2012.
The backyard was filled with more flowers than ever. Mark took pride in them because they were his efforts. During the past years, most of his free time had been consumed here and gardening was now one of the things he loved. Perhaps he was just naturally a green thumb.
The weather had cooled down in the late afternoon, and in the backyard, it was even cooler because of the plants and trees.
Mark took the pipe and got down to his work of watering the plants. The whole backyard was quiet, except for the watering sound.
"Hey," Jinyoung laughed as SooAnn trapped him against one of the trees in the yard. SooAnn's hand was placed beside Jinyoung's head and his face was only inches away from Jinyoung.
Being trapped like this made him feel like a girl, but he did not mind, especially when SooAnn closed the distance between them and locked their lips.
Mark turned his head toward the sound of the giggles and was welcomed by the sight of Jinyoung and a guy kissing, sucking and feeling each other.
Mark hissed under his breath, because of the disgust he felt, and looked away, focusing on the plants again.
It was not at all a new sight to see Jinyoung with other guys. Even the ones who just witnessed Jinyoung with his boyfriends, could lose count of how many boyfriends Jinyoung had dated.
No one lasted more than a week and Jinyoung never stayed single for a week. While Mark's high school life was as simple as it could be, Jinyoung's was hectic with his endless relationships.
Jinyoung was so lost in the kiss, until he felt SooAnn's hand sneaking under his shirt. Jinyoung pulled away and removed the hand.
"Out in the open," Jinyoung warned.
"Sorry, I was carried away," SooAnn said, wrapping his hands around Jinyoung's waist and keeping their bodies close.
"Kissing is okay. But something more than that and if my Dad saw this by chance, I can't imagine what would happen. He's not here anyway, but could be back any time. My Mom is fine, she is in her room, I guess."
Jinyoung grabbed SooAnn by the neck for another kiss but the latter pulled his face away.
"Aren't you going to invite me into your house and maybe let me meet your mother?"
Jinyoung frowned, "And she'd ask about us. Then I tell her that you're my friend?"
"You could just say that I'm your boyfriend," SooAnn grinned in anticipation.
Another guy again, assuming that it was their serious relationship. Jinyoung felt annoyed and all his desires were driven away.
"I'm not going to trouble my Mom unnecessarily."
"Troubling? Why troubling? You said she was okay with this, so won't she want to know who her son's boyfriend is?"
"Yeah, it might be right if I have a serious relationship."
SooAnn sighed, "My bad. I forgot. So I still don't pass your test? Can't you see that I can keep you happy?"
Such kind nagging of his boyfriends always made Jinyoung want to break up with them, immediately. And SooAnn was no difference.
"Not yet, honestly. I see you really want to make me happy and you also can. But who knows, we've been together only for a couple of days and after a few more days, we might get tired of each other."
SooAnn grimaced, "I'll never. I'm so in love with you."
"Never say never, okay?" Jinyoung laughed, making everything less serious. And that worked because SooAnn's face lightened up again.
"I can't feel you here. Then what's the point of being here? Let's go somewhere else, and have some fun."
"As you choose. There's a bar nearby. Interested?"
"Totally."
SooAnn pulled Jinyoung to his side and closed his hand around Jinyoung's waist, as they headed out of the yard and to the street outside.
Mark's mind was relieved as Jinyoung and his boyfriend disappeared from his sight. He had not wished to witness something like that. It revolted him but unfortunately it was what he witnessed almost everyday, mostly at school. Jinyoung bringing someone here was just as rare as it could be.
It seemed that Mark had been kept out of their sight, having been blocked by the plants and trees.
Anyway, he could now focus fully on his plants, and nothing anymore to destroy his solitude.
Mark must admit that it was really wonderful that both of Jinyoung's parents had accepted him readily when he had come out.
Both were fine with Jinyoung's sexuality; but his father did not approve of him having tons of relationships, especially at this young age. Jinyoung always made sure his father knew nothing of this. But his mother, on the other hand, was fine with everything he did, as long as it made him happy.
Mark's life had not changed much; his father still worked as a chauffeur for Nanseok and they still lived in the staff house in the backyard. Nothing had changed; he was cross with Jinyoung as he had ever been. They could not stand each other and would fall into an instant argument if they were to talk to each other.
And in Mark's eyes, nothing of Jinyoung had really changed. He was still a rebellious, selfish and stubborn person and still attacked Mark with words whenever he got a chance to.
Nothing had changed and their mutual hatred was still there, deep in their hearts.
