Chapter Text
Maybe Mark have had high hopes for finding a good place near the university to live in Seoul... everything was outrageously expensive and small, but the area was incredible. Even by selling all his belongings he couldn't pay the rent, so he set out to find the best place for him, no matter what.
Well, maybe this was an exaggeration on his part, but yes, it was truly expensive, that's why he found himself in the painful need to look for a roommate, that's how Donghyuck came into his life, everything was incredible and simple with him, the first 2 years with him were very good, they became best friends in that time, they had good living chemistry, sometimes they had friction over meaningless things and they fought about it, but nothing to worry about, even a kiss to reinforce the friendship happened, the good thing being in different years is that they could go out with every circle of friends they had, that's why their coexistence in their house was good, maybe it wasn't a big apartment, but thanks to their home they had good stories to tell and a roof over their heads to sleep, so for two people it was perfect, apart from the fact that the rent was just enough, it was the best.
On a random weekday after college, where Mark was trying to make ramen without burning down the apartment, his roommate arrived a little bit upset about something.
Mark, you're not going to believe what the landlady told me - Mark watched as his friend opened the front door and came in screaming - What did she tell you? - Mark asked curiously as he looked back at his boiling water, turning it off to sit at the small table they had in the dining room, Donghyuck sat down defeated next to him - They are going to raise the rent, because as a good person she had been putting it off because we remind her of her children, but she has to do it - Mark grimaced, he supposed something like this must happen sometime, but not when they were so well and comfortable in the university semester.
- Is it enough for us? - Hyuck sighed and denied.
What are we going to do? -The older asked, Hyuck shrugged his shoulders, there was a moment of silence, they were thinking about what to do, no one had any good ideas.
It took a while until Mark spoke again - What if we look for another roomie? It will be a good idea for someone else to provide money, so we don't get so stressed - Hyuck made a face - In what space? We already have the rooms occupied - Mark nodded - Yes, I know, but my room is the biggest, we can look for someone who wants to share the room and the bed with me - Mark found it a bit funny his idea, Hyuck continued with his grimace - Are you sure you want to share? We can find another way to pay or look for another cheaper apartment, something that you are more comfortable with - Mark shrugged his shoulders - Well, I don't think I care much about sharing a bed, when I was little I shared a room with one of my brothers, so I'm used to that, aside, after all I'm not that much in the day because of my classes this semester, which are super poorly arranged - Hyuck nodded slowly, understanding that his friend didn't care, that it was probably the best thing that could be done - So I guess we'll have a new roommate... - Mark nodded, confirming to his friend that he was fine.
-We will have a new roomie and everything will be fine, don't worry, I will take charge, I will make the announcement, I will publish it wherever I can, in different places around the university, i will see if my friends can help me with their acquaintances - thanks to Mark´s insistence Donghyuck left it for peace, he trusted his roommate, after all he was in charge of many things, so he would trust him to find a good roommate, meanwhile they had another month until they need to pay the rent, they had that month to find someone to move as soon as possible.
They stopped talking about it and started having dinner, Donghyuck as always made something edible for the two of them, something better to eat together with the ramen that his friend made, it was always like that, it was their way of dealing with some things in their live, they complemented each other, Hyuck hoped that their friendship would not change with this change, in two years they had already done a good routine, now it was about to change, he had nothing with the new person who could come, but maybe they will change a lot things in the house, like the space in the cupboards, in the refrigerator, bathroom, living room, closets, everything would change, but he would leave that to Hyuck and Mark of the future when they met the person who will live with them.
Mark didn't wait long to make the announcement, it was going to be complicated, not everyone was going to want to share a room, much less a bed, but he hoped that someone would ask for information.
The ad was simple, it said what they offered, a roof, shared space with two roomies, sharing a room with one of these roomies (and the bed with one of them), what area it was located in and how much they would have to pay, along with Mark's contact number for anyone who could request information.
First he uploaded this to student pages at his university, then he passed it on to his friends so that they could share it, then he printed several pamphlets to also post them, as he had said in places around the school. Unfortunately after this no one sent a message the first day after uploading and pasting everything, but hey, he understood that maybe it would take time for the perfect person to send a message so he was going to wait. .
The days passed and although there were several people who asked for information, no one seemed convinced, some did not like the fact of sharing a bed, others were direct saying no cause they couldn't take girls and have privacy, of course Mark understood, it was losing a little privacy, but it wasn't that bad, that's why they were going to be friends, they could ask each other for favors, but anyway, he would continue waiting for his right roommate, there must be someone out there who agreed with the conditions.
Soon someone who seemed really interested appeared, he agreed to share the bed, he was quite serious about the payments and how often they must be, the usual doubts about when he could move, in which semester they where, their ages, photos of the apartment and the room they would be sharing, in the end, to Mark's surprise, he said that he would be excited to finally live with roommates, so he told Mark that if he accepted it he would be happy to move in with them. Mark was not stupid, of course he was excited because he was the best so far, the most decent to share his bed, but he would not be fooled by the cover, he asked to meet at a cafeteria near his school to get to know each other better, make a interview and being sure that he would fit in with Haechan and him, so the boy accepted, deciding one day.
That day came quickly, Mark arrived a little early to calm his nerves, it was a situation that excited him, but at the end of the day they were strange people who would enter his life, so he had to be objective about the situation, in the morning Mark had told him what he would wear so he could recognize him, it didn't take long for a boy to touch him on the shoulder and ask.
- Mark? - The named person turned to where this person was and ran into a handsome boy, tall with black hair, he had imagined someone different, not someone specific, but it seemed that he had money to live on for his own apartment, if that would make sense.
It's a pleasure, you haven't told me your name, sorry for being so rude and not asking - The other one was smiling, he looked friendly, he answered while sitting in the other chair - Didn't I introduce myself by message? I must have been excited about this, my name is Jeno, sorry, I have always wanted to have roommates so this excites me a lot - Mark nodded while smiling - Very good Jeno, before starting the interview do you want a coffee or something - he nodded gently, taking the initiative - What do you want? It's on me - Mark smiled at him - then a caramel latte please - Jeno got up and walked towards the counter, for Mark, Jeno had already made a very good impression, but he didn't understand why he needed to share a place, he seemed that he didn't need it.
After a while of talking, Mark realized that Jeno was very kind, he learned that he was an only child and that he was the same age as Donghyuck, since Mark had not really asked him anything when they were talking by text, but yes, it was obvious that he didn't need to share an apartment, so Mark was direct - Wait, Jeno, there's something I don't understand very well - Jeno tilted his head waiting for the question, Mark thought it was adorable, but he continued with the topic- Why do you want to share an apartment if you really don't need it? - Jeno simply made a face and then laughed.
- Well, I didn't think I'd say it so soon, you're going to think it's stupid, but - he paused - because I'm an only child, I've never had siblings, nor do I have cousins close to my age to live a similar experience, apart from the fact that I am usually a little shy about making friends, so I preferred to look for an apartment and make everything easier, apart from that I have always wanted to share a room, although we will also share the bed it doesn't bother me, I feel that it can be a lot of fun - Mark remained silent, taking it all in, although he didn't look very shy, he could understand it, he wanted to have the experience, he began to remember what it had been like to share with his brother, although somewhat problematic it had been fun, but the best thing about this was that now he was going to share a room with someone handsome, so he stopped asking questions and smiled - Of course tha´s not stupid, so, you can move in with us, you'll meet our other roommate, although if you're a little shy maybe his attitude will shock you -
Jeno made a sound of surprise and it seemed that his eyes were shining - Oh my god Mark, you are not going to regret it, thank you for giving me this opportunity - he said excitedly, the older found it tender, he was happy that he was his roommate, he seemed very kind with many capacities, he hoped he wouldn't regret it halfway.
By the way, when can I move? -Jeno asked still with obvious emotion and Mark took out his cell phone to check some things - Can you this Saturday morning? - Jeno nodded, there were still 6 days left, he would have time to put his things away and be ready, after all he didn't have much to take away - Sure, can you send me the location through our chat? So I can use the GPS and not get lost. -
Mark spoke again. - Y es, I'll send it to you right away when I arrive at the apartment, by the way, if you have a car, there is a parking below the apartment, so you can leave it there - Jeno smiled - I don't have one, but the most likely thing is that my dad will take me with my things - The oldest nodded, he had to tell everything to his friend, Hyuck was surely in the apartment biting his nails to find out if they already had a new roommate - Well Jeno, I'll get going, nice to meet you, see you then on Saturday - Jeno said goodbye and thanked again for the opportunity, Mark hurried to arrive with his friend.
Upon entering his apartment, his partner pounced on him, managing to knock him to the floor - Tell me everything - Mark rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help a smile from escaping, so he stopped acting and simply said it - We already have a new roomie - Hyuck covered his face and sighed with relief, he slowly stood up from the floor to help Mark get up - Well, now tell me everything - They headed to the living room and so Mark began to tell him everything that Jeno had told him,
Mark, do you know what time he's going to arrive? - The named man rolled his eyes - Hyuck, I told you a while ago that he was already coming here, I don't know when is it going to arrive - the brunette was nervous, of course he was relaxed since it hadn't taken them long to find someone for the next month, but his nerves were also about bringing someone into his apartment and that it would change everything they had, although when Mark told him what Jeno was like, he had calmed down quite a bit.
Mark's cell phone rang and he answered the call - Are you there yet? Okey, Perfect, I'll open it for you, let me hurry up to help you move up the things - he hung up the call and looked at his roomate - Let's help him, he told me that his dad will also help move the things, because he brings his desk and stuff, It's good that I have already arranged everything in my room so that your things can fit - Mark left and Hyuck took one last breath to calm down to follow his roomie. .
The move was quick, the lifting of the boxes was fast, especially because Jeno did not bring many boxes, what took time was to carry up a small desk and the chair he had to do homework, the good thing is that it was small, which eased the load.
As soon as they arranged things in the room a little, the desk was perfect, just the space they had next to Mark's desk to do their work, and with that, Jeno's father said goodbye so they could start arranging the boxes as they pleased, the three boys said goodbye and Hyuck got a little nervous again, he hadn't had much opportunity to think while they loaded everything up, so now apart from greeting him he had to get along, although who was he kidding, it was for some reason that he was well known at the universit for being so outgoing with everyone, this would be no exception, so he shook off his overthinking and jumped in Jeno's direction - Well, let's help you unpack - Jeno couldn't say anything back since Hyuck started to pull him, he turned to look at Mark and he said with his lips “I told you so” to reach them with a smile.
After that, Hyuck talked and talked with the boy while they arranged the things on the desk, drawers that they had cleared for him, the closet space and his things for the bathroom, it was funny to see how Jeno simply smiled while the other didn't stop talking- Hyuck let him talk, at this rate he's going to leave here because of you - Mark said, sticking out his tongue at his roomie who responded indignantly in return - I'm sure he doesn't mind... does he? - He said now, turning to the black-haired man, who saw the two with wide open eyes.
Not like you think, I'm like that because it's hard for me to open up at first, but both of you are making me feel welcome, I'm not going to lie to you, I thought Hyuck hated me… oh wait, can I call you that? -The brunette opened his mouth in surprise- Of course you can call me that and I don't hate you, as you think, simply even though I'm extroverted when new people come into my life I have to test the waters - he said while taking some clothes out of a box- So you don't dislike me? - Hyuck denied - I don't hate you at all, apart from being handsome you are kind, how do you hate someone like that? - If Mark and Hyuck weren't distracted by laughing while they continued taking clothes out of the boxes they would have seen the small blush on Jeno's cheeks.
- Finally we're done - Mark said, airing out his shirt. - I'm so hungry, it's already dark, I didn't realize - Hyuck walked to the kitchen when he heard it - Let me see what's there to do something quick. What would you like? - Jeno interrupted what was happening - You know what, relax, I ask for something as a thank you for welcoming me here, by the way I didn't bring anything for the kitchen because I assumed you would have everything, but if we need it I'll buy things, you tell me - The other two were going to refuse and answer that nothing was happening with the kitchen stuff, but they couldn't say anything since Jeno said - I don't accept no as an answer for either of the two things, don't be modest - like this the two were left with their mouths open without being able to say anything, making the newcomer laugh a little.
Are you craving fried chicken? I was thinking about that with some cold beers - Hyuck approved instantly, Mark followed him - I t's a great idea, we deserve it after working so hard.
Jeno got to work, he started organizing so that everything would arrive.
As soon as he arrived they began to eat while they got to know each other a little better with several questions about their lives. Jeno was very happy, in truth the two of them had received him kindly, he did not feel uncomfortable at all, in fact he felt very excited to finally be going through that, apart from being able to have new friends, another of the good things about all that was that he was much closer to the university than before, so he could sleep a little more as usual, the good thing was that the next day was Sunday so they could hang out until late and drink beers, it didn't bother him to hear how his new companions got along, it was obvious that they got along well, he hoped one day he could get along with them like that and fit into that friendship.
The weeks passed and Jeno felt much calmer around Mark and Hyuck, he had bought a coffee maker for the kitchen since the one they had made the coffee taste strange, like burnt, at first neither wanted to get rid of the old coffee maker for sentimental value, but after Jeno explained to them why it was better to look for a new coffee maker, they accepted it, so that was what he provided for the kitchen, curiously improving the mornings of his new roommates since this time the coffee tasted good and they didn't have the coffee maker as decoration, like last time.
But well apart from the roommate's new life, his classes were consuming him that semester, but there was only a month and a half left for the holidays to arrive, although everyone was busy and stressed about uni, his roommates were treating incredibly well.
When Hyuck arrived he was there making food, of course Jeno was excited to see him cooking since Hyuck was studying Gastronomy, to see if some knowledge would rub off on him, he helped him as much as he could, since he was not so bad at cooking, he knew the basics a little, but of course not as good as the brunette, he was cute, while they were cooking they spent the time laughing and talking about the stress of classes, Hyuck was very cute with him, he made Jeno's stomach hurt from laughing so much, living with him he had noticed that he had some moles on one of his cheeks, they were cute like him, but hey, it wasn't his fault for noticing those details, sometimes when he saw him cooking he would look at him very intently because there he discovered that, he couldn't help but appreciate someone's beauty.
Anyway, that happened with one of the roommates, but he was also coexisting more with Mark, of course, if they slept together, shoulder to shoulder, bros... well... aha.
Although the only bad thing was that he arrived a little later than Hyuck and him, so they all managed to coexist at dinner time since at that time the three of them were together, and when they went to their room they had moments of coexistence before going to sleep, talking as if it were not abnormal for them to sleep together, at first it was maybe a little awkward because they didn't know each other at all, but little by little after bad jokes from Mark and his attempt to break the ice they managed to make it happen, they made it not strange.
Later they began to stay doing work until late at their desks, keeping each other company, with this, just like with Hyuck, sometimes when he finished doing his things he would stay talking for a while with the oldest, him from the bed while Mark stayed at his desk finishing his things, Mark was studying a career in music production, so sometimes he saw him composing and playing different instruments, like the guitar or the piano, he loved to see the gestures he made when he played, he I saw the passion he had for his career, he was very involved in his music, he was very handsome like that, sometimes he would just practice tunes, but it was still very cool for Jeno, Mark was very talented, sometimes he would fall asleep with his soft voice as it calmed his racing heart, he didn't know what it was, but he felt that the feeling was different from when he was with Hyuck to when he was with Mark.
He liked how his friendship with the two boys was until that moment.