NCT DREAM IMAGINES

28' Date Night (Mark)

Word count: 1.2K

Mark Imagine ~

First date trope.

College au.

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Y/N's POV:

I've been getting ready for the past two hours because let me be honest, I'm more than psyched that my campus crush asked me out on a date. Opportunities like this don't happen everyday so, of course I'm going to seize it.

Ever since I walked into SNU, I had already pictured us dating and being the stereotypical campus couple. Talk about vision boards and manifestations.

He is picking me up at eight and I have ten minutes left to just wear my heels and apply the last bits of perfume on my body and clothing. Mark said that I should wear something formal, hence the dress and heels.

I've never actually been on a formal date, the most I've done that wasn't crazy was a movie, otherwise everything else consisted of picnics, hiking, bowling or skating. I'm not too confident about tonight but I promised myself that I'd try my best.

A smile appears back on my face as I notice the silent buzz coming from my phone. He's here.

I reach for my purse before answering the phone and heading straight to the door. "Hello," I answer as I unlock the door.

"Hey, umm," Mark appears in front of me after I open the door, not giving him time to answer the call. Instead of hanging up the call, he still speaks into the phone, his eyes never leaving mine.

"You look absolutely stunning." I fight the urge to blush, failing miserably as I break the eye contact, blinking away.

"You don't look too bad yourself." I manage to say, immediately hanging up the call and letting him in.

"Really? My friends told me I looked hideous." He says lightening up the mood causing my shyness to disappear, as it turns into laughter. That's exactly what I like about him. His ability to make me laugh. As my mom always says, you can't go wrong with a funny guy.

"You ready?" Mark asks, taking us back to the reason why we're here today.

"Yeah." I reply, failing to find more words after that.

"Okay, let's go then. I'll go start the car. You can lock your door." Mark my holds my hand and gives it a slight squeeze which makes me giddy.

After locking my door, I join him outside and I'm about to let myself in his car when he freaks out. "Wait, no!" He says rushing out from the driver's seat.

He then walks all the way to the other side, closing the car door I've already opened and then he opens it again. "Please, allow me."

"Well, you didn't have to-" I start to say but he cuts me off.

"I want to."

I've never been treated like this before so I was taken aback by it, though Mark's just trying to be a gentleman so I should take it easy on him.

Our dress code told me that this place would be exactly what I feared. And it is. An expensive dinner restaurant that was already booked on reservations for the next six months.

Feared because I'm pretty sure I won't be good with formal dates as they tend to be more awkward and filled with unnecessary tension. Or so, I've heard. Unless one is planing to propose, this place is barely suitable for any date. Is what I thought.

I stand outside the car in awe of the place because despite my fear, the restaurant is immaculate. There is a long black marble staircase right at the entrance, where two security guards stand.

"After you." Mark gestures for me to start walking as he has already locked the car.

"Uhh, I feel-" I start to panic, not wanting to go first.

"Okay. Here, take my hand and I'll lead the way." Mark understands my situation immediately, without me having to explain.

He steps forth and gives me his hand, before leading the way just like he said.

I start to feel butterflies, forgetting my worries as I'm distracted by my crush who's not only breathtaking, but also a gentleman.

We enter the restaurant with no worries while a waiter approaches us.

"Mr Lee, welcome." He bows down.

"Good evening, miss..." He gets up, trying to think of a way to address me.

"Y/N." I give my first name.

"Your table is this way. We've been waiting for you." He shows us the way to a table in the centre of the restaurant. Literally leaving us in the spotlight.

Thank goodness it seems empty today which is rare because this place is on demand like crazy.

"How did you even manage to get a table here?" I lean in closer to whisper once the waiter has left.

Mark smiles briefly before leaning in closer to me too. "Secret." He whispers before relaxing back into his chair.

The rest of the night goes with us ordering a full course meal, eating and talking about ourselves. Our likes, dislikes, charms and what our past relationships have been like.

I find out that Mark is an actual sweetheart just from the answers he gives. He seems like a really genuine person, which is also rare to conclude on a first date. I also just love how easy it is to talk to him because he makes the situation as comfortable as possible. Even if we land on an awkward moment, he dismisses it with laughter which lightens the mood.

It is only after our desert arrives that I realize no other customers have joined us in the restaurant.

"Is everything okay?" Mark notices that there is a change in my mood. Which is something I'd like to note too. He has killer senses which makes him notice every little thing.

"Yes, I'm okay." I turn back to him, almost ignoring my thoughts. "It's just, why are we the only ones here?" I gesture towards the empty atmosphere around us.

"Oh. I may have booked the entire restaurant." Mark carefully confesses. "I didn't want you to feel uncomfortable amongst many people." He continues when I don't respond.

"So that we can talk freely and comfortably." He pauses again. "Did I go too far? If I did then I'm sorry and I didn't mean to scare you. I was just nervous as I didn't want to mess up the only chance I had with you while I-"

"Mark!" I stop him from rambling on by placing a hand on top of his. "It's okay." You assure him.

"You're so sweet and this must've been so expensive," He slowly looks up at me as I speak. "Which is the only reason why I'd object. Though you get full marks for effort."

His face lights up back to its usual self, making me smile too.

"Should we get out of here?" He surprises me, yet again, by offering.

Mark stands up from his seat and offers his hand for me to take.

"Should we?" I ask, excited for our next trip before taking his hand as he helps me up.

"You may want to abandon your heels." He warns as we get closer to the exit.

"What, why?" I stop him at the door. "And wait, the bill?"

"Already took care of it. Now, about your heels, we are going to be walking, that's why." He shoves his hands in his pockets as if he's thinking really hard.

"I think I'll be fine." I try to assure him, without being assured myself.

"Of course you will, because..." Mark steps closer to me before catching me off guard by lifting me up in his hands, bridal style. I yelp out of shock.

"I'll carry you." He says before exiting the restaurant, leaving me speechless.