Seven Deadly Sins

Greed

The next time I woke up, I found myself still in Mark's hotel room, except this time he wasn't here. I rubbed my eyes open with my knuckles; Mark wasn't anywhere to be found in the room. Slightly disappointed for some reason, I sighed wearily, throwing my legs over the edge of the luxurious bed and standing.

After a quick shower, I gathered all my clothes and put them back on. I was really hungry, but I figured I could pick something up somewhere if need be. Mark still wasn't back, so I put on my shoes and hoodie and walked over to the small nightstand.

"Mark,
Hey, thanks for getting me off of the roof and thanks for the nice bed. I don't know where you are, so I'm just going to go. I don't know exactly where, though. I don't want to intrude in your space any longer than necessary. Anyway, thanks.
-Jack"

There, the note should satisfy him enough. I glance around the room, deciding to leave the note on top of his zipped duffel bag. He's sure to find it there.

Without further ado, I stand on achey legs and make my way to the door.
~~~~~~
I did end up grabbing something on my walk around town; except that something happened to be a 40 of whiskey, as well as a case of 12 beer cans.

I stopped at my motel room before I bought the alcohol. Today was my last day to stay there, so I grabbed my small bag and all my other stuff, such as my wallet and room keys. I obviously gave the keys back to the motel, though.

Mark found me, once again. I still don't know how he found me the first time, but here he was again.

I looked a mess, and I knew it. Did I care? No, not really.

Mark would later tell me he found me passed out in the subway, clutching my bag in one hand, the 40 in the other, empty cans scattered round me. Apparently I had drank most of the cans, and more than half of the whiskey. Needless to say, I had passed out.
~~~~~~~~
A half week later and Mark finds me for the third time, although this time it's not by happenstance (or however he's found me before). The police had picked me up for public intoxication; I spent two nights in jail. They finally let me have my call; the first person to my mind was, of course, Mark.
~~~~~~~
"You can't keep doing this, you know. You're hurting me and all the others more than you're hurting yourself, Jack. This has got to stop." Mark was talking to me back in his hotel room. I was lying prone on the bed, he was sitting comfortably in the chaise.

"I know, Mark. I know. I'm just so alone. Cutting and drinking, they take away that loneliness," I started. "You should have come to us, or to some friends in Ireland. Why didn't you contact Daithi? Doesn't he live near you?" Mark interrupted, but I let him. "No, not really. And I don't have many other friends back home besides Daithi. Those that I did have have their own lives to live, they don't need the burden of me on them," I finished, sighing and closing my eyes.

The bed suddenly dipped beside me; I knew it was Mark so I didn't bother opening my eyes. "Jack you need to understand that we're all here for you. You hear me? Look at me, Jack." I grudgingly open my eyes to find that he's much closer than I thought; I could feel his breath on my face. He picked up my hand and massaged it slowly, making little circles as he continued, "Jack, we care so much about you. You're not a burden on anyone, we're here to help you. You're our friend. You're my- I-," he trailed off, stuttering incoherently as he did so. He suddenly leaned back and dropped my hand.

Mark stood abruptly and went to the window. My eyes followed his movements. Putting his hands on his hips, he let his head hang. I stand and shuffle over to him; wrapping my arms around his middle, I could feel him relax. We stayed like that for a few beats before he suddenly turned and pulled me into a crushing hug. I wrapped my arms around his neck; he buried his face into my shoulder, but I saw the tears. He was crying. But what for?

"Mark?" I croaked out, "Mark, what's wrong?" He didn't speak immediately, but took a shaky breath in as he tried to calm himself. My hands, unbeknownst to me, began running through his hair. I let them.

"Eye knt looz nnyou," Mark said. "What? Mark, look at me." He did so. "I can't lose you, Jack. I- I love you. I can't lose someone I love." At his confession, my eyes widened; he continued, "Oh, fuck Jack I'm so sorry I couldn't not tell you, fuck what have I done?" He began sobbing uncontrollably, falling onto his knees. He still held me by my waist as he cried into my shirt. His sobs shook my body, and as they did I realized something, maybe the whole reason for all of this is because I suppressed this feeling.

I sank to my knees as well so that I was eye level with Mark. This caused his arms to fall off; mine stayed secure around his neck. "Mark. Mark, look at me." He looked up at me; I wiped away his tears and looked into his deep brown eyes. I realized that I loved those eyes, as well as his face, his body, his personality; I realized I loved him.

I grabbed his tear stained cheeks with my hands and quickly closed the gap between us. Lips chasing each other, his hands moved to my waist, pulling me closer. He broke away first for air; I took this opportunity to tell him what's been plaguing me, "Mark, I love you, too."