𝟮 𝗛𝗢𝗧 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗰𝗸 || 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗪

𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over the city. Haechan and Mark were lounging in Mark's apartment, a comfortable silence settling between them as they enjoyed a rare moment of downtime. Hope was out running errands, leaving the two to catch up and relax.

Mark tossed a pillow to the side and leaned back on the couch. "So, how's it been, not being Hope's bodyguard anymore? It must be a huge change."

Haechan chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Honestly, it feels like a bit of a relief. But at the same time, it's strange not being in that constant protective mode. I never realized how much I'd gotten used to it."

Mark raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Do you miss it? The adrenaline, the constant vigilance?"

Haechan shook his head, laughing. "Not really. I miss being close to Hope, of course, but it's nice to have some personal space now. We're all closer than ever, so it's not like I'm out of the loop."

Mark's smile widened as he leaned in, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "Remember that time on tour when you, Hope, and I used to make out backstage, and Ms. Kim walked in on us?"

Haechan's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, how could I forget? The look on her face was priceless. She was so shocked she almost forgot to yell at us."

Mark laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, that was a memorable moment. I was half-expecting her to give us a lecture about professionalism, but instead, she just told us to keep it out of the public eye."

Haechan grinned, nodding in agreement. "We definitely pushed the boundaries. But hey, those were some of the best times. It was all worth it for the fun we had."

Mark's expression softened as he looked at Haechan. "It's weird how much things have changed since then. We've come a long way, haven't we?"

Haechan sighed, his gaze drifting toward the window. "Yeah, we have. But I wouldn't trade those days for anything. They were part of what brought us here."

There was a comfortable silence between them as they both reflected on the past. The memories of their wild, carefree days were a stark contrast to the more grounded life they were leading now. Yet, those memories were a testament to their journey and the bond they shared.

Mark's phone buzzed on the coffee table, interrupting their reverie. He glanced at it, then back at Haechan. "Hope should be back soon. Want to help me with dinner? I'm thinking of making something special for her."

Haechan's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "Sure, I'd love to help. What do you have in mind?"

Mark grinned. "How about a surprise meal? Something that shows how much we appreciate everything she does."

Haechan nodded, rising from the couch. "Sounds perfect. Let's get to work."

As they began to gather ingredients and prepare the meal, the conversation shifted to lighter topics, their laughter and camaraderie filling the apartment. Despite the challenges they faced, the bond between them remained strong, and the moments they shared continued to strengthen their connection.

Hope returned home just as the aroma of the cooking filled the air, a smile spreading across her face as she saw Mark and Haechan busy in the kitchen. She could sense the warmth and love in the air, a reminder of how fortunate she was to have such supportive partners by her side.

"Smells amazing in here!" Hope exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Mark and Haechan greeted her with warm smiles, ready to enjoy a special evening together. As they settled in for a cozy dinner, the worries of the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the joy of being together.

With each passing day, their bond grew stronger, and the challenges they faced became easier to overcome. The future was full of possibilities, and they were ready to embrace it with hope, love, and unwavering support for one another.