Archive of Our Own ^beta

   Jeno is used to having people not like him. It’s not like he intentionally goes out of his way to be a jerk, he just prefers to keep to himself. He doesn’t like when people try to get buddy-buddy with him too fast. He hates small talk. Most of the time when people try to engage with him, he mostly gives one-worded responses and then finds an excuse to leave the conversation. He only has two close friends, Chenle and Jaemin, and he plans on keeping it that way. Honestly, Jeno just has little to no interest in what’s going on in other people’s lives on an individual level, more focused on building himself up. Jeno enjoys working out, hiking, dancing, camping, soccer, and he’s trying to make himself better at all those things. Not to mention Jeno is going to university to be a business major, with plans to get rich enough that he can just retire early and do whatever he wants after that. At times he’s not busy or working towards self-improvement, Jeno can usually be found on the couch watching TV. Jeno likes it this way. He doesn’t care about not being liked.

   There’s only one person Jeno wishes liked him. That person is Mark Lee. Now Mark is the complete opposite of Jeno. Everybody likes him. Mark is a very personable, kind, and just generally positive guy. He smiles a lot and he’s very sincere. People are naturally drawn to him. Jeno and Mark work at a bar nightclub together called Dreamy, and there’s several regulars that come asking for him. Sometimes if someone at the club tells a fan of Mark’s that he’s not working that night, they just turn around and leave. If Jeno had to put his finger on it, Jeno suspects people like him because he knows how to make them feel special. He’s good with the eye contact and looks like he really cares when people are telling him something about themselves. He’s a good listener. Not to mention he’s super cute. Mark isn’t just adorable but also kinda hot. “Kinda” might be an understatement if he’s being honest. He has light brown hair, his bangs just touching his sharp cheekbones while the back goes to the middle of his neck. He has golden skin like you started making caramel and took it off the stove just as it started to brown, pretty brown eyes, and pouty lips. He’s slender, but not like he’s waisting away. He has some substance, some musculature from what Jeno could tell. And that ass of his…god, it was glorious. So plump and soft-looking, Jeno always wanted to get a handful of it.

   Jeno wasn’t so bad in the looks department either, which was his claim to fame at the nightclub. People would often stare at him, flirt with him, and Jeno would just take their drink order, flash them a sexy smirk, and peel off to help the next person. It was perfect for him. He didn’t have to talk a whole lot. He just had to look good, serve drinks, and the tips came naturally. He’d gone home with a few people, content to be a one night stand, then sneak out and do the walk of shame home or to class the next morning. Again, Jeno didn’t really care about getting to know them. He’s not the type of person who gets attached easily. It’s just crazy to him that in spite of Jeno’s good looks and Mark’s natural charm, he can’t even really get Mark to look his way. To all his other coworkers at the bar he is bubbly and nice, engaging in conversations with them. With Jeno, however, all he usually gets is a head nod. At most it’s a “oh, hey Jeno,” at times where he hadn’t even seemed to realized Jeno was there. And it’s just so frustrating because usually he doesn’t give a damn, but Mark…he can’t deny there’s something different about Mark.

   He tells his friends as much, when they’re at the basketball court playing H.O.R.S.E. on a Saturday afternoon. 
   “Maybe he just doesn’t like you,” Jaemin teases, laughing in his dumb nasally way as he makes a free throw from where Chenle just took one.  
   “Nah, I don’t think so,” Jeno replies nonchalantly, as he takes his position where Jaemin just was. “I’ve barely even talked to him.”
   “You’ve barely even talked to anyone,” Chenle replies in jest before Jeno takes the shot. He misses.
   “O!” Chenle and Jaemin shout in unison.  
   Jeno scowls at them both and sighs. “Do you guys always have to shout?” Chenle proceeds to do half a lap around the court hooting and hollering while Jaemin applauds him and laughs like the maniac he is. Jeno smirks at their antics. They may be idiots but they’re his idiots and he’s glad they take up space in his life.
   “Ok but no seriously, what interactions have you two had?” Jaemin asks, steering the conversation back to Mark.
   “Like, next to none,” Jeno replies earnestly. “Like I know you guys say I always avoid or ignore people or whatever, but he’s never even given me the chance to do that. Not that I would anyway, but still.”
   “Well have you tried talking to him?” Chenle asks, lining up for a three-pointer. Jeno freezes. He thinks about it. He never goes out of his way to start a conversation first almost ever. With anyone. He gives hints. Like he’ll stand really close to a person he thinks is hot at a party so they’ll start talking to him and he can start flirting, but looking back he can’t even remember introducing himself to anyone without them introducing themselves first. “No?” Chenle asks, sensing the answer.
   “I…guess not?” Jeno replies. Chenle rolls his eyes and leans back so he can fake-stumble.
   “Oh my god, you’re ridiculous,” Jaemin jumps in as Chenle takes his shot and it swishes into the basket. “How you always manage to pull girls and guys at parties I’ll never know.”
   “Wait wait wait,” Chenle suddenly says as he switches places with Jaemin so that he can make the three-pointer while Chenle stands by Jeno, “have we ever considered the fact that maybe he does like you? A lot?” Jeno side eyes him as Jaemin tosses the ball towards the hoop.
   “What is this, high school?” Jeno responds. Jeno has heard the ball hit contact with the backboard but not the net.

   Chenle who was looking directly at the shot blurts out “R!” Jaemin gives him the finger. “No I’m serious,” Chenle replies as Jeno retrieves the ball from where it’s bouncing. “You said he treats you different from everybody else, right? Well maybe the answer isn’t that he doesn’t like you, but that he likes you so much he doesn’t quite know how to act around you.” Jeno considers it momentarily before taking his position on the left side of the free throw line.
   “I don’t know, that sounds pretty far fetched.” Jeno says before he takes the shot and makes it. “Plus, even if it is true, how would I ever know for sure if he doesn’t talk to me?”
   “Talk to him, dumbass,” Jaemin says as Jeno makes his way over to where he’s standing, clearing the way for Chenle. “Make an effort for once in your life. You probably don’t even have to do a lot. Just say hi, work whatever magic you use to get people to go home with you after every party we have, and see what happens from there.” Jeno furrows his brow and looks off into space. It’s not a bad idea to be honest. He’s still pretty nervous about the prospect of starting a conversation. He would hate to get into dreadful small talk, especially with the guy he actually likes, but maybe the whole exchange will help him get some clarity. Maybe Mark will be lame and Jeno will lose interest. Maybe Mark will make it clear in some way or another that he doesn’t like him and make it easier for Jeno to move on. Or maybe he’ll finally get to tap that ass like he’s wanted.  
   Jeno shrugs. “I guess it couldn’t hurt,” he finally responds after a few seconds.
   “Atta boy,” Jaemin responds with a big smile before ruffling the top of Jeno’s head. Jeno pushes him away and rolls his eyes while Jaemin just giggles. Chenle then takes the shot where Jeno just was. He misses. “H!”

칠칠칠

  Jeno arrives at the bar a little before seven, as per usual, but with a different mindset. A plan. He never comes to work with a plan, but today his plan is to subtly (maybe not so subtly, depending on how things go) flirt with Mark. He feels like he’s going fishing. Just putting his line out there and seeing if anything sticks. It’s new for him, but it’s honestly kind of thrilling. Usually Jeno shows up in his uniform already, the others get changed while Jeno plays Candy Crush on his phone, they have their team huddle with whoever the manager is that night, and then they start getting everything set up, finishing as the first customers arrive. But today Jeno decides to show up in the clothes he went the basketball court in: tight white t-shirt, a simple black hoodie unzipped at the front, black basketball shorts that have three white stripes down the side, and his black running shoes with white detailing. He didn’t get very sweaty at all today, and the fresh coat of deodorant is doing its job. He has his work clothes in the black duffle bag on his shoulder. He’s the first worker to arrive. Again, this is normal. He waits near the entrance of the club where there’s a couch. He puts his duffel bag down on it and stands beside it. He briefly wonders who’s managing tonight. He hopes it’s Jaehyun. Between Johnny, Taeyong, and Jaehyun, Jaehyun is by far the most chill. Johnny is cool, but sometimes overwhelmingly gregarious. Taeyong is honestly the best manager, one could argue. Always working just as hard as the staff, always there to help if needed, but also more strict than the other two. Just as expected, breaking his reverie, Mark is the second worker to arrive at the bar, coming in without seeing Jeno at first. He’s dressed in baggy khakis and a long-sleeved green t-shirt, Ralph Lauren blue backpack on, looking very fashionable from the back at least. He’s looking around and then turns his head to the side, finally seeing Jeno in his periphery and giving a slight start as he turns to face him. Mark is usually the first one to speak but, again, Jeno has a plan. Part of that plan is taking his friends’ advice and talking to Mark first. He gives Mark a head nod. “Hey,” he says simply with a smirk.
   “H-hey, uh, Jeno,” Mark replies. It’s not like he forgot his name, he just seems utterly caught off guard, not quite knowing where to look.
   “How are you?” Jeno asks. Again, this is completely out of character for him, but he’s testing the waters. Mark cocks his head to the side, brow furrowed in confusion, mouth ajar as he looks at Jeno. He recovers in only a second though.
   “I’m good,” he replies with the typical lilt in his voice that one uses when responding to that question.
   “That’s good,” Jeno says still smirking, hands in his pockets, leaning up against the wall, eyes fixed on Mark. There’s a pause. Mark looks like he wants to say something, and Jeno just waits patiently. Before Mark can get something out, the door opens and Karina barges in.
   “Markyyyy!” She says jovially before giving him a friendly hug.
   “Heyyyy,” Mark responds with a smile. He glances at Jeno which makes Karina take notice of him. “Oh, hey Jeno. Didn’t see you there,” she says earnestly. She’s one of the ones who doesn’t take Jeno’s standoffish behavior personally. “Hey, Karina,” he replies easily. She wraps Mark up in conversation, but he doesn’t mind. Things are going as planned so far.

   The other two bartenders and two bar backs start to trickle in. They all go to change but Jeno hangs back about five minutes. He knows that Mark and the male bar back, Sungchan, usually chat while Sungchan changes. Mark is too ADHD to focus on getting dressed and talking at the same time. Jeno knows this from the handful of times he’s bared witness to it. So it takes Mark additional time to get ready after Sungchan leaves. After the five minutes, Jeno moseys on up to the small men’s changing room and opens the door. Sungchan is just doing up the last bottom on his gray button up shirt while Mark stands leaning up against the lockers in his white tank undershirt, laughing with Sungchan about something or other. The laughter dies down when Jeno enters wordlessly with his duffel. “Jeno,” Sungchan greets him with a polite head nod. 
 “Hey,” Jeno answers casually setting down his bag on the bench.
   “Anyway,” Sungchan says seemingly to them both. “I’m gonna start setting up a little before the meeting. See you down guys there.”
   “See ya!” Mark says and Jeno grunts in acknowledgment as Sungchan departs. Jeno puts his foot up on the bench to untie one of his shoes. He looks up at Mark, smirking at him again. Mark is just looking at him at first, seemingly nonplussed. Then he turns around and opens the locker behind him, pulling out his white button up. “I thought you usually change before you get here,” Mark asks from behind his locker door.
   “Yeah, well,” Jeno starts as he unties his other shoe, “I was playing basketball with some friends before this. Didn’t have time to change.”
   “Do you play a lot?” Mark asks as he shrugs on his shirt.
   “Eh, every so often. I like soccer more, but basketball’s fun too.”
   “Oh really? I like soccer, but I haven’t played in forever.”
   Jeno looks him up and down, quickly but intentionally. “You look like you’d be good at it,” he says, shoes now in his bag as he takes off his hoodie.
   Mark guffaws. “What makes you say that?” He asks as he slips off his Vans.
   “Well, you have good reflexes from what I’ve seen, you’re slender so you would probably move down the field easily, but strong enough to put some strength behind your kicks.” Jeno starts to slip down his basketball shorts, he doesn’t miss Mark glancing at his thighs. It could be promising but it could be nothing. “I mean at least I think so,” Jeno then says.
   “Are you doubting my strength?” Mark says, eyes narrowed but smirking.
   Jeno chuckles. “Well, you need strong legs to be able to kick well,” Jeno replies, now standing in his boxer briefs and white tee. “I’ve never seen your legs so…” he trails off and shrugs. Mark eyes him suspiciously, but still with a look of mirth. Suddenly Mark undoes the latch and zipper on his khakis. Jeno thinks he feels is heart start to race, but he keeps his expression steady, eyebrows raising only slightly as Mark lets his pants fall. He has on blue boxer briefs and his legs are just as he pictured them; slender but muscular, a light smattering of hair on his calves. Jeno’s thoughts start to turn explicit.

   Mark simply shrugs, waiting for Jeno’s assessment. “Very nice,” he impulsively answers. Then, worried it might sound too pervy follows it up with “I think you’d make a solid footballer.”
   Mark giggles as he steps out of his pants. “Thanks, man,” he replies.
   “How did you come by such nice legs?” Jeno then asks, putting on his black slacks. Marks really laughs at that.
   “Wow, watch out, I might be lead to believe you’re trying to flirt with me at work.” Jeno is careful not to come on too strong. Yet. Instead of taking the bait, he pivots ever so slightly.  
  “I just mean that you don’t get legs as toned as that sitting around playing FIFA all day.”
   “Well I do some of that too,” Mark says, taking his black slacks out of his backpack and shoving in the khakis in their place, “but I do a lot of dancing. Hip hop mostly. I compete and stuff.”
   Jeno’s jaw genuinely drops. He’s lacing up his non-slip dress shoes distractedly now. “You do? I had no idea.”
   “Yeah, I don’t talk about it much,” Mark admits. “The last thing I need is some drunk girls down there asking me to dance for them.”  
   Jeno laughs at that. “I mean you’d probably get some good tips out of it.”
   “I’m not a damn Chippendale!” Mark says laughing along. There’s a short pause.
   “I like to dance, too,” Jeno confesses quietly, taking his white tank and white button up out of the bag. Mark legitimately gasps, slacks now fully on as he buttons his shirt up.
   “Seriously?!”
   “Yeah, for about ten years. Just for fun.”  
   “Wow, that’s awesome.” Mark is smiling at him and Jeno adores it. There’s a pause and then Mark laughs again. “Maybe you should be the Chippendale and get all the tips,” he says in jokingly. At that Jeno does a smirks again before slipping off his t-shirt, revealing his washboard abs. The smile disappears from Mark’s face, his mouth ajar again briefly before he closes it, swallowing thickly. Jeno stands there just for a moment, letting Mark get an eyeful.
   “Maybe,” Jeno says in response to Mark’s jesting suggestion before grabbing up his tank from off the bench, slipping it on.

   There’s a long pause where Mark just focuses on getting dressed, looking down as he buttons up his shirt with trembling fingers. Jeno is still just smirking to himself as he begins to put on his own button up.
   “Do think it’ll be busy tonight?” Mark then asks as he slips on one of his dress shoes, starting to tie it. Jeno knows everyone’s default is small talk, and that’s what Mark is falling back on, but engaging in small talk with Mark doesn’t seem like as much of a chore. It less like wading through bullshit and more like unwrapping a Christmas present.
   “Probably not too bad,” Jeno replies, doing up his last button. “It’s not quite warm enough out yet for everyone to be hitting the clubs, but it is about a few weeks before finals week so I’m sure some people are looking to cut loose before buckling down to study. Anyway, do I look ok?” Jeno asks this to force Mark to look up at him. He’s tying his shoe but he does, rather slowly, bring his head up to take in Jeno’s form, his eyes tracing over his body in a way that makes Jeno’s blood heat. He knows that look. He smirks again, this time involuntarily.
   “You…look great,” Mark mumbles out, an half smirk in his face, like he’s embarrassed by himself. Jeno smiles at him.
   “Thanks. I’ll see you down there.” Jeno turns to leave without looking back, a huge smile on his face. He’s not sure if Mark likes him now, per se, but there’s no denying that he’s at least attracted to him. And that’s something Jeno can run with.

칠칠칠

   That night during the shift, just keep stealing glances at Mark. During the meeting, when they would cross paths in the tight space behind the bar, Jeno would make sure to make eye contact and smirk. Mark, for his part, would mostly just blush and look away. It was adorable and sexy and made Jeno wanna bend him over the stair railing and fuck him in front of everybody. Jeno even discovered they lived in the same apartment building near campus and rode the train back home together, making casual conversation. Jeno isn’t outwardly flirting quite yet. Not with his words, anyway. He’s just letting his body speak for him, sitting as close to Mark on the train as possible, walking directly behind him as they enter the building, and standing unnecessarily close to him in the elevator. There’s a point where they’re silent and for a second he thinks Mark is going to make a move on him, but then the elevator opens on the 7th floor and Mark bids him goodnight and scurries off. As Jeno ascends to the 17th floor, he starts thinking maybe Mark is more introverted than he originally thought. This is ok though. Jeno is willing to play the long game.

Jeno usually only sees Mark twice a week. Jeno works Wednesdays, Mark works Thursday, and then they work together on Fridays and Saturdays. This week however another bartender, Jihyo, asked Mark to switch shifts with her, so he ended up working on Jeno’s Wednesday. Between the events of Saturday and the sporadic, inconspicuous texts he and Mark had been sending each other, he figured it was time to implement phase two of his plan: find excuses to touch Mark whenever possible. The bar wasn’t very busy on Wednesdays and they also opened and closed earlier. Now it’s 4:30 and almost completely dead. The bar back is Haechan and he’s currently taking one of his extremely long restroom breaks, but for once Jeno didn’t mind. He was preparing the sliced fruit for the cocktail fruit holder. “Wait, you also do mountain go biking?” Mark says bewildered as they started discussing more of their hobbies. It turns out Mark also plays guitar, which Jeno is super impressed by, and Jeno just stated that he goes biking at least once a week. “That’s insane! What are you, trying to be a modern day Forrest Gump, Jack-of-all-trades type?”
   “No,” Jeno replies, reaching around and invading Mark’s space for at least the fifth time this evening already to pour the orange he just sliced into the holder. Mark is bellied up against the bar, apparently fixed to the spot as Jeno stands close behind, his front inches away from Mark’s back, his inner arm bumping Mark “on accident.” “I just like to stay fit,” Jeno continues, close to Mark’s face. “Keeps my stamina up.” If one of them was to turn their heads towards the other, it would look extremely intimate. As it is, Jeno imagines from the outside it looks like two bartenders who know each other well and are so used to being right on top of each other in a small work space that even when they have extra space they forget to use it. “What about you?” Jeno then says, stepping away to slice lemons. “What made you pick up guitar?”
   Mark sucks in a breath and looks skyward. “I think I’ve just always been kind of a busy bee,” he explains. “Always doing a bunch of activities at once, always on the go, always talking to people and doing things. And I like having a full life but a lot of the time I have so many thoughts bouncing around in my head without a way to get em out. But when I get the chance to sit down with my guitar and run scales, or practice some sheet music, or even write my own songs, I feel…peaceful, I guess.”

   Jeno smiles at the idea of him blissed out and calm, playing guitar, in his own zone. Mark is so giving he could easily see him being the type to give too much away, so it’s nice that he has a way of giving back to himself. “That’s nice,” Jeno responds, grabbing up the now sliced lemons and reaching over Mark’s side the same way he did before. He sees Mark smirk in his periphery. “I’m glad you have a way to unwind. We all need that.”
   “Yeah well I wish I was more like you,” Mark says lighthearted.
   “No you don’t,” Jeno says evenly as he scoots to the left to use the one of the tiny sinks under the bar next about a foot and a half from where Mark is standing and strains the Maraschino cherries. These are fancy maraschino cherries that come in pretty small jars, so in order to fill up that section of the cocktail fruit holder he needs to strain three jars total.
   “Yes, I do,” Mark says petulantly. “You’re always so cool, calm, and collected. Nothing seems to bother you.”
   Jeno shrugs. “This is usually true,” he says matter-of-factly. “Most things don’t get to me. I just focus on myself. But I do think I end up hurting some good people because of it. I shut a lot of people out. A lot of people are so isolated and selfish already. But you’re a positive light to a lot of people just by being you. The world doesn’t need more me, they need more you.” Jeno nearly rolls his eyes at himself. He usually never says things so…nice and emotional. He looks up to his left, wondering what Mark is looking like. Mark has turned around, slouching with his back against the bar now, the fruit holder behind him, smirking at him with bright eyes and looking ever so slightly coquettish.
   “Thanks for saying that,” he replies. Jeno nods. He scans the room briefly. There’s no one in their section of the nightclub right now, the few guests they have being outside on the patio with their drinks, enjoying the sunny spring weather. He approaches Mark, holding the three jars of cherries in both hands. He sets them down to his right, right next to Mark’s left arm. Mark’s expression has no mirth at the moment but his eyes are still bright, his mouth ajar, waiting for something it seems. Jeno takes up one of the jars and stands right in front of him. They’re close enough to kiss. Jeno brings his chest to Mark’s almost as if he’s hugging him, but instead reaches his right arm around the left side of Mark’s body to pour the first jar of cherries into the cocktail fruit holder. Jeno is tilting his head slightly so he doesn’t spill anything, but his face is super close to Mark’s and Jeno grins at him. Mark chuckles once and Jeno can feel his breath hit his mouth. “What are you doing?” Mark asks Jeno, his voice only a bit more than a whisper.
   “My job. Or Haechan’s job really,” Jeno responds, speaking quietly as well.
   “And you have to do it like this?”
   “Like what?” Jeno says with grin turning more mischievous as he pours in the second jar.
   “This close to me,” Mark almost whimpers out in a way that sends a warm feeling straight to Jeno’s groin.
   “Well you could always move, you know,” Jeno says, raising his eyebrows. “Why haven’t you?”
   “I was here first,” Mark says standing up straighter, getting impossibly closer to Jeno now. Jeno’s breath hitches. Then he smiles, his gaze going to Mark’s lips. He cranes his neck one more time to pour in the last jar of cherries, then puts it down and locks in on Mark’s eyes.
   “Is that so?” He says with plenty of vocal fry, standing up straight. Being ever so slightly taller than Mark he’s able to look down at him, almost daring him to touch him, kiss him, anything.
   
   Before the tension can turn into something, however, they hear Haechan’s work shoes clomping down the stairs and break apart instantly. Jeno goes back slicing fruit while Mark pretends to fiddle with the POS positioned against the back wall. Haechan is talking on his cellphone as he descends, not having seen or sensed any of the eye-fucking or next to heavy petting that just took place. “Did we have any new people come in since I’ve been gone?” He says after he’s hung up with whomever.
   “No,” Jeno answers simply, knowing he’s better at putting up a front than Mark. Mark would have probably answered with a shaky voice and Haechan, being as intuitive as he is, would know something was up. Haechan walks behind the bar and gasps. Jeno doesn’t miss how Mark momentarily jumps at the sound.
   “Oh wow, did you guys fill up the cocktail fruit holder for little old me?!” Haechan ask, hand to his heart, being dramatic as always.
   “Ah, Jeno did,” Mark states with an awkward chuckle underneath his words.
   “Awww, thank you, hyung,” Haechan says, his voice and facial expression dripping with aegyo, making a heart with his pointer and middle fingers.
   “You’re welcome. Now do the ones on the other side,” Jeno orders sternly. Haechan scoffs and drifts over lazily. He despises busy work and he makes it known. He feels a pair of eyes on him. He glances over to Mark and they share a knowing look before a group of girls comes in through the front door, wanting five Sex On The Beach’s.

칠칠칠

   The texts between Mark and Jeno have been a little less subtle now. They send each other TikToks and memes a few times a day, sometimes suggestive ones. Jeno half expected to be invited over to Mark’s room, or be asked out on a date before their next shift together. But none of those things happen. Jeno really doesn’t get it. How much more obvious can a man be?! 
   As is common practice, Jeno texts his friends about it in the group chat the three of them share.

Chenle

Maybe you should just ask him out???

Jeno

 I literally haven’t asked anyone out since I was ten. And she said no.

Chenle

Ya know Jeno, that was 11 years ago. Maybe it’s time to let that go 😬

   Jeno sighs while he sits on the couch, waiting until it’s time to leave for his Friday shift in about ten minutes, random YouTube videos used as background noise. Jaemin suddenly types in the chat.

Jaemin

I have half a mind to go down to that bar myself. I gotta get a look at this guy who’s driving our boy absolutely insane. Lol.

   Jeno laughs at the idea. He’s never met a more obvious guy than Jaemin in his life. Maybe his presence would help speed things along.

Jeno

Hey, come if you want to. Idgaf.

   Just then Jeno’s roommate, Jungwoo, came out of his room. “Hey,” Jungwoo says easily, looking very cute in his black leather pants and oversized navy blue silk shirt.
   “Hey,” Jeno replies monotone, hardly looking at his hyung.
   “Aww, you sounds stressed,” Jungwoo then says in a motherly way. “Girl trouble?”  
   “Boy trouble,” Jeno corrects him.
   “Oooh the worst kind.”
   “Where are you going?” Jeno replies, now fully taking in his dolled-up form.
   “I’ve got boy trouble, too,” he replies with a devilish smile. Jeno laughs with his mouth closed.
   “Have fun,” he replies before Jungwoo winks at him in thanks and heads out the door. Jeno puts down his phone and sighs, resolving himself to watching whatever TryToEat video YouTube has autoplayed into, wondering if he should keep trying or just give up on his pursuit of Mark Lee.

칠칠칠

   He gets to work and says hi to Mark first, but other than that, he doesn’t really look his way. Mainly because he’s run out of ideas short of asking him out and risking rejection, but also because it’s pretty busy tonight. Apparently there was some sort of party or event that happened about ten blocks away and now that it’s over everyone who was over there is coming over here. They have a line out the door that isn’t crazy, but it’s nothing to scoff at either. They seem to have it pretty well in hand though. Everyone is getting served in a timely fashion and there’s no upset customers yet. He’s in the flow of taking drink orders left and right when he here’s a familiar voice shout “Hey, sexy!” He looks over and sees Jaemin’s smiling face, lit up by the warm white lights beneath the bar and the sparse dim lighting above his head, making him look almost ethereal. Jeno smiles big in response. It’s nice to see one of his favorite people in the heat of the madness.
   “You fuck face, I can’t believe you came!” He shouts over the loud music and people.
   “Well we just finished movie night at Doyoung’s and he lives close. Felt only right. Plus I wanna see this guy!”
   “Damn, I’ve been working here for three years you’ve never visited. Who knew all it takes is a budding romance to get you over here?” Jaemin looks around and then leans in closer to Jeno.
   “Ok don’t be obvious, but is that him over there with the light brown hair, staring at us?” Jeno cranes his neck to act like he’s looking at a far off table to his left when  actually his eyes are looking for Mark who is, indeed, staring at them as he makes a mixed drink, looking kind of pissed to be honest. Jeno tries not to let his gaze linger at all.
   “Yeah that’s him,” he says turning back to Jaemin.
   “Dude I think we’re making him jealous,” Jaemin says, shimmying his shoulders and making a ridiculous noise. Jeno puts his head down and laughs loudly, not able to help himself. This whole situation is so crazy.
   “You want a drink on me?” Jeno asks, remembering he’s at work.
   “Aww, thought you’d never ask, Jeno-ah,” being mock-flirtatious, smiling broadly and tilting his head with fluttery eyes. “Yeah, let me get a whiskey sour.”
   “Comin right up,” Jeno says before he starts preparing his friend’s drink. He starts to do some tricks with the shaker that he usually doesn’t pull out unless he’s trying to take someone home, but his friend is here and he feels like showing off. Jaemin applauds him like an excitable baby. Then Jeno pours his drink, accepting Jaemin’s thanks before Jeno works on the next person. He chances another glance at Mark. Their eyes lock briefly before Mark looks away.

칠칠칠

   It’s not often that someone at the club wants an entire bottle of wine. Champagne, yes but wine? No. Especially since their selection is pretty limited. Nevertheless, since someone has ordered three bottles of their Pinot Grigio, they were happy to oblige them. The only problem is that since wine is ordered so seldom, they were having trouble finding their corkscrew. It was just past midnight and Jaemin was long gone at this point, dipping after the drink Jeno made him. Who better to try and find the corkscrew than Jeno? He checked the back of the bar with no luck, and Taeyong was nowhere to be found. He checked the office upstairs for the corkscrew and/or Taeyong. No trace of them. He goes downstairs to the private office. They have all been instructed specifically not to go in that office, as sensitive info about paystubs and applications are in there, but Jeno is getting impatient and so are the thirsty customers. Plus he knows the code to the door. Taeyong gave it to him once and he saved it on his phone in case of emergencies. He looks in his phone and enters the code, opening the door without looking up at first.

   When he finally looks up he sees Mark already in the room. He’s looking very surprised, his jaw dropped and his arms aloft like a frozen zombie. Jeno pushes the door closed behind him. “You’re not supposed to be in here!” Mark says with a whine in his voice.
   “You either,” Jeno replies flatly.
   Mark rolls his eyes. “I was looking for the corkscrew,” Mark explains to him. “Why are you here? How did you get the code?”
   “Oh honey I’ve had this code for at least a year and a half. And I’m here for the same reason.” Jeno says stepping closer to him. “How did you get the code?”
   “Johnny paid me extra to tidy up this room once,” Mark answered, looking everywhere but at him. “After entering it in so many times going back and forth that day, I sorta committed it to memory.”
   “I see,” Jeno says smirking. He’s just so damn cute when he’s flustered. “Well, did you find it?”
   “No, not yet,” Mark answers, stepping over to one of the drawers. “I only walked in here, like, five seconds before you did.”
   “Well, let’s start looking,” Jeno says as they start to check all the desk drawers and cabinets. It’s a pretty big desk, seeing as it’s made for two people to be able to sit there at the same time. Jeno checks the right side while Mark checks the left. After a couple minutes, he’s concluded it’s not in his side. He stands up to check the stand-alone coat closet to his right, but at the same time Mark comes right behind him asking a question and the bump into each other. “Ay-yah!” Jeno exclaims at stage whisper volume when his shoulder knocks into Mark’s chest.
   “Ouch! Sorry,” Mark says, wincing and clutching his chest. “I was just gonna see if you found it.”
   “No,” Jeno replies in a deep voice, his whole mood changes. As he looks at Mark’s face, into those sweet eyes and at those pouty lips of his, he couldn’t give a fuck about a corkscrew right now. He’s starts thinking only of how frustrated this man has made him. How badly he wants to kiss him right now.
   “What?” Mark has the nerve to ask him innocently.
   “You know what,” Jeno replies flatly before stealing a small peck on the lips from Mark. Their lips only touch for a millisecond, but Jeno can already tell they’re so soft. Mark gasps after the contact, completely caught off guard. Jeno just raised his his eyebrows, as if to say “what are you gonna do about it?”

   Suddenly they hear a beeping at the closed door of the private office. Someone is trying to get in. Jeno acts fast. He grabs Mark by the arm and scurries with him the other side of the room where there’s a half curtain. This part of the office is where they store some overflow shipment and other junk they can’t find a place for. The curtain makes it a little less unsightly, in Taeyong’s words. Mark and Jeno hide behind it. Jeno is standing behind Mark as they both peer around the corner to see what’s going on, hoping not to get caught. Just as they take their positions, Taeyong enters on his phone, taking a business call likely from an event planner with the way he’s talking. Taeyong is rummaging around the drawers, looking for something. Maybe the corkscrew the two of them were looking for? Jeno’s heart is racing, wishing Taeyong would hurry up so they could escape. Then his attention is drawn to Mark, his body almost right up against him as he tries his best to control his breathing. Jeno does the unthinkable. Brings his arms around Mark’s waist, holding him tight to him. Mark gasps slightly but not loud enough to be heard unless you were night next to him. He puts his nose to Mark’s neck, breathing him in. He then puts a hand in Mark’s hair and licks him from clavicle to earlobe, biting it with slight pressure when he gets there. Marks breath is trembling, his eyes closed in ecstasy. Jeno glances over at Taeyong, making sure he’s still not looking. He’s still just talking while trying to find the corkscrew. This is one of the most thrilling things Jeno has done in his life. Touching Mark all over, feeling his perky chest, his toned abs, his petite hips, his muscular thighs, and best of all having that magnificent ass pressed up against his hardening dick is something that he’s fantasized about for a while now. Having his boss mere feet away while he feels him up as a whole other element to it that makes it all the more exciting and new.

   Jeno feels crazy. He cranks it up a notch. He reaches for the button of Mark’s black slacks, undoing that and then the zipper. He waits for Mark to push him away or stop his hand or anything but he doesn’t. If anything Jeno could swear he Mark push back against him, pressing his backside even further into Jeno. Jeno pushes his pants down a little bit, then his boxer briefs just enough to free Mark’s cock. Jeno can’t help but think it’s really pretty. It’s kind of dark behind the curtain, but from what he can tell they seem to be just about the same size except Mark is circumcised and Jeno isn’t. There’s already a bit of precum leaking from the slit, which makes Jeno smile. As quietly as he can, Jeno licks his hand a few times before wrapping it around Mark’s hard and waiting dick. He moans and then gasps. They both still, thinking maybe they’ve been caught. Taeyong is still just talking in his phone, noticing nothing. After a few seconds, Jeno starts stroking Mark at a moderate pace, spreading the precum and saliva around, being so filthy as he jerks him off. Jeno continues to graze Mark’s neck with his nose and lips. As the pace gets faster, Mark whimpers and then bits his lips, clearly trying to keep his sounds in. It’s so hot. Jeno lends a helping hand, bringing his other hand up to cover Mark’s mouth, inadvertently making Mark have to lean back against him even more, his neck now tucked up under Jeno’s chin. Jeno glances up to make sure Taeyong still isn’t looking, then takes the opportunity to lazily kiss Mark’s neck, not being able to get enough of his tight and smooth skin. Mark’s breathing is becoming more labored, he can tell he’s getting close as Jeno strokes him at lightning speed. He wants so badly to see him come.

   Sure enough, Taeyong was in fact looking for the corkscrew, which was proven when he looks into the coat closet and finds it there, hanging up against the side wall. He takes it and leaves, still negotiating on the phone. Jeno takes his hand off Mark’s mouth, wanting to hear him now that he can, wanting him to finish. Mark is grunting softly, closing his eyes. He looks so beautiful, Jeno can’t help but think. He could watch this for an eternity. Suddenly Mark makes a choked off noise before coming right into Jeno’s hand. He moans as white shoots out of his cock, Jeno massaging him until it’s all out of him. A little bit drips on the floor which makes Jeno grunt as well. Finally Mark is spent and Jeno lets go of his dick. Mark is panting as Jeno pulls back. Jeno decides this is a good time to make his exit, leave Mark wanting more. He moves from behind him and heads for the door, making a show of walking backwards and licking his cum-stained hand with a smile so Mark can see before heading out of the office. Jeno has never felt more alive as he goes into the kitchen to and beelines for the closest sink. Everyone is so busy the don’t even notice what Jeno is washing off his hands. Or the boner in his pants. He tries to think of erection-killing thoughts (coleslaw, wearing socks on a wet floor, the time he hit that squirrel with his car), and then heads back out towards the bar. He runs into Taeyong. “Where the hell have you been?”
   “Bathroom, sorry.” Jeno answers naturally.
   Taeyong rolls his eyes. “Have you seen Mark?”
   “No.”
   “Ok well let me know if you find him. In the meantime, go help out on the patio. Karina and Keeho are swamped out there. Help em out, would you?”
   “On it,” Jeno says before speed-walking out to the patio.

칠칠칠

   It’s 3:03 am now. Most everyone else’s has gone home safe for the maid staff, who will probably be here cleaning up for at least an hour. Jeno is waiting by the back door for Mark. He hasn’t seen him for the rest of the night. Jeno was outside helping Karina and Keeho the whole time while Mark was presumably inside like normal. He still can’t believe what happened in that private office. How good and thrilling it felt. He can’t recall ever being this satisfied by a sexual experience where he didn’t even get to come. Jeno wanted to pick up where they left off. If not that, then maybe at least walk and talk with him back to their apartment. Suddenly Mark comes out the door with his head down, changed back into his street clothes which consist of a black baseball cap, gray sweatshirt, dark washed straight-legged jeans, and some white converse. “Mark,” Jeno calls out, making Mark jump and look at him. Jeno chuckles. “Sorry, did I scare you?” Mark suddenly grabs Jeno by the tank peeking out from under his undone button up and pushes him forcefully against the dumpster. Jeno is surprised by his strength. It would have been kind of hot if Mark didn’t look so…angry.
   “What the fuck was that earlier?” He hisses out, still holding on to Jeno.
   “I…you mean the hand job?” Jeno feels a chill, his eyes wide. Mark takes his hand off Jeno’s shirt, takes off his hat and throws it in the ground.
   “ Yes, the hand job!” He growls out, his eyes like Jeno’s never seen them wide and wild, his teeth gritted. He throws his backpack that was on his one shoulder down as well. “What the fuck were you thinking?!”
   “I, uh,” Jeno stammers out, for once his reply not easily given, “I th-thought you wanted it.”
   “Well next time maybe ask!” Mark practically shouts. “You can’t just do whatever you want Jeno! What if we had gotten caught? I could’ve lost my job. I never said you could touch me like that. I never gave my consent, you asshole! ” He punches Jeno in the pec when he says the word asshole. Not hard enough to leave a bruise, Jeno hopes, but definitely hard enough to hurt.
   Jeno doesn’t know what to say. “I…I just—“  
   “Yeah, ‘I, I, I.’ That’s the only person you’re concerned with, Jeno. You don’t think about anyone but yourself.” Mark steps back and puts his hands on his hips, staggering around in a circle and looking up, inwardly cursing the heavens if Jeno had to guess. Jeno is paralyzed, rooted to the spot. All he had wanted was Mark’s attention, to know him, to get him to look his way, but if all the ways he hoped Mark would look at him, he never in a million years wanted it to be like that. He looks at  Jeno like he’s dangerous and disappointing. Suddenly a car pulls up, some older guy in the front seat with glasses. Probably a ride share. “My ride is here,” he says grabbing his hat and bag off the ground, putting them both back on. “Goodnight, Jeno,” he says, so sharply Jeno swears his tongue must be a knife, before he gets into the backseat of the gray Kia Sportage and leaves. Jeno releases a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He feels something wet on his left cheek and realizes it’s his own freshly fallen tear. He wipes his eyes, pushes himself of the dumpster, and walks the whole twenty minutes home in the darkness of the early morning.

칠칠칠

   The following day, Saturday, Mark is a no-show at work. Jaehyun said he had called out sick. Jeno still feels so bad for taking advantage of Mark like that. He could have sworn all the signs were there. That he wanted it. Now he’s crossed the line and possibly done irreparable damage. He’s a zombie all through work, keeping to himself even more than usual. It’s busy but it’s a good distraction. Jeno is headed to the kitchen to pick up an order of flatbread for a customer when someone gets in his way. It’s Young Ji, the only female bar back and by far Mark’s closest friend here at work. She grabs him by the collar and glowers into his eyes. Jeno already knows she hasn’t liked him liked him since she met him, but surely nothing is worth this level of hostility, right? “What did you do to Mark?” She whispers threateningly.
   “What?” He asks in fear, his eyes wide. Young Ji is a tall girl, the same height as him, which can make her very intimidating sometimes.
   “I know you did something to him,” she says with a furrowed brow, almost snarling. “One minute he’s texting me about how he can’t stop thinking about you and the next minute he’s being all cagey, saying there was a misunderstanding between you two and he doesn’t wanna talk about it.” Jeno is reeling. He doesn’t know what to react to first; the fact that he was gushing to a friend about him, or the fact that he said the two of them had a “misunderstanding.” He wonders what that even means in this context. Jeno remains silent, lost for words for the second time this week, looking down off into space. Young Ji still has him by the collar and shakes him, forcing Jeno to look at her. “If you did anything to break his heart, I will Kick. Your. Ass. ” Her eyes are filled with fire, she’s breathing deeply. Even though she’s an imposing girl, she’s very much giving crazed Pug vibes right now. This seems to be the effect Mark’s kindness has on people. They care for him so much. It just makes Jeno smile knowingly. He puts a gentle hand in top of one of hers. Her expression softens.
   “You’re a good friend, Young Ji,” he says calmly. She stunned into silence, slowly letting him go. He walks slowly into the kitchen to get the food, still feeling the pain of how Mark lashed out yesterday, but also feeling that there’s a glimmer of hope. If Mark believes it was a misunderstanding, maybe he’d be open to talking about it.

칠칠칠

   Jeno doesn’t reach out to him on Saturday. He got off work late and he didn’t want to risk waking Mark up or, worse, make him think he was trying to seduce him again by reaching out at booty call hours. Instead he decided to wake up at eleven on Sunday morning, eat brunch, brush his teeth, go on a bike ride to get his mind right, shower, wash his face, change, and then see if Mark is willing to talk to him today. So he does all of that, and now he’s sitting on his living room couch with his phone in his hand. He takes a deep breath before he starts to text Mark.

Jeno 

Hey, Mark. I just wanted to apologize for what happened on Friday. Would you be willing to talk to me in person? It would be good to see you.

He waits a couple of minutes, just staring at his phone. He’s about to put it down and turn the TV on to get his mind off of it for a sec when suddenly he sees the text bubbles pop up. He feels his heart race again. This could lead to him getting cursed out again. He doesn’t think he could take it from Mark a second time, even if it’s just virtually. Before he can think on it too much, Mark has sent his message.

Mark

What are you doing now?

Jeno

I’m just in my apartment.

Mark

Can you come down to my apartment now?

   Jeno figured he’d have an hour or more to prepare if Mark agreed to meeting. He didn’t expect it to happen right now. Nevertheless, he doesn’t wanna keep Mark waiting and he really needs to see him in person sooner rather than later. He needs to apologize properly, needs to explain to Mark where his head was at.

Jeno

Ok, give me about five minutes.

Jeno grabs his stuff and heading out the door.

   The descent of the elevator seems like it’s taking an eternity. Jeno even taps his foot like some sort of Disney Original movie character. Finally Jeno gets off the elevator and reaches number 782, where Mark said he lives. As soon as he reaches the door Jeno knocks, worried he’ll chicken out if he doesn’t knock immediately. He puts his hands in his pockets and waits, looking down at his shoes. Mark opens the door about five seconds later. Jeno looks up to see Mark, looking gorgeous as usual, with an unbuttoned dark blue corduroy shirt, a white t-shirt underneath, light blue jeans, and some white New Balance tennis shoes. “Hey,” Jeno says, his eyes wide and his heart beating fast.
   “Hey,” Mark says, face unreadable as he steps to the side to let Jeno in. Mark closes the door behind them as Jeno takes a seat on the couch. He sits on the edge of it, head hung, legs wide, elbows on his knees with his hands clasped straight in front of him. Jeno knows Mark lives alone (lucky!), so he doesn’t have to worry about anyone else hearing him be so vulnerable like he’s about to be. He looks up at Mark, wanting to make sure he looks at him at least for this part.
   “I’m sorry Mark,” he starts. “I’m really sorry for crossing the line the way I did. I never meant to hurt you, I promise. It’s the last thing I ever wanted to do. I just…” he sighs and hangs his head again. He’s never felt so exposed. But he needs Mark to know how he feels. “I just liked you so much. I didn’t know what to do. I thought you liked me too, and I was just so anxious to be acknowledged by you. To have you. So I…took without asking. I overstepped and I…look, even if you don’t like me anymore, or never truly did, I just want you to know that I respect your boundaries and have really enjoyed getting to know you as a person. I want to keep knowing you, but if that’s not what you want, I understand. I even understand if you want me to quit at the bar. Whatever you need, I wanna give it to you. I guess…that’s what I’ve been trying to convey this whole time.” There’s a long pause. Jeno can’t get himself to look up. His words just hang there for a second. It was a lot to say, but if nothing else he’s glad he finally said it.
   “I’m sorry too,” Mark suddenly says quietly. This makes Jeno finally look up, confused as all get out. Mark is in front Jeno with his back to him, a coffee table in between the two of them.
   “What?” Jeno responds. “What could you possibly have to apologize for? I’m the one who took advantage of y—“  
   “No, no, you should be sorry for that,” Mark says looking back at him with a stern look before turning his back to Jeno again. The younger man’s mouth snaps shut and he waits for Mark to continue. “I’m sorry because…I haven’t been totally honest with you,” Mark clarifies somewhat.
   “What do you mean?”
   “You were right, Jeno, I did like you. Those…vibes, or whatever you felt like you were picking up on were real. I’ve been attracted to you since I first saw you, but you were so cool and…aloof, I guess, that I didn’t think you would like someone like me. I thought I would annoy you.”
   Jeno couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He’s pretty sure his mouth was open but he didn’t even care. “Then,” Mark carries on, “when you started talking to me and like…flirting with me and stuff, I didn’t know what to do. Everyone I’ve ever been in a relationship with has just taken the lead and asked me out. I’ve never pursued anyone, and it was driving me crazy that we were just kind of…in stasis for a second there.

   Then that night…” Jeno inwardly cringes, looking at the floor, trying to brace himself to be chewed out again. “I think…” Mark proceeds slowly, his voice soft, “if I’m honest…I liked it. A lot. I liked it when you kissed me. I liked it when you grabbed me by my hair. I liked it when you kissed my neck. I liked being pressed up against you. I liked when you touched me. I liked that we could have been caught by Taeyong at any moment. It like that it felt so good to me that you had to cover my mouth . I liked the way you licked me off your fingers after. I loved every second of it. If I’m really, really honest…I even liked that you didn’t ask me. You just took me…” Jeno feels like he’s going to explode he’s feeling so many things: happy, still confused, but more than anything horny as Mark recounts all the ways he touched him, saying he liked it. He tries to put that last feeling in the back burner for now. “There’s a…sort of moral disconnect in my brain,” Mark says, brushing his hair with his hand. “I know what you did was wrong, but I’m not mad about any of that. What I am mad about is that you just left after. Like, it started before I was really able to mentally process it, and then it was over before I knew it. You just left me there like a play thing.” He turns around now, looking down at Jeno, “Took what you wanted, and left. It made me feel used and vulnerable, and I hate feeling vulnerable. At least in that way. So yeah, that’s why I’m still mad at you.” Mark crosses his arms and casts his eyes downward.

   Jeno senses he should say something now. He gets to his feet. “I’m sorry I made you feel used,” he says, stepping a bit closer to Mark, about two feet away from him now. “I also hate feeling vulnerable. I think that’s why I left right after I…got you off.” He tries to look in Mark’s eyes, but Mark just swallows and keeps looking down. “I wanted you to want me even more,” Jeno continues, “to finally beg for me. I’ve…also never asked anyone out. I was always chased, never the chaser. The idea of asking you out was terrifying to me. I thought you would reject me and I couldn’t handle that. Especially from you. I’m…I’m not used to asking for what I want.” There’s a slight pause.
   “I guess I’m not either,” Mark confesses, dropping his arms but still looking down.
   Jeno continues. “I mean, that night, if I hadn’t been so scared of my own feelings for you, I would’ve stayed there with you until you were ready to leave the room. I would have finally asked you out on a date, walked you home like a gentleman, all that cheesy shit.” That last part makes Mark snicker and Jeno feels a bit lighter. “I never wanted to just use you,” Jeno then says. “I only wanted to be with you.”
   There’s another pause before Mark asks “Is that…is that still what you want?” He’s finally looking up at him. Jeno follows his instincts. He comes closer to Mark slowly, ready at any moment to be stopped by him. As he slips one arm around Mark’s waist to press them together and his other hand comes to cup Mark’s neck, he doesn’t pull away, or make a face. Instead he just gasps lightly, wrapping his arms loosely around Jeno’s back, looking right up into his eyes with a look anticipation.
   Jeno stares at him earnestly. “As long as you’re willing to give to me.” Mark glances down at Jeno’s lips and begins to lean in. Jeno meets him half way and their lips meet. Jeno feels like fireworks are going off inside of him. Mark’s lips are so soft. That first little peck he gave Mark didn’t allow him to appreciate the feeling of his lips fully. He was determined to make up for that. He brings the hand that was on the back of Mark’s neck to cup his jaw and deepens the kiss. He poured all his deeper feelings for Mark into it, leaning in further, moving his lips slowly but with passion. Mark was answering in kind, gripping onto Jeno’s jacket like he’ll disappear if he doesn’t hold on tight, inhaling all of Jeno’s breaths. This is like no kiss Jeno had ever had before. This wasn’t some sloppy drunken one night stand kiss or a nervous first date kiss. This one felt like he was in a Hollywood romance and he could believe how much he was enjoying it.

   Jeno is first to break away, wanting to make eye contact with Mark. Mark chases after his lips as Jeno pulls his face out of reach but still holds him close. Mark opens his eyes and stares into Jeno’s, smiling. Jeno can’t help but smile back. Mark brings one of the hands that was behind Jeno’s back to caress Jeno’s cheek with the back of his pointer finger. Jeno blinks heavily, feeling tingles everywhere Mark touches. He starts to lean back in for another kiss before Mark pulls away and starts to head into his room with haste.
   “Do you have plans for the rest of the day?” He calls out from inside.
   “Umm, no,” Jeno answers back, feeling weird about basically shouting after such an intimate moment. “I’ve got the day free.” Mark then comes out of the room, fiddling with his pockets as he strides widely towards Jeno.
   “Ok, come on,” he says as he takes Jeno’s hand and pulls him towards the door. Jeno is taken aback.
   “Where are we going?” He asks with wide eyes as Mark opens the apartment door, down for whatever but still thrown off by the change of pace.
   Mark looks back at him and smiles. “On a date, silly.”

칠칠칠

   Jeno hasn’t had much experience with first dates, usually allergic to the idea of starting a relationship, but as far as he’s concerned this one was great. They went for barbecue. They talked and laughed, made more confessions about how much they’ve been secretly crushing on each other since they met, feeding each other, the whole nine. Jeno insisted on cooking all the meat on the grill for them, serving Mark like a gentleman. Mark decided to “make it easier” for him and at some point got up to sit on the same side of the booth, their arms pressed together and their knees knocking. They decided to walk the thirty minutes back to the apartment as opposed to taking the train, not wanting the date to end. Finally they back to the apartment and off the elevator onto Mark’s floor. “And you guys never hooked up?” Mark says teasingly, continuing the conversation they were having about Jaemin showing up at the bar. It turns Mark was very jealous indeed when he thought Jaemin was a romantic interest of Jeno’s.
   “ Never ever ,” Jeno confirms, his face filled with mirth. “Like, I love the guy but…ew. Never.”
   “Not even a liiittle peck on the lips or a tap on the ass? Nothing?” Mark is still teasing, having the time of his life.
   “I mean I think I’ve tapped his ass in a ‘good job on scoring that goal’ way, but that’s it.”
   “Welp, that clenches it. You basically slept together,” Mark says in mock haughty fashion.
   “Yup. I’m a skank. No way around it.” Mark hinges over in laughter nearly stumbling down the hallway. They haven’t had anything to drink but it sure feels like it. Jeno doesn’t think he’s felt this carefree in a long time.

   Finally they approach his door and Mark leans against it. Jeno looks down at him still smiling. “I had a really nice time tonight,” he says sincerely.
   “Yeah, me too,” Mark says with a bright smile.
   “Are you doing anything next Sunday?”
   “Are you asking me out?”
   Jeno could have answered with a flirtatious “maybe,” but instead he decided to be transparent. “Yes,” he says with a smirk.
   Mark looks down and blushes. “Ok, yeah. Sunday works,” Mark says, seemingly unable to stop grinning.
   “Good,” Jeno says deeply, his thoughts starting to shift as Mark’s smile reminds him how adorable he is. Then how hot he is. Then he’s looking Mark up and down, thinking of Friday, what happened behind that curtain. How he had his hands all over Mark. How now that he knows that Mark liked his touches, he can’t wait to touch him again. Mark’s expression changes. He looks up at Jeno, sensing the tension, something caught in his own eyes. Jeno recognizes it as desire. He tries not to read into it too much though, tries not to let his lustful thoughts overtake him. This is a first date after all. They’re on their way to having a second. He puts his hands in his pockets. No need to get hasty.
   “Good night,” Jeno says, pecking Mark on the cheek, really close to his lip.
   “Good night,” Mark replies in a breathy tone as Jeno pulls back. They just stare at each other for a second, then Jeno forces himself to turn around and make for the elevator.

   He’s only taken a step when he feels a light tug at the back of his black jean jacket. “Ummm…” he hears Mark say, and Jeno turns back around to face him. “We…agreed to start saying what we want, right?” Mark finishes his sentence.
   “Yes, we did,” Jeno agrees, taking his hands back out of his pockets.
   “Well, I don’t want the night to be over yet,” Mark says, stepping more into Jeno’s space. “Do you?”
   “No, I wanna come inside,” Jeno says very close to Mark’s face now, dying to kiss him. However Mark turns away to fetch his key out of his pocket and unlock the door. He goes in and Jeno follows right behind. Jeno shuts the door carelessly behind him and Mark is on him in a split second, practically jumping into his arms, kissing him feverishly. Jeno wraps his arms around him, responding in the same fashion. Mark moans as Jeno’s hands roam all over his back, feeling the subtle musculature there beneath all the layers of clothing. Mark kisses him like he can’t get enough, using his tongue, panting into Jeno’s mouth. Jeno moans against him, feeling like he’s in paradise. Then he does something he’s be thinking about for a while and grips Mark ass, enjoying the suppleness of it. Mark whimpers at that and Jeno smiles against his lips as he massages the skin there. Mark is quite handsy as well, running his hands through Jeno’s hair, then moving them down to his waist and strong thighs, but apparently it’s not enough for him. Mark pulls their bodies slightly apart, reaching down to palm Jeno’s cock through his jeans. Jeno practically growls before spinning their bodies and pushing Mark forcefully against the front door. Mark gasps before they continue kissing. Jeno suddenly thinks of Friday and pulls away, not wanting to make the same mistake twice.
   “If at any point you want me to stop you tell me, ok?” He tells Mark, breathless but also very serious.
   “Ok,” Mark says nodding eagerly. Now it’s Jeno’s turn to cup Mark’s crotch, grinding his palm down repeatedly. Mark moans with eyes closed, arching his back off the door and letting his head lull from side to side. Jeno takes his other hand to rest on the side of Mark’s pretty little neck, enjoying the feeling of the smooth skin on his Adam’s apple. “Choke me,” Mark whispers out. “Just a little bit.” Jeno smiles devilishly, more than happy to oblige. He pressure in his fingers, constricting Mark’s airways ever so slightly as he continues to stroke Mark’s cock over his pants. Mark whimpers, looking like he’s experiencing pure ecstasy.
   Jeno leans into Mark’s ear. “You like it when I’m rough with you?” He whispers.
   “Mmhmm,” Mark replies, his eyes still closed.
   “Ooh fuck you look so good like this, baby,” Jeno continues, sensing the dirty talk doing something for Mark. He’d be lying if he said it wasn’t working for him as well. “I wish everyone could see you like this. You look so pretty, your mouth open and moaning for me.” He chuckles dirtily. “I can just see it now: us up in my apartment, your hands against the bedroom window as I fuck you .” Mark starts panting again. “It’s so high up,” Jeno goes on. “The seventeenth floor. You’d be able to see the city as a fuck you from behind. People probably wouldn’t be able to tell it was you. Then again, maybe they would. Would you like that?” Mark doesn’t answer. He just snaps his eyes open and pushes Jeno’s hand away. For half a second Jeno thinks he’s done something wrong again, but then Mark sinks to his knees. He hastily works on unbuttoning Jeno’s jeans, looking almost vengeful. Jeno couldn’t be more turned on right now, his hands almost shaking as he looks down at the man who drives him absolutely insane. After Mark has finished undoing his pants, he moves on to his boxer briefs. He has his face so close to Jeno’s crotch that when Jeno’s dick is revealed it hits him in the face. Jeno is at near maximum hardness, his cock already dripping and oozing with precum. Mark uses it as lube as he gently strokes it up and down, his touches ghostly. He seems to be admiring it, looking at it from every angle and he rubs him up and down. Jeno’s breathing is labored, so horny he can’t even think, not able to take his eyes off the show Mark is giving him.

   Then, in an unexpected move, Mark lifts up Jeno’s dick and starts sucking one of his balls. Jeno gasps as his coworker draws it into his mouth like a pacifier. He tosses his head back. “Holy fuck, Mark,” he exclaimed breathlessly. Mark switches to the other testicle, starting to move his hand up and down Jeno’s length again. It feels so divine. Jeno feels dizzy almost. He can’t hold back his groans. He puts his hand in Mark’s hair, gently stroking it. Mark moves his mouth from his nuts to his now rock-hard dick, taking him in almost all the way down each time. This is better than Jeno’s dreams about it. He thought Mark would be all dainty and teasing to start, which would have been sexy too, but this ravenous, carnal, animalistic way in which Mark is devouring him inch by inch is sooooo much better. It’s made even better when Mark starts to deepthroat him, letting Jeno hit the back of his throat again and again. Mark doesn’t even look at him, focused on the task at hand. Jeno gets inspired, wants to test the waters. “Can I fuck your face, baby?” Mark hums his assent with a whine, mouth still around Jeno’s dick, opening his mouth wider in preparation. Jeno licks lips before grabbing Mark’s hair, forcing him down onto the base of his cock. He’s amazed how Mark is just taking him with little to know struggle, only gagging a few times. “Fuck, you’re so perfect. It’s like you were made for my dick. Like you were made for me.” Mark moans in response as Jeno continues using his mouth. Jeno feels his face flush, something building in his stomach. He’d love to come in Mark’s mouth someday, but not right now. After three more pumps, he pulls Mark off of his cock by his hair. “Get up,” Jeno says, his voice gravely as he pulls up his underwear and pants, not bothering to zip them back up. Mark stands to his feet and Jeno immediately picks him up. Mark gasps before Jeno kisses him again. The bedroom door is open and Jeno pulls apart from Mark’s lips to lead them inside. It’s hard to do, as Mark has begun kissing and sliding his teeth right under Jeno’s jaw, making him see stars. Jeno sucks in a breath through his teeth as he approaches the edge of Mark’s queen bed.

   Jeno throws him down and then crashes on top of him. “Fuck,” Mark says in an airy tone before Jeno’s lips meet his. Jeno is so thrilled to finally be here, in Mark’s bed, kissing him, caressing him, with Mark doing the same thing to him, making him feel so wanted. Mark starts to tug at the back of Jeno’s jacket. “Take this off,” he commands. Jeno gets off the bed entirely. He can’t believe he’s still fully clothed. He even has his shoes on, for god’s sake. He toes out of his shoes first thing and tugs off his socks hurriedly. He then strips off his jacket, followed by the black t-shirt underneath. He tries to flex his abs when he takes it off. Mark had told him at dinner how he enjoyed seeing his abs in the locker room that time, and Jeno had already confessed that was one hundred percent intentional. Still it doesn’t stop Mark from blushing at the sight, lying there looking at Jeno, biting his index finger as he tries to hide a sexy smile. Jeno smirks back and slides his thumbs down into the waistband of his boxers, slowly tracing the hem of his jeans.
   “Should I take these off too?” He asks Mark.
   “Yes, please,” Mark answers with plenty of vocal fry. Jeno pushes both his pants and boxer briefs down at the same time and then steps out of them. He sees Mark’s expression darken before he sweetly says, “Can you take mine off as well ?”
   Jeno smiles mischievously. “Of course,” he says politely as he gets back in the bed, kneeling in between Mark’s legs. He lifts one Mark’s legs up, making Mark’s breath hitch before he takes off his shoe and sock. He does the same to the other leg, smirking down at Mark the whole time while Mark still had his index finger between his lips, biting it intermittently from what Jeno can tell. “Sit up for a second,” Jeno orders. Mark does as he asks, their faces so close again. Jeno pushes the corduroy button up off Mark’s shoulders with Mark’s assistance. Then he lifts Mark’s t-shirt off of him, spying his subtly toned torso and the perfect little brown nipples that he wants to tease but resists for now. Jeno looks him up and down. He’s an absolute vision. He presses against Mark sternum with his hand until Mark gets the hint and lays back down. He then works on Mark’s jeans, undoing the button and then the zipper. He does it all at a moderate pace. Not going slowly but in no hurry either. At least not yet. Once his boxer briefs are exposed, he traces his lips and nose over the seam, feeling the hardness of Mark’s cock underneath, looking up at him as he does so. Mark’s shudders, his eyes blinking slowly like a cat. It makes Jeno smile. “Lift your hips up,” Jeno purrs out. Mark bites his lip and does as he’s asked. As soon as he does Jeno gets his hands on his jeans and his underwear, rearing back to pull the completely off. “ Fuck , Mark,” Jeno as he leans back in his heels, taking in his now entirely naked form. “You look incredible.”
   Mark covers his face bashful then puts his hands down, his cheeks a rosy pink. “Thank you, that’s sweet.”  
   Jeno chuckles. “Yeah well,” he starts nonchalantly, “we’ll see how sweet you think I am when I absolutely ruin your hole.” Mark’s jaw drops and his eyes are wide with shock and excitement. Jeno even sees Mark’s dick jump in response. He laughs like an evil villain in a Bond movie. “Where’s your lube and condoms?” Jeno then asks. Mark shifts his torso to lean over to his left where his nightstand is. He rummages through the drawer and Jeno doesn’t miss the green dildo laying it he right in front, a suction cup attached to the end. He mostly ignores it, just looking at Mark knowingly without saying anything. Mark blushes again and then finally gets his hands on his bottle of lube and a couple condoms. He hands them to Jeno with trembling hands, and Jeno wonders if it’s because Mark is nervous or excited or both. Jeno, for his part, isn’t nervous at all. He’s just ready and willing to please Mark any way he can.

   Jeno puts the condoms behind him in the bed, then hinges over and brings one of Mark’s legs over his shoulder so he can see his asshole. He puts the lube on his fingers, rubbing them together to warm it up for Mark. “Are you ready?” He asks Mark.
   “Yeah,” Mark breathes out, like it was all the air he had left. Jeno slowly slips in one finger as Mark’s jaw drops, moaning when Jeno gets it all the way in.
   “Remember, tell me if anything gets uncomfortable at all,” Jeno says seriously, looking up into Mark’s eyes as he moves his index finger in and out, curling it to satisfy him.
   “Oh-okay,” Mark stammers out, barely opening his eyes before closing them again, completely out of it with pleasure. To be fair, Jeno feels the same way, mesmerized by the way his finger is sucked in by Mark’s hole, over and over again. Jeno doesn’t know what looks better; Mark’s tight little asshole swallowing his finger again and again, or Mark thrashing his head in ecstasy, panting and grunting like he’s possessed. Jeno chooses the latter. Without warning Jeno slips in another, not asking but keeping his eye on Mark, making sure he’s still feeling good. If the way he’s biting his lip and moaning while toying lazily with his own dick is any indication, Jeno would say Mark is feeling very good. “Faster, Jeno,” Mark says after a while, and Jeno doesn’t hesitate to start moving his fingers in and out of Mark faster, scissoring him apart. He looks so hot it’s tearing Jeno up inside.
   “Oh, baby,” Jeno says, still hypnotized by Mark’s very being, “you have no idea how much I wanna be inside you right now.”
   “Then hurry up and add a third,” Mark orders. His eyes are still closed but he’s smiling lazily.
   “Man, I didn’t realize you were so bossy,” Jeno says before slipping another finger in and slowing down somewhat, Making sure he doesn’t open Mark too wide before he’s ready.
   “You, too,” Mark says back in a strained voice as he grimaces just a bit. He wants to ask him if he’s ok but he trusts Mark. He knows that this time he’ll tell him if it’s too much. After a few minutes Mark loosens up in every way imaginable, moaning louder now looking too weakened to thrash anymore as Jeno has now sped up to a road runner pace, his fingers moving in and out of Mark with ease and at lightning speed. “Ohhhhh fuck, Jeno, I need you inside me right the fuck now! ” Mark almost screams.
   “And I need to be inside you,” Jeno hums out as he slowly removes his digits from Mark’s ass, sweating a little even though he hasn’t really done anything yet. He gets back up on his knees and turns around to grab one of the condoms behind him. When he turns back around, Mark is shifting around until he’s on all fours. Jeno frowns while lubing up his condom-covered cock. “Aww, I wanted to see your pretty face while I fuck you, baby,” he whines out. Mark looks back, wiggling his ass and smirking.
   “We can do that too,” Mark says, plenty of sexy fry in his voice, sounding even more alluring than he already is, “but this is my favorite position.” Jeno scans his body and can’t deny the view from where he’s at is spectacular.
   “Ok, ok. I’ll give you what you want,” he consents, pouring extra lube and Mark’s ass from good measure. Mark shudders a bit from the cold, but that just makes his ass jiggle even more so Jeno can’t find it in himself to be sorry about it. He closes the cap with a snap and tosses it wherever, lining up with Mark’s entrance. Slowly, he presses into Mark from tip to hilt in one smooth motion, Mark panting and whining the entire time Jeno filling him. Jeno closes his eyes shut tight, unmoving. “Oh my god, baby, you’re so fucking tight,” he says, almost overwhelmed by it. He didn’t know it would feel this good. He wants to start moving before he comes too quick but he won’t, not before Mark says it’s ok. Luckily Jeno doesn’t have to wait long.
   A mere ten seconds pass before Mark strains out, “You can move, baby.” Jeno bites his lip, not expecting to like the term of endearment quite as much as he did. He’d been saying it, all this time to Mark, but to hear it back…Jeno pulls back and thrusts in again, unable to go slow right now, working in and out of Mark at medium pace, relishing the feeling of him tightly around him. Jeno was becoming obsessed with the was his ass looked while he fucked him, jiggling continuously, spread open for him and only him. Testing the waters again, Jeno does an experimental smack. Mark keens high from the contact.
   “Oh, you like that?” Jeno says, his voice dark and smoky even though he’s breathing is labored.
   “Mmhmm,” is all Mark can whimper back. Jeno spanks him again and he yelps, his arms starting to give way. Jeno speeds up, beating up Mark’s hole now, almost relentless. He can’t believe he’s here right now, inside of the man he’s been crushing on for what feels like a millennia, watching his tight little hole clench around him, seeing the sheen on his back, seeing his head hang low and then get tossed back when Jeno hits an angle Mark is fond of. Mark then gives up on holding himself up. The side of his face hits the pillow, positioning his ass even higher, allowing Jeno to go deeper.
   “Oooh, that’s it, baby,” he husks out encouragingly. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this. How much I’ve craved it. I touched myself so many times thinking about it. I imagined how it would feel, getting to fill you up until you couldn’t breathe anymore, until the point where you’d close your eyes and all you’d be able to see is me fucking you.” Mark moans at that. Jeno sees his eyes shut even tighter, biting his lip again. It makes Jeno chuckle again. “And now you’re here,” Jeno continues,“letting me fuck you like I’ve always wanted, letting me shove my cock deep inside. Over and over. Letting me fuck you like you’re mine.” Jeno presses his body forward even more, putting his hand to the side of Mark’s head and clutching onto his hair, pressing his face down into the pillow even more. Mark grunts and sucks in a breath through his teeth. “Right now you are mine, Mark. All mine. No one can fuck you like this. No one can fill your tight little hole like this but me.” Jeno is slamming deep in Mark hole as he says these words. Mark is practically screaming.  
   “Yes yes, Jeno, fuck, ” he rasps out, just audible beyond the pillow he’s getting shoved into. “You’re so deep. You fill me up so good. No one can fuck me as good as you. I’m yours. All yours.”

   Jeno grunts and pulls out. He can’t take it anymore. “Turn over,” he orders. “I’m dying to see your face.” Mark is trembling, shaking like a leaf as he does what Jeno says, looking completely dazed as he lies on his back. Jeno wastes no time, smiling mischievously as he pushes Mark’s thighs up, his knees to his chest. Mark’s eyes become hooded, a silent challenge gracing them. He pushes back into Mark now with one mission: to make him come. Hard. Jeno’s thighs burn but he powers through for Mark, still sliding in and out of his hole as Mark just moans loudly and continuously. He could listen to Mark make those sounds for an eternity. Jeno looks down at his face, not able to take his eyes away from the beautiful sight below him. Marks face scrunched and wild with pleasure was a masterpiece to behold. Then Mark’s eyes burst open and he gasps, letting Jeno know he must have hit his prostate. Jeno licks his lips before he slows down a bit and focuses on that spot only, going for it as precisely and deeply as he can. Marks screams become choked off, unhinged. “I’m gonna cum,” he mutters out quickly. “I’m gonna cum, I’m gonna cum, I’m gonna…hah…” Jeno’s eyes are wide, scanning all over Mark’s face, his jaw slack. He wants to watch him come. Wants it more than anything. It’s what he’s always wanted. Then Mark screams loud and long as thick white ropes shoot out between the two of them, coating his and Jeno’s stomachs. Jeno doesn’t hold back anymore from chasing his own release, going at break neck speed, looking at Mark with furrowed brows, almost stunned to silence with how much he adores this man. Mark is coming back down to earth as Jeno gets closer to the edge. Without warning he cups Jeno’s nape with his hand, hinges up, and kisses Jeno hard, pressing and holding their lips together. It’s so good. That’s what finally does it. Jeno breaks the kiss to gasps in deeply. His mouth in a silent O as he comes longer and harder than he thinks he even has in his life. He grunts long and loud as his orgasm crests and the finally dissipates.

   He pulls out of Mark slowly and then slumps down on top of him, head on Mark’s chest, throughly worn out and trying to control his breathing. He hears Mark say something as the fog subsides. “What was that?” He asks, looking up at Mark, his forehead all sweat and his pupils dilated.
   “I am yours,” Mark then says clearly enough. “You said earlier ‘right now you’re mine.’ When we were…” Mark suddenly flushes even redder than he was from the sex, bashful even after what they’ve just done it seems. Jeno just grins up at him dopily. “I just wanted you to know,” Mark goes on, “that I am yours. Not just in this bedroom. Not just to night. I want to be yours. As long as you want me.” Jeno feels like he wants to cry with how happy it makes him. Instead he moves his way up to line his face back up with Mark’s and kiss him tenderly, slowly, like he loves him (which honestly he might, but he’s not ready to think about it too deeply yet).
   “Ok then,” Jeno says as they break apart, his tone suddenly matter-of-fact, “I want you to be my boyfriend.” Mark smiles, showing all his teeth. “I just have one request,” Jeno then says.
   “What?” Mark asks, his smile turning into a doughy, innocent yet serious expression. “That dildo of yours?” Jeno then says, referencing what he saw in the nightstand before they had sex. “I don’t want you to use it anymore. Not unless I’m around. Is that ok?” Jeno raises his eyebrows, knowing he’ll accept any answer Mark gives him but expecting a sassy retort. Mark just laughs out loud gleefully. He then looks back at Jeno, taking his cheek in his hand. “It’s a deal,” Mark then says before kissing Jeno again. It makes Jeno smile, knowing this is one of many kisses they’ll share. Knowing this isn’t the end, but the beginning.