𝗌𝗈𝖿𝗍 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 ♡︎ | dotae au

retry?..

just like any other morning, taeyong would have been on his way out of the house. tredging another day of school, but willing to get through it.

but today was not like any other day. not as he stared at an almost dream like message. the number unfamiliar, and yet he knew it could be.

the words stared back at him in slight.. temptation. wanting nothing more than to type away at his keyboard and confirm every word sent.

jungwoo who had been waiting downstairs in the kitchen for what felt like an hour even though it's only been twenty minutes.

checking the time on their watch and seeing they were already late to their first period. finally deciding he'd go up and see what was taking the older so long. knowing he'd only throw on a hoodie or something by now and come down.

when he entered without knocking like usual, jungwoo found the male just standing there in a daze and gazing at his phone.

curious, he stood over his shoulder, reading the message as well.

'hey.. i never thought i'd find myself sending this message but. taeyong what i did was wrong, i messed up bad and i just wish i could talk to you. heart to heart and maybe, just maybe get a retry,' the words read out.

jungwoo already suspicious of it, quirked an eyebrow and glanced at taeyong's face.

mind already running a thousand miles per hour. it could be some cruel joke. he wouldn't be texting me, it's a prank.. it's a.. the thought was cut short when he heard jungwoo calling him.

"heyyyy, space to my bestfriend! you aren't really considering this are you? yongie.. yongie you found him the locker room with two, TWO, of his teammates having a fucking field day," jungwoo painfully enunciated each word.

taeyong let that sink in, knowing jungwoo was only being harsh in his wording because he cared.

yet he still couldn't understand why he found himself getting defensive in return.

"why can't i just find out for myself?! it doesn't concern you!" he exclaimed only to gasp and place a hand over his mouth in immediate regret.

jungwoo looked like a betrayed puppy, but it quickly washed away. shaking his head with a scoff and turning to walk away.

shaking off taeyong's desperate grasp on his arm and frantic apologies fleeing the shorter male's lips.

"when he hurts you again.. don't come running back to me," jungwoo muttered in the doorway, telling taeyong to get ready again before heading back downstairs.

taeyong stood there quietly. gnawing at his bottom lip nervously before his hands began pulling at his hair out of sheer panic.

"what got into me? what's wrong with you? the one person who just cares about you and you yell at them like a dumbass!" his voice panicked and breathing becoming faster.

forcing himself to stand still, nails digging into the palm of his hands as he tried to ground himself. shagged breaths coming out pass slightly parted lips.

looking at the doorway again, wondering just how he was gonna make up for what he just did..

LATER THAT DAY..

jungwoo had been giving taeyong the cold shoulder all day. and he had every right to.

yuta took notice of this and went to ask but taeyong only shook his head. letting him know that things will just have to work themselves out for right now.

he stood at the steps of the school, having seen jungwoo and yuta off. waiting for that familiar face to show up.

mark had agreed to take him to the cafe where they could have a civil and much needed conversation.

"hey stranger," a voice said behind him and taeyong turned quickly.

gazing at him with dubious content in his eyes, mark reach for his hand to which taeyong pulled back. only nodding, he led the way to his car.

the car drive there was silent, a slight tense air between the two.

neither one risking the chance to say a word. only having exchanged a few once they made it to the establishment.

seated by a window that looked out onto the bustling streets, oncoming traffic and sounds of livelihood all around them. mark was the first to speak, taeyong's eyes never leaving his drink.

"i know this out of the blue.. and i know you're uncomfortable to be here with me," he began waiting until the other finally looked at him.

"but i want to apologize. geuninely. i'm so sorry for the way i treated you and how i treat you now. my reputation it.. it gets to my head sometimes. i let the opinions of others run my every next move. pathetic isn't it?" he asked matter of factly. letting out a small laugh when taeyong said yes in return.

taeyong breathed for a moment before looking mark head on, "that still doesn't explain you cheating on me," his voice laced with obvious anger.

and mark expected it. sighing gently while pinching at the bridge of his nose.

"taeyong look, when i dated you i thought it was all fun and games. i remained the way i was, seeking fun wherever i could get it. i respected your wishes of just kisses and minimal touchy feely stuff. i just couldn't control myself when it came to having my hands on another," mark stated plainly.

it was clear to taeyong that everything is all 'fun and games' when it came to mark.

and that he should have listened to those warnings when all his friends told him how stupid it was to want to date mark lee. yet he still ignored them.

mark could see the gears turning in taeyong's head, waiting quietly for him to gather his own words.

"so i, meant nothing to you at all is what you're saying? then why am i even here? why would you want a retry?" the questions came out in a rush and mark gently grasped the other's hand that was holding onto his drink.

"i miss the way you genuinely cared for me, you put yourself out there by dating me despite the rumors. i'm fine with not having you as a boyfriend, but.. i wish to at least know you as a friend.."

those words lingered with taeyong that night, laying in his bed and staring up at the ceiling restless.

shuffling along the cold floor into the room across from his, seeing jungwoo still awake and sitting at his desk. only lifting his head to acknowledge taeyong who sat on his bed.

"do you mind if i sleep here?" taeyong asked softly and immediately crawled under the blankets when he got the approving nod.

jungwoo stood from his desk and set at taeyong's laying side, "i'm sorry," the words blurted out quickly.

staring up at his bestfriend who looked down at him solemnly. jungwoo continued to just look at him before giving a slight sigh, "i just want you to be careful yongie.."

taeyong frowned lightly, signaling for is bestfriend to lay beside him. the two on their sides facing each other and holding hands.

"i know i'm safe.. as long as i have you by my side.."