Word count: 188
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It was rare to see Mark cry. It wasn't that he never felt hurt or never felt like crying, but he didn't like others to see him like that. He was fine with shedding tears when alone but not when in a company.
Because of that, it scared Jackson to the core when Mark started crying when they surprised him on his birthday. Mark had crouched down to try to collect himself and Jackson did the same automatically, whispering sweet words of comfort to him. At first he didn't understand why the older was crying but he soon realized they were happy tears.
"It just feels as if someone actually cares for once."
The words broke Jackson's heart and Jackson himself a promise. He would try his very best to never ever have to witness Mark's tears again, whether they were caused by sadness or happiness. Mark's tears were too precious, they should never ever have to run down those pale, soft cheeks belonging to Mark himself. As much as he wanted to, Jackson couldn't make sure it would never happen but he would do whatever he could. 

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