The Gadget Boy (JJK x KTH)

Chapter 22.5 - Mark's Chapter

Back to Saturday night

Mark picked up his phone as another text came through from Jungkook.

From: Kookie

I can feel you hyperventilating just reading that. Breathe and good luck hyungggg~! <3

He chuckled and locked his phone with a smile. Jackson had finally broken up with Youngji. They'd been dating for a year and Mark had hated her on sight. At the party she had tried to act friendly but he'd seen through the act. She wasn't right for Jackson. Even if Jackson didn't like Mark the way he liked him it would be okay because at least he wasn't dating Youngji.

And today was the day he would finally tell him.

Jackson had asked for him to go to his apartment, presumably to mope about the breakup. To be honest, Mark was a little apprehensive of that. If Youngji was going to be mentioned, there was no telling what names he'd call her out loud in the presence of her heartbroken ex.

He gathered up his things and left the house. He could walk, but it would take a while and he felt like driving so he unlocked his car and drove to Jackson's apartment building about ten minutes away.

His apartment was on the ninth floor so he took the elevator. Nine flights of stairs was too much for anyone. He took a deep breath, raked through his hair to freshen the messy look, and rang the doorbell.

As soon as the door opened, the breath seemed to just suck itself back into his lungs. Jackson wore a bright smile to match his white T-shirt and blue jeans. He looked hot...

"Mark! I've missed you~!" Jackson yelled in his usual noisy, uncaring fashion. He didn't seem that distraught, that was for sure. The elder was quickly engulfed in a bear hug which he wished he could stay in forever.

"Er, can I come in?" He asked with a chuckle, still crushed in the hug thirty seconds later. He was immediately released and felt himself grow colder without Jackson's arms around him.

"Of course!" Jackson stepped aside to allow Mark through to his living room. It was always a mess and today was no different. He let out a sigh without even realising it.

Jackson appeared behind him scratching his head sheepishly. "It's that bad, huh?" He grinned. "Sorry, I forgot how much of a clean freak you are."

Mark smiled and nodded, moving a pile of clothes off the sofa to sit down. "You live alone?" He was slightly surprised. Even though Jackson had never mentioned it, he'd always assumed he lived with Youngji.

Jackson shrugged. "Yeah. That's kind of why I broke up with Youngji," he took a seat next to Mark and then stood up suddenly, remembering something. "Oh yeah! Do you want a drink?"

Mark laughed at his friend's lapse in manners. "Yes, please. Do you have tea?"

"What self-respecting man doesn't have tea?" Jackson made a noise and an action like he was swatting a fly. He walked over to a cupboard and opened it. A few seconds later, he closed it with a defeated sigh. "I'm out of tea."

The red-head burst out laughing. "You dropped yourself in that one, Jackson."

The younger one dipped his head in shame. "You like squash, right? That's probably all I've got."

Mark nodded. "That'll do." Inside, he was thinking, should I tell him? Or would it be better not to? I don't want to ruin our friendship and make it awkward. No, I can't tell him. He made his decision and inwardly scolded himself for being a coward, but stuck to his choice. Instead, he made conversation. "So why did you break up with Youngji?"