|| 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒎 || 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌/𝑮𝒖𝒏 || 𝗘𝗡𝗚 ||

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 9

Regret, this burden so heavy to bear. This weight weighing on his conscience, creeping like a snake into the cogs of his brain tormented him and haunted his nights. His gazes were more elusive, as if he was hiding something. Something terrible he preferred to keep smothering behind his closed lips. One thing he couldn't tell anyone ... Not even the one he could tell everything to. This distance which was widening again between them, years later, aroused concern in Gun...

"Mark, I would like to go eat something, will you join me ?" Gun once suggested with a catchy smile.

Unconsciously, the actor had put his hand on the forearm of his young partner. And that simple touch had caused a jump of panic in Mark who had quickly pulled his arm back and taken a step back, his gaze wide with surprise. As well as another emotion that Gun had not had time to interpret. It was brief before Mark recomposes his face and clears his throat awkwardly. He gave a nervous smile that he wanted reassuring. But that wasn't enough to take Gun's doubts away.

"S-Sorry ... Uh ... you go first. I still have things to do, but i'll see you later ?" He answered almost defensively.

Gun could not let go of his disconcerted look at the unexpected recoil of his companion. Nor of the sorrow he was feeling at that moment.

In the hope of reassuring him, Mark put a smile on his lips before disappearing in one of the corridors of the villa, without giving more details on his famous "things to do". Gun watched him walk away helplessly, a disappointed pout on his face.

Fifteen days had passed since his reconciliation with his partner. He thought they had managed to overcome it all. But things continued to be weird between them. Mark was distant, elusive, often nervous. Gun thought maybe he was responsible. 

Had his partner really forgiven him ? Concern began to take over reason. His companion had never behaved in this way. And his uncertain attitude did not fail to stir up incomprehension and concern in Gun.

Not that the actor was someone who lacked self-confidence. But everything about Mark unsettled him and made him question all his beliefs.

During shoots, rehearsals or meetings, Mark was true to himself: diligent, attentive and professional. Maybe even too invested in his work, as if his life depended on it. He threw himself headlong into work to the point that his days were particularly busy. He ran everywhere, helped his colleagues, rendered services to his elders. He mingled more with others. It was this last point that made Gun think he was responsible for the situation. Mark seemed to be doing everything he could to deceive the vigilance of the other residents of the villa. Doing this, he was creating a chasm between him and his partner who hadn't actually crossed paths much in the past few days... Gun knew he should feel relieved.

This was not the case.

At one party, Gun had managed to get his hands on his partner when the latter tried to reach his dormitory to go to bed. Or maybe to escape the drunken parties that persisted in being organized. Gun readily admitted that following the latest events, he was also reluctant to participate in these parties, fearing such a disconcerting new atmosphere. Tonight was no exception.