Safe place (Markhyuck)

30

I hope you all have enjoyed the last 4 chapters as it was on my mind for a whole week while I was with family and I was finally able to write it out. I still have the next one planned so it should be coming within a few days. Thank you to all of you who read, vote and comment, it means everything.💚

After their outing Jeno and Haechan have been talking more and more. It helps Jeno get the courage to talk to Jaemin and they discuss exactly how they feel and finally have some kind of peace. It isn't much but knowing that it's in the open now will at least help with moving their dialogue along.

Haechan is in talks with his therapist about possibly coming in to the office but this does little by way of comfort.
When Mark wakes to his phone ringing at two in the morning he knows they've pushed him too far.
"Haechanie, is everything ok?" He asks with his sleep filled voice.
"I'm sorry, I don't feel good. I-I can call Jeno, maybe is that still ok? Maybe I shouldn't. Just go to bed Mark I'll be fine." When he finally stops to breath Mark uses this chance.

"Listen to me, I'm already getting into Jeno's car, I will be there in a few minutes. Do you want to talk to me." Haechan shakes his head no, not realizing in this state that Mark can't see him but Mark can sense his hesitation.
"You know I talked to my mom the other day and I told her that I'm seeing someone, she said she can't wait to meet you but I told her that it would have to wait. She said you must be special to me because I don't usually tell her about anyone I've ever dated. My dad was pretty chill about it though, he kept telling her to settle down and she'd just tell him to be quiet." Mark chuckles and he hears a little chuckle on the other end too.
"Haechanie, I'm pulling up will you let me in?" He asks softly. He can hear some movements on the other end of the line and when he walks up to the open door and sees the state he is in it breaks his heart. He tries not to show it because he doesn't want Haechan to think he's disappointed. He hugs him right away and receives one in return. He pulls him in and closes and locks the door. He doesn't say anything, just takes his hand and leads him to the bathroom to look him over. He sees the bloody blade on the floor and swallows hard. Haechan is staring at it too and when the realization that Mark has seen it sets in he breaks down.

"I'm sorry." He wails as he collapses into Mark's arms.
"Shh, Shh, you are ok. We will clean this up and you can tell me anything you want to ok?" Haechan nods, still sobbing so Mark wipes his face and sets him on to the closed toilet lid so he can check him over.
"Can you show me?" He asks cautiously. Haechan moves his hand away from his arm and shows him a small cut. It's not as horrible as Mark feared but awful just the same. He cleans it gently and softly kisses him on the lips.
"I'm sorry Mark, I tried to be ok but it's hard, it's so hard and I couldn't find my laptop. I was going to read your notes again and I couldn't find them and I was scared. I'm so sorry." Mark stands and pulls him up, leading him to his bedroom.

"Don't leave me please?" Mark smiles softly.
"I wouldn't dream of it." They both crawl into his bed and immediately Haechan is laying on his chest listening to his erratic heartbeat. Mark runs his fingers through his hair soothingly and just allows him to feel comfortable, no pressure to talk or anything. They stay this way for around a half hour. Mark listening to Haechan breath, thankful for the sound and the other listening to Mark's heart.

"I started thinking about what would happen if I don't get better than I am? What if I'm stuck in this spot forever? I'm afraid to disappoint you, Jeno, my father. Everyone has been so happy about my progress but no one stops to think that this could be it." He crawls up and buries his face in Mark's neck, his other favorite place and breathes him in.
"I started to hate myself again, I've tried so hard not to do that but it doesn't just go away and I'm so scared because I love you and I don't want you to leave me." Mark can't breath at this point because all this time he's felt this way but was too afraid to say anything and knowing that Haechan feels this makes him happier than he's ever been.

"I hope with all of me that you mean that because I love you and I want you to be a part of my life for a long long time and that means you need to not get hurt. I don't want to see you hurting in any way. I know in my heart that it is impossible for me to ever leave you. Even if you told me that I was just your friend I would be here, I hope you remember this whenever you get scared because I will do anything for you."

Mark can feel his neck getting wet with Haechan's tears and rubs his back softly. Nothing else is said between the two before Haechan eventually falls asleep, Mark follows not long after but not before sending texts to Jeno about his car and a message to Doyoung that he can't make it in today. The night has mostly passed them by so they sleep long into the morning.

Haechan is the first to wake, feeling like last night was a dream, he looks at Mark peacefully sleeping and at his arm bandaged and it all comes back.
He props his head on his arm that's across Mark's chest and stares at his beautiful face. He softly pushes the hair out of his eyes and from around his face. He finally crawls up with his legs on either side of him and softly kisses his face and neck in an attempt to wake him which works of course.

Mark smiles in his half asleep state and with his eyes barely open he grabs Haechan's face and softly kisses his lips.
"You meant it right?" Haechan asks softly.
"Every word." Mark whispers while brushing the younger's hair back. Haechan wipes a tear and kisses him softly again whispering "me too." Mark pulls him into him and squeezes.
"Let's just stay in bed all day." Mark says.
"No you are so late for work, what have I done?" Haechan starts to panic a bit and jumps up but Mark quickly shows him the messages between him and his boss and that everything is ok. He calms and nods.
"Ok but I have to pee and we need to brush so I can kiss you whenever I want and I'll order food too." Mark smiles fondly at him as he rushes around.

"Ahh. Stop being so cute, I don't think my heart can take it." Haechan pouts while crossing his arms and stomps over only to pounce and tickle him relentlessly.
"Ok ok I'll stop." Mark yells out between laughs.
"Thank you for being here for me. It means everything that you did that and that you don't make me feel judged. I really only feel cared for by you and that means so much." Mark pulls him down into his arms and holds him again. After a few minutes Haechan squirms.
"I still have to pee, let me up!" He demands and Mark still thinks he is the cutest person alive.

They spend the whole day just being together. They don't try to go anywhere or do anything different, they just stay in Haechan's safe place for the time being.