As an aromantic, romance is weird for me to write. Here's my attempt :)

Angst/Fluff.

Dark pushed open Mark's door, peering through it. His gaze was pinned on his computer, brows furrowed in focus.

Dark rested his head against the doorway.

"We should go somewhere," he said.

Mark snapped out of his trance, and his gaze flitted up to Dark's. He blinked for a moment—processing the words—and set his headphones down on the desk.

"Sure," he said, standing up. He didn't ask any questions—didn't ask where, or why, or when. Just pulled the door open, smiled at Dark, and walked past him and through the house.

Dark lingered, surprised he said yes so easily.

He followed after Mark, and soon enough, they'd gotten in the car and rolled out of the driveway, the headlights bright through the night.

Dark drove, heading down the empty street. The radio glowed in the darkness, highlighting their faces a faint green, showing the time.

5 AM.

The sky was still dark, and the stars still glimmered bright overhead.

Mark relaxed in the passenger side, gazing out the window with a faint smile. His eyelids drooped, tired from a long, stressful day of editing. Although it was an ungodly hour, the drive was a nice breath of fresh air for him.

They didn't have to speak; their silence was comfort enough.

The engine thrummed, and the seats gently vibrated as the car rumbled over the road. The wind rushed by in a gentle hum.

Dark leaned over and flicked on the radio, turning it onto its lowest setting. A soft melody picked up on the speakers, melting into the gentle ambience of the car.

Mark smiled, and he hummed, resting his head against the back of the seat.

They stayed like that for the entire ride, even as they drove through the city. Skyscrapers and lights washed out the stars, and other cars joined them on the road, swirling into a cacophony that grew by the hour. The city was beginning to wake up.

Dark turned onto country roads, leaving the noise of the city behind. They passed through fields and quiet neighbourhoods, relishing the calm between them.

The car began to slow, and Mark sat up, rubbing his eyes. They'd parked by a line of sloping hills, and when he looked ahead, he spotted the Hollywood sign.

Dark turned the key, and the car shivered as it turned off. He opened the door and clambered out—the lights shifted on—and he circled around the car to open Mark's door. Mark smiled up at him and chuckled under his breath, taking his hand as he went out.

He rose a brow at Dark as if saying 'really?'

Dark only smiled at him, and he led them up the hill.

Fatigue wore at Mark's body, but he pressed on, enjoying the rustle of grass at his legs and the soft give of dirt under his shoes. Birds began to sing over the swell of city noise, and the darkness on the horizon began to melt. Light peeked up, washing the darkness in lighter hues.

Mark smiled, a soft breeze rustling through his hair.

Dark would keep glancing back at Mark to see if he was okay, always finding his gaze wandering around their surroundings. It made him smile; how someone who had been so unfortunate could still appreciate the beauty around him.

Dark's heart ached.

The Hollywood sign came into sight, its large letters looming over them like skyscrapers.

Mark smiled, and he leaned into Dark's side, holding his hand tighter.

They walked up to the sign and sat down in front of the 'H,' the grass pressing under their weight. Dark sat with his legs crossed, and Mark curled into his side and leaned his head on Dark's shoulder, resting his hands in his lap. Dark laced their fingers together and gave a content sigh, running his thumb along Mark's knuckles.

Mark smiled, his eyelids heavy. He gazed up at Dark, and they met eyes, lingering there for what felt like eternity.

It was funny, how time slowed when they looked at each other. Mark always felt like he had forever, being so close to Dark... admiring his beauty. But the truth was, his forever would only be a few more months.

Mark smiled, and his gaze slid away from Dark's and onto the view of the city below. Cars began to condense in the streets, now, and pedestrians ran to and fro on the sidewalks.

The sun slowly rose, and the darkness of the sky melted into purples and pinks and soft oranges. Mark's eyes glittered at the sight, his heart swelling.

Dark didn't have to watch the sunrise. He could see it through the reflection in Mark's eyes. Could see it in the warm highlights cascading over Mark's skin.

He smiled, his heart aching and swelling and threatening to burst.

He couldn't bear the thought of letting go of memories like this. He couldn't bear the thought of living without them.

He wanted moments like these to last forever.

Dark squeezed Mark's hands, and he rested his head against Mark's.

But that was the beauty about moments, and memories. There was beauty in their fleetingness, in their temporary nature.

As much as Dark wanted to suspend time with every second spent with Mark, he knew he couldn't. All he could do was appreciate the moments as they passed; to savor and be one with them.

Dark turned his head and buried his face in Mark's hair, closing his eyes.

He would hold onto these memories like a lifeline.

Mark shifted, squeezing Dark's hands... and Dark carefully opened his eyes, gazing down at their bodies. So perfectly together, fitting just like puzzle pieces.

"It's beautiful," came Mark's soft voice, vibrating in the space between them. "Isn't it?"

Dark breathed in Mark's scent of soft lavender, unable to turn his head. He nodded simply, his throat going tight.

Mark softly chuckled, and he ran a hand up to caress the side of Dark's face.

"Not me, silly," he said. He tilted Dark's chin up, and he managed a smile, bowing his head to hide his face.

"Still," said Dark, turning his head to gaze at the sunrise. His vision began to blur. "You're more gorgeous than any sunrise, Mark."

Mark blushed, and he pressed himself closer to Dark with a smile. Quiet washed over them, interrupted by the city noise or the birds singing from afar.

A breeze ran through the field, and the grass rustled, brushing up against their bodies. The sun peered over the horizon, bright and glowing, and heat began to warm the world around them.

"Do you think we could do this again?" breathed Mark, gazing at the sky. "Everyday, maybe?"

Dark smiled, and he squeezed Mark's hands.

"Of course," he said. "Whatever you want."

Mark hummed, and he turned to Dark, gazing at him. "What about what you want?" he said softly. "I know it's been... rough, lately, and... you haven't really done anything for yourself in a while."

Dark sighed, and he rose a brow at Mark, the edges of his lips twitching into a smirk.

"I've told you, Mark," he said. "As long as I'm with you, I'm happy."

He shifted in his spot and held Mark's hands, facing him.

"I enjoy spending every moment with you," said Dark, gazing into Mark's eyes. Such a warm, honey-brown color. They glittered in the sunrise so perfectly. "I enjoy times like this, where we're just here, in this moment. Or when we do stupid shit, and laugh until we can't breathe..." Mark chuckled, blushing, and Dark smiled. "God, even if we fight, even if we argue, Mark, I—" He held onto Mark's hands, gazing down at their fingers intertwined. "That's all I'll ever want." His breaths began to quiver. "Just being with you."

Mark's heart swelled, and he smiled, adoration in his eyes. He leaned forward and held the side of Dark's face, taking in the sight of him. Dark's eyes had gone glossy, and he tried to bow his head.

Mark scooted closer, and he tilted his head to gaze at Dark's face. A tear welled in his eye, threatening to slip past his face.

Mark smiled, and he ran his finger under Dark's eye, letting the tear well on his skin.

"I love you, Dark," he breathed. Dark leaned his head into Mark's hand, his brows curled in the slightest. He bit his lip to stop it from quivering, his jaw going tight. "I love you so, so much." Tears welled in his own eyes, and he kissed the side of Dark's face. "You're everything to me." He kissed his cheek again. "You are my life."

Dark sniffled, and he smiled, pressing his forehead against Mark's. A tear rolled down his left eye, then the right, until they slipped past his face and down his nose.

"I love you too, Mark," he said, voice breaking. He wiped his face with his sleeve, bowing his head in shame. He never liked having Mark see him like this. He was suffering enough, and to see him crumble like this... it had to have made things worse.

Mark softly sighed, and he wrapped his arms around Dark, pulling him close. Dark embraced him, his body warm—so warm and comforting.

Mark closed his eyes, trying to fight back tears. He had to stay strong.

"It's okay, Dark," breathed Mark, running his hand along the back of Dark's head. "Ssh, sshh... it's okay. I'm okay."

Dark chuckled by Mark's ear, and he shook his head.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, arms tightening around him. "I hate having you see me like this." He rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hands. "It's just... you mean so much to me, Mark."

Mark smiled, and he kissed the side of Dark's head, his nose brushing against his hair.

"We still have a few more months," breathed Mark, voice distant. "I'm not going anywhere. Not yet."

He softly chuckled, but when Dark didn't move, he held him at arm's length, gazing at him.

"I'm right here, Dark," said Mark softly. He smiled. "I'm right here... with you."

Dark smiled, and he bowed his head and nodded.

The sun fully rose, washing away the warm hues and painting the sky a faint blue. Mark smiled up at the sight, squinting slightly, and pat Dark's shoulders.

"Why don't we head home?" offered Mark, gazing at Dark. "We can get ice cream on the way back."

Dark managed a chuckle, and he rose a brow. "Don't tell me," he said. "Butter pecan?"

He stood up and offered a hand out to Mark, who took his hand and beamed.

"You know it."

Thank you so much for reading, and have a wonderful day! See you tmw on Strangulate :)

Love, Sh. A. xoxo