"So? What do you think?" You asked him. Mark was too focused on the book he was reading, he didn't hear your question nor he glanced at you at all. You put your hand on the book and brought it down to his stomach, asking for his attention. That did it, he finally smiled and looked at you.
"Sorry. What did you say?"
"You said you wanna have a discussion about life with me. And I was talking to you." Your eyes met his, waiting for his answer.
"Yeah... Sorry baby. This book is too good. Should’ve listened to you, sorry for not paying attention." he said as he closed the book he was reading. He’d tell you how good the author of the book he’s reading every time you two go to a bookstore.
Mark put the book on a nightstand next to him, shifting his body to get the most comfortable position. "Come sleep on my arm?" he lent his left arm for you as a pillow.
You then moved your body closer to him, putting your head on his arm while looking at your bedroom's ceiling.
"So," he started out.
Then, silence. He went silence for a while, which made you turned your head to the right to look at his face.
"I also don't know the answer. Why do we have to try so hard? You're right. Why do we have to? We didn't ask to be born yet we have to work very hard if we want to achieve something."
That was not the answer you expected. Mark has always been someone you look up to. Whenever you wonder about some things, you'd go to him and ask for his opinion because you know he always gives the best answer.
"But here's the thing. I think it's always been and has to be like that. We want something, we work for it, we get it. Don't you think everything in this world would be meaningless if we can get them easily, without any effort?" he asked you back.
Before you could answer, he was already talking. "Everything will have no value."
"When it doesn't have a value, we tend to not appreciate it. And what happens after that? We will never get enough of everything."
"When we know how hard it is to get something, when we know how much time and effort we have to sacrifice for that one thing, we will learn how to appreciate and love it. We will never treat it carelessly, because we know how hard it was to get. Those sleepless nights, those stressful days, only for that one thing."
Mark then turned his body towards yours, his face was only inches away from yours. From this distance, you could clearly see his face. His messy curly hair, one of your favorite thing about him but he would cover his hair with a beanie because he's not confident about it. You couldn't help but to run your fingers through his hair as you listen to his next words.
"That's why I think we have to try and work hard in life. Because every little thing in this world has its own value. And we have to work hard to get it. Socks keep our feet warm when it's cold, umbrella covers us from rain, and so on." As he was speaking, Mark held your hand to stop it from ruining his hair more since you started to play around with it. He then intertwined his fingers with yours, bringing your hand closer to his lips for a soft kiss.
You started to understand. You looked at him, trying to process all the things he said just now. Mark, who noticed that couldn't hide his smile. He thought you were cute for that.
"Were you with me?" he asked, just to make sure you were listening.
"...Yeah. I understand what you meant, it's like how trees give us oxygen." you said.
Mark chuckled and stroked your hair. "Well, not really, baby. In fact, phytoplankton and other aquatic plants produce 70% of the Earth's oxygen. Trees only produce 28% of it."
Oh my god. Does he have to be smart at time like this?
"I hate your smart ass Mark." you deadpanned.
He giggled looking at your expression. "I know," After that, he stole a peck from your lips before he continued his words. "But I also know you love me for that, babe."
Well, he is not wrong.
