(post from docs) Truth be told his mother took care of half the maintenance that Jae spoke of but Markus was getting better about it. He wanted to keep the things alive that Jae gave him. Because they were a part of the boy he loved, blushing at his own inner musings a shake of head and smirk was given for the apology. "It's cool, sides like mom said it teaches me responsibility or whatever right?"
At the sheepish look Markus rolled his eyes and grabbed his coat, tugging it on before heading over to steal Jae's glasses impishly. "Well duh! Let's eat, I want to spend more time with you anyways yanno I've been lonely since you got into college." He was speaking the truth maybe a bit more sarcastically than need be but he truly meant it. He had been lonely without Jae plus he was very worried that Jae would get swooped up by a college lover.
--------------
“Yeah. Because Markus is growing up to be a big boy with each passing year.” Jae quipped, stretching out a hand to gently ruffle the younger boy’s hair. Time and tide would wait for no man. It wouldn’t be long till Markus joined him in college as well, find himself a girlfriend whom he would eventually marry and start a family of his own with. By the time that came around, where in Markus’ life would Jae fit then? It seemed that the older redhead was doomed to stagnate if he remained as he was while other people grew and moved on without him.
Drawn back to the present by Markus’ words, he smiled wistfully, letting him hold onto his glasses for now. “Jae misses having Markus around too. Hard to make friends in college.” He gave a shrug, trying to pretend that he wasn’t terribly bothered by something as trivial as that. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t been through all that before Markus came into his life.
-------------------------
“Jaeeee,” He whined at being called a ‘big boy’ he was eighteen damn it! A frown was passed to the other as his hair was ruffled out. Then he sighed heavily hoping one day they could , or rather Jae could get passed their age gap. Putting the glasses on when the other didn’t protest he beamed. Selfishly happy to hear it was hard for the redhead to make friends.
He didn’t friends, he only needed Markus…
“W-well. The good news is I can apply to college now… I just don’t know if I want to do that or work you know?” He handed the glasses back over but stole a nuzzle from the other before standing and heading towards the door. “Maybe we should get a place together! You can go to school and I’ll work!”
-----
“Whaaaaat?” Jae really didn’t quite see what was wrong with what he was doing. To him, calling Markus a ‘big boy’ was really meant to be more a term of endearment given the number of years that they had known each other. With plenty more to come. Hopefully.
“Markus shouldn’t do that. Might ruin Markus’ perfect eyesight.” The older redhead chastised lightly with a smile after his glasses were returned to him. Although his shortsightedness had gotten to the point where he could only make out vague forms and shapes without his glasses, this was something that happened often enough for him to know what Markus was doing with his glasses in the meantime.
Sliding the glasses back on, he got up as well to join Markus at the door. “Jae thinks that Markus should try to go to school though. Better job prospects and pay renumeration.” He began after giving some thought to what Markus had brought up, uncharacteristically serious for once but feeling that he absolutely had to be so given the gravity of the matter that was in question. He wouldn’t want Markus to run the risk of making a bad decision just because he wasn’t being serious enough about this. “But if Markus wants to work part time or work for a bit before applying to college, Jae won’t be against sharing an apartment or a dorm room for that matter.”
He would always want the best for Markus no matter what happens.
--------------------------------
Sometimes Markus wondered if Jae would ever know how he felt without him coming out and yelling it. But he wouldn’t risk hurting their relationship. What little seemed to be there. The bluenette frowned and shrugged his shoulders. So much for showing Jae he was a grownup, but, but there was some hope in that scolding. “Well as long as we can live together.” Markus smiled just a touch, waiting hopefully for an agreement before heading towards his door and opening it for the other.
--------------------
Taking in the frown that was on Markus’ face, Jae began to wonder if he had inadvertently upsetted him with his earlier words. That all might have been the older bespectacled redhead’s honest opinion of what he thought would be best for the bluenette, but maybe Markus was of the opinion that more school and academics weren’t exactly in line with his interests and was hoping to seek some support and approval from Jae before following through with his intent to find himself a job?
Realising belatedly that he might have read the situation wrong, Jae chewed on his lip, offering a small smile as he tried his best to remedy the situation some. “Jae will like that.” It might require some convincing of his parents to go along with such a living arrangement but he could always rationalise with them that everything would work out fine given that he was going to be with not just anyone but Markus.
------------------------
Markus smiled back, some what softer than usual before heading down the stairs. Calling to his parents, “Going to eat with Jae.” Once they were outside the teen took a deep inhale of the cold night air. Stretching arms above his head, which caused the shirt he was wearing to ride up stomach a bit. Turning to give Jae a look he asked casually, “what are you in the mood for?” He could go for just about anything.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That seemed to work. Relieved that he had managed to fix the situation without souring their relationship any, Jae followed after Markus, waving to the other’s parents and thanking them for having him on the way out.
Once the both of them were out of the house proper, he smiled and reached out to gently poke Markus’ bare stomach. “Might wanna tuck Markus’ shirt in a little to keep the chill out.” At the question that was posed as to what they should have for dinner, he fell silent for a moment. “Hmm… maybe a stew? Or a hot pot?”
==========================
Markus the poke turned him red and he stared dumbfoundedly at Jae. Of course he was the only GUY IN THE FRIGGING WORLD THAT DID NOT THINK THAT WAS SEXY! Markus accepted the fact that he was going to die an old virgin at this point since the only person he loved was ignorant in body language. A Loud dramatic sigh to the air and he smiled, tucking the shirt in and moving to cling around Jae’s arm. “Hot pot sounds good!” It really did they hadn’t don’t that in awhile. “Lead the way” He was too busy starting a snuggle on the other in the name of warmth.
======================================
Sorry Markus. Jae was far more concerned about the possible detrimental effects to your physical well-being back there to pick up on the fact that that had been deliberate with a totally different intent in mind.
Waiting patiently for Markus to be done with tucking in his shirt, Jae smiled when the younger male moved to snuggle up against him. He knew that Markus was not as tolerant of the cold as he himself. What he was doing was cute and reminded Jae fondly of the days they spent growing up together. The both of them had really come a long way since then and deep down he hoped that things wouldn’t change between them forever and ever.
“Markus and Jae can go have that then. There’s this shop nearby that’s got five different types of broth to choose from.” He tugged him along, glancing at Markus every now and then to make sure that he was alright. “Is Markus feeling alright? Does Markus want to turn back and grab an extra sweater or a thicker coat?”
==========================
Of course Jae was too concerned with his well being, or catching a cold to care how comfy this felt. Or maybe Markus was the only one feeling comfy. It was hard to think at times like he did, when he thought of how he could be living forever in unrequited love. A small frown touched eyes that peered up to Jae but Markus’ lips wore a smile. “Naw...you want me to get off of you or something? Sorry.” He slowly moved to pull back from the other. Hands shifting into pockets.
A second of walking later and he asked, “...so what have you been up to lately?”
============
Jae saw the look in Markus’ eyes and immediately regretted what he had said, feeling guilty for upsetting the younger male so. “It’s ok. Jae doesn’t mind it at all so Markus can stay put if Markus wants to.” It had to be something that he said or accidentally implied in his speech since he didn’t flat out ask Markus to do that. Not that he would since this was Markus and not anyone else.
Sliding an arm around the purple hair boy’s torso, he gently tugged him back towards himself then dropped the arm to let the other decide if he wanted to stay and hang onto it or put some distance between the both of them once more. At the next question, he shook his head a few times, a small polite smile curling his lips though none of it made it to his eyes. “Nothing much other than settling down at college and attending classes. It’s rather different from home schooling and things back at Sovereign Heights.”
============================
“It’s fi-” But then Jae was pulling him back and Markus gave up. Wanting to feel the other more than protest and accept the obvious. Curling around the other again his head rest lazily against Jae’s shoulder. It felt so damn good, why, why couldn’t he see? They were perfectly molded to fit together it wasn’t fair that Jae didn’t want it too.
“..Do you really like that though?” There was something off and Markus caught it being around the other long enough. “When can hang out more if you are bored..?” The offer came selfishly fast, he had been wanting to go see Jae. But his mother guilted him with saying Jae was busy being an adult, doing course work and such. Markus didn’t want to be a bad distraction after all.
------------------------------
Heartened by the fact that he had managed to make things right between the both of them again, Jae allowed himself a smile as he very tentatively slid an arm around Markus’ torso to hold him close, his head turning just a little to gently nuzzle the younger boy with his nose.
“It’s… just something that Jae will have to learn to cope with somehow.” He admitted reluctantly. The difficulty that he had with relating to his peers stemming from the unusual way with which he had a tendency to refer to himself and his peers around him. It was a topic that came up from time to time during the career counselling sessions at Sovereign Heights. Something that he ought to do something about before he eventually graduated and entered society proper. Jae couldn’t jolly well stay cooped up at home and lead a sheltered life forever after all.
“Jae will like that if Markus has time to spare. Jae can meet Markus off campus. Or Markus can come over if Markus prefers things that way.” He had no idea of the things that Markus’ mother had said to dissuade Markus from following through with the notion of looking him up. No matter how busy he was, he knew that he would always find time for him so long as Markus wished for it.
============================
It was one of those tender hurtful moments for him as Jae nuzzled his head. That familiar wash of warmth, the quickening of heart...then the dull stab as he realized it wasn’t meant the way he wanted. And it likely never would be. Jae. A deep inhale was given, just to get that scent of the other as he was held close.
“Yeah….heh. You might end up regretting that cause now I’ll be over all the time.” Markus chirped happily before peeking up to Jae. “I can come over...I’d like that.” He liked being in Jae’s room just so if anyone had an eye on him they could see that Jae had someone over often. Maybe think that there was more than friendship between them. Yes it was selfish but he couldn’t help it.
================
baby_gwing
and now for wrapping tag from you my dear, I got all the post off the doc!
