There's Something About Donghyuck |markhyuck|

December 1st

The first snow had finally arrived. Students around campus were flourishing in this new transition into winter, sitting on benches with their hands out to catch flurries, counting the days until Christmas. The morning was foggy and white, the sun nonexistent behind the milky sky. The colorful festive lights wrapped on the lampposts were the only things guiding their way through the light fog as Donghyuck and Mark walked across the populated areas of the campus. The courtyard in front of the library had a twenty foot, medium sized pine tree that glittered in multicolored lights. The university administrators had done a tree lighting event at midnight, but something about the tree in the daytime filled the young couple with ease. Missing the event on purpose last night to focus on themselves, Donghyuck dragged Mark up to it early in the morning to see it with him before they parted ways to class. While other students were grouping together and taking selfies of themselves, the couple took pictures of it with their eyes. "It came out really nice," Mark smiled as he watched the tree.

Donghyuck agreed. "Imagine what it looks like at night."

"We could have seen it last night. But you wanted to do something more productive."

"Shut up." Donghyuck folded his arms, becoming redder than the blinking red bow on the top of the tree. Mark laughed at him, and then looked back at it. But he thought of Johnny. In the last fall semester, Johnny brought him to the tree lighting and took so many pictures together in front of it. He remembered how happy they were, giggling among themselves, making fun of how part of the tree didn't even light up, leaving a blotch of darkness on it.

Johnny was still in the hospital. When word got around about the accident hundreds of friends and classmates of his left flowers, cards, and gifts around his room as a sign of respect and sympathy. The university had called his parents from his emergency contacts and every week they'd visit him, hoping and praying for some kind of miracle. Chenle, once he had found out, had decided to set up a donation page. And Chenle was the only one trying to keep in contact with Mark, knowing how important Johnny was to him. Jeno on the other hand remained missing in action.

As much as Mark cherished his friend though, Johnny wasn't his first priority... he had a plan. When Donghyuck noticed that his partner was acting off, he glanced at him. "What's the matter?" Donghyuck asked.

"I wish Johnny was here to see this. Hm. The lights are actually working properly this time. He would have loved it."

"He would still find something to roast about it though."

"Yeah," Mark agreed also. But he didn't want to bring Johnny up anymore. It hurt too much. Instead, he interlaced his fingers with his boyfriend's, which was covered with a black glove. "Hyuck... promise me that you won't talk to Doyoung."

"Of course I won't." Donghyuck told him. "I blocked his number last night. But he still messaged me hours later through social media with a new account."

"What did he say?"

"He just... kept telling me to not overwork myself. And that he wants to go see my show."

"Are you sure you want to attend? I have a bad feeling about this... what if he tries to hurt you?"

"I told you. If I don't do this, he's going to win. I'm going to do this fucking show, no matter what it takes."

"Well... I don't want you to harm yourself though. Take it easy."

"Like I said. I'll do whatever it takes."

"What about Jeno? Has he tried to talk to you?" Mark then asked.

Donghyuck scoffed when he said, "Yes he did, last night. I ignored him."

"So did I."

"I can't even talk to my only friend anymore. He's been hiding away and I can't even get an explanation." Donghyuck murmured.

"But you have me. So forget about that." Mark said, and quietly noticed Donghyuck's face transitioning into a glower. To cheer him up, Mark leaned over and pecked him on the cheek. Being stubborn, Donghyuck chose not to react and just stood there moping.

"I'm going to find Jeno," Mark stated, sincere about his plan. "I'm going to make him talk. I need to know if he's purposely listening to Doyoung and trying to sabotage you. I also need to know what really happened in that accident, because something about it doesn't add up."

Donghyuck suddenly gawked at him. "No! It'll make things worse. You don't know what Doyoung is capable of."

"Then I guess I'll find out. Let him come after me, as long as you are safe. I'll get Chenle to help since he knows Jeno a little more... and you know he means business. " Mark told him, unsmiling and earnest. This plan was something he could not pass up.

"Fine." Donghyuck answered after a long moment of thinking. Mark watched him in surprise, as his boyfriend meant what he said. "Do it then. Tell me everything Jeno says. Record him, even. I want to know." Donghyuck licked his teeth and walked off. Mark gasped and skipped over to him again.

"Where are you going?" Mark questioned.

"To my class. You should go too. We're late."

"Not by yourself! From now on I'm walking with you everywhere you go."

Donghyuck kept walking. "I don't need a chaperone. And as far as my last rehearsal goes... you don't need to attend if you don't want to."

"Please. I get front row seats to watch you move until they're assigned to strangers. Why would I refuse that?"

"You really liked my solo, huh? Hmph, what a freak. Guess I have to work even harder for you." Donghyuck bit his lip, clutching Mark's arm close to him like it was a stuffed animal. In the end, he didn't care if Mark walked him to class. If anything, it made him feel protected.