No greater agony

"Hey whaddup, man?" Mark hears the Bambam's overly excited voice from the other line after the third ring.

It's almost 5 pm and that means work is almost done so he decided to give the Thai a call since he's the only one who is not busy among all his friends. Yugyeom, Youngjae and Jackson are all still probably at work just like him. But Bambam here has all the free time in the world since he manages his own business- offering photo and video editing services. It's just a small shop but it's been doing well for over three years now. 

Sitting back on his swivel chair, Mark starts to play with the phone's cord. "It's all good." He says while ignoring that tiny voice in his head asking him how things are good right now? Shaking his head, he proceeded to talking with the younger. "So, it's Friday. Wanna hang out?"

Bambam chuckled before answering him. "Is this happening? You're really asking me to hang out? Of all people? Me? Wow."

If only the younger could see how he just rolled his eyes. Mark scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself, Kunpimook. I invited you. Now I'm expecting you to go and gather the others." He heard a short hiss from the Thai. "Usual place. I'll meet you there at 8." Not hearing from the younger aside from his silent whines, Mark tried to be a bit kind. "It's my treat."

And as expected it brightened Bambam's mood in an instant. "We won't be late, hyung!"

Tss. This brat. Mark thought as he hanged up.

When the clock striked five, Mark was already up on his feet, fixing his things. His co-worker Junho asked him if he had plans for the night since it's weekend tomorrow which means no work and more time to waste the night. Mark caught Eun-a staring at him three cubicles away. He gave her a polite smile before answering Junho. "Just a night out with friends. That's all."

Sending a short wave, he left the office and headed towards the elevator. He gave another smile to Eun-a when he passed her by but that's all there is to it. Ever since that day when he asked her out but ended up calling of the date just to go to Jinyoung, Mark made sure he wasn't giving any signals to make Eun-a hope again. He's got one thing figured out and that is that he's still in love with Jinyoung. He may not be able to tell it to anyone and he really shouldn't... but he also thinks he shouldn't make a move towards anyone when it's clearer than day that his heart still belongs to its original owner. 

Shaking his thoughts off his head, he punched in the button that will take him to the ground floor.

It was quarter to 8 when Mark left his pad to drive off where he'll meet with the guys. Bambam and Yugyeom has sent him photos of the menu in snapchat, reminding him that everything's on his tab. He just told the duo to go ahead and order their dinner for them. 

When he reached the bar, he saw his friends waiting for him. The food was already served but they were waiting for him to arrive. Mark appreciated that since his friends often tend to forget the courtesy of waiting and no he's not pertaining to Yugyeom nor Bambam. 

"We ordered this much because it's too rare for you to treat us to dinner or to anything, hyung." Yugyeom said when they started eating. Mark however just took the chopsticks Youngjae was giving him and shook his head at the youngest. "Wonder what made you ask everyone to hang out."

He just gave an unminding shrug. "It's Friday night. We all need to unwind, don't we?" The younger ones were nodding in agreement.

They already drank bottles of beer when he heard Jackson. "We shouldn't drink much tonight, we still need to be early tomorrow." This got their attention. Youngjae who was sitting between him and Jackson spoke. "Oh right, Jinyoung hyung and Jio will be expecting us."

"And Jaebum too."

Mark almost stopped drinking when Jackson said that. Looking at his friends, Mark could see that he's not the only one surprised by the sudden mention of his name. Youngjae's eyes crossed his for a second before they're back at Jackson. "What did you say?"

They watched as the chinese reached for some nachos, munching on some before repeating hiimself. "Jaebum's back from Jeju."

"What- when?" That's still Youngjae who's eyes were shifting from him and Jackson. Mark tried to keep his calm demeanor. After all, why shouldn't he be calm? 

"Just yesterday." The way Jackson answered as he leaned his elbows on the table got Mark thinking about what the chinese really is thinking right now. All the more when those eyes landed on him. "Didn't you know this already, Mark?"

He didn't even bother to give an answer to that.

"So what's going to happen now?" Mark was washing his hands on the sink when Youngjae entered the restroom, then asked him this. 

"About?" He asked, trying to pretend that his hands are not getting colder by the second. Mark saw how Youngjae casted him a concerned look through the mirror and he's starting to hate how easy it is for the younger to read his emotions.

Walking closer, Youngjae turned the faucet on and washed his own hands. "I can see it, hyung." He heard him say, eyes glued on his hands. "You're trying too hard to hide it from us, but what did I tell you before?" Their eyes met through the mirror. "If you want me to believe you, you're gonna need to try harder."

Averting his eyes from Youngjae's analyzing ones, Mark blew out an exasperated sigh. "Youngjae I don't-..." and yet another sigh. His head dropped down. "I'm not even trying anymore."

There was a couple of passing minutes, silent ones. Neither of them uttered a single word. Youngjae was staring at him, just staring at him without any readable expression. Mark is just glad there isn't pity in those eyes. He doesn't want anyone to look at him like he's a hopeless case.

Mark isn't sure how many more seconds had passed until Youngjae reached his hand out and tapped his back. "Looks like we have a lot of drinking to do."

*⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*❀⑅*

Mark wakes up. First, because of his phone alarm. Second, because of these unending sound of his doorbell ringing. 

He sat up, and checked on the time. It's almost 8 am. His hand flew to his forehead. It feels a bit heavy but he's thankful it isn't pounding in pain. From the amount of the alcohol he has consumed last night, Mark was really expecting the worst hangover. Good thing it didn't happen the way he expected it. Last night was a blur. He just remembered