Limitless (NCT one shots)

I see you now (MarkNo)

Ok so this was supposed to be all smut but my adhd brain went a completely different route and here we are over 4,000 words later...

"Why am I stuck rooming with him? He's an asshole!" Mark asks his professor. They are going on a trip to do a humanitarian assignment. They will be working for a homeless shelter for a week and because of the hours they are expected to work, it's easier to put them up in a cheap motel than to bus them back and forth. Mr.kim sighs.

"Mark, I've already been over this. There are only so many rooms. Everyone has a roommate. I paired everyone together based on their work ethic and course grade so far and like it or not, you two are a match. Besides, maybe you will end up friends afterwards." He scoffs.

"Yeah, and how is it that a stupid jock has one of the best grades in class?" He asks almost accusatory.
"I don't like what you are implying here Mark. I grade everyone fairly. Maybe you need to understand that someone can be good at more than one thing." He looks down.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to question your ethics, I just don't like him." Mr. Kim hums.

"Can I ask why?" Mark looks around to make sure no one is listening.
"He's always saying things, like calling me cute and adorable and flirting with me. I think he gets joy out of teasing me. He always says he likes to make me blush because it's so cute." He says with an eye roll.
"Have you ever thought that he just might mean it? Maybe he actually likes you? Look, just talk to him, tell him to stop and if he continues to harass you then we can take steps. This will be a good opportunity for you to clear the air." Mark sighs. The last thing he wants to do is talk to him but maybe he will try.

He walks away feeling defeated but will do his best to get through this. He goes to his dorm and packs up for the trip and prays life will be good to him.
"Hi Haechanie." He says to his best friend and dorm mate.
"Hi Markie, what's up? You look sad?" He sits on the edge of his bed.
"I'm just a little nervous. I was paired up to room with Jeno." Haechan's jaw drops.
"You mean that guy that likes you?" Mark waves his hand.
"He doesn't like me, he's just teasing me." Haechan sighs.
"Mark, this isn't high school, you are a senior in college, maybe he is flirting because he actually thinks you are cute." He huffs.
"Why does everyone keep saying that?"

He starts pacing and Haechan just giggles.
"You have to admit, he is hot." He scoffs.
"There has to be more than just hot." Haechan smirks.
"Well he's smart, and genuinely a caring person." Haechan says.
"How would you even know that?" Haechan stands and faces Mark.
"Remember last year when you fell and hurt your ankle?" He nods with a frown.
"He literally picked you up and carried you to the nurse. Then when he would see you struggling with your bag and crutches, he would take it for you." Mark shakes his head.
"Yeah only so he could say that stuff to me." Haechan rolls his eyes.
"Ok, believe what you want. You want to know a secret?" He asks watching Mark shrug.

"Renjun told me that last year he over heard you asking your parents to refill your food account money and they couldn't? He refilled your account and told them not to tell you, and to make something up. So they told you it was part of your scholarship for getting good grades." Mark has to sit down.
"So he thinks I'm a charity case?" He questions somewhere between annoyed and shameful.
"No he said that you told them you would get a part time job, and he didn't want to see you work that hard. He said that you need to focus on your school work and not have to do that as well." Mark sits with a frown.
"Why would he do that?" Haechan shakes his head with a small grin.
"Well he's either just a really nice guy or he really likes you."

Mark is speechless. He doesn't know how to feel about this. Maybe he was the asshole this whole time.

He sits on the bus and stares out the window as everyone else boards, his mind has been all over the place.
"Mark? You don't look so good, are you sick?" Jeno asks as he's walking up to his seat.
"I just didn't sleep well, I'm ok." He nods.
"Is it ok if I sit by you?" Mark sighs.
"I would really rather be alone right now." He says softly. Jeno nods with a stiff smile.
"Yeah, ok."