Intricate: Our Bittersweet Love | MARKNOMINHYUCK(bxbxbxb)

Chapter 4

C H A P T E R  4 : Bad news, one nod, one goodbye, and a friend.

-----Jaemin-----

"Mark's calling."

Those words have been the most magical and rewarding to the three of us these days. I didn't find anything wrong or suspicious in the words as I jumped next to Jeno but he looked worried. 

"He should be on a bus back..."

I tense and a negative feeling crawls into my gut after he said the words.

"Hey babies," the oldest says, throwing us a smile through the phone. He was still at his dorm, I noticed, and his grin wasn't as usually happy. Actually, it looked quite upset rather than full of joy from the thought of coming back home. 

Jeno rolls his eyes. "Call them babies, not me."

"Ey, we all know you secretly love being called baby," Donghyuck tells him teasingly, poking his cheek, and earning a glare from the other. 

"Shouldn't you be on your way back, Hyung?" I ask, already knowing that the answer would not be enjoyable to any of us. 

He bites his lip and looks down. Even if I couldn't see anything besides his face and a bit of his shirt, I knew that he was toying with something. My guess would be; A: the drawstrings of some sweatpants (the blank ones since we all know that those are his favorite). B: buttons on his shirt but I doubted he was wearing anything that formal.

He sighs, his gaze still down and disappointment etched onto his face. "There's this freshmen orientation party. It's nothing official but it would be good if I attended. To make connections and all that, you know?" 

The three of us look at each other, clearly disappointed at the revelation. We were all ready to get back together, under one roof but the dream was broken and there was no way to hide that. 

"Don't worry, Hyung, there's still next week." 

They all looked at me in shock. I guess it's valid considering that I was the most devastated when saying goodbye to him but that was me letting my emotions take over. However, I understand what Mark-Hyung has to do and how important all this is to him. I couldn't just continue looking upset and pouty any longer. 

Jeno and Donghyuck nod in synch, agreeing with my words, and I saw the tension physically leaving Mark. 

"I can't wait to see you guys next week," he whispers, such adoration in his eyes that it made my stomach get filled with butterflies and fall in love with him all over again. "You guys start school in two days, right? On Monday?"

Donghyuck groans. "Don't even remind me. Don't even say the formal word for the place that should just be named hell."

We all laugh at his comment.

From there, the conversation drifted as it normally would with lots and lots of questions. Mark was finding all his lectures enjoyable and Donghyuck had learned to use his phone with his nose for when his hands are wet. 

I was really fine with Mark-Hyung not being able to come today, really. But. It was the first week. I was looking forward to lots of pictures and all the detailed descriptions he gave us as we lay in bed together, just like before. I was determined to hide the negativity as we continued to speak, though. 

An hour or two passed when there was a knock on Mark's side of the call. I could distinctly hear, "I'm leaving now. You coming with?" It must've been his roommate, Jungwoo, if I'm correct. Mark nods at him and looks back at the camera with a sad smile. "I gotta go now. Take care."

"Take care of yourself too. Don't drink anything strange, nothing that you didn't pour yourself," Jeno reminds him in a serious tone. 

"What he said! I love you. Be careful," Donghyuck states, sending him a kiss after, making Mark chuckle.

"I love you, Hyung, be careful and have fun."

"You guys be careful too. We'll talk tomorrow, okay?"

There was one more nod and goodbye and he was gone. Again.

-----Mark-----

"Your girlfriend?" Jungwoo asks teasingly as I walked out of the room.

I wasn't sure what to say but before I could stop myself, the words were coming out of my mouth, "Boyfriends." 

He laughs, letting out an 'o' before walking out of our dorm. "Are they back home?"

"They're high school seniors so yes," I tell him, hoping I didn't look as gloomy as I felt. 

He was quiet for a moment before speaking again, "It's okay to be sad, man. I don't judge you at all. I had this girlfriend. We were together for two years but we broke up before I came here. Of course, I missed her, called her when I was drunk, and all that." He chuckles, a sad glint in his eyes. "I'm over it, her, now but just remembering how it felt," he shudders. "Horrible. So if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm your man."

Jungwoo has a smile that makes even the worst things feel okay. It doesn't heal in the same way that Jeno's eye smile does, or Donghyuck's kisses, or Jaemin's hugs but it felt nice. It felt like I had a friend. Something I had been craving for so long. 

It felt nice how he didn't judge me when I said something abnormal because as much as I hate to say it, you don't normally see polyamorous relationships around. It felt nice to actually feel him there for me. It felt nice to say I had a good friend. 

"So, tips for a college party..."

-----Donghyuck-----

I sigh as soon as we get off the call, looking at a sullen Jaemin. "You don't have to feel guilty for missing him. We all feel the same way, Jaem," I say as gently as possible as I climb onto Jeno's lap sideways so that I could look at him directly. 

If we weren't in such a serious situation, I would have laughed at the way Jeno's hands naturally secured themselves on my waist. 

I take Jaemin's hand in mine, grabbing it tightly. Then, I take one of Jeno's and stack them all together. Jaemin automatically leans onto Jeno's side and I scoot the smallest bit closer to him. "I love you," I whisper soothingly into his ear, kissing it after, a habit we have all picked up simply because it was the cutest thing ever to see Jaemin shiver and get all flustered whenever we do it. 

Jeno was quiet but he looked tired. However, knowing him, the way he looked wasn't because he was actually tired but because he missed our oldest just as much as Jaemin and I did. Dare I say, he missed him more than us. 

-----Jeno-----

The TV was on but the rest of the room was dark. We were still in the same position as earlier; Donghyuck on my lap, Jaemin's head on my shoulder, and my head on top of his. They were asleep by now, I knew that much.

I scanned their peaceful faces and then the spot next to me. 

"Yes, I miss you, Mark Lee..."

I sigh, adjusting myself and willing myself to sleep. 

A/N: Almost forgot to publish this but here you go guys 🤩 Hope you enjoyed!