This Is Me

Part 16

Sean closed his eyes, listening only to the soft humming coming from Mark. He hadn't heard him do that years and didn't realize how much he liked when he did it. The loud 'click' of a camera snapped Sean out of his mood. Straightening up, he watched one of the teens lower their phone and give him embarrassed looks as the teens friends chuckled. Sean shuffled his feet with a desire to run, but Mark's arms simply tightened around him. As comforting as Mark's arms were, Sean was feeling exposed and restless. Mark hugged him against him, whispering into his ear warmly. "It's fine." Sean shook his head, mumbling out under his breath. "Mark, I can't do this. My parents are going to burn me alive..." He desperately tried to slip from Mark's arms. Only to have Mark grab his arms tightly, locking his elbows back against his sides as he held onto him. Sean reluctantly let Mark hold him in place. Though it didn't calm him. It made him anxious. He couldn't stop shifting his weight from foot to foot and testing Mark's grip.

Mark eventually had enough, forcing him to face the wall to keep him from looking at the teens. Pulling Sean against him firmly, he leaned over his shoulder and muttered into his ear like a stern parent. "Jack. Stop it. Right now. You're making me anxious." Sean tugged against Mark's grip, snapping out over his shoulder. "You don't understand, Mark! This is a small town. Those kids probably know my parents and I'm in enough hot water as it is! Please, let's just leave. We can go somewhere quiet. Just us." Mark pressed his warm lips to Sean's ear, whispering in a deep soothing voice. "Jack, nothing is going to happen to you. Please relax. You're only hurting yourself. Now stop torturing yourself and talk to me." Sean bowed his head in defeat, shaking his head as he whined out softly. "Mark... Please. I'm begging you..." Mark's hands moved quickly to hug Sean close to him, telling him in a deep caring voice. "You can't hide forever, Jack. Now breathe." Sean's breath was so shallow that he was practically gasping for air. He felt like an asthma attack was coming on... but he hadn't had one of those in years.

Mark pulled Sean toward a booth in the corner, turning him around and forcing him to sit. Standing before him to block his view of everyone else, Mark cupped the sides of his face in his gentle hands. Staring him down with those soft calm teddy eyes, Mark told him seriously. "Jack, slow deep breath. Do it before you pass out." Sean grabbed Mark's wrists but obeyed. Closing his eyes, he breathed in slowly through his mouth until his lungs were filled. Then he closed his mouth and exhaled out his nose. It took some of the edge off, but his body was still so tense. Mark kissed his forehead, his lips lingering on his skin to allow Sean to enjoy the contact. This wasn't the first time that Mark had seen him drift into a panic attack. He usually got them right before a competition. The pressure just overwhelmed him. Mark ran his hands through Sean's hair, prying his lips away to tell him softly. "Thank you." Sean shifted on the seat to bury his head in his arms on the table.

Mark stood by his side, his hand rubbing along his spine for added support. The gesture made Sean moan to himself. Mark's fingers were still very good at finding every tense spot along his spine. Applying just the right amount of pressure to work the muscle loose and make him arch his back like a damn cat. It was heavenly. Even when he stopped to get their order, Sean could still feel Mark's fingers ghosting down his back like he had never left. Mark slipped into the seat across from him, telling him sweetly. "Look at this beast!" Sean peeked up from his arms and chuckled. It was what he expected. Twelve scoops of ice cream formed into a mountain. Mark unwrapped his spoon starting to dig in to try the flavors that Sean had picked. Sean took his time, still trying to shake off the tense feeling from his shoulders. Mark noticed him rolling his shoulders and pointed his spoon at him as he said aloud. "I should book you to get rubbed down before our local contest."

Sean rolled his eyes, scooping up some of the ice cream as he told him smugly. "Why bother? Don't you usually do it? Why change my routine now." Mark grinned with the plastic spoon between his teeth. Sean blushed at how sexy Mark looked with something in his mouth. Sneaking a glance at the teens, he yelped when Mark kicked his shin under the table. Removing the spoon, Mark pointed at him then himself. A blunt gesture to warn him about looking around. All while answering him with a sheepish smirk. "Ya... But as I recall that got us into a lot of trouble last time." Sean rolled his eyes, muttering out around his spoon. "The rub down wasn't the issue. Nor was what had come after. It was just you getting handsy with my skates that ruined it." Mark lean his cheek on his palm, eyeing him closely as he asked curiously. "Well now. Never thought I'd hear those words come out of your mouth. Be careful. I might just assume that it was an invitation." Sean rolled his eyes again, muttering out coyly. "What if it was?"