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This Love (and the one and the other)
5/?
Park Jinyoung/Mark Tuan
Soulmate AU
Mark wonât let his love for Jinyoung be defined by a mark on his wrists and the print on his loveâs back.
The week moved slowly from then on for Mark. He went to class on the days he was to go to class, took his brother out for meat on Wednesday but, all he could think about was the phone call he was to receive from Jinyoung. Maybe, he was stood up, the thought had hairs on his neck standing up and, perhaps Mark was head over heels but he stared at his phone more than once waiting on a call. Or a text, or anything that would allow Mark to know if Jinyoung was still alive. Jackson, even though he had started to come around again, kept his distance. It was like Mark had refused to be Jacksonâs soulmate, Mark didnât understand where all of his hostility and anger was coming from. Until he caught Jackson with a guest in his room.
âWhat the hell Jackson!?â Mark screeched as his gaze fixed on the figure lying next to him in bed. Wrapped tight in Jacksonâs dirty duvet and the room for once looked a little neat. Mark scratched through his scalp in confusion blinking a couple times as he stared at the boy.
âOh god, this is embarrassing.â Youngjae whispered ducking his head under the sheets of the bed and Jackson laid still, his face flushed and his fingers restless.
âJackson he just graduated! Heâs a kid!â Mark closed the door behind him stepping inside. Of course Jackson would preferred he leave but Mark was willing to talk out whatever this was. Choi Youngjae was Park Jinyoungâs little brother, it was like he was looking out for him, right?
âHyung shut up! Heâs 18 and last time I checked you were in the exact same situation! Itâs not like heâs a baby, and I donât need relationship advice from a confused sap who canât even decide if he likes his own soulmate or not!â Jackson resembled that of an angry mother, his angry mother as he yelled at a timid Mark. The confidence that danced in him earlier was lost as he slumped on the wall feeling the impact of the words Jackson shouted at him.
âSo this is a relationship?â Mark looks in disbelief. The fact that Jackson had kept this from him simmered in his thoughts. He explained to Jackson his situation with his soulmateâs(?) brother and all he could do was scream and shout out of pure anger for the situation that wasnât even his own. He took it personally and Mark didnât get any help from his best friend when he needed it.
âGet the hell out of my room, Mark!â Jackson drops his head back onto the pillows in exhaustion. His eyes rolling back in his dead, Youngjae like a dead weight doesnât move. They all stand in the silence for a moment, as it stirs the room a bit Mark finally reaches for the doorknob.
âWait, Mark hyung! Jinyoung hyung keeps talking about you. Something about a date? Which is weird because I thought he liked Jaebum hyung, theyâve been friends for years. Hyung practically clung to him when they were younger I remember thinking they were always hooking up after school in his room, because back then they were all so sec-â
âGet to the point Youngjae ahâŚâ Mark sighs cutting the younger short. Youngjae really was a perfect match for Jackson with his big mouth.
âWell, hyung lost his phone and I guess he was coming up to your house today to talk to you but I donât know when so just watch out, okay?â Youngjae blushes from the realization that heâs spoken so much. He sends mark a wary smile which is returned with a warm genuine one. Youngjae was a sweet kid, Jackson needed to treat him right.
âThanks Youngjae, Iâll look out for him.â Mark nods finally getting out of Markâs stupid bedroom, that hit him with a stench of skin and sweat. The fresh air surrounding the area filled his nose as he left Jacksonâs apartment. Thankful, he walked into his own and cracked a window.
The street air had a tint of burnt rubber and car exhaust that drifted into the room as he settles into the couch. Lowly his eyelids flutter closed. The room feels weird, like a pair of eyes are peeking at him as he sits there.
âHyung, you should really pay attention more.â A familiar whine breaks out from the chair opposite the window in the room. Markâs eyes open wide in shock, his body rocketing up to look at the owner.
Park Jinyoung sits diagonal from him, petite legs crossed and tight smile plastered on his face. A car alarm goes off outside that sends them both yelping. Embarrassed, Mark sighs looking at Jinyoung with tired eyes. The latter beams a smile back at him as he walks over and sits himself right next to Mark.
âI lost my phone.â Jinyoung pouts before Mark even has a chance to greet him. His face still frozen in shock as Jinyoung pulls his feet up on the couch to get comfortable.
âYoungjae told me. I was expecting you a little later.â Mark laughs a little too dry. He clears his throat in an effort to clear the air.
âSo?â Jinyoung twists his face an awkward way that shows he's anticipating Markâs words. His fingers dangle between his legs knitted up together. The weight of the air surrounding them isnât very light like Mark had expected.
âDo you want to go on a date?â Markâs bloom a little red and Jinyoung snickers when he faces him. He must look like an idiot. Jinyoung grabs his fingers and intertwines them with his own. The older sits a bit restless as his foot taps repeatedly on the floor.
âI already asked you that, itâs why Iâm here.â Jinyoung whispers before he bubbles out in laughter next Markâs ear. Markâs never known he could love a sound so much.
The grins that break out on the pairs face almost mirror each other, Mark looks into Jinyoungâs eyes for a moment.
Maybe the mark doesnât lie.
âShall we go now?â Mark murmurs and heâs admittedly a bit embarrassed, maybe because Jinyoung just looks so good and the idea of an us sounds kind of nice.
âNo, I canât Jaebum hyung asked to come over like an hour ago. You took forever at Jacksonâs house. I really hope you guys donât have a fling.â Jinyoung teases and pokes Markâs cheek to which he scrunches his nose in disgust, because Jacksonâs a barbarian. Before he even gets a chance to respond, Jinyoung is up on his feet leaning over on top of Mark a bit.
âDonât worry, I know heâs fooling around with my brother.â He winks pushing himself upright again to put on his own shoes.
Mark might be gaping at the younger, but he canât see his face so he doesnât really know. Jinyoung does that laugh again, it makes mark shiver as Jinyoung opens the front door.
âBye, hyung. Iâm coming back tomorrow, wear something cute to match your face.â Jinyoung says cutely but Mark is completely enamoured and left in shock as he leaves. Only partially because Jinyoung is a cute bastard, mostly because he realized he was all his if Mark wanted him. All his and going to see Jaebum.
//
Markâs insecurities didnât lie in crisp white sheets, no oneâs did. His insecurities laid in soiled cloths that crumpled under his weight. They lied with him, walked with him. It was no secret that they followed him everywhere he went. His mind always seemed to run at the peak of revelations, leaving his words in the dust and it more often than not allowed feelings of inadequacy to creep into him. The immense amount of time he spent with Jackson and his brother didnât help either. Both incredibly friendly and loud bodies caused for him to feel drowned out in his own mind. Like he didnât exist there either.
Mark allowed those feelings to drive him away as he stared at the clock waiting on Jinyoungâs arrival. He glanced over at his clock 4:09. The night slipped through his fingers as he stayed up thinking of all the things he was supposed to do the next day. All the things he could do wrong, there were so many things. Heâd try to turn away from the window to relax and sleep but he quickly grappled that the light wasnât the problem to begin with.
Mark sat up, chugging a glass of old water heâd left in his room. It tastes of the air and stuffs Mark like an olive with the smell and now the taste of dust and dirt. It wasnât pleasant but Markâs not a picky guy, so he doesnât mind. The contents of the glass heâd left swirled around in a frenzy as Mark watches on, combing a hand through his hair calmy. It was the last thing he tried before he dozed into a sleep.
When he woke the next morning, his mother and Joey are arguing. Maybe about his future, Mark doesnât know, but escalates and before he gets the chance to ignore it the voices are only getting louder and Mark hops out of bed. His feet make a light thud, itâs enough to still the argument. Something turns into harsh whispers when Mark opens his door.
âWhat the hell is going on in here?â Joeyâs head snaps in Markâs direction, his face a bit red. Their mother sighs and takes a seat at their counter.
âHyung, can we go out?â Joey gives Mark a pleading look, one that feels like a calling he couldnât possibly ignore. Mark nods shortly, throwing a look to his mother. Her face wears exhaustion, streaked with tears. He goes to ask whatâs wrong with her, despite hearing the argument from his room, Mark is still clueless.
âTake him out somewhere nice, he needs it.â She walks slowly towards her room. Mark rakes a hand through his hair, going to take a shower.
Mark isnât sure whatâs happening with his brother and mother anymore. Joeyâs graduation had naturally made their mother a bit anxious, since he was to go to university soon. Mark was a foreigner so moving on campus was a big request, but Joey had grown their his entire life. His entire life had been in Korea, and it shocked Mark when he realized that his brother had never known his hometown. It was knowing they were brothers some way, but not how. The only connection theyâd ever really had was their mother and the relationship on the rocks only made the three of them grow apart.
Now, in such a situation Mark should be a man and step up to mend his family troubles. But he feels like there is a bigger issue, at hand. That may be his downfall.
//
âYou have a stray at your door, hyungâŚâ Jackson is pratically cackling in his ear over the phone, he can hear Jinyoung grumbling, maybe it brought the faintest smile to his face.
âSorry, Iâll be there soon Jinyoung ssi.â The formalities were Markâs way of feeling in control of his situation. Maybe, if he called him something strictly professional it held the younger at a distant in a blantly unprofessional situation.
âAh, hyung donât hurt his feelings.â Mark could imagine Jinyoung whining about being called such a name. Jackson comforting him and spilling some of Markâs secrects in the process.
Mark jogged home with Joey following suit.
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This Love (and that one and the other)
4/?
Park Jinyoung/Mark Tuan
Soulmate AU
Mark wonât let his love for Jinyoung be defined by a mark on his wrists and the print on his loveâs back.
âSo you mean to tell me, you know and you wonât tell him?â Â Jackson almost screams Markâs ear off. His face flushed with Jackson pressed right against him on his couch.
Mark took Joey home after the party. He ran away from everything there, Jaebum, the people, Youngjae, and especially Park Jinyoung. If he was lucky heâd never see him again.
âYou idiot! I thought we talked about this!â Jackson leans back a little to slap Markâs arm making him flinch. His chest felt tight, like he should be heaving but all Mark could do was sit, feet pulled to his chest staring off into the wall. White paint, wishing heâd went home after dinner. Before, the soju burned his throat so bad going down and Jinyoung pulled his shirt up.
âAre you even listening?â Jackson sighs rolling off the couch.
âNo.â Mark looks away from the wall briefly.
âGreat. Well, I know the only reason youâd keep something like that away from him is because itâs you.â Jackson sighs at the subtle objection Markâs head is giving. Twisting side to side, saying absolutely not.
âIt isnât, why canât you shut up for once Jackson?â
âBecause itâs selfish Mark. You are, from the day I met you, youâve been selfish. You resent your mom for the same exact thing! How can you be such a hypocrite?â Jacksonâs saying things just light that fire in Markâs head and he knows it. Markâs parents have always been the soft topic of their friendship. Itâs personal and ugly, something Mark doesnât want brought up by someone else.
âJust shut up, Jackson! Shut up or get out! Whatever is on that guyâs back has nothing to do with you or me! Itâs between him and his friend! Not us, nor me, sure as hell not you!â Â Markâs sorry for raising his voice. Heâs not an angry guy, but Jackson just seems to turn his ears on when Mark gets loud. The tense breaths Mark letâs out as he sits back seem to be the end of it for Jackson. Heâs headed for his shoes near the door.
He knows Mark is just a little stressed out but that doesnât mean heâll stop the dramatics. âCall me when you get your head out of your ass, Tuan.â
With that, he letâs the door shut behind him.
//
âHyung, want to hang out with me and Mina today?â Joey wakes him up at what, 7 am? Itâs sunday and Mark has classes tomorrow. Why is Joey up before him anyway?
âJoey, no. Why did you wake me up to be your escort?â Mark groans and rolls towards the wall his bed is propped against. If he bumps his head against the cold surface, he doesnât make a sound.
âFine hyung, just miss out on Lotte World for your bed. Park Jinyoung keeps calling by the way. Mom keeps telling me to remind you.â Joey pats his butt before he leaves closing Markâs bedroom door behind him.
Park Jinyoung keeps calling. What is Mark going to say to him? Jinyoung must know now, right? Mark heaves himself out of the bed, his feet make a light thud on the floor.
Jackson hasnât spoken to Mark since that day he yelled. Itâs not like Mark doesnât have other friends but Jackson was the only one who knew about the situation with Jinyoung. He tries to be quiet as he gets the landline downstairs. Not wanting to run into his mom or Joey while he listens to the call.
â Uh..god I donât know how to make a call like this. I donât want to be weird Mark ssi, you left so quickly from my house I didn't get your number. But Youngjae asked Joey and he gave him this, uh god this is really awkward I apologize. Could you just call me back when you get this?â
/
âYou left the party really quickly.â Jinyoung pins up the uncomfortable smile on his lips and swallows down a breath like he reaching for air. The sound of stirring and pushing and pulling is all that fills Markâs head. His chest feels dizzy and the race of his heart is daunting.
âIâm sorry, had to get Joey home.â Mark doesnât return the smile. His thoughts referring back to the argument with Jackson and the tug of war his mom was playing with him and his mark. It didnât spare space for a smile to give.
âStill, I wished you hadnât left so soon. Yâknow I wouldnât even know to call you back if it wasnât for Jaebum.â The sound of keys rings out from across the cafe and the blend of coffee beans fills the air and his nose. He cocks an eyebrow in confusion.
âJaebum?
âI was really drunk and he said you helped me to my room. I didnât remember much.â He seems embarrassed at the statement. The crimson shade rising on his cheeks and the tips of his ears like they hold a mirror to match the shade. He swallows back another breath.
Maybe this was the chance to tell the truth. That Mark had seen something so private of Jinyoungâs. But the fear ate him up. He sat back and the familiar wave in his voice presented itself in a swallow. The smell of the coffee was sickening, because itâd be what he remembered when he told the story of finding his love to his kids and grandkids. Lingering and dancing in his nose, raging in his brain because he knew it wasnât going to be the story of his love Park Jinyoung. The one with his name printed in Mandarin so neatly on his back. âYeah, I did. Itâs no problem.â Jackson deserved to be pissed at him.
Jinyoung didnât seem phased by his response as he beamed a genuine smile to Mark who swallowed back the nervousness like water. He felt a little like he was drowning then, when more people flooded into the store. Heâd watch their faces as his chest bumped irregularly. âMark hyung, did you hear me?â Jinyoung laughs a little. His deep smooth chuckle, baritone but light made Markâs eyes light up, and his throat close. Park Jinyoung with his long lashes and dark hair that looked a little messy but was still beautiful and full, dark like the bottom of oceans. His brown wide eyes that Mark stared so long at, he stared so long at them.
âYeah, sorry Jinyoung ah. What was it?â He clears his throat and Jinyoung leans forward a bit like heâs excited. Mark finds his previous frown drifting into an upturn of his lips and the pattering of feet on the wood floorboards filled their ears.
âI asked if you wanted to hang out with me soon?â At the proposal, Mark begs himself to say no, his mind thinking of the time heâd spend with the younger man. One day thatâd turn into one month, and one year because thatâs what happens when you find the mark. You stop looking for the rest of the world and he finds himself trying to deny what had seemed like an axiom before, but he found out quick enough there was no choice.
âPick a day, I will go wherever you want to.â The smile that graced Jinyoungâs face that swam to his eyes and spilled out the corners, wrinkles. They made it all worth it.
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This Love (and that one and the other)
3/?
Park Jinyoung/Mark Tuan
Soulmate AU
Mark wonât let his love for Jinyoung be defined by a mark on his wrists and the print on his loveâs back.
âYoungjae- ah and I have been close since middle school, hyung.â Joey chews with his mouth open and Mark watches the slush over chewed food that forms as he speaks. âOh, I didnât know Joey youâve never mentioned Youngjae-ah before.â Mark eyes seem to wonder the table, in and out of conversations. He tries not to stare in Jinyoungâs direction too much.
Mark sits through plenty of questions from his mom and Jinyoung and Youngjaeâs dads. So many âHave youâ âs and âWill youâ âs make Mark uncomfortable as he seems to smile and nod more than use actual words. One question in particular makes him choke on his drink. âSo Mark, have you found your soulmate yet?â Yoonsun Park smiles, oblivious to Markâs soulmate dilemma.
Markâs eyes shift to Jinyoungâs unconsciously. He quickly looks away when he sees that the latter is already staring at him, expectantly.
âUh..Iâm not looking right now.â Mark clears his throat as Joey changes the subject. Thankful to his brother he doesnât touch his food after that. His stomach feels like itâs closed in on itself. He sneaks a glance at Jinyoung who is staring at his hands before thereâs a knock at the door. He jumps up to answer it.
When he returns itâs with the brunette from the stadium. He seems a bit too close with his arm already snaking itâs way around Jinyoungâs shoulder. Mark tries not to look too upset about it.
âHyung, Iâm glad you could make it. I thought Jinyoung hyung would just keep you to himself for the rest of the night.â Youngjae smirks at Jinyoung, his facial features deflate at Youngajeâs words as they get seated again.
âOh Mark-ssi, how rude of me! This is Im Jaebum, my...friend.â Mark blinks once, twice, his mind seems to leave him. A thoughtless nod is given in response but Mark still catches the sad look Jaebum wears at Jinyoungâs words.
âHello, Mark-ssi nice to meet you.â Jaebum doesnât even spare him a glance.
After dinner, Yoonsun, his partner Dowoon, and Markâs mother all decide to leave the house to the boys as they go out to spend more time together. They clean all the dishes, mostly Jinyoung as Joey and Youngjae play music and dance along to it. Jaebum sits at the counter in front of Jinyoung eyes obviously glued on his ass and Mark sits on the couch, wondering how he got here.
Eventually, Youngjae begs to invite over a few friends and Jinyoung gives the okay.
âHyung, Iâm 18 now..â Mark can hear Youngjaeâs bickering from the kitchen he thinks he can imagine Jinyoungâs insistent pout. Mark wonders what itâd be like to kiss his soft pink lips. If Jinyoung would flinch a little at the contact. It drove a sigh of longing through his lips.
âJust donât tell Yoonsun appa heâll murder me!â Thatâs the end of the argument before Jinyoung comes waltzing out the kitchen sporting a full bottle of Soju. His hair swept out of his eyes at every step. Mark tries to look away but Jinyoungâs eyes look with his own.
âMark hyung would you like a drink?â Jinyoung asks softly and Mark thinks he doesnât want anyone except Jinyoung to say his name.
âYeah, thanks.â
Jinyoung leaves to go grab some cups, he takes a little longer than he should just to get two small items. Mark tries to pretend he hasnât seem him in the kitchen with Jaebum. The soju burns a little going down.
//
âYou think Jaebum takes rejection well?â An hour older Jinyoung is plastered against Markâs side on the couch where they had been having a small conversation. Mark didn't register that Jinyoung was drinking after almost every sentence. He didn't mind.
âI'm not sure, why?â Mark can see the sweat pooling from Jinyoungâs body. His arms slightly red and his face puffy.
Jinyoung turns around then. Lifting his shirt up to take it off.
âWhoa, hold on. What are you doing Jinyoung?â Mark tries not to chuckle as he pulls the latterâs shirt down.
âNo, wait Hyung. Look on my back.â Jinyoung grabs Markâs hands and pushes them up his shirt. Mark tried not to turn red hearing the word hyung leave Jinyoungâs mouth.
Mark listened though, his hands much cooler than the skin that covered Jinyoungâs back with a tinge of pink.
âJinyoung is that your mark?â Mark feels his chest rising and falling a little faster than before.
âYeah, hyung I can't even read Chinese that well. Jaebum hyung thinks that's his name right there. I haven't showed him yet. Yo-â Jinyoung stops running his mouth for one second to turn to Mark.
âJinyoung I know the name.â Mark cuts him short as Jinyoung blinks to keep up with his words. Mark takes a deep breath unsure how to continue.
âWhat? Hyung who?â Jinyoung pouts.
Mark gulps, the past soju sticky on his lips. Mark feels like he can't see straight.
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This Love (and that one and the other)
1/?
Park Jinyoung/Mark Tuan
Soulmate AU
Mark won't let his love for Jinyoung be defined by a mark on his wrists and the print on his love's back.
A soulmark. It all came down to that mark on the inside of his wrists at the end of the day. Mark had seen it in movies and in dramas his sisters would force him to watch. Back when they lived in Los Angeles with their father. He was so young back then, his youngest sibling, Joey only a small infant at the time. He remembered the day they sent Joey to Korea to stay with their mother since he was so young. Mark remembers missing his sharp cries at night and his father trying to calm him as best as a father could.It took too much out of their father with two girls, Mark, and a baby. When Markâs parents decided to live in different countries, Mark was confused. They were so in love when he had seen them before, but one day his mother refused to stay in LA anymore. Their father cried many nights, he begged her to stay but she rejected him and took the next flight to Seoul. Mark remembers everything, he remembers learning about the world in geography during school, wondering why his parents decided to live so far apart. Though he never brought it up, Mark remembers.
Mark remembers the dramas about those marks that had shown lovers from far and wide trying to find each other anywhere they went. One in particular, about a boy who had found his lover in France expecting it to be a women, but found a guy just shy of his age. He was devastated and rejected him instantly. The boy was ashamed of himself and tried to seek love in a women rather than his soulmate. It was called âOur Love Lost In Franceâ, Mark didnât know why it was even created.
Thatâs when Mark decided those soulmarks were bullshit. His love would not be determined or measured by them if he could so easily be rejected like the boy in the drama. Growing up around his father meant they spent little to no time even talking about the small marks on boy his wrists. Itâs was an easy topic to avoid, until he was sent to Korea on his 18th birthday.
âMark, I just want to see them.â His mother pesters him again.
He sighs shoving his arms onto the counter limply for her to exam. She gently pushes up his sleeves looking onto his skin revealing the small characters scribbled in black ink.
âOh sweetheart! Theyâre Korean!â She beams excited since the marks have chosen closer to home.
The soulmarks were all printed in different areas of the body in small writing. They always gave the name of your soulmate but it was printed in their native language. Many people hired translators to read the print on their skin and traveled far to meet each other.
Mark could only smile weakly in response pulling his sleeves down. Mark didnât care what they were, he didnât care that they had picked Korea. It didnât matter what the Korean characters meant, because Mark was going to fall in love with whom he wanted to.
Mark seemed to come alive when his younger brother walked unto the room. His beloved brother who he loved unconditionally. Mark had missed most of his childhood since he lived in LA but they tried to call often and even took trips to Korea to visit him and his mother.
âMark hyung, can we eat outside tonight?â Joey sits next to his older brother at the counter.
Mark had promised Joey food tonight since they ate ramen yesterday.
âSure, get your coat.â Mark hops off his stool slowly looking for his wallet.
âMom, weâll be back!â Mark shouts before locking their front door and making his way to the street with his brother.
//
âHyung, I think my mark showed up.â Joey smiles at Mark whose eyes widened in shock.
âJoey, are you kidding me? Where?â He says in a soft voice brows furrowing in confusion. Why hadnât he told him sooner? What if his soulmate was continents away? Mark didnât want his brother traveling or even searching when he was so young.
Joey chuckles a bit showing Mark his print on his left forearm. Mark let out a sigh of relief seeing the Korean printed on his skin.
âSheâs my best friend, hyung.â He smiles spooning rice into his mouth as Mark nodded smile fondly at his brother.
âThatâs so great Joey, you have to introduce us sometime.â Mark patted his younger brotherâs shoulder as he shoveled a spoonful of soup into his mouth. The warmth calming him as he smiled into the bowl.
Mark felt alright, his brother found love, he was here to watch his brother find love and his mother would be elated. Everyone wins.
Except Mark when he starts feeling the small itching on his wrists. At first, heâd ignored it as he watched his brother eat. Then, it slowly grew painful as he the print searing in his skin. His heart started racing in his chest.
âHyung? You donât look too good.â Joey slowly rubs his brothers back as his face grows pale.
âIâm just tired, Joey. Letâs continue.â He smiled picking up his spoon but quickly dropping it as another wave of pain raced through his wrists.
Mark shakes his head in disbelief as he hears a small âHoly shitâ across the room.
His soulmate is there.
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This Love (and that one and the other)
2/?
Park Jinyoung/Mark Tuan
Soulmate AU
Mark won't let his love for Jinyoung be defined by a mark on his wrists and the print on his love's back.
Mark spends time during the week with Jackson. Mark was of age to find a part-time job but heâd just graduated from high school a year ago and didnât want to waste his year off working. Jackson shouldâve been at school but his parents earned enough money to just let him work for the family business. Jacksonâs life was planned out, so he spent his time with Mark.
Most of the time they played out by the river kicking around a ball. Today, it was too cold so Jackson offered to bring Mark to his house in the most annoying way possible.
âWanna head back to my house baby?â Jackson smirked nudging Mark with his elbow. The elder boy just wincing and shoving Jackson away. Jackson had a funny way of showing affection to everyone. He was loud but sweet, and being around the boy had a weird way of making Mark feel complete. When they met Jackson was just his momâs next door neighbor. He was intrusive, even more so when they were younger but now Jackson had grown to know all of Mark and vice versa.
When they both sat around Jacksonâs bedroom room Mark noticed the smell that lingered there. He scrunches his nose in disgust making Jackson scoff.
âJackson, what is that smell?â Mark gagged holding his nose.
Jackson let out a laugh, one that resembled a bird screeching. Mark coiled away from trying not to smile and do his best to seemed annoyed.
âSorry, I had a friend over last night.â He giggled with a wink.
âDisgustingâ Mark sighed his eyes closing slowly but as they opened a smile plastered on his face as the both fell into a fit of laughter.
Jackson turned on some music as cleaned up around Mark. He picked up articles of clothing and trash around the older boy. Jackson, despite his flaws was really a great friend.
âSo, are you going to tell me directly, or do I have to ask Joey for more details?â Jackson suddenly spoke picking a sock off the floor near Markâs hand.
Mark only quirked an eyebrow at him in response.
âMark, I know you found your soulmate.â Jackson frowns sitting next to him on the floor. Throwing his limbs over Mark, Jackson whines.
âHow could you keep this from me? Your best friend.â
âI donât know who it is, Jackson.â Mark says lowly.
âMark, is your soulmate here?â Joey says looking at his brother with his eyebrows woven together in concern.
Mark only grunts in response holding his wrists under the fabric of his sweater.
âHoly shit, can we leave?â Mark can hear the soft voice begging. It could be anyone Mark coaxes himself. It could be anyone.
âMark, I think thatâs him.â Joey tries to confront the person but Mark pushes him down with his hand.
Mark only shakes his head telling Joey to stop. He doesnât want to know who it is. Who he is.
âLet him go.â Mark murmurs holding his arms under the table in his lap, eyes fixed on the flesh there.
âAre you an idiot?â Jackson looks at him incredulously. He cards a hand through his hair and Mark can see the glints of disappointment glimmering in his eyes.
This wasnât the first time heâd heard those words. The first time, from his father when he was little as he told him about his soulmarks and how he never wanted to meet the name printed neat on his skin. Heâd smiled at him softly, and laughed softly, and asked Mark, softly âAre you an idiot?â. Mark could only frown in response. The question was unavoidable. The answer was the same every time.
âNo, Jackson. Iâm not an idiot, I just want my own love.â Â Mark slide his body from under Jacksonâs. âWow, you really are stupid. Mark this is your own love, no one else can take that guy away from you. You belong together.â Mark huffed at Jacksonâs speech ending the conversation with a âYeah, whateverâ before ignoring Jackson all together. Time just ticked by Jackson eventually fell asleep leaving Mark to his thoughts. Was Jackson right? Mark had never thought of the the soulmarks that way, like fate. He didnât think he ever would.
Two years later
âMark hyung!â Joey screams, urging him to hurry. Mark got a late start this morning, Joeyâs graduation starts in 30 minutes but Mark knows the Stadium is only 15 minutes away. He quickly throws on his blazer and rushes to grab a scarf before flying down the stairs.
âMark, slow down would you?â His mother yells sighing as she adjust Joeyâs shirt. Joey whines something about it being the 3rd time already and Mark chuckles.
âMy little brother is growing up, huh?â Mark smiles patting his back lightly as he holds the door for both his mother and Joey.
âI guess so, Mina and I are already talking about a trip to Nami Island after we graduate.â Markâs little brother seems to beam at the thought of Mina his soulmate and best friend.
âReally? That sounds amazing Joey! Donât get too crazy out there, okay?â Mark laughs as the finally make it down to the street from their apartment.
âHyungâŚâ Joey whines trying to relentlessly hide his crimson cheeks.
//
The ceremony ends swiftly and Mark tries to hold his tears in as he watches Joey come down from the stage and greet his mother. Her eyes are already wet with tears as they all hug each other. Mark watches his brother introduce Mina to his mother, a soft smile creeping onto his features, until he hears a voice that calls for his attention.
âAh, Choi Youngjae Iâm so proud of you!â The person exclaims, Markâs body slowly turns to face the owner of the voice.
âLook at you hyung, all teary eyed!â The âChoi Youngjaeâ kid smiles holding on the personâs face. Mark can only see his black hair that curls up cutely around the side of his face. He brushes his fingers through it as he engages in conversation and it feels like Mark is stuck in a trance.
âJinyoungie, stop pestering Youngjae heâs a man now!â A taller brunette seems to tower over both âJinyoungieâ and Youngjae. He wraps an arm around Jinyoungieâs waist.
âOh hush, hyung. Youngjae is still my baby brothe-â
âMark hyung? Are you alright?â Mark blinks turning to face his family once again, his mother wears a look of concern so he immediately puts a smile on his face.
âYeah, just was about to call dad.â He smiles silently asking his mom if thatâs okay with her. She hesitates but nods letting Mark leave.
Mark pulls out his phone walking farther from his family, not to call his dad, but Jackson who was free today.
âOuch!â Mark runs straight into a body thatâs now sprawled out on the ground. His panic sets in when he sees a head full of jet black hair and hears a little whine.
âOh, Iâm so sorry!â Mark doesnât waste time extending a hand as heâs already bent over placing a hand at the small of his back and hoisting the boy up. He doesnât miss the blush on his face when he pulls away.
âThank youâ Jinyoungie smiles brushing off his pants. The material didnât seem too dirty which made Mark sigh in relief. He looks onto Jinyoungieâs face over the features and his eyes meet with Jinyoungieâs. Before he even realizes it the words are slipping from his mouth like vomit.
âIâm Mark Tuan.â
Jinyoungie pauses and then flashes Mark with the brightest smile heâs ever seen. White teeth that could blind the sun and the moon shape his eyes make as he laughs.
âIt was nice to run into you Mark, Iâm Park Jinyoung.â He extends a hand for Mark to shake and Mark does quickly with the action.
âHey, Jinyoungie hyung! Dads are looking for you! They said they want to take a photo together.â Choi Youngjae practically screams running straight into Jinyoung who knocks into Mark. Again.
Jinyoung shyly backs away from him apologizing quickly before waving goodbye.
âI hope we meet again, Mark Tuan..â He smiles looking over his shoulder and Mark follows his gaze. Joey is walking over with a smile on his face, oddly he pulls his jacket tightly around him. The air felt a bit frigid.
âOh, Park Jinyoung!â Joeyâs eyes widen and Mark thinks about questioning him but Jinyoung speaks faster.
âAish, Joey! Iâm your hyungâŚâ Jinyoung whines his lips pout out cutely into a pout. The cutest pout Markâs ever seen and he forgets he has to speak as he watches Jinyoung sulk.
âHyung, this is my big brother Mark.â Joey slings his arm around Jinyoung who nods and offers another blinding smile.
âYes, weâve met Joey. I didnât know he was your brother though!â Jinyoung raises his eyebrows in amusement and Mark nods like a child. Jinyoung offers him a look almost as if he were saying âuse your wordsâ.
âYes, I moved here 2 years ago. Iâm from LA.â
âJinyoung!â The brunette from earlier calls him and Jinyoung turns back to him and nods.
âI have to get going but if itâs alright with your family, Iâd like to invite you guys over to have dinner. I think Youngjae would love to have you over Joey.â Jinyoung removed himself from the youngerâs arm his readjusted on his neck.
âWeâd love to, thanks Hyung!â Joey says before Jinyoung sprints off in the other direction.Forget soulmarks, Mark knew what fate felt like.
It felt like Park Jinyoung.
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