What if...? || Markhyuck

-83-

[december 2021]

[donghyuck]

Mark wandered around the apartment all day as if he couldn't find his place anywhere. I watched it without comment. At breakfast I asked if everything was ok, the boy confirmed that it was ok - I did not believe but accepted. Then I just gave myself to Sunday to do list and we started spending the day sort of together but apart. It was okay as we didn't have to be together all the time. However, the atmosphere was different, not to say strange. Minhyung was cleaning the bathroom, I was doing the laundry but my heart was stressed, chest tight. Many times the body knew the answer faster than the head in my case. Therefore, waiting for the explanation of these signs became more and more frustrating with every quarter of an hour.

Finally, Mark stood next to me and began to beat wet, wrinkled clothes so that they would be easier to spread out on the dryer. He did it silently, carefully examining every little thing as if seeing it for the first time. Usually, I could handle the tension of Minhyung's lengthy process of collecting thoughts. This time, however, the whole thing was different. An impulse from heart made me intervene.

"Hyungie, do you want to tell me something?" I asked with amusement but also a hint of concern. Awkward and strange Minhyung had many meanings - sometimes very extreme ones.

"I wonder if you'd like to go on a date," he finally said, concentrating as beat the sweatshirt he handed to me. I breathed deeply inwards.

"Mmm sure. When?" I agreed.

"Yeah... like now" he muttered unexpectedly. I looked at boy in disbelief.

"Now?" I asked sluggishly, eyeing him carefully.

"Sorry, I couldn't bring myself to ask," Mark sighed heavily with obvious self-embarrassment. I could laugh and I probably would in that situation in other circumstances. Despite everything, Minhyung's awkwardness wasn't funny today, just disturbing.

"Can I do the laundry?" I asked to check what stage of rush we are at. It was hard for me to muster up the enthusiasm I should feel for a date. That's how I knew everything wasn't right here. My intuition has rarely failed me.

"Yes, I'll help you." Minhyung shook himself out of the strange state he was in. He waited for my answer in terrible tension. Mark used to get stressed when he asked me something. But still - today was a different stress. It made me wonder what the reaction would be if I refused a date.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, hoping he would answer and not make a secret of it. Otherwise my head would die of overheating. I had to have at least that information.

"On the beach. You said you wanted to go," this reminded me of an unfortunate situation with his mom that still made me feel embarrassed. I haven't had a chance to see Mrs. Lee since that day and I wasn't necessarily ready to do so. I wanted to save face in her eyes and I probably came across as a lost and disturbed person plagued by horrible nightmares.

"Nice that you remember. I'd love to," I replied sparingly, with a slight smile.

We had December.

Winter is moderately adequate time to go to the beach.

Something was really wrong.

~*~

[minhyung]