Running From a Shadow

What a shame...

Jack's P.O.V.

I woke up in a haze, not remembering what had happened the night before. I was laying down on something I didn't recognize, but couldn't bring myself to move. That is, until I realized that that something was a living being known as Mark. I tried to get up, but his muscular arms were holding me down. What a shame it was to be stuck on top of my best friend who stayed with me no matter what shit I put him through. What a shame it was to have my head laying on his hard chest, able to feel his every breath and hear his every heartbeat. What a shame it was for me to have to feel his warmth against my smaller body, filling me with a best friend's love. What a shame...

I slowly relaxed on his stomach, falling back asleep with his rhythmic breathing and beautiful heartbeat.

Mark's P.O.V.

What had I gotten into last night? Jack and I were ambushed by doppelgängers. They had threatened me and God knows what they had done to Jack. Jack...was he sleeping on me? I remembered cuddling next to him on the floor of the treehouse last night, but how we had gotten to the point of him laying directly on top of me I had no idea.

Not thinking, I squeezed Jack's waist and kissed the top of his head. He twitches for a second and then continued his normal breathing.

I sat up, still hugging Jack close, and set him down on the floor before getting up to go to the store. I bought some coffee. Black, just the way Jack liked it. I also bought two blueberry muffins for breakfast.

When I arrived back at the treehouse, Jack was sitting at the table, anxiously tapping his fingers on the wood. He saw me and smiled ear to ear.

"Morning, Jack. Sorry, I went out to get some breakfast." I set the two travel cups on the table, along with the bag of muffins. He put both hands around the warm cup and stared at it intently.

"Thank you." He said suddenly. His eyes met with mine as he put his warm hand on top of mine. I flipped my hand over and intertwined our fingers.

Smiling, I said "No problem, Jackaboy."

He squeezed my hand tighter and spoke softly. "You wanna do something later?" His eyes found a spot on the wall that seemed pretty interesting.

"Like what?" I asked, lightly rubbing my thumb across his hand.

"I have an idea. Meet me at the ranch after work. See you then?" His hand left mine and began picking up his stuff. He quickly shoved his belongings into his bag and looked back at me.

"Y-yeah of course." I couldn't help but stutter. You could never tell what kind of ideas Jack had. You just had to wait and see.

He grinned and walked to the ladder. After taking a couple steps down, he turned to face me.

"Oh and Mark?"

"Yes, Jack?"

"I know you kissed me this morning."

He chuckled when I began to blush. He must have been awake when it happened. Fuck. I managed to make a simple situation into an embarrassment.

That was all I could think of throughout my day, working at the construction company I had managed to be hired for. I went through my usual routine, but something was off. Someone was watching me.

I don't mean the millions of security cameras around the company. I mean, like, a living person, staring me down somewhere I couldn't see.

Anti's P.O.V.

I sat behind stacks of wooden planks, watching Mark as he lifted the lumber onto a truck. I was mesmerized by his muscles flexing with each movement. I couldn't help but smile when I noticed how he realized someone, me, was watching him.

Dark and I had worked out a plan for this afternoon. It was absolutely perfect. Now all I had to do was watch him. Everything he did, no matter how painful the sight...

Mark's P.O.V.

When I had finished loading the wood into the back of my boss's truck, I walked towards the ranch where Jack was waiting for me. I can't say I wasn't nervous to find out what this "idea" Jack had was. The butterflies in my stomach grew more intense with every step.

Reaching the gate to the horse stalls, I heard a quiet voice echoing off of the walls. I leaned into the wall and listened to Jack's soothing voice.

"You know, Charlie, what if he does like me? I mean, I know it sounds nearly impossible" the horse grunted at Jack as of to deny what he was saying "shut up. Anyway, what do you think I should do? He'll probably be here soon and I want tonight to be perfect." Charlie's hooves clopped on the floor as she grunted louder.

I walked into the room and leaned against the barn door, my hands in my pockets.
"Hey Jacky." I said in an embarrassingly high pitched voice.

"Hey, Mark." Jack sprang to life, picking up a broom and sweeping at the hay sprawled across the barn. "I was just - uh - cleaning up! Charlie sure can make a mess of his food. He's almost as bad as you."

I blushed at the comment. Then I walked closer to Jack and grabbed the broom. He looked at me and his smile fell to a confused frown.

"What's this surprise I've been waiting for all day, huh, Jackaboy?" I spoke in my deep and smooth voice, sending shivers down his back.

He regained his posture and smiled a genuinely happy smile.

"Grab a saddle. You're gonna ride a horse."

I suddenly got nervous. I'd never ridden a horse before. Only read stories of how they threw people off and broke their bones. Now I had to put my trust into one of the animals. This'll be good...