The Socially Awkward Network Ch. 2
Title: The Socially Awkward Network Ch. 2
Author: tafidadarling
Fandom: The Social Network which belongs to Columbia Pictures.
Character(s)/Pairing(s): Mark/Eduardo, Chris, Dustin
Rating: FRM
Summary: Mark and Eduardo try to make this work. Slightly AU because I wanted fluff.
Notes: I'm still not sure how long this is going to be. It's kind of "How Eduardo Teaches Mark To Interact in a Relationship" and I might explore other aspects of the relationship. Oh, and I write Dustin and Chris like they're twins or Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum or something. :D
Cross posted to mark_eduardo and socialnetwrkfic.
"Is it still difficult?" Eduardo asked as they broke apart.
"No, I think it's all pretty clear now."
"You had me figured out like a code long ago, didn't you?" Eduardo asked as he rested his head on Mark's chest. He was still on top of him, and he figured he should move before he crushed Mark's lap. It could wait.
"No! Honestly," Mark protested. "You are probably the only match for me intellectually. I was unsure how to go about things."
"Well, thank you despite the 'probably'." Eduardo shifted slightly, attempting to move back to his side of the couch.
"Don't."
It was so quiet, Eduardo almost didn't hear it.
"Don't," Mark repeated louder this time. "Not yet. This is... it's nice."
"Okay, I won't," Eduardo said nestling closer to Mark. "What if Dustin and Chris come back?"
"They're going to find out eventually."
And that's how Dustin and Chris found out - when they returned to the room they saw Mark and Eduardo asleep on the couch, a tangle of limbs.
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See, Eduardo always took pride in being a gentleman. Chivalry wasn't dead, Mark found out when Eduardo insisted on "wining and dining" him. They were seated across from each other in an old fashioned diner off campus. Mark's eyes darted over the words on the menu frantically, and Eduardo could tell he was nervous once again. He seemed to have that kind of affect on the other man.
He reached for Mark's hand and whispered, "It's okay if you don't want to 'go public' right away."
"It's not that," Mark said rather forcefully. "I'm not embarrassed that I'm with a man. I'm just awful at dating period." The way Mark said the word as if it were poison made Eduardo smile. "Well, I'm glad you find my discomfort amusing."
"I'm sorry Mark. You just have to relax. To avoid sounding cheesy, be yourself."
"That's the problem. I'm neurotic, weird and drive people away."
"You haven't driven me away," Eduardo said. Did he just blush? God, he hoped he didn't.
"Maybe I will now that we're 'going steady' or whatever. I mean, I always start rambling and my food gets cold before I arrive at my point."
"You do that anyway," Eduardo pointed out. "And I like you as you are for some reason, so shut up and order something."
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Dustin and Chris were playing a game when Mark and Eduardo returned to the room, stumbling a little and making a substantial amount of noise. Eduardo put a finger to Mark's lips to shush him although their friends were already watching them.
"You left us unsupervised all night Mom and Dad," Dustin said.
"Tell us you brought beer to make up for it," Chris added.
"Drank all the beer," Mark replied. "Need the room."
"Ew..." Dustin and Chris said simultaneously.
They quit the game and grabbed their coats.
"We'll get some more beer," Dustin shouted as they door slammed behind them.
Mark soon had Eduardo pushed up against that door, his mouth sucking Eduardo's pulse, determined to leave a bruise there. Eduardo allowed him as he started to move them toward Mark's bed where they collapsed one on top of the other. Mark began to unbutton Eduardo's shirt, his fingers fumbling with the slick, pearl buttons, but was stopped.
"Am I doing something wrong?" he asked.
"No, not at all," Eduardo said. "I just... I want it to be perfect."
"So, I am doing something wrong."
"No, it's fine. Let's go slow, okay?"
"I kicked Dustin and Chris out."
"I don't mean we aren't going to. God, I've wanted so long to be this close to you. I don't want it to be desperate. Here, let me show you."
Eduardo flipped them so he was on top. He pulled the hoodie over Mark's head then leaned down and slowly kissed him. Eduardo put everything into that kiss he had felt since he met Mark - the comfort, the attraction, the love - and Mark returned it.
"It's not going to be perfect," Mark said when Eduardo pulled away. "Humans aren't perfect unlike code."
"But if humans write code, how is it perfect?"
Mark was silent for a minute. He went back to ridding Eduardo of his shirt and was more successful this time. As Mark's hands explored the skin now laid bare for him, he said, "You have a point. How am I doing now?"
"Much better," Eduardo said, his breathe hitching.
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Dustin and Chris were sitting outside the economics building, a six pack divided between them. It was finally starting to warm up and flowered were starting to push through the soil. Spring brought new beginnings, not only in nature.
"Do you think they'll be mad I called them Mom and Dad?" Dustin asked.
"I don't think they'll be dwelling on it," Chris muttered.
"I'm trying not to think about it. It would be like thinking about your mom and dad."
"Oh, don't go there man."
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Eduardo pleasantly surprised when Mark snuggled along his side, resting his head on Eduardo's shoulder. He kissed the top of Mark's head and then wrapped his arm around him.
Mark. His best friend. His boyfriend.
"Wardo. I like, I... you're as perfect as a human could possibly be," Mark mumbled into his skin.
"I love you too," Eduardo said.