𝓕𝓪𝓿 | 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐜𝐤

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

Haechan sat on Renjun's couch, a furrow in his brow as he toyed with the edge of his shirt. "I hate to say it, but... I kinda miss him."

Renjun looked up from his book, raising an eyebrow. "Miss him? Like, miss him-miss him?"

Haechan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I feel like I pushed him too far and then just left him hanging."

Renjun shook his head. "He told you to leave, and you respected his boundary. That's what you're supposed to do."

"It's been a month, Renjun. And yeah, he's still been paying me, but... I don't know. Actions beat words and money, you know?"

Renjun closed his book, giving Haechan his full attention. "You're right. But maybe that's his way of showing he still wants to work with you, even if he's not ready to admit it."

Haechan nodded, but the doubt lingered. "I just- It's hard to shake the feeling that I messed up."

Renjun thought for a moment before offering, "Why don't you give it a little more time, then maybe reach out to Jaemin? See if he knows anything."

Haechan sighed again, but this time with a bit more resolve. "Okay, I'll try."

Later that night

The office was eerily quiet as Haechan walked in, the dim lights casting long shadows on the walls. He had only come back to grab his MacBook, but the stillness of the place made him uneasy. He hurried to his desk, eager to get what he needed and leave.

As he reached for his laptop, a voice from the shadows startled him. "Leaving so soon?"

Haechan's heart nearly jumped out of his chest as he spun around. "God dammit, Mark, you almost gave me a heart attack!"

Mark stepped out from the corner, his expression unreadable. "Sorry. I just thought it would be better to talk to you in person."

Haechan crossed his arms, trying to steady his breathing. "So now you want to talk? It's been a month since you told me not to come back."

"I know," Mark said, his voice low.

Haechan wasn't having it. "Do you? Do you really know? You've still been paying me, Mark."

Mark nodded, taking a deep breath. "That's why I wanted to talk to you."

Haechan's patience was wearing thin. "If you're dropping me as your therapist, that's fine. Just say it."

"No," Mark said quickly. "I wanted to say that because I see you as my therapist, I can't open up."

Haechan frowned, confusion creeping into his voice. "Where are you going with this, Mark?"

Mark hesitated, as if weighing his next words carefully. "Drop me as a client. Off the record. Don't see me only in sessions."

Haechan stared at him, trying to gauge if he was serious. "Mark, are you serious?"

Mark's gaze didn't waver. "I'll be more likely to open up to you if I don't feel like it's just another session."

Haechan was silent for a moment, processing what Mark was asking.

" I'll think about it," he finally said. "But in the meantime, don't ever sneak into my office again."

Mark offered a small, almost sheepish smile. "Deal."

Haechan grabbed his MacBook, giving Mark one last glance before heading out. His mind was already spinning with thoughts of what this new arrangement could mean-for both of them.

Haechan tossed and turned in bed, the sheets tangled around his legs as if they were trying to hold him down. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the feeling of Mark's words echoing in his mind.

"Drop me as a client... I'll be more likely to open up..."

The request played on repeat, Mark's voice clear and unwavering. It wasn't the first time a client had made a difficult request, but this was different. Mark wasn't just another client. He was someone Haechan had been trying to reach, to help unravel the layers of pain and anger that he kept buried so deep. And now, Mark was asking him to step outside of the professional boundaries that Haechan had always relied on.

He stared up at the ceiling, his thoughts racing. How could he even consider this? It went against everything he'd been taught, every rule he'd ever followed. Yet there was something in Mark's eyes tonight, something raw and real that made Haechan hesitate to dismiss the idea.

"I'll be more likely to open up..."

Haechan sighed, rolling over to check his phone. The clock glowed back at him-2:37 AM. He knew he should try to sleep, but every time he closed his eyes, all he saw was Mark. The way he had stood there in the dim light of the office, almost vulnerable despite his usual stoic demeanor.

What do I do? Haechan thought, rubbing a hand over his face in frustration.

He couldn't deny that there was something about Mark that had always intrigued him, something beyond just the usual therapist-client dynamic. But crossing that line... it was a dangerous territory, one he wasn't sure he was ready to navigate.

Eventually, he gave up on sleep altogether, slipping out of bed and pacing the length of his room. Maybe Renjun was right-maybe Mark still wanted to work with him. But how could he balance that with this new request? Could he really help Mark if he dropped the professional distance?

The questions swirled in his mind, unanswered and unrelenting. Haechan knew he had to make a decision soon, but for now, all he could do was wait for morning, hoping that somehow, clarity would come with the dawn.