Coming Home | mark lee.

21

"Oh, nothing," Donghyuck shrugged. "I was coming back from the washroom and saw her struggling with the machine."

"Why?" Mark asked flatly.

"Nothing. Let's just go back," Mark said, resting a hand on Tiffany's back.

She smiled and walked ahead.

"Are you trying to make me jealous or something?" Mark muttered as they walked.

"Huh?" Donghyuck tilted his head. "I'm just shooting my shot. You said you didn't like her that way anymore...or do you?"

Mark rolled his eyes and walked faster.

"Aish, Mark Lee," Donghyuck laughed. "You're so in love. Such an idiot."

*

When Mark entered the room, Tiffany noticed the tightness in his face immediately.

"Everything okay?" she asked, handing him his drink.

"Yeah," he nodded but his eyes lingered on her face a second too long.

"You sure?" she studied him. "You look tired."

"I love you," he blurted.

She froze. "O-oh. That was...random. But I love you too."

He didn't respond. Just stared into space.

"Mark?" She waved a hand in front of his face. Then flicked his forehead.

"Ow!"

"You do that a lot," she laughed. "You just...disappear."

"I guess," he smiled weakly.

"Go sit," she nudged him. "You look exhausted."

"Are you having fun?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah," she smiled. "Now go."

She pushed him gently toward the chair, not noticing Donghyuck watching them with an unreadable look.

*

"Should we go eat?" Doyoung asked. "Taehee, are you hungry?"

"Not really, but I can eat," she nodded.

"Okay, then let's go!" Jungwoo cheered.

*

The barbecue place was warm and cozy, their table tucked into a corner.

Soju bottles clinked.

"Noona, do you drink?" Jeno asked.

"Of course," she giggled, holding her glass properly as Doyoung poured.

They clinked and drank.

"So tell us about yourself," Donghyuck said.

"Um...I'm Moon Taehee, I'm 23, I'm studying medicine, and...yeah," she laughed.

"Noona, do you have a boyfriend?" Jaemin asked bluntly.

"Nope," she shook her head. "Nobody likes me."

Mark snorted. "You're already drunk."

"I have higher tolerance than you, Market."

Yangyang choked on his drink.

"So now you know she's fully comfortable with us," Mark said.

"You call him Market?" Shotaro blinked.

"I have many names," she said, slipping an arm around Mark's shoulder.

His ears turned red.

"Like?" Doyoung leaned in.

"Marko. Markle. Markopolo. Markie. Bark Lee. Shark Lee, that was in Vancouver. And my favorite: Mark Bee."

"What's your favorite, Mark?" Jungwoo asked.

Mark just started humming the tune to Favorite.

"I've officially broken him," she laughed as he leaned his head on her shoulder.