Everything's Alright

Jack

As I keep my hat in check, I question my own sanity for telling him all of that. I tug slightly on the sleeves of my jumper, feeling my anxiety flare up again. I try my hardest not to make the sleeves wander anywhere above my wrist bone, but I see Mark notice. Somehow, we get back to the flats without Mark questioning me any further. Upon my entry of the flat, Mark gives me the spare key. He goes to make dinner, as we only drank while out with Dan, and I go to unpack my things. I just go ahead and mix all our shit, hoping mark won't mind. I put my shirts on one side of the master closet. I have the door closed. I hear the telltale click of Mark coming in to check on me.
"Dude, why didn't you knock? I could've had my pants off or something." I say, surprised he was so forward.
"That's what I was hoping for," he says, smiling.
I mock-roll my eyes at him and give him a quick kiss.
"Anyways, dinner's ready." He tells me. He leads me to the kitchen and I find a 2 plates of noodles, with vegetables and a brown sauce. They're set on an inky black wooden table. By the table, barstools. I decide against questioning his interior decorating motives. He makes the first move, walking to the stool and sitting. I hop onto the stool, opting for my usual cross-legged pose. I pick up a fork and try really hard to eat for Mark. I swear I do. However, at the end of the night, I only get down a couple noodles, an eighth of a carrot, and a quarter of a broccoli stalk. Mark, of course, wolfs it down. I take my plate up to the sink with him. He takes a look at my loaded plate, then at my pale face. I see the sadness stockpiled in his eyes. We remain wordless. Mark goes to bed while I get on my laptop and edit in the living room. Once it gets to 11:00, I feel my eyelids turn to lead and go into the master bathroom. I remove my sweater, not having any undershirt on, and examine my arms. I see millions of marks. Some old, some new, lots faded. I don't make any fresh ones. I crawl, literally, into bed next to mark, shirtless and only in boxers. He stirs slightly. I wrap my arms around his broad shoulders.
"Jack?" He whispers in an adorably groggy tone.
"Jack." I answer back.
"Jack, you know I love you, right? Like, a lot." I nod as if I were a child. I kiss him on his jawline, feeling the rough stubble against my lips. He needs to shave. I fiddle with the ring on my finger under the covers. I think of our set wedding date, August 13th. Only 3 months away.
"Mark." I say, but then don't wait for his reply, and barrel straight into, "I'm really in love with you too." He stays silent. I look at him and see his eyes are closed. "Are... are you awake?" I ask. He doesn't reply. "Okay." I whisper. I place my ear on his chest and listen to his steady heartbeat.
Ka-thunk. Ka-thunk. Ka-thunk. Over and over again. It sounds like some sort of oncoming army. Ka-thunk. Ka-thunk. CRACKLE BOOM CRASH. I zip my head up lightning fast. Coincidentally, it was lightning hat caused that. I roll out of bed to see an electrical storm has started. Neat. I carefully get back into bed and let the warmth of Mark and the pitter patter of rain lull me to sleep. No nightmares. No waking up in the middle of the night screaming. Just me surrounded by a strange darkness.