the married life [paused]

14

"To recap, we met two years ago in a restaurant I had a meeting in and you were there to eat." Mark says as he drove away from the mall parking lot, Jinyoung nods, listening to him. "We met again a week later and we started talking." Mark adds as if he's reading a story. "We dated and I proposed to you in the same restaurant we met three months ago." He finishes and Jinyoung nods again.

"We're kind of settled, don't you think?" Jinyoung asked and Mark hummed like he was thinking. "If they ask about photos, tell them we don't post it much for privacy." Mark says and Jinyoung nods in understanding. "Okay." He says and Mark nods as well. "Don't drink too much." He says, glancing at Jinyoung and the other chuckled. "It's an important night." He just told him.

When they reached the hotel, Jinyoung inhaled deeply and exhaling slowly. "Let's go." Mark says, feeling nervous as well when he got off the car. Jinyoung followed out and Mark clicked his car doors locked before reaching his hand to Jinyoung just he always do. Jinyoung smiles at him, yes, holding his hand will help more to ease both of their nerves.

The hotel was big and there was a fountain in middle of the entrance. Mark was holding their invitation with one hand and the other was holding Jinyoung's hand. He gave it a squeeze when they entered the hotel. And right as they entered, someone immediately noticed Mark. "Mark Tuan?" She asked with wide eyes before her attention went to Jinyoung and then at their entwined hands. "Hey, Seulgi." He greets with a smile, Jinyoung looks at him and sighed. It wasn't a real smile, that's for sure. But then he smiles too, looking at Seulgi.

"Hi, nice to meet you." Seulgi says, reaching out a hand and Jinyoung shook her hand with his free hand. "Is everyone inside?" Mark asked, tilting his head. "Yeah, I'm just waiting for my girlfriend, she went to the toilets." She says, flicking her long black hair to the side and Mark makes a shocked face. "Wow, finally." He says, more genuine, giving her a wide smile and Jinyoung smiles more, relaxed to see Mark warm up to his batchmate.

Another woman comes in and looped arms with Seulgi, she smiles at both them. "Guys, this is Irene." Seulgi introduces shortly, grinning at her girlfriend.  "Come on, let's go in together." Seulgi says, walking ahead of the couple and Jinyoung breathes out a breath of relief. "I didn't even get to say a word, I'm nervous, Mark." Jinyoung says, facing his fake fiancé. Mark squeezed his hand gently before putting his other hand on Jinyoung's cheek. An action a little too intimate, yet it calmed both of them. Jinyoung closed his eyes, leaning into the touch.

"Okay. I'm okay." Jinyoung says, nodding his head and it was Mark's turn to breathe in deeply before walking towards where the first couple entered. They were calm and collected when they entered, Mark finally seeing his batchmates. His eyes landed from person to person until it lands on one person. Jackson. Namjoon, his other friend, has his arm around Jackson, they were smiling and talking with the other people in the venue.

Right by the corner was Jackson. His dark brown hair sat prettily on his head and he was wearing an all black outfit, his blazer has some glitters, his silver necklaces sat on his neck, above his black button up shirt. Beside him, Namjoon has his blonde hair slicked back, he has specs on and his outfits was also all black, but his neck tie has the similar glittery fabric that Jackson has on his blazer.

Mark gulps, his hand squeezing the life out of Jinyoung's hand that the other had to tug on him to remind him that he was there. Mark at Jinyoung, his lips turning dry and Jinyoung pulls them to the side so they didn't block the entrance. "I'm right here." Jinyoung says, staring right in his eyes. Mark stares back into them, licking his lips before closing his eyes. Jinyoung rubs his thumb in circles over Mark's hand. "We can do this, alright?" Jinyoung says again and Mark nods, opening his eyes before kissing Jinyoung's forehead.