never not ✧ mark lee

68

This time it was Dasom and her safety on the line for Mark.

"You know what you did to Dasom," Mark continued. "And yet somehow you have the balls to talk to her like you didn't nearly destroy her."

"Oh, so you must be a new boyfriend," Junsang laughed. "No wonder you're being so protective over her."

"You drugged and assaulted her. You deserve to be rotting in a cell," Mark accused him. "How is it that you don't even seem to have a semblance of regret for what you did?"

"Yeah, but to be honest, I don't even think that would have been necessary," Junsang replied. "That slut always put out whenever I wanted it."

That was Mark's last straw. He would have lost all control and slugged the asshole right then and there if Dasom hadn't come outside at that very moment and grabbed his hand.

"It's not worth it," she said, but she still hid herself behind Mark, not wanting to look at Junsang.

Mark chose not wanting to scare Dasom further over starting a very public fight with Junsang and attracting attention to them.

He pulled out his phone and opened up his Instagram. He covered up his name and profile photo, and turned the phone so that the screen was facing Junsang.

"If you ever come anywhere near Dasom again, I won't hesitate to expose you," he threatened Junsang as he looked at the numbers Mark's social media had. "Your life will be over."

Junsang looked nervous, but he still somehow tried to stand his ground. "With what proof?"

For that, Mark simply switched apps from Instagram to Voice Memos, and made sure Junsang could see him press the stop button on a recording that he'd started the second he realized who this man was, just in case. Now Mark was relieved he'd been so quick to think of doing that.

"Let's go home," Mark said, taking Dasom's hand and pulling her away from where Junsang was left in shock and fear for his reputation and life.

After walking off to safe distance away from the bar, Mark stopped walking and turned to face Dasom.

She was still shaking, and he wasn't sure if she wanted to be touched at the moment.

"I tried dealing with that situation in the best way I could think of," he told her. "Sorry if I over—"

Mark was cut off by Dasom throwing her arms around his waist and burying her face in the space between his neck and shoulder. He could feel and hear her start to sob as he carefully wrapped one arm around her back and brought the other to her head, patting it softly.

"I was so scared," Dasom cried, her voice muffled against him.

"I know," Mark said, holding her tighter now.

"Not just for myself, for you too," she added, also tightening her hold around him.

"Thanks for stopping me from punching that asshole," he told her. "Even if he deserved it."

"Thank you for protecting me," Dasom replied.

"I gotchu Desi," Mark promised her. "Always."

* * *

Mark did not want to leave Dasom alone, but he did also have to go back to the dorm that night. Instead, he convinced her that it would be a good idea for her to come with him instead.

"I'll just come get my stuff from your house sometime during the week," Mark told her.

"Okay, if you're sure," Dasom nodded.