Mismatched

10

        It's almost a month later when Jackson comes back to the dorm, perfectly healed from his illness. No more blood, no more coughing, no more petals or thorn in his organs. All is well with Jackson and he used his break for the better. He went to see his parents and catch up on sleep and rest. Now he's ready to go back to his normal routine.

"Hyung!" BamBam screams, the first to notice Jackson is back and running to greet him. They've kept in touch but it's different to properly see someone you're so close with.

Jackson opens his arms to his dear friend and receives him warmly. The other idols learn he's back thanks to BamBam's scream and soon, one by one, they come out of their rooms to greet him. Jackson's missed them and is happy to see them, feeling well and perfect. He is delighted to see how Jaebum's expressions softens when he sees Jackson recovered instead of a skinny pale fragile mess. Jinyoung also looks at ease and happy to see him while Yugyeom and BamBam cling to him. Youngjae is living with his brother so he'll see the other boy the next day.

Mark comes last, rushed footsteps echo as he runs from his room to the living room, eyes wide and expression excited. He stops in front of Jackson with the two youngest members and it seems like Mark's soul is back in his body when he sees Jackson looking like his old self, smiling happily and hugging the kids.

Mark smiles.

Jackson feels nothing.

During the three weeks with his parents. Jackson watched his old interactions with Mark, trying to feel at least that fondness he does for the other members, but nothing worked. He felt more regard for his bed than what he did for Mark, which was a worry because they are group members and work together. Now Mark stands in front of him and he still feels nothing. Mark is less than a stranger, more like an inanimate object that doesn't awake anything in him.

Nothing at all.

Jackson tries to smile at the eldest idol, but his smile isn't fond or warm or honest and Mark notices it, his face falls and his eyes look at him with newfound worry.

"I missed you all," Jackson says to distract Mark. He doesn't mean to include Mark in that statement, but allows the other to believe it just to avoid conflict.

Mark smiles but his smile is as fake as Jackson's, but the latter doesn't even care.

Truly, all his feelings for Mark are gone... and he doesn't mind.