Serenade Me

Part 20

Sean watched Nate go inside his studio room, before getting himself ready to go out. It looked like it was going to be a nice day today. Nice enough that he wanted to go for a long walk and Rylo was the perfect wingman for that. Once he was dressed, Sean hooked an excited Rylo onto his leash and headed out down the road. The day was bright and sunny with the fresh scent of rain still hanging around in the air from last night. He didn't pass many people on the street, which made the walk rather pleasant. Most of the people seemed to be enjoying themselves with BBQ's or hanging around the parks. Sean walked around until he found a dog friendly park with an open bench to sit on. He hated himself a little for not bringing something for Rylo to play with... However, Rylo seemed content simply sitting beside him as a gentle breeze blew through the park. So, together they watched a few dogs playing fetch or young pups learning to socialize.

Petting Rylo's head, Sean told him sweetly. "I'm sorry, Buddy. I'll remember next time." Rylo rested his head on his knee, his eyes starting to close after a few kisses to the knees of his baggy sweat pants. Spotting the water fountain across the park, Sean was going to ask Rylo if he wanted something to drink, when a familiar dog trotted across the field. A golden retriever. Turning his head to the gate where she had generally come from, Sean muttered out to the man as he approached. "What are you doing on this side of town, Mark?" Mark stood beside the bench, clearly stating out. "I was on my way over to see you. Saw you walking down this way and decided to stop in. Or are we not friends anymore?" Sean rolled his eyes, slumping back against the bench as he retorted numbly. "I don't know. We haven't talked much since you walked out on me. Do friends do that?"

Sean saw Mark shuffle his feet in his peripheral vision, before Mark cleared his throat to answer guiltily. "It's complicated. Things were different then... I was a different person then." Sean nodded stiffly simply to show that he was listening and that he had changed. Otherwise, he didn't feel like Mark deserved a verbal response to that. Mark inched closer to him, asking him hopefully. "Can I sit with you? I just want to talk." Sean sighed softly, sliding farther down the bench to allow him to sit with him. He still refused to look at him though as he icily stated out. "Go ahead. I doubt you'll stay long anyway." Mark winced, choosing to lean forward on his legs to give him his space against the backrest. They sat in a cold silence, before Mark couldn't take it and told him casually. "I think we both know that it never would have worked out between us." Sean finally turned his head to glare at Mark as he bitterly snapped out. "I guess, we'll never know. Why are you here, Mark? Why after all this time, do you suddenly fucking care about me?"

Mark inhaled deeply, sitting up as he answered bluntly. "I think you should stay away from Nate." Sean's body tensed with anger as he shot back heatedly. "Go fuck yourself." Mark raised a hand in a petty attempt to calm his mood, telling him in a steady tone of voice. "Don't be like that, Jack. You don't understand. He's loved you since we got together. Maybe even before that..." Sean huffed in disgust, bitterly sneering back. "And what's so wrong with that? That is the way it is supposed to be!" Sean gathered up Rylo's leash, starting to rise from the bench, when Mark retorted in a brutally blunt tone. "You're not thinking clearly, Jack. You're vulnerable and your using him. Just like you used Felix." Sean shifted on the bench to lock eyes with Mark, before smacking him across the face. Mark kept his head turned away after being smacked but added on sternly. "Are you so afraid of being alone that you'd rather fuck away your pain than deal with it?"

Sean clenched his teeth to fight back the urge to punch him this time. Instead, he resorted to hissing out at him. "Stay away from me, Mark. That isn't a request. You have no right to say these things. Not to me. Not after what you did to me." Climbing to his feet, Sean tried to coax Rylo away from Chica. He had had enough air for one day. Mark climbed to his feet too, standing beside him to tell him lightly. "Jack, I'm trying to help you. You're drowning and you can't even see it. Let me help you. I'll get you a hotel and you can come over to my house for dinner. We can hang out. Like we used to. Just until you feel more... like you again." Sean narrowed his eyes on Mark, sourly snapping back. "Don't you see, Mark? Jack died years ago... You killed him. What you see IS ME. And what I do is no longer any of your concern." Sean pulled Rylo toward the gate, knowing that Mark was following him a few paces behind.