More days had passed and Mark had not appeared again. It had been altogether six days. Jinyoung tried everything he could to distract himself. He played with the children just like before; he walked Byeol every evening; he immersed himself in his online job; and he searched for job advertisements. He passed every day like a robot, tiring himself physically and reproaching himself whenever his thoughts wandered.
He wanted to forget Mark. He was starting to believe Mark would never come back. He felt his uncle was thinking the same. Sangchul did not mention Mark again. But Mark remained in both of their heads.
Just as the weather had cooled down, Jinyoung walked out into the streets with Byeol by his side. Byeol's excitement to be out lighened Jinyoung's mood a little but a large part of him still insisted on living in the past despite his attempts to draw himself out of that misery. Regret. It was still fresh inside him.
They entered the neighbourhood park and everything he saw there both comforted and haunted him. He had not passed that Chinese cork oak for a day without thinking of how Mark had run to him and how everything had started from there. He had never thought that tree would become something dear to him.
They walked on and got where Jinyoung and Mark had once had a very awkward moment of physical contact. Jinyoung wanted to stay there for a while and sat down on the lawn. But Byeol was restless and sniffing the air and then the ground, before trying to run.
Byeol was too excited and it was just impossible to hold it back. Jinyoung let it run and followed it behind. However, when he finally found what Byeol had been excited about, he froze.
Mark was there on a bench and the sudden presence of Byeol seemed to alarm him. He got up to his feet at once and turned to see Jinyoung. Just a moment. Just for a brief moment, their eyes met and then Mark was dashing off.
"Mark, wait! Don't go!" Jinyoung raced after Mark and could stop him. He blocked Mark and desperately said, "Please don't leave. Let me talk to you. No, let me apologise to you. I'm sorry. I was unfair to you. I said all the words I shouldn't have. I know my mistake now. Please forgive me. Don't leave like that again."
Mark was in front of him and he would never forgive himself if he let Mark disappear again. He approached Mark tentatively looking for any disapproval and engulfed him in a hug. Mark's body was tense in his arms although he did not say or do anything to get Jinyoung off.
"I missed you. Please come back. The pendant has also been found. I'm sorry for accusing you. Will you come back?" Jinyoung said and felt Mark starting to relax in his embrace. Mark returned his hug, tightening his hands around Jinyoung and patting his back.
"I missed you too."
It was all Jinyoung needed. Relief washed all his misgivings off. Like a child, he clung to Mark and loosened up like someone who had finally found their safe home.
"Why didn't you trust me?" Even now, Mark's voice was laced with a hint of sadness. "Nothing did matter. I had nothing to lose. But only you, Jinyoung. Only your words and your thoughts."
"I'm sorry. I was angry. I couldn't think clearly. I didn't mean you to leave like that. I waited for you to come back. I was living in regret. I thought you'd never come back."
"I'm here now," Mark reassured him. They held onto each other, seeking comfort. They broke into smiles when they pulled away and looked at each other, both knowing that a stronger bond had been formed between them.
When they got back home with Byeol, Mark's presence was a pleasant surprise to Sangchul. Everything fell back to normal quick and the house was lively once again.
At dinner, Sangchul could not stop asking Mark questions about how he had lived for the past days he had been gone. Jinyoung was also curious and silently prayed Mark had not done anything illegal again. But he found it easier than before to believe Mark's words and felt relieved when Mark said he had not.
"I borrowed some money from my friend. I didn't know what to do. I was aimless. I was thinking of moving to another part of the country. But it was just a thought. I'm glad I've got something I could call home again."
"So if I hadn't found you, you would've moved away? Really moved far away?" Jinyoung said, half reproaching.
"I said it'd been just a thought." Although Mark was just repeating his statement, there was a teasing glint in his eyes and Jinyoung felt another surge of relief to see it. He had missed it. It felt just like the old days.
"Has Jinyoung apologised to you, Mark?" Sangchul asked.
"I've, samchon. Would he have come back if I hadn't? I even had to beg him."
"Speaking of that, Hwaja also should apologise to you, Mark. She embarrassed you before a lot of people. Should I tell her to meet you?" Sangchul asked.
Mark shook his head, "Don't bother, samchon. I was so used to such situations that I could get it out of my mind in no time. It wasn't new to me. But it must've been a terrible experience for you . I'm sorry."
"Don't think of of it anymore," Sangchul said, waving off dismissively, "Let's eat."
Just like that, the good atmosphere was easily restored and it was the most delicious meal they had had in a while.
