Tidal Wave ✔️

13

Mark eyed the slow movement of Haechan's hands when he was cutting the steak. The tanned guy seemed a little bit off that afternoon when they met at the station. Mark realized Haechan was a little bit wobbly, so he dragged him to a restaurant near the station, and ordered him a plate filet mignon with creamy spinach and mashed potato.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Mark finally asked.

Haechan shook his head, still poking on the steak. "Nothing. Just tired."

Mark tapped his fingers on the table. He grew impatient of Haechan. Mark moved to sit next to the guy. He took the fork and the knife from Haechan's hands, cutting up the steak, and held it in front of Haechan's mouth.

"Ma—oomph!"

Mark shoved the steak inside (gently, of course) when Haechan was trying to speak. The younger lad munched his food while glaring at Mark.

Cute.

Yah, Mark Lee.

The restaurant where they ate was very crowded, so none of the other guess paid attention when Haechan pinched Mark, and he yelped.

"I'm not a baby. I can eat by my own self." Haechan snatched the silverware from Mark's hand.

"But you're my baby."

"No, thank you." Haechan ate another piece of the steak. "Remind me to take the kids here when I finally have some salary."

"You know we both can take them here." Mark said. "I'll pay."

"Yeah, no way."

"Come on, it's a bonding activity." Mark nudged Haechan's elbow.

Haechan clicked his tongue in annoyance and swatted Mark's hand away. He finished his steak quickly, got up, and walked out of the restaurant. Mark chuckled at the thing Haechan did. He paid for their meals and headed out, to be greeted with a sour-faced Haechan, typing on his phone.

"Let's go now, shall we?" Mark held out one of his hand. Haechan glanced, and without taking it, walked away to the station. Mark sighed, what was wrong with Haechan that day?

They rode a train to Yongsan, and took a bus from Yongsan station to the stop near the orphanage. The small streets were dimmed, Mark scooted closer to Haechan out of fear that someone might try to rob them.

"Relax. This is one of the safest neighborhood." Haechan chuckled as Mark flinched when a dog barked at them.

Mark pouted, but he soon caught a glimpse of a familiar sign. A convenience store.

"Hold up." Mark stopped right on track, "How many kids does the orphanage take care of?"

"About thirty to thirty six." Haechan frowned, "Why?"

×××

Mark's face truly reflected the happiness he felt inside. A wave of warm feeling washed over him as he saw the kids drank the milk tea he bought from the convenience store. He insisted that he would like to buy them some drinks and some snacks, just because he felt happy that day. It was worth it, to see almost every kid on the orphanage was having a blast in the common room.

Mark felt a tug on the hem of his t-shirt. He turned around and looked down, to see a tiny girl still sipping her milk tea through a straw. Her hair was styled into a ponytail, and she was quite chubby. Mark assumed he was only seven.

"Thank you, oppa." The girl chirped. "I like this drink."

"You're welcome, honey. If you want it again, just tell Eunji-eonni to call me, okay?" Mark ruffled the  girl's head. "What's your name, pumpkin?"