String to my heart ♪ Mark Lee

♪ 51

I'll imagine we fell in love
I'll nap under moonlight skies with you
I think I'll picture us, you with the waves
The ocean's colors on your face
I'll leave my heart with your air
So let me fly with you
Will you be forever with me?

♪

It was finally when.

The moment Mark stepped foot inside the dorm, the weight of the past weeks clung to him like an anchor. His body screamed for rest, the exhaustion evident in his heavy lidded eyes and sluggish movements.

The concerts, the travelling, the constant adrenaline. Now that he was back, it all came crashing down at once but before anything else, his heart sought the one person he had been longing for.

Hannah was there.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, in his hoodie which was too big for her petite figure, her hair was clutched up in a bun leaving a few short strands which couldn't reach. Her doing simply nothing was still too much to make Mark's heart race.

She looked up the second he entered, her own exhaustion from waiting melting away the moment their eyes met. Relief flooded her expression but it was quickly replaced by concern as she took in his dishevealed state.

He looked drained, completely wiped out but even in his fatigue, a soft smile curved his lips at the sight of her.

"Hey" Mark murmured, his voice raspy from how drained he felt. He barely had the energy to speak yet he still made his way towards her.

Hannah rose to her feet just as he reached her, their bodies naturally gravitating towards each other. He leaned in, pressing a brief but warm kiss as if making sure she was really there before pulling back quickly.

"I need-" he started but she already knew.
"Go" she said softly, nodding towards the washroom.

Mark let out a tired chuckle, grateful for how well she understood him. Without another word, her trudged away.

He soon came back, lazily pulled on a T-shirt and sweatpants before plopping himself onto the bed beside Hannah with a heavy sigh. His hair was still damp, strands sticking to his forehead and his posture slumped in exhaustion.

"Mark"

He barely turned when she called his name, his gaze unfocused as if even looking at her took effort making her frown slightly.

"You'll fall sick if you leave your hair like this" she murmured, already getting up and reaching for the blow dryer.

Mark didn't respond, his silence felt off. He wasn't usually talkative when he was this tired but something about his mood seemed heavier than just a jet lag.

Hannah plugged in the dryer and gently nudged him to sit up properly as he obeyed without resistance, tilting his head slightly as she ran her fingers through his hair, tousling it so the warm air could reach the damp strands.

The low hum of the dryer filled the room but Mark was too frustrated of himself to care. His eyes remained half lidded, staring at nothing in particular and his face lacked its usual warmth.

"Did something happen?" Hannah finally asked, her voice soft but laced with concern.

Mark barely reacted, he didn't move, didn't answer. Just say there, leaning his forehead on her stomach and letting her dry his hair.

Hannah sighed, swallowing down the worry creeping up her throat. She knew him well enough to tell when he didn't want to talk, when words felt too heavy to say out loud.