Black Thunder (Markson AU)

Chapter 2: Beef Ball Soup

Mark was awoken with a start when he realized he wasn't in headquarters. His body ached from sleeping in an odd position, and he had somehow managed to kick the blanket off of himself in the night. Shivering, he clutched it back over his body and checked the time. 7:15. The time that headquarters always had them up. He sighed and layed back down, wondering when Jackson would wake up.

He has work today, right? Mark thought to himself as the cold morning air produced goosebumps on his arms and legs. What do I do then?

Not even a few minutes later, a sleepy-eyed Jackson stumbled out of his room. Not expecting Mark to be there, he stumbled back in surprise. "Oh. Rise and shine, Mark." He let out a yawn and kept walking to the kitchen. "I didn't expect you to be up this early."

"I'm used to it," Mark said, his teeth chattering. "Don't worry."

Jackson went over to the cupboard and pulled out some cereal, resisting the urge of telling Mark about his bed head (which Jackson thought looked pretty funny on him) and poured two bowls. "Did you sleep well?" Jackson asked, pouring milk into Mark's bowl. That's what people do, right? I have no idea.

The other yawned loudly and ruffled his hair, Jackson's large gray shirt hanging off of his collarbones. "Okay, I guess. How about you?"

"Fine. Here," he handed Mark his cereal and took a seat at the tiny table.

Mark took his cereal with a "thank you" and looked up to Jackson in curiosity. "Jackson, what do you do for your job?"

"Huh?"

"You know, your job. What's your job?"

"Oh." Jackson swirled the flakes of cereal around in his milk. "I'm...uh...I work at that noodle shop a few blocks away. Don't judge me. I have to make a living somehow." As he talked, he avoided eye contact with the other.

"I wasn't gonna judge you," Mark said with a small voice. "So you cook the noodles?"

Jackson tilted his head to the side."Some days I do. Most of the time I work at the counter." He paused for a moment to watch Mark rub the sleep out of his eyes. "Are you any good at cooking?"

Mark yawned and put a spoonful of cereal into his mouth. "A little bit. I cooked vegetables and meat at headquarters sometimes, not too often though."

At least he can cook, Jackson thought to himself. Maybe Mr. Kim won't mind if he tags along. Where else can I leave him for today? "Maybe my boss can let you hang around for today until I figure out what to do with you," Jackson said aloud while looking up at Mark. This might be difficult.

"Alright then..." Mark mumbled, unsure. He threw away the plastic bowl in the trashcan and kind of stood there, uncertain what to do next. Crap...what do I do about clothes?

Jackson sensed this and called from behind him, "I have extra clothes in the bottom drawer in my room."

Mark's shoulders relaxed a little. "Okay," he mumbled. "I'll...I'll get changed now."

The other had to suppress a giggle as Mark scurried away out of Jackson's sight. Why is he so shy? It's funny, though. Sighing, Jackson ran a hand through his hair and disposed of his dishes. He then went into his room to change.

"Why are my cheeks pinkish??" Mark cried to himself in the bathroom, examining his face in the mirror. He turned his face one way, and then the other, the cheeks of his normally pale face a light pink color. "No, no, no..." Hoping that Jackson didn't hear him, he splashed his face with water, brushed his teeth, and changed in lightning speed. When he opened the door, Jackson was right on the other side. He let out a squeak.