‘You’re zoning out again hyung’ Jinyoung’s soft voice reverberated in the apartment and broke Mark’s reverie. He looked at Jinyoung and smiled sheepishly.

‘Sorry’ he mumbled, earning a chuckle from Jinyoung

They were sitting in the kitchen having breakfast together since Jinyoung didn’t have to go for practice today. Mark was touched the younger decided to spend his free time with him when he could have easily opted to go with the members’ planned outing which would have been more fun, in Mark’s opinion. He didn’t know how to entertain the younger, he didn’t want him to waste his free day sitting here with Mark and watching him stare off in space. He didn’t want to bore Jinyoung.

‘What are you thinking about?’ Jinyoung asked, a hint of concern in his lucid eyes and Mark felt like drowning in his gaze

‘I-I just-Jinyoung’ He exhaled loudly ‘staying here with me on your free day; you’re going to get bored. You should’ve gone with the guys, actually you still can, they’re probably still in the dorm.’ He said honestly, but Jinyoung smiled knowingly and shook his head

‘Are you trying to get rid of me hyung? You know its pointless right?’

Mark rolled his eyes, a slight chuckle escaping his lips.

‘Having experienced your stubbornness first hand, I gave up a long a time ago trying to get rid of you Jinyoungie, so you don’t need to worry about that’

‘Then you don’t need to worry about me getting bored. Okay hyung?’

Mark sighed in frustration, he was still unconvinced and he wanted the younger to have a good time, especially if he was staying with Mark, so he made an attempt.

‘Do you wanna go somewhere or do something? I’ll be down for anything.’ Mark actually felt like staying in his bedroom the whole day and lapse in a state of quietude but the second he saw Jinyoung eyes widening aglow with excitement at the idea, he knew he made the right call.

‘Really? I mean are you sure you want to? I’ll be fine with staying indoors with you…’ He trailed off when Mark started shaking his head.

‘I want to Jinyoung. It’s been days since I left my room. It will good for me too’ He said, sending a reassuring smile towards the younger who grinned back.

Jinyoung’s excitement was infectious so he didn’t have to feign his interest in planning their small outing. They decided to go the park near their apartment and have a picnic of sort since all Jinyoung wanted was to relax from his hectic and buzzing routine.

They got dressed quickly; Jinyoung wearing his face mask raised his eyebrows when he saw Mark without it.

‘What?’ Mark asked, in reply to Jinyoung’s questioning glance

‘Why are you not wearing one?’ He said, pointing to the mask which was shielding his face and Mark felt like ripping it off

‘I’m not an idol anymore’ He argued as nonchalantly as possible

‘But they don’t know that…yet’ Jinyoung’s voice was smaller, as if he didn’t like to be reminded of the fact that Mark was no longer a part of what they did. Seeing the change in the younger’s mood, he decided to not argue further. He shrugged, mumbling an ‘okay’ and went to bring out his mask.

Putting the mask on, he flashed the younger a smile but then realized he couldn’t see it because of the mask, so ended up giving a small reassuring nod.

They left their apartment and walked to the park in silence, the gentle breeze ruffling through their thoughts and the occasional gleam of sunshine would light up the entire street.

Mark loved how with Jinyoung he never felt pressured to fill up these silences. He liked to succumb to the stillness of the moment where the need for meaningless words was dispelled and peace had a chance to shine.

Reaching their destination, they were happy to see that the park was pretty isolated, except a few couples. Buying some ramen from the streets with the most enticing aroma ever, they proceeded to sit in the ground, not minding the tickle of blades of grass beneath their hands.

‘This is nice’ He heard Jinyoung say, and looking at the younger, his countenance content and pleased, Mark felt something warm stir in his chest.

He smiled and nodded ‘It is’ It really was. Everything felt at peace.

They started eating; thanks to the seclusion their spot provided, their masks were soon abandoned next to them.

It seemed like they had a silent agreement in which they decided not to talk about their current situation. So they talked about everything and nothing, sometimes they would contemplate in silence and then laugh at something silly the next second. Mark was happy with this. He will be happy with just with Jinyoung’s company. He won’t ask for more.

‘Hyung let’s have some ice-cream. I haven’t had some in ages’

‘You had one on Thursday’ Mark pointed out, laughing when Jinyoung scowled at him

‘But sure let’s go’

Mark’s heart flipped when Jinyoung clasped his hand on its own and dragged him to the store. The warmth and softness of Jinyoung’s touch felt so right that Mark had to shake his head to dispose his thoughts.

Entering a small store that was relatively empty as well except a few girls and the old shop owner, Mark was hit with the sweet aroma of all the desserts that were put on display that created an immediate crave to satiate his sweet tooth.

Jinyoung hurriedly made his way to the freezer and Mark could only chuckle at the younger’s eagerness. He was going to follow Jinyoung but then he heard a meek ‘Excuse me?’ from behind. Turning around he saw the two really pretty girls about his age looking at him with wide eyes and shy smiles and it was then he realized that he had forgotten his mask back at the park. He smiled back despite the rush of fear he felt and the girls found the courage to speak up.

‘Mark oppa, c-can we take a picture with you? I-I mean if you’re not busy, we d-don’t mean to interrupt it’s just that we are huge fans’ the girl said, twirling her hair in her fingers nervously, and barely able to maintain eye-contact with Mark. He found it adorable.

‘Of course’ he said, giving them a wide smile and ushered them to come closer so that they can take a picture. After taking a few pictures and a short chat initiated by Mark out of politeness, the girls left. He could hear them screaming outside the store saying ‘OH MY GOD THAT JUST HAPPENED!’ and Mark chuckled, feeling a hint of pride and embarrassment as he turned around to see Jinyoung smiling at him fondly.

‘What?’ He walked up to the younger and could feel his cheeks warming