Welcoming Committee - Markson

cent neuf - F

With each step that Mark took, he was giving himself pep talk after pep talk. After embarrassing himself with his inability to keep his thumb away from the send button, he needed all the prepping that he could get. 

He was happy to insist that he would meet Jackson outside of his house, under the ruse that Jackson might not know the way to Mark's house by heart. 

Really though, he just wanted to walk, as he was hoping it would help him clear his head. Or, in this case, fill his head with positive, encouraging thoughts. 

Even though he was more than skeptical about this agreement, he couldn't deny - not to himself, at least - that he was intrigued. He could deny it all he wanted, but after admitting that he might consider kissing Jackson again, things were amazing - and terrifying. 

This newfound part of himself, this attraction to Jackson, it made everything more complicated. Primarily because, now more than ever, he had every reason to be nervous around Jackson.

He ended up walking past Jackson's house several times before finally accepting that he couldn't stall any longer. So, after fixing the jacket around his shoulders, he stepped up to the door, knocking with shy knuckles. 

After the second knock, Jackson couldn't bear to wait any longer, and he pulled the door open, perhaps a little too fast. They stared at each other for a moment, before looking down in embarrassment.

They walked in silence for some time, both searching for the best way to start a conversation, and failing. Jackson kept grinning as he considered the fact that Mark was wearing his jacket - was it for him?

"Um.... so, this is happening..."

Mark nodded, sucking on his lip to distract himself from the fact that Jackson looked more appealing than a 4 course meal. "Yeah, it is...."

"Yeah, so, thanks for giving me a chance, to, you know..."

"Seduce me?" Mark had the nerve to chuckle, and Jackson was swooning, his head falling to the side as his face pulled up into a dreamy expression. 

Is now a good time to kiss him? No, Mark shook his head. It was  just too early, he wasn't scared or anything.

The night went on like that, Mark hardly paying attention to anything other than the debate going on in his mind. 

Was it a good idea to kiss Jackson, when they reached the arcade? No, apparently not. 

How about when they wasted money on the claw machine? Still not the right time. 

And when they roamed the streets, stopping at vendors and snacking like they had all the time in the world? Another no.

The night passed much too fast, and as Mark stood in Jackson's doorway, neither talking,  but not quite willing to end the night already, Mark knew it was now or never, his last chance. 

He stepped a little closer, just barely, but enough for Jackson to look at him in surprise. 

"Mark? Did you... did you want something?"

Mark's stomach was twisting, and he suddenly felt like he might throw up.

"Do you... do you maybe want to come in?"

Mark gulped back the nerves, but they sprung back up, more powerful than ever.

Mark leaned forward, and Jackson was considering closing his eyes, but he was relieved that he didn't, as Mark let out a garbled, "bye," and slammed the door shut.

"For a second there... I thought," Jackson opened the door, waiting to find Mark standing there with a stupid grin, laughing at Jackson's expression. 

Instead, he found the dark, empty night, and he sighed, closing the door again before leaning against it.

Was it really too much to ask that Mark would give him a goodnight kiss?

**** The Paper Kites - Bloom 

I'm still taking requests, if you want to be in the story 😁 ****