Villain kids

29

Lunch was buzzing with life, trays clattering and laughter floating like perfume through the air.

For once, the Isle kids' table was the most cheerful spot in the room.

Sungchan leaned dramatically on his elbow, letting out a sigh fit for a Shakespearean soliloquy.
Sungchan: "All these feelings in the air... I think I need to find someone too."
Chenle didn't even look up from his plate.
Chenle: "You really don't."
Sungchan: "Okay rude-but can we talk about how both Jeno and Hyuck found someone before me? BEFORE ME?!"

Jisung, ever calm, ever deadly, looked him dead in the eyes.
Jisung: "You're just jealous."
Sungchan choked on his water.
Sungchan: "Me? Jealous? Of them?"
Jisung: "Not of them. Of the fact they got someone before you. The idea that you weren't the most desirable in the room bruised your ego."

Chenle giggled, delighted.
Chenle: "Ooooh okay Sungie, look at you being psychoanalyzed."
Jisung turned slightly, leaning in with a faint smirk, his eyes never leaving the fairy.
Jisung: "There's more to me than you know, fairy."
It was a whisper. A taunt. A threat. A promise.

Chenle blinked, clearly rattled for a moment before recovering.
Chenle: "Sorry, tough guy."

The rest of the table watched in quiet glee, poorly hiding their grins.

Sungchan, still flustered: "My point still stands."

Jaemin, ever the voice of reason with a flirtatious undertone:
Jaemin: "Don't stress, Sungchan. You can't force love. It shows up when it's ready."
Sungchan sighed again, dramatically.
Sungchan: "I guess you're right..."

Chenle perked up, eyes glinting with mischief.
Chenle: "Mark's coming, right? To pick up Jeno?"
Jeno: "Yup. He told me to wear something comfy. He should be here any sec-"

Chenle squinted past the crowd.
Chenle: "Uh-oh... I think Mark's in trouble..."
Hyuck, instantly alert: "What do you mean?"
Jaemin, craning his neck to peek: "Yikes. That looks like a breakup... Jungwoo does not look happy."

Hyuck caught himself smiling-and wiped it off just as fast.

Jeno: "He's coming. Act natural."

They all immediately turned to their food like nothing was happening, like they hadn't just witnessed Auradon's drama unfolding five feet away.

Mark approached with a smile, his hair slightly mussed from tension but his aura warm.
Mark: "Hey guys."
The group responded with various greetings, pretending they hadn't been laser-focused on him just seconds ago.

He sat beside Donghyuck, brushing their knees under the table.

Chenle, ever bold: "Sooo... why were you arguing with Jungwoo?"

The group collectively glared at him, but the damage was done.

Mark blinked, surprised, then chuckled softly.
Mark: "Ah... well, I guess if I tell Hyuck, you'll all find out anyway..."

Hyuck, blinking slowly: "What happened?"

Mark exhaled, leaning slightly closer to him.
Mark: "I told him I was ending things. He wanted to know who I was with, what they did to win me over... and then threatened to tell both our parents and sabotage my next relationship."
Silence. A thick, awkward silence.

Hyuck: "Should I curse him?"
It broke the tension like glass-Mark laughed, hand finding Hyuck's under the table.

Mark: "Tempting, but no. I appreciate the thought though."

Jeno: "Sooo... should we go?"

Mark snapped to attention.
Mark: "Right! Yeah. Let's head out."
Jaemin: "I'll be in the library-come find me after."
Mark: "You could come with us if you want. Jeno?"
Jeno: "You wanna tag along, babe?"
Jaemin, already grabbing his bag: "You know what? Why not."

They stood together, the trio preparing to leave, while the others packed up slowly.

Before parting, Mark gently reached out, taking Donghyuck's hand.

Mark: "I'll see you later, okay?"
Hyuck's cheeks went pink as he nodded, eyes still refusing full contact.
The prince leaned in, kissed his cheek-then his forehead.

Jeno: "I feel like I'm third-wheeling so hard right now. Should I wait outside or...?"

Mark, chuckling: "Right-okay. Bye, everyone!"

As they walked away, Chenle glanced behind them-and locked eyes with a very pissed-off Jungwoo.

Chenle: "Yeah, Jungwoo is definitely staring daggers."
Hyuck: "Pretty sure he saw Mark kiss me."
Jisung: "Or maybe he just hates all of us. That's also valid."
Chenle: "Honestly? Probably both."

They shrugged it off for now, heading back to their rooms like they weren't walking through the opening act of a royal romantic scandal.