TIME: Mark Tuan edition

Chapter 71

a/n: I decided to save this precious chapter for my birthday. Happy birthday to me haha. I just got out of my teen years. I'm old but not. It's just a change in decade. 

--Wow, two decades. All of my '97 liners congratulations in turning 20 this year.

AAAnyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter as much as I did.

oh, and this picture. Theres to much to look at. I love giving credit where it is deserved but I want this picture w/out the tag ):

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"Chris," Mark pulls me into an embrace. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I say wondering why he would be asking me that. "Question is are you fine? I know the topic comes up at every interview and activity you guys take part of."

"I'm fine. The guys are fine. I don't mind answering these questions as long as you are okay," he reassures me. I hug him tightly and take in his scent. He matches my embrace and leans his head onto my own, kissing the top of it. "I'm glad everything is sorted out."

"I am too," I whisper to him. After the articles and the response of the company, news has settled, but it is always a common question brought up. Mark and I see each other for the first time in a long time since then. We stand in a practice room hugging. I had been given the 'okay' to visit and I didn't waste a moment. I heard that they were practicing and I quickly headed for them. When I entered he saw me right away and smiled. I told him to continue and waited in the back. After they finished dancing he came up to me and brought us to where we are right now.

"Yah, yah!" Jinyoung warns. Mark and I pull apart and face everyone. "You guys have to start being careful. You guys are lucky we were all together when that picture was taken."

"Yeah, if it was just the two of you it would be hard to manage," JB adds. Mark and I bow our heads as our hands are clasped together. "I know, Noona, you really support Mark, and the fans had positive reaction if it was you, but we don't know how it will be in the future. We may be done with promotions for Arrival, but our group unit projects and solos projects will get affected with things like this. This was talked about in the meeting, but I just want to say it again."

"Yes, Jaebum," Mark says. I am unable to speak. I feel like I am getting a scolding from my parents.

"Enough," Jackson butts in. He squeezes himself between Mark and I and wraps his arms on either side of us. "I will be the middle-man between these two- OW OW OW!"

Mark had wrapped his arm around Jackson's neck and pulled him to a choke hold. Jackson tries to tap out, but Mark continues to taunt him saying that Jackson should never come between him and me. Everyone burst into laughter and slowly everything calms down.

"Are you guys ready to make a comeback?" I ask Jinyoung and JB once we all settle on the floor. Mark has found his place beside me and grabs my hand.

"Not really," JB confesses. I look at them wide eyed and wonder what he means by that.

"We've already produced music and have done our recordings, but there's still a lot of things that need to get done," Jinyoung sighs. I take a good look and see just how much work they are putting into their comeback. Without their makeup you can see the exhaustion. They have stubble and eyebags. When I get a good look at everyone, they too have aged immensely overtime and it shows. More to people who actually take a good look at them.

"You guys are amazing," I sigh. They look at me weirdly and I just smile. "I can see how much you guys put into your work and your job. You guys don't have to be making a comeback every half year, but you guys do. Whether it be in the Korean market or the Japanese market, you guys give your all to your fans. When I first met you guys, we were all so young and so small. Now we've grown and have experienced so many things. I'm really proud of you guys and who you've all become."