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When soccer practice was over, Yuta jogged into the locker room and grabs his stuff. He can’t wait for a shower. As much as he loves the game he absolutely hates getting sweaty. Before he gets in, he turns some music on. The team has a laptop logged into Spotify. Luckily their coach doesn’t mind Yuta using his own account.
Today though, he notices something weird. When he goes to his On Repeat playlist, the top two songs are Baby Shark and Let It Go. “What the fuck? I bet one of those assholes has been messing with me on purpose.” You would think being in college that the students would be more mature. You would also be wrong.
He doesn’t worry too much about it, he just wants to shower. When he finishes there are a few guys and his coach still hanging around the gym area. “Hey, have any of you guys been using my Spotify? I have kids songs on my playlists now?” They all sniggered but shook their heads no.
“Hey coach, do you know anyone using the laptop when we aren’t around?” Maybe there was a legit reason for this. Although he doubted it.
“No, that I know of Yuta. I will keep my ears open though and if I hear of anyone I will let you know.” His coach slapped him on the back and went into his office.
Well shit. That was harder than he thought. “When I find out who did this.” He shook his head as he made his way to his locker and got dressed.
~~~~~~~
Almost a week later, Yuta decides to work out one night. He had a stressful practice and a ridiculous Chemistry test. He decides that working off his stress would help so he goes to the gym late, knowing no one will be there. He is surprised when he gets there and a blue Jeep is parked in front of the soccer building and the lights are on inside.
When he walks in he can already hear baby shark playing. He groans and rolls his eyes. Evidentiary whoever this is, is the person ruining his playlists. He doesn’t see anyone on the indoor field so he heads into the gym area. There is no one up front by the machines or the computer so he heads towards the back.
When he rounds the corner where the weights are, he stops. What the fuck was going on here? There was a guy around his age doing dumbbell rows. He had his eyes closed and didn’t hear Yuta because he had earbuds in his ears.
Now, to the reason baby shark was blaring through the gym. A little boy, no more than four or five, was sitting on the bench next to the guy playing with anime action figures and singing along. Well, that explains why kids songs have been playing so much.
He waits for the guy to open his eyes and flicks the light switch, trying what he hopes won't scare him. The kid looks up (yes kid, he looks so young. too young for college in Yuta's opinion) and Yuta’s breath catches. He wasn’t expecting such a beautiful face.
“Oh my gosh, I’m sorry! I didn’t expect anyone. No one ever comes this late.” The kid set the weights down and ran over to turn the music off. He walked up rubbing the back of his neck. “Uhhh, hi. My name is Mark and I’m really sorry if we messed up your session or anything.”
Yuta nodded and smiled. He didn’t want the kid, Mark, to think he was actually mad or anything. “It’s okay. Normally no one comes this late but I wanted to blow off some steam. Shit day. I’m glad I did though. Now I know who is to blame for kids songs being top on my Spotify playlist.”
Yuta didn’t know someone's face could get as red as Mark’s did. “Oh no. That’s your account? Shit, I didn’t know. I thought it was the schools and figured no one would even notice.”
Just then the little boy walked up and pulled on Mark’s shorts. Both of them looked down. “Markie, why did the sharks stop singing?” Yuta wanted to coo at the cute kid.
“I’m sorry bud, I needed to turn it off to talk to…my friend here. We’re gonna leave in a minute and we can turn it back on in the car okay?” Mark said, patting the kid on the hair.
The boy nodded and went back to his bench and toys. When Mark looked back, Yuta stuck his hand out. “I’m Yuta by the way. And you don’t have to leave if you want to stay. I have headphones, you can leave his music on, I don’t mind.”
Mark blushed, again. Yuta thought it was too damn cute. “Um, I appreciate that but it’s getting late anyway and I need to get him in bed.”
“I understand. Don’t let me mess up your routine in the future though. You’re welcome whether anyone is here or not.”
Yuta felt the little boy tugging on his shorts and looked down. “Hi mister. You’re pretty. Are you markies boyfriend?” His little face was so serious all Yuta could do was smile and try his hardest not to laugh.
“Oh my god Doie, stop it!” Mark grabbed the kid's hand and started pulling him towards the door. “Thanks, Yuta. Maybe we’ll see you later. And sorry about him. Bye!”
~~~~~~~
Yuta had just got off the treadmill and was chugging water when Mark and the kid walked in. Immediately the little boy ran up to Yuta and stuck his hand out. “Markie said I needs to tell you my name. I’m Doyoung.” Yuta knelt down and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you Doyoung. My name is Yuta.” The little boy smiled. “Mr. Yuta, you can call me Doie if you likes. Markie does.” He smiled and walked over to the same bench with his actions figures.
Mark walked up, already blushing. He really was going to be the death of Yuta. “He’s a cute kid Mark. Is he your cousin or something?” He was trying to ask without sounding too nosey.
“He’s actually my nephew but he thinks we're brothers, which we kind of are. He is my sister's kid but she died in childbirth. We don’t know who the dad is so my mom adopted him. Either his dad looked like our family or he got all his genes from his mother cause he looks just like us, thankfully. I think it will help him when he’s old enough for school.” Mark smiled as he watched Doyoung.
Yuta could see the love in Mark's eyes. He was a little envious, to be honest. “That’s cool of you guys. Not every family would be so cool. I’m a little jealous honestly. I have always wished I had an older brother. Or younger siblings. I’m an only child.”
“I know what you mean,” Mark said. “My sister was ten years older than me so she wasn’t around when I was little. I thought I was an only child for the longest time. My mom didn’t tell me about her until I was old enough to understand the bad decisions she made. Then, everything happened and we got Doyoung. I don’t want to speak ill of my sister, but I never knew her. I won’t judge her but I will forever be grateful we ended up with her baby. He is the best thing that has ever happened to us.”
“Hey, would you guys like to grab something to eat after? I’m gonna shower but I have some Trig work to finish. When you’re done we could go to the diner around the corner.” Yuta felt his face getting hot. What was he, fifteen?
Mark looked from him to Doyoung and back. “You don’t mind that he comes? Really?”
“Of course not. He’s a cute kid and I’ve never seen him be crazy. Yet anyway.” Yuta laughed, hoping to ease Mark’s concerns.
Mark looked a little sheepish when he spoke. “Well, I’m not trying to judge or anything, especially since I don’t know you super well, but most of the jocks I know are either annoyed if he’s around or kinda make fun of me and him. That’s the main reason I don’t come during the day. This way I can avoid those idiots.”
Yuta felt his eyes get comically big. “Mark, if any of those are on my team please tell me and I will gladly put them in their place. That is fucking unacceptable.”
Mark looked shocked but happy at the same time. “Honestly I don’t think any of them are. I’m pretty sure they’re all basketball and football players, but thanks.”
Yuta smiled and put his hand on Mark’s shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. Oh fuck, his traps are amazing. “Anytime. Hey, I’m gonna shower and then I’ll go get us a booth and work on my assignment. You guys can just come when you’re done. That work for you?”
He could see Mark swallow and nod. “Sure, that works.”
~~~~~~~
Luckily for Yuta, they took long enough for him to get his work done. He had just put his MacBook away and ordered a coke when they walked in. Rather, Mark walked in and Doyoung ran to the booth smiling.
“Hi Mr. Yuta! Thank you for enbiting us to eat. I’m hungry!” He pushed on Yuta’s hip to get him to scoot over and climbed up next to him. “Oh my word, Doie. First of all, it’s inviting. V, like Vecna. Not B like Baby.” Mark said smiling. Doyoung just looked at him like he was explaining the meaning of life. Yuta almost laughed.
“Secondly, why did you make Yuta scoot over like that? You need to ask before you do stuff like that okay?” When he finished Doyoung nodded and turned to look at Yuta.
“Is it okay that I pushed you and sat by you?” He actually looked worried Yuta might say no.
Yuta smiled, “Of course not buddy. Mark is right though, it is more polite to ask beforehand.” This kid was just too cute.
“Okay guys, I’lls ask first next times.” And then he was in his own little world, pulling little characters out of his pockets and playing on the table.
“Seriously, he’s like the cutest kid I’ve ever met.” You smiled while ruffling Doyoungs hair. The kid just kept on playing. “We definitely got lucky,” Mark said, “He is cute and very well behaved. Mom didn’t even have to like, threaten or punish him. He’s just, like perfect.”
Before they could really start talking, the waitress came over and took their orders. Yuta asked for a coffee refill, and Mark ordered a sandwich and got Doyoung chicken strips with chocolate milk.
Yuta looked at Mark and saw he was fidgeting with his hands. “Hey, you alright?”
Mark nodded and clasped his hand together in his lap. “Yea, just kinda nervous. You’re one of the coolest guys at school and it’s still surprising how cool you are in general, but especially with my brother and me. I’m just not used to sports guys being nice to us.”
Yuta could see the anxiety in Mark’s body. He hated that anyone could have made him and probably Doyoung feel this way. Before he could talk himself out of it he put his hand on the table, palm up, and looked at Mark, waiting.
Mark looked between his face and hand a few times before he slowly put his hand in Yuta’s. “I am so sorry that anyone made you guys feel uncomfortable or less than them, or whatever they may have done. I haven’t known you long but you and the little guy are totally cool. People just haven’t given you the chance and they’re idiots for it. Please, let me know if someone from my team gives you trouble. These bullies need to be put in their place.”
Yuta could see Mark’s eyes going watery so he squeezed his hand. “Umm, thank you. Really, that means so much. I try to be a good example for him but I feel like it’s not enough when a lot of the guys he sees at the school aren’t nice. If we do get to see you more, I think that would be good for him. To see how nice you are to us.”
“Mr. Yuta is the nicest ever! Does that means we gets to see you more?” He was looking between Mark and Yuta with a very big smile on his face.
“I didn’t know you were listening to us talk. You’re a sneaky boy, aren’t you? Well, if you and your brother want to see me more, I would love to.” He slowly pulled his hand out of Mark’s and started searching his school bag.
He turned back to Doyoung, “If you promise to be responsible and take care of this, I will let you have it.” He held up a small keyring that was a circle with stars on it. It said Jax and had a phone number underneath. “This was my cat Jax’s name tag. He was my best buddy but he died a few months ago. It has my number on the bottom. If you ever need me, or if Mark needs me, you can call me.”
The look on Doyoung’s face made Yuta’s heart melt. He looked so serious but happy. “Thanks. I promise to keep it safe. I hope you can gets a new buddy that loves you like your jaxs did.”
“Me too,” Yuta said, turning to look at Mark who was trying not to be noticeably wiping his eyes. “I can’t be that sappy.” He laughed and Mark did too.
“So sappy dude, but so cute and I just, couldn’t handle it anymore.” Mark laughed and covered his face.
Luckily for Mark at least, the waitress walked up and sat their food on the table.
~~~~~~~
After paying for their meals, Yuta picked up Doyoung, who had fallen asleep, and walked beside Mark toward their cars.
“Thank you for coming. I know it was kinda, random.” Yuta said, smiling. “I’m normally not that, shy or whatever this is. You just make me feel….I don’t know. Happy I guess.” He chuckled and looked at Mark. “Do I sound crazy?”
Mark laughed, “Maybe just a little.” His cheeks turned slightly red before he held his hand out and looked at Yuta, smiling.
Yuta put his left arm under Doyoung and took Mark’s hand in his right. “Well, this isn’t how I thought my night was going to go, but I’m glad it did.”
“I’m glad too, Yuta.”