Pokémon PrismGold

Chapter Twenty: "The Heartwarming Pokemon Cafe"

Mark took the hat from Chad, putting it on just to get Chad to calm down. Chad clapped his ghostly hands, allowing Mark to scoot around him to get up. Having grown up with automatonophobia, he was terrified of dolls... and it didn't help that Chad looked like a ratty old canvas doll. His fear never bothered Chad though. After clapping, Chad scurried away under the bed to loop circles around the legs in his joy. Mark noticed Sean pouting on the bunk bed and moved closer to him. Sitting down on the master bed across from him, Mark removed the hat to set it on the bed. It didn't sound like Sean was crying but he certainly looked distressed. Reaching out, he tapped the side of Sean's knee, asking him nicely. "What's wrong?" Sean peeked between his fingers, muffling out dryly. "Nothing. I'm just feeling a little sick to my stomach." Mark rubbed his sore ribs, answering coolly. "Lovesick?" Sean stiffened, slowly lowering his hands from his face as he grumbled out defensively. "No..." Mark leaned back on his arms, spreading his legs a bit for comfort as he retorted. "Right. That's why you can't look at him without blushing. While he thinks that he traumatized you."

Sean looked at the bathroom door, asking him softly. "Why would he think that?" Mark rolled his eyes. He forgot how innocent some people were. Grinning, he told Sean bluntly. "Because you act like you are scared of him. He doesn't recognize the signs. But I do." Sean's eyes darted back to his, defensively mumbling out. "I don't know what you're talking about." Leaning forward slowly, Mark locked eyes with Sean's bright blue ones. Sean leaned back a little from him, prompting Mark to purr out smugly. "I think you do. You are a smart one, Mystic. So, what scares you more? The fact that you've protected your heart so well that it is painfully aching for affection again. Or does it scare you that he's a criminal... and that gives you a rush?" Sean shook his head but didn't look away or answer. Mark smirked, chuckling out lightly. "Both?" Sean's voice came out low and wispy as he said. "Stop teasing me." Mark shrugged, calmly replying. "I'm not teasing you. I just relate. I fell for a stalker, remember?" Sean rolled his eyes, grumbling out. "It's not the same... You never loved your stalker."

Mark bit his tongue for a second before telling him openly. "Did I say that?" Sean stared at him a little confused, before he nodded and retorted. "Yes. You said that you guys kissed and afterward he loved you, but you didn't." Mark shook his head, correcting him in a cool clear voice. "That's not what I said. I said he saw us as being in a relationship after we kissed. I didn't. I didn't say that I never loved him. You want the truth?" Sean nodded again, looking at him nervously. Mark took a deep breath, leaning back again before admitting honestly. "Truth is... I'm not that innocent. I was a wild kid. I'd lie and manipulate people around me to get what I wanted. I never wanted permanent relationships. I wanted to have fun. Live like a porn star. My older brother was the good kid. I took the risks. My parents were divorced. It was my way of rebelling against it, or dealing with it. Depending on who you ask. Point is, that night when I kissed Chad... I'd never kissed a guy before, and I was curious what it would be like. So... I slept with him."

Sean's jaw dropped a little. Mark chuckled, continuing on with a smile. "Doesn't end there. See... He saw us as in a relationship. I didn't because I told him that he was too nerdy. He was the boy next door type. He's the type you take home to meet your parents. I wanted a rebel. A free spirit. Someone that ignites a fire in your heart and is hell on wheels. So... Chad tried to be what he thought I wanted. For a bit it was cute as he tried. Then one night, he nailed it. He had completely changed. He actually had me considering him. Until he started threatening people around me. Be careful what you wish for, I guess." Mark looked away, inhaling slow and deep before adding softly. "I tell myself that I need a new type... but... nothing beats the rush of forbidden fruit." Sean shook his head, telling him seriously. "And guys like that are bad for your health. You turned him into a possessive stalker and mine was an abusive drunk. I'm not going down that road again. I'd settle for the boy next door... but they are all married by now. And I'm not going to get sick from eating forbidden fruit again!"