Dream In Reality | Mark Lee × Lee Taeyong

3-Conflate

Taeyong woke up happily, bubbly, enthusiasticly this morning. Well, he always woke up with a positive mind but today he was happier than usual, liking this change in his life even if it was for a few days. He went downstairs to see what the others were doing and saw everyone was talking about something, with a hint of nervousness in their voices, not arguing but like they were trying to stay calm.

When they saw him, they suddenly stopped their conversation and greeting him good morning. Mark though, he was interesting today more than usual. He didn't look at him with pity anymore, he didn't have a mean expression in his eyes, he was talking enthusiastically about his new project and Taeyong concluded he was different with his family than to the outsiders. And like this, he attracted Taeyong's attention, a lot, that Taeyong couldn't keep his eyes off him always watching what he was doing, always listening what he's telling, carefully, not missing a word. Taeyong really liked this Mark, and everyone in the room was able to notice it.

After the long talk about Mark's plans for today, the topic came to be the breakfast since no one cooked it and they were starving. Taeyong volunteered, even though he couldn't cook for a long time he was confident in his cooking skills that his mom taught him years ago. While cooking, he learnt that some sort of guest was coming for breakfast and he surprisingly knew that person. His 'friend' but not really Qian Kun.

When he saw Kun though, he suddenly remembered he missed him, even though they weren't really good friends they at least talked and got along when Taeyong wasn't out of his mind. Kun was of course surprised to see him there, hugged him warmly but he didn't ask why he was there. He was apparently Mark's friend too, Taeyong didn't know where they could've met but with the way they were with each other, it was obvious that they were close.

In breakfast, everyone was comfortable, everyone liked his food, and there were sincere chats that made Taeyong happiest he has ever been in the last years. Mark was talking to him, too. With the same enthusiasm and adoration from the morning and Taeyong loved every second of it. Mark's eyes shone, he was happy, he looked lively and Taeyong couldn't believe he had the opportunity to see this part of Mark Lee.

When Mark went to work and his parent left him and Kun to "catch up" the air in the room changed. It changed to something more gloomy, longing of friends who couldn't see each other for years. "So, Kun-ah how have you been?" he asked, not knowing what else he can say.

"I'm okay, I got a job in the same company as Mark's, and I got a boyfriend now. We're happy, we get along well, he has a good job, too."

Well, this was Taeyong's dream. He dreamt to have these things just like his old best friend. He wanted to have a proper job, to find someone to love. But, when he couldn't even survive properly, how could he have all these things?

"How have you been Taeyong?"

"I've been..." homeless, tired, hopeless "Good." he lies "I've been good. So tell me about your boyfriend, who is he?" he tries to change the subject, quickly, he feels his mood is going down. He doesn't like it

"He's Taeil. He looks after me well and I care about him a lot. Even though he doesn't admit it he's cute and he's good looking and we love each other and I will marry him. Really, I think I will Taeyong-ah.". Taeyong notices the smile on his face when he says these things and really, this must be how a man in love looks like. He looks so happy talking about him the adoring smile as he says we love each other. Something that Taeyong can't but only can dream to have.

"Taeil, Taeil from high school?" Kun nods his head as Taeyong continues "Well, I never thought you would end up with him." Taeyong smiles "But I told you that you would get along well, right? I understand these things well." Kun laughs and says "Yes, Taeyong-ah I hope you can find someone too!"

Well, this broke his heart a bit for no reason. He can't look for his true love, not right now, not when he's living in Mark's house, not when he looks at Mark like this, not when he saw Mark's that side. He doesn't know if his heart is broken because of Mark or because of his impossible dream. Something in his mind says they are the same thing.

"I hope so, too." he says, with much difficulty in his voice, like he doesn't want to say it, and Kun notices and shuts up. He continues to drink his tea. He leaves the house after saying goodbye and gives Taeyong his number telling him to call him soon.

But it won't happen, Taeyong knows. Cause his phone broke while he was running away from a pervert man at night and he couldn't afford a new one. So he just slips the paper in one of his pockets and hopes that he will meet Kun again soon to see him and his amazing boyfriend. And Taeyong realises he didn't go out to look for a job today but Mark's gonna come home soon and he doesn't wanna leave now. He wants to see him again, and watch him talking about something passionately if he's lucky. This scares Taeyong, just a little bit, he acts like he's a fool in love but he was always someone who was living in his dreams, and he thinks it will continue, just from now on they will be more about Mark's shining eyes, and Taeyong will dream about that these eyes will shine for him, maybe, Someday.

Mark comes home greeting him first. He smiles to him and says good evening and Taeyong's heart skips a beat. His heart is fluttering and Mark just keeps smiling, starts to talk to his dad about his day, then goes to her mom, acts like a twelve year old kid, and goes back to Taeyong while he's cooking. He starts to watch him, giving him all his attention and looking shocked while Taeyong does his tricks. He even says "How do you do this? I can't even crack an egg properly." this makes Taeyong laugh "I can teach you if you want." wrong move, Taeyong. You won't probably see him again after this.

"Please do. My mom begs me to make her breakfast." this basic sentence that probably didn't mean anything makes Taeyong's heart race. It was a silent reassurence for Taeyong even though it was said without much thought.

And Taeyong, again, spends his night dreaming about teaching Mark cooking, Mark laughing with him, and Taeyong doesn't care about why, just like what a Taeyong would do, he just goes for it because it makes him happiest he can be for now.