never be the same • markhyuck/nahyuck

6

It's been a day since Donghyuck saw Jaemin again, he isn't ready to see him again. After class, he spoke to Jeno but went straight home, not even greeting his brother. He felt so empty as if nothing could ever fulfill him.

And today he feels dull and betrayed because Mark must have known about the return. He, at least, could've given him a heads up so he'd be able to prepare. But he didn't, all Mark did is making Donghyuck miss their friendship even more.

He's in one of the classrooms for lunch, he doesn't feel like socializing at all. He stares at his lunchbox, unpleased. His appetite is gone, ever since he had to see Jaemin's face again.

He notices his phone blowing up, his friends are asking if he's sick because no one has seen him yet and he'd normally sit with them at their usual spot. Donghyuck doesn't feel like answering. He packs his food away and puts his head on the table, watching the rain pour.

He loves the rain, it's calming and soothing, like a lullaby. As he closes his eyes, he's met with the memory of Mark catching him in the library, it was pouring too. He smiles at the memory, the rain holds its magic.

The smile is changing into an almost pouty expression as he's reminded of Mark's recent actions. Donghyuck still craves to talk to the black haired boy. He craves to talk to him about the world, the stars, really anything.

On the other hand, Mark is pretty frustrated about the situation.
He for sure believes that Donghyuck knows by now and he isn't wrong.
Donghyuck knows that Jaemin is back, he probably even saw him.

That's why Donghyuck must be ignoring him, he thinks. He's hurting more over the scene than he should.

It's not like Mark just realized how hard he has fallen for his former best friend, he feels these funny tingles whenever he's around Donghyuck or even thinking about the boy. He had these tingles way before, back when they were the closest friends, but he never acknowledged.
He labeled the sensation as a form of friendly affection, he never considered it to be more.

Class starts again as Mark finds Donghyuck in the empty classroom. Donghyuck faces the window, it stopped raining and the sun starts shining through the thick clouds. Did he fall asleep?, Mark asks himself and silently moves closer to the boy.

"I don't want to talk to you", Donghyuck speaks out clearly, as Mark threatens to move too close. A lie, Donghyuck lied. There is nothing he wants to do more than to talk to him, but he feels so anxious about it now. Now, that he is actually in a room with him. Mark is caught off guard, his heart beats furiously. "Donghyuck, we need to talk though"

It isn't until class ends that Donghyuck spares Mark a glance. Mark sees how sleep deprived and crushed Donghyuck looks and he can't help the burning grief in his heart. "Hyuck, let's go home."

After a long discussion that was triggered by Donghyuck's demand to be left alone, they end up at Mark's house. His parents didn't expect Mark to bring Donghyuck home but they truly love the boy. They never got behind why they stopped talking, it was puberty, they thought. Seeing Donghyuck leaves them salvation, they greet him sweetly and Mark's mother even proceeds to hug the boy. Donghyuck missed them too, he never realized that with leaving Mark, he'd leave the people that are close to him as well. He almost sheds a tear.

"So tell me, what have you been up to Hyuck?",  Mark's parents ask him curiously. The change of style doesn't go unnoticed.

"Nothing major, I started focussing on school since, you know, my last relationship.", he awkwardly says and they look at each other.
Mark's mother doesn't know what to say, neither does the father.

Mark shakes his head and takes Donghyuck's hand.
"We're in my room, he's staying for dinner!", Mark hurriedly says as he drags Donghyuck with him.
He hurries down the hall, in his room.

He lets Donghyuck's hand go but Donghyuck grabbed his hand again.
Mark feels his heartbeat, irregular and loud. He's confused at first but as his eyes travel from their hands to Donghyuck's face, he knows.

Donghyuck's flustered.

He shyly turned his head to the side, eyes searching for the ground.
His cheeks are rosy, he bites his lip.

Donghyuck must be flustered.

Mark can feel the heat reaching his cheeks and ears. He chuckles lightly, he isn't able to let the cheeky smile that has crept on his face go.

He's the first one to sit on his bed, still holding onto Donghyuck's hand.
The latter follows.

There's a long silence, Mark doesn't know what to say and Donghyuck is scanning his room.
It's just like after that one party, where Mark was able to have a full view of what Donghyuck has been up to.

Someone's room is a very personal space, a space that is created with one's own interests, beliefs, and goals.

It is a big thing for Mark.

"You didn't put them down", Donghyuck begins. Mark gives him a questioning look.

"The photos of us"

"Oh", Mark says.
"They're very precious to me."

Donghyuck smiles and looks away again, he feels all fuzzy and warm.

"Mark?"

"Huh?"

"It's good to have you by my side again", he says but remains silent after that.

"We still need to talk about", he inhales.

"Jaemin"

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my inspiration for this chapter was my huge crush on this chinese guy in my school that looks like oh sehun.