Don't be near Mark/ Markhyuck

Part 11

"-Hyuck!"

Donghyuck hears his name being called by Jaemin. He turns to see the other man approaching him, waving a hand in greeting. Jaemin doesn't look very happy, probably because of his earlier conversation with Renjun.

But he acts like he didn't hear anything earlier, he only responds with a small wave, indicating that he is still upset with the other. Donghyuck didn't like the words Jaemin used on him.

"Can we talk?" Jaemin asks.

Donghyuck sees regret on his friend's face; he seems disturbed and remorseful. He nods, and the two of them start walking. They spend a few minutes just wandering the streets, not talking, passing by all the houses in the neighborhood.

He recognizes some houses, they pass by Jisung's large mansion, and he quickly thinks of Jaehyun and a little smile creep on his face.

Jaemin finally seems willing to speak up.

"-Hyuck, I'm terribly sorry," Jaemin finally says, "I reacted out of emotion, I let myself get carried away because of Mark's return, I didn't choose my words carefully, and I realize it was clumsy and hurtful."

"At least you realize," Donghyuck says.

"But you're right; I love Mark."

Donghyuck turns his head towards his friend; he didn't expect him to admit it so quickly. Deep down, it reassures him; maybe Jaemin really considers him as a close friend. Donghyuck pulls Jaemin into a hug.

He wants to offer comfort to the other, show him that it's okay to love another man. He wishes someone had offered him that comfort when he realized he loved men.

Jaemin is first surprised, then he puts his arms around his friend, burying his head in Donghyuck's neck. They stay like that for a while, then Jaemin finally pulls away.

He seems to be in disbelief.

"-Jaemin, I don't care who you love; the most important thing is that you're happy."

"Thank you, Hyuck," Jaemin lets a smile appear, "the problem is, Mark doesn't make me happy."

Donghyuck is surprised to hear him say that, especially after seeing how hard he fights Renjun to be with Mark. He wonders if Jaemin has known all along that Mark is using him, or if Renjun put some sense in his head before.

"He used to love me," Jaemin whispers "He even loved me a lot"

Donghyuck watches Jaemin's gaze drop to the ground. He can feel the other's sadness, his wish for things to be different.

"Even though I know he still has some attachment towards me, he doesn't love me the way I love him."

"The important thing is to realize it," Donghyuck says, "you have to move on."

Donghyuck turns his eyes towards Jaemin; the other has pursed lips, clearly holding back tears. His eyes shine in the night.

"I don't want to," Jaemin murmurs, "I love him so much, I keep thinking that with time, he might come back to me. after all he loved me one time he can fall in love again"

Donghyuck feels sorry for the other; he can see that Jaemin's heart is already broken, yet he continues to hope even though he knows it's over.

"I've lost my friendship with everyone because of Mark," Jaemin sniffs, trying to hold back his tears, "and yet I still chase after him. I'm ridiculous."

"You love him, Jaemin, that's all, you can't help it," Donghyuck says, "but what about losing your friendship with everyone? How did that happen?"

Donghyuck thinks he's almost there; he's going to find out what could have destroyed them all.