Different: A Markson Story

Chapter 15: What Are We?

Mark and Jackson made it back to the dorm. The two ate a quick dinner together and then went to their respective rooms. Mark happily sat in his bed, thinking of the horror movie experience he shared with Jackson. JB saw how happy Mark was, noticing that the Taiwanese male was tracing the letter "J" into the sheets of his bed. Even though Mark didn't seem to notice he was doing so and JB was certain that Mark wasn't thinking of him. After this continued for a few minutes, JB broke the silence in their room. "So you and Jackson..." JB suddenly said, snapping Mark out of his thoughts. 

Mark sat up. "Yeah? What about us?" he asked his friend.

"What exactly...are you guys?" JB bluntly asked.

"What do you mean Jaebum?" Mark said, in a somewhat annoyed tone. 

"Look I'm all here for the two of you getting along, but are you, friends? Best friends?" 

Mark looked back at him with a blank expression. JB suddenly asking him about his relationship with Jackson was annoying. Was he jealous they were getting along so well? Was he jealous that he was spending more time with Jackson? 

JB snapped Mark out of his thoughts again. "Mark do you have a crush on him?" Mark blushed and looked away. 

"What? What makes you say that? Why are you asking all of this all of a sudden?" he snapped back at JB. 

"I'm just saying, Mark, the two of you are really touchy-feely and affectionate lately. I'm not mad or anything I've just been curious." Mark didn't answer. He laid down and turned away from JB. JB was being really annoying and Mark didn't want to play into any of his games right now. 

"Sorry I asked. Listen I'll be in Jinyoung's room. He wants to watch a movie," JB said, heading towards the door.

"Fine," Mark muttered, as JB exited their room.

Mark sat in silence, sitting in his thoughts and feelings. Just what exactly was Jackson to Mark? They didn't get along a month ago but now suddenly they got along great, despite all their differences. Mark couldn't wait to spend time with the younger and the times they were together, were the times Mark had the most fun. Mark definitely considered Jackson a friend now...but there was more. Jackson lit an indescribable feeling within himself. Jackson is-- 

Suddenly, the door opened after a quick knock, but Mark didn't move. "I thought you were going to watch a movie with Jinyoung," Mark said with an attitude. He was still annoyed with JB and didn't feel like he owed JB an explanation about their relationship. None of this is his business.

"It's me," a rough, husky voice answered back. 

"Jackson!" Mark called out excitedly sitting up. 

"Happy to see me?" Jackson responded in an arrogant tone. "We were just together." 

Mark patted his bed, specifically the part next to him, signaling for the younger to come and sit next to him. The younger complied and rubbed the older's hair. "Gaga, why'd you come here?"

"Bambam fell asleep and I wasn't ready to sleep so I came to chill with you and Jaebum," Jackson replied. 

"Oh...well he went to go watch a movie with Jinyoung." Jackson didn't say, but he really came just to hang out with Mark, as he was missing the older's presence. He could also tell that something was on the older's mind, and it was bothering him.

"You look like something's bothering you Markiepooh." 

"Mark--what?" the older asked playfully, a puzzled look painting his face. 

"Markiepooh. Idk...it sounds cute. Kind of like y--Nevermind. Anyway, what's the matter?" 

Mark hesitated before he began to speak, which no doubt worried Jackson a bit. "It's nothing...it's just--Jackson. What are we?" Jackson noticed the older had turned his head away and looked somewhat sad. He put his arm around the older. "Mark we're friends. Super close friends. We're basically besties now." Mark turned and his eyes met with Jackson's. 

"We are now right? I--I really thought before all of this that...you hated me."

Jackson was astonished. Just hearing Mark say that lit a fire in Jackson. He regretted everything in the past. He regretted how he treated Mark and wished he could change their history. Just thinking of Mark made Jackson blush...He turned and took his hands, placing them on Mark's face. "Mark. I want you to know. I absolutely do not hate you. I care about you so much. More than you'll ever know. Okay? You're special to me. The best parts of my day are when I'm with you. So please don't ever think I hate you again Mark because I don't." 

Jackson stared deeply into Mark's eyes. "Got it?" Mark blushed and nodded his head in agreement. 

"I--I care about you too," Mark replied. 

Jackson blushed and got up, removing his hands from Mark's face. "I'm gonna go to bed okay?" Mark nodded. 

"Goodnight Markiepooh." 

"Good night Gaga. Sleep tight okay?" Jackson nodded his head and walked out of the room.

The conversation Jackson just had with Mark only confirmed what Jackson had been pondering the past few days. He was crushing on Mark...hard. Harder than he had thought. And he was really hoping that Mark liked him back. He didn't want to just be "super close friends" like he had told the older. Jackson wanted him and Mark to be more. Jackson crawled into bed excitedly, fidgeting like a child at the thought of Mark. Mark was the first genuine Jackson has had in years, and Jackson was living for it. "I like him...I really do." He hugged his pillow. "I like you, Mark Tuan. I really do. Please like me too." And with that Jackson shut his eyes, nothing but Mark filing his thoughts as he drifted off to dreamland.

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Ayeeee so finally back with an update! Sorry loves, New Year's craziness. BTW HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you liked this chapter. I really did and Jackson finally realized he likes Mark! Will Mark like him back? Stay tuned and find out! ;) Are you liking how Jackson has changed because of Mark? I think it;'s been a sweet process. :) Let's chat in the comments! I love hearing all your feedback!