⋆daddy issues⋆ markhyuck

II.XIII

ⅠⅠ

Things haven't been the same in the house since Donghyuck's dad invited himself over. Donghyuck is dull, falling behind in school and work and Mark is worried. He's tried his best to cheer him up, force him out of the house just like he'd been able to do before. This time, it was to no avail; Donghyuck's mood never improved. He'd shine for a second then the shadow would return to his face and the sleep deprivation, the voices bouncing around in his mind would be evident. 

Even though he'd been determined to help, he'd was sure Donghyuck would turn around much sooner; now he had no choice but to give up. A change in Donghyuck's disposition didn't look imminent and their business - that was finally in a place to be consistent in input - was important. So, he used the money from the loans and did what he needed to do by himself and made sure he was there for Donghyuck and gave him the break he definitely needed. 

Two months later....

July 

Mark is tired.

Donghyuck is distant. 

Mark is tired. 

It is summer break. 

"Do you want to go on a vacation with me?" With how Donghyuck was acting, Mark hadn't expected him to say 'yes' but he hated seeing Donghyuck so down and he'd try anything just to see even a tiny smile from the younger boy. 

Even though Mark was attempting to be self-sufficient, he'd been used to money at his disposable all his life. So, going to his parents for the money for the trip hadn't been a pride-crushing decision to make but it came with a condition. 

His mom made him promise to come and visit before they left for their vacation in Jeju Island. 

This was the pride-crushing decision. After the dramatic exit he'd made where he promised to never return unless it over his dead body. He really figured it would be the last time he'd see his childhood home, but after two days of thought, he decided it would be for the best. He was doing this for Donghyuck only. 

This was the first time Donghyuck really saw the magnitude of Mark's wealth. He'd taken Mark's word for it when he said he was rich, but it never occurred to him to ask which family he was from. It must've been a family of great prestige if they insisted that they send a mini-limo with a chauffeur just to travel the short distance to Mark's family home. 

Donghyuck was starting to feel out-of-place. This wasn't treatment he deserved and these weren't people he was qualified to be around. The leather on the limousine seats were enough to let him know that this family, including Mark, were outside his league. 

Donghyuck doesn't think he's met a man as handsome as Mark's older brother....or as firm, fuck. When Donghyuck holds onto the greeting hug a little too long, Mark can't help the sharp pin feeling in his heart and his hand as it reached to pull on Donghyuck just a tad. 

"I didn't know you were going to be here, Johnny." It's hard for Mark to come off friendly when his crush is being stolen right in front of his eyes. 

There's a wicked glint in Johnny's eyes as he responds, "Mom said you were coming so I should come too, just like old times."

"Yeah, just like old times." The bite isn't hidden in Mark as he brushes past his brother to enter the house. He only turns around when he remembers he's left Donghyuck outside and right in Johnny's reach; he's quick to snatch his bo- Donghyuck right from under Johnny's arms though.

It's like Donghyuck's spent more time with Johnny for the thirty minutes he'd been there than the last six months he and Mark had been living together. He'd finally made the boy's persona light up; it's the first time Mark has seen his smile in a long time. While that's all good, it hurt -more than a little - that Johnny achieved so easily something Mark had been attempting for the past two months. 

Thus, it's no surprise that his disposition drops a bit as he watches he unrequited crush and "beloved" brother get along so well with barely any formal introduction. 

"Hyuck, do you want to sleep in my room tonight?" He spoke up even before he realized, a face of shock as his words slipped out without thought. They'd decided before leaving to sleep in separate rooms; it was Mark's idea, he wanted to give Donghyuck his space. But if anything, he wanted to hold onto Donghyuck and never let go. 

"Sure, hyung." 

They're bundled up in their respective sheets, sleep land not very far away. Donghuck's voice, heavy with exhaustion, reverberating throughout the room.  "Mark hyung?"

"Why are you calling me that all of a sudden?" Mark can't help the heat that rises to his cheeks as he giggles, he thanks his lucky stars that it's dark in the room. 

"I'm just realizing you never forced me to, so I'm making up for it." He explains, repositioning in the bed, leaning against the headboard. "I'm also just realizing that I know your family. I recognize everyone in the pictures except you. Why did you didn't you tell me that you came from thee Lee family?"

Mark has his answer, but he doesn't know if he wants to tell Donghyuck it just yet. However, his silence is enough to portray his feelings. 

Donghyuck sighs, giving up on the conversation and lying down in the bed once again. "Guess I'm not the only one with secrets."

=

Hope you didn't hate the way I wrote that. It felt the best for this chapter. 

Also, I just want to note that I absolutely do not like writing homophobic shit. I just think it's realistic and its a way for me to write my own story. I'm queer myself and even though, I'm not out to a lot of people, this is the type of reaction I'd expect to get. So I just want to let you guys know I'm not mindlessly exploiting queer trauma for no reason.