Signing // Mark ff

my hands hurt

It's been a couple of hours and Mark was starting to get the hang of the basics. Renjun was slightly impressed with how fast he was picking it up.

"Okay I think that's enough for today, you look tired." Renjun laughed at the way Mark melted back into the couch at Renjun's words. "Oh thank god! My hands hurt."

Mark didn't think that learning sign language was going to be this difficult. All of this was harder to remember than the formulas he needed for class.

"Renjun, I'm never going to remember all this." He hit Mark's knee with a frown. "Don't say that, learning a new language takes practice. And you're doing pretty well for a beginner."

Mark's face lit up, proud.

"I'm gonna tell Chenle though. If he's ever with you he can sign and it will help you more." Mark nodded enthusiastically as he got up to get his stuff.

Before leaving he turned around and put his hands on Renjun's shoulders, "Renjun, you are an amazing person. If you ever need anything let me know and I'll figure it out."

Renjun chuckled, looking at Mark with a fond smile. "To be honest I think you're amazing, the fact that you're doing all this to communicate with Kyungmi is incredible. She is going to be so happy."

Mark's hands dropped from Renjun's shoulder and one made his way up to his neck, slightly embarrassed. "You think so?"

Renjun gave Mark the three workbooks he had and started walking Mark towards the door. "I know so."

Mark's smile widened as he waved, about to walk out the door. "Hold on."

He turned around to see Renjun glaring at him with his arms crossed. The sudden change in demeanour threw Mark off completely. "...yes?"

"From what I know and what Donghyuck has told me, you're an amazing guy who is completely whipped for Kyungmi."

Mark groaned, he needs to stop Donghyuck from running his mouth. "But, Kyungmi has already gone through enough and I don't need you to go and break her heart."

From all the time that Mark has spent with everyone, he could tell that Renjun and Chenle really cared about Kyungmi. The care and love they had for each other was something Mark couldn't even fathom. They were truly like family.

"You're a good friend Mark but I love Kyungmi with my whole heart and I will not hesitate to hurt you if you do anything to her." Mark could tell Renjun was not joking around with him. He seemed serious so Mark was going to give him a proper answer.

"I like Kyungmi. I really really like her. But... I'm going to be honest with you." Renjun squinted, not expecting Mark to take this route of thinking. "I'm scared."

Renjun's crossed arms slowly dropped, now paying more attention to what Mark was saying. "I've never liked someone like this and it's freaking me out."

He has already admitted this whole thing to Donghyuck on a night he came home from going out with his friends.

Donghyuck was peacefully laying down on the couch as Mark poured his heart (and tears) onto the table. He was drunk, sharing more than he should have.

"I don't know, I guess I'm just feeling overwhelmed with everything. I want to tell her how much I like her but I don't want her to reject me. I don't want to push her away from me."

Contrary to popular belief, Mark didn't have much faith in himself. When he was younger he would constantly beat himself up over the smallest things and never tried anything new in fear of failing.

As he got older and met his friends, they all built up his self-worth to what it was now and he will forever thank them for that. But once one insecurity got under Mark's skin, he was done for.

"I have no idea how a girl like that could like someone like me." Mark's eyes were plastered to the ground as Renjun just stared.

He had never seen Mark look so defeated. He was always laughing and smiling so seeing him this dejected made him upset. "Mark, I wish you could see the way Kyungmi looks at you." Renjun could see the gears starting to turn in his head. "She has literal stars in her eyes Mark, ask any of our friends."

Mark stayed silent before letting out a small sigh, causing Renjun to add on to what he was saying. "And, there is no need to downplay yourself like that. You're lucky to have her and she is lucky to have you and that's a fact. You're greater than you think Mark."

Mark looked at him with a small but bashful smile "Thank you for this."

Renjun let out a huff in mock annoyance. "Oh stop being all shy like that, I'm your friend and I'm here to help." Mark was going to thank him once again but was instead pushed out the door by a smiling Renjun. "You're awesome but get out, the great British bake-off is about to start. Bye!"