[for Mark- Post fight]

[toshiko_san]

It had been a mostly good day for both Jackson and Tosh. They'd napped for a bit after Owen had dropped him off, and spent some time down at the beach, and visited with Banon and Charlie. If anything, she'd tired her son out a bit too much. He was cranky enough that it seemed it, fighting sleep with every ounce of his will. She'd hoped to make

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[make_creation]

Mark had said he'd come back later. In fact, it seemed like he was spending more time here than at home lately. Chalk that up to being new and exciting. Even more exciting since he'd gotten hit.

He knocked softly, careful of his knuckles, Jackson, and the fact that he simply didn't cop-knock.

Jesus, his head hurt.

[make_creation]

"He sucker-punched my kidney," Mark said, gesturing to his back. He wasn't going to go into the resulting fun of that; there was no reason to tell her just how much fun it was to take a piss right now. It didn't keep him from moving just so and extending his arm to get her to come a little closer.

"My mom used to make banana pie. With vanilla wafers and whipped cream. She didn't do it a lot, but it was good. Comfort food, maybe? Anyhow, I wouldn't mind being on a list with it."

[toshiko_san]

It made her wince, thinking of how it must hurt him. Tensing, she didn't comment, except to frown for a moment. "You have to remember I grew up in Osaka. My idea of sweets included cake made with bean paste or green tea."

[make_creation]

"Osaka's pretty far from Scarsdale," Mark chuckled softly. He was going strictly on the sound of her voice since he could only see her if he leaned in closer. "I bet you never had challah or latkes, huh? I'm not sure what passed for Japanese food in the village was remotely authentic, but it tasted good."

[toshiko_san]

"If what I know of New York is right, then it likely was authentic," her own eyes had closed, her hand sliding up the arm that wrapped about her, "I've never had a latke or challah, no. If only we had a jewish mother here to cook us some?"

[make_creation]

"Somebody else's mother," he snorted. "Mine, God love her, drives me crazy. She gave me the money to send Roger to rehab, but she also sent me an answering machine and that's when I started screening the calls. Before, I just didn't answer."

He hadn't been tired before, but now, in bed, with her warmth close against him, it was easy to just relax and try to forget the bullshit. He'd known this sort of thing might happen. Hell, he'd figured it probably would happen. Funny how right here and right now made it worth it.

[toshiko_san]

"Everyone's mothers drive them crazy," and yet there was little that she wouldn't have done for her own mother at one point, as mad as she made her at times. "Voice mail on my mobile. It was a wonderful thing."

"Jewish and Japanese. Its likely a good thing we could never get them together."

[make_creation]

It was easy to lay here and smile softly as he held her, agreeing with a slow nod because it seemed like the truest thing he'd ever heard. Years and years ago, one of his worst nightmares was his mom getting together with Maureen's. It was enough to chill him to the core.

He spread his fingers and pulled them back, drawing slow circles against her body. Of all the things he felt--connection, closeness, and even the steady ache--he noticed the one thing he didn't feel was numb.

"Tosh..." he started hesitantly, the silence having grown too heavy. "...I don't want to make things rough between you and Owen, you know? Or rougher. I don't know what to do, other than not come around or spend more time near Jackson than he thinks I should, though."

[toshiko_san]

"Mark," she twisted so she could look at him properly, even if he couldn't see her entirely with the lack of glasses. This was new, and yet important already. "We're not doing anything wrong. Owen will have to come to terms with that. You're here because I want you here, and I will not let him dictate who I can spend time with by dictating who our son can spend time with."

[make_creation]

"Okay," he agreed. Like any mother, what she said might as well have been law. He'd leave it in her hands, what to do about Owen. He didn't have any intention of stepping into his shoes, which he'd wanted to explain, but it just didn't work out that way.

[toshiko_san]

"Thank you," she said after a moment, appreciating that he'd agreed and not argued the point. There would be other things later she'd give way on, but Owen wasn't one of them.

Her hand rested on his chest, fingers tensing in the fabric of his well-worn shirt. "I'd kiss you if I didn't think I'd hurt you doing it."

[make_creation]

Mark tilted to look at her, close enough that he could actually make out her features.

"I'm not hurt that bad," he replied, taking the initiative and kissing her first. It was slow and soft and he moved a little more to keep from bumping his nose. Lingering for a bit, it finally broke and he added, "and I'm not really sure being hurt would stop me anyways."

[toshiko_san]

A pleased sound escaped her, soft and low, returning the kiss tentatively. "It's good to know neither of us have that much sense."

[make_creation]

There was a huff of a laugh and Mark kissed her again, pushing all the boundaries of anything resembling sense. He shifted closer and held her tighter and kissed her. And kissed her. And kissed her until he couldn't breathe and the absolute last things on his mind were any of the other people in her life.