₥₳Đ ₩ØⱤⱠĐ -ot21

Special Chapter; MARKHYUCK

A long time has passed since NCT 127 was freed from prison, it had been over a year now. Which also meant that Mark and Donghyuck's first anniversary was nearing. No one- other than the two boys themselves- were really excited anymore. Since the two had also celebrated their 'first week together', their 'first month together' and their 'first 6 months together'. They basically had a 'we're in love' party every day.

And Mark knew that it slowly started becoming less special, those 'parties' of them being together. And he didn't want that, because every day with Donghyuck was special. So every 'party' should be too.

And after a while if thinking, Mark decided that they were ready.

Ready for the next step.

They only have been boyfriends for a year, but they have been together for way longer.

So here he was, standing with a key dangling in between his fingers, waiting patiently for the younger boy to arrive.

Mark and Donghyuck still lived apart, but that would change soon.

At least, Mark hoped so.

While putting the key back in his pocket he suddenly felt a heavy weight on top of him, making him stumble a bit. He immediately wrapped his arms around Donghyuck's waist and when Mark stood more steady, the younger pecked his lips.

"Missed me?", Mark chuckled when Donghyuck nodded, a huge pout adoring his face, "You saw me just three days ago."

Donghyuck shrugged as he got lowered onto the floor again, then he immediately latched himself onto Mark's arm. "But I want to see you every day", he cried out dramatically. Mark's grin only widened.

"You done whining, little baby?", he smiled while ruffling the other's hair affectionately. Donghyuck (fake) frowned at the fact that Mark called him a baby, but eventually nodded.

"Okay great, because I have a surprise for you today!", Mark glared slightly at Donghyuck when the latter groaned loudly.

"You've got surprises for me every day!"

"You love my surprises!", Mark gasped while clutching his heart in betrayal. Donghyuck just gave him a pointed look and Mark sighed.

"Okay, maybe the watermelon-only dinner was a bit doubtful, but it wasn't THAT bad, right?", he looked at the tanned male in front of him with pleading eyes and Donghyuck caved in.

'Everybody gangsta until Mark pulls the puppy eyes', Donghyuck muttered under his breathe. Mark didn't seem to hear him and just beamed happily when Donghyuck let himself get dragged away. Soon a smile appeared on Donghyuck's face too, he couldn't 'sulk' when Mark was happy like that.

So instead of that, he was trying to get any hints. But Mark didn't react to his pouts, whines, begs and hugs. So Donghyuck gave up and just intertwined his fingers with Mark's. They continued to walk in peace, until the older suddenly stopped.

Donghyuck looked up in surprise and gave Mark a questioning look, the other just smiled at him. Then Donghyuck took the time to look at their surroundings, he made a small sound of surprise.

This was the small beach Jaemin, Jeno, Renjun, Chenle and Jisung found him on.

He gave Mark another confused glance. "Why are we here?", he then wondered aloud, looking at Mark with his head slightly tilted to the sound.

Mark didn't say anything, just grabbed Donghyuck's hand and drawing them closer together until Donghyuck's body was fully pressed against Mark's. Both of their faces flushed, but the smile on Mark's face never left.

The younger didn't think they could any closer than this, but Mark brought a hand up to Donghyuck's head and pushed the younger more into the chest. Donghyuck let out a laugh, gripping onto Mark to steady himself. "Mark", he then whined, dragging out the word.

"Do you remember this place?", Mark questioned and Donghyuck nodded into Mark's chest.

"Of course I know it, it's where the others found me!", Donghyuck exclaimed while staring up at his boyfriend.

"Exactly", Mark said. Donghyuck just made a sound of absolute confusion again.

"This is the place that gave you a second chance.. Us a second chance. Imagine if you never got here or they never found you? What would've happened then.. Would we even be together again?", Mark whispered as he shuffled a little around with Donghyuck. Almost as if they were slow dancing and Donghyuck's heart absolutely melted.

"You know Mark.. I like to think that we're meant to be. No matter what could have happened, we would've found each other back any way. I bet that we are even together in alternative universes", Donghyuck smiled while Mark rested his chin on Donghyuck's head.

"So we're soulmates, is that what you're implying?"

"Why? Do you you think otherwise?", Donghyuck's eyes narrowed, but a playful smile was seen on his lips. Mark quickly shook his head.

"No, I think you're right", he laughed while suddenly letting go off Donghyuck. The younger almost let out a sound, because of the sudden lost of warmth.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No, don't worry", Mark reassured the younger while falling down on his knees, patting the sand to make it seem like he was searching for something.

"Did you lose something?", Donghyuck asked, kind of surprised, but he didn't waste any times and plopped down next to Mark, trying to help him find whatever it was that he lost.

"Oh I found it!", Mark exclaimed, quickly fishing the key out of his pocket, "Thanks for trying to help baby", he send Donghyuck a flying heart.

"It's no biggie", the younger shrugged while standing up again, dusting himself off before extending a hand towards Mark. The latter however, stayed seated and ignored Donghyuck's hand. Donghyuck scoffed slightly. "Help yourself then."

Mark only smiled at him and sat on both of his kneels. Making sure to not copy the classic proposal position, just to know that he would not give Donghyuck the wrong ideas. He wouldn't want to do that to him. Donghyuck raised one eyebrow at him. "You're acting weird again Mark."

Mark promptly ignored his comment and opened his hands, showing the key in the palm of his hands. Donghyuck looked at it and then back at Mark. It took a while for Mark to realize that Donghyuck still didn't know what he meant. He coughed and decided that this would be a great time for a speech.

"Hyuckie.. I realized that being away from you hurts and really, really sucks. Whether it's for years or just a few days, I don't want to miss you. I want to see your face when I wake up and when I go to sleep and I know we aren't dating for that long.. But as you already said, we are meant to be. And I want this to be our first big step.. So Lee Donghyuck.. Will you move to the city with me?"

"As in... Live together with you?"

Mark nodded.

"In our own apartment?"

Mark nodded and before he knew it Donghyuck was in his arms once again.

"Of course!", the younger exclaimed giddily, starting to press kisses all over Mark's face. The older laughed and grabbed Donghyuck's face with both of his hands, holding it still. Donghyuck then proceeded to stare at him in awe, Mark could feel himself starting to blush at the way Donghyuck's eyes were filled with love.

Love, only reserved for him.

He quickly pressed their lips together and sunk into the sand, holding his soulmate tightly.

And he couldn't wait until the day they would be like this again, but then as fiancés.