i don't have a title for this yet (mark x cesar)

Vol. 3

Mark POV

It's kind of strange he accepted the hoodie. As on edge as he was, and just the way Cesar is, I didn't think he'd take it. Nonetheless, I go downstairs and "fix up" some food for us. I have a feeling Cesar is going to be staying for quite a while. As I put the stuff in the microwave, because the only goddamn thing I know how to cook is scrambled eggs, I sit on the couch and wait for Cesar to come down as well.

When he does, I see he has my hoodie on. It's too big for his body, and it's baggy. I give a light laugh as I see him for the first time. "Thanks, Mark. For the hoodie." He says sheepishly as he sits down on the couch alongside me. He starts messing with his hair, trying to put it back in place, but it is legitimately everywhere. "Hold on a second." I tell him. I get a brush from my bathroom and walk back to the living room. As I slowly start to brush his hair back into place, he just starts to talk. Nonsensical, to fill the silence. I guess that's what he does when he's nervous.

"I heard my mom scream. Before I did anything, you know? I heard on the TV that they see something before they do whatever to them. I wonder what she saw. Did she see me? Did she see my father..?" His voice starts to break just talking about him. His hair is all fixed now, so I put the brush back up and I sit down on the couch next to him. "No surprise that my father wasn't there for us when it happened. He's never there. He's always..." He's starting to cry.

I don't like seeing him like this. The cheerful, helpful, and loving boy I know isn't sitting on the couch with me right now. I'm sitting with a traumatized, scared, and broken boy. I scoot closer towards him and he looks into my eyes.

Oh shit. I completely forgot about the food. Who cares? Well, I probably will. Whatever. This is more important.

He leans against my shoulder and curls into a little ball. He just starts to cry. I hate saying that I don't know what to do. So, I do what I think any logical person would do. I hug him back. He's violently sobbing into my shoulder. He's still saying nonsensical things. I rest my chin on his shoulder and start stroking his hair. I side glance to the window, and it's probably been about 2 hours. That's fine. Whatever it takes to have Cesar okay.

"Sorry about that." He sniffles, letting go of me. "You have nothing to be sorry about!" I tell him, kind of in shock. How could he apologize for just letting his feelings out? He really needed it, I can tell. "Sorry. I think it's just that my father never let me...do that. He'd always say, 'Be a man, Cesar.' I never-"

He just keeps going. Eventually, I cut him off. "Cesar, you've probably heard this before, but 1.) It's okay to let your emotions out. 2.) Your dad is a fucking bastard." I count both on my fingers. He thinks about it for a few seconds and just says, "Yeah, I guess my dad is a...jerk." I give him a small smile. Cesar was never really able to swear.

"Thank you, Mark. Really. How will I ever pay you back?" He asks, facing straight towards me. I can't avoid his questions now. "Pay me back? Are you serious?" I put both of my hands on his shoulders and give him a little shake. "You've done so much for me. I need to pay you back." He's serious about this. "You don't need to pay me back! I'm doing this because..." I love you.

Wait. What? Why would I even think about saying that? "Because I care about you." My face is red, I can feel it. "Fine. But I will have to repay you in one form or another." Cesar curls back up into the ball and puts his head on my shoulder. I put my arm around him, and within seconds, he's asleep.

(this was meant to come out this morning i'm so so sorry!! anyways t  next chapter will have lots angst so teehee 🤭

-1-800-MANDELA)