translucent [markson]

[Thirty Two] Healed

After a night of mulling over the day's events, Mark knew what he had to do. No matter how scary or nerve wrecking it was, he had to officially ask Jackson to be his boyfriend. Mark couldn't risk letting Jackson think he didn't want them together when that's all he had been thinking about for weeks. He needed Jackson to know how much he needed him in his life and how they weren't some joke to him.

Despite knowing that Jackson was unreasonably forgiving, Mark was still afraid that Jackson would reject him. Mark would never let himself live down what he did to Jackson, so a part of him felt like Jackson might suddenly snap at him and say no. Of course, the realistic part of him assured him he'd be fine; still, the nerves had Mark on the verge of throwing up.

Just like the day before, Mark was waiting for Jackson so they could walk together. He couldn't help but pace in front of Jackson's door, knowing that he was going to have to ask Jackson the moment he walked out of that room. If he waited until later, he was sure he would continue to make excuses and let his worries stop him from asking what needed to be asked.

"Mark? You okay there?" Jackson's voice broke into Mark's thoughts, causing Mark to completely freeze in his place.

"Yeah, uh..." Mark looked at everywhere but Jackson's eyes. "I'm just nervous."

"About what?" Jackson asked, putting a gentle hand on Mark's shoulder. For some reason, Jackson's touch was only making him more tense.

"Well, I was thinking a lot yesterday," Mark began, "about you and I realised something."

"And what was that?" A ton of negative scenarios ran through his head involving a break up of sorts—they weren't even actually dating after all—but Mark only took a deep breath and smiled.

"I want us to date. Officially. Like, boyfriends kind of official." When Jackson didn't respond, Mark began to ramble to fill in the silence. "I know we haven't known each other or about each other's feelings for very long, so you might be thinking that I'm crazy. I just thought that this is worth taking the chance because you make me so, so happy. And I know I've been saying all year that I wanted to focus on my studies by not dating, but I'm certain that this isn't a mistake. You're not just a distraction. I really, really like you."

"Mark..." Jackson couldn't find the words to convey how much he wanted to say yes. "Is that even a question?"

"Yes? I just asked it?" Mark replied, confused.

"Idiot," Jackson mumbled, slightly shoving Mark. "I meant that the answer should be obvious. You're acting all anxious and tense, but there's no doubt in my mind that I'd say yes."

"You mean it?" Mark had a surprised look on his face that made Jackson laugh. "I wasn't sure if how I treated you would come back to bite me or if I didn't have a special enough way to ask you out or-"

Jackson quickly leaned over and placed a quick peck on Mark's lips. That immediately stopped Mark's rambling and effectively put a blush on both of their cheeks. However, while Mark was somewhat dazed in happiness, Jackson was worried. He hoped no one was around to see what just happened, otherwise Mark's reputation was at risk. He could care less about what people thought about him, but he couldn't be the one responsible for everyone turning on Mark.

"Let's go to your class then, boyfriend," Mark suggested, unable to contain his smile.

After a few moments of silence, Jackson spoke up, "It's crazy for me to think about this. I've liked you since we've met, even if I didn't admit it to myself until later. Now I can proudly say that I have an absolutely amazing boyfriend."

"Stop being so cheesy," Mark pouted, trying to hide his blush with his hands.

"Come on. You should be used to this by now. I'm clingy and affectionate to everyone—you're just going to get it worse now." Jackson began to reach for Mark's hand, but a classmate walked right in between him and Mark, reminding Jackson that their peers' judging eyes were everywhere.