SUNSETS AND SUMMER CAMP (m.jae)

two.

[ only una reads this, but ♡ ]
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So, as it turns out, Jaehyun probably lied about Mark and him becoming great friends.

When they're finally assigned their cabin number (17) and their sleeping arrangements (1 twin bed, a set of bunk beds, but only the 2 of them in the room), Jaehyun learns that Mark can talk for Korea. And Canada, and the U.S, and probably the rest of the globe combined. In short, Mark talks a lot, and Jaehyun doesn't really know how to deal with that. Remember when he thought he was a social butterfly? Yeah, well, Mark seems to put a whole new spin on the phrase, and suddenly Jaehyun feels like a recluse in comparison.

Mark doesn't really talk about one thing in particular — instead, he talks about everything and anything possible ("Wow, so, you lived in the US for 4 years? That's so awesome, dude, I lived in Canada so we lived really close to each other.", "Sometimes I think about the trees in Canada and try and compare them to the trees here in Korea, and then I realise, all trees are the same, really. Like, they're from the same seed up in seed genealogy, so they're all related.") — and Jaehyun wonders how one, small boy can muster up so many thoughts at once.

It's only when Jaehyun excuses himself to use the bathroom that Mark actually shuts up talking, but even then, the brunette boy manages to make light small-talk through the thin wall separating them, and suddenly the sound of a flushing toilet is extremely welcome.

☆彡

Dinner that evening is arranged for 7pm (not that he's planning on going), a little later than Jaehyun is used to, but he supposes that he's going to have to grow accustomed to being told what he can do for a while rather than the usual free reign he's blessed with at college. When Mark pins their weekly schedule up on the bulletin board, star shaped stickers bordering it, Jaehyun dares to initiate a conversation to pass the time.

"So, why are you here?" It's a simple question; most would warrant with an equally simple answer, but not Mark Lee.

The brunette boy throws himself back onto his bed — the twin, he decided upon — and crosses his legs, elbow resting carefully atop his folded knee and chin on his palm. He ponders for a minute, before smiling brightly, resembling the stark sunlight blaring in the window from outside. "Fun? I think." His smile grows wider. "Yeah, fun. I just get bored at college and decided that rather than sitting at home and watching my family bicker, I could come and make some use out of my time, you know?"

Jaehyun doesn't know.

He is an only child, but on top of that, he's very much someone who needs time to themself, so he grasps every opportunity to be alone while he still can. College has its ups and downs, of course, but the ability to really single himself out is one that he relishes. Nobody checking up on him constantly, nobody breathing down his throat — just him in control of his own future and life.

But, with the way Mark is looking at him like Jaehyun's response is the only important thing in the world, he can't bring himself to dishearten him. "Yeah, I get that."

It's quiet again after their brief exchange, with Jaehyun absentmindedly scrolling through his social media, responding to a few texts from his mom and ensuring her of his safety (leaving out the part about how he is now rooming with the personification of a headache for 40+ days), and updating his friends on his current situation. The words 'save me' are typed far too often for his liking, but he needs the help, after all. Mark breaks the silence with a loud sneeze, cute and succinct, followed by a proud 'yes' which Jaehyun pretends he didn't hear.

"Why are you here, Jaehyun?" Mark asks, face innocent and curious like a tiny deer. "You didn't seem very happy to be here earlier, when you were speaking to Doyoung. Do you not want to be here?"

Christ, was he that transparent? "Ah, it's not that I don't want to be here, it's just... difficult." Mark's head tilts. Adorable. "I just feel a little out of place, is all. Everyone here seems a lot younger than me — yourself included — and it got me thinking that maybe I should head home before it gets embarrassing." He decided not to include the fact that Doyoung and Taeil sort of intimidate him, but still, he was honest with Mark.

Mark hums in response. "You're not even old though?" he questions, not sure of himself. "I'm 18 — you've got to be, like, 21? 22?" Jaehyun smiles. "Am I close?" The aforementioned holds up his fingers, 2 on one hand and none on the other, and Mark lets out a sweet sound of understanding. "The two-zero, huh. Old man," he murmurs, earning a genuine laugh from the older boy.

"Are you trying to offend me? Or does it just come naturally?"

Shaking his head, the younger guffaws, springing to his feet like a gazelle and leaping over to where Jaehyun is perched on their shared, teal sofa. "Guess it's a natural gift," he admits, eyes scanning the other's face for any sort of amusement. He finds a shred, and that's enough for him. "Let's play a game."

Jaehyun's the one to tilt his head now. "What sort of game? I'm 20, we just discussed this; games aren't exactly my idea of fun."

"But this game is fun, I promise! And," he counters, "if it isn't fun for you, I'll be your personal slave for the next 24 hours." Before Jaehyun can question it — he did not know how to respond to such forward requests, especially not from an 18 year old, Canadian-Korean boy with brunette hair messy atop his head — Mark corrects himself. "Uh, not like that! I mean, like, I'll put all your clothes away for you and get your meals ready when we're out eating."

Now, this perks Jaehyun's attention. "Is that a promise?"

Crossing his heart with his neatly preened nails, Mark gives a tight-lipped smile. "Scouts honour."

Jaehyun gives in. "Let's play your game then, Mark Lee."

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a/n: ly:tear is a masterpiece. goodnight