15

Marcos couldn't breathe.

Julian's meaty hand was on his mouth, and nose, making it impossible for him to while his huge body pressed him down as he kept shoving himself inside him.

And he hadn't even used lube!

More tears poured out of his eyes as pain racked through his whole body. He was sure he would bleed, and he couldn't talk anymore since he had spend most of his time screaming.

"You like it, don't you?" Julian's voice slithered in his ear, making more disgust climb through his whole being. "Fuck, you feel so good."

You'd get your revenge, Marcos. Just try to stay still.

More sobs escaped his lips as he heard the bastard's moans increase before he fastened his pace, and cummed, inside him.

Marcos thought he'd pass out when he felt the wetness pooling before Julian rolled off his body, letting out a relieved sigh and the next second, was out like a lightbulb.

He tried sitting up, his body seeming to crack like glass the more he moved then looked down at his body.

There was bruises, and the blood...

His whole body felt like it was on fire and he wondered how he was still alive. Still sitting up like that, but when he turned to the sleeping figure of the male beside him, he knew why.

He needed to still be alive for Julian.

I would make you wish hurt more than you've hurt me. I promise.

Marcos jolted up from his bed, small pants leaving his lips before he pulled his comforter closer to his body.

He hadn't had a nightmare in the longest of times, except he knew this wasn't just that, but a memory he had buried down so deeply, he had forgotten about it.

Why was he dreaming about it?

More goosebumps appeared on his skin as he went under the thick blanket. He had done exactly as he promised, hadn't he? Someone died because of him. He had been that... Dark.

His phone buzzed and he looked at it, the new message staring at him expectantly.

Unknown

Marcos. There isn't a need for you to act so stubbornly.

I already apologized for it, didn't I?

Besides, I'm sure the pain has gone away now, but if it makes you feel better, don't reply.

Just remember, when I'm back, I need you.

Don't fail me, for your own sake, and your family's.

Marcos stared at the message for some minutes, feeling more tears fall from his eyes as he read through it again then set it back on his desk and buried his face into his arms.

The door to his room opened as he did that and he looked up, meeting the eyes of his Mother who stared at him first with suspicion, before she saw the tears in his eyes and hurried to the bed, speaking rapidly. "Marcos, darling, what happened?"

He could tell that Maria was dressed for church, and by the way she smelled, she had gotten that perfume she wanted.

That, at least, made him smile. "Nothing, mama. I just— I just don't feel so good today,"

"If you'd like me to stay—."

He shook his head and replied softly in english. "I'm fine. Honestly, besides A is coming over to see me, so everything's really okay."

When his Mama and Abuela were at church, they sometimes spent the whole day there so Alex always stayed with him. Except when she couldn't, or she was upset with him.

A look crossed over at the name, but since her son wasn't in an okay state, she decided to not say anything about her today but rather, "Did I tell you, querido? Mr Steinfeld has been giving me large tips lately."

Marcos managed to nod, ignoring the pain pooling in his stomach now. "Really?"

She nodded and then puffed her chest. "You should know your Mother by now. She has the best hands in the world."

At those words, Marcos was sure he would burst out crying. She looked so proud at what she did that he didn't know how she'd feel if she ever found out that it wasn't all hard-work that caused him to do that.

Maria would be hurt.

Her face fell now, seeing the face her son was trying to keep. It was obvious that he was doing his best to keep the smile on his face but it was hard for him. "Marcos, truly, if something's wrong, I can stay. You're more important."

He shook his head. "I'm fine, mama. I just— Headache." He sniffed in, his nose all runny now. "Could you maybe get me a glass of water, please? Before you go?"

Her smile was gentle as she touched his face. "Of course," And walked out his door.

Sighing, he put his palms on his face, trying his best not to scream before he crawled out of his bed, wincing at the pain in his belly and walked to his mirror.

Slowly, he pulled the shirt he was wearing up, a small gasp leaving his lips as he noticed the bruise in the middle, just below his ribs then shut his close eyes as he remembered what had happened.

Yesterday, after he had left Paris behind, he realized he was lost and A's card was missing. He knew, he knew he should have called Alex, but in his panic, he had called someone else.

Someone who was already mad at him for missing their Friday evening dinner, and had gotten a punch to his stomach, which according to him, was him being generous.

Fuck.

"Hola!"

Marcos quickly dropped the shirt down as he heard Alex's voice and walked out of his room softly, as if he was scared if she saw him and nearly bumped into his Mother who was looking at him curiously.

Alex saw him anyway, smiling and sending him a wave, then entered the house and walked to his Abuela, twirling the woman in her dress and laughed before she kissed her cheeks and started saying something he couldn't hear to her.

"Marcos?"

He turned to his Mother, whose curiosity had gone back to suspicion again. "Are you— Are you okay, hijo?"

He nodded and slowly on the stairs, taking the glass from her as Alex walked to him, Maria moving away quickly so she wouldn't have to be close to her. "Eros,"

Marcos looked up at her. Seeing the smile on her face seemed to do something to him. Made him want to jump on her and at the same time, stay away.

So he just looked back at the ground, drinking his water.

"He doesn't feel alright," Maria said, taking up her bag. "So don't stress him, with— With whatever it is you two do up there."

Alex passed her a smile. "I won't,"

Maria looked like she still had something to say before his Abuela pulled her away and out the door, and as soon as they were gone, Alex turned to him. "Babe, what's wrong?"

He could tell that she was worried. Alex always worried about him, and he knew that it was mainly because she loved him, but there were times he wished she wasn't.

Although, now wasn't one of those times.

She held out a hand. "Come on, let's go up."

He stared at it before he set the mug on the stairs and took it, the action causing a small zip of electricity run through him, then stood as she began to lead him up the stairs.

When they got to his room, she looked around it, a flicker of irritation showing on her face and let out a sigh. "Your room is always in a mess,"

He looked around it and found himself speaking before he could stop. "No, it's not."

And it really wasn't. Sure, something's were out of place, but it wasn't exactly a mess. It was just disorganized.

"Hmm?" She was looking at him, hands folded with a smile on her face. "Thought you were too sick to speak,"

Alex was walking to him now and he felt himself begin to back up. "I-I didn't say that—"

His back landed on the wall, and she was now in front of him, eyes staring at him with a smug smile on her lips. "Well, I don't want you to speak. I order you too sick to speak so you can use the mouth for something else."

He opened his mouth to ask what but her index finger now pressed on it, keeping him quiet, before she began to brush her thumb on it. "Shh. Didn't you hear my order?"

Then her hand began to slide down to his neck, pushing his chin up slightly while she moved to his neck, her nose brushing it gently before she let out a pleased sigh.

All of Marcos' body stood still, even though his heart was beating so fast he was sure she could hear it as one tongue seemed to trail a vein on his neck.

A small hiss left his lips as pleasure moved all over his body and arched his back, trying to get closer before he felt her hand wrap around his neck and push him back.

A small whimper left his lips as she looked at him now, nuzzling her nose with his then said softly, "I promised your Mother we wouldn't do what we usually do."

Then Alex moved away, grinning. "So no kissing, touching, or fucking."

Marcos stared at her like she just drove a knife into his heart. "Hug?"

She shook her head. "Don't trust you."

He let out a whine.

Alex laughed, taking off her denim jacket and stood in a white tank top. "I'd go get your water ready. Wait for me?"

He nodded and watched her walk into his bathroom.

Marcos sat on his bed now, pulling his legs together as he stared at the door. Alex made him feel better. Always made him feel better. So she didn't deserve him being sad.

No, he wasn't going to ruin it for her. He was going to stay happy and play with her. Just like they always did.

Once though, she did come out and ask, "Bubbles, baby?"

His eyes lit up and he nodded hurriedly.

She chuckled and went back in. As she returned, she held him by the hand and took him to his bathroom, folding her hands and staring at him. "Take off your clothes and get in,"

Marcos obliged, or was about to when he realized there was a mark on his stomach he wasn't supposed to have and pulled the shirt down his thighs, shaking his head.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"Shy."

An incredulous look appeared on her face but she sighed, facepalming. "Aiit. There you go,"

"Nu. Tuwn,"

"Jeez," She turned around. "Done? Happy? Not like I haven't seen you a million times but okay."

His cheeks began to heat up but he ignored it, taking it off quickly and slipped into the bathtub.

The warmth seemed to send tingles through his body, causing him to let out a long sigh as he sunk in before she turned, hands in her jean pockets while she stared at him, sitting at the edge of the tub. "Like it, little one?"

He nodded.

She smiled, now moving a rubber duck in it towards him. "I even got Captain Scrooge back for you, princess."

Marcos looked at the little toys floating above. He had nearly forgotten about them then looked back at her, a small blush appearing on his cheeks. "Tankoo."

Alex reached out for his hair and ruffled it. "Have fun, pup. I'd just go get your room clean and something for you to eat, okay?"

He nodded.

As soon as she was gone, Marcos turned by to the duck, squeezing it gently and giggled as it let out a quack before he took up another toy and began to smash them together.

He had spent an hour arranging the battle of the bubbly sea, Captain Scrooge has lost three of his teammates but it didn't matter, the other side had lost more, (actually, the other side was just one rubber alligator that Marcos had crowned the bad guy) before Alex walked in, letting out an hiss as she nearly slid to the floor. "Shit! The fuck? You've gotten everywhere wet."

Marcos looked at her. "Bad wuwd."

Alex looked at him now and returned to the edge of the tub. "Well, Mommy can say that," Then she poked his nose. "Just not you, baby."

He wiggled his nose at her causing her to chuckle before she looked into the water. "Guess I should have known you'd keep playing. Should I bath you?"

Marcos looked up at her and nodded before he said softly, "But nut my tummy,"

"Why not?"

"I—" He shook his head. "It hawt. Don't tuch."

"Okay, baby, Mommy won't."

And she didn't. She cleaned him up, making sure to avoid it before she drained off the water and rinsed him off then wrapped a towel around him.

As she helped him get out of the tub, he looked up at her with a mischievous look in his face and before she could stop him, he wiggled his hair.

Alex laughed, trying to look away before she dumped a small towel on his head and headed him to his bed, making him sit before she pointed a finger at him and said in a stern voice, "Do not move from here, or get anywhere else wet. Do you understand?"

He nodded.

Sighing, she walked to his wardrobe, bringing out a shirt and showing him. "How is this?"

He shook his head and pointed at another shirt. A sleeveless one.

Alex sighed. "It's cold today, I can't let you wear that."

"No!"

"Eros."

It had taken an hour and thirty minutes before he finally agreed to wear something more comfy, which was a big sweater that swallowed all of him, pink socks that has fairies on them, a beanie and no underwear and as soon as he had worn them, she sat beside him and pointed at her feet. "Come sit so I can dry and brush your hair."

Marcos obeyed, pulling his legs to his body as she held his hair up and began blowing warm air from the dryer to it, bott of them seated quietly for a while before she began humming.

He looked at her immediately, eyes round. "Seeng out, pwease?"

Alex chuckled. "Okay, you have to promise to be extra quiet."

"Pwomise."

"Alright,"

He looked away again and she continued blowing at it, singing softly so only he could hear. "Wise men say, only fools rush in, but I can't help falling in love with you. Shall I stay? Would it be a sin? If I can't help falling in love with you."

"Like the river flows, surely to the sea. Darling, so it goes something's, we're meant to be."

"Take my hand. Take my whole life too. Cause I can't help falling in love with you."

"There."

He felt her clip the second one at his left then made him move his head backwards. When he was looking at her upside down, she leaned down and placed a small kiss on his lips.

As soon as she pulled away, he made a face. "Nu kissy,"

She laughed. "No more, I promise." Going off his bed now, she stood. "I'd go bring you some cookies. Pick something we could watch together on my phone. Cool?"

He nodded.

As soon as she left, he took up her phone, turning it on and going to her Netflix. When she returned, she set the tray and glass of milk on the bedstand next to his side of the bed and joined him on the other side. "What did you pick?" And when she looked at him, she sighed. "Princess and The Frog. Go figure. It is your favourite, isn't it?"

Marcos nodded.

She smiled. "Okay,"

He let out a sound of glee then turned to the cookie plate, pausing at the shapes they were in.

"Yeah, told Abuela to get them shaped into crescents." She said, causing him to look at her. "Actually, she make them in the full way but I made her do them like that, and don't ask for the other parts. They're never coming back."

He turned fully back to her and did a small pout. "Kissy?"

"Fine, but just once—"

Marcos cut her off as he jumped on her, placing wet kisses all over her face causing her to laugh for a while before she said, "Okay, okay. That's enough, go eat so we can watch your cartoon."

He obeyed, only after he had given her a devious smile then licked her cheek, causing her to pinch his nose.

After he was done, he returned to the bed, trying to get closer to her and sighed in contentment when she felt her pull him closer before she started the cartoon.

He had been watching, truly, his eyes followed everything, but he had no idea when they closed and the next second he opened them, he was alone on the bed and she was sitting besides him, wearing her jacket again.

And everywhere was dark.

Marcos stared at her, a frown coming on his face but she brushed it away, saying softy. "You slept off while we were watching the movie, for a very long time. Like you hadn't slept last night. Did you?"

That seemed to wake him up as he slipped out of his space and said in a more mature voice than he had used all day. "A little,"

"What happened?"

"Nightmares."

Her face softened at the word and Marcos decided to cling to it. "Stay?"

"I wish I could, but my Mom and I have this test that's really important..." Her voice trailed off. Marcos knew she wasn't lying. "I'm sorry."

He nodded then after a few seconds, added. "There's— There's something I have to tell you. About Paris."

Marcos couldn't not tell her. Her being valedictorian meant she could get some free tuition fees or maybe a scholarship so she wouldn't have to keep depending on her Father and allow her to get an actual job and take care of Adriana.

It meant a lot to her.

"Is it— Is it something bad?"

"Yes,"

Her response was immediate. "I don't want to hear it."

Marcos stared wide eyed at her before he sat up. "But—"

"I collared him."

She had said it like she needed him to get the implication of the statement.

And he did. "I know that,"

"Just yesterday. I don't want—" She let out a sigh, shaking her head. "I don't want to be angry with him so soon. I beg of you."

"It's important."

"How mad would I be?" She said now, quietly. "Would it be so bad I'd consider letting him go?"

Marcos didn't say anything.

Alex stood from his bed and began to walk around. "Jesus."

"You don't— You don't need him. You already have me—"

She paused and looked at him, eyes narrowed. "Are you jealous?"

"No."

He really wasn't. Maybe he was, at first, but it was a very little thing in his heart. He was only trying to let her down easy. She had him. She always will. Paris had never truly been necessary.

"Because I asked." She pointed a finger at him, her voice stern. "I specifically asked if you were, and you said no."

"I'm not. I'm just—" He looked at her like he wished she'd understand where he was coming from. "I don't think he should keep such a secret from you."

"Talking about secrets," She came closer and crouched next to his bed. "Let's make a deal. I'd let you tell me about Paris, and you'd tell me why your phone has a new password and why you have a bruise on your stomach. And don't lie. You've been lying for so long that doing it now, wouldn't be good. For either of us."

What?

He stared, his eyes widening. How was he supposed to tell her? Or explain himself? Besides, he was already so close. So very close to getting what he wanted. If he told her, she'd make him stop and everything would be in vain.

He remembered the smile on his Mother's face at her 'tip.'

He couldn't.

"Nothing?" She looked hurt and asked in a small voice. "Did I do something?"

"No, Alex—"

"I must have. You wouldn't have to hide anything from me if you trusted me. If you knew how much I loved you, you wouldn't see a reason to hide things from me." She said, standing. "That's what he did to my Mother, and I'm not— I'm not him. Don't I show you how much I love you?"

"You do, but I can't—"

"Stop saying you can't!"

He stopped talking. He could see the anger on her face and knew talking now would be useless. Anything he said would make her more angry.

And it scared him. It really did.

Her rage was something he feared.

"You have no idea, how much I want to hurt you right now." Alex let out a dark chuckle, hands on her waist. "I want to make you scream till you tell me what it is that you're keeping from me. I want you crying and begging me to stop. I want you bleeding right now."

Then her face fell. "And I hate myself for it."

"Alex—"

She cut in, and lowered her voice, as if she was talking to herself. "I can't hurt you, Eros. I'd never forgive myself, but Paris— That is doable. My conscience feels like he deserves pain. For what he's done to you. I can't bring myself to do that to you."

Marcos felt panic rise in him as she said those words. What was she saying? That she was picking Paris? That she didn't want him anymore?

"It's why I keep him. Because that thing in me, loves hurting him. Loves toying with him. I can't let him go. Not now, not now when everything's— Fuck!"

He stood from his bed, walking to her as he tried to fight back the tears coming up. "Hurt me, I'd take it. I can—"

She sent him a withering look that looked like she wanted to set him on fire. "Stay away from me."

"Alex—"

And then she was out his door.

"Alexandra!"

He had never called her full name. Not once, but today it had escaped his lips as he ran down the stairs to her but she didn't even turn to look at him, and when he saw her reach the door, his fear took over. "I swear if you go back to him, I'd hurt him just like I hurt Julian!"

She paused.

Marcos felt his chest rise more, breathing now seemed to be impossible as sobs clogged his throat and tears fell out his eyes and down to his lips while he fell to his knees, hands in a prayer. "I'm sorry, Mommy. I didn't m-mean to say that. I d-didn't mean—." Then he swallowed, "I won't do anything. I'd be good, I swear. Just— Just don't go. S-Stay. Please,"

When Alex spoke, her voice was low.

Disappointed. "I already thought you learned your lesson once. If you do anything to him, or anyone else, Marcos. I won't forgive you."

And with that, she left him alone, crying on the floor.

~

Do not look at me like that, thank you. For those who have managed to go this far, thank you so much for reaching half of TJTNTG with me. (Yes, this is half of it, so we're about to get to the second half).

For those who didn't understand why Marcos was behaving... weird. It was because he had entered his little space. Yes, he has a little space. It rarely happens but it's there regardless.

And just wanted to get this out, but I wouldn't be updating till this book has 1k reads. I know, I'm a traitor, *inserts dark grin* but I promise, if it does, you'd enjoy the other half which would have songs attached to them.

Note: Someone's going to die though and there's gonna be an emotional rollercoaster. Happiness, sadness, you wishing to strangle me. Name it. I got it.

Cross my dark heart.