Markus woke up to a shrill sound. He sat upright and looked around the room, which was Neo's closet. There was a clock next to him that was blinking. A small hiss of irritation escaped through his lips. "What in the blazes is this?"
He opened the closet door and threw the clock out. "Ouch!" It had hit someone and Markus remembered where he was. He was in a mortal's home, trying to blend in to win back his long lost love.
He looked up and a shadow towered above him. "What did you do that for?"
Markus shrugged. "It was irritating me."
"That is how we 'mortals' wake up in the morning," Neo replied and scratched his head. "Come on, or we will be late."
"Do I really have to go?" Markus whined.
"Yes," Neo started in a matter of factly tone, "how else are you going to win Nathaniel's heart?"
He let out a low groan of displeasure. "Fine."
"Now, do not be grumpy," Neo replied and opened the closet door further and took down some clothes, "I think you need a bit of eye-liner to-"
"You want me to use female products?" Markus snarled, "There is no way in HELL."
Neo took a step back and sighed. "I promise you. The bad boy goth-image will work in your favour."
Markus did not answer him and climbed out of the closet. He was trusting this boy less. He just wanted to have his lover back in his arms so that he could protect him against the world.
He would not rest until he had Mathias back. Neo watched him closely and he saw something behind Neo's eyes but he couldn't place it. Fear? Admiration? What was this boy longing for?
"I am going to get dressed," Neo said and walked out of the room, leaving Markus with his jumbled thoughts.
Markus watched the door close behind him and he turned to the closet. He should probably get dressed in the clothes that Neo bought him. He did not like the material it was too constricting and why should the pants be so tight anyway?
*****
Neo returned from the bathroom. He chose a pair of grey jeans, a Nirvana t-shirt and a pair of black sneakers. He pushed the door ajar and peeked inside. He saw Markus standing with his back to the door.
He could not help to trace his muscular body with his eyes. A pang of jealousy erupted in his heart.
Why was he helping this vampire? He pushed the door open and cleared his throat. "Do you want me to help you?"
Markus spun around and faced him and Neo's eyes travelled to his v-line and he swallowed a groan.
"I think I can dress myself."
"Suit yourself," Neo replied, "I will wait in the kitchen." He left his room with his thoughts mangling with desperation.
He wanted Markus, he wanted to feel him and...maybe it would help him to come out of the closet.
He smirked softly to himself. He had a crush on Nathaniel since they met but he never had the courage to tell him. He feared rejection above anything else.
When he entered the kitchen he found his mom making him lunch for school. "Good morning darling," she said with a smile.
The corners of Neo's mouth quirked up, his mom was his world. She never judged him but he could never tell her because she always asked when he was bringing girls over.
"Morning mom!" he said and hoped his voice did not betray how he felt.
"You sound chipper, my boy," her eyes travelled to the door and widened. "Are you both ready for school?"
Neo turned at the fear in her voice and found Markus leaning against the door frame. "Yeah. Thanks, mom."
Neo grabbed his lunch and placed it in his bag that stood by the door, "Come on Markus."
They left the house. He had to shield his eyes when the sun's rays touched his face. It was so warm this early, he shuddered to think how hot it would be later.
He stole a glance at Markus. Would the vampire be able to withstand the heat? He was so enthralled that he did not notice Markus staring back. "Something on my face?"
"No! No, I am sorry," he said quickly and continued down the road.
His house was not far from school but...he dreaded seeing Nathaniel after yesterday. His mother was ruling his life.
If only she knew that her perfect little boy had some pretty interesting magazines under his bed. He grinned at that thought.
"Why are you grinning?" Markus whispered next to him.
"Nothing," Neo said through gritted teeth. He stopped when the school gates came in to view. "Let us wait here."
He saw the confusion on Markus's face and he quickly added. "Nathaniel will pass here but do as I say."
"Here you are giving me orders again," Markus hissed.
"You may be the lord of Vampires, yet here I am the Lord."
Did he go too far? He saw Markus's hands trembling to keep the rage hidden. Neo's tongue glided over his teeth. That rage would be well suited in bed.
"Neo!" a soft voice broke through his thoughts. Of course, it had to be Nathaniel.
"Do as I do," Neo whispered out the corner of his mouth as Nathaniel stopped before him, he was panting.
"I am so glad I saw you before-" He didn't finish his sentence when he saw who Neo was with.
Neo stepped between Markus and Nathaniel. "Sorry, Nat but my friend and I have places to be."
He placed his hand on Markus's wrist and dragged him away from Nathaniel. "What are you doing?"
"Now, Markus. We are playing hard to get."
*****
Markus had let Neo drag him away even though he wanted to take Nathaniel in his arms right there and just...just leave.
Then again, he looked around the school grounds as they walked. Children of all ages were huddling together.
This was a school and he was ancient so what was he doing here exactly? He stopped walking and Neo turned. "Something bothering you?"
He did not like the boy's tone. "Why couldn't you just let Nathaniel come over to your house?"
"What would be the fun in that?" Neo smirked at him.
There was something dark in those words and he was wondering if he had made a mistake to employ this boy.