Mark was first to awake. He blinked his eyes to get rid of his fuzzy vision, and the first thing he saw was Jinyoung’s serene face – eyelashes resting on his closed lids like a blanket, and lips slightly apart, breathing softly. Mark smiled. 

If only I could wake up next to him like this, everyday. 

Mark rolled over to check the time on the clock sitting on his bedside table, but to no avail, for Jinyoung tightened his grip around him, drawing a light gasp from his mouth. The raven haired boy, though unconscious, managed to send Mark’s heart racing early in the morning by wrapping his arms around Mark’s torso and resting his leg on the latter’s hip. 

Oh… my… god. Mark was beyond flustered, and it didn’t help that JInyoung snuggled closer to the crook of his neck. He could feel fine hairs brushing against and tickling his nape, sending tingles down his spine. The warmth radiating from Jinyoung’s body also engulfed Mark; he so badly wanted to kick away the covers they were under.

Mark kept as quiet as he could and raised his head a little to look at Jinyoung. The boy seemed undisturbed, still in deep slumber, his breathing light and even. Mark’s sight slowly and unknowingly trailed to the luscious pink lips of Jinyoung’s, which were shaped in a slight pout, and were so… tempting. 

No. Mark, no. What are you thinking? He’s your friend and he’s… well, a boy. 

Blinking his eyes repeatedly in an attempt to snap out of his thoughts, Mark shook his head violently in denial, and his movements caused Jinyoung to stir in his sleep. Jinyoung groaned softly as he opened his eyes slowly, squinting as the brightness from the ceiling light and morning sun blinded him. Mark, embarrassed from his indecent thoughts, hurriedly shut his eyes and pretended to be still sleeping, but a light shade of pink painted itself on his cheeks without his permission. 

~~~~~

Jinyoung flipped to his side and his eyes widened when he realised his limbs were all over Mark. He gulped as he gingerly removed his leg from the sleeping redhead's hip, then let out a sigh of relief when he saw the latter's lack of response. His left arm however, was still trapped under Mark's neck. 

For seconds, as Jinyoung gazed at the sleeping beauty beside him, it was just the two of them. They were so close to each other that not only could Jinyoung hear Mark's heart beat, he could also feel every rhythm of it against his own. 

The boy in front of him looked almost unreal, too perfect to be real. He could be God’s finest piece of art. As the sunlight trickled in through the curtains and shone over them, Mark’s soft skin radiated with a pink glow, and Jinyoung raised his free right arm, hovering it over the redhead’s face, casting a shadow. Uncontrollably, he reached out to trace his features.

It was as though Jinyoung’s fingers came to life, moving on their own accord. His nerves lining his fingertips had also awoken, feeling every touch and sending weird rushes of electricity through his veins. He felt the soft eyebrows over Mark’s defined brow bones, long lashes seducing his fingertips, a tall nose bridge and those soft, pink lips, which he accidentally lingered on.

Jinyoung could feel himself getting ridiculously nervous as his thumb brushed over Mark’s lips gently. Almost instinctively, he slowly leaned forward towards the beautiful creature cradled in his arms…

~~~~~

Mark’s eyes shot open when he felt Jinyoung’s warm breath against his face, his heart palpitating like drums.

What… just happened?

He stole a glance at Jinyoung’s expression and the boy seemed rather flustered, flushing a deep red as he withdrew his hand and pretended to scratch his head. Mark was two hundred percent sure that he felt Jinyoung touching his face. But why?

“Erm, good morning Markie. Had a good night?” Jinyoung spluttered, then pulled his lips into a tight line as though to reprimand himself for faltering in his speech. In an attempt to look casual, he reached over to the bedside table on Mark’s side to retrieve his phone. However, his aim to do so without touching Mark failed as he lost his balance and fell on Mark’s lap before rolling down dramatically onto the floor.

Mark, who was feeling tremendously awkward before, burst out into an adorable, hearty laugh, clutching his stomach as he looked at Jinyoung’s shocked expression. His laugh spread like a virus, as within a second, Jinyoung was laughing with him and for once in many years, Mark’s lonely room was filled with laughter.

~~~~~

After squabbling over each other’s taste in clothes, the two boys finally washed up and dressed, before getting dragged down to the dining room by a frustrated Mr Park.

“Seriously, I have never dreamt that I had to deal with two kids.” The older man grumbled under his breath while the two young ones sniggered like nursery kids. Mr Park served the boys, and then hurried off to run his morning errands, feeling more than happy to take a break from the hyperactive duo which was such a stark difference from when Mark was alone and pretty much mute most of the time.

“Do you eat this every morning?” Jinyoung asked naively, gesturing at the spread on the table in astonishment.

“Yeah I guess… but I don’t eat all of it!” Mark shrugged and Jinyoung stared at him in disbelief, opening his mouth like he wanted to say something but no words came out. He would do anything to have such a great breakfast every morning.

“I only eat about ten percent of it so you can help me with the remaining ninety percent,” Mark continued, receiving a squeal of delight in response. “Oh my god, are you serious?” Jinyoung exclaimed, and Mark simply nodded.

The raven-haired boy flashed a wide grin and dug in, relishing every bite. Mark couldn’t help but grin as well. He’s always so happy. Every little thing makes him happy.

I hope I make him happy too.

~~~~~

“Look who’re back together again!” JB shouted obnoxiously across the entire hall, beaming at his best friend who walked in with a redhead by his side. 

“What ‘back together’? JB you idiot!” Jinyoung faked a punch at JB, before slinging his arm around the taller’s shoulder and whispering, “Thanks for the advice, worked like a charm!” And JB snickered as he looked at the confused redhead.

JB was almost completely certain that his best friend had eyes for Mark, but from what he saw, Jinyoung was ignorant of his own feelings and being a coward when it comes to relationships. He knew that his best friend dreaded the prospect of being in a romantic relationship, but he disagreed completely. Despite his rough experience with Youngjae, he still believed in love, just maybe not as much as before. Nevertheless, his sharp eyes told him that Jinyoung was falling for Mark, and he needed to confirm that.

Students streamed into the hall and soon, most of them had arrived, and the principal marched up the stage to face the curious crowd. The arts and media students were gathered in the hall, but for what reason, they weren’t sure.

Mr Oh cleared his throat as he picked up the microphone, tapping on it several times to test it. “Good morning everyone! I have good news for all of you. The school has decided to plan a camping trip for all arts and media students!” The crowd began to chatter in excitement and a few cheeky souls whistled from a distance. “It’s to let all of you be inspired by nature and apply the inspiration in your works, be it paintings, compositions, films…”

As Mr Oh rattled on and on, Mark glimpsed at Jinyoung, who seemed engrossed in the principal’s description of the trip, his eyes shining in enthusiasm. He must want to go for the camping trip very badly, Mark thought to himself.

“… and you will have to go to the Student Services Center to register for the trip. Please remember to show your identification cards and bring along a fee of a hundred dollars. We hope to see you there!”  Mr Oh smiled and ended his speech, leaving the students in commotion.

Mark’s heart dropped when he saw Jinyoung’s sparkly eyes dull as he lowered his head; he could literally see the disappointment washed over his face. Curious, he questioned, “Jinyoung? Do you want to go for the camping trip?”

His question was met with a sigh. “I do… but the fees are way too expensive. It’s okay, I guess I’ll miss it.”

“I can pay the hundred bucks for you, Jinyoung!” Mark offered eagerly, smiling at the thought of them spending their time together in the trip. However, Jinyoung looked away and said, “Don’t pity me, Mark.” He then walked away into the crowd, leaving Mark perplexed.

♥♥♥

Dear readers, I am back after so many days!! T~T School is crazy. It's only been 2 weeks and I feel like I'm dying. I guess that's what an 'A' level student will inadvertently face sigh. Anyways, I AM SO SO SO SORRY for taking so long and then disappointing you all with such a short update. :( But I figured that if I wrote a longer chapter you guys will have to wait even longer... So here I am! I hope it's ok for you all T___T I'm also sorry that this story is progressing slower than Youngjae wakes up every morning. 

THANK YOU, for all the subscribers (which I won't have time to thank each of you for, but know that I still appreciate every one of you!), upvotes and do leave a comment! <3

Anyways, Mark hugging Jinyoung to comfort him when he cried at the awards made me cry too, I'm not sure out of sadness for Jinyoung or happiness for Markjin ahhhhhhhhh feels!!