Requester
Aghasae (SMTownR)


Pairing
(Got7) Mark Tuan x Ara Li (OC)


Genres
Romance, Fluff


Plot
Ara is a fictional character from a book Mark reads. One day she appears from the book and Mark is startled.


Author
Charlot1081

 

    Mark started his Saturday like all the others—he woke up at ten o'clock.  The sunlight started shining through his relatively dark curtains as there was a small scent of lingering breakfast in the air from the diner not too far away from the apartment.  Mark sat up and stretched his legs before standing on the carpeted floor.

He stretched his arms behind his head as he made his way to the bathroom.  Doing his usual routine, he looks at himself in the mirror.  He took off his pajamas before putting on a casual pair of jeans and a striped, button-down shirt.  He ed the first couple buttons and picked up his comb. 

He sweeped his bangs to the side and let the rest of his hair fall however the comb let it.  He smiled and exited the bathroom.  He took a pair of socks out of his dresser and put them on his feet.  He then made his way to the kitchen to get a glass of water. 

He walked to a window with his glass and looked at the sky.  The summer skies have been relatively clear this year–perfect for his Saturday routine.  The occassional rain isn't bad, of course.

He placed his glass down on the counter and went to the entry way of the apartment.  He put his shoes on and took the wallet and set of keys that were placed on the little table there.  He looked into the mirror and adjusted his shirt once more before opening his door.  He walked out of the apartment before locking the door behind him.


He walked down the stairs and walked slowly to the diner that was across the road.  The diner was more like a café in the sense that there's a small comic book store connected to it.  He made his way into the building and saw the usual, elderly lady at the counter.

"The usual, Young Tuan?"  She asked with a smile, liking the way the pronunciation rolled on her Korean tongue. 

"Yes, Ma'am."  He confirmed.


He walked to the book store and looked around the display.  This display had all of the new comic book releases.  Continuing his Saturday routine, he picks up the latest issue of My Princess - Ara.  A romance-action fiction that has caught his attention for the past year.

He took his wallet out and paid for the comic.  He smiled as he brought it to a table in the corner.  The lady at the counter came over with a cup of coffee with a few marshmallows.  The drink came along with a serving of coffee cake, pancakes, and eggs.  Although it was closing in on lunch time, he always liked to eat breakfast items while reading his comics.

The lady stops serving breakfast at eleven o'clock.  Mark's schedule fits perfectly, in his opinion.  He bowed to the woman while letting out a satisfied sigh.

The weekend of an Otaku..  He laughed silently a bit. 

He used his fork to get a piece of the cake as he cracked open the comic book.  He read each and every word carefully.  The Japanese was translated really well into Korean.  He was a bit upset that the Japanese comics came out a week earlier than the Korean ones did, but he was still happy it came out on the same sort of day–Saturday.


He finished reading, eating, and drinking at the same time.  He let out his satisfied sigh as he brought his dishes to the counter.  He wasn't required to bring them over, but he always was in a helpful mood after reading this comic.

Ara's such a selfless character, I wish I were more like her.  He thought as he slowly made his way to a park.  She's so beautiful too.

It wasn't odd for a comic book reader to fall for a character—whether it be for a rolemodel or romance relationship.  The author of the comic made it too hard not to fall for his heroine.  Mixing the pretty looks with the honesty made the character shine brighter than the sun. 

He was almost tempted to open the comic book again just to read it again.  Nope!  He stopped himself.  It wouldn't be special if I saw her face more than once a week.

Yes, he was that type of comic book reader.  He might not seem like it on the outside, but he was a moron in love on the inside.  He's in love with a comic book character. 

He continues the rest of his Saturday like normal—relaxing. 


***

A few more days pass by, making it Tuesday.  Mark was at his work.  He works at an architectural firm.  He designs buildings, establishes estimates, and sometimes even helps out on the sites.  He sits down at his desk and looks at the large piece of paper. 

He sets his coffee down on the adjacent table and yawns.  He reads what this building needs to be designed for—a flower shop.  Easy enough. Designing these small, warm buildings definitely wasn't something hard.  Sometimes he would use the same designs more than once and change only a few things.

If the client wants too much of a difference, then he would have to make a whole new design.  Today was the latter case.  He was reading over the specific details when he heard someone at the door of his office.  He looked up and made out a female silouhette through translucent-glass door. 

"Hello?"  He called out.

The door was opened cautiously.  Her face was the first thing he saw.  She seemed familiar, but quickly brushed it off as he needed to get back to work whether this be a new client or an informant.

"Can I help you, Miss.."

"Ara."  She bowed.

Mark felt something oddly familiar but brushed it off again.  "Miss Ara, please sit down."  He showed the seat across his desk as he assumed she had some business with him.

She sat down and looked at him with a smile.  "I'm sorry that I didn't make an appointment to see you first,"  She started, "I just heard that you are a great architect, and I really wanted your hands for a design."  She continued with a slight bow of her head.


Mark reached for his clipboard with a smile.  "Don't worry, Miss Ara.  Everything is alright."  He said with his smile still on his lips.  "All I need to know is your contact information and I can get back to you at the end of the day."

"Oh?  I'm not imposing, am I?"

"Absolutely not.  I don't have too much work on my plate right now.  I'll add you to my file so that my co-workers know that you're on my work list."  He replied as he handed the clipboard to her.

She nodded and looked at the standard issue questions that were on the form.  "And you'll design something for me, right?"  She almost sounded desperate.

"If everything works out correctly, there shouldn't be any worry for you."  He assured. 


She nodded once more as she filled out some of the information.  "I.. I don't actually live anywhere."  She stated.

He looked up from his desk with raised eyebrows.  "Excuse me?"  He was curious.

"I.. just got here today, honestly."  She said as she looked at him in the eyes.

He scratched his neck.  "You just got into town?  Without anywhere to stay?"

"I'm not lying, I promise.  I don't even know what this town is called.  I just woke up here."  She said with furrowed eyebrows.


He looked around his office to draw some conclusions up.  He came out empty.  "Where were you last?"  He asked, concerned that she might have amnesia.

"I was in Amorfipoli before I woke up here."  She said with a pout.


And that's when Mark's mind finally clicked.  "Princess Li?!"  He was shocked to say the least.

"That's me.  How did you know?"  She asked with shock.

No way.. no-no-no.. I must have fallen asleep while designing again.  He slapped his cheek before looking at her confused expression.  He coughed and scratched his forehead. 

"I've heard of you,"  He gave a small laugh, "you're a really nice princess."  He complimented.

Her cheeks went red and she looked down.  He could just imagine her—the same reaction whenever anyone calls her nice or pretty in the comic series.  Dream or not, she's perfect in real life just like in the comic.


She was beautiful.  "Princess Li, what is it that you would like me to design for you?"  He asked, taking the form out of her hands as he knew it was useless.

"I would like a small cottage to stay in.  I'm not for sure I can find my way back to Amorfipoli.."  She looked down at her hands.  "But I hate to ask you to build me something I can't pay for.."


Mark swallowed his spit audibly and shook his head.  "Princess Li, I have a sister you can spend some nights with until I can get in contact with your kingdom." 

Ara raised her head.  "You're not serious, are you?"

"I am, my lady." 

He was going all out as he bowed with his hand over his heart and kneeling on one knee.  "I'm sure she wouldn't mind the company."  He continued.


Ara's cheeks flushed as he made eye contact with her.  "Thank-thank you, then."  She clasped her hands together.  "What's your name, Kind Man?"

"Mark Tuan."  He introduced himself.  "I would like it to be just Mark, if you wouldn't mind."

She nodded and put her hand on his shoulder.  "In that case, please don't use a formal tone with me. And please call me Ara."  She replied.


"As you wish."  He smiled.  "I have about five hours left of work, would you mind staying here that long?"  He asked.

"Of course!  I can wait here as long as I need to."  She gave a smile that turned her eyes to crescents.


He smiled instantly at her cute looks.  "Mark?"  She was confused at the long-lasting eye-contact.  "Is there something wrong?"

"No,"  He laughed a bit, "you're just as kind as rumors have said." 

"Please work.."  She covered her smile with her hand. 

He laughed a bit and sat down at his desk.  He picked up his pencil while still keeping eye-contact.  Seeing her cheeks remain a bright red made his smile grow.  "I hope you don't find my stare invasive, Ara." 

"No.. I don't mind being stared at by such a kind and handsome man."  She admitted.


If his Otaku heart wasn't dying already, it's floating in the skies now.  He figured that this was just his over-active imagination and she would be gone by the time he looks up from his work next.  He gave one more look before turning to his work.

And it was true, he had his eyes on his work for the remaining hours of the day.  When he looked up, she wasn't there.  However, not too much time passed by when she came back into his office.

"I'm sorry, I had to use the lady's room."  She bowed her head.

"No, that's-"

His talking was cut off with the sound of her stomach rumbling.  "Ara, would you like to have dinner with me?"

She smiles a bit and nods.  "Only if you're alright with it, Mark."  She said casually, earning a little chuckle from the man.

He held out his hand.  She cautiously placed her hand in his as they walk out of the office together.  His co-workers pay him no mind as they walk through the building and out to the sidewalk.  Because Mark lives so close to his office, he just walks to and from his apartment.

Being across the way, Mark sees that the diner is still open.  Would it be okay to take her there?  He questioned himself.  He shrugged it off as he looked both ways before crossing the street with Ara. 


"Good evening, Young Tuan.  The usual?"  The woman asked, looking between Mark and Ara.

"Yes, Ma'am.  And same for the lady, please."  He requested.

She nodded and turned toward the kitchen.  Mark directed her to his usual table.  It was close to the book store.  Ara saw her picture on the advertisement panel.


"Is.. is that me?"  She asked in confusion.

"Yes," He confirmed, "a writer finds your adventures overly fascinating.  He couldn't help but write about you."  He spoke silently.


She smiled as she picked up the latest release.  "It's like he was there with me.."  She mumbled.

"I wish I could always be with you.."  He accidentally said aloud.

She put the book down and turned to him.  She gave a smile with blushed cheeks.  "And me with you, Mark."  She said softly.


Before he starts saying other things, he directed her to sit down.  Not too long later came the food.  And after that came the time where he needed to decide to bother his sister, pay for a hotel room, or bring her to his apartment.

They were walking along the sidewalk until they saw two men in medieval, military uniforms walked up to them.

"Princess Li,"  One started with his hand over his heart, "we deeply apologize for losing you."

"That's alright, Jinyoung."  She held her hand up.  "Young Tuan has kept me good company today."  She smiled as she looked into his eyes.


He couldn't help but smile.  She stood up closer to him and cupped his cheek.  He felt his heart flutter as their lips went together.  Although it was for a brief moment, he felt his breath go away and his heart skip a beat.  He fought hugging her as she took her lips away.

"Thank you, Mark."  She bowed a touch as the guards behind her bowed on one knee.  "Take care.."


Mark watched the three walk away and turn a corner.  He silently followed after them to see them not around.  It was like they vanished when they turned behind a row of buildings on the street. 

Was it just my imagination?  He asked himself as he did, in fact, see a feather from Ara's hat on the sidewalk.  He picked the feather up.  It is a real dove's tail feather.


Imagination or reality, she'll always be the highlight of my Saturday.

 

Thank you for requesting!
I hope that this was enjoyable~  I tried to make it soft but also relatable.
I feel like, in some way or another, we've been attracted to comic/video game characters.
Sometimes it's not just the visuals either.  The traits the characters have make you feel warm.

<3