Friends With Benefits

9: "Favor"

Thank God it's Sunday!

Jinyoung thought as he felt a warm ray of sunlight hitting the side of his face while still comfortably lying on his bed. He is thankful that it's Sunday, meaning he doesn't need to get up early, and head to school. He doesn't need to do anything and has the whole day to just lie down on his bed, or catch up to some reading, or some movies.

He's thankful that he gets to stay in the apartment, and wouldn't need to go to school where he would see Jaebum. He isn't sure if he could face the older just yet. Jaebum's "I'm happy for the both of you" is still ringing inside his head like a broken cd, and it still doesn't feel nice hearing it. In fact, it could almost make him sick in his guts.

Jinyoung stretched his arms but he could only do that slightly, since he could still feel an arm protectively draped around his shoulder, with a hand rested on top of his head. He remained lying with his cheek against Mark's warm chest.

This is the first time.

For a while now, he and Mark has been in this set-up, the no-strings-attached-relationship. They've been fucking around with each other anytime they get and whenever they feel like it. It's almost like, their first rule in their contract was ignored since, it's more often that Mark initiated the deed, and not him. But it's not as if he didn't like it either. Among all those times that they had sex, never did they cuddle with each other. They just lie beside each other for a few minutes before grabbing their clothes and dressing themselves. It was always like that.

But last night...

"I will listen."

How soft Mark's voice was when he said that, and how he held him close, wrapping his arms around him, playing with his hair until he drifted to sleep... Jinyoung cannot explain it entirely but, it surely felt different... but nice. It's the first time, but he felt comfortable and safe in Mark's arms. It almost felt like he could stay in them forever... that he actually likes to stay there for a longer period of time. Which was weird.

Last night, was a mix of emotions and sudden happenings. He was so upset in the morning, but Mark quickly changed his mood by announcing that he'll be coming with him. How they celebrated his mom's birthday, in his hometown, which was Mark's first time to be in Jinhae. How his family accepted Mark warmly and even told him to be back this holidays, and Mark saying yes. And that moment, when he saw Jaebum standing outside the elevator shaft... how he almost felt his heart as it stopped beating, his face turning pale. He was so nervous and anxious about Jaebum and what he just saw. Only to know that Jaebum didn't really care. And why would he? Wasn't it clear enough that the older didn't feel the same towards him? Jaebum likes Youngjae and not him. Why would he be affected by the sight of him and Mark kissing? But anyway, he was deeply hurt. Which is a bit funny now that he thinks about it. In more than two years, Jaebum didn't show any sign of liking him back. So what did he exactly expect Jaebum would say? Did he actually expect that Jaebum would get jealous?

Heaving a long sigh, Jinyoung looked up, to stare at the small yet perfect face in front of him. Staring at Mark, who still has his eyes closed, feeling his chest moving up and down with each of his every breath... Jinyoung recalls this as the exact same reason why he was drawn to the blonde the first time they met. That night at Jaebum's party.

In this close proximity, Jinyoung could see every little thing which makes Mark look breathtakingly pretty, beautiful even. Slowly, his hand makes its way up, to reach for Mark's face. His finger starts to trace Mark's narrow and pointed nose, careful not to touch it but failed when he reached its tip. Luckily, Mark didn't wake. Such a heavy sleeper, Jinyoung thought.