"You look so adorable", Mark admits.
Haechan gasps, heart fluttering at the words and his tone. "Thank you."
A mostly comforting silence envelopes them as they focus their attention on the food and snacks, neither making any move to separate.
Once they're done, they get up to stretch and take pictures. Mark laughs as Haechan makes silly poses. All of which Mark copies, making it more difficult for Haechan to contain himself while he takes Marks pictures.
They don't forget to photograph the scenery or take pictures with each other either.
Haechans favorite is the one where Mark kisses his cheek.
"Okay", Haechan says when they sit back down. "Tell me about you."
"Do you want me to talk about anything specific?"
"Whatever you want. I'll listen to anything."
"Okay, well, um, I have an older brother who moved to New York. Whenever he sees me, he gives me a souvenir but he also acts like I'm super like, compared to him and he always ruffles my hair. It's not my favorite but because it's him and a tradition, I kinda like and I'd probably be sad if he stopped. Me and my family is just a group of emotional people. My parents used to get concerned 'cause I didn't get angry much and they, though a lot upset, were relieved when I actually expressed anger."
"What did you do?"
"Punched Lele."
"What? Why?"
"We were just joking around but our hits progressively got harder and us angrier."
"That makes sense."
"Uh yeah. But I felt really bad and apologized and then Lele apologized and er didn't even, like, jokingly punch each other for a month."
"How did you two meet?"
"Just met him in class and he's talkative and so am I sometimes. And he's just super friendly and always asked me to hangout with him."
"Shouldn't Jeno have gotten used to you?"
"I don't think he wanted to share."
Haechan nods in understanding, remembering what Jeno has told him from one of their conversations.
"I see. What kinda movies do you like?"
"It depends. You can convince me to watch, like, anything but on my own, depending on what it is, I won't watch it."
"I get it. Do you like scary movies?"
"Yeah, but, um, I can't handle them sometimes. I have a nightlight."
Haechan squeals, making Mark jump. Haechan throws himself into Marks lap, hugging his waist.
"You're so cute."
"Uh, thank you", Mark says awkwardly.
Haechan sits up but decides to lean on him. "Tell me more. I like learning things about you."
Mark continues for a while, stopping occasionally to check if he's talking too much. Haechan always shakes his head and reminds him that he likes listening to him before going back to playing with his hand, which is actually more calming than Mark thought it would be.
Sunset approaches, causing the two to stand up and watch it.
Standing next to Haechan, experience a moment like this makes Mark think of a few things. He taps his finger against his leg, trying to keep himself from getting to anxious from his thoughts.
Haechan feels Marks eyes on him. When he turns his head, he thinks he's imagining the way the male is looking at him. He knows he's not when Haechan gets even closer.
"Haechan."
Instead of answering, Haechan takes the male face in his hands. Mark freezes, not expecting this or the concern on Haechans face.
"Mark", Haechans says in the softest tone Marks ever heard his name be spoken with. "I don't want you to feel pressured to kiss me. I want us to go at the pace you're comfortable with."
"I know. I kind of do wanna kiss you though", he admits shyly.
Haechan giggles and places a kiss on his forehead, then his cheeks. "Are you sure? There's no rush."
"I wasn't really thinking of rushing."
"I'm going to annoyingly ask one more time, are you sure?"
Mark isn't sure of how much he wants this, but he does want a kiss. Haechan in front of him is just too tempting.
He nods.
Haechan smiles and leans in to give a short, tender kiss. Mark smiles at him and then leans back in for another, slightly longer kiss. Their lips never get too far from each other, exuberance running through them from the situation.
When they finally bring their lips away from each other, Mark can't help but hug Haechan, trying to express just how much joy he feels.
"I really like the person I'm getting to know", Haechan admits into his flannel.
"Me too."
➳
Princess
Haechan and Mark are the cutest
people
Jeno
Agreed
Princess
How are you?
Jeno
Good. You?
Princess
I'm fine
Jeno
Do I need to get Jisung or Lele?
I was warned about this
Mark was too, actually
Princess
I will actually talk to Lele so don't
worry about it, it's not that bad
Jeno
Are you sure?
Princess
Yeah
I just remembered you work at a
pet cafe so when can I visit?
Jeno
Anytime
Princess
You will be there, right?
Jeno
Didn't say that, Princess
Princess
Why do I feel like you're still trying to
annoy me with this nickname?
Jeno
If it would work, I would be
Princess
I don't doubt that
What fall-flavored things do you
have at your cafe?
Jeno
Pumpkin spice obviously, Apple cider,
Cinnamon, and toasted s'mores
The toasted drinks are actually
available year round but they're most
popular when it gets cold
Oh and we have hot chocolate flavors
besides milk chocolate
And sugar cookies
Every week, we have some sort of
specialty pastry
We also make toast
Princess
Just take all my money
Jeno
😂
Lele loves it
Jisung likes the hot chocolate and toast
but likes to pretend he doesn't know
me
Princess
I just remembered him telling me
that he's not that close to you and
Mark so Lele wanted to him to
spend time with you both by
yourselves
Jeno
We aren't close but like when we
were at the mall, it wasn't that bad.
He's just cautious
Princess
Oh I see
Jisung's kind of awkward so I
expected him to be worse with
you than Mark
Jeno
I'm kinda surprised too
➳
Once again, Jaemin stands in front of his mirror, staring at himself in yet another outfit that's he's too worried to wear in public.
It's the turtleneck Jisung hot him, tucked into a black skater skirt. He put a gold necklace over the collar and a bracelet over the sleeve. His favorite part is the how his black, wool knee-high socks look with this outfit.
Jaemin desperately wants to take a selfie and almost does when his fear of his friends finding out comes back in full force.
He stares at himself a little while longer before changing into another outfit that would be perfect for the season. It's a cropped cream white, knitted off-the-shoulder v-neck sweater and black, high-waisted athletic leggings with pockets.
Jaemin wishes his friends could see him and think he looks as great as Jaemin thinks he does but he's afraid that he'll be asking for too much.
Especially when they find out about the makeup too.
Jaemin knows he can talk to Chenle—and he wants to—but he'd really like if he could talk to someone that didn't really know his friends so he wouldn't have to worry.
The boy sighs, scrolling through his contacts for anyone that seems like a good option. But anxiety creeps into him as looks for another person to tell his secret to.
Jaemin thinks of just keeping his frustration to himself but he knows that it won't help him. He groans as he realizes that everyone he knows are people who know his friends too.
"Why the hell does everyone know each other?" He mumbles, angrily.
Someone comes to mind and so before he can't talk himself out of it, he sends them a text.
Jaemin
Hey....
Taeil
Hi...
What's wrong?
Jaemin
Can I tell you something that you can't
tell ANYONE?
EVER
Taeil
Of course
What's wrong, bub?
Jaemin
You promise you won't judge me?
Taeil
Jaemin, I would never
I love you, alright?
Jaemin
I crossdress and wear makeup
Just when I'm alone and sure no one is
coming over so they don't find out
But it makes me sad because I wanna
wear this stuff in public but I don't
know what Haechan and Jisung will
think
Or Mark and Jeno
Taeil
What about Lele?
Jaemin
I told him
He was fine with it and made me feel
better but he can't guarantee how the
others will feel
Taeil
What made you decide to tell Chenle?
Jaemin
We were talking about Halloween
costumes and he ended up saying that
he wouldn't mind wearing a skirt and
people who wear them are attractive
Taeil
If you want to, just ask Haechan and
Jisung how they feel about that
Jaemin
I'm scared of what they'll say
I don't want them to dislike me
Taeil
Min, I doubt there's anything you can
do to make either of them dislike you
Jisung would walk through fire for you
and Haechan would find a way around
it but still show how much he loves you
Jaemin
Even if I tell them, what do I do about
the guys I'm most likely gonna end up
dating?
Taeil
If they like you, their feelings shouldn't change when they find out what you
enjoy doing
Some people don't understand it but it's
just clothes and makeup. This stuff has
no gender and society is stupid for
treating objects as if they do
Don't forget that there's always people willing to beat someone up for you
Jaemin
It is stupid
Thank you😂❤️
Maybe I'll tell Jisung one day but I don't
think I'm ready for Haechan, Mark,
and Jeno to know yet
But I feel bad cause Haechan is my best
friend too
Taeil
Try not to feel bad for doing what's
comfortable to you
If you ever do tell those three, they'll
understand your hesitancy to tell
them
Jaemin
Thank you, Taeil
Taeil
Anytime bub
Now tell me about you and Haechan
Jaemin
Don't you already know?
Taeil
I know what Haechan feels but I don't know what you feel
Jaemin
I think everyone but him knows what
I feel
Taeil
You know, you've never actually
said it
We just assume and you let us believe
we're right
But are we?
Jaemin
How do you think I feel?
Taeil
You love Haechan
Jaemin
Of course I love him
Taeil
Romantically
Jaemin
There's that too
Taeil
You're in love?
Jaemin
Have been
Taeil
Why haven't you told him?
Jaemin
I didn't even think he liked me that
much before and I didn't know he
liked me romantically either
I always thought I was imagining
everything
Taeil
You two never talk about those
moments?
Jaemin
We haven't
I'm afraid that I'm gonna accidentally
tell him I'm in love
We recently said we like each other, I
don't wanna add pressure
And I'm really scared of him not saying
it back
Taeil
You have to do what you're comfortable
with but don't let the possibility of "what
if" get in the way of the things you
actually want
Take your time but whenever you ever start to think of doing something about
it, don't wait until you get scared again
Do what you what for you, regardless of
the outcome
And overthinking is hard to help so I understand but you should know that
you start convincing yourself of the
worst when you overthink and those
things you thing of may not come true
I'm always here for you and so is
Jungwoo and Ten and your best friends
We all love you
Jaemin
I love you too
➳
"What the fuck, Mark!" Chenle exclaims when opens his door to his best friend. "Where you just waiting for permission and now you finally got the chance?"
"You sound...upset."
Chenle takes an angry deep breath and drags Mark into the guest room so they can talk in private.
"I'm not upset and I'm happy if you are worry but I'm really fucking concerned 'cause you just talked about this and you're still learning to trust and I love more than words can describe and I really don't want you to get hurt but now I feel ridiculous 'cause I know you can make your own decisions and I should support but I'm really freaking worried", Chenle lets out, almost rapping.
Mark stares at him wide-eyed, trying to make sure he understands all his words.
When he thinks he understands, he responds, "I'm freaking out."
As if a switch has flipped, all Chenles franticness disappears, replaced by his completely loving nature. The pinkette doesn't say anything, just bringing Mark over the bed and then cuddling him while he waits for his best friend to share his thoughts.
➳
Haechan
Mark and I kissed
My Love #1
Your lips must be a fan favorite
cause goddamn
Haechan
JISUNG
My Love #1
WHAT? I HAVE A POINT
Haechan
How the hell have I kissed all three of
them?
Why the hell did they all what to kiss
ME?
WHAT DO I DO NOW
I feel like their common dominator
AND I DON'T WANT TO BE
My Love #1
Aren't you happy they like you?
Haechan
Yes and I like them to but part of me
feels like this is wrong
Not like I'm cheating wrong but like
I made a mistake or it's too soon kind
of wrong
My Love #1
Were you ready to kiss them?
Do you regret any of it?
Haechan
My first kiss was literally my idea
Yes, I was ready
I don't regret it but I feel like I'm
supposed to feel bad
Does any of this make sense?
My Love #1
What exactly did you four talk about?
Haechan
We admitted our feelings and agreed
that we'd do whatever but not feel
pressure to starts dating or whatever
My Love #1
What part of the situation is bothering
you the most?
Haechan
Something about Mark
Or just that I've now kissed all of them
My Love #1
Do you feel like you should've waited?
Did you convince yourself that kissing
all of them means something negative about you?
Haechan
That's probably it tbh
My Love #1
That's not true
Haechan
I feel like they should've liked each
other and kissed each other first
My Love #1
I'm coming over
Haechan
....
My Love #1
Say it, Cookie
Haechan
Don't take too long...
Not really caring about what's going on in there, Jisung opens the door to the guest room and informs Chenle of where he's going and yells that he loves him before he leaves.
Mark and Chenle share a look, knowing that it's most likely because of Haechan.
Mark puts his head and his and groans, feeling like he's done something wrong.
"I'll find out what happened", Chenle tells him.
Mark doesn't respond, just choosing to get comfortable on Chenles lap and hold his waist so he can't move. Chenle strokes Marks hair, trying to comfort him while he waits to get information.
Angst is so traumatizing to me lmao *smiles in definitely not okay and will stay not okay until next week*
A very dangerous game is being played
It's been an hour and I've discovered that if I pretend it's okay, I almost won't know why I want to cry (I'm so dramatic lmao)
I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! MMMMMMMMMMWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!💙💚
*even more kisses*
*More affection*
Have a wonderful dayyyyyy!
Not proofread❤️