summary: spider!mark has a secret and it has heartbreaking consequences — donghyuck begging for his heart
author’s note: would you believe a tiktok inspired this? enjoy! ✨
Donghyuck’s head falls onto Mark’s shoulder while forgetting the world. His hands grip the fabric of his back in a desperate wish to not lose him.
Only this time, it’s different.
In Mark’s arms is Donghyuck’s cold body – full of pale skin and fading eyes. There’s rivers of red drenching his suit and his eyes fill with terror once he finds where it’s coming from.
There’s a hole in Donghyuck’s chest and it’s so close to the heart that Mark’s horrified to move even a single millimeter for it might take his entire world away.
He looks up into the sky and sees the devil that has done this. A goblin with a manic smile and a bleeding spear. Mark wants revenge but Donghyuck needs him.
“Funny how you care so much for a stranger.”
Mark lets the enemy flee. There will be a day for him.
He doesn’t want this — to not know how this is happening.
He doesn’t want this — to not know what to do.
He doesn’t want this — for tears to cloud his vision and to want nothing but to tear his mask off but can’t.
Mark shoots webs and webs to Donghyuck’s chest, desperately trying to close the wound. The fibers fail when he needs them most.
“Edith! Edith, what do I do?!”
“Organic tissue doesn’t respond to your webs, Mark.”
“So what do I do?! I’m losing him! I—I don’t want to lose him!”
Then it hits him. If his webs can’t save him, then maybe his hands will.
“Wait—wait, Edith! Use my suit!”
“It can! Just trust me!” Mark presses one hand next to the gaping hole in Donghyuck’s chest. The other holds his hand tightly.
Mark‘s voice fades into the background as Donghyuck becomes whole again, yet his pale skin and teetering life force still grips at Mark’s conscience like a vice.
He doesn’t waste time in carrying him to a hospital.
The sun’s rays cast color onto Donghyuck’s sleeping face.
He’s so beautiful. Mark sighs and feels guilty that fate tangled Donghyuck into his mess.
It is why he’ll leave when he wakes. Even when Donghyuck only knows him as Mark, it’s obvious that his life as a hero will follow like a ghost.
The insurmountable regret consumes him and Mark decides to stop waiting, but as he rises…
Mark turns back to Donghyuck, who is apparently wide awake.
“Of course it’s me, Donghyuck.”
“No. I know, Mark. I know who you are.”
Mark’s world can’t shatter any faster. After all he’s done to keep Donghyuck alive, he’s still flying too close to the sun.
Tears threaten, and Mark struggles to hold them back.
“I know the way you hold my hand.”
Water flows down Mark’s cheeks. Damn the world. Donghyuck is all he cares for.
He rushes back, takes Donghyuck’s hand into his, and kisses apologies into every knuckle.
“You could’ve told me. I’d understand.”
“I thought I was protecting you.”
Donghyuck reaches over with his other hand to caress Mark’s head. Every touch is consolation—no, forgiveness.
“Oh, I am…but right now I’m just happy you’re here. Really here. I don’t feel the distance anymore.”
Mark rubs his cheek against Donghyuck’s hand. How could he be so lucky to have him?
“I love you.” Mark admits. He should’ve said it before.
“I love you too.” When Donghyuck says it back, everything feels right.
Maybe the world can wait just once.
