The obsession that led to love.

The loveliest rose and its thorns.

Sat in the backyard, Peter took his face in his hands. Living with people he doesn't really know was sometimes hard for him.
He liked being alone, he liked calm and fresh air.
This place was perfect, it rained earlier this day and the air was fresh and humid. He took a good breath, his hand massaging his chest.
Peter was an anxious man, he always knew it, since police academy. His anxiety attacks were devastating back then. Now he got used to live with it.
He disliked loud noises.
He disliked crowds.
All he had in the big house today was all he disliked.
Lucky.

''want a smoke ?"
He exhaled loudly, startled by the new presence.
Amanda was standing there, hanging her pack of cigarettes through his face.
''...yeah.''
She gave him one, with a lighter, and sat next to him on the stairs that led to a little garden.
''i didn't know you were smoking.''
She said, taking back the lighter.
''i stopped two years ago.''
Amanda coughed a little from laughing.
''needed it.'' Peter answered the scofing.

She simply nodded.
They smoked in silence for long seconds, Peter wasn't talented for small talks, neither was Amanda.
It wasn't relaxing at all.
''So...''
She turned her face to him.
''what's the tea ?"
Amanda smiled, clapping her hands together.
''oh, i love this question ! Well, Adam tried to make pancakes and brunt himself so Larry's becoming crazy, that's why you hear screaming everywhere.''
Strahm only nodded, smoking his cigarette slowly.
''John's watching them making a circus, but he enjoying the only pancake...''

Suddenly they turned their faces to see who walked out the house.
It was Mark, who groaned when he saw Amanda.
''oh hell no, back home.''
He simply said before leaving and went sitting by Jigsaw's side.
''and Mark's an asshole, as always.''
Peter brushed the ashes off his jeans.
''you two don't like eachother, hm ?"
Amanda adjusted the hood on her head.
''Nuh-uh, he's a dick, and a manipulator.''
Peter chuckled a little.
''it's true ! I swear, he's always here searching for attention. With Jigsaw, with Larry... With you, too. He's jealous.''
The man layed his cheek on his fist, Amanda was overacting, but she really seemed worried about Mark.
Her story made him think of kindergarden.

''Peter.''
The man turned his face again to discover Mark, arms crossed.
''hmhm ?"
Amanda sighed angrily at Mark's presence.
''i need you upstairs.''
Peter watched Mark, his almost finished cigarette, and Amanda who was finishing hers.
''yeah, okay, go wait upstairs i'm coming.''
Amanda eye sided him with a ''i told you'' smile.
Mark went home once again, climbing the stairs.
''what did i just say ? Jealous motherfucker.''
She crushed her cigarette, standing to let the man finish his alone.
''it was nice talking to you Peter.''

Suddenly, he was alone again.
He tapped knowing fingers on his temples, crushing his stub next to his feet.
Sighing, he stood throwing his stub in the little ashtray, then walked in the house.
Adam was debating with Larry and Amanda on yes or no he could cook again. Everyone said no except Adam, of course.
Jigsaw was watching him with a little smile, waving lightly at Peter as he walked through the stairs.
''why were you so long ?"
Peter looked up the stair cage to see Mark, back on the banister.
''just finished smoking, i'm a little dizzy today.''
He continued his ascent through the other man slowly.
''why ?"

Peter arrived, looking down at Mark's eyes.
''too much noise. Why do you need my help ?"
Mark actually showed interest in Peter's dizzyness, it made Peter's heart skip a beat.
''come.'' Mark said, rushing to his bedroom. Peter followed.
Mark's bedroom was a little bigger than his, the bed and window were larger too.
It was a beautiful room, with no decorations but enough of Mark's stuff to show everyone it was his room.
''nice bedroom.''
Mark bent his back to hide a pill bottle. Hide was a big word, knowing he threw it to the other way of the bed.
Peter acted as he had seen nothing, turning his face to the big window.

''i can look at the lights of dawn.''
Strahm smiled a little hearing that, they talked once about how calming dawn was.
Mark remembered.
''what can i do to help you ?"
Once again, they faced each other.
''why are you talking to Amanda ?"
Mark's brows frowned when Peter groaned a little to the question.
''she offered me a smoke, and i'm training on small talks.''
The other man slowly watched him from head to toe.
''you shouldn't smoke with your throat wound.''
Peter tapped his fingers on the desk nearby , still watching the room.
''thanks to who for this wound ?"
Mark's eyes were angry.
Peter should pay attention about what he's doing. Mark could explose soon if he continued that way.

''i was anxious, i wanted to smoke.''
Still, the look seemed as angry.
''i don't even have to justify myself, boy. It's not because you don't like someone that i'm forbidden to talk to them.''
Mark approached, enough for Peter to really lower his eyes and himself to look up.
They were inches away, not much. Enough for Peter to grab his jaw and kiss him vigorously.
But he didn't.
Mark's eyes changed, he was too amazed by those to do anything else.
''she's a manipulator.''
Mark said.
''she said the same thing about you.''
Peter retorted.
A smug smirk appeared on the younger's face.
''oh, i bet she did... That's sweet of her.''

Peter watched Mark's pupils disappear and blow completely within seconds as he layed his eyes on Peter's face.
''i will not let her take you away from me.''
Strahm saw his teeth. Finally, he thought.
''she will not. I remain by your side.''
The pupils blew again, the plump lips opened. Oh, Mark liked it.
''and you remain by mine. Is that clear ?"
Slowly, eyes wide, Mark nodded.
''you understand ?"
He nodded again.
''no, enough of this shitty nodding. Use your words.''
Silence.
Mark's cheeks became more and more red as the seconds passed.

''Yes, sir...''
Peter gulped audibly.
Mark was really needing him uh ? This kinky fucker has never enough.
''good boy.''
Mark's lips parted again, nearly drooling as he watched Peter leave the bedroom.

''Fuck...''