It was lunch break and Mark settled at their usual table with his two friends who were talking about the upcoming Sports Fest that's going to start during the middle of the week. While the two were talking about their plans for that event, Mark only had his eyes on a certain group whose table is not far from theirs. Most specifically, at Donghyuck who's talking to his friends and laughing about a joke that either Jaemin or Chenle shared.

"Hey, I almost got to represent swimming in our class." The idea gave Jisung chills down to his spine. "Imagine the panic I felt thinking I'd get chosen."

That caused Jeno to laugh. "What did they want you to do in front of everyone, drown?"

"Exactly! My classmates are a menace. Good thing a past varsity volunteered." Jisung continued to eat his meal while having a conversation. "I joined dance. How about you?"

"Soccer." Jeno answered, having that smirk on his face. "I heard Jaemin is part of the team in their class."

"Jaemin? You're so obsessed with him lately." With a brow raised, it was a genuine question for Jisung. "Do you like him?"

"Like is such a strong yet wrong word." Jeno said, pointing his chopsticks at the younger one. "I see him as a competitor."

Jisung rolled his eyes at whatever scheme his friend is up to. "Whatever. Mark, how about you?"

However, just when they had their attention on him, Mark startled the two by standing up from his seat and walking away to another table. The two friends left behind could only follow, with their eyes, where he was going.

"Don't you think he's also obsessed?" Jisung questioned once more.

Jeno scoffed, eating his meal and not bothering to go over to where his other friend is at. "Tell me about it. He just woke up one day and made Donghyuck his world."

And speaking of Donghyuck, his attention diverted to this certain male who's walking towards their table. He then wasn't able to catch the last thing that his friends were talking about because of how he had his eyes on the person nearing them. It didn't take long for Jaemin and Chenle to notice their friend spacing out, causing them to also look as to where he was staring.

Just in time, Mark finally arrived at their table and the first thing he greeted them was, "Can I borrow Donghyuck for a while?"

The said male didn't get the chance to speak as Jaemin got ahead first. "And what's the reason, Mark Lee?"

Chenle also prevented Donghyuck from speaking as he followed second, "Why does it have to be our friend, Mark Lee?"

This scene made Mark sigh, it's all too nostalgic for him. These two are always like Donghyuck's gate. He had to go through them first before he could go to Donghyuck. Mark remembered it all too well, his efforts in impressing his husband's friends and getting their trust.

Finally, Donghyuck got the chance to talk. "Guys, it's okay. We're just going to talk."

Just as he stood up, both of his wrists were held by his friends.

"If Mark Lee wants to talk, he can do that here." Jaemin said, glaring at the other person that's standing there.

Chenle then nodded his head in agreement. "Speak now, Mark Lee."

"I..." Mark hesitated. It wasn't a casual talk he is after, it was something important that only him and Donghyuck had to know.

The latter caught up with the situation and decided to take hold of it. "Jaemin, Chenle."

Hearing the authority in the tone of his voice caused the two to let go of him, sulking as it seemed like they were being scolded for overreacting. However, that wasn't Donghyuck's intention. He couldn't blame them for being worried. He did come home late one time crying, and coincidentally it was Mark that was with him. His friends just became cautious with the thought that Mark probably made him cry.

Upon being able to excuse himself, Donghyuck grabbed Mark's hand and walked away from their table. Mark's eyes were glued at the younger one's friends who looked like cats ready to pounce at him. Gulping, he awkwardly raised his hand and waved them goodbye out of decency as they were leaving.

Since it was lunch break and students were either at the cafeteria, field, or outside the campus during this time, it didn't take Donghyuck long to find a quiet hallway for them to talk.

And when he did let go of Mark's hand, the latter didn't waste any time. "Did you know that Chan is here?"

That name made Donghyuck tilt his head to the side in a questioning manner.

Mark didn't mind it and continued talking. "I met this kid last night at the convenience store and apparently his father is Chan? I could be wrong though, right? I'm probably just seeing things because I miss him."

Just when Mark had stopped talking, he noticed the younger one looking like he's having a hard time grasping what he is talking about.

"Love?" Mark called him with a frown on his face. Worry rising up at the situation.

Donghyuck then had to ask, "Who's Chan?"

Panic is just an understatement as to what Mark is feeling right now. What happened last night couldn't have changed a lot to the point that Donghyuck actually forgot where they came from. There's just no way, Mark refuses to believe that things are getting worse just because of one incident.

It was then that the worry was replaced with annoyance when Donghyuck burst out laughing. "You should've seen your face!"

Mark clicked his tongue at the harmless prank that the other was up to. He crossed his arms and glared at him until he had stopped laughing his ass out.

"Damn, I might get casted in a movie someday." Donghyuck said, being in his playful mood. "Why are you so serious about it?"

"Because!" Biting the insides of his cheek, Mark took a deep breath in to control his temper. He reminded himself how he should act out whenever he is upset. "Donghyuck, I met them last night."

"I did too. The first time was when I just traveled back here in the past, and the second was at the daycare where Jaemin and I went." Donghyuck told him. His mood began to change when he realized where their conversation was leading. "Wait... Chiro?"

Nodding his head frantically, Mark pointed a finger at that name. "Yes!"

"His father looked like Chan?" Getting another nod from the older one, Donghyuck gasped in realization. "The other parent also looked like Jiro."

Mark's brows met and his forehead creased, baffled at what was going on. "What does that even mean?"

"I have no idea." Donghyuck stared at the guy in front of him who's messing up his hair while pacing around in circles. "Mark, you're scaring me. What happened to you last night?"

"They disappeared, Donghyuck!" Mark was finally able to talk it out. The whole night and even this morning, it was bothering him. "I could have sworn it was Chiro. I saw what he looked like before saving him."

"You saved him?" This wasn't what Donghyuck expected their talk would be. He did expect to talk about that certain kid someday, he just keeps on forgetting to bring that topic up.

"I saw a vision of an accident happening that night. It was as if I was there before." The problem is, with a lot of things going on in his life, Mark can't seem to remember some memories he had way back. Which is why the accident, to him, was unfamiliar. "Chiro was going to have an accident. My head keeps on telling me that it should happen. But... I..."

Seeing him trail off from his sentence out of fright made Donghyuck go near him and calmed him down. "Hey, it's alright. Take it slow."

"I saved him and prevented the accident from happening." Mark continued, "The next thing I know, it wasn't Chiro anymore. It was someone else, and it was already the mother approaching me and thanking me for saving her son."

Was that allowed to happen?

Donghyuck would probably do the same if he was in that situation. He won't sit still if he knew an accident would happen. That's why he can't blame Mark for doing what he needed to do.

But to what extent would saving someone's life affect him?

"Donghyuck, I'm scared. I'm fucking scared." Mark told him, his breaths started to get uneven and was close to hyperventilating.

"Hey..." Donghyuck was too, but he couldn't show it. Not when one of them is already panicking. He had to be the bigger person this time around. "I'm so proud of you for saving someone, Love. That was the right thing to do."

"But the I wasn't supposed to save—"

Donghyuck knew he was going to start panicking again, which is why he had to cut him off. "Fuck the timeline, Mark. A person's life is on the line here. Just so you know, I would also go against the rule of changing the past if I get to go back just to save you."

Mark was pulled for an embrace, making him wrap his arms around the male's waist and bury his head down on his shoulder. He stayed still for comfort, calming himself at the warmth of his husband.

"Maybe you are stressed from studying," Donghyuck said, patting the older one's back softly. "And you miss Chan, I do too, that's why your mind is making you see things."

There was no other explanation other than that. Mark didn't want to think too much as it's affecting him already. He just agreed with what the other said, finding comfort being in his arms. This was what he needed last night, reassurance coming from Donghyuck. Nonetheless, at least he was already at peace now.

However, their moment didn't last long when a certain someone walked into the picture.

"Lucas?" Donghyuck whispered, surprised to see him.

Mark slowly pulled away upon hearing that name, turning around to see the said male catching the two of them together.

But thankfully, Lucas didn't look like he was mad about it. Perhaps, he's just too tired to even argue. "Donghyuck, can we talk?"

Glancing down from the student beside him, Mark quickly held his hand to stop him from saying anything. He knew Donghyuck was going to find an excuse not to talk to Lucas just because Mark needed him more. "Hey, I'll be okay. I need time to think about it alone."

Donghyuck looked at him with worry in his eyes. Even so, it seemed like he had no choice but to settle things with Lucas. Who knows when he'll get another chance to talk to him? Lucas has been avoiding him and his friends for the past few days. It was already a miracle that he approached him first.

Mark lied when he said he needed time to think alone. Being alone was the last thing he wanted. However, he knew those two had something to settle with. As much as he wanted to be with Donghyuck and be at peace, Donghyuck also had his own problems to deal with. Mark had to leave and give the both of them time to talk.

And the moment that they were the only ones there, Donghyuck was the first one to initiate the conversation with an, "I'm sorry."

Lucas was still gathering the words he wanted to say, he listened to him for the meantime.

"I'm sorry if I made you feel unloved." Donghyuck said. Even though he felt miserable in the situation, he felt glad that they finally got to talk things out. "Lucas, I know you deserve someone better."

"Why can't you be better?" Lucas didn't mean to say it, but that's what came out of his mouth.

That line hit Donghyuck to where it hurt. He could see himself being in Lucas' shoes, begging for Mark to change. Donghyuck has no idea how to answer that question as not to reveal that he knows they aren't going to end up together in the future.

"Donghyuck, tell me honestly." Lucas felt suffocated at the truth that might hurt him. "Did you ever love me?"

It's now time for Donghyuck to acknowledge his teenage self's feelings. "I did, Lucas. I loved you to the point that I got overwhelmed with my feelings for you."

Lucas couldn't help but ask, "Then why didn't you fight for us?" He wanted to know why Donghyuck didn't run to him when he initiated the break-up. He wanted to know why his messages would only be wanting for a talk and not wanting him back. He wanted to know why it was easy for Donghyuck to let go while he's still stuck at the hope of them getting back together.

There was only one answer to that and Donghyuck did promise to be honest. "I don't see myself with you in the future."

That caused Lucas to look away with a scoff of disbelief. "That actually hurt."

Donghyuck began to panic. "Wait... Lucas... What I meant was—"

"I know." A bitter chuckle was then heard from him. "I just didn't expect that it would hurt like fuck."

"I don't want to lead you on." Donghyuck told him.

"Thank you," Lucas gathered all the courage to look at him despite pain showing in his eyes. "For loving me."

Donghyuck felt guilty. "Lucas..."

"I think I like how you said it." Lucas placed both his hands inside his pockets in hopes to look unbothered, masking the pain he's feeling. "It will stop me from being delusional."

"How have you been lately?" Even if they were over, Donghyuck still saw him as someone close to him. He still is worried about him.

"Coping up with it." Lucas simply answered. "How about you?"

If Donghyuck was to answer honestly, he admits that he still keeps on thinking about him. Not in a romantic manner, but he gets worried to know what Lucas is doing in going through a heartbreak. However, there were enough problems to keep him occupied.

"Actually," The taller one then cuts him off from saying anything. "Don't answer that. I might break down in tears if you say you've been good lately."

Hitting him lightly on the chest, Donghyuck gasped at how the male thought he'd be that heartless. "Hey! I'm also worried about you. Do you even read my messages?"

"I have you blocked." Lucas lied.

Donghyuck could see right through that statement and knew it wasn't true. He crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at him, upset that his ex-boyfriend actually thinks that way towards him. If only Lucas knows how much effort it took Donghyuck to lower down his pride just to accept that break-up.

His attention was then caught when Lucas let out his hand, asking for a handshake. "What's that?"

"Calling it quits?" With a laugh, Lucas told him. "We finally had our closure."

"Will you be okay?" Despite accepting his hand, Donghyuck was still concerned.

"I have to be." Lucas lowered his head with a frown. "I can't do anything about it. And plus..."

Donghyuck tilted his head to the side, waiting for what the taller one had to say next.

"Chenle mailed me a box of his game cards. It's not even a gift, he had a letter telling me to return it to him after playing all the games to cope." Lucas was well aware that it was the Chinese's way of telling him to talk to them. "I think it's best if we stay on good terms since we'll be seeing each other around."

A laugh came out of Donghyuck's mouth. His friend never fails to suck in comforting someone. "Don't give it back to him, I dare you. He's just going to make a mess at the apartment."

"Are you crazy?" Hugging his body, Lucas shivered at the thought of being on Chenle's bad side. "He's probably going to nuke my house down."

Donghyuck's laugh became louder as the two of them got to make jokes between one another. Seeing him back with his bright personality made Lucas also smile. It may not be what he wanted, but this is what's best for them; to stay as friends.

— to be continued