And instead of the grinning face of your mother you were greeted with the annoyed flitter of Donghyuck’s eyes over you while he called your name from the window of the passenger seat and as you were about to open your mouth and query whose car it was, your eyes flicked past to the driver’s seat and there was a face that you had not been expecting. Grinning from the apples of his cheeks was Mark Lee, relaxed hands on the wheel and stick. In your daze you hadn’t noticed your brother tell you that they were going to park the car so that you could put your luggage in the trunk but you realised it from the fact that the car started and began to roll away slowly before turning to the parking lot of the station, your brother’s voice floating from the rolled down window.

The car ride back wasn’t anything special, to your brother that is. You got into the car, after Mark helping you with your bag and not your actual brother but then again, Donghyuck tended to not express his fondness or appreciation for people in normal ways so this didn’t really surprise you. However, you kept your eyes trained on Mark, for the most part because Donghyuck had seemingly caught onto your fixed gaze and kept sending you little glances but despite being close to your brother in a strange way, you couldn’t decipher exactly what they meant. They could have been telling you to back off, or they could be telling you to be more subtle about your considerably blatant staring but either way, you were now aware that you needed to not pay so much attention to your brother’s best friend, regardless of how much he had matured and how unfairly attractive he had become. Where had the little Mark Lee you grew up with gone?

It had only been a year but the drive home from the bus station was something that brought back a lot of memories as the car passed through familiar streets and neighbourhoods. No one talked particularly much as they drove onwards, only when you asked a question about school or a shop that you didn’t recognise. Donghyuck had given short enough replies, not really concerned with things that had happened while you were gone and you turned to Mark for a bit more information which he gladly gave. For the rest of the way back, an excited ball grew in your stomach with each glance at Mark, nervous for this trip home to unfold. You didn’t know what it was but something had your nerves on edge and you couldn’t tell if you were looking forward to your stay this summer. It was almost just like you remembered, a few of the flowers had grown more and the house had a new coat on but the sight still gave you a sense of comfort and relief as Mark pulled into the drive.

-

‘Okay, yeah he is hot.’

‘Xuxi,’ you groaned. ‘You’re not supposed to agree with me.’

‘Oh I’m supposed to lie and say he isn’t one of the most attractive people I’ve ever seen?’

You rolled over letting out a sound that adequately represented your new levels of frustration. Lucas had called you after a flurry of texts you had sent to him about the car ride over and more specifically, the driver. Now, his face filled the screen of your laptop and you were regretting accepting the call because he had gone to search for Mark’s social media to get a glimpse of what, or more like who, had sent you into a meltdown.

‘Yes! For the sake of my damn sanity.’ You had stuffed your face into your pillow in an attempt to not let your brother or worse Mark hear you as they traversed the house.

‘Okay but I don’t see what’s the problem here?’

You had to look up at that. How could he not see why you were in such emotional turmoil?

‘What do you even mean? Why wouldn’t I be freaking out over this?’

‘So what, he is hot now? You said and I quote, “he was always a cute kid”.’ The boy sent you a look. ‘I don’t think you want to be reminded of the rest of that sentence but seriously, it seems as if he has always been attractive and you're only noticing now because he has finished maturing.’

You opened your mouth to tell him why you were freaking out so much but your head came up empty and you were left open mouthed while Lucas sat smugly in front of you on his own bed.

‘But for real, a lot of my cousin’s friends have said the same thing about me. It’s natural as far as I see it and I’m not going to tell you to not go for it because the two of you are adults now and-‘

Your cheeks flushed and you could feel the rising temperature of your face upon hearing your friend’s words.

‘W-what do you mean “go for it”?’ Your voice faltered, both scandalised by the thought of being intimate with your younger brother’s best friend and mildly aroused because Mark’s physical appeal was not lacking.

‘Oh come on, you know exactly what I mean.’ He wiggled his eyebrows at you from behind his ashen hair.

‘Hey!’ You would have continued yelling at him about how inappropriate that was and how you thought that it was so unlikely to happen because there was no way that Mark didn’t have a girlfriend because a) he’s obviously hot, b) he’s such a nice person, just a straight up really genuine and kind guy who gets along with everyone and c) he is swim captain and you both know how attractive sports captains are, except a knock on your door broke your train of thought and the familiar face of your brother popped in from the hallway.

‘Are you deaf? We’ve been calling you for food.’

‘Oh uh, yeah I’ll be down in a second. I’m on the phone right now.’

‘And what were you talking about that you didn’t even hear us call for you?’

‘Oh, wouldn’t you like to know?’ Lucas’s voice called from the speakers of your laptop.

You couldn’t fight the sigh that left you when Donghyuck only became more interested and you could immediately see the spark in his eye.

‘Oh?’ He took a step into the room. ‘Is that a boy I hear? Perhaps, a boyfriend?’

‘Not a boyfriend persay,’ Lucas said, calling out in a musical tune and you almost didn’t catch the soft voice calling Donghyuck back from the hallway. Fuck. That’s Mark.

Before you could properly process what you were doing, you had told Lucas a quick goodbye and clicked to end the call, hopping off the bed and joining the two boys in the hallway. You led them down to the dinner table with a ‘You mentioned there was food?’ in a poor attempt to diffuse the now awkward atmosphere.

‘So, who was that on the phone?’ Of course Donghyuck had to bring up the elephant in the room, so typical of him but something that you didn’t really consider is why there was an elephant in the room to begin with.

‘He’s a guy I know from class.’

‘Is that all?’ Donghyuck had sped up to walk directly behind you, almost leaning over your shoulder and talking into your ear. You didn’t have to turn around and look at his face to know that there was his signature shit eating grin adorning it.

‘Yeah.’ You hoped that your short answers would put an end to his questioning and that he would become frustrated with your lack of answers but instead it only served to fuel his incessant behaviour.

‘Seems like that’s not the case though.’ Your brother’s curious nature wasn’t something new and it didn’t really bother you except in this instance Mark was also involved and despite you swearing to yourself that you weren’t going to go for him during the course of the summer, he was someone that you were attracted to at the end of the day and you didn’t want him to think that you were in any kind of relationship.

‘What do you think Mark?’ You almost froze at the mention of Mark but thankfully you caught yourself and you prayed that Donghyuck didn’t notice the strange jerkiness of your movement in that moment. Mark didn’t answer for a few moments and you would have been lying if you said that you weren’t entirely curious as to his answer. When he did speak he only said that he didn’t think that this should be a conversation continued at the dinner table, a reminder that you were reaching the kitchen where not only was your meal waiting for you but also your parents and this was certainly not something you wanted to bring up to them because it would only lead endless questions and them not believing you much like your brother, although Donghyuck just did it out of boredom because how else would he bother you.

‘I agree.’ And with your statement, Donghyuck let out a heavy sigh and you pushed the door open, failing to hear your brother’s grumbles of ‘As if you’re not dying to know’ to Mark.

Dinner had been somewhat pleasant, still noticeably awkward from the earlier conversation and eventually your parents were curious as to what was amiss amongst the young people of the table. Of course the first thing out of Donghyuck’s mouth was that you were on the phone with your boyfriend and you swore that you could have strangled him because much like how he got a dangerous glint in his eyes earlier, your parents now had a similar look.

‘Oh? Now why haven’t we heard anything of this young man?’

‘Yes, what’s his name? Is he in your course? How old is he?’

You only groaned in response which earned a playfully disapproving look from your parents.

‘Come on, we have to hear about our possible future son-in-law.’

That was where you drew the line.

‘I’m not dating anyone or even seeing anyone casually. The guy on the phone is one of my friends and that’s all.’

‘Okay but he’s hot and you haven’t even got with him on a night out or anything?’

‘Yeah he is attractive and good looking or whatever but I say in the same way that I say that you’re good looking Hyuck. As a sibling with eyes and with a lot of regret because it will only fuel your damned ego.’

‘Rude.’ Donghyuck sank back into his chair, slumping over with a pout and frown, playing up how upset he was about the comment.

‘Did you really not see anyone during the year?’ came your mother’s concerned voice.

‘No.’

‘Were you not interested in anyone?’

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes. ‘Sure, I had interest at some points but I wasn’t really in the right place to see anyone.’

You could see your parents visibly deflate at the news or lack thereof but they perked up again.

‘Well, make sure that you tell us when you do get serious with someone, okay?’

‘Will do.’

Everyone dropped the conversation and continued eating but it was only briefly because it wasn’t long before your mother started again.

‘Actually, I heard before, and don’t misunderstand this Donghyuck, I was putting things away but I overheard you talking about a friend of yours who has a crush on Y/n.’

‘Oh my god, Mom.’

‘Wait what?’

Both you and your dad turned to your mother, in apparent shock because neither of you had heard anything of this subject. On the other side of the table, Donghyuck had thrown his head into his hands and Mark was frozen on the spot, sitting rigidly in the chair across from you.

‘You two can’t be that surprised.’ Your mother turned her head back and forth between you and your father on the other side of her. ‘I mean, don’t a boy’s friends often fancy the older sister?’

‘Only when they’re attractive.’ Donnghyuck snorted, throwing a snide look your way which you gladly returned.

‘So Y/n,’ your mother’s attentioned turned back to you. ‘Any of Donghyuck’s friends stand a chance?’

‘Uhhh,’ came the sound from your mouth, not really able to focus when you could feel the burning looks from Donghyuck and Mark alike as they sat across from you. ‘Well, I haven’t really met any of them properly so I can’t say I know them well enough to give a decisive answer.’

‘You’ve met Mark, how about him?’ Your father winks at Mark, clearly on board with what your mother is talking about and you feel red creeping up your neck at the question and it’s now that you spare a glance at Mark, seeing that the tips of his ears match the flush of your neck but instead of getting distracted, you clear your throat to reply.

‘It’s not all about looks. I’d have to be around him more to know, if you get me?’

At this your parents retreat from their line of questioning, seeing that you’re not going to give them anything to work with and across from you, you don’t fail to notice Donghyuck lightly punching Mark’s arm with a stupid smile on his face before Mark winced at the blow and smiled away the pain, his eyes meeting yours as you were caught watching the interaction. Before either of you could say or do anything, Donghyuck hooked his arm over his friend’s neck and looked you dead in the eye, a smirk still annoyingly playing on his lips. ‘So you think Mark is hot?’

‘I do have eyes.’ At this, Lucas came back to mind, as well as his words of ‘go for it’ and you prayed that your neck had cooled down at least in appearance because with the reminder of this, you felt red hot.

Donghyuck wiggled his eyebrows, switching between you and Mark.

‘She’s not wrong. Mark is very handsome.’

‘And he’s strong too. He was swim captain for the past two years. In case you didn’t know Y/n.’

‘Oh?’ You feigned ignorance, turning your eyes onto Mark and giving him a once over as if you hadn’t been doing that secretly, before turning your eyes to see his frozen expression and maybe slightly revelling in the fact that this unbearably handsome young man was so stiff under your gaze.

‘Who knows what might happen this summer,’ your mother calls out and you can’t seem to tear your eyes away from Mark, watching the growing glow of the tips of his ears and the polite smile that lacked any actual enthusiasm.

‘You guys talk about Mark as if he’s your son and not me,’ Donghyuck commented, successfully drawing the attention away from his friend and as your mother reached over the table to pinch his cheek, you could see a visible release of tension in Mark’s body as almost all of the table had turned their attention off of him. Maybe you felt a bit bad and you only felt worse when the fact that you were going to learn to drive during your summer at home came up not too much later and your father took it upon himself to mention that Mark was a good driver, great in fact.

‘I got to experience that for myself today for the first time and I can't say that you’re wrong. I wouldn’t have felt as safe with Hyuck behind the wheel.’

‘I would hope so, I’ve been driving for two years now and I don’t even know how he got his licence.’ The boy tried to laugh off the compliments and divert attention from himself to your brother, to Donghyuck’s dismay but your parents wouldn’t have any of it and then they went ahead and did something that you haven’t even considered as a possibility.

‘Actually, Mark might be a better teacher for you Y/n. Your mom and I are going to be busy with work and you two can get to know each other better.’

You didn’t even have to look at him to know that Mark also was not expecting that to be said so you took charge of trying to get him out of that situation because if Mark Lee was anything like you remembered, there would be no way he would refuse - he’s a good boy who parents adore.

‘I don’t mind waiting for you guys to be done work and besides, I couldn’t impose on Mark like that. I’m sure that he has his own plans for the summer.’

You looked to him, an expectant look on your face as you waited for him to say something to back you up.

‘Uh, yeah I’m going to be spending a lot of time trying to improve on my swim times. I’ve got to prove that I deserve that scholarship.’

With a look to your parents, you could see that Mark had convinced them to drop the idea. Even they couldn’t convince a collegiate level athlete to give up his freetime to teach his best friend’s older sister to drive and especially if he was still practicing. It would also be more comfortable for you so you quietly revelled in the small victory because you wouldn’t have to sit in the tension between you and Mark in a confined space for hours, even if they were over an extended period of time.

‘But I’m sure I can make time for Y/n. It’s not like she could be worse than trying to teach Hyuck to drive.’

Everyone at the table laughed except for you and your brother who clearly hadn’t been expecting what Mark had said although your brother was definitely more annoyed than shocked but you were sure that that would pass, it wasn’t as if the two of them could stay mad at each other for very long. Then again, you vaguely remembered the two of them having this massive fight a few summers back and talking to each other but not really talking to each other. It was strange to see them not getting along, or at least hear about it because the two of them had been away at a camp that lasted the whole month of July. It had taken until mid August for the two of them to be entirely okay again. They never told anyone what the fight was about but you figured at that point that it was water under the bridge so you never asked Donghyuck about it. Although even if you had, you doubted that he would have told you anyways.

‘Well only if you’re sure but make sure to not overwork yourself, we wouldn’t want you to injure yourself or tire yourself out.’

‘I’ll be fine but thanks for the concern.’

---

You were screwed. A couple of days had passed since you and your family had had dinner with Mark and for once, you didn’t sleep in but that would be your downfall.

You had forgotten to drop your blinds the night before and so, it was sunlight that had woken you up, much earlier than you had anticipated that you would. And instead of turning with your back facing the window and pulling the covers over your head, which you did indeed consider, you chose to bask in the quiet of the early mornings of vacation in your house where your parents had gone to their respective jobs and your brother would not be woken until at least midday and so you had, in essence, the house to yourself and it was with this in mind that you left your room, filling the empty spaces with the light tread of your slippers against the warm flooring and the dull noise of a dial tone.

‘So has something happened with little lover boy or is there another reason why you’re up so early? To be honest, i didn’t expect anything for at least another two hours.’

You glanced at the wall to read the time off of the clock that had been hung there for years, only to find that it wasn’t there and so you moved back to where you had placed your phone on the countertop.

‘It’s only four past eight, Xuxi you’re so dramatic.’

‘Oh yeah, says the girl who almost fucking decked me on multiple occasions when I tried to wake her up so that she would be on time for class.’

You opened your mouth to tell him off before he spoke again.

‘And that class started at noon, need I remind you.’

‘Alright alright, do you want me to tell you about what happened at dinner or not?’

And so, as you made your way around the kitchen, preparing your breakfast, you recounted the events of the aforementioned dinner as well as the days after where Mark had come to the house and ran from you at any chance he got, even going so far as to quickly turn his head from you when he happened to look your way as you entered a room and avoiding your eye even when you addressed him directly. You had briefly entertained the idea of trying to get him in a room alone and see just how far he would take it but that idea was quickly shut down by Yukhei as he reminded you of instances in the past when you had either realised or been made aware of someone being awkward or uncomfortable around you for whatever reason. He had said that everything would end up worse because you would tease the poor boy to death and if that happened then he definitely wouldn’t give you driving lessons and you couldn’t help but make a comment about how you weren’t going to ask him for driving lessons anyways.

‘Well, why not? It sounds like a win-win to me. You get to learn how to drive and spend time getting to know a boy who you think is hot…’

At some point during Lucas talking, you had become distracted by a sound that seemed similar to a splash of water and after a glimpse out the window to the backyard where your own pool sat, you couldn’t see anything and just brushed it off, turning your focus back to Lucas who was still talking.

‘If you want my opinion, you just sound ungrateful for this beautiful opportunity that has been served to you on a silver platter.’

‘Oh my god, shut up. Nothing is going to happen between-’

Another splash, but there was still nothing out of place and you turned back to find Lucas staring at you.

‘What’s up?’

‘It’s nothing. I just thought that I heard something outside but it’s probably a bird or some animal.’

You had tried to brush off the comment but Lucas didn’t seem so convinced.

‘Are you sure? Don’t want you to get murdered while on call with me,’ he joked.

‘You’re so not funny but also yes, I am sure and besides, it’s a bright morning. I doubt anyone here has the balls to kill someone at this time of day.’

‘Hey, you never know.’

‘Yeah, okay now it sounds like you want someone to come along and murder me.’

‘Me? Never.’

You rolled your eyes, an almost unconscious reaction that you had learned over the past year spent with Lucas.

‘But seriously, what am I going to do about the whole Mark situation?’

‘Well,’ Lucas shrugged. ‘What can you do really? You say that you don’t want anything to happen and from what you’ve told me, that seems really likely considering he is avoiding you like the plague. As for the driving lessons, unless he pushes for them like he did at the dinner- wow this boy is sending mixed messages, then it’s out of your hands really.’

‘Hm.’ You sat back, hunching over on the barstool you had propped yourself up on, your gaze still drifting occasionally to the window that sat in front of you across from the counter you sat at.

‘I mean,’ you started before stilling for a moment and pushing yourself off the stool to stand up and move around, in an attempt to get the gears in your head turning. You thought about it as you paced in the light from the sliding doors. He was right. As things were, there really wasn’t anything you could do, except to accept Mark’s offer of teaching you how to drive which, if you were being honest, you would be a fool to not. And if a situation posed itself in which Mark might decide to make a move on you, then it would be up to you to choose exactly how this relationship between the two of you will go.

It was in this moment that as you had looked outside to finish gathering your thoughts regarding what Lucas had said that your eyes drifted outside and you finally found the source of the sounds that had been distracting you.

Hands appeared on the tiles at the edges of the pool and you watched in equal parts awe and surprise as Mark Lee hauled himself from the water, quickly turning his back to where you stood and you couldn’t help but follow the path of the water droplets that trickled from the nape of his neck, guided by the ridges in the muscles that were put on show as they flexed while he stretched. When he got to his feet, it was apparent to you that his back was certainly not the only well defined part of his body and all of it was accentuated by the moisture that clung to his skin in a glistening layer of temptation.

However, it wasn’t until he reached for his towel that he noticed your presence and he smiled at you, seemingly oblivious to the heat that had lit your cheeks and the tips of your ears. It was in this moment that you were more thankful than normal for your darker complexion which hid the flush that would have been otherwise apparent. He smile and waved at you to come out. You only held up a finger in response to let him know that you would be a minute and you turned back to your phone where Lucas had been staring at you, an eyebrow quirked.

‘What?’

‘You’re hopeless. I don’t know why you asked me for my opinion when you’re like this.’

‘Like what?’

‘Tell me, what is in your backyard?’

‘...’

‘Precisely. Now go and question this boy why he’s at your house when no one would even be up.’

‘You know I hate you sometimes.’

Lucas only smiled and called out for you to let him know everything later before hanging up.

You put your bowl in the sink as you mulled over the implications of your friend’s words briefly before you took a second to ready yourself and head to the backyard. You had already met Mark’s eyes from while he was quite literally dripping in water - and good looks, not that that was something that you were ready to face. There was no reason that you could give to Mark or to anyone other than Lucas, as to why you wouldn’t go and join the boy outside as he trained especially since he had motioned for you to do just that.

With one last deep breath to try and still the butterflies that had begun to flutter you opened the door with a smooth push to one side.

‘Hey.’

He turned back to look at you over his shoulder, arm raised and hand very much where you would like yours to be, pushing his hair back and out of his eyes that were looking right at you.

‘Hi.’

He moved over, making space for you to seat yourself on the other side of the chair with the two of you so close that you could feel the heat from his bare skin.

‘So,’ you began. ‘What are you doing here so early?’

Mark looked at you, cocking a brow slightly at your use of the words ‘so early’ but didn’t call you out on it so you let it slide, you weren’t in the mood of debating yet another person in your life about time’s relativity this morning.

‘What makes you think that I didn’t just get here before you saw me?’

‘I didn’t hear your car and despite what you might think, considering I didn’t catch on particularly quickly to your presence, I would have heard the car pull up.’

He gave you a once over which made you want to squirm but you resisted and met his eyes when they landed on yours again.

‘Fair enough.’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘You’re kind of out of the loop though. I come over and use your pool all the time.’

‘Oh, no one had mentioned it to me.’

The two of you sat in a comfortable silence, which as you thought about later on, were surprised to realise.

‘Well, I‘ll let you get back to your training.’ And with that, you stood up, turning around and heading back towards the house before Mark’s call brought your attention back to him.

‘Hey!’

You looked at him expectantly and he seemed to have deflated a little, losing some of the confidence from his small outburst.

‘We need to talk about the driving lessons?’

‘Later after you’re done with the pool. I wouldn't want to disturb your training.”

He nodded along, facing slightly more toward the pool again but not before he tilted his head up to look at you as you walked away.

“So you’re okay doing them with me?”

You couldn’t help the pleased grin that crossed your lips as you spun around quickly, taking confident steps back as you met his eyes.

“I did say that we would talk later, didn’t I?”

Mark too couldn’t hide his expression properly and he smiled, his eyes fixed on your figure as it twirled once again and disappeared back into the house.

You were holding your head high, mildly impressed with yourself for handling a shirtless and more importantly, wet Mark well enough. This was not the only thing or rather things that had put a little spring in your step. It wouldn't have surprised you if you had actually bothered to consider Mark being swim captain but you hadn’t and in your defense, you had been trying your best to not think of Mark in any way other than as your little brother’s best friend which meant that thinking about his body was out of the question. That being said, now that you were able to witness the spectacle that was Mark Lee after swimming, you were able to say with confidence that he had really nice thighs so much so that you were certain that if you were to have stayed outside, you would have been forced to use your own to stave off your body’s more indecent cravings. You would have never been able to look him in the eye ever again if he had noticed and Donghyuck would have undoubtedly heard about the incident as well which would have spelled disaster for you.

Another thing did surprise you though and that was how at ease he was with you which you weren’t complaining about but based on your few other interactions with him since you had gotten home, this development had most definitely left you surprised but at the same time, this had fanned the sparks of curiosity into a small but bright flame. Still, your happiness at how you handled the situation was the predominant emotion in you and you allowed yourself to bask in it for a little while longer as it grew just that much longer.

However, this proud feeling blooming in your chest was snuffed quickly, only for nerves and dread to take its place as your eyes landed on the smaller of the kitchen windows that unknown to you was open, supposedly this entire time and your eyes immediately flickered away out the window, only to settle on the figure that wasn’t preparing to swim again as you had expected when you cast your glance his way. Instead, you are greeted with him already looking your way. The pair of your gazes meet and while your eyes flicker between the open window and the young man standing out beyond the walls of the house and more importantly kitchen, his remain fixed on your person and when you finally lock eyes again, all he does is smile from the apples of his cheeks, just like in all those old memories you have of him and turn around to swim once more.

---