Haneul

about me

⤷ haneul, 20, she/her ˚˖

┆⭑.ᐟ english is not my first language ᵎᵎ

┆⭑.ᐟ i'll only write mark x fem!reader ♡

┆⭑.ᐟ let me know if you want to be added to the taglist ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ

┆⭑.ᐟ masterlist

content: angst, exes to ??, unresolved feelings, emotional dependence, grief of lost time, reconnecting after years, vulnerability, hopeful ending. no proofread!

note: not claiming this is life changing angst or anything but i hope it still entertains you a little :)

mark always imagined heartbreak as slammed doors, screaming matches, tears spilled between cruel words that neither person actually meant. something dramatic. ugly enough to justify the ache afterward.

but you ended with swollen eyes and trembling smiles.

that somehow hurt more.

years together and not a single moment where he stopped loving you.

not even at the end.

especially not at the end.

the problem was timing.

because at twenty seven, mark was finally getting everything he had worked for since he was a teenager. producers in new york wanted him full time. labels wanted meetings. opportunities kept opening one after another, bigger and bigger, until staying in seoul permanently stopped making sense for his career.

and you…

you had your own life too.

your own future.

your own dreams rooted somewhere else.

neither of you wanted the other to sacrifice everything.

that was the worst part.

there was no villain in your story.

just two people who loved each other enough to let go before resentment ruined something beautiful.

mark still remembers the last night perfectly.

your apartment smelled like rain because the windows had been open all evening, city lights reflecting softly against the wet streets outside. both of you sat on the floor beside the couch for almost an hour saying absolutely nothing.

just holding hands.

like maybe silence could delay the inevitable.

mark remembers staring at your fingers intertwined with his and thinking:

this is the last time.

the thought nearly destroyed him.

“i don’t want us to hate each other one day” you whispered eventually, voice cracking halfway through.

mark looked at you immediately.

your eyes were already glossy.

“we won’t”

“people always say that”

“yeah, but…” he swallowed hard. “we’re not ending because we stopped loving each other”

that sentence sat between both of you painfully.

because it was true.

you still loved him.

mark reached up carefully, brushing hair away from your face while trying not to fall apart in front of you.

“if i asked you to stay” you whispered quietly, “would you?”

his chest tightened instantly.

because yes.

god, yes.

he would’ve stayed for you without thinking twice.

but you knew that already.

that’s why you asked.

mark laughed weakly through the tears burning his eyes, shaking his head a little.

“that’s not fair”

you smiled sadly.

“i know”

he kissed you after that.

you’ve survived tours, schedules, exhaustion, public pressure, late-night arguments caused by stress and distance already.

but this is different.

this isn’t temporary.

this is years.

maybe forever.

and deep down, both of you know love isn’t always enough to survive timing.

mark reaches for your hand slowly, fingers intertwining with yours.

you laugh quietly through the ache building in your chest.

“you’d regret staying”

his eyes immediately flash with frustration.

“i’d regret losing you too”

mark never really replaced you.

— three years passed and somehow every song he wrote still sounded a little like you.

which is exactly why his friend looked seconds away from losing his mind inside the studio.

“mark” he says slowly. “it’s been years”

“i know”

“and you’re still writing breakup songs like she left yesterday”

“she’s still everywhere”

“that bad?”

mark lets out a quiet laugh, but there’s nothing amused about it.

“i still reach for my phone whenever something good happens”

jihoon says nothing.

“like” mark continues softly. “every single time”

i hear your laugh in strangers sometimes

you were all my future tense…

mark leans back in his chair with a tired sigh, rubbing a hand over his face.

“i don’t know how to write this song without sounding pathetic”

“you are”

“thanks”

“respectfully”

mark’s voice lowers.

“if she cheated or if we hated each other or something, maybe i could’ve turned her into a villain in my head” he stares down at the notebook. “but she was good to me”

his throat tightens visibly around the words.

“too good”

jihoon reaches over eventually, lowering the volume of the instrumental slightly.

“you still love her?”

mark laughs softly under his breath like the question is ridiculous.

then his eyes water almost immediately after.

“man” he whispers, shaking his head once. “i never stopped”

we ended softly, that’s what ruined me

mark looks embarrassed the second he realizes he’s tearing up, rubbing quickly at his eyes before muttering,

“shit. sorry”

“don’t apologize”

“i’m not even sad anymore” mark says quietly. “it’s just…” he pauses, searching for the words.

still look for you in crowded rooms

every love song turns into you somehow

jihoon reads the lines over his shoulder and groans dramatically.

“oh my god” he says, pointing at him. “you are disgustingly in love”

mark laughs through his nose.

“shut up”

“if she hears this song she’s marrying you on the spot”

that makes mark go still.

“…you’d still marry her?”

mark looks down at the notebook.

at the lyrics.

at years of feelings he never really buried correctly.

somewhere deep down, buried underneath all those excuses, there’s another truth sitting quietly beneath them.

you.

the possibility of you.

even if he refuses to say it out loud.

“yeah” he says quietly.

“what actually happened between you two anyway?”

“timing” mark says simply.

“that’s it?”

“i moved here”

“and?”

“she deserved someone who could actually be there”

“maybe she didn’t need someone else. maybe she just needed you to come back one day”

mark’s eyes start watering again.

he presses his lips together hard, clearly trying not to completely lose composure in front of jihoon, but the second he looks away, a tear slips down anyway.

“ah, fuck”

jihoon doesn’t tease him.

doesn’t say anything at all, actually.

he just lowers the volume of the speakers even more until the studio is nearly silent except for mark trying to steady his breathing.

and for the next few minutes, that’s all there is.

mark sitting there with his head lowered, crying quietly into the sleeve of his hoodie while the notebook stays open on his lap.

jihoon pretends not to notice when mark wipes his face three times, pretends not to notice the way his shoulders shake once before he forces himself still again.

it’s the kindest thing he could do.

mark changes lyrics at three in the morning and sends voice notes to jihoon half asleep saying, “wait, no, this line sounds better”

he rerecords the bridge six different times because the emotion sounds “too forced” in one version and “not honest enough” in another.

if timing was kinder

would you still be mine?

or… did i lose you slowly?

after weeks of rewriting, rerecording, changing melodies, crying in secret between sessions, pretending he’s “just tired” whenever his voice cracks during certain lyrics.

the song is finally done.

i think i left my heart somewhere between your hands and goodbye

what if you hear it? what if you recognize yourself in every lyric immediately?

“so when are you releasing it?”

“i don’t know, i think i’m waiting”

jihoon frowns.

“for what?”

mark stares ahead quietly.

“a sign, maybe”

“damn… okay”

the topic has drifted.

food delivery menus. random music. jihoon complaining about a producer who can’t tune vocals properly. mark pretending he’s not half-listening while scrolling his phone.

normal things.

“you ever think about going back to korea?”

“i just… i don’t know, what if i go and it changes nothing?”

“but what if it changes everything?”

— without announcing it, without planning a speech or asking for reassurance, mark books the flight.

just a quiet click of confirmation on his phone while he sits on his bed half-awake. he packs like he’s afraid he’ll change his mind if he slows down.

clothes, his charger, nothing sentimental at all until he opens the drawer and finds the notebook.

words crossed out. rewritten. softened. rewritten again until it finally became something that sounds like you even when you’re not there.

i still don’t know how to stop loving you

he tears the page out carefully, fold it once, twice, then again until it fits in his wallet.

mark calls jihoon when he’s already at the airport.

“you did what?” jihoon’s voice comes through the phone, loud enough to make him pull it slightly away from his ear.

“yeah”

“so it’s really about her”

“i don’t know”

“… okay, send me a picture of your face when she slaps you”

the flight feels eternal, maybe it’s the distance, maybe it’s everything he’s carrying in his chest the entire time.

at arrivals, his brother is already waiting.

leaning casually against a pillar, scrolling on his phone until he looks up and spots him.

“yo” his brother calls out, grinning. “you look like shit, you cried?”

mark lets out a tired laugh as he walks over, pulling him into a quick hug.

“missed you too”

they start walking out together, the noise of the airport fading behind them.

“so” his brother says after a moment, glancing sideways at him. “new york finally kicked you out or you just got bored of being fancy and mysterious over there?”

“i work” mark replies.

the car is just ahead, mark opens the passenger door but doesn’t get in right away.

his brother leans against the car door, watching him carefully now.

“you didn’t come all this way just because you missed home” he says more quietly this time. not teasing anymore.

mark exhales through his nose, finally dropping his bag into the back seat before sliding into the passenger’s.

“there’s a lot” he says simply.

they drive for a bit in silence, then mark clears his throat, looking out the window instead of at him.

“do you…” he starts, then stops.

his brother glances over. “do i what?”

mark hesitates.

“do you know anything about her?”

“yeah” his brother says slowly. “she’s… the same.”

mark’s fingers tighten slightly in his lap.

“what do you mean the same?”

“like” his brother shrugs one shoulder, eyes still on the road. “she didn’t turn into some different person or anything, i see her sometimes. not often, but yeah. we pass by each other. she always says hi first”

“mmh”

“yeah” his brother nods. “and she asks about mom and dad sometimes too”

it’s not what he asked, but it’s exactly what he needed to hear.

his brother clears his throat.

“you still have feelings for her?”

his eyes stay fixed on the passing streetlights, reflections flickering across his face.

he nods. once, small, honest.

his brother runs a hand through his hair, glancing between the road and his brother.

“so what are you gonna do now?”

“if we’re meant to meet again while i’m here, we will”

when they get home, it hits mark so too fast.

the smell of it. the familiarity. the way the front door creaks the same way it always did. his mother’s voice calling his name before he even fully steps inside.

“mark?”

and that’s all it takes.

he’s being pulled into her arms before he can even process it properly, her hands gripping him like she’s checking he’s real, his dad coming out right after with that quiet relieved smile he always tries to hide behind.

“you got thinner” his mom says immediately, pulling back just enough to look at him properly.

“i didn’t” mark lies automatically.

his mother keep touching his face every few minutes like she needs to confirm he’s still there.

he tries to answer everything properly, but his mind keeps drifting in small, strange ways.

“you didn’t tell me you were coming” she says, half scolding, half overwhelmed.

“it was last minute” he says softly, leaning into her touch without thinking.

his dad follows behind her, calmer but smiling in that quiet way he always does when he’s relieved.

“welcome home” his dad says.

they don’t interrogate him (not right away).

they just feed him. ask him small questions. pretend not to notice how he zones out halfway through sentences.

at some point, he disappears into his old room and collapses face-first onto his bed.

when he wakes up, the sun is already lower, bleeding orange through the curtains.

his mom is knocking lightly on the door.

“we’re going out for a bit” she says. “come with us. you’ve been asleep for hours”

they walk together through the neighborhood later, his family talking around him like a comfortable noise he doesn’t have to participate in. his mom keeps asking him small things, trying to pull him into conversation.

“why are you so quiet today?” she asks gently at one point, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

mark smiles a little, hands in his pockets.

“i’m listening”

they stop at a small street cart, the kind that smells like fried food and sugar and smoke all at once. his dad starts ordering, his brother arguing over something pointless with him, his mom leaning in to choose what she wants.

mark hangs back slightly, letting them get absorbed in it, his hands stay in his pockets.

his eyes drifting lazily over people passing by. couples walking past. someone laughing too loudly down the street. the world moving as usual.

mark is barely present in it.

you’re there.

a cold rush runs through him, sharp and immediate, spreading through his chest and down his arms until it feels like his veins don’t know how to carry warmth anymore. his fingers tighten slightly inside his pockets without him noticing.

he tries to move his face, tries to do something normal with it, but it doesn’t cooperate properly. his expression feels stuck somewhere between disbelief and shock, and his eyes start to sting in a way he wasn’t prepared for.

he didn’t expect this, not today, not when he’s still adjusting to being back in the same country as you. he thought he’d have time, time to prepare, time to breathe.

you’re still walking forward.

still unaware.

head slightly down, eyes shifting to the sides as you move through the street, completely inside your own world.

you lift your gaze and stop walking abruptly.

your eyes lock.

mark scratches the side of his neck, his hand not knowing where else to go. his eyes stay on you for a second longer than he can handle before flicking away, then back again, he’s trying to confirm you’re not disappearing.

you take a small step forward, tears start to gather in your eyes, too quickly for you to stop them, and one slips down your cheek.

something in him breaks a little at the sight of you crying and not saying anything yet.

he doesn’t know what it is.

he can’t tell if you’re happy, if you’re angry, if you’ve been waiting for this moment for years or if it hurts too much for you to even process it.

or if it’s just the kind of crying that means it’s too late for both of you to pretend time didn’t pass.

“uhm… hi”

you let out a shaky breath that almost turns into a laugh, but it breaks halfway through.

“hi”

mark looks at your face properly then, your eyes. your expression. the way you’re trying to hold yourself together and failing in small ways that only he would notice.

his throat tightens again and he looks up quickly, blinking hard toward the sky like he can force the tears back down.

you get closer and reach up, gently cupping his face, wiping at his tears with your thumbs without hesitation.

his arms wrap around you, firm and immediate, and the moment he feels you against him, everything he’s been holding back collapses completely.

you make a small sound, something between a breath and a sob, and then you’re holding onto him too.

his grip tightens, then loosens, then tightens again as if he’s trying to convince himself you’re real.

he can’t stop it now.

his face presses slightly into your shoulder, and the sound he lets out is broken, unsteady, nothing composed about it anymore.

you’re crying too, fully now, hands clutching at his jacket.

“i’m sorry”

you shake your head against him, small and fast, but no words come out. there’s too much in your throat for anything to form.

his mom stands a few steps back, hand halfway raised. his dad doesn’t move at all. his brother is the only one who looks like he understands what he’s seeing.

“i love you”

you nod immediately, you’ve been holding the same thing in your chest for too long to pretend otherwise.

your hands slide up carefully to his face, pulling him just enough so you can see him properly.

his nose is red, eyes glassy, hair slightly messy from how often he’s run his hand through it.

you don’t know what else to do.

“…how have you been?”

you wipe under your eyes quickly.

he does the same.

“you look different”

mark pauses, then gives a small, tired smile.

“yeah?”

“yeah” you say softly, still trying to breathe evenly. “different different”

“you look beautiful”

his expression changes immediately.

“shit, sorry, i didn’t—“

you shake your head quickly.

“thank you”

his hand goes up to the back of his neck, scratching lightly, nervous habit coming back now that everything is too real.

mark clears his throat.

“can we… um” he pauses, then exhales, trying again. “can we meet one of these days? just to talk, i know we need it”

he looks at you carefully, he’s afraid of pushing too far.

“okay”

“okay”

despite everything, you both laugh at the same time.

small. nervous. disbelieving. because it’s awkward. because years just turned into this in the middle of a street.

“when did you get here?” you ask suddenly.

he blinks, still recovering.

“a few hours ago”

you nod slowly, like you’re trying to process that.

“right”

you glance down for a second, then back up at him.

“you should give me your new number” you say, a little more steady now, though your voice is still soft.

“my number?”

“yeah” you say, a little more stable now. “you changed it when you went to the states, right? i don’t have it”

he exhales through his nose, almost like he forgot that was even a thing.

“oh, yeah”

you tilt your head slightly.

“you still remember mine?”

“of course”

“why didn’t you text me?” you ask, very gently at first, like you’re not sure if you really want the answer.

nothing comes out.

and in that silence, you immediately shake your head a little, like you regret even asking.

“sorry” you say quickly. “i shouldn’t have asked that. it’s not… it’s not an obligation or anything. i just—”

“no” he says, voice low but steady. “you’re right”

“i have a lot to say” he continues, quieter now. “a lot i should’ve said a long time ago”

his family is still there, pretending not to listen but absolutely listening anyway. his mom has her hand near her mouth, emotional in a way she’s trying to hide. his brother just looks away toward the street like he’s giving you both privacy without moving.

you glance over, remembering they exist.

your expression shifts instantly, polite again, a little flustered.

“oh—i’m sorry” you say quickly, stepping back slightly. “hi… sorry, i didn’t say hello properly”

mark’s mom immediately shakes her head.

“no, no” she says softly, stepping forward just a bit. “it’s okay, don’t worry”

mark reaches into his wallet and pulls out a folded piece of paper, worn at the edges, carefully handled like it’s been carried more than it’s been opened.

“this is for you” he says softly.

“what—?”

“your song— i mean— yeah, i wrote something for you, actually… a lot of these but- you know, i just wanted to give it to you one day”

you unfold the paper slowly.

his handwriting.

and suddenly it’s three years ago again.

you can practically see him hunched over notebooks at night, tapping his pen against the page while thinking too hard about every word.

there are crossed out lines everywhere.

rewritten sentences.

small stains where the ink blurred slightly.

tears.

you know immediately they’re tears.

“you don’t have to read it right now if you don’t want to”

you shake your head softly.

no.

you need to.

i tried to hate you once

just so losing you would hurt less

but you were too kind to become a villain in my story

if you asked me today

right now

to stay beside you for the rest of my life

i still would

lines destroy whatever composure you barely rebuilt minutes ago.

if another life exists somewhere after this one

i hope i meet you earlier

i hope i keep you longer

“you can’t just—” your voice breaks completely. “you can’t just give me this after three years, mark”

mark carefully pulls you closer before you can completely fall apart standing there.

his arms wrap around you slowly this time.

“i know” he whispers again, voice cracking badly now. “i know, baby, i know”

the nickname slips out.

neither of you acknowledges it.

you’re crying too hard to.

his hand moves up your back slowly, rubbing gentle circles while your face presses against his chest again.

he’s crying too.

quietly.

trying not to make it worse for you.

“i thought about you every day” he admits shakily into your hair. “every single day”

his mom looks emotional enough to cry herself now.

his brother looks fully uncomfortable in the way people do when witnessing something too intimate to exist in public.

eventually your breathing steadies little by little.

your phone rings.

“sorry” you mumble automatically, sniffing softly.

mark nods immediately, stepping back just enough to give you space even though his eyes never really leave your face.

you answer quietly.

“hello?”

your best friend’s voice comes through immediately.

“where are you? i’ve been waiting for like twenty minutes”

your eyes flick toward mark instantly.

“ah… i’m sorry” you say softly. “i ran into someone”

there’s a pause.

“…someone?”

you laugh weakly through the leftover tears.

“yeah”

“…oh my god”

you close your eyes briefly.

“i’ll explain later”

you hang up.

“i’m sorry” you say quietly. “i have to go”

mark nods before you even finish speaking.

you step closer again slowly, your smile small and emotional and exhausted all at once.

“you’ll text me later?”

“i will”

you nod once.

then move closer until there’s barely space between you again.

your voice drops softer.

“thank you”

your arms wrap around him and he exhales shakily against your hair, eyes closing hard the second he feels you again.

then quietly, so quietly only he hears it:

“i love you too”

you turn toward his family quickly after, wiping under your eyes with embarrassed little laughs.

“it was really nice seeing you again”

his mom immediately reaches for your hand.

“you too”

his dad gives you a warm smile.

his brother lifts a hand casually.

“see you”

mark keeps staring long after you disappear into the crowd.

his brother is looking at him with the kind of expression people reserve for someone clearly emotionally gone.

“she left like thirty seconds ago” his brother says carefully. “you can breathe now”

mark lets out a weak laugh through his nose, rubbing quickly under his eyes again.

“shut up”

mark already has his phone out before they even start walking again.

your number.

your contact.

after years.

his chest tightens again when he sees your name at the top of the chat.

my love 💗

he never changed it.

— you barely hear your best friend talking beside you, something about traffic, something about how your mascara is ruined.

but your mind is somewhere else entirely.

markiepoo 💙💬

hi

i know you literally just left but…

i’m really happy i saw you today

and i still mean everything i wrote down

how are you supposed to answer that normally?

how are you supposed to act casual after years of loving someone quietly?

you 💬

i hope every love song you write for the rest of your life sounds a little bit like me

content: established relationship, teasing, kissing, sexual content, fingering, soft dominance undertones, praise, and whatever else happened in this 😭

note: maybe not a masterpiece but it’s honest work – no proofread

mark had been staring at the same line for almost twenty minutes.

the cursor blinks at him from the laptop screen like it’s mocking him, the unfinished lyric sitting there with half a sentence and three different versions underneath. crumpled paper covers the floor around his desk, his headphones hanging crooked around his neck while he rubs both hands down his face with a tired groan.

nothing sounds right.

every melody suddenly feels annoying. every word too dramatic or too empty.

he leans back in his chair and sighs hard, eyes drifting toward the closed bedroom door when he hears faint music coming from the kitchen.

the apartment smells warm the second he opens the door. garlic, butter, something sweet simmering in a pan. the kitchen lights are dim except for the warm yellow one over the stove, and there you are in the middle of it all wearing one of his oversized shirts and socks sliding slightly against the floor.

completely lost in the music.

lady gaga blasts from the speaker while you stir something in the pan dramatically like you’re performing on stage.

“i want your ugly, i want your disease~”

mark leans against the hallway wall quietly, arms crossing over his chest as he watches you.

and god, he could stay there forever.

you’re dancing with absolutely no shame, hips moving around the kitchen, hair messy from cooking, cheeks warm from the stove heat.

meanwhile he’s spent the last hour frustrated out of his mind.

but somehow just looking at you makes the pressure in his chest disappear.

you spin around while singing louder and finally notice him standing there.

your face lights up immediately.

“i want your love and—”

you point at him dramatically with the kitchen knife in your hand.

“—i want your revenge~”

mark’s eyes widen and he instantly bursts out laughing.

“why do you have the knife out?!” he laughs.

“it’s part of the performance”

“you look insane”

mark shakes his head, grin still stuck on his face as he finally pushes himself off the wall and walks into the kitchen.

“i thought we were ordering food tonight” he says, voice softer now. “or going out or something”

you turn back to the stove, casually stirring the pan again. “i know but… you’ve been working all day” you shrug. “i felt like cooking something for you”

“oh~” he drags out dramatically, stepping closer. “thank you chef”

you grin and lift the spoon toward him proudly. “look”

mark leans closer beside you, looking down into the pan while the steam rises between both of you.

“wait” he blinks. “that actually looks sooooo good”

“obviously, everything i do is good”

mark looks at you sideways after that, lips twitching like he’s trying not to laugh.

“yeah” he says slowly. “i can personally confirm that”

“you’re such a pervert! oh my god”

“what?” he says innocently. “i literally just complimented your skills”

“mark lee”

his grin gets bigger immediately at the tone of your voice.

“okay but am i wrong?”

you try to keep a straight face but fail immediately when he steps closer behind you.

his arms slide around your waist slowly, pulling you back against him while the music keeps playing softly in the background. mark rests his chin on your shoulder for a second before dipping his face into your neck with a quiet hum.

“mmh?” he murmurs against your skin. “am i wrong?”

you smile instantly at the feeling of his voice there.

“guess you’ve done enough research to know”

mark goes completely still.

then he pulls back fast just to stare at you in shock.

“yo—”

you burst out laughing immediately.

his mouth falls open before he starts laughing too, loud and completely caught off guard.

“nah” he says, pointing at you accusingly. “you can’t say stuff like that”

“why not?”

“that’s my thing”

you grin proudly while stirring the pan again. “maybe i’m learning”

“no, no” he shakes his head dramatically, still laughing. “you shouldn’t be learning those things, you’re my baby”

his lips brush against the side of your neck once, soft enough to make your shoulders tense instantly. then again, lingering longer, completely deliberate about it.

you let out a small laugh, already squirming in his arms.

“mark” you mumble. “i’m literally cooking”

“i know”

another kiss.

“are you too busy?” he asks quietly against your skin.

you laugh again, trying to focus on the pan while his kisses keep distracting you.

“kind of?”

“is there still a lot left?”

you glance at the stove quickly before shaking your head.

“not really”

you finish the last few things quickly: lowering the stove heat, moving the utensils aside, tasting the sauce one last time before nodding to yourself in approval.

all while feeling his eyes on you.

“done” you announce finally.

mark smiles immediately. “finally”

you laugh softly before turning around in his arms properly this time, hands sliding up his chest until they rest around his neck.

“needy”

“very”

he doesn’t even give you another second before kissing you.

your fingers slip into his hair while his hands settle firmly on your waist, pulling you closer against him.

then lower.

his palms squeeze your ass suddenly and you let out a surprised sound against his mouth.

you narrow your eyes at him even while smiling. “huh?”

he kisses you again quickly before pulling back with the most fake sad pout imaginable.

“i’m just stressed” he sighs dramatically. “working all day. suffering”

“…oh my god”

he tries to look innocent and fails completely.

you laugh under your breath. “and what exactly can i do to help you relieve all this stress?”

mark leans down brushing his lips against yours while whispering softly.

“you know”

you laugh right into his mouth.

“you’re not subtle at all”

“do i need to be?”

you shake your head smiling before lightly pushing his chest.

“go sit on the couch”

mark obeys immediately.

“yes ma’am”

you laugh while watching him walk to the living room, still looking way too pleased with himself.

he drops onto the couch comfortably, spreading his arms across the back cushions like he owns the place (which, technically, he does).

you stop right between his legs and he looks up at you slowly, already smiling.

then he bites his lip.

“wow” you say. “you look desperate”

his eyebrows lift instantly.

“i do not”

“you absolutely do”

mark straightens up with fake seriousness, hands resting on your hips.

“i’m completely okay, actually”

“mhm”

“perfectly normal”

you snort softly while looking down at him.

his hair is messy from you running your hands through it earlier, lips pink from kissing, eyes still carrying that warm sleepy look he always gets around you.

you reach down and brush his hair back from his forehead gently.

“you’re so pretty” you say quietly.

his eyes close for a second while a smile spreads across his lips.

“come here” he murmurs. “lie down”

mark’s expression relaxed the second you got close enough for him to pull you down onto the couch with him.

carefully, one hand at your waist while he settles between your legs naturally, like this is exactly where he’s supposed to be.

his eyes move over your face with the softest expression, thumb brushing absentmindedly against your side under your shirt.

“what?” you whisper with a smile tugging at your lips.

mark shakes his head a little.

“nothing” he murmurs. “just really love looking at you”

he leans down and kisses you.

you melt into him, fingers sliding into his hair while his mouth moves against yours. every kiss lingers. every touch feels deliberate.

“missed you all day” he whispers against your lips.

a quiet laugh escapes you.

“boy…”

he grins softly before kissing you again, desperate.

his body shifts carefully between your legs until his full weight settles over you, the couch dipping. his chest presses against yours, warm and solid, and suddenly he’s everywhere.

his warmth.

his scent.

the feeling of his thighs nudging yours apart just enough for him to fit closer.

pulling little sounds out of you one by one until his own breathing starts getting heavier too.

“fuck” he whispers quietly when your fingers tighten in his hair. “do that again”

you tug lightly without thinking and the sound he lets out is low and rough, hips pressing down against yours.

the friction makes both of you inhale sharply.

he closes his eyes briefly, forehead resting against yours.

“sorry, baby”

your face burns hotter.

his hand slips under your shirt, fingertips dragging slowly across your waist and stomach. his touch is gentle, almost lazy, but the way he pays attention to every reaction makes it impossible to stay calm.

“you’re so sensitive tonight” he murmurs against your jaw.

“mhm” you answer weakly.

his (very) visible erection reacting immediately at how breathless you already sound.

“pretty girl”

the praise alone makes your stomach tighten.

every few seconds his hips shift unconsciously against yours again, enough to make your head tip back against the couch.

you can feel how badly he wants you.

“so fucking perfect…”

his hand slides lower gradually, fingers tracing along your thigh.

mark glances up at you instantly.

“okay?” he asks softly.

you nod fast.

“yeah”

“good. be patient for me“

he takes his time touching you, fingertips brushing teasingly over you until your hips twitch impatiently.

“mark…” you whisper.

“i know, baby” he murmurs, kissing the corner of your mouth.

when his fingers finally slide through your folds, your mouth falls open immediately.

a quiet curse slips under his breath at your reaction.

“look at you” he whispers softly. “already falling apart for me”

your hands clutch at his shoulders while he keeps touching you, you can barely focus on anything except him.

“god, you look so pretty”

your legs start trembling the longer he keeps going.

his fingers push inside you slowly. enough to pull shaky little sounds from your throat that only make him groan softly against your mouth.

“fuck” you breathe out weakly, fingers tightening in his shirt.

his fingers curl just right and your hips jerk immediately.

mark smiles against your lips.

“yeah?” he murmurs. “that feel good, love?”

he keeps going at that same steady pace, fingers sliding deeper while his thumb strokes over your clit gently, talking you through every reaction because he loves hearing you fall apart.

he looks completely obsessed with you.

“close?” he whispers quietly after a while.

you nod immediately, barely able to think straight.

“yeah? c’mon then”

your legs shake hard around him.

mark slows his movements, helping you through it while kissing your cheek and jaw softly, murmuring little praises the entire time.

“that’s it, my love…”

he smiles completely gone for you.

“hi” he whispers.

you let out a weak embarrassed laugh and hide your face against his shoulder immediately.

“don’t hide from me now”

“shut up”

he laughs quietly under his breath before kissing the top of your head.

“you okay?”

you nod against him.

“mhm”

“yeah?” his hand rubs slowly up and down your back. “you with me again?”

“barely”

“that good, huh?”

“you’re so proud of yourself”

“baby” he whispers, still smiling. “you were shaking”

you pinch his side weakly.

“okay, okay” he murmurs. “i’ll stop”

he pulls a blanket down from the back of the couch and throws it over both of you.

“love you” he murmurs.

“love you too”

“still thinking about the sounds you made, by the way”

content: blurred boundaries, roommates to lovers, tension, teasing, physical touch, kissing, suggestive.

note: yeah… they crossed the line 👩🏻‍🦯

there’s the soft scratch of minjeong’s pen against paper, the occasional sigh when something doesn’t make sense right away, the low hum of everything that exists in the background when two people are focused but not alone.

your phone lights up against the table.

mark.

you don’t think about it much, just reach for it and answer, tapping speaker as you lean back in your chair.

“hey”

“hey” his voice comes out softer than it needs to be, lower, steady, carrying that calm tone he always uses with you, the one that makes it feel as if nothing around him is urgent enough to rush what he wants to say.

“are you busy right now?”

you glance at the spread of notes in front of you, then at minjeong, who’s already half listening without looking up.

“not really. just working on the project with minjeong”

“mmh, good” another pause, lighter this time. “i didn’t want to interrupt if you were in the middle of something”

you shift in your seat, resting your chin on your hand.

“nah, it’s okay. why?”

“i was gonna go out with chenle, haechan and jungwoo tonight” he says it carefully, not hesitant, just… aware. “we’re probably gonna grab food and hang out for a bit, so i might get back kinda late”

“i just wanted to tell you so you don’t wait for me for dinner. or worry if it gets too late. i’ll text you when i’m on my way back”

“oh… okay” your voice comes out easy, softer than before without trying. “minjeong’s here anyway, we’re probably staying up late to finish this”

“you’re not gonna skip dinner, right?”

you blink, a smile starting to form before you can stop it.

“no, mom. i’ll eat”

“i’m serious, y/n”

“i know. i will, don’t worry”

“okay” he says finally, quieter. “just… text me if you need anything, yeah?”

your fingers tap lightly against the table, your gaze drifting for no real reason.

“i won’t need anything. go have fun”

“still. just in case” there’s a faint exhale on his end, something relieved, something satisfied in a way that doesn’t need to be explained.

“i’ll see you later then”

“yeah. later”

“later”

the call ends and you just sit there, staring at your phone, aware of something warm spreading through you in a slow, quiet way that makes it hard to focus on anything else.

“that was not a friend”

minjeong’s voice cuts through it immediately.

you look up. “what?”

she’s already staring at you, pen abandoned, full attention locked in.

“that was not how a friend talks”

you frown slightly, trying to keep your expression neutral even though something inside you is still too soft, too full.

“what do you mean?”

she leans forward, eyes narrowing as if she’s analyzing you.

“he told you he’s gonna be late. he told you not to wait for him. he told you to eat. he said he’ll text you when he’s coming back” she counts on her fingers, each point sharper than the last. “why would he do all that if you’re just his roommate?”

you open your mouth, then close it again.

“he’s just being nice”

“no” she shakes her head immediately. “nice is saying ‘hey i’m going out’. that was a whole boyfriend report”

you let out a small breath, trying to look back down at your notes, but your focus isn’t there anymore.

“you’re overthinking it, it’s not—“

“you’re underthinking it” she shoots back, then leans even closer, eyes flicking over your face. “and why are you smiling?”

“what? i’m not”

“you literally are” she points at you, half offended, half thrilled. “you’re trying to hide it and it’s worse”

you press your lips together but it doesn’t quite work. there’s something stubborn in the way your mouth wants to curve, something you can’t fully push down.

“stop”

“oh my god” she sits back, hand over her mouth. “you like him”

“i didn’t say that!”

“you didn’t have to”

minjeong leans back in her chair, watching you in a way that feels a little too knowing for comfort, a little too entertained by something you’re still trying to pretend isn’t there.

you reach for your pen before she can say anything else, flipping a page with more force than needed.

“can we just finish this?”

you can feel her still looking at you, waiting, stretching the silence enough to make you aware of it.

then she sighs, dramatic but not enough to fully annoy you.

“fine. but if we fail this, it’s because you’re in love and distracted”

you don’t look up.

“we’re not failing”

“mhm”

the sound of her pen returns, and for a while it’s just that again. paper shifting, quiet thinking.

you start explaining an idea, pointing at a section of the notes.

“if we connect this part with the last theory, it might make more sense. we can argue that the results aren’t isolated but part of a pattern”

she hums, actually listening now.

“okay, wait, say that again”

you repeat it, slower this time, organizing the words as you go, and she nods, scribbling things down.

“that’s good. write that”

you do, your handwriting steady, your focus slowly coming back.

for a few minutes, it almost feels normal again.

ALMOST.

“so…” her voice slips in again, casual, too casual. “does he always call before going out or is that a today-only special?”

you don’t even pause your writing.

“minjeong”

“what? i’m just asking”

“focus”

“i am focused. i’m focused on the fact that your roommate gives you updates as if you’re waiting at home by the door”

you press your lips together, finishing the sentence before setting your pen down.

“he’s just considerate”

“he could be considerate without sounding that soft”

you glance at her, just for a second.

“you’re imagining things”

she grins, quick and sharp.

“am i?”

you look back at your notes, flipping another page to avoid her eyes.

“yes, there’s nothing between us”

“well… maybe he’s just like that” she says, tone lighter now. “you know, naturally caring and all that”

“yeah. he is. he’s always like that with everyone”

the conversation folds back into the project without resistance this time, no more teasing slipping through, no more looks held a second too long.

at some point, your shoulders start to ache a little from leaning over the table, and minjeong stretches with a small groan, complaining about how long you’ve both been sitting without actually stopping.

“we’re done”

“finally” she closes her notebook with a soft thud. “i actually thought we were gonna die doing this”

“sooo dramatic for no reason”

“i’m gonna go. if i stay any longer i’m not leaving”

you nod, standing up to walk her to the door.

“text me when you get home”

“i will, and don’t wait for him too long”

“minjeong!”

“text me when you finally admit it”

“goodnight” you try to sound firm, but it comes out softer than intended.

“night, lovergirl”

you shut the door before she can say anything else, leaning your forehead against it for a second.

you move back into the living room, letting yourself fall onto the couch as you reach for your laptop, still open where you left it. the screen lights up your face in soft tones, and you click on a movie more out of habit than actual interest, just to have something playing, something to fill the silence.

but your attention is not there. your gaze stays on the screen without really focusing, thoughts slipping away the second they begin to form.

it always circles back to him.

you shift slightly, adjusting the blanket around your legs, exhaling through your nose as if that could clear your head.

three soft beeps that cut cleanly through the silence.

mark steps inside, pauses when he notices you on the couch, surprise flickering across his face for a brief second.

“you’re still up”

“yeah” you answer, pushing yourself up slightly, the blanket slipping down your legs. “we just finished a bit ago”

he nods, closing the door behind him before slipping off his shoes. his hand drags briefly through his hair as he walks further in.

“how was it?” you ask after a moment, your voice softer now, more natural in the calm of the apartment. “with chenle and them”

“it was good” he replies, shoulders lifting slightly. “loud. haechan didn’t stop talking the entire time”

“i can imagine”

“what are you watching?”

you glance at the screen, then back at him.

“i don’t even know anymore”

“that bad?”

“i stopped paying attention halfway through”

“can i sit?”

“yeah” you answer immediately, shifting to make space.

he lowers himself beside you, leaving a small distance at first.

“you look tired” you murmur, turning your head slightly toward him.

“a little” he admits, leaning back, his head resting against the couch as his eyes drift toward the screen.

“i’m gonna shower” he says after a while, pushing himself up.

“okay”

a few minutes later, the sound of water starts faintly through the walls.

then stops.

mark comes back out with damp hair, a black tank top clinging lightly to his frame, sweatpants hanging low on his waist in that effortless way that looks like he didn’t think about it at all, socks soft against the floor as he walks back in.

“you’re still here” he says again, like he’s slightly surprised.

“i live here, my guy”

“pfff, very funny”

he sits next to you.

then, naturally, you move your legs onto his lap, it’s something that’s always been allowed.

he doesn’t even react beyond a quiet exhale, hands already finding your ankles through your socks, thumbs pressing lightly like it’s instinct.

“you’re cold” he mutters.

“i’m fine”

“you’re always cold”

and you don’t mean to stare, you really don’t, but it happens anyway.

his arms.

the way the fabric of the tank top shifts when he moves, the quiet definition underneath, the faint lines of veins when his hands flex around your feet. there’s something unfairly distracting about how effortlessly strong he looks while doing something so gentle.

“what?”

“what?” you repeat immediately, too fast.

“you’ve been zoning out for like five minutes”

you look away instantly, suddenly very interested in the corner of the room.

“no, i’m not”

“you’re so bad at lying”

your face feels slightly warmer, and you shift your legs a little on his lap like that helps.

you risk a glance back at him, and he’s already looking at you.

“you’re so pretty”

you stare at him.

“…what?”

he blinks once, like he’s just realized what he said out loud.

his ears go a little red almost instantly.

“i—” he clears his throat, looking away for a second. “i didn’t mean to say that out loud”

you laugh, nervous and disbelieving at the same time.

“what the fuck”

he exhales, but it’s more awkward than confident now, his hands still on your ankles cause he doesn’t know what to do with them.

“forget it”

“no, i can’t just forget it”

“yes, you can”

you’re still laughing a little when you sit up slightly.

“you need to stop being so… boyfriend with me”

“uh?”

“you know what i mean” you gesture vaguely, trying to ignore how fast your heart is moving. “people are literally starting to think we have something going on”

“does it bother you?”

your eyes drift up toward the ceiling instead, like it has something useful to offer.

silence stretches.

“does it?”

you shift slightly, avoiding his eyes completely.

“why do you keep asking?”

“you didn’t answer!”

“minjeong said something earlier” you finally look at him again.

“what did she say?”

you hesitate for half a second too long. not really sure if you should share that information with him.

“that you act like my boyfriend”

“does it bother you?”

again.

so close now that you can’t really pretend you’re not looking at him anymore.

and your voice comes out smaller than you expect. “no”

“no?”

you nod slightly.

“no” it’s so soft he almost misses it.

“it doesn’t bother me either” he says.

you try to hide the shy smile that pulls at your mouth, looking down at your legs instead (but it doesn’t really work).

he laughs in that soft way that makes your heart melt slowly.

“why are you smiling, huh?”

you shift again on the couch, acting like that’ll reset your entire nervous system.

when you look back up, he’s still watching you, not even realizing he’s moved.

“are you sure it doesn’t bother you?”

“i’m sure, mark”

kiss.

it’s not rushed but it’s not hesitant either. it’s warm, direct, something that had been sitting between you for too long and finally stopped waiting for permission.

like the thought of “should we” never even made it into the room.

his fingers tighten slightly at your waist, pulling you a little closer until there’s barely any space left between you two on the couch.

you let out a small breath against his mouth, and he answers it by kissing you again.

mark laughs softly into it, barely breaking it.

“you’re shaking” he murmurs, voice low, teasing.

“i’m not”

“yes, you are”

“shut up, Lee”

he smiles against your lips. “make me”

that does something to you, and you don’t even try to think about how to react.

his hands guide you with an ease that makes it feel like you weigh nothing, and suddenly you’re on his lap.

“better?” he asks.

“i— you’re crazy”

“me?” he repeats, pointing at himself briefly, then letting his hand fall back to your waist. “i’m literally just sitting here”

“sure, just sitting there”

“you look really good like this” he says suddenly.

“uhm— like… what?”

“like… on top of me”

“on top of you?” you repeat, quieter, suddenly very aware of everything. the way your hands are resting on his shoulders, the warmth of his thighs under you, how close his face is now.

“yeah, why are you getting shy now?”

“pfff i’m not—” you start, but your voice doesn’t really support your argument.

“you are” he cuts in easily, smiling in that way that makes it worse. “it’s cute”

“don’t say that” you mumble, trying to look anywhere but directly at him.

his hand slides a little higher on your waist, definitely not accidental.

“you were staring at me earlier and now you can’t even look at me?”

“i wasn’t staring”

“you did” he leans in just slightly, enough to pull your attention back. “hard”

“shut up”

he laughs again and kisses you.

your hands tighten slightly on his shoulders, body relaxing into his as the initial nervousness melts.

he hums against your lips, enjoying the warmth between your bodies.

“a—ah” it comes out smaller than you want, almost breathy, and that only makes it worse.

he smiles into it while one of his hands slide from your waist to your lower back, fingers spreading just enough to pull you in, pressing you more firmly against him, testing how close is too close.

when you pull back just enough to breathe, your forehead almost resting against his.

“i’m not cold anymore”

he bites his lip, not even trying to hide the smirk this time.

“yeah?” his voice drops a bit. “glad i could help”

“of course you are”

“you can tell me to stop” he says, voice low, not pushing, just… giving you the option. “i don’t want to make you feel pressured, pretty”

content: fluff, comfort, recently established relationship, slice of life, skinship, quiet love, clingy, soft intimacy, attentiveness.

note: posting small scenarios - suggestions are always welcome if there’s something specific you’d like to read ⭐️

you’re sitting cross-legged on the bed, small bottles scattered around you, two unopened face masks resting near your knee when you hear the door open.

still reading the back of one packet even though you’ve already decided you’re using it anyway.

“you look busy” mark says from the doorway.

he’s just standing there, hair still a little damp, sleeves pushed up, taking in the scene without saying anything else.

“i am”

he smiles and walks over, stopping right in front of you. his eyes move over everything on the bed.

“…what is all this?”

you hold up one of the packets, turning it so he can read it. “i bought these today”

mark leans down a bit to look at it properly, eyes scanning the packaging, then flicking back up to your face.

“for you?”

“for us”

he shifts closer, his fingers brushing your knee before settling there. “so… what do i do?”

you pat the spot in front of you. “sit first”

he does, knees bumping into yours, closer than necessary. his hand stays where it is, thumb moving against your leg.

you open one of the masks and hand it to him. he just stares at it.

“…why does it feel like jelly?” he murmurs.

“wait”

he lets you, leaning in without hesitation, watching your hands.

“close your eyes”

you place the mask over his face, adjusting it carefully, smoothing it along his cheeks. he stays still, lips parting slightly before pressing together again.

“is it on right?” he asks softly.

you adjust the edge near his jaw, your fingers lingering for a second. “almost”

“…okay”

“done”

“how do i look?”

you tilt your head, pretending to inspect him seriously. “hmm… i think it’s working”

“that doesn’t answer my question”

“you look cute”

he looks down for a second, smiling to himself. “good. am i allowed to move?”

“barely”

“that sounds stressful”

“you’ll survive”

you open your own mask next, but before you can put it on, he reaches out.

“wait, let me—“ he says.

you pause, handing it to him.

mark takes it carefully, unfolding it with a bit more focus than necessary. “don’t move”

he leans closer, placing it over your face, hands gentle as he adjusts it. fingers brush along your cheeks, your temples, the side of your face…

“is it straight?” you ask.

his eyes scanning your face.

“…yeah” he says quietly. “it’s perfect”

“thank you”

he just stays there, looking at you.

“what?” you ask softly.

mark shakes his head, a small smile forming. “nothing”

he leans forward and wraps his arms around you, pulling you into his lap as if it’s the most natural thing in the world.

you let out a soft laugh, your hands automatically going to his shoulders. “you didn’t even ask”

“i didn’t think i had to”

“you didn’t.”

you adjust your legs around him, arms resting loosely around his neck, then pull back just enough to look at him.

“what?” he asks, voice low.

you don’t answer, just lean in and press a gentle kiss to the mole on his neck.

“…hey” he murmurs, a small smile slipping in. “what was that?”

you kiss the same spot again, slower this time.

“I’m busy” you whisper.

“doing what?”

you don’t rush, pressing another soft kiss to his neck.

“…okay” he breathes out, trying not to react too much. “you’re serious”

you hum in response, continuing, your lips brushing his skin again.

mark leans his head back just a little, giving you more space without thinking about it.

“should i… stay still?” he asks.

“yeah”

“okay”

he listens, staying still except for the way his fingers move slightly against your sides.

every time you pull back just a bit, he looks at you and softens again when you lean in.

“…you’re gonna do all of them?” he asks quietly.

“every one i can see”

“okay”

your thumb brushes the inside of his middle finger before you bring his hand up and press a soft kiss there.

“that one feels different” he murmurs.

you keep holding his hand, your fingers threading with his for a second before lifting his arm a little.

“there’s more” you say quietly.

he nods, eyes on you. “i know”

“…you’re really gentle” he says.

you glance up at him. “you’re just noticing?”

mark smiles a little. “nah”

you shake your head, smiling, and lean in again.

“wait”

“what?”

he points lightly to another spot on his arm. “you missed one”

“you’re helping now?”

“i don’t want you to skip any”

you lean in and kiss that one too.

“thank you” he says, almost under his breath.

“…you’re really cute” you say.

he shakes his head immediately. “no”

“yes”

mark leans in then, trying to kiss you, but the masks get in the way and it ends up clumsy.

you both pause for a second, then laugh at the same time.

“that didn’t work” you say.

“i can fix it” he insists, trying again, this time pressing a quick kiss to the corner of your mouth.

it’s still not perfect, and that makes you laugh more.

“i’m trying” he murmurs, smiling, his arms wrapping around you again.

“i can see that”

“we should do this again” he says.

“we will”

“like… soon”

you tilt your head. “you liked it that much?”

“i like this… i like when you do things like this”

you stay there with him, talking about nothing, laughing when he tries to kiss you again and fails because of the masks, not caring that it’s messy, not caring about anything except the way he keeps holding you.

— 027.

love eternally | masterlist | prev

pairing — mark lee x fem!reader

Tokyo in the morning carries a kind of quiet that feels earned rather than empty. Light settles gently across the streets, pale and even, touching the edges of buildings and slipping into narrow spaces between them. The air smells faintly of bread, something warm and newly baked, mixed with the sharper note of coffee drifting out from somewhere you can’t quite see.

You walk beside Mark without speaking for a while, your steps naturally falling into the same rhythm. Sunnie moves just ahead, close enough that you feel her presence without needing to reach for her. She turns often, not unsure, she just wants to share everything she notices.

“Can we go in there?” she asks, stopping suddenly in front of a small stationery shop.

The window is arranged with quiet precision. Pens aligned by color, notebooks stacked in clean rows, small details placed with intention rather than decoration.

Mark glances at you, already reading your answer before you give it.

Inside, the shift is immediate. The outside world softens into something distant, as if the door closes more than just sound. The air smells faintly of paper and something floral, barely there. Sunnie lowers her voice without thinking, her movements slowing as she steps between the shelves.

She doesn’t rush.

Her fingers move lightly over objects, picking things up, studying them, placing them back exactly as they were. Every small action feels careful, deliberate. You notice how she adjusts a pen so it lines up perfectly with the rest, how she straightens a stack of notebooks she didn’t disturb in the first place.

Mark leans slightly closer to you. “She’s taking this very seriously”

You smile without looking at him. “She likes things like this”

Sunnie pauses in front of a display of notebooks, her hand hovering over them before she chooses one. It isn’t the brightest or the most decorated. Just something simple, soft in color, something that feels like it belongs to her already.

She turns toward you. “For the trip”

“Journal?”

She nods. “So I don’t forget things”

Mark steps forward, taking the notebook from her hands with a small, approving nod. There’s no discussion about it, no hesitation. At the counter, he pays quietly, like it’s part of something already decided.

Sunnie watches him for a second. “I could’ve paid”

“I know” he replies, handing the bag back to her. “You don’t need to, not when you’re with me”

She accepts it without pushing further, holding it carefully as you step back outside.

The quiet replaced by a steady flow of movement. Sunnie checks the bag once, then again, her fingers brushing over the outline of the notebook inside as if confirming its presence matters.

You notice the small gesture, the way she holds onto it.

“What’s the first thing you’re writing?” you ask.

She walks for a few steps before answering. “This morning”

“Just this morning?”

“And the shop” she adds. “And how it smells outside”

You arrive at a crossing that stretches wider than expected, lines painted clearly across the ground. People gather at the edges, waiting without impatience.

Sunnie stands still for a moment, taking it in.

When the signal changes, the shift is immediate. People move from every direction at once, stepping forward with purpose, weaving around each other in a pattern that feels unplanned but never chaotic.

You step forward with Mark beside you.

Sunnie follows, then slows halfway through, her attention caught by the scale of it. She turns slightly, watching the movement around her, the way everything flows without stopping.

“This is insane” she says, her voice low but filled with something close to wonder.

“Keep moving” you tell her, not rushing, just guiding.

Mark’s hand settles lightly against her shoulder, steady enough to ground her without pulling. “You can look once we’re across”

When you reach the other side, she turns back immediately, watching the crossing continue without you.

“There’s so many people” she says, almost to herself. “It doesn’t stop”

Mark lets out a quiet breath “You did fine, baby”

It’s Sunnie who brings up the temple.

You’re passing a narrow street when she slows, then stops completely, looking at something on her phone. Her brows knit slightly, focused in a way that means she’s already decided something.

“There’s a temple near here” she says, lifting her head. “Like… ten minutes away”

Mark glances at you, then back at her. “You’ve been checking places?”

“A little” she admits. “I saved some”

You tilt your head. “You want to go?”

She nods, but not too fast, like she doesn’t want to seem too eager. “Yeah. I think it would be nice”

Mark studies her for a second, then smiles, soft and proud in a way he doesn’t say out loud. “Lead the way, Sun”

She does.

Not perfectly, not confidently at every turn, but she checks her phone, looks around, adjusts, and keeps going.

When the entrance comes into view, she stops again.

A tall wooden gate stands ahead, worn but strong, framing the space beyond. There’s no need for decoration. It feels complete on its own.

The space opens, trees surrounding the path, their presence steady and grounding.

Sunnie’s voice drops without effort. “It feels… different”

“It is” you say.

She moves slower now, her attention shifting from everything to specific things. The texture of the wood, the shape of the buildings, the way people walk with more intention here.

At the row of wooden plaques, she stops again, drawn in by the details. Each one carries handwriting, small messages left behind by people who stood in the same place.

She leans closer, reading what she can.

“These are wishes, right?” she asks.

You nod. “Things people hope for”

She studies them longer, not rushing past.

“What would you write?” she asks, still looking.

You think about it before answering. “There’s a lot, i’ll think about it”

Mark steps closer beside her. “What about you?”

She doesn’t answer immediately.

Her eyes move from one plaque to another, then to the empty ones.

“I think I’d write something about us” she says quietly.

You stay there for a while, just existing in the same space enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

She walks between you and Mark, her steps matching yours, the notebook still held close, now carrying more than just blank pages.

Mark slows his steps slightly, falling into place beside you while Sunnie walks a little ahead again.

“I found a place” he says quietly.

You glance at him. “For what?”

He leans a little closer, lowering his voice like he’s sharing something important. “Lunch”

You smile faintly. “We’ve been eating all day, babe”

“This one’s different” he insists, a small hint of playfulness in his tone.

You raise a brow. “Different how?”

“It’s traditional” he says, like that alone should convince you. “Very traditional. I looked it up last night”

You look at him properly now, amused. “You were researching restaurants?”

“I was preparing” he corrects.

“For this exact moment?” you tease.

“Yes” he says, completely serious.

You laugh softly, shaking your head. “Okay. Continue”

“It’s a small place” he explains, his voice warm, almost persuasive. “Not crowded. The kind where they’ve been making the same dishes for years. Maybe generations”

You glance ahead at Sunnie, then back at him. “You’re really trying to sell this”

“I am” he admits.

“Why?”

He shrugs lightly, but there’s something softer behind it. “Because I want to take you there”

That makes you pause for just a second.

You look at him, your expression shifting, amused but touched in a quiet way.

“You could’ve just said that”

“I like explaining it” he replies.

You laugh again, softer this time. “Okay”

He watches your face carefully. “Okay?”

“Yeah”

After a few days in Tokyo, the idea of Mount Fuji doesn’t come as a sudden announcement. It’s been sitting in the background of the trip, mentioned here and there, saved in photos, half planned and half imagined. Sunnie is the one who keeps it alive in conversation, like she doesn’t want the idea to disappear.

The night before, she brings it up again while eating.

“Tomorrow we’re going, right?” she asks, chopsticks paused in the air.

Mark nods without hesitation. “Tomorrow”

That’s all she needs to hear. Her shoulders lift slightly, like something inside her settles into place.

“You’re really sure?” she asks him again anyway, just in case.

“I checked everything” he says.

The drive begins earlier than usual, when the city is still half asleep.

Tall buildings turn into shorter ones. Streets become wider. Movement becomes less dense. The further you go, the more space there is between everything.

Sunnie is fully awake the entire time.

She presses closer to the window, pointing at things constantly, her voice filling the car in a steady flow.

“Wait, are those mountains already?”

“They’re hills” you correct gently.

“That’s basically the same thing” she replies without hesitation.

Sunnie keeps taking pictures, not stopping long enough to decide if they’re good or not. She just keeps going, like she’s trying to capture every version of the view she can.

“This one looks cool” she says.

“Let me see” you say.

She turns it toward you proudly.

Mount Fuji.

It feels like something that reveals itself once you’re finally close enough to understand its scale.

Sunnie leans forward slightly, and when the car stops, she is the first one to open the door.

She’s already stepping forward, phone in hand, eyes lifting toward the horizon like she’s been waiting for this exact moment the entire trip. The air feels different immediately outside, cooler and clearer, and she takes a small breath before looking up properly.

The first few pictures are quick, almost instinctive. Wide shots. Then closer ones. Then she tilts slightly, steps sideways, adjusts again. She’s not rushing, but she’s definitely not stopping either.

You and Mark step out after her more slowly, taking your time to register it properly.

Mark closes the door behind him and looks at the mountain first, then at Sunnie, who is already walking a few steps forward while still looking through her screen.

“She’s not even saying hi anymore” you murmur.

Mark lets out a quiet laugh. “She’s in photographer mode, love”

You glance at him. “She’s always in photographer mode”

“That’s true”

“I heard that” she calls back.

You smile slightly. “We’re not wrong”

She stops for a second, lowers her phone just enough to look at both of you properly.

“You’re not wrong” she agrees, completely serious. “But I’m also doing important work right now”

Mark raises a brow. “Important work?”

“Yes” she says immediately, turning back toward the mountain. “This is documentation”

You laugh softly, shaking your head. “She’s been watching documentaries again”

“I’m preserving memories”

Sunnie takes a few photos of you alone, completely focused, occasionally adjusting the framing with small steps.

“Okay, now dad” she says.

Mark exhales softly but walks into position without protest.

“You’re very obedient today” you tease lightly.

“I have no choice” he replies.

“Actually” he says casually, still looking at the view.

Sunnie looks up immediately. “Yeah?”

“Can you record something for us?” he asks.

That makes her pause.

“For both of you?” she repeats.

“Yeah”

She steps back, adjusting the phone properly, focusing.

“Recording!” she says.

Mark starts walking, you turn your head slightly toward him, smiling a little. “What am I supposed to do?”

He stops right in front of you, looking at the phone camera for a second, then at you.

“I don’t know” he says honestly.

You laugh immediately. “That’s your contribution?”

He smiles faintly, like he’s trying to hold something in. “Yeah”

You step forward without thinking and wrap your arms around him. He exhales like he’s been holding something in his chest for hours, then leans down slightly, resting close to your ear.

“I love you” he says quietly, only for you.

Your hands tighten slightly around his jacket.

You pull back just enough to look at him, then press a quick kiss to his cheek. He closes his eyes when you do it, then step back just a little, smiling at you.

“Why are you smiling like that?” you ask, narrowing your eyes slightly.

He shakes his head once. “Nothing”

He turns slightly toward Sunnie. “Don’t stop it, Okay?”

Sunnie nods quickly. “Okay”

“I’ve been thinking a lot, you know?”

“About what?”

He glances at the mountain for half a second, then back at you.

“About everything” he says honestly. “Us. Our Family. The way things started”

“And I used to think that was fine. Like love just… adapts and moves on and that’s enough. But I don’t think I ever really stopped to think about what I didn’t give you”

Mark swallows, then continues, a little more carefully now.

“I know how people imagine it, a proposal that makes you feel… chosen in a very clear way. Like the world pauses for you for a second”

“You never made me feel like I failed you. You never even looked at me like something was missing”

“But I still feel like I skipped something you should’ve had” he says quietly. “And I didn’t realize how much that would stay in my head until now”

The wind moves gently through the space, brushing against your clothes, but everything else feels still.

“I don’t think I can change how things started” he says. “But I also don’t think that means we just… leave it like that forever”

“I don’t want you to look back and feel like you missed something you deserved” he says. “Even if it’s late. Even if it didn’t happen the way people usually do it”

He shakes his head slightly, like he’s pushing through the last layer of hesitation.

“So I just… I wanted to stop waiting for the perfect version of it in my head” he says. “And ask you properly”

His hand moves into his pocket. That small movement alone changes the air and the way your existence feels.

“I don’t want to keep thinking I should’ve done better without doing anything about it now”

He kneels in front of you, eyes never leaving yours.

And when he opens his hand, the ring catches the light softly. His eyes soften, but they stay locked on you.

“I love you” he says, like that part is the only thing he’s completely sure of. “And I want to keep choosing you. Properly. In every way I should’ve started from”

“So… would you like to keep spending your life with me” he says, “This time without feeling like there’s something missing in our story?”

That’s it.

Tears come faster than you expect, falling dramatically, quietly slipping down while your mouth breaks into a smile you can’t hold back.

He doesn’t rush you. Doesn’t fill the silence. He just waits, still in that same position, ring in hand, eyes steady on you like he already knows you’re there with him.

You nod.

“Yes” you manage, voice shaking in the softest way.

Mark stands up, the ring slides onto your finger with careful precision, his hand linger a second longer than necessary once it’s in place.

“I know you don’t like flashy stuff, so… I just wanted it to be something that feels like you”

“Thank you, it’s… perfect”

Sunnie’s voice slips out, small and stunned.

“…that’s crazy. oh my god…”

Mark lets out a sudden laugh, real and loud, turning his head toward her still holding the phone up.

“Come here”

She steps in immediately, eyes flicking between both of you. “Wow… It’s so pretty” she says, pointing at the ring.

You turn toward Mark, tears still on your cheeks, but your expression soft and overflowing at the same time. You move into him, arms wrapping around him like it’s the only thing you know how to do right now.

Sunnie keeps the frame steady, taking it all in without interrupting.

Mark holds you back, one hand pressing lightly at the back of your head and the other anchoring at your waist.

He leans down, lips brushing close to your ear.

“Sorry” he murmurs.

You pull back just enough to look at him, shaking your head immediately.

“Shut up, don’t say that again”

He presses his forehead briefly to yours. “Thank you… for loving this idiot who is completely in love with you”

Sunnie makes a face instantly.

“Ew” she says, stepping back a little. “Okay, enough”

She lowers the phone with a dramatic exhale, wraps her arms around both of you at once, squeezing tight.

“I hope you get married again” she says suddenly, completely sincere.

You blink through the last of your tears. “Again?”

Sunnie nods like it’s obvious. “Yeah. Like a real wedding. So I can see Mom in a wedding dress”

“That’s your main concern?”

“Yes” Sunnie says immediately, pulling back just enough to look at both of you. “It’s important”

Mark tilts his head, studying her with a teasing look that’s still full of affection.

“You’re talking like you’re more in love with her than I am” he says.

“I might be”

The ceremony stretches out in that slow, steady way where time doesn’t feel heavy, just full. Rows of chairs lined up under the open sky, families shifting in their seats, quiet conversations weaving in and out between names being called. Every now and then, a louder cheer breaks through when someone recognizes a student, then it settles again into polite applause. You sit beside Mark, your knee brushing his, his arm resting along the back of your chair like it naturally belongs there. He hasn’t looked away from the stage for long, even when there’s nothing happening yet.

“Babe, you think she’s okay?” you ask, keeping your voice low.

He hums, eyes still forward. “She was acting normal this morning”

“She reorganized her bag three times”

“That’s not normal?” he says, glancing at you briefly.

You give him a look. “You know it’s not”

He lets out a small breath through his nose, something close to a laugh. “She’ll be fine”

You nod, but your fingers tap lightly against your leg, a habit you don’t notice until he reaches over and stills your hand without looking.

“Where is she sitting?” you ask, scanning the rows of students.

“Third section, left side” he says without hesitation.

Sunnie sits with her classmates, posture straight at first, then shifting slightly as she adjusts her gown. She fixes the edge of her sleeve, then her hair, then sits still again like she caught herself doing too much.

Then her name is called.

Sunnie walks onto the stage. She looks composed, more than you expected, her steps even, her shoulders relaxed like she practiced it in her head before this moment. When she takes the diploma, there’s a flicker of something in her expression, pride, maybe relief, and when she turns, her eyes search for a second before landing on you.

You smile immediately, not even realizing it, your eyes already stinging.

Mark claps, not too loud, just consistent, his gaze never leaving her.

“That’s my girl” he says under his breath.

More names follow, but it feels different now. The part you were waiting for already happened, and everything else moves around it.

“You okay?” he asks.

You nod. “Yeah”

“You look like you’re about to cry”

“I’m not”

“You are”

“I’m not crying in public”

He smiles slightly. “You already are”

You wipe under your eye quickly. “Shut up”

The students all stand together, caps shifting, voices rising, the moment finally breaking, something less structured.

You reach her before the crowd fully closes in.

Sunnie is still with her classmates, half turned toward them, half scanning the space like she’s looking for you at the same time. The second she spots you, she breaks away without hesitation.

“Hi” she says, already smiling, already moving closer.

You don’t wait. You pull her into you, one arm around her shoulders, the other pressing lightly at her back.

“I’m so proud of you” you say, your voice quieter now that you’re this close.

“I know” she answers, but she hugs you tighter for a second before pulling back.

Mark steps in right after, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her into his side. “You did good”

“I did great” she corrects, lifting her chin a little.

He looks at her. “Oh, we’re upgrading now”

“Obviously”

You shake your head, smiling. “Since when are you this confident, Miss?”

“Since I graduated” she says like it explains everything.

Her friends hover nearby, trying to act normal but clearly watching. Sunnie gestures toward you both.

“This is my mom” she says, then tilts her head toward Mark. “And my dad”

Her friends greet you, a mix of quick hellos and curious glances. A couple of them introduce themselves, mentioning classes you’ve heard Sunnie complain about before. You nod along, smiling, asking small questions, letting them talk.

One of the girls glances at Mark, then at her friend, whispering something behind her hand. Another one does the same, trying to be subtle and failing.

A couple of moms a few steps away doing the exact same thing.

You tilt your head slightly, leaning toward Mark. “You’re getting reviews”

He frowns. “From who?”

You glance in their direction. “Take a guess”

He follows your eyes, then looks back at you, unimpressed. “You’re imagining things”

“Mm” you hum. “Sure”

Sunnie catches the tone and looks between you both. “What?”

“That your dad is getting attention” you reply calmly.

Mark exhales. “Oh my god”

“I’m serious” you add, a small smile forming.

Sunnie hears that and immediately lights up. “That’s true”

Mark looks at her. “You too?”

“All my classmates thought you were like… thirty-nine, they say you’re too handsome to be a dad” she says.

He lets out a small laugh. “I am thirty-nine”

You look at him. “Oh, really?”

He nods, serious. “Yeah”

You fold your arms. “Thirty-nine in each knee”

“Hey!” he says, turning to you.

Sunnie laughs, covering her mouth for a second. “That was good”

“You’re both very funny” Mark mutters, but he’s smiling.

Sunnie shifts a little, like she just remembered something. “Oh, and my teacher—”

Mark sighs already. “No”

“She was looking at you too” Sunnie finishes anyway.

You glance at him, a small smirk forming. “Oh, that’s interesting”

“It’s not” he says quickly.

“Thank God it’s your last day here, Sunnie” you add.

He shakes his head, smiling. “You’re crazy, too much, too much”

Mark steps away without announcing it. It’s quick enough that she only notices when he’s already a few steps gone.

“Where did he go?” she asks, looking after him.

“He’ll be back” you say.

She hums, not too concerned, shifting the fabric of her gown off her arm again. Her attention drifts, then returns the second Mark reappears.

He’s holding flowers.

Sunnie straightens a little. “Wait… those are for me?”

She takes them carefully, her fingers adjusting around the stems so she doesn’t crush anything. For a second she just looks at them, quiet, taking in the colors, the shape, the fact that they’re hers.

“You got me flowers” she says, softer now.

“I always do”

“I know, it’s just… special for me today”

You give it a moment before reaching into your bag.

“I got you something too”

That gets her attention immediately. She looks up, curious, shifting the bouquet into one arm so she can take the box you’re holding out.

When she lifts the lid, the reaction is immediate.

A soft laugh escapes her. “It looks like Tofu”

She lifts the plushie out, holding it up for a better look, then bringing it closer, squeezing it lightly against her chest.

“It actually looks like her” she says, smiling.

“It does, and it’s so soft” you repeat.

She holds both things for a second, the plushie tucked into her arm, her eyes filling with tears.

Her lips press together first, her eyes glossing over, and then the tears come before she can stop them.

Mark notices immediately. “Ow… baby”

She shakes her head, but she’s already crying, holding the plushie tighter.

“No, don’t cry” he says softly, stepping closer.

You pull her into you at the same time, careful of the flowers in her arm, your hand settling at the back of her head.

“She just…” Sunnie tries, her voice breaking. “She should be here”

Your hold tightens slightly. “I know, Sun”

Mark wraps his arms around both of you, one hand rubbing her back slowly, steady, like he’s done a hundred times before.

“She is” he says quietly.

Sunnie shakes her head again, pressing her face briefly against you. “I wanted her to see this”

“She would’ve loved it, I know she’s here with you today” you say.

That makes her cry a little harder, but she doesn’t pull away. She just stays there, holding the plushie.

After a moment, her breathing evens out enough for her to lift her head slightly, wiping under her eyes with the back of her hand.

“You’re the best, really. I’ll work hard to never disappoint you” she says, voice still soft.

Mark huffs a quiet breath. “Work hard for yourself, not to give anything back to us”

She frowns a little. “But I want to”

“I know, but you don’t have to” He gestures lightly between you and him. “We’re proud of you, don’t worry about that, Sweetheart”

You glance at him. “Why are you talking like that?”

He looks at you. “Like what?”

“Like you’re very very old”

He shrugs. “We are”

You scoff. “Old your ass”

Sunnie lets out a small laugh through what’s left of her tears, still holding the plushie close.

She leans in first toward you, kissing your cheek, then turns to Mark and does the same.

“I love you so much” she says.

Mark smiles, his hand resting at her shoulder. “We know”

You brush your thumb gently under her eye. “We love you more”

She shakes her head, a faint smile forming again. “No”

“Yes”

“No”

Mark lets out a soft laugh. “We’ll argue about that later, Okay?”

My love,

I’ve been staring at this page longer than I want to admit. I don’t really know how to write things like this without overthinking them, and you know I’m better at just saying things in the moment… but this felt like something I should sit with.

Twenty-six years.

It doesn’t feel like a number that belongs to us, but it does.

I still think about how we started sometimes. It wasn’t simple, and I know I didn’t always do things the way I should have. There are parts of those early days I wish I could go back to, just to do them softer, better, the way you deserved.

But you stayed.

You stayed through all of it, and somewhere in the middle of everything, you became the most certain thing in my life.

I don’t think I ever said this clearly, but thank you for choosing me back then, even when I hadn’t fully learned how to choose you the right way yet.

We built something real. Not perfect, but ours.

I see it in everything now. In the years behind us, in Sunnie, in the way life feels quieter but fuller at the same time. I see it in you, in how you’ve stayed the same and changed in all the best ways.

I still look at you and feel it.

I love you.

If I could ask for anything, it would just be more time with you. More days like this, nothing special, just us, still choosing each other without even thinking about it.

And if there’s something beyond this life, then I hope I find you again there too.

Always yours,

Mark

The three of you sit together, a little closer than necessary, like you always end up doing when it’s just family.

Things look different now.

Mark’s hair carries more gray than before, lines settled at the corners of his eyes in a way that doesn’t take anything away from him, just makes everything softer. Your hands rest on the table, fingers brushing his every now and then without thinking. Sunnie sits across from you, older, grown, but still watching both of you like she always has.

The letter is still in your hands.

You finish reading it quietly, eyes moving slower through the last lines, like you don’t want to reach the end too fast.

The paper stays in your hands for a second. When you finally look up, Mark is already watching you, trying to read your reaction without interrupting it.

There’s a small smile on your lips before you can stop it.

Sunnie leans forward immediately, elbows on the table. “Okay, wait… what did he write?”

You shake your head a little, still smiling. “Nothing”

“Nothing?” she repeats. “You’re smiling like that and it’s nothing?”

You fold the letter carefully, like it matters, like it’s something you’ll keep close. “He’s just… good with words”

Mark lets out a quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “I try”

“That’s how I fell for him” you say, like it’s obvious. “He talks like that and you don’t even realize what’s happening”

Mark laughs under his breath, shaking his head. “You act like you’re all strong and immune to everything”

You raise a brow. “I am”

He looks at you for a second, amused. “You’re even more romantic than I am”

Sunnie gasps softly, turning to you. “Really?”

You shake your head right away. “No”

But there’s a slight hesitation, and it shows.

He leans back a little in his chair, still looking at you. “Really?”

You avoid his eyes. “Yes, really”

He hums, like he doesn’t believe you at all. “That’s funny”

Sunnie looks between both of you, already smiling. “Why?”

Mark doesn’t look away from you when he answers. “Because last night we were walking around the park…”

You close your eyes for a second. “Don’t”

“…and she just stopped in the middle of it” he continues anyway, “and started confessing her love to me again”

Sunnie’s mouth drops open. “No way”

You cover part of your face with your hand, already embarrassed. “That’s not how it happened!”

“That’s exactly how it happened” Mark says, smiling.

“You’re exaggerating”

“I’m not”

Sunnie leans closer, completely invested now. “What did you say?”

You shake your head, still hiding your face. “Nothing important”

Mark lets out a soft laugh. “It was important to me”

You glance at him, flustered. “You’re so annoying”

Sunnie laughs, leaning back in her chair. “I knew it”

You slide the letter toward her without saying much. She takes it carefully, reading every word with admiration.

“I swear…” she says, shaking her head a little. “I’ve never seen two people love each other like this”

Mark looks at her, calm. “It’s not very common these days”

“It’s not common anywhere” she replies.

You hum softly in agreement, fingers still loosely around your glass.

Sunnie leans forward again, a teasing smile forming. “You guys should kiss”

You immediately shake your head. “No”

She laughs. “Come on”

You glance at Mark immediately. “She used to hate this”

Sunnie scoffs. “I didn’t hate it”

Mark reaches for your hand with the ease of something he has known all his life, turning it gently in his, and brings it up just enough to press a slow kiss to your knuckles.

His voice low enough that it feels like it belongs only to you:

“If I had to live this life again… I’d still look for you in it. Every time”

masterlist — prev.

NOTE: this story comes to an end 💗 thank you so much for reading it! hope you enjoyed as much as i enjoyed sharing it

⋮ Taglist ⋮ @foreveronez @notmastyle @haesluvr @yesohhsehun @mey-archive @neotannies @jakiki94 @cr4zyf4ngirl777 @marksjpg @joepomonerof

didn’t even plan for it to be this long, it was supposed to end around 20 chapters max 😭

i loved writing that feeling of time moving so fast, but their love staying just as strong, like nothing really changed

(the engravements were inspired by a friend’s experience in korea with her boyfriend)

— 026.

the way love grows | masterlist | prev — next

pairing — mark lee x fem!reader

You leave for your meeting, dressed sharp, hair pulled into a neat bun, and you plant a light kiss on Mark’s lips before disappearing out the door.

Sunnie stretches on the couch with her blanket tucked around her shoulders, already halfway into Finding Nemo. Mark sits beside her, leaning back against the armrest, feet stretched out on the coffee table. They’ve been alternating movies: Finding Nemo, then Tinkerbell (again), and Sunnie insists on rewatching the fairies, laughing at the same lines she’s already memorized.

Mark’s arm wraps around her shoulders, drawing her close. Her little head leans against his chest, soft, warm, her small hand holding his. They watch the opening scenes in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

Then, Sunnie tilts her head up at him, her wide eyes full of curiosity. “Dad… why did you agree to marry Mom if you didn’t know if you would love her?”

Mark laughs softly, the sound low and warm, shaking his head as he glances down at her. “Wow… that’s… a very good question, baby. I guess…” He leans back slightly, thinking, fingers brushing against hers gently. “I didn’t know exactly how I’d feel at first. You know, life doesn’t give you a manual for that stuff. But when I met Y/N, and… well, when we were planning the wedding, i realized something”

Sunnie frowns a little, encouraging him to continue. “What did you realize?”

“That love” he begins slowly, choosing each word, “isn’t always something that hits you like a lightning bolt. For me, it was gradual. I knew she was incredible, that i wanted to be around her, that she made me feel… alive, in a way i didn’t even know i could feel. So i said yes to marrying her because I trusted that if we were together, i would grow to love her more and more every single day”

Sunnie fidgets under the blanket, eyes wide. “But… when did you know? When did you… really fall in love?”

Mark smiles softly at that, brushing a few strands of her hair away from her face. “I’d say i confirmed it on our wedding, standing there in front of everyone, looking at her, seeing her smile…” he chuckles lightly, “She’s just… so beautiful. I had a little crush at first. A small one. But it kept growing every time she laughed, every time she was herself… and before I even realized it, she had me completely”

Sunnie’s eyes go wide, and she scoots a little closer to him, resting her head against his chest. “So… you didn’t love her?”

“I liked her. A lot. But love… love came with time. And even now, every single day, i feel more. That’s what makes it so special”

Sunnie thinks about it for a moment, then giggles softly. “Wow… so it was like… slowly?”

Mark laughs, nodding. “Exactly”

Sunnie leans further into him, still clutching the blanket. “I hope when I get married, it’s like that too”

Mark kisses the top of her head, the corner of his lips brushing her hair gently. “It will be. Because the right person will make it feel natural, just like your mom and I. You’ll know when it’s right”

She sighs, content, and nestles into him again, and for a long moment they stay like that, watching the fairies twirl, the quiet of the house wrapping around them like a soft hug.

Mark can’t help but smile down at her. “You know” he murmurs, voice soft, “your mom… she’s the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. You already know that, right?”

Sunnie giggles, hiding her face against his chest. “Yeah… I know. You guys are kind of gross though”

Mark laughs softly, ruffling her hair. “Gross, maybe. But I wouldn’t change a second of it”

And Sunnie, nestled against him, feels the warmth of both parents, one in the memories of her mother, the other right there beside her, and it’s safe, it’s comforting, it’s everything.

“Even tomorrow, or the day after, or ten years from now… I’ll always love her”

Her curiosity is endless, and today she’s clearly on a roll.

“Dad, but…” she begins cautiously, glancing up at him, her little brows furrowed. “Are you and Mom planning on having another kid?”

Mark laughs, shaking his head, leaning back a little so he can look at her properly. “No, i think we’re good with our little family”

Sunnie tilts her head, clearly thinking. “But… I heard Mom say to one of her friends that she’d give you ten kids if you wanted”

Mark nearly chokes on his laugh, clutching his chest for dramatic effect. “Ten?” he says, eyes wide, voice half incredulous, half amused. “Really?”

Sunnie nods solemnly, as if confirming a very serious fact. “Yeah… ten is a lot though, don’t you think?”

Mark can’t help but grin, shaking his head. Inside, he knows exactly what that was, a flirty confession you made while chatting with a friend, half serious, half teasing, probably while you were feeling… a little extra needy. But Sunnie has no idea about that, and Mark finds it adorable how seriously she’s taking it.

“You’re right” he says, voice softening, his tone thoughtful for a moment. “Ten is insane”

Sunnie giggles a little at that. “Yeah, but I think I’d be busy with all of them” she says, brushing her hair out of her face. “And… I like it like this. Just me, mom, Tofu, and you. It’s perfect”

Mark smiles, heart swelling a little at her words. “Yeah” he murmurs, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head. “Perfect is right”

Mark goes quiet after that last answer.

Not awkward quiet, just… soft. The kind of silence that lingers when something real settles in his chest. His hand keeps moving over Sunnie’s arm, slow and absentminded, like he’s not even aware he’s doing it anymore. His gaze drifts to the TV, but he’s not really watching it.

Sunnie notices.

Of course she does.

She tilts her head up, squinting at him for a second, then her eyes widen just a little. “Dad… don’t cry”

That snaps him out of it immediately.

He lets out a small, breathy laugh, rubbing his face quickly like he’s trying to hide it. “I’m not crying” he says, shaking his head.

“You are” she insists, poking his cheek lightly. “Your eyes look shiny”

He catches her hand mid-poke, smiling despite himself. “Okay, first of all, stop inspecting me like that”

She giggles.

“And second” he adds, leaning his head back with a quiet exhale, “you need to stop asking me so many questions about this stuff. You’re making me nervous”

Sunnie bursts into laughter, completely delighted. “You’re nervous? You?”

“Yes, me” he says, pointing at himself, eyebrows raised. “Why is that so surprising?”

“You’re such a baby” she shoots back immediately.

He laughs, shaking his head, nudging her lightly with his shoulder. “I’m not a baby”

“You are” she insists, still giggling. “You can’t even talk about Mom without getting all emotional”

He exhales through a smile, running a hand through his hair, a little embarrassed but not really denying it. “That’s not fair”

“It is fair” she says, grinning up at him. “You were literally about to cry”

“I was not about to cry” he repeats, but his voice softens at the end, betraying him a little.

She just keeps smiling.

He looks at her for a second, then lets out another quiet laugh, giving up. “Okay, maybe a little. But still… you shouldn’t be asking me this much about my love life”

“My love life” she repeats dramatically, like the phrase itself is funny.

“Yes” he says, nodding. “My love life. That’s a normal boundary”

Sunnie laughs again, curling closer into his side. “I’m just curious”

“You’re too curious” he replies, glancing down at her. “What’s next, huh? You’re gonna start interviewing me?”

She gasps, pretending to think. “Maybe I should”

“No” he says immediately, pointing at her again. “No interviews”

She giggles, covering her mouth.

“And also” he adds, narrowing his eyes playfully, “some things are just… not for you to know”

“Relax” she says, waving her hand. “It’s not like I’m asking you how many times you kiss Mom before breakfast”

Mark chokes on his own breath for a second, coughing as he laughs, turning his head away like he needs a moment.

“Okay no. Nope. That’s enough” he says, holding his hand up. “We’re done. Conversation over”

Sunnie is laughing so hard now she leans fully into him, hiding her face against his shoulder.

“I didn’t even ask!” she says between giggles.

“And you’re not going to” he replies quickly, still laughing.

She peeks up at him, eyes bright. “You’re so dramatic”

“And you’re out of control” he shoots back, but there’s no real bite to it.

The laughter settles slowly, fading into something softer again.

Sunnie shifts, getting comfortable, her head resting against his chest. Her voice, when she speaks again, is quieter.

“I like hearing about you and Mom” she admits.

Mark’s expression softens instantly.

“Yeah?” he asks gently.

She nods against him. “Yeah. It’s nice. You guys are… really in love”

He looks down at her, something warm and a little overwhelming settling in his chest again.

“…we are” he says quietly.

She hums, satisfied with that answer, her fingers absentmindedly playing with the fabric of his shirt.

“I think it’s cool” she adds. “Like… you didn’t know at first, but then you did”

He smiles faintly, brushing her hair back gently. “That’s how love works sometimes”

She nods again, then glances up at him one more time, a small grin coming back.

“But you’re still a baby”

He groans, dropping his head back dramatically. “Stop”

She laughs, wrapping her arms around him in a quick hug.

“And you still talk too much” he mutters, though his arm tightens around her automatically, pulling her closer.

“Yeah” she says, completely unbothered.

The movie keeps playing in the background, soft colors flickering across the room, but neither of them is really paying attention anymore.

They stay like that, laughing, teasing, holding onto each other, comfortable in a way that doesn’t need anything else.

And even if he complains, he keeps answering every question she asks.

The front door clicks open in the early evening, and the sound carries softly through the house.

You step inside, slipping off your shoes with a quiet sigh, shoulders relaxing almost instantly now that you’re home. The day lingers on you a little, long meeting, too much talking… but it melts away the second you hear the TV in the living room and Sunnie’s faint laugh in the background.

“Hey” you call out as you walk in.

Sunnie looks up first from the couch, blanket still wrapped around her. “Mom!”

You barely have time to smile before Mark appears from the side of the couch, already walking toward you like he’s been waiting for that exact moment.

“There you are” he says, voice warm, relieved in a way he doesn’t even try to hide.

You smile, setting your bag down just in time for him to reach you. His hands land on your waist naturally, pulling you closer without hesitation.

“How was your day, love?” he asks, but he’s already leaning in.

“Long” you murmur, but your words fade into a small laugh when his lips press against yours.

It starts soft.

It never really stays that way with him.

He lingers, just a little too long for a simple hello kiss, his hand sliding slightly at your waist, pulling you closer like he hasn’t seen you in days instead of a few hours.

You hum softly against his lips, your hands resting on his chest, relaxing into him.

Then—

“Ahem”

You both pause.

Mark doesn’t pull away immediately.

He actually laughs quietly against your lips first, like he’s amused more than anything, before finally turning his head just slightly.

Sunnie is sitting on the couch, arms crossed, eyebrows raised.

“Mom” she says, trying to sound serious but failing a little, “stop him”

You let out a soft laugh, pulling back just enough to look at her, though Mark’s still holding you close like he’s not done.

“I’m not doing anything” you say, smiling.

Mark scoffs lightly, still grinning. “Oh, so it’s my fault now?”

“Yes” Sunnie says immediately.

He laughs, shaking his head, finally letting you go, just barely, one hand still resting at your waist.

“Can you stop making fun of us for like… five minutes?” he says, looking at her.

Sunnie shrugs, completely unapologetic. “No”

You laugh again, shaking your head as you brush your hair back. “What did you do all day, huh?”

Sunnie brightens instantly. “We watched movies. And I asked Dad questions”

Your eyes flicker to Mark immediately, curious.

“Oh?” you say, smiling. “What kind of questions?”

Mark exhales like he’s been through something, running a hand through his hair. “Too many” he says. “Way too many”

You laugh softly. “Sunnie? Too many questions? That doesn’t sound like her”

“That’s what I said” he replies, pointing at you like he’s been waiting for validation. “But no, today she decided to interrogate me”

Sunnie giggles from the couch.

“About what?” you ask, clearly entertained now.

Mark looks at you for a second, then lets out a small laugh, shaking his head. “About… us”

You blink. Then laugh.

“Us?”

“Yeah” he says, already smiling again. “Why I married you, when I fell in love with you, if we’re having more kids…”

Your eyebrows lift slightly, amused. “She asked all that?”

“All that” he confirms. “Back to back. No breaks. I’m exhausted”

You laugh, bringing a hand up to your mouth. “That’s so unlike her”

“I know” he replies, gesturing dramatically. “She drained all my energy with like… five questions”

“It was more than five” Sunnie corrects from the couch.

Mark points at her again. “See?”

You shake your head, still smiling, stepping a little closer to him again without thinking. “And what did you tell her?”

He looks at you, his expression softening almost instantly, like just talking about it again brings him back to that moment.

“The truth” he says simply.

Your smile softens too.

“Good”

He shrugs lightly, but his hand tightens just a little at your waist. “She deserves that”

You nod, looking at him for a second longer than necessary.

There’s a quiet pause.

Then he leans in again.

“Hi” he murmurs softly, like he didn’t properly greet you the first time.

You laugh under your breath. “Hi”

And he kisses you again.

“Mom” Sunnie says again, louder this time, “seriously”

Mark laughs into the kiss this time, breaking it with a grin, his forehead resting briefly against yours.

“Okay, okay” he says, still smiling.

You shake your head, laughing softly, stepping back just enough to look at Sunnie again.

“What?” you ask.

She squints at both of you. “You guys are being… too romantic lately”

Mark turns toward her, amused. “Too much?”

“Yes”

He sighs dramatically. “Unbelievable. I can’t even kiss my wife in my own house”

“You can” Sunnie says. “Just… less”

You laugh again, walking over to the couch and sitting beside her, pulling her into a side hug.

“Were you bullying your dad all day?” you ask playfully.

“I was not” she says immediately, though she’s smiling.

“She was” Mark says, following you both, dropping onto the armrest. “She called me a baby”

You gasp softly, looking at her. “You did?”

“He is a baby” Sunnie says, laughing.

Mark groans, dropping his head back. “This is what I deal with”

You laugh, leaning into Sunnie, then glance up at him. “I believe her”

He looks at you, offended. “Oh, wow”

“You cry talking about me, don’t you?” you tease.

He pauses, and looks away. That’s enough of an answer.

Sunnie bursts into laughter.

“I told you!” she says.

You laugh too, reaching out to grab his hand gently. “You’re cute”

He shakes his head, but he’s smiling again, squeezing your hand back.

“Yeah, yeah” he mutters. “Both of you are ganging up on me”

“Always” Sunnie says.

You stretch your shoulders a little, already feeling the day catching up to you.

“I’m gonna shower and come back” you say, glancing between them.

Sunnie looks up from the couch, already reaching for the remote again. “Okay. I’m gonna get snacks so we can watch something together”

You smile immediately, walking over and leaning down to press a soft kiss to the top of her head. “Of course”

She grins, already halfway distracted again.

You turn and head toward the bedroom, fingers already reaching to loosen your hair, the quiet of the hallway wrapping around you as you step away from the living room.

Behind you, Mark stays exactly where he is.

For about twenty seconds.

He tries, at least.

But then he exhales, mutters something under his breath, and pushes himself off the couch, walking after you like it’s inevitable.

By the time you step into the bedroom, you’re pulling your earrings off, setting them on the dresser. You don’t even turn when you hear the door open again.

“You didn’t even try to stay” you say, amused.

“I did” he replies immediately, closing the door softly behind him. “For like… twenty seconds”

You laugh under your breath, meeting his eyes through the mirror. “That’s impressive”

“Thank you” he says, walking toward you slowly.

There’s something in the way he looks at you, lighter than earlier, but still lingering on you like he missed you more than he should’ve in just a few hours.

He stops right behind you.

Close enough that you can feel his presence before he even touches you.

“You know what your daughter asked me today?” he murmurs.

You raise an eyebrow slightly, turning your head just enough to look at him. “What now?”

His hands come to your waist naturally, settling there like they belong, fingers spreading slightly as he pulls you back against him.

“She asked if we’re having more kids”

Then let out a small laugh. “Yeah, you said that”

He leans in slightly, his breath brushing near your ear, voice dropping just a little. “Because she heard you talking to your friend…”

You already know.

Your eyes widen just a fraction, and then you laugh, covering your face for a second. “Oh my God”

“…about how you’d give me ten kids if I wanted” he finishes, amused.

You turn slightly in his arms, still laughing. “That was a joke”

“Was it?” he murmurs, one eyebrow lifting, his hands tightening just a little at your waist.

“Yes” you insist, still smiling. “Obviously”

He hums softly, not looking convinced at all.

“Ten is a lot” he says, voice low, teasing. “But I mean… if you’re offering like that…”

You let out a breathy laugh, nudging him lightly. “You’re ridiculous”

“Am I?” he murmurs, leaning closer, his lips brushing just near your cheek, not quite touching.

Your hands come up, resting lightly against his chest as you look at him. “It was a joke, Mark” you repeat, softer this time.

He studies your face for a second.

Then leans in and kisses you like he missed it.

Your lips part slightly under his, your fingers tightening just a little in his shirt as you lean into him without thinking.

When he pulls back, it’s barely any distance at all. You’re still close, still caught in it.

“Are you gonna shower with me?” you ask softly, your voice light, but there’s something underneath it, flirty, intentional.

His reaction is immediate.

A quiet groan slips out of him, his head dropping slightly toward your shoulder.

“Don’t say things like that” he mutters.

You smile, stepping just a little closer, your lips brushing his when you speak again. “Why not?”

“Because I want to” he says under his breath, hands tightening at your waist again. “Really bad”

You laugh softly against his mouth.

“But” he adds, pulling back just enough to look at you, though he doesn’t let go, “our very observant pre-adolescent is in the living room. And she’s not dumb”

You huff a small laugh, your forehead resting briefly against his. “She’s getting snacks”

“That gives us like… what, two minutes?” he replies, amused.

“Maybe” you murmur.

There’s a pause.

Then you tilt your head slightly, your lips brushing his again as you speak.

“I’ve been really stressed today” you whisper against his mouth.

His hands still for a second.

“I know, baby” he murmurs.

You don’t pull away.

Your voice drops just a little more. “I just wanted to be touched by my very attractive husband for a bit”

That makes him inhale sharply.

“Hey” he whispers immediately, like he’s trying to stop you before you keep going.

But you don’t.

Your lips press to his again, deeper, your hand sliding up to the back of his neck, pulling him closer.

He exhales against your mouth, a quiet sound slipping out before he can stop it, his grip on your waist tightening instinctively.

“Stop” he murmurs, though there’s no real strength behind it.

You smile faintly against his lips, brushing your nose against his.

“You followed me in here” you whisper.

“That was a mistake” he says, breath uneven now, though he’s still holding you close.

You barely have time to register it before Mark turns the lock with a quiet, decisive movement. When you look at him, there’s already that look on his face, the one that’s playful, a little dangerous, and very, very sure of himself.

“Mark—” you start, half laughing, half warning.

He doesn’t let you finish.

His hands are on your waist again, guiding you back until the edge of the bed hits behind your knees. There’s no rush in him, but there’s intention in every movement, every step he takes closer.

“You were talking a lot for someone who didn’t want me to follow you” he murmurs, voice low.

You smile, breath catching just a little. “I didn’t say I didn’t want you to”

“That’s what I thought”

He leans in. Your hands slide up his shoulders, holding onto him as he moves with you, guiding you with a careful but confident motion.

Your back land softly against the mattress, a quiet laugh slipping out of you as you look up at him.

“Two minutes, remember?” you whisper.

He smirks.

“I don’t need that long, you know that”

There’s something in the way he says it that makes your stomach flip.

He doesn’t waste time after that, hands steady, sure, moving with familiarity, with that quiet attentiveness he always has when it comes to you. The teasing fades into something more focused, more deliberate.

And you try to stay quiet. You really do.

Your reactions are softer, more controlled, lips pressed together at first, breath catching instead of spilling out, your fingers gripping the sheets just a little tighter when he gets too good at what he’s doing with his mouth.

“Mark…” you murmur under your breath, barely audible.

He hums in response, like he hears everything anyway.

And that only makes it worse.

Your hand finds his hair, not pulling, just holding, grounding yourself while your breathing shifts, your control slipping little by little despite how hard you try to keep it together.

“Wait—” you whisper once, but it dissolves into a quiet exhale instead.

He doesn’t rush you.

That’s the thing, he never does.

He takes his time in a way that makes every second feel longer, heavier, until you can’t keep the composure you were trying so hard to hold onto.

Your voice stays soft, but it betrays you in the end, your body relaxing back into the bed as you let out a quiet, shaky breath, your fingers tightening slightly before easing again.

For a moment, everything just… stills.

Your breathing slowly comes back down, your chest rising and falling as you stare at the ceiling, a small, disbelieving laugh slipping out of you.

When you finally look at him, he’s already looking at you.

That damn smirk on his face.

You narrow your eyes slightly, but you’re smiling.

“…thank you” you say, a little breathless.

He just winks.

Like he knew exactly what he was doing to you the entire time.

You let out another soft laugh, reaching out to tap his arm lightly. “Go wash your face” you say, trying to sound serious but failing. “You look a bit too happy down there”

He pauses for half a second.

Then laughs, understanding immediately, shaking his head. “Wow. Okay”

You grin, watching him as he stands up, still amused, still very aware of himself as he runs a hand through his hair.

“Be right back” he mutters, already heading toward the bathroom.

You sit up slowly, smoothing your hair back, still smiling to yourself as you take a breath.

By the time he comes back, his face freshly washed, expression calmer but still carrying that same quiet satisfaction, you’re already grabbing your things.

“I’m actually going to shower now” you say, glancing at him.

He nods, leaning against the wall, watching you with that same soft, amused look.

Mark waits a second outside the bathroom door after you close it, listening to the faint sound of the shower turning on, a small smile still sitting on his face.

Then he exhales, runs a hand through his hair, and finally walks out of the room.

The house is quiet again, softer now, the TV still playing but turned low, the colors flickering across the dim living room.

Sunnie is curled up on the couch, blanket half slipping off her shoulder, a bag of chips resting loosely in her hand like she forgot about it mid-bite. Her eyes are barely open, blinking slowly, fighting sleep in the most obvious way possible.

Mark pauses at the doorway, watching her for a second, and a soft laugh escapes him.

He walks over quietly, careful not to startle her, and crouches slightly beside the couch. His hand moves gently to adjust her position, trying to lift her head just enough to rest it properly against the pillow instead of awkwardly tilted.

But the second he touches her—

Her eyes open.

Confused.

“Dad…?” she mumbles, voice thick with sleep.

He smiles immediately, soft, fond. “Hey… you were falling asleep”

She frowns, blinking slowly like she’s trying to process that. “I wasn’t” she murmurs, even as her eyes close again for a second.

He lets out a quiet laugh. “Yeah, you were”

She shakes her head slightly against the pillow, stubborn even half asleep. “No”

He chuckles under his breath, finishing adjusting the blanket around her anyway, tucking it a little closer around her shoulders.

“Okay” he hums, playing along. “You weren’t”

She shifts slightly, curling more into the couch, the chips bag crinkling softly in her hand.

There’s a small pause.

Then she peeks one eye open again, looking up at him. “What were you doing?”

He raises an eyebrow slightly, then smiles, easy, natural. “Talking with your mom”

Sunnie hums, accepting that answer without much thought, and then lifts her arm just enough to reach for him. “You didn’t take long, but i just started closing my eyes… very… slow”

He leans in, letting her pull him closer, his arm wrapping around her automatically as she presses into his side, sleepy and warm.

She settles against him, her head finding his chest like it always does, comfortable, familiar.

Mark glances down at her, smiling softly, his hand coming up to smooth her hair back gently.

“You know” he murmurs, playful again, “Your mom’s gonna get jealous if you keep stealing all my attention”

Sunnie barely reacts at first, too sleepy, then mumbles softly, “She won’t…”

He laughs quietly, the sound low and fond.

“No?”

She shakes her head just a little against him. “She likes me more anyway”

That makes him laugh a little louder, though he keeps it soft so he doesn’t wake her up fully.

“Wow” he whispers. “That’s how it is?”

“Mhm” she hums, already drifting again.

He smiles, adjusting the blanket one more time around her, making sure she’s comfortable.

The TV keeps playing quietly in the background, but neither of them is really watching anymore.

Sunnie’s breathing slows, evening out as she finally gives in to sleep, her hand still lightly holding onto his shirt.

Mark leans his head back against the couch, looking down at her for a second longer.

“…you weren’t falling asleep, huh?” he murmurs under his breath.

As you wait outside the school gates, kids pour out in waves, laughter and chatter filling the air.

Mark stands beside you, hands tucked into his pockets, watching everything with mild disbelief.

“I’m telling you” he says, shaking his head, “teachers are like… unnecessarily strict”

You glance at him, amused. “You just don’t like rules”

“I like reasonable rules” he corrects. “But now it’s like… don’t run, don’t talk, don’t breathe too loud”

You hum. “Pretty sure kids have always been told not to run”

“No, but now it feels intense” he insists. “Like they’re preparing them for corporate life at ten”

You laugh softly, eyes still scanning the crowd. “You’re being dramatic about basic school stuff”

Sunnie walks out with a small group of friends, her smile bright, her steps light. But what stands out immediately is the flower in her hand, a tiny pop of color she holds so carefully.

Mark follows your gaze.

He pauses.

“…Why does she have a flower?” he asks, already suspicious.

Sunnie notices you both and lights up, waving excitedly before jogging over. “Mom! Dad!”

She runs straight into Mark first, hugging him tightly. He wraps his arms around her without hesitation, pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head.

“Hi, baby” he says warmly.

She pulls back and turns to you, hugging you just as tight. “Hi!”

“Hi, love” you smile, smoothing her hair.

Mark glances down again, gently tapping the flower with his finger. “So… what’s this?”

Sunnie beams. “A boy gave it to me”

You turn your head toward Mark.

Mark looks at you.

He lets out a quiet sigh, something thoughtful behind it, and reaches for the car door. “Alright, let’s get you in. Careful with it”

“Okay!” Sunnie chirps, climbing into the backseat, still holding the flower like it’s something precious.

The door shuts.

Your smile slowly spreads.

A small laugh slips out.

“Why~?” you tease gently.

He glances at you, brows lifting slightly. “You’re laughing?”

“I am” you nod.

“This is serious” he says, though his tone is more concerned than anything else. “Do you know how kids are these days?”

You step closer, still smiling. “She got a flower, Mark”

“Exactly” he says, lowering his voice instinctively. “At this age. That means someone is already thinking like that”

“Like what?” you ask, amused.

“Like… I don’t know, like… she’s pretty, interesting…” he struggles to explain, running a hand through his hair. “They grow up fast now. Too fast. It’s not like before, they don’t act like kids”

Your expression softens a little, but the smile stays. “You’re worried”

“I am” he admits easily. “Not about her. I trust her. It’s just… boys” He glances back at the car again. “You hear things. You see things. It’s different now”

You reach for his hand, lacing your fingers together. “She’s ten”

“I know” he says, squeezing your hand back. “That’s why it feels weird. She’s still… our baby”

That makes you laugh again, softer this time.

He looks at you, a tiny hint of a smile breaking through. “You think this is funny”

“I think you’re cute when you worry like this”

“I’m not trying to be cute” he says, but his voice already softens.

You step closer, wrapping your arms around him. “Sure”

He exhales, resting his hands on your waist, grounding himself. “We should talk to her”

“About a flower?” you tease lightly.

“Not just the flower, babe” he says. “About attention. About boys. About how people act. Just so she knows”

You nod slowly. “Okay. What do you want to say?”

He thinks for a second, then shrugs slightly. “That it’s okay if someone thinks she’s pretty. That’s normal” He pauses. “But… she doesn’t have to respond to everything. She doesn’t have to feel pressured”

You smile, proud of him. “That’s good”

“And that she can always tell us” he adds. “Anything. Even if it feels small”

You squeeze him gently. “That’s really good”

He looks at you, searching your face. “And we should probably say… no boyfriends yet, just in case”

“Alright” you nod, playful. “We’ll tell her it’s okay if someone finds her pretty, but it’s not the age for boyfriends. Just friends, school, being a kid”

He relaxes a little more, shoulders dropping. “Yeah. Exactly that”

You lean up and press a quick kiss to his cheek. “See? You handled that well”

He glances toward the car again, where Sunnie’s silhouette shifts in the backseat, probably waiting impatiently.

“She’s growing up” he murmurs.

You follow his gaze, your expression warm. “She is”

He looks back at you, something gentle in his eyes now instead of worry. “I don’t like how fast it’s happening”

You smile, brushing your fingers lightly along his arm. “We’ll keep up”

He nods once, then lets out a quiet breath. “Okay”

You nudge him toward the driver’s side. “Come on”

As he moves to open the door, you add with a grin, “Try not to interrogate her”

“I won’t” he says.

A beat.

“…Too much”

You laugh as you walk around to your side, already knowing this conversation is going to be one you both remember.

The city moves around you in slow motion, warm light slipping through the windows as Mark drives toward Sunnie’s favorite Chinese restaurant.

In the backseat, Sunnie sits carefully, still holding the flower like it matters.

You turn slightly in your seat to look at her. “So… you’re going to tell us the story behind that flower?”

Sunnie perks up immediately. “His name is Daniel” she says, as if that explains everything. “He’s in my class”

Mark hums, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. “Daniel” he repeats.

“He just came up to me at recess” Sunnie continues, very serious about the storytelling. “And he gave me the flower and said it is for me”

“And what did you say?” you ask gently.

“I said thank you” she replies, nodding. “And bye”

Mark’s lips twitch a little, clearly relieved. “That’s good. That’s exactly what you should do”

Sunnie leans back into her seat. “Yeah. It is nice”

There’s a small pause before Mark speaks again, his tone calm, careful.

“It is nice” he agrees. “It’s a sweet gesture”

Sunnie smiles faintly, looking down at the flower again.

“But” Mark adds softly, “you know something, right?”

She looks up. “What?”

He meets her eyes through the mirror. “You and your friends are still really young. Like… really young”

Sunnie blinks. “I know”

“So things like boyfriends or girlfriends” he continues, choosing his words slowly, “that’s not something you have to think about right now”

She tilts her head a little. “I’m not thinking about that”

“I know you’re not” he says quickly, a small smile forming. “And that’s good. That’s how it should be”

You watch him quietly, letting him take the lead.

Mark rests one hand on the steering wheel, relaxed but focused. “Right now, it’s just about having fun, having friends, going to school, doing the things you like”

Sunnie nods, listening carefully.

“And when you grow up” he goes on, “you’ll have all the time in the world to figure out who you like, and what you want, and all of that stuff”

“Okay” she says simply.

He glances at you for a second, then back at her. “Maybe Mom already talked to you about things like that before”

You smile a little.

“But I haven’t” Mark adds. “So I just wanted to say it too”

Sunnie looks between both of you, then nods again. “Okay”

There’s no tension, no awkwardness. Just a simple understanding.

After a second, she lifts the flower slightly. “So I can keep it, right?”

Mark lets out a small breath, almost like he has been holding it. “Yeah” he says. “You can keep it, baby”

Her face brightens instantly. “Okay”

The car slows as a red light comes up ahead. Mark stops, his hands resting on the wheel as the silence settles again.

Then he lets out a long, exaggerated sigh.

You can’t help it.

You laugh, leaning over to press a quick kiss to his cheek. “You survived”

He shakes his head slightly, but there’s a smile hiding there. “Barely”

From the backseat, Sunnie suddenly speaks again.

“Daniel is too loud, you know?”

Both of you pause.

Mark blinks. “What?”

“He runs everywhere” she says, frowning a little. “And he talks really loud. Like… all the time. It is stressful”

Mark laughs.

Not just a small chuckle, but a real laugh that fills the car. “It’s stressful?”

“Yes” Sunnie says, completely serious. “I don’t like when people are too loud”

You smile, turning slightly toward her. “What do you like?”

“I like when my friends are calm” she explains. “And when they don’t shout. And when we can just… talk normal”

Mark is still smiling, shaking his head a little in disbelief. “That’s crazy”

“I just don’t like noise” she insists.

You nod in agreement. “I get that”

Sunnie looks pleased. “See”

Mark glances at you, amused. “So that’s where she gets it from”

You raise a brow. “Excuse me?”

“You both like quiet” he says. “Meanwhile I’m just here”

“You’re loud, sometimes” Sunnie adds casually.

Mark gasps. “Wow”

You laugh softly. “She’s not wrong”

He sighs again, but this time it is lighter, playful. “Okay, okay”

The restaurant is warm and busy, filled with the soft clatter of plates and the low hum of conversations blending together. The smell hits as soon as you walk in, savory, rich, a mix of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and something slightly sweet that makes everything feel comforting.

Sunnie sits across from you, chopsticks in hand, fully focused on picking up a piece of chicken without dropping it.

For a moment, it is just eating. Comfortable, quiet, the kind of silence that does not need filling.

Then Sunnie speaks again, casually, like she has just remembered something.

“My teacher says that too”

You look up. “Says what?”

“About boyfriends and girlfriends” she explains, chewing thoughtfully before continuing. “She always says we are too young”

Mark nods slightly, listening.

Sunnie sets her chopsticks down for a second, getting more serious. “She has a daughter. She talks about her a lot”

“Oh yeah?” you ask, leaning in a little.

“Mhm” Sunnie nods. “And she always says kids shouldn’t act like adults… and adults shouldn’t act like kids”

Mark’s brows lift a little, interested.

“So that’s why” Sunnie continues, trying to explain it properly, “both shouldn’t do things they are not supposed to do”

You exchange a small glance with Mark, impressed.

“That is actually…” you start, smiling, “really well said”

Mark nods in agreement, then looks back at Sunnie. “What do you think about that?”

Sunnie blinks, like she does not expect the question.

She looks down at her plate for a second, poking at the rice with her chopsticks, thinking.

“I think…” she starts slowly, “it makes sense”

Mark stays quiet, letting her take her time.

“Like… kids are still learning things” she continues. “So if they try to do adult things, they might not understand them properly”

You watch her carefully, your expression soft.

“And adults acting like kids…” she adds, frowning slightly, “that is weird. Because they already know things, so why would they act like they don’t?”

Mark lets out a small breath, impressed. “That’s a good way to see it”

Sunnie shrugs a little, going back to her food. “It is just what she says”

“But you thought about it” you say gently.

She nods. “A little”

You sit on the edge of the bed, phone in your hands, staring at the message you’ve typed and erased three times already.

Mark is lying on his side beside you, one arm draped lazily over Tofu, who is completely knocked out. She’s older now, slower, breathing softly like she owns the whole bed.

He scrolls absentmindedly with one hand, not really paying attention, until he notices you not moving.

“Why are you so quiet?” he murmurs without looking up.

You hesitate.

Then you gently poke his arm.

He finally turns his head. “What?”

You shift a little, suddenly very interested in the blanket. “I… want to ask you something”

That makes him pause.

He props himself up slightly, resting his cheek against his hand, studying you. “Okay”

You clear your throat. “Do you… want to go on a date with me?”

There’s a beat of silence.

Then Mark blinks slowly.

And he smiles.

Not just a small smile. A full, soft, instantly fond smile like he’s trying not to laugh at how cute you sound.

“A date” he repeats.

You nod quickly, already embarrassed. “Yeah”

He tilts his head. “With me”

“Yes”

He lets out a quiet laugh, shifting closer to you. “Why are you asking like that?”

“Like what?” you mumble.

“Like you’re interviewing me” he says, eyes warm. “You’re shy”

“I’m not shy” you immediately deny, which only makes him smile wider.

He reaches out and lightly taps your knee. “You are”

You huff. “Just answer”

He hums, clearly enjoying this. “When?”

You blink. “So you’re saying yes?”

He laughs under his breath. “Obviously. I just want details”

You glance down at your hands. “Okay… I was thinking this weekend”

“Mm” he nods slowly. “And where are we going?”

You finally look up at him again, still a bit flustered. “There’s a café I saw”

He raises a brow. “A café”

“Yes” you nod quickly. “You make rings there”

That gets his attention.

He sits up a little more now, interest piqued. “We make rings?”

You nod again. “Like… you design them together. And they help you make it. It’s cute”

Mark’s expression softens immediately. “That’s actually really cute”

You cover your face for a second.

“Huh?” he teases.

“Stop talking like you’re about to make fun of me or something”

He laughs, leaning closer to you. “I will never”

You peek at him through your fingers. “Stop”

He gently pulls your hands away from your face. “Say it again”

“What”

“The date” he says softly. “Say it again”

You groan. “Mark…”

He smiles, eyes warm and a little teasing. “You’re so cute”

You immediately look away again. “Stop talking, bro”

He laughs, completely delighted now. “Why are you so shy when we literally have a whole family together?”

That makes you laugh despite yourself, covering your face again. “I don’t know”

He leans back against the pillows, still smiling at you like he can’t help it. “I love it when you take the first step”

You peek at him. “It’s not really my style”

“I know” he says gently. “That’s why it’s special”

You sit a little straighter. “I try”

He nods, very serious for a second. “I notice”

Then his smile returns. “You love me a lot, huh”

You throw a pillow lightly at him. “No”

He catches it easily, laughing. “Yes you do”

You feel your cheeks warm instantly. “Stop”

He leans forward again, lowering his voice just a little. “You just invited me on a date. That’s kind of a big deal”

“It’s just a café” you mumble.

“It’s not just a café” he corrects softly. “It’s you choosing it for us”

That makes you go quiet for a second.

He watches your expression carefully, then smiles again when you try to hide your face.

“Look at you” he says quietly. “Blushing”

“I’m not”

“You are”

Tofu suddenly shifts between you both, letting out a small sleepy huff as she gets disturbed.

Mark immediately turns his head. “Oh, sorry, old lady”

Tofu doesn’t react. Just keeps sleeping.

You laugh. “She didn’t even care”

“She’s judging me” he insists, gently patting her.

You shake your head, still smiling. “So the café date”

“Yes” he says immediately, turning back to you. “I like it”

You tilt your head. “You do?”

“I like anything you pick” he says simply.

He continues, more thoughtful now. “We don’t really get time like that anymore”

You nod slowly. “Yeah…”

He reaches for your hand, holding it loosely. “Just us”

You squeeze his fingers. “Just us”

He hums. “We can go slow. No rush. We can stay there as long as you want”

You smile a little. “We can decorate the rings badly”

He laughs. “I will definitely mess mine up”

“You’ll probably try to make it perfect” you tease.

He thinks about it. “Yeah… I will try”

That makes you laugh.

He watches you for a second, softer now. “I’m free whenever you need me, you know”

You look at him. “We’re just busy all the time”

“I know” he says quietly. “But I’m always here, my heart is always here”

You nod, your thumb brushing his hand. “Okay”

He leans his head back against the pillow again, still holding your hand. “So it’s a date”

You smile. “It’s a date”

He looks at you again, eyes crinkling. “You’re really cute when you’re like this”

You immediately hide your face again. “Sure, sure”

He laughs, completely pleased with himself, while Tofu sighs in her sleep like she’s heard this exact conversation a hundred times before.

You don’t rush.

That’s the first thing you notice about yourself as you stand in front of the mirror, holding up two different outfits and switching between them for the third time. The house is quieter than usual, Sunnie is out for the afternoon, and even the air feels slower, softer, like it knows this day is just for the two of you.

You smooth your hands over your clothes, adjusting something that doesn’t really need adjusting. Your heart is beating a little faster than it should for something so simple.

It’s just a date.

You pause, looking at your reflection, then shake your head slightly at yourself, a small smile tugging at your lips. “Okay” you murmur, like you’re calming yourself down. “It’s fine”

When you step out of the room, Mark is already waiting in the living room.

And for a second, you just… stop.

He’s leaning against the wall, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone loosely, but he’s not looking at it. He’s looking at you.

Like he’s been waiting.

Like this is something important.

His expression softens almost immediately when he sees you properly, his eyes scanning you in a way that makes your chest feel warm.

“You’re ready” he says.

You nod. “Yeah”

He doesn’t move right away. He just keeps looking at you, then smiles, slow and fond. “You look really pretty”

You look away for a second, grabbing your bag just to have something to do. “Let’s go”

He pushes off the wall, still smiling, and follows you out like he has nowhere else he’d rather be.

The café is exactly how you imagined it, maybe even better.

Soft lights hang from the ceiling, warm and golden, reflecting off glass surfaces and small decorative displays. There’s a faint scent of coffee mixed with something metallic and clean, the kind of smell that comes from tools and freshly worked materials. It’s quiet, calm, with only a few other people scattered around, each focused on their own little creations.

Mark looks around as you walk in, clearly impressed. “This is nice”

You nod, a little shy again. “I told you”

“It’s really nice” he repeats, his voice softer now, like he doesn’t want to disturb the atmosphere.

A staff member greets you and guides you to a table where small tools, thin metal bands, and engraving samples are neatly arranged. They explain the process, how you’ll shape, adjust, and design the rings yourselves before choosing a message to engrave.

Mark listens carefully, nodding along, occasionally glancing at you with a small smile like he still can’t believe you planned this.

Once you’re left alone, he picks up one of the plain bands, turning it between his fingers. “So this is it”

You reach for your own, the metal cool against your skin. “This is it”

There’s a moment where both of you just sit there, taking it in.

Then Mark looks at you. “Are you nervous?”

“A little” you admit.

“Why?”

“What if I mess it up?”

He shakes his head immediately. “You won’t, baby”

“You don’t know that”

“I do” he says simply. “And even if you do, it won’t matter”

You look at him, curious. “Why not?”

“Because you made it” he says. “That’s the whole point”

Your chest tightens a little at that.

You nod, quieter now. “Okay”

The process starts slow.

You both work carefully, guided by the instructions, shaping the rings, smoothing edges, adjusting sizes. There’s something grounding about it, the focus it requires, the way your hands stay busy while your thoughts settle.

Mark leans closer at one point, watching what you’re doing. “You’re concentrating really hard”

“Don’t distract me, handsome” you murmur, trying not to smile.

“I’m not” he says, clearly lying.

You glance at him. “You are”

He grins. “A little”

You shake your head, but your shoulders relax anyway.

You talk in between steps, small things at first. About Sunnie, about how she would probably try to make ten rings at once, about Tofu and how she would absolutely fall asleep in a place like this.

“You picked this because of the rings?” he asks at some point.

You nod. “Yeah”

“Why rings?”

You hesitate, fingers brushing over the metal in your hands. “I don’t know… I just thought it would be something we keep”

He watches you closely, his expression gentle. “We already have things we keep”

“A lot” you say. “But this is different”

He nods slowly, understanding.

“Also” you add, a little lighter, “you can’t buy this one”

He smiles at that. “That’s true”

When it’s time to engrave, the staff brings over a small guide and explains how to choose the message.

You go quiet again.

Mark notices immediately. “You’re thinking too much”

“I want it to be good”

“It will be” he says. “Just write what you feel”

You look down at the ring, then at the small engraving tool in your hand.

For a moment, everything else fades.

You focus.

On him, on everything you’ve built together.

On the quiet moments, the loud ones, the everyday things that somehow mean the most.

Then you start engraving.

Across from you, Mark does the same.

Neither of you says what you’re writing. It stays unspoken.

When you’re both done, the staff carefully collects the rings to polish them, leaving you with empty hands and a strange kind of anticipation.

He smiles slightly. “I want to see your reaction properly”

You narrow your eyes at him. “You’re soooo mysterious”

“It’s a surprise”

You laugh softly.

The wait isn’t long, but it feels like it.

When the staff returns, they place the rings carefully in front of you, polished, clean, shining under the soft lights.

Mark reaches for one immediately.

“This one’s yours” he says.

You hesitate for just a second, then take it from him.

The metal is smooth and warm from his hands, lighter than you expected but solid in a way that makes it feel real. You turn it slowly between your fingers, and the first thing you notice are the tiny blue gems set along the band.

They’re delicate, not too much, just enough to catch the light.

Your lips part slightly.

“Mark…”

He watches you closely, quieter now. “Look inside”

You swallow, then tilt the ring, your eyes focusing on the engraving hidden along the inner curve.

always you, always us

For a second, everything around you fades.

The soft noise of the café, the movement, the light… it all disappears under the weight of something so simple and so him.

Your chest tightens, your fingers curling slightly around the ring.

“You…” you start, your voice softer than you expected. “Really?”

He nods, a little shy now despite everything. “Yeah”

You look up at him, your eyes warm, a little glassy without realizing. “It’s really… you”

He smiles, relieved, searching your face. “Is that good?”

You nod immediately. “It’s perfect”

He exhales, shoulders relaxing like he didn’t realize he was holding that breath. “Okay”

You slide the ring onto your finger, and it fits just right, the blue details catching the light every time you move. You keep looking at it for a second longer, like you’re trying to memorize how it feels.

Then you glance back at him, suddenly aware.

“Your turn”

He leans forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table as you hand him the ring you made.

He takes it carefully.

His thumb brushes over the band before he even looks at it properly, noticing the small details first.

“Green” he murmurs.

Tiny light green and silver gems are set along the ring, subtle but bright, colors that feel gentle, warm… like you.

Mark’s lips curve into a soft smile. “You picked your colors”

You shrug, suddenly shy again. “We both did”

“I like it” he says, still looking at it.

Then he turns it slightly, eyes dropping to the inside.

His expression changes slowly, the smile softening into something nostalgic.

He reads it again.

all i see is you

His breath leaves him in a small, almost disbelieving laugh, like it hit him somewhere he wasn’t expecting.

You watch him carefully, your fingers fidgeting lightly on the table. “Is it okay?”

He looks up at you immediately, eyes warm, a little overwhelmed in the softest way. “Okay?”

You press your lips together. “Yeah…”

He shakes his head, smiling. “It’s… a lot”

Your heart drops just a little. “A lot bad or—”

“A lot good” he interrupts gently. “Like… really good”

You relax instantly, a small smile forming.

He looks back at the ring, then slides it onto his finger without hesitation, like there was never another option.

It fits perfectly.

He turns his hand slightly, watching how the green and pink stones catch the light, then glances at you again.

“All i see is you” he repeats softly.

You nod, a little embarrassed now that he’s saying it out loud. “Yeah”

He leans back slightly in his chair, still looking at the ring, then at you, like he’s trying to process both at the same time.

“That’s…” he shakes his head, smiling to himself. “You always do this”

“Do what?”

“Say something simple and then make it hit like that” he says, tapping lightly against his chest.

You laugh quietly, trying to brush it off. “It’s just a sentence”

“It’s not just a sentence” he replies, eyes still on you. “Not when it’s you, baby”

Your cheeks warm again.

He notices immediately, of course.

“There it is” he teases softly. “You’re blushing again”

“I’m not” you mumble, looking down at your hand.

He reaches across the table, gently taking it, his thumb brushing over the blue stones on your ring.

“They look good together, even better than our wedding rings” he says, comparing both your hands.

You glance up, your fingers intertwining with his. “They do”

“Mine’s a little softer” he adds, lifting his hand slightly. “More delicate”

You smile. “It suits you”

He looks at you, then at the rings again, something warm settling in his expression.

“I’m keeping this forever” he says.

You nod, squeezing his hand lightly. “Me too”

You just sit there, hands together across the table, the small gems catching the light every time you move, the engravings hidden but known.

Something that feels like it’s always been there, even before today.

masterlist — prev. next.

NOTE: sorry for the delay, april is… yeah

⋮ Taglist ⋮ @foreveronez @notmastyle @haesluvr @yesohhsehun @mey-archive @neotannies @jakiki94 @cr4zyf4ngirl777 @marksjpg

— 025.

the snowman | masterlist | prev — next

pairing — mark lee x fem!reader

The door opens without warning.

Not loudly, not aggressively, just… abruptly. The kind of entrance that feels off the second it happens.

You’re in the living room, half paying attention to something on your phone, half listening for him like you always do.

Mark steps in, drops his keys and his bag on the table without really looking, shoulders tense, jaw tight. He doesn’t call out. Doesn’t look around.

Doesn’t look at you.

He just exhales, long and heavy, like the air’s been sitting in his chest all day, and walks straight past you toward the bedroom.

You stay still.

For a second you think maybe he’ll turn around. Maybe he’ll say something. Maybe he’ll realize.

He doesn’t.

The bedroom door stays open, but he’s already inside, already moving around like you weren’t sitting there waiting.

Something in your chest tightens.

You don’t follow him right away.

You sit there, phone still in your hand, screen dimming without you noticing, your jaw slowly setting as the silence stretches longer than it should.

You hear him moving around in the room. Drawers. Fabric shifting. Another sigh.

Still nothing.

You stand up.

Not fast. Not dramatic. Just controlled.

When you walk into the bedroom, he’s halfway through taking his shirt off, his back to you, like this is just another normal day.

Like you’re not standing there.

Like he didn’t just walk past you like you weren’t even home.

You don’t say anything.

You just sit on the edge of the bed, arms folded loosely, watching him.

He notices eventually.

He always does.

He glances over his shoulder, then turns slightly, like he’s just now registering you.

“Hey” he says, softer, like it’s an afterthought.

You don’t answer.

He studies your face for a second, then steps closer, like he’s going to fix it the easy way, the usual way.

“Hi” he murmurs, leaning down to kiss you.

You turn your head, just enough that his lips miss yours.

The silence that follows is immediate.

He pulls back slowly, confusion settling into his expression. “What—”

“You completely ignored me”

Your voice isn’t loud.

But it’s sharp enough.

He blinks. “I didn’t—”

“You walked in, dropped your things, and went straight in here without even looking at me” you continue, your tone controlled tight, like you’re holding something back. “You didn’t say hi. You didn’t ask anything. You didn’t even acknowledge that I was there”

“I just got home” he says, a little defensive now, like he doesn’t understand why this is suddenly a problem.

“Exactly” you reply immediately. “You just got home, and I was right there”

He runs a hand through his hair, exhaling again. “I had a long day, okay? I’m just— I’m tired”

You let out a small, disbelieving breath, shaking your head.

“That’s not an excuse”

“It’s not an excuse” he repeats, his tone tightening slightly. “It’s a reason”

“No, it’s not” you shoot back, your voice still low but sharper now. “Because I have long days too, Mark. I get stressed too. I come home tired too, and I still manage to walk in and acknowledge that you exist”

He frowns, his shoulders stiffening. “That’s not fair”

“What’s not fair is you acting like I’m not even here” you reply, leaning forward slightly now, your hands pressing into the edge of the bed. “You didn’t even look at me”

“I did look at you” he says quickly.

“After” you correct. “After I came in here. After I had to follow you”

He opens his mouth, then closes it, like he’s trying to figure out how to respond without making it worse.

“I wasn’t trying to ignore you” he says finally, quieter now. “I just needed a second to breathe”

“And you couldn’t do that while saying hi to me?” you ask, your voice tightening despite yourself. “You couldn’t take two seconds to acknowledge me before disappearing?”

He exhales, frustration starting to creep in. “Why are you making it a big deal?”

You stare at him.

Like you can’t believe he just said that.

“Because it is a big deal” you say, your voice dropping, more intense now even though it stays quiet. “It feels like I don’t matter when you do that”

“That’s not true” he says immediately.

“It felt true” you shoot back. “In that moment, it felt like I didn’t even cross your mind”

He shakes his head, pacing a small step away before turning back to you. “You’re taking it too personally”

“Of course I’m taking it personally” you say, your laugh short and sharp. “It is personal. I’m your wife”

“I know that” he replies, his tone rising just enough to edge toward frustration before he catches himself and lowers it again. “I’m just saying it wasn’t intentional”

You stand up now.

“Do you think that makes it better?”

He hesitates.

Because he knows it doesn’t.

“I didn’t mean to make you feel like that” he says, quieter now.

“But you did” you reply immediately. “And instead of just saying that, you’re telling me I’m overreacting”

“I didn’t say you’re overreacting”

“You said I’m making it a big deal” you correct. “That’s the same thing”

He rubs his face with his hand, clearly frustrated now. “I’m trying to explain—”

“And I’m trying to tell you how it felt” you cut in, your voice still controlled but starting to crack at the edges. “Why is that so hard to just listen to?”

“I am listening”

“No, you’re defending yourself” you say, shaking your head. “There’s a difference”

The room goes quiet for a second.

Then you speak again, softer but sharper somehow.

“I wait for you to come home” you say. “Even when I’m tired. Even when I’ve had a bad day. I wait because I want to see you, and you walked right past me like I wasn’t even there”

That lands.

Harder than anything else.

Mark’s expression shifts, the frustration easing just a little, something else taking its place.

“I didn’t realize you were waiting” he says.

You let out a small, humorless laugh.

“That’s the point”

Another silence.

This one longer.

He looks at you, really looks now, like he’s finally catching up to where you’ve been for the last few minutes.

“I messed up” he says finally, quieter.

You don’t answer right away.

You just look at him, your arms crossing tighter over yourself.

“You did” you say after a moment. “And it’s not just about today”

He frowns. “What do you mean?”

“It happens more than you think” you admit, your voice steadier now but heavier. “You come home already somewhere else, and I have to wait until you decide to come back”

He swallows slightly, his posture shifting.

“I didn’t know it felt like that” he says.

“I know you didn’t” you reply. “Because if you did, you wouldn’t do it”

You just stand there, arms crossed, gaze fixed somewhere past him like you don’t trust yourself to look at him without giving something away.

Mark stays where he is for a second, like he’s letting it settle, like he knows this isn’t something he can rush past.

Then he steps closer.

“I hear you” he says quietly, and this time there’s no edge to it, no defense hiding underneath. “I’m not gonna argue with you about it”

You don’t respond.

Your posture doesn’t change. You’re listening, carefully.

He exhales, slower now, like he’s choosing every word before it comes out.

“You’re right” he continues. “About all of it. I walked in and acted like… like I was the only one in my head, and I didn’t even think about how that would feel for you”

You stare ahead, jaw tight.

“I do that” he admits, softer. “More than I should”

There’s no excuse after it.

No “but.”

Just that.

“I get caught up in my day, or whatever’s going on, and I come home still stuck in it” he says. “And instead of stopping for a second and actually being here with you, I just… keep going like nothing else exists”

Your fingers tighten slightly against your arms.

He notices and steps closer. Still slow.

“That’s not fair to you” he says. “At all”

You don’t move when he reaches you.

You just stay still.

He hesitates for half a second before his hands come up, resting gently at your arms, not forcing anything, just there.

“I’m sorry” he says, quieter now. “Not just for today. For the times before too”

Your gaze drops just slightly, but you don’t look at him.

“I know you’ve been patient with me” he continues, his voice steady but softer now. “I know you don’t always say it when it bothers you, and you still… show up for me the same way every time”

His hands slide slowly from your arms to around your back, pulling you into a hug.

You stay still in his arms, your hands still at your sides, your body not pushing him away, but not giving in either.

He feels it.

And he doesn’t try to force it.

He just holds you gently, his chin resting lightly near your temple.

“I shouldn’t need you to say it for me to fix it” he murmurs. “That’s on me”

Your breathing is steady. Controlled.

“I keep trying to explain myself when you bring things up” he goes on, his voice low and close. “Like if I just say I’m tired or stressed, it’ll make it okay”

He shakes his head slightly against you.

“It doesn’t” he says. “It just makes it worse. It makes it sound like I’m brushing you off instead of listening”

You swallow quietly, but you still don’t speak.

“I don’t want you to feel like you have to fight to be noticed in your own home. That’s… that’s not something you should ever feel with me”

His hold on you tightens just a little, still gentle, still careful.

“I’m sorry, baby” he says, softer now. “I really am”

You don’t step away.

That’s enough for him to keep going.

He pulls back just slightly, enough to look at your face, but you’re still not meeting his eyes.

Your expression is closed off, lips pressed together, stubborn in that quiet way he knows too well.

He tilts his head slightly, trying to catch your gaze, but you keep it down.

“You get like this when you’re mad” he says, quieter. “All serious… pretending you’re not listening”

You don’t react but your jaw shifts just slightly.

He notices that too.

“I know you’re listening” he adds gently.

He exhales softly, then leans in, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to your cheek.

“I’m sorry” he murmurs against your skin. “I’m really sorry, baby”

He presses another kiss, a little closer to your cheekbone.

“I’m still mad” you repeat, quieter now.

“I know, love” he says, his hand sliding to the back of your neck, gentle. “You can be mad. I’ll stay right here”

You inhale slowly, then let it out.

“Just…” your voice comes out softer than before, almost worn down, like the edge of your anger has finally dulled. “Stop doing that”

He stills a little, listening carefully.

Your fingers shifting slightly against his shirt. “So I just… I don’t want us to have this same conversation again”

There’s no accusation left in your tone.

Just honesty and a quiet expectation.

Mark nods immediately, his hand coming up to the back of your head, holding you gently against him.

“We won’t” he says, low and certain. “I won’t”

You don’t look up right away.

You just nod once against him.

He tilts his head down, pressing a slow kiss to your hair, then another to your temple before guiding your face up just slightly so he can look at you again.

“I mean it” he adds, softer now. “I won’t do that again”

You search his face for a second.

Then you exhale, your shoulders finally dropping just a little.

He leans in and kisses you.

Not rushed, not trying to distract you out of your feelings, just warm and steady, like he’s grounding it there, sealing what he said.

You sigh softly into it.

It’s small, but he feels it.

When he pulls back, he doesn’t go far. His lips brush your cheek again, then linger there.

“I’m sorry” he whispers.

And then again, quieter.

“I’m sorry”

You close your eyes for a second as he repeats it, his voice low, close, almost like he needs to say it more than once just to make sure it reaches you properly.

“I’m sorry, baby… I’m sorry”

His lips trail down from your cheek to your jaw, then to your neck, softer now, slower, not rushed, just… there.

You let out a small breath that turns into a quiet, involuntary laugh when his lips brush a more sensitive spot.

“Mark…” you murmur, your hand coming up to lightly press against his shoulder.

He smiles faintly against your skin, not stopping right away.

“You looked so sad” he murmurs against your neck, his voice low, almost regretful now. “I hated that”

Your fingers loosen slightly against him.

“I walked in and didn’t even…” he exhales, shaking his head a little, his lips still close to your skin. “I don’t even know why I didn’t just stop and say hi”

He pulls back just enough to look at you again, his expression more open now.

“I knew you were right” he admits quietly. “And I still tried to explain it instead of just accepting it”

You watch him, calmer now, your gaze softer but still thoughtful.

“I don’t know why I do that” he continues, a small, self-aware huff leaving him. “Like if I say I was stressed, it’ll fix it somehow”

You sigh, the tension in you easing a little more as you shake your head faintly.

“Men tend to be like that” you say, your voice softer now, almost teasing again, but still tired underneath.

He lets out a quiet laugh at that, his forehead dropping lightly against yours.

“Yeah” he admits. “We do”

“Annoying” you add.

“Very” he agrees without hesitation.

That earns him a slightly bigger smile from you, even if you try to hide it by pressing your lips together.

He notices anyway.

Of course he does.

His hand slides gently along your side, pulling you just a little closer again, his thumb brushing lightly back and forth like he’s making sure you stay right there with him.

“I’ll do better” he says quietly.

The first snow.

You notice it before anyone says anything, standing by the window with a mug still warm in your hands, watching the way the flakes fall slow and steady, soft against the early morning light. It settles over everything without asking, covering the street, the cars, the rooftops, turning everything into something softer, something calmer.

For a moment, you just stand there.

Then—

“Mama!”

Sunnie’s voice comes rushing down the hallway before you even turn, her footsteps quick and uneven with excitement.

She’s ten now.

Not the tiny, clinging toddler you used to carry everywhere, not the little girl who needed help with everything. She’s taller, brighter, her energy bigger somehow, filling every space she walks into like she belongs there.

She skids to a stop next to you, pressing her hands against the glass.

“It’s snowing” she says, like it’s the most unbelievable thing in the world.

“I see that” you smile softly, watching her reflection more than the snow.

Behind you, Mark appears slower, still half-waking up, his hair messy, a hoodie thrown on without much thought.

“What’s all the—” he starts, then follows your gaze out the window.

“Oh”

Sunnie turns to him immediately, eyes wide. “Can we go outside? Please? Right now?”

“It’s early” he says, but there’s already a smile pulling at his mouth.

“Please” she repeats, grabbing his sleeve this time, tugging like she used to when she was smaller.

He looks at you.

You shrug lightly, already smiling. “We’re not saying no”

That’s all she needs.

The cold hits instantly when you step outside, sharp but fresh, the kind that makes your breath visible in front of you.

Sunnie doesn’t care.

She runs ahead immediately, boots crunching against the thin layer of snow, laughing under her breath as she tries to catch flakes on her gloves.

“Wait for me” Mark calls, though he’s not actually trying to catch up.

You walk beside him, slower, your hands tucked into your coat, shoulders brushing lightly as you both watch her.

“She’s grown” you murmur.

“Too fast” he replies quietly.

There’s a softness in the way he says it.

Sunnie turns suddenly, walking backward in front of you both.

“You’re walking too slow” she says.

“You’re running too fast” Mark shoots back.

She grins, then looks at you, tilting her head slightly.

“Mama”

“Hmm?”

“You don’t have to be jealous, you know?”

You blink. “Jealous?”

“Yeah” she says, completely serious. “Because I’m really pretty today”

Mark snorts quietly beside you.

You stare at her for a second, trying to keep a straight face.

“…oh” you say. “I see”

“But it’s okay” she continues, nodding like she’s reassuring you. “You’re still the most beautiful woman in the world”

That—

That hits somewhere deeper than you expect.

Your expression softens immediately, something in your chest tightening in a completely different way now.

“Sunnie…” you murmur, your voice quieter.

She just smiles, proud of herself, then turns back around like she didn’t just say something that made your eyes sting a little.

Mark notices.

Of course he does.

He lets out a soft laugh, stepping closer to you, his arm wrapping around your shoulders as he pulls you into him.

“Careful” he murmurs near your ear. “You’re gonna cry”

“I’m not” you say quickly, even as your eyes blink a little faster.

He smiles, pressing a quick kiss to your temple.

“You’re soft” he teases gently.

You nudge him lightly with your shoulder.

“Shut up”

He laughs, then turns your face slightly toward him and kisses you properly, right there in the middle of the snow, quick but warm, his hand steady at your waist.

“Come on” you say. “Snowman”

It takes longer than it should.

Mostly because Sunnie insists on doing everything herself, even when the snowball she’s trying to roll keeps falling apart in her hands.

Mark crouches down to help eventually, his hands shaping the base while she gives instructions like she’s in charge.

“No, bigger” she says.

“It’s already big”

“Bigger”

You watch them from a few steps away, smiling to yourself before stepping in to help stack the middle part.

The snow sticks better now, forming something that actually looks like a snowman instead of a pile.

Sunnie steps back, hands on her hips.

“It needs a face”

“Obviously” Mark says.

You find small sticks for arms, and Sunnie carefully places them in, then adds stones for eyes, adjusting them twice until she’s satisfied.

“There” she says proudly.

“It’s perfect” you nod.

Mark leans closer to you. “Looks like me”

You laugh under your breath. “Be serious”

“I am”

Before you can respond, something soft hits your arm.

You turn.

Sunnie is already holding another small snowball, trying not to smile.

“Don’t” you warn.

Too late.

She throws it.

It barely reaches you, falling apart mid-air, but it’s enough.

Mark immediately scoops some snow into his hands, packing it loosely.

“Oh, it’s on” he says.

“Don’t aim at my face” you warn, already stepping back.

“No promises”

The next few minutes are chaotic in the softest way.

Small snowballs, nothing too hard, just enough to make Sunnie laugh every time one gets close.

Mark pretends to aim dramatically, missing on purpose half the time, while you duck and throw back weaker attempts that barely land.

Sunnie runs between you both, completely entertained.

Then she stops suddenly, looking at something across the street.

“Appa”

“Hmm?”

“Can we get one of those?”

You follow her gaze.

A kid nearby is using a small duck-shaped snowball maker, perfectly shaped little snow ducks lined up beside them.

Mark squints slightly. “A what?”

“That thing” she points. “The duck”

You smile immediately. “That’s cute”

Sunnie looks at him again, hopeful. “Please?”

He glances at you.

You raise an eyebrow. “Don’t look at me”

He sighs, already losing. “Alright. Let’s go”

By the time you get back, Sunnie is holding the duck mold like it’s the best thing she’s ever owned.

She runs ahead again, immediately testing it out, packing snow inside and opening it carefully.

A perfect little snow duck drops into her hands.

“Look!” she says.

“That’s actually impressive” Mark admits.

You laugh softly, watching her line them up one by one.

Mark steps behind you again, his hands sliding around your waist under your coat, pulling you back against him.

“You’re cold” he murmurs.

“A little”

He rubs his hands along your sides, warming you up slowly, his chin resting lightly on your shoulder.

“You’re doing that again” you say quietly.

“What?”

“This” you gesture slightly.

“Taking care of you?”

You smile faintly. “Being like this”

He hums softly. “I like being like this”

You lean back into him just a little more.

Sunnie turns at the exact wrong moment.

“Why are you always like that?”

Mark laughs against your shoulder. “Like what?”

“Touching each other all the time”

You glance back at her. “You’ll understand one day”

“No, I won’t” she says immediately, going back to her snow ducks.

Mark presses a quick kiss to your cheek anyway, completely unbothered.

“You definitely will” he murmurs.

Sunnie keeps working on her little row of snow ducks, crouched down with full concentration, her gloves already dusted white. Every time she opens the mold, she pauses like it’s something important, placing each one carefully beside the other.

You and Mark stay a few steps behind her, slower, quieter.

His arms are still wrapped around you from behind, his chin resting lightly on your shoulder, his warmth seeping through your coat in a way that makes the cold feel softer.

Sunnie glances back at you both.

She studies you for a second, her head tilting slightly.

“You look good together” she says, like it’s an observation she just decided to share.

You blink, surprised.

Mark lets out a quiet laugh behind you. “We do?”

“Yeah” she shrugs, like it’s obvious. “But dad is always hugging and kissing you”

You laugh softly, turning your head slightly toward him.

He doesn’t even look embarrassed.

“I just love her a lot” he says simply, tightening his arms around you a little like he’s proving his point.

“I know” Sunnie replies, nodding seriously. “But it’s too much sometimes”

You smile, glancing back at her. “Too too too much?”

“Yeah” she says, very firm about it.

You raise an eyebrow, playful now. “Are you jealous?”

She lets out a quick laugh, shaking her head immediately. “No”

But then she stands up, brushing her hands together, and walks straight over.

Right past you.

Straight into Mark.

She wraps her arms around his waist like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

You stare for a second—

then laugh.

Not just a small laugh, but a real one, shoulders shaking as you point at her. “You just said you weren’t jealous”

“I’m not” she insists, her voice slightly muffled against his hoodie.

Mark laughs too, one arm wrapping around her easily while the other stays around you, pulling both of you in like he refuses to choose.

“I love you both” he says, looking between you with a soft smile. “A lot. You’re my whole life”

Your expression softens immediately.

You turn slightly in his hold, your hand coming up to his cheek before you lean in and kiss him.

It’s quick.

Warm. Familiar.

“Ugh” Sunnie sighs loudly, pulling back just enough to look at you both. “Adults these days”

Mark laughs under his breath, shaking his head as he looks down at her.

“Do you really think we’re that bad?” he asks, amused.

“Yes” she says instantly. “You’re too touchy”

He raises an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yes” she nods again, completely serious. “One time I thought mom was pregnant”

You freeze.

Mark blinks. “What?”

“You were talking really low” she explains, gesturing vaguely. “And you were like… cuddling. So I thought something was happening”

Mark laughs, a little louder this time, shaking his head. “Okay, first of all: your mom is not pregnant”

You slowly turn your head toward him.

Your expression shifts.

“…well” you say.

Mark’s laugh cuts off instantly.

He looks at you.

His eyes widen just a little too much, his entire posture going stiff like his brain just short-circuited.

“…what?” he says.

“I’m joking” you say, shaking your head.

He exhales so fast it almost turns into a groan, one hand going to his chest like you just took years off his life.

“Don’t do that” he says, half laughing, half actually recovering. “That’s not funny”

“It was a little funny” you grin.

Sunnie looks between you both, frowning slightly. “I was scared”

Mark points at her immediately. “See? You traumatized her”

“I did not traumatize her”

“She just said she was scared”

You laugh again, stepping closer and nudging his side lightly.

“I said i was joking”

He shakes his head, but he’s smiling again now, his arm tightening around both of you.

“Never joke about that again” he mutters.

You hum softly, still amused. “Okay, okay”

Sunnie looks at both of you again, then sighs dramatically.

“You’re still too much” she says, turning back toward her snow ducks.

Mark laughs quietly, resting his chin back on your shoulder.

“You hear that?” he murmurs. “We need to tone it down”

You glance at him, smiling faintly. “You first”

He presses a quick kiss to your cheek anyway.

“Not happening”

Sunnie sits at the table, her small notebook open, pencil clutched between her fingers, lips pressed together in concentration. She’s grown so much, her hair pulled into a messy ponytail, legs swinging under the chair, completely absorbed in her homework.

Mark is beside her, leaning in, his arm brushing lightly against hers as he points to a problem.

“See, if you carry the two first, then add the six here” he says, tapping the page gently, “It’s easier if you think of it in two steps. First carry, then add. Got it?”

Sunnie nods, trying to copy his motions, her little tongue peeking out from between her teeth in concentration. “Okay… so that makes twenty-four?” she asks.

“Exactly” he says softly, smiling at her effort. “See? You’ve got this. You just have to take it slow”

You sit at the other side of the table with your laptop, trying to focus on a report for work, but you can’t help stealing glances at Mark.

The way he leans over Sunnie, the soft focus in his eyes, the natural gestures of his hands as he explains… It’s hypnotizing. One glance turns into two, then three, until you realize you’ve been staring for a while.

He notices. Of course he notices. He glances up at you from the corner of his eyes and smirks. “Someone’s been staring” he murmurs, voice low, teasing.

You freeze mid-keystroke, a laugh escaping before you can stop it. “I’m… I’m just thinking” you say, trying to sound casual, though your heart flutters.

“Thinking about what?” he asks, voice soft but mischievous, a teasing edge curling at the corners of his lips.

You shrug lightly, pretending to focus on your screen, but you know he’s watching every little motion. “Nothing” you murmur, hiding your smile behind your hand.

He leans back in his chair slightly, watching you, tilting his head in that way that makes you feel both observed and adored. “Uh-huh” he says, mock serious. “Sure. Nothing at all. I think you’re totally mesmerized by me”

You laugh softly, shaking your head. “Stop it”

“Nope” he replies immediately, grinning. “Not stopping. I like seeing you like this”

You close your laptop suddenly, standing up, and walk around the table toward him, smirking. Without thinking, you press a soft, deliberate kiss to the top of his head, feeling the warmth of him under your lips.

Your hand moves slightly through his hair, and then your fingers catch something unfamiliar, a tiny, silvery strand among the dark brown.

“Oh my God” you gasp softly, pulling back just a little to examine it. “Mark… you have a gray hair”

He freezes, eyes widening, hand hovering in the air. “What? That’s… that’s not, no” he says, reaching to touch it himself.

“I’m not lying” you insist, laughing softly despite your mock horror. “Right here”

Sunnie, curious, leans over immediately. “Let me see!” she says, voice full of excitement. Her little hands hover over yours as you show her the hair. Her eyes widen, and she lets out a quiet gasp.

Mark huffs, shaking his head, still grinning, clearly amused by the entire spectacle. “Nope. Totally not true. That’s some optical illusion, a trick of the light, something”

You laugh, already pulling out your phone. “You’re going to hate me” you murmur, snapping a picture and showing it to him.

He peers at it dramatically. “Hmm… still looks fake” he says, squinting at the screen, but you can see the faint twitch of amusement in his lips.

Sunnie pipes up, still looking between the two of you. “Dad looks handsome anyway”

Mark glances at you with a teasing grin. “Sunnie, your mom likes old people with gray hair”

You laugh loudly, shaking your head. “I only like Grandpa Mark” you tease, leaning back against the table.

He bursts out laughing, shaking his head with mock indignation. “Hey, I’m only thirty-nine” he says, hands raised in mock surrender, eyes sparkling with mischief.

Sunnie giggles and goes back to her homework, pencil scratching furiously. Mark finally stretches, rolling his shoulders, and gives you a small nod. “Come with me” he murmurs, voice low and intimate.

You follow him a few steps toward the kitchen, leaving Sunnie behind at the table, focused and diligent. The warm light hits him just right, making the edges of his face glow, the faint gray strand peeking out from his hairline.

As soon as you reach him, he presses a slow, deliberate kiss to your lips, lingering just enough to make your heart stutter. His hand finds your waist, holding you close, and he whispers softly, low, just for you: “I know you want me so badly right now”

You laugh quietly, breath catching, and nuzzle your head into his shoulder. “You’re ridiculous” you murmur softly.

He smirks, tilting his head closer, whispering again just inches from your lips: “Yeah?”

You grin, stepping closer, pressing your lips just barely against his. “That gray hair… makes you look even hotter” you murmur playfully. “I can’t wait to see when you’re older. Just imagine”

He laughs softly, shaking his head, and pulls you into a tight hug, breathing in your warmth. “You’re going to make me blush” he whispers.

“I mean it” you murmur back, tilting your head to look up at him. “You’ll look so sexy with all your hair white”

Before he can respond, Sunnie’s little voice calls from the table. “Dad! Can you check my homework? Tell me if it’s good!”

Mark groans dramatically, but his smile never fades. “She always knows when to call” he murmurs with a soft laugh, turning slightly toward you. His hand drifts to your waist again. “Maybe we can have a little fun later” he whispers low, playful, teasing.

You bite your lip softly, laughing, leaning into him, letting your hand find his. “You’re crazy” you murmur, voice soft but fond.

He chuckles, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear, then glances at Sunnie. “Alright, my little genius, let’s see what you’ve got”

Mark leans in to explain a tricky part of Sunnie’s homework, pointing gently, guiding patiently. You stay close to him, hands brushing occasionally, smiles shared quietly in between the problem-solving.

masterlist — prev. next.

NOTE: this was supposed to be full angst but i couldn’t do that to you guys… i’ll save that for another story hehe 🩶

⋮ Taglist ⋮ @foreveronez @notmastyle @haesluvr @yesohhsehun @mey-archive @neotannies @jakiki94 @cr4zyf4ngirl777 @marksjpg

— 024.

parents off duty | masterlist | prev — next

pairing — mark lee x fem!reader

Sunnie had been invited over to your parents’ house for a sleepover, and once she realized it meant pancakes, movies, and being the center of attention for an entire night, there was no turning back. She packed like she was leaving for a week, dragging Tofu along with her because “she gets lonely without me” which wasn’t entirely wrong.

Your mom had laughed and said she’d take care of both of them, and just like that, the house emptied out in a way it hadn’t in a long time.

No toys on the floor. No small voice calling for you from another room. No puppy scratching at the door or chasing after shadows.

Just you and Mark.

By the time morning comes, neither of you has anywhere to be.

You wake up because something shifts behind you.

Mark is pulling you closer before you even fully open your eyes. His hand is warm against your stomach, his fingers curled loosely into your shirt like he fell asleep holding onto you and never let go.

You exhale softly, still half asleep, and try to stretch your legs a little.

“Don’t” he murmurs, voice rough, barely awake.

You smile into the pillow. “I’m just stretching”

“You’re trying to escape”

“I’m not”

“You are” he insists, pulling you closer again like he’s fixing it.

You shift onto your back so you can actually look at him. His eyes are still closed, hair falling into his face, lips slightly parted.

“You’re not even awake” you say.

“I am” he mumbles.

“You’re not making eye contact”

“Don’t need to”

You huff quietly, reaching up to push his hair back from his forehead. He leans into your hand without thinking, like he’s used to it.

“Your voice is weird” you tell him.

He opens one eye, barely. “Weird how?”

“Lower” you say, tracing your finger along his jaw. “Like you’ve been yelling in your sleep”

“Maybe I was”

“At who”

“You”

You snort. “That makes sense”

His hand shifts, sliding along your side, slow and lazy at first. Then his fingers press lightly into your ribs.

You flinch.

Then he presses again.

You twist slightly, trying to get away, but his arm tightens around you, keeping you in place.

“Mark” you warn, already laughing.

“Eh?” he says, completely unbothered.

“You know what”

“I don’t think I do”

His fingers move again, softer this time, dragging lightly across your side.

You push at his chest, laughing quietly. “Stop”

“You’re really sensitive right now”

“You’re really annoying right now”

He finally opens both eyes, looking at you properly now, and there’s something amused there.

You try to roll away, but he just follows, shifting with you until you end up half under him, his weight settling comfortably, not pinning you but close enough that you can’t just get up.

“That’s unfair” you say, breath a little uneven from laughing.

He leans down slightly, his face close enough that you feel his breath against your lips.

“You’re not trying very hard” he murmurs.

“I am”

“You’re smiling”

You try to stop, but it doesn’t work.

“Move” you say, softer now.

“Why?”

“I want to get up”

“Why?”

“Because it’s late”

He glances toward the clock without really moving, then looks back at you. “It’s ten”

“Exactly”

“That’s not late”

“It is for us”

He considers that for a second, then leans in and kisses you instead of answering.

It’s slow, not rushed, his hand coming up to your cheek while the other stays at your waist, keeping you close. You don’t even realize you’ve stopped trying to move until you’re kissing him back, your hand sliding up to his shoulder.

When he pulls back, he doesn’t go far.

“You were saying something” he says quietly.

You blink at him. “I forgot”

“Yeah, sure. Very convenient”

You look at him for a second, then shake your head slightly, but you don’t move away.

“Breakfast” you say after a moment.

He sighs, dropping his forehead briefly against your shoulder. “Babe, you’re ruining the mood”

“You were tickling me”

“That was part of it, it was our moment”

You laugh softly, pushing at him again, and this time he lets you sit up, though his hand drags along your side like he’s not completely ready to let go.

“You’re coming too” you say, glancing back at him.

He stretches slowly, then sits up, hair even worse now. “I’ll think about it”

“You’re making coffee”

You reach for a glass, and before you can even grab it, Mark’s hand closes around your wrist lightly.

“You’re already working? We can be lazy today, you know?” he says.

“It’s breakfast”

“It can wait a second, love”

“For what? Hmm?”

He doesn’t answer right away. He just steps closer, guiding your hand down to the counter, then leans in slightly, close enough that you have to tilt your head up to look at him.

“For this” he says quietly, and kisses you again.

You let out a soft breath against his lips, your free hand resting against his chest without thinking.

“Why are you like this?” you murmur.

You shake your head, but you stay right next to him, bumping his shoulder lightly as you reach for something.

At one point, he moves behind you again, his hand settling at your waist.

He reaches around you to grab something, his arm brushing against yours, his chest close enough that you can feel the warmth of him again.

“You’re in the way, big ass” you mutter.

“You’re not moving, Miss”

“Because you’re holding me”

You turn your head slightly, giving him a look.

He leans closer, his voice dropping just enough to make your stomach tighten. “You’re still not moving, princess”

Breakfast takes longer than it should.

Neither of you is really focused on finishing it quickly. He keeps finding reasons to touch you, to stand close, to say something low enough that you have to lean in to hear it.

After you eat, he disappears into the bathroom, and for a little while it’s just you and the quiet again.

When he comes out, hair damp, sleeves pushed up, he looks more awake, but there’s still that same relaxed energy to him.

“I’m going out for a bit” he says, grabbing his keys.

You glance at him. “What? Where?”

“Somewhere nearby”

“That’s vague”

“It’s intentional, a secret”

You narrow your eyes slightly. “What are you doing?”

“You’ll see”

He steps closer, presses a quick kiss to your lips before you can ask anything else, then heads for the door.

“Bye”

You watch him leave, suspicious.

He’s gone long enough that you actually check the time once.

So when the door opens again, you’re already looking. He steps inside holding a bouquet of flowers.

You blink, caught off guard.

“What is that?” you ask.

He closes the door behind him, glancing at you like he’s waiting for your reaction more than your question.

“Flowers” he says.

“I can see that. Why?”

He walks closer, holding them out. “Because I wanted to make my wife happy”

You take them, your fingers brushing his, and for a second you don’t say anything.

They’re soft, simple, pretty in a way that feels thoughtful.

“They’re so pretty” you say quietly.

He watches your face instead of the flowers. “Yeah?”

You nod, then glance up at him, a small smile slipping through before you can stop it.

He catches it immediately.

“There it is” he says under his breath.

“What?”

“That smile, you’re so fucking cute”

You turn slightly away, trying to hide it. “Don’t make it weird”

He laughs softly, clearly enjoying it.

“I was thinking we could go out” he says after a moment.

You look back at him. “Out… Where?”

“An actual date? it’s been a while”

You consider that for a second. “Where are you taking me?”

“National museum?” he says. “Then lunch”

You tilt your head slightly. “You planned that?”

“Kind of, i wasn’t sure of the place”

You look at the flowers again, then back at him.

“Okay, i like it”

He nods once, like he expected that, but there’s something softer in his expression.

“Go get ready” he says.

“You’re not going to rush me?”

“Take your time, baby”

Getting ready takes time. You don’t feel rushed, and that alone changes everything. You take a little longer choosing what to wear, adjusting small things, checking yourself twice.

Mark doesn’t stay out of it.

At first he leans against the doorway, watching quietly, then eventually steps inside like he belongs there.

“That one” he says, pointing.

“You’ve said that about three things already”

“I told you, you look good in everything”

“I know, i know”

“Wow, humble”

The museum brings calm, comfort. You walk side by side, your hands brushing until they stay together without either of you making a big deal out of it.

You stop where you want, read what catches your attention, talk about things that matter and things that don’t.

At one point, you’re focused on something in front of you when you realize he’s not looking at it.

Lunch is the same.

He leans forward, brushing his thumb lightly along your cheek.

“You had something” he says.

“You could’ve just told me, Mr Lee”

“I could’ve. I didn’t want to”

Food arrives still warm, steam curling up between you, and for a second both of you focus on it, adjusting plates, moving glasses out of the way.

Mark nudges your plate a little closer to you like he always does, a small habit he doesn’t even seem aware of.

“Careful, baby” he says. “It’s hot”

“I can see that, handsome”

“You always say that and then burn your tongue”

You glance up at him. “That happened once, 2 years ago”

“Twice”

You narrow your eyes. “You’re exaggerating”

He hums, unconvinced, and picks up his fork. “We’ll see”

You take your first bite anyway.

It is hot.

You try not to react, but your expression shifts just enough.

He notices immediately.

“I told you, you never listen”

You shake your head, chewing carefully. “It’s fine, it’s not that bad”

“Mm” he says, clearly not believing you.

You reach for your drink, taking a quick sip, then point your fork at him.

He smiles a little, then finally takes a bite of his own food.

You rest your elbow lightly on the table, watching him for a second.

“You’ve been cooking more lately” you say.

He looks up. “Have I?”

“Yeah. Sunnie keeps telling my mom you make better pancakes”

He pauses mid-bite, then raises an eyebrow. “She said that?”

“Very confidently, i felt betrayed”

He leans back slightly, pretending to think. “That’s a bold statement”

You huff a quiet laugh, take another bite, then tilt your head. “You didn’t even like cooking before”

“I didn’t know a lot, but i like it now”

“Why?”

He shrugs, but his eyes flicker to you for a second before dropping back to his plate. “Different reason, things changed”

You catch that.

“What reason?”

He takes his time answering, cutting into his food like he’s not in a rush.

“Feels nice” he says finally. “Making something and knowing you’ll eat it, Sunnie says i should try it more often”

Your chest tightens just a little.

“That’s it?”

He glances up again, something softer in his expression. “My girls make me feel happy, i want to learn for you two”

You look down at your plate for a second, your fingers adjusting your fork even though you don’t need to.

“I like your food, you improved a lot” you say quietly.

Mark takes a bite, then gestures lightly toward your plate with his fork. “Try this too. It’s better than it looks”

You lean forward a little, taking the bite he offers without much thought, your hand resting lightly against the table as you do.

He finally moves it back, but there’s a faint smile tugging at his mouth.

“That’s good” you say, clearing your throat slightly.

Mark picks up his glass, taking a sip, then sets it down and leans forward slightly.

“You look better like this” he says.

You frown a little. “Like…?”

“Less tired, relaxed”

You let out a small breath through your nose. “That obvious?”

“Not obvious, i just know you”

You glance down, then back at him. “You notice too much, Mr Lee”

“That’s my job, pretty”

You shake your head, but your lips curve anyway.

“That’s not in the contract”

“It should be”

You laugh softly, then take another bite, relaxing a little more into your seat. Good food, handsome husband, good talk, nice weather… You’re more than happy.

The street isn’t crowded, just a few people passing by.

“Walk?” he asks, nodding down the street.

His hand slides down from your back to your hand, fingers slipping between yours easily, like it’s something he hasn’t had enough of today.

You start walking without a real direction, just following the sidewalk, your steps naturally falling into rhythm.

“Come here” he murmurs after a moment, gently tugging you closer.

“I’m already here, boy”

“Closer, girl”

You give him a look, but you step in anyway, your arm brushing fully against his now.

“That better?” you ask.

He glances down at you, something softer slipping into his expression. “Yeah, sexy pretty beautiful wife”

You blink. “What?”

He doesn’t even look surprised. “What”

“You just—” you stop, trying to figure out how to phrase it. “You don’t just say that”

You stare at him for a second, then look ahead again, your lips pressing together like you’re trying not to react.

You glance at him, narrowing your eyes slightly, but there’s no real heat behind it.

“Walk” you say.

“Yes, ma’am”

“Don’t call me that, you little—“

He laughs softly under his breath, clearly enjoying himself.

You tilt your head slightly toward him, your shoulder brushing his again.

“You laugh a lot, babe” you murmur.

“You’re funny”

His arm tightening just slightly around you.

“Baby” he says, softer now.

You pause for half a step.

“What?”

“Nothing” he murmurs.