to love and be loved 【a jeanmarco fanfiction】

part 7

the cool breeze bit at Marcos exposed skin. he hardly paid attention and kept trekking away from the cabin.
how could I have done that? over the years I haven't blown my top once. Marco wondered. he recalled the times when he was younger. his schoolmates made an innocent joke about another boy. they didn't know how much it hurt him, how much it got under his skin. he remembered lashing out, hitting the kids. he actually got some good hits in, for a young kid.
at least it wasn't that bad. I didn't yell that much. or hit anyone. Marco reassured himself.
"well, if it isn't Momma's Boy," he heard coming towards him. oh god, not this.
"got any more letters for us? I'm thinking we might do a little more running today." the others snickered. Marco closed his eyes, fists balled. don't do it, it isn't worth it.
"I don't like being ignored," Arthur spat, bad breath right in his face. he jabbed Marco in the shoulder, causing him to rock a little bit.
to hell with holding back, it's worth it.
Marco curved his arm around and socked him in the mouth, sending him backwards. I still have the element of surprise, he thought, got to strike while the iron is hot.
he swung his fist back around, making contact with the nose of one of Arthur's mindless followers. the boy tumbled to the ground, obviously not a fighter. the others backed away, not exactly killing to get involved.
"looks like Momma's Boy has a little fight in him," Arthur grumbled, spitting blood off to the side. "I say, bring it on." Arthur made the first move; all too predictable, and Marco ducked and hit him square in the gut, knocking his breath out. the blonde bent double, breath heavy. Marco took the oppuritunity and roundhouse-kicked him in the side, pushing him to the ground. Arthur made a noise like a small animal sneezing; weak and pathetic.
Marco wanted to stop, but he couldn't. his limbs had a mind of their own. he shook with rage as he took on another boy who thought the was all-that and a slice of pie. his vision was blurring, yet his body continued to fight. this one did put up a tougher fight, but lasted about as long as Arthur did.
"Marco! Marco! stop!" Jean yelled, but it was like a radio that wasn't tuned in, and Marco paid it no mind. most of the remaining boys were scared, but of course, one other rose to his shaky feet again.
"you-ya think thadda be tha last of me?" Arthur slurred, pointing a shaky finger at Marco. "you can't beat mee, momma's boy."
Marco immediately slung his fist into the side of Arthur's face, making contact with the thick cartilage of his ear. that was all it took; Arthur was knocked clean onto his side with an oomph. Marco felt hands restraining his arms, and he kicked out to try and break free. his captor was either too strong or he too tired, for Marco let him drag him towards the cabin. they only made it a few feet before they stopped.
"Marco, I'm going to let you go now." it was Jean; who else would it be?
"okay."
"you cannot go back there. you have to continue to the cabin." Jean commanded quietly, breath warm against Marcos ear.
"Jean, please. you're the one who said they deserved it."
"and you're the one who said they weren't going to get it, and then gave it to them. can I trust you not to go back?"
Marco sighed, rage being to whither. "yes."
Jean released Marco and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him in.
"you know, you're a very good fighter. I'm proud."
despite the awful feeling beginning to replace the anger, Marco smiled.
"I know."
"don't get cocky, I can still beat you."
"in your dreams. I'd pound you into dust."
"do it," Jean teased. the 2 entered the cabin, met with wide eyes from every cabinmate. they silently ascended the wooden ladder to Jeans cot, feeling the weight of the stares on their backs.
"how was your day?" Jean asked, relaxing against the wall. Marco nervously fidgeted.
"could have been better, personally." he replied. cabinmates looked away, one by one, and continued hushed conversations.
"eh, I think mine was pretty good." he folded his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. "so, Marco, let's just call it even, okay?"
"what?"
"you held me back, and then I held you back. we're even, yeah?"
Marco chuckled. "yeah, even."