Wednesday || MarkHyuck

Eight

Mark stared at his phone screen, rereading the numbers that were on display. All he had to do was press call. Just bring his finger over the cal button and press it. But something inside of him was stopping him. He was scared. Scared that the other won't pick up.

He let out a sigh, turning the phone off. He knew if he continued to stare at the phone, it would take up most of his day. He couldn't bring himself to call the boy.

"Just call already, god damn." Renjun said from one of the aisles, stoking the ramen shelf. Those things always disappear so quickly, which leaves the employees to restock every day.

"Who said I was trying to call someone?" Mark muttered, eyebrows furrowed together. He looked to Renjun, who was just finishing up with the last shelf. He then went to pick up the book he left on the counter, reading the page.

"I could see the screen from here." Renjun rolled his eyes. He then walked over to Mark, who was sitting on a stool behind the counter, a book in his hands.

The elder ignored the Chinese boy.

"Who are you trying to call? Your crush?" Renjun teased with a smug smile. Mark looked up to the boy, eyes blown wide, a small pink tinting the apples of his cheeks.

"No! It's just a person." Mark defended himself, huffing out. He glared to the boy, who was smirking at him.

"Tell me, who this person is," Renjun said, walking behind the counter to sit on the other stool. He rested his elbow on the counter, bringing his hand to hold up his chin. "I'm curious."

"None of your business." Mark gritted his teeth, clearly annoyed with the shorter male. But that just amused Renjun, finding it funny how the older looked like a sulking child.

"Oh c'mon~ I'm curious to know who your little crush is." Renjun pouted. Giving him his best puppy eyes. Mark only glared.

"He's not my crush!" Mark whined out.

"Oh, it's a he!" Renjun said with a smile. Mark only shook his head hastily, pink cheeks growing red, eyes wide with surprise.

"N-no! It's just," Mark stopped for a second. What exactly were they? They weren't friends, that's for sure. "He's just someone I talk to." Mark finished.

Renjun hummed, letting out a soft sarcastic "sure." Mark let out a deep sigh, then hit his book at the top of Renjun head, making the latter flinch.

"I'm being honest. We're literally two people who talk." Mark said, after he felt Renjun suffered enough. The Chinese male was left rubbing the inflicted area on the top of his head, with an expression of discomfort.

"So why do you look like a puppy who just lost their owner?" Renjun asked, talking about when Mark was trying to call the boy. The elder only let out a sigh.

"I'm worried." Mark murmured softly, looking to the floor. He could feel Renjun's gaze on him. Which made him slightly uncomfortable.

"Why?" Renjun asked.

Mark got quiet. Unsure if he should tell the younger the whole story about how he met Haechan, what the boy is going through. How he deals with his anxiety.

"I don't think I can tell you everything," Mark spoke softly after a few seconds of thinking. "But, he injures himself purposely. And when I met him, he was about to... jump." Mark said quietly, a sad expression on his face.

Renjun didn't say anything. He didn't know what else to say. What could he say? There were no words that could form in his head. Other than a soft "oh."

"Yeah." Mark whispered. It got silent between them. That was until the bell rang from the top, signalling someone came in. He looked up, and saw a customer walking in.

"I'll go finishing restocking." Renjun said with a soft smile. Mark returned it, nodding. He watched as the other went back to stoking the shelves that were going empty.

~

"Do you know where he lives?"

Mark looked to Renjun with a confused expression, not following on what he was talking about. But immediately understood when he said 'the boy'

"Yeah." Mark said. The two were walking down the sidewalk. They were let off early for today. It was 6:23pm, which was a great time to get off work. Mark was tired and just wanted to sleep.

"Let's go to his house." Renjun said. But Mark turned down the idea right away, not wanting to go there. Sure, he was worried, but he was too nervous.

"Mark. You look like you haven't slept properly is days, look at the dark circles under your eyes! Also, I noticed how nervous and fidgety you get." Renjun said with a concern face. "Maybe, by seeing this boy in person, you'll finally feel better." Renjun finished. He truly hated seeing how Mark seemed so worried 24/7.

"I don't~" Mark was cut off by Renjun, who hushed him up, putting his hand up in front of Marks face.

"It won't hurt to try. Plus, I'll be there with you." Renjun said with a smile, trying to reassure the older that everything will go fine.

It took a full 60 seconds for Mark to finally agree. He knew if he didn't, the other won't stop bothering him. Renjun clapped his hands in glee. "Let's go!" Renjun said.

The walk there wasn't far, because the store wasn't super far from Haechan's house.

Now there they stood, on the front steps of Haechan's house. The memories of him sneaking in to help the boy came flooding his mind. He cleared his throat, feeling nervous.

"I don't think I can~" Mark was cut off when a small familiar voice spoke behind him.

"Mark?"