“Just try to depend on other people, Taemin. Learn to depend on me”
Tuan Yi-en, you gullible bitch, Mark thought to himself as he yanks his coat from the table. It was not the café’s closing time yet, but the owner has to leave already. Ever since the aforementioned statement left Mark’s lips, Taemin made sure to use it extensively, demanding Mark’s company left and right. Mark knows he can say no, but also knows better than refusing Taemin’s invitation for a drink. The last time I did, he busted to my apartment drunk and angry, and I still have not replaced the broken television set, he warns himself, letting out a small laugh before giving a small rundown of the closing procedures to the personnel that are staying behind, they have been working in Seoltang for years, he can trust them, right? One step outside the café immediately revealed that the evening was unusually cool to the touch, giving Mark flashbacks of the realistic nightmare he once had. It was tortorous to the point that Mark was late in opening the café to the dismay of the office people and college students that loiter in it for a morning coffee or tae with sweets.
Mark’s nostalgia was cut short by a vibration from his pocket. “What do you want, Min? Yes… yes… what do you mean? A man?” Mark turns to look the surrounding area for a man that fits the description the caller has given him. However, the night was no longer young and the street was void of people already, so it was easy for Mark to deem his attempt a failure. He then continues to walk down the street, his eyes glued on the floor and a smile plastered to his face as he share a conversation with the man he’s supposed to meet tonight. “I told you, the man you’re describing is not here-”, he responded to the other line’s voice, but was cut due to the collision made by a running person. Mark fell on his back more because of shock by the sudden appearance of another person than the impact, but was quickly helped to his feet by the stranger. “Sorry about that”, he apologized, voice softer than a whisper, as he picks up his phone. Looking up from the scratched phone, he took in the features of the stranger and without any hesitation, Mark opened his lips “Um… Taemin? The guy you’re looking for? Yup, he’s here in front of me.”
Shou simply let out a smile in response to Mark’s whispered apology. His ears definitey picked up the voice; even the smallest whisper did not go unheard by Shou. However, Shou didn’t want to respond because of how quiet the other was with his words; he didn’t want to startle the male after all.
The moment Taemin’s name were spoken it was like time moved in slow motion. Shou’s eyes widened and he brought his hands to his face dramatically. There was no way. Absolutely no way. This kid in front of him knew who Taemin was? Not just knew him, but sounded like they were on friendly terms. On the inside Shou was actually impressed that Taemin was friendly with someone apparently. But, that wasn’t the issue at hand.
Right now, this man was telling Taemin that he was with Shou. His first thought was that the other was going to deliver Shou to Taemin. And that was something that just wasn’t going to happen. “No! Don’t tell him!!” Shou squealed. Instinctively Shou reached up to grab the other’s phone and quickly ended the call. With the man’s phone in one hand, he reached out to grab the male’s hand with his free hand and tugged the male closer. He then quickly spun on his heels and ran, dragging the other boy behind him. Shou wasn’t full-on sprinting so the other wasn’t tripping.
After running down a few streets Shou finally stopped when he realized he couldn’t recognize any of the scents anymore. He slowed down and let out a small hum, still holding the other’s hand. Honestly, he almost completely forgot he had the other in his grasp until he turned and saw the blurry figure next to him. He jumped a minute and let go of the other’s hand. “Sorry, you’re new too so I just assumed your scent was a part of the other ones...” he mumbled. “How do you know Taemin, are you friends with him?”