Work Text:
"Is this…for real?”
Team Leader A Mark Lee processed the stricken words Team Leader B Lee Donghyuck was saying from across the room. But he too, was too dazed to give a coherent response. His alert eyes scanned the document in his hand, again. And again. And again. Just to make sure it wasn't a mistake.
It wasn't.
“Um…” he heard Donghyuck speak again. “Isn't this…kind of a little… devastatingly bad?”
At last, Mark pushed the paper down and looked up from behind his desk. He saw the familiar soft brown eyes staring back at him, also quite empty, as neither of them seemed to be able to come to terms with the abrupt news in front of them.
“Donghyuck,” Mark finally said. His stare was firm.
“Seems like one of us is going to be losing our job,” he concluded.
“This is why I'm always saying— never trust your company! ”
Donghyuck had been spewing vicious words for well over an hour now from where he had been sitting cross-legged on his bed, having already changed into his pajamas. Meanwhile, Mark had been pacing back and forth, back and forth, still in his work clothes, as he scoured over the contents of the letters in his hand.
“There's got to be a loophole somewhere,” Mark muttered.
Donghyuck groaned loudly, as he fell backwards onto the pillows behind him yet again.
“Why don't you read it out loud for the 127th time then?” he grumbled. “Maybe that'll help.”
Mark stared at Donghyuck. “Um. Okay.”
Donghyuck straightened up. “Wait, I was being sarcas—”
“To Team Leader A: Mark Lee—”
Donghyuck's frustrated wail reached a new pitch.
“—To be implemented within a month's time: due to the lack of effectiveness of the two-teams strategy in 97% (37/38) of our operating branches, we've made the executive decision to abolish the competitive teams’ system within the company.
Starting a month from now, the Teams A and B will be abolished and all team members will work under ONE leader, whose position will be renamed as Director of the branch. The other previous team leaders will be appointed as the branch’s Assistant Director. Current team leaders are expected to participate in a formal assessment at this time in order to determine who will earn the Director's position.
We will provide more information closer to the date of assessment.”
“You happy now?” Donghyuck pouted, the second Mark finished.
“Why would I be happy?” Mark asked, looking up. However, the moment he saw Donghyuck, something in his eyes shifted.
“Urghhhh, I can't believe there's a chance I might lose my job!” Donghyuck wailed, getting on his knees and grabbing his hair as he whined in distress. “After so much work I put in, this is how they repay me.”
Mark continued to stare. “I mean, you won't be losing your job,” he said pointedly. “The worst that’s going to happen is you’re gonna become one position under me.”
A pillow came flying towards Mark's chest at mach speed.
“As if I'm gonna be okay with that! It comes with a pay downgrade. Plus, I don't wanna be ‘under you’!” Donghyuck yelped dramatically.
“...you were fine with it last night.”
Silence. Donghyuck’s glare towards Mark was deadly. But by now, they both knew what that look truly did to Mark.
“So that's how it is, Mark Lee?” Donghyuck drawled out viciously. “You're just gonna let this travesty occur to us ?”
Mark rolled his eyes as he put down the letters and stepped towards the bed. “You don't have to say it like that.”
Donghyuck shrunk a little, seating his butt on his heels. “Sorry! This is just a lot to process—”
He cut himself off with a yelp, when Mark grabbed both his arms and pinned him down to the bed. His back arched slightly with his legs bent in an M-shape beneath as Mark crawled over him within a second.
“Because I'd never let a single bad thing happen to you, even if it meant risking my job,” he said with a smile.
Not giving him a second to process, Mark bent forwards, tugging his tie loose before kissing his beloved Donghyuck passionately. Their lips and tongues melted into each other and he kept going and going until Donghyuck started whimpering underneath him.
When he finally relented, he pulled back to see a completely flushed Donghyuck with his long-ish messy hair sprawled out underneath him, gasping for breath.
“What…?” Donghyuck said in a daze, turning his head this way and that. “Where did that come from?”
“I don't know if you know…” Mark said, as he slid his hand up Donghyuck's arms and pinned his wrists up again. “But sometimes, I find you insanely sexy when you’re complaining about things like this.”
“Am I?” Donghyuck exhaled. “I guess…that makes a lot of sense.” Undoubtedly, he was thinking back to their earlier days when they were seemingly at each other's throats every single minute of every day.
Mark laughed. “That’s the whole plot, I guess.”
“How about… I absolutely hate how hot you look right now,” Donghyuck said in a dramatic voice, feigning an equally extraneous eye roll.
Another laugh. “So cheesy….”
“Also…” he continued, sitting up and pushing up into Mark. “I hate how good it feels when you touch me. How it always makes me lose control…” He suddenly placed a hand on Mark's thigh.
Oh?
“Alright…less cheesy,” Mark said evenly, no longer laughing as Donghyuck's hand slid upwards at an agonizingly slow speed. At the same time, he leaned in, his lips hovering over Mark’s neck.
“And…” The sound was barely a breath from Donghyuck's lips, right into Mark's ear. “I hate how much I'm reacting right now just from looking at you.”
“Reacting…?” Mark repeated, already in a daze.
“Also, I absolutely, completely despise when you have your way with me,” Donghyuck practically moaned as he let his body hang limply onto Mark. “I hate it so, so much when you get all rough and lose yourself inside me. When you fuck me so hard you completely mess me up and my body’s aching for the next few days but only because I miss you and I want you back in— ahhh! ”
That was the last straw. He didn't care if Donghyuck was just being dramatic. In the blink of an eye, Donghyuck found his back pressed up against the soft bed sheets once more and in the next second, Mark Lee completely towered over him.
Having gotten what he wanted, Donghyuck watched with eager eyes as Mark started pulling at his own clothes, still mostly dressed in his work outfit.
“Hmm…that's...nice...” Donghyuck whispered hazily, tugging on the bottom corner of his lip with his teeth.
Mark paused his motions. “What?” he asked.
“Nothing…” Donghyuck sighed happily. “It's just… seeing you like this is...wow…”
His cheeks reddened substantially, imitating a certain coyness despite the state they were in.
“God, you’re so hot…It reminds me of you at the office… as the boss… hmmm…”
Oh? This is new. Despite it not having been so long, Mark had thought, with the extent of their unrelentless natures towards each other, that they had already exhausted the list of surprising kinks they had. Apparently, Donghyuck was indeed the type who always had more up his sleeve.
“Huh. So you like seeing me like this…” Mark realized.
“Quit being full of yourself and get to it already,” Donghyuck whined, wiggling his hips. It certainly wasn't a denial.
A devilish idea sparked Mark's already thirsty, foggy mind.
“Why don’t you help yourself then?” Mark said, lowering his tone even more. “Take your clothes off,” he ordered. “All of it.”
Donghyuck’s eyes widened before melting into something else, tinged with satisfaction and lust. Without another word, he wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled off his pajama t-shirt, revealing that smooth and perfectly toned skin beneath like a present. He kept that devilish stare on Mark and that hint of a provocative smirk on his lips as he slid his hands down towards the hem of his pajama pants. With a lift and slight wiggle of his hips, Donghyuck grabbed his waistband, pushing the flimsy pajama pants down along with his underwear, slowly revealing the bare, delicious skin beneath inch by inch before kicking them off his legs, leaving him completely naked.
Mark swallowed hungrily from where he was kneeling on the bed, staring at Donghyuck who had eagerly obliged to him under such a context. Even so, his legs were still crossed and he had yet to reveal everything to Mark.
“What's next… boss ?” Donghyuck purred out.
Mark's entire body churned with eagerness.
“Show me,” he ordered simply.
“Sir,” Donghyuck breathed out, choosing to be a brat in that moment. “You're going to have to be a little clearer with your instructions…”
Mark resisted the urge to call him a menace, instead he crawled forwards so he was right above Donghyuck.
“Show me where you want me to fuck you deep, deep inside. All night long…”
It was almost like magic words. With the sweetest mewl, Donghyuck spread his long, gorgeous legs wide open, leaving everything on show for his most beloved. And it truly never got old. Mark's breath caught in his throat, once again, seeing Donghyuck's slightly hardened cock that was wet at the tip, and his inviting little hole that was already dampened and ready for him. He really was too pretty, everywhere, and everytime Mark remembered it made him want to fall to his knees and worship him forever.
“God, Donghyuck…” Mark groaned as he bent down, almost as if beckoned by a spell.
He wasted no time. Donghyuck yelped and dug his fingers into Mark's hair the moment he went down on him, pressing his tongue flat against his tempting, inviting hole. Mark was certainly efficient when it came to pleasuring Donghyuck. Within seconds, Donghyuck's entire body was shaking, his mouth gasping. Mark's tongue and mouth were hungry and vicious, kissing and licking Donghyuck just the way he liked it. With Donghyuck’s sweet cries urging him on, Mark pushed his tongue into that tight little entrance over and over again, making a complete mess out of it and out of Donghyuck, gradually working him open.
“Ahhh! Mark!” Donghyuck cried out. “You're so …ahhhhn!”
When they were like this, it didn't take very long for them to lose their minds and forget who they were, where they were. Even with just this much, Donghyuck's body had completely gone limp, melting into Mark’s ministrations, and his eyes had already become watery and glazed over. And it really didn't help that with every session, Mark got better and better at what he was doing (being the fast and eager learner that he was), which only got Donghyuck even more obsessed.
Eventually, Mark started licking upwards and sucking on Donghyuck's desperately weeping cock, while simultaneously fingering his needy hole beneath. Donghyuck was enthralled, bucking his hips and writhing from all this wonderful service Mark was providing him. By the time Mark had two fingers inside of him, Donghyuck was already on the verge of tears. His body was covered in an alluring sheen of sweat, flushed from head to toe and his wanton expression was completely opposite from his cool and collected persona at work. It was truly a sight for sore eyes, and it drove Mark wild.
“Oh, baby… fuck. You're so fucking sexy…” he leaned in by Donghyuck's neck, still thrusting his fingers in and out of his eager little opening. “You're irresistible when you're like this, you know that?”
Donghyuck let out a pleasured sigh. “Stop… I can't…” He blinked away some tears. “I can't handle you like this. You look…ahh...”
It was an ego boost to be sure. Mark usually didn't care what he looked like, and just dressed according to company codes. But when a gorgeous beauty like this was naked and mewling and falling apart in front of him while he was still pretty much fully dressed, it was certainly something to consider (even if this was probably all according to Donghyuck's plans). He wondered what Donghyuck saw, with Mark in his still fully intact work outfit of slacks and a dress shirt with the only flaw being a few of the top buttons being undone.
“Mark…” came the slow mewl once more.
“What is it?” Mark replied, also dragging out his voice. He didn't hesitate to curl his fingers deep inside, forcing out another wonderful moan from Donghyuck before adding a third finger.
“Mmrpghh…ah!” Donghyuck sighed, tilted his head back. “It's…not enough… I…need…it…”
“What do you need, baby?”
The half-lidded, heated gaze Donghyuck gave him was more than enough to send him into wild abandon. It didn't help when Donghyuck one hand downward and helped spread himself open with his own fingers.
“I need your cock, Mark,” Donghyuck moaned. “Deep inside me. Right now. Your fingers just aren't enough… Put it in me. Please let me come on your cock. ”
Mark shuddered and groaned aloud. He was so hard it hurt. The words that came out as half a plea, half a demand, were like a magic spell. A savage instinct took over Mark, and Donghyuck watched as he fumbled with the belt and zipper of his slacks, eager to give him exactly what he wanted. The happy sigh Donghyuck gave when Mark finally pulled his cock free was truly insane, but there was no time to ponder as Mark immediately pressed the head against the wet opening, rubbing it up and down.
“Ahhh! ” Donghyuck cried, already bucking his hips slightly.
“Seriously, baby, you're fucking crazy. So sexy,” Mark groaned, still rubbing just the tip, barely breaching the entrance. “What's gotten into you today?”
“I don't know…” Donghyuck blabbered, as he threw his arms around Mark's neck. He spoke in eager pants. “Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's the way you smell. Maybe it's what you wore today. But whatever it is…ever since we got into work today all I could think about was how I wanted you to fuck me stupid with your ridiculously huge dick— ahhh !”
Mark snapped, groaning hard as he pushed all the way into his hilt, filling up Donghyuck fully and completely, just as he'd requested. Not allowing even a second to recover, Mark pulled out nearly all the way before slamming hard back in again, causing Donghyuck to practically scream in pleasure. Grabbing onto his hips, Mark started to work up a steady but fast and erratic rhythm that sent them both into the states of mindlessness.
“Oh…god! Mark!” Donghyuck cries were gradually getting sweeter and louder, like music right next to Mark's ears. “Oh…fuck! It feels so good…ah!”
“God, you’re unbelievable when you're like this,” Mark said between groans, switching up the angle slightly so he could hit Donghyuck exactly where it made him moan the loudest.
“Ah…so good…” Donghyuck moaned. “Yes…! Mark!”
Before long, Donghyuck could no longer reply in comprehensive words, focussing on his tightness that was enveloping the thick, hard shaft penetrating deep inside. The pleasure was truly mind-numbing, turning them both animalistic. All they could do was focus on rocking their hips together, joining in the middle in absolute mind-bending pleasure, pouring everything they had into each other.
“God, love…you're so perfect,” Mark muttered out in the midst of kissing and making love bites on Donghyuck's shoulder. “You make me crazy…”
“Ahh… you're one… to speak…” Donghyuck managed through his glazed eyes. In his daze, his habitual, naughty hands started to wander, feeling Mark through the layers of his now very disheveled (but still intact) clothes.
“Hey… behave,” Mark growled out, feeling him tighten beneath.
“Hnng…but you're so hot… and handsome… and cute… and mine…”
The praise provoked something in Mark. Slowing down but not stopping, Mark reached to get something.
It was just enough for Donghyuck to notice. “Huh? What're you—?”
Before he could react, Mark had pushed Donghyuck down and pinned his hands above his head in a familiar position. Then, in swift motions, Mark bound Donghyuck's wrists together using his once discarded tie.
Donghyuck's eyes widened in a mix of surprise and anticipation.“Didn't know you could do that…” he murmured.
Mark's eyes glistened with a wicked intent. “I'll show you—I'm definitely not the cuter one.”
Still holding onto Donghyuck's bound wrists with one hand, Mark drove his cock all the way deep into Donghyuck's body, causing him to let out an anguished moan as he grinded right up against the most sensitive bundle of nerves within. Taking advantage of his lover's heightened senses, Mark relentlessly attacked and grinded against that perfect spot, rendering Donghyuck completely boneless. It didn't help that Donghyuck could no longer use his hands or arms to relieve all sensations that were coursing through, so his body started squirming viciously. His hands clenched and unclenched but there was nothing to hold onto, as the waves and waves of endless pleasure crashed into him, overwhelming him again and again.
“Mark… oh my god…Mark!” Donghyuck was practically babbling nonsense at this point, eyes rolled into the back of his head.
“Maybe I should keep your mouth shut next time too,” Mark growled out. “It's what got us into this mess in the first place.”
To emphasize his point, Mark lurched forwards and kissed Donghyuck full on the mouth, but this time not slowing down any motions. His tongue delved deep inside, tangling with Donghyuck's as the kiss devolved into a wet, needy, open-mouthed one, as yet another way for their bodies to meet and release. Neither of them could bear to part, with Mark's cock still driving deep into Donghyuck's tight heat, their sweaty bodies pressed and writhing against one another, finally joining at the lips when they couldn't get enough. At some point, the hand that had been holding down Donghyuck's wrist entwined with his fingers, and they were completely joined from head to toe.
“Mark…!” Truly, he could never get sick of the way Donghyuck called his name. “I'm… I'm close! It’s too good. I'm… ahhhh !”
Mark gritted his teeth. He felt Donghyuck tighten around him even more. He knew what was inevitable.
“Me…too…” Mark grunted out. “Come with me, baby. You’re so perfect…”
A few more heavy thrusts, and another loud cry from Donghyuck sent them both over the edge. They spilled all over and inside one another, finally reaching that glorious climax that sent both their minds into a blissful blank slate of pure white.
It took them a while to recover, but before long, Mark found himself lying back against the pillows, with Donghyuck still completely naked on top of him, cuddling and keeping his head near the crook of his neck. They were both breathing steadily, satiated from what was certainly an overly satisfying romp for the both of them.
“Wait…wasn’t there some huge problem we had to deal with?” Mark groaned out groggily, eyes still half opened.
He felt Donghyuck slump against him, half his body on his sweaty chest and his face buried into his neck.
“Don't fuck my brains out and then ask me to think after,” Donghyuck mumbled, before his body went completely slack.
Mark exhaled, but failed to hide the grin on his face. “You started it.”
“Don’t. Even start.”
“Yes honey.”
“Good.”
“You know…”
“What ?” Donghyuck whined as he cuddled himself even closer.
“I was thinking about this before… The past me would've definitely killed the current me for saying this but…honestly, if you had used certain undermining methods to get me to cave back then, I probably wouldn't stand a chance…”
A brief silence, and then Mark felt a soft chortle against his skin.
And though Mark thought the conversation was over, just before he drifted off he heard Donghyuck say one more thing…
“Hmm…you act like I'm not just as enamoured by you…”
Needless to say, his dreams were very sweet that night, despite all the hell that was about to break loose in his real life.
“So…you guys had a productive conversation about it already, right?”
Mark and Donghyuck stared at the ground, avoiding any eye contact.
A stray banana went flying, narrowly missing them both.
“RIGHT?!” Team Captain B, Na Jaemin stood up in a rage.
“Hey! That was my banana,” Team Captain A Jeno yelled, grabbing Jaemin's legs and yanking him back down.
The four of them were on the rooftop, which had long become their communal lunch grounds. Rather, it had been Mark and Jeno's place, but Jaemin had decided it was much easier to simply intrude rather than call them from elsewhere whenever he had demands.
“We…talked about it,” Mark said. “I tried to find a loophole for the longest time.”
“So what did you come up with?” Jeno pressed.
Silence.
Jaemin snorted. “Don't tell me you guys went home, tried to figure it out, argued about it, got horny because you were arguing and then just acted on that instead?”
Another silence.
This time a wrapped sandwich went flying over.
“My sandwich!” Jeno yelled, as he scrambled after it.
“Oh my GOD, I was right?! How is it possible to be this horny for each other?” Jaemin groaned, staring at them in disgust.
“You're lucky you mostly weren't around when they were disguising their horniness as hatred for each other,” Jeno grumbled, as he crawled back, crumpled sandwich in hand. “It was somehow…worse. So many things were broken. Truly misuse of company property. At least they have an outlet for their…emotions now.”
“Who cares about emotions right now? They're about to be fired and they can’t even get their hands out of each other pants’ long enough to think about it.”
“Demoted,” Jeno corrected. “Not fired. And only one of them will be demoted. The other actually gets a promotion. The duties and salary will also change accordingly. But hopefully also even out, kind of.”
“So how are they gonna decide what's gonna happen to who?” Jaemin asked.
“Apparently there's some kind of assessment…” Mark said.
“So…like a competition ?”
Mark nodded affirmingly.
A pause, as Jeno and Jaemin exchanged glances with one another. If it was one thing that brought out the worst (and somehow the best in certain aspects) between Mark and Donghyuck, it was competition. Even while their little not-so-secret love affair went on, the war-like dynamic between the two teams was no different from usual, especially when the monthly round ups came about.
From the outside, it still looked like Mark and Donghyuck were calling each other names and getting at each other's throats as per usual. At first, Jeno and Jaemin thought it was for show. But after a while, upon realizing that a lot of these seemingly adversarial actions also came with sneaky glances and teasing smiles, they suspected there was a bit more to it than that. Likely part of it was simply a bizarre habit, while the other part was likely related to the way both of them often disappeared somewhere after meetings (probably to partake in some less than appropriate conduct in a hidden storage room somewhere).
In summary, competitions made things complicated between Mark and Donghyuck, and it something neither Jeno nor Jaemin wanted to get roped into again (and again).
“Um,” Jeno uttered. “What is this competition going to entail exactly?”
Mark shrugged. “Not sure yet. You all received a similar memo to us. I think they'll announce it closer to.”
“Um,” Jeno repeated, glancing nervously between the two of them. “Are you two gonna be okay?”
Mark and Donghyuck both stopped what they were doing. When they looked at each other, they were both calm and expressionless.
“Yeah,” Donghyuck replied at last. “Why wouldn't we be?”
“Okay, listen,” Jaemin said. “Even if it wasn’t the two of you I would be deeply concerned about your relationship being put to the test this early. A battle with an outcome of one of you literally getting demoted while the other gets promoted? That’s insane! I wouldn't know what to trust.”
“We're…not like that though,” Mark insisted.
“I know! ” Jaemin screamed. “Because it's the two of you, I'm even more worried. Because I don't know what to expect. You guys have always become so weird about your little fights.”
“Tell me about it,” Jeno grumbled in agreement.
But Jaemin was serious. “So? Have you two put any actual thought into it?”
Mark and Donghyuck simply exchanged glances again.
“What's there to think about?” Donghyuck said, still just staring at Mark. “Whatever happens we'll just do it right?”
Mark blinked hazily. “Y-yeah…” He promptly received a harsh punch in the arm, causing him to cry out.
“What the hell?!” he hissed at Jeno, the man who'd initiated the aggression.
“Think with your brain for the first time in a while, won't you?” Jeno frowned at him. “He says whatever and you just listen like a lovesick puppy these days. Since when was it like you to do things without planning?”
Mark spluttered. “Well—I—you—he's not wrong, is he? I have no idea what it’s going to be so how am I supposed to plan?”
Jeno sighed heavily as he stood up. “Whatever you say, buddy. But at this rate, Director Lee won't be referring to you in a few months.”
The comment struck Mark in a strange way, awakening something. Of course, he loved Donghyuck. At the end of the day, they would make it work. Yet… Jeno's snide little push had triggered that deeply competitive demon hidden deep within him, a demon that was practically screaming:
Are you really going to let Donghyuck be your boss?! And you as the subordinate?! No. Way.
Somehow, he managed to suppress the thoughts, hoping his expression didn't change too much.
“Oh. That reminds me,” Jeno said, turning back around briefly. “Team Leader B.”
“Hm?” Donghyuck responded, plopping his head up.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” Then he added as an afterthought: “Privately.”
“Um…sure?”
Donghyuck stole a quick glance at Mark, who was doing everything he could not to tense up.
What? Why does Jeno need to talk to Donghyuck? I'm Jeno's Team Leader, what would he have to say to Donghyuck that he can't say to me?
“Perfect,” Jaemin's voice came out of nowhere. “Stay a bit Mark. I need to tell you something was well.”
“What?” Mark blurted, not even bothering to hide his discomfort. “Is this team switching day or something?”
“It's fine,” Jaemin said, waving to Jeno and Donghyuck. “We'll see you guys later.”
And just like that, Donghyuck followed Jeno off the roof, down the stairs back into their office space while Mark and Jaemin remained. It was inconspicuous enough,—perhaps the two team captains just needed a favour.
Which was why, neither Mark nor Donghyuck expected to hear what they did next from Jeno and Jaemin the second they were sure they were out of each others’ ear reach.
“You've got to win this,” Jeno said to Donghyuck, at precisely the same time Jaemin said it to Mark.
“At all costs,” Jeno and Jaemin said. “You can't lose to him. You must become the Director.”
The simultaneous conversations unfolding in two separate spaces were undoubtedly perplexing, yet vital.
“What?” was both Mark and Donghyuck's response, both were in complete confusion.
“Look, I've been working as Mark's Team Captain for a long time,” Jeno explained. “And I'm saying this because I genuinely care about him—the guy's gonna wring himself completely dry. And that's with you holding at least half the equivalent workload. He’s working overtime, giving it all he's got, and placing all his time and energy into a company that honestly doesn't even care about him. He's just another sales statistic in their books. Now, imagine if he was the branch director?”
Jaemin's rationale was a little bit different: “Oh my god, whatever you do you can't let Lee Donghyuck seize all power. He's already a menace as is. Imagine the dogs we'll all become if he's the director. Seriously, he and I fight all the time. We think the same things yet somehow he still pisses me off. He always says stuff like ‘it's easy, don't you know?’. At least with you as the big boss there will be some semblance of rules and structure. If he's the lead the whole company will turn into his ‘play it by ear” domain and I won't survive that. ”
“Wow, Jeno,” Donghyuck said thoughtfully. “Didn't know you cared so much about my boyfriend like that. Do you want to share him or something?”
“Oh, please, god, never!” Jeno cringed. “You two have put me through enough these past few months. The things I've heard… and seen…” He visibly shuddered.
“That’s…a bit selfish of you, don't you think?” Mark deadpanned at Jaemin.
“Well, I deserve it don't you think?” Jaemin retaliated. “I've done so much for you guys. But the point is, I don't want a tyrant as my boss. And besides, you know I love Donghyuck. Actually, I hate him.”
Donghyuck sighed. Mark rolled his eyes.
“Well? I'm not saying I agree to do it but what would this entail exactly?” Donghyuck asked Jeno.
Jeno shrugged. “How am I supposed to know? You’re the master of getting in his head. That’s all you got to do really. He's the planning type. So interrupt his planning. Provoke him. Seduce him. Whatever it takes. I'm sure you of all people could distract him.”
Meanwhile, Mark still seemed rather unconvinced by Jaemin. “This seems like it would be a lot of effort…”
“Nah, it’s gonna be easy,” Jaemin smiled gleefully, waving his hand. “Donghyuck may have very few soft spots, but one of them is definitely you. So make him extra soft for the next few months. Butter him up, take him for a bunch of nice dates. Offer him things he would much rather do than work. Distract him while you get everything done. It's a win-win, he'll be really happy and you get the promotion!”
Donghyuck contemplated deeply at Jeno's words. “I mean, I'm not gonna lie… it seems like it would work. That is… if I really wanted to…”
“Huh… when you put it like that…” Mark's mind was already wandering to the many things he could spoil Donghyuck with… and hopefully also get certain “rewards” from him in return.
“You're sick,” Jaemin blanched at Mark, who merely shrugged because to him, there was no other option.
“So? What are you thinking?” Jeno asked Donghyuck.
“I mean, I'm still not 100% convinced. I still have to think about it…” Donghyuck said.
Jeno turned his puppy eyes on him. “You really wanna work our precious wittle Markie to death like this?”
Donghyuck scowled. “Sit, samoyed. That might work on Jaemin and Mark but I'm the exception. I know your tricks.”
“Are you in then?” Jaemin pressed Mark.
There was still some hesitance. “Well…”
Jaemin sighed. “C'mon. Who are you kidding?” He leaned back, crossing his arms. “I know that subconsciously, deep down inside…” He paused for dramatic effect. “...you wanna be Donghyuck's big, bad boss so bad.”
Mark immediately turned red, eyes blown while Jaemin merely tossed his head back and cackled.
“You and I both know it's for the best,” Jeno urged. “And it'd be so easy too.”
Donghyuck narrowed his eyes. “What have you been thinking?”
“Well, what do you think would totally send him spiraling? Catch him totally off guard? What’s a weakness of his you can think of?”
Donghyuck blinked. “What? Besides his unsatiated stamina and the way he can go on for days probably without—”
“TMI.”
“Right. Well…”
Donghyuck genuinely thought about it for a few seconds. “I mean, general forcefulness and play-fighting aside… I’m not sure anything really takes Mark Lee by surprise. When it comes down to most things, he's usually very calmed and collected and gets through it all. Even as my partner, he's completely reliable, and super nice to me beneath it all. When it’s just the two of us…”
As Donghyuck was gushing on and on, Jeno had fallen quiet. When he looked up, he realized that Jeno was looking at him, incredulously and also in amusement.
“What?” Donghyuck blurted.
“Do you seriously have no idea?”
Donghyuck blinked innocently. “About what?”
“About what gets inside my boss' head. What makes him go crazy and do completely stupid things without consideration for anything else?”
“Lee Jeno, stop asking stupid rhetorical questions and tell me already.”
“Okay. Let me ask you a simple question first: what does Mark think or do when you’re around other men?”
“He doesn’t believe in it,” was the immediate answer.
Jeno blinked. “As in, he doesn’t think you’re close to other men?”
“No, he chooses to believe I don’t know any other men,” Donghyuck clarified firmly.
Jeno was speechless.
“It’s the same thing all over again!” Mark scolded Jaemin. “I got this accusatory behaviour from Jeno a long time ago and now I’m getting it from you.”
Jaemin remained indifferent. “He wasn’t wrong was he? Strangers may not realize, but it’s obvious to people who even spare the two of you a second glance. ”
“Okay enough,” Mark stopped him. “What does this have to do with anything?
“Oh, Markie. Our kind-hearted, generous boss Markie,” Jaemin purred. “Do you really not get it yourself or are you just pretending? Just think about it for a second, and be honest with yourself: there’s no way you’re going to settle for being Donghyuck’s subordinate. That shift in power dynamics would change everything. Not to mention it would drive you crazy if you lost to him like that in the first place. I know how competitive you are, especially with Donghyuck, and if the final result is that you are then legally obligated to be at Donghyuck’s beck and call from then on… there’s no way.”
There was nothing Mark could say to that. Part of him didn't want to admit it, while the other part knew it was so dead on that there was nothing more to say.
“You're sick,” Mark uttered.
“No, you're sick,” Jaemin said. “I already know you dream daily about getting Donghyuck to submit to you in one way or another. Face it, you can't lose this Director position to him.”
Mark scoffed. “What do you want me to do?”
“Win, Mark,” Jaemin asserted. “Think about it again. What do you have over Donghyuck that he's absolutely weak to?”
Mark was silent. However, his expression was awkward. Jaemin caught on pretty quick, frowning deeply.
“You truly are a sick man,” Jaemin sneered.
Mark didn't deny it.
Jeno's grin widened. “Wait, I have a great idea.”
“What?” Donghyuck was interested.
A sudden wolfish look appeared on his expression, much unlike his usual self. “C'mere, I'll tell you,” he said, lowering his voice even more.
Jeno unexpectedly leaned forwards and closed the distance between them. Then, he proceeded to whisper something in Donghyuck’s ear that caused his eyes to widen.
They pulled apart.
“You're so much more evil than you look,” Donghyuck stated, still slightly shaken. “Though I hate to admit this… it just might work.”
Jeno nodded proudly, his gentle prince-like aura making him appear entirely innocent.
“So you can do it, right?” Jaemin asked Mark once more. “You can win this? Please. For the sake of all our sanities.”
Mark thought about it for a second. So did Donghyuck. But the answer was obvious.
“Alright,” Mark and Donghyuck said, with different but undeniable fires in their eyes. “I'll beat him.”
When they returned to their shared office after lunch, things seemed regular enough. That being said, both Mark and Donghyuck were a bit less talkative than usual, and a little more occupied with texting on their phones. Even when they were back typing on their laptops, the glances they stole at each other were fleeting and different than usual. Mark, being the ever keen advocate that he was, sensed it almost immediately.
Something in the air had shifted since they'd returned.
And although he was subtly aware of it, he wasn't sure if Donghyuck was. But Donghyuck was just as clever as Mark was keen, so there was a high chance that he also sensed something was different.
As the rest of the work day passed by, Mark gradually felt himself second-guessing his verbally consented decision. He absent-mindedly did his work, as the thoughts whizzed through his brain:
Technically, it's still not too late to back out. Aren't I being selfish? Is this really the right thing to do? It's not like Donghyuck wants to be demoted. Wouldn’t I be taking something from him that he truly cares about? Just because Na Jaemin got in my head? What if he has no clue? Of course I want to continue being the leader. But Donghyuck..
It went on and on, tearing his conscience in different directions as he typed mindlessly into his work laptop. Just when it seemed like he was finally going to snap, his laptop screen was suddenly pushed down, causing him to snatch his hands away.
“Something on your mind?” came a luscious voice.
Mark looked up, and surely, there he was. Donghyuck’s entire lithe body was leaning into the hand that was pressed onto the cover of Mark’s laptop, legs crossed with a provoking tilt of the head. Almost instantly, Mark’s eyes glazed over at the sight of Donghyuck’s face, at those raised eyebrows and pretty eyes and those heart shaped lips that were already slightly curved into the semblance of a teasing smile.
“Huh?” Mark uttered dumbly.
His eyes and mind were already filled with Donghyuck’s face and nothing but Donghyuck’s face. During the peak of his turmoil, he’d forgotten to steal glances at Donghyuck throughout the work day like he usually did. It was crazy that Donghyuck still had this effect on him after all this time. It was no different from when they’d first gotten together and all the tension lit them both aflame. And Mark had a feeling it would stay this way for a while.
Donghyuck tilted his body forwards, his eyes twinkling.
“Did you not even notice your shift was over half an hour ago, Team Leader A?” Donghyuck purred, his voice low. “Everyone’s left already.”
Mark slowly blinked at Donghyuck. “Why are you still here then?” he asked.
“You know exactly why,” Donghyuck said slowly, dragging his voice as he pushed himself between Mark and the desk.
Mark merely grunted, when Donghyuck threw his legs over Mark’s lap, seating him down and straddling him on his chair before wrapping his arms around his neck.
“My ride’s right here,” Donghyuck said coyly.
Mark’s exhale was shaky and heavy. “You’re always so…crazy,” he said. Even so, the typical Mark couldn’t wipe the subtle grin off his face from Donghyuck’s usual antics—he was very much a fan and that wasn’t about to change anytime soon.
“We should get going,” Mark murmured, even as his hands were already sliding down Donghyuck’s thighs, pressing in through his slacks.
Donghyuck was quiet for a moment. The air was already tense and heated.
“Are you sure?” he said at last. He leaned in, just so Mark could feel his breath against his neck. “There’s no one left. You don’t want to…?”
Mark groaned, slightly pressing his hands against Donghyuck’s arm, but didn’t push him away.
“Home isn’t too far away,” he said, with all the willpower he could muster. “It’ll be more comfortable. Besides, I don’t want a certain Na Jaemin to plaster passive-aggressive signs on our door again.”
“What? The ‘No blowjobs during work hours’ one?”
“Yeah, that one was particularly bad,” Mark rolled his eyes in reminiscence.“Good thing people thought it was just a prank—”
“He’s such an idiot.”
“I know.”
The lingering reluctance settled in when Donghyuck decidedly removed himself from Mark’s body, moving away to gather his stuff. Mark merely slumped in his chair, simply allowing himself to bask in the moment, to take in the view of Donghyuck ’s enticing silhouette as he hovered around.
And of course, Donghyuck noticed, as he always did. “You gonna get up now or keep staring at me like you’re gonna devour me alive?” he simpered without looking up.
Mark huffed as he finally stood up, the glimmer still in his eyes. “I suppose I can multitask.”
“Hurry up. It’s already so late,” Donghyuck said with the subtlest whine in his voice. “Let’s get going already. Being with you has completely ruined my mantra of leaving work as quickly as possible.” He swung his bag over his shoulder and beelined for the door.
Mark scrambled to put his things inside his own bag. “Sorry…you know how it is…”
“Oh, you don’t have to apologize here.”
“Hm?”
Donghyuck’s shoulder was already halfway out the door.
“In a bit, you can thoroughly apologize…with your tongue.”
And with that, Donghyuck disappeared out into the hallway without a single look back, leaving only the lingering sound of his coquettish tone.
Mark shuddered. Unable to contain the complacent grin that shortly appeared on his face, Mark practically shoved the rest of his things away and briskly ran after Donghyuck out the door.
“Hey, why do you look so pleased with yourself?” Jaemin grimaced deeply.
It was the following day at the office, and Jaemin was staring at a Mark Lee who was leaning back on his chair with a dazed look. Strangely, there was a hint of smug smile on his expression, knuckles pressed up against his bottom lip. There was something about his entire posture that irritated Jaemin to no end.
So he slapped him on the shoulder with a stack of papers.
“Yah! What are you doing coming here to just zone out?” Jaemin snapped at last. “Did you even do anything productive last night?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Mark said in a childish tone.
Jaemin’s look was utterly murderous. “You… you’re completely unbelievable. How is it that you’re the one I have to rely on for this?”
Precisely at that moment, Team Leader B Lee Donghyuck abruptly made an appearance. He was chatting with some other co-worker. Immediately, Donghyuck made eye contact with Team Leader A, who straightened up. Mark’s eyes glistened enticingly, while Donghyuck gave him a sultry glance. As they walked by, Mark discreetly reached out and slapped Donghyuck’s ass with a giant grin on his face. The sound and movement were subtle enough that the co-worker Donghyuck was talking with didn’t notice, but enough that Donghyuck flinched. He gave Mark a quick look, but continued on like nothing was the matter. When Donghyuck was gone, Mark leaned back again, looking extremely satisfied with himself.
Meanwhile, Jaemin saw it all. He was [rightfully] appalled.
“What is wrong with you?!” he hissed. “Do you want everyone to find out?!”
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Mark reassured, waving his hand. “No one saw.”
“Ugh, We’re so doomed…” Jaemin lamented, grabbing his head in his hands.
Mark pushed forwards on the chair again. “Why are you like this?” he asked, patting Jaemin’s shoulder. “I’m just enjoying things as they are right now? There’s still so much time. We don’t even know what the actual assessment is going to be yet. Besides, all part of the plan, right? Weren’t you the one who told me to butter him up?”
Jaemin narrowed his eyes in distrust. “Justify it all you want, Team Leader A. But if the time comes and we end up with Director Lee Donghyuck, I promise you'll discover just how many ways a person can be murdered using nothing but a stack of papers”
“Okay, enough with the threats,” Mark huffed, pushing the papers away from his face. “It’ll be fine. I haven’t forgotten. I won’t let it happen.”
Jaemin frowned deeply. “Tch. I just hope you can keep yourself detached from him for long enough that you can think with the right head.”
“Is it really so bad even if he becomes the Director?” Mark blurted.
Jaemin looked completely devastated. “Agh…it’s already over,” he sighed, standing up and feigning a fainting spell. “Those are the words foreseeing defeat before things have even begun. I need to take a breather.”
“You’re clocked in right now!” Mark tried. But it was useless, as Jaemin had disappeared faster than a rabbit.
With nothing else to be done, Mark decided to also take a brief dip into the break room before getting back to his office. Naturally, Mark (being Mark) maintained his one-track mind.
I wonder where Donghyuck is…
As if his yearning heart manifested it, the moment he rounded the corner, Mark saw the familiar silhouette of his beloved leaning on the counter of the break room. Chest aflutter, he eagerly bounded towards the glass door, pushing it open when—
Huh?
The charming tone of Donghyuck’s laughter rang through the air. Mark paused mid-step. He saw Donghyuck’s body tilt backwards from how hard he was laughing. Then, another figure leaned into him, getting so close into his space it was almost intimate.
…Lee Jeno?!
Mark froze where he was by the door. Jeno’s hand was lingering by Donghyuck's waist and back, not quite touching. Jeno hovered his head right next to Donghyuck’s ear before whispering something for a few seconds too long. A strange feeling crept over Mark when a smile gradually crept up on Donghyuck’s face from whatever Jeno was saying, before it finally culminated in yet another full burst of laughter.
What’s …?
His entrance was raucous, as all heads in the break room turned to see Team Leader brusquely entering with purpose.
"It's hot in here," Donghyuck was saying, giggling as he tugged on Jeno's jacket sleeve. "Honey, just take it off. Take it off!"
“What’s going on here?” Mark inserted himself before Jeno could even address him.
“Speak of the devil,” Jeno grinned. “We were talking about you.”
“Me? You guys making fun of me or something?”
“Huh?” Jeno tilted his head in confusion.
“You were laughing pretty hard.”
“Were we? We were just—”
“Hey, Team Leader,” a dizzying voice purred in Mark’s ear. He felt a gentle touch on his arm.
“Why do you seem so tense?” Donghyuck murmured, leaning into him from behind. “You’re all stiffened up. Do you need some help relaxing?”
The usual Donghyuck effect immediately took over, turning Mark’s brain into mush once again. And when he turned around to meet eyes with his lovely team leader partner, he nearly forgot why he’d been so concerned in the first place.
“Hey,” he said dumbly, that dazed smile appearing on his face again.
“Everything ok?” Donghyuck simpered, eyes sparkling. “We were just wondering if you were done discussing things with Jaemin.”
“Uh…right,” Mark replied sheepishly, almost forgetting the point.
“I’ll get back to work then,” Jeno said, holding up his coffee mug. “I’m sure you two have things to discuss.” Unfortunately, Mark abruptly remembered right at that very moment why he had been so concerned.
“Wait, what was so funny then?” Mark blurted.
Jeno stopped in his tracks. “Oh,” he said. “Inside joke. Right, Donghyuck?”
To Mark’s horror, Jeno threw a wink in Donghyuck’s direction, eliciting a laugh from the team leader before he walked out of the break room.
What… what is this feeling?
“Team Leader A,” Donghyuck called, poking his head out to get Mark’s attention. “Something wrong?”
“N-nothing,” Mark stuttered. He wondered what he looked like. Whatever these fleeting feelings were, it was enough to show on his face, which was rather concerning. He didn't really have a problem with Donghyuck talking with their co-workers before—so what was that dreadful, horrible sensation in his chest that felt like it had been scorched from the inside out?
“Mark,” Donghyuck called. “We should go get ready for the meeting.”
“R-right,” Mark said. He obligingly followed Donghyuck back out, not saying anything more. His mind, however, was on high alert.
Am I overthinking this? What the hell was that just now? Have Lee Donghyuck and Lee Jeno always been that close? He’s not even Team B’s team captain. What’s going on? Are they close enough to have inside jokes that even I don’t know about? Surely it’s not the worst case scenario I’m imagining right now…
They made it back to their office to gather the things for the meeting. Donghyuck entered first, as Mark closed the door behind them. For a while, neither said a word, the atmosphere just a little tense.
“So?” Donghyuck’s voice cut through the silence.
Mark looked up to see Donghyuck eyeing him.
“You gonna tell me why you’re putting up that face or not?”
“What face?”
Donghyuck stepped over to Mark’s side of the desk.
“Perhaps you’re genuinely not aware,” Donghyuck said, leaning his hand against the desk. “But you can’t hide that pout-scowl from me—I know it way too well.”
“I–er–”
“Something on your mind?”
“N-not in particular….
“Huh.” Donghyuck sidled up even closer to Mark. “Are you it’s nothing?”
Mark swallowed, forced to look into Donghyuck’s eyes. “I’m fine.” His body tensed as Donghyuck traced a finger down the inside of his jacket.
“Anything I can do to help?” Donghyuck asked softly, lips parting slowly.
Mark let out a groan, despite everything.
“There’s only fifteen minutes until the meeting…” he said.
“What were you thinking?” Donghyuck smirked. “I was merely asking if you wanted any kind of stress relief. Poor thing, you just seem so stressed about something…” Contrary to his words, Donghyuck’s hand fully slipped onto Mark’s abdomen and started pressing in, slowly sliding upwards.
“You’re really…what are you trying to do right now?” Mark pressed his lips together, though the glint in his eyes had already appeared. “L-let’s get going to the meeting room.”
“Ah…” Donghyuck whispered breathily, leaning in so their lips were a breath apart. Mark braced himself for what was going to happen, what inevitably always did between them.
But then, just as sudden as it was there, the warmth of Donghyuck’s hand on his stomach was gone. When he looked up, Donghyuck had taken two steps back.
Mark nearly gasped. “Wha…?”
“Let’s go,” Donghyuck said simply, as if nothing was the matter. “We’re gonna be late.”
“Ughhmgh.” The noise Mark made wasn’t human, as Donghyuck walked right by him straight to the door.
Just as they were about to leave, Mark’s hand grazed Donghyuck's as they reached for the doorknob at the same time. They both flinched.
Donghyuck turned. “Oh, sorry, I didn't—”
“No, it's fine. I… got it…”
Mark’s voice trailed off as he gazed directly into Donghyuck’s eyes. They were close, much closer than he thought.
Donghyuck parted his lips slowly.“We should…” His eyes fluttered hazily.
“...go,” Mark finished for him.
A breath was hitched by both. They accidentally made eye contact.
A sudden thud resonated when Mark grabbed Donghyuck's wrist and pinned it up against the wall. With his other hand, he gently pulled Donghyuck’s face by the jaw and pressed their lips together in a searing, heated kiss.
Drowning in the sensation, the briefcase Donghyuck prepared for the meeting slipped from his hand. Thus, he used that freed hand to grab onto the back of Mark's nape and pull him in even more. Just like that, they were tangled up in one another yet again, kissing and devouring like they hadn't touched in months. The office quickly filled up with the sounds of Mark's fiery groans and Donghyuck's soft moans. Forced against the door, Donghyuck sighed helplessly when Mark shoved his tongue in deep. Mark fervently moved his mouth, jaw bobbing slowly up and down, so that Donghyuck could feel just as much as he was.
“Mmm, baby…what's… ahh …gotten into you now?” Donghyuck murmured between kisses.
Mark was just as far gone, only tilting his head this way and that to get even deeper.
“Just…wanna…touch you… so bad ,” Mark breathed out gruffly when he could. “You're all mine…”
“Ahh…” Donghyuck pulled back for a second, eyes glistening. “We… can't…”
“Can't what?”
“We have a meeting we shouldn't —ah! ”
Mark had squeezed Donghyck's cute butt firmly in his hands, before hoisting his leg up and pushing in so their crotches were practically grinding up against each other. They continued their kissing, but the heat between their dangerously close bodies was quickly becoming too much to ignore.
“Mmm, Mark… don’t…” Donghyuck tried.
Mark could hear it in Donghyuck’s voice. His eyes were probably getting watery by now, the tears about to leak out of his eyes. It was that image of Donghyuck that Mark coveted in every waking moment and even in his dreams, so it was impossible to resist.
Mark’s next words were barely comprehensible through its huskiness. “Sorry, Donghyuck, I can’t…”
Acting purely on feverish impulse, Mark tightened his grip on Donghyuck’s ass and ground their slight erections together. Perhaps it was truly insanity, doing this in the middle of the workday right before a meeting, but Mark couldn't bring himself to care. He had something to prove. He let out an animalistic groan at the delicious contact, while Donghyuck’s entire body writhe and he had to cover a hand over his mouth to suppress his loud whimper. They both trembled violently, clutching onto each other to brace through the endless vibrations of pleasure from the single contact.
“Oh…fuck…” Mark panted, as he started to maintain a steady rhythm with his hips, slotting their cocks against each other perfectly. “Didn’t even know…how much I needed this.. “
“Mark,” Donghyuck whined his name.
And Mark wasn’t entirely sure what provoked him to say what he did next–though, if he were being completely honest, he had an inkling. As he watched the flushed and pliant Donghyuck in front of him, it came out as a menacing, heated growl:
“Only I can make you feel like this, right baby? Only I can make you feel this good…”
Donghyuck merely sighed into the next kiss. “God…you’re such a fucking idiot…”
Another wanton cry was almost ripped out Donghyuck’s throat, as Mark’s next movement was slow, deliberate, and hit all the perfect spots. Simply by feeling each other through their clothes, they’d made a complete mess of one another within only minutes. Mark was like a beast in heat, and when he saw the way Donghyuck was plastered against the door, eyes closed, hair splayed out on the surface behind while his hips moved lasciviously beneath to meet him halfway, he nearly lost his mind. They continued pushing their hips against each other in the most delicious ways. Even Mark could barely keep his voice down, because if it was one thing Donghyuck knew how to do it was to work his hips. It wasn’t too fast nor too rough, just enough to maintain a steady, heavenly pleasure coursing through the body with every movement.
Unable to hold back, Mark pushed forward again with a growl and devoured Donghyuck’s lips once more, all while maintaining the motions below.
“You’re always so sexy,” Mark sighed into the kiss. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Mark…” Donghyuck sighed, as he looped his arms around his neck. “We have to go…”
“Does it not feel good?” Mark exhaled heavily.
“It feels wonderful ,” Donghyuck whispered. “But…we have…work…”
“Five minutes won’t kill them,” Mark said, burrowing his face into Donghyuck’s neck.
They could felt each other’s searing body heat through the hindering layers upon layers of their business clothes. Mark could only imagine what it would be like if they weren’t in the way—Donghyuck wouldn’t stand a chance. He started mouthing against the bare skin. Donghyuck could only throw his head back and moan, much more unabashedly this time. And when Mark pressed his tongue in and licked upwards, Donghuck could only oblige by threading his fingers through his hair and sighing in pleasure.
“Yeah…you're right…I’m sure it’ll be just fine…” he exhaled contently, entirely giving in, melting into the door.
The meeting ended up being an absolute mess.
The branch’s team leaders were usually the eccentric types to begin with, but that afternoon they were particularly unusual.
To begin with, both Mark and Donghyuck showed up fifteen minutes late. They appeared noticeably bewildered, both fiddling and fixing themselves from the moment they entered. Donghyuck kept brushing down his hair from all sides, eyes flickering about strangely, while Mark kept tugging and pulling at his clothes. They were clearly frazzled, especially when Team Leader Donghyuck practically stumbled into his seat while Team Leader Mark started talking with the hair on the back of head still sticking up in a very strange way.
Everyone in the room sensed something was amiss, but it was the team captains who could barely watch the trainwreck. Indeed, Jeno and Jaemin switched between staring wide-eyed and having their head in their hands when either Mark or Donghyuck fumbled their sentences, switched to the wrong slides, or referenced the wrong documents entirely.
It became blatantly worse towards the end, when the two team leaders had to switch positions once or twice. Perhaps they brushed each other, or something, but whatever it was paused the both of them entirely. Then, they would stare deeply in each other's eyes for a few solid seconds without saying anything at all, before one of them would nod and then would move on.
“Holt shit, what is going on????” Jaemin whispered harshly to Jeno at some point. “Are they trying to get exposed and fired before the actual audit comes around? Is that their plan?”
Jeno merely shook his head. “This is not good. Not good at all.”
After what felt like much too long, the meeting finally ended, and everyone left the room not entirely sure what the point was. Immediately, Jaemin beelined towards Mark and grabbed him before Donghyuck could even open his mouth to question it. He was thus left to clean up the room—with only Lee Jeno remaining in the room.
“So,” the team captain spoke, his voice already drenched in disappointment. “You're gonna throw it all.”
“What are you on about now?” Donghyuck replied at once.
“You’re just gonna let him have his way with you and you're not even gonna get a single tiny little benefit out of it.”
Donghyuck dropped the papers he was holding. “Lee Jeno,” he said coldly, seriously. “Did you just call me a slut for Mark Lee?”
Jeno looked him straight in the eye.
“Kind of. Yeah,” he answered bluntly.
He cleanly dodged a flying whiteboard eraser coming straight his way.
“Don't you dare use that fucking language with me! I'm still technically your boss!” Donghyuck chided.
“You're the one who said it!” Jeno protested, hands raised. “Look I'm just going to be honest, ok? What's the point in both of us putting all this work in only for you to melt in his hands like putty the second he wants something anyway?”
“Because his hands feel soooo good, obviously,” Donghyuck trilled.
“...”
“Okay, I'm kidding! How do you know I got nothing accomplished anyway? I'll have you know he was frazzled up too.”
“But what's the point if you seemed just as off task? I saw the way you turned away like a smitten maiden just because you caught his eye earlier. Since when did you get shy around him anyway?”
Donghyuck nervously scratched the back of his nap, that unusual “shyness” appearing again.
“Well, I don’t know…” he said, eyes dodging. “He’s just…really good to me…all the time…”
When Donghyuck fully averted his face to hide a blush, Jeno was naturally appalled.
“I should’ve known,” Jeno said, shaking his head.”You are this obsessed with him.”
Donghyuck merely shrugged. “Not like I try to hide it around you and Jaemin anymore.”
“And the sickest part of all is that, beneath all that shitty masking he does, he’s just as obsessed with you. If not, even more,” Jeno continued rambling.
Donghyuck sighed, leaning against the podium. “So what are we going to do about it?”
“Change of perspective,” Jeno said, after a few seconds of thinking. “Or rather, you should focus on the original point: he’s not going to have time or energy to be good to you if he’s too busy handling this entire company as its sole director. You do realize what that’s going to entail for him, right? Working nonstop days, overexerting himself and also staying late overtime. It’s not going to bode well for him or you.”
Donghyuck pretended to think about it for two seconds.
“It’s fine,” he said. “I have my ways to make him come faster.”
“What. ”
“Come home faster, I mean,” Donghyuck reiterated, the hint of a smile on the corner of his lips. “If worst comes to worst, I could probably deal with him.”
“So you’re just gonna give up then?”
“No, I quite like how things are proceeding actually,” Donghyuck said. “We also have a while until the actual competition. I’m sure he’ll be a bit more distracted by then.”
Jeno raised a cynical eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
Donghyuck finished packing up before tucking his hair behind his ear. “Let’s just say I have ample reason to believe he’s gonna be plenty riled up in the weeks to come.”
Jeno cringed visibly. “Don’t. Bat your eyelashes at me in here. He’s not watching.”
“That’s what you think,” Donghyuck said ominously. He cast a dramatically ominous look at Jeno, before practically skipping out of the room.
With the most distasteful expression on his face, Jeno waited a few minutes before also leaving. As he made his way back to his desk, he noticed Jaemin standing in the general area, also looking extremely frustrated all by himself.
“What's gotten you like this?” Jeno asked casually, passing by. “Haven’t seen you frown like this in a long time.”
“Don’t provoke me right now! I'm so stressed!” Jaemin snapped immediately.
“Tch, it’s not like you’re the only one allowed to be stressed,” Jeno retorted swiftly.
Jaemin was pinching the bridge of his nose and tilting his head back. “The world as I know it is about to change and there’s absolutely nothing I can do about it,” he lamented in a broken voice.
Something shifted in Jeno’s peripherals, and he looked up to see the two Team Leaders leaving their office. Together, of course. He always wondered why no one ever caught onto the fact that those two almost always started and left work together, even if they used to try and be discreet about it. These days they were really getting sloppy—not that they were that great to begin with.
His eyes narrowed distastefully at the way they were so obviously happy with themselves, with one another, as they walked down towards the exit discussing something at length. Or rather, it was Donghyuck talking and talking with that pout in his lips, while Mark was keenly listening, with the softest smile on his face. They walked closely, not enough to be touching but with their hips barely hovering around each other.
Their aura was certainly, undeniably amorous, in the most soft and comfortable way.
It made Jeno and Jaemin want to scream.
“Oh, I’m going to do something about it,” Jeno said out loud, staring at the door where they disappeared. “Whether or not it ends up working, I’m going to do something…”
The competition details were announced a week and a half later.
Anticipation had been building to this point, not only amongst the team executives but also amongst the rest of the staff. Everyone had already been whispering about their fates, stating their secret preferences and betting on the final outcome.
In the meeting room that day, people sensed a change within the aura between the two Team Leaders as they read out the conditions of the week-long assessment that was akin to an audition for the role of Branch Director.
The rules and outline was simple enough. It would consist of three assessments: an interview, a work-day simulation, and a final presentation, each to determine different things.
"To ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of the leaders, team members will now be randomly assigned to each Team Leader. Team Captains will switch to the opposing team."
When Team Captain Jeno finished reading the announcement, the atmosphere in the meeting room abruptly shifted. Anticipation had evolved into tension, and suddenly the stakes had become real.
Before long, all the attention lingered on the two men sitting at the front of the table across from each other. They weren't saying a single thing, but the aura was unmistakable. For the first time in a long time, Mark and Donghyuck were making eye contact in front of everyone. It was intense, provocative yet also with something mysterious laden beneath. Needless to say, everyone held their breath, wondering what their next move would be.
“Well, boss,” Donghyuck spoke first. “Might as well call you that now since we won't be able to in the very near future.”
“Oh?” Mark replied, leaning in subtly. “Are you already getting ahead of yourself?”
Donghyuck matched his position. “I didn't say anything. Everything's just part of your imagination right now. And I wouldn’t suggest you imagine yourself losing already.”
Mark scoffed, eyes blazing.“Already speaking so high and mighty when nothing’s even started yet. That’s so much like you, Lee Donghyuck.”
“It’s simply based on experience.”
“You’re all talk.”
“We’ll see about that.”
Everyone sat completely still, watching intensely too see what would ensue next. The energy between the two Team Leaders was vicious, as if they would leap across the table at any second and attempt to choke each other to death (it really wasn't that surprising, considering that they've done similar things before). Only Jeno and Jaemin were nervous for other reasons—Mark and Donghyuck were staring each other down like they wanted to burn one another alive, and Jeno and Jaemin knew much better than the rest that it could…go either way.
Jeno spoke quietly.“Um, guys? We should—”
Mark roughly pushed his chair out and stood up roughly, startling everyone. The smirk that appeared on his face was unexpectedly handsome with an uncharacteristic wickedness laden within.
“Lee Donghyuck,” he practically sneered. “You’re probably thinking of cheating your way to the top already, aren't you?”
Donghyuck merely tilted his head. “There’s many different ways to top—or rather, to get there, that is.”
There was a glint in Mark's eyes, while Donghyuck's also had a strange look in them.
Jeno cleared his throat.
“Um, how about we get to it then?” he announced stiffly. “The pre-planning I mean. Those assigned to Mark's team reconvene to the other meeting room. Donghyuck and I will stay here with the rest.”
Fortunately, it was enough to ground everyone enough for the time being. Shuffling noises, as everyone moved to oblige Jeno’s words. Jaemin was also looking somewhat disoriented as he pushed his way out the room.
When Mark passed Donghyuck, he brushed against his shoulder, and they shared a split second of another electric look. Unable to help himself, Mark leaned in so that his lips were next to Donghyuck's ear.
Then, he whispered:
“Face it, baby. You belong underneath me.”
Somehow, they both managed to keep their expressions steady enough as Mark left the room, despite the fiery feeling that was growing within their stomachs, threatening to make them both shudder.
The evening was cool. A subtle crescent moon was out. The day had been long, with all the planning for the competition. Lee Donghyuck sat in the driver's seat of his car, elbow leaned against the windowsill with the back of his hand pressed against his chin as he contemplated. After all, there was so much to think about. And it led to one lingering thought:
Just how far are we going to take this?
His peaceful quiet was interrupted by a rapping sound on his car roof, followed by the sound of the passenger door opening. He looked over to see Mark Lee's head popping in.
“Hey stranger,” he said, with a hint of a smile. “Can you spare a ride?”
Donghyuck wordlessly acknowledged him, tilting his head and turning on the engine as Mark climbed in. He gave him a few moments to settle himself and buckle in before pulling out of the work parking.
Street lamps whizzed by. Shadows moved along the road. The night sky was crisp and clear.
There was complete silence in the car.
Both were looking straight ahead, focussed on the road, not a word uttered. It wasn't the usual mood. For the first time they were truly genuine rivals, with a winner and loser at the end—and neither knew what to make of it.
I wonder what he’s thinking. Donghyuck's eyes remained glued to the road. He could hear Mark's gentle breathing and the low rumble of the car.
“So.”
Mark's voice sounded lower than normal. It cut through the air in a striking way that made Donghyuck's heart drop a little.
“Hmm?” Donghyuck answered, throat feeling dry.
“It's been a hectic day, hm?”
A casual. seemingly harmless question. Yet Donghyuck couldn’t help but try to infer a deeper meaning. His hand gripped slightly tighter on the steering wheel.
His voice sounds a little different. Donghyuck couldn’t help but notice. What’s he trying to get at?
“Mn,” Donghyuck replied simply, affirmatively.
Another silence.
“You're tired, aren’t you?” Mark said, tone softening just a little.
“What makes you say that?”
“You're a lot quieter than usual, that's all.”
Another rustling, as Mark moved farther away, leaning back to observe all of Donghyuck.
“You normally have a lot to say,” Mark said slowly.
Knowing Mark was watching him, Donghyuck tried his best not to swallow.
“I guess I am tired, then,” he said, almost coldly.
“You should've said so. Normally, you would've complained about it.”
“I'm not in the mood tonight, I guess.”
“Is there…anything I can do to help?”
“...not in particular. Not right now.”
The light changed into red up ahead. The car slowed down to a stop. Not that anything felt natural right in that moment, but the instinctive thing for Donghyuck to do in that moment was to turn over and…
Oh?
Mark Lee was leaning back against the door. And he was staring at Donghyuck. Staring. He’d always been a striking man, with his handsome face and chiseled features. But in that moment, all that captured Donghyuck, that made it difficult for him to breathe, was that unusual darkness within Mark's normally kind and gentle eyes.
Mark was ever so casually looking at Donghyuck like he wanted to devour him alive.
It made Donghyuck's heart skip a beat, before it flipped around in anticipation.
“Do you have something to say to me?” Donghyuck asked. He wondered if his voice was breathy.
“It's been a busy day,” Mark answered, calmly enough, despite the depths of his eyes. “I was wondering if you wanted to share anything.”
“I can't exactly share anything. We're officially rivals now. Opponents with a single goal to fight towards.”
The red light changed to green. Donghyuck glanced away, the car gradually accelerating once more. However, he felt the intense heat of Mark’s gaze remain.
“You’re actually…keeping things from me?” Mark spoke.
“You’re acting like I’m holding some nefarious secrets,” Donghyuck replied steadily. “It’s business, Mark. We’ve been put into demanding circumstances. I expect the same from you.”
“Hmm.”
Donghyuck barely glanced to his right. “You seem unsatisfied.”
“You seem…”
“I seem?”
“You’re so cold, Donghyuck.”
The way Mark’s voice sounded. The unexpected insinuation. The silence that filled the car afterwards. Donghyuck wondered if he successfully hid the shudder.
Mark moved again in the passenger seat.
“Have you thought about what happens when this is all over?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” came the answer. “In terms of who wins?”
Mark changed the question. “Do you think…the company knows about us?”
Another pause.
“Wasn’t the entire idea for no one else to find out?” Donghyuck replied at last.
“You do realize everything’s about to change.”
“Why are you just stating the obvious?”
“That’s not what I meant. Did I realize something before you for once?”
“Did you?”
“Have you not thought about it? Once… one of us gets the promotion…we won’t be of equal rank anymore. What was once a grey area…”
“It officially becomes a conflict of interest,” Donghyuck concluded. “I’ve thought about it.”
“And you'll be okay with that?”
“With what?”
“With…ending it all. Ending…us.”
“... what?! ”
Abruptly, Donghyuck swerved the car. He drove them onto the closest, empty road.
Mark was decidedly startled. “Where are y—?”
Donghyuck slammed on the brakes. Mark’s body lurched forwards as he yelped.
“Donghyuck!” Mark yelled. “What the he—?!”
“That’s what you think is going to happen?”
When Mark met eye contact with Donghyuck next, his eyes were ablaze with frustration, even laden with hurt.
Taken aback, Mark said: “W-well, if we get caught then, we would actually—”
“Why was that your first conclusion?” Donghyuck raised his voice slightly.
“Well, I—” Mark pushed his hair back, not quite sure how it had gotten to this. “It's definitely not the last thing on my mind. It's about you. About us. I’m worried about it.”
“So you think it'll just…we'll just... stop? Just like that?”
Donghyuck turned away and huffed in frustration, unbuckling his seatbelt to cross his arms over his chest.
“I never realized how easily you would give up on us,” he said.
Mark sighed, also removing his seat belt so he could lean closer to Donghyuck and try to get his attention.
“You know it's not like that,” Mark urged. “We should be prepared—for anything—”
“And that's a possibility to you?”
Donghyuck was practically sneering, and when Mark caught his eye, he was surprised to see that they were starting to get watery, even if he was trying to hide it.
Instinctively, Mark leaned in even closer.
“Donghyuck,” he called, reaching toward him, voice full of concern. “Are you—”
“Mark, don’t—” Donghyuck took a deep breath. “I know we’re not the best at communicating but—”
“That's not true—” Mark tried touching Donghyuck's shoulder but he kept squirming away.
“You would use me and abandon me just like that when the going gets difficult?” Donghyuck pouted. “...as expected, men are all the same.”
“Bab—Donghyuck.” Mark tried again, finally managing to gently grab onto Donghyuck's arm. “I didn't mean it like that. Although…I never imagined you would be this distraught over the idea of us not being together.”
“And you aren't?” Donghyuck asked, as Mark pulled him closer just a little.
“Just a few months ago I thought you hated me, Hyuckie. Needless to say I’ve learned how to cope.”
“I can't believe we're gonna be competing for our demise.”
“There's gonna be a solution.”
“How? Are you gonna take over the company? Stupid company…”
It should’ve been a dire state, a state of emergency even. Donghyuck was clearly distraught. But unfortunately for Donghyuck, the more frustrated or upset he got at times, the poutier and whinier he would get—and that just made him appear all the more cuter in Mark’s eyes.
“Babe…baby…” Mark was full on calling him at this point, with an endeared yet enigmatic smile on his face as he softly touched and tugged at Donghyuck’s arms and shoulders. “I didn’t mean what I said. It’ll be okay. We’ll figure it out. We always do.”
“I thought we talked about this. I can’t believe that would be your first thought,” Donghyuck was still whining.
“Baby, we did talk about it. And we’ll keep talking about it if you want but I think you know deep down what the truth is. It’s not like you to worry like this.
“Well, I wasn’t! Until you said that!”
“Hyuck…”
“I swear if we end up separated because of this dumb company and its inability to maintain a proper structure—”
“We won’t,” Mark said, finally successfully pulling Donghyuck back and wrapping both his arms around him. “There’s no way I’m giving up on this.”
“This?”
Mark’s voice was breathy. “Yeah, this.”
His motions were gentle, yet purposeful. Mark leaned his entire body over, pulling Donghyuck close and kissed him deeply, tenderly on the mouth. At first Donghyuck's lips were firm due to the surprise, but it only took a second for them to soften into his own, melting together in that sweet sticky feeling that was quickly filling up the car. When Mark pulled back, his eyes were already hazy, while Donghyuck's were still misted over from earlier.
Mark pressed their foreheads together. He heard Donghyuck sigh.
“You're such an idiot,” Donghyuck said, breathing heavier due to the unbearable rising heat.
“I know,” Mark acknowledged. “But not even I'm stupid enough to fumble you. No matter the cost.”
Mark was about to kiss Donghyuck again, however Donghyuck pulled away slightly.
“Should we have another conversation?” Donghyuck said hesitantly. “Like…adults?”
Mark smiled. “You already know—talking is overrated between us anyway.”
The dark gleam in Mark's eyes. The flustered glimmer in Donghyuck's.
Certainly, at that moment, they both knew.
It happened in a blur. A harsh rustle as Donghyuck reached over and grabbed Mark hard by the lapels, tugging him in before pressing his mouth aggressively against his lips, kissing him with a full force. Consumed by the heat, Mark immediately obliged with a groan, opening his mouth and returning the delicious favour by fully shoving his tongue into Donghyuck's mouth.
“Mmmh… ”
“Hah…ahhh…”
There was no way either of them were giving up on each other.
It wasn't clear whose voice was whose anymore. The sound of heavy breathing and intoxicated groans filled the interior of the car. Mark pressed his eager hands meaningfully, lasciviously into Donghyuck’s softly melting body, running them down his chest, his waist with eager intent.
“Can we really—?” Mark panted hungrily into Donghyuck’s mouth.
“Yes, please. Don’t you dare stop,” Donghyuck practically cried in response.
To demonstrate his fervour, Donghyuck abruptly shoved Mark away, causing him to fall back into his seat.
“Donghyuck, what—?”
Mark heard a rustling, and before he knew it, Donghyuck had climbed over and straddled him in his seat, forcing him back before kissing him hungrily.
“Oh, baby…” Mark moaned in absolute satisfaction. “No way in hell am I letting you go…”
“I guess you have a point— ah! ” Donghyuck’s words were interrupted by Mark roughly squeezing his chest as he nuzzled some wet kisses into his neck. “Your greedy intentions with me are clearer than ever right…now…” He struggled to get his last words out, as Mark’s hands became more and more aggressively, squeezing all his sensitive parts from his chest to his waist to the thighs that were straddling his lap.
“I told you we didn’t need to talk,” Mark said. Donghyuck could feel his grin against his ever so sensitive skin. “Have I properly portrayed my commitment to you, my love?”
Donghyuck burst into an endeared laugh. “You’re crazy.”
“Says you…”
The husky laugh and soft giggles only lasted a second, before their fervour took over once more. The heavy pants and desperate sounds returned, as Mark and Donghyuck pushed and pulled against each other with their hands and lips. Their bodies were entangled. Their kiss was intoxicating, overwhelming and became too much to handle. Mark’s husky groans were getting louder and louder, while Donghyuck's breathy cries were rapidly rising in pitch.
When the windows started to fog up was also when Donghyuck started to shift his hips suggestively on Mark’s lap.
“God, I don't think I can stop…” Donghyuck was almost begging. “Can we—but how do we—”
He didn't have to say it twice. The glint only darkened in Mark's eyes as, only with a little bit of difficulty, he managed to switch their position so Donghyuck was now the one leaning against the seat. Then, he adjusted the seat so it was pushed back and down, turning it into a makeshift bed.
“Have you…done this before?” Donghyuck inquired quizzically.
Mark shook his head. “I never really got these kinds of urges before you came along.”
“You seem a bit adept at it.”
It’s because it’s you, and I can never wait. Mark thought. Instead he said: “You can still tell me to stop”, even as his hand was already dragging up Donghyuck’s leg and onto his thigh, before finally slipping between his legs.
“You’re gonna have to be the one to stop yourself…” Donghyuck sighed, squirming a little as Mark towered over him.
Mark simply groaned. “Well, I can't do that.”
A harsh grunt elicited from Donghyuck’s throat as Mark roughly pushed their bodies together, making sure Donghyuck felt it. He let out a hitched moan that Mark caught into his mouth. The hand that Mark was rubbing against Donghyuck’s favourite spots trailed lower and lower and lower…
“You’re really not going to stop me?” Mark asked one last time.
Donghyuck sighed again. “Aren’t you the one who normally pushes the brakes? Considering where we are right now—we could get caught, you know.”
His head slightly gestured towards the car window. While there was no one around at the moment, the dim streetlights in the distance reminded them where they were, and what could happen if they got caught. Even their tinted windows couldn’t save them this time—it would be obvious what the people in a vehicle parked off the side of a dark road ensuing in.
But Donghyuck’s nonchalant warning seemed to have the opposite effect, as Mark’s expression subtly changed. Immediately, he latched his lips onto Donghyuck’s neck before finally shoving his hand right where it ached the most.
Donghyuck let out the loudest moan yet, his entire body shivering from the shock.
“Oh my god, at least take it easy—” Donghyuck managed to cry out.
“I don’t have time for that,” Mark insisted, rubbing and rubbing. “Like you said, we might get caught.”
True to his word, Mark didn’t waste another second. He reached for Donghyuck's belt, unbuckling it with a metallic click before undoing his slacks and sliding them right off his legs along with his underwear. It was a little difficult to maneuver, and at some point one of the pant legs got caught on an ankle, but that was certainly neither of their focuses.
Once he got rid of everything in the way, he pushed Donghyuck’s bare legs up and looked down.
“Fuck, this never gets old…” Mark groaned at the sight. Donghyuck always took care of himself so well, everywhere. Even in the dim light, Mark could see the smooth, clean skin leading to the tight, pinkish bud that was already twitching for his touch.
“Do you really have time to admire right now?” Donghyuck chided.
Mark sighed again. “If I had my way I would have my tongue in your perfect little hole right now…” The blunt, dirty words made Donghyuck shiver. “...but I guess we'll just have to settle..”
Mark licked the tips of his index and middle finger before brushing them against Donghyuck's completely bared entrance. He yelped at the shock of the cold touch at first, but quickly accommodated to the delicious little rubs that made his entire body tingle.
"Is there...?" Mark started
"Glove compartment," Donghyuck sighed at once.
Mark raised an eyebrow. "You're really always prepared...for these kinds of things..." he said as he reached behind awkwardly and fumbled for the lube he was asking for.
Donghyuck managed a weak smile. "When it comes to you, I need to be, Mark Lee."
When he deemed it was enough, Mark slipped the fingers into his warmth, one by one, pumping them deep within and opening Donghyuck up little by little. Donghyuck's voice finally broke into desperate little sighs.
“Ha …ahhh…” Donghyuck moaned, as the minimal pleasure dragged on and on. “Quit teasing already…”
“I'm not gonna hurt you, even if we have to rush this,” Mark replied gently.
“You've never hurt me,” Donghyuck whined. He canted hips downwards on Mark's fingers, before pulling Mark in and kissing him hotly on the lips. “Please, Mark, please. I need it now. I want you now. Let me feel you.”
Another agonized groan, as Mark leaned back in the small space they had and undid his own pants. It was only enough to pull out his burgeoning erection, hard and heavy in his hand and already leaking at the tip.
At Donghyuck's urging, he lined it up against the place that was so eager for it. The both of them moaned aloud and the contact, as the head rubbed against the tight little hole. They were both panting wildly. The rim started to give away to its merciless intruder, opening up slowly as Donghyuck took Mark's entire length inside.
“Ohhh god…” Mark heaved out, sweating profusely as he felt the familiar, tight warmth wrapped around him. It was the same, but somehow completely different considering where they were. “Baby, this feels so crazy…”
“Yes… please Mark,” Donghyuck begged, his voice barely a breath. “M-more…”
And Mark was never one to deny Donghyuck a single thing. Pressing Donghyuck into the seat, Mark grinded his cock deep inside Donghyuck, making him hitch a breath. Then, he moved his hips, steadily, purposefully, making sure Donghyuck's entire body vibrated with every single thrust. Whether it was the situation or simply an unusual desire for each other, the pleasure was unlike anything they'd ever done before.
“You feel so good…” Mark said through gritted teeth, rocking his hips firmly. “So hot… inside… I don't think I can…”
Unable to speak properly through his moans, Donghyuck merely grabbed Mark's head and shoved his tongue into his mouth, kissing him hungrily, giving as good a response as any. And like that, all inhibitions were completely extinguished and pure carnal instinct took over. Right on the side of an empty road, Mark was fucking Donghyuck into the passenger seat of his car with no remorse, pouring all the feelings and frustrations of they day into Donghyuck’s shaking body beneath him. And perhaps it was due to the thrill of it all or simply because they could no longer hold back their craving for each other, but the both of them had gone completely crazy from pleasure.
“Haa…. Mark…ahhh!” Donghyuck's cries were louder and higher and even more desperate than ever, tinged with a delicious breathiness that Mark had never heard before.
The windows were completely fogged up around them, and Donghyuck swore he could feel the car bouncing. He was clinging onto Mark's jacket for dear life as he was practically folded in half. His legs were bent and pressed up near his chest, one hanging on top of Mark's shoulder as he continued grinding into him with his generous length, filling him up in a heavenly way, hitting all the right spots.
“God— fuck …” Mark shuddered. “I-I can't… you're too—” Donghyuck’s cries were louder and pitchier than they’d been in a while, a melody to Mark’s ears making his aching heart shudder. The passion. The thrill. The pleasure. It was all too much to bear.
“D-donghyuck-ah…” Mark called, leaning in. He tenderly captured Donghyuck’s lips once more, without stopping the rough motions beneath. The contrast made Donghyuck moan straight into Mark’s throat, over and over again.
Mark pulled away and leaned into Donghyuck’s ear.
“Donghyuck,” he whispered hotly. “I need you…”
“ Ah …” Donghyuck sighed into the next press of his hips. “Hmm?”
“I need you to get on top of me.”
Donghyuck could only let out a choked noise before Mark started moving. The maneuvers were difficult in the tight, cramped space of the car, but somehow, they managed it. Within several seconds, Donghyuck was seated on Mark’s lap with his hands on his waist. They were both breathing heavily in anticipation.
“You're awfully demanding of your rivals, Team Leader A,” Donghyuck whispered against Mark's lips, their noses pressed together.
“Why?” Mark exhaled heavily, already entranced by Donghyuck's coy eyes beneath his dampened eyelashes. “You don't want it too?”
Without a verbal answer, Donghyuck lined himself up on Mark's still dripping erection and sank down on it in one breath. Mark groaned in agony, his own hands slipping down to Donghyuck's wonderful hips as they began to move.Donghyuck sighed beautifully, gripping his hands into Mark's shoulders.
“Oh, god , Hyuckie…” Mark called, slamming his head back onto the seat, letting Donghyuck use him as he wished.
If it was one thing Donghyuck could do, it was ride Mark's cock like there was no tomorrow. Even in their restricted confines, every undulation, every grind downwards always sent Mark to heaven and back, and that was from the sensation alone. His control was impeccable, changing the speed as he wished and also knowing exactly where he liked it the most, grinding on that delicious spot deep, deep inside of himself.
Between waves of dizzying pleasure, when he had the strength to squeeze his eyes open, it was indeed a sight for sore eyes. The visual was an entire other aspect. Donghyuck, with his naked hips, and his beautiful face and tousled hair, head tilted back in pure bliss. His exposed skin by his neck sheened in sweat made Mark want to take a bite. His lips were redder and parted as he let wonderful moans and sighs all of his own accord. His cheeks were fully flushed making him look ethereally pretty. And his eyes were fully blown in lust, half-lidded and simply begging to be fucked even harder.
“Fuck… Donghyuck…” Mark grunted, barely keeping it together. “Donghyuck, baby, you're way too beautiful…so sexy… you're so perfect like this, oh my god…”
The compliment appeared to affect Donghyuck, as Mark groaned loudly, feeling his searing hot insides tighten around his shaft. It was unbearable. The sweat that was beading on their foreheads and seeping through their clothes sheened on their skin. It made them glow. The car had long become fully enveloped by the sounds of their desperation for one another, and the slapping of skin on skin. They remained tangled up in each other, as Donghyuck continued to bounce on Mark's cock within the completely fogged up interior of the vehicle.
At some point, Donghyuck arched his back a little differently as he pushed his hips back. They both nearly screamed.
Mark inhaled sharply. “Oh, I'm gonna—”
“Me too, Mark!” Donghyuck whimpered. “Me too, I—”
Heavy groans filled the air, as Donghyuck sat down on Mark's cock with purpose, and Mark dug his fingers into his hips as they both reached their climaxes. It was overwhelming, and all they could see was white as they clutched onto each other, blindly groping and kissing their way through the insanity of the high.
Donghyuck managed to speak first. “That was…”
“Fucking amazing,” Mark sighed in a daze.
Even after they had more or less calmed down? they hadn't moved from their positions. Donghyuck had fallen forwards, his head on Mark's shoulder while Mark held him, sweaty bodies pressed against each other, their chests heaving in unison, completely spent.
“I suppose that's one way to dominate your opponent,” Donghyuck murmured tiredly, haphazardly and instinctively nuzzling into Mark’s neck.
Mark merely steadied his breathing, before closing his eyes and tightening his hold on Donghyuck's back.
“Gotta keep each other in check somehow…”
assessment 1.
“Well, you look…”
Jaemin eyed his designated team leader up and down. Today's assessment was a direct questioning period from the board members, and team leaders would be in the room alone. While their teammates could help prepare, this was a test of independence to gauge the reliability of each competitor.
The team captain raised his eyebrows and leaned forward inquisitively.
“...not as tense as I thought you'd be?” Jaemin concluded.
“Maybe it's because you don't work directly with me often,” Mark answered coolly, eyes downturned towards the papers in his hands. "I'm better at handling thing than you think."
“I'm sure your long-time right-hand man Jeno would share the same opinion as me,” Jaemin noted. “Did you do something?”
Mark's eyes flickered upwards. “What? What do you mean?”
“You're acting weird. You did something, didn't you?”
“I did…not.”
Jaemin groaned in exasperation. “Why are you like this?” he sighed. “Whatever. As long as you don’t fumble this competition. You better know what you’re doing.”
Mark finally placed the papers down on the desk between them. “This isn’t a competition. It’s an assessment.”
“I don’t care what it is. Have you ensured your victory?”
“Um, I—er…”
“Don’t you dare say I don't know. Mark Lee, we talked about this! We can't let Donghyuck get the director position!”
“I get it! Now can I just—”
“Mark!” Jaemin called, slamming his hands down on the table. “Did you do anything to him?”
“What?!” Mark repeated, for the nth time that day. “Of course I did! I always d—”
“Not. Like that,” Jaemin said, pressing his eyes shut. “I mean, did you do anything to off his game? To sabotage him like I told you to!”
Mark's expression was guilty. “Well, I—I don't think I'll need to—”
Jaemin threw his hands up and let out an exasperated noise. “It's over.”
“What are you saying, Jaemin? Even if he plays silly little games—which he might not—don't you trust that I can beat him with sheer skill alone?”
“Look me in the eye and say those words again with a straight face,” Jaemin deadpanned.
Mark scoffed, throwing the papers down. “Whatever. It's almost time. I'll head over.”
But Jaemin wasn’t done. “You’re done for, Mark Lee. You should've listened to me. You’re gonna walk in there and he's just gonna be sitting there in a slutty maid outfit and you're gonna start stuttering and—”
“Thank you, Jaemin,” Mark asserted, already leaving. “You have been a great help.”
And with that, Mark left to the assigned meeting room, where the first assessment would take place. Despite it all, he was feeling rather confident and his stride was firm.
You got this. You know your stuff. You know what's best for the company. Just speak your truth and all will be well. Even if it's Donghyuck—
When he pushed the door open, four pairs of eyes focussed on him.
“Oh, you're later than me for once,” Donghyuck said with a smile.
Mark blinked as he stared at Donghyuck for a second. He was wearing his brown suit today, and there was a certainly a strange look on his face that was only noticeable to Mark.
Well…he’s not in a maid outfit but… Mark wasn’t sure if he was just letting Jaemin get to him, but something about Donghyuck’s subtle smirk that was directed solely at him conjured an ominous feeling within him.
Mark tried to hide his grimace.
“Have a seat, Team Leader Mark,” Executive Director Park Jisung gestured to the empty chair across from Donghyuck. He was seated at the head of the table with Head Secretary Huang Renjun next to him, who was looking much more intimidating than his usual adorable self.
“CEO Zhong could not make it today,” Jisung explained as Mark took his seat. “There’s only one of him and too many assessments to complete in person. We divided and conquered as best as we could. I take it you are both aware of this first test?”
Mark straightened his suit jacket and adjusted himself, avoiding Donghyuck’s eyes. “Yes. My team and I have sufficiently prepared.”
“As have I,” Mark heard Donghyuck say across from him.
“Good,” Jisung said. “We won’t waste any time then. The first question is for Team Leader B, Lee Donghyuck. Should you become the director of this branch, where do you see the general direction of the work teams heading?”
“Well, I’m all about efficiency,” Donghyuck answered immediately. “What matters most to me are clean results that speak for themselves with the quality—and it doesn’t matter how one gets there, so long as that final result is achieved. Rather than force any schedules or encourage overtime, I leave my team to their own methods. If the work is done and up to my standards—which are by no means low—it’s up to them how they handle the day. With this kind of mindset, I expect our branch to be a lot more productive…”
Mark kept his head down as he continued to listen to Donghyuck’s specific yet eloquent answer regarding his work philosophy.
So far, nothing out of the ordinary… He really is good at talking though. As expected, Lee Donghyuck. Also... He had an afterthought. ...how opposite we are when it comes to things like this.
Soon, Donghyuck had wrapped up his answer.
“Team Leader A, Lee Mark,” Jisung proceeded smoothly. “Different question: what would you say are the current limitations of this branch as it currently stands?”
Unlike his rival, Mark took a meaningful pause before answering. “Well, everyone in our team has their strengths and weaknesses, and part of my job as their leader is to identify them to the best of my abilities and…and…ahhh.”
The sigh was lingering and filled the room. Everyone froze.
All eyes in the room stared blisteringly at Mark as an unusual expression crept onto his face. His eyes bulged, and his lips pressed firm. His entire body had seemed to tense up.
“...Team Leader Mark?” Renjun inquired concernedly.
“Are…you okay?” Jisung followed up.
“I-I'm fine,” Mark stuttered, though he remained tense. “Well, as I was saying—ahem —my teams—our teams have different strengths. And, uh, I, uh… what was the question again?”
“Limitations of the branch, Mark,” Jisung repeated patiently.
“R-right…uh…”
Despite the devastating blank stares he was receiving from the executives, Mark couldn't seem to recover his semblance. And for good reason. Had anyone paid a little closer attention, they would've noticed that Lee Donghyuck wasn't looking too surprised at all.
Naturally, he was the cause.
At first, Mark thought he had just been imagining things. After all, Donghyuck had spoken so well and was so focussed. That subtle nudge against his foot must've been an accident.
But then, it happened again and again, and by the time he started talking, he felt the shoe trace against one of his calves, moving slowly, purposefully, up and down, up and down. It made his brain tingle. It shouldn’t. Now of all times. He needed to focus, he needed to—
“Mark?” he heard Renjun’s voice in the distance. “Should we move onto the next question?”
“N-no,” Mark said, trying to keep his voice steady. “Sorry, I was just—something was caught on my—ahem. I…uh—” He glanced at Donghyuck again. That devilish glint had become blatantly obvious in his rival’s eyes. “Sometimes, it can be seriously d-difficult to identify every single individual’s limitation, so I–so I do my best to seek a compromise to the best of my abilities…”
It took everything to squeeze out coherent words, especially as Donghyuck’s shoe dropped from his foot. It continued sliding upwards and upwards, pressing into the crisp fabric of his pant leg. This time, it didn’t move back down.
Mark hitched a sharp inhale the second he managed to finish talking.
“O…kay…” Renjun said slowly, rolling his eyes subtly as he typed into his laptop.
Mark gave Donghyuck a warning look. Even so, the foot never dropped from its position just below Mark’s knee. Mark’s heart was thumping wildly, sweat was beading from his forehead. And the worst part of all was there wasn’t a single thing he could do to retaliate.
Donghyuck...I can’t fucking believe you’re actually doing this…
“Next question for Team Leader B, Lee Donghyuck,” Jisung continued. “Please recollect an experience where you had a disagreement with the other Team Leader and how you resolved it.”
Mark’s eyes bulged even more, while Donghyuck resisted a huffing laugh.
Oh boy…
Unfortunately, Donghyuck had positioned his foot in a way that Mark couldn’t even move, let alone retaliate. He could only watch on in dismay as Donghyuck let out another short laugh and leaned his chin into his clasped hands gleefully as he started talking.
“Oh, where do I even begin?” Donghyuck drawled out a bit too naturally, but perhaps only Mark noticed that underlying breathiness. “This guy…I’m always having to do the most ridiculous things that he makes me do. Before work, during work, after work. It’s really relentless with him. Even when I’m exhausted he has no consideration for me at all.”
Mark could only grunt, as Donghyuck’s foot miraculously moved even further up, past his knees and nearing his inner thigh. But even so, Donghyuck’s composure never waned, as he kept talking with that mischievous glint in his eye, finger pressed against his bottom lip.
“We’re just so different, him and I,” Donghyuck continued. “Too many things we disagree on. But I must say, over the years, we’ve found ways to…give into each other. He compromises for me in certain areas, and I’ll yield to him in others. And there are always instances where it can’t be talked out. What can I say? Honestly, we just go at each other over and over and over again—”
Mark barely managed to conceal his hitched breath, when Donghyuck’s foot dragged into his inner thighs, inching closer and closer to that place—
“—and I won’t attest to my skills or anything,” Donghyuck was still talking. “But sometimes, when I desperately need things to go my way—you know, for the sake of the company—I have my ways of getting him to bend.”
And of course, Donghyuck being Donghyuck had to emphasize his point.
“Hunfghh—! ”
The garbled grunt escaped Team Leader A’s throat. All attention was once more focused on Mark, as he keeled over slightly.
“Team Leader A?” Jisung called. “Are you sure you’re feeling alright?”
The warmth had long spread to his face. But that was the least of Mark's worries, considering, right then and there, underneath the table, Lee Donghyuck’s foot was now shoved right up against his crotch.
“Team Leader A, do you need to step out for a moment?” Renjun asked.
A saving grace. Immediately, Mark made to push his chair out. “Actually yes, that would be quite— ugghf! ” Donghyuck’s foot had pushed in even more, rubbing in a little right against his sensitive place, as if daring him to make another move.
“What’s wrong, Team Leader A?” Donghyuck’s taunting voice echoed distantly in Mark’s ears. “Already can’t handle the pressure?”
“Oh, aren’t you being clever?” Mark nearly growled.
“Mark? Is everything alright?” Park Jisung repeated, standing up with his hands out looking extremely concerned.
“I’ll…be…fine…” Mark grimaced.
“Great, next question then,” Renjun said mercilessly. Mark nearly cried out in anguish while Donghyuck held back a smile.
“R-right…” Mark said weakly.
“Name one time your rival team leader has put you in a tough situation with no easy resolution and what the conclusion was.”
Right fucking now. It took everything for Mark not to be snarky, although the presence of Donghyuck's wiggling foot between his legs certainly did not help.
“Well…” Mark said through gritted teeth. “Where do I begin? This guy here… has always had a way of making things very hard for me…”
“Hmm? Team Leader A, you seem a bit tense, maybe you should loosen up a little,” Donghyuck chirped.
“Lee Donghyuck,” Renjun called warningly. “We are the moderators, not you.”
It was supposed to be a one-hour session but for Mark it felt like an eternity. At certain points, he didn't even know what was coming out of his mouth anymore nor if it was even related to the asked question. Donghyuck wasn’t doing anything with his foot—yet. All he could think about was Donghyuck, his audacity and most frustrating of all was the way he looked so casual and nonchalant about it all. The way he was rattling off answers to his questions like it was effortless. The way he looked so good doing it. Truly, the worst part of it was all Mark could think about was how he wanted to leap across the table, grab him and push him down and—
God… he’s like this but still my head is just filled with him. Renjun had asked another question, and Mark was saying something, but all he could comprehend was the way Donghyuck looked in his suit and glasses, and that subtle naughtiness hidden in his expression that only he could see. Did he just… bite his lip? He has no idea… he has no idea what he’s doing…
“Mark?” He heard Renjun’s voice calling.
“Yes?” Mark answered. Did I miss a question again?
Renjun gracefully closed his laptop. “We’re done, Team Leader A,” he announced. “You are both free to leave.”
Mark felt like he’d just been splashed with cold water.
What just happened?
Upon shifting his legs, Donghyuck’s foot was no longer there. Everyone around was standing up and shuffling around, Donghyuck included. And how Donghyuck appeared as if nothing was the matter, even taking the courtesy to greet the executives and shake their hands. Then, without even acknowledging Mark, he waved and left the meeting room without a second glance back.
Mark tilted his head sharply, barely able to contain rolling his eyes.
“Excuse me,” he said briskly, avoiding eye contact with the executives as he buttoned up the front of his suit jackeg and hurried out after Donghyuck. They were probably way past the point of thinking he was strange. But that didn’t matter anymore—he’d always had a one track mind and it was more obvious now than ever.
The first time he saw upon exiting the meeting was Jaemin standing directly in his field of vision. Perhaps Donghyuck had said something, or maybe he just knew, but his expression was not happy, standing there with his arms crossed and ready to nag.
“I freaking told you he would—”
“I don’t have time for this,” Mark cut Jaemin off coldly.
Jaemin could only hang his mouth open in shock, as Mark gently pushed past him, barely brushing against his shoulder in his hurry. But alas, Team Leader A had turned into a storm as he barreled down the corridors straight towards his office.
At last, the door was in sight. He swiftly made his way in and slammed the door shut behind.
“Oh? You’re here already?” came the voice from within. “That was fast…”
Mark locked the door behind him with an ominous click before stepping in. Donghyuck was standing by the window, turning around at that very moment. It was hard to keep his eyes steady, especially with how the light highlighted Donghyuck’s flattering silhouette as stood there, suit jacket unbuttoned and hips slightly pushed out.
Mark pushed his hair back and kept his brows slightly furrowed, menacingly as he sauntered closer.
“I…can’t believe you did that,” Mark uttered perilously.
“Oh? Are you saying you didn’t expect at least that much?” Donghyuck smirked. “All’s fair in love and war.”
“You deliberately sabotaged me,” Mark pressed, pointing aggressively with his finger as he stepped closer still.
“Oh, come on. I didn’t even do anything. Not yet anyway.”
Mark scoffed. “You’d play dumb even now?”
“I could’ve rubbed—”
“You distracted me!”
“Did you really think I would just sit there?”
“Yes! I thought we agreed to keep this professional.”
Donghyuck crossed his arms and tilted his head. “Is that why you tried to tire me out last night?”
Mark faltered. “I—that’s not—”
“And every single time I tried to prepped for the assessment at home, I would hear ‘ just once!’ —several times.”
“It takes two to tango,” Mark frowned. “Anyways, stop distracting me! I can't believe you did that! Right in front of everyone!”
“You should learn by now, Minhyung-ah. If you stop paying so much attention to me, maybe you'll actually get things done.”
Mark had pushed so close that Donghyuck that had nowhere left to go, back fully pressed against the wall-to-ceiling window behind.
“That won’t work like it used to, Donghyuck-ah.”
“I didn’t… do anything much…” Donghyuck said slowly.
“Donghyuck.”
“Yes, dear?”
“What are you playing at?”
Mark took the final step, pressing his arm against the glass, caging Donghyuck in. Their chests heaved in unison when Mark leaned closer, the air thickening between them.
“What exactly do you want from this?”
There was a visible hitch in Donghyuck's throat.
“I want to win. That's all,” he replied.
“Let me rephrase,” Mark pushed. “What do you want me to do about this?”
“Hmm…” Donghyuck's eyelids fluttered coyly, tellingly. “What can you do?”
With his free hand, Mark traced down the lapels of Donghyuck's suit jacket.
Mark's voice lowered. “Do you want it…?” His fingers touched no skin, but burned wherever they lingered.
“...hmm?”
“...hard enough that you can't even walk tomorrow?”
The gasp was subtle, but was elicited from between Donghyuck's lips nonetheless.
“I'll leave marks everywhere, in places you can't even cover up…”
Donghyuck remained silent when Mark dipped his head, nose lingering by his neck.
“It'll be so good, beyond your imaginations, so good you won't be able to keep the dazed look off your face…”
Mark's breath ghosted against the sensitive part of his neck, and Donghyuck was on the verge of bending completely.
“Mark…” Donghyuck sighed.
“…is that what you want?” Mark’s lips were brushing against his neck by now.
The husky words had a hypnotic effect. As if under a spell, Donghyuck wrapped his leg around Mark's waist, pulling him in and—
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“Hey Donghyuck, are you in there?” It was Lee Jeno's voice. “The door's locked! I need to ask you something!”
“Excuse me,” came the immediate response.
Suddenly, Mark was shoved backwards, stumbling disorientedly as Donghyuck pushed past him. He made a beeline towards the door, straightening his jacket as he went and then not wasting a single second in undoing the lock.
The door swung open to reveal a beaming Jeno behind it.
“There you are!” Jeno said. “I heard things went well. There's something I wanted to work with you on regarding the next assessment. Could you spare me a few minutes?”
Donghyuck returned a rather pleasant smile. “Anytime for you. I wasn’t doing anything away.”
“Great!”
And just like that, Mark could only watch, bewildered as Donghyuck obediently followed Jeno out the office and out of sight.
Did he just… blow me off for work… with Lee Jeno?!
But there wasn’t even time to dwell.
“So? Are you ready to discuss now?”
Mark looked up to see that Jaemin had entered the room. His arms were crossed and his expression was not pleasant.
“Oh boy…” Mark grimaced, already shriveling away.
assessment ii.
The next few work days weren't the most pleasant for Mark Lee.
Out of nowhere, Donghyuck was acting all flighty at work. And most irritatingly…
“Since when have they been so close?” Mark blurted, his gaze burning from behind a paper towel roll he was crouching behind.
Jaemin tsked from where he was standing next to Mark, having just entered the break room to see the Team Leader shrivelled up at one of the tables.
“Why are you being cringeworthy?” Jaemin scolded. “You have other things to worry about. The second assessment is in a matter of days. I swear if you lose to him again—”
“None of that answers my question,” Mark grumbled.
“You’re the one who’s not making any sense right now,” Jaemin retorted irritatingly. “They’re assigned to work together right now, just like me and you. Is it really so weird to see them together?”
“They’re…so strangely comfy these days,” Mark grimaced deeply.
Indeed, he was looking at none other than his own Team Captain Lee Jeno, standing almost shoulder to shoulder next to his rival Team Leader Lee Donghyuck by the coffee machine. They appeared to be engaging in some riveting conversation. Jeno had that gentle handsome smile on his face. Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem—if it weren’t for the fact that it was being mirrored by a bright, pretty smile from Donghyuck.
A smile that Mark had thought was reserved solely for him.
“Doesn’t it bother you?” Mark questioned Jaemin, his frown getting deeper and deeper by the second.
“Why should it bother me?” Jaemin frowned. “That slippery pretty-eyed snake doesn’t have any of my best qualities. I would never be threatened.”
Mark said nothing, having to endure a full body shudder as Donghyuck threw his head back and laughed that charming, melodic laugh of his.
“Careful there, buddy. You might pierce right through your palm with how hard you’re clenching…” Jaemin commented carelessly.
Mark finally snapped to, and realized that he was indeed clenching his fist very hard.
“Ugh, what should I do about this…” Mark sighed, burying his face in his hands.
“Nothing,” Jaemin said at once. “It's all nothing. What you see is possibly nothing, what you should do is nothing, and what will happen is nothing.”
Mark sat upright, dramatically raising his head from his hands. “But I have to do something!”
Jaemin sneered. “Can’t believe you actually found someone who loves you considering how badly you listen.”
“Donghyuck always says I listen very well, actually.”
The eye roll was devastating. “Alright then, if you and your precious Donghyuck communicate so well then have you talked to him about it.”
“Haven’t had a chance to,” Mark grumbled. “We’ve been so busy with preparations for this second assessment. And ever since the first one… he just seems to run off with Jeno every chance he gets.”
“Jealous.”
“You are?”
“Yeah, of how those two are actually putting their work in unlike my assigned Team Leader and I.”
“There are more dire things to worry about right now.”
“I really want to smack you on the back of the head right now.”
“Please don’t.”
“If you’re that worried, just walk up there right now and talk to him. ”
“What do I even say about this? Like you said, maybe it’s nothing.”
“Or he truly has plans to emotionally or physically cheat on you.”
“Why would you even say that? I thought you just said–!”
“Hurry and talk to him so we can get back to work! I still have things to discuss with you.”
“Huh? But you haven’t tried to contact me all…week…”
But when Mark turned around, Jaemin was already gone, leaving Mark to once again face the horrendous sight in front of him all alone.
Why are they standing so close? He couldn't stop thinking about it. There Jeno was, in his slacks and white button-up with the sleeves rolled up, with his narrow waist and flawless physique. And right next to him, a beat away from clinging to his arm, was this radiant genre of Donghyuck, beaming and smiling at his assigned partner in a lovely way. Because Donghyuck had always been naturally pretty and lovely, he was every bit compatible with the genially handsome Jeno.
It was the kind of thing that would put a bad taste in anyone’s mouth.
Not allowing the thoughts to spiral any further, Mark found himself on his feet, already moving towards the two with no particular plan in mind. What am I even going to say? I can’t just ask him if wants to fuck Jeno that would be so weir—
“Hey, honey, you were here?”
Mark blinked. Donghyuck’s voice definitely came earlier than he expected. When he came too, he realized Donghyuck was looking right at him with a soft smile, with Jeno standing right behind. His address had been sweet, but jovial and consistent enough with his personality that even if anyone else had overheard, it could’ve been easily brushed off.
“What’s up, boss?” Jeno also greeted with a friendly salute. “How’s it been? It really is weird not reporting to you everyday and having to deal with this one instead.” He playfully gestured to Donghyuck with his thumb.
“Oh shut up,” Donghyuck teased. “You love being around me, why are you pretending?” He gently shoved Jeno’s thumb away as he laughed.
“Oh? Is that what this is?” Jeno responded, mirroring Donghyuck’s tone.
Did Jeno just…tease Donghyuck back? …right in front of me?!
“So…you guys have been working hard, huh?” Mark tried, hoping his voice wasn’t too strained.
“I wish,” Jeno said. “This guy's work habits are nothing like yours, you know that?”
“I know,” Mark replied bluntly. Of course I know. He's my Donghyuck.
“But you know so many fun things outside of work,” Donghyuck said to Jeno. Then, turning to Mark he said: “Yesterday he took me to this new Chinese food place for lunch—it was so good.”
“You guys… went out to eat together?” Every single blood vessel in Mark's body was feeling unbelievably cold.
“Yeah, we have been a lot this past week actually!” Donghyuck said. “That's why you haven't been seeing me around a lot during the mornings. This guy's been keeping me occupied.”
“And I—I mean—the company didn't? Before all this?” Mark asked, on the verge of becoming flustered by now.
“You know what he means by occupied,” Jeno said with a wink. He reached over and grabbed the two coffee mugs sitting on the counter before nudging Donghyuck with his shoulder.
“I'll get us set up in the same room,” he continued courteously. “You can finish up here.”
“Thanks Jeno!” Donghyuck nodded, with this annoyingly soft smile and a wave. “I'll be right there.”
Jeno returned the smile before he swiftly disappeared out of the break room. And with that, Mark and Donghyuck were left alone by the coffee machine.
Mark wasted absolutely no time.
“So what do you think about Jeno?” he blurted. “Recently, I mean.”
Donghyuck glanced at him strangely. “What do you mean?”
“Um, like how is he as an underling? I need to consider his performance for, um, something.”
“I mean, you already know. You've worked with him since forever. I don't even have to say it.”
“Yeah?”
“What's there not to like?” Donghyuck continued calmly. “He's a great worker, quite easy on the eyes, a little quiet but also kind to everyone once you get to know him. Plus, apparently he rocks the body of a god underneath those dress clothes. If we're being serious, there's really nothing to dislike about him…”
He paused, waiting for Mark to say something.
“Why though?” Donghyuck uttered abruptly through pursed lips.
“No reason,” Mark managed to choke out, not realizing that with every single sentence Donghyuck had just said, his heart only sank deeper and deeper.
“...Okay?”
Feeling pressured, Mark decided to blurt out something spontaneous.
“Donghyuck, speaking philosophically, how would you critique society's normalization of monogamy in romantic relationships?”
“...what—?”
“MARK LEE!”
The voice bellowed from the direction of the break room entrance, and both Team Leaders turned their heads over to see a Na Jaemin peeking through the door while chewing on a granola bar.
“Stop wasting time in here!” Jaemin scolded. Come with me, I need you for something.”
Mark held up a hand. “Actually, I'm busy talking t—”
“No, it's okay,” Donghyuck interrupted. “He's right, you should probably get going. We can talk later. Jeno's waiting for me anyway. Wouldn't want the coffee he made for me to get cold.”
And with simply a tiny smile and a wiggle of his fingers as a wave, Donghyuck once more brushed past Mark (like he had been doing a lot recently) and left the room without a single other acknowledgement.
Mark was utterly stunned, a turmoil of emotions swirling through him, burning him up from the inside.
“Hello? ” he heard Jaemin call. “Looks like your reason to stay just left. Are you coming or not?”
“I guess I wouldn’t want your coffee to get cold,” Mark grumbled as he walked over.
Jaemin threw him a weird look. “What are you talking about? My coffee is always iced.”
It took everything not to groan out loud.
“Good for you.”
“That's what you interrupted me for?” Mark gaped, completely exhausted by now. “You're worried about the colour of our outfits and materials?”
“It's a serious issue!” Jaemin protested. “It's all in the mind. If they have a subconscious preference for our colour scheme then that's bias alone!”
They'd escaped to the usual rooftop for seclusion and to discuss whatever emergency Jaemin had. Mark was not in the mood.
He let out a sigh. “Whatever. At least you're taking this all seriously.”
“You're not?” Jaemin frowned. “Did you really let that viper get to you?”
“Oh, we're not losing,” Mark said at once, vividly remembering the way Donghyuck's fingers brushed against Jeno's rolled up sleeve as he giggled at something he said. “There's no way I'm losing to those two.”
“Oh?” Jaemin raised an eyebrow. “Now there's the fire I've been waiting for. What's gotten you like this?”
“I think Donghyuck might be cheating on me.”
Jaemin blinked twice in utter shock.
“Now that's a doozy,” he said.
“I'm serious. And I'm not letting them get away with it.”
“Them?” Jaemin noted. “Wait… are you still on about Jeno and Donghyuck?”
“Yes! I'm telling you I was watching them after you left. They were being all …touchy.” Mark did his best to showcase his pure disgust at the recollection.
Jaemin scoffed. “Well, I can assure you right now what you're seeing is nothing. Jeno wouldn't do that.”
“Maybe you don't know the true Jeno. You know they've been going out together lately? Just the two of them. Who does that? Couples that's who.”
“...or just good friends,” Jaemin said. “I'm telling you right now, Donghyuck has a better chance of being with that Executive Director Park Jisung than he does with our Jeno.”
Mark’s brain felt completely fried at the possibility. “Don't say that now!” he whined.
“Brother, what have you got to be worried about?” Jaemin said. “Don't get me wrong I love your passion even if it's for the wrong reasons but I just don't want you to lose control, you know? I'm saying there's not a chance. Think about it this way—why would Donghyuck choose anyone else over you. ”
“Well, Jeno's apparently a great worker, quite easy on the eyes, a little quiet but also kind to everyone once you get to know him. Plus, apparently he rocks the body of a god underneath those dress clothes,” Mark recited in a mocking voice.
Jaemin could only blink in distress. “What? Where did you—? Nevermind. I'll be a bit more direct then—do you really think Jeno can satisfy Lee Donghyuck?”
“Well, I—”
“And yes. I'm talking about in all the ways you do.”
Mark was completely silent for a second.
“Well, I guess when it comes down to it.. I… yeah…” he finally stammered out.
Jaemin nodded. “Exactly. Donghyuck really likes you. And you really like him…for whatever goddamn cursed reason. But the point is, you two fit together like no one else can, and you've definitely got that kind of chemistry that can’t be replaced by anyone else.” Jaemin gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “Everything’s fine, Mark Lee. You're probably just a little jealous right now. That's all.”
Mark was decently perturbed. “...jealous?”
“You never realized it before?” Jaemin asked. “Maybe you have but never bothered to let it show like this. But with you two being separated for the first time, forced to be in two different competing teams…it makes sense that you are kind of forced to feel this way.”
“I…I guess?”
Jaemin placed his hand on Mark's shoulder. “Let me reassure you once more. Jeno and Donghyuck may look good and perhaps even seem good in theory but… Jeno could not handle Donghyuck like you can in this universe for extended periods of time.”
Mark thought about it. “I…think you're right. Wow…” He blinked several times in shock. “That was somehow…very reassuring. I didn’t know you had that in you, Jaemin.”
“What can I say, I'm good at everything,” Jaemin said, puffing out his chest a little. “I know you usually go to Jeno for these kinds of things but I can be pretty sensible too. That's why he and I go together.”
“Yeah, that's true,” Mark smiled.
Jaemin patted him twice more on the shoulder. “Whatever it is, as long as you win this competition, it'll be fine,” he said. “So, before I leave I'll ask you one more time.” He held up the clipboards in his hand. “What colour?”
“Navy,” Mark answered firmly.
“Good,” Jaemin said, jotting something down on the paper attached. “You better show up in the blue shirt and beige jacket or I will hurt you.”
“...yes sir.”
“Great! I'll debrief our team members once more, review all the documents and get everything prepared.”
“Thanks Jaemin,” Mark said with genuine gratitude. “For everything.”
“You can thank me when you're Director Lee.” Even so, Jaemin tilted his hand out as a wave.
Mark waited a while, inhaling deep breaths from the rooftop air and taking in the scenery before also making his way back.
He's right… everything will be okay…
As he approached the corner to his office, he overheard two female workers giggling over something ahead.
“And yeah… Team Captain A was in there with him for hours,” one of them said gleefully.
Mark froze in his tracks.
“Yeah, yeah! I wonder if they're really working hard or working on…other things,” the other giggled.
“Shhh! Should we really be talking like this about our bosses?!”
“I can't help it!!! They just look so good together! Jeno’s so handsome and kind and Donghyuck's so charming and pretty. Ugh! And ever since they started working as a team, it's so obvious that their styles align too.”
“Yes, it's so refreshing!”
“I heard that on lunch breaks, they've actually been leaving to meet up at one of their places!”
“Do you think they're…?”
Squeals and giggles ensued, while Mark's nose only scrunched up tighter in distaste.
“Honestly, they're so compatible,” one of them started saying again. “Imagine if Team Leader Donghyuck becomes the Executive Director. Him working in tandem with Jeno… our company’s going to flourish!”
It isn't right now? Mark thought.
Unfortunately, they answered for him.
“You bring up such a good point. I don’t even know how the current Team Leaders get anything done considering they're always fighting. Don't get me wrong, I've always thought Mark Lee was a great leader but him and Donghyuck don't seem so…compatible?”
A trill of agreement. “Seriously. I mean, don’t get me wrong. Things are efficient enough but all they ever do is fight. Like, what is their issue with each other?”
“Remember dodgeball? Oh my god. And before that, the donut incident?”
“People still talk about it. There’s rumours that they get physical too. Apparently sometimes they lock themselves behind a door and then there’s just… banging noises.”
“Yeah, what the hell is their problem with each other?”
“Gosh, it would be so much more peaceful if it were Donghyuck and Jeno, don’t you think?”
“Totally.”
Mark didn’t really even know why but he was gradually feeling more and more offended as their conversation went on. Unable to tolerate another second, he stepped out from the corner.
“Oh, Mark!”
“N-nice to see you, Team Leader!”
One was originally from Team B, and the other from Team A, but had since been randomly assigned to work under Donghyuck's leadership for the assessments. The two were rather flustered to see him, but still managed to greet politely.
“Donghyuck and I do a lot more than 'just fight', by the way,” Mark said simply, as he walked past nonchalantly.
He didn't look back to see their confused looks between each other, albeit it was overshadowed by the relief that he didn't scold them. Needless to say, Mark Lee's mind was no longer in the calmer state it was when Jaemin had left him, and he was now entirely riled up.
Never mind. It's not okay. There's a point to prove now. I have to win. No matter what.
“Where the hell are they?”
Both the day and time of the second assessment had arrived. Mark's team, organized by Jaemin, had already amassed on their side of the room. They were coordinated to a tee, from their positions down to the colours they were wearing. Mark himself was wearing a blue shirt and navy blue tie underneath a tan suit jacket.
On the other hand, Team Leader B and his assigned Team Captain were nowhere to be seen.
“We were supposed to start five minutes ago!” Jaemin continued saying, pointing to his watch.
“It's fine,” Mark said through pursed lips. “They probably have a reason to be…”
His voice trailed off as the doorway to the large meeting space opened with a gusto, and he was suddenly greeted with…a sight.
Team Leader B Donghyuck had arrived, looking every bit the welcoming, ravishing sight he typically did (at least, in Mark’s eyes). He was wearing a darker suit that complimented his skin and made him look every bit like the “baby bear” Mark affectionately deemed him as. He was bright and smiling as always, the sight for sore eyes he usually was.
Only there was one problem. One rather daunting problem.
Donghyuck had entered arm-in-arm with Lee Jeno.
Mark’s throat felt dry. They looked like a couple. And not just any couple. A couple fresh on their honeymoon entering a restaurant with glowing expressions on their faces. Or perhaps high school sweethearts who’d just become engaged and were ready for their announcement. Jeno’s aura was gentle and affectionate as he guided Donghyuck into the room.
It was all truly nauseating.
“Well, well,” Jaemin murmured from Mark’s side. “Look who finally decided to drag themselves in. Since when did Jeno show up late to things? I guess Donghyuck really has been a bad influen—whoa, why do you like you’re about to slaughter a man?”
“How on Earth did I let it get to this?” Mark fumed under his breath.
“Get to what?!”
“How can you be so calm right now?!” Mark yelled in a hushed tone. “They’re obviously up to no good when we’re not looking!”
That signature disgusted scowl of Jaemin’s appeared on his face. “For the last time, Jeno isn’t you. He doesn’t see Donghyuck like that. What the hell are you on about? Has all the pressure really gotten to your head?”
“Are you not seeing them?!”
“There’s nothing to see! It’s all in that big head of yours.”
“There’s no way I’m going to let them get away with this…”
“Mark Lee, you cannot be doing this right now.”
“I’m not going to let them win.”
“Listen to me, you need to focus—wait, what’d you say?”
“I’m not losing this. I’ll show him who he truly belongs to. ”
A flicker of realization appeared in Jaemin’s eyes. “Oh, on second thought…” he started smiling wickedly. “I think you’re totally right, Mark.”
Mark visibly stiffened. “What?”
“Do you think,” Jaemin prodded as he pointed vaguely in the opposite team’s direction. “Jeno accidentally got Donghyuck pregnant so now he’s taking extra care of him?”
“What?! ”
“Attention, everyone!”
All conversation ceased and all eyes averted to the makeshift front of the room, where Park Jisung stood with Huang Renjun next to him. It was reminiscent of the first assessment, except this time appeared to be a more dynamic approach, as they appeared ready to assign tasks and be on the move.
“We’re running a little late so we’d like to get started as soon as possible,” Jisung said seamlessly as he waited for everyone to settle down. “I’m sure you have gone over the structure of today’s assessment and prepared with your Team Leaders…”
While Jisung was going through the instructions, Mark found he was paying no attention. Instead, he was completely distracted by his rival teammates, sitting directly across from him.
It wasn't the first time he'd raked his eyes over Donghyuck's entire being at work, only this time, his gaze burned for a whole different reason.
They're sitting way too close. Donghyuck was in that usual demure posture of his, long legs crossed and leaned over, only his shoulder was pressed up against Jeno's. They were talking and whispering subtly to one another, smiling with their teeth showing, as if they were the most intimate friends.
Meanwhile… he hasn't talked to me at work in days. It was hard not to feel bitter about it. Mark's eyes bore into Donghyuck, as if he could trace those beautiful lines with his vision alone. Does he even realize? Mark never knew these kinds of possessive feelings were possible from within himself. Maybe because he never really needed to worry about it. All this time, it was blatantly obvious that Donghyuck loved and adored him in every way. But now, the way he was leaning into Jeno and softly touching his arm now and then was painting an entirely different narrative.
Donghyuck…you’re mine…aren't you?
He relaxed the fingers that he hadn't realized had been clenched tight again. His intuition was that today's event was not going to end pretty.
Jisung was still talking but Mark's mind had completely wandered to dangerous territory. He prodded his tongue in his cheek, as he blatantly glared at Jeno, who was smiling and whispering something to Donghyuck.
He has no idea… Mark thought, as he tilted his head, still staring. His eyes trailed back over to Donghyuck, up the lines of crossed legs, tracing over his waist and hip that was covered by the crips lines of his belt and white shirt, peeking out from underneath the brown blazer. He has no idea what to do with him. What I can do to him. What it all looks like beneath all that proper clothing. How I make him feel. How he feels…
His eyes traced over the bare skin of Donghyuck’s neck, the skin that he knew to be so smooth and soft even up close. The same skin that he’d run his lips and tongue over so many times.
His eyes flickered. His brain went haywire. He wondered what would happen… if he suddenly just leapt over the tables…and pushed Donghyuck down… what would happen if ran his hands down and pressed on all those lines he’d been eyeing…what if he licked and kissed all that perfect skin just the way he wanted to, getting underneath all that nice form-fitting clothes to get to more…right in front of everyone just so he could show everyone who Donghyuck belonged to—
“Mark,” the voice shot straight through his reverie, bringing him back to the reality of the meeting room.
Jaemin was staring at him, along with a few more members from his team.
“You ok?” he asked, only mildly concerned.
“Hmm?” Mark replied. “ Yeah, why?”
“You had this spaced out look in your eyes…”
“I’m fine.”
“Well, then get to assigning us for the first simulation task then,” Jaemin said, standing up. “We’re going to start in five.”
“R-right.”
Mark cleared his throat, straightening his jacket out as he stood up, immediately switching to his leader disposition. He spared one last glance towards Donghyuck’s side as he straightened out his tie, only to see Donghyuck and Jeno already immersed in discussing something.
Just you wait…
The second assessment was a full day ordeal and the next few hours went by in a blur. It was as if Mark had two minds working at full capacity—one efficiently and effectively directing his team and the other somehow solely focussed on Donghyuck, Donghyuck, Donghyuck. His lips were issuing commands that ran the smooth operation, even though all he wanted to do was kiss Donghyuck stupid with them so he wouldn't be able to focus on his own tasks anymore, right in front of everyone.
It wasn't the most conventional approach, but somehow it was working. Mark's colour-coded team was fired up and running like a well-oiled machine. While Donghyuck's team was working well enough, their spontaneous work directions would've been more suited to real emergencies rather than a controlled, simulated environment such as this assessment. Regardless, the competition remained fierce, and Mark was more determined than ever to win.
I’ll show you.
Just like that, the day passed by in the whirlwind. With their intentions clear in their minds and a heated desire to win, Mark and Donghyuck worked arduously. By some point, Mark’s jacket was tossed aside on one of the chairs, the sleeves of his pale blue button-up rolled up as he continuously filled out form after form while delegating tasks. While each accomplishment was rewarding, Mark couldn’t help but be distracted about how calm Donghyuck appeared to be in comparison—while sweat was beading from his forehead and he couldn’t even loosen his tie for comfort (because Jaemin would kill him), Donghyuck looked completely put together, not a hair out of place nor a wrinkle in his perfectly pressed outfit as he worked. This was particularly noticeable whenever he leaned in to say things to Jeno, his expressions seeming so unbothered, even calm.
Mark tried not to stare again. Is it simply the Jeno effect…? After all, Team Captain A had always had a gentle and calming demeanour…
He turned his head away, funnelling all the pented energy into the work task in front of him. He blazed through it. Even Jaemin raised his eyebrow, impressed, when he looked over his shoulder.
Donghyuck. After this, you'll know where you belong. And to whom.
At last, they were on their final task. Each team had to create a sales pitch on a randomly assigned product in a way that was relevant to the company's values and mission statements. Mark's product was a mug, while Donghyuck's was a smoothie.
“What the hell is this test?” Jaemin scowled immediately. “Are we really the type of company that asks interviewees if they were a fruit what they would be?”
“Stop complaining,” Mark refuted, slapping a pile of papers into Jaemin's chest.
Jaemin groaned. “Does anyone even know what kind of company we are? What the hell are we doing?”
“Just do it and do it well.”
And so they did. Mark's presentation ended up being thorough and relevant, somehow acing the assignment completely despite its ridiculous nature. Team Leader A's talking cadence and mannerisms had always been magnetic, and when fuelled by this burning determination had taken him to a whole other level of charisma. The executives nodded unthinkingly at his metaphors, even the opposite team was in awe. Of course, Mark also noticed the way Donghyuck looked at him from the other side. His eyes were dark and mysterious as ever, but his gaze never left Mark, filled with a secret, burning intent.
“To conclude, you gotta seize the opportunity,” Mark finished with a reassuring nod.
The applause was immediate and deserved, raucous from both sides. Mark felt his chest swelling. He'd killed it, and he deserved this. There were looks of respect all around, and even the way Donghyuck’s head was tilted towards him was telling. Surely, this victory was his. Nothing could pull him down now, nothing would—
Someone cleared their throat.
The triumphant mood was immediately shattered, as original Team Captain A Lee Jeno stood up. Though he normally wasn’t the type to demand attention, his presence was captivating when he needed it to be. His gentle handsomeness and his strong physique always left an impression—everyone’s attention was captured at once.
“With respect to time, if we could continue with our own presentation,” Jeno spoke clearly and calmly. “If I may, I would like to introduce the presentation for our Donghyuckie.”
Mark’s eyebrow shot up. “Donghyuckie—?!”
Even Jaemin quipped in. “Well that’s new. Trying to be quirky?”
But Mark couldn’t even hear anything else. He had gone full tunnel vision. All he could see was the way Donghyuck was smiling at Jeno. He barely held back a scoff as he brought his hand to his lips, covering his mouth, brows furrowing.
The smile was so… sweet .
It’s all in your head, Mark tried to reassure himself.
But then, Jeno started talking.
“Donghyuck,” he said. “This is what I want to say to you…This is the ‘So, what are we smoo’thie?”
Murmurs and whispers immediately broke out. Even the judges looked momentarily confused. But before things escalated, Team Leader A Mark Lee abruptly stood up.
“Isn’t that a bit inappropriate?” he said briskly, shoving his hands in his pockets as he turned his head to look at both Jeno and Donghyuck.
“I suppose it is a way of expressing love,” Jaemin was saying, grinning as he leaned back into his chair, ready for the inevitable drama that he was sure would ensue.
Meanwhile, things felt so tense that Jisung could only clap awkwardly from where he was sitting.
“So you made that name just for Donghyuck?” Mark pressed, quite serious about all this.
“Well, in this situation, yes,” Jeno answered calmly.
“Are you proposing or something?” Renjun asked, clearly annoyed. “Are you guys dating?” Mark pretended to hear none of it.
“Again!” It was Donghyuck’s voice this time. Mark looked over to see that he had this cute, coy expression on his face. He might as well have been blushing.
“He’s clinging to me again,” Donghyuck crooned, right in front of everyone. “Stop being so clingy!”
Everyone exchanged confused looks with one another. From Donghyuck’s tone, it was hard to gauge if it was all a joke or he’d just exposed something big just then. Meanwhile Mark, was undoubtedly flustered by all of it.
“Hey, Team Leader A, listen up,” Jeno said abruptly.
“Right, sorry,” Mark said, as he briskly sat back down.
Try as he might, he couldn’t convince himself that nothing was going on—Jeno and Donghyuck weren’t even focussed on presenting at all. The entire time, there was this back and forth between them, tiny inside jokes and brief giggles that were entirely off putting to Mark. And the worst part of it all was something he’d never noticed before but now hated to admit: Jeno and Donghyuck had really good chemistry. Fortunately, their presentation was going nowhere because of their senseless prodding and banter, yet somehow the thing that had once been Mark’s greatest worry had somehow become his least.
Are they…seriously…?
It was truly the longest fifteen minutes of his life. But at last it was over. The mood was certainly strange in the room, but the overarching feeling was: at least, it was over. The lengthy assessment was done, as well as the team aspect of the assessments. The final and third assessment was to be performed by each Team Leader alone. Already people were letting out relaxed exhales and stretching out, relieved to be done.
Unfortunately, Mark could not feel the same. If anything, he was somehow more worked up than when he’d entered the room.
“Thank you everyone for your hard work today,” Renjun announced to the room. “You have all done very well. We will tabulate the results and after the final assessment…you should all have a new Director. Once again, thanks for all your contributions thus far, you are free to leave.”
Mark immediately stood up, much to everyone’s surprise.
He gave the executives a fleeting nod. “Thank you, and excuse me,” he said briskly. Then, he immediately grabbed his jacket and left the room. Even Jaemin stared wide-eyed, as everyone expected to stay behind and properly see the executives off.
But Mark needed to get out of there fast. His jacket flared out behind him as he practically blazed through the hallways, rushing back to the personal space of his own office. He tried not to let it get into his head. He only stopped to get a glass of water from the dispenser. After what felt like an eternity of walking, he made it back to his office, and closed the door behind him. His eyes were wide, and he gulped down the water like a man dying of thirst.
It had surged inside him like poison, coursing through his veins, beyond his control. He’d never experienced anything like it before, especially when it came to Donghyuck, but there it was, eating away at him like a monster. There was alone one thought in his mind:
He’s mine.
He harshly tossed the plastic cup into the bin, venting his frustrations. Hands on his hip, he paced back and forth, back and forth, trying to ignore what he had seen all while remembering the good things. Surely, it was all in his head. Surely, he was just imagining things. Surely, there was no hidden meaning behind those smiles or inside jokes.
Surely…
Mark took a deep breath, as he continued to pace. He tried to recall Jaemin's words from earlier.
“Donghyuck really likes you. And you really like him…for whatever goddamn cursed reason. But the point is, you two fit together like no one else can, and you've definitely got that kind of chemistry that can’t be replaced by anyone else…”
And for a moment, it almost worked. If he'd just left it at that and simply walked back out, perhaps grabbed another glass of water and went back to properly say goodbye to Jisung and Renjun, it might've been fine.
But unfortunately, that's when he saw it:
A neatly folded sheet of memo pad placed on the center of Donghyuck's desk.
Normally, he would never have thought about touching it. It could've been a work memo, anything. But given the circumstances, his paranoia was on high, and his intuition told him that something was wrong.
Before he could stop himself, he snatched the tiny paper and unfolded it, reading the contents within.
His eyes widened at what was written:
“Donghyuck-ah,
I always feel comforted when you’re by my side.
I love you always and I wish you happiness.
I LOVE YOU.
- Jeno Lee”
He wanted to think reasonably, to let it all properly sink in. But before he knew it, all his thoughts ran astray, all leading down the wrong path. The monster from within him could no longer be constrained.
It was all a blur.
Before he was even conscious of his actions, he heard the sound of a door bursting open, and he found himself standing in the meeting room he'd left only moments earlier.
Jisung and Renjun were still there, talking with Donghyuck and him. They all turned their heads to him.
“Team Leader A?” Renjun acknowledged. “Did you come back to—”
“Donghyuck.” Mark called without missing a breath.
“Hmm?” Donghyuck seemed equally startled.
“I need you for a second.”
“But I'm—”
“Now, ” Mark insisted. “And alone.”
The rest of the people in the room went silent, likely from shock. Mark's expression really did seem dire. Donghyuck stuttered a little, but then made his way over.
“S-sorry,” he said to the executives as he shrugged them. “You guys can leave. It's already late. We'll catch up later.”
“Sounds…good?” Jisung said, moving to pack up. “See you later, team leaders.”
But neither answered, as Mark practically grabbed Donghyuck’s arm and dragged him away. Donghyuck could only make garbled and confused noises as Mark dragged him down the hallways, eventually shoving him into one of the lesser used meeting rooms in the corner of their floor. The room was barely touched, and was mostly filled with shelving cabinets and drawers of archival information.
Donghyuck finally spoke. “Mark, what th—?”
Mark loomed in on Donghyuck, caging him against one of the cabinets. He unfolded the crumpled paper and held it up to Donghyuck's eye level.
“What’s this?” he asked, not skipping a breath.
Donghyuck gasped. “Where did you get that…?”
The coldness washed over Mark. Not the answer I wanted…
“That’s your concern?” Mark insisted. “What’s going on, Donghyuck? You better have a good explanation.”
“I can honestly tell you right now,” Donghyuck said cautiously. “I have no idea where you got that and where it came from.”
“Really? And can you also honestly tell me that nothing’s going between you and Jeno?”
Though the surprise in Donghyuck’s eyes appeared genuine, Mark wasn’t convinced—this minx-like lover of his was no stranger to the most infuriating and wicked mind games.
“Mark,” Donghyuck called simply. “You’re not…jealous?”
“Don’t push this back on me,” Mark retorted. “Tell me what this is about!” He shoved the note into Donghyuck’s hand.
“Mark, I can’t control the things other people do. Why is it my fault that he’s attached to me? It’s not like he’s directly asked me anything until now…”
Mark scrunched his nose. “For a while now, I’ve seen the way you act around him…”
“I’m…doing my job? You can’t expect me to not smile and be civilized with my assigned partner.”
“You know it was more than just being civilized…”
“Says who?”
“It’s not just me.”
Donghyuck exhaled exasperatedly, leaning back against the shelf as rolled his eyes. “Mark, I’m just not sure what you want me to do about this…”
“Maybe start by not batting your eyelashes at him?” Mark's voice was full of vehemence.
Donghyuck fully scoffed. "What are you saying? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Aren’t there more important things for you to be focusing on right now? Or maybe..." His tone turned into a sneer. "...you really aren’t capable of your job. Perhaps I should actually take over for you?”
Mark’s eyebrow twitched. “Oh, so that’s how you’re going to be…”
The signature smirk appeared, reminiscent of the earlier days when Mark would continually get riled up by it over and over again without any way of releasing his frustrations.
“Seriously, Mark,” Donghyuck drawled out provocatively. “Is this all too much for you? Has it gotten to your head? It is time to relinquish the competition before you truly lose your mind?”
Surprisingly, it’s Mark’s turn to scoff, tilting his head as he leaned forwards slightly.
“You…” he uttered in full disbelief. “Seriously, you’re—”
The glint in Donghyuck’s eyes was wicked. “What?”
“I know what you’re doing.”
“I’m not doing anything.”
“Lee Donghyuck. You're seriously insane.”
“I said I didn't do anything!” Donghyuck's lips were gradually turning into that irritating yet equally adorable pout to complement his widened eyes that expressed how wronged he felt.
“Stop lying to me.”
“I'm not! ”
“Why are you like this?”
“Mark, you're the one who's acting insane here.”
“You're not going to stop until you actually drive me crazy, are you?”
“Maybe it’s time for you to focus on the last assessment and stop getting so damn distracted by—”
“I know you wrote the note. ”
Silence befell upon them, as they stared at one another in the enclosed room. The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife.
For a moment, Donghyuck seemed genuinely astonished.
“What?” he uttered, eyes quivering ever so convincingly.
Mark sighed, bowing his head.
“I know it was you who wrote this note, not Jeno,” Mark said again. “Even if you tried to imitate his handwriting, you have a way of writing your letters. I can tell. So tell me, Donghyuck, what kind of games are you trying to play here?”
Silence once more. For a second, Donghyuck seemed like he was about to cry and Mark wondered if he was truly wrong and had pushed it too far.
But all of a sudden, Donghyuck let out an exhale. The slightly watery eyes became half-lidded as his lips twisted into a wicked smile.
“Oops,” he said simply, pushing his hair back. “Guess you found out.”
It was as if someone had set a heat ablaze within Mark's chest. The feeling that washed over him was utterly overwhelming.
Damn…
Unable to help it, he leaned forwards and placed his arms around Donghyuck's body, caging him in completely. Their faces were only several inches apart.
“You’ll never not be insufferable, huh?” Mark breathed, his voice low. “Why do you always try to rile me up like this?”
“Because it works,” Donghyuck replied pointedly, almost innocently. It sent pleasurable tingles down Mark's spine. He reached out and started dancing his fingers on Mark's tie. “To think, I got caught because you pay so much attention to me that you even recognize details in my handwriting. And when you get all worked up and aggressive because of me…” He trailed off, ending in a semblance of a sigh.
Oh, he's gonna be the death of me. Mark thought.
“So all this was because you wanted a little bit more attention?” Mark asked.
“And also the added benefit that I might manage to work you up enough so that you fumble the assessments,” Donghyuck admitted. “It did kind of backfire though.”
“Can't believe you're just confessing to it like this.”
“You figured it out. What else am I supposed to do? I wasn't exactly trying to hide it. Besides, you're not innocent either, Team Leader A.”
"This is going to become a conflict of interest.”
“I wouldn't worry about that anymore…” Donghyuck smiled.
Abruptly, he tightened his grip on Mark's tie, yanking him closer, close enough so their noses were touching, and their lips were hovering over each others’.
“I'd conflict your interest anytime, Mark.”
Mark groaned when Donghyuck's hand reached between his legs and rub upwards, pressing in where it ached. Simultaneously, Donghyuck’s lips were on Mark's, kissing him fervently, passionately like he hadn't kissed him in months. While Mark was taken aback in the first second, there was no way he could possibly resist. Moving roughly, Mark dug his fingers into Donghyuck's thighs and hoisted him up so he was sitting on the shelf he was leaning against, all without breaking the kiss. When Donghyuck groaned in approval, something sparked in Mark’s mind.
“Is this what you were going for the entire time?” Mark hummed against Donghyuck’s lips.
“Mmn …hmm?” Donghyuck’s response was nonchalant, his own thoughts already far from reality.
Meanwhile, Mark’s hands were already roaming down Donghyuck’s body, unbuttoning his jacket, deliberately pressing into the dress shirt and the soft skin beneath.
“You wanted me like this, didn’t you?” Mark whispered as he pushed into Donghyuck once more. “You wanted me to become riled up and pin you down like this, didn’t you?”
Donghyuck gasped as he pulled away, face already flushed and eyes prettily hazy.
“Oh, I don’t know…” he purred out. “I thought I was just trying to get you distracted but…” Donghyuck rubbed the front of Mark’s pants again, earning him another choked grunt. “I’ve never been one to complain about surprise bonuses.”
By this point, Mark’s hands had reached Donghyuck’s belt. “All you do is lie. You wanted this.”
“Maybe…subconsciously?” Donghyuck breathed.
Although he let out another lengthy exhale when Mark finally undid the belt and buttons on his pants, Donghyuck abruptly grabbed Mark’s dangling tie and pulled, jolting him to a pause.
“Shouldn’t we stop, Team Leader A?” Donghyuck said softly. “The others could still be around. Maybe they’re looking for us…”
Something dark flickered in Mark’s eyes. “Tell me to stop then.”
“Alright,” Donghyuck whispered against his lips. “Maybe we should finish this at ho— ah!”
“You and your words…” Mark’s voice was low and dark when he slipped his fingers into Donghyuck's pants. “Not ‘maybe’— order me to stop, Lee Donghyuck.”
Donghyuck’s eyes glistened mysteriously. “Mark…I…”
“Just say the word and I’ll stop…” Mark said, dragging his hand closer and closer towards Donghyuck's most sensitive spots.
“Mark…” Donghyuck gasped again.
“You know I’ve always done whatever you want. So just say the word and I’ll stop…”
“Mark… I can’t .”
And really, that was all it took. A thudding noise occurred as Mark practically launched himself on top of Donghyuck, pushing him into the wall behind and devouring him in a searing hot kiss. He pushed his tongue deep into his mouth, forcing a wrecked moan out of him before tugging at his pants, yanking them off his hips along with his underwear and practically throwing them across the room.
“Ahhh, Mark,” Donghyuck cried out as he fell back against the wall again, as Mark pushed against his abdomen and waist. “So rough…”
“You don’t like it?” Mark asked, holding back a smirk as he traced his way down towards Donghyuck’s now naked lower body.
Donghyuck responded by throwing his arms around Mark’s neck, tugging himself in so that their hips were flushed against each other.
“I never said that,” he whispered into Mark’s ear. To prove his point, he licked the side of the ear and bit down lightly on the lobe. Mark growled, as he forced Donghyuck’s naked leg onto his waist before tracing his hand down his butt, leading a single finger down to the most sensitive place.
When he finally reached it, his eyes momentarily widened.
“You’re…?” he asked, surprised.
He felt Donghyuck’s body tremor along with the soft laugh he heard in his ear.
“For you, honey…always expect me to be ready,” Donghyuck responded with a wink in his voice.
Mark groaned. “You're too much for me to handle.”
Without wasting another second, Mark rubbed his finger against Donghyuck’s already puckered and soft opening before fully plunging it inside, causing him to cry deliciously into his ear. Thank goodness Donghyuck was already in this state, as Mark had no patience left. It'd been awhile since he'd been this aggressive, drilling his fingers in and out of Donghyuck's hole, gradually opening him up as he continued.
“You drive me crazy, you know that?” Mark huffed against Donghyuck's neck, whose head was thrown back, enthralled by all the sensations he was enduring. “I can't believe you. You went around all day all wet and ready down there. Acting up all over the place. Just waiting for it while acting like you didn't want it. Now look at you practically grinding your hips on my fingers. You're really—” Whatever Mark was thinking, he couldn't even complete his sentence, instead ending with a heavy groan due to how overwhelmed he was feeling.
“I-it's cause it's you,” Donghyuck managed to breathe out. “I’m not like this for anyone else.”
“Yet you still manage to be such a tease…” Mark sighed, as he nipped at the sensitive spot on Donghyuck's neck. He relinquished the way he shuddered in his arms. Using his free hand, Mark started undoing the front of his own pants, wanting to release what so hard it was starting to ache.
“What?” Donghyuck panted. “Are you planning to destroy the entire office so you won't lose to me tomorrow?” It was cut off with a sigh when Mark removed his fingers and started rubbing the head of his cock against his now puckered, needy entrance. Donghyuck's eyes were defiant but hazy. He tilted his neck and blinked sultrily.
“Oh, I wouldn't worry about the office if I were you,” Mark grunted.
In one thrust, Mark mercilessly plunged his cock all the way into Donghyuck's hole, eliciting a choked out whimper from his rival. Sweat beading from his forehead, a guttural noise rumbled from his own throat at feeling of that perfect tight heat that had always been just for him.
“Oh god …” he growled out, despite it all.
Not giving Donghyuck anytime to adjust, he pulled out all the way before grabbing onto his thighs, forcing him to wrap his legs around his hips and thrusting all the way back in once more. The action made Donghyuck throw his head back, nearly hitting it on the wall behind as he let out an electric moan of pure pleasure. Maintaining the position, Mark started picking up the pace, eventually pounding into a pliant Donghyuck who was practically melting onto the surface beneath, his legs bouncing with every thrust.
“God, baby, you're so sexy, so easy every time…” Mark whispered, placing a soft, wet kiss onto Donghyuck's neck while maintaining his urgent pace. “I should put you into place like this more often…”
Mark continued snapping their hips together. Donghyuck’s long legs had started dangling pliantly in the air, his body leaning back to allow Mark to repeatedly slam into that sweet spot he liked. All that was escaping his lips were delicious moans with Mark's name scattered throughout. His lovely, misty eyes rolled back into his head every time Mark pushed to the limit and grinded on that bundle of nerves deep within just for an extra second, before pulling out and attacking it relentlessly one more.
“Mmmm, Mark…you're too good, you're so good for me…” he sighed happily.
To his unexpectedness, the words abruptly changed Mark's pace. Slowing down, he started making Donghyuck hitch his breath and sigh on long, dragged out thrusts, allowing him to feel every inch on the glide of his thick, hard cock. The sensation was different, but by no means worse, when Donghyuck mindlessly sat up and wrapped his arms around Mark's neck. And just like that, suddenly everything felt a bit more intimate and tender, their visions fading into shades of pink.
“You…” Mark grunted out. “You only say that when it benefits you…”
Donghyuck sighed beautifully into his ear. “What could you possibly mean? “
“I have no idea what you're thinking sometimes.” He groaned, shifting a little just as Donghyuck let out the most melodic whimper into his ear at the slight motion that had them both shuddering.
“Why should it matter?” Donghyuck gasped, pressing his fingers into Mark's shoulders.
“God… sometimes I think I know you and then it was all a trick. But then again…” Abruptly, his next thrust was forceful and harsh, causing Donghyuck to cry out. “...I suppose you’re most honest at times like this.”
He started to keep up a steady pace again, not as brutal as before, but just enough to keep Donghyuck trembling beneath him.
“Mark…” Donghyuck called his name in that magical way of his.
“Hm?”
“... I love you. ”
The words shot straight through Mark’s brain, rendering him dazed.
“Seriously…” Mark sighed, shaking his head. “Can't tell if you're lying or not.”
Donghyuck managed to sound exasperated, even in such a debauched state. “You're so difficult sometimes…”
He let a pitchy noise when Mark suddenly stopped, still buried deep inside, and pushed one of his legs up so it was resting on his shoulder. Almost experimentally, Mark gave another single thrust.
"Ah...Mark...I love you!" Donghyuck repeated.
“Are you saying that only because I make you feel good?” Mark demanded.
“So needy for validation,” Donghyuck said shakily, trying hard not to sound desperate for Mark to start moving again. “Don't you already know? Do I have prove it to you or something?”
“...”
By the time Mark noticed the wicked glint in Donghyuck's eyes, it was too late. With an unexpected surge of strength, Donghyuck lurched forwards, pushing Mark backwards till he lost balance. Stumbling around, Mark suddenly found himself lying on the floor.
“Wha—?”
Mark's words caught his throat when he saw Donghyuck step over him, straddling his hips with his bare legs. His stomach dropped as he realized just what Donghyuck was about to do, as he lowered himself down with that devious smile on his face.
“Guess I just have to show you,” Donghyuck said. “You were wrong that I only belong under you, by the way.”
Mark's vision clouded over, as he felt Donghyuck’s fingers wrap around his cock, guiding it towards the place of absolute pleasure. And then, it shrouded over his brain like a blanket of hazy pleasure, eliciting a wrecked groan out of him as Donghyuck sank down on his hardened erection, slowly, deliberately, making him feel every inch of the glide against his tight, warm walls.
“Don't you see, Mark?” Donghyuck's voice threatened to break as he spoke. He bottomed out, all while tugging off his lanyard, loosening his tie and unbuttoning his long dress shirt to ease the rising heat, giving Mark the best view of his life.
God fucking dammit, Lee Donghyuck… He was sexy, way too sexy.
Donghyuck continued speaking in that breathy, pitchy voice of his, all while grinding down with the most minuscule teasing movements.
“You're the only one who sees me like this,” he said. “The only one who gets more than just a peek of my skin, my body. You're the only one who can make me moan like I need it this bad—because I do. You make me scream, you make me sweat and you make me do things I would never do otherwise. And I end up enjoying it. Most of all you make me laugh and you treat me kindly and you're also hot as hell to me. It's to the extent that I walk around most days at work in a deplorable state with my ass wet just in case you get in the mood, because I like you and I want you that bad, Mark. I've given you this much of me, so what more don't you get?”
As if Mark's brain hadn't gone hazy enough from all those insane words, Donghyuck leaned forward and kissed him tenderly, softly, as if sealing a promise.
“I love you, Mark Lee. I really do.”
And what man could resist such a profound confession?
“M-me too,” Mark's voice cracked out, finally reciprocating. “I love you too, Donghyuck.”
He felt the smile against his lips. “But see, I already knew that—I know you're obsessed with me.”
And then, much to Mark's dismay, Donghyuck leaned back, lifting his hips before grinding them back down in a way that was detrimental to the both of them. Mark cried out loud, hands flying to Donghyuck’s hips, who'd clearly located his most delicious spot deep, deep inside. Donghyuk's eyes rolled into the back of his head as Mark gradually dirtied up Donghyuck’s tight, hot insides. He started to maintain that steady, delicious bounce, driving them both to the brink of insanity. Donghyuck always had complete control of his own hips and knew exactly what to do. Today was beyond exceptional, with the way they'd both worked themselves up to this lust-crazed extent. The room was filled up with lecherous noises: squishy, slapping noises and bated, staccato moans that seemed loud enough to be heard from the hallways.
“Oh…my…god…” Mark grunted out. “You're so…fucking tight…It feels insane…Your tight hot little hole takes me so well…it's like you were made for me… fuck! ”
Donghyuck's response was a whimper, as he continued to push his thighs and hips to the limits, switching between grinding back and bouncing on that thick, girthy member burning him up from the inside out.
“D-do you see it now?” he whined. “Only you can fill me up so fucking good like this… ahh! ”
That one particular slide had them both seeing stars, yet when Mark's vision cleared up, he was nearly driven to the edge from the sight alone. Donghyuck was always beautiful, but the way he was that evening was akin to some ethereal mythical being with the power to seduce and bring any man to utter ruin. He was entirely naked from the waist down while the upper half of his body peeked through the disheveled state of his office clothes. The lascivious rotation of his waist into his hips was always a deliciously sinful sight. The sheen of the perspiration from his enduring efforts gave him an ethereal glow. His normally captivating eyes were hidden behind their lids and delicate eyelashes due to the sheer pleasure coursing through him. His perfect and pouty swollen lips were parted to allow those sweet little moans and sighs escape from his throat with every movement. His body, his perfectly sensual body was really soft in all the right places, warm and welcoming. And the way he felt wrapped around Mark, hot and burning. His love and dedication was so very clearly evident in the way his chest arched out, the way he pushed his waist and hips backwards as he put in the work, like he was made for him.
Mark’s eyes glistened, mesmerized as he let out another choked groan, fingers gripping into those glorious hips.
God…he’s a literal dream.
“Oh my god… yessss, baby…” Mark sighed out. “You’re perfect… I can’t… I can’t handle you at all when you’re like this…”
Acting on the surge of overwhelming feelings, Mark sat up in a burst of strength. Wasting no time, he kissed Donghyuck desperately, taking advantage of his surprised gasp to push his tongue in and devour him as much as he could. Carefully, he laid Donghyuck down so only the parts of his body still covered by his jacket touched the ground. Before Donghyuck could adjust, Mark thrusted into Donghyuck making him cry beautifully. He took time to gaze at him, taking in the way Donghyuck looked when he was splayed out underneath him, overwhelmed with pleasure like this.
“Why'd… you stop moving?” Donghyuck murmured, eyes still closed, head lolling around.
“I just wanted to…appreciate how perfect you are for a second,” Mark sighed, making a show out of grazing his eyes over Donghyuck’s face and body.
Donghyuck squeezed his eyes open slightly, appearing quite the vision as he tilted his head with a coy expression, fully displaying his flushed cheeks and the sweat-sheened arch of his neck.
“Why don’t you show me your appreciation instead?” Donghyuck purred, as he himself swung one of his legs onto Mark’s shoulder from the position he was lying in.
It wasn’t even a half second after Donghyuck finished in sentence that he let out a pitchy wail, when Mark gripped the hip of his hoisted leg and thrust into him, letting out a loud groan that displayed his intent. Without giving any time for recovery, Mark slammed his hips in again, and again, and again , making sure to hit that delicious spot that he knew all too well inside of Donghyuck every single time. Any earlier hesitance or semblance of slow and passionate love-making was thrown out the window, as Mark fucked him fast and brutal once more, driving both of them to the edge. It wasn’t long before Donghyuck was screaming, loud and sweet, a melody of delicious whines and desperate moans ringing in Mark’s ears. They had both become hot, sweaty messes, completely tangled up and not aware of anything else besides each other. As the crescendo approached, the room was filled with messy sounds of their dirty deed accompanied by Mark’s unrestrained grunts and Donghyuck’s garbled screaming of Mark’s name.
And at long last, the climax struck upon them at the same time, making them both cry as their vision bled into white. It was always way, way too intense, and most times they lost sense of who they were and where they were in the overwhelming pleasure of it all. Perhaps, it was just the extent of their compatibility in every way.
When Mark finally came to, he found he was still buried deep inside of Donghyuck, all while pressing his lips and tongue messily against his mouth to ride out their orgasm. They were both breathing heavily, with Mark still firmly pressed on top of Donghyuck.
“Mark…god…” Donghyuck whimpered, panting. “M-mercy…mercy please. I can’t…not anymore...”
“I got you, baby,” Mark whispered dazedly, while pressing more kisses on his lips and face. “I’m here… I’m here…”
“What have you done?” Donghyuck mumbled incoherently. “What have we done? Oh my god…geez…”
“Isn’t this exactly what you asked for? Exactly what you wanted to happen when you—”
Donghyuck huffed slightly. “You’re not allowed to say that.”
The kisses had reached Donghyuck’s jaw and neck, while the hands had reached up and started groping at Donghyuck’s chest again. “You’re a handful, you know that?” Mark said.
“That’s what hands are for.”
“What happened to ‘no more sex in the office’?”
Donghyuck exhaled. “No more after this.”
“That’s what we agreed upon last time.”
“And the time before that.”
“And the one before that.”
They laughed softly together, as Mark nuzzled into the crook of Donghyuck’s neck. They were lying together on the floor of an abandoned room in the back of their offices like it was some five-star hotel bed, but in that very moment, there was truly no difference for the both of them.
“So…you ready for the last assessment?” Donghyuck said abruptly, out of nowhere.
“We have to be,” Mark replied, his head still not quite it in yet.
“Do you think…it’ll…” Donghyuck’s voice trailed off. “Do you think everything will turn out okay?”
Mark was silent, but only for a moment as he buried his face deeper into Donghyuck’s neck.
“It has to.”
assessment iii.
“I won't accept this result.”
The room went utterly silent. Mark's expression of full defiance was unlike anything anyone else had ever seen before.
Chenle narrowed his eyes in Mark’s direction. “Team Leader A, what are you—”
“I won’t accept this result," he repeated.
The audacity was so great that no one, including the CEO himself, dared to say a word.
It was only Donghyuck, who'd stood up from across the room, who dared to speak up.
“Mark. You have no choice. The final decision was already made—”
Without so much as blinking, Mark gripped the paper in his hand and tore it cleanly in half.
Jeno and Jaemin could only stare in complete horror. Renjun gasped. Jisung cringed outwardly. Chenle’s expression was unreadable.
“I have a different proposal,” Mark Lee said confidently.
~ a few hours earlier ~
When Mark stepped onto the rooftop that morning, there was someone already there waiting for him.
“Yo,” Jeno greeted, with a smile and two-finger salute to the forehead.
Flustered and taken aback, Mark stood there, not knowing whether to return the greeting or sulk. After a few seconds, he opted for:
“Don’t yo me.”
Despite his nonchalant act of trying to walk past Jeno, his (once) closest co-worker grabbed him by the arm and pulled him aside with his token puppy-eyed bright smile.
“Oh, come on. You’re not still mad, are you?” he said. “For what it's worth, you already look way better today.”
“No thanks to you,” Mark grumbled.
Jemo grinned. “I’m sure you’ve figured out that it was all just a joke.”
“You wanna tell me why you're doing this, Jeno?” Mark glared.
“That I will not disclose at this time,” Jeno said. “But loosen up. We’re back to our old assignment and I’ve been diligently cleaning up your speech and slides for you so that you're all set for later.”
But Mark was still wary. “You seem to have a different agenda lately, Lee Jeno…”
“I’m not so stupid as to sabotage you so directly like that,” Jeno grinned. He held out a stack of papers for Mark. “Here you go. All edited and annotated just the way you like it. Glad to be back, boss.”
Mark snatched the papers away. The distrust lingered in his eyes but when quickly scanned over the papers, he quickly noticed the familiar standards and quality that both he and Jeno had established for Team A a long time ago.
“Well, I guess I’m glad to have you back as well,” Mark sighed. “For now at least…”
Jeno blinked at him with wide eyes. “What? Are you thinking you're gonna lose or something?”
“No,” Mark sighed. “I just don't know what's gonna happen…”
Jeno raised an eyebrow. “To you? Or to the both of you?”
Mark said nothing.
Jeno clapped his hand on Mark's shoulder. “For what it's worth, the two of you have both come an extremely long way…I think. And whatever happens, happens. I'm sure you guys will figure out a way…”
“Huh…”
“...and if you don't, maybe someone else will. Someone like m—” Mark swiped at Jeno's throat, as he moved away just in time. “Whoa, relax! Again, I'm just kidding!”
“Being this greasy player character doesn't suit you, Lee Jeno,” Mark sneered.
“Being a lovesick simp with nothing but a certain cutie's butt on your mind doesn't suit you either.”
“That’s your opinion,” Mark frowned. “I swear, if I become Director the first thing I’m gonna do is demote you.”
Jeno's playful smile faltered slightly. “Wait, you're not serious. I've told you like three times now that it's all a joke right?”
“Come to think of it, I think I worked way better with Jaemin than I did with you,” Mark said coldly, staring Jeno straight in the eye before turning and walking away
Jeno's smile fully dissipated. “W-wait, that’s a joke too, right?” He stumbled after Mark like a lost puppy. “Mark! You’re not actually—!”
“Maybe you should stay here and figure it out,” Mark retorted sulkily. “I'll see you later.”
And with that, he left the rooftop and slammed the door behind him, refusing to acknowledge him any further.
Mark huffed. It's the least he deserves.
Flipping through the papers, he beelined straight to his office in order to prepare for the final assessment occurring in only a few hours. When he opened the door, he didn't expect Donghyuck to be there as well, deep in thought as he stared out the window.
“You're still here?” Mark asked, jolting Donghyuck out of his thoughts as he closed the door behind.
Donghyuck also seemed a bit startled initially, but then his face eased into a pretty smile.
“You’re back,” he simpered softly. There was a little glimmer in his eyes, but Mark could not be certain what it meant. So, he merely huffed, hiding his own little smile as he lowered his head to throw the papers Jeno had handed to him back on his desk.
“You look relaxed,” Mark commented when he looked up again, moving towards Donghyuck.
Donghyuck laughed slightly, brushing out his hair out of his eyes in a way that made Mark’s heart skip a beat.
“Maybe I’m just good at pretending,” he said.
“You’re not ready?” Mark asked cooly, now next to Donghyuck.
Donghyuck shrugged, giving Mark a look out of the corner of his eyes. “As I’ll ever be.”
“Ran out of silly tricks finally?”
“I could say the same to you.”
“I never did anything that didn’t have your…utmost approval.” Mark tried to suppress the thoughts of what Donghyuck’s utmost approval looked like (…the flushed cheeks, the watery eyes, the cries spilling from his lips—)
Donghyuck rolled his eyes, though he wasn’t displeased. “Quit being so proud of yourself.”
“You know I can’t help it…” When it comes to you.
“Besides, you already know,” Donghyuck murmured, as he reached out to lightly touch and straighten the lapels of Mark’s navy blue jacket. “Between you and I…these silly little games will never end.”
A shiver ran down Mark’s spine at the thought. “You really think so? Even after all this is done?”
“Well…” Donghyuck tapped Mark’s shoulder once with his knuckles. “What do you think? Are you gonna get tired of it?”
Mark instinctively stepped closer. “Never.”
“Well then, whatever happens, I’d be okay with it.” Donghyuck dragged out his words slowly and deliberately. “Because whatever happens...we’ll just be onto the next game.”
“That sounds…”
“...wonderful, right?”
Indeed, it was quite thrilling—it always was between the two of them. And it never got old.
“Yeah…” Mark agreed, slightly spaced-out. He wondered if it was just in his head that Donghyuck’s lips were just barely hovering over his own. When had they gotten this close?
“It’s almost time.” Was Donghyuck whispering against his lips? Perhaps, contrary to his words, Donghyuck still had a few games left in him.
“Are you ready, Team Leader A?” Donghyuck asked provocatively. Mark waited out the shiver that washed through his entire body, but then nodded with confidence.
“Let’s go, Team Leader B,” he answered.
To his surprise, Donghyuck smirked and pulled away. He moved to his desk and started packing up his materials. When he noticed Mark still looking at him questioningly, he continued to smile.
“It’s kind of crazy, isn’t it?” he said, without making eye contact. “This might actually be the very last time we’ll be calling each other that…”
The final assessment went by in a blur.
With only executives Renjun, Jisung and Chenle in the room, the two Team Leaders and their original Team Captains, the turnout was a lot smaller this time. Once more, Jeno was next to Mark while Jaemin had returned to being Donghyuck’s support. Mark’s speech preached the expected philosophies that had become customary to Team A’s operation, emphasizing dedication, exertion and structure. Meanwhile, Donghyuck was all about creative importance and efficiency, all about getting quality results and developing novel approaches to obtain them. While their approaches were drastically contrasting as always, neither were wrong, and both remained equally qualified to lead the branch. Clearly, the executives had their work cut out for them in making a final decision.
Shortly, the floor was open for what was to be a quick debate session, where the Team Leaders could openly criticize as well as defend their own platforms, with their Team Captains as back up. It started off professional…enough…but then…
Mark slammed his hands on the table standing up. “This happens all the time!” he yelled, pointing his finger. “It keeps repeating over and over again and you always make me out to be the bad guy!”
“You’re the one who always stays late!” Donghyuck complained loudly, also standing up. “It gets dark and it’s dangerous to drive home at night when we’re tired and exhausted.”
“It’s not that bad!”
“Even if it isn’t, is it so hard just to respect my wants for once?!”
“He has a point though,” Jaemin interjected. “Why not just do what the madam wants for once?”
“Why should he?” Jeno countered. “There’s work left to be done and if he wants to work that way and get it done then he should be allowed to.”
“Because he’s wasting our time!” Donghyuck countered. “My time!”
“Time is precious,” Jaemin scowled. “Don’t waste people’s time.”
“Seriously…?” Jeno frowned.
“Maybe if you helped me get the work done during the day instead of distracting me then we wouldn't have to stay late!"
Donghyuck’s lips were approaching full pout. “Why should that be my problem?”
“Because you always end up making it your problem!”
“Why does this seem…oddly personal?” Renjun whispered concernedly into Jisung’s ear. “Like is there something going on between the four, no...the two of them?”
Jisung shushed Renjun. “Just listen! Take it seriously.”
Meanwhile, Donghyuck’s lips were approaching full pout, eyes bulging as he too pressed his hands into the table in front of him
“Why are you always so frustrating?!” Donghyuck trilled loudly.
“Why do you always provoke me on purpose?!” Mark retorted.
“I don’t!”
“All you ever do is lie!”
“What are you on about?!”
By this point, even Jaemin was showing minor discomfort. “Um, guys…can we, like, stay on topic?”
“Alright, I’ve heard enough,” Chenle said, standing up. “This session is now officially over."
Renjun let out a loud groan of relief. "Finally! I didn't even know what I was even listening to towards the end!"
"We'll deliberate and then reconvene in the main auditorium in 30 minutes," Chenle said. "By then, you shall know who the new Director will be.”
And after a few nods, Chenle and the rest of the executives stood up and left the room, leaving the remaining four behind.
Na Jaemin let out an estranged noise as he leaned back and stretched out on the chair.
“Finally! It’s done!” he cried out. “Now whatever happens happens and I can finally rest normally again without having to do all this extra work.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Jeno said from the other side. “Depending on what the results will be from here…you may never sleep again.”
Jaemin looked absolutely terrified by his prospects.
Meanwhile, Mark and Donghyuck were standing together in the middle of the room.
“So,” Mark initiated. “How are you feeling?”
Donghyuck huffed slightly. “Now you’re asking? What happened to all the animosity from earlier?”
Mark smiled gently. “Well, that was just…you know us, it was just—”
Donghyuck returned the smile. “I know. Don’t worry.”
They stood there in silence for a moment. Despite not making eye contact and all that had just ensued, the ambience between them was rather sweet.
“So this is it,” Donghyuck said simply.
“This is it,” Mark agreed. “For what it’s worth…” He extended a hand. “Good work."
“What’s with the cordiality all of a sudden,” Donghyuck laughed gently, but even so he grabbed Mark's hand and shook it, as if they were really just that—cordial co-workers.
But then, Donghyuck’s fingers brushed Mark's hand a certain way that made him tingle, and that tingle somehow spread through his entire body. He made the mistake of looking up, and before he knew it, he was lost in his eyes again, the spark between them electric.
Mark parted his lips. “Donghyuck, we—”
“Mark,” Donghyuck said softly. “It's fine.”
“But I—”
“Hey…whatever happens?”
The glimmer within those dark orbs and the glamour beneath that pretty smile was too hard to resist.
Mark nodded. “Whatever happens.”
Still holding Donghyuck's hand, Mark started to lean in.
Suddenly, something cut between them, slicing through and pushing them apart like a knife.
“What the hell?!” Mark yelped.
They turned to see Jaemin still standing there with a deep scowl, his fingers drumming on a stack of papers. Evidently, he'd folded them into something quite terrifying and launched it at them.
“I warned you, Mark Lee,” he said menacingly. “All I need: a stack of papers.”
Donghyuck seemed ready to fight. “Jaemin, where—why—?!”
“I've compromised—many times—by turning a blind eye but don't you dare tongue each other down in front of me,” Jaemin said.
Donghyuck started to protest. “But you can't—”
“Get to the auditorium. Now,” Jaemin ordered. “Before I make you. ”
Mark and Donghyuck immediately bowed their heads.
“Yes sir,” they both said at once.
By the designated time, the auditorium had pretty much been filled up by the office workers who were more than eager to hear the long-awaited result.
However, somehow Mark Lee had more piercing concerns on his mind.
“Where’s Donghyuck?” he asked Jeno and Jaemin who were seated next to him. The sole seat on his right was empty. “It's almost time.”
“Bro, you've asked like ten times already,” Jeno replied. “Go look for him if you're so worried.”
“He'll be here. He loves waiting until the very last minute,” Jaemin said. “What an attention whore.”
Somehow, Mark still wasn't convinced. “I swear he was right behind me and then…”
“Looks like someone isn't so good at looking after their princess after all,” Jaemin snickered.
“What? I'll have you know I treat Donghyuck very well. All the time.”
“No, you don’t," said a voice that was neither Jeno's nor Jaemin's.
The three of them turned to see Donghyuck collapsing down in the chair next to Mark. Despite that he was slightly out of breath, he settled down like nothing was the matter.
“Not early enough for you?” Jeno quipped snarkily.
Mark, on the other hand, was a bit more concerned. “Is everything ok?”
“I’m fine,” Donghyuck reassured, hand fleetingly gripping Mark’s thigh to reassure him, before readjusting himself and his suit in his seat. “Everything’s gonna work out great.”
Mark raised an eyebrow, sensing something off about Donghyuck’s tone. “What did you—”
“Ahem. ”
The conversation was cut off. All attention converged onto Zhong Chenle who was standing by the podium.
“We’ll make this quick,” Chenle said. “I am sure you are all dying to know the future of this branch. As such, we were deliberating the results of what was a very tight race…”
Everyone was practically holding their breaths. In the corner of eyes, Mark noticed Donghyuck seemed surprisingly apathetic.
Something’s off…
“But actually,” Chenle was saying. “Due to a certain…recent disclosure, we actually didn’t have to discuss anything at all.”
A ripple of confusion washed through the room. What did he just say?
The next few words were spoken so quickly they could barely be processed in time.
“A competitor has retracted his intention to run for the position of branch director,” Chenle spoke clearly. Briefly, he added with a grain of salt: “In my opinion, he should’ve told us way earlier so we didn’t have to waste all this time and effort but I digress—" He paused, took a deep inhale, before firmly addressing the audience:
"Mark Lee, you are now the Branch Director by default. Congratulations, I guess.”
Mark’s eyes widened. “Wha—?!”
But Mark couldn’t even finish his exclamation when Jaemin, along with the other supporters of Mark being the favourite choice, stood up and pumped their fists in the air, cheering with vigor and elation. He barely had time to glance over to Donghyuck (who was still looking rather nonchalant despite his slow clapping), before he was dragged to his feet and aggressively pushed to the front of the room.
What? WHAT?!
Before he knew it, he was standing in front of everone. Chenle was right in front of him, unable to hide the slightly annoyed frown on his face. Everyone else in the room was watching him in anticipation. He saw Jaemin’s elated and bright (but slightly contorted) smile from the crowd. Jeno’s face was rigid and stone-like, save for the slightly downturned corners of his mouth. And Donghyuck…
…Donghyuck.
Their eye contact was fleeting, but a certain ominous feeling coursed through Mark.
Donghyuck…what have you done?
“W-wait,” Mark said hurriedly, turning to Chenle. “Shouldn’t I at least—?”
“The contract has been written up,” Chenle said, holding up a small stack of stapled papers. “As part of the ceremony, you will be accepting this new appointment in front of the people who will soon report to you as their new and sole leader.”
Mark squinted his eyes questioningly “What is this, some kind of dictatorship—?”
A clipboard with pages and a pen on it was shoved into Mark’s hands before he could say anything else. When he glanced around once more, everyone was looking at him expectantly.
But, as per usual, he was only focused on one person.
“Um,” he said quietly, lowering his head so only Chenle could hear. “What, um, stipulations led you to this conclusion in the end.”
“He dropped out,” Chenle said as simply as anything. “He came to me after the third assessment. Basically, he wasted my time. He should’ve told me from the beginning. He said a bunch of nonsense about how you were better suited and that it wasn't for him and a bunch of other stuff I didn't care about. ”
“That is a load of nonsense,” Mark whispered, eyes practically bulging.
“The point is, you can't have a race with one person,” Chenle grumbles. “Congratulations, Mark Lee. You got the job.”
But Mark was barely listening. Instead, he looked across all the heads to Donghyuck’s gaze filled with intent. The nonchalance was still there, but there was an underlying provocativeness to it all, as if he was daring Mark to do something about it.
“Until how long are the two of you gonna keep wasting my time?” he heard Chenle scowl. “Sign the document and get the bonus already.”
“One more question,” Mark said.
“What? ” Chenle's patience was clearly running out.
“Did you guys manage to reach a conclusion?” Mark asked. “I mean, before Donghyuck came and revoked his participation. Did you manage to decide on your own who would be the Director?”
Unexpectedly, Chenle glanced at Renjun and Jisung, who immediately shiftily returned the gaze.
Mark immediately knew. They decided… and the fact that they aren't telling me….
“I refuse to accept this,” Mark declared.
The room went utterly silent. His expression was unlike anything anyone else had ever seen before, filled with defiance.
Chenle narrowed his eyes in Mark’s direction.“Team Leader A, what are yo—”
“I won't accept this result.”
The room went utterly silent. Mark's expression of full defiance was unlike anything anyone else had ever seen before.
Chenle narrowed his eyes in Mark’s direction. “Team Leader A, what are you—”
“I won’t accept this result," he repeated.
The audacity was so great that no one, including the CEO himself, dared to say a word.
It was only Donghyuck, who'd stood up from across the room, who dared to speak up.
“Mark. You have no choice. The final decision was already made—”
Without so much as blinking, Mark gripped the paper in his hand and tore it cleanly in half.
Jeno and Jaemin could only stare in complete horror. Renjun gasped. Jisung cringed outwardly. Chenle’s expression was unreadable.
“I have a different proposal,” Mark Lee said confidently.
Murmurs broke out at once. People were staring at him like he was truly crazy. This time, some of the whispers and voices reached his ears.
“What’s been going on with him lately? He’s been acting so unhinged.”
“Did the competition and rivalry get to his head? Has he finally lost his mind?”
“Why doesn’t he take the offer anyway? Isn’t this what he’s wanted all along?”
“I can’t keep up with this anymore.”
“If he doesn’t wanna do it then I’ll do it then.”
“What’s going on between him and Donghyuck? Seriously.”
“Mark Lee.” Chenle’s voice snapped him back to attention. “I swear, if you and your co-team lead, waste another second of my time…”
“I won't!” Mark said quickly. “I really have a solution.”
“Do you know how many words and effort have been wasted until this point because of the two of you?! We’re all losing our minds here! Just. Just do as I say and—”
“Listen to me!” Mark’s voice reverberated loud and clear, gaining him full attention.
And when Mark spoke again, the entire room could only stare in disbelief. There was back and forth tangled with a mix of confusion and even excitement. As it went on and on, Zhong Chenle only appeared to be sinking further and further in demise. When it seemed that he could bear it no longer, he made his verdict:
“Team Leader A… Team Leader B…” he enunciated slowly, referring to both Mark and Donghyuck at once.
It would be the last time either of them would ever be referred to as that.
~ six months later ~
The polished shoes hit the floor with a domineering cadence. His unbuttoned suit jacket flares out behind him as he walked confidently through the office floors. Heads raised as he passed back. Like a scene from a movie, everyone paused what they were doing to smile or give him a polite nod. Some of them would even greet him.
“Director Lee.”
“Great work last week, Director Lee!”
“New record, by the way. Well done, Director.”
“Director Lee!”
At last, the man swerved around the last corner and arrived at his designated meeting room. There a few higher ranked members along with Assistant Directors Na Jaemin and Lee Jeno were waiting for him, seated next to the head of the table that was reserved for him.
“Yo,” Jeno greeted with a salute. “Welcome. You look good Markie”
“Don't call me that,” Mark replied while he took his seat, although a grin had appeared on his face.
"Oh sorry, Director Lee," Jeno smirked.
"Not that either," Mark said, though there was a hint of a smile on his face.
“Something good happen last night?” Jaemin inquired.
“Nothing different from the usual,” Mark Lee answered. He briefly did a head count around the table. “Seems like everyone is here?”
Affirmative nods were given all around. Indeed, everyone was accounted for.
“Great,” he said. “Then let's get this meeting over with so we can call it a day.”
Everyone opened their laptops and files. The meeting went efficiently and effectively. Unlike when he was a Team Leader, Mark Lee no longer had his previous habits of scrutinizing over every detail, nor did he hyper-fixate on anything unnecessary. Clearly, the director had found a nice balance in his management style, and was evolving nicely.
Towards the end of the meeting, one of the workers raised her hand.
“Didn’t the policy for this change last week?” she asked after being acknowledged.
“Who told you that?” Jeno asked, scrunching his eyebrows.
“The Director did,” she said plainly.
“No I didn’t,” Mark retorted at once.
A momentary pause. After which Jaemin asked:
“...which Director?”
Immediately, she answered:
“Director Lee…Donghyuck.”
Jeno let out a huff and Jaemin leaned back and rolled his eyes.
“Seriously if you two are gonna co-lead can you at least communicate about it?” Jaemin complained.
Jeno lowered his voice, leaning into Mark as he spoke through gritted teeth so no one else could hear: “Don't you two go home to the same place together? This should not be happening this much.”
"Ever heard of a work-life balance?" Mark responded back through gritted teeth. Then he cleared his throat, before shiftily addressing the room. “Put that on hold then. I'll clarify things with Donghyucki— uhh, the Co-Director after work.”
“You see him after work today?” one of the newer members inquired.
Mark ignored Jeno’s withering glare. “I meant, another time,” he remediated smoothly. He spoke so quickly and nonchalantly that only Jeno and Jaemin appeared to have any apparent lingering doubt about the Director’s words.
“Of course, I am willing to go over my personal suggestion as to how we should approach—”
A colleague raised his hand. “Sorry, Mark. With all due respect, I think we're out of time…” The worker gestured towards the meeting room's analog clock to indicate.
“Oh,” Mark uttered, also pulling out his phone to check the time. “I didn’t realize the time. Sorry about that, guys. We’ll stop here for today. I don’t want to delay your evenings any further. You’re all free to go.”
Relief washed over the workers' faces. Even Mark, after a fleeting glance at his phone, seemed to be packing up even quicker than everyone else.
Only Jeno and Jaemin appeared interested in lingering.
“Well well well,” Jaemin leered, sliding over to Mark’s side. “Look at how the capable and ambitious young director has changed. The old you would’ve relentlessly begged for ‘one more minute! one more minute!' and dragged the minute on for another twenty minutes at least.”
“I guess this new bureaucratic structure is somehow bringing out the best in you,” Jeno commented. “Both of you.”
Jaemin made a strange, high-pitched wail of a noise. "Thank god for that. I feared the worst when I learned that both of you would become our Co-Directors. I thought my nightmares had finally combined into one and manifested into reality to boil over into Hell on Earth but it turns out…it’s not been bad actually.”
Jeno nodded. “Truly. It was like…multiplicative gain instead of additive. He’s stopped trying to cut so many corners and you’ve relaxed a little. Honestly, who would’ve thought that you guys work even better as a team than as rivals?”
“And the staggered scheduling,” Jaemin exhaled in feigned reprieve. “So I don’t see the both of you. Every. Single. Day. Somehow it’s truly the best blessing of it all.”
Jeno snorted. “So, boss? Does this mean you’ve finally figured out a proper work-life balance?”
“As if,” Jaemin laughed. “Imagine having the same partner in and outside of work.”
“Hey Jaemin,” Jeno called.
“Yeah?”
“Has he heard a single word we said?”
“...”
“Have we just been talking between ourselves?”
They finally noticed that Mark hade been staring at his phone the entire time with a faraway look in his eyes, his lips slightly curved at whatever was on the screen.
Jaemin groaned. “Oh my god, this guy…”
Without wasting a breath, Jaemin snatched Mark’s phone away with the same agility as usual.
“Hey!” Mark yelped. “What the—WHY?! My privacy! Again!”
Ignoring the flailing Director, Jaemin started reading the messages out loud again:
baby bear [5:31 p.m.] meeting done?
baby bear [5:32 p.m.] you must’ve worked hard honey ♥
baby bear [5:35 p.m.] anyways hurry and come home
Jeno and Jaemin exchanged concerned looks as Jaemin finished this part.
“I told you to give it back!” Mark cried again. He lunged for his device, but Jaemin all too easily shifted his body and pulled the phone out of his reach.
baby bear [5:35 p.m.] it’s an emergency :(
“I swear to god…this whore…” Jaemin mumbled under his breath.
“WHAT?!” Mark was fully yelling at this point.
baby bear [5:35 p.m.] the washing machine is broken 😫😫😫
baby bear [5:35 p.m.] please come quickly and help me deal with it!!!!
“Well,” Jeno said. “It doesn’t feel like there’s anything amiss but…”
Jaemin was already glaring at Mark. “What does this mean?” he asked Mark with a deep frown.
“What?! I don’t know!” Mark blurted, finally managing to swipe his phone back. “I mean—it doesn’t mean anything! What would it mean?"
Jaemin attempted to look Mark straight in the eye. “Is he out of clothes to wear so he has walk around the house completely naked? Does he want you to fold him like laundry? Does he want you to do deal with a big load? Which is it?”
Mark was quickly getting red in the face. “I—what the hell?! I didn’t—He’s not—I’m not—” He cleared his throat and grounded himself. “I’m going home.” His deeper than usual voice was certainly unusual.
Jaemin rolled his eyes as Mark hurriedly grabbed his things. “You guys are the worst.”
“Stop, you'll turn them on,” Jeno groaned.
Jaemin snarled. “Whatever. I'll see you tomorrow. Both of you. And whatever nefarious thing you guys are up to, you better not be late.”
Mark wasn't too happy. “First of all, you're making so many assumptions—”
He was interrupted by Jeno placing a hand on his shoulder. “We know what you guys do in the archive room after lunch on Tuesdays—”
Mark rubbed his lips nervously. “No you don't.”
The pat on the shoulder was only slightly aggressive. “Whatever works for you, boss. But don't do anything I wouldn't do.”
Mark sighed. “Too late for that…”
Jeno and Jaemin merely frowned deeper as Mark finally walked past them, heading back to his own office (that he still shared with Donghyuck) to call it a day.
As the door closed behind him, the shiny new placard glistened underneath the reflection of the office lighting:
DIRECTOR LEE
&
DIRECTOR LEE
“Listen to me!”
Chenle narrowed his eyes. “Do either of you have the right to say or ask anything at this point?”
Mark closed his eyes momentarily, giving himself and Chenle a chance to calm down. Then, he asked:
“Out of all the branches within the entire company, only one profited from the competitive team leaders’ structure, correct? …May I ask which branch that was?”
Chenle took his time to respond, wary of the question.
“...this one,” he finally said. “Yours and Donghyuck’s branch was the only one that benefitted from having a Team A and a Team B. By a significant margin rather. But what does this have to do it—”
“Then let’s keep it,” Mark said.
He received blank stares in return.
“Huh?” Renjun uttered.
“We’ll have two Directors,” Mark said. “The pay will be evenly divided so the company covers no extra expense, and we’ll distribute the work evenly amongst us. It shouldn’t be a problem because we’ve demonstrated time and time again that it’s worked for us and we'll both be able to maintain equal position in the bureaucracy.”
Naturally, CEO Zhong’s instinct was to scrunch his eyebrows and resist the suggestion.
“Why would I agree to that?” Chenle snapped. “It would’ve been easier if you’d just signed the document and—”
“I don’t want to.”
Chenle looked like he was going to flip the podium over. “What? Are you a child? Who do you think you are just—”
“With all due respect,” Mark said as calmly as he could. “I put in good work, and so does Donghyuck. This branch has functioned well all this time with the both of us as leaders, operating in our different perspectives. To take that away now would not be a good idea.”
“You know I could just fire you right now.”
“I put in good work,” Mark repeated. “You can, and then waste more time finding a replacement. For both of us too, now that Donghyuck has revoked his intent to become the Director.”
“I really don’t have to entertain any of this.”
“Chenle,” Mark tried.
“Mark,” Chenle replied warningly.
“Chenle…” Jisung called.
“Jisung,” Renjun said.
“Renjun!” Chenle snapped.
“Donghyuck?” Jisung said.
“Mark.”
The familiar voice was awfully close, and when Mark turned, he realized that Donghyuck had long left his seat and had made it to his side.
“Mark,” he said again, his normally pretty expression wrought in concern. He tugged gently at sleeve. “You don't have to make it such a big deal. I already agreed to forfeit my running…”
“Well, I don't wanna do it either,” Mark insisted. “Not like this.”
He turned to Donghyuck and gazed gently into his eyes.
“Not alone…” he said softly, enough so that only Donghyuck heard. But even so, that look in Mark's eyes was unmistakable, and even Donghyuck was taken aback by his abrupt tenderness.
“Whoa.”
The utterance belonged to Chenle, who, along with Jisung and Renjun, was staring at Mark and Donghyuck, their faces somewhere between stunned and concerned.
Renjun pointed. “That's what this is about?”
“What do you mean?” Mark asked.
“Oh my god,” Chenle groaned as he rubbed his forehead. “This is an HR nightmare waiting to happen…”
“Come to think about it,” Jisung interjected. “Who is your guys’ HR person?”
“That's actually Na Jaemin's secondary position,” Donghyuck answered.
“What?” Mark, Jisung and Renjun all said at once.
“Ugh, what am I gonna do…?” Chenle was still sighing, rubbing his brow so much there were red marks appearing on his forehead. The pressure was building, there was an entire crowd watching him, awaiting his verdict on these two problematic subordinates of his.
Why…why does it have to be me? How much do their co-workers know? At this rate… with the way they look like they’re two seconds from passionately pressing up against each other and tonguing one another down right in front of everyone… People know, don’t they? At least someone knows. What should I do? I’m the big boss. Should I just fire them? They definitely deserve it at this point. But Mark’s right that finding two replacements for them would be… ughh…
He could sense an oncoming migraine, and it didn’t help when Renjun called him.
“CEO Zhong?” Renjun asked. “Are you…?”
“Stop talking," Chenle snapped. "I'm thinking."
He took one fleeting glance at Mark and Donghyuck who were indeed, standing a bit too close to each other. The aura was undeniable, with the way they were standing slightly pressed together. And there was this soft feeling they were emitting—how did he never notice? Though he supposed he wasn’t the type to pry upon these things when it came to his co-workers.
Zhong Chenle let out an exhale. Regardless of his personal opinions and the bureaucratic nightmares that could erupt from this, there was one thing for certain—whatever they had going on, for however long, it truly had worked. They had the numbers and statistics to prove it.
So really, there was only one logical gamble he could take.
“Team Leader A… Team Leader B…” he enunciated slowly, referring to both Mark and Donghyuck at once.
It would be the last time either of them would ever be referred to as that.
The drive home was peaceful for Mark. Company profits and employee workplace satisfaction was an all-time high since the new arrangement with Co-Directors Lee and Lee. While days at work were hectic, their alternating schedule still sometimes felt like a double-edged sword to Mark. The arrangement was for salary reasons as well as to prevent either director from getting too burnt out. Thus, for one business day a week Mark would be on his own for the day and Donghyuck would be leading another day. Even though it was just two days a week, Mark couldn't help but feel lonely sometimes. Perhaps, he was just in that deep. Either way, he was in a strange sort of honeymoon era, a new beginning that he never anticipated, appearing out of nowhere—and it was all centered around one being. Almost as if he was a celestial body and Donghyuck was his radiant sun.
With such cheesy thoughts, Mark stepped into their newly shared home with a smile on his face. He didn’t know what exactly he was anticipating—all he wanted was to see him.
“Donghyuckkie?” he called, slipping off his shoes and hanging up his lanyard and suit jacket. Everything was quiet enough, but then—
“Mark!”
From…the bedroom? Mark didn’t know what to expect. Not the laundry room? Hmm…
Regardless, his body was already moving ahead of his mind. After all, what possible consequences could there be?
He practically skipped up the stairs, two steps at the time. If there was one thing about this new arrangement he wasn’t the most fond of, it was that strange aching sensation he felt from not seeing Donghyuck every day. It was obvious—he missed him. It went from seeing him every second of every day to craving for even ten minutes of interaction with him. Of course, he called him on break and such, but the whole point of them alternating some work days was so they could divide up the burden of their work, so Mark also wanted Donghyuck to have that rest time to himself…but that still didn’t stop him from missing him.
When he reached the top of the stairs, he saw Donghyuck’s head poke out from the doorway of their bedroom. With his hair all fluffy and eyes all sparkly, Mark couldn’t help but immediately burst into a smile.
“Hey baby,” he grinned, hopping over to him.
Donghyuck huffed and blew a hair out of his eyes. “Don’t ‘hey baby’ me. Sure took you long enough.”
“Sorry,” Mark apologized softly, as he had a habit of doing to Donghyuck recently. “I accidentally went a little overtime with the meeting. Is everything okay? Are you okay?”
Donghyuck’s pout only grew deeper as Mark approached him. “The washing and dryer units broke.”
“Then why are you up here instead of in the laundry room?” Mark asked softly. The more Mark approached him, the further Donghyuck backed away into the room.
“I have nothing to wear…” Donghyuck murmured.
Mark’s heart skipped a beat. Jaemin’s words echoed in his head.
“Is he out of clothes to wear so he has to go around completely naked?” It can’t be…
Still, Mark’s heartbeat was already picking up from anticipation. Donghyuck had entirely disappeared into the bedroom, and Mark followed his urge to run after.
“Why didn’t you call someone?” Mark asked, turning into the room. “What am I supposed to do about—”
Mark’s bag fell from his hands, dropping to the ground with a thunk. His jaw fell open, and the shiver that ran through his entire body immediately petrified him entirely.
“...i-it?” he finished shakily.
Seated on the edge of the bed, Donghyuck leaned backwards, pressing his palms into their sheets behind, the glimmer in his eyes now obviously not so innocent at all. Mark’s eyes were going to bulge out of his head at this rate. Unexpectedly, Donghyuck was indeed fully dressed, but while his upper body was covered by one of the usual white dress shirt he wore to work, when Mark looked below—
The long, slender, perfect legs, all on display. Covered in a sheer black material that emphasized their sensual lines. The soft thighs peeked out from beneath the tight, black pencil skirt that he was wearing, teasing as he crossed and uncrossed his legs. The skirt was short, of course. And—
Is that lace? On those… thigh highs?
“Oh god,” Mark gasped, finding it difficult to breathe. “What have you done?” He literally fell to his knees, resisting the urge to groan, eyes shaking as he stared. “Why have you done this?”
“It was supposed to be for before the third assessment,” Donghyuck purred slyly. “I'd prepared it as the final distraction. I meant to run into our office looking all flustered, covered by my big coat and then…” He stared deeply at Mark, observing the way he swallowed deeply. “Well, you know.”
“What if someone saw you?” Mark asked, his tone dark.
Donghyuck tilted his head. “It's never stopped us before,” he smiled. “But I never got to do it… seeing as you wore me out so badly the day before. And well, I had changed my mind about certain things already.”
“I…cannot do this…” Mark said huskily, brokenly, irresistibly drawn to Donghyuck and his new appearance.
“Hmm?”
“Coming home to this is just…" Mark gulped again. "I never knew I was into this but… holy fuck… ”
The closer Mark got, the further back Donghyuck slid on the bed. At some point, Mark was crawling on top of the bed to him, while Donghyuck's back was pressed against the headboard.
“You really know how to get me, don't you?” Mark was almost growling by now, his eyes glinting predatorily as his fingers reached out to touch, tracing hungrily up the lines of the sheer thigh highs. “Doing this right after I get off work, after I haven't seen you all day… you’re really such a menace.”
“Would you rather me do it at work, like originally planned?” Donghyuck asked. He sighed as Mark's hands reached under the skirt slightly, squeezing a bit harder as he grabbed onto the soft skin and traced the lace where the thigh highs ended.
“You should know by now that it's never the time or place or even the situation that matters,” Mark said softly. Slowly, he leaned in, never once stopping the motions of his hand underneath the skirt. “It's all because it's you.”
In a surge of emotion and the eagerness to emphasize his feelings, Mark dove in and captured Donghyuck's lips passionately, immediately forcing him into a desperate, open-mouthed kiss. If Donghyuck wanted him to be needy, he would show him just how needy he could be. Within seconds, it was already too much, with Donghyuck moaning into his mouth while Mark groaned back, the feeling of Donghyuck’s soft skin burning beneath his fingertips wherever he touched. They were on fire for each other, unable to be controlled. Their clothes gradually got more and more disheveled to combat the fiery heat, as Donghyuck loosened the tie and shirt of Mark's office clothes while Mark undid the buttons of his shirt whenever he wasn't groping underneath his skirt.
Donghyuck called his name. “Mark, mmrpghf—”
Mark groaned into the kiss. The sound of Donghyuck calling his name in a state of reverie was always the sweetest melody. He loved those little repressed moans escaping from his throats. And he loved the way he responded, all out of either of their controls. Truly, when they were together like this, it was like music to Mark’s ears, music that only they could make.
“By the way…” Donghyuck murmured at some point, fingers tangled in Mark’s hair while Mark was busy having his way with the skin at his neck and collarbones. “Back then...why’d you change your mind anyway?”
Donghyuck shivered as he felt a wet stripe down the side of his neck before Mark looked up at him with earnest eyes. “About what?”
“Back then…why’d you want me to become Co-Director with you?”
Mark groaned slightly. “Are we really talking about this now ?” Clearly, the man had other priorities.
“It just crossed my mind all of a sudden. I’d already accepted you as the leader cause you’re pretty good at your job and—” Donghyuck hitched a breath when Mark started sucking away at his collarbone again, all the while his hands got busy running up and down his legs again. “I kind of like it when you’re—well…”
“I’m…what?” Mark murmured softly, as he touched Donghyuck in a way that made him throw his head back.
“You’re being all…in charge and…leader-like and stuff…”
Mark’s lips curled against Donghyuck skin. “Ah. So it was all for selfish reasons in the end.”
“Of course. You know me," Donghyuck smiled.
“Well, maybe I was being a bit selfish too,” Mark said, nuzzling into Donghyuck’s neck. “I didn't want to get into a real conflict of interest, but the real reason was: I really like working with you, and I thought, despite everything, we make a good team. A strong duo, in a way. And I realized I’d miss you so…” He emphasized his statement by kissing Donghyuck on his beautifully pouty lips. “This was my way of keeping you by my side. Just a little more…”
And they got lost in it again. The little whiny noise that came from the back of Donghyuck’s throat was his way of accepting Mark’s answer in the moment, as he was kissed over and over and over again, all while Mark’s hands went all over his body, getting more and more shameless as they continued on.
“Donghyuck…” Mark groaned softly, his hands having hiked his skirt all the way up now. “You’re so—”
He paused midsentence. Pulling apart, he stared at Donghyuck.
“Hmm?” Donghyuck hummed, sighing to catch his breath. “Why’d you stop?”
Mark’s hands had grazed against something…different. There was a strange tingle on the pads of his fingers.
“Donghyuck, are you…?” Mark’s voice trailed off, swallowing deeply, secretly hoping it wasn’t just his imagination.
“Oh, that little thing?”
It was as if Donghyuck was deliberately moving in slow motion. The way he pushed Mark away was almost elegant, before—much to Mark’s absolute dismay—he flipped himself over and got on all fours on the bed.
“Oh…fuck.”
Mark was never going to recover from this.
The skirt was already short in the first place, and Mark’s naughty hand shenanigans had helped ride it up almost completely. From his angle, Mark could see everything, from where the thigh highs ended to exactly what Donghyuck had intended for him to see.
Mark collapsed forwards, feeling light-headed, eyes never leaving that place. His mouth had dropped open again, and he wasn’t far away from drooling all over.
“Oh my god, Hyuck…” he groaned.
“You like it?” Donghyuck hummed as if he wasn’t permanently driving Mark insane. “I mean you were the one who did buy it after all—by ‘accident’...”
“You’re gonna kill me…” Mark uttered. He moved closer and closer, muttering like he was in a trance.“You’re mine. I can’t believe it but you’re all mine. I’m never letting you go…”
“Ooh, possessive. Still?" Donghyuck smiled. "I’d thought you were playing it up for the competition but perhaps this is the real you?”
“Who says there can’t be a little truth to both those things?” Mark replied with a slight growl.
"Well. That's certainly good for me to know." To Mark's complete and utter dismay, he wiggled his hips a little, right in front of Mark.
“Oh my god.” Mark was still in a daze. “What on Earth have I done to deserve this…?”
“Hmm, I don’t know…” Donghyuck feigned innocence. “Maybe I’m just in a good mood today. Or maybe I’m happy about the fact that our branch received the best results yet this month. Or maybe…”
When Donghyuck looked back, he arched his back a little more, and gave Mark that signature watery, inviting look in eyes that made him completely irresistible.
“...maybe I just really missed you today,” Donghyuck finished, his voice already in a partial whine.
And thus, Mark Lee finally and completely snapped. Within seconds, Mark’s hands had a vice grip on those glorious hips, and Donghyuck let out a dazzling moan.
“In conclusion, the reports show that we’re up by 82%, a new record both for ourselves and company-wide, and the CEO sends his thanks to our effort as a team.”
Na Jaemin, recently appointed Co-Assistant Director, took his seat after relaying the message to the office-wide meeting. The applause that scattered around the room was earnest and raucous, with the workers clapping each other on the back and aggressively hand-shaking one another. Truly, their branch was at an all time peak, and it mostly thanks to none other than the two Co-Directors at whom most of the appreciation was directed towards.
“Good job, Director Lee!”
“You did it, Mark and Donghyuck!”
Directors Mark and Donghyuck sat next to each other at the head of the table, merely smiling and exchanging brief nods with one another.
“What can I say?” Mark said, with a grin that was a bit too wide. “I couldn’t have done it without Donghyuck here next to me.”
Donghyuck returned the smile. “Yes, it was actually all because of me.”
A wave of good-natured laughs echoed throughout the large meeting room. It was the one unexpectedly nice thing about having Mark and Donghyuck as co-leaders—their chemistry was undeniable, and it showed in many ways. At first, people were wary, thinking all that would do was fight and disagree and render their branch's’ efficiency to nothing. But now, whenever they sat next to each other in the meeting rooms, their team members felt reassured, as if they could accomplish anything. It had become clear that they somehow, despite all odds, brought out the best in each other.
“One last thing before this meeting is adjourned,” Mark announced. “The company social next week. I hope you'll all join. The event that the planning commitment had agreed upon was...." He raised an eyebrow for a second. "...dodgeball.”
Donghyuck turned to Mark. “And the team division…?”
Mark shrugged slightly before turning to acknowledge the room. “Team A and Team B again this time?”
Everyone exchanged looks with one another. Immediately, eyebrows were raised and smiles were elicited. While the members functioned as one unit these days, lingering traces of their rivalry remained, and they happily acted upon given the chance.
“Seems like everyone’s good with it,” Jeno said.
“Great,” Mark said, taking one last glance at Donghyuck. “Nothing more from me or Donghyuck. Meeting adjourned. See you guys later!”
And with that, everyone left the room. Mark and Donghyuck were about to do the same…until they realized that Na Jaemin was still standing in the room—and the glare he was directing at them was the definition of vehemence.
“Jaemin?” Mark acknowledged.
Donghyuck also turned towards him. “Are you…?”
As soon as the last person left the meeting room, Jaemin immediately flew into a flying rage.
“What the fuck did I say about being late?”
Mark and Donghyuck flinched as Jaemin slapped the metre stick against the desk, effectively snapping it in half.
“Stop being loud!” Jeno yelled, restraining him and removing his weapon. “Where the hell did you even get that?”
But Jaemin was already on a rampage. “I warned him. I warned him that if they were going to show up late for our monthly recap meeting this morning I was gonna k—”
“It was literally fifteen minutes!” Donghyuck yelped in protest.
Silence.
Jeno slapped his own forehead in disgrace. “You shouldn’t have said th—”
“IT’S STILL A WASTE OF MY PRECIOUS LIFE THAT I’M NEVER GOING TO GET BACK ALL BECAUSE YOU TWO CAN’T SEEM TO GET YOUR—-”
Jaemin’s bellows went on and on and on. Needless to say, he certainly tore a new one into both of the Directors with his words, making them feel at least a little shameful.
“You two are useless. This, this is exactly why we tried to sabotage both of you during the competition,” Jaemin blurted in a moment of rage.
Instantly, he realized what he'd said. Jeno’s eyes widened as Jaemin clapped a hand over his mouth.
Jeno tried to recover. “That's not—we didn't—he meant…”
But, his voice trailed off when he realized both Mark and Donghyuck appeared completely unfazed, their expressions entirely unchanged.
Jeno blinked. “...you guys knew?” he said sheepishly. “The whole time?”
Mark softly glanced at Donghyuck. “Of course we knew,” he said. “There are no secrets between us.”
Donghyuck nodded. “As if he could hide anything from me.”
Mark scrunched his eyebrows at that. “Hey—”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Jeno interrupted. “Did you guys really know the whole time? Then what was all that weird energy between you two about?”
Donghyuck tilted his head. “He knew. The whole time.”
“I don't believe it,” Jaemin finally spoke. “I swear...Mark was not in a good mood that whole time.”
"Oh that was real," Donghyuck frowned. "Even though he knew..."
Mark shrugged. “I can't help it when it comes to Donghyuck, I guess. But still, I found out first all on my own of course.”
“What?!” Donghyuck blurted. “No you didn't, I found out first!”
Mark straightened up. “What are you saying right now? Are you manipulating memories? I thought you were being weird first and I asked you, remember?”
“Why are you so confident about it?!” Donghyuck trilled, also turning in his seat to fully engage in the argument. “You're the one who initiated the—”
“You were being sulky!”
“We didn't even find out until we got home remember?”
“I still found out first! I just didn't say—!”
“You were busy doing other things with your mouth—!”
“Are you seriously complaining about it—?!”
“Seriously, Mark. I'm—!”
Jeno and Jaemin stared at the continuous back and forth, as if there was only the two of them in the world and no one else to be annoyed by their bickering.
“Are they…?” Jeno started.
“Did we…?” Jaemin said softly, his former anger dissipated. “...what happened?”
~ what actually happened ~
“In a bit, you can thoroughly apologize…with your tongue.”
And with that, Donghyuck disappeared out into the hallway without a single look back, leaving only the lingering sound of his coquettish tone.
Mark shuddered. Unable to contain the complacent grin that shortly appeared on his face, Mark practically shoved the rest of his things away and briskly ran after Donghyuck out the door.
That evening, Mark and Donghyuck stumbled back into Donghyuck's place, completely and utterly dazed from the aftereffects of their promises. Both were in a state of pure frustration and pent-up desires.
Donghyuck cleared his throat. “Mark, I’m…”
Mark blinked slowly, still looking like he'd hit his head on something. “Yeah…”
“...we shouldn't get used to this.”
“...no, we shouldn't.”
But even before Mark finished talking, somehow Donghyuck was close to him again, their bodies practically hovering against each other, barely pressing. Already there was something to be felt, more to be wanted, as their hearts thumped violently in their chests.
“Donghyuck…” Mark whispered, eyes fluttering.
He didn’t need to say another word, and somehow, Donghyuck was on him again, fingers curled up against his chest and he nipped and tugged gently on Mark’s lips, the kiss tender and deliberate. They couldn’t have enough of each other, and never would: this extent of their relationship was very much clear.
“I love you, Mark,” Donghyuck murmured against his lips.
“I love you more, Donghyuck,” Mark whispered back as he nuzzled against his face.
But this time, when they pulled apart something was amiss. Mark could immediately see the uncharacteristic melancholy in Donghyuck’s eyes, and Donghyuck could tell there was something Mark wanted to say.
Mark opened his mouth to speak first. “Donghyuck. Actually—”
“Wait, Mark. There’s something you should know—” Donghyuck interrupted.
And then, Mark yelped: “Jaemin wants me to become the Director!”
At the same time Donghyuck blurted: “Jeno’s planning to sabotage you!”
They both froze, staring at each other frozen, slowly registering each other’s words wide-eyed, all while still in each other’s arms.
At last, it was Donghyuck who broke the silence first:
“Those BITCHES! ”
As Jeno continued to watch the bickering couple, neither of whom seemed to have any intent of backing down, his eyes widened in realization before collapsing, turning hazy in semblance of defeat. Suddenly everything made sense, and all their little reactions added up.
“Jaemin,” Jeno grumbled, catching the attention of the other Assistant Director. “They knew. They really did know all along.”
“No fucking way,” Jaemin frowned.
“Yeah, I’m sure of it,” Jeno said, rubbing his forehead. “They don’t care at all. They knew. …I think…”
Jaemin’s face visibly tensed. “No...no. Don’t say it. Don’t say the truth!”
"I have to say it..."
"Don't say it."
Jeno squeezed his eyes shut. "I think you and I...this entire company...everyone around us...we were all just plot devices..."
"Jeno, no—!"
Jeno didn't dare to open his eyes. “...I think... this entire time...they used us all and turned everything into one of their stupid sex games…”
Jaemin looked absolutely horrified. For a moment, Jeno thought he was gonna explode right then and there. But somehow, he managed to swallow and keep himself steady, albeit his eyes were quivering a little.
“Jeno…” he managed to say calmly, although there was a little bit of shakiness to his voice.
Jeno’s voice was quiet. “Y-yes dear…?” he managed weakly.
“Please escort me out of this building”
“O-of course…but, why?”
“...would you prefer to see what happens if I stay here?”
“At once, sir,” Jeno replied immediately. He practically scampered to lift Jaemin out of his chair, shoving him towards the door.
In the last second, Jeno glanced back to see that Mark and Donghyuck were indeed still arguing, but somehow their seats had gotten a lot closer than before, and their shoulders were pressed against one another as they continued on and on about things that were entirely pointless. For a moment, but just for a moment only, Jeno’s expression softened watching them. Perhaps, there was something endearing about this strange relationship between his bosses, laden somewhere beneath the way they looked at each other and their tiny, subtle smiles. Perhaps, somehow, they’d found something beautifully forgiving and supportive in each other despite all the odds of their contrasting personalities and the busy nature of their jobs. Even if they were already two extremely capable individuals on their own, they were even stronger together...
…but all those thoughts quickly evaporated, as Jeno recalled the countless times Mark and Donghyuck had tormented him both directly and indirectly over the years, with their collective idiocy and stubbornness. It took them the longest time to realize what they truly felt for each other as a result of Mark’s obliviousness and Donghyuck’s addiction to playing mind games. Yet when they finally did get together it became everyone’s problem in every way. They were shameless and bothersome and didn’t care what they defiled in their path of destruction. Not to mention, they had a tendency to drag others into their sick games—
And it was then that Jeno made his conclusion. He narrowed his eyes, glaring at them before saying out loud:
“Yeah, fuck them.”
And with that he and Jaemin took their exasperated leave, slamming their door and leaving the two still bickering Co-Directors behind.
And it was due time, as only minutes later, Director Donghyuck had grabbed hold of Director Mark’s tie and pulled him close…
-epilogue-
baby bear [4:23 p.m.] mark
baby bear [4:23 p.m.] mark
baby bear [4:23 p.m.] mark
baby bear [4:23 p.m.] mark
baby bear [4:23 p.m.] mark
baby bear [4:23 p.m.] mark
baby bear [4:23 p.m.] mark
baby bear [4:23 p.m.] melk
baby bear [4:23 p.m.] malk
baby bear [4:23 p.m.] mel
baby bear [4:24 p.m.] i'm bored mellll
baby bear [4:24 p.m.] i'm bored
baby bear [4:24 p.m.] i'm so bored
baby bear [4:24 p.m.] play with me
baby bear [4:25 p.m.] director lee
baby bear [4:25 p.m.] handsomest sexiest most capable director mark lee with the
baby bear [4:25 p.m.] biggest
baby bear [4:25 p.m.] most gargantuan
baby bear [4:25 p.m.] GIANT
baby bear [4:25 p.m.] super intimidating
me [4:25 p.m.] ???? why are you texting me during a meeting?
baby bear [4:25 p.m.] oh i see what gets you responding
baby bear [4:26 p.m.] why are we having two meetings in a day this is awful
me [4:27 p.m.] quit texting
me [4:27 p.m.] it’s so obvious you’re doing it under the table
me [4:27 p.m.] jaemin’s already glancing your way
baby bear [4:27 p.m.] wouldn’t be the first time i’ve done things under the table
baby bear [4:27 p.m.] because of you. for you.
me [4:28 p.m.] …
me [4:28 p.m.] why. are you texting me rn
baby bear [4:28 p.m.] why are you responding?
baby bear [4:28 p.m.] expecting something much? ;)
me [4:28 p.m.] hyuck
me [4:28 p.m.] we’re in the middle of a meeting
baby bear [4:28 p.m.] i didn’t say anything
baby bear [4:30 p.m.] i need your cock right now
baby bear [4:30 p.m.] hehe you almost dropped your phone
me [4:34 p.m.] i need you o clock right now?
baby bear [4:35 p.m.] hmm
baby bear [4:38 p.m.] nope
me [4:38 p.m.] pls don't do this to me right now
baby bear [4:38 p.m.] mm hmm
baby bear [4:39 p.m.] archive room at 5:05 p.m.?
me [4:39 p.m.] we promised. to them. we wouldn’t. at work.
me [4:39 p.m.] anymore.
me [4:39 p.m.] remember? jaemin said he would actually write us up for misuse of company property
baby bear [4:40 p.m.] hmm
baby bear [4:42 p.m.] where haven't we...
baby bear [4:43 p.m.] elevator's gonna be empty by the time we leave...
me [4:43 p.m.] that's still company property
baby bear [4:43 p.m.] is it? isn't it actually maintained by a third-party company?
me [4:43 p.m.] how are you always so well informed when it comes to things like this
baby bear [4:43 p.m.] well i'm going to be there
baby bear [4:43 p.m.] are you gonna take the stairs then?
me [4:45 p.m.] no.
baby bear [4:45 p.m.] great
baby bear [4:45 p.m.] then you'll be bumping into me
baby bear [4:45 p.m.] i'm sure it'll be an elevator ride you'll never forget
me [4:50 p.m.] i hate you. i'm literally gonna die one day because of you donghyuck
baby bear [4:51 p.m.] love you 😘
me [4:51 p.m.] love you more
-THE END-