( #001 ) LOVE MARKED

[chatona]

(inspired by this tumblr post. )

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[ex_outofcontrol435]

[This touch, more than any other, feels like an invasion, because the mark may be open for anyone to see but not to touch. That mark is a person. And it's someone Petre has nothing to do with.]

You're just blind. [He tugs hard against the grip, trying to pull his hand away.]

[broil]

[He lets John go, shows him both hands like he's totally overreacting when Petre obviously means no harm.]

Guess so. How old is it?

[ex_outofcontrol435]

Three years. [He purses his lips irritably at Petre's display of surrender, then turns away to walk to his own bed and stretch out on it.] Like you even know what love is when you're fourteen. The thing's defective.

[Like he has any idea now.]

[broil]

Only as defective as you are.

[He pulls up his own sleeves, wiggles his fingers to show John his own wrists. Nothing on either one. He's squeaky clean, even from his past.]

How about those who've got nothing?

[ex_outofcontrol435]

You're smart. [Very, very dry, and immediately followed with:] Or a sociopath. And I hate having to compliment you.

[His hand is over his wrist now, almost protective after having Petre touch it.]

[broil]

[There's a little laugh, and he lowers his arms again.]

And apparently I had no childhood. But we all knew that.

Think there's hope for me yet?

[ex_outofcontrol435]

If there is, I pity the target already.

[Hahaha. Foreshadowing.]

I mean, I dunno. Ever been close? Had a near-miss, a maybe?

[broil]

Nope. I never stick around to find out.

[And he looks so proud of it, too.]

I thought you did the same.

[ex_outofcontrol435]

Some people are persistent.

[The tone of his voice is a door slamming in Petre's face, but he feels pretty confident that a foot will get wedged in there anyway.]

[broil]

[he'll be like kool-aid all up on your door, John.]

Persistent doesn't cover it.

[ex_outofcontrol435]

Cover what? I don't owe you anything.

[And he goes for line two of defense, rolling to face the wall. it's usually just as effective.]

[broil]

I don't just take what's due for me.

[John should know that. Petre takes what he wants.]

[ex_outofcontrol435]

[A bitter little growl rumbles in his throat.]

Just tell me now. Are you gonna get this out of me whether I want to or not?

[broil]

That's the thing - I'm going to make you want it.

[no power included, which only makes it so much more fun.]

[ex_outofcontrol435]

Like hell you will. [His shoulders roll a bit, body tightening in on itself even more.] Just force it out or give up, your choice.

[broil]

Is that how you'd rather do it?

[He gets up, walks on over to brush a finger on John's ear. Make him twitch.]

[ex_outofcontrol435]

[He does twitch, of course, whipping his head around to glare daggers at Petre.]

I don't want to do it at all. That's the whole point. I loved someone and they died, it's not shit you just chat about with your "roomie."

[broil]

Why not? I'm all ears.

[ha, ha. get it.]

Have you told anyone?

[ex_outofcontrol435]

[He finally sits up again at that, nearly giving off physical plumes of smoke, he's so furious.]

Because it hurts to lose someone you love Petre. Pain. Imagine getting punched in the face. Then stick that right in your chest and twist it up into a knot. That's emotional pain. I know it's hard, but just try to imagine it.

[And then, more quietly:]

No. Of course not.

[broil]

[He doesn't openly laugh in John's face, but the grin is still there. Watching him like a parent watching children play. It's the natural order of things.]

Good. Pain means you're alive. No matter what kind it is.

[ex_outofcontrol435]

I'm definitely alive right now, then. Thanks for your concern. Don't need a jumpstart.

[Glaring right at him now instead of turning away. Like he could ever win a staredown between them, but he's trying.]

[broil]

[Petre isn't even remotely concerned.]

Yes you do.

[he motions with his hand, mimicking the gesture of clicking a lighter on.]

Consider me it.

[ex_outofcontrol435]

[Fury slowly giving way to dangerous calm, he licks his lips and looks away.]

Another homeless mutant. We ended up at the same shelters a lot.

[broil]

[He could just slide back to his bed and sit down, couldn't he? Of course. But he hangs around still.]

Name?

[ex_outofcontrol435]

Siobhan. [Through gritted teeth.] I never knew her last name.