fluffy - axel x mark

89 - is mark a masochist?

That night after another round of unsuccessful training, Mark sat down on the floor to talk to the picture of his grandpa again.

"Sorry it's been a while,"Mark said. "You know how it is. I've been busy. I just want to learn this move. I just don't understand!"

He gazed intently into the picture. "You haven't lead me wrong before. I mean, I even have a boyfriend now! Though I can't give you all the credit. I am pretty charming."

Mark giggled. "Still, I need to figure it out. What has it got to do with the heart? Or is it just the left side of my chest and I'm reading too much into things? Man, I wish I could just ask you."

He grabbed the picture. "I wish you weren't dead."

His mother was waiting outside his room. She wondered why he even bothered obsessively talking to that picture each night before bed. Why did he have such a connection with the grandfather he never knew? She just quietly sighed and walked to her bedroom.

"I should mind my own business,"she muttered. It seemed the more she knew about her son, the stranger he seemed.

******

The next day after school, Mark was torturing himself yet again by throwing his tyre swing at himself again and again, trying to figure out how his new move worked, when he spotted Jude and Axel.

Just then, the tire slammed him to the floor. He went red, and awkwardly waved. "Uh, hi!"

"Do you really think you're going to learn the move in time?"Jude asked.

"I hate seeing you hurt yourself like this,"Axel grimaced. He walked over to Mark and offered his hand.

Mark took it and got up. "I didn't need your help by the way. I just wanted an excuse to hold your hand."

Axel smiled halfheartedly. "I mean it, Mark. Next thing you know you won't be able to play in the game."

"Why don't we help him, Axel?"Jude suggested.

"Yeah. A ball won't hurt as much as a tyre,"said Axel. "Plus it's more realistic. Who the fuck is kicking massive tyres at you, Mark?"

Mark laughed. "Who knows? The Zeus team are pretty mysterious!"

Jude couldn't help but laugh. "They don't use tyres, Mark. I watched them play. They are just regular guys. Slightly more attractive than average, but still."

"Did you say attractive guys?"Nathan popped out of a bush.

Mark gasped. "Please, stop doing that!"

Nathan laughed. "I'll continue just to see that reaction of yours. I'll help you too."

So the three of them did just that. Repeatedly kicking footballs at Mark.

"This is bringing me back to the old days,"Jude giggled. "Feels wrong, though."

"Indeed it does,"said Nathan.

Axel grimaced. "I'm sorry Mark!"

"Axel, just because you're my boyfriend doesn't mean you're allowed to kick softer than everyone else. You're the star striker! Give your kicks some power, geez!"Mark rolled his eyes.

"I was just trying to be nice! But for that, I am going to kick harder! You'll regret it, Evans."

Mark giggled. "Oh, Axel, you know it makes me feel a certain sort of way when you call me that.."

"Ugh, get a room!"Jude and Nathan yelled in unison.

Just then, Sylvia and Nelly were walking up the hill.

"Respectfully, what the fuck?"Nelly said.

"Oh, we're helping Mark develop his new goalie move! Wanna join us?"

Nelly raised her eyebrows in disgust. "Do I look like I'd get dirty for that?"

But before she could even finish talking, Sylvia had grabbed a football and joined in.

"You're one of the strangest guys I've ever known, Mark,"Nelly sighed.

Eventually Mark talked Axel into trying to use Fire tornado against him.

"You sure? I mean, it's gonna hurt like a bitch. It might even leave you with burns-"

"Do it, Axel!"Mark said. "Please!"

"Ugh, fine. If you go to the hospital, I told you so!"Axel leaped into the air, engulfing himself in a ring of fire.

He screamed,"FIRE TORNADO,"as the ball engulfed in flames and headed straight towards Mark.

Axel covered his eyes and winced. Mark screamed in pain.

"I fucking told you so!"Axel yelled, immediately running to his boyfriends aid.

Mark lay down, dazed on the ground. The others tried to surround him too but Axel wouldn't let them. He held Mark.

"Are you seriously hurt?"

"No. Probably just a concussion,"Mark winced.

"I told you that you shouldn't have,"Axel sighed, messing with his hair.

"No,"said Mark. "Guys, it worked! I felt something! In my heart! It was the spirit of the move!"

"You're delusional, Mark. It was probably just your heart stopping for a second from the shock."

"No, Axel. I mean it. It was the move!"Mark said excitedly. "You worry too much!"

"Even if it was the move, we should bring him home or something,"said Sylvia.

"Don't bring me home like this! My parents will kill me! They already think I'm insane!"Mark yelled. "Just bring me to the ramen shop. Coach Hillman gets it."

Axel rolled his eyes. "Your parents are right. But you're not walking. I'll carry you."

Mark grinned. "You should hit me more often."

"Oh shut up!"

Axel gently helped Mark up, and then got Jude to lift him onto his back. Mark couldn't help but grin like an idiot.

Axel craned his neck. "I don't know what you're smiling about, Mark. You're an idiot. I could've killed you."

"You wouldn't!"

Axel just sighed. "Let's get him to the ramen shop."