Holy was he being too rash? Here Mark was, standing in front of Jinyoung’s apartment door. He stared at the number 116 for a while longer before tightening his grip on the plastic bag he was holding. Inside that plastic bag was a sandwich he had ordered for Jinyoung. If he wasn’t going to give it to him any sooner the sauce inside that sandwich was about to make the white bread extremely soft. Releasing a nervous breath he was holding, Mark goes to ring the doorbell. It was quite as Mark listened for any movement behind the door. Deciding to ring it again his free hand was reaching for the doorbell when the apartment door swung open revealing Jinyoung.

“Hey,” Mark calls awkwardly as he stuck out the plastic bag he was holding, “I brought you lunch--I mean if you haven’t eaten already.” As Jinyoung goes to accept Mark’s gift he opens the front door wider for Mark to come in. Once inside Mark couldn’t help but examine the place Jinyoung lives in. It was kept clean, organize, and simple. He had a white couch in the living room area that was placed in front of the television. Near off the window, he had a bookshelf that was filled with books. He had a kitchen similar to Mark’s and a hallway leading down towards the bathroom, closet, and bedroom.

“Do you want anything to drink Mark?” Jinyoung calls from the kitchen as he sets down the sandwich he had brought him.

“No, that’s fine I had a drink while making my way here.” He answers back while making his way towards the bookshelf to touch the spine of each book. Turning around he found Jinyoung making his way out of the kitchen while taking a bite of his sandwich. “Sorry that I came here so unexpectedly.” He apologizes watching Jinyoung give a shake of his head while taking a seat on the couch.

‘No, it’s fine really. But you just took me by surprise because you’ve never shown interest in coming over before.” He points out as Mark could feel his face growing red by the second. If Jinyoung saw him turning red look a tomato he didn’t point it out as he continues to speak. “So what brings you here today?” Mark opens his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He hadn’t thought that far ahead when he decided to come over to Jinyoung’s apartment. Now that the question was asked, why exactly was he here?

“You’ve already been to my apartment a few times. It’s only fair that I come over to yours and..” Mark trails off while nodding his head, “you know to a look at your apartment.” Taking his gaze off of Jinyoung to pretend to examine the apartment some more like he hadn’t done so already, he hears Jinyoung chuckles softly.

“Okay, so what do you make of my apartment then?” Jinyoung asks once he was done with eating his sandwich. Getting up he makes his way to the kitchen as Mark follows.

“It’s very neat and organized as expectedly of you.” He answers honestly as he steps into the kitchen to lean against the kitchen counter watching Jinyoung goes to pour himself some water. As the younger male gulps down his glass water, he couldn’t help but notice his Adam’s apple going up and down as he did. It was already embarrassing that he himself knew that he was staring, but to have Jinyoung catch him was worth dying of embarrassment for. Looking away he heard a clink of the glass cup being settle on the kitchen counter as Jinyoung made his way towards Mark. He could feel his heartbeat picking up with each moment the distance between them was closing up. Then he felt hands on his waist hoisting him up to sit on the kitchen counter. Shock with the sudden action Jinyoung made himself comfortable standing between his legs. His hands were settled on the kitchen counter surrounding Mark as he leans in forward towards his face with a smirk.

“How many times do I have to catch you staring at me before you have to admit that you’re smitten with me?” He goes to meanwhile Mark couldn’t bring himself to look at him. His heart was beating way faster than normal.

“I’m not smitten,” Mark tries to deny which is something he seems to do best at. “You’re the one smitten with someone.” Jinyoung arches his eyebrow up in question interested in what he has to say.

“And how do you know this?”

“So it’s true?” Looking up to meet Jinyoung’s gaze Mark couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed. Was Jinyoung just toying with him then? Did he really like someone like Sunmi has said?

“Before you get any further thoughts in your head,” Jinyoung says giving a poke to Mark’s head playfully, “I’m smitten with you and nobody else. So stop pouting like a sad puppy.” Rubbing the spot where Jinyoung had poked him he glares at him as Jinyoung laughs. Oh, how Mark wants to rub that victorious smug look on his face. Without further thoughts Mark found himself grabbing onto Jinyoung’s shirt before crashing his lips on his. And Mark was right, Jinyoung lips did feel soft and it tastes a bit like cherry. As he goes to pull away he found an awestruck Jinyoung with wide eyes as a smirk made its way to Mark’s face this time.

“How does it feel to have your smug look get wipe off your fac-” He didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence as Jinyoung places a hand behind Mark’s neck drawing him closer for another kiss. This time though it wasn’t just a quick kiss being planted on the lips. No, this time two lips lingered on each other becomes heated by each passing moment. Mark couldn’t process anything but just simply that he wanted Jinyoung’s lip on his. Placing his hands on the back of Jinyoung’s hair to draw him closer he hears Jinyoung moan into the kiss before taking a step back away from Mark. He looks disheveled but Mark wouldn’t doubt that he sure looks the same as well.

“What,” Jinyoung says trying to catch his breath meanwhile looking at Mark with mix emotions, “what exactly are we doing Mark?”

“I--what do you mean?” Mark answers just as out of breath as Jinyoung. He watches as the younger run his finger through his hair clearly irritated.

“This is exactly what I’m talking about Mark. You do things that even you don’t know what yourself is doing. I need to know what you’re thinking is happening between us when you decided to kiss me.”

“I just--I wanted to kiss you and wipe that teasing smirk off your face that you always give me.” He answers honestly as Jinyoung lets out a groan before placing a hand on his forehead closing his eyes clearly distress. “Jinyoung,” he tries calling out before getting cut off.

“So you’re saying you just came over to what? Cuddle and then just go home afterward?” He had never seen Jinyoung this distress before and clearly, he knew he did something wrong to get the younger male this act this way. But he wasn’t sure what exactly.

“I mean--”

“Answer me truthfully Mark,” Bringing his hand away from his forehead to look directly at Mark, “do you see yourself with me in the future?” Opening his mouth to say something he goes to close his mouth. He could feel Jinyoung waiting patiently for his answer. Mark knew clearly he wants to be honest with him, but he wasn’t sure if his answer was going to push him away. He wasn’t ready to lose Jinyoung quite yet.

“I’m not sure,” He says as he watches Jinyoung look of mixed emotion turn to something he couldn’t decipher, “but no one in a relationship can see what the future holds for them!” Mark tries to defend himself as Jinyoung gave him the silent treatment and that’s what scares him. It feels like he was losing Jinyoung from his life already. “I didn’t do anything wrong!” He shouts clearly upset on why Jinyoung had to ask about the relationship they have now.

“You did Mark!” Jinyoung fires back with an equal shout, “You came over and kissed me making me believe that you’re ready to be in a relationship with me. You can’t just toy with me like that.”

“Oh and what? Like you haven’t done the same with me?” Mark jabs back but instantly regret it as the look that ran through Jinyoung’s face went from hurt to anger.

“That’s totally different.” He mutters out while glaring at Mark. Something must have come over him because he couldn’t stop himself from spilling hateful words out of his mouth one after the other.

“How so huh? You can get all cuddly, hold hands with me, and kiss my cheeks whenever you want Jinyoung? What did you expect from me when you already know I wasn’t ever gonna be ready to be in a relationship? To reciprocate my feelings that easily and date you? Isn’t it enough that I want to be intimate with you?” Crossing his arms over his chest in defense he watches as Jinyoung lips tremble before it stopped completely.

“Get out,” Jinyoung orders coldly as panic arises over Mark completely now aware of what he just said.

“Jinyoung I didn’t mean to say--”

“Get. Out.” He orders clenching his jaws tightly before turning himself around to walk towards the front door. Hopping off the kitchen counter he follows behind Jinyoung quietly. And when he stepped out of the apartment he made a quick turn around to apologize again but was met face to face with the door slamming in his face. He ed up and he fears the fear of Jinyoung walking out of his life was now true.

“Mark?” 
“I ed up Jackson. I ed up. I don’t know why I said those mean words-”

“Woah slow down. What are you talking about Mark?” Jackson says on the other line. Mark had gone home after failing to get Jinyoung to open the door for him again. He tried ringing the doorbell or calling out to the other person behind the door to no success.

“I--I think I messed up my relationship with Jinyoung.” Mark says on the verge of crying, he was pacing back in forth in his room while constantly running his fingers through his hair in distress.

“What do you mean? No, cross that--what did you do ?” He lets out a groan as flashes of what he said to Jinyoung made him feel hundred times worse.

“I said really really mean things to him, Jackson. I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me for this.”

“Mark, what did you say?” Jackson asks in all seriousness, stopping himself from pacing he stares at himself the mirror all disheveled.

Jackson lets out a low whistle after listening to Mark relaying everything that was going on between Jinyoung and Mark up until what went down this afternoon. His best friend response was not making him feel any better. He was now lying on his back in his bed staring at his ceiling. “You seriously ed up.”

“Thanks, Jackson,” Mark sarcastically says while rolling his eyes. “I know I did.”

“I mean, who would have thought my Mark Tuan taking a chance on love with Park Jinyoung. Makes sense to you guys being so sweet with each other now. I mean last night hand holding under the table-”

“You saw that?” Mark asks terrified of the thought that everybody in his group of friends saw.

“I mean yeah, you weren’t exactly being that sly Mark.” That earns a groan from Mark as he goes to cover his face with a pillow, hoping to suffocate himself with it. This was totally embarrassing. “I’m guessing every one of our friend’s saw then?” He could hear Jackson letting out a slight chuckle before answering him with a yes.

“I mean Jinyoung has some real patience with you for you to slowly accept him in your life. I’ve never seen that look on your face before yesterday.”

“What do you mean?” Sitting up on his bed he goes to place his cell phone by his ear better.

“You looked at Jinyoung like he was your star in the sky.”

“No, I-”

“Come on,” Jackson cuts in sternly, if they weren’t talking on the phone Mark could completely picture him raising an eye up at Mark, “don’t pull this bull on me. You know deep down you’re totally in love with him.”

“Jackson, last time I admitted I like him.”

“Yeah, I know but now you love him.” Mark could only scoff at Jackson’s accusation dryly because yes he knew somewhere in his heart that could be true.

“Did I do something wrong by going to his house today?” He asks softly feeling quite vulnerable to Jackson. But he knew Jackson wouldn’t judge him and instead would answer honestly.

“You didn’t do anything wrong by going to his house. But you did up by kissing him on the lips.”

“How?” He asks confused, why was kissing him on the lips wrong? He just wanted to wipe that little smirk he always has off Jinyoung’s face.

“Because you gave him the wrong signal Mark. He thought you came to his house wanting to take the next step with him. He asked you what the kiss meant to you and being an amateur that you are on love, basically told him you don’t want to stay as friends and yet don’t want to be in a relationship with him.” Silence as he took in his friend’s words. God, how stupid was he for jeopardizing this thing he has between Jinyoung? “Mark!” Jackson’s calling his name out loudly successfully drew him out of his thoughts. “What exactly is going on between you and Jinyoung? You have to let the guy know because he can’t wait for you forever. He needs to know Mark.”

“I know Jackson, it’s getting late and you have work tomorrow. Try to catch some sleep.”

“You have work tomorrow as well. Just try to figure yourself out and give an answer to him.” Jackson advises one last time before bidding goodnight. Setting his phone on his night table Mark goes to take a shower before brushing his teeth to head to bed. The words that Jackson had said swirls around his mind consuming his thoughts on Jinyoung. As he lay in bed that night he thought of his every encounter with Jinyoung. From meeting him at the club, bumping into him at the supermarket, hanging out with him at the cafe, all those late night exploration, Jinyoung’s favorite spot at the park, and hanging out with him at his apartment, Mark couldn’t remember where there wasn’t a time he didn’t enjoy Jinyoung’s company. Burying his face into his pillow he groans into it, completely beating himself for saying such terrible things to the man who had only been patient and nice to him. Grabbing his phone to check if he received anything from Jinyoung he could only frown as his notification turned up empty.

“I like him.” He says making a list of things he was feeling towards Jinyoung to make sense of what Jinyoung exactly means to him. Saying it out in the open to himself was really another step for Mark to clearly accept his feelings.

“I want him in my life.”

“He makes me feel happy and nervous whenever he is around.”

“I want to hear him laugh and memorize every detail of his face like he did with mine.”

“I get jealous when he pays attention to someone else but me.”

“I want to hold his hand.”

“I want to wake up next to him like that one time he slept over at my place.”

“I don’t want him out of my life.”

“I love him.”

I couldn't help myself but to type another chapter. ^^; But I have sad news to relay to you guys...Chapter 11 will be the final chapter.

Sorry for any grammatical errors and I have enjoyed reading your comments thus far! ((: