Chapter Text
There was a slight chill in the air when Mark left his apartment to go on his first date in years. It was with a pretty, older girl from work that he’d been crushing on for some time now and he was really excited. He pulled up the collar of his jacket, hiding from the harsh wind. Other than the constant cold billowing through his hair it was rather beautiful outside. The November sky was clear of any clouds, just miles of bright blue. The leaves on the trees were vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow. The ones that already fell down littered the cement, making a crunch crunch noise every time he took a step forward.
He had planned to meet his date at a nature park. It was about 20 minutes away using a shortcut, and 30 minutes without. Something told him not to take the short cut today so he turned right, making his way down an alley.
And that’s where it happened.
Mark walked right past one of those big blue dumpsters when there was a whooshing sound followed by a very loud crash. He spun around on his toes to stare in shock at the empty alleyway, hands hovering over his ears. His wide eyes looked around searching for whatever made that noise. Instinctively he looked up as well. When he couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary he very, very slowly began walking again.
All of a sudden a hand shot up from the dumpster and gripped its ledge. Mark let out a yelp as he jumped backwards, hands shooting right back up to his face. There was a sort of groaning noise then and another hand emerged and a body was lifting itself up.
“Ahh-fucking, stupid...shit”
the dumpster person muttered as he struggled to get out. He heaved one leg over the ledge and immediately fell forward, landing on the cement and in front of Mark's feet.
“Oh my god can I help you?” said Mark who was startled but also concerned for this man's well being. He knelt down and extended a hand, which the garbage boy took.
“Yeah, thanks, how embarrassing.”
.
“Where did you even come from though?”
Said Mark looking around as he let go of the mysterious stranger. The boy stopped dusting himself for a second to point upwards then continued to smack the dirt off his arms. Mark stared up at the sky confused, he didn’t understand what that gesture was supposed to mean.
“Uhhhh you fell?” He asked, raising a single eyebrow.
“Yep” nodded the boy, which caused silver locks to fall into his face. He pushed them away before he spoke again, “hurt like a motherfucker.”
“What?! ’ How did you get up there, I mean like, did you jump? S-should I call an ambulance-“ began Mark, who was now beyond concerned.
“Woahhh buddy, I'll explain okay, just chill” responded the man who just fell from the literal sky. Yeah like that was something to “just chill” about.
“So basically, um, hi my name's Hachan” he said with a little wave, like this was the first day of school and he was introducing himself to the class. “And I’m like a sort of angel right? Well more specifically your angel, meaning like a guardian...kind of. Anyways I’m here because you make a lot of dumbass decisions and I’m tired of watching you mess up your life. So I’m gonna help you out, just listen to me and everything will turn out fine and I'll be out of your hair in no time. But not really because I’m always watching you...ha.”
Heachan finished with finger guns but then slowly lowered them when Mark didn't react.
"Well, it's nice to finally meet you face to face." Said Haechan, smiling like everything he had just said made perfect sense, even stuck out his hand for Mark to shake. Mark did not shake it.
Mark looked in utter disbelief and even a little horror at his new acquaintance. Then he shook his head, expression switching to annoyance. Turning on his heel he muttered “damn these scammers are really getting crazy these days.”
Haechan sighed out behind him, “he never makes it easy huh?” Then he followed after Mark, talking over his shoulder.
“I’m not a scammer, Mark Lee, I’m really trying to help you.”
“Sorry dude, not into whatever pyramid scheme you’re trying to sell.’
“Ugh I’m serious you think I wanted to come down here? You think I like seeing you mess up all the time? This shit is stressful! Today already you made like 40 idiot choices, including not listening to me.”
Mark stopped in his tracks and turned back around, almost causing Haechan to collide into him. “Dude, I don't even have any money right now! Just leave me alone.”
He spoke in the harshest tone he could muster. Mark usually hated being “rude”, even to crazy strangers claiming to be angels. But he couldn’t help it this time, Mark had woken up thinking maybe today would finally be his day, after long months, no years, of nothing going his way. Also he took the long way so he really did not have any time to spare chatting with this lunatic, being late is never a good impression to make on the first date.
Haechan just huffed out and crossed his arms over his chest. Honestly he looked 3 years old and he was really trying to get Mark to believe he was some sort of all powerful being.
“Mark if you go on this date today you’re just prolonging the meeting of your ACTUAL SOULMATE plus you’re gonna blow like $50 dollars you don't have on cake. However if you listen to me you’ll end this day being the happiest you’ve felt in a long time, trust me.”
“I'll take my chances” said Mark and continued walking, this time Haechan didn’t follow.
“You’re making another stupid mistake!” He shouted from behind Mark. “Just like that time you thought you lost that yellow hoodie so you bought a new one, it's literally under your bed Mark! WHY WOULDN'T YOU LOOK THERE?!” The shouts faded as Mark rounded the corner. To be honest that hoodie comment had made his head flip a little, but sometimes these scammers choose their targets weeks in advance right? Who knows how long he could have been spying on Mark, and besides Mark was already certain he looked under his bed, he wasn’t that stupid.
Unfortunately the date didn’t go so well. Mark thought she was very sweet but they ran out of things to talk about fast. It was much easier at work when their time to interact was always limited. Also weirdly enough they did go to a cake store and they had so many flavours, Mark really couldn’t choose just one. He ended up buying like 3 different individual slices and a whole one, assuming he could split it with his date, but she revealed after that she was lactose intolerant, and gluten free, and she really wasn’t a sweets person. So that’s how Mark ended up sitting on the stairs outside his apartment with a bag full of cake that’d he’d never be able to finish himself. His date ended early, she apparently had to run home for an "emergency,” Mark knew what that meant. He kicked at the dry leaves by his feet, maybe he could be sick on Monday so he didn’t have to embarrass himself and show his face at work.
“Looks like someone had a terrible time” said a voice to the left of Mark, he glanced up to see that it was just the weird scammer from earlier. God, what a perfect ending to his terrible day.
“Got any cake you can spare? I’m just joking, I know you do” he said with a chuckle and came to lean against the hand railing that led to Mark's apartment.
“I’m not afraid to get a restraining order you know,” replied Mark, already standing up to leave.
“Mark c'mon you really don't believe me now? Dude I know things you can't even explain.”
Mark just shrugged and fumbled with his keys to unlock the door. Haechan was still leaning against the ledge, now pinching the bridge of his nose, “why did God have to give me you of all the humans, and Doyoung got that sweet baby Renjun it’s really not fair.”
Mark didn’t reply to this, just quickly ran inside and made sure the door was locked tight behind.
“Uughhhhhhhh!” He groaned out, standing in the entrance way. He couldn’t help but think about the way he wanted his life to go and how it was actually going. All Mark wanted was for at least one thing to finally go right. Honestly he had reached a rather tough patch recently, he hated work, barely left his apartment, talked to no one other than his mom who called every few days. So yeah this new found stalker was just another thing to add to the list of why his life was shit.
He trudged his way up 3 flights of stairs until he reached his apartment and was welcomed by the chilly draft that came in through the broken bathroom window. He put his cake in the fridge and then plopped down on his couch, taking out his phone.
He was on instagram watching guitar covers when a thought popped into his head. He glanced at his bedroom door, which was slightly ajar and led to a black abyss.
It’s nothing.
He was probably lying.
Mark shook his head again, as he tried to focus on the boy in front of him doing a cover of Khalid's “Talk.”
His concentration lasted for about another 5 seconds, and then he was making his way to his room.
“Nothing’s even gonna be here anyways…” he muttered to himself as he flicked his bedroom light on and kicked some clothes out of the way. He crouched down onto his knees, before peering down under his bed. He really did have a lot of shit under there.
“Oh cool my camera charger, I was looking for that” said Mark as he continued to shove everything around. Things were pooling beside him now, some clothes, some books, a bunch of random things he’s been gifted from like, the past 15 years. He was about ready to crawl back into the light, when he saw a heap of yellow in the furthest corner, as if it slipped down through the crack between his bed and his wall. He knitted his eyebrows together and reached for it, pulling out a bright yellow sweater. He instantly dropped it when he realized it was the same missing sweater from months ago. The wheels in Marks brain were turning at a rapid speed, yet he wasn’t processing anything.
“H-how...B-but…” he sputtered out into his empty apartment.
Then as if his body was possessed he was up on his feet, and running out his front door.
Mark took in a very cold breath of air when he swung the apartment buildings door open. He quickly leapt down the steps, skipping the last two. He spun around, scanning the empty street, but seeing no signs of life anywhere.
“Looking for someone?” Said a voice behind him. Mark spun back around and looked at the silver haired boy like he was an oncoming vehicle and Mark was a deer.
“I bet you found the sweater huh? Or maybe you finally grew some brain cells.”
“W-who did you say you were again?” Mark said, voice betraying him and cracking on the “were.”
“Haechan”, said Haehan, taking a step closer so he was standing directly in front of Mark and extending out a hand, “guardian angel, at your service.”
Mark very, very hesitantly took it, chewing on his bottom lip.
“You're my guardian angel?” He asked, not believing he was actually having this conversation.
“Ahhh, unfortunately” said Haechan but immediately softened his expression “I’m only joking Mark Lee, I’m actually really fond of you” he finished with an odd sincerity in his eyes.
“Uhhhhhh okayyy kinda weird” Mark replied, quickly letting go of Haechnas hand.
“But I guess I could invite you in...maybe you could explain a little more or like better.”
“Sure thing,” Haechan said, already walking up the front steps as if he knew exactly where to go.
Mark sighed out before following Haechan, was he really doing this? Was he really just accepting the fact that this boy was an angel? Weren’t they supposed to have wings, and be wearing a white dress or something? It was probably way too late to question that anyways, and what was the worst that could happen? This boy robs him and leaves him for dead...yeah that’s probably the worst case scenario. But Mark had already decided to take his chances.
As soon as he was in front of the door Mark had come to a terrible realization; his pockets were empty. He ran out of his house so quickly he forgot his keys and also his phone. Classic Mark move.
“Uhhhh, so I forgot my keys.”
“What? Yeah of course...call one of your little neighbour friends okay?” Replied Haechan who was clearly struggling to keep a bright smile on his face.
Mark cleared his throat, “I think I forgot my phone too.”
“Aiiyyyyya Marrrkkkk” said Haechan, bouncing on the balls of his feet a little.
“Sorry, sorry” said Mark sheepishly already taking a seat on the steps.
“Well what are you doing? Just buzz someone”
“Nah I don't like bothering them, let's just wait until someone comes” said Mark and then as an afterthought added “or leaves.”
Haechan made a sort of disgusted face, “who knows how long that will take, I’m already freezing, really if you won’t I will.” Then he reached out to buzz a random resident.
“Nooo!” Shouted Mark who had lightning reflexes (one thing he could be proud of) and managed to wack Haechans arm away from the row of buttons. But Haechan also seemed to have quick reflexes and tried to sneak around Mark with his other arm. Mark grabbed this his hand while simultaneously trying to grab the other one, which ended in both them having a weird arm wrestling match while standing. Like two people playing a very aggressive game of chicken fight.
“Mark..?”
Mark immediately let go of Haechan to turn around and see his next door neighbour, Jeno, looking confused while carrying grocery bags in each hand.
“Are you alright Mark?” He asked.
“Yeah, yeah I’m fine, I was just…I mean we were just” replied Mark pointing over his shoulder at Haechan. “Trying to get back in, I forgot my keys again.”
Jeno leaned to the side, trying to tilt his head enough to see past Mark, “uh who?”
Haechan snorted behind Mark “He cant see me.”
Mark turned back around to look at him and hissed out "what the fuck?"
Haechan only shrugged with an innocent looking smile.
Mark slowly turned back around to see that Jeno was still very much confused, only now he looked a little worried.
“Ah dude, did I say “we” I meant me, haha” Mark said trying to chuckle his way out of this one. So clearly Haechan actually wasn’t human? Jeno really couldn’t see him and felt like the boy from the sky’s story was slowly become more and more beliable. That or he was finally losing it.
Jeno nervously chuckled too and made his way up the steps. “Mark you seem to get locked out a lot don't you” he said shaking his head, and taking out his Keys. Mark was glad it was Jeno who came home first, he was one of the most easy going people he had ever met. Mark could have been naked and Jeno would probably be like “oh hey Mark, rough night?”
“Ahh yeah my bad, my bad” replied Mark.
“Y’know you can always just buzz my number right? Jisung is really into this one game lately so he’s always home.”
“Yeah, yeah I was just about too” Mark lied and then thanked Jeno when he opened the door wide for him.
“Need help carrying some bags man?” Mark asked but then picked up one of Jenos grocery bags without waiting for an answer.
“Thanks” replied Jeno and smiled brightly at Mark. Mark always thought that Jeno had a really cute smile, apparently so did Haechan.
“Oh my, this guy is really adorable but also kinda hot? Maybe he needs an angel” said Haechan, wiggling his eyebrows. Mark tried his best to not react.
Mark returned Jenos bag when they arrived on their floor and waved him goodnight, making sure to thank him again for letting him in.
Then he let himself and Haechan into his own apartment.
“So uh, this is the place but you seem to already know everything about it…which is really weird, anyways..” Mark trailed off as he saw Haechan head straight for the fridge and take out Mark's bag of untouched cake.
“I didn’t know, uh, angelic beings could eat.” Said mark.
“Trust me” said Haechan, who already stuffed his mouth with the piece of mango cake Mark was kinda looking forward to trying. “You dont wanna get into the details of what angelic beings can and can't do, I don't even get it.”
“Hmm” Mark responded, taking a seat at his kitchen table, he only had like a billion questions anyways.
“If I can't ask about what...you’re capable of I guess, then where should I start?’ Said Mark playing with the sleeve of his hoodie.
Haechan put down the piece of cake in his hand and stared silently at Mark for a minute.
“Well, I guess you should probably know why you have an angel in the first place.”
Mark nodded and then stopped “wait, does everyone not have one?”
“Nah” said Haechan, deciding to go back to finishing all of Mark's cake. “Don't freak out okay but humans that are assigned an angel also have a demon.
Mark felt very stiff all of a sudden and his skin went very white as a shiver ran up his spine.
“Don't worry about it really” Haechan started “it just means that a demon has decided to tether your soul just like for funsies, they’re too lazy to do anything if you’re not in your most vulnerable state anyways.’
Don't worry?
This boy standing in Mark's kitchen claiming to be his angel just told him not to worry about a DEMON tethered to his soul?? Mark felt that familiar knot of panic twist in his stomach, making him feel like throwing up.
“Uhh what, I think I’m gonna be sick” Mark said while standing up, easing his balance with one hand on the table. Mark was scared of a lot of things in life, like roller coasters or heights, but one thing he was deathly afraid of was any type of demon or monster.
Haechan quickly made his way over to Mark and put a hand on his back “Mark I’m your guardian angel remember that means you won't ever meet that hell loser.”
Mark looked at the boy beside him, with fluffy silver hair and a small frame, his cheeks making him look very young if his build already didn’t. Nothing about him screamed “protector” in Mark's eyes.
“What, you don't think I can take on that little punk?” Said Haechan reading Marks mind. “I’m only in this form for your benefit you know, if I showed you what i actually looked like you’d probably end up in a psych ward for the rest of your life.”
Okay so Haechan was clearly not the best at comforting, or being friendly for that matter, or having any patience at all. Mark started to wonder how this guy ended up being an angel. Did he even become one? Maybe he was just created to be one. Wait, were angels created? Ugh Mark's brain started to hurt from trying to wrap his head around the whole thing.
“Just take a seat Mark, I’m not here because of your demon anyways, I’m here to help you find your soulmate before you have to wait like 20 years for another chance.”
“So you know my whole future?” Asked Mark who definitely had a headache coming on now.
“Uhh well” said Haechan, eyes darting around the room and away from Marks, “I only know the big picture, not really any of the tiny details, also peoples whole lives can change with one decision you know? Just think of it like…” Haechan was clearly trying to find the right words here, nose scrunching up a bit. “Humans have endless possibilities in their lifetime y'know? And most of the time they find their way just fine but sometimes extra special ones like you are born, and you just need a little help to find the right path, cause one your paths is really terrible, like super terrible, like um the worst possible thing that could happen, and I just have to eliminate that one possibility from ever happening.”
“And that worst possible scenario, what is that?” Mark mumbled, leaning back on the couch Haechan had led him too.
“Something that wont happen”
“Cause you're gonna make me meet my soulmate?”
He could hear the smile in Haechans answer even though he wasn’t looking at him anymore, “cause I’m gonna help you live your best life Mark.”
Mark was trying his hardest to follow Haechans words but his headache was incredibly present now, and his couch was feeling extra comfy today, and maybe he should just rest his eyes for a second.
Before he knew it he was out cold, and Haechan was there, watching over him the whole night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mark woke up in his living room early the next morning and in his clothes from yesterday. He groaned and stretched his arms to the ceiling as he sat up.
“Morning sunsh-“
“AHHHHH-FuCK” Mark screamed out in terror and fell off the couch, clutching his heart which was now racing out of his chest.
Haechan, the supposed “angel” from yesterday, which Mark had definitely thought he dreamed up, was standing behind the couch. Wearing Mark's “blow the chef” apron he got years ago at a bachelor party which had an oddly specific culinary theme. How Haechans managed to find that was beyond Mark's comprehension, until he remembered, “oh yeah he knows everything.” Haechans face was frozen in a small “o” shape as he stood holding Mark's frypan, another thing he never used, in one hand.
“Sorry you scared the crap out of me” Mark said, trying to regain his breathing ability.
“Well at least you got that heart pumping! cardios’s good thing first thing in the morning y'know, how do you want your eggs?”
Mark didn’t know if you could really qualify falling off your couch in fear as cardio, but was most certain Haechan didn’t care.
“Uh scrambled I guess.”
Haechan looked very displeased with this information but didn’t object. Just narrowed his eyes and clucked his tongue as he walked away, frying pan on his shoulder.
Mark pondered if he had enough time to take a shower before breakfast but decided he really needed one anyways, he’d eat cold eggs just fine.
He had a few epiphanys as the steaming hot water hit his back and poured down the rest of his body.
- He had a real ANGEL in his house?
- He had a (possible?) very dark future ahead of him due to demon(s)?
- Soulmates apparently were a thing
- He’s gonna have to face his coworker today after a horribly embarrassing date
- HE HAD A REAL ANGEL IN HIS HOUSE?
As you can see, much was thought about during his shower but remarkably when he was out, only 12 minutes had passed. He changed into his work clothes and went back out into the kitchen with his towel around his shoulder, parts of his hair still dripping.
“Perfect timing,” said Haechan, sliding a plate of steaming eggs over the table to Mark, followed by a cup of coffee.
“Thanks” said Mark who wearily took a seat and eyed his food. He couldn’t say he completely trusted the boy in front of him, only like 67%. This was probably obvious, cause Haechan reached over and picked up some eggs with chopsticks before plopping them in his mouth.
“Not poisoned, see?”
This wasn’t nearly the amount of evidence Mark needed to feel certain, but Haechan already had a million different chances to kill him already, he probably would have taken one by now if that was his intent.
Heastiantly Mark picked up his own chopsticks and took a bite.
He didn’t die, but he did just get to taste possibly the worst food he’s ever experienced. Somehow the eggs were soggy, how could eggs be soggy? As well as being incredibly salty, like Haechan must have put an insane amount of salt on them. Mark's face scrunched up and he reached for his coffee; a bad move. Very watery, VERY sweet, Mark was almost gagging. He finally managed to down it though and then made a sort of pained expression at Haechan as silence filled the room.
“Hmph” said Haechan, sticking his hip out and placing his hand on top of it. “Now why do I even bother? Here I was cooking for you, making the eggs scrambled out of all forms, actually counting the spoonfuls of sugar to put into your coffee and you don't even appreciate it.”
He looked like he had a lot more to say but Mark quickly interjected, “do you not always count your spoonfuls of sugar?”
“I just pour until it feels right”
“Do you do that in heaven?”
“I don't cook in heaven”
“I can see why”
“Hmph!”
Haechan crossed his arms and tilted his head up, “fine you make your own eggs, I’ll enjoy this very delicious looking and well seasoned meal right here” he said, sliding the plate back across the table and not looking in Mark's direction at all.
Mark sighed and then got up to make himself breakfast now, since Haechan had yet to show what he was improving in Mark's life.
See the thing is Mark usually skips breakfast but now he had something to prove and couldn’t back down. He placed what looked like a good amount of oil into the pan and then cracked 2 eggs.
“Awh shit” he mumbled as he broke the yolk and most defiantly dropped some bits of shell. He went with sunny side up eggs instead of scrambled, just to show his superior skills.
It was kind of a disaster trying to flip them, bits of egg kept breaking off, the yolks were running everywhere, okay maybe Mark couldn’t make it look pretty but he was sure it was gonna taste a lot better than whatever Haechan attempted to do. By the time he was done plating his sad, messy eggs, he knew he had failed whatever he had tried to prove in the first place.
“Wow, you’re a real chef aren’t you?” Said Haechan in a monotone voice as he looked at Mark's plate.
“Whatever, it’ll still taste better than whatever you made,” said Mark and took a big bite. The crunching noise when he bit down was what made Haechan break out into a big grin for the remainder of the meal.
Haechan was in the middle of doing the dishes when Mark put on his shoes and called out goodbye from the entranceway.
Abruptly Haechan dropped the frying pan into the sink causing a loud bang and shut the water off.
“Coming” he said happily and bounced his way to Mark's side. Mark's eyes darted between the sink and Haechans silver hair while stuttering out “o-oh, you’re coming with?”
“Mhhhmmm” said Haechan and opened the door, gesturing for Mark to walk through first.
This wasn’t going to end well, thought Mark.
Mark found himself sweating in his work chair and panicked. He had miscalculated how hard it would be to act as if Haechan was invisible. Only because he kept forgetting that to everybody else Haechan was invisible.
Haechan clearly found this very amusing, and was trying his hardest to make Mark mess up.
After 90 minutes of Haechan repeating everything a coworker said to Mark in a British accent, and twirling around in an office chair, and standing on his desk to give an appreciation speech like he was the CEO. Mark was losing his patience.
“Listen,” Mark says, grabbing Haechans thigh and hissing in his ear, “you don’t get to tag along in my life just to make a fool out of me. Sit down and behave.”
“Damn Mark, you get me all hot and bothered when you take control like that,” said Haechan, placing his hand on top of Marks.
Mark immediately retreated, pushing backwards in his wheely chair “dude what? ”
“Listen Mark Lee, if you think losing this job could somehow make your life worse, you’re mistaken alright. I’m here to protect yes…” he said, rolling his eyes. “But it's so much fun to annoy you” he finished his sentence with a devilish grin and a wink.
Mark stared at Haechan for a bit, contemplating if it was worth it or not to punch him and risk looking insane. He settled for taking a coffee break in the back instead, abruptly getting up.
Two other employees were in the break room. They didn’t see Mark enter at first, letting Mark here the words “cutbacks” and ``lay-offs” before they finished their conversation in hushed whispers. Mark awkwardly made his cup of coffee, knowing damn well that he wasn’t supposed to hear any of that. Seen as he was one of the newest who joined the company it would be no surprise if he were to get laid off. Now his mood had gone from annoyed to anxious, not a good combination. And when his failed date came in, Mark didn’t even say hello, just rolled his eyes and left with his cup.
“Douche” he heard her mutter under her breath as he walked by, but honestly Mark didn’t even blame her. He was starting to get mad at himself for acting that way, and overhearing that stupid conversation that left him with nothing but uncertainties.
He sat back down on his chair, ignoring Haechans greeting, who proceeded to pout about it.
“What? Coffee’s shit?” Said Heachan playing with an eraser on Marks desk.
“I think I’m gonna get fired,” Mark said, staring at his computer screen blankly.
“Whoomp, there it is.”
“Is this really funny to you? Did you come all the way down here just to fuckign laugh at me and watch everything go to shit.” Mark spat the words out, first clenching. He was definitely starting to feel an anxiety attack coming on
Haechan immediately softened his tone of voice. Reaching out to lay a hand over Marks, who snatched his away in an instant.
“Listen, I'm sorry Mark. I promise I’m here to help. If you wanna keep this job cause you really like it, there is a way..”
“Whatever,” Mark said, cutting him off.
Haechan didn’t say anything else the whole time Mark was at work. Mark did catch him staring every so often, as if Mark was a wounded puppy and honestly Mark didn’t know if he hated this more than his annoying voice. Luckily the rest of the day went by faster than the first half.
“Hmmm I’m feeling Italian today, you?” Said Haechan as they got off the bus in Mark's neighbourhood.
“What like, pizza?” Mark asked.
Haechan made a sort of pained sound. “Oh Markie.”
“Well I feel like pizza” Mark said, finding the bitterness of today creeping up his throat.
“Okay, okay let's get pizza” said Haechan, keeping his voice cheery.
The pizza place Mark went to at least once a week knew his order by now. It was a friendly place, they had the best crust, which was obviously the most important part. They were sitting on the old and tearing up bar stools, looking out the store window.
Haechan was talking nonsense to his side, something about that Doyoung angel again, how he was being a little bitch and bragging that he was already on to another person- someone named Johnny?
“Woah” said Mark snapping out of his daze when a stranger stopped outside the pizza place, staring down at their phone.
They had white wavy hair reaching the tips of their shoulders. Which were covered by a black bomber jacket. Black fitted jeans to match and thick platform boots, which were white.
He glanced over at Haechan to see if he heard him and saw that the angel was already staring at him silently, a grin on his face.
“Um, he just, uh- has cool hair” said Mark looking back towards the enchanting man in front of him.
“You should go tell him,” said Haechan, still staring at Mark with that stupid grin.
“No, no- that would be weird” said Mark shaking his head although he was genuinely contemplating the thought of doing that in his head.
“You can make a stranger's day with a compliment y'know” said Haechan, a mischievous look in his eyes.
Mark looked over the man again, he was certainly visually pleasing. Wouldn’t it be weird to go up to a stranger though? Plus he was busy with his phone. A thousand reasons why Mark shouldn’t go out spammed his brain. What would he even say “uh hi...I saw you and thought you had cool hair, please don't be creeped out.”
“Seems like he also knows what actual Italian food is,” Haechan added. And Mark glanced down to see that the bag he was carrying had “IL CIELO” written on it in fancy cursive. It was one of those swanky restaurants a few blocks away, Mark had never been.
Mark could only marvel at the man's beauty for a few seconds more because he finished what he was doing and returned to walking down the street, to remain a stranger to Mark forever.
“Shame” said Haechan but still had that same smile on his face.
Later on Mark found himself on the couch, limbs all sprawled out, crumbs on his shirt. Haechan was on the floor with his eyes glued to the t.v. Apparently he really had a thing for sci-fi shows that Mark could never get into. The plot was always crazy and there was just so much physics to comprehend and ugh Mark wasn’t even sure how the character on the screen was still alive, he very clearly remembers watching them be blown into smithereens a season back. Yet there was Haechan, completely absorbed while he finished the last of his pizza, covered in chilli flakes and salt and parmesan. The problem to Haechans cooking was clearly caused by his ability to taste. Nothing was ever strong enough, he always had to dump half a bottle of seasoning on it.
Mark let the show and Haechans food habits fade to background noise, as a wave of warmth washed over him. He was drifting now, soon to gone to keep his head up and eyes closed. So letting his head fall back into his pillow he fluttered his eyes closed. Images of white hair and combat boots filled Marks dreams, but he wouldn’t remember it when he woke up