flipped :: markhyuck

21 | ulzzang

'twenty-one

"shit," mark muttered, pulling off his dress shirt and throwing it onto his bed. his eyes switched indecisively between the two different shirts in his closet, before he looked through his window and spotted haechan's family walking over with bowls of food in hand.

he could spot the teenager's light brown hair from miles away, and he noticed it was styled in messy waves. he subconsciously stopped to stare at the happy family, but at one person in particular, until he realised that the guests had arrived and he still wasn't dressed.

he quickly grabbed his black button-up shirt and slipped it on before checking his hair, pushing his dark fringe back with his fingers while simultaneously brushing off his jeans. he was nervous for reasons he didn't want to admit.

he took a deep breath as he heard the front door open, and his parents jovially greeted their neighbours, who sounded just as ecstatic. a flood of chatter filled the house with a lively atmosphere, and mark relaxed a little. at least things wouldn't be so awkward.

he walked down the steps, but he halted at the sight of haechan. and it wasn't just because he looked especially good that evening with his polite smile and slim figure.

mark's outfit coincided so well with the his that they would've looked ulzzang-perfect if they were together.

he scanned haechan's light sweater which exposed his collarbone, and it's pairing with his dark ripped jeans. the loose bead bracelet hanging off his wrist and his shark tooth necklace completed his attire.

mark wore a dark barbell earring and a stringed armlet which complimented the latter's outfit. he watched as the young boy turned to look at him, and they made eye contact for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

"hyuck, go say hi," his mother ushered him, and mark stood back awkwardly, waiting for the latter to approach him. shockingly, haechan stepped forward.

mark didn't know what to say. he didn't know how to word his guilt. he didn't know how to convince the boy of his feelings.

"that wasn't cool," haechan spoke first, making him look up.

"... what wasn't?"

"the thing at the library," haechan lowered his voice. "i expected jeno to make fun of my sexuality because he's a dick, but that's a fact. i didn't realise you weren't any better."

"hyuck—"

"please don't call me that." he tried making his voice stoic, but mark could hear haechan's voice waver. he pursed his lips.

"haechan, i swear i didn't mean it," he admitted, "but if i disagreed with him, that would've made both of our lives hell."

"no," haechan corrected, "it would've made your life hell. don't feel guilty for protecting yourself."

"that's not what i meant," mark mumbled. "look... you're right. i should've stood up for you. i should've been honest to jeno and myself, because you've changed me-"

"mark," haechan interrupted, meeting his gaze desperately. "i know you want to make things better, but don't tell me lies. don't tell me meaningless things that'll keep me hopeful for days. i've suffered more because of your words than your actions."

he then turned and walked away from him, wiping his eyes quickly on his sleeve before joining a conversation between the dads. 

mark was utterly speechless. all he could do was stand and watch haechan somehow manage his bright smile as he conversed about some political topic.

it was going to be a long dinner.