#got7 schedule

He was too nice, if you could even believe it.

Choi Youngjae, age twenty one, was a literal ball of the brightest sunshine.

But what were you supposed to do when you didn’t exactly feel anything for the sun?

You had met at the bookstore, arms full of music composition books that were threatening to fall all over the floor. 

With only one book in between your hands, you offered to help, carrying some to the cashier and hoisting one (out of three) hefty bags into his waiting car.

His request to take you to lunch the next day caught you completely by surprise, a shy smile planted on his face as he fiddled with the sleeves of his too big hoodie. 

You had remembered both BamBam and Yugyeom, the not so great dates from a few weeks ago, and were a bit hesitant to say yes.

“But you said yes anyway,” Mark deadpans, spatula hovering over whatever he was cooking that night when you had finally made it home. 

You roll your eyes, “You know you have your own place, why are you always over at mine?”

He smirks, “That’s what you get for giving me a key and for always having your fridge and pantry stocked. But stop avoiding the question.”

“You didn’t ask one,” you reply, sticking out your tongue in his direction.

“Why did you say yes? I mean, he seems nice enough and I know you’re on this whole ‘hunt for true love’ or whatever but...it’s a lunch date.”

Eyebrows rising into your hairline, you swivel to face him, “And? Is there a difference in the quality of a date if it’s at lunch or at dinner? Is there a rule I didn’t know about? Do boys gather in a secret lair and go over the basics of first dates and when they should or should not be held?”

“...you’re dramatic.” “Yes, I’ve been told that before.”

He picks up the pan to flip its contents before, “Nothing is wrong with a lunch date. It just doesn’t seem as serious if it’s at lunch. Maybe he has another girl he’s seeing for dinner.”

You snort, “Youngjae is probably the sweetest person on the face of the planet. He isn’t the kind of guy that would do that.”

Now it’s Mark’s turn to snort, “Suddenly you know the type of guy he is?”

“Mark Tuan, you seem oddly tense about all this. Should I not go to lunch tomorrow? Do you somehow know Youngjae and know that’s he’s some super villain I shouldn’t go see?”

He doesn’t answer, eyes on the food - gaze focused. After a few moments, the pan is off the stove and he’s pushing dinner in your direction.

“Go to lunch with the guy, it’s whatever. I’m just saying be careful with all these dates you’re going on. Now come eat before it gets cold.”

Youngjae wasn’t a super villain. 

What kind of super villain takes his date and his fluffy, white puppy to his favorite sandwich shop?

“The owner doesn’t mind Coco when I come in to grab lunch sometimes,” he says around a mouthful of turkey and ham. You chuckle at his puffed out cheeks, picking up half of your own sandwich and biting down. You chew, almost threatening to spit some food out when Youngjae starts a particularly funny story about his roommate. 

The shop is mostly empty so you have the place to yourselves, air filled with laughter and a sense of comfort. You’re almost done with your meal when you decide your feelings for your adorable date won’t move past anything but a younger brother type of relationship.

He’s an angel - but your heart didn’t thump the way you wanted it to.

You tell him as much, grabbing his hand apologetically.

When his eyes start to swell, a wave of panic rushes over you. “Oh no, Youngjae I’m sorry!”

He shakes his head furiously, “No! No, don’t be sorry. It’s fine - I’m fine, really. Thank you saying that, for telling me how you really feel. I’m just...I asked you out for lunch because you were so nice and you’re pretty and I was lonely. My girlfriend, well my ex-girlfriend now I guess, broke up with me over some stupid misunderstanding and my roommate said I should try and get back out there. This was all great and you’re great and I’ve been having a nice time but...”

You gaze softens, “You miss her.”

He sniffles and nods, “I miss her. It was stupid. What we fought over and our entire breakup. But she seems so angry and I don’t know what to do.”

“I’d suggest maybe trying to talk to her? I’m no love guru but you could at least try to clear the air? Fix the misunderstanding? And if she still wants to stay broken up then well she’s going to miss out on a sweet and kind person. You move forward after that, slow and steady.”

“...will it hurt for much longer? If she wants to stay broken up?”

You pull him in for a hug, heart clenching at the sight of brightness starting to dim, and recite familiar words to him.

“You’re too amazing to settle. Keep searching, don’t give up, until you find someone that understands that.”

Your apartment is dark when you return, no sign of Mark anywhere.

Your spirits dampen slightly, keys landing on your counter as you shed off your coat. It’s the first time in what feels like forever, where he isn’t here to greet you. You sigh, running your hands through you hair, shaking out the curls that had fallen throughout the rest of the day you spent with Youngjae.

You smile at the memory of him running with Coco in the nearby park, arms spread wide as he circled through the trees. 

Your eyes catch a note on the fridge when you round your counter to grab some water. You clutch it between your fingertips, tracing the choppy lines that make up his message.

Out with the guys tonight. Hope you had fun with the sunshine child. - M

Forehead connecting with the counter, you shut your eyes and let the cold seep through your skin. It’s odd, not having him here. You had things you wanted to talk about, stories you wanted to share.

But you remember that Mark has his own life and doesn’t have to be apart of yours every moment of every day. 

You dial his number, call sent to voicemail after a few rings. You clear your throat, “Hey Markie. I’m home. I just - wanted to call to let you know. Anyway, sunshine child was a bust. I’ll tell you more about it when I see you next. Stay safe and...and I’ll see when I see you. Bye.”