Camp Orion, Part 3
After dinner, Chris and Mark went to the back of the Mess Hall, where a path ran along a lake, leading into a thick wood. At a point on the trail, Mark stopped him, withdrew some cigarettes, and lit one, offering the box to Chris, who accepted, though he'd never smoked before. He was surprised and proud when he didn't choke on his first inhale. Even more surprised that he liked the way the smoke curled warmly inside of his mouth and lungs, and the feeling of an exhale. Mark took a seat on a nearby bench and gestured for Chris to sit next to him.
"Okay, you're shy and innocent and that's really cute and endearing and everything, but you have to understand something, and I'm only gonna say this once, else I'll feel like a fucking fruit," Mark took another drag from his cigarette before stomping it out on the path and burying it in mulch. He took a deep breath and said, "You're really fucking hot."
"Um," Chris said, clearly not buying it, "No."
"You're not hot to yourself because you don't put effort into it. But if you'd shave regularly and learn to brush your hair and dress like you care what you're wearing, no offense dude, you'd be hot shit. You don't need to worry. You're hot, own it," Mark shrugged, "And the appearance thing is easy enough to fix. We have tomorrow to settle in, so I can teach you all that stuff then. But you have to work on something else."
"Okay...You sure you're not gay?"
"You have to work on being a jackass, you jackass. As in, you need to do it more often. Not even full-on, just stand up for yourself, be quippy."
"Is quippy a word?"
"Not the point! Oh. Well done," Mark smirked.
"No, I was seriously asking," Chris said.
Mark squinted at him, "Don't do that shit. It's annoying. Don't think. You're so worried about what people will think that you think too hard, and it only.... okay, it always comes off as endearing, but it also makes you an easy target. You need to act tougher. Just a little. Which means you need to stop thinking. There's a reason asshole jocks seem so tough, it's because they don't use their brains," Mark tapped his head with his pointer finger for emphasis.
For the next two hours, they worked and talked, getting to know each other and bouncing practice insults off of one another. "You're getting good," Mark said, "But lights out is in an hour and I want to shower before bed," he stretched, but stopped suddenly, becoming incredibly alert, "You know how I told you it'd be a good idea to make out with me?"
"Yeah, how could I forget something so stupid?"
Mark rolled his eyes, "Stupid or not, there are girls coming up the path right now and I think Zeebo's with them. Nothing excites a lady like walking in on a tryst, and nothing sparks our boy's interest quite like jealousy. Just trust me," Mark said, leaning forward.
"But...I've never kissed anyone."
"Think about it this way," Mark said soothingly, "It could be worse. I'm a good teacher. And a good kisser. I wouldn't steer you wrong, Chris. Just close your eyes and lean in, I'll do the rest."
Chris stared at him a moment, contemplating, then nodded, almost to himself, and leaned forward, letting his eyes slide shut. Mark's lips were immediately on his, warm and soft and gently probing, working his mouth into a small o, tracing it with his tongue. His hand came up to cradle the curve of Chris' neck and pull him closer as he nibbled on his bottom lip. Chris forgot where he was and who he was with for a moment as his hands came up on their own, clenching Mark's shoulders as he sighed into the kiss.
Someone cleared their throat. Loudly.
Chris' eyes snapped open and he scooted away from mark immediately, cowering under Zach's gaze. He was with two girls, both blonde and blue-eyed, both eyeing Mark with interest and more or less ignoring him.
"Lights out is in fourty-five minutes."
"I have a watch," Chris said immediately, surprising even himself, "I'm well aware of the time, thanks."
"Well," said Zach, raising an eyebrow, taken aback, "Be sure to be back by then," and he turned and made his way to continue down the path before he turned around, "You know, flirting with one guy and then...with another, it's really uncouth."
"You're telling me," Chris spat, and noticed Mark's impressed, incredulous expression out of the corner of his eye.
Zach blinked, "I'm just saying. If word got around, you'd gain a nasty reputation."
"Oh, like I care what a bunch of people I've never met before and will never see again think of me," Chris barked out a bitter laugh.
Zach cocked a hip, "Oh, I really think you do. And that's why you're pulling this stunt."
That stung, but only a little. Not enough to keep Chris from retaliating, "Look, I don't see what business this is of yours, and you're making pretty grand assumptions about me here. As you said yourself, flirting is good acting practice. And what good would it do to run lines with only one other member of the cast, and what good would it be to only run lines with one member of the cast, as it were?"
"Suit yourself," Zach shrugged.
"There's no need to get all upset, Zach. If you wanted a turn after Mark, you only had to speak up and say something. But maybe that's not your thing. Maybe you prefer them underage, like Groff."
Chris knew he'd taken it too far. Horror flashed in Zach's eyes, followed by pain, "I was trying to find you, Chris. I wanted to apologize properly for what I said before dinner. But I honestly don't see much point now."
"I did cross the line there, didn't I?" Chris said, gently.
"You just...you shouldn't talk about things you don't understand. It's complicated. Jonathan isn't my boyfriend. I can understand where you're coming from, all things considered. But don't go doing things you regret because your feelings have been hurt."
"Who said I regret it? Mark's an excellent kisser." He even dared a wink at the girls, the younger of whom giggled and blushed. Zach's eyes shot over to her, surprised.
"Okay fine. Whatever. Just be at the cabin before lights out, or I'll have you both written up," Zach said, taking off down the path at a very brisk pace. Once he was out of earshot, Chris and Mark both dissolved into laughter.
"I can't believe you! You're such an undercover badass!" Mark howled, "I thought for sure it was going to come to blows. You can be a real bitch, you know that?"
"I can, can't I?" Chris said, feeling somehow liberated, though he was already blushing like he had a fever and regretting every word. "That was kind of awesome."
"Yeah," Mark confirmed, "It really was. But I think you definitely got his attention. He even apologized to you for Groff. Kind of. And that's pretty much unheard of. He usually just lets Groff do whatever and step all over whoever he likes. God knows why, maybe the kid's rich or something."
"Maybe it's just because he's hot," Chris shrugged, and Mark snorted.
"No way. Zachariah may think about it, he may tease Groff and seriously entertain the notion, but he'd never cross that line. He's too strict, to stuck on the rulebook. He likes bending rules, not breaking them. He's a...nonviolent nonconformist. All grunge or whatever and shit."
"Yeah, I can see your point, I guess. Should we head back?"
"Give it ten minutes. Z boy won't do anything to us."
"If you're going to call him names, could you at least use one consistently?" Chris shook his head at his friend.
"I'll consider it, if only for the sake of your mental well-being. Wanna make out some more?"
Chris shook his head and blushed deeply, "I thought you were straight."
"For all intents and purposes," Mark shrugged, "I inguldge in pleasure, though I prefer the female form. I'm not going to turn you down if you're here and willing."
"I don't think so," Chris said, "I mean no offense. You're...um. Good at what you do. But since we're both utalizing that to get something outside of mutual satisfaction, maybe it's best not to mix business with pleasure."
"Maybe you're right," Mark said, standing up and stretching, "Let's head back then. Don't want to keep the Z-man waiting."
"Is that the name you choose from now on? Because, swear to god, if you use another nickname for him every time, I will pretend not to know who the hell you're talking about." Chris said as they took off on the path towards the cabins.
"Give me til morning," Mark insisted, "I'll pick one of many from a hat."
"Fair enough."
A.N.-The plot is moving along a bit more slowly than I would like, but this story has me pumped, so I should be able to update frequently enough so that this doesn't become a problem. I've been thinking of including more famous people but I've had my doubts about how far to take the AU nature of the story. I want it to remain somewhat believable... ah who am I kidding? :3 Please let me know what you think.