half moon - (mkt + pjy)

moonlight.

The intoxicating smell of salmon and lemon tainted mark's senses. He held his breath, not only because of the aggressive scent but because of the tension growing in the air. Every second of silence felt like years, every clear of a throat feeling like daggers. Mark didn't want to be here, of course he didn't want to be here. what could he do? Try and make Jinyoung's parents approve of him? how the hell would he do something like that when he knew nothing about Jinyoung's parents? he took a deep breath to clear his thoughts, tonight already felt like a mess.

"Hello, Jinyoung. It's been awhile since we've seen you. You seem well." Jinyoung's father's words were stern, they didn't feel welcoming like Mark had expected. He seemed cold, reluctant to see the boys in front of him. "Who's this?" Mark shot his head to the side, spotting a rather quaint women which he assumed was Jinyoung's mother. "I thought you said you'd be bringing your fiancée." Her faced was laced with concern and confusion. Then it hit him. Jinyoung hadn't uttered a word about him to his parents. Mark was surprised when he knew he shouldn't be, how did he expect Jinyoung's parents to know or even accept the fact that his so called "fiancée" was actually his fiancé.

Jinyoung cleared his throat, shaking his head and opening his mouth only to close it again. "She's.. busy with work and things, so I brought Mark, you remember him, right? The one from the post cards?" Jinyoung's voice was different than usual, it was more forced and uneven.

Mark held back the urge to glare, it made him feel angry and betrayed in a way he couldn't quite explain. He understood that maybe Jinyoung's parents weren't the most accepting. Jinyoung did always seem like he came from a traditional Korean family, and even with the new acceptance of homosexuality in Korea he wouldn't be surprised if earlier generations were still homophobic, it's the way they were raised. None the less it still made the lithe man boil. If Jinyoung was that reluctant to let his parents know that he was even a little bit homo, why was he even with mark?

The older boy let out an inaudible sigh as he forced a warm smile towards Jinyoung's parents. the least he could do was go along with the other's lie.

Eventually they all got settled into the dining room. Dinner had already been prepared, Mark noticed as he eyeballed the assorted foods that laid upon the table. Oven roasted salmon, freshly cooked rice, various types of grilled beef and pork. He couldn't help but feel his mouth water.

While Mark was shoveling his face full of delicious five star food, he almost forgot about the tension in the air and the nervous look on Jinyoung's face. Almost. After emptying his plate mark stood and noticed that Jinyoung's dad had also finished his meal. Since mark obviously wanted to make a good impression on the park's regardless of the current situation he asked a simple question.

"Mr. Park? Do you want me to go ahead and wash your plate too?" Mark questioned, a small smile playing on his face as he attempted to look as generous as possible. Mark heard Jinyoung's dad scoff, then turn his head to look at the boy.

"I don't want any of your kind touching my dishes, thank you very much." The glare on the middle aged mans face would've sent chills down mark's spine if he wasn't so heated. He gripped the plate in his hands almost to the point where it cracked, it was nearly impossible to hide his anger at this point.

Without another word Mark set down the plate along with the silverware and walked out the front door.

If Jinyoung had tried to stop him Mark didn't notice. He just walked, the rain still drizzling in the evening air. Mark walked for a long time, he walked until the moon shone bright in the sky, casting moonlight across the city of Goyang, if he was even in Goyang. He walked until the sun rose on the west horizon, until it pushed past the morning clouds. Mark walked, and walked, and walked, until his legs gave out and he was in a town that didn't quite look like a town. A town that he would eventually call home.