Selfish *Markson AU*

Chapter Three

I AM SO SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO UPDATE!

Chapter 3

Jackson slowly opens his eyes to find the bed empty beside him. As he starts to wake up, the events from the previous night flash in his mind. He immediately launches out of bed, already feeling on edge. He bursts out of their bedroom and stomps into the kitchen, only to find Mark making breakfast. Hearing Jackson enter the room, Mark looks up and smiles happily, despite the dark bruises all over his face and neck. Jackson takes a second to pull himself together and sits down at their small kitchen table.

Why do I do it?

Jackson stares at Mark, taking in all the damage he has done. He notices how Mark slightly limps as he maneuvers around the kitchen, wincing as he goes to reach for something out of the cupboards, the infamous dark purple covering his otherwise flawless skin. A thick lump forms in his throat, but he pushes it away, along with his thoughts. Jackson knew Mark wouldn't talk first, afraid to set him off, so he had to break the silence.

"Morning, Mark." Mark looks up from what he is doing and smiles, warming Jackson's otherwise bitter heart.

"Good Morning. How did you sleep?"

"Like a rock. What's for breakfast?"

"Eggs, bacon and pizza." Just like that, a switch is flipped and Jackson is pissed. He slams his hands onto the table, causing Mark to flinch and drop a plate, the crash echoing in the kitchen.

"Why didn't you just throw the damn pizza out?!" Jackson glares at Mark, waiting for his answer.

"W-well I thought-" Mark could tell that the anger got the best of Jackson and no matter what he said, he couldn't fix it. He just lowered his head and prepared for whatever Jackson was going to throw at him, words or fists.

"No! You didn't think at all! Why can't we have one nice morning without you messing everything up?" Jackson kept yelling other hurtful things as a tear slowly rolled down Mark's cheek.

Please not today! Any day but today please!

Mark silently hoped that maybe Jackson would remember how important this day was to them, but as he slowly looked up and saw the anger on Jackson's face, he knew he forgot. Or didn't care. For the first time in a long time it was Mark's turn to be mad.

"- maybe if you actually payed attention instead of letting that computer rot your brain-"

"Maybe if you didn't hit me on the head all the time I might be able to think straight!" Jackson shot up, knocking over a chair and started to walk towards Mark, ready to swing. Mark knew he had to act fast.

"Happy anniversary by the way." Jackson froze, just feet away from Mark, anger replaced with shock.

What day is it? It can't be... Oh my god it is! How could I forget? I am the worst person in the world!

Jackson could see the obvious hurt on Mark's face, but Mark wouldn't look back at him, too busy picking up the glass shards on the floor.

"Hey, don't pick them up, you could get hurt." Jackson whispered, still trying to find the right words to say. Mark scoffed, but went to get the broom they left in the living room closet. Jackson ran his hands through his hair and sighed.

How can I make this right?

Mark came back and Jackson snatched the broom out of his hands and started cleaning up the floor. Mark paused, watching Jackson, before moving on the clean the rest of the kitchen, throwing the pizza and everything else out.

"We can go out for breakfast, you can choose the restaurant." Jackson suggests, but Mark just shakes his head, still not looking at him. After the floor was glass-free he knew he had another mess to clean up. Mark had his back turned to Jackson, giving him the perfect opportunity to wrap his arms around him, holding him to his chest.

"I really am sorry, Mark. You know I love you with all my heart, right?" Jackson rests his head on Mark's shoulder, patiently waiting for a reply. Finally Mark sighs, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I know you do. You better get dressed or you're going to be late for work." Mark wiggles free and walks to the the other side of the kitchen. Sitting down at the table, he put his head in his hands, trying to hide his tears. Jackson looks at the clock, realizing Mark was right. He gets ready for work and just before he leaves, he peaks his head into the kitchen. Mark didn't move a muscle, making Jackson feel even more guilty.

"I'll make it up to you, I promise. I love you so much." Mark didn't even look up. Jackson sighs and walks out the door, heart in his throat.

After a while, Mark slowly lifts his head and wipes his tears. He grabs his phone off the counter and walks into their bedroom. He pulls his suitcases out of the closet and packs as much as he can. Mark can't stop the tears from falling through the whole process, but he knows he has to do this.

You have to leave! One day he is going to go too far and you'll be done for. It's almost happened before! Stick to the plan!

Mark made a deal with himself, if Jackson remembered their anniversary, he would stay. But since that was not the case, he forced himself to pick up his phone and call Jinyoung and tell him it was time to go. Mark walked into his office and unlocked his filing case. He pulled out the photo album he has been hiding from Jackson for months now and went to the last page, where he left a blank piece of paper. Grabbing a pen, Mark writes possibly the last thing he will ever say to Jackson. After writing down the final words he closed the album and held it in his hands, tears filling his eyes again.

A knock on the front door puts Mark in a panic until he realizes it's Jinyoung and Jaebum. As soon as he opens the door, Jinyoung wraps his arms around Mark, trying to comfort him.

"You are making the right decision." Mark just nods, knowing he can't speak without breaking down. They take his bags down to their car and patiently wait for Mark as he finishes up in the apartment. He grabs the photo album and sets it on the bed, where he has spent many nights with Jackson. Sitting on the end of the bed, looking all around the room, Mark remembers all the good times they've had in this room, where they have always felt the closest. He smiles until his eyes land on the doors to the walk-in closet and he is immediately thrown back into the dark reality. He slowly stands up and walks out of the bedroom and to the front door, forcing himself to keep going. 

  Mark makes it halfway out the door before he stops, the sudden urge to unpack his things and pretend this never happened stronger than ever. He turns around, facing the empty apartment, the place he has called home for a very long time. It used to be filled with love and happiness, but now it even looks dark and miserable. Just like him. Sighing, Mark turns back around and walks the rest of the way out, closing the door behind him. As he walks out of the building he can't help thinking:

This isn't goodbye.