Pastel Boy

Somewhat Better Day

(Mark's POV) 

That next morning, Jack and I woke up. We went downstairs to see the tree stocked with a bunch of gifts and our stockings filled to the brims. I got Jack one too, so... 
After stockings, we went to gifts. Jack had invited me to his house for part of Christmas, so I had to do this all before noon, when we were supposed to switch to his house. I gave Jack a bunch of gifts, one from my mom, and the rest were from me. 
I opened all my gifts from my mom, leaving the others for later, for family. I got a guitar, which I absolutely when nuts over. I loved it. I also got more pastel sweaters, jeans, a pair of mint blue Vans, and about seven new flower crowns. 
The first one Jack opened from me was a spiked leather jacket. His other one got ripped in a fight with Jax and Ace the other day. 

"Aw, Mark," he smiled. "Thank you! It's even better than my old one!" 
"No problem, babe," I grinned. "Open the rest." 

I got him a My Chemical Romance shirt, a P!ATD snapback, some Jordans, and a bunch of other clothes/accessories, even some Beats headphones. But, I got him a gift I knew he would love. It was a drum kit. 

"Oh my God!" Jack gasped. "You fookin' didn't!" 
"I did. It took me AGES to get it set up. But, your mom said to leave it here. Said you were already loud at home as it is." 

He scoffed. 

"My entire family says that," Jack snickered. "But this is amazing! I love it!! Thank you so much!" 
"Not just that, though." 
"What?" 
"Look over by the set." 

He went over and found the drumsticks. They were signed by Serj Tankian, the lead singer of System of A Down. And, I knew was Jack's favorite band. He gasped and started squealing like a girl. 

"OH MY GOD," Jack shouted happily. "YOU FOOKIN' DIDN'T!! YOU FOOKIN' DIDN'T!! YOU FOOKIN' DID NOT!!!" 

"I did." 

He hugged me and spun me around. 

"How tha' hell did you get these?!" 
"There's this beautiful thing called eBay, Jack." 
"Thank you so fookin' much..." 

I looked at the clock. 11:55. Time to get going. Jack and I said bye to my mom before leaving. Jack and I began our walk over to his house. He looked scared though... What was he worried about? 

"Jack, babe?" I began. "Are you alright?" 
"I'm just nervous..." 
"About?" 

He stopped us and looked around for anyone. 

"If I tell ya, ya can't tell a single soul. Especially my ma," he started. "Promise?" 
"I promise." 
"...I'm nervous about seein' my dad." 
"Why? If I were you, I'd be happy!" 
"That's because ya don't know everythin'..." 
"What do you mean?" 
"Mark... he used to abuse me..." 
"...What? Jack, are you serious?" 
"Yeah... he did it because he was angry that I'm gay. He always thought I'd be tha' one tuh' be dominated, so... I changed. I used tuh' be just like ya. Wearin' pastel sweaters, the flower crowns, everythin'. But, thanks tuh' him, I changed from a submissive male to tha' dominant. I'm so scared that he's gonna do it again. But more importantly, tuh' you..." 
"Jack... First of all, I wouldn't let him hurt you. Secondly, I can defend myself. I've been learning martial arts for the last few months. I'm a brown belt. Only two away from black. This time, I won't let him hurt you. I promise..." 

He smiled and we kept walking. When we got to his house, his mom let us in with a big smile. 

"Hello, Mark," she smiled. 
"Hi, Mrs. McLoughlin," I grinned back. 

Once we were inside, I met Jack's four other siblings: Allison, Susan, Malcolm, and Simon. They were really nice. Then, I heard someone coming down the stairs. It was Jack's dad. He looked at me confusingly. 

"Who's this," he asked. 
"Sean's boyfriend, hon," Jack's mom replied. "His name's Mark." 
"Oh..." 

He just walked past me and Jack. I could feel Jack's hand shaking, since we'd been holding hands the entire time. I squeezed his hand, trying to help him feel better. 

"Everything's gonna be okay," I whispered into his ear. 

Then, Jack's family gathered in the living room. Mrs. McLoughlin introduced me to everyone. Then, his sister, Allison, came up to us. 

"Nice snapback, bro," she smiled. "Where'd ya get it?" 
"From this pink haired angel ya see in front 'a ya," Jack grinned, looking at me. 
"Aw. How long have ya been together?" 
"About a month 'er so, but it's strong..." 
"Good tuh' hear." 

Then, it came to gifts. Jack apparently got me a shit ton of gifts, about as many as I got him. His mom also pitched in. But, I could feel Jack's father's eyes staring into my soul. I had a feeling this wouldn't end well tonight...