Coming Home | mark lee.

22

Tiffany and Mark were dropped off at his parents' house, and she called Minhyuck to open the door.

Mark was clinging to her like a koala, chin resting on her shoulder, staring at her with glassy puppy eyes while she waited.

They stepped inside, and Mark immediately collapsed onto the couch, stretching out dramatically and sighing like his life was over.

She stared at him.

"...You're ridiculous," she laughed.

"He's cute," she added quietly, glancing at Minhyuck.

Minhyuck just smiled.

"Of course you'd find him cute," Mrs. Lee teased.

Tiffany froze. Minhyuck burst out laughing.

"Wait," Mrs. Lee whispered. "He's asleep, right?"

"No!" Tiffany laughed.

Mark lifted his head slightly. "What...?"

"Let's get you to bed, dude," Tiffany said gently.

"Nooo," he whined. "I wanna stay up with you."

"How about no," she snorted. "Minhyuck, please stop laughing and help me."

Minhyuck wiped tears from his eyes and helped her pull Mark up.

They half-dragged him upstairs.

Minhyuck dropped him onto the bed.

"Why don't you tuck him in?" he teased.

"He's not five," she glared. "He just behaves like it when he's drunk."

Minhyuck grinned and left.

Tiffany took off Mark's shoes as he watched her quietly, eyes soft and unfocused.

"You look like you're about to cry," she teased.

"I just...really like your face," he murmured.

She smiled despite herself.

"Goodnight, Marko."

"Goodnight, Tiff," he mumbled and immediately fell asleep.

She shook her head, turned off the light, and left.

*

The next morning, Tiffany woke up early.

Only Mrs. Lee was downstairs, making tea.

"Good morning," Tiffany smiled.

"Morning, sweetheart. Any plans today?"

"I don't know," Tiffany shrugged. "My head kind of hurts."

"Too much to drink?"

"Not me," she laughed. "Mark, though."

"I'll make black coffee for both of us."

Mrs. Lee nodded approvingly.

A groan came from behind them.

"Why is the world so loud..."

Mark shuffled in and collapsed into a chair.

"Speak of the devil," Tiffany smiled. "How do you feel?"

"My head feels like it weighs fifteen kilos."

"I'll make you coffee."

"You're a saint."

Mrs. Lee cleared her throat loudly.

"Mark, since you don't have schedules today..."

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you take Tiffany out? Maybe get food. Show her around."

"That's a good idea," he nodded, suddenly more awake. "I actually want to take you to the company."

Tiffany blinked. "Wait, I'm allowed to go?"

"And why wouldn't you be?" he smiled.