Safe place (Markhyuck)

51

"Markie, Markie? Are you home?" Haechan asks after returning from the grocery store down the street. He's gotten so much better that he can now go to certain places on his own, as long as they are not too far away. He still uses coping mechanisms, one of which is where he marks his route in his head.
"Mail boxes." He says as he walks out the front door of their building.
"Newspaper stand, Italian restaurant, cafe, and the coffee shop." He says them all in his head as he passes by. The store is right on the corner from there so he goes in. He always looks around the small store just to see who was in there before entering.
"I'm here baby, how did it go?" Mark asks, walking up to kiss his cheek.
"Good! I love you." Haechan says softly.
"I love you." Mark reply's.
"Why are you guys so cute all the time?" Jaemin asks loudly.
"Huh? What are you doing here?" Haechan asks, walking around Mark to get to him. He goes up and hugs him.

"I have a huge favor and this may be difficult for you because of, well you know, but I've been planning a surprise for Renjun." Haechan smiles widely.
"I'm having his brother come to visit but I was hoping he wouldn't have to stay in a hotel, but like he will bring his friend. So there would be two of them and I don't know if you would want strangers in your house?" Haechan frowns In thought.
"Well, what do we know about them? Maybe if you get me some background information it might help, even just a phone number so that I could call and talk to them?" Jaemin gives a big smile.
"Really? You might do this? thank you." Haechan hugs him again.
"You guys have done so much for me, the least I can do is try. Put his number in my phone." He opens it and hands it over.

"His name is Kun he's older, I've talked to him already. He so nice and he's fluent in Korean too so it shouldn't be a problem." Haechan nods with a small smile.
"When are you planning this surprise?" Jaemin smiles.
"It's for his birthday. I find they talk on the phone a lot and I know he misses him so much. I told Jeno I wanted to do this and he was completely on board but like I said, I think it would be nicer if they had a place to stay that is more home like." Mark walks up and hugs his boyfriend from behind.
"I think Haechan has made excellent strides and he managed having people sleep over when we moved so I think this will be a success." Haechan smiles and leans up to kiss his cheek.
"Also if you need help with anything else let us know, we'd be happy to help." Mark says with a smile.
"You guys are the best. We are planning to take him to lunch that day then when we come home they will be there. Maybe we will have an intimate get together with a few friends but nothing huge. I'll keep you updated though, we have just a few weeks to finalize everything. His brother will be coming a few days before so he can be rested up for the day." After working out more of the details Jaemin leaves to fill Jeno in.

"I should call him now." Haechan states excitedly.
"Really? Already?" Mark asks pulling the other onto his lap.
"Yes, I'm excited to meet him, if he's anything like Renjun you know he will be so nice." Mark cuddles into him and sighs.
"Let's have dinner first then we can call him." Haechan nods and kisses his cheek.
"I love you Mark Lee." He says cutely making Mark hide his smile in his shoulder. He tries to pretend he doesn't like it but everyone knows he's a sucker for him, especially when he's cute.
"I love you too baby." He mumbles into his shirt.

After dinner Haechan sits on the couch next to Mark and calls Renjun's brother. It rings a couple times before he picks up.
"Hello? Is this Haechan? Jaemin said you would be calling." Haechan smiles widely and introduces himself and Mark. They talk for almost an hour before Haechan yawns and Kun suggests they talk more another time.
"Oh my god, he is so nice." Haechan says sleepily to Mark.
"I know, so is his boyfriend." Mark says making Haechan frown.
"They are friends." Mark chuckles.
"Yeah, well they are close friends." Haechan shrugs.
"It isn't nice for us to assume." Mark rolls his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, let's go to bed now baby."

The days leading up to his birthday are going by quickly but it's ok. Whenever Haechan feels nervous he calls and talks to Kun, it always seems to help to be reassured that he is a nice guy.
Today is the day that Jeno is picking them up at the airport, Jaemin has been distracting Renjun so that he doesn't notice Jeno took the day off of school to do this. Haechan is home alone at the moment because Mark had to work, he's ok though. Jeno will be here and plans to stay until he gets home.

When he hears the knock he takes a deep breath, Jeno had texted him that they were there already so he was prepared but he still has nerves. Strangers will be staying in his house. He opens the door, trying to maintain a cool demeanor but Jeno can see his eyes practically shaking and asks the two to wait a minute.
"Are you ok?" He asks wrapping him in his comforting hug. Haechan sighs and sinks into him.
"I was just nervous because I don't have Mark here with me, but now that I see your face I'm much better." Jeno smiles softly at him.
"I'm going to get them now." He says as he backs away but never lets go of Haechan's hand. He sees both of them and of course recognizes them immediately thanks to their FaceTime sessions. Kun is the first to walk up, he speaks softly. He's very aware of Haechan's fears and even went as far as to research it some so he would know what to do.

"Hi, I'm so glad to finally meet you in person." Kun says softly, stretching out his hand.
"Nice to meet you, I made cookies and we can have some tea? You must be starving from your flight?" Kun smiles widely and gestures behind him.
"I would like you to properly meet my boyfriend, Hendery, he is a musician and model. Haechan smiles widely with a giggle.
"It's nice to meet you too." He allows them to enter and shows them to their room to settle in. They change their clothes and come out promptly to visit and have some of Haechan's cookies.
By the time Mark arrives Haechan is in love with Hendery, the poor man is constantly being told how cute he is and all Kun does in his defense is shrug and giggle at him, after all he thinks he's cute too.
They visit with Mark for a bit and Jeno decides to leave. The two are quite visibly exhausted by eight pm so Mark insists that they head off to bed.
When Haechan is lying in bed feeling eyes on him he can't stop the smile that forms.
"Why are you staring at me?" He asks shyly. Mark rolls to his side and wraps his arms around his middle.
"I just love you, and I admire you and your resilience. I'm proud of you and in awe of you every day." Haechan kisses the top of his head.
"I love you too, and I credit you with being my strength."