“Hey Jeno, don’t you think Hyuck is kinda cute?” Mark asked, scrolling through Donghyuck’s Instagram feed during breakfast.
He’d found the younger man unexpectedly appealing the one time he’d seen him at the club. Interesting, he’d admit. He hadn’t felt attraction then, not until their accidental collision one particular night.
“Oh, Donghyuck?” Jeno asked, raising an eyebrow as he scrambled eggs. “Less than a week after meeting him, this guy’s already falling?” He shook his head, remembering the saying about falling for strangers, about flying out of Vegas.
“Yeah…?” Mark said, nodding. “I mean, he’s really adorable. I also wanted to get to know him more.”
Jeno looked at Mark, full of confusion. He knew Mark wasn’t the type to fall quickly, but he could see the flush in his friend’s eyes. Was this love at first sight?
Dropping his phone onto the table, Mark looked at Jeno with a sudden idea. “Can you set me up with Donghyuck?”
“It’s okay with me, but I don’t know about Donghyuck,” Jeno replied, standing up and carrying his plate to the sink. “Hurry up, you’re late.”
“Oh shit…”
Mark grabbed Jeno’s things, barely caring if they were messy, and jumped into the younger man’s car, still thinking about Donghyuck.
-----
As Donghyuck was about to close his apartment door, his phone buzzed.
[Hello?]
[Hyuckie!]
[Oh, Jeno? What is it?]
[You know that one Mark guy?]
[Umm… yeah?]
[Do you want to—you know… meet up?]
[What? Really?! Of course!]
-----
“See, Jaemin?” Mark squealed, jumping up and down as he entered Jaemin’s apartment. Jaemin was cooking dinner, and Mark couldn’t contain his excitement. “I told you he might like me too!”
“Maybe he just wanted a little… uhh…” Jaemin said, serving the plates. “A little talk?”
Jaemin knew he’d have to admit it, he didn’t want Donghyuck to have a boyfriend yet. It wasn’t that he was against it; he was just fiercely protective of Donghyuck, especially given his past. He’d break a bone if anyone ever hurt him.
But a part of him wanted this too. He knew Mark had a soft spot for someone he truly loved. He’d known Mark for too long now, and trusted him.
“Oh… okay.” Donghyuck mumbled, settling into a chair. Jaemin looked at him with widened eyes, realizing that wasn’t what he’d meant.
“No… no, Donghyuck,” Jaemin paused. “I just—I just want you to not rush things. You just met him for about an hour, and barely know anything about him.”
Jaemin looked at Donghyuck with a smile. “I don’t want you to regret things. I hate seeing you cry, and you know that. And of course… I’m always here for you.” He explained, a visible worry showing in his eyes as he leaned in, caressing Donghyuck’s hands.
A little chuckle escaped Donghyuck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” He said, still giggling. “Thank you… I really am. But yes, I also want someone with… try a few things out, maybe even heartbreaks.” He continued, smiling at Jaemin.
Jaemin chuckled, shaking his head. “Okay, okay. This is too much drama.”
-----
“Wait, dude! Are you for real?” Mark exclaimed, shaking Jeno’s shoulder as he entered the dorm. As soon as he walked beside the younger man, he excitedly smacked his arms. Jeno had just told him Donghyuck had agreed to the setup.
Jeno was considering beating the older man for all the screaming and jumping.
Mark stopped jumping. “But what did he say? What did he say?”
“He said, of course—as soon as he heard your name.” Jeno told him, which made Mark giddy.
“What the heck, Mark, you looked like a bottom.” Jeno said between laughs.
“Do I?”
Jeno nodded aggressively, still laughing, clapping his hands together.
“I’m a top though—”
“Don’t you dare say that to Hyuck.” Jeno stopped laughing and pointed a finger at Mark, threatening him.
“Yes sir, I promise.” Mark said, raising his hands up in the air making a promise sign.