt is evident in Jeno's voice so Haechan sits on his lap making him giggle.
"Pwease don't be mad. We started as friends, and then we started liking each other. At that point we had to see where this was going to go before we announced anything. It just kind of spiraled but we always wanted you to know." Jeno nods and hugs Haechan.
"I'm happy if you are happy, and you too Mark. I'm sorry for what I did." Mark cuts him off.

"I understand where you were coming from, it hurt that you would think I would do that, but how would you know that we knew each other." Jeno shakes his head and pushes Haechan off gently and walks to Mark and pulls him up and in to a big hug.
"Your a brother to me I should have known better but my emotions are all over the place lately." He whispers and Mark just nods understanding that him, Jaemin and Renjun are going through some stuff themselves.

When Jeno and Jaemin finally left for the night Mark chose to stay for a while and just cuddle with Haechan. They snuggled up on the couch and watched a movie before Mark gets a frantic call from Jeno.
"He's gone! He said he went to work but all his stuff is gone. What the fuck? Why?" Mark sits up slowly and thinks for a minute.
"I don't know, but I'll call around and see if anyone knows anything." This calms Jeno some.
"He won't answer our calls, we've been trying for hours. Please hurry."
Mark tries calling Renjun and all of his work friends that may know something and has no luck.
Needless to say it's going to be a long weekend.