The Demon's Mark

Beginning of the End

Jack and Kyle stepped into the house they'd be calling home for the next month. The moment they entered, the salty ocean breeze greeted them, immediately calming Jack's racing thoughts.

Kyle led the way to the living room, tossing his bags onto the floor with a content sigh before he sunk on to the couch.

Jack followed, glancing out the large glass doors that led straight to the beach. Before sitting next to Kyle- he went and opened the large doors so that they could feel the ocean breeze in every space they were in.

Jack sighed contentedly as he sank into the couch next to Kyle. Cuddling into his boyfriend's side. Kyle wrapped his arms around Jack's shoulders. Holding him tightly to him.

They watched in peaceful silence as the waves rolled gently against the shore, their rhythmic sound lulling them both into a rare moment of peace.

"This is perfect," Jack whispered, more to himself than Kyle, who was already grinning like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Right?" Kyle said as he turned his head and kissed the top of Jack's head.

He tipped his chin. Gesturing toward the beach.

"I knew you'd love it. I wanted this last month to be—" Kyle said excitedly.

"Kyle," Jack interrupted gently. "Don't."

Kyle's smile faltered slightly, but he nodded. They both knew what this trip was for, but Jack didn't want to ruin the peaceful moment.

Jack didn't want the heaviness of their situation to crash in on them yet. There was still time for that later.

"I think I'm gonna take a nap," Jack said, stretching as he untangled himself from Kyle and stood.

Jack tried to shake off the weight of the plane ride.

"I'm still a little jetlagged." Jack admitted.

Kyle nodded in agreement, rubbing his eyes.

"Good idea. I'm beat, too." Kyle said softly.

He took Jack's hand in his- and headed straight to the master bedroom, and Jack followed obediently.

As they reached the master bedroom- they were greeted by a beautiful balcony and floor to ceiling windows.

Jack gasped as he was taking in the airy, open space. The bed was large, inviting, and the windows had a perfect view of the ocean.

Kyle, ever the romantic, immediately opened the windows, letting the breeze flow in.

Jack watched as the curtains danced lightly in the wind, the salty air filling the room. It smelled like freedom, like the life Jack always dreamed of having but knew was slipping away with every day that passed.

Jack smiled as he stripped down to his boxers and slid under the soft, cool sheets. Kyle did the same, sighing with contentment as he stretched out next to him.

"This is the dream," Kyle murmured, his voice thick with exhaustion. "I never want to leave."

Jack chuckled softly, turning his head to look at Kyle, who was already half asleep.

"We don't have to think about leaving. Not yet." Jack whispered as he stroked Kyle's cheek.

Kyle nodded sleepily, his hand reaching out to find Jack's, squeezing it gently. They lay there for a few minutes, listening to the waves crash against the shore. But Jack's mind was already slipping, not toward sleep, but toward the looming presence in the back of his head.

"You really think ignoring me is going to work?"Alex's voice slithered through his thoughts, a familiar but unwelcome presence.

Alex had been quiet for a few hours, but Jack knew it was only a matter of time before he started up again.