Dark Secret

Chapter 1

It has been just over nine months they had been together and it was just as perfect as when it had started, they were a match made in heaven. Jack had moved in around six months ago, shortly after Matt and Ryan had moved out into their own apartment elsewhere in L.A. Jack and Mark were very satisfied with the way their relationship was, from the everyday conversations to the nighttime activities, everything was perfect.

Jack's birthday was coming up in a couple days and Mark wanted to do something special as it was his first birthday whilst in this relationship, he knew it was a but corny but he wanted a good excuse to surprise Jack and treat him. He came up with a quick list of things to for tomorrow in preparation:

• Stuff for breakfast

• Book a table for two at the Providence for 7:30pm

• Collect his present

• Cake Ingredients

Mark was content knowing that he was going to make his Jack happy. He put the list in his pocket to be sure Jack didn't see it and went about his day as per usual, which mainly involved filming, editing and spending time with Jack whether that was going out somewhere or just snuggling up on the sofa watching Netflix.

After Mark and Jack had crawled into bed after a long day, Mark scooted up behind Jack and pulled him close, nibbling and kissing his neck and shoulder. Jack who had his back to him turned his head slightly in Mark's direction.
"You're happy" Jack whispered quietly and turned his head away before closing his eyes started to drift off.

"OW WHAT THE FUCK!" Jack suddenly jumping sideways, causing him to fall out the bed. Mark sat up startled and crawled to the edge and saw Jack lying on the floor clutching his shoulder.
"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO THAT FER?" Jack shouted at a very puzzled looking Mark who was staring down at him.
"Did I do something wrong?", Mark was extremely confused as he did everything they usually did, or at least he thought he did anyway. Jack slowly took his hand away from his shoulder, however Mark couldn't really make anything out in the dark. Mark reached for the switch and turned on the bedside lamp and put on his glasses, he looked over the edge again and saw a deep bite mark that was was oozing, covering his shoulder and hand. Mark wiped the side of his mouth to find blood on his knuckle along with a strange metallic taste in his mouth.

"Oh my god did I..? Oh my god Jack I- I didn't m- mean...", his words started to stutter and trail off, turning Jack's anger to guilt for screaming at Mark when he saw his eyes begin to well up, obviously he didn't hurt him intentionally. Jack stood up and cupped Mark's face in his hands, wiping away his tears starting to trace his cheeks with his thumbs whilst trying to ignore the hot burning pain in his shoulder.

"Come on you doof, I'm sure you didn't mean ta hurt me. It was just an accident."

Mark nodded, Jack ran his fingers through Mark's hair and took a step back. "I'll go clean this up", causing him to unconsciously grab his injured shoulder again "I will be back in a few minutes, you OK now?", Mark nodded, a look of shame on his face, finding it hard to find the courage to look at him.

Jack walked out of the room and to the bathroom across the hall. He looked at his shoulder in the mirror and was astonished by how deep Mark had managed to sink his teeth in.
'Crap... That's a bit deep for an accident ain't it? Looks as if he was gonna try an' eat me!'
He was astonished by the mark he had left but brushed it off for now and began to clean up the blood with a wet rag, flinching every time he touched it.
'Mark would never hurt a fly never mind intentionally try and take chunk out of me! What am I thinkin'?'
He grabbed some padding and clean bandages over it and looked at the state of his attempt.
"Agh I'll get it looked at tomorrow, it's nay too bad..." he quietly told himself while attempting to neaten up the gauze wrapped around his shoulder.

Jack wandered back into the room to find the bed empty. He wandered downstairs into the kitchen to find mark pouring some coffee into Jack's favourite mug.
"Mark? What are ya doin'?" Jack said quietly as he approached him from behind. Mark jumped slightly when he heard him and turned to face him, coffee mug in hand and eyes still a little glassy.
"Oh, I um- made some coffee, you want some?", he extended the mug out to Jack as if it were some kind of peace offering. Jack cautiously took the mug from Mark and took a sip, all the while keeping his eyes on Mark. He looked as if he was really trying to force the smile that was plastered onto his face, with his bottom lip slightly trembling.
"Thanks, you sure you're OK Mark? You look a bit peaky" Jack said, showing concern as Mark appeared to be getting more and more pale. Mark frowned at his concern.
"Why you worrying about me? You're the one who's hurt." He said in a quiet voice, staring down at Jack's feet.
"Mark look I'm fine! See?" He attempted to wiggle his shoulder, but that just caused Jack to bite his lip to hold back from cursing. Mark wasn't fooled and just looked even more ashamed, leading Jack trying to give him a sympathetic smile.
"Come on, let's get some sleep. I can get it sorted in the morning, yeah?" He kissed Mark on the cheek which he found quite reassuring  and they both headed up for bed catch some shut eye before they had to get up.