Bro Zone // markhyuck

twenty

Mark couldn't form words while he was tugged next to a trash can by his older brother.

Taeyong released his wrist, turning to face his younger brother. His appearance hadn't changed too drastically, but Mark did notice he grew thinner, his eyes duller than before.

He inhaled sharply, eyes raking over Mark's frame. "It took me a while to recognize you. You've grown a lot."

"Uh, thanks?" the boy blinked.

"Are you surprised to see me?"

Mark nodded rapidly before throwing his arms around his brother's neck, tightly embracing him. Getting over his denial and shock, he buried his face into Taeyong's shoulder, glad to see his brother again. The other hugged back just as tightly.

"I'm glad you're here." the younger teen pulled away, staring into his brother's eyes.

Taeyong chuckled, reaching out and smoothing down Mark's hair. "Yeah. Jaehyun overheard you guys talking about coming here while he was working."

"Jaehyun?" Mark thought, recognizing that name - aha! It was their waiter at the diner.

"Is he your friend?" the younger boy asked.

"My boyfriend." Taeyong corrected him. "Speaking of which, were you on a date with Donghyuck?"

Mark pressed his lips together, his eyes drawing down to his shoes.

"There's no point in lying, Mark." Taeyong placed his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"How did you know?" Mark lifted his eyes from the ground.

He shrugged. "I don't know, I guess I knew it would happen one day. Mom and dad obviously don't know, right?" the older male painfully chuckled.

The younger boy nodded, eyes having a stare match with the ground once again.

"Hey," Taeyong placed his finger under the other's chin, lifting it. "Don't feel so down about it. Our parents can't tell us how to live our lives."

"But-"

"Mark, I left not only because they despised me, but because I wanted to live my life how I wanted to."

The younger boy's breath hitched.

"If you wanna be in a relationship with Donghyuck, go for it. Life is short. It's your choice, your life, they don't control you."

"What about college?" Mark asked.

"One of my friends is hella rich, I could ask him for a share to pay for your education."

"Are you sure?"

Taeyong nodded.

Mark let out an audible sigh. "What have you been doing for the past four years?"

"I've been having a blast." the older boy laughed. "I'm living with Jaehyun, going to clubs and making new friends. I'm not a slut anymore, I don't drink often, I mainly go to socialize. And I've met the most amazing people."

Taeyong's eyes were lost in a happy gaze, staring off into a direction pass Mark. "Though I'm not going to college, I'm happy. And that's the most important."

Their eyes locked again.

"I just want you to be happy." he squeezed Mark's shoulder before releasing it. He pulled his younger brother into another hug.

"Remember that, okay?" Taeyong looked into the other's eyes when he pulled back.

"Okay." Mark firmly nodded, his arms falling from his brother's waist.

Taeyong stepped back, smiling before turning around and darting off in the opposite direction.

When he completely disappeared into the semi darkness, Mark cursed, realizing his bladder was killing him and ran to the restroom. He didn't want to pee himself, again.

"Were you taking a shit?" Donghyuck inquired, shoving the teddy bear into Mark's arms when when came back.

"No." the older answered, placing the stuffed thing back onto his shoulders. "Come on, let's go home."