・── ࣪layover .ᐟ (M.L)
(마크 ) ; fem!reader x mark lee
──in which you meet that one boy at the airport you will never forget. but not in the way that you had originally thought.
genre. fluff, mutual pining? meeting by chance, non!idol au ; tags. sweet mark, moves kinda fast, a little cliché ; w.c. 955
you always thought airports were a strange place. everyone you passed by had a different story, different destination, and faces you would never see again. each interaction only a short period of time before they went about their own lives. moments of simple glances and polite smiles over in an instant.
but not this one.
you had been walking from your terminal, with your headphones on. letting your phone play whatever, you drowned out the bustling noise of the busy airport. some people leisurely walking by, and others racing by causing small gusts of wind.
you were so immersed in your music, you failed to notice that your favorite lipgloss had fallen out of your bag and onto the cold floor. it rolled backwards until hitting a strangers foot. he bent down to grab it and looked back up. assuming it was yours by the unzipped pocket of your bag, he jogged to catch up to you.
tapping on your shoulder softly, you turned around with a small jump and took your headphones off one ear.
he gave you a small apologetic smile. “you—uh dropped this,” he said holding the lipgloss up.
if you didn’t look dumb already, distracted by his handsome face, you stared at the lipgloss in his hand for a moment. he would’ve thought it actually wasn’t yours if you hadn’t spoken up in that moment. “oh—i didn’t even…thank you,” you replied a little breathless.
you took it from him, your fingers grazing his warm ones for a second. “no problem,” he smiled, stuffing his hands back into the pockets of his blue jacket. then he hesitated, as if wanting to say more. you felt that you did too.
but just like that, the moment was over.
now here you both were, in the same layover. your flights had been delayed, the universe lengthening your encounter with one another.
as you waited, you tried not to stare. you kept trying to keep your eyes on the book in your lap that really wasn’t that interesting now that you knew this same beautiful stranger from earlier was in front of you. you would glance up, he would tear his eyes from you. and yet, every time your eyes met there was this flicker of connection. one that kept your eyes moving back up to him.
he was perfect really; fit, lean frame, with black hair that fell over his eyes effortlessly, good style, beautiful smile, and the most attractive eyes you’d ever made contact with. you trues to shake the thoughts. he was just another stranger that would become a distant memory after leaving the airport. but something kept pushing the thoughts right back to the front of your mind.
he felt the same not able to tear his eyes away from you until you looked up, just to look back when he thought you weren’t. to say he was struck by your beauty and effortless charm was an understatement. he was entranced by you almost. he persisted on trying to find a way to talk to you again, needing to know more about you.
you try not to stare. he does too. but every time your eyes meet, there’s a flicker of something—amusement, curiosity, maybe even recognition. it’s a game, almost, this silent conversation neither of you are brave enough to start.
the layover terminal was busy, a low mix of conversations and rolling suitcases filling the air. but somehow, the only thing you’re aware of is him.
across from you, mark shifts. he adjusting his jacket, fingers toying with the zipper. then, out of nowhere—
“hey,” he says, voice warm. “do you always travel alone?”
you blink at the sudden question, but shake your head. “not always. just this time.”
he nods, glancing at the departures screen before looking back at you. “me too.”
there’s a small pause, comfortable in a way you wouldn’t expect with a stranger.
then he smiles. “i’m glad i caught you when i did.”
you tilt your head. “huh?”
he gestures towards your bag near your feet. “you know. the lip gloss.”
a soft laugh escapes you. “you make it sound like a life—or—death situation.”
“hey, you never know.” he grins. “i might’ve just saved you from a serious lipgloss emergency.”
you roll your eyes, but you can’t stop the smile tugging at your lips. “right. my hero.”
he laughs, the sound light and easy, before settling back into a quiet moment.
“but really,” he says after a beat, voice softer this time. “i’m glad i got to talk to you.”
there’s something in the way he says it that makes your heart ache just a little. because you know what he means.
airports aren’t made for keeping people. they’re for passing through. and you both know, eventually, you’ll have to board separate flights, head in different directions.
but for now, you’re here. and so is he. the thought was slightly comforting this time.
mark looks down at his boarding pass, thumb smoothing over the edge before he glances back at you.
“can i—” he hesitates, then shakes his head, laughing a little at himself. “never mind.”
you blink. “what?”
he looks up, something uncertain but hopeful in his expression. “i was gonna ask for your number, but… i don’t know if that’s weird.”
your heart skips.
“it’s not weird,” you say quietly.
his eyes search yours, lips curving into a small smile. “yeah?”
you nod.
he hands you his phone, speaking up softly. “i’m mark by the way,” and for the first time, this layover doesn’t feel like just a passing moment.
maybe airports are temporary. and the people you meet just as temporary.
but maybe, not everything has to be.
—