𝐆𝐔𝐍𝐒 & 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒 🀥 [ᴍᴀʀᴋʜʏᴜᴄᴋ]

12 | 诱饵

Mark was the first one to wake up. It was 5 a.m., and his internal clock nudged him to start his day. He had a strict routine: workout and training before anyone else was awake. But this morning was different. As he stirred, he felt a warm presence curled up against his chest.

Haechan. The boy looked so peaceful, his face relaxed, lips slightly parted. Mark couldn't help but smile. He reached out, his fingers lightly brushing Haechan's cheek. The soft touch made Haechan murmur something unintelligible in his sleep and snuggle closer.

Mark's heart skipped a beat. He wanted to stay like this a little longer, but his routine called. He carefully disentangled himself from Haechan's grasp, making sure not to wake him. He watched the boy for a few more moments, committing the serene sight to memory, before slipping out of the bed.

He dressed quickly, pulling on his workout clothes. With one last glance at the sleeping figure, Mark left the room quietly, the door clicking softly behind him. As he headed to the training room, his thoughts lingered on the boy he had just left, a small smile still playing on his lips.

⸻ 🀥 ⸻

Haechan woke up to find the bed empty. The warmth that Mark had provided throughout the night was gone, leaving him feeling slightly cold and oddly vulnerable. He pouted, hugging the pillow Mark had used, inhaling the faint lingering scent. After a few moments, he sighed and decided to get up, his stomach rumbling in protest.

He made his way down to the dining room, hoping that some food would distract him from the emptiness he felt. As he entered, he noticed Yuta and Jungwoo already seated at the table, eating cereal. Yuta was lounging back in his chair, lazily scrolling through his phone, while Jungwoo was engrossed in a book propped up against his cereal bowl. Other members were scattered around the room, some chatting and others still half-asleep.

Johnny was pouring himself a cup of coffee, Doyoung was making toast, and Taeil was sipping tea while reading the newspaper. Xiaojun, hendery, Yangyang, and Jeno were huddled together at another table, quietly discussing something among themselves. The room buzzed with a quiet, early morning energy.

Yuta looked up from his phone and noticed Haechan's downcast expression. ❝Hey, what's up with you?❞ he asked, his voice teasing.

Jungwoo glanced up from his book and added, ❝Yeah, you look like you lost your puppy or something.❞

Haechan mumbled, ❝It's nothing,❞ avoiding their gazes. ❝Where's Mark?❞

The two boys exchanged smirks. ❝Miss him already?❞ Yuta teased, raising an eyebrow.

Haechan's cheeks turned a light shade of pink. ❝No, I don't,❞ he retorted, but his voice lacked conviction. He grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and turned to leave the room, trying to escape their knowing looks.

As he walked out, Yuta called after him, ❝He's probably in the training room, you know, doing his usual morning workout.❞

Haechan didn't respond, but he did feel a tiny flutter of hope. He took a bite of the apple and decided to head towards the training room, his heart beating a little faster at the thought of seeing Mark again. The crisp morning air helped clear his head as he walked through the base, the taste of the apple fresh and sweet in his mouth.

⸻ 🀥 ⸻

Haechan made his way to the training room, the anticipation building with each step. As he approached, he could hear the rhythmic sound of weights being lifted and the occasional grunt of exertion. He paused at the doorway, peeking inside, and his breath caught at the sight before him.