𝟮 𝗛𝗢𝗧 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗰𝗸 || 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗪

𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿

The air was cool and fresh in the park where Mark and Jeno decided to meet, a neutral ground away from the usual haunts that carried too many memories of misunderstandings and conflicts. Both had agreed it was time to clear the air, to mend the fractures that had strained what was once an unbreakable friendship.

As they walked down the familiar paths, lined with autumn-tinted leaves, the silence between them was heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Jeno stopped walking and turned to face Mark, his expression earnest.

"Mark, I need to say this—I was scared back then. I didn't mean for any of this to happen, especially not for you to get arrested," Jeno began, his voice thick with regret.

Mark's gaze was steady, understanding flickering in his eyes as he nodded slowly. "I know, Jeno. And you should know... I told them to arrest me."

Jeno blinked, taken aback. "What? Why would you do that?"

Mark sighed, his hands tucked into his pockets as he looked away momentarily before meeting Jeno's eyes again. "You're like my brother, Jeno. I wanted to protect you, and that was the only way I could think of. I took the blame because I didn't want you to feel like you owed me anything, or worse, to carry the guilt."

The revelation hit Jeno like a wave. The pieces of a puzzle he hadn't even realized were missing began to fit together, painting a picture of Mark's actions in a completely different light. The weight of what Mark had done for him, the depth of his silent sacrifice, was overwhelming.

"Mark, I... I had no idea," Jeno stammered, his throat tight. "I thought you were mad at me, that you blamed me..."

Mark shook his head, stepping closer. "I was never mad at you. I was frustrated, sure, because of the whole mess. But more than anything, I was worried about you. I blamed myself more than I could ever blame you."

The sincerity in Mark's words, the open vulnerability, bridged the gap that had grown between them. Jeno's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he stepped forward, pulling Mark into a tight embrace.

"Thank you, Mark. For everything," Jeno murmured into his shoulder. "I'm so sorry for all the pain I caused."

Mark returned the embrace just as fiercely, patting Jeno's back. "It's okay. We're okay. Let's just move forward, alright? No more secrets, no more guilt. Just us, brothers, like it was meant to be."

As they pulled apart, the relief and renewed affection were palpable. They resumed walking, but this time the silence was comfortable, filled with mutual understanding and forgiveness. The park around them seemed brighter, the path ahead clear.

Rebuilding their friendship wouldn't happen overnight, but they had laid the foundation for healing. Jeno and Mark walked side by side, their steps in sync, a symbol of their restored bond. They talked about lighter things, plans for the future, and slowly, the shadows of their past receded, overtaken by the promise of a new beginning. Together, they stepped into a future where their friendship was once again a source of strength and joy.