The Last Colony

Part 12

Mark ventured closer to the RV, flipping the kickstand down. Sean was helping Zero tie the horses to a set of low hanging branches on a nearby tree. It upset Mark to see that Sean didn't notice the way Zero was smiling at him. Mark clenched his jaw, listening closely to their soft-spoken conversation. Sean finished tying up Barney, asking Zero without looking at him. "How long have you been out here then?" Zero absently pet Agro, his eyes looking over Sean's back when he answered nicely. "Since it started. I was working at my mother's new husband's mechanic shop. We didn't get along... When all hell broke loose, he drove off to find my mother." Sean turned to face him, causing Zero's eyes to casually return to an appropriate eye level. Mark pulled Chica closer to him, hating the sympathy Sean's voice held for him when he said. "That's awful. I can't imagine being on your own like that." Zero shrugged nonchalantly, mumbling out softly. "I don't think about it. There's no point living in the past. I'm looking out for my future. I'm gonna survive."

Sean lowered his eyes to the dirt, shuffling his feet as he said just as softly. "I can't help thinking about it. About everyone that I might have... Don't you ever worry about your ma? Or your real dad?" Zero tied Finbar to Agro's saddle, openly answering with a heavy sigh. "Not so much my mother. This trip was nothing more than her attempt to guilt trip me away from my father. I think she only cares about me to hurt him. Now my father... Ya. I miss him. And I hope he's ok. But he'd clap me across the ears if I spent my time worrying about him. He'd want me to be strong. So, that's what I'm doing." Sean nodded with a small smirk, then asked him. "And Mari?" Zero chuckled turning around to face Sean, when he playfully teased out. "We just travel together. She's a weird one, but she can handle herself. Between us... I think she's afraid to be alone." Everyone jumped, when Mari snuck up beside Mark to ask everyone with narrowed eyes. "What are you all talking about over here?"

Zero composed himself the fastest, when he stated out with a smirk. "You. I'm trying to see if he will sign something for you." Mari's eyes practically sparkled as she shyly squealed out embarrassed. "Really? Would you do that?" Mark narrowed his eyes back on Zero with a dark suspicion. Zero removed a black marker from his pocket, twirling it between his fingers before handing it to Sean. Sean took the marker, chuckling out. "It's been a while since I've been asked to do something so... normal?" Zero extended his hand out to expose his bare arm, leaning in to purr to him smoothly. "Here. You can practice on me first." Mark inhaled sharply, clenching his fists around Chica's leash. The bastard had planned this! Sean popped the cap off, grinning as he took ahold of Zero's wrist and anxiously replied. "Ok. I'm sorry if it ends up looking bad..." Zero leaned a little too close to peek over Sean's shoulder, telling him sweetly. "I don't mind." Mari side-stepped closer to Mark, whispering in a playful tone. "You know... I think Zero likes him."

Mark didn't mean to turn a stony look in her direction, but his mind was distracted. Mari quickly raised her hands in surrender, uttering out still in a pleasant voice. "Hey, don't look at me like that. Until Sean showed up, I thought Zero was straight. I mean, have you seen his arms?" Zero looked back at them, asking aloud. "Did you say something?" Mari's face flared red and she quickly dropped to a knee to love on Chica as she rephrased loudly. "I said, have you seen her cute paws!" Zero smirked, his eyes drifting to lock with Mark's. Mark's stony expression didn't change but he couldn't stop himself from pretending to itch his arm. Moving his arm casually over his chest, he pushed his sleeve up and flexed his arm as he rubbed his fingers over the back of his shoulder. Mark couldn't deny Zero had decent lean muscle, but he was bigger. Zero looked over Mark completely unfazed, turning his attention quickly back to Sean. Sean finished up, popping the cap back on as he asked Zero nervously. "Well? What do you think?" Zero looked over his arm, sweetly telling Sean with a brilliant smile. "It's great. Thank you."