In his arms (Markson)

Nine

Jackson woke up bright and early Monday morning feeling like death. His head was pounding his stomach hurt and worse of all he was planning a little surprise for Mark since it was his first day back but now that's not gonna happen. He's still upset over what was said and wishes Mark would have let him explain.
He tries not to dwell on it and gets ready for work. He turns his phone back on and decides to text BamBam to apologize for missing dinner, he chooses not to respond to Mark just yet.
His disappointment in the situation is apparent, he spends his day sulking through what normally is a decent day of game design.
After work he grabbed some takeout and headed to his lonely apartment, without talking to Mark even through text he's found life quite boring but he's not quite ready to talk. Yes he's being stubborn but that's just who he is.

Mark's Monday was pretty much the same, while being excited to finally leave the house for work it is still just work after all. He thanked Yugeom profusely for keeping up with all his projects. He offered to take him out for dinner to make it up to him so they planned a day for later in the week. He went home and sent another text to Jackson in hopes that he would respond soon, but still nothing. He now knows he fucked up pretty bad. He felt really guilty so he texted again.

Mark: please, I'm sorry. Just let me explain. I didn't mean what I said, I just want to talk to you.

Jackson read the texts finally but rolled his eyes, of course Mark wants a chance to explain even though he wasn't given one at the time. He did decide though that giving him the cold shoulder was maybe a bit too much so he responded.

Jackson : I'm going to bed now, I'll talk to you tomorrow, after work.

He thinks maybe by then he will feel like talking. So he does what he said and went to sleep.
The next day at work was proving to be a difficult one also so he definitely was going to talk to him tonight.
"Jackson?" He looked up to see his boss standing in his office door and stood to bow.
"Yes Mr park?" He looked at Jackson for a moment as if he was contemplating something while Jackson just stood waiting for his response. He walked in and closed the door.
"My nephew is coming into town tonight and I would like you to take him out and show him a good time, as a favor. He's cute and probably your type. But I need him out of the house for a  while in the evenings and I'd like it very much if you would accompany him for the next few days."
Jackson was taken aback, he doesn't want to go out with anyone but Mark but he doesn't want to say no to his boss either.
"Who knows if you hit it off you could get a boyfriend out of the deal." Jackson choked.
"No sir I'm not looking for a boyfriend, I already have someone in mind." He said quietly, afraid of his response.
"Fine just entertain him, starting tomorrow. He needs a night to settle. It will only be a few days then you can go after anyone you want." Jackson thought for a moment then reluctantly agreed.
"Yes sir for a few days, I can do it."
His boss nodded and walked out, happy while Jackson was filled with dread. He knew this was a bad idea but maybe if he could talk to Mark about it first. So that is his plan. He will talk to him and sort everything out then tell him what he has to do for Mr Park.

Mark was waiting not so patiently for his work day to be done, he's excited to finally get to clear the air. He misses Jackson, as weird as it sounds, he's sure he's falling for him already. When this realization hits him he smiles, he hopes Jackson feels the same because he really doesn't want to go through another heartbreak.

Jackson clocked out still feeling that dreadful feeling when he slammed into someone at the front entrance.
"Bam? What are you doing here?" BamBam smiled and grabbed his arm, pulling him along.
"We're going out my friend. We haven't had a proper night out since you've been back and I miss my best friend." He smiled his best puppy smile and begged.
"Please? I really want to go to this new club. It sounds so fun and since I don't have a Mark in my life I need to find one." He winked at Jackson knowing he'd get a response. Jackson choked and started shaking his head.
"I don't have a Mark either." He said sadly to which BamBam smiled knowingly.
"Of course you do, just because you're going through a small argument doesn't mean it's over before it begins." His somewhat wise words strike Jackson and he can feel his heart flutter again. He smiles at Bam and nods but then realized he was supposed to call Mark after work.
"I have to call him, we were going to talk it out." Jackson said anxiously.
"Just text him tell him you're with me, he'll understand. Besides I only want a few hours of your time. Don't abandon your friend for a lover it's not nice." He said pouting again. Jackson choked again at his lover comment but he gives in anyway.
"Just a few hours." They walk off and Jackson texts Mark right away.

Jackson: hey I'm really sorry but BamBam has kidnapped me for a night out. I'll call you in a few hours or maybe stop by if that's ok?

Mark: sure either one is fine I can't wait to talk this out, again I'm sorry.

Jackson had already shut his phone off determined to make Bam feel special, he doesn't want to be texting Mark all night and knows if he leaves it on he will do that for sure.

Four hours later the two completely smashed bums left the club. BamBam didn't find anyone that caught his interest and all Jackson did was ramble about how sweet Mark is and how much he missed him. He whines about taking out his boss's nephew and listened to Bam talk about how lonely he is at the moment.

Mark gave up and went to bed, he figured he's probably drunk with BamBam and he's not mad. They needed a night together anyway but he's still disappointed that they still aren't really on speaking terms yet. Tomorrow's going to be hard too because he's taking Yugeom out for dinner so it will be difficult to talk then too.

Jackson took a cab home and almost crawled into his apartment. He knew he was supposed to do something but couldn't grasp what it was so he just crashed on the couch where he fell.
When his alarm rang the next morning he was again faced with a massive hangover, he cursed BamBam and went to shower. As the hot water ran down his sweaty uncomfortable skin he was able to relax some, but only then did it dawn on him that he fucked up with Mark.
"Shit shit shit!" He cursed, hopping out of the shower in hopes of finding his phone. He threw on some boxers, only partially dried, his hair was still dripping as he ran to the couch to find it. Just as he did the doorbell sounded and he sighed, throwing his phone onto the couch. This communication thing was proving to be a problem. He swung the door open, as he was annoyed, figuring Bam was just here to pester him. It was Mark, standing there with a sheepish grin and a pot of something in his hands. He couldn't help but eye Jackson in his undressed state but quickly shook it off, now is not the time.
"Hey, I um I brought you this." He said looking down to the pot. Jackson raised his brow in question.
"I-its hangover soup. I-I kind of know what Bam is like so, I thought since you took such good care of me before, I could repay you." Jackson didn't say anything as Mark looked down shyly.  He reached out and hugged him, Mark melted into it and smiled.
"Thank you, I could really use some." He smiled up at Mark. Mark backed away, and smiled shyly. They walked in and Mark went to the kitchen to set him up while Jackson went to get dressed.
"Hey Jackson." Mark hollers.
"Yeah?" Mark walks towards the hallway he went down.
"I've got to head to work now, maybe we can talk later. I'm taking my coworker out to dinner to thank him for keeping my work up to date so I'll call you when I'm done." Jackson walked out dressed for work and almost walked up and kissed Mark but he stopped himself for now, he still doesn't know if he is forgiven and he doesn't want to assume. He felt sick as he remembered his bosses nephew and wants to tell Mark but is also afraid of his reaction.
"Hey Mark, um I have to..." They are interrupted by Marks phone ringing. He answered it holding his finger up to let him know to hold on.
"Shit I have to run, apparently the computers crashed and we may have lost everything." He hurried out to Jackson's disappointment.
He went to the kitchen and ate the delicious soup, he will have to make sure to compliment Mark later.