Villain kids

41

Mark and Donghyuck strolled hand-in-hand toward the cafeteria, their steps light, voices quiet, like the morning still lingered on them. Inside, the rest of the gang was already halfway through breakfast—and halfway through their usual chaos.

Jeno: “There’s no way you could pull it off.” Hyuck: “Pull off what?” he cut in, his voice sharp and sudden like a firecracker.

Everyone jumped in their seats.

Sungchan: “Okay! That’s it. Now you’re doing it too?! Stop jump-scaring us like that!”

Hyuck just shrugged with a mischievous grin. “Sorry, not sorry. Now spill.”

Jaemin leaned dramatically across the table: “Your two boys—Jisung and Chenle—have officially declared war. Chenle snapped and said he didn’t wanna talk to Sungie anymore, and he snapped right back like ‘I already tried, you never listen!’ So yeah. Drama.”

Mark’s eyes widened. “Wait. You’re fighting? Couple problems?”

A collective gasp echoed across the table. Chenle choked on his juice.

Chenle: “We are not together!” Jisung: “What he said!”

Mark blinked. “Oh. Sorry, I thought... Never mind.”

Hyuck leaned in with mock innocence. “Don’t worry, Markie, anyone could’ve made the same mistake.”

Jisung groaned, shoving toast into his mouth to avoid further comment.

Mark clapped his hands. “ANYWAYS! Enough fighting. I’m taking Jisung out today. And Chenle’s coming with us.”

Chenle: “Wait what—Mark no—I wanted alone time—”

Mark waved him off. “Too bad. We’re fixing this. I’m not letting anyone walk into the coronation on bad terms. End of story.”

The two glared at each other, but relented with dramatic sighs. The rest of the table grinned like gossipy aunties.

Hyuck leaned close and whispered, “Matchmaker King. I see you.”

Mark smiled and squeezed his hand.

Mark: “Okay! Any updates I should be worried about? Confessions? Duels? Secret betrayals?”

---

Later…

Mark led the two sulking boys through the trees, past abandoned sheds and empty fields. The air was quiet, but the tension between the boys could’ve powered the castle for a week.

Jisung: “Where are we? This place looks cursed.”

Mark: “Relax. You’ll love it. Chenle’s been here loads of times. Just trust me, okay?”

Chenle trailed silently behind, arms crossed, lips pressed together in a tight line. The walk stretched on until they reached a massive golden gate, intricate swirls carved into the surface. It creaked open to reveal a stunning field: trimmed grass, a playground far in the back, two sleek, mysterious buildings—one small, one large. The larger one gleamed with tinted glass walls that hid the interior from view.

Mark unlocked the door.

Instantly: SCREAMS. GROWLS. THUNDERING FOOTSTEPS.

Jisung yelped and bolted backward, only to slam right into Chenle. The impact knocked them both off balance. Chenle wobbled—but before he could fall, Jisung instinctively grabbed him, wrapping strong arms around his waist and yanking him close.

The world froze. Jisung’s breath hitched. His chest heaved. Chenle was staring up at him, lips parted, cheeks bright pink. Their faces were inches apart. Jisung had never hugged anyone so tightly. Ever.

Mark stood nearby, arms crossed, smug as hell.

Then—slurp.

Something wet and warm touched Jisung’s hand. He looked down, startled, to find a giant black fluffball staring up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

Jisung: “What is that—!?”

Chenle: “It’s a dog, genius,” he laughed and knelt to pet the creature, who immediately rolled over, kicking its legs like it was auditioning for a belly rub Olympics.

Mark and Chenle watched the pup with grins that could light up the whole Isle.

Jisung’s heart was still thumping, but he found himself smiling too. Weirdly… it reminded him of Chenle. Loud. Unexpected. Too cute.

Mark clapped his hands. “Okay! You two, stay here. Feed the dogs, play around, clean up after them—bond. This is the perfect place for talking things out.”

He winked before vanishing back through the gate.

Jisung and Chenle stood there, awkward again.

But this time, the air between them felt... just a little bit softer.