"I swear that lady always makes me want to fight," Donghyuck groaned as he hiked his overly heavy backpack higher onto his shoulders.
His last teacher of the day had given them wayyyy to much material to study for the test that he had to stuff into his backpack.
Damn gurl can't you relax, your not the only class I have. My backpack is for ALL my classes.
Donghyuck thought with an eye roll as he took a turn down the hallway towards the gym.
He was getting there a bit later because the same teacher had seen him zoning out in class (he's been nervous about this date all day ok?) and proceeded to make him go through 50 question problems in his textbook which took forever.
But even though his day has been dragged down. He was still focused on trying to have a good date with Mark.
He took a deep breathe and was open to open the gym door when it opened for him and someone ran into him.
"Ouch~ oh hyung!" Jisung was standing in front of him, clearly just exiting the gym.
"Oh hi Jisungie~" Donghyuck teased in a sweet voice, giving the impression that he knew Jisung had just been with Chenle. "How's our baby dolphin?"
"I- Don't tease me hyung," Jisung whined, covering his face with one hand. "Mark said you were going to be here but I didn't expect you to be here this late."
"It's a long story," Donghyuck groaned loudly, not fond of talking about his witch of a teacher.
"Oh I have to get going! I'm going to be late," Jisung began to rush past him. "Bye Haechan hyung!"
Donghyuck sighed with a smiled before entering the gym.
Practice had already been going on for about half an hour by the time he had gotten there so the boys were already into a practice game.
Donghyuck quickly situated him self on one of the middle levels of the bleachers. Knowing from experience to never sit on a bottom seat during a practice.
He shuddered at the thought. The last time they did, poor Renjun got hit in the face with a basketball and got a concussion.
Donghyuck looked out at the boys.
Chenle was blocking and covering like a pro, trying to steal the ball at any given second.
Jeno had the ball and was traveling quickly up the court before passing.
His pass landing in the hands of the player everybody knew the name of.
Mark Lee.
He was smoothly but quickly traveling up the court, his dribbles solid and steady. His face completely focused on traveling up the court and making a basket. You could see his experience level considering he wasn't even looking to pass. His confidence in his skills on full display.
Donghyuck always felt like things were going in slow motion whenever he watched Mark play.
Mark quickly taking his spot and setting up his hands. The way the ball would perfectly arch and then swivel around the hoop, teasing everyone in the room. Keeping them on their toes for the results and then perfectly go through the net.
And thats what he saw for the rest of practice.
Mark Lee in slow motion. Scoring left and right.
"Ok, that's good but we've got lots of things to work on for the next game," Mark said at the end of practice, dismissing his teammates with a clap to the locker room.
"Hey Donghyuck!"
Donghyuck looked up from his seat to see Lucas running up to him with a smile. His gym bag slung over one of his shoulders and his hair wet from either sweat or a quick shower.
"Whatcha doin here?" Lucas took a seat next to him. "I saw you watching the whole time."
"Oh I was just-"
"HAECHANNIE HYUNG!!"
Chenle ran out of the locker room to greet him, throwing his arms around his shoulders in a hug.
"Hi lele," Donghyuck giggled, returning the hug.
Chenle pulled back before sitting on his other side.
"I ran into Jisung on my way in," Donghyuck nudged Chenle with his shoulder.
"Yeah and I saw you staring only at Mark hyung the whole time," Chenle shot back while crossing his arms.
"Oh shu-"
"Hey doesn't that hurt?" Lucas cut him off, pointing towards Donghyucks shoulder.
"Huh?" Donghyuck looked to wear he was pointing.
His shoulder was a bit red and irritated due to his heavy backpack and the strap rubbing and digging into his skin. It burned a little bit but definitely looked much worse than it was.
"Oh its nothing," Donghyuck waved him off. "My backpacks just a bit heavy."
"Are you sure?" Lucas started again.
Before Donghyuck could respond, Lucas had pulled his backpack strap off his shoulder and smoothed his hand under Donghyuck's collar.
Donghyuck blushed and squirmed lightly. What was Lucas doing and why was he so close?
Lucas rubbed the red mark lightly, trying to soothe the burn.
Donghyuck hissed at the pressure and latched his hand around Lucas' wrist.
"Hyung!" Chenle voiced in worry.
"Oh sorry. I thought maybe it would hel-"
"Get off him," Mark's deep voice boomed over them causing them all to freeze and look at him.
"No, no it isn't what you-" Lucas started.
"Dont care. Don't touch." Mark glared at him.
Lucas removed his hand from underneath Donghyucks collar before turning to Donghyuck.
"Do you need me to carry your bag for you?" Lucas smiled but it seemed a bit frustrated. "It would keep your shoulders from getting worse."
"No thank you I-" Donghyuck started only to be cut off again.
How many times am I going to be cut off today? Donghyuck rolled his eyes internally.
"He doesn't need your help," Mark grabbed Donghyucks hand pulling him up to stand. "I can take care of it."
"Ok man," Lucas raised his hands in surrender.
Chenle just laughed at the scene because the actually irony of it.
"Have a safe night hyuck," Lucas smiled politely to him before grabbing his own gym bag and leaving.
"You ready to go?" Marks voice was clipped, his eyes locked on Donghyucks collar before shooting to his eyes.
Donghyuck nodded before furrowing his brows.
The hell was that all about?
"Here hand me your bag," Mark stuck his hand out for the bag.
"No its ok," Donghyuck shook his head. "I've got it."
Mark didn't say anything but kept his hand outstretched and raised one of his brows. It was a look that said your not getting around what I say.
Donghyuck took the bag of his shoulders and handed it to Mark. The weight being taken off instantly soothing his shoulders.
Mark noticed this as he lifted Donghyucks bag with a single hand before climbing down the bleachers.
"Ya Jeno," Mark called out to the black haired boy when he came out of the locker room. "We are going to the cafe. You comin to see Nana?"
"Ah no I'm gonna stop by later. I've got something to grab real quick," Jeno dismissed before sending a wink Donghyucks way.
"Alrighty then, let's go."
------------------------------------------------------------
Once they had gotten to the Cafe, they studied hard. Quizzing eachother on different topics and taking down quick notes to remember things easier.
Jaemin had told them the best table to sit at for studying. Their books and papers were spread everywhere and their laptops were probably going to die soon and Donghyuck was on his 3rd cup of coffee.
"I'm going to go get another one," Donghyuck shook his empty cup before standing up and walking to the counter.
"I could have come to you," Jaemin leaned against the counter. The cafe wasn't too full so he wasnt constantly bustling around try to serve everyone every 5 seconds.
"Jaeminnie, I need another coffee please," Donghyuck rubbed his forehead with his fingers.
"Ah, it's not going too well?" Jaemin sympathized before pouring Donghyuck another cup of coffee. Adding extra cream and sugar the Donghyuck liked it.
"It is, kinda? We are getting lots of studying done and I feel totally prepared for my test," Donghyuck watched Jaemin nod and stir his coffee. "I feel like nothing is like happening. Y'know what I mean?"
"Bby you have to take initiative," Jaemin handed him his cup of coffee. "You want something to happen?"
Donghyuck took the cup of coffee before nodding. Looking like an attentive puppy.
Jaemin leaned closely to him over the counter with a sugary smile: "Then make it happen."
Jaemin pushed Donghyucks shoulder back in the direction of their table while laughing.
"Make it happen my ass," Donghyuck whispered to himself when he saw the sight before him.
Mark had fallen asleep on the table.
Great.
Donghyuck sighed before sitting back next to him. He took a sip of his coffee before looking at Jaemin.
Jaemin laughed before making a camera motion with his hands.
He guesses that could work as initiative right?
Donghyuck pulled out his phone and opened his camera before running his hand lightly through Marks hair. So lightly as to not wake him up or mess up his hair.
After a few shots, he put his phone away and ran his fingers through Marks soft hair again.
You are too cute for your own good Mork.
He almost jumped out of his skin when Mark turned his head.
Mark was looking at him, his head still resting on his arms.
Donghyuck had to fight everything in him not to rip his hand away from Marks hair.
Stay cool, Donghyuck.
Donghyuck slowly moved his hand and stroked Marks hair. Mark leaned further into his hand and blinked slowly. Like a goddamn cat.
When Mark refocused on him, it wasnt on his face. Marks eyes were back on his collar and shoulders.
This again?
"What is your deal?" Donghyuck pulled his hands away before raising a brow.
Mark didn't move from his position and continued to stare at Donghyuck.
"You keep looking," Donghyuck tilted his head down before pulling his collar slightly to the side to show his light brush burn. "It's just a little burn. Is that what you keep looking for?"
Donghyuck waited for a reply but after a few seconds of none, he put his collar back in place and stubbornly drank his coffee.
"Don't let other guys touch you," Mark mumbled out. His eyes not meeting Donghyucks.
"You mean Lucas?" Donghyuck raised his brows. "All of those times were just misunderstandings-"
"I dont like seeing other guys touch you," Mark mumbled again. "It makes me feel weird."
"You jealous bubs?" Donghyuck teased, wiggling his brows before smiling.
"In your dreams sunshine," Mark huffed back.
Donghyuck just laughed before turning back to his laptop.
"But seriously," Mark raised one of his hands, smoothing his thumb over Donghyucks brush burn. It was a way softer touch that Lucas' it didn't make him feel any pain. It was a bit soothing actually. "...don't let anyone touch you like that."
"...I won't," Donghyuck let out with an airy tone. Marks touch taking his breath away.
Mark smiled before focusing back on the table infront of them.
"It's getting late. C'mon I'll walk you home," Mark began putting his stuff away as Donghyuck nodded, following his steps.
They said goodbye and thank you to Jaemin as they exited. Mark leaned his hand over and intertwined his pinky with Donghyucks.
Donghyuck looked at their hands before letting his face dust itself a light pink color.