♪ Idol au
♪ "I really believe that there is an invisible red thread tied between you and me, and that it has stretched and tangled for years. I know that it won't break because our souls are tied."
"Haha yo you believe in that"
"Yah don't laugh...
Baby, I'm crazy (I can't control, huh) I think I'm sick, do you feel me? Yeah Lock me up in your eyes, yeah Baby, you drive me crazy tonight All night long, our silhouette will be crazy
♪
Mark didn't expect Mason's call that evening. His voice came across calm but rushed, clipped at the edges with the weight of responsibility.
"Mark, sorry to call you like this... but I need a help."
Mason explained that he couldn't take the flight with Hannah as planned because work tied him down. He asked, almost pleaded if Mark could step in.
"She'll need someone by her side, especially in this time of the year."
Mark froze, he had no idea how to answer. "Give me a minute, I'll check my schedule." "Yes please."
He hesitated, biting his lower lip. His instinct was to say no, to avoid stepping into something that wasn't his place.
Yet his schedule supported it for the first time.
"Okay," Mark said quietly.
A few days later, Hannah got the PDF of her ticket. Mason hadn't mentioned his absence.
♪
"Ma-"
He pressed a finger to his lips.
Confusion furrowed across her forehead as Mark settled down. "Why are you here?"
He exhaled, unsure where to start. "Mason called me, he said he couldn't make it... And he thought you shouldn't be alone. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be here- but." Mark broke off, rubbing the back of his neck.
Her eyes softened a little, though a small crease of guilt lingered. "I'm sorry I've never told you about this, but it's my actual mom's death anniversary. Around this time I'm always... like this. You didn't have to worry so much, Mason still thinks of me as a kid. You should've rested on your break." She didn't voice it out but inside she blamed herself for dragging him into it.
Mark swallowed his questions in, he only nodded. Choosing not to pry especially during this situation, even though a part of him wondered if he'd done the wrong thing by coming at all.
The flight passed in a strange rhythm. They spoke lightly during meals and eventually slipped into quiet, the hum of the plane blended with their exhaustion pressing them both into the slumber.
When they had time to spare, Hannah worked with her upcoming composition while Mark tried writing lyrics.
While they landed, Hannah seemed distant and before Hannah could say something Mark offered a gentle smile.
"You know," he said, adjusting his bagpack. "I've never gone anywhere with someone out of my bandmates for the past years, it's not just for support but I actually wanted to spend time with you."
Her eyes flickered with something unspoken but she only nodded.
♪
Time slipped into something warmer when they reached Hannah's family home.
Hannah pushed open the familiar gate as Mark trailed a bit awkwardly, lifting her suitcase in one hand and dragging his on the other while a bag of his slung on his shoulder.
Before they could ring the bell, the front door opened.
"Hannah!" Her step mother rushed out, engulfing her daughter into a secure hug. Her father was close behind, smiling with calm steadiness and then their eyes turned to Mark, not with surprise but with a warm welcoming look which made his shoulders ease a little.
Her father stepped forward with a knowing smile, "Welcome Mark, Mason already informed us about your arrival." "Yeah come in son, you must be tired." her mom added.
Her mom's hand reached for his the same way she would do to her own son, gentle and familiar. "Feel like home here, it's your own house too."
Before Mark could answer, a white blur padded across the wooden floor. Their elderly cat, snowy furred and regal despite the stiffness of age sniffed at the air.
She found her way between Mark's legs first, tail brushing his ankle before moving past him to bury herself against Hannah's calves.
Mark smiled and nodded, the stiffness in him melted at the tone. "Thank you..."
"She remembers you." Mom said softly, watching the cat purr.
Mark chuckled, bending down. "Guess I've been tested."
Just then Parker appeared in the doorway, grinning like he was waiting all day. "So you actually came, I was wondering if Mason was pulling up a prank again." He clapped Mark on the shoulder, with easy familiarity then turned to Hannah with a smirk. "And you didn't even tell us that you're bringing your boyfriend."
Hannah groaned, "Parker don't start already, I wasn't even aware until this guy came and sat beside me."
But her parents laughed softly, ushering them to the living room. The smell of something cooking filled the air and the warmth of home wrapped around them instantly.
For the first time since the flight, Mark felt the knot of nerves in his stomach loosen. He didn't feel like an outsider here, he was treated like one of their own and the comfort settled over him like a blanket.
"I'll go freshen up..." Hannah whispered to Mark for which he nodded and Hannah headed to her room.
"Parker," their father called up, "help with the luggage."
"On it." Parker said and lifted up one bag in each hand and carried it upstairs.
Her mother turned apologetic. "I'm sorry Mark. We couldn't prepare the guest room for you, their aunt and uncle are visiting next week. Can you stay with Hannah? And Parker, Mason will stay in Parker's room?"
Mark's eyes filled with warmth. "That's perfectly fine, thank you." "And," Her mom initiated to add with a smile. "I've made an apple pie since you came, freshen up and join for brunch."
The unexpected kindness pulled a genuine smile out of him. "Thanks Mrs." "It's fine son, no need to be formal. Call us mom and dad." Mark nodded in response.
While Hannah busied herself with self care, Mark found himself drifting while he waited for her so he could freshen up. He traced the edges of the photo frames alined in the TV counter, family pictures, graduation pictures of Mason and Hannah, childhood pictures.
His gaze shifted to the open backyard visible through glass doors, the strech of plants and neat rows of herbs glowing under the late sun.
He didn't wander too far, Hannah had gone to freshen up and he wouldn't intrude into her room. So he lingered in the shared space of living room, relaxing little by little.
"Hot in here isn't it?" Her father's voice pulled him back, he was standing near the doorway with his arms folded, studying Mark with a spark of curiousity. "Or are you sweating for another reason?"
Mark startled slightly, hand brushing the back of his neck. "Ah... Maybe both."
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